Boxed Up

I have confessed my love of chairs, mid-century furniture, and Harry Potter but I should also add jewellery to the list. I am a sucker for sparkles so when I attended a Lia Sophia jewellery party a few weeks ago I couldn't help myself and just had to order a few pieces.

Well my jewellery came in last week and, after trying each piece on a bajillion times and finding a safe home for them all in my jewellery storage bench, I turned my attention to the boxes each piece was carefully wrapped in (like a kid at Christmas).

One hour and an episode of Fringe later (add Joshua Jackson to my lengthy list of addictions...) I had successfully covered the boring blue and white boxes with scrapbook paper and paper punch butterflies!

There isn't really a rhyme or reason to how I covered them so don't hold your breath for step by step instructions. All I used was some left over scrapbook paper, mod-podge, a paintbrush to apply the mod-podge, scissors, and a butterfly punch.

And guess what? It gets better! I happened to host a Lia Sophia party too and took advantage of the amazing hostess discounts they offer so I have more jewellery (and boxes!) en route!

I wonder what else I can create with scrapbook paper...

Enjoy!

Calli

Keeping Busy

There is a really great episode of That 70s Show where Red's mother dies and everyone handles their grief differently. Red acts strong, Eric gets in a bar fight, and Kitty goes bake crazy. In every scene she's mixing up batter, pulling roast from the oven, or serving up sandwiches. In the end she finally runs out of eggs and flour and loses it in true Kitty fashion.

Here's Kitty in all her glory - if you have 11 minutes and could use a laugh!

The moral of the story is that I'm dealing with some family stuff right now and I'm handling it in the only way I know how - keeping busy. I've got 5 recipes in the works, am planning a clean sweep for my entire house, and my spray painting finger is just itching for another project. 

The bad news? The posts may be sporadic over the next couple of weeks. The Good news? I should have tons of material to talk about eventually. 

Here's a glimpse at how I plan to distract myself in the short term...

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Don't worry about me, I'm not going anywhere!

Enjoy!

Calli

Getting Short With You

Could we still be friends if I decided to get all dramatic and drastic? 

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Just a little something I've been considering...

Enjoy!

Calli

A Bit of Brilliance - The Weekend Plan

I managed to cajole another long weekend off work...

We are off to the city - again. Key to a great weekend is a lineup of cute outfits and luckily I was able to get some laundry done before we hit the road. I really love the layering in this look...

via Pinterest

I'm really hoping to get in some much needed R&R. We've got a hotel room for two nights and I fully intend to sleep in both mornings (until at least 8am if I can!). This bed is a bit formal but still inviting and the deep teal headboard is amazing!

via Pinterest

I plan to fit in some shopping, with Ikea and the mall being priority stops. I bought skinny jeans last week (a big jump out of my comfort zone!) and now I need boots to wear with them. These are exactly what I'm looking for...

via Pinterest

There are some neat stores of the food variety in Vancouver - maybe we will get to try something new and/or delicious! Although the cream puff store may be first on my list, I wouldn't turn down some Red Velvet ice cream in a chocolate waffle cone... looks fantastic!

via Pinterest

Finally, a weekend isn't fabulous without a whole lot of laughter. I could use a good laugh, or cry, or laugh until I cry... either way this time off is much deserved!

via Pinterest

I hope your weekend has all the elements to make it wonderful!

Enjoy!

Calli

Loving Lucite

There's something insanely cool about clear plastic furniture. Like walking out over the Grand Canyon and looking down to see the rocky floor hundreds of feet below, it doesn't make sense. Although plexiglass is strong enough to support a grown human, we still gingerly perch on a chair or carefully place our glass on a side table. 

I've had my eye on a fabulous set of nesting tables at CB2 that would look amazing in my living room. Ikea also offers the TOBIAS chair that pairs cool molded lucite and chrome - a win-win in my books.

