By Fryd...

Lovely collection of light and airy images from By Fryd.
Image from By Fryd. 

Dreaming of...

...going back here. Zanzibar is one of those places that is just as incredible in real life as it is in your imagination. I hope it's still untouched by tourism today as it was 10 years ago.
Image is the view from the rooftop of 236 Hurumzi in Stone Town.

A perfect weekend...

We just had the most perfect weekend. Our planned trip to the coast didn't eventuate, even still we had the best time. We headed up to Sauvie Island and went berry picking, watched movies (this was brilliant), dined alfresco (I'm loving this summery weather), walked in the park, went bike riding, and now it's Tuesday! What with errands, work, taking the boys to the movies, and what-have-you, yesterday just flew by. I hope you had a great weekend, and your week is off to a good start. The boys have a sewing-camp this morning, so I'm hoping to find the time to sit down with a cup of tea and catch up on some blog reading!

Weekly what:nots...

Well we seem to have survived the first full week of the summer hols - just! Thank you for taking the time to stop by Elsa May - I hope you're enjoying your weekend and all is well in your neck of the woods. We're heading off to the coast in a bit, so I shall jump right into what:nots.

Black and white images by Mikael Schulz.

Ajne's exotic scents and intricate packaging.

Personalised return address stamps at Paperwink. And very reasonably priced too!

I've had my eye on these for sometime now.

Listening to the lovely Laura Marling's new album.

Pomander, although technically a 'winter' candle I love it all year 'round.

Assouline's new book Polo, The Nomadic Tribe. Filled with history and possibly the most beautiful images ever by the uber-talented Aline Coquelle. Hope over here and have a look at Aline's images - !

Annie Leonard's book The Story of Stuff looks at our obsession with stuff and the difference between consumption and consumerism. A thought-provoking read.

Images from Agent Bauer, Ajne, Paperwink, Garance Dore, Laura Marling, Diptyque, Assouline, Aline Coquelle, and The Story of Stuff.

Back a bit later...

I hope you've had a grand week - mine has been hectic. I'll be back tomorrow with what:nots - that's a promise. Until then hop over here and have a peek at Darius Kuzmickas' ethereal pinhole photographs.
Image by Darius Kuzmickas.

Hello summer...

Apologies for the lack of posts - life has a habit of getting in the way at times... However, with all this ridiculously summery weather it's time to start thinking of summery wardrobes. I'm fairly certain I could find everything I need this summer at Calypso St. Barth. even if it's a wintery sun - I hope it's shining at your place.

Images from Calypso St. Barth - clockwise from top left - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Could it be...

...that summer has finally arrived in Portland? I'm crossing my fingers and toes and hoping. I hope you're enjoying your Tuesday - I'm off to get some sunshine!
Image via Dress Design Decor.

Restrepo...

Directed by Sebastian Junger (A Perfect Storm) and Tim Hetherington, Restrepo is an entirely sobering and numbing documentary that follows an American platoon based in the Korangal Valley of Afghanistan. An experimental film in that the cameras never leave the valley, and there's no interviews with generals or diplomats, Restrepo leaves you wondering how on earth anyone can go through this, and return to 'normal' life.
Clip from You Tube.

Intricate beauty...

Back in February I mentioned Marian Bantjes and her stunning typography, and now Marian's TED talk showcasing her work is available - have a peek her work is truly incredible. For more on Marian, and to see more of her work hop on over here.
Clip from TED.

Two years...

Two Years Poem

Like yellow roses

your breathing blushes

my cheek with cool petals

The morning is quietly unfolding 

and so are we - teasing the edges of

our crumpled bundle of warm skin

and dreams

We ease apart like episodes

unsure in places if we are 

one page or two.

A little poem by Jenny Dobson to start the week.
Poem found via Poesy.

Hello week...

How was your weekend? Did you have fun? Ours started off really well and then descended into non-stop squabbles between the boys. Goodness me I was glad to ship them off to OMSI Camp this morning, I tell you! R arrives home tonight after a hugely successful race, and a whirlwind trip to NYC for work. With the boys off at camp all week I'm looking forward to some me time and catching up with friends. What are your plans? Oh I've also started pottering about with 'inspiration boards' on tumblr, but am now considering Pinterest - what are you thoughts? Do you use either, which do you find best? I'd love to know...
Image from Teri Lyn Fisher.

Sweet little clip...

Sweet little clip from J Crew....
Image from J Crew.

Weekly what:nots...

