LETS GET DRESSED: IN 15 MINUTES

No matter the temperature the easiest thing for me to throw on is a black dress. I have a couple of go-to breezy simple numbers. A favorite gold necklace, stack of bracelets, wet hair up in a knot and I'm good to go. Nude flat sandals, a soft clutch and presto. It takes all of 15 minutes from shower to out the door.  

Head to toe here's how it goes, starting with my 'magic dress' as my friend J.F. calls it. I was running late for a surprise party and said "what should I wear?" and she replied:  "Just throw on your magic dress".



update: the black one is hard to find but more 'magic dresses'  here

As for summer makeup I rarely wear any but when I do it is always an easy breezy situation involving fingers and smudging. Laura Mercier does the job for me with her tinted moisturizer, cream blush, eyeliner stick, and mascara. The one lip gloss I am addicted to and have been for years is Clinique's. Love the colors, it stays on forever and isn't super pricey.




Here are more black breezy dresses (go here for more colors in the 'magic dress').  I like to add a hint of sassy with a plunging front or back. Why not? Its summer. Time for fun and a little dose of sexy.







HARBOUR ISLAND: CHAPTER 2 THE SUGAR MILL AND TALENTED FRIENDS

My favorite stop when we arrive to Harbour Island is The Sugar Mill. Of all the places on the island I savor this place the most. India Hicks and Linda Griffin own and curate this treasure chest of a store. 


There is always a new mix of merchandise, never a dull moment visually. It is a happy place, made more so by the sweet staff and cheeky accessories. Delicate India Hicks jewelry rests beside skull and crossbones towels. It all just works. Their eye for merchandising never disappoints, in fact, always entertains. An eclectic mix, a clean cool edit. Elegant and island-perfect clothing hangs next to India's new bedding line - makes you want to put on a floaty caftan and recline in bed on cool sheets.






I always say the same thing when I write about The Sugar Mill. It inspires me and makes me stop and look at every little thing. There is spirit of creativity and inspiration that runs through the threads of our time on this island. It then becomes more than just a vacation, it becomes part of our journey.

In that spirit I am also sharing photography (lifestyle images above) by Brittan Goetz who has shot India and her family numerous times. Brittan's work is lovely and captures the The Sugar Mill perfectly. Her visual sensibility is simple and clean. I must thank India for putting us together and knowing we would get each other's visual language. Please take a moment to look at Brittan's site it is lovely.

The most special moment of the trip was the beautiful 90 year old woman sitting in a chair under the shade of a tree who spoke to Mr. K and Small K. She handed them a water bottle filled with pink sand and said "take this home and tell your friends about Harbour Island".

So there you have it friends. I did what the beautiful lady asked. The beauty of this island fills my heart.  



lifestyle images: Brittan Goetz
product images: indiahicks.com
the sugar mill facebook page
read more about The Sugar Mill in this canvasstyle interview with Linda Griffin

ps: there is a sale going on now at indiahicks.com




HARBOUR ISLAND FAVORITES: CHAPTER 1

This year's trip to Harbour Island was a whirlwind of activity including stopping in to a few old favorites and discovering a couple of new ones. 

Dinner at the Dunmore was absolutely delicious. Of course Mr. K. and I get a little nostalgic when we are there as we remember our I Do's. After being sappy for a minute we enjoyed a delicious meal.


The Landing was as always, a cozy and comforting stop for a drink and a good sit-down with friends in the bar. I decided at 9:30pm as they were closing the kitchen that I could not leave with out eating the grilled lobster and they happily made it. Which I happily devoured sitting at said bar.

