Frank Gonzales

Through the wonderful world of blogs I came across this great New York based artist. I love his paintings (and there is something about birds lately I really like). More to see at his website and he also has a blog where he documents his work. Incredibly interesting to see how people create....

we came back

Hi there! sorry for not being around but we got back last Thursday (after paying extra ridiculous! money for our flights) and I haven't stopped since then. The catalogue keeps me really busy. Here are some snaps from our holidays at my parents last couple of weeks. Once more it was great...wedding, friends, great food and wine, time with my family and visit to zoo as well... how exciting for two year old! how have you been?

extended holidays

We had to extend our holidays here in Czech due to the flight situation in Europe, no planes or airports were working for last 6 days. Hopefully we will be able to to fly tomorrow. It was lovely to spend some extra time with my family and friends, but we both getting very nervous about the amount of work waiting for us back home. I think I will forget about sleep for next couple of weeks:) But for now you can dream about living or visiting this wonderful house...and what a house!

Take a tour of this beauty here.

stylish living

new not on the high street catalogue and my sarah and bendrix head over heels

very long wedding weekend

A. is having an afternoon nap with M. He arrived yesterday, tired from travelling and last nights alcohol joined her and sleeps on the sofa next to me. I'm browsing my favourite blogs and sites. Days are getting busier and busier with excess alcohol and food bigger and bigger. Our friends are getting married on Saturday and by Sunday we will have five nights of dining and drinking, not that the wedding is that long, but there is lot of friends to see...I will be a very tired girl next week:)

After scrolling down on my blog roll here are some picks:

I would like to wear this dreamy dress

to buy this London map print

Can I get this bike please?

want to buy this print for Anya

and this polar bear as well

I would like to live in this house

this made me smile

this made me dream

have a great weekend everyone!

talking to builders

This week I have been talking to buildres, a lot. I don't how you feel about "them" for me it's always the same story. So far...

There is the little grin, the rised eyebrows, the small comments. Are you sure? hm...we usually don't do that...that is going to be expensive...

Last year we decided to save our old country house and so far we rewired, built and knock some walls. This week I have been choosing tiles, boiler, shower screen, wooden floors, kitchen...and talking to builders. A lot.

For me is pretty simple. I tell you what I want, you tell me if you can do it and for how much. I don't do chatting, sandwiches and beers (in Czech). Occasional small talk and cup of tea ( in UK) is fine with me. Work hard be appreciated well. Simple. Too tough?

What about you? What experience do you have with builders? any interesting stories to share ?:)

miko design

A while ago Amy blogged about Miko Design. Erika from Holland creates wonderful printed fabrics, t- shirts, bags and doll kits. Love! But there is one more thing you have to go and see...Recently her daughter celebrated 7th birthday and Erika prepared Paris themed party. Visit to Paris, paper garland made of Paris map and Metro tickets, sweets, matching dolls....so creative! Have a look yourself!

Erika's blog, etsy shop, website. have a great day!

chalkboard walls and more

just discovered this very inspiring lady. You can read how she created this chalkboard wall here and find more interesting projects at Janell's blog. See you later!

I'm here at the moment

My home town Pilsen(Plzen). Visiting my parents, staying for couple of weeks...will be posting more later:) see you then...how are you?

sharon montrose

have you ever seen a giraffe being photographed ? great video, amazing work of Sharon Montrose.

sharon montrose

this weekend

Thank you everyone for Birthday Congratulations and yes I had a great weekend. I dined, danced, ate lot of chocolate, spent time with family and friends. Wonderful. Although I didn't managed to do any Easter decoration, yellow tulips and new cushion cover slipped into our house. and little A. really enjoyed her egg hunts, at grandparents and in Ham house. How about you? how was your Easter weekend?

easter and one year older

Hi everyone! For me Easter is spring, fresh flowers, bright green grass, eggs, family time, good memories.

Ideas or projects for Easter decorations. Beautiful branch arrangement and nice table setting from here

Hanging vases, easy to do for any special occasion. Like it.

And these wonderful bunnies from here.! And there is much more! go have a look!

Easter Grass decoration here

and finally EGGS. Chocolate eggs, hmm...and coloured ones. I used to love colouring and painting eggs with my sister and mum. There is so many ways how to colour, paint, decorate eggs. Perhaps naturally dyed ?

