sarah.wandering.

dollar store scents

2012-02-03T18:07:00.001-05:00

Dollarama has done it again! Look at this cute scent diffuser that not only smells devine but looks good too. The frangance oil is wicked up through the wooden petals of the flower and released into the air, darkening the edges of the flower for wonderful effect. All this for $2.

knit & pearl

2012-02-02T18:03:00.000-05:00

A delicate knit sweater with my favourite shell pearl necklace from Ruth Barzel.

currently coveting

2012-02-01T18:16:00.000-05:00

These colourful rugs from Elte spotted at IDS12. Love. For more, check our Elte.com

adding to the litter | oscar

2012-01-31T17:49:00.000-05:00

Several months ago I wrote a post about the latest Hans Bolling wooden toy, Oscar [here]. Well lo' and behold, my clients John & Leanne read that post and surprised me with an Oscar all my own. I was extremely touched by the thoughtful gift and every morning I rearrange Oscar in a new pose, give him a tap on the head, a tap to Lucy, and my day begins just a little brighter. Thank you John & Leanne, you have been wonderful clients and an extreme pleasure to work with!

bruna's baby's nursery

2012-01-30T17:50:00.000-05:00

My friend Bruna and her husband are expecting their first bundle of joy in April and have asked me to help with the nursery. We have a fun scheme of stripes, greys, whites and some colour to create a not-so-baby-room for the new arrival. It's a small room, but already is looking twice the size thanks to the stripes on the two side walls. Stay tuned as we furnish the space!

going monochromatic

2012-01-24T14:56:00.001-05:00

The bedroom painted rug has undergone yet another transformation... it's been painted a solid smokey gray to match the charcoal upholstery on the bedframe, new charcoal bedlinens and slate gray accent wall. With just a pop of colour in the limegreen pillows, the bedroom is a cozy retreat on cold winter days.

running

2012-01-22T15:03:00.001-05:00

I've always been an athlete but never a runner. Short distance sprinting the length of a basketball court has been about all the running I can muster. Last year though, in an effort to get back in shape and since I'd much rather exercise outside than being couped up in a gym, I started running. Well, let's be honest, I started jogging with long stretches of walking. Three times a week for several months and I had reached a plateau where I wasn't really improving on my distance, time, or intervals of running.

With the new year I decided to get serious about improving on my running. First I picked up a new pair of running shoes which I was in desperate need of - a pair of running shoes will only last so long before they start doing damage to your feet and muscles. I have been a cross trainer girl my entire life, but my sister Becky (a runner herself) encouraged me to get a proper pair of shoes made for running. Thinner soles with less cushioning ensure you have proper running form and the lightest pair possible were the two elements at the top of the must have list. After trying on dozens of shoes, I settled on the Nike Air Pegasus, which had a bit more cushioning than some of the other runners out there, but after an Achilles tear a few years ago, I need a bit more heel height on my left foot. They are though, one of the lightest pairs I found. (Bonus, I bought the Livestrong version of the shoe and a percentage of the profits goes to help fund cancer research.)

Next I downloaded a running app onto my iPhone that sets up a training program towards an end goal, tracks my progress workout by workout and coaches me during the run. After 2 weeks and 7 workouts I have increased my distance by a kilometer and my split times per kilometer. The program I am using is micoach through Adidas which lets me customize the intensity of the workouts, adjust schedules and track my progress really easily. I am on a 47 workout training program which consists of 4 runs a week that will reach an end goal of a 10k marathon.

There is a running app, Nike Fit, that uses a small chip that you insert into your running shoes (most Nike Running shoes have the pocket for these in the sole) but since the chip has a certain battery life that requires repurchase and involved one more gadget I needed, I opted to work with the free micoach from Adidas that measures pace and distance through GPS. And so far it works for me. However, Nike, if you're listening, I'm available to testdrive the Nike Fit....

golden labs

2012-01-22T14:56:00.000-05:00

Picked up this $2 sleeping labrador decor piece at my favourite store Dollarama yesterday. After priming it and giving it a couple of coats of satin finish gold paint - he's now a proper golden lab. And he has my golden lab awfully curious...

thrifty finds

2012-01-14T15:09:00.001-05:00

My thrift store shopping boasted a few goodies for my apartment.

Retro pottery with a great bird & leaf design was a steal at $0.50 and holds a myriad of balms on my nightstand.

This $5 lamp base was paired with a simple $10 white drum shade from Walmart for a great looking piece in the living room.

A $4 silver tray (although slightly damaged) holds my sunglasses on the credenza.

a bit of bling & how i store it

2012-01-12T07:56:00.001-05:00

Any extended period of time that I spend at my parents house usually results in sifting through their old stuff and calling it my own. This trip home, along with some furniture pieces, I also received some old brooches and costume pieces from both my mother and my meme. My mother gave me the gold leaf brooch and the retro gondola which was a souvenir she received from a family member from Venice. My meme handed down to me the enamel victorian brooch and the jewel encrusted oval which will both get a lot of wear this year.

During the winter I wear these a lot to embellish my coats and jackets, but I like to keep these pieces on display with my everyday jewels. My jewelry I keep on hand on my grandmother's vintage teak mail sorter. My watches I keep on a vintage saucer from a tea set. They are everyday items that add interest to my simple bedroom credenza.

a new old desk

2012-01-09T14:56:00.000-05:00

When my dad was in highschool he made a drafting desk in woodshop - a flip top desk on an x base that resided in our utility room when we were kids and which has spent the last 10 years in storage in our shed. So I brought it back with me for use in my apartment.

