How CUTE is This?!

As mentioned before, I LOVE Sarah Richardson from HGTV Design Inc, Sarah's House, and Sarah's Cottage. Well, a few years ago she decorated a nursery for triplets and it was so freakin adorable! My favorite thing in the room was a DIY mini wall mural. She ordered the alphabet in vinyl wall stickers (custom orders available through etsy.com) and used them to make a tree. She then bought sample pots of paint - which by the way is a GREAT idea if you're planning on doing some decorative painting - and painted cute leaves. My description isn't very good - just check out the picture! I seriously love it!If I have another baby, I'm going to make something like this for the nursery. I love how she coordinated it with the other colors in the room. I think I might have a girl crush on Sarah haa haa.

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Guess What's Happening This Friday?!

I'm so excited to let you all know about Ikea's Midnight Madness this Friday! It starts at 6 pm and goes until, midnight (obviously). All summer furniture and accessories are half price!!! I think I'm going pick up a cute outdoor bench and some chairs, and the cushions to match.

Last time I went to Midnight Madness it really was MADNESS!! They were slashing prices all night. I remember walking past an oven and it was on sale for 50% off. 10 minutes later I walked by and it was 70% off!! I also got a slipcover for my Ektorp sofa and it was the best deal of the century, haa haa it was amazing! They normally sell the slipcover for $230 and I got it for..... drum roll please...... $1!!! Yes that's right $1.00! How amazing is that?!

I'm hoping that this time around I see more and more amazing deals because who doesn't love an amazing deal?

Here's a picture of my sofa slipcover (and my baby bunny)

Let me know if you go and what you picked up!

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

What's that SMELL?

Whenever I walk into someone's house, the first thing I notice, before the wall paper, before the hardwood floors, before the antique dinning set, is the smell of the home. It can either be "ahhh, what's that lovely smell" or (holding my breath and trying not to gag) "oh, do you have a dog?" Remember my post a few months back about keeping your house clean? Remember when I said that even if you have the most expensive furniture it won't matter if there's crap lying around all over the place? Well the same thing goes with odor in the home. You can have a picture perfect home, but if it smells like a barn, nobody will want to hang around, AND they'll think your home is dirty, because really, what is that smell?!

The Solution?
No, it's NOT air fresheners. Air fresheners, might smell good, but they are full of toxic chemicals that you absolutely DO NOT want in your home. Besides, they're just going to mask the odor temporarily any how.

1. The BEST way possible to purify the air in your home is by ozone treatments. When oxygen is charged with electricity it becomes O₃. This elemental form of oxygen is called ozone. In nature, ozone is created by either the sun's ultra-violet rays or by the electrical charge resulting from lightning. The fresh clean smell in the air after a thunder storm is the effect of ozone cleaning the surrounding atmosphere. The advanced Ozone generating equipment mimics this natural process, converting ordinary air into Ozone (O₃). The electrified oxygen treatment will eradicate smoke, pet, strong cooking and other unwanted odors. In addition, the treatment will kill mold, mildew, and the bacteria that make your family sick. Best thing is that ozone won't harm you, or the environment! Trust me, this works 100%! We had our car treated after our daughter threw up and the smell was gone after just 25 minutes. For more information click here.

2. You can also open up your windows on a daily basis to air our any smells lurking in your home.

3. Also, use a beeswax candle (beeswax will burn clean) add a couple drops of pure essential oil to the melted wax and you'll have a pleasant scent to in home.

4. A bouquet of fresh flowers will not only make a room smell lovely, but it also adds a welcoming, pretty touch to any room.

You don't want people judging your house because of a strong odor, the second they walk through the door. A beautiful house, smells beautiful.

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

If THIS Doesn't Inspire You, Nothing Will!

I can't believe I haven't mentioned this before today. Like this has been an obsession of mine for the last 4 years at least. There's a designer out there that I absolutely LOVE and would hire in an instant if I could afford her. I just spent the last two days watching her online videos on HGTV.ca and I am totally, TOTALLY inspired. I have to say that lately I've been loving her work even more because her last two projects were an AMAZING cottage, and a BEAUTIFUL farm house. I seriously love antiques and country looking designs, so her newest projects make me want to run out to an antique market and buy cute, unique, and rustic pieces for my entire house. She also uses color, patterns, and fabrics in the smartest ways possible. I mean, really, everything she does makes me say "wow!" Alright, so I could go on and on (really, just ask my husband) but instead, I'll just give you the link to her videos. Although her budget for decorating rooms is WAY higher than I could ever afford, there is always something that can be learned from all her projects. So, set aside some quiet time and prepare yourself for the ultimate in home decorating!

Meet Sarah Richardson! www.HGTV.ca/video/ and click on Sarah Richardson!

Let me know what you think!

- Elisabeth

Beautiful House Drive By

The other day, my husband and were driving around a wealthy neighborhood, and checking out all the nice houses just for fun. We do that every now and then, especially those gorgeous houses/mansions near the lake that cost around $800 000 - $1 000 000 or more! It's fun to dream right? I also like looking around in these neighborhoods for inspiration, you know, paint colors, landscaping, etc. Here's a house that really stood out to my hubby and I. We love the green paint and the red door. (Is it creepy that I took pictures of stranger's houses?) Check it out!Here's another "dream" house. Really, I just love the wrap around porch. Maybe one day, I'll live in something like this, but until then, I have to make my current home as beautiful as can be.
Me Ka Aloha!- Elisabeth

Welcome Spring!

We've been having fabulous weather lately, totally warmer than usual, but I'm not complaining! The beautiful warm weather brought me a wonderful surprise in my garden! The little bulbs I planted last fall are finally in bloom!

The garden is the very first impression a person will have of my house, so it's important for me to have pretty blooms to greet all our visitors. I'm looking forward to more flowers this spring and summer! Let the gardening begin!!

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

For tips and advice check out Canadian Gardening

Happy Easter!!!

Easter decorations at our house...HAPPY EASTER!

Resources
Vase - Homesense
Branches - found them on the beach
Eggs and butterflies - Dollarama

Centerpiece - hand made by my cousin, Emily of EmilyLimFineArt.com
Candles - Homesense
River Rocks - found them on the beach
Flowers - Fortinos
Plates - Discontinued, from The Bay $0.99 each
Napkin Rings - Debbie Travis - Canadian Tire. Bought on sale for $0.10 each
Cloth Napkins - Ikea $3.99 for 4

Cake Stands - President's Choice
Egg Cups - bought at a second hand shop for $0.99
Bowls and vase - stuff I had laying around the house
Flowers and Candy - Fortinos

Cute Kids - Sent from Heaven. Priceless!