Me, me, and more me.

photo source: squareamerica.com

I have been asked to write six interesting things about me by the talented (and fellow Canadian) Design Ties ladies. You know me, I always fail miserably with the whole blog awards and tag thingies... I have never been one to be great with rules. However, something about their request/command that I take part has prodded me into action. Fear not - after this one, I will go back to my lazy ways! Because really, there is very little that is interesting about me. I kind of wear myself on my sleeve, you know?

~Sigh~ Here goes (now is your chance to click on out of here):

1. I cannot physically dance in public unless I've had a few...and because I rarely have more than a glass of wine or two, dancing and me rarely partner up. But when we do, I can dance!!


(photo credit: Anne Taintor)

The rhythm, normally suppressed within me unleashes in a fury of Eighties and Nineties glory! Now, I'm not a geek -I won't moonwalk (although I know how) or do any dances that you see groups of drunken wedding guests doing in a circle or line. No, I pull out my Madonna and C&C Music Factory moves and squeal if the DJ puts on a 80's New Wave song by Depeche Mode or the like. Am I embarrassed the next day? Heck no! I am not that girl on the dance floor who thinks she's a Pussycat Doll!!! My next dance gig? My brother's wedding in July! Get your tickets now!!

2. As much as I love babies, I have to say I am really loving the early teenage years my sons are in. Their humour and insights make them so interesting to talk to (when they are up for talking). A few weeks ago, my sons and I stayed up till midnight discussing so many topics - dating, drugs, poverty, discrimination, school, their futures...I counsel and try to advise (and impart moral lessons, of course) and I love to hear their opinions on such matters. I pray the lines of communication will remain open and that they take the best paths for them.

But not leave me. I'm kidding. I think...

That said, I am also trying to brace myself for the scary stuff.

3. I measure my success as a parent by how my children treat others. I teach acceptance, not tolerance, as tolerance suggests the individual is doing something we must tolerate. I love that my eldest calls people out for discrimination and for treating others badly. He is like everyone else, flawed, but he is someone who gets the message...truly gets it. Sometimes I think he is more mature than me. His dad and I always say: he got the best bits of both of us and cast off the rest. He guides his younger, care-free brother and scolds him as needed. It is funny to watch sometimes. Other times, not so much!!!

And they face the wrath of me if they don't hold the door for others. Seriously, it makes my blood boil when anyone does that! The next worse thing is if you don't thank the person holding it for you. Adults do it all the time.

4. I think, think, think, and worry even more. Sometimes I wish I could silence my thought processes. Ideas pop into my head constantly and I seem to look at things lately and wonder how to improve, alter, recreate them, instead of just enjoying the view. I thought that a return to writing would quiet my creative yearnings, but instead they have just intensified. Conversely, I worry more than ever. I worry about the economy, war, pandemics, terrorism, family, financial security, people. When I read that back, I guess that is not so strange at all. I am sure most of you fret over the very same things...

5. Simplicity and simple things make me happy. Going for a drive with my husband, Tim Horton's coffee in hand; watching my boys play basketball, sitting down to Sunday dinner; playing Scrabble; walking and talking with a friend; spending time with my girlie; and shopping with the women in my family (shopping with anyone, really). I love the thrill of a great bargain, making things myself, and planning birthday parties for my kids. I don't wish for millions, someone to clean my house, or fancy cars. I dislike pretention, and would rather be heard than seen. I root for the underdog and admire people but never worship them. I give compliments honestly and can spot transparency from a mile away. I am intimidated by those with tons of self-esteem, and recognize it as my problem, not theirs. Big egos repel me, and I won't stroke them for all the tea in China. I care about others' problems, but lose respect when they don't wish others well. I am the fiercest of Mother Lions, and take no prisoners if my children are threatened.

6. I am embarrassed by how much talking I just did about myself, and I have just written my final me-me (is that what they are called?). I look forward to reading others', but the pot is empty for me. We are all interesting; but it is so much more fun to draw people out with questions, don't you think?

