Rambling Renovators

Interior Design Show 2012 Preview

2012-01-26T16:37:00.003-05:00

A peek at the Piero Lissoni exhibit

This morning, I attended the media preview for the Interior Design Show, or IDS12. For the Canadian design community, this is the show that we wait for all year long. IDS12 is a showcase for emerging and established designers and architects and highlights the latest in residential products.

Co-Founder & Director of IDS12, Shauna Levy

Glimpses of the How Do You Live exhibits by Quadrangle, Mazen Studio, L'Atelier, Jill Greaves Design

StudioNorth Exhibits: Ridgely Studio Works, Contact Voyaging Co.

Del Terrelonge of Rhed Corporation in the boathouse exhibit; Model of a reverse cogeneration boat which powers a 'real' boathouse

Offsite/Onsite exhibits: Brent Comber, an icy Le Corbusier, Moss Lam, Patty Johnson

From what I saw as we quickly walked the show floor, the IDS12 exhibitors have done a wonderful job this year of not only highlighting products but putting them in context. The exhibits this year seem grander, taller, more encompassing. Rather than just see a product, you experience it. The styling of the booths was impressive. So much design eye-candy!

Intriguing booth by ELTE. Can't wait to check this out more tonight.

I coveted these tangerine outdoor cubes by Alfred Sung, available at The Bay

My favourite booth (so far) was the lounge by Piero Lissoni. Lissoni will be recognized with the inaugural IDS12 International Guest of Honour and one look at this booth and you can see he is truly a master at creating elegant, understated spaces. His booth was a calm oasis in the chaos of the show floor and I am betting this will be the most popular spot to lounge at tonight's Gala.

Shauna Levy & Piero Lissoni

The Interior Design Show kicks off tonight with the Opening Night gala and runs until Sunday, January 29th. If you are looking for inspirational design, this is the place to be.

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And if that wasn't enough design goodness, IDS12 plays host to our first BlogPodium event on Friday:

We are expecting a packed house, fabulous speakers and what is sure to be an interesting discussion. I look forward to seeing many of you there and at IDS12!

Tips For Attending Alt Summit

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

By now you’re probably sick of seeing all the Alt Summit recaps in your blog reader and wishing you had attended, right? As a first-time Alt attendee, I will tell you it is the best money you will ever spend on yourself and your blog. If you’re planning on attending next year (I know I am!), here’s a few tips for you:

Be Outgoing! Rarely in our adult lives do we get the chance to meet and make friends with others who share our same passions – Alt is your chance to meet 500 of them! Come out of your shell, put on a smile, and realize that everyone is as nervous as you are. Instead of spending all of your time with your besties, strike out and introduce yourself to those bloggers you’ve been wanting to meet.
Amp up your business cards. Alt brings out the best in graphic design and your business card is the place to strut your stuff. I was given letterpressed cards, cards wrapped in vellum, cards with sweets and treats, cards made of wood – each one of them memorable, just as the giver intended.
Stay At The Grand America. It may be a bit cheaper to stay at the hotel a few blocks away, but if you want to maximize your party time, drop off swag in your room between sessions (and there will be lots of swag!), or catch some quiet time away from the action, the host hotel is the best place to do it.
Have a roommate. Being in a sea of people can be overwhelming sometimes and it can be tiring to constantly push yourself to converse and meet new people. Having a roommate takes a bit of the pressure off and you’ll have someone to decompress with at the end of the night as you talk yourselves to sleep about all the great things you’ve learned at Alt.
Don’t Stress About The Wardrobe. Yes, Alt can make you feel like you’ve walked into the pages of The Sartorialist. There are the ladies with the perfectly coiffed hair, the most covetable shoes, and even the most stylish iPhone cases but really, all you need to look pretty is confidence and that cute smile of yours. Oh, and a bit sparkle helps too.
Drink Lots Of Water. Not sure if it was the altitude or just the winter weather, but Lindsay and I woke up each morning with crackily noses, chapped lips, and dry throats. Not good, folks, not good.
Register early! Buy your ticket for Alt and book your hotel early. There are only 500 spots available and they go fast. Sign up for the online classes, the opening night dinners, and the Saturday classes ASAP too, otherwise you’ll miss out on half the fun.
Bring The Point & Shoot. Sure its fun to have the DSLR camera to capture all the pretty photos, but that thing gets heavy and it doesn’t exactly go with your party dress. With a P&S and your smartphone, you’ll have your bases covered. If you need more photos, take advantage of the Alt Summit flickr stream. See pics from 2012 here.
Take The Time For “You”. You may be a mother, wife, employee, or entrepreneur back in the real world, but Alt is the time to leave all those demands behind, at least for a little while. For four days, the focus is on you. Absorb the information. Revel in the conversations. Indulge full tilt in the parties, fashion, and celebration. Take those motivations back home and you’ll find yourself invigorated to do and be more.

Still not convinced that Alt is where you want to be in 2013? Check out these fun recaps from this year’s conference and you just might change your mind:

From Blog to Book

Apartment Therapy Over Salt Lake City

Studio DIY

Old Sweet Song

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If attending Alt in person isn't in the cards for you, you might still benefit from taking online classes offered by the new Alt Channel. Check out the details here.

Tonic Living Giveaway

2012-01-24T00:23:00.002-05:00

Wow! So many of you entered the Tonic Living giveaway (almost 340 entries here on the blog and via email)! Guess you all love Tonic's products as much as I do. The winner of the $50 gift certificate is:

Congratulations, momtotriplets! I'm sending you an email with the details.

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Still have some fabric projects on the go? Remember to use the coupon code RAMBLING for 10% off your next order from Tonic Living. Happy shopping!

Thoughts on Alt 2012

2012-01-23T12:39:00.000-05:00

Alt. ALT. It has changed everything.

I’m back from blogger summer camp, dear readers! And like summer camp, there was learning, fun, food, parties, silliness, and friendships made (especially with Lindsey, my awesome roommate, pictured above). But there was more, oh so so much more. What do you get when 500 women and a good dozen men, collide for four days of discussions, keynotes, and tutorials? A whole lot of creative inspiration, stylish fashion, and lasting connections. I had found my people.