The desk now occupies and unused corner of the living room which once held an ottoman that I've repurposed in the bedroom. The space is just right for it - small and tucked away from the main sightline when you enter the apartment.

It's perfect to hold my current reading and upcoming projects and all my craft supplies are housed within. I was also able to hang my grandparent's trader blanket off the rear rail. Although I was originally thinking of painting out the top of the desk - I've decided that the patina'd masonite top is just right for my space.

holidays 2011-2012

2012-01-09T13:59:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I was spoiled with 2 weeks away from work and spent it with family, friends, doing a little bit of travelling to small towns in southwestern Ontario, relaxing and eating. Here are some of the highlights from my holiday.

Said goodbye to the two build projects I'm PM'ing...

in favour of open skies and open fields.

The holidays are so much more enjoyable with a little one around.

Relaxed with Lucy.

Did some antique shopping

Experimented with some festive nails

And enjoyed the first official snow fall.

How were your holidays?

s is for...

2011-12-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

Score! Or sensational street find. This is a letter from a discarded store front sign that I found around the corner from the office. Once again, score!

alice's first trip to see santa

2011-12-05T16:15:00.000-05:00

Didn't exactly go as we planned.

Maybe next year.

crunchy gooey cocoa-nut meringues

2011-12-04T18:51:00.001-05:00

These super easy cookies whip up fast and are an oxymoronic delight - hard crispy shell with warm gooey centres! Yum.

1 c. sugar
3 egg whites
2 tsp water
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp cocoa
1/2 cup shredded coconut - I use the sweetened stuff

Whip egg whites until stiff but not dry. Whip in half the sugar. Slowly whip in water and vanilla with the remainder of the sugar. Fold in gently cocoa and coconut. Drop by the spoonful on greased cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees until shell is hard and cracked but middle is soft. Serve warm but also good at room temp.

more christmas

2011-12-02T18:47:00.001-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I love the decor this time of year?

mirrors & bows

2011-11-30T18:45:00.001-05:00

Here's a little DIY to liven your holiday decor... craft store round mirrors adhered to the wall with StickTac in the shape of a festive bow. Cheap and fun and high impact.

blue all over

2011-11-28T18:45:00.000-05:00

After living with the accent wall for a week, I decided I loved the colour so much that I ended up painting the entire corner of the living room with this pale blue gray. Although a cool colour, it surprisingly warmed up the space (it just works so well with the red) and I'm now ready for both winter and Christmas.

During the day....

at night....

tying into my gallery wall with all it's accents of blue...

with my navy lamp and my lovely view...

and with the last remnants of greenery in the space.

And Lucy says Hi!

it's beginning to look a lot like...

2011-11-24T20:34:00.000-05:00

Yes, the Santa Clause parade has come around so it's time to whip out the decorations for my favourite time of year. Here's just a quick glance, I've gone much more retro this year than last with some coloured lights on my DIY tree.

a blush of blue

2011-11-22T20:33:00.000-05:00

So after a week of deliberation over swatches and test samples, I chose the perfect whisper of a blue gray colour for the accent wall of the living room. I didn't want anything too bold or standoutish - and CIL's Etching was perfect. I focused on just the space between the two windows behind the television and because I'm a fanatic about all the trim matching the paint colour [it gives the illusion of higher ceilings] I cut into the crown moulding on an angle to mimic the look of a bump out. Although the colour is subtle, it's a perfect accent to my neutral interior. My apologies for the crappy pics, will promise to post better ones.

any the jury says....

2011-11-10T16:39:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for weighing in, your comments helped me consider the pros and cons of painting a colour on the wall. The jury was actually split, but in light of future plans I have for the space I've decided to move forward with the painting. So with my weekend project in place, I wish you all a wonderful weekend ahead.

happy 29 rebecca!

2011-11-08T12:28:00.001-05:00

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to my little sister Becky, who this year has accomplished so much - she's a new bride, has one stellar year of grad school at American University in an amazing and elite program under her belt and is changing the lives of children (and their families) with learning disabilities at the Lab School in Washington. As I said in my wedding toast to you, you can not believe how utterly proud I am of you Becky, the beautiful woman you have grown into and all the amazing things you do and accomplish each and every day. Hope you have a wonderful birthday with the hubby!

xoxo Sarah

YBILD launch!

2011-11-07T15:21:00.000-05:00

Very excited that our company will be part of YBILD, the Young BILDer's committee that is part of Toronto's local Home Building and Renovation Association. YBILD will be launched at an opening night event November 29th, 2011. To read more, visit Eurodale's blog for all of the registration information.

to accent?

2011-11-04T11:28:00.000-04:00

The last several weeks I've been debating painting an accent wall on the far wall of the apartment in behind the TV. As you all know, I'm not one for colour on the walls and I currently only have one navy wall in the dining area. I've been drawn to a greeny-blue-grey colour for awhile which I think will accent all the reds and oranges in the living area nicely, so, with the help of Photoshop....

What do you think?

