Friday Five

The Friday Five: 5 Articles To Read

| Leave a Reply

This post is sort of a variation of my “things on my mind” column that many of you seem to really love! Today, I’m sharing 5 articles that I have come across in my Internet travels. I enjoyed reading each of them, and they all taught me something new.

1.What you can do to help women in states with extreme abortion bans by Amanda Arnold for The Cut.

2. The most disruptive office distractions, ranked by Michelle Cheng for Quartz at Work.

3. It list 2019: Our editors’ picks of the best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure.

4. Resonance: How to open doors for other people by Farnam Street.

5. 11 great reader comments on friendship by Caroline Donofrio for Cup of Jo.

The Friday Five: Things On My Mind

| 3 Commentaries

1.Netflix. I finished watching all seasons of Schitt’s Creek, and I have started to watch Dead to Me with Christina Applegate. I’ve been enjoying it.

2. New venture. I’m working on a new venture, which has been energizing. I will share soon. Shout out to family and friends who have been listening to me talk about it, have responded to my many questions, and who have given me very useful feedback.

3. My book. Many of you already know that my first book (co-authored with my colleague and friend) was published in January. It has been exciting to share it with others, and it has already brought some rewarding work opportunities. I feel very lucky. My university wrote this article about it.

4. Train travel. I realized recently that the distance from Tokyo to Kyoto is about the same as it is from Toronto to Montreal. Why am I telling you this? Well, just so I can complain about Canada’s transportation system. Trains in Japan run constantly, and while I was there, I didn’t book anything in advance. I wasn’t at all worried about missing a train, getting stranded, or not getting where I needed to go at any time during my trip. I used one train card. It was so incredibly easy and stress free. People of all ages took the train with ease. Boarding was organized and signage made things so easy for foreigners (like me) who don’t speak Japanese. The high-speed train took about 3 hours. In Canada, on the other hand, there are just a couple of trains to/from Toronto to Montreal each day, and if you don’t book in advance, there’s a good chance the train you want will be sold out. There are barely any escalators and elevators, so you have to lug your luggage up too many stairs. And there are signs like “Great Hall” when what you really need is “Exit” and “Ticket Counter.” The train from Toronto to Montreal is about 5 hours. Instead of expanding highways (I’ve heard HWY 401 is going to be expanded), I’d so much rather my tax money go to building an effective and efficient train system. Rant over (for now).

5. Birthdays. It’s my Dad’s birthday today. He’s like me in that we love our birthdays, and we especially love attention on our birthdays! I was happy to have breakfast with him this morning, and we chatted with family and friends from Italy via FaceTime. What a great Friday treat!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

| 2 Commentaries

1.Netflix. A friend recommended I watch Gad El…’s stand up comedy show, so I did. And I laughed out loud. His show revolves around cultural tendencies of the French and American. I hadn’t heard of him, but apparently he’s big in France. Huge. And now he’s got a Netflix series based on this, too, called Huge in France. So, of course, I started watching it, too. Pretty funny. Especially if you know anything about the French people or language.

2. Japanese wares in Canada. After conversations with Tim about all the gorgeous kimonos and housewares I saw (and bought) in Japan, I started looking around at where to buy authentic Japanese items in Canada. So far, I’ve come across Murata for gorgeous kimonos and tableware. The store is in Vancouver, but it also has an online shop. Oomomo for kitchenware, beauty products, and organizers. The store has locations in British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta (opening soon).

3. Habits of luck people. I saw this list on Swiss Miss, and I like it. I’m not certain they’re habits of lucky people, though. I think they are habits of hard workers and good people.

Vala Ashfar via Swiss Miss

4. Brownies. Do you have a favourite brownie recipe or brownie mix? When I make brownies, I like Ghirardelli. But now that I’ve read this article, I may have to try some other brands.

5. Eyeglasses. I ordered two new pairs of glasses from Polette after I had a huge try-on session at the Paris store. I bought a few pairs over the last few years from Polette’s online store, so I was happy to have the opportunity to try them on in person. Polette certainly does have some unique options. Here’s a look at my new red specs. The shipping took so long with this order, but I’ve usually never had a problem.

The Friday Five: 5 Go-To Kitchen Utensils

| Leave a Reply

Do you have a drawer in your kitchen that is filled with kitchen utensils? Yep. Me, too. I have a drawer full, and while I use just about all of the items, some utensils get more use than others. Today I’m sharing five kitchen utensils that I use on nearly a daily basis.

From left to right:

1.Tongs. I picked up these Kuhn Rikon tongs last summer at Sur La Table. Did I need another pair of tongs? No. But was I drawn into this compact pair by one of my favourite utensil companies? Yes. So I bought them. I went all the way to Florida, and I brought back a pair of kitchen tongs. What’s wrong with that? Well, they’ve been my go-to tongs ever since. I don’t think I’ve used any of the other pairs in my drawer. What I like about these is that they lock easily, and they have silcone edges, so they don’t scratch my pans. Most importantly, when they close, the edges actually touch each other and can grab whatever it is that they need to grab!

2. Peeler. I have had this Kuhn Rikon peeler for years. I wasn’t lying when I said I really like this brand. This peeler is comfortable to hold and has stayed sharp over many years and many washes.

3. Mini scoop. When my friend bought this mini ladle for me a few years ago, I asked her what she thought I should do with it. I didn’t know I needed a mini scooper until I had one! This little gadget is great for scooping out batter for muffins, cookies, pancakes, and more!

4. Mini spatula. Same friend. Same question. Little did I know that I’d put a mini spatula to use on a weekly basis! My favourite use for the mini spatula is for scooping out the last of the Nutella in the jar! Here’s a similar spatula if you’re in the market for one.

5. Bamboo tongs. I bought these bamboo tongs five years ago at Le Bon Marché in France. The apartment I stayed at had a pair next to the toaster, and since I used them everyday, I thought I should get a pair, too. What do I use them for? Getting baguette toast out of the toaster, of course! Here’s a similar pair if you’re looking to pick some up.

