Wednesday, August 29, 2012

DIY Gold Leaf Cement Pots

Um, can I just say that I really want to do this asap. I saw the DIY yesterday on Ruffled and it was too good not to share immediately. So if you haven't already seen this... LOOK at the amazing-ness!...


Their tutorial is so simple and quick, you could make the pots in an evening! A beautiful pot like this would look fabulous in a space like the one I was talking about yesterday.


You need to click here to head on over to Ruffled, and have a look for yourself!


These would make a great minimalist centerpiece at a wedding or holiday party. What about mini versions as a party take-away?! Lets be honest- one of these beauties on a clean coffee table would be magic.

DO IT this weekend and show me!

xo
C

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Black + White

Did anyone else get the IKEA flyer in the mail yesterday?

I am loving the fresh, clean Scandinavian look they are proposing for fall. I have been lusting over black and white spaces for the last couple of months and this was the push I needed to bring a bit into my own space. Below are a few of my favorite inspiration shots from around the web:

 
 
 
 
 
 
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
 
 
Get That Look!
 
 
 
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
 
 
Mmm. Love it.
 
Have a fab Tuesday.
xo

Monday, August 27, 2012

What's On My Board

I have a bulletin board right beside my desk, that I stick random things to on a daily basis. Right now I have a yoga schedule, a great DIY art idea, a favorite photo of me with friends and a bunch of fabrics.
I wanted to show you a quick snap of a very cute palette that has just kind of evolved on my board. I stick a favorite fabric up and then the palettes just kind of grow- this one isn't for any specific job, but it has really come together! It would be great for a little boy, or girls room. If you subbed out the elephants I think this palette could be transferred to almost any room in the house. How cheery would it be in a kitchen (again... remove those elephants!)!? By sticking with the same few colours- white, bluish-grey, yellow and light grey, and switching up the patterns, it maintains a cheery, but soft feeling.
I'm kind of loving it right now.


All of this fabulous fabrics can be found at Tonic Living- one of my favorite sources for affordable fabric and pillows!

Have a fab Monday!
xoC

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Favorite Finds: Fishs Eddy

 
From the moment I saw my first piece of Fishs Eddy, I knew I had found a source for fabulous kitchen accessories forever. It was 2 years ago at Lynn Crawford's restaurant, Ruby Watchco (which remains one of my favorite restaurants in the city, btw), where our bill was brought out on this:
I turned it over and wrote what was printed on the back: "Fishs Eddy" into my phone. It wasn't until recently that I stumbled upon the name again in my phone and looked them up. They are a New York based company that have been selling unique and edgy, kitchen and restaurant supplies for over 25 years. Below are a few things I have my eye on... (its all so crazy gorgeous)... Ugh! Love it!






Have a super fab hump day.
C

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Little Plants

Just a note to show you the pretty little vignette I captured last night when the sun was streaming through my kitchen window. In the middle are succulents that I rescued from my wedding centerpiece sample (its SO pretty) and popped into one of my favorite Anthro bowls. To the right is the amazing (Anthro again) Raccoon Ring Holder my mom put in my stocking last Christmas. To the left of the succulents are the incredible Fleur De Sel hand soap and cream from Williams Sanoma that smell like the sea.



Happy Tuesday. xo. C. 

Monday, August 20, 2012

What I Ate This Weekend

Hey You!
How was your weekend? Mine was great, thanks! Dave and I were up in Collingwood and it totally got me excited for Fall. The humidity of this insane Summer was gone and the evening air was cool and crisp... ie. almost time for skiing! YES. I said it- sorry to all who hate snow- but I LOVE it, and can't wait for the first few flakes!

Saturday afternoon I was busy doing a bit of work and all I could think about was pancakes. I know... a bit of a segway, but this gets me to my next point: I am not an "eat-a-stack-of-pancakes-for-breakfast" type of girl, I am more of a "give-me-bacon-and-fried-potatoes-for-breakfast" type of girl. So, I figured- why don't I make pancakes that are more savory, you know, with herbs, AND cheese. But, what would replace the syrup? I figured the yolk from a couple of fried eggs would do the trick. Unfortunately not, because Dave asked for syrup after he ate the egg on top of his untouched savory pancakes.... SO, this is not a recipe post today- it is a pictures of a future recipe post... that is bound to have Hollandaise Sauce in it... The pancakes were super awesome, so I promise to perfect this recipe and post it here for all of you to try.


