SAVING ENERGY IN THE KITCHEN

Posted by kait / October 8, 2014

Hello autumn! We are so ready to spend cool fall days around the kitchen table with family, preparing delicious pumpkin pies, pierogis and banana loaves. It is a time of tradition so whatever you and your family loves to do together, we are willing to bet it has something to do with the kitchen.

While the change of season certainly sees us spending more time indoors and therefore using more energy, it is also time to be more conscious about the energy we are using when we aren’t busying our selves over a hot stove.

10 BOOKS TO READ THIS FALL

Posted by kait / August 15, 2014

I always seem to have endless stack of books next to my bed. I’ve either got a mind that cannot be satiated by one or two good books per year or I have a serious book buying addiction. It is actually a combination between the two. I’ve always been a bit of a bookstore junkie and I can blame this trait completely on my book-loving parents. My Mom and Dad have always expressed the importance of a well-rounded home library and I’ve since curated my own to be a reflection of my personality and interests.

As much as I love a good used book (finding the previous owner’s margin notes are one of my favourite things about picking up a pre-loved book) there seems to be all sorts of amazing authors launching new books all of the time – essentially forcing me to add them to my Chapters shopping cart and wait patiently for that new book smell to arrive on my doorstep.

As my third trimester will be taking up the entire fall, I’m designating my spare time to spent indulging in some great new books as opposed to the Netflix marathons I’ve been subjecting myself to all summer. I’ve narrowed it down to a couple of different categories so I can keep things interesting in case non-fiction or fiction isn’t doing it for me 100% of the time. To be honest, I always have a couple of those books on my bedside table bookmarked or dog-eared – I am terrible for starting a new book before I’ve finished the last one.

My list is lengthy but a worthy one, full of precious literary gems (and some serious pop culture thrown in there for good measure) that will keep both you and I busy and away from the TV. Any books I should be adding to my stack? Please send me any recommendations! Like I said, I have an addiction, so please feed it!

Creative Block by Danielle Krysa (aka The Jealous Curator)

Rookie Yearbook Two by Tavi Gavinson

Creative Confidence by David and Tom Kelley

The Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller Seitz

The Vacationers by Emma Straub

Friendship: A Novel by Emily Gould

One More Thing: Stories & Other Stories by BJ Novak

Sister Mother Husband Dog by Delia Ephron

The Mr Porter Paperback by Jeremy Langmead

Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah

COMING THIS FALL: Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

BACK HOME

Posted by kait / July 13, 2014

We just returned home after a nice week long camping getaway to the Okanagan. It was a much-needed vacation for both of us – we both had a bit of the wanderlust after such a crazy long winter. The fresh fruit, the supremely hot weather, the lakes, the wine (for Byron) and the slower pace of life was all so wonderful. I love being able to live outdoors for entire week – it totally changes your perspective on how you live your life indoors. When I am home, I always feel so lazy – I get caught up working on my laptop or Netflix instead of spending more time outdoors.

The best part of going away on vacation is returning with a fresher, brighter mind. We definitely had a lot of time to contemplate life and get excited for our little baby. I’ll be spending the week catching up on emails and working on new projects. It was really amazing that we were able to unplug for (almost) the entire trip and I even left my phone dead for a couple of days. But now that I am back at it – I can’t wait to get rollin’. See you on here more soon!

THREE’S COMPANY!

Posted by kait / June 14, 2014

The past few months have been so busy that I haven’t had much time to stop by here and work on the blog. Not only have I been working away on freelance projects but I’ve also been busy working on an exciting little personal project of my own with Byron!

Well, the news is officially out! We are expecting a baby this December. We are beyond elated for this incredible news and we cannot wait to meet our new best friend later this year. I still can’t believe that we are going to be parents THIS YEAR! What an amazing feeling – and of course, a bit nerve-wracking too – thinking about all of the work we need to do and prepare for the baby.

I have had such hardcore fatigue during the first trimester it was hard to get myself motivated to get things rollin’ but we managed to start purging some junk that we’ve been carting around for the last four years in our spare bedroom! I can’t wait to start freshening it and making it a beautiful new space that will hopefully be inspiring and interesting for brand-new little person.

We are already planning the adventures we will have with our new family – I feel like somewhere on the West Coast with insanely good sushi will be in order. I am already going through massive withdrawal!

Anyways, I am SO happy to share our big news with you all. It means a lot to still have readers after I haven’t been around much the last few months! Stay tuned for more baby updates coming soon! xoxo

CELEBRATE SPRING WITH MINTED + GIVEAWAY

Posted by kait / April 14, 2014

I have a feeling spring is finally here. I’ve had the windows open since Saturday and I’ve stopped wear socks. It feels so good to have the sunshine on my face and the soft wind blowing through my hair. To celebrate spring and also because everyone gets so many cards at Christmas, I decided to spread some cheer to friends and clients with some fresh and springy cards from Minted. Who wouldn’t want to get some sweet snail mail to brighten your day as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer? At least, I hope everyone who receives one feels that way!

Minted has all sorts of beautiful spring and Easter themed cards that will bring special cheer to your mailing lists of friends and family! I am so excited to gift $100 to spend at Minted to one lucky reader! Simply head over here and you can enter the giveaway here! Giveaway ends on April 20st! Best of luck to all of you and Happy Spring! xx

THE PIN PROJECT NO. 13

Posted by kait / March 17, 2014

Girls on adventures this week. Jaunting about a big city, a vacation dripping in sunshine and hitting the open road. So much magic can come from a last-minute trip somewhere; inspiration for a new story, catching a band you’ve always wanted to see or to feel so so small against the world for even a minute.

one / two / three

THE PIN PROJECT NO. 12

Posted by kait / March 12, 2014

Here in town it feels like spring – and I feel like climbing to the rooftop and doing sun salutations! While this weather may not last for much longer, I can’t help but get so excited about spring (and SUMMER!). This week’s pin project is all about embodying that carefree spirit we all seem to adopt during the summer months. It is time to start planning adventures, making new friends and getting outdoors.

So go forth, my friends, and do something beautiful today.

one / two / three

THE PIN PROJECT NO. 10

Posted by kait / February 24, 2014

Happy Monday! Glad to be back at my desk chair after taking an unscheduled week off from blogging. I got super sick over the long weekend and was still recuperating by Wednesday. With a to-do list of freelance work that was as long as my leg, the blog was the last thing on my list. It happens. It felt good to take a break (despite feeling like shit) and re-evaluate some creative writing projects I am working on.

Anyways…

Something about those pinks mixed with a dark earthy green or brown is just SO good. I feel like I am being whisked away into an old motel in Palm Springs or visiting some beautiful 77-year old on her birthday and we are celebrating with the most beautiful long and skinny candlesticks and eating all sorts of treats from her youth. Just diggin’ that palette…

1 / 2 /

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Posted by kait / February 7, 2014

Happy Friday! A new friend gave me these pretty flowers today. Instant pick-me-up. I totally needed it. While most Fridays I feel energized and excited for the weekend, I felt a bit drained by the world earlier today. Now I feel awesome! What perks you up instantly?

What I’m Reading/Watching/Looking at:

The best fashion eye candy I’ve seen in ages: Gary Pepper.

My brother Tom Kucy’s video went viral this week.

My dad just hooked me up with a copy of Ray Bradbury’s Zen and the Art of Writing. Looking forward to reading it.

In love with . YUM.

What I’m Writing:

Travelling soon? Check out my tips for packing like a pro!

Indoor Adventures in Downtown Calgary

My top picks for locally made wedding gifts.

What I’m Doing:

See you on Sunday, #YYC at the !

Photo via .

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