Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Lovin: Sophie Conran

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Ours was filled with family, food and an excited 2 year old little girl. I don't want it all to end...


I wanted to share one of my new loves. Sophie Conran dishes. When I got married, I wasn't one of those people who registered for a set of anything - just wasn't our style. Well, in the summer I discovered the gorgeous line of dishes, serving sets, glasses, candles etc from Sophie Conran. This Christmas I received my first piece - a large salad bowl from my sister in law. It's beautiful. I'm now an official collector. Check out her website and products. The pics don't do them justice. Enjoy....














Monday, December 27, 2010

Lovin: An Art Wall

This has been on my wish (or should I say to-do) list for many years. I adore an art wall. I love how it adds impact and a personal touch to a space. I started a small one in our other house but this time I'm determined to create something magical up our staircase. Let's call it a New Years goal! Here are some of my inspiration photos (I'm sorry - I will get better at sourcing - ahh...another goal) Enjoy...






Images (Nate Berkus, Home Beautiful)


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Candle Love...

And a wonderful gift for a hostess, girlfriend, sister. I have been lovin Voluspa candles for a couple years now. My new scent for this season is the Goji Torocca Orange Tin Candle. It's heavenly! I was first introduced to this scent at a holiday home tour where this candle was burning in the powder room. I think every woman there was asking - what is that candle? Where can I get it? With last minute gifts on my mind and also with a New Years goal to have my own special candle placed bedside or for those nights once my little one is in bed and a glass of vino and bath is calling. This will be my go-to relaxation! Enjoy...

Friday, December 17, 2010

Family Photos

I'll be honest, the post I had planned today didn't really work out. So instead...family photos. My mother in law's BFF is taking a photography course and took some photos of us a couple weeks ago at the beach. Here are a few of the shots. I think she did a great job. My favourite is the last photo. Enjoy...




Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Lovin this Photography!

I was literally speechless when walking into one of my favourite stores here in Vancouver, BC - The Cross and seeing this amazing photography. You know when you see something you love, you don't know why at first, but you know it's perfection! I quickly looked up the artist - Sean Lande. He is a Vancouver-based photographer whose work has been featured in various international and local publications including Black Belt and Brazilian publication, Tatame. So striking. Enjoy..





Monday, December 13, 2010

Looking for those Easy Appy Recipes?

Well, the morning of my own Christmas party this weekend, I found them! Unfortunately, it was too late for me but I want to share some of these easy, and what I know will be delicious, appy suggestions from Jessica Seinfeld (yes, the wife of Jerry). I have to admit, her cooking videos have become a recent bit of an obsession (Tamra Davis - still love you too). Here are a few recipes from Jessica's blog. If you try any - keep me posted. Enjoy...


Warm Rosemary Mixed Nuts: On a sheet pan, toss your favorite mixed nuts with a little olive oil, fresh rosemary needles, and salt. Bake in a 375°F oven until warm and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Carrot and Cucumber Sticks with Dilly Dip: Combine Greek yogurt with chopped fresh dill, grated lemon zest, and black pepper. Serve with carrot and cucumber sticks for dipping.
Pistachio Goat Cheese Log: Chop up pistachios and golden raisins and roll a goat cheese log in them to coat the outside. Serve with crackers.
Parmesan Twists: Brush a thawed puff pastry sheet with a beaten egg and sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Cut into ½-inch wide strips then twist. Place on a parchment-lined sheet pan, sprinkle with some more Parmesan, and bake in a 375°F oven until golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.
Roasted Spiced Potato Wedges: Cut up red potatoes into wedges, toss in olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika and roast in a 425°F oven until tender and crisp. Serve hot or at room temperature with a mixture of sour cream and scallions for dipping, about 35 minutes.
Fresh Ricotta with Herbs: Place fresh ricotta in a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, a little salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Serve with crackers or sliced baguette.
Chocolate Bark: Melt 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate and spread into a parchment lined 8-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle the top with dried cranberries and chopped cashews. Refrigerate until firm (15 minutes) then break into pieces.
Recipes and picture from www.doitdelicious.com





http://www.doitdelicious.com/

Friday, December 10, 2010

A Before & After: Kitchen Cabinets

We moved into our home 4 months ago and we had a goal - turn this brown house as light as possible! The previous owners loved all things brown including the cabinets and backsplash in the kitchen. Well, we changed that. Thanks to the great suggestion of Andrea Johnson we had them sprayed a beautiful cream colour. Best thing we did! Yesterday we took it a step further and the backsplash was painted a lighter version of the cabinet colour (pics to follow later). Little by little the blah browns of this house are turning beautiful creams and whites. Enjoy... (sorry, you will see a toy display from my daughter...they're real life photos :-)

THE BEFORE





THE AFTER 







Will post more pics of my new painted backsplash next week. Have a wonderful weekend....

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Lovin J.Crew Holiday photos...

The clothes, the styling, their ads and the one and only Jenna Lyons! Here are a few pics of J.Crew seasons past. Considering this is 2006 - 07 - good styling always looks great. Enjoy...






Photos from J.Crew Aficionada

Monday, December 6, 2010

My Christmas Party Inspirations...

Busy weekend! A Christmas party, mother in laws birthday, drudging through the forest to chop down our tree (more on that one!), daughter's art class, the Christmas train with friends and I baked 9 dozen (yikes!) macaroons for my first cookie exchange. Oh, and then we decided to have a little Christmas gathering this week!

We got into the Christmas spirit and found a slot in the calendar that worked and out went the invite. Now, the work begins. I like the idea of an open house as it's casual, relaxed - guests can mingle and come and go as they please. I created a little inspiration board of some items I hope to see in my house. I realized no where in this inspiration board do I have food!? President's Choice and Costco appy's acceptable? Kidding (well, sort of ) Enjoy...

Here we go: A beautiful tree, paperwhites, mistletoe (how fun would that be!), little shrubs, candles with greenery, fresh flowers and hey, I might have forgot food but I remembered champagne!


Images: Sarah Richardson, Martha Stewart Living

Friday, December 3, 2010

Look Who I Found...

Yes, it's him. The infamous reindeer from Anthro who has been making his way around blogland lately. I'm sorry, I said I would move on from the Christmas theme but just had to share this one. I was at my local Homesense (for you in the US - same as Homegoods) and who did I see, all by himself...Rudolf! I had no choice but to get him. He is unique, recycled and eclectically wonderful. I hesitated for a moment as he does not go at all with the classic white, silver and sparkly theme I have been creating, but hey - that's what gives him more charm. So all those fellow Homesense/Homegoods shoppers out there - quick, he may be at your local store too! Oh, did I also mention he cost $29.99 ($65.00 at Anthro!). Enjoy...





Thursday, December 2, 2010

I Said I'd Never...

...send out a card with me in it! But all that has changed. Many of my dear friends started families before we did and I used to tease them about the many "family" Christmas cards I received in the mail. Yes, some with matching sweaters. I aways said when we start a family it would just be the kids on the card. Well, I did that for 2 years and now I've changed my tune (and love it!).  I was so inspired by the family photo done by one of my all time favourite bloggers - two ellie. She inspired me. This is our first family Christmas card photo. Yes, I know, friends, you can tease me now.

Now, I need to get busy and pick the card design! :-)

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!