2012 Resolutions

It is resolution time around here. And, outside of loosing those pesky 5 lbs, I've put down some more  substantial goals for 2012.

1. Forget the glitz and glamour, and appreciate our lives as they are, unfixable squaky floors and all. (THIS post really hit home)

2. Between the stress of renos, Masters courses, work and Baby C set time aside for hubby and I to connect, have fun, show how much we appreciate each other. I would love for our children to describe our relationship THIS WAY in another 30-40 years.

3. Remember THESE 10 secrets to success in life.

4. I spent my teen years trying my best to fit in and always being heartbroken about failing. I've come a long way from that little confused girl and want to continue on the same path. I'm more sure than ever that it is the individuality in me, in you and in everyone out there that makes the world a better place. And it is this relationship with myself that I really want to continue working on, daily.

5. Make THIS(#5) or THIS announcement.

6. Take better pictures, like THESE.

7. Make a gingerbread something, like THIS one.

8. Make pretty things out of fancy fabric.

9. Finally redesign the blog, love THIS design.

10. You will notice that there are no resolutions around renos. Intentionally so. Renos are our journey, and not our destination. So while they happen and take a ton of our time and energy, life goes on. And I don't want it to pass us by while we're hammering in hardwood floors or laying tile. So I'm intentionally going to let things happen on their own. Let my control freak personality take a back seat and enjoy every minute of every day.

What are your resolutions for next year? Do you make resolutions at all?? Do you follow through?? I'd love to know :)

Source: I haven't been able to find a wreath that I love more than THIS one I posted last year.

I Owe You an Update

so, almost a week of staying at home and I have no pictures to share. really... because it gets dark at 4pm and because we're either renovating or comforting our sick little Baby C. Yes, boys and girls, we're sick all over again around here. All three of us. Fun Fun Fun.

What we did manage to do was move mountains. Or in our case:

- lay hardwood in the master bedroom. yahoo!!!!! ok, yahoo, doesn't really cut it. We are super excited that this huge project is done. It was a lot easier 2nd time around and we're beyond in love with the results.

- we're almost done putting up wallpaper. ok, we're more like 1/3 way done. TIP: do not use an execto knife on wallpaper from Ferm Living. Buy the specialty knife for carpet/linoleum. We made the mistake of using a regular knife (with a fresh blade) and it ripped the wallpaper at the ceiling : ( 

- our bed was delivered, but not installed. Because we were not done the floor/wallpaper. It is sitting in boxes in our family room.

I was hell bent on having the master bedroom livable by Jan 1st. I had these big plans to start the year fresh, etc. And that's not going to happen. Unless I want us to completely fall apart from exhaustion. boo : ( I'm learning the hardest way there is that rest is IMPERATIVE to sanity/wellbeing. Please someone remind me of this daily! I tend to not know when to stop pushing myself and others around me. Oh... I feel resolutions coming on! But that's for another post.

Todays lets talk more about the master bedroom. Specifically - reading lights.

My first two choices were these Georgo Kovacs reading lights (HERE and HERE). Love them. Really love them. BUT: (a) with shipping/delivery/brokerage fees they were going to be on the pricy side of things; (b) I think I still want actually table lamps on my night stands. And I was worried that I might have too much lighting going on if I had both these reading lights and table lights.

So, while brosing the new Ottawa Ikea store, I ran into THESE really simple and cheap wall lamps. With their white details they will blend in nicely with the wallpaper and not detract focus from table lamps (still to be purchased). And you can't beat $19.99 price tag.

Hopefully at some point these babies will get installed and we'll move back into our master bedroom. Until that time I leave you with pictures of Baby C. Trying on her older cousin's snowboarding gear.

Isn't she so adorable?? Too bad we have to wait another year for her to get her own gear. I think the minimum age for ski lessons is 3yrold.

Source: HERE

Baby C happened to get an EZ-Fort from Santa. It is the most magical gift for a little girl. Since she has the largest bedroom, there was plenty of space for a fort (or a teepee).

We had so much fun putting it together, and she had so much fun setting up house! I even put up some twinkle lights to make it extra special/cozy.

You'll notice that the flower wall is not done. Oh, well... we're enjoying the holidays, and I refuse to let unfinished projects make me feel guilty.

Hope Santa was good to you this year!!!

PS. sorry for the crappy iPhone photos. Also, I need photoshop + photoshop skills to work on my iPhone photos. But, in a way, I love the authenticity. I love the red backlight from the flowers on the wall and the pink fort sheet. It was magical. Period. No editing required.

