A Bit of Brilliance - Lace Trimmings

Every year it feels like I have less and less free time - where have the good old days gone of curling my hair for forty five minutes in the morning, talking at length with friends online, basking in the warm sun with a good book...?

Oh yes, those are the indulgences of someone who hasn't yet moved out of their parent's house, started working full time, and realized how difficult it can be to maintain a clean home (and some sort of trim waistline). Darn. 

Before the dividing of my free time into laundry time, workout time, cooking time, and bill paying time, I was able to browse my favorite blogs, soak up inspiration, and admire others' DIY efforts. If I was still able to do this regularly I think I'd admire their craftiness even more - who has time for projects these days? 

One such project I stumbled upon was an incredible lace stenciled floor. I immediately wanted to rip the carpet from the floor of my bedroom and start painting. Yes, I was still living at home and going to University, who else would have the time or energy to actually consider a project like this?

via Design*Sponge

I never did rip up the carpet, or stencil anything in a lace pattern, although the idea has stuck with me and I've grown a particular fondness for lace. However this 'aint your grandma's lace - delicate, crisp, feminine, I absolutely love it! It has incredible detail, texture, and the ability to camouflage unmaintained waistlines... I just can't get enough of the stuff.

I'm really excited to see lovely lace dresses and tops in stores this spring - side note, I LOVE dresses with sleeves!

via lovable pics

via fashion worship

I am envious of the mood this gentile lace curtain creates. Soft, intimate, clean - I wish my own house felt more like this sometimes.

via pretty spaces

Lace has always had a place at weddings - I'm crazy for delicate lace cap sleeves right now - so it's only appropriate that it'd found it's way onto wedding cakes too.

via intimate weddings

Accessories are a fun way to had a hint of lace without a major wardrobe overhaul. These shoes are fabulous.

via modcloth

via beauty bridal

Although the real world has caught up, it's not all bad. I get to make my own design choices in my own place now, and in the free time I still have, I get to collect all sorts of lovely ideas and put them here to share. Perhaps it's a good thing I don't have time to visit as many blogs. After all, it means I'm not solely inspired by others' ideas and am free to write about whatever I want!

What's your take on lace? Are you as smitten as I am or does it remind you of your grandmother's horrible window valences? 

Enjoy!

Calli

Perfection Found - Industrial Bedroom

Vaulted ceilings, metal framed windows, rough wood planks, and a cluster of suspended light bulbs - industrial perfection. 

via eventhebestfalldownsometimes

I'd have trouble living in a minimalist space but it's lovely to admire. 

Enjoy!

Calli

Hey Girl,

via Hunger Games Ryan Gosling

Just finished the Hunger Games Trilogy - definitely feels like I was the last to know just how amazing the books are.

Enjoy!

Calli

Etsy Picks - Sweet Pastels

Perhaps I indulged in one too many Cadbury Mini Eggs this Easter, or maybe I'm just finally giving pastels the attention they deserve, because for some reason I can't get these soft hues off my mind. Not just for nurseries and baby clothing, I found some wonderful pastel pieces on Etsy recently. 

I've really fallen hard for this little beaded necklace - the pastel hues are lovely. I'd pair it with some dark skinny jeans, ballet flats, and a couple thin layered t-shirts.

via Etsy

Vintage tea-cups in soft pastel hues and vintage magic. I really like the mid-century style and stack-ability.

via Etsy

What a fabulous pale pink Polaroid camera! I have a soft spot for Polaroid prints.

via Etsy

A pastel pennant-style necklace is so on-trend right now. I think this could be easily replicated with a little DIY magic.

via Etsy

This little cosmetic pouch is beautiful in soft pastel purple, I really like the colour blocking effect and tassel zipper pull too!

via Etsy

I'm planning on rocking pastels throughout the spring and summer, and maybe even into the fall if it's lucky... 

Enjoy!

Calli

Easter Weekend - Baking Recap

Seeing as Easter has come and gone it's probably about time that I share my trials and triumphs in the kitchen over the long weekend. I made a dessert for Easter and, as any holiday is an excuse to bake in my house, I also tried a new scone recipe. Let's start with the scones...

