Heartfire At Home - Creating Interiors With Soul

Monday Mojo - Are You Sitting Still?...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:24:00 +0000

Often times I need to remind myself that just because I've made a decision about something, or I think I'm on the right track.... if I don't actually DO something to take action about it.... then it's probably just as bad as not being on the right track anyway!

This harks back to books like 'The Secret' that seem (I admit I haven't read the actual book) to propose that merely visualising a dream, or writing down a list of what you want to manifest, will magically cause it to appear as if some dream fairy swooped down and sprinkled instant gratification sparkle dust all over your life!

Critics of books like 'The Secret' suggest that of course none of your wishes/dreams will actually happen unless you take some type of forward motion or action towards what you want (other than just thinking about it of course!).

I have to say I agree whole-heartedly with them. Getting off your backside and actually DOING something walks all over just thinking or writing about it.

That being said, according to Dave Kohl, a professor at Virginia Tech in America, people who regularly write down their goals earn nine times as much over their lifetimes as people who don't. Yet, says Prof. Kohl, 80% of Americans don't write down their goals. Sixteen percent do have goals but don't write them down. Less than four percent do write them down, and fewer than one percent actually review them on an ongoing basis. (This info taken from my copy of the book 'Where Will You Be Five Years From Today?')

Imagine then, the small amount of people who actually write them down, review them.... and DO something about them.

This week I'm going to challenge myself to get my 'goals folder' out of the cupboard (yes, I really do have one with different categories and lists, a lot of which have to do with things I want to do around my home), blow the dust off it, and then see what I can actually DO about some of them.... even if it's only baby steps.

Time to stop sitting still.

I hope you have a happy and productive week!

And, as always on a Monday....'may your mojo be with you'!

Linda. xox

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Fearless Fantasy Friday - A Showcase Of Lovely Home Libraries!

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:16:00 +0000

Of course, one of my biggest fantasties so far as what to have in my home is a wall (or walls) of superb built-in bookshelves. I'd particularly like some of the ones that go around and over doorways or windows.

The ultimate fantasy would be like the 'secret door' shelves below. How cool would that be!

I've collected a few lovely library pics over on my Pinterest boards, and thought I'd share some with you!

Image from Coco Kelly

Image from French by Design via Pretty Books

Image from Maison Boheme

Image from Pinterest

Image from Desire To Inspire

Image from Beautiful Libraries

Image source

Don't you just adore these?

Beautiful turquoise shelves, books under the stairs, soaring bookshelves for gorgeous collections, secret shelving, and books all around a little day bed to cocoon yourself in. Divine!

If you're a library lover too.... here's another terrific post with lots of glorious home library pics. This one consistently ranks among the top 3 most visited posts on the blog.

Happy Friday everyone - hope you have a weekend bursting with fun and great things to do!

I have 3 days of my 5 week holiday break left... time enough to finish off another great book perhaps! I've read quite a few over my break. A Thousand Splendid Suns was a really moving book and something I'd recommend to anyone... I had a good cry in quite a few places. It's amazing what people can cope with in their lives and still manage to exist somehow. It reminded be again how lucky and blessed I truly am to live where I do, when I do, and how I do.

Linda. xox

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I've Waited and Waited - The Song I Can Finally Share With You...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:45:00 +0000

Since this blog began (quite a few years ago now), there's been one song.... one single song, that I've always wanted to share with you.

For a great long while however, naughty You Tube wouldn't let me embed the clip here... it said the embedding feature was disabled 'at the artist's request'. Gotta respect that.

Every now and again I'd go back and listen to this song, drink in the words, look at all the little 'secret signs' the video seems to have just for me.... and sigh (and sometimes have a sniffle as well).

Today I went for my semi-regular listen, thinking that I was going to bloody well write this post anyway because the song is so freaking important to me, and I'd just post a text link to the actual video. I was going to do my first ever picture-less post.... just words and a link. Whilst I was there, just for the heck of it (I'd given up doing this a while back), I clicked on the 'embed' button.

Oh. My. Goodness..... up popped an embed code.

Eeeeeeeeeek! Are you kidding! I can now embed the original of my favourite Pete Murray song (thanks VEVO and of course Pete), with all its truly significant words (to me), and the pictorial symbolism that triggers so much for me.

