THIS WEEK ON INSTAGRAM - 01.01.2015

And just like that it's over! That's a wrap on the holiday season, and 2014! Happy New Year folks! Here are some of my fave pics from the holidays, which included a whole lot of bubbly and glam. I look forward to the holidays all year because they make cold bitter weather more bearable, and with everything winding down now and the winters can be long and exhausting here in Canada. We probably won't see decent spring until at least April..so I am going to use this time to really work hard on myself.
2014 was a brutal year in terms of winter..I am sure the words 'Polar Vortex' still sends shivers down many people's backs! With it being freezing cold and covered in 3 feet of snow at any given time my work was pretty slow as no one wanted to leave home..and it really gave me a lot of time to explore my interests. I started this blog a year ago without really knowing the direction I would be going into, and on this journey not only did I discover the path for my blog but who I really was deep down. I finally understand the saying "Be You". If you want to be artistic, go for it. If you want to strip yourself of all religious ties, go for it. If you don't want to make frivolous small talk, don't. Don't try to force something that is just not working. I tried impressing the world and I wasn't fooling anyone, and more importantly I was just exhausted trying to do so. I felt I never did quite fit in, but the moment I let go..I found myself. Those very people I was trying to impress are impressed by me being just ME. I can't thank that miserable winter of 2014 for allowing me discover who I was. 

Thank you 2014..I will forever cherish the gift you've given me.

The Christmas Market Toronto

I am already in love with the Distillery District, the architecture gets me every time! Now that is filled with boutique shops, elegant restaurants, bars and art galleries..it is by far my favorite place in the city to visit at any time of the year.

Christmas Magic is all around us. This is my favorite time of the year when everything is sparkling, the smell of freshly baked cookies, and cheer all around, how can you not get in the spirit of the season! So, naturally on my day off I would like to do nothing but enjoy the season to the fullest. One of my favorite things to is visit the Toronto Christmas Market at the Historic Distillery District.

If you have never visited the Distillery District, then now is time! The Christmas market is only around until this Sunday, so grab the whole family and visit this beautiful historic Toronto landmark. While you are there, don't forget to try a few grilled cheese sandwiches and mulled wine!

Beautiful natural decor adding to the historic nature of the area, it will make you feel you have stepping into another time..when things were simple and everything was homemade

Distillery architecture, and the traditional green paint on windows blends beautifully with the pine trees and reindeers outside the cafe..enjoying a cup of tea sitting with these little guys is nothing short of magical

While you are sipping on your tea or enjoying some mulled wine, don't forget to buy some goodies. These beautiful vintage tea cups are made into candles. Such a beautiful gift for vintage lover

Homemade honey, biscuits, chocolate, candles, and much much more. The Christmas market is a lovely escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, and it's a gentle reminder of the way things were.. simple, natural, and homemade. So take your loved one and hop over to the Distillery today!

(P.S. These is Santa for the little ones too!)

HOME DECOR: CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR OF OUR RUSTIC LOFT

As I have mentioned (only about a million times) this month, we just moved to a new place! It is very small but cozy. I have moved from a 2800sq foot home to a 650 sq foot loft! Needless to say I have wayy too much stuff and not enough room! I bought a few things on sale last year assuming I would be using them in the old house, but moving to a new place has made things a little challenging for me. It is is big enough space for the two of us, but I tend to get emotionally attached to every little piece of decor I buy, so it has been difficult to edit.

However, I think I have managed to keep some of my favorites (it's hard to say because I only buy things I absolutely love!)..so I give you a mini tour of the space. It is an open concept loft, with 12 foot ceilings and lots of natural light! Most of it came furnished so please excuse the ugly sofa lol. It is only temporary so I have learned to accept it.
Most of my decor is from last year, which was predominantly "gold", but I did add a hint of colour this year..

My beloved black Christmas tree with all gold decor

I have been obsessed with Black & Gold combination for years now, I have had this tree for about three years, and I fall in love with it every single year!

White and gold is still going strong, a lot of my pieces I use all year around, I just added the wintry touches at this time of the year.
(Faux)Gingerbread house from Michaels//Red berries/gold pine cones from Dollarama!//Gold and white pitcher by Ohjoy for Target//Tray liner is a wrapping paper from Michaels //Gold branch candelabra & Cloche from Homesense (Homegoods in the US) - Similar at Westelm //All white vase and white/gold bowl from Chapters Indigo (from last year)

I couldn't resist all the bright red accessories. It is hard to add colour to any home in the winter. I used the Reindeer prints by SSprintshop as my inspiration to add hints of red in an otherwise neutral room. Tray from Target// Pine cones & Red Ribbon from Dollarama//Silver wreath from Sears

I kind of a thing for glass Cloches..I found them at a very reasonable price (of $7 and $3!!) from  Homesense. They are so versatile and so elegant looking. They are perfect for candles, small decorative pieces, Christmas ball ornaments, even cheeses!

bits of my home..

