tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75376574549128947492024-03-04T05:12:33.906-05:00Nook of Wellingtonmaking a little home for two, out of a little rental apartment, on a modest little budget...Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-90544870291179066032012-08-03T09:21:00.000-04:002012-08-03T12:00:20.101-04:00Ode to a Long Weekend!<br />
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Morning All! </div>
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Since I've been too busy lately to blog about my <i>home</i>, and so much of my summer includes trips up north, I thought it only fitting that I write a post dedicated to this time <i>away</i> from the home.<br />
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Listed below are my <i>must-have </i>items for the ultimate cottage getaway...<br />
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<b><u>The Perfect Weekender Bag</u></b></div>
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Everyone needs a bag big enough to hold clothing for any variety of crazy weather that can hit you over the course of three days. <br />
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My Cynthia Rowley gem here holds everything I need--bathing suits, a towel, sarong, sweater, sleep-mask, K-Way, flip flops, runners, sweats, sunscreen, bug spray, book, gossip mag, hat, sheets, phone charger... you name it, I've packed it.<br />
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Best of all I bought it on sale at Winners for just $49.99! Totally worth it.<br />
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<b><u>The Go-To Meal Contribution</u></b></div>
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This summer I've signed us up for breakfast duty at every cottage we've been to.</div>
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Due to their awesome make-ahead quality and popularity with most crowds, I've learned to make some <i>killer quiches</i>, if I do say so myself!<br />
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Made of store-bought crusts (<i>don't you judge me</i>), the usual eggs, milk, and spices, then topped with shredded Tex-Mex cheese, I also fill them with diced pimento pepper, and either shopped broccoli or zucchini ribbons.<br />
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Serve these bad boys with toasted English Muffins, bacon, tomato slices with fresh basil, and huge chunks of juicy pineapple.<br />
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<i>Mmm...</i></div>
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<b><u>The Things People May Thank You for Later</u></b></div>
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<li>Coffee--because you just can't gamble on others remembering it</li>
<li>Classic crowd-pleasing movies in case it rains--I'm prone to Jaws and Meatballs myself</li>
<li>Gravol and/or Tylenol--for those who think <i>s'more vodka</i> is just as good as the real deal around a bonfire</li>
<li>Any type of can opener/corkscrew </li>
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So there you have it! If you've been wondering what I've been up to lately, mystery solved.<br />
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Besides working and the odd day by the pool, I've been packing and unpacking this stuff over and over again to trek up north.<br />
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And I wouldn't have it any other way!</div>
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<b>Wishing you all a safe and fun-filled long weekend!</b></div>
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<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>
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</div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-34637196617258052292012-07-04T08:02:00.002-04:002012-07-04T08:02:44.908-04:00Life is Good!Morning all! It's been over a month since I've last posted, but here I am, back again!<br />
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I didn't plan to take these few weeks off from blogging, I've just been super busy lately, and to be honest it's done me good to squeeze in <b>a little downtime</b>.<br />
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I'd like to say I've been doing lots around the house, but that would defeat the purpose of taking a break, now wouldn't it?<br />
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No, instead I've been <b>taking advantage of this beautiful summer</b> by swimming, doing pilates outdoors twice a week, and spending plenty of time with friends and family.<br />
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<b><i>Yep--life is good!</i></b></div>
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Even with a little more time on my hands, just <b>keeping up with our small household</b> has felt like a huge job--one that'll only get harder to manage with a few weekends away throughout the rest of the season.<br />
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The one thing I <i>did</i> do to better<b> the look and function of our little home</b> was to replace our makeshift "cubby" bookshelf/drawers with a huge and very blue, eight-drawer <b>Hemnes dresser</b> from Ikea that MLo and I built a few weeks ago!<br />
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<b>BEFORE</b></div>
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<b>AFTER</b></div>
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<b><i>You like?</i></b> </div>
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It looks small from this angle, and I'll likely replace the hardware down the road, but <b>what an improvement</b>, eh?!<br />
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This piece provides <b>much more storage</b> than we had before and it suits our space perfectly.<br />
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It's hard to believe we let <b>a "temporary" solution</b> like that cubby last just over two years in our bedroom, but that's what happens when you have a modest budget and what seems like a million more pressing things on your list to tackle!<br />
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Since I've left more than a couple projects undone over the last little while, I'm hoping to get back on track and also write posts more regularly again. So stay tuned--there's more on the way from the <i><b>Nook of Wellington! </b></i><br />
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<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>
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<br /></div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-73082504825039719752012-05-31T09:24:00.004-04:002012-05-31T11:08:15.707-04:00Quickie Backyard Update<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Since I've been super busy at work (and coming down with something as a result), I haven't had much time to write, but I wanted to at least offer up an <b>update on our little backyard</b>...</div>
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On the Sunday of the gorgeous Victoria Day long weekend, MLo and I picked up our flowers from Home Depot and got right to work!</div>
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Last year I found I really regretted the purple and white geraniums we planted, which were a little on the dull side, so this year I tried to choose <b>hot pink, orange and red</b> flowers, exclusively.</div>
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<strong><em>Check it out! </em></strong></div>
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We've got a beautiful <b>hibiscus</b> tree, <b>dahlias</b> for the floating flower boxes on the back fence, and some <b>impatiens</b> with tall grass plants--for the life of me, I can't recall their real name--to add a little height! </div>
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<strong><em>What do you think? </em></strong></div>
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The hostas are enormous as ever and the vegetable garden is starting to mature a bit too, with the help of <b>Marc's green thumb</b>, so I'd say we're off to a good start! It's not even June!</div>
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How are your gardens coming along? Do you plan a <strong>colour scheme</strong> for your flowers or just wing it like I normally do?</div>
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I'm off work tomorrow for a little <strong>R&R</strong>, so to the rest of you with still one more day to go, hang in there and have a great weekend!</div>
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<b>Cheers!</b></div>
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<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-57583280239803881962012-05-23T22:32:00.001-04:002012-05-24T07:49:21.402-04:00Garage Sale Glory... Guest Post by Nicole PanacciIt's been a while since my last guest post, so I thought I'd invite one of my best friends--construction maven, event planner, and blogger extraordinaire--<b>Nicole Bigioni Panacci</b> of <b><a href="http://lipstikevents.blogspot.ca/">Adding the Finishing Touch</a></b> to swing by the Nook!<br />
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Read on to find out how Nicole and her wonderful husband Michael are <b>making a home</b> of their new house, <i>without</i> breaking the bank!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thanks so much for having me Krista, this is such a honour!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">When Krista asked me to write a guest post for Nook of Wellington about my <b>garage sale finds</b> I was thrilled. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Being newly-married and a first-time homeowner, we don't have the money to run out and buy everything we need for the house right away. Instead, over the last year or so, I've taken a liking to scoping out garage sales in my area to furnish our new house.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thankfully, I've been lucky enough to find some <b>great pieces at even greater prices</b>...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>This piece has been in my family for a while.</b> My uncle bought it when he was in university and it's been passed down since then. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It's going to take a lot for me to give this up!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I bought this trunk for $70.00 last year at the <b>Christie Antique Show</b>. I am <i>in love</i> with it. We're using it as our coffee table. All we need is a fabulous area rug!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I bought this old <b>sewing machine table</b> at a garage sale for $5.00 last year. Definitely a great steal! I'd love to eventually change the hardware.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">These jars where super cheap at $1.25 each! We don't actually use the coffee or pasta, they're <b>just for decoration</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Last but not least, the newest addition... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I was out for a walk a couple weeks ago and saw this table at the end of someone's driveway. I gave it a quick inspection and carried it home. It <b>needs a bit of loving</b> but for now it will do!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Now tell me, don't you love a good garage sale? What's your <b>greatest find or favourite 'found' piece</b> in your home?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thanks for having me, Krista!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">- Nicole</span></div>
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Thanks for sharing, Bigiones! Amazing finds, all around!<br />
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I look forward to a solid sleepover or two and garage sale-hopping visits in your neck of the woods sometime soon! :)<br />
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Both Nicole and I will be attending the second <b><a href="http://blogpodium.com/">Blog Podium</a></b> conference this weekend here in Toronto, and I know I speak for both of us when I say we're <i>so</i> looking forward to it! <br />
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Like I said in <a href="http://nookofwellington.blogspot.ca/2012/01/test.html"><b>my post</b></a><b> </b>following the inaugural event, Blog Podium is the <i>perfect</i> place to <b>interact with fellow design and lifestyle bloggers</b><i>--offline, </i><i>for a change--</i>and I'm sure<i> </i>there will be lots to report by all of us who attend.<br />
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Stay tuned!</div>
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<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>
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<br />Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com199tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-53589877519665739832012-05-15T14:07:00.002-04:002012-06-07T08:53:41.918-04:00Mother's Day & My Hosting MarathonHappy Tuesday all! <br />
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How's everyone's week shaping up so far?<br />
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This past weekend while MLo was in Vegas and I was on my own, I tossed my <em>lengthy</em> mental to do list aside and opted to entertain not once, not twice, but <strong><em>three</em></strong> days in a row!<br />
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Friday, I hosted a little pre-drink with the girls before hitting Williams Landing in <strong>Liberty Village</strong>; Saturday, an <strong>impromptu barbeque</strong>, which included my first attempt at caramelized onions and bacon bit toppers for the burgers; and finally Sunday, a <strong>Mother's Day Brunch </strong>for my beautiful Mum and sisters.</div>
