Friday

So, it's just me and this guy during the days now. 

He came to the job site a few times this week and wasn't too impressed. But he was really happy to be babysat by some of the girls in my Dad's office and they adored having him, so I'm feeling better that he won't be home all alone some days by going over there.

Thank you all so much for all your comments on my last post. I'm glad that I'm not alone in feeling the blogging winds blowing in changes, but most of all I was so excited to read all your well wishes with the filming! The support and great people I have behind me, like you, is extraordinary. 

I am about to head over to our latest property which we will be getting the keys to in about a month and will be sure to take lots of pics to show you the amazing canvas I will be working with. This will be the most incredible property we've done yet. I can hardly believe we will have three properties on the go at once.

Have a fun and warm September weekend!

Friday

Polka dots on the wall and ceiling thanks to the disco ball. I always feel a little happier when I come down in the morning and this greets me.

What a fast and crazy week, getting ready for Nest In The City tomorrow, and pulling together the new office. I can't wait to share photos next week of the current status. I am close to completion, just waiting on some art to arrive, and Wren and I have been breaking it in pretty good all week so I hope it will still be tidy for photos. But I'll show you anyway.

Have a great weekend!

Friday

[ picture from my instagram ]

Last night we celebrated both my Dad and Sister's birthdays at our favorite restaurant. They are only born one day apart so we always combine the festivities. 

I was also busy this week with beginning my office transformation. But before I start the makeover I promised to share the highly cluttered current state.

So much stuff, so unorganized. 

But I have a vision that will require a little effort but not a lot of money, thanks to using stuff that was otherwise unused around the house. And I have started the makeover with a few cans of spray paint!

[ picture from my instagram ]

My $15 red chair is no longer red and a couple other pieces also got a quick coat of paint which I will share next week.

I am also over on Heather's blog, Life Made Lovely, today with a little home tour! I don't know if I've done one single post with most of the rooms in their currents states so be sure to go check it out here. Thanks for having me Heather!

Have a great weekend!

Friday

Things are shifting a little around here! A few people have asked if CottageK has sold since they have spotted a couple items around our house that were originally over there. The answer is a very happy 'Yes!'

I actually thought I would have good news to share with you only a week after I listed it mid-November, and again in January... twice. But things always work out how they are supposed to and those sales just didn't pan out. But in this case the fourth time was the charm!

So I have shifted a few things a little closer to home and I can't wait to show you more on Monday.

 

Also spotted around the house? Tinkerbell. Yes, ours is a very magical home.

 

If only Tinkerbell could sprinkle pixie dust on her igloo to magically allow her wings to fit...

 

And finally, congratulations to our Rayban aviator giveaway, Jessica! I sent you an email and can't wait to pop the glasses in the mail.

Have a happy weekend!

Friday

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you have a special day. My take on Valentine's is to treat yourself and those around you with little extra thoughtful acts. 

Sean surprised me by taking the day off to enjoy the little things like taking Wren to school. Definitely one of my best Valentine's surprises.

I treated myself to a sparkly phone case for $6.95 at H&M and a little pink polish (Essie's Bottle Service) earlier this week. And I have a little goodie bag all ready for Wren when she wakes up this morning, filled with craft supplies and a few treats.

 

We had some family over last night for a Vday dinner, and will have more over tonight. No romantic one on one dinners here, and that's how we like it. 

I'm concerned that I may not actually even be Sean's Valentine this year...

From our family to you, have a special day. But most importantly, know you are loved!

Friday

Just some randoms from this week. 

Sending out thank you's to some blog friends. I obviously have Summer on my mind...

(stationary from Mara-Mi)

 

We did a family movie night and went to see The Nut Job. It was soooo cute and got lots of giggles from Wren. The best part is always the left over treats for me. 

 

Nothing beats having a little girl in the house. There is never a shortage of stickers with super cute animals on them and random little crafts/creations hidden around the house. Sean took Wren on a 'dollar store shopping spree' last weekend. This box of stickers came home along with silly string, lots of gum and a dart gun (I wonder if her daddy had any influence on that one...). 

It's always the simple things that seem the most special. 

