Moving (on)

I'm so peacefully happy. Satisfied. What a great way to finish a year. We are moving in a new apartment, down town (I'll say something more about this in my next blog). So I'll be occupied few days with that.That's why now I want to wish you (to my readers who celebrate this holiday) a Merry Christmas and a happy New year!
I wish you'll too feel peaceful, happy and satisfied.

Love you all!

Iva

p.s. I know that the new place will give me a lots of new stories that I'll share with you. Until that, I'll toast with a glass of read wine and a beautiful song I stumbled on... :-) Un jour tu verras... Au revoir!

Narnia calls

Aristocratic but playful in the same time, these are the Christmas decorations I want to share with you. The chronicles from Narnia meets jellyfish, that's how I would describe it. I like it, hope you'll like it too. Design is from famous Croatian florist (designer, artist) Saša Šekoranja. This is a great inspiration if you want to combine holiday decoration for "old" once and keep the fairy-tale touch for children. Use juniper, white color, silver, branches, glass and imagination to get the same look.

Enjoy!

Eco friendly Christmas tree

thefeteblog.com

It's not a new idea, but I always like it.
Do you have something new to share?

I.

Smooth operator

There's something about the boudoir and bohemian look. I think it's so sexy and sensual and I see it as a great inspiration to spice up your life. It also reminds me on my favorite time of year, autumn. It so colorful and strong. Perhaps at first it's to much for minimalists, but you can always use some elements of it to make your sensual mood. Try with a velvet, leather, brocade (or lace if you are a girl) or use those deep strong colors (emerald, aubergine, wine red, blue, gray). Art just loves this type of interiors so hang out you pictures, or draw some of your own. Acts will do great, but for the brave ones mirrors will work too. ;-) Use candles as standard equipment. Let me inspire you with this photos. 

Sexy or what? From maisonboheme.blogspot.com

Great for single girls

Hotel with a very interested history, Le Berger, www.lebergerhotel.be

Le Berger

Diptyque Paris candles 

Blue velvet... www.etsy.com

Read me a poem... Library, www.apartmenttherapy.com

Enjoy!

Iva

Keep it simple

Have you ever tried to declutter your home, living space, office? I do it often, but today I decided to go further with something I heard about few years ago. Have you ever heard for "Simple living manifesto"? Let me explain it to you by quoting words of Leo Babauta: "It means getting rid of many of the things you do so you can spend time with people you love and do the things you love. It means getting rid of the clutter so you are left with only that which gives you value."

As you can see, it's more than just tossing unnecessary things. Leo is giving you 72 advises what you should do or what to ask yourself during the process of simplifying your life. The list is not finished, it's optional (like everything you do in life) so feel free to add your own advice and please let me know if you have some suggestion. You can read the whole Manifesto here or visit zenhabits.net. 

I would add that simple living is also about the way you feel inside. So be in peace with yourself and create your own value system. That is the only right simple living system.

Enough with the talk, let's go! ;-) I'll let you know how it effected my life.

Iva

Does this represent your value system or...

this one is better!?

When is cold outside...

When it's cold outside, curl yourself up in a wool blanket or have a tea. Chili is chilling out. I'll learn from her...

Picture says it all

Lucky you if you have a fireplace 

5 minutes Christmas decor

Lately I don't have much time to do my stuff (like writing this blog) cause K. is working 24/7 (he's a sport editor in one new daily newspaper) and I'm alone doing everything else.  But I'm not complaining 'cause I know Santa sees it all. ;) And that is not going to ruin my Christmas spirit! So I took five minutes to make my Advent wreath.

As I didn't have time to collect herbs, (pine) twigs, moss and to do regular one, I turned to irregular. Finished product was one nice, up-cycled, fun and cheerful, modern wreath. Glass jars, wooden parts of children' toy, last years metal bluebell, pastries tray, candles and there you go... You can also raise the spirit with different kind of small toy. While my other decorations are waiting for next five minute action, look at this one I made.

