Follow your dreams

Just love architecture!

The most amazing deli in the 17th 

 Bird market in Paris.....

Last weekend I sat in the garden and viewed my travel journal from when I was 18, and' googled' all the places that I stayed. What a shock..some looked exactly the same, and what I thought were palatial at the time were now drab and tired. I suppose I forgot the time frame, and soon realised that in there hey day, they were pretty special. Nothing like a world tour whilst  sitting in the sunshine, but the memories came flooding back. The weight that I gained, having long hair and having it cut in Oxford Street, experiencing life in another country, and , dare I say, falling in love.
I was at the end of my holiday ( thank you Dad !)  and in Belgium staying at what seemed to be a very busy hotel,when we ( my brother and wife, with whom I traveled some of the journey with) realised that the hotel was vacant at night...apart from a few guests. We were puzzled, but soon caught onto the fact that the rooms were all in different themes. This was actually a hotel that was usually hired throughout the day for business men from Antwerp and their lovers. 
It was the man playing the piano that caught my eye ( with two dogs at his feet), playing romantic music and young! He was the owners nephew, Wolfgang, and I was smitten. We exchanged details, and in the 70's, it was only phone numbers and an address. He said he would save up and come to Australia, but we had just met and thought nothing of the situation.I had arrived home, and in my bed sleeping, and promising next time I flew I wouldn't watch every movie, when my father came into my room and woke me with the news...Wolfgang was at the airport and was my father going to sponser him? My father said 'NO' and to this day wonder what happened to him....! 
I thought that this would cure me from either 1/ falling in love or 2/ travelling, but that didn't dampen my spirits for more adventure....

My last trip was to France and the UK and here are a few photos of my friends property to just want see it with your own eyes.

It's not just another book

Don't you just love the phone call to say that the book that you ordered last week is inshore for you to collect, earlier than you expected? I love it! Espaecially when you an take your time on your day off to 'plan' the trip..it seems to take on a more special outing, when not collected in haste. it was a book by Shannon Fricke, ' How to decorate'.After viewing some of the amazing interiors in this book, it came as no surprise that she has opened her studio doors in Byron Bay to run courses on the said subject.Whilst driving along a 'back road' in Byron, I knew that around the bend was her home, perched on this lovely hillside.(I only knew this was her home from photos in books and magazines), I was in awe of where she was perched! We had resided in Byron, after we moved from the UK, after a small stint on the Sunshine Coast. It was one of the most wonderful times in our life, but also challenging.We hadn't sold our home on the coast, so we returned, but with many regrets.Our two youngest daughters were enrolled in Steiner schools in Byron,(one in Byron and one in Mullumbimby),as a family we felt our lives were fulfilled living in this area.Our dog 'Molly' came from a farm in Mullumbimby, she is no longer with us,but we have Coco, her puppy( although 11 years old now!) as a daily reminder of that wonderful region.I often think'what if?...I still love to visit, and love Bangalow, a little town with some of my favorite shops, Wax Jambu..I cannot visit this store without wanting to purchase something! It oozes style,an eclectic taste of items, from clothing to homewares,and many other fabulous items.O ncein the area, 'Island lux'is just down the road..and you can guarantee that you won't walk out of there empty handed either! So whilst we are on the subject of shops..(were we?)take time to view in Bryon another store that will tempt,'Strangetrader' a shop that has a little bit from all around the world...fabulous fabrics, cushions,perfume,Turkish basins and more.maybe my favorite!. So getting back to my book....it is filled with wonderful photos and 'how to decorate' tips, I would love to try to do one of these workshops, maybe a holiday treat! ..hmm and tax deductible too.

Rain rain go away

It seemed like just any other Sunday,of to the farmers'market and then brunch. The day took a turn with a phonecall 'can you help me move from my flat now,please?'...so Neil's canoeing trip was halted, and we armed ourselves with boxes and newspaper ( to pack up the dinnerware), and off we went.Her relationship had finished prior to this moment,but still trying to reside under the same roof,this idealism was failing. So we managed to pack up the flat in 2.5 hours,and with two cars filled to the brim, we headed home.Unfortunately this was not the end..unpacking was a nightmare, and was taking longer than the 2.5 hours to pack! Am I grateful that I had enough washing powder in store..I washed everything!Even items that looked clean went for a spin..and the rain stayed away.We are now still unpacking and finding homes for items and I am still washing. As the next load goes in, it made me think that 'is this all I am useful for now?' washing and picking up the pieces. I am so grateful that she still calls home her 'safety net', mentioning that she will never leave home ever again.My face must have said it all..and my reply was'till something better comes along'.So I will continue to cook, clean, and make her bed, because one day I will be made redundant.

These little boys are my grandsons,I love them so much! although the smaller says' no kisses' and 'no red lipstick'.
These are some of my favorite photos,the boys swimming in a pool that is divided, and yes they are crocodiles on the other side of the glass. fearless ones...
Their mother, my eldest daughter, is one of the most amazing women I know..not only is she a great mother, partner, but her organizational skills are amazing. AND she is minimalistic!! after all those years with me. I have too many items..and it is time for things to go!

I am a mother, wife and a grandmother.

More important, I am me!

I dream, I love and have many passions.Paris, music and beautiful items.

Last year I had an amazing journey back to France, and the UK. I must admit that I didn't take too many photos, as I didn't want to ' loose the moment'. but these chairs were calling me...I could have just kept walking and dreaming that I would take them home to Parisian apartment, I did say that I was a dreamer! The flea market was amazing and was only just the beginning of my browsing.

I found a little charity shop, and there were approximately 10 people working getting stock to the floor..my find, an amazing camel cashmere coat that was 10 euros, I was in heaven! I then had to lug this coat all the way to London, where it is now on my friends coat rack, awaiting my return to collect it! It wasn't the only item that that found its way into my suitcase, hence an extra suitcase, and a large sum of money to bring my treasures home.Next time, an empty suitcase.

 I am not sure where this photo was taken ( obviously Paris!) but I was taken with the building 

on the right, the roof line is amazing, an all I could do was imagine the view from this window.Looking out on the zinc rooftops, and that muted blue sky.

I met my husband in Paris, he had been in France for 3 months ( canoeing actually!, but that is another story) and he followed me to wherever I walked, carrying my bags and trying to see Paris through my eyes.

I looked at window displays, went to every MAC shop in Paris, and constantly said''Look at this" just like a child in a sweet shop. I was amazed at Galleries la Fayette, and just wanted to look at every department, and try on every shoe, and just not let any of it end. .