Lilac Love

Is there a cuter dress to frolick amongst the lilac bushes than this Hunter Bell lilac dress? I think not haha. I have been loving the brand’s spring and summer launches with a feminine inspired look paired with edgy details like this clasp belt. For sizing reference, I took an XS in this dress from the brand.

Dress: c/o Hunter Bell | Sunglasses: Le Specs | Similar Bag {old Eric Javits} | Shoes: Target | Bangles: Julie Vos | Necklaces: c/o The Minted Mama Collection

The Finishing Touches

We have lived in this house since February and slowly but surely, it feels like rooms are starting to come together. Truthfully, I regret tackling multiple rooms simultaneously as it slowed down the process and finishing details. We’re now finding projects like large, empty walls, are the remaining pieces of the puzzle to be solved in most rooms.

Being that most entertaining happens in our living room, the blank, empty space above our couch was really starting to get to me. Since it extends from the entryway to the room, it felt incredibly bare with nothing on the wall (or any other in the room for that matter). Rather than opt for something oversized above the couch, I wanted to create a gallery wall pulling in various colours, textures and inspiration to add to the room.

I’ve discussed many times on here, the house’s current state is temporary while we decide to either renovate or rebuild so most projects we take on are always budget conscious as we save towards a bigger, long term goal. Since gallery walls (art, printing and frames) can add up fast, we needed a cost-effective solution that would also coordinate with the investment pieces in the room for a cohesive look.

I spotted a gallery wall here and there on Instagram from Desenio and was always impressed at how the space came together. One of my favourite functions on their website is the ability to shop and/or edit existing gallery walls which is a great jumping off point. I find I struggle trying to visually piece the items together in my mind so I’ll create a visual cheat sheet in InDesign which helps bring the space to life.

Playing off the neutral and blue tones in our rug, the goal was to echo this colour scheme for the gallery wall. With our new house being a 10 minute walk from Lake Ontario, we’ve loved pulling in nautical or beach inspired accents here and there and thought this would be a great place to insert some of those accents. In a short period of time, we had our selections narrowed down and our order placed. I opted to add frames to the order because I’m notorious for having art sit around for weeks, months (yes years) without actually getting it framed.

My final selection were as follows (from left to right):

Beach Tower Poster
Beach Stairs Poster
Grey Blue Aquarelle Poster
Gingko Beige Poster
Archipelago Poster
Delicate Coral Poster

Have a space you’re looking to add some life to? I’m happy to extend a 25% discount with code KRYSTINLEE on all posters from Desenio from today until midnight of September 19th. Please note the code does not apply to frames, handpicked and/or personalized posters.

This post was sponsored by Desenio. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

New Year, New Office Space

Sweater | Tank Top | Disc Necklace | Hoop Earrings

A new year calls for a new office! I’m so pumped that we finally got my cloffice unpacked at our new place. The space is a little cosier than before but I can get my essentials in and I love that it’s a feminine space to call my own in the house. While I’m one to work on the couch, kitchen, dining room table and everywhere else but the desk, I’m trying to focus on getting all my work done within this space.

It’s the little things…

Gingham Dress | Bow Sandals | Gold Coin Necklaces

It’s the little things that count… a full week of sun, a clean kitchen or a quiet cup of coffee to yourself before a busy day kicks off. While I wouldn’t go as far as calling myself a coffee snob, I would say that I had gotten used to visiting a certain beverage chain more often than I liked. And truth be told, while we had used coffee pods and a compatible machine in the past, we felt like the cost always seemed to be quite high and the garbage collection would be piled up by the end of the week.

When OneCoffee made mention of a compostable, organic and fair trade coffee pad which had recently come available, I was more than game to try. Last month, Adam and I tabulated all those beverage recharges we kept reloading over and over and let me tell you – that sticker shock was enough to make me nearly fall of my chair. With 12 pods per box at $9.99 (CAD) per box, that works out to less than 85 cents a cup of coffee – a far cry from what we were currently spending.

To date, we’ve tried the Breakfast, Sumatran and Ethiopian blends and we are loving them! I also forgot how quick and easy pod-coffee machines can be for busy bees on the go. A simple hit of the button and boom – I’ve got my travel mug ready to go and I’m out the door.

