Travel Bug.

I’ve recently caught the travel bug and have been daydreaming of visiting one of my favorite places; Spain. It got even worse after I watched a travel segment on HGTV showcasing Mallorca, Spain last night.  How about you? Are you itching to travel too? xx

p.s. pictured is a popular site in Mallorca(via Elle Espana)

The Winners Are!

Thank you for such an enthusiastic participation everyone! Winners were chosen via random.org. It was no easy task choosing 51 of you, but I am excited to announce the winners today! Drumroll please!

Grand Prize winner is Robin at Happily Home, After.  Congrats Robin!

Fifty Second Place Winners:

Vel Criste, Julis55, Kim, Sue Ellison, Amanda Sak, Maryanne The Garden, Rosans4@comcast.net, Courtney B, Margo, Tammy Woodall, Tweetyscute, Beth Elderton, Ellie, MB Isaac, Eddi Bendossa, Pligko@hotmail.com, Liz, Heather Baker, Ellen, Mkjmc, Kim, Tabithia, Kathleen Schnorf, Nancy@ Powellbrower at home, Sky Evans, Thomas Murphy, Tara W, Hedge Hugi, Janice, redrobbin1191@yahoo.com, Candie L, Lauraloves, Nikki, Jaime Cummings, Jtwark, Michelle J, Jenna Osborne(Sharpteethoflove), Natalie Yarbrough, Amanda Whitley, Kathleen Schnorf, Richard Hicks, Natalie Yeoman, Amry Still, Karen Drake, LaurKnotter, Emily Percak, KPort207, Gina Wildorchid, Lorina Padgett, Kellyr78
I will be emailing you all ASAP. If you are a winner and didn't provide an email, please email me! Thank you. xx

A Small and Stylish Bachelor Pad in Milan

I love it all. I see a few of my favourite classical pieces like Bertoia and Eames.  I always swoon over the clean look of subway tiles in a kitchen. Add in those enviable copper pots and the cutest little seating area, and I want to move in! The pop of colour and graphic element from that striped rug is perfection.  Of course, the art throughout, the architecture, the natural light and wow, I could go on and on! It’s only approximately 800 square feet too, but you would never know. Love it! xx

{via atcasa}

I Sewed a Burp cloth: Sewing Lesson(s) from My Neighbor

My neighbor’s beautiful daughter, Elouise thinks I did a fab job, right Elouise?

Learning how to use my sewing machine was on my to do list of things I wanted to learn this year.  I am thrilled to say

that just recently, after two lessons from my neighbor(Elouise’s Mom), I was able to correctly string my sewing machine and sew a burp cloth for little Elouise.

They aren't perfectly straight lines, but very good for my first time, right?

Later after the pins were removed, Elouise was happy to rest her chin on it as she relaxed in her Mommy’s arms. The not so perfectly straight lines didn’t seem to bother her at all. However, I will be working on making perfectly straight lines, especially since I can’t wait to sew some pillow covers! I am so excited about this new skill and I am really proud that I am able to check this off my list so early in the year. Are you working on achieving a goal that you set this year too? Do share. Happy Monday everyone. xx

Love My Bag Emilie M. Valentine’s Day + Essential Box Giveaway!

Last year, I received one of the Emilie M. bags to review and it is now one of my favourite handbags. I always receive compliments when I wear it and it is super stylish and so well made. I was thrilled when they offered me the chance to host this AMAZING giveaway. This is huge people! Listen up! 51 of you will be winners! Yes, you read correctly! There is one grand prize winner who will receive any Emilie M. Handbag (of your choosing)+ Essentials Box; $250 value! There will be 50 additional 2nd place winners who will receive a $20 Emilie M  gift card each. Browse Emilie M. awesome collection so you can choose the one you like.

How to Enter

(Giveaway is opened to U.S.  residents only)

Mandatory

• Giveaway is opened to any one who reads/follows the blog, whether you have a blog or not. If you are a new follower or you already follow Design Addict Mom please comment below.

• Like Design Addict Mom on facebook

Additional entries

Follow Design Addict Mom on pinterest

Tweet about this giveaway/Post about this giveaway on facebook

Giveaway ends Sunday, February 23, 2014. Good luck everyone! XX

Because It is Valentine’s Day and Thank You.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Because it is Valentine’s Day, and this blog is also my happy space, I am rising from the funk I’ve been in for the past few days to share some pretty…

Happy Love Day everyone. Love and light. xx

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I Bet You Didn’t See it on the News…

I strive to do this most of the times, but today, I almost failed at my attempts at “finding the brighter side…”

As I get older, I realize that the thing I
value the most is good-heartedness.
— Alice Walker

    The week of love reverie that I started this week was drastically interrupted today with unsettling news. The type of unsettling news your heart senses is coming and leads you to fervently pray for your hubby and his comrades as you stand in your kitchen about to have your first cup of coffee. The kind of unsettling news that make you tuck your phone in the waist of your pants because you are sure you are going to get a call to confirm what your heart senses. This was my scenario this morning.   Although I hinted that we had entered deployment number 10 or 11 last year(I've lost count because there has been so many), my blog for the most part is devoid of the stresses of being a military spouse going through the umpteenth deployment.  As military families, we tend to be resilient and not show weakness.  We hate being pitied and at first glance, you probably think we have it all under control. However, that is a far cry from our reality.
 
