Dream Kitchens

Kate,

I was going through pinterest the other day and tried to pin the same thing twice.  It's the above picture.  I had pinned it months before because I love a nice slab of marble backsplash, the mix of wood and of course the open shelves.  I look at my kitchen all the time thinking about how I could incorporate open shelving.  Would I need a bigger pantry, is it practical, do I just need to purge a good amount of stuff to make it work?  I mean my cupboards are packed!  I don't think that there is a kitchen reno in our future.  Whenever I bring up my want of white countertops I get a lot of "never going to happen" in response...if we moved it would happen.  Sometimes it seems like renovating your house that already works is just frivolous and unnecessary.  There is definitely a long list of things that I can think of that would be money better spent but sometimes my need of designing something new, being creative, seeing change gets the better of me and the dreaming begins.  Really the only option is to move and start from scratch right!?  Because then it's no longer an option of frivolous, it's we bought the worst house on the street and I guess we have to put in open shelving, white countertops, wood and a beautiful, thick, piece of marble backsplash.  Here are a few other pictures of kitchens I'm dreaming about.

Here's to finding the crappiest house on the street and making some dreams happen.

-Amanda

The tray

Amanda, We sat outside for dinner tonight. Did that ever feel good. Kids were swimming, Chris was barbecuing and I was lounging.... it was exquisite.

I did eventually get up to make a salad and gather plates and cutlery etc. and I realized that outdoor dining would be a lot easier if I had a nice tray to carry everything on, as opposed to the multiple trips I made clutching items in my armpits. So I did a little search and realized there are a million choices out there. Just depends on what kind of tray you're looking for...

I narrowed it down to either metal or wood and sturdy.

Here are my picks:

Restoration Hardware

West Elm

Crate and Barrel

Ikea PS

Isn't that Crate and Barrel tray gorgeous? I'm excited now for summer entertaining - this weather makes me giddy!

-Kate

Loving now

Kate,

Here are some of the things I've been loving recently.

This is a fun gallery of celebrity living rooms.  Quick and easy and I enjoyed how different each of them were.

I recently got a healthy sample of this at Sephora to help out my summer glow situation. Sometimes I mix a little with my moisturizer or I just put some on the tops cheekbones, bridge of my nose and cupids bow.  Subtle shimmer.

I went to West elm last week and their jute and metallic collection is screaming summer to me. Check out this and this.  (btw, they look even better in person.)

I am in love with this striped beach towel from Zara home.  Classic, light and breezy. I could even just see it as a throw.

One more thing for the outdoors.  This beautiful little planter.  Comes in several different colours too.

Enjoy!

-Amanda

H&M home + Ikea

Amanda, Really affordable accents at HM.com. Their home line is full of goodies.

Like this pillow - faux leather scallops in black.

Paired with this one:

And then this Ikea throw:

Would look great on a bed or a couch.

-Kate

Votives and vases

Amanda, Funny that you wrote about missing your family on mother's day cause I had a similar feeling today. I woke up so excited that M2 was spending the day with my mom and M1 had school of course... a whole day to myself. Normally I spend a part of a day like this cleaning or doing laundry but I was all caught up so I thought I'd run some errands and pop into Sherway in between. After my Starbucks coffee and a quick tour of Homesense I got this pang - an i miss my kids pang. What the heck? I dream of moments of aloneness and there I was, only an hour had passed and I was picturing their little faces, craving their presence.

Motherhood is crazy.

My rational self prevailed. I wanted to check out the new JCrew and maybe look for an outfit for a wedding in two weeks.

JCrew was lovely and the Crewcuts were particularly adorable but I couldn't justify $60 for a toddler dress.

What I really loved were the Chapters votives and vases - gorgeous white washed mason jars and ombre containers. Perfect for the summer nights that we never thought were coming. I can picture them on the patio with candles or flowers.

I also found a fabulous dressy jumper at Mendocino that I bought for the wedding. I don't have an online photo so maybe I will post one when I'm all dressed up in it and feeling fancy.

-Kate

Pendants

Kate,

I was over my chandelier but since changing my dining room from the china hutch to the floating shelves I suddenly like it again.  It's funny how you can change one thing in a room and it makes you appreciate something in the space that you thought wasn't working any longer.  My lighting seems fresh to me again.  Despite this change in feeling I'm still looking just in case.

I was browsing several sites in the past month or so and have found a few gems.  I love the brass and the jewel like look to them.  I can't decide which one I like more!

The above are from Anthropologie.

-Amanda

Spain and my couch

Kate, I'm very tired.  I've been out, doing something, 7 out of 8 nights.  Whether it be drinks, a school meeting, dinner out, a movie or my beloved spinning (wink wink).  I'm am not trying to complain about being busy with fun plans but seriously, I'm not equipped for this non stop life anymore! Especially when my 8 month old isn't sleeping well.  All of this is making me think of vacationing.

Recently there has been a lot of talk of a big group trip to Spain.  The last time I went to Spain I was 20 or 21 years old (I don't even remember anymore, it was that long ago) we went to San Sebastian but I missed out on Barcelona which has always bothered me.  It's one of those places I really, really want to see and that I always felt I missed out on.

Since this summers calendar is already fully booked, we are thinking summer/fall 2015.  We need to look at large places, villas if you will, and because the group is large, the planning has to start now.  Here is one of the places that Brenda has sent our way.  I love the feel and design of it. Terracotta floors, dark wood beams and white.

Excuse the caption in the corner but I had to post these pics.  Don't you just want to go there right now!?  Btw, you will be finding me parked out on my couch the next 3 nights at least.

-Amanda

Homesense and black

Amanda, HOMESENSE AT STOCKYARDS IS OPENING TOMORROW! 

I'm just so excited to have another Homesense to frequent on the regular. I love that place. Their is always a deal to find, something original, something essential.

Target is in the same plaza, which means Starbucks. Amazing!

Although, did I tell you what happened to me when I went to the new Target there? It was a very windy morning. I parked the car in the underground parking lot and took M2 out of her car seat. Basically skipped into the store because I was so excited about buying Easter items... Namely mini eggs. Hopped into the elevator and pressed two. Slowly started going up and within moments the lights went out and the elevator stopped. I couldn't even see M2 in front of me - that was how dark it was. Not to mention one of my worst fears was being realized - I was stuck on an elevator and made worse was the fact that I was in the pitch black and the emergency call button wasn't even working because the power was out. I used the light from my phone to shine on my daughters face to make sure she was ok and debated whether to scream or not. I tried prying the door open and could open the elevator door but not the door to the store. It was at that point that I really started freaking out. And when M2 tells the story now she says "we got stuck on an elevator and mommy was screaming." So yes, I gave in and starting yelling "help" "help" and that was when the elevator started again. Slower than normal but moving. It took me back down to the first floor and the doors opened. I was ready to hug the first person I saw, I was so relieved.

Very traumatic.

Needless to say, I will be taking the escalator tomorrow.

This is what it looked like in the elevator:

-Kate

House envy: California

Amanda, A house tour was posted on A Cup of Jo  that completes my checklist. It is open and bright and not too big and has a fabulous outdoor space and is decorated with such thought and simplicity... I am love struck.

You can visit the site to find out details about the homeowners choices and their picturesque sounding neighborhood in California.  But the pictures say it all: family friendly home with oodles of beautiful design choices and an enviable backyard. Did I mention I love it? With your love of Cali I know you'll be obsessed too.

-Kate