Take a Bow Tuesday...

It's back!

Well, as long as I can keep my act together, that is!

Either way, I have some friends I want to share with you and some great ideas I have tucked in my future feature file. So...here they are:

Check out The Cottage at Wit's End for a great kitchen make-over. Read along about the journey, and check out these before and afters:

Next up is my fellow Canadian, Grace of Sense and Simplicity. She is a relatively new blogger who has learned the ropes quickly and well. Check out her budget wise decorating, delicious recipes and welcoming writing. Just look at this cozy nook in her home!

Oh, and tell her I sent you!

Another Canadian blogger, Holly from Life in the Fun Lane has the most gorgeous bedroom I've seen in a long time! Don't take my word for it...head on over!!!

Speaking of bedrooms, to see the most breath-taking little girl's bedroom visit Maria at Dreamy Whites. White and powder pink...heavenly!

And finally: because Easter is right around the corner (and I still haven't decorated!), check out this great round-up of Easter projects from Rachel at One Pretty Thing!

Now, on that note....I'm off to decorate. Sophie will put me in a headlock if I don't!!!

A Give-away and Getting Back to an Old Friend...

Head over to Holiday with Matthew Mead  to find out how you can win the opportunity to have your blog or online shop mentioned in the magazine. Holiday with Matthew Mead is a "book-azine" celebrating and offering inspiration for the Christmas holiday season. To be released in October 2010, Holiday is offered via online orders only - in limited quantities - and will not be sold on newsstands. But, by simply following the BUY HOLIDAY MAGAZINE link below their banner, you can reserve your own copy of this beautiful magazine, with guaranteed delivery of the magazine straight to your mailbox! Holiday with Matthew Mead is 144 pages of holiday inspiration with well-known and admired designers, bloggers and top-notch features, printed on beautiful paper and not drowning in ads!

Now, head on over  for your chance to win!

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Now, back to my regular programming on Tuesday, with a return of my Take A Bow Tuesday Feature! I have some new friends to share with you!!

Design Of Sky Scraper With Gardens

If you are tired of looking at rigid building designs, this post is surely feat to blow you away!

Designing is an art and one rarely envisions much path breaking ideas. This building, modeled by MAD architects will be located in Chonquing, China. Connected by a set cylindrical structure, each story has been settled a little off the centre, giving the building a unique feel. Abstract floors with full length glass windows make the building countenance surreal and the balcony gardens only add to its beauty.

The floors are designed to create an illusion of each floating upon another. The model is much that it brings together nature and the urban metropolis thereby creating a work that would please all!

Take a look.

Really Amazing Renderings of Beautiful Houses 2010

We all know the level of details that CG artists are able to achieve today with sophisticated 3D softwares and renderers. In this post, we feature a set of inspirational renders that showcase the brilliance that subsist in this industry. Most of the houses shown below are in the midst of lethargic fairy tale environments that add a bit of episode to each visual. Take a look.

Easter Picnic at Montalto

I love Easter, I love Autumn, so my favourite time of year is almost here, & a picnic at Montalto awaits! It really is the most gorgeous experience, one to be shared with family, friends or of course, just for two. Ideally it is best suited to one of Melbourne's idyllic Autumn days - sunshine, blue sky, & perfectly temperate for a picnic amongst the orchards on the spectacular landscape of the Mornington Peninsula, at Red Hill South.Whether you choose to dine upon the hill, enjoy sea views, or picnic adjacent to the orchard groves, your gourmet delights will arrive by Morrey, the much loved red Morris Minor. Whether you choose to authenticate the experience by dining on the lawns, or indulging with crisp white linen & table attire, a picnic at Montalto in Autumn really is a gorgeous experience.Montalto Vineyard and Olive GroveRed Hill Southhttp://www.montalto.com.au/

Looking ahead to a very special HOLIDAY!

My friend, Matthew Mead, is an expert at celebrating the holidays and bringing out the beauty of the seasons. Back in 2006, Matthew - as a style editor with Country Home magazine - launched his first issue of Holiday with Matthew Mead via Meredith Publishing. However, as many other projects, commitments and books filled his schedule, Holiday got put on the back burner. Still, Matthew always dreamed of bringing it back to his readers and bringing his focus back to his love of the holidays and sharing the many creative ideas that occupy imagination.

Over the years and following the success of Flea Market Style, Matthew's fans wrote many letters and emails asking him to bring back Holiday and all its goodness.

And he listened.

I am happy and proud to announce that Holiday with Matthew Mead is coming back for Holiday 2010. I will be involved as a contributing editor and will help Matthew and Jenny in their quest to bring you a magazine that has been lovingly conceived and will be sold online via our new website - and limited quantities will be sold and delivered straight to your mailbox this October. So, head on over to Holiday with Matthew Mead.com and learn how Matthew wants to include YOU (and a chance to have your home featured in the magazine!)and discover our very special guests/features (hint: a very famous and much-loved blogger who has survived a life-threatening experience and is working hard to regain her life as a busy wife and mother).

Head on over and see what all of the fuss is about. Discover what Holiday 2010 entails and how you can get one without the usual seek and search. Who knows, perhaps you will even find yourself in the pages of the magazine!

