Good news

We love you, Kate.

via Kate Middleton FTW

Royal Wedding Predictions - Update

Remember my Royal Wedding Predictions? Let's see how I did, shall we?

The dress: "Kate will wear a British designer... close fitted on top, and flare out to a full ballgown skirt... modern beading and will probably have sleeves"

Verdict: Yup. Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. I adore it (obviously).

 

via The Frisky

The jewels: "Kate will roll with the colored-gem theme and choose these stunning green emerald and diamond pendant and earrings from jeweler to the Royals, Garrand. The knotted setting and fresh green jewel remind her of making out at college in the Scotland highlands."

Verdict: Nope. Cartier diamonds all the way. 

The car:  "Kate will be the first Royal bride to arrive at her wedding in a car, not a horse-drawn carriage. How about this green-energy fueled Bentley?"

Verdict: Yup!

Score: 2/3. I'm wishing I put some money on this now!

Happy Royal Wedding Day!

Kate Middleton FTW

Kate Middleton For The Win is my new favorite Tumblr. I love her! And I love irreverent captioning.

 FTW.

And yes, I will be up early tomorrow watching the Big Show.

PS - a recipe for Vegan Royal Wedding scones with 'clotted creme' and strawberry jam exists. No further text. 

White chairs, dark table

Part of getting ready to buy an apartment is dreaming up style, and identifying concepts that I like and want to incorporate. A common theme: I love the idea of finding a high-style look and then replicating it on a budget.

One look that I'm loving lately is the pairing of a heavy, farmhouse-style, reclaimed wood table with crisp, fresh white chairs.

Best of all, this concept can work in a variety of styles. Check it:

Super glamorous:

 

Fun and boho:

Minimalist:

Grown up-chic:

The practical side of me loves this pairing for it's party-friendliness - a big table can fit all of our friends, and the chairs are easy to wipe down. But it sure is pretty, too!

Photos: Glamorous, Making It Lovely (via PlushPalate); Boho, Amber Interiors; Minimalist, Apartment Therapy; Grown up chic, Martha

Low-key events

On the day of my prom, my friends gathered at my parent's house and we took photos in our dresses while we waited to go to the dance. I remember that afternoon so clearly, more so than the dinner, dancing or the all-night partying afterward. That's because my mom surprised me with the most beautiful spread of all my favorite treats: homemade mini-sandwiches, Jones soda, chips and fresh cut flowers, all laid out beautifully on our dining room table. I remember my girls all squealing over the details, and we each grabbed a bottle to match our dresses. We have so many cute photos with our matching soda! I remember being so proud because my mom had bought that special Jones soda, not just big bottles of Coke.

 

via Lonny

I think in that afternoon my love for low-key was born. There was something about those little touches that made me feel glamorous and spoiled, and there wasn't a huge budget or hours of DIY required. It was truly the thought that counted. And it also proved to me that special events don't need to be expensive or stressful, they just have to be special. Buy the "fancy" soda. Bust out grandma's china. Cut flowers from the garden.

Anyway, here are some of my favorite cheap-and-dirty but oh-so-fun low-key-but-decidedly-special event ideas.

A walkway of balloons:

 

 1970s style House and Garden via Nibs Blog

Homemade potato chips and avocado ranch dip:

via Food for My Family

Cheery sunglasses make for fun group photos, and help all of your sailor-mouthed drop-shot swilling besties feel more human in their chiffon (I don't even think they have to match):

 

via La Belle Bride

Oh I just love simple little things to make the day feel like A Day, and then leave it up to friendship and family to fill in the happiness. Less stuff more life!

Well, hello again!

Yesterday was a blur. The Vancouver Canucks made it to the second round of playoffs and the city went wild.

We watched the game at home with our usual gang, and when our team scored the winning goal, our buddy (a new dad) literally ran and lept into the arms of our big rugby-playing friend. It was so bromantic! Afterward, Adam and I walked to our local pub for a victory pint. The streets were full of people in Canucks jerseys cheering, honking, high-fiving strangers, high-kicking, shouting and laughing. I swear, it was like the Olympics all over again!

Don't you love how sports bring people together? We love our hockey in Vancouver!

Image via Bargain Moose

I spy with my little eye

Regardez! A bathing beauty in a life jacket, sunning herself on the sea.

That's right, in a life jacket. Did you miss it? Look again:

 

Yes, that waist-hugging (and dare I say flattering) belt is actually a BandeauBelt, an innovative take on the old-fashioned bulky personal floatation device, submitted to a redesign competition by Vancouver's own Dana Ramler and Kathleen Westerhout. 

As a former lifeguard, I and kind of obsessed with water safety. And a PFD you can look like a pinup in? That's an all-round win. 

via lululemon lab

Clever (?)