I'm a huge fan, Starbucks' lemon-cranberry scones are most likely the reason so many of my pants are on hiatus in the back of my closet, and although I've got a pretty fantastic recipe of my own, I decided to try something new and incorporate fresh strawberries. I found a recipe to my liking for Fresh Strawberry and Vanilla Scones at Indigo's Sugar Spectrum and gave it a go!

I found that these scones came together a bit better than my go-to recipe, the batter was stickier and easier to form into a ball, however once out of the oven they were less flaky and a bit more chewy, the tradeoff for easier assembly. I also found the flavour was lacking a little bit, not as bright or tart as I'm used to, however with that being said I opted not to ice the scones so this may have made a difference. Overall, my go-to recipe is still a favorite however I'd be tempted to try these scones again with raspberries and lemon. 

Once the scones were cooled and consumed I set my sights on Easter dessert. I decided to go with another new recipe for Lemon-Blackberry Cheesecake from iVillage; the photo has peppered Pinterest and I just had to try it myself.

Unfortunately my cheesecake didn't come together as well as the photo - in defense of the recipe, I used low-fat cream cheese and an 8 inch spring-form pan, instead of the 9 inch called for in the instructions. I have plenty of excuses for these decisions but in the end the cake came out a bit jiggly in the middle and had more of a swirl pattern than two distinct layers. I think everything would have worked out, adjustments included, if I'd cooked the cake longer before adding the second layer, and again at the end - lesson learned. 

Although it wasn't perfect, the cheesecake still looked pretty - it didn't crack - and the taste was amazing! Honestly this cake is one of the best I've ever tasted, which is a lot. The blackberries aren't overly sweet and the lemon adds just enough pucker. It's very rich but not over-the-top like chocolate cheesecake often is. I will definitely make this cake again, with full-fat cream cheese, after I buy a new 9 inch pan.

Looking back it was a pretty successful weekend for baking. Although it wasn't perfect, I was able to try two new recipes which always present their own challenges, and a bit of excitement at the unknown.

Enjoy!

Calli

A Bit of Brilliance - Diamonds are Forever

Do you think Kanye pines for his good old days like I do? I remember when Jesus Walks and Diamonds are Forever  were featured in a steady rotation on my iPod...

I know he's put out music since then, and I've heard it's pretty decent actually, but I can't really get over the egotistical showboating and condescending comments. I mean who makes Taylor Swift cry? It's like kicking a dog or something... clearly I'm not over it. 

Anyways onto another rant - why do diamonds have to be so expensive? They're supposed to be a girl's best friend but I can't even afford to have one over for wine and some gossip. I've started seeing a lot of graphic diamonds lately, which may be just the way to introduce myself to such a foreign object. 

Also these diamonds don't increase my chance of being robbed at gunpoint - a very important consideration each morning while I'm accessorizing.

Pendant necklace via Modcloth

vintage inspired poster via Etsy

screen print t-shirt via Etsy 

DIY tote bag via how about orange

iPhone case via Etsy

DIY pendant necklace via oh the lovely things

Have a wonderful weekend!
Calli

Go Canucks Go!

I'll admit it, I spent the evening watching my Vancouver Canucks instead of crafting a post for today. In my defense they finally started to look good, at some points, and pulled out a win! Celebrations ensued...

Yes they are down three games to one in the series but if the roles were reversed I wouldn't be counting LA out. In honour of a steep climb back into contention I thought I'd share the some Canuck love with this little video. I thoroughly enjoyed the part about making mistakes - it puts last year's riots in Vancouver in the right context.

Also I've really got a bee in my bonnet about how the fans/media treat Luongo. My family has had to endure my ranting and I wont put you through it so long as you take a minute and seventeen seconds out of your day to watch. 

Oh and if those reasons haven't piqued your interest enough, Ryan Kesler is in it too.

Enjoy!

Calli

Hey Girl,

via handmade Ryan Gosling

I'm thinking a cream finish, slightly distressed edges, and an antique patina with some vintage glass drawer pulls to finish it all off - what do you think Ryan?

Happy Wednesday!

Calli

Spring Colours Abound

Have you had the chance to visit a mall lately? I went a few weeks ago and was surprised to find that somehow a bag of Skittles has exploded in a sweatshop somewhere. Pants, tops, sweaters, dresses, accessories in every store are available in any colour your heart could desire.

Maybe not Skittles in sweatshops, that's a little silly; perhaps instead designers from around the globe got together for a pajama party and watched Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat, or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or another equally colourful film. Walking away completely inspired, they all created over-the-top colourful fashion shows, and the lemmings (that's you and I) followed suit.

