Perfect Pair: White Tank & Scarf

It's Friday! What are your plans this weekend? I'm heading up to a friends cottage tomorrow. She just renovated, and I can't wait to see it with my own eyes. You can see pictures of it here on Desire to Inspire. Isn't it beautiful?

It's been pretty warm weather the last few weeks, but it does cool down on the lake in the evenings. One of my very favorite Summer outfits: jeans or shorts, with a white tank and a colorful scarf. It's the perfect Summer layering option to stay cool and/or warm. I'm loving both of these pieces from Anthropologie:

Slubby Boy Tank & Fine Print Scarf

Happy weekend!

**Update - Sigh...we didn't end up going to the cottage due to rainy weather. Thus Jen's comment on this post :(

Candyland House

Happy Thursday! I am in a brilliant and happy mood today. My work has taken me to the beautiful town of Perth, about an hour outside of Ottawa. It's bright and sunny outside, and I can't wait for the chance to tour around the little shops and restaurants.

A happy day deserves some happy home inspiration. Check out this very colorful home featured in Marie Claire Maison. It reminds me of the game Candyland! The whimsical home belongs to Charlotte Gueniau, who currently calls Denmark home.

Full house tour here.

**Update - Just to add to my already amazing day, the branch I'm working at today barbequed a delicious burger for me, gave me a beautiful hanging basket for my garden, and force-fed me Reese Peanut Butter Cups. Amazing!

Fun & Quirky Art

As per usual, I just spent almost an hour perusing the various categories on Etsy. There is no end to the awesome little shops! Today I stumbled across Nan Lawson Illustration, and fell in love with her adorable and quirky art. That's another thing I love about Etsy, affordable and unique art! Seriously, if you have an apartment, room, house, cottage or any living space that could use some art, look no further than Etsy.

Here are a couple that I really like:

Monday Already?

Hi friends. I hope you all had a lovely weekend! It was beautiful here in Ottawa this weekend, and I made sure to spend some time outside enjoying the sun. I also managed to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a while, take my daughter and her friend to a local fair, and finally finish The Girl Who Played With Fire. All in all, an awesome rest-filled weekend!

I have a busy week ahead of me with work, but I'll make sure to post something fun every day. For today, I wanted to show you a reno that I stumbled upon while perusing Elle Decor today. It's the home of actress Keri Russell and her husband Shane Deary. Together, they purchased an old brownstone in Brooklyn, and proceed to completely renovate and restore the home. They kept many of the original elements, including the hardwood floors, and worked with a lot of reclaimed wood. The beauty of the finishes inspired the couple to keep the decor and colors quite neutral and simple. The result is a gorgeous light-filled home great pieces in every room.

Full article here.
More photos here.

May/June RUE Magazine

Happy Friday friends! I'm looking forward to a few fun things this weekend. Tonight I'm heading out for coffee, followed by a movie with my bestie M from Little Blond Bird. Saturday night M's holding a little fundraiser at her place to raise money for CARE Canada. She'll be selling some lightly used clothes, books and jewellery. I'm excited because she is the best hostess ever and always has delicious little snacks and drinks for her guests! Other than that, I'm hoping to get some cleaning done around here, and maybe do a little gardening.

If you're looking for something to do for a little while either at work today, or some time this weekend, check out the May/June issue of the online magazine, Rue. It's full of bright beautiful photos and lots of inspiration for Summer living and decorating. I absolutely love this magazine. It fills a place in my heart that's been empty ever since Domino Magazine left the scene.

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!!

Rue

Check them out...2 New Favorite Blogs!

As you already know, I love reading blogs. If you read a few each day, it's like having a mini-magazine right at your fingertips. It's a quick getaway from your day, a fun way to get inspired, and an easy way to stay up to date on trends in the design / fashion world. And it's free!

Here are two blogs that I've recently added to my favorites:

The Zhush...daily inspiration for everything stylish.

Coco & Kelley...a beautifully designed blog featuring tons of inspiration on design and fashion.

Yellow Rooms

I don't know what's with me, and my obsession with yellow lately, but I'm really loving it! Maybe it's all of the beautiful sunshine that we've been enjoying here in Ottawa. Typically, my home doesn't have a lot of yellow in it...the only yellow right now is a throw pillow and some flowers. These homes make me want to scrap everything I have and start from scratch!

Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy

Domino Magazine

Elle Decor

Style at Home

Style at Home

Image via Canadian Originals

Brond

Ralph Lauren Spring 2011...also, best brond* hair ever.

