Rainy British Summer

Ok, so we are in the middle of July which represents summer season here in Europe. Looking out of my studio window as I'm sipping my mate tea and typing away, rain keeps on falling and falling and it hasn't stopped for months !
Initially I would say it is good for the plants and all the wonderful nature we are surrounded with, but now it has come to a point that it's just too much !!

 Here in the UK everybody is talking about the rain; in the papers, TV broadcasts, constant radio discussions on why and how long? Will it effect the Olympics? Is it to do with global warming? Songs with rain mentioned in the lyrics are being played on the airwaves... quite extraordinary! 

Even Kato and Woody seem fed up with not being able to go for adventure and explore :-(

People Watching In London

A couple of days ago I was in London to visit Pulse.  After the show it was such a lovely day that I took a walk back to my old neighbourhood.  I had a couple of hours to spare whilst waiting to hook up with my friend Jo for a drink, so with my camera in hand I took tons of photos which I'll write a post on soon. I love London so much for the relaxed attitude to be as you like and the best thing is that no one really cares!

Home Photo Shoot Part 2

Time has flown by so much ! It has been a very long time since I posted here but the last few months have been manic! 

Last week I was  asked to take images of my home for a possible project that I'll tell you about when I can, which has inspired me to rearrange and decorate my house again! So this morning I managed to convince Matt to help me out to paint and rearrange the furniture. The images here are of our two living rooms. The  first image is where the tv room is facing the front of the house. It is a small cosy room decorated with an eclectic mix of furniture. The two tables I painted and distressed and the shelving is from Ikea, which works fantastically as an alternative way of displaying my photographs. The gorgeous lampshade is from  Graham & Green, one of my favorite shops along with Anthropology- Of course !

In last three images you can see the "chill out" room as we call it..It faces the garden so this is where we spend a lot spend time reading and listening to music... The cushions/pillows are from my collection in my shop, the sofa bed is great when we have guests which is from Ikea, the two lovely paintings above are a wedding gift from my Aunt Rosa Mirambell, a very talented artist from Barcelona, Spain. The blue painting bellow is  one of mine and the book shelf I painted and refurbished. The brown coffee table  is going to have " white " makeover today.  

The  last two months we've had amazing sunshine, which I was finding it frustrating working in my studio as it  doesn't have such a great view.  I  moved a little table near the garden door so I can have the laptop as a means to catch up on emails whilst enjoying the garden view and animal noises coming through from the forest. So as you can see the two rooms have a purpose :-)

Easter Treat : Chocolate & Hazelnut Meringue Cake

 Growing up, part of my family tradition  was to have a chocolate cake on Easter Sunday, usually made by  my mother whilst holidaying in the Pyrenees with friends and family. When I have the time I love baking, apart from the fact thatI find it very therapeutic, it also evokes certain memories with the aromas and flavours created . 

So this afternoon whilst feeling a little bit nostalgic I started looking for yummy recipes and inspiration. After sometime researching I came across this amazing recipe of a flourless, gluten free Chocolate and Hazelnut meringue cake, which I thought I'd share with you....  

The recipe comes from one of my daily Blog reads, Tartelette. Founded by the very talented French pastry chef Helene, now living in the US.  I recommend you visit her Blog and you'll be immediately inspired by her beautiful images and collection of delicious recipes, which are all gluten free...
For the Chocolate & Hazelnut Meringue Cake recipe click here.  Happy Easter ! :-)
*Images by Helene @ tartelette

Weekend in Devon

Mrng ! Now back from our weekend away in Devon from visiting our friends.

It was a long journey due to a lot of traffic so whilst Matt was driving I tried to give it a shot to take some pictures of the beautiful countryside and lovely yellow fields...I think they came out surprisingly well ...

 Countryside  narrow roads taking us through  quintessential English villages

Archie showing us through their amazing farm 

Cool tree house... Definitely any kids dream, I know it was always mine!!

