EVERYDAY GOODNESS

I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE WITH YOU SOME THINGS THAT I HAVE ENJOYED, ADMIRED OR BEEN INSPIRED BY THIS WEEK.

1. This week I read You by Caroline Kepnes.  Let me start by saying that on the surface this is most definitely not my typical kind of book. Stalkers generally are not my thing. It is written in the second person narrative it took a little getting used to but eventually this book lays out all the traps and you cannot put it down. It is full of characters that are broken beyond all repair. The writing is so good the it is impossible to not get wrapped up in these irredeemable and warped human beings. There are lots of pop culture references which may eventually date the story but it really works to cement the plot here. If you like Gone Girl this is better.

YOU CAROLINE KEPNES

2. Big Little Lies is finally out on HBO Sunday nights. So good. I love Reese Witherspoon playing this type of character. Looking forward to seeing how these story lines play out! 

3. Jennifer shared a very thorough post to help  CANADIAN ONLINE SHOPPERS.There are plenty of great insights to help us navigate the limitations and availability of goods to be shipped to our door. There are also some tips on how a few ways to order things that do not ship directly to Canada.

                               

                               

4.If you love design and sometimes find yourself losing time wandering through pictures of beautiful and inspiring interiors check out PENCIL AND PAPER CO PORTFOLIO. I love there aesthetic.

THEY DID DRAPER JAMES FLAGSHIP STORE!!!

5. I am not sure if you read my post about decorating tips which points out that far too after we are using rugs that are simply too small for our rooms.  Emily shared some really AFFORDABLE LARGE RUGS  this week. Check it out. Maybe you are just on the hunt for a new rug! 

6. Thanks to the reader who remembered that I owe you guys a reveal of our closet from a few years back. I promise it is coming!  In the meantime I think you should check out CASSIE'S CLOSET MAKEOVER. It is so organized and that carpet....oh my.

7.  I am really looking forward to the Oscar's on Sunday. I have seen a majority of the movies and am routing for a few performances. Here is my the new Oscar de la Renta straight off the runway that I will be wearing while on my sofa eating nachos! ;) 

 

Enjoy your weekend friends!

Valerie xo

PRETTY POSIES EVERYWHERE!

I get it Miranda Priestly, florals are nothing new for spring fashion! But as someone who appreciates color and loves a good floral print I can't help but notice them blooming everywhere in stores for this spring!

Devil Wears Prada

There truly is something for everyone. With a wide variety of pretty posy frocks and accessories available at everyday retailers. I thought I would am share a few from the dozens I have rounded up today!

1. Floral Pintuck Swing Blouse-Old Navy

2. Floral Pintuck Swing Blouse Black-Old Navy

3. Floral Sweatshirt-J.Crew Factory

4. Floral Maxi Shirt Dress-Banana Republic
5. Floral Embellished Cardigan-J Crew

6. Respectfully Retro Midi Dress-Modcloth
7. Primavera Floral Scarf-Loft
8. Pyrus Poesy Floral Blouse-Anthropologie
9. Venette Drops-Bauble Bar
10. Nina Floral Midi Skirt-Anthropologie
11. Banana Leaf Print Dress-Eshatki
12. Sophia Floral Print Rain Boots-Target
13. Floral & Frills Blouse-Zara
14. Dillon Fit Floral Blouse-Banana Republic
15. Primavera Pintucked Blouse-Loft
16. Floral Peasant Blouse-Target
17. Grant Street Grainy Wallet-Kate Spade
18. Floral Off Shoulder Dress-Banana Republic
19. Cameron Street Floral Margot Handbag-Kate Spade
20. Pink Spot Floral Olive Blouse-Boden
21. Mirrored Floral Topper-Talbots
22. Painted Tulip T-Shirt-J Crew
23. Coral Ditsy Floral Sneaker-Old Navy
24. Right As Rain Coat-Joules

Can you tell that I'm getting a little desperate for spring?
Have a great day friends,
Valerie

EVERYDAY GOODNESS

HERE ARE SOME AWESOME THINGS THAT HAVE INSPIRED ME FROM AROUND THE WEB AND IN MY LIFE THIS WEEK.

If you need another product to make your love of Rifle Paper Co. products even more, I have found it for you. RIFLE AND KEDS  have partnered to bring you these great kicks. They have helped to convince me that spring is just around the corner!

RIFLE AND KEDS

Ever since NICOLE shared these slipper chairs on her Instagram, I have been smitten. I am planning to present them, in a client meeting, I have coming soon. Hopefully, they like them as much as I do!

HERE IS HOW NICOLE USED HER CHAIRS.

                         

     SLIPPER CHAIR                           SLIPPER CHAIR

GREY GARDENS is up for sale. It can be yours for just a cool $20 million! I love this property and the whole story surrounding it. Those Beale women certainly were fascinating individuals. If you haven't seen the original documentary, or the remake, you should. The Mazels were brilliant documentary film makers but I really think that the HBO film showed Drew Barrymore's best acting to date. Speaking of Drew Barrymore, SANTA CLARITA DIET is out on Netflix and if you find yourself snowed in like I did this past week you should check it out.

