Explanation

I've been a bad blogger the past few days. I've had a lot on my mind and find that when I am on the internet I'm doing research (reading forums, googling questions and answers, reading expat blogs, etc...) to get some insight, answers, and different perspectives. Plus, for the past few days I've had house guests -  my bestie and her hubby were visiting from Jersey and left yesterday morning. So when my head hasn't been in the clouds or thinking about the future I've been playing good hostess.

But today is Canada Day. A holiday. Meaning a long-weekend filled with BBQs, fireworks, and hanging out with the family. I still need to see Sex in The City 2 (I know! For a fan, it's pretty inexcusable that I have yet to see it) and I hope to finally go this weekend. I hope to really be present this weekend....to just stop stressing. If only for a few days.

In other news -  I'm closer to a decision about going overseas AND I've gotten several questions from you readers for "My Two Cents"! Thank you so much for sending along your questions and images. I've gotten some GREAT questions and thank you guys for being interested in hearing what I come up with. If you have yet to get a confirmation email from me sit tight - it's coming. And if you have received a confirmation you can look forward to seeing your question and answer in a blog post coming soon. I'm hoping to have at least one or two answered next week - so stay tuned!

And a few recent pics of Howard. Because seriously, he's just too cute. I bought him a pool a few weeks ago because the weather was hot. Yes, I bought him a pool. He just stands. Then hops out. But it's the cutest thing you've ever seen. (sorry for the quality...quick iPhone snaps)

Have a great weekend!
(and keep those questions coming!)

Time For The Guys - UPDATED

Okay. So I previously did a post on beautiful girls - the Hollywood ladies I think are particularly beautiful (duh! lol) so I guess it's only fair I do one on the guys too, right?

And let me say, in advance, that while I know one or two of these guys aren't necessarily the hottest out there - I find there's just something about 'em..

So here they are. In no specific order.

1. Brad Pitt

 

Okay, so clearly I wasn't talking about him when I said "some of these guys aren't necessarily the hottest out there..." because, I mean, clearly he is.  He just keeps getting better with age.

And with him...the scruffier the better.
(Well, actually with most white guys for me the scruffier the better. Don't know why.
Just telling it like it is folks.)

Fight Club Brad? Hell yeah.

And when he and one of my fave gals hooked up? Oh that just made my week!
Seriously.

I really don't think I need to explain why he made my list - do I?

2. Benicio Del Toro.

Okay, so clearly he may be the guy I was referring to above...I mean, I know that he's not the conventional type of good looking but really - there's just something about him.

He really looks like a guys guy...manly man...but I feel like he'd be a good boyfriend...

So please don't leave me a comment saying that he's a womanizer. lmao.

3. Maxwell

Oh good God this man is just fine on so many levels lol. Let me try and count the ways: 

 

1. His voice - when he sings - is like buttah. Not butter. Buttah lol. 

It's what my parent's generation call "grown folk music"

Songs like this - literally give me goosebumps. 

(PLEASE click the link to hear what I'm talking about!)

And he sounds just as good live y'all! Love.

2. His speaking voice is like honey with a bit of gravel. Listen here.

Oh gosh when I heard him speak I just about melted. Totally different than his signing voice.

3. He's funny.

4. He's modest (watch link in #2). Or this one (interview starts at about 4:20).

5. He can wear the HECK out of a suit. Seriously.

There's nothing I love more than a good looking man in a good fitting suit. 

Well, there are but you get me...

6. He seems like he'd really know how to treat a lady. Gotta love that.

7. Did I mention he's fine?

4. Harry Connick Jr.

I just admitted it to myself earlier today, when I watched him on The View, that yes - I kinda really like him. It's not so much about his looks with him (though he is a good looking guy).
From what I can tell in interviews I've seen with him and such - he just seems like a really cool guy.
No pretensions.
He's funny. And talented. 

And he sounds like a black guy.

Which, I mean isn't why I like him, but I'll admit the first time I heard him speak in an interview I was kinda shocked and totally smitten. 

It was very cool to me.

Then one of my blog friends told me that's how white guys from New Orleans sound and I pretty much decided I need to go and verify this first-hand. So (another) trip to New Orleans is in my future plans lol.

But really, he seems like a cool guy.

5. Gerard Butler

Some photos don't do him justice but really? 

He's pretty freakin' hot in a manly man kinda way, you know?

And his accent? Yeah, I can dig it.
And I may have been the last person to see 300 (saw it earlier this year)...

