*My Lil Wonderland*

I  am a dreamer at heart, always lost somewhere in the years to come! One of my biggest dreams is the little wonderland that I will call my home one day, a place filled with pretty, inspiring things collected over the years! I can not wait to see what it looks like but for now I can just dream...

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...of a pretty house tucked away between the trees & roses...

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-with an even smaller lil cottage to work from-

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The cutest lil pink door to welcome guests with a smile...

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My favourite part of the house, where i will bake yummy treats and cook delicious meals...

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The most luxurious, special, tranqual room of the house...

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....where a free-standing bath is a MUST-HAVE!

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Perhaps a closet like this one....

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...mmmmmmm....with extra closet space in the spare-room :)

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A sweet room for entertaining sweet friends....

.....with lil chairs for the lil ones of course!

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{wooden floors} = too pretty!

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i would absolutely love a lil room like this in my wonderland one day.....

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......multi-functional rooms....

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a sneak preview of my room,,,,

and the LIBRARY....filled with all litlle treasures!

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don't forget the outside chairs that will host many a tea party ***

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Pictures: 1&2&3&8&9&14 {weheartit} 4{dreamstime.com} 5&6 {coastalliving.com} 7{lillyanna-lilaclanecottage.blogspot.com} 10 {katie-marie81.blogspot.com} 11 {blurtit.com} 12{forum.xcitefun.net}  13{seasonsforallathome.com}

Look What I Found: Bright Nails!

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W ell looked after nails are always a pretty sight and more and more ladies are breaking away from the traditional french manicure and splashing some colour on their nails. It's neat, fun and is an easy way to express one's self and add character to any outfit. I love this look on hot, summer days! Wear darker hues for night and lighter hues for day, it's your choice, have fun!***

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Pictures: 1. { makeupbag.net} 2. {makeupbytiffanyd.blogspot.com} 3&4&5&6&7. {weheartit} 8.{artificial-nails.info}

{Table setting}

 

E ven at my young age I love entertaining! Something about sitting around a table with friends and loved ones with a fantastic glass of wine in my hand makes me feel peaceful & content. I also enjoy making it special and enjoyable for them so what better way than to set the table just for them with things I know they will enjoy! I will be featuring different ways to spice up your lil table but before you start decide on a theme or the "feel" that you would like the guests to get. This will depend on a number of things such as weather you are planning a dinner, lunch or breakfast, it will also depend on whether you would like to entertain inside or outside as well as on the people you have invited. Always remember that it is your table setting and anything works.***

The Rustic Table Setting:
 This is one of my favourites! This table setting encompasses nature and raw materials, think rocks, sticks, breads, candles. This setting is very simple but very effective.



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The Sophisticated Table Setting:
This Table setting is classy and more formal. Think beautiful cutlery, glass, china, silver and magnificent flowers.

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The Holiday Table Setting:

This table setting counts for anything festive! It could be Christmas, Easter, New years or even a birthday! These are the most fun to arrange!

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Pictures: 1. {mandarinastudio.wordpress.com}  2. {alkemie.blogspot.com} 3.{shelterinteriordesign.blogspot.com} 5. {ddandkw.com} 6. {superstock.com} 7. {dreamstime.com}  8. {coreasotropa.wordpress.com} 9. {thepartydress.net}

Look What I Found: Wellies!

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W  hen I saw the lovely rain this morning I knew that i have to do a blog on Wellington Boots! Not only do Wellington Boots protect one's feet from slushy terrain but they are super-cute and fashionable too! Wellies were originally designed for the unpredicatble weather in Scotland and have since found their way to South Africa becoming a fashion classic. Fashion and decor are always mixing and so wellies have even splashed their way into interiors representing style, romance as well as outdoors adventure and fun.***

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Pictures: 1. {citified.blogspot.com} 2. {countrylivingUK}

My Heart {in pictures}

I apologise for not posting the last couple of days, things are changing in my life & my tiny heart is confused & hurt. Things are not clear or certain and that is ok for now- I am taking one day at a time. Here is my heart in pictures.***

{How} Did God Make (that)?

