Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

outdoor decor

Let’s Do Spring… With Style

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I’m one of those annoyingly optimistic people who truly believe that if you say something often enough, it will actually come true. Let’s practice, shall we?

The weather is warm outside. Spring is on the way. The weather is warm outside. Spring is on the way.

I know, I know. At this very moment, I’m pulling my robe around myself more tightly as I hear the wind rustling through the trees. But have faith, friends! May is only two days away, and May has a very good track record of bringing the beautiful weather. *Crosses fingers and toes*

So, to put myself in a sunny frame of mind, I’ve selected my favourite seasonal pieces from The Home Depot Canada. After all, spring is the time to prep the garden, clear the backyard and start planning your outdoor oasis – and The Home Depot has everything you need to get started. From outdoor décor and power to live goods, a local associate is always ready with some tips and tricks to help you prepare for the warmer weather.

(Shout out to the staff at The Home Depot – some of my favourite peeps on the planet! They’ve offered expert advice, mediation, crisis management and babysitting services.. and that was all in the same visit.)

letdospringTop: Hampton Bay Decorative Pillow, $16.48 – $18.98; Stomping Stone Terra Cotta, $8.99; Foliage, Asst Prices
Middle: Napoleon Charcoal Kettle, $274; Pleasant Hearth Fire Pit, $108; EGO Cordless Lawn Mower, $549
Bottom: RYOBI 18V Lithium Drill/Impact Driver Kit, $149; Toro Recycler, $449; Grand Caymen Urn, $34.99

Feeling inspired? Join @HomeDepotCanada on May 14th from 12pm – 1pm ET for the #chatwithstyleHD Twitter Party. The experts from Style at Home and The Home Depot will dish about the latest trends in outdoor living, their tried and true BBQ tips and the best in DIY. Of course, a Twitter Party wouldn’t be complete without prizing – they’ve got seven gift cards up for grabs, valued between $100 and $250. See you there!

It’s Time for #ProjectPatio!

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Hands up if you’ve waited for this long weekend… oh, ever since the very first snowflake fell last winter? The unofficial start of summer is among us, and I CAN’T WAIT!

The second and third weekend in May is notoriously busy for us, as Ryder was born on Mother’s Day, and Reid was born on Victoria Day weekend. Hence, there’s always something going on, whether it be a trip to grandma’s, a family BBQ, or basically anything that involves cake. Ryder is really big on the whole cake thing.

However, this year we’ve added a little more craziness into the fold, as we’re preparing our backyard for a complete overhaul. Yes, construction for #ProjectPatio begins on Tuesday! We’ll have to remove our old, flimsy patio set, tear down the boys’ mini playground, and say goodbye to the crappy, dandelion filled grass – that will soon be replaced with a stamped concrete patio. We’ve been in our home for almost 6 years now… which means that I’ve waited for this moment for over 2100 days. Yikes.

Of course, this is the perfect time to acknowledge my official sponsor for #ProjectPatio…. it’s none other than Home Depot Canada!

I am so fortunate to team up with the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer; a company whose core values include respect for all people, giving back to communities and of course, excellent customer service. I simply can’t count the number of occasions where me (or more often than not, my husband) has stumbled into the Home Depot Canada seeking help on everything from paint (it’s too green!) to gardening advice (I think we killed it!) to home improvement SOS (um… we just found out we purchased the wrong sized door). Through it all, the Home Depot Canada has been our go-to store, allowing us to create the home of our dreams!

And now… I have a very special delivery arriving today: products generously sponsored by the Home Depot Canada to create the perfect patio! Want a sneak peek of what’s on the way? Okay, I’ll share!

HAMPTON BAY Millstone 7 Piece Dining Set
$1099.99

The Millstone 7pc Dining Set is a great addition to any patio space. Includes two swivel rocker dining chairs and four stationary dining chairs and one open cast top 74×42 dining table. Comes with seat pads for added comfort.

– Aged bronze powder coated finish
– Rust proof aluminum frame
– Weather resistant fabric
– Dining chairs stack for easy storage
– Traditional design coordinates well with all décor
– Optional umbrella sold separately
– 5 year limited warranty

I am in love with the intricate design of the chairs and table – it’s a modern twist on traditional patio sets, and lends a certain element of style and differentiation.