And these people had a lot to teach me. I learned all about the business of blogging and about building my brand. About how to grow a readership and how to write to an interior design audience. About pursuing book deals and attracting sponsors. The lessons were practical, doable, inspiring. I came away with so many ideas on how to make my blog better, more successful, more relevant for you.

I met friends who I have known for years but who in person surprised me even more with their kindness, beauty and humbleness. Nicole. Kathleen. Christina. Jenny. Kirsten. Caitlin. Gabrielle. Grace – more lovely than I imagined. And new friends too like Brianne, Abbie, Timothy, Michelle, Melanie, Marie and Uncle Beefy. I need to visit their blogs and so should you!

The parties, the business cards, and the swag... so good, like icing on the cake.

But what I walked away with most was this: blogging is hard. Its tough work and you need to be committed to it. If you want to be better at it, then you need to put the time and effort and learn and implement. There is so much you can achieve with your blogs – define your own success and do it.

There was also a clarity about who I am and what I want my blog to be. I have two grand passions in life – design and community building. You’ve seen the design side here – our renovations, décor and DIY projects – but the community building is a little something new. With BlogPodium and my previous ventures like PechaKucha Toronto, I’ve realized what I was trying to do was build a community, to share and collaborate, to network with like-minded folks and learn from each other. So, I’d like to do that a bit more around here.

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I’m introducing a new series, Blog Talk Fridays. There was so much I learned at Alt that I want to share and discuss with you. Like the amazing inspiration given by Ben Silbermann, creator of Pinterest, ideas on monetizing and working with ad networks and sponsors, and growing your brand. Does that sound good to you? Then join me on Fridays starting February 3rd. I hope you’ll take part in the conversation.

I'm Going to Alt!

2012-01-17T22:34:00.001-05:00

In a few short hours, I will be on my way to Alt Design Summit. What's Alt?

Design. Lifestyle. Photography. Fashion. Events. Styling. Art Direction. Food. Interior Design. If you're obsessed with lifestyle, food and fashion blogs, fantastic images, smart ideas and great design inside and outside — all wrapped up with a social media bow — Altitude Design Summit is the place to be. Because we feed those obsessions.

Attending Alt has been on my To Do list for the last few years. How could I pass up the chance to hear talented folks like Grace, Jenny, Nicole, Emily, and Amy speak? Or hear the fascinating story of how Ben created Pinterest. I'm looking forward to being inspired beyond imagination. Crazy talented individuals, forward-thinking corporations and sponsors, in-depth, informative discussions about all things blogging... its the perfect breeding ground for incredible ideas to happen.

But beyond the fabulous parties and great food, the information I absorb and connections I make, what I'm most looking forward to is meeting those friends whose blogs I've been following for years. Do you feel that way... that if you met some of your favourite bloggers in real life you would have an instant connection? You'd give each other hugs, trade stories about how the kids are doing, ask how the renos are coming along. We readers get so invested in bloggers' lives, don't we?

I hope to share some of what I learned at Alt with you too so watch for posts in the coming weeks. I'm off now to cuddle my girl - this will be the longest time I've ever spent away from her and from HandyMan since we met! Oh, I'm already a puddle of mush and I haven't even left yet.

Talk to you all soon!

Let's Meet... Tonic Living & A Giveaway

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Its my pleasure to introduce you to my latest sponsor, Tonic Living. I have long been a fan of this online retailer of retro-inspired fabrics. I first used Tonic Living when I was redoing our master bedroom. In addition to fabrics, Tonic also offers custom drapery services and I requested a quote for our custom black-out lined curtains. Suffice it to say, Tonic Living knocked it out of the ballpark.

The quality of the sewing and fabric was fantastic, not to mention the price was extremely affordable for a custom job. Customer service before and after the purchase was top notch and I've been a happy customer ever since. You can see more examples of their custom sewing on their Facebook page.

I've used Tonic Living fabrics for so many projects. Have a peek...

Solid Kona - Tomato, Mini Chevron - Fresh, Solid Kona - Pond, Chevron Remix - Bermuda

Theo in Marble

Flatiron in Yellow

Pillows in Cool Stripe - Sorbet, Sunnyside - Coral; Bench cushion in Slick - Mink

I'm sure there are a few projects around your house that you could use Tonic Living fabrics for? Well you're in luck because Tonic Living is giving one of my readers a $50 gift certificate to use towards fabric or custom sewing services.

How to enter:

Visit the Tonic Living website and leave a comment telling me which fabrics you'd spend that $50 on.
Like Tonic Living on Facebook and leave an additional comment telling me you've done so.

You have until midnight Jan.22nd to enter. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Jan.23rd. Good luck!

Getting Organized Part 2

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

So I started the purge. My home office may be organized but my master closet is a whole different story.

I didn't document the Before before I started tossing things all over the bedroom (no one needs to see that kind of mess). But once I got it into it, it felt good, like a purging of the soul, a shedding of old skin. I have to admit that for most of the last two years I've felt pretty frumpy - the working at home in my uniform of ~~pajamas~~ yoga pants and t-shirts doesn't help. I've sort of lost an interest in fashion and this was no more obvious than in the last few weeks when I've been shopping for outfits for Alt Summit. I was utterly... confused by the shoe stores and clothing stores I went in. I mean platform stilettos are really not my thing. But I plodded on and eventually found pretty things & things that will make me feel pretty.

And then a wonderful thing happened.

I put those new pretty things in my newly organized closet. And the old feeling came back, the feeling of wanting to put on the slightly uncomfortable shoes, the ones with the high heel that made my legs look slim. The feeling of looking at my pretty patterned tops and starting to pair them in imaginary outfits in my head. The feeling of excitement at putting on a dress that makes you feel attractive and feminine and stylish. Those days have come less frequently lately, I have to admit.

