The most stunning book covers ever!

WOW, look at these beautiful embroidered Penguin Classics book covers by the very talented illustrator and cartoonist Jillian Tamaki. Absolutely exquisite! I want them NOW but we'll have to wait until later this year to buy these beauties.

Photos by Jillian Tamaki (used with permission)

I want to live in this house

Pernilla Hed for Hus & Hem via From Scandinavia With Love

And the winner is... Hello Olive!

Huge thanks to lovely Polythene Pram for awarding Hello Olive (that's me!) the Liebster Blog award, which is awarded to ‘little’ blogs (with less than 300 subscribers) to share lots of blog love and spread the word.

The rules are:

1.  Post displaying the award (done), linking back to the person who awarded you (done)
2. Choose your own blog picks (below) and let them know they’re awarded. I've only chosen 3 or else I'll be here all night sharing blog love :-)
3. Hope everyone discovers some new favourites
4. Revel in the blog love!

Hello Olive's Top 3 Liebster Blog award winners are (drop roll!):

http://katetakes5.blogspot.com/

I must admit I am very swayed by that gorgeous header (and the fab blogging of course!)

http://www.roddyandginger.blogspot.com/

I've featured some of their cushions in a previous post and they have so many other pretty things... *drool*

http://edinburghleithdailyphoto.blogspot.com/

Not really helping me get over my homesickness but I love the daily pics of Edinburgh & Leith.

Also, don't forget to visit Polythene Pram's blog about life with an eccentric dad, two kids and an anorexic cat (!) here.

Save Inverleith Park (via The Guardian)

I lived in Edinburgh for a looong time and I miss it EVERY DAY. Today I found this article on The Guardian about a guerilla lighting event which was held to highlight a bid to stop the local council from selling off part of the lovely Inverleith Park for housing. Next thing you know they'll be selling off bits of the Princes Street Gardens for parking. Hmmmph! Read more about it here.

Photograph: James Gibson

Photograph: James Gibson

Photograph: James Gibson

Today seems to be all about...

MOUSTACHES! I've been spotting them all over the web today for some reason.

Moustache Handkerchiefs by Avril Loreti

Handlebar Moustache Corkscrew from Seltzerstudios

Moustache Cupcake Toppers by The Blissful Baker

There is even a moustache in this awesome set of Playshapes Blocks from Anthropologie (but I found them on this lovely blog: The Style Files)

How awesome...

is this wine label?

It's from from a vineyard in South Africa called Fairview, and since The Toddler is asleep and Husband is watching Top Gear, think I'll treat myself to glass (or two) of La Capra. Or maybe I'll just stare at the label instead...

Royal Wedding Memorabilia

About a gazillion years ago my grandmother went to London around the time Charles and Diana got married and she brought back some wedding memorabilia: an engraved silver tray. (I used to love it when she took it out of the display cabinet for me to get a closer look at it.) I've searched everywhere for it online but, alas, I can't find it anywhere in cyberspace. I have however found these lovely items to commemorate Wills & Kate's upcoming nuptials next month.

'Kate And Wills' Royal Wedding Mug by Sweet William Designs

Royal Wedding Tea Towel by hunkydory home

The Royal Wedding Limited Edition Coasters by Scarlett Willow Ltd

Corgi Royal Wedding Tea Towel by ToDryFor

Royal Wedding Badges by Edamay

Lovely things for little people

It's my niece's 7th birthday soon and I've been having a great time looking for a pressie for her. I've been a fan of Red magazine's online store, Red Direct, for a while now, and as usual it didn't disappoint with its selection of kids' products. 

How divine is this Emma Bridgewater tea set? It even comes with a sugar bowl and milk jug!

A seven year old probably won't be interested in these vintage-inspired alphabet blocks but they're just too lovely not to include!

 

And I simply love these A-Z wooden book ends by Childs & Co.

Now, I know I'm supposed to be shopping for a little girl but I'm simply going to HAVE to buy The Toddler this dinosaur light as soon as I know he won't eat or destroy it!

See what else Red Direct has to offer here.

Must. Have. More. Cushions.

It's Friday afternoon (yay!), The Toddler is asleep and the chores are done (well, most of them anyway) so I have some time to indulge in my latest obsession: cushions! I just can't get enough of them at the moment and if I had my way my entire home would be filled with cushions! Here are some of my favourites from my other favourite, the wonderful Etsy.

I love this Scandinavian inspired bird cushion (with a daisy pattern reverse) by roddyandginger. They have some amazing cushions in their Etsy shop.

Folkdance cushion on natural linen by roddyandginger

Lollipop Pillow Covers on organic cotton by HelenRawlinson

Home, Sweet Home cushion by Melbourne based AuntieCookie

And finally, these shaped animal ones by sassandperil are fab for kids. 

Lion screenprinted cushion by sassandperil

Red Fox screenprinted cushion by sassandperil

To Dry For

I'm usually elbow deep in soap suds these days as our kitchen is too small for a dishwasher (insert very sad face here). However, it does mean that I can justify buying loads of lovely tea towels (insert smiley face here), so I have been checking out ToDryFor, an online store specialising in designer tea towels.

I already have this one by Pintuck in my collection (which I bought on cold winter's day because I literally needed sunshine):

And a few years ago my lovely husband got me this one which I'm hoping to frame and one day hang in our kitchen (that'll big enough for a dishwasher of course!):

It's a design by Rob Ryan commissioned by ToDryFor. His work is so amazing, I'll have to do an entry soon that's just dedicated to him. To see more of his work click here.


In the meantime I think I'll be adding these cute tea towels by Darling Clementine to my collection.

All images from ToDryFor 

Sweet Paul Magazine via Simply Modern Mom

Magazine cover image from Sweet Paul's blog (but I found it here)

I found this fab Sweet Paul digital magazine on Simply Modern Mom's blog yesterday. The Spring 11 issue is a special kids one with loads of recipes, crafts, products and really super styling and photography. My favourite things are these felt cakes, these cupcakes on a stick and this rocket! You can view the rest of this very inspiring mag here and check out Simply Modern Mom's blog to find other cool things.

Friday afternoon window shopping

I've been checking out Plumo's new catalogue today and there are sooo many lovely things! Like these metal tables (I love the green one):

and these fab vases... such pretty colours!

Have a peak at rest of their fab goodies here. Enjoy!

oh, I love this chair!

I've been drooling about this chair for weeks now! It's from Vamp in Woodstock, Cape Town, and you can see more of their stuff here. Hmmm, I do have a birthday coming up soon ;-)