Princess Margaret Showhouse - Part Duex

I felt this home was worth a revisit…

Images from Canadian House & Home

These are a few of my favourite rooms and features from this house.  Enjoy.

For additional shots and to view the video tours with Lynda Reeves of Canadian House & Home, click here. 

Whole Living Challenge - Day 15

I'm so dull... Today I'm cleaning out the refrigerator and my goal is for something like this...

I've been buying clear containers with the intention of organizing my fridge more, but it never seems to look as good or organized as this.

For the Men in My Life

D.A.D.'s garage...

According to my family, I need more testosterone in my blog.  So for those who feel this way, I’m presenting D.A.D’s Garage.  There was an interesting article in Vanity Fair which showcases Ralph Lauren’s famous car collection and the amazing garage he’s designed to house his many vehicles.  This man can not have a regular garage when you have such a special car collection.  It simply won’t do.

Image - D.A.D.'s Garage - Vanity Fair

Miscellaneous

Time for some inspiration…

Ralph Lauren

Every once in a while I'm going to upload a number of unrelated images to clear off some space on my system and just enjoy some imagery without commentary.

Ralph Lauren – ELLE Décor

Ralph Lauren

Tiffany’s 2010 Holiday Advertising Campaign

Photo credit unknown - This looks so good

Leica M9 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Camera

Whole Living Challenge - Day 14

My family is actually starting to enjoy the salads – who knew?...

Pecan Apple Salad – photo Whole Living

Ingredients (serves 4)
2-3 apples
100 g pecans
salad mix (such as radicchio, arugula and frisee)

And for the dressing...

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 orange, zest and juice
coarse salt & pepper

Slice the apples. Toast pecan quickly on a pan over medium heat until fragrant for a few minutes. Wash and dry the salad mix of your choice. Zest and juice washed orange. Mix dressing ingredients. Toss and dress the salad.

Here are the recipes I’ll be following – well as best as someone who can stick to these things can.

Wardrove Updates - A New Summer Purse from Chanel

I would love this handbag...

Chanel Classic 13

This is an interesting commercial from Karl Lagerfeld starring Keira Knightley for his Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Perfume.  He's certainly become very theatrical and is really getting into film in a big way as well as fashion design.  Maybe he's bored. 

Shoe Shopping for Jimmy Choo's

Time for some more shopping...

I want these shoes.  I think this look would go with everything.  I love the texture and think this is a classy way to wear tie die.

Jimmy Choo

Photo – Bergdorf Goodmans

However, after a recent look at the Jimmy Choo site, I fell in love with a number of items.  My favourites are shown below.  I’m going to have to take a look at my budget and find a way to squeeze a lot of money out for everything I fell in love with.

I'm off to my nearest Jimmy Choo store to load up on all my favourites.  I really don't need a house anyway.   It's they're 15 year anniversary so maybe there will be some great discounts.  I can dream can't I?

Images 2 - 7, all Jimmy Choo

Designer Profile: Phillip Mitchell

Found them...

Philip Mitchell’s bathroom is the inspiration for my bathroom makeover.  The images below are from his apartment, but check out his site.  Another great Canadian designer.  For more views check out the video from Canadian House & Home which showcases the apartment.

All photos from Philip Mitchell Design

Inspiration – For My New Bathroom

I’m thinking we need some bathroom upgrades…

Canadian House & Home

This is the bathroom of Designer Philip Mitchell.  I loved his entire apartment, but can’t find the images I had of it.

What I’m Reading – Lifting the Curtain on Design by Vicente Wolf

It’s important to remember that he is not professionally trained...

And yet, look what he’s accomplished.

Vicente Wolf founded Vicente Wolf Associates in New York City in 1988. He has been singled out as one of America's most influential interior designers by Elle Decor, Interior Design, House Beautiful, and Veranda. In addition to a large number of private homes, Wolf has designed hotels, restaurants, and products including furniture, fabrics, carpets, and tableware. His previous books are Learning to See: Bringing the World Around You into Your Home and Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design.

Showcase: India Hicks, Island Living

I love these products but they’re hard to get now...

India Hicks island Living Product Line

Casuarina – Inspired by the island breezes of her home in the Bahamas

Spider Lilly – A lovely smelling island flower.  This is my favourite and I can’t get enough of it.

Crabtree and Evelyn distribute her products here in Canada, but there aren’t that many stores around anymore.  I guess I’ll have to resort to ordering online for now.  Sigh.  I wish there was some way I could let you smell this through the internet.  Until there is a way, I can only recommend this product to you.

Ultimate Luxury

A white cashmere robe...

Loro Piana Cashmere Robe

Is this the ultimate luxury?  A $4000.00 white cashmere robe.  I would be petrified I'd spill something on it.  One can dream I suppose.

Whole Living Challenge - Day 10

Cupboards and fridge are stocked and I'm ready for the next thing...

Get the right gear:

Image source unknown

 Apparently I’m going to need fitness clothing for the new strength training and cardiovascular exercise.  Might as well look the part.  I’m going to need items for those rainy weather days too.  My dog will love this, but I’m a fair weather kind of girl.

3 to 5 lb. Weights - check - already have those.

So I'm off to buy some new workout gear. 

Vacation Destination: Amanyara Resort in Turks and Caicos

I could use a virtual vacation for the body and soul right about now...

This place fits the bill perfectly.  Care to join me?

Amanyara is a Sanskrit word for "peaceful place" which seems to melt into their surroundings.  It's located at the outer edge of an eighteen-thousand acre nature preserve, and the villas and lodging pavilions are designed to fit into the natural landscape.

Amanyara Resort in Turks and Caicos

All photos Aman Resorts

Footnote:  It appears that all of the Aman Resorts are up for sale.  So if you've got $400 million...

What's for Dinner? Grilled Salmon

Healthy eating and delicious...

Image source – unknown

Beat the Heat

This is a refreshing drink to replenish fluids on these hot summer days...

Image source – unknown – I think it’s William Sonoma but can’t be sure

Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

·         1 cup sugar

·         1 cup water

·         1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

·         3 to 4 cups of cold water

Refrigerate 30 minutes and serve with ice and lemon slices.

Serves 6. 

Stripes

This looks like a serene spot to work...

I grew up on the beach and this room speaks to me on so many levels.  I would love to come to work everyday and sit down at my computer in a room like this.  I simply love the stripes and the soothing colour palette.  And that hint of robin’s egg blue?  One of my greatest joys was finding a robins nest with the little blue eggs in it when I was a child.  Sarah Richardson the designer of this room even incorporates a small print of a robins nest.  It so takes me back.

Whole Living Challenge - Day 8

Cupboards are cleared out and bare – time for the next step...

Grocery Shopping:

Image source unknown

Block out at least an hour for grocery shopping.  This shopping list is scaring me a bit though.  Fresh fruits and vegetables, check, extra virgin olive oil, check, organic lean proteins, hmmmm – check.  Here is the list if you’re interested.