P.s. don't forget to bake some cookies!

Baby Advent wreath

My favorite reindeer

When I learn how to use Photoshop, I'll erase that ugly wires :)

A conspiracy theory about living rooms

"In Western architecture, a living room or lounge room (informal: lounge) is a room in a residential house for relaxing and socializing.", that's how Wikipedia defines living room. But how much time do you actually have for socializing? How much time do you spent in your home if you don't count the time you sleep in?

Recently, I'm occupied thinking about the time we spent on work, in traffic, at home... It's because very soon I'll have to get back to work (I'm on maternity). So working eight hours a day (some of us even more), with all the overtime you do as normal and most common thing, do you actually have time to socialize and relax in your living room...  And when you do, beside watching TV, what are you doing than? Are you then in socializing mood or are you grumpy and once again analyzing your shit-of-.the-day situation from work? (If you do, please stop now, it's not worth it!)

If I go here with the conspiracy theory, I would say that there is a whole system that wants to destroy our families and to make our beautiful living rooms with all that nice furniture you work hard for, very sad. ;) Because when, you're working all day, you don't get to see you family. And then, by time, you get divorced. And people are more vulnerable when they are, or better say feel (because you are never actually alone), alone. Only good thing from that is for furniture companies, because at least one member will have to buy new furniture when he or she move out.

So what's the solution for that? Perhaps, what mafia did! Do you remember what was the system of mafia? They stick together, family is everything, together they are stronger. Adapted to a modern and non illegal living, this mean that you should really start to enjoy your living room with your family. Hang up with them, talk more, play more...

If you are one of those  who live far away from you loved ones, then at least frame they pictures in your living room, so you'll have feeling as they are here with you. And don't forget to call, write or visit them!

Love you, my other family!

Iva

Well known living room from The Friends, Monika's apartment, from www.williampaid.com

Walking room

I believe that our living space are streets, parks, office, everywhere we stay for a long time or use it frequently each day. So wouldn't be great if all those areas are nice and clean. Well, we are part of that, so it's up to us to take care of it.
This last few partly sunny days I spent my walks/strolls at my neighborhood and I just wanted to say I like my outdoor living area. Sometimes I even consider it as my second (living)walking room. And I'm wondering, am I the only one? What is your walking room, do we share the same? Let me know...

My walkingroom

Balcony

Do you use your balcony with it's full capacity? Or you never think about it as a potential living area? When you live in a small flat and have balcony, it becomes your secret garden. It's miracle how many faces can your balcony have just by using it properly. For example, my balcony has few purposes. First, it became storage when I bought shoe cabinet for hall that didn't fit (never buy furniture without measurement). Luckily, balcony was the right spot. Second, it's home for my plants. Because of that, atmosphere and decor here are connected with the change of seasons. And I love to feel that change so I made a really small but cozy and also useful chillin' area (third purpose). For bench I used a shelf that became surplus in our flat after we had to squeeze in a kinder bed. And because I wanted to make a intimate atmosphere where I decide when do I want to see my neighbors, I hang a cotton decorative curtain (instead of proper rods I used clothesline, it was easier to install).
So if you're lack with space you can turn it into multipurpose addition to your flat. Or if you have plenty of it, just enjoy the view!

My latest version; autumn 2012

I also use it to dry the plants for the tee I drink 

Hubby is having breakfast (summer)

Cherry tomatoes I grew

Summer mix 

I adore French balconies; there's always some flowers.

This balconies look like an artistic installation. I just love how French people take care about their balconies. (from my visit, June 2011.)

A great design by Christian Lessing. Suitable for small spaces

Little Friends

This evening my husband showed me a photo he was thrilled about. And it's really great, as the others I saw in a work of Seth Casteel. This one is from project of taking underwater pictures of dogs as they jump into water. You can check it out here on his Little Friends Photo blog.

But I also found an interesting photo of his living room, I suppose. Must admit, I like the transparency and feeling of relaxation I feel watching at this. It reminded me on my flat just after I finished renovating it. Mattress on the floor, without cabinets... It wasn't so bad. There was some calmness about it.

Perhaps we all should have one room set totally minimalistic where we can escape to clean our minds and rest our body. (I see a whole new subject for me to find out)

(above) Combo I was talking about. Don't miss the photos or buy a book!
http://littlefriendsphoto.blogspot.com/

Starlight

Photo of the night.
I took it on a book promotion of Cosmopolitan's columnist (Croatia) Jasmina Rodić. Atmosphere was as this photo - sparkling and beautiful.

Cafe Velvet

Velvet, Zagreb

Hello Halloween

This year, as the last few, I decided to decorate my apartment with few Halloween details.This year, as the last few, I started doing it last minute.

But this year it all went wrong. You're wondering how?
First my son totally tangled our pumpkin lamps.
Then I tried to use yellow zucchini I picked from our last barbecue (see in Last days of summer) but it turned out that this was a great toy for my dog Chili. So this year, my only decoration will be an orange tangerines and a book of magic spells. Hope it works, 'cause... Hocus pokus, little drag, don't let next year's Halloween be a wrack!
;) I'll let you know.

Pumpkin lamps

Chili is a Halloween fan

Sorry that it's blurry,
but it was hard to catch Chili in an action

Oooooooo! says pumpkin

Tangerines, yummy decoration

Magic spells

Finest of your heritage - use it now

I always wonder why don't people use their fines china, silver cutlery or some other fancy home accessories for daily use. When I asked several people about this, I got similar answers. They are afraid that something will get broken and because of their huge sentimental value they don't use it.
But I don't get one thing - when will you enjoy it than? What's the point of having it if the only happy moment about it was when you got it from your grandmother? And what if one glass get broken? Memories don't fail with glass. What's that in contrary of all those happy moments you'll have by using what you inherited. Never the less, think about how it'll spice your daily rituals and make you feel like a member of the aristocracy. And it's always nice to recall the story behind it.

Good thing is that you can combine it with modern elements and give your home very chic look, or if you're vintage fan, inherited items will do either way.

Old glasses, industrial style

Silver knife and spoon

Silver cutlery on metal table, soft vs industrial

Industrial style with soft touch of lace and silver 

Romantic vintage style, handmade crocheted tablecloth and old black coffee cup

Place with a soul

If you read this blog, I probably should be very honored. Because, in the jungle of all kinds of blogs from professional interior designers, product designers and other blogers that are already well educated in design and decorating, you are reading MY blog! New, with only few posts, still practicing my English to be correct and fluent, not good looking because I'm new in this virtual sphere, not knowing much of how to design my blog space (and not having necessary knowledge about creating  a web page). And there, you're still reading it.
But I do know one thing. I know what I like and how to enjoy it. I know what's nice for me and I do know what to suggest you for your home (if you ask). So why I started this blog than, you may ask? 'Cause I would like to show you how to enjoy what you have now. I would like to show you things that you can dream of. I would like to see some new things for myself and I would specially like to show you my new apartment or house when I get there :)

Till that, living in 28 square meters with my husband, son and a french bulldog will be just fine because I still have ideas and inspiration to tun my college-purpose apartment to a small family nest.
I want to show you how much fun you can have with what you already got and how you can create a space you adore. Only important thing is to create place that has your soul.

Every culture has it's own heritage and that great. But you should always create your space the way you like. If you like floral pillows, enjoy it! If you like zen minimalism in the center of Spain, do it! I'm here to share  my point of view, which would not always suite you best. But there's why you are here, to pick the ideas you like and to interpret it on your own way. Bottom line is - make your home a place with a soul you fit in.

Hope this blog will fit in you process of creating it too.

Iva

Celebrate with me!