IDS West Re-Cap and Blend 2011

A year after having a conversation over lunch with Nancy, Karla and Victoria, our dream of having a blogger soiree during the IDS West show became a reality! It all came together beautifully, with Ikea Canada jumping on board and paying for the whole thing - yes - food, drinks, the venue, swag bag goodies AND offered up a $1000 gift card too!

The ladies at Ikea Canada as absolutely fabulous, not only are they incredibly talented and passionate but so kind. I am thrilled to be able to work with them again in the future.

Another fabulous sponsor was Delta Faucets, they helped with our incidental costs and donating fabulous door prizes too; decor books and faucets.

My weekend started with the IDS West Opening Night party, where we were given a sneak peek of the whole show, yummy canapes and wine. I received a VIP invite to the Jenn-Air booth as well, their appliances are so impressive!

On Saturday evening, after all our hard work, our blogger soiree we called Blend 2011 came to life! We held it at The Loden Hotel, a fabulous boutique hotel downtown Vancouver. The food was amazing and the company equally superb!

The Designer Guild pillow from The Cross came home with me!

 Zoe Pawlak and Jen Knight {PR Ikea Coquitlam}

 Carol, The Design Pages and Michelle, I Dream of Chairs

 Myself, Nancy, Suzanne Dimma, Karla and Victoria

Suzanne Dimma and Mark Challen

Not only did Ikea Canada sponsor the whole event but they brought famous guests with them as well. Suzanne Dimma, editor-in-chief for Canadian House and Home, Mark Challen, VP of Communications {also a fabulous designer} and Kelly Deck from Kelly Deck Designs, our local HGTV star and the next "Sarah Richardson" of design!

I was star struck, wanted to pick their brains but with all that was going on, I managed to just thank them for coming and get my photos taken!

Mark Challen

Kelly Deck

The Prizes

That evening, the party continued up in our suite! Yes, we had a suite at the hotel, we grabbed platters and my favourite girls from Birch & Bird went and got more wine! We stayed up until 2:30 AM chatting non-stop.

In the morning, a few of us met for brunch at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, yum!

I so enjoyed meeting bloggers face to face and rubbing shoulders with Canadian designers!

We are looking forward to planning out next event, which we hope will be bigger and better!

If you are a design or lifestyle blogger from Canada's West, why don't you join us?
Send me an email and I can connect you to our network or you can follow our blog!

XO Barbara


Photos:
1, 2, 18 : Sheila Zeller
4, 6-11: Sari McNamee
3, 5, 15-17: Darryl Bueckert

Then & Now : My 2nd Blog Birthday

Yes, today is my blog's 2nd birthday!

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Hard to believe I have been at it for 2 years. I had no clue what I was doing, and what doors would open.

Warning: Word heavy post.

Two years ago I was bored and unemployed. I guess, being a stay-at-home mom isn't unemployed but with kids at school full time, not much happening at home during the day, I was bored.

We had been back in Canada for a year and I wasn't having any luck getting hired on as a teacher. While browsing the internet, I googled looking for a design project ideas and I stumbled across The Nesting Place, which, then through links I came across The Little Green Notebook and Isabella and Max's Room. Wow - there were moms at home, writing about what I was passionate about - design!

Without giving it too much thought, I excitedly decided to do the same. Maybe I could inspire others with my frugal approach to design! I was glum about renting but if I could document how I turned this blah rental into a fabulous home, I would have something to do! So onto Blogger I went, set up a blog, quickly came up with a name {which I wish I had given more thought to!} and wrote my first post {don't ask me where the photos went}!

Flash forward 2 years. 

I had no idea how much this blog would mean to me, who I would meet and what opportunities would come my way.

 I never imagined that I would meet fabulous local bloggers and from afar who I could call good friends.

{Me, "working" it...}

I never imagined that  projects would be featured on other blogs and websites!

I never imagined that I would get to interview fabulous and famous people for my blog!

I never imagined having the opportunity to dialogue with major design magazines and companies. 

I never imagined I would be an co-organizer of a fabulous blogging event we aptly called Blend 2011: A fusion of social media and design, and I would get to work alongside Ikea Canada to put on our soiree.