I even hemmed some pants that have been sitting unhemmed in my closet for the last year and put all the clothes on matching wooden hangers. It was a closet revolution.

I've put "Wear the pretty clothes" on my Life List now. Organizing not only helped to clean things up but it also put things in focus. Its easy to forget that clothes can impact your view of yourself, your life and world. And at my core, I guess I realize I am the girl who once in a while likes wearing her favourite pink heels even if she is just dropping her daughter off at daycare.

Getting Organized

2012-01-13T17:35:00.000-05:00

January is all about getting organized, isn't it? Nothing starts the year off more cleanly, more optimistically, than the purging of closets and cupboards. Speaking of, you can catch me over at Vanessa's blog today sharing some tips from the most organized spot in my house, the home office.

More organizing is on the agenda for the weekend. How about you, have you been organizing things around your house?

A Winner & A Peek

2012-01-12T22:57:00.004-05:00

And the winner of the Style At Home 1-year digital subscription is... Laxsupermom! Congrats! Please send me an email to ramblingrenovators{at}gmail{dot}com and I'll get that subscription to you.

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For those of you who don't have a subscription or can't get the issue on newsstands, I finally scanned the article so you can have a look too. Hope you like it!

In The Closet

2012-01-12T00:03:00.000-05:00

My husband is a keeper. Let's get that out there. For the last four years, this tiny sliver of a closet is where he has housed his clothes. I, on the other hand, get the entire two-sliding-door closet in our master bedroom. See? Keeper.

The closet has a bit of room to the right of the door but its difficult to access. Can anyone explain to me why closets are so awkward in 1950's houses? Just doesn't make sense.

See that blue wall and floral border? That's what the room looked like before we turned it into the office. We completely forgot to redo the closet at the same time - and got too lazy to redo it after ;)

First step in turning the office into Chloe's big girl room is making the closet more functional. That means ripping out the wall. Yay, dirty work!

The plan is to put in two shaker style doors. We had considered using bi-folds but HandyMan dislikes the look, plus we came across a good deal on in-stock shaker doors at Central Fairbank. We'll have to patch the floor where the wall is though HandyMan would like to make it easy and just carpet the room and closet. The other bedrooms are carpeted but I much prefer the look of an area rug over the hardwood for this room, maybe something like these:

Love these rugs from DwellStudio. {Sidenote: The Bay will start carrying DwellStudio furniture, rugs, and bedding in select stores in March. Yay!}. I actually find it difficult to find stylish, affordable rugs locally. Anyone have any suggestions on where to look?

More to come!

Nautical Inspiration

2012-01-10T17:41:00.001-05:00

One of my best friends is getting married this summer and asked me to help with her invitations. Its going to be a beautiful affair, a beach wedding in Florida. I collected some images to help us get inspired. The look: burlap, shells, navy blue and white, and touches of nautical flair.

Images from 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

I love everything about weddings and had a ball planning all the special details of my own (you can see posts about that here). In fact, I had spent so much time coming up with creative ideas for my own wedding that after the event I still needed that creative outlet and so started this blog!

I find this nautical scheme really appealing these days. Maybe its the stripes - they remind me of summery warm days which I crave right around this time of season. Don't be surprised if you see stripes popping up in my upcoming renos! Here's a few of my favourite nautical rooms if you're looking for some sea-worthy inspiration:

Source: preppie-bettie.tumblr.com via Jen @ Rambling on Pinterest

Source: coastalliving.com via Jen @ Rambling on Pinterest

Source: delightbydesign.blogspot.com via Jen @ Rambling on Pinterest

Source: pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com via Jen @ Rambling on Pinterest

Style At Home & A Giveaway!

2012-01-09T00:19:00.000-05:00

When I started writing this blog, I never thought it would land our home in the pages of my favourite magazine. But it has. Our feature in Style At Home Magazine has hit the newsstands!

Our article is "Starting From Scratch: The story of one creative couple and their adventures in transforming their house into a home." Fun! It has been an adventure, one that I've enjoyed chronicling over the last 4.5 years on this blog.

I loved seeing our house through someone else's eyes. It made me appreciate how far we've come. The article mentions that our house was a sea of pink carpet when we bought it. And it was but we fell in love with it anyway. I mean, how could any DIYer not fall in love with this:

So thanks to you all who have followed our journey so far. We appreciate your comments, helpful tips, and commiseration with our renovating frustrations. Whether you've been reading us for a while and remember that pink carpet, or are a new reader who just popped in, we love having you over.

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If you'd like to check out the magazine yourself, you're in luck, because I have a whole year's worth to give away!

Giveaway: The winner will win a one year digital subscription to Style At Home magazine.

To Enter: Leave a comment telling me what you love most about your home.

Rules: The contest is open internationally. Winner must have a working email address. You have until Thursday, Jan.12th to enter. I'll select a winner and announce it on Jan.13th. Good luck!

Pinspirations! Vol 7

2012-01-06T00:25:00.001-05:00

New year, new Pinspirations!

This is the series where I highlight my favourite Pinners, Boards, and Pins (because I'm sure you're all as addicted to Pinterest as I am!).

Pinner: Julia Ryan
Julia is the lovely lady behind the blog, Pawleys Island Posh. I first stumbled on her blog when it was featured on Hooked On Houses. Go ahead, take a look at that link. You'll be amazed by her living room Before & After just as I was. Her Pinterest boards convey the same style as her home... clean, fresh, sophisticated yet welcoming. She also has two little ones so she also pins lots of great ideas for the kiddos. Here's a few of her awesome boards, Posh Kids, Posh Vignettes, and Walls.

Board: Girls Rooms by Andrika King

Okay, I'm biased since I'm on the hunt for inspiration for Chloe's big girl room, but this board is chock full of goodness. The pins feature stylish rooms that both kids and parents will love. Nothing too cutesy or juvenile, just stylish and pretty. And almost 400 pins! Awesome.

