Current Obsession: Rustic Staircases

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of reclaimed wood. How rad are these rustic staircases? Love!

{via Pinterest}

{via Style at Home}

{via Pinterest}

{via Treehugger}

{via Pinterest}

Cool Shit: Crayon Art

{via Apartment Therapy}

Amazing.

Boutique Spotlight: Shrimpton Couture

I'm a lover of vintage clothing. There's something so special about finding a piece that someone else once wore decades back. I also love knowing that no one else is likely to have the same item. The owner and buyer of Shrimpton Couture has an incredible passion for vintage that I can fully appreciate.

Shrimpton Couture is an online vintage boutique that specializes in high end designer pieces. They have clothing and acessories from several different decades from designers such as Oscar De La Renta, Valentino, Balmain, Ungaro and so many more of the classics. The items come with a hefty price tag but you can bet that you will have these pieces in your closet for years to come since everything chosen for the shop is in top notch shape made with the highest quality. And keep in mind ladies that they offer a layaway option. Every week 12-24 items are added to the shop so be sure to keep checking in. I can't wait to treat myself to a few of these pieces!

Wish List: Brave Bags

I helped Brave put their fall collection of bags together a few months back and I couldn't be more excited about the new styles. Brave uses super soft Italian leather and each bag is made here in Toronto. I've been keeping myself on a tight budget, but I'm seriously craving all of these styles.
How am I only going to be able to choose one of these babies?!

Crush: Caposhi

Caposhi is an indie craft collection that creates the perfect balance between old and new. Caposhi's necklaces and earrings are created using super soft fibres (some are hand spun and hand dyed by local artists) and quirky vintage findings. I love that each one is unique. The bags are each hand drawn and hand printed using eco-friendly inks. Love!

Inspiration 8.29.11

{image via}

Always follow your dreams.

Always trust your instinct.

Always stay true to yourself.

Weekly Round-Up

{via Bright Bazaar}

Fun monochromatic outfit from Fashion Bananas.

Glamorous and not too girly lingerie via Miss Moss.

Rad typographic breakfast nook via Bright Bazaar.

Perfect movie night goodies from Oh Joy!.

Stunning chevron wood table via Design*Sponge.

I plan on getting some work done this weekend and hopefully tidying up this very messy apartment I call home. In between all of that I have a friend's birthday party and a family bbq. It'll be a busy one. Have a great weekend!

DIY: Fabric Bunting

I finally got around to making my own fabric bunting. I tend to get a bit frustrated around a sewing machine but making the bunting was super simple. You can head over to my Handmade with Style blog on Sweetspot for all the instructions.

Recipe: Favourite Fried Foods

The end of summer here in Toronto is marked by the CNE which is a huge fair that takes up the last two weeks of August. I love everything about it - the rides, the games AND especially the food. I seriously eat my way through the whole fair and I'm usually munching on anything and everything fried. Below are a few recipes of my favourite fried foods. I've never made any of them myself but perhaps will whip up some one day. This could be very dangerous though!

{mini doughnuts via Babble}

{corn dogs via The Food Network}

{deep fried Snickers bar via The Food Network}

{deep fried pickles via The Food Network}

DIY: Light Bulb Vase

Pretty awesome DIY light bulb vase via Free People.

Dream Space: Cottage Living

I dream of having a cottage of my own one day. I absolutely love weekends away up north on the lake. I would want the space to be warm, comfortable, inviting with some raw elements. I love an eclectic mix - a little boho, a little rustic, a touch of industrial and a few mid modern century pieces. Somehow it seems to work! What would your dream summer home look like?




1. Butterfly chair - Urban Outfitters | 2. Sofa - Urban Barn | 3. Light - Anthropologie |4. Rocker - Urban Outfitters | 5. Pillow - Pendleton | 6. Pillow - Pendleton | 7. Chandelier - Anthropologie | 8. Table - Restoration Hardware | 9. Pendant light - West Elm | 10. Rug - Anthropologie

Cool Shit: Postal Kit

Love this world's smallest postal kit!

Style Ideas: Transition to Fall

The nights are starting to get cooler which means summer will soon be coming to an end. I love the start of a new season - hello shopping! Fall means warm neutrals, textured fabrics, cozy knits and my aboslute fav, boots! Here are a few looks that are perfect for the transition from summer to fall.

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

Chucks + Dresses

{images via The Sartorialist}

I love my chucks. Mine are pretty beat up looking but they are my lazy day go to shoe. My cousin's new wife wore them a few weeks ago on her wedding day which I thought was pretty rad. This is definitely not something I would do (hello gorgeous Louboutin's!), but I can definitely appreciate it. What do you think? Would you rock your chucks with a dress?

