Christmas shopping guide: For the foodies

1) Salt and Pepper set from Modcloth // 21.99

2) Edible Selby from Urban Outfitters // 35.00                           
      3) Ceramic set of two heart mini cocettes from Selfridges // 37.37  
4) Measuring cups from Anthropologie // 32.00 

1) Golden cutlery from Westelm // 21.22
      2) Ceramic salt pig from Debenhams // 7.50
          3) Labeled mixing bowls (set of three) // 43.17
                  4) Chalkboard label ceramic jars (On sale!) // 14.00

It's that time of the year again. The streets of London are filled with people shopping until they get kicked out of stores.  I'm a devoted online shopper so this year I'm gonna do ALL of my Christmas shopping online. I plan on leaving my house only for work, drinks and supplies and also to catch my flight for Greece before 2013 arrives. Sounds like a good plan. Be prepared for more gift guides and categories, so get a glass of wine, sit back comfortably and finish your Christmas shopping online!

Do you have any special Christmas plans?
Maria

Fashion meets decor: 50 Shades of Purple

'Fifty shades of purple', see what I did there? Ok maybe it's not as funny as I thought it would be, but still. I'm so tired of listening about this book and I'm even more tired of seeing it everywhere around me! So here I am trying to create a new series of posts "50 Shades of..: Purple'. PS: There aren't enough words to describe how much  I love a delicate dash of purple, in my house and in my outfits.

I hope you're all doing great, I'm on a super important mission to find the perfect Christmas tree, so wish me luck!

Maria

Images via my Pinterest boards Sleeping areas & DIY projects // Edited by me.

A bold purple headboard or a bold maxi purple skirt will do the work. 

 

1. Kenneth Jay Lane Purple Agate necklace from Max&Chloe // Get it here for $175.00

2. Autumn Blossom teapot from John Lewis // Get it here for 37.7
3. YSL Purple patent pumps from Ssense // Get them here for $795.00
4. Purple tea storage (On sale!) from Debenhams // Get it here for £1.65
5. Purple knitted throw from Target // Get it here for $24.99

House tour // Heaven on Formentera island

My words for Formentera island are not enough. Every time I discover a house from this island I get more and more impressed. Natural color schemes, beautiful furniture and humble pools. 

More houses on Formentera island here and here.

Sometimes I wonder if there is anybody out there still reading Unidentified Lifestyle. If you are still here reading this post, thank you and I love you! I'm trying to find the secret recipe between working full time and blogging full time, if you have any magic formulas I'd love to hear them! I'm stuck in bed with a terrible cold today so I've decided that it's the perfect opportunity to reunite with the blogging world.

Have a fab weekend everyone,

I miss you!

Maria

I'm deeply in love with this rug. It looks like it's made from rope, it's definitely a statement piece in front of the fireplace and it goes great with the wooden floors. 

1. My eternal passion for exposed wooden beams

2. A house on an island with metallic decorative fishes on the wall.

3. Some dashes of yellow, like cushion and small candle holders are enough to create a vibrant and classy atmosphere. 

Photographer Jordi Canosa // Styled by Daniela Cavestany // via 

Office space of the day // 111012

A great office space can boost your creativity, especially when you're a writer,  a graphic designer,  an artist and of course: a blogger. Each time I place my laptop on a messy desk, I end up procrastinating and doing nothing from all the things I have on my to-do list. This office space inspired me from the first moment I saw it on 79ideas blog and so I decided to share it with you. This rustic color palette reminds me of my apartment back in Athens, I have a similar desk and chair and the colors look the same, white combined with black and wooden accents. So cozy and stylish at the same time. 

1. West Elm throw // £33
2. K and Co drawer chest // £169
3. West Elm storage bin // £10
4.  Cornell desk // *On sale £249
5. Habitat lighting pendant // £65
6. Gallery frames // £22 , £10
7. Cordless telephone // £69
8. Cornell office chair // *On sale £149

The owner of the office space above {The Veda House} said that she has collected most of the pieces from antique markets and the rest of them are handmade. If this office space looks like a place you would like to work in, this 'steal the look' board will help you copy the aesthetics of today's office space. 

Do you like this color palette or do you prefer brighter colors?

