Hello Monday

I don't have a proper post. With the blogland in both US and Canada abuzz with conferences and "how to improve things" tips and tricks, all I want to do is escape the pressure.

In reno related news, the wall in Baby C's room is almost done (thanks LORI!). Other than that, nothing was touched. We played outside, we made cars and houses out of LEGO, we drew, we glued and we watched movies. We didn't stick to a schedule and ate way too many grapefruits.

It was the best weekend ever. How was yours?

PS. These pictures are part of research I'm doing on urban condo living. Something that's been on my mind a lot lately.

Sources: HERE, HERE, HERE

Investment Pieces

Last night I had my girls over. Among all the fun having my favourite pair of jeans ripped at the seam. Thankfully not on my butt, so I'm still going to be able to wear them in the summer. However, I"m due for another pair of jeans. And the search is on!

While I was going through the J.Crew catalogue these Café Capri pants caught my eye. Yes, exactly what I posted about a few days ago! Notice - bright bottom + black and white top! Do it :)

Anyway, I"m not sure I would ever be able to pull off pink. It's just not me... or maybe it is?? Either way, a great alternative to pink are the same pants in warm jade. Gorgeous!!

Something else caught my eye - these Scout Chinos in neon peach. I already have a chambray shirt to pair it with, but I could just as well pair it with some stripes, and I'd be good to go.

A saturated green is a great something something to have in your closet. Below is how I would wear it in the winter months. Perfect!

Can you tell how much I love black? :) Now I just need to get up the nerve to order clothes online. I'm worried about returning things. I'm worried about colours looking different off screen. You know, the usual things. These will definitely be my investment pieces for the summer so if they don't fit perfectly or if I don't love them to death they will have to go back. I'm thinking I will give ordering online a shot anyway.

Back to those ripped jeans. I'll be making shorts out of them to wear with black tights in the spring and bare legs in the summer. How teenager of me! Ha ha. Can you picture me in shorts and tights, with high heels on running after my 2.5 year old? CAN'T WAIT!

PS. This weekend I"m planning to do much more of Baby C's Marimekko wall. I'll show you the progress on Monday. Have a lovely weekend.

Source: images via J.Crew, Pinterest and PinkWallpaper

Gold + Silver = LOVE

Yesterday I read a great post by Anne-Marie from 10 Rooms about  mixing metals. I'm whole heartedly PRO mixing metals. I never really was before, but I've changed my mind over time. (PS. Anne-Marie is absolutely amazing. I learn so MUCH from her posts every time!)

Just look at the image of this kitchen. Such a lively and subtle mix. The chrome ovens, chrome or brushed nickel faucet, brass edging to the cabinets (oh, my god!!!) and a brass chandelier. Tasty to say the least!

I used to be strictly silver/white gold kind of girl. The good kind of silver, without nickel, the handmade variety that only gets more gorgeous with age. Anyway, until I started falling in love with a few gold pieces here and there. And limiting myself to wearing warm and cool separately was painful. All of my jewelry has a little story to it. Many things received as gifts from family or bought during a tremulous period in my life. There was no way I would not wear those pieces, so I started mixing them. And could not believe how much I loved the result. Now I'm ALL ABOUT MIXING!!!

As you can see, even my wedding band and engagement ring are a mix. And I love it that way! It feels balanced and personal.

Do you mix your metals? At home decor or in jewelry?

PS. Also if you take a look at the pictures of my nightstand, you will see that I'm mixing things there too!

Source: HERE

Chevron & Stripes at the Superstore

On a mad dash to pick up some rice cakes for breakfast (breakfast of champions), I came across these pillows at the Superstore. I have to say that I really like the Joe Fresh line!

Something New

One of my resolutions this year has been to work on my relationship with ME. Part of that relationship is getting back to the things I've put on the back burner since pregnancy/Baby C and house took over my life = dedicating time and budget to clothes.

 

Yes, self indulgent and kinda selfish and all that. But you need to know something about me. I drew outfits since the age of 9-ish. I used to spend my days dreaming up things to wear (instead of room design) well before I remember myself. I used to make my own clothes and considered fashion design as a career. This creative process is in my blood and I've been denying it for way too long.

 

So, some days I'll be talking about fashion. I've debated doing this for a while. Doing it here on the blog, or starting something separate. But the thing is, this blog here is called "styleING with children" and whether that's interior design, renos, party decor or clothes it is all style, it is all self expression and all of it is happening with a little one around.

So, the images. This spring/summer will be the time for deep saturated colours on the bottom, especially pants/jeans. Not a good look for me as my bottom is on the larger side. SO, to stay with the trend, and because I LOVE it, I found a few inspiration images of work appropriate bottoms that are less about tight spandex and more about italian cool. Something everyone can pull off.

 

Note: loose, falling away at the hips trousers, predominance of black and white on top, a showstopper necklace and a calm and controlled bag.

 

Something to keep in mind when shopping/dressing for spring.

 

Hope you enjoy this little addition to the blog. I'm still 100% commited to interior design, after all we still have 85% of the house to reno. But I thought these little fashion posts would be a nice way to let you guys in a bit more into my world.

 

PS. images are from pinterest, board name "holy chic", but I lost the actual link. Sorry!

Something Pretty for Your Afternoon

It is gloomy, rainy and miserable here today. My head is spinning from some major changes that may or may not be happening on the home front. Change is good, sometimes it's painful, but still, always good. I'll keep you posted.

In the mean time I'm distracting myself by rummaging through pinterest. This image is so light and fresh and lovely. Makes me feel all fuzzy and hopeful on the inside.

Source: HERE

Room for Baby C: Update

This is our progress so far in Baby C's room. I was so excited when the new Ikea opened in Ottawa so I could get THIS dresser. I really love it. We switched out original legs that came with the dresser for regular 4" CAPITA kitchen legs from Ikea. I really like them for any project in the house. I like the lightness that they bring.

And the map is up! ok, not up, but framed. I just need get hubby to actually hang it. I don't think we have anything hanging on our walls (with exception of the bathroom). I'm lazy and he's lazy. And I change my mind a lot, so this is the best way to avoid having to patch millions of holes every time! :)

Together with the dresser I also got THIS rug. And I love it. It is not the one I had originally wanted, but things never seem to look the same in catalogues/online as they do in store. I'm really happy with this rug because it has a strong presence of red/pink that matches my mural wall + a ton of other fun colours. I could put anything next to this rug that it will all work.

These pieces are a bit of a departure from my original plans for the dresser and the rug, but whatever. Rolling with the punches is the way to go :)

With the flu season here that humidifier is working non stop at night. It is a life saver for us.

PS. we've got a long way to go here, the mural is at a standstill. There's too much other stuff going on right now, so I've decided to be nice to me and take it easy. It will get done when it gets done. Period.