(MAGNOLIA FACE)
14.5.13
7.5.13
repository pt. 8
1. I posted about this cake on Instagram, but for Geoff’s birthday on Saturday, I decided to try something a little challenging for me and made him the birthday cake from the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook. It took a couple of days (I made the crumb & frosting on one day, the cake the next, then it had to freeze for at least 12 hours, then thaw out... recipe is here if you want to try it). I’m not much of a baker but it was satisfying to have it work out, and I was pretty proud of myself. I am nuts about sprinkles so I’ll probably make it again at some point, although I’ll double the frosting because it seems to me that I didn’t have quite enough. Geoff and I had such a lovely birthday weekend, full of blossoming trees and bike rides and friends.
2. Some of you may know that my sweet friend Caitlin (formerly of Nice) has been through some challenging times lately as the result of health issues, but she recently relaunched her shop as Fun Cult! Exciting! I know she worked so hard and wanted so badly to get back into it. Maybe she can be rewarded with a new kidney!
3. A while ago I was asked to participate in a fun project called Change of View for Bettery Magazine. I asked my friend, the excellent photographer Johan Hallberg Campbell, to collaborate with me as he is originally from Scotland. It was a little challenging because if given the chance, I prefer to photograph details, indoors, close up, etc., not urban settings, and also it was winter and I swoon most for Toronto in spring and summer, when everything is green and lush and beautiful. But it’s always fun to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and Johan’s pink umbrella picture is the best. The picture above is an outtake; I took it from the top of Robarts Library. I love the dome of the planetarium peeking out.
4. Such a pretty dress from Beaumont Organic.
5. My friend Caitlin added a few original paintings for sale in her shop and I got this one because I have been so incredibly lazy about going to the gym lately and maybe these girls can inspire me to get back into it (I actually LIKE going to the gym & feel out of sorts when I don’t go, yet it’s always such a struggle). I love her Rose Garden painting.
6. Kristiann has printed versions of her sewing patterns available and they are so beautiful!
I have been enjoying all the violets growing all over the lawns in my neighbourhood lately! So pretty.
2.5.13
reading 4ever
So, my latest obsession is my eReader. I never thought I would ever care to own an eReader (I thought I was firmly in the camp of the I WOULD NEVERs), but I recently had to teach myself how to make ePubs at work and it became important to use one and to become familiar with them. I’ve had conversations with friends of mine who are not convinced, but I’ve been reading a lot more since buying it. I think it might be because of the novelty of it (so cute and tiny, tap tap tap), which is fine by me.
When Geoff and I moved into our current apartment I spent a week carrying my book collection up our steep side stairs, sweaty and overwhelmed and furious with myself for spending too many paycheques on books when I worked in bookstores. Thinking about how we’ll have to move again eventually makes me want to throw all my books into a dumpster. Don’t get me wrong: I love most of my books, and I love collecting books. I worked for a rare & fine book dealer for a time, cataloguing every bump and bit of foxing in his collection, sniffing the pages, and appreciating every detail that made a book collectable. When I see a physical copy of a book I typeset, of course it feels more exciting than when I look at the same book in PDF format. Part of the joy of books is the book as an object. But this is just different, and it’s so much easier on my shoulder than carrying a book or two in my purse.
I chose a Kobo Mini for a number of reasons: I got it on sale for about the cost of two hardcovers, so it wasn’t that crazy a splurge; I like the look of it and the interface; you can borrow eBooks from the public library. Some independent bookstores use Kobo to sell eBooks, and you can also get eBooks through lots of independent publishers directly (e.g. Coach House).
Anyhow! All that to say that I made a very specific type of leather good!
I don’t really like the covers you can get for eReaders, because they’re usually bulky and/or hideous. It was pretty simple to make because I kept it basic and as light as possible. I had a false start with one that I tried to make with a lining, so I left it unlined. I took a 12x12” piece of leather and trimmed it to size with a rotary cutter, using the reader as a guide.
I got some cute stretch velvet ribbon (pink, duh) from Mokuba, and sewed little triangles of leather to hold it in place on opposite corners. A button stud & a hole made with leather punch (borrowed from Falconwright—thanks, guys!), with a small circle of leather glued over the back of the stud so the metal wouldn’t scratch, and ta-da, done. It’s pretty secure and the reader has yet to fall out.
