Guest Post: Painted Brick

I've trying to play catch up this week so I have a couple of my besties doing guest posts for me. Thanks Ola/Aleks from Realty Queen - be sure to check out her amazing blog full of realty tips, reno sneak peeks and lots of eye candy!

I recently ran into a dilemma. I'm helping my boyfriend renovate his house and we really wanted an exposed brick wall on the main floor, so we had the contractors expose an entire only to realize the brick ended up being really ugly. Normally I would never think of painting brick as I like the oh naturale look, but something had to be done about this wall. I wanted to paint it an off white, but before deciding on a white colour, I turned to the internet for some inspiration and to make sure the painted brick would look good. Here is what I found, I must say I got a bit side tracked with all the pretty pictures....

Source: houzz.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: onekindesign.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: sadieanddasie.wordpress.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: tilevera.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: sfgirlbybay.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: thekitchenvote.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: decor8blog.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: cocokelley.blogspot.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

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Source: remodelista.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: designsponge.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

We ended up settling on antique white from C-I-L paint and it looks amazing!

But before I sign off, I also found these pretties and couldn't resist...

Source: housetohome.media.ipcdigital.co.uk via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: homefurnituretrend.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: dustydeco.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

I saved my favourite for last....

Source: fauxology.com via Aleksandra on Pinterest

After seeing these pictures, would you ever paint your brick?

Thanks again to Renee for allowing me to do a guest post on her ever inspiring blog!

Crush: House of Bauble

I had the pleasure of first meeting Justyna, the creator behind House of Bauble, a few months ago at one of my DIY craft workshops. Since then I have seen her at another one of my classes rocking a very cool necklace that she told me was part of her jewellery collection. Her jewellery is fun and super affordable (the most expensive piece is $35!). She uses a variety of materials and each piece is handmade in Toronto.

Inspiration 7.30.12

{print by Jonathan Ford}

Happy Monday! Good luck to all the athletes competing in this year's Olympics. Let the games begin!

Weekly Round-Up

{via 79 Ideas}

Festive DIY chocolate bowls from A Subtle Revelry.

Great how to guide on how to mix patterns in your home from Making it Lovely.

Loving this pastels and ice-cream photo shoot via 79 Ideas.

Coveting this cool home via Creature Comforts.

The most interesting burger I've ever seen from How Sweet It Is.

I have lots planned for this weekend including a golf game which will be a first for me (what the hell do I wear???). Wish me luck!

Recipe: Pickled Kale Salad

With these insanely hot temperatures, all I seem to be craving are big healthy salads. My Naturopath has been encouraging me to try kale so when I came across this pickled kale salad, I decided to give it a go! Nate and I love pickled anything so I thought this recipe would be a hit and it was. It was easy to make, full of flavour and super nutritious!

• 1 3/4 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large cucumber (about 10 oz), thinly sliced
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 cups thinly sliced kale
• 1 1/4 cups chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 tablespoon canola (or vegetable) oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered 

Combine vinegar, 1/2 cup water and sugar in a bowl. Stir in cucumber and onion; set aside to let pickle. Toss kale with chickpeas, 1/3 cup pickling liquid, oil, salt and pepper. Divide salad among 4 bowls. Strain cucumber and onion; divide among 4 bowls. Add 2 hard-boiled egg quarters to each bowl before serving.

Party Ideas: Donut + Coffee Bar

I love donuts. I mean I LOOOOVE donuts. Well I love them all except the chocolate ones for some reason. My absolute favourite donut is a French cruller. I try not to eat them often but when I do I'm in pure heaven.

When I came across this donut + coffee bar I thought it was genius! It's really the perfect set up for any time of the day - morning, noon or night. Some of the donuts were pre-made and some of them were plain so you can dip them into different topping options. The guests were able to sample different coffee and donut flavours and could rate them on the custom made cards. And of course doggy bags were available so each guest could take home a selection of their fave ones.

I am so doing this one day!

I heart...

...Meri Meri's alphabet bunting! If you're a fan of bunting and don't have the skills or patience to make your own, then this is right up your alley. Meri Meri's alphabet bunting is available to purchase per letter so you're able to put together any name or phrase you desire. They also have ribbon available to coordinate with the fabric with the letters. Don't forget to watch the video for a great trick on threading the ribbon through!

DIY: Painted Dot Heart Bag

Loving this DIY ombre heart bag from V and Co! This idea is so great and seems pretty easy to do. If you're not a heart person, pick any basic shape and go to town with your pencil dots!

Wish List: Rachel Bilson x Style Mint

I'm digging these neon accented bags by Rachel Bilson for StyleMint. The bags are a combo of canvas and leather and are so perfect for summer. The neon yellow tote bag needs to make it's way into my closet asap!

Crush: Kate Miss Prints

Kate Miss is a chick that really does do it all. She's a blogger, jewellery designer (her pieces always sell out in mere minutes after each shop update), graphic designer and photographer. She recently launched her print shop and I couldn't be more stoked. It's full of her amazing photography all printed on high quality matte photo paper. I'm coveting the circle prints but the rest are pretty awesome too. Which one is your fave?

Happy Monday!

{via Uncovet}

Happy Monday! 

Nate was away this weekend camping with the boys so I had some fun with the girls. I also decided to surprise him with a new patio set and fixed up the backyard with some gardening help from my parents. I can't wait to enjoy our new backyard!

Weekly Round-Up

{via A Beautiful Mess}

The perfect paint storage solution from Rambling Renovators.

Fun bedding tips via Bright.Bazaar.

Really wanting to make this vertical garden using recycled materials from A Beautiful Mess.

Festive DIY fringe cocktail umbrellas via Oh Happy Day.

Love this mobile shop via All The Mountains.

Have a great weekend!

Recipe: Coconut Lime Popsicles

I purchased popsicle molds a few months ago in the hopes of making all kinds of fun flavoured popsicles this summer. We've been crazy busy, but I'm so happy I was able to make a batch for the first time last night. I looked up a few different recipes and combine them to make these coconut lime pops which turned out amazing - so delish. I cannot wait to try out some more recipes!

Coconut Milk, 400 ml can
Juice of 2 limes
3 tablespoons of honey

Makes 4 popsicles

1. Combine all 3 ingredients and pour into the popsicle molds.
2. Freeze for 5 hours.
3. To unmold your pops, stick them in warm water for 20-30 seconds.

Party Ideas: The Cream Event

A few months ago the Bash, Please ladies put on a neon themed wedding event in LA called The Cream. There were a ton of participants that put together rad spaces to showcase each of their skills. Talk about fun and talk about creativity - love this! Hmmm maybe they'll do one in Toronto next?

{images via Green Wedding Shoes}

Recent Project: Vocado's Summer Love Window

I completed Vocado's 'summer love' themed window last week complete with a handmade wood sign and swing I made with Nate. I also made freestanding tissue paper flowers that took more time than I could ever had imagined. I followed a tutorial for the flowers on Design*Sponge but I had to improvise in some areas since all the supplies weren't available.

Vocado has two locations: one in Toronto and one in Oakville. This window happened to be the one in Toronto which is tucked away in Liberty Village. The boutique is full of cute summer frocks, fun accessories and amazing shoes!