True North Update

I have been having a lot of fun shopping for the True North store and have gotten some great finds already. Here is a bronze pot that works as a planter. My mom has already taken the liberty of displaying it in the house until the store gets up and running.

Home Office and Organization

I am in the process of creating an office area for my house. Organization has been a really popular theme in decorating magazines with spring cleaning amongst us so I thought I would share my ideas and research. What I am looking for in a home office is first a big desk or table because I like all my research and notes spread out in front of me when I am writing. Next, I am looking to keep the area organized. I don't like a lot of extra stuff that I don't need for the project I am working on in my work space so shelves and storage are essential. Thirdly, I love writing lists and having deadlines and ideas out where I can see them so a cork or chalk board is key. Finally, the chair. I don't sit in the same position the whole time I write so I need a chair that allows me to move around.

I love this chair! It is stylish but still functional and most importantly it has no arms so you can cross my legs while you work (a position I regularly find myself in). The plants and photos on this desk look great although they would not work for me because I like the desk space.

 

I like the shelving behind this desk; it gives the opportunity to style the shelves with your own personal touch and provides a lot of extra storage. I would like the bottom to include pull out drawers for filing loose papers.

Love this drafting table and how the papers and magazines are displayed on the right side of the picture. Simple, functional, clean, and organized- just what I am looking for!

Baskets and boxes are a great alternative to filing cabinets and offer new textures and colours to a space. This picture shows a lot of different ways to use baskets and boxes in a home office. I particularly like the selves at the end of the desk, great use of space. I like the comfy chair in the corner as well, perfect if you want to take a break and read a book or turn your computer around and watch a show.

 

Unique way to frame a cork board!

Paired with a shelf on the side and a cork board on a nearby wall this is a stylish and economical way to turn an unused space like a corner or attic into a home office.

I am in love with this desk. Steel legs with a slab of wood provide a raw and natural appeal.

Here is a skinner desk to consider especially if you are working with a smaller or awkward space. 

Chocolate Chess Pie

My cousins and I have always been very close with one another. We spent large chunks of our summers together growing up and we have always gotten along very well- except when it comes to one topic: pie vs. cake. This is the biggest disagreement among our little group and we eventually came to the conclusion that there is no persuading anyone on which desert is better.

Today, I am pleased to say that cake and pie lovers can finally unite because of this amazing recipe I found last week that is the perfect combination of pie and cake. I found the recipe on the blog "A Little Bit Crunchy".

www.crunchyrock.com/2011/03/314159-chocolate-chess-pie.html

Chocolate Chess Pie
(Recipe source: Apartment Therapy)

Ingredients:

Chocolate Gram Crust-
10-11 sheets gram crackers (I prefer the "original", not the honey.)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder

Filling-
1 stick unsalted butter
1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate (or 3 tablespoons cocoa)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:
1. For the crust: Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground. Add the sugar and cocoa powder. Give it another pulse. Add the butter and combine until mixed. Press into a pie plate with the back of a spoon.

2. Chill for 20 minutes. Bake in a preheated 325 degree F. oven for 15-20 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes.

3. For the filling: Melt the butter and chocolate together. Pour into a bowl and whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt. When the crust has cooled for 20 minutes, poor the filling into the crust and bake in a 325 degrees F. oven for about 40 minutes, until the top is set.

4. Top with whip cream or a dusting of powdered sugar. (optional)

Quick reading to get through these cold days

I have made my summer playlist, bought a couple of new dresses, and made my list of things I want to get done this summer. Now we just need to wait for it to stop snowing. While we wait I came up with a list of really quick and good reads to get through this awkward period where winter is lingering. Most of these books are popular enough that you will be able to find them at a used book store or thrift store really cheap.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: This is one of the most popular books of all time. It is short and simple but very powerful (much like the other books on the list). The basic theme is destiny and following your intuitions to find your purpose.

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield: This is a spiritual book that takes place in Peru. It explores ancient Eastern philosophies and mysteries through a travel/adventure story. Think "The Di Vinci Code" for New Age spirituality.

Tuesday's with Morrie by Mitch Albom: This is a true story about Albom visiting his old college professor on his death bed. It explores the different outlooks on life and being a loving and happy person.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series by Stieg Larsson: These books have been in the media in recent years so you may have already read them. But if you have just been staring at them, wondering if they are any good or hesitating because they look long, don't wait any longer! These books are suspenseful, thrilling and mysterious. You will not be able to put them down and when you do I bet it will be warm out again!

Lifestyle Porn

I look at a lot of different blogs to write this blog in order to gather inspiration, information, and pictures. My ultimate goal is to start using my own photographs to display both candid Canadian lifestyle images combined with True North products. A lot of the blogs I view are similar to my own in that they gather really great photos from across the web that play along with their blog's theme. Every once in a while I find a blog that shows the personal and candid photos of an individual's life. When these blogs come around I can't help but stayed glued to my seat as I peek through this window into someone else’s world. "A Well Traveled Women" is one blog that does this to me. The best way I can describe "A Well Traveled Women" is lifestyle porn. A young mother posts intimate and raw photos of her surroundings, her travels, and day to day routine with her boys. I strongly suggest checking this out: http://awelltraveledwoman.com/ .

Here's a little glimpse at past posts:

Outdoor Showers

I have been really into outdoor showers lately and not just for washing up after taking a swim, for real outdoor summer showers. It is defiantly something I am going to add on when I eventually buy a cottage. I took a good browse on the internet and found some great outdoor shower designs that range from very basic to more luxurious. Although I prefer simple and practical styles, small additions like plants, stones, or a small bench are all really affordable ways to make a simple outdoor shower design your own. Additionally, I like the designs that extend off the porch or are directly accessible through the house.

Woolset Studio

Oborain

"Qui vit content tient assez"

5 (cheap) ideas to get your home spring/summer ready

1. No need to spend 50+ dollars on a huge flower arrangement for your center piece. Fill small jars with flowers and spread them throughout your house.

2. Patio lights. Make your spring/summer nights even longer and more inviting with twinkle lights surrounding your outdoor seating area (balcony, terrace, porch, yard, etc.).

3. Garden!

4. Clean. Tidy up the dust that has settled from the long winter, throw out those dead plants you forgot to water, and fix that squeaky door. Spring and summer are seasons full of spontaneous plans and random BBQs, so free your mind of that messy closet and leaky faucet now while the weather is still keeping you inside.

5. Put up some bird houses/feeders (there are great ideas to make them online), get some life to surround your house and garden again!