Blushing and Sweet

"Litte Lamb" Birthday Party

2012-01-29T19:10:00.001-05:00

How adorable is this? I love everything about this sweet 1st birthday party - the soft neutral colors, textures and even the cute little lambs (for some reason I've always been drawn to lamb stuffed animals). The colors and theme also work for a baby shower - whether it's for a girl or boy, or even if it's a surprise!

via: Hostess with the Mostess

A Touch of Blush

2012-01-15T21:21:00.001-05:00

There's nothing like a touch of pink to make a room feel instantly happy! It's especially easy to do with fresh flowers. I often buy flowers for our dining room table but I think will start buying some for our bedroom too. It's such a nice romantic touch. What's your go-to color to give some life to a room?

via: pinterest

WedLuxe Wedding Show

2012-01-10T22:25:00.005-05:00

We've all been to the typical wedding shows, filled with vendor after vendor grabbing for your attention, collecting brochures and signing up for this and that. Some exhibits are nice enough to catch your eye and make you want to stop and chat for a bit. As for me, even though I discovered a great photographer or two at the last show I attended in September, half the time I was practically dodging most vendors. Know what I mean?

If you weren't able to attend Wedluxe's first wedding show this past weekend, all I have to say is you MUST attend next year! I attended for work and my-oh-my am I happy to have had the opportunity! It took place at the Ritz Carlton Toronto and let me tell you, this was a show like no other. It was an experience. It was pure luxury to say the least.

There were fresh peonies and roses everywhere and guests were treated with scrumptious hors d'oeuvres, mini desserts and pink refreshments. Ladies went to the beauty lounge for manicures, mini-makeovers, hairstyle trials and chose products to bring home with them from the 'swag bar'. If this weren't enough, there was tea time at the Kate Spade-inspired tea room and even a place for the grooms-to-be to hang - in the "grooms lounge", complete with flat screen TV's, black leather couches and a bar.

In the early morning, way before all the brides-to-be rushed in, I had a moment when I walked through the Kate Spade tea room and into heaven. I literally got goosebumps on my arms! It was basically the WedLuxe magazine come to life and an experience I will never forget. Here's a little peak into my experience:

{guests entered the show under a canopy of fresh roses}

{the beauty lounge: mani's and makeovers and sweet treats, oh my}

{Kate Spade-inspired tea room}

{magical}

{lovely cupcakes}

{whimsical beauty}

{modern perfection}

{work of art}

{heaven}

xoxo

Hello 2012!

2012-01-01T12:44:00.000-05:00

{keeping with my purple and silver theme this year}

Happy New Year loves! How did you celebrate New Year's Eve?

Yesterday was a special day; in the afternoon we had one of my oldest and dearest friends over for dessert and coffee with her husband and three adorable children. Later that evening we hosted a New Year's Eve party for the first time. We were six, which was perfect. The night was filled with great food, great company, games, dancing and lots of laughs! May this year be sweet and everything you hope for!

{Pre-New Year's mango tequila shot with my oldest friend}

{a rare photo of me here!}

{getting ready for champagne and celebrating at midnight}

{those who play together, stay together}

xoxo

Bye Bye 2011! (an honest look back)

2011-12-30T17:56:00.001-05:00

Well, another year has come and gone, Happy New Year's everyone! What are you up to tomorrow night?

It's been a wonderful year, full of happy moments and some great accomplishments along the way. There were highlights in my career, which included a promotion, working amazing events and traveling to some great places, such as Vancouver and Las Vegas. At home we hosted several get-togethers with family and friends, which brought us closer together since we were never really equipped to do so in the past. It was the first year in our home, some little things which meant a lot: having a spacious home, enjoying the luxuries of having a lovely deck in the backyard with a barbecue, eating outside and having a pool across the street (I do love to tan...). I also met some great people through this blog, twitter and instagram.

The major highlight was of course getting engaged while we were on an amazing vacation in Mexico! (This experience actually opened my eyes unexpectedly to the other relationships in my life, did this happen to you?).

There have also been some challenges, mostly in maintaining balance in my life. This year was a toughie, I have to say. Between balancing a full time career, traveling for work, home responsibilities (there are a lot more rooms to clean!), a relationship, taking care of my future step-daughter on weekends, seeing family and friends, writing on my blog, planning a wedding and finding time for me, let alone have my 'beauty nights', it was enough to bring me to a breaking point more than a few times. I wonder sometimes how do people do it all?

I didn't take care of myself very well and somewhere along the way I realized that I lost a part of myself. The fun, carefree, creative, romantic, loving person I used to be was hidden somewhere underneath all the stress. I was thisclose to hiring a cleaning lady and a wedding planner and calling it a day. Alas, in order to avoid going completely nuts, I told myself to stop feeling guilty, I could only do so much, focus on one thing at a time and hey, you can't please everyone.

Needless to say there are a few things I'd like to accomplish in 2012:

1. At the top of my list: focus on my well-being (more sleep, exercise, healthier diet, and some pampering never hurt anyone: massages, facials and a regular beauty routine - gotta bring my Friday night beauty rituals back!).

2. Balance: get priorities straight and create some sort of schedule or routine that works.

3. Relationships: Invest more time with loved ones and have regular date night!

4. Get creative: blog more regularly and start some projects I've had in mind for quite some time now (open to collaborations, let me know!)

5. Relax. Simplify. Less is more!

6. Home: Finish some major projects such as redoing our bedroom and my girl cave.

7. Plan our wedding!
8. Be happy, be me :)

I'd love to know what are some of your New Year's resolutions??

Thank you to all my sweet readers for always being supportive, I appreciate all your comments! I'm so ready for a fresh start and am looking forward to an exciting 2012, stay tuned! xo

Christmas at Home

2011-12-28T15:09:00.000-05:00

{Purple, lilac and silver this year}

Happy Holidays my sweets! I hope you've had a wonderful time with your loved ones. We had a great time with our families for Christmas and are looking forward to some get-togethers with friends this week.

It's so nice to relax at home during the holidays, isn't it? Here's a little peak into our home this Christmas. I usually like to decorate my tree gold and white, but this year felt like having fun and going for a some color! I find this combo so happy, modern and pretty. What was your color scheme this year?

{Christmas prep the night before}

{the morning after}

xoxox

Wishing You A...

2011-12-17T10:18:00.000-05:00

{ my instagram}

Days of December

2011-12-11T20:32:00.000-05:00

Mon Petit Amour Baby

Hello my sweets, did you have a good weekend? It's almost mid-December, Christmas is just around the corner! This weekend I started the pre-holiday preparations so as not to be rushing at the last minute (ie.: cleaning the fridge, oh joy).

We put the tree up last week, which I'll feature on a Christmas post coming up. May sound silly, but since I've always lived in an apartment, it was so nice to put a wreath up on our door and I'm excited to put Christmas lights outside on our front porch!

Have you started Christmas shopping? Almost everyone I've spoken to is late in this department, us included.

We're hosting two dinners this year and I'm so looking forward to it! Being pretty much settled in by now we're all set, and I've taken the 23rd off to prepare. What are you lovelies doing for the holidays?

Here's some Etsy love:

Denizgunes Knitting

Jersey Ice Cream Co.

