HAPPY FRIDAY!

Posted by kait / January 31, 2014

Happy Friday, friends! Is it just me or was this week super long? I was coming down with some sort of cold/flu earlier in the week that was just hellish – but it all feels like a distant memory now. The photo above is from a fun event I went to last night called Schmancy Style – great local designers who work with leather were all highlighted with a fantastic little fashion show. It was a lot of fun and a great night for seeking out style and people-watching.

Looking forward to the weekend and hopefully getting some relaxing time in! I’ve got to do a major overhaul on our condo – it is such a mess. I am prepping for the upcoming C on February 9th so I’ve been trying to organize my wares but at the moment they are just all over the place. Send help!

What I’m Readin/Watching/Looking:

On Making Friends With Emptiness - Lisa Congdon

Nudite – Garance Dore

NAIL ART at

What I’m Writing (I seem to be writing a fair amount on listicles these days):

Calgary isn’t just oil & gas and the Stampede: 5 Non-Touristy Places to Take Out-of-Town Guests

Planning your wedding? Some beautiful ideas for favours here: 5 Best Made-in-Calgary Wedding Favours

I’m always on the hunt for the best gluten-free goods in the world: 5 Bakers for Gluten-free Goods Across Europe

Stay on top of that inbox with these helpful apps: Top Apps for Organizing Your Home Office

Time to get energy efficient folks: Goodbye Incandescent Bulbs

WORK LIFE BALANCE

Posted by kait / January 29, 2014

As a very visual person, I like working in bright spaces filled with colourful artwork and accessories. I am always on the hunt for beautiful yet practical things to keep my office space (which is often on the go) more inspiring. One of my goals for 2014 is to write more by hand; taking breaks from long writing sessions on the computer will do me a wonder of good and I’ll be able to think a bit differently. Also, letter-writing. I majorly failed at getting my Christmas cards out this past December (so ashamed!) so I’m making it my mission to send notes to all of those on my list this spring instead. Beyond that, just having really nice supplies to keep me coming back to my desk is just an added bonus. I found some amazing goodies on Etsy this week that are just so great and would make an any office space incredible. That origami pendant lamp? Amazing. Business card stamp? Genius for folks who have lots of scrap paper they want to use up. Pie Calendar? Pie, obviously.

What kind of things do you need around you when you get down to work?

Where to buy:

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THE WURST WAY

Posted by kait / January 29, 2014

My favourite neighbourhood beer hall is back. WURST in Mission has officially re-opened and I couldn’t be more excited. With a fabulous new pub style menu available on both floors keeping you satiated and more casual vibe to the whole place, I can’t wait to return here on Saturday nights with our friends for beers.

While they don’t want to dwell and neither do I, it was so hard to see the images of this place flooded last summer. Absolutely heartbreaking but they’ve come back up on top and I am more than elated. I am so glad that the folks behind WURST were able to salvage so many of the amazing elements that made this German-style joint so unique.

The upstairs concept has been changed from the more formal dining experience to something a bit more comfortable and easy-going. Though I will miss the epic seafood platter and Prosecco that I indulged in with my pal Meghan in days past, I definitely can understand why they are going in this new direction. The downstairs brew hall has changed ever so slightly. You will noticed that the booths have been raised and are bright and roomy. The incredible long plank, solid wall brew hall tables are still in tact, however they had to be shaved down a few inches due to the damage that floating around in water had created. They still look amazing and now they have a great story to go with them.

Beyond aesthetic changes they’ve also added a catchy new tagline to the name; you may now call them WURST Uberkitchen + Wunderbar. Sounds like the kinda place you want to hang out at, right? Anyways, they are now open and they want you back in the wurst way. So get down there and order up a Hefeweizen and a BIG pretzel and get to it.

photo via .

THE PIN PROJECT NO. 7

Posted by kait / January 27, 2014

Oh, hello Monday! I’ve started properly enjoying the beginning of the week as of late. I used to wake up on Monday mornings with a sense of panic, adhering to Eastern Standard Time (c’mon!) and an urgency to send out emails like a maniac. I’ve starting leaving the house earlier in the morning for a quick coffee with a friend, much like you would at the lunchroom of a regular office setting. It has helped tremendously – I love bouncing ideas off of a fellow creative before I officially start the work week. I head back to my office feeling refreshed and excited.

This week’s Pin Project is a little offbeat, a little surreal. Beyond the peachy pink palette in each of these photos, I don’t see too much of a connection between these images. However, I kinda love them together. They are all slightly bizarre; the bug-eyed sunnies, the beautiful knife and the poodle holding a blooming branch. I’m gonna just go with it.

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HAPPY FRIDAY

Posted by kait / January 24, 2014

Happy Friday, friends! As you can see I’m getting back on the juicer train this weekend. Not doing a full cleanse but replacing at least one meal with a hearty juice to counteract any debauchery I may be getting up to. I’ve managed to avoid booze for the most part of the month but totally indulged in some wine last night. Good news is – I am a cheap date again. Two glasses in – I was happily tipsy. Anyways, still working off the annual Holiday weight gain so hopefully these juices will get me back on track. This frothy concoction was a simple recipe of apple, beets, carrots, kale and shit ton of parsley. Lipsmacking good, I tell you. And the colour!

