My New Hobby!

It is considered a hobby when you think about something often, look forward to it, get a slight high from it - and can shopping qualify? Okay, not just any shopping, my new hobby (or slightly new obsession, whatever) is vintage shopping! Ironically, I used to live one block off the vintage shopping mecca of Vancouver and now that I've moved I find myself drawn back to this area for the vintage finds. On my way to a doctors appointment yesterday, I made a slight detour and found some great items. My photos don't do them justice (yes, I NEED to take a photography course!), but I love adding these pieces, that could probably tell an interesting, story to our home. Here's a few of my latest finds. Hobby to be continued...Enjoy!

I love this cute, vintage picture of a little girl gardening for my daugher's room

And...I really love the price!

A nice milk glass vase for my growing collection in my kitchen

And, yes he looks a little rough, but this chair is so cute in my kitchen and is the right shade of blue.

It's got character!

HGTV-Take it Outside!

Well, it's beginning to look a lot like Spring here in Vancouver. We had a nice weekend of some sunshine and warmer temperatures which gets everyone excited to break out the open toed shoes and hit the patio. My husband is very into the design of our new deck. It's being built in about a month, I'll share some before and after pics. This got me thinking about the incredible opportunity we had in 2008, thanks to our friend Vicky. We were part of the Home and Garden TV show Take it Outside. This was done at our previous home. The designer was Kelly Deck, who I adore. They took a very drab, unused space and turned it into a backyard oasis! The entire process took about 3 weeks and I was due with our first baby about a week after that! Here are some before and after shots of the space (sorry - the first after shot is very grainy). I don't know if it ever looked quite as pretty again as this day, but thought this would provide some nice inspiration. Enjoy....

The BEFORE shots...

The AFTER...

My Version of a DIY!

As I've mentioned before I'm not the craftiest of people, but I try once and a while. I admire all those great DIY projects I see out there in blog land. Well, here's a non-crafty gals version of a DIY. I needed new pictures for our bedroom. I'm slowly changing the look of this room (slowly being the key word) and wanted a pop of colour in the room without spending a small fortune on art. Well, I think I succeeded. I took some scraps of this beautiful (and very pricey) wallpaper my mom had, put it into 2 Ikea frames....and voila, I've created a great piece of art! The cost was about $20 per picture and took me a total of 10 minutes to do. Now, this is my kind of project. I've included a few pics below. I will also post some upcoming pics of them actually hung in the room. Enjoy...

The Before: scrap paper and frame

The finished Product!

Kale Chips!

So, my friend has been telling me how good these Kale chips are she's making. I've been a bit of a doubter on this one. Kale and chips do not belong in the same sentence! Well, in an attempt to satisfy curiosity and possibly find an alternative to all the real junk food I've been snacking on lately I gave them a whirl. First try - honestly, was not a success - I burnt them! That was my fault. I made a second batch last night using a recipe from Do it Delicious. These babies turned out great. Now, I still don't think they should be called a chip, let's be real. But, they were crispy, salty and I felt like this was a great way to eat this "super food" called Kale. I thought I'd share the recipe I used with all you non-believers out there as well. Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

- 1 large bunch of Kale

- 3 tablespoons of Olive Oil

- Salt and Parmesan cheese to taste

Directions:

Heat the oven to 300°F. Pull the kale leaves from the stem; discard the stem. Tear the leaves into 3-inch pieces (8 to 10 cups total) and place on a rimmed sheet pan. Toss with the oil and rub to evenly coat each leaf. Arrange in a single layer and bake until crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool, then sprinkle with salt and Parmesan to taste before serving.

Ikea: It's a Love/Hate Thing...

I have had a list of things I needed to get at Ikea for about 4 months now. I seem to avoid going there. The crowded parking lot, the hunt through the endless maze to find what you're looking for and inevitably, the huge total my bill ends up being! Well, it happened again. I went with a specific list, items I "needed" and drove away with a packed car being very careful of any turns I took as a box might end up bonking me on the head. On the positive side...Ikea has some great stuff. I went through a time where I banned Ikea as I wanted to have some more quality items. I now love incorporating their products into my home. Here are  few things I found that I love mixed with other decor. I don't think they scream "Ikea." Enjoy...

This pillow was so nice, velvet texture, feather filled and I think under $30!

This one would look great with the pillow above.

Nice textured throw blanket

I know the curtain quality is not always the greatest, but these were very nice and they're my colours!

Paper Wall Animals!