Giardino

La Rae Boutique

Trieste Prusso

Neutral Perfection

2011-11-27T19:18:00.000-05:00

There's nothing more fresh and modern than a room with grey walls and white accents. These rooms leave me wanting to paint the entire house in neutral shades of grey and taupe. Love!

{feminine details}

{crisp and calm}

{glamorous}

{trendy and unique}

via: Pinterest

Whimsical World

2011-11-20T14:42:00.001-05:00

While I did have certain expectations of what Vegas would be like, I was definitely not prepared for the grandeur of it all. What I'll remember most however, is the absolute beauty in the architectural details, which had me looking 'up' most of the time: stunning chandeliers, outlandish decor and bright colors. Not to mention the most amazing aromas some of these hotels had. It was so amazing I had to go back to Aria and buy incense sticks to bring back home with me! As for my favorite hotels, I just loved how modern and whimsical the Wynn and Encore were, I felt like I was in a different world the moment I stepped inside.

What I expected:

and

What I didn't expect: Wynn & Encore

love these color combos

whimsical forest...

Getting to Know Emily

2011-11-05T20:12:00.001-04:00

Perfect for entertaining - rustic chic!

My dears, I'm sorry I haven't been around much these days. I got hit with a nasty cold for the past week and am finally getting over it.

On a brighter note, I found out just a few days ago that I'll be working at one of our trade shows in Vegas! I leave tomorrow, so in the meantime I wanted to leave you with these fab videos of Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere, who collaborated on them with Juicy Couture. I found them both refreshing and inspiring (particularly 'Entertaining'). Enjoy!

Entertaining
Getting ready to go out
A day in L.A.

photo via: pinterest

Peek Into My Home

2011-11-05T19:50:00.000-04:00

my kitchen window

My latest obsession for the last few weeks is Instagram. I tweeted 'what's your favorite app?' and a friend of mine suggested it. I haven't been able to get off since! Not only are there so many wonderful photos to look at, it's a great way to see into the lives of friends and the so many great people I follow on twitter. Here are some of the pictures I've posted to date. Hope to see you there! Stop by and say hello. :)

cozy patio

pretty souvenir from Riviera Maya

guest bathroom

seasonal cushion

morning ritual

fall

xoxo

Gold + Fuchsia

2011-10-20T16:35:00.001-04:00

Hi Friends! Recently I entered a contest on Jen's blog Made by Girl (one of my favorite blogs) to win this Jess LC Ipad case. The day came when she was going to announce the winner and I couldn't believe it, I won!

Jess has a fabulous blog called Makeunder Your Life (that I wrote about here.) I just received the case today and the timing couldn't be better. My fiancé gave me an Ipad for my birthday last month!

Thanks so much, Jen and Jess! xoxo

photo via: Made by Girl

Cozy Mix 'n Match

2011-10-16T17:34:00.000-04:00

This room has so much wonderful detail, every time I look at it I notice something new! Not one piece of furniture matches the other and there are several different prints here, but the pink walls and solid cream rug help set a calm tone to the room. Old and new have also been incorporated, which is one of my favorite combinations.

via: pinterest

Happy Fall Weekend

2011-10-10T16:06:00.000-04:00

Anyone have a good recipe for apple pie?

Happy Thanksgiving friends! We've had gorgeous, sunny and warm summer weather all weekend long, isn't it wonderful? It really did a lot of good to get out, enjoy the fresh air and have fun! We went to Park Safari , apple picking and watched scary movies. What did you do this weekend?

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. It's a gorgeous transition between summer and winter..I love the colors of the trees and the slight chill in the air. All the more reason to snuggle up with your honey under a warm blanket with a cup of cocoa. xoxo

Delicious donuts from the apple orchard

How cute is she?

Print, Please

2011-10-02T19:15:00.000-04:00

When redecorating one's home, color will always come to mind. Especially when deciding on the style and ambiance you want to project. Wallpaper is a bit risky - you don't want it to overpower your room. But when used properly, I think it's a wonderful way to update your space and add a special touch of elegance, not to mention character. I'm thinking of trying it out on an accent wall in our guest bathroom. What do you think? Do you have wallpaper in your home?

via: House to Home

xoxo

Relax

2011-09-20T23:24:00.000-04:00

Hi friends, yes I'm still here! I've missed you!

This is the busiest time of year for me, as summer ends it seems everyone wakes up and events are popping up all over, all within the same two weeks. It was a wonderfully busy and exciting trip, filled with long days, meeting great people and celebs, late dinners...and aching feet!

I usually write about a sweet boutique discovery after a trip, but sadly didn't have the chance to even check many new places out. Next time, my dears!

Now back home and it feels so good. After a busy summer and September passing by in a flash, in the coming month I will definitely take advantage of some days off and get back to the basics. To the things that make me happy....

back to blogging

to pampering myself (massage here I come!)

spending quality time with family

and coffee dates with friends

getting more sleep

date nights in or out

working on the house

um, planning my wedding

taking in the moment, and just breathing.

via: pinterest

A Little Update

2011-09-05T08:50:00.001-04:00

My lovelies, can you believe it's already September? I hope you're all enjoying the long weekend! I apologize for my absence, we didn't have internet access for a while and it finally got fixed. It was so hard being disconnected!

It's that time of year again, and the next couple of weeks will fly by. The Toronto Film Festival is around the corner so I'll be going to Toronto and then NY for a couple of days. So I won't be able to post but will be tweeting while I'm away, so make sure you're following me!

Meanwhile, I've been getting into wedding planning-mode. I'll be going to this wedding show today, which is perfect timing. First thing's first and we need to find a venue, since we're planning to have a spring wedding.

While a lot still has to be confirmed, I definitely have a clear vision, have decided on the color scheme and have lots of little details in mind that will make the day even more special.

love Peonies...

via: The Knot, Pinterest

A Special Baby Shower

2011-08-22T21:48:00.000-04:00

This past weekend we had a surprise baby shower for one of my closest friends. A is the first of our little group of four to have a baby. She's having a girl, due in about 5 weeks (who, by the way, we've already secretly named Chloe)!

Have you ever planned a baby shower? Well, this is the first baby shower I've ever been involved in planning and it's been so much fun doing so with my good friends K & K. One of my main tasks was to take care of decor (yes!) and it was so amazing to see everything come together.

Thanks to A's boyfriend we were able to sneak in and set up before she came home. The anticipation was killing us when we heard her come in through the garage! She was so surprised and happy when she walked in, I think everyone got a bit teary-eyed.

We served rosé and white wine, and our signature mocktail consisted of pink lemonade, club soda, raspberries and lychees. For dessert we got her favorite, strawberry shortcake, fruit and pink candy. A good time was had by all and I'm so happy we took part in such a special day!

Cute pom-pom decor c/o Martha Stewart

Dessert!

A keepsake guest book for mom-to-be

Gifts for guests - we filled these with jelly beans

Coastal Luxury

2011-08-16T20:33:00.000-04:00

So summer's not over just yet...aren't these beach-themed rooms so serene and so luxurious? They just make you want to flop down and relax with a good book or have a cozy chat with a friend and just be...I've never been keen on blue decor but I have to say over the past year or so it's really growing on me.

