Felicity

What ever happened to Keri Russell? I know this is quite off topic, but I was browsing {this is glamorous} today and in the beautiful images was Keri Russell. I have always loved her effortless grace and the way she always looks comfortable and relaxed in what she is wearing. But really where has she gone? I miss not seeing those knitted sweaters, scarfs and turtlenecks which she sported so often on Felicity.

Well for those like me who are going through Russell with drawl, good news! She has a movie coming out on Christmas Day, "Leaves of Grass"(nice little Christmas gift pour moi!). The movie also features Edward Norton and Susan Sarandon, and sounds like a wonderful character movie...check out the trailer.

In the mean time here are some images of Keri Russell, in those cozy knits she wears so well!

Via InStyle Jan 09

Via {this is glamorous}

Via So that Happened

Not the cosy look, but stunning....
Via Fashion Week Daily

Out of Commission for a Bit

I'll be back in a few weeks, just having a little difficulty looking at a computer screen at the moment!

10 loves

Keeping in positive mantra mode, I am starting a new series.

I'm going to list ten things I love about certain spaces. And I am going to start with this one....

I can't find the source... anyone?

1. The shoes - of course! I like that they are all different sizes, but they are all the same style.
2. I love the storage use of the shoes - and that they are above sitting nose level!
3. The wooden pencils. Does anyone use these anymore? I have a few that I just love. The hexagonal shape, amazing.
4. The tin used as a vase for the tulips.
5. The matte black chair. I like that the chair angles are the same as the desk, but the black adds a contrast. I also love that it's matte. It really looks like it absorbs the light instead of being reflective and drawing too much attention.
6. The sliver box. A little bling, but with straight lines a classic touch.
7. The wallpaper, so out of Africa... Love the texture too.
8. The drawer handles, a throw back to school days when our teachers had desks like this... I always wanted to peek in those drawers but never dared!
9. The desk legs, at an angle, narrow and attached on the outside. Feels so deconstructed.
10. The greenery and flowers, bring some life to your workspace.

Wow, that was too much fun. I love lists!

Lost and Found

Via J.Loek

When someone possesses that creative genius, you can see the clogs of creativity constantly turning, no matter where they are. My friend Steph Hung is one such someone, creating beautiful and fun wears from material I would just discard. Seeming basic items become pieces of art, an unnoticed skirt becomes beautiful detail on a clutch, a retro bed sheet becomes a duffel bag, a golf shirt becomes a sophisticated scarf, a T-shirt becomes a necklace. Her ability to take vintage clothing and fabric an re-stitch it into fashionable clothing and accessories, as she does for her Lost/Found Collection, just amazes me.

Via Lost/Found

Steph is thankfully sharing her re purposing and salvaging talents with Vancouver at two local shows, Make it Vancouver this weekend and Urban Artisan Craft Fair November 28th and 29th, and select pieces from her line have recently been picked up by dream! Non-Vancouverites can check out her online shop.

Via J.Loek

To see more of her talent, including wonderful styling, check out these images taken by J.Loek of her line. I am counting the minutes until I can head down to the CCC to check out what new creations she has come up with lately.

Via J.Loek

Orange

I am trying to bring an accent colour into a bedroom I am decorating (for a guy) and I was stumped for a while. I always like to bring in bright accent colours but they were all looking too feminine. Orange to the rescue! Especially if paired with navy blue... What do you think?

I love orange and tan! Via Elements of Style and House and Home.

I think I am going to bring in the orange accent with pillows... Via House and Home photography by Michael Graydon.

I love these orange chairs! So fun!

I really like the giraffe in the back, a great contrast with the white walls (same as what I am working with!) Both via All things lovely.

I like the repetition of orange here, and the blue. I think I would add more blue though.... House Beautiful, ken fulk design, via On interiors.

November - To Do and Positive Mantra

Lately I have found myself to be quite negative. When someone asks me how my weekend was I am always "Good, BUT..." I am not sure why this is, possibly because I am feeling unsettled, and without purpose, or I feel slightly overwhelmed, not grounded and out of my element... Whatever the reason is, I am going to have to kick this mentality, because I'm no Debbie Downer!

