CURRENTLY LOVING: THIS HOUSE

How lovely is this mid-century modern home of LA fashion stylist Jessica de Ruiter (and a fellow former Torontonian)? It is bright, stylish and welcoming with enviable outdoor spaces.

Take a peek . . .

 

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WHAT TYPE OF COOK ARE YOU?

On three different (and recent) occasions, I've been told that I'm a very messy cook. At first I was surprised. Me, messy? It can't be so. It is my daily mission to keep the house clean and clutter-free. But when my husband commented on my mess I stopped and looked around. Every cooking utensil seemed to be in use, multiple pots scattered the countertop, a heap of organic waste sat beside not one, but two cutting boards and there wasn't a clean zone to be seen. No wonder it takes me so long to clean up -- I make a mess!

My friend Eve is the exact opposite. She is a tidy cook. In fact, she seamlessly cooks and cleans up so that when she sits down to a meal, her kitchen is spotless and the only clean up she has to do afterwards are the dishes on the table. Doesn't that sound efficient and relaxing?

I'm curious, what type of cook are you? And, do you have any tips for a messy cook who is looking to convert?

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CURRENTLY LOVING: HAMAM TOWELS

If you live in a hot, humid climate, then hamam (turkish) towels are a must-have for you. These towels are as absorbent as standard terry cloth towels, but dry much quicker because they are lightweight. I've become obsessed with these towels by Turkish T since moving to Bermuda and use them at home and at the beach. No more wet, moldy towels for our family!

DESIGN INSPIRATION: VINTAGE BAR CART

My husband's grand plan is to have a bar in our basement. He envisions friends coming over, pulling out a stool, propping up their elbows and grabbing a beer. And I'm sure, a hockey or football game factor in too. Unfortunately, our small basement is not conducive to making his dream a reality as play spaces and toy storage become a priority.

Instead, I'm trying to convince him that a vintage bar cart in our dining room is the solution. He can become a mixologist, serving our friends after-dinner cocktails all while having a cool piece of furniture that also functions as storage -- how practical is that?

Here are just a few images that are inspiring me to search out a vintage bar cart of our own at the flea market ...  

  

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DESIGN INSPIRATION: OPEN KITCHEN SHELVING

Even though a kitchen renovation is on the (very distant) horizon for us, I've started to search for inspiration to improve upon the functionality and design of our kitchen. One trend I'm noticing is open shelving. My initial thought was no way since I'd never be able to maintain a clean, clutter-free look. But, the idea is starting to grow on me -- it would be a handy way to access our everyday white dishes. What do you think about open shelving?

Here are a few photos in case you're looking for design inspiration too ...

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THE BIG BOY ROOM

Monkey made the transition to a 'big boy' bed a few months ago and we took the opportunity to redecorate his room to give it a 'big boy' boost.  To involve him in the process and make it feel like his own room, I brought Monkey along for all the purchases and he even picked out his own red quilt and colourful sheets all by himself. Here are the results ...

And, how did the actual transition from a crib to bed go? Well, it only took a few sleepless nights for us all, but Monkey soon found that his new room, and especially his big boy bed, are the best ever!

A YEAR IN PICTURES

I treasure my photographs. I have photo albums stacked high that document trips to places near and far, family gatherings, friendships and just everyday life. The problem is that space is at a premium in our little home, so piles of photo albums just aren't practical (besides, photo albums tend not to be aesthetically pleasing).

The solution? Create beautiful, simple photo books to document each year. I used Pinhole Press, an easy-to-use online photo shop, to create two photo books for 2012 -- this one captures our daily life and this smaller one our family trip to Italy. With cloth-bound hardcovers and thick archival paper, I will happily stack these books (and more for years to come) in our living room bookcase.

A SPRING PURGE

I'm in the midst of a Spring purge. Clutter seems to accumulate too easily in our small house and so it is time to take decisive action. My spare moments have been dedicated to purging our home of things we no longer need or use, from household items and clothes to shoes, bags and books. I'm moving from room to room at a slow pace (after all, my spare time is limited to Monkey's nap), but gradually the large garbage bags are stacking up, ready for the donation box. It is really quite an invigorating process.

I just finished purging my closet. I was a bit ruthless, but my clothes now have space to breathe and be seen. There is a wealth of tips online to get you through the process -- here are a few easy tips that helped me ...

One year rule: If you haven't worn a piece of clothing in one year then it's time to let it go. This one is a bit hard, so start with a two-year rule if that works better for you.

Be stoic: Try really hard not to feel emotional about getting rid of your once prized and favourite piece. If you no longer wear it, then it should go so that someone else can create fond memories with it.

Avoid duplicates: I tend to hoard some wardrobe basics (white t-shirts, white shirts, black turtlenecks, black leggings, etc.). There is no need to have so many duplicates because I only wear one at a time. I tossed all the worn pieces so now all of my basics look crisp and neat.

Try stuff on: Take the time to make sure the clothes you keep fit you well and make you feel good. If you really love something that doesn't fit properly, a trip to the tailor can be your saving grace.

Next up on my task list ... Spring cleaning!

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