book smarts

This past year has been filled with many adventures. One adventure that I wasn't willing to jump into was the fact that I lost my job last November and had to go head first into self-employment. With many help from family & friends, and of course great connections in the industry, I started freelancing at Zoomer, which is an adventure all on it's own. This gave me the time and opportunity to start what I really love: designing paper goods and all sorts of pretty things! Though there have been some crazy hurdles along the way and many late nights, I know that this adventure will continue on for years to come and hopefully grow into something beautiful! With that in mind, I received this awesome book for Christmas. It talks about so many different dilemmas a freelance designer will encounter and how to overcome them, but with a sense of humour. Thanks mom & dad!

OH! Stay tuned for my fun new year's resolution post that will be coming soon. We all have to do one, right?

birds of a feather

What a gift to receive just in time for the holidays! SharaLee from a Life More Fabulous had a great contest earlier in the year, and I was the winner! These 100% organic cotton tea towels are beautiful! Ferm-Living designs the coolest things from wallpaper to cushions and everything in between...you should totally check them out. Plus if anyone's new year's resolution is to be a little bit more green this year, it's the perfect way to start!

Photos from myself

all is calm

No cars on the road, no one walking outside. Quiet all around...

Photo from myself

may your day be merry

Happy Christmas to all of you!

The merry day has finally come and it's been such a wonderful one so far. My apologies for being MIA for the last few days. I really have felt so busy with everything and felt terrible that my blog had to suffer for a few of them. I guess we all get caught up in the festivities and the long to-do lists...But finally I get to sit back and enjoy some days with the family! May today be filled with lots of fun, family & food for you! xoxo

Photo from myself, taken of my little handmade gift to my mother

shopify

Guess who is venturing out into the busiest shopping day of the year? ME! I am pretty sure I am going to feel like the picture above by the end of today...but hopefully with a little help from the boy and maybe a very large coffee I should be finished my mission to find the perfect gifts. Wish me luck...I hope I come back alive!

Photo from ffffound

please don't be mad

I might be missing in action for a few days...the list of things to do is never ending it seems, all the way up until Christmas! I'll be on here posting here and there for the next week but I am sad it won't be every day, especially with so many fun things to show and share with you. Here are two adorable necklaces that have been surfacing in the blog world By Boe. In between my posts feel free to peruse all my favourite blogs and keep an eye out on Short & Sweet for some festive prettiness soon! xo

sunshine, where art thou?

It's snowing, snowing in the city and I have to admit, it's beautiful! I just wish there was a little sun shining too...I spotted this photo on The Sartorialist and I'm wearing a jacket just like it today. Too bad it wasn't warm enough to wear the accompanying mini and bare legs!

Photo from The Sartorialist

shopped til I drop'd

What a day it has been! First, the City of Craft show with my good friend Quinn {hi lady!} We wanted to do a little Christmas shopping and also visit Tanya from Snap + Tumble. Her booth looked awesome! She did such a perfect combination of all her cards in wood boxes, vintage cigar boxes and suitcases. I ended up buying a few little cards for myself {oops!} which I'll definitely blog about later this week. Have you seen her cards with the envelopes made out of vintage maps? LOVE! Then I was off to do some shopping with the boy. I am so wiped out! Off to sip a little midday coffee and get started on my freelance. I am banking on a few late nights this week...Sigh.

Photo from ffffound

frost fairy

Happy weekend everyone! I am so thrilled it's saturday, I just hope it doesn't roll by too fast. This morning I woke up to the sunshine on my face, but I can still hear the wind through the windows, which means it's ice cold outside. Brrr... How did it become winter so fast? I think I'll stay in today and just cozy up to the boy. Sip on some warm coffee and a late breakfast. What are some fun winter things you enjoy on the weekend?

Photos from La Tartine Gourmande & ffffound

glitzed out

So apparently I can't get enough of sparkles. I think adding that hint of green could be really cute...do you?

P.S. Lonny Magazine has it's winter issue out online...check it out here, it's gorgeous!

Photos from Lonny Magazine & FGR

sexy sparkles

This may be a bit too early for talking about New Year's, but we had a HUGE beauty giveaway at work and I got this really great black nailpolish with gold glitter. Which I thought would totally work perfectly for New Year's! This year has been a crazy one and I'm ready to celebrate it. I'm thinking gold and sequins with a really great headpiece, like these ones from Old Soul, New Heart. I'm ready to party like it's 2010!