JULIA'S GREY GARDENS TOUR

I have followed the HUNTED INTERIOR for years now. I really appreciated Kristen's blog about how things take awhile to evolve in your own home. I feel the same way in my house. Most rooms are about 75% complete. Even though we have been here for almost eight years, when you are trying to create a cozy family home that needs a mountain of work, nothing happens overnight! I really appreciate how her room is coming together more now that she has finished some of the details.

HUNTED INTERIOR    

Ask any one of my friends and they will tell you that I love to go to the movies. One of my favorites, without a doubt, is Love Actually. Just this week it was announced that there will be a new SHORT FILM of the movie made, to help raise money for a great cause. I'm really looking forward to it. Here is the first image released of the reunion.

Anyway friends I am off to make some lasagna and brownies for my girlie who is coming home from university for the night!

Valerie XO

DECORATING TIPS

I hope everyone had a fabulous Valentine's Day. We had an extended weekend here with school being cancelled on Monday and Tuesday and a second storm canceling it on Thursday. Today (Friday) there is a 1-day teacher's strike! Lucky kids!

I thought I might share a few decorating tips with you today that I adhere to all the time. When I started to jot these down to share with you, I realized that there are quite a few tips I could share so I think I will have to spread it out over a few posts!

These tips are relatively simple and can help your rooms go from, what I commonly and affectionately refer to as, Sears catalogue rooms to decor magazine rooms! By this I mean, you want a room that looks created and cultivated over time and not simply ordered up all at once and placed into an empty space.

1. Start with a color scheme in mind. These are the colors you want your room to read. If you choose blue, cream and grey you do not necessarily get to use your favorite blue or grey paint. You should pull the color in through the use of textiles, accessories and furniture and then choose your wall color. It may not be the grey you had in mind however it is much easier to choose from thousands of paint colors to coordinate with your rug than a rug to go with your paint color.

2. Don't be too matchy matchy. I would suggest never order a matching set of furniture. It can be tempting because there is often a discount applied when you purchase the whole set. A room full of furniture that is all the same style and color is boring and predictable. Who wants to be boring and predictable? Not me! It's okay for night tables and a dresser to match but then go for an upholstered piece for your bed. Or your side tables can be the same but maybe you should consider a trunk or upholstered ottoman instead of the matching coffee table. The same idea goes for sofas and chairs. Think of the sofa and chairs as cousins and not twins! They are similar and complimenting, like cousins, but not exactly the same like twins!

DO

      

DO

                    

3. Don't use too many "leggy" pieces of furniture in a room. Try to create balance and interest by using some pieces that are skirted to help ground a room. These could be sofas and chairs as well as tables. I love a skirted table or ottoman and have used them throughout my own home. They create visual interest and can give you some hidden storage space.

4. Do NOT skimp on curtain length! Drapes should be all the way to the floor. If you are buying pre-made drapery panels, buy them too long and have them hemmed as opposed to going short. They should almost always be hung as high as the room allows as well! Hang them high, wide and to the floor!

DON'T

DO

5. Another Do NOT skimp item! This time it is concerning rug size. Rugs can be costly and are an investment but I promise you, "bigger is better" in almost every case with a rug.  Your rug grounds the space and creates a sense of proportion in your room. Make sure the feet of the furniture rest comfortably on the rug. The sides of your rug should be at least a foot longer on each side of your sofa. More is definitely more in this situation. 

DON'T

DON'T

DO

DO

Hopefully you will find these tips useful when making decorating decisions in your home! I will share more tips with you next week. Feel free to comment or ask questions if you would like to contribute to sharing decorating suggestions, ideas or tips!

Happy Weekend,
Valerie

EVERYDAY GOODNESS

I am back! I am not sure if that warrants an exclamation point on your end of things but it most certainly does on mine. One of the things I had decided, when reflecting on positive changes I would like to make in 2017, was to get back to blogging. I really enjoy it but I guess its kind of like most things, in the sense that, once you break the habit its twice as difficult to start up again. (I'm talking about you, Gym!)

I thought I would start by sharing some things I have been loving as well as some inspiring things from around the web.

If you are looking for something to help you beat the winter blues how about a new screen saver. I found these online for free. There are several to choose from but this one is my favourite!

  LAUREN CONRAD

Have you heard of the new interesting idea of BULLET JOURNALING? If you make a lot of lists this could be for you. It is an interesting way you can learn something from all those lists. I may give it a try.

Small handkerchief scarves are back. I have always liked them! I love the way they add personality to an outfit and draw attention to your face for little money! I am happy to admit that I have held onto a collection of the ones I had from about ten years ago (I am old!) I still wear them from time to time. I will be pulling them all out this spring and I may even add a few new ones! Here are some cute ones.

 BANANA REPUBLIC

                                                                     

OLD NAVY

Here the LOVELY JULIA shows you how to wear them! But it's missing around the ponytail which I think can look so fresh.


                                         

I love to read! I have recommitted to not falling asleep watching TV   but to the lull of a good book instead. Here are a few from January that I have enjoyed enough to suggest.