I don't know why I was surprised to see so much colour, after all Pinterest is full of it right now too - especially skinny jeans - and as I spend so much time perusing the site it clearly shapes my views of the outside world. However, somehow seeing all the colours together, royal blue sweaters over fuchsia tops paired with yellow skinny pants, hit me hard and I couldn't help but stand frozen in the middle of the hallway, shoppers bumping and pushing past me, to take it all in at once. This is perhaps the closest I'll ever get to being inside a rainbow, unless one of my endless quests to find the pot of gold finally pay off.

via homedsgn

This spring it appears colour isn't just left to the fashion world, it's infiltrated the world of interior design as well. I am pleased, I love colour and my own home is full of it. As much as I have drooled over monochromatic spaces in the past, crisp white bathrooms, soft gray kitchens, and soothing neutral bedrooms, this huge hit of colour is cheerful, optimistic, and energizing - just like Spring after a long winter.

via georgiana design

via the buzz

As I've said time and time again (and probably stole from a designer or two on television), my favorite way to add colour is with paint and accessories. A gallon of punchy paint and a long weekend are all it takes to add new life into a space. Or, if the thought of climbing up and down a ladder a zillion times is exhausting, take a couple hours and hit up IKEA, Homesense, or your local thrift store for colourful accents.  I keep my larger, and therefore more expensive, pieces of furniture neutral and layer colour on top with bright throws, pillows, handmade art, and nicknacks.

If you're looking for a few DIY ideas to add an injection of colour to your home, take a moment to visit a few of my past projects here, here, and here. Colour is something to embrace, not hide from - go ahead and see for yourself. 

Enjoy!

Calli

On My Mind - 16.04.2012

I've got a new favorite accessory - the spinner ring. A couple friends have them and now, like a spoiled child, I want my very own! 

If you aren't familiar with the spinner ring concept, it's quite self explanatory. A thin metal ring, or multiples, is constructed over a thicker band, with enough room to spin freely. The larger band is slightly flared to hold the thin ring in place. A quick perusal on Etsy produced a ton of viable options. The best part? The rings allow for some mixing and matching of different metals - gold, silver, brass, copper...

vit Etsy

via Etsy

via Etsy

via Etsy

My favorite so far is this multiple band ring, I really like the mix of patterns and different metals. Also, the band is designed to be slightly shorter than most of the other options out there (translation - it's not so chunky on your finger) but it still has the full stack of accent rings.

via Etsy

As luck would have it, I've also chosen one of the cheaper options out there - this almost never happens!

Enjoy!

Calli

A Bit of Brilliance - Lookie Loo

Why do short weeks drag on and feel longer than a normal work week? Alas it's Friday, thank goodness, and I've got some lovely ideas to share. So go ahead, have a look, and then have a great weekend!

As soon as I spotted this strawberry tart I knew I had to make it - now I'm just waiting for them to come into season. Doesn't it sound delicious? I really like the rustic look, not too perfect and therefore easily attainable. 

via yumsugar

I really like the graffiti look this mirror has. The bright coral and orange really make the ornate frame stand out; the photo composition is equally fantastic.

  

via tumblr

This look is absolutely stunning - I can't stop staring at this photo. The coloured headband, loose wavy hair, perfectly maintained brows, pale blush... I could go on and on

via Pinterest

I love tulips in the spring and having these beauties greet me in the kitchen each morning is the best way to start any day - even a Monday.

 

via tumblr

I really love the look of this colour combo - soft pink, gray, and cherry red. It's unexpected yet really works.

via cupcakes and cashmere

It's Friday the 13th - spooky eh? If you believe in all of that...

Enjoy!

Calli

On My Mind - 12.04.2012

I've only just noticed now how perfectly the colour rose straddles the seasons - Winter and Spring. Both warm, deep, and comforting like a cozy winter sweater, and soft, delicate, and fresh like the first blooms of the season.

blush tone Popsicles via versesfrommykitchen

my new obsession, rose gold via fashion worship

soft gray and rose bedroom via oliver & lilly's

beautiful spring cocktails via everything fab

fabulous shell chairs via sfgirlbybay

cozy rose jumper via pinterest

Enjoy!

