The Pretty Purveyor

Blog Podium, Interior Design Show 2012

2012-01-29T23:13:00.007-05:00

This weekend I attended Blog Podium, a talk seminar hosted by IDS12, Toronto's Interior Design Show. The panel included Kimberley Seldon - Design Editor of Chatelaine Magazine and Host of HGTV's “Design for Living”, Margot Austin - Senior Style Editor for House & Home Magazine, Kate Moore - CityLine Producer, Jennifer Flores - Published Blogger, and Co-Founder of Blog Podium, and Moderator - Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, Cityline Guest Expert.

I was particularly drawn to Margot Austin's comments. She didn't hesitate to disagree with the rest of the panel with regards to what makes a design blog 'good'. Whereas they cited featuring original work as most important, Margot addressed the prevalence of 'industry support' blogs which are important to raise awareness and have the ability to make design experts out of all of us.

Bloggers who attended the seminar were featured in the Blog Podium official handout, which I must say - is rather exciting to see. There's something about seeing yourself in print that makes you feel pretty special. I could get used to this!

I've got more to share from IDS12, so check back soon for updates!

Stunning

2012-01-25T20:09:00.000-05:00

Liv Tyler

What does one do with a face like this?

Holy. Cow.

Scalamandré

2012-01-23T12:37:00.003-05:00

This print is so fabulous! Based out of Hauppauge, New York, Scalamandré manufactures beautiful fabrics, trimmings, wall-coverings, furnishings and accessories. Franco Scalamandré (1898, Italy - 1988, New York) was co-founder of Scalamandré Inc. Fun fact: when Jacqueline Kennedy redecorrated The White House she required the reproduction of a magnificent 19th century silk. She commissioned Franco Scalamandré for the task. ^source

Today, the company is praised around the world for its quality, taste and style and can be found in just about every major design and home decor publication. Fun fact: this zebra print premiered in 1930s New York at Gino's restaurant on Lexington Avenue. Sadly Gino's closed its doors in 2010, but the restaurant's signature zebra print wallpaper lives on in chic homes and Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. ^source

Beautiful Range Hoods

2012-01-23T10:49:00.000-05:00

Image: With Love From Kat

Image: Fine Line Pacific

Image: This Old House

Image: Luxist

Image: Attic Mag

Do Love

2012-01-23T00:34:00.000-05:00

Image: With Love From Kat

French Girl

2012-01-21T23:09:00.000-05:00

Image: Everything Fabulous

Can I be her?

Lips, Flicks & Chicks

2012-01-20T20:47:00.002-05:00

Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm is a must have for any gal who aspires to perfect the just-rolled-out-of-bed, impossibly fresh-faced bombshell look. At just $5 a pop, these moisturizing balms come in poppy tints that'll brighten up your face. I couldn't help but snag all 4 colors: Cherry Me, Grape Vine, Pink Punch and Peach Kiss. They smell delicious too!

I love this movie for so many reasons: 1) it's set in beautiful Paris, 2) it takes us to 1890s Belle Époque and transports us to 1920s Paris nightlife, 3) you meet some legendary novelists and artists from the past, 4) Corey Stoll who plays Ernest Hemingway is hilarious, 5) it stars my girl crush Rachel McAdams, and 6) Woody Allen's script and Owen Wilson's charm are a match made in heaven!

In Midnight in Paris, Rachel's character Inez is nothing like her beloved character Allie. Her casual chic style is perhaps Inez's most admirable asset, and yet her agitating character only reaffirms Rachel's talent, and of course, my crush!

His Way

2012-01-18T20:56:00.000-05:00

"I may sound old-fashioned, but I want to think all women should be treated like I want my wife, daughters, and granddaughters to be treated. I notice today that good manners—like standing up when a woman enters the room, helping a woman with her coat, letting her enter an elevator first, taking her arm to cross the street—are sometimes considered unnecessary or a throwback. These are habits I could never break, nor would I want to. I realize today a lot more women are taking care of themselves than in the past, but no woman is offended by politeness." - Frank Sinatra

You never can tell...

2012-01-15T12:53:00.000-05:00

Image: Tulip Louise

From Hockey to Groceries

2012-01-15T01:16:00.005-05:00

Maple Leaf Gardens, home to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the National Hockey League from 1931-1999 was recently converted into a Loblaws supermarket. The faint hope for the revival of the treasured hockey arena is dead, but not without tribute. Arena chairs were given to past season ticket holders as a souvenir, and an art installation in the form of a maple leaf made from arena chairs hangs on the entrance wall of the supermarket. Plus, center ice will live on in the condiments isle marked by a red dot on the floor.

