DIY Hearts.

In the spirit of Valentine's day, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite heart-themed DIY project ideas.

{1} I haven't used crayon shavings + wax paper to create the look of stained glass since grade school; however, I love the idea of making art that is so simple yet so pretty.

{2} This beauty has been on my "to craft" list ever since Kristina posted it back in 2009. I guess I could say I've been collecting corks ever since... maybe it's time to do something with them?

{3} I was recently gifted a sewing machine (thanks Grandma!) and I am looking for simple yet inspiring projects to get me back into practice. Enter: the purl bee's tutorial. I plan on attempting a few cards this weekend with some of the leftover fabric scraps I have (from Lyla's Up-inspired bunting)!

Is there any Valentine-inspired art on your agenda?



(Images and tutorials courtesy of Martha Stewart, Lovely Morning via 100 Layer Cake, and the Purl Bee).

Snapshots from California

Whew! Well that was a fantastic whirlwind of a trip. Ben and I are still savouring the many memories we made while in California where we filled our days with frozen yogurt dates at "Yo Life" with my cousin Sarah, a Jack and White concert at Hotel Cafe, meeting awesome & lovely new friends like Brooke White and her husband Dave, a sunny hike at Temescal park with a view of the ocean, lunch on the Santa Monica pier, an overnight stay in Santa Barbara, a Lakers game, an ALMOST taping of Conan, and lots and lots of family time (missed you, Erica)!

Sending big big love and many many thanks to our Californian family! We had an amazing time.

PS: Ben, when can we go back?




(Photos taken on my iPhone and processed in Instagram. psst... my username is courtneystarheim).

out of the office.

Today I start the first leg of our trip South, meeting Ben in Vancouver and then travelling to LA tomorrow!

We have a week of sun, family, music, sight seeing, and relaxation ahead of us and I couldn't be more excited. I'd love to tell you that I had a week's worth of posts scheduled for you but - alas - I have a clean house to come home to instead. (Sometimes chores trump blogging).

Have a fantastic week, everyone. See you in February!

xo,

C.

Ombre Dip Dye Tags

I fell in love with these ombre dip dyed tags and I am trying to figure out how I can incorporate them into our wedding (seating chart, perhaps?) I think they'd be sweet for Valentines, too.

Visit Momtastic for the tutorial by Liz Stanley.



(Images and tutorial courtesy of Liz Stanley of Say Yes to Hoboken for Momtastic).

Good Things are Worth Sharing

Have you seen the newest way to spread the word on LINKwithlove? Key tags! They're pretty + colourful+ come in a two pack for sharing. Word on the street is that these babies are moving quickly so get yours soon (here) and be the change.




(Images courtesy of Kal Barteski for LINKwithlove).

What are you reading this January?

Hi friends. I'd love to know what you're reading at the moment. I'm at the end of Anthony Kiedis' memoir Scar Tissue and it was a book that I absolutely loved. Have you read it? What did you think?

B and I are leaving for LA at the end of the month and the book to accompany me on this trip will be... Diane Keaton's Then Again.

What books are currently on your to read list?

love notes.

While reviewing my recent etsy favourites, I noticed a theme: love notes. As a fan of the 'post-it on the mirror good morning message' Ben and I sometimes leave each other, I enjoy these subtle yet thoughtful ways of incorporating romantic endearments throughout the home.

Seriously. I think I need these pencils...



(Mr. Darcy Proposal Dish Towel $11, Brookish; Hello. Also I love you pencils $10, the big harumph; oh darling, let's be adventurers screenprinted poster $25, fifi du vie).

Bri's Loft

I fell in love with Bri Emery's loft when it was photographed last month by Bonnie Tsang for the 2011 Holiday issue of Rue Magazine. The loft embodies Bri's eclectic style and is the perfect combination of masterfully selected vintage finds and colourful contemporary pieces. I'm inspired.



(All photos by Bonnie Tsang).

Our Wedding: the decor

Welcome to the first instalment of Ben + Courtney Get Hitched, a new feature to chronicle our planning process in the months leading up to our September wedding. I'm going to be honest and candid in these posts, sharing both the ups and the downs of our experience. Won't you join me in my adventures as a party-planner-turned-bride-planning-her-own-wedding?


part one: the decor.


A few of the first things we decided upon were our colour palette and several key elements of our decor. We're getting married on Okanagan Lake in the heart of BC's wine country. It is important to us that our end-of-summer wedding be a celebration where every guest feels welcomed and comfortable. When I asked Ben how he envisioned the decor and style of the wedding he responded with "functional" and "simple" (he's such a boy); I've incorporated his interpretation with my vision of "classic" and "rustic." What we've come up with is something that I think fits in with the Okanagan landscape perfectly.

