So Canadian eh? : Krista from The Happy Housie


I have been so neglectful of my humble blog - particularly in rounding up more Canadians to feature here! I know I just asked a blogger/designer recently and forgot who! If it was you, drop me a line. Shameful. 

 I really need to find a better way to organize myself and my posts. If any of you have a great method in organizing this digital madness, let me know. I need some sort of calendar alert. 

Recently I stumbled across this fabulous blog via the Canadian Bloggers group I am part of on Facebook. A fellow teacher, mom, thrift store shopper, DIYer, fabric lover and blogger, Krista from The Happy Housie is a gal following a similar path to me


She is

Keep reading......

TGIF


It's another instalment of a "tickle-me-fancy" post! I love what others are doing around the web. Such a plethora of ideas and a wealth of resources!

Here is what caught my eye this week:


A fabulous new website created for us bloggers by Shannon of AKA Design, a wealth of information right at your fingertips!

I can so relate to the stress Danielle is feeling (ok, my husband isn't doing his Residency but our life is uncertain) but I love how Danielle just drowns her stress by looking at beautiful interiors  - now that is my kind of stress reliever.


Love what Amy did to her wall!




As a fabric hoarder/collector, I am always thrilled to hear when Tonic Living has new arrivals!

Hello...come to mamma!


I have a design crush on this gal. She just keeps on creating such beautiful spaces!


Renting? Living with a yellow or pink tiled bathroom? Centsational Girl comes up with some bathroom sprucing tips.


What tickled your fancy this week?

XO Barbara

TGIF


So glad to have this week come to an end. 

I just love Fridays, don't you?

 I did not get too many blog posts written or projects accomplished this week. Frankly, I did not feel like it. I was just not feeling "it," I lacked mojo. Despite not actually doing anything, I still caught up on blog reading, Pinterest pinning and magazine reading! That I can always manage to do.

This is what caught my eye this week.

Kristin at the Hunted Interior did it again with her patio reveal. Wowza, love everything this girl does!




I am going to try this for sure on my blog.

Loved this home tour on Canadian House and Home online TV.


Can't wait to check out some of the places in the Vancouver Guide on Design Sponge.

I think everything Naomi touches turns to gold. She really rocked this kitchen!



Tonight it is just the boy and I. I am afraid he isn't going to go for watching a chick flick, instead my evening will consist of watching something like Duck Dynasty or Swamp People. Please pass the wine bottle glass.

What are your Friday night plans? Laying low or painting the town red?

XO Barbara



An Outdoor Extravaganza Link Party in May


With the outdoor season upon us, at least here on the west coast it is, I am thrilled to be working with four other fabulous bloggers from Canada and the US to host an Outdoor Extravaganza Link Party! It is my first time hosting such an event and I can't wait to see what others have to share. 

Do you have a green thumb? A fabulous outdoor DIY project you are itching to tackle? A painting project you want done outdoors? Here is your chance to get it done and have those projects linked up on 5 blogs! It's a great way to meet other bloggers and hopefully inspired each other along the way.

We all could use a little inspiration to spruce up the yards and/or outdoor living spaces. This is a perfect opportunity for sharing the wealth of ideas that you all have! 

Party dates:
 May 15: Plants and Flowers.
May 22: Outdoor Decorating
May 29: Paint Projects




Now I need to get my butt in gear to get something done!


Hope to see you linking up your amazing ideas in May!

XO Barbara

TGIF


Can't believe it is Friday again! This week has whizzed by. I have a few things brewing on the blog side of things and, in addition to teaching, my brain is bursting at the seams with ideas and projects I want to work on. 

My poor pooch was sick this week too, had to take him to the vet. Since he is a bit of a garbage hound, he apparently ate something that gave him a stomach thing... lets just say the clean up from his backside in the laundry room had my husband gagging! After a trip to the vet, some antibiotics, probiotics (that have that for dogs???) and a check-up he is on the mend. But next we go to deal with his arthritis and pain. Poor old dog.

In between appointments, marking, house cleaning, reading magazines, this is what...

caught my eye this week:




CB2 ombre stump tables....at $399, I smell a DIY.




A local blogger and designer along with her handy husband who happens to be a skookum photographer had their home featured in BC Home Magazine. I happened to meet this gal through my sister, who mentioned that Jodi, my former garden plot neighbour was a blogger and designer. Well, a few years later, her and her husband's talent is finally recognized in print! Check out the photos on their blog! Hard to believe they live in the townhouse!