This book got off to a very slow start. It put me to sleep quite easily for about a full week of cold January evenings. It was even at the point that I put a plea out on Facebook to see if I should trudge on!

From what I recall it is close to 800 pages and it took me at least 200 to be sure I wanted to continue on the journey. I realize that doesn't sound like a glowing endorsement but I am truly glad I persevered. In the end I loved this story. I feel like I will remember the details of it for years to come. 

This is a beautifully written story told through the perspectives of about a dozen different characters. It is provacative and unlike anything I have ever read before. I devoured it in a day and was up that night thinking about it. It is not for the faint of heart.

Lorelai Gilmore is my absolute favorite TV  Mom of all time! I loved Lauren Graham in both Gilmore Girls and Parenthood. I was so happy to get this book for Christmas. It is an upbeat collection of stories and events that lead to the grown up Lauren is today. Even if you haven't watched either of these shows I think you will still laugh out loud at this book! You should watch both shows if you haven't already, because they rock!

As another Christmas present, this was a book I likely would not have chosen for myself.  However it was a great easy read with an interesting story about a subject that is often difficult to talk about. I would suggest that anyone who believes they are of a liberal and progressive mindset read this book. I actually learned a lot.

I thought I would snap and share the corner of my office where the sun was shining so bright off the snow that I finally decided to sit   and write a post!

Happy weekend friends! I can't wait for the Super Bowl commercials!

VALERIE

CELEBRATIONS

Hi everybody! It's been quite a while since I last posted. So I thought I would fill you in on what has been keeping me distracted around here.

Here is a hint!

Even though this is a blog about creating a lovely home, it all begins with the special people you share your home with! Last weekend we celebrated both the prom and graduation of our daughter, Lillie. Thanks to everyone who joined in celebrating with us! 

Our Lillie Lu!

With her sweet friend since kindergarden, Michael

Michael wins the award for most patient date in our books!

Father daughter dance. 

Proud little brother

Sweet classmates and their dates

Hockey coach Boulie and her graduating players

Say cheese one last time Michael!

The loveliest lady of all.

While I tell Lillie how proud of her I am on a daily basis I find myself feeling like Tom Cruise on Oprah and I want to shout it to the world. Congratulations sweet girl! You've been shining brighter than the sun since 1997. You've worked so hard for all the opportunities ahead of you. Here are some words of reflection I would like to share with my graduate as she begins this exciting new phase in her life.

• Give at least one person a generous sincere compliment everyday.
• Always be honest when it counts and use that honesty with good intentions.
• Always blast your favorite song in the morning if you are predicting a crappy day. It really will change your mood.
• When someone pays you a compliment say thank you. It's hard, I know!
• An excess of material things will not make you happy. That being said, treat yourself to chocolate, supermarket flowers and a new lipstick whenever you need to.
• Actions will always speak louder then words. Do whatever it is you say you are going to.
• Some people are going to be mean. When they show you this once chin up and keep it moving. 
• It's okay to miss the party, watch a movie and get a good nights sleep . But don't miss every party. 
• Kill them with kindness. Unkind people need it most. 
• Sometimes you will win, sometimes you will learn.
• Make sure your Dad is the only man you ever need to take care of you.
• Keep your head, your heels and your standards high.
• Don't ever apologize for being sensitive or emotional. You have a big heart.
• You can never be overdressed. 
• Work hard. It will pay off.
• Marry someone you'd be proud to call your son. 
• Learn the differences between empathy and sympathy. 
• People make mistakes, forgive them when they ask.
• You'll make mistakes. Forgive yourself.
• Don't dress to impress boys. You never have so don't start now.
• On that note buy nice shoes, coats, watches and jeans. It is ok to skimp on the rest.
• Read, read, read. It's a free education on life.
• A good laugh and a good sleep are some of the best medicine.
• Whenever you are upset stay off social media and call your Mom first!
• Be aware when you are hangry and try to keep it under control.Bring snacks at all times.
• Know the difference between love and lust.
• Be a girl's girl. 
• Know whatever you give comes back to you. It may take a while but eventually it will. 
• Trust your own instincts. Your gut is always right. 
• Don't be afraid to fail. Everyone does and it will teach you a lot. 
• Love yourself just as you are because you are enough.
• Travel when you can. I see how it has affected Aunt Marsha and I want you to see the world the way she does.
• Say you're sorry. Chances are the other person is sorry too. 
• Time is the greatest gift you can ever give or receive. 
• Do what you love to the best of your ability.
• Keep playing the piano.
• Never loose your sparkle.
• We all need someone who inspires us to be better than we already are. When you find him never let him go.
• In order to be trusted you must be honest.
• Be strong, find your voice, state your opinion but then listen.
• It's ok to cry if you are happy or sad but I hope you cry mostly happy tears.
• Sometimes you might go a long time without talking to your friends. Don't worry if they were your real friends they will be there.
• Later in life you will have more regrets about the things you didn't do then the ones you did. Pursue your dreams. 
• Lastly but most important of all, know you can always come home.

Selfie with the graduate. The only picture where I wasn't doing my best Alice Cooper impression!