Weekend Scrapbook

We managed to take a few pictures this weekend and I thought a weekend scrapbook was in order-it's been a while! I wish I could be more consistent and have more discipline when it comes to our weekend picture taking like Kate from For me, For You (check out her site for her amazing weekend photo's every Monday)!

I had a ridiculously busy weekend filled with a ton of baking, squeezing in a much needed a hair cut, sanding a million pine boards and testing out white washing techniques for an upcoming rolling rack project (to be revealed in the next couple of weeks), going out Saturday night for my good friend's birthday party at Joe Mama's (delicious food and a great night filled with some booty shaking, but I paid for it yesterday with an ugly hangover and no voice) and a shopping trip for vintage furniture in The Junction! It was a great weekend but I'm pooped and looking forward to our long weekend next weekend! Oh and the second picture down on the right is a sneak peak at Steve's new furniture collection!

I know I promised a Valentine's Day surprise today, but I thought I should to do a Weekend Scrapbook post since it was long overdue and I finally had some pictures to share. Stay tuned for the Valentine's Day surprise tomorrow!

And a special Happy Birthday to my mom today and my sister tomorrow!!! xoxo

Pick of The Week: Zoe Chicco Rings

When I spotted Anna from Love of Mine's ring a couple of weeks ago (the first picture), I knew I had to find out who the designer was. I'm not the type of girl who swoons over diamonds and fine jewellery and you'll definitely never catch me at Tiffany's. It's just not my thing. BUT these rings by Zoe Chicco are right up my alley! The unique designs which are each available in gold and silver with the option to have a ring with a diamond or without one, are gorgeous and so perfect!!

Available in Toronto at Love of Mine.

It's been an incredibly busy week and I have a ton of work to catch up on, so I'm taking tomorrow off from blogging. I'll be back on Monday with a Valentine's Day surprise full of DIY's and recipes!

Valentine's Day: Pink vs Red

Treat yourself for Valentine's day with some pink and red! Are you a pink girl or a red girl???

1. Sleep set from Victoria's Secret
2. La Paz-itively hot nail polish by OPI
3. Red dress from Urban Outfitters
4. Shoes from Anthropologie
5. Kitchen Aid mixer
6. Rose body con dress from Topshop
7. How to Behave and Why Book from Anthropologie
8. Paper suitcases from Pink Loves Brown
9. Pillow from Tonic Living
10. Pleated tulip skirt by ASOS

Valentine's Day: Delicious Ideas

Personally for me Valentine's Day means spending some quality time with your loved one(s) and doing something thoughtful for one another. It's not about how much you spend, it's about how much thought and effort you put into something to make the other person feel happy and appreciated. That's why I love these ideas (my tummy always love a good treat)!! I'm apologizing in advance if you're a bit over hearts after this post, but I really am a big cheese ball most of the time!

Using heart shaped cupcake molds, bake your sweetie's favourite cake flavour and go crazy with the decorating!

Start the day off with a yummy batch of heart shaped pancakes using a pancake mold.

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I sure can appreciate this sweet idea from Coffee Stencil!

How sweet are these Message-In-A-Cookie Cutters? Whip up a batch of your favourite sugar cookies, add a few drops of food colouring to the batter, use fun cookie cutters and then add a custom message to each cookie!

Valentine's Day: Gift Ideas

With Valentine's Day just around the corner (less than 2 weeks away), it's time we start getting prepared for cupid's holiday. There's just something so sweet about the day that I just can't seem resist it (even though my boyfriend sadly isn't a fan). This week will be dedicated to Valentine's Day which should give you plenty of time to prepare for the big day!

Here are some unique gifts for your sweetie:

I'm a huge fan of Spitfire Girl's eco-friendly wood collection and I just love their heart cards (I even posted about the company this past summer when I first discovered their work when I was on my Halifax vacay)! The heart cards have been die cut and are made from sustainable real cherry wood.

I really love unpredictable looking art work which is why I was so drawn to these wooden block letters from House Industries. They are made from solid maple and come with pre-drilled holes, so they are ready to hang up on the wall straight from the box.

Made to order custom luggage tags by Of The Fountain-such a cute and practical gift idea!

Printed pattern Love print by Made by Girl is made using scanned fabric from top designers. Doesn't this just say it all?

How amazing are these Me & You puzzle pillow cases from Urban Outfitters?

