Natural Easter Egg Dyes

Although I don't have plans to decorate eggs this Easter, I appreciate the fact that there are so many recipes for natural dyes in circulation. Gone are the days of chemically-mutated tablets; for gorgeous and unique colours, look no further than your pantry!

After reading through quite a few recipes, the following were the most intriguing...

- All-Natural Easter Egg Dye Recipes by Better Homes and Gardens
- Natural Egg Dyeing Techniques by Martha Stewart
- Natural Easter Egg Dyes by Bon Appetit
- Dyeing Easter Eggs the Natural Way by Two Men and a Little Farm

They sound like safe yet beautiful options, especially for little ones. Are you beautifying eggs this Easter?


(Image courtesy of BHG.com).

(pause)

Life feels like it is coming at me full-throttle right now. I have a new job, my fiancé and I appear to have opposing schedules (which will have kept us in different cities for the better part of a month), I’ve been sweating, stretching, and attempting to become a runner again (left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot…), and I am eagerly trying to organize this house in preparation of the busy holiday season ahead.

Although it can be overwhelming at times, it all seems insignificant. I’ve recently been reminded of how precious this gift we call life is. A close and beautiful friend of mine recently lost her amazing husband in an accident. There are no words to describe something like this. Instead, there is support and love and hugs and tears and laughs and wine and encouragement to share with each other and reminders to incorporate this behaviour into your “every day.”

Tomorrow we celebrate Remembrance Day, a day of memorial to remember those who have died in the line of duty. We observe this holiday on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour and, this year, in the eleventh year. 11.11.11.

Today, tomorrow, and every day thereafter, make it a daily practice to tell the important people in your life that you love them.

Where there is love, there is life.

Holiday-Inspired Nails.

I'm excited to see that dark, short, nails - which just happen to be my specialty - are being coveted this winter and there is a plethora of gorgeous shades to choose from. Much to my delight, Maegan has shared her glitter-infused take on the trend, pairing my very favourite OPI shade (Lincoln Park After Dark) with a hint of pixie dust. Voila!


(Image and tutorial courtesy of ...love Maegan).

ban.do Holiday

The most wonderful time of the year is quickly approaching which means holiday collections are beginning to roll out in full force. The always fabulous ban.do recently presented their holiday line which is full of metallics, sparkles, and a whole lotta glam.

These are my favourite pieces: crystal bowtie shoe clips ($55), metallic lace headwrap ($50), pop flower ($75), + jumbo party bobbi ($15).



(Photos courtesy of ban.do).

snapshots from a week of fun.

I was fortunate enough to have had last week off work. I was even more fortunate to have been able to spend this time with a collection of wonderful people. My iPhone and I saw some awesome things. If you follow me on twitter, you may have noticed that Instagram is my new favourite ap...

1. Fresh mojitos at local.
2. Martini bar at this lady's Sex and the City bridal shower.
3. Dinner at Nana + Papa's in False Creek.
4. Gelato with my sister.
5. Celebrating (a very belated) father's day with the bro, pa, and sis at the Vancouver Canadian's game.
6. I flew South of the boarder with a flock of Sam's Sassy Seagals (which is also known as a stagette or bachelorette or hen party, depending on where you're from).

It was a wonderful time.

Now that I'm home, and (some of) my laundry has been done, I'm raring to start on a few projects. I also plan on savouring every.last.bit of summer 2011 because although it's been a beautiful one I can feel autumn right around the corner.

brunch.

Happy BC Day.

company's coming.

I'm signing off for the long weekend.

Ben's BFF is here (which has been hilariously entertaining) and my mum is arriving today for the long weekend (yay!). I'm looking forward to a weekend full of sunshine, laughter, and indulgent food + drinks. Yep. That's perfection in my books.

Happy BC Day, all.



(Photo courtesy of Southern Living via Pintrest).

let's get our celebration on.

Although I have a monthly membership with cocodot, I love sending (+ receiving!) cards through the mail. It's always such a fun treat, especially if it is sent just because.

Birthdays are the perfect time to brighten a friend's mailbox and these are some of the prettiest cards I've seen in a while. Eat cake and be merry? Pretty much my 'party' mantra.

These beauties were created by Sam Dubeau and stumbled upon via Beyond Beyond + Pintrest.

Psst... If you haven't experienced Pintrest you are missing out on something special. We should also be friends (find me here).

Do you send cards by mail? by email?



(Photos for Sam Dubeau by Scarlet O'Neill).

Canada Day Sangria

Happy Birthday Canada. To celebrate our fair country (and girls' night with my friend Jen), I wanted to incorporate red + white. And - because I'm that kinda girl - I figured what better way than with wine?


