Friday, September 28, 2012

LOVE of the week


Wow, can you believe that it's almost the end of September? And for us Canadians Thanks Giving is just around the corner. I am having Thanks Giving dinner at my house this year so I've started to think about what I can do to decorate the front of the house and the dining room table. 

I found this photo on Tumblr that I think is absolutely gorgeous. I like the simple and natural decorations and that black door is amazing. (Yes, I have a thing for black doors!) 

Wreaths seem so passe to me, but I think this one is very pretty. I might actually have to get my craft on and try to replicate it. I think the shape, the silk ribbon and the door knocker all help to elevate it to the next level. (Now if I can just find my glue gun!)

This week I am loving...


"I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
L.M. Montgomery, Ann of Green Gables

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

DVF Jacket

Well I finally bit the bullet and bought the jacket I first saw over on Erin's blog and talked about here. It's just what I was looking for! I think it's going to be a pivotal piece in my wardrobe. I am trying to buy less and to invest in better quality items. 


And in an attempt to tame this monster of clutter....I am trying to buy more versatile pieces that do double duty.

Wow, see how I just justified my purchase?! 

Seriously isn't this just a perfect little jacket? I will be wearing this with everything this fall and winter. I love the leather detailing and the cut is just right for me.
Diane von Furstenburg Maya Pebble Lace Jacket

Available at Holt's in Toronto.


Have a great day everyone!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Monday, September 24, 2012

Let's Bake

I thought I would start the week off with a little baking inspiration. Now that the weather is cooler I've felt more motivated to cook and have been on the hunt for new and easy recipes. This coffee cake is very quick to whip up and it looks impressive when baked in a bunt pan.
Thanks to my Aunt Linda for sharing her recipe!


Blueberry Yogurt Coffee Cake

 1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups blueberries

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Whisk sugar, oil and egg together. Stir in yogurt and vanilla. In a separate bowl sift flour, baking soda and salt. Stir into wet mixture just until flour is combined. Gently stir in blueberries.
Spoon batter into a very well greased bunt pan.
Bake for 40 minutes.
Allow to cool 5 minutes and then turn out onto a cooling rack.

ENJOY!



High/Low


Do you shop at Forever 21? Once in a while I take a quick run through my local shop to see if anything catches my eye, usually I am not successful. I find that shopping at Forever 21 takes a very discerning eye and lots of time. The other day I popped in and found this cute black and cream shift dress which reminded me so much of a dress I was interested in by Milly. I love Milly and always find something each season that works for me. See my previous Milly post here.

                                      $385.00                                                                $18.80

                          Julia Shift Dress by Milly                                       Lattice Print Shift by Forever21   
                                                                                                 in cream and black or cream and navy


I ended up buying both colours of the Forever 21 dress. I am planning on cutting the navy one off to make a blouse; thought it would be cute in the spring with white skinny jeans!

Happy Shopping!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Black and Gold




Nothing to me says fall more than black and gold. I really like the combination; it's so warm and the contrast is striking. I've put together a few examples of inexpensive items that you can add to your wardrobe or home for that little touch of black and gold.



Earrings from Foxy Originals. Both under $30.00. I love the ones above-called the Hive Earrings.





Clutch from C. Wonder. Only $28.00.
Tried to order this, but they don't ship to Canada.



Saffiano bracelet. C. Wonder.  $58.00



Dahlia candle holders at CB2.
 $19.95 for two.

Just add black candles. 

Wouldn't a bunch of these down the center of a dining table be stunning?






Angenam bowl from Ikea.   $19.99

Thursday, September 20, 2012

LOVE of the week



This week I am loving pretty dressing table displays.

House and Home
Displaying pretty things on trays or in dishes keeps it from getting too cluttered.


Domino Magazine

Tumblr

Meredith Heron Design
Breakfast at Toast

Massucco Warner Miller

Ana Antunes

Fabulous K






Wednesday, September 19, 2012

House Shopping and A Question

We have been casually looking for a new home for the past six months or so. There are two things that are making the decision of whether to stay or move very difficult. Firstly, we don't have to move, our home is perfectly fine. Secondly and most importantly, the prices in this part of the country are out of control. There is very little inventory in what would be considered the next level up for us. Most newer homes that are for sale now are way, way over a million dollars. Sometimes it becomes very discouraging. This is an example of what I am talking about...

 $850,000.00  Cute, but way too small.



 Where's the house? This is what you get for $799,000.00.