Another final bow...

I am stunned.

Again.

I just discovered (while attempting to renew my subscription) that Canadian Home and Country is closing its doors.

What's next? Country Living? Martha Stewart Living? House and Home?

My mouth hung open when I received word that Country Home was no more. I didn't see it coming, nor this one.

Is this the end of all great magazines?

The Girl in me...

I played in this on Sunday:

I wasn't exaggerating when I told you that the play house is as much mine as my daughter's! I decided to poke my nose into it to make sure it was wintering well (and it was) and when Sophie caught wind of what I was doing she duly followed me inside. Although it was fairly cold, we had a lovely little meal of (plastic) spaghetti and meat sauce, replete with crusty bread and smoothies. She tossed in some plastic strawberries and cherries into her toy blender, and within seconds we were (pretend) sipping on a seriously delicious drink. I held her baby while she cooked and the sun coming in the peak's window warmed me as I pretended to eat and care for my toy grandchild. I didn't feel at all silly, as the joy she got from rediscovering her playhouse was contagious. She had forgotten this, and had wondered where that had been...she was in her element.

And I was in mine.

Twenty cold toes later (we took off our boots to protect her hardwood floors - like every good Canadian does), and we headed inside for some real hot chocolate.

The next day, when the sky was dropping snow and freezing rain upon us, she asked if we could do it all over again...

The grown-up in me declined.

I don't particularly like frozen toes...

So I "ate" this instead:

****************************************************

If you want to see the rest of Sophie's playhouse, go here!

Dreaming of Slipcovers...

above photo: Country Home.com

My living room is still in need of two things: an area rug (which I refuse to buy until I can find one that I both love and can afford) and a new slipcover for the comfy armchair in the corner of the room. While it is not offensive in any way, it doesn't reflect my style. I bought it because it was the nicest one in the furniture store at the time, and it fit the requirements of what I was looking for in a chair.

As I search for the perfect fabric (again, one that I love and can afford), I find myself browsing beautiful sites online where the slipcovers leave me longing for something equally lovely. Patience is not my virtue, but it seems I will have to master it anyway...

Now, for your viewing pleasure:

Above photo source: Flickr.com

above two photos: Country Home.com

I think I am leaning towards a powdery blue fabric, with a piping in a fun, retro fabric. I'll see what I can find...

No, (gulp)...that's not mine.

I love order.

I'm hooked on it, in fact.

I love hitting the aisles at Homesense where they have all of the great storage solutions like beautiful baskets, boxes, hooks and more. I am not a cluttery girl at all. I find it torturous to sit down and have my cup of tea until the kitchen is tidied; and orderly spaces send a feeling of calm through every cell of my body until I am completely relaxed. I clean my "junk drawer" once a week.

So how did this happen to me?

I snapped this photo after Christmas and thought about making it a screen saver to shame myself for letting things get this bad. However, simply taking the photo and admitting my messiness spurred me into action. I plunked myself down on the floor and began the organization process from the bottom up. Out went the toys that had somehow landed in there, the Christmas wrap I didn't even know I had, picture frames that I could put to use, and extra linens, that I finally admitted I didn't need, were packaged up and put in a pile to donate.

Table linens were reorganized into a neat stack, bed linens were folded as best I can (I refuse to try to fold bottom sheets like Martha instructs), pillow cases wrapped around them (which is such a neat trick), and all of my fabric remnants were neatly folded and placed in a zippered plastic case that some new curtains came in. Curtains are also a problem for me: I keep buying them!

So a good hour later, and here is my new and improved linen closet. Not as pretty as some (certainly no cedar lined shelving!), but it gives me that calm feeling every time I reach in to retrieve what I need.

I can't believe I showed you that! Gives new meaning to "cleaning out my closet," doesn't it?

*****************************************

Head on over to see Julia at Hooked on Houses. She is hosting a round-up of what everyone is hooked on. I can't say I liked showing what I did, but don't worry...everyone else is showing something pretty!!

