Monday, October 28, 2013

Of Sky and Stone: Contessa's Home


Last night, after having spent the day in Archanes,
strolling around its pretty streets and enjoying
 a delicious lunch at Bakaliko, 


 I went over to my aunt's house
to style the bedrooms, especially for this post.


 We shopped the house for lace doilies, candles, and vases,
and found exactly what we were looking for.
Don't you love when that happens?


 In the master bedroom,
elegantly bound books, in complementary hues,
add texture and personality to a 
space that regularly hosts late night reading.


Romantic reflections in mirrors
gifted us with a second cheery bouquet.


Recently, a talented artist and friend,
 created beautiful accent walls 
of rainbow rays in both bedrooms.


A slight shift of the mirror, reveals another angle,
and makes room for 'two' night tables to complete the set.


The guest bedroom boasts 
an old, iron bed in its original condition,
absent of milk paint and other powdery patinas.


An antique lamp and vintage bedspread
share the space with freshly coloured walls,

 

and, a burst of those rescued bougainvillea blooms.


In the corner directly across,
an antique rocking chair
and floor lamp stand by
for a relaxing read.


 Instead of the usual framed art, dainty doilies hang above 
the bed, to playfully soften the roughness of the original stone,
creating a crocheted border of whimsy.


Flowers, fresh and faux,
further brighten the space
with their sweet presence,
tucked away in cozy corners,


or beaming with brilliance
against sensational stucco skies. 


Hope you enjoyed the views!
Have a wonderful week!

xo
Poppy

All images:
 Poppy View

Sunday, October 27, 2013

TURNING BACK THE CLOCK...IN EUROPE!

 
    Monday 10/21                       Wednesday 10/23                    Friday 10/25


Hello everyone,

Happy Sunday!

Daylight Saving(s) Time is now in gear, here in Europe,
 and thus, inspired me to do a little recap of my posts this week.

A peek at the week ahead.
 
 
If you missed any of these, and would like to catch up,
just click on to the link under each and have fun!
 
See you soon!

xo
Poppy

PS: For a planet that is 4.54 billion years old, 
turning back the clock on the earth's 'face',
sure seems like the perfect scheme, 
in lieu of moisturizing cream!
If only...
 
 


Friday, October 25, 2013

A Little Bit of Drama


Yesterday morning,
 on the way to my house,


my aunt, also known as, 'La  Contessa',

 

stopped to pick these delicate beauties,
which were withering away,
 on an overgrown shrub.


Immediately immersed in water,
they absorbed its liquid magic,

 

and seconds later, 
twinkled back to life,
like tiny shiny stars,
sparkling, in the dark,
 still shuttered room. 

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

I Spy...Autumn Go By!


For the past few weeks,
the skies, the vines, and I,
have been playing a little game.


 We get an early start;
seconds after sunrise, to be precise.


Prince Richard, albeit, a curious cat,
is no early bird, so he sits out the first round.



To the east, the sky is awakened
with orange juice clouds.

 

 Within seconds, they morph into fluffy,
floating, scrambled eggs.


Northerly, and a few moments later,
it is blindingly bright, and not a cloud in sight!



Hanging geraniums lift their droopy heads
and sneak a peek at the vines below,




where rays of sunlight streak the land,
 like amber strokes of a ghostly hand.


 Vines, in various stages, mingle with
olives, oranges, lemons, and walnuts,
and circulate the space.



 Cretan leaves in October light,
 mimic Canadian emblems,
and thus, my memory delight.



My one and only maple steals the show
 amid millions of Cretan competitors below.


Yet, soon enough autumn's hues
will yield to winter's sparser views,


 and a lazy feline of sharp eye
will be too late to play 'I spy'!

Thanks for visiting!



All images: Poppy View

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Monday, October 21, 2013

Raindrop Roses


Roses on my table,
floating in a puddle of dew,
petals layered next to savouries,
and a bittersweet, Greek brew.


 Posing on my dresser,
 claiming centre stage,
  they're luscious leading ladies
among gentlemen jars of sage.


They sparkle in the sunlight,
eclipsed only by a gingham shade,
 basking smugly in the fleeting limelight,
until their striking beauty fades.


Too much sun for a starlet,
can the process of aging start,
 wilting her vibrant spirit,
and breaking her tender heart.


Left with traces of her brilliance,
(when youth beamed on her face,
 allowing her to upstage those
 tattered, and time embraced),
 she, now uprooted, muted and diluted,
was replaced by fresh cut hopefuls
in a curvy, half-full vase.


 Sadly, 
when scarlet petals 
snap from brittle stems,
then tumble to the ground
 like drizzling rain,
  tiny, blood red teardrops,
stain their souls 
with endless pain.

 Thanks for visiting!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Faking Fall


Although autumn has officially arrived,




here on the island, we're still swimming,


as temps today reached 29°C/84°F!



 Can you feel the heat emanating from this photo
of our ONE and ONLY pumpkin?


 Snapping away in the scorching heat
is no picnic in the pumpkin patch!


 Needless to say,
it was difficult to focus


 on my seasonal subjects,


 while they sought some shade,




and respite from flaming rays.


I, too, can't tell you how tempted I was


to jump into this!


But, I needed to dismiss
this thought from my brain,
and from the watery haven,
I had to refrain.


So, I scurried about the deck to and fro,
baking and burning, myself and my shadow!


Faking fall in Crete
 is no easy feat,
 And, despite a pumpkin and mums,
One must still be discreet.


For, the lens is savvy, sensitive and smart
and can scan the difference
 between real life and art.



 Thanks for visiting!

xo
Poppy

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