Buzzing Like Neon

While in Miami I’ve had a chance to poke my nose into some of my favourite boutiques in the design district. One of my top finds was spotted at Threadcount, a fabulous linen shop I love browsing in that carries luxury lines like Pratesi as well as some gorgeous tabletop and bathroom accessories.

I fainted over one of their model beds  in the window dressed in the  neon Athena sheets by Yves Delorme. I’m so used to seeing hotel-style linens in black or navy but this bright neon yellow is so fresh and edgy.

I know neon isn’t anything new, but seeing the trend interpreted in such an unexpected way definitely caught my eye! I’d pair this set with a black and white scheme for a bold bedroom that oozed punk-tinged luxury.

Gift Guide Picks

The holidays are upon us which means it’s time to shop for the ones you love and get them a little something something that will make them smile. This year I’m only highlighting things I’d truly buy myself, so don’t be surprised when you notice they’re mostly black, white and gold!

Every household needs a solid pair of scissors, so add some sparkle to the mundane with this shiny gold pair of shears from Nate Berkus’ Target collection. Target, $16.99

These glass water bottles by bkr are coated in a stylish silicone sleeve that protect from breakage while looking adorable all the way to your 8-glasses-a-day goal. Neiman Marcus, $30-35 each

 

This Tory Burch kerrington applique wristlet is kind of bizarre but also kind of fabulous with its creamy violet leather and amusing symbolism. It would be a great spot to stash your personal essentials in a larger diaper bag or tote. Tory Burch, $175

For your stylish gourmand, these black and white striped marble accessories up the chic factor of any kitchen counter. I particularly adore the cheeseboard and citrus press. Anthropologie, $24-98

This earthy yet smoky scent from Diptyque is perfect for snuggly winter nights and a luxury item you’d be hard pressed to buy for yourself, but be totally psyched to see under the christmas tree (or hanukkah bush). Holt Renfrew, $72

For the hostess with the mostess, the large white pedestal cake plate and glass dome from Rosanna is a perfect spot to display sweets and homemade treats while keeping them fresh. Red Letter, $44.95-72.95 

Who doesn’t love receiving chocolate as a gift? These handcrafted bars in exotic flavous like dark chocolate gold leaf take it to a whole other level with packaging designed by none other than Kelly Wearstler. I’d frame them they are so pretty! Kelly Wearstler, $13 each

Fans of Scalamandre’s classic zebra print will love this small tray from Lenox, which looks stunning sitting pretty on a console or used as a catchall for keys or change. William Ashley, $61.

For the art lover, this antique gold metal 3-D piece adds serious personality to your walls with an iconic mantra spelled out in all of its gilded splendour. ELTE Market, $95

 

For your friend who could always use some help in the organization department, this cheeky sticky note set has sayings that were ripped right from my and my friends’ daily diction, including a personal fave, “literally can’t.” Plus there is a bowtie involved - as the note says, “so cute!” Indigo, $12.95

Exotic Cats with Pattern Play: Wardrobe or Wallpaper?

I’m loving the likeness of Thibaut’s Cheetah wallpaper to this Joe Fresh silk blouse.  Both items have playful exotic cats layered on top of a pattern for a fresh yet fierce look.

Thibaut’s celebrated paper could be skewed as over the top when looking at it up close, but once it’s applied to the walls, the cheetahs recede and form an abstract pattern, like in this beautiful bedroom by Michelle Smith as featured in Lonny. How tongue in “chic”!

This silk blouse is a great way to add a playful element to your look and at only $59, it’s not something you’ll cry over if you only wear it a handful of times.

If you’re wondering which item I’d pick, then wonder no further. My answer would be an unequivocal yes to both as I am a proud supporter or all exotic cat prints whether on your clothes or on your walls! Meow!

