Simons Says…

Whenever I cross the border into la belle province, I usually make a beeline for the nearest Simons department store.  So when I received an email announcing their new online presence, I was thrilled.

A mix of women’s and men’s apparel and accessories as well as a great home department, Simons never fails to unearth some treasure.  After browsing through their new website, I came across some great finds.  Started in the mid-1800′s as a dry goods store, it has currently evolved into a mini department store empire.

These colourful pieces make me long for the warm Spring weather.  Great dresses and colourful bottoms really lift the winter doldrums.

 

Simon’s also carries the Dwell line of bedding.  I love the Chinoiserie collection on the left.  And, how cute is this little dog print? It would look fabulous in a young boy’s bedroom.  I also love the painterly look of the bedding on the right mixed with one of my new favourite colours, purple.

Since Spring is still many weeks away, I find myself snuggling under many levels of blankets. This whole collection below is very Aspen apres-ski.  If I had this real fur throw, cashmere water bottle cover or fur pillow I would be a very happy gal indeed.

I recently placed an online order and was quite impressed with the free shipping and the speed of delivery, even over the holidays.  I also love that I am supporting a fabulous Canadian retailer that offers some great items at a great price point.

 

*In the interest of full disclosure Simon’s provided me with a $50 online gift card, however the views expressed are my own opinion.  I’ve been a long-time shopper at Simon’s brick and mortar store and was eager to test out their online store.

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Make Me Blush

Lately I’ve been drawn to all shades of blush-y pink in both decor and fashion.  Not quite little girl pink but a more earthy pink with neutral undertones.  Not only gorgeous in a room, it makes your skin look fabulous and let’s fact it, everyone could use a bit of that these days. 

Love these brass flamingos. I must find a pair of these stat and that gorgeous abstract painting on the right has my creative juices flowing.  Wondering if I could manage something similar without looking like it was done by my nephews (athough they ARE pretty talented!)

 Less blush-y and more coral-y, is the room below.  Love how the drapes add drama to the space.  Dark floors and a neutral grey palete make me want to move right in.  And, can we talk about the uber-gorg Louboutins? Sigh….

 Gorgeous table with lovely goldtone flatware.  I recently bought a vintage set and I LOVE them! Adds a bit of upscale girly glam to the table. 

I love the look of pretty hair bobs on other people but always feel like a five year old when I wear them myself.  There is nothing juvenile however about the utterly stunning bedroom on the right.  Zebra + blush + tufted grey velvet + acrylic table = ♥♥♥ 

Happy Monday!

Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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Closet Case II – The Reveal

Hello, we made it to Friday! Yesterday, on my friend Vanessa’s blog, I shared some organizing tips and a sneak peek at my newly redesigned closet.  It’s a tiny little space, roughly 7′x5.5′ but makes up for it in impact.  I wanted it to be like a little jewel box with a touch of drama and a pinch of sparkle.

The space sits off my office/guest room (reveal coming soon!).  You can see a bit more of the layout below and I also removed the door so the space is open to the room.

Please excuse the overexposed photo.  It’s so hard to get a great shot as the space does not have any natural light.  I love the black high gloss paint on the walls but it shows every mark and bump.  Fortunately, the walls are mostly covered in shelving so you only get a peek of the black in certain spots. I also added in a Madeline Weinrib rug that I purchased in New York last year and some brass starbursts that add some detail to a boring corner.  Oh and see the shoe shelf just outside the door? Just a regular Billy bookcase from Ikea glammed up with some nailhead trim. Delicates and other unmentionables are in the tall dresser on the left side and jewelry and other accessories are housed in a Pax wardrobe just outside in the office.  

Since I moved my shoes outside of the room (really aren’t they like art anyway?) I have much more room for display inside the closet.  Bookends keep my clutches under control but still out where I can see them.  A framed vintage Vogue cover, some fashion books and a little upholstered bench make it a spot to linger when getting dressed.  On the bottom row, I’ve hung bags and totes so they don’t take up a lot of space and they aren’t falling off the shelves.

I installed a row of hooks on the bulkhead above the top shelf to hang my hats.  A bit decorative and I’m more tempted to wear them if I can see them.

A great book, a Leigh Veiner print and a little clutch make for a great display.

A great striped hook from Anthropologie holds a fun vintage coat or the next day’s outfit.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed my little closet tour.  It makes me really happy to start my day here.  Happy weekend lovelies!!

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Closet Case – Part I

Hello my friends, is it Friday yet? Seriously, this week has been really kicking me in the you know what!

