Saturday Morning....

After enjoying sleeping in (haven't done that for a while...does 8am count as sleeping in?), the sunshine drew me outside for a walk on this bright but chilly morning.
I'm very lucky to live in an older, established neighbourhood with gorgeous big trees, amazing gardens, wonderful people, rolling parks.. and what better way to spend a morning then to get outside and enjoy it!

This was the sky this morning...wispy clouds with the sun peaking through...there were even a few sundogs.



This is one of my neighbours' gardens....years and years of work have obviously gone into their yard and home...beautiful!










This is a tree filled ravine in a park just a few minutes away...Charlie and I spend a lot of time here, enjoying the greenspace.







This tree bark just asks for you to reach out and touch/feel it! The texture is something only nature could produce!










After my walk I was craving a latte.....so home I went to make myself one....











I'm now sitting here on the couch, enjoying my mug of warm, frothy goodness, looking through Pinterest for some more inspiration for my bac yard design/decor. I'm also delaying the inevitable....cleaning, laundry, putting together a 'gazebo'......typical Saturday tasks..

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

RR

Lake Life...

Spring is now here (well almost...no more snow please!) and it will be May next week. Before we know it, summer will be upon us and I am determined to not let it fly by like it did last year! There will be beach days, cottages, lakes, boats, sand, etc etc this summer....

Growing up in Southern Ontario, we were lucky enough to have ready access to the Great Lakes, more specifically Lake Huron, and I also spent many summers in Northern Ontario on Lake of the Woods. There is just something about being near water..I can spend hours just sitting on the rocks, listening, smelling, and watching all of the the sounds, smells and movement of the lake. The sunrises, the sunsets...they're literally unmatched anywhere else!

I'm still working on a plan to one day own a cottage....and looking at these pictures keeps me focused on that goal!



Charlie enjoying a Port Elgin Sunset

Port Elgin Harbour



Lake Huron Sunset near Goderich Out for a walk after sunset - Port Elgin Point Clark - St. Patrick's Day 2012 One final Lake Huron Sunset..... Storm Bay Road - Lake of the Woods Nothing really compares to a Northern Ontario Lake... Make sure you take the time to get outside and enjoy. There is so much inspiration to draw from the outdoors...but especially from being by the lake! RR

Time flies by...

It has been an absolutely crazy month...I don't even know where to begin!

I have been travelling the province with work ...I really enjoy that aspect of my job but there are times I almost forget what my house looks like.

The Spring flowers and colours keep inspiring me...and always bring a smile to my face! My tulips are ALMOST blooming...sooo close!

Even though the weather had been perking up, I came down with quite a bug over a week ago and am still fighting it off...I actually caved and went to the doctor (which I hate to do)....but I'm finally feeling much better.

I have been on a bit of a shopping kick lately too :S My wallet hates me but I have made some GREAT finds...both in items and services.

Here are some pics from my past few weeks:


My dining room table with some fresh, spring tulips...



I really, really want this buffet from Wood Haven Furniture in Guelph...


Some recent purchases from Blush in Guelph....a gal can never have too many shoes or purses!


Some Easter flowers....cute yet rustic in their little apothocary type bottles/basket.


Forsythia bushes in Spring....such a great pop of yellow!



Three .....an amazing new salon and spa in Guelph....I spent an afternoon pampering myself with the wonderful gals who work there!


My oh so handsome Charlie.... he turned 7 in March...I can't believe it!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Spring....

RR

What a week :)

This has been an absolutely fantastic week! It was extremely productive both personally and professionally! This Kate Spade poster best summarizes how I am feeling today:

I have been working on my "To Do" list for both short term and long term goals. I will completely admit...some of my long term goals/dreams are 'scarey'...but for all the right reasons! They will challenge me...keep moving me forward..and I know that when I achieve them (not if) I will be able to look back on all the hard work that went into them and be proud!

I know that something like 'travelling more' may seem like a bit of a strange goal to some people....but it is a goal/dream of mine! I have truly caught the 'travel bug' the past few years as I have the memories made during the trips I have taken, far out weigh any material item I could purchase. There are so many places I want to see in this world..and, I will!

I have printed this last image and placed it in my day book! If you follow these steps...be productive, always continue to learn, live with purpose and always continue to grow as a person...I really do believe you will live the fullest life you can!

I hope you all had a great week and that your goals/dreams remain on track to realization!

RR

**images from Pinterest

Spring Forward

The sunshine and unbelievably fantastic temperatures today made it very, very difficult to be in the office today. As soon as I could tear myself away, I headed home, took Charlie for a longggg walk (and a swim or 2 in his case) and then.....it was time.......time to finally put away the outdoor winter decor. So long showshoes, sleds, greenery....and time to keep my fingers crossed that the bulbs I planted last fall have not been all whisked away by our ever so prevalent squirrel population!

