New Year's Eve Ready

 dress: Forever 21 (old), shell clutch: Vintage, jacket: Blush Shop

It's New Year's Eve! Time to don your sparkliest of dresses, pour yourself a drink and get ready to toast the end of 2013 and the new possibilities of the year to come.
For me, 2013 was a year of big changes and big decisions, and I am so grateful to be entering 2014 happy, healthy and full of love.

Have the best night, and more importantly, the best year.  You deserve it.
xox
(bar cart details coming to the blog next week!)

A Look Back at 2013

Can you believe another year has almost come to and end? I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of my favourite moments of 2013. It was quite a year - new job, saying goodbye to old relationships and hello to new ones, new love, and some very exciting moments both academically and professionally.

 ^ My apartment really started to come together with some great scores, including these bamboo chairs off craigslist and this rug from an estate sale. I've been here a year and a half now, and it's really beginning to feel like home! Stay tuned for some more updates in the New Year...I just did a mini-makeover around here and can't wait to show you all!

^ My blog's name went up in lights when my logo was featured on this giant billboard in Times Square in New York City!

^ I never announced this on the blog, but I was very excited when Tia and Tamera pinned a picture of my apartment to Pinterest directly off my blog. I grew up watching these two! It's quite an honor. See the pin here!

I worked on some school projects that I am extremely proud of. I've learned so much as a design student! Learning to render has been especially fun!:

Term 2:

Term 3:

Term 4:

Term 5 (full project coming to the blog next week!):

 And last but certainly not least, I met and began dating a man who makes my heart so happy! He has been my biggest support system the past couple of months and I probably wouldn't have made it through my term five final projects without his encouragement.

 I can't wait to make more memories with him come 2014.

 What is your biggest moment from 2013!?

Merry Christmas from Me to You

 I made it home to Waterloo where I will be spending Christmas and some much needed R&R with my family. I will be back in the New Year, but I wanted to take this time to wish the happiest of Holidays to you and your family. Thank you so much for following along my journey and for making this year such a success. I am so grateful for each and every one of you!  May God Bless you and shine in your hearts this joyous season.
(And yes, I know I overdid it with the tinsel on my little tree, but I kind of love it!).

Merry Christmas, my loves.
xo

The Things That Matter: Guest Posting at York Avenue

You've all read Nate Berkus's book 'The Things the Matter', right? It's about how possessions become important to us for sentimental reasons, it's a great read. Today I'm guest posting over at York Avenue in her series 'The Story Behind my Favourite Piece' inspired by Nate's point that things do, in fact, matter. I'm sharing the story behind one of my most beloved belongings. Head on over and check it out! You will love Jackie, her studio apartment was recently featured on the Everygirl. As a fellow studio apartment dweller, trust me when I say it's amazing! What items do you own that have a special meaning?

Oh (Flocked) Christmas Tree

I will be the first to admit I have never seen one of these in person, but I'm really smitten with the look of the snow on the branches. It seems a white Christmas isn't the norm anymore (dreaming of one this year of course! It's looking promising after the snowstorm we got this weekend), but this could be a fun way to ensure a snowy Christmas morning opening gifts. Would you do a flocked tree?

via Style at Home

via the Doctor's Closet

My Bachelorette Pad: Christmas Decor via Instagram

Last year, I didn't decorate my apartment at all for the holidays, but this year, I've been creating pretty little Christmas vignettes all over my bachelorette pad. The more glitter the better!

^Ornaments in a bell jar. So simple, but so pretty!

^ I've always been a fan of tinsel Christmas trees. Some people call them tacky, but my love of vintage and sparkle just can't be contained. I've seen a few in antique shops displaying vintage ornaments, but finally found a mini one of my own at the local dollar store! 

Big thanks to M. for making me decorate this year (and delivering my tree, which I hope to post about soon!). It's finally feeling like home here thanks to you!

To see even more of the holiday festivities going on around here (and to keep up with me while I'm busy with finals...sorry I've been MIA lately!), be sure to check out my instagram!
I hope your holidays have been merry and bright so far!

Golden Stocking Stuffers

1. gold dot washi tape / 2. gold and acrylic stapler / 3. gold sequin hanger / 4. gold bando heart /
5. gold nail polish / 6. monogrammed mug / 7. bow push pins / 8. bow necklace

No coal this year! Instead, here are some adorable stocking stuffer ideas for the girl who has been golden all year. Each item $25 or less! I'll take one of each :)
xo

Blurred Art

Thom Filicia Lake House via House Beautiful

Ever since seeing this image of Thom Filicia's lake house in the photo above, I've been a bit obsessed with the blurred piece hanging above the credenza. The hazy ambiguity provides just enough narrative (mother, child, beach) while still feeling abstract and arty. Initially I thought it was a photograph but after staring at it for so long I'm not so sure (I couldn't find a source). Either way, I'm tempted to throw a gaussian blur on all my photos and have the printed out and hung all over my room. Crazy, yes? I smell a summer project.

