Maybe it's the last Harry Potter movie coming out on video, or my geeky missing reading the books with all the adventures of Hedwig and Pigwidgeon, but I am LOVING owls lately! West Elm seems to be a great place to find owls, all squat and cute and full of interest in a home. So here are some owl things I've rounded up on Pinterest and the West Elm site that I would like for the holidays or even for year-round owl fun! My inspiration - Hedwig on the left, and Pigwidgeon (Pig) on the right Mercury Glass Owls from West Elm - I want one for my dresser and one for our dining room Also from West Elm, but I'm not sure if I would ever actually use it as a candle - feels wrong to burn an owl The rest are Pinterest Owl roundups - so cute and squat! Wise Owl bookends - great teacher gift! My favourite colour and with a cute poem = owl perfection! These colourful guys would be fun to pair together in any room Owl art - good for a child's room!
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Last weekend at the # 2 Ikea trip of the weekend, we bought the upper kitchen cabinets to use as a sideboard in our dining room. This weekend Matt assembled them. Yesterday he spent the afternoon putting together the main pieces - 3 big cabinets, and 2 wine racks. There are 3 shelves per cabinet, and doors to put on them too, but that will have to wait. We wanted them to float, but with 8 inch baseboards, that's quite an ordeal. Normally we could just mount them to the wall, but since we are considering putting granite or quartz or wood on top, we thought the weight would be a lot on our plaster walls. So Matt built a base for the cabinets to sit on, so that the strain is not too much once everything is in and ready to go. And it begins...prepping the room! First step - wine racks Then the 3 cabinets were built LOTS of storage - I love it! Day 2 - Skill Saw comes out (Birthday present from my parents so Matt doesn't have to keep borrowing theirs) Base is built...but not attached to the wall yet... Convenient little cutout, since the only plug on this wall exists just on the edge of the baseboard. Matt said "I'm an amateur carpenter but not planning on being an amateur electrician" when I asked why we didn't just move the plug somewhere else... He also bought quarter round similar to on the left wall to fill in the edge and the gap (again, slanty floors) all the way across. This way once painted it just looks like a part of the room. I'm excited to see it all done! Now that the base is built, they need to be bracketed to the wall - Ikea gave us the things we need to do this (yes, that is vague...because I don't know that these "things" are...but I'm told not to worry). Once that's done, the shelves will be leveled and mounted together. Don't forget we own an old slanty house, and could not lives without wood shives. After that, the shelves and doors can be put on, and that will be it...sort of. We still have to get a countertop. Quartz and granite are not worth the cost doing it through Ikea. BUT...lately I have been having other ideas. A nice dark wood top, not very thick, but polished and smooth. I got the idea from Madebygirl's blog, since she just did the same thing this week: Their cabinetry is shiny - ours is not. They are floating theirs 8 inches above too. They have white walls and dark floors so the dark wood countertop looks fantastic. I'm hoping ours (in a slightly lighter brown) will look good too. Hopefully it will match our eventual dining room table too! Again - images via MadeByGirl
As soon as I was done work on Friday, Matt and I have been doing a lot of house stuff - specifically? Shopping. Friday we headed out to the Home Sense at Warden and found some great chairs and pillows for our living room - they are woven navy blue and can double as extra chairs when we have people over at the dinner table. We also got a wreath for the front door and some faux apples (that smell like real apple) for some fall decor. There's one chair! There's another with the music-themed pillow. Room looks a bit bare now, but that will be fixed soon enough! Wreath - Happy (almost) Fall! Mmmmm...(faux) apples... We grabbed some dinner at headed to the Ikea on Leslie. It was late, and it was closing in an hour, so we were a bit rushed. Saw a few things we wanted for the house, but only ended up grabbing some new lights for our bedroom. The sales guy in kitchens was not at all helpful with our sideboard idea, and it was too late to grab much at all. Disappointed, but we made up for it Saturday. New lights to replace the old paper ones On Saturday we headed back out to those same stores, among others, but near Sherway. We started at Home Sense, and only ended up finding a nice grey throw for the bedroom, and some baking stuff like a cooling wrap, icing bags and food colouring gels. We then went to Sears Home (not a fan) and Home Outfitters (may go back and get a grey and white flannel Gluckstein Home duvet cover - looked so cozy for winter). Then went to Pottery Barn with our wedding gift cards, but they didn't have much selection. We are looking for a nice coffee table and end table to match in a nice brown - may have to order it online since they now ship to Canada. Poked around Williams Sonoma for some stuff, but although many things looked good, we didn't really need any of it. Finally, headed to Ikea on the Queensway. We got a LOT there. We got two different night tables for our bedroom along with a small shelf, a shoe rack for the front door, all of our cabinetry for the sideboard, and some baskets for the linen closet organization. So far we have put it all together except the sideboard stuff - that is going to be a process. Still have to price out the quartz or granite top we will add to it as well. New end tables, lights, throw, and side shelf My end table is all round and curvy Matt's end table is boxy... Have to figure out what to put on the shelf - my vase on the night table is just a tad bit too wide! Shoe holder and ledge in the front hallway (painting will soon be moved) Shoes! Very narrow which is perfect for our small hallway. Going to add a mirror above it soon and a new light above. Finally, I need to still organize the linen closet, but the shelf painting is done! Lots to do in the next few months, but glad to be starting some projects up again! Still finding paint stuck in my hair after many washes...