I have been trying to figure out how I would kick this negativity and stick to it, and this weekend I finally had a light bulb moment! I don't know how to fully explain it, but I just have to remind myself that I am free to choose what to do. I don't have to do anything, I want to do it! For example, this weekend I was bummed because I had to go the mall to return some items. But really I want the money back, so I want to do this item. I also am really bummed about studying, but I want to do well in my courses, so I want to study.

I can see her positive mantra glowing! Cleo Sullivan

So let's see if I did everything I wanted to do for October...

1. Sew some of the Roman Blinds - purchase doweling, top piece of wood and lining material. Cut and measure out all material - The lining material is sitting right in front of me!
2. Move bedroom wall art
3. Clean out room - documents, clothes and (gasp!) shoes - this was so hard, 3 bags later, my room looks a lot less cramped!
4. Move winter clothes up, store summer clothes
5. Keep up with course homework - it was a squeeze, but I managed.
6. Post 1 time a week - not quite once a week but I did post more than 4 times this month!

Can you believe it? I finally got a whole list done, I am currently in shock. Now that I have some momentum, here is my want to-dos for Movember:

1. Post once a week. Post some personal projects.
2. Buy a winter bike. I officially can't ride my summer bike anymore.




I hope this will be my new winter bike! Kona



3. Finish decorating Kevin's room. (and post pictures)
4. Make a complete set of study notes. Book exam.
5. Be on the ball with work. Make deadlines. (this one is going to be hard!)
6. Yoga twice a week - a class or a video.
7. Book vacation. (Yes that's right I'm going on a fun vacation in 2010! More details later!)

I might be getting ahead of myself because this list looks long! Note - the roman blinds are not on here. I might have given up on them.

Even though I am not attempting to make my roman blinds this month, I still have quite a bit of sewing to do... I'm nervous, I have never done a project this large! Lucyina Moodie via Automatism

I love Freda Loves Porter

My cousin, Kelby, and a couple of her friends started making headbands this summer while in 'quarantine' due to H1N1. They most definitely found the silver lining to a bad situation... their headbands are a huge hit and are flying out of their hands! And I can see why, they are beautiful!

My cousin is the one on the right. Via FLP

Their company, Freda Loves Porter, has taken off, they even had an article in the Calgary Herald last weekend. I checked out the website to see what all of the buzz is about and now I understand! Check out their amazing creations!

All images via Freda Love Porter

I wish I lived in Calgary and could pop by one of their shows, because the website is all sold out! Maybe I'll call in a cousinly favour!!

Black on Black Leighway

I recently had my hair dyed dark. Really dark. Some people call it black although it is most definitely a couple 'numbers' off black. It is a huge change for me, and I have been finding it challenging pairing this new colour with my wardrobe. I just don't feel like my steadfast black outfits look very good with my black hair. I even went out looking for a creme coloured winter jacket (something that I would never be able to keep clean long enough to wear more than once!) But today I stumbled upon this beautifully stunning lady who pulls off the dark hair and black clothes so wonderfully. I think I should try wearing those black staples again....

The Sartorialist via dress,design & decor

Both Via Miss a la Playa

Year Round Sunshine

Love a little yellow in the bedroom to brighten up those rainy fall mornings.... (some of these images are old....)

Via Domino

Jason Martin

Via Domino

Via HGTV

Mel Yates via This is Glamorous

This bed is still my favorite frame to date! I love the painted detail!

Taking a page from the highline.

I love the modern design used to incorporate green into the walkway. Via Highline Fliker Stream

I am totally behind on posting this. I first read about it in May (in Azure I believe) but with my posting hiatus I never ever finished the post (a trend I am sure you have seen around here!). But now I have been reminded again about the Highline from my good ol' Club Monaco standby.

What beautiful fall colours! Via Highline Fliker Stream

The highline is this wonderful mile and a half, recently completed (June 2009) park in Manhattan, where an old abandoned elevated rail line has been re purposed and redesigned into a public green space. This project was funded through a joint venture between the city and private donations. On top of amazingly designed walkways and landscape, there are movable art installations and shows (both theatrical and musical) that rotate through. School programs visit, it hosts block parties, public discussions and there has been a large number of proposals on the highline since it has opened! And everything is updated on their blog. This blog would most definitely be on my favourite list if I lived in Manhattan!

