Made me smile:

I used to entitle these posts “happiness is” but it never quite felt right claiming that the secret to happiness is a cute set of salt and pepper shakers or brand new boots. Every time I would hit publish something would churn in my stomach for I felt I was sending the wrong message. When I originally started this sometimes series, I did it with the intention of placing the focus on the little bits, those small moments that make your day just that much sweeter. I’m a firm believer in finding the light, the silver linings and appreciating the little things and that’s exactly what I’m trying to convey. From here on out, I will be referring to this series as “made me smile” for it feels more fitting. Yes, finding that dress you’ve lusted over on sale is something to smile about, as is making your way home without ever having to stop at a red light or purchasing a bag filled primarily with brown m&m’s (they taste the best, I swear it!) Little tidbits of my days that, in the grand scheme of things, are superfluous, potentially superficial and not necessarily the secret to happiness, but do deserve some recognition in their own right. What are a few notable things that made you smile lately? I’d love to know!

Happy long weekend sunshines (oh look, another reason to smile)!

tasty treats: rich chocolate cake (for one)

Once in a while, I get the sudden urge for chocolate cake. If you’re anything like me, you know that when this urge strikes, it isn’t easily satisfiable. There isn’t much that can compare to a big slice of warm chocolatey goodness, and don’t try to tell me that a cookie or a chocolate bar will do the trick. I assure you, it will not.

Not wanting to commit to baking an entire cake for these dire moments of need (because if I have an entire cake I will eat an entire cake), I knew that there had to be a solution. It turns out, I wasn’t alone in this thought and have since found a multitude of recipes that result in just enough batter to make one decent portion of ooey gooey deliciousness. A single, personal sized chocolate cake, if you will. After testing out a few versions I came up with what I believe to be the perfect recipe (see below). The combination of ingredients results in a cake that’s not too sweet, not too dense, and just chocolatey enough to fulfil any and all cravings.

I can more or less guarantee that todays guest need not an introduction for she is well known and loved throughout the blog world. Sarah’s blog, Haute Design, is one of the very first that I ever laid eyes on and to date is one of the few that I still follow from that time in my life. Her posts are always artfully written, eloquently executed and frequently showcases images I have not yet seen anywhere else (no easy feat in the world of blogging and pinterest). It’s been so lovely getting to know a little bit more about Sarah…

house envy: black & white

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Is it any shock that this Swedish home has made its way onto my radar? The combination of raw materials paired with unexpected bits (like those Moroccan inspired tiled floors, the golden washroom fixtures and the custom kitchen pendant) is a look I won’t soon tire of. And would you have ever guessed that the kitchen is (more or less) from Ikea? It just goes to show that champagne taste can be achieved on a bud light budget.

scenes from my weekend

saturday morning | baseball in the park | siblings
crabapple trees | mothers day pedicures 

This weekend marked one of the first in which it really and truly felt like spring. Mother nature must have read my strongly worded letters for the weather has finally taken a turn for the best. Between a birthday baseball game for my big sister, drinks on her boyfriends back porch and brunch al fresco for mother’s day, we definitely spent as much time as we could enjoying it. I am now more excited than ever for the warmer months ahead!

guest post: The Girls of Lincoln Park

I’m gust posting over on The Girls of Lincoln Park today! Go take a peek

ps: we’re having some technical difficulties getting my new blog up and running. Hold tight! We’re working on it.

Happy weekend, lovelies!

luxury camping

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I’m not sure I’d be allowed to call myself a true Canadian if I didn’t enjoy some occasional camping. Something about surrounding yourself with nature, makeupless (and, more often than not, showerless) is extremely invigorating. Good for the soul, if you will.

While I feel the escape does great things for the psyche, I won’t deny that I do enjoy my luxuries. Sleeping on the ground is never something I’ll claim to enjoy and while bacon and eggs taste infinitely better when prepared over an open fire, they also take four times as long to cook (and are usually ingested with dirty fingers. Yum!)

Enter Shelter Co. Not only will they go ahead of time to set up your camp (consisting of an actual bed, 400 count sheets, down duvets, Pendleton blankets and s’more fixins’), but they will also go so far as to prepare your meals and organize your activities, should you so please.

How much fun would this be for a bachelorette party or for your guests after an outdoor wedding? It certainly has my name written all over it.

If you’ve spent any time on Pinterest, chances are you’ve seen some of Erin’s amazing tutorials floating around. I know that I, myself, have big plans to tackle a number of them (most specifically: this one). What I’m getting at is the girl is talented, and it is clearly reflected in her blog House of Earnest. It was so much fun getting to know a bit more about Erin, and I just know you’ll love her as much as I do:

house envy: pared down in Paris

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As mentioned, I’ve recently made an effort to pare down our condo so that it includes the things we really, truly love. This apartment (in Paris, no less) is the perfect example of the less is more approach to design. A few carefully curated pieces is all you really need to make a statement – and a beautiful one at that.

scenes from my weekend

drinks with the girls | spring in the city | my new bike!
pesto scrambled eggs at Frankly | treats at Bobette & Belle 

Have you ever had one of those insanely productive weekends that, looking back, make you wonder how on earth you managed to squeeze it all in? Well that’s what just happened. The spring cleaning bug has recently hit me (hard) and our place has never looked better. Each cupboard, each drawer, each item has been diligently cleaned, sorted, organized (or tossed) and it feels oh so good. On top of clean fest 2012, I managed to indulge in a serious girls night (including but not limited to dinner, thyme infused beverages, and avocado face masks), visit my grandmother and help celebrate Justin’s moms 50th birthday. The best part? I found a bike! A really cute bike for a mere $45 (his name is Leopold and he marks me officially spring-ready). I would be lying if I said I feel rested; in fact, I may need a weekend from my weekend, but I definitely feel fulfilled.

Ps lark & linen is getting a bit of a facelift of sorts. If things seem a little wonky over the next few days please bear with me! Things are about to get a whole lot prettier over here.