Decorating with antique glass

So you've amassed a tidy little collection (or staggeringly out of control collection) of milk glass or depression glass. The question is, what do you do with it? Hopefully it isn't hidden away behind shelves or in boxes shoved in the basement/attic.

You've got to let those fabulous pieces shine as part of your decor. And what better time to start working an adorable hobnail vase or green glass bowl into your home's design language than now, at Christmas time. In my post later this evening, I'll show you a few of the ways I've managed to incorporate bits of my milk glass collection and retro green glass into my Christmas decorating.

Amazing Canadian Michael's Coupons

I've just received the latest Canadian Micheal's coupons in my email and they are fantastic! 20% of your entire purchase, 40% off of entryway Christmas trees and a FAB framing sale!

Check it out

Back soon ...

So sorry for the extended hiatus, but life has been hectic. I know, I know, who doesn't have a hectic life these days. But it's been busy at work and I've been working on a project for my church, all the while, something very exciting has been in the works at home. Christmas however, is right around the corner, and nothing inspires my writing (and shopping) like the most wonderful time of the year.

Be back soon!

Living room built-ins on a budget

I've had a design project rattling around in my brain for quite some time now. I'm slowly (very slowly) putting my living room/sitting room/room without a TV together and would really love to include the timeless elegance of built-ins into the décor. At the same time, I don't want to pay the high price for said timeless elegance, which is where my project comes in.


After spending a lot of time on sites like Ikeahacker.com and Ikeafans.com I've come to look at certain bits of Ikea furniture as raw materials, most notably, The Billy Bookcase. The basic Billy start out at a pretty low price and come in a few different colors and finishes, which makes them super versatile and budget-friendly at the same time. This would likely explain why the Billy bookcase turned into Built-ins project seems to be so popular. It also allows for some great personalization with some paint or wallpaper. I've even seen the standard matching shelves swapped out for glass shelves.


With my planned project, I'm thinking about adding some bead board wallpaper and molding to a few standard size Billys, along with some short doors to enclose the bottom shelves. Somewhere down the road, I'd also like to add some jadeite door pulls, to add a bit of antique chic. I have a few other ideas planned, but haven't come to a final conclusion. 



Here are a few Billy bookcase projects that I find inspiring:

 
This is a proper built-in, found at MagChunk http://www.magchunk.com/2009/11/12/more-built-in-bookcases/
 I'm loving the look of the entire room, really.

I can't remember where I found this picture. If anyone recognizes it, please let me know so that I can cite proper credit. I love that simplistic display choices.


 


And a great blog with lots of creative uses for bookcases, Billy included - http://www.simpleeffects.com/blog/?p=362




 

If you're considering a Billy built-ins project, Ikea has a great planner online.Give it a try!

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_CA/rooms_ideas/planner_billy/index.html

 

A slow cooker for smaller portions

This post is jumping in from of another post I was working on, which oddly enough had jumped in front of yet another post I had intended to post today. Confused? Don't be.When something as ab fab as this Royal VKB & Margriet Foolen Slow Cooker comes to my attention, all other things can wait.

When it comes to slow cooking, I happen to believe that one of the things that keeps some people at bay is the concept of batch cooking. There are simply times when I don't want to eat the same batch of chili for days in a row, or take up valuable freezer spaces with batches of beef bourguignon. That's where these wonderful little slow cookers come into play.

Inspired by the tagine (a Moroccan slow cooker), this adorable terracotta bowl and glazed lid set can go straight from the oven to your table. In fact, the lid can even double as a serving plate!  The slow cooker is just big enough to serve 2-3 meals. It's also stackable, so if you have plans for a modern Moroccan dinner party, with a selection of flavorful bites, the Royal VKB & Margriet Foolen Slow Cooker is exactly what you need.

You'll find it for only $64.00 at the A+R Store. Come to think of it, this little slow cooker might make a pretty fine Christmas gift.

ThinkGeek :: Shell Digital Kitchen Scale

Function and style unite! This stylish, little digital scale just landed in my inbox this morning (along with many other geeky delights). With weighing one's food being a big help in the weightloss department, I should probably do more than simple drool over this shiny kitchen toy. Perhaps when Think Geek opens a Canadian site sans egregious shipping and duty rates. Come on TG, Canadians love, Firefly t-shirts and titanium sporks too!

ThinkGeek :: Shell Digital Kitchen Scale

Antique Shops in Ontario: The St. Jacobs Antiques Market

I hope everyone had a good labor day. As you can see from this photo, mine was a wee bit damp. Sadly, as a result there was to be no farmer's market wandering; however, this made for an excellent day at my favorite antique shop in Ontario, with a bonus jaunt into a nearby outlet mall ...which happened to have Pyrex and Corning Ware pieces on at insanely great prices. I mean we're talking 2 for 1 baking dishes and huge yet dirt cheap covered casseroles...but I digress.