     This brings me to the unsettling news that I bet you didn't hear about in the news.  When the call came like I sensed, it was brief and I learned that there was one fatality. I later learned that actually two heroes were killed and 4 of their brothers were injured. Though he is fine, my hubby was right there. I need not say more about the emotions that I have encountered today. On the day of departure for this deployment last year, one of the fallen heroes was with his family in the same parking lot as we were bidding farewell and sharing “see you soons…” And today my hubby had to place his body on a plane IN a CASKET.  

     I am disappointed that our heroes seem to not have a voice. I am disappointed to see people pretend there isn't a war.  I am disappointed that people don't care. The children, the families left behind are real.  All day today through intermittent tears, I watched my boys play and all I could see was their Dad. I saw his eyes in Z and little Ian is a muscle man just like him. I will not pretend and say I am fine because I am not. However, I will continue on in true military fashion.  I am very thankful for the outpouring love and support that I received via fb, twitter, texts, and phone calls this morning when I initially shared about the one fatality. That gives me hope to know that there are people who still give a damn.
 
  RIP to the fallen heroes and I pray for  full recovery for their wounded brothers. I also pray for the unsung heroes, the families of the fallen who are left behind. xx

The Week of Love: Part 2

I think this one is self explanatory.  It seems like this week of love will be snowy one here. The snow returned and school is closed today and will be tomorrow too. The weather man says a serious ice storm is headed our way…Stay safe and warm if you are experiencing similar conditions. xx

The Week of Love: Part 1

I haven’t posted anything about Valentine’s Day, so I am making up for it by attempting to post Valentine’s Day-ish  posts each day this week. Let’s see how that goes. Today, the red roses head dress sported by the gorgeous Lupita is my ode to Valentine’s Day. I think the make up is also fitting for “love day.”  Isn’t she striking? I hope your “week of love” is off to a great start! xx

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Modern and Renovated in Canada.

     At the beginning of Spring each year,we have what is called a Tour of Homes in my neck of the woods. It involves a compilation of many homes that are for sale that are scattered in different parts of the city. They usually span the continuum with regards to pricing too. Although we recently built our current home (and I am definitely not looking for a new house), this is an event that I look forward to each year. I pick the neighborhoods that I prefer and the houses that I want to tour. Usually, the houses are way out of my price range. Of course, I want to look at the craftsmanship and all the choices in materials etc. There are times when the houses are staged which makes the tours so much more enjoyable.

     So with that said,  today, we’re looking at this very modern home that has been completely renovated and is for sale in Manitoba, Canada. It would undoubtedly make the the list of homes I would want to see if it were among our yearly Tour of Homes.  This modern façade might not be everyone’s tastes, but I have always been smitten with this type of architecture. At over 3600 square feet, it has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a sound proofed home theater room and lots more luxurious features…










Oh, there is also a huge gym located in the basement complete with a steam shower! What!? I hope you’re all having a lazy Sunday. I may not change out of my pajamas at all today. xx

Tiny Bathrooms: Function and Style.

When we’re talking in terms of function, one has to get creative with regards to maximizing the use of a tiny bathroom.  Sometimes that means we may have to choose to place the sink in a corner or like pictured above, custom make an L shaped vanity that also includes a sink. I don’t believe I have seen one like this before. Very cool, don’t you think? That mirror definitely adds major style to the space too.


The use of white marble and lots of mirrored surfaces give an illusion of a bigger space and the  floor to ceiling cabinets add the height factor. Very clever!


By using a dresser as a vanity, storage space is added plus this piece fits perfectly like a glove.  The vessel sink is a modern and sleek option that frees up counter space for other pretty things.  How about that colour, and I love the distressed look! Speaking of colour…


Tiny bathrooms are a great place to experiment with a bold colour that you may usually shy away from in the other common areas. Great combination here.

this may be a bit bold for some, but it looks fabulous!

Wallpapering is also an option. It’s a great way to add style and flair to a tiny bathroom. I love that the sink has a place to hang the towels. Another great example of being creative and maximizing the function of the space. Do you have a tiny bathroom?  How have you maximized function? How about bold colour or wallpaper? I have a bold wall paper in my powder room and I love it! xx

images: pinterest, google

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February Blue and White Bash.

First, a big thank you to Thibaut for sharing my office transformation on their facebook page. That’s definitely a great way to start the week! Now onto today’s post. I couldn’t pass up the chance to participate in Jennifer’s of  The Pink Pagoda Blue and White Bash today.  Maybe with so many of us posting tropical and nautical inspired images, Spring may just get here sooner or later? Here is my inspiration. It’s  quite a random collection too. Enjoy…

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Happy Monday everyone. xx

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