These are a few of my favourite things

It’s been a while since I did a “favourite things” post. Here are some of the things I’m loving…

Purple & cowhide & rhinos, oh my!

This may be my most favourite kitchen. Ever. Mark & Duncan & Dale designed this amazing kitchen on The Block All Stars. The lower cabinets and island are glossy augergine. BEYOND COOL!

The cowhide backsplash is so funky and unique (although I would have used a cowhide print, not the real thing).

And this rhino art is awesome! I also love the combination of the old wood church pew with the modern glass table and Eames Eiffel chairs.

Images via e & s trading, Jeld-Wen, The Block Shop

Australians know how to do kitchens right!

Artist Christina Baker

I love discovering new-to-me artists – Christina Baker is my latest art crush. She’s located in Tennessee, and she paints gorgeous abstracts in the most beautiful soft colours…

Basket of Kisses

 Cake Batter Ice Cream

 Blue Rain

Lipstick Love

  Suntan Lotion

All images are from Christina's Facebook page. She also writes a blog.

Dog people

Yesterday afternoon, I saw this picture & caption on Facebook:

Being put down today.

This cute guy was at the vet clinic waiting to be euthanized. Why? There was no space for him. My heart just sank, as did many other hearts – the flurry of messages that followed was just incredible. People offered to transport him to safety, to donate money for boarding, anything they could to do help save this dog. And after what was a very stressful afternoon for everyone involved, Gloria at Catahoula Rescue Ontario, Susan in Ohio, and Marshall County Animal Shelter in Kentucky worked out a way to save him.

This boy is one of the lucky ones – there are soooooooo many sweet dogs out there who aren’t saved. If you can volunteer at a local shelter, foster, transport, or make a donation to a local shelter or rescue group, you’ll be helping to save lives. And believe me, there’s no better feeling in the world.

Image via Cactus Thorns

Current food addition – veggie wraps & hummus

I came across this recipe for nori veggie wraps at A House in the Hills and had to try it – hummus and veggies all rolled up together into a neat little package, how could you go wrong?!

I didn’t have nori on hand the first time I made these rolls, but I was totally psyched to try them so I used rice paper instead. And they were YUMMY! I bought nori and used it the second time, but I decided that I prefer the rolls made with rice paper – nori has a fishy taste & smell that I didn’t like with the veggie flavours.

Click here to check out my go-to hummus recipe from Zahra at Edible Moments (who I just now realized is in Ottawa too!)

FYI, these rolls are also good with refried beans instead of hummus – you know, in case you have leftover refried beans from your Mexican meal the night before ;-)

These are a few of my favourite things

Dreamy kitchen

I can’t find one thing in this kitchen that I don’t love – check out the awesome La Cornue stove & vent, the huge wood island (doesn’t it look like a giant piece of furniture), the gorgeous rustic wood flooring, and whatever that is on the ceiling.

The gorgeous windows and mirrored corner cabinet are the icing on the kitchen cake.

I have no idea where these pictures originated. I keep hitting dead ends every time I do a search. If you know the source, please let me know so I can link them up properly.

Best. Pancakes. Ever.

Just in time for Pancake Tuesday – Janet & Greta Podleski’s Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce are the best pancakes I’ve ever had. They taste even better when hubby makes them :-) These two ladies work some serious magic in the kitchen. If you don’t have their cookbooks, go out and buy one or two or all four. The Looneyspoons Collection is their latest and probably their best book.

PARA Paints Potion

If you read my blog last week or follow me on Facebook, you know I’ve been trying to choose a paint colour for the loft. PARA Paints Rainy Skies ended up the winner (although it wasn’t even in the running till Saturday). But I’m seriously in love with the runner-up, Potion. The only reason I didn’t choose it for the loft is because it’s probably a tad bit too dark. These are the three finalists – from left to right Potion, Ageless Rockies, and Rainy Skies.

But Potion is still going to make its way into the loft – here’s an in-progress peek at a little project I’m working on… (do you like my flowery drop sheet? :-)

Peonies 2

I fell in love with this painting by Susan Bailie as soon as I saw it on her Art Walls Facebook page. And now it’s sitting on my purple cabinet just waiting to be hung on the wall above it :-) I tried to get a good picture, but the camera just can’t capture the amazing texture and depth and sparkle from the foil.

And hopefully later today or tomorrow, I’ll be adding our newly painted loft to my list of favourite things – pics coming soon!

These are a few of my favourite things

Here’s another instalment of my favourite things…

Natural Formation

The latest addition to my art collection – Natural Formation by Sharon Bratcher Cummings. Sharon is an amazing artist, and she has a really diverse collection of work. You can find her on Facebook, Etsy, Yessy, and Fine Art America. Thank you Sharon for all of your beautiful art!

Velvet Feathers

I’m madly in love with this fabric, Velvet Feathers. The design is a collaboration between Jim Thompson Fabric and David Rockwell. I bet it costs a whack of money, but I need this fabric somewhere in my house!

The Bright Box

My blog friend Carol from The Design Pages has started a new business selling Bright Box products. She’s been having giveaways on her Bright Box Facebook page, and I won this great collection. It’s taking all of my willpower to not eat the cupcake, which is actually a bath bomb! ;-) Thank you Carol!

Blackberry fruit-pigment mascara

And while we’re on the topic of makeup, I love this amazing mascara that I found at terra20. It’s from 100% Pure and is made from berry juices. Not only is Blackberry purple, it smells amazing! I always take a sniff of the wand as it goes past my nose to my eye :-) The mascara also comes in Black Tea, Blueberry, and Dark Chocolate.

Anthony

Late last night, I picked up our new foster dog, Anthony :-) Although I’m thinking we may call him Hooch. He’s very quiet and pretty shy, but he seems to be warming up to us. Not sure if the worried look on his face is because he’s actually worried or because that’s just how he looks :-)

Hope you’re having a great weekend! Mine’s been pretty awesome so far :-)