Baby's Room - Time to get started!

Between work, my daughter, a busy couple of months of birthdays and occasions and feeling slightly ill  a lot of the time - I haven't dived into the fun stuff to prepare for our new baby yet. A couple months back, I put together some items of inspiration I wanted for the baby's room and I'm posting it so it will give me the kick in the butt to get going on it! It's gender neutral and I haven't included some of the items I have already picked up - we have a white crib, a white dresser I got off Craigs List which needs some fun accessories and I'm thinking of putting in a bookshelf for storage, we'll see? From this photo, I have checked off getting the light, the sheepskin and the rug (but moved it to another place in my home). Actually, I'm feeling better about my progress already!  Today I plan to get the paint sample - it's a funky, fresh green. I'll keep you posted. Enjoy...

Love These Bowls!

We did a home exchange last year and one of the things that we took away from that experience was the inspiration of this family's home. It wasn't that everything was completely styled, but it felt like every item in their home seemed to represent who they are. My husband and I marveled how we had only chatted with them on email but had a complete sense of this family through their home. Anyway, this set us off in inspiration and we have sort of started fresh since we moved last August. Purchasing items we love, hanging pictures that mean something to us, finding vintage things and making them our own. Well, this ramble brings me to one of the little things that I love and brings me joy - these gold gilded bowls! I first found one in Palm Desert last year and my mom added another one to my collection recently. I have placed both in our entry way right now, but what I love is that they are one of those items I will keep forever. Enjoy...

Backyard Makeover!

I'm excited to be sharing our recent backyard makeover. We moved into our home late last summer and the backyard was one of the items we wanted to do within the first year. Our house is set back, making our yard quite small, so what we lack in size we have now made up for in privacy, setting, ambiance and relaxation. My hubby and two of his generous buddies spent a weekend building us a very large deck. From there we brought out the patio furniture, pots and other accessories. There are still things we'd like to do like add a chandelier, I would like some globe lights (I'm picturing a sort of sitting outside in Italy thing) just done in the suburbs of Vancouver! Here are some before and after shots. Enjoy...

Before...

After....

Bon Appetit with Gwyneth!

When doing some shopping at Costco recently, I cruised by the magazine section (a must) and noticed that Bon Appetit Magazine was featuring everyone's favourite girl these days - Gwyneth Paltrow. I have her new cookbook and though admittedly I haven't cooked anything from there yet, it's a beautiful book to read and be inspired by. I actually just purchased a copy for a friend to enjoy as well. Anyway, the cookbook and this article with recipes included is worth a read. This girl can really do it all and looks so happy and fresh along the way. How does she do that!? Enjoy...