Clean before a break?

My best friend Kate and I had this conversation the other day. For me, before the weekend, I have to clean and re-organise my house. Why? Because I cannot relax knowing that it isn't all sorted. Perhaps cleaning and tidying up means I am letting go of the previous week's work. So tonight you can guarantee i'll be vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing....

For Kate though, she couldn't think of anything worse after a week of work, coming home on a Friday (or for this weekend, a Thursday) and spend the night cleaning. She spends it relaxing and worrying about dusting another day. That night is all about Kate and her partner and spending it just how she pleases.

I kind of wish I could do that but I know i'd try it and be annoyed by every bit of fluff i saw!

Pedantic!? Possibly! Anyone else like me? Kellie x

Photo by Kellie Collis for Ada & Darcy

Kellie's all set...

Lovlies, four fabulous days off as of tomorrow. Is it bad if my head is already there? Nope, didn't think so. And I'm even more relaxed knowing that all my easter egg shopping is finished, done, sorted! I even impressed myself this year. So no last minute shopping trying to find a non-broken chocolate bunny! Enjoy your Thursday! Kellie

From my favourite Dustjacket Attic.

Dinner by candlelight, day forgotten

What a day!

A relaxing candlelight dinner with my favourite moscato to make things all seem like a blur... My lovely husband arranged that for me! Thank goodness for Luke x

A ballet inspired lighting

I saw this room over at Made by Girl. Bet you can guess what i first noticed and loved - that tulle around the light! At least it looks like ballet tulle to me!

Then i noticed that stunning fabric on the seating and those pretty, pretty cushions just sitting there looking so loved and comfortable.

I thought about trying this tulle idea myself. Then i realised this may cause potential fire issues if it was to overheat. Hmmm... Possibly one time Luke might not run with my big ideas... Kellie x

Image from Hus & Hem via Made by Girl x

The black folder makes a comeback!

A

See, this is the perfect example that black standard folders can look pretty damn stylish with the right decor around them (see second picture)! What a fabulous office space though. Surely only the most creative of ideas would come out of here!

A

My little office space is the next room in our house to be given some TLC. I haven't quite decided exactly what I would like to do so i'm on the hunt for some serious inspiration. Kellie xx

Image from Lonny x

DIY - The perfect flower arrangement!

Here is a beautiful and step by step 'how to' in creating a divine flower arrangement. How lovely with this beauty be, sitting by my bedside table so I can wake up to it each morning. Kellie x

From here. x

A Schmooks wall kind of idea

I spotted these designs on the weekend at the Handmade Market. Aren't they fabulous. Imagine these babies framed up in something white and glossy, clustered on a wall. Divine. And incredibly affordable. For my lovely international readers as well as my local ones, you don't need to attend the market just to see them... They are also available at the Schmooks Esty store. xx

Handmade Market visit...

I had the pleasure of attending the Handmade Market at Canberra on Sunday.

Jules did an amazing job at organising the event which wasn't just in a gorgeous location, the selection of individuals showcasing their creations was fabulous. I have been to lots and lots of markets full of average quality and not so individual designs however this was full of beautiful, beautiful things and wonderful ideas.

Here are two cushions that I picked up for an absolute bargain I might add. I'll show you some of the other wonderful things I spotted over the coming days.

The next market is Saturday, June 5th 2010. I'll be heading there again, if you have a spare weekend, please make the trip! And if you want an insight into the type of designs that were on show, head over here. Kellie x

Green tea and chocolate - what a mix!

I adore green tea - any kind, and since I have started to drink it more and more every day. I actually have quite a collection that I rotate daily just to keep things interesting. Perhaps because i'm no longer having caffeine I do adore my chocolate. Just a little so I don't ruin the goodness of the tea but still, it's a magic combination - day and night!

These are just about the last two hydrangeas in my garden. Things are starting to get cooler in Sydney and my darling flowers are starting to hide away. I'm not sure how I can manage to get mauve and pink on the one flower. It's pretty nonetheless!

Have a great week! Kellie xx

Photo by Kellie Collis for Ada & Darcy x

A little road trip for two!

Luke and I are off on a fabulous road trip to visit the Handmade Markets in Canberra today. I hope to show you some pictures from the day and anything lovely I find in my travels! Kellie xx

Image from here. x

A memorable, beautiful room...

I saw this stunning interior over at Oliveaux! And, I just couldn't stop thinking about it... Those pink chairs are just magic. Have a lovely Saturday! Kellie xx

Weekend Project

I found some beautiful old antique chairs at Mum's place, stored away waiting to be loved. All they need is a bit of paint, some new fabric and they will be back to their glamourous old selves. Hopefully this Sunday I can set aside some time to bringing them back to life. Kellie xx

From here x

A different kind of bedroom today...

