Weekly what:nots...

I hope you're all have a lovely weekend. On to what:nots for the week...

The perfect little black dress from Jil Sander.

Beautiful photographs by Christian Chaize.

Adore the muted tones in this Alberta Ferretti dress.

Peach as the new pink by Once Wed on Design Sponge.

Cute coloured scarves for Autumn (Fall).

Mysterious Letters - I know it's a bit old news but it's such a touching and heart-warming idea.

A covetable vases from Mudpuppy.

A perfect look from Phoebe Philo for Celine. Hooray she's back!

Sublime photographs by Jose Villa.

And to end with - I love this image of Giovanna.

Images from Style.com, Christian Chaize, Design Sponge, Mysterious Letters, Emma Mitchell, Mudpuppy, Jose Villa, The Sartorialist.

Portland love...

It's official - I've fallen in love with Portland! There are so many interesting, beautiful and inspiring things. Do you ever have that sense of belonging somewhere? I'm in awe of the small businesses and endeavours people undertake here. And as for the scenery - jaw dropping. Some recent discoveries include...

Ink & Peat - A wonderful collection of homewares, furniture, flowers, and objets d'art.

The Japanese Garden - Beautifully tranquil and proclaimed as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan it is one of my new favourite places.

Lark Press Printing - Tucked away over on N Williams is a lovely letterpress printing studio and retail space.

Laughing Planet - Scrum-diddly-umptious, wholesome, quick-service cafe. And there's one just a few blocks from our wee home. In fact there are so many great dining options here - our new family plan is to try a new one every Friday night - yum!

The Oregon Coast - One word - sublime! Oregon has such a diverse range of scenery and ecosystems. Put simply - jaw-dropping

J Crew - OK so not officially a Portland exclusive but I love it all the same.

Turtle & Mu's new school - Such a wonderful place - we feel grateful that they get to experience such a warm and inspirating place.

There are so many more things, places, and people I could go on for ever...

I hope you're having a lovely weekend - what:nots will be posted later this evening, and I'm aiming to update the 'our house' set on Flickr with some pics from our home away from home.

Images from Ink & Peat, Portland Japanese Garden, Lark Press Printing, Laughing Planet Cafe, J Crew.

My new favourite thing...

Lookee here - there's an iPhone app that lets you turn your photos into polaroids! Love it big time!

I wonder what happened?

Do you ever see an abandoned house and wonder what happened? Why did they leave - what stories must lie within the ruins? Ruin by Brian Vanden Brink captures these abandoned structures and provides a permanence before they disappear forever.

Images from Brian Vanden Brink.

Perceptions...

I was listening to a podcast on perceptions the other day and it reminded me of this social experiment run by the Washington Post. And it also made me think of this quote:

Don't let the imaginary person in your head, keep you from loving the real one right in front of you.

Some food for thought on a Tuesday.

Weddings...

A very good friend of mine is getting married today and sadly we can't be there. I absolutely love weddings and thought I'd share my favourite images of wedding inspiration.

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Images from Jose Villa, East side Bride, and Love Me Do Photography.

Weekly what:nots...

Things are back on track - and I'm back to weekly what:nots (I don't think I should mention I've been planning to post these since Wednesday....). Enjoy!

With the late Portland summer - new sandals are on the agenda and these would be perfect!

A sweet bud vase by Mitsuru Koga for late summer blooms.

I just love the colours in these images by Maison de Vacances.

And while we're on bright colours - this painting from Ines de la Fressange's home is fab.

Garance Dore's illustrations are now on tee-shirts!

The stunning Grace Kelly via Tumblr.

Hanging in the window of Bowen Galleries a beautiful oil painting by Gary Collins.

Elle Russia - love the cool blues and greys - via This is Glamorous.

A very pretty vignette from Christine Lane Interiors.

And to end with - a simple, and rather lovely desktop wallpaper by Lena Corwin for Design Sponge.

Images from Moochi, Mitsuru Koga, Maison de Vacances, The Selby, Garance Dore, Tumblr, Bowen Galleries, This is Glamorous, Christine Lane Interiors, and Design Sponge.

Inspiring interiors...

With setting up our new home my focus is very much on interiors. I'm loving the looks in these images...

Images from Christine Lane Interiors, Max Attenborough, Maison de Vacances, and Design Sponge.

There's been a lot happening....

I am loving Portland's Indian summer! Pure heaven. Our home away from home is fab, but lacking in some things - like a decent radio or stereo. I'm seriously thinking of acquiring a Tivoli - it's just a matter of deciding which one? I love how Elisa Carlucci has incorporated her little stereo in her living area.

We picked up a great desk this afternoon - it's so nice having a space for all my little things, and somewhere to work! I'm always intrigued to see how other people set up there workspaces. I'm quite taken by Kelly of Succulent Love Design's workspace.

Our apartment has a lack of lighting so we have started acquired a few lamps - one or two more wouldn't be amiss especially if they looked as lovely as this one by Sarah Foote of Bonne Nuit (ooh...there's another Tivoli).

And since I sold our bed before we left New Zealand, we're on the lookout for a new bed. We've found one quite similar to the one in this image.

And we've put a deposit on a fab new couch. So exciting.

Images from: Design Sponge, Design Sponge, Bonne Nuit, and Lili Diallo.

Hello...?

Oh dear I seem to have taken a much longer break than I ever expected. Things certainly haven't been helped by a lack of internet. Although we arrived in Portland last week, we have only just been 'hooked up'. We are however settling in and Turtle & Mu have started their new school. And although we have moments that are rather disorientating, it is all overall an exciting wee adventure. Must go - lots of lovely bits and bobs coming soon - promise!