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

| 2 Commentaries

1.Enneagram. Interested in learning more about yourself and your personality? Have you completed an Enneagram test? I did. I’m Type 3: The Achiever. No surprise there. This description is fairly accurate.

2. Truths about life. I enjoyed reading this list of 88 truths about life. There were several reminders that I need to keep top of mind rather than bury away when life is too busy.

3. Netflix. I haven’t spent much time in front of the TV these last couple of weeks, but I did watch two stand-up comedy shows: Jim Gaffigan and Ricky Gervais. Both made me laugh.

4. Science & Art. I went to a talk at the University of Waterloo this week about the science of touch and what governs our sense of attachment. It was interesting. The first speaker, a professor of neuroscience, spoke of the brain and what governs our desire to be close to one another. One thing that stuck with me was her explanation that a 3cm per second caress trigger a positive sense of touch, but a 30cm per second caress doesn’t. I know her research is much more complicated than this one example, but this was something easy for me to remember! The other speaker, a professor in the medical humanities, spoke about her research about care and touch, which included an analysis of the movie Under the Skin. Is emotion in my realm of research interests? Not at all. Did I learn something new? Of course! Am I grateful that I live in a city with two universities that offer public lectures? You bet!

5. Don’t apologize for being successful. This was one of the pieces of advice Andi Petrillo – a Canadian sports broadcaster – shared in a keynote presentation I attended last night. Such a good reminder.

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

| Leave a Reply

1.French bloggers. Do any of you have any recommendations for bloggers (or Instagrammers or Youtubers) that write and speak in French? I’ve started following Daphne from Mode and The City and Sabrina from Sab The French Way (I met her in Paris…she’s lovely, beautiful, happy, and energetic just like she is in her videos). I want to listen and read more French.

2. Bathing suits. Do I need more? No, of course not. I mean, I live in a country that has only two months (maybe three if you count June) of summer weather. But when I find bathing suits I like and are reasonable in price, I snap them up. When I saw this one on The Vault Files, I started browsing the H&M site. With free shipping and free returns, how could I not put a few in my shopping cart? When they arrived, I was pleased. I ordered several sizes because I find H&M sizing so unpredictable. In the end, I bought and kept this one, this one, and this two-piece. I’m set for the summer. Now I just need the sun and warmth to arrive!

3. Jazz. I was invited to TWH Social‘s first jazz night with Brownman Ali – an award-winning trumpeter. Every Saturday in the month of March, Brownman will lead an all-star ensemble through five eras of Miles Davis’s jazz. If you’re looking for a great evening out in Kitchener, go! Tickets are $20 per person and the show begins at 9pm. Learn more here.

4. Costco. I have been a card-carrying member of Costco since December, and people continue to ask me what I buy there. I guess since I don’t have a family, people are curious. So what do I buy? I have gone about once a month and the things I’ve bought most regularly are: gas, yogurt, spinach, eggs, milk, almond milk, fruit, meat (I divide it, wrap it, and freeze it) and crackers (e.g., these). On my most recent visit, I picked up this Kate Spade blanket for about $20. It is so soft!

5. Netflix. I spent the last couple of weeks watching The Blacklist. All 22 episodes of Season 1. It took a while, but I was hooked. Have you seen it?

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

| 2 Commentaries

1. Movies. I watched Bohemian Rhapsody and Instant Family on my flight home from Paris. I loved Bohemian Rhapsody. I was pretty much dancing in my seat. And I cried, too. Instant Family was fine. On Netflix, I watched Brooklyn starring Saoirse Ronan. I really enjoyed the movie and cried throughout. Jeez. I guess I have a few tears to shed these days! I also went to see Shoplifters – a Japanese film nominated for an Oscar. It was sad, interesting, and engaging. I can see why it’s nominated for an Oscar. It’s a story that hasn’t been told in movies, and the acting was very strong.

2. Linen bedding. Does anyone have linen bed linens? I’d love to try them one day. Parachute has quite the selection of linen bedding.

3. Mascara. When I was in Paris, I had my makeup done at the Dior counter at Le Bon Marché. It was a nice treat. I bought a few things, which was a real change for me as I never buy expensive makeup. But Dior might be on to something! The mascara is especially amazing. My lashes grow like crazy, and it does a great job at separating them. The Dior makeup artist taught me how to layer it on if I want to be even more dramatic. I’m thinking I might do a before and after post to really show you what I’m talking about. Interested in seeing a before and after?

4. Nail polish. I opted for a shellac manicure pre-Paris as I didn’t want my polish to be chipping off while I was away. My nails looked great for over two weeks! I had forgotten how smooth and shiny this type of polish stays for an extended period of time. I don’t think it’s good for my nails, but I think it was a great option for a vacation. How’d I remove it? I dipped my fingers in nail polish remover for 10 minutes or so and then carefully scraped off the polish. It took some effort, but it was fine. I’m giving my nails a break from it as they do seem softer. I’ll likely opt for shellac again pre-Japan.

5. Books. I finished The Witch Elm by Tana French. There are mixed reviews of it online, but I enjoyed it. Now I’m back on another book by Japanese bestseller Haruki Murakimi – Norwegian Wood.

The Friday Five: 5 Things from Sandro Paris

| Leave a Reply

I was so happy to be in Paris, even for just a few days. I was there for work, but I tacked on a few extra vacation days, so I could enjoy the city. I spent much of one free day shopping – and window shopping – and enjoyed seeing all the new-to-me brands and the latest in Parisan chic. One of the brands that I kept coming back to was Sandro. There were so many pretty items in its current and previous collections. The dresses fit me so well that I wanted to buy them all!

top, 66€ (on sale)
dress, 225€
shirt, 92.5€
dress, 275€
t-shirt, 125€

I realized once I came back to Canada that we have Sandro in stand-alone stores and at The Bay in Canada. I had no idea! Now I can shop the brand close to home…even though it’s much more fun to buy French brands when in France!

The Friday Five: 5 Things on My Mind

| Leave a Reply

1. Cars. I just want to publicly acknowledge my car breaks and quick reflexes. Thanks to both of these things, I avoided a potentially major accident the other week. Oh my goodness. I am so thankful.

