Party Ideas: Pink + Red Brunch

I love a bright colour palette for any type of party - it works for everything from a wedding, to a children's party, to a brunch like the one below. This Mother's Day brunch was featured in Rue's May issue and came together by a collaboration of amazing talent. The 10 page feature is full of tips from all of the experts involved in putting together this brunch.

Cool Shit: Cupcake ATM

{via Oh Joy!}

Amazing.

I heart....

...this space by design Emily Mughannam. I may even go as far as saying this may be my favourite space ever. It's fun, girly, creative, has neon lights (obsessed!) and is just plain amazing. Perfect chick den!

Cool Shit: Terrarium Floor Lamp

This terrarium floor lamp from Autumn Workshop is kinda incredible.

Current Obsession: Summer Frocks

The weather in Toronto has been hot. I mean HOT! I'm not complaining at all but it seems lately with this heat all I want to do is wear a dress. It keeps you cool-ish, looks cute and is easy to wear. I'm on a tight budget these days, so I wanted to round up some pretty dresses that are super affordable. Which two should I get?

{1. Nasty Gal | 2. Topshop | 3. Nasty Gal | 4. Nasty Gal | 5. Spotted Moth | 6. Spotted Moth | 7. Urban Outfitters}

Cool Shit: Virtual Shades

In honour of Vision Health Month CNIB is raising awareness of eye health by offering quirky virtual shades that you can  place on your social media avatars or photos on Facebook or Twitter. The app will be live until June 15th. As you can see I had a little bit of fun with this. How hilarious does Harper look in his Wayfarers?! Visit showyourshades.ca to get your shades.

Crush: Posh Veils

Wedding season has arrived and I couldn't be more excited - especially since one of my besties is getting married in just a few weeks! This past weekend was her wedding shower and there was some talk about fascinators and head pieces since it was a tea party theme and she was rocking one.

There are some many stunning options available especially from Posh Veils. Each veil, fascintator and headpiece is made by hand in Toronto. I love the mix of vintage and modern. Which one would you choose to get married in?

{photography by Ishmil Waterman (top left) and Geminie Photography}

Happy Monday!

{via Wordans}

I had a 'cray cray' weekend full of fun but I'm a wee bit exhausted this morning. I hope your weekend was fabulous!

Weekly Round-Up

{via Joy Ever After}

I wrote my summer bucket list earlier this week and since then have come across a few others that I wanted to share with you:

Joy Ever After (plus free checklist download)

Cupcakes & Cashmere

Chase Aden

I have an insanely busy weekend of lots of play and minimal work. I'm looking forward to it!

Recipes: Barbequed Goodies

I absolutely love barbeque season. There's nothing better than relaxing outdoors grilling up some goodies and having a cocktail after a long work day. I love me some grilled meat and fish but I was on the hunt for some tasty recipes with a twist I could test out on the BBQ.

 

{Fish tacos - The Food Network | Roasted Corn with Chili Marinade - Sweet Paul | Grilled Bruschetta - Martha Stewart | Grilled Asparagus Wrapped with Pancetta - Martha Stewart | Grilled Banana Split - Delish}

Pop Up Shop!

Glory Box Pop-up Shop's newest pop-up, a two-day sale of top-of-the-line outdoor furniture and patio accessories is taking place this weekend. On Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27, Glory Box will set up shop at 99 Sudbury with deals of 50-70% off all merchandise, just in time for patio season!

Party Ideas: Whoopie Pie Favours

 

I love this DIY whoopie favour idea by A Subtle Revelry. Perfect for any wedding or party!

Current Obession: Neon Signs

I've become obsessed with neon signs in the home. I love how they give a cool and quirky vibe to each of the spaces below. These definitely don't come with a low price tag though, so I'm going to be on the hunt while browsing through antique markets this summer!

{images via Penny Farthing, Houzz, Poppytalk via Real Living, Bicyclette}

Wish List: Fringe Bag

There's something about this leather fringe bag by Opelle that I'm really digging. Sort of, kind of, need it!

***I have a special offer right now on TeamBuy for all of the Re: Creative classses. Save over 50% off each class until tomorrow!***

Crush: Doble Ele

As you probably already know I'm a huge sucker for cute packaging and for cute arm candy. Doble Ele has a shop that offers both of these!

I love the mix of packaging supplies - everything from a huge selection of washi tape to bakers twine to all sorts of labels and bags/boxes to wood envelope templates (I didn't even know these existed!). They also have a wide variety of jewellery pieces but my eyes went straight to the arm candy which was available in amillion different colours. I love the use of knots and different ropes!

