Alice's Adventures in Wonderland!

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all having a great week!

I picked four blogs to feature from my last giveaway.

I decided to feature each blog on a separate post this time.

I am really excited to introduce to you

Gaia, from the blog Alice's Adventures in Wonderland!

Gaia has a very inspiring blog!
As you can see she is also Gorgeous!

All of these beautiful images used for this post were shot by Gaia!

Tell us a little bit about you and your blog?

First of all, thank you! Thank you Maria for having me here among those other wonderful ladies. I'm a daily reader of your wonderful blog and I'm so happy to be here today!! 

Well... Alice's adventures in Wonderland is my blog, my secret shelter where I go every time I can. 

I've started my “adventure” in January 2009 and even if the beginning has been a little bit hard I  immediately loved to blog daily.

My blog is about me, about all the things I love and about my passions. It's a combination of my favourites things, my life and what I found interesting in life. 

I love to share them! I like to take pics and bake, I like to decor and create things with my hands so that's what my blog is about!

I hope to get better and to improve every day! Now I can't stay without it and without all my readers. Among them I've found some truly nice friends and so many talented girls. 

Where are you from?

 I'm Italian. I was born in Tuscany but I've always lived in Bologna. I have two brother Simone, the oldest and Jonatha the youngest. My mom is from Tuscany and my dad is from Umbria. Two of the most beautiful Italian regions. I've lost my dad 3 years ago and since then I've changed a little. I'm trying to be a good person as he was and I have so much in common with him. He was a journalist and a photographer , a photo reporter... My mom is my example, she's my best friend. I'm a combination of both my parents! I'm lucky because I've a wonderful family!

Gaia shot these beautiful photos of Bologna from her window.

What is your occupation? 

This is a good question. I don't work. I was an event organizer for 4 years and one year ago I quit my job. Now I'm looking to do something in my life.I'd love to be an event/wedding organizer again or to open my own store of the things I love, flowers, decors, stationery and many other things.

How would you describe your style?

I don't have a specific style but it is a combination of different styles. I love French Style and north European Style. I love antique market where I find beautiful old things, I love neutral colors, grey, cream, white with a touch of colors. I love stripes and dots.  

What is your favorite room in your home?

My favourite room is the living room. Actually my home is little and the living room is the biggest room! I've decorated it with white sofas and old furniture. I have a big trucks and a very big cupboard that I've made it all by myself!

Who has been your biggest role model? 

My model? My mom definitely and all the talented women! Since I've begun writing my blog I've met so many talented girls. They are my inspiration and they are my reason to improve my skills and become a good person!

Gaia's beautiful mom

My mom is my hero. She knows how to do everything. She's my strength and my friend! We have a fantastic relations. She's my mom, my friend, she's everything!

What do you hope your readers will gain from your lovely blog?

I don't know. I don't like to be presumptuous but I  like to think that they like my blog . I like to think at my blog as a refuge where to escape and where to find beautiful things. I love to meet people and that's a fantastic way to get in touch with new friends!

I think Gaia is a very talented girl!

Don't you love all of Gaia's photographs??

Thank you Gaia!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

All images used for this post are property of  Gaia

The Talented Fifi O' Neill

Photographs by Deborah Whitlaw Lewellyn

Have you seen these photographs before?

These are photographs of Fifi O' Neill's fisherman's cottage, shot by photographer, Deborah Whitlaw Lewellyn, for the Coastal Living Magazine.

These photographs were recently bought by a German Country Living Magazine, who just recently featured this article about Fifi's home in their magazine!

I remember when I first saw these pictures in

Coastal Living, I loved everything about Fifi's relaxed and yet still very elegant style,

I saved this article and used it for inspiration for decorating my own home.

Photographs by Deborah Whitlaw Lewellyn

I can't tell you how many times I have looked at these photos over the past couple of years.

Photographs by Deborah Whitlaw Lewellyn

I am so inspired by her style!

Photographs by Deborah Whitlaw Lewellyn

I would love to have a kitchen (and Fifi's entire fisherman's cottage) just like hers.

Photographs by Deborah Whitlaw Lewellyn

Here are a few more lovely photographs of Fifi's home

shot by photographer Dan Mayers!

Photographs by Dan Mayers

Photographs by Dan Mayers

Photographs by Dan Mayers

Photographs by Dan Mayers

Fifi is writing a new book, it is due out in the spring of 2011!

I also wanted to tell you some exciting news.. Fifi is coming to shoot my home toward the end of July, it could possibly be featured in her new book!