Pin: For When I Have My Own Office

Source: atlantahomesmag.com via Jen @ Rambling on Pinterest

Let's see, what do I love about this image... the multiple light pendants, the wood floors against the white cabinetry, the seagrass baskets, the tongue and groove ceiling, the organized binders, the work island (perfect for drawing, sewing, crafting). I'd like my basement to look like this, thank you very much!

Shaking It Up

2012-01-04T00:25:00.003-05:00

The fine folks at Houzz recently included our home office in their Readers Choice: Top 20 Home Offices of 2011. Neato! I have to be honest though that I'm surprised the office is the room that resonates with so many people. Its a nice room, but our tastes have changed since we redecorated it. Its a little more modern and bold, a little more hard-edged than what we go for these days.

So we're gonna shake things up.

That's right, we're turning the home office into Chloe's big girl bedroom! But wait, doesn't Chloe already have a bedroom? Yes, well we have plans for that as well.

Our house is a 3-bedroom house, but we've decorated it as a 2-bedroom plus home office. We're bringing back that 3rd bedroom. Since I've been working from home, I've come to realize that I don't need a big office to work in. I'm usually on my laptop at the dining table or sitting on the sofa. I'd be fine with just a little sliver of a desk. So where is that new & improved (& tinier) home office going to be?

Yup. The basement plans are back on. We had a few hiccups, like a fallout with our contractor, then a shift in priorities and redecorating the living room first, and then my change in work situation. But when all was said and done, we realized that doing the basement is not only a necessity (i.e. I need a home for all Chloe's toys!), but its a sound investment. We live in a family-friendly neighbourhood and the majority of houses here have nice, newly finished basements. Should we choose to sell anytime soon (and no, that's not in the plans), we would recoup the majority of our costs.

So that's the plans. We could have kept Chloe where she is, but that would mean putting a twin or daybed in the small old office. Since most of our overnight guests have been a couple of adults, or adults with children, that won't work. To recap: Chloe gets a small room more suited to her scale, we keep a guest bedroom with a double bed, and we get a new basement with a craft room, laundry room, storage room, and bathroom. Yippee! More renos, more posts, more drywall dust coming your way!

I'm gonna warn you though, we work slow around here. S.L.O.W. But I can also tell you the Afters will be worth the wait :)

On The Life List: The Printed Legacy

2012-01-02T01:13:00.001-05:00

These are a few images of my Christmas. Chaos, right? That's what happens when you celebrate the season with about 20 first cousins and their families. At many of these family functions, I play photographer, capturing moments, preserving memories. I don't mind it. But in reality, of the 100's of photos I take, only a handful ever get printed out or looked at beyond the first digital glimpse. Its too easy, right - take dozens of photos and create a virtual step-by-step chronicle of the moment?

As I work on my Life List, a few things have been rolling around in my head. One thing I want to do is create a printed legacy for Chloe. I remember when I was growing up that my mom would have albums filled with photos from our childhood and well into high school. There were also photos from my parents' lives before the kids and marriage came - black and whites, grainy photos, the names of unknown relatives handwritten on the back by my grandmother. Each one of those photos was precious and I remember them with clarity because there were so few.

I live with the worry that Chloe will have no legacy, no generational memory, once her father and I pass. My history of her life lives mostly digitally, on this blog or in the photo archives of my computer. I don't have handwritten letters from our relatives in the Philippines to pass on to her, nor print outs of emails or Facebook updates or blog posts. I barely even have photos of me or HandyMan from the last ten years. What will she have to hold on to, to know what her life was like before she could remember to remember?

My other thought is that my reliance on technology is robbing me of my own memories. My focus on "getting the shot"means I'm not really enjoying the experience. This year, one of my resolutions will be to put the camera down; to take fewer photos but value them more. To spend less time documenting, and more time "being in the moment".

The other day, I saw this happen. I wanted to run for the camera - but I stood there a moment and said to myself Wait, embed this in your brain first. Remember Chloe's laugh and how much fun she's having right at this second and how the room glowed brightly from the reflection of the snowfall outside. So I did. And then I got my camera and took five photos instead of my usual fifteen.

I'm getting this one printed tomorrow. One memory for you Chloe and one for me. Less is more.

My Top 11 of 2011

2012-01-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! The holidays are over, but I hope you found lots of time time to relax, eat good food, sleep in late, and celebrate. Did you enjoy the Great Reads 2011 Tour? How fun and inspiring were those bloggers?! They make me want to tackle 2012 with both hands, slam it to the ground, and pummel it with DIYs, renovations, and projects accomplished! I'm ready to get going!

But before we jump back into the thick of things, I thought I'd join the recap bandwagon and start the new year with a grand sendoff to the old one. In no particular order, here are my Top 11 Highlights of 2011. Enjoy one last trip down memory lane...

1. Painting the desk chairs and reorganizing the home office

2. Appearing on The Nate Berkus Show

3. Revitalizing an old hutch

4. Throwing a little bug picnic for a 2 year old!

5. Finally redecorating the living room

6. Family vacation in Vancouver

7. Building and tiling the fireplace

8. Creating oversized modern art

9. Tackling some sewing projects

10. A quickie cork board makeover

11. Chloe's costume closet

And one last highlight of 2011: spending time with all of you! I am incredibly grateful for this blogging community - you have been wonderfully supportive and encouraging. Thank you for taking time out of your busy days to drop by here. I have BIG plans for 2012 and hope you will join me for the ride.

Onwards!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:30:00.000-05:00

{I created this DIY bokeh photograph of our Christmas tree using the tutorial found here via Pinterest. Oh Pinterest - that is a love affair that will surely continue well into 2012!}

Great Reads 2011 vol.5

2011-12-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

Can the Great Reads 2011 tour be coming to an end already? I love doing this year end recap, not only for the chance to highlight some of my favorite bloggers, but also because I get to revisit some fabulous posts I may have missed the first time around. I hope you've enjoyed these Great Reads and maybe found some new blogs to follow too!

This last group of ladies will knock your socks off. They are the DIY DIVAS and come up with the most original projects. Their lovely homes are a testament to what you can do with thrifted items, everyday materials, a bit of elbow grease, and some creative thinking. Have a peek at their favorite posts...

