Look who's back!

Hello The Life Beautiful Project - I've missed you!    Decided to be-friend you again to show the world that I'm really not a sloth, and that I can get my ass moving (sometimes :)).   Ha-just kidding of course.

But what did get me thinking was a recent renovation (a purrrrdy one, not a hold-the-roof up/down kind) and well, like every other Blogger out there, wanted to capture the hard work, the ideas, and the transformation.

Oh, and that goes for the 'bod' too - am also on a body transformation (also the purddy kind, but keeping the roof would be good too :P)     So will share that as well.   Part of "the mission" is living wheat/gluten free - it should be an interesting journey, but pretty easy so far.   Thank the stars for Quinoa pasta, that's all I gotta say.   More on this later.

If you haven't been here before - you will soon realize that everything I do is a project.

OK, so first off - we have transformed our kitchen.    We have been working on it for over a week, and well we are (almost) done - all but the caulking at the countertop. 

Here's a quick snapshot (albeit taken with my blackberry) just to give you an idea.     You can ignore the coffee pot - it's my attempt at being a creative photographer :P

And my fav light from Restoration Hardware:

Stay tuned for the complete viewing - hopefully later today.   God I hope it's today.

Thanks for dropping in......

Happy Canadian long weekend.

Suze

More on the living room front

living room by essandjae on Polyvore.com

Working on my living do-over.     And of course loving Polyvore.      Am trying to get a pop of colour without being colourful if that makes sense.

Hope you like it!

ikea KARLSTAD
$1,148 - ikea.com

Ikea Ektorp
$239 - ikea.com

Zinnia Blossom Pillows
$149 - roomandboard.com

Poppy Citron Pillow
$129 - roomandboard.com

Thomas Paul Seahorse Outdoor Pillow at Velocity Art And Design
$80 - velocityartanddesign.com

Nordstrom Chunky Knit Decorative Pillow Rose Sharon One Size
$32 - nordstrom.com

Damask Coral Pillow | Overstock.com
$20 - overstock.com

Polyvore Experimentation

It would seem my experimenting with Polyvore is directly linked to my blog.    Well there y'a go.    Who knew.

So, these are some of the items I'm stalking right now - I am re-doing our living room, and am trying to capture all my loves in one place.

You really should check out this site - it's amazing!     I'm officially addicted.

Happy Long Weekend!

Stella and Dot

Well hello there,

Ahh, it's been a  long time - sorry about that.   Busy times it seems.    But did I tell you that I'm having a Stella and Dot party???    Well I am.   I'm having a Stella and Dot party on September 22nd.

So exciting - and I think my "event planner" is going to try out a new caterer on all my ladies.

In the meantime, here are some of my fav's - ooooooo can't wait!!

Stella and Dot by essandjae on Polyvore.com

If you'd like to come (it's in Ottawa, Ontario) please let me know, I'll add you to the "A List" :)    Or have a visit to the site, and place an order if you would like:
http://www.stelladot.com/sites/emma

Tell me, what's your fav?

Upcoming......

Quick post here today as we're on the fly.

So, I'm currently on vacation from my work for 2 weeks.    Spent the first 5 days up at the family cottage with my husband's four brothers and the wives - total blast - lots of good laughs and good bonding time for the boys (and the girls).

However, now it's time for house projects.    Something has woken up inside me, and I'm on a mission, to say the least.    Here are a couple of projects that we have in mind for next week:

1.  I have blogged about this staircase in the past, and am still swooning over it.      We decided today we are going to do it next week.   We currently have berber up our stairs, but it's comin' off baby!!   Check out this post from Centsational Girl - Kate's taste is right up my alley.   

2.   I am salavating, swooning, dizzy over this kitchen.    Next week, our kitchen will look like this (minus the dark floors), with some paint, tile and a little marble for our island (if we can find a deal [will likely buy it anyway :)])

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Now, I would also like your opinion on wainscoting - too formal, or classy and timeless?  If you know us at all, we are not formal!  Classy, yes :)  Formal, no.   I am thinking of doing this in our living room and dining room (or maybe just one of the rooms, not sure yet).   Looks fairly simple to do - check out this post from Kate from Centsational Girl

So what do yo think?    Do you think my hub and I can pull this off in a week?    



The Dreaded Shopping Trip

OK, we all know how hard it is to find good jeans that fit just right, tuck and lift where they're supposed to, and yet still move.    But lets talk about bathing suits shall we.

I have been having this conversation with my big sis this week - the dredded bathing suit shopping trip.   So, I've been looking online at some suits, and am thinking about changing things up a little.    At "my age", do I really need to be in a bikini?   I don't think sooooooo!   (God, has the time come where I"m actually accepting these kinds of things???)

Can a one-piece be cool, and not frumpy?    Is there such a thing?   What about the retro two piece with the high waste.    I think they are kinda neat.     How about tankini's?        And then there's cover ups.    I want a cool, easy going, non-foofy cover up.    Maybe a bit bohemian - I've always liked the hippy look.

OK, so here it goes - what do you think of these?

I like this one-shoulder suit with the ties up the side - think that is a nice touch and added feature.   Great colour too!

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I think I love the colour of this one more than anything about it.     Likely hide flaws too.   (what flaws, right?)

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Well it would seem this year, I have a thing for all things nautical.    I do love this suit.   Love everything about it.

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Think this one is cute too - again nautical.    Love the navy and white stripes.   

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For some reason, I've always loved red bathing suits.   I love the simple lines of this suit.   

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So, I'm quite digging this retro look.   I love the colour, the halter top tie strings, and all the pleats.    Yup, like this one alot.

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Like this one, don't love it, but like it.    Polka dots so big this year.

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Can't explain it but there is something I love about this suit and the print.   I see it with flowy cover-up pants.   How fun is that?