Being a sucker for black and white, love this kid's room.


Made this for dinner, it was devoured. Delish and yummo!

Do you think you have what it takes to be featured as an "Everygirl"? Everygirl is accepting submissions, maybe the next face featured could be you!


I am signing off. Tomorrow I am off to West Elm Market's pet party!

XO Barbara


Featured at Looksi



My games room is featured at Looksi today! Looksi is a curated moderated website, where all good things come together!

Cynthia Weber of A Button Tufted Life, another Canadian blog (yay!) is an ambassador at Looksi and included my games room as part of a curated collection of Beautiful Interiors.

Thanks Cynthia!

Pop over....grab a coffee or tea and stay awhile!


XO Barbara

So Canadian Eh? : Stephanie from Garden Therapy


With spring upon us, and the gardening itch beginning to take hold, I thought it would be perfect to introduce you to a fabulous Canadian blogger and blog, Garden Therapy by Stephanie Rose!


She is....

Keep reading .....

TGIF


Aren't you glad it's Friday? 

It was a short work week here in Canada since we get Easter Monday off! 

This is what tickled my fancy this week:

A great article on Design*Sponge on using networking to improve your search engine rankings. Something I haven't really paid much attention to but lately has peaked my interest.

Being married to someone whose career began in the concrete finishing trade, I love this tutorial making concrete planters. Jenny never fails to impress me with her DIY prowess.  


Uhm...for someone who is flabbergasted at the prices at J. Crew, I was thrilled to discover a J. Crew Factory online via Nancy. It was hard not to whip out the credit card.

I am sweet-talking the husband into making me one of these beauties.




Hope you all have a great weekend! I am off to a concert with my two teens, going to see Stars and Said the Whale (they are so Canadian eh?)

XO Barbara




Bouclair: Now Open In Vancouver


Yesterday I attend the media preview for Bouclair, a Canadian only household and furniture retailer. We on the West coast had a great introduction to the latest homegoods retailer on the block. Wined, tempted by savoury bites and socializing with other bloggers, it was a fabulous evening!

Everything in the store is exclusive to Bouclair with in-house designers that create colour stories and put together accessories to create a cohesive space, taking the guesswork out for the homeowner who finds they lack the know-how in accessorizing their home. Boulcair carries a variety of things for your home, no room overlooked. I was surprised at their  large selection of draperies and bedding! The best part is the price points - you can't beat the affordable prices!


Here are a few things that caught my eye. Again, I only brought the iPhone, which I find is not great at taking focussed photos. I will drag my DSLR out next time. I just hate lugging that camera around. It is hard to talk, shop, hold a glass of wine in one hand while taking photos in the other. Yes, feel sorry for me please.
















This duvet is similar to West Elm's but waaaay cheaper AND it includes two shams!




We were fed such  fabulous and delicious appetizers. My favourite was the deep fried macaroni and cheese bites (YUM) and these tiny Szecheuan beef cones!



Open in two Vancouver area locations:

Coquitlam:
1090 Lougheed Highway, Unit 108
Coquitlam, British Columbia
V3K 6G9


South Surrey:

South Point Exchange
3091 - 152nd Street, Unit 305
Surrey, British Columbia
V4P 3K1

XO Barbara

Featured at Style at Home



Last week I was asked to be part of a blogger's round-up of Easter decorating for Style at Home's website. Flattered they asked me again!



And I am also quite giddy as yours truly was invited last summer to a friend's blogger backyard dinner that was photographed and is now in print in the May issue of Style at Home. I was given sneak peek by several bloggers back east who already have the magazine in their hands. I can't wait to get my copy in the mail. 
Hurry up Canada Post!



This week I am back at work, my two week spring break was simply relaxing. I was hoping to tackle some DIY's but my DIY mojo is a bit underwhelmed these days. I am itching to paint walls but we might be moving and I am not doing my landlady any favours. With warmer weather upon us (hoping is stays) I might whip out the spray paint cans and give a few things a colour lift in the next few weeks just to satisfy the painting itch. 

Hope you all have a productive week. I am also working on some more So Canadian eh? posts. I too have let that slide as well. Fingers crossed life won't get too busy and I get the ball rolling on that too!

XO Barbara