PS - bonus points to anyone who has realized that I long ago ditched the coffee table in favour of wood stumps - so keep in mind it won't look so shallow.

ikea | soft toys for education campaign

2011-10-26T19:53:00.000-04:00

I know I've been away for a while. Just a teensy bit too busy designing and building houses that blogging has become item 73 on my To Do List [and on a typical day I only make it to item 38, nuff said]. But when this came across my desk I had to share - I'm all about supporting a great cause.

Starting November 1, IKEAs all over the world will be launching their Soft Toys for Education campaign. For every soft toy and kid’s meal sold, IKEA will donate $1 to help children in developing countries have access to a safe education. Not only are IKEA soft toys super clever and well designed, soft and cuddly, and inexpensive - they are now helping out children get an education.

So run out to IKEA and support a great cause in the months leading up to Christmas.

PS. Soft toys also make great dog toys - just ask Lucy.

cover stories

2011-09-26T09:06:00.000-04:00

The final project I designed with my last firm is on the cover of decormag (the French version of Style at Home).

too much starbucks?

2011-09-13T05:50:00.000-04:00

When you subconsciously paint your nails the same colour as a cup of Starbucks - is it an indication you've got a bit of a problem?

sitting pretty

2011-09-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

Chair number 2 is now done from this trio of pint sized seats. Soon Alice will have her full tea party set.

sarah sells sea shells

2011-09-09T12:56:00.001-04:00

Finally took home the copius amounts of sea treasures my parents brought me back from Florida last year. Trying to bring a little warm weather feeling into the apartment after a decidedly fall-feeling week. Perhaps some more island flavour is needed to welcome in the weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend!

happy anniversary

2011-09-09T07:54:00.001-04:00

Mom and Dad - Congrats on 33 years! Hope you have a wonderful weekend away!

xoxo Sarah

PS I'm aware I keep posting this picture, I just love it so much!

street find of the day | rattan chair

2011-09-08T08:47:00.001-04:00

This kickass rattan chair was found on the sidewalk near my office in Midtown TO. In perfect sturdy condition, all it needs is a little cleanup and some cushions and it will be a perfect addition to my living room (you can see I've already found a location for it - surprising with the number of chairs I keep picking up!)

happy birthday ryan!

2011-09-08T07:45:00.000-04:00

Wishing my wonderful brother all the best on his 30th!

the case of the navy door

2011-09-07T07:45:00.002-04:00

Last week, I uploaded this blog post.

The next day I received an email asking why I have one door that is a different colour than the rest [see below]. Was it like that when I got the apartment? Did I run out of paint? Did I do it on purpose?

The answer: I did it on purpose. It's the bathroom door. At the end of my hallway I have a total of 5 doors in a very tight space.

When I give people directions to the bathroom it's easier just to say "It's the navy door" rather than "The end of the hall" or "The last door on your right". This way, they don't end up out in the hallway, in the bedroom or in one of the two closets that have become one of "those closets" that is piled high with junk.

Case closed.

painted rug version 3.0

2011-09-06T07:30:00.001-04:00

So that time has come for a new painted rug in the bedroom.

I'm currently deciding between this gorgeous rug from Anthropologie

and this rug that I can not find the source for.

Both have the yellows, oranges, blues and creams that I have throughout the rest of my apartment and the smaller patterns will be a great change from the graphic flowers I have now. And both are warm options for fall/winter. Which one do you prefer?

happy long weekend!

2011-09-02T07:19:00.001-04:00

Off early to spend the last long weekend of summer doing some beaching, sunning, swimming and a whole lot of nothing else. Hope you all have a wonderful long weekend.

20 seconds of viewing

2011-09-01T07:10:00.002-04:00

I have been so busy of late that this has been the only view I've seen of my living room for 2 weeks now, and only for about 20 seconds. My couch and chair miss me. I miss them too. But it's summer. The weather is nice, there are things to do, people to see and a dog who can't get enough of the season. So, until winter my lovely living room, until winter.

PS. The light off my capiz string in the window was simply devine the other night.

organic brew

2011-08-31T12:16:00.000-04:00

After a recommendation from my neighourhood LCBO store manager, I picked up a 6 pack of Mill St's Organic Beer. It was so good, let me pass along the recommendation. If you're looking for a light summer beer with no after taste that goes down far too easily - this is your beer. And you're supporting our local brewery in Toronto - you know I love that! [PS Mill Street was also named Canadian Brewery of the Year]

happy birthday jen!

2011-08-30T10:25:00.000-04:00

To a great sister and a great mom. Happy Birthday!

alice in "one"-derland

2011-08-30T10:11:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Alice! Cake and cupcakes by my incredibly talented sister and Alice's mom, Jen - kids headwear by me (idea via Prima Dance Ballet Studio).

a very merry unbirthday!

2011-08-26T07:46:00.001-04:00

This weekend Alice is turning 1 and my sister and I have an Alice in "One"derland (naturally of course) Party planned for the big occasion. Hope Alice has as much fun as Jen and I are having - check out the invitations I made!

What are your plans for the weekend?

good fortune

2011-08-25T16:24:00.000-04:00

Added a little bit of encouragement to my entry hall this week. I've been holding onto this fortune for about a year... now I just have to take the leap.