Hello there. I'm afraid I got sidetracked helping Turtle rearrange his room this evening, so am running a bit behind. Before we kick off - how was your week? I hope you had a good one. Ours was crazy madness until school finished on Tuesday, then slipped straight into sloth-like slowness. Which has been rather nice, albeit hugely unproductive. We have been excitedly following R and the team, cheering via twitter as they make their way across the country. I'm feeling ridiculously proud of him right now! I hope you have a fun weekend planned, and thank you for all your comments, it's so lovely to read them, and humbling to know that you visit Elsa May. Enjoy!

Translucent eyes found here.

French Connection's 'Coastal Clutch' - great for summer.

Pretty colours in Crush by Anya Spielman.

Love this asymmetric dress - versatile, comfy and stylish.

A lovely little sake cup, with a rather large price tag for such a wee cup.

Pie chart pins by StudioFludd. They'd look good on a wall too (via Seesaw).

A tissue-thin sheer knit tank from Madewell.

What are these? Why they are stools of course - $600 stools that is. Hop on over to the Mogg Blogg, and read Joy and Janet's hilarious posts on design and home decor.

Images from Silent Models, Anya Spielman, French Connection, asos, LCR, StudioFludd, Madewell, and the Mogg Blogg.

Back a bit later...

Whoops we seem to have missed Thursday! I hope you're having a grand Friday - I've spent the morning riding, and am just racing out with the rowdies to catch the sun. Back later this evening with what:nots!
Image from Hermes, via Table Tonic.

The warmth of the sun...

Beautifully evocative photographs by Baron Wells. Can't you just feel the warmth of the sun in the top one?

Found via size to small, images from Baron Wells.

Peace...

p e a c e

it does not mean to be in a place where

there is no trouble, noise or hard work.

it means to be in the midst of these things

& still feel
calm in your heart.

Found on Che and Fidel. Image by Matt Sundin.

White dress...

...I think if I had a dress like this I would live in it all summer long....

Image from fifiluxe.

Hello week...

How was your weekend? Ours was sublime with utterly perfect summer weather. Thanks to a nice young man at the Apple Store my laptop, and mouse are now working properly. Technology don't you love it when it works, and condemn it when it doesn't! The boys and I are once again "just-three" with R currently somewhere in southern Colorado taking part in this! Seriously why drive or fly when you can cycle? Madness I say, but if one is going to have a vice....well let's just say it could be a lot worse. Right best get on. We have the end of year class picnic this evening, and I need to prepare our contribution. A task fraught with stress due to real (or perceived) Mummy-one-upmanship over what your contribution says about your home life and your overall approach to child-rearing ;) I hope your week is off a to a grand start. Have fun!
ps: one of my all-time favourite things is sunlight glistening on water. It gives me such a feeling of inner-peace-and-joy. To me it is perfection.
Image from Ruby Beets.

A few good books...

Just as soon as I feel I have my reading pile under control, I discover a whole raft of new books to read! Recent additions to my pile include...

Dear Gabriel by Halfdan Friehow
Written in the form of a letter from a father to his young autistic son, this deeply moving book tells of a complex, loving relationship that is sometimes fraught with misunderstanding, but bolstered by unconditional love.

Half Broke Horses: A true-life novel by Jeanette Walls

The story of Lily Casey Smith, Jeannette Walls's no nonsense, resourceful, and spectacularly compelling grandmother. A heartwarming story about a truly indomitable woman.

(I'm also eager to read Jeanette Walls memoir The Glass Castle)

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

A riotously funny, emotionally raw novel about love, marriage, divorce, family, and the ties that bind - whether we like it or not.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
When Major Pettigrew, a retired British army major in a small English village, embarks on an unexpected friendship with the widowed Mrs. Ali, who runs the local shop, trouble erupts to disturb the bucolic serenity of the village. This is a beautifully written book - a real pleasure to read.

Life on Gorge River by Robert Long
An inspiring tale of one man’s decision to ‘drop out’ of capitalist society and establish a completely self-sufficient lifestyle most people can’t even imagine. There's a fascinating interview with the author here.


Reading by Moonlight: How Books Saved a Life by Brenda Walker
An account of the author's treatment for breast cancer and how different books and authors helped her through the tumultuous process of recovery. "When I tell myself that books can save a life, I don’t mean that books can postpone death. That is the job of medicine. I mean that certain books, by showing us the inner fullness of individual life, can rescue us from a limited view of ourselves and one another." Thank you Engracia for the recommendation!


What are you reading at present? Do you also have a never ending stack of books you want to read? Do you find regular, and decent periods of time to read? Or, like me do you find you're often snatching small windows here and there?


Images from Amazon, Random House, and Penguins Books Australia.