I picked up this little number at the Vocado shopping event last night. It was a great night filled with wine, mini cupcakes and girly chatter!
Recent Purchase: Dolce Vita Jumpsuit
I picked up this little number at the Vocado shopping event last night. It was a great night filled with wine, mini cupcakes and girly chatter!
DIY: Easter Treats
Easter brings us a long weekend plus lots of desserts (which are mostly chocolate-yum!), so what can be better than that?!? Here are some fun Easter treats that you can do yourself (from easy to difficult):
I made these chocolate flower lollipops last night and they were super easy to make!
I made these chocolate flower lollipops last night and they were super easy to make!
Jules Power Fall 2010
I had the pleasure of attending the Jules Power fall 2010 runway show last night. I got a sneak peak at the collection a couple of weeks ago when Jules popped by the showroom, but seeing it on the runway all styled up was great! And I loved Jules' modest appearence at the end!
Absentminded as usual, I forgot my camera, but thanks to the other Toronto bloggers who are on top of it, I was able to grab some images:
The ever so fashionable owner of Blush, Michele, who we were delighted to be sitting with:
Absentminded as usual, I forgot my camera, but thanks to the other Toronto bloggers who are on top of it, I was able to grab some images:
The ever so fashionable owner of Blush, Michele, who we were delighted to be sitting with:
Before and After: Ola's House
My good friend Ola recently went through some renos in her home and it was quite the transformation! It's amazing what you can achieve even with limited time and budget. Get creative and remember that paint can be your new best friend!
HALLWAY AFTER
KITCHEN AFTER
STAIRCASE BEFORE
STAIRCASE AFTER
BATHROOM BEFORE
BATHROOM AFTER
HALLWAY BEFORE
HALLWAY AFTER
KITCHEN BEFORE
KITCHEN AFTER
STAIRCASE BEFORE
STAIRCASE AFTER
BATHROOM BEFORE
BATHROOM AFTER
Wish List: Lanvin x Acne Denim Dresses
I'm loving all the denim options this spring! With the return of chambray this season, denim is everywhere from skirts to shorts to button down shirts. Or denim dress anyone? How about one from coveted designers Lanvin and Acne? These structured dresses from the Lanvin and Acne denim collaboration are stunning but just a tad bit out of my price range (well they're actually quite a bit out of my price range). Do you think it counts if I already own the perfect pair of shoes to go back to them?? In that case, I'll take the one shouldered one please and thank you.
Pick of The Week: ESSERvesper
ESSERvesper's sculptural jewellery collection is my pick of the week. Designer Laurel Hill hand casts each piece out of bronze and sterling using the lost wax technique. The overall aesthetic is timeless, simple and unique. And because it's hand made, no two pieces are the same!
I hope you have a great weekend! I'm off to dance my butt off with the girls tonight and then the rest of the weekend will be spent making another set of clothing racks.
I hope you have a great weekend! I'm off to dance my butt off with the girls tonight and then the rest of the weekend will be spent making another set of clothing racks.
Recipe: Shredded Beef & Potato Soup with Chimichurri
When the weather turned cold last fall and BBQ season was officially over, Steve and I starting searching for some comfort food recipes that would be perfect during the freezing winter season. We both like a hearty soup that can serve as the main course and this Shredded Beef & Potato Soup with Chimichurri recipe was by far the best soup recipe we tried out. It really is the ultimate comfort food! And it's super healthy which is a big bonus!
1 pound boneless bottom round steak, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2" pieces
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with jalapenos
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 tsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 cups potatoes, diced
Recipe adapted from Weight Watchers My Turn Around Program Cookbook
1 pound boneless bottom round steak, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2" pieces1/2 tsp salt
3 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with jalapenos
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 tsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 cups potatoes, diced
1. Spray non-stick spray in a large soup pot and set over medium-high heat. Add the beef in one layer, and sprinkle with a 1/4 tsp of salt. Cook the beef, turning occasionally with tongs, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the beef is fork tender, about 1 hour.
3. With a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a cutting board and let cool. Reserve the cooking liquid. With two forks, shred the beef into small pieces.
4. Add the potatoes to the large pot with the tomatoes and broth and continue to let simmer.
5. Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a medium sized skillet and add the celery and onion, stirring occasionally until softened-about 3 minutes. Add the cloves and cook, stirring constantly until fragrant-about 1 minute.
6. Add the celery and onion mixture to the large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
7. Meanwhile to make the chimichurri, combine the cilantro, lime juice, garlic, the remaining 1/4 tsp of salt and the crushed red pepper. Combine with a food processor and set aside.
8. Add the beef to the large pot and simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve with the chimichurri.
2. Add the broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the beef is fork tender, about 1 hour.
3. With a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a cutting board and let cool. Reserve the cooking liquid. With two forks, shred the beef into small pieces.
4. Add the potatoes to the large pot with the tomatoes and broth and continue to let simmer.
5. Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a medium sized skillet and add the celery and onion, stirring occasionally until softened-about 3 minutes. Add the cloves and cook, stirring constantly until fragrant-about 1 minute.
6. Add the celery and onion mixture to the large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
7. Meanwhile to make the chimichurri, combine the cilantro, lime juice, garlic, the remaining 1/4 tsp of salt and the crushed red pepper. Combine with a food processor and set aside.
8. Add the beef to the large pot and simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve with the chimichurri.
Recipe adapted from Weight Watchers My Turn Around Program Cookbook
Wish List: Hand Knitted Chairs
When I saw pictures of these hand knitted chairs by Melanie Porter in my inbox a couple of days ago, I fell in love! Taking upholstery classes has really allowed me to fully appreciate this art form and Melanie Porter's chair are no exception. They're absolutely stunning and oh so unique. I love how they're all hand knitted along with the incredible attention to detail. The first one is my absolute fav and I would love to have this piece in my loft.
