Bon Iver for Kev's B-Day!

Happy Birthday little brother!

10 things I love about my brother, Kev:

1. He is the most centered person I know.
2. He has traveled to more places than I can ever dream of going to.
3. He can skateboard, snowboard, surf, water ski and endure a tattoo made with bamboo....which took 12 hours.....aaaaaaaaaack!
4. He laughs at whacked out crazy things.
5. His positive attitude is contagious.
6. He the least materialistic person I know. (He has lived in a van for a year or so, when he was younger...a very brave adventure.)
7. He is like a cat. (9 lives)
8. He makes delicious cinnamon croissant french toast.
9. He is a free thinker.
10. Last but not least, he is a great listener, adviser and friend.
    

Canmore, Alberta

I know I am a broken record but I do get homesick a lot.
Who wouldn't with the all the fun of cute cafes, great restaurants, little indie shops, amazing arts festivals, multiculturalism, "Chapters" (the bookstore that is not only massive but actually carries European magazines and periodicals) and so NOT the least:
the amazing scenic views.
I love our mountains. They are so majestic, gorgeous and breathtaking.
I miss looking out a window and occasionally seeing this view.

Bella the Design Instructor

I know that I have already done enough posts for the day but I couldn't resist taking cute pictures of Bella reading a design book from Don's mom. She read it in an extremely animated baby talk that was hilarious.
Too bad I hadn't caught it on film.
The best thing is that it is that it is a Scandinavian book on design...heheh.

Breanna's Drama Class Play

I meant to post this the other day. Breanna was in a class play at school and I thought she did fabulous.
A second time for us to give her a big bouquet of flowers celebrating the beautiful young woman she is becoming.

Bre with her friends who are sisters, Haley and Raven.

Ideas for our home!

I think spring must be close at hand because I am getting decorating fever. When Bella wakes up this afternoon, I may grab a tin of paint and paint the wall behind our sofa. I did some Venetian style or rather Montreal styled plaster on the wall and it has been in need of paint.
These images are a few of the ideas that I have been throwing around.
I love art gallery-esque style with white walls and pops of colour but when it comes to my own home, I am a tinge more bohemian. It is just warmer and much more cozy.
Sorry honey!
Don really craves mod and gallery styled homes.
Maybe there is a way of mixing them up.

Photos were used from various flicker home sets.
I tend to save them like a magazine scrapbook so I am not really sure of the exact place they came from but they are cozy and inspiring, I think.

Journey to a Loss

So Don being the champion he is has now lost 6 pounds in total and guess what ...I am at 5.5 pounds of loss. Bella and I danced and spun in circles this morning for about a half an hour.
If that is exercise it sure is fun.
We danced to this video, "Collection of Stamps" by "I'm From Barcelona"
Funny story...they aren't really.
They are Swedish!!
What could be better?

Today by the Window

I think sometimes Bella helps me get my mind off of any sadness just by her wonderful little spirit. She is a mischief in such a cute way.
Her fuzzy golden hair with her sweet smile and dancy dance self is enough to melt anyone's heart.

Book I am loving this week.

My friend, Mandy had this as one of her favourite reads on her profile and I liked the title and decided to purchase it used through Amazon. It came in the mail on Saturday and I have been caught up in it ever since.
I think it goes along with the post I did earlier this morning so I thought I would share.

Music and a lovely video for the day

I saw this video on "Design*Sponge" today and found it stunningly beautiful and very unique. Israeli artist, oren lavi's, website is equally lovely. The music and video are inspiring.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR, BABY!

I haven't put up a post in a few days and I can't be specific but let's just say I have felt rather disappointed with people and things around me. That is not to say that I have no good in my life, more that I look for God in humanity and sometimes it seems far and few between that I find it.

I think that God has placed in us a desire for his kind love and for perfection and harmony in ways that speak of heaven and not so much of this world.
I believe we have been created with a need for relationship with God and a need for a home with perfection...heaven.

I still believe that He moves in peoples hearts to show his love and truth but we are more run on our own natures which are not always so pretty.

Maybe I hold myself too precious.
I want to be wooed.
I want to feel loved and unique.
I want to find myself as an irreplaceable woman in an amazing adventure here.
I hope one day that I will find that in complete fulfillment in my relationship with God.

My mom has always said that I need too much positive re-enforcement from others.
(that is humbling in itself to state on here)

I always thought everyone needed that the same, but that some people naturally attained more than others.
Maybe, maybe not.

I think some people are more in touch with what goes on in others minds and hearts and perhaps they concern themselves with that too much and focus too hard on that.

Perhaps I just need to feel loved by my heavenly Father and let His love rain down on my life.

This post is so not to be preachy to anyone, it is merely my own quandary over the past few days.
A little window into my heart.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR, BABY!
Maybe, the painting above that I completed a few days ago is somewhat enlightning.
Heaven's love raining down and sharing it with someone.

I Miss Bubble Tea!

