It’s amazing what some people can do with paper. Case in point:
Asya Kozina‘s creations are just unbelievable.
Images via Behance.
How is everyone liking my new Two for Tuesday column? Hopefully you find it amusing. Today, I’m taking you into the kitchen with a high/low comparison.
kitchen cart, $239.99, Wayfair
Stenstorp kitchen island, $499CAD, Ikea
The lady with the glasses. That’s how I know many people describe Iris Apfel. She’s been in the fashion and design industries for just about ever. While I’ve known a bit about her for a while now, I didn’t really know what she did – or still does – in fashion and design until I watched the Iris Apfel documentary and learned quite a bit.
Iris is such an eclectic lady who has quite the collection of clothes and jewelry. I’m impressed at how she stacks her necklaces and bangles and everything just magically works. Her style is completely unique.
It’s rare (as far as I can tell) to see Iris in an all-white ensemble because she’s all about colour, but she’s all-in-white in Kate Spade’s spring campaign. So fun!
I first met Elaine of Cambridge, Ontario’s From the Potting Shed a couple of months ago at Langdon Hall. I was in love with so many of the arrangements she and her team made for Langdon’s wedding open house, and I wanted to see more. So…I recently headed over to her studio space, and after driving up the long country drive, I found myself in another world. From the Potting Shed took me back to France, in fact! The lavender, the terracotta, the casualness of linen coverings, and beautiful copper pots all reminded me of being in France.
I was warmly welcomed by Elaine and her team (hi team!), and I went exploring around the studio. Considering the recent snowfall and freezing rain we’ve had this week in Waterloo, I thought it was perfectly appropriate to share some floral gorgeousness this Friday. Shall I fill you in on five things that I learned about From the Potting Studio?
1. I loved all the flowering trees that Elaine had scattered throughout the studio.
2. The dining space in the studio included one of Elaine’s signature flower garlands (or trains!) across the fireplace mantle. So beautiful! 
3. Elaine does quite a bit of work with lavender. From sachets to wreaths to bouquets, if you’re looking for lavender, this is the place to come!
4. From the Potting Shed offers many floral design workshops through its School of Flowers certificate program (I’m attending one in May, so I’ll be sure to report back!). These workshops are ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about floral design, but it would also be a fun activity for mother’s day or a celebration with bridesmaids.
5. In addition to the School of Flowers, Elaine and her team host a set of cool events throughout the year. I’ve got my eye on the Champagne Garden Party in June!
If you’re planning your upcoming wedding and you’re still looking for a florist, I would encourage you to meet with Elaine at her next Wedding Open House (March 19-20) and learn more about her wedding services.
For everyone else who is not getting married, but who wants to be surrounded by beauty, visit From the Potting Shed.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Thanks again, Elaine, for being such a gracious host! Thanks also to Simon, Greg, and the floral team for adding to the fun of the afternoon!
Between my own nephews and nieces and all of my friends’ babies, I have bought so many baby gifts over the last decade or so. Like many areas of my life, I approach baby gift buying quite simply. When the babies started coming, I thought carefully about what my favourite items were, and then I basically resorted to buying them in bulk. Honestly. Today I’m sharing with you some of my signature baby gift items; they seem to be well-received by babies and parents alike.
Jellycat stuffed animals are the softest, and the faces are super sweet. I tend to buy a lamb or a bunny, but lately I’ve picked up the giraffe, and I just love it. There are so many good chewing options for babies…ribbons, tails, arms…awesome! I’ve got my eye on the unicorn and owl, too. I do tend to stay away from the bear…it’s just a bit too classic for my taste.
I always buy books for babies and kids. Reading is one of the single most important things that people can do for and with kids, in my opinion, and I do my part to encourage it! My all-time favourite book for babies/toddlers/kids is Each Peach Pear Plum. This was my favourite book as a young kid, and it gives the reader so much to look at and learn!
Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg
I also buy just about any Dr. Seuss book, but Green Eggs and Ham remains my all-time favourite.
For one-year olds, I often buy One by Kathryn Otoshi. It’s a beautiful book with sweet, simple watercolour artwork.
Now that my friends’ babies are turning two, I’ve started buying Two by Kathryn Otoshi in bulk. Why ruin a good thing, right? 
I also find Press Here by Herve Tullet to be an exceptionally fun book and any kid that I have given it to seems to have really enjoyed it (two others in the collection are Mix it Up! and Let’s Play). For Christmas, I sent my nephews and niece a bunch of Laura Ljungkivst’s Follow the Line books, and they seem to have liked them quite a bit. I’m also always on the lookout for Barbapapa books (in French, English, or Italian) for my nephews and niece; I love the creativity of these stories.
Do you have signature gifts for babies, toddlers, kids, or others? Do tell!
Update: