Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Powder my Woes

I need advice stat. I am stalled on my powder room accessories. I love the shabby chic, cottage look as you all know. I also love the idea of a beachy cottage powder room. My dilemma is this: The mirror I currently have to use is beautifully ornate and more of a rococo/Parisian style. The light fixture has a more beachy look...what should I do? can I use them together? You can see the light fixture here: and the mirror here:. Until I figure out this little conundrum the accessorizing is stalled. I have seen lovely things to decorate with at a few of my fave stores (Home Sense, Roses & Rutabagas) but I am stuck on what direction to take it. So it goes out to you...my friends...can I keep my mirror for the powder or is it too mish mash?

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Sunday, March 28, 2010

Sleepover!

I am in the best mood ever! My Mom came over for a sleepover post day shift! I am so happy tonight as I have been so homesick as of late...
Mom's the coolest and the best! Mine is most certainly THE best :)

I am so happy! We are watching Julie & Julia...wonderful adorable and endearing movie...

Bon Appetite!

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Fantastic Birthday

What a wonderful birthday weekend spent with many friends :) A perfect dinner Friday with friends and Cranium to top it off :) The pictures will remain off blogs everywhere! Saturday Mr C and I hosted our first BBQ at our new home. It was so nice to have family over and to host them for a change. Lovely lovely evening. Sunday I had a great group of gals over for girlie chat and Mr C was a doll and did alot of food prep and drink refills-what a guy xo.






Exciting news! I got a sewing machine from Mr C and I have used it already! I bought some fabrics yesterday to start making my first table runner. its a white (go figure) with a turquoise blue floral print...just lovely! I think I will need to get myself to the nearest fabric store and purchase a cutting mat and rotary cutter. For ease you see.



Yesterday Rocketgirl and I went to our favorite store in town-Roses and Rutabagas. There is so much inspiration in that beautiful store thanks to Rosie. You HAVE to do at least 2 laps or you miss many beautiful treasures. I am lemming a beautiful clock from there. And some adorable silver salt and pepper shakers. Well let's be honest...I am lemming bedding and the new candles when they come in as well! Just love it!

Courtesy of Rocketgirl I also enjoyed my favorite sushi and a relaxing pedi yesterday on my 25th (cough cough) birthday! I am a lucky girl.

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Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sew Sew Excited!

My sweet Mr C bought me the best birthday prezzy! My very first sewing machine!!!! Its a Kenmore 385 series!! I will take pictures and fill you all in more once I have had time to read the manual...ugh! I don't know if I can contain myself long enough to do this! Yippee!

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Friday, March 19, 2010

It's All Greek to Me!

Well today TLC was busy in the kitchen with another custom order! Adorable spring inspired cupcakes...But I am saving myself despite the mini cake in my kitchen from the leftover cake and icing. it's all Greek to me tonight baby...food that is! Mmmm bring on the souvlaki and wine! Cannot wait to go to this restaurant as it is quite possibly THE BEST Greek food this side of...Greece...

Just a little peek at the Springy Cupcakes:



Hope you are having a fantastic Friday night! OPA!

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

How Mad is this?


You knew if anyone would tackle these it would be the makers of Barbie! Betty and Don Draper, Joan Holloway & Roger Sterling. 6 more days!

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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Rain Rain Go Away...I've got some projects to complete!

Rain is coming down on and off putting a 'damper' on my painting projects. I am biting at the bit to finish this one up! But alas I must wait for Mother Nature to water her garden...darn her...
In the meantime, my fireplace is blazin' as I enjoy a second cup of coffee wrapped up on my couch. I think now is a good time to post a wishlist, it's been awhile...

For my Master Bedroom from Home Depot:





These lovely bedding items from Target (simply shabby chic by Rachel Ashwell)

Queen size... in white of course:

Lovely white ruffles *love*

Le sigh, I will have these in my little cottage in the city one day soon...just need to make a trip to the States. The beautiful capiz light is hopefully much closer within my reach, after all, Home Depot is right across town!

Off to daydream...I have a shadowbox yet to be used...possibly to showcase a sea glass collection from our adventures in Sechelt over the years? Or shells?


xoxo

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Coffee Table Sneak Peek

Holidays from work are a wonderful thing. Relaxing and getting to tasks that may be piling up due to our hectic daily schedules. Today, in the late afternoon, Mr C and I tackled some yard projects and a refinishing project. I have been meaning to do this project for 2 months- I finally broke out the B&D palm sander borrowed from my F-I-L and hit the table running. Once I sanded the table I was ready for the big prime. After reading countless reviewa of primers, I chose to use B-I-N Shellac Primer. This stuff is apparently the Grand Master Flash of Primers. Armed with our spray primer...we achieved greatness. Here are some teaser pics. Unfortunately it was getting late so my iPhone was not optimal for picture snapin' but it did the trick in a jiffy.










