LEAVING ON A JET PLANE!

This will be my last post of 2009.  We are off to Scotland & England for a two week holiday.  Ryan has never been to the UK.  I use to live in London, England.  I'm very excited to go back to see family, friends and tour my old stomping grounds.  


For now, I'll leave you with these beautiful shots.  

xo

Christmas Essentials

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

I'm in Kingston enjoying time with family and friends.  This will be my last post of 2009 because I'm headed to the UK for a two week holiday with my hubby.  We'll be visiting family and touring Scotland for 9 days and then enjoying the sites in London, England.  We are very excited!!  I can't wait to share the pictures with you when we return.  



For now, I will leave you with my Christmas essentials…


1. Champagne and orange juice for Christmas morning & Bailey's for Christmas Eve. 

2. Brand new comfy PJs.

3. A gorgeous Christmas tree decorated by mom who always does such a great job!

4. My family all together!  I missed Christmas Eve & morning last year.  We spent it with my in-laws (who I love) but it just wasn't the same.  I'm such a traditional girl and don't like change much. 

Here is a picture of all of us a few summers ago.  I don't have a more recent family picture with Ryan in it.

5. The famous Doyle stuffing/dressing.  It's honestly the absolute best!!! I'll give you the recipe later. 


6. Gifts for my family.  I can't wait to see their faces light up!! :)


7. A dog bone to keep Cooper occupied while we enjoy a drool free zone.  (This is him looking at my sister like she was crazy for leaving him out in the snow.  He's a big baby!)

8. White Christmas playing in the background.  I love Bing!  (Here is a shot of one of my favourite scenes.  It makes me giggle just thinking about it.)

That's all I can think of at the moment.  Most of this is trivial.  What matters is that we are all healthy and together.  I am very blessed!  I have a good job, a supporting family, a very loving husband (I can't believe we've been married 8 months now!), a cozy apartment, I can afford to travel and I have the best friends you can ask for. 

Thank you to all of you for reading my blog.  When I started this I had no idea where it would take me.  The last four months have been wonderful!  I look forward to what it will bring in 2010.  XO

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

A House that's Ready for Christmas

The day has gotten away from me already.  It's the last day of work for 2009.  I'm officially on holiday for 2 1/2 weeks in just one hour!  :) 

I've been dying to show you my aunt's house in Virginia.  Doesn't it look wonderful!!  Now normally I would say a little snow would be perfect but after a week of -10 (FREEZING COLD!!!!!!!!) I really want a hot green Christmas. 

Last day of work!! WOOHOO!!!! :)

Wall Murals

Today I have no time to write so it's all about pretty rooms with great wall murals.  xo

Check out the first one.  I love the combination of grey blue with gold.  It's so elegant. 

Balustrade and Bitters

Cup of Cocoa

Decorpad

Decorpad

House and Home

tchochkes.com

unique baby ideas.com

Decorpad

Decorpad

Steal a Gift & Gorgeous Neutral Living rooms

Can you believe we are only 5 days away from Christmas?  I spent Saturday shopping from 10am-4pm.  Needless to say, I was exhausted but happy at the end of the day because I completed my gift list. :) Yeah!


Today was all about relaxing with my sister.  We watched Father of the Bride, Father of the Bride II and Love Actually while doing laundry, wrapping gifts, catching up with family on the phone and downloading more CD's onto itunes.  I feel like I accomplished enough and relaxed just enough.  Now I need to prepare for a Christmas party tonight with a few friends.    We play a fun game called Steal a Gift.  Everyone brings a wrapped gift under $20. We draw for the first gift.  Once the first one is opened, the second person chooses between stealing the first gift or opening another.  The Third person then chooses between steeling the first two gifts or opening a new one and so on.  It's a lot of fun!  I always seem to get picked on though.  This year we're doing it a little different.  Instead of buying a gift we are regifting.  I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.  


Until then I want to leave you with these pictures.  I have no idea where I found them.  If you know the source please let me know. 

Bathroom/Closet

It's finally the end of the work week.  I cannot tell you exactly how excited I am for Christmas vacation!!!  In exactly 5 days I'll be home with my family and in 10 days I'll be arriving in Glasgow.  Woo hoo!!  :)  Until then, I plan on making a much better effort with my blog.  I appreciate all of you sticking by me in such a hectic month. 

Now, can you imagine getting ready for the day and all those holiday parties in this beauty of a closet/bathroom?  An absolute dream!!  What does the rest of this house look like???

Cote de Texas

A Family Room Makeover

Yet another crazy week.  We had our office Christmas party last night so I'm feeling a wee bit hungover today.  I have been so busy this week that before I knew it I hadn't posted in 3 days and it's already Friday.  Where does the time go?? 

I picked up the Globe and Mail Real Estate section this morning and saw this before and after by Candice Olson.  The finished product is gorgeous!!  The more I see her work the more I love it.  She creates very comfortable stylish rooms.  I will do a post on more of her projects next week. 

Globe & Mail

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be back tomorrow with a more detailed post.  Today's goal is to survive the day.  haha! 

Can I move in?

