Kitchen Couch

I'm a chef - well not professionally anymore, but I still love to cook for fun. Unfortunately, our kitchen like many others in older homes, is not well-suited for socializing while cooking. Perhaps the designers of older homes didn't cook much.  If they did, surely they would have realized that cooks like to talk while they work. Thankfully, kitchens designed for entertaining finally did catch on as open kitchens are quite popular these days. 


I love this kitchen with the lounge area so close to the workspace. Friends can sit and relax while talking and not be in the way - great entertaining solution! 

Image found on Made By Girl

What do you do with your old clothes?

Kaarina Kaikkonen turns clothes into giant art installations!

Images found on The Jealous Curator

Beautiful Scenes in Toilet Paper Tubes

Yes, I did say toilet paper tubes! 

Art by Anastassia Elias

Art by Anastassia Elias, found on Indie Fixx

Art by Yuken Teruya, found on Indie Fixx

Where did I put my keys?

I don't know about you, but we are always looking for our keys around here. These unusual key hooks might help keep keys organized, but will probably also work for conversation starters! 

Buckle Up Key Holder via Furniture Fashion

Magnetic Key and Letter Holder via Uncommon Goods

Tea Cup Hook via Uncommon Goods

His and Hers Key Holder via Uncommon Goods

Winter Finds for Any Size

It makes me happy that fashion designers are finally making clothes for women of various shapes and sizes. No longer do your tags need to have a single-digit on them for you dress stylishly. Here are a few random winter finds, both casual and formal, that are available in a variety of sizes.

Donna Ricco taffeta dress via Nordstrom

DKNY shirtdress via Lane Bryant

Calvin Klein cardigan via Macy's

Bernardo leather jacket via Nordstrom

Jou Jou military jacket via Macy's

It's a small world... or not

I've done a lot of traveling and sometimes it is surprising just how big or small a country is compared to the one you live in. Here is a little comparison.

Ever wonder how big Australia is? I've driven around most of the country and I can tell you that it is HUGE!

Image via Dark Roasted Blend

Africa is bigger than the United States, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Eastern Europe, India, China, Japan and the UK put together!

Image via Designers Couch

These shoes are definitely Not made for walking...

Well maybe you could walk in these shoes, but I'm not sure that I could!

 

Images via Designers Couch

Pumpkin Pancakes

We had breakfast for dinner in our house tonight. My house-mate made delicious pumpkin pancakes! They were very thick and moist and perfect for the fall. Be sure to bookmark this recipe and try it out!

Image from allrecipes.com

Sweet Dreams

there is nothing quite like curling up in a big, comfy bed with soft sheets and a fluffy duvet. but beds are also a focal point and being that they are so big, simply swapping out the covers and pillows can completely change the mood of a room.

 i recently packed up my orange and white, damask duvet cover and replaced it with a plum, pin-tuck one for the winter. the casual, tussled look of these beds just seem so inviting on a cold day - perfect for watching a movie or reading a great book. and you don't have to worry about messing them up since they come pre-pleated and wrinkled!

images via west elm

 i'm sure the bright, crisp colours will make their way back into my room by spring, though. these sets from kate spade and jonathan adler are already calling my name...

images via pretty little things

images via jonathan adler

Can I Borrow a Pencil?

Dalton Ghetti is the creator of these perfect little pencil structures. He creates them using only a razor blade, sewing needle and sculpting knife, but never uses a magnifying glass! Each one can take months to make and the only lucky recipients of these art pieces are friends of Dalton as he doesn't sell any of his work. 

Found on The Lazy Designer, Odd Stuff Magazine and Silvermine Guild Art Center

Gum-balls for Grown-ups

If you are looking for a fun way to brighten up a space and can't decide on a colour, choose them all with gum-balls! 

For a truly bold look, you could add this rug to your room.

Image from Darling Notes.
Gum-ball rugs can be found at Hay or  YUMMI

Feeling funky? These coasters are sure to be conversation starters.

Image via Honey Canada

Even though these are laundry balls, having them stacked in simple bowl will add a pop of colour to your decor and make your space smell fresh. 

Image via Lena Loves

Gum-ball garland would be a super cute alternative to traditional Christmas garland. 

Image via Made Mary

For another holiday alternative, why not switch out that boring old wreath for a colourful one like this? 

{and of course your wreath will be hung right next to your moose, right?}

Image via Pickles. Found on Apartment Therapy.

And for those of you who are like me and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, here is fun trivet! 

Image via Happy as Larry

Colourful Cozies

I learned how to knit today! Well, learning actually... I'm only on my 8th row. Jen, of Darling Notes, is teaching me. She gave this adorable cup cozie a few days ago and I decided that I had to learn. 

Jen recently posted some really cute knitted cozies on her blog and a week later she is working her third or fourth one. These cozies are great; they are reusable unlike the cardboard version and they look much cuter too. Just keep one in your bag and you are set the next time you stop for a latte or hot tea. 

 Images from Wayside Violet via Darling Notes

For the weekend, when you are curled up on the couch with a coffee and a good book, you can use this cozy. It buttons to fit perfectly around a mug handle. 

Image from Natalya's Studio via Black and White {Side By Side}

For another twist on hand-made cozies, Make It and Love It has a tutorial for making these colorful fabric wraps. 

 Images via Make It and Love It