HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY | SLO MO SUNDAYS SERIES | MAY 14

Today is Mother's Day!! 

A day to celebrate all mother's, motherhood and the glorious bonds between their children.....

A day of tribute to show our extreme gratitude for all that they have done for us......

So many of our values, thoughts, habits have been forever imprinted in our lives from the teachings learned as children from our Mothers.....

Mother's Day can be an extremely difficult time for those remembering their loved ones.  On a personal note, my siblings and I, lost our mother 39 years ago.  It seems like an absolute eternity. I was just a teenager but I still live my life by so many of the wonderful lessons that my mother instilled in me and so do my siblings.  As I become older, I realize how they have truly impacted and enlightened my life. The most magnificent life lesson that comes to mind is to be respectful to others. It is my belief that if more people paid attention to just this one life lesson, the world would be a much better place.

I can hear my mom saying to me, just like it was yesterday, to always be kind and courteous and to consider other peoples feelings. To always be polite, not discriminate and to respect peoples differences.  My mother's wise words of wisdom have resonated with me my entire life and I too have passed them down to my children.

Motherhood for me has been my life's greatest gift. My beautiful son and daughter, now adults, have grown up to be truly amazing, wonderful people. I could not be happier!!

If you are fortunate enough to be able to share this wonderful day with your mother and show appreciation for her support and guidance through life's many challenges, or if you are a Mother yourself, I wish you the most spectacular Mother's Day possible. Kick up your feet, celebrate being a Mother and enjoy your breakfast in bed on this SLO MO Sunday. (I had a lovely and delicious French Toast breakfast in bed compliments of hubby this morning)

If you are remembering your Mother today, it is my wish for you that her memory cradles you and brings you great comfort.

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco-Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

Please visit us at https://www.soulierdesignstudio.com

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...??? | INSIDE THE AD GREENROOM | SLO MO SUNDAY SERIES

HAPPY OSCAR SUNDAY!!!

 Tonight marks the 87th Academy Awards Celebration!! 

Once again Hollywood's finest will dazzle on the red carpet.

Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actor, Actress, Supporting Actress, Musical Score, Costume Design...

~ Have you made your predictions yet? ~

For the past several years the Architectural Digest Greenroom has been a highlight of this glamorous awards show. Each year I eagerly await to sneak a peek at the decor theme for this backstage chill-out lounge room for the presenters and nominees. An ultra-exclusive place where the evenings film stars can catch their breath and relax before and after they appear on stage. 

The design concept goal for the Greenroom this year was to create a West Coast vibe ~ an airy, glamorous, comfortable Hollywood Hills home with a retro-Hollywood feel. They definitely achieved their goal I think.

As you probably know, I am Bonkers for Banquettes and absolutely love this enormous creme banquette big enough to comfortably sit 16 people. Overall, the room is pretty monochromatic, creme furniture, walls and limestone floors, with pops of colour introduced in the cushions and foliage and finished off with hits of black throughout to ground the space.

Designed by the firm Commune in collaboration with the multi-talented, and amazing Julianne Moore whom, by the way, has been nominated this year for Best Actress. Good Luck to you Julianne!!

Don't you love the Caesarstone quartz bar? How about that 70's tapestry hanging on the wall behind?

On the far wall of the livingroom is a wall of 16 Samsung LED displays serving as a huge picture window with spectacular views of  Los Angeles. 

Complete with living plants, this groovy garden-like area was  designed to look like an outdoor patio. 

Picture - Matthew Petrelis

Looking for some fun on this Slo Mo Sunday? Why not roll out the red carpet tonight and kick off your own intimate Oscar Party with your significant other. 

Dress Code...... Pajamas!!  

Ditch the big Sunday dinner and cook up some yummy, hors d'oeuvres, dust off the shaker and mix up a batch of Martinis (recipe to follow) or your cocktail/mocktail of choice.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Extra-Dirty Martini:

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 shots of your favorite vodka
• 1/2 shot of dry vermouth
• 5 teaspoons of olive brine

Equipment

• Cocktail Shaker
• Chilled Martini Glass

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker, mix ingredients together over a generous amount of ice.
• Shake. And then shake some more…
• Pour mixture into a chilled martini glass, garnish with a few olives and sip away!

---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Recipe - EatBoutique

Are you all settled and comfy on your couch? Great!

Neil Patrick Harris is this evenings Host. Showtime is 8:30PM ET and 5:30PM PT on ABC with red carpet festivities set to begin at 7:00 PM.

Cheers!!!

