Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Sparkly Reindeer Head

Yes, I'm on a bit of a Christmas decorating kick. I promise to get on some new topics soon. I just had to share my favourite new Christmas addition. I love them so much I'm thinking they might be invited to stay after the holidays! What do you think? Enjoy...







Monday, November 29, 2010

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Well, you know the rest. Hope everyone had a great weekend. We have officially started down the festive, fun and hectic time of Christmas. I did a home tour called Homes for the Holidays this weekend in Vancouver. It was fantastic and the homes were amazing. Unfortunately, they didn't allow cameras but I'm going to see if some of the designers might send a photo or two my way. We also had our holiday Dinner Club which was lots of fun - 5 couples, good food and lots of laughs. We followed that up by a "family photo" down by the beach (more on that to follow) and the start of some holiday decor in our new home. Here's a few little touches I have added. I loving putting our personal touch on Christmas this year and having my 2 year old daughter as my helper and sidekick. Enjoy...


Reindeer & Paperwhite on my mantel



A few ornaments on a vintage plate


Rudolf greeting visitors at the door


Some sparkly wreaths on the door (they look a bit frazzled here!)



Scented pincones and 2 beautiful ornaments on my dining table

We also added two really cool sparkly reindeer heads on the wall and linen stockings I got at a local craft fair a couple weeks ago. Feeling festive.





Friday, November 26, 2010

Some of My Favourite Things...

Did anyone watch Oprah's final favourite things? WOW! What a dream to be part of that audience. Anyway, it inspired me to start a list of what I would give away as my favourite things and with Christmas around the corner - here goes it. Enjoy...


Necklace from Laura Lombardi


I must confess...I don't actually own it yet, but it's on my wish list. 






Quantum Wellness Book


I purchased this book 2 years ago and I highly recommend it. I 'm a big believer in self improvement books (and have read my share). This is one I always seem to come back to. I've applied the principles (not so much the cleanse) but after this holiday season I may need it...






Tods camel bag


I adore this bag. The colour, the shape, the size. It's classic.








Milk glass vases


My collection is small right now but hoping to grow. I love these beauties and look forward to displaying them in my kitchen. What a great hostess gift.





Jam from Missing Goat


I LOVE this jam. I discovered it this summer and have been hooked ever since. Yum!





Fingerless gloves

This is the best winter invention. I must admit, I worried about the look a couple years ago but now they have been my go to gloves for 2 years. You can also find them in cashmere...dreamy!



Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Vintage Chairs: Before & After

Before we moved into our new home I was on the hunt for living room chairs. I guess it had been a while since I shopped for chairs - I was blown away how the price of 1 chair was sometimes more than a couch! With that in mind and inspiration of mixing high and low, new and old - we decided to start the hunt for a pair of vintage chairs that could be made new again. Well, we found them! They are a simple cane back chair. They were the right size, shape and price. Since we first loaded them up in our car...they have received a new paint job (from my hubby) and beautiful fabric for the cushion. We couldn't be happier with how they look and they have a story and meaning to them now. In total I paid around $250 a chair - start to finish product. Have a peak, love to hear what your feedback. Enjoy...


THE BEFORE SHOT (You have to imagine a very ugly old striped cushion too)




THE AFTER....




I'm so happy with them and they are comfy too!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Beautiful Photography

I keep thinking about the photos done by photographer Irene Suchocki. I normally would choose painted art over photographs but these stunning images having me rethinking that. Her work is beautiful, serene and inspiring. I'm yet to decide what photos to choose, and where they go, but I definitely think a grouping would be beautiful. Or if my hubby is reading this...perhaps a nice Christmas gift. Enjoy...



Love the snow scene


So calming



I can see this one in my house

And this one as well...




So beautiful


Perfect for a house on the water or vacation home


 I have a little obesession with owls (will post on that later) this one is a must have...

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Lovin the Paperwhites!

As a follow up to last week's post - I seem to be continuing on the Christmas decorating trend. Adding some pinecones, picking up some new ornaments and attending my first Christmas Craft Fair. One of the items that's in my must have inspiration list is Paperwhites. I want them on my mantel, in my kitchen and maybe one by my bedside table. Here are a few of the photos that have inspired me to love Paperwhites. Enjoy...







My first paperwhites in my front entry (no blooms yet!?)








Monday, November 15, 2010

A Few Weekend Loves

I have contemplated whether or not including weekend highlights was something I wanted to do on this blog. I had decided not so much. That being said, there are some weekends filled with a lot of items on my "makes me happy" list and for sake of remembering (for myself) and sharing ideas for others here are a few highlights from a wonderful weekend. Enjoy...


The weekend started early with Bookclub. Book club began about a year ago. A group of 8 great gals who meet every 6 weeks over wine and laughs. Our most recent read was Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Mixed reviews on the book but the meeting was a blast!

Thanks H. for the photo...

Next up was a fun filled trip to a local lake with some of our favourite friends. We sat by a cozy fire outside catching up while our kidlets ran around inside enjoying each other. Good food, fun drinks (Canadian coolers in a wine glass on ice...not bad!) and wonderful family time.

Thanks to the D. family...

We also managed to squeeze in movie night (my 2 year old is a musical fanatic!), home projects, art class and a trip to a local Christmas market which was fantastic! I won't say how much time and moola I spent at this creative gem.

Beautiful photos by Heather Cameron




Here are a few of my favourite finds...


Framed chalkboard for the kitchen


Framed poster/coarkboard for my daughter

Linen stockings (my photo doesn't do them justice!).

My favourite jams!



Hope you had a great weekend too!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Dreaming Over: this ring

I stumbled upon this beauty on a very lovely blog Bijou and Boheme and it's been on my mind ever sense. Cocktail rings seems to be quite popular lately, and as much as I love a good trend it's fun to have your own unique flair to it. I think this ring would do the trick! For now, I'll just keep dreaming. Enjoy...

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Fall Outfits: My Inspirations

The quest of figuring out our personal style. I have been on this life changing journey (okay, that's bit dramatic) but I have been pondering for a couple years what my personal style is. I want to buy fewer clothes, but have items that I wear often and love. I'm getting closer. This involved a huge closet clearing and very selective buying. I saw these pictures and for fall this is what I strive to be my personal style. So I'm channelling these pictures with my own twist. Enjoy...

I love this!!

Stripes, cropped blazer, long necklace - yes!

I like the white shirt under the cardi (never quite looks the same on me!?)

This is pretty much perfection to me....



Monday, November 8, 2010

Christmas Decorating: Is it too early?

I know this is going to be a very popular post the next 2 months but here we go. Halloween is over and the stores are filled with Christmas decor. I feel excited and a little stressed out at the same time (anyone with me here!?). We moved into a new home and I'm excited to add some fun holiday decor this year both inside and out to go along with my daily decorating job of this place as well. When searching for ideas - who better but to take a page from Sarah (Richardson that is). I've included a few of her personal ideas from her home, along with some other pretties I found. I will post some shots of how my holiday touches evolve.  For the first time ever, I have my doorway partly decorated as of November 7th! Enjoy...