I also can’t deny that I love how easy it is to recycle the pods rather than have to toss them in our garbage pin. We only get garbage pickup every two weeks and lately it feels like we’re “those” neighbours on the street trying to shove what we can into our allotted amount. (Super embarrassing when you also don’t have children to blame it on lol!) If you’re a coffee pod addict, I definitely suggest keeping an eye out for OneCoffee. You can find the product at Loblaw, Metro, Whole Foods and other natural food stores across the country.

And speaking of the little things, be sure to read about my suggestions on small ways to update your kitchen for spring here.

Thanks to OneCoffee for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Laundry Room Project Reveal

Let’s be honest with ourselves: there’s no chore anybody wants to do. But say you happened to ask me which one I liked the least… I might himmm and haw over vacuuming, scrubbing toilets, wiping down the baseboards and then quite quickly, I’d land on laundry. I have no problem getting the energy to start doing laundry, but it’s the process of moving items to the dryer, knowing which items have to air dry, waiting for the clothes to dry, folding and then my favourite – putting them all away – that just does me in.

Despite there only being two of us in our household, I feel like we churn through an awful lot of laundry. Almost every other night you could hear the rumbling of our dryer either tackling Adam’s work clothes, towels, sheets or something I likely spilled on and of course – needed it for tomorrow’s business presentation! I also strongly believe that the prettier a space, the more likely you are to want to spend time in it and keep it clean. To give you an idea of what I was working with, this is our old laundry room as of early January:

A poorly lit space with no windows, ugly green tiles, a plastic wash-bin, no storage and a washer and dryer that weren’t exactly living up to the challenge. Can you blame a girl for not wanting to hang out in here?

We’ve lived in our house for three years and have tackled the kitchen, master bedroom, foyer, powder room, ensuite, backyard and more but for some reason we kept putting this project on hold – till now. The teams at Home Depot Canada and LG Canada approached us and asked if we’d be interested in testing out the TurboWash Steam Washer and Electric Steam Dryer. Wanting to reply with an instant, YES, I couldn’t help but realize my second thought: my laundry room is soooo not Instagram worthy. So with a little convincing, planning and organizing we set a date to kick off a renovation in our laundry room.

We literally stripped this room down to nothing: swapped old tiles for marble floors, ripped out the baseboards, added a new coat of paint, installed cabinets, a counter, updated the plumbing and added the finishing touch: the TurboWash Steam Washer and Electric Steam Dryer.

While we’d consider ourselves DIYers, this was the biggest project we’ve ever tackled. I can’t stress enough how helpful the Home Depot Canada team was at our local store in helping us sort through what seemed like the impossible (How do we even begin cutting tiles? How do we make these cabinets grey? How do you tile around a corner?). To say this was a huge accomplishment for us is the understatement of the year. I’m so proud of the work we were able to accomplish in this space and for the finished product.

Floooring:
We tore up our old green builder tile and replaced it with these Hexagon 2” marble mosaic tiles. I love the subtle pattern we get in the floor but it’s also a refreshing change from the dark hardwood we have running through our hallway upstairs.

Cabinetry:
This entire set is from the Home Depot Canada’s Eurostyle collection. It’s typically in stock at most locations and you can piece together what bits you need to create a space that works best for you. The Orange Apron associates at the store were awesome at helping us organize how to put which cabinet where and maximize the space as best as possible. The cabinets did come in white originally but always up for a challenge, we decided they should be grey. We used melamine-based paint from Behr (the shade is Silver Bullet from Home Depot Canada) and got to painting (no sanding required!). I LOVE how they turned out. We also added crown molding across the top to create that custom cabinetry look without the price.

Backsplash:
Since we were working with a farmhouse-inspired space, a white backsplash seemed like a no brainer. While I wanted to use a dark grout, the team at our local Home Depot gave us the tip that using a light grey shade would be best since this was our first time cutting tile and a dark grout would highlight any imperfections. Sold!

Counter:

Don’t get me wrong – this girl loves her marble – and there were plenty of options at Home Depot but sometimes you have to keep your budget in check. I had often loved the look of butcher block but could never bring myself to use it in the kitchen so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to introduce it to our space. We also found it very easy to cut and install.

