Modern Coastal Home Created For Loved Ones Living, Entertaining AndViews

In our opinion, St Leon 10 is a perfect 10! This cool coastal property developed by South Africa-based Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects (SAOTA) is situated in the spectacular waterfront setting of Bantry Bay, Cape Town. The modern residence, produced to maximize these breathtaking vistas, characteristics balconies and expansive windows framing the sand, sun and surf just outdoors. These breathtaking views are attainable thanks to the home’;s hillside setting. The architects buried the structure into the slope, placing half of its rear face below ground level. Thus the front facade appears to jump out toward the sea.



This beach residence is a completely functioning family residence and an entertaining hub for pals. The complex, elegant design is not very what you’;d expect, but a mere glimpse inside the front entrance leaves you wanting far more!





Interiors designed by Antoni Associates are impeccably decorated in a light, clean and contemporary style that takes the term “beach property” to a new level. The two-storey entrance opens to the living area where two lounges, a dining space and kitchen kind the heart of this home. A sculptural staircase leads up to the private sleeping areas – after all, even the hottest party has to finish sometime! But until then, this residence has a lot to hold its residents and guests entertained.



Sliding floor-to-ceiling glass walls open onto 3 levels of alfresco living space – capable contenders as the hotspots of this house! These cantilevered terraces extend the home’;s living space beyond its walls.



Equipped with chic and comfortable lounge furnishings, and a hot tub surrounded by an infinity pool, this spa-like space is an instant relaxation zone. And, what far better views than these of the 12 Apostle Mountains, Clifton Beaches and Robben Island?




Teetering between house and nightclub, the property boasts striking lighting, a wine cellar and onyx backlit bar that’;s effectively worthy of a toast!

Happy Halloween!

I die. Mandy sure knows how to set a scene!

This makes me want to throw a holiday party like nobody's business.

images via Waiting on Martha

More very beautiful images here.

Also, I'm totally and completely in LOVE with this BRILLIANT pumpkin idea by Mr. Lo.

image via Happy Mundane

Happy Halloween!

Girls Night // Smirnoff Sorbet Light Mixology Party

Over the weekend, I had the extreme pleasure of co-hosting a night of fun, food and adult beverages with the lovely ladies of local decor shop Coveted Home, all courtesy of our friends at Smirnoff Vodka. With mere months before Eric and I have a new little bundle in our lives, I'm starting to realize just how different things are going to be -- at least for awhile -- and I've taken to soaking up as much time with girlfriends as possible. If you know me at all, that usually involves drinks (even if I couldn't partake on this particular occasion. Booooooo. But that doesn't mean my girls can't play).

Here I am with some of my favorite ladies and a sippy cup.

When the folks at Smirnoff asked about trying out their new Sorbet Light infused vodka, I immediately knew a mixology party was going down. Professional mixologists' recipes were provided to make sure we didn't mess things up, which meant that the girls weren't the least bit intimidated to mix their own drinks.

Okay, well maybe just a little :)  But everyone caught on pretty quickly and word is, the prescribed cocktails weren't overly sweet like expected, but perfectly light and refreshing. Everyone raved specifically about the Lemon Mojito (link to recipe card below, designed by yours truly). Apparently that lightness has everything to do with the fact that these vodkas are infused with natural flavors, not flavored with sugars and syrups like most. Which equals less calories as well. BONUS.

The food spread was pretty amazing, and the girls at Coveted Home graciously agreed to bring a few new items from the shop to zhush up the patio in true boheme style. And holy smokes if these two don't know a thing or two about pimping out a patio!

I was OBSESSED with the striped rug and those lanterns! INSANE.

I drew inspiration from the gorgeous John Robshaw pillows when designing the recipe cards. They add so much warmth and color to the space! Festive and chic.

 Of course, we played well into the night...

all photos by Jason Hanna Photography

Download my Smirnoff Sorbet Light recipe cards here:

Tropical Screwdriver Punch // Lemon Mojito // Pomegranate Berry Punch // Raspberry Lemon Punch

Decor sources:

blue zig zag pillow // coral triangle pillow // blue dot pillow // yellow dot pillow

suzani napkins //  striped rug // marble cheese board // small lantern (inquire with CH for large)

mercury tealights // succulent cachepots

This post was sponsored by Smirnoff Sorbet Light. All reviews and opinions are my own (well, or they're the opinions of my friends since I was unable to drink alcoholic beverages).

Huge thank you to Coveted Home and Jason Hanna Photography for helping to make this post possible!

girls dinner // summer tapas party

about time for a second installment, don't you think?

just like last time, we're keeping things casual with a smorgasboard of deeeelicious tapas and red sangria (one of my personal faves) on the porch, all of which were deceivingly simple.

 first order of business? getting that patio table set. we went with a graphic fabric swatch (one of the girls has this on hand for an upcoming sewing project), but a tablecloth, blanket or quilt will do just as well. if you're forced to go solid, use napkins, dinnerware and accessories to add pattern and texture. there really aren't any rules! one or two standout items (umm...hello! that gorgeous turquoise vase bursting with peonies) can really make the table come to life.

then it was time to get our grub on. in the true spirit of spanish tapas, we divvied up food responsibilities, each with two apps to share. i opted for roasted red pepper hummus with pitas and delectable little herbed goat cheese, strawberry basil sandwiches. there was also beet salad, pimentos, spicy lime shrimp, artichoke crisps, and edamole (that's edamame guacamole).

we stuffed ourselves silly, to say the least.

stringing up some lights added serious ambiance, and allowed us to keep the party going a liiiiiiiittle later than anyone intended....but such it is when ladies find time to get together, right??

laura conjured up some festive belly bands for our glasses o' fruity delight (diy details here).

the girls over at ampersand are detailing how you can get the look yourself.

and for your drinking pleasure, a recipe card for that delicious red sangria from yours truly.

 available for download here.

mandatory group shot:

all photos courtesy of the very talented eric linebarger

awwww.

also, if you're like me and are sometimes challenged by the task of creating the perfect dinner mix, this one sure delights the earlobes.

hope this inspires you to call your girlfriends for a little dinner fun of your own! ox

 { find our previous dinners here }

girls dinner // pizza party

i'm really excited to introduce a new series on BIA today. we're talking dinner!

now, i realize that i have not once implied here on BIA that i can do anything in the kitchen (besides maybe make salsa). that's because i'm not especially skilled in that department. but that's always been the beauty of our girls dinners! they're low-key, festive but not excessively prepped, and just straight fun. of course, it doesn't hurt that they're held by a multitude of talented designers including the ladies from ampersand design studio, the ever-crafty laura at a girl who makes, and yours truly.

for the first of this new series, we're having a pizza party! here's a glimpse of how it all went down:

lettered placesettings.
you can get clever with this or keep it simple. opting for a unique or decorative paper stock goes a long way!

results:

delicious apps (essential!)

assortment of equally delicious salad and pies:

time to play!

and, even though we were totally full of great food and good wine, there's always room for gelato!

photography by eric linebarger

here's how to get the same look yourself:

kraft roll // striped tablecloth // tall platter // short platter // crayons // white napkins // metal clip // white dinner plate

check out ampersand design studio for a detailed polka dot napkin DIY and a custom coordinating invite!

you can also find a great DIY leftover bag over at a girl who makes.