Around the House + Life

New Gin & Tonic Print- by Archivist Print

Water Colors by Me- Getting ready to launch my E-Shop in the new year

Newly painted desk with fab flower laminate insert

My Love. Bruce.

Refinished Chairs- Ready to be sold

Settling on a new sofa with one of my besties Carmelo at Ikea.

Awesome new print By Kid Icarus that I purchased at the One of A Kind Show.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

My Heart, My Loves

Here are some moments from my day. These two guys totally own my heart. Love you my Be's & Brucey.

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about my design services 

Always Stay Graceful, 

L.

A Day in the Life

I realized that I don't share enough about my day to day, pictures of myself, while I am out and about. I wanted to start a new series where I share little tidbits of my world, I am always taking pictures of well, everything, so might as well show my friends!! Here are a bunch of pics from my life lately. No I don't have Instagram.... wah wah. 

1. Loved this sheepskin covered pouf at Mi Casa in Cabbagetown. Love the tray styling too- so pretty and feminine.
2. Waiting at the theater after seeing The Great Gatsby (GO SEE IT- so stunning throughout) Favorite summer drink= Iced Soy Chai Latte. Bracelets J.Crew & Forever 21. Best to mix High and Low.
3. Ranunculus at my local greenhouse- can't wait to showcase some of these beauties on our balcony this summer.
4. Totally in love with the phenomenally cool photography of Slim Aarons- have been following for a while now. Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous. This would look so happy on my coffee table!!

5. Maximizing in this striped dress. I didn't buy it, went back, sold out. What to do. Hells Bells.
6. Location scouting this AMAZING location downtown Toronto. Malaparte by Oliver and Bonacini- this picture doesn't do it justice. The view is amazing, night time will be even cooler- can't wait.
7. Shopping in Chinatown the other day- natural rock galore.
8. Sandal shopping- would these stay on?? I am in need of cute neutral sandals.

9. Went for a lunch date with Tiffany from Tiffany Leigh Interior Design on Monday. She was SOOO incredibly sweet & funny. I LOVE meeting Blog friends in person so much fun, so much to talk about- we went to Earls, I got sushi rolls and salad. Yum.
10. Trying on summer dresses. For me this dress is my jam. I like to keep it simple. I bought it. Good Grief I have White legs.
11. I love this city- beautiful park on Church Street and King- full of lovely tulips.
12. Lunch date with Blayre at Canteen. Baja Fish tacos & Edamame Salad. The Best.

13. Barnacle love- have always loved this piece at Mi Casa.

14. Bruce stretching out- look how cute is that. I melt.

15. Trying on a childrens dress at Old Navy. Yep saw someone else do it so I followed suit- I loved it, but feared if even the slightest breeze were to sweep by, I may be revealing TMI. If I had a daughter though she would be wearing this number in 2 shakes...

16. Blayre and I picked up a few of these fab coffee cups, acrylic handles, glass cups. SO CHIC. from Loblaws Maple Leaf Gardens.

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about my design services

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Hide & Seek

Hope you had a great weekend and Mother's Day, today I am off to meet a fellow blogger I have planned to meet for a while! So excited!! Here is some cuteness in the meantime! xoxo

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about my design services Always Stay Graceful, L.

Around the House

I love experimenting with new things. Taking a new route home, trying a new dish, travelling to a new country, introducing new colour into our decor. I am currently going through one of those moments where I want to change all of my surroundings. New pillows, new accent pieces, more neutrals, I get into these funks. Sometimes I feel like I want to sell everything and begin from scratch, minimize, but then I begin to love everything all over again thinking about how each piece represents a memory, and the time I spent picking it out. 

My solution:  Time for a big re-accessorizing day! I strip everything bare, and surface by surface, I rethink and restyle. It feels so good!! 

Do you ever feel like that? 

Here are a few shots from around the house this weekend. xo

New water colour ready to be framed, loving pink in my decor lately

Still Crazy about water colour

My darling Bruce

 

A recent addition from my Mom. He guards the kitchen while Bruce guards the rest of the house

Blackberry Cream Cheese with Blue Berry Pancakes

Thank you cards, ready to be sent

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Ready to Wear

Two Tone Belt /Boots/ Tote/  Studs/ Collar Necklace/ Kate Spade Watch/ Jacket

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes yesterday, it really made my day. What is so interesting about birthdays are all of the surprise phone calls, and messages that come out of the woodwork. It is a perfect time to reconnect, a great opportunity to catch up with people you have missed over the years, I think that is one of the many gifts that it allows. I love catching up with old friends, sometimes I am not brave enough(which may seem silly) but it sometimes take a moment like a birthday to reconnect to reach out to someone you care about, but feel that too much time has passed. Anyhow I had an amazing day, I had my sister and my boyfriends sister all day to hang out with. It was such a treat to spend time with them along with my boyfriend. While my sister does like in Toronto, Blayre's does not, so it was great to all be together! Blayre took me out for dinner last night, it was just lovely. We went to BLU Restautrant in Yorkville it was amazing, I am still stuffed. Diet must recommence. BUT GO if you are in Toronto, AMAZING. 