If you know me well you know that trees are a very meaningful part of my life. See the tree in the video? I almost lived in a tree much like that for a long time. So many cherished memories. That is my perfect tree.

And the butterfly on the lamp and on his wrist (not only is it a butterfly on his wrist... it's the 'right' butterfly), well, you know what I think about them. Their significance is VERY close to my heart.

And, the scene when he pulls down the wall and you can see that tree, across a golden field, in the sunset... well.... this post is connected very closely to the feel that scene gives me. I'm sure that memory is one of the main reasons I decorate using the colours I do in my own home.

Plus he writes on his walls and has quotes around the place (know anyone who does that?). And, he sticks his photos higgledy piggledy around the place (blu-tac is my favourite decorating secret weapon!).

At 2.35 mins you get a good look at the flocked wallpaper.... nice and rich and baroque looking. I've got a bit of a thing for that sort of wallpaper..... notice a 'shout out' to it anywhere around here???

All in all, this song, this video, these words, those images......... they turn me inside out just a little bit.

To most people it's probably just a laid back, pretty simple type of song.

To me... it's a revelation.

Hope you like it.

And so it goes another lonely day

Your savin' time but your miles away
Your fly was drownin' in some bitter tea
For seeing lost opportunity

Find your mirror go and look inside
And see the talent you always hide
Don't go kidd yourself well not today
Satisfaction's not too far away

Hold on now your exit's here
It's waiting just for you
Don't pause too long
It's fading now
It's ending all too soon.... you'll see

Soon, you'll see...

Your coffee's warm but your milk is sour
Life is short but you're here to flower
Dream yourself along another day
Never miss opportunity

Don't be scared of what you cannot see
Your only fear is possibility
Never wonder what the hell went wrong
Your second chance may never come along

Hold on now your exit's here
It's waiting just for you
Don't pause too long
It's fading now
It's ending all too soon.... you'll see

Soon, you'll see

Hold on now your exit's here
It's waiting just for you
Don't pause too long
It's fading now
It's ending all too soon... you'll see

Soon, you'll see [x5]

Linda. xox

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What Would Your 20 Seconds Result In?...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:38:00 +0000

I haven't seen the movie We Want A Zoo, but a few weeks ago I saw the trailer whilst I was at the pictures, and the quote below struck me like a bolt of lightning.

What marvellous and magical things we could achieve if we just sometimes gave ourselves the chance and followed our heart (and our gut).

There's so many things I'd like to try if only I had the courage...... so many things that could change my life if only I took a chance.

What might your 20 seconds result in, I wonder?

Have a terrific week everyone. May you find the courage to do the things you feel you want to do deep down inside you, and as always on a Monday.... 'may your mojo be with you!'

Linda. xox

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A Bit Of Bruce...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:10:00 +0000

Music is so magical isn't it?

This is what I've been listening to lately at home, whilst jumping around like a bit of a ninny.

This song always makes me feel about 20 years younger and leaves an absolute electric feel in the air in the vacuum it leaves behind when it's finished.

Gotta play this one LOUD!

To find out what I think about music in our homes and why it's SO important.... check out this post (one of my personal favourites).... Where Did The Music Go? Alternatively Titled - Hugh Grant And I Have Something In Common With Our Bottoms!! :)

Happy weekend everyone!

Linda. xox

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Looking At Some Gorgeous Cushions In A Friend's Home...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:31:00 +0000

The other day I was absolutely drooling over a couple of cushions on the ByNord website. I must have deliberated for around half an hour before deciding to not buy them at the moment. I already have stacks upon stacks of cushions (need to clear some out), and I have other priorities at the moment so far as things for my home go.

But, boy oh boy, did those cushions look good! They have two of my favourite animals on them, and the photography is breath-taking.

Then, today, I skipped over to my friend Sacha's glorious blog and to my surprise (huge intake of breath when I saw them).... she has the EXACT cushions I was not so eloquently drooling over earlier.

WOW - love them!

Not to mention the rest of Sacha's beautiful and serene home. Her rooms are full of the most wonderful light and you can feel the calmness and serenity flowing from the images. A beautiful home to cocoon yourself in.... to sit by the fireside and read a good book.

Pop over to Sacha's blog for some more gorgeous photos of her home.

Linda. xox

--> Don't forget to read the comments... this is where some of the most interesting discussions and fab information is to be found!! The ones for this post have some great 'bookish' moments and some good talk about colour therapy!

