12.31.2013

happy new years

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Just popping in to wish you all a Happy New Year! I don't really believe in resolutions, or linking "fresh starts" to a calendar date, but I do have pretty big plans for switching things up this year. Some are sure things, while others are just crossing-my-fingers "I hopes", but I'm gonna do everything I can to make all of them happen. Change is needed, and it's not going to come by sitting on my sofa watching Scandal (but goddamn do I wish it could)!

I hope all of you have fabulous plans for tonight, whether that means hitting the town decked out to the nines or hunkering down with good food and a good movie. See you in 2014!

xoxo

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12.17.2013

Peonies & Brass in Chatelaine magazine!

So a couple of months ago something pretty awesome happened - Julia Black (Associate Home Editor at Chatelaine) contacted me out of the blue to see if I'd be interested in creating a DIY for their Simple Pleasures series. Chatelaine - for those US (and international) readers who may not know - is Canada's #1 magazine, and an absolute institution this side of the border. It's been around for a whopping 85 years, and covers everything from food, to fashion, to (of course) home decor. Most importantly, though, it's just amazingly good, and I absolutely jumped at the chance to be a part of its pages!

This week the issue with my project hit the stands, and I couldn't be happier to finally have my hands on a copy:


I have to admit, seeing my handiwork - and my name! - in a mag as great as Chatelaine doesn't suck one little bit!

The Simple Pleasures series is all about projects you can pull off in a snap, and the Chat crew thought something tea-themed would be perfect for these cold winter months. With these instructions in hand, I set about dreaming up a easy way to unify and organize loose leaf teas, while upcycling containers you already have on hand. And of course, I couldn't resist incorporating that little touch of gold . . .


A huge thank you to the Chatelaine team - especially Julia and Home Editor extraordinaire Emma Reddington - for reaching out to me, and for being so darn lovely to work with. Your commitment to featuring more design bloggers in the mag is honestly amazing, and makes me love it all the more.

And with that, Christmas comes early for one little lady.

xoxo

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12.11.2013

gold foil round-up

Looking to add a little sparkle to your gallery wall or buy some gilded beauties for someone on your list? Here are a few of my faves, all from shops that have more pretty where that came from . . .



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12.10.2013

a simply wrapped christmas

Given how crazy things have been around these parts, I haven't had a lot of time to think about Christmas this year. When I do have a chance to, that craziness - and my mind being pulled in a million different directions - has me craving simplicity like no holiday season before. So while there are mounds of gorgeous, over-the-top, sparkly gift wrap ideas I'd usually go crazy for all over my Pinterest, my eyes - and my heart - keep getting drawn in another direction:




{1 // 2 // 3 // 4}

Kraft paper, black and white ribbon, and sprigs of Cypress. No matter what else I see right now, nothing feels more beautiful than this. And the best part? Armed with this awesome tutorial on how to tie the perfect bow, even this frazzled mind can't possibly screw it up.

xoxo

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11.27.2013

vintage wooden stools in the bathroom

So one of the sadder things that happened while I was away is that one of my best friends picked up and moved to Vancouver. She went for love, and found an amazing job before even getting there, but that doesn't make missing her any easier. I'm happy for her, sure, but it's a very sulky kind of happy.

Harumph.

Anyway, the other day she sent me a link to an apartment listing she was looking at, and the second I saw the bathroom I told her to get her ass down there and rent that place right away:


I mean, aside from needing a bit of a scrub and tidy, this place has some serious charm, right?? To the ceiling subway tile: check. Chock-full of character wood beams: check. A more thoughtful reno than you usually find in any rental let alone a well priced one: check, check and check. 

What really got me though was that stool. If I were my friend I would work that baby into the lease. It matches the space perfectly, and reminds me just how much I love a time-worn wooden stool in almost any kind of bath, but especially those walled in white:









So simple, yet so perfect. I think this is something that might have to happen in my next place. Which, judging by my current restlessness, might mean sooner rather than later . . .

{images: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9}

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11.21.2013

what I've been up to

Hey, guess what? I’m not dead! Despite all evidence to the contrary, I haven't actually fallen victim to some sort of freak spraypaint + fire accident. I’ve just been ridiculously, ridiculously busy. 

Work (and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life) has pretty much been taking up every last inch of my brain lately, and unfortunately blogging has had to take a backseat. Hopefully someday my job and my blog can play a little nicer, but for now we soldier on. 