This is a simple art project that cost me $1 - I took a Dollarama shadow frame, some left over linen fabric and the fortune. That's it.

smoochy poochy

2011-08-23T11:13:00.000-04:00

Back in June, Lucy and I, along with a few friends and their dogs, attended Woofstock here in Toronto, a massive dog festival featuring all the latest and greatest in everything D.O.G.. While there, I stopped at Smoochy Poochy, a Canadian label who create waterproof leashes and collars. If you have a lab like me, or a water loving pup, you can relate to the nastiness of wet collars and leashes following a swim in the lake or simply a walk in the rain. Their waterproof collars and leashes are constructed of a polyvinyl material that is non-fading, non-staining, water repellant and best of all, odor repellant. It doesn't smell old, like dog or wet dog. Both were put to the test on Sunday when we got caught in the massive t-storm that hit Toronto, Lucy and I ran 7 blocks through pelting rain, and although her and I were both drenched, the collar and leash were not. And they come in a bunch of great colours and Lucy was thrilled that they had her favourite colour - purple (since she was a puppy, she's only worn purple collars - fussy, I know).

I have to spend a bit of time on the leash - it's really the Rolls Royce of leashes. It's called the No-Escape Leash and is absolutely brilliant. Instead of a standard loop at the end of the leash, it has a toggle clip that allows you to easily tie off your dog at the store or railing without having to unhook the leash and do the whole loop around (if you're a dog owner, you know what I'm talking about). It also has 4 grommets down the length of the leash that allows you to adjust the length of the leash from a short 3' leash up to 6', allowing you to also wear it on your wrist, across your shoulder or around your waist like a running leash. And on top of all those great features, there is a mesh bag right on the leash to store your poop bags. Amazing.

Although Smoochy Poochy leashes and collars are more expensive that woven or fabric collars, they will last a lot longer, making them cheaper in the long run. I used to go through 2 collars and 1 leash a year - and that adds up. I met a dog owner who has had the same collar on her dog for 5 years, and it still looks brand new. Well worth the investment if you ask me. Plus, the president of the company is a chocolate lab.

PS. Please disregard the fact that Lucy is shedding like a champ at the moment - she's a walking tornado of hair and fur.

monday listening | rizzle kicks

2011-08-22T07:33:00.001-04:00

Down with the Trumpets. Something upbeat [and reminiscent of the 90's] to start the week.

summer

2011-08-19T08:55:00.000-04:00

It's coming to an end. You can feel it. The EX opens tonight here in Toronto on the CNE Grounds, it's always the precursur to the end of summer. But I hope to fully enjoy the summer, warm temperatures and relaxed atmosphere [which includes my flip flops, tanks and shorts and this Missoni inspired friendship bracelet - when did these come back?] for as long as I can. What are your plans for the rest of the season?

quick change-up

2011-08-18T09:21:00.003-04:00

Finally found a home for one of the fifty maps I picked up, did a quick change up in the bedroom and framed a map of the British Isles. No, I'm not British, I'm just absolutely obsessed with all things dealing with England, Ireland and Scotland. It's a softer touch in the bedroom than the graphic fabric and allows me to dream of future trips to the UK.

most favourite

2011-08-17T07:19:00.002-04:00

Of all the treasures and vignettes in my home, my favourite item is my photo board. It's an oversized bulletin board that is wrapped with a taupe linen and holds a collection of black and white photos of my family. Although in need of some updating with some recent photos, this graphic backdrop is a great way to display family photos in a cohesive collection. It's moved from the dining room in my last place to the main wall in my living room of my current apartment and will remain a fixture anywhere I live. That's how much I love it. Here it is in all it's glory over the past few years.

red sky in the morning

2011-08-16T08:37:00.001-04:00

Fortunately, despite the nursery rhyme, this day turned out beautifully.

yellow & blue

2011-08-15T07:04:00.001-04:00

Crazy storm clouds that I captured last week.

saturday listening| dj fresh

2011-08-13T08:03:00.003-04:00

Louder. Realized I haven't done a music post in a while, so why not bring back the music posts with some summer dubstep.

good things

2011-08-12T08:56:00.001-04:00

Proof that I was all about home building, even at a young age.

My summer palette of nail colour.

Some hearty basil in the window planter.

The latest issue of House & Home, a pretty paperweight, and a polished stone.

Treasures from the last visit to the beach.

An adorable face, desperate for the treat I have in my hand.

The best salsa ever!

A blast from the past, framed cutouts from a Nancy Drew book.

Have a great weekend everyone.

meet oscar

2011-08-11T08:35:00.000-04:00

No, he's not mine. But he is the lastest release from Architectmade (whom I've blogged about here and here). And I want him. Badly.

This morning's check of my inbox featured a nice little note from the peeps over at Architectmade with this press release. Can't wait to bring home an Oscar myself.

Oscar the Dog – Refined Detail With a Twist

Noone does Danish modern design mixed with playfulness and heart better than Hans Bølling, the creator of the bestselling Duck and the Duckling. Following their success, Architectmade is introducing another gem of design history – Oscar the dog. With his adorable looks, complex design and flexible mobility, who could resist?

Dog people, Cat people

The world is divided between cat lovers and dog lovers, most pet owners would hold. Regardless of which animal one prefers, one aspect of owning a pet holds true – people derive incomparable joy from tending their animal companions and spending time with them.

As an avid animal lover, Hans Bølling designed Oscar’s specifically detailed and technically refined body, on which nothing was left to chance.

Sit! Crawl! Beg!