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Monday Mojo - Have A Magical Week Everyone!

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:44:00 +0000

This week, I hope your days are full of glorious opportunities and wonderful beginnings. Here are two quotes to start you on your way.....

'Everything that is was once imagined'. (Ted Joans)

Photo found on Poppytalk via Cristina Re and Meggielyn.

'There are many wonderful things that will never be done
if you do not do them.' (Charles D. Gill)

Have a great week everyone!

And, as per normal on most Monday mornings (missed a few lately)..... 'may your mojo be with you!'

Linda. xox

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Fearless Fantasy Friday - A Red Door...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:04:00 +0000

Oh yes... in my fantasy world I have a beautiful home with a garden that includes a few oak trees, (maybe some willows down by a pond), and there are also pine trees around too. None of these are too close to the house, but close enough to feel their majestic and stable presence.

And, when you get down the paved driveway (made using old recycled bricks perhaps), you're faced with a front door something like this one.

Image from 20 Something Bloggers

This little oasis could be in the middle of a city.... my own private sanctuary to feel cocooned in. Or, a bit further out in the country.

Either way, one day I WILL have a red door!

Linda. xox

P.S. There's a give-away coming up soon! I haven't had one for ages and ages. If you're into cushions, stay tuned!!

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How NOT To Decorate A Beautiful Room - Revisited...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:20:00 +0000

I'm still on holidays at the moment, and will be for another few weeks yet. Woohoo!

The weather's been lovely, and I've found quite a few bargains at the after Christmas sales - life is good!

Whilst delving back into the depths of my previous posts recently, I found this little treasure! I've always loved this post, so decided to bring it back to the present for a new viewing. (And, it saves me time while I'm in holiday mode).

Hope you enjoy it!

How NOT To Decorate A Beautiful Room...

This is not an example of 'how not to decorate', this is to soothe you

before we get to the headache inducing pics below!!

A beautiful, soft, gorgeous, dreamy bedroom

from The House of Turquoise via Phoebe Howard.

My design philosophy is all about following your heart and going with the colours, patterns, objects, textures, scents, materials, art, furniture, and pieces that mean the most to you.

However, and this is a really BIG HOWEVER, that doesn't mean going absolutely beserk in ways with no organisation, logical reasoning, or rational thought behind them.

Nor does it mean squashing as many of the things you love as possible into one space, or making sure everywhere you turn there's an oversized representation of whatever it is you love that would be better suited as a prop in some weird movie.

Proportion, symmetry, colour theory, editing (decluttering) and the appropriate use of space are guidelines to follow in any room, all of the time.

Be warned.... if you don't allow for some modicum of sense, if you let your head go whilst following your heart.... things that aren't nice ARE going to happen......

I understand bears are cute.... I really do... but...

Image Ugly House Photos

....ENOUGH already!

Image from Lovely Listing

Too much..... everything! Bleh!

Image from Lovely Listing

I know deer heads are in fashion, but I don't like 'em.

I especially don't like a whole herd of them or their cousins.

Image from Lovely Listing

Busy wallpaper, plastic fruit on top of the cupboards,

and bear cookie jars. Headache approaching.

Image from Ugly House Photos

Cows..... what cows?

Image from Amazon

Now, I love owls. I collect them myself. And whilst I agree

with the author on Apartment Therapy that this is a

cool collection of owls (displayed facing out from an

apartment window), I think it'd be too much for an interior.

I have quite a few owls at my place, but no more than 3 in any one spot. That way they each retain their individuality and can be seen and appreciated. I find grouping them in one large collection may look great from a colour perspective, but detracts from their individual attributes (just my thoughts!).

Ask yourself: 'Am I letting my head go too much? Have I lost sight of common sense where my decorating is concerned? Am I paying attention to not only what I love, but also the principles of design that stand true no matter what?'

Which leads to: 'Is there some re-arranging, decluttering, eye-sore removing, colour harmonizing, balance restoring action I need to take anywhere?'

Because: Whilst our homes should be full of things we love and decorated in a way that means something to us personally, common sense should still prevail lest we devalue and disrespect the things we love by turning their display into a headache inducing mess.

And now, to re-adjust and harmonise everything once more....... here's another beautiful, serene, gorgeous bedroom from The House of Turquoise via House to Home.

I feel better already! :)

Cheers,

Linda.

