A Serene Life for Me

Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas Mud Room Inspiration

I so want a mud room someday and when I do this is how I'm going to decorate at Christmas.

The kitchen / family room off of it would work for me as well.

Images Canadian House & Home

Designer Profile: Pheobe Howard

Could you imagine waking up in this room every day. It’s so serene that I think all worries would just melt away the second you walked in the door. Pheobe Howard designed a stunning show house in Atlanta. If you check out her site you'll be blown away with all of the stunning projects they've worked on, but this one is my favourite.

Images - Phoebe Howard

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Designer Profile: India Hicks

The first time I can remember ever hearing about India Hicks was when a listing of the bridesmaids for the royal wedding was announced. When looking at wedding photos of Diana, Charles and the rest of the wedding party, I was struck that she didn't look too comfortable being a bridesmaid and in so much in the spotlight. (I later read, on her blog, that she wasn't comfortable wearing such a frilly dress). Her heritage and being Diana's bridesmaid has followed her everywhere, but this is about India. The term "You've come a long way" truly applies here.

India Hicks and daughter Domino in Hello Magazine

The next time I had any knowledge of India was when she moved to New York for modelling. I've been a big Ralph Lauren fan for many years and I remember a photo spread where three different designers were decorating her New York apartment (one of them was Ralph Lauren - I tried to find photos but was unable to find anything - too far back I guess). I loved the Ralph Lauren apartment the best naturally and if I recall correctly so did India. There's been a long friendship and association between the two of them (he wrote the forward for her book "Island Living"), and over time I simply grew to admire India for her own style and sense of self.

Rickie and Ralph Lauren with India Hicks - New York Social Diary

As previously mentioned I love her skincare line and I just can't get enough of it. It's created around the smells of her island home in the Bahamas and what a life it is.

I enjoy reading her blog and finding out what she's up to lately. She may have royal connections but she's so funny and down to earth. She has a great sense of humour and you just never know what she's going to do next.

India Hicks abseiling six stories for Viyella and Austin Reed

India has done so much with her life so far while raising four kids of her own, not to mention a menagerie of pets and recently she's added a fifth child who's mother died of cancer.

Wesley and her sons

Her kids and the life she's created are her greatest accomplishments, but she has done so much more. She has a number of wonderful villas to rent in her beloved Bahamas;

The Cricket Pavilion

She's a spokesmodel for Viyella;

Viyella images from IndiaHicks.com

She has a terrific online store called the Sugar Mill, which now includes fashions, accessories and of course her wonderful fragrance line;

Here are a few of my favourite items from the Sugar Mill.

These come in gold, silver and bronze -

Santa, I'll take one of each please.

Dakar woven bag

A pretty scarf - One of these also Santa.

And, she's an amazing jewelry designer. I've included some of my favourites below. Enjoy.

Some previous India Hicks references on my blog:

Showcase: India Hicks, Island Living

Vacation Destination: Cricket Pavilion on Harbour Island in the Bahamas

Vacation Destination: India Hicks Guesthouse

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree

Isn't this the cutest little Christmas Tree. Perfect for those living in apartments who don't want too much fuss. We're moving my dad into a new apartment this month and I'm thinking this tree would be perfect for him.

West Elm

Wardrobe Updates - Gym Outfits

OK – how does anyone look this good going to or coming from the gym...

Stockholm Street Style

Friday, December 9, 2011

Gift Wrapping

OK - I've decided - this is what I'm going to do with my gift wrapping this year. I'll need a glue gun, but I'm ready to give it a try because it sounds so simple. Just a large roll of craft paper in black and natural and some pretty ribbon, pine boughs and Christmas balls. What could be simpler.

Caroline Reed Design

Black Sands

Hawaii anyone?

All photos from Ralph Lauren – Black Sands

I believe this is Ralph Lauren’s actual home in Montauk – I’m not sure where I got this image from.

What's for Dinner? Chicken Wild Rice Salad

We tried this the other night for something different and light and loved it.

Image - Barefoot in Boston

Chicken Wild Rice Salad

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Where Can I Find This?

Does anyone have any idea where I can find this pattern for my Christmas wrapping paper?

Image Source Unknown

It’s called Diamond and Stars and I think it would be great for Christmas, but also birthdays, showers and so much more. So I’m on the lookout for some and let me know if you find any. I believe this image is from ELLE decor 2002 so I’m not sure if it’s even available.

A Loving Tribute - Father to Daughter

Breakfast at Bvlgari with Nicole Ritchie...

Nicole Ritchie in “I Call It Love” Video

“Nicole Richie pays homage to Audrey Hepburn in her father Lionel Richie’s new video “I Call It Love.” In the video, Nicole sports a pair of Swarovski crystal embedded sunglasses from Bulgari’s new Astrale collection, while looking lovingly through a Bulgari’s window in a Breakfast At Tiffany’s movie moment.”

He wrote "Ballerina Girl" for her so I have no doubt this father is extremely proud of her. I'm not a reality show kind of person and never watched a single episode of her show, but I do like Nicole since she became a mother. She really seems to have her act together now.