...but it was so worth watching ;)

Now this is just my list of guys that particularly stand out for me. 

Sure there are other hollywood guys out there that are good looking (George Clooney is very dashing, I think Zac Efron is very cute, Denzel Washington is an extremely handsome older man, that Taylor Lautner kids pretty cute (but kinda young), Channing Tatum is pretty easy on the eyes....)
 but I just wouldn't put them on this list.

This is like my....it list.

Who's on yours?

Edited To Add:

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD
How could I forget my number #1 (yes, I can confidently say he is number #1)
Johnny Depp.

I almost screamed out loud just now when I read the comments and saw his name there.
Ugh - I KNEW I was forgetting someone. Seriously, how could I forget my #1.
He's my absolute favourite and I've had a crush on him for YEARS.
Sooooo my type.
If you don't think he's totally drool worthy, even with the man bracelets, long unkept hair, and hats.........
especially with the man bracelet long unkept hair and hats, I'm not sure we can be blog friends.
Totally being serious.
;)

And since I forgot him (how could I forget him!) he gets extra pics :)

Ugh. That Vanessa is one lucky lucky gal.

In Pictures...

This past long weekend was pretty great. I spent it relaxing with the family, we did 2 bbq's over 2 days, lots of gardening, my mom bought my brothers a trampoline so...yeah, lots of jumping and just general hanging out, reading, and being lazy. It was ridiculously hot - so much so that the city called an official heat alert warning for the next few days. I know, crazy right? Last week I was freezing cold. This week it's a really hot 28c. But I'm not complaining.

Though I take pictures for other people, I'm notoriously bad at taking pictures for myself - I'm too lazy to carry around my camera and then simply forget it in the house when I do remember to bring it with me. So these not so great iPhone pics will have to do.

My vegetable garden at my mom's house.  

Celery, cucumbers, zucchini, peas, lettuce, hot & sweet peppers,

tomatoes, green & white onions...

Chilling with Howard...

Did some reading.

Currently reading 'The Greatness Guide' by Robin Sharma. LOVE it.

Seriously think I'm going to do a giveaway and give away a copy...

Kids on the trampoline...they jumped for soooooooooo long.

Howard observed...

I'm also slowly taking steps towards something I've thought of doing for a while. Each day, well to be honest each hour, I remind myself that I can do it and remind myself of the pros instead of the cons. The Greatness Guide (see pic above) has some really encouraging pieces of information and I'm hoping I don't chicken out in moving forward.

This week might be light on posting since it's a bit busy for me - but I'll try to pop in with some (hopefully) inspiring & interesting posts.

Oh! and I notice I've gotten quite a few new followers both here and on my twitter over the past week or two. Welcome! Check out the archives. De-lurk and say hi. It's a friendly environment ;)

what font are you?

As someone who LOVES fonts (I'll admit, I'm a bit of a font whore) I absolutely loved this little test.

And the test itself, the way it's given, is quite neat. Haven't seen anything like it.

Apparently, I'm 'Universal'

Take the test  then let me know what you got!

**long weekend here..just popped in to share this :)

a question for you...and some more finds!

I've been back from Florida for less than a week and have already scored some amaaaaaaazing stuff at the thrift store. Seriously, this particular thrift store has been SO good to me lately.

In the above picture EVERYTHING was bought at a thrift store. You can also see three of my latest finds, all purchased this week: the two small vases (you have to see a close-up of the gold one, I'm IN LOVE with it) and the amazing Danish modern 3 drawer chest. Which I happened to score TWO of! AND I also scored the matching 6 drawer dresser! I'm telling you - I can't wait to share these finds with you all. Plus, I still have to reveal this awesome find from three weeks ago.

Do you follow me on twitter? If not, you totally should. I often post pics of items as I see them in the store and ask for input as to whether or not I should buy it :) or if it has potential.

Is it corny if I say I absolutely love my apartment. I mean, every single item in it - I love. When I walk in my door I feel like...happy. Everything perfectly reflects me and although it's a rental apartment it doesn't feel temporary. I have pictures on the wall. Things are unpacked. It's comfortable. It's me. And while everything was affordable I'd like to think you wouldn't be able to tell they were bought "on the cheap." Actually, I've been thinking of doing a series of posts where I break down the cost of each room or space in my apartment so you readers can see - good design can be affordable. Especially those of you moving into your first apartment (this is my first apartment by the way) and are starting from scratch - like I did. But would that make me....unclassy? I mean, I notice lots of other bloggers don't post the price of things they buy - they hint that it was affordable or that they got it at a "great price" but never really say what that price was. And I always wonder "Well, how much was it??" Whereas I tend to ALWAYS say what I paid, "I scored this for $2.99!" Lol. Is that a turn-off to you readers? Would you prefer I DO or DON'T say how much I pay for things? And would you be interested in a series of posts like what I just described....like a breakdown of different spaces in my apartment?

