Coordinates

Ok, I'm going to get all mushy for a bit and gush about my husband. I'm also going to admit that I'm a giant jerk and I'm proclaiming it to the world (or the three people who read this blog). And here's why...

August 30th was our fourth anniversary. We generally don't go crazy with anniversary gifts and if you asked me what the traditional presents are for 4 years, I'd have no idea. This year I got A. the 2nd season of Walking Dead on Blu-Ray because it was something he'd specifically mentioned wanting. He seemed happy with it and we went on our merry way. He did say that I'd have to wait until September 8th to receive my gift because it was "on its way." No problem.

September 6th rolls around and he says he needs to take M. to the mall to "pick something up." When they get home, M. presents me with a box and says, "we got you a necklace!!" (Girl can't keep a secret.) And this is when it all went to pot.

I opened the box and see what looks like a black dog-tag on a simple chain. Fairly unremarkable but I could see there were some small characters engraved on the face. A. explained their meaning and I proclaimed it "nice." Ouch, right?

Want to know what the engraving is? Those two lines are the longitude and latitude of the place, the EXACT spot, where we met 7 years ago - Camp Julien in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Since that night, I have worn this every single day and every day I think about how I should have been more grateful and excited. So, here's me, hanging my head in shame and shouting my thanks to the world. I love you A!!

I'm loving... cozy grey bedrooms

Our master bedroom is large. It's not huge but it's definitely bigger than we are used to and the empty corners tend to be black holes for crap. When we built the house we chose a buttery cream colour hoping that it would be a nice neutral but it's kind of turning our bedroom into a big blah box. We have a TON of natural light in the room (three southwest facing windows) which I think would lend itself well to having a darker colour on the walls. A while ago I did up an inspiration board and sent it off to A. He liked it but doesn't want to spend money on new furniture since we just bought ours when we moved back to Calgary in 2008. I'm hating the matchy-matchyness of the set but in the spirit of using what we have, I think I've come up with a plan.

Here is the inspiration board I came up with awhile ago. Forgive the shoddy quality - I created this using Microsoft Word. Ha!

Source: flickr.com via Courtney on Pinterest

I am obsessed with the Colette bed from Crate & Barrel but since that's not in the cards I am going to swap our bed with the LEIRVIK bed we currently have downstairs in the guest room. (The bed in the photo is actually a more affordable version of the Colette called the Beaconsfield from Sears.) While it was living in the guest room I had plans of painting the frame yellow but against a dark grey wall, I think the white frame will look quite nice. Perhaps something similar to this blue room seen on Design*Sponge.

I wanted to keep the big pieces pretty neutral and bring colour in in the form of seating and accessories. I think two slipper chairs would be perfect under our large south-facing window and in my corner of the room, a fun coat rack would be a great place to hang clothes we intend to wear again.

I have plans to make three map art pieces inspired by a photo seen on Pinterest and I'd like to hack the Ikea RAST 3-drawer chest so that we can split up our current matching side tables.

Source: everythingfab.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Source: aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.com via Courtney on Pinterest

We are going to keep our big dresser but I would like a fun new (king sized! We tend to fight over the covers) duvet cover like this Lucia duvet cover from Crate & Barrel. A gift card I received for Christmas will go a long way in off-setting this cost. (Thanks Elaine!)

Maybe one day we can bring in a small writing desk to place under the window and change out the lamps, but for now I think this is a pretty good start to making our bedroom feel like a sanctuary. Here are a few rooms that are fueling the inspiration.

Source: srgambrel.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Source: day-lab.blogspot.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Have you painted any rooms in your house lately? Yearning for a change?

Gifted magazine

Looking for inspiration for a holiday project or just the right gift? ('It's never too early to start' is my motto!) Check out Gifted Magazine published by Creature Comforts Blog. It's a lovely little slice of Christmas heaven.

I particularly like the project ideas, like the one for fabric twist ties seen below, and their gift guides are spot on. You should be able to find something for everyone on your list!

Seen on Poppytalk.

I'm loving...

Lately I've been a little obsessed with crochet. I need a new hobby that I can learn at home and will still allow me to watch and play with M. and I'm thinking crocheting fits the bill. I'm not going to get too ambitious, maybe just a few granny squares to begin with, but all of the beautiful examples I've found on Flickr are making me drool.



Sources: (clockwise from top left) Lauri Springer, HandMaid Liset, MiA Inspiration, Umzavi

I'm loving...