(Room image by Genevieve Garruppo via Lonny)

Golden Nursery Finds

It’s so marvellous to see that pretty much every major shelter retailer is having a golden moment right now. It doesn’t take very long to spot something gold or brass when walking the showroom floor or browsing a catalogue or website.

The love for the warm metals has even crept into nurseries and kids spaces, a  place usually reserved for more cutesy and less sophisticated details. This is shown to fabulous effect in the nursery above, designed by Rachelle Belle as seen on the Animal Print Shop blog. In celebration of this golden age, here are some of my favourite ways to add some golden glam into your nursery or kid space:

The Don’t Grow Up (It’s a Trap) Gold Foil Print by Penny Paper Co is the perfect tongue in chic piece to add to a graphic gallery wall above a modern crib. At $27 it won’t break the bank and it is sized to fit IKEA’s ribba for easy and affordable framing.

I love reimaging a vintage dresser as a change table in a nursery (add a change topper and ta da!), and these gilded swirled geode knobs from anthropologie would make for a seriously stunning hardware choice. They’re $18 each and would add an ethereal element to a kid’s bedroom that is fresh and unexpected.

The Emily & Meritt Chandelier Table Lamp by PB Teen would make for a whimsical and welcome light to read bedtime stories by in a feminine and pretty little girl’s room. The beaded arms and delicate flowers would look right at home with a floral wallpaper accent wall. (I’m talking about you Rose Decay)

 

Last but not least for a boho baby’s lair, the global-looking Tangier Bronze Stool from West Elm would be a perfect choice to sit next to your glider. The stool, $299, is versatile and adult-enough that it can be moved into your living room once your glider days are gone.

Personalizing your baby’s space with their initials is always a nice touch and these $10 gilded letters from Indigo add some shimmery glamour to the wall. Spell out a quirky saying or their full name for a maximalist approach.

(Nursery photo by Joe Schmelzer for The Animal Print Shop)

Lay Lady Lay: Alchemy Brass Bed Frame by CB2

Now this is a big brass bed I can get behind! The gleaming linear alchemy shiny brass bed frame frame by Barcelona-based Mermelada Estudio is new at CB2 and I’m in so in love.

While I usually go for upholstered headboards and often forgo any type of footboard all together (it’s one less thing to bump into during a late night pee break), I cannot help but swoon over this graphic metal bed. Starting at $699 for a queen, it’s also quite reasonable for such a large high-impact statement piece.

Would you go brass in bed?

Baby Buy and Giveaway: ELARI Diaper Wallet

Once you join the mommy club, you become an expert shlepper and a firm supporter of the mantra that you can never be too prepared. When you leave the house with  a baby (or babies)  in tow, you need gear at the ready to cover feeding and diapering on the go, with a wardrobe change and toys for good measure.  Translation: you have to cart around a whole lot of stuff – especially for multiple mothers like myself who need everything times two!

But sometimes if I’m going to a friends house for a playdate or class where I know there are extra blankies and toys, or if I am going for a walk to my parents where there are plenty of supplies, I will only bring the essentials- and that’s where my ELARI Diaper Wallet comes in.

Created by a Canadian mom and her sister, this stylish slim case has room for a few diapers, a zippered compartment for moist wipes, a full size change pad that folds away easily, and pockets for two creams or lotions (or hand sanitizer).

It zips up and can be stashed away easily in a tote bag or your purse, or even thrown in the bottom of your stroller for those “in case” moments. It is even a great addition to your regular diaper bag, when you need to slip into those tiny public bathroom stalls to change your little one, and don’t want to have to squeeze your enormous diaper bag inside and get it all germy.

I love the variety of prints and textures it comes in, which adds a hit of chic to an otherwise messy event! They make for great baby or shower gifts, and are a great option for second time around parents who already have everything they thought they could ever need.

Once your diapering days are over, the wallet can be used as a make up case to stash your brushes, compacts and more, so I like that this product will have a second life. Made in Canada using moisture and mildew-resistant materials, non-toxic dyes, it’s machine washable too so you can keep it nice and clean.