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Flowers As The Perfect Piece Of Decoration...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:16:00 +0000

Today I welcome a guest post from Patricia Hall, a florist and lover of flowers! Thanks for your terrific post Patty.

Flowers As The Perfect Piece Of Decoration...

Giving fresh flowers has long been associated with special occasions. A bride carries a floral bouquet, men give their wives and girlfriends roses on Valentine's Day, and flowers are placed on the graves of the departed. And, of course, using fresh flowers to decorate your home is a wonderful way to bring life to any room.

The History of Floral Display

Thousands of years ago, the ancient Egyptians would display vases of fresh flowers in their homes. The tradition of placing flowers in the tombs of dead loved ones started with them. The Greeks and Romans continued the trend, favoring floral wreaths instead of vases of flowers. All around the world, and throughout time, the hobby of arranging and displaying flowers continued, mostly with the use of locally grown flowers. This was to change with the age of exploration.

When European explorers set out to explore the lands beyond the ocean, they brought back some of the native plants founds in the New World. Tropical fruits and flowers brought back to Europe made their way into floral arrangements, adding more color and texture.

Today, people do not have to commission an exploratory voyage to overseas to get unique and colorful flower bouquets. With the advent of the Internet it has become even easier to order flowers and receive those flowers by post in just a few days, as fresh as the day they were picked.

What to Do with Fresh Flowers

Flowers bring a splash of color and texture into the home. No matter the decorating theme of the home, a bouquet of flowers can be custom-designed to match. Old-fashioned arrangements with heirloom flowers in subtle shades is at home in a Victorian-styled home. Bold, simple arrangements add an eye-catching visual spot in a home with a modern design.



When the flowers arrive, getting them into water immediately will lengthen their life. Cut the stems at an angle and submerge them in water with the plant food packet from the florist added. The vase of fresh flowers is then ready for display.

Instead of candles, place a vase of fresh flowers on the dining room table. For this option, it is best to use flower arrangements that do not have a strong scent. Low displays are best on the table so the view of other diners is not blocked.



Fill a bedroom with the scent of fresh roses to create a romantic atmosphere. A bouquet of fresh flowers on the dressing table or chest of drawers will enhance the room's appearance and smell. Choose flowers to match the color theme of the bedroom for a subtle effect, or opt for a contrasting color so the floral bouquet stands out.



Greet guests in the front hallway with the sight and smell of fresh flowers. A bouquet of deeply scented flowers in the entryway adds an air of hospitality and a fresh look that can be changed weekly just by ordering more flowers by post.

Flowers displayed in the living room can soften the sharp lines of modern furnishings or blend easily in with classic decor. Placing the flower arrangement in front of a window will keep the flowers fresher longer. A mirror placed under or behind the flowers doubles the visual effect.

For homes with pets or children, it is best to keep a floral display out of their reach. The beautiful, eye-catching colors will entice pets or children to sample the flowers, which can result in the ruining of the floral display and sickness in the child or pet.

Indulging in an age-old tradition of floral display in the home is easier now than ever. Exotic flowers or local varieties are easily procured with a simple procedure to order flowers and have those flowers by post sent home for display in any room of the house.

About the Author

Patricia Hall works part-time for a florist and flower delivery but loves to surround herself with flowers at any given point of time. Even in her free time she loves to involve herself with everything flora and fauna.

'To me there is nothing more beautiful and global as the language of flowers - it is the easiest to understand all around the world in the same way. That is one reason why I truly admire flowers for what they represent in some ways - unity of all mankind!'

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Image credits:
1. Roses In Hair
2. Elizabeth Anne Designs
3. Apartment Therapy
4. Homedit
5. Martha Stewart Votives
6. Orange Flowers
7. Gap Interiors
8. White Lilies

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Bedrooms A Plenty...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:04:00 +0000

Here's an idea book of bedrooms found on Houzz. It's the 20 most popular bedrooms of last year as voted by their readers. I'm not sure any of them actually 'sings' to me, but there's a few bits and pieces I really love.

And, the view from one of them is absolutely to die for.

Readers' Choice: The 20 Best Bedrooms of 2011

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More»

Browse Storage And Organization on Houzz- For Example:

Baskets · Closet Organizers · Clothes Racks · Coat Stands And Umbrella Stands · Hall Trees · Media Storage · Medicine Cabinets · Wall Shelves ·

My fave thing out of all the pics?.......

