Lovely Photography

Gorgeous pics of model Sasha Pivovarova by Mikael Jansson for French Vogue.

Click on Pics for source

Lazy days

I am just loving the holidays!  Usually we are away this time of year but partly due to the fact that we are hoping for a European holiday in 2011, we decided to stay home.  I have to admit, it is fabulous!  Being at home, there is no pressure to be doing something everyday - we are all so chilled and doing our own thing and SO lazy!  Although we did have an absolutely amazing Christmas in Koringberg - hellish hot, but super fun.  It goes without saying that we stuffed oursleves silly - we are a family of foodies after all and Christmas is a wonderful excuse for overindulgence.

We have watched the entire series of River Cottage and have become Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall addicts thanks to lovely DVD box set sent over to me by my wonderful Polish/English friend Jola.  It has made us appreciate our hens even more, but just as well it is not legal to keep a cow in a residential area or we might have been off to the cattle auction!

I hope you are all having a wonderful, restful time - or on the other hand, some fantastic parties! Here are a few pics from Koringberg.

May you have a very Merry Christmas

I can't see myself getting much of a gap to blog before Christmas, so I just want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and for those not celebrating it, a wonderful holiday weekend.  May it be filled with good company, good cheer and good food.  xxxxx

Nearly Christmas....

I woke up with a bit of a shock this morning when I realised that is is only 3 days till Christmas!  Well, actually only 2 in my family as we have a huge get-together feast and present swapping tradition on Christmas Eve.  We will all be at my sisters house in Koringberg - up the West Coast - for the whole weekend and I know it is going to fun, fun, fun!
I took a few minutes to make a "wishlist" collage on Polyvore.....  there is only one thing there that I stand the remotest chance of getting - but nothing wrong with wishing... ;)

Wishlist by Lisamariedt featuring a mulberry handbag

Polyvore !

I have discovered Polyvore through Kristyna's lovely blog The Owl Diary - needless to say, it could become a new obsession!

Feeling nautical by Lisamariedt featuring blue sunglasses

Vogue Star Signs

Emma was given the December UK Vogue by a friend as a Christmas/belated birthday present.  It is the most gorgeous issue all around the theme of stars - wow!  Here are some images of a photo shoot by photographer Tim Gutt and stylist Kate Phelan based on Zodiac signs - I can't decide which are my faves, I love them all!

4 Simple Goals update....

Encouraged by Elsie of A Beautiful Mess, in August this year I promised myself that I would complete 4 simple goals by the end of 2010.  I am proud to say that I have achieved all of those goals and I am planning to do the same in 2011!   
The first was to become a blood donor and this morning I donated blood for the 3rd time.  Like most people, I am pretty squeamish when it comes to needles, so I am quite proud of myself.  Not only have I completed one of those goals, but I am giving something of myself – it feels good.   
The 2nd goal was to paint Sarah’s wardrobe – it turned out so well too – she loves it.   
My 3rd goal was to drink more water!  Sounds simple enough, but I am a bit of a camel – I tend not to drink enough during the day.  I now fill a glass of water when I get to work every morning and top it up every time it nears half way.  That way I am not conscious of exactly how much I am drinking and not feeling pressurized to drink the prescribed ‘8 glasses a day’.  I also add a couple of slices of cucumber and some mint – its quite delicious! 
My final goal is to give thanks – every single day.

Cool gift idea, great packaging

Knock Knock

The silly season

I'm not entirely sure why this time of year if often referred to as the silly season, but for me its definitely silly because of all the 'stuff' going on.  Its the busiest time of year in our industry for one, which is why I have abandoned my blog for the last week or so, then there is all the end of year school things, not to mention the parties, functions and frenzied shopping malls.  

It is my intention to reserve the silliness to good times with friends and family (like the hilarious game of 30 Seconds the girls and I played this evening) and not get sucked up in the stressed out last minute Christmas craziness that suddenly takes hold of everyone.  Tomorrow we are off the the Milnerton market to look for some lovely 'recycled' Christmas gifts and then off on the annual Christmas branch hunt.  Apart from some gorgeous sparkly lights and the girls stockings, the house is looking far too un-Christmassy and its time to rectify that - post haste!  Which makes me think, what I am really missing are Christmas cards.  Email is a marvel for keeping up with friends but I really miss having a string of cards up at this time of year - getting a singing reindeer in your inbox just doesn't cut it.

A view from where I am sitting right - a bit shaky!

x

Emma's Stardust Galleries

I love these pics my daughter Emma has created with her own photographs - so clever!