EASTER BRUNCH TABLE SETTING

We are finally starting to see some signs of spring, milder temps, a few rain showers here and there, birds chirping in the morning; and with Easter fast approaching this weekend, I wanted to share something festive but with a whole lot of pretty. I am sharing with you the table scape I shot for "The Quirk Kitchen" for a Spring Soiree. To be honest, I would do this settling for a tea party, Mother's Day brunch, even bridal shower. It is so elegant and timeless, it would work for any occasion.

I share with you a few tips for a pretty table scape for any occasion.

1. Flowers: A lot of them! Here's a little secret, I used Faux flowers! Living in Canada, I am always looking for realistic looking faux flowers, because we don't have much variety (other than roses) through out the winter months. Plus Faux flowers are just more economical!

2. Mix and Match: I used everything I already had in my kitchen for this setting. I used simple white dishes, and added doilies in gold and pink as decor, and "doily" shaped trays from Ikea which come in lovely pastels.

3. Use dishes as decor: I used my fave tea cups as decor. I filled them up with sugar roses which come in every colour, and chose the ones to fit the theme, and voila a cheap decor idea!

4. Pretty glassware: I have a thing for pretty glassware. I love gold accents on champagne glasses and flutes. Holiday season is the best time to collect champagne glasses as they come in so many designs and shapes. Plus pink and gold make an elegant combination.

5. Gold accents: Even the simplest settings become glamorous with a touch of fold. So dig out anything and everything gold from your kitchen; add gold paper doilies, gold cheese knives, gold rimmed tea cups, all long as you have repetition, everything works!

6. Bubbly: No brunch is complete without some Sparkling Rose, so pop your fave bottle open and don't forget to have some fun!
7. When in doubt add colorful Macarons

MY WEEK ON INSTAGRAM 02.08.2015

This week was all about Valentine's Day  A whole lot of pink can be seen on my Instagram this week. Pink dresses, macarons, perfumes, you name it! Since Pink is my favorite colour, this week gave me the reason to go all out and go pink crazy (without feeling guilty). I have included links to all the items that are available to purchase right now! Click below to continue.

Chapters-Indigo Fall Favorites!

Even though we are still enjoying this beautiful summer, I can't help but get excited over all the fall inventory coming out right now! And it is no secret I am a huge Chapters-Indigo fan, so I have compiled some of my favorites from the Fall collection.

There seems to major trends this fall, Monochromatics and GOLD! I like the subtlety of the monochromatic look but I am obsessed with gold these days. And the best part is that they go beautifully together. So, there is no need to just pick one theme when you can mix and match from both. Blacks and Whites tone down the gold a little bit, and gold adds bit of glam to the simple subdued monochromatic room.

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Metallics are always big around the holidays, so it is the perfect time to start with gold. But, there is no need to put it away after..gold blends beautifully in an all white room, or why not add a touch glam to every day life!

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DIY: DOUBLE SIDED TRAY LINER BY KATE SPADE

I have always loved polka dots, so no surprise I would be in love with white and gold polka dot wrapping paper, but here's the bonus, it is two sided! And the other side..black and white stripes! I mean you really just can't go wrong with it. It is great for wrapping presents for guys and girls..and in my case make a cute tray liner that you can switch around depending on your mood!

Materials:
1. Tray (mine is a bed tray from Target)
2. Scissors
3. Paper of your choice

So let's begin with this amazing wrapping paper by Kate Spade found on Indigo

 

Next, measure the inside of the tray and cut out the section of the paper, remember to pay attention to the striped side, so they fit horizontally in the tray.

And place it in! Simply as that, and you get amazing on trend looks that will go with any decor!

Pretty little things..

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I, as I predicted on Friday, had a busy one! But all is calm again and I share with you my latest experiment. I have always loved pink, but kind of kept it a secret. I don't wear much pink and there is no pink around the house either, but with all things spring I feel I can get away with immersing myself in Pink without being called "girly". This gives me chance to openly display my love for this colour and it feels great!

I am a tea addict, and I am always looking for ways to make it as pretty as I can. I mean why not right, this is one moment I have to myself and I want to make it as pleasing to my eye as possible..so of course I would do it with a lot of Pink!

My husband laughed when I told him that I bought "Pink Himalayan Salt"..to be honest more for the colour than anything! It is the prettiest shade of blush. It does come ground up or in solid form seen above. And best of all, it comes with the cutest little grater to grind the solid chunks! 

This beautiful flower is actually the lid to the a lovely candle I bought from Anthropologie. Not only it smells heavenly but once the candle has run out, you are left with a blush and white ceramic container..win win!

If you asked me to pick my favorite item from the picture above, I really couldn't tell you..I am totally in love with all of them..

