Friday Five

The Friday Five: Wonderful White Swimsuits

It’s February. And it’s cold. So some may think it’s too early to talk about swimsuits. But I can’t help it. I’m dreaming of warmth and this photo of Kaylee and this photo of Rachel have inspired this swimsuit post (don’t the ladies look amazing, by the way?).

plunge swimsuit, $68CAD

neoprene frill lattice swimsuit, $76CAD

contrast swimsuit, $40CAD

halter bow-tie swimsuit, $128CAD

halter swimsuit, $46CAD

I also think this bikini is pretty, and this one is great if you’re into the lace-up trend. So, is it too early to speak about swimsuits? Nope! I’m all for it!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Cozy Comfort

Although it’s still winter, and I would much prefer it to be over already, the colder temperatures mean that we can hygge for a little while longer. Get cozy. Stay warm. And maybe treat yourself to something special this weekend.

Vince sweater, $148USD (on sale)

Kate Spade votive, $35

Hudson’s Bay blanket, $450-$550

pointelle reading socks, $34.50

spiced white hot chocolate, recipe via Jacquelyn Clark

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: One of a Kind

I absolutely love super unique products. One of a kind or hand made items have character and interest and a story. Vintage items have a past, and collections of unique items take time to build. Today’s Friday five round-up includes five unique items that only exist in a limited edition.

alpaca art deco baby slippers by Ariana Bohling, $55, (edition of 40)

Tyla diamond ring by Still House, $145, (edition of 40)

open medallion necklace by Young Frankk, $91, (edition of 70)

handmade oval dinnerware, $42-$155, Food52

vintage champagne bucket, $90, Food52

Do you have any great resources for finding unique products?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: Fabulous Fireplaces

How do you stay warm during these ridiculously cold winter days? I have had my fireplace going up until a couple of days ago when it decided to stop working (how dare it just stop!). It’s a gas fireplace, and it warms up my basement lounge in no time. I’m eager to get it working again soon.

In the meantime, let’s have a peek into these gorgeous spaces.

via Washingtonianvia Elizabeth Heiervia Domino

via Elle Decoration

via Ideal Home

Do you have a fireplace? Gas or real? How often do you use it?

Have a great weekend, everyone! Stay warm!

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Friday Five: The Maticevski Collection

When I came across this fashion post, I thought the dress was just beautiful.

I learned that the dress is by Maticevski, a collection out of Melbourne, Australia. The current stock list is absolutely stunning. Here are five of my faves:

Genesis gown, $4100AUD

Kindred Spirit dress, $2700 AUD

Dakota mini dress, $910 AUD (on sale)

Magical gown, $6500 AUD

Poet one shoulder top, $955 AUD

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: Neutrals at Everlane

I’d love just about everything from clothing company Everlane. I placed my first order not that long ago to test the waters after reading so much about this company online. There are a lot of bloggers who seem to rave about Everlane, and I was curious about quality and fit. The images and styling suit my aesthetic, so I was definitely eager to see an item up-close.

I ordered a classic white tee, and it’s made of super soft material. It fits well, but it’s on the thinner side, so it’s a good one for layering.

I appreciate that the clothing descriptions include a link to the factories where they’re made. Everlane uses #KnowYourFactories to provide consumers with more information about its manufacturing processes. I was most interested in learning more about the Italian factories that produce some of Everlane’s leather goods.

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cashmere crew, $100 (available in many colours)

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cotton poplin sleeveless dress, $80

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slim silk shirt, $78

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modern smoking loafer, $160

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The Petra market, $365 (available in other colours)

Everlane also has items for children and men, so it seems to be a great stop for the whole family.

Have you ordered anything from Everlane? What was your experience?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Note: Shipping to Canada was just under $10 for my order. Images via Everlane.

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The Friday Five: White Architecture

It’s been a while since I have focused on the design of buildings and homes, so today I’m bringing you five photos of cool architecture.

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Museo Internacional del Barroco by Toyo Ito, near Puebla, Mexico, via Dezeen

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country villa in France designed by Artelabo, via DesignBoom

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seashore chapel in China by Vector Architects, via DesignBoom

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Le Nook in Quebec by MU Architecture, via DesignBoom

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factory in Germany by Sanaa, via UnCubeMagazine

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: Classic White Shirts

I wear a white shirt at least once a week. Often more. I wear white shirts to work and on the weekend, too. In every season. And on a bike. And sometimes with sparkles. I wear white shirts with a suit jacket, with jeans, or under a cardigan. Short sleeve or long sleeve – I’ll take them all! I can’t get enough of them! (I feel like I’ve just channeled my inner-Dr. Seuss with that little blurb.)

That said, white shirts don’t last forever, and I have recently had to say good-bye to several of my favourites. It’s time to refresh my white shirt collection, and here are five beauties that have caught my attention.

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Brooks Brothers non-iron white shirt

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JCrew perfect shirt

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Kate Spade poplin shirt (I actually own and love this shirt!)

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Eddie Bauer wrinkle free shirt

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Thomas Pink Penelope shirt

Are you a fan, too? Any recommendations?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

p.s. I wear white shirt dresses, too. (Are you surprised?) This one is a recent Kate Spade purchase. And this one is an old DKNY.

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The Friday Five: Velvet for Home and Wardrobe

Velvet has been everywhere in the fashion world this fall, but I think we’ll also be seeing it invade some of our home designs on both a small and large scale. While some may opt for rich jewel tones when it comes to velvet, I would encourage you to also think about how creamy velvet can warm up and add luxury to your home and wardrobe.

1753222_lHans Wegner lounge chairs

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pair of channel-back art deco club chairs in cream oyster velvet

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velvet Orianna settee

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Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche velvet skirt jacket

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Aquazurra “Dasha” sandals

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Tiles Up to Here

I like fully tiled walls as much as I like Friday (and that’s a lot!)!

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Architectural Digest (Meg Ryan’s loft in NYC)

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Architectural Digest (Meg Ryan’s loft in NYC)

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Christine Dovey’s kitchen

white-subway-tiles-bathroomRalph’s Coffee, via Kristen Nichols

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The Style Nest (Jennifer Cavorsi Design)

Have a great weekend, dear readers!

