You really don’t want to hear me sing. But I really do love karaoke!
White Microphone Karaoke Party Box, £49.99
Celebration
This cake is so lovely. That Martha does it yet again!
Thanks to Adrienne for sending this my way.
It’s a perfect night to get your baking on and feed your sweet tooth with a lollipop, cookie or a fun themed cupcake- costume not required!
Lollipop from Crate & Barrel
White chocolate ghosts via Martha Stewart
Fondant ghost recipe via Martha Stewart
Scary pear heads recipe via Martha Stewart
Ha ha ha…bone china. Clever.
Phoebe Richardson stackable skeleton coffee mugs, $88, via Far Fetch
My fall decor this year consists of a cake plate piled high with little white(ish) pumpkins. I like to keep things simple as you could probably imagine.
Jordana’s pumpkin collection
When I have people over for dinner though I might just have to replicate the tablescape that Shannon created in her home.
via AKA Design
It’s so inviting, don’t you think?
West Elm is still quite well-stocked for Halloween and so if you waited this long to purchase Halloween decor items then you’ll now be able to benefit from the sales!
skull mask, $2.04, West Elm
hanging skeleton people, $10.23 each, West Elm
skull candle, $10.23, West Elm
bone bottle opener, $6.14, West Elm
teeth bottle opener, West Elm
Happy Friday and have a great weekend!
Okay, Halloween is two weeks away so I guess I am finally ready to start talking and writing about it. You might not be able to buy a fancy costume for less than $20 these days but you sure can get a ghostly treat bag!
Ghost treat bag, $17.72, Pottery Barn Kids
I am so happy to reveal White Cabana’s new look! It’s a bit more sleek and a bit more white (yes!).
There are a few more things to work out over the next little but for now please note that the new web address is whitecabana.com.
I would like to extend some very heartfelt thank you to some people who have helped make this all possible:
Shannon from AKA Design – Thanks for convincing me that a blog redesign was something that I could actually handle. It worked! Thanks also for taking the time out of your very busy life to answer my questions!
Patricia from Mira Belleza – Thanks for designing such a beautiful site…and for answering my ongoing list of questions.
The Namespro team – Thanks for making the blog transfer process so easy. Your technical support team was so incredibly supportive and clearly answered my never-ending questions!
(Is anyone noticing a theme here – my questions!?)
White Cabana’s fabulous contributors – Johanne, Mackenzie & Troy – thanks for being an awesome and very intelligent team!
My family – Thanks for giving me the thumbs up on all the blog design previews I sent you!
White Cabana’s readers – Thanks to you for stopping by the blog on a daily basis! I am so happy to share my love of white with all of you!
And before I leave you to enjoy a very lovely Monday, here’s a look back at White Cabana’s style…
White Cabana – the original header designed by Johanne
White Cabana – live until October 2012
White Cabana – live since October 2012
What have you got planned for Labor Day today? A BBQ with family and friends perhaps?
Enjoy a wonderful day!
If you’ve been following regularly then you know that I love singing the praises of my extra talented group of friends. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by generous, honest, intelligent and kind-hearted people. Yes, indeed! Last month for my birthday my friend Suparna wrote me a sweet little poem. I asked her permission to share it here.
Through meadows green, on stones so clean
Skips the birthday girl
A calm day down Forest Way
She pauses at the door with a curl.
Why so quiet? One cannot deny it
The elf that lives within
Generally sings with tones that ring
Clattering pots and cups of tin.
She says, “Hello?” and feels she must go
But stops when she senses the smell
Of freshly baked cake and all that would make
A girl enter without ringing the bell.
It was dark inside, enough to hide
A GREAT BIG elvin party
Who flipped on the lights and screamed with DELIGHT,
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDANA GARBATI!”
While my birthday has passed, I just love re-reading this made-for-me poem. Thanks Suparna!
p.s. Not only can Suparna write and rhyme, but she also coaches a Quidditch team for her students in Singapore. She has yet to tell me exactly how she goes about this!
Hey! It’s my birthday! Hooray!
via A Beach Cottage
No sleeping in for me today. I’ve got people to see and places to go and cake to eat!