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Dans Le Townhouse - Stop by and see what’s new in the townhouse. With my Handy Hubby I’m experimenting my way through renovating, decorating, DIY projects and more.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post is my Artful Ikea Expedit Hack. Not only is this DIY project unique, it’s simple, pretty and oh-so-practical, hiding clutter in an artful manner and providing a new space to display DIY paintings. I really love that it’s a low-key project that anyone can try and adapt to suit (it would work on any bookcase and kids can try their hand at making the artwork).

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ABOUT THE BLOG: My blog Honey We're Home is my creative outlet for this lawyer by day and Starbuck's obsessed mama to an almost 2-year old son. I'm passionate about creating a haven for our family, decorating, and organizing. My goal for 2012 is to learn to create delicious, healthy meals. Wish me luck:)

FAVORITE POST: I found one of my favorite posts from 2011- I love it because it starts with a picture of James, but also because it's the first art we've added to our master bedroom and I want to really make that room our sanctuary.

http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/2011/05/inexpensive-botanical-wall-art.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Hi Sugarplum is where I get to chronicle the pain-stakingly slow process of making over our home, one DIY budget-project at a time. And there's a good dose of food, fashion, travel and sarcasm thrown in, just to keep it snappy.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post from 2011 was one I never thought I'd finish...the final reveal of my daughter's room! I think it was her favorite too, since she was forced to sleep on the back porch during the makeover. *not really*

http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2011/06/babygirls-room-reveal.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Ten June - My husband, David, and I purchased our 1952 ranch in March of 2010. We are in love with our little casa and all of the "old to the world, new to us" charm it has. By day, I work in the legal field, but by night I'm a painter, builder, contractor, crafter, plumber, gardener, decorator and self-proclaimed do-it-yourselfer. I describe my design aesthetic as young traditional with classic, clean lines and hints of rustic and eclectic elements.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post from 2011 has to be the completion of our master bathroom renovation. We worked for almost a year to turn our outdated 1950's yellow bathroom into our dream master bath. Here (http://www.tenjuneblog.com/2011/08/once-upon-time-bathroom-renovation.html) is the recap of our year of work and here (http://www.tenjuneblog.com/2011/08/big-reveal-our-bathroom-renovation-is.html) was the big reveal.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Nuestra Vida Dulce is a diary of "our sweet life" chronicling our adventures in decorating, DIY projects, and whatever else life throws our way.

FAVORITE POST: This is my favorite post of the year because I got to share our baby news with the blog world! :)

http://daveandjoi.blogspot.com/2011/11/so.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Modern Jane is an outlet for me to share my thoughts about what I love - transforming my home! I share my hands-on, budget friendly approach to renovating my home and making it pretty!

FAVORITE POST: It was tough to chose. This was a popular one but also very important to me. I was little shy of sharing photos of my home when I first started blogging. It was this post that encouraged me to just go with it! I also love that I share my to do list at the end of the post and they are two items that are finally getting crossed off the list right now!

http://modernjanedesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/living-room-picture-walk.html

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Wowee, what a fabulous week of Great Reads! I'd like to send a big squeezy hug to all the bloggers who participated. I enjoyed reading your blogs throughout the year and can't wait to see what you have in store next!! xoxo

And I guess I'll share my favorite posts of the year too... this is the one that stays with me in my heart, but this is the one that brought me great happiness. Oh, the debates HandyMan and I had when choosing the tile for the fireplace! But we came upon a solution and found the perfect compromise - and the results were even better than we had hoped. And really, that's what our house (and our marriage) is about - you work through things, you do a bit of give and take, and if you're lucky, you end up with something that makes your heart sing :)

Great Reads 2011 vol.4

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

The Great Reads 2011 tour stops in the Great White North today as I highlight some wonderful fellow Canadian bloggers! I've had the pleasure of meeting most of the ladies on today's list and they are as beautiful as they are talented. Their design styles are as diverse as the cities they hail from. Let's see what must-read posts they've chosen...

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Let me start by thanking Jen for including me in her Great Reads series! I am truly honored! My blog is called Our House (original title—I know) and I like to document the fun everyday happenings of my home—the always entertaining (and never ending) renovation process, the crazy moments of life with kids, all the DIY projects I get myself (and sometimes my husband) into, the joy of a good thrift store find, and all the things that inspire me!

FAVORITE POST: Now about my favorite 2011 post. Almost exactly a year ago I decided that 2011 would be the year that I learned the art of upholstery. I then proceeded to announce my plan to reupholster a tufted wing chair on my blog—and then panicked a little when I began to realize what I’d gotten myself into. But, after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears I FINALLY completed my first project! I breathed a huge sigh of relief and blogged about it here:

http://dougelissa.blogspot.com/2011/03/finally.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Life Begins at Thirty, Right? is a blog about me, my husband and our house. It tracks our renovations (both large and small) and the frustrations that come with living in a 15' wide Victorian rowhouse in Toronto. Sometimes it is funny, but not always intentionally so :-)

FAVORITE POST: Picking a favourite post wasn't too difficult. You'd think it would be my bathroom reveal. Or maybe the day the basement reno was finished. Nope. My favourite post was the pinnacle in my war against a well known Toronto predator. Read on... http://lifebeginsatthirtyright.blogspot.com/2011/06/im-being-held-hostage.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Barbara is a caffeine-fueled design aficionado that makes her home on Canada’s “wet” coast. She is the author of hodge:podge, a blog that showcases her frugal do-it-yourself projects, room makeovers, and interviews with fabulous Canadians, inspirational interiors and anything else that tickles her fancy.