These Hibiscus Stay On Coasters from Dimmalimm. I think these will make great Christmas gifts. (Yes, I'm already thinking about Christmas.)


The Serena drum chandelier from Oly. When we were picking out lighting for the new house I fell in love with this chandelier. I thought it would just the right amount of sparkle and romance to the dining nook. Too bad it was waaaaay outside my price range. Damn, good lighting is expensive! I also love this Round Old Silver iron pendant. It was more affordable at $500 but I couldn't find anyone that supplied it to the lighting store we were working with.


When we get into our new house I hope to do an art wall featuring all of the places A. and I have traveled and this DC Love print by Art Shark Designs would be the perfect addition.


I'm in the middle of reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and it has been transforming. I've been thinking more about what we feed our family and have been especially wary of conventionally grown produce. With this in mind, we purchased a half-share with Oxyoke Farms. I don't think I've eaten so many salads in my life but, it has been fantastic and I would gladly eat garden lettuce all year if I could!

I'm loving...

The simple, classic styling of the Marshmallow Fluff jars.



Also, Fluff and cream cheese makes an AWESOME fruit dip!

This roasted cherry tomato tart.



I changed it a bit by spreading goat cheese on the crust before I added the tomatoes and I forgot to add the basil the first time. When we reheated the rest I added fresh basil and some cooked turkey bacon. YUM!

My little container garden. I've already snipped some chives for baked potatoes and I can't wait to make the tomato tart again when I've grown my own cherry tomatoes.



And last, but certainly not least, my darling baby girl. She really does light up my life!!

Pure poetry

And now for something completely different. Snail love...

I'm loving...

Here's a round-up of things I'm currently coveting.


Sunburst mirror from The Cross Design


Chocolate jug by Bodum from peekkeep.com


Campfire Tealight from The Curiosity Shoppe


Po-Zu slippers available at Lark on Main


Porcelain dishes from Mud Australia


4-pack of prints by Camilla Engman


Knitware Vase by Alyssa Ettinger

We bought a ticket on the Millionaire Home Lottery and I am completely in love with the Grand Prize home. The 4300 sq. ft. home is in White Rock, was designed by Sarah Richardson and is spectacular!


Dining room


Office


Master bedroom

I'm loving...

Vancouver designer Martha Sturdy and her line of fantastic resin home accessories. Perhaps I will try and save for a bowl.

I'm loving

I've become addicted to browsing through Etsy and have found quite a few items that would make good gifts or that I would love to own myself.

Here are just a few of the items:


JOY tiny text bowl by paloma's nest


Dude bunny by spidercamp


Owl with pear print by Pistachio Press


Small pool earrings by esdesigns

Other items from around the web:


Out of Circulation - One by Jillian Ditner at Keep Calm


Baby elephant ring holder from Red Envelope. Unfortunately, on backorder until February.


Diana+ camera from the Lomography Shop

I'm loving...

I picked up the new issue of Blueprint magazine the other day and fell in love with the dress on the cover from Basix II. Unfortunately, it would probably wash me out. Oh well, a girl can dream...

I'm loving...

In keeping with my mid-century modern kick here are two clocks that I adore.


Vintage Starburst Atomic Eames Era Wall Clock


Vitra: Sunflower Clock from Velocity

I'm loving...

If, by the grace of God, A. and I ever own a house with a wild and overrun garden, this indoor/outdoor sofa and Voltaire chair by Modern Front would be perfect.

All of the items in their Plastic-Fantastic series are reconditioned antique pieces that have been covered in a soft skin rubber. Ingenious!

I'm loving...

When it comes to home decor I tend to lean towards more traditional style furnishings, so it was a surprise to me that I really love this mid-century modern credenza/dresser. If we ever have a bedroom, and A. approves, this is the type of piece that I would love to have.


Danish Modern R-Way Dresser

I am also loving this cute gocco print desk calendar from ebonypaws.

I'm (still) loving... Handle Me

I already posted this video on Facebook but I love this song so much I just couldn't help it.

Sweden's Robyn (yes, she of "Show Me Love" fame) is reentering the spotlight with this catchy song. The video is kind of bizarre but I've been playing this song on repeat for the past couple of weeks and haven't gotten sick of it yet!

I'm loving...

... these mid-century modern arch chairs from Jennifer Delonge's Fresh Vintage collection. If only I had $1000 and some floor space to spare.

**As seen on Design*Sponge