The Modern Curator – Urban Suburban Mommy

Three ways to style a vintage jacket

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Sara Duck Posted in The Best You .

This week from The Modern Curator: Vintage jacket – three ways

I picked up this vintage fur jacket from my favourite consignment store Designer Exchange, in Toronto. It was love at first sight (and touch!) and the price matched my modest budget, which was an even bigger bonus. Though fur and faux fur jackets are generally associated with a glam look, I wanted to show you that this type of jacket can actually be very versatile… not to mention warm for the cooler months! If you’re on the hunt for a similar type of jacket, scour vintage, consignment and charity shops where you can pick one up for steal. And, don’t forget to check grandma’s closet for any hidden gems, all it takes is some minor alterations to create a modern look with a cool vintage flair.

I’ve created three different looks below, what’s your favourite?

Look #1: Cool and Casual

Super Skinny Low Jeans from H&M/ Vintage Fur Jacket from Designer Exchange / Tippi Sweater in Ivory from J.Crew/ Cross Body Bag with Scarf Detail from Zara/ Classy St Mawes Silvertone Watch by Daniel Wellington from Hudson’s Bay/ Betty Sunglasses from J.Crew/ Chuck Taylor Hi Black Sneakers by Converse from SoftMoc

Look #2: French Femme

Fit and Flare Striped Dress from Banana Republic/ Vintage Fur Jacket from Designer Exchange/ Soft Wool Felted Beret by Parkhurst from Hudson’s Bay/ Small Love Heart Chain Bag by Saint Laurent from Farfetch/ Le Vernis Nail Colour in Rouge Puissant by Chanel/ Pattern Neck Tie Scarf from Urban Outfitters/ Put-Together Appeal Flat from Mod Cloth

Look#3: Working Girl

Ginger Split Back Pencil Midi Skirt from Choies/ Vintage Fur Jacket from Designer Exchange/ 1969 Denim Fitted Boyfriend Shirt from Gap/ Edgy Neutrals Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Golden Beige by Bite Beauty from Sephora/ Northern Lights Statement Necklace from Banana Republic/ Destine Pointed Leopard Print Calf-Hair Shoes by Karl Lagerfeld Paris from Hudson’s Bay/ Paphiopedilum Bag from Call It Spring

The Modern Curator

Sara Duck
TheModernCurator.ca
@SaraDuck

The Modern Curator

The Modern Currator

Create a cozy bedroom

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Best You .

This week from The Modern Curator: Creating a cozy bedroom

Photographs courtesy of HomeSense. Velvet Drapes/ Chest of Drawers/ Tufted King Sized Headboard/ Velvet Club Chair/ Tufted Bench from HomeSense.

Let’s face it, come winter, we spend a lot more time inside and in our bedrooms!

Hibernation mode, right?

Our bedrooms become much more than a place to catch Z’s. The bedroom becomes a place to binge watch Netflix, cry over a good book, indulge in bed-nics (picnics in bed!) and a quiet sanctuary to recover from party season.

Follow these tips to make your bedroom a cozy and inviting space that will quickly become the favourite room in your house.

Bedding Look for bedding that is soft (no scratchy materials please!) and durable, such as 100 percent Egyptian or Pima cotton. “Each bedroom should have a premium down comforter. Investing in quality bedding basics is key to comfort,” says Tamara Robbins Griffith, HomeSense Design Expert. “From there, you can be flexible and have fun with your top of bed fashion by swapping in and out new patterned sheet sets and duvet covers.”

Velvet Throw Cushions/ Floral Duvet Set/ Velvet Coverlet/ Ruffle Trimmed Cotton Quilt from HomeSense

Pillows Besides your mattress and bedding, Tamara points out that good pillows are the key to sleeping well and achieving a comfortable bedroom space. Once you have your sleeping pillows chosen, add accent pillows in varying sizes, colours and textures that will flow with your space and add extra snugness.

Luxurious Throw Tamara suggests introducing layers of bedding to add warmth and texture to your bed. Think faux-fur or thick cable knit to give you a luxe, cozy feel.