The ELARI Diaper Wallet retails from $39.95-$49.95 and can be purchased online on elari.ca or at Li’l Niblets for my fellow Toronto moms. Be sure to like their facebook page as well for creative suggestions on how to use the wallet and to find retailers near you.

If you want to win one for yourself, leave a comment with your name and e-mail by Friday, September 5 at 5pm EST, and I will draw next week and the winner will be contacted directly! (Giveaway is only open to Canadian and American residents with a valid shipping address)

Baby Buy: Kina Lambskin Booties

Now that I’m over six months in to this whole motherhood thing (six of the simultaneously fastest yet slowest months of my life), I wanted to share some of my favourite items that the boys and I love. We received so many beautiful gifts, but one of our favourites that I went out and bought more of in the next two sizes up, are KINA booties.

These adorable lambskin booties are handmade in New Zealand and have become a daily fixture in our wardrobe. Socks really do not like to stay on my little guys’ feet, but these booties have an elastic around the ankle that keeps them on so their tootsies stay nice and warm. The suede sole provides a solid cushion that helps them from slipping and sliding all over the place (they’re getting squirmy!) and I love that the soft shearling lining breathes and stretches with their feet.

We have them in two different colours: natural for Charlie and chocolate for Jack. Advice From A Caterpillar carries them in other colours too, (including a darling pale pink for the ladies) and they cost $55.

Literal and Lovely Trays

Our front hall console is always a dumping ground for keys, mail and sunnies so a beautiful tray to collect these bits and bobs is essential. Kate Spade NY takes function as a literal cue with the Daisy Place Tray Novelty and Snail Mail Trays, $67 each by Kate Spade New York.

 

The illustrated porcelain trays have gold accents for a touch of glam and would make a stunning addition to a foyer!

Game. Set. MATCHES.

As a collector of beautiful candles and a total self-confessed pyro, I have always had a thing for pretty matchboxes.

Fuse this love with my affinity for gemstones, and you get this gorgeous set of decorative matchboxes featuring different gems by Lampshade Bash. A set of six will set you back $18, which makes them a fab housewarming present. I just love the hot pink tips!

My First Mothers Day Gifts

I have always enjoyed the seemingly sappy yet totally sweet sentiment behind Mother’s Day considering how close I am with my own mother and now my mother in law as well. There is no question that I would not have made it through these past few months as a mom of multiples without their 24/7 support. Now that I am a new mom myself, I can truly appreciate how important it is to have a day devoted to recognizing and appreciating moms everywhere.

 

To celebrate the occasion of my very first Mother’s Day with Jack and Charlie, I was lucky enough to receive some very special presents that I thought I would share with you here. Not that Mother’s Day should be  all about gifts- it is definitely about much more than that –but these are some suggestions to make the moms in your life, whether they’re brand new mommas of newborns or seasoned grandmothers, realize just how much you care!

My husband got me a stunning necklace that is not only stylish, but keeps my babies close to my heart at all times. The talented team at Lilliane’s Fine Jewellery created an elegant version of a small gold dog tag with the initials of the boys on one side and their birth date on the other.

Hung on a longer chain, the result is a piece that is delicate enough for everyday wear, but with a modern edge. If we ever have more kids, additional charms in varying sizes or shapes can be added with their initials and birthdates, or perhaps even their birthstones. It’s a totally personal gift that I love to bits and I am so excited to add this meaningful present into my daily wardrobe rotation.

Sidenote: Lilliane’s also made a stunning white gold necklace for my mother that turned out so beautifully. Paired with a diamond chip, it honours her new status as a grandmother and she can add more tags with the initials of her future grandchildren onto the chain as they arrive into the world. She loved it!

