things i'm loving…the cottage…
Posted on May 15, 2013
When speaking with someone from the Toronto area, have you ever noticed how much the family cottage plays a role in their summertime lives? It’s like a mass exodus happens in July and August where they all flee the city for a quiet, cool, breezy and relaxing getaway. From what I understand, many families have owned their cottage for generations. Watch any design show filmed in Ontario for HGTV and you’re bound to see cottage renovation and design projects. House of Bryan and Sarah’s Cottage are just two examples.
Out here in the West, I have never, ever heard someone call their vacation home a cottage. MAYBE a cabin…
“Cottage” just sounds so much more… chic, doesn’t it?
Here’s how I would decorate if I were blessed enough to have a cottage on a lake.
Photos via Pinterest
i am loving…
Posted on April 27, 2013
1) Lavender Black Tea
Two of the most comforting things – a mug of hot tea and the scent of lavender – come together in this blend. I purchased mine from a shop in Steveston, but there are many loose leaf tea stores that carry this soothing combination. Read More
Decorating the Living Room
Posted on April 20, 2013
Marquis Wool Rug, Perch Glass Lamp, Marble Side Table & Henry Sectional Sofa: West Elm.
DIY stripe curtains, fireplace mantel: Pinterest.
This evening, our living room is getting a final coat of paint. The espresso maple flooring is in, crown molding and base boards are installed and painted, and the room is looking lovely!
As the renovation winds up, I’m starting to think about how to decorate. A new couch is definitely in order, and I would love to have a nice big area rug grounding the space. We’ll go for neutrals on the major pieces, and I’d like to introduce pattern and colour through accessories. Right now, I’m leaning towards blues or turquoise accents.
Don’t you just love that Perch glass lamp from West Elm!? At $79, it’s a great find. We’ll put drapes on the window instead of blinds, and thanks to Pinterest, I’ve found some DIY tips for jazzing up plain IKEA curtains.I’m loving stripes right now – the above example was done by purchasing thick ribbon from a crafts store and simply sewing pieces horizontally across the width of the panel. (I say simply sewing, but am impossible at sewing. So, someone else will be recruited for that…)
Eventually there will be a large built in bookcase with cabinets below on either side of a fireplace, with a wall mounted TV above. The mantel above is a perfect example of the look we’d like to achieve with the fireplace – love the detail.
Here’s a little preview of the room:
a quote…
Posted on April 18, 2013
Source: weheartit.com
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
John Wooden
I was reminded in a few different scenarios today about the constant internal struggle with being self confident and not getting caught up too much in what others think, while also being respectful and self aware.
I don’t know if balance is always possible. There are many days where I’ll look back, having said or done something out of brief moment of confidence and wonder it was instead perceived as arrogant or obnoxious.
As a child, I was constantly told that I was bossy or that I spoke my mind. Unfortunately, those comments generally have a negative connotation when referring to a little girl. As Sheryl Sandberg points out in her book “Lean In”, “When a girl tries to lead, she is often labeled bossy,” she writes. “Boys are seldom bossy because a boy taking the role of a boss does not surprise or offend.”. When I read that sentence, it definitely caused me to pause… boys are never called bossy… Read More
Winning recipes from Pinterest
Posted on March 20, 2013
Pinterest is a foodie’s dream. And a decorator’s dream, and a crafter’s dream and a…. well, okay. Let’s just throw it out there that Pinterest is every woman’s dream. It’s also many of their husband’s nightmares. =) His to-do list gets longer with all the neat DIY ideas that I would like help with.
I’ve pinned a lot of recipes over the last year, but actually hadn’t tried many of them yet myself.
Last week I made two – Sushi Salad and Kale with Pancetta, Cream and Toasted Walnuts. They were both
super successful and I wanted to share.
Sushi Salad
Recipe from cleaneatingmag.com
I was very impressed with this recipe. It comes together easily as no cooking is required, and for a salad it was very filling. The whole grain rice adds a nutty flavour, avocado makes the salad creamy and rich. The seafood section at my supermarket doesn’t have pre-cooked crab, and I wasn’t up for the effort of doing it from scratch so I in subbed imitation crab and it was still delicious. Will definitely by serving this again at my place – hopefully with fresh dungeness next time!
Kale with Pancetta, Cream and Walnuts
Recipe from food52.com
When your husband is excited to take leftover kale for lunch the next day, you have a winner.
I’ve heard over and over about the health benefits of eating kale, and have tried working it into recipes in the past. This one is the winner! But I guess if you add bacon, walnuts and cream to anything, it’ll be delicious. The thing I love about this dish though is that the kale stands up and still comes through. You’re not masking but enhancing.
