Pretty Hair

Who doesn't love a pretty bun, a plaited/braided do or lots of wispy curls pinned up into a swirl (is that even a word)?

A Cup of Jo has the best DIY hair tutorials. Here are some of my favourites:

Pretzel Braid
Gibson Roll (totally thinking about rocking this style at V's wedding (yes- V is getting married!) on Sunday)
Chestnut Bun
Braided Crown (and add a little something extra with some fabric)
Braided Top Bun
Three Twisted Buns
Side Chignon (she has the best hair colour!)

Gibson Roll

Chestnut Bun

Braided Crown (with fabric)

Three Twisted Buns

Side Chignon

Need more inspiration? Check this out.

Bow ties

I am so obsessed with bow ties right now and think there is something so awesome about a groom rocking a colourful bow tie.

Too old fashioned? Or retro enough to be super cool?

Cool pic found here on this very awesome site!

Not sure how to tie a bow-tie -  check this out:

(source)

And guys- if you want to make your own matching cufflinks, the Pretty Blog has a wonderful DIY tutorial for you. 

Note to brides-to-be: The Pretty Blog is full of amazing wedding stuff ... contacts for service providers, inspiring real-weddings and loads of DIY projects- you MUST, must check it out :)

Happy Friday

Hope you had a happy week and that you have a relaxing weekend. Here are some pretty things to enjoy:

The most beautiful summer dress

DIY bracelet

That's one happy sheep :)

A beautiful way to document a pregnancy

Who wouldn't want to go here on holiday?

Love Fort

With today being Valentine's Day it seems like there is a little virus going around and I am feeling very lovesick (in a good way- don't worry). You know that floaty, excited feeling... like kissing the person you love for the first time, or getting ready for a very romantic date? That's how I feel. Its lovely.

And as if I wasn't feeling dreamy enough already... I stumbled across this DIY for a Love Fort. I LOVE. LOVE, LOVE the idea of a Love Fort. A private little space for you and your "person" to just enjoy the magic of being in love. Where you can fantasize about your future, read poetry and kiss till you can't anymore. Sounds like heaven to me!

I can't wait to build my own love fort. Maybe with all of this fantastic weather an outdoor love fort is in order... I am thinking of forests at sunset and a picnic filled with cupcakes and little sandwiches. What do you think?

 Here are some pictures of a few other lovely love forts...

Ooh- a starlit evening in a stripey tent... how romantic! Via Erin Ever After.

What a dreamy space

A forest princess and her fort

What a sweet little 'teepee'

Have a love-filled day!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you are having a day filled with love and splendor! Here are some pictures from a project I am currently working on.

Watch this space...

A Love Letter

Want to do something special for Valentine's Day? How's about a romantic love letter? Write something sweet, maybe add a poem, use this gorgeous double sided envelope (and labels) and seal it with a kiss!

Side note: This DIY task with printables was taken from The Pretty Blog, a lovely little blog which is full of downloads and DIY ideas for weddings, parties and other events (they even have some yummy recipes). Check them out here.

More Loveliness

As promised here are some cute and clever ideas for Valentine's Day goodies. I have one or two surprises of my own planned, but you will have to wait a bit longer to see what those are. In the mean time enjoy these pics and links (look out for the free downloads too). Enjoy!

 

 Why not have breakfast in bed with a side order of 'I love you' (source)

(Thanks for the link V)

Bakerella has done it again! Loving these Valentine's Day Cake Pops.

Sparkly DIY I Love You garland

Cupid's Cupcake Arrows

Cupid Kit. Genius! Available here.

And just for fun- some downloadable templates (for Valentine's Day of course) from around the web:

Cute fruit stickers via Erin Ever After

Sweet treats goody bags

Cake topper tags 

And you have to look at these too-

Extra link love:

Valentine's Cards

DIY Heartstrings

I love you cookies

Bra and panties cookies

Fortunes of love

Woolies treats (my favourite)

A Few Lovely Things...

Things have been more than chaotic the last couple of weeks and I have neglected this sweet little blog. To make up for it, I have a collection of pretty pictures from all over the internet for you to enjoy (and a promise to post more regularly... and maybe some exciting news - watch this space)!

 What a pretty bunny.

I have recently discovered Fifi Lapin (the "world's most stylish bunny") and I already adore her. See one of my favourite outfits here.

Gorgeous wedding details. 

Left: How clever is this wedding 'noticeboard' filled with marriage advice. 

Centre: Loving the sparkly shoes- is there a girl in the world who doesn't love sparkly shoes?  

