Is it spring yet?

I found this fabulous photo today via Materialicious, one of my favourite websites.   The photographer is Pentti Sammallahti (see here). Born in Finland in 1950 he began photographing at 11 yrs old. The main characters of his photos are always animals. 

Azure Stamps

I have found a great website where you can upload your own photos to create dozens of scenes, such as here - stamps.  A lot of fun to play around with, especially with Valentines Day coming up - see link

The Globe is a particular favourite too.  You can upload up to 60 photos to create the montage.

My winter sunshine

I just had to share my 9am pictures with you today, 5th of February and we have 16 degree temperatures which is fabulous for mid winter.  Tomorrow is due to be 19 degrees - perhaps time to get the bikini out for the day!  Just wish the family were here to enjoy this as the north of England is being lashed with rain and gale force winds.

Where I'd like to be

Same shot, different time of day.  We do have blue skies and sunshine at the moment, alas not too warm to be sunbathing by the pool though.  Just put a few islands in front, and a few pine trees and the pool could be in Croatia.  It's actually in the Caribbean, see here.   photos

Wave Break

We recently had our annual visit to Brighton.  New Year's Day was spent enjoying a bracing brisk walk along the promenade and seafront.   With the sun out and flat calm sea  lapping gently over the pebbly beach, it was a great start to 2011.  One of my favourite places to browse is the beachside Kings Road Arches, a collection of small art galleries, quality beach-themed handicrafts and artisan pieces.   The stand of cards caught my eye, naturally with colours of azure blues.  So many to choose from but I decided upon my first favourite - see above.  Called Wave Break.  The talented artist is Zorian P. Matthews, click for website.   Love his work!

Dubrovnik in the Autumn

My favourite season is autumn ... and look, right into November the weather has been fantastic (forget the interlude of the storm!). This was Sunday 14th Nov ... incredible calm sea all day and the sunset is to die for.

Dubrovnik from the top of Srd hill looks amazing.
The island of Lokrum at twilight.
The newly reopened cable car taking passengers up the hill in less than 3 minutes.
Would make fabulous wallpaper?
Sunset ... and the islands beyond Dubrovnik. Here we have the peninsula of Lapad, and the islands of Daksa, Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan, Mljet and to the west - Sveti Andrija (St. Andrew).
You can see all the detailing of the fortress when located up on high!
November promises pink and purple sunsets. Hardly a ripple.
Fabulous! No trickery, no filters, just a great photo of nature

Streetlights on in Dubrovnik and on the peninsula of Lapad.
Showing Gruz harbour and the islands beyond.

The last flicker of sunset. Perhaps there was a green flash?

I am honoured to have been given these photos by my colleague Jela, who is a Croatian/Canadian, here from Toronto, a fabulous friend and a great photographer! I can imagine these images being excellent wallpaper one day ... I enjoyed the day on the terrace whereas Jela hiked up the hill to take these photos, right up until darkness! Thank you!

photos J. Begonja

Dubrovnik today

"Let me just pull over, I'm driving in snow ..." No, not me, the client I had called in Sweden today. I had just taken this photo from the viewpoint at 1030am, a picture postcard December day with the islands in the background, blue sky and sunshine. Temp about 13c/55f but the sun made it warmer. Anyone holidaying in Dubrovnik now will be very happy indeed!

Beautifully restored 18th century villa

Love the turquoise shutters!

Grey in the bathroom is fabulous

Traditional wooden flooring

Modern mixed with traditional

Clear uncluttered bedroom, and double doors

Spacious attic room with en suite bathroom

Here's the grey bathroom again

Peaceful patio

Interesting artwork on the landing to create interest

Attractive courtyard surrounded by lavendar ...

I know several people who read Azure Croatia have an interest in interiors (all my other favourite blogs have the interior theme). Although my blog is to air my ideas/views/ surroundings I couldn't help but post this today. I have been working on some properties in the Istrian area - north of Croatia. Properties are quite different in Istria to the ones in Dubrovnik as it is usual in the north to always have fireplaces, central heating, and all insulation from the cold. They always get snow whereas Dubrovnik gets snow once every 45 years (once being Feb 2008). This property is a beautifully restored 18th century villa in Motovun, a fashionable town, famous for its annual film festival. Three bedrooms, and very stylish, the property caught my attention. source.

Looking through the window, I can see ...

Wow, what a view looking down upon Dubrovnik's Old Town

Enjoy a coffee on the balcony looking towards the Medieaval Old Town

Derelict house aching to be renovated with a view onto islands

Year round enjoyment overlooking the bay, a safe-haven for sailors

The Jadrolinja ferry heading to the islands

View onto islands

Views of the bay from your living room window

View onto superyachts gracing the bay in summer.

Wake up to this glorious beach view

View of the small bay for fishing boats with the town beyond

Building the balcony with the picture-postcard view of Dubrovnik!

Shady terrace overlooking the sea and islands

Imagine having breakfast on the balcony with these terrific views

Attractive arched terrace towards the islands

A quiet corner for reflection ... overlooking one of the greatest Medieaval Old Towns in the world!

Here are a selection of photos, within a 30km radius of Dubrovnik, all with spectacular views, looking through the windows ...

Mosaic Art

Since I posted about Sonia King's fabulous mosaic art, I have been taking more of an interest in the new style of custom mosaics that are around. Now modern technology allows a glass-mosaic mural to be made of any .jpeg you have. The possibilities are endless. See here.

source: materialicious, glass decor