brighter is better...

 (sorry for the poor quality of these iPhone photos!)

I'm finally getting around to posting the changes that I made to my kitchen and dining room.  Not a huge change, as it was just a new paint color, but man did it ever make a difference!!

I went back and forth with colors for this room.  White wasn't my first choice and I struggled with making the leap but I am so glad that I did.  The white on white on white just makes it so much more fresh and bright! I can not believe that I lived with that horrible yellow/tan color for as long as I have.

 The dining room is looking pretty plain thus far, I have my eyes peeled for some artwork, or maybe a collection for the wall opposite of my buffet/bar.

I can't decide which room I should paint next..sunroom, bedroom or bathroom! So many more improvements to make!

happy friday!

xo,

melissa

New couch phase one...

Ikea Karlstad Sofa

When I moved from my old house to my new house I did not take a lot of furniture with me. Instead, I've been picking up pieces here and there.  Mostly second hand finds aside from a few new things like the lamps in my living room and now this new sofa.  I have been searching for a long time (as Jana can attest to) for a new sofa that was within my budget yet fit my style.  As you already might know, anything that has a mid-century modern styling (new or old) can be pricy.  Enter IKEA, known for it's streamlined, budget friendly furniture.  Somewhere in cyber space I found this couch from IKEA that a few people have 'hacked' to make it look even more like a mid-century modern piece. 

This Karlstad sofa hack from My So-Called Handmade Life is my inspiration for my sofa.

I already ordered the custom, tapered legs from Uncle Bob's workshop (in Early American stain) and they should arrive in mid-February.  Next up with be attempting some faux tufted buttons for the back cushions.  But first I need IKEA to get the Karlstad pillow cover back in stock so I can use the fabric to cover the buttons. 

Hopefully this all goes to plan and I will have a semi-custom mid-century piece at a fraction of the cost of any of the ones that I have been drooling over online.

In the meantime, I think it looks great as is!

Ps. IKEA online shopping tip: IKEA will ship anywhere in Canada or the US (the closest one is about eight hours from me), but the shipping can be pricy.  I think the standard truck delivery rate for my area was 129$.  It's definitely worth the wait to order a few things at once so you can save on shipping.  I also ordered a makeup vanity that I will blog about later.

xo,

melissa

Oh so thankful...

 

happy turkey day!

I'm most thankful for this little fella right here.  This little guy is my mountain, and sometimes he is my valley.  He makes me laugh out loud and sometimes he makes me cry.  Together we make each other laugh, act foolish, play legos, cuddle and watch TreeHouse, color, fight, and have the best of times.  I'm so thankful to have him in my life!!   

 

What a little goober!

The yumminess above was made by my grandmere (apricot cheesecake)

Unfortunately sugar and I are not best of friends lately and a few bites of this was so not worth the headache that followed afterwards, but it sure was yummy!

hope all of my canadian friends had a wonderful thanksgiving!

xo,

melissa

 photo disclaimer: I may look like a giant in these photos but it's only because the ceilings in the sunroom are slanted.  I'm not really seven feet tall.  In case you were wondering...

Important to note: new nude shoes! Trying to break in these puppies...

dress: threadsence necklace: bizou tights: american apparel shoes: spring

Tada! Introducing the newest girl to the household.  Lindsey, from the Coach Madison Collection.

I have been adoring this bag from afar for quite some time now.  I love how it's big and hobo-ish, but also has a cross body strap (a mama's lifesaver!).  For Christmas, Kate (from O My Heart) got it in black and I have been drooling over her instagram pictures ever since.  She confirmed it's awesomeness  and after a test run in the Coach store I knew the bag had to come home with me.

Unfortunately there were only two left in Canada, so I had to order it from another Coach store in BC.  

Today it arrived.  And yup...I made a good choice! It will be a great summer bag.

(what's up with my face? I am so not tan)

 Very excited for some spending adventures with my new bag.

xo,

melissa

living my dreams to the max!!!

 you guys...i won the lottery!! YEP!! Since May, seven girls and I at work have been playing the weekly lotto.  We play the same lotto (lotto max) every Friday and by our tickets from the same store each week.  We got lucky with the draw on September 14th, getting six numbers plus the bonus in the draw! Missing the 20 million dollar jack pot by just one number, but snagging us a sweet second prize of $367,896.30$ split between the eight of us.  Super rad.  I was in a daze for a few days trying to wrap my mind around cashing a cheque for almost $46,000.  That's a big deal for this single mama I've gotta say.  It's a nice big security blanket for Avery and I.  We haven't quite decided what we will do with our winnings, but for now they are tucked safely away.  Every now and then we look at our bank balance and smile. :)  Here are a few pictures from our trip to ALC headquarters to pick up our winnings....

xo,

melissa

moving onward...

Avery and I got our own place! :) We are only renting, but it's a big step for us in our new life as single mama and cool dude two year old.  

The house is 43 old and I didn't end up taking any furniture from our old house except for a couch, tv and Avery's dresser.  I wanted to move on from the modern furniture that we had there and get some retro 60/70's pieces that were more my style. 

I love having our own space, and Avery really loves the house too.  When we are out somewhere and he tells me that he wants to go to "Mommy's new house", I get the biggest grin!!

So, without further ado, here are some crappy quality instagram picks of our new place...I really need to take more...I just bought some vintage furniture to fill up the sunroof too, so those pics with be along within a few weeks!

 

xo,

melissa

wheels...

 new found singledom has brought about a new found need for wheels.

new wheels, AWD wheels for safety...pretty excited for Avery and I! (yes, he's wearing his bike helmet in that photo..he's a little helmet (or hel-nut as he says) obsessed.

xo,

melissa

what i wore...two day edition

what i wore yesterday: dress/belt: ruche, boots: shelley's, borrowed from jana

what i'm wearing today:  tank/sandals: F21; skirt: Ardene (local store); cardi: Costa Blanca (local store)

i'm so tired this morning...working in food processing is NO JOKE when it comes to producing safe quality food. yesterday we had our on-site pre audit assessment and i am absolutely drained today.  okay, maybe going to bed and drinking almost an entire bottle of wine and getting up at 5:30 am probably didn't help things..... ;)

xo,

melissa

getting crafty...

otherwise known as, yesterday's outfit pictures turned out pretty bad, so what else can i blog about today?
what started out as an urge to make a snowflake garland turned into a doily garland when this mama got way too lazy to actually cut out some snowflakes.  i found a package of doilies in my craft supplies, add some thread and low and behold a little garland to bring a sort-of wintery feeling to the living room. 

pretty cute and it only cost me like fifty cents...i'm already counting down the days until december so i can get started on my holiday mini book that i purchased from the awesome elise joy.  My plan is to take at least one (or more) pictures each day in december to fully capture the holiday season.  I may need to rethink my plan to not decorate for the holidays until avery's birthday party on the 18th....

so exciting!

what are you excited about this holiday season?

xo,

melissa

2011 goals

-xmas day outfit-full length mirror xmas gift-

i hate to make resolutions. mainly because i never keep them. last new years, i was way to distracted (nine days post baby) to even think of making a resolution. this year, on the brink of my 30th birthday, i am trying to be more conscious of what i would like to accomplish or obtain in the upcoming year.

1. get new runners

2. quit chewing my nails and grow them longer

3. stay organized (at home)

4. be more attentive

5. get caught up on printing pictures

6. get curtain rods for dining room

7. break my 4k record and run a full 5k, maybe more?

8. say i love u more

9. complete avery's baby book

10. take more everyday pics

11. do more girly things

12. frame prints for bathroom

here's to staying on track!

xo, melissa