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

Button Art

I was perusing Etsy today, in search of little gifts for family members, and I came across this adorable framed art! It's selling for only $8, so it's a great little item...but it would also be a fun project to do with kids, or even as a girly craft day. I think it would look adorable in a kid's room, at a cottage, or even on an entry way table with the initial for the family last name.

Etsy.

May Long Weekend

May long weekend is one of my favorites every year. It's basically the ONLY time of year where I feel an urge to go outside and make my garden and yard look pretty. Wish me luck with the digging and planting!

Happy long weekend!

Florence & The Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)

This video simultaneously makes me want to dye my hair red, get married, and dance around in a field.

I love it, and her.

Summer Wishlist: Fashion and Beauty

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who spends an hour filling an online shopping bag, and then closes the window before the purchase can actually happen...I know that you're out there.

It fulfills a few needs: retail therapy, turns boredom to fun, and gives me ideas for the future (when I have money).

If you guessed that I more than likely just did this tonight, you are right. I just spent an hour on the Victoria's Secret website. Here's what was in my shopping bag before I hastily clicked the little x (aka saved myself $400):

5 Way Push-up Bandeau top & matching bottom.

Echo Striped Cover Up

(I still really want this. I may actually go back and purchase it)

White Lacy Dress.

Bombshell Summer Body Mist

Beauty Rush Minty Lip Shine

Etsy Finds: Spring Edition

By now, you've come to learn that I love browsing and shopping on Etsy. There is no end to all of the delightful and creative items! Here are just a few little things that are inspired by sunny (well, today anyway) Spring weather:

Antique White Birdcage.

Handmade Clay Birds.

Beaded Bracelet.

White Chiffon Dress.

Hummingbird in Flight Photo.

Perfect Spring Nails

Essie

Spring and Summer tend to be the seasons that I spend the most time on my nails. Manicures and pedicures just seem to get a lot more attention during these seasons! I do my own mani-pedi 95% of the time, and the other 5% of the time I actually go to a salon and get it done professionally. Luckily, I'm actually pretty good at doing it myself, so I save a ton of money.

When it comes to selecting a color, I stick with lighter shades of pinks, corals, and champagnes for my fingernails. My toes are almost always pink or red. SOMEtimes I take a chance (like last week), and select a very pale shade of purple or blue. I stay away from dark colors because I find they really make my skin look pale.

I think the prettiest hands are ones that look tanned and moisturized, and baby pink seems to be the prettiest compliment! Here are three of my all time favorites that I buy time and time again:

My bottle calls it Imported Champagne, but the website calls it Imported Bubbly.

This color is a very iridescent pale beige/pink. I love it because one coat is all it takes, and it dries so fast. Perfect for a really really quick manicure. Bonus: If you have a tan, it makes you look even more tanned! Perfect for Spring and Summer.

Sugar Daddy.

A pale baby pink. It's quite sheer, so it's great alone or for layering. Currently I have this layered over one coat of Imported Bubbly, and it looks so pretty!

Shop Till I Drop.

A pale pink/coral shade. This one also looks beautiful with a tan!

(The website says it's currently unavailable...I hope it's just back ordered and not discontinued!)

Finally, here are my two favorite toe shades:

Infatuation.

A bright watermelon shade of pink. Adorable for Summer, and blends well with most outfit / shoe choices.

Rumple's Wiggin.

A lovely shade lavender. I've used it for both nails and toes.

Yellow

I'm still debating what color to paint the dresser that my friend Steph gave me. I'm flip-flopping between white, yellow and blue. Knowing me, I'll end up going with boring white, but I hope that I'm brave enough to do something fun like this yellow dresser!

If you have your own before & after project that you are planning, check out this website: Centsational Girl. She seems to be the ultimate guru of all things DIY, especially painting old wood furniture.

Before & After from Design*Sponge.