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Speaking of cover ups - love this one.  Not sure I'd get used to long sleeves in the summer.   Bloody hot around here these days!

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Loving this one too - Confirmed:   I'm a hippy at heart.

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Simple white cotton dress works too.   Simple and pretty.

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So, what do you think?     Can I be a cool 40-something and wear a one piece, or a retro two piece?     Leave me a comment and tell me:    which one would you buy?

There's a bug goin' around - the "Design Bug" and I have it!

Well, if I'm not swooning over girly things, I'm swooning over thrift shop DIY furniture pieces.    OK, I do read A. LOT. of decorating and design blogs, and I gotta say, they make me crazy.   Crazy to redesign and redecorate my entire house.

That said, when we moved into our house a year ago, I did nothing to put my own touches on the house.    It was summer, it was hot, and we had just finished renovating a ski chalet, so had no energy to Sue-ify anything, considering nothing was offensive.

Now a year later, I have a major hankerin'!!!    Here are some of the things I found on Craigslist yesterday that if they're still available I might just need to buy.

OK, these two pieces together are only $240!!   That's not to say that's what I'd pay for them.   Imagine them recovered in grey linen and with white piping - Ooooooo, swooning.

This sofa is only $75 (ditto, see above).   Yes, it's hideous as is, but re-upholstered in great fabric would be nice - love the swirl of the arms.

This set is only $100 for both!!!!    I NEED (yes NEED) to find a good (and cheap) upholsterer.   These settee's are all the rage these days.   

This coffee table is $20!!   Imagine it spray painted in a wonderful colour.    Kinda like this project from Centsational Girl

Same with this piece for $65.00.    Too much $$ for this piece, but perhaps $40 would do it.    Oooo, spray painted white or yellow - LOVE.



And finally, I LOVE LOVE LOVE these - check out the detail on them.    Gorg, I say!!!     Again spray painted white, or cream.     Price tag:   $70 bukeroos.

So, as you can see, I 've been busy.     My house - well, is instore for an overhaul, me thinks.      But a DIY overhall.    Keep y'all posted how I make out.    Going to check and see if any of these pieces are still available, and just may go and snap 'em up.    Now to find a decent (and cheap, I think I mentioned that) upholsterer.

I'm swooning for.........(alert: girl post)

Something happened over the last couple of months - I seemed to have turned into a girly-girl.    Now, I don't know how this happened or exactly when it happened, it just did.      Strange but true, I have fallen in love with all things feminine and pretty, and ruffley and pink (and white), flowers, dresses(!), and curls.

It's a mystery really, but "whateves" as they say on............some show.    Thought I'd share with you, all of the delicious things/looks I'm swooning over.

I have a new found love for nail polish.   NEVER in my life have I worn nail polish.  OK maybe an occasional pedicure which is complete and utter tortune for me, but it just wasn't my thing.   You see, "I" was an athlete.  And very few athletes wear nail polish, don't you know.     Guess I'm not an athlete any more (oh well).  I just LOVE this colour - and will be heading on over to Holt Renfrew to pick it up for my my next "weekly" (yes weekly!) manicure and pedicure.    OK, I'm addicted.   Speaking of addicted - who does not love Godiva!!???  (never mind, the Benz keys :)

via Made By Girl blog

Now, for those of you who have known me for awhile - I do have a bit of thing with my hair.    Nothing to fancy, just colour and volume type thing as I was lucky enough to be born with my mother's hair.    Now she is the sweetest thing that ever walked the face of the earth besides Mother T, but hair..........it ain't her greatest asset.     So, I bought one of these!!   It's Instyle Magazine's 2011 Editor's Choice Best Buy.    So when I was in the US last week my seester, I bought one.   And let me tell YOU!!!!    You want beach waves, this thing practically transports you right to the beach.     

It's the Remington Ceramic Styling Want.  That's right!!! 

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Also got this while in the US - Lip Stain - how smart is that?    No more greesy, gooey, sticky, sloppy lip goop.    Who ever believes that your lips look like lipstick anyway?    Seriously.   All stain baby!





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I seem to have found a shoe fetish this season.   While I always loved shoes, I swung to the accessory side more, meaning scarves, belts, jewellery.   But, noooooo, this season it's shoes, to go with all the pretty dresses.     Excuse me???    Where am I, and what have I done with myself?????   (of course these babies are Valentino, regular $695).     Oh there I am! :)   [sorry for blurry pic, must let Mr. V know)

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Now let's talk about dresses!      My goodness - it would seem it's a "dress summer".    They are everywhere, and they are "gawg-e-ous".

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And the final thing, white, blue and red - the famous Nautical look.    I didn't even know I had this, but when I arrived home home from the US with my purchases, it would seems that most things were either white, blue or red.     In fact, as I write this, I have a navy and white gingam (sp?) dress on with red shoes and a red bag.     Look at that!

Alright fashion Queens (and Kings) [my husband may read this, and he is my Fashion assistant {not kidding}], what are some of your favourite things these days?    Anything this girly-girl should know about?  God knows, my budget doesn't need to know about it, but I'm a genious at DIY outfits.

Happy hotness!  (I mean you dahlings, not the weather) (Ok I'm mostly happy about the weather) (did you see my gardens?????)

Mother Nature - you make me look goooooooood 2.0

The heat is upon us after all the rain, and well, it would seem the gardens like it too.    This is the first spring in our new house, so we didn't get a chance to experience it's spring-time awakening.    

While I always put a disclaimer out there that I don't like gardening, I'm quiet enjoying our front yard gardens.   It's just miraculous how they just sprung up and turned into beautiful fleurrrrs.

Check this out:

Anyway, all to say, isn't spring a miracle??     I'm just mezmerized by it this year.      Must be these miracle fleurrrrs doin' their thing in my front yard.