I am very honored, excited and VERY NERVOUS...

Thank you Jennifer, for recommending my little home to Fifi!

Let's just say there is a lot that has to get done around here before this talented lady shows up at my front door!

Fifi has a great Blog!!

Fabulous Fifi

Thank you Fifi!

Photo by Dan Mayers

A simple summer table setting

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are all having a great weekend.

I thought I would share a simple table setting I came up with, since the 4th of July is right around the corner.

Earlier this year I shared these pictures I took of my dining room, on my friend, Federica's blog, Sweet as a Candy. So some of you might have already seen these images.

I hope you don't mind seeing these pictures more than once.

Here is what I did....

I put my lilacs in a vintage inspired bottle carrier.

We always drink from Mason Jars!

I love the simplicity that they bring to the table, and they are very cheap and easy to replace!

I used my collection of french perfume bottles that have turned a very pretty purple color...

A rustic linen runner...

A few seashells

mismatched ironstone that I found at a tag sale...

mismatched vintage linens for napkins....

chairs that don't match...

When you have a lot of white in your home, I personally think it helps keep a room interesting by not having everything match. And it is very practical!!

I will be sharing a few of our favorite family barbecue recipes with you very soon.

Also that is part of the cupboard that I just finished painting the inside of, and will show you the end result soon.

SHOP NEWS

I have received a few emails inquiring about when my online shop will be opening...

My goal is to have my shop up and running by the middle of August.

That is the goal!!!

I promise I will keep you informed on the progress of my shop.

I want to thank each and every one of you for all of the support you have given me.

I never would have dreamed that my life would change so much like it has in the past six months.

You have all had such a positive impact on my life.

Thank you so much!!

Hugs,

Maria

All photos by me

A special guest, Lulu from Dusty Lu Interiors

Hello Everyone!

I have a special guest today!

Her name is Lulu, from Dusty Lu Interiors.

Lulu was so kind to let me interview her for her guest post!

Thanks Lulu!

Hope you all enjoy my little interview!

Also Lulu has something special to share in her interview about these beautiful photographs she shot.

Tell us a little bit about your blog, Dusty Lu Interiors?

Well, First I would like to thank Maria for this fun interview. I have never had one before.

So, bare with me.

Dustylu is a combination of photography, styling, cooking, decorating, and much more. We want our blog to be a place where our reader’s can come, click and get inspired!!! We want to share ideas and encourage a positive atmosphere all around.

Where are you from?

I am born and raised in Southern California. My mom and dad are both Italian. My mom is from Naples and my dad is from Lecce. He has since retired back to his favorite place. Italy. My mom remained here with us, my two sister’s Donna, Angela and my brother Alberto. My dad has 5 brothers and my mom has 5 sister’s. So, you can imagine how many cousins we have…

What is your occupation?

First, I am a daughter of God. I am a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, …then I am a photographer/stylist, designer, chef.

How would you describe your style?

I can’t really say I have one style. I love all styles. But, mostly I love white, anything French and splashes of color.

Who has been your biggest role model?

My Mom. She IS the strongest women I will ever know!!! She is my best friend, and the one I go to for advice.

You shot all of these beautiful photos for a very special reason, can you tell me something about these photographs?

Well, I was fortunate enough to get a call from Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic Couture, to make a long story short. She saw my blog and some of my work and offered me a chance to work with her. It has been a dream come true for me. So many great opportunities have come along, and it is so exciting to share them.

What do you hope your readers gain by reading your blog?

Inspiration & positive motivation, I want to show people how I express my visions. I love to meet new people. I have met so many wonderful people. I want to connect with my reader’s. I want it to be a place they can come and also express there thoughts on what is happening at Dustylu.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about us. Thank you Maria for always, being so kind to me. You my friend a genuine talent.

Lulu

Thank you Lulu, from Dusty Lu Interiors.

I think it is so neat how Lulu's talents were discovered by Rachel Ashwell because of Lulu's blog.

Congratulations Lulu, I am so excited for you!

Lulu is also having a Rachel Ashwell book giveaway over on her blog as well, that you don't want to miss.

To enter Lulu's giveaway please click here!

Here are a few links that I think you might enjoy!

Lulu's Blog

Lulu's Giveaway

Rachel Ashwell's blog

Rachel Ashwell's new Shabby Chic Couture website!

Please note you will see a lot of Lulu's photographs on the website!

Congratulations Lulu!

All the above images were taken by Lulu, for Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture Website.