The fascination eventually led me to discover the amazing work of Philip Barlow. I just love his paintings in which he captures this same blurred quality. To me, the genius in Barlow's work is truly his ability to understand and recreate light.

Sea of Glass by Philip Barlow

Glow 2 by Philip Barlow

Slipping by on 34th Street by Philip Barlow

Light Space by Philip Barlow

Pretty spectacular in my opinion. I'm feeling inspired. Have a wonderful Monday my friends!

A Golden Typewriter

I'm sure by now you've all seen Lauren Conrad's new office set up over at Domaine. What did you think? I'm a little bit obsessed. But the thing that really caught my eye during the entire tour was her golden typewriter. I can't get it off my mind.

 I have always been drawn to vintage typewriters. I've considered purchasing one several times at antique shops and flea markets, but have never pulled the trigger. Not only are they charming to look at - For me, they represent my love for old literature and the written word. I have a degree in Honours English, and have always loved to read and write.
They also symbolize a sort of meticulous, careful execution. There is no backspacing on a typewriter - it's all about taking your time, really thinking about the words you are going to type, what you want to say. No chance for editing (unless you want to retype the whole thing).
You get one shot - and there is something golden about that, my friends.

If anyone knows where I can get my hands on a golden typewriter (slash add it to my list of fancy things I will buy one day when I can afford fancy things), don't keep it a secret! My guess is that it's a well preserved vintage. In the meantime I will keep myself contented with this golden stapler  from Shop by Monika. Have to start somewhere guys.

xox
All images via Domaine. See the rest of the tour here.

Bar Cart Art: Perfect Prints to Hang over your Bar

Holiday season is upon us - time to start planning for fabulous parties with lots of sequins and of course flowing drinks. Is your bar cart in order? If you are me, the answer is no...no it is not. But let's pretend it is styled with pretty champagne flutes (THESE are on my wishlist..please Santa?), striped straws, and a well stocked selection of liquor. All that's left is the blank wall space above. This calls for a round up of perfect prints for the party girl in all of us:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 /6
I think these are so sassy and fun. If the holiday bash isn't at your place this year, wouldn't one of these make the perfect hostess gift? Bonus: Each print is under $30.
My heart belongs to the black and white Chanel one, it would go perfectly in my place....Santa, are you still reading?

^ Mackenzie Horan via Glitter Guide

via Read Between the Lines

DIY art via Whatever is Lovelier

Now bust out your sparkliest dress and the rum and egg nog. It's time to celebrate!

You might also like:
Flea Market Find - Brass Bar Car
How to Style a Bar Cart

My Three Muses Pillow

Awhile ago, the lovely Erika of Small Shop Studio teamed up with Michelle Dwight Designs to giveaway a custom 'Three Muses' pillow to one lucky reader. Imagine my glee when I found out that I had won! It's here and it's good - in fact, I couldn't be happier with it! It's just so much fun and a great conversation piece.

When deciding on my muses, I tried to choose three women who represent different points of inspiration for me.

The first is Carrie Bradshaw. Although fictional, Carrie is a strong, independent women, a successful writer, and one hell of a dresser. She is my fashion muse, reminding me to always dress for myself - not a man, not the trends, just me. And to always, always, be a good friend.

 "The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you YOU love, well, that's just fabulous" - Carrie Bradshaw
 

'They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.'
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/542963/sex-and-the-city-the-best-carrie-bradshaw-quotes.html#DTCshEAvioidhSrA.99

'They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.'
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/542963/sex-and-the-city-the-best-carrie-bradshaw-quotes.html#DTCshEAvioidhSrA.99

 Kelly Wearstler is an obvious choice - my design muse. She is a visionary whose interior spaces read as stunning works of art. I always look to her work when I feel I am playing it too safe, when I need that extra push to be bold and fearless with my creativity.

"...there is genius in boldness. Fortunately...it is not a genius that is out of reach. All it requires is a willingness to make mistakes and to experiment, with a few considerations for the laws of attraction" -Kelly Wearstler

Last but not least, Audrey Hepburn, who I have always upheld as this sort of  standard of grace and class that I try to hold myself to each day. She was a Unicef ambassador and had such a positive outlook on life. She is also my eyebrow muse...if there is such a thing.

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles" - Audrey Hepburn

I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/audrey_hepburn.html#xXX8whso6wFE8loB.99

So now it's your turn! Comment below and let me know who your 3 muses would be.