Cupcakes!

Ever since I purchased this cupcake stand a couple weeks ago, I have been intrigued by all things cupcakes - everything from icing nozles, to cute paper wrappers and candy sprinkles. This was my first attempt at homemade icing. I followed an extremely simple recipe for butter cream frosting, which only called for 3 ingredients: butter, confectioners sugar, and vanilla extract (and a little bit of food colouring to turn it pink). I topped them off with multi-coloured sprinkles and the end result was very birthday party worthy.

To celebrate Halloween today I am making these festive cupcakes, complete with pieces of "broken glass". I love how simple, yet intricate they look. Any other bakers preparing spooky treats today?

Happy Halloween!

Wedding Weekend

Hand-crafted place cards over a burlap table runner.

Over the weekend we had the pleasure of attending a beautiful wedding in Toronto for our friends, Sandi and Nick. Every detail of the ceremony and reception mimicked their personalities and taste. A number of DIY creations complimented the already picturesque space of Twist Art Gallery. The food was deliciously seasonal, consisting of a variety of meats, mashed  and sweet potatoes, salads and veggies, topped off with gravy and cranberry sauce, and a selection of pies for dessert. A series of heartfelt speeches transitioned to a night of unstoppable dancing under lights strung across the wooden beams. It was truly a unique and well-planned event that captured and celebrated the love and personalities of the couple.

(Unfortunately, we opted to leave the heavy camera at home, so these pics were taken on my phone)

A beautiful, eclectic assortment of vases, flowers , and candles lined the long tables.

Steam Whistles bottles turned into colourful vases.

Honey favours packaged with patterned fabric and twine.

Me and Steve (the MC for the night) and a glimpse of the decor behind us. 

The Groom and his band starting off the dance party.

The happy couple's first dance.

A Sneaky Alternative

Sweater: H&M; Leggings: Topshop Petite (recent, similar here); Sneakers: TopShop (recent, similar style here); Bracelets: Forever 21, H&M, and Madewell.

I wasn't completely sold on the wedge sneaker trend at first, but after slipping my foot into a pair at Topshop last weekend I was instantly hooked. I love the hidden height combined with the casual exterior. They have now easily become by go-to walking shoe. I styled them with a sleek pair of faux-leather leggings and a chunkier knit on top to balance out the outfit and I'm now on the hunt for more wearable options. Maybe a sweater dress and beanie or leggings and a fur vest like this? I'd love to hear your opinions!  

Mid-Week Inspiration

Feminine tutu's inspired by the one and only. Such an easy DIY project or you can purchase one from the lovely KT of KTRstyle!

It's only Wednesday but I'm already getting excited for the the weekend, which is sure to be jam-packed with a birthday and a wedding to celebrate. These style inspiration ideas are helping me get through the mid-week slump. I'm thinking the blue eyeliner look definitely needs to be tested out soon. 

Oxblood mix-material cross-over bag! Available here.

Cozy plaid scarves, available here and here.

Blue eyeliner  - a nice added touch for a night out. Try MAC's Fluidline eyeliner in "Waveline".

Deep purple nail polish layered with some sparkle for a monochromatic, yet textured manicure.

Dressed-Up Walls

To me, making a house feel like a home means adding personal touches here and there that represent you, your style and your daily routines. I'm a big advocate for filling up white space. Empty walls have an uncanny effect of making me feel claustrophobic. I love being surrounded by familiar things that spark fond memories, make me smile, and convey a sense of my personality, hobbies, and interests. Since moving last month we have mainly focused on the large items that make up a home: furniture, kitchen supplies, bedding, etc., but I've recently had the chance to experiment with the details, like new drapes, a fun throw pillow, and a display of photographs on the wall, the latter of which you can see below:

For this project, I started with a long narrow shelf and positioned it over our couch. I selected a combination of photos that were saved on our computer, making sure to mix in landscapes and artistic shots with personal portraits. Some of the ones I chose include a picture from our engagement, Golden Gate Bridge and a cherry blossom tree that remind me of San Francisco, a black and white photograph that Steve captured of himself in the reflection of a window, and a winter portrait. In addition to selecting a variety of photographs, whether they be from a random adventure or a memorable trip, it is also important to have a good selection of frames. I chose ones of different size in white, silver, and birch (Ikea is great for this!). I rearranged the frames on the floor until I found a layout to my liking. One thing I highly reccomend not skimping out on is printing, especially if you are planning to blow up your photos to larger scale. We printed ours at Toronto Image Works and learned that even with our Cannon 7D the maximum dimensions we could print our photos at was 12x18. It's important to take these things into account when printing digital photos or you could end up with a pixellated disaster.

