SEQUIN SCARF

Hey everyone!  Just a quick posting today..... I have finished a scarf and will be posting the pattern to Ravelry soon.  It is the yarn that I bought at Mary Maxim when I was at Aidan's bonspiel near Paris, On.  I really couldn't resist the yarn.  And a good thing too..... I was back in Paris this week and the colourway that I adore wasn't there.  That doesn't mean that you can't get it online-it just wasn't in the bin.  The yarn is on for such a good price.  The name of the yarn was Shimmer.  I spoke of it a little while ago.  Anyways..... I have completed the scarf and here it is:

I am thrilled with how the finished scarf turned out.  It has just enough sequins without being too garish.  It really was a delight to knit with.  I have never knit with a yarn that had sequins and it was quite the little surprise.  Not difficult to knit with at all. And the pattern that I did was super easy.

Anyways... I will post the pattern to Ravelry soon.....Have a great weekend everyone!
Megan

KITCHEN LOVE X 2

Hey Everyone- Hope all is well in your Universe!  I wanted to share with you 2 kitchens today designed by the same firm- Fiddlehead Design LLC.  I wanted to share them with you not only because they are really great, but also because they give a couple of great lessons....
Here is the first kitchen:

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Lesson 1:  Historical Integrity: For those of you out there that live in an older home and wish to keep the design integrity in your kitchen reno- this is such a great example of this.  As you all know I am a white kitchen girl all the way, however, this is such a great reno with lovely cabinetry.  Even though the home owners have chosen dark cabinetry they have chosen other elements to keep it light.  Not only is the subway tile, marble counters and farm sink a great nod to times past-all these elements keep the tone light.  Although they have chosen to use Stainless Steel Appliances I really think that they go beautifully in this space.  In addition to all this, the designers have obviously tried to tie in the much orangier tone of the floor with other elements in the room.  I am not sure if the floors were already there- I suspect they were, they have tried to tie them in with other the elements.  By staining the doors and window frames similar to the hardwood,  it really adds to an overall cohesiveness in the space.  Such a great way to tie elements together-it is as if they were there all along- perhaps they were.  The designers did a great job in choosing an  undertone in the cabinets to go with the hardwood.  It can be such a balancing act when the hardwood in a room has a very definite strong undertone.
 I really applaud people when they are able to uphold the integrity of a space yet make it livable, functional, and beautiful all at the same time.  I also love how they added a playfulness to the space with the chalkboard below the chair rail- so great for kids!  Now let me say that I in no way say that this reno is completely historically accurate for the time period of this house- not at all.  However it is quite evident that all involved tried to pay repect to the space they found themselves in.  AWESOME RENO!!  And those Cows- I love the Cow pictures!!

The Second Kitchen:

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Second Lesson:  Don't follow the pack when it comes to your kitchen.  The main thing that I wanted to point out with this kitchen is the flooring.  I LOVE IT!  It is  Manning VCT Flooring.  VCT- Vinyl Composite Tile.  To me this is one of the true workhorses of the flooring world that has been around for years.  Hey- if they can put it in a lab/classroom-it will stand up to anything you and your family can give it.  I love how versatile of a product this flooring is.  You can let your imagination run wild with it. It is warm under foot, soft underfoot, comes in loads of colours, does not cost and arm and a leg... I could go on and on.  You do NOT have to have hardwood or stone in a kitchen for it to look fabulous and this reno is an amazing example of that.  It really speaks to the designers desire to play off the vintage vibe of this space.  So what I am trying to say here is.... have an open mind when it comes to your finishes.  Be unique, be you, and you don't have to break the bank to do it!!

Not only did I want to share a couple of quick lessons here but I wanted to share with you all two really great kitchens.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

MODERN AND CLEAN LINES

Happy Easter everyone!  Hopefully you had your fill of Ham this past weekend or were able to do whatever you wanted to do, to give you some inner piece and happiness.  I spent a great weekend filled with family, food and wine!
I came across this amazing interior and had to share it with you all.  I know that I have been on a bit of a Modern kick lately, however, I really think that for those of us that love Traditional design we can still incorporate little modern ideas as well.
The following is a Victorian Duplex and both sides have been renovated: I will show one side today
 Enjoy:

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For the most part I love it when a Victorian is painted with many colours, however, in this instance I truly love how using 1 colour really lends an air of Modernity to this Victorian.

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Gotta love those Bertoia bar Stools.  One place they can be purchased is at DWR.  Not only would they look right at home in a Modernized nautical setting but those Pendants and floating shelves would as well.

