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You might think that once you’ve seen one neutral home, you’ve seen them all. But I am here to prove to you that this is not the case. Not even in the slightest! This particular Antwerpian home plays with the use of scale and texture to create a neutral, natural space that is anything but boring. And if you know me at all by now, you’ll know that I’m totally, completely, 100% on board.

1 Champagne Glass ($33)
2 Art ($26)
3 Lamp ($108)
4 Bangles ($130)
5 Stationery ($16)
6 Throw Pillow ($30)
7 Notebook ($13)
8 Ceramic Bowl ($18)
9 Bracelet ($30)
10 Earrings ($30)
11 Tray ($33)

It’s possible that I saved my personal favourite gift guide for last…

Happy weekend you guys!

Between my recent vacation (where calories don’t count) and Halloween, it’s pretty safe to say that my diet as of late has been lacking in all forms. Heavy meals, too much beer and sugar-ladden treats have quickly replaced anything of value and have made me feel laggy and less than stellar.

With that in mind, I’ve been on the hunt for meals that are easy to throw together, full of flavour and leave me wanting more. When I stumbled upon this recipe for middle eastern stuffed acorn squash*, I knew I had to give it a shot. Not only does is scream fall, but the flavours are intense and delicious and taste anything but healthy.

*It should be noted that I doubled the amount of cinnamon, cardamom & mint the recipe calls for. Additionally, I added a teaspoon of cumin, turmeric and coriander to boost the flavours even more. I am a spice advocate through and through

mummies | cupcakes | spider | ear wax | candy | cookies

Every year I convince myself that I’m going to throw a Halloween “feast” of sorts. An excuse for my friends and I to gorge on inappropriate amounts of candy and drink questionable beverages out of oversized goblets. And each year, without fail, Halloween manages to sneak up on me.

This year is no exception. With travel and life and work and… these days, I’ve once again run out of time. If I were to throw said party however, you’d better believe that my treat table would resemble something the likes of what you see here. Oreos disguised as mummies, dangerous looking cupcakes* and licorice spiders make for the perfect accessories to my make believe party.

*I’m fully aware that sounds ridiculous. I use the word dangerous lightly.

Last Saturday, Justin and I headed to the Christie Antique Show to waste away the day (in the best kind of way). Happening only twice a year, this event consists of 10 acres of delicious antique market goodness. We ended up leaving with a handful of cool trinkets for unbelievable prices (my favourite being the vintage wooden shoe forms – Justin thinks they’re weird but that’s kind of why I love them).  It was my first time perusing the bounty and it will definitely not be my last. Here’s a peek at the goodies we brought home with us. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend it!

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I know that many of us succumb to the urge to spring clean as the weather warms up, but am I alone in feeling the same compulsion come fall? Though I’ve been out of school for over five years now, once September rolls around I still feel as if new beginnings are on the horizon. A fresh start, if you will. And with that comes the desire to purge my belongings, organize my boxes and bins, tuck away all my warm-weather clothes, and dust off that label maker hiding within the depths of my closet. Without realizing it, lately I’ve been unintentionally pinning a handful of organized spaces that are only further fueling this fire. Here are a few great ideas that I can’t wait to incorporate into my own home some day. In the meantime, I’ll be busy figuring out a way to impermanently affix some hooks onto the innards of our cupboards in our (rented) condo (see the first image, above. How clever is that?!)

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While I’ve always been a girly girl at heart, the notion of all things princess (tulle, tiaras and the like) irks me to no end. Give me some pink, MAYBE a sequin or two, but for the love of all that is holy do not call me a princess.

When it comes to interior design, there’s no question that I’m drawn to that of a feminine aesthetic. That said, there is a fine line between pretty in pink and Cinderella threw up. All to often I see spaces in which that line has been crossed. But this one? Well, this one is an exception. The perfect example of girly done right. A hint of pink here and there, just the tiniest bit of sparkle, and worn wood to ground it all. Yes, yes and a little more yes.

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I mentioned last week that one of the most difficult things to do as a designer is to design for yourself. There is just so much pretty out there that I find I need to be very cognisant of my purchases so my own space doesn’t turn into a mash up of objects from eras of all kinds. While I admire the eclectic look and feel and know for certainty there is a time and a place for it, I have recently established that it’s just not for me. On the other hand, if there’s one thing I dislike to the umpteenth degree, it’s a space that has been so heavily curated that it feels as if its unlivable. Matchy-matchy, and over-done is never a good thing.

I’ve been on the lookout for a space that embodies everything that I envision for myself: a fine line between painstakingly predetermined and haphazardly thrown together. I feel confident when I say that this just might be it. Estee Stanley has done an impeccable job at transforming these rooms into a home. The combination of old and new, feminine and masculine, modern and rustic is no easy feat, and is one I strive for myself on the regular. This house, what with its glorious furnishings, arched entryways and other such architectural details, will from here on out be considered my muse.

rainbow sprinkles (because I’m 4) | a weekend morning ritual
a playful puppy | sparkly shoes | the beach

If this past weekend is any foreshadowing for what’s to come this summer, I know that I’m in for a treat. It was the first one in a very long time in which I really took advantage of the warm weather in all its glory, spending every spare moment possible outdoors. Between blended mojitos, dinner dates with new friends, (more than one) ice cream trips and strolls along the beach, it was the absolute perfect way to kick off what is sure to be a wonderful season. Summer, you are aces in my books.

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I believe that my favourite thing about summer is that you truly don’t need all that much to really enjoy it. The blazing sun, a cute swimsuit, something to protect your skin and a functioning bicycle is all I need to get me through the next few months.

Happy (first of summer) weekend friends!