Nursery Plans

Hi there!
I thought I would just pop in and say a quick 'hello'! We are making some serious headway on the nursery and I want to share a sneak peek with you. I will do a full reveal when I have the furniture in.

We still don't know the sex of the baby yet so that has forced me in a more neutral direction- but to be honest- I am crazy happy with the direction it has gone in. Meet chic-lumberjack-mod-baby. I don't even know what that is, but its awesome.

I'll share pictures for now and do a full rundown of the projects, DIY's and sources when we reveal the final nursery. If you are dying for a source some something just comment below!

 

Favorite Finds: 09.25.13

Not knowing whether we are having a boy or girl has thrown me for a bit of a loop, so I have found myself wandering in stores fairly aimlessly a lot lately. Here are a few of my favorite finds...

1. Basically everything on this wall I would take home if I could- specifically that white and gold portal mirror- love.
2. My first official purchase for the nursery, a gold dot quilt. If we have a boy I will just put him in a super manly outfit when he is wrapped in this sucker.
3. An awesome geometric elephant that I should have bought. Such a fun piece.

Zara Home recently opened in Canada, the first location in Toronto being at Yorkdale Mall. Pretty stuff, a lot smaller then I was expecting- but worth popping into if you are in the area. Great finds to be had in the areas of bedding, frames and table ware.

 

 

1. Seriously. Why not? Nice Underwear door mat, I think its sets the tone don't you?
2. Amazing gnome lamp. Yes, he lights up. I may have to go back for him.
3. A fun and simple toss cushion for anywhere in the house. Glasses toss cushion.

Urban Barn had some fun accessories out for fall, but I wouldn't be rushing back anytime soon. It tends to stay fairly static with its merchandise. It is a great spot for cheap and cheerful finds though!

Happy Wednesday,

x

Spicy Butternut Squash Soup

What a gorgeous fall Sunday it was yesterday. My biggest dilemma of the day was whether to add coconut milk to the soup or a bit of regular cream- life is good. I know you are dying to know, but I stuck with regular cream (just a tad!), you could totally sub in coconut milk and it would be awesome.

This soup gets a bit of a spicy note from the fresh ginger, and a touch of cider vinegar balances out the sweetness from the squash. I was doing a bit of reading last night and discovered that squash contains protective chemicals against colon and lung cancers, reduces inflammation and contains a ton of minerals such as vitamin E, C, calcium, iron and magnesium. SO, EAT UP. Don't even get me started on the benefits of ginger root... we'll go there tomorrow. (I know... a slight change from my Hunger Games obsession...)

Recipe: Spicy Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion (peeled & chopped)
• 1 medium butternut squash (washed, unpeeled & cubed)
• 2 carrots (washed & chopped)
• 2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger root (grated)
• 4 cups low sodium chicken or veg stock
• 1/4 cup whipping cream or coconut milk
• juice of 1 orange
• 1 1/4 tsp cider vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots and squash for 5 minutes in 1 tbsp of olive oil on medium heat.
2. Add garlic and ginger, season with salt and pepper and sauté for 1 minute to combine.
3. Add the stock and cover, bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the carrots and squash are tender (falling apart).
4. Take the pot off the heat and puree the soup until completely smooth with a hand blender.
5. Add the orange juice, vinegar and cream, stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. 
6. Add up to 1 cup of water if need to thin out the soup a bit- I needed about 1/2 a cup.  

Notes: I keep my ginger root frozen in the freezer for super easy grating with a rasp- it also keeps so much longer! Also- you may think I am crazy- but you don't have to spend the time peeling your butternut squash, throw it in the with peel, it will soften and then be blended- you won't even notice it!


- sunday recipe writing -

Sources:
Nutrition Info: 100 Best Health Foods
Napkins: Ten & Co.

A Summer in Photos

 

It feels good to be back.

x

C

4 Favorites

Morning Team!
A few of my favorites from this week (and past)...


 

The best "Happy Show" exhibit at Toronto's Design Exchange by Stephan Stagmeister. Those are giant gumball machines... I know.



 

I got the chance to hear Jonathan Adler speak at the Toronto Design Exchange a couple of weeks ago. He is witty, sarcastic and all round brilliant. I loved every second of it... including the moment that he told us we are "...all insane not to go home immediately and paint our front doors orange, because who wouldn't want an orange front door!?"



My new favorite desk-friend (...get it...ha..) just came in, and it is A-mazing. A bit redic, I know, but SO awesome.

 

 

Hilarious stamps I spotted at Anthropology yesterday. A poodle would just add that "special something" to a hand written note to your hubby... hilar.

Happy Friday All! And for those of you now on March Break- have a great one.
xx
C

Ten & Co. Now Open!

Are you ready for it!? Of course you are...
I am beyond excited to share our site with you today. Ten & Co. has a ways to go (tweaks here and there), but we have lots of our products in the shop and ready for you to buy! Our show was a total success last Friday and we got a fantastic response from the Ladies at Alpine Ski Club. I am back to work this week, learning how to juggle two businesses at once and loving the challenge. Here are just a few of my favorites in the shop right now...

100% linen tea towels and napkins. All screen printed by hand with our own designs. Easy to wash and pretty in the kitchen!

Thee most addictive cloths in the world. Designed by Ten & Co. and printed in Sweden. Made of 100% Cellulose (plant based material), antibacterial and biodegradable. I LOVE them.

Poly and Linen napkins in 2 sizes, our 10" Farm House (great to replace the need of a paper napkin during the week) and our more formal 18" size for your fabulous soirees.

What do you think!?
xx
C

Happy 1st Birthday

Its amazing how many things can change in a year, I got married, I quit my job and went out on my own, I now have a store (work in progress), I made these chocolaty amazing things and these salty bacony things, AND started a blog.

Yesterday was Design and Doughnuts first Birthday! To be honest I almost posted it January 25th and realized within second of making the mistake, I was a month early. I am sorry for the lack of posts lately, Ten & Co is sucking out every spare second of my time (in a really good way). Next week I will be back to regular posting, with a full update on our first show this Friday!

For now you will just have to enjoy this super cute picture I took (a month ago).

xo
C