LAKE JANE - design, decorating, fashion, food and all the other good stuff.

happy weekend

2012-02-10T08:58:00.000-08:00

I hope you all have a chance to treat yourselves this weekend. Almond meal pancakes are a good place to start... xo

light my fire

2012-02-10T05:56:00.000-08:00

I adore the sleek unadorned fireplaces in Abigail Ahern's home. Having a fireplace in front of your desk = not too shabby. {via Style Files}

Attitude of gratitude

2012-02-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

I'm grateful for a 1 hour episode of 30 Rock tonight.

I'm grateful that Penny has finally accepted that she cannot sleep in our room anymore.

I'm grateful that pregnancy has given me 8 months of thick shiny hair. I will miss it when it's gone.

I'm grateful for the snack cupboard at work.

I'm grateful that my winter jacket still fits. The zipper may burst open at any second though.

I'm grateful that I wake up feeling very happy these days.

{via}

Cheesy pull apart bread

2012-02-08T08:07:00.000-08:00

This recipe had me at cheesy. At to that mucho carbs and the fact that it can be eaten with your fingers and you have my idea of the perfect snack. I am definitely going to try multiple versions of this bread. I'll keep you posted! {via BeanTown Baker}

Lake John: Midweek Jams

2012-02-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

It's Black History Month, so I thought I'd share some of my favourite music recorded by some of my favourite Black artists. I tried to come up with some kind of 'Top Five' but there are just too many to narrow it down. The list is endless, as is the impact they've all had on my life. Had it not been for Michael Jackson or Stevie Wonder, I would have never danced; had it not been for Boyz II Men or R. Kelly, I would have never slow-danced. Had it not been for Public Enemy or MC Hammer I would have never discovered hip-hop, and had it not been for hip-hop I would have never discovered my adolescence.

Here's a sweet, heartwarming jam by someone more than deserving of mention this month: Aretha Franklin. I try to wake up to this on those less forgiving mornings, and I often play it next to Marie-Eve's belly to let the little guy know that we're eager to meet him (via Music From the Book).

elephant pillows

2012-02-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

Im on a self-imposed decorative pillow break but it doesn't mean that I can't admire them from afar. I think that these elephant pillows by Cecil Clyde are perfect for a child's room! So I've bookmarked them. Just in case.

Could it be!?

2012-02-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

Domino Magazine is back from the dead! A new issue of the mag, Domino Quick Fixes, is set to hit newsstands on April 17th! Miracles do happen!

Strange food

2012-02-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

I've reached the point in my pregnancy where, as far as food is concerned, everything goes. I am indulging in every craving and loving every single second of it. Last week, I was overcome by 3 very intense urges to eat the following (very unhealthy) things:

Pillsbury turnovers.

Raspberry flavor only. I hadn't had these since I was, oh, 13 years old.

Man alive are they ever tasty!

Italian poutine from La Banquise

Poutine covered in Bolognese sauce. I had never had this before but I knew it existed. For the record, it tastes much better than it looks. I swear. Also, what is up with me and Bolognese sauce?!

Pancakes from L'Avenue.

American style. Not crêpes. Ate the entire plate without coming up for air.

Ann & Arayata

2012-02-07T04:04:00.000-08:00

My friend Nat, owner and director of The Coveterie showroom, recently sent me an Ann & Arayata clutch with the following note: I think you'll love these bags! She was right. Not only do I adore the bags but I also adore the brand's philosophy. Every bag is hand crafted in a rural village in the Philippines using old wooden looms. When you purchase one of their bags, you are supporting the livelihood of these artisans as well as L.I.F.E. For Health - Ann & Arayata donates 20% of its profits to supporting this volunteer-run charity that works in the Philippines and Rwanda.

I adore the simple lines and textured rafia of my clutch and can totally see myself wearing it during the day with a simple dress or in the evening with high pumps and skinny jeans.