.... that big sliding barn door! Now that would really add some atmosphere to a modern/rustic place. Having come 'from the country' as a girl, but also loving parts of the mod look, that would be a door I'd love to have in my perfect house someday. Just got to get one big enough to take it!!

Linda. xox

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Happy New Year Through The Window...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:31:00 +0000

Happy New Year everyone!! (Happy belated Christmas too!)

Who knows what this year will bring....

Looking through the window of my life..... I see lots of hard work, but lots of possibilities too.

I hope your window for 2012 is one full of big dreams, great adventures, and brilliant opportunities!

Image via Wear Boots All Summer Long

I'm looking forward to a remarkable 2012, and I hope to see you there!

Linda. xox

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Hugs To You..... And, I'm Still Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:34:00 +0000

Hello my lovelies!!!

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth!

Just been super busy doing a few very involved things that have gotten in the way of cyberspace time. Some have been resolved (school reports done, play for Ballarat National Theatre rehearsed and all performances over, new day career - BIG change - for next year organised), and some still to go.

However, it'll be pretty much back to normal here soon hopefully!

Bobbi, Sacha, and Jenn, I'll be coming to visit soon my friends!

To get into the spirit of the giving season, here's a lovely video about something that's really easy to give, and doesn't cost anything.

Side note.... hugs are great, and so is a home that feels like it's hugging you every time you walk in the door.

That's how you know you've really come 'home'.

Happy 'almost holidays' everyone!

Linda. xox

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The Aforementioned Article - Written Around Six Years Ago!

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:17:00 +0000

I'm back from school camp, and my muscles have recovered from various hiking, walking, running and beachy activities. I had serious aches for about 3 days afterwards due to the discovery of muscles I've obviously avoided using for about a decade! The kids all had heaps of fun and so did the staff!

So... back to the world of blogging!

Here's the article I mentioned in this post about my T.V. watching (or non-watching as the case may be) pledge. I wrote it quite a few years ago, around six I think, so it looks like I didn't listen to my own advice and 'step away from the T.V.', because I'm still faffing around about doing it now!

Time for some serious action me thinks!

If you watch the Dr Phil Show you’ll have heard his infamous saying "How’s that workin’ for ya?”

This is the question he asks people who are stuffing up their jobs, lives, relationships etc by doing something that’s obviously not working for them.

Except it’s not so obvious to them, and there-in lies the problem.

Another popular saying amongst motivational gurus also springs to mind...

‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten’.

Or, as Albert Einstein so beautifully put it…. 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results'.

So what are you doing that might be dragging you down and stopping you from forging ahead in leaps and bounds? What simple things could you change or remove to set you on a whole new path, or indeed make the one you’re on a whole lot easier?

Here’s a few little things that might be staring you in the face, yet flying beneath the radar.

The average person watches 3 to 4 hours of television a night. And the average person is not a monumental success. A coincidence - or not?

It’s not that TV itself is inherently bad, but the time it steals away from you is.

You could be doing so much more with that time… working on your business, spending quality time with your partner, exercising, reading, playing sport, learning a new skill, meditating, writing in your journal, planning a holiday, the list goes on.

Think of the TV shows you enjoy watching most. The characters always seem to lead exciting, thrilling, and dramatic lives. They’d rarely have time to fit watching television into their jam packed day. We’re fascinated by those whose lives are more adventurous than ours, we wish our own lives were more entertaining…. and yet there we sit in front of the TV, watching instead of doing.

So instead of automatically switching the TV on just for something to do, try picking 3 or 4 programs a week you really enjoy or find inspiring. Turn the TV on just before they start, and OFF when they're finished.

Email and procrastination. Two words that are intrinsically linked. Ever noticed how easy it is to get distracted for a whole afternoon by your email? Checking, reading, answering, checking, reading, answering, checking…. you get the message.

Yes your employer/customers/clients like emails answered quickly, but focusing obsessively on your email can seriously derail you from undertaking other productive activities.

Get a handle on the email monster and set aside specific times to tame it. Make your emails as brief as possible, and stop using it as an excuse for not taking care of those activities you’ve been putting off.

Preparation is recognised as one of the keys to success. But some people spend all their time preparing and never leave the gate. They read, research, make lists, draw up plans, create goals, read some more, talk to people, and go ’round and ’round in circles.