Da Vine Wine Merchants is a new wine bar and store designed beautifully with grasscloth wallpaper and stunning wood everywhere. Expertly merchandised by Linda Griffin of The Sugar Mill fame it is most impressive. Cozy and inviting, stop in here for a glass of wine or a few bottles to go. We did both. More than once.  

image #2: Davine wine

The expertise of Captain Bob (GM) Linda Griffin (Design/Merchandising) Alexander and Jennifer Alexiou (IT/Research & Design) Paul King (Buyer) and Rita Miller (Photography/Sommelier) have come together nicely. A perfect mix of casual and elegant, it is an ideal spot for a cold glass of something after a beach day. An impressive choice of wine, champagne and artisanal spirits means there is something for everyone. And we loved the friendly staff.  :)

Bahamas Coffee Roasters was a nice new surprise. Locally roasted coffee, organic ingredients, great vibe and soon to come cold pressed juice.  We had a delicious lunch and a nice big outdoor area makes a good stop for either coffee in the morning or an afternoon bite. And what I believe to be the first 'food truck' on the island ... the mobile Daiquiri bar was a treat.

Bahamas Coffee Roasters // Daiquiri bar // Queen Conch

The lovely ladies at Queen Conch made lunch a special adventure for our kids. Our two youngest guests (age 6) sat at the bar and watched them prepare food. When we left the kids told us the ladies had made them their 'security guards'.  Fun memories for our littles. A big new covered deck made it all the more fabulous. I love watching this place succeed and thrive over the years. 

The Blue Rooster, Pink Sands hotel boutique and Miss Mae's are always a pleasure. I always find a little something at one, two or all 3 of these stores.

Blue Rooster // Pink Sands boutique // Miss Mae's


I'll be back soon with a little more on this special place and then I'll stop. Until next year. 



all images ©canvasstyle unless otherwise noted

RAN AWAY FROM HOME

We are back from Harbour Island - laundry and groceries and work in full swing. While I catch my breath, here are a few scenes from last week. It was an amazing trip as always. This one was made all the more sweet by some truly lovely new friends. Oh, and some mischievous ones too. My phone spent a girls night out on the town (without me). It saw things. It took pictures of things. It was slightly naughty.  Note to self: use passcode lock on phone. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a few new places, old favorites and some more pictures. 








SUMMER TEEPEE

I am not the most DIY'ish person on the planet. I can dream it up, design it in my head, see the finished product but not, I repeat not make it. I am good with a glue gun and a few googly eyes on a t-shirt but that is about where my craft skills end. 

This project however, actually had me thinking I might just try it.  Check out the instructions to build this using scraps of fabric and get this... NO SEWING.  None. Yay!


This makes me want to get my DIY big girl pants on and try it.

INSTRUCTIONS HERE: Handmade Home

CANVAS INTERIORS: IN THE BEDROOM

I spent some time in the store the other day and before I knew it I had shot over 200 frames. There was a lot to see... new items, rearranged items, fresh new bedding. I just wandered around and let my eye lead me. I love when that happens. 

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite bedrooms. Surprise! The Briland Chandelier again... I love this one.  Sorry can't help myself but to shoot it and talk about it. All items are listed below and linked to our shopable website so browse & dream away.  



Maybe your own nest needs a little refresh or you just gutted your beach condo (I watch a lot of HGTV and fantasize about this)... check out these items that create a cozy dreamy summer nest. 

Find each piece here:
Briland chandelier // Brugges ottoman // Sofia bed // Hartford pillow //  Elizabeth wall sconce  // Luke dresser 

For further info about anything you see here, you can email the store at hello@canvasinteriors.com and the lovely, talented and really nice design staff would be happy to answer any questions you may have.



SIMPLE PLEASURES

have a beautiful (Father's Day) weekend


xoox
catherine

for my sweet Dad



SLOUCHY

I love a good pair of skinny jeans. AG makes pretty much hands down my all time favorites. I am sitting comfortably in them right now with my flip flops on and couldn't be happier. However... there are days when you just want to feel like you are in your PJ's. Thus my rekindled love for the slouchy pant.

The key to the slouchy pants thing is balance. I tried a whole lot of them on last fall and not being the tallest kid on the block, most of them went back. Too baggy, too long, too poofy.  I settled on the Joie Mariner version in black and love them.




I am now ready for a summer pair. They are just the right amount of slouch without being too sloppy. A little white cotton tank top, a delicate necklace and some flat sandals by day. Add sassy heels a silk tank and voila an easy summer night out.




I think I will road test the last pair... they look fun, I am slightly pattern averse but these seem inviting and summery. And they are on sale. Bonus. 

