Every year I try to fit in a few trips to my favourite antique spots around our cottage. Is it fair to say antique shops when sometimes it's really just old stuff hidden among junk? What is the right terminology?  Anyhow - for the sake of this blog post we'll go with the term "antiques". ;) Going back a year I did a pretty extensive roundup of my favourite antique spots to go hunting in the Kawarthas. Red Rock Antiques (pictured above) is still a huge barn filled with a TON of stuff but some pieces were now listed at Toronto retail prices which takes a little fun out of the hunt. I'm sure it leaves room for negotiation. Even with what I observed as raised prices it's just a fun place to visit.

My Coboconk stores never disappoints me. I love the people who run them, the love the atmosphere and how they restock often by going to auctions. Pricing has seemed to rise a bit - perhaps due to the popularity of the locations. But I scored the gold bar cart above for five bucks. So that makes up for some items I paid a little more for. ;) Score! (Ps., The bar cart is going to Tim, who I knew was looking for one - the joys of technology, I just texted him a photo and within a few minutes I got a "Yes!")

I also bought this brass planter for a few dollars....

I'm on a little bit of a brass planter kick. (I'll do a post in a few days on why I've been bitten by the brass planter bug - but if you are also digging brass I found a few brass planters over on Etsy)

I know the summer is almost over but if you're looking for any Fall road trips definitely hit up some of the shops listed here. I've updated the list with 2013 observations. :)  (Such as Argyle isn't as awesome a location as before) I'd like to make it into other areas outside Toronto to go hunting but it's pretty hard with a three year old in tow. Any spots you recommend around Toronto? And do chime in on your opinion if this is really truly "antique shopping". ;)

xo Linds

I love etsy.

You never know what you'll come across.

Or who will come across you.

A friend from my old home town contacted me a few months back about doing a giveaway.

"Yes" I said.

But summer was underway with a million things going on.

No time to even blog!

School time is here now, and things are winding down.

Time for a giveaway!

As the header states, our lovely bib necklace comes from Carolyn Jewels.

One lucky winner will be receive this necklace, valued at $25~

Plus, if you like what you see in her shop right now then take advantage of a limited time coupon.

Enter SUMMER2013 at checkout to get $5 off your order of $23 or more.

If that's not great enough then she also offers FREE SHIPPING every day!

 

Carolyn Jewels has many more adorable items for you to check out.

Like the colorful rosette bracelet above.

 

Or these bright pops of color for your hair!

Be sure to stop by her shop and see the other items she has to offer!

Giveaway Rules:

1. Leave a comment and let me know that you stepped into her shop for a peak around!

2. Tweet it, Facebook it share it or on your blog - then come back and leave me another comment for an extra chance at winning!

Giveaway open to USA residents only.

Ends Monday, August 26th at 12AM Central Time

Good Luck!

We just got back from an amazing vacation at our cottage in the Kawarthas. The weather wasn't too hot - which made it a little less attractive to jump in the lake - but it was sunny 90% of the time so we got lots of beach time, boating, and outdoor fun in. Although I love the heat - we got to have a few nights of fires in the fireplace. Sadly, two weeks flew by. :(

One goal I had for this trip was to become a more comfortable with boats as I want Oscar to be as comfortable with them (and the water) as possible. The issue (for me) was that when I was younger I was involved in a boating accident that left me really uncomfortable with small boats. Although the exact accident has faded in my mind, it left me not very comfortable with watercrafts. (Pretty much the story is, I was in a tin boat in the lake with friends, a storm came, tipped the boat over and trapped me underneath the boat and started to sink) Although I don't think I'll ever be really comfortable with boats - I wanted to try kayaking. I felt that if the kayak were to tip I would be able to get out easily (going back to my fear of being trapped under a boat). So slowly went around the shoreline with one of our kayaks. Within a few days I was so comfortable I was going out with Aubrey and Oscar, and on my own. It was so peaceful. It became a ritual to go for a kayak ride every night after dinner. I'm pretty proud of myself for it - it actually became one of my favourite parts of our vacation. To see more pictures of our trip you can click to see more! (Photo heavy!)