{key decor elements}

1. paper lanterns. we will be hanging these throughout the venue for a laid back, summer patio party feel.
2. birch. not 100% on how we're going to incorporate it yet but it will be present.
3. arbour. we'll be married under one on a beach front patio.
4. jute + burlap. runners for the aisle and/or tables.
5. menu board. the only thing I don't like about buffet dinners is the fact that it's impossible to know everything that's being served. solution: menu board.
6. sparklers. duh.
7. neutrals. we'll be using pattern and colour sparingly to ensure it packs a punch against the neutral colour palette.
8. bunting. again, I'm not sure where this is going to be incorporated. but it will be incorporated.
9. vintage + rustic elements. in the spirit of DIY, personalized details, I'm on the lookout for clever and tasteful ways of incorporating vintage pieces into the decor.

So there you have it: the first sneak peak at our planning process. Much, much, more to come...


(Photos courtesy of 1. save on crafts 2. photo by Armor & Martel via Elizabeth Anne Designs 3. photo by Michael and Anna Costa via Style Me Pretty4. photo by Jonas Peterson via Once Wed 5. design by Lesley Weiner via Good Design Makes me Happy 6. photo by Pam Cooley Photography via Style Me Pretty 7. photo by Kristyn Hogan via Elizabeth Anne Designs 8. toast via this is glamorous 9. photo by Eleise Theuer Photography via the knot).

Belmondo Organic Skincare

One of my New Years' Resolutions is a goal to eat more cleanly. I've extended this to all aspects of my body in efforts to live more cleanly. First on the docket: my skin. I've successfully incorporated water into my daily practise, carrying it with me everywhere. I've noticed that my skin improves when I make a conscious effort to drink water regularly. It's no wonder why I instantly fell in love with Daniela Belmondo's (Vancouver-based) organic skin care line, Belmondo; it makes my skin feel just as amazing.

I am fortunate enough to be friends with some pretty wonderful people, one of whom is Nicole. My favourite shop-owner and eco fashionista recently gifted me this travel sample set and I was instantly hooked.

If you follow this blog you know that I don't often write product-heavy posts. You also know that I don't write "sponsor posts." I write about what I like and I like Belmondo. As women, we spend countless hours poking and prodding at our faces and absorbent amounts of money on products to cover them up. For me, it was time to simplify.

Enter, Daniela: "I believe that beautiful skin comes from products derived from the earth’s pure and restorative ingredients. I’ve formulated this organic olive oil-based skin care line to protect, nourish, and enhance the natural beauty of those who use my products." I dig it. (and if that wasn't enough... she, and the company she founded, love animals, respect mama earth, think local, and are helping to build an orphanage in South Africa. What a mantra).

If you're interested in having a look at these products in person (or in giving them a smell) pop into body politic. Otherwise, the products are available online. If you end up giving any a try, I'd love to hear what you think.

Which leads me to my next questions: what is your current skin care routine? what products do you love?




(Photo courtesy of Belmondo via body politic).

Under Zee Weather

Well there went my gung-ho, let's go attitude! I've been momentarily sidelined by an oncoming cold which has left me tired + achey. I hope to be back up and blogging by the end of the week. Until then, stay warm, friends.

PS: Bauer is the best cuddle companion.

Link With Love, revisited.

(click on image to enlarge).

Hi friends. Today I'm talking about intellectual property and crediting. Although I've touched on this before, I wanted to revisit the topic as more and more of my friends have entered the world of Pinterest and are now disseminating images all over the internet. I've been passionate about this topic since university and it's something I want to ensure others, especially those closest to me, are aware of. Consider this post my soapbox speech and, if you'd be so kind, I'd love it if you would please read on.


Incorrect image/idea crediting. It's something we've all been unknowingly guilty of at some point. It is also something that is so easily avoided by educating ourselves on the best practices that we are all capable of following.

Before re-pinning, re-blogging, or re-tweeting something, make sure the image (a) has a link and (b) is linked back to the original source. When the link is available, share away; when it isn't, do the work and find the original source to update the link and credit appropriately. By doing so, you're ensuring the idea/ photo/ image is linked back to its original source and subsequent "shares" will be done so appropriately.

It's not all about financial compensation, folks; it's about striking a fair balance between original ideas and interpretations of those ideas. We might not be able to credit absolutely everything that inspires us because sometimes we can't explain it, let alone map it out in clean links. However, in this day and age, when we have google, IMDB, shazam, and other searchable databases at our finger tips, it's appropriate to acknowledge the creator, wherever possible.

The image above (created by erin loechner and pia bijkerk with yvette's lovely handmade fonts) says it perfectly. Please join the movement and continue to educate yourself and share with others.

A great place to start is by following the work of these movements:


In their words... LINKwithlove is the idea that by banding together in a "neighbourhood watch" type way - we, the internet, could teach and learn respect when dealing with intellectual property online.


In their words... Creative Commons develops, supports, and stewards legal and technical infrastructure that maximizes digital creativity, sharing, and innovation.


So... are you onboard? Do you link with love in your daily practise?




(Top image created by erin loechner and pia bijkerk with yvette's lovely handmade fonts).