Much as I adore all-white rooms, I'd probably freak every time someone sat down! But one day I swear I'll have one. Love!

via: Lonny Mag

Little Haven

2011-08-07T22:00:00.000-04:00

This painting is my next purchase! (Cocoa & Hearts via Made by Girl)

Hello my sweets, how was your weekend? Can you believe it's already August?

As for me, every August is the same. As much as I love summer, I can't help but anticipate the fall (is that weird?). Partly because I'm all about being cozy and warm at home when it's nice and brisk outside. Another is because I just like change...going from flowy light fabrics and bright nailpolish to chic fall fashion, plush scarves and it's an excuse to buy new makeup. Also because I just love nature and the way the leaves change color, it's so beautiful.

And so, as I was saying, as much as summer is wonderful (especially this summer!) I do look forward to these little things. Then the little Martha comes out in me and I start cleaning and reorganizing the house again. It just takes over me, do you ever feel that way? I can go for hours! Last weekend I spent an entire day (okay, with a pool break in between, just had to) completely reorganizing the pantry and every single shelf and cupborad in my kitchen (there are a lot!). This morning I woke up and started getting my home office in order.

Every girl needs her own space, don't you think? Anyone who is married or living with their love knows what I'm talking about! It's so nice to have a room to myself. Last year I was blogging from my kitchen table, which was in the same room as our living room. It was so hard to focus while football was blaring ten feet away. Know what I mean?

Now I have my little haven, safely tucked away upstairs with a window and everything :). It's nowhere close to being finished and it might not seem like much, but it makes all the difference.

Do you have a space you call your own? I'd love to see pics and share them here! xo

Already purchased this one for my office (via Made by Girl)

Cozy Cocktail

2011-07-26T22:32:00.000-04:00

I've always loved the idea of having a chic home bar. There's something so sophisticated yet welcoming about them.

More and more people are cocooning and entertaining at home, and what better way to bring people together than with a delicious martini?

Cheers!

via: Made by Girl, Lonny Mag

Ruffled

2011-07-17T21:51:00.000-04:00

The past couple of weekends we've been entertaining family and friends at home. We're slowly getting more settled in, enjoying the summer with dinners outside. Spending so much time with loved ones makes you realize what's most important.

One of my friends is due to have her baby girl in two months, the first of our little group, which is really exciting! The topic of nursery decor came up today and it reminded me of this post I wrote about neutral decor for baby rooms. Then I stumbled upon this adorable room and just had to share...would never think of buying ruffled curtains but I love them here! What do you think?

via: ohdeedoh

Country Wedding

2011-07-05T22:06:00.005-04:00

Looking at wedding websites now has new meaning and I start to wonder what our own wedding will be like. It should have the perfect balance of beauty, romance and fun.

A special wedding that comes to mind is Candice and Nick's wedding, one that we attended last summer. The ceremony took place in the garden of his parent's country home (where he proposed) and a wonderful time was had by all in the gorgeous white tent in the field out back. The sunny yellow touches against the greenery were such a stunning contrast to the quiet rain. The food was just amazing and laughter filled the room as we all danced the night away!

From the sweet table, to the note station, to the umbrellas for guests and the crazy photo booth, you could tell there was love and meaning behind every last detail. I must say it is the most charming and romantic (and stylish) wedding I have ever been to. Cheers to Candice and Nick!

To read Candice's version of their wedding story, check out their feature in Mariage Chic, here.

xoxo

p.s. catch this wedding in the current copy of Mariage Chic (Volume 3)

Yes, even yellow socks!

Photos via: Blushing Bride Studio and Mariage Chic

Zingara

2011-06-25T14:02:00.001-04:00

As you know whenever I travel (near or far), I love discovering beautiful boutiques and sharing them with you here. I was in awe of this swimwear boutique, Zingara, located in Playa del Carmen. It was hard to resist buying everything in sight! The bikinis and swimsuits came in beautiful brights, prints and original styles. I also loved the silk printed dresses and chic sandals. Enjoy!

Website: zingaraswimwear.com

Vamos a La Playa

2011-06-20T20:17:00.002-04:00

Hi loves. Here are some pictures from my vacation in Playa del Carmen. Would definitely go back again! :)

Hand-painted ceramic sinks

This restaurant on 5th Avenue had the best margaritas!

The Mayan ruins, Chichen Itza

Minutes before the big moment :)

Tropical Twist

2011-06-12T20:47:00.000-04:00

This is the beach at our resort

Hello my sweets! This has been an exciting week. We were in paradise in the gorgeous Riviera Maya...The turquoise water was breathtaking and hearing the tropical birds sing all day was so relaxing.

One of the things I love to do is lazily fall asleep on the beach (which I did often, naturally). We toured the Mayan ruins, shopped at local boutiques and the margaritas were delish.

This all sounds lovely, yes, but nothing compares to the moment when my boyfriend proposed on the beach! It was sweet and romantic, perfect.

I couldn't wait to share the news with you and of course all the photos I took on our trip. But I'm having trouble connecting my camera to my laptop, can you believe it? The photo above will have to do for now, sorry!

xoxo

via: here and here

Off to the Beach!

2011-05-31T23:25:00.001-04:00

Well my dears, I'm finally off on vacation! I can't wait to lounge lazily on the beach sipping margaritas...taking in the sun and doing...nothing. I'll be sharing pics upon my return and then things will have quieted down by then. Back to more regular posting, I miss my readers! Kisses xoxo

via: pretty stuff

A Sweet Boutique: Bobbette and Belle!

2011-05-25T23:22:00.000-04:00

Tucked away on a lovely street in Leslieville, Ontario is a cozy bake shop called Bobbette and Belle.

Their cupcakes are just as sweet as their name, which I had the pleasure of discovering last week while in Toronto.

When we decided to stop in for a mid-afternoon snack, I was so pleasantly surprised! The calm atmosphere was so relaxing...the sun poured in while took our time enjoying our delicious treats. The cupcakes were delish, so if you're in the area you should definitely stop by!

Bobbette and Belle has been featured in House and Home (pics here), is a member of the Wedluxe Glitteratti as well as Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book!

Check out more of their stunning creations on their website and blog, here.

xoxo

Bobbette and Belle
1121 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
www.bobbetteandbelle.com

Home Retreat

2011-05-18T21:53:00.000-04:00

Wouldn't it be nice to escape to a tropical paradise, anytime you wanted? These spaces would make any home feel like a relaxing getaway. It's days like these that have everyone wishing they were just lying on a sunny beach right about now. Over here, the past few weeks we've had rain, rain and more rain.

We're thinking of booking a last minute get-away, somewhere, anywhere far and sunny! It's been way too long. Any suggestions? Otherwise, looks like I will have to settle for a little redecorating!

xoxo

Imagine waking up here every morning?