On to my promised photo-filled recap of what has to be one of the best antique shops in Ontario, in my opinion. I had previously mentioned the St Jacob's Antiques Market in a post a few months back, but didn't really go into the detail it deserves. This antique shop is a large, warehouse of a building, portioned out into individual stalls, much like a farmer's market or flea market. Each stall houses an individual seller's ware, which range anywhere from old books and toys, vintage records, clothing, antique furniture, housewares, light fixtures, teacups, military mementos, some gorgeous pressed glass and of course, my personal favorite milk glass!

I know, I know, enough chatter, on with the pictures...

Farewell to summer

Happy last long weekend of summer everyone! I'm heading out to my favorite lazy weekend haunt for some antiquing and meandering and fun. I briefly touched on this ab fab little hamlet a few months back. This time, I plan to bring you a full report -photos and all.

Think outside the Chinese takeout box

If there's one thing I learned (actually there are many) from planning my wedding last year it was to shop for things in places with no connection to wedding or special events. When retailers tack wedding, holiday, party or special event onto things, or heck, when they aim them directly at female buyers, they have a tendency hike the prices way up. The key to getting things at the best price is really all about patience and using a little savvy when it comes to searching online. A great example of this is Chinese takeout boxes. In lieu of wedding favors I had a candy buffet at my wedding and wanted to use Chinese takeout containers as the vessel into which guests would place their candy. What I didn't want was to spend $1.00 or more per box.



So I set out in search of cheap Chinese takeout boxes in Toronto, firstly the old fashioned way –by visiting stores. This search took me to Michael's, Wal-Mart, Party Packagers, a craft shop in the Vaughn Mills mall and a bunch of other places I can't recall. However, ever one of those places wasn't giving me a good enough price. That's when I let my fingers do the footwork…across my keyboard of course, and set out searching for wholesale Chinese takeout boxes.


 

Awsome coupons and free stuff in Canada

So it seems I'm on a money-saving kick these days.I've just come across a veritable buffet of coupons online, including one for free Staryfree Ultra-thin 18's.

Get free stuff and savings on toiletries here(plus other coupons if you click around the site):

Save.ca

Find over $140 worth of savings on P&G stuff  here:

brandsaver.ca

Canadian Shopping Deals: Kitchen Stuff Plus

During my usual daily peruse of the interwebs, I came across a fantastic bargain and of course I wanted to share.

This Wilton Pro II Deluxe Cookie Gun is only at Kitchen Stuff Plus, for only $29.99! It's usually about 40 bucks, so I'm for sure running out to get one. My current cookie press/cookie gun is at least ten years old and has a tendency to seize up, making it pretty much impossible to squirt the little dough shapes out. I love making spritz cookies for Christmas, so this new cookie gun will definitely come in handy.

Actually, speaking of Christmas, wouldn't this make a wonderful Christmas gift for someone? Possibly a dear friend with a young child who might enjoy the fun of using a cookie gun? Definitely a great Christmas for bakers, or a great gift for kids who enjoy baking. That's it, I'm getting two!!

LACKing Creativity: What to do with a $7.99 side table

Ikea has recently lowered the prices on a few of their items and this Lack table happens to be one of them. It now costs a whopping $7.99! Super cool.

While I don't exactly need a Lack table in its default form, I can't help trying to come up with something to do with it. You may blame Ikea Hacker for that thought.I've considered sticking adding an upholstered top for some quick and easy extra seating, adding some casters, some tile or trying my hand at decoupage.

Still, nothing has truly come together as a valid idea, so of course I turned to the interwebs for inspiration. Here are a couple of interesting finds:

A tale of win and fail

Finally, the Pink Party recap. I know should have posted the PP update on Monday, and I probably would have if a) things had gone exactly as I'd wanted and b) I wasn't aware of the fact that I'm being totally superficial about it.


The fact is, we had a great turnout and raised over $500 for breast cancer research. Our photo booth was a hit, we had more food than anyone could eat, and a good time was had by many. 


So what's my problem? We went with an expanded cocktail party theme, which had everything freshly cooked and individually plated, with the help of two, count them two ladies in the kitchen (and by help, I mean it was just mommy and me). It was a busy, busy day in the kitchen. Unfortunately, my pasta didn't turn out, and I messed up the mix ratio in one of my mocktails, I also didn't have time to make my soup… or frost my cupcakes L. Why didn't I have more things done ahead of time? No room in my refrigerator. Part of my thinks I need a second refrigerator…that would be the crazy part. The sane part of me likes keeping the hydro bill nice and low. 


Of course, another part of the problem is that I spend far too much time reading about perfectly designed and DIY'd parties online. Couple that with a guilty TV pleasure that is Party Mammas, which makes me want to constantly raise my hostess' bar.


