[ 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]

[ hippity hoppity ]

WE ARE headed to Canada to see our folks and take a little break. I wonder if the Easter Bunny will find us there?

Have a wonderful Easter!

lisa

[ 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

[ 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]

[ beautiful blooms ]

SO NOW that the April showers are gone, it's time to see all those May flowers! Today's post is a tribute to all the gorgeous blooms I won't be seeing in Dubai {no April showers, no May flowers here ~ nothing but beige beige beige!}

Enjoy your beautiful gardens everyone!

lisa

[garden-artistry; google.es; web.me.com; voguechanel.tumblr.com; 

french larkspur; carol spiniki; thebookofsecrets.tumbler.com; house and home; 

laughingwithangels; getty; google; better homes and gardens; 

dreamywhites; genrecookshop; fishtail cottage]

[ eggcellent egg decor ]

WITH EASTER approaching fast, I love these charming decor ideas using simple dyed eggs...

1} string eggs together into a garland using a narrow ribbon {if you're not into blowing out the yolks, use painted papier maché eggs, or drill holes into plastic eggs instead}

2} group eggs in nests along a buffet table {these are great with hard candy eggs as well}

3} poke a branch into an urn, glue on some paper flowers and top the floral foam with moss and eggs

4} insert a narrow vase of flowers into a large glass vase or jar and fill the gap with eggs {these can be real, paper, candy or plastic since they won't be submerged in water}

5} create an easter tree by inserting white branches into a bucket of sand, glue ribbon onto eggs to hang and create some pretty birds from scrapbook paper

Easy peasy! Have you done any Easter decorating?

lisa

[1,3,5 bhg.com; martha stewart; yourdecoratinghotline.com]

[ porch perfection ]

WHETHER it's simply covered or screened-in, a porch is such a wonderful feature to have on a home. It's a great way to unwind or entertain, regardless of an unexpected shower. Our screened-in porch in Muskoka was one of my favourite spots and I'd love to have one of these on my next home...

Do you have a porch on your home?

lisa

[house and home; houzz; skeppsholmen; country living; 

house and home; via wishfulthinking]

[ spring! ]

AS MUCH as I love summer and flip flops, I've always been a huge fan of spring. Birds start chirping, days get longer, and little blooms poke their heads up after a long sleepy winter. Just knowing that there will be months ahead of gorgeous days, gets my heart beating a little faster.

There's nothing like that first trip to the garden centre to pick up those early pansies for your planters to add some spring colour to your entrance. Spring in Dubai is a little different ~ the gorgeous weather is slowly coming to an end and those blistery hot days are soon on their way. Looks like I'll be missing the pansy season all together. What do you do to welcome spring?

lisa

[all pics: Minna Mercke Schmidt]

[ kate spade spring and today only online sale ]

I'VE ALWAYS loved Kate Spade ~ there's such a fun, youthful vibe to all of the pieces. I've never lived near a Kate Spade shop so I've had to pick up the odd thing here and there when I've travelled {I see there is a shop set to open here in the big Dubai Mall shortly so we'll see if it's a full shop or a limited selection}.

I love the graphic punch of the spring 2012 collection. The bold black and white prints with the bright pops of colour make for some really cheerful pieces.

A few of my faves...

Aren't they fun?

If you're a fan of Kate Spade and want to grab a deal, head over and check out the one day online sale TODAY ONLY until 11:59 PST.

lisa

[ locker love ]

TODAY I'M loving this charming garden locker! I've always had a thing for little garden sheds and potting benches and I just think this is the cutest way to put a vintage locker to great use. I don't think I'll get much use out of my shovels, wellies and gardening tools in Dubai... I guess it will be a bit of balcony container gardening for awhile.

lisa

[susanne kings]

[ happy easter ]

CAN YOU believe it's already Easter? From all the snow we've been getting this week, I was thinking it was more like Christmas! I'm thinking of making a quick trip north to surprise my family for the weekend before I make my big move to Dubai. Whether yours will be filled with family and friends or simply a visit by the easter bunny, have a wonderful weekend!

lisa

 [white company]

[ hello? spring? ]

REMEMBER those green fields and daffodils? Well, they're certainly not happening in Muskoka! Mother Nature has been one lazy gal around here! Not a speck of grass to be seen - just brown, brown, brown.... and WHITE - where all the snow hasn't melted yet. On the dreary bright side, it's pouring out right now so maybe it will help melt away that stubborn snow and push this spring along. Has spring arrived in your neck of the woods?

lisa