Where I kind of wish I was right now.

Cutest photo ever?

I think so.

from Little Brown Pen

Partytime!

Roomie and I are throwing a Housewarming Party tomorrow! Currently the house is in a dire state of disarray, but preparations are coming along, and the list of attendees is pretty awesome. Yay parties!! Do you have any fun plans lined up for the weekend??

photo source

Today I asked Homohubby about a particular dilemma I have created (for truly, the question/task at hand is not that great.) His advice was simple and honest, and is going to be my quote for the day.

Just go.

When did maintaining a relationship become so much work? Remember when it was simply and completely understood that you'd meet your favourite people in the same spot on the playground everyday, and a couple of friends could be completely content walking to the park and back? Friendship was easy. Seemingly unbreakable bonds were formed instantly. A giggle solved an argument.

Once you're a grown up "life" gets in the way. There's no recess or afterschool, only schedules and to do lists. Instead of living in the same neighbourhood, kilometres separate friends. Emails are impersonal, telephone conversations are sporatic and internet chats seem somehow dishonest or inorganic.

Thoughts are more complex, options more varied, arguments are unresolved instead of forgotten. Childhood friendships are innocent and unselfish. Adults seem preoccupied with how "I" feel - asking 'How come you make ME feel this way?' instead of 'Why do YOU feel this way?"

What I find frusterating is that friendships can still be easy. All it takes is a "Hello, how are you doing?", some thoughtful texts, an effusive letter or two and a willingness to be open despite long distances. I admit I am not the best at keeping in touch, but I know that I am better than some. I just find it so bizzare that these days people seem so much more willing to pour themselves into their job or career than into their relationships. So maybe today, or tomorrow, take some time to connect with someone - write a quick note, call to say a quick hello - something small is all it takes.

photo source

What I wish I was eating for Breakfast this morning:

Delish...

via youaremyfave

Okay so last summer when Rompers became the Rage, I wasn't feeling it. I may or may not have compared them to onesies, or a toddlers uniform - and the one romper I did try on looked like a slutty police costume minus the badge and handcuffs.

But the tides have turned and I am soo ready to have the romper be my summer uniform.

If you think about it, it is effortless dressing.

Romper + cute shoes + chunky bracelet = Ensemble AWESOMENESS.

To start my romper collection I think I would like to have any and/or all of these.

250 POSTS!!!!

HOORAY for committing to posting on this blog 250 times! I know that when I missed my bicentennial I promised a "big to do" for the big 250 but quite frankly I need to get back to applying for jobs so I am going to post this adorable photo that I feel says a lot about me (tea, grand ballrooms, sun, dressing up, fantasy and unnecessary decadence...)

One thing I love about Toronto in the spring (other than the fact that Toronto actually gets a spring) is the curious abundance of cherry blossoms. They are gorgeous, and every time I see one as I walk down the street my day gets a little more beautiful.

Still Dreaming of Paris...

photo source

Le sigh... Since it is clear I won't be visiting La Ville-Lumière for quite some time, I guess I'll just close my eyes, listen to this song and daydream.

Song of the Day

So I know I've already pointed out how magnificent Glee's Madonna episode was; but in case you need proof here are the men of Glee singing 'What it Feels Like for A Girl" - I think it's the best arrangement Glee's done thus far.

“Discipline yourself to do the things you need to do when you need to do them, and the day will come when you will be able to do the things you want to do when you want to do them!”
~Zig Ziglar

via Beyond the Gray

Just sayin'

Glee was phenomenal tonight. I can't remember the last time I had that much fun watching television. Power of Madonna indeed.

Confession:

I'm kind of in love with the line at Roots right now. I walk by a store on my way to the gym, and I gotta say, their merchandise just keeps getting cuter and cuter!

Like their new dresses. Cute cotton cover-ups, and fa

b looking maxis (that don't seem to exist on their website). They've got the crisp, casual white shirt that I am determined to make a staple of my summer waredrobe and an adorable tote; and who knew Roots made shoes designed for something other than wilderness hikes?!

Most of all I covet the Olivia Bag. I have wanted it for months. Far too many months to mention. It's just the perfect new bag for me, I am convinced. (and while I'm partial to the gray it now comes in all sorts of fun colours too!)

Just... I mean, Roots, Roots... Way to go. Way. To. Go.

