Front facing books - who would've thought?

I'm probably behind the times, but this is a great idea from homelife - books facing forward on a shelf!  Kids books especially have some very cool artwork that often gets lost. What a lovely way to brighten a wall!

I think this is something that could definitely work in any room - I have so many books I want to show off. Mental note already taken for future house interior type decorating activities.

Image source: homelife

A red bird at Christmas

When I first moved to America, I remember going for a walk just after Christmas time, and saw this fiery red flash of colour fly by me on the dreary grey day.  I actually managed to get a few pictures, but nothing close up so I could see what type of bird this was.  I hadn't really thought about that day until now, when I was searching for my book-club's book for December to download on my kindle.  There on the front cover was the red bird - a Cardinal!

As I was searching through Etsy for some gift ideas just now, I came across this beautiful painitng by lauracarter.  It looks just like I remember that day, the red berries, and this beautiful red bird!!

I wish that today I could...

Stroll with this lace parasol...

indulge in a High Tea here...

relax in this Californian living room...

and read this beautifully illustrated book (one of my favourites growing up).

What would you like to do today?

Images (from top) via lace-parasols.com victoriarooms.com re-nest.com foliosociety.com

I *heart* cookbooks

While I think the days of the ole "day-to-day cookery book" are not completely gone, I now find myself pouring over cookbooks with amazing recipes and equally incredible food photography.  Some of my favourite include the Jamie Oliver cookbooks - just looking at those pictures truly inspire me to bake my heart out!

My latest cookbook that I am loving is "The Newlywed Kitchen" (pictured above) by Lorna Yee and Ali Basye.  My favourite food blog (found by Amy - thanks!) Tartelette recommended this cookbook, and tried one of the recipes that turned out perfectly and looked absolutely irresistible!
In this book, they have a wonderful, eclectic collection of recipes for the couple who enjoy cooking together!  My husband and I are always looking for ways to spend quality time together, and we are thoroughly enjoying this new outlet!

What is your current favourite cookbook?  Any suggestions?

Mr Rosenblum's list

When I bought this book, I admit I was mostly enticed by its very pretty artwork. So, even though I know a book can't be judged by its cover, I'm pleased to say that this one's aesthetics most definitely match its content.

You can read what the book is about on author Natasha Solomon's website but basically Mr Rosenblum along with his wife and daughter have escaped Nazi Germany and are refugees in London. Mr Rosenblum is obsessed with being a 'proper' Englishman and so a list of what constitutes 'Englishness' is started and the adventures begin.

I found myself really enjoying the characters of this story and the way Natasha layered the absolute silliness and whimsy of some moments with deeper issues like depression and racism. I laughed out loud, nearly cried and nodded my head in agreement at a characterisation many different times while reading. If a book can make me react out loud like this, then in my mind, it's done its job! Make sure you add this one to your Winter reading list.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I've just finished reading this New York Times best seller and loved it. It's written with such spark and intelligence. I found myself laughing quite a few times at the dry wit of Major Pettigrew and shaking my head over vagaries of a small English village. Helen Simonson captures the romance and local dramas so beautifully.

My overall feeling is that this is a book to be read in a sunny nook, with a steaming cup of tea and some sort of accompanying yum - aka biscuit or chocolate or cake or anything else that takes your fancy.

This is Helen's overview of the book from her website.

When Major Pettigrew, a retired British army major in a small English village, embarks on an unexpected friendship with the widowed Mrs. Ali, who runs the local shop, trouble erupts to disturb the bucolic serenity of the village and of the Major’s carefully regimented life.

As the Major and Mrs. Ali discover just how much they have in common, including an educated background and a shared love of books, they must struggle to understand what it means to belong and how far the obligations of family and tradition can be set aside for personal freedom. Meanwhile, the village itself, lost in its petty prejudices and traditions, may not see its own destruction coming.

A little bit posh

How cute is pocket puzzle book? I found this for my mum for mothers day - a stylish addition to anyone's handbag I think. I just loved the patterns and diferent covers you could get - made my iPhone look a little plain even though it does have puzzles too. I found this posh little puzzle book in the Buderim Book Store, but maybe a little Book Nook near you stocks them? You can buy them online too. Check it out.

Arty crafty bags

I was inspired today while in the little Buderim book nook, by a whole range of books that were about getting crafty and making all sorts of things from recycled books to aprons to cushion covers.

One thing I really want to do is make a bag for myself and one of my inspirations is Amy Butler. She has the most gorgeous fabrics and I love her patterns. It just remains for me to dust off my very creaky sewing skills, find a pattern, source some delicious fabric and go for it!

Watch this space.