Chic rooftop get-away

Perfect for a relaxing bubble bath

Via: House to Home, Elle Decor, Lonny Mag

Summer Days

2011-05-10T23:02:00.001-04:00

Summer is near...I can't wait to really enjoy those lovely, breezy, sunny, happy summer days. The ones that have you feeling exhilarated and lazy all at the same time. Having sangria on a terrace with the girls, relaxing on the patio, romantic walks by the river...What are your plans this summer? Will you be going somewhere special on vacation or relaxing at home?

crossing fingers I will go on vacation!

can't wait to buy some flowers

come, sit with me

pretty colors

Photos via: Pretty Stuff

A Chic Boutique: Orling & Wu

2011-04-30T22:48:00.000-04:00

Hello Lovelies, how is your weekend going? Here is the gorgeous boutique I discovered in Gastown, Vancouver a couple of weeks ago, Orling & Wu. The majority of their products derive from Europe, all so lovely in their own way. This enchanting boutique was so inspiring, everywhere I turned there was something more beautiful and intricate than the other. Gorgeous!

www.orlingandwu.com

Spring in Vancouver

2011-04-26T23:24:00.001-04:00

I'm baack. How are you doing my sweeties, I missed you! My-oh-my, the past 2 weeks have been non-stop and productive to say the least. I've done and seen so many good things, though. The week in Vancouver was fabulous. I have to say it is just beautiful over on the west coast and thankfully we had had some sunny days. No matter where you are downtown, you have a view of the gorgeous mountains! The air is so clean and fresh...sigh. Here are some pretty pics I took.

After such a crazy week I was thankful to have the past few days off for Easter. I really needed some

down-time and decided I had to 'disconnect'. That is, mainly from the internet and any socializing - besides family get-togethers and a couple of phone calls with friends. I needed to shift my focus and energy and just get back to basics, you know?

I have to admit it's done a lot of good...The result of cooping myself up: major progress in getting our home in order, bonding time with family and the bf. All much-needed!

How have you been? I need updates!

P.S. As always, I'll be sharing another delightful boutique I discovered while away; stay tuned for my next post!

We ate at The Teahouse, in Stanley Park

The Olympic Torch from the 2010 Winter Games!

xoxo

Trial and Error

2011-04-12T21:28:00.000-04:00

Hi there, how was your weekend? This Sunday I repainted our living room. Yes, REpainted. You see, it's not always as easy as one would think, to create what one visualizes in one's mind. Let me explain.

So the previous Sunday, we painted and decided to go with a very light greige (#2 in this post) and did an accent wall in the dining area dark taupe (#4). The greige turned out to be light, cold grey which totally contrasted with my couch. As much as I liked the accent wall color, it just felt like there were too many colors and now the living room seemed dark, cold and depressing.

I then had to accept that my dream of greige walls would not be, and move on to work with what we have. All the walls are now light beige, but the room looks so much bigger and brighter now! It's perfect and now I can focus on decor and beautiful accent colors.

This photo inspires me, I just love it...The classic black and white frames and sofa have modern clean lines that give a sophisticated feel, yet the textured throw, candles and pretty cushions add warmth and femininity.

I'll be going to Vancouver for a week on Thursday. I promise to write soon as I'm back, with lots of pretty pictures and inspiration! xox

Image: Rue Magazine

Brighten Your Day

2011-04-03T20:23:00.000-04:00

Butterfly Food

Spring has definitely sprung! I spent the day painting with the windows wide open, sun pouring in. Needless to say I'm definitely inspired. Here's some Etsy love, a little somethin' to brighten up your day.

xoxo

Made by Girl

Butterfly Food

TimelessNChic

Claylicious

It's All About the Hair

2011-03-25T00:34:00.001-04:00

Where to begin? These are my thoughts on hair, the role it's played in my life and some tidbits about me.

Well, it's always been one of my obsessions. Especially Victoria's Secret Hair.

When I was young, it used to be stick straight and very dark brown. Somewhere at around age 7, my sister and I were oh-so-lucky to be sporting the famous 'bowl' haircuts. (You know what I'm talking about and don't lie you've had it too).

Then at around age 14, for some reason it became wavy and much lighter, a chestnut brown. It was early 90s now; I wore blue eyeliner and candy pink lipstick while teasing my bangs way up high (the higher the better). Soon after, it grew more than halfway down my back and I got a perm (à-la-Mariah Carey in her early days). Mousse was my best friend.

In my 20s it was all about flowy layers, think Jennifer Aniston. I often alternated styles from straight, to curly, to wavy. In the summer I got streaks and in the fall dyed it rich chocolate brown. This is when I became a product junkie, a sucker for any new product in pretty packaging that hit the shelves. Hot rollers and a flat iron were used regularly, then I moved on to my good ol' curling iron, which I still use often.

Not one to trust just anybody with a pair of scissors to my hair, once I find a stylist who I love and trust, (read: not chop it all off, gives suggestions, styles the way I like it and is chatty), I am very loyal. That's it, they're stuck with me.

My obvious love for beauty has always been a big part of my life. I grew up admiring my Mommy who was always made up and looked so pretty. I started drawing at a very young age and became most successful in art and visual presentation classes. So it's only natural that I'm drawn to anything and everything pertaining to beauty: fashion, art, home decor, cosmetics, hair.

If you're a regular here, you know that I used to work in fashion and dabbled in make-up. You may or may not know that the reason I travel now and then is because I'm an event coordinator for this amazing hair care company, attending PR events and beauty trade shows.

Hair is such a big part of our everyday lives. Depending on a good or bad hair day, it can really affect our moods! It also says a lot about a person - are they reserved, sophisticated, sexy?

What does your hairstyle say about you?

Pretty

Modern

Sexy

photos via: here, here

The Right Shade of Neutral

2011-03-20T19:18:00.002-04:00

Hola! Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend! As mentioned not too long ago, we'll be painting the living room/dining room very soon. Completely redecorating all seems a little overwhelming at times so I thought, 'Of course! An inspiration board always helps...' I cranked up the Salsa music and flipped through my favorite home decor mags. The board isn't complete yet but once I started clipping some images, I was already able to narrow it down to a couple of colors.

I would love to hear your opinion! Which one do you think works best? Eventually I'm thinking of subtle accents of turquoise or green. Especially since the deck is right off the dining room and these are the colors I plan on using outside as well, so it will all flow nicely.

Not sure about this printed cushion anymore because of the coral, but luckily it can easily be replaced.

xoxo

Spring Living

2011-03-15T21:35:00.000-04:00

Now that we've changed our clocks, doesn't spring feel so much closer now? The snow is melting and it was so nice to see the sun shining on my way home from work today. I enjoy the coziness of winter but have to admit that without the sunshine for months on end, things can get a bit blah. Now suddenly projects come to mind and everything just comes to life!

I love the idea of decorating according to season. So what better time for me to get cracking, right?

Some things to do around the house:

Paint the living/dining room

Buy colored cushions for the sofa

Finish decorating the main floor (lamps, pictures, oh and everything else)

Plant (my first) garden

Get furniture for the deck (better believe lounge chairs are on the list)

Have a yard sale

What home projects do you have planned this spring?

Photos via: Elle Decor

Glimpse Into My Home

2011-03-06T20:40:00.003-05:00

Hello my friends, how was your weekend?

So, as you know, a few months ago my boyfriend and I moved into our very first house. We focused on redoing the basement first, which is pretty much done. However, we've yet to finish redecorating (hence the lack of photos till now) and I'm quite anxious to get the master bedroom and living/dining room done! All in due time...

(While we're on the subject, I'm thinking of painting the walls here taupe or greige, what do you think? I'm obsessed with this color combo!).

I wish I could post photos of a glam dining room and a luxurious bedroom...sigh.

But even though we still have quite a bit to do, I wanted to give you just a little glimpse into my everyday life.

