An image, an insight + a book...

an image

an insight

+ a book.

Images from Amandine's Pinterest, NY Times Magazine, and Macmillan.

Sometimes...

...there's nothing better than curing up with a book.

Image from Neest.

What:nots...

I confess to being a tad sidetracked by life, sunshine, and general bits and bobs - hence a rather tardy what:nots. I do hope you've had a lovely weekend, and that the week ahead is shaping up nicely. For what feels like the first time in ages I read a book in two days - Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend. Quite an interesting tale, and a fascinating narrative view point. And having made Denise's rhubarb recipe, I was inspired to try this rhubarb compote which was (and still is) rather delicious. I heartily recommend it with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a light sprinkling of raw sugar. Have a wonderful week!

Lovely black + white of Carolyn Murphy.

How very true.

Spring Cloak by Judith Geher.

A perfectly simple string bikini by Petit Bateau.

Pretty carnations over on fieldguided.

ATM's tanks and tees.

A friendly wee ornament from Fog Linen.

Love Heal's orange bead and vintage charm pendant.

Flower layers found on Jennifer's pinterest.

And to end with a slice of Chet Baker.

Images from N'East Style + the Ditty Bag, Ignite Light, Judith Geher, Lille boutique, Fieldguided, Barneys, Neest, Free People, and Pinterest. Clip from You Tube.

Weekly what:nots...

And my oh my what a week it was. Let's just say after Tuesday's fiasco I have a whole new respect for plumbers, especially those who make after-hours house calls. I do hope that the weekend has treated you well, and the week ahead is just as kind. After a late summer burst, autumnal rains have arrived in Portland and with it the promise of a new season. 

Love this image found over on Pretty Stuff's tumblr.

A lovely quote from The Armchair Book of Gardens. 

A wonderful piece from Lisa's Floodline series.

3.1 Phillip Lim's simple, stylish and utterly wearable spring 2012 collection.

i gigi general store in East Sussex.

Jason Ingram's gorgeous images. 

Bally's buttery-soft leather flats.

Hortus - a gardening journal. Possibly the best I've seen.

Images from Pretty Stuff, The Armchair Book of Gardens, Kiki & Polly, Style.com, i gigi, jason ingram photography, Bally, and Hortus.

Weekly what:nots...

Here we are mid-week and our adventure begins in less than 48 hours. This is both thrilling and somewhat daunting. So much to organise and so little time. The boys and I are awash in bags, packing, and last minute bits'n pieces. By Thursday evening we shall have joined R in San Francisco where we plan to take in the sights before Friday night's long-haul (such an apt name) to New Zealand. I'm working out the best way to blog while travelling - more on than in a day or so - but in the meantime here's my last what:nots until sometime in August. 

The lovely Lara Stone. I like that this image has not been airbrushed.

Have you heard about Kinfolk? Hop over here to find out more. I love their dinner table challenge.

Beautiful ceramic pieces from Beklina.

Simple and chic pieces from Tibi Resort 2012.

Dale Frank's artwork.

Wonderful silhouette on this cover - and it sounds like it could be a good read. Do you ever buy books just because of their cover?

And these Smørrebrød look like pieces of art. I can't wait to visit Aamanns when we are in Copenhagen. (Smørrebrød and Aamanns discovered on Kitka.)

Images from Of Fashion & Malice, Kinfolk, Beklina, Tibi, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Powells, and Kitka.

The seam of everyday unpicked...

...a line from Jenny Bornholdt's new book of poetry The Hill of Wool. Essentially a book of memories - how some live and grow in families, how some are triggered by chance encounters, or inspired by rediscovered songs - like Jenny's other books it is full of wonderful prose.
Image by me.

Weekly what:nots...

My oh my what a week! I don't know about you but this year seems to be extraodinarily busy. In between the usual school runs (one in the snow!), after school activities, riding, various appointments, and so on the days just fill up and fly by. Thank goodness for weekends! Mine started very pleasantly Friday evening when I caught up with friends for dinner - such fun. I highly recommend Lincoln's elderflower gimlets. R and I attended a pre-wedding party last night (wonderful) and this afternoon I'm off here for a bit of pampering. Plus tomorrow is a holiday - yay! I hope your weekend is just as pleasant, and that the past week has treated you well. Thanks ever so much for popping in - reading your comments always puts a skip in my step!

Blue hue with a slight shimmer.

The quest for a the perfect pen is over. Pentel's Slicci gel ink 0.25mm pen is super fine and writes ever so beautifully.

Crisp winter light and really lovely quote found on Little Postcards.

Covetable swimwear from Creatures of Comfort (found via Greedy Girl)

Summer Reflections from The New York Times Store.

Etten Eller's ribbon necklace.

Lovely colours on Vanessa Bruno's Tutti Frutti sandals.

Adore Ceramik B's porcelain pieces. Their buteri dish is highly covetable.

Let's Bring Back - Lesley Blume's encyclopaedia of forgotten yet delightful things from times gone by.

Images from Micaela Rossato, Little Postcards, JetPens, Creatures of Comfort, New York Times Store, Hindsvik, Vanessa Bruno, Ceramik B, and Amazon.

A remedy...

The past few days a slow shroud of melancholy has been creeping in... so today 'twas time to rouse oneself and find a remedy. What better than a bunch of trumpet lilies with tuberose, a scoop of Kulfi ice cream with pistachios, and curling up with this gem of a book. A perfect remedy it seems...
Image from Random House. Book discovered at Ink & Peat.

Weekly what:nots...

February already...do you ever wonder where the days go? We are once again three with R in Germany for a week. The boys and I have hunkered down and between homework and study have been making cookies and watching Narnia. We took a stroll this afternoon and the first tentative signs of spring are appearing...a few brave blossoms and snowdrops can be seen. I do hope you've had a lovely week, and thanks ever so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment - they always make me smile. Here's a muddly what:nots...

An utterly stunning Amber Valletta from Vogue Italia (found via Lou Boos and Shoes).

Hankering after Terrain's maple pate board.

Stylish + comfy pentronella pants from Anthro. Their in-and-out pants look pretty good too.

Wonderful products from Aesop - loving their camellia nut hydrating cream.

Jac + Jack's crisp linens.

Stories of love and serendipity on the streets of New York by Ariel Sabar.

Timor's adorable bird, duck, or maybe a penguin...complete with hat.

And This Way of Life - a heart-breakingly beautiful documentary about the Karena family and their horses.  Espousing a simplicity of life and a recognition of one's place in the world - it's a must-see.

Images from Lou Boos and Shoes, Terrain, Anthropology, Aesop, Jac + Jack, Ariel Sabar, Timor. Clip from You Tube.

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.