tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81228322657871904042024-03-05T21:53:36.972-08:00The Curious SparrowA web log of interior styling adventures, inspirations and creative projects.Rachel xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265690729592540369noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8122832265787190404.post-47962699225260753942011-12-22T00:46:00.000-08:002012-01-20T05:19:17.984-08:00Handmade Soirees<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's gift-giving time and I'd like to share with you a beautiful book that I gave to a friend; 'French General: Handmade Soirees: Simple Projects for Special Occasions' by Kaari Meng. It's filled with elegant entertaining and decorating ideas. Not only is the styling beautiful, but the book itself is printed on lovely, heavy matte stock giving it a charming vintage feel.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2J7I3vOVxhw3Y6NW0kLEeRp_sxgJj2JUSELXSniyfvsCLYLgZZOPAmWHh_N96ouUFSAplto0sYSOEClNbJGaty4APA82Qws4QmSfzzbLReG8jSbiFcIA7jowwAKCxUDGWmp-_w_RWmVUf/s1600/Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2J7I3vOVxhw3Y6NW0kLEeRp_sxgJj2JUSELXSniyfvsCLYLgZZOPAmWHh_N96ouUFSAplto0sYSOEClNbJGaty4APA82Qws4QmSfzzbLReG8jSbiFcIA7jowwAKCxUDGWmp-_w_RWmVUf/s1600/Group.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I put together this collage of some of my favourite pages. (How good are hot chips wrapped in paper)? Find more details at the <a href="https://www.frenchgeneral.com/" target="_blank">French General</a> website. While you're there take a look at their French antique-style graphic design.</span>Rachel xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265690729592540369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8122832265787190404.post-53494430005724319372011-12-19T08:22:00.000-08:002012-01-20T02:59:30.329-08:00Glen Proebstel's Christmas tabletops<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Christmas 2011 issue of Inside Out is packed with inspiring decorating ideas for the festive season. I keep turning back to Glen Proebstel's jaw-dropping dressings for a Christmas tabletop. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHz6EktukbLqSRvqpoKfAanaJBfQ2gm8Ffg2htudHAqlZ_W3nG1jccnllv-VGllBY_e8Uybsp2cdD7ha9-6ZQcrxKI0QTlsAVLYYUYaXGDPpsQo-x9P9VsoiPvqdWe_4fkQNJXpPWPvkb/s1600/Glen+Proebstel_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHz6EktukbLqSRvqpoKfAanaJBfQ2gm8Ffg2htudHAqlZ_W3nG1jccnllv-VGllBY_e8Uybsp2cdD7ha9-6ZQcrxKI0QTlsAVLYYUYaXGDPpsQo-x9P9VsoiPvqdWe_4fkQNJXpPWPvkb/s400/Glen+Proebstel_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxxQCcHMg6M4kagmYcrchNS3ux8QFjI6xcVjgYhdu9uvys4Fzotqg-bF9SO61ZLy1es6K60TEEJNbkoLV1ZD0a2nc4fCyPc1StLD8mJDbkwReS_t-M1Zbz1F7M5k-y-ScK4VgyIxXNlmm/s1600/Glen+Proebstel_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxxQCcHMg6M4kagmYcrchNS3ux8QFjI6xcVjgYhdu9uvys4Fzotqg-bF9SO61ZLy1es6K60TEEJNbkoLV1ZD0a2nc4fCyPc1StLD8mJDbkwReS_t-M1Zbz1F7M5k-y-ScK4VgyIxXNlmm/s400/Glen+Proebstel_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3kmLma7og3fT1tWQFvKwNzjFX59EVQRoSOKUAQS5OL09yOZL3T8NADj7-gGqelkd-JqW0zcI9-F6uZdkLp5igEbDIOoCeer83PwmCyfmMjVzBt6CV8sfycyO8HBETnuxTST7eY3HJxil/s1600/Glen+Proebstel_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3kmLma7og3fT1tWQFvKwNzjFX59EVQRoSOKUAQS5OL09yOZL3T8NADj7-gGqelkd-JqW0zcI9-F6uZdkLp5igEbDIOoCeer83PwmCyfmMjVzBt6CV8sfycyO8HBETnuxTST7eY3HJxil/s400/Glen+Proebstel_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These images are from his <a href="http://www.glenproebstel.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. I've spent literally hours analysing how he can have so many products in his shots and not fall into the trap of 'over-styling'. Genius.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The title is 'One Table, Three Ways'. Anyone else imagining how they can turn their dining table into a feast for the eyes like this? Photography is by <a href="http://www.sharyncairns.com.au/" target="_blank">Sharyn Cairns</a>.