Monday Find...

I know…. What does a Humming Bird have to do with Christmas? 

I can't immediately come up with that answer, I don't even think there is a connection, BUT, I just thought this little fellow was adorable! He can be found via OKL, and also comes in green and golden. 

It's almost Christmas ;) 

Natasha

Image via OKL

New on the Virtual Newsstand...

Don't you just love it when you get a reminder in your inbox, about the release of one of the virtual shelter magazines...? Especially when we all have hundreds of TV options, and nothing to watch.

Well, the new matchbook, October 2013, issue is out, and while I have not read the entire magazine yet, I did read the great editorial on Susan Feldman and Alison Pincus of One Kings Lane. Super interesting!!!

Happy reading :)
Natasha

Image #1 cover via FB, Image #2 via matchbook magazine

Fall-ing in Love...

It's been a long while since I visited the wonderful site of Inslee, or her blog for that matter... I have posted on Inslee's work a few times, and I am still loving her work!  I was not looking for anything particularly, but came across this pretty fall-y image via the blog, and just felt it was perfect for this Monday Morning.

I am thinking I might pick up these cards for Christmas... I know, it's a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but considering Saturdays post / announcement, I am trying to get organized well ahead of time!!

Natasha

Image via the Inslee Blog

Picture Book for Grownups

Do you love Pinterest as much as I do?? It's like an ever evolving mood board, a Picture Book for Grownups :) 

I use Pinterest almost every day; for remembering an idea, to pin an amazing photograph, for color inspiration... anything that inspirers me at any give moment. I have the app on my phone as well, so it makes the pinning even easier! I have boards set up for Projects I am currently working on, or that I have completed.

Just yesterday I did a few image additions to the Northern Light sidebar, check out the Right Side of the Blog, below my Daily Inspiration Tab (Blog roll). You can now click on any of the boards and you will be taken directly to Northern Light Design on Pinterest for even more goodies! Sign up, follow along, pick your favorite board, or follow them all... many more than I have displayed on the side!!

Are you a pin-head? Should I follow you? Leave me your link :)

Natasha

Image screen shot by NHH for the Northern Light Blog

Seeing Red...

Admittedly I am not a "red person", don't really use this color in any of my work, I think it's a love / hate relationship... Then I came across this image, and with all that white and beautiful natural light, I actually really like how this looks! Surprise!! 

(The red lamp has to go though, but that's a minor detail :)  )

Window seats are such a great way to carve out a little space, where there really is no room for furniture, and again, lot's of white to balance the brightness of the red... I like!

... This is the best kind of red in my book! Yummy!!

Happy Fathers Day to all who celebrate today.

Hope your Sunday is amazing! 

Natasha

All images via tumblr

Wedding fit for a Princess!

This past weekend was a very special wedding weekend for the Swedish Royal family, as Princess Madeleine wed Chris O'Neill in Stockholm. The wedding dress was deigend by non other than Valentino, who by the way also attended the wedding. The tiara of choice was the Modern Fringe Tiara, complete with a row of orange blossoms at the hair line.

Crown Princess Victoria did not disappoint; Arriving in a fantastic gown (some sources say the gown was by Elie Saab, others that it was designed by Fadi El Khoury Couture), complete with her adorable little daughter, princess Estelle, on her arm... wearing her hair in a chic chignon, showing off the stunning Boucheron tiara and corsage, originally belonging to the late Princess Lilian, the aunt of King Carl Gustav. 

I know it might not be in everyones interest, but the heritage of these magnificent royal jewels is so interesting to me, and I have been lucky to view the British Crown Jewels as well as the Danish Crown Jewels in person. There are may books on the subject out there, I was given a beautiful and interesting book on the Danish Jewels, my next book would have to be The Queen's Diamonds. I had my hand on the book while at the MET last summer... Stunning!

While there were many royals attending this wedding, I just had to share an image of the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark. Crown Princess Mary wore a beautiful coral red gown with chiffon overlay. Her tiara of choice was Midnats Diademet, which I did a post about here, complete with images of how it was made, from start to finish...

... and they lived Happily Ever After! :)

Natasha

Images via Google search

Scout's honor.

