Curl up in your peacock chairs kiddies. It’s time for part 3 of the Desire to Inspire reading guide. Exhausted yet? There is never too much of a good thing. Just think of it as blog “exercise” to work off all that christmas cheer. Alright lets get surfing!

I hope you saved room for more blogs. Pull up a comfy chair and click on through to the second part of Desire to Inspire’s Holiday reading guide. I love this time of year especially compiling these lists. You see I’m a secret blog lurker and I bookmark so many I just have to share. Enjoy!

WINKS – weekend links. Here we list what has come in during the week, things we’ve found and things we think you’ll want to see. If you’d like to see your blog or website featured email us and if we think it fits with our readers we’ll link you. So what’s in this week? (A little short this week. Apologies but lots for next week!)

• Super talented blogger and e-magazine editor and creator Erin has just launched Mankind Magazine. Mankind Mag is a monthly publication dedicated to showcasing the talents of the emerging art and design community. You can find out all about it here. Erin you’re a one woman creative dynamo!!!



• Press release in the email in box this week from Caroline at I LOVE DESIGN. “We are dedicated to bringing you the best in new design. It is our mission to present fresh, beautiful and unique design items, ranging from chic and stylish to cool, hip and fun. Whether you aspire to Victorian extravaganza, French bold glamour or prefer the clean lines of modern Scandinavian design there’s sure to be a style here at I LOVE DESIGN for you.”



• Beautiful wooden and leather lampshades by Weplight from Argentina. The shades arrive flat packed and expand to reveal their strong modern character. More info here. Thanks Nadia!
• Jodie emailed “I wanted to introduce our website to you, Sea and Jae. It is our goal to take well-designed items and give tips and tricks for giving thoughtful and meaningful gifts. We will provide fresh gift ideas whether you are looking for a small gift for a friend or favors for 200. We believe gift giving is like story telling….make it relevant. I have also recently started a blog to further show people some tips and tricks, as well as, where to find the inspiration.” Jodie such cute gift ideas!



• It’s winter here and I find an email from Erica in my box teasing me with an image of that sums up summertime. Drink in one hand and book in the other I can just see myself lounging on this fabulous outdoor day bed from Veneman Furniture. For those of you in the northern hemisphere check out the website for summer furniture ideas.



• Award winning travel writer and photographer Piers Moore Ede emailed to introduce Robin Moore Ede Art. Online you will find art prints of Piers’ photographs and delightful watercolours by his interior designer father Robin Moore Ede. I’m particularly taken with these Moorish tiles. Exquisite blues and intriguing patterns. Thanks Piers!

I found a fabulous book Cose & Case, Forme,colori,oggetti, nell’arredamento. Robin Guild, Euroclub Italia S.p.A.,Bergamo, 1980. Edizione Italiana. So houses and things in a book with copious Italian text but thankfully also with lots and lots of lovely retro rooms. Early 80s here and I couldn’t be more excited. You have been warned it’s the next big thing in retro decorating. Ah…. knotty pine, pastels and beige back in our lives again.

I’d love some antique famille rose Chinese pots for my patio area but it ain’t gonna happen on my budget. Thought I’d cheer up the space with some teapots and teacups from Chinatown instead. It’s still winter here (if you can call 23° Celsius winter) so by spring my little plants should be green and lush. And the dump truck? I couldn’t resist a 50c rusty truck from a garage sale around the corner to hold a few transplanted daffodils. When they’re out I’ll move it onto my kitchen counter for some fun. Can you believe it’s mid winter here and the daffodils are almost out? I love the subtropics!