And thank you to all of you who commented on the sneak peek of some of the images I shot at my very first wedding shoot. Your comments were really a joy to read and I so appreciate it. I'll be sure to let you all know when the full post is up!

Have a great weekend!

Information Overload

Many of you know that I'm into photography and, occasionally, photograph other people (couples). Well, this past weekend I had the opportunity to do a one-on-one mentor session with one of my favourite wedding photographers (based in Toronto) Claudia Hung. Claudia was recently named one of Canada's Top 25 Most Inspiring Wedding Photographers and just a few weeks ago also won PDN magazines (basically the gold standard magazine for photographers) Top Knots Best Wedding Portrait. Umm hello? She's amazing at what she does!

This was my first mentor session (I've never done a workshop either) so I was very excited. The entire day was so awesome and two days later my mind is still on photography overload. I learned so much and was so inspired. I can't wait to pick up my camera and start experimenting, making mistakes, and putting some of what I learned into practice.

I also had the opportunity to tag along with Claudia as she shot an engagement session. For the first time ever I forgot the battery for my camera (of all days right! what good is my camera with NO BATTERY! omg - I felt like a moron) but that's okay - it wasn't about me shooting, it was about learning and being inspired - which I definitely was. It was awesome to see how she actually works and afterwards we went back to her place where we went over programs, workflow, post processing - it was awesome.

I can't say enough good things about Claudia. For someone so accomplished in her field she is so down to earth and didn't make me feel stupid at any of the questions I asked. Quite the opposite! She said my work was really good & that she thought she wouldn't have anything to teach me! I was blown away lol because I feel I have so much to learn.

Claudia's already blogged the engagement session that I tagged along to watch her shoot - so definitely check out the images on her blog.

Now time to go jot down some photography related things that are swirling around in my head.

197 & some randomness

Note: I'm quite excited to almost have 200 blog followers! I know to some of you who have several hundred (or even thousand) 200 is not that big of a deal but to me - it's amazing. I never expected to even have 5 followers when I started blogging so to have 197 is quite cool I think. I'm hoping to hit 200 today? So...if you read my blog & enjoy it...why not follow! Or you know...over on your blog you can mention what a cool little blog you found.....*shameless plug lol* I think I'll have a contest once I pass the 200 mark :) .......

Now a bit of randomness. I have a thing for these kind of q&a posts :) and posted this one over on my other blog a couple of days ago...

1. If you could travel back in time, would you? What decade would you visit?

Definitely. Most likely the late 1950s or 1960s. (The opportunity to hear Malcolm X or Martin Luther King speak....The civil rights movement. To hear Billie Holiday or other jazz greats perform live. To see actresses & actors like Dorothy Dandridge & Sidney Poitier take Hollywood by storm. Stepping out in Harlem. The beginning of Motown. The fashion...) 


2. What was your best Halloween costume? (fun to make? most creative?)

Oh gosh. Does it suck that I can't really remember ever wearing a unique costume? Hm. Well, last year I painted my younger brother's face like a vampire. That was pretty awesome.

3. Do you like your name? If you weren't called by your name, what would you want to be called?

I've grown to like it...though it is a VERY common black girl name - at least to me (note my actual name is not Kay, that's what I blog under). LOL. I mean, every black comedian that does a joke and lists girls names - always includes it. And in hip hop/r&b songs when they list girls names - it's always included. Remember this song? Yup. But I do like more unique uncommon names. If & when I have children they will not have 'traditional' names at all.

4. In the past year, what is the BEST recipe you made. Please share it!

Oy...curry chicken and mashed potatoes? I'm too lazy to type out the recipe but if anyone is interested - I'll do it....No no no no no...make that roast chicken a la Jamie Oliver. I finally found a roast chicken recipe that rocks. Definitely my go to. I've made it 3 or 4 times SINCE the first time I made it for Thanksgiving.