Fresh Blueberries. Perfect for Mini Blueberry Pies! (and.. I really liked the sticker)
On our way home Sunday we hit one of our favorite farm stands- we pooled all the cash we had on us and bought as much as possible (we learned the hard way the first time, that farm stands do not take debit!). I wasn't planning on doing anything major for dinner, but this little trip changed that! They had thee most gorgeous, fresh produce. Their onions were beyond ruby red, which reminded me of a fabulous Focaccia recipe I saw in this months Bon Appetit magazine. Dave also mentioned he LOVES blueberry pie (which I didn't know), so we picked up some Ontario grown blueb's too. Corn, carrots, peaches, apples.... it was quite the haul for 20 bucks! Below are pictures of the rest of my Sunday. It was heaven.  

The Simplest, Beautiful Focaccia.


I saw this recipe on TV last week and knew I had to try it.
Buttery, Crunchy, Salty, Oniony, Goodness.
Seriously. I know. Who Am I?

Have a super fab Monday.
xo
C

Friday, August 17, 2012

Bistro Love

Happy Friday All!

I had a great meeting today. I am redoing a fabulous living/ dining space in a clients home located in Toronto. There were a lot of great pieces that we discussed for the living space, but it was the dining space that left me thinking after I left. I have to say- I feel like I really nailed it.


We are going with a beautiful, heathered, table from restoration hardware and some fabulous bistro style chairs from RH as well. BUT, the bistros will be in a stunning, worn, black oak for major contrast to the light, warm, grey of the table.


I can't stop thinking about the Bistro/ Cafe chairs as RH calls them. They make me think of long afternoons in Paris at a cafe, sipping a warm latte or a nice glass of vino, people watching, inches from the curb. I think they will invite the same sense of calm and relaxation into my clients home. I can just see them at the table for hours, laughing and enjoying each others company.
What do you think? I think I want a couple for my dining room too!
Have a great weekend.
xo
C

chair | table



Wednesday, August 15, 2012

White Box

Today I met a great friend for lunch, actually, she is my oldest friend. I believe I walked up to her in grade one and asked "will you be my friend?" and the rest was history. She walked into the cafe today with a little, white bakers box filled with the cutest, sprinkle cupcakes. I looked at them quickly and said a big "thanks!" It wasn't until we were halfway through lunch did I realize that she made these gorgeous little creatures. I was totally impressed, and even more so when I tried one upon leaving the restaurant (I thought it might be a bit off side to put my head under the table and eat one mid sandwich!).


L informed me that she is thinking about setting up a little side business doing baked goods for parties, showers, etc. I immediately told her she should open up a bakery and I would work with her and it would be super amazing... Obvi I got a bit carried away, but I did tell her that I would love to work on some possible names and graphics for her.

... Now you are probably thinking "What the hell, I thought this chick was an interior designer, despite the fact that her whole blog is about food and now she is doing branding?!"... I am thinking it too. So, join the club. Its all creative... and graphics involve design, right?

Anyways... I was driving home... eating cupcakes and something struck me, the little white bakers box she presented the cupcakes in was perfect. It didn't scream cupcakes, because L can do more than just great cupcakes. There could be super amazing cookies, or mini apple pies hiding in that sucker. It was a symbol for what she wants to create- simple, classic, high-end baked goods. So, I think the name is going to have to be based around that... And the packaging! You cant skimp on great presentation. I am such a sucker for pretty, clever packaging- I would probably buy dog sh*t if it was in a beautiful box.

So this is my plan, I will work on this fun stuff when I need a break from design stuff (which is also fun!) and then I will show you! Sound good? GREAT.
xo
C

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Question 2

Is anyone else excited for fall? It might just be me. Every year when my birthday hits (August 2nd), it marks the beginning of the end of Summer for me and all I can think about is boots... and sweaters... and scarves. Its redic, I know. Seriously though- you can't tell me that you're not pumped for scarves and warm lattes!? FUN.

The salad I made last week is the perfect "Summer-on-the-verge-of-Fall dish". It still has summery brightness from the sweet peas and herbs, which contrasts nicely with the earthy, (fall) smokiness of the mushrooms. I totally lucked out and found chanterelle mushrooms, which are insanely tasty and kind of smokey in flavour. If you cant find them you can easily substitute baby portabellos or cremini mushrooms. Try this one out- I promise you will love it and want colourful leaves in the air as much as I do!






