Evergreen Brickworks

Over the weekend Blayre and I had the pleasure of shooting one of our favorite couples at the Evergreen Brickworks. Every Saturday the Brickworks hosts a farmers market full of delicious food, live music, and beautiful grounds to enjoy while you are there. Once a brick producing industrial site, responsible for the materials in many famous Toronto landmarks, it now serves as a fabulous event space, and evironmentally focused community space. If you have not been, I highly encourage you to go and experience yet another fabulous experience Toronto has to offer!

 

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

The Perfect Chocolate Cheesecake

TGIF ALL!! To end off the week, I wanted to share a quick and easy recipe for the easiest, most delicious chocolate cheesecake. This is a perfect dessert to whip together (literally) the night before you have guests, or to even serve warm( so, so good....)

You don't even need a mixer, it may all be done by hand with a whisk. I did use a mixer, sped up the process a little!

What to Buy:

For the Crust:

- Chocolate Baking Crumbs

- Butter

Filling:

- 1 Bag of Semi Sweetened Chocolate Chips

- 1 Container of Ricotta Cheese

- 1 Stick of Cream Cheese

To Garnish:

- Whipping Cream

- Raspberries

- Blackberries 

- Turn oven on to 450
- In the mean time, prepare the crust. Heat half a cup of butter, in a small dish and set till it is completely melted. In a pie tin, or dish coat with a layer of two of Chocolate Baking Crumbs, depending on how thick you would like it to be. Once the butter is melted, pour over the crumbs and mix together with your fingers. Spread evenly over the base of the pan, make sure all of the crumbs have been coated in butter to ensure a solid base when you serve.

- Place in the oven, and let bake for about 15 minutes.

- While you are waiting for the crust to set, you must melt the chocolate. You can do this by placing it in a sauce pan, micro wave, or like I did, place in a bowl that is placed on a sauce pan filled with water, so it will heat it slowly and will not burn. Stir regularly.

- In a large bowl, combine 3/4 of a container of ricotta, and 1 pack of cream cheese. Add a few teaspoons of icing sugar depending on how sweet you would like it to be.

- Remove the crust from the oven

- When the chocolate is melted, there will be enough to add a layer to the crust which will later solidify, and will be AMAZING!!!

- Add the remaining chocolate to the mixture of ricotta & cream cheese, and stir together

- Place in the oven for 45 minutes.

Let cool over night, or serve warm- either way is super YUMMY!!

Enjoy- try not to eat the full plate!

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Dresser Make- Over

After many moons of pondering what color I would paint this dresser, I FINALLY decided on Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore. When I first bought this piece a few years ago on CL, I liked the lines, but I never really liked the cream. For a while I bounced around between different colours and hardware, and finally one day I had an epiphany! I wanted to go dark, with satin brass hardware- just like the side tables I did. I am very spontaneous when it come to my own home, so once I knew I was going for a moodier look, I grabbed my color deck and got the ball rolling. I didn't want to keep the matching vanity anymore, I wanted the space to feel airier and less traditional. I LOVE Ikeas new Stockholm collection, as soon as I saw the circular mirror, I knew that I had to pair it with the dresser, the scale and price were both exactly on point. After 2.5 years things are finally coming together up here!! Next a new bed!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Always Stay Graceful,

 L.

Kale Chips

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

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Color Palette

Over time a color palette has been created throughout our home. White walls are the canvas which we have layered with color. I am not sure if it has been a conscious decision (in some cases yes) but I have repeated the same colors throughout over and over. In terms of designing our space, I didn't really have a plan. I did have a layout and an idea of what scale/proportions(of non- existing items) I wanted, but as far as color went, I just buy what I love, and let that take form naturally. Whenever I paint something, or add a new addition to the space it just so happens to be in the colour family of the hues displayed above. Funny how we become accustomed to what we like. I have about 10 different shades of lipsticks, glosses and tints, all within a shade of each other. If I like something I continue to incorporate it into my life, even if it isn't completely apparent to me! Isn't that strange! We are after all creatures of habit! 

Here is how to create a color palette: 

-Begin with a print or fabric that you really love

- Look for colors that will be complimentary

- Layer textured fabrics over top/ layer with decorative objects in color scheme desired

- Find a theme and play on that- not too literal

- Buy colors within the same family, and experiment with different shades

Have a great weekend!! xoxo

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

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Bobbette & Belle

Are you a lover of cupcakes and other goodies? Live in the Toronto area? You must go to Bobbette & Belle - Adorable name right? Even before we moved to Toronto, I came across this pastry and cake shop in House & Home magazine, and was instantly taken by how pretty and feminine it was! I knew that if I were to visit Toronto I would have to visit ASAP, cut to 3 years later, and it is one of my favorites in the city! Located in the Toronto's East end (Leslieville) this chic parlour houses an assortment of pastries including tarts, macarons, and cupcakes of course! This afternoon Blayre and I took clients here for a shoot, which was the prettiest backdrop! As soon as you walk into this chic salon, it is hard to choose what to look at first, all of the desserts are so beautifully made(they taste as good as they look) and the decor is just lovely! It would be such a fabulous place to host a tea party, or evening with the girls, a brunch, or birthday!
Today we saw a grandmother with her daughter and grandchildren enjoying hot chocolate and desserts, and I thought what a beautiful tradition that would be to recreate!
I promise you if you love eye candy and sweet treats Bobbette and Belle is worth the trip to Leslieville, enjoy and treat(or two) and shop around the cute antique shops across the street. Blayre even loves it!! 

A big Thank you to the team at Bobbette & Belle for the fab opportunity! Blayre insisted we bring a dozen cupcakes home, but I knew that I was in danger if we were to do that. We settled on half a dozen, a perfect treat to come home to tonight and enjoy with a cup of tea!!

When we are done the edit I will post! In the mean time check out Elle & Be if you want to have a peek at our work!! xo

Always Stay Graceful,

L.