Pillows

Forget anything I've said or even thought about pillows. Now that I have pillows-I-love, I love pillows! I found ten bright, cheery, incredibly preppy pillows for the outdoor sectional at Indigo.

Here's the scoop:
- citron, blue and orange
- indoor pillows with down inserts (we bring them inside when not in use)
- 50% off right now, between $19.95 - $27cdn

I thought I wanted bohemian/southern Californian deck accessories: a sectional that stepped out of the urban outfitters look-book, or even better, a deck that was styled by Morgan Satterfield. I pictured loads of kilims in many sizes, with rugs and brass and hanging plants. Still, I was reluctant to buy ten or more kilim pillows because as soon as I do, someone will sound a gong and declare them dead. Also, kilims are scratchy.

Next, I would like to cover the seats with something that isn't white. White does not mix with kids. Bad idea. Even Sunbrella fabric, with two incredibly filthy little boys, is not good. Sure you can wash it, but it gets dirty again within 30 minutes, and some stains do not lift*. I am on the hunt for a reasonably-priced chartreuse overdyed rug or two, or killer blue shibori cloths. Both would lend that boho vibe. (I know I can mix boho and preppy, because I searched on pinterest and it is a thing)

If you have used indoor pillows outside before, please raise your hand!


ps. Not sponsored
pps. The 16x16 sunbrella pillows that came with the sectional are not comfy, and squirrels ate half of them. 
ppps. One of my river birch behind the deck doesn't get as much light as the other. We had the large maples trimmed (just this morning) to allow more light to filter in.   
pppps. Indigo has everything in these colours, tea towels, dishes, throws...etc...and check out Anthropologie's Lemlem collection, too. Pretty close, but not.

*Knowing all this, I still buy white pillows!

Pillow Project

A little project I am working on that is going much faster (and sucking up WAY MORE YARN*) than I imagined!

I was hunting online for great pillows for the kids beds at the cottage and I saw fuzzy ones for $180 that I knew I could make!!!

I asked mom to bring up the leftover yarn and rug canvas she saved from when we were kids. She had quite a few colours and I hoped there was enough from this hodge podge to make one euro sham. At the time, it seemed like sooo much yarn, but it's all used up!

It makes more sense to start rug hooking at the bottom of the canvas and work your way up. I cheated a bit and hooked yarn guys all over the place in a random happy way. I wanted to make sure that the 80's colours were spread out all over the pillow, in case I had to buy new yarn to finish it off. 

It's loud, but that's cool!  I really love it!

Sorry, this post is useless as a DIY because I have no idea how much I have used so far, or how much I still need. I do have a link to colours.

I will come back when I am done the second (and third?) pillow with a cost breakdown. It's not going to be cheap, because of the volume of yarn, binding, pillow back and buttons or zipper...Still, I think I can get one done for $40-50...I mean, I hope it costs way less than that, but at this rate...

JEEZ it's 5pm...gotta start cooking! Whole rainbow trout tonight with tomato cucumber salad and veggie sticks.

Sources: Pillow One , Pillow Two


*have to order more from Mary Maxim to finish

ps. the kids LOVE it and every time I get it out they come over and fight over who's pillow it is...charming boys ps. I just thought of something! You could buy a latch hooking kit of a butterfly or boat or penguin or duck, as long as it's in a colourway you like, then scramble up the colours!!!! Way cheaper!!!

Underestimated: papers

When we planned the kitchen, I underestimated the volume of paper that comes into the room. Coupons, permission slips, birthday cards, reminders and mail hang around for months.

We have a drawer for mail and ipads and notepads as well as a drawer to file important things, but there is no space for work in progress. Like, I will completely forget to take the kids to the ROM if I don't pass these $5 off coupons once or twice or seventy two times a day.

