Things Organized Neatly

I'm a self-confessed neat freak. The contentment and satisfaction of anything organized, clean or in any way meticulously thought over gives me a kind of high like no other! While I realize most people in my life don't share my affinity for this level of tidiness I have learned to embrace this compulsion. And look! There's even an entire tumblr blog devoted to Things Organized Neatly! Check out some of my favourites...

1930's Fashion Predictions

Came across this video from the 1930's that predicts what the fashions will be in the year 2000. My favourite line? "Candies for cuties" - priceless!

Watch- out!

I don't know about you but my watch went by the way-side once I started carrying a cell phone like a fifth appendage. Recently however I'm finding I will leave my phone at home (for a couple of hours of uninterrupted bliss) or am simply too lazy to dig around in my purse to find it. I also subscribe to the school of instant gratification so when I want to know the time, I want to know the time right now! Cue the wristwatch!

I have also found it difficult to find a watch that matches my personal taste and style. When I started to see the latest in ceramic watches popping up I just couldn't resist the little beauties! Right now I'm salivating over the gold and white models but after seeing the purple Michael Kors I think I might have just found my new holy grail. Check out the watches below that fit the bill for something cool and unique.

See what I mean about the Michael Kors? Pure genious- until now I have not understood my mother's perpetual drive to have a watch for every (and I mean every) outfit. The gold is divine with all skin types.

Oniss does it right with all the bells and whistles.

Juicy! It'll add just the right amount of colour to any outfit!

This Nixon watch keeps things suave and sleek.

When picking a watch, you can rarely go wrong when staying within the Swiss Border.

Tag Heuer.

White polished high-tech ceramic. Steel notched unidirectional rotating bezel equipped with a graduated 60-minute sapphire disc, with a luminous marker at 12 o'clock. Matte rubber strap, self-winding mechanical movement. 42 hour power reserve. Water resistant to 300 meters.

All you need to know is how good Chanel looks on you though, right? The new Chanel J12.

Summertime Picnic

Summertime picnics are simply the best. Nothing beats wandering to your favourite park, kicking off your shoes and wiggling your toes into the soft, lush grass. Settle in for a long, lazy picnic. So grab a couple of friends, your family, your pet, and take a peek at some of my picnic staples.

This wicker picnic basket has side storage for wine bottles. What more could you ask for? The deluxe picnic blanket below has a plastic underlay so even if the grass is wet, your bum won't be.

The best spanakopita in my town can be found at the local bulk cheese warehouse- don't forget the hammer sauce!

Smoked meat sausage from Dean & Deluca.

Australian reds are light enough to drink in the summer but hold their own against strong cheese and cured  meat.

Stop by your local farmers market before heading to the picnic spot to stock up on fresh produce.

These are absolutely the BEST cupcakes out there. In fact, if you're bringing them along on your picnic you might not need to bring anything else, just cupcakes, because they'll be the only thing you want to eat. Crave Cupcakes in Calgary. Below is my personal favourite, the Dirty Blonde.

This bicycle with its low-ride seat and basket, is perfect for cruising to the park with. http://www.summerbicycles.com/

Donna Karan's First Furniture Line

All proceeds of the line go towards cultural preservation... and partly Donna Karan's preservation since it is her charitable organization 'Urban Zen' that will benefit from the sales of the furniture. Urban Zen's pillars are health, education and preservation of culture. While these are noble missions to uphold the underlying feeling here is still one of commercial motivation resulting in a cognitive dissonance. The Donna Karan brand is heavily intertwined with Urban Zen and its bourgeoisie capitalism.So while I love (LOVE) the amazing furniture here (natural, clean and quality craftmanship) I have a hard time stomaching the artistic altruism that's promoted. Besides that, I would be first in line for the driftwood Balinese chairs that are made-to-order.

On the rooftop- garden display of furniture at the West Village, NYC shop.

The Tunic Dress

Toughen up the look of this feminine dress by adding on a leather belt or motorcycle boots in the fall. It's so versatile! Looks great over leggings, skinny jeans, or alone.