Of course, this was only the first big party I've thrown in my new house, so I'm trying to forgive myself a little. And in the end, the Pink Party wasn't about me anyway. It was about spreading awareness and helping to fund a cure for breast cancer, and I'm proud to say we did both of those things.

Inspiration board makers revisited

After my initial post about an online inspiration board maker I'd found, I've decided to revisit the topic and expand. No longer in wedding planning mode, I now look at inspiration boards as a great way to plan a party theme, holiday decorating scheme or even to design a room Here are the different boards I've looked at, both online and offline:


Online Inspiration board makers


Polyvore

Great for putting outfits together, but that's primarily it. No home décor or party planning option available. You click and drag articles of clothing/accessories from a pre-populated library to create a fairly freeform board.

Modern hobnail gorgeousness

I know, I know, the pink party was days ago and I've yet to post an update. It's coming, I promise to regale you with tales of both Piny Party win and fail. However, in the meantime, I simply had to drop in to share an ab fab finding.

Look at this gorgeous blue hobnail tumbler from Anthropologie!

It's so bright, so beautiful, so bumpy!! I so love hobnail things. While this isn't a piece of antique milk glass, this is a wonderful, relatively inexpensive piece that would do wonderfully in a set, or on its own, filled with puffy white flowers. I'm telling you, had I seen this around this time last year, the centerpieces at my wedding would have looked a little bit better different.

Dollarstore diva:Get great serveware pieces on the cheap

The days are ticking away! The pink party is nearly here, so before I reveal any major details I want to take a moment to share some of my fantastic, affordable party gear finds. I'm going with chic yet cheap for my upcoming mocktail party, which means some creativity with the serveware and food is definitely required.

First down the runway in this frugal home entertaining fashion show is this lovely number:

Will I be trying my hand at Asian cuisine? Wonton soup anyone? No, not at all. What I will be doing however, is serving mouthfuls of one of my appies meticulously mounded in the bowl of these darling wonton spoon, which will be nestled in a bowl o crushed ice. Presentation perfection! And the cost? A mere $.59 a piece. Forget any store that specializes in home decor, and departments stores or the like. You can find cheap wonton spoons in Toronto or probably any ethnically diverse city at an Asian grocery store for pennies.

Mocktail Bar: Keep an eye on the curveballs

Sometimes plans just don't go the way you want them to, and sometimes, that can be really good thing.

I went into Ikea last Friday to purchase the bottles and straws I'd mentioned in my previous post about the mocktail bar set up, and guess what? They were out of the bottles for my mocktail bar juices and the straws didn't come in the colors I wanted. 

BOO! Needless to say I was greatly displeased. As I trudged out of the store, through the insidious Ikea marketplace maze (clearly intended to entice one into purchasing frames, candle holders and other bits not previously required) I happened upon the vase section and inspiration caught my eye in the form of this:

 

 
While this is a rather iconic Ikea vase, in that moment I couldn't help thinking that it would make an absolutely fantastic bottle for my mocktail bar. So, rather than driving a few cities over to another Ikea, I changed plans and purchased 5 of these vases(three pink and two clear) for $2.99 a piece. We did a mock up of the mocktail bar last night and I couldn't be happier with my choice. The vases look fantastic. And as for the straws, I was lucky enough to find a pack a gorgeous, hot pink straws at my local Dollarama, which saved $1.99.


 
I wonder how many people have had thwarted plans turn into a blessing in disguise.

Mocktail Maddness

Long time no see! Bad blogger, I know; but it's summertime and life has been busy. However, we now have only one week till the Pink Party! Can you believe it?! Seems like just the other day it was just a thought. So now I'm in power planning mode. Also known as the result of far too much summer fun induced procrastinating. Hey, we can't all be Martha, you know what I mean.

So now here I am with this grand vision in mind and a massive to-do, to-buy and to-make list. First on today's post-day job check list: Get the Mocktial Bar gear together! I'll be making a bee-line to my nearest Ikea for some fantastic essentials.

Online inspiration board maker: Updated

UPDATE: Read my update, listing more options for easy inspiration board creation.

If you've been around the wedding or event planning blogs for a little while, you're probably quite familiar with the concept of inspiration boards. These great collages of photos inspiring a wedding or party design theme can be an incredible help when it comes to visualizing a cohesive theme.

If you want to create an inspiration board for a wedding, party or just for fun, you have a variety of options for getting the job done. There's the ultra-retro way of cutting and gluing photos onto some foam core, you can use a paint program of any number of design programs (which can be costly and may come with a learning curve), or you can turn to s super easy, online inspiration board maker, like Mosaic maker. Mosaic Maker is free (but requires registering) and fairly easy to use. I'm using it to organize the theme for the Pink Party. Stay tuned for the results.

Mosaic Maker: A world of creative photo possibilities.