At first I kept up by clipping things to the fridge, and, to be honest, I still do...but I started shoving them behind the light switch too. It's a mess, I'm a mess. I bought this gadet to help (from ebay)...it does the job in style. I am excited and mortified by how much more I can shove behind the switches.


ps. I have a blue plastic 8 1/2 x 11 envelop to store all of my son's papers. School, Sports, Bday party invitations are corralled together. I feel like his personal secretary. Right moms? 
pps. I should log dates into my calendar and toss the rest, but I never use my electronic calendar and I like to double check. What if I entered it wrong? 
ppps. The Light Switch Rack is Hot, but Papers Are Not
pppps. Have you read The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen? I am reading it now, and it just hit me that I am doing exactly what Enid does in the opening paragraphs of the novel - squirreling away mail and expired coupons into separate caches all over the house.

"The anxiety of coupons, in a drawer containing candles in designer autumn colors. The coupons were bundled in a rubber band, and Enid was realizing that their expiration dates (often jauntily circled in red by the manufacturer) lay months an even years in the past: that these hundred-odd coupons, whose total face value exceeded sixty dollars (potentially one hundred twenty dollars at the Chiltsville supermarket that doubled coupons), had all gone bad. Tilex, sixty cents off. Excedrin PM, a dollar off. The dates were not even close. The dates were historical." 

"Six days a week several pounds of mail came through the slot in the front door, and since nothing incidental was allowed to pile up downstairs - since the fiction of living in this house was that no one lived here- Enid faced a substantial tactical challenge."

Addicted to: Deer Garden No MSG Fish Soup

Have you been to Deer Garden?


They have three locations in Vancouver, and now a new (?) restaurant in Richmond Hill (north of Toronto). I tried it three weeks ago for the first time, instantly hooked! Then we went up the next two weekends in a row. The fish soup is amazing. It's my favourite and definitely the only thing I will order until I grow tired of it (yah, right).  Judging by how packed the place gets, I think it's a safe bet that the entire menu is delicious.

Would you drive to Richmond Hill for noodles? Would you try fish soup?

They are considering opening a location downtown...I hope it's close to my hood!


Deer Garden, Times Square Plaza, Unit 108, 550 Highway 7 E, Richmond Hill
(Hwy 7 & Leslie)

ps. parking on the weekend is difficult, but my sister in law assures me that there is space in the underground lot. 
pps. let me know if you go!

Boys sheets

Homesense at Vaughan Mills has a large selection (at least 5 patterns, and 15-20 sets) of really really adorable sheets 'for boys', twin or full sets. They also have quilts for $50! I think that's a steal! (for a pottery barn-esque quilts!)

We bought two sets of cotton fire truck sheets for when it gets too warm for flannel.

I Love it! Do you?

I spotted this clock at '...Of Things Past'...Let me tell you, it's even better in person! At $115, it's reasonably priced too!

ps. Consider this post to be a little like the old Craigslist round up posts from ages ago (Check out the listings list for Craigslist stuff!)
pps. I wanted to attach a survey to see what you think, but I can't, for the life of me, figure out how to add a poll! I've done it before. I've tried using the exact same directions and it is not working out for me today.  I'm wasting way too much time on the computer, so maybe you could let me know if you love the clock in the comments? If you have a second or two?! Are we eighties glam fans around here? I could see this in Bijou & Boheme's house!

Library book

This book is a jem.

"Where's my TRUCK?" by Karen Beaumont
 
Two year old and 4 1/2 year old approved. In fact, they like it so much, we ordered our own copy from amazon!

Give me money!

I turned down $100*.

I had the opportunity to earn some cash by curating a list of 20 items for the home. These items needed to be available online from retailers. It took me a while, but I came up with twenty things, just barely. Except my list wasn't what they were looking for...and they hoped I could provide a list once a month, or every other month. Like a job.

Guys, I know it sounds like easy money, but I rarely shop retail. Not to mention, I am all about getting rid of stuff, so how can I endorse buying more stuff?  Just wasn't a good fit.