Maria

Images via // Edited by me

DIY Monday: Make your own tea bags

Photos taken by me with a NIKON D3100

Happy DIY Monday! It's my second year in London and I'm trying to get used to the fact that everybody is drinking tea instead of coffee. I'm such a coffee person but I really try to add tea to my daily routine because it's so much healthier. I got inspired from this project by Elsie & Amanda from 'A beautiful mess' and decided to try it. I've bought some loose tea bags (you can also buy loose tea and use coffee filters as bags) and created custom cute tea bags for our apartment. My boyfriend was feeling sick over the weekend so we used these tea bags a lot! I've also printed tiny cute little messages to make them feel more personal.

Instructions
1. If you have loose tea (I suggest this one  and this one from Harrods) cut a coffee filter into two square pieces, fill them with your loose tea and stick them together. (You can mix flavors and smells if you like!) If you just bought tea bags without the hanging thread follow the instructions after this step.
2. Fold down the top corners and hold them with a stapler, leave some loose thread and staple them together.
3. Cut papers tags in your favorite shapes and colors or print them in your computer and write cute little messages on them and glue them together at the end of the embroidery thread.
4. Add a cup of hot water and a spoon of honey and voila! Your unique tea bags are ready!
5. Enjoy!

What do you think? Wouldn't this make an amazing gift for friends?

Take a look at my Pinterest folder 'DIY Projects'

Maria

Things that made me smile this week {31/09-07/10}

Lately I feel like time flies. I can't believe how fast September went by and the first week of October is already gone! London is so beautiful during this season of the year, colors change, it's raining (like always) and there's this dusty brown-green color everywhere. Last weekend I went to central London with John for some window shopping and couldn't stop starring at the window displays at Alexander McQueen's ( images 1&2) and a sparkly little key at Tiffany's. While browsing the internet, I've discovered the cutest necklace with the most amazing name 'Archipelago' (image 4), which is a Greek word, I guess they named it like that because of its bright colors that look like the colors of the sea and nature of Greece. (Have I mentioned lately how much I miss Greece?)

Image number 5 is one of my favorite photos, a naked tree, London eye and a clear British sky. I'm also really proud of these two discoveries from dotcomgiftshop, the cutest vintage  kitchen scale that comes  in creamy white and pink (£19 from dotcomgiftshop) and a  rustic stool with the quote 'Home sweet home' (£29 from dotcomgiftshop). Image 8 doesn't need an explanation, I love anything that comes in pastel colors!

I took photo 12 while John was driving, the weather was lovely, the sun was out after a long time and I couldn't stop smiling. Bright sun always makes people happy, exactly like bright colors. If you'd like to brighten up your kitchen, this group of red geometrical dinnerware(image 9) from Kate Spade is one of the best around the internet world. That's it for this week, I hope you'll have a lovely time and enjoy your loved ones, I'm planning on spending it with a lot of friends in warm, cozy outfits!


Products and links // 4. Archipelago statement necklace £98 // 6. Vintage pink kitchen scale £19 // 7. Home sweet home stool £29 // 9 .Geometrical dinnerware £68 //10. Cat print cardigan £32//11. Brown leather Booties £80 

Styling recipe : Peach baby nursery inspiration board

1. Ivory honeycomb paper boll // £5.95

2. Peach rabbit knickers // £37

3. Wooden 'family' sign // £35

4. Three drawer wood cabinet // £24

5. Eames rocking chair // £424

6. Kids ruffle play tent //  $199

7. Sophie Moses basket // £30

8. Mr. Fox soft doll // $16

9. 10 pack of heart paper lanterns // £6.95

Last weekend I received an email from a lovely reader from Greece, asking some tips about decorating a nursery for a baby girl. I replied immediately that I'd love to help her (nurseries are always the most amazing part of decorating an apartment!) and this post is dedicated to her lovely family. I got inspired by this beautiful nursery and loved this color scheme. Peach, grey and white is one of the cutest color combinations you can use for a nursery. Add a comfortable rocking chair, a simple changing table, a couple of cute quotes and frames on the wall and if you want make a statement, add some pom poms hanging from your ceiling! I'm also a huge fan of initials, so if you've decided the name of your baby already add the first letter of her name on the wall. Don't forget the most important part of  a nursery is that you fill it with love. 

Do you like this color scheme? Or do you prefer more vibrant colors?

Maria

Images via // Edited by me.

House tour: A small apartment in Stockholm

This modern studio apartment is located in Vasastan, Stockholm and it's designed by Alvhem Makleri & Interior. It looks really spacious but it's just 44 square meters and so bright! I live in a big studio apartment as well and I know how important light is, these windows create an amazing atmosphere that exude peace and tranquility. If you live in an one space home you already know how precious an idea like this 'curtain divider' is, just like the colors of the apartment. If you space is limited choose bright colors and add some dashes of vivid or darker accents. 