The second special gift takes the typical notion of a bouquet of flowers to the next level. As many fellow new homeowners know, tackling a huge reno often means putting landscaping on the backburner until you’ve recovered from that huge financial investment on the interior. What a fabulous idea then for the gift of a flowering tree to a new mom moving into her forever home. They can watch the tree grow right along with their kidlets! I grew up next to a magnificent Magnolia tree and am so excited that my parents are generously gifting me a little tree of my own to plant in our front yard. I can’t wait until it grows and sprouts those gorgeous pale pink blooms in front of my living room bay window. What a poignant way to mark your years of motherhood!

The last present was also an unexpected treat from my sisters, aka the best aunties around! As a noted tea devotee, my sisters knew a gift of fruity iced teas and a mason jar from David’s Tea would make me a happy camper. Hydration is now more important than ever due to my constant nursing and pumping, so sipping on these refreshing iced teas will be a great way to get in some H2O. Even better than the actual gift itself was the darling card depicting three bags of tea steeping the special qualities of a mom: care, warmth and love. Precious! 

Here’s wishing my fellow mothers of the world a very happy Mothers Day! Thank you for all that you do and I hope that your families made you feel as special and appreciated as I did today!

May Showers

The not so wonderful weather Toronto has been experiencing this year has meant we’ve waited for like ever for some sense of spring. Yes there are some May flowers poking their heads through the soil, but I’m still expecting a hefty dose of leftover April showers.

The unavoidable inclement weather would be a lot more bearable in the divine Baby Gila raincoat from Trout Rainwear. This fashion-forward outwerwear label designed and made in Canada proves you can have breathable waterproof rain gear that doesn’t need to look like you picked it up at Mountain Co-op.

 

I love this particular trench-style coat for its romantic oversize hood and whimsical touches like the Liberty  print on the collar and contrasting white tape on the inside of the zipper. It’s not cheap at $665, but it’s a perfect example of investing in a timeless staple that will carry you through many springs to come. If spring ever does come…

I Want That: Gold Gluckstein Trays

When serving buffet-style or setting up a bar area on the kitchen island, I like to keep glasses and beverages grouped in trays for easy access and less clutter. I have been searching for large gold or brass trays to use, but haven’t found anything big enough, so I was very excited to see the Sydney large square tray at The Bay the other day. Designed by Brian Gluckstein, the trays have a sleek profile in a matte brass finish and at $35, won’t totally break the bank either.

GLUCKSTEINhome Sydney Square Trays, $25-35

Some Fave New White and Brass Beauties

White and brass (or gold) is a favourite combo of mine (hello have you seen my kitchen?) so I’m just loving these newer budget-friendly items that use these two shades in a marvellous way.

If I had opted for floating shelving in my kitchen instead of uppers, these marble shelves from West Elm would have been perfection. Topped with cookbooks, white china and my brass Turkish spice grinder and bamboo mortar and pestle… I just swoon at the thought!

The RANARP floor lamp from IKEA is a knockout floor lamp that combines industrial with glam in one cheap and chic package ($49.99 to be exact). The white finish is a refreshing take on the classic task light and would be a perfect reading light next to a cozy chair in a bedroom!

The Billie decorative bowl by GLUCKSTEINHOME at The Bay is a little bit Nate Berkus mixed with a dash of Dwell Studio, which means it’s a whole lot of fabulous. I like Brian’s doubling up on the gold and geometric trends we’ve been seeing in decor and think it would make for a beautiful objet to top a stack of books on your coffee table.

Baby Buy: Carlymegan Love You Forever Blanket

I found out about this beautiful blanket in the most delightful way: a pair of them was gifted to me for my boys – lucky Jack and Charlie!  Made from organic cotton knit by carlymegan, the lightweight and super soft blanket spells out the famous words: “"I'll love you forever, I'll like you always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be,” in graphic black and white with little heart accents.

Obviously like any other red-blooded human, the book “Love You Forever” holds a near and dear place in my heart – even more so now that I am a mommy myself – and as you know I also adore black and white, so these were practically made for me!

