2011 Redux!

Everyone on every blog I've been looking over this past week is having some sort of *year in review*. Well, I cannot for the life of me come up with an entire year of events or projects that would make you want my life....but I do have a bit to share about what "blew my skirt up" this year in 2011!

Starting into 2011 I completed a few really cool projects on Greg and I's newly renovated master bedroom. Man, are we enjoying that space. Truly, knocking out a few walls and creating a haven for me and the big guy was a HUGE plus!

Going from this

To this!

I did manage to get to rub elbows with a few celebs....OK, one. But I had so much fun at the Canadian Design Bloggers Meetup in June and meeting Mr. Tommy Smythe was a highlight!

I finished a really cool project and redesigned my kitchen space to include a wholly new cabinet and buffet my neice and I toiled over during some of the hottest days of summer....

....and we did manage to put in a little something for the boys this year, thanks guys, you may now nominate your parents as *Mom and Dad of the Year*....considering we had over a month of 40 degree+ weather, I'd say we rock! Behold, the May to September bathtub at my place!

We threw a humdinger (does anyone say that anymore??) of a Halloween bash for the kids this year and then I got right into my new project....the one that has languished in my living area for months now. This has been stalled not because I am lazy (PERISH the though) but because I cannot seperate myself from my new toy long enough to get it fixed. The radio works so well, the sound is so lovely....you should come and dance in my livingroom. We do it nightly now :)

But I will have this refurbished and then watch out....painting will ensue.

I have made a resolution to not make any resolutions, so that takes care of that for 2012. I think I'll continue to roll along. Kind of like a boat on the sea, just catching the waves as they come. Being surprised and enjoying the high spots and avoiding the lows...

Happy New Year to you all, my lovelies....thanks for diving in at the Mermaid throughout 2011. Your comments and support throughout the year is why I keep swimming back here...don't forget to feed my fishies before you leave!

Hairy Christmas!

I am getting ready this week to steal some remaining time off that I am owed. Down to the dregs of work hours and I am pretty proud of myself. Shopping for gifts, groceries and odds & ends is complete. Running around on Friday afternoon (on my lunch hour) to get the groceries into the house under the wire was worth every harrowing moment. I had pretty much all weekend to tidy and fluff the house getting ready for guests and friends.

My Dad will be flying in tonight and the family is super excited to see Gramps for Christmas. It's been at least 20 years since I had a Christmas morning with the old guy so I might be a bit excited too :)

I will admit that I have let up this year on the usual "cavalcade of junk" that makes my family room look like Santa's sleigh threw up....it's a smaller pile this year. As the boys get older the gifts seem to get smaller and more expensive and we have decidedly cinched the belts as well. Yo, we have a pool to pay off, right? Merry Christmas boys.

I am loving the milder winter weather we are enjoying, it's made driving around decent and errands don't seem like a scene from a horror show! Not being a "strong winter driver" means I have taken great advantage of the clear roads to get everything ship-shape prior to the snow flying.

I took the boys to the mall on Friday night, which is a 40 minute drive for us. I was amazed at the lack of whining and thoroughly enjoyed shopping for Dad with my guys. They always surprise me with what they get for one another. It really is sweet, and their gift ideas are so well thought out.

Here is wishing you and yours a lovely holiday. Hairy Christmas, yo!

It's my PARTY and I'll blog if I want to!

Yah, I know. If I didn’t show up here once a month, you would think I had run off and you’d have lost all faith in me. Never fear….

So today is my 42nd birthday. No, I’m not fishing for compliments. Although you can tell me how wonderful I look if you choose to do so…

It has been a process, accepting the fact that I am now in my 40s. This was a rough ride….one that took 2 years to master. I think I’m in tune with it all now though and I’m ready to accept and move on to better and brighter futures ahead. I’m a little embarrassed to admit I’ve spent the last 2 years bemoaning my 30s and trying a little too-hard, if you know what I mean.

So, there it is. 42….I’ve looked at it, turned it over and inspected every inch and I’m finally OK with it.

Cause, in reality this chic and I are the same age….

and I bet she gets asked if she’s Dharma all the freakin time! Right? lol

Turning the light on the Mermaids....

...or leaving a light on for Susi from Arcadian Lighting. A true "wannabe mermaid"! She's dropping in from points down south from my chilly Canadian burg, bringing you a guest post here in blogland that brings Mermaid-Inspired decor (featuring Arcadian Lighting's line) and other ideas to getcher mermaid selves out there.

