For my Vancouver friends

I miss Vancouver and the delicious food and my friends and family, but when I see the weather report for the next week, which also looked this way for the previous week, I'm grateful I'm in sunny Western Mass:

How depressing is that?? Below is the perfect antidote:

via: Lake Jane

Whimsy & Spice

I don't even remember how I found the blog Sweet Fine Day...probably from clicking through from other blogs. This was how I discovered that they are actually confectioners in Brooklyn who have an Etsy store named Whimsy and Spice. Every single photo and description made me want to click the purchase button as they were positively drool-worthy and crave-inducing. I couldn't resist. I had to order some to try! Here is what arrived in the mail today (and I only placed the order last Saturday!):

And to think I didn't even open it immediately because I thought it was something else I was expecting! Look how pretty the card is. Yes, I know you can't really see the contentsclearly so here's a better look at what was inside:

Still not clear enough? Here's a better close-up.

It sounds like marshmallows are what they're famous for since it mentions in their shop blurb that they're featured in the summer issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. I picked their trio sampler of caramel, maple, and cardamom marshmallows. I haven't opened any yet since I have guests arriving tomorrow and I want to share everything with them. If I were to open any of the packages, there might be nothing left to share tomorrow!

I also love anything made with coffee, so when I saw the "espresso" brownie with dulce de leche, I knew I would definitely order them. And yes, they are all still unopened. :(

Earl grey sandwich cookies! Their shop description says "The exquisite scent and flavor of bergamot and the sweet creaminess of white chocolate in the filling combine to make a delicately scrumptious sandwich cookie. Each bite-sized earl grey sandwich is 1.75", perfect with a spot of tea." How could I resist? Plus, H is a fan of Earl Grey, so this is something I can share with the non-sweets lover in the family.

I can't wait to open them all tomorrow when the guests arrive. Yum! And because I like the postcard that came in the package so much, here's another shot:

Whimsy & Spice
website: http://www.whimsyandspice.com
etsy shop: http://whimsyandspice.etsy.com

Eva Juliet

Lately, I've seen these prints featured on so many design blogs, but the first time I saw them was via makeundermylife. They're sold by Atelier Eva Juliet through Etsy, and I could not resist. This one in particular, with "Choose Joy" on it, really calls to me.

Coupled with the sweet colors. I was sold. This could go anywhere in the house and i think I will have a hard time deciding.

This one, on the other hand, is going in the kitchen for sure!  How lovely is the styling in the photo?  These are the colors and the feel I want for my kitchen, so this is a particularly inspiring photo. 

Of course, now that we've moved to the US, it turns out the seller is based in Montreal, so I will have to pay a bit more for shipping. Ah, it's worth it! 

All photos from seller's etsy site.