The Friday Five: Unusual Lighting Options

I don’t have any need for new light fixtures at the moment, but a few unusual ones have caught my eye, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to share them with you.

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Guzzini pendant

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Sciolari style sconce

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sputnik spider floor lamp

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Urban Cottage – DVI lighting (see it here)

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large cloud bubble chandelier

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: Skeletons

Who else thinks that skeletons are creepy?

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Jean Pierre gold skeleton, $675, One Kings Lane

party-skeleton-175-x-125-platter-oparty skeleton platter, $41 (on sale), Pottery Barn

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life-size skeleton, $55.68CAD, Target

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skull and crossware holiday invitation, Minted

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skeleton stud earrings, $4.17CAD, Amazon

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: Browsing Around Etsy

Etsy sellers have so many cool things to offer, wouldn’t you agree? Here’s some of the neat things I’ve come across in my recent browse session.

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George Costanza mug

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Sculpture in Design – ceramic dish set

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Craftsman Stoneworks – carrara marble card holder

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Curio Press – pencils

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Natalie’s Wunderland – white evil eye bracelet

Note: Affiliate links have been used. All income generated from affiliates and sidebar ads in October will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation as part of my #WhiteCabanaWearsPink fundraising efforts. Get click happy (and buy, too, if you’d like)!

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The Friday Five: Beautiful Art

Now that school (MBA life and teaching life) is back in session, I’m totally swamped. My days and nights are pretty full, and although I am getting into my routine, things still feel quite hectic.

I feel like I need a breather, so an artful pause, it is!

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Pine Cone by Alexis Arnold, Minted

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Aspens at Altitude by Kaleb and Marilyn Nimz, Minted

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Casa by Annie Montgomery, Minted

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Stepping Stones by Little Bird Paperie, Minted

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Shadow Shimmer by Design Lotus, Minted

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: Top 5 at Club Monaco

Club Monaco is one of my all-time fave stores for beautiful pieces that fit me well. I can always find something that I like for work or casual wear when I’m at Club Monaco. Thankfully for my bank account, the closest Club Monaco is an hour away. The distance, however, doesn’t stop me from drooling at the online site.

Here are my top five picks currently at Club Monaco:

hatleth-ruffle-sleeve-club-monacoHatleth ruffle sleeve top, $189.50

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Hartford cost shirt, $215

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Triete shearling coat, $899 (on sale)

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Bolari ruffle-hem sweater tank, $129

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Kapana skirt, $198.50

 Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: What’s On at the Stratford Festival

Last year marked only the second time I had ever been to the Stratford Festival. When I lived outside of the Waterloo region, Stratford was rarely on my mind. Now that I live in Waterloo, I go to Stratford several times a year.* I feel so lucky that such a unique, quaint, pretty city is only about  a 40-minute drive from my home. I don’t even need to get on the 401**.

Stratford has much to offer year-round, but summer is definitely its busiest season because of the Stratford Festival. I offered up some Stratford travel advice last year in this post. Since that post, I’ve returned to Pazzo (for pizza) and Balzac’s (for coffee) several times, and bought my crepe pan from Bradshaw’s after being inspired by this event. It’s really a special little place, and I’d encourage you all to go for a visit if you can!

I’m heading to Stratford this weekend to see A Little Night Music, which looks like a fun musical featuring romance, sparkles, and humour. It stars Cynthia Dale – one of Canada’s favourite actresses.

Cynthia Dale (left) as Countess Charlotte Malcolm and Alexis Gordon as Anne Egerman in A Little Night Music. Photography by David Hou.

Look at all the detailing on these costumes. Wow!
Cynthia Dale as Countess Charlotte Malcolm (left) and Alexis Gordon as Anne Egerman (photo)

Rosemary Dunsmore as Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music. Photography by David Hou.

champagne + a white fancy dress = a perfect show for me!
Rosemary Dunsmore as Madame Armfeldt

In addition to A Little Night Music, here are four other Stratford Festival shows that I think I would enjoy.

The Hypochondriac was one of my favourite Molière novels when I was completing my French undergraduate degree. I actually laughed out loud – yes, as I read in French – when I was reading the book and then again when I saw a film version. It’s sure to be a great show!

Members of the company in The Hypochondriac. Photography by David Hou.

members of the company; photo by David Hou

I love the story of Shakespeare in Love, and I’d be interested in seeing a live version. It looks like it’s a real crowd-pleaser.

Luke Humphrey (centre) as Will Shakespeare with members of the company in Shakespeare in Love. Photography by David Hou.

Luke Humphrey as Will Shakespeare; photo by David Hou

I read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe long after my childhood ended. I loved it when I read it, and I think I would have really enjoyed it as a child, too (but I definitely wasn’t a reader when I was a kid). It’s a beautiful, imaginative story that takes the reader on an adventure. I think the show would entertain both kids and adults, and I’m sure it would spark a lot of conversation post-show, too. What a great show to introduce kids to theatre! The show has been extended until November 13th, so there’s plenty of time to go this fall.

Yanna McIntosh as White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Photography by David Hou.

Yanna McIntosh as the White Witch; photo by David Hou

Finally, A Chorus Line has been garnering quite a bit of media attention, and it looks to be a jazzy musical. Check out this trailer. Doesn’t it make you want to get up and dance?

Members of the company in A Chorus Line. Photography by David Hou.

members of the company (photo)

In addition to these five shows, there are some other productions. View the full show calendar for more info.

*Yes, yes, I love living in Waterloo. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again!
**Ugh – the 401. Who designed that highway anyway?

Thanks to the Stratford Festival for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

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The Friday Five: New at Longchamp

My oldest Longchamp bag is over 15 years old. When I first brought it back from France, Longchamp hadn’t yet made it to North America. Everyone was missing out on the usefulness of Le Pliage. Now, however, Longchamp has crossed the Atlantic, and its bags are available in multiple styles and colours in stores and online. Lucky us! Here are five of my current faves (beyond the classic Le Pliage collection)…

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Longchamp 2.0 crossbody

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Longchamp 2.0 handbag

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Longchamp 404 small tote bag

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Longchamp 404 crossbody

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Le Pliage Héritage

What do you think of Longchamp’s current collection? Have a great weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: White Sunnies

Hello from sunny Florida! I’m having a grand ol’ time here doing just about nothing every day. It’s a real vacation!

You don’t need much more than a couple of bathing suits and some sunglasses when you’re here. It’s fabulous!

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sunglasses, $7.90, Forever21

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Haskell sunglasses, starting at $95, Warby Parker

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Fendi cat eye sunglasses, $765CAD, Nordstrom

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Blanchett sunglasses, Salt Optics

sunglasses-targetwhite sunglasses, $16.99, Target

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

p.s. Just look at this gorgeous beach.

The Friday Five: Swinging Around

Lots of people talk about bringing the outdoors in. A lot of the time, they’re talking about plants and colour schemes. But today I’m talking about something else that is traditionally an outdoor item – the swing! Yes, the swing. Have a look at these five spaces and tell me if they don’t make you want to have one of your very own!

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DIY swing by Chris Loves Julia

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via SBH Interior

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Sukha Amsterdam via Vosges Paris

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via Remodelista

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The Loft via Sarah Le Donne

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

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The Friday Five: White Dinnerware Collections

I bought my dinnerware soon after I moved into my new home. I love the white china, and I’m glad I went for a simple design (Royal Worchester Serendipity). I bought 12 place settings which included the dinner plates, side plates, small bowls, larger bowls, mugs, and teacups. I went all out and my cupboards are full because of it. I love having matching everything, and I know the pieces will serve me well in years to come.

If you’re in the market for a new set, I’ve rounded up five great collections at various price points.

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Bennett 20-piece set, $445CAD, Crate & Barrel

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Pillivuyt 20-piece set, $403.95USD, Williams-Sonoma

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Jasper Conran 32-piece set, $839CAD, William Ashley

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Kate Spade 12-piece set, $150CAD, Hudson’s Bay

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Finsbury 5-piece set, $101.99CAD, Royal Doulton

Hope you enjoy some delicious meals this weekend!

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The Friday Five: 5 Things to Do in Kitchener-Waterloo This Long Weekend

Happy Canada Day! What goodness are you planning this weekend?

I’ve said it so many times here and in real life – I really enjoy living in Waterloo. This city – and region – has so much to offer, and I live such a happy, rich, and pleasant life here. Summer, of course, makes everything that much better, and this area has a lot of offer its residents and guests.

As we have just begun a long weekend here, I’m offering up five suggestions of things to do this weekend.

1. Go for a bike ride.

The Spur Line has recently opened up, and it’s a great way to take a ride to/from Kitchener/Waterloo. The trail is smooth, wide, flat, and lit, so it’s ideal for daytime or nighttime rides.

Alternatively, take a cruise down the classic Iron Horse trail to/from Kitchener/Waterloo. This was the first path I went on when I moved to Waterloo, and it’s still one of my faves. It’s great that it takes riders from uptown Waterloo (e.g., take a gelato break at Vincenzo’s) to downtown Kitchener’s Victoria Park in no time at all. The trail is smooth, flat, and surrounded by greenery.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventures, and are looking for more nature, then head over to Cambridge and ride to/from Cambridge to Paris along the Grand River. The ride is easy, but long (maybe 40+km). I suggest wearing padded shorts. 🙂

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Here I am riding my oldie-but-goodie bike down the Iron Horse trail in Waterloo. It’s such easy living!

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Here I am last summer on the Cambridge to Paris trail with the same oldie-but-goodie bike. I earned my lunch calories in Paris that day!

2. Stay cool at a public pool.

I grew up at public pools…first, as a youngster taking lessons, then, as a teen hanging out with friends, finally as a teenager/adult teaching swimming. I love having access to a pool, and luckily, there are few great ones in the region.

Moses Springer outdoor pool is large, clean, and definitely worth a visit.

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The lifeguard tower at Moses Springer.

3. Celebrate Canada Day with fireworks at Columbia Lake.

Although this will be my third summer in Waterloo, I have yet to enjoy Canada Day fireworks. Tonight, however, I’m hoping to head over to Columbia Lake to check out the action and colourful sky show.

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Canada Day Celebration – UofWaterloo Field Map

4. Try a new café.

My two current favourite cafés are the Berlin Bicycle Café in Belmont Village the Smile Tiger Coffee beside the Via Train Station. Both are accessible via bicycle, and both offer good coffee and atmosphere. The food at Berlin Bicycle Café is fresh and delicious, and I always find something good to eat. The egg salad is delicious, and the croissant sandwiches are good, too. Both cafés have outdoor patio space, so they’re great options for sunny days.

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The Berlin Bicycle Café

5. Take a drive into the countryside.

There are so many options for short road trips in the region.

  • Stay close and head to St. Jacob’s for a visit to the market.
  • Take a ride to Elora, pop into the sweet shops, and walk along the water.
  • Drive to Cambridge and pop into Monigram Roasters for a treat.
  • Drive over to Stratford and check out the first Balzac’s or grab a chocolate treat at Rhéo Thompson, then stroll around the lake.
  • Eat ice cream in any of the above towns!

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If you’re looking to learn more about what to do in the Waterloo region, please check out my Waterloo City Guide over on Design*Sponge.

Have a wonderful long weekend, everyone!

Happy Canada Day!

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The Friday Five: Five Essentials to Pack in Your Carry-On

For as long as I can remember, summer has been my season to travel. It’s probably because I’ve been in school all of my life, I’ve been a elementary school teacher, and now I teach at a university. In my life, it’s always been a tad tricky to take time off during the September-June months. July/August has been much more convenient. And I’ve always tried to take advantage of the downtime to escape the city and regular life and have an adventurous or relaxing holiday.

This summer is full of travel for me, and I couldn’t be more happy. I feel so very fortunate to have such travel experiences, and a job that affords me to escape for a couple of weeks.

I’m ecstatic to be in Europe, touring Italy with my dad, then heading off to Copenhagen for a few days. I thought it was fitting, therefore, to share with you five of my essential items for my carry-on luggage.

