A fresh look at scrolling...

This website had such a cool idea that really was so simple...it makes me mad I didn't think of it first! Most websites out there have some form of 'scrolling' down the page which is ok, but sometimes you can get so tired of scrolling you think - will this ever end? Well this design company (Murillo Design) came out with this idea of scrolling across instead of up and down and it looks so cool that I instantly was taken with this idea. Check it out and see what you think!

The Girl Effect

I found this website a little while ago and it still affects me when I watch the opening video...It is called The Girl Effect & it is so inspirational and clear as to what we have to do to make the world a better place! I know saving the world isn't as simple as this, but think about the ideas it throws at you and I think it will really make the wheels start to turn and what is really possible when you start with educating a young girl. Move over spice girls, this truly is girl power and something to inspire and motivate you.

Blogging about blogging?

ok, so I think this is an odd subject to be blogging about but I recently became acquainted with Wordpress Blogs (www.wordpress.org) which as I am sure a lot of you know, is a really cool option for a blog as well as for a website in which you can update yourself which is becoming so very popular for my clients in this economic downswing. I am just leanring the ropes now, but it is fast becoming a new obsession for me and something I really want to excel at and offer to my clients in the true Freshly Hatched fashion of a customized creation! Right now I am still going to offer this solution to my clients and outsource out the hard stuff, but soon I will become master of this new trend...soon I tell you!

My Style Statement

I guess I have a lot to say today - two entries in one day - go me! I recently picked up the book - Style Statement - by Carrie McCarthy & Danielle LaPorte. It is basically a book on how to figure out your personal style, your being, your authentic self. I know what you are thinking...hokey right? I am the first to be sceptical about things like this, but boy was I wrong! Content aside - the esthetic of the book is gorgeous. The images, the fonts, and page compositions are so inspiring in themselves...score 1 for the book. Secondly, it asks you a series of questions that you just wouldn't ask yourself and it becomes this soul searching journey - but in a fun way. I love questions like...the most ridiculous purchase I ever made...I looked most fabulous when... and my evil twin would be someone like...It is like homework but something you look forward to doing!

The point of the book is to figure out your two words, your foundation word and your creative edge word. Your foundation is your being, your first nature, it is what the core of you feels like. The second word describes the impression you like to make, it is how you do what you do. Your foundation makes up 80% of you and your creative edge - the remaining 20%. I know I am not doing the explanation justice - you'll just have to take my word for it, and buy the book :)

Regardless, these words are going to help you to figure out your personal style, your home decor taste, what works and what doesn't and it just became so clear to me once I finished the book. I have the tendency to flip flop - hence my bedroom makeover decisions...and I can now be very clear of what works best for me. Not that I don't like all different kinds of styles, but I know what will last now in my wardrobe and in my surroundings - what will stand the test of time and not be a purchase that I regret and give away 6 months from now.

Are you ready to hear my two words...get ready...this is a biggie :) I am Comfortable/Harmony...yahoo! It just resonated with my whole soul and describes me to a tee. I am now on a rampage and so excited to reach my full potential! I went through my closet last night and removed all my little tight tops, my clingy and constrictive fabrics and uncomfortable shoes that I NEVER wear...No wonder I feel most awful wearing a business suit...it is SO not me.

I also went through my binders last night in which contain my magazine cutouts of decor I like, and I pared it down to what resonates with comfort and it just clicked...a light bulb when off in my head...I feel so empowered that I can make the right design decisions now and really love the end result. I now know that the nature/bird motif bedding is the absolute right choice for me...I couldn't be more confident that I am making the right choices now in where I shop for clothes, decor and how I organize my life...Hmmm, I wonder if my husband would be as excited if he know how much money I paid for the birdie pillow for the bedroom...I'll never tell...

my oh my, my first pie!

ok, this entry is a little retarded, but I was really excited to be able to say I made my first pie on the weekend :) I made the crust and everything from scratch and I didn't screw it up...my mom will be pleased that there is hope for me yet! I got the recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Mag (a maple nut pie) and my mom was the source for the home made crust. I can't give away that recipe as it is a secret - but it was actually super easy...and coming from me that is a high high complement...

The hardship of narrowing down a design concept

So my husband and I have decided to fork out some cash and FINALLY fix up our bedroom. It seems it is the last place we have neglected and now that we have decided to move forward...the hard part begins. As a designer is is SO hard to focus on one look and I think that is why most of my rooms are so eclectic in style. For example, in my living room, I love the black and white theme so I went out and got a white couch, damask ottoman cover, and black sideboard. However I then saw a piece that I fell in love with and had to have - a light aqua velvet loveseat/chair. THEN I just had to have this old yellow jam cupboard from an antique market to hold storage items. So I decided to just go with it and I think it works, but I am sure an interior designer would come in and yell at me :)

When I first decided on the room I thought a grey and yellow theme would be great...I love this duvet from Bliss...