Oh yea, I also use my lil cloche for the dainty jewelery storage! I love how it adds a bit of sparkle. I also love collecting interesting ornaments, especially the ones with vintage feel. I found the "key" ornaments at Home Depot on sale! How cute are the antique shoe ornaments from Dollarama (I got 6 for $2!)//Gatsby style Champagne glass from Chapters Indigo

From far it doesn't look overwhelming, because each piece has multiple functions. I don't like to clutter the space, if it seems too much, then it probably is! I always take away a candle or two when in doubt..

There you go folks, a small tour and a mish-mash of Christmas decor trends. Because I say if you love it, buy it! I have black and gold on side, white and red on the other..and in the middle white and gold tying it all together, (heck, I even threw some silver in there) and I love it all! It was a challenge to put it all together because my decor was more a large house with multiple rooms..but let's not stress about the little things and enjoy this season! Merry Christmas everyone!

~Nav

THINGS I AM LOVING..

Christmas festivities are all around us! I have yet to put up the tree or even start any decoration. I finally got a minute to relax and breathe today after our travels and moving into a new place, so I decided share with you some of my favorite items right now!

Okay, can I just say Michaels just killed it with the wrapping paper selection this year! I found the scalloped white and gold paper (seen above) for $3.00! 

Metal Feather sphere box, by Nate Berkus for Target

Clearly gold is the colour of the season, and Homesense has a great variety like this gold and silver leopard print..and it is a very stuydy paper, I already have a few DIYs planned for this one!

Gold scissors by Nate Berkus for Target. Not only do they look great, the size is perfect for cutting lots and lots of wrapping paper!

A vintage Tea cup. People that love their teacups understand the value of a vintage one! I found this lovely teacup (of course white and gold) at the Toronto Distillery District vintage shop across from El Cantrin. If you live in Toronto, this place is a must visit and very affordable!

Ciate glitter nailpolish, it is pink and with gold glitter..enough said!

Colourful floral pencils from HM

Large finger Rings from HM

Over-sized paperclips, not only great for holiday madness but a great gift for anyone who loves stationery

Christmas card that doubles as a 3D hanging ornament by Papyrus from Chapters-Indigo

Reindeer prints by SSprint shop, also available at Chapters-Indigo

And last but not the least no holiday season is complete without the Red cups from Starbucks!

DIY: OMBRE SALT & PEPPER PINECONE SHAKER

Hello lovelies! It has been a while since my last DIY, so here's an easy festive one! I got these pine cone Salt and Pepper shaker from Chapters-Indigo (on sale now!). So I scored them 50% off! I liked the original rustic look of them, but for some reason I was itching to paint them another colour. I did, however, enjoyed the details on the shakers so I decided to give it an ombre look. I also didn't want to paint the part where salt/pepper would come in contact with paint (as this might not the healthy!), so this ombre look allows us to leave the top completely contact free with the paint. So let's get started!

All you need is a metallic gold paint. I used this one from Martha Stewart from Michaels. It is easy to use, dries very quickly and works on any surface! (I also don't intend to use these shakers all year around, so I didn't need anything too durable)

I divided the shaker into three parts. Details below.

Bottom third: Using a medium sized brush, start at the bottom of the shaker. Make sure to give it a few coats for darker ombre bottom.

Make sure to get into all the ridges and completely cover the bottom third of the shaker. 

Middle: This is when it get a little tricky. Notice how dry the brush is. Dip it lightly in the paint and brush off the access on a piece of paper, so you have minimum amount of paint on the brush. Then just light brush the shaker, leaving the nooks and ridges showing the rustic brown underneath.

Top third: Now having almost no paint at all on the brush, working with the residual paint from before brush the top. If you need to go over it again, dip in paint, paint over the bottom first and then use the dry brush to lightly cover the top third. 

It is all sounds complicated..but hey if you mess up just pain the whole thing gold and have a glamorous shaker for the holidays!

Easy as that! Hope you enjoyed this quick and easy DIY. I have another DIY all ready to go, can't wait to share that with you guys soon!

~Nav

THIS WEEK ON INSTAGRAM 11.10.2015