Can you believe that it’s the last day of November? Holy Moly, where did the year go??

I’m just starting to feel human again after another stomach flu (pretty much the worse thing in existence). It’s been a special few days and I even have some chipped teeth to prove it (don’t ask). I’ve been living in sweatpants and my Mr’s t’shirts, so I’m sadly lacking in outfit posts.

But I do have some kitchen odds and ends to blabber on about! What do you think, can kitchen stuff be exciting or is your oven just used for storage like Carrie?

Here are a few of my favourite things in my kitchen and a few more that I’d like to add:

2012 Stendig Calendar

I have a huge empty wall by my kitchen table that is crying out for this calendar…which is, dun dun dun…SOLD OUT. Aww man!

Joseph Joseph Melamine Bread Bin in White

I don’t think I’ve ever been lustful towards a bread box until now. However, there is a good chance that in several days I will be blaming this craziness on too much neocitran *bases covered* fffeeeww.

Ikea Bondis Wall Clock

Tick tock goes the clock. Although, not really. We’ve had this clock for a while and I don’t think I’ve heard a tick. Or a tock for that matter. It’s fairly large and oh-so awesome in my opinion. It’s one of my favourite Ikea buys.

Bodum Bistro Toaster in Chrome

I also have this toaster and I LOVE it. Doesn’t it look like can make a mean piece of toast? And fight crime? Yes, yes it does.

Leah Duncan Tea Towels

I was searching Etsy for towels (I figured I might want a few with straight seams) and I stumbled upon Leah Duncan’s shop. And now, I’m obsessed with everything there. Towels and so much more!

So, my lovelies, what is your favourite thing in your kitchen? What would you like to add?

Don’t forget to check out the totally fab Gwen Delicious Giveaway! One more day to enter!! OXO

I’m definitely starting to get holiday fever! My mom picked up these snazzy place mats for me a Pier 1. Their the perfect combo of texture and sparkle. I can’t wait to pick out the perfect place to display them.

It wouldn’t be a normal week for us without multiple trips to Home Depot. We made a few impulse buys, an bad ass black kitchen sink (I promise to post pics when our mini-reno is complete!) and this totally adorable little tree. The tree was cheaper.

I’m having a bit of a love affair with these grey woven pillows. I keep moving them around the house. Since I think they’re beginning to tire of the transiet lifestyle, a permant home may have been found in our kitchen nook. Mr. Grey-Woven meet Mr. Ikea-Back-&-White.

I always enjoy crafty projects, but I think I may have gone round the bend, craft crazy. I’m blaming Pinterest and the never ending DIY inspiration. Inspiration turned sickness. The other day I was in the craft store and I literally had to force myself to put down a bag of 1000 popsicle sticks. I was standing in the isle saying out loud ‘Mommy does not have time to glue all these together and make amazing popsicle stick snowflakes as much as she wants to”. This was especially disturbing because the baby wasn’t even with me. I don’t often get out alone and I’m so used to talking to her. Why is it that parent talk about themselves in the third person??

All that blabber is really a long way of telling you that I’ve had to be choosy with my projects and these paper ornaments made the cut. I’m making white and cream ones and will hang them around the house.

Drum roll please…my first attempt at sewing something. A towel for the kitchen with a loop to hang it on the wall. Don’t look too closely at my seams. They aren’t very straight.

Slightly off topic, is the towel red or orange to you? It’s poppy red in real life but my red photo’s always seem to look orange.

Which reminds me of my favourite knock-knock joke as a kid:

Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn’t say banana???

Have a wonderful weekend my lovelies! And Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! OXO

And the winner is:

Congrats Caren! Send me your info! And a big thank you to Bark Decor for being so awesome!

I love giveaways! And I couldn’t be more excited about this one, a $30 Gift Certificate to the lovely and enchanting Etsy shop Bark Decor. Clothing and jewelry and household items, oh my! Eco-consious sisters Sara and Shana create the most fabulous treasures. From edgy to mod to delicate to whimsical, the masterminds of Bark Decor are inspired by ‘shapes, animals, primitive art and the wonders of the universe’.

