Categories
Design & Decor

Deck Decor

We had to re-do our deck this spring; because after 30 years, it was WORN OUT. My preference was to keep the same design: large upper (main) deck with a small deck at the base of the stairs. My husband on the other hand is much more creative than I am. He made some major modifications / improvements to our deck. We kept the two deck layout, however, the lower deck was enlarged, the benches removed and a pergola was added. An octagon and second set of stairs was added to the other side of the main deck. 

In addition to the deck itself being updated, we also needed new decor. We already have an awning that covers a good portion of the main deck. But we added…

Martha Stewart Broxton 9-Piece Set with Tan Cushions from Lowe’s
Style Selection Large Resin Planters (in assorted colours) from Lowe’s
Nourison Aloha Area Rug (8X10) from Lowe’s
Oakland Living Storage Box in Tan from Lowe’s
Char-Broil Performance Series Barbecue from Lowe’s


For the lower deck…
Allen + Roth Oakport 5 Piece Patio Conversation Set in Slate Grey from Lowe’s
Assorted Allen + Roth Ceramic Planters from Lowe’s


For the octagon…
Allen + Roth Buchan Bay Octagon Wicker Table with Umbrella Hole from Lowe’s
Allen + Roth Buchan Bay Set of 2 Wicker Dining Chairs from Lowe’s
Allen + Roth 9ft Grey Auto-Tilt Market Patio Umbrella from Lowe’s
Patio Railing Planters from Lowe’s

Categories
Design & Decor Reflections & Lifestyle

Get Growing…

Just a little garden check in!

Categories
Design & Decor

Main Living Room Re-Design

Since we re-did the downstairs living room, we figured we may as well plan to re-do the upstairs living room.


Paint: Rushing River (Benjamin Moore)
Curtains:
Merete in white (Ikea)
Window Seating (2):
Buskbo Armchair in rattan (Ikea)
TV Stand:
BESTÅ TV bench, white (Ikea)
Armchair (2): UPPLAND Armchair, light beige (Ikea)
Side table (2): Lunnarp Side Table in white (Ikea)
Couch:
ÄPPLARYD Loveseat, Djuparp red-brown (Ikea)
Lamps (2):
TONVIS Table lamp, smoked glass/white (Ikea)
Floor Lamp:
ÅRSTID Floor lamp, brass/white (Ikea)
Rug: LÖNNESTAK Rug, handmade/gray (Ikea)
Coffee Table:
Lunnarp Coffee Table in white (Ikea)
Table Decoration:
Stockholm Bowl, gold-colour (Ikea)
Art Piece:
Metal Leaves Wall Art (Bouclair)

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

Writing Prompt Wednesday

I was gifted an awesome journal for Christmas last year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I am still working my way through it! I wanted to share my most recent entry with you…


What about you?

Categories
Gifts

Father’s Day Gift Guide

I lost my father twenty years ago today. Father’s Day is always a tough time for me. Although my father is no longer earthside, I do have some really incredible father figures in my life: my father-in-law and my uncle. To celebrate these special men I put together a gift guide. 


1. Cooling Pint Glass Set
2. Wireless Charging Station
3. Snack Box (filled with all his favourite snacks)
4. History By Mail Subscription Box
5. Knife Block Set

Categories
Entertainment

Year End Staff Party Ideas

After another, very long and very trying school year –summer is just around the corner. Staff parties were made null and void during COVID. We haven’t had a staff party in over two years.

purple fireworks effect
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

To kick off summer with a bang as well as to say goodbye to several beloved staff members who decided to move on to bigger and better positions within the education system; we came up with some great party ideas…

1. Round of golf
2. City beer cart pedal tour
3. Amazing Race/Scavenger Hunt
4. Escape Room
5. Dinner Theater
6. Harbour Boat Cruise
7. Paint Night
8. Karaoke & Sushi
9. Overnight in the “Wilderness”
10. Murder Mystery Dinner Party

How do you celebrate the end of the school year?

Categories
Fashion

Summer Dresses I Am Loving

After a recent trip to Old Navy, I fell in love with some super cute summer dresses. Here are my top picks for the summer!

Cap-Sleeve Floral-Print Cutout Bow-Detailed Mini Swing Dress for Women in Orange Floral


Flutter-Sleeve Cotton-Poplin Smocked Cut-Out Mini Swing Dress for Women in Navy Floral


Tiered Slub-Knit Midi Cami Swing Dress for Women in Alpine Tundra


Sleeveless Waist-Defined Embroidered Clip-Dot Maxi Dress for Women in Sunflower Gold


Waist-Defined Puff-Sleeve Tie-Neck Mini Dress for Women in Black Jack

Categories
Design & Decor

Master Bedroom Re-Design

My goodness, did our master bedroom really need some updating!

Paint: Smokestack Gray (Benjamin Moore)
Bedroom Furniture Set:
MALM Bedroom Set of 3 -bed/2 dressers- (Ikea)
Bedding: Bay Isle Home Tana Microfiber Modern & Contemporary 8 Piece Comforter Set in silver (Wayfair)
Dresser: MALM 6-drawer dresser, white (Ikea)
Lamps:
SNÖBYAR Table lamp, gray-turquoise ceramic/gray (Ikea)
Greenery: FEJKA Artifi potted plant w pot, set of 3, indoor/outdoor flower mix (Ikea)
Art: Pine Trees on a Lake Framed Canvas (Bouclair)
Mirror: TOFTBYN in white (Ikea)

Categories
Fashion

Queen’s Jubilee — Tiaras!

Although the Trooping of the Colour is a tiara-less event the pomp and circumstance got me thinking about all things royalty… especially the TIARAS because we see them so seldomly lately.

One of my favourite blogs used to be the Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor; on this blog she would, “honor all things elegant and entertaining in royal fashion.” I loved seeing what the royals wore and the history behind some of the jewelry. It is a blog I really hope becomes active once again. However, she does have another incredible blog: From Her Majesty’s Jewel Vault.
My All-Time Favourites…

1. Midnight Tiara
2. Danish Ruby Parure Tiara
3. Portland Sapphire Tiara
4. Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara
5. Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara


6. Queen Mary’s Bandeau Tiara
7. Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara
8. Cameo Tiara
9. Spencer Tiara
10. Strathmore Rose Tiara


What about you? What tiaras do you dream about?

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

Writing Prompt Wednesday

I was gifted an awesome journal for Christmas last year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I am still working my way through it! I wanted to share my most recent entry with you…


What about you?