July 28, 2011

Finding Inspiration.....mind, body, soul

The past two mornings on the drive into work, Deadmau5 has come onto the radio. Yes, I love house music. So sorry to those that don’t fist pump, but that’s just who I am. And no I’m not into fried pickles, but I swear I won’t judge you if you do.

Anyways, the pounding base took me back to a vacation I took to the Cyclades in Greece many many many many years ago when I was a MUCH younger self. A single self. Do you remember your early 20’s? My early twenties were spent traveling various corners of the world, Greece, being my first victim. It was a trip of a lifetime and I feel as if a part of that trip has always stayed with me.

If you have ever been lucky enough to visit Greece, most especially this group of islands you know what I’m talking about. There is something magical about these islands that inhibit the mind, body and soul in every way imaginable. We watched the sunset in Oia on Santorini while listening to Enya. Dancing the night away at an outdoor disco on Ios. Sipping espresso at an outdoor café on Naxos. Those are all memories that I will take with me forever, and I can’t help but want to duplicate the feeling of these islands.

The first island we visited was Santorini. My girlfriend Lina and I arrived very late at night on a prop plane from Athens, and it was already dark outside. The taxi dropped us off at the end of town, Fira, and told us that we had the walk the rest of the way. My first thought was YOU HAVE NO FREAKIN CLUE WHAT’S IN THIS BACKPACK DUDE but I figured I guess I had no choice. We walked into town, and were immediately taken by the beauty of Fira. Sure it was late at night, almost midnight, yet there was this vibe that you felt as deep as your bones. And NO, I hadn’t had a shot of Ouzo yet.

We were booked into the Loucas Hotel, a recommendation from a co-worker, and we were not disappointed. Thankfully the inn-keeper was still there to check-us in. We walked down about a million steps to get to our room, dropped our bags, and crashed. The next morning, we woke up rather early, wanting to get a head start on the day. We opened our shutters, and this is what we saw.



We were in absolute AWE. I had never seen or experienced anything like it in my lifetime, I was almost in tears. We sat there and just stared out at the sea for a couple hours just to take it all in.

That is just one of the amazing experiences I had on that trip to Greece, but because of that experience, and all the others, how happy and peaceful this trip made me feel, I’m seriously considering bringing in some Mediterranean and/or Greek elements into our home. I’m not quite sure how, or what yet, due to limited expenses, but I’ve started to collect some ideas, and inspiration as to how I’d go about doing this.

Here are a couple of examples of various room-types that have been inspired by Grecian or Mediterranean décor. I’ve been saving these up for a rainy day.





Almost ever trip i've been on, no matter the country, I take away a small piece of that country home with me in my heart, and sometimes my living room!

Have a great day everyone.

July 24, 2011

love is in the air

This summer, we are lucky enough to be attending 3 weddings for various friends and family members. I've never been a big fan of weddings really, until Paul and I were married 3 1/2 years ago. I've learned in my old age what a wedding truly means. It's not just about the dress, the reception and the open bar, but a true celebration of love. Love of family, friends, and your one true love.

Enough of the sappy crap....and back to the true point of this post. We have 3 weddings to attend. Normally for me that would mean 3 separate outfits. However, due to budget constraints, I need to stick to one outfit, and one set of accessories that will be perfect for all three events.


The dress I found at J. Crew - simple, understated, classic, and I absolutely LOVE this colour.  These gorgeous nude metallic-ish wedges are from Brown's Shoes, and the clutch is from Aldo.  I'm using these 3 weddings as an excuse to treat myself a little bit.  I love the "nude" trend happenning in fashion right now, i'm i'm going to take advantage!

I have no idea where these earrings are from.  I saved the photo, but neglected to save the source!  I've been racking my brain all morning trying to find out where I found them, and I promise i'll update you all as soon as I find out!  I'm such a bad blogger.

Do you have a lot of weddings to attend this year?  If so, i'd love to see what you're wearing!  Why not link to a photo of yourself in the comments below of you from a wedding you've attended this year, and i'll Pin all the photo's to my Pinterest account, under my board Summer Weddings 2011!  Maybe we can help other's looking for some advice in the style department for the remainder of this year's wedding season.  

July 21, 2011

stinkin' hot

Last night after my WeightWatchers meeting, I was walking home, and it was so hot out I was literally slipping in my flip flops. Yes, my friends. Even the soles of my feet were sweating.

Today is suppossed to be worse. Great. Just freakin great. This means that once again the kid will want nothing but popsicles for dinner.

Hmmm.

Maybe she's on to something.

That doesn't sound so bad. I wouldn't have to turn on the oven. It's bath night so I could just wash off the sticky mess she's just destined to make of herself.

Maybe i'll even make some homemade ones. That way I can control the sugar. And the other crap that goes in there.

Hmm.

double rainbow popsicles, recipe here


homemade rainbow popsicles, recipe here


Or maybe some homemade sorbet? With tons of fruit. YUUMMMYYYY.

raspberry sorbet, recipe here


What do you do to cool off in this crazy heat? Stay indoors? Hang out in your kid's play pool?

I'd love to hear what you all have to say!

dance to the beat of my drum



I'm in love with the style/fashion in the video. Once I loose all my flab, THIS will surely be my "style", and i'll bounce around the street singing "dance to the beat of my drum".

Can I get dance lessons with that as well please?

July 19, 2011

thinkin' about.......

How yummy this pasta/chicken dish would be. If only I wasn't watching what I eat right now. Damn you Weight Watchers.




I need to start shopping for a dress, after all, we have 3 weddings to attend in the next 2 months!

Source: None via Trina on Pinterest



I desperately need a new "do". But can't decide on chopping it off, or, growing it out, and just changing up the colour?





