Red Glasses

Pink and Yellow for the Patio

Caroline — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:03:24 +0000

These IKEA patio product shots make me dream of summer. The pink and yellow are so fun and lively!

Hey it’s already February 1st – summer is just a few months away! *eye roll*

Images courtesy IKEA Canada.

A Plateful of Sin

Caroline — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:32:46 +0000

I am tickled by the seven deadly sins in plate format. What a funny use of these grandma-style floral antiques! The set of 7 plates was for sale on Etsy, but alas it has sold. I guess the 7 virtues will have to do.

Thanks to sfgirlbybay for sharing!

Pretty Polish

Caroline — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:10:47 +0000

I have a serious love for doing my nails in fun colours. When I got overly busy last year doing my nails got left by the wayside, but I sorely missed it! On Sunday I did my nails for the first time in several months – with Essie’s Merino Cool – and it made me so happy.

I love your classic reds and pinks but also more original colours, like beiges, taupes, browns, greens, mints, oranges and sparkly polishes! A little peek into my collection below…

Are you in the habit of doing your nails? What are your fave colours?

Hudson’s Bay Point Blankets

Caroline — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:32:23 +0000

Hudson’s Bay Company point blankets are a common feature in many Canadian households. My own family had one that was older than me! I’ve noticed them on a few interior design blogs lately, so I thought I’d find out a bit more about them.

In fact, these classic yet cozy blankets were used as currency in the beaver pelt trade that first drew Europeans to the area that came to be known as Canada. Says the CBC: “First given to Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples in exchange for beaver pelts in 1780, the HBC point blanket has since been used in everything from fashion to bedding to canoe repair.”

They’re called “point blankets” because of the French term “empointer,” which means “to make threaded stitches on cloth.”

And finally, the most “famous” HBC point blanket – the one with the gren, red and yellow stripes – was introduced in 1800.

Photo credits: Scout & Catalogue, Marion House Book (x2), Design Sponge (x2)

To Covet

Caroline — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:36:55 +0000

It’s a wee bit materialistic but the “coveteur” in me loves to ogle the different wardrobes featured on The Coveteur. Also love the idea of using jewellery, shoes and clothes as home decor items. I wonder what the Boo would think if I displayed my Louboutin heels next to the TV?

Images: The Coveteur

Queen of the Castle

Caroline — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:17:11 +0000

Castle is an Australian brand created by Rachel Castle that makes the loveliest handmade linens and artwork. Most recently they’ve teamed up with another company, Gorman, to launch a clothing line inpsired by the Castle aesthetic. The products are total eye candy, don’t you think?

Photos from Castle’s website and Facebook page, clothing shot from Ish and Chi blog.

Comfort Weekend

Caroline — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:33:27 +0000

One of the highlights of living in a cold climate is indulging in creature comforts. This weekend was all about comfort. Being out in the country in front of the fireplace. Snuggling under the covers. Indulging is wintery, stick-to-your-ribs cuisine, such as this beef chili and cheddar biscuits recipe, which I cooked this weekend. The chili turned out well though perhaps a little meaty for my taste (a few more veggies would have been nice). The biscuits were a delicious complement to the meat and spicy chili. Naturally, I forgot to take pictures so both the recipe and the photos are courtesy of smittenkitchen.com.

2012 Challenges: A Stronger Body

Caroline — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:33:51 +0000

I love New Year’s resolutions. I always have – there is something about starting fresh in a new year that never ceases to inspire me. Like many of you, I have a few resolutions. One is to become a stronger person, physically.

Last year presented some physical challenges that were, if not very painful, certainly a nuisance. In the summer, I took to running up the mountain in the mornings before work. At first, it felt amazing. After a while, I began to experience abnormal muscle pain in my hips, butt and upper legs – as well as a nerve pinching in my butt. I felt like an OLD LADY. And no offense to the old ladies out there, I am sure you are rocking your thing, but I’m 31 years old and NOT ready to feel physically limited!

In the fall, an ergotherapist unblocked my hips, which had been causing me to run with all of the elegance of an elephant – and I regained some motion I didn’t realize I had lost. She also determined I had weak core muscles which was causing a lot of trouble. So this year is the Year of the Core. I will become the Wonder Woman of the core muscles. Just joking. Sort of.

In 2012, I’ll become the master of my gluts. The ambassador of my abs. A leggy priestess of all that is fitness.

This is not about losing weight. It’s about building a strong body that will carry me through the years.

A bit of inspiration to help me along: I started a Pinterest board called Strength Inspiration.

What are your resolutions this year?

Photo via Pinterest, by Marc Thyssen

Yokoo Hats

Caroline — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:02:12 +0000

There is no way. In a thousand years. I could ever keep such a straight face in this hat. Isn’t it lovely, though? And perfect for our harsh Montreal winters.

You can buy one, if you so desire, on Yokoo’s Etsy shop.

Reed Krakoff Love

Caroline — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:58:44 +0000

Last year I fell in love with Reed Krakoff’s fun assortment of shoes and handbags. Reed Krakoff is the more youthful and dynamic brand to mother brand Coach’s more matronly offerings. I find that most people – myself included – tend to focus too much on building closets based on neutral, practical, passe-partout colours and forget how much brighter tones can enliven our days and show off our personalities. A few of my favourite items from the latest collection:

Yep, this is a gym bag. At 900 USD a pop, it’s too expensive for my blood considering how fast I’d wear it out or otherwise mess it up.

Images: ReedKrakoff.com and Facebook.com/ReedKrakoff.