Breathe It In!

This afternoon I could really do with a pretty bouquet of lilacs at my desk.  It's one of my favourite summer scents.  Especially on a hot and sticky day like today. 

I want to plant a lilac bush in my backyard for next spring.  Click here for tips on planting and caring for lilac bushes.  I need as much help as I can get since I've never had a garden and do not have a green thumb. 

For the rest of the day I will imagine the beautiful scent.  Puts a smile on my face.  Ryan this post is a hint for  you!  I wouldn't mind coming home to a bouquet of lilacs.  :)  xo

Dining Table Options

I think I have finally found the dining table for our kitchen.  It has been a long hard search for a great table at an affordable price.  I was going to order this one from Restoration Hardware but with taxes and duties it would put the cost over $1,800.  More than we really want to pay considering there are many other purchases for the house still to come (fence, nursery furniture, lighting, rugs, etc).  Another HUGE factor was their reputation is not very good right now.  My sister-in-law ordered MANY pieces from them for their new house and has had a horrible experience dealing with late delivery, delivery the wrong furniture, back orders, bad workmanship!  Seriously, for the price you pay you would think that everything would be perfect.  If someone from RH is reading I would suggest you improve on all of the above mentioned.

Back to my table...  I was recently in Domus at Vaughn Mills and saw a variety of tables that fit our style all built in Canada by a company called Color Shop.  You can choose from different table edges, finishes (antique, matte or gloss), table top (wood or other), table style (round, rectangular, square), table legs (pedestal or 4 leg options) and stains.  It's fantastic!!  This is the one I'm considering but in rectangular not square.  

  

My only concern is should I match it to the legs of my chairs.  (keep in mind the fabric will be replaced at another time so don't judge that).  Here is a reminder of what they look like. 

Here are the table leg options.  Should I go with another one? Let me know your thoughts.  I would like to order it this week. 

Monday Blues

It's a grey afternoon in Toronto.  Thought I would share a bright girlie bedroom with you all.  Love the flowers, drapes and wall sconces!

Kitchen Paint Revealed! What's Next?

I woke up ready to tackle the week and then just before leaving the house my head started to pound.  Another migraine.  They are definitely consistent.  Hopefully the massage tonight and accupuncture tomorrow helps this week.  Did anyone else experience this when they were 4.5 months pregnant? 

I'm just about to leave the house but wanted to post this first.  The first two photos are the kitchen with the original paint colour. 

And now the freshley painted kitchen in BM Manchester Tan.  Love it!  It looks much more grey in the photos than in person. 

Counter is busy because we have dishes drying.  

Next steps: 

1. Order dining table
2. Choose fabric and order curtains (I took down the horrible faux bamboo vertical blinds) for the sliding doors and window above the sink
3. Paint and frame chalkboard (for the small wall not seen in the photo. It's to the right of the doorway)
4. Purchase and disply art, clock, pictures, plates... something on the long wall. 
5. Choose and purchase chandelier & work space light (this will be in due time as money is tight)
6. Replace white range hood with a stainless steel range hood (again, something that can wait as we have other purchases to be made that take priority)

I know... it's a long list of tasks.  We'll have to take it one step at a time as there are many projects that need to be completed throughout the house.  


I'm off to work.  I need to pack 8 hours into 5.5.  Wish me luck!  Have a great day!!  

Ah, it's Friday!

After suffering for many hours yesterday with yet another migraine headache I'm back!  Feeling more energetic and with a bigger belly.  I'm still trying to wear my own clothes (pre-pregnancy) but I have a feeling this may be one of the last weeks that it's possible.  The bella band is helpful but makes me feel a bit snug. 

I have a lot to accomplish at work today and a big to-do list for home projects this weekend.  I haven't had a chance to pull the nursery idea board together yet (pregnancy symptoms are really getting in the way).  I did however come across this beautiful nursery for Tiffani Thiessens daughter.  I love it's clean lines, comfy chair, soft rug, the wall decal and the soft purple.  It's perfection.  I'm aiming for a similar feel but with white and green. 

I want to show you pictures of our freshly painted kitchen.  Ryan's had the camera all week at work so i'll try and get that done this weekend.  We still need to order drapes (I might have found the fabric), purchase a dining table, build/paint the chalkboard and find art or something for one of the larger walls next to the dining area.  I like the idea of placing a large clock in the room.  What do you think?

Have a great day!!  xo

Dash & Albert

I keep seeing the rugs of Dash & Albert in some of my favourite magazine spreads and in many well decorated rooms.  Surprisingly they are very affordable!  In Toronto you can purchase their products from Elte or for convenience order them online.  I'm going to do so tonight just as soon as I measure my front entrance.  
 

House & Home

I'm planning on ordering the Diamond Khaki/white rug for our entrance.  Since it's an indoor/outdoor rug it will do perfectly in the space.  I also can't go with any colour because of the tile.  It's very limiting. 

I was debating on vine blue/green, the diamond pattern in sprout or the white and green striped rug for the nursery.  They are all so different from one another but equally as lovely!  What do you think?  I'm going to put my nursery idea together tonight and post tomorrow.  Fingers crossed my migraine does not return.  It makes it impossible to work on the blog and carry on with life. 

Eco Friendly Home Improvements & Randomness...

'Good morning!! 

I'm back from vacation and must admit it has been a tough morning at the office.  I came back hoping to find a few signed contracts on my chair but was quickly told I needed to do a bit more work before that was to happen. :(  Why can't my clients just sign on the dotted line??  Oh well, it's going to work out in the long run.  I just find myself getting really worried since I have only 5 months to sell as much as I can before maternity leave starts.  I need to stop thinking about the deadline and start living day-to-day.  It will probably make life at work easier. 

On a similar note, I just started reading a book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  It's about her journey to happiness.  Gretchen challenges herself each month to focus on tasks that will ease her life and provide more joy such as cleaning out the clutter and focusing on her relationships (husband, family & friends).  So far it's a great read and a very good reminder that it's what we do on a daily basis that matters not what we do every once in a while.  Pick it up if you're looking for something a little different.  You don't have to be depressed to add more happiness to your life.  I think it's also a great way to start the fall season (not that we are there yet but it's coming soon).  I always consider fall the start of a new year.  There is something about it that is so fresh.  LOVE IT!

Below are pictures I captured of my parents new rain barrels.  Dad purchased them on sale at Loblaws.  For $100 (2 barrels) they can capture rain water for the garden.  In the end it will save them on future water bills and they will get by when we have a drought and there is a water ban (it happens every summer at some point).

What do you do in order to save money and be environmentally friendly? 

Have a great day!!