A floral explosion...

I hope your week is off to a stellar start. I'm off for a long overdue riding lesson, be back later today with an even longer overdue what:nots.

Image from here.

...

Margaret Atwood The Year of the Flood.

Image from here.

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Apologies for the lack of posting. I've been sidelined by a rather nasty cold. Ugh. Not what one expects mid summer. However, I appear to be on the mend. So fingers crossed I'll be back to posting in a few days. 

Image from Mariam Sitchinava

A little over...

... 24 hours ago this was my view! I first visited the Rarontonga ten years ago, and each time I've returned it's pretty much just the same. Slow, idyllic pace of life, nothing much has changing from year to year. Pretty perfect really. My Granny Jean used to visit in the 70s, and I think it's pretty much the same as when she was there, give or take the odd new building. All low rise and basic mind you. It's hard to buy land here, perhaps that's why it's remained so untouched. And until recently even groceries or fresh milk were hard to come by. Nice to know that in parts of the world life remains the same as it always has...slow, quiet, and relatively untouched...

Image from here.

What:nots...

It's been a whirlwind two weeks in New Zealand - so much to do, so many people to see. Busy, busy, and wintery cold, but nice. And especially this evening staying at home on the farm, scrumptious homemade winter pies, and lying in front of the fire watching the olympic equestrians. Tomorrow we head to the Cook Islands where we'll be offline for four days - which I'm very much looking forward to. See you in a week!

A young Jacqueline Bouvier.

Luli Sanchez's Dots series.

Bernadette's Cy Twombly book collection.

Elegant tennis gear by L'Etoile Sport.

Dear Heart a book of love poems.

Anouk Griffioen's soft sketches.

Spartan, a carefully curated collection of loveliness.

And this tune by Goldfrapp.

Images from The Bert Morgan Archive, Luli Sanchez, Decade, L'Etoile Sport, Wheelers, Anouk Griffioen, and Spartan. Clip from You Tube.

Oh my love...

...this is especially wonderful when played nice and loud.

Have a happy weekend!

Clip from You Tube.

At the olde beach...

What:nots...

Better late than never I say! I hope all is well in your neck of the woods, and the week is trucking along nicely. The boys and I leave this afternoon for ten days in New Zealand. R is en route from Europe, and will meet us there. And to compensate for the nasty New Zealand winter we're spending five days or so in the Cook Islands, before heading back to Portland. Yay! So time to think about packing. I'll try to post when I'm away, but it may be sporadic. Have a great week!

Love this image.

Simple words from Elbert Hubbard.

This is incredible - so much work, and so many flowers!

Pretty floral top found here.

A fetching pair of flats.

Egon Schiele's soft florals.

And Page One: Inside the New York Times

(and the reason I didn't post last night).

Snow Patrol : The Lightning Strike

Images from Kate the Great, Che & Fidel, wit + delight, Egon Schiele, and Page One.

Clips from You Tube and You Tube.

How tempting...

...to curl up like this. But there is work to finish and packing to be done. I'll be back this evening with what:nots.

Image from Frankly Esoteric. 

In the sea...

Image from Ragamuffin Hawaii.

What:nots...

Happy Monday - I hope you had a splendid weekend. Portland is awash in hot, sunshiny weather - pure bliss. We spent the long weekend berry picking, swimming, picnicking, and eating way too much ice cream! If you thought Portland had enough hand-made ice cream shops - there's a new one : What's the Scoop? And yes we've tried it, and it's jolly good. Here's to a wonderful week ahead.

Frankly just lovely.

Softly coloured porcelain from Scholten & Baijings.

A delicious, seasonal cookbook.

Jess Brown's jewellery.

A Rangoli rug found here.

Inge Sempé's pendant lamp.

A small collection of loveliness found here.

And this is one of the best flashmobs ever! 

(found via the sweet Mary)

Images from Frankly Esoteric, Scholten & Baijings, Amazon, Jess Brown Design, Kezu, wastberg, pinterest.

A snapshot...

...just because.

Images from here.

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.