As IF I would share some of the more embarrassing books I have on here!
A pretty ANN-YA pouch to store the cord & reader together, hashtag pouch addict.
When Geoff and I moved into our current apartment I spent a week carrying my book collection up our steep side stairs, sweaty and overwhelmed and furious with myself for spending too many paycheques on books when I worked in bookstores. Thinking about how we’ll have to move again eventually makes me want to throw all my books into a dumpster. Don’t get me wrong: I love most of my books, and I love collecting books. I worked for a rare & fine book dealer for a time, cataloguing every bump and bit of foxing in his collection, sniffing the pages, and appreciating every detail that made a book collectable. When I see a physical copy of a book I typeset, of course it feels more exciting than when I look at the same book in PDF format. Part of the joy of books is the book as an object. But this is just different, and it’s so much easier on my shoulder than carrying a book or two in my purse.
I chose a Kobo Mini for a number of reasons: I got it on sale for about the cost of two hardcovers, so it wasn’t that crazy a splurge; I like the look of it and the interface; you can borrow eBooks from the public library. Some independent bookstores use Kobo to sell eBooks, and you can also get eBooks through lots of independent publishers directly (e.g. Coach House).
Anyhow! All that to say that I made a very specific type of leather good!
I don’t really like the covers you can get for eReaders, because they’re usually bulky and/or hideous. It was pretty simple to make because I kept it basic and as light as possible. I had a false start with one that I tried to make with a lining, so I left it unlined. I took a 12x12” piece of leather and trimmed it to size with a rotary cutter, using the reader as a guide.
I got some cute stretch velvet ribbon (pink, duh) from Mokuba, and sewed little triangles of leather to hold it in place on opposite corners. A button stud & a hole made with leather punch (borrowed from Falconwright—thanks, guys!), with a small circle of leather glued over the back of the stud so the metal wouldn’t scratch, and ta-da, done. It’s pretty secure and the reader has yet to fall out.
As IF I would share some of the more embarrassing books I have on here!
A pretty ANN-YA pouch to store the cord & reader together, hashtag pouch addict.
19.4.13
introducing n. historiae & giveaway (now closed)
Today I am happy to introduce a new line of jewellery, N. Historiae, created by my friend Flora, based here in Toronto.
Founded by Flora Lam, N. Historiae’s collections are objects made to endure and unconfined by seasons. Guided by instinct and intuition, our creations are inspired by beauty from the natural world, marked by the stories of extraordinary lives lived.
Each piece is beautifully hand-carved using gold and accented with Japanese ribbon. I was drawn immediately to the two collections, The Dweller and the Fly-Fisherman’s Wife, because they reminded me of being 12 and signing out every book on Greek mythology that I could find, and of learning to translate Ovid in university. There is something so Classical, in the literal sense, about the imagery used.
I had the chance to examine the pieces and they are so stunning, so well-crafted. I kept thinking that they look like pieces that could be found in the ancient Mediterranean collection in a museum (always my favourite section of a museum).
Together with N. Historiae, I will be giving away one Wheat necklace. To enter, please visit the N. Historiae shop and leave a comment below telling me which piece is your favourite (please be sure to leave me a form of contact, either an email or a website link; also note that I have turned on comment moderation to combat spam and your comment will not appear immediately). For an added entry, please follow N. Historiae on Twitter and leave a comment below letting me know that you have done so. I will close the giveaway on April 24 at noon EDT, and choose a winner at random. This giveaway is open internationally.
Good luck!
ETA: This giveaway is now closed! Congratulations to Stephanie!
Founded by Flora Lam, N. Historiae’s collections are objects made to endure and unconfined by seasons. Guided by instinct and intuition, our creations are inspired by beauty from the natural world, marked by the stories of extraordinary lives lived.
Each piece is beautifully hand-carved using gold and accented with Japanese ribbon. I was drawn immediately to the two collections, The Dweller and the Fly-Fisherman’s Wife, because they reminded me of being 12 and signing out every book on Greek mythology that I could find, and of learning to translate Ovid in university. There is something so Classical, in the literal sense, about the imagery used.
I had the chance to examine the pieces and they are so stunning, so well-crafted. I kept thinking that they look like pieces that could be found in the ancient Mediterranean collection in a museum (always my favourite section of a museum).
