A Few New Items!

It wasn't a resolution, but with all the spending that happens in December I wanted to try to at least hold back for January. It's actually hard to do with all the sales out there! I have been doing okay but then there was today. Hmmm. I haven't been into the online shopping sales in a while but this one caught my attention this morning and I scored three items - each over 70% off the original price!! Always, a bit risky when you can't try it on, but the price was worth the risk. Okay, so I'm now not going to buy anything else this month (we'll see?). Enjoy....

Thought this would make a great spring coat - less than 30 bucks, come on!

I have seen this coat in person, it's a beauty, and only $36!

Nice spring top with animal print - very hot for the season and ready for this - $22!

clothes BB DAKOTA

Candice Olsen and her use of space...

It's Friday, though not the Friday I was hoping for. I have two little gals under the weather and my 4 month old had a fever last night and was waking up pretty much every hour! Thank goodness for coffee. The day was planned for lunch/playdate with a girlfriend and afternoon at the park, well scratch that, it's all about getting well today. Anyway...back to my post.

I am a fan of Candice Olsen. She is a designer in Toronto, Ontario. She was recently on a local talk show and discussed the idea of designing for a space you will actually use. Instead of your typical living and dining room she likes the "lounge" approach. Have a space that you can entertain in and may suit a lifestyle of more casual gatherings and well, lounging. I love this idea. I have a more formal living and dining space, which I do adore, but the idea of having space where people can put there feet up, take a seat in the corner to eat some food and generally relax in a cool atmosphere is very appealing. She combines the function of a room in an unexpected way. I've often thought of adding a desk to my living room area as it seems like it would be an inspiring place to sit. Here are some examples I found of her work and how she has combined function with fantastic style. Enjoy...

Love the banquet. Can't you see this area as the perfect place for a cocktail party!?

White and blue...love.  What a great space -  sitting area, desk, window seat.

Again, she's made the eating area almost part of the living room, so cozy.

What a great space!

Okay, this one is not really like the rest but I have basement/playroom ideas on my mind and like the feel of this...

A New Year - A New Powder Room?

I love making goals and resolutions. I used to basically write a book, with yearly goals and then break them down quarterly, monthly, weekly etc. I wee obsessive some might say and it actually caused me a bit of angst. The past few years, I've kept the goals much simpler and have been personally focused - you know things like start doing yoga again, learn to meditate etc, etc. Along with my journey of personal development are a few projects I'd like to get done around our home. One of these is re-doing our powder room. I have always disliked it's dark feel and want to create something that reflects the rest of the house. My hubby says he can do some of the labour (hmm...we'll see?). So, I've started on a bit of a search for inspiration. I'd like wallpaper as I think it's a great space to do something a little bold. I'm leaning toward a simple pedestal sink as we don't really need storage and a definite is going to be some great sconces. Here are a few pics that have caught my attention. If you know of any great powder rooms out there, please let me know! Enjoy...

Bold wallpaper, simple mirror

Kinda digging the black

This is my favourite so far. I love the wallpaper and sconces

Could go with a more ornate mirror

This is Sarah Richardson and I love anything she does. Like the idea of a little pedestal table.

Calm feel to this bathroom

Thinking about this wallpaper - nice calming colours but still bold?

Images via pinterest

A Quote to Start the Year!

Happy New Year! I'm so excited to start 2012. I have a great feeling it's going to be a terrific year. 2011 overall was a year of change for me and I think 2012 will be seeing those changes in action! I'm so happy to be with my little gals full time this year. I'm sure it will be full of adventure, challenges and joy. The quote above is one I first saw a couple years ago and i just love what it has to say. This year I plan to spend more time doing the activities, visiting the places and being with the people that fill me up! 

My first order of business is working on getting back to my pre-baby goal weight. I'm lucky, as with my first baby, that most of the weight seems to come off pretty quickly afterwards but then the same thing has happened this time - that last 10 pounds just sticks there! I've been complaining about it for the past couple months so time to take some action. My dear friend and hubby are there to cheer me on so now that I've put it out there on blog land this is it!

Happy 2nd Day of 2012!