Plumbing & Sink:

Fun fact – I actually used to work on the Delta brand in a previous career so selecting a faucet with Touch2O (the hands-free technology) was a no brainer for me. I often hand wash delicates, designer jeans and more, often finding my hands covered in product so getting to simply tap the spout with my wrist to turn the water on and off was genius for this space.

Another budget debate for us was the sink. Truth be told, I really, really wanted an apron front sink. Unfortunately, the budget just wasn’t there. After debating on our options, we decided that a drop in white sink was our closest bet to creating that farmhouse aesthetic without breaking the bank.

Paint:

Phew – something we knew a thing or two about. We’ve used Behr paint in other homes we’ve painted in the past so this was a no brainer for us…. or so we thought. I’ll be honest, this room was first painted white (too white!), then we debated a wallpaper but it didn’t jive with the subway tile and then we landed on what would have been original choice: the perfect greige shade of paint. The colour used in this room was Dolphin Fin.

Washer & Dyer:

I think the biggest and most notable improvement of all in this space is our new LG TurboWash Steam Washer and Electric Steam Dryer. Talk about night and day! I mean the immediate change for us was the upgrade in capacity: at 5.2 cu. ft. (washer) and 7.4 cu.ft. (Dryer) – I’ve already cut out 1 load a week from our previous pair, which is craz-eh! The TurboWash Technology also helps us save up to 20 minutes on our normal laundry loads – it’s like hitting fast forward on the television as you watch it zip through a load.

I also love that the washer incorporates Steam while cleaning to work hard at tough stains or allergens so you really do get a deep clean. And while certain ‘types’ of cycles are already labeled on the device (Towels, Delicates), you also have the option to tap the LG Smart Laundry app and find customized cycles (cough, cough that red wine stain on your white dress) that are tailored to your needs.

I had mentioned this in my stories prior, but due to the lack of space and only 8-foot ceilings, we needed to use what room we did have for cabinetry and counter space for folding and sorting through laundry. This meant we had to part ways with the concept of the LG TWINWash System ™ – bummer! The TWINWash ™ system includes Sidekick pedestal washer, which not only add height but also allow for the option of a secondary laundry load to be washed at the same time as a regular one – below the main washer. A secondary pedestal drawer is installed beneath your dryer and is a great storage unit where you can keep detergent, hangers, clothespins or other accessories for the space.

And guess what! I’m giving away a full LG TWINWash™ system that includes a front load washer, electric dryer, Sidekick pedestal and regular laundry pedestal on my Instagram channel right now! makeover. Keep an eye out for my post later today and enter for a chance to win and get started on your own laundry room makeover.

Overall, these new appliances are game changers for the way we do laundry. We can conquer more laundry, save time and cut back on our water bill at the end of the month – a big win in Adam’s books.

This project was not for the faint of heart but so worth it in the end. Ask me now what my favourite chore is and I’ll probably tell you laundry. I literally find myself just hanging out in the laundry room perfectly folding t-shirts, organizing accessories and snapping the odd shoefie pic on my new marble floors.

Got questions about our project or looking for tips/tricks? Ask away! In the meantime, find all details below:

Eurostyle Cabinetry: c/o Home Depot Canada | Cabinetry Paint: Silver Bullet by Behr c/o Home Depot Canada | Richelieu Cabinetry Hardware: c/o Home Depot Canada | Butcher Block Counters: c/o Home Depot Canada | White Porcelain Subway Tile: c/o Home Depot Canada | Delorean Grey Grout: c/o Home Depot Canada | White Over-the-counter Sink: c/o Home Depot Canada | Delta Touch2O Faucet: Available at Home Depot Canada | White Floating Shelves: c/o Home Depot Canada | Marble Hexagon Floor: c/o Home Depot Canada | Delorean Grey Grout: c/o Home Depot Canada | Behr Eggshell Paint in Dolphin Fin – XX c/o Home Depot Canada | LG TurboWash Steam Washer: c/o Home Depot Canada | LG TurboWash Electric Steam Dryer: c/o Home Depot Canada

Photos by Carlous Sousa | Florals by Bloom Scout

A Cozy Kitchen Refresh

Pendant Lights: Old, Similar at Wayfair | Barstools: c/o Wayfair

I know most gals get excited about transitioning wardrobe to adjust for the cooler temps and while I share the same sentiments, I also have a soft spot for cozy home decor in the winter. I’ve been wanting to transition our home decor to farmhouse style from the state it was in but rather than looking to overhaul the entire space, I’ve been re-arranging items bit by bit.