"Home" is what you make it, wouldn't you agree?

xoxo

(These are just some of the swatches I picked up - I'll be consulting you when I get closer to choosing!)

Home Tour: Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere

2011-03-01T23:00:00.000-05:00

She most definitely does not need an introduction.

It may be no secret that one of my favorite blogs is Cupcakes and Cashmere (as mentioned here, here, here, here, and um, here). Emily's blog always promises to inspire and to give a little pick-me-up. Sheer curiosity will make you want to pass by, just to see what she's been up to.

A couple of weeks ago, her home tour was featured here on Apartment Therapy (see post).

Stylish, creative and pretty, I wouldn't have imagined her home to be any other way.

xoxo

Inspiration: Baby Showers

2011-02-23T20:51:00.000-05:00

There must be something in the water, because every week for the past month I happen to find out a friend of mine is pregnant! The latest one was secretly confessed today.

In honor of the beautiful moms-to-be, here's some baby shower inspiration. Which one's your favorite?

For the Classy Mom-to-be

For the Modern Mom-to-be

For the Chic Mom-to-Be

Images via: Hostess with the Mostess

xoxo

Balance

2011-02-20T19:20:00.004-05:00

Balance in life is key. It's something we all strive for - you know what they say, everything in moderation, right?

This weekend was the perfect balance in love, friendship, work and play.

Friend-time: My day off on Friday started with work (ironically) as I went through my marathon cleaning ritual (and a quick check of work emails - guilty). It the first time my good friend T would be coming over to our new place. It was so nice, just eating and chatting and playing legos with her adorable baby boy. Then the evening was spent with 'the girls' - we had wine and Indian take-out (girl's night!).
Family-time: My sister and I had breakfast with my mom and we surprised her with a Swarovski necklace.
Alone-time was spent watching Sex-and-the-City episodes and reading.
Boyfriend-time was spent watching movies, chatting and a little shopping. And now I'm here with
you. :)

How was your weekend?

Just as there should be balance in life there should be balance in your home. A perfect room (to me) has balance. Not in a picture-perfect, symmetrical kinda way though. Balance of warm and cool, soft and hard, old and new. A calm energy that flows.

I love the combination of rustic wood and modern decor. The theme here is black and white, one I'm rarely drawn to just because I find it so cold. But how can you go wrong when you capture sweet memories in modern, crisp black and white picture frames...surrounded by inviting and cozy elements such as rustic wood, flowers and plush pillows?

Images via: 1, 2, 3, 4

Sweet Romance

2011-02-13T18:37:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day friends...what are you up to this weekend? While I'm finally better and back to normal, my bf is now feeling under the weather (possibly a combination of my cold and working many long hours this week). So needless to say I think our little v-day celebration will be postponed.

The night isn't lost, I'm off to make some brownies (sprinkled with icing sugar of course, mmm)...but before I do, don't these look like some really sweet treats you can make for your honey?

(all recipes: marthastewart.com)

xoxo

Under the Weather, Under the Covers

2011-02-08T21:39:00.000-05:00

Pink luxury

Sweeties, how is your week going so far? Our city has endured quite the snow storm and now looks like a winter wonderland. As for me, I've had a pretty bad cold for almost a week, so I apologize for my absence. I spent as much time as possible under the covers this weekend.

As much as I love my cozy bed, our bedroom has yet to be revamped. So in the meantime, I can always dream it looks like one of these plush and cozy rooms, right?

Such calming neutral tones and love the velvety headboard

So soft and feminine

Yup, I can imagine sleeping in here...

....and here.

Imagine having this view from your bedroom?

xoxo

Images via: Living, etc., Elle Decor, Canadian House & Home

Romantic at Heart

2011-02-01T22:21:00.000-05:00

Photo via

It's February! We're that much closer to spring (!) and Valentine's is days away. Do you have anything special planned? Or perhaps you don't feel the need to play into all the commercial madness involving red heart-shaped chocolate boxes, singing cards and stuffed teddy bears.

A few simple yet sweet ideas for your Sweetie:

write a love letter
recreate your first date
give eachother home-made gifts
bake a delicious dessert
have a weekend get-away
or lock yourselves in for the weekend

If you're a romantic at heart, I'm sure you have some fabulous ideas up your sleeve? Do share.

xoxo

Inspired: The Happiness Project

2011-01-25T21:29:00.000-05:00

Photo via

So, there I was, stuck at the airport for the second day in a row (as mentioned here). What to do?

I was on my way back home, so no need to stress. But there were still a few hours to kill and since I've been reading a lot lately, decided to check out the books. Of course I'd heard of The Happiness Project and have skimmed through the website once or twice before, so I figured why not?

In case you're not familiar with this book, it's about a woman named Gretchen who realized one day that life was passing her by. She wasn't taking the time to appreciate the things that really mattered. Sound familiar?

Gretchen decided to start a year-long happiness project, where every month she focused on how to improve a different aspect of her life. Sure, she was happy, but couldn't she be just a little bit happIER?

Gretchen's happiness project:

January: Boost Energy (vitality)

February: Remember Love (marriage)

March: Aim Higher (work)

April: Lighten Up (parenthood)

May: Be Serious About Play (leisure)

June: Make Time for Friends (friendship)

July: Buy Some Happiness (money)

August: Contemplate the Heavens (eternity)

September: Pursue a Passion (books)

October: Pay Attention (mindfulness)

November: Keep a Contented Heart (attitude)

December: Boot Camp Perfect (happiness)

Gretchen's formula for happiness:

"To be happy, I need to think about feeling good, feeling bad and feeling right,

in an atmosphere of growth."

Of course I started to wonder, what would I put on my list if I decided to create my own happiness project? What are things I want to feel better about and improve? It's still early in the year, most of us are probably still sticking to the resolutions we've made, so the timing couldn't be more perfect.

So my dears, what would be on your list for your own happiness project? If you have done it, what aspects of your life did you focus on and were you happier?

(You can start your own Happiness Project here).

Daydreaming in January

2011-01-18T22:41:00.001-05:00

If you're like me, come January you suddenly find yourself daydreaming about the hot sun, the beach and when you'll be able to wear those cute summer sandals in your closet. Here's a little something to keep us going until we get to feel the sand in our toes again.

Photos via: Pretty Stuff

xoxo

La Merceria

2011-01-16T20:06:00.000-05:00

A Sweet Argentinian Café & Home Accessories Shop

Hello friends, how was your weekend? Mine was relaxing and productive which feels so good. Thursday and Friday where a whirlwind couple of days, as I was in Toronto for work. (I spent hours at the airport as both my flights were delayed, but that's off topic...) Anyway, time flew and next thing I knew I had an hour to kill before heading off to the airport to come back home.

I love discovering new and unique places when I travel, whether I happen to stumble upon them (like I did here in New York) or if it's by referral. There wasn't much time, I was tired and didn't feel like walking too much with my luggage. So I called my trusty Torontonian friend/colleague (who actually led me to this sweet boutique last September). She recommended I head to La Merceria, a sweet coffee shop that sells home accessories. Coffee + home accessories? Now you're talking my language! Even the name intrigued me - "Merceria" means 'notions' in Spanish.

