Command Centre Success

Remember when I said I would do the command centre myself? Well. that was a lie.  a) who has the time? b) I secretly wanted to splurge on the Pottery Barn Daily System

I only bought the chalkboard, letter organizer and small cork board from PB, the bigger cork board is from Walmart, I plan to hang a calendar and other stuff from there.  I don't like dry-erase calendars because I find that I need to have a look at previous and next month's activities for planning purposes.  Note to all planning on buying PB Daily System: the one thing PB doesn't tell is that the system should only be mounted on a flat wall where you are able to "slide" the sections onto their mounting bracket.  I had the most difficult time finagling those things on there since it is a recessed wall.  Needless to say, they aren't going anywhere for a very long time.

I haven't decorated it yet  but here it is in its "raw" form.  

Stay tuned for this puppy decorated in the next few weeks.  

Till next time...

Pink and sparkles,

Alessandra

Destination: Decoration

We recently moved into our new home and although things like the kitchen were already renovated, I have a few ideas of what I want to do with the rest of the place.  In my last home, I had a wonderful colour on the walls throughout the house called "Smoke" by Benjamin Moore; a lovely cool blue-greyish hue that went well with my decor.  This house, I opted for a clean off white pallet with neutral shades throughout.  Today, the January/February issue of Lony Magazine was released and I saw some things I just adore. Since I am all about decorating lately, I thought I would share some of my favourites with you.

 Love the contrast

 I'm all about crowns...the skull is a little freaky.

white, white, white!


source: Lony.com

Till next time....
Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xo

Nest-a-holic!

Just an update as to what I've been up to....nesting! Here's what I found out about it on Pregnancy Weekly:


"Females of the animal kingdom are all equipped with this same need. It is a primal instinct. Just as you see birds making their nests, mothers-to-be do exactly the same thing. The act of nesting puts you in control and gives a sense of accomplishment toward birth. You may become a homebody and want to retreat into the comfort of home and familiar company, like a brooding hen. The nesting urge can also be seen as a sign of the onset of labor when it occurs close to 40 weeks of pregnancy." 





I swear, we're all just animals to the core! Here are some things I've been swooning over: 


My child's furniture:



This is not a picture of the room ... that will come soon! But I am so excited about the furniture I'm taking my time thinking about how to dress it up :) 



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So girly, I know, but who could resist??



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Of course we need a bassinet :)

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Obsessed with sterilization!



Yes, I hired a cleaning lady...I can't do it all on my own because I can't even walk some days :)



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Doing what I can...I have been organizing like crazy!




That's all for now!  Talk soon.


Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra 
xoxo

Backyard Retreat

We have quite a large backyard now but might, might, might be moving within the next year so the thought of another major investment (beyond the entire house reno) is out of the question.  I do, however, have high hopes for a harmonious outdoor retreat at my next house.

Outdoor fireplace(s) are a must with an outdoor pizza oven for my husband the pizza fanatic (ok, me too).

Who need to go to a resort to have swim-up bars?

I also want a pool house like this.

 
Outdoor rooms are a MUST.

And maybe a space for gardens....

Ok, I got a little carried away...this is more like it.

Can't wait to show you pictures from my dream backyard one day.

Pink and Sparkles,
Alessandra
xoxo

A Winter Sunset

We have THE most beautiful sunsets across our backyard.  Desktop image? I think so :)

Much love,
Pink and Sparkles
xoxo

Run, Run, Rudolph

I laced up today to go for one of my every-other-day run (or speed walk, whatever) and I was pleasantly surprised! I totally forgot it was our town's annual Christmas parade.  I took the camera because I wanted you all to see my run route because it is beautiful....and thank goodness I did! What a fluke.  Schomberg's "A Main Street Christmas" is a true community staple.  Check out the rest of the events here.

Me starting my run!

And I see something uncommon down the street...

Historic fire trucks!

And floats around the corner...

As if the Grinch would give high-fives!

Sheena's Kitchen...best lemon cake ever:)

Everyone on Main Street decorates for the season...

Saint Patrick Church down the street from us :)

Much love,
Pink and Sparkles
xoxo

Dave Puts the "C" (cool) in Cooking!

The best part of my day, hands down, is coming home to my husband - whether or not he concocts something in the kitchen.  But when he has the opportunity to cook (rare, as his hours are often longer than mine) my stress-filled days are automatically remedied as I step into the house to the smell of something in or on the stove. Dave in the kitchen prepping, tossing, searing or seasoning, glass of wine waiting for me, table is set and I know I'm home. 

I love cooking as well and I've always been quite good at it. Since I moved out of my parent's house, I've been getting even better. Its such a special treat, though, when Dave puts his own swagger into our meals - not afraid to try anything new (and rarely needing any direction whatsoever) he will take on any cooking challenge.  

I haven't taken pictures of all his cooking adventures but here are a few from the last few weeks.  We also do a "Sunday pizza day" every other Sunday...there are some shots of one Sunday as well. Enjoy!

 We eat dinner in front of the television quite often...

 Sunday Pizza Day! Always two pizzas ... one with sauce, one without :)

 And always wine ;)

Much love,

Pink and Sparkles

xoxo

Our house...renovated

I've been wanting to blog about our renovation for quite some time now...and I finally have the chance to do it (aka....house is quite clean and I have time to take pictures of it).

We purchased the house in 2008 and renovated for a while. I have a few pictures, of the old look and now that I've been browsing, I wish I took more to really give you an idea of how much we did.  My husband, did most of the demolition and building on his own - he had help of amazing friends and skilled trades people who rebuilt the entire frame of the house, tiles, kitchen, painting etc. I take all the decorating credit ;)

We are so grateful and blessed to have the house at the point it is - still so many "little" things to do though. Its a process, I've definitely learned.

I'll show you the inside today then blog about the basement and outside another time.

Enjoy!

Kitchen before (with David in it)

Kitchen after: basically, the fridge now takes up the old kitchen area and we turned the "third bedroom (picture above) into the main kitchen area

Family room before:

Family room after: no explanation needed.

Bedroom before:

Bedroom after:

Den before:

Den after:

 Bathroom before:

Bathroom after:

Outside and basement coming soon!
Till next time,
Pink and Sparkles
xoxo