Pretty Little Things

It's almost March and I was out shovelling again today.  It's been a long winter and the prettiness of spring beckons.  Yesterday I went to West Edmonton Mall and looked at everything.  It looks like spring will be pretty.  The stores are filled with pink and cream flower pins, pink floral scarves and pale pink shoes.  It's all lovely.

I think if you like shabby chic you are a romantic who likes to dress the way you feel and this is the year for romance.  The Gap is doing ruffled tank tops, pale light pink sweaters,

and romantic ballerina shrugs.

I purchased both of these this weekend.  This year feels like the year I can finally find the romantic pieces I have been looking for.  I believe Anthropologie created this move to romance for retailers.  I adore Anthro but I cannot afford their clothes. Why is everything more expensive in Canada?

I went to Anthro yesterday too.  It is the most creative store, with changing window displays all the time.  I was in with my daughter a few months ago and the sales girl mentioned that they have interns creating all the extra details that you see in there.

I saw a beautiful spring dress yesterday in Anthro called the Tuileries Dress, you should try to find it online, it says spring and it's charming.

This post is short as I misplaced my camera for a few weeks.  I'm back on track today and promise to get up and running. 

Thanks for your patience,

Patricia

Greenery

I have never lived without winter.  All my life in Canada I have had winter. By the time spring hits I am thrilled to see green and plants. I try in the winter to have some green in my home.  Not always with success but I try.

Baby tears from Wellington.  So easy to have in the house, water twice a week, put in a beautiful urn and enjoy.  Urn is from Michaels years ago, base is from walmart with a paint job and a magnet glued on.

Not so beautiful with the orange pot peeking out I know.  I have been struggling with this gardenia for months.  Fertilizer, light, no flowers.  Sigh.  I am hoping for success in the summer.  I loved the smell of Gardenia and it has beautiful white waxy flowers. If anyone has a solution I would love to hear it.

Orchids have been a staple in my house for years.  Easy to grow, long flowering and little need for fuss.

Ferns under glass in white.  It's all beautiful.

A Myrtle.  I love the topiary shape of a myrtle.  Easy, lots of water, light, and a little hair trim and they are always beautiful.  I love to trim a Myrtle, it smells a bit like a fresh pine tree when it's done.

Until next time,

Patricia

Playing With My Big Toy

Sounds funny, I know but that's what my Mom  calls it when you clean your slipcovers and move around your accessories.  My Mom also moves furniture a lot but I never do.

Last weekend it was time to play, and it started with cleaning the slipcover on my ektorp chair.  I only have one trick for slipcovers.

Rubber gloves.  If you any other way to make it easier please let me know!  This is a job that hurts the hands but has to be done.  I find the gloves provide the grip on the fabric. 

 I wash (cold water, smidgen of bleach) and then put the cover for the piece of furniture on wet and then with the gloves on smooth out the wrinkles. It's hard work and the fabric is unyielding but it gives an amazing result.

I wait until the covers are air dried then I put the pillows in.  It's always worth the effort and it's why I love slipcovers.

Lovey seems to be asking when she can jump on it.

I picked up some beautiful tea light holders at Anthropoligie ( I registered with them months ago and they sent a charming little fabric cardholder with a 15% off coupon) a few weeks ago and I love the pink colour.  I wanted to use them on a sconce so I switched the ones I had out and added a pair of venetian sconces that have been under my bed for a few months. 

I added a mercury glass ball with an opening and paper roses of the palest pink.  I like the look.

  At night it's beautiful.

I use pale pink tri light bulbs in my living room and bedroom ( I think Phillips makes some) they create a beautiful glow.

I picked up the velvet pillow at Urban Outfitter's on sale.  I should have purchased another because I went back and they are all gone.

After all this work I lit the candles,

sat back and enjoyed the results.

Enjoy your weekend, and if you have a slipcover trick let me know, I'll post them so we can all learn a better way.

Have fun playing with your big toy, light the good candles and enjoy the results.

Until next time,

Patricia

A deal from Ikea

Just a quick note, I got an email from Ikea the other day and it's a steal of a deal if you love Shabby Chic and have always wanted a white loveseat for your room.

From $419 to $300 wow.

My Mom has 2 Ektorp couches and I have an Ektorp chair.  Great removable slipcover in white and a feather seat over foam.  This is the closest thing to Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic (expensive) furniture you can find.

This is a great deal.

So have fun shopping

Beauty from the library

I have always had a library card, even as a little kid.  I don't really understand people who don't go to the library. I love every section but my favourite is the decor section.  As well, I like to look at the magazines and I found something in Canadian House and Home I thought I would share.  The editor went to New York and saw this in Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture store. 

This was in the window in the Christmas season. It's a picture from the magazine so it didn't turn out that well but you get the idea; bare branches, beautiful pale ornaments and 2 fabulous chairs.

As well, I was about to leave the library when I found "Romantic Style".  The cover caught my eye!

This is the back cover.

Yes, that's me, they are right this is the book for me!

It's worth going to the library to get this book so that at least you can drool over these pictures.  Some of the homes are very detailed and dark so it's not all light romantic decor, but what is is absolute perfection. 

I adore this photo.

The whole dresser. So beautiful and inspiring.

The size of the candle holder in the corner is the biggest I have ever seen. 

Such a beautiful little room.

 

I love the vintage mirrors on the wall. 

This decor is so beautiful because in most of the rooms the floor is painted white.  In our newer homes the floor is not so rough looking that we need to paint it, but doesn't this make you yearn for messy floors that need to be painted?

I love inspiration and I always find it at the library.

Until next time,

Patricia