Summertime

{photography via Dandyville}

The weather in Toronto this past long weekend couldn't of been any more perfect. The May 24 long weekend always kicks off summer for me and had me thinking about all of the things I would like to do this summer.

have a picnic
make homemade jam
jump on the back of the motorcycle and ride from one end of Yonge Street to the other end
go to the drive in
test out the new roller coaster at Canada's Wonderland
bbq fish tacos
plan a girl's cottage weekend
do a wine tasting tour

I plan on spending a lot of my weekends up north relaxing and hanging out with family + friends! I love summer!

Weekly Round-Up

{image via Bicyclette}

Love this striped napkin ring DIY by Design for Mankind.

Perfect food + fashion mash up via Miss Moss.

Obsessing over the bright wigs and candy colours in Bicyclette's new lookbook.

Moved and comforted by this extremely honest post from Coco + Kelley.

Adorable glitter and dip dyed invitations from Hoopla.

I'm so looking forward to a long weekend and sunshine all weekend long!

Party Ideas: Dessert Cart

The girls at Blush never fail to amaze me with their creativity and sweet DIY skills.  They put together this dessert cart for their 7 year anniversary they recently celebrated and I cannot get over how freaking adorable it is. I think every party should have a dessert cart like this one! They made the awning out of foam core and paper, painted water colour stripes on the popcorn bags, baked up some donuts and packaged the cotton candy. So cute and so creative!

Cool Shit: Printed Tape

{designed by Stitch Design Co}

Printed tape is such a great idea for packaging and branding!

Dream Space: Backyard

Patio season has arrived and I love nothing more than ending my days with a yummy barbequed dinner and some cocktails on the patio. Now that Nate has an apartment with a backyard, I plan on doing just that! It definitely could use some sprucing up and if we didn't have a budget set then this is what my dream backyard would consist of all inspired by that sexy BBQ!

1. bbq - Crate and Barrel | 2. lantern - Toast | 3. trash bin - Crate and Barrel | 4. deck chair - Gallant & Jones | 5. dining table - CB2 | 6. beverage dispenser - CB2 | 7. bench - CB2 | 8. chair - CB2 | 9. vases - IKEA | 9. lights - West Elm

DIY: Stacked Wood Table

How cool is this table? All the how to instructions are over on the Lowes website so anyone can make it themselves. I wish I had a place in my apartment for this baby!

Styling Tip: Floral + Leopard Print

 

{images via Blush, Atlantic-Pacific, Seven Dollar Pants}

I love when prints are mixed together and I love it even more when my two very fave prints are combined in one look. A floral print and leopard print can definitely work together but you just need to be aware of a few things: either keep the base of the floral print in the neutral colour of the leopard (top picture) or use neutral coloured accessories that are the same as the background colours of the prints (bottom left picture) or keep one of the prints more subdued (bottom right picture).

DIY: Chainmail Collar

I'm loving everything about this DIY chainmill collar! Wouldn't it look perfect paired with a basic tee or LBD? I wish I had the patience to make it, but in the meantime I will just admire this picture.

Crush: Paper and Chain

I'm big time coveting the jewellery pieces from Paper and Chain. The best friend designers behind the collection describe the pieces as simplistic, edgy and elegant which I think sums it up perfectly. Each piece is made and finished by hand in their workshop. I love the geometric shapes they use along with the delicacy of each piece. I love me some chunky jewellery but every now and then I prefer to wear something small and simple. I truly love all of these pieces!

Happy Monday

{via Eye Poetry Photography}

Wishing all the amazing mothers out there including my own had a great day yesterday!

Weekly Round Up (food edition)

{via Everybody Loves Sandwiches}

A rich and delicious bowl of ooey gooey comfort food - Mac n' Cheese recipe via A Cup of Jo.

A simplistic adorable picnic from Dear Friend.

These Banana Coconut Lime muffins from Everybody Loves Sandwiches sound like my perfect muffin.

A gorgeous brunch (food and decor) from Sunday Suppers.

A refreshing cucumber mint lime drink recipe via Sweet Paul.

Happy Mother's day to all the mamas out there! xo

DIY: Embossed Bag + Pinwheel

I went to a baby shower over the weekend and decided to take a plain white gift bag and turn it into something fun! My first step was to do a simple embossing technique to write 'baby boy'.