My Happy List

I've been tagged by the fabulous Tammy from i don't like mama (who also happens to be my aunt) in a 10 things that make me happy challenge . Check out her blog for some hilarious stories about motherhood and an inside look at her new cake decorating skills!

Here's my top 10 list of things that make me happy:

1. My boys-Steve and my super cute snuggly pitbull Nathan
2. Champagne and lots of it (and yes I’m a bit of a lush)
3. Food, food, and more food-I never discriminate!
4. Shoes-the good thing about shoes is that they'll always fit (not like those size 26 jeans from 2 years ago)
5. Bike rides in the summer time
6. Catching up with my favourite girls
7. A good laugh that makes my tummy hurt
8. Napping and sleeping in-a girl always needs her beauty sleep!
9. Cooking yummy dinners with Steve and whipping up some delicious desserts
10. Dancing and shaking what my mama gave me!

Now it's my turn to tag 10 other bloggers. Here I go!

Live Going Fast
mini mioche
The Someday Blog
Keiko Lynn
Author in The Making
For me, for you
Wallpaper
Rantings of a Fashion Addict
My Vintage Secret
Candy Kawaii Lover

Pick Of The Week: Scrap Lights

These Scrap Lights by Grey Pants are my pick of the week. They are each handmade from repurposed cardboard boxes and start at $219 USD. I love how creative and eco-friendly they are!

Three extremely creative friends who are all Architects run the company in Seattle and have some amazing work shown on the Grey Pants website. I'm absolutely in love with the Scrap Chairs under the 'Project' section!

A Few of My Favourite Things

I don't like to think of myself as a predictable person, so instead I'll just say that I'm incredibly loyal! In some cases I tend to stick to the same brands and products; the ones that have been tried and true by moi. I'll just keep buying them over and over again! Here's my list of favourite things (a list I'm sure close friends and family would say was oh so predictable):

Style Ideas: Winter Meets Spring

Spring is in the air. I can just feel it! I'm ignoring the 5 minutes of hail we got in Toronto Monday along with the -14 degrees Celsius temps that are being forecast for today. I can't wait to get rid of all the black heavy clothing I've accumulated this past season and to jump into some cute fresh spring frocks!

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that if you're getting the spring shopping itch to only buy pieces you can incorporate into your current winter cold weather wardrobe or use pieces you already have. I found some great inspirational street looks that show you how to mix your spring items in with your winter look.

Dig out your denim cut-offs and pair them with opaque tights and a cozy cardi.

Pair your bright summer skirt with black tights and a warm sweater.

Wear your floral dress over tights along with a boyfriend cardi or blazer.

Pair your cotton jersey t-shirt dress with a statement blazer (such as the military band blazer that was so hot this season as shown above) with over-sized accessories like this brown leather clutch.

Rules are meant to be broken so wear your open toed shoes with socks or tights (unless of course they're Birkenstocks in which case no socks allowed)!

Images via Lookbook

Design Trends for 2010

When I was at the IDS10 show on the weekend, I sat in on House & Home editor Suzanne Dimma's seminar on the top 10 design trends for 2010. When it comes to home decor, I'm not usually a huge fan of trends since it can be quite costly, but there were some great ideas to use as inspiration in her top 10 list. Instead of doing your whole room in a trend, start out with a couple of pieces like some funky art or a cool chair.

Top 10 Design Trends for 2010 (along with some pictures I found that are my interpretation of the look):

1. Renegade Regency - classic style with an eclectic and glamorous twist

2. Tailored Gypsy - folklore and laid back look with lots of prints and colour

3. New British Colonial - classic and timeless with lots of spool furniture detailing

4. Indie Chic - mixing flea market finds with more expensive pieces and lots of graphic art

5. Belgian Farmhouse - rustic and raw style that is lightly decorated with a natural organic feel

6. Black magic - black painted walls

7. Organic Modern - modern meets nature with a neutral colour palette and lots of organic texture such as light coloured wood

8. Luxe Loft - an art gallery feel with lots of large artwork and sculptural pieces along with show stopping furniture

9. New Country - a modern spin on the classic country look

10. Traditional Remix - mixing different styles for visual interest to create lots of contrast

*House & Home has chosen Traditional Remix as the look of the year .

My design look right now is a combo of indie chic, traditional remix and organic modern. What's your current look and what's your favourite trend?

Images via House Beautiful, Home Life and Metropolitan Home