I keep looking at this bedroom (below) and am thinking this should be our inspiration/colour scheme for our new "low" bed (on the floor)




I miss swearing.

Source: None via Trina on Pinterest



Why am I obsessed with all white rooms?




I'm learning that pasta is my weakness, but am fulfilled by looking at beautiful pictures of spaghetti.



What are you thinkin' about lately?

for a limited time only..... ?????

I'm back.

I've missed the little place of mine that I call home. 

I'm hoping this time i'm back for good.

Let's play a game, ok?

For those of you that have stuck around, what do you like about DecorAddict?  What do you want to see more of on DecorAddict?

As much as this place on the inter-webs is "mine", I like to think that it's yours as well. 

So, discuss!!! 

July 18, 2011

an adorable reason to pick up a book {Honey Case}

I'm in love with this whimsical bookmark from the Honey Case shop


all photos by Honey Case

July 15, 2011

paris perfect

Paris.  Ahhhhhhhh Paris.   The cafe's.  The wine.  The food.  The MEN.

Ahhhhhh Paris.

No, I have never been fortunate enough to visit this romantic city.   But one day I will.  Until then I can daydream of the aparment that I will stay in, not the hotel that I will stay in.  You see, a visit to Paris would not be a true visit staying in a hotel.  One MUST stay in a traditional Paris Apartment.

I regularly stalk apartment rentals in Paris on in the surrounding area, bookmarking them as I find them just in case one day I find myself actually going there.















all images from Paris Perfect

July 13, 2011

Airbnb

A few weeks ago my hubby and I had the pleasure of attending the Beady Eye show at Sound Academy here in Toronto. It was EPIC. Just EPIC.

For those of you that are not familiar with Beady Eye, it’s basically Oasis, sans Noel Gallagher, who quit Oasis about 2 years ago. His brother Liam and the rest of the band decided to stick around, and rename themselves Beady Eye.

I think it’s the best decision both brothers ever made. Noel is working on his solo career and is coming out with not one but two albums in the next year, and Beady Eye’s debut Different Gear Still Speeding is freakin’ fantastic. Not to mention, absolutely fantastic live.

This was the very first time I had seem Sir Liam in the flesh in concert, and seeing him in a small venue like Sound Academy was amazing, and let me tell you I never want to go to an arena or stadium show ever again. I’ll stick with the small venue’s thank you very much.

Beady Eye just announced a few more dates in the states for the fall, unfortunately they won’t be coming back to Toronto, but they will be playing New York City. We’re seriously considering of making the trip to see them, most especially since one again they are playing a small venue, Terminal 5.

Of course hotels in NY are crazy expensive, and something that I really don’t want to spend money on, so I’ve started to search out some alternate options, and I remember hearing about Airbnb. No idea from where, but the concept is brilliant.
Airbnb connects people who have space to spare with those looking for a place to stay – FOR CHEAP! Guest can build connections with their hosts online, gain access to distinctive alternate accommodations in some of the most amazing cities in the world, including NYC. I can’t believe some of the places that I’m finding in Manhattan for the weekend of the Beady Eye show.

These people truly have a knack for decorating. CHECK-IT-OUT below……

Apartment #1 - Brooklyn, NY




Apartment #2 - Brooklyn NY







Are these apartments so divine? I think I may just have to give one of these a try if we end up going to Beady Eye. Hmmm.

dust bunnies in my head

We've lived in our current condo now for over 6 months.  Actually it's over 7 months now.  We still have a bazillion boxes strewn around the place, and barely any pictures on the walls.  We don't like the fridge, dishwasher, or the washer and dryer.  The laminate flooring the installed just before we moved in was installed to tightly so now it buckling in spots, and chipping in others.

BOTH bathrooms were on the fritz at the same time - the toilet in one, the shower in the other, and trying to remember what was broke in which got complicated at times with me standing in the shower wondering why there was no water coming out of the tap?  WTF?

Our neighbors have this intense need to SLAM the door shut EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY ARE COMING IN OR OUT causing our daughter to learn the phrase "noisy neighbors" sooner than most.
Some moron hit our car with their car or a ladder or a crow bar - not really sure as THE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME AND WE DIDN'T SEE IT HAPPEN.

And the kicker, our bed broke last night.  And not in the way you may think.  Purely innocent.  I swear.  So, we are now sleeping with the dust bunnies with our mattress on the floor.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Prairiedale on Pinterest

I like the mattress on the floor.  It makes me feel "artsy".  Like i'm in a NYC loft and can't afford a bed-frame, just the mattress.  NO GODDAMMIT I'M SLEEPING ON A MATTRESS ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE I WANT TO!  NOT BECAUSE MY CHEAP IKEA BED BROKE!  I'M SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE IT LOOKS COOL!  BECAUSE IF I FALL OUT OF BED THE FLOOR IS ONLY 3 INCHES AWAY!


Source: abeautifulliving.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest


Source: downandoutchic.blogspot.com via Shirley on Pinterest

The bed on the floor has given me a reason to get rid of the rest of the crap in our bedroom. And there is so much crap. From the christmas tree, our daughter's basinette, and the dining room table leaf, it's all just scatterred about. It all needs to go! Out of our bedroom! BE GONE! And don't come back!
A cluttered space makes a cluttered mind, no?  At least that what it feels like, and I think that's why my DH has been so grumpy lately.  And probably why i've been taking the "I don't give a shit" approach these days.
No more!  This chapter of dust bunnies under the bed is now over and we're taking back control of our bedroom!  Where's the vacuum!  Where's the swiffer!  The master bedroom revitilization has begun!

*if you would like to help us with the revitalization of our master bedroom by sponsoring us, please contact me at decoraddict@gmail.com