5. Look around - what is the nearest object or picture hanging on the wall?

My big DIY canvas that I made to mimic Molly Sims' artwork.

6. What was the last movie you saw in the theater? Would you recommend it?

Ugh - it was last weekend. I saw 'Why Did I Get Married Too.' It was NOT my choice. It was my sisters choice. I would not recommend it. But if it's worth anything the weekend before that I, finally, saw 'Avatar' and THAT I would DEFINITELY recommend!

7. Did you go to summer camp? Will you/do you send your kids to camp?

I didn't but if my future children are interested in going - sure, I think I'd let them go.

8. What kind of ringtone do you have?

The one that sounds like an old phone. But it's funny...lately I have been thinking about changing the ring because EVERYONE has the old phone ring & it can get a bit confusing when I'm out lol.

9. Where is the farthest away from home you have ever been?

Egypt. (So roughly 5,735 miles or 9,230 km)

10. Has anyone ever written a song or a poem for or about you?

No :( But I have had love declared, by two different people, via written letter and email...does that count? Lol.


*10 Questions seen & borrowed from here
** Looking for an appropriate image for this post...because, you know, I like posts with pictures.

A List of Sorts

+

Things I want to get done around the apartment this week:

- Put out one or two more *ahem* "flower" arrangements out
- Print out & frame a few of my photographs
- FINALLY frame & hang (as part of my gallery wall) the Ansel Adams print I've had for THREE years!
- Windex the windows
- Buy a laundry basket
- Finally finish my canvas artwork
- Put the bag with 'randoms' that's been leaning against the wall for....oh at least 5 months, into my storage locker
- Organize/clean my desk drawers....okay, maybe this one will wait a while.....

What, if anything, do you want to get done around YOUR home this week?

*image from new issue of lonny magazine - online now!

Small AND Cool

It's April which means not only is it Spring...but it's also Apartment Therapy's Annual Small Cool Contest. Real homes decorated by people on (mostly) real budgets. I love Apartment Therapy and the Annual Small Cool Contest is perhaps my favourite thing about Apartment Therapy. It combines all the things about AT that I love - house tours of REAL people, giving tips/solutions that I can use. The best part? It's (relatively) small spaces - with no home over 1000 square feet. AND not only are their house tours of home owners but also of renters too! I'm telling you - it's a great resource for ideas...I've bookmarked several house tours over the years....

One of my favourite (and fellow Torontonian) bloggers Jason of These Roving Eyes downsized into a 613 sq ft condo last year and let me tell you - his place is ammmmmmazing. So chic. Masculine but not too much. And so pulled together. Really you've just got to see it:

And he's entered the contest! So, I'd love it if you all could head over to Apartment Therapy and give him a vote via a 'thumbs up.' I'd love to see him win! Oh, and definitely check out his blog. He blogs about a bunch of stuff and the images are always totally drool worthy :)

Heading over to AT now to enter my vote!

Weekend Plans

Yikes! I totally almost forgot that Earth Hour is taking place tomorrow. My plan was to go to dinner with a girl friend and then finally go see Avatar (FINALLY!)...so while I won't be completely in the dark...I kinda will? That still counts right? This weekend I also plan on giving myself an at home facial, washing my hair (a much longer process than you may think), and my mother has asked me to paint her kitchen. Yeah, she really did. I casually said - I feel like painting something...meaning somewhere in MY apartment and she took that as a sign that I wanted to paint her kitchen - which is due for a new paint job. We'll see about that.

What are your plans?

Your Questions Answered

Waaaaay back in January I asked if any of you had any questions for me - and some of you did! So I wanted to ensure I answered them because I did not forget and I appreciate you taking the time to comment/write/ask. So here goes.... :)

Me on a camel in Egypt '07

Mandy asked: Who or what has been the biggest influence on your style/how you decorate? What's your favorite TV show? What's your favourite meal to cook?


Hmmm fun questions! I think the biggest influence on my style/how I decorate is travel & different cultures. I LOVE travel and learning about different cultures and it's something I try to incorporate into my apartment in accessories, details & finishing touches....even with some of the colours I choose. I love interiors that have ethnic touches and pieces from around the world. My favourite TV show - that's a tough one! I watch a lot of TV. I love Cold Case & watch a lot of CSI (all 3 versions). I'm also not above reality TV - I like Project Runway (PLEASE don't say who wins - here in Canada we are behind by about 3 or 4 episodes!) and if anyone follows my tweets you'll see I tweet a lot about America's Next Top Model on Wednesday nights lol...and I really love Modern Family - so funny! My favourite meal to cook is probably curry chicken (Jamaican style) & mashed potatoes - I'm a pretty simple gal.

