Quick Hello!

Okay, so I had all these big plans to have a nice relaxing quiet weekend catching up on my blogging. But....as you know, things don't always happen as planned. We got word from our tenant in Gimli that the stove stopped working so we've been running around looking at used appliances to buy a new one to bring out there.

Plus, I made huge headway on my invites yesterday thanks to my awesome designer friend Lorraine and now I'm in focus mode with one thing in mind - getting these done this weekend! I've been designing and printing and cutting and trimming and making Staples and Michael's runs...but I know it's all going to be worth it! I can't wait to put them together and take picks to show you.

J is headed out tonight to hang with the guys and watch UFC. I picked up the lated In Style Magazine and America's Next Top Model is on. It's cold and rainy anyway so a good night to collapse under the duvet!

How is your weekend going? I hope you're having a good one friends! Talk to you soon...

Before and After: Mandarin Red Weathered Bench

Hey all - happy Friday! Did you get up at the crack of 3 to watch the royal wedding? I didn't but I'm loving the pics of Kate. I think she looks so sleek and elegant and it's really getting me excited for my own wedding! I've FINALLY got the main invites finalized and they're ready for printing so I'm feeling a million times better about that. 

In the meantime, here's another peek at pics of my most recent commission. Erin picked out this sweet little bench but wanted it to look extra fun for her photo shoots. I've had this antique bench laying around since last year so it was just dying for a makeover!

I decided to recover it in Swanky Swell's Foliage print fabric in mandarin (bright orangey-red with little bird and swirls in the design). I painted the base a creamy white (Crisp Linen by CIL) then distressed the legs to let the dark wood peek through. I then finished it off with water-based poly for protection. Here she is!

Erin was super happy with it and again, I can't wait to see it used in a photoshoot. I have one more reveal to come, so stay tuned...

Hope you have a lovely Friday and are planning an awesome weekend. Any big plans?

Before and After: Ocean Deep Weathered Farm Chair

Hey friends! Happy Thursday! Last night J and I went to see The Pixies in concert and can I just say - awesomeness! Plus how sweet is my guy to forgo Game 7 in the Habs/Bruins showdown to see my beloved band? We had a blast and having been a bit of a concert queen in my youth, it was so great to have all those feelings flood me of why I love the passion and energy of live music. Rock on!

So remember those Lather Creations commissions I've been working on for lovely local photographers Melanie and Erin? Well here's the first of three new reveals. Erin fell in love with the Milk White Weathered Farm Chair that Melanie picked up for her studio and picked out one for herself.

She wanted a truly stand out colour to come through in her photography so we decided on an ultra-vibrant ocean turquoise. I just love the way the 100-year old wood peeks through the watery colour, don't you? Bright colours on rustic, distressed antique pieces are my absolute fave.

The chair was coated in water-based poly of course so it's kid-friendly for all those wee little photo shoots! Enjoy your chair Erin and I can't wait to see it in action.

There's still two more pieces to show off so check back later this week for those! Have a fab day friends.

Agency Style Peek: Swiss Miss

Our account director and reigning queen of organization Anja brings European flair to the Fusion office. She's originally from Switzerland and annual trips filled with local shopping have us all drooling over her stylish purchases. She makes every outfit chic, thanks to her favourite red leather Italian heels.

striped tank - Winners

long cardigan - Swisss brand AP Avant Premiere (purchased in Switzerland)

skinny jeans  - H&M's organic collection (purchased in Switzerland)

red heels - Italian brand Pesaro (purchased in Switzerland)

necklace - Anja's own design - Recycled silver and Gimli beach glass pendant by anja studios

 
She's also an amazing photographer, painter and jewellery designer. In Winnipeg she designs out of the Cr8ery Studios. You can read her blog here and you can check out her Etsy shop here!

Have a lovely day friends!

From the Kitchen: Summer Soiree Appetizer Wraps

Did you all have a fabulous Easter long weekend? I did and I took today off to get some extra recharge time in!

Last night we had family dinner at J's aunt and uncle's place and it was a blast! We had an egg crack-off (new to me!) plus lots of delicious food. I was in charge of a cold appie so J and I spent yesterday morning putting together our assorted wraps. They're super easy to make and provide a snazzy, colourful and tasty addition to any summer party. Here's how we made them:

You'll need:

-Assorted flour tortilla wraps (we used plain, tomato basil and three cheese for lots of colour)
-spreadable cream cheese
-Assorted fillings

Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each tortilla, then spread your toppings across the middle lower part of the tortilla. Then roll it tight, put it in the fridge to set and cut it into angled slices before adding them to your tray.