</span></div>Rachel xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265690729592540369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8122832265787190404.post-10856140276329198542011-12-15T21:27:00.000-08:002012-01-20T05:13:08.866-08:00Something Splendid<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While looking for fluro interiors and party decorations I stumbled across an absolutely stunning dessert table d<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">esigned by Susana of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.simplesmentebranco.com/" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Simplesmente Branco</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">and Ana of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.pingaamor-aj.blogspot.com/" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pinga Amor</a> for Somewhere Splendid.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">This would be great for a non-kitschy Christmas party (note the cute deer), or a 21st birthday party. The decorations are hand made; very inspring!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_KDcWHRyAtW0onCux-9SFNOH6hN37dzov3U2edKdkPr1Mb4_axIPQmnEtEpLpizmEUbgPEcnJmdwo1k74l5xDGDadMwv66PTiikeIVem8_5UvaiGAXIY3cvqGUJMwrvBpAXt4lDpKO6w/s1600/SomewhereSplendid_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_KDcWHRyAtW0onCux-9SFNOH6hN37dzov3U2edKdkPr1Mb4_axIPQmnEtEpLpizmEUbgPEcnJmdwo1k74l5xDGDadMwv66PTiikeIVem8_5UvaiGAXIY3cvqGUJMwrvBpAXt4lDpKO6w/s1600/SomewhereSplendid_1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpBfcmvCRG6qrcz0P9r0-juO6NNhpy3YTl-PXGE9kotuSx7iXOe1EzRZuTkJ40J5anjacnAPcgdcMvRtT8oFRw-PINV-nRjSWl598IXjhtb5C4KG3b5zU1QBRk_tinn_i4tYQbEegHbxL/s1600/SomewhereSplendid2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpBfcmvCRG6qrcz0P9r0-juO6NNhpy3YTl-PXGE9kotuSx7iXOe1EzRZuTkJ40J5anjacnAPcgdcMvRtT8oFRw-PINV-nRjSWl598IXjhtb5C4KG3b5zU1QBRk_tinn_i4tYQbEegHbxL/s1600/SomewhereSplendid2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more photos see the <a href="http://somewheresplendid.com/2011/01/17/party-inspo-a-sweet-dessert-vignette-from-simplesmente-branco-pinga-amor/" target="_blank">Somewhere Splendid</a> blog post.</span></div>Rachel xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265690729592540369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8122832265787190404.post-43519350962393521712011-12-11T04:44:00.000-08:002012-01-16T06:09:44.316-08:00Have yourself a merry neon Christmas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inspired by my last post about neon in interiors, I decided to make some fluro Christmas cards and gift tags. I've posted some awesome photos showing how you can use fluro colours for your non-kitschy Christmas.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9p4Wq5SSIiN8FX7CkxLKmLwYpJ-o1a1QdsjgHWM6j8Q8Nm5v_hxSESs4A-3RH06iBcrgK9djCTIFWThxlqVIBc3ZOf2O-iGmGl_xaV0BJUJSOomoyD-IkOhZriy-mT-NaT1WrLKOzfQr/s1600/Group_1.jpg" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/287204/birthday-party-themes-for-adults?lpgStart=1&currentslide=7&currentChapter=1#/286959" target="_blank">Martha Stewart</a> spruces up some brown wrapping paper with touches of fluro.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Gorgeous ceramic, almost-knee-high deer from <a href="http://www.venucci.com/" target="_blank">Venucci</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Birch timber blocks with geometric patterns hand made by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SketchInc?ref=seller_info" target="_blank">Sketch.Inc</a> at Etsy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) Ridiculously amazing gift cards hand painted by <a href="http://www.saniapell.com/athomeblog/flowers/fluro-flora/" target="_blank">Sania Pell</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) I made these gift tags by printing messages onto brown paper and cutting out gift tag shapes. I used a hole punch for both the tags and fluro paper, which I cut circles out of. These created reinforcements and added a bit of a change from the regular Christmasy red and green.