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Here's<strong> the menu</strong> I ended up with:</div>
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<li>My first ever <strong>homemade quiche</strong> with sautéed onions, bacon, broccoli and shredded marble cheese</li>
<li>A <strong>quinoa salad</strong> with red and yellow peppers, soya sauce and a little spice</li>
<li><strong>Spinach salad</strong> with diced pear, dried berries, walnuts and a maple balsamic dressing</li>
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Add a little champagne, some pink lemonade (Mama's favourite!), and strawberry-banana frozen yogurt popsicles for dessert, and there you have it! <strong>Brunch of champions! </strong></div>
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Sure I was pooped after all was said and done, but doesn't it feel good to flex that hosting muscle every now and again? I might wait until later in the summer for my next turn--what's your next big event?<br />
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<strong>KLI | NofW</strong></div>
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P.S. <strong><em>Nook of Wellington</em></strong> is in the top three running with two other bloggers for the<strong> Blog Podium & EQ3</strong> Mood Board contest! A big <strong>W </strong>is in reach, but I need your help to get back in the lead! </div>
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Please <a href="http://m.pinterest.com/pin/258957047294101134/"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a> to comment on or like my mood board, and please feel free to forward it to anyone who may be interested. </div>
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Thanks again for your support! </div>
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XOXO</div>
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<br />Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-48789893144621962522012-05-09T22:37:00.000-04:002012-05-09T22:37:07.318-04:00And There Was Light!As everyone should know by now, our kitchen is tiny and without natural light. Ugh.<br />
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For this reason, I've kept my eye out for a <b>stubby but cute little lamp</b> to tuck into the corner of the counter top and beneath the cabinetry to brighten things up.<br />
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After what's felt like ages of settling for an old Ikea lamp (that I accidentally cracked months ago), I finally found exactly what I needed at Canadian Tire this past weekend!<br />
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<b>Well, </b><i><b>almost</b></i><b> exactly what I needed... </b></div>
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This little guy was the right height, had a decent shade, and a great base, but for some unknown reason this came in this <b>unfortunate brown colour.</b> Booo!<br />
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Since we were in the <b>right place</b>, and the lamp was the <b>right price</b> at $19.99, I thought what the hell--nothing a little spray paint can't fix, right?<br />
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<b><i>Hours later, here's what I ended up with!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Not bad, if I do say so myself! </i></b></div>
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Unfortunately, the task isn't <i>quite</i> finished yet, as I still need to <b>paint the cord white</b> to blend in better--but I think it turned out pretty well! <br />
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What do you think of the <b><i>Bahama Sea </i></b>blue? What have you spray painted to suit your taste a little better?<br />
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<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">P.S. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Did you comment or "like" my </span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mood board </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">yet?</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If not, </span></b><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/258957047294101134/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PLEASE CLICK HERE</span></b></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and help Marc and I win an incredible mid-century modern sofa! </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THANK YOU!!!!</span></b></div>
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<br />Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-39192200194727240502012-05-08T14:09:00.002-04:002012-05-08T14:10:26.946-04:00Blog Podium Mood Board Contest!Hello there! <br />
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I can't be anywhere near as long-winded as I normally am, as I'm just on my lunch hour, but I have a <strong>big favour to ask...</strong><br />
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I've entered a <strong>mood board</strong> into a contest that's being held by our good pals at <strong>Blog Podium</strong> and <strong>EQ3</strong> and I'll need YOUR HELP to win! <br />
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As an attendee of the upcoming <a href="http://blogpodium.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Blog Podium</strong></a> conference later this month in Toronto, my fellow bloggers and I were asked to create and submit mood boards that included <strong>EQ3 products</strong> of our choice, which would then be posted to <strong>Pinterest</strong>.<br />
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Now that the organizers have started posting the entries online, I have to <strong>rack up a bunch of comments</strong> in order to win the item of highest value in my mood board.<br />
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<em><strong>So here's where you come in... </strong></em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">By<span style="background-color: white;"> <strong><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/258957047294101134/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">clicking right here</span></a></strong></span> and <strong><u>leaving a comment</u></strong> about my mood board</span>, the colours I chose, or really any thoughts about the pieces I've included, you'll be bringing me one step closer to winning this beautiful <strong><span style="font-size: large;">EQ3 </span></strong><a href="http://www.eq3.com/SelectProd.do?prodId=25125" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Reverie Sofa</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;">!!! </span></strong><br />
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You can comment <strong>today through the contest end on May 17th, 2012</strong> so <em>please please please</em> do me a solid and help the Nook of Wellington get a whole lot prettier! <br />
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<em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks a million! </span></strong></em></div>
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<strong>KLI | NofW</strong></div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-27004374780192139982012-05-01T22:03:00.002-04:002012-05-01T22:03:48.245-04:00Krista Illies, Canadian PickerGreetings all! Hope everyone is off to a good week!<br />
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My weekend ended up being much busier than I thought it would be, but we got to visit lots with our families, which was great. An unexpected highlight came after dinner with MLo's family on Saturday, when I found what I considered to be <b>buried treasure</b>!<br />
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After dinner was over and it was time to head back downtown, Hazel-a close friend of the family-suggested Marc and I swing by to see if he wanted her old sewing machine. <br />
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Off we went and within minutes Hazel was giving us the grand tour of her little bungalow.<br />
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Everywhere we turned our eyes widened and jaws dropped-the very sight of sideboards, old toys, lamps, clocks, and more made us feel like we were on <b>Canadian Pickers </b>or<b> Cash & Cari</b>!<br />
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Seeing all of this and having a glimpse into Hazel's very full life was really interesting, but the one thing that made me stop in my tracks was... wait for it... a <b>vintage</b> <b>telephone table</b>!!!<br />
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<b><i>Isn't she pretty?!</i></b></div>
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Once I spotted it, I ran right into the next room to share my discovery with she and Marc (who knew the exact degree of my excitement), and God lover her, Hazel immediately told me to take it home! <br />
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At first I said I couldn't possibly, but when she told me she had no luck trying to pawn it off on her own family, and that <b>it was literally collecting dust</b>, I seized the opportunity and took her up on this generous offer!<br />
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Those who have followed NofW since the beginning know that I've had a major crush on telephone tables, also know as <b>gossip benches</b><b<gossip b="" benches<="">, for quite a long time.</b<gossip><br />
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<b>Check out my earlier post about them <a href="http://www.nookofwellington.blogspot.ca/2011/09/i-heart-telephone-tables.html" target="_blank">here</a>! </b></div>
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Sadly, our apartment hasn't magically doubled in size since that post, so we're going to have to do a little shuffling around in both the living room and entry way to see where this piece would fit best.<br />
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I'll also have to freshen it up with a light makeover, but nonetheless,<b> I'm absolutely thrilled</b> to have my very own telephone table, <i>years</i> before ever I thought I would, and I owe Hazel a huge THANK YOU!!! XO<br />
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Have you ever received a surprise hand-me-down like this? What's your experience been like<b> mixing vintage and modern</b> pieces? Leave a comment and tell me all about it! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>
Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-7876524326024316812012-04-25T20:58:00.003-04:002012-04-25T21:32:10.215-04:00A Micro Office of One's OwnMorning all! I'm back!<br />
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Don't ask me why, but life has felt particularly busy these last few weeks, and I haven't spent nearly enough time writing. It's hard to believe how much I've missed it!<br />
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While I could certainly benefit from some extra free time, and perhaps a bit more self-discipline, I really think a little <b>workspace to call my own</b> would help me stay on track.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuIj9GmoQKOjMaVJkahBKUM8FckjVfgTz8gaD0OuRpuGhHd1ph0HLSmCh0UzHGUuv8w-aMAOEPoMSb9R4EzI1gJ8nx2pw9hEFkqVCZPRjqnz8ElLMR_Jqd1opz2IKR77hu9sSkGFKkTeF/s1600/image_5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuIj9GmoQKOjMaVJkahBKUM8FckjVfgTz8gaD0OuRpuGhHd1ph0HLSmCh0UzHGUuv8w-aMAOEPoMSb9R4EzI1gJ8nx2pw9hEFkqVCZPRjqnz8ElLMR_Jqd1opz2IKR77hu9sSkGFKkTeF/s400/image_5.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://stagetecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/home-office-ideas2.jpg" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">via</span></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table>It seems laughable to admit, but unless I'm sitting at our dining room table typing (like I am right now), <b>I do the better part of my writing on my iPhone</b> while commuting!<br />
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These aren't unbearable conditions for the creative process by any means, but with distractions like the hustle and bustle of the city or the TV on in our combined living/dining room, I wouldn't call either of these scenarios 'ideal'.<br />