They gather all the gear they need to go swimming, but never dive into the pool. Half the time they’ve spent so long getting ready the pool’s dried up. Or, they dip a toe in, decide it’s not quite right, and more preparation ensues.

The folks at Nike have got it right.

It’s time to give up perpetually preparing.

Stop getting in the way of yourself, take a deep breath, and dive in. Every journey begins with the first step, and nothing begins until you begin it.

Just do it!

The road to success can be hard. Littering it with unnecessary roadblocks like television, email, procrastination, and over preparation is an easy (and often subconscious) way to avoid putting yourself on the line.

The average person rarely achieves excellence (hence why they are average), therefore if you seek greatness it makes no sense to do what the average person does.

So if what you’re doing isn’t working for you, do something else. Clearing your roadblocks to success could be as simple as thinking about what most ordinary people do, and then not doing it!

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Hope you liked it!

Now... back to seeing what I can do about mitigating my T.V. watching habits (effectively this time).

Linda. xox

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A Garden Of Cushions - I LOVE This!

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:52:00 +0000

Wow... you all know how much I LOVE cushions (I am a 'cushionista' after all), so you can imagine how my heart leapt when I saw the gorgeous image below!

I found it on one of my fave blogs Gillyflower, where you can always find beautiful images and thoughtful posts.

I soon as I saw it I thought of it as a garden of cushions.... in all my favourite colours too!

Image from Gillyflower

It's actually jumped into my mind many times today as I've gone about my business. One day, I'm just gonna have to have a room where I can fit in a gorgeous sofa like that one, with a garden of cushions in all my most adored colours, backed by a beautiful gallery wall with all my favourite photos and artwork displayed on it.

The whole thing just makes me HAPPY and strikes a chord inside me. And, that's what we should have inside our homes..... things that make us HAPPY!!

I just want to throw myself on that couch and wallow in all of it!

I hope you all have a happy weekend. :)

Perhaps you'll find something that makes you so happy you just want to jump in and wallow in it! (Far better to wallow in happiness than the miserable sort of wallowing - don't you think?!)

Linda. xox

P.S. I'm going away on school camp this coming week with a bunch of 60 grade 3s, so I'll be playing hooky from the blog for a little while whilst I'm out snorkelling, canoeing, mucking around on the beach, looking for possums at night, and generally making sure all the children have a good time and get home safe and sound!

See you when I get back. :)

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Monday Mojo - Don't Say You Don't Have Enough Time.....

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:06:00 +0000

I'm not sure all those people had families to look after (I don't know how some people manage a family and everything else they do) - but I take Mr. Brown's point!

In regards to my own time management, I've decided to make a bit of a pledge regarding the tele.

No more mindless T.V. watching to fill in time (when I really could be doing something else purposeful) or zone out. If there's a program I specifically want to watch I will watch it, and then get away from the T.V.

Perhaps once a week I'll allow myself some mindless channel surfing.... but, I don't know.... I wonder how I'd go without the T.V. at all for a few weeks?

Imagine what I might get done!

Any of you go without the T.V? I have some friends who don't own one... how about that!

I can't imagine that.

But, just because we adjust to things in our lives and view them as a 'given' because they're such a big part of our society... doesn't mean I HAVE to conform.

It's just a habit that's easy to fall into and I suspect may be a tad hard to reform.

Hmmmmmm.

I wrote an article about this very thing a few years back. I'll have to dig it out of my computer archives for you. :)

Unitl next Monday, I hope time treats you kindly this week, and as usual on a Monday morning, may your mojo be with you!

Linda. xox

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Fearless Fantasy Friday - You Want Storage? I'll Give You Storage....

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:16:00 +0000

Okay, I'm a titch late, and I've missed Friday by about 16 minutes or so, so I guess it's actually 'Fearless Fantasy Friday in the wee hours of Saturday morning'.

But, none-the less, here's a photo that might fit the bill of 'fantasy' for many people.

Who doesn't love a good helping of storage!?

I don't think I've ever seen a kitchen with this much storage before.....

Wow!

Image via Greige Design

The contents of my entire kitchen would fit in the benches below the sink - lol!

And, even though it's a massive kitchen (for me), and I don't cook much.... it sort of gives me the urge to chop up a few vegetables or something radical!

Happy weekend everyone! Hope it's a good one. :)

Linda. xox

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Come Dine With Me - No. 19 - Simple Is Best, Don't You Think?

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:21:00 +0000

Isn't this dining room just pure simplicity itself?

I know it's big and a bit cavernous like the bedrooms in my previous post... but it has SO much more personality even though it's plain.... don't you think?

So soothing and rustically warm.

Image via Sara White

I can imagine very happy, free and exuberant times around a table like this.

I don't drink much... but this looks like a room for lots of lovely wine to me.

Plenty of room to dance too!

I'd still have to add quite a few soft, fabric, artistic and textural touches for it to work as part of a home for me though. Perhaps some nice greenery in pots somewhere too.

But, for those who adore it super simple... the focus on the rough walls and the heroic wood of the floors, chairs, and table top would be a real love affair.

And, as always, as a part of this series.....

Ask yourself: 'Do I savour the ritual of eating with my family/friends whenever I can?'

Which leads to: 'When, or how, can I include this precious time together more?'

Because: There's something so primitively delightful and bonding about the 'breaking of bread' (so to speak) with our loved ones. It's a ritual and a tradition that's been crowded out and lost amongst television, technology, and texting! It's time to 'get together' and connect the old fashioned way again.

Linda. xox

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Bedroom Beauties.... Or Not?

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:04:00 +0000

Our bedrooms are our special places of rest, sanctuary, and hiding away from the ravages our daily life sometimes brings us.

I found this bunch of bedrooms on Home Designing the other day, and thought some of them looked interesting and quite nice.

They all have some aspect in them I love... books, a great rug, gorgeous colour, glowing light, terrific artwork, a quote on the wall (you know how I love quotes everywhere)....

All pics via Home Designing

But, I also know myself well enough to look at them all and admire them from afar.

I can recognise what's good about them, I can see why lots of people would love to be in their spacious, roomy, and light filled surrounds, and at the same time, I can know that none of them are for me.

I like my bedrooms smaller, like a cocoon, and not quite so cavernous. I'm not saying I want to live in a cave, and I'm not saying I like my room to be the size of a matchbox... but I need 'cozy' in my bedroom.

I could almost survive for an extended period of time in the one with the brown wall containing books... nice lamps (although being a 'symmetrical girl' I'd need the lamps to match - but that's just me), great floor, some feel of coziness... but, the bed's too modern for me.

I've learned over time that it's quite normal and ok for me to oooh and aahhh over pictures in magazines that I can tell are beautifully designed and look terrific in almost every way (not talking about these pics here).... and yet just 'know' they wouldn't work for me.

I have to 'feel' it, I have to know I'd connect with it in MY way, not just dig it with my eyes and brain for a room to be right.

Atmosphere is everything in my book.... and sometimes it's the hardest thing to manufacture.

Linda. xox

P.S. To see more bedrooms similar to these, pop over to Home Designing. I only picked a few!

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Monday Mojo - Some Words To Inspire You via a New E-Book Just For You

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 13:05:00 +0000

Hello Lovelies!

I've been working on another little project for the last week or so (thank goodness for holidays!), and I've uploaded it onto my Free E-Books and Goodies page.

But, I thought I'd like to share it with you today as I often post a quote on Monday mornings.... so here's a whole bunch of them!

Click on the 'expand' button to get the full view and turn the pages.

Open publication - Free publishing - More inspirational

I'm getting better at doing my own graphics and fiddling around in Picnik, so putting all the quotes together with layouts and backgrounds was fun!

Happy Monday everyone - and as always on a Monday morning..... may your mojo be with you this week!

Linda. xox

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Fearless Fantasy Friday - No Guts, No Glory!!

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:52:00 +0000

I was reading a post over on Coco And Kelly yesterday where Cassandra was talking about getting up the 'guts' to do what she really wanted to do in her bedroom make-over.

I left a comment mentioning the oft used phrase 'no guts, no glory!' because I really think we should follow our hearts and our 'gut' and go for something if we are truly yearning for it.

If we can pull it off.... glory awaits!

After all.... we can change a paint colour pretty easily.... replace a print, get new curtains (a bit more expensive) etc.

But, all in all, it probably won't be the end of the world if it fails and we have to re-examine what we've done and make some alterations (or even, oh no..... start over!)

I mused about this sort of 'fear factor' a while ago in a post titled 'What Is It You're Craving For Your Home But Haven't Tried Yet? - 3 Questions To Ask Yourself'.