Lavender	Small Quantity of Purple Grape Juice Violet Blossoms plus 2 tsp Lemon Juice Red Zinger Tea
Violet Blue	Violet Blossoms Small Quantity of Red Onions Skins (boiled) Hibiscus Tea Red Wine
Blue	Canned Blueberries Red Cabbage Leaves (boiled) Purple Grape Juice
Green	Spinach Leaves (boiled) Liquid Chlorophyll
Greenish Yellow	Yellow Delicious Apple Peels (boiled)
Yellow	Orange or Lemon Peels (boiled) Carrot Tops (boiled) Celery Seed (boiled) Ground Cumin (boiled) Ground Turmeric (boiled) Chamomile Tea Green Tea
Golden Brown	Dill Seeds
Brown	Strong Coffee Instant Coffee Black Walnut Shells (boiled) Black Tea
Orange	Yellow Onion Skins (boiled) Cooked Carrots Chili Powder Paprika
Pink	Beets Cranberries or Juice Raspberries Red Grape Juice Juice from Pickled Beets
Red	Lots of Red Onions Skins (boiled) Canned Cherries with Juice Pomegranate Juice Raspberries

want to know more? how to make those chocolate yummies ? ... head over there.

We have a busy weekend in front of us. Dinner with M. celebrating my birthday, visiting friends, Easter egg huntS:) with kids and friends. I will let you know on Monday. Have a lovely time everyone!

little project and tips for reading!

We had a wonderful weekend, pottering around the house, visiting another National Trust side, gardening and doing small projects in our home. One of them was to create better space for A., for her reading, drawing, playing.

In my spring clear out, couple of months ago I had to let go my beloved sofa (which I only bought back in summer:(, but by creating the work space in the kitchen we lost some space and one thing I can't live with, is lack of space and clutter. I love to look at other's people homes, at their open shelves full of stuff and ornaments, but I'm just not able to function around it.

I put up the Lack shelf from Ikea for the books....and brought this old A's. moses basket from the loft as Anya uses it for her dolls as a bed...and sometimes for herself to read...and finally I put more doors on this big built-in cabinet. There is a lot of stuff behind there, believe me! and two of the rows hides all the other toys. I just leave the doors open in the morning and close it when A. goes to sleep...

So with all the books around I would like to share some with you. I'm always interested in new children's books so these are some of my daughter's favourites. I'm not really good at describing things in English so ...little comments only. Anya is 22 months.

Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett. Simple, easy, fun story.

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle. Great touch and feel book, good for practicing animal noises.

Have you seen my cat? by Eric Carle. A little boy goes around the world to find his lost cat. A Slide-and-Peek board book, nice story, good for practising memory.

Ten Little Ladybirds by Gerth & Huliska Beith. One 3D ladybird disappears every page.

The Wheels On The Bus by David Ellwand. Sound book with cute pictures.

Rainbow Rob by Jo Rigg and Simon Mugford. Funny rhymes, touch and feel, colourful book. Very educational story.

My Dad by Anthony Browne. Wonderful! present for dads from children. My husband was very touched:) and A. loves it too.

Dogs by Emily Gravett. Soft, beautiful illustrations. Nice and simple story.

Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett. As they say :Perfect for little monkeys everywhere!

Where Is My Teddy? by Jez Alborough. We read and read this book probably 1000 times. It comes with story CD as well.

Charlie's Cook Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler. Funny rhymes, unusual story, entertaining.

Splat The Cat by Rob Scotton. Great fun, nice and soft illustrations.

The Great Paper Caper. I love , love, love anything from Oliver Jeffers. I have to admit A. might just a little bit too young for this book. But the illustrations! are just awesome!

Little Beauty by Anthony Browne. Wonderful, kind, sweet story and even better illustrations.

ABC's . This book is dedicated in memory of Charley Harper. What else to say...beautiful A-Z.

Animal Flash Cards by Eric Carle. A. spent the whole Christmas playing with them. Very clever and beautifully done.

huh...are you still there? Once I started....I couldn't finish:)...I hope, you have a toddler yourself it might give you some tips or ideas.

More favourites if you still want to :)

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson

The very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do you see? by Eric Carle

Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton

Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett

Where's Spot ...and Spot Bakes a Cake by Eric Hill

and once again anything by Oliver Jeffers:)

All the books should be available on Amazon or in your local shops. Thanks for reading everyone!! have a good day