Happy Weekend

I'm on my way to IKEA to pick up some last minute items in order complete the new layout of my loft. It's amazing how different your gypsy nest can look after you rearrange some minor furniture (and how much more space you have). I feel like I just moved into a new nest this weekend!

DIY Victorian Cabin

Hearing about creative people doing creative things will never get old. I was looking at some interior design blogs recently and came across one woman's whimsical retreat.

Turns out Sandra Foster's dream of having a romantic getaway finally came true. With a clear vision, some manual labour and lots of bargain hunting, Foster transformed an abandoned hunting cabin into a fairytale cottage. The 9 x 14 foot space lacks heat, a toilet and a kitchen. Instead it has more important things such as a crystal chandelier, a cabinet full of antique china and a tiny loft area that holds a bed fashioned for Cinderella, Snow White or even Sleeping Beauty.

With a $3, 000 budget to renovate and furnish the sweet spot, Foster relied heavily on her own carpentry skills. She also scoured many secondhand shops to score cheap finds for the Victorian-inspired decorating.

She lives on a 14 acre property in the Catskills area of New York with her husband Todd. Because the little cabin is not equipped with proper amenities, the two love birds reside in their 1971 trailer nicknamed "The Groove Tube". The Tube isn't located very far from the cabin though. She needs only to cross a picturesque stream and climb a small hill to reach paradise again.

Winter Boudoir

I may have just stumbled across the perfect winter bedroom. It's glamorous, vintage and utterly romantic. This is the hideaway of one classy and creative gal named Camila. The unique space was destined to appear on my blog. I'm so in love with the exposed brick throughout because it reminds me a little of my loft right now.

Camila's home wasn't always so nocturnal though. Take a look at some shots of her place just months before. Both decor ideas are really quite lovely.

Escape

Escape into the oasis that is the weekend. After all, weekends were invented to snuggle in a cozy bed, have romantic dinners on floating docks, build forts and catch up on reading and blogging in the most dreamy of places. Enjoy these pictures that I could easily see myself escape into.

Sweet dreams

Tea for one in a magical chateau somewhere...no big deal

Some place in the middle of nowhere

Who needs a cafe, when I can blog in this fort

I want to know what's written on that note!

Happy weekend blog readers! I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing American Thanksgiving!!

Toronto International Film Festival

If there's any excuse to throw a party, I'm the girl who will surely find it some way or another. It's a very exciting and special time of the year as Toronto International Film Festival takes over the city again. What better occasion to conjure up an event to acknowledge and celebrate the talented producers, directors, actors and crew involved with TIFF. CityVIP and I had the pleasure of organizing and hosting a wonderful night devoted to the festivities Tuesday.

The event was held at Bohmer restaurant located in the heart of Toronto's art and vintage district. Co-host Yossi Kaplan and I couldn't think of a more fitting location to host the upscale reception. Bohmer is not only beautiful due to it's grandeur and elegant setting, but the fact that its interior is made of reclaimed materials makes it that much more appealing.

The restaurant features tables made of recycled wood, industrial pipes and intricate chandeliers mixed with branches and jeweled lights. My favourite attribute is the large wooden table in the centre of the restaurant which seats separate small groups who come in to enjoy the fine cuisine. This is a great way to make new friends and a highlight of the night for any social butterfly like myself as the groups are able to freely mingle amongst one another. Open for only six months, Bohmer is no longer a secret. Many A list celebs wined and dined at the location during TIFF including Ryan Phillippe who reserved the private back room before my event began.

From left - Paul Bohmer (owner & head chef) and staff

Suits and beautiful cocktail dresses filled Bohmer. I was all smiles wearing my extraordinary dress created by a Toronto-based designer, Daja Graham (pictured bottom left). I recently modeled her fall clothing lines for HAUS boutique and fell head over heels for the golden tube dress accented with a detailed material flower. She was more than happy to lend it to me for the evening and I couldn't be more grateful. My hair was styled by Loriebelle Urrutia from Salon Escape. Loriebelle did such an amazing job on my hair during Fashion Week, I just had to use her expertise again.

The night featured two DJ's, Marc-Paul Guthier and Sadeq, spinning a mix of house and lounge music. The guests sipped on Champagne and cocktails and chatted all night. Thank you to everyone who helped make this night a huge success. Now onto some pictures from the main event!

From left- Heather Williams, Paul Bohmer, me, co-host Yossi Kaplan

Gary Garfinkel (Senior Vice President of Acquisition Showtime Network) and I. Despite all the annual film fests, Gary confessed that TIFF is by far his favourite time of year.

It's obvious Yossi and I had a blast being the hosts for the evening.

A TIFF event isn't a TIFF event without gift bags!

From left - Me, Johnny Brower and Jamie. Johnny Brower is a screenwriter who ventures back and forth from Toronto and Los Angeles. He is currently launching his creation "John Lennon Ate My Lunch" into a film. Stay tuned as I will feature his screenplay on my blog very soon.

CityVIP is a private members social club that caters to urban professionals in the media, fashion, entertainment, legal, business, finance, health, non-profit and related industries. For more information on events in and around Toronto please go to www.cityvip1.com.