Hooray!! Summer is here!!

Thank goodness for sunshine, nice weather, green grass, blossoming flowers and spending time outside on the deck or patio.  This is what summer is all about!

This deck is fabulous.  Southwest exposure, it is a sunny and warm place to enjoy nature sheltered from the wind.  It was here when I purchased the house so besides some landscaping, I really didn't need to do anything besides buy some deck furniture.  Again, I bought these wood loungers from Ikea along with the cushions and they have proven to be so useful....whether sitting out with a friend sipping wine or my kids lounging together bantering back and forth, or listening to music.  It has become another room in the house now which we use quite frequently.  In fact my daughter and her friends had a little picnic out there the other day!

With the addition of hurricane lamps and candles, it becomes a cozy place to enjoy a beautiful summer evening as well.  Cheers to summer! 

The first week of June.  My kids are writing exams and it is time to eat well, exercise, drink plenty of water and ensure we are getting enough sleep.  It is also time to prepare for summer sundresses, swimsuits and shorts....maybe not in that order! I am always looking for new and interesting ways for my kids to drink water.  Keeping ourselves hydrated and replenishing particularly after exercise or activity is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.

Try this recipe for water.  I keep it in a glass carafe in my fridge.  Very refreshing and it helps to flush out toxins and maintain a flat belly!

Detox Water: 2 lemons sliced, 1/2 cucumber sliced, a few mint leaves and 3 quarts of water.  Infused it creates a natural detox helping to flush impurities out of your system and also helps the immune system against illness.  Simple yet so powerful! 

Take a break this weekend.....

I know I am!!!!

Trays are a wonderful way to organize items and contain clutter.  Whether they be silver, wicker, wooden or any other material, they provide a decorative way to display in the bathroom, the laundry room, the kitchen.....wherever!  Here are some wonderful examples:

I am inspired to find new and creative ways to use trays in my house to contain the clutter.....which can be quite a challenge with 3 teenagers and a dog!!

Now that the warmer weather is here and the streets have been cleaned I can finally enjoy bike rides once again! I am so fortunate in the neighbourhood where I live in that I can easily bike to the local specialty food store, florist, starbucks, gift and clothing stores.  I purchased myself a lovely and comfortable white cruise style bicycle similar to the one pictured below from Costco!

My next challenge was to find a pretty woven basket for my bike in which to hold all of those goodies.....fresh flowers, baguette, wine, coffee beans!!  I searched locally with no luck and then found a company on the internet by the name of the Nantucket Bike Basket Company.  Here is what I ordered and just received today!!

It's exactly what I wanted and I think it will not only look very smart on my bike but will also prove to be very functional.  I think I will be the envy of the neighbourhood!!

Entry ways are an important first impression to a home.  Obviously they need to be functional particularly in a home where there are pets and children, yet at the same time, present the image and feel of the home you are creating.  

I particularly like the look and functionality of this entry hallway.  The basket for catching scarves, purses, backpacks, the console table providing a place for keys, change, mail and enough room for boots and shoes underneath.  The mirror perched above reflects the light of the chandelier with additional lighting provided by the table lamp.  

I sourced this beautiful bench for my entry way....

Now I just have to get my creative juices flowing and come up with something spectacular!

An inspirational quote to start the week.  I need to remind myself of these words more often...

I think the universe is revealing my next opportunity....I am ready to jump in!