Shadows and Light

via Model's Own

via Gold Smith

just some words

I have been a horrible blogger as of late... my deepest apologies. I was feeling a little blah, and then - as my luck would have it - my computer died. Yes friends, my (not-so-trusty) ol' Dell finally kicked the bucket. While I wait for Visa to ship the Future Shop gift cards I bought with my rewards points, I have been time-sharing Roomie's computer. I must get back to job applications (as always) but I wanted to post something and so I'm going to post a little something that I wrote last week. I've taken to carrying a little notebook around with me at all times. A Moleskin, blue, pocket-sized. It comes in handy, like last week when I was waiting for OCAD's HR department to return from a meeting so that I could drop off a job application. I sat in the Grange (a darling little park in the heart of downtown - I quite enjoy it actually), in the sun on a worn picnic table. I sat and I wrote. It is very much a first draft - very stream of consciousness, if you will. Enjoy! Or read and discard - I promise a more enthusiastic/organized post is on its way.

And so she sits. Pit of nerves in her stomach, wishing she were someone else. Soft breeze, warm sun. laughs, chatter, children float across the soft green park. Benches and tables suitable for repose and contemplation. She should be grateful to have this day, this time, this wooden friend to sit upon but instead of enjoying her mind wanders. People are staring,judging. Perhaps not her but people always stare and judge, She knows because she does it. Constantly judging. You look fat you look tired these clothes are all wrong your pants are too tight your shoes too scuffed. Worthless, thoughtless, wordless, jobless. So much tie and energy spent on everything that is unimportant.

Maybe someday her eyes will open and she will have grown, have succeeded. Maybe she is on the cusp of who she is supposed to be! Maybe we're all on the cusp of who we're supposed to be. I'm not supposed to be there; waking, living, loving, enjoying, never compromising. Until then she will nuzzle up to the wooden park bench and bask in the sun - her only comfort and only warmth. Wood supports sun beams shine people forget, wane, think too much or not enough they are not there Only she. Only she and the soft green grass.

[Apparently I was in a dark mood... huh.]

I woke up before my alarm this morning and took advantage of the extra time for some good old-fashioned browsing. Just look at all of the fun things I've found!

Typography fun at the Keep Calm Gallery

Adorable bracelets from Starlet Charm (I like the elephant one - so cute!)

Antiques and housewares that I wish were mine

Super cute bookshelf facade (I still don't have any shelving in my bedroom and its starting to become a major nuisance)

Awesome photo taken by the Sartorialist - I would LOVE to have this poster in my house

Outfit envy over at Jak and Jil

Pretty red bow!

A super cool photo of a super cool house that's right near my apartment.

Aww man I could spend forever looking at fun pretty things online...but I've already spent the morning so I better get back to ye ol' job hunt... Happy hump day readers!

SONG OF THE DAY

Holy Gleek am I excited!

Glee returns tomorrow! As you may or may not know, I'm pretty obsessed with the show, and as such have coerced a friend of mine into booking the Cinema Room (yeah that's right) in his condo building so that I may enjoy the long-awaited return of this television gem on a big screen and with surround sound.

Also, don't know if you can tell by this fantastic promo shot, but next week's episode has a Madonna theme. HECK yes!

Operation optimism

It has occurred to me that I am becoming increasingly more cynical and pessimistic. (Most of this negativity both comes from and is directed towards my job search). It's not good. Must cultivate a more optimistic outlook.

Photo via Beyond the Gray

Wall Envy

Roomie and I still haven't finished our Gallery Wall yet. We just bought 18 frames off craigslist (most of which are admittedly smaller than anticipated) but they're still sitting in a pile against the wall. SOON though. Soon.

Meanwhile I'll just stare at this photo:

via So About What I Said...

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence;
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

Proust Questionnaire

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT STATE OF MIND?
exhaustion

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OCCUPATION?(WAY OF SPENDING TIME)
daydreaming

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
Being alone

WHAT HISTORICAL FIGURE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
Grace Kelly?

WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
My grandfather

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FICTIONAL HERO?
Jane Austen?

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST REGRET?
Having too many regrets

WHO ARE YOUR REAL-LIFE HEROES?
My grandfather

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My heart

WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU HAPPIEST?
Italy, May 2005

WHAT IS YOUR MOST OBVIOUS CHARACTERISTIC?
Introversion, my hair(??)

WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE (HATE) IN YOURSELF?
My lack of motivation

WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN OTHERS?
Selfishness

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
My imagination

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JOURNEY?
The one I’m on right now

WHAT DO YOU MOST DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR APPEARANCE?
My stomach

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST OVER-RATED VIRTUE?
Chastity

ON WHAT OCCASION DO YOU LIE?
When necessary; to save someone pain or embarrassment

WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVER-USE?
"I should"

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
My energy/drive

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
University degree; being a good Aunt

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE?
London England

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A MAN?
Honesty

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A WOMAN?
Confidence

WHAT IS IT YOU MOST DISLIKE?
Superficiality; feeling inadequate

WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST IN YOUR FRIENDS?
Trust, humour

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIE?
Happy

IF YOU WERE TO DIE AND COME BACK AS A PERSON OR AN ANIMAL, WHAT DO YOU
THINK IT WOULD BE?
Polar bear (?)

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE AN OBJECT TO COME BACK AS, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?An
artistic Masterpiece

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO (WORDS YOU LIVE BY OR THAT MEAN A LOT TO YOU)?
Always be kind

WHO HAS BEEN THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
I don’t know, there are many

I tried to respond to each question with immediacy, and as such some of the answers seem a bit off - hence the " (??)s " scattered throughout as editorial notes - but when one can't fall asleep it is an interesting exercise. Actually I'm sure it's an interesting exercise whether one is lying in bed or not... I don't know much about Proust or why these are the questions he selected, nor do I know what purpose they are meant to serve or secrets they are meant to reveal. Some of the questions I found quite difficult - certainly the use of 'greatest' and 'most' add a certain amount of gravity to ones answers.

Anywho, perhaps I should have another go at shut eye before I ramble on for another 5 minutes... G'night!

New music!!

JMac turned me onto The xx (she lives in England so she's totally up on the BritPop..)

They're pretty great. Perfect for listening to on quiet nights during late hours.


This song makes me think of a movie trailer. Very blurred lights, city streets, forlorn faces in taxi-cab windows, muted tones, painful glances. (I always thought it would be a wonderful job to assemble trailers and pick the appropriate music).

ALL I WANT IS A MR DARCY

Today was a shit day. Actually that's not true, there were parts of today that were perfectly lovely - like when two dear boys came over for an impromptu tea party, and when the sun came out for 20 minutes this afternoon and brightened my living room - but mostly I felt like a failure.

So instead of getting up and going for a walk, or to the gym I watched Pride and Prejudice. Escaping to 19th century English countryside with its leisures and witty banter and balls and Great Loves. I challenge you to devise a more perfect remedy to a blah, grey day. Oh, and Mr. Darcy, how I love you so. I fancy that some day I'll have a Mr. Darcy and we'll be sublimely happy despite our arguements and differences in stature... *sigh*

I wanted to show you one of my favourite scenes - a scene between Elizabeth and her father (played magnificently by one Donald Sutherland) - which gets me everytime BUT the internet is not obliging. Instead I'll give you a snippet of the lovely, lovely soundtrack:

This is GORGEOUS.

HAPPY EASTER!!

Today my Easter activities included a decadent brunch (featuring fresh-made waffles with strawberries and real whipped cream, perfectly cooked scrambled eggs with bacon, fresh fruit, and - of course - mimosas), relaxing in a hammock, chats and new friends on a rooftop patio, bright sun and warm breezes, a home-cooked Easter ham accompanied with asparagus and roasted root vegetables, camembert with pear and - obviously, deliciously - a Lindt dark chocolate bunny. A jubilant Sunday indeed.

Played around with the new blogger template maker tonight - what do you think?

Hot Sun = Bliss

Gearing up for another 24 degree day. Cannot wait to be doing this:



photo found here

I went to see Chloe last night.

I had seen posters, read an article/press release, but really had hardly any idea what it was about. It was GREAT. I had no preconceived notions, Amanda Seyfried was fantastic, as was Julienne Moore - as always (love her!) and the cinematography was gorgeous. It's suspenseful, sexy, surprising - AND completely Canadian. It was shot in Toronto and I love, love, loved how I recognized and could place almost every single location. (I do live here! I really do!)

Check out the trailer here.

Where's the Reset button??

As I feared / predicted would happen, my weekend trip home [PS I went home to Hali for the weekend] has thrown my off my groove, so to speak.

Currently sitting on bed, in towel and slippers having accomplished solely a load of laundry and a bit of reading, feeling like I'm back at square one.

BUT it is not yet noon (almost, but not yet) so there is still time to turn this day around.

AND it's sunny and warm. Forecast for tomorrow = 25 degrees celsius. HOLLER.

Audrey

via model's own