So as long as the weather co-operates I could quite possibly have this table finished! I just hope to goodness it works in the room. I just need some beautiful hardware for the drawer. I have some different ideas in mind. All knobs/ pulls from Lee Valley

I really like N & O



I like B with D here:



Simplicity here with C/G



So I need to see how this table comes together to make a decision. I am really liking my first pick best though. Stay tuned for the reveal!

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Friday, March 12, 2010

It's a Mad Mad world

March 23...so yes, this is my Birthday but it is also when MAD MEN Season 3 is available for rental! Break out the scotch Mr C...time to do the MM toast soon! This is such a great show. We are totally hooked and loving it. We love the 1960 era and this show demonstrates it perfectly. I adore the fashions and some of the home decor is just lovely. The characters are all excellent and I enjoy them all...couldn't pick a favorite if I tried. But Joan is pretty awesome. As is Salvatore. And that Mr. Don Draper...if he was only a faithful man...I could love him. Cue the theme song....

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Monday, March 8, 2010

Powder Room Redo!

Well Mr C and I have almost been in our new house for 3 months. We have done so much work and yet it feels like we have completed nothing on our list. Maybe we are not organized enough and are doing too many projects at once. Ok, I am pretty sure this is the case. I thought I would post some before and afters of pur powder room progress. All that is left to do is nail the base boards and hang the mirror. Yes THE mirror that I adore. My beautiful ornate find now made stunning by a little white magic. Well then accessorise and well, I am at a loss. Please help me to decorate my powder!!! Shall it be beachy or cottagey or shabby? I have no clear vision as I love all these looks!
Anyhow...on with the show!!









I had to have some adorable crystal knobs purchased at my favorite store
Roses and Rutabagas






What do you think of our light fixture????



As mentioned, the mirror has yet to take its place of the wall. I will take the final pics once it is up and the finishing is complete. Now that you have seen the pics, what shall I pic up to decorate??

I guess this is proof we have made some progress. Slow and steady wins the race they say...
If you would like a source list, let me know and I will do one up. Or contact me and ask :)

Til the next entry,
nite-nite
Ms C

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Reflections of what once was

Mirror Mirror...
So when I went to pick up my parlor chairs I also picked up a beautiful ornate wooden mirror. The couple I bought it from seemed more than surprised that I was interested in "that mirror?" I asked if it was also for sale and managed to get it for $20. I was definitely ok with the price!! Silly me forgot to take before pics (shoot!) but it was a typical aged gold color prior to my paint job. I primed it and sprayed it Heirloom White and was not happy as it was too 'yellow' for the space I plan on hanging it. Back to Home Depot I went and bought 2 cans (for good measure) of white semi-gloss. Well, I will have to hang it up and judge the final product. As soon as I do this, I promise to post pics. But here are a few 'teaser' pics of the mirror. The first pics are primer pics and the final 2 are the first coat of white. LOVE!!!









See the old bumps and dents? I think it adds so much character.
Should I distress it?? Sand some paint back?? I can't decide...



Any guesses where this little beauty is going to be hung?

I loved painting this so much I am going to tackle my smaller dresser on my holidays. One more set of work and 2 glorious weeks off. Cannot wait! Have any of you talked some painting projects? Are you a spray paint newbie like me? I am hooked for life!

xoxo
Ms Cupcake :)

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Monday, March 1, 2010

Louis in the House

I have been looking for parlor chairs (or similar) for quite some time on both Craigslist and Kijiji and finally found some! They were sold in a pair only (not to be separated) which was fine with me as I needed two. So here is the thing...what should I do with them? And the bigger question...how do I do it? I have been looking though blogs I love (CK's Just Beachy for example) and see it IS possible to DIY the makeover. But I am calling out for help from my fellow bloggers... Any links or tips and even ideas are GREATLY appreciated! I am thinking of a distressed white finish and recovering them. However, I am open to other finishes...what about keeping them this nice original finish and changing the fabric? Anyhow, here is a couple pictures. One from Craigslist and one from my iPhone. The single chair is the iPhone pic. Please! Any help is
welcome!

CL photo of pair

iPhone pic I took quickly for Blog

Tomorrow is the day I get my new washer and dryer pair! So excited, ahhh simple pleasures :P
The next day, we get our couch! What a week!

look forward to all your feedback :) Talk soon
xoxo

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