I bought a ruched coverlet in dark grey from Nicole Miller a few weeks ago which I loved so I thought it would work out perfectly sitting over the edge of the bed. Think again. I began pouring over my magazine cut outs for inspiration and took out the pages I was drawn too. Turns out, I am digging the grey/orange/oatmeal combo now too. I found this natural and warm toned style room from Linen Place and I fell in love with it as well...(plus it has birdies!)


I have a feeling I am going to head to homesense and pick up the most bizarre items which I love and HAVE to have, and come home with such a mixed palatte. However, perhaps that is really what I should be doing...perhaps that defines my style and I shouldn't fight it. Perhaps...I'll keep you posted on the process and if it is fit to be shown at the end, I'll post some pics..stay tuned!

Ohhh, but I do have one word of advice for you ladies out there...I knew it was going to be a dilema convincing my hubby that he has to spend a weekend painting the room and floors as I am pregnant and just CAN'T smell those fumes (wink wink), so I told him he could have a third of the budget to spend on a flat screen for the bedroom. Well, he was SO excited and has since been willing to listen to all my design ideas and trying to be enthused when what I know he is really pumped about is that TV. I say - who cares! Whatever works, and honestly, I really made the budget just a tad bigger so that he is none the wiser, he gets his TV, I get most of the money to spend on my stuff, PLUS I don't have to paint...hoo-rah for me!

How do you look cute with a gi-normous prego belly?

Ok, so I had this heart to heart with my hubby last night about my fears of becoming a mommy, and how it might change me into this sweat pant wearing, sloppy sally type mom whom I see dropping off their kids at school each and every day (I live across from an elementary school). I know mommy hood is draining and far be it for me to criticize the lack of time and effort some moms put into their appearance... I am SURE I have no idea how hectic mornings are and have a rude awakening coming to me...hence my anxiety. Troy assured me that I could never be uncool as I am too vain...complement or not, it did make me feel better. I think right now, I am 8 weeks away from popping and all I see when I look in the mirror is maternity pants & oversized sweaters. This is just depressing...Plus it is fall - my favourite time of year and I LOVE to shop for all my fall essentials, except that I can't...I loathe the idea of spending yet more money on clothes I will only be wearing for 2 more months...I am caught in a conundrum.

So should I cover all my mirrors and become a hermit until I shoot this kid out or what? I was thinking a giant YES,until this morning...While zipping around the internet, procrastinating just a little bit, I came across this super cute blog all about fashion (http://theblackapple.typepad.com/somegirlswander/). I love her colour style and the way she layers her clothes to be super cute..it is just my taste! Sometimes all it takes is a little dose of coolness to get you moving in the right direction again...tomorrow is another day and I am going to get out of bed with avengence, put on my cutest accessories, pair a little frock with my new maternity leggings and perhaps a jaunty scarf to top off the look! I will not bow to the gym pant gods and succomb to my frumpyness...I will triumph!

Mahar has stolen Maheart...

I recently came across this website of the cutest kid/baby stuff around so I just had to share it with you all today! It is called Mahar DryGoods and prepare to start saying ahhhh....Developed by Robert Mahar, the site contains vintage and artisan goodies for wee kiddies. I love the yeti shadow puppet...

and the candy corn rattles just make me smile :) Can you tell I have a thing for halloween-y things?

I also love that the creater seems like a really down to earth and cool guy who really loves his job. Check out the website and keep that credit card on hand! www.mahardrygoods.com

9021-uh oh

ok, well I prob wasn't the only one who didn't want to admit they were excited to see the newly re-done 90210 last night...but I was really disappointed with what I saw. I mean within a day these newbies have new 'friends' and even more enemies...is that really what high school is like? Speaking from experience (army brat my whole life), I moved around a lot and always had to tackle new schools...and believe me, you are thankful just one person looks at you on day one...let alone be invited to a party, get kicked off a Lacrosse team, and be subject to a blog rant all in a days work.

My second issue with this show is the fact that they are trying to pass these folks off as 15 years old...I mean one chick was wearing a boustier...not really something you would see a 15 year old in. I am not saying that shows like gossip girl are any better, but at least they provide you with more interesting issues, and wicked clothes to drool over. Onwards and upwards to better shows on my watchlist...I mean Americas Next Top Model is on tonight - yee haw - now THAT is exciting!

Super Chicken!...I mean Clifford...

Welcome to my first blog post - yahoo! What better way to kick it off then to start with a blog about one of my favorite things...my dog Clifford! He is a source of laughter, ridicule (but only in a good way), and my most faithful friend. So as some of you also know, we are expecting our first baby...yahoo again...and my hubby, Clifford and I went to Toronto on the weekend to scope out all the coolio baby stores this fine city has to offer. We found this fantastic designer called 3 sprouts (www.3sprouts.com) and fell in love :) Clifford is modeling our find, a gorgeously cute organic hooded baby towel with a chicken face on the hood. We also found 'pouletta', a little bean bag chair by the same designers which we didn't pick up, but which we have talked about ever since and I believe we'll be picking it up this weekend as we head back into the city. Awesome kudos to this cool Toronto design team! A great gift for babies AND dogs...can't you see how Clifford loves it?