One of their super cute orphan lambs...This one is one week old

There's always a debate at home about where to live in the near future. Although we live in the countryside near London the question is whether to go and live in a more rural area or back in the city...I love the countryside and I'm a total animal lover but there's not a happier place in my heart than the big old smoke !!!

I know it sounds crazy to some but I think it could be partly to where you grew up and where your roots are... Somehow I don't think this long debate that goes back some years  will ever be resolved :-(

Meeting Holly Becker

                                                          

Next week I'll let you know all about my meeting Holly Becker from decor8 a couple of days ago in London's Liberty shop at at Book launch she did promoting her new book, Decorate...What I can say for the moment is that she is super lovely !
I'm now off away for the weekend to visit some friends in their country home in Devon..I can't wait to go for nice walks by the sea, have lazy dinner and talk till late with a nice glass of wine...Have a lovely weekend what ever you are up too :-)
*Image by Liberty

Blog Mention

Hi my lovely friends... Here I am back to my posting after neglecting my Blog for sometime as I had to have a little break to concentrate on other things. In the meantime I have to thank Rhona Wheeldon for writing such a lovely post on my work ! Thank you so much Rhona :-) You can check her fab blog here which is full of inspiration for all those flower enthusiasts...

Paperchase Postcards Now in Store !

I was delighted to see the other day  my postcards  now selling in Paperchase stores Nationwide !

Vanessa Bruno Fashion Film

Le film “ Miracle ” avec Lou Doillon et Jessica Joffe.

The film “ Miracle ” with Lou Doillon and Jessica Joffe.

http://www.vanessabruno.com/?film-Summer11

Last night I was surfing the nett and came across  this super creative fashion film by Vanessa Bruno, French Fashion Designer. The way we communicate through the media has come so far in so many levels!

We Pray for Japan Bracelet by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has designed a bracelet " We Pray for Japan". They cost  $5 and all proceeds will go for the Japan tsunami relief. You can buy yours here. 
We are thinking of you .

Twittering on Twitter

Image from Mrs. Inman

 After a long time neglecting the idea of joining Twitter, I'm now discovering this fascinating new world !

You can find me here, so please come and say hi :-)

Country Living Spring Fair 23-27 March London

                                                                        

To celebrate 20 years of the Country Living Spring Fair the magazine has got together 400 exhibitors for the forthcoming show next week in London's Business Design Centre.

You'll be able to buy directly from independent  designers, makers and retailers from  all over the UK. A range of gorgeous  products for the home and garden, food, clothes and jewellery will be on sale. The show runs from 23-27 March and you can find directions to get there here. Ticket price is £16 at the door unless you want to save some pennies and buy online in advance.

I wont be exhibiting this time due to other work commitments but I'm going to try  for the Christmas Fair.

Home Products- Part 3

These images are part of my new collection of placemats

 coming soon on the website

And matching coasters too...

Home Products Photo Shoot -Part 2

As I mentioned in my last post I'm working on my new website and catalogue which has inspired me to take new images of my products. A new project that I've been enjoying tremendously as interiors and styling has always been one of my interests!

So much time, thought and work goes into taking an image that sometimes when flicking through the lovely images in interior magazines I have taken for granted.

So having just had a little taster I'm willing to learn and pursue this new venture even if it is for fun- so watch this space :-)

Home Photo Shoot - Part 1

Today being such a lovely sunny day it inspired me to take photos of my products for the new website and catalogue.

I used corners of our home as a canvas to promote the new cushion and print collection aiming to create a lifestyle image...

It became quite a full on day ( more than I envisaged) and a little bit exhausting towards the end, but I thoroughly enjoyed it !

Now I have to go back and work through some more editing; above is a little sneak preview of what I have done so far...

Winter Soup

Autumn beacons winter hearty soup! Today I made a new recipe using carrots and red lentils! Delicious! I also took the opportunity to take some images.

Blog Mention

Thank you so much to Carole King from 'Dear Designer's Blog' for a lovely article on my work. You can check her inspirational Blog here.