Couldn't Stay Away

When you take the pressure off, you end up having fun. As soon as I talked myself into letting everything go until after Christmas, I ACTUALLY got things done!

This year I decided that I was going to make all the gifts. I've been searching for recipes for yummy (and somewhat healthy) snacky food.

First up: spiced nuts. EASY to make. Taste great. Especially for those of us who tend to reach  for the more uncommon snacks. These sweet/salty/spicy nuts are awesome! (I used honey instead of avage nectar). I've made a few batches before and they keep really well in the fridge.

 Next up: oatmeal/pecan/almond/raisin cookies. I've adapted the recipe: (1) took out chocolat chips and replaced them with almonds; (2) took our cherries and replaced them with raisins. I'm not a huge chocolat chip fan so they had to go. These cookies turned out amazing. NOT too sweet, nutty and decadent. I'm making more tonight! 

 I scored this lovely wicker bowl. It is heavy, rustic and feels like I've had it for years already. Love unexpected finds.

PS. I'm also looking forward to making Cranberry Coins and Vegan Thumbprints. I'll let you know how the whole vegan thing goes :)

Off for the Holidays

Boys and Girls, I'm off for the holidays. I hope you all eat a little too much, laugh a little too loud and feel a little too merry with the joy of the season.

Source: HERE

UPDATE: Painting the Marimekko Wallpaper

Progress on the wall as of yesterday morning. I would say it took about 6 hours. With natural daylight, the colours are really what they are supposed to look like! Haha! NOT red, but a nice raspberry.

This is what the wall looked like yesterday when I was done. About 3 hours later. The flowers in the middle, the darker ones, have two coats of raspberry and are much closer to the finished product :)

So far I've learned:

1. painting by hand is hard work
2. but FUN work
3. I wish I had actually purchased the wallpaper, than I realize that painting over all of this in the future will be much easier than removing wallpaper
4. I'm a crazy person, and should stop coming up with insane labour intensive projects to torture myself with
5. All that red/pink is giving the walls this wonderful glow. NOT stark white, at all. Love it.
6. I really hope this room comes together before Jan 1st. Please please please.

Wrapping Christmas Gifts

Something small I wrapped for tomorrow. Box from Michael's, yarn/twine from Michael's, green felt from the Dollar Store and white/pink felt from Michael's. Recipe via HERE. I went easy on the ginger and replaced curry with cinnamon (because I didn't have curry, and will be running to the store tomorrow morning to get some). They turned out yummy, hubby-approved!

I love the holidays, and went with the a very hand made feel for all my wrapping. Not to mention, I"m making/baking all of our gifts this year (with exception of Baby C's gifts). And I feel sooo very excited about that.

Wrapping inspirations via HERE.

PS. At the last minute I decided to add a few ornaments. Too minimal is just that - too minimal. A few off beat ornaments really give the little tree character and whimsy.

Room for Baby C: Painting the Marimekko Wallpaper

First thing I did was copy the repeat of the wallpaper from the image above. From HERE. I chose this image because it gave me the full repeat of the pattern. 

Than, I blew up the image. A LOT. Cut in out of paper and traced it onto the foam sheets. Once the pattern was cut out of the foam sheets, it was ready for tracing.

And so it got traced, and traced, and traced some more until I had the full wall covered with the pattern.

And than I started painting it in by hand.

It is taking me forEVER, and I"m nowhere near being done. But the progress is really encouraging. I can't wait to finish!!! The biggest issue is finding time when Baby C is occupied. We're doing our best, I'll keep you posted.

A Gift From Me to Me

This necklace is my new weakness. I'll be wearing it with everything I own. It has the right amount of spunk. Appropriate for work and play. All year round.

I would pair it with a few more silver chains for a more layered look. I love how it gives the traditional top a little bit of attitude.

What are YOU getting YOURSELF for Christmas this year? :)

Inspiration: DIY Wreath

Made out of white PVC. My mind is officially blown. LOVE it. Might even DIY it. Not this year, though.

Source: HERE

Yumm

Source: HERE

So Last Week Was My Birthday

So, it was my birthday last week. And hubby, the wonderful hubby that he is gifted me with these (HERE, HERE) things from my wish list.

For anyone looking for a practical purse, I would absolutely suggest a crossbody bag. They leave your hands free and are great for your posture. Also, I love that this bag is on the small-ish side so I don't have a choice but to pair down my daily "essentials". It is a lovely change from THIS bag I got last year.

What's on YOUR wish list?

Cushions from Ikea

Ottawa has been finally graced with a nice and big Ikea store. The one we had before carried 1/3 of the collection. Seriously lacking in the textiles department. This past Friday I made a trip there to get all the things I needed to pull together Baby C's room before Christmas.