I love this lucite bucket chair. The shape and chrome base are glorious - especially when paired with a glam mirrored dressing table.

via Pinterest

Who doesn't want a chair hanging from the ceiling in their living room? Overall, this space has a retro feel but is still very modern and fresh. I'd take that suspended chrome lamp in a heart beat too!

via Pinterest

I apologize for re-using this image, I know I've posted it at least once if not twice. The thing is, this room really does it for me. I adore the printed wallpaper, sparkling chandeliers, and... the Ikea TOBIAS chair!

via Pinterest

Here is my idea of a home office. Clutter free, well organized, with an industrial feel. I'm not a huge fan of the arms on these chairs (they may get in the way) but overall, the lucite is fantastic!

via Pinterest

This may be my favorite use of lucite to date. After all, what is the point of buying pair after pair of gorgeous shoes and then keep them hidden away? You can only wear one pair at a time. This storage solution is genius and very cool if I do say so myself.

via Pinterest

I'm sure I could find a DIY project or two out there to help me add some lucite to my life... until then, I've got these images to get me by.

Enjoy!

Calli

Perfection Found: Serene Living Room

This is perfection disguised as a living room...

via Pinterest

Calm, Tranquil, Serene - This room epitomizes it all... Also, there is a disco ball, how freakin cute!

Enjoy!

Calli

The Tale of a Tulip... and a Table

via Pinterest

I have been completely captivated by this dining room. I first saw it in a magazine a year or two ago (I believe it was Canada's Style at Home) and ripped it from the binding as inspiration for the new home I had just purchased. The dark floors perfectly ground the bright white curtains, sparkling chandelier, soft gray walls, and sky skimming mirror. I am also head over heels in love with the gray-blue colour of the chairs and the overall balance of old and new/modern and eclectic. But, my favorite piece by leaps and bounds is the table. I have wanted a Tulip table forever - smooth sculptural base, cool marble top - and, as I do not have one of my own, I live vicariously through this image. 

Can you believe that I have drooled over this table a million times without Googling the designer? According to good old Wikipedia, Eero Saarinen, a Finish-American architect and interior designer created the Tulip group of furniture in 1956. The table was produced alongside matching side and arm chairs, bar stools, and coffee and side table.

Fun fact - Apparently Eero Saarinen attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art where he befriended fellow students (and design legends!) Charles and Ray Eames!!! I apologize if I'm just a tad bit excited right now - but common, how cool is that! 

I really love the timelessness and versatility of the Tulip table (and chairs). It can work with different spaces and design aesthetics - acting as a showstopper or silently taking a supporting role. 

via Pinterest

Recently, I've seen a crazy amount of Tulip tables online used with mismatched chairs for an incredible eclectic look. Or, the opposite, Tulip chairs as an addition around a wood table creating a perfect miss-matched look.

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Ikea's DOCKSTA table is actually a great knock off of the Tulip table and relatively affordable - Especially when compared to an original! I saw a couple original Tulip dining sets in a Vancouver furniture store this summer for an exorbitant amount of money, luckily my credit card limit is too low...

Enjoy!

Calli

A Bit of Brilliance - Terrific Textiles

"Nice thick material" my grandpa always used to say - after a playful pinch in the stomach, arm, or leg. 

He tended to overuse his jokes (or maybe I was just too cool) so it grew old, fast. But, sometimes I find myself drawn to the feel of a fabric when shopping and I experience a little flash back - and a private chuckle.

Does it seem like sometimes you can't help but run a hand over a stack of shirts or row of scarfs? That's exactly how these images make me feel...

These yarn wrapped candle holders are all kinds of cozy. I really love the seaside/nautical colour palate but see it working just as well with rich browns, varying purples, or something with some sparkle for the holidays.

via Pinterest

My Nana was queen of Mod Podge and would have gone nuts for this project. I love how well the delicate lace works with the soft hues in the ceramic pots. 

via Pinterest

These ballet flats are delicate and girly and truly beautiful. Although perfect for a fancy party, I'd pair them with dark denim for some a girl-next door appeal...

via Pinterest

I imagine this wool sweater is terribly itchy - but the adorable heart patches are soft and fleece-like. I covet anything a bit old-school and this sweater has the feel of a high school football game.

via Pinterest

These braided headbands are genius! I have a ton of fabric scraps, glue gun, and can pick up cheap plastic headbands from the dollar store. My own laziness is the only reason I haven't started mass producing them!

via Pinterest

Enjoy!

Calli

Put a case on it

This weekend we added a new addition to our little family! 