FAVORITE POST: This wasn't difficult to pick!! I'd have to say my interviews with fabulously talented Canadians I feature in my series, "So Canadian, eh?" has been so gratifying to write. What I love the best about the series is meeting and getting to know various bloggers and designers across Canada, famous and not-so-famous. One interview in particularly stands out though, it was such a dream of mine to interview Tommy Smythe! He is such a talented designer, full of wit, charm and charisma, hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did:

http://hodgepodge-babselou.blogspot.com/2011/07/so-canadian-eh-tommy-smythe.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Cozy Cottage Cute is a little mish-mash of a blog where I like to share a few of my creative hobbies: renovating our 1940’s home, decorating (in white of course), antique shopping, furniture refinishing, sewing, baking, and photography. Project ADD always seems to keep things interesting in my neck of the woods, hee hee.

FAVORITE POST: One of my favourite posts of the year would have to be a simple shelf makeover: Shelf Before and After + A Shelf Vignette. This post incorporates so many of my obsessions: antique shopping, DIY, a furniture makeover, decorating, as well as some pretty photos. It basically sums up what I love..... all things white and cute. ;)

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ABOUT THE BLOG: First of all, thanks Jen for including me! I'm an Interior Decorator sharing "ideas and inspiration to live well in your home" which is the tagline of Decor Happy. It's where I write about what's inspiring me, a new find or event, client work and anything I think will be of value to readers who have taken time out of their busy day to stop by my blog.

FAVORITE POST: My favourite posts are ones where I write about a design project I have worked on. I think reader's really appreciate a good Before and After! Oftentimes, I'm brought in at various stages during a project so capturing the Before and/or After may not happen. I am really proud of this bathroom I designed where the clients gave me free rein to come up with something beautiful that reflected their tastes and budget. Early next year, I will share the professionally photographed images from this project:

http://decorhappy.blogspot.com/2011/10/client-project-bathroom-reno.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Thanks so much for including me, Jennifer. I love your blog and look forward to checking out all the other great reads! Just Bella is my little piece of the internet dedicated to all things beautiful. I am new mom writing about the things I love - life, home, design, food, travel, and - watch out! - I might even get crafty on you!

FAVORITE POST: It has been a pretty big year around here starting off with some exciting news that has really influenced the content of my blog posts. I announced in February that my husband and I were expecting a little babe and on November 9 our daughter Alice Michaela made her way into the world.

As you can imagine its been a year of baby fever, so rolling with that theme one my favourite posts has got to be Alice's nursery reveal. This room is so special to me, not only was it fun to design a room from top to bottom, but knowing that our little babe was going to live in it made it that much better. Now that my girl, Alice has arrived I love it even more and have spent many hours and sleepless nights enjoying it. My favourite room in the house for my favourite little girl :)

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Call me biased, but I think we have incredible design talent across our fair country ;) I've got one more day of Great Reads to introduce to you so come back tomorrow for the tour finale!

Great Reads 2011 vol.3

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

Are you enjoying the Great Reads 2011 tour so far? I'm so blown away by the wealth of talent there is out in the blogosphere. None more so than by this next group who I'll call THE ARTISTS.

These ladies and gentleman have what you'd call "the eye". Whether creating works of art, decorating spaces for adults or the wee ones too, sharing unique party ideas, or putting together outfits, they show a discerning talent for the visual. The way they use colour and texture is inspirational. Visiting their blogs is always a visual treat! I think you'll agree once you take a look at their favorite posts...

ABOUT THE BLOG: Lay Baby Lay is a blog dedicated to providing unique nursery inspiration and delight, interspersed with a glimpse here and there into life with baby.

FAVORITE POST: I would have to say my favorite post from 2011 is the one that I recently did on Vivi's birthday: http://laybabylay.com/vivis-first-birthday-party/

It was the icing on the cake for this year and I had been looking forward to that day since she was born. I was excited to celebrate that we had made it as a family our first year, that we had managed to figure a few things out though we still have much to learn, and it was so much fun and truly a labor of love to put together. Somehow it seemed like a big accomplishment to me, and I breathed a sigh of relief that we made it through this first crazy year! It was a really special day, with close friends and family gathering to celebrate with us, and I know Vivi felt so loved, even if she was a bit overwhelmed! It was also the beginning of my favorite season of the year - Christmas, and I'm so excited we can enjoy it with her this year. Last year, she was just a few weeks old, and we were all too sleep deprived and overwhelmed to participate much, so I am especially grateful we can celebrate it well this season!

As for my favorite nursery design, that is difficult to pick, but I do love this one: http://laybabylay.com/pink-navy/

It's so fresh and clean, and I think it would make for a really fun room that would grow well with baby. I had debated between navy and turquoise for Vivi's nursery, so this kind of look was a close second - maybe next time around, if we are so blessed!

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Making it Lovely is a design blog about living a stylish life and transforming the so-so.

FAVORITE POST: I love the way my little Eleanor's new bedroom turned out! http://makingitlovely.com/2011/05/26/eleanors-new-bedroom/

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ABOUT THE BLOG: The Sweetest Occasion is a lifestyle and design blog sharing stylish inspiration for weddings, parties and living a life full of celebration.

FAVORITE POST: It's so hard to pick just one post as a favorite, but our DIY party animal candles (http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2011/08/diy-party-animal-candles/) were a huge hit with readers and kind of sum up what The Sweetest Occasion is all about - pretty and fun unexpected touches that bring a little sparkle to everyday life.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Marcus Design blog is a place where I share my journey renovating my little rancher with my hubby, experiment with a few DIYs, and of course showcase the decor, artwork, and fashion I am being inspired by!

FAVORITE POST: Choosing my favorite post of the year wasn't easy - thank you for the chance to reflect Jen! It came down to my own projects, it's always a bit intimidating to share your own work but also fun and encouraging to get feedback from others. I'd have to say it's a tie between my Dorothy Draper Ikea dressers and my DIY grid-panelled walls.

http://marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-ikea-diy-dorothy-draper-style.html

http://marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com/2011/10/before-and-after-my-diy-panelled-walls.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: DesignMaze is devoted to all things interior design/decoration, plus a few good things in life. It is my portal to share with you my latest finds, DIY + Transformation projects, insider scoop of designer trade shows, and recaps of inspiring design shows on TV.

