bored? make a bracelet

These tabs have been open on my iPad for months now. It's time I find some scraps of leather and embroidery thread and get creative.

I especially love the bow bracelet. It would make a great personalized bridesmaid's gift.

leather bow bracelet

And for those who are feeling a little nostalgic:

friendship bracelet

If you miss those colourful friendship bracelet, but are worried they may come as little too childish, check this out for an embellished, edgier version.

{images: oh the lovely things}

{honestly wtf}

sometimes we love what we don't like

(And I'm not talking about family members.)

As I scrolled the posts on the Kitchn, I came across Leela & Dave's Imperfect Kitchen. It caught my attention because the first picture had a) a woman I assume to be Leela looking adorably disheveled in pj's and a robe and b) the kitchen reminded me a whole lot of my kitchen in my old apartment. 

I need to preface what comes next by admitting that I hated my old kitchen. I hated the ugly countertop, the faded linoleum floor and the stupid cabinet doors that just wouldn't close.

Now, looking at Leela and Dave's kitchen I feel like I may have been a little hard on that old kitchen, a little quick to overlook its innate charm. 

I don't particularly like this kitchen, but I do love it. Like my old kitchen, it has tremendous potential to be a "magazine kitchen" if you're willing to invest in a complete overhaul.

Home decor magazines and blogs have made my expectations way too high. This post reminded me that while you need a space you love to be happy, that space shouldn't need to be defined by designer standards. It's important to strike a balance between your style and your lifestyle. Having lots of shiny stainless steel and pristine glass may look really nice when its brand new, but fingerprints happen. 

We shouldn't sacrifice the comfort and homeyness of a messy, imperfect kitchen for the sometimes impossible standards we set for ourselves.

And when I say "we", I really mean me.

{images: the kitchn}

pipe down

 I've been coming across a lot plumbing pipe furniture in the past few days. I don't if this is an upcoming trend. Or maybe I just missed the bandwagon. Regardless, I really like what I see! 

I'm sure you've all seen the pipe shelving—even if you haven't, the Stolmen line at Ikea seems to have been inspired by it, and I know you've all seen those! But I'm talking full-fledged furniture! Chairs, benches, tables and beds just to name, well, most.And there are tons of downloable DIY plans available online. 

If you're feeling crafty and know what epoxy copper and a boring bit are and have a couple of sawhorses lying around, I strongly encourage you to Google-search it and make one! 

Then, I—again—strongly encourage you to send it on over my way, or at the least tell me what a boring bit is... oh, and lend me your sawhorses.

I especially adore this DIY featured on Martha Stewart! I've been wanting a bench for our narrow entrance, but was worried too crowd it. This hands-on approach would allow for some customized tweaking.

{images: apartment therapy}

{martha stewart}

bottom line

So that wraps up kitchen week. While it was far from comprehensive—or very methodical—I hope you were inspired to think of new ways of bringing some panache to your kitchen. I know I was! Mom rules are out the door for me! Can't put a couch in my kitchen? Pfft! As long as you go with something you love, you can't go wrong. That's what I really hope you took away.

And if you're really lucky, you'll end up with a kitchen with amazing bones like this one! Look at all that natural light. Beautiful!

{images: no place like home}

comfort zone

I absolutely love the idea of jazzing up an otherwise plain kitchen by adding some cozy elements. A nice bench, a couple of comfy chairs or a few throw pillows can really do wonders!

{images: fjeldborg}

{there's no place like home}

a kitchen with personality

 Kitchens are filled with all those useful items that make our lives that much simpler; a dishwasher, a microwave, a garbage can, and all that other semi-boring stuff ("semi" because sometimes I get excited about stuff like a nice garbage can, ok? Don't judge). 

Just a couple of weeks ago, the idea of putting a framed artistic print, or a pretty bauble in the kitchen seemed counter-productive. Kitchens rarely ever have much space to display items some may judge superfluous. But I think it's important to make it a priority. I'm not suggesting you sacrifice your blender for grandma's silver teapot, but maybe instead of 3 coffee machines, a toaster and a panini press, a vase of flowers could go on your counter.

Making room for the things we love next to the things we need can go a long way in making a space more welcoming and distinctive. 

A colourful basket, a pretty print and some flowers really add life and colour to this lovely kitchen without cluttering it (found on Going Home to Roost).

It's the peculiar that will get your guests talking on a Saturday night, and make you smile Sunday morning when you're cleaning up with a hangover.