And on the topic of cars, I learned how to replace the bulb of my tail light. I felt like a hero. I’d like to thank a couple of YouTubers and their videos for teaching me how to do it. Easy peasy.

2. Costco. I took up a Groupon offer for a Costco membership recently. If you follow me on Instagram, you already knew that. If you’re my friend in real life, then you’ve already heard me talk about this multiple times. Now, prior to this acquisition, I had been to Costco many times with family and friends who are members, but now that I have my own card, I’m part of the club. On my last few trips, I seem to have spent more time looking at the jewelry and purses than I have at the food, and I’m sure that’s not really what I’m supposed to be doing. 🙂 The gas is so much cheaper than anywhere else, so I’ve been taking advantage of that…oh, and Nutella was on sale the other day, so of course I had to stock up for 2019! I’ll check back in a few months or a year to let you know if the membership is worth it for me.

3. Things to do instead of spending money. Post-Christmas, you may be looking to spend less money. To resist the temptation, try doing one (or more) of the things on this list. Thanks to Jen at Rambling Renovators for sharing this.

4. Gift guides. Are you still on the hunt for gifts for your loved ones? I’m so thankful that Daniela was able to gather a ton of great gift ideas once again this year. Perhaps one of her features will catch your attention: for the host; for men; for women; for kids, tweens, and teens.

5. Blog break. I’ll be taking a week or so off from the blog. I’m sure I’ll be posting on Instagram, but don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me over the next little while.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

 

The Friday Five: 5 Affordable Party Outfits

| Leave a Reply

Years and years after blogs came into my life, I still read them on a daily basis. I love reading people’s perspectives on food, fashion, travel, and everything in between. That said, some things really do annoy me about some blogs. One of the things that bothers me is that some of my favourite bloggers continuously put together outfits that cost thousands (and thousands) of dollars. And when recent “holiday party outfits” posts featured dresses in the thousands, I thought I should have a look around to see what other party outfits I could find at a more affordable price point.

Here are some of the gems that I found that are under $200CAD and that are good for a variety of occasions this holiday season.

dot minidress, $140.23CAD

ruffled jumpsuit, $178CAD

fit and flare dress, $70CAD

sleeveless dress, $109CAD

sweater dress, $62CAD

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Beaded Christmas Decorations

| Leave a Reply

I really thought that I’d get crafty for the holidays, but so far, it’s not happening. One of the things I wanted to make is this felt garland. I also wanted to make some of these dolls. Needless to say, I haven’t started either project. Honestly, neither may happen. Maybe I should consider beaded items like some of the ones here.

DIY beaded garland

The Merry Thought

advent candle holder

wooden bead ornament

wooden bead candle holder

The Friday Five: 5 Pretty Earrings

| 1 Commentary

If you’re looking for a set of pretty earrings, I have five lovely pairs for you to consider. They’d make beautiful gifts for friends, family, or yourself. And they’d be great for holiday outfits, too!

Amariah flower earrings, $38, Bauble Bar

metal petal flower earrings, $265CAD, Moda Operandi

diamond pavé cluster flower earrings, $895USD, 1stDibs

BaubleBar Perla resin flower earrings, $38.40USD (on sale), Anthropologie

Italian flower pearl vermeil drop earrings, $151USD, 1stDibs

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Black Friday Sales

| Leave a Reply

Well, I don’t celebrate American Thanksgiving, and I haven’t been a cross-border shopper for quite some time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love a good Canadian sale or two or five. Here are sales from five of my favourite places that I’ll be taking advantage of today.

1. Langdon Hall

With any e-certificate purchase at Langdon Hall from November 23rd to 26th, you’ll receive an additional gift card worth 10% of the value of your purchase. By the way, if you didn’t already know, Chef Jason Bangerter – along with sous chefs Philippe de Montbrun and Dan Angus – was competing on Iron Chef Canada earlier this week. You can now watch the video online at the Food Network Canada. If you need more convincing to treat yourself, read up on my many adventures at Langdon Hall (and, no, I don’t work for the hotel).

2. Joe Fresh

Joe Fresh is offering 30% off site-wide (and in stores) from November 23rd to 25th. Honestly, I rarely buy anything from Joe Fresh these days, but I have had my eye on this coatigan, and I’m going to grab it in store today (many sizes are out online, unfortunately).

3. Nordstrom

Nordstrom has items that are up to 60% off from now until Monday. I’ve had my eye on this polka dot coat which has been drastically reduced. I loved it when I saw it on Blair Eadie just a little while ago. I also like the sales in the home section (like this match safe, this Kate Spade euro sham, and this Polaroid camera).

4. The Bay

The Bay is offering thousands of items up to 70% off. It’s a great time to grab some classic Hudson’s Bay stripes from the HBC Collection.

5. Home Depot Canada

How often are you at Home Depot Canada? Even now that my major renovations are done, I can’t seem to stay away. The Black Friday sale is a great time to purchase appliances and tools. Because who doesn’t want more tools?

Happy shopping!

The Friday Five: Fancy Footwork

| Leave a Reply

This Friday has come around very quickly. For no reason in particular, this week has just gone by in a flash. Waterloo is now covered in a blanket of snow, which, yes, is pretty, but reminds me that this is the first of many snowfalls from now until March. Sigh. It is also a sign that the holidays – and parties – are right around the corner. Anyone need a new pair of fancy shoes for such parties? If so, have a look at this stunning collection of sparkling footwear.

Alexander McQueen

Jessica Simpson

Jeffrey Campbell

Isabel Marant

 

Russel & Bromley

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

| Leave a Reply

Here’s a week in review for this Friday.

1. It was One Room Challenge reveal week. There’s much to catch-up on if you’ve followed along or you’re interested in fun before-and-after scenes. I’ll direct you to my friend Tim’s redo of a client’s office. It’s full of some seriously interesting items like Angela Chrusciaki Blehm‘s ribbon art.

I also was impressed by Kristina Lynne‘s kitchen transformation. The change is definitely dramatic.

