Nursery Plans

Hi there!
I thought I would just pop in and say a quick 'hello'! We are making some serious headway on the nursery and I want to share a sneak peek with you. I will do a full reveal when I have the furniture in.

We still don't know the sex of the baby yet so that has forced me in a more neutral direction- but to be honest- I am crazy happy with the direction it has gone in. Meet chic-lumberjack-mod-baby. I don't even know what that is, but its awesome.

I'll share pictures for now and do a full rundown of the projects, DIY's and sources when we reveal the final nursery. If you are dying for a source some something just comment below!

 

Favorite Finds: 09.25.13

Not knowing whether we are having a boy or girl has thrown me for a bit of a loop, so I have found myself wandering in stores fairly aimlessly a lot lately. Here are a few of my favorite finds...

1. Basically everything on this wall I would take home if I could- specifically that white and gold portal mirror- love.
2. My first official purchase for the nursery, a gold dot quilt. If we have a boy I will just put him in a super manly outfit when he is wrapped in this sucker.
3. An awesome geometric elephant that I should have bought. Such a fun piece.

Zara Home recently opened in Canada, the first location in Toronto being at Yorkdale Mall. Pretty stuff, a lot smaller then I was expecting- but worth popping into if you are in the area. Great finds to be had in the areas of bedding, frames and table ware.

 

 

1. Seriously. Why not? Nice Underwear door mat, I think its sets the tone don't you?
2. Amazing gnome lamp. Yes, he lights up. I may have to go back for him.
3. A fun and simple toss cushion for anywhere in the house. Glasses toss cushion.

Urban Barn had some fun accessories out for fall, but I wouldn't be rushing back anytime soon. It tends to stay fairly static with its merchandise. It is a great spot for cheap and cheerful finds though!

Happy Wednesday,

x

Spicy Butternut Squash Soup

What a gorgeous fall Sunday it was yesterday. My biggest dilemma of the day was whether to add coconut milk to the soup or a bit of regular cream- life is good. I know you are dying to know, but I stuck with regular cream (just a tad!), you could totally sub in coconut milk and it would be awesome.

This soup gets a bit of a spicy note from the fresh ginger, and a touch of cider vinegar balances out the sweetness from the squash. I was doing a bit of reading last night and discovered that squash contains protective chemicals against colon and lung cancers, reduces inflammation and contains a ton of minerals such as vitamin E, C, calcium, iron and magnesium. SO, EAT UP. Don't even get me started on the benefits of ginger root... we'll go there tomorrow. (I know... a slight change from my Hunger Games obsession...)

Recipe: Spicy Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion (peeled & chopped)
• 1 medium butternut squash (washed, unpeeled & cubed)
• 2 carrots (washed & chopped)
• 2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger root (grated)
• 4 cups low sodium chicken or veg stock
• 1/4 cup whipping cream or coconut milk
• juice of 1 orange
• 1 1/4 tsp cider vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots and squash for 5 minutes in 1 tbsp of olive oil on medium heat.
2. Add garlic and ginger, season with salt and pepper and sauté for 1 minute to combine.
3. Add the stock and cover, bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the carrots and squash are tender (falling apart).
4. Take the pot off the heat and puree the soup until completely smooth with a hand blender.
5. Add the orange juice, vinegar and cream, stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. 
6. Add up to 1 cup of water if need to thin out the soup a bit- I needed about 1/2 a cup.  

Notes: I keep my ginger root frozen in the freezer for super easy grating with a rasp- it also keeps so much longer! Also- you may think I am crazy- but you don't have to spend the time peeling your butternut squash, throw it in the with peel, it will soften and then be blended- you won't even notice it!


- sunday recipe writing -

Sources:
Nutrition Info: 100 Best Health Foods
Napkins: Ten & Co.

A Summer in Photos

 

It feels good to be back.

x

C

4 Favorites

Morning Team!
A few of my favorites from this week (and past)...


 

The best "Happy Show" exhibit at Toronto's Design Exchange by Stephan Stagmeister. Those are giant gumball machines... I know.



 

I got the chance to hear Jonathan Adler speak at the Toronto Design Exchange a couple of weeks ago. He is witty, sarcastic and all round brilliant. I loved every second of it... including the moment that he told us we are "...all insane not to go home immediately and paint our front doors orange, because who wouldn't want an orange front door!?"



My new favorite desk-friend (...get it...ha..) just came in, and it is A-mazing. A bit redic, I know, but SO awesome.

 

 

Hilarious stamps I spotted at Anthropology yesterday. A poodle would just add that "special something" to a hand written note to your hubby... hilar.