This sleek white dress has kimono style sleeves.

From JCrew- Bazaar Tunic Dress. It'll take you from the beach to the bar.

I can definitely see myself wearing this on one of those hotter than hot days. It would keep you as cool as possible while you're running errands around town.

Ølsen: Where Design and Food Meet

This Scandinavian restaurant in Buenos Aires' trendy neighbourhood of Palermo is housed in an old warehouse. A popular spot for weekend brunch- be sure to make a reservation! Ølsen is also known for it's large selection of vodka.

The entrance:

Inside, Swedish design takes over.

A view from above- lots of natural light. Such a great spot for weekend brunch, friends and cafe con leche!

Here's the menu- I'd definitely go for the B+C+D extravaganza!

Luxe outdoor seating.

It's that delightful time of year again when flowers start to bloom and we can enjoy fresh flowers inside from our own gardens and flower pots. I took some lilac bushels from my parents garden (they have lilac hedges that encompasses their garden right beside the house so the fragrance wafts inside on a breezy day). They certainly brighten up my apartment. I like to use flower vases that can stand alone as an art piece when not in use as a flower holder. Here are some faves:

Who doesn't love changing the mood with a few strokes of chalk? Write a little message "So Glad-i-ola could be here." Chic on it's own as well.

This luxe blown glass vase from de Flute glass art gallery in Rotorua, New Zealand would be perfect with a single stem.

I love how simple these rustic wooden cachepots are- they look like miniature tree stumps and would be perfect for that back to basics decor.


Beautiful colours in this vase- purchase from Pier 1.

These look great grouped together like below but I think they'd be equally as elegant displayed individually on a desk or side table.

Simple white vases put the emphasis on the flowers. These by a local artist (local to me anyway!) Carole Epp (I recently went to a pottery sale in my city and her work is on display- the pictures on Etsy are good but don't do her work justice! Definitely some interesting, unique pieces to be found!)

Designer Love

Dagg and Stacey, a line by Canadian design duo Karen Dagg and Stacey Paterson, has a really great summer '10 line. All the pieces are so colorful and versatile. The photos are brilliantly shot and the textures look SO appealing I just want to reach out and touch them! Check out their website for more information and where to buy.

The perfect sheath to throw on during the weekend. I'd add a belt and cardigan with leggings for work.

This yellow is flattering to almost all skin tones. A family friend once told me "many people think they can't wear yellow, but they can!"

Great ensemble- wicked lipstick colour too, I wonder what it is?

I can't pull off this look but I have a friend who recently bought one similar to this and she looks fab in it. I should send her this picture too...

Classic black and white in a simple strapless dress- looks so cute with the hat! And again with the lipstick. Do you think it's Coco Rouge?

Rain, rain go away

It has been raining non-stop for weeks. I am usually pretty tolerant of wet, windy weather (it makes us appreciate the great weather) but I am sick of this. So even though I find myself staying in drinking copious amounts of wine and watching re-runs of Nikita, I also have had to get myself to work and try to keep some semblance of a social life. Call in the wellies! My sister gave me the most amazing pair of gum boots from Finland (Marimekko of course) and they definitely make heading out in the rain much more pleasurable!

My marimekko's...

I really love Tretorn's classic boots too- especially the Terry in high gloss yellow. If there's no sun out, bring your own!



The 'Festival' boot by Hunter

Classic Hunter Boots in the revolutionary Jimmy Choo collaboration

Costa coffee

One of my favourite coffee franchises (normally I prefer any type of local, independently owned and operated cafes) is Costa. When I've traveled to Scotland with friends and family we always pop in for a good cup of joe. My favourite location is the one on Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow. The people watching is so good!

Mmmmm- it even comes with a chocolate stick for some added deliciousness!


This Costa is in Stirling- my sister and I stayed in Stirling for a month once. This was a favourite hangout

Peter Andre serves up some hand-crafted lattes.