Photos from 100 Layer Cake & Old Soul, New Heart

just for coolness sake

I spotted this poster on ffffound while searching for some inspiration. It's just plain cool. The white space, the typography aesthetic...beautiful! 

Photo from ffffound

ready, set, SHOP!

What a way to start off the weekend! Amanda and I got a little surprise e-mail this week from our friend Anna {hey lady!} that there was a Joe Fresh sample sale. So with coffee in hand, we surfed the crowds and rolling racks and found some great stuff! The only kick was the hour-long wait in line!! It was insanity, but kind of fun & exciting! I got these really cute pillow cases that I'll definitely blog about soon...but for now, I'm going to put my feet up and relax. PHEW!

Photos from myself

scandinavian style

Being a very creative person, my brain is always focused on the look of things. Have you ever noticed how Scandinavian or Eastern European style is always so fresh, modern, but has a sense of home to it? Even if it's just a bunch of random worn-in chairs thrown together, somehow it always looks amazing. Here are a few of my favourite rooms. I love how the white walls keep everything fresh, but with punches of colour and luxurious leathers and soft fabrics. On such a gloomy day in the city, this brightens my mood!

Photos from ffffound

a little beauty

I needed a pick-me-up today. The quote and photos are amazing. 

Check out more of Cade Martin's photos here.

opera ready

This thursday I am headed to Andrea Bocelli's show in Toronto. I fear I have nothing suitable to wear. I have been searching for the perfect pairing of sophistication & glamour. This dress from Banana Republic may be the perfect one! I am also thinking of getting some pretty tights to go along with it, maybe with a flower pattern? What do you think? 

monday blah's

I have been so busy lately and just wanting to be like a kid and stomp my feet and say NO! But that's not how life works, is it? So for now I will just slowly make dinner, then do laundry and maybe knit and try to savour some relaxing moments, because not too long from now tomorrow will appear!

Photos from Olezhka

today's favourite colour Pantone 1245c

Today I am loving gold! After putting up my tree with all it's beautiful silver, dark purple/brown & gold decorations, it reminded me of how much this metal tone can match any decor! It also makes things feel so elegant and special. My apartment definitely feels special now with all the holiday trimmings! What metal tone do you prefer, silver or gold? {or even copper}

and the winner is...

AMANDA!!

Thanks for being such a great friend and for all your support with my blog over this year. I'm so happy you won because I really owe it all to you, as you were the one that encouraged me to start this blog in the first place! Love you lots!

xoxo

P.S. When we meet up again soon I will give you your little thank you!

quiet & reflective

Happy friday! I am so happy that it's the end of the week and saturday is just around the corner. But today, I don't really want to rush it because I know once it hits saturday, the time will fly! I have lots of creative plans, knitting, designing, finishing up my holiday cards for Short & Sweet. I also have a shopping date with a pretty dress! {or my mission is to find a pretty dress} I am headed to an opera on thursday next week and must find the perfect outfit. Any suggestions? I'm thinking Jacob, Zara or H&M...

Photo from Starbucks & Jane Austen

good thanks

Happy thanksgiving to those in the U.S.! Hope your bellies are all filled with yummy turkey and pie. *Mmm...I so enjoy holidays that allow the excuse to eat amazing food and just be with the ones you love.

Photo from FGR

birthday lovin'

To all those who have made my birthday feel special, thanks & i love you! {Amanda, thanks so much for the blog birthday shout-out!!! xoxo} Wish I could spend it with every one of you, especially seeing as it's my champagne birthday! Can't wait to share my memories of the day. I am even pretty sure I have a red velvet cake waiting for me to devour with my parents later on tonight. *Yum!

Photo from ffffound

just a reminder!

To celebrate For Design's Sake one year anniversary, I am giving away a cute little thank you card! A winner will be selected at random tomorrow night. You have just one day left to comment on the post! Good luck to everyone, and thanks for making this first year easy peasy & super fun!

perfection in poster size

My friend Amanda LOVES posters. {hey lady!} So this post is dedicated to her! Music posters, especially vintage are so inspiring! The attention to detail in the illustrations and typography are key and these are killer! My favourite is the Decemberists one for sure. I'm off to do some design work today for a freelance job, and this definitely starts my brain off right! OH and happy monday...one more day til my birthday!

Photos from ffffound