Niece & Nephew

A couple weekends ago, my sister-in-laws brought their babies over for a Sunday evening. We had dinner and chatted and went for a big walk, and then we laughed and laughed at these two cuter than cute kids. I don't know where my camera was when they were laughing at the fluffy sheepskin rug or sharing/licking their light saber, but here they are getting fed by their mommas!

Wren, always keeping those hamstrings nice and stretched!

Jack gobbling it up!

Kitchen Little

Can I just share how little my kitchen is? Ok, I will then. Because it's really important that you know. I think I shall start a segment called "Small Apartments Bite: Tips"

It may or may not consist of more than one edition, this being the first.

You see, sometimes I have been known to have a good idea or 2. This post has 2. But they're both kind of the same. Anyhow, sorry if you've seen this already because you've been over to our apartment and I've inconspicuously pointed out how crazy good this idea was... sorry. That's all I can say.

Exhibit A:

Here you have my tupperware plastic container and baking supplies cupboard. Up top is a container full of containers. I mean, who likes stacking and organizing plastic containers on a shelf?! Not me. So I throw it in there and when I need to find something I pull it out.

And I see that right next to it is my sweater-wearing hot water bottle - I've been looking for that! What a weird place for me to put it... but I digress.

So essentially it's a drawer. Which are a hot commodity in a kitchen this size.

get it!? I know... rocket science is hard but grand.

As for the baking supplies basket, It just made sense to me to put them all together because when you're baking you usually need more than 1 baking supply. The category kinda gets used in one shot, so in those cases you pull that bad boy out onto the counter and grab and go! 

The next exhibit  takes place in the fridge:

I just cleaned out the fridge, which gave me the idea of organizing it in a similar fashion!

And when I say cleaned out, I don't mean it is clean, I just mean there is no more rotting food in there. 

So when you have a super small fridge it starts to look like you have a gabillion condiments. Well, maybe we just do. Actually, that was a surprising perk about getting married. The condiment inheritance! Yay! But anyways, the point is, they can take up space and, well, I may as well tell you the whole story here....

....when we were storing 10 wedding cakes (baked by Mom) the week before the wedding, we had to make room for a rotation of one or two in here and so we took all those condiments, threw them in a cardboard box and put them out on the patio where they stayed fridge temperature, or so we hoped. After the wedding, we swiftly got that straightened out and put the cardboard box back in the fridge! Wow, I can't even believe that happened in real life... and let's pretend it didn't stay like that for three months following. Anyways, it kinda turned out nice to have those condiments corralled except when I wanted to use one. So now we have them corralled on a tray on the bottom shelf. It did appear that that tray (you may recognize from here hehe) was going to fit the other way in, leaving a perfect gap on the side for our water jug to stand up, but the fridge door would not close by this much. So it's in width-ways, but we'll see how long it lasts until I find myself the perfect sized tray. 

I think I like this application of my 'putting things in things' (I need to copyright that- don't mess with a good name!) because I can see almost everything on the tray and can pull it out - like a drawer - to see everything at the back! 

Aren't I so smart?!

I have 1 more tip for small spaces I think. Excited?

Buy tea towels and things in cheery colours that make you happy to look at. Unlike the dark brown cupboards you have to look at while you wash the dishes in your single bowl sink.

I'm in LOVE with the tea towels above. They're just striped. But they're vintage and the most gorgeous coloured stripes I've ever seen in luscious turkish linen. Yep, you heard right. Turkish. 

And no I did not let my dishes accumulate for 18 days (I would never...) I just did a lot of baking and cooking all in one night...for those who were too busy judging to locate my delicious tea towels underneath it all.

Exhibit C:

Hope this makes you feel better if you think your kitchen needs help. We're keeping it REAL right here! I have 13 cupboards and 3 drawers (and 1 single bowl sink). Count them.


That's all for now!

ayla

Lovin' every minute of it

instant camera fun, taken on our honeymoon in Mexico

Let's re-cap.


A year ago I was knee deep in school work, lacking sleep and motivation...
From graduation I went straight into the work world, having been hired the day before my last day of school at a larger design/build firm in downtown Vancouver. I was lucky. And very glad for the paycheck.
I worked through the summer and into the fall.

Then the boy proposed to me in the most amazing way possible. A day that will never be forgotten (not to mention the day before my first niece was born and I got to take the day and be with her!).
4 months later we were married, on February 18th 2012. We went on a beautiful honeymoon to Riviera Maya and now we continue with working good stable jobs living in a little old apartment perfect for saving up some money!

I feel so blessed, so struck by the feeling of  'we've got it made' and sometimes get an overwhelming feeling of happiness that can't adequately be described.