Happy Friday All! And for those of you now on March Break- have a great one.
xx
C

Ten & Co. Now Open!

Are you ready for it!? Of course you are...
I am beyond excited to share our site with you today. Ten & Co. has a ways to go (tweaks here and there), but we have lots of our products in the shop and ready for you to buy! Our show was a total success last Friday and we got a fantastic response from the Ladies at Alpine Ski Club. I am back to work this week, learning how to juggle two businesses at once and loving the challenge. Here are just a few of my favorites in the shop right now...

100% linen tea towels and napkins. All screen printed by hand with our own designs. Easy to wash and pretty in the kitchen!

Thee most addictive cloths in the world. Designed by Ten & Co. and printed in Sweden. Made of 100% Cellulose (plant based material), antibacterial and biodegradable. I LOVE them.

Poly and Linen napkins in 2 sizes, our 10" Farm House (great to replace the need of a paper napkin during the week) and our more formal 18" size for your fabulous soirees.

What do you think!?
xx
C

Happy 1st Birthday

Its amazing how many things can change in a year, I got married, I quit my job and went out on my own, I now have a store (work in progress), I made these chocolaty amazing things and these salty bacony things, AND started a blog.

Yesterday was Design and Doughnuts first Birthday! To be honest I almost posted it January 25th and realized within second of making the mistake, I was a month early. I am sorry for the lack of posts lately, Ten & Co is sucking out every spare second of my time (in a really good way). Next week I will be back to regular posting, with a full update on our first show this Friday!

For now you will just have to enjoy this super cute picture I took (a month ago).

xo
C

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy V Day All!
Single or coupled it's always fun to give or receive a little Valentines note. Over the past couple of years I have slowly built up a small collection of pretty papers, punches and stickers (is it just me or does it sounds like I should whip out my smelly sticker book now?). It is crazy easy to whip up a homemade card if you have the right tools. Your local craft store (I bought everything at Michaels) will have everything you need, and trust me- homemade cards are always appreciated!

A few tools I use:

• Blank Cards and Envelopes
• Colourful Cardstock
• Fun Stamps
• Punches
• Glue Tape will make your life SO much easier!
• Sharpie Paint Markers

Now go make someone you love a card!
xo
C

Ten & Co.: Pantone Torture

Very exciting things happening over here. I know I have only had small snippets of what I've been working on with Ten & Co. But, I can tell you that on March 1st you will have much more information. We will be selling at a show in Collingwood and everything will be available online! Today we finalized the Pantone colours for our new line of amazing cloths (1 of many great things we are working on).

Talk about stress... omg. Kirsten (business partner) and I kept torturing ourselves every time the light changed- confirming our colour choices were still right! We have come up with designs by yours truly, for the end of winter and bridging into Spring. Another run of design work will start after our March 1st show and our site goes live, for Summer 2013!
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am. We have fresh designs and great products coming your way in less than 3 weeks!
Ahhhh!
YAY for Hump Day.
x
C

ps. I promise to get back to regular posting soon, but I still want to keep you in the loop!

4 Favorites: Weekend Wonders

I'm just popping in to say a quick 'hello!' today. It's been a busy couple of weeks around here, and we are taking a bit of an extra-long weekend this coming weekend. So before that hits I wanted to check in. Here are 4 favorites from this past weekend to make up for Friday.


Valentines Cookies that I hope to get iced this week!

Sunday Ice Skating with Team Irwin.

Tulips with the most stunning centers that reminded me of fire.
 

My newest Etsy purchase: A Vintage Brass Mouse to keep me company at my desk. Creepy or Cute?- still deciding...

 

Happy Monday
C.
 

Currently Snacking On

How's your week going so far? I am having one of the really weird ones, where you keep thinking its the day ahead of the one you're currently on... its odd... and confusing. But, this little concoction is getting me through! Greek yogurt and berries, and not just any berries- "Power Fruit Berries".. to the rescue.

Anyways... Throw your frozen berries into a small sauce pot, a cup or two is fine, cover and turn the heat to medium-low. Now go do something, check facebook, making dinner, etc. In about 15-20 minutes the berries will soften and make the most amazing sauce. I added a tsp of vanilla bean paste, because I add it to everything, and orange zest would be good too (I didn't have any). Spoon over Greek yogurt and enjoy!
This sauce is good for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Oh... and this would also be awesome on ice cream, waffles, pancakes....

Happy Hump Day! ... right?
C

4 Favorites: 100th Post Edition

Hiiiiii Everyone!

