Happy New Year!

Happy New Years Eve everyone! 2010 has been a year of changes and growing up for me...so I look forward to a calmer more organized 2011. I have decided on 3 simple resolutions this year:

1. Cook - We will be meal-planning A LOT this year. Most of our "quick" dinners result from not having a stocked kitchen or proper ingredients. Solution: Meal Plan! I'll update you on kitchen disasters and achievements as I go!

2. Organize - I used to be such an organized person. I would have a list every day and cross things off as I did them! For example: work, make dinner, 2 loads of laundry, call Mom, find that receipt I need...etc. I need to get back to that state...except maybe a little less OCD. I'll stick with weekly lists, keeping a calendar (thank you new Blackberry), and cleaning up after myself as I go (in order to avoid large messes that take a whole day to clean).

3. Get married - Yes everyone, it's unofficially on the agenda. We are almost 100% going to get married some time in 2011. It will be a nontraditional and small wedding, but very meaningful and heartfelt. I can't wait! More to come on that...

See you in the New Year!



White Bedrooms Part II

Dedicated to my friend Steph: An image gallery of white bedrooms that look like they could have been decorated by Anthropologie stylists. Enjoy!

London photographer James Merrell

Apartment Therapy

 Apartment Therapy

Living Etc.

Living Etc.

 

Decor*Pad

Ivy & Piper

If you haven't joined the millions of readers currently reading hip online magazines (web-zines), you are missing out! I've recently subscribed to a few interior design related sites (for free!), and they are a breath of fresh air! Don't get me wrong, I still love my giant stack of actual magazines...but it's great to get a new issue online once a month.

I recently discovered Ivy & Piper, another design win out of Australia. The webzine is tagged "fashion for the home", and I couldn't agree more! The issues are created by founders Melanie and Elizabeth, two interior enthusiasts who met at design college. They have managed to create a simple, fun and unique webzine full of delightful eye candy. Check out a few photos from their debut issue:



Gorgeous Home Office

I've always dreamed of having a home office, and actually working from home each day. Luckily, now I can! I've recently accepted a position within my company that allows me to work partially from my home office! After perusing a few of my favorite blogs, I came across this home office created by the writer of Made By Girl. I'm obsessed with this office, and hopefully mine will turn out with the same light and bright feeling!

**Side note...how awesome is this framed print from Jen's Etsy shop? It just about sums up my morning each day :)



2010 - Top 25 Gifts for Her!

I think everyone will agree that it can be very difficult to find the perfect gift for your best friend, sister, mother, aunt...you get my point. Christmas shopping can be exhausting! Over the last few weeks, I've been posting about my "Christmas wishes"...the things that I want most for Christmas this year. I think that they would also make great gifts for any woman on your list! Here are the top 25!...

#1: Lululemon Athletica Pants

 #2: MAC 6 Dashing Lassies Eyeshadow Palette

#3: Godiva 36pc. Holiday Truffle Gift Box

#4: Silver Album Set

#5: Magazine Subscription

#6: Tiffany's Sterling Silver Earrings

#7: Philosophy "Have a Cherry Christmas" Gift Set

#8: From Sephora, T3 Perfect Blowout Styling Set

#9: (My most wanted gift this year!) Adorable apron.

#10: Mimi & Marge Necklace

#11: Gap Hat

#12: Foxy Originals Earrings

#13: Starbucks Coffee

#14: MOMA Rainbow Chopsticks

#15: Peace, Love & Juicy Couture Perfume

#16: Escada Marine Groove Perfume

#17: Etsy, Autumn Tea Towels

#18: Smashbox Makeup Collection

#19: Hudson's Bay Company Heritage Blanket

#20: Hudson's Bay Company Heritage Blanket-Inspired Coat

#21: Anthropologie, The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook

#22: Gap T-shirt

#23: Etsy, Vintage Luggage Set

#24: Etsy, Leather Bound Notebook

#25: Etsy, Baroque Set of 7 Perfume Sticks

The Final 3 Christmas Wishes

Today I'm wrapping up my 2010 Christmas Wishlist. I promised you my top 25 gift wishes, and I've had a blast finding them all!

I'm posting the last 3 wishes together for two reasons: 1. I'm running out of time to do this! 2. They are all travel-related. I'm hoping to take a trip with my family in 2011, and that trip would be even more fabulous if I brought these along...

*Note - They are all from Etsy!

Vintage Maximillian leather suitcases - 3 piece set from the 1940's.

Leather handbound journal. (to log all the details of the trip)

Baroque, set of 7, solid perfumes. So tiny and convenient

for travelling!



Where the Supermodels Live

Oh, to be a supermodel. Not only are they beautiful, their homes are also gorgeous! Check out these three rooms, and try not to be jealous...

Elle Decor: Living room of Jessica Stam

Photo by Roger Davies

Miranda Kerr's New York City condo.

Photo: Snapper Media

Heidi Klum's Mexican vacation home...I love this kitchen!

Photo: InStyle Magazine

Mini Sequins Pocket

Christmas wish #22:

My friends often tease me about my love of sequins. I tend to go a little wild around the Holidays with decorating and dressing "festively". And you can be sure that if I am attending a Christmas party, I will be wearing something sequins or shimmery. Case in point: Christmas 2008 - Black sequins shoes. Christmas 2009 - Black sequins skirt.

To my delight, I just spotted this basic grey tee from Gap, with a cute little sequins pocket. I think it would look great with skinny jeans! IF someone were to buy this for me for Christmas, I would wear it to a casual Holiday lunch or to my office potluck...

Christmas Wish #21

Cookbook from Anthropologie online

I love baking. I definitely have a lot of work to do in the cooking area, but baking I can do. I think baking is easier because the recipes are so simple to follow! In my search for a new baking cookbook, I came across this one, The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, on the Anthropologie website. The recipes and photos look delicious.

This would make a lovely gift for any cupcake lover!

Zoe Chicco

I often get lost in blog world, and I find myself (through many links) discovering new designers, stores, blogs, artists etc. Today I stumbled across Zoe Chicco, a fabulous jewellery company that offers classic and versatile pieces that will last a lifetime. She has a cult following of celebrities as well, including Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz and Uma Thurman.

Currently they are available at the following Toronto shops: Accessity, Love of Mine, and Stillo & Puritt. There's also an online shop.

Here are some of my favorites from the website:




Bow Bracelet

Spiked ID Bracelet

Large Spike Stack Rings

Shells Toggle Necklace

**Update - They are having a 25% off sale right now! Just enter HOLIDAY at checkout.