So I'll keep on blogging now, after a year that was documented in vast and various ways other than blogging.

Stay tuned for:
- a video of the proposal!
- vintage wedding gowns going up in the shop!
- a few little 'lipstick' renos around the apartment
and who knows what else!

Tuesday Inspiration

Found Here

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Hope you have a cheery one :)

The Glamorous Life of .... me

This is it for another 5 days.
Palm Springs suitcase still not unpacked.
Drawings splayed everywhere.
AutoCAD the only thing I've seen in a week.
But at least the morning sun looks good in here :D

Sidenote: I thought about moving the honeycomb cereal box, but let's be honest here ...
(at least my other 3 cups are out of the frame)

The last 3 days I've done ab-sa-loot-ley nothing! Its wonderful! Well, actually I did read a Shopoholic confessions thingy book. I don't normally like them, I think I tried reading one before, but this time I just soaked it up - hehe but I find myself wanting things now. Its not a real good thing. But, let me tell you, I'm not just wanting measly fancy clothes and shoes, I mean things that are like crazy awesome too . . .
Par example . . . (I think I just threw in a little French there!)

This pantry. Now, don't ya'll be phoning me at once complaining that I brought on the jealousies with you too! Its tough this wantin' businness!

from this blog, house of smiths

Tomorrow I shall organize my life - school stuff, papers, bills, clothes, printers (there are 2 sitting on my bedroom floor right now not in operable condition!), cupboards, purses .... so there!

top 5 tips when thinking about lighting in the home

My aunty Sue was wondering....

"Sue Nimegeers said...

I need help with my lighting....give me your top 5 tips when thinking about lighting in the home!!?? "

I kinda love this topic so I'm gonna write a quick response while I'm on my lunch break!

#1. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
 - If you see 2 bulbs that look the same by the label other than their prices, always go for the more       expensive one. You will get better quality light, colours that are true, long lasting equipment, and you will be happier for it!

#2. Always use more than one light source .... so, have your task lighting (lamps or wired-in lighting for particular tasks), your accent lighting (accenting art, an alcove, etc.) and your ambient lighting (most of us think of it as a ceiling mounted light). Referred to as "LAYERING light", it makes a room individual and interesting. Put it in in that order, using the ambient lighting to balance it out. But make sure there are still "pockets" of light, and its not over-lit, which destroys the whole purpose of layering light. Which brings me to ....

#3. BALANCE the values in the room. Yes, you always want light, medium and dark values in a room and light can help with this. Note: everybody reacts differently to different uses of colour in a space, but everybody reacts the SAME to lighting. Everyone will always look first at the brightest thing. So, if you want everyone to notice the circle of light attached to your ceiling first, make that your brightest spot. : D ... but that's not the "brightest" design idea...hehehe!

#4. I will say, for environmental purposes, use CFL (compact fluorescents) instead of incadescents. This is where you will DEFINITELY get value for money, and the colour rendering, warmth, etc. is no longer
 inferior to that of incandescent. I promise you. Also, people who say they get headaches and such from fluorescents are wrong. They get it from the glare that comes from the way they're being used. Improper lighting techniques can not be blamed on the bulb used!

#5. If you have Halogens or BR-Lamps or PAR-lamps (R38/PAR30/20 commonly used if you have recessed or "pot" lights), do not touch them when installing. They'll burn out fast (and they're innefficient incandescents to start with!).

And another note, because it drives me crazy when they are done wrong: bathrooms or change rooms (retail especially) should have more than 1 light source. The absolute worste thing to do is stick a light right above your head shining down on you. It creates big shadows that highlight under eye circles, cullulite, and everything we hate about our bodies! If you HAVE to have a light straight overhead  then at least have another one that is wall-mounted in front of you (think behind or beside the mirror) or on a wall to the side of the mirror, to counteract all those terrible shadows. Swimcois the absolute WORSTE for this! Their sales would probably double if they lit their change rooms properly!

Hope this helps! See-ya later!

Happy Birthday Dearest!

We celebrated Ron's Birthday at our house with a few friends...just food and good conversation!

We had some tasty pizzas (chicken/taco bbq and proscuito/feta), stuffed b.l.t. tomatoes, strawberry walnut salad, homemade limeaide and angel food cake ....there were fantastic cards to read and gifts to open, a little cutie to make us all smile, candelight for our lightless-living-room, beachy tunes, crayons and paper tablecloth to sketch on... and my very own amazing  young chap, in a sparkly green birthday crown (with no evidence of that to be found!).

It was so much fun to entertain (for once!) and try some new recipes, and everything worked out well! I love our friends, you all made it a great evening in and a perfect way to celebrate a birthday!

Ron, you make me so happy and you deserve soooo much happiness. I hope this year is your favorite one yet!

