Coral on the brain

I have been working like a madman today.  I finally stopped for lunch only to realize that I forgot to post!  GASP!  Having you been desperately waiting?  :)  I hope so. 

Coral is one of my favourite colours because it looks so good on so many different skin tones (especially mine) and is such a happy colour.  So in tying in yesterday post about what makes me happy, I add to it, coral.  :) 

Strawberry Cheesecake Necklace

Anthropology

The Jersy Lomellina Cabana Tank Bathing Suit in Coral.

J.Crew

Cashmere throw/pashmina in coral.

William Sonoma Home

Waverly Ellis Fabric

Fabric.com

A girlie media room.  I would prefer the fabric above to be used on the drapes instead of the ones below.  What do you think?

Corea Sotropa Interior Design

Have a wonderful day!!  I'm having friends for dinner tonight and still need to figure out what to make.  Yikes!!  Wish me luck.  I'll recap tomorrow on a few buys from the weekend.  xo

101 Blog Awards.

This week has started off very well!  Not only is it a short work week (YEAH!!!) but I have also started it on the right foot by going to the gym for a fantastic cardio workout.  To top it all off I arrive at work to find out I was nominated for the 101 Blog Award by the wonderful and talented Erica Cook at Moth Design! What an honour!  When you have a moment, check  out her blog.  It's a gem!  

I must now list 10 things that make me happy and then pass along to 10 other blogs. 

1. My husband Ryan.  I don't know what I would do without him.  He's the most wonderful, caring, funny and down-to-earth man you'll ever meet. 
2. My family!  Everyone is included - parents, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful support system and feel very loved everyday of my life. 
3. Good friends you can depend on.  I have the best friends anyone could ask for.  We can laugh together and cry together.  They are always there for me.
4. Travelling makes me very happy!  I love the feeling of sitting on a plane with the excitement in your gut just before take-off.  A good road trip or train trip is equally as fun.  The anticipation of discovering something new is a wonderful feeling.
5. Red wine makes me happy.  :) 
6. Blogging.  I love it!  It's an addiction - both reading and writing.  It has opened up my world to so many new people and opportunities
7. Tulips.  They are simple and gorgeous!  Love all the colours they come in. 
8. Our new house!  :) 
9. Everything to do with patio and cottage season... otherwise known as the summer!!  The smell of meat cooking on the bbq, lying on the dock at the cottage and breathing in the fresh summer air, freshly cut grass, hot summer nights on the patio drinking with friends and/or family, driving with the windows down...  I could go on and on...
10. Reality TV!  I know it's very frivolous but I love to watch it. 

I nominate the following to receive this award because I absolutely love their blogs.  You must check out their blogs for delicoius tid-bits of design advice and pics. 
 
Moth Design - It's one of my favourite new blogs!
BlueLabel Bungalow
AK-Magnolia House
Rambling Renovators - first Canadian blog love!
Just Beachy
High-Heeled Foot in the Door
Elements of Style
Haven and Home
Coco+Kelly
Everything LEB

Have a great day!! 

Recap on Pottery Barn Price Adjustments

So I thought I would update you on my Pottery Barn splurge from Wednesday.  As promised, I went out for lunch to check out the new prices.  They have reduced the price on mirrors, picture frames, candles, and some furniture.  My cutlery is still $129/place setting vs. $95/place setting US. 


I was looking for frames to go above the black cabinet.  (I know we're moving in two months but whatever I put above it now will go above it in our new place.  And I hate having the space empty!)  I purchased two of the thin metal gallery frames to fit 5"x7" photos.

And four laquered gallery frames in turquoise. 

The cost for all six was ridiculous!!  I'm feeling very guility right now.  I'll post pictures this weekend of them up against the cabinet.  I don't think either of the styes work for me.  I saw a canvas with street names from my area on it at a store around the corner from us.  I'm going to check it out tomorrow afternoon and see if it will work.  I'll probably by it anyways because then it will always remind me of our current home/area of Toronto. 

I was very tempted to buy the decorative coral but for $44/each I thought it was a little (or WAY) too much.  It looks pretty though.  Does anyone know where I could get it for less money??

What have you purchased lately? 

Kitchens

It's a busy day at the office.  Actually it's been a hectic week here.  Thank goodness it's Friday.  I have a fun weekend planned.  Tonight my sister Meg, cousin Lauren and I are having a girls movie night at their new place.  Tomorrow morning I'm visiting with an old friend and her triplets!  I haven't seen them in months so I can't wait to see how much they've grown.  Then I'm off to Elte to check out their sale.  We're going out with my SIL Aaren, her husband Mike, his sister Jen and her husband Colin for dinner Saturday night.  It will be a hoot! The last time we went out together it ended up being very messy!  Colin, no apply martinis this time!!  I can't be in bed sick on Sunday.  I'm over those days of dealing with a hangover.  Sunday will be spent with my husband relaxing.  We might go bed shopping as well.  :)  I hope you're weekend is filled with as many loved ones as mine is. 