When I was young and foolish...

Check out this flower pot cake I made many years ago for a fundraising cake walk. My boys were not yet in school, so where I found the time or pateince to attempt this, I'll never know. Apparently, I was channelling my inner Martha, or something like that...

I do remember the process of making this masterpiece, however. The daisy petals were flattened, sliced jumbo marshmallows with orange gumdrop centers; the hyacinths were made of (food-coloured) puffed wheat (assembled like Rice Krispy squares), and the tulips were fruit roll-ups wrapped around a marshmallow, and snipped with scissors to mimic the tulips petals. The actual cake was baked in a clay pot, removed, and then iced in clay-coloured icing (tricky getting just the right colour...). I recall the cake being very tipsy, and probably too soft, as the flowers were threatening to topple over and out of the cake. Although I was mighty proud of this creation (proud enough to snap a photo, apparently), I think it sold for a measly $15.00.

Slap!

What an insult!

And I even made a little ladybug out of a red M&M, studded with melted chocolate polka-dots for authenticity!

Some people know nothing.

But I'm much wiser now. In fact, I have chocolate chip muffins baking at this moment.

Courtesy of Quaker Oats.

Martha Stewart has indeed left the building...

...or I'm older and wiser!!

*************************************************

Although I was dumb enough to try these.

Good looking, but good for nothing...

Even though it's completely shallow to go for looks only, we've all flirted with it; and some of us have even fallen for rugged good looks with little substance. As visual beings, we are easily distracted by charm, chiseled features and attractive first impressions. It is not our fault - we are bombarded on a daily basis by the notion that beauty can camouflage imperfection.

My advice on this topic: resist temptation! Rebuff that gorgeous but good for nothing piece of...................................................furniture, lighting, you name it. Heed your mother's advice: do you want a chair that just sits there, empty - looking beautiful but so not comfortable or sturdy? So unreliable? Do you want to be the one to clean up after that retro-modern shag rug...shine the silver service for twelve that looks worse for the wear after just a few times out of the case, or dust the intricate light fixture with one hundred crystals? Basically, ask yourself, is the beauty of the object in question worth the extra work, discomfort or high maintenance? Does it give back in any way other than just setting pretty, waiting for you to compensate for its shortcomings?

It's up to you. But here are a few items I won't be investing my time, money or emotions in, any time soon:

This sofa/daybed by Jonathon Adler is drop-dead gorgeous, in my book. The colour is perfect, the lines are lovely...but look closely: just how functional is it? Sure, it would serve fine as a place to nap on, but would you really want someone curled up there unless they were adorned in pristine, white clothes. There is no room for dusty, bare feet or errant drool here! Then try using it as a sofa. What do you lean against, the wall? You see? Sometimes the most lovely pieces fool us. In fact, this piece might be the perfect metaphor for the handsome, but aloof, self-absorbed male (or female!). Sorry Jonathon. It is stunning, but a bit of a letdown...

Now, when I first laid eyes upon this photo, I was hard pressed to find any faults within its delicate beauty. Who could find fault with white, soft pink and great architectural details? Well, from a design standpoint, only a fool perhaps. But if you are an everyday homeowner, even without kids, would you really want to maintain the cleanliness those white, painted floors command...and deserve? Honestly, unless your hair was white - or both you and your spouse are bald - stray hairs, crumbs, tea splatters, even dust bunnies would look downright offensive on that floor. I know many of you adore painted white floors. I do, too. But I also know I am not committed enough, nor willing to take on the high-maintenance issues that go along with them.

The above photo shows a mirrored kitchen back splash (this was the best photo I could find). While this can look quite sleek and sophisticated, and reflect great light back into the room, all I can think of is do I really want to Windex my back splash each day, and do I want to see the back of my toaster and coffee maker? In a word, no!!