I did manage to fit in a few fun design-y things into the past few weeks though. Like finally setting foot inside a Target . . .


After years of seeing other bloggers post awesome Target swag I couldn't have, I have to admit I was pretty pumped to check it out now that it's finally in Canada! Montreal's version opened this month, and while I can't say I was blown away (a lot of people are saying the stock doesn't compare to the U.S. version) there are definitely some serious gems to be had. Especially anything gold, natural chunky wood, and - of course - Nate Berkus:


My favourite piece was far and away Nate's wood and resin hexagon tray. I have absolutely nowhere to put it, and I definitely don't need it, but I still feel like this is one I'm going to regret not hoarding . . .


I also had a chance to check out a gorgeous Chihuly exhibit with my mama, and this time I was blown away. His work is pure magic. Ethereal, awe-inspiring, magic. 


While the large pieces are incredibly impressive, as always, it's the details that get me . . .



So what about you guys? Been up to anything amazing, fun or inspiring over the last few weeks? I so miss hearing from you, and can't wait to again!

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9.27.2013

an apartment for my bestie + a 2 for 1 art sale for you!

It's Friday! Are you excited?! I am, which is weird, cuz I'm on vacation. I think being pumped for the weekend may just be built into my psyche at this point. I'm also excited because I've had a pretty stellar last couple of days - not only is my migraine from hell finally gone, but I found my best friend a new apartment, and he signed the lease last night!

I know a new apartment might not seem like a big deal, but I assure you, in this case it totally is. My bf has been wanting to - and working towards - moving out of his present place to something better for a long, long time, so when he told me he was finally able to make it happen I promptly tacked vacation time onto the other side of blogpodium to put my OCD skills to work! This guy is 100% the friend who I can call (and have called) at 3am in the morning just to cry into the phone, so I was determined to find him the absolute perfect place. Now that he's got it I couldn't possibly be happier.

Let the furnishing and decorating commence!

Speaking of decorating (*cough cough, lame segue*), one of my favourite etsy artists is having a 2 for 1 sale, and I couldn't not share! GirlandParrot's prints are just gorgeous, and with this deal she's practically giving them away . . .


Buy one, get another (of your own choosing) for free. It really is that simple and that good. The only reason a couple of these beauties aren't already making their way home to me is I just can't pick! Someone help me choose between the first three above, cuz apparently I can't do it on my own.

Finally, speaking of/apropos of absolutely nothing, a video present for you. Because I didn't think I could be in love with Joseph Gordon Levitt any more than I already was, but apparently I was wrong:


I mean. C'mon now.

Happy weekend lovelies! I hope it's filled with great friends, beautiful things, and sexy men gyrating their hips and making you laugh. Every weekend should be.

xoxoxo

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9.26.2013

shit i'm not sick of: bubble branch chandeliers (+ the diy version on my radar)

Is there actually a proper name for these guys? If there is I certainly couldn't find it! But whether or not they're actually a "thing", these babies have been on my mind - and on my Pinterest - like crazy lately. Most of my faves are by the insanely talented Lindsey Adelman, some by Apparatus and Jason Miller, and one or two I couldn't track down, but no matter the artist, I just can't. get. enough. The fact that they're everywhere changes not one little thing . . .











{images: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11}

If you're like me, the other way in which the artist makes no difference is whether or not you can afford them. No matter how hard I wish, it's just not going to happen! So to get the look for less I was thinking of spraying West Elm's version gold . . . 


. . . but it seems to have sold out in a flash. Which means the second I get a new apartment (more on that in a bit! Eep!), I'm pretty sure I'll be making like oh so many other bloggers and design lovers - like ModernHaus and Erica of Small Shop Studio - and making my own version using Lindsay A's d.i.y. instructions and a whole lotta' hardware store goods . . .



It may not be as bubbly, but it's definitely all kinds of gorgeous! And really, how cool is it that she released these plans to the public? I kind of can't get over it. While it obviously doesn't take away from her amazing custom designs - and anyone who could shell out the bucks for an original still would - it's still so generous. And that . . . well that's the most beautiful thing of all.

So what do you think? Are you still feeling this look or are you sick of seeing? Would you take on the "some assembly required" version, or am I stone cold crazy for thinking I could take it on?? Can't wait to hear your thoughts lovelies!

xoxoxo

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