I like vintage, second-hand deals and making what I already own work for me. 

Anyways, this is the list of twenty 18 items I stitched loosely together under the heading "Reluctant Retail Shopper"...things I own (or want to buy). I think they really pull the house together! 


Home Depot Mirror, $59.99 // Cheap, we have it in basement bathroom, I could see it over a living room fireplace. I like a bit of black in every room!
 
H&M Blanket, $30, on sale now // I love afghans. I want a cream one for the living room. Maybe I should buy this now that it's on sale! Shoot, wait, H&M home is still not available in Canada

IKEA Ribba Frame, $19.99 // Square frames seem custom

Crate and Barrel Tray, $51.77 // I have couple vintage metal trays I use to carry food and drinks out to the deck, or bowls of soup into the dining room. 

Crate and Barrel Utensil Holder, $19.95 // Sits on my counter. Chubby and plain. Holds a lot!

West Elm Oversize Hammered metal bowl, $52, on sale now // Love this guy on my round dining room table

Target Floral Table Cloth, $16.99 // I would have ordered this tablecloth for Thanksgiving if Target shipped to Canada

Boske Ceramic Sky Planter Small, $43 // Love them! 

Pear Jam Jar, Indigo, $29.50 // I have two vintage pear jars, one from Vanves flea in Paris. If this goes on sale I will pick it up!

Moooi Random Light, // First thing you see when you walk in, more or less
 
DWR White Salt dining chair, $92.65 // Love these chairs. I found vintage versions, but I am half tempted to buy a set of these and forget painting the vintage ones!  Unless, of course, I can find one more vintage chair...

Aalto Stools, $275 each // These were a birthday gift. We bought them on promotion, pretty sure.

Pottery Barn Kids Fire Truck Flannel Sheeting, $76 Cdn, on sale now // I ordered two sets of these. Almost time to get the boys set up in the same room!

Dash & Albert Tattersall Navy/Beige Cotton Rug, 6x9, $223 // This rug has been good to us, I would buy another Dash & Albert in a second!

Overstock Diamante Matelasse bedding, King, $160.95 // I have a king quilt on my queen bed, much fuller coverage
 
Charles Pachter Print, $1650 // I want!!

Zara Home Bone Bowl, $25.90  // I have six bone bowls from a flea market in Malibu, I haven't figured out how to use them, but I love the texture

Staples KIS File Box, $7.49 on sale now // I have 8 of these boxes in the upstairs office closet holding files and photos.

Hungry for Change

"A world of abundance, and an attitude of lack"

"We are not eating food anymore, we are eating food-like products"

"...people are overfed, but they're also starving to death'

"as long as you are taking in more toxins than you are eliminating, your body won't let you burn fat..."


I just watched the documentary called, "Hungry for Change." It's about weight loss (or why your body might be holding on to fat), how our food choices might be starving us of nutrition, cleansing our bodies, and improving health and well-being through diet.  

I've been moving away from eating processed food. Some weeks I am a superstar, other times, a disaster. It's all about being prepared, as well as eating enough early in the day. When I feel hunger pangs it's too late. I need to stay ahead of my cravings!

The documentary emphasizes eating your vegetables! Of course!! I mean, of course you need to eat your vegetables! They suggest juicing to increase your intake - I think we will try it out!*

Does anyone 'diet' these days? Are we past that? Atkins was the last major diet I noticed people doing...I think the word is out that diets don't work. Are you trying to eat healthier? Whether it's for your appearance or your insides, get a copy of this video - I think you will enjoy it!  

*Any get healthy strategy that forces you to buy heavy duty equipment makes me snicker. It's not like cave men sat around drinking green juice. Still - sautéed kale makes me gag...so maybe this is yummier?! Hey, if it makes my skin glow, I will pinch my nose and guzzle it down!

Source: Quotations sourced from 'Hungry for Change' 

Departures

Have you caught this show on TV?  I've watched parts of several episodes. I love it! I ordered all three seasons so I could see them on the big screen in the basement.