 Embossed Bag + Card

Supplies:
Embossing powder

Embossing ink pad in white

Heat gun

Alphabet stamps

Plain gift bag + plain greeting cards

Scrap paper

Directions:

1.  Lay a piece of paper under your bag and card for easy clean up. Press the stamp on the ink pad and carefully stamp your bag or greeting card. Be sure to press down firmly over the entire stamp.

2. Sprinkle the embossing powder over the stamped area. Shake off the excess onto the scrap paper and put the excess back into the jar.

3.Carefully use the heat gun to set the powdered areas for 5-10 seconds or until the powder solidifies.

To get the ombre watercolour effect, click here to follow my instructions.

Next instead of decorating my bag with a big ribbon bow which is typical for showers, I made an oversized pinwheel!

Pinwheel

Supplies:
Coloured/patterned paper - double sided paper works best

Scissors

Hole punch

Thumbtacks

Directions:
1. Cut your paper into a square (mine was 12" x 12").
2. Fold your paper in half diagonally and then fold in half again so that you end up with a triangle.
3. When you unfold your paper you should have 4 triangles. Using the fold lines as a guide, cut along the lines until you are 1 - 2 inches from the centre.
4. Using your hole punch, punch a hole in  every other corner.
5. Start folding each triangle to the centre of your square being sure to line up all the holes. Secure into place using the thumbtack.

-I attached my pinwheel to the gift bag using a mini clothes pin

Recipe: Donuts

I have a serious love affair with donuts. I don't eat them often, but if I could I would eat them everyday. I absolutely love them. I love them all. All flavours. All sizes. All shapes. Well everything that is except baked donuts. I bought a mini donut pan last year to whip up some baked donuts and they were disgusting. I think it's fair to say that donuts need to be fried - no ands, ifs or buts about it.

I went to the TO Underground Food Market on Saturday night and I was in food heaven. My absolute fave treat of the night were the beef bacon donuts with a maple glaze. They sound a bit weird but let me tell you they were so freaking delicious!

strawberry glazed donuts - Country Living | cherry blossom donuts - Cannnelle et Vanille |  sugar glazed donuts - Dessarts |  bacon donuts - iVillage | donut holes - Country Living

Re: Creative Children's Birthday Parties

 I'm thrilled to announce a children's birthday party option in the Re: Creative craft studio!  

$25 per child minimum 6 children

Includes: custom colour theme with banner, trays and birthday girl sign, a craft per child, chocolate dipped pretzels for each child to take home, 2 hours in the studio (1 hour of crafts and 1 hour of your own time) and decorated chair for the birthday girl

Stay tuned for more crafts!

For images of the studio please click here.

Gift Guide: Mother's Day

Mother's Day is just a few days away, so if you haven't found the perfect gift yet perhaps this gift round up might help you out. How do you plan on spending Mother's Day?

1. Teoni cookies - Indigo | 2. wool blanket - Brook Farm General Store | 3. terrarium - Old Faithful Shop |  4. test tube vase - Anthropologie | 5. House of Harlow bangle - Dealuxe | 6. tea cups - Indigo | 7. Sweet Designs Book - Amazon | 8. Leather satchel - Brave

Style Inspiration

I've been in the need of some fresh style inspiration so I took a few images from my fave style blogger's. I think great style is mixing high and low priced items, mixing new with vintage, adding the perfect accessories and of course always being confident!

What I'm loving:

stripes mixed with polka dots

denim vests

nude + white combo

printed dresses

clutches

a great pair of heels

images via Brooklyn Blond, Cupcakes & Cashmere, Frassy, Karla's Closet

Sponsor Love: Fitzroy Boutique

I'm was super thrilled to hear that Fitzroy Boutique now has a permanent location in Toronto set up in BYOB Cocktail Emporium. Not only will you be able to shop for pretty frocks but you'll also be able to grab some supplies to make yummy cocktails!

Fitzroy is full of gorgeous goodies and everything is under $200, so there is definitely something for everyone. Some collections found exclusive in Toronto at Fitzroy are Bless'ed are the Meek and Pink Stitch from Australia, Brandy Melville, Whitney Eve and Show Me Your Mumu from LA. They also carry local collections such as Fieldguided, Sarah Donofrio, Hoda Designs and Psalms 91:1. Happy shopping!

