Thursday, March 31, 2011

Spring Shades - Yellow Sunshine


I'm trying to beckon the arrival of spring and thought inspirations of sunny yellow might help.
Nothing like this cheerful hue to warm the spirits.




{ffffound, Dress Design Decor, 1st Dibs, Maya Beus Illustration, The Nest, The Decorista,
The Brass Petal, Camillia Meijer Wallpaper, David Downtown Illustration, Elle Moss Photography, Architecture Blog, Shopbop, 1st Dibs, 1st Dibs, This is Glamorous, Christopher Farr Cloth, net-a-porter, net-a-porter, net-a-porter, Elements of Style, Kate Spade, Kelly Wearstler}

I'll continue the Spring Shades parade next Thursday with a new colour.

Oh and ps, I have to mention the photographer responsible for the gorgeous photo I used in the title board.
I just discovered the portfolio of Gina Uhlmann yesterday and it's uttterly divine!!!
I'm planning a whole post based on her work very soon so stay tuned.


Smooches.
xo


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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wednesday Wallpaper - Trove


Led by artists Jee Levin and Randall Buck, Trove Wallpaper is a company that attempts to push the common conventions of the craft.
Based in New York, this team of artists is the creative force behind the designs.
Together, they have produced patterns that are heavily influenced by city inspirations and break the 'rules'of scale and dimension- many prints have repeats that are 12 feet high.
Printed on commercial grade paper, all of the designs are eco-friendly and show a strong reference to our environment/natural world.

 A preview.

 

I find the colour, scale and photographic quality of each pattern remarkably special.
Each print feels like a work of art in itself and seems completely distinct from anything else I have seen.
Fantastically creative, the artist's hands are certainly present in each design and make the entire line feel like a collection of gallery work.

Yet another example of the gorgeous medium that is wallpaper.

And ps, I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to visit you all yesterday- didn't have two minutes to rub together.
I'm out this morning volunteering in my daughter's classroom and will look very forward to catching up when I get home.

xo
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Pretty Spring

I have a bit of a crazy today so a short spring inspired post.
It's been sunny and pseudo warm here for three days in a row, the snow is slowly melting and I feel a hint of the sweetness to come.
Blue skies, flower buds and new beginnings.

Enjoy.














steven meisel05 Spring in the Vogue

steven meisel08 Spring in the Vogue






Not much I love more than stunningly pretty photographs.
And ps, could you die over those hooded chairs? I could.
 
Oh and pss, if you happen to live in Canada, you might be able to catch a few of your favourite bloggers
{hint hint} on this morning's episode of CityLine.
 
 
The episode was dedicated to lifestyle bloggers and we were even treated to a reception at the Ritz Carleton after taping- such a delightful morning!!!
 
Happy spring everyone!
 
 xo
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Monday, March 28, 2011

Project Kitchen Gorgeous - The Beginning


As many or most of you know, Project Kitchen Gorgeous is in full swing.
But, what would a great story be without a fabulous prologue?
 What fun would the whole process be if we just skipped right ahead to the ending?
Sure it might be instantly gratifying but really, would it make the whole thing truly satisfying?
I say no and as such, have decided to take you back a bit...to the beginning that is.
So, here she goes...the story from the start.


.......

It all began when blogger we'll call B&B (aka moi,) finished redecorating her living room, looked upon her yellow maple kitchen and decided once and for all, a change had to be made.
Not having a clue about how one goes about redesigning a kitchen, said blogger began looking for options and landed at a local and very highly recommended design firm.
A meeting ensued,  and many dollars were exchanged and then this....the plans.



For those readers out there who know this humble blogger, to say the plans were a large miss, would be a huge understatement.
First of all, they called for things to be moved that didn't have to be moved and more importantly, they just were not the 'look' blogger was going for.
Sure they were lovely but me, I mean blogger, certainly not so...panic.
B&B reached out to friends for advice, thought about ways to make the plans work and lost MANY hours of sleep thinking about the oodles of dineros that would be spent simply making the designs right.
While this was all happening, blogger continued chatting/making new peep friends on Twitter.
Twitter = fabulous way to meet fabulous people easily.

And here's the bullet point version of what happened next.

