Page turners

{Source: Photo by Margolove)

Reading is one of my favourite downtime pastimes - books especially, although I love magazines too. And I am thrilled with the revamp of the Exclusive Books website. It's user-friendly, slick and now includes music, films and books too. Plus you can still earn Fanatics points, and we love loyalty programmes! Online shopping is another blossoming pastime of mine as somehow life just keeps getting busier and you can do it at anytime from anywhere.

I was recently absolutely hooked to the Millenium trilogy by Swedish authour, Stieg Larsson. These are gripping thrillers, that are so clever you'll be hooked from the first page of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, all the way through The Girl who Played with Fire, until the very last page of The Girl who Kicked the Hornets' Nest. Although chilling and almost disturbing at times I can't recommend these books enough. Perfect for the cosy winter weather we have coming up - just make sure you have them all as you won't be able to wait to start the next one!

I am currently reading Last Night in Twisted River by the amazing John Irving - an epic story of a father and son's relationship and shared life on the run from some accidental crime. It was recommended to my bookclub by Carla Edgar, the lovely owner of Nice in Parkhurst and I will definitely ask her for future recommendations.

So I hope you have a good book for this weekend. See you Monday!

Just post it

Here at Inspired Wife we love the art of the old fashioned, hand written letter. However, one of our favourite applications which bridges the gap between this century and the last is Paperless Post. This website launched in 2009 by a brother and sister team in New York allows you to customize your invitations on beautiful stationery and then email them to your guests. An added benefit is the guest list management tool which allows you to see who has opened their invite, who has responded, and who is attending. This is a giant leap from other email invite options out there and available from anywhere in the world.

DIY Herb and Tea Labels

I love my kitchen and strive for it to be organised, calm, warm and beautiful. Something like this gorgeous kitchen in a New Hampshire home.

I love the idea of decanting food items into standard jars with matching labels - so pleasing to the eye and looks great in the cupboard or on the counter. These vintage-style labels by Amy Moss from Eat. Drink. Chic. for herbs and teas are gorgeous and while I don't think I'll go to the trouble of aging the paper, I will be using them to create some pretty jars. I will look at the Consol Shop and Mr Price for some glass jars for this project.

Click here to download the templates for the tea labels and the herb labels.

Inspired home #1: Home of the handbags

As our first post on interiors we decided to feature the New York home of iconic handbag designer Kate Spade and her husband Andy Spade. This is a classic apartment and the fact that it will still be so in 30 years time is testament to it's timelessness. Take a look at the way the dsiplay their fabulous art collection, their use of colour and wallpaper and all the pre-war details. Just what you expect from Kate Spade!

Photos by Tina Barney, Jason Frank Rothenberg, Noe DeWitt and Eric Morin via here

What's in season?

We support the movement towards buying fruit and vegetables that are in season locally - it's usually cheaper when in season, being in season locally means fewer food miles and if it's grown and picked when it's supposed to be then the flavour and quality is usually better too, plus you're supporting local farmers and remaining proudly SA. This chart from Natural Nutrition is a useful resource to know what's in season when. In April, I'm looking forward to buying Jerusalem artichokes, Fuji apples, avocados and pomegranates.

I have yet to master cooking artichokes but I will be trying this recipe from Jamie Oliver for sauteed Jerusalam artichokes with garlic and bay leaves, as soon as I spot some in the local greengrocer.

Happy Easter Weekend!

So lovely to have a four day Easter weekend ahead of us, which I've already enjoyed by making a very late start! So just in time for Easter on Sunday here are some of our favourite product finds and ideas this Easter - it's a bumper post as our first on Inspired Wife. 

This is a favourite each year - the classic Lindt Gold Bunny - gorgeous and delicious!

(Variety of sizes available from most supermarkets.)

Another annual favourite - Beacon's white eggs, I just love the yummy white shell and chocolate centre, and everyone has their own way of eating one! Woolworths brought out these great wire egg cups this Easter (they come with a foil covered chocolate egg) - you can use them throughout the year and they're made by a disadvantaged community so even more reason to buy one, or a whole set.

We love printables - easy, creative projects that add a special touch to any occasion. There are so many great people sharing their creativity and imagination on the web and we'll share our favourite finds. Here are some great little touches for Easter.

Baking cupcakes this Easter? Click here for sweet cupcake toppers from Skip to my Lou - these would also make good decorations on ribbon tied around serviettes.

Welcome your guests, or just the Easter bunny, with a cute  Hoppy Easter banner - find it here at The Monogram Monkey.

I love this collection of Easter tags and goodie bag tags - click here to download from Hip Hooray.

And then my favourite Easter recipe find this year from Food & Home Entertaining magazine - the scrumptious looking hot cross buns with nut filling and cinnamon-vanilla syrup. Check it out on page 46 of the April 2010 issue.

Have a wonderful long weekend, and a very Happy Easter!

Be Inspired

Welcome to Inspired Wife.

An independent South African lifestyle blog dedicated to inspiring you.

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We love beautiful things, creative ideas and the celebration of everyday. We will bring you the best of international and local lifestyle trends featuring food and recipes, travel destinations and tips, home interiors and craft, practical financial advice, and our favourite shops and restaurants.

Check our blog daily for updated lifestyle inspiration!