purple frames

Another weekend spent in reno-prep madness.  This time it was a three hour ordeal at Ikea to purchase a kitchen.  I love Ikea and I am really happy about the kitchen my boyfriend and I chose however, the standing, and waiting and checking and revising and screaming children running around and random people moving in on the computer you have been hard at work on for an hour, I would rather pass on.  Those are the things that make Ikea less than enjoyable.  However, for Scandinavian design, I am willing to make a small sacrifice.   

How Ikea relates to the topic of this post is that I received yet another engagement phone call while at Ikea this weekend, this time from a close family friend announcing her engagement where she sealed the deal with a canoe.  I think this is my fifth engagement post in two months.  I guess the warm weather brings the romance out in couples.  Keeping up with tradition on this blog, to honour the couple, I have chosen some inspiring, wonderful photos from other parties that I hope will awe and inspire. 

Below is a creative example of eye catching decor/table cards/gifts that was executed really well because the couple chose a bold colour story for their wedding theme.   The picture frames and messages inside were selected match the same monochromatic colour palette as the flowers, desserts and candy.  What a lovely looking event. 

via green wedding shoes

via green wedding shoes

via green wedding shoes

via green wedding shoes

caligraphy

Bella Figura, letterpress company extraordinaire in Syracuse, New York has a way with caligraphy.  Their sister company is Smock who I’ve blogged about before, and the company has a great blog to showcase there work here.

Below is a sample of my favourite styles and invites from their lineup of products.

via bella figura

via bella figura

via bella figura

something a bit different from Bella Figura

icing sugar cupcakes

I went to a party last night to celebrate my friend’s new job.  I tried a new recipe out of the Sono Bakeshop cookbook that I have on loan from the library.  I made their chocolate chip cookies and doctored them up with the addition of white chocolate to the already chocolaty chocolate chips.   Rave reviews.  It’s a chewy cookie recipe and would certainly make them again.

However, had I seen this shot of cupcakes dusted in icing sugar, I may have tested them out instead:

via lora jeans magazine

origami font

I thought this origami inspired font was awesome!  It is from Handmade Font in Estonia and I found out about it from blog, lotus haus.  The company specializes in developing hand made, unique, non traditional fonts.  The fonts can be purchased and used in all types of print/web applications. 

red theme wedding

Another friend got engaged this past week.  They’re dropping like flies I tell you!  I say that jokingly.   I am excited to attend so many events this year.  To honour the new mr. + mrs. to be- I put together a red wedding theme collection of photos for inspiration.

from southern weddings magazine

via event accomplished

via martha stewart

via kelly oshiro events

via lora jeans magazine

via beautiful bridal

(via ritzy bee)

theurel & thomas patisserie

Mexico just got a bit hipper with the addition of its first French patisserie dedicated to my favourite sweet, the macaron.  Designed by Anagrama, the Mexican design studio who did the shop’s interior and company branding, Theurel & Thomas looks like it will be a hit in its first location, the affluent neighbourhood of San Pedro in Mexico.  Anagrama did an excellent job with the white space to show off the colourful macaron and certainly achieved an elegant, stylish cafe atmosphere.  Best of luck to the new business. I’m sure it will do well.  Who doesn’t like macarons!?!?

via dezeen

 

via cool boom

 

via dezeen

 

via theurel thomas

 

via theurel thomas

 

icing dreams cupcakes

I would like to think of myself as a bit of a cupcake connoisseur.  By no means am I a professional baker.  Far from it actually.  I just have an appreciation for baked goods, design and art.  When someone can successfully put these three things together,  I get excited.  While reading multicultural wedding website, Wedding Nouveau, I came across Maryam from Icing Dreams.  Her company name gives you an indication of what to expect from her confections but when you see the real deal, be prepared to be blown away.  She is not producing dreams, she is creating fantasy.  Her attention to detail is like none other and what’s best about this post is that on her website she mentions she is relocated to T.Dot!  That’s right.  Toronto.  When she moves, I will get to try these cupcakes out first hand and not just salivate in front of my screen.   You can view more of Maryam’s outstanding cupcake, cake and cookie designs on her flickr page here as well as more of the Indian themed desserts that were created for her friend, that I’ve featured below here.

via aaisha shaikh

via violet cottage

via mad girl's love song

via flickr

via flickr

room colour

Why do people shy away from colour when considering interior design? 

I love how these three photos bring colour in to the space through furniture and accessories while still maintaining white walls/a neutral backdrop.  I wonder who the artist is behind the painting in the second room shot below?  By the way, Elle Interior Sweden is a gem.  Amazing design ideas.  Thanks for bringing my attention to the site, blogger from Hei!

via elle interior, sweden

via hei

via elle interior, sweden

premiere pression provence

Look at the neat packaging from French olive oil company, Premiere Pression Provence.  Olivier Baussan, the man behind L’Occitane has diverted his creative talents to the olive.  The result, a hip new Parisian outpost dedicated to celebrating the craft, culture and creation of all things olive.  The oils, dressings and spreads  in his sleek chain of (3) boutiques around Pairs highlight olive products originating from lesser known regions around the country.    The oils are organized in three categories based on the ripeness of the olive and the website offers a wealth of knowledge on the product, the region, the terroir and some great recipes.  More packaging pictures available on blog, the dieline, here.

via colunistas

 

via le figaro

 

via food intelligence

 

via urban grocer

chocolate chip cookies

Happy Canada Day!!  I love having a break mid week to celebrate our national holiday.  To make the most of my mid week break, so far, I read through three quarters of my June issue of Monocle magazine, the best magazine on the planet, practiced an hour of yoga and slept in!  Next up, baking for a family get together tonight in the backyard.

This is what I am baking today.  I was inspired by a post I read on blog, Some Say Cocoa:

via nytimes.com

 

Recipe here.