Tumblin' In FRENCH HENS & A SPOT OF RACING

French hens, glass pendants, birthday tulips, textured tangerine and a spot of racing this week.

Tumblin' In: anakral.tumblr

The colour

 

The shape & colour

 

The scale

 

The simplicity

The sheen

The combination

The strength

The depth

The delicacy

The boldness

The tassel laces

Happy Weekend WISH LIST FOR HER

Don't know about you but when a birthday looms, friends ask for ideas.  It gets you thinking.

It's nice to dream...

1 Beautiful tan over-sized clutch  2 Vintage tea cups  3 Alexander McQueen sunglasses (I love my current sunglasses, both pairs, but you can never have too many, I think!)  4 Totally divine pendant lights  5 Every girl needs a black bag, Prada's large tote is nice!  6 Ballet flats for Spring  7 Lancome, pure luxury  8  Neon for the wardrobe, Roberto Cavalli's python belt is gorgeous  9 Always on the look out for a good hat, this one is by Ermanno Scervino 10 Angie Toe Jellie by Seed

***PLEASE NOTE this is a WISH LIST not an expectation!!!***

Happy Weekend WISH LIST for a birthday... by anakral featuring strappy shoes

Who What Wear NEON

Like it or hate it, Neon's everywhere. Time to get with the programme people.



Who What Wear NEON by anakral featuring studded hoop earrings

Tumblin' In THE TOUR, THE TORCH AND SEEING RED

Sport, sport, sport.  It's all happening in England & France this week.  The Brits got their first Tour de France win on the Champs-Elysees, the Olympic torch is en route to London, with royalty, VIPs and athletes arriving en masse for the occasion.  And there has been golf too, with the young, gorgeous Australian Adam Scott almost getting his first major win at the British Open only to graciously concede, 'it wasn't meant to be'. After a devastating loss, he does not seem to be seeing red...but I am.

Tumblin' In with AnaKral

Red gingham heels, perfect for any sporting event. 

 

Call home.

 

All eyes will be on her outfits.

 

All time favourite model, still. Gorgeous in red.

When things were looking up.

 

My kind of sport.

 

 

A weekend in Paris.

 

Poms Poms for cheering

 

Boater, perfect for spectating.

 

Think he liked a bit of competition, non?

 

OMG, gold medal outfit right there.

This Week's Pinboard SEQUINS & LACE, BOLD BLACKS & LIGHTS GREYS, A TAKE AWAY COFFEE TOO

This Week's Pinboard SEQUINS & LACE, BOLD BLACKS & LIGHTS GREYS, A TAKE AWAY COFFEE TOO by anakral on polyvore.com

1. Old bath, contemporary extension fleaingfrance.tumblr
2. Square white tiles in a kitchen, love. An apartment in Norway. dustjacketattic.blogspot.com.au
3. Denim & Leopard lefashionimage.blogspot.com.au
4. Shiny grey tiles, black (Kartell) Masters. An apartment in Poland. desiretoinspire.net/blog
5. Dreamy sequins sparklesandpretending.tumblr.com
6. Delightful net-a-porter.com
7. Dramatic wallpaper dustjacketattic.blogspot.com.au
8. Mirror & lamp habituallychic.blogspot.com.au
9. Organic marieclairemaison.com 
10. Grey Blind cocon-etc.blogspot.fr
11.  Graphic coinlaundrycafe.com.au
12.  Autumn sequins dustjacketattic.blogspot.com.au

Who What Wear CREAMY SHADES OF GREY & BLUE

Who What Wear CREAMY SHADES OF GREY & BLUE by anakral featuring high heels

A Room With A View DINING ROOM

FARMHOUSE FORMALITY

The Dining Room, a place where people gather to sit & eat.  These days, dining rooms are not too far from the kitchen, and seat anywhere from 2 people up, depending on the size of room and house.  In the Middle Ages, however, the main dining hall, or The Great Hall as the upper class Britons called it, was a large multi-function space capable of seating the entire household, with family at the head and the rest of the people arranged depending on their (diminishing) rank.  And typically they were situated on the floor above the kitchen, a long way out of sight and where cooking fumes could be concealed.

Such formality rarely exists these days except perhaps only in Royal households or in those of the exceedingly wealthy. Domestic dining rooms can certainly be formal but in modern day homes, be located very close to the kitchen if not within the same space.  

