Outdoor Entertaining Essentials

Although it snowed a little in Toronto yesterday (snowed!) I'm in full planning mode to setup my balcony for the warmer months. Last year, we planted tomatoes and a bounty of herbs -- and these will be making a full comeback this year! I'm also thinking of adding an array of succulents and pastel roses to the mix, I couldn't imagine not having this outdoor oasis --- it really adds to the vacation feel of a space.

My indoor hues revolve around greys, yellows and soft whites, but my outdoor decor is where the colours come to play. I'm loving patterned plates for a whimsical outdoor atmosphere, and some pastel-coloured cutlery. Paper straws are also a must for outdoorsy drinks, as is a bright and cherry carafe. Vibrant blues, playful mints and sunshine yellows are on my mind -- here are my favourites so far!

{1} Glazed Terracotta Salad Plate, West Elm {2} Foiled Dot Napkin Set, Anthropologie {3}Striped Paper Straws, Etsy {4} Ice cream Scoop, Ikea {5} Ikat Dot Napkin, West Elm {6}Ostron Flatware, Ikea {7} Melamine Plates, West Elm {8} Green Vintage Carafe, Indigo

Patterned Plates

We all know that we eat with our eyes first. The same dish, nicely displayed and presented will generally make you want to eat it more than if it comes spooned into yesterday's take-out containers.

Don't get me wrong, some foods are best served stripped of any fancy tableware (think authentic fish and chips served in newspaper or street food served on paper plates) but for most dishes, a little extra effort never hurts. Here are some of my current favourites - I especially love the Kate Spade and Anthropologie ones!

 {1}Anthropologie {2}Kate Spade {3} Etsy {4} Lisa Stickley 

 {5} West Elm {6} Crate and Barrel

Which one would you add to your dinner table?

Getting inspired in Paris

Every time I go home, I recharge, relax and get inspiration from what I can now say is the most beautiful city in the world. Sure, there are close seconds in my mind, but the beauty of Paris always finds its way to my heart. I always get inspired by the beauty of Parisian streets and the constant discovery of a new detail you hadn't noticed before. I usually come home with a slew of ideas for upcoming projects, and a paper-version of my Pinterest boards that I create by jotting detailed notes on small patterned notebooks. Although I grew up in Paris and have all my family still there, I find that I appreciate the city that much more now that I live away from it. I look at familiar streets with a new eye, and take the time to explore neighbourhoods that I sometimes took for granted when I had them surround me all year long.

I was in Paris last week and took a few hours to wander the Marche aux Puces of Sanit-Ouen. Walking through the small cobblestone streets with its vendors and old world aroma makes you feel like you, literally, just walked in to a scene in Midnight in Paris. You'll find everything here: from antique furniture, to period pieces to memorabilia of eras long gone. This time, I went looking for tableware inspiration and come back with a myriad of new ideas. I wanted to share some of my favourites with you, a virtual tour of my Paris, if you will.

Keep reading to see all of the photos from my trip...

Owl-themed decor for your home

Readers of this blog will know that I love blogging about food as well as fun and pretty home decor accessories, tableware and DIY projects. Working for Style at Home also means that I get to look at beautiful homes everyday, as well as design trends and new ways of updating your space. I'm constantly inspired to re-do parts of my apartment and on the constant lookout for pretty new pieces.

This week, I wrote about how owls-inspired accessories have become a real decor trend - they have been popping up on so many different items and can help add a whimiscal touch to your space. Here are some of my favourite finds.

What item is your favourite?
{1} Embroidered owl pillow cover
{2} Antique owl globe
{3} Owl organic dessert plate
{4} Creature kingdom hook
{5} Patterned owl print
{6} Owl catch-all dish
{7} Baby owl earrings