In an effort to avoid purchasing items on a whim to complete the space (SO guilty of doing this!), I wanted to take my time with this refresh project and make more calculated purchases for the kitchen. Everyone knows I adore Wayfair – from the finishing touches to our master bedroom to the perfect backyard setup, we’ve relied on their curated assortment of goods for years. I actually organized our backyard with the help of their Idea Board in an effort to decide which fabrics went best together, what patio set aligned with our existing dining room set and more. I couldn’t think of a better tool to use to help bring this kitchen project to life.

To give you an idea of what my initial Mood Board looked like, see below:

I love how I can drag and drop the items I’m loving to create a mood board but also add items that aren’t even from Wayfair to add personal elements as well. This helped me create a cohesive mood board that I could edit along the way and visualize the space coming together.

Florals from Bloom Scout

Bar Stools: c/o Wayfair Canada {also loving these and these}

One of the most noticeable changes we made in the space was swapping out our bar stools for new ones. I previous had hard, metal bar stools that were not only very uncomfortable but not inviting for the space. I felt like the cross-back style in a light wooden finish really worked to bring the entire space together.

And what’s a celebration of a job well done than with a charcuterie board and your favourite bottle of rose?

Sweater | Blouse | Jeans

I also loved incorporating wooden and marble cutting boards in various shapes and sizes along the backsplash. This helps to brighten the space but also tie in all the elements together.

I love how bright and airy this space managed to stay!

If you have a project on the go or an upcoming renovation (big or small), I definitely recommend trying the Wayfair Idea Board feature. Whether it’s one or many things you’re getting from their online shop, the interchangeable backgrounds, cropped products and ease of use let you act as interior designer for your project… or for others ;)

I received products in exchange for this post with Wayfair Canada. All thoughts and/or opinions expressed are my own.

On the Homefront: Patio Project

We moved into our house about three years ago and it feels like it’s taken forever to get the interior to a point we’re happy with and things feel settled. The backyard, however, was a whole other beast to tackle. We waited until halfway through last summer to have stonework laid in the backyard and since it didn’t wrap till late September, we offset the patio project into this year.

Combine weeks of travel, a horrible spring and a zillion other things on the go – we kept putting off the project until it dawned on us how fast summer was approaching. With no excuses left, we’re officially ready to tackle this project once and for all. I’ll be honest, investing serious money in a home that we know isn’t our ‘forever home’ is a hard pill to swallow. This is definitely one of those times when we dig up gift cards we may have forgotten about, keenly watch for sales at local stores and use the Membership Rewards points on our American Express card that we’ve earned from our travels abroad (Hawaii, Miami, Charleston… ok there’s a lot) and day to day purchases like groceries, gas, clothes and more!

Image credit: Pinterest

To be honest, I never pay much attention to the points we accumulate, but when we kicked off the project, I was looking at how fast we earned points from our online statements and I was super impressed on how much value we’ve earned for this project.

With the stonework already laid, we have a general idea of what we’re working with in terms of layout. We bought a patio set last year that we don’t love, but figured with the right cushions, new umbrella, placemats and décor, we can spruce it up! I’ve already made a trip or two to my local Home Depot, Home Sense and thankfully, our friends at Wayfair have also offered to contribute a few items to help with the completion of the project.

Image credit: Pinterest

We do plan to add a conversation set, fire-pit, area rug and fun décor items like floor poufs or garden stools to really bring the inside outdoors. This is where we plan to entertain friends, dine al fresco or spend work from home days and I want it to be cozy, comfortable and inviting.

Since we’re out in the suburbs and in a new development, we have five neighbours, so adding some trees and shrubs for privacy will also be on the agenda. I’m actually cleaning the dirt out of my nails as I type this lol! I’ve pulled some inspiration images that I love in terms of décor, colours or even ambiance for a backyard feel. Ours certainly won’t be looking like these, but magazine tear-aways, mood boards and good ol’ Pinterest always helps me bring my visions to life.