Easy Reduced Fat Blueberry Muffin Recipe

I am a foodie, I cannot lie, and unfortunately it shows. So I'm constantly looking for ways to reinvent my favorite recipes to make them healthier but still just as delicious. So I present to you my easy reduced fat blueberry muffin recipe.

I confess my first attempt at making a reduced fat blueberry muffin turned into a major case of fail. The problem was, I went too far. Sometimes you need a little oil and white flour to keep thing yummy and not so much like blueberry scented stones.

But I didn't give up. After another attempt and a few easy changes I finally have an easy reduced fat blueberry muffin recipe that I (and my family) can live with, plus an interesting experiment that resulted in something super delish ...although possibly higher in carbs than I'd like...but onto the reduced fat blueberry muffins.

Living room inspiration: Beachy, blue-greens and built-ins

So the living room/dining room redesign continues. After bathing the walls in a wonderfully serene blue-green I need some more inspiration for the next design phase. I haven't said much about this project, mainly because I'm still trying to get my thoughts together. Generally, I have a good idea of vibes and feels that I want in a room. But when I get down to execution, I'm all over the place. More about the LR/DR revamp in a few days.

Have mercy, I’m in love with a pillow!

As the pink party draws ever nearer, I've been on the lookout for a new pink tablecloth. Not just any tablecloth (of course), but the most divine, squee-worthy table cloth imaginable (at a reasonable price). In my searching I stumbled up a site called Tonic Living …and just about fainted dead out of my chair!

Tonic living specializes in retro fabrics, pillows, upholstery, outdoor fabrics etc, and even better (for me anyway), they're located right here in Toronto! Double, triple and even quadruple squee! They have the most fabtastic patterns reminiscent of prints popularized in the 50's, 60's and 70's. But wait, there's more. They also have organic fabrics!
So of course, I'm no longer visiting Tonic Living in search of tablecloth fabric, I'm shopping for my in progress living room redesign. I've totally fallen in love with this pillow:

This other pillow

And this fabric

Right now, somewhere our mother's are collectively gagging and wondering why the heck we want old lady pillows in our houses. It's funny how retro adoration seems to skip a generation.

Check out Tonic Living

Best Interior Paint EVER!

Like many a Domestinista, I absolutely LOVE decorating and redecorating, (and re redecorating) the rooms in my house. There's nothing like coming up with a brand new color palette, plotting the room organization and filling the space with fabulous bits of furni, tschotskes and other delightful bits.

However, and again like many diva-licious Domestinistas, I'm not so into the toil certain aspects of a redesign can require. Applying interior paint would of course be at the top of my list. I am so not a fan. But what pulls a new room design together more than splashing the walls with a new hue. So hottie hubby and I took ourselves down to the local HoPo , following some lengthy paint chip recon on my part –which he for some reason wanted no part of (who doesn't love staring at rack after rack of similarly colored paint chips?) and selected our interior paint.

Prior to painting, the interior paint in our living room and dining room was a hideous baby poop brown color that the previous homeowners probably got on special, as its hideousness had infected several other rooms as well.

We'd learned from a previous painting adventure that primer was a must have , particularly since I wanted my new interior paint to be a creamy blue green that was much lighter in color. I had also learned from the great kitchen paint of '09 that priming adds another layer of work and I hate it. It messes with my need for instance gratification.

Enter the most fabtastic interior paint ever! CIL Smart is interior paint and primer in one and I LOVE it! It's fantastic, and the only paint I'll ever use from now on. It's thicker than regular paint and apparently very scrubbable; although I can't comment on that aspect just yet.

CIL Smart interior paint helped us take our rooms from that horrible dark brown to a wonderful, creamy pale color in only two coats!

At the cash register, CIL Smart costs about $10 more than CIL's basic interior paint; however, in the end, I think it actually costs less overall. With primer build into the CIL Smart interior paint, you save money on a can or two of primer. You also don't have to buy a second paint tray or tray liner. You don't have to use a second brush/roller or waste water on cleaning a brush/roller before reusing it for your paint. You spend less time painting, which equals less time with the lights on in that room, which equals lower utility cost (ok, I may be reaching there). Lol.

The biggest savings is in effort and time spent painting, which I happen to think is the most important.

So, if you're planning to purchase some interior paint sometime in the near future, maybe give CIL Smart a try. It's very worth it!

http://www.cil.ca/products/brands/cil-smart3.html

Free magazine subscription from Cheerios

Also known as the best prize inside ever! I can't remember the last time I purchased cereal based on the prize inside, but Cheerios hooked me big time on my last grocery getting expedition. In Canada, General Mills has printed coupon codes on the inside of boxes of Cheerios (of various flavors), Lucky Charms, Oatmeal Crisp and a few others. What that coupon code gives you is a free magazine (Canadian Living, Canadian Home & Style, Hockey News, etc)…not just one actually, but an entire year's subscription! Ooooh ahhhhh!!

Fortuitously, my Canadian Living subscription is about to expire. My Home & Style isn't far behind, and thanks to unlimited coupon redemptions, I do believe I'll be hunting down a specially marked box of Oatmeal Crisp this weekend…for the cereal of course. Nothing to do with feeding my home and cooking type mag addiction ;)

 

Check it out!

Williams-Sonoma is trying to kill me: Part 2

Behold...That's right, it's a brand new pie mold from Williams-Sonoma!!And that fantabulous gadget will give you this:


Is that not the gorgeousness! Oh the possibilities. Rather than one giant pie that for some tragic reason you can never quite cut into nice neat wedges, many individual, sweetly latticed pie babies for all to admire. Quick and easy but lovely presentation. Best of all, it's under $10 (US).

A feast for milk glass lovin' eyes

Just a quickly little mini post to share a Flickr group I just stumbled upon Called "Hobnail Milk glass, so cool it gives me goosebumps". Indeed, that is quite the mouthful of a name. However the pics of milk glass are fantastic. I'm always looking for interesting ways to display my tiny, yet growing collection.

Fenton & Etsy - When forces colide!

It's a miracle that I can even put fingers to keys to produce this post, as I've just encountered a most marvelous site. Two of my favorite things have come together as one.

I've already divulged my love of Fenton Milk glass, so I'll spare you another gushing. My love of Etsy however, is something I haven't really shared.

I was first introduced to Etsy -a fabulous site where artisans and collectors can sell their wares -while planning my wedding last year. It's the darling of many a bride-to-be, and where I purchased my wedding jewelry.

So you can imagine how positively giddy I was to come across My Milk Glass Shop. While I adore the thrill of an antique shop hunt, My Milk Glass Shop is going to be perfect for pieces that I can't find and simply must have, like a gorgeous hobnail sconce I'm considering. If you're a collector, this Etsy shop is definitely worth a try. If you're not a collector, have a look at Etsy anyway. You're bound to find something fabulously unique.

Click to cure

I was all set to make the first post following my slightly lengthy-ish hiatus about the magnificence that is the Jessie Steele apron collection; however, at the last minute I recalled a site that my MIL sent my way not long ago. It's called TheBreastCancerSite.com. You can also find them on Facebook.

This is a great site that's doing its part for the cause, providing information support and helping to fund mammograms. There is also a great, little store filled with things such as pink ribbon home decor, kitchen bits, clothing and more. Check it out!

Confessions of a reformed veggie hater

For the better part of my 30 and change years on this planet I have been an unrepentant hater of vegetables. Of course, like most veggie haters, I had a few tolerable selections -corn (actually a grain -i know), carrots, some lettuce. There may have been a couple of veggie phases that introduced a few more things, but for the most part I just didn't enjoy the veggies.

Then, a little something happened that started the change and then most recently something else pretty much turned me all the way. So here's the secret -
Doing it yourself makes it better.

I'm not sure why, but it works.

Change #1 - I think the change initially started when I began to take a more active interest in cooking. As I began experimenting and wanting to put more cohesive meals together I would of course come face to face with the need for veggie sides or the addition of veggies to soups, stews or pastas. So, I would look at all of the ingredients around the vegetables and choose recipes based upon those flavors, knowing that they would infuse the then offending veggie with tastes that I already enjoyed. Here are a couple of examples of recipes from Allrecipes.com that have helped bring me around to the leafier side of eating:

Italian Sausage Soup
Veggies involved - Carrots, zucchini, spinach, tomatoes
Helpful flavors - spicy turkey sausage and a lot of garlic

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower
Veggies involved - Cauliflower
Helpful flavors - garlic, Parmesan cheese


*Note: yes, I know many of the above are technically fruits

Change #2 -Now this was a biggy. This latest change has lead me to enjoy what I would consider to be some very "extreme veggies" like swiss chard and beet greens. It all began with a little book called Square Foot Gardening. When I started my garden, I planted a square of chard and a square of beets for my mom. Her first little harvest of chard did not interest me in the least, as she had tried for years to get me to eat the stuff. I hated it as a child, of course. However, a little something changed with the second harvest of chard and several bunches of beet greens. I think I may have felt compelled to taste it because it was a day when I was fixing dinner, with the greens as a side.

If you cook it, you have to taste it right?

So, after the application of some olive oil, garlic, a bit of onion, s&p and some judicious sauteing I brought a small forkful to my lips and ...holy moley! Delicioso! I loved it, and I have no idea why.

I can now list several veggies that I greatly enjoy. Chard, spinach, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots...the list goes on. So, I genuinely think that getting involved with veggies is key. Plant a garden. Source some recipes filled with flavors you already love and experiment. It makes a huge difference.

Party in pink! How to host a Cook for the Cure cocktail party - Entertaining - Food - Canadian Living

Party in pink! How to host a Cook for the Cure cocktail party - Entertaining - Food - Canadian Living

Our cook for the Cure cocktail party/slash housewarming party will be here before too long. While searching i found a great article from Canadian Living about that very topic. I don't know about that whole silent auction thing, but of course the food ideas are exactly what I'm searching for.

Virgin Bevvies or Vintage Sammies?

That is the big question.

So it's finally confirmed, we will be hosting a pink party in order to participate in Cooking for the Cure.

What we do know is:
The party will be sometime in August and feature the color pink (possibly along with a tangy splash of lemon and tangerine). There will be lots of tasty homemade food. There will be sweets. Guests will be asked to bring a small donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. I will most likely go overboardy.


What we don't know is:

Do with go with a mocktail party or a tea party?

The Mocktail Party would have a bit more splash, with great appies and interesting non-boozy drinks. I would have to consider music and some really great swag. It would be later at night and guys would likely be invited along.

The Tea Party would be more of an afternoon gathering, with a selection of ices and hot teas, vintage tea sandwich recipes, tiny baked treats and other such nibbles. Music would be less important, there would be the possibility of great looking hats, and it would likely be more of a ladies gathering.

At the moment I'm still undecided. Both options sound like fun. Should I go for the mocktail party or the tea party?

Peanut butter and jelly birthday cake

Cutest cake pan ever! It just so happens that I have a sandwich lovin' SO who I think might get a kick out of this cake pan (hiya babe, I know you're reading this).

Have a closer look at this Cakewich pan and lots of other insanely cute baking goodies -like the most incredibly gorgeous selection of cupcake baking cups. If you love cupcake baking and pretty paper, you may just faint dead away.

Find it all at Bake It Pretty.

Window tasting -like window shopping, only yummier!

<--------This, my darlings, is a parsnip cupcake. That's right, a beautiful, scrummy looking cupcake that just so happens to be made with that infamous, pale carrot look-a-like, most often seen in thick winter stews vegetable. I cannot claim this concoction as my own; although I'm dying to try baking them, if for no other reason than to say that I have. This cupcake and dozens of others can be found on a super user friendly site called mingmakescupcakes.com. There you'll find oodles of interesting, beautifully photographed cupcakes like chocolate with chambord, flourless beet chocolate cupcakes, sour cream fig cupcakes and several others. The sheer gorgeousness of each creation is nearly satisfying enough. Have a look!

A garden full of memories

As a brand new gardener, it can be a real challenge trying to figure out just what to put in the ground, which makes walking into a garden center both an awe-inspiring and overwhelming experience.

I had already identified my zone and figured out how much sun/shade I had in both front and back gardens. I also knew that really I wanted to put some perennials in, with only a small patch for annuals. Annuals are easy, because you can change your mind year after year, and throw a few containers in to shake things up. Perennials however, are a commitment.

Speaking of commitment ...as I stood in Vandermere's Garden Center, staring at row after row of plants not yet in bloom, trying to figure out what I wanted to devote my years to, it struck me that planting these perennials could be symbolic of another commitment I had just made months before. I would plant my wedding flowers -hydrangeas!


I picked up one Niko Blue and one Masja for the backyard and then two more Niko Blues for the front. And as I put each one into the ground, I said a little prayer over them, acknowledging that they were a symbol of my marriage and that I would nurture them for years to come. I would delight in them in good weather and keep them safe through storms. I would fight to keep them healthy even during the coldest winter storms, knowing all the while that they will be better for it come springtime.

The fact that Niko Blue hydrangeas bloom out of old wood from the previous year is so wonderfully poetic. It's like a symbol of hope and of promise.

I would suggest to any new bride and homeowner that planting the flowers used in your wedding (if possible in your zone) can become more than just a gardening experience, but something beautiful that can be shared with generations to come.

*Yep, that's one of my Niko Blue hydrangeas. The lack of acidity in my soil has resulted in what looks more like Niko pink. LOL. I may play around with the soil composition in the backyard next year to try and get that Niiko to turn blue.

Miles or perhaps kilometers of milk glass in Ontario

While planning my wedding last year, I began frequenting a wedding planning and DIY blog called Wedding Bee, and while my wedding was over 7 months ago, I still love to visit Wedding Bee every now and again. That's how I came across this post and discovered the understated yet elegant beauty of milk glass.

I am now in possession of three lovely pieces of hob nail and I'm pretty sure that one of them is Fenton.

For anyone in and around the GTA with an interest in collecting milk glass (or other antiques), I've found a veritable gold mine of fabulousness. The St. Jacobs Antique Market is just wonderful for milk glass and several other varieties of collectibles. There is just row after row of antique furniture and dishware, military items, bits of art and housewares. It's about an hour and a half from my neck of the GTA and not a bad drive at all. Of course while you're at it, you absolutely must stop in at the St. Jacobs Farmer's Market for fresh fruit, vegetable, flowers and even a tasty apple fritter or two. It is the perfect summertime, weekend outing. Go have a look!


