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Prince Edward County is picture perfect: Wineries, beaches, quaint downtowns and delicious restaurants featuring local fare, all set against rolling hills. Andrea and I set out for a relaxing weekend, and ended up learning a few things along the way--like how to use a real-life, old-fashioned map when you loose cell reception, and how to sleep two to a 1/4 bed!
My recent Bookmark book brought me a surprising amount of, well I have to admit, enlightenment. I shy away from admitting this, because it's a non-fictional novel aimed at 20 something girls...not your typical deep read. But maybe that's the beauty of it.
The quote that I read, and then re-read, was this, "Just the act of repetition itself—will bring enlightenment. Quantity becomes quality. If you do anything enough, if you keep putting effort in, eventually something will happen, with or without you. You don’t have to have faith when you start out, you just have to dedicate yourself to practice as if you have it."
This simple, yet profound truth can be applied to so many aspects of life. For some of us, it is working towards our dream careers, for others it is saving for their first home or even retirement, maybe even meeting that right someone. This is also a good practice for our mental health--repeating positive mantras (even if you don't believe them at first), pushing through grief or pain, day-by-day reminding yourself, that in time things will get better. Sometimes you have to work on blind faith, trusting that the universe has a way of working things out. As a wise fish once said, just keep swimming!
If you liked the fast-paced and witty dialogue of Gilmore Girls, you will love Lauren Graham's (AKA Lorelei Gilmore's) novel. Yes, it is a light read, probably best for the beach, but it is well written with intelligent character development and story lines. I also heard that Ellen Degeneres is working with Graham to try to turn the book into a television sitcom--so my fingers are crossed for that one!
Next Bookmark: The Vacationers, By: Emma Straub
Rooftop Mojitos? Check. Shopping vintage? Check. Good company? Check.
My sisters and I, and our dear family friend Hilary, decided on a whim to meet in the city. We parked at a random lot and walked to the closest bar, which just happen to be Oaisis Rooftop Patio. Next, we ventured to Queen Street to scour the vintage shops, and ended the afternoon with a stop to the Distillery District.
"Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
After spending some much needed quality time reflecting on life, love and happiness following the loss of my Grandma McPherson this past week, I am happy to be back sharing what brings me joy. Thank you for your patience and support.
Chloe XO
One of the best ways to determine your personal style and design aesthetic is by pinning (or cutting, snipping, saving) anything and everything you like without much thought. Then go back and see the common threads. I recently went through my Decor Pins and saw that almost all of my kitchen posts and likes included open shelving. I love the relaxed vibe and the personal touch open shelving can add to a space.
True, open shelving is often feared by those of us living a not-so-tidy, not-so-picture-perfect lifestyle, but I believe with some planning and editing, it's possible.
1. Pick a theme. Perhaps it is a coffee/tea station (like Martha Stewart's Espresso bar below!), or a bar featuring your prettiest glasses and tumblers.
2. Design the shelving around your pieces. Highlight your most cherished collections.
3. Edit. This is a great excuse to go through your kitchen supplies and narrow it down to only your most used items.
Check out all my Pinterest Boards here.
You could read Sophia Amoruso's #GIRLBOSS in two nights easily, but if you're like me and try to spread out a good book for as long as possible, you might like to take a few days. Amoruso takes you on her journey from a dumpster-diving teen, to Founder and CEO of Nasty Gal--a wildly popular online shopping destination, featuring both new and vintage women's clothing. Written in no-fuss, short and sweet chapters, she manages to inspire without bragging and teaches without condescending. It is witty and real, and I promise you, you will wish Amoruso was your bad-ass bestie.
Next Bookmark: Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham.
I have never been a "product junky" kind of gal. With sensitive, pale skin I am often afraid of trying the latest and greatest products to hit the scene, in fear of bad reactions. Instead, I choose to stick to a pretty simple beauty routine, incorporating natural products whenever possible. So, I have enlisted the help of my sister Tess, to show us three simple and effective beauty DIY's.
EXFOLIATING/MOISTURIZING
In a small bowl (that you don't mind bringing into the shower), mix together brown sugar and olive oil. Add just enough oil to create a wet paste (olive oil is a great natural moisturizer). Jump in the shower and start exfoliating. The results are baby-soft skin, and is perfect for daily/weekly use.
FACE MASK
In a small bowl, spoon in roughly two or three tablespoons of cold, plain greek yogurt. Next, open one probiotic capsule and empty the contents into the yogurt. Mix together and slather onto a clean, make-up free face. Let the mixture sit on your skin until it hardens and gently wash off, and moisturize as normal. The enzymes from the yogurt and the probiotic from the capsule help reduce redness, invigorate the skin and leave it feeling silky smooth. A great once-a-month treatment.
TEETH WHITENING
Mix baking soda with a little bit of lemon juice (from the bottle is fine), just enough to create a paste. Then, just like normal toothpaste, brush your teeth. Tess actually found this method to be more effective in whitening her teeth, than the standard Crest White Strips.
What at-home beauty remedies do yo swear by?
This weekend, we decided to explore a spot we have seen from afar many times (oh the joys of DVP traffic), Evergreen Brick Works. All we knew before taking off, was that we should follow the smoke stack to the Sunday Farmers' Market, and boy were we in for a pleasant surprise. This is a must-see weekend stop, suitable for adults, couples and families alike. Check out our adventure below!
