Just a couple of cool things that I discovered...

So on Tuesday, after picking out a bitchin' bridesmaids dress I strolled around the Danforth - a really cute part of town that I really must explore further. As I strolled, I perused a few boutique stores. Highlights were Drysdale & Co which was filled with great stationary, knick-knacks, and

this cute-as-a-button water bottle which I had to buy (it was on sale!)

Second fave was Bullet which housed a myriad of home and bathwares, all Euro-inspired, and all of which I want to own. One of the most fabulous of all of these fabulous houseware lines was Emma Bridgewater. She is British (so naturally I am drawn to everything) and she just makes the greatest pottery. I really, really, really like the "Black Toast" pattern.

I mean seriously, could these be any more darling?? I'm in typography heaven.

Oh hey, dream bedroom?

ThiI just think this is so serene, and chic and functional. And it's feminine, but not too "girlie". All it needs is a chandelier! (I'm obsessed with the idea of having a chandelier in my bedroom. Just ask Roomie... I talk about it All. The. Time.)

}Found on a new, fab blog I discovered today, Dress Design Decor

I still love you Julie Andrews!!

CBC News - Music - Julie Andrews concert slammed by critics, some fans

What a shame that her 'comeback concert' was so ill-received. Mary Poppins was my absolute favourite movie as a little girl, and whether she sings or "speak-sings", Julie Andrews will always rock my socks.

I'm pretty happy about being in the city for the Contact Festival.

All month long, downtown Toronto will be inundated with a myriad of photographs from all over the world. This year, "the 14th annual CONTACT will consider the ways in which photography informs and transforms human behavior. CONTACT 2010: Pervasive Influence will reveal personal and social consequences of the medium of photography, in a society devoted to the image " which sounds interesting.

All in all, downtown Toronto will be prettier, I'll get to see some cool photographic art, and I'm fairly certain most of it is free of charge - win, win!

Reasons why I love the Guardian:

I get to see well edited videos of pretty things, like this... and hilariously awful videos of sadly entertaining things, like this.

Plus, its British, which makes it inherently awesome, naturally.

I haven't been perusing my blogs very frequently lately - partly because I lost all of my bookmarks when my Dell kicked the bucket 10 days ago, and partly because its been suuuper nice out making me want to be outdoors soaking up sunshine...and partly because I feel guilty for looking at anything online that isn't a job posting. BUT since it is Friday and I'm a little discouraged I'm taking the time to reacquaint myself with the websites I so thoroughly enjoy. Like Design Is Mine. It's a darling site, and along with posting enviable interiors, she finds adorable things like this, which always make me smile.

What about the fishies?!

Okay so granted I have been less than vigilant in keeping up with current affairs recently, but I've been reading about the BP Oil spill and it seems to me as though every one is so concerned about the oil reaching various shores and no one seems to take pause and consider the effect this is having on marine life. Birds covered in oil is a bad thing, but birds eating fish covered in oil can't be good either. So here's hoping the giant dome thingy actually works, despite predicted odds of 1000:1. Here's hoping not just for all of the birds and land-bound wildlife, but for all the little fishies too. Having 210 000 gallons of crude oil gushing in your home must suck, so marine life, I'm pullin' for ya.

Did I tell you that I'm a Maid of Honour this summer?

It's very exciting, and while I have been slack in my duties (my Bride-to-Be is England, making coordination a little difficult), today and tomorrow I think I'm going to take a break from Job Hunting to hunt for the perfect green bridesmaids dress instead.

photo via krisatomic

Don't be jealous...

This afternoon roomie and I bought Twerpz, Cherry Blasters and two cans of Pringles in preparation for tonight's Glee episode - which includes appearances by Olivia Newton-John AND Molly Shannon, AND a 1980's musical theme. Sounds like a Rockin' Tuesday Night to me!

“It is through living that we discover ourselves, at the same time as we discover the world around us.”

