Nutritional Therapy: Grape

There is one thing that I find annoying about the UK v USA, and that is that all purple coloured candy is blackcurrant flavoured in the UK, instead of the infinitely more delicious grape of the US. I admit this is not a tragedy on the scale of the impossibility of buying Magic Hat in Britain debacle, but it does suck. So with this particular frustration in mind, I am going to get my grape on with a purple tinged selection for you.

 Grape Soda Print Keep Calm Gallery

 Isabella Print Peggy Wolf

First Row:  Le Creuset Dutch Oven and Trivet, Williams Sonoma Potholders Emma Lamb, Multi Strand Silk Necklace Streeks. Second Row: Rebecca Dress Michelle Tan, Professional Patent Clogs Dansko, New Haarlem Candle Bond No. 9. Third Row: Felt Flower Headband Giddy Up & Grow, Vintage Jelly Jar Aquamarine Dream.

Tasty selection I hope you will agree?

Snow Day

Another Snow Day came upon us yesterday. 8 inches overall, topped off with freezing rain. Brrrr... Lucky for me I work from home, so no need to tackle the roads on a day like this. Instead, I thought I would go with the snow white theme from an Etsy Treasury I did recently, for a bit of colour therapy.

Left to Right: Row 1: Alyssa Ettinger, Tiny Toadstool, Jackie Rueda Photography Row 2:  Sycamore Street Press, Sweet Bestiary, Lola's Room Row 3: Amye 123, NzL Bags, Tuuni Row 4: La Pomme, May Third, Diem Design

This collection makes me feel very calm. I guess white does that though, I have always held that crisp white sheets on a bed make you feel like you are going to have the most peaceful night's sleep. Is that strange? It's wild how a simple colour like white has so many variations in tone and hue when you put them all together.

Lonny Loves Lily

I love Lily, Lonny loves Lily...this month's Lonny Magazine has a to-die-for spread on the iconic and colorful Lily Pulitzer that is just too beautiful for words. Read the article from the Jan/Feb 2011 issue here.

(Images courtesy of Lonny)

Colour Therapy: Anything but white

Since it is nothing but wintery white out there today, I feel the urge to add some much needed colour to my world. Indulge me...

Clockwise from top left: Annabelle Frame Collection,  Felt Flower Headband, Hand Dyed Ombre Skirt, Tie Front Bag

Clockwise from top left: Orla inspired Cross Stitch, "Hello" paper Bag, Cleo Plush, "Paris" Print

Clockwise from top left: Ceramic Elephant with Balloons, Cherry Pie Lane House Pillow, "Bridget" Granny Cushion, "Make up their minds" Print

 Now, doesn't that make you feel much better...?

Y is for Yellow

Yellow is the only colour that I know suits me, but that I never ever wear. The one thing I have that is yellow, is a pale yellow ballgown with flowers that I wore to my first formal dance. Sounds awful I know, but it was the prettiest dress I owned (til this day I think) and I fell in love with it when I was 13 for no sane reason and it really worked! I realise it may be more of a summery colour, but I could get into it for Fall.

So if I was going to have a go at yellow, these would be at the top of my list...

Outdoor Cafe Cardigan from Anthropoplogie

Beaded Swag Bib Necklace from Anthropologie

Maio Skirt from Hobbs

Summer Breeze Scarf from Boden

Pleated Scoop Neck Sweater from Boden

Leather Ballet Flats by Lanvin from Net-A-Porter

Kanken Backpack from JCrew

Globetrotter Suitcase on Wheels for JCrew

Weekly Remedies

It has been WAY too long since I have put together my weekly remedies for you so I thought I would kick start another round of them today.

This week, I am loving the colour purple...

1. Blythe Felted Helmet, Big Smudge UK 2. Knitted Shoulder Bag, NzLbags 3. Katharina Flower Tank Dress, Lirola

4. All Season 2 dress, Cocoricooo 5. Granny Square Cushion Cover, Spacejam Handmade 6. Giant IO Moth Canvas Pillow, Utilitarian Franchise

7. Blossoms Clutch, FA2u 8. Violet Clutch, Julia Sherry Designs 9. Magenta Yellow Ink Blot Scarf, Mojo Spa Style

Design Therapy: Ann Kelle

"Simple, sweet and sassy" is how Kelle Boyd describes her Ann Kelle designs, which adorn fabric, personalized stationary and paper goods that I adore.


Her designs are beautifully simple, bold and colourful using geometric shapes, florals and fruit to create a range that includes fabric, note pads, notecards, journals, gift tags and much more.


I particularly like that her designs grace store shelves such as Target, Barnes & Noble and Staples, making great design available to everyone.

Kelle's newest fabric collection for Robert Kaufman, Remix, will soon be launched and I couldn't wait to share it with you. Want a peak?


Her Sophie Flannel fabric is also completely fabulous.

Sophie Spring...


Sophie Summer...


Don't you just love a bit of flannel?

Time to Bemz my Ektorp

No, I am not talking to you in code, this is affordable Swedish design my friends.

Bemz is a Swedish company that specializes in making custom made, removable and washable slipcovers for all manner of Ikea designed sofas and chairs. Genius! I mean, we all own a piece of Ikea seating I am pretty sure, but we don't all want to be restricted by the plain covers they (generally) come in. Founded by Lesley Pennington while on maternity leave, the Bemz name is an anagram of her children's initials, who serve to inspire the business.

The process couldn't be simpler. Find your Ikea model, then choose the fabric you like (you can order free swatches for absolute confidence in the chosen pattern/material). The covers are custom made and delivered to you within 4 weeks (just $20 shipping if you are in the States), and very affordable. The most exciting news about Bemz's service is that they have introduced a number of fabulous designer fabrics for you to choose from.

Designers Guild and Lisa Bengtsson both offer the most glorious fabric designs in palettes that are right up my street, bursting with floral and geometric patterns. I don't know how I could choose just one!

Designers Guild for Bemz

Sagrada Lime

Barcelona Crocus

Lisa Bengtsson for Bemz...

Baronessa Pink

Sir Harald Multi

And not forgetting the bold and iconic Marimekko...

Unikko Red (Ektorp chair for those who were wondering)

Now, what with all this riot of colour, I understand that there are some who prefer the paired down simplicity that Swedish design is so famous for. I love that too as it happens, but Bemz provides the perfect service for those who like to switch it up now and then. If only they covered the Ektorp corner sofa, I would be straight in there.

(Images Bemz)

WEEKLY REMEDIES

This week, I am loving bright, bright colours...

1. Ruffle Wristlet, Hand Made Fun 2. Party Banner Pillow, Regan's Brain 3. "Inger The Hen" Tote, Strand Redesign

4. Yellow Leather Clutch, Kyveli 5. Hand-painted Flats, Craftastrophe 6. Lime Green Regal Clutch, Paige 27

7. Spring and Colours Necklace, Stavroula 8. Online Cushion, Urban Felt 9. "Stay Classy" Set of Pencils, Earmark

Picture perfect frames

I discovered these vibrant painted frames from amye123 last week and wanted to share them with you today. In candy colours of every shade, these vintage frames are perfect for accenting your walls with a burst of colour. There is a colour, and shape for everyone in this shop.

Cupcake Pink Frame

Meadow Green Ornate Frame

Sweetest Blue Ornate Frame

Candy Shop Pink Frame

Delicious Grape Frame

Dazzling Lime Green Frame

Orchid Cupids Frame

Wild Apple Frame

These frames are flamboyant and definitely not for the faint hearted! They would worked beautifully hung in a group together on a wall, just as they are. Sadly, the cute fawn is not for sale!