About the post above. Yes. I am always looking for classic easy pieces to add to my closet. Love a little edge, but comfort and transition is also important to me. I love feminine touches on more masculine pieces, I like to funk things up while remaining refined. I am in the market for a coat for evening, I love the one above with the leather sleeves, although I think I want a monochromatic look for night, something navy or black. I am also on a search for a great ankle boot that I can wear from day to night, that won't kill my feet or back! These are cute, not sur about the 3 buckles, I need to scope them out in person, I walk a lot in the summer, so I need a lower heel. Any suggestions would be fab!! 

Have a great day my friends! 

xoxo

Some pics of Bruce and I last night after dinner

Remember only one more day to sign up to 

******WIN A PIECE OF CUSTOM ART, I WILL SHIP TO YOU!!!

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Blurb

 Brucey enjoying his book

Hey All! Today I wanted to talk about an amazing product. Last week I put together a photo book containing a series of pictures Blayre and I have taken of our Brucey. It is such a wonderful keepsake, something we will always have, and I couldn't be happier with the result. I purchased the picture book- with 20 pages, and I also purchased another book containing all of my design work because I loved the product so much. I will show you that one when I receive it. I am writing about this brand because I really love it, I think it is such a great opportunity to preserve a memory. Now in the age of Facebook and Instagram, digital cameras etc... I find i never get my photos printed anymore. I used to have albums full as a child, and I love looking through them when I am at home. This is the future though, having these beautifully crafted stylized works that you have created, that pertain to any subject you want- genius! Birthdays, births, wedding albums, children, friends, vacations, pets... The options are endless. 

Blurb would like to offer Gracefully Searching blog readers a promo code for 25% off their total book order so they can test out the online self-publishing platform and the new Designer Collection templates which enable everyday photographers and social media users to create and publish books in less than an hour by pulling directly from their Facebook Timelines, their friend's Facebook collections, or their Instagram photo streams.

Do it, you will be so happy with the result, it is so easy to use and this is an awesome gift to yourself or a friend that may be enjoyed over and over!  It also looks great on my coffee table! 

You will have to pay for delivery  which should be under $10 CDN(it was in my case, my book was 20pgs, you can base it on that)

Promo code for 25% off: BLOG25331

Fine Print: * Offer valid through March 31, 2013 (11:59 p.m. local time). A 25% discount is applied toward your product total. Maximum discount is CAD $100 off product total. Valid for printed books only. This offer is good for one-time use, and cannot be combined with volume discounts, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,


L.

Between 2 Ferns

ARGGH SNOW- I think my post yesterday backfired. My woes were supposed to inspire better weather, not continue this winter season!!

Enough complaining- Here is our ever changing console, I love adding fresh flowers to it or greenery. By adding green to our space I feel like we get to enjoy the outdoors(sans below zero weather). It feel fresh, and the vibe is Scandinavian  What is interesting about our space is that there is not really a specific theme throughout it is more just a mishmash that all happens to work together. I feel that by combining pieces you love the end result will always be great (not to say that there are you can just go nuts, try to stay within the realm of reason here)I love an eclectic space- this zone is currently our Scandinavian zone!! Buy ferns btw great price and easy maintenance  can't live will all of the plants that I am killing over here!!

And Bruce- Look at that face.... Love that Model Like Gaze!! 

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Where the Heart Is

My Home is where My Heart is.  Whenever I get home I am greeted by the ones I love most, a home that we have worked to create, and a feeling of familiarity and comfort surrounds me. I am always looking for unique pieces to incorporate into our space that will be a reflection of us. Beyond all of the pictured you see, our floors are usually covered Brucey's toys, pillows are smooshed on the couch from cuddling, our counters hold dishes from lovingly made meals, although I love the house to be as clean as possible, these are the things that remind me our house is a home, we are a family and every imperfection is a sign of our lives together! xoxo

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.