1. Sleeping eye mask

I absolutely do not care how ridiculous I look when I wear my sleeping eye mask. It offers complete darkness and definitely helps me get to sleep in the ol’ economy class. I usually bring this mask with me, but I quite like the look and feel of a fancy silk one, too.

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Manito silk sleeping eye mask

2. Notebook

I don’t think I really go anywhere without a notebook. I’m always jotting down ideas (all kinds) and to do lists, and when I don’t have my notebook, I feel slightly out of sorts. A notebook is a must of the plane so that I can write down things I want to see/do, review my itinerary, etc.

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Moleskine notebook

3. Water

I never find that the flight attendants provide enough water for my flights, and I know it means more bathroom breaks, but I like to stay fully hydrated during my flight, so I always bring my own bottle and fill it up before I board.

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Kate Spade water bottle

4. Face and hand cream

I know some people mist their faces on a flight, but I tend to apply moisturizer to avoid the feeling of dryness. I don’t pay much attention to brands, I just need creams that come in carry-on friendly containers.

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L’Occitane hand cream

5. Socks

I rarely sleep with socks on, but on flights, I find they’re necessary. I take my shoes off as I get to my seat (on short or long flights), and I don’t like putting my bare feet on the airplane carpet, so socks are a must. I find them especially cozy on long flights when I’m trying to get in a decent sleep.

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Happy Socks

What are some of your must-haves for short and long flights?

The Friday Five: Pretty White Dresses

I wore a white-on-white-on-white outfit last weekend, and I loved it. It’s such a fresh clean look, and it makes me feel super summery. Thinking of all-white summer ensembles prompted  me to browse through some of my favourite shops to see what white dresses they have to offer us this summer.

Here we go…

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Nadeer eyelet dress, $279, Club Monaco

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off-the-shoulder dress, $149, J.Crew

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linen v-neck and flare dress, $62.99 (on sale), Gap

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pleated skirt sweater dress, $428, Kate Spade

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DVF cotton eyelet dress, $410, Diane von Furstenberg

Aren’t they pretty?

The Friday Five: Faves from the One Room Challenge

If you’re in the design or blogging world, you’ve likely already heard of the One Room Challenge. The ORC, as it is also called, gives designers, bloggers, and design enthusiasts a challenge to make over a room in a 6-week period. Challenge is right. As an observer, I love to see the transformations. I think just about any before-and-after is dramatic, even if they don’t include professional photography sessions that sometimes happen with the ORC rooms.

There’s a select group of 20 designers/enthusiasts who are officially ORC participants, and then there are another 200 or so (I think) who are guest participants. It’s all very fascinating, if you ask me. People really get into it, and the participants are fairly open about sharing their design vision and process.

Here are five end products that really caught my attention, but I would encourage you to check out all the ORC featured designers and guest participants if you’re looking to be inspired by traditional/modern/interesting design!

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powder room, Wife in Progress (that floor!)

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sun porch, Worthwhile Domicile (those shelves! that ceiling height!)

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teen room, Vanessa Francis Design
(I love the addition of the trumpet and the story that goes with)

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bedroom, Love on Sunday (I love Amy’s use of textures in her white bedroom.)

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bathroom, Simplified Bee (such a luxurious shower space!)

A 6-week timeline for a room make-over…could you do it? Have you done it?

The Friday Five: Bicycles

It’s bicycle season!

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cyclist in Vienna, Austria, photo by Design Maze Tim

Yet another reason why I enjoying living in Waterloo is that it has quite a good trail system. I can get from my place in Waterloo to Victoria Park in Kitchener via the Iron Horse Trail (with only minimal road riding). Last year, I rode (slow but steady) from Cambridge to Paris, Ontario on a trail beside the Grand River. It was beautiful (and mostly flat).

While I have a decent mountain bike that functions well (although it is heavy), I have my eye on a few of the retro bikes that have been on the market for a few years now (also known as The Miss Piggy Bike in my family). Maybe once my bank account recovers from a few upcoming trips and my bedroom makeover, I may invest in one of these beauts.

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Real step-through bicycle, $1200, Martone Cycling (why oh why is this out of my budget?!)

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Kent 700c hybrid bike, $189, Walmart

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Huffy Arlington, $248, Walmart

schwinn-cruiser-canadian-tire

Schwinn signature series cruiser, $849, Canadian Tire

Schwinn-bike-Target

Schwinn hybrid bike, $199, Target

Do you have a bicycle? What kind? For what purposes? Do tell!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: My Mom’s Favourite Blogs – 2016 edition

For the last couple of years, I’ve given space on White Cabana on the Friday before Mother’s Day to my mom. She’s an avid blog reader, has her favourites, and for the last few years, I’ve asked her to share with us what she’s been reading (see her 2015 favourites, 2014 favourites, 2013 favourites). Carrying on with this tradition, I’ve asked her about what she’s been reading online in 2016, and here are five of the blogs she reads regularly:

1. The Enchanted Home

Enchanted-Home-dining-room

via The Enchanted Home

2. Our French Oasis

img_00961

via Our French Oasis

3. Little Green Notebook

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via Little Green Notebook

4. Preppy Empty Nester

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via Preppy Empty Nester

5. Mark D. Sikes

Screen-Shot-2016-05-04-at-6.48.20-AM

via Mark D. Sikes

My mom has a traditional and rich design aesthetic. She veers towards quality and pieces of interest, and she’s always on the hunt for a deal. Much of the furniture that I have in my own home is a result of my mom’s amazing furniture research skills (thanks, Mom!).

My mom knows so much about design, and I definitely go to her for design advice. Should I hang this piece of art here? What kind of night stands do you think I should get? Could you keep an eye out for a great bed? Mom, I need a patio set. Can you look for one for me? Many of my conversations with my mom are full of these types of questions!

Since the invention of blogs, she’s grasped on and has several bloggers who she just adores. In addition to the five I’ve listed above, my mom also reads several others regularly (including some of my real life blogging friends! Yay!), so consider this a bonus five for today’s Friday Five:

Design Maze
Rambling Renovators
Celebrating This Life
Brooklyn Limestone
My French Country Home

Thanks, Mom, for sharing your blog reads with us today!

Happy Mother’s Day!