To create the citrusy-white wine sangria and berry-infused red sangria I had envisioned, I thumbed through a few of my favourite sangria "recipes." None of them sounded just right so I started throwing things together myself. They turned out so deliciously that I decided to share them with you (plus, this way I will remember how to make them again)! Cheers!


citrus-inspired white wine sangria


Ingredients
1 bottle of light/ crisp white wine (we used Barefoot Pinot Grigio)
citrus fruits, cut up (we used 3 oranges, 2 peaches, 1 nectarine, and a quarter of a lemon)
1 can of orange mango juice
1 bottle of lemonade
splash of vodka
splash of sprite

combine all ingredients in a large pitcher (or a large bowl) and chill in the fridge for at least a couple of hours. pour in a red wine glass. drink until its gone, get a spoon, and keep going.


berry-infused red wine sangria


Ingredients
1 bottle of fruity red wine (we used Barefoot Zinfandel)
berries (we used strawberries, raspberries, and watermelon)
blueberry pomegranate juice
splash orange brandy
splash of ginger ale

combine all ingredients, chill in the fridge for as long as you can contain yourself from drinking it. enjoy!


What is your favourite sangria recipe?

Happy Mother's Day.

Apologies for being MIA as of late. Life... well, life happened. I'm itching to blog some truly awesome things so (please) stay tuned. Incoming magic...



Today, I must take a moment to honour my incredible mum. You've been through a roller coaster year and have come out of it stronger and wiser. I'm so impressed with your poise, class, determination, and - above all - strength. You are amazing. I love you so, so much.

Thank you for everything that you do. xo, C.

Eggs of American Birds.

I'd love either of these prints any time of year, although they seem more than relevant this week. Don't these eggs create the most beautiful colour palette?


Eggs of American Birds prints # 5 + # 4 from Modish Vintage.

Confetti Eggs

I've been trying to fit in some background tidying on the blog; however, this idea was too awesome not to share.

Dying eggs at Easter is a traditional pass time in my house, although I've never had this much fun with them! What a perfect idea for a "big kid" egg hunt. Check out the fabulous DIY by Rebecca Wright on Oh Happy Day.



Rebecca describes them perfectly: Confetti eggs (aka Cascarones) are like mini pinatas for your head.

Um. How fun!?




I'm storing this one in the 'must try' bank for future Easters (& I'm already trying to brainstorm what other kind of fillings I can come up with)!



Photos by Robyn Kessler for Oh Happy Day.

Boardwalk Empire NYE Party: the main event

This post must be prefaced with the following statement: we associate with some pretty fantastic human beings. B and I are so lucky to be able to call these beautiful people our friends.


Now... onto the party.

The Décor: As I wanted to ensure our fabulous costumes were the focal point, I was selective with decorations. To establish a vintage and whimsical 1920's feel, I looped paper chains from the ceiling in the living/ dining room and lit white candles throughout the space. Confetti and black + white balloons were scattered all over the house (& subsequently in the snowy backyard). The white, silver + gold ornaments left over from Christmas added the perfect final touch.




The Party People: I've learned that when I give my friends a challenge they will deliver. Since everyone arrived the afternoon of the 31st we were able to get ready together. It was a riot: a flurry of pearls, boas, toy guns, and hats. The end result was priceless and everyone looked absolutely fantastic.



In case you're wondering, yes, that is Ryan and, yes, he's bleeding from the mouth. It was an accident.


The Goods (aka Food & Drinks & Entertainment): In true 1920's fashion, we toasted the night away with a seemingly endless supply of champagne. We also got creative with a make-your-own-martini-bar; this became a crowd pleaser and several of the guests asserted themselves as mixologists. The kitchen was a revolving door wherein easy appetizers (egg rolls, cheese platters, dips, etc) were prepared throughout the night. Aside from the traditional game of Roxanne (it's "legendary" in this house), we played (and made up) some board games.



The Countdown: We piled into the backyard, lit sparklers, clinked champagne flutes, and set off confetti canons. How else would you ring in NYE?







Photos courtesy of my wonderful friends Angela + Sarah.

Holiday

There is SO much holiday goodness going on this weekend - the last weekend before Christmas! I hope you all enjoy the comings and the goings of your weekend and that you spend some time dancing around your Christmas tree (or just dancing in general, if you prefer). Press play on this little video and enjoy.

Happy Friday, luvvies.

Silver + Gold

During the holidays many of us naturally gravitate to metallics and sparkles. This year, I've found myself particularly smitten with anything silver & gold. The following are some of my favourites that I've flagged over the last few weeks that would be perfect gifts or embellishments to deck your halls, tables, or selves!









Are you gravitating towards a specific colour or palette this season?



{SILVER} Single Image: Ornaments. Clockwise from top left: wine/ champagne ice bucket; Tarnish Stone Station Bangles; OPI Swiss Collection; pinecone place card holder; square table; Glacia Bird.

{GOLD} Single Image: Tablescape. Clockwise from top left: Wishbone (via coco + kelley); Etch Pendant (via Rue); Twirl Bow Cuff; Edible Gold Stars (via Oh Happy Day); Short Gold Tumblers.

Adorn Your Desktop

Just in case your desktop is in need of a festive pick-me-up, check out these fabulous (+ free!) holiday desktop wallpapers that you will not get sick of before the end of the week.




Check out fossil (top image) and [i] Love Life (bottom image) for more awesomeness. Thank you to the artists for spreading the holly jolly love.