Lately, I’ve been inspired to continue adding homey touches to the space I call home. I spend a lot of time in my little apartment, and though the walls are starkly white (yellow in the kitchen), I think it’s important to make this space feel like a reflection of me.
Clearly, as these photos show, I adore bright colours and funky patterns. I’ve always been this way, ever since I decorated my childhood bedroom lime green with a curvy orange stripe. In high school, I plastered one wall with paper flotsam and jetsam: magazine cutouts, cards, photos, etc. It was perfect for me at the time, but I like to think I’ve matured (if only a little!). Now, I have one gallery wall that is slowly growing – it houses the same type of stuff, but framed and arranged a little more neatly. Even though this space isn’t permanent, it is my home for at least a little longer, and I love how all the little details I’ve added help it to feel cozy.
My “gallery wall” (clockwise from left): my childhood dreamcatcher, a framed card from a close family friend, DIY poster art, my framed Ryan Gosling autograph (yep, I’m a nerd), a beautiful print my sister brought back from China, my own photo.
1. Flower wall decals in my kitchen. 2. A spray-painted can that holds my pencils and pens. 3. A frame I found on the street, filled with postcards from a Riopelle exhibit and my own photos. 4. A succulent that has taken the place of my old plant in my DIY hanging container. 5. Happy Buddha that a friend brought me back from NYC. 6. Poster from the 2012 Montreal International Jazz Festival. 7. A carved turtle that was my Grandfather’s, collected shells and stones from Mexico, and a carved wood figure of lovers. 8. Mason jar filled with lavender. 9. A butterfly ornament and terracotta “peace” letters. 10. The feathers from my dreamcatcher. 11. My favourite candles on a vintage cake stand. 12. Paper lantern from NYC Chinatown. 13. My own photo.
It isn’t a secret that I love Joy the Baker and Tracy Shutterbean like it ain’t no thang. So colour me thrilled to see that finally, *finally*, my local bookstore had two copies of the JTB cookbook in stock. Let’s just say, now they only have one copy in stock. The recipes all look incredible, but I’ve only made one so far: the Single Girl Melty Chocolate Cake. My oven didn’t cooperate so I ended up overbaking it, but it was straight up delicious. I cannot wait to make every single other recipe.
This week has been lovely. Full of runs, DIY, cooking and baking, friends, happy hours, picnics, journalling, reading. I’ve had a great time. We’re past midsummer, so I’m trying to make the most of every day we have left in summer! Hope you have an awesome summery weekend.
My dad’s been in town for the last few days: you’ll see him pop up in these photos a couple times. We had fun – lots of dinners, lots of Jazz Fest, lots of walking around. I’m totally exhausted and ready for a big sleep in tomorrow morning. Summers in Montreal are so beautiful, not only because they just are, but because friends and family tend to visit more often, which is wonderful.
But after all that delicious (and rich) food, my body is craving greens, smoothies, green smoothies, salad, etc. We’ll see how long that’ll last, I suppose!
Are you gearing up for a beautiful weekend? I hope so! Enjoy that sunshine.
What a month. Lots of new faces coming into my life, and lots of loved ones slipping out of it, onto bigger and better things! I had a fantastic June, full of dancing and eating and walking around, and being a tourist in my own city. I plan on spending my July in exactly the same way, if possible! I thought I’d share (in case you’re interested) the video version of June. Hope you enjoy! Happy Monday.
