WONDERLAND


 Well my friends it has been a wonderful year. 
Thank you for stopping by the blog and I truly hope you have enjoyed reading. 
I have certainly enjoyed sharing my totally random thoughts with you.  



I am taking some holiday time off and will be back here in the new year. 

In the meantime, 
here's to looking back with gratitude, 
looking ahead with hope
and enjoying this festive time of year.  

warm wishes
xoox
catherine







SIMPLE PLEASURES MIXTAPE #3


I am loving seeing all of these images together.  Hope you are enjoying too!

simple pleasures: MIXTAPE #3



SIMPLE PLEASURES: MIXTAPE #2

I hope you enjoy 

simple pleasures: MIXTAPE #2





(all images previously credited)

REFLECTING: SIMPLE PLEASURES MIXTAPE # 1

As we coast towards the holidays (or scramble as some of you might be feeling) I thought I would share compilations of images from the 'simple pleasures' Friday series.  

These Friday images are a reflection of how I am feeling or wish I was feeling at the end of each week. I select them 'real-time' meaning they are a true reflection of what is going on inside my little head at the time I post them.  Am I feeling calm, floaty, sassy?  Reflective, happy, peaceful?  Are XS and S fighting over a toy and I wish I was in a hammock at the beach?  Tune in Fridays to find out. 

It has been fun sharing all of my moods and moments with you this year.  I hope these images resonate with you as they have with me. 


simple pleasures: MIXTAPE #1



(all images previously credited)

INSPIRE // DESIRE: THE COAT

Pendulum swing from the warm sun of Harbour Island. Lets talk about coats. 

images found: top // bottom l to r 1 /2 /3/ 4

For someone who prefers living in a warm climate and is freezing when the temps drop below 70, I have a slight obsession with coats.  I grew up in Toronto, where the freezing cold winter was a way of life and coats were the comfort, the staple. But they had to be cool. Big requirement by the time I got to high school.

This image above took me back to the winters when I borrowed a tweed car coat of my Dads and wore to school every day with my uniform (kilt, tie the whole shebang), black oxfords and felt very 80's new wave cool. The coat came down well below my knees and engulfed me and I loved it. Walking through the streets of downtown Toronto going out for coffee with my friends after school in cool downtown coffee shops (The Fiesta cafe anyone?) that coat was my favorite.

Here are some images to

INSPIRE



DESIRE:


THE SUGAR MILL, HARBOUR ISLAND

I have been noticing some covetables in the Sugar Mill Trading Co.'s Facebook feed lately. And I always love a little India in my inbox. Her writing is so refreshing in a sea of online chatter. Her posts always make me smile, especially the funny note about ntandy's belts which can now be found on her site (go ntandy & MF!).

Seeing both of these bits of communication in one day prompted me to send a quick email to the lovely Linda Griffin to see what their favorites are right now.

Co-owned by Linda Griffin and India Hicks, The Sugar Mill is my first stop once my feet hit the ground in Harbour Island. The store has such a special charm, a true reflection of the women who own it.  

This is the list... India and Linda's current favorites:




The website India Hicks.com is a well edited collection of things from The Sugar Mill and more of India's jewelry line, bedding line and other treasures.

Here are a few of my favorites:



If you are new to the blog you can read more about Linda, India and their friendship/partnership here.

Thanks ladies! Wish I could kick off my shoes and shop in person.

stole // necklace // blouse available in store only **// striped top //
ntandy belts // sparkly top // budhha case

**the store is happy to ship or send back to the US with someone










HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES

Hello and happy Monday!  

Popping in today with a quick hello. If you are in high-gear holiday shopping mode I have some handy dandy gift guides all ready for you! Check out the guides in the sidebar right next to this post.  


SPEAKING OF ENTERTAINING

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks and we are trying to figure out how to throw a quick no stress party somewhere between the window of 4pm Dec. 14th and 8pm Dec. 15th.  Think we can pull it off? That is how the holidays are rolling Chez K.  Our thrown together last minute parties usually end up being the most fun, the best energy.
  
Rather than buy a bunch of 'holiday decor' (you know what I mean) I would rather spruce up the house with glowing glittery things that can be used all year long. A few bits of sparkle, add some fresh bark or twigs or evergreen sprigs and you have a party.  

I put together a mood board for things that we have in the store that will accomplish just that. I have had my eye on that bar cart since the day it arrived. It is such a great addition to the party. The hurricanes and candles are the best bang for the buck. Nothing a little candlelight can't fix right?!






I put together a collection of a few other party-ready accessories on the Canvas Interiors website. The collection above is gold tones, warm and glowing but you could you could do a whole silver and white and mirrored thing with the other pieces I have curated on the website. Check it out here and wish me luck Chez K!

A LITTLE SPARKLE

Now that you have finished your holiday shopping (?!) here are a few images to inspire the entertaining portion of the season.  









images: 1 // 2 // 3 // 

CYBER MONDAY

If I were shopping today here is where I would go...









A little something for everyone on your list (including you perhaps?)

Here is a head start for you... 
a few things from each of these stores 

I have my eye on that EF silver skirt and at 20% off its a great addition to my holiday look - skirt and cozy sweater and boots. Although the Gatsby Anthro dress just might convince me to put a dress on. 







Deep Dive

I am finding with extra time at home I am becoming more of a shopping sleuth. I have shopped on Amazon forever, but never really for 'fa...