Happy New Year!

Tags

camera, friends, holiday party, photography, vacation

It’s hard to believe that 2012 is coming to an end. I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions but I hope to make more time for the things that count next year. Visiting friends. Time for a vacation – away from Toronto this time! The purchase of an excellent DSLR camera and a photography course. I’d like to post some original content on this blog. I have to stop saying “I’ll do it tomorrow” and just do it already! AND… throw a party next year! I’m so inspired by this fabulous “bubbly bar”. More of these party photos at 100 Layer Cake.

Autumn is upon us

Tags

food, restaurants, shopping, style, vacation

Autumn. The humidity is already gone and the lazy, hazy days of summer are becoming cooler and fresher. There is a crispness to the air. I’m looking forward to watching nature change it’s colours. To drinking a cup of warm cocoa and snuggling under a cozy blanket. Boots and comfy socks. Luxe sweaters and scarves. Stew made with root vegetables – one of my favourites! Fresh apples from the farm.

Learn how to make this mushroom garland in Sweet Paul’s autumn issue.

Nothing beats buying apples from your local market. So sweet and juicy at  this time of year!

I just have to try this lavender hot chocolate recipe by à la mode.

Cozy blankets. Perfect for curling up with a good book.

Etsy Find – Faux Kiss

Tags

art, arts, botannicals, illustration, shopping, style, vacation

I accidentally found the Etsy Shop Faux Kiss while I was searching the internet for botanical prints. Shop owner Jean Cody makes art in her studio near Portland, Oregon. Her passion is exploring ways in which artwork integrates so curiously with vintage book pages. I love these unique pieces of artwork – especially the whimsical “princess” animals that she creates!

Colour Explosion

Tags

bright hues, fashion, style, summer fabrics, travel, vacation

Unless you’ve been hibernating during the summer months, you’ve probably noticed the colour explosion that has hit the runway, interior decorating, food styling and summer fabrics. Bright hues are everywhere and it is about time! I kind of like these bold, in your face colours as they are reminiscent of the 80s! From bold corals to pastel palettes and neon flourishes, colour is HOT this summer!

From the top: 1. Pretty pastel chairs 2. Neon brights 3. Colourful summer veggies 4. Brilliant bunting

From the top: 1. Dapper orange boutonniere 2. Pops of colour 3. Fun at the beach 4. Summer flowers 5. Popsicles

So tired!

Tags

balance, balance work, blogging, Exercise, health, healthy meals, healthy-living, travel, vacation, work

It’s only Wednesday and I had to catch up on so much at work – after being on vacation for a week! I feel burned out again.

Do you find work stressful? Do you balance work life and blogging, exercise and trying to make healthy meals – all during the summer? How do you cope?

Right now, my life looks like this…

via

Vacation in Toronto

Tags

Bobcaygeon, great coffee, kensington market, street art, Toronto, travel, vacation, vintage, vintage shops, yogurty's, yorkville, yorkville toronto

Last week I didn’t post much because I decided to take a local vacation in my hometown Toronto – and surrounding areas.

First stop – a visit to my parents who live in scenic Bobcaygeon, Ontario

Next, we strolled through Kensington Market, enjoying the street art, vintage shops, lunch and great coffee. People watching in Kensington is such a unique experience.

The opposite of Kensington Market is Yorkville. Toronto’s most celebrated neighbourhood of style and culture, it has the most exquisite boutiques and restaurants.

We had to try Yogurty’s the new self-serve froyo place in T.O.
We filled up our cups with flavoured yogurt and added as many toppings as possible! Delicious!

Summer fun

Tags

fashion, nature, outdoors, style, summer fun, travel, vacation

It finally feels like summer is here. Time to have fun in the sun!

take a whimsical tote like this one to the beach with you, summer meadows filled with wildflowers are my favourite, a perfect picnic on the beach, fresh lemonade is a great way to cool off on those hazy days, cycling in the early evening – what a fabulous way to end the day!

Small space style

Tags

design, eclectic chic, fabulous outfits, fashion, flea market, fresh flowers, shoes, small spaces, studio apartment, style, travel, vacation, vignettes

Meet Krystal. She lives in a tiny 400 square ft. apartment in San Francisco (a city I would love to visit by the way). Her studio has an attached kitchen and a large closet where she keeps all her fabulous outfits and shoes. Oh those shoes! I am so jealous of all her beautiful shoes.

Krystal describes her style as “eclectic chic”. I love the vignettes in her space. She manages to create displays while maintaing a clean, glamourous design aesthetic. In fact, on weekends, Krystal can be found scouring flea markets for vintage curios she artfully arranges in her home. Her biggest indulgence? Fresh flowers every week! What a great way to indulge!

Are you loving Krystal’s stylish home as much as I do?
See the full house tour here
Visit Krystal’s Style Blog This Time Tomorrow

Feeling blue

Tags

beauty, blue, composition, happy, Interior Decor, nature, outdoors, photography, plants, serene, style, travel, vacation

I’m feeling blue today. It’s in a good way. Blue, a very popular colour can represent happiness and optimism as days with clearer, blue skies tend to be considered better times. It’s soothing and serene. Beautiful blue.

all images via
pinterest

Covet Garden Decor Magazine

Tags

Covet Garden Magazine, decor, Harriott Grace, home, lifestyle, Michael Graydon, photography, shopping, St. Lawrence Market, style, Toronto, vacation

Covet Garden is an amazing magazine about spaces that aren’t styled by interior decorators, but are decorated by the interesting people who live in them.

This issue features Nikole, who owns a fabulous online shop called Herriott Grace with her father (a wonderful story). Her tiny 390-square-foot apartment is so stylish, rustic and charming – and it’s in Toronto, my home town! It’s very interesting for me to read about someone who lives, works and shops in the same city as I do!

The tapestry on the wall was purchased at St. Lawrence Market. Can you believe I have been living here all my life and I have never there? What a shame. It’s time for me to get myself there! The image on the right showcases some of the stunning wooden bowls and spoons that Nikole’s Dad makes himself!

Nikole’s space is full of cherished items that have a real history behind them. Plus, you can just look at the pictures and scroll over the things you “covet” for “Where to Buy” links! Too cool, or what? You must check out this fabulous issue for all the amazing details! Photography by one of my personal faves – Michael Graydon – I blogged about him here.