Experimenting? I'm in....so take it away Susi!

Hi, I'm Susi a blogger for Arcadian Lighting, a great resource for ideas and inspiration for light fixtures and design inspiration. I love the Wannabe Mermaid blog and am excited to be a guest blogger here today. My post is about mermaid inspired interiors. I decided to focus on the mermaid's tail and those gorgeous fish scales. Enjoy!

How gorgeous is this wall of mermaid inspired fish scale tile? The colors are those of the sea. It's so perfect for a mermaid's bathroom.

This gorgeous fish scale wall is made with a stencil called Mermaid. How perfect! The gorgeous fish scale pattern could be custom colored to fit your décor. The blues in the wall color, bedding and glass lamps are beautifully reminiscent of the ocean.

Another version of the Mermaid stencil is done in black with a matte and gloss finish that shimmers like real fish scales. What a gorgeous pattern for a bedroom or powder room.

A fish scale pattern on an area rug makes for a wonderful graphic pattern for the floor. This pattern in blues and greens would look even more like a mermaid's tail.

Gorgeous shimmering fish scale walls in purple feel like a mermaid's tail. I love the purple mermaid wall in a foyer or in a mermaid inspired girl's bedroom.

I love the shimmering surface of the fish scale tiles in this shower. The soft sea inspired colors of blue and aqua have an iridescence that recall the mermaid's tail.

Shimmering gold scales look gorgeous in a frame. Imagine an entire wall covered in this cool DIY idea that uses layers of circles make the fish scales.

Like the gold fish scale art, this wall is a DIY project. For the mermaid look, paint the circles a range of blue, aqua, green and purple. Careful positioning of lighting fixtures accent this creative wall. It's gorgeous!

If you loved these mermaid inspired interiors and are craving more inspiration, check out Arcadian Lighting Blog. You'll find the best tips on bathroom lighting and more for your home. Who knows, you could even find inspiration to create a mermaid inspired room for your home too!

Image Credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Arcadian Lighting is the best source for lighting fixtures and accessories at discount prices. Arcadian Lighting has been in the lighting industry for over 15 years selling decorative home lighting fixtures and lamps online, and has become one of the top Internet retailers for home lighting products.

Thanks Susi and Anna (my contact at Arcadian Lighting) for the fantastic post. I'm going to be looking all over my house now to see where this mermaid can hang her scales. I have yet to try and/or review one of their products....but I think I'll do that and let you know all about it. Shall I?

I'm just teasing....

...but someone has a Guest Poster coming up. Here at the Mermaid...about mermaid inspired design.........written by mermaids (OK that one might be a lie). But never the less watch for a post early next week to getcher mermaid on!

A hint? Geez, you guys are so nosy....

I Got This!

NO... really.

I'm working on getting the crazy HIFI revamped and have to send it on to visit "Bill" who will breathe new life into it for me....i.e. get the turntable working so that I don't electrocute myself with a non-grounded plug and old loose wiring. I am waffling seriously about painting it though. It is gorgeous fruitwood, maybe just a fabric updo?

It took me about 10 days to get my house back to semi-normal after the Halloween craziness but I am so pleased to report all the Stoutlets and their buddies had a marvellous time at the party and on Hallows Eve.

So, excuse my absences....I'm on it. I got this!!

Candy! Candy! Candy! Oh yeah....

We have been busy, busy, busy! Lots of printing out fantatstic labels for our spooky treats and drinks at this past Saturday night HALLOWEEN TEEN SCREAM (now I'm going to have to remember where I got some of them....)

Check out Centsational Girl and feel free to download away from the super cool LoveManor

I'm dressed as "Satan's Mistress" today for the office :) getting ready for tonight's festivities.....

Happy Halloween everyone!

Nostalgia or NUTS?

I've been on the hunt for a really SPECTACULAR project. I have also been on the hunt for a *hi-fi* for about 5 years. In fact I started collecting records without the turntable. Seriously, I have Thriller, it has yet to be played. That is a crime against nature, I know.

So I have been searching for a bit of both. How does this grab ya?

I'm thinking yellow.....or teal......new fabric in the speaker cabinets?

I know. I'm nuts. That however does not change the fact that you want to come over, sit on my livingroom floor and play oldies all day drinking root beer ;)

I shall let you know how this unfolds, shall I?

Just to keep you dreaming on a cool, Fall day....

