A Life More Fabulous has changed locations – I would love it if you’d visit the new site,

and be sure to let me know what you think!

I’m craving the soothing peace of this space… and a beach outside the door.

{MarieClaireMaison}

These were exactly what I needed today! Hope you enjoy them too…

{BrightSideProject; Flickr}

P.S. I am in love with Blah,Blah,Blagh – amazing- check it out!

In honour of Mum’s big day, I thought I’d share one of my favourite pictures of my mum and I celebrating our first Mother’s Day together! My mum was obviously excited about the occasion and even made us matching dresses – aren’t we cute?

Today I’ll be spending the afternoon with my mum – in a non-matching dress…

Right now I’m virtually packing up my things and getting ready for a move…

A Life More Fabulous is undergoing a move and a facelift and I hope you’ll be along for the ride.

While I update my page, I will also be updating my blogroll and contacts, please let me know if you’d like to exchange links.

{Photo:Monsoon}

This room at the Hout Bay Manor in Cape Town is a beautiful blend of vintage furniture and bright modern accessories- like the chandelier. The earthy tones juxtaposed with bright pops of colour give a strong African feel to the space without being too themed or clique.

I love the old claw foot tub right in the bedroom.

This space is just refreshing!

{Photo: HoutBayManor via OutandAboutAfrica}

Be prepared to be swept away on a magical mystery tour aboard the Orient Express in the new Chanel no. 5 movie starring Audrey Tautou.

Of course Audrey was the perfect pick to star in the new advertisement as she is playing Coco Chanel in the new biopic ‘Coco Avant Chanel‘.

While you wait for the film, travel with Audrey and the handsome, mysterious stranger  through the French countryside all the way to Istanbul.

Click here to watch the film.

Je l’adore…

{Photos: Chanel, MimiFrouFrou}

Thank you so much Shannon for this beautiful link – it made my day!

After my post on climbing trees, I was delighted to revisit another happy childhood memory when I discovered Saskatchewan artist Heather Benning’s ‘lifesize’ dollhouse at Elle Decoration SA.

Heather created this art installation piece in an old abandoned farm house in the middle of a field in rural Manitoba.

While the farmhouse remains true to its original form, Heather has replaced the back walls of the house with large sheets of plexiglass to give the illusion of an open space – or to allow for a giant hand to reach in and play with lifesize dolls and the furniture. I think it would be fun to have a tea party with inside with fancy china – just like Barbie used to do! (Perhaps not some of the more colourful, soap opera drama story lines my Barbies often acted out…)

One of the trippy things about this space is that, although Heather has used ‘real’ regular-sized furniture, from this context it looks miniature.

Heather currently has an exhibition at Sherwood Village Branch Gallery from May 30 – July 30 2009, featuring Heather’s 12 foot sculptural adaption of a childhood doll that has accompanied her on all her personal travels. Learn more about it and about Heather here and more about the Dollhouse here.

{Photos: Dunlop Art Gallery, Elle Decoration SA, Ohdeedoh}

Growing up in Harare, we had a massive bougainvillea tree in our front yard that we affectionately named The Faraway Tree – from the Enid Blyton book – seeing the bright blossoms always brings back happy memories of climbing trees…

{Photo: Monsoon, Flickr}

Here’s something perfect for the warmer weather (finally!)

Effortless Almond Coconut Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients (SERVES 6)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200F. In a bowl, combine icing sugar and almonds.
2. Using an electric mixer on low speed, beat egg whites until frothy, about 1 minute. Add cream of tartar, set mixer’s speed to high and beat until soft peaks form. Add sugar and beat on medium low until whites are glossy, about 1 minute. Gently fold icing sugar and almonds into egg whites.
3. On a large, parchment paper-lined sheet pan trace a 3-inch round cookie cutter 12 times. Spoon meringue inside each circle and smooth tops to 1/2-inch thickness.
4. Bake for 90 minutes. They should be firm and dry to the touch. Turn off oven and leave meringues inside with door ajar to cool for another hour.
5. Sandwich 1/3 cup ice cream between two meringues and serve.

Wish suggests making them a little chewier so they don’t fall apart when you eat them.

Pick up the ingredients this week for a perfect picnic treat!

{Photo & Recipe: Wish}