Fitzroy Boutique, inside BYOB Cocktail Emporium

972 Queen Street West

Toronto ON

M6J 1H1

HOURS:

Tuesday - Friday: 12-8

Saturday: 11-8

Sunday: 12-6

closed Mondays

Crush: Brittany Bass

Brittany Bass is a Mississippi based artist who enjoys playing around with materials, colours and new ideas. She is also a big fan of neons, gold and white - my favourite combo! Brittany has created a collection of hand painted feathers and handmade arrows that I just can't seem to get enough of. Some of the pieces come already framed, some come in pairs (hello lovers arrows!) and she even offers feather boutonnieres.

Inspiration 5.7.12

{decal by Shanna Murray}

Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colours. But more importantly beauty starts from within. Have you ever come across a gorgeous person who's personality is so awful that it makes them appear ugly? I sure have. Be nice. Treat others with respect. Focus on your own happiness. And smile and laugh often.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

I'm offering a special spring discount of 15% off all Re: Creative classes if you sign up before May 13th (can be any class in May): discount code is SPRINGFEVER.

Weekly Round Up

{via Oh Happy Day}

The most delicious and perfect looking cake via For Me, For You.

The perfect owl prints made from a mix of pens, pencils and watersolours via Honestly WTF.

A great DIY gift for that bride to be from Oh Happy Day.

Love this black & white apartment with wood details via 79 Ideas.

Adorable DIY clay pots via Creature Comforts.

I'm looking forward to a weekend of catching up on work along with play time with good friends. Have a fabulous weekend!

**I'm truly sad that Sweetspot is no longer. It was a great team of very talented women. I hope Rogers knows what they're doing.**

NEW DIY Workshop Classes

I've been working away on new ideas for DIY workshops for Re: Creative. I'm super stocked about the new jewellery classes I just added today. Each one is unique and a ton of fun to make! I also completely filled up May with a variety of classes, so hopefully I'll see you there - please spread the word!

To view a list of the classes and to sign up: http://recreative.bigcartel.com/

Braided Vintage Shirt + Chain Necklace

Wednesday May 16th 2012
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

$32

Learn how to make this cool necklace using a vintage shirt and chain. You'll learn basic jewellery making techniques in addition to learning how to make this unique necklace. Everybody will leave with a finished necklace. Colour options available.

Thread Wrapped Bracelet

Tuesday May 22nd 2012
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

$32

 Learn how to make a bracelet using leather rope + thread. You'll learn basic jewellery making techniques in addition to learning how to make this fun bracelet. Everybody will leave with a finished bracelet that has a cute charm attached to it. Colour options available.

Thread Wrapped + Chain Necklace

Thursday May 31st 2012
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm 

$32

 Learn how to make a necklace using leather rope, thread and chain. You'll learn basic jewellery making techniques in addition to learning how to make this fun necklace. Everybody will leave with a finished necklace. Colour options available.

DIY: Ombre Watercolour Card

So it turns out I love watercolour paints! I haven't used them since I was a kid, but it's fun, easy and so forgiving to work with. I decided to make my mom a card for Mother's Day and used an ombre effect with the paint.

Supplies
Water colour paints - 1 colour, 1 white
Paint brush
Paint tray
Water colour paper cards
Alphabet stamps
Ink pad

Directions
1. Dip your brush in the water and add a wash on the top portion of the card.
2. Lightly dip your brush in the coloured paint and make a dot on the card where the water is. Watch the paint spread. Play around with it until you are happy with the way it looks.
3. Repeat steps one and two, but this time add the wash directly below the first colour and add some white to the colour to make it a few shades lighter than the first colour already on the card.
4.  Repeat all three steps.
5. Set card aside and allow the paint to dry.
6. Next take the alphabet stamps and ink to add a word or phrase to your card.

Recent Project: Nautical Window

Yesterday I spent the day at mini mioche working on their May window. I was inspired by the stripes in their spring collection along with some thick rope I used in the window of their pop up shop last month. I was fortunate enough to have access to some great vintage nautical props thanks to my amazing friend Lindsay and her family who own a very old wood boat that her grandfather handcrafted! I built a dock (yep I sure did!), added some details and voila a nautical spring window!

Cool Shit: Chip Board Furniture

I love seeing furniture pieces made from unusual materials like this chip board. Mod OSB handcrafts these pieces using Oriented Strand Board (OSB). OSB is a modern engineered product that is designed to replace traditional plywood in the building industry. Not only are all the pieces incredibly sturdy but they are also lightweight. I kinda love it!

What are your thoughts on this: do you prefer traditional wood or something different like OSB?