Image credit: Pinterest

Got a project on the go or looking to redeem some of your hard earned American Express points? Simply charge any eligible purchase to your card, like those shoes you HAD to have, lunch at a fab restaurant or pillows for your next patio project, then log on and simply apply your points towards your next statement as a credit. We personally love doing this on-the-go with our American Express app and within 48 hours our points are deposited and our credit has been applied!

Here’s an idea of what we’ve got planned for the backyard:

Umbrella: Wayfair | String lights: Canadian Tire {also here} | Conversation set: Wayfair | Lanterns: Target | Firepit: Wayfair | Moroccan throw: Joss & Main | Garden stool: Joss & Main | Pineapple tumbler | Diptyque Citronella Candle: Net A Porter | Linen pillow: Serena & Lily | Gold dipped planter: Joss & Main | Gingham Pillow: Caitlin Wilson Design | Floral pillow: Caitlin Wilson Design | Wicker basket: Indigo

Stay tuned for the before and after reveal coming to you shortly!
This post was sponsored by American Express Canada. The views and opinions expressed in this blog, however, are purely my own.

Weekend Wishlist

With a few days left in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I thought I’d share some weekend wishlist items I’m currently crushing on. There’s nothing I love more than curling up on the weekend and scrolling through magazines or Pinterest for home decor inspo. Whether you’re looking for that perfect accent piece or even seeking to spruce up the bar cart, there’s some adorable items noted above and deals to be had before the sale ends.

Bar Cart Styling with Pier 1 Imports

Glasses: Double Old Fashion Glasses c/o Pier 1 Imports | Pick: Golden Waves Ice Tongs c/o Pier 1 Imports | Napkin: Woven Napkin c/o Pier 1 Imports

Mastering the art of a great Gin and
Tonic is something Adam and I have been working on for some time. We’ve tested
out different types of sparkling water, gins, fruit combos and more and I have
to say – I think we’ve finally settled on our favourite. Of course – any great
drink must be served in equally appropriate bar ware.

We’re thrilled to be
sharing our cocktail recipe today with Pier 1 Imports to celebrate the launch
of their new store in Etobicoke, near Sherway Gardens. I’m always re-arranging
my bar cart depending on the time year or the occasion and their selection of
bar accessories, drink ware and napkins was the just the pick-me-up I needed as
we transition into spring.

My intent was solely to grab some bar cart
accessories but as you can see, it was a tad difficult staying on task with
their new collection ;) Not to mention – a lot of the items I had grabbed were on sale – WOO! From faux-peonies (OBSESSED), to tufted benches and Lucite
lamps, this is any décor-obsessed gal’s dream. You must check it out!

If you follow along instagram, you’ll see I grabbed an armful of these peonies on the weekend and trying to tell them apart from the real thing is near impossible!

Appetizer Plates: Crown Appetizer Plate Set c/o Pier 1 Imports | Stackable Wine Rack: c/o Pier 1 Imports | Bucket: Golden Waves Ice Bucket and Tong c/o Pier 1 Imports | Vase: Metal Scroll Hurricane c/o Pier 1 Imports | Peonies: Faux Peony Buds Spray White c/o Pier 1 Imports | Napkin: Woven Napkin c/o Pier 1 Imports

I’m still a sucker for stemless barware!

I love adding a pop of colour to my bar cart with coloured straws :)

Excited to spruce the house up with some faux-flowers!

Our bar cart station! Art print: c/o Katie Kime

I think I’ve whet your appetite long enough! Ready for that G&T recipe? Me too ;)

You’ll need:
3/4 oz Tonic {We love 3/4 Oz Tonic}
1 1/4 Oz of Gin {We use Dillon’s Unfiltered Gin or Ungava}
2 oz of Sparkling Water
1 Large ice cube
Grapefruit wedges
Rosemary sprig to garnish

Mix Tonic, Gin and Sparkling Water in advance with grapefruit wedges. Let the mixture macerate for a few minutes before serving. Pour over ice cube and add Rosemary sprig and an additional grapefruit wedge to garnish.

You’ll have to let me know what you think about the recipe! Looking to recreate something similar? Be sure to visit Pier 1 Imports website to find a store near you ;) Be sure to head to instagram today for a fun contest where you can score 1 of 3 $50 gift cards!