Blogger read many tweets from hilariously talented designer, Meredith Heron.
Blogger summed up the nerve to write designer and ask for any advice she may have.
Designer responded saying, "send over designs and I'll take a look."
Blogger did happy dance and nervously pressed send.
Designer sent back most relieving email of blogger's life, and said the design clearly missed the mark and wait for it....she would love to help.
Blogger did another much bigger happy dance.
Designer and blogger begun firing off emails in mad succession and set up a meeting at blogger's home.
Designer arrived at blogger's house wearing a full length mink.
Blogger knew instantly that they'd get along.
Designer sealed the deal but saying blogger's kitchen should "have a curated feel, New York Brownstone meets Parisian Pied a Terre shipped to Oakville via London England."
Blogger was sold and VERY excited.
And then, no less than a thousand emails were sent, responded to and resent.
The kitchen design process was officially launched.

.......

We'll leave it there for now and will continue next week with a look back at the big design reveal that took place at Meredith's office...and let me just tell you in advance, the whole meeting was like Christmas morning to a 4 year old...bliss.
Before I move on though, I have to tell you how totally and completely in awe I am of the talent this lady has- I feel so lucky to be exposed to someone who just oozes creativity and style.
Truly inspiring in every sense of the word.

And now, I thought I'd leave you with a few images.
I think I'll do this for every PKG entry.
The pictures will be an effort to give you a feel for the kitchen without actually spilling the beans...because as we decided, what fun would that be??

So...here she goes...a little insight into the inspiration beyond a kitchen redesign.

If my new kitchen were a.....Name, she (yes, the kitchen is always going to be referred to as she- if you say the actual plans, you would know how fitting this is;) would be:


It's soft and  pretty but has strength....exactly how I want the kitchen to be.
Actually, let's just refer to her as Fleur from now on- I love naming inanimate things so why not a kitchen?

If my kitchen were a Look...she would be:


Feminine, romantic, sexy, travelled, distinct and chic.

If my kitchen were Artwork...she would be:


Soft but graphic and bold...unabashedly girly.

And with those three,  I'll leave you with one more thing...a sneak peak board.
I figured I have to give you a little smidgen of what's actually happening each week.
I promise that most, if not all of these things will be happening in my kitchen in some form.


For even more insight into PKG, you can link over to Meredith's new and utterly fabulous blog.
Trust me, one look at the gorgeous that is Sashay, and you will be completely hooked.
It's full of Meredith's charming antidotes and more design pretty than I can fathom at present so yeah...quite spectacular.

Thanks for following along lovelies- sharing this whole process is making the project even more delicious.

xo
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Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sunday Style in Seven - Annie of The Now Stylebook

Good morning lovelies.
I hope you're comfortable because we have a real treat today.


Annie of THE NOW is here sharing her Style in Seven and let me tell you, it's pretty spectacular.
For those of you who still may not know THE NOW, shame on you and ps, you are soooo missing out on some serious fabulosity.
If you could eat fashion, decor and gorgeous style for breakfast, then it's is totally for you.

As for Annie herself, she's an utter sweetheart with impeccable taste.
She's recently engaged (xoxox) and her new Wedding Wednesday series is just so delightful - I find myself waiting all week for it!
I could wax poetically forever about Annie but let me just sum in up by saying she's beyond talented and the definition of style.

Have a little look for yourself.

.......

Hi Loves!

I’m Annie from THE NOW Stylebook. Most of you had the pleasure of “meeting” my other {blogging} half, Elizabeth, in last week’s Style in Seven. I’m so excited to be here today sharing a little about what makes me, well, me!

And I’d like to give a special thanks to Christine for letting us NOW girls take over your gorgeous blog two Sundays in a row. We are SO honored to be a part of your fantastic series! Love you to pieces.

Hope you all enjoy my Style in Seven!

