Cute -but too expensive!

these are both images of sinks and vanities from one of our large big box stores!

I must get you the contact for the second hand store I shop at-- actually many of the items are brand new! Note the 929.00 price tag on the first item that does not include the counter/sink or the taps! I pay about $500.00 for cabinets, sink, counter and taps at two of my finds.

If you want a custom paint look-simply paint over the standard issue.

I will get you the names- best if you live in Edmonton and are trying to save money!

Maggie Walt and Wine !

Thursday is our monthly, after-work mixer, we call "Maggie Hour". From 5pm – 8pm we invite you, and perhaps a friend or two from the office, to join us for a glass of wine and a little socializing with a bit of fashion and shopping. Our theme for Thursday is Office Wear & Day Wear. We'll feature some of our best ideas and specials will be announced during the evening. Please join us on Thursday. We look forward to seeing you then…
11217 Jasper Avenue(780) 482-1238

Pinks,oranges and green silks!

Taupe sheers and glitter!

Things to spend money on!

I have a love-love with round tables. I love the fact there is no 'head of the table', you can see everyone around the table. Plus, I especially love 'expandable' round tables. Imagine having a round table that seats 4-6- and magically expands to seat 8,10- or 12 and the table is still round!
Now, these tables are not cheap, they are investment pieces. Having said that we all need investment pieces in our home, future heirlooms, and you can save so much space! Space is expensive. You can have a small round table that expands in a regular 'square' room and save on floorspace.
Linens, well again, I guess the round linens get passed on down with the table, as they are not cheap either!
Judy from McElherans fine furniture sent me the above picture.
[JudyF@mcelherans.com]
http://www.mcelherans.com

(Shhhh- by the way they are having the most incredible sale on 'estate quality' furniture right now. If you have a spare dime this is the time to invest it in great quality furniture. Honest, some of the prices seem like cost to me!)
I am still begging Judy for some images of two of the tables she has in the showroom- round expandable tables.
Trust me when I get the pictures I will add them. This is one item I covet- I sooo want an expandable round table. I would save thousands- no need for a new house, special dining room, I would plop that expensive baby in my kitchen area and love the hell out of it!
My heirs can refinish it when I am done!

Chocolate for Charity!

Can charity ever possibly better than this? Click on to enlarge image

Do not eat too much lettuce! Save room for your chocolate

Cafe DeVille

http://www.cafedeville.com/

101 Avenue and124 Street Edmonton

Oh I went to one of my favourite restaurants in Edmonton last week, and for the first time this 'summer' sat outside! It was already September- maybe I work too much? Anyway, I had my favorite salad- and was grouchy!

So, when the waitress asked if we would like to see the dessert tray, I said "Yes, of course" Now I normally do not eat dessert, and I said to my companion," Just to look of course."

He laughed

He had every right to!

This is one of the restaurants in Edmonton where you must eat dessert first- or at least make sure you have room for it!

The pastry chef here is incredible! I am a chocolate fiend, and I do not like/prefer white chocolate ( I eat any colour of chocolate if desperate) but this lady makes a white pear truffle that should be served in Paris! OMG!

I digress- so I my fav of all favs is chocolate mouse, so she had to tell me one of the concoctions was a dark chocolate/cherry mouse! Was I in or what?
I left a very happy girl- guess the salad just did not bring my chocolate levels up to par!

Chocolate! Chocolate for Charity!

Okay, as anyone that knows me- or reads this blog- my not-no-secret love in life- is Chocolate!

Now, we have a socially responsible reason to induldge- Meals for Wheels FUNdraiser!

Ah, eating chocolate has never been more socially needed!

Canadian Western Bank presents the 8th annual Meals on Wheels Celebrity Auction
Friday, September 25th, 2009
At the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald

Tickets- $50

For more information & tickets call
780-429-2020
http://www.mealsonwheelsedmonton.org/
Buy your tickets today – a sell-out crowd is expected!

Bisque from lobster 'bones'

I understand this may sound silly- when we are all trying to save money- but lobster bisque is fantastic. Please though, I splurged in August and held my annual Lobster party. I had left over bodies, a tail (which my son ate before I could add it to the soup) and some claws. Rather than throw all this away I froze the left-overs and just made some bisque. Re-use don't throw out!
This winter my family will be eating roasts and full chickens- then soups and stews made with the bones and left-overs! One must save money!
The recipe...... sorry I am not that great on measuring. Which brings me to the cloves- I did not realize there was no little holed cap on the spice jar and there is more cloves in this soup than there should be- and it is fantastic!
'Bones of three lobsters'
I smashed the bones, tore apart the bodies and threw them all in a big pot, one container of chicken stock, one onion, three bayleaves and too much cloves!
I kept the meat on the side
Simmered the bones and the chicken stock for half an hour- drained the stock.
1/4 cup of butter melting in pot, 1/4 cup of flour- heated until dissolved add 2 cups of milk and brought to a light boil stirring to ensure no lumps.
Then I added the reserved stock, and the meat and slowly heated for about 10 minutes.
Voila- lovely silky smooth bisque that really did not cost me anything!

Budget decor

Most of us these days have to watch our budgets-- ughhh! However, for the next few weeks I will be posting budget ideas, to-dos, am doing, and have done projects.

In addition, I will show you some of the great haunts I have discovered for budget products!

In decor, like most things in life- we have to choose when to splurge and when to save.

Marble floors for one client was a splurge- I do believe though in spending on the main elements of a project...... lighting can be a splurge or a save.

Furniture- again splurge or save- repurpose.

Drapery, well I have to admit here I think store bought tab drapes always look like store bought tab drapes and I am a big fan of splurging here- the splurge can be relative though- big or small splurge?

After much deliberation and seeking out fabrics I think we will go with a white silk for a bedroom I am presently working on. The window is small, faces north-east so not too much sun will hit it- as silk 'rots' under heavy sun so this must be considered before splurging on this type of window covering- but sometimes only silk will work!

Stay tuned!

Debbie Travis Get-away!

WOMEN'S TUSCAN GETAWAY SEPTEMBER 2009Debbie Travis, home decorating icon, wants to share her success with other women. Not for an hour in a stuffy conference hall, but a week in a magnificent location under the Tuscan sun. When the retreat begins, each participant will receive an ANICHINI robe as a special gift from Debbie. These luxurious robes are the perfect lounge wear for idyllic relaxation.Travis' success spans numerous television shows, 9 best selling books, a syndicated newspaper column, a 60MM$/yr home product line, 2 television production companies, and a design/branding studio.Her unique retreat takes place in southern Tuscany at a luxurious ancient villa.For more information, click here.

Tammy at Go Design!

Go Design is at it again!
These girls are fabulous --- Tammy was one of my teachers at university- and actually successfully taught me how to draw!

http://www.northamerican-design.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=535&Itemid=31

Maggie Walt Fashion Show

Maggie is one of the few original design shops left in Edmonton- fabulous for the crowd that is tiny and desires interesting fun fashion!
Maggie Walt Design Presents
Spring/Summer 2008 CollectionFashion Show
Sunday June 1st 11217 Jasper Avenue
If you're planning to join us on Sunday, we encourage you to call and get your tickets now. We have a few tickets still available. Tickets will not be available at the door. The cost of admission is $10, with tickets available only in advance. All proceeds from the tickets are donated to the just-one organization in Nepal which works with the street children of Kathmandu to get them off the street, into school and back with their families. We encourage you to purchase your tickets soon as there are a limited number available. Just drop by the store, or have your credit card handy and give us a call at 482-1238.
Noon - Doors OpenRefreshments, snacks and shopping.1:30 pm - Fashion show.