I never imagined that I would get to meet the editor-in-chief, Suzanne Dimma, of one of my absolute favourite magazines, Canadian House and Home {one I have been subscribing to since it's beginning - thanks mom-in-law!} and Kelly Deck, our local Canadian design superstar!

photo: Sari McNamee

photo: Darryl Bueckert Photography

I never imagined that I would go from 1 follower to 627!!!

I never imagined that I would so enjoy blogging and all the personal satisfaction that it brings.
Not only am I a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend and teacher but I am me. 

And it is through this blog I can find that piece of me and the joy that it brings.

This blog is mine :) 

What I want to say to you, my wonderful followers and friends, thank-you for reading my blog for these past 2 years. You have no idea how much your loyalty, comments and friendship mean to me.

I am sending you all big huge hugs and a huge smooch.

Have a wonderful long weekend.

Next week I have an amazing giveaway to celebrate!

I can't wait to share with you the re-cap of the fabulous blogger soiree, Blend 2011, I helped organize

AND

highlights from IDS West!

XO Barbara

It's a Party!

I am so excited that this day has finally arrived!

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 I am attending the IDS West Opening Gala tonight as a VIP guest! Not only do I get to attend tonight's party, I have also been invited as a VIP guest for Jenn-Air .

{Maybe they REALLY want to give me a stove? - a girl can only dream..}

But the icing on the delicious cake is that after many months of organizing with my fabulous and fantastic friends, Karla from Kerrisdale Design, Nancy from Marcus Design and Victoria from Edin's House, our blogger cocktail soiree, Blend 2011, is happening this Saturday night at The Loden Hotel sponsored by Ikea Canada. I bravely called up Ikea and was thrilled when they jumped on board and offered to foot the bill.

YAY!

Ikea Canada is not only attending but are bringing the fabulous Suzanne Dimma, Editor-in-Chief of Canadian House and Home, Mark Challen, VP of Comminications for House and Home,  Kelly Deck from Kelly Deck Designs, Andrea Mills {former H & H staffer and now a design specialist for Ikea Canada} and Jen Knight, our local Ikea PR person!

Our evening will be full of food, drinks, friends, prizes, talking, talking and more talking! Then the next morning brunch with various bloggers who are staying downtown! 

You can read about our plans here!!

So you will have to excuse me as I need time to plan my outfits, paint my nails, fluff the hair and just get myself all dolled up for a few nights on the town!

This girl is going to paint the town!

XO Barbara

IDS West Preview Night

On Tuesday night I had the privilege of attending the IDS West Media Preview night. I went with Rosa from flutter flutter, she was perfect company, loved getting to know another amazing blogger with such fantastic talent! But I am a bad blogger and forgot my camera, so I am borrowing Rosa's photos she kindly emailed me!

The highlight was the L41 Ultra compact 275 sq ft  modular home designed by architect Michael Katz and design Janet Corne.

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Everything in this kitchen was compact and streamlined. 

 The washing machine is also a dryer!

Despite the small size the whole house felt light and airy. There were windows on all sides that helped bring the outside in and visually expand the space. Despite the flat cabinetry, it was designed to be streamlined with a gloss finish that helped bounce light that was abound in the space to create a sense of space.

Also featured were these gorgeous Etch Brass pendants by Tom Dixon. Notice the chairs in the previous photo? They are the Peg Chair Fluoro chair also by Tom Dixon. You must check out their site, all their pieces are so sculptural. Their lighting collection is my absolute favourite.

These fabulous Geodisc ceramic bowls by Sarah Peloquin Ladany were stunning. I loved the juxtaposition of the shapes, the round mixed with triangles to create a functional piece that would be fabulous in any decor.

Another one-of-a-kind piece was this whimsical hollow chair by local artisan and furniture designer, Judson Beaumont from Straight Line Designs.

Would be fabulous if you are tight on space, look at all the storage underneath. I can see a stash of decor magazines piled up!

To finish off a splendid evening Rosa and I enjoyed a glass of wine and some delicious freshly made tacos by TacoFino

 Now we are looking forward to the IDS West show that will be held in Vancouver from September 29 to October 2!

XO Barbara