The Friday Five: Fish Scales Design Trend

I think we’re going to see more fish scales in our design future. Here are five cases to demonstrate my thoughts:

b1f33e66ae980275-ScreenShot2015-01-17at63336PM

Tessa Neustadt

1706ed6aafef65f9b0b05e3ff4018ef7

The Musket Room in NYC, via Apartment Therapy

Photo by Amy Bartlam

Photo by Amy Bartlam

Homepolish

fish-scale-backsplash-fiona-lynch

Fiona Lynch via Apartment Therapy

D33744202_010_b

Archipelago fish serving bowl, Anthropologie

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: 5 Spring Must-Haves from L.L.Bean

Yes, it’s true, I’m a newbie fan of L.L.Bean, and there’s no turning back. I have been so extremely happy with the quality and design of the items I have received in the last few months. Now that the weather has warmed up slightly, I’ve hung up the long 850 DownTek coat (except when it suddenly gets cold), and I’ve been wearing the Maine Lodge 850 DownTek Hoodie almost daily. So many people have complimented me on it, too, and it seems like they’ve been surprised that it’s an L.L.Bean jacket. Their curiosity has been piqued! In addition, my black L.L.Bean skinny jeans have been put through the washer and dryer on a weekly basis, and they’re still holding their quality and shape. Good news!

So today I thought I’d share with you my top five must-haves for spring from L.L.Bean.

LLbean-eyelet shirt

eyelet shirt popover short-sleeve, $49.95

cotton-slub-pullover-LLBeancotton slub pullover, $39.95

fedora-LLBeanfedora, $79

birds-eye-sweater-LLBean

Signature bird’s eye sweater, $59

Signature-skinny-jeans-LLBean

Signature skinny ankle jeans, $69

What do you think? Do you have your eye on other items? Let me know!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Must-Haves for Relaxation

Phew! I completely missed Friday over here, so that surely tells you what kind of week I’ve had!

It’s the end of the semester which means university life has been chaotic. I had busy days and something on the go every night this week. While it was a fun and rewarding week, I need a bit of relaxation time this weekend. I don’t know about you, but if I don’t get “Jordana time”, I feel overwhelmed and cranky.

So…what do I do to relax after very intense weeks? These things usually do the trick for me (and yoga isn’t even one of them).

To do lists.
If I take a few minutes to regroup and think about what tasks need to be done, I feel calmer. I can see what needs to get done, and I can empty my brain of things that are taking up space in there.

Cleaning.
Seriously. I get in a zone, and I just go to it. Yes, most of the time, I find cleaning to be tedious, but it also forces me to clear my head and breathe.

Magazines.
I never tire of reading magazines on my big comfy couch. I have a few that arrived in recent weeks, so the build-up means extended periods of quietness. Print magazines also force me away from my computer, which is a good thing.

Baking.
Most of the time, weekend baking means bread making. Again, I get in a zone, make a mess in my kitchen, and end up with something delicious after a couple of hours. My dough is rising as a type this, by the way.

Sleep.
I’m not someone who naps, but sometimes it’s exactly what I need. Especially on grey days (or days like today where the weather sends over a surprise mini snow storm).

What do you do to relax after a very busy week (or several!)? I’d love to know!

Happy weekend, dear readers!

The Friday Five: Vintage Ironstone Pitchers

What would you serve up in one of these pretty antique ironstone pitchers? Water? Juice? Sangria? What’s your weekend drink-of-choice?

il_570xN.907187076_68jp

vintage ironstone pitcher il_570xN.925185396_213v

vintage ironstone pitcher

il_570xN.938773896_5gon

vintage ironstone pitcher

il_570xN.779845109_amsr

vintage ironstone pitcher

il_570xN.939185322_e6eu

vintage ironstone pitcher

All pitchers from Etsy sellers.

The Friday Five: Needham Lane’s Sleepwear

You say pyjama. I say pajama. Pyjama. Pajama. … I couldn’t help but start this post with that line! I hope it got you singing along (if not, watch this or that)!

Who doesn’t love a new pyjama? Am I right? I adore pyjama sets, and so when I happened upon Needham Lane‘s many pyjama sets, I was easily drawn into its website. The Massachusetts-based company makes apparel, sleepwear, and accessories in lovely fabrics and patterns. When I dug a little deeper, I learned that Needham Lane is just a hop-skip-and-jump away from a camp I used to work at in the Berkshires. Not only that, but when I got chatting with the owners, we realized that we are also connected via southwestern Ontario. Small world, I say!

But enough about our connections, let me just show you five of my top picks from Needham Lane‘s current sleepwear collection, okay?

Logan_Black_LS_flat_1280__86042.1441302015.1280.1280

Logan black long sleeve pajama

Madison_Fuchsia_1280__92230.1440791335.1280.1280

Madison fuchsia short sleeve capri pajama

Pippa_Kimono_Aqua_manne_1280__29299.1441301713.1280.1280

Pippa aqua kimono robe

Logan_Black_NS_flat_1280__46310.1441303707.1280.1280

Logan black nightshirt

Maxwell_LS_shorty_1280__69620.1454018058.1280.1280

Maxwell long sleeve shorty pajama

They’re pretty and delicate, aren’t they? I’m not the only one to think so! Needham Lane has been featured in many popular print publications, including O Magazine, Self, Vogue Latin America, and People (see more press).

In addition to its sleepwear line, Needham lane has colourful accessories (apparently the slippers are quite popular) and pretty vacation-worthy apparel (e.g., this tunic).

Needham Lane sent over a few items for me to try (thanks, Needham Lane!), so I can vouch for the fabric, fit, and style. The pyjamas are made in India of soft, delicate fabrics; the detailing – e.g., cuff sleeves, piping – really add to the interest of the sets. In the weeks ahead, I’ll share a bit more about Needham Lane, so stay tuned.

The Friday Five: 5 Ways to Style Black Jeans

I wear a lot of black. As in, I wear black just about every single day. And on the days that I don’t wear black, I wear white. Black and white. White and black. This is my basic uniform. While some of you colour-loving readers might think I live a boring fashion life, I would completely disagree. I jazz things up with textures, layers, and accessories.