Red & Purple Dessert Table: Part 2 of 2
Remember to always have fun with the details of your party and get creative with objects you have around your house. Here are the DIY instructions for some of the projects from my red & purple birthday dessert table:
Birthday Banner:
Tulle Poofs:
When preparing for this party I knew I wanted something fun and girly to hang over the table. I was planning on creating large poofs with tissue paper like I used to do as a kid, but when I saw these tulle poofs on The Someday Blog last week I just knew I had to do these ones instead. Click here for the full instructions from Once Wed. Tip: Use as much tulle as you have on hand to get a nice full poof and play with different sizes.
Popcorn Containers:
Chocolate Lollipops:
Materials:
-candy molds
-chocolate wafers (I bought purple ones to go with the colour theme of my table)
-double boiler
-squeeze bottle or spouted measuring cup
-lollipop sticks
-ribbon
-small clear plastic bags
1. Melt your chocolate over a double boiler.
2. Place your lollipop sticks in the correct place on your candy molds.
3. Once all the chocolate has melted down, pour the chocolate into your squeeze bottle or spouted measuring cup and carefully pour into your molds. Gently tap your candy molds to eliminate air bubbles.
4. Place candy trays in the refrigerator or freezer. Once cooled, gently turn the candy molds upside down to allow chocolate lollipops to fall out. Place in clear plastic bags and tie with ribbon.
Birthday Banner:
Materials:
-printed and solid paper
-stencils
-foam brush
-thumb tacks
1. Cut your printed paper and solid paper to the size you would like. I cut my printed paper to measure 4" x 4.5" and my solid paper to measure 3" x 3.5"
2. Using your stencils and foam brush paint your letters on the solid smaller rectangles.
3. Once the paint has dried, glue your smaller paper on to the large printed paper.
4. Punch 2 holes in the top of your rectangle and thread ribbon through each hole attaching each letter on the ribbon.
5. Secure your banner on the wall with thumb tacks.
-printed and solid paper
-stencils
-foam brush
-acrylic paint
-ribbon-thumb tacks
1. Cut your printed paper and solid paper to the size you would like. I cut my printed paper to measure 4" x 4.5" and my solid paper to measure 3" x 3.5"
2. Using your stencils and foam brush paint your letters on the solid smaller rectangles.
3. Once the paint has dried, glue your smaller paper on to the large printed paper.
4. Punch 2 holes in the top of your rectangle and thread ribbon through each hole attaching each letter on the ribbon.
5. Secure your banner on the wall with thumb tacks.
Tulle Poofs:
Popcorn Containers:
Materials:
-striped paper (I was able to make 2 containers from a 12 x 12 piece of paper)
-clear plastic cups
-glue
-scalloped edge scissors
1. To create a template for the containers, roll a piece of scrap paper around a cup. Cut off excess paper leaving a half an inch from the top of the cup.
2. Trace your template on to each sheet of stripe paper and cut out the shape.
3. Using your scalloped edge scissors, cut along the top part of the template.
4. Glue your finished piece on to each cup to finish off your popcorn container.
-striped paper (I was able to make 2 containers from a 12 x 12 piece of paper)
-clear plastic cups
-glue
-scalloped edge scissors
1. To create a template for the containers, roll a piece of scrap paper around a cup. Cut off excess paper leaving a half an inch from the top of the cup.
2. Trace your template on to each sheet of stripe paper and cut out the shape.
3. Using your scalloped edge scissors, cut along the top part of the template.
4. Glue your finished piece on to each cup to finish off your popcorn container.
-candy molds
-chocolate wafers (I bought purple ones to go with the colour theme of my table)
-double boiler
-squeeze bottle or spouted measuring cup
-lollipop sticks
-ribbon
-small clear plastic bags
1. Melt your chocolate over a double boiler.
2. Place your lollipop sticks in the correct place on your candy molds.
3. Once all the chocolate has melted down, pour the chocolate into your squeeze bottle or spouted measuring cup and carefully pour into your molds. Gently tap your candy molds to eliminate air bubbles.
4. Place candy trays in the refrigerator or freezer. Once cooled, gently turn the candy molds upside down to allow chocolate lollipops to fall out. Place in clear plastic bags and tie with ribbon.
Red & Purple Dessert Table: Part 1 of 2
This past weekend I designed a dessert table for a friend's birthday. I wanted something girly but not over the top and with a slight retro vibe. I couldn't have done it without the creative work from my aunt who designed the cake and cookies around my theme. You can visit her Facebook fan page to view more pictures of her work. Stay tuned for all the DIY dessert table projects in tomorrow's post!
Linda Farrow Sunglasses
After being in the sunglasses biz for over 40 years, I think it's safe to say that Linda Farrow is THE sunglasses queen! She continues to team up with top designers to bring us some amazing creations. Here are some of Farrow's collaborations for spring 2010 along with my favourite picks (the middle Dries Van Noten ones are my absolute fav):
Pick of The Week: Nightwood
Nightwood is a Brooklyn based home decor company and is my pick of the week. Nightwood specializes in reconstructed furniture and textiles. Each piece is one of a kind and has a very rustic aesthetic that I absolutely love. Nightwood not only does custom pieces but they will re-purpose your old not so great looking anymore items and will re-work them to make you love them again!
Have a great weekend and I promise some fun DIY surprises for next week!
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