Happy Blog-iversary Maine to Montreal! It has been over a year since I started this blog, a year on January 4th to be exact. I began Maine to Montreal as a creative outlet and a place to share all the things that inspire me day to day. It has been quite a journey–along with a reader response that was completely unexpected. I wanted to thank you all for following Maine to Montreal and I hope you continue to do so. I love hearing from you! Here are some of my favorite moments of 2012…
Firstly, I want to thank everyone for the response yesterday and all of your wonderful comments. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way from time to time, but you helped me realize that it’s okay. Things take time, but my problem is impatience. One step at a time. I almost forgot, what do you think of the new layout?
I spent a lot of time at home yesterday and realized I had not yet shared one of my favorite design elements of our apartment–the books. My love for books started when I was in 4th grade and I was given my first impressionism book for Christmas–but the love really blossomed when I was in college and taking dozens of art history classes and by the end of it, I realized I had started this beautiful collection. Art books and cookbooks are my two personal favorites. I’m not a reader of novels, in fact I dropped of the Harry Potter train pretty early because the books were becoming too long. I love pictures and hints of texts because anything more than that I get incredibly bored.
Books add something extra special to any room–a pop of color, inspiration and heighten any table lamp. As many times I have moved in my life my books have always come with me and in our new house I have planned a wall dedicated to them. Here are the ways I’ve integrated books in to my everyday decor:
Despite it being one of the most spring-like days we’ve seen in awhile, I spent my day underground in Montréal. This time of year there is a huge art exhibition through the entirety of the cities metros and underground malls. It’s called Art Souterrain and here are over 144 artist that participate, divided into 15 zones of viewing. The circuit is spread out over 7 km, so it’s exercise art too. Here are some highlights…
February is commonly known as the month of love, but I would also debate it’s the month of the appendicitis! Two years ago on February 22nd I had my appendix removed, shortly after that a string of girls on my field hockey team came down with the same ailment–Louis’ grandmother too! This year it’s Louis’ Dad who is undergoing the same operation and he is definitely in my thoughts. Today’s heart is for him.
A few posts ago I debuted the cork trees, using the same method I decided to try out a heart-shape. This is a fun and easy gift to give–and I often find more meaning in a gift that is handmade. Here’s a short list of supplied you’ll need:
-16 corks [red wine is best if you’re looking for color]
-glue
-piece of paper to place under the corks and use as your work space
{the final product}
{step one: select the corks and have glue handy–hot glue also works well, I chose carpenter’s glue}
{roughly shape the heart with your pieces of cork and begin to glue–try using an upside down pyramid for the base of the heart and then two stacks of three corks for the upper half}
{I found it easier to to glue the corks row by row and then add the stack of three to the top at the end}
{let glue dry overnight and your cork heart is complete}
Even though it’s starting to feel more like spring, I am trying to squeeze in all my winter favorites before it’s too late. I have had this buffalo checked skirt for years and I never get tired of it. If only I was always standing in front of a painting while wearing it…
{bow-tie hair clip, Anthropologie–denim biker jacket, Gap–artwork by Louis-Pierre Lachapelle}
{sparkle necklace+buffalo check wool skirt, J.Crew–turtleneck, Gap–silver bangles, vintage}
{black suede booties, Clarks–black+white socks, Anthropologie}
I don’t know anyone else, but the Northeast has had some pretty terrible weather over the past few weeks. Snow, rain, ice, ice ice, rain, slush…you get the idea. As we ring in February, I can only hope for better days ahead. Here are a few things that have brightened my days this week….
{this delicious honey dew melon that smelled+tasted like spring}
{scheming ways to wear my new Pendleton cape-this also requires warmer weather}
{glitter top coat–because there’s no frown that sparkle can’t turn upside down}
{my cork trees–the best thing about these guys is you have to drink all the wine before you make the tree! More on these at a later date…}
There you have it. Happy February everyone! This means we are one step closer to spring, making summer just a hop, jump and skip away. Well, a girl can dream.
On Sunday, Louis and I decided to use our year-long passes to the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal for the first time. We had a great time and it felt good to have some art back in my life.
Now that we are deep into Winter, I was happily reminded while walking through the contemporary collection that colors other than white and brown do exist this time of year. Gerhard Richter made me want to dress like this—
{yellow+white sweater jacket, J.Crew – silk top, Maeve – green skinny jeans, AG – multi-color necklace, J.Crew – shoes, Michael Kors}
heidi.
Rubber stamps that is! Ever since I made my own wedding invites, save-the-dates, menus and place cards I have been totally obsessed with rubber stamps.
It’s my new favorite way to make cards for all seasons and events. Super versatile, rubber stamps give a great personal touch and looks super hip. Check it out….
Here is a fun idea for thank-you notes. I try to keep a few on hand so whenever I need one I have it ready to go. I also like to make thank you tags to attach to a bottle of wine or a batch of cookies for hostess gifts.
To start out your stamping collection, I recommend buying an alphabetical set and a numerical set of stamps along with a color box ‘paintbox’ so you have multiple color options {shown below}.
Once you have all of your tools, the possibilities are endless. Experiment with paper style, weight and texture and find out what fits into your personal style. This is a quick and easy way to express yourself and impress friends and family with your craftiness. Good thing you’re just in time for Valentine’s Day….
Until next time!
heidi.
from maine to montreal 