Note to Mother Nature - Spring has Sprung

Someone needs to let mother nature know that it's spring.  The last few days have been freezing and today we woke up to snow.  So Mother Nature here is some inspiration for you.  If you want white how about white spring flowers.

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Miscellaneous Inspiration

It's been awhile since I put up some inspiration photos so keeping my white theme in mind...

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Albert Font from My Paradissi

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Canadian House & Home

Grace Kelly - image source unknown

On a White Kick Again

I love this kitchen but I'm totally mystified.  Why two sinks?  What is the reasoning behind that? 

Speaking of Delicate White Things

I love this trench coat from Ralph Lauren, but I could never get past the see through gossamer look that made it appear too delicate to wear.  Still I love it, it just seems to glow from within.

Ralph Lauren

Papier-Mâché as an Artform

Remember playing with papier-mâché as a little kid in school?  Up to your elbows in sticking glue and thin strips of paper and you stuck them to old bowls to create your own bowl and then paint them pretty colours and glaze them?  And then remember your mother's proud face as she displayed it and tried to find things to put into it?  And then remember realizing one day that it wasn't on display anymore and hearing that somehow the dog destroyed it and secretly suspecting that your mother threw it out?  Well here is a papier-mâché bowl that wouldn't get thrown out.  Created by Up in the Air SomeWhere, these bowls are hand painted with a gold leafed interior that makes them almost glow. Apparently these are surprisingly durable and look particularly beautiful in low light.  Mom would have loved these.  Actually I would have loved these.

Image from Up In The Air Somewhere

A Good Transition Colour

With the warmer weather we've been having lately but still a bit on the chilly side it's time for transition looks.  It feels like spring but is it really?  One of my favourite looks around this time of year is working with a soft grey. 

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Alfredo Paredes and Architectural Digest

Every once in awhile I pick up a copy of Architectural Digest when a cover catches my eye and I can't resist it.  The April 2012 issue caught my eye naturally and it would speak to me.  It's the home of Alfredo Parades who is the Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Creative Officer for Ralph Lauren.

All images Architectural Digest

Lynda Reeves Knows Kitchens

Well my cupcakes are tasty but my kitchen leaves a lot to be desired.  I like to spread out when I cook and .... well make a mess.  So one of the reasons that baking isn't my thing too often is that my tiny kitchen usually ends up looking like a disaster zone.  Whenever I see this kitchen I want to completely redo mine, reorganize every cupboard and drawer and just get organized.  Needless to say I don't look at this these photos too often as it would be just too depressing.

Images - Canadian House & Home

Yummy Lemon Buttermilk Cupcakes from Love & Olive Oil

I love lemon anything.  Cakes are usually a bit much for me - my hips just expand looking at a piece of cake.  For whatever reason though I have no problem with cupcakes.  Small little mini cakes and I can convince myself that just one won't hurt.  So this recipe naturally caught my eye.

Image from Love & Olive Oil

Lemon, Buttermilk Cupcakes

Wardrobe Update - White canvas running shoes

It's that time of year again and I'm on the lookout for my new summer sneakers.  I go through one pair every summer season.  They're my favourite weekend go to shoes and I literally run them into the ground each summer.  Luckily they're usually cheap.  Some classics never go out of style.

Ralph Lauren Canvas Sneakers

Your Own Mama Mia Moment

I have a confession to make - I've always been a fan of ABBA.  Oh not the costumes which I have always thought were tacky and I'm sure in hindsight they do to, but the music.  They're melodies were ones you always found yourself singing along with on the radio.  So when the movie version of Mamma Mia came out with Meryl Streep I had to see it.  Ok so Pearce Brosnan's singing leaves something to be desired, overall I really loved the film.  But along with the ABBA songs I've always enjoyed mixed up in there, I fell in love with the beautiful scenery and locations in Greece.  Villa Donna was a set that I can't help feel used this hotel as inspiration.  Villa Fabrica is for rent so if you're looking for your own Mamma Mia location in a little bit better state of repair this would be it.  Enjoy.

All images Villa Fabrica

Originally a winery and then a corn mill, the Villa Fabrica has been converted into a lovely and unique villa that you can rent for a large party or divided into small apartments.  Decorated in a minimalistic style the views are the main attraction here.  That and location, location, location. 



 Pyrgos Kallistis,

84700 Santorini,

Cyclades Islands, Greece

Τ +30 2108084217

F +30 2106236976

info@villafabrica.com

Mamma Mia! (2008)



The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA.

Starring:  Meryl Streep, Pearce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters and of course the great songs of ABBA.

Meryl Streep as Donna in Mamma Mia!