Our thoughts are going out to our family and friends on the east coast today who continue to deal with the effects of hurricane Sandy. It’s a good idea to have a few extra candles on hand…especially the whimsical ones…in case you experience a power outage during this stormy weather!
porcupine candle $9.50, Indigo
Stay warm and safe dear readers!
I’ve been away so much lately that I have had no time to dust (or maybe I just don’t feel like making any time?). Sigh.
adjustable handy duster, $16.50, Muji
I know it’s not really a big deal but it’s definitely getting to me. How do you keep on top of house chores when you feel like you’re never at home to do them?
I drink tea all year and I actually like a hot cuppa even during the summer months. As a coffee-in-the-morning kind of gal, I find that making an herbal tea after lunch is a great alternative to caffeinating my thoughts all day long.
With the rise of tea`s popularity in recent years, there is far more variety and easy access to unique blends from far-away places than ever before.
Today I`m showcasing a few mugs that make tea time that much more quaint. These are also really easy to get your hands on (!) since they`re widely available at Chapers-Indigo and make a perfect, random, `thinking about you`gift for a friend, colleague or parent. They make a really sweet add-on to an online book order for curling up on quiet weekends this season.
Stoneware mug made in Portugal, $12
Scrabble mug, $12
Forest stoneware mug, $8
Owl mug, $16.50
Textured zen mug, $8
Aegean mug, $8
Monogram mug, $8
And now this is fantastic- the mug with a perfect-fit filter for loose tea (below). The lid doubles as a filter holder for when steeping is done. I have one of these and I love using it at the office.
Mug with lid and filter, $20
Six months ago my parents began a renovation of their main floor kitchen, laundry room, and powder room. You may have read about the progress here and here. I’m happy to report that the kitchen is (almost) complete. Here are five views of their new space.
What’s left to do? Well, my parents are currently dealing with a kitchen table DIY and the hunt is back on for the perfect set of chairs. It’s almost the end!
Custom kitchen by Parada Kitchens. Photos by Brunida Kaso.
I’m so excited about the new reader-submitted white sightings arriving to White Cabana!
To help kick things off, today I’m taking you inside Life is Sweet, one of my favourite shops in my neighbourhood known as The Beaches in Toronto. (I know, I know, I keep taking you to cupcakeries… but they’re irresistible!)
Life is Sweet shored up on The Beach (as it is also called) in 2007, just when I came, too. Located at the eastern end of Queen Street East where it’s quieter and devoid of the heavy coast town signage that suggests that the surf’s up on Lake Ontario, I instantly fell in love with this little shop and her sweet owner. I really need to get her name (she has wavy brown hair, brown eyes and has a pretty smile- and her photo is up on the wall)- and these days her mom is working at the shop, too.
Life is Sweet is a quaint little shop that makes you want to go in, this pic from BlogTO
Life is Sweet has been there for me over the years. I’ve now been in The Beach for nearly five years and I have served many a mini cupcake along the way. I recently picked up some minis for a friend’s visit- they’re just a perfect two-bite size so you can try a few flavours without feeling like a glutton going for two regular-sized ones (although that’s perfectly okay at my place).
My favourite flavour on the menu is the lemon cupcake- it even has lemon custard in the centre (mini ones too!). I’m also a huge fan of the white chocolate, toffee, coconut, and I know some peeps who really like the Earl Grey- spiced cake with orange icing.
Inside the shop you’ll find lots of pretty white things- perfect for that ‘oh-you’re-so-thoughtful’Â gift. I love everything and yet I always buy here for others; I’ve given a gorgeous locally-made apron covered in artichokes and a fun set of dinner napkins for a certain white design blogger…
Here’s what caught my eye yesterday as I wandered in for a sweet treat:
Why not add some bling to that cake plate? So fun and festive!
I really like this dish- great for sauces, nuts, after-dinner mints, you name it
I’m in love with these soy candles from a local candle gal, Amy,
who I met a few years ago at a arts & crafts fair. Amy’s Place candles are on Facebook here
My cupcake haul from yesterday- at no cost since I had no change
and the owner couldn’t break a $20! Â And then I realized when
I got home that the owner snuck in an extra cupcake for me. Aw <3
