do: framed wall collages

i bought a ton of white frames
of different shapes and sizes
so i can finally put up some of
my favourite photos from all of my travels.
i want to create an asymmetrical vignette
but i wasn't sure as to how to approach this.
so i did some research for inspiration and tips
on how to create a wall of framed photos:








i will update on how mine turns out soon!

taste: saturday morning caramel apple waffles

we used caramel apple waffle and pancake mix from williams sonoma and followed the recipe on the tin which called for the basics:
butter, egg, and milk.
mix it all together (don't overmix) and get the batter in your waffle-maker.
when it's ready, your waffle-maker will somehow tell you it is -
whether with a little ding of a bell a la toaster, or in our case,
a little red light turned on above the words 'ready' on the gadget.
transfer the golden disc of deliciousness onto a plate.
optional: smidgen of butter, drizzle of maple syrup.
happy saturday!

(i had some over-easy eggs and pomegranate green tea with mine too!)

love: christmas holidays + pretty eco-friendly packaging

yes, yes, i know...
i have been in so MIA over the past few days/weeks...

i spent the holidays:
making eco-friendly paper ornaments, sewing paper garlands, and stringing popcorn for our tree,
wrapping gifts in beautiful, simple packaging also using eco-friendly, recycled, and
brown kraft paper,
cooking a big meal for Christmas eve dinner
(i got most of the recipes from Jamie Oliver, and the meal turned out awesome!),
shopping and getting thoughtful gifts for my loved ones,
becoming a tea addict (thanks to all the wonderful teas at David's tea),
seeing friends (from near and far) and spending time with family over holiday get-togethers...
and most importantly, reflecting on all the wonderful events
and the great people that have made my 2009 a year to be grateful for.

---
i made my girlfriends little holiday loots
using handmade twine, recycled polka dot tissue, brown paper bags, brown paper tags...
they contained:
packets of hot cocoa (from second cup!), chocolates, & stila lipgloss!








this gift was for my friend Jess,
I was her Secret Santa!

this year, we had a theme...
aside from the main gift, we thought it would be cool to give
the person something that reminds us of them.
it turned out to be a really fun time as this was amongst us girlfriends from highschool!
my girlfriend Tanya who was my Secret Santa got me an Ariel tee -
i sang and played a lot of music in high school (and yes, i was in band...) and i loooove mermaids!



anyway, i hope you had a beautiful and warm holidays...
all the best in 2010!

xo,
kay

holiday gift guide: for your mom who has a green thumb and loves sewing, pretty cardigans, & you!

decorative tea bag selection from fortnum and mason
cath kidston's sew
gardening rubber clogs from cath kidston
framed vintage botanical prints
gardener's hand cream from crabtree & evelyn
lilac cardigan from jcrew
coin purse from longchamp

see: winter blues

see: dreaming of gypsies

i think one could so easily appropriate
this palette for a warmer winter
and a holiday bursting with colours
taken from the heart of gems and jewels,
and the life of travelling gypsies...







(p.s. i think i my next major trip will be to: egypt, jordan, turkey and morocco)
---
images from this beautiful and brilliant site

love: monograms

slightly vain
but plenty awesome!
all from your one-stop-inspiration shop
anthropologie

(p.s. i bought some of the monogrammed porcelain cups to repurpose
as 'vases' for short stemmed blooms. )

hear: james taylor

his songs remind me of my parents
because as far as i can remember
my father always sang and played them on the guitar
for my mother who only swoons in secret.

& before there was iron and wine
or schuyler fisk and joshua radin,
there was james taylor and carly simon:


i always sing along when my dad plays this song:


lastly, a personal favourite
and a song my brother has patiently
learned to play on his guitar so i can sing
my own little rendition:

see: pale blue

over the weekend
i bought this pretty blue dress
from bcbg
(and i also had a lot of greek food and beer
at the taste of the danforth festival here in toronto):



... and something about wearing it
makes me imagine that
i own a summer home in the maldives
with an interior as crisp and beautiful as this:



... but really and truly,
i am more than happy that in reality:



---
images via bcbg, le love image
& this is glamorous

love: maps

my little traveller heart desires...

framed quirky paper cut-outs of
paris and london city maps
from famille summerbelle.



and here are some inspiring spaces
featuring maps as wallpaper.

taste: pho

pho (traditional vietnamese beef noodle soup)
is an awesome comfort food.
but what's more awesome is this
tableware set designed specifically for this dish
(and meant to look like a traditional vietnamese lantern)
by designer omid sadri.





---
found via yankodesign