Cozy, Snuggly, Warm Weekends...

Happy December!! 

Snow is falling here today and after a very busy week, I'm curled up on the couch under a cozy wool blanket with a coffee and my laptop,watching the snowflakes slowly float to the ground.

I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday, all snuggled up at home.

Who can I talk to about this extra day between Saturday and Sunday??

RR

**Please click on photos for credit/sources.

Boots and Blazers

Fall truly is my favorite time of year...the colors, the cooler weather, the cozy blankets....and it means it's time to break out the boots and blazers again! These 2 fashion pieces are definitely 'go-to' staples of mine... They can be dressed up or dressed down and I really can't think of two more versatile items to include in your wardrobe...except for maybe a LBD (little black dress).

This is as about as close to 'me' as a look could get...the boots, the blazer...the scarf, the bag, jeans....My Uniform! 

LOVE this blazer from J Crew...the cut, the length, classic black....would work in so many outfits!



*Drool* These Ailee Flat Studded Knee Boots by Michael Kors are yummy! I seem to gravitate to this camel/caramel color when it comes to boots...

I'm off to organize my closet and get my boots & blazers front row center!

RR

It's officially official….

Fall is here…...with vengeance!

Spooky Sunrises….

Turn into beautiful blue skies and sunshine...

Then sunset…The colours are spectacular!

How about some tailgating? It is football season after all! We have a full Thanksgiving dinner at the TigerCat/Argo game in Guelph Thanksgiving weekend!

Had to put the Fall photo cards up in my office….

Do you find you gravitate to 'spicier', more 'woodsy' scents this time of year? I sure do….and these candle from Chapters Indigo are AMAZING! I just ordered a bunch! (They're 25% off until October 28th too!)

I headed to my parent's this weekend and was greeted with quite a snowy drive and this as I pulled in the lane way….. The Sumacs are gorgeous this time of year and just pop against the white snow!

Have a great weekend! Hope you stay warm and cosy…I'm off to make a Chai Latte…. Cheers!

RR

Hidden Gem

Let me introduce you to an amazing and very talented woman who I am sooo very lucky to call one of my best friends!

 

Kristy (Ireland) Zagorodny and I met in Grade 9 homeroom and the rest....well, the rest is history! Since I met Kristy, I have been absolutely amazed at her creative nature and her eye for attention to detail! In addition to being one of the most artistic people I know, she also has the biggest heart and welcoming/warm personality of anyone you will ever meet!

 

Kristy's Wedding - Kristy and I

 

Kristy lives outside a cute little town called Mildmay, the Lamplighter Town, in Southern Ontario. There is a beautiful old stone hotel in Mildmay which has been converted to a charming pub and coffee perk/shop called Harleys . The main floor of the hotel is the pub and perk, however, there are 2 floors above that when you climb the beautiful wooden stair cases, you feel like you have stepped back to 1827 when the hotel was built.

 

Kristy was commissioned to decorate the 2nd floor of the hotel for the local home holiday tour and the transformation was spectacular!....As I wandered from room to room, I felt as though I was transported into a story book from Christmases past....

 

As you came up the staircase, you were greeted by this beautiful tree done in golds, champagne and creams....

 

 

 The cozy and festive sitting area in front of the fireplace....

 

 

Sparkle and shine.... 

 

 



Greens, baubles, a wooden barrel and vintage windows.... 

 

 

 The fireplace...

 

 

Simple yet so very effective....greens, antlers and a bit of 'bling'..

 



The banisters, the chandelier, the antiques, the 14 foot ceilings.....stunning!

 

 

A little nook to sit, enjoy the holiday atmosphere and have a toddy...

 

The spectacular dining room....reds, black, silver....rustic chic! 

 

 

A window vignette in the dining room....

 

Seeing as this was a hotel, the rooms each had a sink to allow guests to 'freshen up'...Antique mirror and accessories...

 More modern colours used with a vintage feel....I LOVE this table from The Neustadt Mill Antiques

A perfect example of Kristy's creativity...an advent calendar from a gorgeous antique frame and Christmas baubles....

 

We called this the 'peacock corner. with the blues, turquoises and greens....the Sleigh was the perfect traditional touch (and can be found at Neustadt Mill Antiques)

 

 



 The local sponsorship and support was amazing....Small town Ontario really knows how to come together!

 

Not only does Kristy have a very talented 'eye', but so does her father, Bill Ireland...these two winterscapes are photos of his of the local landscape....

"Winter Wonderland"

 

 

This is a handdrawn sketch of the Hotel....a beautiful, historic building that continues to bring the community together!

Kristy has an obvious passion for decor and styling....and as you can see, she truly is a hidden gem in the home/floral decor world!

 

RR

Busy, Busy, Busy...

The past few weeks have been super busy.....at times it just feels like there are not enough hours in the day!

 

Time is flying by, but I am making sure to live every minute....every moment....

 

These pictures are just a few of the moments of my life over the past few weeks...

 Sunset at Emma's Backporch in Burlington on Lake Ontario....Retirement party for my amazing boss....We're really going to miss him and I will be forever grateful to him for everything he taught me, the opportunities he afforded me...and for him just being the truly wonderful person he is!
 

 

 Charlie and my Dad...having a a very in depth conversation....note the crossed paws :)
 

 

I was looking through old pictures of Charlie...those big brown eyes....that pouty lower lip....he had my heart since the first time I laid eyes on him!
 

 

Sunset on my flight into Thunder Bay... 

 

 

 Clouds.......flying at sunset is my favorite time of day...

 

 

 Looks like cotton balls....

 

  

 My outdoor holiday decor....ready and waiting to be displayed....The leaves have been raked, outdoor furniture has been put away, the gardens have been tended to....bring on Winter!

 

 

 A cozy corner in my home.....this was taken as I was lounging on the couch, glass of wine in hand just enjoying being home and enjoying the coziness of Fall...

 

 

Candlelight makes everything better! Romantic, warm, cozy....perfect ambiance...




As I look back on the past few weeks...past few months in fact...this statement couldn't be more true but it also reminds me to not waste a second and really get out there and live!

RR

Cozy...

I had bundled myself up in a hat, infinity scarf and my down jacket this morning to go for a walk with Charlie in the gorgeous snowfall we're having. After coming in from our walk, all I wanted to do was make a cup of hot chocolate, turn on a good movie, light the fireplace, wrap up in a blanket and just have a cozy, comfie day.

When you walk in your door every day, you should have a feeling of 'home'...you should feel extremely comfortable...and through rustic charm and details, you can make your home the cozy environment that makes it a perfect place to come in from on a snowy day.



Curl up by the window and watch the snow fall



Make a decadent cup of hot chocolate





Light a fire and wrap up in a blanket



What's more rustic then a woodstove, wood panelling and a quilt?

Lie in bed and watch the snowflakes



A knit comforter and a bunch of pillows



Blankets/throws, lanterns, candles, hot chocolate for 2....

A bath by the fire..... COZY, RUSTIC COMFORT!