At the Office...

I mentioned recently that my husband is building me a desk from which to work. Well, it is built and awaiting the stroke of the paintbrush, wielded by me. I have yet to decide on a col-uh, and he shakes his head that I don't "just hurry up and pick." He is not getting my real dilemma: that I am not sure where to place said

desk - a place where I will be out of sight/out of mind while I work.

Because you see, every square inch of my house is being used, and it's not getting any bigger. So, I will continue the search for the perfect colour and the imperfect spot for my new, lovingly made desk.

And as lucky as I am, I can't help but drool over these little office spaces:

(I love this chair):

Love the girlyness of this one:

Can you imagine having your desk in front of a window like this?

(all images, House to Home.com)

Rest assured, my "office"will look nothing like these!!

In fact, it will probably be more like this guy`s office:

(Les Nessman, WKRP)

What about you; have you your own work space at home?

Bite Your Tongue!

During my semi-restful week off with my children, during which we mostly stayed close to home and enjoyed glorious spring-like weather, I took some time and read some brain candy.

One really stellar bit of knowledge-sharing I discovered, whilst engaged in this reading pursuit, was this comment from Gisele Bundchen (super-model, wife of Tom Brady, genetically blessed):

"I think a lot of people get pregnant and decide they can turn into garbage disposals. I was mindful about what I ate, and I gained only 30 pounds."

(can you say smugly annoying?)

I guess those who gain more are just slobs.

Because, come on, she must know what she is talking about, right? Kind of like this supermodel who is a furniture designer, apparently.

Lessons learned:

1. supermodels bring out the snark in me (can't imagine why?)

2. my time is much better spent reading real books and BLOGS

3. You can't blame the need to "lose a few" on birthing children who are now 9 years old.

What?

Who said that?

Brothers and Sisters...

If you haven't already seen this, it is a great video to celebrate our similarities and differences as Canadians and Americans (disclaimer: some would say we are all Americans, given that we are North Americans...I'm not so picky...!)

A Glimpse ahead to Summer...

After a week of gorgeous spring weather, I was inspired to jump ahead to summer and share this post from the summer of 2008. Dream along with me!

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Summer pool parties...what could be more fun? Throw in some grilled hotdogs, fruit punch, crunchy potato chips, and a yummy ice cream dessert, and you have all the fixings to ensure your pool party is a hit with the younger crowd! As I did last summer, I hosted an "end of school" pool party for Sophie and a few of her school mates. I vowed to keep it easy and stress-free (for me), and kept the food simple and the guest list small. I had picked up some great party suppplies a while back at a dollar store in a neighbouring community, and the pink flamingo theme inspired me to have another pool party to kick-start summer.

Sophie licking her lips at the thoughts of that first bite...

Using pretty flip-flop invitations (Sophie loves delivering invitations!), we set about planning the party the night before. I thawed some frozen punch and took another trip to the Dollar Store to get the supplies I needed to make these pretty flower pot ice-cream cakes. I saw the idea on The Pioneer Woman's website, and decided to give them a try. If you want the recipe, click on the link and it will take you there. Basically, it involves cutting out poundcake using a circular cookie cutter, placing said pound cake in the bottom of each pot:...spooning in some softened ice-cream (I used French Vanilla), then a couple of gummy worms, some more ice-cream, and...this is the important part...placing a straw down through the layers (centered, of course). Then freeze over night, and in the morning spoon some Oreo cookie crumbs over the top for the "dirt". To finish, trim the straws to "soil" level, place a flower (real or faux) into the straw and voila! Perfect, ice-creamy, easy individual desserts that every child will love!

Love them they did...once I was able to convince then that the dirt wasn't real! So... lots of swimming, junk food, and a pretty dessert is all it takes to plan and execute a great party for little girls!! A good time was had by all!

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New Concept Design Modern Bathrooms

Rexa staleness be born very recently but its collections are par excellence. With a exteroception of having long-lasting bathrooms, this European consort has carved a niche for itself in the concern of room manufacturers. Having introduced a sort of new materials, the bathrooms which are conception of the collections are spacious with freestanding, built-in bathtubs.

These concept bathrooms are inspired by the thought ‘Space Navigation’ where the whole collection beautifully comes together as each example is vividly circumscribed by the curves and smoothness. Everything found in these bathrooms is made of Korakril which guarantees sturdiness, hygiene, static-protection and resistance from lighting and stain.

Rexa designs are coercive and effective. They have encapsulated the essence of beatific taste and great quality.

You could verify inspiration from the room collections acquirable in-house. You could also endeavor with assorted hues of blue, wear and brown. But if I was you, I would stick to the classy, unchanged white exteriors which are shown below.

When I was young and foolish...

Originally posted in February 2009, this post serves as a reminder that I really have gotten wiser with age!!

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Check out this flower pot cake I made many years ago for a fundraising cake-walk. My boys were not yet in school, so where I found the time or pateince to attempt this, I'll never know. Apparently, I was channelling my inner Martha, or something like that...

