There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.

I f*ckin love clouds.

Black and White party. Simple. Duh.

Although my 21st has been and gone, I have many friends who are celebrating theirs this year, and with all of the big parties I attended last year, I have just been collecting ideas on how I would create my 21st if I had it over again, or was planning for somebody else. 

So here I am today,  throwing ideas forcefully in your face. Because I know how you like it.

I think a simple theme is usually the best when it comes to decorating a party, 
but black and white has been done, and done, and done a million times.
 So to keep it fresh I've thrown a few retro ideas, and memory makers into the mix.  

These include - a white cocktail, gourmet make your own pizza buffet, photo table runner, chalkboard message board, plus (one of my favourites) black balloons for guests to write wishes and hopes for the Guest of Honour's future, and release into the atmosphere.

Keep it simple, but make an impact. 



21st black and white party by westwardlife

for these three ways...

for these three ways... by westwardlife on Polyvore


I think it's so important to buy key pieces of furniture that can last throughout the years, no matter what style you may be working in your home, and this chesterfield couch with its luscious  grey colour can work with many aesthetics. Just work it with what ever you like, then change it up in a few years time! 

Versatility. Yeah.  

A creators space:

This room is directly inspired by a wonderful creator and passionate carer that I know and love. 
She stores her life in her room, and creates all kinds of beautiful sound... oh the joy and heartache those walls must have heard.  


Pink room for the lover and creator. by westwardlife on Polyvore


 

Photo to Room - Mulberry Slate

Photo to room - Mulberry Slate by westwardlife on Polyvore


I found this cute photo of Anne Sage from The City Sage fame, and loved her outfit (especially that outrageously beautiful jacket)  and had to make a room out of it. 
I'm trying to get back into actually putting all my decorating ideas down on paper, instead of having them float around in my head, until they inevitably get lost on the madness! 

Here is the outfit in a little more detail... 

Luscious! 

So there it is... the first in what will hopefully be a series of Photo to Room posts here on Lah-Ti-Do. 

Let me know what you think! 

Grief unfolds.

Throughout grief you can often forget for a while that you are so very, very sad.

Then it hits you,

 like a knife to the chest,

 and you remember all over again.

You can’t help but feel guilty for that moment of happiness.

For having forgotten that you have every reason to be sad.

You carry on trying to have more good moments than bad for the sake of your lost one, but the grief returns, washing over you in waves, and you can never truly forget.

Every action you take in those days of intense grief is a reflection of the sadness within your soul.

The pain of having lost what was once an all important part of you.

The anguish that you try to hide can rear its head in sudden moments where the torture of grief returns at the whim of even the slightest reminder of the love that is gone.

They say that time heals all wounds.

I say time just creates a retaining wall.

A wall that those waves can so easily defeat,

and quietly tear apart the wounds within.

image via

Leaving a legacy...

How would you like to be thought of when you die?

What kind of legacy do you want to leave for this world?

Source: eighttentenblog.blogspot.com.au via Megan on Pinterest

Do you want to be remembered as being a wild and crazy risk taker? Careful, thoughtful and organised? A passionate and loving friend?

I want to be remembered as being kind.

As it says in Luke 6: 32-36

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Being kind is something that has been playing on my mind a lot this year, and it’s an area I’m feeling the need to explore. What does it mean to be kind? Is there such a thing as true kindness – or do all good deeds come with the expectation of an eventual payoff, be it tangible or emotional?

It’s a truly amazing thing to experience giving without the expectation of some type of return. I see people every day who are shining examples of kind souls - teachers, nurses, friends, co-workers, bosses, the well off, and the needy.

To be kind not only includes being seen to be doing good things for the world, but to be doing good deeds, time and time again with little thought for your own needs, but rather believing that the needs of others are (at least at that moment) more important than your own and acting accordingly.

Kindness can come in many forms and if I can be remembered as being kind, even by just one person, well, then that’s all the return I need.