Home Show Hot List

I won some free tickets to the National Home Show, thanks to the Yummy Mummy Club. I love interior design but I had never been to a Home Show before so I went, ready to be inspired. Here are my fave finds:

Are these light fixtures hot or what? I LOVE them.
They are like jewelry for your home.

I would tile every surface in my bathrooms if I could {except the toilet...brrrrr!}. These were my favourites:  

This bathtub is so fabulous I can't even stand it!

When I grow up I am going to get one just like it.

 

There is nothing better than sitting by a cozy fire on a beautiful summer night.

I know just the right spot to put one of these lovelies in my back yard:

I found some environmentally friendly paint in such fresh colours.

Good for the environment and beautiful? Sold!

This one's for you future Canadian Olympic hockey players.

It's a floor that you can put in your basement, or back yard, or garage that you can ice skate on.

Yup. You heard me. Ice skating in your basement.

We saw it in action and it is so cool! Ugly but cool.

No home show would be complete without celebrities. I got the chance to watch Cocktail Deeva work her magic. She was hilarious and took the mystery out of mixing fun, delicious drinks. She is just as fabulous in person as you would think. By the way: her shoes were to die for.

Why I Don't Care That We Can't Afford A Stainless Steel Fridge

My kitchen is ugly, truly hideous and slightly embarrassing.

It's retro in the, "Oh my God, I can't believe that was ever stylish" kind of way. The counters are fake wood. Barf. I tried to make it better by painting the cabinets and replacing the hardware, but with three fellas in the house they have seen better days. At least I have some great finger print samples in case my husband ever goes missing.

One thing I am okay with is our white fridge. I know stainless steel fridges are the 'best' but I don't want one. Why, you ask? It's because of my fridge magnet collection.

Not kidding. It's okay, I don't mind if you laugh at me. I laugh at myself all of the time.

I really, honestly do have a collection of magnets that I started 10 years ago when I moved to Europe for the first time. They were a great little souvenir from all of my trips and now that my life has changed dramatically and I get excited just to leave the damn house, they serve as a great reminder of my former life. I'd like to say they were the only purchase I made on each holiday but I have a few people (like everyone that came to visit us) that will tell you that I sent them home with bags and bags of 'stuff' and very clear instructions for how to store their (my) carry ons without breaking anything.

Each time I open the fridge door, I get a peek at one that sends me back. Like this little gem from our trip to visit friends for Oktoberfest in Munich. I can't actually remember all that much, but luckily we have video, right honey?  Looooots and lots of video. Of you. Not being able to lift your head.

I have more magnets. They used to be on the fridge too but someone broke them by accident and they now live here. Just until they get fixed.

We are getting our kitchen renovated in 8 months and I can't wait. I am thinking I may just want to upgrade my fridge so my magnets will have to find a new home. Out of reach of everyone in my house. Especially my husband.

Cheap & Cheerful Christmas Decorating

I read a great post by Simply Frugal today about decorating for Christmas on a budget. There were some fun creative ideas for using items in a new way to create a holiday feeling in your home.

Since I have always loved Christmas, the kind of love that requires 8 large tupperware containers full of Christmas Crap, I thought I would share some of my budget saver decorating ideas too. I have been a SAHM for almost 3 years now so the days of splurging are few and far between, but that doesn't mean that I can't find ways to deck the halls (and splurge on a few things).

1. FRAME IT

I went to Michaels, the girl's version of a hardware store...I head in for one thing and come out with a shopping cart full...and I grabbed some Christmas scrapbook paper. I used the frames I already had in our living room, picked my favourite coordinating patterns and grouped them together:

I also hung these two:


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      


2. FAKE IT

This is the only time you will hear me say those words. I'm talking plants of course. They 'live' forever, look great and are no maintenance. I bought these three at Ikea with the red pots. I replaced the candles in my lanterns and my beachy room is now Christmafied. Ignore my reflection please. Santa should really buy me some photography lessons.

3. MAKE IT

If you want to brighten up your kids room paint them some winter art on a canvas. It's a lot easier than you think and they will love the new addition to their space!

I painted these Santas using pieces of driftwood 15+ years ago and even though they are a bit 80s, I still like the rustic look. You can use any pieces of old, worn wood for this project.

4. BUY IT

If you find something you really love and can't live without, treat yourself. I found these stockings at Pottery Barn Kids for my boys. They match the tree topper that I bought there last year. I love them.

 
















(photo from Potterybarnkids.com)



Christmas is going to be really tough for my family this year and, in many ways, I just want it to be over. The one thing I am grateful for is the distraction that all of these little projects have offered. They have kept my mind busy and I hope has made our home a cheerful place for my boys.

I wish you and your family a very happy holiday.