Save the best 'til last...

The last instalment of my treasure hunt in the USA and Canada..Jacaranda Tree & Co. Another gem located on Mt Pleasant Ave, Toronto. It is no exaggeration when I say that this is my favourite shop on the planet. I am in love with everything about it...and in it!

A modest establishment, it doesn't realise how beautiful it really is.

I will let the images speak for themselves...

I am sure you can see why this hidden diamond is a 'MUST visit' on my list whenever I am in town. 

xx 

Hilltop Interiors...Heaven in Muskoka

I am so blessed to have extended family who own a piece of heaven...heaven also known as Rosseau, a quaint cottage town in Muskoka, Ontario. Whenever I visit, I count down the minutes to when I can pop into Hilltop Interiors. Truly one of my favourite shops in the world and you can see why...

I am sure all of you can relate to their motto, 'Comfortable home, comfortable life'.

Make it past the gorgeous window boxes and garden trinkets, and you enter a world of true delight...

The colours are so beautiful and the displays simply dreamy...

Can't you just imagine curling up on this lounge with a good book...and a glass of wine?

It was 'until next time' to Hilltop and over to the Rosseau General Store to have ice cream in the Summer sun. A good way to cool off after the excitement provided by Hilltop and lay down the bags of treaures you are sure to come out with!

I couldn't resist sharing this picture from my brother and sister-in-law's wedding. Us girls just had to sneak a snapshot outside the charming little shop on the way to the church.

After ice cream, it's off to the Teeny Weeny Bikini Co for the ultimate in summer wears and retro accessories. I love the fence made out of oars!

Then past the historic church (where my brother and sister-in-law got married)...

...through another antique shop...

...and another. This next one though is definitely worth a mention - Cynthia Crawford Antiques.

We managed to catch Cynthia in the shop on this particular day and she is as charming as her store. I picked up the most gorgeous his and hers hand towels and Cynthia was telling us that Sarah Richardson from Sarah's House is a frequent shopper. I am not at all surprised...it is a real treasure trove.

Rosseau in Muskoka really is a piece of heaven on earth and I can't wait until my next stay. If I didn't live so far away, I would've been able to indulge my obsession a little more and filled up another suitcase or two...or truck! But hey, it's a good excuse to plan another visit!

xx

Wildbird on Mt Pleasant

From the West Village, we hopped a plane and headed north to Toronto - my favourite city! A must-see strip for all things shabby and chic is Mt Pleasant Ave. First stop was Wildbird...

Decked out with treasures galore and a supplier of works created by local artists...got to love that! The lovely ladies behind the counter are so nice and helpful too and create the shop's warm, inviting atmosphere.

Resident feline, Kismet, will guide you on a personal tour...xx

After emptying our purses at Wildbird, we strolled back to our apartment along the Ave...

...past one of many flower shops...

...the Little Dollhouse Company...

...and Mabel's Fables.



Come back to visit heaven in Muskoka in my next post.

Until then...

xx

Whimsical West Village

When you see images of New York's iconic brownstone buildings, the first place to pop into mind is Manhattan's West Village.

Do you ever close your eyes and imagine that you could live the life of a Hollywood starlet in your favourite movie? Well, if you're like me, you do...a lot! And these is no better place to indulge your romantic dream than here...

You are Holly Golightly waltzing home, croissant and coffee in hand...

...or Meg Ryan perhaps in You've Got Mail (in this case it's my best travelling bud Sarsh - featured inset. Just as gorgeous xx)...

Hop across the tree lined street...

...and you're Diane Keaton in Annie Hall.

Stop off for a treat at 'Once Upon a Tart' with your poochy pal (garden gnomes and all in the window display...does it get anymore charming?).

We're Kate Beckinsale anticipating a chance run in with John Cusack...

...or Barbara Streisand before she reunites with Hubble Gardener.

A cupcake stop at the 'Magnolia Bakery' means only one thing - you're Carrie Bradshaw catching up with your pal Miranda Hobbs - over red velvet delights of course!

Glamourous Aussie, Sarsha caught a twinkle in her eye with the delicacies of this little kitchen.

Are we Meryl Streep here, fur coat and stilettos, skipping across cobblestone streets?

Or Meg Ryan once again, succumbing to the charm of Tom Hanks as we sip coffee and contemplate...

We musn't forget the beauty of Washington Square, where we pinch ourselves and realise New York is not just a place that exists in the movies. It is bigger, better and more beautiful than the screen can do justice.

Close your eyes and let the sunshine, gentle strum of the bass, the seductive sound of the sax and the swish of the cymbals take you there.

xx