Love our mac

Yes, we've turned into a home of mac junkies. I don't really recall how it happened, but it's far too late to turn us back now (Mr. Big loves that store...). These skins from Karvt are actual wood and are available in loads of different wood species and stains. Fab!

Doing the dishes

Sometimes I secretly wish for a dish fairy to come and clean up after a meal. No, it's obviously never happened, but heck, what's the harm in wishing? Recently I found a little extra boost for this chore...Mrs. Meyers cleaning products, especially in her Geranium and Basil scents.

Not only are they all natural and clean like the dickens, they smell so good. No, not like that manufacturered apple smell. Like a candle...while you are doing the dishes!


Case and point. On Monday night, Mr. Big and I made a big bowl of popping-hot spicy chili. Being lazy (shocker I know), I left the dirty pan in the sink to soak with some of her Geranium scented dish soap. This isn't going to be a good reflection on me, but three days later I finally dumped the water (and other stuff) out to clean the dish. It still smelled good! Like really good.

Another time, I had a tradesperson call me back two days after finishing our job. Want to get paid? Nope. Forgot something at the house? Nope. He wanted to know what type of hand soap we had by our sink because it smelled so good. A tradesman!


Check your grocery shelves for this good stuff. There is an entire line of household products worth taking for a whirl. Let me know what scents you like and what you think!

DecoDomo in Zurich

Last week I had a challenging week of work in Switzerland with lots of meetings, lunches and dinners....and window shopping of course. After meeting countless clients and contacts, the end of the week found me headed back to the hotel fairly drained. Well, so drained that I unexpectedly stumbled (i.e. curiously ventured down various alleyways) into DecoDomo in Zurich. Perfect find!

With a window display full of Designer's Guild fabrics and colerful pottery, they had me at hello. Inside, they introduce you to a perfectly styled mixture of morrocan, asian, english, french, and everything-else-good-that-I-could-ever-imagine design.



They carry Mateus pottery, which is designed in Sweden, produced in Portugal, and soon to be enjoyed in our house...at least in the form of espresso cups anyway (sans the lacy saucer). Without the handle, they can easily be stacked and tucked away. We had been looking for something unique for a while and these perfectly fit the bill.



Their pillow selection, presumably mainly from Designer's Guild, was top notch. Their furniture was unique without being too "out there". They had great morrocan and other motif tray tables that could fit many places in a home. The shelves were filled with all sorts of other goodies, from reasonably priced porcelin bowls to decorative stands to beautiful morrocan lights.

Overall, it was unique to find a small shop that carried off so many different styles so successfully. And of course, they were as nice as you can image. If you are ever in Zurich in search of a fun design store, perhaps a stroll through the street will lead you to DecoDomo.

Searching for a clock?

The Raw Clock by Stanley Ruiz

Only if we hadn't found our new clock last weekend...

Can anyone help with a use for paperclips?

Err...I mean clothespins (someone needs to start the day over...). These may just be too cute to pass up and I need ideas.

From etsy seller olivemanna

Definitely check out her site for other great designs. Ideas? Ideas?

Tee towels

I've become obsessed with fun, modern tee towels. Studiopatro hit a home run with this set.

Finally, wine by the pool

The month after we moved into the house, I was accosted by a friend for drinking wine...gasp from a wine glass...while sitting on our pool steps. I suppose that I hadn't fully understood how difficult it would be to hunt down a single piece of broken glass in our monochrome pool (another home ownership secret revealed). Oh how quickly we learn.

Last weekend, Mr. Big and I had the delightful pleasure of visiting Old Montreal. A stroll through the streets yielded us the perfect solution, Govino wine glasses.


These puppies are shatterproof, reusable, recyclable plastic glasses that don't break the bank ($2.99). Supposedly they have properties consistent with crystal for color and aromatics, but we haven't yet tested that theory out yet.

I'm ready to give them a whirl. Poolside party anyone?

Great docking station

A real cedar solution from etsy seller woodtec

Always a good reminder

Lovely ceramic tag from Paper Boat Press.