There’s plenty to see with all sorts of designs, so if you have some time to read up on the reveals this weekend, check out the One Room Challenge site.

2. I love this fun, little coat.

3. Carly the Prepster brought us on tour of her recent stay at the Ritz Paris. Oh, dear. So gorgeous! The service sounds impeccable.

4. I finished audio-listening to Haruki Murakami’s Colorless Tsukura Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage. I’m now onto Dance, Dance, Dance by the same author. I can see why Murakami is one of Japan’s best-selling authors. The stories are unique and very well-told. In terms of what I’m learning about Japan, well, both stories refer to Hokkaido, a northern part of Japan, but I won’t have a chance to go there when I’m there in April. Colorless Tsukara Tazaki also has scenes in Tokyo, and I appreciated Murakami’s description of the Shinjuku train station at the beginning of Chapter 19. Here are screenshots of the text if you’d like to read a small excerpt.

From the bit of research that I did, this seems to be the photo Murakami was referring to in the text:

via Asia Times

5. Finally, isn’t this a pretty colander?

colander, designed by Marcel Wanders for Alessi

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

| 5 Commentaries

I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to come up with five things that have been on my mind today because ever since I booked my trip to Japan, it’s just about all that I have had on my mind! Okay, okay, here are a few things that have been on my mind lately.

1. Japan

I have been reading a lot and talking to anyone I know who has been to Japan. My discussions are definitely making me even more excited. My Japanese is slow-going, but I hope to know more than arigato (thank you) by April.

2. The Office

I never watched the US or British versions of The Office. Until now. I have had a pretty exhausting week, and I opted for it one night. It makes me laugh out loud. I know I’m not alone on this one.

3. The Duchesses

Who has been watching Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan touring and attending events? I’ve caught updates and photos here and there, and I can’t help but be interested in what they say and do (and what they wear!).

4. Local travel

One of the reasons why I love living in Waterloo is that it’s close to so many lovely places. Toronto is only an hour away. In the other direction, we have Stratford, where I was just a couple of weeks ago. And London, too, is just over an hour away, and I’m happy to be heading there this weekend to see friends. While I do love to travel far away (see point #1), I have been enjoying learning about local gems, too, over the years I’ve lived in Southwestern Ontario.

5. OOTD

What do you think about Outfit Of the Day (OOTD) posts that you see online and/or on Instagram? I post my outfits regularly on Instagram (not styled, not posed, no fancy lighting, no photographer), but I wonder if I should keep going. I do scroll back through these photos when I need an outfit idea or when I want to see how I wear some of my favourite pieces, so in that sense, the photos serve a purpose. I’m curious though…Do you like seeing what your friends and favourite bloggers wear each day?

That’s it for this week. Have a great weekend!

The Friday Five: How to Decorate for Halloween

| Leave a Reply

I have to say (again) that of all the celebrations, Halloween is not my favourite. I’ve appreciated some of the simpler decorations that have come up in recent years much more than the traditional black and orange decorations, but I still don’t decorate beyond (maybe) a pumpkin. But that’s just me. Maybe you do! If you do, then this post is for you. Here are five ways to decorate for a white and black Halloween.

1. Include bats everywhere.

Damask Love

Tikkido

100 Layer Cake

Residence Style

Hester and Cook

2. Add white pumpkins.

Ella Clair

Harpers Bazaar

 Digs Digs

Digs Digs

3. Add skulls.

glass

candle

For Creative Juice

skull decanter

4. Paint branches black.

The Green Head

Cupcakes and Cashmere

5. Bake something spooky.

Pizzazzerie

The Beauty Dojo

The Cake Blog

Created by Diane

The Cake Blog

The Cake Blog

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

The Friday Five: Rectangular Mirrors

| Leave a Reply

Many of us in the design community are used to seeing large round mirrors in hallways, foyers, bedrooms, and bathrooms, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for the classic rectangle. There is! Check out these beautiful spaces with rectangular mirrors.

100 Layer Cake

Scandiholic

Rejuvination

Room for Tuesday

Amersham Designs

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Rustic Bathrooms

| 2 Commentaries

These stone sinks are impressive vessels, aren’t they? While I can’t quite see one in a suburban home, I can definitely imagine a beautiful stone sink in a gorgeous Italian villa! Can’t you?

via My Paradissi

via Carla Aston

Coqui Coqui Residence and Spa, via Remodelista

via My Domaine

via One Kin Design

Have a great weekend!

The Friday Five: Things on my Mind

| Leave a Reply

Here are a five things that have been on my mind this week.

1. I learned that apparently Justin Bieber bought a $5M house in Puslinch, Ontario (a short ride from Waterloo). In fact, I features the home two years on my blog because, yes, it’s super white!

2. I gave a talk about blogging at Sheridan College in Oakville earlier this week (#WhiteCabanaGoestoSheridan). I met with students who are studying industrial design, ceramics, furniture design, glass, and textiles. Gosh, they’re creative! Every time I go to Sheridan, I feel like enrolling in a class. I’m inspired to see what’s offered a little closer to home.

3. After devouring hours and hours of The Great British Bake Off while I was in Florida, I took the plunge and made this cake last night for a dinner party tonight. I’ll let you know if it is in fact delicious. And if there are 20 layers.

4. I enjoyed reading this Fundamentals of Team article (via Swiss Miss).

5. I just started an audio book that is making me laugh out loud. It’s called Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin. If you need something interesting and entertaining about life in New York City (so far, it completely mimics my sister’s life as a mother when she lived there), you might want to check it out.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: 5 Ways to Brew Coffee

| 2 Commentaries

How do you make your coffee? Are you loyal to one method? My coffee of choice these days is a classic latte made with my Bialetti – a stovetop espresso machine – you know, the one that just about every Italian person owns? I have multiple sizes of Bialetti machines, and I pull the appropriate one out depending on how many cups of coffee I need to make for me and my guests. I also put my Alessi espresso machine to use every once in a while, too, because it’s so beautiful.

I go in stages with my coffee, however. For a long while, I was purely a drip coffee drinker. My Cuisinart coffee maker is still serving me quite well.