THE MARKET: Fresh lavender, chocolate, artisans, craft beer, soaps, fruit, wine, gelato.
GARDENS/TRAILS: An amazing array of gardens, and access to the Lower Don Trails.
RETAIL/ART: Check out Café Belong & Evergreen Garden Market, and the amazing art exhibits.
This may be the Penney rubbing off on me...
but I am loving mint! It is one of those accent colours that seems to work with everything--grey, white, purple, even coral.
It's an easy way to add interest to a neutral palette, like these mint tea cups in my kitchen.
This vintage mint-green rocking chair at my friend Emma's house is perfection.
It's also popping up in the baking world, as seen in Butter Baked Goods, by Rosie Daykin.
I helped my girlfriend with her wedding decor last summer. The theme? Mint of course!
Are you using mint?
I once stole something. On purpose. In my adult years. A €2.00 novelty pin. I was in Paris feeling vacation bliss and I couldn't find the owner of the outdoor booth. So I took it. I then promptly felt like I was gong to be sick and ran, literally ran, away sweating. I was convinced for the rest of the trip, that I would be caught and thrown into foreign jail. So maybe it was my dark criminal past that made me feel tense reading this memoir, but my innocent, law-abiding mother read it and felt the same way, so I blame Kerman's truthful story-telling! I could not put this book down. Well written and truly eye opening. Read it with a friend, because there are many lively discussions to be had.
Share your thoughts in the comments section below, or let me know if you will be adding this one to your reading list.
NEXT BOOKMARK: #GIRLBOSS, by Sophia Amoruso
My aunts are a force to be reckoned with! So when a milestone birthday for my Aunt Donna arrived, they got together and threw her the most elegant Indian Tea Party. I am grateful for my family every day, but especially this week. Check out the photos of this beautiful Sunday spent in the garden.
You can find me at Pineapple Street. Hope to see you there :)
Quirky and endearing, The Rosie Project is a love story told through the eyes of your favourite "nerd." I couldn't get Sheldon (from The Big Bang Theory) out of my head... in a good way! Once you get into the rhythm of Don's character, you find yourself cheering for this unconventional romance. Lessons in love and human spirit are fun to read through this unlikely teacher.
Share your thoughts in the comments section below, or let me know if you will be adding this one to your reading list.
NEXT BOOKMARK: Orange is the New Black, by Piper Kerman.
I have seen burlap being used in decor for awhile now. In fact, I have a burlap pillow from Restoration Hardware in my living room!
I have also been eyeing this burlap ottoman from the 'McPherson Boutique.' It looks great in here, doesn't it? Wink. Wink.
But it was when my girlfriend asked me to help her with her wedding decor, and presented me with this spread as her inspiration, that I knew it was a trend worth mentioning.
A quick search on Pinterest and I am already full of ideas. I am loving this elegant table number--it is the perfect balance of feminine and rustic.
Looking for a subtle and cost-effective way of incorporating this trend into your home? Try using a burlap table runner, available at Pineapple Street.
Having lived away briefly for school, and Toronto for a fun year in the city, I am grateful to once again call Brooklin my home. Absence really did make this heart grow fonder for her small town!
So, I decided to use my day off from a busy few weeks of work, dance recitals, dinner parties, workouts and concerts, to enjoy my own backyard.
The perfect Father's Day gift can be hard to find, so this year I'm going local!
Please feel free to add suggestions in the comments section!
White decor is more than a crush for me, it's a lifetime love! I have always dreamt of one day "summering" in a white-washed, Cape Cod style beach house (who doesn't?). Living in white does something to the soul--it's fresh and crisp, leaves room for inspiration and calms the spirit.
However, mastering white in decor can be tricky, which is why I was excited to pick up a copy of House & Home's bookazine "Decorating with White."
I recently switched over to my Summer bedding, a feminine palette rooted in soft whites. The key for me in this white space is the mixing of textures--linens, lace, faux-fur, quilting and wood. Of course, I cannot resist a pop of purple (my favourite colour) and some vintage pieces to add character. Also, it's important to remember to include things, regardless of colour or room, that mean something to you. Plain and simple. If it puts a smile on your face, it's the right piece!
Product list: Purple throw, Chapters; White quilt, similar from Sweet Violet; Decorative pillows, similar from Penney & Co.; Grey poof, similar from CB2 .
After laughing my way through Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (attention fans of The Mindy Project, you have found the perfect summer read in this one!), I thought I would switch gears and read the The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. My co-worker, Victoria also read it and we seemed to have the shared sentiment--although you will definitely need to have your Kleenex box on hand, there was way more to this book than a sappy storyline. Tragic, yet surprisingly funny--Victoria summed it up perfectly, calling it heartbreakingly wonderful. Worth the read, especially before it hits theatres this June!
Share your thoughts in the comments section below, or let me know if you will be adding this one to your reading list.
NEXT BOOKMARK: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.
This summer, I have the honour of acting as bridesmaid to one of my oldest childhood friends, and Saturday marked the wedding tradition of the bridal shower. As per etiquette, the bride and groom listed their registry on the invitation. Right away I knew I wanted to add a personal element, while still respecting their wish list. So it was time to think outside the box!