I saw this kitchen earlier in the week (no idea where) and fell in love with everything except the cherry floors!!  I want to use this as inpiration for my new kitchen.  Of course mine isn't as large but the colour scheme will be similar. 

Have a great weekend!! xo

This just in! Elte Linens SALE!!!

One of the sales associates at Elte called (Great service!!! Ask Marcy to help you) to tell me they're having a sale on linens starting today!!  20% off!!  They have great brands like Kelly Wearstler, Sferra, Calvin Klein, etc. 

Go forth and get yourself some much deserved soft and luxurious bedding.  I know I'm going to head there this weekend.

xo

The never ending DIY project

My never ending cabinet refinishing project is complete!  Well, almost...  It has only been 8 months in the works.  HAHA!  Step by step we (Ryan has helped me a lot) have worked on it and then put it away.  The last step was ordering the handles and hinges from Gingers.  For the last few weeks I have been waiting for them to arrive.  They finally do.  I opened the package last week (while I was sick with a fever), put it down next to the doors to wait for a day when we have the time and energy.

Last night Ryan put the doors together.  One problem, we are missing the hinges for the left side door!!!!!!  I wanted to scream last night.  I know they were delivered but I must have misplaced them.  I'm going to tear my house apart until I find them.  Luckily the doors lock in at the top so it looks complete.  I just can't open the left side door. 

What do you think of it?  Keep in mind I have not styled it.  Click here for the before post.  I like the black with the white platters but a part of me wishes I picked a colour for the inside.  In the new house it will be used for either storing books or bath supplies since it will sit in the hallway outside the bathroom.  I think our white towels and bath products will look great displayed all pretty inside. 

Here is a close up of the Asiatic lilies I purchased at Sobey's (sorry dad it's closer than Loblaws).  They are gorgeous and smell amazing!!

Have a great day! It's goign to be 16 and sunny in Toronto.  Woo Hoo!!

Pottery Barn Canada Lowers Prices!! FINALLY!!

Good morning dear readers!  Today has started off well.  I just received this wonderful email from Pottery Barn Canada.  They have finally seen the light (the strong Canadian dollar) and lowered their prices.  I might have to stop in their at lunch to check out how low they've gone.  My cutlery set is $135 in Canada vs. $95 in the US.  I hope it's come down in price because I need 9 more place settings. 

I will be back later this morning with more updates on something I've been working on for months!!!

My Living Room Inspirations

I had a great weekend!  We relaxed on Friday night, spent the day shopping with my friend/client for bedroom, living-room and media-room furniture (very successful day!), went out to dinner at Kultura for my very good friend MH's 30th birthday and then received awesome news Sunday morning from my family in Virginia.  They're moving to Toronto!! :)  I finally get to see my adorable cousins grow up and be more apart of their lives. I will miss going to Richmond for visits, shopping and just enjoying a taste of southern life but I'll gladly trade it in to live in the same city. 

I can't believe it's already 1:45pm!  Today is flying by too quickly.  I have so much work to do but first I want to share some of the living rooms that are going to inspire our living room.  They each have so much to offer.  I love bright, airy rooms.  I will keep our walls light and add a mix woods with darker fabric (tan, beige, grey, blue...something that will not show dirt and won't make me cry if a child spreads their dirty hands on it)  Armless chairs are a must!  The room is long and narrow.  No bulky pieces allowed.  I want it to be comfortable and stylish.  It will serve as the media room until our basement is finished (next summer at the earliest). 

Peter Fallico

Peter Fallico

LOVE THIS ROOM AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO CAPTURED IT.

Ashley Raubach Photography Room By Holli Forest

 LOVE THE WALL PANELS. THIS IS A VERY SIMILAR SET UP TO WHAT WE'LL DO.

McGill Design Group

LOVE THE DARK BROWN AND WHITE PILLOWS.

Sherrill Canet

LOVE THE GREY WALLS PAIRED WITH THE BLUE CUSHIONS.

Virginia MacDonald

LOVE THE RUG!!!

Stacey Smithers

LOVE THE COZY NOOK MEDIA ROOM.

Sarah Richardson

LOVE THE BLUE, TAN, WHITE AND DARK WOOD COMBO!

Sloan Mauran

LOVE THE COFFEE TABLE AND RUG!

Kelly Wearstler

Have a great afternoon!! xo

Chelsea Handler

I've had a terrible week!  The flu knocked me of my feet.  I'm finally feeling better so to start our weekend off on a the right foot I thought I would introduce you to Chelsea Handler.  If you've never watched Chelsea's show on E Online then you're missing out.  YouTube her here and here (The best one ever!  I'm listening to it now and i'm laughing so hard I'm crying!)... are just a few great examples.  She's hillarious!!  

She has a new book out which is supposed to be as funny as the show.  You can purchase it here.  I know I'm going to buy it this weekend.  Have a great one and thank you for checking in while I was stuck in bed. :)  xo

Green with envy...