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Often I come across photos of <b>nooks and crannies</b> that people have converted into desktops or <b>'micro offices</b>' like these ones below, and I'm completely enamoured.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflGRcqE4f47AykMU_Lbx441p-2Tu-PREmzT6v_11EMSgTk3PmhH0f8HfhMSNjYRWF30kLAueUirpSdqqytv1aWSzKIKMtQC0Jh-l4O-B1Hfg7LsVPHxre2E03utdOxTZaUnvXzekdjec4/s1600/image_4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflGRcqE4f47AykMU_Lbx441p-2Tu-PREmzT6v_11EMSgTk3PmhH0f8HfhMSNjYRWF30kLAueUirpSdqqytv1aWSzKIKMtQC0Jh-l4O-B1Hfg7LsVPHxre2E03utdOxTZaUnvXzekdjec4/s400/image_4.jpeg" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://insidenookandcranny.blogspot.ca/2012/04/my-space-monday-richard-fairhead-of-el.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">via</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0MH2jFDeSR0JXTKJ_VlW4gB1oBZOfOEluPBWz9sJMj2NQgxrKlXn0oHt_89ygzfZzS3xchSK2635wFUPWZGVQjUk9VHyfyUOoM6VF5u8RGID-33Zx1VYyMWKsYgot9mGJUYeCzeYPO20/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0MH2jFDeSR0JXTKJ_VlW4gB1oBZOfOEluPBWz9sJMj2NQgxrKlXn0oHt_89ygzfZzS3xchSK2635wFUPWZGVQjUk9VHyfyUOoM6VF5u8RGID-33Zx1VYyMWKsYgot9mGJUYeCzeYPO20/s400/image_2.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></span></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.katrinaleechambers.com/2011/11/an-office-nook-versus-a-full-size-office-in-my-new-house.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">via</span></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQzeMDuSb1HB-xGXQoxTndPfLV8dHQE7v7U4yKUGfuvvOQmNNWVmJ829cOJrbYnvx0Pzr0WvW1UTcZsLRQAN5b6vuBlovt87zawdoEyl4dC3qKrAnMxEClL5y4bMYeDtouOZsuStJnXwL/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQzeMDuSb1HB-xGXQoxTndPfLV8dHQE7v7U4yKUGfuvvOQmNNWVmJ829cOJrbYnvx0Pzr0WvW1UTcZsLRQAN5b6vuBlovt87zawdoEyl4dC3qKrAnMxEClL5y4bMYeDtouOZsuStJnXwL/s320/image.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="313" /></span></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2010/06/before-after-valeries-office-marises-credenza.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">via</span></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglazi1CH4A2O3sBU3tGmbucJXeH2TB_BJhsRRb1ctf_CvhAJxncxQPpvigXt_mxfHlqtSPCghvwHEvxkjzrHM5BssNuPxIB0UBH9jER5P9j_s_pALpxD5-Q06CljlrOhuSsIfM-PXmmk-z/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglazi1CH4A2O3sBU3tGmbucJXeH2TB_BJhsRRb1ctf_CvhAJxncxQPpvigXt_mxfHlqtSPCghvwHEvxkjzrHM5BssNuPxIB0UBH9jER5P9j_s_pALpxD5-Q06CljlrOhuSsIfM-PXmmk-z/s400/image_1.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="278" /></span></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2010/06/before-after-valeries-office-marises-credenza.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">via</span></a></div><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAo5DF3XnfiUNY5W5GmOWIuB4xzA-UsJU0OPfegbYbKUGDneN3XQw7ZwkrVqQmUeDWs79SrqMJgfyVcNqvYiGk-B65qWJJaiQ5NxARFsoRsnStcvMUeT5TP2bi7VoEiTnV0vZWf7DwutZ/s1600/image_3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAo5DF3XnfiUNY5W5GmOWIuB4xzA-UsJU0OPfegbYbKUGDneN3XQw7ZwkrVqQmUeDWs79SrqMJgfyVcNqvYiGk-B65qWJJaiQ5NxARFsoRsnStcvMUeT5TP2bi7VoEiTnV0vZWf7DwutZ/s400/image_3.jpeg" width="323" /></a></span></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://cdn.home-designing.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/under-stair-office-study3.jpg" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">via</span></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>How cute are these?!</i></b></div></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table>I think creating a workspace like one of these would be such a fun <b>DIY project</b>, and not at all hard to do, but I honestly just don't have the space for it with our current floor plan and layout.<br />
<br />
While they're not necessarily used to their fullest potential at the moment, the only two spots that <i>might</i> do the trick in our place are already very much spoken for...<br />
<br />
There's the front <b>entry way</b> "closet", which is essentially a crawl space hiding behind my West Elm sheers, and the <b>laundry nook</b> off the washroom.<br />
<br />
But who feels like writing in a windowless space, squished between storage shelves and a stacked washer/dryer set?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Not this girl! </b></i></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrmjBY4pgXhUX-4hqkNFtlceJvoUrzQ6SozhUbqHnLAOAw-ZQlhgKzmnJTyi5jqXvV0SKgRpIh189kGJQs3E7GKW3PwROj-EWVrin0yB-yISNYLfQLz2kSXvjdbGbdhAjEqg1EAQD_iMW/s1600/9779ac6e5888454cb9e565d73b018aa7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrmjBY4pgXhUX-4hqkNFtlceJvoUrzQ6SozhUbqHnLAOAw-ZQlhgKzmnJTyi5jqXvV0SKgRpIh189kGJQs3E7GKW3PwROj-EWVrin0yB-yISNYLfQLz2kSXvjdbGbdhAjEqg1EAQD_iMW/s320/9779ac6e5888454cb9e565d73b018aa7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.women24.com/HomeAndAway/DIY/Build-a-Shelf-Desk-20091215-2" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">via</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table>Perhaps one day I'll make something of this daydream, but for now I suppose I'll just have to make do!<br />
<br />
Have you created a home office for yourself or a <b>special space to hide away</b> for a little R&R? How did you make it work?<br />
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More importantly, how did it make <i>you</i> work?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>KLI | NofW</b></div><br />
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Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-81352538201409381532012-04-09T21:54:00.000-04:002012-04-10T21:54:10.518-04:00My Next Project!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz85pnaWLFyL8IclJkCYW38bdCQolri0xX7T5GGrOzLc-IpVjH5PF_hJ8_cyweS26LlFw2wqJufQdnggCV72cdyKr3oTD5OU7Ub2xGVWjj7otG9FeDkdPSBqAGYujQpg1GcExtP49rgqb/s1600/Nightstand17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz85pnaWLFyL8IclJkCYW38bdCQolri0xX7T5GGrOzLc-IpVjH5PF_hJ8_cyweS26LlFw2wqJufQdnggCV72cdyKr3oTD5OU7Ub2xGVWjj7otG9FeDkdPSBqAGYujQpg1GcExtP49rgqb/s400/Nightstand17.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7JaSS5QbIJQS9hBQnc6kPp-2ZzYanarN2R-Tz3Anc5S4A9Pvgt5vEhEHbAtDTahScO36p9MfwKPHjKKtL6vPCRidFQfrLeffrLDpUCWtlgDsHuoKCARnCKJTUgGDUWcnP9KR-JmNoog/s1600/Nightstand17.jpg" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
From what I've heard around the blogosphere, I'm not alone in my tendency to leave <b>bedroom</b> items at the bottom of my design wishlist.<br />
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Well, that's not exactly true...<br />
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I have plenty of ideas and items on my <b>to do list</b> for this room that I'd love to see through, but seeing as any guests we have over generally stick to our other rooms (all three or four of them!), those spaces seem to take precedence.<br />
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One thing that I have been pining for over the last few years is an honest to God <b>nightstand</b>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRYu8Jad3rps4bMBpccuIjIzrWb8Nlu3FUtBBCSLLJtlYLXXEHBfRo_UQscf3ID4S7SA6wMqv5dC6sNi5cSnAt_8bdPDAG6UIuIX1qq0o69aBRxGP1BZyu01ULbQyPSw_7LDtZmwe8rTK/s1600/tumblr_lost5gcpMZ1qzb2hmo1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRYu8Jad3rps4bMBpccuIjIzrWb8Nlu3FUtBBCSLLJtlYLXXEHBfRo_UQscf3ID4S7SA6wMqv5dC6sNi5cSnAt_8bdPDAG6UIuIX1qq0o69aBRxGP1BZyu01ULbQyPSw_7LDtZmwe8rTK/s400/tumblr_lost5gcpMZ1qzb2hmo1_500.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7JaSS5QbIJQS9hBQnc6kPp-2ZzYanarN2R-Tz3Anc5S4A9Pvgt5vEhEHbAtDTahScO36p9MfwKPHjKKtL6vPCRidFQfrLeffrLDpUCWtlgDsHuoKCARnCKJTUgGDUWcnP9KR-JmNoog/s1600/Nightstand17.jpg" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>It took me a while but I've finally succumbed to the fact that MLo has absolutely no intention of to relocating or repurposing the little shelf he's long used as his bedside table.<br />
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In other words, I must accept that a <b>matching set </b>is not just not in the cards.<br />
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Having said <i>that</i>, I now have the luxury of choosing whatever I want for my side of the bed, no ifs ands or buts about it. <b>Not a bad trade off, if you ask me!</b><br />
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</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo0VPtCSNdIDcfGHNQSaMjdpMBQLm5I1j-lU_wEMj7zlD6hd6ylJFHa50xw7YUo2ShQYrVT3UnlVIFwHfKh8KlgQYmmhmTvIqbue90FEAI60Okxid24srP8RYU2OqGbbldxxkqKqBol8o/s1600/1889001545728499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo0VPtCSNdIDcfGHNQSaMjdpMBQLm5I1j-lU_wEMj7zlD6hd6ylJFHa50xw7YUo2ShQYrVT3UnlVIFwHfKh8KlgQYmmhmTvIqbue90FEAI60Okxid24srP8RYU2OqGbbldxxkqKqBol8o/s320/1889001545728499.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.furniturehomedesign.com/rustic-night-stands/barn-door-nightstand-turquoise-distressed-1889001545728499/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Since I haven't quite fallen in love with any particular piece yet (and certainly not their prices), I've thought a lot about restoring a <b>garage sale find</b> or giving a makeover to a nice second hand piece.<br />
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This would be significantly cheaper, give me a project to tackle and hopefully add a<b> unique dimension </b>to the room.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfk2w7SmwaqvVtBBwQzAUu2_Mvv6qCZY1ik7XVxt3E7oJUSqxctptKZVkSqNJkOCHGOgQ67Z7tUAJKocJ7mLxYiUfKfJtbFqW3B4_bR8Kb8bRfgEJxebksKDhyphenhyphenmd_pS3tz3DCPkimyPwR/s1600/desk-to-nightstand-tutorial-1024x628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfk2w7SmwaqvVtBBwQzAUu2_Mvv6qCZY1ik7XVxt3E7oJUSqxctptKZVkSqNJkOCHGOgQ67Z7tUAJKocJ7mLxYiUfKfJtbFqW3B4_bR8Kb8bRfgEJxebksKDhyphenhyphenmd_pS3tz3DCPkimyPwR/s400/desk-to-nightstand-tutorial-1024x628.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://decorhacks.com/2011/10/desk-to-nightstand-transformation/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Then as luck would have it, our friend announced he was getting rid of all kinds of furniture and housewares before relocating to China, including some <b>modest end tables</b> and I jumped at the chance to claim one for myself!<b> </b><br />
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Making the time to actually get to this project is the hard part, so stay tuned, but for now these are a few photos I'm looking to for <b>inspiration</b> as I gear up for the this DIY project...<br />
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<div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFflwbTiOPRBzpg8s3lxK_WnDzmkSzkWylR9aaBCYblKr4rzOFERhV17dKtZBiAvLhRS_jjZd3oL2fVGW3WgkTjWYTA6uvkxK_HHPWF23gjlTVEU9nWfstQLuTtutPN3JUNCXrLMbdOkZ0/s1600/diy-floating-nightstands-for-small-bedrooms-1-500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFflwbTiOPRBzpg8s3lxK_WnDzmkSzkWylR9aaBCYblKr4rzOFERhV17dKtZBiAvLhRS_jjZd3oL2fVGW3WgkTjWYTA6uvkxK_HHPWF23gjlTVEU9nWfstQLuTtutPN3JUNCXrLMbdOkZ0/s400/diy-floating-nightstands-for-small-bedrooms-1-500x375.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shelterness.com/diy-floating-night-stands-for-small-bedrooms/" target="_blank">via</a><br />
</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Obviously I have some varied taste when it comes to <b>bedside decor</b>, so I'll have to give it some more thought before I get to work. </div><div><br />
</div><div>While I continue to brainstorm, tell me, do any of these pieces stand out to you? What do you look for in a nightstand? Storage, style or something else altogether? Do tell! </div><div><b></b><br />
<b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>KLI | NofW</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></b></div></div></div></div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-91643432585995992382012-03-29T22:43:00.001-04:002012-03-30T08:11:17.997-04:00* The Return of the Backyard *<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_X3V3z6SpPy-G_FFHQj0pOY2KSe4aYToJob4m2a1qldLK3jzzfl-DjcV4XCIShsAU6cZVfkYoMlFIH9q4K1F6tX_GPQG7dBOlHPDXYC2IfuIVk57OrEjlJIgz05El81M1txLKQYxOlyE/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_X3V3z6SpPy-G_FFHQj0pOY2KSe4aYToJob4m2a1qldLK3jzzfl-DjcV4XCIShsAU6cZVfkYoMlFIH9q4K1F6tX_GPQG7dBOlHPDXYC2IfuIVk57OrEjlJIgz05El81M1txLKQYxOlyE/s400/IMG_1791.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Throughout this normally frigid month of March, Toronto has been blessed with a few days of absolutely gorgeous and <b>unseasonably</b> <b>warm weather</b>.<br />
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In fact, those of you who follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Kklee6" target="_blank"><b>twitter</b></a> may already know this, but we actually had temperatures last week that were comparable to Maui's... that's right, as in <i>Hawaii</i>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Unbelievable! </b></div><br />
This glorious, albeit short stint of amazing weather has been a great break from the cold, but it's also given me an unusually <i>early</i> desire to<b> spruce up the backyard</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHP0WIL-2CgTyLQhXcwMIBggaeMJ7CUQDqJMW2unfNg9WQvJX7QkSZB9LnIBaFXp8C1LjhMuaNIPAaE72ZdWxNwbwycisbh4Y9WPULagVPEr97NciGBJDNUNaCwMNr9hM_C1kf5oz_Q62/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHP0WIL-2CgTyLQhXcwMIBggaeMJ7CUQDqJMW2unfNg9WQvJX7QkSZB9LnIBaFXp8C1LjhMuaNIPAaE72ZdWxNwbwycisbh4Y9WPULagVPEr97NciGBJDNUNaCwMNr9hM_C1kf5oz_Q62/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After a long winter of hibernating inside, having access to our yard essentially adds another room onto our little home. <br />
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And since we haven't exactly got <i>unlimited</i> space here in the Nook, <b>extra room</b> is definitely cause for excitement!<br />
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Mid to late spring, when the time and especially the <i>weather</i> is right, Marc and I wipe down all of our outdoor furniture, clear out whatever has blown around the yard throughout fall and winter, and head out to stock up on <b>flowers, herbs and vegetable seeds.</b><br />
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Even for a teeny tiny piece of land like this, "opening" the yard makes for a long day of hard work and fresh air that is absolutely <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">exhausting</span>,</i> but always worth it once we start seeing the <b>fruits of our labour</b>...<br />
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In addition to colourful blooms, over the last couple of years we've grown tomatoes, peppers, basil, chives, and more lettuce than the two of us could ever keep up with.<br />
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</div>While these plants quickly get taller and wider than the <b>cedar garden box </b>Marc built for them - and we end up losing some of the space we just reclaimed - it's a small price to pay in exchange for the fresh food we pluck right from the garden, mere <i>minutes</i> before dining!<br />
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We'll likely plant the usual suspects again this year, but there's not a whole lot of rhyme or reason to the <b>flowers</b> we've chosen thus far...<br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Growing up, my mum let my sisters and I pick our own colour of <b>impatiens</b> that we'd tend to all season long, so that's my <b><i>one personal</i></b> <b><i>must have</i></b>, but beyond that we really just pick up whatever catches our eyes as we poke around Kensington Market and Home Depot.</div><br />
