Books....

Just a quick post, as I'm SO swamped right now....I apologize in advance if I can't post as often as I'd like to for the next little while (maybe on the weekend I can get some posts pre-written and scheduled....)

Last night I decided to take a break from my usual night time reading (the 4th installment of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon) to read this:

A coworker recommended it to me, and it looks like a quick, easy read, so I thought I'd try it! The prologue definitely caught my attention, and now I can't wait to see if it lives up to the review I heard...Plus, the movie is coming out soon too...that's a plus (even though they're never as good as the book!)...

And no, for those wondering (those who know how much I LOVE the Twilight series -- the BOOKS, not the movies!), I had no idea Robert Pattinson was in the movie...

Chalkboards

As I read my daily blogs, I can't help but notice the craze for CHALKBOARDS in a home, can you? And, I'm not sure about you, but I'm DYING to put one in our house.  Nina,  from Stylizimo, has a DIY Chalkboard in her kitchen, and Kate over at Centsational Girl uses Chalkboard Paint constantly!  And I'm STILL in love with them!  My hubby thinks chalk is too messy, but did you know there's CHALKBOARD PENS!?!? (I learned of this over at Centsational Girl... haven't had a chance to check them out, google them, or even find out where I can buy them -- and I don't go to Michael's regularly)

What do you think of chalkboards? I'd love to put a long, thin one in our kitchen between the fridge and the pantry door...

via Stylizimo



via Centsational Girl




Kate at Centsational Girl even covered her kids' little table with chalkboard paint...Brilliant!!!
via Centsational Girl



via Centsational Girl

Do you have a chalkboard in your home? Or would you put one? Make one? Buy one?  I think it's a great way to keep track of groceries needed, or where someone should be, or pass along a phone message...or just a great place to write "I Love You".....

Vintage Trunks

A recent post from Shannon over at What's Up Whimsy made me remember this link I had saved....vintage trunks and suitcases. What a great way to reinvent something old and make it new again!  It's Modern Vintage Drawer Furniture, by Schubladen.  I can imagine this sort of thing in a cottage somewhere, can't you?

{images via}

I hope you have a good weekend! I am off early to head to the mountains...again! (this time, Lake Louise!) Enjoy!

Welcome!

I started blogging a few months ago, and I've really enjoyed it.  I started out with 2 followers (my sister-in-laws, who pushed me to do what I knew I wanted...), and I just wanted to give a huge shout out and "WELCOME!" to my new followers.  I struggled for a long time on whether or not I should blog, and I'm glad I did.  I am so greatful and thankful that you have decided to join me and follow my adventures in the world of blogging, and to anyone out there who I may have inspired to start their own blog, and to those who have helped (and continue to) inspire me!

This may be long overdue, but Thank You!! And, to everyone out there, Welcome!

via

For a list of those who inspire me, just take a look at my ever-growing "Blogs I Love" list...

Fabric Hunting for Pillows

I haven't had a chance to make it to Earthly Goods Quilting in Edmonton (as recommended by Christine at just bella) to search for fabric yet for pillows (I think I'm waiting 'til the house is painted, so I can get a better idea for the couch). But in the meantime, I discovered Tonic Living through Rambling Renovators blog, and I've found myself searching and finding possible options for some throw pillows for my master bedroom....

What do you think of these? (click here to see my current bedroom, newly painted lamps, and possible artwork...)



Chelsea, Kelp



Feeling Groovy, spa

Dapper Stripe, Robin's Egg

Large Whimsy Doozie, Teal

Outdoor - Soho, Robin

Qautrefoils, Breeze

Stanford, Teal

Sweet William, Teal

Varenna, Chocolate

Fruitbowl

{all images via Tonic Living}

I love the softer shades of blue, but the teals would work well if I put up my teal artwork...but the softer shades would work better if I choose a soft shade for the lamp base... I suppose I could mix a few fabrics for pillows, right??

In some of the pics from Rambling Renovators trip to Tonic Living in Toronto, you can see the Fruitbowl fabric, and a version of Chelsea and Feeling Groovy in different colors..... hmmm...

