Carter and Company

On one of my journeys throught the winding internet I found the design firm of Carter and Company. Their portfolio is amazing. I like how they have combined traditional elements with pops of colour for a younger more fresh look. The painted china cabinet is a good example of how they have successfully breathed new life into a very formal piece. I also like how they have displayed the blue and white china inside; very graphic and minimal.

This bathroom is great. Love the classic tile, nickle finishes and bits of black.

 This kitchen encorporates my love of subway tile, herb topiaries, Emma Bridgewater china, black and white floors and art in the kitchen. Wow.

 Another great kitchen, simple and timeless. I like a large island without a sink.

     

                                                                   

This is going in my girl room/mom cave file. Love it.

Hope you are having a good day!

Instagram Addiction

I admit it, I have a severe addiction to Instagram, I just can't stop taking photos. 

Oh, a cheese burger-Instagram it. Look, a stuffed animal Instagram it. The family is tired of me saying, "Wait, I need to take a picture of that."

I get really excited when I check the news page on Instagram and see that someone has "liked" one of my photos. It's just like being in grade 3 and getting a cool sticker or a stamp on my work.

As you can see from this little collection there is no rhyme of reason to what I take photos of.

Are any of you into Instagram?

Friday: {Drinks}

It's Friday, that means it's time for a little drinky. I hope everyone has a restful and productive week end.

Enjoy!

*Martini Splash*

2 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz vermouth
splash pineapple juice
dash maraschino cherry syrup
lime slice

Rub inside of martini glass with lime slice.
Combine ingredients in a shaker, add ice and shake well.
Strain into a martini glass and garnish with lime and a cherry.

Lincoln Park After Dark

Have you been to Lincoln Park after dark?

 This is my all time favourite dark shade of nail polish. It looks very purple in the bottle, on my nails it's a nice deep eggplant/burgundy verging on black. It's the perfect colour for those who don't want to go super dark black. Black is way too stark and goth on me.

This was my latest OPI Gel manicure. I would highly recommend doing this if you want a very long lasting mani; mine last up to 3 weeks. I usually have it removed around 2 1/2 weeks because a ridge forms along the cuticle from my nail growing. If you have slow growing nails you can probably get a good 3 weeks out of it. The removal process can be a little harsh, so I limit myself to only doing it now and then. It is definitely the way to go if you are travelling and don't want to be worried about touching up your manicure or lugging nail polish and remover.

Have a good day :)

Orchid Growing Tip

A friend gave me a great tip for taking care of orchids. I am not sure if the experts would agree, but all I can say is that I have not murdered mine and it has been over a month. This is the first house plant I have had in a long time that has not up and died within a few days.

Once a week place two ice cubes in the pot.

My orchid has a tiny pot so I put the ice cubes in one at a time.

Over watering an orchid is not a good idea and definitely don't allow water to pool in the bottom of the pot.

The ice drips slowly allowing the roots a chance to absorb the water before it flows to the bottom of the pot.

STILL  ALIVE !!

Orchids are everywhere...a few inspirational photos.

Style at Home

House Beautiful

Canadian House and Home

Canadian House and Home

Canadian House and Home

This Means War

On Saturday night I saw the movie This Means War starring Reece Witherspoon. It has been receiving mixed revues. On various movie review sights it has been described as a movie with a trio of pretty actors trapped in a romantic comedy that boarders on cheesy.
I found it to be light and entertaining and the fact that Reese has a killer look in it was enough to satisfy me on a cold evening when I had nothing better to do. In most scenes Reese is wearing super high heels, super tight dresses, (according to my husband) and is generally looking gorgeous. (husband said "HOT") I would love to know where they got her wardrobe from.  Chelsea Handler plays Reeces best friend and provides some very funny scenes. If you like Reese and love fashion you should see this movie. (The man eye candy isn't bad, either!!)

Ina Garten's Chocolate Cake

This is the only chocolate cake recipe you need. Everyone in my family loves it for their birthdays. I have made it many times and it always turns out perfect. It has a nice texture and is super chocolately. Top with a basic chocolate butter cream icing, as I have done here, or use a vanilla icing for a nice black and white cake.

For this cake I layered sliced strawberries and icing in the center. Try spreading raspberry or strawberry jam in the middle-it's delicious.

Ultimate Chocolate Cake

1 1/2  sticks unsalted butter at room temperature

2/3  cup granulated sugar

2/3  cup light brown sugar, packed

2  large eggs, at room temperature

2  teaspoons vanilla 

1  cup buttermilk, at room temperature

1/2  cup sour cream, at room temperature

2  tablespoons brewed coffee

1 3/4  cups all-purpose flour

1  cup good quality cocoa powder **

1 1/2  teaspoons baking soda

1/2  teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9 inch round cake pans. With an electric mixer cream the butter and two sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla. In a separate bowl whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream and coffee. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. On low speed add one third of buttermilk mixture and then one third of flour mixture, repeat until everything is mixed in. Mix until blended, do not over mix. 

Divide batter between the cake pans and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in pans for 30 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool completely.

Recipe is also good for cupcakes. Makes 12. Reduce cooking time to approximately 20-25 minutes.

**This is the cocoa I use, from Dean and Deluca.

This one tastes great too.

Chocolate Butter Cream Icing
1 1/2 cups soft unsalted butter (3 sticks)
2 tablespoons cream or milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup cocoa
2 cups confectioners' sugar (icing sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler. Set aside to cool. (I melt the chocolate in the microwave on very low heat, stirring often.)

In bowl of an electric mixer beat butter until creamy at medium speed. Add the melted chocolate, milk and vanilla and beat at low speed for 3 minutes. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar until incorporated and creamy. 

Friday Finds: {Homesense}

Today I did a quick tour of my local Homesense (Burlington Mall) and this is what I found...

This cabinet would be great with a mirror over it in a small foyer or between two single beds for a little Palm Beach vibe. The doors are lined with a grass cloth material.

** 

Wouldn't it look nice between these beds?

I've been stalking these plates for a while now. I think I am finally going to buy them. I like fact that the white is a true white, it will mix great with my all white dishes and the blue pattern is fairly subtle. I have always loved blue and white china, but prefer a pattern like this, without flowers. I would pair them with fuchsia cloth napkins (love navy and pink), yellow for Easter or even kelly green which is my new obsession. They are Ralph Lauren bone china and are $14.99 each .By writing this I have just convinced myself to buy them! (ha)

I know this pattern has been done to death, but I still like it.

 

And lastly for the kiddies in your life this adorable Easter garland. Only $6.99.

What have you found lately at Homesense?

Have a nice week end.

Connecticut: Part 3

I wasn't planning on a Connecticut part 3,  but I thought you would enjoy these photos of Sarah Kaplan's house, the owner of Dovecote Home.

Guest Bedroom #1

Guest Bedroom #2

Dining Room

Sun Room

Sitting Room

For the life of me I couldn't figure out how to make this photo larger. This is Sarah Kaplan's dressing room and her Birkin collection. What!? I count 14. That's some collection.

Hope you have a good Thursday.