// IT'S TIME

// New beginnings for 2016

Candice Kaye Design launched May 5th when Elisa [from Maman] and I decided it was a good idea for me to start putting collections together. Our conversations usually start with one idea and end with about ten. One of those ten ideas was to do a launch party at Maman to celebrate this collection that I didn't even start yet [starting with an end goal is always a bad idea] A couple months after this conversation Collection N Eleven was born, I had PR running the event, I had a florist, champagne was being delivered and I was running from my full-time job to make sure I made my party in time. I woke up the next morning with a headache and a sinking feeling in my stomach "shit what have I done". 

I work full-time at a brilliant high end company called Holland & Sherry. I work in the rug department [designing] right next to the Creative Director. For the past year I've been learning/teaching myself all the ins and outs of how to construct a proper rug. Holland & Sherry works with only high end top quality product, so I thought this would be the best place to learn. And it has been. It also has been exhausting. All of the collections, freelance jobs, powder room murals, gift wrap shop have been created during 'after hours'. Any meetings are always scheduled for 6 pm, which I usually get to sweating [from running]. Truth is, I'm really tired of feeling sweaty. So as I write this post, I'm currently sitting at a desk I will not have Monday morning. It's finally time to make my full-time job Candice Kaye Design. This decision has been a long time coming and it's funny I thought I would feel more confident with it. I'm not. But I am confident in what I don't want. And I guess that's a start. 

Candice Kaye Design may have 'launched' or started or whatever in May, but with all of this time that I'm giving myself for 2016, I am certain my product is just going to get stronger, and I can't be more excited. So, thanks again for following along on this crazy ride - we are in for another crazy one for 2016. [happy dance]

// EARTH QUAKES AND STUFF

// Thursday thoughts

I've never been a fan of not knowing what's going to happen next. But I guess I've been through enough by now to know that trying to stay on top of change is just a waste of my time, and sometimes things are left best in the hands of serendipity. This has sort of been my theme for the past couple months. I know now that things will work out the way they are supposed to, but let me tell ya - while standing in an earth quake ranking at like a 6.1 things are not fun. As the ground shakes the things around me have fallen leaving me with nothing to hold on to other than well, myself. I had so many reservations about leaving for New York and isolating myself from all my friends and family in a city that's nearly impossible to afford. But as 2015 comes to an end, I'm happy I've come here. I couldn't escape this uncomfortable feeling of being unsure, so I was forced to sit with it. And I mean like all.the.time - during dinner, over coffee, and sometimes even over cocktails [the nerve right]. Maybe this is what comes with being 27 -finally finding your voice/wanting more/not quite ready for what I want, but I've come to the conclusion that life is going to be uncomfortable for a little while longer, and I'm just sort of putting my hands up in surrender. Too many unanticipated life changes have happened in the last two weeks that couldn't have turned out as well as they did even if I tried to make them happen myself. If you're reading this and going through something similar, I feel ya homie. 2016 get here already. x-C

// DRESSING ROOM

// Reformation

So I haven't gone shopping in a while, correction, I never go shopping. I've put all my time and money into the business and therefore have curated a wardrobe of classics which pretty much can all be paired with one another. Jeans, light, dark, white and black, plain T's, classic knit sweaters, a Ted Baker blazer [which I've had for years now and still love], black blazer [from Zara which needs to be thrown out] a couple pieces from Club Monaco [I got a really lovely knit pencil skirt which I wear with everything], black leather boots, and the same rings I wear almost everyday [which I love because each piece of jewelry that I own has some sort of meaning]. I can't wait for the day that I can start buying clothes that Gigi Hadid wears [my girl crush] or Miraduma [my other girl crush]. Miraduma puts on outfits that makes me be like, where did you even find that killer jacket [haha I can't believe I just said "killer"], and I want that dress, and I want those pants, and you make me want to grow my hair really long and get bangs. I actually had bangs for a couple months. True story. I want to buy all of Alice Temperley's [she's my idol] dresses and wear them on like a regular occasion to dinner with Dan or something. So as you can see, I'm very far from my wardrobe dreams, Alice Temperley dresses sell for about 1,500 pounds - but you have to start somewhere. So I bought these pants while christmas shopping for my sisters. They were 50% off :)