I do remember the process of making this masterpiece, however. The daisy petals were flattened, sliced jumbo marshmallows with orange gumdrop centers; the hyacinths were made of (food-coloured) puffed wheat (assembled like Rice Krispy squares), and the tulips were fruit roll-ups wrapped around a marshmallow, and snipped with scissors to mimic the tulips petals. The actual cake was baked in a clay pot, removed, and then iced in clay-coloured icing (tricky getting just the right colour...). I recall the cake being very tipsy, and probably too soft, as the flowers were threatening to topple over and out of the cake. Although I was mighty proud of this creation (proud enough to snap a photo, apparently), I think it sold for a measly $15.00.

Slap!

What an insult!

And I even made a little ladybug out of a red M&M, studded with melted chocolate polka-dots for authenticity!

Some people know nothing.

But I am much wiser now. In fact, I have chocolate chip muffins baking at this moment.

Courtesy of Quaker Oats...

Martha Stewart has indeed left the building...

...or I'm older and wiser!!

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Although I was dumb enough to try these.

Magnolia Square Begins At St. Kilda Today

March Magnolia Square Begins TODAY!

Beautiful wares for yourself, your family, friends & home...

Treat yourself to coffee & cupcakes amongst gorgeous new creations & collections from 80 bespoke retail collections...

NEW VENUE - St. Kilda Town Hall

Today, Thursday March 18th, 10am - 9pm

Friday March 19th, 10am - 5pm

Saturday March 20th, 10am - 4pm

www.magnoliasquare.com.au

How Low can I go with No-Sew?

Another March Break re-post...I hope you don't mind!!

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photo: creme de la creme interiors

My desire to putter about my home, dreaming up new projects and improvements, can lead to the occasional teasing from my friends and they sometimes revert to the old stand-by: dubbing me "Martha" (which, depending on the delivery, may or may not be considered a compliment). I can take a joke, however, and calling me "Martha" is a joke indeed. For the record, I refuse to iron, truly do not enjoy baking, and am most inept at sewing. I do own a sewing machine, but it sits in my lonely craft area, collecting dust. I can sew a straight line with it, but always seem to get the thread tangled up in the machine and end up muttering unpleasantries under my breath. My lack of sewing skills does not deter me, however, when faced with a project, and I instead quietly whip out my glue gun for sewing projects that require only the weakest of bonds...

I have, however, sunk to a new low...

I have been eyeing my porch swing for a while now, with plans to pretty it up. I have had a new seat cushion for it for some time now, but hesitated to use it until I could figure out a way to add a skirt to the seat without resorting to sewing. I also had a pretty watery green and brown toile window valance that I had picked up a while ago at a bed and bath shop, and had not found the ideal spot to hang it. Voila: I decided to use it as the new skirt for my swing! In a stroke of dumb luck, I had also stumbled upon a tension curtain rod in my garage while tidying it recently. It, too, had no intended purpose; so I decided to test my theory that it could be pressed into service as a way to skirt my swing!!

Guess what? It worked!! With the skirt in place, I simply set my new seat cushion on top - thus preventing the potential discomfort of the rod - and added a spare pillow to the mix. Now, I happily have a comfortable and pretty porch swing - again, using things I had lying forlornly around the house!

porch swing: before...

and after!!

Design Minimalist Room Furniture

How do you poverty your experience room to be? Is it smart and comfy? Or is it cozy and informal? Does it hit minimalist furniture and styled with accessories? Does it hit a dining area incoming to it? Is it bounteous or small? Whatever the case, if you decide to decorate it, then do it with style. A lot depends on how you see most your private expanse and where you would like to spend your time? Work around your likings and let your imaginations flow. For now, we hit whatever decorous experience room ideas to get you started.

Our Little Garden...

Because we are enjoying March Break, this is a repost...originally posted in July 2008.
But before reading it, check out this article over at Style at Home.com where I give my two cents worth about 2010 design trends and dos and don'ts (for what that's worth!).

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I have mentioned before that I have a small garden, but I am prepared to squeeze out every inch of usable space from it. I certainly don't have a green thumb, but it isn't black, either. I love combing the garden centers for pretty flowers to plant in my garden, and I love the planning process each spring.

While I admire those who have a meticulously planned garden, I prefer cottage style planting for my own home. I love meandering paths through a garden that seems more lovingly planted than methodically planted. I guess there are two types of gardeners: those who turn around, throw tulip bulbs over their shoulder and plant them where they land, and those who lay them out, colour-coded of course, and plant them in planned clusters. Neither is right nor wrong - but they are inherently different.
I enjoy looking out my window and seeing lush plantings of "old-school" plants: peonies, stock, astilbe, black-eyed susans, sweet william, and, of course, daisies. I love tall plants intermingled with lower ones, and I don't want my garden to look like it was planted according to a map. I think I have achieved a more relaxed garden, and I look forward to adding to it, and cultivating its "free spirit".

What kind of gardener are you?

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This is the old buggy I "stole" from the dump on my "dump date" with the handyman awhile back. It was rusty and dirty, so I painted it this lovely aqua shade using spray paint, of course. I planted it with flowers, and it sits outside Sophie's playhouse.