A Red Velvet Cake for Anne

Last week I mentioned going to my first wedding shower of the season.  It was a great success and I was happy to be able to make the cake for the event. This cake may look impressive but really - it was quite easy to put together.

The key is rolled fondant - purchased in a tub from Bulk Barn.  Simply roll out the fondant as you would  cookie dough and place it over your layers of cake.  This cake was two layers of red velvet cake and one layer of vanilla with cream cheese icing in between layers and iced on top to ensure the red from the cake doesn't seep through the fondant.  Purchase some satin ribbon and fresh flowers to decorate.  A simple frame with the letter of the person's name is an easy and classic cake top.

Red velvet cake is becoming more popular in Canada.  A Southern U.S. tradition, this cake came about during WWII when a shortage of cocoa and sugar led to some creative substitutions.  The unique cake combines a small amount of cocoa mixed with buttermilk and red food dye to produce this colouring.  Traditionally, this cake is iced with cream cheese icing, producing a flavour all of its own.  Red food dye is certainly not always the best dietary choice as it can have health ramifications in large doses however I've tried recipes that use anything from beets to strawberry juice but the effect is not the same.  So - everything in moderation as they say.

If you are looking to purchase rolled fondant rather than making it yourself, I would recommend staying away from the Wilton fondant and spending the extra $5 on Liberty Virgin Ice White Fondant that comes in a 4lbs tub.  The Wilton fondant dries out rather quickly and becomes hard as a rock so if you don't use all of it in one go - you are out of luck.  The Liberty version keeps for a long time and is easy to mould.  It comes in a variety of colours as well.  Happy decorating!

Spring Showers

Tomorrow marks the first of the wedding showers that I will be attending this year.  This time last year, I was planning a wedding shower for my good friend at my home.

I love planning for these events although it had its harrowing moments.  My house is a decent size however I was on edge each time someone agreed to attend as I was worried about the space at the table.  I was determined that everyone who attended this celebratory brunch would sit down together at one table to eat and chat rather than having guests milling about in separate rooms.

I had hoped to also have it outside but this is always problematic in Toronto - too hot, too much rain - not worth the risk so indoors with the air conditioning was the way to go.

I borrowed chairs from all my friends and purchased tables that filled my now empty living.  Simple flowers in whites and violets filled many different sized vases which decorated the table along with hand made place cards and individual party gifts with matching purple ribbon greeted the guests (the bride likes purple).

I was excited to use all my serving dishes for the quiche and sweet treats.

Overall - the shower was a success with just the right amount of people attending.  Best advice I can offer - have a family member help (special thanks to my sister) and book a long holiday afterwards.  Sitting lakeside at the cottage was heaven!

Winter Closet Makeover

I get antsy in the winter.  I'm not one for outdoor sports in the cold so tend to hibernate until the weather picks up.  That  being said, I tend to start jobs that I've put off in better weather.  Take my broom closet for instance.  This triangular shaped storage space is a catch all in my house for everything from laundry products to left over paint.  One of those doors you loathe to open as something always flies out to attack you.

This is the before...

This is the after...

A fresh coat of paint on the walls was a necessary start along with baskets to house the many cleaning products.  I used mason jars in various sizes to store left over paint (as seen on top left shelf).  I used an old flower pot to store dust cloths and grouped like products together.  And voila - a closet that isn't on the attack any longer.

It Turned Into A Bathroom Blitz

I love my bathroom however the sink area always bothered me as I found it didn't match the rest of the suite.  There is no storage and this odd floating wood column underneath always bugged me.

I have been wanting to try this project for such a long time but wasn't sure it was worth the investment.  I also wasn't sure exactly how I was going to even construct it.

It all came together when I found these wooden shelves (at Dollarama of all places) that resembled really nice feet you'd use on a cabinet.  As to what I would use to construct the shelves - I looked at Ikea and thought of walking to my local Home Depot but didn't want to haul a huge load of lumber back with me.

The solution - an old and very ugly bookcase I was eventually going to leave on the curb.  Win - win in that I did not have to spend a dime on the materials and I won't be adding to a landfill.

I had my concerns that this project was not going to work but it actually turned out so well especially after adding a fresh coat of white paint and accessories.  I really had forgotten how fun it is to use a jig saw! Here's to winter projects.

What's in an Office?

If you know me, you'll know that I believe decor and design are really integral to boosting a person's mood - especially in an office where the majority of us spend at least 40 hours a week.  The saddest thing is most people have offices or cubicles that have a few personal items combined with their binder and paper covered desks.  It makes for an uninspiring if not somewhat depressing atmosphere to trudge into on a daily basis.

I work for a not-for-profit so the furniture that is available to us is often second hand.  Whenever someone leaves their job - many lobby for the furniture that those employees leave behind.  It's hilarious.

I really feel that it doesn't take a lot to make one's space both personal and emotive.  Whether you want a relaxing, energizing or creative space that inspires - a few little changes can make all the difference for very little money.  Take my space - the pictures on the wall are from a discount dollar store mixed with a few gifts and personal pieces like flowers and candles.

One project that made a huge difference where the pair of high back chairs that I begged my HR department to be allowed to use. These were originally covered in ugly red and green faux leather.  It was a simple matter of recovering both of them in matching damask fabric that I had found on sale.  It is amazing the difference a staple gun and 4 metres of fabric can make.  Thankfully my boss at the time was so used to my creative outbursts that she merely shook her head and laughed after finding me on my office floor, staple gun in hand.  All in all, I've spent only $30 on my space.  But lets be real - the decor is not what makes my space relaxing.   The secret to an amazing space that is relaxing and inspires creativity is to ensure there is a LACK OF OFFICE CLUTTER!