My head is full of wanderlust!

There are some things you see people doing, and you know you will never get a chance to do, and it's like, "ok, fine, that's cool...I am happy in my own shoes."  This show is not like that for me. Well, maybe A LITTLE...but mostly it makes me wish I had traveled more before having babies.  

My husband and I both love to travel (God, I yearn to travel, why can't I travel for a living?), but with kids, the logistics have to be planned perfectly...extra prep.  Plus, you want to go into areas that are a least a little kid friendly...and, well...I will never be the star in my own version of departures.  That's ok...I guess.



UPDATE: I was watching the first disc this evening and I could picture myself watching departures again in 30 years, shaking my head at how young I was (am) right now...and whatever I thought was stopping me, was likely all in my head!

Hay

Hay. This IS my favorite store of all time. I know you will agree since it felt exactly like walking into a blog post.   

I wanted everything. EVERYTHING!

I bought a tray.

Blush

Can you believe it took me 34 years to discover blush?  Don't get me wrong, I have always owned a compact or two.  However, I thought of blush as a finishing touch...the order was something like: toner, serum, moisturizer, SPF, concealer, foundation, eye liner, powder, mascara, blush.

Then I stopped wearing makeup. I barely have the time to wash my face these days!  If I am feeling saucy, I might apply eye liner and mascara...

Then I read this statement:

"Three things that make me feel more glamorous? Blush, first! Always blush!..."

DINGDINGDINGDING!!! We have a winner! You can apply blush, without any of the other stuff! Why didn't I think of that? Now, I wear a touch everyday...it is incredible the difference it makes! I am not sure you would notice the change, but it makes me feel pretty! Very pretty!

Do you have a favorite beauty product? 

  

Cashed in my mother's day gift!

Talking to Georgetta afterwards, about the sunscreen and facial cleanser I am buying

I made it to pure + simple today for a facial. I have been slacking in my skin care regimen lately (as in, for the last year...) but I am determined to get back on track.* 

I have been going to Georgetta at pure + simple for about 8 years. I absolutely LOVE her facials. She can take you out of your head to a place where there are no kids, no bosses, no deadlines....complete peace!

Here's the thing, I used to be intimidated by spas.  Heck, I still am.  I feel inadequate at some of these places....Not at pure + simple (at least, not at the eglinton location, I have never tried the other ones). You don't have to worry about change rooms, you can pop in while running other errands, and they are all very friendly!

Oh, and I should mention, I don't know the first thing about natural ingredients.  I blindly trust them to tell me what I need.  This is the way I do things...I know I can't be an expert in everything, and the products they sell have always done what they say they will do...with less unpronounceable words in the ingredient list.

If you have a chance to go see Georgetta, please let me know what you think! 

*Yes! I am having a mid-thirties crisis! Or at least, I am giving myself a no-more-excuses-make-over:  diet, exercise, skin care and wardrobe.

ps. that's a Disney Cars temporary tattoo on my arm!
pps. The cost is $99 BUT they have monthly sales.  In July, they are offering the Urban Renewal facial for $85.  Don't have time in July? Well, call and buy a gift certificate over the phone, and then use the facial whenever you have a free hour.  I know $85 is still not cheap...I know they will encourage you to buy their products (I love their in-house stuff)...so this is not for everyone.  However, if you have thought about getting a facial, but a spa day is a bit too much of a time commitment, pure+simple may be right for you! 
ppps. I don't think I've tried their $74 classic European facial, today I went for the Extreme Deep Clean

Do I have to say that this is a completely un-sponsored post? I feel like I have to say that every time I like something on the blog now!!!  

Hostess Gift Idea

This is such a great product!! Lighthouse Lemonade concentrate. The suggested serving makes mellow lemonade...add a bit more concentrate for serious pucker power!  Slice some lemons, toss them in...or sliced strawberries...I picked baby mint leaves from the sky planters (because I am show-offy like that!)