A chemistry themed Bar-Mitzvah celebration???? Never have I longed to be a Jewish 13 year old boy so much...or at least be a guest on his list...check it all out HERE. Periodic table cupcakes? Oh wow...All created by the wonderful Hostess with the Mostest!!!
My front hallway looks like this: (well it did when we moved in, now the lace curtain and doormat are gone...) (oh, and we have shoe mats with some rocks on them...that's better...right?) I wish it looked like this: Or this: Images via Apartment Therapy
The math and science teacher/geek in me just had to post this mirror surrounded by rulers I found! It actually looks woven and really great in the room, plus - they are RULERS!!! via Design Sponge (the before was just a bunch of rulers)
I survived...I even wore a high-waisted pencil skirt, a blouse, and heels - very fashionable, for me. That's probably the last time I bust out that outfit at school - I'd much rather be comfortable. Day was fine - pretty good classes except my last one will be a challenge. I'm tired already - only 3 days until the weekend! Wish me luck this semester! Any other teachers going back to school? Books, books, books - daily inspiration from Apartment Therapy
A few blogs I follow have been doing this so I thought I would join in. I haven`t been to many places, but here are the ones that I love, some far, and some very close. # 10 - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Matt and I first went here in March 2008 on our first real vacation together (when I had dark hair!). It has great beaches, friendly people, and next summer, my brother is getting married here! # 9 - My Backyard I spent a lot of time this spring trying to get the backyard cleaned up and ready for our family BBQ this past summer, and I've come to love having a drink on a Sunday afternoon, and enjoying a meal outside. Haven't had much of an opportunity lately, but it reminds me of family and friends, and just a nice relaxing day. #8 - Toronto Of course I love the city I live in - I moved downtown in November 2007, and have spent birthdays out at great restaurants, nights of dancing at clubs for celebrations, seeing movies, shopping, concerts, going to the zoo, Jay's games, engagement pictures, our wedding, other weddings, both our condo and house, and just time wandering around and enjoying the sights. #7 - Las Vegas, Nevada I went here in the summer of 2008 when Matt was working in Elko, which is about a 7-hour drive north of Vegas. I met him on the August long weekend to celebrate his birthday and we spent 3 days in Vegas. It is so fun - always something to do, even without gambling (which we barely did) - restaurants, shopping, lying in the sun, coffee in Paris, roller coaster in New York, dolphins at the Mirage, lions at MGM grand (where we stayed), the Bellagio fountains, just taking in the large-scale EVERYTHING! I would definitely go back! #6 - Nassau, Bahamas This is where we went on our honeymoon - it is beautiful. Once again - gorgeous beaches, friendly people, and just a relaxing place to be. #5 - Rome, Italy I just came back from here, and spent two days in this beautiful city. I loved the cobblestone streets, the ruins in the middle of the street, the beautiful palaces, and the food - ohhhh the food. Never had better pizza, pasta, caprese salad, and gelato. So excited to come back! # 4 - Kingston, Ontario I had so much fun in my 4 years of university at Queen's. From frosh week to formals, and everything in between like nights out drinking and dancing, dinners at The Keg, Halloweens all dressed up, tanning in our front yard, fashion shows, MarioKart, convocation, and meeting my future (and now current) husband. This place is just another home with so many memories. 3. Santorini, Greece I just came back from here as well - beautiful place, espeically Oia - white buildings, blue roofs, cobblestone and marble, the sea, and great food - incredible. You can ride an ATV around the entire island, see some donkey's, spend the day at the beach, or grab a sweet thick greek coffee at a cafe and watch the sunset. #2 - Niagara Wine Country Matt and I have been on three wine tours in Niagara - one in the spring of 2007, and two in the fall of 2009 and 2010. Each time they were tons of fun - definitely get a driver and tour yourself around the vineyards, and enjoy a nice meal. Plus, you come home with great wine for weeks after to enjoy - mmm ice wine on Christmas morning! I just love being out there in the vines and seeing the sites. # 1 - The COTTAGE!!!