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I'm embarrased to admit it, but this is the kitchen faucet we've lived with for the past two years:

Beyond the way it looked, there were two big things that drove me crazy about this faucet: it was way too low, making it difficult to rinse large pots and pans without getting water everywhere, and the knobs were so close to the wall that it was nearly impossible to clean behind them.

When I saw the Cuisinart Calais faucet on sale at Canadian Tire, I decided to go for it. I was nervous about the quality, since I think Cuisinart is relatively new to the faucet market, but the online reviews were good and the price was definitely right.

Adam installed it on Saturday morning while my mom and I took Hannah for a long walk. He said the new faucet was easy to install, but removing the old faucet was a different story. For some reason, the cold water was piped directly to the faucet, so first he had to shut off the water to the entire house, cut out the pipe and install a tap (after a trip to Home Depot for a plumbing kit and a blow torch). Even better, there was no way to unscrew the old faucet, so the hacksaw came back out to cut it off. There are no easy projects in an old house!

The good news is that the installation went smoothly (no leaks!) and we love the new faucet.

(Sorry the colouring is off in these photos - by the time I was able to take them it required lights on and a flash).

With the faucet's added height, our sink actually feels larger now and we can easily wipe up around it. Best of all, it gives a much need boost to the overall look of our kitchen. Since I know there are others, like us, who are making the best of the kitchen they have while planning - or just daydreaming about - a complete overhaul someday, I thought it was worth sharing how a relatively inexpensive update can go a long way towards improving the overall look and function of your kitchen.

Once the faucet's been in place for a few months, I'll be sure to update you on how it's holding up.

Happy Monday! xo

What is elegance?  The first thing that popped into my head was Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, I wonder what just popped into yours?    
How do you get elegance?  It is such a personal vision there can't be an exact guide, in fact I think that's the point, it is a unique quality so it needs to be personal to you.

But like Audrey and Jackie there is a certain similarity.  They were certainly unique but there is a similar feel to their looks, bold but simple, striking but always sophisticated.
Essential qualities don't you think?   Today I am sharing my tips for elegance (as I see it) with you, and some lovely quotes from fabulously elegant icons, but please let me know what you think elegance is too.

Elegance is the art of effortless style - it appears effortless even if it isn't.
Elegance is edited but not minimal, it is just the right thing in just right place.  
Elegance is not fussy or cluttered, it is carefully edited collections, and items chosen for beauty and functionality.
Elegance is not over designed, it is a personal statement that doesn't come from a catalogue.
Elegance may be faux, but it is never fake.
Elegance is quality over quantity.
Elegance is a bold statement done in a simple way.
Elegance is understated and not overbearing, it a large statement done with simplicity.
Elegance may look expensive but it doesn't always come with a large price tag, it is the hint of luxury without trying to hard.
Elegance cannot be copied, it is unique.

1 - Buy quality over quantity, less really is more.  
2 - Edit rooms carefully but don't lose your personality, elegance cannot be copied so your rooms must be unique to you.  Fill them with objects, fabrics and furniture you love.
3 - Say goodbye to clutter.  Absolutely show off your collections, your photographs, your favourite things but edit carefully.  Make sure collections have room to breathe and are displayed in a space, not crammed onto a shelf.
4 - Be bold in your decisions - Choose that dark wall paint you always wanted, blow up those photo's extra large, create a gallery wall with photo's and paintings, go for that crazy wall paper.
5 - Don't try to hard, don't be over designed, remember elegance should look effortless.

Remember, be memorable not fashionable

This post was written in partnership with Nick Scali - where buying furniture is an investment in your life and style, and quality is the right price.  But as usual all opinions and content are entirely my own.