Marketplace: Coffee Time

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How much coffee do you drink per day? I drink it pretty regularly. Two lattes, to be precise. I have one in the morning with breakfast and another mid-morning at work. On some days, I might sneak in an extra espresso, cappuccino, or a drip coffee, but these aren’t part of my regular routine. I enjoy more than just the taste of coffee – I like the whole coffee making and drinking experience. Yes, I know, I’m particular. I’m happy to drink it in various forms, but nothing so jazzy – just coffee and milk. That’s that.

A while back, my ol’ classic Braun carafe broke, and I was bummed. I debated replacing just the carafe, but then I thought that an investment in a new, programmable coffee maker might be a wise move.

When I reached out to Bed Bath & Beyond, the company has generously offered to send me a shiny new machine to solve my lack-of-drip-coffee-machine problem (Yay! Thanks so much BB&B!). Here are the ones that I’m considering.

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KitchenAid 12-cup coffee maker, Krups 12-cup Savoy, Cuisinart Brew Central, Cuisinart 12-cup coffee maker

Do you have any of them? If so, please share your review!

While all of these coffee makers have received good reviews online, I am mostly drawn to the KitchenAid 12-cup coffee maker and the Cuisinart Brew Central. Here is my thinking – the KitchenAid is white, I’ve had good luck with KitchenAid, and it would match my trusty stand mixer. The Cuisinart Brew Central has received great reviews, and my sister and brother-in-law have had this machine for 10 years (ten!). The stainless Cuisinart would match my stainless fridge.

What do you think I should go for?

Thanks again to Bed Bath & Beyond for sponsoring this post (and my coffee habit)! Thanks, Leah, for your help in arranging this!

The Friday Five: Needham Lane’s Sleepwear

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You say pyjama. I say pajama. Pyjama. Pajama. … I couldn’t help but start this post with that line! I hope it got you singing along (if not, watch this or that)!

Who doesn’t love a new pyjama? Am I right? I adore pyjama sets, and so when I happened upon Needham Lane‘s many pyjama sets, I was easily drawn into its website. The Massachusetts-based company makes apparel, sleepwear, and accessories in lovely fabrics and patterns. When I dug a little deeper, I learned that Needham Lane is just a hop-skip-and-jump away from a camp I used to work at in the Berkshires. Not only that, but when I got chatting with the owners, we realized that we are also connected via southwestern Ontario. Small world, I say!

But enough about our connections, let me just show you five of my top picks from Needham Lane‘s current sleepwear collection, okay?

Logan_Black_LS_flat_1280__86042.1441302015.1280.1280

Logan black long sleeve pajama

Madison_Fuchsia_1280__92230.1440791335.1280.1280

Madison fuchsia short sleeve capri pajama

Pippa_Kimono_Aqua_manne_1280__29299.1441301713.1280.1280

Pippa aqua kimono robe

Logan_Black_NS_flat_1280__46310.1441303707.1280.1280

Logan black nightshirt

Maxwell_LS_shorty_1280__69620.1454018058.1280.1280

Maxwell long sleeve shorty pajama

They’re pretty and delicate, aren’t they? I’m not the only one to think so! Needham Lane has been featured in many popular print publications, including O Magazine, Self, Vogue Latin America, and People (see more press).

In addition to its sleepwear line, Needham lane has colourful accessories (apparently the slippers are quite popular) and pretty vacation-worthy apparel (e.g., this tunic).

Needham Lane sent over a few items for me to try (thanks, Needham Lane!), so I can vouch for the fabric, fit, and style. The pyjamas are made in India of soft, delicate fabrics; the detailing – e.g., cuff sleeves, piping – really add to the interest of the sets. In the weeks ahead, I’ll share a bit more about Needham Lane, so stay tuned.

Hotel to Home: Stripes in Rio

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How did you like the first edition of my new Hotel to Home series? Last week, we travelled to Portugal’s Farol Hotel. It has stunning views and fresh interiors, doesn’t it? Well, you might need to put your dream vacation to Portugal on hold while I take you to this bold hotel in Rio de Janeiro.

copacabana-by-dussolCopacabana By Dussol, Rio de Janeiro

Are you digging the stripes and the bold black and white? If so, here are some things you can do to transport this look into your own home:

White-Cabana-Hotel-to-home-Rio

striped wallpaper, pillows, lamp, side table, bed linens, art, art

What do you think of the stripes in this room design? Could you live with them? In your bedroom?

Design: NewWall Wallpaper Designs

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My friend Tim works so well with wallpaper*. Christine does, too**. Me, on the other hand? Not so much.

I was basically traumatized when I moved into my own home 2.5 years ago, and I had to spend hours (and hours and hours) peeling off old wallpaper from my bathroom walls. It was absolutely a big pain in my arse.

And then there’s the ol’ commitment issue. If I install wallpaper, that would mean I’d have to commit to it. For a long while. Yikes!

So, why, you may ask, am I writing about wallpaper today? Well, let me tell you! While I do not like paper in my own home, I am definitely impressed by the art of wallpaper. There are so many beautiful prints out there that put a smile on my face, that make me curious, that make me contemplate wallpaper’s uses, and that demonstrate people’s creativity. It’s amazing, really.

When I came across NewWall’s Holden anchor print, I needed to have it. I’m going to turn it into a non-permanent work of art for my parents’ condo in Florida, and it’s going to look fabulous up on the wall. Holden is from NewWall‘s Abnormals Anonymous collection, and it’s such an amusing collection, that I thought I’d share it here.

Bruce_men_in_blackBruce – Men in Black

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Buggie – Men in Black

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Ernest – Gulfstream

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Gossip – Men in Black

MrBlow_bone_thugs_harmony

Mr. Blow – Bone Thugs & Harmony

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Wheel of Fortune – Concrete Jungle

I’m also surprisingly keen on the vibrant Lobby – Red Pepper lobster pattern. If I lived on the east coast, I would just have to put this in a sweet powder room.

If you’re interested in seeing more cool wallpaper patterns, I encourage you to check out NewWall.

*See Tim‘s recent feature in Style at Home magazine.
**Peak inside Christine’s office.

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