My New Blog - Country Style Chic

I love living on the coast and everything about the beach and coastal life but deep down there is a yearning  desire to have a little white country cottage with a garden full of flowers, weeping willow trees, a lemon tree, ponies, and chickens in a coop laying fresh eggs daily!! Ever since I was a little girl I have had this vision of me on my hobby farm with my apron on baking scones all day in my country kitchen!. Now, I know it's not going to happen because I couldn't leave the coast (and my husband couldn't give up his surfing) so I am dedicating a new blog to indulge in all the things I love about country life. Hopefully this will fulfill my dream to live in the country without actually moving there! So if you feel like a trip to the countryside, pop over to 'Country Style Chic' for all things stylish on country living!

Melissah xox

'Country Style Chic'

Images via Pure Veg {edited by Country Style Chic}

Poppy Bright

Today I am feeling like a little bit of colour inspiration and any shade of poppy, coral, orange and hot pink will do the trick. With summer only just around the corner and the Christmas shopping underway I'm in a bright and bubbly kind of mood. Can't wait to burst forth in summer colours, indulge in a few ice-cream treats and get down to the beach in my new coral beach dress - the perfect shade for summer!

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b

A Beachside BBQ

With summer fast approaching I am looking forward to beachside barbeques and a few days of camping with the kids. Nothing tastes better than sausages and chops cooked on an open flame campfire - well sizzled and slightly charred! We have a favourite picnic spot down the Great Ocean Road which is on a grassy patch right on the beach. It's well set up with gas barbeques, picnic tables and a perfect spot for catching a few waves or cooling down with a swim. And the best thing about it is if you forget the sausages there's a fabulous pub just across the road!!

Melissah xox

Images via Donna Hay, except 3  (For recipes visit Donna Hay Website)

Coastal Luxury

 

 

This grand and impressive beachfront property in Florida ticks all the right boxes - an ocean view, a pool, lots of white, plenty of character and interesting architecture. There are also a few other features which have caught my eye including the curved white concrete lounges on the top deck for soaking up the sun and contemplating the view. I love the lushness of tropical planting so that large palm tree really makes the front entrance adding scale and grandeur to the house and the exposed timber beams add a nice touch giving the house a rustic feel and a sense of history.

Melissah xox

Images via Atlanta Homes

Postcards from Portofino

 

 

 

 

Feel like a bit of romantic romp around the beautiful fishing village of Portfino, wishing you were twenty again, then check out the mini film 'I found my love in Portofino' by famed fashion photographer Ellen Von Unwerth. It's the sublime new Cruise Collection from Christian Dior and it's packed full of divine fashion, heavenly handbags and lovely holiday moments. I was there in my twenties with my best friends and it brings back fond memories of days when I didn't have a care in the world! The 'Lolita-esque' model floats around cafes and hotel rooms, swims, dances, laughs and twirls her way round Portfino in a haze of Dior.    

This video is the extended eight minute version but there's larger format versions and shorter versions on You Tube - I thought it was a lovely escape from everyday life and I love the music. I feel like packing a suitcase and my video camera and taking off for a holiday!

Melissah xox

Images : here and here, video link You Tube

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all of my American blogging friends I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

Here's a little coastal twist on the the theme!

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

White Linen

I love the look and feel of white linen in summer. I love the way it beathes on a hot summer's day. Nothing beats a white linen shirt or crisp white linen capri pants. They're both my wardrobe staples in summer. I always think linen dresses look very cool and chic especially with a bit of a tan. Unlike me, my husband tans in an instant and he looks fantastic in his Country Road white linen shirt...see what I mean!!! (Couldn't resist posting a photo of him from our recent holiday to Bora Bora)

 

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7