I receive Coastal Living magazine, you know for the drool and jealousy factor. This new Beach House 2011 is to die for....shall I run away from my life and move to Virginia? I'm thinking about it!

The "junior" Master Suite is where I'd like to lay my head....how about you?

DREAM indeed!

Bobbing to the surface....

Has it been actual weeks since I've posted here? Gads, my life right now is like being inside a blender on the HIGH setting, except I'm not HIGH and that may be why I am not doing everything on the To-Do list with a sunny smile on my face :(

That being said, the Hubs and I are off this weekend for a much-needed weekend away at a local hotel. We have enlisted the Grammas' help and will have 2 glorious days of wild sex and couple-time. OK, OK....room service and bad daytime TV. :)

Anyway, if anyone is still reading this.....I will be coming back. I will be posting some of the glorious crap I've been up to and I promise to WOW you all. LOL

For now, picture this as me, coming up for air soon!

Pillow talk.....anyone?

As teased about....my lovely DIY Pillow covers came this week and I cannot wait to show some of them off in my neatened up livingroom :) This is the hardest room in my house to style. It is the first room you see when you come in, the last impression when you leave and it is a doozy of a space to make fit into our lifestyle. 12' x 22'...it's a bowling alley.

I am not a "formal" diningroom kinda gal. I aspire to be.....but with the amount of boys here and the dog (who you'll see) I gave that up for a sturdy harvest table, benches and $8.00 IKEA plastic stacking chairs in the kitchen/diner until they go to college.

So our bowling alley is actually an office/ library and sitting room adjacent to our kitchen/diner. Take a tour? Please do, don't forget to look at all the sexy pillows!!!

The new addition here is the sofabed from my Mom (who has a new teeny apartment and couldn't take it with her).











One problem....this is what is hiding beneath the slipcover....avert your eyes if you have a weak stomach.

Here is the other side, a setee just for you to rest into while I go get us something to drink...lovely little vintage piece I picked up for $40 that creates a neat seat and the right amount of tension in a very contemporary home.

The side table in here is a rescue from my husband's family cottage. I gained a sister-in-law over the past few years that likes to "clean out" and burn things up there. I have now rescued a number of things, this gateleg being one of them. Seriously, who would throw this on a pile?? Don't answer that. My husband already weighed in on this issue :)

Who doesn't have a book called the "Dangerous Book for Boys"? LOL













The office ended up being a corner of the bowling alley next to the front window and across from the "WALL of CRAP".

I keep the only puter in the house in plain view....again with the boys being the reason here. You know what boys google at 1 am? No? Don't ask.

Quinn likes this spot. He's secretly taking over the world from this location :)

We moved the mid-century desk I scored last year for Liam's room here and I labelled the drawers for the minions to place items appropriately. You know, so I'm not screeching throughout the house like a banshee looking for a pen! Don't worry about Liam, he's getting a better deal (wink wink).

The curtains are hung from a tension wire system from IKEA and are sari fabric from Vancouver that my sister sourced and bought for me on a trip back home

Told ya you would see the dog! So there you have it, my bowling alley, revamped and revealed :) Did you spot some of those sexy pillows????

Thanks Sugarplum!

Do you know Cassie? She blogged about this fantastic dealio a number of weeks ago and I just about DIED!

So, when in doubt.....VISA to the rescue! Unfortunately, I found out mid-purchase that yardage does not ship to Canada :( BOOOOOO! However, being tenacious (as I have been told I can be), I did find out that the pillow covers could be shipped!

*cue the angels here*

So, I ordered and have received 7 lovely covers for around my casa. Pics to come for sure but here is a teaser :)

Thanks be to the lovely LISA from DIY Pillows for the quick shipping. I've been stalking my mailbox for a week!

Hello Universe? I wanna get off now.

The swirling, roiling chaos of my life has seriously impeded my projects, my hobbies, my sanity. I have been in a whirlwind of CRAZY. From back-to-school, to Mom, to working more overtime than I thought possible to meals, to garbage night, to homework, to husband's work on strike.....man I could go on. But I won't. Suffice to say, I apologize for being conspicuously absent these past few weeks. I hate NOT blogging or keeping up with my peeps. I'll be trying to get here more this next week after the general melee sorts itself out....

For now...

Stairway to......

OK, calling all you DECOR DIVAS!

My sister has moved into her *new* apartment and this is the staircase to her domain. Please be aware she is suddenly single, has a daughter of 14 and is making the very mostest of a modest budget!!

