Set a Fabulous Table and Help Fight Cancer

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Okay ladies -

here is your opportunity to create your dream dining space!

Design Fights Back,

 sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society,

is looking for 33 designers to transform 

the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Centre (Toronto)

 into a magical setting for this FIRST annual event.

Perhaps you will be inspired by the sunshine yellow of their flower, the daffodil..

Follow the link to get involved :) or pass this along, please.

We have all lost someone to cancer,

but maybe one day that will change.

Thanks to Krista of the Hopeless Chest and her Mum for getting this event up and running -

hope it's uber successful and the beginning of a must-attend annual event.

Yea or Nay: A Nutcracker Army

Taking the girls to The Nutcracker ballet this weekend - 

have you ever seen it?

 magic.

The girls and I attend each year, carrying on the tradition D. and I started when we began dating.

The boys come down to the city with us, and go to a hockey game :) to watch a different sort of dance.

My youngest, Coco, has begun a Nutcracker collection.

each year she manages to persuade me to buy her one during intermission.

You can see her tree here.

I have never bought a Nutcracker to put on display in the house, other than Coco's.

You?

Would you place a large statue to stand guard at your front door?

tuck them amongst candy on the mantle..

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or perhaps greenery?

    

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Would you place these at your holiday table?

Or tuck treats into these boxes?

(these are witty, yes?)

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Would a metallic nutcracker grace your buffet..

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or your mantel?

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Would you prefer the minimal West Elm take on tradition?

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I'm quite sure Coco will be keeping her collection in her room, 

although we were out shopping the other day and she was lobbying hard for this enchanting fellow.

He stands at SIX FEET.

"Maybe next year, sweetie."

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til next time..

The Fall Home Show.. What We Saw

Remember our giveaway for Home Show Tix?

It was on last weekend, and Jeni (from ChooChooPhotography) and I went exploring.

I  must say, although I rarely post anything negative, I was a bit disappointed by part of the show.

I was particularly looking forward to the Habitat for Humanity House - 

expecting a gorgeous selection of salvaged chic spaces..

instead the "house" consisted of a few unfinished booths that had been set up as "rooms".

The ReStore for Habitat by Humanity is a valuable resource for home building supplies and decor.

I felt that the display really did not honour all the hard work that Habitat does, and

 I'm not sure anyone would be inspired to visit a ReStore based on what they saw there.

Okay, I'm done :)

There were a few highlights..

I found the most darling light switch cover for my office 

from Adrianne Kulling of Vintage Love.

I had spotted this lady...

what could be more perfect?!!

but, alas, it was not available in my style of switchplate...

Adrianne scours vintage mags for images, then adheres them to metal plates, 

and they are sealed with many layers of varnish.. so charming.

She has a plethora of witty styles..

  

We found the greatest chair at Jelinek Cork Furniture.

the seat and back were made from slabs of cork...

with the bark still attached on the backside..

it was cork madness!

walls, ceilings..

They have a laminated cork fabric that is exceptionally soft and, of course, has beautiful texture.

Here it is on a chair..

Jeni bought some very glam sparkly earrings..

from the Sterling Design Company.

I was inspired for heaps diy projects, like enormous pinecones dipped in scented wax

 (for holiday displays -  show you those when they get made!)

trays stacked into a layered serving piece..

All in all,  a delightful afternoon with a friend.. thank you Jenni for taking pics - 

including this one of us, although I managed to have my eyes closed :)

til next time..

Inspired by TIFF: Where Does Your TV Live?

The 35th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) starts today.

11 days - 300 films

You can feel the electricity in the air when the festival is in town.

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

So in honour of all things film,

 thought I would look at some ways to incorperate a tv into your home in a stylish manner.

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Not all of us have the luxury of a full-blown media room,

 and the days of just propping the t.v over the fireplace have come and gone.

So where does that leave us?

Where does your tv live?

as part of a storage wall..

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behind closed doors..

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on display..

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 camouflaged..

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here's a few unusual spots!

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umm, okay, very unique.. repurposing is always good! 

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This next one, however, will blow your socks off!

Now you see it..

now you don't!

How many of you want one? I do!

now, if they only have the picture quality and all the gadgets that D. requires :)

Off to peruse some color swatches.. have a lovely thursday..

til next time..

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