I have less than 6 months to put together a gender neutral nursery. This may sound like a long time but with everything else going on I'm starting to at least get some inspiration going. I've decorated a baby girl's nursery and that was fun and actually quite easy. This time around we don't know if it's a girl or boy so here we go. I have of course looked to Sarah Richardson for ideas. One thing she did recently was added a vintage wall decal to a child's room. It looked great but they are hard to find and pricey. I came across this idea and even though I'm not the craftiest of people, I'm going to give it a whirl. All I have to do is cut out the stencils and find some funky wrapping paper to use. Easy right?! I'll keep you posted on the results. Here is a pic below of what I'm referring to. I'm liking this colour palette of greens, blues, white and black - then once we know just add a bit more blue or a dash of pink! Enjoy...

Style at Home

This is a fresh way of decorating your child’s room using vibrant materials you have around the house. Download these stencils then follow the steps below.

Tools and Supplies:

• Old wrapping paper, old wallpaper remnants
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Non toxic craft glue
• Smoothing tool or credit card

How To:

1. Using animal stencils or using your own design, trace your desired animal shape onto the back of the chose wallpaper or wrapping paper
2. Cut out the shapes
3. Using the craft glue generously coat the back of the shapes
4. Stick the shape to the wall where you would like it and smooth out any excess glue and bubbles with the smoothing tool working from the centre of the shape outwards.

Picture Perfection!

I can't stop looking at this picture of Kelly Wearstler. It's perfect. Her style is fantastic and I'm so excited she is coming out with a jewelry line! If it's anything like her interiors, it will be amazing. Okay, back to this picture. It made me think...when you've got it, you've got it. You know what I mean? Some people just ooze style and great taste and the best is when it looks very effortless. The shoes, the bag (LOVE) the jeans, the rings (I think they're from her line)....all so perfect. I'm dreaming as I working from home in yoga pants and old t-shirt! Enjoy...

My life, My vibe

New Years Goals in March?

I can't believe we're already 2 months into 2011. I feel like everything I set out in December has already changed and I need to wipe the slate clean and start fresh with what I want to accomplish/do/learn etc this year. I have been feeling under the weather and bogged down with work the past little while where I've lost the fun factor of the simple things lately. I was reading the blog Enjoying the Small Things which always gives me a kick in the butt to get out of my funk and focus on all the fun things around me. So in an attempt to start my 2011 list again of things I want to do/learn/achieve - I'm going to put it out there to blog land and keep you posted on my progress. I'm keeping this list simple and fun (unlike my usual very serious goal setting). So here goes my list from now until the end of summer. Wish me luck!


1. Spend an afternoon at the library with my daughter (my dear friend M.H. inspired me on this one)
2. Learn to use the BBQ
3. Finish decorating our bedroom on a budget
4. Hang pictures in our basement
5. Start up yoga again
6. Make my office a bit more pretty now that I work from home a bit
7. Go for many after dinner walks (once time change hits)
8. Ride my bike with my daughter every Saturday or Sunday
9. Finish at least 2 books from book club (I'm a slacker)
10.Write weekly in my journal I started for my daughter
11. Print and hang some of the many disorganized photos we have (organizing will be for another time!)
12. Learn to use my camera better
13. Start the transformation of a "big girl" room for my daughter
14. Plan less and let the magic of spontaneity happen! (yes, I'm the type to fill up the calendar and think of making plans instead of wondering what I want/need to do)


Wish me luck...

Mom Turns 60...

Both my mom and dad are celebrating their 60th birthday's this year. One in April and the other in May. Pressure is on. Party? A small dinner? And...what about the gift. I have no clue for my father at this point, so let's focus on mom. Here are a couple options I'm considering. Please feel free to share any ideas you have! Enjoy...

A lovely horse photo. Now, my mom is not a horse gal in the traditional sense, but she loves style and has mentioned she liked some of the horse paintings/photos etc that have been featured in all the home mags the past year or so. Here is the one I'm considering. Christine from Bijou and Boheme was kind enough to send it to me after featured on her blog. Framed, I think this could be a beauty.

Lindsey photography

And here's an example of how it could look...

Another option or to go along with this is the clutches I've been oogling about previously. The leopard one with a personalized message sewn inside. Nice, right?





Cory Renee clutch

Or...and this is probably my favourite - a beautiful painting from one of my mom's favourite artists and mine, Kimberley Johnston. My mom has a piece of hers already and it's unique and beautiful!

After this I draw a blank, but I think these options are pretty good. Now, the party planning!