Understanding Change

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Modmissy

Over the years we have shared many moments together here on this blog on the topic of “change”.

I have written numerous times about how I enjoy “change”

“I like change and I like to change often“ talking about my 6th living room sofa.

“I like to change up my holiday décor each year” never adhering to any traditions.

“I change the linens and accessories in my bedroom” often!

To some of you this probably sounds like way too much work.

I’ve suggested to you on numerous occasions,

“Go ahead, change it up. Embrace the new. Take the ‘Mod’ from MODMISSY and “Mod-ify”!

Well here’s the thing…..I recently found myself ‘eating’ those words!

This past year I experienced a huge change in my life – I became gluten-free.

And if there’s one thing you should know about me is that wheat/gluten played a large part in my diet and lifestyle.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all about bread, pasta and baked goods.

In fact one of my very first blog posts was Stand With Style April 2011 where I wrote that life gets better and tastes better when things are elevated. Like my delicious homemade Buttermilk Apple Cake. (made with wheat flour!)

It has been a big adjustment figuring out what to put on my dessert tray, in my pasta bowl and my bread basket.

Definitely a year of learning and maybe now I am a bit more understanding of how ‘change’ is not always an easy experience.

I am adapting though; can you tell which chocolate cake is the gluten-free version!!??

Bon Appetit!

All images via MODMISSY

Happy Canada Day

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Modmissy

Image via MODMISSY

Hole In One

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Modmissy

I have been remiss in not writing.

I apologize.

Over the last few weeks I had sunk into a ‘hole’ as far as ideas and writing goes.

Although I have been busy, I just had nothing interesting to tell you.

But today I had to write as this day marks a momentous occasion.

Forty six years ago today on June 11, 1969, my Mother (R.I.P.) scored her hole-in-one on the golf course.

Beating the odds of about 1 in 12,000 my Mother ‘aced’ the 6th hole.

I still remember her recounting the play-by-play details of her proud achievement.

My Mother loved golf.

I do not follow in my Mother’s footsteps as I am not a golfer, although I do own a pair of golf pants made from the most outrageous fabric. Very mod indeed! Interestingly I am currently staging a home for sale of which the homeowner is an avid golfer.

Hanging in his home office is a 4 ft. X 4 ft. framed picture of the winners of the Masters Golf Tournament from 1934 to 1997; Tiger Woods being the 1997 winner. Have a great weekend and may all your shots land exactly where you want them!

All images via MODMISSY

Earth Day 2015

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Modmissy

Today is Earth Day.

A day when over a billion people in more than 192 countries give thanks to our tiny orb and demonstrate awareness in support for the environment.

This year my nod to Earth Day occurred on my way to the recycle box.

In an “OMG” moment I realized that something I had barely used I was throwing out. Truly a blatant waste of the earth’s resources! Sinful right?

The item plaguing me with guilt was a fabric sample brochure from Keilhauer; a company whose corporate goal is to be ‘environmentally benign’. Far be it for me to mess with a company Mission Statement!

Surely I could think of some way to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’.

Back in the house I went with brochure in hand.

And got my creative juices flowing.

I started with this,

I really liked these,

Tried this,

But then was inspired by this,

Came up with this,

Which finally ended up looking like this,

Let’s all try to make the 3R’s part of our daily lives.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!

All images via Modmissy

Bedside Reading

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Modmissy

Years ago while being interviewed for a pharmaceutical sales job I was asked “what books was I currently reading”.

I paused, thought and then answered, “the dictionary and the thesaurus”.

I did not land that job.

(I wonder what book would have gotten me hired!?)

I was single at the time and the idea of sitting indoors by myself and reading a novel or a lengthy piece of non-fiction was just not on my (very social) agenda!

But the truth was I really was reading the dictionary. A great big lexicon was always open, sitting on an antique hutch in the apartment I shared with a girlfriend. Actually it was part of our humble décor.

Any interesting word we happened to stumble upon in that dictionary was written on a scrap of paper and taped to our brown fridge. Roomie and I then tried to incorporate these words into our vocabulary. (true story)

Fast forward to today; I am an avid reader.

And once again I was recently asked what books I had on my bedside table.

To be honest I don’t place books on my bedside table. Its clutter. For me.

And the few chosen books I do keep in my home often do dual duty. They must be a good read and look beautiful.

So right now I am reading, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO COCO CHANNEL from my stack of beautiful black coffee table books.

I also just finished a John Grisham novel that someone passed on to me. It is a beautiful mint green and chocolate chip coloured hardcover book. Definitely a keeper to be used as a prop for my home staging business.

Along with Coco Channel I am reading OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck. This is the first time I’m reading this 1937 classic novel; I realize there is no time limit on being current! This book also makes it as a beautiful staging prop due to the lovely lavender colour on the cover.

Of course I always have close at hand my cherished copy of MARILYN by Normal Mailer. It is a beautiful linen coloured hardcover book full of wonderful photos of Marilyn Monroe; although far too special to be used as a home staging prop.

So…..what are you reading? Or decorating with?

All Images by MODMISSY

Gotta Run!

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Modmissy

“Gotta run!”

The catch phrase of today.

Everybody is on the move. Go, go, go!

Subsequently multi-tasking has taken on a whole new meaning. Eating on the run, driving and texting, walking and talking on a cell phone and even applying makeup or shaving while driving.

