{Blog Podium!} + My Week in Review

Picture this ... you walk into a decadent conference room and all around you are women {and some men} sitting at tables placed systematically around the room. All are impeccably dressed; hair done, wearing bright and colourful summer outfits, and as you enter, laughter and excited chatter fills the air. The setting is Toronto's Arcadian Court and Lofts. The view of the space is of Old City Hall. Contemporary-looking chandeliers sparkle and shimmer above you. To the right of the room is an exposed brick wall and at the front of the room is a long conference table and a podium. This is quite fitting seeing as the event you're attending is Blog Podium, a conference where bloggers, writers, vendors and businesses across Canada all come together for the purpose of collaboration, community, sharing knowledge, information - {hugs!} - and supporting each other in their unique-yet-similar paths. 

For me, one thing that made Blog Podium stand out is its encouragement to engage in social media "tweeting" during the event. While most people shy away from typing on their phones out of fear of being rude, Blog Podium organizers encouraged and supported this cyber speak. So community was not only being built in the room, but also in Cyberspace as people connected, chatted and posted via Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms. And yes, I was one of them!

I must admit that I did one of the worst things imaginable on the day: I forgot my camera! And I'm not fortunate to have a cell phone camera that produces high-quality images, so right off the bat, please forgive me for that. But I want to give a shout-out to the sponsors of Blog Podium: EQ3, blurb, HomeSense & The Home Depot as well as the vendors who were friendly, engaging and informative: West Elm, PARA Paints, Benjamin Moore, DECOR-Rest, sheblogs, Gluckstein Home, Posterjack, AYA Kitchens & Baths, Mango Studios {and all of the other vendors that helped make this event possible. If any were forgotten, please let me know and I'll kindly add them in}.

A big thank you to the event organizers, the lovely Lindsay Stephenson of Little House Blog and Jennifer Flores of Rambling Renovators, as well as Nicole Balch from Making it Lovely, Cheryl Kozoriz, Laura Muirhead, Christine Dovey from Bijou and Boheme and Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault as well as all of the staff at Acadian venue for their individual involvement on the day.

What I was up to this week:

 Inspiring spaces ~ coastal cottage charm.

{1 Room, 2 Perspectives} - plates aren't for tables anymore.

Spring table setting ideas.

Hanging photos ~ 3 different ways to battle bare walls.

Rug Wars! {Take Your Pick} ~ Under Rug Swept

 1// Iznik Dhurrie in Sorrel by West Elm

2// Figi Rug in Lemonade by Company C

3// Wool Zinnia Rose Rug by Dwell Studio

It's time for Rug Wars! Out of these 3 magnificent choices, which one makes you "under rug swept"?

Hanging Terrariums: An Unexpected Way to Display Plants {Indoors & Outdoors}

Plants are the must-have home accessory. Not only are they both natural and cost effective, but they also have a serene and calming quality which is good for the spirit. It's important for you to incorporate outdoor elements into your indoor space because it improves mood, lifts energy and freshens the air. Since it's Spring, nurseries and gardens across the country are opening their doors for garden season. In replace of the typical potted houseplant, a hanging terrarium offers a cheeky and unexpected way to display your greenery. Many of them are also made of partly recycled glass (so you're also helping the environment). Many of the terrariums I found hang from a rope and can be displayed with a single flower or a more lush combination of moss, plants and flowers. If you're not into the hanging aspect, you could always use unexpected planters like spruced up coffee cans, watering cans, and other materials to create a bold design statement with your plants. What do you think of these hanging beauties?

Clockwise from Top:

Recycled Glass Bubble Terrariums from Forma Living

Roost Recycled Glass Hanging Terrariums from aHa! Modern Living

Recycled Glass Wall Terrariums from Forma Living

Roost Recycled Glass Bubble Terrariums from Sprout Home

Shane Powers Hanging Glass Bubble Collection from West Elm

A City Chic Colour Palette

How do you know if you're "city chic"? For one thing, the city lives in your -- wherever you go. Regardless of whether your live downtown or in the suburbs, the city is never far from your heart. Your style of decor favors crisp lines and sleek accessories. You're crazy about fashion magazines, design blogs, and maybe you've slept with the latest issue of Vogue once or twice. You're not afraid of colour but prefer tones like black, white and grey (which are always in style and never lose their appeal). You're not afraid of animal prints or eccentric art. Tip: Throw in a bold colour, like Benjamin Moore's Margarita, in with your staple hues. Other bright and bold colour suggestions include magenta, teal, Pantone's Tangerine Tango -- anything with an extra twist. What do you think of this colour palette?