Saturday 28 January 2012

Beyond borders

Moving,
What are your thoughts?

For a girl whose first move from her childhood home
was across the ocean from England to Canada,
moving again seemed a daunting task.

Watching friends move every two to three years 
amazed me.
The thought of uprooting, packing, unpacking,
leaving behind walls where in between memories lay.

Surprising feelings for a girl whom loves change.
Painting a room was like trying a new hair colour.
Moving furniture, rotating decor, artwork went up, artwork came down!
Inspired constantly by the world around and images in magazines
collected over the years.
(House & Home, Style at Home and Veranda are my favourite reads)
Change - love it!
Moving - I wasn't so sure.

Larger space, bigger kitchen, higher ceilings, formal library,
separate coach house, a room for crafting, a walk in closet dedicated to shoes and accessories,
all on my dream list.
Storage - how could I forget storage!
A home where my endless collection of dishes, glassware, holiday items
all would have a place to call their own too.  (under the sofa or apothecary jars hidden behind drapes doesn't count!)

Finding the perfect home,
could there be such a thing? (When that little word called budget comes into play)

One afternoon I did find a house.
During a whirlwind of events, after 48 hours the house was to become our home.
It was not perfect, but it was ours.
I could make it whatever I wanted it to be.

Renovation plans started sooner than the ink on the sales agreement could dry
and the searching and shopping - the part I love to do began.
Certain people in my life would share it still hasn't ended!
But really does it ever end?
I just have to spy a piece of art at one of my favourite stores Homesense
or a pretty cushion at Pottery Barn and I want to start a room all over again:)

As spring approaches and the plans to spring clean, declutter (I'm still working on that)
and renovate begin I will start to share my journey.
I must add we were lucky to have met and worked with a contractor that far exceeded our expectations,
delivered the result in under 12 weeks
and had integrity in a business that leaves too many disappointed.
I would recommend him for projects small or large - contact info provided upon request.

Beyond borders - what's that you may be thinking by now.
Enjoy the before and after,
lots more to come

"you know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams"
dr. seuss
~x~

Before




















After












Sources: Bed - Crate & Barrel http://www.crateandbarrel.com/
Night stands, bench, bedding, lamps, manequin - Homesense http://www.homesense.com/
Accent cushions with exception of flower Pottery Barn http://www.potterybarn.com/
Flower cushion Next Uk http://www.next.co.uk/
Cashmere scarf and picture frames Restoration hardware http://www.restorationhardware.com/


Saturday 21 January 2012

Black Friday

An envelope arrives in the mail,
the allure of the event to come.
A wedding invitation.
Weddings
always evoke happy thoughts.
I think.
The notion of fairytails, happily ever afters,
forevers.
And yes - The dress.
What will she wear,
what will I wear?

Sunday 15 January 2012

Mommy "hearts" you

Have you ever been walking the aisles of a store,
and then your little one sees out of the corner of their eye
the rows and rows of Valentine's cards?

Dora The Explorer, My Little Pony, Transformers,
Spiderman, Princesses, Spongebob Square pants.
The decision, the decisions.
Purchase made - now the attention to writing these little cards,
pencil in hand, one, two, three, maybe four are done.
Then the attention starts to fade - 
just a few more, just a few more you start to say.

As I sit and complete the task at hand
I ask myself, 
what could be more fun?
An after school playdate to get the job done!

Cookies and milk,
yummy treats to share.
An afternoon to write thankyou's for friendship and care.
Glitter and cardstock, stickers galore,
homemade creations to be treasured 
and memories that will last for ever more.

Happy Heart Day planning
~x~

More Pics after the jump!

Wednesday 11 January 2012

Love is in the air..

With Christmas a thing of the past
and long forgotten
especially in the eyes of retail,
shelves are brimming with the next big thing.

Yes - Valentine's Day.

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine".
Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Only Saint Valentine really knows the truth.