All Pics- Architectural Digest

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

http://www.soulierdesignstudio.com

THE HOLIDAY MOVIE HOUSE PICS | SLO MO SUNDAY SERIES | JAN 4

Happy Slo Mo Sunday!

It is pouring rain here in Pickering, Ontario, Canada.  All my errands that were on my list for today are now complete and I am thinking that it is the perfect day to relax on the couch, wrapped in a cozy throw, with a warm cup of tea to watch a few movies. 

Photo - Quentin-De-Briey

I love romantic comedies. The Holiday ( A Nancy Meyers Film) is one of our favourites and is the first movie up for viewing today. 

Not to spoil the movie but to give you a brief overview ~ This story is about two women, one living in the English countryside (Kate Winslet) and the other living in LA (Cameron Diaz) who swap houses for a few weeks. Both find love in each others cities. Kate falls in love with Jack Black in LA while Cameron falls in love with Jude Law in England.

What I like most about the movie is not so much the story line although quite cute in my opinion, it is the two houses that these women live in.  Both quite opposite to each other not only in geographic location but also in style and size.

Here are a few Pics all Courtesy of Google

Cameron's LA House (Amanda in the movie) - This Tuscan Styled villa is located in San Marino and was designed by Architect Wallace Neff in 1928. He and his family lived in the house in the 1930's.  This 10, 324 sq ft house has 9 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Apparently, only the exterior was used in this film and the interiors were built on a sound stage.

This amazing backyard/pool is featured quite a few times in the film.  

Gorgeous!!!

Love this fabulous contemporary staircase with the casual neutral runner.  

Here is a shot of the living room looking in from the hallway.

This shot is from the livingroom looking out to the hallway. As you can see the walls throughout are a creamy white, with grey slate flooring throughout.  The pallet is mostly neutrals and the furniture style is transitional with both contemporary and traditional pieces however, the entire house is leaning toward a more contemporary edge.

Media Room - Great place to watch movies!

This corridor is looking toward the entryway and is located off the kitchen-eating area.

I am loving the slipcovers and the green accents from the plants. Most people find this look too bland but it is my personal favourite.  I find it fresh, clean and uncomplicated.

Another shot of that corridor from the eating area of the kitchen 

A shot of the Kitchen from the eating area.  Love those lanterns. 

True tranquility in this bedroom.  With a flick of a switch, the automated blinds close and turn this room into a peaceful, sleep sanctuary.

This lovely spa bathroom was never used in the movie.

Now let's get on a plane and fly over to England to the very quaint Rosehill Cottage that Kate (Iris in the movie) lives in.  

Believe it or not this house was built especially for this movie so it is really not an old cottage!

A shot of the entryway and cozy livingroom

This shot from the entryway into the livingroom showing one of the fireplaces

Shot of the kitchen-eating area which has another fireplace

Library

Bathroom with soaking tub. 

If you had to choose between the two homes which would it be??

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

http://www.soulierdesignstudio.com

RAW BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE | SLOW MO SUNDAY SERIES | NOVEMBER 16

Happy Slo Mo Sunday!

Photo - Courtesy of Tendenser

It is snowing very lightly here in Pickering, Ontario, Canada.  Looks really very pretty actually! 

Hubby is outside putting up the Christmas lights and packing up the rest of the garden furniture for the winter.  I spent most of yesterday working around the house and I am feeling kind of tired today.  With the exception of a design webinar this afternoon, I really didn't have much on my agenda until I came across a recipe for Raw Blueberry Cheesecake.  It is vegan, raw, gluten free, dairy free, no-bake and grain free. I can't wait to make this.  I have several recipes using cashews to replace cream cheese but haven't gotten around to making them yet and am so curious to see the result.

Looks absolutely incredible!! Cheesecake is one of my all time favourite desserts.

Here is the recipe.  Enjoy!

Raw Blueberry Cheesecake

Prep time: 10 Minutes
Yield: Makes 12-16 Servings

Crust Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Slivered Almonds
• 1 Cup Pre-Soaked Dates
• 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
• Zest of 1/2 a Lemon
• Juice of 1/2  a Lemon

Cheesecake Layer Ingredients:

• 2 1/3 Cups Pre-Soaked Cashews
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
• 1/4 Cup Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup or Honey
• 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• Juice of 1/2 a Lemon

Blueberry Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Blueberries (Extra for topping – fresh or thawed frozen blueberries for the top is really pretty)
• 1/4 Cup Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup or Honey
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil

Directions:

1. First, pre-soak cashews and dates separately overnight.
2. Spray an 8×8 baking dish with a healthy non-stick oil.
3. Place all crust ingredients into your food processor and pulse until dough-like.
4. Add dough into your baking dish and press down evenly.
5. Place all cheesecake filling ingredients into your food processor and blend until completely smooth (stopping to scrape down the sides).
6. Layer on top of your crust evenly.
7. Place all blueberry topping ingredients into your food processor and pulse until mixed.
8. Layer on top of your cheesecake layer evenly.
9. Place all ingredients in the freezer covered with saran wrap for 4 hours-overnight.
10. Remove from freezer, cut into squares and top with fresh blueberries if desired.
11. Serve and enjoy!

