Happy Canada Day

{Canadian Flag Cake recipe via Kraft}

Today is a huge day for me. It's the last day of my job working as a Sales Agent at Alyssa Agency. The last seven years have been an amazing experience and I've worked with some incredible people along the way. Alyssa Kerbel has not only been a great boss, but has become my mentor and close friend. I'm beyond excited for my next journey and next project. It's a big one and I promise to share it with you in the next couple of months.

Until then, have a great long weekend! I'll be taking an extra long weekend and will be back on Tuesday. Harper and I are off to the cottage for some fun in the sun. Have a good one!

DIY: Pinwheels

I made these super easy Canada Day inspired pinwheels for Today's Parent. You can get all the instructions here. They're a great project to do with your kids or can even work as decor for an outdoor party - stick 'em in a planter and you're good to go!

Party Ideas: Summer BBQ & Hotdog Bar

I'm absolutely smitten with this summer bbq idea from Hostess with the Mostess. I love the hotdog bar concept along with all the decor details (free printables are available here). This is the perfect way to spend the upcoming long weekend!

Before & After: Back Patio

This is my friend Stacy's first summer in her new home she shares with her husband and two adorable little girls. The house was a fixer upper which Stacy couldn't wait to get her hands on. Now that the house is complete, she moved on to the backyard area. She recently did a little make over on her back patio and I loved what she did. Great colour choices!

{before}

{after}

Style Inspiration: Free People

I love the styling from this Free People photo shoot. I love the boho vibe, the layering and the use of accessories. I'll definitely be adding this to my inspiration folder!

Recent Purchase: Onesie Swimsuit

As I mentioned here, I am need of a one piece swimsuit this summer. I didn't really have time to shop around and try them on, so thankfully I got lucky. I stopped into the The Bay last weekend and their entire swimwear section was 50% off. I came across this Jessica Simpson polka dot number, tried it on and bought it. Not bad for the first try!

Crush: Cassandra Smith Antlers

How freaking amazing are these hand painted white-tailed deer antlers by Cassanda Smith? These antlers could easily fit under my 'cool shit' column but I also have a major crush on Cassandra's work. These would look great laid out on a mantle or even on the wall resting on a couple of nails!

Twenty Eight

{source unknown}

Today I'm 28. I haven't been a huge birthday person these last few years but this year I am so ready to celebrate a new year. 27 was a tough year for me. It brought lots of good but I also learned a lot of lessons along the way. I experienced loss and pain like I never had before. I thought I would never feel like myself again, but guess what? I'm back and so ready for 28 to lead the way to new experiences, happy memories and good times all around!

I had a great weekend full of fun and great people. The Canadian Design Blogger's meet up on Saturday afternoon was a blast and was so well organized (thanks Daniella and Vie!). I loved catching up with some of my blogger friends and enjoyed meeting new ones! I didn't bring my camera but I'll try to track down some pictures soon. Saturday night my friends and I got our dancing shoes on and headed over to Clinton's for some Shake, Rattle and Roll with the Bangs & Blush gals. Best. time. Ever!

Weekly Round-Up (Canadian Version II)

{via Pinecone Camp}

A Paris adventure from Beaux Mondes (LOVE that Covet dress!).

Adorable mini Polaroid magnets via Wicked & Weird.

Delicious snack bars (with cute packaging) via Pinecone Camp.

Fun Etsy round up from AKA Designs.

The perfect cakes from Coco Cakes.

In honour of the Canadian Design Bloggers meet up tomorrow in Toronto, I decided to dedicate my weekly round up to Canadian blogs. I have a busy weekend ahead starting with a bachlorette tonight. I may need to duck out early from the bloggers event tomorrow, so I can get my birthday festivities started which includes a night of dancing! So the most important question? What the heck am I going to wear???

Have a great weekend!

DIY: Mirrored Shadow Box

Head over to my Handmade with Style blog on Sweetspot to learn how to make this mirrored shadow box!

DIY: Kid Friendly Art

Alyssa from mini mioche showed me this awesome DIY art a few days ago by Brandy from Baby Blackbird. Brandy created this art piece with her kids as a father's day gift for their daddy. I was blown away when I saw the finished piece! Click here to see how they did it.

Recipes: Popsicles

There's nothing better than a cold frozen treat on a hot summer day. I've only ever made my own popsicles as a kid, so I think it's time I start whipping some up! Do you have any yummy popsicle recipes I should try out?



1. Watermelon & Lime Popsicle - Cupcakes and Cashmere, 2. Banana Split Popsicle - Parent Magazine, 3. Triple Decker Citrus Popsicle - My Recipes, 4. Orange Banana Smoothie Popsicle - Country Living

New Salvage Interiors Pieces

Steve from Salvage Interiors recently sent me pictures of some of his most recent pieces for sale and I fell in love! He used a variety of reclaimed woods such as Cypress from Bick's pickle vats in Wisconsin, Hemlock from the Queen's Wharf, Hickory and old library drawers. I really love when pieces have a great story behind them!

Cool Shit: Studio Vollo Terrariums

I spent a chunk of my weekend at the Distillery Art Market and came across Studio Vollo's terrariums. I've become a big fan of terrariums but these ones have some quirky details that I love which make them that much more amazing. They're all one of a kind and each one is made using reclaimed glass and each figure has been hand painted by the designer, Sofia Dobrev.