The photo below shows my worst nightmare: floor to ceiling stainless-steel kitchen cabinets. Have I told you lately how much I despise cleaning my stainless appliances? I don't even find this look particularly attractive; but I liken it to the flashy good-looking man who tries too hard...over-gelling his hair, tanning all year long, and wearing too much cologne. Throw in some manicures, teeth-whitening and other metro-sexual habits, and you don't want to go this high-maintenance!!

Now tell me, what will you not venture into in the quest for design beauty?? Does beauty always win out?

Dare to Dream...

Don't these images just make you feel hopeful?

Hopeful that the snow will soon melt, the birds will return, pussy willows will bud, and picnics will be possible again?

As my boys head off for a day of skiing (yes, on a school day!) with their dad, and I ponder taking a walk through slush and ice, I will cling to these thoughts and know that sooner or later, spring will come and melt all of this blasted snow!!

***************************

images: (top) decorative country living.com

(bottom) Ideal home.com

Trip the light Fan-tastic!

What is that saying about turning lemons into lemonade?

Well, I think I did just that on Sunday afternoon. We outfitted Sophie's room with a fan when we built our house nearly four years ago. We decided on a fan as the summers here get quite muggy, and I am not comfortable with leaving her window open at night (a healthy dose of paranoia is a mother's prerogative...). Thus, I chose as unassuming a fan as I could find; but let's face it, fans are not known for their unique beauty!

So, after having fairly cool summers for two years in a row, I decided to continue to live on the wild side after dabbling in red during Sophie's room make-over. Perhaps I could do away with the fan and select something more fashionable? After a quick search, I did find a beauty of a fixture, replete with an etched glass drum shade (sooo pretty). But sadly, it was $250 - a figure I could not feel comfortable with spending for a variety of reasons, the main one being that it is a complete budget breaker!!!

Never one to be deterred by a lack of money, and in keeping with my theory that you can redecorate by shopping from your own home, I took a hand-me-down drum shade (given to me by my sister), combined it with a light bulb moment (which occurred one insomniac night) and fashioned a new light fixture for zero dollars!!!

One aching back (from reaching up to unscrew the fan blades), a blistered finger, and a few mild curse words later and I was the proud owner of this new light:

Realizing, as I gazed up at it, that I did not like the finial that came with the shade,

I remembered the pretty glass finials that came with the $3.99 curtain rod I purchased at the Christmas Tree Shop last spring. A quick change of a screw and it fit perfectly. So much better!!

This is the view of the light from directly beneath:

Not perfect, but good enough for me...and free!! Now don't worry - I will change out the ribbon for fishing line, but of course, I was too impatient to wait!! I like immediate results!!
******************************************
And I guess I'll have to shop for a floor model fan for those muggy nights this summer!!

Also, check out the windowless window seat we made for her room!

****************************************************************

**If you want to see other ten minute make-over ideas, head on over to Nesting Place:

And if you want great frugal tips and inspiration, check out this great round-up here:

Four things in four seconds?

Julia, from Hooked on Houses just got back from BlissDom, which is a huge meeting of bloggers for bloggers, and she wrote a little list of what she learned there. The thing that shocked me the most is that, apparently, most visitors stay at your blog for an average of only four seconds.

Four seconds!!! Is that right? Because if it is, that means I am spending far too much time writing my posts! No, I choose not to believe it. Because a talkative gal like me can't possibly write a post that can be read in four seconds...

Instead, I will go with the four theme and offer up four things that are on my mind:

1. Does it make me a bad mother if I book a hair appointment for my daughter during school hours?

2. Does it make me a really bad mother if, on the way, I buy her a Cafe Mocha, albeit decaffeinated??

3. This display of compassion and sharing made me so happy and sad: the look of such a hungry child looking so earnestly into her eyes...I don't know how she didn't crumble into a sobbing mess, knowing that his own mother cannot give him what he so desperately needs. Heartbreaking and heartwarming...

