Hello from sunny Florida! I’m having a grand ol’ time here doing just about nothing every day. It’s a real vacation!
You don’t need much more than a couple of bathing suits and some sunglasses when you’re here. It’s fabulous!
sunglasses, $7.90, Forever21
Haskell sunglasses, starting at $95, Warby Parker
Fendi cat eye sunglasses, $765CAD, Nordstrom
Blanchett sunglasses, Salt Optics
white sunglasses, $16.99, Target
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
p.s. Just look at this gorgeous beach.
It’s bicycle season!
cyclist in Vienna, Austria, photo by Design Maze Tim
Yet another reason why I enjoying living in Waterloo is that it has quite a good trail system. I can get from my place in Waterloo to Victoria Park in Kitchener via the Iron Horse Trail (with only minimal road riding). Last year, I rode (slow but steady) from Cambridge to Paris, Ontario on a trail beside the Grand River. It was beautiful (and mostly flat).
While I have a decent mountain bike that functions well (although it is heavy), I have my eye on a few of the retro bikes that have been on the market for a few years now (also known as The Miss Piggy Bike in my family). Maybe once my bank account recovers from a few upcoming trips and my bedroom makeover, I may invest in one of these beauts.
Real step-through bicycle, $1200, Martone Cycling (why oh why is this out of my budget?!)
Kent 700c hybrid bike, $189, Walmart
Huffy Arlington, $248, Walmart
Schwinn signature series cruiser, $849, Canadian Tire
Schwinn hybrid bike, $199, Target
Do you have a bicycle? What kind? For what purposes? Do tell!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
For the last couple of years, I’ve given space on White Cabana on the Friday before Mother’s Day to my mom. She’s an avid blog reader, has her favourites, and for the last few years, I’ve asked her to share with us what she’s been reading (see her 2015 favourites, 2014 favourites, 2013 favourites). Carrying on with this tradition, I’ve asked her about what she’s been reading online in 2016, and here are five of the blogs she reads regularly:
via Our French Oasis
via Mark D. Sikes
My mom has a traditional and rich design aesthetic. She veers towards quality and pieces of interest, and she’s always on the hunt for a deal. Much of the furniture that I have in my own home is a result of my mom’s amazing furniture research skills (thanks, Mom!).
My mom knows so much about design, and I definitely go to her for design advice. Should I hang this piece of art here? What kind of night stands do you think I should get? Could you keep an eye out for a great bed? Mom, I need a patio set. Can you look for one for me? Many of my conversations with my mom are full of these types of questions!
Since the invention of blogs, she’s grasped on and has several bloggers who she just adores. In addition to the five I’ve listed above, my mom also reads several others regularly (including some of my real life blogging friends! Yay!), so consider this a bonus five for today’s Friday Five:
Design Maze
Rambling Renovators
Celebrating This Life
Brooklyn Limestone
My French Country Home
Thanks, Mom, for sharing your blog reads with us today!
Happy Mother’s Day!
I love all the personalization options that are out there in the marketplace. From bags to shoes to home decor items, there’s really no limit to what can be personalized with embroidered and printed initials and names. Here are five items that caught my attention this week from personalization expert Mark & Graham.
Bamboo Elisabetta Slouch handbag, $425 (made in Italy)
Italian hemstitched grosgrain duvet & sham, $80-$300 (on sale) (made in Italy)
Turkish hydro cotton bathroom, $149 (made in Turkey)
Piazza leather key fob, $39 (made in Italy)
leather cufflink and ring box, $49
Have a wonderful (long) weekend!
What type of coffee do you drink? Are you more into the pour over than the drip? How does espresso fit into your life?
glass French press, $49.99
Hario V60 pour over coffee maker, $49.99
Sowden softbrew coffee maker, $59.99
Nespresso VertuoLine, $199.95
Wilfa Precision coffee maker, $329.99
Hope you enjoy a great weekend brew!