What:nots...

How's your week been? Ours has been pretty good, although it's ended on some unexpected, and sad news, which in turn has made me quite reflective. I think these words sum things up perfectly... we've had the usual round of riding, boys' holiday bits'n bobs, and so on. Funny how life plods on despite everything... I've been keeping up to date with the latest on Fairfax Australia (hooray for the Board's adherence to editorial independence), listening to an interesting podcast on how to retain your identity when you become a mother (difficult), and wandering through Portland's lush and verdant Forest Park. Oh, and salivating over this pie recipe... What have you been up to?

Much to love about this image.

Such a heartbreaking poem  Mr Thomas.

Wonderful images and products over on Chance.

Wild rosella and alpine pepper - what's not to like?

Bradley Streeper's Color Line.

Very taken with Roarke's Peacock Cuff.

Fete - a wonderful online publication.

Simple, timeless swimsuit from 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Surf Haven Bali - on my to go list.

And to end with - Breathe by Alexi Murdoch.

Images from Deviant Art, Chance, Shelf/life, Bradley Streeper, Roarke, Fete, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Surf Haven Bali. Clip from You Tube.

A few pretty poppies...

I hope you're having a sweet week.

Image from Philo:Sofia.

What:nots...

We seem to have tumbled out the other end of our NYC trip, the boys' graduation, and a somewhat manic end to the school year. R is once again in NZ, so the boys and I have been planning what to do with three months of summer holidays. Thankfully we have all opted for a low key approach, and plan to just take our time, and do whatever, whenever the mood strikes us - a kind of perfect summer really. And I plan to get a bit more back on track with this rather neglected blog! So as a start - here's a long overdue what:nots. Have a wonderful week.

The always elegant Keira Knightley.

Stephen King from his memoir On Writing.

Karl Long's polaroids (via Aubrey Road)

A dusty pink slip from Loup Charmant.

Camellia's - past their best yet still beautiful.

Masanori Oji's brass bottle opener.

Game Plan a beautiful book on the work of Alighiero Boetti.

Hope's perfectly slouchy Judge Trouser.

And with scents of milk, oatmeal, vanilla, and vetiver, Barr-Co's products are some of (if not the) loveliest bath products I've come across. Subtle, yet lingering, and wonderfully creamy - what's not to love.

Images from A Day of Sunrise, Karl Long, Loup Charmant, me, Anaise, La Garconne, and K. Hall Designs.

Proust...

Leaping off a cliff...

I've arrived at this evening in a somewhat rushed, disorganised manner, so I'm afraid I won't manage what:nots this week. The boys and I are off to New York this evening with their sixth-grade class for four days of sightseeing. It should be fun to see the city from another perspective, even if rain and thunderstorms are forecast! And travelling with a seven highly excited twelve-year olds is in someways akin to leaping off a cliff, hence the image. Joking aside, I hope you have a wonderful week - I'll be back in a week.
Image from Middle Child Complex.

What:nots...

Hello there. Here we are at the start of a short week. With R still away the boys and I have pootled our way through the weekend in the laziest way possible...breakfasting at midday, and mooching about in our jim-jams. Our week ahead is packed full, and come the weekend the boys and I will be off on an adventure...

This image makes me hanker for sunshine - please Portland be sunny.

Love this stylish, yet comfy looking tunic from Worthwhile.

Can't wait for 101 Cookbooks' soon to pop-up shop Quitokeeto.

Pretty suede hats found here.

Wendy Nichol's brass bead and leather necklace.

Rachel Castle's print perfectly perched in Heidi Middleton's house.

Pratten's croc-effect wallet in tangerine.

Oil on canvas by Hans Heysen.

I was planning to post this Francoise Hardy song, but opted for this rather sweet Marianne Faithfull song instead.

Images from Tumblr, Worthwhile, Quitokeeto, Beatriz Furest, Anaise, Tales of Endearment, Pratten, and National Gallery of Australia Clip from You Tube.

Hello...?

Thanks for hanging in there during my recent interlude. I hope the last few weeks have treated you well, and that all is good in your neck of the woods. I confess to not quite managing the gardening I'd wanted (due in part to Portland's rains), but I did manage to get heaps of riding in - always a good thing. And if you're at all of an equine bent this might interest you. By all accounts Kaimanawa horses are pretty special. If you're interested, you can read more about the Kaimanawa horses here, and the Wilson sisters here. And I'll be back with what:nots later this evening...
Image from Keeping up with the Kaimanawas. 

A small interlude...

I hope your week is trucking along nicely, and that the days ahead are looking bright and sunny (literally and/or figuratively). I shall be taking a break from regular posting for a wee while, but I will still be pootling around the blogosphere visiting you all, and of course pinning now and then. I might even squeeze in a post here and there...we'll just have to see. And given I hope to spend a fair amount of time in my garden, I thought this would be a nice image to leave you with...for now.
Image from * wit + delight.

What:nots...

Happy Monday morning! I hope you had a swell weekend - Portland was awash in sunshine and wonderfully warm tempratures. Nothing like summery weather to put a spring in one's step. Here's to a sunny week ahead - enjoy!

Love this image found here.

Stephen King from his memoir On Writing.

Petal pink, and tangerine sequin goodness from Ankasa.

MiH Jean's super chic and super simple vintage tunic.

Swoon-worthy wicker chairs by Bonacina Pierantonio.

Heidi Middleton's house on Tales of Endearment. 

(found via Simple Lovely)

Noun, a recent Portland find full of treasures like these two sweet guys.

This top would be perfect with denim cut-offs.

June - possibly one of the nicest (and yummiest) places to eat in Portland.

And roll on the end of the month when Julia Stone's new album By the Horns will be released.

Images from j-oie, Ankasa, MiH Jeans, Architonic, Tales of Endearment, Noun, lemlem, Julia Stone. Clip from You Tube.

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.

This image + this piece...

...fit today's grey, quiet, almost sombre, mood perfectly.

Pablo Casals - Bach cello suite no. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prelude.

Image by Alexander Duvall. 

A story for tomorrow...

Gnarly Bay's travel video of Chile and Patagonia is breathtakingly superb...five minutes of landscapes and beauty.

Clip from Vimeo. Found via Brain Pickings.