Finally! The closet is completed.

It took a heck of a lot longer than I had imagined, but I am happy to announce, that right in the nick of time, my walk in closet/office is finally complete. Like I mentioned in a previous post {here} I have been dreaming about having a walk in closet for a long time. What I didn't mention was that my closet was going to be photographed for a local magazine, Kingston Life. Nothing fancy, just one picture of me in my favourite room of the house - that's right - my non-existing walk in closet! Start the clock!

I had 2 weeks to get the old nursery transformed into the walk in closet of my dreams.  2 weeks seems like a long time, but when you are relying in tradesmen to do the work, 2 weeks felt like one day!  In that one room, I had to cover an old and peeling popcorn ceiling, cover all the cracks in the old plaster walls, paint, and the hang all the fixtures.  The only job I tackled was the painting, oh - and the decorating of course.

I wanted my space to be a true reflection of me.  Eclectic, edgy, girly, fun. Using different, colours, patterns and textures, my walk in closet/office has turned into a wonderful and inspiring place.  Just like when I shop for clothing, I looked for items that had character, were unique, and had a touch of whimsy.

In the end, I am thrilled with how it turned out and even more relieved to have completed the finishing touches right before the photographer came. Phew!  Now I can't wait to see the images.

I used galvanised steel pipes for the closet rods.

Simple L-shaped brackets are used to hold my fashion books. 

A middle curtain rod acts as a scarf and belt holder as well as provides privacy from any curious onlookers!

The piece of pine board is an old board taken from our kitchen when we did the renovations. It now serves as an earring holder and a height chart for my girls.

I will post the final shot from the magazine when it comes out this Summer!  Stay tuned.

What I am coveting

With our house in disarray (on a mission to swap the living room with the dining room), and with this incredibly bone chilling weather, I have found comfort in online window shopping.

Here are a few things that I am currently coveting.


Peacock Print
If you haven't noticed, I have a thing for peacocks! Now, put a peacock in a dapper hat and suit and he becomes simply irresistible! I would definitely be proud to hang this up on my walls.

Comfy Sectional

We have these black oversized leather couches (sofa would be too nice a word to describe them!) that we have had now for 6 years. They owe us nothing! However, they are super comfy and forgiving, especially when you have two young kids who jump, spill, & colour all over them. Until our girls stop viewing sofas as things that need to be punished, I will have to stick to dreaming about snuggling up in this beautiful sectional from G Romano.

Fur Coat

If you have a chance to browse the online ebay store American Archive, I think, like me, you will start to want EVERYTHING! They have amazing vintage dresses, blouses and jackets. 

Suzani Chair

I love bold prints, patterns and colours. This chair ticks all the boxes and looks every as bit comfortable as stylish. For now, I will have to stick to Suzani pillows or throws. 

Is there anything you are coveting at the moment?

A few small changes

Sometimes, making small changes can make all the difference.  I often get messages asking for advice on how to update a wardrobe without breaking the bank.  Simple.  So, here are my 3 tips to getting your outfits out of a rut and into style.


1- Update shoes and boots.  Shoe styles, like clothing, change from season to season, year to year.  Updating your shoe wardrobe is an easy way update your look.  Of course, it's still important to keep in mind your lifestyle when you're out shopping.  So if your shoes are worn out, falling apart or are still stuck in the 90's, then it's time for an update!

Well worn and outdated                                   New and modern

2- Have fun with accessories! Scarves, bold necklaces, bangles.  Not only are accessories fun, they also help to define your personal style. By simply changing your accessories, you can change the overall look and feel of an outfit. It can also make or break an outfit at times. So instead of spending more money on buying more clothes, invest in some accessories to change and even update your existing wardrobe.

3 - Push up your sleeves!  I have many clients who I know now think of me when they push up or roll their sleeves.  It's the easiest thing you can do to update your look.  Added bonus, it's also the fastest way to make yourself look leaner as it draws the eyes to your waist - which is usually the narrowest part of your body!

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Simple right?! So push up your sleeves & start having fun with accessories & find some fun and functional footwear.

is style important?

Style. What does it mean to you? Is it something you regard as being important?  

For me, style means wearing what suits YOU. That makes YOU look and feel good. No matter what the latest trends are.

It's a way of expressing who you are. We do that with the way we dress, the way we decorate our house. The food we eat or don't eat. 

Think about it. 

Whether you realize it or not, we make thousands of these "style" decisions a day. From the way we do our hair in the morning, to how we dress our kids, to what stores we shop in, to the colour of our nail polish. These all represent parts of our style.  

So why is it that we don't take the time to dress in a way that TRULY represents who we are?  Why don't we really think about what we are putting on our bodies? It's something that we do everyday - sometimes twice a day.  Even by saying you don't care about style - you are making a style statement. 

Things to think about when going through your existing wardrobe or next time you are out shopping for clothing:

• Think about what your current image says about you then think about what you REALLY want your image to say - what's missing?
• Choose 3 words that describe yourself - does your style match who you are?
• Think about your lifestyle. Your profession. Are you a stay at home mom? Are you a musician? Are you a banker? Make sure your clothes match your lifestyle. 
• Think about why style may not be important to you. What are the real reasons why you aren't taking time to dress in ways that express your authentic self? 

I'll ask again: What does style mean to you? I'd love to hear it!

wear it like you mean it

Confidence. That has to be the greatest thing one can possess.  Too often we put way too much stock in how others view us.  Do you really want to live the rest of your life worrying about what other people think?  I know I don't.  It's not something that you can magically change overnight, but you can start by taking small steps.  Take your wardrobe for example.  We all have items in our closets that help to boost our confidence.  That make us feel great about ourselves, and our bodies. Why wouldn't you want to feel that way about your whole wardrobe?  Investing time and energy in creating a style that makes you feel happy, confident and entirely you, can only be a positive thing.

One way to feel confident is to wear clothes that FIT.  Don't wait until you have reached an "ideal" weight to start dressing your best.  I don't believe that clothes really make the person, however, it's hard to be confident inside when what you are wearing outside sends the opposite message.

Another tip is to look for clothes that highlight your best feature.  If you have a tiny waist, accentuate it with a belt. If you have gorgeous arms, opt for a sleeveless dress.  Clothing often works best when it draws attention to the areas that you love.  And that, in turn, builds confidence.

Creating a personal style can be such a rewarding and exciting process.  Building your ideal wardrobe with items that fit and flatter is a step towards making you feel strong, beautiful and ultimately, confident.