Income Property

Do any of you watch Income Property on HGTV? Well, it's usually ME in the house who watches those kind of shows. But the other day, I caught my hubby watching Income Property.  Of course I joined in (my kind of show!!), and I loved the outcome of this basement suite. Specifcally the entrance slatwall (made of leftover toe kicks from the kitchen cabinets).  I instantly thought we should do one (although, my hubby quickly pointed out that there's no where in the house to actually put one....)....sigh.... I just thought it'd be a great way to put some decorative coat hooks on the wall (so that people actually hang their coats up when they visit us!! Everyone walks up the 4 stairs first, instead of stopping at the entrance and taking their coat off and hanging it in the closet...which, by the way, also currently has NO DOORS on it and there are a TONNE of hangers!!)....ok, my little rant is done now....

At first, this is the slatwall that caught my attention....

(excuse the poor images...HGTV doesn't make it easy to re-post pics....)

But as I looked at the images on the internet, I also thought I'd share a few more....

In the before image, the inset shelves looked out of place...but in the finished product, they made good use of the space and they look intentionally made. (photo tip: when taking pics of bathrooms, ALWAYS put the seat down....heck, just put the seat down ALL THE TIME!!) *smile*

It's not an overly large room, but they made great use of the space!

I told my hubby THIS is the office chair I want. I am in L-O-V-E (see here)...by the way, I know my hubby doesn't read my blog very often, but when you do catch up, just know that there's a Crate and Barrel where your brother lives, and that chair can be found there...hint hint....(good present idea!) [and if not FOUND there, it can probably be SHIPPED there!]

This kitchen was AWFUL before (see here). All they did to the cabinets was get new doors! Seriously!! A company came in and recovered the sides and added new custom doors. What a beautiful basement suite now!

{all image via HGTV.ca}

How I spent my Sunday...

This is how I spent my Sunday... What about you?










More pics to follow at a later date... For now, just know that spray painting is a little more complicated than it sounds and looks! I was glad my dad was willing to help me out. We had a few hiccups. But got through it just fine! I'm happy with the results!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My Master Bedroom...lamp dilemma #2 (continued....)

As you may recall from last week, I want to turn my lamp (and my hubby approved!) from this:

To this:

But I need this:

Any ideas on where to get Krylon spray paint from in Edmonton?  It seems to be the most recommended spray paint for projects like this.... (and I hate running around across town chasing a product I have no idea where it's located....).  If I can find out today, maybe I can jump start the project tomorrow??  I also need some burlap...but that can wait (for now).

Let me know! Have a great weekend!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Nothing decor on here today...unless you count OFFICE DECOR???

This is what we've done the last few times around our office...

This is what we did over the course of someone's 3 week holiday... (don't worry, those are USED post-it notes!)

And don't try to hide your birthday from us......

And you may remember this from Christmas....



Ah....this is just some of the office fun we've been having lately!!  Enjoy!

Black and White Delight

Have you heard of House of Turquoise? Well, if so (and if not...), did you know Erin also has a blog for every color?? Ok...maybe I'm exaggerating on the EVERY color part, but I did find her Black and White Delight one, and I'm LOVING it.... I love damask, and I love black and white... hello! Perfect for me! Just to name a few, here are some crazy and cool finds:

Just thought I'd share!! She finds some amazing stuff...I'm sure she does with every other color too!!

Come Visit Me...

I'm so excited to share with you that I'm GUEST POSTING over at fellow Canadian, Staci Edwards Design blog.  Come visit me there today (I'm talking about a favorite interior)!!

I can't tell you how honored I was just to be asked!! (I mean, I've only been blogging for a few months now....so exciting!!)

Warehouse Conversion

I stumbled upon (no pun intended) this beautiful warehouse conversion via a friend on facebook (who links his twitter account and tweeted about it -- which, by the way, I'm still on the fence about...do I join twitter? Do I not? I don't get the hype of it, but maybe I will if I join?! Am I missing out?).  Anyways, take a look at this stunning 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom residence (on sale in Melbourne, Australia).  I'm captivated by the tall ceilings, exposed rafters, HUGE archways, brick walls, etc etc.... isn't it gorgeous??

And luckily, they had a floor plan as well (for people like me!!)

{images via Stumble Upon}