Contemplating a move to Kansas City...

I have lusted after David Jimenez Kansas City home for as long as I can remember.  It is the perfect combination of American and English interiors.  It's cozy, classic warm home.  I could easily move in tonight if David (and Ryan) allowed me to.  If I can't move in, I would be happy to visit over the weekend.  David, if you are reading this, all I ask is that you think about it.  I'm a very tidy houseguest.  I would fit right in.  We could sip red wine or martinis on the patio or the living room.  Both are exquisite!  

Moving on... David has worked with Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware in the past (two of my favourite stores!).  Currently, he is President of visual merchandising and store design for Hallmark Cards Inc. in Kansas City.    His work has been featured in many magazines and blogs.  David's style has been referred to as 'Cary Grant meets modern living'.  It's exactly what I strive for in my own home - the perfect balance of classic and modern design.  David is also known for his beautiful vignettes.  I will focus on those later this week. 

Enjoy the eye candy!!  

I love David's use of symmetry outside and inside his home.  I also love the lamps, tufted sofa, windows and pedestal table in the pictures below.  I know... what is there possibly to hate, right?!  This room is very masculine with a touch of feminine delicateness.  Impeccable!

This living room might be my all-time favourite!!  I love everything about it - light fixutres, mix of dark wood beams and white walls, zebra rug under the coffee table, neutral furnishing, hit of colour with fresh flowers, beautiful vignettes along the walls... I could go on and on! LOVE!

I could definitely see myself in this dining room serving Thanks Giving dinner on my gorgous china with friends and family.  Ah, the dream is beautiful.

I'm keeping this room in mind for when my Uncle Chris decides to redecorate because his favourite colour is blue.  This is a very manyly bedroom.  

I'm certain my husband would love this bedroom.  It's masculine, warm and inviting.  I would need a little bit more colour or a bit more white - a touch of feminine.  

Could I be happy working on my blog from this desk?  YES!  Who wouldn't be?  

Ah, I'm dreaming of waking up in this bedroom.  

Here it is again set up a bit differently.  I'm in love.  (sigh)

All pictures via www.djimenez.com

That's all for now friends.  I'm off to bed.

Is your glass half full or half empty?

I found this quote on La Dolce Vita's site.  I love reading the inspirational quotes Paloma posts.  This one stands out to me.  It might be my frame of mind right now.

Thanks for the reminder Paloma!  I'm printing it off and putting it at my desk for me to look at when the day seems like it will never end or another negative thought enters my mind.  :)

I hope everyone had a great day!  Enjoy your evening.

Passport Required

Good morning!  I'm sorry for my lack of posts in the last week.  I'm stressed!!  I have a lot on my plate right now.  I'm sure many of you have felt like this at some point or other and understand my need take the weekend to de-stress and re-energize!  I took it easy on Friday and Saturday relaxing with my husband, purchased a good book and went shopping over the border! :)  I started reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and I'm loving it!   

In order to help de-stress permanently I have purchased Passport to Prana.  It's a membership card that allows me to try out many of Toronto's best yoga studios.  The card was $37 (with tax).  Essentially, it allows me to try out one class at each of the yoga studios who signed up for this deal between now and the end of February.  I'm very excited!!  Yoga has always been one of the exercises that I turn to when I'm feeling overwhelmed and in need of time for myself.  It's an amazing workout for the mind, body and spirit!! 

Now, lets get back to the shopping I mentioned.  I could have spent thousands at Ann Taylor in Buffalo.  It was stocked full of gorgeous clothes for fall.  Check it out here and here.  Unfortunately, they don't ship to Canada.  :(  I asked if there are plans to bring the store here or change their shipping standards.  Unfortuantely it's a big NO.  :(  Any who, a short 2 hour drive will provide all the shopping you need at this beautiful store.  Here are a few of my favourites.

I purchased the jacket below.  This picture does not do it justice.  It's gorgeous in person! 

That's all for now folks.  I hope you enjoyed your weekend (yes, I know it's Tuesday but I was off on Monday.  Have a great day!

What are my chances of winning??

TGIF!!!  It's been a long, stressful week.  I'm sorry for being off-line these last few days.  I promise to make up for it over the next few days. 

I have fallen in love with the newlyy designed house for The Welcome Home Sweepstakes for Cancer Research.  It was built by Lynda Reeves and her House & Home team, with architectural designer Ray Murakami and custom home builder PCM Inc. It's located at 1306 Cambridge Drive, Oakville.  You can walk through it between now to the end of October.  Here is a sneak peak.  Oh, I took the photos from the video... so they are not the best quality or best angle but at least it gives us a peak at the gorgeous interiors!! 

The house has French doors throughout the entire first floor leading out to manicured gardens, exposed beams and natural wood.  It has a European country feel to it.  Love it!! 

Relaxing in this room would be a breeze.  I love the Montauk sofa and chairs.  The extra tall floor lamps are from Cocoon. 

I could totally be soaking in this tub right now. 

I hope you enjoyed the tour.  If you're in town (Oakville or surrounding area) then go and check it out in person and purchase a ticket to support cancer research.  If you don't purchase a ticket then cross your fingers and hope that I win! :) 

Have great day!!