Merry Christmas!

Well, we've had our first meltdown of I'm sure many to come over the next couple days. Lack of sleep, excitement and too much sugar! I wouldn't change a second of it though. My daughter, Isabella, said to me last night "Mommy, this is a very special time" and she's so right. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! 

Dining Room Inspiration Board!

Only 5 more days until Christmas! Wow! We're very excited over at our household. My 3 year old really "gets" it this year and my hubby and I are thrilled to celebrate our baby's first Christmas. We spent the weekend making a gingerbread house and celebrating with friends and family. We hope to squeeze in a couple more Christmas outings before the big day. Our favourite one is going to a famous Vancouver garden that is filled with lights, music, hot cider and usually a visit from the main man - Santa!

Okay, now on to my post. Back in the summer I put together a design board for a friend's dining room. She kept her existing table and recovered the seat cushions in the fabric below. My favourite part is the rug. I'm not normally much of a fan of a rug in a dining room but this space was separate and we thought it could work. I hope she is enjoying her new space for entertaining this holiday season. Enjoy...

Gwen Stefani at Target!

I fully admit - I love Target! I know some people may snub their nose at it, but every time I go there, I don't leave empty handed. I love that they are doing designer lines for less. Their recent line by Gwen Stefani for kids was amazing. Unfortunately, most of the items I got are not picture online. I scored some of the cutest kids clothes I've seen for my two little gals. Here are a few pics. Enjoy...

What a perfect  Christmas dress!

I wore this on my baby the other day and got tons of comments on this little panda suit!

So unique!

I LOVE this coat!!

Over the top but adorable...

Presley's Nursery

I have been wanting to post this for about 4 months! Presley is now 3 months old and I had finished the nursery about a month before she was born. The problem is trying to get good indoor photos. My girlfriend and I took a photo class last week and thought that might help, but I need more practice. Anyway...here's what I've got. Decorating Presley's nursery was so much fun for me. We didn't know boy or girl so decorating gender neutral was an interesting challenge. I wanted it to be bright, happy and playful. This was my inspiration board post. I thought I'd add more girly things now that she is born, but I actually like keeping with it's fresh vibe. I also set myself a budget for this room and was able to come in under with some great finds and "vintage" pieces. I'd like to add a bookshelf and maybe a mobile. Here are some shots of Miss P's pad! Enjoy...

On her door

The first item purchased was that ottoman - love all those fun colours!

Vintage dresser - little white paint, cute knobs...voila!

Found these fun turtle knobs with great colours

Our cuddle zone :-) I'm not a fan of the rocker, but a sheepskin and funky pillow help.

This was one of the last items in the room but probably my most favourite

The carpet was in my office but fits perfect here

My daughter and I made those little paper wall animals...

So Charming!

I found something I love and wanted to share as I think it could make a great Christmas gift (or a gift to oneself!). While browsing in one of the best stores ever, Anthropologie, I noticed these great chains and charms that you can customize to create your own necklace. I love this idea of having a trendy piece of jewelry that's also personal. They have lots of choices - below are the one's that I chose for my special necklace. Enjoy...

Start with a simple long chain

Add a little bling...

And of course an "I" and "P" for my two little babes!

A Craft Room?

Okay, I admit, I'm not that crafty. I admire all those wonderful DIYer's in blogland, and aspire to get a bit better. This leads me to "the craft room." While watching my favourite show on TV right now, HGTV Sarah's House, she and Tommy created a craft room in one of the spare bedrooms. When they first mentioned the idea I thought it could be a waste of a room but by the time I saw it done, I did a complete 180 and now I want one! As Sarah (Sarah Richardson that is) said: why not make an extra room for the family? Offices can only be used by one person and guest rooms rarely get used. The more I thought about it, the more I agree. With two daughters, I see crafts and rainy day projects as part of our future. How fun would it be to have a space they can use, I can also use with them and alone for my own creative ventures. I think this might go on my 2012 "to do" list. Have a look at my future craft room - maybe? Enjoy...

Clever wall storage

Love this basic piece that was painted to add some charm

And voila...here it is...kinda dreamy right?