I would take my lunch break here! Photograph by Nikole Bouchard via Highline Blog

In Vancouver we have this abandoned railway track running through the west side of Vancouver, much like the Highline in west Manhattan, only not elevated (which creates more logistical problems). Parts of the rail line in Vancouver are lined with gardens but much of it is just overgrown grass. It would be great to see Vancouver take a hint from New York and re-develop.

What much of the abandoned rail line looks like in Vancouver... Via Our Fernie blog

Fear the Fall

With the first snow on the local mountains behind us, I am really starting to get apprehensive about the colder weather coming through, I get this uneasy feeling in my stomach a lot like the one I get when I have just been caught... Do you get this feeling too? It's rather silly because it's still really warm here - we actually broke records on September 23rd (28 degrees!), and I am sure I have a few weeks of good weather left, but I just seem to know that over the horizon are wet, dark, cold months ahead... Why does fall make me feel this way?

It might be because I live in Canada and winter can last 8 months or more, or that the summer has been so great and I have been outside so much and doing all these different activities, that I can't imagine spending my days inside...

I love plaid flannel. I am looking forward to sporting some more of this... with slippers. Beauty. James Merrell

Before I plummet into winter blues, I thought I would list off some reasons why it might be nice to have winter.... I remember not too long ago saying that I am looking forward for some cooler weather so I could get some things done, and do some activities inside that I really enjoy and have been neglected while I was out frolicking in the sun.

Portland Mitchell via Sarah Kaye

• Decorate Andrea's, James' and Kevin's rooms. I gave them some ideas (posted on here) a couple of months ago, but we haven't really made any advances
• Skiing and snowshoeing - I can't forget to get out there and enjoy the winter weather
• Science world, museum, movies, theater
• Crafts! I have a million projects which I would love to finish, I am sure they will start popping up on my monthly to do lists!
• Courses
• Baths, and steams... to just relax the day away!
• Cooking, warm cookies from the oven... what is better?
• Long Coffees and reading the whole newspaper on Sunday mornings
• Organizing - it might not sound fun, but it will feel so good!
  

A few things I am going to do to make sure I don't get chilled to the bone this winter

Looking forward to pulling on some gloves, and a chunky sweater, and even dressing it up! Via Club Monaco

- Turn the heat up in my apartment (just once in a while) wear a summer dress play summer music, dance and drink fun summer drinks!

- Sauna, hot tub - get that body temperature up!

- Pedicure - even though no one will probably see them, it would be really nice to have pretty feet once in a while

- Sweat - not just a regular sweat, but a boot camp type sweat.
- Tea - My splurge of the year - good tasty teas!
- Candles - lots and lots of candles, with a fire extinguisher very close.
- Public fireplaces - find my favourite cafe or restaurant with a fireplace and make myself a regular!

Via Elle Decor

Hope everyone else is keeping warm and looking forward to the up coming chilly months! What do you to shake the winter blues?

October - To Do

There is snow on the peaks of the local mountains, and there are less than 50 days until ski season! Fall is really here... and so is a new month, and a new To-Do list. This month is very similar to last month since I didn't get everything done!

Via Moods of Vancouver

1. Organizational Tasks - 3 of them - already seeing the benefit of being a bit more organized!
2. Sew Dark Roman Blinds - these are so daunting to start. I think I am going to try and do it in small steps.
3. Sign up for courses - signed up and am currently taking 2 of them!
4. Move bedroom wall art - soon soon...

For October, I have high hopes, but I must be realistic, I'm going home for Thanksgiving on top of the two courses and one starting up soon. All of which doesn't lend itself to a lot of free time! No excuses though, this is the month for a completed list!

1. Sew some of the Roman Blinds - purchase doweling, top piece of wood and lining material. Cut and measure out all material
2. Move bedroom wall art
3. Clean out room - documents, clothes and (gasp!) shoes.
4. Move winter clothes up, store summer clothes
5. Keep up with course homework.
6. Post 1 time a week.