Images via // Edited by me

If you fancy the look of this apartment, I've collected a couple of items that you could use to create the same look in your house. I hope you'll find this list useful and interesting! 

1. Geometrical low coffee table // £300
2. Cream vintage chair // £125
3. Gray cozy throw // £38
4. Pendant shade // £20
5. Black floor lamp // £94
6. Eames Mauve Grey chair // £320
7. Black tea pot // £30

Trendspotting: the owl effect

The cutest Owl cookie jar - £22

Black and white owl wallpaper - Myowlbarn

If you have an eye for trends you must have noticed all of the animal patterned clothes and decorations that are everywhere this season. I'm a huge fan of them, they always make a room look pretty and fun. Today I've spotted a couple of rooms and some decorations with one of my favorite birds: the nerdy owl.

This wallpaper is one of the best wallpapers I've ever seen. Colorful, happy and present in a modern pixelated way. How can you resist it? ( Image from myowlbarn.com). Owl patterned cushions are a really popular choice right now, this one is the 'Owl collection' by 'Jade Devall' and it costs around £58 but you also this blue one from BHS for less (£20), use it as a color inspiration and make it pop by combining it with some monochromatic cushions. 

With the simple excuse that one owl is never enough, add more! If you want to go bold, add an 0wl ceramic decorative in front of an owl patterned wallpaper! Seriously, how cute will that be? Maybe not as cute as the Bea-tea-ful surprise coffee-mug (£14) from Modcloth but still. If you don't like wallpapers but you still want to add this nerdy cool bird in your home decor choose a couple of these West Elm plates (around £4.56 each).
I'm definitely going to add a group of owls in my apartment, I only hope that the boyfriend will be friendly to them and accept them as our new pets!

What do you think of this trend? Do you have any owl inspired decorations in your home? I'd love to know!

Maria

Image sources  1/2/3/4/5 - Edited by me.

Styling Recipe: Add a dash of gold

Last week I received an email from a family friend asking some advice for their new house. It's a big family house with a bright modern living room and the owner wanted to change a couple of details to freshen it up and prepare the house for Fall. My suggestion was one: go bold with a dash gold. By adding the right amount of gold to your house and you create a luxurious and classic atmosphere. A golden mirror above your fireplace or a couple of candleholders on your coffee table will do the work. If you thinking of adding a gold wallpaper like the one showed one the inspirational board be careful with the rest decorating details, combine neutral and warm colors, use only one bold element in each room. I'm obsessed with the gold console table and the candlesticks!

Do you like gold accents? Would you add any of these objects to your house?

Maria

Products + Details 

ONE // Hyde park temporary wallpaper , £50.39
TWO // John Lewis Allie task lamp, £55
THREE // John Lewis Ornate Hall mirror, £300
 FOUR // Donna Karan Lenox candle holders £150
 FIVE // Lantau Faux Shangreen console table £945
 SIX // Piede a Terre bamboo waste bin , £12

Five places in London

This is one of my favorite posts because I can share with you how amazing London town is. Since I came back from Greece the weather has been really great (until last week) and we had the opportunity to enjoy all these tasty meals and excursions to many wonderful places. Some of them in London and a couple of them just a bit outside the city. 
So, sit back and start making notes because I have some pretty amazing places to suggest to you. 

All of the pictures are taken by me with a NIKON D3100.

Baity Kitchen is a 'hip' destination in South Kensington. Located on Walton street, you'll love every single meal (most of them organic) and the interior. If the sun decides to come out they have a small but beautiful and cozy back garden.

Tom's deli is the ultimate location on a Sunday morning. If you're lucky enough you'll find a table right away, otherwise you'll need to be patient. Amazing cakes, sweets and treats in a funky mix and match interior.

The Breakfast club is my favorite place in Central London. I don't have enough words to describe how awesome the interior of this place is and how great their food tastes. Be prepared to wait a while for a table but it's totally worth it.

"Stein's" is a new Bavarian Biergarden in Kingston, it's just 30minutes away from Waterloo. John John took me there two weeks ago because he's a huge fan of Bavarian food and although I wasn't expecting anything fancy, I got really impressed with the location and the decor. A rustic atmosphere, handmade wooden furniture and live Bavarian music. Their service was a bit slow (more than 30 minutes for an Apfelstrudel) but everything else was great. We had a beer on their patio in front of Thames and when it got colder we headed inside. We're planning on going back there really soon!