Morten T. Jensen, the CEO of Architectmade comments “Oscar completely embodies fun and playfulness of real life animals, while showing that at the same time modern design can also be fun, playful, soulful and can retain the highest level of craftsmanship”.

Oscar’s body can be arranged so that he does everything a normal dog would. He can sit, crawl, beg or even sulk in the corner if you have been away from him for too long. His mobility and the ability to express various emotions, combined with the natural warmth of his wooden material and the intricate nature of his design come together to present an inimitable design classic, which makes you look twice.

Familiar, yet Sophisticated

A little temperamental, but always good-humored and loyal, Oscar embodies the comforting, familiar and relatable warmth of our favorite pets to whom we love returning over and over, while he also possesses the uncompromising quality of simple, yet sophisticated modern design.

Oscar was designed in 1953 and is made out of beech wood, while his ears and tail are made out of leather.

Oscar is introduced by Architectmade, where we believe in intelligent, everyday art devised and designed by the finest Danish architects. Architectmade presents a unique collection of icons of modern design. You can find your nearest retailer of Danish timeless design at architectmade.com.

For further information please contact Misha Juklova at, phone: (909) 581 9024, e-mail: misha@architectmade.com

a tale of the dining room lights

2011-08-10T07:41:00.003-04:00

Since moving in to my apartment almost two years ago I've been struggling to find a decent and inexpensive lighting solution for the dining room table.

For 6 months I lived with this impromptu option...

And the last 4 months... this DIY mess...

Enter basic, cheap and always classic paper shade from IKEA...

You just can't beat the soft light of a paper shade. Now I'm a happy camper. Or diner. Or whatever.

benching it

2011-08-09T07:34:00.001-04:00

While parking the Jeep the other night I noticed this out by the road waiting for the garbage truck: a fully intact and solid curved wood bench.

So naturally I picked it up and lugged it into my apartment. And following a trip to IKEA and this nifty little equation,

I'm now the proud owner of a pretty stylish bench. Which lets face it, operates more as a catchall as opposed to seating, but hey, at least the stuff is now off the table top.

what i accomplished this weekend

2011-08-08T13:16:00.000-04:00

A cheap and cheerful lighting fixture and a DIY bench. More to follow.

iron chef | fisher & paykel style

2011-08-05T07:09:00.001-04:00

Last week I was invited by Goemans Appliance to participate in an Iron Chef Challenge in the beautiful working showroom of Fisher & Paykel. 12 designers were split into 2 teams to whip up an appetizer, main dish and dessert using a list of ingredients and the secret ingredient, curry, which had to be in every dish. Supervised by a professional chef, we set out the menus ourselves and chops, seared, sauteed and plated some pretty creative dishes, meanwhile getting to test drive some pretty phenominal appliances. Fisher & Paykel, from New Zealand, manufactures an extensive range of high end kitchen appliances, which in my opinion not only function extremely well, they seem to blend an industrial/commercial look with sleek finishes - their oven & range doors are amazing! I have installed their fridges in clients homes in the past, but became the biggest marketer of their dishwasher drawers, after experiencing the absolute quiet blish of 6 operating at one time. And not only was the event fun and informative, my team won! My sister and I whipped up a fabulous app of scallops with a pineapple/pepper/cilantro/lime/curry salsa which blew the judges away, and my friend Anna represented her firm by whipping up a chocolate chili curry mousse that had everyone swooning. Yum! Thanks for a great evening.

coincidence?

2011-08-04T12:07:00.001-04:00

Is it a coincidence that the latest issue of House and Home has the exact same chair that I rescued from the curb, mind you, without the gaping hole in the seat?

pastel dreams

2011-08-04T06:57:00.000-04:00

My sister Jen moved this past weekend into a larger home and I was absolutely blown away when I saw the nursery she put together in only 1 day. It's a perfect - and large - room for Alice, girly and pretty without being too fussy or princessy. It's full of vintage pieces and pieces with history and memories and lots of hand crafted goodness. Simply. Gorgeous.

alice's tea party

2011-08-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Remember this trio of chairs?

Well, they are 1/4 of the way to becoming a tea party set for Alice. I completed one of the chairs this weekend.....

Alice, as you can see, loves it...

And I only have two more chairs to go and a table on the way.

she's growing up

2011-08-02T19:38:00.000-04:00

Is she ever! My little neice will soon be 1.

Jen and I tried to recreate the very first photo we took of her in her basonette. She just barely fits in anymore.

She's very inquizitive...

is great pals with Lucy - this broke my heart how cute this was, neither of them knew anyone was watching...

loves Aunt Sarah's sunnies...

and is too cute for words.

long weekend

2011-08-02T18:52:00.001-04:00

I have to say, I am loving the summer we're having. This year it really has been a perfect summer, full of sunny days and hot temperatures. Had a busy long weekend travelling from here to there, but spend a day and a half on the farm in Chatham...

taking my orange tootsies from the grass to the pool...

enjoying the summer landscape... [and that fog is my lens blurring up from the heat]

spotting hot air balloons...

loving my dad's combine's bumper sticker....

and wishing these pretty paints were actually sorbet.

