cute little owl dude

Look what I scored at Walmart in the Clearance section!  Cute lil owl dude :)  Under $10, I couldn't help myself...whoot whoot (hee, get it?)!

Kauai, Hawaii - My Top 10 Inspiring Moments

I swear this is NOT a travel blog! I just went on a few trips over the last few months. I won't draw this one out, I'll just show you my fav spots of Kauai, Hawaii from my trip a few weeks ago. Then back to decor, promise!

1. I took a helicopter ride over the Napali Coast...it was MESMERIZING. Seriously, the landscape, the mountains, the beaches, the blue water - definitely the highlight of my trip.

2. Again, look how cool it looks from above! I just want to lick it, it's so yummy. I was in a helicopter so some of the shots are a bit distorted.



3. There were so many cool waterfalls, but thought I'd show you the Jurassic Park falls! Again, a bit wonky because I was in a helicopter, but it does sort of give it a neat Jurassic Parky creepy effect.


4. Was a bit obsessed with the Hanaeli Pier too. Something spiritual and humbling about it. I think this is the town where George Clooney lived in the movie, The Descendants.


5. Waimea Canyon from the helicopter (I felt a bit motion sick in there, but I still really loved it! And no, I didn't puke)

6. Ke'e Beach, the most northern beach in Kauai, just where the long hiking trail into the mountains begins. It was very beautiful here...it looked just like Lost! I could feel this crazy sort of energy in Hawaii. It also peeks around to the Napali Coast: I could look at the coastline forever.

7. The surf was so turquoise, it was unbelievable! I put a lei in the ocean for my mother because the "seafoam" reminded me of my late Mom Bloomer. I put one in the ocean for my friend's friend, who passed away in Hawaii, too.
8. Grassy mountain in Limahuli Gardens, which preserved the old Hawaiian agricultural land from the early 1800s, and also displayed some native plants/trees, but also non-native trees from the age of Polynesian explorer, Captain Cook (I'm a nerd). Apparently it is like a miniature Machu Picchu!

9. In Poipu Beach, right beside the Spouting Horn (which thoroughly perplexed me). Every time I said Poipu, I thought of the word "pupik" which is Yiddish for belly button, hee.

10. Just loved the landscape...the farmland with horses on it, the trees, and then jungle-y mountains. This was taken in Poipu.

san fran inspiration ... japanese garden

This Japanese Tea Garden in the Golden Gate Park was sublime. Just perfect. Love the round "Dr. Seuss" trees as my cousin calls them. The bridge is entirely made of wood too if you can believe it...

more san fran inspiration...redwoods!

How beautiful are redwood trees? So so so tall, it's breathtaking. And they smell good too. I got to see a ton of them in Muir Woods, after crossing the Golden Gate bridge.


And look what I found when I biked around Angel Island?! A beautiful little friendly deer. We stared at eachother for a while.

leaving on a jet plane

Going on a soul searchin' journey to Kauai, Hawaii for 2 weeks, Bloomers. This Bloomer's soul needs a serious rest! But then I realized I got so carried away with my house sale pictures, that I forgot to post the rest of my inspirations from San Francisco way back in October...my first soul searching trip in a series. Ok, I wanna show you! I'll post for the next few days, and then then maybe I'll have some inspiration from Kauai when I get back! These paper flowers I saw in a window of a jewellery store in San Fran - so pretty. Reminded me of Lynn Bloomer and all the paper flowers she made for Amy's cool funky wedding.

Michelle Williams, new muse

I liked the lace around her neckline - so delicate:

whoever styled her for the Oscars is amazing...i love her red lipstick...never would have paired it with the yellow but it just works!

Loved her pixed hair cut and make up here too...good styling!

Seems somewhat out of character for her, with such a low cut dress, but I do like it.

Casual wear...I like this style!

How did Michelle Williams get to be such a style icon? She was a bit frumpy dumpy in her Dawson Creek days, remember? Then, I saw a picture of her at the SAG Awards the other day and realized how much I like her dress and her pixie cut. And then I realized that I generally like everything she wears to red carpet events. And even her casual wear. She has such a neat, fitted vintage style. What do you think?

amy's house is for sale!

So, big news! Remember my friend Amy's really funky house in the Danforth? You may also know Amy from her amazing, colourful, boho chic wedding . Well, guess what?! Her housey is for sale! I love it, I love it, I love it. If you are looking in Toronto, you have to check it out. It's incredible. MLS # E2281380.

grey on grey

I love this picture that Lynn Bloomer sent to me. The grey dresser looks beautiful on the light grey wall...I do indeed love monochromatic colour schemes. {Remodelista}

and a new little bloomer is on her way...

I am SO excited for Joelle Bloomer, Petie and little Sagey...she is getting a little sister!! {design by inBloomStudio}

this isn't Feist - but I like her messy hairs!

It said on MSN today that Feist did a pretty awesome cover of Guns N Roses' "November Rain," (remember slow dancing to that song?!), but this really doesn't look like her! I am pretty sure it's not...however, I do think it's a cool picture. I like this girl's messy hairs! There's a secret rock star in my somewhere...

Lynn Bloomer's Budget Basement Makeover

Talk about a really great makeover, on a budget! Look at the Before and Afters of Lynn Bloomer's basement. I love the grey and white tones...they were perfect to calm it down. Not to mention the white painted fireplace...much much better. And the sofas? These aren't even new sofas! They are slipcovers. Yummy. For the wallet and soul alike. Great job Lynn!

Paint out the brick on your fireplace? At first I was uncertain, but now I say YES!

Much calmer and much cozier now...

Love the grey painted out walls...and the large open windows...note the large wardrobe she also painted out white. Oh,and I also want to look through that telescope!