new chairs (or: there is officially nowhere to stand in my living room)

Yesterday the fam and I went to my sister's for some yummy eats. She's the only person I know who can make tofu taste really good.

On the way there, we were side tracked by a garage sale. It wasn't your typical garage sale though. According to the signs, it was a 'designer garage sale' and all the stuff was camped out in an industrial parking lot. What caught my eye were some chairs they had for sale. I have a little bit of a rubber necking problem when it comes to chairs on the side of the road and at garage sales. I'm surprised I haven't gotten whip lash yet.

Anyway we turned around and went to check out the chairs. There was something I liked about them right away: they were in mint condition, super comfy and although they weren't a typical garage sale price, they were a good deal. So we got them for the living room upstairs when we move our gigantic black sectional to the basement.


The brown worn leather look isn't really our style so I want to reupholster these in a creamy linen colour. I'm going to do this myself (when I have time ha!) because it's a relatively easy job compared to most chairs.

Can't wait to get the basement done so we get some order back to this house!

Happy Monday!

Leo 6 months!

Leo 6 months!
Originally uploaded by lealoulemonade.

Well Leo is 6 months old today. I can't believe it! Time has certainly flown! These days he's trying to eat his toes, rolling all over the place, sitting up a bit on his own and hanging out on his hands and knees. Seems he'll be crawling soon enough. I had better that all that glassware put away!

I'm starting him on solids this weekend -- first up: butternut squash. Can't wait to see what kind of faces he makes.

Happy Long Weekend ya'll!
-Steph

red door express

Source: theletteredcottage.net via Stephanie on Pinterest

I saw this pic on Thrifty Decor Chick today and I have to say I'm lovin' the red. I've had a weird love for red my whole life (I think I get it from my Mom for some reason) and this door is just speaking to me.

As soon as I saw it I wondered if a) it would work in my kitchen, b) I'd have enough guts to do it and c) if Mark would think I was insane for wanting to do this.

What do you think? Think it would work or am I a bit nuts?

veganeasy

Source: happyherbivore.com via sheknitupthat on Pinterest

Ever since Leo was born I've had to adjust the things I eat because it seems he has a bit of an intolerance to things like wheat and dairy (his poor cheeks flare right up!). As a result I'm always on the look out for yummy vegan and gluten free foods. Check out these brownies. Honestly HOW are they vegan and gluten free??? I have to give a shout out to all the vegans out there who've tried and tested these types of recipes to make them as delish as the traditional ones. I love you. :)

street sale!

We had our annual street sale on the weekend. It was the first time we participated in it: the first year we found out about it too late and last year I didn't really feel like we had anything to sell. This year we had lots! With the basement reno moving along, we had to take everything out and either sell anything we didn't use or ship it to Goodwill. I didn't want anything going back in storage that we weren't going to use.

I didn't get any shots of the sale (people came while we were still setting up and I had to skip inside for feedings and naptimes) but I can show you these shots from our day of organizing the weekend before the sale.



We had way more crap than we thought we did and guess what -- we sold most of it! I can't believe what people will buy but people love buying stuff. We even sold our old honkin' TV and some guy bought our old VCR even though we weren't sure if it still worked.

Even though we were trying to get rid of stuff, I did bring something back into the house.


My neighbour had these pretty little milk vases on her table. She caught me eyeing them and gave them to me for free. Nice of her!


We also got another ikea shoe rack for the front hall closet. Oh and I got a book called The Shack. It looks a bit scary so not sure I'll end up reading it...

robin's egg blue

Source: designspongeonline.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I grew up on a dairy farm in Eastern Ontario (well until I was 9). Those were some of the best days of my life. I would get up with my Dad at 5 am to sweep the hay in the farm; my sister and I would play in the bales of hay (or giant snow hills created from the snow plow) and we would look over all the cats and dogs around the barn.

We also took care of our fare share of robin eggs. I remember bringing an old piece of fur out to the nest to keep the little eggs warm. It was always an amazing surprise to see the eggs eventually hatch. This painting instantly brought me back to the farm life.

an ode to my mom

Four generations: (R to L) My grandmother, me, my mom at 24 or so [almost 10 years after I had my first!] and my great grandmother

It's very strange how becoming a mother changes you. When I hear of something that has happened to a child on the news, my heart feels like it's tearing in two as though it were my own child. Drool and poop don't phase me and nothing is better than picking up your baby in the morning to his toothless grin.

Most of all, becoming a mom really puts into perspective what my own mom did for me. She raised three girls on her own (not easy girls either -- all stubborn as hell!), and has worked her ass off to provide for us. I thought I appreciated it before even though I likely drove her nuts on most days, but I really feel like I get it now.

So on this first Mother's Day weekend of mine, I'd like to thank my mother for everything she did for us growing up. It wasn't easy, I know, but we love you so much for how you persevered. xoxo

summer living

Source: google.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I wore my winter puffer jacket on my walk today to vote. It's May 2 people! I cannot cannot! wait until it's warm enough to eat outside. I'm just loving this al fresco table with all its twinkly lights and pops of pink. le sigh.

34 is the new 20

So today is my birthday and all week I've been kind of forgetting about it. Not on purpose; I think it's my mommy brain. Or maybe it's just that birthdays aren't really that big of a deal anymore. I used to talk about my birthday weeks in advance waiting to see what I'd get or what events would take place. Now my brain is filled with thoughts and pictures of my sweet little boy (and family) and turning a year older has taken a backseat. We'll see how I feel next year when I turn 35. :).

Nonetheless I've already had a wonderful couple of days. We had a birthday brunch with Mark's family yesterday where they gave me an awesome spa gift and a little butterfly ornament to put in the garden (so cute!). And today we're having my sisters and my best friend over for dinner. Gone are the days of clubbing and staying out all night - but these days are better in my opinion.

I hope you have a great day as well -- it's May Day after all and it means spring and flowers are getting closer!