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Choose any of the above and they too would look awesome in a Nautical Setting.  Have my eye on that coffee table myself!!

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A similar floor lamp would be the AJ at DWR

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A similar Pendant can be found at Union Lighting.

I hope that this has given a little bit of inspiration for the day.
Have a great day everyone.

Megan

P.S... I almost forgot to add that this amazing reno was by San Francisco architect Todd Davis Architecture.

MODERN BUILD

Hey Everyone!  As you know I am more of a traditional kinda girl, however, I came across this amazing modern home that I just had to share.  It is designed by Capoferro.  I really love it- I MEAN REALLY LOVE IT!!  Maybe it's the elegant simplicity of the design, the use of the wood or that it's just so freakin' amazing!!!

Enjoy:

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This is such a great example of thinking out of the box!  Using hardwood flooring on the ceiling- looks fabulous here...at least I think that's hardwood flooring.

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Although this isn't a "working" fireplace it certainly conveys the feeling of one.  This is a great example of doing a faux fireplace that really looks as if it could work.

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The staircase- I sigh!!

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I truly adore that Palazzo Pendant.  This great pendant would look fabulous over an island as well!

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How amazing is this Interior???  I truly love the use of wood throughout.  However it is balanced by a lot of white so that it doesn't feel heavy or opressive.  And who doesn't love a great Eileen Gray table or an Eames chair??  And to top it off they are Canadian!!
If you want to achieve a similar look with regards to the furnishings then head over to DWR.
You can click on the following to links:
Eames Chair 1
Eames Chair 2
Wassily Chair
Eileen Gray Table
Palazzo Pendant


Have a great day everyone.
Megan

SHIMMER YARN

Hey Everyone!  Is it wrong that as a Mum I can turn going to a Bonspiel into a shopping trip for yarn??  This past weekend we had to attend a Bonspiel- that is a curling tournament for you non-curlers.  My eldest's team was playing in Ayr, On.  It is a lovely little town just outside of another small town- Paris, On.
For years now I kind of poo-pooed Mary Maxim Yarn.  Why you ask... well that's because I only have ever seen their catalogues and their website.  I have never had an interest in plastic canvas crafts or for rug-hooking. They indeed have yarn, but I must say that their website is not the best--- are you listening Mary Maxim??  I have always wanted to make the 40 min. trip just to see what they had.  Well since we were there anyways-I thought-what the heck.  The only reason I actually went was because I was literally at the lights to go back to the Bonspiel and there was the sign.  I took it as a "sign" and decided to make a very quick trip to see what all the fuss was about.
When you first go in there is indeed lots of craft supplies.  Many of which that does NOT interest me.  But they do indeed have many supplies for a many number of crafts including quilting.  However, upon looking at the back of the store I became intrigued.  They have WAY MORE yarn at the store than on the website.  I was expecting a lot of scratchy Acrylic but was very pleasantly surprised to see Regia, Sirdar, Patons , plus many, many others.
Did I buy anything- you betcha!!  I was exceedingly restrained.  Having my husband and youngest son in the car waiting was incentive enough to cause much restraint on my part.  I did however purchase some yarn to make a lacey scarf. That yarn I purchased was Shimmer by Mary Maxim:

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Forgive the cheesy picture- that was on THEIR website.  It really does NOT do the yarn any justice at all.  Yes the yarn has sequins but they do NOT sparkle like that.  I knew when I saw the yarn that I wanted to do a scarf that was simple yet lacy   I did come up with something and I am about just under 1/2 way done- just started Sat. night.  It will be a quick and easy knit.
It is such a lovely yarn to knit with.  You do not feel the sequins on the yarn at all.  It isn't caked in them or anything but does add a nice little shimmer to the yarn.  It is such a lovely combo of colours as well.  The colourway I chose was Starlight.  It is so pretty.  The yarn itself is a DK weight- however, I am using a 4.5mm needle just to add to the openness I wanted to achieve.  I am so pleased with the outcome so far.  It shouldn't take me too long to knit and to write up.  I love this yarn. It has just the right amount of sequins, colour shifting and fuzziness.  And I got it on sale for $3.97/ball.  What a bargain for this yarn.  I want to go back/or online and scoop up some more.  This would make a great shawl.  It would knit up quick and look fab- in fact I think that my Easy Peazy Shawl 2.0 would look awesome in this yarn.  Hmmmm.........I may have to think on that one!!
I will get pics of the scarf I am working on ASAP.

