Sweet on Sarlo

Don't you love blogland? This week Habitually Chic alerted me to Sarlo - an unbelievable shop in San Fran stocked with treasures, textiles and refurbished antiques. In lieu of being swayed by the inaccessible geographic locale, most of the fabulous  inventory is available on 1st Dibs! I would probably take home 80% of the stock myself, alas it's not exactly priced for little 'ol me.

Here are my favourite items from the 1st dibs stock:

19th Century French Settee in pale pink striped silk, $8,000

Brass and faux-ivory phone, $200

Regency style ebonized desk with leather top, $9,200

Pair of caned plantation chairs, $11,800

Amy Howard Regency Style mirrored coffee table, $3,500

1970s Brass Plam Tree Light by Maison Jansen, $5,500

Venetian Beveled Mirror, $17,900

Pair of armchairs in Carolyn Quartermaine fruity pink taffetta, $5,000

Tin Tin

I'm a sucker for storage. Whether it's a decaying British biscuit tin, pistachio-hued Laduree macaroon container or my old funny Sanrio stationary boxes, I have a hard time resisting cute containers. I can't bring myself to throw my old ones out and even worse, I have a habit of buying new ones as treasure tomes for my odds and ends.

This addiction can be useful, say you wanted to package some homemade goodies in one of the tins for a hostess gift or use a smaller cluster of tins to store cotton balls, q-tips and bobby pins on your vanity, but often mine just get stacked on a bookshelf inconspicuously hiding little trinkets. (like the pretty one above that I salvaged from my great grandfather's home)

While I may have to stop my addiction, here are some adorable tins from Etsy that you may wish to add to one of your own tablsescapes or vignettes:

Grecian Ladies Tin, $6.50

Vintage Tin from Holland, $10

Almond Roca Key Wind Tin, $18

Daher Vintage Tin, $20

English Vintage Tin, $12

BRING DOMINO BACK!!!!!

This New York Times article has spread the mournful news that Domino is closing! Editor Deborah Needleman is leaving Condé Nast all together and the staff members who do not fill open existing company positions will be gone within a week!

This is so sad...I can't believe one of my favourite reads is biting the dust! The  magazine's spirit will live on in the book but dude - it's so not the same...

A Styling Safari

I am beyond elated to share that I will be taking the holiday of lifetime with my family on a whirlwind safari in South Africa in two weeks! Having worked at Animal Planet and considering my fam’s menagerie of various pets, this trip is made for us.

In anticipation of target tank tops, dusty running shoes, lived-in sweats for the long plane ride and the other usual unattractive gear I require when touring, I decided to compile some fantasy runway looks that are safari-inspired. They may have no place in reality but hey, sometimes it’s fun to use your imagination!

You could get right down to business in utilitarian Milly

You could go glam with an iridescent sheen in Lanvin

You could punk up the basic collared khaki shirt in Louis Vuitton

Don some comfy chic separates with Derek Lam

Or dare to channel your inner Indiana Jones meets gypsy in my favourite runway look from Ralph Lauren

If your head is screwed on straight (and you’re not a trophy wife) than you could ditch the runway visions all together and don this super cute safari ensemble from J Crew:

Ringspun cotton painted-graphic tee, $39.50, Selima for J.Crew aviator sunglasses, $275.00, Favorite-fit everyday chino, $59.50, Rimini metallic flat sandals, $98.00

For now, I’ll just stick with my Mossimo tanks…

Michael Alberstat Photography

I'm loving the brightly-lit photography of Toronto's Michael Alberstat. The colours are so fresh and vibrant - it makes you want to jump into each photo and hang out. Those who watch HGTV will probably recognize his work from shows, such as The Style Dept. (He was often the one capturing the Wish team's before and after makeover stories.)

Here are some of my favourite interiors shots from him:

I couldn't resist sneaking in a few food shots too, mostly because I am obsessed with little smoked-salmon and caviar appetizers and who doesn't love adorable pink cupcakes?

 

Check out his site at www.alberstat.com for more beautiful photos.

In Absentia

I'm sorry for neglecting you lovely readers- but it's for good reason!

As I have mentioned before, I started working for an interior designer in August, and as local Torontonians may know, the Interior Design Show is fast approaching! (it begins on February 5th at the Direct Energy Centre)

I am lucky to be working on one of the exhibits at the show, which is super amazing... but a lot of hard work. Having gone to the show last year as a consumer, it is quite a thrill to be involved in the behind-the-scenes process this year.

Posting may be sparse until the show is over on the 9th but I will do my best to update in the midst of all the insanity.

Wine Wishes and Chocolate Dreams

I recently attended a birthday party at Simone Marie Belgian Chocolate, a cute little shop in the heart of Yorkville, and boy was it a sweet lover’s dream!

We learned all about chocolate – how cocoa beans are grown, how chocolate is made, what the different types consist of etc. – but the best part was obviously sampling the large variety of fine Belgian chocolates that the shop carries!

After being primed with some dips in a velvety chocolate fondue, we were given the most adorable plastic plate with a little nook for our wine glasses. As we made our way through the samples, which included a customized wrapper for the birthday girl, we were given three different wines to sip.

I thought it was a great idea for a birthday party. It’s always nice to learn something with your friends… and it doesn’t hurt if chocolate is involved either!

Happy Obama Day!

In less than 2 hours history will be cemented in DC...

Happy Obama Day everyone!

Leather Flag Pillow Circa 1900, $1,800

Looks Good Enough To Eat

They may be a touch Homer Simpson-esque, but I think these oil paintings of sweet treats by artist Jason Walker are precious!

Donut White (2008)

Oil on panel 9" x 12"

Pink Swirl (2008)

Oil on panel   9" x 11"

Sprinkle White(2008)

Oil on panel 9" x 11"

They would be so adorable hung in a kitchen!

Life Is For Sharing

Click here if you enjoy sporadic dance montages.

Have a great weekend!

Weekend Cocktail #33: Cinnamon Girl

This adapted LCBO recipe may seem better suited to the summer months with its refreshing frozen berries, but it gets a hint of winter warmth from the cinnamon powder and cinnamon stick garnish.

Cinnamon Girl

• 1/4 cup frozen mixed berries (thawed)
• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cinnamon stick

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add thawed berries, vodka, cranberry juice and cinnamon.
2. Shake sharply and strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

AT on Dupont

I've posted about AT Design Group in Rosedale, and now there is a brand new location on Dupont, conveniently close to the design district (and my office!)

The store is more spacious than the coach house location and the bright space houses a collection of so many lovely things - it was hard to pick my favourites to show you!

 

I love the small lidded box, $85, medium lidded box, $105 and wood grain nut bowl $90 from the Michael Aram for Waterford wood grain collection.

 

This Sabine Brass/Glass Desk Lamp, $445 is so interesting!

 

A Fornasetti Plate Print, $165 would be a bold addition any gallery wall.

 

These Oscar de la Renta Bowls, $89.95 are so glamorous!

 

This Vine two-tier stand, $225 is begging to be bought so it can cradle some more macaroons.

These beaded tables come in lavender or white, $1,185 and are definitely high or the exotic factor.

 

This hors d'oeuvres heart pick set, $59.95 is perfect hostess gift for a homeowner with some spunk!

 

Stop by AT Design Group on Dupont just west of davenport to check out all the goodies!