Chic Mama’s is an amazing charity organisation. Conceived and run by a group of likeminded go getters, it encourages people to donate their hardly used and no-longer-wanted clothing, accessories and bags  (most are not quite designer but not run-of-the-mill either). The clothes are then sold at their regular events or their shop in Plumstead (near Smitten) and the proceeds go to an educational charity they have earmarked. I love that it’s a win-win. That you get to add some vooma to your wardrobe, at bargain prices and someone (in this case, many) benefits in a meaningful way.

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I heard this week that Chic Mama’s is now going to be manning a stall at the Blue Bird Garage on a Friday and Saturday. So if you’re in the mood for a hardly-worn bargain, a browse of artisan food stores and quirky accessory stands – get thee to the market!

Although we don’t really have many florals in our home, that doesn’t stop me lusting after them. Whether in cushion, wallcovering or fullblown upholstery format, the effect can be well…very effective.

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This is what Li has to say about the latest offerings from Mavromac.

Towards the end of last year I was totally excited to go to Mavromac’s Spring/Summer launch where I feasted on their floral delights. They launched a selection of ranges that are super easy to use and that will happily slot into a contemporary or classically styled home with not much décor-cleverness required.  Their florals are fresh and slightly oversized and are just the thing to put you in that lazy-summer days mood.  They’re coupled with some cute geometrics and have the nicest jute stripe I’ve seen this decade.

The first thing that came to mind for me was “conservatory-feel” and I’d have to say that my favorite design is the mehndi inspired floral – the one with the aquamarine background sets my heart a flutter (psst…gorgeously soft base-cloth too – might even want to make yourself some clothes out of it!)

Thanks Li! I love the idea of a contemporary space and one big sofa covered in bold florals

Wouldn’t you love a living room that looked like this?

Me too…so..read on…

YOU COULD WIN A BOX OF SALE BOOKS FROM EXCLUSIVE BOOKS.

That means you stock up on Easter holiday chick lit books, inspirational interior design books, cookbooks, kids books, biography books…you get the picture?

One lucky winner will be able to fill a box with books from the sale pile …how cool is that?!

The sale started this past weekend so we’ll run this competition just until Monday 6 February so the winner can get in there and choose their reads. The good news? there are 5 555 boxes weighing a total of 155 556 kilograms that will be unpacked for your pleasure, with an average retail price of R51.00. Nice!

All you have to do? Leave a comment below…what’s a great book you’ve read in the past while? I’d love to hear your recommendations.

Like the pics? Check out this amazing Tumblr filled with images of homes with books

To start off the month with a bang, we’ve got a lovely little giveaway from the lovely folks at Coco Li.

If you haven’t yet been there…let me tell you a little about what to expect. It’s in the Cape Quarter in Green Point, Cape Town- the new part, abovc the Spar. It looks small. BUT it is crammed, chock full of STUFF. pretty, witty, buy-me-now stuff. From the softest cotton kimono’s (i really want one) to contemporary jewellery, clothes for weekend lounging  and frocks for lunch parties. Clutches, smellies, ceramics, some stationery to make you swoon…have you got the picture yet?

Coco Li is giving away this cute-as-a-button tea for two set by local ceramists Urchin Art.

Isn’t it sweet?

If you’d like to win the set…you’ll need to…

• Like the Coco Li Facebook page

• Leave your message (or rhyme) about your thoughts on love on their wall

• I’ll need to know you’ve done that…so leave a quick note in the comments field below

loving the terrariums and especially loving this grouping of white vessels – Indoor plants are shrugging off their eighties persona and are much more part of our interiors nowadays.

gotta love them blues

old bottles and sea glass are definitely having a revival- so beautiful when placed somewhere to catch the light

another striking grouping – all the more reason not to keep your favourite vessels locked away in a cupboard. Can you see the flower in the middle pic? Well, over the past month i have seen them everywhere in interior images – they’re onion flowers and if you want them for your own home, they’re dead easy to grow (or so the man at the nursery told me). He told me that leek seeds are a better buy (the flowers that result aren’t as pungent as onions). I’ve planted them throughout our garden in the hope we’ll get loads of flowers next summer…let’s see

love the succulent trays – this looks like a rewarding Saturday morning project

more terrarium love

Have a happy day! V x

Loving the pants, they look super comfy. Love that you can shop for Poetry online.

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such a lovely, quiet space for a soak and a read – love the ruffles on the curtain and shaggy carpet

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absolutely love these aqua tones – so perfect for a happy bathroom space. I want the tiles in the bathroom to be in a range of aquas and blues.

i have such a thing for these ladders. You can find them at Loft Living and Block & Chisel. The girls’ bathroom is too small for one but now i’m thinking maybe i could squeeze one into our bathroom. And aren’t the tiles amazing?! Hadeda has similar ones.

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i wouldn’t do maps again (remember how we wallpapered our guest loo here?) but this pic still provides an eye candy hit

PS. Read all about the fantastic Maidenform win on I Want That Wedding – there’s R5000 worth of clobber to be had!

Hope you’re having a fab day so far! V xx

i want balloons, a bike with a basket and that greeny blue dress!

have a happy day! V x

Images found on this site and they’re from the UK edition of Glamour Magazine

I’ll be back later with Li’s floral finds on Fabulous Fabric Friday

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Love the effect of Ikats on a large scale -  this couch is gorgeous don’t you think?

The pic on the top is from Turkish designer Rifat Ozbek – his shop in Istanbul is gorgeous. I would kill for one of these cushions. And as for that spindly sofa (that i found on this site) that’s been recovered with embroidered antique fabrics – I Want That!

these are the Ikat influenced products that are at Woolies and Country Road at the moment – how gorgeous is the little Country Road purse? The Ikat crockery has been in store for a while now in various colours but i spotted the last of their stock the other day

Loving the Mr Price Home cushions. They’re not in the Ikat vein, but i do think they work if you’re wanting to add a dash of global style to your space – and here’s the thing, they’re R59,99 each – love!

definitely my favourite spread in the catalogue

lovely office inspiration

i want that couch

monsters inc – cute toys

i want every single one of these tea towels

and maybe it’s time for a cushion overhaul

Have a happy day lovelies!

i like how the book starts with a pantry basics crash course and that the chapters are simply organised into starters, soups and the various main ingredients from poultry to pork, including an entire chapter devoted to noodles (yum) and one for rice. There’s also loads to inspire non meat eaters.

Published by Harper Collins, it’s available to buy in South Africa on Kalahari  for R316,  here’s the direct link

PS. There is a tres cute free printable on I Want That Wedding today – you could make a poster for your wall or a V Day card