The first thing I noticed about this cute little closet crib was the scallopped paint job on the inside wall. Adorable! Plus, the doily bunting is an easy DIY, and I love the aqua-and-strawberry palette. Very sweet.

Otherwise, I can't tell if this is an ingenious small-space solution or a travesty against city-dwellers, such as myself, for whom closet space is at a premium. Adam and I have only two closets in our apartment, and in them we keep all of our clothes, extra bedding, shoes, stock supplies (like big ugly packs of toilet paper), all of our athletic equipment (including 6 different rackets, two bikes - plus helmets, gloves, reflectors and rain gear - all of my burlesque costumes, a pair of snowshoes and some rollerskates), plus our ironing board/iron, our umbrellas, tools and emergency supplies (like our earthquake kit and flats of bottled water).

So yeah, there's not much room for a baby in there too. But in the right space, I think this could be genius.

via Alice in Designland

The most deliciously glamorous cake ever

 This sparkle-flecked confection is "fluffy black chocolate cake layered with cocoa-olallieberry Italian meringue buttercream, studded with oreo cookie chunks, and covered in drippy dark chocolate ganache.... Oh, and gold flecks on top just for a bit of diva power." 

Or in other words, Holy mother of all that is chocolate and sparkly. Delicious!

Recipe, quote and image via Desserts for Breakfast via Her Name Was Lola

Monday, Monday

Doesn't this pool look divinely clean, cool, quiet and calm in a world of madness? I'm craving this sort of feeling today. 

Image: Chateau by Jeremy Kohm via 20x200

Last night we hosted Easter supper with my sister, Adam's brother, and a few friends. It was the first time we have hosted a family holiday, and it was a huge success. Adam made a honey mustard-glazed ham on the BBQ, and I made salad and a warm pineapple sauce for drizzling* (shortcut recipe: make canned pineapples hot).

I also enjoyed my first few drinks after giving up alcohol for Lent, and I was a bit slow getting up this morning. Ow.

Hope you had a nice Easter weekend, loves! 

*Served in my gravy boat!

Hydrangia cupcakes

I'm obsessed with these. Stunning!

I can't bake (let alone weild a two-color icing piping bag), but I might give it a shot for these. So pretty!

via Glorious Treats via A Cup of Jo

Happy (almost) Weekend!

It's Maundy Thursday, and that means tomorrow begins Easter long weekend - and for me, it means only two days left until the end of Lent. I gave up alcohol and Nutella, and stuck with it for all 46 days.  This year marks 28 years of observing Lent with 0 cheats. I'm proud of my perfect record!

This weekend is jam-packed with fun, but we've got to get through tonight first. Our beloved Vancouver Canucks* are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and they're playing defending champs Chicago tonight, so we're all a little nervous and excited. 

  via Bisharat Photography

Hope you have some fun planned for this weekend. I might be back tomorrow - but in case I'm too busy prepping Easter dinner, shopping, biking and smooching, here are your weekend links to see you through:

Now that Lent's almost over, I'm dreaming of wine, beer and these Nutella Brownie Bites.

The only thing I've ever made out of coke bottles was a pile of recycling. Impressive!

The chicest 25th birthday party I've ever seen - and bonus points: it's on a hella cheap budget, and easy enough to pull together tonight (really!).

For those who just adore convincing packaging (they had me at Chickweed Marshmellow!)

Up, up and away!

Clever: reverse paper dolls.

I hope this Asparagus Risotto tastes as delicious as these photos.

An oldie but a goodie: heart this simple bedroom.

What to wear to the Kentucky Derby. Love a floppy hat and mint julep!

I am really feeling this rose gold wrist watch. A watch really looks professional and polished (not to mention grown-up) in these days of ubiquitous cellphones. I wear one to meetings so I can check the time without looking like I'm texting.

Lusting over an uber-glam Moroccan doorway.

Berries on a cloud.

One of my favorite weddings ever.


Happy Easter friends!
 
*They're an ice hockey team for all you Yanks keeping track of my Canadian stereotype count : ) - and yes, we are all obsessed with them! Hockey really is a BIG DEAL up here!

Kat Power

Katherine Powers, one of the beautiful minds behind Who What Wear, was featured in a Refinery 29 home tour today. Her apartment is gorgeous (obv), but her outfits were the real scene stealer. These two are my favorite of all, perfect examples of summer day and summer night chic:

The chambray shirt open over a sundress is so very appropriate for Vancouver, where even the sunniest boardwalk can get a little chilly.

The mix of mustard, tucked-in turquoise and chocolate platforms would look positively fetching for a hot summer happy hour on a downtown patio.

Approved!

Shout out to SterlingStyle for linking to this awesome story.