Here are some other great wall art installations currently inspiring me. I especially love the idea of framing fabric or craft paper - so simple and so easy to change-up once your grow tired of a pattern or print. 

Bring on the Bling!

Top: Forever 21; Bralette: Aerie (similar here); Pants; Zara (recent); Purse: Zara; Heels: Forever 21; Watch: Michael Kors; Necklace: Zara Earrings: recent, similar here;  Sunglasses: Tiffany & Co. 

While in the summer I prefer thin chain necklaces with small pendants or simple stud earrings, fall always puts me in the mood for costume jewelry. Bold colours, sparkly gems, and oversized beading make for an exciting transition into holiday season. Because there are so many affordable options for costume jewelry (Forever 21, H&M, TopShop, etc.) it doesn't hurt to experiment with a few trends, whether it be a skull chain necklace or an oxblood peter-pan collar (I'm loving Zara's collection right now- specifically this beauty). I like mixing these bold pieces with different fabrics like suede, leather or silk for a nice contrast. 

Blazer Options

Top: Urban Outfitters (similar style); Blazer: Urban Outfitters; Jeans: Banana Republic; Necklace: Zara; Boots: Urban Outfitters; Hat: Zara; Bracelets: Forever 21 and H&M (recent).

It's hard to imagine that way back when, I used to think a blazer could only be worn with a button-up and trousers in an office environment. What a tragedy it would be if that really was the only suitable time to wear a blazer. In more recent years I've come to love pairing them with everything from a summer dress on a cool night, to shorts and heels for a sophisticated, yet relazed feel. To keep things even more casual for this outfit, I chose a less structured boyfriend blazer (which I feel like I have had forever but never tire of) and a cropped graphic tank. I mixed in some accessories (chunky statement necklace and bracelets) to keep things fun and eclectic. Do you have a favourite blazer that you've had forever? How do you style it? Let me know! 

Enjoy the rest of your Thursday! Friday will be here soon!

Green and Burgundy

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Lace Blouse: Forever 21; Velvet Mini: Banana Republic (old, cute version here); Boots: Urban Outfitters; Jacket: Zara (last years, love this current one); Hat: Zara (recent); Purse: Zara; Necklace: H&M; Tights: Joe Fresh

Green and Burgundy is perhaps my favourite colour combination for fall (maybe throw a little navy in there too). The colours feel deep and rich enough to be cozy, yet bright enough to avoid looking drab. 

Insta-Monday

With the steady accumulation of new utensils, mixing bowls and such making their way into our kitchen, I'm discovering a new found joy for cooking and baking. There's something about having a kitchen that is organized to suit your personal routines and daily concoctions that makes putting together meals and treats easy and really enjoyable. I'm on to my second batch of chocolate chip cookies, as featured in Cupcakes and Cashmere's book and blog, and made from this recipe. Who knew using ingredients at room temperature and refrigerating the dough beforehand could make such a difference in a traditional cookie staple? I'm hooked. Some recipes now inspiring me for Halloween: here, here and here.

Dots and Colour Blocking

Blouse: Gap (love this one); Pants: American Eagle; Sweater: Gap (loving this style and colour); Necklace: H&M; Purse: Zara; Loafers: Zara

Sometimes when it's really really cold out I feel slightly rebellious wearing bright cheery colours.

Inspirational Leaves

Top: Forever 21 (recent, similar here); Fur Vest: Joe Fresh (recent); Jeans: Gap; Purse: Zara; Fedora: Forever 21; Boots: Urban Outfitters; Bracelet: Forever 21

I've said before that my clothing choices are often inspired by the natural colours surrounding me (see here), and this outfit is probably a good example. I'm loving the beautiful rich hues of fall and the textured patterns that so easily mix with them.

Feels like Fall

With the pass of Canadian Thanksgiving over the weekend, which included an outing to Toronto Oktoberfest, an abundance of turkey and stuffing (plus lots of leftovers), and some pumpkin carving, it is certainly beginning to feel like fall and the beginning of holiday season. They say this is the time of year to really indulge in yummy treats and fill up your social calendars. Next on the list: planning a Halloween soiree. Currently on the hunt for the best recipes and costume ideas. Any tips out there? Please send my way!

Mixing Fabrics

Sweater: Gap (try this cozy oxblood jumper); Pants: Aritzia (love these) ; Loafers: Zara; Necklace: Urban Outfitters; Bracelets: H&M (recent)

The last few days have been surprisingly warmer than expected, so I’ve been feeling the need to get in a couple more wears out of a few summer items. These silk pants are definitely lightweight and flowy, but with a wool-blend sweater they feel balanced and seasonal. Throw in some velvet loafers and you’re set for a warmer-than-normal autumn day. What summer pieces are you keeping in your fall wardrobe?