Summer Dreaming

It’s so cold outside in Toronto and it’s snowing. I’m getting cabin fever,  so here’s something to warm my heart. This dreamy painting by Catrin Welz-Stein, is entitled Summer Dreaming! Happy Weekend!

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Not your average Grandma

Advanced Style is a fashion blog by Ari Seth Cohen, who roams the streets of New York in search of creative and stylish elderly folk. And why not? I’m so glad to see that just because you’re over 30, 40 and 50, it doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself with fashion! Just look at these stylish ladies!

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Quirky art in a serious world

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fabric, illustration, LIsa Bengtsson, pillows

Fun and funky design. Lisa Bengtsson’s patterns and illustrations are so unique. I’m so inspired by her rather unconventional illustrations and patterns. I’d love to own a set of those zebra plates. Notice the zebra is wearing heels! So unexpected. What would the dinner guests say, I wonder?

To see the rest of her lovely collection of wallpaper, fabrics, pillows and porcelain, visit her website.

Black and white decor

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Denmark, home decor, Modern, Simplicity

When I see all these fabulous apartments in Denmark I immediately want to (a) throw away all my furniture and start with a blank white canvas or (b) pack my suitcases and move there. I love the modern simplicity of this lovely home of Jesper and Majbritt. Just look at the architectural detail on the ceiling and those windows! The pairing of modern decor with old world moldings is awesome. So jealous of their outdoor patio too!

via – French by Design

Picture wall

This lovely picture wall at Mackapär (a blog by Ulrika Kullenberg about scandinavian interior design, inspiration, creativity and projects) is so impressive. What a clever way to display art and personal photos at the same time. She used the same colour frames and a similar colour scheme with small pops of colour. It looks cohesive and uniform – not cluttered. And of course she had help from her little guy – so adorable! To see how she made it, click here!

Girl Friday

I was going to title this series “Fashion Friday” but how lame is that? I’m sure Girl Friday is used somewhere else but I like the meaning behind it. “To describe an especially faithful servant”. Like the politically incorrect phrase “Slave to fashion?” Oui!

Due to the fact that I may actually be a reincarnated princess from some far off land, I have problems dressing casually. Le boyfriend agrees. He actually tells me that I need “a heel with that”. Wow.

Here is a casual outfit I actually like. It’s chic and appears as if it was just thrown together. I mean, the shirt is wrinkled right? Did she pick it off the floor before she put it on because she is oh so busy and just had to run out at the last second but still had the time to pose for this photo right on the street (ha, gotta love fashion eh?). Yeah. I could wear this. The key to making this work is to make sure everything is fitted. Otherwise it will just look schlubby. That, my friends, is the key to casual chic.

To tote or not to tote?

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bookhou shop, covet garden, tote bag

Okay, I’ve been a bad blogger lately. Very bad. No posts since the New Year. S’up? I kind of felt overwhelmed by the materialism at the Holidays. Now don’t get me wrong. I love material things. I’m not proud of it, but hey, at least I’m contributing to the economy.

Which brings us to why I’m writing this post. I’m currently unhappy with my brand name purse. I hate the way it hangs. The zipper sticks. It’s patent leather (faux, I mean come on, what was I thinking?) It was probably mass produced in another country, in some dimly lit workshop by an underpaid person.

So, me thinks I will put my money into my own economy here at home. In Toronto. A city bursting with talented artists.

So, I’m reading Covet Garden, one of my fave Toronto magazines/blogs when I come across the cutest tote bag. The beautifully crafted Bookhou Triangle Zip Tote. Me likey. It’s sold out. But the Triangle Day Bag is even better because it’s not as big.

I think this could be a cute everyday schlep my crap around kind of bag. I’d be supporting the lovely bookhou shop in downtown T.O. It’s in my price range. It’s stylish and functional and  not mass produced. Dare I buy a bag/tote made of fabric? I think it’s time!

This is how I plan to shop this year. I am going to try to become more conscious of what and where I purchase things. I AM going to repurpose and recycle. And hopefully in the process, my bloggers block will disappear and I can get back into the swing of things! More on that later. Still looking for the perfect camera. What do you shoot with?