I already have a few tulips popping through and there are buds on most of my perennials....I now just have to stay patient and wait for Spring to "pop"!  In the meantime and in anticipation of the explosion of colours to come....here are some images to tide us all over.

I have been filling my home with tulips, lilacs, daffodils and daisies the past few weeks and I'm really looking forward to finally seeing the outdoors come back to life, in full colour.

Have you started your garden planning yet? I am hoping to put up a privacy fence and raised beds along the back of my yard as well as continue to add to my hosta beds.

Were you able to get your bulbs in last fall to enjoy over the next few months? I went with a white theme and bought a wide variety of tulips. I can't wait to see them in full bloom!

I hope you all have a chance to get outside and enjoy the amazing weather we are supposed to have over the next week or so...and like I said the beginning of the week.."get off your butt and do what you love"!!

RR

*images from Pinterest

Monday Motivation Continued...

Your 'kick butt' thought for the day......

Get out there and do what you love!!

Hope you had a great Monday!.....

RR

Monday Motivation

After a relaxing and reflection filled weekend....I have decided that this is going to be one 'kick-butt' week! I am home all week (at least as of now I have no travel booked) and I plan to make use of every single second.
Maybe it's this gorgeous Spring weather....or the fact that I lost an hour of sleep (yes, I tend to do better on less sleep)....my motivation levels are sky high! Here are some quotes to hopefully help 'pump' you up for the week, help you focus, and also reflect on the good things you have in your life!

Do what you love......

Dare to jump.....

Seize the day (love this!)...

This is my favorite...'good things'...

I hope you all have a great week...and as the sign says above...'get off your ass and never give up'!! You deserve to live every second of your life...so get out there and live!

RR
*images from Pinterest

Warmth in a storm....

The combination of the snow filled wind storm, power outages and all of the tree branches lying on the ground got me thinking about fireplaces.....yes, fireplaces. I bet there are a lot of people in Ontario today, without power, who wish they had a fireplace to help keep warm on this cold March day.

Of course a fireplace serves a true, practical function in the home, but it can also serve a decor function....becoming the centrepiece of a room. It can be something that draws people together into one room to enjoy not only the warmth, but the beauty of the oranges, reds and yellows of the flames.

Whether it has a stone or brick or concrete facade, a mantel or not...a fireplace adds a rustic, earthy and romantic presence to a home. My next home will definitely have one....inspired by these....

I hope you are all able to stay warm this weekend through these storms.....and if you do have a fireplace, that you have the opportunity  to curl up in front of it and enjoy.....

RR

*images from Pinterest* 

My Style....

I take a lot of my personal style inspiration from what I use in my interior decor/design. Leather, earthy neutrals, natural materials like wools & cottons and overall,...comfort.

I love the colour of this leather, the mustard yellow pillow, the tones in the pictures/frames on the wall, the textured wallpaper and the contrast of the black cabinet. I have boots and a leather jacket the same colour as the chair, I use pops of colour much like the pillow and I ground my wardrobe in the darker tones like chocolate and black. Boots, vests, jeans, jackets/blazers, sweaters, scarves, cowls, wool socks, leather belts/purses/jackets, and simple but statement piece jewellery sum up what can be found in my closet/drawers and make me feel like me! Each one of these outfits would be perfect for going for coffee, running errands, a day of antiquing, a casual date.... I LOVE my Wellies! I wear them almost every day! Distressed leather, browns/tans/mahogany...riding boots, purses/bags....a gal can never have enough of either!

The photo above could be of me on a Sunday morning walk along the water with the dog...the hair pulled up in a loose bun, the scarf, the vest, the outdoors....no matter what your style/taste...own it, know it and most importantly, make it yours!

Island Living

One of the most functional pieces in the home has to be the kitchen island. It provides prep space, storage and a place to pull up a seat & gather around....it really helps make the kitchen the heart of the home.

As much as I love my new home, I must admit, I do miss my 8'x3' island in my old loft. I had the butcher block top made, I sanded and stained it and my brother and I installed it. I could stand at that island, look out into the living room and visit with guests or have them sit right there at the island with me as I prepared dinner/drinks.

Wth my parent's building a new home, I have been looking for some inspiration to help plan their new kitchen that I hope will contain an island that we can gather around and make new memories at!

These are some ideas I found and love!....

 

I tend to lean towards wood, open storage, natural materials and function..as illustrated in the pictures above.

 These are good combinations of open and enclosed storage and offer a variety of materials and styles.

No matter what style of home you have or the size of your kitchen, an island can serve a mutlitude of purposes. Whether you are preparing a holiday dinner and need as much counter space as possible....or you are serving a romantic dinner for 2....if you are planning or remodelling a kitchen, adding one into your design is something I would highly recommend!