Displaying posts from March, 2013

I was fortunate to be able to escape the dreary winter weather for a bit, but for those who aren’t so fortunate, I’ve got a virtual vacation for you. This is CasasNaAreia, a magical holiday rental located in Alentejo, Portugal via Welcome Beyond. CasasNaAreia is a gorgeous retreat taking old masonry buildings and turning them into new, contemporary structures. The property with 4 double bedrooms is about the experience of living almost in an extension of the natural environment, especially when in the kitchen/dining area – which is laid out with a carpet of fine sand. Surrounded by rice paddies and umbrella pine forest, CasasNaAreia looks out onto the Sado estuary famous for its stunning sunsets, salt pans, flamingos and flocks of dolphins.

Welcome Beyond – Luxury vacation rentals

The spring issue of British based e-mag Heart Home was released yesterday and it is pushing all the right buttons I have to say. Always yummy, and an extra treat in this issue – the home of one of my favourite bloggers, Nina Holst of Stylizimo. Here’s a peek of Nina’s home and more…

A marriage of past and present, at times luxe and at others restrained. Colour, composition and proportion are all important to Uruguayan born, New York based Fernando Santangelo. His rooms can be exuberant and crowded with interest yet equally his designs are spare and peaceful. A sense of drama, though, is always present.

I am back from 9 days in Mexican heaven, and have sadly returned to Canadian winter….without my freaking suitcase. I have never had this happen to me before, and never imagined how irritating and what a nuisance it is. Not a great way to end a fantastic holiday (by the way, I highly recommend Puerto Vallarta as a FAB holiday spot, having been there I think 6 times now). I am in desperate need of some cheering up so I thought some awesome photography by Toronto photographer Derek Shapton would do the trick.

Please, pretty please design gods can I have one of everything from the portfolio of photographer/stylist Carina Olander. A Swedish weaver of vignettes and dreams she has me craving everything she styles, everything she captures through her lens. Pretty, pretty please, I need these pretties, please.