30.10.12

#fallproblems: rainy day essentials


Here's a list of some essential weather proof gear, I want every piece! Is that too much to ask?

29.10.12

enticing eats: pumpkin pie, perfected {gluten free}

It's the most perfect, delicious, gluten-free, to-die-for pumpkin pie recipe ever. EVER! When I found out I had an intolerance to gluten I was originally concerned about all of the delicious seasonal treats I'd be missing out on. Visions of turkey stuffing, pie, christmas shortbread and all of the other gluten-filled things I could no longer eat swirled around my head. THANKFULLY, my delightful chef/baker extraordinaire of a mother found this solution:

26.10.12

my week through the world of instagram

{paleo granola / pumpkin cupcake candle / fall walk on campus / pear&almond dessert}

It's the weekend, let's all take a moment and celebrate! 
This week has been pretty hectic, here in the world of midterms and papers, but I still managed to enjoy some of these beautiful little things in the process! If I haven't mentioned this already, I've gone paleo!

25.10.12

currently obsessed: fall accessories


I admit, my study breaks have included some pretend online shopping this mid-term season. Here are four gorgeous accessories that I'd love to add to my collection this fall:

  1. Gigi Chic Bohemian Princess Bracelets from Max and Chloe - $95
  2. Black Sequin Collar by Gemma Lister for Bottica - $82
  3. Paige Colour-Block Leather Tote from Banana Republic - $160
  4. Campbell Criss-Cross Cuff from Shopbop - $560.18

22.10.12

enticing eats: stuffed baked zucchini (gluten free)

Behold one of the yummiest, easiest dinner dishes you'll have in years. This tasty treat took me no time at all, was easy enough for a beginner cook, was super filling, and best of all - it's good for you!

18.10.12

inspiration: find something... {free wallpaper download}

Just because you all are mighty fine, I've made you this lovely wallpaper inspired by one of my favorite Julia Child quotes. She really was an incredibly passionate and driven women and words like these on my background give me an extra kick in the butt in terms of motivation.


Download this free wallpaper HERE.

Stay inspired,

17.10.12

enticing eats: spaghetti squash with edamame pesto






Good morning all,
Lately I've been super obsessed with squash. It's the perfect fall food (other than anything pumpkin). A couple of weeks ago I whipped together a spaghetti squash recipe from my new Cooking Light cookbook (check out their website for even more amazing healthy recipes)! It was so easy, fast, and most importantly healthy and delicious!

14.10.12

fall dresses for layering

I really dont think I know a single person that isn't into the greatness that is fall layering. There are so many possibilities to build up an outfit when you can combine multiple clothing items at once! I am especially a fan of fall outfits that involve layering dresses. Below, I've selected a bunch of wonderful dress options that would be perfect for layering this autumn! Enjoy!

11.10.12

inspiration: kate spade new york fall 2012



This is too adorable! Rollerblades, peter pan collars, AND polkadots? I can't even.

Stay inspired,

10.10.12

student spaces: turquoise diy room


Today we're featuring the lovely room of 2nd year Western University student, Kelley Morgan. We love how you don't even notice the amount of Ikea furniture pieces because they are hidden in a bunch of creative DIY projects (notice that amazing DIY headboard) and unique decor items.

8.10.12

enticing eats: fall apple cranberry breakfast cake {gluten free}

While at home this weekend, my mother made us the most amazing gluten-free apple cranberry cake for Thanksgiving breakfast. I could actually eat this every day for breakfast for the whole month of October (but I wont.. sigh).

