Lets call the blogging silence a "summer vacation" of sorts.  I'm still around reading your blogs and pinning away at pinterest (what a time consuming addiction!).

I think I'll be back in the fall with more to say about design.  In the meantime, here's a sweet little video about one of my favorite dessert shops in the country.  Enjoy!

P.S. - I loved the store so much while I was in California last fall.  The non-edible items (casegoods, wallpaper, etc) were just as beautiful as the desserts!  I have ordered the book and perhaps will give a review in the fall.   Pray that I don't do too much baking!

Doesn't this look like a fun and creative place to work?  For more info and additional videos, visit Spruce's website.

I've recently celebrated a birthday and made a promise to myself to purchase a few new design books in honor of the event.  Below are my recent additions to my library; all are great reads!  What are your favorite design books?

{Nice House}

{Inspired Interiors}

{American Modern}

{The New Traditional}

{photo by moi}

On Monday I traveled to IKEA for some design inspiration.  The store was quiet and I was able to walk around and think about design.  I came prepared with some of my favorite design samples.  My favorite Russell + Hazel notebook was also in hand.  I usually leave the store with a few ideas; Monday I left with more than my head could hold.  I'll be making an inspiration board soon, so be sure to check back in the next few days.

{bobbette & belle}

Those Canadians have the best of the design world - Sarah Richardson, House and Home Magazine, and now Bobbette and Belle.  Bobbette and Belle is a Toronto based artisanal pastry shop that specializes in the most lovely macaroons and wedding cakes.  The interior decor is just as much a delicacy as the sweets they serve.  Don't you love the wall treatment above?  The application of vintage plates pops when placed against the crisp black walls.  And the white text is so crisp.  This could easily be translated to a residential space.  White wainscotting, chalkboard paint on the walls, hang plenty of collected vintage plates on the walls, and even a little food related text - perhaps in French?  Oui Oui!  I'm definitely saving these ideas for a future dining room.    

I had the opportunity to flip through the newest issue of Lonny Magazine this morning while recovering from the time change.  Like always, Lonny has beautiful photography.  These images are my favorites for March/April.

All I have to say about this image is ... beautiful everything.  Favorites are the countertop, lighting (though I would need more than one fixture over an island), simple window treatments, and that cute little window seat sure does make me happy, especially the pink and white striped pillows.  

I want a little desk like this for my laptop.  And the rug in the image has me considering a similar style from Dash and Albert.

Rustic weathered goodness.  And those floors!  

Wow, what a headboard!  This is exactly what I was going for with my headboard, but with more height.  I settled on this one which is expected to arrive soon!

{thomas smythe}

{thomas smythe}

Kitchen love.   I can't remember where I found these images (I think Canadian House and Home), but the kitchen was designed by Tommy of Sarah's House/Design Inc.  What I would do to spend a day with Sarah and Tommy learning all their design techniques...