[ crazy canines ]

JUST IN TIME for Halloween, how about some crazy dog costumes?

Some of the ideas people come up with! We never dressed up our dog for Halloween... have you?

lisa

[google]

[ happy weekend! ]

IT'S A long weekend here in Dubai for Eid. No concrete plans for us ~ just some relaxing and maybe a movie and a lunch or breakfast somewhere nice.

Whatever you're up to, have a good one!

lisa

[ asian influence ]

WE'VE BEEN seeing more and more asian-inspired decor lately, but today while roaming around in Bloomingdales, I came across a display of throw pillows that add a face to the theme...

From buddhas to royalty, it's a definite shift from the simple patterned motifs that have become so popular. What do you think about adding a face to your decor?

lisa

[ black and white and pretty all over ]

i'M ALWAYS drawn to gorgeous white Scandinavian spaces. No one seems to do white walls and pale floors better and I'd love to have them in my next home...

Even though they're white, these rooms still feel so comfy and welcoming. I love that most of the accessories are white or silver and the only colour is from hits of black and the textiles so switching things up is easy. How do you feel about these spaces ~ too much white or just right?

lisa

[house of philia]

[ blue beauty ]

ISN'T THIS glossy blue front door so pretty?

I've always been a fan of glossy black doors ~ they look elegant and work on most styles of homes. But after seeing this lovely blue one, I think I have a new favourite. It seems a little less formal but just as striking. And now that Pantone has named Monaco Blue as the 2013 colour of the year, I guess it's right on trend.

What colour is your front door?

lisa

[suellengregory.com]

[ today's chuckle ]

Happy Wednesday!

lisa

[ grown-up elegance ]

I COULDN'T help but stop in my tracks when I saw this gorgeous Manhattan home. Designed for an empty-nest couple returning to the city after raising their kids in the suburbs, the designer paid close attention to how they live in their home to design the perfect space...

I love the cool grey palette and how luxurious it all feels, though I can't help but wonder at what point I'd be old enough or elegant enough to sit comfortably in that living room. It looks gorgeous but where's the soft arms on the sofas or cushy ottoman to rest my feet? Could you really live in that living room?

lisa

[elle decor]

[ updates and such ]

I THOUGHT I'd post some little updates as to what's been going on around here.

1} Remember that gorgeous Pottery Barn jug I scored for $25 on clearance {see post here}? Well, I couldn't help but go back and pick up a couple more! Check out the deals I got on these babies...

Of course my guy just rolled his eyes ~ I know, these things do have to ship from Dubai at some point. But I love them grouped together with my vintage little bottle collection. I think the three big ones will look fab on a big dining room table someday with a few cherry blossom branches.

2} Remember the post about unknowingly wearing mom jeans {see post here}? Well, after being absolutely horrified at what my butt might be looking like in the jeans I had {and believe me, once I tried them on, a couple pairs did get shuffled into the emergency wear only pile}, I went on a hunt for a new pair...

Keeping in mind the importance of pocket size and placement, I found these Red Herring jeans at Debenhams for only $38! {which was great since I really wasn't too keen on spending on designer jeans}. Thank goodness for fitting rooms with three-way mirrors!

3} Remember how I mentioned meeting up for coffee with a fellow blogger who just moved to Dubai? Well, I'm happy to report that she's settling in nicely and we've been able to meet up for a couple of breakfast dates...

4} I'm still reading Casual Vacancy and am only about 1/3 of the way through so far. It is definitely not an uplifting book so far and it does touch on some pretty disturbing topics and human behaviour. But having not read Harry Potter, I'm not comparing it in any way to her other writing so I think that might be a good thing since most reviews can't help but make the comparison. It's definitely not a book for kids, even though teenage characters play a big role. I'll keep you posted.

5} Remember my post about the popularity of brogues {see post here}? Well, I finally found some after quite a long search here in Dubai. These lovely leather ones I picked up at Topshop...

So that's about it in terms of updates!