{images: going home to roost}

pick your style

I've always had a hard time incorporating my style in the kitchen, because I subscribe to the go-big-or-go-home way of life. If I want to change my kitchen, it usually entails lots of renovating and money, and probably some strangers in the house, too.

Picking out a new kitchen is a huge decision, and if you want to do it right, investing time before money can save you lots of frustration in the future. I, for one, am drawn to many different styles, and choosing one—and sticking to it—has always proved to be a huge challenge. So my best piece of advice is take the time to look at tons of kitchen—get ideas, get inspired, make a scrapbook, whatever—just make sure to choose something you'll love for a really long time.

And that's where you need to start: picking your style. There's a plethora of choices—industrial, French, feminine, contemporary, minimalist,  bistro, romantic, traditional, rustic, country, 

eclectic, bohemian. And you can mix and match! Here's a few of my favourite:

Modern country meets rustic comfort

Industrial elements in a traditional setting

Romantic and feminine with a touch of whimsy

{images: cococozy}
{austin patterson disston}
{bijou and boheme}

kitchen week

This week, I want to focus on kitchens. I will share my thoughts on making

the kitchen the focal point of your home and bring you ideas on how to make a space that you can truly enjoy.

 I remember when I was a kid and I was allowed a small glimpse of my parents' diner parties before bedtime. Guests sat around our Swedish teak table laughing and talking, while my mom spent entirely too much time in the kitchen preparing various courses and cleaning.

 The purpose of kitchens has changed. Guests are no longer relegated to the dining room or living room anymore while their hosts keep busy in the kitchen. Now, the kitchen is where it's at. People sipping wine around an island while their hosts entertain and put everything in order for the meal to come. Even cooking has become a social activity. Kitchens are where memories are being made now—where you chat and hang out with friends and family, where your kids do their homework and tell you about their day. 

 

The home dynamic has shifted from when I was a kid, but many of us still keep our kitchen decor cold and utilitarian. Instead of investing a lot of time, effort and money on prioritizing our dens and bedrooms, the focus should be on the kitchen.It should be a place that reflects your personality and evokes the feel of a home: inviting, warm, comfortable.

My parents' generation preferred to hide the dirty dishes, mail, the various and the sundry in the kitchen. But I don't mind leaving some things out. My home is where I live, where I make messes and where I sometimes get lazy and leave a a dirty dish or two on the counter. I believe that if my friends see that I don't take myself—or my house—too seriously, then they will see my home as a comfortable place they will want to come back to. Just like myself, I want my home to be feel open and friendly.

{images: home decor interior ideas}

{apartment therapy}

{welcome to the bakery}

{bijou and boheme}

here's to 2013

We're at that point in our lives when buying a house is becoming a very real possibility. Generally, I don't hold to New Year's resolutions, but I admit that I have been thinking a lot about what's to come this year. Our lives are on the verge of changing in a significant way, and I'm really looking forward to facing everything that awaits us in 2013. Buying a house is my top priority this year, so it seems only fitting my resolution help me achieve that dream: saving. Spending time at open houses and banks, learning the meanings of terms like escrow and hybrid mortgages will be my pastimes this year.

So while I sit at home responsibly /not/ spending my money, decor magazines and websites and Pinterest will be my source of inspiration. I'll try to find a way to incorporate my love for all things rustic and warm with hubby's tastes for sparse and modern styles in our future home. And this blog will be my outlet. Expect more posts on decor and design in the future. Hopefully, by the time we settle on a new house, I'll have found just the right elements to make it a home.

Here's to 2013 and all the wonders to come! 

What goals do you have for 2013?

 {image: my flickr} 

a look back

The year started off slow. January and February saw us in our pj's lots, huddled under blankets and getting back to the daily grind. In March, Rob surprised me with a re-proposal in Boston.

In April, I made my way to Quebec City to visit a friend, and a day off with Rob at the Star Wars Exhibition proved to be one of the best days of 2012.

 As the first year in our little home with a backyard, May 2012 was the month I first tried my hand at gardening. It started pretty well, and then it didn't.

It really got hectic in July. A trip of a lifetime to Italy and my surprise bridal shower

September was the month of my bachelorette, the rehearsal dinner and the day we said I do!

In October, I started a new job, which I had to postpone to go on our honeymoon!

 And here we are, December 31. Marriage, a new family and career to boot. It really feels like I'm growing up! 2012 was a great year with a ton of wonderful moments. Here's to many more in 2013! Cheers! Happy New Year's to all!!!