HAMPTON BAY Millstone Umbrella – 11 Feet
$199.00

Enjoy the shade from this Millstone11ft umbrella. Coordinates with the Millstone 7pc cast dining set. Includes a crank lift for easy set up.

– Aged bronze powder coated finish
– Rust proof aluminum frame
– Weather resistant fabric
– Easy crank function

I’ve always wanted an offset umbrella that is situated on the patio vs the table; it allows conversation to flow freely between guests, and offers a certain Californian inspiration that I adore. The Millstone umbrella’s base is sold separately for $69.99; don’t forget to add that to your cart!

Finally, you could say that the next item supplied by the Home Depot Canada made my husband’s day year life. Alright, the truth is, he hasn’t stopped talking about it. (It’s borderline insufferable, to tell you the truth, but I just can’t burst his bubble when he’s so very excited.) Et voila!

WEBER Genesis S-330 Natural Gas Grill
$1249.00

This stainless steel rendition of our top-of-the-line Genesis natural gas grill creates an atmosphere of pure grilling excellence. It’s high-heat Sear Station burner, three standard stainless steel burners, and electronic ignition system are just a few of the noteworthy features you won’t be able to resist.

– 38,000 BTU cooking system provides powerful performance
– The 10,600 BTU sear burner for on-demand searing
– 12,000 BTU flush mounted side burner for multi-tasking
– The stainless steel rod cooking grids have a 7mm diameter
– Includes a 10-foot flexible natural gas hose
– Two stainless steel work surface offer plenty of room

(Yes, I think I have achieved “Wife of the Year” status. Thanks Home Depot Canada!) 

We are waiting with baited breath for the delivery to arrive, and then we’ll be keeping it under wraps until the patio is complete (timeline is approximately 4-5 days). Follow me on Twitter (@Listen2Lena) where I’ll be sure to post photos of the transformation!

Until then, wishing you all a wonderful long weekend – Happy Victoria Day!

A Backyard Oasis

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When I think of summer, I think of only ONE thing: Drinks on a Patio.

Of course, before having children, that patio was usually located on College Street, the Danforth, or anywhere that wasn’t my own backyard. The good old days.

However, there’s a certain pleasure in having drinks in your own backyard: there’s no travel involved, you generally enjoy the company, and you don’t have to tip your server.

But here’s the kicker: I don’t actually have a patio! Since moving into our new home six years ago, we’ve had a lot of priorities for the inside of our house (a finished basement, a painted home, an upscale living room) but we were never ready to invest in our backyard. Truth is, for a long time we’ve wondered if we should stay or move, and that factored in our decision to delay the landscaping. And so we set up an old patio set on our lawn and let the kids run around in the summer. For the most part, it worked out well.

However, now that we’ve decided to stay put for a little while, it’s time to do things right. First on our agenda: a backyard makeover.

You knew it was coming… 2013 is the year of #ProjectPatio!

I’ll be sure to share lots of pictures over the upcoming months of how we transform our little backyard into a backyard oasis. In addition to a stamped concrete patio, we’ll be making an investment in a new barbecue, patio furniture and maybe even a paper lantern or two :)

I also admit to lusting over these outdoor fireplaces from Anywhere Fireplaces, available at SHOP.CA.

All the fireplaces are ventless, requiring no construction, chimney, or gas lines.  The sophisticated, contemporary style fireplaces are also eco-friendly, at a price within reach for almost anyone. More features and benefits:

– Burns liquid or gel bio-ethanol fuel
– Renewable resource
– Smokeless, odorless
– No soot or ash, no messy clean-up
– Non-polluting
– Only gives off water vapor and CO2

I love the idea of staying warm in style, because sometimes, even summer nights can feel chilly. Here’s a roundup of the more popular models –

Forget about candles and other table top accents to add ambiance. The Lexington Anywhere Fireplace brings you all the tabletop elegance you are looking for with its distinctive shape, high gloss white finish and its real flames. Enjoy the ambiance of a real fire but without the hassle of smoke, melting wax, soot, ash, smell etc. Use it on the dinner table, a low patio table, or a coffee table. This unit is slightly too small for a patio set, but I love the versatility from outdoor to indoor. SHOP.CA Price: $149.99…

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