Christmas Wish List Item #11 & A FLASH SALE

It's Friday so that means its Christmas Wish List reveal time.

A little while back I told you about my search for a piece of art for our bedroom, you can read that post here.
I have yet to move forward, but have decided that this piece by Kristin Kirkley is the perfect one for the space.

Today is Black Friday in the US, so in honour of our friends just to the south, Pillotopia is jumping on the bandwagon & having sale too! 

The house almost all decorated for Christmas, so I will share pictures of that Monday, there's just a few minor tweaks & were good to go.

Happy Shopping!

STRUT TOUR

I can't believe that it' Wednesday already, time is flying by at what seem like lightning speed lately. Does anyone else feel this way too?

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at this workshop / event.

It was great & so well organized. Each workshop was held at a different location that pertained to what the workshop / talk was about & then there were challenges at each stop too! We were chauffeured around in a Buick, ours was an Enclave - it looks like an SUV from the outside, but the inside has the sensibility of a minivan - genius! My travelling gals were Christine, Sarah & Lisa - hilarity & good times are just a given with these ladies!

Our first stop was HomeSense where Tamara Robbins lead a panel of Magazine Editors Jennifer Reynolds, Nadine Silverthorne & Karine Ewart they gave us the scoop on how to get published / contribute in a magazine. How creative is your content? How does it relate to the magazine? How do you get noticed for print? How to get in print? Theres a lot of relationship building / trust & the give & take with a print magazine is a must.

While at HomeSense (I think it's the largest in Canada if I am correct) our challenge involved drawing a person who you might have to buy a gift for out of a hat & having 10 min to choose a gift in the store then Instagram / Tweet it.

Stop two was at Jazz Bistro where the panels spoke about how well you know your brand, increasing your traffic & once again relationship building.

Here our challenge was to taste a new wine, Earth & Sky in both the red & white, & to then pair it with a song that matched it smell, feeling and flavour - I liked this task. The white Riesling was especially tasty.


Our last stop was at the Marilyn Dennis studio where we discussed with a great panel of Executive Producers of TV shows we all know, like Canada AM, The Today Show, The Marilyn Denins Show, The Social & the Editor-in-Cheif of Walmarts Live Better Magazine shared tips on pitching broadcasters content & what they are looking for when sourcing someone for television.

This challenge involved a Instagram video stating why you want to win a trip to Club Med & have it relate back to your brand. Tricky to do in 14 seconds.

A giant thank you to Impressions PR & Wee Welcome for putting together a great day!

&

Just a reminder

The Pillotopia Sale is over Saturday so please head on over & buy up some goodies for 25% off.
Use coupon code HOLIDAY25 at the checkout.

See you tomorrow!

Tuesdays Newfound Fabulousness #3

Here are my pics for this week.

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This sofa has me feeling a bit hot & bothered I love everything about it!
The high contrast between the simple & shapely black stained frame, the creamy upholstery & not to mention the metal detail on the frame. I'm also a sucker for single seat cushions on sofas.
When the time comes to get something "nice" for the living room this baby is a definite, YES!

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Would you ever believe that these wall sconces are from The Home Depot & they are only $73!
They look way cool & more expensive than 73 bone, right?
The Home Depot if you are reading this,  I need these & have the perfect place for them!

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If I had a breakfast bar these Lancaster stools from Michael Young would be at it.

Today I am going to this...

It's going to be a fun day of hands on workshops & learning alongside other bloggers, agency peeps & brands.

I will be Instagraming & Tweeting my day so following along @designinghollie

Christmas Wish List Item #10

I love jewellery so I've made it #10 on my Christmas Wish List.

 I am really into rings lately, the wider the band the better.
Here's 2 that would make me smile on Christmas morn.

This one with it's wide brass band and organic setting is very appealing.

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If the truth be told I already have this ring from REBECCA. I bought it for myself just over a year ago & I wear it every single day. I love the rose gold dipped finish & have had many compliments, but the "diamond dust" has all discoloured - I've tried cleaning it with no luck- & the finish has worn off in places.

Have a great weekend & remember I have a 25% off sale happening over at my Etsy shop - PILLOTOPIA until the end of November.

Happy almost weekend.

For the Hostess with the Mostess

The season is officially upon us & to ease the gift giving guessing game I have been putting together  some gift guides & over the next few weeks I will be revealing them.

If you are like me you have most likely been invited to a cocktail party or two & you certainly
 don't want to show up empty handed.

Here are my gift giving ideas of the Hostess with the Mostess!

glitter spoons / gemstone magnets /
salt & pepper shakers / geode note cards /  candle

Who can resist the pleasant scent of a Jo Malone candle & when in doubt a bottle of Moet will also do the trick!

Until tomorrow.

Designer Spotlight - Lee Broom

I was indulging in a new store - online - Property Furniture in NYC & also discovered a new (to me) British designer, maybe you have heard of him.

What I found looking at Lee's products, many collaborations & interiors is that his works give a hand to tradition & there is just enough pull to the contemporary side to create a perfect marriage.

To see the full spectrum of Lee's talents click here.

Stay warm today.

Christmas Wish List Item #9

My Christmas Wish List now includes something fun to go & do!
Tickets to go & see one of my favourite singer / songwriter / bands thanks to a concert announcement earlier this week.

I love me some Dallas Green!

The concert is not until May 9, 2014, here in Toronto, but I will patiently wait.

Here is a song form the new album.



Husband if you are reading this, this gift will get you some serious brownie points!

Have an awesome weekend friends.

I'm Inspired & Some Fabric Sourcing

I've been inspired by these ladies.
They've got my mind a racing a million miles per hour.

Let's begin with Erin over at Design Crisis shall we.
I am dying over her living room! I'm not sure what I love more, the sofa & chair with the outer wood detailing & the shiny chrome legs, the rug, the art over the sofa - with a hole in it I might add - I like that too, maybe it's been places & has stories to tell!
Now the walls, they are not a colour which has never been in my repertoire, but I will need to reconsider it.
I think it is simply smashing!

Erin also participated in the 6 week Design Challenge. She chose her dinette area & in my humble opinion, she knocked it out of the park again with her fearless use of colour & mixing of design styles. The bench fabric, the chandy & the hide are my faves.

& everything on the table top was thrifted to boot!

Jenny killed it with her awesome jellyfish inspired art - I feel a project coming on!

This Christmas ornament that Abby painted has, just added another holiday project to my list, but think black & white.

The headboard & pillow colours in Julie's bedroom makeover have me yearning for rich blues & purples...together.

I'm seeing one of my clients tomorrow & am having to source an alternate to this budget busting Barbra Barry fabric for her kitchen drapery.
Although it's the perfect one for the space, the the price is not!

It is showing up as very creamy yellow, but it's actually a beautiful soft creamy white.
However, here are a few of my alternates.

This textured linen from JFFabrics is a possibility.

My other idea is to have a solid linen with this 3" decorative tapes added down the lead edges & bottom of the panels.

Sourcing must continue, so that's all for now.
Come back tomorrow to see newest item added to my Christmas Wish List.