FAVORITE POST: I've had so much fun in 2011 and it is difficult for me to pick one as my favourite post. However, I finally narrowed down to one and my favourite is the 100th post on DesignMaze! This post summarizes my journey to interior decorating, the great honour to be featured on TV and other online design media, and most importantly the many amazingly talented individuals I've met through my blog.

http://designmaze-tim.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-100th-post.html

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Fabulous favorites, right? A few more days left of the tour so I hope you'll drop by again tomorrow.

Great Reads 2011 vol.2

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's Day Two of the Great Reads 2011 tour, where I ask some fabulous bloggers to pick their favorite post they had written in the past year. Check out Day One here. For today, I have the most inspiring group of women lined up. Stylish and talented, these ladies impress me with their ability to run businesses, live creatively and playfully, dress themselves and their kiddos so fashionably, while also being great teachers and mothers to their children. They are so versatile, I can't wait to see what they picked for their favorite posts...

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Design Mom covers the intersection of motherhood and design. It's a site where you can find inspiration, real advice, beautiful ideas and everything you need to live a curated, happy life with your children.

FAVORITE POST: http://www.designmom.com/2011/11/all-made-up-one-more-time/ I love this post, because the comments are soooo good! I love reading women's thoughts on beauty.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Hi! I'm Natalie author of The Busy Budgeting Mama.com It's your shortcut to home and hostess ideas, recipes &super-mom-motherhood. I'm married to a youth minister & mother of two girls living on a tight budget.

FAVORITE POST: I love DIY projects and throwing parties. My most recent party was for my girls who were turning 1 and 3. We threw a Story Book Princess Party. My favorite details from it have to be the $4 DIY Cardboard Castle that made their imaginations run wild!

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ABOUT THE BLOG: I'm Design Editor, also known as Catherine Davis. I'm a graphic designer, wife and mom to 2-year-old twins celebrating all things design. You'll find posts on graphic design like weekly font picks, free downloads and anything artsy craftsy. I have an Etsy shop that's an extension of my blog, Design Editor Shop, which features digital downloads and printable items. Stop by and say hello!

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post from 2011 would have to be the one I did on my Week In The Life album. I recorded a week in my family's life through words and photos and shared how I put it all together. It combines my love for graphic design and the most important people in my life. So cool. Plus, I had such great feedback from readers and people saying they were inspired by it which means the world to me.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Aubrey & Lindsay's "Little House Blog" is a blog that chronicles Lindsay's obsession with all things creative - between interior decorating, DIY Projects, being a stay at home Mom, and running a stationery studio, Lindsay documents each in weekly posts.

FAVORITE POST: Hi! Picking a post was incredibly hard for me as this year was filled with such lovely memories and DIY projects. If I were to pick a single post, it may be my Ikea Ribba Frame hack that was inspired by Sarah Richardson. I picked this one because it's such an EASY project to do to add colour to a room. I heart Ikea. :) (Ps., thanks for including me!) xo - Lindsay

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ABOUT THE BLOG & FAVORITE POST: 2011 was a challenging year for me. In the New Year, I found myself alone, raising 2 young men and not long after, the devastating Brisbane floods hit. There was a lot of pain in my life so I sought refuge in my blog and my blog community. I did a blog post about 'Ken', my brother's partner's father. He lost every single thing he owned in the flood... his home, his clothes, his car, his treasured books. He was not insured.

http://thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/2011/01/plumber-please.html

The emails I received after that post and the offers of support that came in from my blog readers moved me to tears. My readers donated over $4000 to help Ken, who was sleeping on a mattress on the floor of the ruins of his home. He had no hot water and no electricity. The funds raised enabled him to have a new hot water system installed pronto and an electrician connected up some safe power in order for him to be able to boil a jug. We purchased new gyprock and replaced the walls in his kitchen and a new kitchen was installed. To be able to help a helpless man in such need through my blog lifted my heart so much. I am eternally grateful for this blog medium. I can reach out to a community and help people. It has helped me take the focus off my problems and see the world on a much grander scale. It has helped me through the most difficult year of my life.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: On ish & chi, I write about the journey in turning my cottage house into a home for my son and I. Along the way I also share my inspiration, decorating ideas, fashion and sometimes my crazy love for all things related to the circus.

FAVORITE POST: My favourite post of this year was writing about my son Robert's new bedroom: http://ishandchi.blogspot.com/2011/01/toddler-room.html

I first started my blog when I was decorating Robert's nursery and years later, here I am, decorating a room for a toddler. We then added new art to finish it off and he loves his new room: http://ishandchi.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-art-for-robbie.html

If you enjoyed these must-read posts, you might also like these oldies but goodies from the

Great Reads 2010 tour.

Great Reads 2011 vol.1

2011-12-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

I hope you have had wonderful holidays so far. These days, I want nothing more than to relax, spend time with family and friends, and snuggle up with a stack of blogs, books, and magazines. Last year, I ran a series called Great Reads where I asked some of my favorite bloggers to highlight their favorite post they had written in the past year. It was so much fun, I decided to do it all again this year...

I have some fabulous bloggers lined up for your reading pleasure over the next five days. Today, its all about the RENOVATORS & DECORATORS.

These handy folks definitely know how to transform a space. With tools in hand, they can take a room from boring to oh-so-beautiful. From building roofs from scratch to renovating houses, tearing down walls, and transforming small rooms with DIY ingenuity, they always impress me with their skills.

The spaces they create are memorable, inspirational, and original (a difficult thing to do in blog world!). When I read these blogs, I'm always motivated to go build something. Maybe you will be too.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Hazardous Design is a documentation of a home renovation on Hazard Ave. My husband and I are going room by room through our 125 year old house to update it into the 21st Century. In addition to documenting the renovations as they happen, Hazardous Design is also where I gather ideas and inspiration for future projects.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post of 2011, "A Fairy Tale About French Bistro Bar Stools" is one of those future projects. Our kitchen may still be stuck in the past, but every time I read this post I slip into the world of make believe and imagine it has been beautifully remodeled. A girl can dream!

