On the odd time that I have given in to temptation and Googled pictures of myself, and lets face it we have all done it at least once, I am likely to be disappointed because unless I am a fabulous print designer, or a member of the Cheetah Girls, there isn't a lot of interest.

To this end I thought I would share with you some of the fabulous prints by Orla Kiely because although we share a surname, her googled pics are a hell of a lot more interesting than mine.
(Maybe Cheetah Girl Kiely next week!)

And just in case you can't afford to decorate the entire house in Orla Kiely - here are some more affordable options courtesy of orlakiely.com

And here is the talented lady herself...

I've just ordered some of these for my store and I am very tempted to take one home with me. 

I am very jealous of whoever owns this room - look how many of my lucious ladies they have on their wall.  They haven't limited themselves to one artist either which I think is nice - just from the same era.

found here

Another fantastic example of how to display a collection.

I make it a general rule not to go up to my daughter's top bunk more than is necessary and only if she invites me as it is very much her space and when you share a room with your brother it's very necessary to have some privacy. 

As a result I leave her to it except every couple of weeks when I storm the citadel to change the linen and make sure nothing unseemly is growing up there.  Today was one such days.

WOW!! Is there a lot of stuff up there!!  After throwing armfuls of extra bedding, books, folders, diaries off the bunk to go back in their rightful homes I was left with the most wonderful snap shot of pre-teen life.

Amongst the array of soft toys and fairies there are movie posters, pictures of Katie Perry and Kylie, letters from friends, album covers from the likes of Mylie, jewellery and a million other treasures.  Although it looks insane, when you look closer you realise that everything is immaculately arranged.  I sat up there for ages just taking it all in.  Often when we lie up there to read together she tells me about the stuff and it's significance and it's the most amazing window in to her world.
I am actually rather jealous of her space as when the curtain is drawn and the lamp is on it is the most delicious hide-a-way.

Perhaps I need to incorporate my own nook in to the extension?

I have my tea cups, lucious lady paintings and Surfer Boy has an extensive collection of Lego minifigures for which he is rather famous.  When I saw this collection on Flikr I fell in love.  Pez are such a great thing to collect - they're relatively cheap, they bring out new designs constantly and they look fabulous displayed like this.  I'm almost tempted to start a Pez collection myself.

One of my so-called friends has been teasing me shamelessly about my intention to make Christmas bunting.  Well little Miss Smarty Pants, not only am I going to... I've already started and VERY SOON you will eat your words!
While I am waiting for that moment, here are some other people's Christmas bunting...

Found here

found on flikr

found here

 found here

 found here

found here

I have a vague intention of making some Christmas bunting for a BBQ we're having and thought some visuals might inspire me.  Turns out they have just made me depressed as they are all so lovely.

from here

and here

 here

 here

 here

 here

 here

 here

here

and finally here

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I think that this summer it is all going to be about paper straws at our place.  They remind me of soda shops and bobby socks and an era where life was simpler. 

Hot days, cool drinks, sun kissed skin.....

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I think these Ada And Darcy Straws will be my first purchase.