Cozy Glam

I love tips! A special someone recently pointed me in the direction of Catherine Regehr's new home collection...well actually, all of her collection. L-o-v-e her Porcupine Loop duvet covers. They would be a great way to add texture in a neutral room.


Her line is sold exclusively at Provide Home in Vancouver. (Aside: I'm very glad that I don't live in Vancouver because this store looks far too appetizing for my own good). Fortunately for us, they have a few further photos of her collection. The duvet cover that they show is almost too good to be true. So romantic. And her pillows! Their texture is breathtaking.


As for her fashion...yum.



To the tip miester, keep them coming!

Rocket St George

I stumbled onto this site this morning and couldn't pull myself away. Strong willpower is a must if you venture a peak.

The Beatles got it so right with this one. And a little reminder every once in a while doesn't hurt.


And while you're at it, your bed can always use a little extra twinkle.


Along with your dining table.


And without question, no home with bright young children and a backyard should be without these loungers.

We could all use one

These tissue covers by etsy seller yokomono are fab.

Enough with the dog already

I know, I know...only owners love their dogs, but I'm officially hooked on ours. According to Mr. Big, Jordan is far to "guy guy" for any of the following (for the record, I agree), but they are too cute to keep to myself.

Leash from esty seller Aroostudio

Pet tags from etsy seller purepanache

Collar from etsy seller luckyfiona

Discovering Eva Solo

The first evening after arriving in Stockholm, my client's suggeted a stop into Nordiska Kompanient, the largest department store in the city. Besides carrying virtually all the retailers from surrounding shops in one spot, it is just a gorgeous building. Wow.

And the stop surely didn't disappoint. One of the lines that I discovered is called Eva Solo, which is a Dutch design company. There were so many fun items that it was difficult to just choose one. Any votes on which of the following will end up traveling back to Cayman with me?

Functional yet funky stainless and plastic bread boxes

Soap magnet that allows soap to dry quickly

Stylish dishcloth that can stay out or get tossed in the washer

Perfect outdoor dinner parties

We were fortunate recently to purchase some great teak outdoor furniture at 70% off (the store obviously didn't share in our good fortune...). The good news is that our back yard is starting to feel "lived in". In fact, most of our dinners have been outside in the past two weeks...such a treat now that the weather is slightly cooler.

Yes Mom, that's the umbrella from the wedding...finally out of the box!

On a side note, when we contacted the store's recommended upholsterer, their quote was almost double what we paid for all the furniture. And after indicating that the price was out of our range (obviously...), they discounted their quote by 20% immediately. What? Why do businesses do that? Needless to say, we're still looking for a good upholsterer.

We had our first outdoor dinner party this week and it was brilliant. Although, after seeing these beauties by Pieter Stockmans, my head swirled about whether it could be that much more brilliant. His outdoor table lights are pure perfection.


It's so nice that we're finally at this point...starting to use the different spaces how we had imagined them. No, we're not "done" yet, but considerably closer. :)

Looking forward

Sometimes it's hard to believe how fast a year passes. Other times, like right now, I eagerly look forward to a new year. We've got computers around us that serve as calendars, but they just aren't as charming as this calendar from etsy seller hellohandmadepaperie.


Apparently it was charming enough to have one for the office and one for home as I purchased two of them. This is my first calendar purchase in a really long time. Am I the only one?

Jewelry for your bed

This Botanica felt throw by Selina Rose is so much fun. Why, oh why, do I still find things like this?


She's based in the UK so be careful before venturing to her site (exchange rates can easily cease enthusiasm...)

Tea towels

Decor8 featured these fun, lively and modern tea towels by Tikoli. Wouldn't these make great holiday treats for girlfriends?

Oh la la

This succulent felt bench cushion from Be Sweet is so....so...how would you describe it? Luxurious? Natural? Incomprehensible? I can't even fathom how long it would take to make one of these (hence I'm hesitant to seek out the price tag).


Imagine this on a bench in a guest room...mmmm. A place where it wouldn't be used too often to get dirty (can you imagine cleaning it?), but would still bring out your fancy.

I shouldn't read other blogs

because I won't find things like these fun bags from Etsy seller DrikaB. Thanks Danielle from the style files.