{something sweet}

design*sponge=love

 
{image via design*sponge}

My friends, I must share my happiness with you. I have recently fallen upon a wonderful site (which most of the cool kids have probably already heard of) called design*sponge! yes, so in love! what a great site, it's like a bridget paradise. it mixes everything i'm into like cooking, trends, design and best of all: DIY projects. Sorry if it looks like I'm trying to sell you guys something but I promise that's not the case, I just wanted to share. Besides, what would I be selling? you make everything yourself...

A few months ago, I had a strong creative urge and searched the web, unsuccessfully, for a source containing cool DIY projects. A lot of the projects I came across were really, um, ugly and so I'd just given up hope of finding a good source. until...last week when I encountered this wonderfulness. Check it out-here are a few of my faves that I hope to do this year! 

{brenna's pinhole artwork}

{vintage crate shelves}

and definitely one of the cutest things i've ever seen...just the size of an altoid case is {kate's miniature tin gardens}

i found these cool projects and more! sure i want to do them all but i need to be careful what i say. i'll often express that i'll do something only to end up not doing it and then disappointing myself. it's quite a sad cycle, really. which leads me to my next point...

"NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS"

ugh. i even hate the sound of that term. not to be negative or anything but i feel that the term "new years resolution" is a term strife with false enthusiasm and disappointment. people make resolutions cause they feel like it's the right thing to do or that it's healthy to. they feel, it's a new year, so why not a "new" me? yeah, blah blah blah that's great and all but the majority of people don't keep their resolutions which leads to feelings of disappointment in oneself (as i previously mentioned that i've been prone to feel). so, as it stands, i am done with nyr's and they are, after a series of failings, most likely done with me.

I'm opting for a different strategy. one wherein I recognize my desire to improve and also recognize just how difficult it can be to improve. so instead of giving myself one all-encompassing nyr such as "I resolve to be more creative", I will create a game-plan. I will ask myself questions like,

• what are my strengths?
• what are my weaknesses?
• what are things i enjoy doing?
• what am i good at?
• what kind of creative goals would i like to achieve?
• how can i achieve these goals?

I have a few ideas so far. things I'd like to do this year like: learn to crochet, sew drapes for my windows, get frames for some prints etc... all things that are simple enough when you put your mind to it but i'm a busy girl so i have to make time for it.

though you wouldn't know it cause i don't blog very often, I hope to make my blog a sort of drawing board for my plans. I'll tackle my goals month by month, one at a time starting in february. and by the end of december 2011 i hope to have finished 11 goals-things i've been wanting to do!

still deciding what february's will be but i will keep you posted...

meanwhile...some pretty pictures...

{above 3 via weheartit.com}

what are your hopes for the New Year?

xo

 

 

 

 

{we're home}

the hubby and i just returned from a much-needed vacation to vancouver. we spent a week there and really enjoyed ourselves. some highlights:

• tim and amy's wedding
• vancouver aquarium
• gelato at granville island
• vancouver lookout
• the historic architecture of gastown

and many more. some non-highlights:

• feeling nauseous on their public transit. twice.
• getting lost on the skytrain (i guess i had to get lost at least once, right?)
• falling asleep during a movie which we ordered from the hotel that cost $14.99 (that was one pricey nap)

but it was truly wonderful and i would go again in an instant. i hope to share some of my photos soon. for now we're glad to be home, are unpacking, doing some necessary laundry and catching up on work and with friends. it should all settle down pretty soon or so we're hoping.

for now, i have some triple espresso brownies in the oven and will definitely share the recipe if they work out. i'll leave you with some cute pictures that my nieces coloured for uncle aaron and me today. i love them so much! 

xo

fancy friday

it's that time of the week again! here are my 5 favourite finds from the past week. 

1. this beautiful DIY found via the apartment therapy site which i follow quite regularly. this particular project was found in the re-nest section (my favourite). these are mirrors made from thrifted plates! can you believe it? they're so pretty you'd think they were originally mirrors. i'm definitely going to keep this project in mind for when i find plates this pretty! 

2. in keeping with the DIY theme, i'm loving this floating vase. it's from cupcakes and cashmere and she has a complete tutorial if you'd like to have this beauty in your home. i can picture it in mine filled to the brim with daisies. it would make me SO happy.

3. i was smitten with this blanket the moment i saw it on the blog of the excitingly eccentric dottie angel. and can't wait to crochet my own and add vintage doilies. so incredibly beautiful. but first, i must learn to crochet. i guess i have my work cut out for me! 

4. it's never too early to start thinking about christmas cupcake decorations! these "vintage village" decorations were found on the bakeitpretty.com site and i am very strongly considering sending away for these in time for christmas. you get an assortment of items which compose a beautiful, vintage christmas scene complete with silver trees, ballerinas and snowmen. so completely magical.  