 

My Style Defined: When it comes to my style, I’d describe it as “carefully edited glamour.” I admire those who outfit their homes in calming neutrals and dub their homes a “retreat”; however, that’s not exactly me. But on the other hand, I absolutely despise clutter so I don’t want things to be TOO chaotic and over the top.
What’s my obsession?  I love beauty products.  I love researching the latest and greatest skincare gadget, shopping for a new eye shadow palette, and have even watched YouTube videos to master a new hair-curling technique.  What can I say… I’m a self-proclaimed girly girl.  While I always look very natural for day (at least I’d like to think so), I rarely leave the house without a little eyeliner on.  I feel absolutely naked without it.  And call me cliché, but for a night out, to me there is no better look than a smoky eye and pale lip.  Yum.  Oh, and one more thing… I have no brand or product loyalty.  I’ll try any product from any line– doesn’t matter whether it’s from Barneys or Walgreens, I’ll give it a shot!



    I heart Mixed Metals.  I refuse to commit to either silver or gold (or platinum or bronze for that matter)… I love to mix my metallics!  I actually apply this philosophy to all style-related aspects of my life:  clothing, jewelry, interior design, etc.  In fact, mixed metallics were actually a huge inspiration for the “look” of my upcoming wedding!  
      Such a Bargain Hunter.  If you were to ask any of my friends to describe my shopping style, they might be a little annoyed by my strange ability to come across the most ridiculous bargains.  Case in point:  One day I was at Horchow digging through a clearance table linens box and I came across a Missoni dress (in my size!) that was $40 and happened to have been misplaced!  Another example?   The antique burled wood bar in my dining room was about $60 at random thrift store that was going out of business.  What can I say?  I live for a steal!


    I adore PLVs (Pretty Little Vignettes).   I think my obsession with “vignettes” of style goes back to point #1… I love glamour and lots of interest, but I like there to be some method to the madness.  Whether items are grouped asymmetrically or with order, by color or theme, there are endless ways to arrange elements to create a vignette.   Even the most random or everyday objects can be artfully placed to develop a “installation” of sorts, resulting in a fabulous work of art.


 Moments of Humor.   Similarly to how Elizabeth looks for a bit of irreverence in her design, I also appreciate when designers (and “normal” people too) don’t take themselves so seriously.  I think that’s why I think Barney’s is so genius with their advertising… their slogan, “Taste, Luxury, Humor” speaks volumes about the unpredictable wit they pair with high fashion.  Such a delicious combo that I try to interject into my own décor.

.......

What did I say, totally gorgeous in every way.
Oh and PS, those home photos...yup, that's Annie's actual house!
Le Sigh...sublime.
A giant thanks to both Annie and Elizabeth for visiting- was so honoured to have you both!

xo
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   Girl Crush.  If I could magically own anyone’s wardrobe it would be Olivia Palermo.  I adore the way she blends inexpensive pieces (Zara, Ann Taylor), high-end designer items, and vintage articles to create her own sophisticated style.   She also masterfully pairs classic pieces with trendier accessories to make things look a bit more unexpected.  On top of her wardrobe, I aspire to always look as polished she does… her hair and makeup are always perfection!  Lovessss her!

xoxoA

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Saturday Shopping - The One of a Kind Spring Show

Happy times are here again.
The Toronto Spring One of a Kind Show is starting next week.
Filled with an unprecedented 118 artisans, the show is going to be complete sweetsauce.

For one, the amazingly talented and ridiculously charming Corrine of Biko will be there.

We all know how much I looooveee her and her gorgeous jewels.

And that's not all.

Look who else is going to be showing their bidazzling wares.
I MUST own something from Scout & Catelogue collection.
::whispers::
Fingers crossed that a blog post on Ms. Musgrove and her insane talent will be coming up very soon.
 
Soooo much talent.

I'm very much looking forward to the show and can't wait to get my hands on some gorgeous goodies.
I'll be trying to snatch up some of these pretties.


Hello art, furniture, decor and jewelry yumminess.

Here are the actual deets for those of you in the T.
{or for you smart cookies who use the OOAKS as a very excellent reason to visit the T.}

Ticket prices: Adults $12 ($10 on-line); Seniors and Youth (aged 13–17) $6.50 and Children (aged 12 & under) free
Dates & times: Wednesday, March 30–Saturday, April 3: 10am–9pm
Sunday 10am–6pm
Place: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto

Oh and PS, since I have you in the mood....if you'd like to help us shop for some garden goodies
re: Bloggers Give Back, please click over to the site and donate away.
Big kisses from me will follow!!!

xo
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