New horoscopes are up guys. It's Wednesday. x -C

// T SHIRT

// Monday nights

Monday morning and I always still feel a little tired. Two days for a weekend is really not enough. I wonder who even delegated work day verse non work day. I really don't understand why the weekend is only two days. It should be a four day work week - three day weekend. Maybe when I have my company with actual employees I'll implement that rule. No work on Mondays. Anyways, since I'm still feeling somewhat sluggish come Monday night I like to change out of my work clothes, throw on a baggy T, pour myself an alcoholic beverage and relax. I picked up the new Porter [the only magazine I actually purchase] and got caught up in the world of incredible woman. They did a really good interview with Emma Watson. There were a couple quotes that I highlighted for myself. Alright, coffee refill time. x -C

// WEEKEND VIBES

// 

Hellloooo and happy Monday. I can't believe it's already the 14th of December. I'm flying back to Toronto this weekend and couldn't be more excited to put on Santa Clause, lay on my couch, and be surrounded by Christmas. I love Christmas time in New York, but nothing feels more like Christmas than being home. This weekend was a busy one. I spent my entire Saturday cleaning the apartment [while singing to Justin Bieber] - Dan and I are finally back home from hotel living - and Sunday was spent at Maman TriBeCa. Maman's newest New York location. Elisa went all out with the decor in this one. She's got boxes made, lamp shades, and wallpaper with this killer finish on her walls. So much Candice Kaye Design everywhere. It still feels weird to see my stuff in real life, never mind in a cafe in New York City. Like what? Above are custom prints I did for a tea company in Toronto, Blue Roots Tea. I finally got my hands on two flavors. My Saturday morning was delicious. 

Speaking of delicious, this coffee number two in my hand is exactly that :) x -C

// VIBES

// tgif

not sure if those are flowers in the drink, or flowers engraved on the glass. either way they sparked an idea. stealing the placement for future ckd glass wear. tgif, and thank god. what.a.week. i'm still living out of my little weekend bag from last week, currently wearing Dan's dress shirt because of it. i've run out of clothes. i stumbled across another tumblr that i liked. daydreaming at it's finest at the moment. anyone else ready more than ever for 2016? i'm already writing down my 'lessons' for the year for my annual year end post. i've been writing those since i started my first website, so like 5 years ago now? so much happens in a year and it's important to take a second to appreciate each moment or in my case latey - learn from them, move on and hit 'start fresh'. a lot has changed in the past two weeks, things that have already shaped 2016's beginning to be different than i anticipated. woah life amirightttt. ok, lunch time. x -C

// #ONLOCATION

// ckd in the east village

Lesson of the day: Never trust UPS. 

The ckd custom mural design printed from Twenty2 wallpaper has arrived [late from UPS, almost lost...long story], Dow & Company LLC [our master installers] have arrived, lining is up, and it's time for this 7FT non-repeated wallpaper mural to find it's home. Hannah, Brendan, and I started this mural from their inspiration just about 6 months ago. I saw all the printed parts today, and it looks stunning [if i do say so myself]. I'll be back on location tonight, to see it all completed! I can't wait to see it all up!!! I'll be able to show you full photos once I get the OK from H & B! Woot. x-C

// BUTTERFLIES AND WATERCOLOR

// Collection N Twelve gift wrap

Hii. Finally with my computer. I was on site yesterday at Brendan and Hannah's home in the East Village getting ready for their wallpaper install. It's literally been 6 months in the making. Feels rather amazing to finally have this going up as 2015 comes to an end. Speaking of coming to an end - before Santa comes, I'm sending out last chance orders to insure gift wrap delivered on time! ALSO new horoscopes are up! x -C

// KAROLINA

// CKD TEAM

Guys! I want you to meet Karolina, a crazy talented artist who will be working with Candice Kaye Design. She's part of the freelance team and I couldn't be more excited to have her on board. We actually just finished up a project with Fox Cottage Studio which is getting pitched to the National Ballet of Canada. It came out awesome, I'll send over a photo once we get to see fabric samples! Karolina's style pretty much sums up all I've ever wanted to be as an artist. You know one of those really cool artsy people that just look artsy and create art that sort of blows your mind? If you've already checked out her website you would know what I'm talking about.  

The CKD team is getting stronger, and it's making me really excited for what is to come in 2016. Welcome Karolina!!