This little coffee shop is located in Toronto's Fashion District, but with its tiny and quaint store-front I doubt I would have found this place on my own. As soon I walked in, I was welcomed by warmth, the smell of delicious coffee and a friendly atmosphere where everyone seemed to know eachother. After chatting with the friendly guys who worked there, I bought a couple of treats for myself. It's such a calm and inspiring space - a great way to spend a few hours on a chilly winter afternoon. :)

I sat here and enjoyed a delicious cappuccino

Cozy and inviting (photo via Decor 8)

Lovely candles n' things

I bought this notepad (photo via)

....and I couldn't resist buying one of their amazing hand creams.

They also carry adorable baby clothes & accessories from Dwell Studio

La Merceria
506 Adelaide Street West
Toronto, Ontario

Check out their blog, here.

Trend Alert: Honeysuckle

2011-01-09T18:44:00.000-05:00

Well I'm happy to say that Honeysuckle is the Pantone 2011 Color of the Year. I've always loved this color, from a very young age. I even painted my bedroom this color when I was a teenager. But back then I used to call it Pepto-Bismol-pink. Honeysuckle sounds so much prettier, doesn't it?

I would love to paint an accent wall somewhere in my home this color! Hmmm it just may show up somewhere...Does anyone have it in their home, whether it's your walls or a comfy arm chair? If so I would love to see pics!

Not quite Honeysuckle, but stunning nonetheless

Photos via: here, here, here, here, here

Chanel-inspired Bridal Shower

2011-01-05T21:15:00.000-05:00

Pink and black is one of my favorite color combos, so it's no wonder I'm smitten with the décor for this Chanel-inspired bridal shower. Before you know it, it will be spring (wishful thinking, I'm allowed). So if you're planning a shower or even a wedding, this to me is the perfect theme that will never go out of style...feminine-chic at it's best.

Pearls add an elegant touch

Personalized details make it extra special

Love chocolate-covered pretzels - yes, salty and sweet ;)

How sweet are these gift boxes?

Images via: Hostess with the Mostess

A Little Push....and Inspiration

2011-01-02T13:00:00.000-05:00

{My old neighborhood}

Well my friends, there's no better time than the present to set your goals for the new year. Last January, I did so by using Lululemon's goal setting site (as mentioned here). This morning, I received an email from my Lululemon goaltender and it seems I have not reached one of my goals by January 1, 2011! Hmmm, needless to say I was already aware of it, but getting an email definitely made an impact. And so, on the new list it goes. Must persevere!

What are the things you want most for yourself, for your life? Here are some ways to get the juices flowing. We all have to start somewhere....right?

To set your goals and stay on track with Lululemon's goat setting site, click here.

Create an INSPIRATION or VISION board like I did here.

A post on how to Makeunder your life...(and be sure to check out the site)

A motivational book I've read over and over....The Secret. Ask. Believe. Receive.

These movies will inspire you to dig deep and follow your heart to true happiness....Under the Tuscan Sun and Eat.Pray.Love. (I'm about to start reading the book)

Is there someone you look up to who inspires you? How did they get to where they are? Some very inspiring women who seem to have it all:

Bloggers: Holly, Emily, Jora

Celebs: Martha, Jennifer, Tori

These are some blogs that inspire me, all for different reasons...Cupcakes and Cashmere, decor8, A Cup of Jo, Love Notes by Amy, Penelope Loves Lists... and some other websites....Living, etc., Etsy, Style Me Pretty.

xoxo

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T11:58:00.000-05:00

It's been a wonderful year and I'm so happy to have been able to share it with you! This is my new agenda for 2011 and I can't wait to fill up the clean, fresh pages with plans, to-do lists and important dates to remember.

So my lovelies, how will you be celebrating the new year tonight? Will you be staying in with friends or going out on the town? I'll be celebrating with my boyfriend and close friends at one of their homes, with martinis (of course) and delicious amuses bouches.

I hope that wherever you will be, your night will be filled with much love, laughter and happiness.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T18:08:00.001-05:00

Photo via

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you're having a wonderful time with your families.

xoxox

Who You Are

2010-12-19T20:05:00.003-05:00

"One of the hardest things to realize," she said "is that our 'someday' is right now". - unknown

So as the year is coming to an end and we scramble to buy gifts and turkeys and decorations for our homes...these little thoughts keep creeping into my mind.

We look back at the year that has passed: at our accomplishments, our failures. What we could have done better...And isn't comforting to know at the same time there is another new year, right around the corner? Fresh, without mistakes. Open for amazing opportunities. A chance to try new things or make things right.

For once, I promised myself not to stress during the holidays. And I think it's working, kinda.

It's okay that we will only get our couch in 10-12 weeks and not in time to entertain my family (we bought a sofa today, yay!). I don't need to buy new decorations this year (as mentioned in this post). As my grandmother said today, they don't care what color the walls are or what kind of furniture we have. They are coming to be with us.

Certain responsibilities and stress can take over sometimes. Time flies and next thing you know, well, it's Christmas. It's so important to stay true to yourself. Who you love, what you love, what you need, what you want, who you are.

Always one to make a fresh list of New Year's resolutions (often with repeats), here are some that have been creeping into my mind lately. I'd love to know, what are yours?

Be thankful for what I have and count my blessings.

Persevere and continue to follow my own path.

Keep loved ones even closer.

Home is where the heart is. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

Make more time to be free, run, laugh, escape, imagine...

Be in nature...a lot.

Love and let love in.

Make more time to Create. To be me.

xoxox

Images via A Life Through the Lens

Hollywood Glam New Year's

2010-12-12T23:08:00.001-05:00

If you're planning a chic New Year's party, here's some glam inspiration by none other than one of my faves, Amy Atlas. I love how she thinks outside the box yet again, celebrating with Tiffany blue and magenta instead of traditional silver and gold.

Images via: Amy Atlas

Red and Gold Baubles

2010-12-05T17:10:00.001-05:00

It's officially the holiday season: the ground is covered with snow, malls are playing cheery Christmas music and office parties are just around the corner.

This weekend we put up our tree! Like every year, I proceed with my trimming-of-the-tree ritual, which for some reason gets me all mushy and sentimental (as mentioned here). Last year, I went for a more modern look, with pink and pewter decor. But this year, I wanted to go back to the basics with a more traditional look. Back to red and gold baubles and hand-made ornaments (pictures to come in the next few weeks - we still have to paint the living room!).

I realized that when I was growing up, our tree was decorated with all kinds of decorations and different colored baubles. What I remember most isn't what the tree looked like; the fun part was decorating it together, as a family.

Sure it's fun to buy new Christmas decorations, in the trendy colors of the season. But when it comes down to it, Christmas is really about spending time with family, loved ones and close friends.

Here, some cozy Christmas cottage photos. Wouldn't it be lovely to spend the holidays in a home like this?

xoxox

Images via: Apartment Therapy

Style Icon: Rachel Bilson

2010-11-25T23:30:00.001-05:00

The perfect dress

We all know and love her as 'Summer Roberts', from The O.C. Rachel Bilson captured everyone's hearts as the sassy girl next door, including her smitten on and off-screen boyfriend at the time, 'Seth Cohen' (Adam Brody). Since then she's been attached to Canadian cutie, Hayden Christensen. They broke off their engagement in August, but things are looking up for Rachel: they're back together and soon she'll be starring in a new television series written by the creator/executive producer of The O.C. called, "Ghost Angeles". She seems so down-to-earth and always looks amazing without trying too hard. Gotta love her!