And then, I found this picture whilst visiting a blog that's great for inspiration - The Lennoxx.

If you click on the pic below you'll get the FULL, massive pic with more furniture in it than you can actually see at first glance.

Image from The Lennoxx via Adore Magazine

No guts, no glory indeed!

How fabulous is this pic?

Such big, brave, bold use of pattern on the curtains, the supremely glam choice of furniture and accessories.... the whole thing screams 'going for it' to me, and I think they pulled it off BIG TIME!

What do you think?

What do you really want to do in your home, but haven't had the 'guts' to try yet?

Happy Friday everyone.... I hope you get to do something BIG and BOLD this weekend.

Go for it!

Linda. xox

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I Just Wanna Be Here......

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:59:00 +0000

My absolute love of unusual wooden, textured, accessories/furniture (I'm staring at that table), and old books that feel like they've lived a life of their own means I REALLY want to be in this space.

Image via Greige Design

The big chunky woodwork behind.... the trees (oh how I love trees) in the surroundings.... I could get lost on that porch for unlimited amounts of time.

Peace personified for me.

And, the cushions are pretty darn amazing too.

I found the image on Greige Design.... a lovely new blog to add to my faves list!

Linda. xox

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A New Blog For You To Check Out... Style Illuminated!

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:02:00 +0000

Kate over at Lamps Plus sent me an email about their newly re-named and re-styled blog a few days ago, and when I checked it out I was impressed!

The blog's new name is Style Illuminated, and it has some great articles, different contributors, and lots of great pics and photos about a range of ideas to do with interiors and design.

There was info on different trends, fabric swatches, a post on 'Mad Men' style, interviews with top designers, tips for a great Fall picnic, lists of top accessories, some great Missoni pics (sigh), and even a post on 'The Power Of Plaid'.... and that was all on the front page as I scrolled down!

As it's Fall across the pond in America (Spring over here!), there were also quite a few articles on Fall looks and styles, so I've picked a few pics to share with you. Pop on over to Style Illuminated for lots more pics and great looks!

All the pics above are from an article entitled 'Tablescape Inspiration Ideas For A Fall Dinner Party'.

The gorgeous arrangements above (gawd I LOVE Fall colours - they're everywhere in my home all year 'round - that's my colour palette, right there....) are from an article about flower and fruit arrangements for Fall.

And below, are some more pics from various articles showing how to make a home cozy, how to use candlelight effectively, and one featuring marbled wallpaper in Fall colours!

For lots more inspiration, check out the Style Illuminated blog here.

Linda. xox

P.S. Here's a pic from their newest post (just noticed it today) about budget decorating! This room really has a lived in, eclectic, cozy vibe to me, even though there's lots of white in it.

And another... how gorgeous are the colours in this one?!

Now.... I beseech you all to.....

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Monday Mojo - Lost For Words (for a change)...

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:34:00 +0000

This quote, (discovered today whilst browsing thinkexist.com), has struck me in such a profound way for some reason, that I'm quite speechless as to what to say about it, and I need to think about it quite a bit more.

Instead, I'll just say Happy Monday everyone, and as always at the beginning of the week... may your mojo be with you.

Linda. xox

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Announcing - The Tiny Tidy Challenge! Want To Be A Member For Free This Time?

noreply@blogger.com (Heartfire At Home) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:20:00 +0000

Hi Lovelies.... I have to say it's been a massively big couple of days for me in front of this computer!

I was up until 5 a.m. the other morning finishing my first e-book (dang thing wasn't going to beat me before I went to bed), and I've been busy working on my Pathways To Home E-Journey (I'm so excited about this one!!).

BUT, today, I have an entirely different announcement for you!

If you'd be interested in taking part in a 5 week coaching/mentoring program that'll help you get rid of your clutter in a way that's pretty easy and pain free, then click over here to find out more.

The first intake will be free for all challenge entrants as I want to see how it goes and what you all think of the value you got from it.

After that.... there'll be a price (still very reasonable I think) on its head (so to speak)!

If you're interested, find out more here.

Linda. xox

PS: If you sign up to be notified of the Challenge when it starts and you don't get an email in response, let me know here can you... pretty please! I'm 99% certain I've got the form thingy working right, and I've tested it... but I'm still anxious about it!

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