weekend wander

Hello friends, how was your weekend? Did you go anywhere new, nice and interesting?

This week's weekend wander is through the streets of the very Portuguese city of Santarem, where I currently live.

The photos were taken early in a very sunny morning (during a much needed morning run), so the streets are practically deserted - and yes, still with the Christmas decorations in full swing!

all images by me via instagram

chalk mood

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the four gift rule :: how to buy presents

Christmas is my favourite time of year, as I guess, it is for some of you. But the big dilemma each year is, what and how to buy your presents.

It is true that most of us, and especially at this time, are ruled by a very tight budget, but to keep to the Holiday spirit you still want to be able to gift your loved ones with something meaningful or at the least something to say 'I care for you' on this special time.

If you have children then you know what 'Christmas cheer' means since they have invaded your life...the smile on those faces, the excitement all around the season, from the glittery decor, twinkling lights, to the merry songs!

The secret, as it is for most things in life, is to keep focused and edit! 
It means focusing on what's important, do not deviate from the task at hand (getting distracted with the next-best thing...or store!) and editing - which is eliminating anything superfluous.

This is a great rule to follow, especially for your own children, which, I believe, will be the ones getting the most number and most meaningful presents from you (you will not dare ever skip them from your list!).

So, here's the FOUR GIFT RULE which you can keep safe and locked in your secrets drawer (together with your Santa's costume and tooth-fairy mini letters) and use it over and over again, every Christmas.

And don't forget to pass the word around to other grown ups in trouble!

Love,
Pippa xoxo

...naturally

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kids rooms with wood

Today's decor tips and inspiration use natural materials, such as rattan and wood, as key elements for beautiful and relaxed looks in our children's bedrooms.

The hues and textures are easily complimented with whites and neutral colours. They are also a great base to add splashes of colour, keeping the environment always fun and very cozy.

Even though the 'lumberjack' look is still very much in vogue, both in decor as in fashion, these natural and organic trends are always classics and will endure and grow with your child's growth too. They can be easily adapted - and even, upcycled!

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Follow the link (on 'image source' above) for a full tutorial on this home made d.i.y. house bed.

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Hope you enjoyed and got a little inspired!

in love with grey

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kids rooms in shades of grey

Today's decor inspiration for our children's rooms is the many shades of the colour grey.

From the darker greys to the lightest, it is the perfect base for a room, giving it a feel for a more scandinavian look - keeping it simple, stylish and oh so lovely!

One of the neutral (basic) colours, it is far from being boring. It is the best 'canvas' colour to add pattern to, with wallpapers and prints, and splashes of other brighter colours.

Take a look at these and get inspired!

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as strange as you

I used to think I was the strangest person in the world, 

but then I thought 

there are so many people in the world, 

there must be someone just like me

 who feels bizarre and flawed 

in the same ways I do. 

I would imagine her 

and imagine that she must be out there 

thinking of me too. 

Well, I hope you are out there 

and read this and know that, 

yes, it’s true 

I’m here, 

and I’m just as strange 

as you. 

:: words:: frida kahlo

:: image :: hospital for souls

it's cold outside but my heart is warm :: playlist

Hello Friends!

Here is a little playlist to warm the cockles of your heart through the approaching cold winter nights.
You know I adore my playlists, and normally share them with you when I think they're worth it. However, this is the first time I publish a playlist curated by someone else.

Since Rafael is a person of extremely good taste (so it seems!), his playlist sounded so perfect for this time of the year, filled with ear candy that I love and know well... I had to share it!!

You can follow it on spotify (here) , check Rafael's other lists (here), and listen to it below.

I hope you enjoy it!...Keep smiling and keep warm.

:: music :: curated by Rafael de Almeida Braz
:: photo :: design inspiration

dress your tech :: for december

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pine cone of bling - desktop background

Hello friends!!
Happy new month!

The year has this habit of saving the best for last, and so it is, December has arrived to fill us with glitz and all the joys of winter - can you tell it is 'my' favourite? I was, indeed, a December baby.

Here is the new design so you can dress up your tech in accordance to the month's festivities.

For your desktop, just click the image (above) for a larger view and save it as your FREE background.

For your other mobile devices, you can do exactly the same on the images below - one for smartphones and a separate one for tablets.

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pine cone of bling - smartphone background

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pine cone of bling - tablet background

I hope you enjoy them...and have a very merry happy month of December!

Love,
Pippa

autumn darks

:: image source :: pinterest

top 5 kid's rooms of the week

Here are a collection of, what I think are, the best kid's rooms from around the web when it comes to great design.

In a much Scandinavian look...so 'clean', updated, and still so trendy!

Hope you get inspired!

:: image source :: marciaplus5 instagram via pinterest