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrqdBeEIxzzh2_P0ruJWxaJy2ZQGFx2tpYYlbN2l7eOC_NThE9UOYK2v6CXV0M-M7RINna97M68b5wt2Rbm53YLuFo4UVtZ1sDGrLruiaiE7kM6-ah3dq0Dc8eDWa6hJIdt5alBNAIzci/s1600/Group_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrqdBeEIxzzh2_P0ruJWxaJy2ZQGFx2tpYYlbN2l7eOC_NThE9UOYK2v6CXV0M-M7RINna97M68b5wt2Rbm53YLuFo4UVtZ1sDGrLruiaiE7kM6-ah3dq0Dc8eDWa6hJIdt5alBNAIzci/s1600/Group_2.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) <a href="https://www.ineednicethings.com/store/" target="_blank">I Need Nice Things</a> offer a change from the standard pine Christmas tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7) A fun DIY Christmas wreath from <a href="http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/diy/craftprojects/8177484/easy-to-make-christmas-wreath" target="_blank">Real Living</a> using pom poms.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8) A clever way to recycle scraps of paper by <a href="http://www.minieco.co.uk/sewn-paper-garland-2/" target="_blank">Mini-eco</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9) To make these Christmas cards I simply cut out silhouettes from fluro paper and stuck them onto black cardboard. The snowflake was particularly intricate!</span></div>Rachel xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265690729592540369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8122832265787190404.post-87283712806106135612011-12-07T01:35:00.000-08:002012-01-16T04:43:36.425-08:00Neon is making a comeback<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently had the pleasure of assisting Awesome Stylist <a href="http://www.vanessacolyertay.com/" target="_blank">Vanessa Colyer Tay</a> on a shoot for the November issue of Inside Out. The story was about the new trend of neon in interiors.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a look at how you can use touches of neon to create a point of interest in a room. Be sure to balance the bright with neutral.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWJfO3FFkcEpfVRuCVTr1KFcJMMH5a7n9tvnZJwajEV2Omoq9ybyfYYujE5dokWTPoCphMV-XzShpfFKoeeu_BcJ1r9Uq92t9JomiQctidqKgbFE9kf2noZBE7d_80O1ydbt0hrQj4QIF/s1600/Group_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWJfO3FFkcEpfVRuCVTr1KFcJMMH5a7n9tvnZJwajEV2Omoq9ybyfYYujE5dokWTPoCphMV-XzShpfFKoeeu_BcJ1r9Uq92t9JomiQctidqKgbFE9kf2noZBE7d_80O1ydbt0hrQj4QIF/s1600/Group_1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Vanessa Colyer Tay's styling in the November issue of <a href="http://www.homelife.com.au/" target="_blank">Inside Out</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Brightly coloured homewares from <a href="http://www.maisonsauvage.de/" target="_blank">Maison Sauvage</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) 'Fluo' vases from <a href="http://www.lateteaucube.com/" target="_blank">La Tête au Cube</a>.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYpUwN1NTEUoQg7rqAdLBEinlxwj9hC7RKYRHQEr5VcaZVQv3HvaEiw1Hd5QjJM8LfKdf-g8hfPDli-8zYPET9mLRzAvf4XIx3082BsB2Ye-KgA4O6qKEQ4EdRwWxbHttu24ZEdYycQNQ/s1600/Group_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYpUwN1NTEUoQg7rqAdLBEinlxwj9hC7RKYRHQEr5VcaZVQv3HvaEiw1Hd5QjJM8LfKdf-g8hfPDli-8zYPET9mLRzAvf4XIx3082BsB2Ye-KgA4O6qKEQ4EdRwWxbHttu24ZEdYycQNQ/s1600/Group_2.