You know I’ve been working with L.L.Bean this year, and I was thrilled to try out their signature skinny jeans. After I received them, I wore them for three days straight, which basically sums up how I feel about them. I love them. They sit a little higher on the waist, they have plenty of stretch (but do not stretch out), they have a slim leg, and the back pockets are perfectly placed. They have washed well so far (I hang them to dry), and they keep their shape. Needless to say, I have no complaints at all. If you’re in between sizes according to the L.L.Bean sizing chart, I would go for the larger size as these are a skinny fit, and you don’t want them to be totally uncomfortably tight.

White-Cabana-LLBean-jeans

I’m wearing*: L.L.Bean signature skinny jeans c/o, ruffle trim sweater, boots (similar)

Considering how often I wear black jeans (and I imagine you might, too), I thought I’d share five ways to style a sharp pair of black jeans.

First: The Classics: black jeans paired with a classic white shirt

black-jeans-white-shirt

white shirt, belt, shoes, crossbody bag, necklace, earrings

Second: Casual Confidence: black jeans paired with classic Converse and a hoodie

black-jeans-casual-converse

Converse, hoodie, tote, tank top, watch, earrings, sunglasses, wallet

Third: Feminine Perfection: black jeans paired with lace and sparkle

black-jeans-lace-feminine

top, shoes, clutch, cuff, earrings

Four: Getting Down to Business: black jeans paired with turtleneck, blazer, and Chelsea booties

black-jeans-turtleneck-blazer

purse, booties, turtleneck, blazer, earrings, scarf, bracelet

Five: Rock and Roll: black jeans paired with stripes and leather

black-jeans-rock-n-roll

shoes, leather jacket, ruffle back tee, clutch, earrings, bangle

What are your favourite pairings for your black jeans?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

*I took my coat off for 1 minute for this jump (brrr!). Thanks for the snapping the jumping photo, SY!
Thanks again, L.L.Bean, for sending over the signature skinny jeans. Read my previous L.L.Bean posts.
All opinions are my own.

 

The Friday Five: Hearts, Hearts, Hearts

I can’t help it. I need to showcase more hearts. I thought I had corralled enough hearts for this Valentine’s Day gift guide, but I hadn’t. I have five more heart-filled items to share with you to end this week.

love-struck-floor-bin-black

love struck round floor bin, $19.97 (on sale), Land of Nod

bk-sequin-heart-pillow-cover

black sequin heart pillow cover, $19.97 (on sale), Land of Nod

i-love-you-heart-dishes

I Love You heart dishes, $19.95, Crate & Barrel

MIN-052-FPS-003_A_PZ

For Heart’s Sake stationery, Minted

white-heart-on-black-csm-bags

heart tote bag, $22, Sweet Escape Creative

Have a lovely weekend, dear readers!

The Friday Five: Subway Tiles in the Bathroom

I am still a ways off from tearing out my basement bathroom and redoing it, but I’ve been collecting tons of inspiration photos. These days, I’m leaning toward white subway tile walls and dark flooring. The goal is to install a shower, invest in a more energy efficient washer/dryer combo, and injecting a whole bunch of sleek into the room.

Here are five of the photos from which I’m drawing inspiration and the features I like about each space:

1. I like that this bathroom is all-white. It’s so clean and bright and spa-like. I like the white subway tiles with white grout as well as the white floor. The shower head is sleek, and while I doubt I’ll be going with a full wet-room in my own space, I really like the idea of a seamless floor.

casa-na-bright-bathroom

via Dwell

2. The subway tiles are a little larger in the bathroom below than in the one above, and it looks like dark grey or black grout was used instead of white. This really highlights the shape of the brick pattern (and any imperfections, I’m sure, too). Again, I like the seamless floor in this bathroom. While I do have a thing for hex tiles (see my powder room and my fireplace), I’m thinking that in my bathroom, I’ll opt for something different.

 

 

3. Shannon’s basement bathroom below is just about what I want. Again, the seamless floor caught my eye in this space, and I think the glass divider was a wise design move. I appreciate the stacked subway tiles, but I don’t think it’s for me.

IMG_4448

via 8foot6

4. A double shower? Cool! My basement bathroom is much too small for this type of installation, but it’s really neat. I adore the shower heads in this bathroom, and the herringbone floor is pretty. Again with the seamless floor! I must figure out how to do this in my space, because I most definitely prefer it over the lipped shower install. When I see this space, I’m getting the feeling that I do not want the high white-black tile-grout contrast in my own bathroom.

blog_black-bathroom-flooring

via Greige

5. I’ll take just about everything from the bathroom below. Add a larger sink and a washer/dryer, and this room would be perfect. The gold fixtures are divine, and the marble floor is beautiful. I love the larger subway tiles with white grout, and it looks like the shower door sort of swings out very neatly.

Shades-of-grey-12

via Nordic Design

Now all I need is to be showered with money so that I can get this project done! No big deal, right?

How about you? Which is your favourite from the five bathrooms above? Any advice to share in terms of a major basement bathroom redo?

The Friday Five: Coffee Table Styling

Online vintage furniture retailer Charish recently asked me my opinion about the following questions:

1. What essentials does everyone need for their coffee table?
2. How do you properly layer the items?

I think I might be out of the ordinary on this one, because my coffee table is quite empty and unstyled. I have a small basket that holds my remote controls, coasters, and a few kinds of lip gloss (you can never have too many).

White-Cabana-House-Tour-3-1024x740my home

But there are so many inspiring interiors that do beautiful coffee table styling. Calgary-based designer Erica Cook, for example, is a master stylist in my opinion. I love how she pulls items together on her coffee tables.

coffee-table-Erica-Cook-1via Erica Cook

coffee-table-Erica-Cook-2via Erica Cook

coffee-table-Erica-Cook-3via Erica Cook

As I browsed through Charish‘s coffee table inventory, I thought about what I might display on particular tables. Here are five of the tables that caught my attention and the items that I might use to style them up pretty!