So, now that you’re as excited as I am…well, you’re probably even more excited because I can’t really enter my own giveaway can I? Can I? I know, I know, I’m just so smitten. Let’s chat about the rules:

To enter:

1. Visit  Bark Decor. Then, leave me a comment telling me about your favourite piece.

2. Follow i heart this blog with Google Friend Connect.

For additional Entries:

1. Spread the word about this Bark Decor Giveaway! Tweet about it, link to it on your blog, share it on Facebook, etc, etc. Just leave an additional comment letting me know how you spread the word.

The winner will be chosen at random from the comments on Wed, Nov 23th, at 10pm, so go and get your Bark Decor browse on my friends!

OXO

UPDATE: If you can’t stand the suspense and simply must get your hands on a piece of Bark Decor right now, the promo code HOLIDAYBARK gives you 10% off your purchase (for a limited time) and FREEBARK offers free shipping within the US (until Dec 31/11).

It’s no secret that I love coffee, and that I especially love the red holiday cups that Starbucks brings out every year. Although I’m not rushing to set up my Christmas tree or anything crazy like that, red cups warm my heart and make me feel rather merry. (Yes, I’m aware that I’m being shamelessly sucked into holiday commercialism).

Now, take all my happy and merry feelings and then times them by a bizillion-gillion! And that’s what happened when we placed our order for not 2, but 3, warm red cupped beverages the other day. Don’t worry, the baby dismissed the expresso and opted for steamed whole milk instead. Isn’t she sensible? It was her very first Starbucks. We all sat outside on the chilly, sunshiny day and it was pretty much the cutest, most lovely family moment ever. Naturally it only lasted for about 7 minutes, but hey, as a very nice friend of mine just said, it’s the little things right?

That’s one happy camper!

Note to Starbucks: Seeing as I’ve excessively gushed about your wonderfulness, perhaps you’d like to send me some free coupons? Ha ha, jokes. *cough cough*

Note to friends: What’s your favourite holiday drink? I’m a non-fat, 1/2 sweet, peppermint mocha kinda girl.

Scarves, also known as neck blankets, make me so happy. I enjoyed cozying up in this big guy!

My ultimate Halloween treat, melting a reese cup on top of a graham cracker. So major.

I’m seriously obsessed with my viking ring. I sort of feel like he’s my new boyfriend. He’s manly and rugged and gold. *sigh* I think he needs a name…suggestions?

Though I never need an occasion to get my sparkle on, these little flats fill me with warm and fuzzy holiday feelings. 50 sleeps till Christmas!

This is the first orchid that I’ve ever had re-bloom and I’m pretty darn excited about it. I feel like I should get some sort of green thumb badge! I have personally managed to keep a house plant alive for 6 whole months. Ahh, snap.

Happy weekending my friends! xx

Currently on my nails: Sally Hansen’s Plum’s the Word and a little sprinkle of silver craft glitter (dust tip of wet nail with sparkles, tap off excess, wait until polish is dry and then add a top coat).

Last week I was crushing on this bag in my Five Things post. This week it’s in my hot little hands.

Why order 1 thing when you can order more than 1 thing and benefit from free shipping? You’re so sneaky Forever 21. But I don’t mind. I’m happy to give this chunky knit sweater and boho-bling (hee hee, that’s a silly term!) necklace a home.

Since there are no flower pics included this week, I thought I would show you my favourite non-flower holding vase.

And to round out the pack, a deliciously cute little grey pea coat for my deliciously cute little lady.

I mentioned pinterest last week and it’s now safe to say that I’m totally and helplessly addicted. One of my lovely twitter friends suggest I get the app. Big mistake.

I’m slowly working on a closet overhaul and pinterest has been a great source of inspiration for my fashion funk. Sequins, leopard print, textured knits, oh my!

Speaking of sequins, I’ve been totally infatuated with sparkly pants and shorts since I feel in love with these last year. Sadly, I’m not sure I would get a lot of wear out of them and I wonder about how they hold up when you sit down, etc. Anyone own a pair??

And speaking of leopard print, I love the clutch in the above pic. Love love love. I’m tempted to pick up this one from Forever 21. Although not nearly as cool, it just might be the ticket for some instant gratification.

Moving on to the non-fashiony portion of this program. Last week’s Sunflowers were replaced by bright pink Gerber Daisies from my mother-in-law. So pretty, they’re one of my favourite flowers.

Ohhhh, fall. I absolutely love this time of year. Bright sunny days with a chill in the air. Perfect for cozy layers, hot drinks, and outdoor adventures.

Happy Weekending! XX

Top two images via Pinterest: here & here.