Friday Fabulous - the Gallery Wall

the new gallery wall

I just LOVE Fridays!  I'm not really sure why they hold such a special place in my heart since I gave up my Monday-Friday job quite a while ago but they are still my favourite for sure.  I guess it's because it's the gateway to the weekend and the weekend is always so full of possibilities.  This Friday I thought I'd give you a peak at what I've been working on around here.  

A few months back we decided that we needed to finish painting out our living room since we had started it, well, two years ago.  Woa!  That's right, it had been THAT long!  Since we were painting I decided to take down my picture ledges so we could fill the holes and paint the wall then maybe put the ledges back up again.  Check out my post about the picture ledges here. 

the old gallery wall with our old green walls (though it's hard to tell that the wall colour is green)

Once I had the ledges and pictures down I realized that I hadn't love loved what they looked like when they were up.  I am really glad I gave it a try but I didn't like how cramped everything felt.  Also, Mr. D knocked one particular picture off the ledge a number of times (by accident of course) and I just didn't want to deal with something that could be a danger to those sitting on the couch.  So...I left the space blank for MONTHS.  Um, it's still blank but that'll be another story for another day.  I knew I wanted to put the pictures back up but didn't want to use the ledges.  I also moved everything over to an adjacent wall so that the picture frames wouldn't get knocked off the wall anymore.  

BEFORE ... ARGG so much clutter!!! 


The buffet has become a dumping ground and I thought you might like to see the clutter up close!  We are working on getting things more organized but we're not quite there yet.  Notice the blue painter' tape on the wall.  I was marking the middle of the buffet or as close as I could get with eye-balling it so I could center my gallery.  It was a great thought but didn't quite work out as I had planned but more on that in a later post.

 AFTER

I love LOVE how the gallery uses most of the space on the wall while drawing the eye upward making the ceilings feel just a little higher.  I also love that I was able to put some space between the frames which gives the eye a little time to "breathe" and to take each photo in before moving to the next one.  It's amazing how those little spaces help the room to feel orderly and calm which really helps to make our house into a peaceful home.  I'm still working on styling the buffet so I'll spare you the cluttered mess this time.  All in all, I'm super excited about having so many special photos up.  Oh and little C noticed them the other day and stood there for a while just taking it all in.  I totally love that he can look up and see his family (near and far) any time he wants.  That's the best!

I'll do a post later on how I put everything together but until then...have a happy Friday!

Friday Fabulous - Blog Love

So I've been excited to get back into some of my favourite blogs over the last couple of weeks.  The fun thing about blogs is that there are usually links to other fun blogs which usually leads to even more fun blogs and on and on.  Well, I started clicking and discovered some interesting new-to-me blogs.  I just couldn't help myself and I wanted to share some of my recent discoveries with you.  Clicking on the blog titles will take you straight to the goods.  I hope you are as inspired as I have been.

Nesting Place - It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.  I can so relate to that statement.  I've particularly enjoyed looking at the transformation The Nester's home has gone through over the last couple of years (click on the home tour).  She has really put a personal stamp on her home - a rental home at that - while keeping things livable for her family.  That's right people... she's got 3 boys.   

from Nesting Place

What She Wore 365 - just because I need new inspiration for my wardrobe.  Did I ever mention that when I married Mr. D I moved from a place that had four distinct seasons to a place that has two real seasons...warm/hot and cool?  Half of my wardrobe was instantly unnecessary.  It's taken me four years to figure out how to dress in this new climate (I actually got tired of wearing flip flops...scandalous, I know!) and I've finally started to wrap my brain around it so I'm excited to get shopping.  That and we have some kickin' outlets down the way that are calling my name!

from What She Wore 365

ThirtySomethingFashion - I haven't spent too much time getting into this blog's past posts but I was instantly intrigued because the poster was pregnant.  That's where I'm at right now ... not necessarily pregnant but definitely in mommy land and I'm always looking for new inspiration that says "fun, stylish, and able to run after a two year old."  I'll be checking this blog out for sure.

You really must check out these great blogs ... you just must!  Happy clicking everyone and have a wonderful weekend!

...one more thing...what blogs are you following these days?

Friday Fabulous - 10 things Holiday edition

10 Things - Holiday edition

1.  chai nog
2.  traveling ALL the way to Canada for Christmas!  I'm so excited I can't stand it!
3.  dreaming of a white Christmas and knowing it might actually happen
4.  being able to break out the long sleeves...every now and then
5.  Christmas movies - White Christmas, Christmas in Connecticut, Christmas with the Kranks
6.  starting family traditions for my very own little family
7.  Christmas crafts - there are FAR too many to do before the season is over!
8.  spending time with family, just being together
9.  mittens & scarves
10.Christmas twinkle lights everywhere

source

Friday Fabulous - It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas...

Well, here we are.  At the end of another week.  I continue to marvel at how quickly each week seems to fly right on by.  This post is not really related to decorating my home but it's too fun to resist!  I can't wait for Christmas!  It's my favourite holiday by FAR!  Today marks day 1 of my holiday baking.  I'm not sure if there will be more than day 1 but it's fun to plan.

First up - sugar cookies

the recipe - I'm not gonna lie, it's from a kid's cookbook, super easy and totally yummy

my favourite part - decorating and totally trying something new this year

Here is my favourite sugar cookie recipe (from Company's Coming - kids cooking)

Ingredients

12 tbsp. butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

21/2 cups all-purpose flour
11/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

1.  place the first 4 ingredients into the bowl.  Beat on medium speed until smooth.