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Do you have big plans for <b>your yard </b>this year? Any <b>indoor gardens</b> already on the go for you apartment-dwellers?<br />
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<b>Outdoor furniture and patio sets</b> can get pricey, but that's definitely something I'd like to look into this year... when the weather permits, anyway :)<br />
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</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>KLI | NofW</b></div><br />
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Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-82178616834140571872012-03-20T11:43:00.000-04:002012-03-20T11:49:26.962-04:00Kitchen Overhaul UpdateA while back I mentioned that our teeny, tiny kitchen was in desperate need of a makeover.<br />
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It's not that I just wanted to redecorate - I <i>needed</i> to redecorate, and if you don't believe me, see for yourself.<br />
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This kitchen was/is small, had <b>super bland</b> beige walls and countertops, was poorly lit (with inexplicably exposed fluorescent lighting), and had sub-par finishes all around.<br />
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As much as we would've loved to, it sadly just didn't make sense to rip everything out and start from scratch while we're just renting.<br />
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No, there weren't any snazzy new cabinets on the way, no beautiful backsplash en route... <br />
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We had to approach this overhaul <i>knowing</i> it wasn't investment, but rather a temporary way of <b>personalizing</b> another bit of our little home.<br />
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As I've said before, I love sketching on my iPad and did a lot of <b>brainstorming</b> for our little kitchenette by doing just that...<br />
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With busy work and social schedules, plus a tight budget, making something of these ideas has been a very slow process. And while it's still <i>very much</i> underway, it dawned on me that we've actually made a lot of progress in the last few months... baby steps or not!<br />
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First, we managed to free up some much needed counter space by <b>replacing two wooden knife blocks with two magnetic strips</b>.<br />
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I've loved the look of these for a while now, and thanks to MLo and his Dad (who both miraculously remembered my passing comments about this idea), our amazing knives have been both on display <i>and</i> out of the way since Christmas!</div>
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Despite the setback/saga of MLo's broken elbow, I managed to take the next step on my own and checked <i>'paint the walls'</i> off my to do list over the holidays. </div>
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We opted for a <b>bold and bright yellow</b> that almost makes our <a href="http://nookofwellington.blogspot.ca/2011/10/battle-of-bathroom.html"><strong>turquoise bathroom</strong></a> look demure!<br />
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This admittedly<b> <i>in your face colour</i> </b>takes some getting used to, and I know it definitely isn't for everyone, but we're very happy with the way it turned out and both agree it really livens up the space!<br />
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After not really finding exactly what I wanted on Etsy, I ended up purchasing this set of four glass<b> kitchen canisters</b> for a ridiculously low price at the Kitchen Stuff Plus store across from my office building.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="http://www.kitchenstuffplus.com/5256-.aspx">Kitchen Stuff Plus</a></b></i></td></tr>
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Since I don't do too much baking, we've passed on your typical <i>flour and sugar,</i> opting instead to fill our new canisters with more frequently used items here in the Nook: coffee, tea, pasta and nuts. <b>Whatever works, right? </b></div>
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Other improvements and additions include a new <b>magnetic spice rack</b>, <b>Marc's DIY filter</b> for our terrible fluorescent lighting (made of a custom-fit wooden frame and tracing paper), and a little <b>Sansevieria plant</b> here and there, to provide some much needed greenery.</div>
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I still plan to hang a mirror behind the sink, score one or two new lamps for the corners beneath our cabinets, <i>finally</i> decide on a small print to frame, <i>etc. etc. etc.</i> but thus far <b>I'm quite pleased with our progress.</b></div>
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Would you or have you decorated your kitchen or home differently, with outrageous colours or daring designs, knowing that you'd likely move or renovate within a couple of years? <br />
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You obviously know my answer... what's yours?</div>
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<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>
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<br /></div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-81393170159451144272012-03-06T11:59:00.000-05:002012-03-06T12:06:24.699-05:00Right Where I Want To Be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_Dww4H9qigkhKLkVbEJLqGBy8cPCqR5ffVWvWIlkTTVIZoRoWs52hBEdFvYvwYmgcysfNFXcFXzjNj7hJGitf51d6irSsVccZrksdBLQHTfL9mDwDynVEL-i2yoLoXLvTb06JXrejY6k/s640/blogger-image-1776980913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_Dww4H9qigkhKLkVbEJLqGBy8cPCqR5ffVWvWIlkTTVIZoRoWs52hBEdFvYvwYmgcysfNFXcFXzjNj7hJGitf51d6irSsVccZrksdBLQHTfL9mDwDynVEL-i2yoLoXLvTb06JXrejY6k/s320/blogger-image-1776980913.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last weekend my Dad and I made the last minute decision to check out an architectural exhibit down at the <b>Harbourfront Centre</b> that I've been meaning to write about since...<br />
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Ironically, the very <i>little</i> exhibit was called <b><a href="http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/visualarts/2012/architecture-exhibitions-winter-2012/">BIG ENOUGH?</a></b> and was focused on the choice we all make when deciding between urban or suburban living, and how both our <b>life</b> <b>priorities and perspectives on space</b> shift accordingly.<br />
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Several installations included photos, text, 3D models and more, by firms Altius Architecture Inc., nkA, and rzlbd, and artist Surendra Lawoti.<br />
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My favourite feature of the exhibit was the very first thing we saw as we walked through the door...<br />
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There was a map of Toronto on a poster board up against the wall and two small dishes off to the side of it... one meant to hold red tacks, the other yellow.<br />
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The instructions said to punch your yellow tack through the map to mark <i><b>where you do live</b></i> and the red <i><b>where you want to live</b></i>...<br />
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When she noticed us checking out this installation, the woman working behind the desk said, "Oh sorry, we ran out of yellow..." and without a thought I replied, <b>"That's okay, they'd be on the same spot anyway!" </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaAWbbfsQlk1HzlMA-cTl-gBskObZyYZfEQWpzk4kUyXoGaJfV66mD7ATn7-J2JcwK9PiHgxh5b2HbVSiDVsx1OYKSYd64F_R_3TlYtDXk8mC-teZetNhDaI5-5g7RLz9xwZ2X_UvQ9Gz/s640/blogger-image--1261142758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaAWbbfsQlk1HzlMA-cTl-gBskObZyYZfEQWpzk4kUyXoGaJfV66mD7ATn7-J2JcwK9PiHgxh5b2HbVSiDVsx1OYKSYd64F_R_3TlYtDXk8mC-teZetNhDaI5-5g7RLz9xwZ2X_UvQ9Gz/s400/blogger-image--1261142758.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If there was ever any doubt, that comment confirmed a very big reason why I'm a very lucky girl. Renting or not, <b>I am living exactly where I want to be right now</b>, and from the looks of this map, not everyone can say the same.<br />
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In fact, the location might be what we love most about our little home. Our condo complex and the neighbourhood itself has <strong>the feel of a small town right within the city</strong>, and we're close to everything, including some family and friends.<br />
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Having said that, this little apartment is <strong>definitely</strong> <strong><i>not</i> big enough</strong> and I'm well aware that it won't house us forever, but for the moment at least, I can say it's just about perfect... and just maybe worth the sacrifice of square footage :)<br />
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What about you, are you right where you want to be? If not, why? Regardless of your answers, head down to this exhibit if you can and make your mark on this map of the GTA ... open through July!<br />
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<b>KLI | NofW</b><br />
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<br /></div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-87157016618096925082012-02-28T23:29:00.000-05:002012-02-29T08:13:47.032-05:00*I Heart (Need) Spring Cleaning*The last few weeks I've found myself doing a crazy amount of <b>Spring Cleaning</b>. <br />
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I usually clean when I'm stressed, but more than anything this time I can tell I'm just <b>anxious to lighten up, de-clutter </b>and will some good weather my way.<br />
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After a few of these super-productive spurts of energy, it dawned on me that I'd successfully accomplished a few items on a home organization <b><a href="http://nookofwellington.blogspot.com/2012/01/storage-wars-of-small-spaces.html">to do list</a></b> I made not too long ago - <b><i>hooray!</i></b><br />
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I don't have any shots of my recently revamped '<b>junk drawer</b>' in the kitchen, but between that mess, my overflowing <b>under the bathroom sink</b> basket, and my reorganized half of the <b>closet</b>, I've made a serious dent in my household clutter!<br />
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<i>Note: "Before" shots would've been a tad too embarrassing to share, so just trust me when I say these "afters" are a huge improvement. </i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSL69brYRtiUyxQvrQGw-ZNr5GUspy8HAnCOP5DJEhb4iov_1iLlGOQqj3e56quEzW29MQ4YF58ihD4lO-W-0uD2uezl6RQOlM1eapjkP5Jnfudp5LNNQikJVD_6x9CbXh-_ynRKwWSn8x/s640/blogger-image-1678672623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSL69brYRtiUyxQvrQGw-ZNr5GUspy8HAnCOP5DJEhb4iov_1iLlGOQqj3e56quEzW29MQ4YF58ihD4lO-W-0uD2uezl6RQOlM1eapjkP5Jnfudp5LNNQikJVD_6x9CbXh-_ynRKwWSn8x/s640/blogger-image-1678672623.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes, this is my half of the closet... gotta love compact city living... </i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>How'd I do it?</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I <b>tossed</b> millions of half-used lotions, gummy nail polish and shattered eye shadows... wrapped up clothes, books and shoes to<b> give away<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">...</span> </b>created a '<b>to sort or shred'</b> pile of old paperwork - which I still have to tackle - and generally just <b>made more sense </b>of where the surviving items were stored.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I actually had to take apart my new set of plastic drawers and break off one level to make it fit inside the cupboard, but now it fits perfectly and <b>I am in love.</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know these ideas aren't especially ingenious or original, but with every choice I made and everything I chucked, I<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> simply made</span> better use of the space</b> and now I can actually find things -<i> what a novel idea! </i></div><br />
Naturally, in our snug little apartment, staying organized will be an <b>on-going battle</b>, but it seriously amazes me how much more efficient I already feel as I get ready each morning with these few, relatively small changes.<br />
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Have you tackled your personal <b>mountain of stuff</b> lately? How else do you de-stress or get your place ready for spring?<br />
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Share your story or, for the love of God, just tell me I'm not alone in my <i>"<b>Monica"-esque</b></i><b> neurotic tendencies</b>, will ya? ;)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>KLI | NofW</b></div><br />
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Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-86127042131057685962012-02-21T22:58:00.000-05:002012-02-22T08:18:24.858-05:00Jaunt to the Junction!As some of you may know, I took a couple of days off last week, which resulted in an extra long<b> Family Day </b>weekend. It was equally lazy and productive, just the way I like it!<br />