This stairwell makes me think that whoever lived here previously worked in a kennell and had no training on how to remove one's shoes. That being said, the wooden steps beneath this carpet-nightmare are worn and not in the best shape...

So, my lovelies, any ideas on cheep-cheep, happy lovely ways to make this look more like the *Stairway to Heaven* instead of a waterslide to Hades?

I love you. Thanks for diving in with me. :)

The view from here!

It is the winding down of summer. I can almost feel the backpacks trying
to bust their way out of the boy's closets. Greg will be getting back to work in 10 more days and the kids will start making their over-priced lists of Have-To-Have items for back to school.

For now, I'm gonna sit here and think about this past summer. The new pool, the Pudge and long cold drinks with friends under the gazebo. I've had a great time :)

For your viewing pleasure.....

I present to you the new IKEA catalogue. The lovely Madeleine - Public Relations Manager for IKEA Canada was kind enough to send me the widget for use on my blog. I know most of us have a love and/or "complicated" relationship with IKEA so enter at your own risk.

I am not responsible for your paycheque woes from here on in :)

I'm the Weiner!

Hey, if you haven't been over to visit my friend Carol-Anne at Use The Good Dishes, you should take a stroll on over there. Not only is the lady giving me a $100 gift card for Northern Reflections (fashion store here in Canada, eh) but she has some great advice on how to manage your OCD :), organizing and her complicated relationship with our mutual boyfirend IKEA....

Thanks Carol-Anne. I think you're right, I think we'd be friends outside of blogworld too. Just look at her freakin' living room. Can you say COLOUR? Aqua and green.....me thinks we would get along just fine.

A stencilling question??

Have you done it? Did you buy a kit or make your own? Has anyone ever used the "whole wall" stencils from Cutting Edge? I know they are all the rage, but I am hesitant to do something really trendy in here. I'm not planning on changing it again soon, ya dig?

Would you do the far wall only or both walls (behind the headboard and the far wall)????

I'm considering a very opaque stencil in a larger format so as not to be too busy and what to do about that cool-air exchange? Oy!

I'm thinking I could mirror the pattern in the drapery panels with this, just very subtle.

All efforts to talk me out of this will be considered :)
Have a great long weekend to most of my Canuckleheads.

Updo on the Master

Have you ever been on a date where the person you're with is reeeeeallllllyyyyyy nice? Yah, that's kind of how I felt about the renovated master bedroom. Lots there to work with.... just no spark, ya know?

So, this week we hunkered in and got busy pushing furniture around and making some changes. Casey (my niece) and I did a lot of shoving....but I am very happy with the result!

First things first, dresser placement. Turning the two small bedrooms into one gave us this mid-section in the completed room where I have wanted to put my Goodwill lamps, TV and lowboy forever but how? That bed is the size of Indo-China! Shove, shove, shove.

Ahhhhhh, much better.



Highboy behind the door, capped with my favourite picture of my boys.





























....and the king-sized (big-as-Texas) bed on the far wall. Yes, Virginia I did manage to hide a small nightstand back there, but don't look in the drawers. ;)

So what to do with those windows? There are two of them, they match, they have ugly blinds and they now flank the lowboy......hmmmmm maybe the best defence is an offence here. Accept the configuration and flank drapery panels on each of the windows. If you can't beat em...join em.

The last piece of the puzzle was provided by my massage therapist's Momma who was getting rid of her teen-hood vanity table. It was pretty rough and beat up but it has a lot of history (it even has her and her then 15 year old boyfriend and her names carved in one of the arms). I gave it a thin whitewash and paired it with my bargain chair from Home Sense ($25.00 - Holla!).

No I did not paint over the "Ellie + Darryl" - who would do that?



So, that's as far as I've gotten in here. Bedding to be sourced. I have huge stencilling dreams and little talent for that back green wall behind the large-as-a-planet bed......coming soon.

Hopefully.

Just you wait!

A little tease this fine Wednesday.....remember this stark, prison-like, austere newly renovated bedroom?

hello, Frick & Frack.....how ugly you look slammed together like chalk & cheese :(

I got super busy, rearranged, added a vanity table, hung curtains (finally, my poor neighbour Tony - his eyes! his eyes!) and am now in a position to start stencilling and purchasing bed linens.....cause it is all coming together.

Although, it's all coming together.....green. WTF?