Beer sippin' in Boston

I am starting to get really excited for this summer. Adam and I have booked a trip to Boston to visit my sister Catherine and her husband. I've wanted to visit Boston since I was a kid and I'm counting the days until we go. We've even bought Red Sox tickets and reserved a chunk of time to go to the Museum of Art, so in one fell swoop I will be able to check four items off my 101 in 1001 list:


22. See a Rothko in person 
33. Go to two new baseball stadiums/games
35. Sip a beer in Boston
90. Visit Catherine


I've even (dorkily) planned my outfit for the game: 

  

Nothing crazy, just a collection of summer basics: Vans, cut offs, RayBans, lip gloss and a team t-shirt. But just looking at this makes me so excited! 

I know it's a ways off yet, but are you getting excited for summer? Any fun plans in the mix? If you've been to Boston (or live there), any advice for a tourist?  


I can't wait!

Image via Polyvore

Update: Kate Spade Goes Biking

Remember this Kate Spade Essex Scout bag? I loved the style but not the $425 price tag.

Leave it to H&M to offer a similar style at a much more affordable $29.95:

 

I love how it looks like the crispy top of the chocolate icing on top of a brownie! Yum. I hope it looks as good in person as it does online. On my shopping list anyhow!

The new classic

I adore a pencil skirt with billowy blouse tucked-in, paired with wedges. The fact that it's military olive paired with cobalt blue? Dead on-trend.

This is modern classic!

via Kendi Everyday

Things I'm loving today

Hope you're having a good day! Here are a couple of things I'm loving this sunny Tuesday in Vancouver:

An easy-and-chic-DIY: Jewelry stand made from an interesting branch:

And a healthy, hearty breakfast:  These vegan overnight oats are a way-healthier substitute to my usual instant oatmeal, and take almost no time at all. I added cacao nibs and strawberries this morning and felt completely full from 8am to 1pm on one little bowl.

Happy Tuesday friends!

It was only a matter of time

I'm now on Pinterest pinning pretty ideas for our new dream apartment.

Here are some ideas I'm loving today:

Romantic, silver floral wallpaper mixed with masculine bedding for a (guest?) bedroom:

via Allison Tick

A chic, water colored bathroom with silver details and leafy wall decal:

 via Sarah Richardson Designs

Another beautifully balanced masculine/feminine mix for a master bedroom: leather headboard, gorgeous tribal bedding and brass lamps:

 via Style At Home

And a show-stopping DIY (yes, DIY) wax paper capiz chandelier in an adorable nursery:

 

 via Freshly Picked

I'm giddy with inspiration! I will have to show you all some before & afters when I finally (finally!) buy a place. If you're on pinterest too, definitely connect with me!

A go anywhere dress

Spotted: a totally versatile shirt dress in a brilliant color from Anthropologie. Three quarter length sleeves are my favorite - but the price (at a very-un-Anthropologie $49.95) ain't bad either.

Loves it!

Photo via Anthropologie

Awesome sauce.

Filing this one under "cool spaces for kids that fit in a 650 sq ft apartment" - a puppet show stage that hangs in a doorway? Sold!

I bet I could DIY an imperfect-version of this. The kids would look so darn cute playing that who cares if the stage is a bit crooked, right? Less stuff, more puppet shows!

via Cool Spaces for Kids on Etsy

Hot town, summer in the city

Digging this summer-in-the-city look that Krystal at This Time Tomorrow  is rocking. The eyelet sundress says "let's picnic" and the dead-on-trend oversized tangerine clutch says "on the steps of city hall."

 

Je l'adore!


Photos via Krystal at This Time Tomorrow

Dreaming of summer

Dreaming of hot summer days today. They feel just around the corner. It's still cold cold cold in Vancouver, but the sun is shining and the sky is blue.

A Day at the Beach by Valerie Chiang 

I even wore a sundress to all the open houses this weekend (with tights, a sweater and a blazer - and a scarf).  One place we visited had a rooftop deck, with 360 degree views of Vancouver. It was breathtaking.

via Coco+Kelley, photo by Mario Sierra 

We're still on the hunt for the perfect place, but in a city like this, I know we'll find something beautiful to call a home.

via Verhext

I think it's going to be a magical year.   

This modern love

Now that I have Bloc Party stuck in your head, I hereby rename this post These Modern Gowns. Sidebar: How sweet would that song be for a first dance? Screw choreographed swing/salsa numbers. I want to rock! Screw first dances for that matter.*

Anyway, These Modern Gowns are killing me for realz! So gorgeous. If I could afford one of these couture gowns, I would design the entire wedding around it. Par exemple:

Love this shimmery peach dress, particularly for a beach wedding. Not a sandy beach with crystal water, but a rocky cliff with black water crashing underneath, and hurricane lanterns lighting a path through the thick woods to get to a makeshift cedar shelter lined with candles. The drycleaning receipt would be a bitch, but imagine the photos!