Don't you just love when you stumble across a "something" that will make your life easier and more enjoyable?? For those of us in the the creative field it can be anything from an interesting color combo, to a new magazine or a new kitchen gadget (this happened to me this holiday season, but that's for another post entirely!) that opens up a whole new world of possibilities... Well, I just came to know The Scout Guide.

If you are traveling in the near future, you should grab on of these City Guides... or all of them for that matter! So far twenty City Guides are available for you to dive into, and they feature everything from Restaurants to Galleries to Clothing and Interior shops, the best of the best. 

When traveling - or even exploring your own city - it's always exciting to "do what the locals do", explore where they shop & know what is good, don't you agree? I am forever asking local shop owners what else to see, where to eat & shop... These guides are written by the very people who would answer those questions!!

You want to go horse back riding in Birmingham? They got you covered...

Need somewhere chic to stay in Charleston? Check out Zero George Street...


I suggest you check them out here before your next flight is booked! If you want a little preview, check out their blogs (one for each destination!), plenty of information!! 

So much to see, so little time... only now, you know where to go and what to see :)

Tell them the Northern Light Blog sent you!

Natasha

All images via The Scout Guide

Thank You!

Typically you do not find red roses in my house, except if they are the Black Velvet kind, they have to be really dark, blood red almost...

I thought today to be a fitting day to share them with all of you, as a Thank You for following along and commenting from time to time, it so great to hear from all of you!!

SO... Merry Christmas and Thank You for all your support of the Northern Light Blog!!

Natasha

Image NHH for the Northern Light Blog, Vase is from Kate Spade

Wedding Weekend in Luxembourg.

Countess Stephanie de Lannoy arriving at her wedding to Prince Guillaume. Her beautiful lace wedding dress designed by Elie Saab (who also dressed guest in the wedding party).

The tiara worn by Princess Stephanie is the Lannoy family tiara.

The happy couple :)

The evening prior to the church wedding, a Wedding Gala was held and royalty from all of Europe showed off their best gowns and jewels... 

First the always beautiful and fun Princess Maxima of the Nederlands (Holland) wearing Jantaminau, a diamond & ruby tiara with matching earrings, and a three strand necklace with some of the biggest "diamonds-by-the-yard" I have ever seen... ;) 

Another stunning red gown was worn by Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. This gown is designed by Emilio Pucci. 

I don't recall her looking this beautiful before.. love her dress, her hair, her makeup.

Well done!!

And then there is Marie Chantal of Greece.... In a class of her own in my opinion! 

Always appropriate & always super stylish. Her stunning gold gown was by Elie Saab.

While there were several images "out there" of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, where the full detail of her gown could be seen, I am just a sucker for great images of women getting out of cars... Looking amazingly polished and wrinkle free, even at a hight profile event like this, so... I chose this image :) (Great detail of all the beadwork)

Hope you had a wonderful start to your week!

Natasha

All images via Google Image finder

First Glimpse of Fall.

 

So, as the calendar inches closer to darker fall days and cooler temperatures (I hope), we all start to look at our interiors, cozying up and making pretty! All of a sudden those pretty yellow roses look too springy and we tend to go for darker colors...

There are easy ways for you to change your decor from light and airy to cozy and warm...

Use what you have, move furniture around, ad a rug, change the covers on your pillows, add a mohair throw for warmth and texture. Look in your cabinets, I am sure you have a few accessories tucked away, re-evaluate & re-purpose! Instead of flowers, fill a tall glass cylinder with sculptural branches... 

My go-to; Lot's of candlelight, absolutely love a flickering candle!!

Books... you can do so much with a coffee table book, it can help set the mood and color scheme for an entire room. How about stacking books with brown leather backs on a nightstand, ad a beautiful candle or a small box on top... it's really that easy! Style up your everyday life, it will make you happy to see beauty when you go to bed, and first thing in the morning :)

Happy decorating!
Natasha

All images via Slettvol

Vacation Time!

A short trip has been in the works for a while!
Going to New York City with my friend... See you next week!

Natasha

PS. If you "like" the Northern Light Blog on FB, you can see updates and images from the trip, but I will be leaving the laptop at home!

Image via Glamour

Palazzo Margherita

A few days back I discovered this gem of a hotel; Palazzo Margherita. Take a look at the outside, don't you just want to come sit with me?? While I have not had much time to blog this past week - thank you for hanging in there with me - I have had a few minutes to read a few of yours!