I would love to have an amazing post for you with gorgeous rooms and great design ideas.  Unfortunately, I'm still sick!  I tried to go into work this morning (as I did yesterday) but ended up back at home after lunch with yet another fever.  I feel completely run down with no energy and I'm green with envy of all my healthy readers.  I hope to join you soon.  For now I think it's best I take the week off to recover.  I will post Saturday morning.  Until then, I need to rest, drink fluids and rest some more.

xo

The Powder Room

I'm feeling better today.  Not 100% but on the road to recovery!  Thank goodness!  There are only so many days that I can sit at home and do nothing.  By the time Ryan came home last night I was going stir crazy!  I was so hyper with excitement when I saw him come in the door.  Someone to play with!  :)

So to get our week started (on a Tuesday...) I thought we could visit the powder room to freshen up.  There are so many choices for this little room.  You can take chances in this room like no other room because it's small and doesn't cost a lot to redecorate - unless you use only high-end finishing's...  

Alina Apteker

Ann Sacks Powder Room by Miles Redd

Sarah Richardson

Decorpad

Decorpad

Decorpad

(I've tried posting this three times but everything keeps moving... so don't mind the face that it might not makes sense)

Have a great day!

Monique Lhullier's Powder Room

Lary Laslso

Still sick!

Unfortuntely I'm still out sick.  :(  This is where I'm spending my day trying to recover from a bad cold (ears plugged, nose plugged and runny, head ache...etc)!  I hope you had a great weekend and have started your week off more healthy than me.  Have a great day!!

Nursing the flu

I'm sick in bed today with the spring flu.  I woke up yesterday morning with the most painful sore throat I've ever had in my adult life.  It got better and then worse again throughout the day.  My head hasn't stopped hurting, I have a bit of a fever and my ears are now aching.  What's up with all that?  I'm a healthy girl who eats well and exercises.  I shouldn't get sick.  But alas I am.  I'm taking today off from work to rest and hopefully recover quickly!  Mom and dad I won't be coming home this weekend after all.  Damn flu!!!

My bed is certainly comfy but there is a part of me that wishes I could upgrade our sheets and duvet to the Milo set from Sferra.  Look how luxurious it is.  I could have a sweet sleep in this bed and then...

Spend the afternoon enjoying the sun, sand and water here... if only I was (a) feeling up to it and (b) could afford it right now.  A girl can have fun in her dreams. 

Turks and Caicos Islands

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Benjamin Moore Newburg Green

While browsing Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle yesterday I noticed the most beautiful blue green walls.  They completely caught my attention!  The colour is called Newburg Green by Benjamin Moore.  I immediately starting thinking about where I could use this colour in our new house.  Look how it makes the white fabric and orange throw pop!  It would be a very cool colour in a nursery or maybe I'll use it in the guest bedroom.  It would look great next to our duvet and pillows from Restoration Hardware's white Italian bedding with brown satin stitch collection. 

Loving the mix of old and new in this nook so much!!  Where can I get that lamp for less then $70?

Amy Morris Interiors

Good morning my lovely readers! I’m going to be honest today, I haven't been feeling inspired lately. Last week I was writing posts just to be writing and not because I had something worthy to share. Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated and inspired. Last week was strange for me. I felt disconnected from my work (day job), the blog, designing and from being me. I know that if I don’t exercise and take care of me then I can fall into a slump and a bad mood. That’s completely what happened last week.

Today is different. It has already been a very busy morning at work but I thought I would steal a few minutes to browse the web. (Sometimes I give myself 5 minutes of meaningless online browsing to fulfill my itch and then get back to work…even on a busy day it’s essential.) Today my browsing sparked something in me. I decided to take a quick peak on Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle. Lucky for us they were featuring Amy Morris Interiors in an article. There was something about the article that told me I had to visit her website. Well, didn't I just love every room she has designed! I swear I'm supposed to live in Atlanta! I’m always drawn to the city, its people, shops and homes. Alright, back to Amy. I don't have time to talk much about her work. Today is all about pictures. I hope you enjoy and find as much inspiration from her work as I did for my new house.

xo

I want these trellis pillows for my sofa! 

I'm not usually a fan of dark walls but this room is changing my mind.  I would have no problem setting up shop in this room. 

Perfection!  What else could I say?  I'm drooling over this room.

I had a mint green bedroom when I was young.  I love it in this room but doubt I could ever live in one again.  I love the faux panels on the walls, the art work, ghost chairs and layering in this room. 

I'm thinking of doing something similar to this in my kitchen.  I'm sure it would be wise to invest in slip-covered chairs when planning a family. 

I adore this little nook.  I'm certain I could spend hours sitting here reading with a glass of wine.  It is such a pretty room!

What is it about twin beds?  I love the way they look seperated by a shared night stand.  The green on the walls is the perfect shade!

I'm going to be using blue and white for our master bedroom.  It's time I start organizing my inspiration files.  Love the simplicity of the bed (seen in the mirror).

Love, Love, Love the light fixtures in this bathroom.  The ceiling fixture would normally be seen over a dining table.  I like the way she paired with the simple, clean lines of this white and grey blue washroom.

I adore the way she puts her baby nurseries together. 

All photos via Amy Morris Interiors