Calli

Dear Alexander Skarsgard

Can I call you Alex? How about Xander? Alexander feels so formal.

The other day, after casually spotting a very flattering photo of your abdominals of yourself in a magazine (ok fine online but not in a creepy way), I realized you are not getting the attention you deserve.  As an extremely good looking Swede with the uncanny ability to play a Viking turned Vampire Kingpin, that no one knows if they should love or hate but definitely want to sleep with, it’s about time you have some sort of internet meme spin-off of your own - adapted of course after those Ryan Gosling Hey Girl posts everyone is going crazy for.

It could be called Hej Kvinna which a certain internet translator tells me is Swedish for Hello Woman – doesn’t quite have the same cool hipster ring to it though.

From a quick peek at your abs uh, biography, I quickly learned that you’ve been acting since age 8, studied Politics, and served as a Marine for 15 months – albeit for Sweden  which I will admit to knowing very little about*.  If being smart/brave doesn’t get you the attention you deserve (it never seems to count for much in Hollywood) you also made an appearance in the movie Zoolander a few years ago which is really all I needed to know**.

I mean what does Ryan Gosling have that makes him worthy of this internet phenomenon more than you? You’re both handsome – him in a more boy-next door, semi-alternative boy band way that makes it ok for him to wear skinny jeans and scarves, you in a sultry, muscular, blood-thirsty way that is both intimidating and makes my knees weak. And those abdominals...

Ok, so Ryan may or may not have broken up a street fight – doesn’t mean he has to brag about it. I’m sure, if given the chance, you would do the same. If not given the chance you could always film another half-naked sex scene for True Blood; the way I see it both give back to society in their own way.

Now I don’t want to cause any sort of ruckus between yourself and Mr. Gosling, there is plenty enough love to go around. The last thing I want is an archaic display of masculine aggression to win my affections - no, stop, please don't wrestle. Take your shirts off. 

Sorry about that I was distracted for a bit. Tell you what, while Ryan tests the waters with Eva-whomever and you work on the on-again/off-again Kate Bosworth thing I’ll plan weddings to each of you, then if we’re both single when I turn 35...

Don’t be silly, planning a wedding that may or may not take place isn’t an inconvenience; I spend a ton of time alone in my apartment on Pinterest anyways.

I know this is a lot to take in right now – after all, having your own Hey Girl parody on a teeny tiny blog that only a handful of people may or may not read is kind of a big deal. Take some time, think it over, and let me know what you think. In the meantime, here’s an example of where I see this going, just in-case you’re more of a “visual” person.

Vogue Magazine - July 2011 via

As I mentioned, I've got time on my hands to come up with clever slogans and seek out gorgeous photos of yourself. 

So Alex, if you somehow stumble upon this little post I hope you like it, and seriously 35 is only a handful of years away - what’s your plan for 2022?

Calli  xox

*Sweden, I adore your furniture and general design aesthetic. Your flag is Blue and Yellow which I know from watching international hockey tournaments; Canada’s version of compulsory military enlistment. If you care about me at all, don’t bring up the 2012 World Jr.’s – it’s still a touchy subject.

**I actually didn’t know you played one of Derek Zoolander’s gasoline-sparring friends until I Googled you – in search of topless photos like everyone else.  

Etsy Picks - Minty Fresh

I've recently gained a new appreciation for the colour mint green - soft, fresh, and calming, it immediately brings to mind delicate vintage touches and days gone by. 

Adorable vintage button earrings, framed in gold, pair as well with jeans and ballet flats as they do with a retro inspired sundress.  

via Etsy

A lovely mint green belt with white stitching is modern and fresh - the skinny width adds a vintage touch.

via Etsy

I absolutely love these vintage measuring spoons and as a kitchen tools you can never have enough.

via Etsy

This vintage Savoy camera is too cute, slung over a shoulder as you bike down the street to meet your best friends, is there any better way to capture precious childhood memories?

via Etsy

Beautiful cucumber mint sugar cubes will look adorable in a vintage bowl in the bathroom - my skin is tingling already!

via Etsy

This lovely mid-century club chair makes me want to prep the garage and re-paint/re-upholster my own little cane chairs.

via Etsy

Isn't mint lovely? However I have to admit that my favorite way to enjoy it is in an ice cold mojito on a sunny patio.

Enjoy!

Calli