It's not too sweet!

A perfect summer hostess gift! If we get an invite to your house, I will bring you a bottle!!

Who's addicted to toys?

I am!

I went a little crazy collecting Happyland sets from Winners*!  My sister-in-law started the madness by giving 'us' the post office set for Christmas!  We now have:

Tommy's Toy Shop
Mrs Morris' Post Office
Village Fire Station
Busy Work Site
Fun Fair Set

Actually, I only bought myself the boys four additional sets...that's not too bad.  Except, it's not exactly setting a great example.   Haunt me this will!


*WAY reduced from retail prices, and marked down again as Clearance!  Just you wait until my son is able to say 'BUT MOM IT'S ON SALE!!!'

 ps...I make little stories and silly voices.... we use the fire engine to save the kittens ...the busy work site may have caught on fire one time but we put it out...we've mailed everyone we know letters and birthday cards...Mrs Morris is a fabulous cook (I bet you didn't know that)...the fair is a great place to unwind after a tough day....clowns aren't scarey

A few of my favorite blogs and why I love them!

I get excited when I click through to a blog for the first time and find amazing photography, spontaneity, and original writing...blogs that teach me how to dress myself, or how to style my home, or have a frugal/positive/slowing life down/recycled/thrifty point-of-view...and above all, blogs with a bit of something I want to have, or I want to be... This isn't as green as envy, and the word inspiration is soooo overused...I think of them as kindred spirits*

Rockstar Diaries-  Taza (Naomi) shares everyday moments and puts a real shine on them... There's a brightness to her! Her writing is warm and inviting - I've only been reading for a few months but I feel like a cherished friend.  Oh, and they are ridiculously good looking people!!

The Daybook - I've been reading this blog since my pregnancy when I spotted one of Sydney's maternity outfits on pinterest.  Her awkward and awesome posts are my favorite. In them she describes silly or embarrassing moments in a sweet smiley way (without emoticons). She also writes about the simple things that make each day a joy.  And if you ever see me wearing a floppy hat from urban outfitters, she would be the reason why!

A Future Present - I just discovered this blog and fell hard.   I even sent a note saying something like, "'I love your sunglasses and your blog, way to go"  Yah, I think it got a bit weird.  After seeing their upside down planters in their kitchen, I immediately ordered some for mine.  Yes, I'm trying to copy their cool but I know I will fail, since they are twenty-something artists living NYC and I am a lame old housewife living in Toronto.
 

The Brick House- love every.single.thing Morgan does, buys, designs, builds.  She is my blog hero.

The Marion House Book - Raw talent oozes out of Emma...she somehow scoops it up and smushes it into the computer.  No wonder magazines have come calling! 

What are your favorite blogs at the moment? What makes you keep going back for more???

*but that is probably because I'm reading 'Anne of Green Gables'  

New Glasses!

...and, an outfit do-over...

look - a tiny top knot!!  

I think the bangs need to be grown out.  We were outside for 1.5 hours on the windy streets and once again the bangs are stringy....so long bangs!

Am I the only one who finds dressing a lot of work?

I never seem to get an outfit right the first time.

Lets talk real closets...do you have an outfit that makes you feel fantastic? Is it a dress? Capris (I love capris)? Skinny Jeans? What is your go to store? Anthropologie? The Gap? Club Monaco?  Do you have a chambray shirt?  Do you buy things and then when you get them home, they don't quite work out the way you hoped?  Do you feel 'put together' every day? How often do you buy new clothes?

(The glasses are Robert Marc, from Josephson's)

DVF for Gap Kids

I had to get in on that action!  DVF for Gap Kids!

Pink for my nieces' birthdays
...and the diaper bag for me!


(If possible, please update your feed from www.8foot6.blogspot.com to www.8FOOTSIX.com. Awesome! Thanks!)