10 things to show my in-laws visiting from UK

Hi all, here's my photo challenge- to photograph 10 things/places from my beautiful area to show my brother and sister-inlaw when they visit next month. They haven't been here to our place for 4.5 years and a lot has changed around our house and garden. We would like to do some things we've never done with them in the past so I have been racking my brain and I thought I would try to document some of the things and post them over the next few weeks. Here is no.1 our local marche (market) this is just a taste of what is on offer. It has a real country village atmosphere we love the organic stall and the coffees are pretty good too! Enjoy xx Corrina.

The beautiful Chrissie

Here is the beautiful Chrissie, a big congratulations to the safe arrival of a baby boy- Noah on Friday 28th October (about 9 days after these shots were taken)- Such a pleasure to take pics of mums' to be! The location is my garden at home. I took lots of lovely shots and I Know Chrissie will be pleased when she gets them. xx Corrina.

As the sun goes down love the beach

A day at the beach can be so much fun but as the sun goes down, the gorgeous colours and peaceful surrounds make for such a relaxing and calming moment. A nice way to reflect and count your blessings.

Sing about Spring

Spring is here and don't you just want to shout, sing and give thanks for the wonderfulness God has created for us to enjoy! My garden is in an explosion of colour, flower and fragrance. Of course all the sweet little birds come in droves. The other day whilst out in my garden I heard the most amazing bird call- loud and clear and several almost talking to eachother. I tried to track them down and some may not know my back garden is quite jungle like in places- there dancing in my olive tree were three of the most delightful creatures. Singing and dancing to eachother perhaps as a way to attract a mate. I was able to capture one as it sang its song. If anyone knows what type of bird this is let me know! My only regret is I couldn't record the song so you could here it too.xx Corrina.

Sing about spring

Still life- mandarins,old china and books

Where can inspiration come from? I was really blessed last week to be given a huge bag of fresh mandarins from a friends tree. So many I had to pile them up in my two tiered cake stand. They looked so pretty and luscious and beautifully orange I was inspired to do a still life. I found some old books and objects with similar hues and set them up in a little vignette. I was so excited when I looked through my dresser/cabinet to find some antique china cups with yellows, oranges and greens, the yellow jugs seemed fitting too and hints of green in the old book, the artwork and the cups! As we eat down the mandarins we can change the display to something else! Such fun.xx Corrina.

luscious mandarins

still life- mandarins, old china and books

Life- decorating using textures

I often get complements on my decorating style in my home. One of the things I love to work with is textures- something we desperately need as we humans are tactile beings. Hugs, a warm fluffy rug, grainy sand between our toes, smooth tiles... Our homes can become sensual havens if we become aware of the textures around us in nature and the manmade world, we can replicate those things in our furnishings and accesories. Some examples are wood, ceramics, stainless steel, wool, cotton, linen, woven baskets, sisal, loofah, pumice, soft towels, rope, jute string, brown paper, marble, worn wooden spoons and cutting boards, cast iron, slate, floorboards, glass bottles, pebbles, driftwood, coir, teracotta, blistered/peeling paint,plaster, distemper paint,bristle brushes.... the list could go on. My first port of call to look to nature and other things in my world to be inspired for decorating my home. Here are a few shots to get your juices flowing.xCorrina

Decorating using texture