Blush roses.. *sigh*

So here it..my girliest shoot yet and I love it! It is difficult as we try to be everything at once, and try to make things "others" will approve but it is nice to be honest with yourself sometimes so you can get true joy out of things you really love.

Tea Mug: Anthropologie| Square dishes: Urban Barn| Ceramic Candle: Anthropologie| Paris Calendar: Anthropologie via Anna Bond| Himalayan Salt: Homesense 

April Pastels

Yay it's April!! I am overly excited because in my books that means winter is OFFICIALLY over! March can be hit and miss, but April (usually) means we made it! The days are longer, even 5-10 degrees feel like 25 after a brutal winter. Yes it rains, but at least I won't have to shovel! All in all nothing but positive things!

Another one of life's simple pleasures..turning over the calender to a new month. And with Anna Bond's art, it means you are in for treat each month! Her art is spectacular, and with this month's City from the "Flip Around the World Calendar" is Paris and I couldn't be happier. So I put together a mini shoot with all things spring, and funny it all looks very "Easter" like, quite fitting I say!

 Here's to little things..I hope you enjoy this month as much as I plan to!

Waiting for Spring..Flowers and pretty finds!

We are finally seeing some change in weather  these days. Today is exceptionally beautiful, sun is shining, subtle breeze, and the snow is finally melting! However, no blooms in sight, and probably won't be for another few weeks. Temperature is steady going up but nowhere near spring like yet. So I got myself some blooms to make the wait more bearable! There is something so magical about Peonies, they are wrapped so tight and as they start to bloom and layers unfold, you can't help but be in awe of mother nature.

Beautiful find #1: Have I mentioned how I raided Lowe's the other day. I walked in there to grab one paint chip by Pantone, and next thing I know I was grabbing every colour! I was starting to worry that someone was going to come up to me and tell me to leave as I felt like I was stealing something! But really with all the beautiful shades, how can you not grab all these pretty Pantone paint chips.

Beautiful find #2: Striped Paper Straws. They are so pretty.. I found one or two colours at Target, but it wasn't until I walked into Michael's that I found every colour imaginable, and all for $3.00 for a pack of 8! I think bought about 6 different colours. I can't wait to have BBQs and perhaps use a diff colour every weekend!

Beautiful find #3: Now all the beauty bloggers are probably thinking this is old news, but my jaw just dropped when I saw these lovely nail polish bottles by Revlon. Not only are they super cute, the colours are simply gorgeous and best of all, each nail polish has a unique fragrance! I love that my nails not only look pretty but smell so sweet!

 

And now I will leave you with some more shots of one of my favorite flowers.

This week on Instagram

Glammed up for an Indian party..

I realized my love coffee and teas..

Played board games with fancy wine..

Saw some early signs of spring..with golden sunsets and snow melting :)

Went through my mom's vintage Punjabi necklaces..

Pretty little things..

I did a dreamy little shoot last week with flowers and jewelry. As I love all things girly and pretty I would like to share dreamy shoot. I used this beautiful "Gatsby necklace"  from Bolossombox Jewelry and Pearl bracelet with silver ring from Sears. Both very traditional looking pieces but very in right now. All in all I am very pleased with how it all turned out!

(all images by me)

Vanities

Vanities, they disappeared for a little while and were mostly replaced with big dresses with large drawers and larger mirrors, but vanities are making a comeback. And what is more interesting is that they are not necessarily all traditional looking, some are glamorous, others are minimalist. But they are really easy to incorporate into any decor scheme, and add a touch of femininity to any room.

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This vanity for example, it is actually an antique desk, paired with uber glamorous gold chair, and flanked by pink silk curtains! This is so glamorous even though it is so minimally styled, by far my favorite!

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No exception, this is as glam as it gets, with mirrored vanity, feminine lilac, roses, if you have the space then why not right! Most of us, however, do not have a room that we can turn into an ultra glam space, but this can definitely be done on a smaller scale.

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Now this an example of a modern vanity, with gorgeous large scale Venetian mirror, and simple clean lined desk/dresser. This is a minimalist way of incorporating some feminine touches to your room, especially when you have to share it with your significant other.

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Okay, this is no holds bar straight out of a fairy tale! I wouldn't change a thing in this setting! It is a bit much in the details, but having a monochromatic pallet gives the vanity space to shine. I wouldn't mind some colour in terms of flowers, but other than that, if you are going to go this glam then it is best to keep things simple.

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I just fell in love with this mirror, and to be honest with a mirror like this you don't want too many details around it as it would create too much visual stimulation. This vanity works both way as a desk and a dresser, and it is simple and clean. I would love a more feminine chair though, just to tie up the glam look.

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How cute is this little piece! If space is an issue, then this piece is all you need, it is compact, feminine, built-in venetian mirror and epitome of glamor and romance.