I'm sitting here completely stuck on what to blog about today. I just leaned over our shared desk and asked Zach what he thought I should do. Without looking up from his laptop, he said, "Blog about how much work sucks and how we should be independently wealthy and not have to deal with this bull****". Lol. I think he's having a rough day.

So on that note, IF I was independently wealthy...

I would live HERE.
I would travel HERE.
I would buy the entire Ralph Lauren Spring 2011 collection.

*Brond: Is it blond? Is it brunette? The perfect shade of brond has you debating for hours...

Monograms

Nothing says "personalized" like a monogram. I found these two cute monogram ideas on Etsy.

Vinyl wall sticker. Available in any letter and 18 colors!

Etsy.

Personalized stationary. Etsy.

Beautiful Staircases

Happy Monday friends! I hope that you all had a beautiful weekend. We had quite a lot going on! Zach turned 30 on Friday, which we celebrated with a delicious sushi dinner downtown with 10 amazing friends. Saturday we had a birthday party for my niece Abby who turned 3 (so cute!). And Sunday was a big day because Zach ran his 2nd half marathon! Just when I think I couldn't be more impressed with him, or proud of him, he goes and runs another 21.1km. He's amazing.

To kick off the week, I thought I'd bombard you with some beautiful staircase photos. It's one area of the house that is often ignored...but look what you can do with a little effort!

Fun floral wallpaper. Image via Canadian House & Home

So creative! A myriad of greens and blues. I love this!

Image via Canadian House & Home.

Painted pink stairs. Image via Down Whimsy Lane.

Funky zebra runner. I'm not sure how I feel about it stopping halfway up the stairs.

I think it would look better if it reached the top. Otherwise, love it!

Image via Dear Designer's Blog.

Wallpapers stair risers.

Image via The Haystack Needle Online.

Color-blocked stairs. Image via Practical Decorating.

Black & White. Image via Decor*Pad.

Graphic black & white carpeting. Image via Apartment Therapy.

Rainbow stairs. Image via Canadian House & Home.

Ninja Cookies

Um...how cute are these?!?! Gingerbread cookies are already delicious, but they are so much cuter as little ninja people! I want these now.

Fred & Friends

Best Sun Care Products

To cap off the week, here are a few of my favorite sun care products. I've also thrown in a few that were recently recommended to me by my dermatologist.

I'm not saying that I am going to remember my sunscreen EVERY day, but I'm doing my absolute best!

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen (SPF45 or SPF 60)

*this one was recommended by my dermatologist*

Vichy Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50

*also recommended by my dermatologist*

Smashbox Tinted Moisturizer SPF15

(I love this stuff. I use it all of the time. It makes your skin even and leaves it

very dewy and fresh)

The Body Shop Vitamin E SPF 15 Moisture Lotion

(I haven't bought this for a while, but it's always been one of my go-to's in the Summer season. It's one of the one moisturizers with SPF that don't make me break out)

Beach Cover-Ups

A beach cover-up is really a bikini's best friend...their better half if you will. It's the perfect thing to throw on over your bikini while you stroll around the beach, grab a snack, or throw a frisbee. Plus, it gives your skin a break from the sun. I've actually worn out my favorite cover-up that my friend Liane gave me years ago...a black linen Roxy romper.

I blogged about the first cover-up a few days ago...it just goes to show that I can't stop thinking about it! It's definitely on my shopping list this Summer. The rest are adorable and fun as well! If only my budget could afford all of them!

Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret

Volcom Strapless Sundress, from Lulu's.

Anchor Print Sundress, from Lulu's.

3.1 Phillip Lim Cover-Up, through Net-a-Porter.

Mara Hoffman Beach Playsuit, through Net-a-Porter.

In Loving Memory

In loving memory of Linda. Thank you for being a beautiful inspiration in my life.

Hats Off to Summer!

Ah Summer...

I know it's technically still Spring, but when the temperature hits 25 (like the last couple of days in Ottawa), I can't help but feel like it's Summer already. Along with the warm temperatures, I thoroughly enjoy the fresh intake of vitamin d, flowery smells, fresh cut grass and a tan!

Unfortunately, a tan is also one of the main causes of skin cancer...and I'm being more careful these days (in my old age). For the rest of the week I'll be posting about some of the best products in sun care...including things like hats, cover ups, sunscreen etc.

Hats off to Summer!

Old Navy Bead-Trimmed Straw Hat

Banana Republic Shimmer Straw Hat

David and Young fedora, through Nordstrom.

Crusher Hat from J Crew

Woven Fedora from J Crew