Happy Birthday, Mum

Beautiful sepia image from Dawn @ The Feathered Nest

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

Happy 50th birthday, mum. Thank you for being not only my mother but my best friend, mentor, confidante, and partner in crime. I love you.

Love, Kate

Happy New Year!

Douggie

Angelo

It is hard to believe 2010 is already upon us. I began putting a few of the Christmas decorations away today, although I can't quite bring myself to take the ornaments off of the tree as of yet. I also thought it was necessary to dress the boys up in their Christmas costumes before they were packed away.

The Ginger Boys and I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year! I hope 2010 brings you all much love, laughter, happiness and inspiration.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

These are a few little gift baskets I put together for friends that I'll be handing out this weekend. One of my friends loves baking and cooking as much as I do, so I put together a retro-inspired basket to help get her started in the New Year. It is complete with bistro-style apron, cupcake liners, green melamine measuring cups, cute cardboard coasters, baking essentials (whisk, spatula), recipe cards and a retro canvas for her to hang up in her kitchen which I hope will bring her good luck while she bakes!

The other two baskets have the cutest little teapots inside - one with a funky 60's pattern on it, and the other with a blue bird - both are filled with herbal teas.

I was spoiled rotten this year...I guess I must have been on the 'good girl' list ;-)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa brought you everything on your wish list!

'I'm a Flea Marketeer' Party

I recently visited one of my favourite blogs ~Flea Market Style~ and was thrilled to hear that the 'flea marketeers' were hosting their inaugural 'I'm a flea marketeer' party!

Being a huge fan of flea markets, antique shops and garage sales, I have acquired some beautiful junk over the last several years. So much 'junk' , in fact, that I was able to fully furnish the condo I recently bought this past Summer.

The cats and I are settling in to our new 'French Nest' quite nicely.

Here are a few sneak peaks of some treasures that have found their way into my nest ...

Happy Birthday Ginger Boys!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday Douggie (GiGi) and Angelo (LouLou),

Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuu.......

This past Monday my dear, sweet, ginger fur-babies celebrated their 3rd (Douggie) and 2nd (Angelo) birthdays, and they celebrated in style! Although I managed to sneak birthday crowns on both of them while they were sleeping, they both woke up just as I turned the camera on and immediately threw them off their heads in horror just at the thought that I would even THINK of putting such a girly item on their boyish frames! So, alas, I wasn't able to snap a picture of my adorable boys in their celebratory crowns. I don't blame them, really...all I had left to make the crowns out of was some leftover pink paper, lace and rhinestones...and boys are never thrilled at the idea of having to prance around on their birthdays in crowns for photo-ops.

I bought lots of their favourite treats, made them a scrumptious birthday dinner of grilled salmon and bought them a felt mouse that, upon pulling its tail, runs around the room, enticing the 'hunter' in my ginger babies.

At school, I feel like such a 'mom' - I brag about them, share stories about their antics, show off pics (I have the accordian-like wallet filled with their pictures)...I really am a proud 'mom'. I am so lucky to have these boys in my life!

Saturday Morning Garage Sales

In the midst of renovating, unpacking and getting settled into my new place, I realized I have lots of floor space, but very few decorative carpets and while I absolutely love the look of hardwood flooring, there is nothing more comforting then seeing a few beautiful wool rugs adorning a room. Mum and I did our usual garage sale hunt this morning, and stumbled across this beautiful shabby chic, Rachel Ashwell-inspired rug, adorned with pink flowers. I think it will look gorgeous underneath my IKEA white dining room set.

I also couldn't resist picking up these two beautiful queenly wire and brass crowns, and a small antique cup which will look perfect filled with a few cosmos or daisies and placed on my bathroom vanity.

Now, I am off to read Rachel Ashwell's book "The Gift of Giving" and be inspired!

The 'Before' Photos

BEFORE: Hall Closet
BEFORE: Living Room (complete with all of our tools!)

BEFORE: Kitchen (complete with avocado green counter top)

BEFORE: Bathroom

Of course, Douggie was a HUGE help with the unpacking...

Hi everyone! Wow...I can't believe it has been almost two months since my last post. My absence can be explained by one thing, and one thing only....I purchased my first condo two months ago and I have been working tirelessly with my mum and dad since then! I am so fortunate to have two incredibly talented parents who have helped me turn this place from a student's bachelor pad to a show home...or rather, show condo. Everything but the kitchen sink (literally) was pulled out and replaced with more eco-friendly, energy-efficient and updated fixtures, appliances, flooring, and lighting fixtures.

The major challenge of all had to have been the walls. The previous owners had painted every square inch of the place with a dirty roller, leaving behind clumps of paint which required lots of scraping, sanding and cleaning. We ended up painting the walls a colour called "Antique White" which looks clean, fresh and completely changes the aura of the condo...it is so warm and inviting now. Then, it was on to the flooring...think '60s peel-and-stick retro tile underneath '80s blue carpeting...which was ripped up and replaced with dark chocolate brown hardwood flooring throughout. New shelving was placed in the closets, and bamboo blinds were put in (replacing blue venetian and vertical blinds). In the kitchen, a new counter top and faucet were installed, the cabinets were painted, and new drawer and cabinet pulls (purchased from Lee Valley) were attached. I am just awaiting the delivery of my beautiful Frigidaire stove to make my dream kitchen complete!

A few finishing touches have to be made in the bathroom (including new tile on the floor, lighting and a brand new bathroom vanity which looks a lot like the one here) alongside a few pictures and my venetian mirror which have to be hung on the walls, but other than that we are ready for business. I'm glad to have some free time on my hands to get back to posting on my blog, and I hope I never have to stay away that long again! I missed you all and am looking forward to hearing your feedback on the changes, as well as hearing about your summer vacations and plans for the Fall!

P.S. Stay tuned for the 'AFTER' photos...I can't wait to share them with you!