Monday, August 26, 2013

house refresh: new table & rug

When Scott and I first bought our 1950s semi-bungalow, it was meant to be a stop-gap until we found our forever home. Eight years later, we're still happy living here, but that doesn’t change the fact that some of our rooms are in need of a refresh (including our 60 year old kitchen which needs either a miracle or Scott McGillivray).

We had already done a lot to the house in our eight years of ownership, but when it comes to older homes there always seems to be something that warrants your attention.

Erin McLaughlin home Daffodil Design

I started with our main floor sitting room which had been missing a coffee table for a while. I had moved an animal print ottoman into the foyer for us to perch on while we put on our shoes which left a gap in the room (fantastic for spontaneous dance parties but challenging when you want to serve snacks and drinks to company).

I knew I wanted a glass table as soon as I spied some in the homes of Style at Home editor, Erin McLaughlin and Sarah Milne of daffodil design (both pictured above). Although, Sarah’s Urban Barn Thilde table is no longer available (it’s been replaced with this), I was able to find a similar one at Structube for quite a bit less.

Rug 1 edited

I like that the table adds a modern edge to the room and helps to showcase the gorgeous patterned rug I found at Home Sense. I love that place. Who doesn't really?

Now that the table and rug are off the list, it's on to these to dos:

Sitting room
Purchase coffee table, side table,  rug (dog friendly!), drapes & sofa (this one's nice)
Front door
Paint door, mailbox & light fixture, switch out house numbers
Front entry
Find wallpaper & light fixture
Foyer
Find light fixture & assemble gallery wall
Kitchen
Entire redo including floors, cabinets, countertops & window
Main floor bathroom
Gut job!
Master bedroom and dressing room
New windows, drapes (ordered sample fabrics from Tonic Living) 
Dining room
Find vintage brass bar cart, new art
Basement
Paint guest room & add gallery wall to main area

I'm hoping that by posting this list I'll be kept accountable and actually get things done. Because having lots of ideas swimming in my head is not really working out for me.

Let me know what you think of the table and rug!

p.s. Trying to make out what books are on the table? It's Domino: The Book of Decorating, Design*Sponge at Home and Home by Novogratz. I got the latter two for a steal at Home Sense!

Friday, August 23, 2013

jasper bound!


We’re heading to Jasper today on an adventure weekend in the mountains with our friends Ryan and Angela (sans kids & dogs!). We’re doing this and this and making plenty of these so it should be a lot of fun.

I’ll be posting pics on instagram and facebook over the next few days, if you’d like to follow along on our travels.

Happy Friday, friends!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

eat: mixed berry pavlova


photo (10)

If you invite me over for dinner, there's a good chance I'll arrive wearing an Anthro dress with a pavlova in hand.

Truthfully, I haven't met a pavlova I haven't liked yet. And the Barefoot Contessa’s Mixed Berry Pavlova is no exception. It's one of the easiest desserts to make yet it elicits the most oohhs and aahhs. I made it for my dad's birthday last week and for my appearance on Come Dine with Me Canada.

If you do give this recipe a go, make sure your egg whites are at room temperature and that your bowls/egg beaters are squeaky-clean. It also helps to sprinkle some cornstarch on the parchment paper to prevent the meringue from sticking (I found this out the hard way!). And don't fret if your meringue cracks, the whipped cream and fruit will cover it.

The first time I tasted pavlova was during a trip to Australia a few years back (pre-blog). I took my first bite of marshmallow'y soft meringue, rich cream, kiwi and passion fruit and was instantly hooked. Now it's your turn!

p.s. I'm tackling this dessert next. It's always been one of my favs to eat. Now it's time to make it (:

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

feeling the love



It's been an exciting few months for all kinds of lovely and I couldn't be more grateful, thanks to some major love from wonderful peeps I've met through blogging and instagram.
  • Remember when Dyan, Toni and Jennifer of blah blah birds asked me to participate in my very first style guest post? That was so much fun!
If you haven't already, please be sure to visit all of these blogs. This group of ladies couldn't be more genuine, kind or sweet. And in this case, really effing funny.

Plus, kindness begets kindness, right?

Print via.

Friday, August 2, 2013

how to heritage festival

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My favourite local event, the Heritage Festival, is this weekend! It's a multicultural extravaganza and encompasses everything I love about living in Edmonton. More than 85 cultures will be represented at 60 pavilions which means SO much delicious food (plus music, dance & art). 

Here are some tips if you plan on coming down to Hawrelak Park:

Before you go:

What to bring & wear:
Edmonton food bank donation (this is their biggest drive of the year!) * Water bottle * sunscreen * sunglasses * wet naps * hat * change for the bus * comfy flat shoes * 

My fav eats & drinks:
Roast lamb and chevapi at the Bosnia Pavilion * Iced hibiscus tea from the Egyptian Pavilion * Saffron ice cream at the Iran Pavilion * Mango and sticky rice at the Thailand Pavilion * Doughnut (lepinje) from the Croatia Pavilion * Pina colada from the Cuba Pavilion * Bannock from the Aboriginal Pavilion * Poffertjes from the Netherlands Pavilion * Nyanya salad from Borneo Pavilion *

Make sure to pop by the newest pavilion: Brazil/Colombia

Hours:

If you have little kids, I'd recommend coming in the morning. The grounds are not as busy.
Saturday, August 3: 12 (noon) to 9 p.m.
Sunday, August 4: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday, August 5: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hope to see you there! I'll be the lady with the huge goofy grin whipping around Hawrelak Park on my trusty golf cart (:  And if you follow me on Instagram, get ready to drool 'cause I'll be posting tons of food pics.

Happy long weekend, friends!

P.SSome of the scrumptious things I've eaten at previous Festivals.
Wondering about my official looking getup in the pics? For the past four years, I've been a volunteer on the Festival's Board of Directors
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