In addition to my two go-to coffee options, I’m sharing a total of five ways to make coffee today. Feel free to let me know how you make your coffee in the comments below! I’d love to chat coffee with you!

1. Stovetop Espresso

Bialetti espresso maker, $43.99 CAD, Hudson’s Bay

2. Drip

Cuisinart coffee maker, $69.99 USD, Bed Bath & Beyond

3. French Press

Bodum Caffettiera, $15 CAD, Chapters Indigo

4. Pour Over

brass pour over coffee maker, $27.99 USD (on sale), World Market

5. Siphon

Grosche Heisenberg Siphon coffee maker, $71.99 CAD (on sale), Hudson’s Bay

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

| Leave a Reply

I’m ending the week with five things that have been on my mind lately.

1. Netflix

Over the course of two days, I watched the first season of Broadchurch. Oh, was it ever good. Have you watched it? Watch it!

2. Random Blogger Meet-Up

When I was in Paris, Ontario last Saturday, I ran into Amber and Derek (from Canadian Fashionista). We bonded over blogging, our love for colours (her – pink, me – white), and our failed attempt to check out the Paris Night Market. I love random meet-ups with bloggers who you sometimes only ever meet online!

3. BBQ Chicken

When I had Tim and Chris over for a BBQ a couple of weeks ago, I made this grilled chicken. It turned out well. I’d easily make it again!

4. Salted Butter Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies

After reading this Smitten Kitchen post, I had to give Alison Roman‘s salted butter chocolate chunk shortbread cookies a try. The Cookie has gone viral on social media (as cookies sometimes do?). Bon Appétit’s article about The Cookie started with a declaration that “EVERYONE” is making them! I have to say that the recipe was extremely easy, and the cookie turned out well (see this Instagram photo). Not only that, but the cookie really is delicious! They’re a nice change to a more classic, sugary, chewy chocolate chip cookie.

5. Bayfield, Ontario

I met friends at their cottage in Bayfield, Ontario last week. It was glorious. I enjoy that little town and Lake Huron so much. My “must buy myself a cute cottage one day” remains on my mind!

The Friday Five: Magazine Stacks

| Leave a Reply

Books. Magazines. I love them stacked. I enjoy seeing my books and magazines (neatly) over-flowing all around my home. I tend to keep my stacks in my kitchen and office, but I also often have stacks of books and magazines in my bedroom. They make me happy. And it seems like these stacks make others happy, too.

via Domino

designed by Alexander White, via Home Adore

J. Levau

Mark D. Sikes

via Love Eva

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!

The Friday Five: Oversize Art

| Leave a Reply

Note to self: Find a wall to hang/lean a piece of oversized art. I do love a good gallery wall (see my office in Style at Home), but a wall featuring a massive photograph creates a “wow” moment, too.

Kara Rosenlund

William Waldron

Sun N Salt, Etsy

Kara Rosenlund

designer – Ashley Botten, via House & Home

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

| Leave a Reply

Here are just a few things that have been on my mind this week.

1. Pearl Morissette

I just learned of Pearl Morissette winery and restaurant in Jordan, Ontario, and it’s now on my must-visit list.

2. DIY Wedding Details

The DIY details of Homey Oh My‘s recent wedding definitely impressed me. Amy and Oleg set such a pretty scene for a special occasion.

3. Bramasole

Did you read Under the Tuscan Sun? See the movie? If so, you’re certainly familiar with Bramasole (aka Villa Laura). And now…you can stay there!

4. Pool View

Oh, this exterior pool scene is beautiful.

Tiger tail residence, Edward Ogosta Architecture

5. Elizabeth

I watched Elizabeth this week. I liked it a lot. The costumes are incredible. I know this movie is from 1998, but I hadn’t ever seen it. How had I never seen it?

via

Have a great weekend, everyone! Happy Canada Day!

The Friday Five: Things On My Mind

| 2 Commentaries

A few things on my mind.

1. #MBALife

As of yesterday at about 5pm, I became an MBA grad. Wild. The last four years have been a lot of work, but I learned so much, and I met so many great people, so the lack of free weekends, the never ending hours of group work, and the stress of exams were worth it.

2. Ann Arbor, Michigan

I was in Ann Arbor at the beginning of this week for a conference. You can see a few photos at #WhiteCabanaGoesToAnnArbor, but I have a full post in the works, so stay tuned for that.

3. Books

Audio books. Amazing. I have been doing quite a bit of driving lately, and I’m now keen on audio books. I finished Elena Ferrante’s Book 2 over the weekend, and I’m eager to start on Book 3. Bonus: I have been getting my audio books for free from the Waterloo Public Library.

4. Father’s Day

It’s Father’s Day this weekend. Did you see Daniela’s Father’s Day gift guide? She’s a brilliant gift giver, and I’m grateful that she took the time to share some gift ideas.

5. TV

Sherlock. I know I’m late to the game, but I watched Series 1 this week. Oh, yes, it’s good.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

The Friday Five: 5 Things on My Mind

| Leave a Reply

Here’s what’s been on my mind lately.

1. Podcasts

I finally (finally!) started listening to podcasts. I’m currently alternating between How I Built This and Serial. Any recommendations for others?

2. #PhDLife

An article I co-wrote with one of my undergraduate students was published last week. This is very exciting for my academic life.

3. Saskatoon

Although my time in Saskatoon was conference-focused, I did have a chance to visit the Remai Modern museum post-conference, and really enjoyed both the art and architecture. In addition to this museum, I would definitely recommend staying at the Delta Bessborough and eating at Ayden (best burger I’ve had in a long time). I also appreciated the fresh, clean air in Saskatoon and the walks I took along the river from the Delta Bessborough to the University of Saskatchewan. (See #WhiteCabanaGoestoSaskatoon for a few photos.)

4. Video

This video – Ama – by Julie Gaultier is stunning. I have watched it more than once.