Pregnancy Real Talk: Third Trimester

2012-02-06T06:50:00.000-08:00

Wowee. The last trimester of pregnancy really does test your body (and your emotions).

I am definitely not feeling all "glowy" and womanly anymore. I feel heavy and sloth-like. I want this little baby to keep baking so that he comes out when he's good and ready BUT I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't fantasized about him making an early appearance. Those moments usually come around 3am when I'm tossing and turning in bed, trying to shake blood circulation back into one of my arms or re-assembling the pillow fortress that keeps me from rolling onto my back. To add to all this sexiness, I groan like an old man whenever I stand up or sit down...or sometimes when I'm just sitting there doing nothing. There is always a pile of crumbs in my scarf and/or on top of my stomach. Sometimes I snack on it. I don't remember the last time I shaved my legs. Actually, I don't even remember the last time I even looked at my legs.

But there is a bright side. A very bright side. Our little man is only 5 weeks (or so) away from making his big entrance into the world. The excitement I feel is akin to that of a thousand Christmas mornings. And that is certainly a big dose of motivation on mornings where I wonder how it's even legal for me to be leaving my bed.

How did you feel during the homestretch of your pregnancy?

quiet sunday morning

2012-02-06T04:21:00.000-08:00

Like most Sunday mornings at our house, Mike woke up at the crack of dawn to catch the Manchester United game live. This was an important match (he'll probably say "they're all important") because Man U was playing against one of their arch rivals, Chelsea. Since I can't sleep in at all lately, I am happy to join him on the couch to partake in screaming at our television screen. I'm especially pleased when Mike prepares one of his childhood breakfast staples, soft boiled eggs and soldiers (or toast cut into strips that you dip into the egg yolk), during halftime. While Mike paced the room and yelled sporadically, Penny and I cuddled and tested out my new camera.

aw shucks

2012-02-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

{words by Maryann Cusimano}

Thornback & Peel

2012-02-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

I first came across this brand while perusing the goods at Montreal's Galerie Co. I always discover new interesting designers when I stop in there! Thornback & Peel is a London-based studio that celebrates the "quirkiness of British design" with colourful napkins, tea towels, wallpapers and much more. They silkscreen, emboss and handmake everything in house, on 100% natural textiles. Mike recently surprised me with a couple of little baby t-shirts featuring a hare and a pigeon. The pigeon is my absolute favorite and I now have my eye on their wallpaper featuring the design.

Baby gifts

2012-02-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

Mike and I - scratch that - our baby is already being spoiled rotten by our friends and family. Our nursery currently looks like a storage space for gift bags and stuffed animals. We have a ton of work to do in there over the weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to share some pictures of the room next week! Until then, here are just a few of the sweet gifts we've - I mean - he's received, many of which I had no idea existed but now realize will come in very handy. I hope to share more of these baby items as soon as my new camera is all set up and ready to go! I also hope that those of you who have a little one to shop for will find some inspiration below!

Fox pillow by Gingiber (previously blogged about in this post)

Soybaby organic bundler featuring illustrations by INK + WIT

Graco Sweet Slumber Sound Machine

(the Nature sounds put me right to sleep. I may not share it with the baby)

Tooli Nightlights by OXO

Baby Bjorn Bouncer

(the baby's movement makes it vibrate so they set their own pace!)

Go the F*ck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach

(and for the Samuel L. Jackson narrated version, click here)

Attitude of gratitude

2012-02-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

I'm grateful that this dang cold is finally leaving my system.

I'm grateful for these posts because they force me to stop moaning and groaning for all of 3 minutes.

I'm grateful for all the funny and informative baby blogs out there.

I'm grateful to the nice receptionist at my doctor's office.

Fashion Tom's

2012-02-02T05:48:00.000-08:00

Look at Tom's branching out into more trendy versions of its famous flats! I'm a fan of these new models and really looking forward to wearing these in the Spring.