Katelin asked: What's your next big decorating project? I always love seeing what you come up with.


Thanks Katelin! My next project is my bedroom. It has remained UNTOUCHED since I moved in (1 year ago). It's crying out for attention and as much I desperately want to do something...I can't decide what I want to do in there. Dark & moody or light & airy....I'm so confused. But I did buy this duvet cover which is huge & I plan on using it to make a padded headboard...or curtains. Or maybe a bed skirt. See? Confused.

Ceecee asked: Well...have you met up with anyone you've met online? (bloggers/commenters) is it something you are willing to do if presented with the opportunity?


I've only had the opportunity to meet up with 1 other blogger so far - I don't know if it has anything to do with the fact that I'm in Canada and a lot of my blog readers (according to my stats) are in the U.S. Earlier this year I met up with Nicole from So Haute while she was in Toronto for work. I'm a fan of her blog so it was nice to finally meet up with someone after having followed their blog and exchanged emails. I'm totally willing to meet up with bloggers/commenters. Meeting at least 3 in person is actually on my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days - so if anyone wants to meet up drop me an email! I'd love to go to one of those huge blogger meet up thingys but they are always held in the U.S. and not some place I can get to easily (like NYC).

Mrs. Limestone asked: I always meant to ask you this but did you change your blog name? Or for that matter why have more than one blog? Just wondering what your thought process is.


Hmmm. Not too sure what name change you're referring to because there has been a few...but not in a while - so I'll try and address them all :) Waaaay back when I started blogging the blog was called "I'm Not Really A Diva" and it had the matching blogspot address. Then when I decided I wanted to have more of a design focus and I actually moved into my first (& current apartment) I re-named the blog "Apartment 412, etc" - I think that was about a year ago. Then when I got a new look for the blog in November 2009 I wanted the blog name and blogspot address to be the same - which leads us to the current Apartment #412. So it was a natural kind of progression. However, at the beginning of this year I did start a new blog called Ice Cream & Peonies. It's a separate blog and it's a bit more personal - it's basically where I post anything BUT design/decor. My thought process in creating that blog was to have this one remain more design focused and another that is more personal. I wasn't certain how to incorporate my more personal thoughts/posts into this blog and to be honest - didn't feel that some readers would be interested in all of a sudden reading more personal posts when the primary focus had always been design...and I totally get that. So I thought it'd be better to have a different blog for that.

Anna of the blog Door Sixteen's small kitchen solution

Shella asked: What are your biggest inspirations (in regards to design, blogging, life in general)?


My biggest inspirations in regards to design are travel (see first question above) and also seeing how regular everyday people like me decorate their homes - that's why I love blogging! Don't get me wrong, I find inspiration in design magazines but I love seeing how people without millions of dollars or access to professional designers or 'to trade only' fabric decorate their homes. How they come up with solutions to issues that I have too (like incorporating a desk into your small living space or adding interest to a plain box of an apartment with zero architectural detail...) And with so many design blogs - updated every day, and constant house tours on blog/sites like Apartment Therapy and Design Sponge, inspiration is everywhere!

Nicole's chic living room (blog So Haute)

Jason's small but stylish condo (blog These Roving Eyes)

My biggest inspiration in regards to blogging? Hmmm. I don't really have a blogger inspiration. I have tons of blogs I adore and find inspiring (for a variety of reasons) but I don't think they inspire the way I blog...(I hope that answers the question? or did I get the question wrong?)

My biggest inspiration in life in general? Whoa! Let's see. I'm really inspired by people who are living their lives passionately - who have the guts to do what they love and are making some kind of a difference in the world at large. I'm inspired by my sister who is one of the hardest working, most genuine & giving person you'll ever meet. I'm inspired by Maryam of the blog My Marrakesh who is doing exactly what I'd love to be doing in 10 years. I'm inspired by people like the author/founder of Room to Read John Wood and the founder of Charity: Water Scott Harrison. I'm inspired by many, many people...

taken with my iPhone...

Maria asked: I would love to read the whole quote that is up in your living room, painted on, what looks like canvas..? Did you write/make that yourself?