For those of you out there that are crazy knitters such as myself, you would completely understand my little side trip.  One should NEVER give up an opportunity to shop for yarn!!  To do so would be unforgivable!

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

FIREPLACE AND WINDOWS

Hey Everyone....For the past couple of weeks I have done a couple of postings on Fireplaces and Windows..see here and here.  I suppose you can tell by those postings that I really am NOT a fan of Fireplaces and windows all on the same wall.  However, like many things in life there are exceptions to the rule.  The room below is that exception:

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This room for me is perfection!!  They got it so right!  Forget soaring 20 ft ceilings.  Look at that coffering.  LOVE IT!!  And I love those French Doors with the transoms.  Could they have had the fireplace on the wall instead of that birdcage?  Yes I suppose so.... but the fireplace looks so amazing flanked by those doors.  Why do you ask does it work here and not for the posting I previously spoke of.  I suppose that what makes this room perfection is everything is in proportion.  In the previous posting they had a too small fireplace being overwhelmed by the stone work and the windows.  The wainscoting in this room is the right height.  The fireplace isn't too small on that wall between the doors.  The sofas, the rug....I could go on and on.  The only issue- and it isn't one for me, is the lack of drapery flanking the windows.  It works so well in this instance. What about privacy you say?  Perhaps the owners have no issue.  What about sound reduction without draperies?   That is the one thing about having drapes, they really do dampen sound.  But if you look you will see that sound in this room is not and issue- why?  The large furnishings, the rug, the grass cloth wallpaper and the coffering.
This is how you do a Fireplace and Windows/Doors everyone- Perfection.

Here is a closeup of the fireplace;

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I love this fireplace.  I love how they left it natural-not painted.  It is just stunning and the painting is so lovely.

There you have it everyone.  The exception to the rule- well at least in my books anyways.....
Have a great day everyone.
Megan

GAP- HORIZONTAL STRIPES?? REALLY???

Hey Everyone.... I hope all is well?  I got an email over the weekend from the Gap since I am on their mailing list....It was their top 6 picks for Spring.  My first thought on seeing this email was....OK, lets see what they have...... In the past I have been a big fan of The Gap.  I will say that in years past they caught my shopping eye way more than they do now.  In the recent past do you think I could find a blouse without ruffles down the front? (that being said if you look online now- not a ruffle in site-YEA!!) I find that many of  their shirts this past little while had NO shape whatsoever so that I had to buy a XS or S to fit me properly....And in NO way am I an XS!  They tended to hang off my frame or not hang properly due to having breasts- I end up looking like a can with legs!!  D Cup +Rectangluar, Boxy shirt= Not a good look AT ALL.
Now let me say that I do troll the Clearance rack about once a week or so...one never knows what they will find!  I am one of those people that will not (on principle) buy full price if I don't have too.
Now, back to the 6!

Here is what I got in the email:

Gap

This first one is a winner in my books.  One cannot go wrong with a great fitting shirt.  And to top it off, it is gingham.  I LOVES me some Gingham.  The only issue with this one is the shorts.  Maybe one has to be 19 in order to pull this one off- maybe?  Put these on me and......Whoa!  I am not a large girl by any means...however......Oy!
I think this print would have looked awesome on a little skirt   One that wasn't too short.  That way, more of the population would be able to take advantage of such a fun print. If it were a skirt I may have even considered it.  Since they are shorts...well..... I think I will pass.

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Number 2!  I think this one is fine....as long as...and I stress this.....that people buy the right size.  I do not care what size it says on the tag- buy the size that fits your body.  I myself find that for skinny jeans that I sometimes have to go up a size just for it to fit properly...and I am OK with that since the most important thing is that they fit great- who cares what size is on the label.  One of the main problems with this style is how low they tend to sit.  Now I am NOT one of those Mom's that likes them hiked up under ones breasts.....however...having a muffin top roll over a super low waistband isn't great either.    Find ones that fit you in the right place and you will be as good as gold.  Even curvy girls can wear skinny jeans if they find that right fit.
My only other issue is the colours this season.  I am not a pastelly kinda girl.  I like full on colour myself.  They are very pretty...I just think I don't have much in my wardrobe that would go with these pastel colours.

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I really love these Dotty Skinny Jeans- I will have to try a pair on and see if I am less than horrified with what I see.  They really do look amazing on the model though- and with those heels-super cute!!!

