If Only...

I've been thinking I need a wardrobe redo....I cannot afford to do so, but normally I like to switch things up. This time though, I'm wishing and dreaming of a very classic, tailored, Mad Men/Kate Spade, sophisticated wardrobe renewal.....

I don't want to come off boring and conservative...I just want a few pieces to add to my outfits. A skirt here, a cardigan there, a beautiful statement coat.....what are you thoughts on hats? I don't wear them but sometimes I wish I would.

These are from Carolina Herrera...2008 mind you, but I love the yellow one.


Um, also this picture reminds me of how I function...sans flowers though so maybe in the future....

Thanks to Little Bits of Lovely

Dreaming Green

...as in yards and such. Since the house stuff has for the most part, been chosen, my thoughts turn to yard ideas. I know it will be a year yet until we get the opportunity to landscape, but it's fun to search for ideas.
I'm toying with a lawn-less front yard...keep the lawn to the back yard (which is pleasantly small and manageable, but will need trees planted ASAP to create a wall of privacy....since space is an issue, Swedish Aspens, or Pinnacle Birches are likely the only option- narrow and fast growing).

Anyways, no grass in the front yard? I need to research this option to help visualize....

I know I said no grass, but I love the way they have lined the sidewalk. c/o Geno's Garden

Garden Home and Party

Holy Cow

It's Marchesa.....


WOW

Two Weeks of Bliss

My Birthday along on the Arkansas River

A private surprise concert with Blue Rodeo

Hiked 448 stairs up to 7 Falls, Colorado Springs

Fed a couple giraffes

Private show and dinner with American Jr. Figure Skating Champs

Max Aaron

Headed to Scottsdale for a wedding

View from the room!

The weather and company was great- but I'm glad to be home and back to reality...sort of. We drove by the lot as well, to check on the building progress...

Framing to be done July 1!

May Flowers

I remember as a kid wandering around the hill by the school with my dad in search of spring...

I haven't found myself a wild crocus for ages, just the store ones, but they still represent spring for me.

Savvy Garden

I know it sounds lame, but I just LOVE flowers. That something so awesome with colour can just happen in nature is amazing to me. I can't wait to plant a garden in my yard! Then I can spend less on flowers for the house- I already spend a fair amount on seasonal sprouts, as they make me so happy and liven up any space!

Style at Home

Though low on the list of priorities now, I'd love to one day be able to purchase flowers for every room on a regular basis!

Freedom!

Canadian federal election results map

Canada

PARTY	ELECTED	LEADING	VOTES
Conservative	167	0	5,830,931
39.6%
NDP	102	0	4,507,253
30.6%
Liberal	34	0	2,782,913
18.9%
Bloc Québécois	4	0	889,788
6%
Green	1	0	576,014
3.9%
Other	0	0	67,177
0.5%
Independent	0	0	63,331
0.4%

Could I Be Any More Excited for Plumbing?

Probably not! I'd love to post a picture of our Acrazyn air jet tub, but the pictures don't do it justice- 

I shall post the rest though!

The en suite sinks! 

Serif by Kohler

 

Never mind the faucet, up there though....here they are!

Lahara by Delta

Kitchen faucet...

Elate by Kohler

And our shower system, (which will be set in tile)...

Riobel Duo Shower System sans hot showering chick

I'm going to spend the rest of my life in the en suite, it's going to be perfect. A little make up vanity, a chrome chandelier over the tub (no crystal bobbles), the toilet hidden away around a wall....oh soooo much better than the 3 piece I didn't even use in the last house. The bed faced the bathroom door and the toilet was looking right at the bed. Whenever my boyfriend would use it in the night, I would actually get up and close the door on him- I hated the idea of sleeping in a room with someone peeing in it. Now the en suite is more of a room in and of itself!

So in order to make everything work, I had to remove the upstairs linen closet. There is still one downstairs and the walk-in in the bedroom can hold a few things but hey- here is an idea!

I Will Sleep Tonight

For the last couple of weeks, I have been waking up at 2:00- 3:00 am and then just laying there going over house options in my head for hours and hours.
BUT
Tonight I shall sleep for the floor wars are over, we have settled on a concept and everything other than garage doors have been selected!

We went with Kentwood's engineered "Maple Driftwood" for the hardwood, giallo ornamental granite, marble-esque porcelain tiles for flooring and shower, oxford brown maple cabinetry and a cream-ish, shag-like carpet...as well as cream marble for the fireplace and back splashes (not shown).
We agonized over this acacia, hand-scraped floor, but I always tell myself that when I make the right decision, it's easy and I walk away happy- this was totally not happening regardless of how many people told me "it's gorgeous".  This afternoon we both exhaled and walked away with smiles on our faces.

And just for fun, here are what I considered to be my most important feature and the most fun item to shop for- over-the-island pendants....in brushed nickle. I <3

Spring Is Good, but Birthdays are Better

I just completed a weekend with lots of travel and lots of cheer...Friday was my joint birthday party in Edmonton (four of us girls all have the big day around the same date), then Saturday was a friend's birthday in Calgary! Anyone considering a restaurant in Edmonton- try The Marc, it has a limited menu, but a great one and the mushroom risotto with truffle oil made my heart sing (ok so did the lemon tart).


Also- we have a hole in the ground where our house is to be....progress!