Pregnancy Real Talk: Food Follies

2012-02-01T14:20:00.000-08:00

This is probably not my prettiest or most insightful post but what the heck...

I am continuously asked about my food cravings. I can't say that I've had many but I've certainly had my moments. Here are some of my kooky pregnant-lady food peculiarities:

Donuts: I can't stop thinking about them. I must have a donut-related thought at least once a day.

The Great Bolognese Massacre: Last month I ate at a not-so-classy joint with a menu that had about 600 dishes on it. Of all the options, I selected "Le Trio" or as I like to call it "A meal meant for a mammoth". It was a small pizza, a large portion of lasagna and a full portion of spaghetti. At the time, it tasted like the best thing I'd ever had, ever. I ate every last bite. And I wasn't even full. I am proud of this.

Frank's: I could drink jug-fulls of Frank's Red Hot sauce. Like the old lady in the commercial, I put that shit on everything. I even browse food pictures on Pinterest and then fantasize about dousing everything in Frank's Red Hot. It is my crack.

Apple juice: Every time I drink it I feel like my brain might explode from the flavor overload. It's like it's too delicious for me to even handle.

White fish: I used to LOVE cod. In fact, the week before I found out I was pregnant I purchased a jumbo pack of cod at Cost Co. But then I found out I was expecting and the thought of that fish being in the house made me angry. I even resented the frozen brocoli that sat next to it. I haven't touched white fish - or brocoli - since.

I would love to hear about some of your food cravings if you've had some!

Lake Jane loves...

2012-02-01T07:14:00.000-08:00

...Shanna Murray's Valentine's Day cards. Nothing says I love you like neon!

DIY silhouettes

2012-01-31T09:23:00.000-08:00

This would make such a great personalized gift! I love the contrast of the wood grain with the black paint and it could not be simpler to put together. {via}

by numbers

2012-01-31T06:26:00.000-08:00

A beautiful and simple way of decorating a birthday cake.

crazy cat lady

2012-01-31T05:54:00.000-08:00

NYC and Tokyo-based fashion house United Bamboo put out their second annual cat calendar featuring felines wearing tiny replicas of their ready-to-wear collection. Studio Lin designed this one and I absolutely love it! My only question is: why don't all fashion houses do this?

A miracle?

2012-01-30T14:19:00.000-08:00

I may be slower as of late but that hasn't stopped me from online shopping like my life depended on it! My latest purchase is The Miracle Blanket (in beige with mint trim). I had read so many amazing reviews about this product that I decided to order my own. Now I have no idea how one swaddles a baby nor do I know for a fact that this blanket is in fact miraculous but I am certainly willing to give it a try. Also, is there anything cuter than a baby wrapped up like a burrito?

What dreams are made of

2012-01-30T07:05:00.000-08:00

I was browsing my blog reader when a blog post title stood out to me like a flare over a night sky: Potato Chip Cookies. For this pregnant lady, this post title had more appeal than one entitled - for example -"Click here for nude pics of Ryan Gosling". Oh Smitten Kitchen, sometimes it's like you're publishing posts just for me.

New from The Vamoose

2012-01-30T05:58:00.000-08:00

I'm still such a fan of this jewelry line. I love how they blend unusual materials with precious stones and beads. I hadn't been on their site in a while and was pleasantly surprised to see so many gorgeous pieces!

sniffle sniffle

2012-01-27T11:29:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the dead air waves over here. I am trying to get over a pretty bad cold/possible sinus infection and capping off a busy work week. All the concentration, creative energy and motivation I can muster is being funneled into my last few weeks at work, which leaves very little concentration, creative energy and motivation for any kind of social life/side projects outside of work. So bare with me as I try to balance the few final weeks of pregnancy, work and blogging. I go on mat leave in, gulp, 3 weeks but until then, I am going to be working very hard to prioritize and stay healthy. On that note, have a lovely and restful weekend my dears.

{via}