Current Obsession: Coloured Shorts

I tend to wear the same ol' denim cutoffs each summer, but this year I just might be rocking a bright coloured pair of shorts. Depending on the style of short, they can be dressed up or down and they add a little splash of colour (which I could definitely use more of in my closet)!

{click on each outfit for information on where to buy}

Boutique Spotlight: Blanaid Vintage

I've been a huge fan of Blanaid's blog for a while now. Every post literally should be titled 'cool shit'. She recently launched an online vintage boutique filled only with clothing treasures that the uber stylish Blanaid would wear herself. I think my favourite part of the boutique is all the amazing styling done by Blanaid of course. Ummm talk about inspiring?!

Crush: Love the Design

I stopped by Love the Design in Toronto's Leslieville a couple of months ago after seeing the wedding invitations owner Christine Flynn designs knowing they would be perfect for the wedding I'm planning this summer. The shop itself is full of amazing treasures. It has everything from industrial furniture, vintage lighting, home accessories and photography artwork which is also created by Christine. Love the Design is my design shop paradise!

PS. We ordered the invitations for the wedding through Christine and I can't wait to share them with you soon!

Inspiration 6.20.11

{print via Oh Dear Molly}

Umm...ok!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Weekly Round-Up

{via Style Me Pretty}

Love this DIY gift packaging via The Goodie Life.

Mouth watering frozen banana treats from Food Coma.

Colourful DIY wedding via Style Me Pretty.

Both amazing and hilarious napping pillow via CMYBacon (where was this when I was in school?!).

Gorgeous sorbet coloured spaces from Whole Lotta Pretty.

Have a fantastic weekend!

DIY: Teacup Planter

Since I no longer have an outdoor space in my apartment, I decided I needed to bring the outdoors in. You can head over to my Handmade with Style blog on Sweetspot to learn how to make this teacup planter.

Recipe: Drumsticks

I nearly died when I saw Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere's post on making homemade drumsticks. A drumstick is my go to treat every summer and I'm looking forward to attempting to make my own. How can anyone resist a waffle cone full of chocolate, ice-cream AND peanuts?

Recent Project: Bedside Table

I came across this $10 old dirty ashtray at the antique market last year and I bought it because I saw some potential in it. I recently decided it would make the perfect bedside table for my new bedroom. I removed the actual ashtray part and sprayed the base with primer and a few coats of glossy black paint. My friend Ted cut a circular piece of wood for me to use as my table top. I gave the top a few coats of black paint, attached it to the base and voila a bedside table!

Cool Shit: Wine Bottle Lantern

This recycled wine bottle lantern is the perfect addition to any patio!

Dress Decision

As I mentioned last week, I have a few weddings to attend this summer. I need to start deciding what dress I would like but I'm having a hard time deciding what sort of look I want to go for. Do I go with a soft girly palette or do I go bold?

{click on each outfit for information on where to buy}

Ponytails

I'm incredibly boring when it comes to my hair style. 98% of the time you will find me with poker straight hair and a blunt bag, but I'm ready to change it up a bit. I'm going to grow out my bangs for the summer and will have a side swept bang, so I think some updo inspiration is in need. Do you have any easy hair styles I should try out?

1. Cup of Jo, 2. Refinery 29, 3. Refinery 29

Crush: Seb Brown

I love when jewellery becomes timeless wearable art. That's was my initial thought when I first saw Seb Brown's jewellery collection. Each piece is handmade in Melbourne and only made once, so the entire collection is one of a kind. A variety of materials are used to create each piece including silk cord, glass beads and solid sterling silver. I'm also a huge sucker for the graphics and styling of each image!

Inspiration 6.13.11

{print via The Big Harumph}

I realized after a busy weekend full of puppy time, work time, family time and play time you really can have it all. Hope you had a good one!

Weekly Round-Up (Canadian Version)

{via Designwali}

A collection of amazing bags via Bijou and Boheme.

Laugh out loud print via Designwali.

Great handmade father's day gift round up from Poppytalk.

Adorable summer romance via Dress, Design, Decor.

A thorough wrap up of the West Elm/Etsy event (for those of you who missed it like me) from Beaux Monde.

Happy weekend!

DIY: Paper Bag Lanterns

BBQ's and summer parties are a couple of my favourite things to do when the warm weather hits. These incredibly easy and affordable lanterns are a great way to add some fun to any outdoor party. You can head over to my Handmade with Style blog on Sweetspot for all the instructions.

Summer Home

I had the pleasure of attending the Summer Home launch party at the Sealy Design studio last week. Summer Home is a new design show on HGTV hosted by designer Karen Sealy. The show is based in cottage country where they makeover summer homes.

We all watched the first episode together and I love the connection they made with the family who owns the cottage. There's something so nostalgic about cottages since this is often the place where many family memories are created. The show really focuses on the design aspect of making over a space and Karen works hard to create a space that is both practical and functional for each family.

Friday was such a fun day. It was full of fabulous ladies, delicious food and dangerous but oh so good cocktails! The entire Sealy team were incredible and Karen was a blast! She was warm, funny, approachable and full of energy - love her!

The show airs on HGTV each Sunday at 9 pm EST.

Recipe: The Sealy Slamer

I was invited to the Sealy Design studio Friday afternoon (more on that later today) and I had a blast! Not only was the team super friendly but they made delicious food for us and made their signature drink - The Sealy Slammer. One word: amazing!

The Sealy Slammer
2 oz of dark rum
2 0z of fresh watermelon juice
4 oz Italian lemon sparkling water