My bag collection

I used to have two bags (i.e. purses) and now it's doubled to four. Just like that! Take a look at my black beauties:

Yep, I love black. Let me tell you a little story about how they all became mine. The first one is a lovely Kate Spade that I bought on my first trip to Vegas. I was shopping with my friend Steph and I saw it and was absolutely smitten. Like any good friend does, Steph fully supported this purchase and it came home with me. It's a shiny, slouchy, perfect-sized bag. Then a year or two later, I spotted the next one while perusing Shopbop online. It's Red Valentino and the bow had me at hello. I got it on sale but it still certainly wasn't cheap! But oh how I've loved this beauty. It's very me with the ever so girly Valentino bow. The leather is like butter...seriously, it is like butter! 

The last two arrived today on my doorstep. They are Kate Spade and I bought them when there was a surprise sale online a couple weeks ago. The one that has the chain on the handle is so comfy. The perfect shoulder bag with a bit of sheen and a little bling. It's slightly slouchy and in my eyes is a perfect casual bag for summer. The last one is my structured, prissy bag. I love the little bow and super smooth leather...and the way I can carry it on my arm with a bent elbow like a lady. I seriously couldn't decide between the two of them, so I bought both since they were such a bargain. And as I explained to Dave, they are similar but very different!

Here's a close-up of my first Kate Spade and my Red Valentino:

And my new Kate Spades:

I may need to get Dave to build a shelf in my closet to display the ones I'm not currently using so I can still admire them. Maybe one day I'll branch out and buy one that isn't black...but when you know what you like, you know what you like! Now I just need to hold off for at least another year or two before I MUST add another one to my collection!

A year with Murphy

As of yesterday, we have had our dog Murphy for an entire year! It's hard to believe how fast time flies. Dave and I love love love our Murphy and are so happy we get to be his pet parents! We've put together some of our favourite pics of our favourite little guy from the past year. Look at how adorable he was when he was a puppy with all the black tips on his fur:

The first picture was taken the night we brought him home. It's so hard to believe how little he was! He's a Maltese Shih Tzu and everyone who knows dog breeds seems surprised at how big he is now. I didn't really know what to expect, but he's definitely bigger than I imagined him to get. He's obviously still a 'small' dog, but he really looks like such a little peanut in these pictures. Certainly an adorable pup who loved to play. He gnawed away at that cardboard box with his mini puppy teeth. He still loves to chew cardboard (especially paper towel rolls!), except his adult teeth make very short work of it these days!

As he got older, the colours of his fur changed so much...and it seems to still be changing! I love the pictures of him sitting in the containers. He'd certainly be way too big to fit in them now! And that cone...we certainly listened to what we learned from watching the Price Is Right...be sure to have your pet spayed or neutered! He was a champ!

He graduated puppy school with a whopping 108% on his final exam. Smarty pants! He really is a smart dog and learns tricks and commands quite quickly...as long as there are treats involved! You also have to love the Halloween costume Dave picked out for him...you couldn't find a cuter Ewok! And yes, he only wore it for the picture and shook it off immediately after.

These pics are from the last few months. Another graduation picture from his intermediate training class. And his official Christmas portrait, complete with Santa hat. You'd think this dog wears hats and outfits all the time, but these are actually the only ones I think he's ever worn! 

He is certainly not perfectly behaved at all times, is pretty high maintenance since he likes to be by your side almost always, and can straight up be a real stinker (a "stinker binker" as I like to call him), but he is still the perfect dog to have. He sheds, barks, occasionally wrecks things, and costs a lot of money (and yep, we do spoil him with treats and toys!), but I wouldn't trade him for anything. I love just having him around. He's always unbelievably happy to see us even if we just step away for a minute, he brings us toys to play, cuddles beside us on the couch, and completely makes our house more of a home. He makes my heart swell with love! It's hard to believe how wonderful it is to have a pet. I always had pets growing up, but not since, and now I can't imagine life without one. Murphy is one very loved dog! And we think he loves us too!

A new chair for our living room

Hurray! We've ordered a new chair for our living room from EQ3 and it's such a beauty:

It's called the Reverie and I love it's mid century modern vibe. Because EQ3 allows you to customize their furniture, we ordered a gorgeous dark grey fabric called Klein Charcoal. Here's the swatch:

And we also chose different chair legs. We went with stainless steel, which looks like more of a frame than just legs. Here's what it looks like on a leather version of the chair:

I'm so excited for our chair to arrive. I will be sure to take a picture of it in our living room.

I am such a fan of EQ3 and am seriously thinking this Oskar sofa will be finding it's way into our living room (when we eventually move and we need another sofa because we'll actually have two living rooms, I hope!):

I'd want it in a light grey of course, because that's how I roll. 

For now, I'm just so happy to have a comfy chair, that also has some serious style, on its way to my house! Thank you SO much for the amazing Christmas gift!

(Images from EQ3 website)

Living room: The next update

It's safe to say that I like change. My living room isn't too shabby, but I have plans for an update. It'll have to happen bit by bit, but that's okay. My light grey couch and dark grey and white armchairs aren't going anywhere...for now at least! So here's a look into the vision I have:

1. Micah Floor Lamp from EQ3 - This lamp has actually been ordered and is on its way to my house. Can't wait! Love the shade, the cool base, and the hit of black it will bring. I dig it in a big way.

2. Custom Coffee Table in Marble from EQ3 - Um, yes please. I have longed for a marble coffee table for some time. I wish I could say that this is also on its way to my house. Alas, it shall be mine one day!

3. Anchler Media Storage from EQ3 - Now this is a piece of furniture. For now, my old IKEA tv stand works just fine, but this beauty would be a welcome replacement. I really think rooms need wood like this to warm them up. 

Moving on to the walls. Lately, I seem to have a serious obsession with looking for pretty things to hang on my walls. So here are a couple of very pretty things:

4. Expedition Mirror from DwellStudio - Yep, this is pretty gorgeous. I love a round mirror and I think the leather strap hanger is simple enough that it's not too over the top. Seems like a classic piece that won't go out of style. Or maybe it will go out of style before I can afford it!

5. Volcano, Iceland photograph by Bardoux Manuel from L'Affiche Moderne - This is actually a colour photogragh. Mind blown! I am mesmerized and just want to stare at it. I need to order this as soon as possible. And I think I should put a trip to Iceland on my travel list! 

So there you have it. A glimpse into the future of my living room! And of course I have my eye on quite a few accessories that I think will fit with this vision. I really want to go in the direction of white, many shades of grey, black, and wood in pretty much every room of our house. Neutral is something I won't get tired of. At least for a while, right?

Garden: 2014

Well, the garden is finally in! Here's a pic:

Yes, there are weeds growing in the rocks and there isn't much else for greenery, but it's going to be good I tell you.

The plan was super simple this year:

Nothing crazy. I guess I didn't plant anything new which is a bit lame, but it's going to be fairly low maintenance and (besides the flowers) is full of things we'll actually eat! 

Dave made some new pea fences from plastic trellis and bamboo sticks, which should make picking peas way easier. The last ones were metal and scratchy. And they're actually being used as a temporary fence to keep a certain puppy out of the garden area (and another dirt patch which is to be a patio at some point). And since we're talking about a certain puppy, let's look at a picture:

Aww. How have I not plastered this blog with pictures of our adorable puppy? His name is Murphy and he's now six and a half months old! I'll have to do a Murphy post pretty soon so I can brag about how great he is!

Choices, choices

I have an upcoming trip where I will be visiting a Tiffany & Co. store. Woooo! Out of all the things we plan to do, this one is near the top of my list, of course. So I've been online window shopping to help narrow down my choices. I've been saving my pennies...or nickels, I guess...and need to pick just one of the pretty, pretty pieces you see below.

1. Ziegfeld Collection pearl earrings - I'd truly love a real pair of pearl earrings. Totally classic and I think I'd wear them quite often.

2. Tiffany Locks heart lock and bracelet - I love wearing bracelets and this is a beauty. I like the simple oval and round links and the heart lock is perfection. My love of heart-shaped jewelry will never wane.

3. Tiffany Locks heart lock pendant - Yep, another heart. I think this would look really nice on a long chain.

4. Tiffany Notes pendant - I love the script on this bar pendant...and the little diamond is also just lovely.

5. Tiffany 1837 cuff - Plain and simple. Cuff bracelets are perfect because they fit like a dream. It would look good with anything.

6. Atlas cuff - The Roman numeral design is a classic Tiffany's design. This is a new piece and I seriously love it! I'm pretty sure this bracelet would be happy on my wrist. This one is definitely a contender. Edit - This is a men's bracelet (oops!)

7. Elsa Peretti open heart pendant - Also a classic. This has been on my wish list for a while. I have several heart necklaces already, but I believe you can never have enough!

I'd love to know your opinion. Which one would you choose if you were me?

Wish list - no. 3

I'm back with another wish list. Yes, my birthday is long gone, but Christmas is just around the corner. And I'm pretty sure wish lists are for anytime! So this time around, these are lovely things I want just for me:

1. These Black garnet gold vermeil stud earrings from leahalexandra.com are so pretty. Love the shape. And you can't go wrong with black and gold! Plus they're handmade in Vancouver. Bonus!

2. Oh Kate Spade. My love for KS handbags has not waivered one tiny bit. This Cedar street luciana bag (in garnet) from katespade.com has me head over heels I tell you. Love the red, the size, and the classic style. So good!

3. I can't get enough of polka dots. And in black and white, they are perfection. This Polka dot silk scarf from anntaylor.com is a beauty. You could wear it with so much and it'll never go out of style. Polka dots forever!