Sunday Afternoon

Yesterday afternoon my BIL, SILs and nephews came since my youngest nephew wanted to see deers that live in the front yard of the Bogor Presidential Palace (Bogor, West Java, Indonesia). It’s a pity that it turned out that he’s afraid of seeing any deer at a near distance :)

Can you see some deer on the background?

Before having lunch, we dropped by at a nearby park. The slide is blue and Azman looked having great fun with it.

Playing with his ball

Azman is my model for this week's Blue Monday 

Read more...

My Back Side

 Here's my famous back side. You don't need to see my face to identify me, right?

Location: The Ragunan Zoo, Jakarta, Indonesia

Camera Critters

Read more...

Kitting Out Your Home For The Summer Holiday

It won’t be long until your kids are off school for the summer break, something which they are likely looking forward to a bit more than you are. It’s great to have days out as a family during July and August, but there are an awful lot of other days to fill. This is especially hard when the weather forecast announces that there will be plenty of rain and gales, something which is a very honest reality when you live in the UK. If your kids refuse to go and play outdoors in their raincoats and wellies, it might be a good idea to kit out your house for the summer holidays ahead of time to avoid hearing “I’m bored!” every few minutes. Here are a few ideas to get you started...

Board games

Rainy days are made for board games! There are some games that may not be as appealing to kids, such as Scrabble, but there are some entertaining ones which also help them to develop key skills such as counting, sharing, taking turns and patience. Games that go down well in my house are Battleships, Guess Who? and Monopoly - even if there are a few arguments about who is going to be the dog.

Television and games console

If you can’t get the kids to agree on which board game to play, you could always turn on the TV instead. If you’ve got an HD Freeview recorder, there’s a good chance that you’ll have a few programmes pre-recorded even if there’s nothing good in the schedule at that particular time. Then again, your kids might enjoy using a games console such as an Xbox 360 or a Nintendo Wii, and they may even let you play with them if you’re lucky.

Exciting books

Do you have a good collection of books that are aimed at the age range of your kids? If your kid needs a little encouragement to get into a book, try and make their surroundings more in line with what they’re reading. For example you could have a dressing up game as pirates, before making a den to read a few chapters together. A comfortable armchair and blanket is always a good choice for older children.

Art and craft items

When your kids are feeling a bit creative, make sure you have something with them to work with instead of your walls, floors or windows. Having a box or plastic drawers filled with bits and pieces for arts and crafts is a good move as it means they’re always on hand when you need them. Think about different paper types including crepe, card and construction, and have lots of pens, pencils and pipe cleaners too. If you have space, why not get an easel and paints and ask your kids to design a few greeting cards for their grandparents.

About the author

Freya Sutton is a lifestyle blogger and mum of three from the UK. Her own kids love making use of her Samsung Freeview recorder as well as their handheld Nintendo DS devices.

Read more...

Steps to Creating a Contemporary Home Decor Style

/image:dreamglassgroup.co.uk/gallery/

Contemporary and minimalistic style home decor is increasingly popular, particularly with the rise of city and loft-style living. The look is simple to create in a few easy steps.
It has long been said that a tidy home lends itself to a tidy mind so it is little wonder that a contemporary, minimalistic style is increasingly popular in the homes of today. There are easy ways to create this look for your home using texture, colour and light.

Play with Window Dressing
Curtains don't lend themselves to minimalistic looks. Instead look at Venetian style blinds or the new smart glass which enables you to switch from translucent to opaque at the touch of a button.

Clever storage
Clutter has no part in a contemporary theme but it's a fact of life for most of us other than the most hardened minimalist. Instead find clever storage solutions to blend seamlessly into your home whether it's under bed storage or window seats with storage. There is a world of storage out there that will help tame your stash.

Colour clever
Minimalist doesn't have to be white. Greys, creams and other urban stone colours can work for this look.

Add metallics
For the ultimate contemporary feel, metallic surfaces are key, particularly in the kitchen. A healthy serving of stainless steel gives an urban kick.

Play with texture
Though keeping things simple, playing with texture and surfaces can bring interest to the room. Experiment with glass surfaces, reflective surfaces and matt surfaces to create layers and depth to the room.

Bring in the light
Light is key in creating a space that feels spacious and airy. As well as making use of light reflective surfaces and mirrors to bounce light into your rooms, also consider clever lighting for evenings too. Ditch the lampshades for dropped ceilings with hidden lighting or the latest in spotlights to create pools of light exactly where you want them.

Create space
Create the illusion of space by ensuring that there is plenty of floor and wall visible to the eye. Do this by choosing furniture that is on legs rather than sitting directly on the floor.

Don't compromise on comfort
Minimalist doesn't have to mean cold and uncomfortable. Choose comfortable pieces with simple lines and don't be shy about introducing simple throws to add to your comfort.

Clean lines
For the most contemporary looks stick to furniture with smooth lines. Combine angular pieces with those with simple curves for modern appeal.

Simple floor coverings
Shag pile does not lend itself to a contemporary look. Instead investigate natural floorings such as tiles, wooden floorboards or high gloss lino.

A modern home look is clutter free and lends itself to stress free living. Simple lines and neutral colours provide a gentle look that can work in any home. Modern surfaces and materials such as smart glass from Dream Glass Group can bring a unique and inspirational touch to your living space while still reflecting your personal style.

AUTHOR BIO
Anna Mathews is an interior designer of fifteen years experience. As well as creating unique designs for her clients she also writes for a number of online interiors websites. Her favourite discovery lately is smart glass and she has used this in both in homes and business spaces.

Read more...