On this woodsy timber coffee table, I’d use a few stacks of beautiful books (with cream and white covers, of course). I’d arrange them symmetrically to follow the squareness of the table, and I might add some brass trinkets to contrast the wood.

coffee-table-Charish-6timber coffee table, $700

On this brassy number, I’d add a collection of cloisonné bowls because it reminds me of what my mom would do in her traditional living room. I’d increase the fancy factor because that’s what those curves are calling.

coffee-table-Charish-3brass ring cocktail table, $925

The mid-century coffee table below would have minimal styling. Perhaps I’d add a tray or two with some books or objets neatly placed inside.

coffee-table-Charish-5vintage Florence Knoll coffee table, $585

I don’t think this modern glass table actually needs anything on it because it already has so much to offer what with its curvy lines and such, but if I had to opt for something, I’d include a carefully curated stack of books with a simple, but interesting, object on top to complement the table rather than compete with it.

coffee-table-Charish-7tempered glass coffee table, $250

Finally, I think this simple travertine gem would look beautiful with a collection of colourful floral arrangements on it. Who could ever go wrong with flowers? Am I right?

coffee-table-Charish-8travertine coffee table, $1200

For those of you who may not know, Charish is an amazing source for vintage furniture and decor (yes, including coffee tables). It currently only ships in the United States, so here’s hoping it considers shipping internationally very soon so that the rest of us can benefit from the unique inventory!

The Friday Five: Bird Feeders at Amara

A few years ago, I wrote a post about modern bird feeders. This post has caught the attention of several readers, but most recently, Amara contacted me with info about their current bird feeder stock. I was surprised to see so many modern feeders in one place. Since I’m already itching for spring to arrive, it seems like a post about bird feeders is highly appropriate.

I’ll start with this bird feeder that Amara kindly sent me (see it on Instagram). Since I shared it on Instgram, I picked up bird seed (I can’t even remember what kind), and I hung it up on a tree in my backyard. The lady who helped me buy the bird seed said it would take a few days for birds to realize it’s there. While I haven’t seen so many birds flock to it quite yet, I’m hopeful they will. How could they not? Look how pretty it is!

garden-trading-bird-nut-feeder-1-jpgGarden Trading Bird Feeder, $28

I absolutely love the design of this second feeder. Talk about modern! I’m not quite sure where birds perch to eat the seed, but I love the donut shape, and the hook and cord seem very strudy.

Eva-Solo-bird-feeder-Amara

Eva Solo Bird Feeder, $59 (on sale)

This bird feeder is by the same brand as the previous one, but its design is quite different. It’s a mini feeder with a larger hole. I do like the simplicity of this design.

mini-bird-feeders Eva Solo mini bird feeder, $63

The next two bird feeders are by the same manufacturer, but they’re different shapes. I like the mix of white and wood on these classic feeders. There’s not much room for more than one bird though, is there?

haven-white-birdhouse-24x20cmD&M Haven White Bird House, $92

haven-white-birdhouse-17x15cmD&M Have White Bird House, $87

As I learned, Amara’s curation is amazing. The company carries designers such as Alessi (my fave!), Fornasetti, Jonathan Adler, and Orla Kiely. It ships world wide, and you can choose your preferred currency option as you shop online. I’ve listed the above items with the Canadian prices, and delivery is free to Canada for orders above $200.

Thanks again to Amara for sending along the feeder! I hope it makes the birds happy! All opinions are my own.

The Friday Five: Kitchen Essentials

I know many of us just finished a couple of weeks of holiday feasting, but I can’t help but continue to talk about food and entertaining. This year, I really want to try to declutter and get rid of items that I no longer regularly use. In so doing, I’m also going to be paying close attention to what I do use.

In the kitchen, for example, these five items get quite a bit of use at my house, and they’re here to stay.

I use my KitchenAid mixer on a weekly basis to make bread, pizza dough, pasta, or desserts. It was a great investment, and I keep it on my counter for easy access.

kitchen-aid mixerKitchenAid stand mixer

I use cloth napkins at my place, and I’m always looking for new sets to replace old ones. Most of mine are colourful (big surprise), but I’ll be looking to add beautiful white sets this year. They’re just so crisp and lovely.

napkinslinen napkins

I recently purchased pie beads (for Lucy Waverman’s saffron chocolate tart), and they definitely kept my tart crust in top form. I look forward to baking up some more tarts and pies this year.

pie beadspie chain

I use trays quite regularly to carry food from one room to another while I’m hosting, or simply to carry my tea and treats to the living room while I veg out. Trays come in very handy during the warmer months, too, when I’m bringing things to and from the barbeque.

traytray

Finally, I have a stack of ramekins in my cupboard that I use for just about everything – from serving olives, nuts, or candy to making baked eggs.

every-3.5-ramekin-bowls-set-of-four  ramekins

What are your kitchen essentials?

The Friday Five: The Settee Scene

I love looking back at my blog to see where my design interests lie over time. About a year and a half ago, I wrote about the versatility of the settee, and I’m still thinking that this sweet piece of furniture has great potential.

Today’s Friday Five includes five settees that look quite different from one another, but they share the common features of small scale design and refined legs. Now, the question I ask is: Which one is your favourite?

SVM5912-6via Eloquence

loveseat2via Black Rooster Decor

9342_lvia 1st Dibs

sybil-settee-ballard-designsvia Ballard Designs

Master-Bedroom-White-and-Neutrals-Fireplace-Chandelier-Loveseatvia The Lettered Cottage

Happy weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: It’s October!

Oh man, am I ever sad that the cold weather has arrived. While I do love back-to-school season, the colder fall weather is not really for me. I’m definitely a spring/summer gal, so when the temperatures fall (currently hovering around 10C), and I’m forced to wear layers, I get annoyed. While I know many fashion bloggers are enjoying the arrival of cozy textured sweaters and leather knee boots, I am trying to extend the wear of my Havaianas and jean jacket.

So it probably comes as little surprise that I don’t really decorate for fall. While I do love Hermes orange (who doesn’t?), the traditional fall colours do not really have a place in my home. (Gosh, I do sound cranky, don’t I? It doesn’t help that I’m also currently sick as a result of the non-stop action that I experience every September!).

