Many years ago as I was perusing the impressively crammed shelf dedicated to interior decorating at my favourite local bookstore (which is Bookoccino’s in Avalon, Sydney, Australia), I came across India Hicks Island Life. And i felt ‘the buzz’. You know the feeling, as you open a book for the first time at a random page and are immediately struck by the structure and style and composition of an interior setting. Then you slowly lift to the next page, and the next and the next and your belly flips and you simply must have this book. Back then the book had just arrived on bookshelves around the world, so it was at top dollar. But I could not walk out without it…

images courtesy of india hicks, island living

Sure it’s fantastical, after all it is a book about a home (or rather a series of houses) dotted along the shoreline of a Caribbean island, nestled amongst coconut palms and pineapple trees, with ocean views from every window (dream on!!). BUT India’s style is so relaxed and natural that her settings can be translated into the simplest and most ordinary of abodes. So how does she do this? Well, let me tell you! It’s because her focus is on the found, collected, and loved (as opposed to new, flashy, and trendy). None of her spaces reflect the ostentatious inclination that you’d expect, and I have no doubt this is why her book has become so popular over the years.

One of my favourite pieces among her incredible collection of homewares is this desk which sits inconspicuously at the top of a staircase between doorways…

photography by David Loftus

Glorious, non? Writing away the hours at this desk would be rather marvelous. Certainly after having taken a wander along the shoreline, sand between the toes and lungs full of fresh sea air.

I’ve always been inspired by nature as you know, so it’s only natural that my interior impulses lean toward island living. As a result I thought I’d moodboard my interior inspiration, island style, in the next post. But first, here is a song that will surely get you in the mood… mojito, anyone?

…advance copies of my paris book just arrived by courier!!

I have been a nervous-wreck for the past week, ever since my publisher told me they were on their way – the realization that I would see the book in the flesh for the first time was almost unbearable – over a years worth of work in one compact little package. I admit I was fretting, not knowing if I would be happy with the final outcome.

But guess what? I LOVE IT. I’m so happy!

And I just had to tell you that.

Have a wonderful weekend my dear readers!

xx

PS yay!!!

PPS here is a little snippet of the front cover!

Do you remember back in June I wrote about a beautiful book that was in the making, written about my Tibetan friend Tenpa and his family? Well, I’m so so pleased to announce that this very special book titled Our Tibet, has just been published and is now available to all…

It is filled with stunning images of Tibet taken by my friend Sophie Bouris, who accompanied Tenpa and his family on their very precarious trip back to Tibet last year. I was not able to accompany them on the journey but Tenpa, our good friend Leona who also traveled with them, and Sophie all kept in contact with me for the duration of the journey to let me know they were each safe along the way. There were many a dangerous time, and my heart skipped a beat whenever i received an email from Tenpa giving me a quick run down of events. I was more than relieved to hear of their safe return, and when I went back to Sydney in August last year, we shared a lovely dinner at Leona’s place, reviewing all the fabulous photos and discussing the possibilities of Sophie creating a book. So it’s with absolute delight for me to tell you the book is now complete and available for you to buy. Read more about it here, and click here to purchase.

For those of my readers who emailed me and expressed interest in the book back in June, please follow the links above to purchase Our Tibet – international orders are accepted. And for every copy of Our Tibet sold, a donation is made to the Tibetan community. The key project is funding schools in the region of Kham, within Tibet which is something that Sophie and I have been striving to do since we first met 5 years ago. By purchasing this book you are helping me toward my dream too. I thank you.

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…and while on the topic of Tibet I must take this opp to mention Australian Lara Damiani’s film called Cry For Freedom (I gave you a little snippet of it here). I was able to watch Cry For Freedom at a special screening hosted by Tenpa in August of this year when I was in Sydney, it is a wonderful production, I highly recommend it. Lara has a special offer available as noted in the above pic, click here to read more about the film, watch the trailer, and purchase the DVD.

xx

PS if you are interested in stocking the book Our Tibet in your store, please be sure to contact sophie directly (or you can tell me and I will pass on your message!). x

Remember a couple of weeks ago I was telling you about the book I had just started reading?

Well, sadly, I have finished it. And I reiterate, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is the most inspiring book I have read this year. Every single page is a literary piece of perfection in it’s own right.

I am so intrigued to visit Guernsey now – I want to walk along the clifftops like Juliet Ashton, I want to stand in a place where I can imagine her and Dawsey Adams having their moment. I want to see stone cottages dotted around the island, and wander along the shoreline skipping stones like Kit and breathing in the sea air. I want to find myself a little cottage by the seaside to write my own literary masterpiece.

The author Mary Shaffer, had a life-long dream to “write a book that someone would like enough to publish.” She did not live to see her dream come true as she passed away earlier this year. But if she were alive, I would write her a personal letter to tell her how much I enjoyed it.

Fabulous read, go get yourself a copy pronto if you haven’t already.

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The above images are courtesy of two fabulous sites called Visit Guernsey and Floral Guernsey.

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PS I have just started reading the so far hilarious My ‘Dam Life by fellow Australian + once upon a time Amsterdammer, Sean Condon. I’m up to page 37 and I have laughed out loud at least once per page thus far. I’m not sure it’s safe to admit that I actually relate to this guy and his crazy antics, but it’s the truth. And I’m all over that.

PPS I am about to add new books to the library in a few moments, so don’t forget to check’em out!

xx

Just a few inspiring things I’ve been wanting to share with you before we go for our little amsterdam wander…

First up is this book that I have begun reading. It is called The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society and is written by the unfortunately recently deceased Mary Ann Shaffer. I had no prior knowledge of this book or the author as it was given to me as a gift, and this offering is testament that books are the best gifts of all. So I am not going to tell you anything about it in the hope that you might just buy it blindly and enjoy it as I am. I will just tell you this: it is, without a doubt, the most inspiring piece of literature I have read this year.

It is published in Australia by Allen & Unwin, and available to purchase here and here.

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Sofia has come up with a rather lovely autumn inspired idea – it’s called The Autumn Swap. What is it? Its a means for us to send each other some special treats to ring in the change of season! And is just what I need, I can’t wait to put together my goodies for whoever I get to swap with. All the details for the swap are here. Please join us, it will be alot of fun!

The sweet image above is from Sofia’s personal poetry blog called Aller-Retour.

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This guy is wonderfully entertaining and is my new inspirational TV chef. His recipes are easy, enticing, and fuss-free. His personality is easy, enticing, and fuss-free. And he’s kooky. Just what I like in a man chef! Monday nights are dedicated to him.

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And if you need a good belly laugh, this video on Liberty Post Editor might just do the trick!

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Enjoy the links. I’ll be back soon to take you on our little excursion as promised. x