Together with N. Historiae, I will be giving away one Wheat necklace. To enter, please visit the N. Historiae shop and leave a comment below telling me which piece is your favourite (please be sure to leave me a form of contact, either an email or a website link; also note that I have turned on comment moderation to combat spam and your comment will not appear immediately). For an added entry, please follow N. Historiae on Twitter and leave a comment below letting me know that you have done so. I will close the giveaway on April 24 at noon EDT, and choose a winner at random. This giveaway is open internationally.
Good luck!
ETA: This giveaway is now closed! Congratulations to Stephanie!
18.4.13
underwater pony
I took these pictures of the Magic Pony window last month, when this was the current installation and when we were still deep into the gloom of winter. The window was done by Diana Vandermeulen and to me, it looks like a beautiful deep sea kingdom. I loved walking by it.
10.4.13
gnd patterns
I took these black and white photos a few weeks ago, when I had started learning how to knit. It took me a long time to get to this point, but I can say now that I can read simple patterns and make simple pieces, and it’s exciting to me! I never realized that I could enjoy knitting until I started looking into the beautiful, luxurious types of yarn available, and knitting has really become a source of pleasure and calm.
Because I have enjoyed Good Night, Day knits for years and years now, it made sense that I would start with Tara-Lynn’s patterns. Incidentally, have you seen her latest lookbook, shot by Arden Wray (of Boots & Pine)? They made magic together.
I got the Good Night, Day pattern book, a few instructional books from the library, looked up some video tutorials, spent a few hours in yarn stores, and eventually, with quite a lot of practice, it clicked. Some long-remembered hand-mechanics kicked in after that, it seemed.
The first piece I made was the Elora toque. I used a heavy yarn for it, Blue Sky bulky alpaca in fawn, and it made the hat rather large but I love it that way. I love this yarn.
I was so excited when I finished the brim that I wrote to Tara-Lynn and gushed about how I couldn’t believe that I had actually knit something that wasn’t just a scarf with irregular edges. She very sweetly offered to send me some of her DIY kits to try, which was even more exciting because she uses the loveliest yarn, which is carefully sourced.
After I finished the Elora toque I also made the cowl from the pattern book—I took a couple of winters off cowls but I like them again. I made this one with Cozy Wool from Michael’s but I’m going to re-do it in the Blue Sky alpaca for maximum coziness and with, I hope, fewer mistakes.
DIY knitting kits! The Elora toque in white merino and the Windsor turban in camel, in the softest silk, merino, and alpaca blend. I carted mine around for a few days and they got a bit crinkled.
I am the type of person who loves to wear hats and things on my head so I could not be happier about this new development in my life. Hats forever!
Thanks, T-L!
Because I have enjoyed Good Night, Day knits for years and years now, it made sense that I would start with Tara-Lynn’s patterns. Incidentally, have you seen her latest lookbook, shot by Arden Wray (of Boots & Pine)? They made magic together.
I got the Good Night, Day pattern book, a few instructional books from the library, looked up some video tutorials, spent a few hours in yarn stores, and eventually, with quite a lot of practice, it clicked. Some long-remembered hand-mechanics kicked in after that, it seemed.
The first piece I made was the Elora toque. I used a heavy yarn for it, Blue Sky bulky alpaca in fawn, and it made the hat rather large but I love it that way. I love this yarn.
I was so excited when I finished the brim that I wrote to Tara-Lynn and gushed about how I couldn’t believe that I had actually knit something that wasn’t just a scarf with irregular edges. She very sweetly offered to send me some of her DIY kits to try, which was even more exciting because she uses the loveliest yarn, which is carefully sourced.
After I finished the Elora toque I also made the cowl from the pattern book—I took a couple of winters off cowls but I like them again. I made this one with Cozy Wool from Michael’s but I’m going to re-do it in the Blue Sky alpaca for maximum coziness and with, I hope, fewer mistakes.
DIY knitting kits! The Elora toque in white merino and the Windsor turban in camel, in the softest silk, merino, and alpaca blend. I carted mine around for a few days and they got a bit crinkled.
I am the type of person who loves to wear hats and things on my head so I could not be happier about this new development in my life. Hats forever!
Thanks, T-L!