Trying to be positive about this seasonal change, here are five white things that I would have in my home and wardrobe this fall (especially if money grew on fall trees)…

White-pumpkin-centrepiecesimple white pumpkin centrepiece, via 12th and White

pine-cone-fallpinecone accents – not just for Christmas, via The Art of Doing Stuff

cashmere-cardigan-alexander-mcqueenwool and cashmere-blend cardigan, Alexander McQueen

furry-owl-kate-spadeblaze a trail furry owl purse, Kate Spade

rockstud-tote-purse-valentinoMy Rockstud leather tote, Valentino

What about you? How do you feel about the fall? What will you be bringing into your home this season?

The Friday Five: Classic Karl Lagerfeld

It’s amazing how some people’s style is so instantly recognizable. Karl Lagerfeld, for example, is so distinguishable because of his white ponytail-tied hair, dark sunglasses, high-collared shirts, gloves, and random chain accessories.

I laughed quite a bit while I was researching items to include in today’s Karl-centred post. Could you imagine your face as the object of a bag, for example? Have a look…

Karl-Lagerfeld-candleKarl Essence Rare Scented Candle, $85, Luisa Via Roma

karl-father-t-shirt-eleven-parisKarl is my Father t-shirt, $58, Eleven Paris

565861_in_xlLagerbones tank by Brian Lichtenberg, $35, The Outnet

Karl-bagTC Karl crossbody bag, $220, Monnier Freres

3961123Karl Lagerfeld unisex pop rubber strap watch, $74.97 (on sale), Nordstrom Rack

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Get Monogrammed

I love all the personalization options that are out there in the marketplace. From bags to shoes to home decor items, there’s really no limit to what can be personalized with embroidered and printed initials and names. Here are five items that caught my attention this week from personalization expert Mark & Graham.

img2cBamboo Elisabetta Slouch handbag, $425 (made in Italy)

img83oItalian hemstitched grosgrain duvet & sham, $80-$300 (on sale) (made in Italy)

img26oTurkish hydro cotton bathroom, $149 (made in Turkey)

img48oPiazza leather key fob, $39 (made in Italy)

img29oleather cufflink and ring box, $49

Have a wonderful (long) weekend!

The Friday Five: On Sale at Elte, Toronto

Elte, one of Toronto’s finest furniture stores, is currently having a summer sale. I bought my Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams couch from Elte, and if I lived in Toronto, I’m sure I would be popping in quite often. The prices at Elte are typically high, but so is the quality of the pieces. If you’re in the market for something fabulous, you might want to check out the sale. Here are my five pics from the sale (although I’d snap up every Kartell chair if I could!).

chair-kartell-lizz-elte-saleKartell Lizz Side Chair, $206 (originally $406; also available in black)

vase-white-gold-eltegold mid glaze bud vase, $17.97 (originally $29.95)

Ojai-sconce-Elte-saleOjai sconce, $215 (originally $365)

moroccan-wedding-pouf-elte-saleMoroccan wedding pouf, $238 (originally $595)

ceramic-stool-lattice-elte-saleceramic lattice stool, $120 (originally $195)

If you’re in Toronto and you go to the sale, let me know!

The Friday Five: Gorgeousness at Anthropologie

Anthropologie (online and in store) always ropes me in. The store always has an eclectic and interesting mix of items for your closet and home. Here are five things that recently caught my attention.

4130275871414_011_bSila wrap dress, $29534886150_010_bCrescendo link necklace, $78

H34467332_010_blacquered regency three-drawer dresser, $149834737775_010_b

radiant alabaster floor lamp, $69834530279_010_bPeacock Alley Overture sheet set, $88-188

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Making Coffee

What type of coffee do you drink? Are you more into the pour over than the drip? How does espresso fit into your life?

img12oglass French press, $49.99

img78oHario V60 pour over coffee maker, $49.99

img39oSowden softbrew coffee maker, $59.99

img8oNespresso VertuoLine, $199.95

img32oWilfa Precision coffee maker, $329.99

Hope you enjoy a great weekend brew!

The Friday Five: Pretty Diamond Jewelry

It has been a really long time since I featured jewelry on the blog, so I thought I’d feature some gorgeous pieces of diamond jewelry.

31657091_909725_ED Tiffany Hearts arrow pendant, $2050

30610539_931365_EDTiffany Enchant fleur earrings, $25,600

van-cleef-arpels-frivoleVan Cleef & Arpels frivole between the fingers ring

B6035816_0_cartier_braceletsCartier Love bracelet, $10,800

HPI00585_0_cartier_watchesCartier Tank Anglaise watch

Pretty gorgeous, right? A little bling is always good for the blog!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: Marble Herringbone Tiles in the Bathroom

I’ve been making progress on my foyer tiles. After quite a bit of thought, I ended up with my first choice: herringbone. I’m making good progress, and so far I’m loving the look. Since I’m doing this project on my own, I’m going pretty slow. I hope the foyer will be completely finished in a week or two.

In the meantime, let’s have a look at how marble herringbone looks in these gorgeous bathrooms.

8daf9722e52b8bfef73e487e6482f306via Home Adore

marble-herringbone-bathroomvia Decor Pad

herringbone-main-picvia PDTM

54c4a1a4af989_-_01-hbx-etoile-shower-system-0914-s2via House Beautiful

bath_1via MPression

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Friday Five: It’s a Duck’s Life

Well, well, what a week! On Monday morning, a duck was sitting calmly in my planter box. On Monday evening, I discovered a circle of white eggs. Since then, my neighbours and I have been monitoring the duck action that’s right outside my front door. I’m from Toronto, so drop me into a big city, and I am happy. Nature…nature is still pretty foreign to me. I was initially freaked out by the mom duck, but we have survived our first week together! I know her routine, and we each have our space. I’ve given the planter box over to her, and I even added a sign so that others know there’s some important business going on. I think the duck conversations with my neighbours have been entirely amusing! It makes sense, then, that today’s post revolves around the ol’ duck!

sprutt-duck-ikeaSPRUTT duck storage, Ikea

white-duck-art-etsywhite duck print, Tiny Kiwi Prints

Anaheim-ducks-print-artAnaheim Ducks print, Society 6

VLB20-DCS-WHITE-FEATHER-SHADEduck feet light, Porta Romana

happy-duck-Swarovskihappy duck, Swarovski

Happy weekend, everyone!