I found a wonderful post over at Belle Vivir, and just felt compelled to share these two images.

Turns out this hotel is owned by Francis Ford Coppola & located in Bernalda, Italy, but that was almost a given, just looking at the images. It was just featured in Woody Allen's latest movie To Rome With Love, which I have not yet seen, but it's on the list!
If not just to see the scenery :)

I urger you to click on the links, you won't be disappointed, I promise!
Am I the only one who LOVES the tile work?? The herringbone is my favorite, but the bathrooms are pretty cool too.

Remember to stop and smell the roses!!
Natasha


Images via Palazzo Margherita

Thank you!

Just a token of my appreciation for being a loyal follower, reader and commenter,
it makes my day when I hear from all of you! I love when new visitors leave comments (hint, hint) so I can follow you back to your corner of the world...

Also, a huge thank you, to all of you who follow along with the Northern Light Blog on Pinterest, isn't it so much fun?? :)

Natasha

Image from the Northern Light Blog LOVING FLOWERS board on Pinterest, check it out!

Happy 4th of July!!

To everyone who celebrates...
Have a happy day :)

Natasha

Image via Lexington

domino craze...

Guess what? The day has come where domino is back in business!!! Yesterday, via FB, I found out that the long awaited Special Edition is out, and if you live in NY, you have probably already seen it on the newsstand??

Tell me, is it amazing?? I can't wait for my copy!!!!

Natasha

Image via domino on FB

Cartier Odyssey!

  

A.MA.ZING!!!!

Did you get a glimpse of the long awaited Cartier "short film" / new commercial?
I admit, I was mesmerized... by the "cat", by the story, by the jewelry, by the music - just absolutely beautiful!!

"L'Odyssee de Cartier", directed by Bruno Aveillian, has been two years in the making.
Shot on location in Prague, in Spain & in Paris (at the famed Cartier store on 13 Rue de la Paix), but also with recreations of locations in India, Russia and China...

You must take three and a half minutes of your day - right here, right now - it's that beautiful! Enjoy!
... and remember, diamonds are a girls best friend ;)

Natasha

P.S. .... here's how it all started!

Images via Cartier

New on the Virtual Newsstand...

It's here, the new rue magazine! Finally!!
I have been craving some new inspiration, and the March/April issue delivers...

I chose this image since I so rarely have any red in my image selections... and this dark red totally does it for me :)!!! I think the layering of the empty frames and mix of textures is interesting, oh, and yes... it's five o'clock somewhere, right?

Check out the feature on Kelie Grosso of Maison Luxe. What a fantastic workspace, loving all the white and pops of color! And those windows... to die for!!

Natasha

P.S.
Maison Luxe has a website with great info, portfolio and webshop (here)
as well as a blog (here).

Image via rue

New on the Virtual Newsstand...

... how charming!

The new Dabble is out, and I particularly enjoyed the Charleston Travel feature. I spent time in Charelston a few years back, beautiful city, we had a wonderful time :)!

Enjoy,

Natasha

Image via Dabble Magazine

One word; Dior

Check out this Dior Cruise 2012 campaign spotted at Dustjacket Attic, it's amazing!!!!!

Natasha

Image via here

Seeing Red!

Seeing red is not all that usual for me... Red is not a color I have in my home, and often red leaves me a bit unsure! I can appreciate the color when used by fantastic decorates, such as Kathryn M. Ireland and others.... plus I have yet to work with a client who has their heart set on red :)

Since I have been on a hunt for great artwork for a few different clients, what I noticed first in this bedroom, decorated by Kathryn M. Ireland, was the great Oberto Gili photograph above the bed. Yes, there is a whole lot going on here; patterns and colors all over the place, great texture and lots of different things to look at, all the different cultural elements... still the photograph is what captured my eye!

I remember seeing this image in Elle Decor a while back, so I went searching again... Casually propped against the wall, it makes a great impact in an office space. (Notice that it is upside down, if there ever was a correct way to hang this piece?)

... and if you should want your own Oberto Gili flower photograph, check out Nathan Turners shop on 1st dibs. Remember... stop and smell the roses! (ok, so I am almost sure this is actually a poppy?)

Have a fun week!

Natasha

Image #1 Kathryn M. Ireland, Image #2 Elle Decor, Image #3 1st dibs