SHOP UPDATE: NEW ITEM AND A GIVEAWAY

This new item is now available in the LAX TO YVR shop. I came up with the design a while ago but it always takes a while to get new products off the ground I find.

There's a chance for you to win my latest creation in a giveaway that's going on right now on the La Chapstick Fanatique blog. Hurry to enter because it ends this Wednesday! The contest is open worldwide.

INSPIRATION: BLACK AND WHITE INTERIORS

The other day I was at the bookstore browsing the home decor section. I picked up a book called Black and White (and a Bit in Between): Timeless Interiors, Dramatic Accents, and Stylish Collections by Celerie Kemble. I was a bit skeptical about the premise of the book but curiosity got the better of me. Wow, was I blown away by the amazing interiors I saw. I was expecting to see stark black and white interiors but I was totally wrong. There was a vast variety of black and white spaces with a surprising amount of colours mixed in.

As I browsed the photos, I noticed that successful black and white rooms have a lot of different textures in them that adds visual interest. Also, I noticed layers of white and black. The spaces I liked best were the ones with wood accents or pops of colour.

I also found myself actually reading the text. I have to admit that when I look at interior design books I only look at the pictures and rarely read the copy. Celerie Kemble offers good advice on how to pull off the look so that you don't end up with a space that looks too stark and sterile.

I scoured Pinterest to look for examples of black and white interiors that I like. Here's a sample of what I found.

Source: whereisthecool.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: kitka.ca via Alice on Pinterest

Source: the-brick-house.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: things.konradolsson.se via Alice on Pinterest

Source: themarionhousebook.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: themarionhousebook.com via Alice on Pinterest

NEW IN THE SHOP: WHALES

Growing up summer and the beach were synonymous to me. So with summer coming, I can't help but think about the ocean. This inspired me to to design a new item for the LAX TO YVR shop featuring whales. Whales are such fascinating creatures. Everybody seems to be awed by them. I can't help but see them as gentle, benevolent monarchs of the oceanic kingdom. Am I the only one who thinks of whales in this way?

I think this piece would make a great addition to a nautical themed kid's room or to a beach house. It is available now in the LAX TO YVR shop.

On another note, I'll be traveling to Los Angeles this Saturday and returning next Wednesday. The shop will remain open but orders received during that time will be shipped out on Thursday, May 17. I'm looking forward to spending time with my nephew, a fun-loving adorable toddler whom I barely get to see.

ACE HOTEL SEATTLE

Part of our trip to Massachusetts involved staying in Seattle overnight as we were flying in and out of Sea-Tac airport. So I booked a room at the Ace Hotel, of course! We so enjoyed our stay at the Ace in Palm Springs that we want to try to visit all the other Ace Hotels.

The Ace Hotel in Seattle is in a historic building and it's chock full of mouth-watering vintage decor.

I especially loved the horse themed wall paper in one of the bathrooms in the lobby. I've come to love using horses in my own decor.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to take photos of the room we stayed in because it was too dim even with the lights on. There were no windows, just a door to a covered courtyard. All I can say is that it was not your typical hotel room. It actually reminded me a lot of the room we stayed in at the Craft Hotel in Buenos Aires.

We also got to tour around Downtown Seattle for a bit. The weather was gorgeous and made exploring very easy and pleasant.

When we visited Pike Place market, it was during a Sunday morning and the place was abuzz with shoppers and tourists. There were so many yummy eateries and I wanted to eat at all of them.

Even though Seattle is less than 3 hours away by car from Vancouver, we rarely go there. I hope that we can spend more time exploring this super cool city in the future.