Friday

A few little blooms of color around the house are all I need to hold on a little while longer. Until the days when I can just wear a jean jacket or sweater (without the parka on top), until the days I need sunglasses later than 4pm, until I can pack up the shovel until next year.

Sean surprised Wren with her own little garden last week.

My own little potted garden is giving off the most beautiful fragrance. Nothing on earth comes close to the scent of a freshly bloomed hyacinth!

Meanwhile, outside we have been floating between Winter's deepest, darkest days...

bouts of sunshine, and even a little taste of Spring in the past day or two.

But like the quote below says so eloquently, at this time of year it is no coincidence that I feel very content to spend my days at home. These are the days I feel no desire to explore the city, treasure hunt, or even focus too much on where my next flip may come from. These are the days I find myself home centered. 

May your weekend be filled with a little of everything above.

Friday

Because we can all use more good things in our lives...

 

We have still been feeling the remnants of the big bad flu, which means we are all a little tired, a tad grouchy and getting back into routine has been a little challenging. But little chubby, rosy cheeks quickly help me forget the little tantrums here and there (sometimes hers, but mine as well lol)

I think this weekend will be a good chance for us to catch up on some rest and relaxation. 

Happy Weekend!

Friday

We haven't had a Friday post in a while, but I always love them because I have a lot of fun looking for and reading quotes to use. Happy words and pictures make for a good start to any weekend. 

This weekend is going to be filled with last minute preparations and LOTS of projects to finish before we start shooting on Monday. Which means lots of good blog material, but not a lot of time for posting it. But I will!

 

I love this quote by Steve Martin (never thought I'd be quoting Steve Martin...). The reason I love it isn't because I am trying to be the best decorator/mom/friend/and on and on. I am just trying to be the best me! And you should be the best you. Let go of the competition, the pressure we put on our selves to measure up to each other. Just tap into what  makes you You. Then be the very best you can possibly be.

The happiest people I know are really really good and being themselves, and you know what? Success always seems to find those people. I don't think it is coincidence. They have a drive and a passion that is hard to ignore. 

On a lighter note, it is hard to ignore the improvement already in the living/dining room. We have been dedicating about an hour every night to getting this done (it is HARD on the arms) and we are nearly done. Here was a progress shot a couple days ago.

Tonight we are installing a new dining room light I've envisioned and built, and I'll give you all the details on Monday!

Happy Friday

Friday... and more CottageK (as usual lately)

 

Wren and I recently discovered the joy of making your own confetti. some watercolors and a pair of scissors mean endless color combos and possibilities. We have been shoving it in mail, thank you and get well cards, and I'm sure we'll use it in her birthday invites coming up in the next month and a half. I promise you will be smiling if you make some too. 

I/m also smiling because our evenings at CottageK have been very productive! Sean was a wrecking ball this week and got all my outside trees chainsawed into submission on Monday. Now we are officially done with the outside and are taking the wrecking ball inside.

 

All our beautiful floors are hidden for now... while I plug away on windows... STILL. It will be one of the more time consuming projects on this reno, that's for sure.

And as of last night, all our uppers and backsplash are out. Not to mention the icky old appliances, which required taking the house doors AND appliance doors off their hinges so I'm not to keen on how we're going to get new ones in here!

 

It's a Thanksgiving weekend up here, and while we'll squeeze in a little turkey I am thinking it is gonna be a busy and productive weekend that I can't wait to share on Tuesday!

If you're a fellow Canadian, have yourself a happy Thanksgiving. And for everyone else:

HAPPY

Friday

Here we go!

{ even small keys can open very heavy doors }

charles dickens

 

I wanted to capture and bottle up my walk home from school this morning. There wasn't even a slight hint of breeze, the sun was bright and beautiful yellow leaves were literally raining down from the trees on me. It was one of those rare moments you could actually feel crystalizing into a memory. 

Let's cross our finger the beautiful sunshine holds out all weekend while we get the outside of CottageK painted.

I hope your weekend is full and filled with memories yet to be made.

PS: be sure to follow me on Instagram or search #CottageK for sneak peeks in between blog updates!