We made the following flavours:

Dried Cranberry and Cream Cheese 

Pickled Asparagus, Ham and Cream Cheese (thin layer of shaved cooked ham topped with two pickled asparagus)

Mild Pepperoncinis, Ham and Cream Cheese (Pepperoncinis are like a jalapeno but not as spicy)

I also made some fun little labels on toothpicks to tell guests what the different flavours were,  a variation on the ones I did for my niece's birthday cupcakes... (see this post on how to make them)

They were a huge hit at the party and we came up with all kinds of variations for the wraps - from smoked salmon, fresh dill and cream cheese to salsa and grated cheddar to pepperoni, sundried tomato and cream cheese. Oh my, the possibilities are endless! We also decided that would be our 'signature' appetizer to bring to family gatherings so I'll definitely be experimenting with different flavours.

What's your signature dish you always tend to bring to family gatherings?

Happy Monday friends!

This is what relaxation looks like...

It looks like a pile of books from your favourite authors all found at the same thrift shop!

It looks like warm weather with sunglasses and no jacket!

It looks like the expression of joy on your pup's face from spending most of the day lying in the sun in the backyard!

It looks like pulling your cruiser out for the first bike ride of the year!

It looks like your sweetie lacing up his rollerblades so that you, he and the pup can enjoy the nice weather as a family!

It looks like three completed Lather Creations commissions, just waiting to head to their new homes! (pics to come)

What does your happy easter look like friends? I hope it's been as relaxing and joyful as mine!

Wedding Invitation Sneak Peek

Hi friends, how's your long weekend going? I'm loving it. I'm painting away at some commissions and laying around with the Gus man.

So wedding invitations...I can't like - I've found this to be the most challenging part of the wedding process. I took on the task of doing them myself A - to save money and B - to incorporate my own design aesthetic. I wanted them to match the whole wedding vibe - simple, rustic, pretty and vintage. But between learning Photoshop, buying a printer for this purpose and having a million lovely blogs to look at and be inspired by - it's all very overwhelming. I still haven't finalized my design, but I am starting to make some headway on some of the elements, so here's a little looksie.

I've chosen simple kraft paper brown envelopes (with a coupon from Michael's), cream card stock for the invites and turquoise paper for the maps (both from Staples). We're still going with our favourite Travelling Typewriter font and I've been playing around with design and invite wording, as you can see below.

The map is almost ready to go, I made it in Photoshop and printed it on the turquoise paper.

The return address labels are done, they're simple rectangular stickers with our info printed in the rustic Travelling Typewriter font.

I also ordered individual typewriter letter stamps on Ebay so I could put the letters together for a 'J heart L' stamp for the back of the envelopes and potentially for our thank you cards. I simply put the letters together and tied a rubber band around them to make my own custom stamp.

How did you deal with the invite dilemma - were  you smart enough to hire someone to do it? Or did you take it on yourself like a crazy person (ie: me!)? Any words of wisdom would be helpful to get me through the home stretch!!

Have a lovely weekend friends...

From the Kitchen: Mini Eggs Shortbread

Hello lovely friends! Are you as excited as I am that today is actually Friday?? I took Monday off as well so in between all the family time we have scheduled - I have grand plans to sleep in, snuggle with Gus, work on my invitations (more on that tomorrow!) and work on my Lather Creations commissions.

 

(image via} 

Right now, I can't stop thinking about all the fabulous food we'll be enjoying with our loved ones! Do you have any special cooking plans this weekend? We're bringing an appie to Sunday dinner but now that I've stumbled across this delicious looking recipe - I think I have to make it!! Thanks Melanie for sharing it. It's by The Happy Baker and you can find the full recipe here.

MINI EGGS SHORTBREAD 
Preheat oven to 275 degrees

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups of flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup of icing sugar
1 cup butter, softened
pinch of salt
1 200g bag Mini Eggs (or Hershey Eggies), crushed into small and medium pieces

Method:
Sift together the flour, cornstarch and icing sugar.
Add the butter and salt; cream together with the dry ingredients until a stiff dough is formed.
Stir in the glorious Mini Eggs.
Roll dough into 1-Inch balls and flatten with your fingers on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 24 minutes.

It seriously looks so easy - shortbread can be intimidating when you have to roll out the dough but here you simple roll cookie balls!

Happy baking and happy weekend loves!

Agency Style Peek: Shades of Grey

 

Is it vain to feature myself in my own Agency Style Peek? Maybe so, but I know I've been neglecting you guys so I thought the least I could do was give you a little look at some Fusion office fashion. Fashion might be stretching it, but I won't lie - this is a dressed up look for a copywriter.  They even let me get away with sweatshirts around here! 

Since I secretly fantasize about being a style blogger, dressing up for you each day and snapping my daily outfit - I thought this was the next best thing.

Hello hello!

Cardigan: Gap on sale here

Top: Made by my AMAZING sister - yup, she made this baby with no pattern!

Jeans: Old Gap bootcuts

Flats: Aldo here

Earrings: Stella Bella on Etsy

What is keeping me so busy? Life...okay to be more specific - my wedding invites (I'll give you a sneak peek this week), getting inventory ready for my Etsy shop and final preparations on my Red River College workshops Intro to Social Media and Learn to Blog!

What do you wear to work friends?