Thanksgiving Table Settings

What a week!  It has been go-go-go for me.  I'm exhausted.  I get home from work and errands and just melt into the bed or sofa.  It is my favourite time though because that's when Jelly Bean is most active.  I wish I could record how it feels.  It's the most wonderful feeling.  The last trimester is a week away.  It's crazy to think we only have 15 more weeks until we meet JB.  :)

I don't know if it's the type of day, the fact that I'm always hungry or that we are less than two weeks away from Thanks Giving but I have turkey dinners on my mind.  :)  It is my favourite holiday.  I love the smell of a turkey cooking, football on the TV, sitting around with my family and walking around downtown Kingston taking in the market scenes and fresh air.  Oh, did I mention we usually celebrate my birthday then as well.  :) 

Here are a few table setting ideas to get us started.

Country Living

Martha Stewart 

 Martha Stewart

Better Homes & Gardens

Via Apartment Therapy

Baby Tuesday - Products For Me & Baby

Last night Ryan and I went to Dear Born Baby to make our first baby product purchase - the stroller.  It's insane how many options there are for parents!  I have kept my eye on the UppaBaby Vista for a while comparing it to all other strollers.  Last night we went over the showroom of strollers for an hour with the sales associate and debated all the options.  After a bit of external and internal debate (and Ryan saying does it walk itself for that price??) we decided to purchase the Vista in silver/black.  I love it and think Jelly Bean will be very comfortable in it for the next 3-4 years.  :)  If anyone else is interested in it then you should know they are on sale for $599 (savings of $200!!) until September 30th. 

Another product that I'm loving is the Maya Wrap Baby Ring Sling.  If anyone out there would like to purchase it as a gift I would love the deep purple or the solid natural.  :)

While at Dear Born Baby I also spotted the M Coat by Canadian Spirit.  It's a maternity coat that turns into a regular down coat for after the baby.  It's on sale for $399 and comes with a Baby Bjorn worth $199.  So if anyone wanted to get us the Baby Bjorn let me know because I really need a winter coat and I'm not spending $400 on my own.  Those days are sadly over.  :(

Lord my wish list is expensive!!!

*I ordered the coat in chocolate brown!! :)  I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful family who offered to help me out.  :)  You know who you are and thank you from the bottom of my heart!  xoxo  I'll do a big review once I get it and start to wear it (would have been this weekend as it's going to be 3 degrees tomorrow night.  Yikes!!  Winter here we come...

Fresh Start - Purple Obsession and a Multi-use Room

Good morning!  I have the most inspiring images from one of the tiniest apartments I've ever seen.  This East Village (NY) apartment is designed and lived in by David Kaihoi, his wife and daughter.  The main room is 8' x 8'.  You read that correctly!  My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I read it.  Even though its extremely small they the room doesn't feel closter phobic to me but looks as if it would wrap around you like a cozy blanket.  The purple walls, painted wood floors (love the design), gorgeous chandelier, and multi-purpose furniture are simply divine!  Not to mention who doesn't love a wall of books!  The owners added antique doors and mouldings to give this once stark white box a prewar feeling. 

This room serves as the foyer, living, dining and study.  How many of us can say the same about the various room functions in our house?  It definitely makes you think that the way most North Americans live is overdone.  Do we really need 4,000 square foot houses or larger? 

All images David Kaihoi from House Beautiful

What do you think?  Could you downsize?  I'm not sure I could live in a home smaller than our current house of 1,500 square feet (not including the basement).  I will however take the multi-purpose functions of this room, the colours, richness and elegant feel of this home and try to apply it to mine.  Would love to have a chandelier like the above in our bedroom!  I love the drama!

Have a great day and a great week!! xo

A Beautiful Nest!

I came across these images from Nest Dallas Design.  I love the feel of each room.  Clean lines, neutral with hits of colour hear and there, great lighting, simple roman shades, not a lot of trinkets lying around.  It's exactly how I like to live.  The prints on the wall of the first room are from the Crate & Barrel.  They work really well against the grey paint.  The colours in this room are not what I would normally think to pair but they work really well together.  The floor lamps remind me of my grandparents old lamps with the tray attached.  I love how they have been modernized with a large barrel shade featuring silver metallic inside.

This is one of my favourite bedrooms.  It has character without the fuss - clean lines, neutral backdrop, pops of green and purple (my favourite fall colour).  I could easily do this in our bedroom.  Now I just have to convince Ryan that puple isn't too girlie (even though he already cut it from the choice). 

Dark grey walls, a lighter grey ceiling, marble surround fireplace, medium toned wood floors - perfection!!  Seriously, if I could paint every ceiling in my house I would!  It would involve way too much work though because we have the god awful speckled ceiling. 