I was sick like I-don't-know-what. The store was seriously amazing and overwhelming at the same time. It is the largest one in Canada. Until next year when they plan to open a new store in Montreal that will be even bigger.

The store now has the full collection and I was in LOVE with their pillows. So, without hesitation (and I planned to only get things on my list) I picked up one cushion for Baby C's room and one for our bedroom.

And I love them. The fabric is heavy and nubby. The colours really bright and the pattern is happy. Black and white is obviously for our bedroom, and the colourful one is for Baby C :)

So far, the delivery of our bed has been pushed back until after Christmas and I've made some changes to the plan for Baby C's room. All in all, almost zero progress still. But I"m hopeful that before Jan 1 we will finish at least one of the rooms.

PS. so, bad luck for me. This fabric, that I've been drooping over for a while is being discontinued!!! And our new Ikea does not stock it. If you love it, run to your local store. And maybe pick me up a couple of metres??? :)

PSS. Apparently we have been having some technical difficulties here on the blog. What's up with blue font colour?????!!!! and blue background??? what the what!!! Anyway, I'll be playing around with the layout for a bit. We'll see where it goes.

Excuses Excuses

No I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Not quite. I'm still here. Just overwhelmed with birthday things and friends visiting out of town. I'll be back to posting regularly soon. I hope :)

Source: HERE

Christmas Tree - On the Bandwagon

Hello, there, beautiful. It seems that this is the week of Christmas tree sharing, and I can't help myself :) I took the picture above a few days after the tree was set up. I love how sparkly it is even with the lights off. This year, like last year, I went with silver/gold/white theme. A little too little white, and very heavy on the gold side. It's like sparkles had a party and made babies in here and I love it. I think I'm so adamant about sparkles on my tree because the weather is just so miserable this time of year. And a little sparkle goes a long way to cheer me up.
My favourite ornament - Dollar Store find. I kid you not. These sparkle the best (and I like my tree extra sparkly these days). I got these when I was searching for non-breakable ornaments that would be extra baby/cat friendly. Surprisingly neither the cat or the kid have broken anything (what I've just jinxed myself!), but I love these little guys anyway.In the middle of gold/silver party we have a very colourful ornament. Made by Baby C. I think it makes the tree. Without it on the tree it wouldn't be Christmas around here. Also, I really love how these $1 silver and gold garlands from Ikea look in this image.
The tree skirt. Well... I'm too busy, or is it too lazy (?), to make a proper tree skirt. So I just took on of the curtains I had sitting in the basement (previously from our 1st house) and wrapped it around all the mess at the bottom of the tree. I think it works well with the gold/silver theme. And it was free, and took 2 minutes. Winner in my books every time.
This picture just makes me happy. This is a wreath I made last year and I have it out above our fireplace this year again. Very simple, very sparkly (again, I told you!) and very Christmas.

I'm linking with Honey We're Home for the Holiday Blog Link party.

Time

I stress so much when things do not happen on the schedule I've made up in my head. I worry, and I freak out and I feel powerless. For all of you doing renos, here's something that I'm coming to terms with: some things take time.

As you've probably guessed, there's little progress to show. And even less inspiration to share. I hope to be back soon with some kick ass posts about Baby C's room. In the mean time, I'll just work on getting over my cold and drinking lots of tea.

I'll be back soon

Source: HERE

Found at HomeSense

Morning, boys and girls. I'm back, did you miss me over the weekend?? We all got a cold and some progress was made in Baby C's room. Not enought to show off.

On Friday I took a little walk down to my local HomeSense (Bayshore) and found some really really great pieces! I guess my inspiration was the images I posted on Friday, because my eye went straight to the items that would have been perfect in these rooms.

Room #1:
My Finds:
I love the brass-iness of these tables and their delicate details.
This mirror would have been a perfect something sparkly. On sale. For like $19. Didn't get it. My house will soon be the house of million mirrors, so I walked away. Someone will be very lucky to snatch it up at that price. It is really such a wonderful statement piece.

Room #2. Ok, not really a room, but you know what I mean:
My finds:
The lamp could easily work in any number of rooms, but I would put it here. Also, for all of you who are still loving the ampersand, this one was really beautiful. Not too small, with lots of impact potential.

My last two finds:
The headboard was amazing. Very good quality. If you're looking for a headboard for a double bed, RUN. I think these lamps would be really great for someone who enjoys reading in bed. If they were the same finish I might have gotten them for our master bedroom. I love all the angles. Nice way to complement all the curves in the headboard.

Hope your weekend was fun!