My father turns 54 today and, like many people his age, he is constantly complaining about how “he’s getting so oldâ€. Well, I believe that if you live your life to the fullest, acquire many interests, and just enjoy life there is no reason to complain about how old you are.
After all – your age is just a number!
To celebrate my dad’s birthday I’m sharing five things that my dad enjoys.
Happy birthday Dad!
xo
Mackenzie
Happy birthday to my nephew Reef who turns two today! He currently loves singing along to the chorus of Foster the People’s Pumped Up Kicks but he/his mom has changed the words just slightly…you better run, better run, faster than the ducky. I wish I had a recording to share on the blog. It’s pretty adorable!
Mackenzie celebrated an important birthday over the weekend…and I’m sure she is still celebrating for the rest of this week so I don’t feel so bad about the delay of this happy birthday post!
I’m so glad you’re part of the White Cabana team Mackenzie! Happy belated birthday!
xoxo
J
Dear Jeff,
I hope you and your Apple products family have a wonderful day celebrating your very special birthday!
xo
J
Hi Dad. I know it’s early in the morning and you’re reading the blog. I posted this extra early just so that it would be here as soon as you logged on. Surprise!
cast iron French oven, Le Creuset
I know you’re going to enjoy putting your new Le Creuset to good use in your new kitchen!
Happy Birthday Dad!
xo
J
While I feel happy and very lucky to celebrate today with my mom here in London, I can’t help but think about my cousins who lost their mother this past fall. The new normal is certainly difficult to get used to. My thoughts and hugs go out to A & M today.
via MamaTita
xoxo
Love, J.
Ah…Monday morning. I’m feeling a bit jealous of those people who have an extra day off today!
This weekend I learned that when my mom was growing up in Italy, Easter Monday – la Pasquetta – was a day for packing up the Easter Sunday leftovers and taking them to a space al fresco (outdoors) to have a picnic with family and friends.
I think Lorea Sinclaire’s Tiffin lunch kit would be perfect for a beautiful Easter Monday picnic, don’t you? Mind you – the way Italians tend to feast, we would need quite a few of these!
The Tiffin Lunch Kit by Canadian artist Lorea Sinclaire, photo taken at IDS2012 by Jordana
I would love to continue this tradition but work calls instead. How about you? Do you have the day off today? What are your plans?
p.s. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this Italian tradition before yesterday.
It’s my oldest nephew’s birthday day. He’s three and he loves (loves, loves, loves) trains…especially Percy…
Percy is the Number 6 green engine. He’s one of Thomas’ friends.
Happy Birthday Duke!
p.s. I don’t have kids but it’s amazing how much I’ve learned about Thomas and Friends over the past year from my now three year old nephew!
One of our favourite eco-friendly Canadian stationery companies, Artistry Cards, has recently released a couple of sweet cards for Easter.
Origami Rabbits Easter Card, $4, Artistry Cards
Easter Egg Card, $4, Artistry Cards
Easter cards, $4 each, Artistry Cards
Good news! Artistry Cards is offering White Cabana readers a 10% discount on purchases made before Easter (April 8th, 2012). Enter ARTIST (all caps) at checkout. Click here to start shopping.
In case you haven’t heard, St. Patrick’s day is just around the corner – as in tomorrow – and while many people may opt for green beer this weekend, I’m more of a fan of the longer-lasting items below. A diamond ring – yes please! A cool clover chair – I see you! And a couple sweet clover-y tables – what an easy way to bring some good luck into your home.
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Ring
Comme des Garcons clover wallet, 145 euros
Ethan Allen clover table, $259
mirrored tray table, $480
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
This Sunday is Oscar night. Who will be watching?
invitation via Twig & Thistle
Oscar bingo via How About Orange
Oscar ballot via How About Orange
DIY ballot booklet via Twig & Thistle
DIY Oscar statuette via Twig & Thistle
Learn everything you need to know about Oscar night here.
My littlest nephew was born last night. Hooray! Here’s his very first shout out on the blog. In a few years I’ll be able to show it to him!
Welcome to the world Holt! I’m sure glad you’re here!
Lambskin booties, $240, Hermès
p.s. Dear Holt – if you ever need to go shoe shopping, you know who to call! xoxo Zia Jojo.