Honestly, the ceiling fans are awesome!  Chocolate brown, light grey and white are such a classic combination that will always remain fresh. 

Ryan is taking me away for the weekend (Sat/Sun) to a surprise destination.  I have no idea and it's very exciting!  Tonight we'll meet our nephew for the first time.  He was born this morning weighing 8lbs 12oz and a full head of hair!  I can't wait to meet this little guy. 

We hope to stop by Babies Fine Furniture on Sunday afternoon to check out some nursery furniture.  We'll see if that happens.  I think I would prefer this weekend to be free of any house duties, errands or decorating.  We need a break. 

Oh, our powder room is looking fantastic!!!  Seriously the colour is gorgeous!

Have a great weekend!  xo

6 month photo & more on Margaret Bosbyshell

Another crazy day at work.  I'm counting down the minutes until lunch as I'm very hungry!  I think baby is going through a major growth spurt right now.  :)  Mom and dad were surprised at the size of my beach-ball tummy.  It's grown a lot since they saw me 3 weeks ago.  We had dinner last night.  I love spending time alone with my parents.  It's so rare with having 2 siblings. 

Here is a photo of me 24 weeks pregnant taken on Sunday morning with my iphone.  It's a bit odd to take a picture of yourself but I wanted to capture my cute outfit and adorable tummy. That's right... I'm calling myself adorable and cute! ;-)  I'm not smiling though because it felt fake. 

I was so intrigued with the bedroom I featured on Monday by Atlanta designer Margaret Bosbyshell so I had to show you parts of the rest of the house.  I love how bright each room is.  The combination of white and black with hits of blue and green in the bedrooms and office is very sharp!  This is a great summer house.  I couldn't live in it during Toronto's cold winter. 

And the lovely lady...

 

All pictures via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

The Powder room will be painted tonight.  I went with the dark colour.  I can't wait to show you the finished product.  Hopefully I love it.

Busy but here is something to ponder...

I had a great post planned today but I'm swamped today and my parents are in town last minute.  I'm taking off a bit early to go visit with them. So here is a little post on paint for the powder room.  It's a bad photo but it's all I have.  Which do you prefer?  I'm leaning more towards the top (dark) or bottom colour.  Painting Thursday night. 

Decorating with Kids in Mind - All Modern Baby

I have been sourcing out stores and websites to shop for baby La Rose.  There are so many options out there.  For those who love to shop online the sky is the limit.  Me, I like to feel the products before I purchase.  There are a few things that I will buy online as long as it comes with great reviews! 

All Modern Baby has everything you could possibly need with a very resonable range of prices.  Furniture, decor, bedding, accessories, lighting, strollers and more.  Here are a few of my favourites from the site. 

DwellStudio Chocolate Dots Diaper Tote

Inspired Crib Bedding Geo Aqua Crib Bedding Collection

Lambs & Ivy Luv Bugs Ceiling Sculpture

All Modern Babyb Wall Decal

UppaBaby Vista Stroller in Denny Red

Take a tour if your in the market for anything baby related.  It's a great resource! 

Have a fabulous day!! xo

Fresh Start - Margaret Bosbyshell's White & Green Atlanta Bedroom

Good morning!  It's another gorgeous autumn day in Toronto.  I love this season!!  I had a bit of a rough start to my week.  Terrible sleep and woke up with Braxton Hicks contractions for the first time.  It was painful and a bit scary but didn't last long.  So I emailed working saying I would be late, went back to bed and took my time getting ready.  I think I was worried about work which needs to stop.  Baby comes first! 

As with last Monday's post, today we'll start the blogging week off with an inspiring image - a crisp green and white bedroom by Margaret Bosbyshell of Atlanta.  I love how she paired the simple white and green bedding with the bold patterned walls, clean white drapes with a strip of green on the edge and no fuss white chandelier.  There are a few touches of glamour with the gold mirror above the bed, gold framed nightstands and large white fabric headboard that wraps around the edges of the bed.  I could easily climb into that bed and relax in this room today.  Maybe it's because I love the fresh pairing of white and green or because I'm craving/needing more sleep.  Either way, I love this room!! 

Tufting, Beautiful Fabric & Nail Head Trim!

It's finally Friday... Thank goodness for weekends.  I need to catch a few extra zzz's and do some serious shopping for maternity tops.  I hate spending money on mat clothes because I would much rather be investing in items for our home but I must do it anyways.  Wish me luck!

I also plan on picking the paint for our powder room.  Here are the selections I've narrowed it down to with the help of my colour expert uncle Don.  :)  The large chips are from Sarah Richardson's new collection for Para Paints.  All of them look quite blue in the photo but in person are actually very grey.  Which do you like?