4. I'm sorry, but I just can't get past this: do most of you really spend just four seconds scanning each blog? Because I don't. I may not get around to as many blogs a day as I'd like to, but I certainly give more than four seconds to those I visit. Unless, of course, they haven't posted new material since my last visit!!

I need to know. And if it's true, I apologize for my run-on posts...and I had better start taking and finding more pictures!!!!!!

In the Studio...

Remember my very recent post about creative spaces? Well, a few of you were very kind to show me photos of yours, or direct me to others' whose studios are gems in their own right.

Hungry for more, I then drummed up the nerve to ask (in a bossy way) Matthew Mead to show us his! I mean, come on, we've even seen Martha's test kitchen and the like...

Well, apparently I wasn't alone in my quest. Matthew has a few others who wanted a peek, too. So, like any smart man with a pile of female fans banging on his door, he graciously let us in. Head on over to his blog and get the tour. And if you want to see more of his studio of dreams, kindly let him know.

Or leave a bossy comment.

Whatever you decide...

Honeymoon Houses...

Do you remember where you and your new spouse began your marital journey? Where you unpacked your sandy suitcases and unloaded all of your wedding gifts, ready to begin playing house? Perhaps you were/are one of the lucky ones, who received a generous down-payment on a house of your own from your parents. Like me, you probably weren't, yet likely look back with fondness and perhaps even humour at your first humble abode.

I remember when I was filling out my firstborn's baby book. I got to the part about his grand-parent's history and one of the questions was, What was their first home like? Well, because this question never escaped my lips during my childhood years, I did what every other newly mature woman does - I picked up the phone to get the details directly from the source. As my mother rolled the question around in her mind for a mere second or so, she replied with a snort, "It was a renovated cowshed!" Taken aback by her humble beginning, I scoffed at her reply. "Yes," she insisted, "It really was. And even worse, I always had the sinking feeling that the old man living nearby spied on me while I was in the outhouse!"

(not my parents...they're a little younger!)

Oy...how do you compete with that??

Our first "love nest" was also a renovated building with a less than top drawer pedigree. It, in fact, was housed in a renovated bowling alley, likely only a few lanes wide. Although it was newly outfitted, we also had peeping neighbours. Except these neighbours weren't sneaky about it. As I passed by their apartment each day on my way to get the mail, they'd ask nosy question after question, well tinged with the scent of before lunch-time "cocktails". Luckily for us, our little outdoor deck was angled out of their view, so we could fire up the Hibachi without meeting their constant gaze...

I think of how that little place was decorated: very early nineties country- cast-offs aplenty- and my husband's weight bench took up prime real-estate in our living-room...which I concealed carefully with a pretty screen I bought with much pride at a flea market. Still, I considered myself very fortunate. We secured the apartment before the paint colours and carpets were chosen, so I was able to get a healthy dose of country blue in my living room...

Yes, we were happy there, as all newlyweds are when they first set up shop on their own. It was ours; and we were at least proud of the inside. Many an evening was spent watching Jeopardy and Saturday Night Live, seated on our ancient/ hand-me down/ rigid, orange-flowered sofa (covered in a pretty quilt, of course).

(not my sofa, either...mine was uglier!)

It wasn't until I realized you can't make a nursery out of a dresser, despite hanging a mobile over it, that we needed to move on. I wanted a real nursery for our impending addition. Little did I know he would sleep with us for the first three months of his life...

So, this leads me to you. What was your honeymoon house like? Was it stylish and sleek, or was it dressed in hand-me-downs and furniture left over from your college years? Did you jump in feet first and load yourself down with the buy now/pay later option for acquiring furniture? Or did you make do and scout the flea markets, coffee in hand - happy to just be together - and not see the scrubby forest for all of the fireworks.

After all, anything is better than a renovated cowshed, right?

(all vintage photos: Square America.com)

Have a seat!

Well, it's finally complete! What started with a little ol' paint job and grew into a whole room make-over, can now be scratched off the list of winter projects. I had mentioned in my post about Sophie's bedroom that her daddy was making her something special for the little nook area of her room.

