It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Yes, I am very, painfully, aware that so far Spring has been the mother of all disappointments.  Seriously Universe - ICE PELLETS?  Yeesh.  But, although the tulips are slow in poking out their heads, the Garage Sales have begun (Cue the music! Start the skipping!).  That is right my thrifty friends, yesterday my mother-in-law and I went to my first yard sale of the season, in the posh area around Old Mill.  We were there just at the end, which means we probably missed some good stuff, but got some great deals.  For example, this cheerful, hand-stitched wool shawl.  No holes, no snags.  $5.  Perfect to inject a little colour into a room or outfit. Love it.

Pretty little things make me happy

The lovely Brooke from Pure and Noble had a sale of some of her vintage items and I nabbed this cute little blue vase.  It reminds me of the Russel Wright dinnerware that I would love to collect.  It was sitting in my glass cupboard until I found a branch had broken off my new poinsettia plant during transport.  I couldn't bear to toss the pretty flower, and went to find a small vase - and voila!  I think it couldn't be more perfect.  Aren't the colours of the leaves gorgeous? They look painted on.

Sometimes the little things can make me so happy... :)

I Got A New Bathing Suit

Bathing suit shopping = evil.  The downward fluorescent lighting, the translucent skin, the socks... all conspire to make one wonder why the hell you were looking forward to summer.  Best way to kill any small, frightened, and defenceless glimmer of self-confidence. Also best way to feed the beast of self-loathing.  But I digress...

Despite all of the above, I managed to find this number recently.  I think this has to be one of my most favourite bathing suits I have ever bought.  The twisted top gives the illusion of a bust (work with me...), there are straps to keep me from embarrassing myself, the ruching on the sides (and tummy control technology) sucks it all in, the bottom provide ample coverage and the side can be pulled down over the hips to look like a 40's pin-up suit.  And it is red with polka dots!  Old Navy, my friends.  They had some awesome suits, many on sale.  Just because I'm on a tight budget doesn't mean I have to hide under a towel all summer!

Craig's List Finds

Ask and you shall receive.  It seems that some people enjoy the Craig's List lists I make, and really, it's like therapy for me.  So here are all the things I want to buy for my imaginary house with my imaginary money:

Gorgeous lilac velvet button-tufted sofa - $975 OBO. It can be scotch-guarded, right? Sooo lovely....

Pretty wooden caned rocker - $80

This looks like a STUNNING and unique 9' x 10' Antique (ca. 1900) Turkish carpet - $396!  Have you seen this one Dad?

Pretty side-table with turned legs - $40

glass-door cabinets, $200 - I kind of like them on the floor like this!

ikea flat woven wool rug - $150 - I actually LOVE this rug... it would look great in the living room...

A massive collection of Denby stoneware - $250 OBO.  I don't think I have seen this dark pattern before.

Very unique end tables - antique shortening tins - $95

Antique chest of drawers, ca 1880 - $395 (not cheap but beautiful!)

tiny roll-top desk - $42

Antique iron bed - $35.  What???  Wouldn't this be perfect in a little boy's room?
Wait a second... *I* have a little boy...in fact I have 2...
Oh dear, this chapter of Craig's List finds may have break the 'Admire not Acquire' rule...

PS don't forget to enter the awesome Shibang Designs giveaway!

Craig's List finds

I have to do a Craig's list round-up because there are some awesome things up at the moment and I am still aiming to admire not acquire... this console is sooooo pretty....

Art Deco console table - $175

Kilim rug - $150 (with orange and hot pink!  LOVE!)

Antique mantel with mirror - $200

Brass Andirons - $100

Retro sunburst clock - $30

French buffet - $375

Area rug - $80

2 wicker chairs - $50

Cedar-lined brass trunk - $225

OK, I feel better now.

Homestyle Seattle Wedding

The ever-fabulous Miss Moss posted some photos of a sweet home wedding in Seattle.  There are so many cool touches - the pies, the mis-matched chairs, that wicked hat - but the kicker for me is the sweet dog.  Oh, I want to bury my face in his ears...  The photography by Kristen Marie Tourillotte captures perfectly the magic in the air, especially in the shot where the bride is almost at the bottom of the stairs.  I also love the couple's portrait in their chesterfield in the dark room.  What do you think, could you do a wedding at home?

Check out Kristen's site, it is just full of cool weddings and creamy, light-filled photos (and some more adorable doggies too).

Modern Craze

One blog that is going to make it on my next list of Great Canadian Design Blogs is Style North, penned by Christopher Jones.  He does the most wonderful house tours, somehow they are unlike any other I found online.  They have the same mid-century content as many others, but his feel so much more "real" - they're a peek into someone's well-appointed house, without all the styling or meticulous artistic photography (I mean that as a good thing).  His most recent was the home of Larysa Fenyn, and it was great.  I mean, does this collection of Canadian pottery not belong in my house? (not to mention that rich gorgeous armoire)?

Photo by Clare Summerville via Style North

Larysa clearly has an excellent eye for mid-century vintage pieces, and luckily for us, an online store called Modern Craze where she shares the treasures she has found.  Which is where I found the bowl pictured at the top - and to quote the linguistically-gifted Rachel Zoe: I DIE.

So beautiful.  Too bad Christmas isn't coming up and all.... HINT (and also DIRECT LINK).

Here are some other gems from her store:

If you are in the market for vintage 50's accessories or Canadian craft ceramics and pottery, Modern Craze would be an excellent place to start!