WEEK 17 FEELS

This past week has been a funny one... lots of ups and downs and highs and lows. To take my mind off of some of the craziness, I decided I am focusing only on things that make me happy! Here are my WEEK 17 FEELS:

What I’m Pinning - Visual Inspiration:
Holographic everything. I'm loving this retro holographic trend thing that seems to be going on. I don't think I have it in me to rock that outfit ... but I think the bag is pretty badass. Also, would totally get a holographic mani! Maybe for my Vegas trip in a few weeks? Hmm! 

1+1 = My Fave Combos:
Pastel Rainbow vs. Grid Action. It sort of reminds me of All Sorts liquorice (so pretty but so yuck) in a weird way. I love how randomly awesome and magical the 3D Dinosaur Grid Art is. It has a unicorn vibe (which is great but unicorns are so overdone right now) but it’s dinosaurs! WHAAAT. Cotton candy coloured toy dinos playing with lipstick. Who comes up with this stuff? (I wish I did). 

Who you should be following: 
@theconfettibar - Jessica is a Confetti Artist and Designer who makes unique and custom confetti mixes. Her life is always confetti filled! There is confetti for ever occasion! 

Words I’ll Leave You With: 
make today happy :)

xo -
rayna marlee

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WEEK 16 FEELS

Next week I am turning 30. Yes, I said it 30. The big 3-0. Sometimes I can't believe it, sometimes I am so excited but other times I just don't know what to think. I know not everyone loves to have a party, but I do.... because the way I think about it is that you need to celebrate life. Celebrate the little things, celebrate the big things. It doesn't have to be extravagant but simply acknowledging special occasions and times in life in some way. 30 is a milestone and I am going to celebrate it! Here are my WEEK 16 FEELS:

What I’m Pinning - Visual Inspiration:
Cakes! Duh! It's my birthday so of course I'm dreaming about cake and lots of them. Ho rediculous is the four layer cake? Is that even possible?

Party Time - My Dream Party:
My dream party would include: a make-your-own caeser bar, a bagel bar, and lots of cookies. This is the inspireation for my #THIRTY Boozy Birthday Brunch this weekend. 

Who you should be following: 
@drakeoncake - Drake lyrics on cake by @joythebaker - need I say more? Such a simple concept, done oh so well!

What's On My Coffee Table: 
THIS CAN BE BEAUTIFUL by Tiffany Pratt is currently on my coffee table. Tiffany is a rainbow dream. Her creativity is astounding. She literally makes magic out of everything she touches. She is also the Glitter Queen. In her book she pretty much convinces you that life's a colourful rainbow party!  #rmreads

Words I’ll Leave You With: 
enjoy life. eat cake.

xo -
rayna marlee

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WEEK 15 FEELS

Tonight is the first night (and seder aka. the dinner) of the Jewish holiday Passover.  This week I'm feeling (and dreaming) of beautiful tables, entertaining, and food that does not include basically any type of wheat. Passover brings family together for a big (and long) meal where you are supposed to feel relaxed. This has inspired some of my WEEK 15 FEELS:

What I’m Pinning - Visual Inspiration:
Terrific Tables. If I were hosting a Passover seder (but I’m not)… this is some of my table inspiration. Passover you're supposed to be comfortable so I’m especially feeling the pillows on the floor vibe. I also always like a more casual (rather than formal) table. 

I Made It:
This chocolate covered Matzah is from last year. I haven’t had a chance to make this year’s batch but I have a lot of new and fun toppings I am going to use. I individually wrap these guys and attach a name tag and use them as place cards (and take-aways/dessert!) It’s becoming a bit of a tradition.

What’s Cookin’:
I'm definitely going to be making this Passover Matzah granola this week.
Recipe by Leah Koenig for Williams Sonoma and can be found on their website.

Who you should be following: 
@casadeperrin - a Los Angeles based luxury tabletop curation and design brand. They do event rentals and have a shop and the ship worldwide!! These guys have grown tremendously since I have began following them. Casa de Perrin is really a tables dream come true.