One thing I'm loving right now is Adele's new song Skyfall for the upcoming James Bond 007 movie...

Have you heard it? I think it's classic 007 and her voice is so perfect for it. I just wish they'd bring back Pierce Brosnan as Bond.

We're still waiting for the weather to turn here in Dubai to something cool enough to get outside for some fresh air. Temps are still 100F (38C) and humid but I'm hoping within a few weeks we'll start seeing them drop a bit. 

I'm really missing my gorgeous autumn Muskoka river view...

I hope to someday have something equally as beautiful.

Happy weekend everyone!

lisa

[ painted pumpkins ]

I LOVE the idea of painting pumpkins ~ such a fun and easy way to put a funky spin on fall. How about these pretty pink pumpkins?

It's not a colour normally associated with fall and pumpkins but I love the modern spin on it. And the plaid is fun ~ so many pattern possibilities. Who says pumpkins need to be orange? 

Are you a painted pumpkin fan?

lisa

[chatelaine]

[ on my iPad ]

HAVE YOU noticed the piles of these books everywhere? They have literally taken over the stores here...

Yup, I've caved to the hype and am now reading this on my iPad. I have to admit that I haven't read Harry Potter or seen any of the movies {I know. I know. What rock have I been under?} Psst...I also haven't read or seen Twilight. Just not my genre I guess. But I thought I'd give her first adult novel a read. Any of you reading this?

lisa

[ happy weekend! ]

WELL, it appears that the weekend is upon us again and for all of us Canadian folk, it's Thanksgiving weekend!

It really seemed to pop up quickly this year ~ I've barely grasped the fact that it's fall! There's not a pumpkin to be found in Dubai {at least not yet} but I did find some canned pumpkin so I can bake my guy a pie so all is good. :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

lisa

[via erin-artandgardens]

[ scrapwood ]

LOOKING FOR an interesting new wallpaper pattern? How about scrap wood?

So much easier than putting up salvaged wood and it would certainly hide a multitude of wall imperfections. Look for it here.

What do you think? Could you go scrappy? 

lisa

[bodie and fou]

[ going brogue ]

SO I WAS out shopping and picked up this cute pair of bright blue chinos from The Gap... but this post isn't about the pants, it's about the shoes...

Call them brogues, wingtips or oxfords, these menswear inspired lace-up shoes have become popular whether you are wearing pants, skirts, leggings or shorts...

Brogues trace their roots to a rudimentary shoe from Scotland and Ireland that were considered country footwear, not appropriate for business or dressy occasions. That has certainly changed! True brogues have multi piece construction with decorative perforations.

I think they're a great alternative to the ballet flats that have become a staple in our wardrobes. I love the menswear look and they are a great choice all year round, but particularly in the fall when you want comfort but need a bit more foot coverage, especially on a wet day. 

Here are some cute ones I found...

The only pair I've got are these patent grey ones I bought with ribbon laces a couple of years ago at Clarks {although they don't have decorative perforations}...

They are super comfortable and at the time not many stores were carrying this style of shoe for women. I still don't see them around here much in Dubai ~ it's all about stilettos, flip flops and ballet flats. But I wouldn't mind getting another pair which would be great for travelling too {when ballet flats are too flat and you want something nicer than sneakers}.

How about you? Will you be going brogue this fall?

lisa

[gap; google; 3,4 netaporter; via thepreppytime.tumblr.com]

[ farmhouse fabulous ]

DON'T YOU just love makeover stories? I came across this pretty makeover of an 1865 farmhouse kitchen and while it had a lot of charming features, it felt dated, the layout wasn't very functional and it lacked modern conveniences.

Painting out the original windows and woodwork really lightened up the space, along with the new layout of pale dove grey cabinetry...

While some people may have been inclined to keep what was originally there or simply paint the cabinets, sometimes function overrules and you realize that it just isn't working. The style of the new cabinets works nicely and I love the lightness of this kitchen now. And it's just another example of why it's ok to paint original woodwork ~ look at how gorgeous that window looks now.  

lisa

[style at home]