Here we are, it's mid week and I'm feeling like I must have. . . .. . . . .SOMETHING NEW. Now of course we can't have everything we want (unfortunately, I say!) but we can dream. Right! So that's my list for this week, what's on yours? Share the wealth and let us know. come back next week for more fab finds.
0 Comments
Well Spring is finally here in Canada, hopefully to stay! It has been a long,long winter and we are ready for bright colours and warm,sunny days! When you can see the snow melting and the grass growing it gives you hope! It's time to freshen up our homes and ourselves. You can add a small pop of colour here and there or bring in some floral fabrics on your pillows or bedding. Popular colours for Spring are pink, mint, blue and yellow. You can see it in the clothing, accessories and interiors. It's time to hit the stores and find your touch of Spring. Check out these pieces I found.
I always love a good girls day out, it has taken the place of girls night out these days! Exploring new stores, revisting old favourites, a delicious cappuccino and great company. What more could you want? This weekend was no exception. On Friday my mum, my daughter and myself took a drive into downtown Ottawa. First stop being for refreshments to set us up for a days shopping. We decided to check out a new spot especially for my daughter who loves cupcakes - "The Cupcake Lounge" in the Byward Market. It's a "sweet" little place where you can watch the treats being made, it also has great lighting, industrial seating and a huge chalkboard all of which I noticed before the food! Next we visited a great boutique called "Milk". Not only does it sell beautiful and unique clothing and accessories, it has a funky interior. It has black walls, re- purposed items for display and storage and some great furniture. The ideas in " Milk " could be used in any interior space. Re-claimed wood blocks could display photos or any found items. Wooden crates store anything, not just clothing as seen here. A black wall makes a dramatic statement maybe in a dining room. Future post idea! Check back soon. Finally on Saturday my good friend Lisa and I took a short ride to a small town nearby called Almonte. It was grand re-opening day for one of my favourite haunts, run by two inspiring and creative women Erin and Vicki. I'm talking about " Tin Barn Market ". It's a great business which started in a barn on family property, making it's way to a pop up shop in several locations and now finally taking root in a quaint new home on the main street. Tin Barn has an ever changing collection of treasures with a history to be shared and used in new and different ways or kept in a place of honour in our homes to be enjoyed again. I always find unique pieces to use for storage or decoration. Yesterday was no exception I came home with a cute measuring jug, a cast iron office sign and a piece of antique moulding to add to a gallery wall in my bedroom. Lisa scored a great tiffany blue inspired tin cannister ready to fill with something special. Take a look at some of what's waiting to be yours. . .I'm already looking forward to my next girl's day out, how about you? Where do you like to go?A while back I went to check out a local vintage store a friend told me about called " High Jinx". Two ladies sell antiques and unusual second hand finds with all the profits going to neighbours in need. I noticed a piece resting outside on the porch. Right away I could see the bamboo sphere for only $5 as a funky light. I'm not sure if it was used that way in it's first life but that's what I've turned it into now! I went to IKEA and bought an inexpensive fixture, the " Melodi" only $9.99 so that I could use the cord and the ceiling plate. I removed the plastic shade and used my found treasure. We hung it in our entryway where there used to be an ugly ceiling fixture. The only difficult part was how high it was - about 20 feet. I had to rent a giant ladder and my husband kindly installed it for me. Thanks Steve for indulging me again! I feel you can basically make a light fixture out of anything, re-purpose something from around the house or a flea market find. Add something interesting and unexpected. Just like these pieces. . . . . So why don't you put some " light '' on the subject and get creative, see what you can come up with.I decided I wanted to make a piece of art using a map, however we didn't have many so I decided to check out a local store called "World of Maps". Ooooh exciting I hear you say! I know , I know at least you weren't my poor husband being dragged along on a saturday afternoon date!! Anyway in amongst all the quite expensive maps I found a piece of gift wrap for only $6.95.I loved the colours and thought I could cover a canvas with it for instant art. So my little map came home with me and became a project. I re-used a canvas from a previous project, Mod Podge, a handy glue to attach the paper and cover it for protection. The map was wide enough to cover the edges of the canvas to create a seamless look. |