What's On My Coffee Table: 
STYLED by Emily Henderson is on my coffee table this week. This book was gifted to me from one of my besties - Steph who knows me too well. Emily began her career as a prop stylist (like me!). She has amazing tricks and tips for making your home and photos look on point You can spend forever staring at each page because the details are so dreamt! Emily Henderson = some serious styling #GOALS! #rmreads

Words I’ll Leave You With: 
Simply put: make it happen.

xo -
rayna marlee

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WEEK 14 FEELS

As a freelancer my workflow is often weird and unpredictable. For as many years I can remember around this time I would have to come up with Easter content, usually DIYing hundreds of different eggs. This year I have found myself with ZERO Easter related styling or DIYing gigs - weird? Nonetheless, it is been on my mind (naturally) and here is what I am feeling ... WEEK 14 FEELS: 

What I’m Pinning - Visual Inspiration:
Right now it is all about Au Natural. Natural eggs, natural dye, natural elements. I love the springy feel and all the magical colours that can be created from food and nature. One tip: always wear cloves when dyeing or else you'll have rainbow fingers (unless you're into that? could be fun?)

Etsy Shop Love: 
Natural dyed eggs always reminds me of linen - like they need to be placed side-by-side or something. Is that weird? With warmer temperatures ahead it seems to make sense that I've been searching for some lighter clothing options and I found this Etsy shop and I'm LOVING IT. not PERFECT LINEN is the most stunning small shop based in Lithuania. They use simple forms, simple colours, simple seams, and natural fabrics to create their product. They often have to close their shop (usually on weekends) to keep up with their orders, so be patient.

DIY: 
How cute are all these eggs? Which one is your favourite? Try to choose just one - it's hard!

I Made It: 
These are some past Easter DIY projects I did. The thread wrapped eggs were the first project I ever did for Chatelaine Magazine! The neon eggs for Today's Parent Magazine were super fun to make. Can you believe I used shaving cream to create the marble effect? One year, I made so many different eggs for The Loop and they created a short video jammed packed with all of them. I loved the colour palette (blush, coral, silver, gold, black and white) for the eggs for Chatelaine Magazine. The marble ones are purdy but they were SO messy to make.

What's On My Coffee Table: 
MY SWEET KITCHEN by Linda Lomelino is currently on my coffee table. Linda Lomelino was one of the first food focused Instagram accounts I followed way back when. Her style was so fresh and really spoke to me. I love how she is a self-taught baker and photographer and still works out of her home. This is Linda’s third book and is just as inspiring as her Instagram feed. It has so many fun components like cute DIYs and even a section on tabletop styling (right up my alley!) You’ll want to make (and eat) everything in this cookbook #rmreads

Words I’ll Leave You With: 
Change is good. As a freelancer, nothing is ever consistent, regular or the same…. so embrace it.

xo -
rayna marlee

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#OOAKS17

Last Wednesday I visited the One of a Kind Show in Toronto, Ontario (OOAK). Every year I visit to see the works of over 500 Canadian artisans, designers, and craftspeople. This year the show celebrated it's 39th Anniversary! I love to meet and see what other Canadian makers are up to. There are a lot of booths that have been a part of the show for years and years (and years!) but I personally always love to see the new and first time vendors. New to the show this year, The One of a Kind Marketplace was a space to showcase new and emerging makers who are looking to grow their business. At the show there were 132 new makers! Here are some of my show favourites and a few of my purchases:

Shops:
The Wild (Modern Apparel for Hip Kids) = the cutest hand drawn graphic animals printed on kids clothes and turned into stuffies... and everything is black and white!
Pepper B. = beautiful homegoods ... think pillows, tea towels, and pouches. The pom poms are the best!
Your Pal Al = marbled, dip-dyed, metallic concrete planters with the most adorable cacti plants.
Eikcam = the most beautiful, unique, and fun ceramics. I will take one of everything gladly! 
Wrinkle & Crease = simple, clean, neutral, and metallic stationary - need I say more?

A few cute close ups:
Alicja Confections = the prettiest and funnest flavoured chocolate bars, and that's not even the best part... they are postcards too!! Say what?! My heart (and tummy) have been captured. She even has a monthly subscription service: The Confection Club.
Lou Brown Vintage = the funniest repurposed china plates. "No Fucks Left" says the ostrich. 
Hinkleville Handmade = Janet makes the sweetest ceramics. I've been a fan for a long time!

A Few of My Purchases:
Whatever! chocolate bar from Alicja Confections
Pear Loves Thyme flavoured jam from Penny Candy Jam (this stuff is addictive!)
You're Kinda Weird, I like it from Wrinkle & Crease

If you missed this show, make sure to check out the next: 2017 One of a Kind Christmas Show from November 23 to December 3 or shop online. Makers Make It Better! #OOAKS17

xo -
rayna marlee