Ambitious, I know. See you in November is a many check marks!

Bent grains

I love wood grains, clean lines and intresting angles. I also love magazines. How did they know?

Via svelteobjects on Etsy.

Summer Light

It has been over a month since I last posted, and all summer since I have written anything substantial! It has been a busy and wonderful few months off I must admit. August has been full of vacation (more on that later!), one week back with friends in town visiting, and then off to the field with work, which is where I am now! July was all about Vancouver. The weather was absolutely amazing and I took full advantage of it! I fell in love with Vancouver all over again and explored so many new places (more on that as well!). Needless to say, it was a great summer... and now that fall is here, I can't help but wish I could go back and start summer all over again!

With summer still in my mind (as I sit in a rain/wind storm) I stumbled upon this image, which I am just loving! The light in this image reminds me of summer mornings... the time of day I relish the most!

Via a life's design

I read a little bit about this house and made me fall in love with the hole house, not just this room!

• Beautifully located - bay side Maryland
• Inspired by historical small structures that lined the shores of the Chesapeake Bay for the past centuries.

The front of the house... rather large! Via Southern Living

• The back of the house- which faces the water is lined with windows and has multiple porches. I love the idea of multiple smaller areas, which makes things much cozier.

Via a life's design

August - To Do

Sorry for the lack of posts, I have been really busy but I can't seem to figure out what I have done! The sun has been out pretty constantly for the past month, so I haven't had much inside time... But I have been thinking of you, and all the beautiful things I would love to blog about.... if only I had time! Hopefully I will remember them when the ski clouds over and it rains for months on end!

Vancouver needs a breeze like this! via Oh Joy!

Anyway, back to my to do list... As mentioned, July has been a scorcher, especially the last two weeks, the heat slowed me down, and I didn't get to as many tasks as I would have like to... but that's okay, I'll just do them in August!

1. Contact old professor regarding portfolio (no longer need to do this - I have a different plan!)
2. Organizational tasks* - who really does these in the heat of the summer?
3. Purchase 2 staple work clothing items
4. Sew dark roman blinds for bedroom
5. Swim 10 times (Okay, I only swam 8 times...)

I'm taking holidays for two weeks in August, and then I am away with work until mid- September, so this list is going to be a joint August - September list:

1. Organizational Tasks - 3 of them
2. Sew Dark Roman Blinds
3. Sign up for courses
4. Move bedroom wall art

I'm cutting down on the number of things since my performance last month was quite dismal. I think that this one is doable...

I am looking forward to have time for tea during my vacation....

Styling by Ludyina Moodie via Automatism

Does anyone else have summer vacation plans? I hope they are relaxing and rejuvenating! xo

Guest Room Inspiration

This image from Remodelista has given me inspiration for a guestroom, that is, when I have a house with a guestroom!I love the way the bed is not made and set up almost institutionally. Such a juxtaposition from the traditional guestroom decor. It reminds me of the first day of summer camp when you run into your cabin to find the best bed! I also love it because I hate making beds and I always feel guilty as I am tearing out the beautifully made linens when staying with friends. This one found on Emma's Design Blog is also inspiring. I love the pile of magazines as a side table and the shelf!

Photography by Annika Vannerus

These both work so well because I am sure that when I have a guestroom, it will me a multifunctional room, and these simple beds will allow me to switch the room from craft space to guest space with ease!

July - To dos

I have been inspired to follow in Alek's footsteps and make monthly lists. We'll see how long this will last!) See, I make them anyway, but I would like to post them so that I feel that I have to be accountable. I am also going to take her advice and make my lists manageable (this is going to be the hardest part). So I have narrowed down my huge to do list and have picked out the most important ones.

1. Contact old professor regarding portfolio
2. Organizational tasks*
3. Purchase 2 staple work clothing items
4. Sew dark roman blinds for bedroom
5. Swim 10 times

* Organizational Tasks consists of activities way too boring to mention here!

I'll let you know how this month goes! It might be difficult if we get a lot of....

Rachel Vigor via Desire to Inspire