Blue Brooch and Peony Rose: April 2012

Saturday 28 April 2012

My husband found this wonderful collection of wines by Neetlingshof in South Africa. It does not only appeal to my love of animals but also to my slight obsession with caracals…

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Recently I overheard someone saying that the most important thing in life is to fall in love, so I say lets fall in love with as many things possible; the smell of the sunlight,the feel of a darling animals fur underneath your fingertips,the sound of your great loves' footsteps,the taste of those divine little petit fours with rose jam,the feel of a silk sari against your cheek,the warmth of candle light.....

Saturday 21 April 2012

I recently stumbled upon some dresses made by Pakistani and Indian designers and to say that they are breath taking is an absolute understatement. The colours are rich and vibrant and the fabrics are sprinkled with detail. I am totally fascinated by their designs.

Thursday 19 April 2012

Only after I took this photo of a little corner in my workroom did I realize that almost all these little treasures were gifts from my mother.... a vintage tin from her extensive collection, a framed postcard from her time in Paris,a cowhide totebag from her childhood... even the white frame was a gift from her so I could brag with my caracal angel!The carved ostrich egg candle holder was a surprise from my sister...

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Every now and again you come across some photos that make your taste buds tingle with that sense of nostalgia….I remember my aunt & uncles restaurant “ 1814” where the storefront was filled with sinful sweets from a bygone area, I still smell that divine smell of my mothers’ strawberry tart and see the tea table laden with treats in my grandmothers garden…

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Thursday 12 April 2012

This is such a life of contradictions, you know that “things” cannot make you happy or that you can lose it all at any time but wow, how do you resist that new biker jacket, the cute black one that looks so good with a little lacy dress, some thick stockings and winter boots. The same way I know that a caracal’s claw will rip a chiffon dress even if he just looks at it J yet I can not resists those beautiful frocks. So yes, I am filled with contradictions but in the end they both make me smile, the cold cold nose kisses from our spaniel in the morning and the beautiful bejewelled earrings I wear during the day just to remind me that even us “ bush girls” can be as fashionable as we want to be. So, today has been declared an unofficial holiday…. A day for beauty and fashion and creature kisses!!!!

The stuff dreams are made off...

Staircase to eternity

Wednesday 11 April 2012

Femina & Fauna

From Marie Claire Magazine to Photographer Horst Klemm and many more's fascination by the interaction of women and animals...

Sunday 8 April 2012

A little bit of lace

To live in Africa you get to lead the most extraordinary life, you get to know that the back of an elephants ear is soft as newly tanned leather and has no hair on it, you get to feel how the sunset lets your heart tingle, you learn that a caracal can also be scared of a big storm but that he will rub against you for comfort and protection even if he hisses all the time.

To live in Africa you get to see where the sunrise is born and where the wild wind blows. To live in Africa you learn to be soft, to be compassionate, to value life over all the material things people are so eager to accumulate.

In Africa you can lead the most extraordinary life…but in the end Africa will always claim an extraordinary price…..