But what I know is ever year,
February 14th - St. Valentine's Day
thousands of cards are sent,
dozens of roses are bought at a premium price
and restaurants - well lets not talk about that!


True love doesn't require a extravagent gift,
or the largest card,
or the dozen roses at a price too high to pay.
Love is in the smallest of details,
a home cooked meal for two
so lovingly prepared.
A table styled with ambience
and a setting full of elegance and grace.
A dinner with friends
whoms feelings are genuine and true.


Love can be found in the setting I created for you.

~x~

Table styling by Simply Sienna



Food styling by Simply Sienna

   

 
















Individual desert




















Wishing you love
Contact us : simplysiennas@gmail.com

Friday 6 January 2012

Timeless

2012 is a special year for a company that exemplifies "timeless"
Figured it out?



















Tiffany & Co.
Designs coveted across generations and continents,
a simple blue box that says a thousand words,
a white perfectly tied bow that makes you smile before even pulling it apart.

Year by year I hope to add to my own small personal collection,
one I dream of passing down to the little girls in my little world.
A girl who's father cringes as his 7 year old says as we walk by the store "Daddy look, Tiffany!"
and who already has her wish list for the next 20 yeas compiled.
One could argue what materialistic values am I sharing with them,
but who can see fault in admiring and aspiring for elegance at its best and in its purest form of design.
No-one questions the worlds admiration for The Mona Lisa
and who would not dream of having one of Leonardo Davinci's masterpieces to call their own.

When I think of love,
I think of forever.
When I think of Tiffany,
I think of love.


Let the little blue box inspire you,
Simply Sienna can bring a little bit of timeless into your world too.
Contact us at simplysiennas@gmail.com
~x~



     








Wednesday 4 January 2012

Got Candy?

You've all seen a sneak peak of my decor and I'm sure many of are you are wondering
What does shopping, decorating and styling have to do with candy?

One of my little girls has a - how shall I put this - attraction, maybe addiction to candy!
Conversation in our home is constantly about what foods are healthy, brushing teeth, even a Dr's visit -
Who to my horror told me with her in the room, "let her choose a day "candy day" and on the day she can eat all the candy she wants!"
As a mother - how do you argue with the Dr's orders, remembering "a apple a day keeps the Dr away!"
I will share his explanation, there will be a limit to how much she can consume in one day. (I don't think he knows my little girl!)
We have been trying this approach and I often try to distract her from remembering the day, or preoccupying the hours with other activities which delay the purchase of this candy.
But there was one event where a mommy's heart gave in - Her 7th birthday.
To my luck this past year her party fell on "candy day".
Given the passions I have if there was going to be candy - it was going to be styled!

After a recent trip to the American Girl store in Chicago a American girl theme was planned with Sara her doll being the centre of attention.
They had matching outfits
The red carpet was out
The table was set
The menu decided
And there was candy
Simply styled of course!                                                                
~x~













American girl styled event

The menu was prepared



Candy anyone?

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Yves Saint Laurent

"Fashions fade, style is eternal." -Yves Saint Laurent
As one of fashions icons from my lifetime said,
It is with this quote I envision Simply Sienna

Style is unique, timeless and cannot be purchased in a store.
Developed over time, comes alive with confidence and remains with us through this journey we call life.

As we all embark on returning to routine after the festivities of weeks past - the decorations come down, the abundance of open houses, parties, cocktails slowly dwindle, the twinkling of lights as we drive home start to cease, let us always remember life is beautiful and
style can be so simply achieved.

~x~



Sunday 1 January 2012

Introducing Simply Sienna

New year brings resolutions, new beginnings and hope. 
January 1st sees the launch of Simply Sienna.
Born from a passion (maybe obsession!) for shopping, decorating, party planning and love of all things pretty in life.
Mom, wife, career woman.
I have three little girls - Gisele, Iliana and Sienna who inspire me everyday to make this world a little sweeter. 
I welcome you to share in my world.
Simply Sienna - style defined
~x~

Now here's a look at the end of 2011