Things that made me smile this week // November week 4

This week was tough, tough in a way that the weekend felt like it would never arrive! But it did and I realized how important it is to spent some quiet time at home. I'm still in the (really slow) process of decorating our apartment and Christmas is just around the corner so I thought it was about time to go out and start writing down my Christmas lists. Saturday was dedicated to Harrods, it took a while to take my eyes off their windows but when I did I headed straight to the homeware floor. An Interior Designers heaven. I only realized how long we were there only after JohnJohn started complaining. The rest of the weekend was spent between movies, coffees and friends.

1 //  Favorite Christmas sign outside a boutique on Walton street

2 // All time favorite view, no matter how many times I take a photo of Harrods it will always look different and even more beautiful than the time before.

3// I met my endless love on the homeware floor of Harrods: this KitchenAid mixer in 'Candy Apple'  More on: http://www.harrods.com/brand/kitchenaid

4// We're also seriously considering of getting this Le Creuset oval casserole dish. I can easily picture it sitting next to my 'Candy Apple' mixer! 

5// Favorite Diptique candle 'Jasmine'

6// Snowman chocolate lolipop from Starbucks

7// I'm always getting lost in this place, but who cares! It's better to be lost inside Harrods Food Hall than being lost in any other place on earth.

8// Pre-lunch photos in front of a beautiful black glossy door in South Kensignton

9// Healthy lunch with friends at Jak's http://www.jakswaltonstreet.com/

10// 'Bring me Sunshine' wooden sign, I'm definitely getting this! 

11// 'Welcome home' salad plate from West Elm, I love you. I really do.

12// 'Home' Pillow in mint green from One Kings Lane

13// Stylish Rope Laundry Basket. I can't wait for West Elm to open next week.

14// My 'Mandra' for this week. If you have the power to make someone happy. Do it. The world needs more of that. Found on Pinterest here.

15// The most important thing about my home, is who I share it with. It's this guy holding my cup of coffee while I take a million photos all over the city. 

Have a good week everyone!

Maria

Steal the look // Glamorous sitting

It's sort of one of those weeks that everything seems to go wrong. Trains are delayed, cards are being lost, temperature is dropping (I'll keep complaining about that until Summer). One thing seems to be fine though.. Friday has arrived! Right on time, exactly at that point where you thought that she would never come, here she is! Wearing her little black dress, ready to impress, go out and celebrate her fabulousness(is that even a word?). If it is a word, it could also describe perfectly the room set that I'm sharing on the new 'Steal the look': a kick-ass leather sofa, a stunning velvet armchair together with sparkly gorgeous golden lampshades. Fabulousness. I made up my mind, it is a word. 

Shopping List
ONE // Cerulean Seas - Hayneedle 
TWO // Vintage Stereo - Tesco F&F 
THREE // Leather Sofa - JCPenney
FOUR // Chantel Armchair - OKA
FIVE // Pineapple table lamp - Bellacor
SIX // Gold lampshade - Worldstores.co.uk
SEVEN // Round mirror - Layla Grave & Zinc Door
EIGHT // Knit pouf-West Elm
NINE // 'M' Letter - Pottery Barn

Have a good day everyone! 
Let's all cheer for Fridaaay

Maria

How to decorate your table // Gold and White Thanksgiving

Weeednesday is here! I'm currently blogging from my hotel room in Harrogate while browsing online for Thanksgiving dinner inspiration (that we might host next week). 
I know what you're thinking. Greeks don't celebrate Thanksgiving. But you might know that Greeks use any chance that they're given to stay at home, cook and eat with friends. Last week this link from IKEA UK  arrived in my mailbox. And it was actually one of the first times that I didn't skip a long youtube advert. And it's not the fact that I'm such an IKEA junkie (Hey John John, I know you're reading this, sorry for dragging you in there for endless hours), but I've watched the whole spot and after that I immediately called my friends. We need to do a cooking/eating/catching up night I said. The response was positive, so this year we might actually celebrate Thanskgiving. It is a bit stressful but I'm looking forward to styling my dining table. With lots of white and gold of course. I thing I might be going a bit crazy lately with all the gold things that I've been adding to our home. But can you ever have enough gold? No.

Things that made me smile this week // November // Week 3

It.is.getting.cold. Like 'wear a fur coat' cold. I'm not going to lie, I was really looking forward to Winter and all the Christmas lights that started popping out in every corner but now the cold is here and I have to catch an early train to Harrogate in the morning and I've realized I didn't do get any of the things I needed this week. Instead I got two really cute Essie nail polishes ( Bachelorette Bash + Little brown dress) and the cutest Cake cloque from Ikea. Both not Winter related but they definitely made me smile. 

1. We've had some really stunning sunsets this week. Fluorescent pink and purple colors were covering the city and people were taking photos in every corner. This is the photo I took while walking down Southbank.
2. Living in Notting Hill means only one thing: Saturdays are spent on Portobello road.
3. Wrapping a lot of Christmas gifts for the windows I've designed for my company. I can't wait to share the final look with you!
4. Isn't his the cutest Cookie Jar you've seen in your life? From Anthropologie of course.
5. A must-have Leopard print t-shirt from River island
6. I've stumbled upon this photo on Pinterest and it definitely is one of the most beautiful things I've seen all week.
7. Again, nothing can beat Saturdays on Portobello road
8+9. My latest Essie purchases 'Bachelorette Bash and Little brown dress. I couldn't resist!
10. Our local butcher in Notting Hill has definitely a great sense of humor!
11. Stay stylish during this cold weather with this Fedora hat from River island
12. I've FINALLY brought home the cutest IKEA cake stand. I made a fresh batch of brownies that John John ate in a day.

I hope you all have a great week!
Maria

You light up my Tuesday // 21.10.13

It's not a secret between Interior Designers that a lamp makes all the difference. It can transform a space in ways that you can't even imagine. The right lamp will make your space look luxurious, it can make it feel warm and shabby and add a little bit of character. Make sure you choose something that fits great with the area you're buying it for! These are a few of my options for this weeks 'You light up my Tuesday'. I really can't take my eyes of that nautical rope standing lamp from Anthropologie. Which one would you choose?

Happy Tuesday!
Maria

Places in London:Herman Ze German

People who live in London long enough will agree with the following: there's no such thing as a quiet weekend. 

Life lately

Are you a blogger? -Ehrmm, I am, was, am.
I don't really know the answer to that question anymore. I'm guessing 'once a blogger always a blogger' is the most suitable one. Work is a bit hectic at the moment with Christmas preparations and I've just realized that I didn't even have the chance to share a few snapshots of my Summer (in Greece!) that can only be described in two words: Endless Blue.

Summer hats and sun lotions. The only two things that someone needs on Paxos island.

But Summer is over and Autumn is all about changes so I'm pretty excited about it too. 

Plus, Notting Hill is probably the best area to live during Autumn. And Winter. And Summer. And Spring.

 See you all soon with more updates and hopefully Design-related posts! 

Maria

DIY Monday // Driftwood boats

Just a quick post before DIY Monday fades out to share this one of my favorite DIY posts lately. It's  from Alisa Burke and these are most probably the most beautiful handmade driftwood boats out there. Read her full post and instructions here.

I hope you're all enjoying Summer! I've already started the count down for my holidays: Greece here I come (again!)

Maria

More DIY projects here.