The first Tuesday in November

Other than Anna Sewell's Black Beauty, a few terrifying moments at pony club when I was 7 and learning Jessica's Theme on the piano in preparation for my own prince charming after I saw The Man from Snowy River, I've had very little to do with the equine variety. But as I do have friends who love them and the race that stops the nation is taking place in a few hours time...for you, a horsey post.

Just what every living room needs, the life-size Moooi horse lamp.

Image from here.

As you can see Robbie and his new wife have one, of course they do.

On their wedding day here.

The movie that made me think pony club would be a good idea. I blame Elizabeth.

Image from here

In 1965 Jean Shrimpton set Melbourne Cup fashion in a spin by turning up in a shift dress that ended at least 10cm above her knees. She compounded the scandal by wearing no hat, stockings or gloves. Imagine. Cup fashion is never the same again.

Image from here.

Case in point, 70 year old British fashion guru Zandra Rhodes in the Cup parade down Swanson Street this year.

Image from here.

Stella McCartney's 'horse collection' for Chloe in 2001 triggers a horsey furore that is hashed and rehashed in chain stores and for the next few years.

Here with Liv Tyler.

It's shallow things like Princess Mary's fabulous Prada riding boots that make me think I could do it!

Image from here.

Note to self, you can't.

Affordable Art

Thanks to Apartment Therapy's post today on affordable art, I am now the proud owner of this little 5.5" x 6.5" original beauty. Straight from Chicago to my front door for $25 USD which = $25.88 AUD. I love my painting and I love the Aussie dollar!

Grey Velvet

Elle Decor tells me velvet is making a comeback, some of my friends would say it never left the building. I have to admit I'm a bit of a Johnny-come-lately to the fabric (always conjured up images of boudoirs and bordellos, not that there's anything wrong with that thanks Jerry Seinfeld) but there are specific expressions of it that I really, really love.

There are a few things I regret doing to our house when we made it over but the beautiful French grey velvet romans in our bedroom are not one of them. Every morning when I put them up and every evening when I let them down, I love them as much as they day they were installed.

A hurried picture this morning to show you them (note strategically cropped photo to hide unmade bed, ho hum).

A close up of the fabric.

Some other velvet looks I like.

This studio sofa from Nate Berkus, and may I just say it is only $499.90, no fair, no fair!

I love this chair featured on Decor Pad.

This blue couch from here looks so comfortable.

These fabulous Union Jack cushions from Jane Hornsby

Love this shade of velvet (as you can see am very partial to the pewters and greys).

Think Pink

On Monday the 25th October take a few minutes to think pink...

like Manolo Blahnik,

like Caroline Tran,

like Valentino,

like Lyssie,

like the Laurel Hedge.

You can give here if you like.

iPhone Phun

A few days ago I was very excited to find my blog had a new follower (that makes 10 people) and popped over to have a peek at her blog, Objects of Whimsy. Delighted to find she too had decided to Mad Men herself over and continued reading through more of her posts. Of course when I came to this one on iPhone photography I wasted no time downloading the app myself :) Naturally that sent me on a trail of iPhone camera apps and have consequently come across a must-have, CameraBag from Nevercenter Ltd. Take a photo through it or import one from your camera roll and apply a number of fabulous filters.

Let me show you...

The original photo.

Lolo

Plastic

Helga

Silver

Cinema

1962

1974

Instant

Colorcross

Magazine

You can change a photo more than once too by applying another (or the same) filter to the changed photo. I applied the 1974 filter to this image twice, I love it because it reminds me of every single photo in our albums growing up.

It's safe to say I'm hooked.

Weekend Wishes

It's another party this weekend for Mr. B and I and before you can ask, no, they never get tired. I love a good do!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Mad Men Me

I defy any Mad Men fan (I'm thinking of you Tish) not to waste at least 10 minutes making yourself over with Dyna Moe's fun Mad Men Yourself.

Here I am pitching an idea to Don and the fellas.

Movie Review : Life As We Know It

It's a pretty simple formula, Josh Duhamel + any plot line + any other actors + any director = fantastic movie. What's not to love?! Chicks at the Flicks has rolled around again and a group of us popped into our local for another fab evening. Again, the goody bags didn't disappoint, we made sure to enter they lucky dip raffle and cheered like crazy things when Sarah's name was pulled out of the bundle!

So, when are phone photos ever a good idea?? They captured the moment though (and blinded the subjects with iPhone's startling new super flash!).

We saw Life As We Know It, starring Josh Duhamel and it's hard to remember who else, just kidding, Katherine Heigl was a lovely if sometimes uptight Holly. The movie was a great romp with believable chemistry between the leads (I'm not talking Angelina/Brad Mr & Mrs Smith chemistry where I felt if I'd put a bottle under the screen I could have caught it as it oozed out of every pixel but still great chemistry nonetheless), good storyline and an excellent supporting cast of nosy/helpful neighbours. They were hilarious. Many of my biggest laughs came on the back of their funny one-liners and their perfect comic timing. Sarah Burns was hilarious as the case worker who turned up at all the wrong times. I want to say more but won't lest this post becomes a spoiler alert, so in short, I give this movie 4 out 5 stars. Grab a date with a mate and go see it!

Oh and by the way, you'd offer to live with ANYONE if you could reside in their house. It is beautiful and guess what, it's for sale. There is no blog that does a movie house more justice than Julia at Hooked on Houses and though the movie just come out she's already got a great post on the house. Pop over here to have a look at more pictures.

Image from Hooked on Houses

Open for Business

Today, my lovely new blogging friend Kellie from Ada & Darcy opened her brand new online interiors boutique! Have been eagerly waiting for the store to open and Kellie hasn't disappointed, there are so many fabulous pieces it's hard to know where to start first. Here are some of the favourites I don't think I'm going to be able to resist for too long:

Ceramic Duck Egg Frame

Green Glass Vase

Blue Geometric Cushion

Bamboo Print Lamp Shade

Turquoise Lamp Base

Pop over here, to have a look at all of her goodies.

All images from www.adaanddarcy.com.au

Flickering Flames

A few of us have little fire pits we use for parties or on an evening when it feels flickering flames are an atmosphere must. There is just something about sitting around a fire outdoors. Imagine if this was the one you were gathering around. I have fire envy.

Image via A View on Design

Pop over to Annie's blog here to see more pictures of this amazing home.

Dream House II

This week my dreams are taking me to this little cottage in Canterbury, Victoria.

All images via www.realestate.com.au

If you're interested, here is the complete listing.