How was your long weekend?

metal pots

2011-08-01T10:22:00.002-04:00

These metal pots, one aluminum and one copper pot, I restored from the fire and now house plants in my mom's garden. The copper one is starting to patina again - and it will only get better with age.

one great fedora

2011-07-29T08:19:00.001-04:00

My friend Anna's fedora from Durumi on Queen West. A perfect summer accessory.

lazy lucy

2011-07-28T07:56:00.000-04:00

She's such a weird dog sometimes.

all about restoration

2011-07-27T10:09:00.001-04:00

I love books. I love restoration. I love old city homes. And a book about restoration of old city homes is like an ultimate high for me. My friend Anna gave me this wonderful book for my birthday, Restoring a House in the City by Ingrid Abramovitch, chock full of gorgeous images, beautiful homes and so much inspiration you'll want to buy up old homes left and right, toolbelt ready. If you love restoration as much as I do, this book is a definite must have.

32

2011-07-27T07:55:00.004-04:00

Another year. 32. I remember when my mom turned 32. I thought it was so old [no offence mom]. But I still feel so young. Not 32. 32 is too big a number for me. But double chocolate nut cake from my co-workers and ice cream cake from my family makes it a bit easier to swallow. And really, I'm not sure who was more excited about all the cake, Aunt Sarah or Alice.

games night

2011-07-26T07:31:00.001-04:00

I live a fairly primitive life by today's standards. I don't have cable. I'm not much of a tv watcher. I watch movies sometimes on the weekend, but day to day, my tv stays off. And in the summer, I crave those good old fashioned games nights - like my family used to have when camping and up at the cottage. My entertaining lately has involved so much of this, that I now keep dice, a few game boards, cards and even puzzles out on display, ready to be pulled out as soon as company comes over.

birthday blues | in a good way

2011-07-25T08:25:00.001-04:00

Today is my birthday. I'm getting older and things are starting to break down. For one, my eyesight. I've always worn glasses, but more just for reading. Now I'm finding I rely on them more and more. So, for my birthday, I treated myself to a brand new pair of Lucky Brand matte navy specs. And I love them. A great departure from my normal black specs, the matte finish is amazing and the glasses are the exact same colour as my eyes.

Happy birthday to me!

beachy days

2011-07-22T15:17:00.004-04:00

With the summer heat wave upon us, I've been spending the better part of each weekend down in the Beaches with friends. The breeze, blue skies and water is a welcome relief to the stiffling thick air of the city. And beach life is the epitome of a summer weekend. Happy weekend everyone!

folding stool | the how to

2011-07-22T10:07:00.000-04:00

Remember this folding chair/stool that I posted about a few weeks ago?

Well, I finally got around to the how-to.

So here goes.

Take one old folding chair/stool frame and remove all dust, debris and hornet's nests [yes, really] from the frame. [And please try not to be blinded by how yellow my floor looks in this photo!]

Get out your supplies - staple gun, measuring tape and good heavy duty fabric. That's all you need.

Position the folding frame to the finished height you'd like the stool/chair to sit. Measure the total length, up and over the frame to the underside of the other side. Measure as well the total width of the stool.

Cut two pieces of fabric to the dimensions you just measured.

Divide the length and width into equal sections and cut strips from your fabric - you'll end up with one long set for the length and one shorter set for the width. Since I was going to that rough edged, frayed and worn look, I simply ripped all my lengths to get raw edges. If you're going for a cleaner look you'll have one more step that involves hemming the edges.

Staple in place a centre strip along the length to hold the frame in place. Staple the rest of the long strips in place filling the width of the chair.

No imagine that I didn't get forget to take photos of the next step and imagine that I'm now weaving the short pieces through the long pieces.

Once you've finished weaving simply whipstitch the edges so everything stays in place.

Et Voila! Finished chair.

But I have enough chairs in my apartment and wanted a small stool, occasional table, foot stool, magazine stand, remote control holder etc etc instead. So I flipped the back down and now have this in my living room.

Perfect.

tuesday blues

2011-07-19T10:30:00.000-04:00

Feeling a little like this photo from the Satorialist - pensive and blue. On with the day.

guest posting today

2011-07-18T09:28:00.000-04:00

Over at Designwali - check out my "Oh no we didn't...".

friday listening | mat kearney

2011-07-15T11:30:00.000-04:00

Hey Mama. Have a great weekend everyone.

the life of a designer/project manager

2011-07-15T07:58:00.001-04:00

Is not always glamourous.

The headwear is neither flattering nor my colour....

and the footwear leaves little to be desired.

But on the plus side, you get to spend some time outside

and progress really makes your day.

Another project by Eurodale.

new

2011-07-13T06:41:00.001-04:00

Joseph Marc eyeglasses & an African beaded bracelet from DC's Folklife Festival.

notes on a weekend

2011-07-12T06:31:00.001-04:00

There are certain things about summer weekends that make me wish I lived somewhere tropical and warm on a regular basis.

A hot beach, cool lake breeze and a book = best way to spend an afternoon.

Tanned feet and freshly painted toes = easy summer accessories.

Potted tropical plant = indoor landscaping.

Early evening sun, a magazine and a sneaky dog who just got into the ice cream = perfection.

trip to dc | the national zoo

2011-07-11T16:30:00.000-04:00

Alice's first trip to the zoo. Washington's National Zoo is absolutely gorgeous. So lush and green and with every animal save a giraffe - I know right? But it was a great trip - the lion cubs and the panda being the highlight - or maybe Becky being a total goofball.

trip to dc | architecture

2011-07-11T07:49:00.003-04:00

As an architectural designer, there is no doubt that 75% of the photos I take are of buildings. And Washington and Georgetown are full of some of the most interesting, charming and historical buildings you'll ever see.

trip to dc | all-american

2011-07-10T09:16:00.001-04:00

What is more All-American than watching a baseball game, the Washington Nationals vs. the Pittsburg Pirates, in the Nation's capital, on July 4th weekend, with fireworks? Nothing. It doesn't get more American than that.

