CHIC SHACK || upstairs hallway art project

The time has come to drag you all in to my twisted  web of indecision that is our upstairs hallway art project.  These walls couldn’t be calling out any louder for some pretty pals to join them, but thanks to my innate ability to research and mull over every option available on planet earth, they’ve been lonely for some time.

This is what the hallway looks like now, there are 2 prime spaces for some big size beauties  (the other plot is to the right of this wall, separated by a door).  Directly across the way is the staircase and my most favourite, monochromo graphic wallpaper adorning the wall leading upstairs.

So here we are...of course my natural (some may say boring) instinct is to gravitate towards something black and white, but I think I need to spice it up. Here are 3 fab options; help me pick!

 If I’ve learned anything about myself during the decorating process it’s that I’m OBSESSED with animal art, statues and accessories of all kinds, so these stunning beasts are definite contenders.

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But then there's my obsession with doors. These are colourful and glammy with their pretty accents, a pop of colour might be what the design doctor ordered?                                                                              via via

And lastly, some retro looking pics of Palm Springs (Joshua Tree Park) our honeymoon hot spot and a more natural option, these trees are soooo cool!

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So there you have it, 3 very different pairs that I totally adore, I just can't make up my mind. What do you think?

P.S Happy long weekend to my Canadian pals, enjoy!

FETE || stylish outdoor entertaining

Hi lovelies, just wanted to share a few quick pics with you from last night's Palm Springs inspired dinner party; it was the first time we've used the new backyard to host a dinner (promise pics of the yard are coming soon).

We were celebrating summer and couldn't have asked for more perfect weather, although I did ask the weather gods several times to please keep the rain away, it worked.

This was the scene...

Black, white and yellow with a splash of pink was the palette I played with, of course. The table seats 8 but was set for 6 and still a tight squeeze, but it seemed to work. I ended up making a table runner from fabric I had leftover from our wedding (cheated a little and only ironed the edges flat, it actually held together well, great shortcut if you don't like to sew).

Any excuse to craft, I'm on it, so I picked up these cute anchor stamps and some scrapbook paper from Michaels and made these little cards to bring some pink and whimsy into the table setting.

The flowers were meant to be bright and have a California feel to them. The market I go to didn't have the billy balls I desperately wanted, so I grabbed these nifty things, thought they fit the bill.

The menu was simple but risky; don't ask me why I decided to try 3 new recipes in a dinner party setting, I usually test them before hand to make sure they're up to snuff.  This time I just went with it and everyone seemed to like the food, and drinks of course were cold and plentiful :)

The menu; Citrus Marinated Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Pineapple to start, Arugula, Potato and Green Bean Salad, a Smitten Kitchen recipe (so amazing, it was totally delish) and Teriyaki Flank Steak (a fave amongst the group). 

For dessert these super refreshing, light and flavourful Strawberry Paletas I saw in Sweet Paul . TO.DIE.FOR! 

We laughed, we chatted, to be honest most of us were tired from work, but it was a relaxed evening and always great to get together

At the end of the night we lit up the fire and toasted marshmallows; our friends brought over a s'mores kit that came complete with sticks to put the marshies on, genius.

This was first of many summer backyard dinner parties in our household. Now, I'm on to the next, Canada Day party planning; was there a hostess badge in Girl Guides? I would have totally earned that one ;) ! Have a wonderful long weekend!

FETE || backyard dinner party inspiration

Happy first day of summer! The weather here in the Tdot is perfectly suited for this special day as it’s a scorching 43 degrees C (110 F)!  To celebrate the first official day of summer I tried to organize a big bash with friends; that went over like a lead balloon. All of my lovely pals had prior engagements such as traveling to Scandinavia, New York City and Vancouver, ya I guess these trump our backyard party ;). It’s a busy time of year as we all know, but I’ve managed to round up a few of our besties for a more intimate dinner party next week instead.

I’m sticking to the summery theme and will be stylin’ it up like a Palm Springs dream. As you will notice almost all of my parties, décor items, inspirations and loves are somehow related to the Palm Springs aesthetic; every time I try to veer away I end up back where I started, oh well I love so let’s roll with it.

Here’s what I’m thinking, a playful and coulourful palette with a summery menu to compliment.

I’m going to attempt to make these delicious looking ice pops from this month’s Sweet Paul mag.

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This will be our first official dinner party in the new yard – which I haven’t fully shown you yet, I was waiting until we had the trees planted to take the “after” pics, but we aren’t moving quickly on that so I’ll work on pics next week for the reveal! 

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And so it’s official, summer is here, time to let your hair go wavy and put the champagne on ice, let’s celebrate!