Wool and Viscose Rug/ Faux Fur Throw/ Mirror-Framed Art Work from HomeSense

Area Rug The right rug can keep your room looking stylishly inviting while keeping your feet warm!

Create Vignettes Use your bedroom to surround yourself with items you love such as an art piece, vintage mirror, favourite book and bouquet of flowers. All these special items help to achieve a calming and personalized space.

Wooden Tray/ Coffee Table Books/ Scented Candle from HomeSense

Lighting When it comes to achieving a relaxing atmosphere, choose side lamps for your bedside tables with soft lighting (low-watt bulbs). Or, create low lighting by putting your main light on a dimmer switch.

Brass Task Lamp/ Antiqued Gold Mirror from HomeSense

The Modern Curator

Sara Duck
TheModernCurator.ca
@SaraDuck

The Modern Curator

The Modern Currator

Hostess gifts & gratitude

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Sara Duck Posted in Mommy Approved .

This week The Modern Curator shares her best picks for hostess gifts and gratitude: 12 hostess gifts + write a perfect thank-you card

Master the art of gift giving, with these thoughtful hostess gifts!

Flowers are my go-to hostess gift. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate a gorgeous bouquet of blooms like the ones pictured below. Swoon!

The Farmboy, seasonally inspired bouquet from Tonic Blooms

Mini Designer Fragrance Set from Winners

Pink Champagne Truffles by Charbonnel & Walker from Amazon.ca

Porcelain Dessert Plate from HomeSense

Super Soft Yarn Dyed Scarf from Indigo

Pâtisserie At Home by Mélanie Dupuis from Anthropologie

Gold Dot Stemless Champagne Glasses from Indigo

David’s Top 12 Assorted Tea by Davids Tea

1815 Bright Mugs by Royal Doulton from The Bay

Gold French Press from HomeSense

Rosé Champagne by Moët & Chandon from LCBO

Lucky Charms Paris Scented Candle by Ladurée from Amara

Now that you have a great hostess gift in mind, it’s time to think about crafting the perfect thank-you card. As the world becomes more and more reliant on technology to communicate, the hand-written card has been pushed aside in favour of emojis, funny GIFs and memes to convey our thoughts and emotions. In fact, when it comes to writing a thank-you card, sometimes I find the large empty space daunting, and find myself at a loss for words.

Can you relate?

Here are six steps to keep your thank you card writing skills sharp as a tack!

1. Think about what you want to say before your pen touches the paper. This way your card will sound well thought out and you will minimize any spelling or grammatical errors. Take your time writing, so that it’s neat and legible!

2. Give the proper greeting (Dear is always nice) and use the correct form and spelling of the person’s name. If it’s a good friend, use their first name. If it is someone you don’t know particularly well, use Mr. or Mrs.

3. Begin your thank you card by expressing gratitude right away.

Thank you so much for…
I really appreciated the…
You made my day when…

4. Add specific detail about the gift you received, the meal you enjoyed, or whatever you are thankful for. Highlight how you plan to use the gift or why you enjoyed the meal.

That homemade au jus was perfection…
Your generous gift will go towards…

5. Use the card space as an opportunity to continue the connection with the person. Suggest tentative plans for the future.

Let’s get together soon…
I know about this great restaurant we should try…

6. Always end on a pleasant note, reiterating your thanks and with your warm regards.

Many thanks… your signature
Thanks again… your signature
With love… your signature

The Modern Curator

Sara Duck
TheModernCurator.ca
@SaraDuck

The Modern Curator

The Modern Currator

Black, white and gold – with a touch of pom-pom

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Sara Duck Posted in The Best You .

This week from The Modern Curator: Black, white and gold – with a touch of pom-pom!

Bag by Mansur Gavriel/ Book from Indigo/ Hat from Winners/ Sweater from Joe Fresh/ Pom-Pom Key Chain from H&M

I love that pom-poms are having a moment! Whether you wear one on the top of your hat, accessorize your bag with one or incorporate them into your decor, pom-poms will add an element of whimsy. Here are five more pom-pom-inspired finds.

Shoe from Winners