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) A twist on a classic. Found at <a href="http://www.shelterness.com/10-examples-of-using-disco-balls-in-contemporary-interiors/pictures/6347/" target="_blank"><span id="goog_933499752"></span>Shelterness<span id="goog_933499753"></span></a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) 'Coussin Seat' cushion from <a href="http://lacerisesurlegateau.fr/" target="_blank">La Cerise sur le Gateau</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) 'Offcut' stools from Tom Dixon for <a href="http://www.dedece.com/" target="_blank">De De Ce</a>.</span>Rachel xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265690729592540369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8122832265787190404.post-12662367528114866432011-12-04T06:48:00.000-08:002012-01-25T09:22:32.284-08:00Countdown to Christmas with advent calendars<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know it's getting late to start a new advent calendar leading up to Christmas, but who says you need to start on the first of December? Why not use the ideas I've compiled to countdown to your birthday or another special occasion?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) <a href="http://chachapapiers.blogspot.com/2011/11/les-preparations-de-noel-commencent-et.html" target="_blank">Chacha Papiers</a>: Paper bags with numbered stickers. I can see lollies in number 10...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) <a href="http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/advent-calendar-tuesday-tah-dah.html" target="_blank">The Red Thread</a>: Handmade paper cones hung from a cute bare tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) <a href="http://www.brigitte.de/wohnen/selbermachen/adventskalender-selber-machen-573651/2.html" target="_blank">Brigitte.de</a>: Pick whichever colour takes your fancy and paint an eclectic collection of jars.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8UvJHPsjm0vt3sLu8VtEtSC5tCTNt0zVL5pLUHRPfl74BCV_oQ_dUIUctBm2nLnCdysKFwj2c_WoYAdAjlmApMv0352EvDEyA51dph94eLd0NuRz7RKM5s-yAcuRRN3xr7wxVj5nLAVP/s1600/Group_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8UvJHPsjm0vt3sLu8VtEtSC5tCTNt0zVL5pLUHRPfl74BCV_oQ_dUIUctBm2nLnCdysKFwj2c_WoYAdAjlmApMv0352EvDEyA51dph94eLd0NuRz7RKM5s-yAcuRRN3xr7wxVj5nLAVP/s1600/Group_2.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) <a href="http://www.brigitte.de/wohnen/selbermachen/adventskalender-selber-machen-573651/" target="_blank">Brigitte.de</a>: A beautifully styled display with animals diligently clutching little pouches.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) <a href="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/2011/01/04/christmas-wrapup/" target="_blank">Atypical Type A</a>: Upcycle an old cabinet and use numbered cards to conceal gifts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) <a href="http://www.marieclaireidees.com/,un-calendrier-de-l-avent-en-organdi,2610153,1549.asp" target="_blank">Marie Claire Idees</a>: A simple calendar that can be easily adapted to your personal style.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7) <a href="http://asimplenest.typepad.com/a-simple-nest/2010/11/tree-advent-calendar.html" target="_blank">A Simple Nest</a>: Use your favourite coloured paint chips and write secret messages on the back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij77xRz5PIN6PCYJhcRWNyW5JG_Iom2bHqICGCjztvCpiXsDfPwy2m4G2UPk9s2BM48ZHvWZ20zIOhSjU3uOOWHndup1V6TZtcj8r9BaYrUtRvjNqyhp9LhnnBciACi76xO1kHfZelcztJ/s1600/Group_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij77xRz5PIN6PCYJhcRWNyW5JG_Iom2bHqICGCjztvCpiXsDfPwy2m4G2UPk9s2BM48ZHvWZ20zIOhSjU3uOOWHndup1V6TZtcj8r9BaYrUtRvjNqyhp9LhnnBciACi76xO1kHfZelcztJ/s1600/Group_3.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8) <a href="http://justsomethingimade.com/2009/10/simple-spool-advent-calendars/" target="_blank">Just Something I Made</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Cathe Holden</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: A spool reveals directions to a hidden gift.