Dry ingredients:
  • 1 cup sorghum flour
  • 1/2 cup  almond flour
  • 1/4 cup tapioca starch 
  • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed

Wet ingredients:
  • 1 egg 
  • 1/2 cup canola oil 
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey 
  • 1/2 cup milk 
  • 2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla

Add-ins:
  • 2 rounded cups chopped apples (we used macintosh)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, whole 

Topping:
  • Sprinkle of raw sugar

5.10.12

inspiration: thanksgiving weekend

HAPPY THANKSGIVING fellow Canadians!
It's that time of year again - pumpkin pie, wool scarves, and thanksgiving meals. Sigh, I'm in love with this season! In honour of this lovely holiday (I mean a three day weekend too..) here are some fun fall inspired bits and pieces!
 fall leaves at western u {instagram}
Eat some pie.
aspire to inspire,

4.10.12

five things to try this fall

October is finally here! Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend and I'm extremely excited to chow down on a turkey dinner and relax for a few days (and who can forget the pumpkin pies!). To celebrate the season, here's a list of some fun things that you should try this autumn:
1. Try the navy nails trend. As Joanna Goddard has pointed out, navy nails are a huge trend this fall and look great if you're dressed up or down. Try this colour from Essie for guaranteed cute!

3.10.12

inspiration: clean, bright, and airy


Today's bedroom was sent to us by 29 year old Graphic Designer, Alison Fiedler. She was inspired to create a clutter-free, bright, light, and airy bedroom by the multiple design sites/blogs that she follows. We're especially fond of the LOVE print by Jen Ramos hanging above her bed. Pick one up for yourself here!

Thanks for sending us your fabulous room, Alison!

If you think YOUR student space is unique and inspiring, please send us some pictures of your room to twoofakindblog@gmail.com!

Stay inspired,

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1.10.12

student spaces: beach inspired room


This post marks the beginning of our Student Spaces features! This week, we are featuring the bedroom of Western 2nd Year MIT student, Jessica Pirraglia, who drew inspiration from the beach while decorating her room at school.

Key Pieces:
- Lamp is from Walmart
- Bedding and Canvas Paintings from Homesense
- Side table, chair, and desk are from Ikea
- Vanity is from Winners

Thanks Jess for sharing your room with us!

Stay inspired,

27.9.12

inspiration: the wishbone chair

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

If only I could drop $800-900 on a single chair... These Wegner Wishbone Chairs come in a multitude of colours and really work in almost any space. They mix both swedish design and the down-to-earth, homeyness of the wicker - so they really are appropriate in both upscale design and relaxed living spaces (see the Portugese home on the bottom left). I'm especially a fan of the mint green chair and the lacquered beech one as well. Check these bad boys out here!

Have a good Tuesday!

21.9.12

for the empty walls


The walls of my new apartment bedroom are feeling pretty bare at the moment. While I was focussing on decorating the main living room of the apartment, I completely neglected the walls of my bedroom! As a result, I've been doing much online browsing for some art and print inspiration for my room. Here are five prints that will liven up any living space!

1. Small Gold LOVE print 8x10
2. Antique Capsicum Red Pepper Botanical Art Print 8x10
3. Typography Print 8.3x11.7
4. Day of the Dead print 8x10
5. Food Pattern Art 11x15

Stay fabulous,

13.9.12

inspiration: j crew ss13

Images from Style.com

If I had all the money in the world, I'd without a doubt buy this entire SS13 collection from J. Crew. I'm especially a fan of that gorgeous blue maxidress in the middle. You can check out the rest of the collection online HERE.

Hoping you all are having a fabulous September!

7.9.12

the beachouse; medoc, france

I know that school just started, but I'm basically already planning a vacation.. What can I say, I just love the idea of exploring new places and discovering little gems of must go spots! Also, I've been on a France kick lately - Paris by day, the beautiful countryside by night - and this place. I mean come on, look at at.. one word: obsessed.