The latest issue of Style at Home is fantastic!  It features a house designed by Samantha Farjo a very talented Toronto interior designer.  It's gorgeous!  The perfect mix of modern and traditional.  I scanned the pictures in for your viewing pleasure. 

I love everything in this room (at least what is pictured) - ivory silk drapes, gorgeous blue and white ikat pillow, the Barbara Barry coffee table, table lamp...shall I go on???  It's bright and cozy.  

This kitchen is a dream for me.  Gorgeous white cabinets and counters, dark floors, good sized island with a large rectangular sink and very cool antique pendant lights.  I want this kitchen!!

My future dining room must have comfortable chairs.  The more comfy the chair the more dinner parties we'll have with great conversation that goes well into the night.  :)  At least that's what I hope.  I love the round mirror and chandelier.  Though, I do think they could have a larger mirror.

This bedroom looks very inviting.  Mom, I think this is your future bedroom.  It's bright, cozy and features green.  Need I say more? 

All pictures feautred in January Style at Home

Capiz Chandelier

I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately.  I don't like to push the posts just to write something and I really haven't had any time to focus on my blog as much as I would like.  I do have a few ideas to persue before the holidays.  My day job is keeping me very busy not to mention all the holiday parties and shopping.  :)  


While researching a few ideas I keep coming across this chandelier.  LOVE!  I think it's a sign that I will need to use it in a room soon.  Maybe the master bedroom I'm working on with friends.  If I had the money I would get it in a heartbeat!  Have I mentioned how much I love it?! :) 


Here it is featured in this beautiful master suite of Brooke Gianetti from Velvet & Linen. 

And again in a dining room by Heather Garrett,

Photo via La Dolce Vita

And again here in this gorgeous bedroom.  No idea who owns it.  All i know is they are very lucky!

photo via Decorpad

I'll be back tomorrow.  I promise! :) xo

My Christmas Wish List

Since we are fast approaching the Holiday season I thought I would share what's on my wish list.  Feel free to take a few ideas. 

Family and Friends please take notes. :) 

1. The Oxford Tote from Delight in either orange or teal.  I can't decide but will need to shortly so I can have it delivered in time for my trip to the UK! :) 

2. This gorgeous lamp from ELTE.  It would look awesome in our living room. 

3. Iomoi Lucite round paper weight for work and ottoman tray for home.  LOVE!!

4. La Mer Layer Wrap watch.

5. Maxfield Flatware from PotteryBarn.  I need 8 more place settings! 

6. David Romonelli's book from Chapters. 

8. Domino the book of Decorating at Chapters.

9. Isa Ferreira's digital photos from Etsy.

10. Strawberry Cheescake necklace from Anthropology.

What do you want for Christmas??

Symmetry

I love symmetry in a room. It is one of the most important ways to finish a room. Without getting technical, psychologist theorizes that when images are viewed as symmetrical they are more appealing to the eye. It’s an easy way to create a beautiful room. Balance is the key!


A perfect example is this room by Interior Architecture and Design duo Joe Ireland and Julie Weber of J.D. Ireland in Washington, DC.  (sorry for the bad photo quality)

She hit it out of the park for me

"You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try."

Dolly Parton

I read this quote in the latest edition of Style at Home.  It is featured on a bedroom wall of home owners Chad Farquharson and Wayne McGill.  Normally you see chalkboard paint used in the kitchen, a play room or an office.  I thought it very brilliant of them to paint the wall behind their bed with this quote and beautiful image.  

Where I would like to be right now

This is where I would like to be right now.  I could easily set up my laptop and do all my work in comfort.  I absolutely love this bed, the mirrors above the bedside tables, white sheets (a must!) and the grey on the walls.   

Another busy day.  I really wish there were a few more hours of the day to get more done and a few more hours in the night to get more sleep.  :)  Hope you're having a great week!

via Cote de Texas

Stacaro

Hi friends & family!  Another crazy day at work complete.  Ah... Love when I'm busy!!  Keep it coming universe!!  I really believe we get what we deserve.  Everything that happens is meant to happen to teach us a lesson.  Right now, I'm certain my lesson is how to deal with difficult people without stressing too much and losing my mind.  ;-)  I'm up for the challenge.  I know that my clients do not mean to be difficult and that they are just doing their own job.  It's all good.  


p.s. I was talking about my day job clients.  :)


Ok, onto the post.  I've wanted to write about Stacaro for a long time.  They have long been one of my all time favourite Toronto furniture stores.  I can't leave without wanting to purchase something!!  The furniture, accessories and lighting is a mix of contemporary, rustic and old world classics.  Anything from this store would add so much elegance to your home.  It's a must go-to in Toronto.  

I want this chest of drawers.  It would add so much charm and elegance to any room in the house.  I don't actually have room for it in my place now but I will in the future.  Ryan it's on sale for 20% off. :)

I want the armoire below but in the double door style.  It takes my breath away!  

Lighten the walls a bit more for me, add some black and different pillows an this would be my perfect country living room. Love it!! 

I wonder if my boss would let me bring in this desk, chair and accessories into work?   It would be a HUGE improvement from my cubicle.  

Last four photos from Stacaro online

They have a few shops in the Toronto GTA and in Montreal.  Check it out online as well.