A tiny raindrop is such a delicate thing, it amazes me how it retains its form right until the very second it hits a hard surface....raindrops are so small, so intricate.***

In The Garden ♥ Herb Garden ♥

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H erbs are just magical lil things if you know how to use them correctly! By pairing the right herb with the right dish you will get exceptional results & your friends and family will be dying to know your "secret ingredient".The rewards of growing herbs are far more than with other plants as once you plant a lil herb plant it keeps giving and giving.Instead of just being planted for it's decorative value- a herb plant can also be used for a variety of other purposes such as adding flavour to one's food, curing flu or even getting rid of insects in your home. If you follow these basic instructions, you will be richly rewarded with their lovely aroma's and flavours, plus-herbs are really easy to grow.As I am a renter, I am going to plant my little herb garden in pots...I will be posting pictures soon!***

Location:
The ideal site for your lil herb garden is in a sunny, open spot. It is best to build a little shelter around your garden and ensure that the soil is well-drained and has fertile soil. Make sure there are no weeds or overhanging trees. The minimum requirment is four to seven hours of sunlight and ensure that the soil has very good drainage as herbs will not tolerate wet, clay soil.

If you are planting herbs for culinary reasons, like I am, then the little garden should be planted away from possible contamination such as pets, roadside pollution and agricultural sprays.

Design:
I personally find litlle herb gardens more appealing, there are however more formal designs based on geometric patterns with paths and hedges.Each bed is then planted with one type of herb resulting in bold blocks of texture & colour.Paving is an essential as you need to be able to get to your herbs to be able to pick them. It is best to lay your pathways in natural, earthy shades such as grey stone, sand or terrecotta bricks.

Tips for Planting:
Prepare the ground and get rid of weeds.Fork in organic matter such as compost or potting soil. Before transplanting herbs out of their pots into the ground, water the pots well and loosen the root ball before planting. Pinch the tips of shrubby herbs such as thyme to encourage them to grow more. If you have decided to use a planting plan first set the herbs in their positions while they are still in their pots- it is easier to move them around like this than to dig them up ecah time! Ensure that they have room around them for groethand once planted firm the soil around the plant gently and finish off by watering the plant thouroughly.

Taking Care of Your New Little Herb Garden:
Water: Water newly planted herbs regularly but once they are established they become drought resistant. Rather give your herbs too litlle water than too much.After a good soaking, allow the water to drain away and the soil to dry off.

Fertilising: This is very important. During the growth season (August to April in the Southern Hemisphere) fertilize at least once a month.Be carefull not to over fertalize your little plants, and try to rather use naturall made compost as much as you can.

Pruning: This is essential to encourage healthy, bushy growth. Remove dead leaves and branches on a regular basis.

Picking your Herbs: Do not cut your herbs randomly Use a sharp knife or scissors to remove branch--do not break them!



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Pictures: 1. {flickr.com}2.{theherbgarden.co.za} 3. {property24.com} 4. {deesgifts.co.za} 5. {fotobank.ru}

I'll Have One of Those...{Cosmopolitan}

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The classic Cosmopolitan: most bartenders know how to make this yummy lil cocktail & it is a great choice for a casual night out! It is a light, fruity Martini and there is a variety of different ways to make it. Some prefer less (or more) cranberry juice, some prefer triple sec instead of Cointreau and some evn use a citrus vodka. It all depends on how you like it :) I would suggest asking the bartender at your favourite cocktail lounge how he/she makes it and use that recipe at home.*** This is the way I like it...

 

Ingredients:

*1 & 1/2 oz vodka

*1 oz Triple Sec (or Cointreau if you wish)

*1/2 oz fresh lime juice

*1/4 oz cranberry juice

*Orange peel to make it look all pretty!

 

 Preparation:

1. Shake all the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.

2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

3. Garnish with an orange peel. 

Picture: {ifood.tv}

If I Made All the Rules #Taxes

If  I made all the rules, firstly SARS would stand for : South African Reward Society. Taxes would simply be a reward to everyone for being {cute}, special people! So if YOU feel that your neighbour has been a {sparkle} in your life you leave them a lil present on at their front door once a month. Depending on how seet they were, will be the gift you leave. There are only 3 options:

*Not sweet at all: A basket
*Sweet & helpfull: A basket of cupcakes
*Sweet, helpfull and always there for you: A basket of cupcakes and flowers.***

Picture:  {citrusandorange.blogspot.com}