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{ Posts Tagged ‘summer’ }
My name is Brett, and I’m addicted to my slow cooker.
The fact that you can throw just about anything into that pot, fire it up before you go to work, and come home to a perfectly cooked meal seems like magic to me, and it’s given me new-found confidence in the kitchen (which is a miracle in itself).
So how do you improve on this meal-making marvel?
Proctor Silex has cooked up a release that’s ideally-suited for the summer. They’re petite, 1.5-quart slow cookers (making them great for pot-luck-size servings of warm sides, appetizers, fondue and dips) that are completely portable, fitted with a gasket lid that seals tight with a patented Lid Latch strap (no slopping en route to the picnic!). What’s more, they’ve got little slots in the front for you to insert labels, so no one at the party has to guess the contents. (Always a scary endeavour.)
Proctor Silex 1.5 Quart Durable Citrus Slow Cooker in Pomegranate
…in Tangelo
…in Lime
…and Lemon
Gotta love those retro-fabulous citrus colours, and the EXTREMELY nice price tag of $20. Portable and affordable!
Although these darling little units are scheduled to hit stores in July, I’ve got two of these babies to give away!
How to win one? Simply tell me (via the Comments section at the bottom of this entry)Â what you`d cook up in this mini-slow cooker this summer. Do you have a hankering for hot wings? Do your guests beg you to serve your signature baked beans?
I`ll pick a winning entry on May 27th, and will ship the lucky winners their very own Proctor Silex 1.5-Quart slow cooker!
Contest closes May 27, 2010 at 12pm EST. Open to all residents of Canada, except those in Quebec. Not open to any Transcontinental Media employees, their families, or any other persons with whom they reside.
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Tomorrow is Canada Day and I`m sure Canadians across the country are counting down the hours until it`s time for that delightful summer holiday to begin! If only the rain would let up where I live, tomorrow will be the perfect day for hanging out in the sun, enjoying some delicious summer fare (fresh fruits and veggies and barbecue, of course!) and resting and relaxing with friends and family. The picture above perfectly illustrates where I`d like to be tomorrow: poolside under the sun, with a fruity drink in one hand, a magazine in the other, and oh-so-comfortably ensconced in one of these chairs.
I`m loving these chairs. These bubble wicker chairs add so much style to outdoor living and can instantly turn your backyard into an effortlessly chic retreat. I love the orange and turquoise combination, too! How summery! All pieces are constructed with a rust- and corrosion-proof aluminum frame and have a baked on enamel finish. They`re available in three different colours of wicker and a variety of fabric finishes, too. They don`t come cheap ($2,295.00 USD) but some things are worth the splurge! Visit homeinfatuation.com for more information and more ideas for stylish outdoor living. And for more great decorating and design inspiration, follow me on Twitter!
I’m goin’ home!
Join me in my hometown of Norwich, Ont., on Saturday, May 2, for an afternoon filled with gorgeous flowers, fun and fabulousness (I always feel like I owe a nickel to Steven & Chris whenever I use that word now).
I’ll be dropping in at the Norwich branch of the Oxford County Library in Norwich, Ont., at 1PM for “Bringing the Outdoors In” — tips, tricks and the latest trends in bringing spring and summer’s bounty indoors. Find out what kind of container suits certain arrangements best, the trick to floating blossoms, and how can a banana improve the health of your potted plants. Potted, cut or pressed, nothing beats greening up your home with fresh florals from your own backyard!
Bring mom and make it an early Mother’s Day outing! There’s actually a lot going on in on May 2 in this idyllic slice of southwestern Ontario, with the Oxford County Studio Tour. (Make it a point to drop in to see my fave, Shane Norrie!)
RSVP with Lynn at the Library by calling 519-863-3307 – there are just a few seats left! See you there!
I`m sitting at my desk daydreaming about summer (ssh! don`t tell anyone; I`m supposed to be working) and I`m thinking about those long, lazy weekend days and evenings spent out on the backyard deck during summer. What could be better? The warmth of that summer sun; conversation with friends and family; good food; and of course, a refreshing drink in hand. This tableware from Canadian Tire certainly puts me in the mood for some good summer livin`! I love the geometric shape of these high-quality melamine dishes and acrylic glasses and the pretty pattern is cheery and sophisticated. Good to know: All these pieces are top-rack dishwasher safe. You know what that means! Clean up is going to be a breeze!