You know what I'm talking about - binders, in-boxes and stands that hold file folders.  WHY DO WE DISPLAY THESE.  It is just as easy to open a drawer or go to a book case to grab these reference items.  Cork boards covered in telephone directories are not wall art!!   Wouldn't it be nice to come in to your work space each day to a clean slate.  I simply shove everything into my drawers at the end of the day and no one is the wiser!

So here are my key tips for an amazing office:

1 -  Get rid of the clutter.


2-   Art it up - go to second hand stores Ikea for frames and fill them with personal pictures for your desk and beautiful photography for the walls (calendars are perfect for this or frame your child's paintings)


3 - Add little touches - polished rocks in a dish, flowers in a vase, one small plant (stay away from fussy spider plants - stick to succulents)


4 - Scrounge for spare furniture - even the ugliest chairs can either be painted or recovered


5 - Change the lighting - Florescent lights suck - I had some of the lights above my desk removed and instead have a floor lamp from Ikea that was left behind.  I love when people have desk lamps as well - it instantly feels more warm and cosy.

Even if all you do is reduce your clutter and add a few touches - it will make all the difference.  Give it a try - you deserve it!

Trash or Treasure

Sorry for the cliché  but one person's trash really is another person's treasure.  I really have a love for antique things but don't really lean towards art deco or retro furnishings like some of my friends.  That is why it was so much fun when my friend discovered this old chrome swivel chair in another friend's basement.  I wouldn't have looked twice at it and yet it turned out to be such a wonderful project recovering it for her.   Needless to say, she has a really good eye for well made furniture.

I just happened to have some art deco material that I had purchased a the Textile Museum's annual sale (you must go if you love fabric)!!  It reminded me of the plants in a Super Mario Brothers game and really seemed to suit this piece.  

Stealing from Sookie's Kitchen!

I remember one Christmas holiday re-watching Gilmore Girls on DVD.  If you know the series at all you will know Sookie St. James is the cook on the show.  Long before Sookie Stackhouse ran with vampires, Sookie St. James' character was a quirky fun loving clumsy cook with a kitchen to die for including an amazing bulletin board for notes, recipes and all sorts of fun memories. .  I love the organized chaos it portrayed and quickly searched my house for materials to make one for my own kitchen.

  

I came up with an old gold frame, faded floral materials and satin ribbon.  I was lucky to also have some foam core in my house for the backing and voila - a new winter project came to life!  With a few pins and hot glue to hold the ribbon and fabric in place around the boarder of the foam core - it was a simple matter of popping the project into the frame and adding bits and pieces of fun cards and memories.  I change it up often and love that I have an area to keep the sentiments my friends and family give to me rather than storing them in a drawer.  

This lead to me taking trips to the local Value Village for other frames to paint up and turn into boards for fundraising projects or mini boards for my friend's desks.  It was easy to turn any size frame into a board.  These are a really easy and inexpensive project that could be nicely added to a front hall, laundry room or home office as well!

It's all in the HOOK!

I swear that when I first tried this product, I wasn't expecting much but I am now a huge fan and have even dragged friends into stores to buy them.  What is this wonder product you ask?  3M Command Hooks.  I am in LOVE with these products.  As someone who likes to change up their decor regularly and has particularly nasty plaster walls - this is the solution.  It all started when I wanted to hang my Christmas wreath on my metal front door.  I took a chance and bought one of the standard plastic hooks - it not only held my very heavy wreath but completely came off after the holidays - no marks!

My friend has cement walls in her apartment - I mentioned the hooks and she found that they had actual Command products specifically for picture frames and heavy wall decor.  Happy clap!!!  To have an instant solution that requires no tools, allows you to change your mind as many times as you like and goes on any surface - mirror, tile, drywall, metal etc. - I can see why the 3M brand has such a loyal following.

I'm normally not someone who endorses products to this extent but if you haven't tried these products - you are missing out!  I considered wearing a t-shirt to share my adoration however I didn't want to give any pirates the wrong idea!

Gum Drop Pillows

A few years ago my sister and I stumbled upon this amazing material by Amy Butler.  It is really hard to find in Canada but is really unlike any other material we've ever come across.  My sister purchased a pattern by Amy Butler to make gum drops pillows as you see here.  I had NO part in making these incredible pillows.  The version she made me is ottoman size and required 10 bags of polyfilla to stuff it.  We quickly realized this would cost a fortune to stuff!  The solution - IKEA.  Ikea regular pillows with standard synthetic fill are as inexpensive as $1.99 a piece. The ottoman took 9 pillows to fill but cost a great deal less.   The weirdest thing is the idea came to me in a dream - I wish I could come up with a get rich quick scheme in my dreams next!

I'm still trying to convince my sister to sell her pillows on Etsy - they are so beautiful.

It's a Wrap!

Each year I choose specific colours when wrapping my gifts.  It makes a tedious job more fun as I, like many women, am attracted to a pretty package.  This year I opted for red, blues and whites and tried to stick with only one patterned wrapping paper paired with solid colours.  I also found these amazing poka-dot bells to thread on to the ribbon rather than using a traditional bow.

You don't need to spend a fortune on wrapping paper and materials - you just need to know where to shop.  The patterned paper is always the easiest to find while the plain paper can be more challenging.  I find Ikea and even some dollar stores are helpful with the plain wrap.  The ribbon is easiest to find in skeins at Fabricland or inexpensive spools at Zellers.  The tags are recycled holiday cards from last Christmas and the bells are from Fabricland as well.

So - am I a little weird for my colour themed wrapping?  Absolutely but I think it makes the recipient feel that much more special.  Maybe not my brother who prefers his gifts wrapped in the comic section of the newspaper but you can't make everyone happy.