Rachel and Adam (Seth!)

love these sandals!

with current beau, Hayden

Sources: here, here, here, here, here, here

I'm a Homebody

2010-11-21T20:31:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am indeed a homebody. A happy one at that. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about socializing and mingling, going for dinners and such. But in the past few years I've really come to appreciate the comforts of home and home entertaining. No matter how long you're gone, it's always nice to come back. Here are some things I love about my home:

Our quiet neighborhood is surrounded by trees
the warmth when you walk in from a cold day
watching the squirrels chase eachother from my kitchen window
the open space and being able to keep things organized
the calming stillness on a Sunday morning
the smell of vanilla-scented candles
coming home to my boyfriend's open arms
his delicious home-cooked meals
our dark bedroom and cozy, cozy bed

It's hard to explain, but when we first saw this house I just felt it had such a happy and calm energy to it and knew right away it was the one. Has that ever happened to you? In our last place, often I'd wake up in the night or not feel rested in the morning. But that all changed since we've been here.

What are the things that make your home, "Home"?

Image: via

Cheery Baby Rooms

2010-11-12T22:27:00.000-05:00

Not too long ago I wrote about my love for neutral-colored baby rooms (here). However, when I came across these sweet spaces on Ohdeedoh, I just had to share.

Sweeties, I'm off to Washington tomorrow morning, so I'll be back here next weekend. I wish you all a wonderful week!

xoxo

...owls are really growing on me...

So nice to see such a stylish baby boy's room!

...love the contrast of the blue and grey.

Precious!

Never too young to have a chandelier in your room!

Tori and Dean: Sweet Wedding

2010-11-10T07:47:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, you grew up watching Tori Spelling on Beverly Hills 90210. At the time my favorites on the show were Tiffani Thiessen and Jennie Garth. (Tidbit: recently I met Kathleen Robertson who played "Clare" at the Toronto International Film Festival and was admittedly a bit starstruck! - she's stunning and so sweet in person).

In the past couple of years, I've become a Tori fan, since watching her reality show with Canadian husband Dean McDermott, Home Sweet Hollywood . I was pleasantly surprised to discover how witty, down-to-earth and business-savvy she is. Not to mention she has impeccable good taste! A few months ago they renewed their vows, in style of course.

Images: via

I'll Have a Grande Vanilla Soy Latte, Please

2010-11-06T18:32:00.000-04:00

What a cozy fall weekend it is...are you doing anything special? So far my weekend has been quiet but enjoyable. Lastnight my boyfriend and I stayed in and rented a movie (a thriller, which to be honest I can only watch with him, I'm just too much of a scaredy-cat to watch those alone).

This morning I had breakfast with my mom and grandma - a Saturday morning ritual we've kept going for years. I was so happy to spend time with them; as life gets busier it's been harder to make it every week. Then after a relaxing lunch at home, I proceeded to the mall for the rest of the afternoon. Ran some errands and bought two new dresses (I just LOVE dresses!).

I'm thinking tomorrow I'll relax at home in the morning and possibly go to the nearby Starbucks to get my favorite coffee there - a grande vanilla soy latte. As much as no one wants to admit it, it's kinda nice ordering your special, custom-made drink, isn't it? What's your fave Starbucks beverage?

xoxo

Image: Starbucks.com

Eva Mendes

2010-11-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

I'm loving this photo shoot of Eva Mendes for W Magazine - she's so naturally beautiful and quite captivating. You almost have to wonder what she's really thinking...

Sweet Debate: Salty or Sweet?

2010-10-26T22:39:00.001-04:00

Martha Stewart's Tiramisu cupcake (click here for recipe)

So, the Sweet Debates are back and yet another one revolving around food! The weather is getting colder outside and it's only natural to crave some good ol' comfort food. What I want to know is: what do you crave more - salty or sweet?

Some might ask, is there really any question? Sweet, of course! Chocolate-anything, cookies, donuts, cake... Isn't it just so satisfying after dinner to have a little sweet dessert?

Or, would you rather have more 'meal' and no dessert at all? Do you crave salty chips and popcorn instead?

Three o'clock rolls around and you suddenly find yourself sneaking to the vending machine (you know who you are).....

Now, there's a little twist in this debate. Yup, there's an option C. Do you ever crave both salty and sweet at the same time? Stay with me. You're at the movies...say, watching Eclipse (I'm team Jacob, btw!). It's dark...and you're eating delicious, warm popcorn. The salty butter is just melting in your mouth. What could make this moment any better you ask? Yummy, chocolatey M&M's!

Oh yes. This, my friends, has become my latest addiction. (Another amazing combo: caramel and fleur de sel).

So allow me to rephrase myself, what do you crave most: salty, sweet or both?

Image: Martha Stewart

Happy Pink-O-Ween! by Amy Atlas

2010-10-21T01:25:00.000-04:00

Check out Amy Atlas' Pink-O-Ween sweet table. I've noticed a lot of purple in this year's Halloween decorations but I'm loving what she did with pink! So refreshing.

Cozy Basement

2010-10-17T20:31:00.002-04:00

So, I've written about what my my dream home office would be like, my dream closet, my dream laundry room, my dream garden...never did I think about my dream...basement?

Well, it seems we have one now and we're completely renovating it. I'm talking: pulling down and rebuilding walls, carpets, floors, stairs...Where oh where to begin? The walls are almost completely up and we've been looking at flooring but there are so many options...A bit overwhelming so I would love to hear your suggestions! The different areas will be: a media room, home office, laundry room and storage room.

My dream basement would be modern rustic...the walls will be light-colored so I would love to cozy it up with a plush area rug, thick-knit blankets, furry pillows and lots of candles! Movie nights are big for us so we'll also be sure to get a comfy couch and big screen TV.

Ah, I can just imagine snuggling up on a Friday night with my hot chocolate (or a glass of white wine...), under my favorite blanket watching a cheesy romantic comedy. I can't wait!

xoxo

Images: Living, etc., Apartment Therapy

Rue Magazine

2010-10-08T07:28:00.000-04:00

Have you seen the new on-line magazine, Rue? The premier issue is 250 + pages of pure design heaven. Stylish homes, design tips and entertainment inspiration... My favorite room? Check out the spread on page 167. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy...hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Images: Rue Magazine

xoxo

It's the Little Things

2010-10-05T01:03:00.001-04:00

It really is the little things, that make a difference. The moments in your day that bring a smile to your face or make you realize something you never did before.

Random acts of kindness, a knowing look between friends, crying with laughter over something so silly, love notes in unexpected places, a surprise visit...

Then there are the little things we do for ourselves. Reorganizing your bedroom closet, watching a funny movie, painting your nails in a bright and happy color, taking a long bath before bed, enjoying a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning...

What are the little things that make a difference in your life?

Images: Etsy - A Life Through the Lens

That's me

2010-10-04T07:15:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had a caricature done of yourself? I was a little hesitant at first, but the moment presented itself so I figured why not. Whether you agree with the outcome or not, it's interesting to see how someone else sees you!