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I saw some family and friends, watched an embarrassingly high number of BH 90210 re-runs, but also did some spring cleaning, went to Toronto Rock game and made my way up to the <b>Junction</b>!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvk3L7M9iT9ywZrykrbKv5JZ7A7SNI6RN-uDTrmLB-PGBMM2mop1Wb94jf8emiBN2TtUOPQLhLtMR-RVw4n66gyAQSxyKWjgw8Jn7sGVFkMkuSkyksZnpc5MlfyToVsfHwl16IM67B0WJ/s1600/junction-grant-mcdonald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvk3L7M9iT9ywZrykrbKv5JZ7A7SNI6RN-uDTrmLB-PGBMM2mop1Wb94jf8emiBN2TtUOPQLhLtMR-RVw4n66gyAQSxyKWjgw8Jn7sGVFkMkuSkyksZnpc5MlfyToVsfHwl16IM67B0WJ/s400/junction-grant-mcdonald.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><i>Photography by Grant McDonald</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>I used to trek up that way a lot when I worked in production as an art department PA, but that was a while ago now and for months I've meant to revisit a few shops in the area.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">For those of you not familiar with this neighbourhood, the Junction sits just northwest of Roncesvalles, above High Park. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Starting around the area's main intersection of <b>Dundas and Keele</b> and going west, there's a well known strip of <b>furniture and antique stores</b> including SMASH, Cornerstone, Forever Interiors and many, many more.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDLofFsqbHOA_uygLPDpfeu52GCvvkPSL_zh5fL6zigoWJXQO_Tkm6s0-RMsz5QrlDMLOEe0y9x5zdCeUqhwk6thzbPcTYLGM0i_4s8xyDtV2wsY9cpaQq-8aD4TAAjeRfsfUSaH6VGDW/s640/blogger-image--1074826988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDLofFsqbHOA_uygLPDpfeu52GCvvkPSL_zh5fL6zigoWJXQO_Tkm6s0-RMsz5QrlDMLOEe0y9x5zdCeUqhwk6thzbPcTYLGM0i_4s8xyDtV2wsY9cpaQq-8aD4TAAjeRfsfUSaH6VGDW/s400/blogger-image--1074826988.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Side Rack Wine Racks at Forever Interiors</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Unfortunately, it was way too cold and blustery for <b>window shopping </b>that day, and it seemed I wasn't the only one who thought so because the place was like a ghost town.<br />
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Roughly an hour later, with no purchases to show for it, I was freezing and itching to get home to King West... but here are a few snaps I took before hopping on the TTC!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xpqd_AmKf10mscU6IQgippg9vsKyq0MTJwdHPjUxpp4memr11zyiiHbXKxUau68NhnUbRiFRZ7eFe2RQZRHlGKe6JIgO2iWwO9pzT2-1hHu-_VZhrbWP8khWMFMv1ilT7CwwNlc2HkKK/s640/blogger-image-1549035807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xpqd_AmKf10mscU6IQgippg9vsKyq0MTJwdHPjUxpp4memr11zyiiHbXKxUau68NhnUbRiFRZ7eFe2RQZRHlGKe6JIgO2iWwO9pzT2-1hHu-_VZhrbWP8khWMFMv1ilT7CwwNlc2HkKK/s400/blogger-image-1549035807.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Everyone is wild about globes lately... how 'bout these lamp stands?</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPwnBEhvUWzeEMmSLLXR9IaEG-isdXON_koYq5BwmTtp8meuV-t0lolwhwhV0vtfMsQse1JGF5qfUXxqbdQnghPfK2Gr9H1K6kW752QroL7bG-u4WDJ2oLPbFDO8_oIACBLO9HAuqadea/s640/blogger-image-910755332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPwnBEhvUWzeEMmSLLXR9IaEG-isdXON_koYq5BwmTtp8meuV-t0lolwhwhV0vtfMsQse1JGF5qfUXxqbdQnghPfK2Gr9H1K6kW752QroL7bG-u4WDJ2oLPbFDO8_oIACBLO9HAuqadea/s320/blogger-image-910755332.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Damnit! Forgot the name of this store and the painter, but aren't these incredible?</i></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDhOUE0UWr4o6ehaEGLHuLPEDaqMeJuJI7U1MwFFF9UTEpgJlJYP-Z1bdcStq6woPN_yJ3uu65XZuFXGFLe2N8rxuh7ve_wsLbhjjNBBBt-6XrE0241GiDYeT0YoCjWNiIZnLeCb3ivgd/s640/blogger-image--1437858621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDhOUE0UWr4o6ehaEGLHuLPEDaqMeJuJI7U1MwFFF9UTEpgJlJYP-Z1bdcStq6woPN_yJ3uu65XZuFXGFLe2N8rxuh7ve_wsLbhjjNBBBt-6XrE0241GiDYeT0YoCjWNiIZnLeCb3ivgd/s400/blogger-image--1437858621.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I love card catalogues but I can never imagine what I'd use one for...</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvqwpA3qe1KXUm_Bmfd_eOZ2qlsgSPj_sKM9ro0E2MCYvbuEXSAHU7wI5GJWgE1-FpE_wJGRWf0b3zj8rxVc5_RVlbbEm2BTb8VfirdX2h5kBIWeqDi9wfGVGc56VqBbEbazEIMXStyJv/s640/blogger-image-476964057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvqwpA3qe1KXUm_Bmfd_eOZ2qlsgSPj_sKM9ro0E2MCYvbuEXSAHU7wI5GJWgE1-FpE_wJGRWf0b3zj8rxVc5_RVlbbEm2BTb8VfirdX2h5kBIWeqDi9wfGVGc56VqBbEbazEIMXStyJv/s320/blogger-image-476964057.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My fellow bloggers were quite enamoured with a few Union Jack pieces at IDS. <br />
This Cornerstone piece wasn't too shabby either!</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1VVJ6zaoTt7NkcqfHA9ztRpMxMqNY1VRsGHtM8sZGv-o1EzC5MiYVqqcTtJOL1wH2fBd4vZtjI9RT6i1_SOzcDc9bmgAc3bNPDK5xw4c3iAxoRit70dD1Gr8owYKKNX0DbpQSi4P8_FX/s640/blogger-image--588136333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1VVJ6zaoTt7NkcqfHA9ztRpMxMqNY1VRsGHtM8sZGv-o1EzC5MiYVqqcTtJOL1wH2fBd4vZtjI9RT6i1_SOzcDc9bmgAc3bNPDK5xw4c3iAxoRit70dD1Gr8owYKKNX0DbpQSi4P8_FX/s320/blogger-image--588136333.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Loved these prints and posters at SMASH! <br />
Made me wish I had a garage or workshop to decorate.<br />
</i></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>Intrigued? Click <a href="http://www.designlinesmagazine.com/guide/guide.php?cat=619"><b>here</b></a> for <i>Design Lines Magazine's</i> guide to the west end and map out all of the shops, restaurants and galleries you think you'd like to visit!<br />
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I'll be back myself... once it's 20 degrees and sunny :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>KLI | NofW</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
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</div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-82585848778065347022012-02-16T14:55:00.000-05:002012-02-16T14:55:27.988-05:00Sewing and the City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the last four years, this particular week has been very busy for me, as <b>MLo's birthday</b> immediately follows Valentine's.</div>
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Since last year we spent those days on Maui, horseback riding across a cattle ranch and feasting at an authentic Hawaiian luau, I sort of succumbed to the fact we couldn't top ourselves this time around!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xKyZrEH2EOBsbQ8kc_d5GnORuxLeCgMNifwxbtqiUrqwa3QkKt9As8zyoYDbo7HwK-r9HTjiO2_TeXBATB_lYspfxQsTNKziFIwxq02vThwn-IFwKTnvOwQs2IzQFtU87cCOaBszZ3g1/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xKyZrEH2EOBsbQ8kc_d5GnORuxLeCgMNifwxbtqiUrqwa3QkKt9As8zyoYDbo7HwK-r9HTjiO2_TeXBATB_lYspfxQsTNKziFIwxq02vThwn-IFwKTnvOwQs2IzQFtU87cCOaBszZ3g1/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nonetheless, I treated him to a terrific dinner one night then he cooked me an incredible dinner the next... in fact it was <i>so</i> good it earned him the right to open his <b>birthday gifts</b> early.<br />
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I picked him up a couple odds and ends, plus tickets to one of Joel Plaskett's upcoming Toronto shows... in other words, I did good! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyCixWxfRayKWWaDsKHw1gLSDVkF6mod1LJhAKy5v9tXMrAhxG6myr6LtOomq5P6Ua7J2YAR8Az-ShKqHGKBsdxgLK7H3cQ0VmdQoE7hDmu2P7X0TcxUn_JxuD60SorwuKFTY8fbPAKFR/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyCixWxfRayKWWaDsKHw1gLSDVkF6mod1LJhAKy5v9tXMrAhxG6myr6LtOomq5P6Ua7J2YAR8Az-ShKqHGKBsdxgLK7H3cQ0VmdQoE7hDmu2P7X0TcxUn_JxuD60SorwuKFTY8fbPAKFR/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I normally consider myself pretty talented at gift giving, but one thing Marc's mentioned time and time again, which I've not thought to pick up for him is a <b>sewing machine</b>.</div>
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The only thing I know how to sew is a <i>button</i>, but he allegedly knows his way around a machine quite well and would love to be able to <b>make and mend</b> things around the house.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERVACL4OvCwtzOWL-Mx1Bv2ElCrCMsNVfX3spNAhUp17CWXZtGJBXDI6pKo_Vzi0YAS16iAu2YOakHxwwcYiHtrxjcf7GXokPY6balW_hNUTszZZ46XAVgXQNGwhZeuuRvTtaYJkwxjm0/s1600/needle+and+thread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERVACL4OvCwtzOWL-Mx1Bv2ElCrCMsNVfX3spNAhUp17CWXZtGJBXDI6pKo_Vzi0YAS16iAu2YOakHxwwcYiHtrxjcf7GXokPY6balW_hNUTszZZ46XAVgXQNGwhZeuuRvTtaYJkwxjm0/s320/needle+and+thread.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRyxk4XOKj2Gqyc1bi6fqkdo4ft3dhyphenhyphen5-DWxY77cz_vLhho-o9_GjcY6xhwa7fZIzZCxlD-8GLdmbG7YGiJlkS6VOI4qW-fuKTD3up3swyyB9FuntDnIiSM2zDYB1UOGupthlhGBJ4Ms/s1600/needle%252Band%252Bthread.jpg&imgrefurl=http://studentsophisticate.blogspot.com/2011/02/get-your-clothing-fixed-for-0-pull-out.html&usg=__g-pl-uERfeeQYmimBxhCBZkOpkA=&h=375&w=500&sz=49&hl=en&start=1&sig2=S_vJMLTzm1tdF7wPfFELAA&zoom=1&tbnid=J7KaYfcSkE3bjM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&ei=WlQ9T96pHOPe0QHb15TuBw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dneedle%2Band%2Bthread%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1">The Student Sophisticate</a></td></tr>
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My Mum always said her father was so handy he could make anything, including living room curtains, but something tells me Grandaddy had a <i>little </i>more room to work with than we have in our modest apartment. <i><b>So what's an urban craftsman to do? </b></i></div>
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I just figured it out... head to <a href="http://www.theworkroom.ca/"><b>The Workroom</b></a>! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjFD0E6aYbO0G_T_nEj8GBsMjfbVbardcE-z9auWMrS4ikeDb_gw3mc3wqZ_fbXJ62eyLxfeiE70M5mfbYiw_wtUmLZoaffZyh_BTbVK23WHnF_OsAmuChSxkoWNHel69uquciCR-FTri/s1600/6a00e54f097bdd883400e553bbe5028833-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjFD0E6aYbO0G_T_nEj8GBsMjfbVbardcE-z9auWMrS4ikeDb_gw3mc3wqZ_fbXJ62eyLxfeiE70M5mfbYiw_wtUmLZoaffZyh_BTbVK23WHnF_OsAmuChSxkoWNHel69uquciCR-FTri/s320/6a00e54f097bdd883400e553bbe5028833-800wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://thepinpals.typepad.com/pin_pals/2008/07/the-workroom.html">The Pin Pals</a></span></span></span></td></tr>
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The Workroom is a <b>pay by the hour sewing studio</b> in Parkdale that's equipped with sewing machines, cutting boards, button presses, fabric and more, where experienced sewers and newbies alike can work on their latest projects. </div>
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Even if you're like me, and wouldn't know where to begin, there's a <b><i>Sewing Machine Essentials</i></b> class that you can take for just <b>$55</b> that will help you find your way around a sewing machine and learn this useful skill. </div>
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Then once you're up to speed, there are <b><a href="http://www.theworkroom.ca/images/the_workroom_calendar.pdf">a whole bunch of classes</a></b> you can take that will help you create everything from dresses to men's ties, bags and more. <i>Cool, eh?</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaIcdl3I2vR6xLFgjr-7rVe2VMWd4wSnR_zyYA8ZfXYg6OVQ9QX8hP6x_MC9ipoNBQbl92KmvUdsqPwOgFtgV16sxS1J1-ybJ5OYZ9xqlc5JVDdG5Q83zcNKvao5olBMADNXgQlznbbdw/s1600/travelcraftytoronto_04TheWorkroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaIcdl3I2vR6xLFgjr-7rVe2VMWd4wSnR_zyYA8ZfXYg6OVQ9QX8hP6x_MC9ipoNBQbl92KmvUdsqPwOgFtgV16sxS1J1-ybJ5OYZ9xqlc5JVDdG5Q83zcNKvao5olBMADNXgQlznbbdw/s320/travelcraftytoronto_04TheWorkroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/02/travel_crafty_toronto.html">Craftzine</a></span></span></span></td></tr>
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I'm not sure MLo would necessarily go for this, but at least we know <b>The Workroom</b> is there if either of us ever wants to give it a try!</div>
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Do you know how to sew? If not, are you interested in learning how? What would you do with that skill?</div>
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Wishing everyone a very happy Family Day long weekend!</div>
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<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>
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</div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-52377881398298762322012-02-13T07:46:00.000-05:002012-02-13T07:46:52.845-05:00Liebster Love!<br />
I always love when people comment on my posts but the other day I was extra excited because April from <b><a href="http://moneypitlove.blogspot.com/">Money Pit Love</a></b> did me a solid and granted me, or rather<i> NofW</i> a "<b>Liebster Award</b>"!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthf2cA0I02WzXpJMxrQ8uNdz-76JZmCkEjU297d20fnUurnOzD5o1hVUut1n6BtZCa80teNuUkBLOcpzwE17EuH_Cd896j-YST5LlMiqK639NghvCXm9qTmAEhEL3TJAUVSQS9YdeMxw0/s1600/liebster-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthf2cA0I02WzXpJMxrQ8uNdz-76JZmCkEjU297d20fnUurnOzD5o1hVUut1n6BtZCa80teNuUkBLOcpzwE17EuH_Cd896j-YST5LlMiqK639NghvCXm9qTmAEhEL3TJAUVSQS9YdeMxw0/s320/liebster-award.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not sure what this award is? I wasn't either... in fact, I'm still not quite sure where this whole Liebster thing started or how it works, but what I <i>do</i> know is that it's about <b>showing some love and generating traffic</b> <b>to well-deserving newbie bloggers.</b><br />
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<i>How sweet is that?!</i></div>
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Like I've said before, just chatting with April and others at <b>Blog Podium</b> I could tell how fun and encouraging this community of design bloggers is, but now <i>awards?</i> Real or imagined, I am <i>so</i> down with this...<br />
