Relaxing At Home

After the most gorgeous sunny weekend relaxing at home and lounging around on Sunday in our backyard with my girlfriends, I feel inspired by all things home!!

We started the day with pancakes and fruit on our homemade (by the fabulous husband) kitchen table and then ventured outside for some luxurious time in the sun on the sun lounges.

Two weeks ago, Joey with my father Stan and also Joey's brother in law Jeff, built a deck of the back of our house and set up the BBQ surrounded by stunning iceberg roses. This made for perfect weekend time.

At lunch, Joey got the BBQ going and we set up the outdoor table with a vintage chintz cloth and loaded up our wooden trays with condiments and cutlery and had a wonderful meal.

It was my first true Sunday in some time - outside, relaxing with friends enjoying the work we have put into the house and using the preloved vintage homewares I have collected over time.

It reminded me to share our new books that I have bought for our online store - books that are inspired by simple chic, vintage style and old fashioned homemade meals.

A selection are below.

The Relaxed Home



Atlanta Bartlett shows you how to create a relaxed ambience in every room in your home. Relaxed Simplicity is a softened, pared-down look; Relaxed Romantic gives pretty floral fabrics a fresh new feel.

Junk Style



Melanie Molesworth shows you howto create an individual look in your home by using discarded objects. Pieces are chosen for their intrinsic beauty, whether derived from quality of workmanship, quirky styling, or the colors and textures created by the patina of age.

The look is neither too coordinated nor too precious: things can be mismatched, patched, or frayed.

Vegetarian Food For Friends



Jane Noraika offers delicious vegetarian dishes for your friends and family. Fingerfood includes Wild Mushroom and Almond Moneybags and Tandoori Tofu, while Little Meals and Tapas could be Sesame Sweet Potato Wedges. The Barbecue needn't be meaty; try Eggplant and Smoked Cheese Rolls. There are chapters on Buffets and Casual Lunches; for Formal Dinners, try a show-stopper like Moroccan Tagine with Couscous Fritters and Harissa. Finally, for Family Sunday Lunch you'll have to make double servings of Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Layers, or a delicious Red Onion and Taleggio Tart.