Right: How romantic and charming are these roses braided into the horses tail- something straight out of a fairytale - check the full bridal shoot here. 

Love succulents? Love indoor gardens? Love DIY? 

Check out the tutorial for this hanging succulent garden here. I also have to add that skinnylaminx is a fabulous South African designer who creates such beautiful things (is my SA pride showing yet?... no not yet? Well then check this out too).

I heart crochet.

And because I am obsessed with crochet (not that I even know the difference between cs, sc and st) and because Valentine's Day is around the corner- another cute DIY project... check it out here.

And last, but most definitely not least, I have a new favourite person on the internet. She is sweet, has fantastic taste and (of course) she has a gorgeous blog. Check it out here.

Crocheting Craftiness Here We Come!

We're loving all things crochet... (doilies, chunky throws and DIY brooches... we even found crocheted pillowcases and a crochet-inspired clock)!

We aren't sure how we have survived this long without owning our own piece of crocheted heaven. Luckily we discovered that @Home have the most gorgeous cloudy grey (one of our favourite colours- it is meant to be!) throw for R399 (check out the catalogue here and see the picture below). 

We have also included some fabulous pictures of our new favourite things (all crocheted of course)!

How beautiful is the throw (R399)? We wouldn't mind a few of those suitcases either!

Nothing beats a crisp, white throw for summer (source)

Stacks of happiness! (source)

Aaaah... pastel perfection! And, of course we love the bunting too! (source)

The start of something beautiful. See more pictures here.

Crochet-edged bedlinen- L.O.V.E (and we're not just talking about the gorgeous lettering!) (source)

A stitch in time! (source)

Colourful brooches (source)

More pretty button brooches (how fantastic are these colours?). If you are adventurous or just keen to try these out- find the DIY flower here. (source)

DIY birdie brooch

Ashley Ann's gorgeous table runner! Instructions and how-to here.

Cute mug-warmer (source)

What are your thoughts? Are you in love or is crocheting too old-fashioned/outyds? Watch this space for pictures of our attempts at crocheting! (Might look more like a messy spiderweb... but practise makes perfect right?).

Women's Day

Wow- what a weekend! What was supposed to be three and a bit days of absolute laziness and pure hedonism (eating, sleeping, reading, shopping...) turned into one long blur of chaos! But a good time was had by all- so no regrets.

We were appropriately spoilt by the men in our lives yesterday (we think every day should be Women's Day) and in celebration of a whole day dedicated to us lovely ladies, we are nominating Ashley Ann as one of our favourite women.

If you haven't already seen her blog, you HAVE TO check it out! No seriously- you really do! It is full of beautiful photographs (she is a very talented photographer... and loving mom, adoring wife, DIY diva, budding environmentalist, caring philanthropist ... the list goes on). 

Just in case you still aren't convinced- we have included some pictures for you below (so you can make up your own mind) ;)

If this picture doesn't make you broody- nothing will!

Beautiful Paisley

Every girl's DIY dream- ribbons, flowers, feathers...

Ashley Ann's beautiful daughter

What a magnificent landscape...

The boys

There is something so happy about these photographs

Love the facial expression :) and the babygrow (DIY tutorial here)

If you want to find out more about Ashley Ann, you can read her interview with Evie S. here and of course visit her site and blog.

Let us know what you think :)

Recreate

There is something so exciting about taking an everyday object (like a milk bottle... or even a car mirror) and using it in a new and wonderful way.

These are a few of our favourites...

The Teacup Lamp from Recreate

Glass decanters used as beautiful light fittings

Doilies sewn/tacked together and made into a table runner. Check out the DIY tutorial here

(On a side note: Ashley Ann is amazing... DIY wonder woman, photographer, home maker, proud mom and wife, doting sister, good Samaritan, design diva... the list goes on... you HAVE to check out her blog)

Milk Bottle Lamps from Recreate

How fantastically beautiful is this suitcase chair from Recreate?

Another fantastic item by Katie Thompson of Recreate

We think this suitcase side table is chic AND genius!

(Another side note: You may have noticed that the majority of pictures included here are from Recreate. That is because Katie Thompson is a creative genius and every one of her products is stylish, lovely and timeless. Visit her site and browse through her cutting edge interior design range of lighting and furniture)

We love, love, love this. Using a vintage car mirror as a make-up mirror. Gorgeous.

Crate side table. Rustic and beautiful :)

We can't wait to spend a day (or four) browsing antique stores for bits and pieces to start (re)creating our own little treasures. Watch this space!