Ingredients:

1 cup chanterelle mushrooms
1 cup shiitake mushrooms
1 cup oyster mushrooms
1 large shallot (or 2 normal sized shallots- mine was probably genetically altered in some way)
1 cup fresh green peas (you could use frozen- but the fresh are just SO much better)
2 tbsp chopped, fresh basil
1 tbsp chopped, fresh parsley
s + p


Method:
  1. Dice up your shallot and throw it into a saute pan with about 2 tbsps of olive oil, sautee for a minute or so.
  2. Meanwhile, roughly chop your mushrooms in half or quarters, depending on how big they are. Tear Oyster mushrooms into strips- this is nicer to the mushroom, and adds texture.
  3. Throw the mushrooms in with the shallot and sautee on medium high, keeping the mushrooms moving so they evenly cook. (moving = toss, stir, etc.)
  4. When the mushrooms look almost done (getting golden and soft), about 8 minutes- add the peas and toss to combine.
  5. Sautee the peas and mushrooms for 2 minutes, allowing the peas to warm through, but not become mushy.
  6. Stir in the fresh herbs, season with salt and pepper to taste and pile onto a rustic serving dish.
  7. Serve and ENJOY.
xo
C

Ps. This was Question 1

Friday, August 03, 2012

HBD

Someone wrote that on my wall (Facebook) yesterday... It took me a moment to figure out what it meant- and if it wasn't my birthday it would have taken me foreveerrrrr to figure out- I probably would have Googled it, I Google everything, including medical symptoms- doctors worst nightmare over here. Anyways- that was an aggressive side track to start of this post! Yesterday was my 25th Birthday... Quarter of a freaking century- I seriously don't know how that happened, and I am getting married in 6 weeks- this is all seriously cray cray (but in a REALLY good way).

What is also cray cray is mini cupcakes... I popped into a local bakery yesterday to pick myself up some Birthday Cupcakes and they had a mini version of every cupcake they make, so naturally I got them all. What I hate the most about cupcakes is they are SO big, and you only get one flavour- I like taking bites out of all of them so I can taste them all. And because it was my birthday, I did. BAM. Just said that.

Below is the lonely remaining Lemon Cupcake I have not taken a bite out of yet... maybe after I post this... it can be my reward! Its cute right? I took this pic this morning on my driveway- I am pretty sure my neighbours think I am nuts- but no worries, I have cupcakes and they don't. Suckers.


I just realized this was a bit of a feisty post- but, hey, it's the WEEKEND! And just so you know, I have not forgotten about showing you those fabrics I have been talking about- I am editing the pictures as we speak... I'm feeling a Saturday morning post with a giant tea in my future.... Exciting....

Drive safe to whatever adventure you have planned for this long weekend!
xo
C

Ps. Pretty sure it means Happy Birth Day

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Weekend Food

Happy Wednesday!
So, as I mentioned in my post yesterday, I was up at the cottage last weekend for a little bachelorette weekend. My sister and friend, Lauren had so many amazing surprises for me throughout the weekend, one of which was a fully catered dinner Saturday night.... with.... a menu made completely from a list of my favorite ingredients! How insanely awesome is that!? Actually, what is almost more amazing is that Dave (fiancee) came up with the whole list. My man, who was not exactly a foodie, or knew what a foodie was when I met him put Truffles, Haloumi, and Seared Scallops on the list- totally awesome right!?

Needless to say, the dinner was amazing- and I ran around like an idiot trying to take pictures of it all. After looking at the pictures on my computer I came to the conclusion that the appetizer pics are much more artistic, where as the entree photos are slightly skewed...possibly by my intake of champagne and wine...?

Below was the first app that came out, and OMG, I know it looks a bit odd, but WOW, was it good. Dave put Tuna Tar Tar on the list (I KNOW) and Cravings came up with these little sushi bowls. It had sushi rice in the bottom, a layer of avocado cream, Ahi tuna, spicy mayo and then topped with nori. It was so insanely refreshing and totally tasted like a giant tuna roll. YUM. When I attempt to make it at home you will be the first to know.


The second app to come out was this yummy deep fried dough ball, that my photos didn't exactly do justice too. Dave probably put "anything fried" on the list and they listened- it was great. So, no photo of that- just imagine a deep fried, eggy, biscuit thing- SO good. The third and final app was this mouthwatering shitake mushroom toast finished with truffle oil. I am definitely going to attempt to remake this. Slowwwly saute shitakes in butter an olive oil, maybe throw in a shallot. Toast some amazingly buttery brioche and top with the caramelized shitakes, chives and a dot of truffle oil... That's my plan if you were wondering- I will let you know how it goes!



Have a super awesome Wednesday!
xo
C