It's Time For A Change!

So I am all grown up now and it is time for a new blog name, cause wellllll The White Trash Princess isn't cutting it anymore lol. I have been brainstorming some new ideas online and so far this is what I've got.

Possible New Blog Names:

 The New Wrenaissance
 A Little Wrenaissance
 Wren Goes Domestic


What are everyones thoughts on those?

A Little House Update

We got around to doing a little more work on the stairs this weekend here is a quick before as a reminder

I had planned on wallpapering  the back side of the stairs but I really just couldn't find a print small enough in scale or in colours I liked that would work so we decided to go with a fun stencil. I chose a metalic paint to really make them pop on the flat grey paint we did on the stairs. We also got around to putting up new moulding along where we took out the book cases because the wall was torn up along the edges.

Need to pick up some more gray paint to finish up the moulding then get up the cluster photo wall and  the stairs are done. Really like how they have come together so far. Such a huge difference!

We found a nice little spot in the livingroon for our Aaron Bell print we got at NIX last weekend.

I got an email from my mom tonight that made my whole day. My parents went out East and visited with my dads parents and my grandmother sent me back an antique set of china dishes she never gets to use these days. Figured they would get more use at our place and I couldn't be more excited they are gorgeous!

The last thing I probly need in life is another set of dishes but really who could say no to a gorgeous antique set of china!

It's Monday night and I already can't wait for the weekend we are having a big Canada Day BBQ at our place should be loads of fun. Stoked for my first Canada day since I entered the work force NOT working lol.

Alright It's bed time for me guys! Night Night!

Sunday Brunch Adventures: Izikaya Edition

Two of our good friends work at this gorgeous new restaurant on Elgin and asked us to join them there for brunch today. SOOOOOO glad we did!

Izikaya is at 339 Elgin izakayaottawa.com/ brunch is only done there on Sundays and only started on mothers day weekend so the menu isn't listed on the website. Silly me should have taken a picture of the menu for you guys. It is an asian fusian restaurant done right! Ottawa has a bunch who have attempted this kind of menu but I have never felt they got it right the way Izikaya has.

I started with a delicious white wince pineapple sangria. I plan on trying out all their sangrias on my next few trips their cause they all sounded tasty it was hard to make a choice.

We split an order of their asian slaw for the table it was delicious. Your typical coleslaw made with cabage with apple and mango added in along with cilantro and crunchie asian noodles on top and a tangy asian dressing!

I had eggs benedict with a curried hollandaise sauce grilled shirmp on a bed of homefries and steamed asparagus along side house made bread. It was aaaaaamazing.

 Nate always loves his french toast so he went with their french toast, along with double smoked bacon on top of an apple cinnamon puree. I tried some and it was a perfect mix. Not to mention their platting was beautiful and we had great service.

Next time you are in the mood to try a little something different be sure to check this place out. I lurked out the dinner menu well there and my mouth was WATERING. Can't wait to get back there for a dinner service.

On our way out this morning this little guy was on the front steps. Too cute and furry like a cat it was a little strange.

Now i'm relaxing on the couch and have no plans on moving for the rest of the day. Hellooooo Sunday relaxation, I have waited allll week for you.

Ottawa Rib Fest!

Not gonna lie rib fest os probly one of my favorite things that takes place in Ottawa over the summer. Vendors from all over north america set up on a pedestrian street called Sparks Street. Since it is there you don't have to worry about cars or traffic and it is right in the heart of downtown!

We went yesterday with my mom and a couple friends. I ate like a pig but it was well worth it! We tried out 2 places. First was Boss Hogs and it was EPIC! After that we figured we would try an American one too so we tried Uncle Sams because really does it get more american than that? I liked their ribs more but nothing else was as good as the first place.Afterwards we headed for a few drinks. All in all it was a pretty fun afternoon with friends!

(Shirley temple with Vvodka aka my favorite summer drink)

I gotta go get ready for brunch with some friends. I hope everyone is out enjoying the gorgeous weather this weekend!

Cold Thai Salad

Alright so unless you live some what close to me you have no concept of how insanely hot the next 3 days are about to be and probly don't care lol. I will spare you the whining, but it led to me wanting to make something easy cold and refresghing to toss in the fridge and eat over the next few days cause it's too hot to want to use the oven. Of course we are putting in air conditioners this weekend after the heat wave is over!

It lead me to finding this recipe for a cold thai salad. I made it tonight and let me tell you it was SO DELICIOUS!!!! I felt I needed to share the recipe with you guys cause it is now my new favorite summer salad and so easy !