In case you were wondering, our family consists of my boyfriend, numerous plants that he loves like children, and a dozen-ish handbags that I love more than I would my own offspring... (note to self, I'm not ready to pro-create).

This time however the addition wasn't green or feature hand stitching... I am pleased to announce that, I have now upgraded to a new iPhone!!!

This is a big step for me - I'm almost always last when it comes to fancy new technology, people actually made fun of the relic phone I toted around for the last two years. 

I will admit to acting like a child on Christmas morning - searching for neat apps and adding contacts. Then, this morning, with the best of intentions I went online to look for cases. 

Two and a half hours later...

Now a girl needs to protect her stuff (scratches are not a flattering look!), and I wanted nothing but the best for my new baby. However, I found myself quickly overwhelmed by the amount of stuff online (a common occurrence). There are literally a biajillion different cases out there, many of them cute, and I just don't know what to do. Like an excited child at the SPCA* I really want to take them all home (where I can give them plenty of love and let them run free in a field...)

*I'll take the SPCA over a pet store any day

I was able to limit the choices slightly, here are my favorite dozen or so...

I really love that there are so many different colours and patterns available - I was able to find chevron, houndstooth, plaid, argyle, and paisley prints in all kinds of colour options. I also spotted cases that featured old-school book covers. Nancy Drew was a favorite when I was young and The Catch in the Rye is a classic!

(Green Trellis Pattern by Lifeguard Press; Cupcake found on Zazzle; Purple and Yellow Baroque Pattern by Cafe Press; Nancy Drew by Cafe Press; The Catcher in the Rye by Out of Print Clothing;

Blue and Yellow Paisley Print by Cafe Press)

I also really love these Andy Warhol print cases (. They come in a 5 pack and would make a fantastic Christmas present (hint, hint!). 

via Pinterest

And finally, here are the three I have it narrowed down to for now - however, knowing me, it could very well change tomorrow...

Kate Spade from Amazon

Harper Lee's Classic via Pinterest

Jonathan Adler via Pinterest

Please feel free to put in your 2 cents - you know I love an opinion or two!

Enjoy!

Calli

My Happy Place

Why are short weeks always the longest? This is one hump day I may not make it over...

Today, I'm going to my happy place...

Common Friday, hurry up and be here already!

Enjoy!

Calli

Give the Girl a Chance

Yes, I went to a Taylor Swift concert in Vancouver this weekend.

If you've got a joke to make, save it, everyone at work already beat you to it.

But you know what? It was an AMAZING show!!!

Source: Jenelle Schneider via The Vancouver Sun

No I didn't feel too old, even with a tons of 15 year old girls (and younger!) running about the place. Instead I actually felt younger. Taylor Swift may in fact hold the key to time travel (and scientists will never know)... Somehow, for a couple hours, I was magically transported back to high school and allowed to belt out the words to my favorite songs without feeling the need to act mature.

It was a fantastic feeling. Not that I want to be in high school, I'd crack under the pressure in a matter of minutes, but a couple hours to act like a kid again was wonderful.

Now I know not everyone (at least 99% of the people I associate with) is a Taylor Swift fan. But, you've gotta admit she's adorable. Normally I'd be annoyed by anyone so sweet and squeaky clean but it's really hard to hate her.

Also, I respect the fact that she doesn't need to act like a whore to sell her music. Yes, I have some Ke$ha and Rhianna songs on my iPod (and even a couple Brittney and Christina - you know, for old times sake) and I'm not calling them whores or hating on the skin tight revealing clothes, chains and whips, or Russell Brand. I'm just saying that Taylor Swift is refreshing and not once did I have to question anyone's parenting skills because they brought their kid to the show.

The best part of the show? Besides the does he/doesn't he love me emotionally charged atmosphere - The glitter. Move over Mariah Carey, there's a new girl in town and damn does she make glitter look good.

The outfits (all of them - every single one) were sparkling, there were fireworks, and at least twice canons shot glitter into the air. Now I want my own glitter gun moment.

Of course all good things must come to an end and it was time for me to come back to reality (mortgage payment and all...). Of course Taylor sent the crowd away on cloud nine after stepping onto a balcony and floating above the crowd.

She's sweet and adorable and makes me want to be friends on a first name basis. Common, give her a chance...

Enjoy!

Calli