Been suffering from a dose of procrastination for the final touches of the corporate office design & construction I was working on for months now.  Everyone has moved into their new office spaces and I'm out purchasing accessories and styling pieces for the public areas (area rugs, coffee tables and etc.)  The style is  modern as you can see and it feels surreal to actually walk through a space that was just a sketched image in my head.

One of the challenges we face is having to import most of the stuff all the time and this would require a lead time of minimum 8 weeks before delivery.  I'm happy and pleased to have purchased this rug for the reception area that is on stock!  The Ora Ito Parquet Rug from  Stepevi

I'm selecting the colour: Bleu. Ora Ito is a collection of carpets created for STEPEVI decorated with lines and reliefs and playful linear units.  It recreates the parquet look of a wooden flooring.  It comes at  a standard size of 240cm length x 170cm width.  You can put the colors together which I personally think would be brilliant in a long corridor.   This would be to add color to the grey, silver and white scheme in the public areas. 

Still need a coffee table, plants, floor lamp (to replace the one in the picture), ottomans, lounge chair.. I better get back to work. 

I happened to come across Jiwok , a personal trainer that could be downloaded in your MP3 player.  You might have heard of it and have registered already.  There are different training programs tailored to your goals  from losing weight, marathon training, running faster or merely improving fitness.


It's up to you if you like it rough - in boot camp style or a gentle encouraging coach.  There are also available Jiwok music along with the coach's voice.  There is an option for using your preferred music playlist.  Register for free. It automatically comes with a free trial along with a recommended diet & your personal fitness journal.  There are various subscriptions to choose from according to what best suits your needs.

I'm living a sedentary lifestyle so I have opted for a training program - Running Continuously for 30 minutes.  I have been doing it for the last 2 months or so, twice a week. With our 49 degrees Celsius heat (120 deg. F) outdoors this summer, it is possible to do so in the comfort of the gym.   Running has helped me tremendously in dealing with stress and anger management. :)

This makes me want to pack my bags and  head out to scenic mountains for a romantic camping weekend.   The only thing missing in this picture are bicycles.  This retro Volkswagen camping car is such an inspiring decorative piece.  Imagine, barbecue dinners, star gazing, a lot of reading, hiking, outdoor painting or writing, playing music,  tranquility in the greens under the perfect weather.  I could just dream...

Let's go camping this weekend.

XOXO,

Arni

Happy Tuesday!

XOXO,

Arni

Source

My children inspired me to learn the depth of photography.  I brought both of my kids to studios every month for two (2) years. I paid ridiculous amount of money which my husband was not fond of. So I practiced taking the shots myself until my hands were shaking, haha.   I enjoy researching, so I went online soaking myself with info from blogs, manuals, seminars, workshops, and etc.

Babies, children, teenagers- mostly high school seniors.  Newborn as well.  We specialize in children and family photography.

Once I got a good understanding of aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and composition, my brother and I opened the business.  Family and friends are my biggest critique  which helped us a lot.  My brother is very good in the gadgets department with all the accessories out there. He knows each and every purpose of most equipment in the store and I am a props-aholic. Together, we create great composition.

How did you feel about the change, setting up the business and going for what you wanted to do?

We started slowly, so we barely felt the change.  We acquired accessories, soft box and props for personal use for fun.  Our gadgets grew very slowly until we realized we have a complete working home studio.  Friends and family saw our work and kept telling us to start charging.  That's one reason, we opened our business, but legally, setting up the business is a whole other story.  County taxes, federal taxes, sales tax calculation, business registration, name registration are a few things.  Basic knowledge is necessary. It's not my favorite.  When you are set, you are good to go.

If someone out there wants to pursue photography, my advice is -  practice practice practice.  Learn your SLR inside out, read the manual all the way to the end. Yup, until last page.  Attend seminars and workshop, then practice again.  Always use your camera in manual mode.

For information and rates:

Contact:                 Kathy Robinson and Mark Banayat

Company Address: 609 N Walnut St,  Itasca, IL 60143

Email:                      banayatphotography@gmail.com

Tel:                         847-293-0021 - Kathy

Tel:                         630-4005189 - Mark

Banayat Photography offers photo sessions anywhere in the Northwest suburbs/ Chicagoland area and Rockford Area. They also have a home studio located in Itasca, Illinois.

Newborn, Children, Family and Wedding celebration is their passion. They'll capture every moment of your special day, taking plenty of pictures to guarantee they have the best shot. Your satisfaction is important to them as they take pride of their skills. Their goal is to make their clients enjoy the experience and be happy with their affordable products and service.


For more stunning images and updates, please feel free to visit their Facebook Page

"At that moment on a restaurant terrace nearby, the wind magically made 

two glasses dance unseen on a tablecloth." - Narrator

What are you up to this weekend?  

Have a great one!

XOXO,

Arni

via

Villa Vanilla is a family run guest house with an Indonesian inspired decor from  landscaping to  interiors.   This luxurious bed and breakfast is situated right at the edge of Morne Seychellois National Park at Port Glaud, Mahe, Seychelles.   

At night time, the breakfast hall transforms into a romantic candle lit dining area that subtly engages social interaction between the guests.  The service is very personalized with attentive crew, always willing to help and with the in-house chef visiting  tables during dinner to ensure the guests are enjoying their meal.

The whole experience is very intimate, perfect for  introverts who would prefer some privacy or those seeking tranquility.

The suite we stayed in boasts of a 270 degree majestic view of the mountain.  The room is surrounded by a large balcony from all sides with ample seating space for reading, enjoying a drink or laid back entertaining. Rest assured that whichever corner of your space you go, you would expect to be overlooking the gigantic trees that surround the area.  

What I love most about it is the view from the toilet and bath outdoors. It has wooden framed  frosted glass window and door that could easily be closed if in need of privacy. 

From this cozy gazebo, you'll discover a great ocean view of Port Glaud and the surrounding countryside down hill. 

The breakfast buffet is always a sight to behold. Villa Vanilla offers half board. Their in-house chef, Cedric creates his masterpieces differently every evening, usually traditional Creole cuisine typical of coastal states which he personally serves.  Along side the local dishes are European cuisine as well.  When the villa is fully booked and occupied, they serve dinner in a buffet style.  When there are limited guests, they offer a sit down menu.  

There is a hiking path leading to Port Glaud waterfalls that we have tried very close to this hotel. Unfortunately, it had been raining profusely during our stay so we missed the popular trek at Morne Seychellois National Park due to the slippery slopes. The guides discouraged hiking during this period. So much time was spent sans mobile phone and internet, enjoying nature and the comforting quietness of the forest.

XOXO,

Arni

A romantic comedy about a road less traveled. I just finished watching this film. An illegal taxi cab driver in New York, Thom is hired by a heartbroken woman named Claire to drive all the way to California, in order to see her estranged father who had suffered a heart attack.

Sometimes, when we least expect it, love and adventure find us.

Happy Wednesday!

XOXO,

Arni