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How to get lipstick out of a wedding dress

Much as I love sharing the fabulousness of home decor products, recipes and the like, I'm not usually one to give word of mouth to small packaged goods. HOWEVER, this is where I simply must make a huge exception, because an old tube of something wonderful literally saved my wedding day.

Here's the skinny on my near wedding day disaster. My not so smart makeup artist (who is very lucky to remain unnamed here) thought it would be a good idea to apply my lipstick after I'd donned my wedding dress, while I was standing up, if you can believe that! Several minutes later, after taking some photos I looked down at about hip level and there was a dark pink spot on my dress about the size of a penny. Needless to say, I completely lost it. I mean we're talking full on bridal meltdown! It was not pretty.

After much screaming, near crying and sheer panic, my mom remembered that she had an old tube of something called Didi Seven in the laundry room. So she grabbed it and had my MOH apply little dabs of it with a wet rag, first at home and then in the limo on the way to the church, and I'm telling you, it took the stain right out! I honestly can't think of much worse than lipstick on a wedding dress, before the wedding even got started. But thank God for Didi Seven.

If you're getting married soon, or planning something important that will have you dressed in light colors, I would highly suggest getting a tube of this stuff and keeping it close at hand. Here's their link. Check it out!

Globally Concious Home Decor

With so many eyes on Africa this summer, now is the perfect time to introduce you to one of my favorite new home decor and gift giving finds online. The site is called Aid to Artisans and they help create business opportunities for global artisans living in 3rd world countries. Artisans are provided assistance with product development, business training and given access to the world market. One of those markets happens to be Aid to Artisans own online store.

I have been positively salivating over the gorgeous handmade delights in ATA's online store. Right now (with the option to change my mind, of course) I'm pretty sure that these exquisite Carved Wood Sugar Bowls from Mozambique are my absolute favorite!

Although this beautiful Mexican Ceramic Pot is running a very close second...

...closely followed by this super cute set of Cimberre Wood Bowls.

Have a look at the rest of Aid to Artisan's online store

Eeeeee is for Eco friendly, disposable serveware

So you've figured out that becoming eco chic should be at the top of every domestinista's todo list. Congratulations! Perhaps you've procured a beautiful new set of bamboo dishtowels, have created kitchen recycling station or filled your crisper with a bounty of home grown, organic veggies! No matter what steps you've taken to add a bit of green to your home, you're certainly to be commended.

However, with summertime making its glorious arrival (despite some ominous looking clouds saying otherwise) eco chic domestinistas are faced with something of a dilemma. What to do if you'd love to throw a festive, sun-filled barbecue, or even whisk your significant other away for an impromptu picnic, but simply hate the thought of buying paper of styrofoam plates?

Using your everyday dishware is an option, assuming you have enough for all of your guests and don't mind a whole lot of washing up afterwards or the chance of breakage.

Thankfully, there is a wonderful and even quite stylish option, and that is Compostable Serveware from Green Living. Green Living offers plain white plates and bowls made from Bagasse, which is the fiber left over from sugarcane stalks after they've been crushed, flatware made out of potato starch and soy, and my absolute fav -bamboo veneer plates, which I happen to think would be perfection at a green wedding, backyard birthday soiree or other festive event that has eco friendly entertaining on the menu. All of Green Living's compostable dishware is certified organic, FDA approved, free of any dyes or bleaches and will biodegrade in 4-6 months after disposal.

Eco friendly, chic, AND affordably priced. I am eeeeeeing with absolute delight. Time to put my order in, start perfecting my version of this luscious-looking Jerk Chicken Panini I saw the other day, and grab the hubby for a romantic picnic by the lake.

Cook for the cure: Updated

It's almost impossible to find a person whose life hasn't been touched by breast cancer in some way; myself included. So when I heard about Cook For The Cure, sponsored by my beloved Kitchenaid, I absolutely had to share the news!

This summer, the weekend of July 16-18th, Kitchenaid is providing domestinistas (and domestinistos of course) with an ab fab excuse to dazzle friends and family with an unforgettable soiree. Now, what makes Cook For The Cure truly special is that in lieu of the traditional hostess gifts of wine, chocolates or flowers, party hosts are to encourage guests to bring a donation to Susan G. Komen for the cure -possibly the most reputable and well known breast cancer charity in America. In Canada, donation will go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation


Not that we need any added incentive beyond helping to find a cure for this horrible disease, but if party hosts raise more than $50.00 (US parties only), Kitchenaid will send you this adorable serving plate.

