Lazy lace

Pastel afternoons, lazy lace and cool pool divings, swinging in the hammock, curling up in the patio, ice tea refreshing and apricot tasting, chit chatting and friends smiling, oh, how much I do love weekends..

Image credits:

1.Max Kim-Bee via Country Living, 2.Shabby Chic, 3.Robyn Thompson, 4.skona hem

Rowen&Wren

I could only fall in love with the name of the collection; Refined Rural. Sounds good, right? Wait until you see the whole collection of Rowen&Wren, for I handpicked only a few of my favorite items for this post. And then, do check their Timeless Living and Distant Home collections as well! Oh my, this shop is full of tempting blissfulness! 

Found via Remodelista.

Crowded beach

To be totally honest, this is not exactly my idea of having fun at the beach (I prefer more silent, people-free places) but these shots by Markus Henttonen have something disturbingly intriguing that I can't ignore. So, can you spot yourself in there?

Images via viewmasters.

A cheerful backyard

I love what Jaime from A Prudent Baby did to her backyard as it is the most successful example of what lots of easy and clever DIYs can do to decorating a place on a dime! I have to admit the colors she picked are a favorite summer palette of mine and the splashes of black on the chairs and chevron pattern only enhance the soft pastel hues of peach, pinks and mints. You can visit A Prudent Baby to find out more about this project plus get a glimpse of extra shots!

P.s. I'd probably hang one of these if I had such a cool backyard!

Found via the escape artiste.

Rustic and naturals

Natural materials, unattained country style and a tad rustic essence fits only too well in the summer weather, don't you think? Each one of the above shots capture at least one of my favorite elements for this kind of style. The burlap pillows (I like this elephant one as an alternative), the rough wood canopy bed, the built-in shelving (built-in shelving has got to be my soft spot!), the stone wall with the hanging clay vases, the wicker trays composition on the wall (this one isn't bad either) and that amazing daybed in the last picture (actually, I'm a fan of the whole room, exactly as it is). What inspires you most from the above spots?

P.s. If you like this atmosphere you'd better check out this house and this hotel!

Image credits:

1.Garden&Gun, 2.Formations, 3.Jordi Canosa, 4.Campagne Decoration, 5.Jute Interior Design, 6.Oz Architects

Naturally living

Who can say no to this natural hospitality? We stayed for a couple of nights under a huge athel tree just a few meters from the sea and literally had our thoughts and worries wiped out by the sparkling waves of the whispering waters. You could find me swinging in the hammock under the thick shadow, protected by the harsh midday sun or strolling by the shore when the sand was not burning hot, late in the afternoon. Oh, and swimming in the crystal clean waters while the sun was setting. Nothing more, nothing less. Sometimes I wonder why, us humans, make our lives that complicated when beauty and balance can be found on the simplest of things.

Images of Komos Beach by me. You can see more photos here.

Diving mode

Being in a total summer mood, I can't help but put myself in the position of Roberta Pinna's red suited diver.

Diver II | Diver VIII 

Sea water

"The cure for anything is salt water; sweat, tears or the sea"

Isak Dinesen

It might take a couple hours to adapt to my everyday habits again but be sure I'll get back to you soon, with a few more shots of the Komos beach we stayed these past few days! Oh, it was really amazing..

Gif animation by me.

Kid's storage

I'm sure that those of you who have kids have difficulties to keep their room neat and tidy (well, as tidy as a kid's room can be, anyway). There are tons of practical and cute storage solutions to help you around, like the above ones I picked out from the Land of Nod. And, to be totally honest with you, as I don't have kids yet, I'd opt for the red one with the white cross as it would be a perfect fit for my bathroom (grown ups need storage too!).

You can get the above cuties and lots more here (and don't forget to have a look at their storage on sale!).

Top image via bloesem.

Bedroom luxury

A freshly done bed is unquestionably one of the biggest everyday luxuries one can get. And all of the above shots bring out some of this essence (if we could smell through the screen I bet there would be a marseille soap scent in the air, too). So, how do you prefer your bed layout? Is it simple whites and pastel pure, bold mix and match of colors and patterns or elegant laces and satin silks? 

P.s. I like these organic cotton plus sheets for a more sleek look or this coastal stripy set.


Image credits:
1.Stacey Van Berkel, 2.Douglas Friedman, 3.homes&antiques, 4.skona hem, 5.Lonny, 6.James Ransom

Sunday bliss

We are hitting the beach today for a couple of days of free camping under the stars and next to the whispering waves. Oh, I am so excited ^_^

Image via.

True

Live and let live by Alyssa of small talk studio ($20.00).

Orloff Resort in Spetses

If I could choose, I'd spend a lazy weekend at the Oroff Resort in Spetses. And, of all the weekend time, I'd enjoy most of it at it's mediterranean, blissfully peaceful patio. This one, with the pebble floors, the thick vine shadows, the clay pots with the geraniums and the impressive ancient olive trees. I can, oh so easily, depict myself sitting in the modern white chairs, enjoying cool watermelon with feta cheese and, when my body temperature rises up high I'd go straight into the sparkling, sheer pool and get refreshed!

You can find more details about the Oroff Resort in Spetses, as well as make your reservations, here .

P.s. More great weekend getaways here and there.

Funny (rural) games

Playing hide and seek with the goats, in a gorge not very far from where I live (one has to have some rural kind of fun from time to time, right?). I have to admit, they are ugly but really hilarious animals!
So, summer is really heating up when the weekend (un)officially starts from Friday noon ;)

P.s. More Crete wandering here and there.

Images by me.

Yellow and lace

Bold and bright yellows playing around with pure, elegant lace seems like a really fresh way to start off the last day of this working week! So enjoy and, don't forget TGIF ;)

Image credits:
1.this is glamorous, 2.Haute Design, 3.Trevor Dixon, 4.elsa's, 5.sew news, 6.the gingham owl, 7.Bentley Waters (all found via here and there)

Fab Four: Global brass

Small brass elephant  ($39.00 - One Kings Lane)

Divine Serving Platter ($48.00 - OpenSky)
Tommy Bahama Rug ($109.00 - Wayfair)

Ivory Petals Capiz Bowl ($103.50 - Belle & June)

Kitchen love

Here is a dose of inspiration kitchen-wise! I felt like a bit elegance and easy-going chic for the moment, with what else but natural woods and whites, some open shelving and ample daylight to complement the scenes. Which one is your favorite?

Image credits:

1.garden and gun , 2.1stdibs, 3.Cameron MacNeil , 4.Matthew Millman , 5.biskopsgarden

Bathroom nauticals

Sometimes it's so easy to bring you favorite theme indoors as a small framed artpiece, a simple striped towel and an aged extending wall mirror (oh, and some vintage bottles certainly complement the whole look!). 

P.s. I thing I can't get enough of nauticals these days (like this and that)!

Image credits:

1.Seth Smoot, 2.Sail Bowditch (via)