Prices:
Pitcher: $16.99
Highball: $3.99/glass
Blossom double old-fashioned glass: $3.99
Wine glass: $4.49
Tray: $14.99
Square side plate: $3.99
Square side bowl: $3.99
Square dinner plate: $4.99
Visit Canadian Tire for more information.
Bargain hunters, be warned. You will covet the fantastic finds I recently scouted from the HomeSense summer preview… Because really, to borrow a phrase from those inane credit card commercials, “Can you afford not to”?
Ready? Let’s go!
High-gloss ginger jars, from $25 each
If you only buy one accessory this summer, make it a ginger jar. “Must have” is a term that’s over-used, but these shapely stunners really do work just about anywhere.
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Embroidered cushions, $25 each
Crewelwork and embroidery are hot hot hot, and it’s rare to see such elaborate stitching at such an amazing price point… Snatch’em up!
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Etched-glass drinkware, $4 each
Taking design cues from on-trend Moroccan tea glasses, these little gems would make for lovely votives as well.
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Retro-inspired glass goblets, $3 each
These beauties will have your guests wondering how much you’ve just plunked down for antique Depression-era glassware. Borrowing the jewel-like tones of those 1930s antiques, but updated in a global medley of pressed-glass forms, these goblets are a surefire way of introducing a splash of summer to any tabletop.
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These pieces are trickling into HomeSense locations across the country… Happy hunting!
Check out HomeSense or 866-466-3707 for the location nearest you!
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Spring may be struggling to spring around us but there`s still nothing cozier than snuggling up with a blanket on a crisp, cool evening, after the sun has retired for the day and a slight chill creeps into the air. Perfect for those nights? The Blanquette from Yumi & Laurie. These light, 100% organic blankets are beautiful, available in a vibrant rainbow of colours and in a variety of stylish patterns. Check out yumiandlaurie.com for more information. Looking for more eco-friendly ideas? Check out executive editor Laurie Grassi`s blog Natural Chic!
P.S. Follow me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/StyleAtHome
Yes, readers, the buzz is true. Sarah’s trading in her signature high heels for, well… Not-so-high heels.
Making its debut on HGTV tonight (YAY!), Sarah’s Cottage sees the divine Ms Richardson take Tommy and the gang on a trek through cottage country — an island 20 kilometres offshore, in fact — to tackle her very own northern getaway.Â
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Sarah’s husband bought a bachelor shack on a tiny island off the coast of Parry Sound, Ont., a few years back, and now it’s getting the Design Inc. treatment, with more than a hint of “green” thrown in as well. The cottage will be loaded with off-the-grid goodness, including a combination of solar, wind and propane power, and other savvy design solutions. Can’t wait to see what Sarah and Tommy have in store for this summer escape!
The best news of all? Style At Home magazine has the exclusive reveal of Sarah’s Cottage coming up in the July 2009 issue! On stands in early June (although subscribers will be getting it at the end of May, you lucky ducks), it’s just one more reason to get ‘cited for summer!
Sarah’s Cottage, Tuesdays at 9PM EST, HGTV
There`s something about stripes that says spring and summer. Stripes add an instant nautical feel to your home, especially like the casual striped rug pictured here. Striped accessories like cushions and dishware are easy to add around the house and have a way of bringing a light and airy feeling along with them. The picture below makes me think of Nantucket in the summer; I can just smell that sea air — I love the effortless look of beach-inspired decor. Add some vibrant colour to your home with these fab finds:
1 Pieced Awning Stripe Mat
Available at: Pottery Barn
2 Melamine Lidded Bowl Set
Available at: Crate & Barrel
3 Brie Stripe, Granite
Available at: Tonic Living
4 Cottage Stripe Cotton Rug Collection
Available at: Garnet Hill
5 Iittala Mug
Available at: Iittala
Separately, the words thrill and make my toes tingle. Beach. Cottage. Both are delightful. But combined, these two words evoke a feeling far more intense, conjuring up images of a summer by the sea, the smell of salt in the air. Not Hawaii or Jamaica. This is like Nantucket. Quaint. Historic. Rustic. Mary Emmerling’s Beach Cottages: At Home by the Sea (Random House, 2008) is a book of beautifully photographed beach cottages around America. Check out an excerpt here.
And if you`re lucky enough to be heading to a cottage this fine summer weekend, enjoy!
Book price: $37.95
Available at: randomhouse.ca
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