I love this lovely poster from Beatrice, a crafty blogger and the owner of the Canadian Etsy shop Chocolat & Cherries. Sometimes simplicity is really the way to go.
poster, $15, Chocolat & Cherries
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Always the sucker for pretty stationary, I just adore these simple white cards from Besotted Brand. So lovely.
heart of gold stationary set, $20, Besotted
I can’t believe it – White Cabana is two! (Well – two years and 6 days to be exact.)
by Dado Queiroz
I’d like to thank Johanne, Mackenzie, and Troy for being a top-notch team of contributors. And of course I’d like to thank all of our readers for dropping by on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis for a little dose of white inspiration!
We’re looking forward to another fabulous year of design blogging and we hope you will continue to join us!
Look at what one of our favourite Canadian stationary shops, Artistry Cards, has in store for Valentine’s day.
Three Red Hearts card, $4
Tweet! card, $4
Finally, here’s a treat for you! Artistry Cards is offering White Cabana readers a 10% discount on all their products. Enter ARTIST (all caps) at checkout. Click here to start shopping.
Robert and Cortney Novogratz do keep themselves busy. Not only have they been successful and inspirational designers for more than two decades, this dynamic duo has also been sharing their knowledge of design through the medium of television, most recently on HGTV’s Home by Novogratz. They’re also the authors of the successful book, Downtown Chic.
Robert & Cortney Novogratz (via)
Oh, and if you haven’t already heard, they have seven kids to take care of too!
I recently had the opportunity to ask Robert and Cortney some questions about their approach to design. Before I share their responses with you, I thought we could have a little peek into their own homes (yes, multiple). I really love seeing how designers design for themselves (and, of course, how they incorporate white).
In New York…
via Novogratz
via Novogratz
via Novogratz
via Novogratz
In Great Barrington…
via Novogratz
via Novogratz
In Brazil…
via Novogratz
The Novogratz also bring in quite a bit of white into the spaces they design for their clients.
I just love that while this couple obviously loves high-impact colours, industrial design, and a variety of materials, they also use white to make their designs complete. I recently asked them about their fondness of white, among other things, and I am happy to share their responses with you today.
***
1. What is one of your favourite spaces to design?
We love all different kinds of spaces. Homes, stores, schools – we are always looking for a new challenge.
2. What are two of your best organization tips, tricks, or tools?
Two great tricks for instantly improving your space: 1. Get rid of clutter and watch your room open up and feel more spacious. 2. A new coat of paint can work miracles. Don’t be afraid to try a little colour (or more) if you are feeling bold.
3. What three elements define a well-designed space?
Does it work for the people using it? Is it comfortable? Is it chic?
4. What are four of your best ways to avoid clutter?
Get rid of what you don’t really need. Kids don’t have to have boxes and boxes of toys. Just keep their favourites and what they use regularly. Donate the rest, give it to friends or family, or have a tag sale! For what is left – get some good storage. Make it easily accessible to the kids. The same applies to adults. If you have a collection of something you really love, or books you don’t want to part with, find a cool way to display them that does not look cluttered. Closed-cupboard storage is great for things you really need but don’t necessarily want out for the world to see.
5. What are five of your favourite white accessories/objects/pieces of furniture (that you own or that you often use in your designs)?
We love white candles, white flowers, and white walls. They are all excellent for different reasons. Because we love bright pops of colour in our design, white is a really good way to make art, accessories, and brightly-hued walls pop. We have great white vintage dining chairs made from washable leather so they are easy to clean. The floors in our country home are painted white, which really opened the space. White is classic and always looks good.
6. What are your six top shopping destinations (i.e., for home, clothing, food, etc.)?
We have lots of shopping destinations. We love a good flea market anywhere in the world and the one in Brimfield, MA, is one of the best. We also love shopping for vintage pieces in Hudson, NY, and several locations around NYC. For decor items that are affordable, CB2, IKEA, Target. For clothes and food, there are nine of use, so the shopping choices are quite diverse.
7. What are seven of your kids’ favourite toys/books/objects?
Legos (especially Star Wars) are big with our twin sons, who are six. One of our sons loves music and musical instruments. Our girls love to read. Our oldest is an athlete so many of his favourite things are in that arena. Our three year-old has a stuffed dog he likes quite a lot.
