{fashion inspiration: the summer romper}

Could you see yourself in a romper this summer? They seem to be just about everywhere, and I'm attracted to the idea of a 1 piece outfit that looks so chic & pulled together! How much easier could it be?

I don't yet own a romper but I think this summer I'm going to give one a try. I'm particularly smitten with the collared Michael Kors version, paired with gold strappy sandals it could be so effortlessly chic :) Will you be giving the romper trend a try? This Friday is the first OFFICIAL day of the summer season!

 

BCBG / Michael Kors / Marc by Marc Jacobs

 

 

{a luxe chicago remodel ...}

Happy Friday! Woot, it's nearly the weekend!!

To end off your week with a heavy dose of pretty, here is a recent project by the fabulous Summer Thornton - a chic and Hollywood glam redesign of an 1890's Chicago home. It has so many elements that I am obsessed with:

A library-esque dining room ... must happen at some point in my life!!

Everyone knows I love a good Scalamandre zebras room:

Is that a La Cornue range I see?? Dying ....

 

 

Now that's some good stuff, if I do say so myself. To see more of Summer's beautiful projects, head over to her portfolio.

 

Happy weekend!

 

{lusting: plug-in wall sconces}

Kerrisdale Design Inc.

I ADORE the look of chic wall sconces like the one in the gorgeous office of designer Karla Amadatsu above. But sometimes it's not easy to have the electrical set-up to place the sconces wherever your heart desires - enter plug-ins! These handy versions can be placed anywhere an outlet is nearby, perfect for the bedside, library, or flanking the living room sofa:

via Good Bones Great Pieces

 

left: Sarah Richardson, right: unknown

 

via Pottery Barn

 

Such a gorgeous look, with relatively no installation hassle! Have you used plug-in wall sconces before? Here are a few that tickle my fancy:

 

1 / 2

 

3 / 4 / 5

 

I am particularly smitten with the black shade/brass number. Wouldn't it be so chic in an office/library setting?

 

Have a wonderful day everyone, and thank you for stopping by!

 

{wedding season is upon us...}

It seems I'm seeing wedding inspiration everywhere these days! From the latest e-mags, to blogs, to my own family: my baby brother Andrew {who's not such a baby any more} is about to be wed in 3 weeks time! I'm excited to be a bridesmaid & celebrate with all of our family and friends. I always wonder what I would have done differently if I was getting married today, it's been almost 6 years, and let's just say ... there was no Pinterest back then! :)

Here's a wee bit of summer wedding pretty for your Tuesday:

 

 

 

How gorgeous is this storefront from the latest issue of Lonny?

Do you have summer weddings to attend? Perhaps your own??

{patio inspiration: part 2}

Happy Friday! Well, it seems every post I wrote this week is revolving around outdoor spaces!! As a follow up to yesterday, I started day dreaming about a blue & white patio of my own and pulled together a wee mood board {click to enlarge}:

 

A mix of fabulous outdoor pillows & a pair of blue and white stools all from Overstock.com would keep things simple and classic. We'd only have room for a small sectional, and this one from Crate & Barrel is perfect. I've already ordered the Restoration Hardware string lights and I can't wait till they arrive! And don't you think blue & white goes so well with terra cotta? Those are my day dreams so far :)

 

Hope you have a wonderful & relaxing weekend!

 

{patio inspiration: blue & white}

This time of year always has me thinking of getting outdoors. I LOVE basking in the sun, and I've found out that my puppy loves it too! She's always finding the tiniest patch of sunshine in the yard and laying it :)

So we've got a teeny tiny plan to actually utilize our deck space this summer; we've got a rotting deck that we are finally going to tear down {after 6 years!}, and our plan is to repair things at minimal cost & add some fun outdoor furniture that will make us want to spend time out there! For this mini-project I am being totally inspired by blue & white. Perfectly nautical, Hampton's, & summery chic:

Ok, our little project will NOT be as elaborate as the spaces above! I will definitely snap some before pics of the rotting deck though, pretty much anything we do will look better than it does now :) I'm thinking blue & white garden stools, pillows, and ginger jars will up the 'chic factor' for us, I simply adore the look!

Have you got plans for your outdoor space this year? I'd love to hear!

{blogger backyard party ...}

Happy Monday! The sun was shinning this weekend and I'm feeling quite refreshed & ready to start a new week. Did you get outdoors at all? We spent a good amount of time on walks with the puppy, one of my favorite past times!

Speaking of outdoors, I've got fabulous photos of a dreamy backyard party I attended at my lovely friend Tracey Ayton's home here in Vancouver. Tracey is the most amazing photographer, and her & her hubby transformed their yard into an amazing outdoor entertaining space. Trust me when I say you NEED to visit her blog and see the before & afters! After all the hard work they did, Tracey threw a blogger backyard party that made the cover of last months Style at Home magazine {all images via Tracey Ayton Photography}:

Ah it's all so beautiful! The limelight hydrangeas, the gas firepit, that amazing weathered wooden table! It's all so good, as are the gorgeous pics that Tracey took.

My friend Karla of Kerrisdale Design Inc., prepared the most scrumptious appies and dinner, as well as the styling for the shoot. She did a fantastic job, makes me hungry just looking at these photos again.

Tracey hung vintage-inspired string lights from Restoration Hardware over the dining area, they were so charming, especially when dusk finally hit. I just ordered some for my own backyard {they are currently on sale from $179 to $144 for 50 feet}.

What a fabulous event! A big thank you to Tracey for all her hard work in putting it together, and allowing me to take part in it!! Thanks to Karla for putting together a smashing dinner & to Style at Home for the lovely feature and inclusion of the blogger links of all of those who attended.

Doesn't it inspire you to start working on your own backyard?