Yes I did make that myself! I blogged the entire thing and you can read the tutorial here. I couldn't decide on just one quote (and then I got the idea to do lines from songs I like too) - so it's a combination of a bunch of quotes/lines from songs and I did it so they kinda run into one another...no punctuation. Here are the lines/quotes I used - separated & with punctuation:

"Forget about trying to get through the storms, life is about learning to dance in the rain." (a quote I read from R&B singer Tamia)
"Express yourself. Don't repress yourself." (Lyrics from Madonna's Human Nature - one of my fave Madonna songs)
"Make it work." (Timm Gunn)
"Nothing happens until you decide." (Oprah)
"I am unwritten. I'm undefined. Can't read my mind. I'm just beginning the pens in my hand - ending unplanned." (Lyrics from Natasha Beddingfield's Unwritten)

And I haven't finished it yet but the final quote (once finished) will read: "Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can come together." (Marilyn Monroe)


I'm actually thinking of doing another canvas with just ONE quote or the lyrics from ONE song and hanging it somewhere else in my apartment. High impact, low cost :)

Seen at my local thrift store - could've kicked myself that I was too late to grab it up!

Anonymous asked: Hi there Kay, I was just wondering where you tend to do your "thrifting" here in Canada?


I search craigslist quite a bit (scored my bamboo chair on cl) and one of my favourite thrift stores is GUFF - they get great items and the prices are pretty fair. Occasionally I'll stop at a yard sale or two in the warmer months (scored this and this at one). But, by far, my favourite place to thrift is my local Value Village. The majority of things I've found & blogged I've found there. If you want to know which VV email me as I'd like it to remain my little hidden place :) but here's a tip: when going to the bigger chain thrift stores like Goodwill or Value Village go to the ones that AREN'T in the trendy/hip areas. Usually thrift stores in trendy/hip/fashionable areas have NOTHING and if they do get something worth salvaging it's gone in the blink of an eye. People in those areas know what they have and aren't likely to just give it away. However, if you go to one that isn't necessarily in the most fashionable area...or one in the suburbs - you'll find great stuff because usually people don't know what they have and just give it away. Or it's people (older or younger) cleaning out their attic/basement and getting rid of 'junk' or their grandparents stuff...that's when you find amazing stuff at even more amazing prices!


Whew! That was fun. If any of you have any more questions feel free to ask & I'll answer them in the future.

Sorri

I, for one, hate when blogs I enjoy aren't updated frequently. When bloggers seemingly all of a sudden drop off the face of the earth for days...let alone weeks (and in some cases months!). But, like every blogger who's neglected their blog for a while, life happened/happens. I've just been really uninspired lately in anything to do with decor (the HORROR! lol) or DIY and as a result have majorily neglected my blog. My little blog that I really do enjoy so much and have met such wonderful people, if only virtually, through. I have been reading YOUR blogs but haven't really been commenting much (so NOT like me).

But I feel something shifting. Maybe it's the nice weather...the approach of Spring. The vibrant colourful pictures of interiors that are starting to pop up everywhere...yup, I'm starting to feel re-inspired...and crafty.

So I hope you're still here & reading because I feel the blog posts coming on...

image found here

One More Time

Last time asking. I promise.

If you haven't yet voted, or even if you have, can you please vote (again?). Maybe a couple of times in a row? They'll all count.

Here's the link.

I'm #131.

I'd really appreciate it.

Voting closes at Noon today.

Thank you (& thank you so much to everyone who's already voted!)

So You're Not Confused...

How's your new year going so far?

I thought since I now have 2 blogs I should do a quick post letting you all know what you can expect going forward here on Apartment #412. Apartment #412 will be for anything I blog related to decorating my apartment, decorating in general, thrifting & my DIYs. So if that's what you mostly come here for - please continue to visit because I'll be posting! I imagine I'll be posting here 2-3x a week.

Ice Cream & Peonies, my new blog, will be for everything else. It's really a more personal blog that will not only document the changes I hope to make this year (my year of action) but also random musings on things going on in my life and my thoughts on everything from style to music. For example the post Breath. Just Breath would definitely go on Ice Cream & Peonies. So if you'd like to know more about the person behind the blog - Ice Cream & Peonies is the place. I'm aiming to post there at least 4x a week.

Or you can just read both ;)

So I hope this doesn't totally confuse any of you readers/followers! If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments or email me.

Now...if you'd like to see my New Year Resolutions click here.

3...2...1...