5. Ann Arbor

I’m heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan soon. Any recommendations? As per usual, I’ve checked out the Design*Sponge city guide!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: More One Room Challenge Reveals

| 4 Commentaries

If you’ve been following along regularly, then you know that over a 6-week period, I shared the progress of my laundry/bathroom combo room makeover as part the the One Room Challenge event this spring. Last week, I shared five room reveals from the featured designers of the One Room Challenge. Today, I bring you five more gorgeous spaces, but this time, from the guest participants of the event..

Here’s a sneak peek at 5 rooms from the guest participants…

Deuce Cities Henhouse

Room for Tuesday

Crate and Cottage

Hilltown House

Petal & Ply

And one more for good luck:

The Grit & Polish

And just a few more:

Decor Happy’s teen girl’s bathroom
The Posh Home’s modern living room
A House in the Wood’s shared girls’ bedroom
Wonderfully Made’s laundry room
Cait Waite’s bedroom
Deeply Southern Home’s library
Home Glow Design’s she-shed
Hartley Home’s laundry room
Jessica Devlin’s living room
My Pinecone Home’s guest bedroom

Have a great long weekend, everyone! See you back here on Tuesday!

p.s. In Royal Wedding news – this cake recipe!

The Friday Five: 5 Things on My Mind

| 1 Commentary

Here are five things that have been on my mind this week.

1. Toronto

Of course Toronto has been on my mind. There’s no reason why we should ever associate people with “mowed down.” A tragedy. An awful tragedy that is too close to home. To learn more and to stay informed, I’ve been leaning toward reading articles from The Conversation, which is an academic source but written for a general audience. Articles like “Why he didn’t shoot?” and “The dark possible motive” are just two of the several that I read.

2. Babies

Congratulations to Daniela who gave birth to her second baby. Yay! A sweet girl has been welcomed into our family.

3. Music

This week I attended a house concert by Keenan Reimer-Watts who is a Kitchener-Waterloo musician. He created original music for the harpsichord and guitar, and it was quite the evening. I especially enjoyed how he explained his composition process. I was amazed by his talent. Also – this was the first time I had ever seen or heard the harpsichord. (FYI: It’s not a harp.)

Keenan also taught us about his organization Busking for Change. In this movement, buskers and audiences come together to support the environment.

4. Reading

The new edition of Toque has been released. This is a free magazine (yes, print) that features articles about local places and people. I enjoy reading it because I always learn something new about Waterloo region (and Guelph and Hamilton, too)!

5. Post-MBA Life

Well, it’s true. I’ve moved into post-MBA life, and it’s been pretty fabulous so far. I’ve seen lots of friends, read some books and magazines, and started to plan and book mini-vacations. I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to complete another degree, and I enjoyed learning a ton over the last 4 years. But I’m now looking forward to having a bit of free time.

The Friday Five: Terrazzo

| Leave a Reply

I’ve been keen on terrazzo lately. Terrazzo is a type of polished concrete flooring that has bits of marble or granite set into it.  While I have no use for terrazzo in my house, and the installation process does seem intensive (I’ve watched plenty of YouTube videos to prove this), I keep wondering about how I could possibly use it in the future. Maybe for my third bathroom redo? Hmm…

Here are five gorgeous spaces that use black and white terrazzo.

RealEstate.com.au

CLS Architetti

via Buk & Nola

via Buk & Nola

Casinha Colorida

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

| Leave a Reply

Here’s what been on my mind lately.

1. Emma González

Emma González amazes me. The March for Our Lives movement amazes me. I know the march has passed, and change hasn’t happened overnight. But change will happen. It has to.

2. Colorscape

I liked this short Colorscope video by Jocie Juritz about the colour white. (via SwissMiss)

3. Script to Screen Instagram

The Instagram account Script to Screen is entertaining (via Cup of Jo).

4. Book progress

The final deadline for our book is in a couple of weeks. This makes me so happy. Stay tuned for launch date this fall. Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas? Hint. Hint.

5. Pray for Humboldt

Tragic news about the bus crash in Saskatchewan last Friday. Absolutely devastating for the young kids, families, and community. If you didn’t hear the news, a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos young hockey team crashed with a transport truck. The crash claimed the lives of 14 people and 15 were injured. Read the Prime Minister’s statement about this tragedy if you’d like.

The Friday Five: Leaning Art

| 1 Commentary

What do you think about leaning art and books? I have things leaning in a few spots in my house, and I really enjoy layering art. I love being surrounded by cool art pieces, and by layering them, I can switch things around when I need a change.

Here are five inspiring spaces that are accented by leaning art walls.

via Carla Aston

via Carla Aston

via Habitually Chic

via My Scandinavian Home

via Could I Have That

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Things On My Mind

| 2 Commentaries

Apparently, I have no shortage of things on my mind lately. Here are five of them.

1. Burnt

I hadn’t watched TV in several weeks, but last week, I had two hours to spare, so I sat and watched Burnt (without falling asleep!). Bradley Cooper speaking French, gorgeous food, and good scenery make for an enjoyable movie as far as I’m concerned. It was worth watching.

2. Ravenclaw

I recently learned that many of my students know what house they belong to…as in Harry Potter house. I had no idea this was a thing, but they taught me about the online quizzes you can take to determine your house. I’m a Ravenclaw, which isn’t that surprising since Ravenclaws are curious and creative people. If you’ve done other personality tests (um…do you know your colour? I’m heavy on the green with a side of yellow), then you might see similarities between these and the Harry Potter house quizzes. I think I have a bit of each of the houses, but to varying degrees. I think I’m certainly Ravenclaw with a side of Slitherin. Am I making any sense to anyone?

3. Mycorrhiza

I attended a biology lecture last week about mycorrhizae fungi which live in a symbiotic relationship with plants. It was absolutely fascinating. These microscopic mycorrhizae can access nutrients far beyond where plant roots can access them; in return, plants provide the mycorrhizae with carbon to live. I learned how mycorrhizae can help to increase the speed of growth in seedlings after major disasters such as a forest fire. That’s the (really) short version of what I learned.

4. Post-MBA Life

I figured out what I’m going to learn about post-MBA. Plants! Yahoo! I’m not intending to do a biology degree or anything crazy like that, but I think I’ll try to audit a course or at least attend biology lectures at the university when I can. See point #3. It inspired this decision.

5. Popcorn

Do you like popcorn? Do you buy it or make it? I’ve had a discussion about popcorn with all of my immediate family members over the last month (I know, I know – mycorrhiza to popcorn – call me crazy). I’ve tried sea salt flavours of Skinny Pop and Boom Chicka Pop, and I’ve enjoyed both. But I like freshly popped popcorn, too. I can’t yet decide which option I like better. And is freshly popped “healthier” than pre-bagged?

The Friday Five: Learn, Donate, Love

| 1 Commentary

February was a wild month on my end. There were very happy days, of course, but there were also really sad days, too. Every week seemed to bring difficult news of one sort or another. Illness. Job stress. Relationship challenges. I hope March brings joy to my loved ones. I hope happiness finds its way into your homes, too, if you’ve been experiencing some trying times.

So, today, I’m taking a break from talking about renos and fashion and furniture to raise  awareness about some important causes.

Mental Illness

A friend’s brother passed away last week due to mental illness. It’s devastating and awful. He was much too young. To donate or learn more about this disease, visit the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Prostate Cancer

Some people say that prostate cancer is a “normal” or “good” kind of cancer. How is cancer normal? How can it be good? To donate or learn more, visit Prostate Cancer Canada and the Movember Foundation.

Breast Cancer

My friend Lisa wrote a personal essay about how cancer changes the conversations you have with your partner. It was recently published in the Globe and Mail. There are several organizations you can donate to to improve awareness and research for breast cancer. I usually learn more or donate to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Metastatic Breast Cancer Fund, or The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Ronald McDonald House

I heard of the much too early birth of twins of friends of a friend. I also learned of how the Ronald McDonald House Charities is supporting this family who needs to be close to their babies while they’re in intensive care.

Diabetes

Did you know that 11 million Canadians are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes? And about 50% of people with diabetes may experience kidney damage. To donate or learn more, visit Diabetes Canada or The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

The Friday Five: 5 Things on My Mind

| Leave a Reply

My mind has been busy this week. Here’s what has been on it…

1. TD Canada Trust Wait Time

As soon as I noticed my credit card was compromised last weekend, I called TD Visa. There was no real rush, however, since I was on hold (hold!) for 45 minutes. Is this normal? I was expecting to be on hold for maximum 10 minutes. Not fun. It took about 5 minutes to resolve my issue.

2. Credit Card Theft

I’m 99% certain that my credit card info was stolen via an Uber transaction. Not cool. I can’t prove it though, but maybe TD can. What a pain. Saving credit card info online is super convenient at the time of purchase, but incredibly inconvenient when a theft happens. Time to start with a fresh card. And time to stop saving info in my account.

3. Doors

To be honest, I have found door purchasing intimidating. Tiles, fabric, furniture, I can do. But doors? I found it hard. Luckily, Metrie and Northfield Trim and Door (here in Waterloo) have been guiding me through this door makeover project. I’ll let you know how installation goes.

4. Heidi Klum on Ellen

I watched this clip so many times. It made me laugh so much!

5. Essie Nail Polish

Did you know that Essie has launched a new series of nail polish? I learned about this via Carly, and since the “True Love Color” polish was on sale, I picked up “Pinked to Perfection”. It’s an all-in-one nail strengthener and polish, so it’s just what I need. I’m weekend ready!

The Friday Five: 5 Things on My Mind

| 1 Commentary

Here’s what’s been on my mind lately.

1. The other week, I made my way through this Warren Buffett documentary. I enjoyed it. I especially like what Buffett had to say about ethics, public speaking, and reputation. Just look at all the subsidiary companies of Berkshire Hathaway (his company).

2. Over the long weekend, I watched The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (via Amazon Prime), and I loved it! The clothes, the characters, the decor, and the story…yes, I enjoyed all of it!

3. I have 6 more weeks of my last MBA course. I can’t believe it. It’s been an almost 4-year long degree (part-time). I’m pretty excited to get some free time back into my life. I’ve really enjoyed the courses I’ve taken these last two years (e.g., negotiation, mergers & acquisitions), and the struggles I had in the core courses in my first two years are a distant memory. If you’re considering an MBA, I’d recommend you go for it. Then again, I’m a fan of further education regardless of the degree, so my advice is always the same.

4. I popped into the mall the other week looking for a pair of basic black workout tights. Instead, I came home with these colourful tights from Aerie. I don’t wear much colour to work, but I do embrace it for workouts.

5. I made this salmon and spinach pasta last week (with my fresh pasta, of course!), and it was delicious (and quick and easy, too). I usually go for classic pasta with tomato sauce, so I really switched things up this time!

What’s been on your mind?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Cashmere

| Leave a Reply

Cashmere is the ultimate in winter wear as far as I’m concerned. I can feel put together and warm when I’m wearing a cashmere sweater. Cashmere is super soft, and it doesn’t itch, so it’s a great option for sweaters, cardigans, and turtlenecks, too.

I’m ending the week with five lovely cashmere sweaters at a range of price points.

cashmere sweater, $124 USD

turtleneck sweater, $240+ USD

sweater, $492 USD

cardigan, $683 USD

cardigan, $1371 USD

Have a great weekend, everyone! Stay warm!

The Friday Five: Scotch & Soda

| Leave a Reply

Have you heard of the brand Scotch & Soda? I know that there’s at least one location in Toronto’s Eaton Centre, but beyond that, I don’t know where other stores are located. The few times I’ve been in, I’ve liked a lot of the merchandise, but it’s not a regular go-to shop for me. The other day, though, I was having a little online browse, and I came back to Scotch & Soda’s site. There are plenty of cute items currently in stock, but here are five white pieces that caught my attention.

ruffle t-shirt

tunic top

tunic shirt dress

ruffle shirt

sweater

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: 5 Things on My Mind

| Leave a Reply

Here’s what’s been on my mind lately.

1. Perimeter Institute concert series. Last week, I attend Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen‘s concert at the Perimeter Institute. What an enjoyable evening out! The Perimeter Institute – PI – is one of my favourite buildings in Waterloo. It’s an impressive building that is on the edge of Waterloo Park, and I certainly enjoy the (mostly) white interior.

2. Anne. I (rather quickly) binge-watched Anne a couple of weeks ago. Surprisingly, I’m eager for more episodes. Does anyone know what’s going on with this series? It brought me back to my childhood, and I’d happily watch a few more episodes.

3. Winter boots. I’m already so tired of wearing winter boots. I enjoyed Carly the Prepster’s winter boot post, and I smiled when I read it because I have just about the exact collection (and then some). Multiple boots are a must for our winter weather, especially when you have outdoor activities to do each week.

4. Design fails. This Instagram account had me laughing out loud. Look at the photos, and read the comments, too. Hilarious! I think I should submit a photo of my wallpapered furnace. I’m sure it would make the “please hate these things” cut. (source: Jacquelyn Clark)

5. Door knobs. I’m thrilled to be working with Direct Door Hardware again this year. I worked with this company when I first moved into my house because I replaced all of my exterior door locks and knobs. The selection was awesome, and I really enjoyed the interactions I had with the company staff, so I was happy to work with them again on my door makeover project.  My knobs arrived last week, and they’re so nice. Do you want to see them? Great! I’ll be sharing more news of this project in the months ahead.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Polka Dot Pyjamas

| Leave a Reply

To end the week, I’m sharing five items that combine two of my favourite things: polka dots and pyjamas! Let’s get to it.

polka dot pj set, $110 CAD, Splendid

polka dot night shirt, $59.80 USD, Taylor Linens

polka dot pj set, $82 US, PJ Salvage

metallic polka dot pj set, Eberjey

polka dot pj set, $10 US, SheIn

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Chanel

| Leave a Reply

Oh, you know, I’m just dreaming about a future Chanel purchase…as you do on a Friday, right?

How could I not want to add a little Chanel to my wish list after look at these (and many other) photos.

Daily Round

via Badest.Outfits

via Vogue

via Damsel in Dior

via Pinterest

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

The Friday Five: What’s Your Motto?

| Leave a Reply

When I was with my nephews and niece in December, the topic of personal mottos came up. As it does, right? Well, the kids’ mottos were things like…play all day…live for mac ‘n cheese…they have to start somewhere, right? I find that when the new year comes around, people often talk about their mantra, motto, or words that are going to guide them for the year. My personal mantra seems to change every couple of months depending on what’s going on in my life – “treat yo’self,” “you only live once,” and “work hard and be nice to people” have certainly been in my motto mix. I also often wear two MantraBand bracelets that have great reminders on them – “nevertheless, she persisted,” and “she believed she could, so she did.” Even though it  might sound silly, looking at these bracelets – and reminding myself of my motto(s) – have helped me get through some tougher days and reminded me to stay focused on what I value and how I spend my time.

If you need a little direction for 2018, here are five items with some helpful reminders to work hard, be strong, and make the most out of life!

MantraBand, Tattly Conquer temporary tattoo, mug, poster, Make it Happen pencil pouch

The Friday Five: 5 Things on my Mind

| 3 Commentaries

These things have been on my mind recently.

1. Travel. Do you travel a lot? When? Why? For pleasure? For work? I have loved to travel since I was little (my parents put the bug in me since they were quite the adventurers when we were a young family). I really enjoyed my solo trip to Nashville in December, and I’m looking forward to another short getaway to Grey County (Collingwood area) here in Ontario soon.

2. The holidays. I had a great time celebrating the holidays with family and friends throughout the month of December. And while I had a wonderful time and felt (and feel) very grateful, I was also thinking about loved ones who couldn’t join in on the fun or those who are no longer with us. The holidays are great, but they can also be tough for a lot of people for so many reasons. It’s easy to get wrapped up in gorgeous Christmas decor and beautiful Pinterest DIYs, but at the same time, all of these happy images don’t share the whole story.

3. Outlander. One of a friend’s recent Netflix suggestions included Outlander, so I gave it a try over the holidays. And then I got hooked. I’m just about finished season one. Have you seen it? What do you think?

4. 2018 Home Reno Plans. I had a fight with one of my bifold doors on the weekend. It got so bad that I had to leave the house (dramatic, I know). When I got back and had another fight with it, I ended up breaking the handle and the track gadgets. Oh my goodness. Annoying. I have hated my bifold doors since I moved in almost 5 years ago, so I am making #byebyebifold a priority. I’ll be checking out some places in Kitchener-Waterloo, but if you have any recommendations, let me know. If all works out, I’ll replace 15 interior doors in the months ahead.

In addition, I will be starting renos on my bathroom-laundry room. I have been wanting to rip this room apart for as long as I’ve been in my house, too, but other tasks have been higher on the to do list. I’ll share my design ideas soon.

5. Italian New Year’s Traditions. New Year’s Day always means a massive feast at my parents’ house with our extended family. Beginning the year with family and food and sharing well wishes for the year ahead has been a wonderful tradition (even though everyone is tired from the previous evening’s late-night celebrations). This year, I opted to add in another Italian tradition – a dinner called Cotechino con Lenticchie (translation: large pork sausage with lentils. I used a combination of this recipe and this recipe. The Italian custom is that the coin-shaped lentils bring prosperity and the cotechino brings abundance for the year ahead.

And another New Year’s Eve/Day tradition is to wear red undergarments to bring in good luck for the year. My Nonno was always talking about this tradition at our New Year’s Day gatherings when he was alive.

Have a great weekend, everyone. Stay warm!

The Friday Five: 5 Things to Do This Month

| Leave a Reply

Here are five festive things to add to your to do list this month.

1. Set a pretty table for you and your guests.

Emily Henderson

2. Make a gingerbread house with little ones in your life.

Keys to Inspiration

3. Wrap presents in a signature style.

Almost Makes Perfect

4. Enjoy an evening by the warm fire.

Wit and Delight

5. Bake up something delicious to share with family and friends.

Your Marketing BFF

Have a great weekend, everyone!

1 2 3 4 … 6