Friday

 

A little surprise bouquet Sean brought home to cheer me up after (ANOTHER) trip to the dentist. I love `just because` flowers.

I was so thrilled to find this adorable Etsy shop by Canadian children`s illustrator Marion Arbona. Her Etsy shop features the original art from some of her books. I just love the whimsy and style of her creations and this one in particular from `Nathan and his Dog` made me smile so I had to have it.

 

I added a hint of gold to make it fit in the pre-cut mat that came in the frame. 

And the drawing has added a lot of happy to this corner.

 

 

Last, but not least, congratulations to our Urban Walls giveaway winner!!! 

Have a cheerful, sweet weekend!

Friday

And the ampersand obsession continues in my little world (get it? AND? you can tell me to stop now). I picked up this ring recently and am eyeing these adorable earrings... chants 'you do not need these, you do not need these'. 

Life has been hectic lately! Lots of adjusting our routines to our new school schedule, and I have been feverishly working to find a new project to tackle. I am crossing my fingers my realtor will already have given me some good news before you read this. Either way, I will keep hunting for the next place to give a Holly Makeover. But I sure hope I can sink my teeth into something new before I start ripping apart my own house again! 

Even with our full days I can't help but feel this Hans Christian Andersen quote is one of the best ever.

Have a magical weekend. I know mine is sure to be filled with lots of pixie dust!

Friday

It's Friday, and do you know the only thing that can make today even better? Cookies. Because I was surviving on a liquid diet from Sunday to the middle of this week (tooth infections SUCK!) I felt the need to go a little wild while Wren was at school with a cookie baking spree. 

Warning, lots of cookies were harmed during the making of this. In fact, most didn't survive.

Have a sweet weekend.

ps- if you were interested in the cookie jar, I see it is on sale right now here.

Friday

I can hardly believe we are already in September, but here we are. I just walked home from dropping Wren off at her first day of Kindergarten without me... 

She was fine, I was all nerves. She lined up, went in the school with her class and didn't even look back. Not even once. It makes me so happy that she is ready to jump right into school life, but I kind of felt like Pi at the end of Life of Pi when Richard Parker just walked off into the jungle. I was hoping she would give me some moment of closure now that our mommy-wren days are over, but besides that selfish little moment of mine I was overjoyed that she is ready to be her own little person.

I know she will do beautifully.

 

And just in case someone hasn't told you yet today:

I am kind of obsessed with my new Justine Ma shopping tote I picked up a couple weeks ago at Plum, it gives off nothing but great vibes.

Now go have yourself a nice weekend!

Friday

 

The last week of Summer vacation is officially over today. Wren's first day of school starts on Tuesday. I can't believe I am actually saying that!!! It is kind of hard to even imagine her being at school every. single. day. But she is over the moon excited, so I am feeling good (but a little mommy-sad) about it all.

So here is to the unofficial end of Summer. This weekend is all that remains and we are planning to bask in the few special days before we are the parents of a real school-aged girl. (WoW, that was weird to even type!)

{the adorable cereal I bought to celebrate the first morning of school}

 

{I've loved lounging in the shade in our backyard this week while Wren has played with our 'adopted' cat}

 

{a true ceiling of clouds that passed over us one evening}

Have a safe, sweet and special long weekend.

Friday

 

This week was busy. We spent the first couple days getting Wren all ready for her first year of 'real school': kindergarten. She starts in a few days and we are excited, yet feeling like Summer flew by too fast. So we made a trip out to visit my Grandma and Grandpa just outside of the city. No internet. No cell phones. Just home made cake, fresh watermelon and lots of late Summer goodness. 

Wren talks about the horses endlessly, but always has a moment of nervous anticipation when she gets close at first.

 

and in the blink of an eye she galloped off to another adventure. 

 

picking goodies in the garden

 

exploring mysterious doors and corners

 

and catching grass hoppers by the handful were just some of the special late Summer goodness we squeezed into the day.

 

And if you follow me on instagram (you can do that right here), you already know some of our week was spent giving Wren's bedroom a mini-makeover! I can't wait to show you more on Monday.

Until then, stay smiling!