However you decide to spend tonight counting down - I wish all of you, my lovely blog readers, the most fantastic night and a Happy New Year! Thank you for making me and my blog, in some way, a tiny part of your daily (or weekly) lives.

I, for one, am ready to say au revoir to to 2009 and welcome 2010 with enthusiasm, hope, and open arms. I would jot down a few of my resolutions here but I think I've decided to start a 2nd blog that will be a touch more personal and will focus on me going after 2010 and making it my year of action. I'm looking forward to it!

3...2...1....

ETA
psssssssst check out my new blog Ice Cream & Peonies

Design Resolutions for 2010

Inspired by Kristin's Design Resolutions series over on the blog Discover: Interior Design, I thought it would be fun to come up with my own set of design resolutions for 2010. Like Kristin, this works perfectly for me not so much because I'm into making "resolutions" but because I'm very much into writing down goals and to-do lists. I'm all about lists. Seriously.

So after some thought & just in time for the New Year, here are my Design (& design related) Resolutions for 2010.

1. Decorate my bedroom. It's the one space in my apartment that I have not touched. It's desperately crying out for attention and direction and now that I've found the perfect fabric for the headboard I'm excited to get started.

2. Open an Etsy shop and sell some of the vintage home accessories I often find while thrifting (but don't have room for). I know I mentioned it in my last post but I'm quite excited about it and as such decided it deserved being included here.

3. Incorporate more ethnic/global items into my decor. My intention has always been to have a space that is not only modern comfortable but also reflects my love of travel and interest in other cultures. "Global Casual." I've been in my apartment since February '09 and it was/is my first space. Since I was starting from scratch most of '09 was spent laying the foundation. Now that I have most of the big items I want to really bring in artwork, fabrics, and accents that have that global feel.

4. Get proper curtains for my living room. I should be embarrassed that one window still has a blanket at it - but I'm not. I've been searching high and low for affordable gray linen curtains but haven't had any luck - I may have to suck it up and get some made.

5. Finish my canvas artwork. It's been over a year and while I like it as is...it's time.

6. Figure out what the hell to do on this wall. It is totally blank and while sometimes it doesn't bother me, sometimes it does. I've thought about a thin console with either large art or a large mirror but then...I dunno. Then I've thought about an upholstered bench so I could put bags down when I come in the door or sit down while putting on shoes or something...but I dunno. I don't want it to feel cluttered but it needs something.

So there you have it. Do you have any design resolutions? I'd love to hear them - either in the comments below or on your own blog :)

photo #2 seen in Domino. Designed by Sara Story.

Monday Morning Randomness

I imagine most of you are still getting over the long weekend and holiday festivities - while gearing up for the big countdown this Friday, so I'll keep things light and easy to digest.

First, I seriously want this Coach tote:

As seen on Karla's Closet

It's the Kristin Zip Top Tote and it comes in a variety of colours. It would be perfect for work & play. Definitely on my "to buy" list.

Next up - poached eggs. Thanks to Smitten Kitchen I can now make a perfectly poached egg. This makes me all kinds of happy and I frequently tweet pics of my little perfect poached eggs. I imagine if you follow me on twitter you're sick of hearing about them but here's one more:

Yummy...

Anna of Door Sixteen, a blog I adore, has a new project! She and her husband are renting a 400 square foot pied-a-terre in Manhattan that she will be decorating and fixing up. She has impeccable taste and takes DIY renovation to another level so I'm very excited to see what she does with this small rental space. As a fellow renter living in a small space - I can't wait to read along! I'm sure I'll be borrowing some ideas...

Anna's new rental apartment - such great bones!

Lastly, I know I've previously questioned whether I should open an Etsy shop or not - selling some of the vintage items I find while thrifting. Well, a few weeks ago I had a dream I opened a successful Etsy shop with a quirky name...so it's decided. Early 2010 I'm opening an Etsy shop!

I'll be stocking quality vintage accessories for the home. Very excited. Too bad the name is already taken [in my dream it was Three Ring Circus] so I'll have to come up with something else. I'll be sure to keep you all updated as things come along.

Actually, one more thing. My little blog has been nominated for a homie award over on Apartment Therapy in the Home Design Category. If you're up for it - please pop over and leave a vote for me. Only if you want to :) At the very least just check it out to discover some awesome blogs. I've found some great new ones.

To vote click here. Then click the little house icon beside Apartment 412.

So that's it for today. Easy peasy reading :) Happy Monday!