Rug All About It

I think that we can all agree that rugs are one of the easiest ways to update or transform a living space. They can pull a room together, transform a room from traditional to trendy, make a room cozy, or even be a focal point or conversation starter. 

Let's start this rug conversation...with a floor mat.

Locus Vie

One of my all time favourite stores, Hive Bayfield, carries these vinyl floor mats that come in a variety of shapes. The tile patterns are reminiscent of European tile and floors- which I love! While 'vinyl floor mat' is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think 'rugs', it has been my go to for rugs in my home.

Home Depot

Florals are popular choice when it comes to rugs. Floral, to me, can seem dated and I'm usually not a fan. However, I am loving this floral print rug that has a really modern feel to it. 

Bed Bath & Beyond

For something trendy, look for a Trellis rug. These designs are beautiful and come in all kinds of colour combinations. What I love about Trellis rugs is that they are the type of trendy that stays in style for awhile...they are not a one season wonder. 

Amazon

Vintage rugs are also really great. They can make a room feel lived in. If you are able to get a true vintage (and not a new rug made to look vintage) it could have a cool back story, or sentimental value if it belonged to a loved one.

Overstock

The most cozy of all rugs is, in my opinion, a shag rug. They are so soft and comfortable...there's really nothing like curling your toes in a shag rug. 

Wayfair

Finally, how could I do a post about rugs and not include something fun and colourful?! Bright colours and abstract designs are not for everyone...I personally love them!!

7 Things I Can't Live Without*

I consider myself so incredible lucky and blessed to always have everything I need to get through life. I have the best family, amazing friends, a job that I love, awesome coworkers and work environment/culture, great opportunities...the list goes on. 

With the exception of family/friends/job, and the basics needed to survive, I thought it would be fun to list 7 Things I Can't Live Without*:

1. Cellphone- I know it's kind of sad, but I really can't live without it and I feel lost- and maybe anxious- if I don't have my phone with me. I use it to call, text and email, but it also helps me get places (Google Maps), know the weather and travel conditions, keeps me up to date on current events, allows me to capture memories via video and photos, let's me know the time, wakes me up (alarm), keeps track of my schedule (calendar), nd so much more. I would truly be lost- physically and metaphorically- without it. 
2. Office Dogs- My workplace is a dog friendly office. Having dogs around really does elevate the mood in the office. The dogs will come over to be pet, play, or to sleep under our desks.  
3. Books- It is no secret that I love to read. I'm always surrounded by books. Reading is a way for me to relax and unwind, and be distracted in negative times. Plus, books are social for me- it gives me something to talk about with other people and are the driving force behind my monthly outing with friends for our book club meeting.
4. Water- Now, you might be thinking 'I thought you were going to exclude basics to survive?' and I am. While I do love to drink water, I can't live without being near water. I LOVE the beach and spend as much time there as possible. As spend as much time as possible being near water- lakes, rivers, canals, ponds. Water is very calming for me and helps me think.
5. Friends- This is my all time favourite tv show. It is soooo funny- even after all these years and seeing episodes many times over. I watch this show every night before I go to bed. 
6. Drunkastrology- Graham is hilarious and gives me life. His weekly forecasts are highly entertaining and his weekly Instagram Live is the highlight of my week!!
7. Hockey- I'm Canadian. Enough said. Go Rangers!!

*I could really live without if needed, but would prefer not too

Forever In...Holiday PJ's

With the holidays around the corner, holiday party invites and save the dates have started to roll in. I already have a couple of holiday festivities in my calendar where the dress code is holiday pj's!! I love this dress code and even enforce it for my annual holiday party. 

Here are some pj's that I have my eye on for this holiday season:

How adorable are these 'We Came To Sleigh' graphic tee and Skiing Santa patterned PJ pants from Old Navy?!

These 'Naughty, Nice I Tried' pj's from WalMart are so fun and look cozy. 

Fair Isles print pj's from LaSenza bring memories of being curled up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate.

My sister and I disagree on Buffalo Plaid...she doesn't think it's 'Christmas' but I do! This classic print is one of my favourites during the holidays- pj's, Christmas cards, wrapping paper...I can't get enough! Onsie's are very on trend and this one is from Roots Canada.  

I love this off this Winsummer off the shoulder pj set from Amazon. Cute, comfy, and fashionable.

This holiday season, I'm not sure which pair of pj's I'll be sporting- so many great choices!!

Let's Make...Strawberry Cream Pie!

Years ago, I was having dinner at my great-aunt and uncle's house, and my aunt made Strawberry Pie for dessert. During dinner, it came out that this recipe had been 'lost' to our family. My aunt had lent the handwritten recipe card to another family member. It was unclear what happened next- the family member lost the recipe, the family member passed it on to another family member, the family member gave it back to my aunt and she lost...there were possibilities. The recipe was eventually found and, when my cousins decided to create a (printed) family cookbook, they made sure to include it. 

This Strawberry Pie is simple to make and never fails to impress those who get to enjoy it!

Ingredients:

• 12oz (1 1/2 packages) cream cheese
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 2 cups whipping cream
•  1 9" baked pie shell
• 2-3 cups ripe strawberries, sliced

 To Make:

• In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and almond extract until smooth
• In another bowl, beat whipping cream (not too stiff)
• Fold cream into cream cheese mixture
• Spoon half the cream cheese/whipped cream mixture into pie shell
• Cover with 2/3 of sliced strawberries
• Pour remaining cream cheese/whipped cream mixture over strawberries
• Place remaining strawberries on top
• Chill at least one hour
• Enjoy!

Notes:

1. I use vanilla extract in place of almond extract
2. I usually beat the whipping cream for 5-ish minutes
3. This is a strawberry cream pie, and I personally love strawberries, but think this would be delicious with peaches

Book Club: Dangerous Girls

Image via Chapters Indigo

Book: Dangerous Girls

Author: Abigal Haas

Indigo Summary:

Paradise in Aruba quickly gets gruesome in this “ripped-from-the-headlines thriller (Kirkus Reviews)” with a twist that defies the imagination.

It’s Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives.

But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations. As Anna sets out to find her friend’s killer, she discovers harsh revelations about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.

Awaiting the judge’s decree, it becomes clear to Anna that everyone around her thinks she is not only guilty, but also dangerous. And when the whole story comes out, reality is more shocking than anyone could ever imagine...

What I have to say:

The carefree Spring Break set in Aruba comes to a halt when one of the Spring Breakers- Elise- is found murdered. This book takes us back to high school as we learn how the friendship with Elise and Anna started, and the dynamic of their friendship. We also get caught up in Spring Break and try and figure out the events that led to Elise's murder, and whether or not Anna is innocent, and who the killer might be.

Final Verdict:

This is one of the top three books I've read in 2019. Loved this book and recommend it to everyone. A pick for my book club, it was a favourite among our group. You get drawn into the story, the characters, their relationships, and what really happened on Spring Break. Great twist at the end. Highly recommend this book!!