Crush: Garnish

I am a complete sucker for cute packaging which is why I am in love with the concept behind Garnish. Garnish makes it easy and accessible to create a personal touch to your packaging. They offer everything from mini boxes, labels, twine, mini fruit baskets, pie boxes, wine boxes - you name it, they have it. Whether it's for a birthday party, girl's night in, a gift, summer bbq or just something to say thank you, Garnish has the perfect packaging for you. All you need to do is add your own little personal touch and you'll be good to go! They have a ton of ideas on their website and blog in case you're in need of a little creative inspiration.

Happy Monday

{image via Style Me Pretty}

This weekend celebrated the marriage of one of my best friend's mom and new husband. The wedding was personal, intimate and full of love. I've been planning this wedding for them since March and it was humbling to see it all come together. It was my first wedding/big event that I've done and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. I'll definitely share some images once I can get my hands on them.

Hope you had a fantastic weekend!

DIY: Bird Feeder

I made this bird feeder using a small log and some paint. You can head over to my Handmade with Style blog on Sweetspot for all of the instructions.

Today is tent and floor set up for the wedding (see here), so I won't be having a 'Weekly Round-Up'. Tomorrow is the big day and I couldn't be more excited to see everything come together. Have a fabulous weekend!

Party Ideas: High Tea

I'm absolutely smitten with this high tea party the girls from RubyJu created. The party was designed for one of their daughter's 9th birthday. I love that it's so full of fun and whimsy. They started with the birthday girl's favourite colours green and pink and then went to town. I blown away by some of the DIY projects they made for this party especially the hand dyed dollies and hand painted mason jars (they used glass paint). The RubyJu girls really thought of every detail for this one!

{as seen on Amy Atlas}

Creative List

{via Today and Tomorrow}

Urban Outfitter's HQ

I came across some images of the Urban Outfitter's headquater's when they moved office spaces a few years back. They took over an old navy yard in Philadelphia and transformed it into a rad office space. They left the raw feeling from the building and created an open space filled with bright accessories and vintage furniture. Coolest place to work? I think so!

{images via Sunrainey}

Cool Shit: Mod Pet

I'm obsessed with these dog bed and bowls from Mod Pet. If I had more space in my apartment, Harper would definitely have one of these bad boys. Holy freaking adorable!

Boutique Spotlight: Stylemint

I am such a basic's whore. I have a million different tees in my closet but I don't seem to wear the majority of them. I tend to stick to my favourites which are few and far between. It's been difficult finding the perfect fitting tee, but it seems I may have found a new option.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen recently launched a new membership only website called Stylemint. How it works: sign up as a member, take a style personality quiz and choose amongst the recommended tees. Each month Stylemint will email you a selection of tees that match up with your style personality. Several of the tees are made up in a 50% supima cotton and 50% micro modal fabric which I bet is super soft (a basic's must have!). The Olsen ladies also have lots of style tips on the site which I love because they are quickly becoming fashion icons.

Wish List: Alex Wang Emile Tote

Is this not the perfect fall bag from Alexander Wang?

Crush: Mr. Lentz

Mr. Lentz is a woodworker and photographer who creates unique pieces using recycled and renewable materials. Non-toxic stains and finishes are used in addition to natural resources such as wood, moss, feathers, antlers and fur. Mr. Lentz hand makes everything from jewellery pieces, planters, wood brief cases and wood bicycle lights. Each creation is one of a kind and incredibly different from anything else I've seen around.

{The majority of animal pieces were acquired from taxidermists that would have otherwise discarded them as scrap and unusable.}

Happy Monday

{Harper & Tommy friends forever!}

Despite the not so great weather this weekend we still managed to have a nice time at the cottage. Harper made a new friend and was absolutely pooped by the end of the weekend.

Hope you had a good one!

Weekly Round-Up

{via My New Roots}

Perfect little DIY rope basket from My Life As A Sugar Lander.

Super chic sophisticated wedding via Ruffled.

Delicious looking peaches & cream recipe from My New Roots.

Love this DIY round hairpin leg kitchen table from For Me, For You.

Adorable budget friendly table set up via 79 Ideas.

I'm off to a friend's cottage this weekend with the boys. Ah I love summer! Have a good one :)

DIY: Custom Pencils

Head over to my Handmade with Style blog on Sweetspot to learn how I made these fun custom pencils!

Perfect Wedding

When I first laid eyes on this wedding featured on Style Me Pretty last week, I felt such a connection. I had a really tough time choosing which pictures I wanted to share with you. This is my wedding dream come true. It's full of handmade details, it's in a cool venue, has an easy relaxed feel, and they served smores by the campfire late night. The wedding bands are right up my alley and dress #2 from the bride is a sequined mini dress. Everything is pure perfection.

{photography by Krystal Mann}