The blankets appear to be sold out for now, but check out carlymegan’s site for other adorable handmade baby items, like her amazing PJs!

New Wardrobe Alert: Mossimo Lounge Pants

I knew the recovery from a C section wasn’t going to be all rainbows and flowers, but I was so unprepared for the deflated balloon feeling I’m experiencing with my stomach. I realize having twins pushed my stomach to its limit but holy hell (warning: mom anatomy terminology ahead!) my uterus is still so swollen and painful, making fitting into any pre-maternity pants a pipe dream. This means the only pants I’m wearing these days are sweats and leggings that don’t irritate either my now empty womb/incision and leftover maternity pants- wooo!

 

Considering my fashion limitations, I was very pleased to receive a pair of these Mossimo sweats from my sister, which have a more refined lounge vibe to them as opposed to the bulkier versions of sweats that I often sport. I went up a size to ensure nothing was to snug on my tender stomach and although I still look like I’m 5 months pregnant, I at least feel a little less hefty in these sleeker sweats. And for less than $25 a pop, I bought another pair for myself in black!

I Want That: Heart Art

I know this is a garland on a children’s website, but my gosh I think they designed it for me! In my signature trio of black white and gold, I just love the festive feeling of these strings of  hearts and may need to buy a couple for a future soiree!

Find it here: Heartstring Garland, $29, Land of Nod

Nursery Scheming and Dreaming: Gender Neutral Grey and Yellow

When designing a nursery for your first child it can be daunting. Do you go with a specific boy/girl focus, or do you stay more neutral so you wouldn’t have to change anything up for your potentially opposite-gendered children down the line? You may not even want to find out what you’re having and have to decorate with both sexes in mind,  staying mostly neutral and then just adding in your colour with wall paint, bedding and accessories…

I took all of the above into account when planning my boys’ nursery (more on that later), but first I wanted to share one of my favourite gender neutral nursery schemes: yellow, white and grey. Just look how stimulating yet soft it is in this gorgeous room designed by photographer Natasha Smith:

I’m not a grey person myself, but I do it all the time for clients and enjoy creating a palette around the favourite neutral du jour. Paired with sunny yellow and crisp white, here is a grey-based scheme I put together with a positively precious pachyderm theme:

 

Instead of standard wood finishes or white paint, try a grey crib with modern lines and funky flared legs. Bedding in a yellow polkadot with a coordinating yellow-trimmed cribskirt from Serena and Lily is sweet but still feels sophisticated. A handmade felt mobile off Etsy and customizable art from Land of Nod add a second thematic layer to the nursery that also works in the palette: adorable elephants!

This small scale print fabric from Tonic Living has an ethnic-look that makes the nursery feel more current and less precious- perfect for investment-worthy window treatments. The pattern is totally something that can be used as the baby grows up or if the room turns into an office or spare bedroom down the line. The dresser with change top is an investment piece from  DucDuc that can be customized in a huge variety of colours and finishes, but you could also get this look by painting out an old dresser in a similar contrasting treatment, adding a change pad topper and switching out the hardware.

Ground the pattern in the drapery and bedding with a solid bordered grey rug. A glider with yellow contrast welting  topped with a gorgeous printed lumbar cushion adds decorator details and even more sophistication. Keep clutter at bay and store diapers, creams and lotions in elegant trimmed canvas caddies.

A grey washed wood and metal beaded light fixture and cozy elephant-printed blanket add warm texture while a mustard yellow moroccan pouf pick up on the ethnic tone of the fabrics and provide an extra spot to sit or put your feet up. Stack handmade colour-coordinated baby blocks on a floating shelf in your baby’s initials for an extra special custom touch!

Sources: Mobile,  Crib, Elephant Poster, Crib Bedding, Fabric, Dresser, Rug, Cushion, Caddies, Light Fixture, Moroccan Pouf, Baby Blanket, Blocks

Nursery photo: Natasha Smith