2.  add flour, baking powder and salt.  Beat on lowest speed just until moistened.

3.  wrap dough in plastic wrap, place in refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.  **this step is critical as this dough is VERY sticky**

4.  turn oven to 350'F, roll dough out on parchment paper and bake for 7-8 minutes or until edges begin to turn golden brown.  Cool cookies completely and decorate.


Here are some of my current inspirations from none other than Martha Stewart

- love the simplicity of this beautiful snowflake

These were some of my first inspirations

so pretty

colour is always fun

I just can't resist... Happy Holidays!  (ok, so it's a little early but this only comes once a year so I'm going to make the most of it!)


ciao!

10 things - Fall Inspiration

pumpkins courtesy The Lettered Cottage

It's been a while...10 things - inspired by fall

1.  cool evenings that beg for warm drinks - hello chai tea, I've missed you!
2.  cozy down blankets
3.  Thanksgiving Canadian-style just around the corner
4.  pumpkin pie
5.  tall boots
6.  leaves changing colour
7.  apple-scented candles
8.  decorating with pine cones and branches
9.  chili with sour cream and shredded cheese
10. comfy sweaters

Happy first day of Fall everyone!

...one more thing...what do you enjoy most about fall?

Friday Fabulous - House & Home

Happy Friday!!

photo courtesy House & Home

I have such exciting design news!  House & Home magazine (originally Canadian House & Home) is now in the US!  Oh happy day!!!  Back when I was just out of college I discovered House & Home magazine.  It was the very first magazine I ever subscribed to and was instrumental in opening my eyes to the world of home design.  Most of my H&H magazines became references and I have poured over them many, many times over the years.  They even made the long trek down to Florida with me when I moved.  I couldn't even think about leaving any of them behind!  What I think is so great is that the magazine is modern, a little trendy but still classic.  There are photo galleries, recipes and party ideas as well as design blogs.  You definitely have to check it out!


Have a fabulous Friday!

Friday Fabulous - Decorating with Picture Ledges

Happy Friday everyone!

I hope you are enjoying your Friday and looking forward to the weekend.  We are going to be spending the weekend celebrating with friends at their wedding as well as spending quality time with family.  I LOVE weekends like that!

I have been working slowly but steadily on a super fun project in our living room but it's not quite done yet.  I'm waiting on the last two little details to come together hopefully this afternoon.  I thought I'd leave you with a little hint until it all comes together.  Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Fabulous

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! 

My weekend officially started today and I'm so looking forward to my days off.  It seems fitting that today is Canada Day as well as my first day off.  What makes this such a great weekend is that I get to celebrate Independence Day as well!  I'm working on a little crafty project to use on Monday which will add a little fun to our festivities.  It's actually something I learned in grade-school then saw in a Martha Stewart magazine some time ago.  Here's a little sneak peak!  Happy celebrating everyone!

How-To here

photo courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

** update... ok so I had the best of intentions but it didn't happen.  Instead Mr. D and I played with little dude and spent much needed family time together.  I'm still learning to juggle working full time, spending quality time with my family and doing the other things I love.  It was a joy to spend the whole weekend doing nothing but making memories as a family.  Maybe I'll get to it next year.

Friday Fabulous - Father's Day Ideas

It's that special time of year when fathers everywhere are honored.  Here are a few last minute ideas in case you're still lookin'.  Have a wonderful weekend!

(source)

Cards:

Measure tape card 

Camera card 

Shirt & tie card

                                 

(source)

Treats:

grill cupcakes 

remote control cake 

                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                             

(source)

Gifts:

Survival kit 

Collar stays

Movie club starter kit 

Deluxe Stainless Steel Slider set 

Gingham handkerchiefs 

Joystick –It for Ipad 

Bocce 

Fajita rub

                                            

Friday Fabulous - Raising a reader

Friday Fabulous...trying to raise a reader.

Step one: introduce books

Step two: learn to put the book the right way up.

Step three: enjoy :)

Little dude and I had such fun taking his 10 month photos (shhhh...he's already 11 months...oh well).  It's great that he LOVES books, I mean LOVES books already and I hope to foster a love for reading as he grows.  His books of choice right now...anything he can look at himself.  The little cardboard ones are just his speed.  Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back later with a fun project I completed for little dude's room.  Yay!  I'm so excited!  Ciao!

Friday Fabulous - Birthday

Sweet Hubby - flowers, a note AND a thoughtful card.  He is so eloquent.  Just the words I needed to hear...”I picked you...”

Sorry for the poor cell phone quality photo.  Hubs wanted to get me dahlias but the florist didn't have any.  Instead she added other "spiky" flowers.  Oooo-kaaay.  I just can't get over that my sweet man knew dahlias were one of my faves!

Loving Family & Friends - dinner, heartfelt words, gift cards for shopping.  Can we say hel-lo Spring clothing!


Yummy cake - red velvet, smooth buttercream, ‘nuf said!


Such a humbling and honoring day!  I am blessed beyond measure to have so many dear people in my life (near and far).  Thank you for making my 35th birthday (shhh...don’t tell) a truly splendid day! 

It’s trickled over to today and has helped to make Friday fabulous too!

… one more thing … I heard a little rumor that cake is calorie free on your birthday so I didn’t hold back.  Yes, I did have two pieces of birthday cake and boy were they both de-li-cious!