I miss the arena, but I love the new supermarket - it's gorgeous! They have the largest assortment of food brands and products you can imagine. And there's a bakery, cheese wall, sushi bar, deli and patisserie, to name just a few. You could really spend an afternoon here and consider it time well spent.

Gold Leaf

2012-01-13T23:55:00.000-05:00

DVF Gold Leaf Wood Bowl

Fendi 2012 Gold Leaf Eyes

Gold Leaf Zig Zag Tray

DIY Gold Leaf Painting

Need This Dress

2012-01-08T14:26:00.001-05:00

Minka Kelly. Stunning.

P & R

2012-01-02T15:33:00.000-05:00

Image: La Dolce Vita

Wishing you a very peaceful and relaxing 2012.

Photo Diary of a Kitchen (Mine!)

2011-12-30T23:05:00.000-05:00

Josie Maran

2011-12-30T20:12:00.006-05:00

She was the girl I cut out of magazines as an impressionable young girl. I hoped that one day I could emulate her beauty. Her 1999 GUESS ads posted below made quite the impression on me. I remember these pictures like it's the first time I see them.

Today Josie is a mother and entrepreneur with her own earth-friendly beauty line. I just picked up Josie's Argan-oil infused color stick in Petal Pink. It received Allure's 'Editors Choice Awards' stamp of approval, let alone my teeny tiny endorsement. Watch Josie talk about her inspirations and beauty line... Some things never change; she's still beautiful and I'm still a fan!

GUESS, 1999

Best Wishes

2011-12-25T15:41:00.000-05:00

Have yourself a merry little white Christmas!

Hearty Greeting

2011-12-24T10:52:00.001-05:00

2011-12-20T23:19:00.000-05:00

SMEG-tastic!

2011-12-20T19:49:00.000-05:00

Image: Cognac and Coffee

That does it, somebody get me a SMEG! I'm seeing these fridges everywhere and I must have one! Their take on a retro classic is so spot on, it's drool-worthy. And, if there's such a thing as the perfect companion to your beloved KitchenAid stand mixer, it's a SMEG. Check out these gorgeous SMEG kitchens...

Images: Pinterest

Pastel Noël

2011-12-18T19:52:00.000-05:00

Image: Sunday in Bed

Image: Junk Garden Girl

Image: Crafted by Lindy

Unstoppable

2011-12-15T21:49:00.001-05:00

Hallelujah! Meryl Streep on the cover of January Vogue hailed as America's greatest actress. Hear, hear! Streep's portrayal of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady is earning rave reviews. S-h-o-c-k-e-r!

The woman is brilliant and beautiful, and I really just want to befriend her gorgeous daughters Mamie, Grace and Louisa in hopes that I'd be invited to a slumber party at Meryl's house.

Saturday night, after my girlfriends left my Christmas party, I was laying on the couch flipping through the channels when I saw Bridges of Madison County playing. I immediately thought 'not a good idea, go to bed Jennifer. It's past 2am afterall.' Well, I ignored my better judgement and wound up a sobbing mess by the time the movie ended. I finally got to bed around 3:30am puffy faced and wishing she had only opened that damn door! Seriously, if a man tells you "this kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime" YOU LISTEN!

The point of it all, is that Meryl is awesome and I love her movies - especially Bridges of Madison County - even though I swell up with estrogen and cry my eyeballs out every time I watch it.

Man, she's got the world on a string.

Veuve Clicquot ROSÉ

2011-12-14T22:21:00.000-05:00

I don't know what it tastes like, but I sure do want some!

Seriously, this bottle was a chic tennis pro in another life.

I've never wanted to cradle a fridge before... such a pretty girl.

Tartan Christmas

2011-12-12T22:45:00.000-05:00

Images via Green Wedding Shoes

This may be the most gorgeous holiday tablescape ever! Brilliant table styling by Lynn from Sunshowers & Rainshine, flowers by Janie Medley Flora Design, and photography by Jodi Miller. Absolutely stunning!

Tangled

2011-12-12T21:50:00.001-05:00

Image: Rikshaw Design
God help us all!

Peppermint Sticks

2011-12-12T21:27:00.001-05:00

Image: Pixtal Peep

Image: Patina General

Image: Pence Christmas Tree Farm

Image: Shindig Parties to Go!

Image: Icing Designs