Personally the dining rooms that I love most are ones that are bit rustic, farmhouse inspired or 'lived-in' with a touch of glamour, perhaps by way of an ornate light-fitting or elaborate mirror.  Texture is nice; whether it be a wooden table, or perhaps marble and interest in the chair.  The chair is the accessory.  Get it wrong and a beautiful dining table can be ruined.  Just like bad shoes on men (can I say that?!). Gulp. 

Here are a few dining rooms that I love and here's why.

For a start this is a great room to work with; high-ceilings, detailed cornice, amazing fireplace - that colour, wow.  So the simplicity of the dining table and chairs is spot-on.  They don't compete with the elaborate details pre-existing and while the mirror and light afford a formality, the table & chairs give this dining room an informality.

 

The contrasting materials used in this space make it.  The timber table against crisp polycarbonate black chairs with the cloud-like black light to soften and balance the space.  The gold detail on the bowl not to go unnoticed, as it adds a touch of (needed) glamour.

A basic trestle means that this pace can  multi-task: work by day, dine by night.  The gold framed chairs, while not my favourite afford this space sophistication and dress it up.  And those windows.  Stunning and great use of treatment; striking in black without obscuring the view.

A beautiful heavy-set wooden table placed on shiny black floors against a silver kitchen. So clever.  A little bit rustic farmhouse with the convenience of modern facilities.  The chandelier adds glamorous drama.

 

Quite a contrast and possibly too rustic for my liking.  However, this farmhouse look set upon polished concrete floors with sheer, flowing curtains and splashes of white give an overall romantic feel to this space. The long linen striped cushions, yes please!

Completely raw and possibly not even the main dining area (?) this room lends itself to lazy weekend lunches with family & friends.  Once again the chandelier allows you to dress up while the beautiful neutral, sanded back floorboards compliment the weathered table.

This says holiday house to me, with the organised trilby and straw hats & baskets arranged, and numbered cushions.  A great place to gather and socialise while relaxing.  The idea of slip covers on the dining chairs is also good. The black shiny table as opposed to a wooden top works well and adds sophistication to this open space. Floor is great too.

The colour of these chairs is undeniably divine.  But they work because they're set amongst freshness: smooth table and high-gloss white floors, the ordered wood pile and built-in superb glass cabinet allow these shabby-chic chairs not look too shabby at all.

 

I am continually drawn to this image.  The length of that table is superb. And once again the humble trestle being just as functional in day as it can be at night.  The mis-matched wooden chairs work. Why? The table top is slender as opposed to chunky, beautiful art work has been cleverly placed and the roses and jars are little treasures for the eye.

 

Go with a chunky wooden table and dress it with slender black chairs and you've got a winning combination.  (I'd probably remove the Tolix chair, not needed and been done over & over). The charcoal wall is dramatic and the varied mirrors contrast beautifully, offering a sense of space.   The frames also compliment the table thickness. 

And the perfect Sunday lunch spot. Ever-so simple, keeping it to the basics but with the right basics, (white crockery, greenery, silver) you can't go wrong.  


Happy Dining!
pinterest.com/anakral/dining/

Happy Weekend WEDDING

Far, far away on the other side of the world, my cousin is getting married this weekend.  With a heavy heart & with thousands of miles between us,  I will not make it.  So this one is for you Ajka!  May you have the most fabulous day and a lifetime of married bliss.  Much love.

 

 

Who What Wear WINTER FASHION FOR HER

WRAP UP

I really do love Winter.  Even though there are definitely moments (think early morning when the alarm buzzes or middle of the night when child calls out) when I shudder and complain about how cold I am, over all, I love this chilly season.  A chance to rug up & wear lots of layers; coats, tights, boots, scarves, gloves, hats. Love it all.  And while many parts of the world are basking in their Summer sun, where I live, we are wrapping ourselves up to keep out the chills and stay warm.

I am loving...

 

Layer upon layer in snow

Large-scaled herringbone, scarf, boots

 

Grey & navy, riding hat, boots, thick tights, texture

 Ruffled Trench, boots and skinnies

Thick wool, Capri pants, flats

Shades of blue/grey, tweed

Thick knits in shades of grey

Love a poncho and always love grey

Double-breasted

Belt & coat

 

Oh my goodness, jacket, gloves, tights, bag

Is it a poncho, is it a cardi, is it a cape? Whatever, love texture & colour. And tan gloves of course.

pinterest.com/anakral/winter-fashion-for-her/