5. and last but never least-this orla kiely kitchenware range! inspiring and genius. i love everything about it, its mismatched-ness, the warm, earth-toned colours and of course the cabinet presentation too. i want all this in my home. lovely!

that's all for friday! have a great weekend. i hope to post some yummy drink recipes this week!

xo

fancy friday

here's a new column that i'm starting on my blog due to the fact that my many hours of internet-browsing, thrift store shopping and experiences with others lead me to discover many items of interest which i "fancy". i know, i'm funny. i thought i would share 5 beautiful things which impress/delight/inspire me each friday. i hope you like them too! so here's my first shot at it. comment if you like what you see!

1. i came across Enjoy cupcakes on a blog i frequent and was so in love with these photos i just knew i had to share. the company is based out of california and, not only do they provide an amazing list of flavours to enjoy but they also offer their 1964 Shasta trailer as a rental if desired. i love the simple, summer-y colours that they use and the beautiful presentation for displaying their lovely cupcakes. on my dream trip to california, i'll definitely stop in

2. a friend told me about the site i am baker a while ago and when i checked out this lady's blog, let me tell you, i was definitely impressed. her cookies are of course incredible but i was more than impressed with this beautiful banana cake with old-fashioned cream cheese frosting which she had done for a bridal shower. delectable, i know. this particular post also features a recipe so check it out. i know that this cake is now on my to-do list too! 

3. my talented friend Stephanie from Clockwork Lemon made these beautiful fashion cookies composed of sugar cookies and marshmallow fondant for fashion designer Chloe Angus' store's grand opening in Vancouver. what an honour! i was definitely impressed when i saw these cookies. they're so beautiful, i personally couldn't bring myself to eat it and would probably frame it instead :) my favourite is the one in the middle. the draping button wrap with the tiny detailed buttons is muy fashionable

4. loving Grand Marnier's most recent ad campaign. something about the mix of the rich colours and the music of the commercial really caught my attention. i'm not a big advertising fan but i enjoy when it's well done. photo source: google images

5. last but not least, i'm so excited to say that i recently joined the coolest e-course ever. a blog i follow, a beautiful mess has launched a neat, affordable course which helps you learn more about your own personal style, how to achieve a certain look, and how to do so in a thrifty way. excited! check it out if you're interested, we can be classmates!

that's all for now. have a happy weekend

xo

 

some serious wants

lately i've found so many pretty things and have so many pretty ideas of, not only things i'd like for our new place, but for creative inspiration for some of my empty walls. let's start with the pretty things shall we?

i have a serious crush on this measuring spoon set from anthropologie. sure, i already have 2 sets but, come on, who's counting? each has a slightly different handle. they're just so unique and look so classic-i'm helpless to resist

and now that it's summer, i'll be wanting to make some freshly squeezed lemonade. and how can i do that without a nice citrus juicer like this one? a girl's got to get her vitamin c... (anthropologie) 

and i instantly fell in love at the sight of this adorable charm. not only is it not flashy (like some charms) but it's miniature and cute. it comes as a necklace and it's from {here} on etsy.com . there's also one with a kitchenaid mixer and a muffin pan...too good to be true.  

i'm also coveting this dress from anthropologie. now if only i had it in time to wear to my graduation on wednesday...

and now on to creative inspiration

on one of the blogs i follow, living the swell life, the author gave readers a peek of some of her recent work

the hanging on the left is my favourite. i like the sharp contrast of colours and patterns. i plan on picking up some doilies, dying them and possibly hanging them too thanks to jessica's post

finally, a wall of mirrors would be wonderful too. (found on {this} beautiful blog). i've always imagined doing something just like this-sharp colours, vintage repainted mirrors, visually interesting placement. i've been on the lookout lately as i know that a project like this is usually years in the making. i'm looking forward to starting though, the search is half the fun!

what projects are you working on?

xo

pretty paper garland

for our housewarming last weekend, i decided to liven up our new place with a bit of colour. this craft took 1 hour tops. it's super easy and is great for any occasion-birthday parties (adults and kids alike) bridal showers, baby showers etc... all you need is paper that fits the colour scheme of your occasion or, do what i did, and use many different colours for a more whimsical expression

what you'll need: 8-10 pages of cardstock in any colour(s), clear or white thread, sewing needle, a strong set of scissors and pushpins

1. cut or fold 1 sheet of cardstock into 9 sections

2. layer sections on top of each other and outline desired shape onto top sheet using a stencil of your choice. cut out. (i used the lid of my pond's face wash-it was the perfect size!)

3. continue folding and layering paper, and cutting shapes until you've exhausted your pile or have as many shapes as you need

4. get out your sewing needle and attach at least 5 feet of thread. begin threading the circles onto the thread but do so in a way that ensures that, if spacing the circles, they won't move around. i did this by threading through the middle of a circle and circling around the back to, inevitably, stitch through the same circle again. this held the circles in place but also enabled me to adjust the circles with ease to give the garland a uniform appearance. you can somewhat see the detail in the photo below

 

5. once you've finished your first 5 ft. string of thread, start another if necessary and simply tie all your finished 5 ft. threads together to achieve the desired length

6. pushpin into place in your ceiling, walls (or wherever)

have fun at your party!

xo