PS:

I would love to see you in your canvasstyle-inspired outfits! Wouldn't that be fun? I never really know if what I am writing resonates with you. So, if you are on instagram, selfie your self and #canvasstyle @canvasstyle it. It would be a great way to play together! 

click here and follow me on instagram




NUDE PLEASE

As you can see from my 'weekly want' on the left side of the page, I have a certain affinity for flat, nude sandals.  

I have had a pair in rotation for about the last 10 years. They are part of the uniform. I have just ordered my 'weekly wants' and will report on those as soon as they arrive. Dress them up or down, they make summer fashion feel effortless which is exactly how I like it. 

images found: here

This Madewell dress and sandal combo looks so comfy I am relaxed just thinking about wearing it.



Here are others that may catch your eye. Throw on with jeans, a white dress or floaty coral number and you are good to go. 





CHATEAU ANYONE?

Have you ever fantasized about getting away to a French Chateau for a tranquil summer vacation? This headline from Elle Decor caught my eye and I think you will be surprised at the pricing as was I.  I thought I would share.

"Its cheaper to rent a French castle than it is to stay at Disneyworld"

This one was my favorite of the choices in Elle Decor's article:


Chateau du Jonquay


Here is the Elle Decor article where there are a few more listings
and here is a direct link to Chateau du Jonquay on Home Away

Wine, cheese, and no lines. Sounds good to me.  


I LOVE THE SMELL OF LUMBER IN THE MORNING

We are officially under construction Chez K.  When we first looked at this house it was abundantly clear that the kitchen although lovely, stopped just shy of fully functioning. Lack of counter space and a teeny tiny eat in nook were not going to cut it longterm. As we were discussing whether this house was the right one for us my answer that day was "yes, but only if we can bump out the kitchen, extend counter space and fit a harvest table in a new room off the kitchen".

After 3 years and countless (!) rounds of architectural drawings, we have finally begun. There are limitations with a reno... existing architecture and scale have us a tad boxed in but in the long run we chose a narrow room vs. a wider one that would have cut off the backyard and created unusable outdoor space. S and XS K's need room to roam. 

I will keep you posted on our progress but in the meantime here are a few inspiration photos that I have collected on my pinterest "Summerland" boarda few snaps of the interior portion of the project, and the framed space. 

INSPIRATION:



THE KITCHEN ASSIGNMENT:


Extending kitchen counter to the left of the stove and creating an 'L' shape pretty much exactly where you see the bench. Lower cabinets only, window straight ahead in this picture stays so I can watch S and XS K in the yard. Wall to the left in this picture goes away and opens into new room. 


EXTERIOR TODAY:


We have included as many windows and doors as the Florida hurricane codes will allow (which is not enough but I digress). French doors at the end will open on to a small patio connecting to the pool deck, with doors also opening poolside. I am hoping to create an intimate courtyard feeling around the pool while still preserving space for the kids to run free on the other side. 


More soon as progress continues...

Thanks for stopping by and please say a little prayer that what I see in my head actually turns out! Fingers crossed. 







CANVAS INTERIORS: MALIBU COLLECTION

Today we take a little trip to Malibu. Welcome to my imaginary beach house. I'm guessing you may know by now as I talk about California a lot... I lived in LA for 10 years, SF for 10 years. I no doubt have an active fantasy of heading back up (or down depending on which decade we're talking about) PCH with my kids and Mr. K happily pulling in to our summer rental: a Malibu beach house.  

Again, this is pure fantasy but one can dream right? Picture endless windows, expanse of blue ocean greeting you from the front door. Lots of white mixed with earth tones and laid back luxury. Inspiration for Canvas Interiors comes from my 20 years living in California, having escaped cold winters in Toronto. Light, airy, breezy and casual is how I roll. 

Here is my latest mood board for our Malibu Collection, found here on Canvas Interiors:



Indoor/outdoor living, large coffee tables for books, drinks and sandy feet.  Natural fibers, light wood and giant sink-in sofas all make for the perfect scenario. 

And..scene.


Follow Canvas Interiors on Instagram

check out the bluGloss blog for a lovely list of blogs they love including this one!


malibu image found: here



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...