Here it is, a windowless window seat!

I used curtain panels from Wicker Emporium (Cdn) for both the curtains and fabric for the bench seat (I purchased the matching pillows, too). I have a very talented seamstress friend who can sew anything to perfection. She made the cushion cover for the actual bench. (If anyone in my area would like her contact info, just email me!) The curtains that adorn the area were too long, so I (relying on my own sewing skills, which are next to nil) simply cut them off and glue-gunned the pom pom fringe on. Not very professional, but immediately satisfying!

Sophie plans to use the space not as only great reading nook, but also as a sleep-over spot. The seat is wide enough for her younger or petite friends to sleep on. There is lift up storage beneath the bench for extra blankets and out-of-season clothes.

Sophie figures she will also be able to close the curtains over and use the bench as a stage...

We'll see about that!!

Inspired Speechless...

designer: Tria Giovan

After my crafty weekend, I began daydreaming about how lovely it would be to have a beautiful creative space of my own. Now, I have carved out a spot in my downstairs family room, but it is not really measuring up. Ultimately, it is not a room of my own, but basically just a work surface plunked in the middle of the room my kids claim as their domain. Also, it is obviously not inspiring to me, as I have never used it for creative purposes. Ever.

I think what I really dream of is a frothy, feminine room, reserved only for creative endeavours...more whimsical than orderly, although beautiful organization is a must. Instead of filing cabinets (though I'd take one in pink!), I'm thinking open shelving, skirted in a great retro-pretty fabric, with beautiful lined baskets. I want a judy/dress form to model my growing collection of vintage aprons:

I will keep quiet now, and tip my hat off to the wonderfully talented women who carved out the following breathtakingly beautiful craft studios. Or rather, I am simply speechless due to the aching lump of envy in my throat.

Check out these studios, all found on Flickr.com:

If you, too, want to be rendered completely jealous, check out these: Alicia Paulson's studio, and Jenny B.'s fabulous craft studios.

I am officially now in pain....

Whole lot of fakin' going on...

As much as I enjoy creating, I am more of an occasional crafter. Holidays, special events, days when I feel guilt creeping up my neck when I realize my daughter hasn't painted in ages (and you all know why...shame on me). Although I profess to wanting her to exercise her creative muscles, I often fail to set the scene. More guilt...

This past weekend offered up the perfect chance to dust off the scissors, glitter and (gasp!) sewing needle. All of the boys went out of town for a basketball tournament; thus Sophie and I had the house gloriously all to ourselves. The lack of routine (and mess) that offers up has a way of relaxing women, young and old. While technically we missed them, we wasted not a moment in doing girly things and getting our creative groove going again.

So, this is what we got up to:

Yep, that's faux snow...made using this product: (which you can usually find at your local florist or craft shop)

One of my absolute favourite websites is Rachel's One Pretty Thing. Except that title is a bit of a misnomer as there are heaps of lovelies plucked from blog land and beyond, handpicked by Rachel, all meant to inspire even the most non-crafty amongst us. After having a good perusal of Rachel's site I settled on these fakes:

Yes indeed! Those are felt doughnuts, which I found using this link from Rachel. Aren't they adorable? The above link offers up a wonderful tutorial, and the site is definitely worth checking out! I planned on making a dozen, reduced that number down to six, but decided three was even better. I was never much of a seamstress...

Moving on, we then made some hand-made Valentines for Sophie's classmates, using some supplies from the Dollar Store and some of my long-neglected scrap-booking supplies. More guilt...

For someone who couldn't wait to get started, she was only too happy to hand much of the work over to me. Maybe I shouldn't be feeling so much guilt?

We capped the evening off with a bit of dancing (hers, not mine), and she wore her favourite play shoes (ladies size 5, bought by my sister). She walks amazingly well in them, and her clickety-clacking can be heard throughout the house, whenever she is inside. More proof?

There are no fake high-heels in her life!!