Unfortunately in many people’s haste the once beautiful ceremony of drinking tea (or coffee), has been reduced to drinking from a paper cup while ‘on the run’. And the worse part of reducing this historical ritual to a “gotta run” activity is the random placement of finished cups.

So today if you can take time to smell the ~~roses~~ tea/coffee. And please don’t litter!All Images via MODMISSY

Welcome Spring

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Modmissy

Today is the first day of Spring.

Or at least that’s what my calendar tells me because where I live the temperature keeps dancing around the freezing mark.

Mother Nature teases with blue skies and sunshine, And due to the piles of snow in my back yard I certainly could not entertain the idea of setting up my patio furniture this weekend.

But one can anticipate. And plan.

Actually a few weeks ago I attended a few Spring Previews showcasing what’s on trend for Spring 2015.

The Home Depot’s campaign of ‘Spring Starts Here’ certainly brightened a cold, snowy day in February. A fabulous lineup of outdoor furniture, colourful BBQ’s and zippy looking lawnmowers helped chase away the winter blahs. Then I sledded (still lots of snow) across town to Loblaws Outdoor Living 2015 Spring preview for a glimpse into what’s hot for this year. These gorgeous colourful beach towels are Loblaws’ interpretation of “A Heat Wave”, “Soft With a Pop” and “Very Vivid” colour palettes introduced into their outdoor furniture and accessories. As for this season BBQ’s, Loblaw’s knows that backyard cooks get personal with their BBQ’s so each one has been named based on their character; the Ami BBQ is trustworthy and petit while Troy is tough, powerful and big. Choose as you may! Anyways I’m glad spring has finally arrived and with it the onset of COLOUR.

Bring it on!

All Images by MODMISSY

What is Art?

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Modmissy

I love this foyer. The simple but striking red and blue striped runner creates a strong presence amidst the white backdrop. Bold but elemental in design; a real show-stopper.

Right? Wouldn’t you agree? Actually it’s not a foyer and it’s not a runner but rather the powerful vertical painting, Voice of Fire, acrylic on canvas, 1967, by Barnet Newman hanging in the National Gallery of Canada. I visited the National Gallery this past weekend and had a chance to sit in Gallery C214, where this 8 ft. x 18 ft. painting hangs. The walls in this gallery soar to almost 40 feet high toward a room-length skylight and when the National Gallery was built in 1988 it was decided that an “assertive anchor” was needed for this space.

Assertive indeed! When the painting first appeared in the National Gallery it created huge controversy. “How could 3 simple stripes cost $1.8 million?”

And many asked, “Is this really art?”

After viewing this painting I headed towards the area of International Art where the Old Masters paintings hang. I came across this painting by Nicolas Poussin, The Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus, 1628–1629.

This oil on canvas painting with its ‘forceful diagonals, rich colours and strong light effects’ definitely has history as it is almost 400 years old but I ask you, “does disembowelment make for art!!??” (Yes I’m talking about the ripping out of a person’s intestines. Yikes!)

Voice of Fire may be controversial but isn’t The Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus offensive?

So I ask you “what is the definition of art”…..????

It’s all about interpretation I suppose.

And oh by the way Voice of Fire is now valued at more than $40 million!

PS. If you find yourself in Ottawa check out the National Gallery of Canada and see for yourself.

All images by MODMISSY

Lost But Never Forgotten

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Modmissy

Today is my cousin’s birthday.

Paul, the ‘cowboy’ as seen in this photo below, circa 1980’s, always had a big smile on his face. Unfortunately we celebrate Paul’s birthday without him as sadly his life ended a few years ago. But our lost loved ones are always in our heart!

Paul was ‘my brother from a different mother’ as he was my mother’s identical twin sister’s son. And when you have 2 mothers that are so identical their offspring are bound to be close. And Paul and I were.

Paul had a passion for antiques and the 2 of us were often attending antique auctions together. In those days I had a penchant for antique furniture (yes it’s true!) and we would load up my car to the brim with all the great finds.

But none was as memorable as the time we purchased an antique cast iron wood stove that weighed over a ‘million’ pounds. We loaded that behemoth beast into the back of my hatchback and drove it all the way back to the city. Let’s just say that we were quite the sight driving down the highway with the front tires barely touching the road. I sold that car soon after!

That wood stove still holds a big place in my heart as it is the focal point of my cottage. It withstood the recent renovation, And now holds pride of place in the cottage.

Thanks for the memories.

Rest in peace Paul. xo

All Images via MODMISSY

Beautiful White

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Modmissy

Recently my hubby and I met friends, Jane and John Doe, for a fabulous dinner out at a local bistro.

The bistro had a very relaxed rustic-chic décor and served French-inspired cuisine and locally inspired fare.

Of course as one always eats with one’s eyes first our appetizers did not disappoint – there was colour, height and texture.

Sounds amazing right?

When our mains were delivered Jane and Hubby had meals that did not disappoint. They were ‘beautifully delicious’.

Unfortunately, John and I who ordered the same item were crestfallen. Our meals were delivered and they were ‘void’. There was no height, no texture and no colour.

On a white plate, we were served a white parchment wrapped package, and inside was a piece of white fish on a bed of white onions.

White was not what I expected.

Although there is nothing more beautiful than white,

White orchids,

White linens,

White mirrors,

White woodwork,

White accessories,

And even white snow,

But on my plate, served in a French bistro is not where I thought I would see white.

I ordered chocolate cake for dessert. It did not disappoint!

All images by MODMISSY

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