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 Number 3!  Ahhhhh the Maxi Dress.  I am sure I am going to get some flack about what I am going to say...."Enough already".  "Aren't we done with this one yet"?   "Isn't this trend over and done with yet"??  I don't know many people that look really good in this style of dress. I know, I know... I am sure that it is uber comfy to wear.  Most of the time when I see woman wear this dress,  they drag on the ground and they give no shape whatsoever.  I think the only person who would look halfway decent in this style is Giselle Bundchen!!  And maybe not even her!  Maybe it's my own built in bias.  I am just about 5'4" and I am sure that I am no longer even that!!  Have you ever tried on one of these dresses??  Well let me say that unless you are 5'9" it drags on the ground.   Yes one can get it hemmed or even buy a petite.  However, whenever I have tried this one on I feel like a sack of potatoes in it.  I guess maybe it's my height or something!  And as for the petite sizes- I am not a true petite so the proportions are way off for me.  I just can't wrap my head around this style of dress.  I have a friend that owns one in a lovely print...she wears it with a jean jacket...and I must say she looks pretty good in it.  But here's the rub..... she's 5'9"!!!  Again with the height!  I guess I will have to let this one pass...... for me.

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I really love a wrap dress- It is very flattering on everyone- skinny, short, curvy or tall.  Try to envision it with out that necklace or those shoes- REALLY???  That's how you want to accessorize this dress? OY!!

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This Eyelet dress is soooo cute.  Might have to try this one on myself. My only concern would be the length. I feel that it could benefit from being about 2-3" longer.  I am by no means a prude or anything I just think that for most of us the length as it is shown is not flattering.  I wish I could wear this length...but my size and of course my age.....well... a little longer would be nicer.

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Number 4!  They almost got this one right for me.  I always love a great blazer.  There is just something about popping one of these on and a great scarf that makes one feel put together.  I really love the pop of colour on the under colour and at the cuff area.  HOWEVER.... I am sure you know what I will say about this one..... Horizontal stripes??? REALLY??    Maybe it's because I am not 18 anymore??  I don't know anyone except someone who is super skinny that can get away with this one.  I can imagine how horrible I would look in this. But that being said,   I get it!  They are trying something a little different. But really?  Horizontal stripes on a blazer??   Check out the page on the website- even the model doesn't looked that thrilled to be wearing it!!  When I wear a blazer I am trying to emphasize my curves and emphasize my waist.  Wear those stripes and forget it.  I know I am not uber young anymore, but really???

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This one is way cuter.  Great detailing.  It has Spandex for a really great fit.  And I LOVE the contrast piping- that is how you do a cute blazer my friends.

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Number 5.  For the most part this one is OKish.  However... There are few concerns I have for this one.  For most people this dress will be an issue.  This dress has to hit you perfectly at YOUR waist for you to be able to pull this one off.  I myself am short waisted, so the dress would tend to "pouf" just above my waist-not to mention that it is a drawstring waist- you have to be careful about how it is pulled and tied-again causing a "pouf" effect at the waist-sometimes not the most flattering of looks.  Secondly, there is no way that one would be able to wear this belt with this dress!  Have you ever tried to wear a belt with a drawstring...come on!  Ok maybe on second thought this one is NOT OK with me.    Lastly....I think that the length for most would be an issue.  Hitting one at the thickest point of ones thigh- not always a good look.  The dress could do to be 2-3" longer-just my humble opinion.  Looks really cute on the  model...however, in real life this would look ridiculous on my frame...again I think I will pass.

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This little lovely is one that they seem to always get right.  Can't say enough about this style of Cardi.  You can wear it in a number of seasons.  Dress it up, dress it down.  Mix colours.....It is such a great piece to have in ones wardrobe.  This one is a 10+ for me.

So there you have it.  I suppose that some adverts do work  They bring you to a website and you check things out.  I was just curious as to their "6".  Like I said.... Gap recently doesn't always get it right for me.  Maybe it's my age- early 40's.  But I don't think so.  I think of myself as someone who is fairly young at heart- in fact I still think of myself as 18 in my head!  I just think sometimes when I am in the Gap..."even if I were 18 would I wear this"? And most of the time it is a resounding NO.  I do think they are better than they have been in recent years past..... Will I still shop there?- Yes.  Will I be happy with all they have to offer- No.  But I think you can't please everyone with everything...you have to offer things to a wide range of people.  And as long as they offer great fitting jeans (on the clearance rack of course) and great little Cardi's I will still shop there.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan