The way we live

When I say this blog is about people and how they live, I really do mean it. I'm always interested in real life, not the catalog type of presenting home/someone. I like to see and feel the connection between us and our living area. And it's great when it totally represent us. To get to this point sometimes it takes a lifetime process, or at least it feels like it. But even when you're "under construction" you can live in space that's colored with your soul. This is one of those homes.

When you decide to give more than a half of your apartment to your brother, you may consider yourself generous, very connected with your family, modest... What else would you add by looking at this photos?

This is the first from mine "The way we live" stories... There are a lots of them waiting to be photographed and written but if I don't know you, and you are brave enough to share your living area or some special corner you like or very proud of, send me photo and write a word or two.  (fantastic4in28@gmail.com)

Living room doors, inside

Living room, cozy corner

Sunny orange hall

There's always some good music on

She likes blue, on the wall, in details...

Angels, panda and Viggo Mortensen...The most unusual eclectic trio, or is it!?! ;)

There are some things that just has to be here and the's a sticker again, to make this view more likable

Unexplored wilderness of brother's room. Stick with a sticker!

Everything is in the details... 

Re-charging crystals 

Hand painted, from visit to Prague

A something to look at from a tub

Thanks Gabi!

DIY #1

Need display for your earrings?!
Mix: nice glass bottle + rubberband

;)

Plain bottle with rubberband

Gypsy queen bottle

My Man likes Mad Man sofas

Must admit I agree that this sofas are absolutely fabulous. Like this style a lot.

All from Thrive Home Furnishing

Lovely in purple

Modern bathroom, inspired by Moroccan style. from www.digsdigs.com

 from www.digsdigs.com

Who believe in angels?

I do. I believe they work very simple, if you are open to them. I hear it like a voice deep inside me.
Perhaps that was the voice all Croatia heard few days ago when one five years old girl, Nora, needed to collect more than half a million Euros to go to some special treatment in Philadelphia, USA. She had a week to do it. And due the all of us who donated as much as we could, she made it. Sad part is, unfortunately, that a lots of other children also wait for the similar thing. Sad part is that there are a lots of other sad stories, wars, hungers and violence happening around us.
But that does not give us the right to give up.This has to wake up our empathy.

Now you wondering why do I preach about this on home decor blog!?! Because I was in the same position as a child. I was six when the war started, my sister was 5 days old when we spent our first of many nights in the basement. To describe what we've been trough, no, I won't. But I felt the same feeling as the little girl. I wanted to live. And we had a help of beautiful people.

After you go trough all that, your life priorities became different from average, So when someone asks me how did 4 of us manage to live one year in the small apartment, that is suitable for one, I just smile.

And can you imagine how many people do live this minute without water, electricity, without enough food, under terror and in war areas. This is for all of them, from Egypt to Iraq, from mine to your neighborhood.

So keep dreaming about your perfect home, I sure do dream about mine perfect house, but in the middle, send your help, love, prayer or positive thoughts to those who need it.

Love,
Iva

More than words

Last few years are definitely marked with quotations, all kind of inspiring phrases, symbols or words in so many parts or our home design. This is tribute to that. Decor poetry!

Coffee pot: "For the pure and simple living, the new life start from everyday."

Pillow:
"My affections and wishes have not changed, but one
word from you will silence me forever. If, however,
your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you:
you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I
love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you 
from this day on.."

Bathroom wall sticker: "You look beautiful!"

Typography art: "Dreams are only dreams, until you wake up and make them real."

Ink to skin, mine: "Rise&Shine"

Do you have some of yours, let me know...

Namaste baby mug, from Second Chance Ceramics

If you need just a little push... From Hair Brained Schemes

Romantic me just fall to this! Pure as a Jane's love stories, this pillow with quote of letter of Mr Darcy to Miss E. Bennet can be found here

Dare to try

Late night hello...

...from Hamburg.

Thanks Nina!

Sultans of swing

If you're into astrology, perhaps you already know that 2013. is all about romance, love, family, general about wakening your emotions.  Mapped on the living area, bedroom is that place. Of course, living room and dinning room can also represent that energy, but bedroom is in my subject of observation now. 

Perhaps that's the reason why there's so many followers of "50 shades of Gray" or (in Croatia) why do so many women watch Suleiman the Magnificent.  Must admit, I didn't read and watch either, but I do feel that bottom line that triggers  is love story.

And if your interested in love, do something in your bedroom. So I look at this subject trough Feng shui. Although I'm not an expert for it, I studied several books about Feng shui  (and Vastu, but less). If you're not so familiar with that field, just imagine it like the vibe you get by being somewhere.  

So to create that vibe in you bedroom, best colors would be warm palette of browns, deep reds, honey and beige tons, salmon, rust, lavender  raspberry color. Don't use too much of greens, blues and white, 'cause it could diminish intimacy. Vibe should be cozy, safe, sensual. Position of the bed is important, it's best that bed isn't in the line of the doors, and it's good that you can see the doors from bed.

I would add that the most  important thing, is to go to bed with a smile and open heart. Perhaps that's what Suleiman did when he had his harem so big. ;-)

Great advices like these one you can find by visiting www.feng-shui-and-beyond.com

Morrocan interiors have that special vibe, but I love them so much that there'll be a whole subject about this type of interiors

Sultan cave room, www.cappadociaexclusive.com

Keep it simple (part 2)

It's almost two months since I start implementing zen habits to my everyday life. (first part Keep it simple here) And as I promised, I'll write you about things I did to make my life easier and free from all unnecessary things that could potentially hold me back. But more important, I figured I want to implement some habits more than I had one to cut back.

The biggest thing is that I moved with my family to an apartment that is in the middle of our work and kindergarten area, because my maternity leave is over next Monday.  So this will save our time spent in traffic each day, plus now we're in bigger apartment  (60 square meters), that suits our needs just fine.  Great thing about moving is that you can go through all of your things while packing and ask your self what is really needed. Although I'm not a hamster type, there's always some things you can give away. I gave away my milk from coffee and instead of that I drink only pure black coffee again (real coffee not instant). And i must admit, these few things made my everyday life easier, lighter, airily...

But also, there are more things I implemented in my everyday life.   I figured, yes, you can do some of the steps to simplify your life, you can even go step further and turn it to a habit, but to be sincerely happy I figured that (for me) I need to implement some of the things I love. So I started to learn languages again cause my first step of italian and french faded (minimum 15 minutes each day can make a difference, believe me); I  started practice deep breathing; being more open to new people (and how many topics do I get from that!); keeping only what I find really worth keeping...

Like yin and yang, you ad some, take some. It's good as long as you are balanced, cause that's your zen. That was the story with my experience. I know it's a life time process but that's the beauty of it. 

Love,

Iva

Sense of humor

:-)

In my neighborhood