Tour de Bedroom

I've finally got my bedroom to an organized enough state that it can now be proclaimed: Good Enough

Moved in June 1st, so it has been 2 months! Anyways, this is the green room now (plus a little 60s effect; couldn't resist!):

My $20 craigslist find of a dresser, which really needs a coat of paint. And some better knobs. I forgot it had knobs AND pulls when I bought the green flower knobs, so it looks a bit weird. Oh well, good enough!

And the cute summer quilt, made by my momma!

No, I do not have a bedskirt but I am accepting donations. Grin.

The closet corner of my room. And an old sled. And some art of me, raindrops and a black and white postcard.

Then you can see my drawers on top of my "Razzberry" table.It works, since I didn't have enough drawer space in the dresser. Stack of magazines are a perfect alternative to hanging the mirror! haha ... or the lazy man's way...

The shelf of doooom! But everything has a place and its all very find-able! From Halloween decorations to textbooks to greeting cards, flooring samples, my passport and highschool diploma - its ALL there!

The stack of books I'm reading:

 

Cradle to Cradle McDonough/Braungart:

You MUST read this book if you are even remotely interested in our efforts to 'greenify' the way we live. This gives a fresh perspective, written by an Architect and a Chemist who have been researching and studying this field for the past 20 or 30 years. Its very interesting, and I have to read it for school this Fall, and it was recommended to read it and take notes over the summer. It talks about remaking the way we make things. And how being 'less bad' is 'no good'. Excellent stuff, seriously, you will be surprised. (can't wait for the class we're reading this for!)

"Things that have come to pass" Me:

This is actually just a diary that my best friend Nicki gave me when I turned 8. There are things written in it from that age until now. I plan to keep it up until I die! Its my only "real" diary.

Oh Ye Jigs & Juleps! Virginia Cary Hudson:

I came accross this book at a thrift store, and had to have it: It was written by a 10 year old girl in the early 1900s and is just like her daily essays of her view on life. Super cute and fun to read but I haven't read it all yet!

Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life Karen Rauch Carter:

Pretty much the best book I've encountered about Feng Shui. If you're curious about the ancient Chinese practice, read this book, she makes it very easy to understand for us westerners! I love learning about Feng Shui, and I can tell you it hasn't been practiced for hundreds of years because it doesn't work!

Simple Abudance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy Sarah Ban Breathnach:

I was in the habit of reading this everyday but haven't been so good at it lately. I always looked forward to reading the page or two dedicated to each day. It makes you notice and love the simple things a bit more I guess, and makes me want to cook, clean, garden, decorate and do everything with simplicity and, well, abundance! Truly a worthwhile book, every woman should read it for a year, or even continually would probably be cool.

Sorry, were you expecting fiction?! I can't remember the last one I read. Used to love them, but really, I just don't even bother trying anymore... Meh, I enjoy me some learning material anyways.

happy day!

Heavens to Etsy

Before:

After:

(or click above)

Etsy has changed their whole layout AND Blogger has changed again since I was last online! It has been awhile. . . But some new items are brewing  for Dust & Dawn around here. As you can see, more Melamine will be a part of that! Yay!

What have you been up to, darling blog readers?

$8 Art

My latest find at ValueVillage, from a Manitoba artist! I love the saying...

Not entirely sure about the little man, but I'm sure he'll grow on me!

Squirrel it is not

Did I mention that this cute little fella resides in my backyard?

One day when I came home from work at 10:30pm she was standing in front of my step... and I scared her a little when I finally saw her (I think I was texting at the time and nearly walked right into her!) then I ran up my steps and she got up all backed against the fence.... then ducked into a hole and took off. But boy was that a close one! Now I am so paranoid about being outside (so much for enjoying that hammock!) or leaving the door open or anything! I took this picture last week, the first morning I saw her, but at least then it was from accross the whole yard. The thing is, she's like a baby so there must be more somewhere, no?

I just know I am that clumsy bimbo who'd get sprayed by a skunk, so what do I do?!

• by the way, I have begun my love afair with Picnik.com. It has photo editing stuff for free, which is, in my opinion all one needs. It even has those photoshop effects like posterize,  film grain, cross process, etc., that seem to work quite dandy! So far I've created my new header and my rosie picture, and its really quick and fun!
• However, all of my Polaroid-style photos I make using "Poladroid" which I think everyone should download, it's so fun, you get a little polaroid camera that sits on your desktop and spits out a polaroid whenever you drag a photo into it. You even get to shake it and watch it develop. :)
• my house is hot
• and did i mention i have a skunk living in my backyard?
• oh and i'm finally getting a decent wireless plan and a blackberry. woot!