Or if you have a really big wallet or a sugar daddy you can have this hot mess for the measly sum of
$16,500,000.00.  No that is not a typo-that is sixteen and a half million. I kid you not! Oh, and by the way it is only 3 miles from the house above.

I would have to be payed at least 20 mill to live in this....a little too much for my tastes!



 The good news is we happened upon an open house on Sunday in one of our top neighborhoods and we were pleasantly surprised by a lovely new home on a great street just off the lake. I really liked almost everything about the house, but here is the problem....



I don't love the kitchen. I really wanted a new home with a kitchen that I adored. (as I type this I wonder if it even exists) The arrows point to the problems. I definitely wanted an industrial stove, the black faucet, light fixture, granite and hardware are not doing it for me. And the thing I dislike the most is the back splash; way too stripy.


Here is my question...Do you think I could change everything but the granite and achieve a kitchen that is light and bright with a bit of sparkle???
So readers please give me suggestions. Leave them in the comments section or if you prefer to comment by email please do. I would so appreciate the help!


Here are a few other shots


 Family Room



Back porch and yard.





 Thanks,

  Lisa






Monday, September 17, 2012

Before and After: Bench

I bought this bench from Moveline, a local company that resells used hotel furniture. Unfortunately because I was so excited to get out the spray paint I forgot to take a before picture of it. This photo gives you an idea of what it looked liked, don't you just love the tapestry fabric? I had it recovered by Staci Edwards at Switch Studio. If you are in the Toronto/Oakville area and need something upholstered I highly recommend Staci; she did an excellent job.

                                                                            Before
                                                                 
                                                                   


After






Here it is at our condo.
I am really happy with how it looks under the glass console. It's the perfect piece for a small space because it can brought into the living area for extra seating.






Have a great day!

Friday, September 14, 2012

LOVE of the Week

Anyone who knows me knows that I've been passionate about design since I was a little girl. One of the reasons I started this blog was to have an outlet for my crazy infatuation with the design world. I am so interested in design of all types that sometimes it feels like my brain might explode. I want to keep experimenting in my own home, but it's just not practical nor financially responsible. It's impossible for me to change my surroundings every time the mood hits or to redo rooms just because I "feel " like it or because I've just seen something gorgeous in a shop. Thank goodness for this little blog!  If I didn't have a place to record all that junk in my head I think I might go crazy. I guess blogging could be considered my basket weaving!!

I am starting a new series called...
 Once a week I'll show you something that I absolutely love. I hope you are as inspired as I am!

For my very first LOVE of the Week I want to show you this brownstone in Greenwich Village. Who doesn't love a brownstone? The black shiny door, the brass knobs and the tile floor in the foyer...LOVE IT all. Oh, and doesn't it remind you of Sesame Street?




photos from here

Happy Weekend Everyone

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Peanut Butter Crunch Cookies

If you need something sweet and decadent these are the treats for you. They are super easy and super yummy! For a similar bar style dessert see my recipe for Peanut Butter Bars here.


Peanut Butter Crunch Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
2 cups peanut butter
6 cups corn flakes
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Place corn flakes in a large bowl.
Mix together sugar and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Stir until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and mix in the peanut butter. Pour over corn flakes and mix well. With a spoon drop onto wax paper covered cookie sheets. (or let mixture cool enough to roll by hand) Chill 15 minutes. Melt chocolate in microwave and place in a small zip-lock bag. Snip corner and use as a piping bag to drizzle chocolate. Chill another 15 minutes and then store in an airtight container in fridge.


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Fall Fashion

Have you made a list of what you need for fall?
Yesterday I went through my closet and purged tones of stuff I don't wear. It turns out that I really don't need much. I know for sure that I would like to purchase a new black purse for everyday use, maybe a couple of dresses and something with a bit of leather on it. I have noticed black leather is everywhere this season. There is no way I could pull off leather pants, but maybe a short black skirt would work or even a little jacket trimmed in leather. I am spending a few night in the city so I plan on doing a once over of my favourite shops to see what's available.

Here are a few things from Milly that are possible additions to my fall wardrobe.....

Butterfly Shift

Pascal Dress-Perfect for everyday with black tights and boots or dress it up.






This would be a great everyday bag. 






Aimee Blouse.  Love this.






And my favourite leopard is a contender.




I always like to buy a few new accessories each season and this clutch is calling my name.


The other day I saw this Diane von Furstenberg jacket over at  Elements of Style.
I think this might be my "little touch of leather" for the season. I would wear this absolutely everywhere.
It's the perfect little jacket to wear dressy or just with jeans and heels.



Maya Pebble Lace Jacket