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9) <a href="http://kjerstislykke.blogspot.com/2010/12/1-desember-endelig.html" target="_blank">Kjerstis Lykke</a>: The simplicity of white paper, some pegs and a ball of twine; gorgeous. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10) <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/ways-to-celebrate-christmas-unique-advent-calendar#fbIndex46" target="_blank">Country Living</a>: Each day a Christmas tree decoration comes off the calendar and onto the tree. Photography by Susan Gentry McWhinney.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij77xRz5PIN6PCYJhcRWNyW5JG_Iom2bHqICGCjztvCpiXsDfPwy2m4G2UPk9s2BM48ZHvWZ20zIOhSjU3uOOWHndup1V6TZtcj8r9BaYrUtRvjNqyhp9LhnnBciACi76xO1kHfZelcztJ/s1600/Group_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br />
</a>Rachel xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265690729592540369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8122832265787190404.post-25360196921385660822011-12-01T15:56:00.000-08:002012-01-16T04:34:59.246-08:00The advent of more than just Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH6AIHHQ7xC3KilVO4zaB1LhzWORYrnzfWYzRfP2bySuzVMgEEWrxFscqUY6vh45JXcWaP0TgXF2I2sithxsr8my7jS38xC_dbxVg8j5am-Sl7N2zlz_JUxQrPdk1b-DDxsIUjHZz-mcD/s1600/Advent_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH6AIHHQ7xC3KilVO4zaB1LhzWORYrnzfWYzRfP2bySuzVMgEEWrxFscqUY6vh45JXcWaP0TgXF2I2sithxsr8my7jS38xC_dbxVg8j5am-Sl7N2zlz_JUxQrPdk1b-DDxsIUjHZz-mcD/s320/Advent_3.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The first day of summer.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The lead up to Christmas.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The start of my blog.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Today is as good a day as any! I’ll be filling this blog with wonderful, beautiful, quirky and inspiring things. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To start off I thought I’d celebrate the advent of the new season; summer and, of course, the silly season. Here is an </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">advent calendar</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I created after checking out some DIY projects online, which I’ll also post.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’m looking forward to sharing more with you soon.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmshGoxTAykrmF0s4bq9jHlNTM9hqZ-faVCgUMLRuZIlgZKu2J6cmpUoXeBPd_ahdd3Une0SjUOS11HOWcJ2qgRMHR3XTYUDRqsWONmMO3-kZglvM3UQZtrKsg2CA_dteD2kt8t0NW4JTF/s1600/Advent_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmshGoxTAykrmF0s4bq9jHlNTM9hqZ-faVCgUMLRuZIlgZKu2J6cmpUoXeBPd_ahdd3Une0SjUOS11HOWcJ2qgRMHR3XTYUDRqsWONmMO3-kZglvM3UQZtrKsg2CA_dteD2kt8t0NW4JTF/s320/Advent_1.jpg" width="222" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46zkz_3y7AIis9lQA_J2srzuES92hxu78sZ0_6JcG0ILBnTWikDxM_XhxYI683r-62afCH3y0waBjPrqIc7075qOFkt0HSonhSGBhg4GA3mDQyubUOgIBxqfyCX8kY5S6NWc6GfDe_HGt/s1600/Advent_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46zkz_3y7AIis9lQA_J2srzuES92hxu78sZ0_6JcG0ILBnTWikDxM_XhxYI683r-62afCH3y0waBjPrqIc7075qOFkt0HSonhSGBhg4GA3mDQyubUOgIBxqfyCX8kY5S6NWc6GfDe_HGt/s320/Advent_2.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYrAEVX9s-hMC7rQgttDIg8UQjmJzZAWPG7A38PzQykoL5SySksOV3C7LHMyczqRKDlgi0ptfdV6kE9YBQn8GSlSr71c2tTz8RxZdcWy93A4i4V_F1XJPoOx2nBxgYNnQiSw2-pv_imfY/s1600/Advent_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYrAEVX9s-hMC7rQgttDIg8UQjmJzZAWPG7A38PzQykoL5SySksOV3C7LHMyczqRKDlgi0ptfdV6kE9YBQn8GSlSr71c2tTz8RxZdcWy93A4i4V_F1XJPoOx2nBxgYNnQiSw2-pv_imfY/s320/Advent_4.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>Rachel xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265690729592540369noreply@blogger.com0