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Young House Love is basically a DIY diary of all of our failures and successes as we make our house a home as affordably as possible.

FAVORITE POST: Here are a few links of our two favorite posts for ya (ack - it was a tie):

a) http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/08/the-eight-month-difference/ (because it shows how it's a slow process to make a house over- definitely doesn't happen overnight!)

b) http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/09/the-updated-light-fixture-blues/ (because it was a really fun project that turned out really well - we love the unexpected indigo paint and the giant shade that we scored on sale)

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ABOUT THE BLOG: House*Tweaking is a blog designated to tweaking all things house and home. Right now, we're in the midst of renovating a dilapidated 1950's brick ranch - not our dream house but, hopefully, the house in which to pursue our dreams.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite DIY project this year was the 'love' headboard we created from old fence boards found at my husband's family farm. It was easy, inexpensive, upcycled, unique and, most of all, meaningful. We enjoy using furniture, art and accessories in our home that have a story behind them. Thanks so much for asking me to participate!

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ABOUT THE BLOG: My blog what would I say about my blog? Well, Just Beachy is my little spot to share my love of interior design , family and even a little baking. Just Beachy has evolved into my personal outlet for my passions which mostly have turned out to be carpentry, I love to add character to my home and I’m no longer afraid of a nail gun. My philosophy is that a home should be pretty even when its empty, decorating is great but it’s the bones that set a house apart. My blog will be changing over the coming year as I share our journey of us buying and building my dream home, should be an interesting ride , lots of fun to come.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post from 2011 would have to be http://chriskauffman.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-little-bunkie-guest-house.html here I take you on a little tour of our summer guest house aka bunkie. I have always dreamed of adding an out building to our small suburban lot , a place for slumber parties and winter storage. This summer we finally took the plunge and worked away completely on our own and build a sweet little guest house. We did have a chance or two to try it out in the warmer months , it’s a good thing too because we are leaving it behind for the new owners , I hope they enjoy it as much as I planned we would.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: I am so honored to be included in Jen's list! I am such a huge fan of Jen and her blog. In fact, it was one of the first blogs that I followed with regularity. I am a fairly new blogger--little over a year, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all the new projects and new friends it has brought my way. My interior design business offers renovations, from 'the ground up' builds, and decorating. My blog shares my design projects, my DIY and art projects, my inspirations, my teenagers, my dogs and just the craziness of it all.

FAVORITE POST: I think my favorite post is the one sharing my own budget friendly bath redo. Probably because it a rarity when I finally complete a project in my own home! Every bit of it we did ourselves--the tiling, the wainscoting, the sewing and the sharpie created wallpaper. Saving money always makes it a little more lovely, right?! http://shannonberrey.com/_blog/Shannon_Berrey_Design_Blog/post/Bathrooms_done!_schumacher_birds_DIY_/

Come back every day this week for more must-read posts!

A Pancakes & Pajamas Birthday Party

2011-12-23T16:11:00.001-05:00

Do you have all your presents purchased and wrapped? I hope you're sitting at home relaxing and getting ready for days spent with family, no emails, no work, and no deadlines, at least for a little while.

In the midst of all the holiday preparations, I decided to be crazy and throw a little get-together just for my family. My sister and I could get the kids together and decorate some gingerbread houses, maybe enjoy some hot chocolate too, but, as things tend to happen with my family, everyone else decided to join in on the fun. And seeing it's my brother's birthday just after Christmas, we decided to celebrate... with a Winter Wonderland Pancakes & Pajamas Party!

Everyone came dressed in their pajamas. This was the first and only time in my life I had seen my dad in a set of pajamas - what a hoot! The kids had a ball putting their houses together...

...we enjoyed some hot chocolate while my holiday playlists played in the background...

hot chocolate bar with all the fixins'

...the little ladies had a ball playing with the costume closet...

... and then we enjoyed 'breakfast for dinner'. Our menu was a fun mix of savory and sweet - crepes filled with Nutella and bananas and stawberries, pancakes (we shaped the kids' pancakes into their initials), cheesy strata, bacon and sausages, potato rosti, and sparkly juices...

...with dessert of HandyMan's famous lemon tart and my snowy cupcakes. It was a great way to start the holiday season. I think we'll make it a new tradition - because really, nothing says comfort and joy like eating Nutella banana crepes in your pj's.

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I'll be relaxing next week but I have a treat lined up for you... its the Great Reads 2011 tour! I did this last year and it was so much fun, I had to do it all again. I've asked some fabulous bloggers to share with you their most favourite post from the past year. You'll definitely know some of these bloggers and others you may be discovering for the first time. They are all on my must-read list, so come back every day next week to read some fascinating posts!

Grumpily

2011-12-21T01:38:00.003-05:00

Grumpy gus made an appearance again and no way, no how was she going to sit on Santa's lap and smile for him. Oh well, there's always next year!

Thinking & Dreaming

2011-12-20T00:20:00.000-05:00

I had a wonderful dinner with Lindsey, Heather, and Christine the other night. I love getting together with other bloggers... because you can prattle on and on about blogs and no one gets bored with the discussion. Unlike when I try to have these conversations with HandyMan ;)

Source: i672.photobucket.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Bloggers really are the most supportive bunch. Truly, they are. Make that supportive and inspiring. I get so jazzed when I hear about other bloggers doing fabulous things, making appearances on TV and other forms of traditional media, starting new ventures, fulfilling their dreams.

Ever since Nicole wrote this post, my own dream list has been on my mind. I'm in a sea of change, no doubt, trying to build a new career - one where I'm driven by passion and creativity. What exactly do I want to do with my life? Good question.

Source: flickr.com via Katie on Pinterest

But as the new year rolls around, I think I want to try and answer that question. So I'll be working on my Life List over the next few weeks and posting it here because I believe putting it out there will help motivate me and focus my actions and let it draw from the energy of the universe (yes, I believe in that).

Maybe you have a Life List too? Do you write resolutions? What's do you hope to accomplish this year?