Spend Some Time This Weekend...

"Spend some time this weekend on home improvement; improve your attitude towards your family."
-Bo Bennet

Unlike that quote, I already have a wonderful attitude toward my family. They are supportive, encouraging, loving and always a good time. Seriously, ask anyone, they are always the life of the party and often make other people's family seem just a little bit dull. My family is very important to me, and I don't know what I would do without them.

I took possession of my house six days ago...in six days I have managed, with my cleaning, painting and fixing crew to wash all the walls, paint all of the base boards, pick up some trees, squeeze a dresser into my car, paint two rooms and apply beautiful wall paper to an accent wall. I know I am missing a few things as well. Is that making anyone else tired?! Tomorrow will be day number three of paint-mania on Central Ave. It is looking amazing. I owe a massive shout out and thank you to my mom, aunt Liz, sister Sarah, Adam, Sean and Ang for all the work the last few days. I also owe a massive thanks to my dad, my grandparents, my uncles John and Peter and everyone already listed above for all the support in this massive endeavor.

I look forward to sharing all my projects over the next bit with all of you...yes before and afters are totally in the works! For now, here is a sneak peek! Enjoy!
-m

Poor lighting, but sneak at dining room...

Hot mess, yes. But look past the clutter to see aviator silver walls and a beauty of a staircase!

Big Doors...

"Big doors swing on little hinges.."- W. Clement Stone

With the closing of my house quickly approaching (four days, but I am not counting...), it is all I can seem to think about. I catch myself staring off in space wondering what it costs to re-finish hardwood floors in a middle aged home. I fall asleep worrying about water pressure, mortgages and heating costs. Everywhere I go I notice shutters, landscaping and paint colors...it is becoming a bit much. I have most of it figured out, but recently made a major change to my long term plan. I always wanted a red door. Classic, simple, elegant and the perfect pop on a white house with black trim (like my close to retirement home has!). I have loved red doors for as long as I can remember so that was my more than obvious choice. That is till my mother came over and threw teal, periwinkle blue and magenta into the mix. I am not a boring person, so why should my house be boring? Right now I am leaning toward bright pink. Fabulous right?! Sure, my neighbors may hate me, think I am the crazy girl with the pink door but who cares! I work hard and am a young lady buying a house on her own, who says it can't be a Barbie Dream House....

Bam!

Sometimes Good Things...

Quote for the long weekend.....

"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.."-Marilyn Monroe

High Heels Were Invented...

"High heels were invented by a woman who was tired of being kissed on the forehead"-Christopher Morley

Shoes, we all know I love shoes. I was born into it, I can't help it! My uncle has the best shoe store ever, most successful per square foot in Canada..sigh and his window displays still make me stop short even though I should be immune to the power of beautiful shoes by now. But no, I am drawn right in, where I lust over patent leather, cork soled wedges and all the metals that are so trendy this spring. I think I have a disease. I am ok with that though, if my only vice and favorite pass time is to swoon over elegant and fabulous footwear, I think I may survive.

Here is my must have list of shoes. Every girl should have this collection...I am still working on it!

Black Pump.... Goes with anything and is always in the fashion. They have been around forever and a classic like this is the same as a little black dress, you can't go wrong! Patent leather is my fav, but you can mix it up with a heavier heel or a peep toe! BCBG and Michael Kors always have fun spins on this old time favorite!

Nude...I don't care if it is a pump,a wedge or a flat, a nude shoe is classic and can help make your legs look leaner and longer! Try Arturo Chaing or J Renne!

Cork Sole Wedge....How perfect for scooting around the hills of Halifax with a summer dress, shorts or cropped pants! They can still be casual and give you height with comfort. Every summer I buy a new pair and wear them every day for a couple of months. I am not exaggerating! Marc Fisher is my go to summer cork, I think I am on my fourth pair!

Sandal.... I am not talking about your reef flip-flops here people. I am talking a casual and cute sandal that you can pop on to go to the beach or for a walk in the park...maybe even toss around a Frisbee. Onyx are number one for cute and casual!

Comfortable Flat....This is something I have just begun to embrace. Standing under five feet and being able to hop, skip and jump my way across town in even the highest of shoes (I have a talent!), flats were of little use to me. That is until I realized I was being a shoe snob and that they are comfy, perfect to throw on with anything and can be so sweet on they make my teeth ache. Hush Puppies and Miz Mooz give you a middle ground of comfort and fashion!

Drama Shoe....This can be a show stopper! Drama, drama, drama! Think fun colors, bold patterns, glitter, metallic, whatever your little heart desires! This kind of shoe can take a LBD and turn it from feh to fab. Just like red lipstick can make jeans and a plain t-shirt look pulled together. Try BCBG, Michael Kors, Jessica Simpson or Guess for this pop!

Check out John David Shoes for all the above listed brands, with a massive selection! Here are a few of my favorite finds for spring 2012! Enjoy!
-m