Cold Thai Salad

What you need:

-250g or 8 ounces of medium width vermicelli noodles
-1/3 cup fresh lime juice ( I had enough with 2 large limes)
- 1/4 cup each of ketchup and canola oil (I used sunflower oil)
-2 tbsp soy sauce
-1 tbsp sugar
- 3 cups cooked chicken slicked or shredded ( I used a mix of chicken and shrimp)
-1 cup bean sprouts
- 1 1/2 cups mix of shredded carrots, celery and red pepper
-1/4 cup each chopped cilantro, green onions and chopped peanuts
- lime wedges on the side

Cook noodles, drain and run under cold water to cool.
Wisk together lime juice, ketchup, oil, soy sauce and sugar.
Toss carrots, red pepper and bean sprouts in noodles then add dressing and toss to coat.
Top with onion, cilantro and peanuts and squirt of lemon

I promise you will love it! Hope everyone out east makes it through this nasty heat wave!

Toronto, Tattoos, Pillows and Puppies!

Hey guys!

Me and Nate just got back from Toronto last night we had such a great weekend! We got to see some really great friends and go to the Northern Ink Xposure tattoo convention. I used to work for the convention so it was prety nice to be there and just be able to relax, have time to talk with everyone and actually get tattooed lol.

I got 2 little pieces added to my sleeve by Trevor Taylor from Liberty tattoos in Seattle libertytattooseattle.com

We picked up some really magical prints from some really awesome people there too! One from the lovely Erin Chance (middle print)  www.facebook.com/badtastebetsy one from a lovely lady sharing her booth  ( I am currently having a brain freeze on her  name) and one from Aaron Bell (right print) slavetotheneedle.com/tattoos/aaron-bio.asp

We stayed with my best friend Jen who took us out for an epic brunch our last morning there. This is challah bread french toast stuffed with cheese cake filling and topped with bacon!

My mom watched the pups while we were out of town and snapped some pretty cute shots of the pups. I misssed them so she kept me updated via email with pictures lol.

 When my mom came by to drop off the pups today she suprised me with the pillows for our livingroom being done! They are better then I even imagined so excited to have them they make it all come together. donnarobichaud.blogspot.ca/

Well thats it now I am off to make up for a whole weekend with out puppy cuddles! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Magical Livingroom Curtains!

My mom stopped in this afternoon and installed our long awaited livingroom curtains! I am so so in love with them. Here are a few pictures

 Thanks so much to my amazing mother for all her hard work putting these together for us! We are lucky to have such a talented lady on our side. If any of you are interested in having some custom curtains made please feel free to check out my moms blog for contact info: donnarobichaud.blogspot.ca/

Hard to get any good angle and capture the whole room but we're getting there! Flat screen TV coming next month along with a smaller tv console and still on the hunt for the perfect round coffee table. Hope you guys like it and everyone is having a great Sunday!

Apartment Facelift!

Alright so we had planned on moving cause our place needed some serious renos, once we found a new place our current landlords offered to help pay to fix up our place if we stayed cause they love us so much lol. Since we love our area and our neighbours we thought it was a great idea to stay. And so the renos began! I am gonna go by room by room with pictures here for you guys

First off the stairs. Here is a picture of our inspiration (not colour wise just the idea of the wallapaer backed stairs) and a before and then progress pics

 

I have finished painting all the stairs but haven't got a picture yet. I have to choose a wallpaper still and pick up some tiles for the bottom of the stairs. Up the side wall where the shelves were we will have a cluster wall of frames and art! After pictures by the end of the month

Next the floors. We had nasty ratty carpet in here so we got laminate floors. I took the pups to my parents for the weekend and Nate put them in.

The 1/4 round wasn't painted in that last picture but it is all painted now and we love it!

Next livingroom. When we first moved in we had nothing since we had just moved back from San Diego and everything was hand me downs so our before is pretty meek looking lol. the curtains are going up on Sunday and the pillows for the couch will be done by the end of the month all thanks to my moms amazing custom drapes! donnarobichaud.blogspot.ca/

 

This one just needs some doors on the front and it's all done!

This is a  chest I have  had in my family home since I was a kid. It will end up going in the hallway under some art work to double as a bench for putting on shoes and what not. But until we find the perfect coffee table for the livingroom it will stay in here

The two pieces of fabric with the dogs are for accent pillows on the couch and the large roll of fabric is the curtain fabric! They will be installed on Sunday so I will get some pictures up then they are AMAZING!

Now onto the kitchen. We have just barely started but heres what we've got so far.

So those are the befores

This is it so far. We are changing out the ceiling light ( it will go in our stairway) the floors are being redone and we are refacing the cupboards. We just bought the table but have yet to find the perfect chairs to go with. Sheers also still need to be added to the curtains. So it is all a work in progress but here are a few cute pieces I have bought for the kitchen

 Awesome little vintage spoon rest I found on Etsy

I bought these on etsy as well in a yellow to match the curtains!

So there is our house progress up till now! Many official after pictures to come in the next month or so. I can't wait!

Miss you guys and sorry for being useless for the last little while!