***
Many thanks to Robert and Cortney Novogratz for taking the time to respond to my questions. Thank you to Sarah Stevens at Shaw Media/HGTV Canada for arranging this interview.
Read more about HGTV’s Home by Novogratz here.
Did you know that honey is the only food that doesn’t spoil?
I learned this tidbit of information at my friends’ wedding this past weekend (Congrats Catherine & Steve!). A friend of theirs is a beekeeper and prepared little jars of honey as favours. Sweet, right?
via Lokal 54
On behalf of the White Cabana team, I’d like to wish you all a most joyful and healthy 2012! Thank you for reading this blog and for sharing your opinions. We love what we do and we’re happy to share our fondness for white design with all of you.
Jordana
Happy birthday Johanne!
via Greige
I hope your birthday is full of sparkle (and bubbly too, of course)!
Jordana
If the shoe fits (on the tree)…
shoe ornament, $5, Urban Barn
These DIY felt ornaments are some of the prettiest I’ve seen. Time to get crafty!
via The Purl Bee
Many thanks to Adrienne & Kate for sending these photos my way.
Well, yes, I know we’re already a week into December and many of you have already begun your advent calendars but I just can’t resist posting these three amazing white ones. Aren’t they pretty? I must remember these for next year!
via Sally J Shim
Do you have an advent calendar? With gifts or chocolate?
Holidays are a-comin’. Is your tree decorated yet? If you’re looking for some extra sparkle & shine, perhaps you might consider some of the ornaments up for grabs at Urban Barn.
feather ornament, $3
horn ornament, $5
silver key curve ornament, $4.50
acrylic bird, $4
Well, well, well, Paint it Black week has come to an end. What did you think? Would you like to see more black on the blog or shall we stick to white?
I want to extend a big thank you to Troy from Caviar20 for his fantastic posts. Catch up on any posts you may have missed by clicking on the following links:
Today is a special day here at White Cabana as we are welcoming our third contributor to the team. Troy Seidman, of Caviar20, will be sharing his love of design, art, and antiques and I am so incredibly thrilled!
Welcome to White Cabana Troy!
Group-Two Design Inc. chandelier, $4750, Caviar20
p.s. Readers – get ready – Troy is really going to shake things up starting tomorrow. We are all in for a treat!
Photo by Jordana.
Get in this spirit of Halloween while cooking up a feast with this apron from House 8810.
Bone Appetit apron, $16
And if you don’t feel like cooking – you could always dress up as a skeleton!
Happy Halloween!
Spook your visitors when you hang this scary skull garland outside your home.
scary skull garland, $10.50, Paper Source
Write a spooky message for a friend on these bat-tastic cards.
bat letterpress cards, $3.50 set of 10, Paper Source
Hosting a Halloween party this year? Spooky lighting is essential!
skeleton tapers, $7.95, Z Gallerie
Do you decorate for Halloween? What are your essential decorations?
skeleton garland, $9.95, Paper Source
Add these skull votive candles to your dinner table and your guests will surely get into the Halloween spirit.
Yorick votive, $9.95, Z Gallerie
Only two weeks until Halloween! We’ve got a lot of Halloween related posts coming up on White Cabana over the next couple of weeks. Do you dress up? If so, as what?
Would you wear a spider on your head?
spider headband $11.95 Papersource
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!
via Pinterest
I love the feeling of back to school – minus the cold weather. Not only is it time (at least for me) to get back to some routines, I always use it as an excuse to buy new stationery and school supplies. Is anyone else with me?
Although I have already stocked up on leopard print pens (wild!), Sharpie markers (colourful) and some new notebooks (thanks Daniela!), and while I am still working through this collection, I can’t help but keep school supplies on my shopping list. Here are a few new items I’d love to tote around this fall:
Russell & Hazel leather pencil case, $30
Russell & Hazel three ring binder, $24
Poppin file folders, $9 for 100
Poppin paper clips, $9 for 1000
Whether you’re going back to school or buying supplies just for the fun of it, I wish you all a wonderful and successful fall!
I love long weekends, don’t you?
via fos
Even though it’s now September* I’m still hoping summer will last a while longer. Who’s with me?
Elsa Peretti “Padova” bubble blower, $200, Tiffany & Co.
*I’m in denial. Fully.