Heading out the door momentarily for a jaunt by the river – the weather is just BEAUTIFUL right now. Take a minute to enjoy it, folks.

photo via

BRIGHT CITY LIGHTS

Posted by kait / January 21, 2014

Feeling pretty blown away by this incredible 3D video of what Calgary’s East Village is going to look like in only a few short years. It almost brings a tear to my eye to see such vibrancy and energy in an area of the city that has been majorly lacking those qualities for many years. As it stands, the village is already on the right track with their beautiful renovation of the Simmons buildings, their support of local festivals and art markets as well as creating a real community for the whole city to enjoy. I can’t wait until this all becomes a reality and in the meantime, I invite you all to come down and see the current East Village. From the Riverwalk to epic art installations and the construction of so many new homes, this is the kind of place you want to be all year long.

THE PIN PROJECT NO. 6

Posted by kait / January 20, 2014

We’ve got an itch. An itch to travel like crazy. Scandinavia is calling our names and all I can think about is AirBnB lofts, Lonely Planet guidebooks and design blogs inspiring us to just pack up and go. Of course, a trip like this requires some planning. In the meantime, I am trying to resist spending money on unnecessary things like new clothing and housewares and instead banking dollars and images from Pinterest. Where have you traveled to in Scandinavia? Denmark and Sweden are at the top of my list.

“Be in love with your life. Every minute of it.” – Jack Kerouac

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HAPPY SATURDAY!

Posted by kait / January 18, 2014

Happy Saturday, everyone! Wow, what a great week. The weather here in Calgary has been absolutely gorgeous and today it is reaching a high of 13*C – unbelievable for January. However, I will totally take this weather and relish in it. There is certainly no SAD syndrome happening here – the bluebird skies and sun has made this week so uplifting and exciting. A weekend of celebrations ahead of us – last night we celebrated our friends’ engagement, tonight we cheers to three birthdays and tomorrow is all about taking it easy, coffee and good friends. Hope y’all have a good one. Here are some snaps from as of late. Cheers!

What I’m Reading:

How Outsiders Change the Mainstream

In Praise of the Creative Support Group

10 Creative Rituals You Should Steal

Kinda obsessed with a West Elm opening here; love this new LOCAL concept they are adding to their stores.

What I’m Writing:

Can’t wait for this event + art exhibition on the leather jacket: Worn To Be Wild

In love with these Manitobah Mukluks…

Spinning, brewing, fishing, warfare, singing – choose your bachelor party pleasure.

As you hit the road for a winter roadtrip you don’t want to be without my tips for Road Safety: Prepping a Car Kit

PALM SPRINGS, I LOVE YOU…

Posted by kait / January 16, 2014

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I love a good holiday and now that Christmas and New Year’s is over I am already moving on to the next big celebration – the holiday of hearts and love and coral. Valentine’s Day is just the best. And what could be better than Valentine’s Day somewhere equally lovely with palm trees, astroturf and pools galore? Yup, Palm Springs with your loved one is just an absolutely perfect and romantic getaway. After looking around on --> I found some fabulous golden items that will make you want to hop on a jet and get your bikini bod into the sun. Toss off those pink feather slippers and step into the pool for an epic Palm Springs pool party. Tee up your next cocktail on the wheel and pop open your Zippo. Get your palm read before hitting those pristine tennis courts. The future is bright!

These goods are shining like diamonds + waiting for you to snatch them up:

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WEEKEND PROJECTS: UPHOLSTERY

Posted by kait / January 15, 2014

One of my longtime life lists items has been to learn the art of upholstery. There has been so many moments where I’ve been thrifting and have come across beautiful vintage chairs that totally deserve a makeover but I left feeling unskilled enough to take on a project like that. Amazingly, one of the speakers that was at Alt Summit SLC last year was Amanda Brown, the founder and owner of Spruce – an upholstery shop in Austin, Texas that specializes in custom upholstery, retail furniture and a workshop with classes. I recently got the opportunity to review her new book all about this amazing subject – Spruce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery and Design. Over the holidays I got a chance to thumb through the book thoroughly and I am so excited to get started on my first project. The book literally teaches you how to start from a raw piece of furniture, much like the chair on the cover, and turn it into something absolutely beautiful.

I got super inspired after reading the book and started browsing Kijiji Calgary for some awesome vintage chairs to turn into something magical. I pulled together six amazing chairs with six bright and poppy fabrics from IKEA. I didn’t end up buying any of these chairs so they are still available for the taking! I highly recommend that you pick up the book if upholstery is a skill you want to add to your resume. The book is jampacked with great photos showing every single step in making your upholstery project a success. Amanda also provides plenty of inspiration to get you excited about buying old furniture and envisioning what you can do with it.

Gold Leaf Upholstered Chair + Algort Moose Fabric

Midcentury Naughahyde Chairs + Margareta Logs Fabric

Vintage Slipper Chairs + Angsfly Table Fabric

Vintage Accent Chair + Tastrup Giant Button Fabric

Antique Eastlake Chair + Vipmalla Chair Fabric

Vintage Green Upholstered Chair + Julita Illustration Fabric

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All fabrics via IKEA. Images via Spruce.