Since i'm not bounding out of bed like yesterday's post (hence the colourful bedroom), today i'm feeling much more lethargic and thought this bedroom was much more fitting. What do you think about his beautiful bed linen, I am considering this for my shop. Finally I can start focusing on getting that together and pushing some other things aside. Kellie xx

It's been a while...

Here is a shot I took last night (apologies for the poor lighting and grainy shot).

It's been a while since I have shown you Lily and Molly so I thought, why not show you how cute my lovely two girls still are. They are always over the moon to have me home each day. Actually even if I leave the house for 5 minutes, they are delighted to have me back again x

Photo by Kellie Collis for Ada & Darcy x

A morning wakeup

I adore this Amy Butler fabric. I have a few cushions in some of these divine designs in my home.

Pops of colour for Thursday. Kellie xx

From here via here. x

Chocolate & Coffee Melting Moment Biscuits

These turned out divine. Luke thought I was the best cook in the world... Unfortunately it's not me with wonderful cooking skills, it's just that the recipe is super duper simple.

For biscuits:

230g unsalted butter, diced and softened

100g icing sugar

15g dark cocoa

15g instant coffee mixed with 1 1/2T of boiling water

1t vanilla extract

175g plain flour

100g corn flour

For chocolate ganache:

100ml cream

1tsp vanilla paste

60g unsalted butter

160 chocolate buds

For biscuits: preheat oven to 170c. Beat butter and icing sugar. Add cocoa, coffee and vanilla together and combine. Add flours and mix until all is combined. If mixture is soft, place is refrigerator for a few mins.

Place the same sized discs onto baking tray. Bake for 12 minutes. Allow to cool.

For chocolate ganache: place cream in saucepan, heat until boiled. Turn heat down low, add butter, vanilla paste and chocolate until smooth. Allow to cool until it becomes a thick consistency.

Spread ganache between biscuits. Delicious!!

From Sunday Life Magazine.

Which one are you...

I think i'm stylish and bright.

Which one are you?

Flowers from Style Living

A colourful kind of heaven

Goodness me, if I were at this party all my dreams would come true at once. Divine colour and fabulous things to eat. Oh yes, I do have a sweet tooth just in case you were not sure! Kellie x

From here. x

Changing seasons

As we head further into Autumn in Australia I thought this combination was quite fitting. Glamourous and elegant. Kellie x

From here and here. x

Home dreams

I do enjoy my 'day job' although I must admit being at home is where all the wonderful things happen for me. I hope that one day it can all be done from here. Got to get cracking! Kellie x

Image one from here, and two from here x

A pretty kind of tea party...

Stunning pastels. Just full of eye candy. And delicious things to eat. Those gorgeous rustic roses work a treat don't they! Have a beautiful week! Kellie xx

From here. x

Just for the record...

My glamourous dinner friday night with lots of yummy wine wasn't to be. The tummy bug I thought had gone hadn't, so to my lovely readers who were concerned about my sore head Saturday morning didn't even go close to happening! So, this Sunday morning, Nicole and I are heading off to one of my favourite patisseries. Perhaps russian roulette with my tummy but i'm up for the risk. No one feel sorry for me haha!! Kellie x

Saturday joy

Have a bright and beautiful weekend. I'm off for a facial and massage - too relaxing! Kellie x

Image from here. x

A glamourous dinner

Nicole, Luke and I are heading out for a glamourous dinner with lots of Italian wine to celebrate Nicole's wonderful visit! Perhaps that headache will be worth it tomorrow!? Kellie xx

From here. xx

Weekend plans...

I'll be heading off to my favourite Sydney antique haunt full of fabulous finds at fabulous prices this Saturday! I spotted a gorgeous chair that I am going to pick up this week, it needs a little face lift but my Mum will adore the final outcome. Oh and perhaps a little console for me - we'll just have to see!

Also my lovely sister in law Nicole flys in from Toowoomba this evening so i'll be spending a fabulous weekend with her too. Shame her husband Stephen and three divine children can't make it this time but we'll be catching up with them all in April when we fly to Brisbane which I am very much looking forward to... Kellie xx

Photo by Kellie Collis for Ada & Darcy x

It's raining, it's pouring!

Seems like a cushion lover's dream!

Would love to have access to that fabulous cupboard...

From here and here x

Sparkle heaven

Finally, Louise's gorgeous Moroccan Wedding Blankets are in stock over here at her fabulous online store. You know I adore anything with a sparkle or two so this baby is just my cup of tea! I'm thinking about one for our lounge room, oh and maybe another for the bedroom (the spare room that is). Shopping heaven! That's made my Thursday! Oh right, that means two days from the Weekend... Double heaven! Kellie xx

Just the right spot

I spotted this beautiful cushion on the weekend in a little shop in Rozelle. I thought the print was divine and the colours worked beautifully in our newly updated bedroom. Lucky I have such a wonderful and patient husband who couldn't care less about all the pink and bows! Kellie x

Photos by Kellie Collis for Ada & Darcy x