Snow Day!

Getting a head start on the 2014 resolution of keeping up with the blogging!  It's such a great creative outlet and one I miss; however, I have used my free time post-lay-off wisely and creatively.  I have started (I'm hesitant to say that word) a side business doing special event/custom floral design & would love to venture into event styling when time and opportunity permits.  I've so enjoyed seeking out learning opportunities and anything that would give me the chance to get my hands dirty, so to speak.  

I will be going back to work full-time this week.  This comes with both relief and disappointment as I'll really have to prioritize my time in order to get in as much creating, but it's a means to an end.  Can't invest money into a business if you don't have any!

Anyways - here's a few latergram shots to catch up with the past few months.

Instagram michelle6075

Kitchen = Success!

To round out the week, I have the "after" photos from last weekends hard labour.

The organized and now well functioning pantry shelf including shameless free advertising for a long-time employer famous for khakis.

Newly installed shelving & towel bar to hold Ikea storage bins for our cutlery.  Also note, the wall is fully painted!  Pepper Tree by CIL.

The 2 most important appliances we own, now not filling up all our counter space.

Our old stove - it gets the job done.  Also, put up the spice rack so it too would not take up all our cupboard space.

Magnetic knife strip & chopping station set up.  Part of the vintage Pyrex collection proudly on display.

On the wishlist for my birthday, a new camera.  One I can take nice fancy pretty photos with.  Ebay here I come.

Project Kitchen

As you may already know, a kitchen re-fresh was on the to-do list for this month.

I can happily and quite proudly say that it took 2 full days of work, but I am done! (For now!)

Because we're in a housing co-op, we technically can make whatever cosmetic changes we would like, including new cabinets/appliances/etc. as long as we pay for it out of pocket. That being said, we're not staying here forever and with no financial return on this type of investment, I'd rather hold off on anything of that nature until we're in a more permanent set-up. Paint, clean floors and a little organization magic are all I need for now.

Here's my kitchen before:

ugh... this just looks depressing. Having white counter tops was something I used to think would look so chic and classic - I now know better. They never look clean, they wash out the entire room (especially if you don't get much natural light) and I have also learned that maraschino cherries definitely stain.

#1 Kitchen conundrum = 9" wide drawers.
There is no cutlery tray that I have found on the western market that will fit inside this drawer. Which has led to the following....

Cutlery in a cupboard.

So many appliances!

A packed pantry shelf filled with just about anything but kitchen items.


Afters to come.

- Cheers!

Kitchen Refresh Inspiration

This weekend I plan to start tackling my kitchen refresh project.

I've already procrastinated somewhat by going antiquing this morning and am now choosing to write about it rather than start doing it but.. ah well. I'm also out of painters tape. This may never get done.

Some visual inspiration:

image via DesignSponge

image via Better Homes and Gardens

image via ignitelight.tumblr.com

January Project

Day 5's of the Apartment Therapy Cure assignment is to choose 1 (1? only 1?) assignment from the previous list and get it done by the end of the month.

This proves to be difficult for me. I am one of those all or nothing kind of project managers. I get into it but then burn out too quick because I'm just too into it. I'm turning a new leaf.

These are my 2 big problem areas:


The Bedroom

I cheated a bit by purposely opening closet doors, putting stuff all over the floor and un-making our bed (it's totally pristine 100% of the time!.. ahem). Our bedroom is basically a gong show complete with random splotches of paint on the walls because I was too indecisive about which colour of grey was just right and instead have left it looking like the resident has a pretty awesome drug dependency.

next up..



The Kitchen

In keeping with the random paint splotches, I bring you our kitchen. It's gotten so bad that people we have over have started to ask questions.
"Um... what's with the paint on the wall?"

yeah.. those are the kind of questions you want to hear when you particularly pride yourself on your awesome eye for interior design.

The kitchen is directly to the left of our front door and is in it's original 1988 style which is why I think the kitchen takes top priority for this months challenge. The bedroom will get done. Hell, it might even get done this month, but I'm carving out time for that poor little kitchen wall and making a date with my drill to put up some much needed shelving.

Photos (better ones!) to follow!

Day 1 of Apartment Therapy Cure

Today marks day 1 of the Apartment Therapy January cure.

I read today's task and immediately thought "what have I gotten myself into?"

The task, which you can read more in depth here, is to make a list of 3-5 projects per room/area that you feel take priority.

Here is my list:

Foyer
- Paint
- Create a place for "stuff" (keys, purse, mail, etc)

Kitchen
- Paint
- Create a clear plan for storage solutions (create a pantry by expanding into the storage room or front hall closet? Organize cupboards to make more functional, put up shelving)
- Change the light bulbs
- Contact maintenance company regarding the old leaking fridge

Living/Dining Room
- Put away Christmas decor
- Put up curtain panel
- Pick up new dining set from family

Bathroom
- Organize under the sink cabinet
- Put up towel bars/toilet paper hanger & put leftover fixtures under the sink in the storage locker
- Art for walls
- Rope hanger DIY project for mirror?

Bedroom
- Finish Painting
- Pick out curtains/curtain rods
- Art for walls
- Lighting solution

Spare Room aka. Nightmare room
*this room needs work and unfortunately, to be completely realistic, MONEY. It's become the catch all for everything we have not had time to find a space for and houses many half unpacked cardboard boxes, furniture that didn't fit in our bedroom, and art I don't really like anymore. I have a clear vision for this room but neither the time or money to tackle that vision at this present time. It's definitely in teh cards for this year, but probably not for this month.

Happy New Year!

image courtesy of thelatestfind.com


We're in recovery mode today. I would take photos of my disaster of a home at the moment but I wouldn't want to look like a complete slob to the world. We had many of our closest friends over to gorge on all the leftover treats from Christmas and watch many episodes of 'You've Gotta Eat Here' (on Food Network) on mute while an 8 year old did "show and tell" with items from her backpack. Ah... we live the party lifestyle (please note my sarcasm..)

I tend to make the usual resolutions every year, or none at all, but with 2012 being so full of extreme change for us, I feel like change is in the air, and it may be time to make some solid, high expectation resolutions as they may be more feasible than once thought.

1. Work Harder
This one may need some explanation. I'm pretty damn good at my job; many say I'm a natural. Because of this, I've gotten a bit of a bloated head about my abilities and find I tend to coast on my "natural talent" instead of pushing myself to do more/try something different/research/learn from others/etc. This does not make me feel good about my work. I definitely want to kick this habit and can only see good to come from it.

2. Nest
more on this later

3. Take care of myself
I know, I know. Very cliche. I think this one encompasses a lot though. I consider taking care of myself to include finding a good balance of work and play/relaxation and productivity, keeping track of my finances to reduce stress, eating well, exercising, connecting with friends and family, taking time to connect with our new community, etc. So this is a big one but I think it's incredibly important and useful.

Back to work tomorrow!