 

Photo via Amanda De Simone via Style.com

This Collette Dinnigan gown is so lady-I-am-not, it would fit in perfectly at a wedding in a Modern Art gallery. The contrast of the very intricate, unique detail of this dress against the stark color block of modern art would tell a story unto itself. Plus her headlights are totally on, and that's funny.

 Photo via Filippo Fior via Style.com

Temperley London's loving the thoroughly impractical see-through trend this Fall too, yet somehow manages to stay a bit more demure (see-through demure??! how oxymoronic). I'd match this dress up with a ceremony in the New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden, because this dress is a little bit soft (like a pretty southern garden), and a little bit rough (like the cursed souls that haunt the garden).

Photo via Marcus Tondo via Style.com

 This impossibly chic Versace number would be perfection at hot summer night's wedding, held poolside on a downtown hotel's roof. The breeze would flow through all the guest's flat-ironed hair, and we'd all drink martinis with lemon zest. How pretty would it look next to the city lights sparkling in the water?

Photo credit: Yannis Vlamos via Style.com

I think the Versace is my favorite, surprisingly, because normally I am crazy for sleeves. Something about that fresh white just makes me feel good though. 

Happy Monday!


*There I go again.

Happy Weekend!

I started blogging in 2005 as a way to cope with some really enormous life changes. Since then I've switched up my Blogger ID a dozen times. Between politics, travel and design, I couldn't decide what I wanted to write. At this point though, I kind of like that I don't have a tight niche. I like lots of things. I want to write about lots of things. So you can expect to see more things here.

via Muther of All Things

Speaking of which, this might be the most random of collection of Friday links I've done yet. It hits design, engagements, fashion, music, toys, perspective, sociology, oh my! Enjoy.

Color me happy: yellow is just so darn cheerful.

And I'm particularly bananas for this lemony print.

Just when you thought you didn't like celery.

ESB answers: "How do I know he's the one?"

For girls who want Gwen Stefani wedding style on a mere mortal's budget: A hot pink ombre gown for around $200 bucks.

This is like MineSweeper for DJs. Turn the sound up!

Another adorable address stamp for a housewarming gift.

Little plastic animals never looked so rad.

I stopped coloring my hair last fall, now Meg's got me thinking highlights. Pun!

Toronto sluts make me proud to be a Canadian (SFW)

Paris in bloom!

And the runway's in bloom too!

Finally, APW linked back today to one of my favorite posts of all time: Fierce at 50. Following Lisa's advice verbatim this weekend!


Have a good one, loves.

EmersonMade Love

Have any of you dolls ever bought something from EmersonMade? I think her style is almost universally loved, and I adore this scalloped black skirt (obviously):

Still, I wonder: Will her clothes look even half as good on me as they do on Emerson? I mean just look at her.

Le sigh. To be so svelte and tanned! Regardless, I'll be copying her styling all summer. I just love the mix of city and country, and it's perfect for Vancouver (where we ride our bikes downtown).

Scalloped Skirt by Emerson Made

Kate Spade goes biking

I love love love love LOVE this Kate Spade Essex Scout Bag.

It would look so cute on my trusty bicycle, Blue Bell!

The $425.00 price tag? Yeah, that's not so lovable. I could get another Blue Bell for that cash. If someone sees a similar H&M version of this bag, holler at me, will ya?

Update: Getting warmer at J. Crew

via This Is Glamorous, Kate Spade bag via Adeline Adeline

Neither-here-nor-there weather

Love this easy, cozy look for the not-quite-warm-enough-but-not-cold April weather we've been having here in the Pacific Northwest.

I wish I could find jeans like this to fit my short frame and curvy hips that won't quit. That's the hardest part for me. But otherwise, this outfit is so rocker-girl-goes-to-brunch. I dig it!

via (Vancouver's own) Style Quotient

Dress of the (Thurs)day

Channeling Grace Kelly, with a modern twist.

Sleeves, defined waist, lace, demure, sexy. Love it!

Legends by Romona Keveza dress via Brides.com

Dream Kitchen

This kitchen makes me drool. I love how all of the fixed elements are pale, fresh and bright, and the personality comes through in accessories (fruit, flowers -  those EAT letters are stuck on with tape - and of course, that unbelievable chandelier).

So many good ideas in one spot! I'll be referring to this if I'm ever in a kitchen-reno kind of place.

via Me Oh My Mama

Another good one, Martha!

Love this idea, and not just for wedding photos. How good would vacation photos look with map matting?

 

Loves it!

via Martha

Delightful!

These chocolate cups with berries look delicious, and they only take three steps (if you guessed "chocolate + pipe cream + put on fruit" you win!).

Wouldn't they be charming with a tea party? We should all have more parties.
 

via Martha