Home Sweet Home

2010-09-27T08:22:00.001-04:00

This past weekend my boyfriend and I moved from our tiny apartment into a charming 2-storey townhouse. It's been quite the week, finishing some last minute packing and getting ready for the move. Luckily we had movers - it's funny you don't realize how much you have until you have to pack it all up! Which is fine, since we finally have the space for everything now. Things I'm looking forward to:

Having a home office, instead of blogging from the kitchen table
Entertaining family and friends
Having barbecue dinners and tanning on our patio
Finally getting a new, modern couch
Cooking more often in our big kitchen
Football Sundays - my boyfriend will watch the game in our basement, hence I'll have the rest of the house to myself :)
Decorating, of course!!

xoxo

Image: Etsy (Cloudninecreative)

Get Cozy this Fall with: Camel & Grey

2010-09-19T19:24:00.002-04:00

One of Fall's biggest trends is camel and grey....and I particularly love them paired together! This cozy color combo is perfection in your closet and it's sophisticated flair can also be easily transcended into your home. To get the look: accent wood and leather with soft wool textures in different shades of grey.

Note: If you scroll down, there are 2 more posts for today :)

Images: Living, etc., Polyvore

The birth story

2010-09-19T18:11:00.000-04:00

image source {here}

So I know I have quite a bit of catching up to do here, hence the multiple posts today...(gulping with guilt)...but I'm back now and I'm not going anywhere... Blogland is filled with lots of fun and interesting ideas, photos, inspiration. But every once in a while, there are certain posts you come across that you never forget, you know? I wanted to share with you this touching story by Jora, a mother of three and the author of Domestic Reflections. This is especially for all of you soon-to-be-moms out there. Enjoy. xox

The birth story part 1

The birth story part 2

How to survive the first seven weeks

Teatro Verde

2010-09-19T17:11:00.001-04:00

Teatro Verde

Last week I had the pleasure of discovering this gorgeous store tucked away on a little street in the posh neighborhood of Yorkville in Toronto. Each section had it's own whimsical charm and took me to another place...the luxurious fabrics and furniture, stunning floral pieces and original gift ideas were just heavenly!

Back Soon...

2010-09-12T21:45:00.000-04:00

Hello friends...I apologize for my absence! I'm in Toronto and have been here since Wednesday on business, for the Toronto International Film Festival. Yesterday was my birthday and so spending it out of town and away from loved ones was a first for me. But the week is buzzing by and I'm meeting sooo many great people, it's been a great experience so far. Walking back to our hotel today, we saw Minnie Driver walking the red carpet!

I'll be back at the end of the week but you can follow me on twitter in the meantime! I'll also leave you with a few of my favorite daily reads. Be back soon!

Cupcakes and Cashmere

xoxoxo

Feminine Chic Bridal Shower

2010-09-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

If you're planning a bridal shower for next Spring/Summer, here's some inspiration. I love the idea of having a vintage-inspired tea party outdoors. What makes this shower special is that there is no specific color palette here - they used so many beautiful, bright, feminine colors. This will definitely go on Blushing and Sweet's list of faves!

Love the different colored dresses and bright wrapping paper

Stunning flowers

Perfection

Yumm

Love this idea

Delicate beauty

How pretty is that?

Cheers to good friends....

Fun, Feminine and Flirty

Images: Ruffled Blog

1 Year...

2010-08-30T06:52:00.001-04:00

Image

Blushing and Sweet turns 1 today! I want to thank you for all your comments, emails and support this past year, they mean so much. I can't wait to see what the next year brings!

Here's a look back...(posts attached, click on the link)...

Fall Glam

2010-08-26T23:10:00.000-04:00

Lancôme

Say hello to luscious lips this fall! The it colors come in sultry berry shades and the classic red pout is back (don't get me started on the leopard print...that's a whole other post). A flawless complexion, smudged liner and long waves soften and complete the look. It's all about glam and feminine style.

I can't wait to add some of these colors to my collection! What do you think of this season's trends?

Giorgio Armani

Chanel

Burberry

Chanel

Images via: here, here, here, here and here

Last Days of Summer

2010-08-23T08:14:00.000-04:00

It's Monday morning...and the last week of August. It was a rainy, rainy weekend over here, so I hope to enjoy the last bits of summer sunshine in the next week or so. What do you have planned in these last days of summer?

Happy Monday!

Image: Martha Stewart

Mi Casa Es Su Casa

2010-08-17T07:50:00.002-04:00

A foyer is your guest's first glimpse to your home and sets the tone for what's ahead. A first impression, really. The same way a wedding invitation gives you a glimpse as to what type of wedding you'll be attending - will it be elegant, intimate, country-chic, modern?

Essentially you are welcoming friends and family into your home, so it's important that this space is clean and inviting no matter what your decorating style is. What does your entrance say about you and your home?

A New Season, Fresh Start

2010-08-11T07:50:00.001-04:00

Summer is slowly coming to an end and I can't help but feel a little bit anxious for those cozy Fall days to come. A new season, crisp air and evenings spent sipping hot chocolate. I also can't wait because we'll be moving next month! That means more space and fun decorating projects (which of course I'll be sharing here with you)! For now though, the focus is on getting things organized and packed. Where to begin? The kitchen? Closets? Finding space for all these boxes in the meantime should be quite interesting...This is where I come you my friends, any advice is much appreciated! xox

Image: Living,etc.

Summer in Vermont

2010-08-06T08:28:00.000-04:00

This year, my boyfriend and I spent the July 4th weekend in Bolton Valley, Vermont. We've been a couple of times before and have loved it every time. This time however, had to be the most relaxing getaway ever!

We stayed at a quaint little inn tucked deep in the mountains. Much of the time was spent at the pool and then winding down (even more) in our private jacuzzi. The July 4th festivities consisted of enjoying an outdoor concert and fireworks at Lake Champlain. We spent one of our mornings at The Ben and Jerry's Factory Tour, which was enjoyable and quite sweet (literally).

We felt miles away from everything and everyone. Just enjoying the nature, being surrounded by the gorgeous mountains and breathing in the fresh air...lazing around the pool and taking our time at a little wine tasting tour. We brought a bottle of our favorite wine back with us.

What are you up to this weekend? Perhaps a little getaway?

Have a great weekend everyone! xo

Dry Bar

2010-08-04T08:11:00.000-04:00

No cuts. No color. Just blowouts. $35. That's what the gorgeous Dry Bar in L.A. is offering, and how cool is that? You can order cuts such as the Straight Up and Mai Tai (my favorites), Southern Comfort, Cosmopolitan and Manhattan. They offer several other services and it seems worth checking out! A similar salon concept will be coming to Montreal soon, Bleu Blow Dry Bar. More details to come! What's a better pick me up than having fabulous hair?

Great to be a Girl

2010-07-31T07:17:00.000-04:00

a woman's touch: flowers, beautiful color combos and inviting scents

It's a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning and soon I will be on my way for a much needed massage! I can't wait and it's something I plan on doing more often. Lastnight I did my own mani-pedi at home (a pinky-berry color, Ate Berries in the Canaries by OPI) for a bridal shower that I'll be going to later this afternoon. A nice girly weekend so far, sounds good to me. What are you doing this weekend?

xox

Image: Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful