They were a big Christmas/Birthday present from my mom (my Birthday is in Early Feb.) They are warm and cosy, but also tough, resiliant and kick ass. With a warm pair of socks, they pretty much stomp on the heads of those (admittedly practical, but sorta fugly) sorels that everyone’s been wearing this year. And they’re going to last forever and look more and more amazing as they get broken in. As a bonus I feel like a superhero in the things.
It was also a Christmas present (we found it for mega sale at Winners!). It is exactly what I wanted and I was surprised to stumble across it for such a reasonable price. It is a warm little wrapper of a coat that looks like sophisticated trench on the outside, but is actually kinda sporty and functional on the inside. Best of both worlds! It’s even pretty aptly named – If you enjoy swanning about in a moody, foggy, pre-war, noir-ish fashion. And I do.
After a summer spent walking and swimming whenever possible, I pretty much lazed around all fall, and I felt icky for it. When both my sister and my brother’s girlfriend got Wii fitness games for Christmas, I started seriously considering the possibilities of using that cute little white box as a legitimate fitness tool. So I did a little research and decided to make Liam take me out and buy me my Birthday present early – in the form of these two games.
So, are they a real workout?
Yes, Definitely.
I am sore in all the right places after playing them, especially the EA game. While the resistance band that comes with the game is a little wimpy, as are the warmups, I am definitely feeling the burn, as it were. You don’t get too bored, as there’s a different balanced workout everyday. You can set it to whatever level of activity you feel you’re able to handle, and it’s not judgey (unlike the Wii Fit), just encouraging. Which is really the best part. It makes it really easy to set up a schedule, and follow through with working out everyday.
It is, however, still working out. You will sweat. You will get sore. You will not forget that you’re working out. It’s fun, yeah, but not as much fun as playing a traditional video game. Although you do get to do it from the comfort of your own home.
Gold’s Gym is just a fun cardio boxing game that’s a good addition to Sports Active when you’re getting bored with the more traditional workout it offers. Punching stuff is fun. Period.
A slowcooker.
My mom got this slowcooker magazine/cookbook for Christmas in her stocking and I drooled all over it. We didn’t have a slowcooker, but thankfully they are cheap things to own. We found a cute one for 25 bucks, bought our own copy of the cookbook and have cooked our way through the thing, and every dish has been delish. Seriously, I have seldom used a cookbook so thoroughly, and I have a HUGE cookbook collection. Highly, highly recommended. Plus, I am totally won over by this whole “slowcooker” thing. It’s so cozy to have yumminess stewing in the house all day during these long, cold days.
Yeah, this is just a cheap drugstore lotion. But it is also MAGIC. My skin went insane this winter with this crazy eczema thing, and nothing, NOTHING made it feel better. It was literally like wearing tight leather gloves made of my own skin on top of my hands and it was peely and bumpy, and euuuuuuuuughhhhh sooooooo gross and uncomfortable. I tried EVERYTHING. Mostly organic and natural remedies.
I finally got a sample of this stuff in a magazine, and thought why not? Things couldn’t possibly get any worse. Things didn’t get worse. They got better. My ouchies magically went away. Poof!
So I ran out and got a bottle and things have been hunky dory and super soft ever since.
I’m a sucker for a good mystery. I have been known to watch, well, most of the better “detective” shows on TV at any time. House, Bones, Monk, Psych, Numbers, CSI… Yeah, it’s pretty much an addiction. But I think there is an amazing amount of innovation that can be accomplished, even within the constraints of an hour long mystery – one only need take a look at how many Emmys Dr. House and Mr. Monk have between them to see proof of that.
My latest little addiction is The #1 Ladies detective agency (an HBO/BBC co-production – and folks, it doesn’t get any better than that).
It just contains so many elements that I adore – Jill Scott (yes, the amazing singer), Africa, intrigue, humour, great performances, impeccably colourful production design, delightfully illustrated credits, and large quantities of bush tea drank out of dainty teacups.
It’s definitely worth checking out. Even the kitties liked it.
I bought the May 2006 issue of British Vogue while I was stuck at the airport during a particularly nasty lightning storm, waiting for my mother in law to arrive. I used to read British Vogue all the time, as it’s editorial attitude was much more fun than American Vogues (that changed soon after – now they’re largely the same, unfortunately).
But this issue.
I picked it up particularly for a certain photo-shoot inside:
It drew me in. It captivated me. I loved it. I had to have it (even for rather expensive import magazine price of ten dollars!).
A few days ago a fellow blogger posted a few scans of it online (click through the image to see more) and I was reminded of it’s vibrant beauty – and realized that some percentage of the inspiration for my wedding was sublimated somehow from it – even though I had forgotten about it. That whimsical, faded, colorful, thirties thing? Well that could certainly also describe my wedding.
And it’s made me decide, that I think I’m going to need to have balloons, certainly.
I was worried they’d look a bit like a kids birthday party, but this has proved to me that the can instead look quite, well… couture.
The turned out really, really well. Everybody who’s seen them has gone a little ga-ga. I’m a little ga-ga.
How did they come about?
Well, we needed save the dates. They’re not a necessary thing, you can totally just send out invites once and be done with it, but since we have so many guests coming from very far away (Australia and Korea far!) we thought they’d be a nice gesture so people have time to make plans.
Then I realized that half my friends are Graphic Designers and artists. This thing had to look awesome. No pressure or anything.
Well, blame it on me reading too many wedding websites, but I was drooling just a little too much over all the crazy-gorgeous engagement photos I’ve been seeing. I also find them just a little ridiculous. Spending all that money on a bunch of professional photo shoots, a year before you even get to the wedding? Seems a little much to me. But at the same time, a nice photo on a postcard seemed liked the easiest route for a save the date.
So we put together our own professional photo shoot instead. We found cute little vintagey outfits (mostly from our own closets), found an atmospheric – but free – location ( which was admittedly a little tricky in the middle of dreary March – but the loading dock at Liam’s former work worked out surprisingly well), posed cutely and got our sister to press the button on a borrowed DSLR camera.
There’s nothing pro about what we did, except for the polished, editorial-quality results. I think they even get across the vibe we’re going for perfectly – vintage, thirties-era whimsy. Which just proves that there’s no need for a fancy-shmancy photo shoot. All you need is a camera, a location and two people in love (although cute outfits help too!).
Oh, and there’s out-takes. Lot’s of them. Good ones. Expect to see them sometime soon, as well.
Productivity has become a bit of a hot topic in my life for some reason this week, so I’m going to share something with you all that has changed my life.
No, really.
It probably has something to do with the onslaught of wedding planning, as well as the capabilities of my iPhone, as well as the inability of my brain to hold on to pertinent information, but I am becoming a sucker for any and all automated ways to keep my life organized.
The number one way I do that these days, is with iGoogle.
Some of you more tech savvy kids out there are going to be nodding with me and going: yeah, duh, Google is the greatest thing in the universe.
But I also know, quite personally, that some of you are going: Waaaaaah? Eye-whatsa-oogle?
iGoogle, is kinda like MyYahoo used to be (if you ever used it). Except for it works.
It’s a customized Google landing page, where you can add little boxes (or widgets) that gather feeds or information from all the various internet sites you may use from day to day. Twitter, Facebook, GMail, Flickr, RSS feeds for your favourite blogs via Google Reader (which you should also be using!), Google Docs, Last FM, MySpace, BBC news – there is a widget for pretty much everything you could come up with.
No more wasting your time, clicking through all your bookmarks, no more missing out on pertinent information. Every update, for everything, on one page, topped off by one of a large number of adorable themes that change based on the time of day (the one I use is called Teahouse, and there’s a matching GMail theme to go with it!).
So, now you know. Use this knowledge, and thank me later.
So, yesterday, as we were sitting at the dentist, word started spreading on Twitter that LeVar Burton was hosting a tweetup at a bar in Yorkville.
Since Liam had the afternoon off due to dentistry, we started talking about it – how it might be interesting to go.
Liam was a huge Trekkie as a kid, as were most of his friends growing up in Thunder Bay, so he was all for going. I on the other hand waffled for little while. While I was certainly familiar with Star Trek (though never self identified as a fan) I was definitely a Reading Rainbow fangirl:
If you knew me as a child you know one thing for certain: My nose was in a a book 90 percent of the time. Watching Reading Rainbow made me feel a little more normal about my love of literature.
Suddenly, I realized that the little kindergartner inside of me would pretty much black out at the opportunity to meet one of her heroes. I had to do it.
So we went.
And it was amazing.
LeVar is pretty much one of the kindest, most genuine, most attentive celebrities I’ve ever met. He made time for everyone in the room. I was able to tell him how much I appreciated what he’d created in Reading Rainbow, and he really seemed pleased to hear it.
This all probably sounds silly to most of you, but he pretty much fulfilled a childhood fantasy for me, and I’m still floating around today, on a little bit of a high.
So here’s my advice to you: if you ever get the opportunity to do something you wanted to do as a child, but may have thought you outgrown: don’t think twice, do it! Your inner child will be eternally grateful.
Ok, so I never managed to get those recipes up – and they are coming, I promise, but I have been distracted by my birthday present – which finally got here at the begining of the week, and on which I am writing this very moment.
That thing is, my friends, an iPhone.
Yes, yes I have become one of those people.
To be fair, our contracts had run out, and Liam got a great deal – although I did tell him there was no need for something so extravagant.
But here it is, the precious little thing, and I already love it dearly.
So thank you to my boy. You figured out my hearts desire, even when I myself didn’t know what that was.
So, you know my favourite designer? The one I can’t afford, but drooled over at the flagship store in Covent Garden? Orla Kiely?
One word:
Target.
It may be more melamine plates and acrylic mugs than fair-isle sweaters and leather messenger bags, but it’s something (my fingers are double-crossed for a future GO International collaboration, though).
Weddings seem to be all about lace and pearls and all manner of frippery, and for those of us who weren’t all that into the girly stuff to begin with, it can start to feel pretty suffocating:
Frankly, drowned in a sea of pink roses and satin ruffles is not exactly the way I want to go out.
What about the kind of girl who prefers typography over calligraphy, functional over fussy, prosecco over champagne, thank you very much? For the unfussy, design minded bride, it can seem like there aren’t a lot of options.
It takes a little time and effort (although if you’ve ever spent a day kerning letters that’s not really a problem for you) but options, they can be found. So thank your lucky stars for Etsy, and the fact that, going for the unexpected and original is massively, makes you spit your celebratory prosecco out, affordable.
These little wooden dolls are adorable cake toppers – personal, but modern, in a clean-lined Scandinavian sort of way.
Even though wedding toppers are perhaps, a little old-fashioned, and a bit of a silly indulgence, I really love them because I think personal ones are an awesome keepsake to remember your day. A little statue of you and your boy in your finest sitting on the mantle is a much more unique than the ubiquitous, over-sized, wedding portrait.
This dress is just plain gorgeous and that’s the bottom line. A wedding custom dress, in your size, for that price? Even more amazing.
It’s white and it’s satin, and it’s got ruffles – so no ones’ going to think you’re a guest at your own wedding – but it does all of those things in a way which is fresh, clean, modern and just a little unconventional. It’s a dress that does everything the best graphic design should do – it expresses itself in a precise but intriguing way.
If you’re a designer, you probably find it a lot of fun to play around with, and subvert cliches, and the pearl necklace at the wedding certainly is one.
This handmade piece brings a certain, unexpected, industrial, edge to the old-standby, and I love it.
This is by the gal who did my engagement ring (and wedding band), and can I say?
Genius.
If I were a little more gutsy, I totally would have gone for something like this. It’s completely the opposite of what’s expected (a black diamond? Up-side down? Whaaaaat?) but gorgeous. Your friends will work themselves into a tizzy when the see it (PS: Black diamonds are dirt cheap, so you can rock something the size of a babies fist for the same price as somebody else’s boringly tasteful ring).
P.S. I avoided the whole invitations quagmire, because I’m thinking this bride has already got that down. This bride’s already got a signature typeface and monogram picked out, and knows her cardstock will be a pale blue Strathmore watercolour paper, and could also tell you the paper weight and envelope size, if asked. She does not need help with graphic design projects.
As are stores with beautiful, well designed, edited, reasonably priced house wares (including gorgeous bone china – which is the sturdiest thing you can get, so you should use it for your everyday dishes).
Bought Liam new shoes.
They’re grey checkered high top Vans. They’re pretty cute.
Tested out champagne cocktails with friends over New Years.
Verdict: cheaper is better. Win-win!
Built a wedding website.
Wedsite?
I dunno. A place on the interweebz to put weddingy crap. It turned out pretty nice. It will launch soon (as soon as Liam puts his copy writing skillz to work and fills in all the blanks).
Mine was Montreal style with smoked meat, mustard and a pickle. I thought it was pretty good, but I see what people are getting at with the gravy. It had a strong sage flavour, but I like that in a gravy, so I was cool with it.
Bought flannel sheets.
This is a bigger deal than it sounds: Good quality flannel sheets in the winter are one of the best investments you will can make: seriously, they will change, and simultaneously rock your world. Just make sure they aren’t the cheap stiff ones. The soft ones: they are where it’s at.
Were taken (for a wonderful engagement present from my sister and her boy) to Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar.
It was amazing, and not as expensive as you’d think There were four of us, and we had 8 entrees (shared tapas style), 5 deserts, a bottle of wine and it came in under two hundred dollars.
You can’t do that at the keg – and this was much more special.
The black cod in particular was awesome – really fresh and wonderful, like it had just come out of the ocean. I was in love with the cheese plate – beautiful local Ontario and Quebec cheeses served with honey comb and these amazing little spiced walnuts. The fries are as good as people say they are – although actually, I think Batifole’s are just a little bit better. Just a little though.
Root Beer has always been my favourite soda flavour, since I was a wee girl, and my parents have the photos to prove my adoration for chocolate cake (everybody has one of those cake-smeared first birthday pictures somewhere, right?). This recipe has me salivating at the very concept of combining the two, and does what the Baked boys do best – capture the joy of childhood in cake form.
I am Amelie when it comes to Creme Brule. A meal out just isn’t complete without it – and shame on those fancy chefs out there screwing with the classic and adding all manner of flavoring to overpower it’s simple, sweet, creamy, custardy, caramely glory.
But this? Placing a classic creme brule on top of a truffle tart? Keeping both flavors distinct, but delightfully paired? I approve. Carry on.
This is the one recipe on this list I have tried and loved – and boy did I love. This recipe has been thoroughly making the rounds on the ol’ blogosphere – and for good reason. It’s a revolutionary way of making and old favourite that just might turn your world a little tipsy turvy. Although one needn’t buy into the hype of using special flour, and fancy chips. Just use whatever you have around, the real important part is to let the dough sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours, and to salt the tops before you pop them in the oven. Then prepare for heaven on earth, inside of your mouth.
After that earlier pie post, you knew this was coming, right? And you were excited, right?
There’s been some discussion in the blog-o-sphere that macarons might be the new cupcakes. This is wrong headed. Macarons are simply not nostalgic, comfy, heartwarming treats. Macarons are light and indulgent and fancy. Macarons are maybe the new truffles – but pies are totally the new cupcakes.
Did you know Olive, Chuck and Ned had their own little recipe site? Well, They do. Or they, er, rather… did. You too can learn how to make cute little tiny cup pies, or bake with cheese. And then you can sob into your home baked slice about our dearly departed (canceled) friends…
Fingers crossed for a movie or comic book, people.
Pie crafts!
If you’re handy with felt (or a paypal account, as the case may be), my cats would really appreciate one of these Organic Catnip Pies. Cats should not get left out of the fun of pies.
Or if you’re handy with knitting needles, I would really appreciate one of these Pie Berets. I would look silly, sure, but I would totally wear it if you made it for me.
This cookbook has been getting raves from all the foodie types on the net, and well deserved ones, it seems. They actually have a recipe for a Root Beer Chocolate cake. Yeah, I know, right?
But… Pies? You say. Of course. How does a Pumpkin whoopie pie sound? Warm and cosy, just like a pie should? Well then, this book has you covered. It’s fresh, but nostalgic, take on flavours and easy to follow recipes will win you over.
And the pictures are really, really, really pretty. Which doesn’t hurt either.
If I didn’t already have a (chinoiserie) coffee table that I have already DIY’d (painted turquoise), I’d consider Ikea hacking this project – I think it looks like 60’s mod Italian design. It would look pretty cool with my Olivetti Valentine sitting on top of it. I also like how the ‘hackee,’ like the Native Americans, used all parts of the ikea shelves to make it, wasting nothing.
These are just too pretty, and festive. I’m a sucker for anything involving cut paper – but this little project is a combination of ephemeral and affordable that is just perfect for a party.
This is a variation on that plates-and-cups-glued-together tea tier craft that we’ve seen – but I think it’s an especially clean, modern and vaguely Scandinavian take on it.
The cats knocked over my floor lamp with a drum shade, shattering the plastic on the inside. I freaked out – because drum shades are really hard to find, and expensive when you do (and this one was particularly cute – white canvas with a black branch pattern). Seeing this little tutorial for how to make your own drum shade a day or two later made me sigh with relief.
If you’ve still got pumpkin kicking around, (and I’m betting you do – it’s a proving to be a pretty ubiquitous/trendy ingredient this fall) this is a great recipe to try out – especially if you’re not in the mood for something sweet. The pumpkin makes the soup super velvety, and combined with avocados it just drove me crazy with it’s deliciousness.
Umm, so Jamie Oliver put out a video game for the Nintendo DS. Weird, right? As much as cooking and video games are two of my greatest loves, I’m not sure they mix all that well, even if Jamie does put his rather awesome stamp on it. As a very good friend once put it (although I think he was talking about Nu Metal at the time) it’s like mixing soup with ice cream. I love both, but that doesn’t mean I want to eat them together.
Now this is an odd combination I can totally get behind: an Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind themed pie, inspired by the movie Waitress. Yes, it’s tangerine flavoured. What’s not to love about that?
Just a new little blog that I stumbled on that combines adorable illustrations with a strong design sense and vegan comfort foods. Sounds pretty nice and cosy right? BTW The girl who writes it is from Portland. You know how I feel about Portland.
I love the home-spun graphic design of Cooks Country Magazine, and of course recipes don’t get any better than those of the editors, (also of America’s Test Kitchen, and Cook’s Illustrated). Even more than all that though, I looooooooove regional and traditional American food. It’s one of my little obsessions. So, fingers crossed that Santa sends me this one for Christmas.
My all time favourite picture of Obama, is the one of him hanging from a bar in a gymnasium, doing a pull-up (I think it’s pretty symbolic of not just strength, and resolve, but also a good sense of humour) but really there’s a lot of photogenic to go around with this guy.
A thorough examination of Obama’s breakthrough 2004 DNC speech. A must-read for anyone interested in not only, how this whole thing got started in the first place, but how Obama’s rhetorical skills were honed (am I the only speech-geek in the room? Yes? Oh. Well, I blame Aaron Sorkin).
His speech on race gave me chills and tears in equal measure, but I do love a good oratory. If you haven’t watched/read it yet, now’s probably the time to do so.
It’s been printed and pressed, and the band – a little outfit cleverly named Provincial Parks – is having a party to celebrate – so you should be there. I will be there, anyways. I would like a copy of my work – and the music inside it’s pretty awesome too (sort of a sparkly-shiny indie rock with some poppy undertones) so I’m excited about getting a copy of that as well.
the Sis on 