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Apparently, in addition to<b> linking back</b> to April's lovely blog, I have to <b>pay it forward </b>to five other blogs/bloggers who may also have under 200 followers (from what I can tell anyway), as well as share <b>five random things about myself</b>.<br />
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Here goes!<br />
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<i>The next 5 <b>Liebster</b> recipients are...</i></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nicole @ </span></b><b><a href="http://lipstikevents.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Adding the Finishing Touch</span></a></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Shannon & Robin @ </span></b><b><a href="http://www.wecreatehoopla.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hoopla</span></a></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pam @ </span></b><b><a href="http://www.cherishtoronto.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cherish Toronto</span></a></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Emily-Jane @ </span></b><b><a href="http://notahousebutahome.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not a House, But a Home</span></a></b><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and, assuming not all of these have to be design-related blogs...</span></i><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Andrea @</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://andreapalen.com/blog"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Andrea Palen</span></b></a><br />
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<br />
And now for the five random things about myself, eh... hmm...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>I'm a condiments fanatic.</b> My fridge door is jam packed with barbeque sauce, peanut sauce, plum sauce, hot sauce, mustards, ketchup, teryaki, etc. etc. etc. <s>My parents</s> Santa has even left sweet chili sauce in my Christmas stocking before! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Before I became a bona fide yuppie, <b>I was once told I could survive on sunshine and music</b>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>God, I miss school days in Waterloo...</i></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>When I was three years old and my family and I went on vacation to Myrtle Beach, I inexplicably decided <b>I wanted to be a boy and asked my parents and sisters to call me Bobby</b>. They kindly obliged, and Bobby had a blast running around the beach, but within a few days little Krista Lee was back in action for good.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>I have a horrible and bizarre phobia of anything <i>too dry</i>.</b> I have to track competitive ads in five newspapers every day at work and every day it creeps me right out. Sand between my toes, dusty cardboard boxes, chalk, chalkboards... ugh, even <i>thinking</i> about these things right now, I'm sitting here with goose bumps all over my arms. <i>Gross!</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I often have premonitions of myself, forty years down the road, <b>rocking a bum-length grey mane and making furniture</b> <b>in my garage</b>. And I like it. </li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE67w8sN0hjf80zFm1ZbG7vhxl5QH0ku7SFTbcj_nS7ccjhMPhYv24Yd0eoXwGKBNZyItE3frXtLj9m4XwJhvdJrrrIL24CNd6aWihju3IDY4pjH0BT_ypRFNSKUdoFJATAczDi20_7cW/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE67w8sN0hjf80zFm1ZbG7vhxl5QH0ku7SFTbcj_nS7ccjhMPhYv24Yd0eoXwGKBNZyItE3frXtLj9m4XwJhvdJrrrIL24CNd6aWihju3IDY4pjH0BT_ypRFNSKUdoFJATAczDi20_7cW/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Bobby" and his sisters en route to Myrtle Beach circa '88</i></td></tr>
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I think that about does it! Thanks again to April and congrats to all of the latest recipients... I look forward to reading your Liebster posts soon!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>
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</div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-45641316610416580452012-02-09T08:43:00.001-05:002012-02-09T09:04:11.665-05:00What are Design Junkie Friends for?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOMSfwuHQDt7SmzXNAFVQt4w8BGmzhQ2jcPcib09fiSzrGVppJOUHvxQNl_5eje3b7dmfLQ9E_rdkDzpyaKk9tBdf5E8jK6GtoWH01_8NhPMgQPy15aKpa2hjLRSUOehClSPrB8s17DQK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-02-08+at+9.03.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOMSfwuHQDt7SmzXNAFVQt4w8BGmzhQ2jcPcib09fiSzrGVppJOUHvxQNl_5eje3b7dmfLQ9E_rdkDzpyaKk9tBdf5E8jK6GtoWH01_8NhPMgQPy15aKpa2hjLRSUOehClSPrB8s17DQK/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-02-08+at+9.03.03+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr></tbody></table>In the last year or so, many friends of mine have been purchasing their first homes. For those few who may consider themselves <b>decor-neophytes</b>, the idea of furnishing these homes seems to be just one more item on a very long list of first time home-buyer stressors.<br />
<br />
Since buying furniture is usually an expensive undertaking, even those with impeccable taste and a clear vision can benefit from a <b>second opinion</b> as they scout out pieces.<br />
<br />
While I don't consider myself a design expert by any means, I've noticed that ever since I started <b>NofW </b>I've had lots of people come to <i>me</i> with their decor questions.<br />
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Whether they want my opinions about colours schemes, thoughts on furniture placement, or even just suggestions for retailers, I am <b><i>beyond flattered</i></b> and thrilled to help out however I can!<br />
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My friend <strong>Holly</strong> (who you may remember from <a href="http://nookofwellington.blogspot.com/2011/11/home-is-where-your-wall-art-is-guest.html"><b>this awesome guest post</b></a>) is the latest soon-to-be homeowner to reach out to me for my two cents on a hugely important piece in every home. <b>The couch!</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><i>"I'm having a hard time finding a small, open couch in my budget. Do you think that having just a chaise lounge as a couch would look funny?" </i></span><br />
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I like a chaise lounge as much as the next guy, but like I told Holly, in my humble opinion <b>you will never regret buying a real couch</b>.<br />
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With that, HK agreed to let me do some digging her behalf and gave me free reign to feature this search in a new post. Boom!<br />
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</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"<u>Holly's Must Haves</u>"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Comfortable</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Not too big/overpowering for a condo</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Fabric, not leather</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Grey is the only acceptable neutral</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Under $1000, as she's furnishing the entire place at once</span></b><b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"<u>Wish List</u>"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Long enough for guests to sleep on</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Secret storage definitely a plus</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Clean lines preferred but not required</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Legs (no skirt) and possibly armless to open up the space</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Midcentury/Midcentury Modern feel</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I will happily go shopping and have a "sit test" marathon to see how each of these add up comfort-wise, but in the meantime here are four great and affordable options I've found for Holly to consider, that meet <i>most, </i>if not all of her needs...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21118286&color=031&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=A_FURN_FURNITURE_SOFAS"><span style="font-size: large;">Option #1: Ava Tufted Sleeper Sofa, Urban Outfitters</span></a></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If anyone can rock this sofa, it's Holly... </i></div><br />
For only $699.99 + delivery you get a super vintage look and it converts into a compact sleeper! Loves it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLMr0oumSvAE_K7L2Qnac7QtIkNdsdem22-9UBFzGVQ9PE5lTU0XlknGPIxybUx2hI-kTnE81a0r2f4FmanPtpbCBiT9TF8nyNHoyRguD7jMftYhh5ELiHnUb5ehGkiYD6Ue-iQXwQ5Kt/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLMr0oumSvAE_K7L2Qnac7QtIkNdsdem22-9UBFzGVQ9PE5lTU0XlknGPIxybUx2hI-kTnE81a0r2f4FmanPtpbCBiT9TF8nyNHoyRguD7jMftYhh5ELiHnUb5ehGkiYD6Ue-iQXwQ5Kt/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.urbanbarn.com/products/Sale/Sale-Furniture/st-claire-sofa/1581"><span style="font-size: large;">Option #2: St. Claire Sofa, Urban Barn</span></a></b></div><br />
Not a pull-out, but super modern and on sale for $799 - down from $1199!!! It's a little on the bland/neutral side, yes, but <b>pillow covers</b> are a super easy and inexpensive way to add punches of colour or pattern that you can change with every season... <i>or mood </i>;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJPfUkaTDzmJnQP_u6zb-zUdeT00Fu1khqg4mYg7N9UusLgUO48cjDAMHEcKZphPgxJo84jpIU8Sz3Vj7f4S5k2c_8Hts6I9w6pcTi3ZNNLw_jEATeQRNKjphPYj5g_LmpOHpiBlamd_y/s1600/1581-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJPfUkaTDzmJnQP_u6zb-zUdeT00Fu1khqg4mYg7N9UusLgUO48cjDAMHEcKZphPgxJo84jpIU8Sz3Vj7f4S5k2c_8Hts6I9w6pcTi3ZNNLw_jEATeQRNKjphPYj5g_LmpOHpiBlamd_y/s320/1581-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/lorimer-sofa-g149/?pkey=csectional-sofas#viewLargerHeroOverlay"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Option #3: Lorimer Sofa, West Elm</span></b></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Clean lines and, depending on which swatch you choose from their extensive selection, you're getting a solid couch for as little as $887.89 + delivery... a tad pricier but a little bird told me HK won't be living too far from the store's Liberty Village location. Can you say <i>"Zipcar"? </i>;)</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><i></i></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><i></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO3NxpyWm8HDhQ14IbQemOXdoH5ATRoHbeyt5P9tsyPdjXqFdVsAUCL0H3LZxatlNSQK2mabJlcnWxX7Dicdsiy0nBZEMJ86VX5wrqmn1BU9NEJiBackMbqAgYyqxrOSThEB_7ELnvolZ/s1600/Swatch+1.jpg" /> <img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SU87O-1XmSxevSj9vwalNC8HxGOiijkqRVEIRiVizhqZ-GZERn7t4dLmeAxT0gLM1pR1TmiU15hRgwhMF2DLb5VNPNXmKiI61kC1WAC5-Jp3wtJJl4hxBxYKMlqHeHzM4BiKWhZCCBSX/s1600/Swatch+2.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToAuVzYi8T_oJgeswyjTsw_wUk8rcRohL5jTHdhHEi4lbH1eJ-Qag3fExkBlYp9cIzQzO76NKL3WsZwNi_CCSKqhTCaUc6c9HMIARkMsBOoKCUZWbVYcoBzizAtpvD0ZaHS9krJQwb0Fg/s1600/Swatch+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToAuVzYi8T_oJgeswyjTsw_wUk8rcRohL5jTHdhHEi4lbH1eJ-Qag3fExkBlYp9cIzQzO76NKL3WsZwNi_CCSKqhTCaUc6c9HMIARkMsBOoKCUZWbVYcoBzizAtpvD0ZaHS9krJQwb0Fg/s1600/Swatch+3.jpg" /></a></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sears.ca/product/klik-klak-sleeper-marvin-ii-sofa-bed-with-storage/602-000761122-MARZIS_4_FLAGRE_4_F"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Option #4: Klik-Klak Sleeper 'Marvin II' Sofa Bed, Sears</span></b></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">$399 down from $499 until June 17th, this armless couch will keep the living room <b>airy and open</b>, plus it's fold-out sleeper, <i>plus</i> the cushions come with, <i>PLUS</i> it has <b>extra storage</b> beneath the seat! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Blankets and linens, unseasonable clothes, a ridiculously large DVD collection... whatever you need to tuck out of site will fit here, no problem.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8kIdMqPCN8y8E9sihZNDh95vNbMdaUB_14ax_4jsaI6iqK-aqixrwyKdjMIwOzR5gZpaJwlXCCkuF33RYSzzj2bUpMMXBQG19vbef8BG4WvciQEjYYSmoc0nvzTeLdGWINgk-jH2AdDG/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8kIdMqPCN8y8E9sihZNDh95vNbMdaUB_14ax_4jsaI6iqK-aqixrwyKdjMIwOzR5gZpaJwlXCCkuF33RYSzzj2bUpMMXBQG19vbef8BG4WvciQEjYYSmoc0nvzTeLdGWINgk-jH2AdDG/s200/photo+4.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBhVXoKjG9huKCVJat4oaJM81JveqEePT5_7JWsQDL0kldxWgWeP4vql5zeKybIetwcFBS9YHP76kMNytCJcAkHuK6xC5P8XUP6XySoCqjVeMpZymbqx5eTVDtjhugaIkkOiVvj-Hiyy9/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBhVXoKjG9huKCVJat4oaJM81JveqEePT5_7JWsQDL0kldxWgWeP4vql5zeKybIetwcFBS9YHP76kMNytCJcAkHuK6xC5P8XUP6XySoCqjVeMpZymbqx5eTVDtjhugaIkkOiVvj-Hiyy9/s200/photo+5.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There you have it!<br />
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All fabric, long enough to sleep on, decently high off the floor and lots of variety when it comes to colour. <i>Which do <b>you</b> prefer?</i></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Even if Holly doesn't choose one of these pieces, hopefully I've provided a little inspiration for her and for anyone out there in the midst of their own search for an<b><i> affordable</i> and <i>condo-friendly</i></b> place to lounge :)</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>KLI | NofW </b></div><br />
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</div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-20168562141439440992012-02-02T13:23:00.001-05:002012-02-02T17:54:28.996-05:00I Heart CB2!Almost two weeks past its grand opening, I <em>finally</em> made it over to Toronto's very own <strong>CB2</strong> store late Tuesday night. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was already quite familiar with their website and catalogue of pieces, but seeing everything so meticulously laid across the two floors was a different story altogether...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Before we even set foot through the door I had already fallen <em>exactly</em> as in love as I thought I would!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The store is just a short walk from our place, CB2's prices are great, and most importantly the inventory is <strong><em>amazing. </em></strong></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'd liken it to West Elm in many ways, only with greater variety in terms of colour and a much more <strong>urban flare.</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Could this have something to do with the fact that the architects kept the facade of the iconic former tenant, <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1118543--furniture-behemoth-crate-barrel-conquers-the-big-bop-spot"><strong><em>The</em></strong> <strong><em>Big Bop</em></strong></a> in tact? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Absolutely! But that's just one of <em>many</em> distinctive features of this space and its contents.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As MLo quickly pointed out, I had <strong>wide eyes and a goofy awestruck expression</strong> on my face throughout this entire visit and both of us actually found a few things we really liked. <em>Good enough for me!</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Have you checked out CB2 yet? If so, what do you think?? <em>Do tell!</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>KLI</strong></div> <br />
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</div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-19715344506103732012012-01-31T08:33:00.000-05:002012-01-31T10:58:22.972-05:00IDS & Blog Podium Recap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings all! </div>
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I've got good news and bad news. </div>
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The bad news is I'm a little behind in churning out this recap post. The <i>good </i>news is that, as expected, I had a <i>terrific </i>time this past Friday at both <b>Blog Podium</b> and the <b>2012 Interior Design Show!</b><br />
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All of the Blog Podium organizers, panelists and my fellow attendees were lovely, and it was a pleasure to mix and mingle with them at my first bloggers event! <br />
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The discussion was lively, interesting and it was great to be surrounded by such <b>unique yet like-minded</b> people, who clearly appreciate creative expression as much as they do design.<br />
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Once the hour long event was over, my wicked swag bag and I raced upstairs to the show floor and explored nearly every booth and exhibit on my own.<br />
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Hours later, here are some of the <i>many</i> photos and impressions I walked away with...<br />
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Right off the bat it was clear - there was definitely no shortage of <b>tangerine tango</b> and other orangey hues across the floor. What else would you expect for Pantone's colour of the year?!<br />
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<b>Studio North</b> was as drool-worthy as usual, no surprise there...<br />
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Some of the exhibits themselves were just so incredibly well designed and/or colourful, that they caught your eye and <b>reeled you in</b>, even if their contents weren't exactly in line with your own personal taste.<br />
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It might've just been me, but I found there was even more focus than usual on <b>compact living</b> this time around. I recall seeing a number of beds with built-in storage when I last attended in 2010, but nothing like the <i>plethora</i> of murphy beds and bunk beds I saw this time around... <br />
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Cool, eh? Not a <i>new </i>concept by any means, but honestly what a great idea?! Especially in condos, it seems stupid not to have these space-saving pieces. <br />
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A number of times, as I wandered around taking my millions of photos and chatting up those working the show, a number of people asked me if I was a designer, to which I'd reply with a big fat "<b>I WISH!</b>" </div>
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Yet in saying that, I was actually surprised and delighted at the enthusiastic reception I got when I'd explain that I was there as accredited media, since I had just started my own blog back in September. </div>
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Some people even <i>requested </i>my brand spanking new NofW cards so they could check back and see if I featured them in a post. Score! :)</div>
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Since this post has already gone on <i>far </i>too long, I'll finish up by saying that it was a <b>fantastic day </b>and that good times were definitely had by all! </div>
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<b>Thank you</b> to everyone involved, especially to all those I had the pleasure of meeting at Blog Podium. See you next time!<br />
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<b>KLI | NofW</b></div>
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<br /></div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-30830834976638660482012-01-24T09:45:00.000-05:002012-01-24T09:45:41.629-05:003 Days ‘til the 2012 Interior Design Show!Morning all! <br />
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As per usual, I'm hoping the work week flies by, but this time for a very specific reason...<br />
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This Friday I'm going to attend Trade Day of the <strong><a href="http://www.interiordesignshow.com/">2012 Interior Design Show</a></strong> and am registered to attend/participate in a panel discussion/networking event called <em>Blog Podium!</em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ottawaathome.ca/Homes/2011-02-01/article-2189086/Jaw-dropping-fabulousness-at-the-Interior-Design-Show/1"><strong>Ottawa at Home</strong></a></td></tr>
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IDS is held not far from my place down at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and while I've attended the show before, I feel like a kid on Christmas.</div>
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There is <em>so</em> much to see - new appliances in every colour, fresh designs for classic pieces of furniture, green solutions, small space design, etc. etc. etc. !!! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.meetingscanada.com/Metro-Toronto-Convention-Centre_5268e.jsf"><strong>Metro Toronto Convention Centre</strong></a></td></tr>
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Apart from seeing everything this year's show has to offer, I'm pumped to meet fellow bloggers (both newbies like me and veterans) and listen to design professionals from all over discuss what's new and exciting to them. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fishtnk.com/2011/08/21/ids08/"><strong>fishtnk</strong></a></td></tr>
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I'll be tweeting throughout the day, so if you're interested take a peek at my photos and comments here! <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Kklee6"><strong>@Kklee6</strong></a></div>
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Have a great day!</div>
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KLI</div>
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</div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-20802835719978782512012-01-19T23:16:00.002-05:002012-01-20T08:34:11.319-05:00Mad About Bar Carts!As many of you may know, AMC's <b><i>Mad Men</i></b> is at long last returning this Spring for its long-overdue and highly anticipated fifth season.<br />
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That's right, come <b>March 25th</b>, the good folks over at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce will be back in your living room, right where they belong.<br />
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<i><b>Hooray!</b></i></div>
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This news may not mean much to some, but here in the Nook it's <i>kind of </i>a big deal...<br />
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The writing is fantastic, the cast is stellar, but as former Film Studies and Production Design student, I'm especially mesmerised by the <b>art direction.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbjq67kdGfGIq-zvhKwS5VY7ucSrnNnsTbqghyFOU7ERNBNVcoi8uqsg6aHWsxEUaUUbl3eE4Q5ENYPLXP20mCGgwBq2EwiTFghvkC8up4a0KesymMc96o5VwnCYlX75ja3AUpkqoAVxG/s1600/mad_men_whisky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbjq67kdGfGIq-zvhKwS5VY7ucSrnNnsTbqghyFOU7ERNBNVcoi8uqsg6aHWsxEUaUUbl3eE4Q5ENYPLXP20mCGgwBq2EwiTFghvkC8up4a0KesymMc96o5VwnCYlX75ja3AUpkqoAVxG/s400/mad_men_whisky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, in honour of the show's return, I thought I'd dedicate this post to one of my favourite pieces of furniture that pop up in episode after episode...<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Bar Cart!</span></i></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvPESCqh-Jif07L_ILE1e-7_K1p-1ZIiXyyrBfB-qJncA5PiDCNc07fAr7L-swp0RR7p5jazZRYSYKDyIpQl-hX-1876JZ5fsLP82hoeQroex-xHCHMPgyqVKQjig4aVxaMyZmYxhdXOb/s1600/image_4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvPESCqh-Jif07L_ILE1e-7_K1p-1ZIiXyyrBfB-qJncA5PiDCNc07fAr7L-swp0RR7p5jazZRYSYKDyIpQl-hX-1876JZ5fsLP82hoeQroex-xHCHMPgyqVKQjig4aVxaMyZmYxhdXOb/s320/image_4.jpeg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/136218/Arteriors-Connaught-Polished-Nickel-Glass-Bar-Cart-traditional-bar-carts-">Arteriors Connaught</a></i></b></span></td></tr>
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There's something about a bar cart that I just find really charming.<br />
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The mere idea conjures up images of a swanky cocktail party, where the host would have every kind of booze you could think of on hand, ready to fix the most obscure drinks ever ordered in a jiffy.<br />
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That's right, <i>jiffy</i>...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0ypRmPYCyScD6oF654zQu890rwmhtQfUrf9agzgMcNOv7sm9UodPRiHdzn_Yims4IPeONLuxwdzk5SrnOnioTnE691GkP3peXKeMkNB9LR5Hc4v0YeEIofp6i5g0GypUbojaTGzz1wDU/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0ypRmPYCyScD6oF654zQu890rwmhtQfUrf9agzgMcNOv7sm9UodPRiHdzn_Yims4IPeONLuxwdzk5SrnOnioTnE691GkP3peXKeMkNB9LR5Hc4v0YeEIofp6i5g0GypUbojaTGzz1wDU/s400/image.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cb2.com/dining-tables/dining/ernest-pool-bar-cart/f6752"><b><i>CB2</i></b></a></td></tr>
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Indeed, the bar cart trend is alive and well these days, with modern options popping up left and right that really speak to the same combination of<b> practicality and style </b>that vintage models seem to have.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/tall-butler-tray-stand-c350/?pkey=ccocktail-accessories">West Elm</a></i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_xv7EowOPPIqU2i92GnhJ-bHn9cBrUr0UJkEHy1hdPYPqQ3Z1ktvoKo33w77CUgGYaqVJ77-UQYz6fMSYxlpI8Enp3xsUl2aWkt5DyzBeRIVckVG8_gO8zknreWtYbNUMEPsT5hFCk_H/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_xv7EowOPPIqU2i92GnhJ-bHn9cBrUr0UJkEHy1hdPYPqQ3Z1ktvoKo33w77CUgGYaqVJ77-UQYz6fMSYxlpI8Enp3xsUl2aWkt5DyzBeRIVckVG8_gO8zknreWtYbNUMEPsT5hFCk_H/s400/image_1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/caprice-mirror-metal-entertaining-bar-cart/?catalogId=91&cm_src=AutoRel">Pottery Barn</a></i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINkWAy18z-tvogYLHlirYTkvXug-0J4s7vkApfEhCyUDrBfKgCunTrL6vIripHY1OzrlfcXmrAWwZos3f8OBu6721Ze_DH1Rw5L0ajdv3tS-4AwGTI7xJd1MyOthCS6o-QPY4kgfNqsOW/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINkWAy18z-tvogYLHlirYTkvXug-0J4s7vkApfEhCyUDrBfKgCunTrL6vIripHY1OzrlfcXmrAWwZos3f8OBu6721Ze_DH1Rw5L0ajdv3tS-4AwGTI7xJd1MyOthCS6o-QPY4kgfNqsOW/s320/image_2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fermobusa.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.view_images&product_id=68&image_id=77&Itemid=31&pop=1"><b><i>Fermobusa</i></b></a></td></tr>
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These bar carts are attractive, useful, and quite often <i>portable</i>... what's not to like?!</div>
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Once again, due to space restrictions and $$$, I've got my bar cart sitting patiently on my <i>One Day</i> list, but man oh man... one day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoEPQrQhTGV2gkU6CzJ3mEInrM0AC98zxW9U-LvSLftoSoOcwMWiWUToOG1CfJuz4ZKK6AXZAs0yFX4UnhrSgMkVS1e57El5gT4_kHL3BZs2yxaZ17Ffvg6e57ykQTaog9xY0OmqN1gvD/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoEPQrQhTGV2gkU6CzJ3mEInrM0AC98zxW9U-LvSLftoSoOcwMWiWUToOG1CfJuz4ZKK6AXZAs0yFX4UnhrSgMkVS1e57El5gT4_kHL3BZs2yxaZ17Ffvg6e57ykQTaog9xY0OmqN1gvD/s400/photo+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Cheers!</i></div>
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KLI</div>
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<br />Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-86490355323295892252012-01-17T09:00:00.000-05:002012-01-17T15:23:40.584-05:00The Storage Wars of Small Spaces<br />