My favourite place on earth is cottage. I love it - whether the place is full of people or it's just Matt and I. I met Matt's family there for the first time, I've met all of their friends, I've gotten some sun (sometimes too much), soaked in the hot tub, rode on a jetski for the first time, hung out with all my friends, had my bachelorette party there, took some (pre) engagement pictures there, danced with my husband on the boathouse roof, and done a million crosswords and read a million books curled up by the fire. I am so relieved to be out there after a stressful week at work - a glass of wine and the fresh air makes everything better. The best time to be there is fall, which is just around the corner! So I heart my Google Reader. This is because I probably browse through 50+ home and decor blogs among other things daily, and they all show up in one spot. This is great as reading material while I eat breakfast, and when I get home. Not so good when you get home from two weeks in Europe and have 914 entries to read...wow that took some time, but other than that, it is great. So, rather than just skimming them this week, I went through a few of them looking for some inspiration and exceptionally pretty pictures, and here is what I found. Beautifully pretty bathroom (Source: A Life`s Design) My basement bathroom could look like this...(Source: House Beautiful) Gorgeous lilac hallway, gallery wall, and stair decor (Source: MadebyGirl) Modern kitchen in country cottage (Source: Elle Decor) Great storage display among personal items (Source: 6th Street Design School) Soft white living room is so inviting - I want a fireplace! (Source: Apartment Therapy) I love this kitchen poem (Source: Oliver Yaphe) Happy Weekend everyone - I`m headed up to the cottage this afternoon! :) We got back from our trip last Tuesday evening, and since then I have been lacking motivation to do, really, anything. I had plans - lots of cleaning, baking, working out, prepping for school, but it has been a week and I have done little of anything. I did clean enough so that when Joni came over yesterday for coffee (yay visit from for-real cousin), my house looked presentable. Other than that? Lots of web-surfing, TV watching, relaxing, and eating. So yeah...need some motivation. Found lots of great images of houses that have definitely welcomed me back to the home decor and nesting thing, but none that really jumped out at me enough to post here.
Since we got back, I did babysit Evan with Matt for Marta, went to "Dream in High Park" with Jeff and Liz to see "A Winter's Tale" and caught up with them after over drinks, went to my parents house for dinner on Sunday and caught up with them, talked about the trip, and my brother's wedding and new house. I had coffee with Joni yesterday, as I mentioned, which was very nice because it has been ages since we saw each other. Today I am going for dinner and seeing "The Help" with my mom downtown (aww), and tomorrow I have to pick up my dad from the Bauchner Eye Institute after his laser eye surgery! We are heading to the cottage this weekend to relax in a different location, and that's about it. Oh, I do need to go and get my nails done, as the wonder Shellac I got before the trip is now growing out and chipping - still, almost 3 weeks - that's impressive! I know - so exciting. School starts for me next Thursday officially - just that one day next week as a PA day for teachers, then the students come in the following Tuesday. I myself will probably go in Tuesday and Wednesday morning next week to copy and prep and get ready for my year. As of the end of the year, I have a 11 university chemistry, a 10 academic science, and a 10 applied science, exactly what I had last semester. I should start going through my stuff - mainly just the 11's - updating things, etc. Somebody motivate or inspire me - even my posts are boring me!!!!! |
KathleenAdventures in married life, cooking, teaching science and new home renovations in the city! LinksArchives
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