One of the things I miss most from home are the cheery little bubble tea shops.
However, I have found one today here in the South.
:) So HAPPY!
CHILL
I think I will have to talk my sweet Love Nest partner in crime to come with me to
Chapel Hill, NC for a fun and wonderous bubble tea!
We ordered the products from Boba Tea Direct to make our own and they turn out deliciously
but there is something about going to a bubble tea shop that makes it much more satisfying. (not to mention fun)
I have tried to explain the wonder that is bubble tea to friends here but they look at me as though I am a tad touched in the head. (shhh...they may have a point but not when it comes to the love of this drink)
I have been wanting to go to the Raleigh and Chapel area anyways so this is just the
proverbial icing on the cake.
Today I am off to a not so fun appointment with my neurologist. (due to the accident we had at Christmas time and my concussion~so I am a little touched in the head so to speak)
Anyways, with the zzzzzzzzzzzz boring appointment ahead I will keep "CHILL" in my mind today and have a happy little smile on my face.

Bella's 1st Corndog!

I know this is not a great quality camera but she is too cute to me eating for the first time this really unhealthy lunch.

Airstream Shops We Heart!

Maybe it is the fact that I am trying to lose weight right now that is making me long for coffee, cupcakes and Mexican food sold from one of these little Trailer shops. Which by the way I lost 1 more pound this last week. (4 pounds in total so far) I think Don has lost about 3 pounds.
That said,I kind of want to take some time in my blog to share my love of Airstream shops. I have found everything in them from clothing to coffee, from art to full on cafes.
I don't know exactly what pulls on my heart strings most about these fun little places but I love the idea of great design, creativity and entrepreneurs who have a wonderful imagination.
So I thought I would do an entry or several entries showcasing my love of them.
If you have images or know of other Airstream shops that are hearted by you, let me know.

Krankies (Is pictured below)
We visited Krankies Coffee in Winston-Salem, NC when I first moved here and I had on entry on them here.
They roast their own coffee and wow is it good!

Hush Hush

Hush Hush
This cute little airstream shop in Nelson, B.C. is filled with a wonderful display of Canadian, indie clothing, jewelery and home goods. Not only is this shop located in one of the most beautiful settings I know but I believe they have an on line store as well owned by Cathy Terepocki and Tracy Fillion.

This one is called "Hey Cupcakes"

"Hey Cupcakes"

Wes Hurt took his New York inspiration for a cupcake stand to Austin, Texas!
Isn't it cute!?!

Skillet in Seattle

More Airstream Shops to Heart!

You can find delicious street food sold from an Airstream in Seattle, called Skillet.

Who wouldn't love this?

Orla Kiely

I finally got a chance to go look at the new products by Orla Kiely
(my hero in the design world) at Target yesterday.
I picked up two laundry bags which will make doing laundry a tinge more enjoyable.
(it is my most despised chore)
My hope is that this spring I will be able to paint the shed out back with one of her very cool designs displayed on the upholstery of this chair showed in an earlier postof mine.
I heart Orla and am so glad she has come to Target so I can afford her cheery works in my home.

If you aren't too sick of my Ikea fetish...Here are a few more

The Long Awaited Valentine's Sofa!

We waited patiently for Ikea to open to purchase our red leather Klippan sofa.
It was a toss up between this cheery bright sofa or the almost $1600 Stolkholm sofa.
If you know us then you know why this one won out!
(plus it was Valentine's Day of course it had to be the red one)

More of Ikea Fun!

Mandy and Matt with angelic lighting behind him.
Notice the on lookers awe of him.

Don taking a quick nap!

Mandy who is that man and why are you ummm...

(okay it only looks slightly like you are grabbing his tush)
Really it is just your tray.

So....when a co-worker gave me a ticket to the "Family and Friends" pre-opening day, I honestly jumped up and down like a little kid. I haven't been to Ikea since I left home 2 and 1/2 years ago. I did the same thing when I arrived at the new Ikea and almost face planted on the sidewalk before entering...ergh....stupid boots. I should have worn the most comfy running shoes ever but didn't.
Regardless I had the best time ever with our friends, Matt and Mandy!
So amazing to be spoiled like this.
It really did feel like a trip back home for a morning.

After almost 3 years we finally purchased our first new sofa together.
I will keep you in suspense until tomorrow of which one.
We also purchased a couple of organizers and a small plant.
We hope to come back with the kiddos on Saturday so that they can enjoy the pleasure of Ikea too and trust me...THEY DO!! They are really excited too!

I finally got to indulge myself with thier Swedish meatballs and Lingonberry juice once again. ( I am not sure how healthy that was for my diet. We will find out on Wednesday.)
Ask Matt how retarded I looked as I closed my eyes and tried to hold back my homesick tears. (they snuck up on me) I am sure it was pretty funny because I was sitting by myself with everyones food in front of me and thinking, "If only I didn't hear the accents of the South for a second and this would surely feel and smell like I had taken our best friends back home." I didn't think about people watching me trying to hold in crying over four plates of delicious food.
Tears of happiness, people...tears of happiness...heheh.
It was a great day with great people!

"Family and Friends" Day at the new Ikea in Charlotte!!

More Ikea on "Family and Friends"Day

All of us

Steamed up!

Lit up!

Mandy looking at a sago palm.