10 things: getting to know 'life in the fun lane'

Holly is quite possibly one of the most motivated people I know. If she's not out treasure-hunting for art and antiques in lovely Vancouver, she's busy refurbishing furniture for her shop, helping Clients decorate their houses or renovating her own. And all the while, she's chasing after her adorable toddler, Wren.

A DIY-er through and through, Holly has loads of talent and quite an eye for finding diamonds in the rough. Every time I pop over to Life in the Fun Lane, I walk away with a pocket-full of decorating ideas. Full of Before-and-After shots (one of my favorite features!), it's a super inspiring blog.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Holly LOVES white. A kindred spirit! (But she has enough guts to actually decorate her house in an all white palette. With a baby. And two dogs. She's superwoman!)

I'm thrilled Holly is sharing 10 Things with us today...

The last thing I do before bed: Read. I cannot sleep unless I read for at least 20 minutes. My favorites are old mysteries I pick up on my treasure hunts.

Favorite thing about my house: The light. As soon as we walked in the front door I knew this was house when I saw light streaming in through a skylight down all the stairs.

My signature dish: Fried Rice. I really don't cook, so when I master something it is my go-to dish. This is one because it is easy to make using leftover chicken (like those rotisserie chickens from the grocery store). It is a rare day I make more than one dish with a meal, so I know I need to work on that...

The best place to be in the spring: In our backyard. I love the greenery and birds. We have birds singing all day long, and it is really private back there so I feel really relaxed.

Book I can read again and again: Ooh tough one! I have quite a few. I have read Mansfield Park (Jane Austin) a ton of times, and if I want to snuggle in bed for an afternoon I always curl up with The Lord of the Rings. I just love the characters, and feel like we're old friends by now.




If I had one do-over: I would have started our reno with the kitchen!! It costs the most and now we keep putting it off to finish other things...

When I need to unwind: I fill up the jacuzzi tub and grab my favorite book.

Celebrity crush: Rhett Butler. What a gent!

Words I live by: Do what you love! Life is too short to waste what you like just living for 2 days a week.

On Sunday mornings, you'll find me: Playing with Wren, going to the park.

Don't knock _____, until you try it: White! People tend to be scared of it for some reason, even when they love it.

Day I'd love to live again: Our wedding day. It was just so fun and romantic, and I loved my dress.





I could spend the whole day: Painting! There are days I forget to even eat I love it out in my garage so much!




I feel my prettiest when: I am wearing my favorite jeans and a great tee shirt.

It's worth the splurge: Good paint! You will spend more time, energy and money trying to get good coverage with the cheap stuff.

(all photos are Holly's ... so, you can see she's great behind the lens, too.)



Holly -- you are a gem. Beautiful inside and out. Thank you for the endless ideas you share with us to make our homes beautiful. You are a true inspiration!

PS - I don't think I'd ever take that wedding dress off. ;)