6.9.12

enticing eats: end of summer peach crunch


Mama Kyle's Peach Crunch Dessert

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

  • 9x13 inch pan
  • 6 peaches
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (for the filling)
  • 3 Tbsp flour (for the filling)
  • 1 tsp lemon zest (for the filling)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for the filling)
  • 1 cup flour (for the topping)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (for the topping)
  • 1 tsp baking powder (for the topping)
  • 1/4 tsp salt (for the topping)
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg (for the topping)
  • 1 egg (for the topping)

4.9.12

four makeup & beauty picks for fall from Sephora

1. dark lips

{Autumn Leaves from NARS Lipstick $30.00}
{Moody from Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint $31.00}
{Apocalypse from Urban Decay Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Colour $23.00}
{Divine Wine from Too Faced La Creme $25.00}

2. golden shadows
{Naked Palette from Urban Decay $60.00}
{Sparkle from Stila $23.00}
{Moonshadow Baked Palette - In The Nude from Sephora Collection $36.00}
{Jungle Palette in Golden Browns from Dior $70.00}

3.9.12

living room inspiration board & submission info!

{I did this a while ago before we started this blog so I didn't save links, if anybody knows where any image is from, please comment below and I will add the credit}

Above was our original plan for the living room of our new apartment. Although this plan has changed dramatically, it's interesting to look back and see where our initial inspiration came from. We'll be sharing our new apartment as soon as everything is settled in and is exactly how we want it. A chevron rug may or may not be making an appearance...

If YOU are also setting up your brand new space, or think your dorm/apartment/house should be featured on 2OAK, then we'd love for you to send us photographs HERE. We are hoping to feature a bunch of well-designed spaces for others to be inspired by! So share this post with your fabulous friends, and your space may be featured on 2OAK!

Looking forward to seeing your emails!

30.8.12

how to survive your internship with a startup company

Uniiverse project lead, Daphne Wu, gives us her advice for new interns working with startup companies.
"How you'll survive your internship really depends on where you're interning. Since I'm interning with a startup company, everyone is actually "new". The CEO's have never been CEO's before, so they're discovering new things on a day-to-day basis. Everyone on the team is taking things day-by-day and learning so much. It's probably the best first internship experience one can hope for because I'm not running around getting coffee or doing errands for others. I don't have to photocopy paper or watch other people do stuff and just jot notes. I am totally in the field and I get to do what I want as long as I come up with a logistical plan to market and target a niche or community. I have a lot more freedom than others.

28.8.12

get to know me a little {ali}

P R E F E R S
frozen yogurt over ice cream
early mornings to late nights
fall to any other season
big dogs over little dogs (Great Dane please)

S I M P L E // P L E A S U R E S
earl grey tea of any sort
perusing Chapters slowly
Pumpkin Spice Lattes
campfires on the beach

W H E R E // I ' D // R A T H E R // B E 
England; anywhere in England
Chicago
the Muskokas tanning on a dock

W E E K E N D // P U R S U I T S 
afternoon tea
lazy mornings 
tough workouts

S T E A L // T H E I R // S T Y L E 
Olivia Palermo
the cast of Pretty Little Liars
Demi Lovato 

G I R L // C R U S H E S 
Mila Kunis
Candice Swanepoel
Emma Stone
Rachel McAdams 
{Mila // Candice // Emma // Rachel}

{inspiration for this post from Luella & June}
aspire to inspire,


27.8.12

enticing eats: lemon blueberry cobbler


This recipe will be the last gluten-included one you will see from me on this blog for a while! Since switching to a gluten-free diet, I've been testing out some great and some not so great recipes so that I can share the great ones on this blog! Keep an eye out for that if you're interested. Until then, check out this amazing cobbler recipe. If you love blueberries as much as I do, you'll enjoy this guaranteed!!


25.8.12

weekend watch obsessions




Oh, you like watches? Well so do we! Check out our picks for the cutest watches this Saturday! The most affordable one in this bunch is $37. We've selected a variety at different price points for all peeps to enjoy :)

Xo,

23.8.12

inspiration: it's all about leather


Fierce, agressive, yet gorgeous in so many situations! I'm loving leather shorts, blouses, shoes, etc. this season! I will definitely be making an appearance in leather shorts sometime soon. Below are some of my fav leather picks out there! Enjoy!


Talk soon,