Fancy Friday Love

Happy Friday everyone! I know I've been a bad blogger this week - it's just been absolutely hectic around here! I promise lots of goodies coming in the next little while. For now, here's some Fancy for your Friday!

Kate Spade's new fragrance is out... and I love the email that popped into my inbox last Friday afternoon!

It's great right? I'm still a sucker for a good ad... and I'm also on the look out for a new "scent" (if you will). Based on the description the website provides, it sounds positively dreamy, and I'm ready to go check it out in person! I really don't think the timing could be any more perfect!

Keeping with Kate and new arrivals (so many of which I could feature in here... I was thinking of doing a full post on Kate love... but decided against it...), I am soooo in love with the Beantown Charlie!

Loving the tweed and buttons... especially for the fall! Also love that it's namesake is by far one of my favorite U.S. cities!

Of course, with Fall upon us I've been thinking boots for quite some time now! I've been browsing and spotted these on Aldo's website:

Love the look of this LILLER boot, and will be hunting for something similar... maybe take a look in Aldo to see what they look like up close and personal and make a decision from there.

How about Maggie's garage makeover??

It looks fantastic doesn't it? I love the bright yellow! You'll have to head on over to her blog though to see the before. I WISH our garage looked half as good as that!

I am in love and inspired by the beautiful autmumn decor shared by Centsational Girl this morning!

Unfortunately we don't have any trees with leaves as beautiful as those close to our home, but those pillar candles have inpired me for my very own DIY project. God she is so talented, and makes things seem so effortless! Love her!

Yes, the busy week kept me from finding too many fancy things to share! A fun weekend planned though! Lots of projects to fill the time, and hitting up a TIFF screening of "The Way" tomorrow afternoon! Sunday we'll be hosting my parents for dinner in honour of their 35th Anniversary which falls on Monday! Come back next week for a giveaway and a recap of a few projects we've been working on! Happy Weekend!

Dream Home - Bringing it Home

Last week, we escaped to Oia, Santorini. Today, I'm going a little less Meditteranean and making it a little more local. I know it's not quite as fancy, and the views really can't compete, but I wanted to highlight how much the beautiful homes that I find can really differ. This house stands not to far from our own little Toronto casa. It's part of what I love about our area of the city. Small family homes, mixed in with some million dollar estates!

I must admit, from the outside this plaster and stucco home doesn't blow me away. It's more the interior that I love.. and the fact that it backs onto Lake Ontario. Not quite comparable to the sea views in Greece - but about as good as it get's here in the Big Smoke.

The living room looks like a perfect spot to kick back with family and throw on a movie or catch your favorite TV show. As a bonus, it's quite obvious from those glass paned doors that the views of the lake are just lovely.

I love that even though the TV is mounted over the fireplace, it doesn't become a focal point of the room. With all of the big lovely windows, and the pillars surrounding the fireplace your eyes are immediately drawn to other lovely features. Well done!

I may not be in the main cook in our twosome, but big kitchens are always on my checklist! I'd make some changes to this room, like the light fixture, but that commercial sized stainless steel fridge is a definite selling point for me. So.Much.Room (for B's delicious cooking).

I would also gladly wake in this bedroom every morning, with that little walk out deck to more views of the Lake. Yes Please! This room has so much potential to be whatever your little heart dreams, and what can beat that entire wall of windows?

Then of course, there is my favorite bit. The outdoor living and views of the lake. The pictures don't acurately capture quite how lovely this would all look in the middle of a gorgeous Toronto summer, but living close to this area of the lake, I'm well aware!

That back deck would be perfect for entertaining. A nice big stainless grill, some outdoor furniture and a fireplace! Perfect place to sit back and enjoy that view of the lake!

This could all be yours for only $1.9M! Check out the entire listing here. So how about it readers? Do you have a dream location that you would love to live in? Where do you want me to scout out beautiful, drool worthy homes? Or maybe just the right home for you! Leave me a comment or shoot me an email and I'll search out a home in your desired location!

After the Weekend

What a great long weekend! I hope everyone else can absolutely say the same thing. We enjoyed kicking back and spending time with friends. Enjoying good food and checking out everything that was going on in the city. Even though the weather didn't want to cooperate here, we made the best of what we were given and really enjoyed ourselves! Would love to share some pictures... but didn't really take any, just soaked up every moment instead!

I'll be back later today with the second home in my new "Dream Home" feature!

Fancy Friday Love

Can you believe it? The first Friday of September is upon us. Man, this summer went by quickly! Thankfully, it's a long weekend and I plan to enjoy every single second of it... with BBQ's, drinks, the CNE and a Blue Jay's game on Monday afternoon. I'm going to extend this summer feeling as long as I can (despite my love of the coming season...). Enough about me and my weekend - onto the pretty things...

Found this posted on this blog, that I stumbled across, this past week, and it wasn't only pretty, but also one of those things that made me go "hmmmm"....

Also loving these vintage zipper flower brooches/hair clips from Re-Zip It (Etsy store shared by Sarah from Hennessey House)

I found my dream kitchen...

It was shared on Desire to Inspire on Wednesday. I love every single detail about it... and plan on keeping this filed away in my inspiration folder for future reference!

How awesome is this Magnolia Leaf wreath made by the oh-so-talented Centsational Girl?

GORGEOUS!... I may have to try this out!

I know it's a short list this week, but it's been a pretty crazy one for me! Hope you all enjoy this one last HOORAH of summer! Make it count!