There's an infamous east end Toronto house that has caught the eyes of passersby for years, and thanks to the <em><strong>Toronto Star</strong></em> last week I discovered that it's up for sale for the first time in over a decade!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7i7_fD1_h0WesgsdZ6ILUIhLKRoV3as0zTJRcSHf6P1h2FD8ykX4GngR3FUmWBkuwWG8hgGbVCphxVDMM9h12vh1XuY9RD1GcD1y4Se7a4U0aOz1xi9EEErp4BKXSMB7hyphenhyphenRFA-R5FurU/s1600/Box+House+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7i7_fD1_h0WesgsdZ6ILUIhLKRoV3as0zTJRcSHf6P1h2FD8ykX4GngR3FUmWBkuwWG8hgGbVCphxVDMM9h12vh1XuY9RD1GcD1y4Se7a4U0aOz1xi9EEErp4BKXSMB7hyphenhyphenRFA-R5FurU/s400/Box+House+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.moneyville.ca/article/1114219--house-in-a-box-up-for-sale-for-349-000"><strong><em>Photos by Susan Pigg, Toronto Star</em></strong></a></td></tr>
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Look familiar? This eco-friendly abode is located on Coxwell Avenue and was created by architect <a href="http://www.spacesbyrohan.com/Coxwell.html"><strong>Rohan Walters</strong></a><strong>. </strong><br />
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I'm not actually looking to move - as you may have gathered, I'm in <em>no</em> position to buy a home right now and I'm quite content in my little nook for the moment! <br />
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Nonetheless, I was thrilled to finally have a sneak peek inside this unique, three storey <strong>"Box House".</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zvjzJHs6M-EGofvgO68qQJFhzz0nnwjgZUhdGE3Pt7VOsdsAm6Wv6YcvZ9yIF38P_-n80aVpfL53RB_rLa0n9ZTgY3FBgUF7sJ17-VqEQd82iNrDwBuFqw4NPApytpP7t9vEG2h2bwrN/s1600/Box+house+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zvjzJHs6M-EGofvgO68qQJFhzz0nnwjgZUhdGE3Pt7VOsdsAm6Wv6YcvZ9yIF38P_-n80aVpfL53RB_rLa0n9ZTgY3FBgUF7sJ17-VqEQd82iNrDwBuFqw4NPApytpP7t9vEG2h2bwrN/s400/Box+house+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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While it seems like a cool place to call home (and I'm sure it is!), really the square footage is no bigger than your average downtown condos today at a<em> </em>mere <strong><em>800 sq feet!</em> </strong><br />
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As is usually the case, small spaces like this one offer very little in the way of <em>storage</em>, and as many urban residents know, having <strong>a compact home can very much impact your everyday life</strong>.<br />
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The way you cook, the way you clean, how frequently you get to your pile of laundry, and how productive you are every morning as you get ready for work... <em>all </em>of these things are affected by how well (or how poorly) you organize the space you have to work with.<br />
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Now that MLo and I have painted a couple rooms and added a few more <em>aesthetic</em> touches to our apartment, I'm realizing that it just might be <strong>time to turn my focus</strong> (correction, <em>some</em> of my focus) towards organizing the storage spaces within our home...<br />
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Here are a few spots that I can't wait to spruce up that I think will really improve the <strong>functionality</strong> of the place and, more importantly, improve the way that we<em> </em>function <em>in</em> it!<br />
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<ul>
<li><strong>Under the bathroom sink</strong></li>
<li><strong>My bedroom drawers</strong></li>
<li><strong>Our entryway "closet" (aka a little corner with a shoe and coat rack that is out of sight thanks to a couple of trusty West Elm curtains!)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Our kitchen "junk drawer"</strong></li>
<li><strong>The one kitchen cupboard that has been taken hostage by millions of reusable grocery bags</strong></li>
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What's on <em>your</em> short or long term organizational to do list? What have you done to make the most of your space? <strong>Do tell!</strong><br />
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KLI<br />
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</div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-75265699169114981032012-01-10T13:19:00.000-05:002012-01-11T13:20:28.976-05:00A Little Red Goes A Long Way!Not too long ago I posted about some chairs I bought from a hotel furniture liquidation warehouse, aka <a href="http://nookofwellington.blogspot.com/2011/11/boutique.html"><strong>"The Boutique".</strong></a><br />
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My intention was always to revamp these seats ASAP but before we knew it a whole year had passed and our chairs were still covered in the same sad, faded navy fabric.<br />
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Why the delay, you might ask? I'd like to say it's because I didn't have the time, but to be honest, I didn't <em>make</em> the time and on top of that Marc and I couldn't agree on a colour.<br />
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I initially had my heart set on something in a blue, or even a chocolate brown to balance out the lighter walnut wood, but he wasn't having it. <br />
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He wanted <strong>red</strong>. <br />
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Red like deep <em>movie theatre carpet</em> <em>red</em>. Red like <em>you won't find anywhere else in our apartment red</em>, but I wasn't so sure...<br />
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Then, recalling what a champ he was about the whole turquoise bathroom thing, I decided I might have to be the one to compromise this time around. <br />
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Not only that, I searched around online for inspirational photos and realized his red (or something close to it anyway) might be exactly what we need!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmslwWZWZH1ImbO3EBdPaAgiHPqA_99sm5e8qi3YY5BaC06gyXvdUJovnK4JPQdMiImd3rUxvn2GefKDF2ied_2AF6_B7yJpXx9oUWRCrcHrjhK09EVBnH4f-F4-U4Tyc9PKl2E7keTDD/s1600/red+retro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmslwWZWZH1ImbO3EBdPaAgiHPqA_99sm5e8qi3YY5BaC06gyXvdUJovnK4JPQdMiImd3rUxvn2GefKDF2ied_2AF6_B7yJpXx9oUWRCrcHrjhK09EVBnH4f-F4-U4Tyc9PKl2E7keTDD/s320/red+retro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://totalyhomedecor.com/kitchen-design/retro-modern-kitchen-design-with-turquoise-and-colors-scheme.html">[Totally Home Decor]</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33DLpkgl993WujTSZdS7TCLmJrdNgQBwaU6EK1_4J87G6efB6qzi9-MdaND5tEryXbdgYlVRKBYnCUfws3GMMXphh2SheZkj89MFJNM8i2ToWEDzA3nCimAwSV5Y6Jos-nOKc7PXAfJ5J/s1600/Red+-Porch_Play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33DLpkgl993WujTSZdS7TCLmJrdNgQBwaU6EK1_4J87G6efB6qzi9-MdaND5tEryXbdgYlVRKBYnCUfws3GMMXphh2SheZkj89MFJNM8i2ToWEDzA3nCimAwSV5Y6Jos-nOKc7PXAfJ5J/s320/Red+-Porch_Play.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shellysstampingstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-porch-play.html">[Shelly's Stamping Stuff]</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO9kTzbq5km_l58_RNWAvMTPgv4HZTpfeRj-sGb3wzYmUVAPC9DsO29T8IGMguvIHwgwO7gBfM4BXh8cDjXr_C6s6wFoBZmH3kUJt324pS0EHC6t4jy0Qi0aeEqOACjobm5GVx0mRiLjV/s1600/red+kitchen+island.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO9kTzbq5km_l58_RNWAvMTPgv4HZTpfeRj-sGb3wzYmUVAPC9DsO29T8IGMguvIHwgwO7gBfM4BXh8cDjXr_C6s6wFoBZmH3kUJt324pS0EHC6t4jy0Qi0aeEqOACjobm5GVx0mRiLjV/s320/red+kitchen+island.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.builddirect.com/how-to-infuse-color-into-the-kitchen/">[Build Direct via Southern Living]</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Alas we hit Queen West and agreed on a brighter shade of red in a tough and hopefully durable linen. <br />
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Then, once we busted out the power drill and picked up a new staple gun, the whole process only took about <strong>15-20 minutes per chair!</strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaa1IoPyEwe6XNO0cCFnui0jOiUbz2RdAHW88DxWWgpz4dgsCzqNRbSVCfF2wE2sOJWut9A5ejsDPuZQHw3esFOgr1ZMw74r5zIrhlDseQjccMPocBUhK_p3hyZQcoYkHzqf-EflpQCXp/s1600/IMG_3782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaa1IoPyEwe6XNO0cCFnui0jOiUbz2RdAHW88DxWWgpz4dgsCzqNRbSVCfF2wE2sOJWut9A5ejsDPuZQHw3esFOgr1ZMw74r5zIrhlDseQjccMPocBUhK_p3hyZQcoYkHzqf-EflpQCXp/s320/IMG_3782.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just getting started...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWT4xQk29QrbGM9TpOmebxJ5tia2d8AoaHzRMtGqenbVn-gs6HzcSSjYmdcz9GKYSE65SPKM-0c58UDwQEqqezwd0ZYhmhROCIL28F4hyphenhyphenezgCAeD-aqoBr4LJxFLKzlj2Bsl9XH3Si5Ii/s1600/IMG_3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWT4xQk29QrbGM9TpOmebxJ5tia2d8AoaHzRMtGqenbVn-gs6HzcSSjYmdcz9GKYSE65SPKM-0c58UDwQEqqezwd0ZYhmhROCIL28F4hyphenhyphenezgCAeD-aqoBr4LJxFLKzlj2Bsl9XH3Si5Ii/s320/IMG_3786.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcocTb8IIr_HV0V4psJlgBj9nJeFzpmduSIlrd_uDSFlU8S-f9IL64izQuxBwK3i1ZIRggpSPDUMRbftBFMd4qbmu9yNcllCd3pXC53R_Tc9x-kC-om1zmMe7i7H5zb2oSjH5a6qZfGP7f/s1600/photo%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcocTb8IIr_HV0V4psJlgBj9nJeFzpmduSIlrd_uDSFlU8S-f9IL64izQuxBwK3i1ZIRggpSPDUMRbftBFMd4qbmu9yNcllCd3pXC53R_Tc9x-kC-om1zmMe7i7H5zb2oSjH5a6qZfGP7f/s320/photo%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget it! Covering the old stuff works too! </td></tr>
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And last but not least, the <strong>AFTER</strong> picture...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDU_y_WigbAPkpC9ae3lO_PmpyRTmr7siXcGQdVErGDjCw6BCUWv_2rLWBQjxOd9k5HkFo2bPqiaNPZDwTN05EZ0aEThYk4k_xZDmFZ35pvKRv99J5UKRyy3y-nI9VNEXCOBC6c9B-HNm/s640/blogger-image--1061454242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDU_y_WigbAPkpC9ae3lO_PmpyRTmr7siXcGQdVErGDjCw6BCUWv_2rLWBQjxOd9k5HkFo2bPqiaNPZDwTN05EZ0aEThYk4k_xZDmFZ35pvKRv99J5UKRyy3y-nI9VNEXCOBC6c9B-HNm/s400/blogger-image--1061454242.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em><strong>What do you think?!</strong></em></div>
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I should note that we didn't fuss with matting or anything like that, so this was a very simple and inexpensive project... one that we could do all over again a year or two down the road if the mood strikes us! </div>
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<em>Just cross your fingers that next time neither of us will break our elbows half way through!</em></div>
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Anyway, bottom line, Marc and I are both <em>thrilled</em> with the end results and a week or two later, I'm still amazed not only at how much the fabric brings the chairs to life but how much <em>texture</em> this small change adds to our living room.</div>
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Mission accomplished :)</div>
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KLI</div>
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<br /></div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7537657454912894749.post-35118294577774925192012-01-04T08:40:00.000-05:002012-01-10T18:33:12.727-05:00Happy New Year!Morning all and Happy 2012!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I hope you all had wonderful, restful holidays with your loved ones!<br />
<div><div><br />
</div><div>My break flew by, as it usually does, and it was many things... delicious, fun, family-filled, but unfortunately it wasn't particularly <i>restful</i>...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOz0tqlTQevZOmK7Nsb9TrouaDAwtBvk_V0V0nE56U2Y8tp1jihVFxw9SmSfO-be2SAWcUjW0eEr_hdZU7vdSxyCYacFBUlhYq5BOX1ozndu_fo3e2Bgt7qU1FTgMgf2ALEPxGJTf2JcWM/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOz0tqlTQevZOmK7Nsb9TrouaDAwtBvk_V0V0nE56U2Y8tp1jihVFxw9SmSfO-be2SAWcUjW0eEr_hdZU7vdSxyCYacFBUlhYq5BOX1ozndu_fo3e2Bgt7qU1FTgMgf2ALEPxGJTf2JcWM/s320/image_2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Marc and I made it through the marathon of family functions with flying colours but hit something of a speed bump on the 27th... aka a bad fall and a broken elbow for MLo! :(</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWwjBbeuz3O1qBjzOC0TjTpUzW_lGdy8NfkJxy2xWF1pVAg00t7-BS1ROtWsmq94zVabt57mS4mzl8pDo_KdVE9RO05jBLu-RVAZXHJWZNoTDgML-jLy1tiDd1IOgWuCuqE8F8925xaTG/s1600/image_3.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWwjBbeuz3O1qBjzOC0TjTpUzW_lGdy8NfkJxy2xWF1pVAg00t7-BS1ROtWsmq94zVabt57mS4mzl8pDo_KdVE9RO05jBLu-RVAZXHJWZNoTDgML-jLy1tiDd1IOgWuCuqE8F8925xaTG/s320/image_3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div>We were heading out for a nice little afternoon at Home Depot (that's right), all excited about the projects we'd been cooking up, and <i>BOOM! </i>Just like that, our outing turned into a day and a half in the hospital.</div><div><br />
</div><div>True, Marc is somewhat out of commission with just one arm, but being the terrific trooper that he is, he still managed to help me out here and there with encouragement and coaching as I tackled a couple of DIYs myself!</div><div><br />
</div><div>For now I'd like to share a "few" of my favourite photos from over the break, but stay tuned in the coming weeks to learn more about the progress we've made here at our little <i><b>Nook of Wellington</b>...</i> </div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT9siZeMiOIYqhiBcvdJK_WEV5tUdjoBTo0kp2w_ELDAciA69POkWgrWaSDvBNclIOvltlRzsTUzTK-9HjKRxJVc2hv94WZsniyNNac08szLJXydNlqI3vi8K9nrZCzm1DJH_vs8okLxU/s1600/image_4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT9siZeMiOIYqhiBcvdJK_WEV5tUdjoBTo0kp2w_ELDAciA69POkWgrWaSDvBNclIOvltlRzsTUzTK-9HjKRxJVc2hv94WZsniyNNac08szLJXydNlqI3vi8K9nrZCzm1DJH_vs8okLxU/s320/image_4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>- KLI -</b></div><div><br />
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</div><div></div></div></div>Krista Illieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06480074147897833907noreply@blogger.com5