[ merry christmas! ]

FROM our home to yours...

have a wonderful Christmas filled with joy, laughter and holiday cheer!

lisa

[ seat with a view ]

PERHAPS it's because I'm a Pisces, but I'm always drawn to water. There's just something so relaxing about gazing out over sparkling water. My dream is to have a home with a water view someday but for now, I'm lucky to live a block away from Lake Ontario where I can enjoy this...

I love going out for a walk and making a stop at this little park. We're having some amazing late summer weather this week and all the more reason to linger a while on my favourite bench...

I love the dedication plaque on the bench. I think someday I'd like to donate a bench to the park so more people can pause a while and soak in that pretty view. Do you have a favourite spot you like to go to enjoy a view?

lisa

[ summer blues ]

I'VE BEEN loving all the light blues I'm seeing everywhere for summer. Such a soft, pretty blue leaning slightly towards periwinkle...

I don't really have much in this shade in my closet so I thought I'd add something new for summer. I decided to start with these most comfy GAP boyfriend roll-up shorts...

Oh my gosh! These fit so incredibly well - long enough to wear straight as Bermudas, but also cute when rolled up a bit ~ such a nice change from all the short shorts I've been seeing everywhere that simply feel too young for my age. I decided right then and there that I needed more than one pair so I added some new navy ones and olive ones too. 

Do you have any of this pretty light blue in your closet?

lisa

[via newenglandprepster.tumblr; meganpearl.polyvore.com; classygirlsdrinkchampagne.tumblr; chic-magnolia.tumblr; 

25.media.tumblr; GAP] 

[ hello! ]

I'M BACK! Gosh, it sure feels like I was gone a long time! We were talking about that in the cab from the airport how it felt like we had been gone from here forever.

We had a great trip back to Canada and it was so nice to see the folks and the siblings! Unfortunately we didn't see any cherry blossoms ~ everything's having a slow start this spring. The weather was pretty crappy ~ I think any rain we may have missed living here in Dubai, we made up for on our trip. But we still enjoyed the fresh air and sights.

Well, back to real life. Now to unpack and start the laundry...

lisa

[via naturesdoorways.tumblr]

[ ted baker love ]

ONE STORE that I've really grown to love is Ted Baker. It's a great mix of pretty, feminine collections with accessories to match. I love how they take a specific pattern and colourway and create a variety of pieces that all work together. I actually first came across Ted Baker while we were living in Ireland and I'm glad that they have a few stores in Dubai too.

I always find things I like year-round, but their spring/summer collections are so pretty in all their florals and pastel shades. Though it's a little on the pricier side for everyday pieces, it's always the first place I go if I'm looking for a special dress since their collections always include some great dresses for parties or events...

I also love the accessories and am always smitten by the fun selection of bags and scarves. My dear friend bought me this scarf covered in London houses and I love it...

... the colours are so pretty for spring and it will go with almost my entire wardrobe. Such a sweet friend she is!

If you don't have a store near you, they do have online shopping with free shipping in the US, UK and most international so it's worth checking out. No, I'm not being paid by Ted Baker but between this shop and Kate Spade, they're my favourites even just for window shopping!

lisa

[ amy butler gumdrop ]

AFTER finally fixing up my sofa cushions, I was left with 2 huge bags of the old stuffing. Not wanting to simply waste it and toss it out, it occurred to me that I had purchased a pattern for Amy Butler's gumdrop pouf a couple of years ago but had never gotten around to making one.

I dug through my fabric stash and found some of her fabric that I was originally going to use for a tunic top ~ {oh well... never got around to that project either!} I decided it would be a fun fabric to use for a beachy pouf...

It's an easy pattern to sew ~ the hardest part was getting all the stuffing in so that it's firm enough to sit on or rest your feet. It took almost the 2 big bags because I really crammed it in there but I love how it turned out...

I came across some other cute examples ~ there are so many variations and I love how you can totally customize it to your decor/taste...

There are 2 different sizes included in the pattern ~ I made the large size which makes a good-sized ottoman that you can actually use for extra seating. I love the fresh pop of colour and pattern it adds to the room...

If you want to give it a try, you can find the pattern at numerous Etsy shops as I did. Happy sewing!

lisa

[example poufs: via littlewillow.com; onceuponatime; betsymakingpretty; lady-blog.net; ajoyfulsoulfabrics; pinterest; cabbage corner; blog.fabric.com]

[ peek-a-boo ]

I LOVE this little surprise pop of colour inside the kitchen cabinet...

I've seen many open shelves and bookcases with the back area painted a pretty colour, but not often the inside of a cabinet with solid doors. I think it would make me smile every time I opened the doors. I may have to consider this in my next kitchen. Have you ever painted the inside of your cabinets a fun colour?

lisa

[via abeautifulmess.com]

[ tiffany blue ]

I'M smitten by this gorgeous room in the Melbourne home of fashion illustrator Megan Hess...

Not only is the wall a pretty shade of Tiffany blue, I love the mix of her illustrations and photos of fashion icons in a variety of simple and ornate frames. Such a girly and glam space.

lisa

[adore magazine]

[ happy spring! ]

I'VE ALWAYS loved spring. Just knowing that the very worst of winter is gone, days are getting longer and everywhere you look, things are a little bit prettier everyday. Mother nature has been playing a cruel joke on many areas this winter. I hope that wherever you are, you'll be enjoying wonderful buds and blooms soon. Happy spring everyone!

lisa

[via bella185.com]

[ birthday girl ]

SO I'M the birthday girl today! And in celebration, here's a pretty, pink, girly post ~ because birthdays are all about being pretty, pink and girly...

Happy weekend everyone!

lisa

[via thetomkatstudio.com; fri.klein; happydayout.tumblr; 

via whatchathinkabouthat.tumblr; 5, 6 via northeastparkway.tumblr; 

7, 8 via la-la-la-bonne-vie.tumblr; via zsazsabellagio.blogspot; 

via inspireddesign.tumblr; via crushculdesac.tumblr]

[ Paris Christmas market ]

ONE OF THE magical things about visiting Paris at this time of year is the Christmas Market that stretches all along the Champs Elysées...

Both sides of the street are lined with white wooden stalls filled with gifts, mulled wine, food and sweets galore...

After passing numerous crepe stands, I finally broke down and had to get one...

And then on to more stalls...

As the day got darker, we decided to make our way back to our hotel. Paris is so pretty at night...

One more of these and I was ready to bid farewell to lovely Paris...

I think no matter what time of year you visit Paris, you'll never be disappointed. Thanks for following along!

lisa