I'm a girl who falls for tufting so when I saw this room by Christopher Maya Inc with these two sofas it was heaven.  This would have been a very cool idea in our living room if we had more space and more money.  I love the open back on one of them and the sconces flanking the simple art work is perfection. That throw pillow fabric is a must on my list.  It would be perfect as drapes in our master bedroom.  I'll look into it. 

Christopher Maya Inc

I also had to feature this beautiful nightstand with its blue and bronze fabric scheme and nail head detailing.  I'm dying over it! 

Christopher Maya Inc



Have a wonderful weekend!!  xo

A Living Room I Can Relax In!

Our living room furniture finally arrived yesteray afternoon. YEAH!!! What do you think? I love them! They fit perfectly and are very comfortable.

These are the two rug samples I have to choose from at Mat King in Concord.  They offer rugs made to measure from remnant carpets at incredible prices ($180 for a 12" x 12" or less).    I think we'll go with the one on the right. 

Our living room furniture finally arrived yesteray afternoon. YEAH!!! What do you think? I love them! They fit perfectly and are very comfortable.
Living Room To Do List:


• The lamps on the console need to be spruced up. I'm going to put fabric on the shade (yet to be found).


• Spray paint/stencil the ottoman tray. I like what Janell from Isabella & Max did with her tray here.


• Have made or purchase ready make mirrors to flank the fireplace. They must be very large! I was thinking antiqued mirrors would be great in the space!


• Canvas print to be hung on wall between Kitchen entrances.


• Art for above the fireplace.


• Drapes!


• Console table for behind the sofa.


• Table lamps for the console table behind the sofa or floor lamps for behind the sofa.


• TV wall unit to hang the TV for easier viewing.

Have a great day!! xo

You Can Light Up My Room Anytime!

I'm obsessed with the Serena Drum Pendant light with it's capiz shells and bronze base.  There is a store on King Street East that has featured it in their window for the last few months.  Every time I walk by or see it in a photo I sigh.  It's beyond gorgeous!  And beyond expensive with a price tag of $2,950!  I will never own it (unless I win the lotto... so maybe there is a chance... a 1 in 1,000,000 chance... but still there is hope). 

Amanda Nisbet

It looks amazing above this kitchen island.  I also can't help but love the lucite stools with their bronze fabric cushions. 

Our living room furniture arrives this afternoon.  I'm heading home at lunch to greet it.  I will definitely post tomorrow morning.  Fingers crossed it all turns out!  :)

xo Sarah

Tuesday's new Series - Childs Play

I'm working on getting myself organized with blog postings.  Since I'm pregnant and constantly thinking of what to do with the nursery, what our house will be like once our little one begins to crawl/walk and talking about it with my friends I thought it would be a good idea to have a day designated to kid friendly rooms, furniture and products, etc. 

First up is Crate and Barrels Paterson Bench for the front hall.  A dear friend of mine would love to purchase it but with the duties and taxes in Canada it's far too expensive.  As with many of us who recently bought a home she's got to be smart with her money because there are many purchases to be made. 

Has anyone in Toronto sourced out a similar product but less expensive?  Ideally we (it's like I'm purchasing this as well... I've thought about it but can't afford to right now) would like solid wood.  I have sent her to Naked Furniture to get a quote.  I will let you know what they say once she hears back.

Here are a few entrance storage solutions and mudrooms that can provide great inspiration!  It's all about keeping it clean and simple with easy access storage. 

   



via Designing Your Dream Home

via High Street Market

My New Series - Fresh Start!

Morning readers! It's a beautiful sunny Monday morning here in Toronto. Normally I hate Mondays (probably due to not loving my career at the moment) so I've decided that I must do something every Monday to inspire all of us and to start the week on a positive note. What better way than to feature a gorgeous room or something I love. I'm thinking of calling this series 'Fresh Start'. We'll see if it sticks. Let me know if you have another suggestion.


Today’s room is from Elle Decor. I saw it last week and was immediately attracted to it. I love its simplicity. The white walls and sheer blinds provide a calm and easiness to the room. There is nothing to compete with the neutral sofas and cozy caramel coloured chairs. And look at all the light! I could sit by that window for hours reading, sipping tea and munching on those little French macaroon pastries. Ah, what a perfect way to start our week.

Jennifer Worts Design

I might have found my new favourite designer here in Toronto!  Jennifer Worts Design team have captured the perfect mix of contemporary and traditional.  The rooms are impeccably designed with every day living in mind.  There isn't a section of the rooms untouched by her and the team's genius.  The end result is sophisticated yet comfortable.  I would say their specialty is bathrooms but I'm just as in love with every other room they design.