Feeling inspired? Have a peek at the American site or Check out the Canadian Site and start planning!

Quick & Easy Cinnamon Spice Waffles

I awakened this morning to the sound of a torrential downpour. Ok, perhaps it wasn't that dramatic, but there was rain....a lot of it. While the morning's precipitation may have quite literally dampened my plans for mid morning gardening, it opened the door to my absolutely favorite meal opportunity ... The Rainy Day Weekend Breakfast!

I don't know what it is about mornings such as this. For some odd reason, they seem to just fill me with the desire to create something especially delicious. Today, that something was my genuinely quick and easy recipe for Cinnamon Spice Waffles.


Here are the dets (with photos), to help you fill your own kitchen with the absolutely glorious scent of hot, comforting waffles in just 3 easy steps:

The Tools

I have a confession to make. While I sincerely do love Kitchenaid with a passion not typically bestowed upon inanimate things, I've recently turned to another. Yes, my darlings, I've welcomed *gasp* Cuisinart into my kitchen. Shameful, I know, but look at the exquisite lines and timeless beauty of this shiny chrome waffle iron. What choice did I have?


Along with a waffle iron, you will need the following:


1 Large Bowl (or a stand mixer with bowl)
Electric mixer (or a cooking spoon)
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Spatula
Pancake flipper

Ingredients

4 eggs
3 cups of milk
1 cup of margarine, melted
4 cups of all-purpose flour
8 teaspoons of baking powder
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
3 teaspoons of rum flavoring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg



The amount of the ingredients above will provide enough batter for 18 - 20 waffles. Why so many? Because what you don't have now can be divided into packs of two, wrapped in plastic wrap and freezer bags to be kept in the freezer. That way, if you'd like to serve weekday waffles without the preservatives in the store bought frozen kind, all you need to do is grab a pack, unwrap and pop them into the toaster. Even tastier than the store bought kind, and you know exactly what's in them! Of course, making half the recipe and serving them all for breakfast is perfectly fine as well.

Now, just a few quick steps and you're done.






1) . Beat the eggs with a mixer or spoon till foamy.













2). Add the rest of the ingredients and stir till smooth.










3). Measure 1/3 cup of batter for each waffle. Fill the waffle iron then close. Bake for five minutes or until your waffle iron timer sounds (if it is equipped with a timer).

And that's all! Serve with your favorite syrup and enjoy! Easy as 1-2-3.

Mel Bartholomew - Introducing Square Foot Gardening

So many industrious Domestinistas relish the idea of growing their own vegetables, but simply cannot abide the thought of weekends spent kneeling in dirt under the hot hot sun ...not to mention what that might do to a fresh mani.

That's where Square Foot Gardening comes in. SFG is a a gardening system developed by Mel Bartholomew. Gardens are built in raised 4x4 foot boxes and greatly reduce the time and effort required in traditional row gardening. Have a peek at the video and prepare to be inspired!

May the forks be with you

Have a mentioned before that the people of Williams-Sonoma are conspiring to kill me? Actually, first I'll go broke and then I'll simply die of cute kitchen toy overload.

Unless you'd rather Star Wars pancake molds over Star Wars cookie cutters:


Either way, may the forks be with you!

The Color of Style

What's the hot color (colour for my lovely Canadians) for this year's most fashionable kitchens? Well green, of course, darlings. What else?! Of course I'm not talking about having hubby slather your walls in a refreshing shade of Bartlett pear, I mean eco green (but of course you knew that, savvy domestinista that you are).

There are oodles of ways that we can create a greener kitchen, like buying new energy efficient appliances or installing counter tops and cabinets made of sustainable materials. Fabulous ideas of course, and the perfect excuse to finally get that kitchen of your dreams; however, this Domestinista likes green ideas, and well, just about anything really, that keeps a few extra pennies in my pocketbook. That’s why my current fav money save is an old idea that new all over again, and that’s home canning.


You’ll reduce your carbon footprint by making and canning your own fruits, sauces, relishes and more, and possibly even save a few bucks come holiday season with your scrumptious homemade gifts! Just think of the extra mani/pedi money you’ll have!

Now, before you even entertain the thought of standing alone in the kitchen, behind a mountain of ravishing romas for an entire day, let me give you the skinny on two ab fab ways to get into the canning game.

#1 – Take a test drive

A company called Ball has a spectacular little kit that helps newbies test the waters without making a big commitment. The kits are practically a steal, at under $15.00 each and allow you to do three jars. Simple and affordable. What more could you ask for?



#2 –Canning party

No need for a test drive and ready to take the saucy plunge into home canning? Grab a few of your like-minded bffs, a bountiful harvest (or farmers market find), and home canning gear for a canning party. You’ll be able to share the work and divide the results, with a light lunch and some great together time as a bonus.

Want to learn more about home canning before you dive right in? Here’s a great read to get you started.