Anyhoo, today I’m over the the fabulously fabulous blog decor happy talking about closet organization. I’m also hanging out with some other very stylish gals over there so be sure to check it out! Thanks Vanessa!

Be sure to check back tomorrow as I reveal a little bit more about the design of the space.  See you then!

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A Bit of a TV Tirade…

I’ve made a decision this past weekend…..I am tired. Tired of coming home after a long mind-numbing day of work to watch some dumb a$$ or some bimbo faux celebrity on some loosely scripted reality TV show.  Or some so-called ‘expert’ decorating a house with nothing more than a glue gun, two rusty nails and a ball of string.  So all that being said, I am canceling my cable.

I’ve decided that my TV watching will be limited to those shows that are available online or that are on local stations. I suspect however, that my internet time will increase exponentially, but you can’t win them all.

What ever happened to great TV shows? Shows that inspired or entertained where we didn’t have to watch drunken guidettes throw up on themselves.  Oh the glory days….

There is one new bright shining star that I have recently discovered, Downton Abbey.  Words cannot express how much I love this show.  Judging from my Twitter feed on Sunday night, I’m not the only one.  I highly recommend this one but it’s worth starting from the beginning.  So, I’m interested to know, what drives you crazy about TV? Come on people, speak up! ;)

 

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Moodboard Monday- Great Expectations

Hello, my friends! I’ve been a bit MIA of late but I’ve been working on a fabulous side project which I will be sharing soon. In the meantime, I want to chat about making an entrance. First impressions are often the ones that people remember. So why not make yours fabulous? Personally, I love to make an entrance, no shock to those who know me know I’m not exactly a wallflower ;) .

I am in love with the idea of a boldly patterned entrance whether it be walls, floors, fabrics, bring it on!  This well-loved wallpaper is the Chiang Mai Dragon print from Schumacher in China Blue. Gorgeous….mixed with the black lacquered chests, a cobalt mirror and vintage lighting from 1stdibs, it sets a hell of a first impression.

Since we all don’t have 1stdibs budgets, I would splurge on the wallpaper and lighting (but still definitely vintage) and then check out consignment or thrift stores for the furniture pieces which could be sprayed in high gloss paint and/or reupholstered to work with the paper.  There are so many ways to get a high-end look on a not so high-end budget.

The problem with such a stylish entry is that the rest of the house has big shoes to fill! Have a great Monday lovelies!

 

 

 

 

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Happy Holidaze!

Well the presents are unwrapped, the turkey has been eaten and I am ready to sleep until New Year’s! I just spent the day hosting my family and while it’s great to have them here, I am looking forward now to some quiet time until tomorrow morning when my sister arrives with my two adorable nephews.

To all my friends and readers, I hope you had a wonderful day filled with lots of friends and family, some great food and a few fabulous prezzies under the tree!

 

 

 

 

 

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Moodboard Monday – Purple’s Rein

I am currently having a love affair with purple.  I’m not referring to pale shades of violet or lilac but complete knock your socks off purple!  Once a colour for royalty and large obnoxious dinosaurs, purple has been showing up everywhere from the runway to the home and everywhere in between.

I love, love, love how purple plays equally well with jewel tones and with neutral colours.  I am contemplating adding some purple to my own bedroom which is going to look lurvely with the cool grey tones that I currently have in there.

Purple and graphic pattern? Um, yes please.  I’ve been in love with this Graham and Brown paper for ages and even contemplated it for my living room a while back.  And truly, Marc Jacobs can do no wrong – well other than that one season with grunge.  But I’ve blocked that one out…

All photos via

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As Time Goes By…

Nine years ago today I married my best friend….

…and I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, except maybe my hair colour!

Happy Anniversary Pete!

xoxo

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Pretty Little Bits of Platner….

I keep hoping that the vintage gods will smile in my favour one day and that I will stumble upon the perfect Platner piece at a great price.  A girl can dream no?

I am in love with the curvy lines of his metal pieces and think they work equally well in a modern or more traditional space.  I love it when furniture doubles as art.  Gorgeous!

I could easily move right here. Great furniture, a cowhide rug, metallic accents and books?  When do I arrive? 

While burgundy is not my first choice of colour, I do love the way the richness of the chairs plays off the graphic rug.  And the chandelier is beyond…..

Any favourites? Would you incorporate a really modern piece of furniture in your space?  Would love to see some of your favourite spaces that mix modern and traditional.

Photos via

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