4.4.13
new york, pt. 3: the floral district and ps1
This post contains pictures that I find disappointing, because they capture only the tiniest fraction of the beauty we saw that day as we visited the flower markets and MoMA PS1 (with a pizza lunch in between, and a walk through Soho & Chinatown after). I share them here, though, because both of these places are excellent ones to visit.
We got a map from the hotel upon check in and while looking at it in our room, I noticed something that said FLORAL DISTRICT. I pointed and gasped, “What’s that!” I knew florists got their flowers somewhere, obviously, I had just never really thought about it. I had always pictured a huge warehouse, closed to the public, something like the food terminal where grocers and chefs get their produce in the night (eg. act one of this episode of TAL), but florists are one step removed from that process. When we were having coffee with Amy I asked her about it. This Floral District is made up of a number of shops that sell wholesale but that are open to the public. Amy advised us to go to Stumptown at the nearby Ace, get a coffee, and wander around the flower shops, but to get there before 10. Geoff & I are utterly hopeless in the morning, and compounded with hotel mishaps on that sunny Friday (a pipe burst above the elevator, leading to no water and no elevator service to our 38th floor room, and to Geoff helping another guest with her heavy suitcase all the way down all those stairs...), we got there just before 10. We took the 1 to 28th Street and wove our way in and out of the shops with flowers piled up on metal shelving and bursting out of buckets. Cut flowers, potted plants, blossoming branches. I wished I could take all the flowers home with me! I didn’t want to be intrusive and take too many pictures while people were going about their business of unloading and loading flowers, making deals, and wrapping bundles in kraft paper. But that hour surrounded by flowers was a highlight of the trip. We even made a couple of cat friends! Recommended.
Instagram photos here, here, and here.
After lunch we took the G train to Queens (it was pretty quick!) and visited MoMA PS1. We caught CONFETTISYSTEM’s 100 Arrangements on one of its last days, which was lucky. I was also pleased to see that they have a long-term James Turrell exhibition at PS1 (the Turrell piece at the Albright-Knox in Buffalo is one of my favourite things ever). If we make it back, I would like to eat at the M. Wells Dinette. It looked seriously top-notch, especially if you love meat, but we were still full of pizza and got coffee to go.
I have to admit that I think my pictures of 100 Arrangements stink (!!) but that's what you get with no natural lighting and ISO 160 film. Similar views posted to Instagram here and here. Gimme those peaches.
We got a map from the hotel upon check in and while looking at it in our room, I noticed something that said FLORAL DISTRICT. I pointed and gasped, “What’s that!” I knew florists got their flowers somewhere, obviously, I had just never really thought about it. I had always pictured a huge warehouse, closed to the public, something like the food terminal where grocers and chefs get their produce in the night (eg. act one of this episode of TAL), but florists are one step removed from that process. When we were having coffee with Amy I asked her about it. This Floral District is made up of a number of shops that sell wholesale but that are open to the public. Amy advised us to go to Stumptown at the nearby Ace, get a coffee, and wander around the flower shops, but to get there before 10. Geoff & I are utterly hopeless in the morning, and compounded with hotel mishaps on that sunny Friday (a pipe burst above the elevator, leading to no water and no elevator service to our 38th floor room, and to Geoff helping another guest with her heavy suitcase all the way down all those stairs...), we got there just before 10. We took the 1 to 28th Street and wove our way in and out of the shops with flowers piled up on metal shelving and bursting out of buckets. Cut flowers, potted plants, blossoming branches. I wished I could take all the flowers home with me! I didn’t want to be intrusive and take too many pictures while people were going about their business of unloading and loading flowers, making deals, and wrapping bundles in kraft paper. But that hour surrounded by flowers was a highlight of the trip. We even made a couple of cat friends! Recommended.
Instagram photos here, here, and here.
After lunch we took the G train to Queens (it was pretty quick!) and visited MoMA PS1. We caught CONFETTISYSTEM’s 100 Arrangements on one of its last days, which was lucky. I was also pleased to see that they have a long-term James Turrell exhibition at PS1 (the Turrell piece at the Albright-Knox in Buffalo is one of my favourite things ever). If we make it back, I would like to eat at the M. Wells Dinette. It looked seriously top-notch, especially if you love meat, but we were still full of pizza and got coffee to go.
I have to admit that I think my pictures of 100 Arrangements stink (!!) but that's what you get with no natural lighting and ISO 160 film. Similar views posted to Instagram here and here. Gimme those peaches.
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