We caught an exciting game at the gorgeous Nationals Park with a sold out crowd. 5 tickets cost us $20, it was Alice's very first ballgame, we saw the mascot and Becky and Nick's friend Bixler steal home to tie up the game and our favourite former Tiger Pudge Rodriguez hit in the game winning run. And the cherry on top - a 10 minute long firework display. A perfect July 4th weekend game.

bild race for humanity

2011-07-08T12:20:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I took part with team Eurodale in the 2nd annual BILD Race for Humanity. 21 teams competed in the Amazing Race style charity event, running all over downtown Toronto raising money for Habitat for Humanity. Although we didn't finish first, we did win the Spirit Award for our enthusiasm, cheering, charisma - and to a certain degree - our drinking capabilities. And our LEED Certified Green Birdhouse wasn't half bad either. For more on the event, you can visit the Eurodale Developments Blog and Facebook Page.

trip to dc | the folklife festival

2011-07-06T18:57:00.000-04:00

I'm back from a jam-packed trip to Washington DC. DC for the fourth of July is 1. Busy. 2. Hot. 3. Patriotic. 4. Hot. Did I mention it was hot?

We packed a lot of things into a 3 day trip and I'll share with you over the next few days a few of things we did. Washington is a great city, with lots to do. I've done the museums before so on this trip, taking advantage of the HOT summer weather we spent a lot of time doing outdoor activities, one of them being the Folklife Festival that was held at the National Mall. A festival dedicated to the arts and crafts from around the world, it was a real experience to see some of the artisans in person completing their work. The grounds at the mall were full of tents and booths, art, music and dancing, it was a wonderful stop on a sunny afternoon. And of course we stopped by the festival marketplace where I picked up a souvenir [which I'll share with you a bit later].

a frame remade

2011-07-05T09:38:00.000-04:00

I fixed up an old folding chair that I found at my grandparents - more on the this chair once I get around to uploading all the how-tos.

simple landscaping

2011-07-04T09:33:00.001-04:00

Did you realize such a statement can be made with paired down landscaping? One of my neighbours displays one of the nicest front yards in the area with simple boxwoods, small spruces, some white impatients, hostas, a splash of purple alliums and well manicured edges. Gorgeous.

have a patriotic weekend

2011-06-30T13:28:00.000-04:00

I will be spending Canada Day down in one of my favourite cities, Washington DC, visiting my sister Becky and my new brother-in-law, Nick with Jen, Dennis and Alice. Canada Day in the US is not entirely patriotic, but we're bringing a little Canadian spirit to the long weekend down there as well. We'll be there until July 4th, taking in some festivals, fireworks and probably lots of food, and I'm actually quite excited to spend the long weekend at the Nation's Capital.

Happy Birthday Canada and hope you all have a very patriotic long weekend - whichever side of the border you're on!

my neighbourhood favourites

2011-06-30T08:15:00.000-04:00

I absolutely love living and an old historic neighbourhood. Although my architectural preferences lean more towards the modern end of the spectrum, there is something about old Edwardian homes that I can not get enough of. This home just around the corner from me is my favourite by far. I can just imagine the house at the turn of the century hosting lively parties and welcoming it's wealthy owners home. Despite it's simple form and shape, the house is quite detailed with intricate stone and wood accents and the scale and mass of the home are simply impressive.

This is not from the home above, but another one just down the street. This is the window detail - they just don't make homes like this anymore.

bridal gifts

2011-06-29T07:34:00.002-04:00

I love my sisters. I'm blessed with two very stylish and saavy sisters. Just look at the wonderful gifts my sister gave each of us in her bridal party. Some girls get hyped up over the blue boxes from Tiffany's, for me it's the gold boxes of Emerson Made. I now have a punchy clutch for the spring, summer and fall [and let's face it, probably the winter too - how can one resist yellow]. We also received these GORGEOUS pearl and pave earrings from Anthropologie. Amazing!

green thumb update

2011-06-28T09:23:00.001-04:00

Happy to report everything is still green and I've even got a little shoot that I've transplanted doing extremely well.

a hidden gem of wilderness

2011-06-27T13:02:00.001-04:00

I voiced before my love of Toronto's Discovery Walks - a series and network of paths and trails that cut through the urban jungle that is TO. Well last week, opting for a walk through my neighbourhood instead of the Belt Line Trail as is the norm for Lucy and I, we happened upon an unmarked trail right at the base of the my street that lead down into a ravine that cuts through between Eglinton and St.Clair. After a few minutes of a wooded wonderland we emerged in a swampy meadow, open air, cattails and grass. We passed under Bathurst Street Bridge and the graffiti was the only thing that acted as a reminder of the fact that we were in the city. About 10 minutes further down the trail, it opened up onto parkland, expanses of green grass, hilly trails and even an off leash for Lucy to run around. Absolutely a hidden gem in the city and were Lucy and I will be walking the rest of the season.

