Color Feature - ASCP - Arles

As many of you know, I am a stockist for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint here in Alberta.  I work with it each and every day, I sell it, I teach with it and I just all around love it!  As many as you know, I am all about introducing color so I am proud to start a weekly feature on the blog that will showcase a certain color from her paint line and hopefully provide some inspiration!  

That color will go on sale for the week at my shop and as well as my online store!  Now, I know that I have many followers and readers from other than Alberta so you will have to purchase your paint from your own local stockist which can be found here!

This weeks feature is ARLES!

Annie describes it here: The inspiration is the rich glowing yellow is the colour associated with the town of Arles in the South of France. It is a rich yellow ochre with a hint of orange juice and with with Old White added the colour is warm and gentle. It is a sophisticated yellow

Now, lets get painting!

Spring Shopping

I had my first day off yesterday in over 45 days and finally took the time to do some shopping!  I was prepared to blow it out - expecially after cleaning out my closet (see pile of office clothes going to the Women's Shelter).

 I ended up getting a few "staples" for the spring and thought that I would share them here.  

First up, a few soft and comfy slouchy V Neck sweaters from Aritzia!

An adorable jean shirt that I know is going to get a lot of use this summer!

A new pair of Tom's

Trust me, I expected to do alot more retail damage but not much was catching my eye or I was too impatient to wait in line to try on clothes.  Who waits in line to try on clothes?  I just don't have the patience for it.  Shopping on a holiday Monday probably wasn't the best decision but it had to be done!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Color Feature- Greek Blue

As many of you know, I am a stockist for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint here in Alberta.  I work with it each and every day, I sell it, I teach with it and I just all around love it!  As many as you know, I am all about introducing color so I am proud to start a weekly feature on the blog that will showcase a certain color from her paint line and hopefully provide some inspiration!  

That color will go on sale for the week at my shop and as well as my online store!  Now, I know that I have many followers and readers from other than Alberta so you will have to purchase your paint from your own local stockist which can be found here!

First up - Greek Blue!

Annie describes it here:  This is a warm blue without any green in it. It is a colour found throughout the Mediterranean, often faded and distressed on shutters and woodwork. It has a chalky look about it yet it is a strong positive color.

Here is some inspiration for you on how to use the color!

Remember, Annie Sloan's paints are fully mixable so here is a great photo showing how mixing it with her color Old White reinvents it!

Now, lets get painting!

Stripes!

I love stripes!  I found these photos of this dresser on my camera this morning and realized I didn't share - so here we are!

Have a great Monday!

Out the Door

A couple pieces done in my signature white are leaving the studio today so I snapped a few quick shots!  Here they are in front of my favorite pallet wall!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Making Changes...

Thank you to all of you for the support on my personal post yesterday. 

I mentioned yesterday that my life has completely changed in all aspects and you want to know what one of the BEST parts is...no more dress pants!  Usually I am in sweat pants or coveralls at the shop - but now I am allowed to spend my hard earned money on clothes that I WANT to wear - not what I have to wear downtown to portray an image. Now there are no rules except my own.  I haven't been shopping much this past year because I haven't had much time but Pinterest is feeding my brain. 

I have traded in my dress pants for ripped jeans!  There isn't a piece of clothing that I love as much as well worn ripped jeans and of course I couldn't wear my favorites to casual Friday at the office so now I wear them every chance I can get.  I still feel a bit rebellious wearing them on a Monday.

I used to carry a structured bag (that cost WAY to much) to contain my laptop and pens and paper and paperwork and wallet.  Not any more.  I sent them all off to consignment and can now buy what ever I want that doesn't have to coordinate with dress pants and a collared shirt.  This Marc Jabobs one is on the top of my wish list...

Continuing on with the trend of my rebellion, I have VERY long hair that i used to get up extremely early to wash, blow dry and flatiron every day.  HA! now I am lucky if I wash it twice a week (its better for you hair anyways) and I came to the realization of how much time I wasted just to have straight hair.  The infamous sock bun or anything that involves an elastic is now my new best friend :)

I have mad a ton of changes these past few months and I am excited for what the future holds for my closet! No more dress pants and collared shirts for me :)

New Beginnings...A Personal Post

I have been at this furniture stuff for a while now. I opened my studio last fall and things have been falling into place one piece at a time.  I burnt the candle at both ends for a long time and didn't actually leave my "old job" until January and these past few months have been a really big transition for me.  I worked in an office for 10 years getting up at 5:30 am - spending hours in traffic or on public transit every day, staring at a computer all day and making sure I met deadlines and dealing with more paperwork than I can even fathom now.  I was good at what I did so I thought that I loved it.  I was fooled!

Right now, after spending these past few months doing what I love to do all day long I am  now IN LOVE with what I do.  I work 7 days a week and longer hours than I ever did before.  My to do list is longer than it ever has been and that's just fine with me.  I don't mind paying that price right now to make my dreams into a reality.  

I go to bed at night excited for what the next day will bring - rather than struggling through the week and wishing for a weekend.  I have made alot of sacrifices and taken alot of risks these past few months but one thing I don't have is regret.  If something happened to me tomorrow - I would be ok because I'm the girl that WENT for it!

These past few months have been a whirlwind and I am now starting to feel comfortable and accepting of what I am doing.  It almost felt like a crime at first!

  I have just hired a summer student to work with me through the summer so that I can enjoy the summer and not work AS much and learn to take time for myself!  All of my free time before was spent doing what I now do for a job so its exciting to be looking for new hobbies and things to do for myself!  First things first - a VACATION!

Barcelona Orange Dresser

I just sent this dresser out the door to ReWorks studio in Inglewood.  I can't find the before picture but here is the finished piece in Barcelona Orange (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint).  I painted the handles black and I think its looks sharp!

This first picture was taken in the natural light and looks the best!

With the bad flash!

Ciao for now!