Woburn Safari park offered me one of the most beautiful experiences of my life so far. It's located in Woburn, a small village 40 minutes away from London, where you can find beautiful antiques. When you enter the Safari park you have no idea what's going to happen. I am a huge animal lover and I can't stand zoos and aquariums, but in this place you're basically driving around wild animals in their (almost) natural habitat. You're a visitor and the animals are deciding if they want to come near you. It was a unique experience, when at some point we were stuck in the middle of the road because this beautiful bear decided to stay there and relax for a while! 

Have you been to any of these places? Do you have any suggestions? I'd love to hear them!

Take a look at more of my favorite London locations here & here

Have a lovely day,

Maria

Styling Recipe: Choosing the right wallpaper for a nursery

When it comes to little children and babies we need to be careful. Colors, shapes and textures affect them in ways we can't even imagine. So when you're decorating the room that is meant to be for your little prince/princess choose wisely. Wallpapers are always a great way to add style and color to a room, so it's the best choice for a nursery. You can try something fun, colorful and unisex (in case you have a boy and a girl), like the images on idea number 1. If you're a fan of  girly and bright floral patterns, make sure you cover only one wall of the room, it's the best amount of wallpaper.

If you're a fan of  girly and bright floral patterns, make sure you cover only one wall of the room, it's the best amount of wallpaper. After all, you want to welcome your baby in comfort and style!

If you don't feel like redecorating every two or three years Idea number 3. is the right choice for you, clear modern geometrical shapes that you can definitely keep for many many years, until your little baby isn't a baby anymore. It will make the room look fresh and it will add dimension and texture to it! 

What about you? Which one would you choose for your nursery?

Have a lovely day!

Maria

Images via my Pinterest board 'Nursery areas' // Edited by me.

DIY Monday: Paper ribbon flags

Every new week is a new beginning, it's a chance to set new goals and celebrate the present. During the weekend I was going through my pins on Pinterest and found this image and it inspired me immediately. I always had a thing about paper ribbon flags and anything that has to do with parties and decorations. This is super easy you can make it in just two minutes. You'll need wooden skewers and three-cm-wide paper strings.
I used my favorite kind of paper: brown recycled paper and they were about 20cm length. When the little flags were ready, I trimmed the ends so they looked like proper flags.

You can use them on the top of a small cheese muffin like I did on the first picture (Recipe here) or on the top of a birthday cake or your favorite treats (pancakes, cupcakes etc) and write wishes and inspiring words on them! I hope you'll take two minutes and find out yourself how easy it is to make these flags!

Happy DIY Monday everybody! 

Maria

Images taken by me.

Styling Recipe: A dash of dusty pink

Grey and dusty pink is definitely my favorite color combination. If you want to add a small feminine touch to one of your rooms in your apartment this is definitely one of the color combinations you need to try. Trust me, you will love the contrast between a dusty pink bedspread in a totally grey scheme bedroom. They complement each other perfectly and create a relaxing, calm atmosphere.

Are you a fan of dusty pink or do you prefer the original baby pink?

I hope you're all having a wonderful week,

I've neglected my blog for a while, hopefully everything is back to normal from now on :)

Maria

Pictures via 1,2 // Edited by me.

Fashion meets decor: Burgundy

As I said here, September is definitely my favorite month. Autumn was my favorite season since like ever, I believe it's the best time of the year, I always love new beginnings, new goals, a new wardrobe, and a renovated home decor. I've been through a really strong flue for the past two weeks and now that I feel strong and healthy again I've decided that it's time to redecorate. Burgundy color is my number one choice for my apartment (it's also one of the top colors for this Winter) so I grab the opportunity to share another 'Fashion meets Decor' post with you.

Burgundy color has a really strong personality, you need to be careful how you'll use it. Add small dashes of it, a sweater, a couple of pillows, a group of burgundy frames but if you feel comfortable enough you can also wear the trend from head to toe. When it comes to interiors you can dye your entrance door or your windows burgundy, just make sure you don't overdo it, otherwise your whole house will look like Santa Claus' secret workshop!

What about you? Would you prefer 'burgundy' in your wardrobe or in your apartment?

Maria.

Images via 1/2/3/4 // Edited by me.