An Italian Affair

We consume a lot of risotto, especially during the colder months!!  It's my all-time favourite comfort food.  Well, that and Shepard's pie.  I'll leave that recipe for another day.  
Many of my favourite recipes comes from the Italian beauty Giada De Laurentiis.  She's not only beautiful, has great taste in interior design (see her place below), she is a goddess in the kitchen!!  Every recipe of hers that I try turns out exactly like the picture and tastes better than I imagined.  


Try out her Champagne Risotto .  I promise you will eat it every last bite!

Ingredients

• 4 thin slices prosciutto
• 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 12 asparagus spears, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup Arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
• 3/4 cup Champagne
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Place the slices of prosciutto on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake until the prosciutto slices are almost completely crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes. The slices will crisp up even more as they cool. Reserve for garnish.

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Blanch the asparagus in the chicken stock for 2 minutes. Remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon. Set the asparagus aside and keep the chicken stock at a low simmer.

In another medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the shallot and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the Arborio rice and stir to coat in the butter. Continue toasting the rice, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes more. Add the Champagne and simmer until the liquid has almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the simmering broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of broth to absorb before adding the next, until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 20 minutes total. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in the asparagus, remaining butter, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Spoon the risotto into serving dishes and garnish by breaking the crisp prosciutto into smaller pieces over the top of the risotto. Serve immediately.

Giada's house is designed by Kevin Fitzsimons and Bonesteel Trout Hall.  Check it out. The house is a bit too modern for my taste.  I love a classic Victorian but that doesn't prevent me from appreciating the good design. The house was made from African teak, glass and stucco.   


The kitchen has 2 dishwashers and 4 ovens!!  Can you imagine?  I love the cookies and cream look of this kitchen.  Ryan would go nuts for all the counter space.  

The window in this bedroom looks fake.  Look at that view!!!  I would die a happy woman if I got to wake up with this view everyday.  

The patio is by far the best part of the house.  I really want her patio set.  Again, wouldn't mind the view as well.  :) 

All pictures via Architectural Digest  

Have a great day everyone!!  

The September Issue!!

Does anyone know when or if The September Issue will be playing in Toronto?  I've heard such great comments about the documentary but can't seem to find it playing in Toronto.   Doesn't Vogue like Canada????  Please comment if you know when or where it's playing.   

Thanks!

Eye Candy to Brighten our Monday!

It's Monday... AGAIN!  I'm feeling lazy and a bit busy at work so I'll start the week of with a selection of bright beautiful living rooms.  There is something for everyone below. 

Enjoy and have a great day!!!

www.homesandgardens.com 

I wish I was working from this living room today.  I think it would brighten my outlook much more than the drab cubicle and grey walls I'm currently looking at. 

Beaux Arts Mansion in St Louis

Unknown Source

House Beautiful

Home & Garden via House of Turquoise

I'm not a huge fan of orange but I seem to find this room irresistible!  I also love that they didn't hide the TV because in reality it's usually out in the open. 

Palmer Weiss

I could definitely hang out in this girlie living room.  Ryan enjoys a bit of pink but I don't think he could watch a football game in it and still feel like a man.  Haha!

Decorpad

Decorpad

Country Living

Apartment Therapy

I appreciate a neutral room with a hit of colour.  The emerald green pillows and pink flowers really pop.  This is a very elegant room.

Decorpad

House To Home

Kitchen Love

Sorry about the delayed post.  I haven't been feeling well over the last few days, so I've taken it easy and just relaxed and slept. 

I came across this first picture through Laura Casey's work in Charlotte.  She is a wonderful interior designer who's blog I have just discovered. I swear it's like another world - the blog world.  I'm meeting so many new people who share my interest.  I'm commenting on posts of bloggers I have never met but feel so much connection with.  Not many people outside of our blogging world can understand.   It's fun and exciting.   Thank you to all who read my posts and who post themselves.  I have never been more inspired.  

I adore everything in this kitchen, especially the island!  The lights are from a store in Charlotte called School House Electric (coolest name ever!).   It looks like they've used Cererra marble on the counters and backsplash.  The cupboards seem to just disappear into the walls making the dark island the focal point.  

School House Electric via Laura Casey Interiors 

I saw this Suzanne Kasler kitchen and immediately smiled and sighed...  It's gorgeous!  The hit of blue in the backsplash and stools is fun.  Cupboards should always go straight to the ceiling.  I hate when there is space left up there to just collect dust.  Take note of the double sink.  Very functional!  

Suzanne Kasler 

I would like to be having breakfast in this kitchen right now.  I showed this to my husband one night and he said he liked the room and that it would look even better if it had a view of a putting green in the backyard.  Haha!   

Suzanne Kasler

This country kitchen is dreamy.  I love the hit of French with table and Louis chairs.  

Suzanne Kasler

Who wouldn't love this galley kitchen?  Arched ceilings, beautiful light fixtures, high-end appliances and a great neutral colour to boot! :)

House Beautiful

I had to show this kitchen simply for the backsplash.  I LOVE the shiny penny tile!!!!  It gives me the same feeling as a gorgeous pair of Manolo Blahnik's - PERFECTION!!! 

Unknown Source