Welcome September!

As a child I was not a fan of September... for the most part anyway. Who wants to go back to school after a glorious summer of absolute freedom? I never looked forward to the first day back... ever!

With the continuous march of time, my outlook on the month of September has completely changed... especially this year. This September brings so much for me to look forward to!

September 12th: Our pillow eater Harley-boy will turn 1! No longer a puppy...

Eaten Pillow (from last night after he escaped from the Crate)...

Pillow eater...

September 13th: My wonderful parents will celebrate 35 glorious years of marriage! WOW!

September 14th: BACK TO CLASSES FOR MEEEEE!!

September 20th: B and I will celebrate 3 years of dating. Can you believe it... only 3, and I've already owned a house with him for over a year. We must be nuts! 

The very first photo of us together - September 2007

September 25th: This one is quite a doozy! Not only will I turn 25 on the 25th (CHAMPAGNE BIRTHDAY!), but one of my closest girlfriends from University will get married on this day as well. It will be quite the celebration!

September 30th: This day will mark one year of me blogging!

Lots going on this lovely month of September! With so much to celebrate I figure there will be a few giveaways... but before I jump on that, I'd love some ideas! I already have a couple things up my sleeve, but since they are all about my readers, I'd love some input from you guys! What would you like to see, and I'll do my best to bring it for you!

Hope you're all looking forward to this month as much as I am!

Dream Home - Away in Oia

I'm pretty sure I'm a real estate junkie, along with a design and decor junkie. What's better than sifting through beautiful pictures of homes, whether it's in a magazine, a blog or a real estate website. I have my few real estate sites that I love to peruse every once in a while, which got me thinking - why not share some of these beautiful dream properties with my readers? Whether they are around the corner, or on the other side of the world - I think it's important to keep an eye on what's on the market.

I thought the perfect way to start my weekly property crushing would be with the gorgeous property located in Oia, Santorini (via Sotheby's Realty).

Imagine arriving in Greece and heading to your own private space in Santorini. According to the Sotheby's listing, this 1864 built property is a: "Rare, historic two-story sea captain’s house set atop the caldera cliff in a quiet, central neighborhood of the preservation village of Oia, Santorini. Top of the world views facing to the sea, caldera and volcano from the courtyard, main terrace, rooftop terrace and each room."

Imagine having the opportunity to have these views outside every window and door. I think I could spend a month straight just sitting and staring out at the sea - couldn't you? The best part is - this little escape isn't just about the views. The interior shots are incredible as well. Let's take a look...

I'm loving absolutely EVERYTHING about this bedroom. The curved ceilings and doorway, the striped, beachy canopy over the bed, right down to the little pops of pink in the flowers in the room. The bedroom just seems to scream Greece getaway to me, and I'd love to call it my own.

Love this small kitchen. Once again - gorgeous curved ceilings, and so bright and airy. I'd love to cook a wonderful meal in here, especially knowing I have the options of dining in one of the two spaces pictures below...

My God - I would give up everything to be able to sit in this spot every morning and enjoy this view over breakfast... or lunch... or dinner... or just a drink. Whatever. I could also enjoy just sitting there... staring.

How about THAT bathroom? The shower tucked in behind the two vanities. The tub that you step down into... that looks like a pool, with the way it is lighted. Not to mention, the way the bottom of the tub curves, makes it so appealing to just sink into and soak. Absolute spa feel - which is understandable as the property can also be used as a small hotel, with the spa facilities that it also offers...

If you're not into running your own hotel - then just keep it as your own summer or private residence... and enjoy those views. It's all about the views...

According to the Sotheby's site, the price is available upon request... which makes me think, I don't even want to know. Again - full listing is available right here. Dream Away!

Does this seem like a little feature you might be interested? I'd love to search for fabulous properties in locations requested by readers, or specific types of properties in a certain price range and area. What's the consensus?

Making Decisions

The basement is still a work in progress. From little things like trim and flooring transition, to bigger decisions like what to do with our fireplace and how to tackle the decor, there is a lot going on in my head right now. One thing in particular I've been having a hard time committing to is the fabric that I would like to use for the seating bench that B put in (inspired by the one in Aubrey + Lindsay's kitchen!).

I knew I wanted something on the neutral side so that I could change up the look of the room with paint, throw pillows and other decor items pretty easily. I had seen so many nice colourful fabrics, but in the end I kept thinking I wouldn't want to have another cover sewn for the bench anytime soon (as I am sure my mother will also not want to sew more than one).

Finally, this past Sunday, as I was sitting back looking through some new issues of magazines, I stumbled across this ad for Thom Filicia for Kravet:

I loved the faux bois fabric immediately... I just wasn't set on the yellow! Thus, began my search. After a bit of digging, I found the same fabric in a different colour...

Yup! That's it! That's EXACTLY what I want to cover the seat bench cushion with. No doubt in my mind. This wasn't the only fabric in that ad that I fell for though. It's not exactly clear, but behind that ikat pillow, is one with flocks of birds flying all around. Lovely for some throw pillows in our basement, especially in the blue - don't you think?

Griffith.516 WILL be mine! Now just to find the right place in the city to buy it for a decent price!? I may also have to have a chat with some of my teachers this coming term about getting my hands on this lovely Kravet fabric.

In the meantime - any suggestions from my wonderful readers about picking up Kravet fabric for a good price? (I can ship to the US!) Or have you come across any fabrics that you just absolutely love right now? Spill!