It's Friday and you know what that means- 4 Favorites... oh, and the weekend in t-minus 8 hours. WOOP. As it says in the title, today is my 100th post since I started Design + Doughnuts- almost a year ago. I decided that I would choose 4 of my favorite posts in honor of my 100th post today. (100... that's crazy eh?! I can't believe I have come up with that much to talk about!) This task is much easier said then done... that means only 2 design posts and 2 recipes! Agh. its tormenting me! Okay... Here is goes:

Magical Number 1

Garlic, Parm and Herb Pull Apart Bread

This post got a million hits, and for good reason- this bread is CRAZY easy and good, good, good! If you haven't tried it yet, I would suggest this weekend OR Sunday for Super Bowl would be a great call.

 

Numero Dos

 

DIY: Brass-esque Statues

 

 

 

Because indeed, 100 posts later, I am still in love with brass and have decided that everyone should have an amazing brass-esque statue on their desk to make them smile. Maybe I will make my Dad a giant dinosaur for his desk... that would be fairly hilarious.

P.s. Don't forget about the mini magnet version!

 

Tres

 

Parisian Hot Chocolate  

 

Mmm. That's all I have to say... oh, and that you guys really, really liked it. So make it again!

 

Cuatro (I don't know why I switched to Spanish...)

 

I'm Loving: Black, White and Barn All Over

 

Okay... I know, this was only last week- but, come on... everything is gorgeous in here and you guys loved it, so here is one more look.

Have a fun weekend All... GO 49ers!
xo
C

An Extension

Wood to Tile. The threshold. What to do? How about not having one at all? Yes, this comes with its challenges. Typically tile is not the same thickness as wood, therefore a lot of planning must happen before installation. But for this look- totally worth it. These images are an extension of my black, white and barn all over from last week, but are just too beautiful not to post. I am in love with the seamless integration of stone to wood here, and throughout the space.

Pretty great inspiration for a Thursday...

 

 

 

Now go make things happen.
Happy Thursday!
C

Images Here.

I'm Loving: Marc Johns

I stumbled across these prints by Marc Johns on Society6 yesterday. If you haven't already visited Society6, you should, it's like Etsy, but more geared towards original art and prints. If you don't know what Etsy is either, then I don't think there is hope for you. Ha... joking... Click on the links- you will learn quickly young grasshopper. I totally laughed out loud at the first one- maybe it is just my weird sense of humor, but I think these are great.

Jeffrey Was Fed Up

 

The Spherical Bear

 

Everything's Gonna Be Super Duper

 

Pipe-Smoking Rabbit

 

Polka Dot Elephants Serving Us Pie

 

 

Happy Tuesday All!
C

P.s. Did I mention you can even make an iphone case out of any of these!?

Jeffrey Was Fed Up Iphone Case

P.p.s I also think the titles are fairly hilarious.

Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas

Hey You!
How was your weekend? Mine was great, we got in some great skiing on Saturday and I did a bunch of work yesterday that got me totally pumped for this week. You know the feeling when you're on a roll with something and you don't want to lose the momentum- that's how I am feeling right now, so I am trying to ride this train as long as I can!

As promised on Friday, I have my Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas Recipe for you today. Its the best healthy snack to have in a little bowl on your counter when that salty craving hits. I am a huge salty fan, if I had my pick over a Maple Glazed Doughnut (my favorite doughnut... weird I know, but it brings back childhood memories of commuting to the ski hill on super cold, Saturday mornings in the winter) and McDonald's fries, I would choose the fries every time.

Now, obviously you cant eat all of these in one sitting, but a little handful to satisfy a salt craving while you are cooking dinner- totally fine. Packed with protein and fibre- bring them on!

Ingredients:

• 1 can of chickpeas
• olive oil
• salt, pepper and other seasonings such as cumin, cayenne, smoked paprika, etc.

Method:

1. Preheat over to 400 degrees.
2. Rinse chickpeas and drain on paper towel for 5 minutes
3. transfer dried chickpeas to a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and any other seasonings you like! I used salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne and smoked paprika. SO yummy.
4. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden and crunchy. Stirring every so often.

Store in an air tight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Happy Monday All!
xo
C

4 Favorites

Holy crazy week. Where did it go!? And how is it already 12:30!? I have asked my self these questions too many times this week- insanity. But, its been SO productive and exciting, so I'll deal. A few of my faves from this week...

[Roasted Chickpeas- a quick, easy snack I am loving- look for the recipe Monday]

 

[All the right accessories for the Leafs home opener- Thanks Dad!]



[Printing out our second round of testers for Ten & Co. SO exciting!]

 

[How I stay on track during the week, with a weekly meal plan written up on Sundays!]

 

 

Have an awesome weekend team, I am heading north to ski and catch up on work! what are you doing?

TGIF.

xo

C