This recipe is courtesy of damyhealth.com. There are so many other amazing recipes on this site.

Off to make this Cheesecake ~ I will let you know how it turns out!!

Have a wonderful, relaxing Slo Mo Sunday.

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco-Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

Please visit us at 

https://www.soulierdesignstudio.com

E i E i OO ! | SLO MO SUNDAY SERIES | JULY 28

Happy, Happy Sunday!!

Here's hoping that your Slo Mo Sunday has been amazing so far and that you are basking in this glorious summer season. 

If you have been following my posts, you know that I relentlessly post about making sure that you include relaxation in your schedule regularly and that it is paramount to living a healthy and sustainable life. Everyone's idea of relaxing is very different; some like to listen to music, some like to spend the day in the kitchen baking, maybe it is going for a nice long walk or watching a movie, or maybe it is a leisurely game of golf.

Whatever it is just make sure that you fit it it somehow! 

As you know, hubby and I love our drives out into the country.  We find that it is a way for us to reduce our stress levels, it calms our minds and gives us such an invigorating feeling. Today, we left our home quite early, we packed up some fruit snacks and water and headed out to an area about a half hour north of us which is primarily farmlands. We prefer to cut through all the sidelines that are off the beaten paths while exploring all the country roads looking for historic buildings, interesting shops and of course local produce from the farmers. 

Our drive this morning was simply tremendous, the weather was just what the Doctor ordered and we snapped all kinds of pictures. We would love to own a hobby farm someday as we are absolutely crazy about farm animals, particularly cows and we certainly saw our share of them today as well.  Here are a couple of pics from our scenic drive this morning.  

Enjoy!

gorgeous field of wheat

here a soy farm (growing in the foreground) has grown a tree fence to separate land from the adjacent farm.

yellow, lavender and green of nature - it's a lovey colour scheme!

one of those sidelines off the beaten path - wow look at that corn

he doesn't look too impressed with us does he? But he sure is cute!

this might be the brother telling us to beat it!

not really feeling the love from this guy either

this turret was in the middle of no where - love the wrought iron piece beside it  

would have loved it for a DIY project and now that I think about it, why didn't I just take it??

great windows in this lovely church

and this is the stately entrance to Hanover Farm - can you imagine the house at the end of this driveway?

this is not my preferred style of home; my husband would move in, in a heartbeat.
as a designer I can certainly appreciate the workmanship in this Heritage Home. 

these last three pics are from the beach (Lake Ontario) just behind our home

We thought this would be a fabulous way to conclude our amazing drive in the country and it surely was.  We just sat for a while on the stone ruins, chatted about our road trip and how we might spend the balance of our Slo Mo Sunday.

How did you spend your day??

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco-Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

Please visit us at https://www.soulierdesignstudio.com 

WHERE DID THIS YEAR GO ? | SLO MO SUNDAY SERIES | JULY 20

Remember as a child when school was out for the summer our holidays seemed to go on for an eternity? 

Same thing for our birthdays; it just seemed so long from one to the other. I recall my mom saying when I was young that time seems to go so much faster the older that you get and I never quite got it back then. 

NOW, I GET IT! 

This year has just whirled by and I can't believe that we are already nearing the end of July. Where did the year go? Since our summers here are quite short, this is the time of year to be taking full advantage of the lovely weather, spending more time outdoors, soaking up the goodness of the sun, catching our breath from our crazy fast-pasted lives and more importantly RELAXING. 

What are doing today to carve out some much needed time to relax on this SLO MO SUNDAY?

Some Inspiration. 

Photo - Courtesy of Elmueble

Photo - Courtesy of Pinterest

Photo - Courtesy of Pinterest

Photo - Courtesy of Pinterest

Photo - Courtesy of A Crimson Kiss

Enjoy your Sunday!

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco-Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

Please visit us at https://www.soulierdesignstudio.com