crockery

2011-06-27T08:41:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I brought home two of these old pieces of crockery and found another on the weekend. Since they are no longer safe for food items, they are lined up in my entry on an old bench I received from my dad. The pots are perfect for concealing Lucy's leashes and toys, mail, my keys and coins.

exit & illuminate

2011-06-24T13:16:00.001-04:00

Found a home for the glass exit light. I didn't have a light to actually use it on - so it's just propped up on my dresser, illuminated by another find, a vintage looking desk light, which I think is from IKEA, but it was free as one of my neighbours decided they didn't want it and left it in the laundry room. FREE = TREASURE.

a little bit of bling

2011-06-24T09:51:00.000-04:00

In the summer, my toes and my nails are nearly always sporting summery bright colours. Polished nails make me feel a little more pulled together and well...polished. Tried out a new technique inspired by Emily over at Cupcakes and Cashmere and I'm loving the little bit of extra bling in my life. Nail colour is Fifth Avenue from Essie - the most perfect bright red.

tools of the trade

2011-06-23T18:25:00.003-04:00

In my rummaging I also managed to find a couple old metal toolboxes. The colour on them is great and they are perfect in the bedroom holding sewing and craft supplies. Also a great shot of colour along with the steel blue credenza and red cuckoo clock.

I've also tried my hand at my first topiary. In an oversized vintage mason jar, I now have a jade plant growing and surviving. Yeah for me.

a few new things around the wandering pad

2011-06-22T19:11:00.002-04:00

As is the routine when I head home, I stop by my grandparents house and root around in the house and barns, looking for more treasure. Here are some of the things I've found recently and brought back to my apartment [more posts will follow on this, I've been very lucky lately!].

Some old licence plates that belonged to my grandfather - this really rusty one is from 1936 and the farm plates below were from the year I was born.

There are probably a dozen of these ~~bushel baskets~~ tomato baskets in the old shed, but I brought back only one - but I'm thinking I need the other ones too. There are fabulous for holding magazines, blankets and in this case, some old wooden decorative items I just don't know what to do with anymore. [Thank you to my father for the correction - "they are tomato baskets from H. J. Heinz and I believe that the size is a peck. That was my summer and fall job to pick tomatoes and I forget for sure but I think I was paid between 25 cents and 50 cents a basket. Later on it was more.... no wonder my back hurts. Dad." Isn't he just the cutest and such a farming educator!]

This pale yellow egg basket is perfect for holding TP in the bathroom.

An old iron [I have another one somewhere at my parents' house] and a dinner bell. Both charred pretty badly, but I think they actually look better this way. [And yes, it did bother me that the iron says Asbestos]

This mini Etch-a-Sketch I found at a friend's house and it took me 6 tries to write out "hello".

a summer weekend

2011-06-20T17:58:00.000-04:00

Went back to the farm for a relaxing Father's Day weekend. It was more relaxing for some than others...

And this precious girl is just getting cuter and cuter. And quite the little swimmer.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

brooklin community centre

2011-06-20T11:55:00.000-04:00

June 11th I headed out to the quaint town of Brooklin, about 30 minutes outside of Toronto, to attend Prima Dance Academy's productions of The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. Having only driven through Brooklin on route to other destinations, I was absolutely gobsmacked when I pulled up to the modern Brooklin Community Centre. A modern marvel that still references the surrounding rural communities, the centre, designed by Perkins + Will, contains a library, community hall, meeting rooms, recreation centre and this gorgeous basketball court. If ever there was a physical bulding that represented Sarah - this is it - farm, architecture, basketball. Perfection.

And just in case you need a touch of cuteness on your Monday - here are the adorable ballerinas from Prima Dance Academy.

Top three photos from Perkins + Will, the remainder, me.

rebecca + nicholas | the finale

2011-06-17T08:31:00.000-04:00

Here's the rest from the day... Congrats Nick and Beck - Lots of Love!!!

rebecca + nicholas | the venue & details

2011-06-16T08:11:00.003-04:00

The wedding was a fairly rustic affair - being outdoors and situated on a gorgeous lot. Here are some of the details of the wedding decor and reception - complete with the program/map I designed, customized totem poles for the bride, groom and of course - their dog Scout.

rebecca + nicholas | the apparel

2011-06-15T08:06:00.001-04:00

J.Crew. That about sums it up. The bride wore J.Crew. The groom wore J.Crew. The bridesmaids wore J.Crew. As did the groomsmen. Flower pins on the flower girls were made by my friend Liz. Shoes on the bridesmaids were Colin Stuart. Customized Chucks for the groomsmen.

rebecca + nicholas | the ceremony

2011-06-14T07:43:00.002-04:00

Held outdoors in the wooded backyard of the groom's family in Michigan, the setting was spectacular. Despite being overcast, the rain held out for the vows and "I do's". It was simply stunning.

rebecca + nicholas | getting ready

2011-06-13T09:29:00.000-04:00

It was all butterflies and nerves the day of the wedding - hoping the weather would hold out and getting the last of the work done. But there was a calm before the storm (quite literally) and everything came together. 7 girls in a bedroom suite & 2 little flower girls, a few laughs, a GORGEOUS bride (it did take all of us to get her into such a simple dress), beautiful bouquets, an anxious wait and a dapper dog. And what would a Canadian-American wedding be without the Blue Light.

saturday listening | liam bailey

2011-06-11T11:25:00.003-04:00

It's Not the Same.