—Henri Cartier-Bresson, 1952

via Ciao Chessa

Last night's party was just swell! The house is definitely warmed. Great mix of friends and acquaintances, both old and new; music, drinks, warm evening breezes and conversation. Our house doesn't look any the worse for wear either. With the exception of the balloons that are still taped up on the wall (because what's a party without balloons?) and a collection of empty bottles on the counter, its as if nothing ever happened. Hopefully this is the first of many fun evenings to come.

After a relaxing day with friends, a recouperative evening nap, (for lately I can't seem to make it through the day without a nap) and a few too many samplings of left-over party snacks I am greatly looking forward to a quiet Sunday evening filled with cups of tea, a tv show or two, and hopefully a thunderstorm. Have I mentioned that I love thunderstorms? Because I do. The forecast was for rain and showers all day, and although the bulk of the afternoon was sunny and hot, the sky has been taken over by dark grey clouds and the air is thick and heavy. Bring it on.

Hope your weekend was everything you wanted, and that the rest of this Sunday evening leaves you feeling ready to tackle the week ahead.

If this doesn't brighten your saturday...

...then I don't know what will.

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

It's spring fever.
That is what the name of it is.
And when you've got it,
you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want,
but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!
~Mark Twain

via Reverie

Here's something hilarious:

Blogger asked me to make a new password today. So I enter my email, as instructed, no harm no foul. My inbox gets 2 messages, each with a link to a blog. This one (obviously) and a blog entitled 'Thinking Outloud' by one "youngLady_20" that I began FIVE YEARS AGO. This is the first of a pitiful 4 entries:

Here I Go...
I'm new at this thing, so you'll have to bear with me as I
figure it out. All I know is a place to anonymously write down my thoughts
sounds like just the thing I need.

Today was not the greatest way to start off my week. The concert that I wanted to go see started twenty minutes ago and I'm sitting here dressed up in my room by myself. I have this rather irrational fear of doing anything by myself; the movies, a concert, it even takes a long personal pep talk to get to the gym sans running buddy. As a certified "grown up" this is something that I know I need to get over, because sitting at home missing something you wish you weren't and feeling sorry for yourself because of it is not the best way to spend an evening. Although in tonight's case I must admit that the fact that I didn't get my ass in gear early enough, and the
sub-zero temperatures outside also factored in.

I'm also missing home terribly.My apartment is a mess to say the least; no matter how many dishes we wash, there always seems to be a huge pile on the counter, our bathroom is seriously in need of a plumber, and even though I've spent the bulk of today cleaning my room there still seems to be stuff everywhere. This town, this place does something to me. Lately I've been feeling like this is not where I'm supposed to be, like my life is on hold, and if I'd chosen a different path - a different school - I'd be out there leading my real life, somehow making a difference and
most importantly being happy while doing it... This issue is the most confusing,
if not the most prominent one in my life right now, so I'm sure I'll bring it up
several times in the future

I'm at risk of rambling in my first ever blog entry,
so I guess this will be it for now. I fancy myself as a rather un-interesting
person, however I will try to write eloquently and include things that have some
semblance of meaning, and maybe - if I'm lucky - I'll be able to reach inside of
myself and pull out something profound.

What I think the most hilarious (slash most extremely terrifying) is that I sound the same today. My writing style is the same - although why would it change, I suppose - I still lack confidence, and I'm still conflicted by the same issues. (Was I not just talking about how I should not have come to Toronto and instead should be travelling the world?!?) Although I am happy to say that my room and apartment are clean, and the dishes get washed...and I am getting much better at flying solo. Does this mean I'm growing up afterall?

Jackpot!

Who knew the New York Times had so many blogs?? I may have just hit a goldmine.

Nomadic Tendencies

I really want to do this.

Or just put my life on hold and travel the world a la Eat Pray Love. (Yes, I liked that book. Admit it: who doesn't like the idea of taking off to Italy, India and Bali for a year??)

Perhaps there's a reason why I find it so difficult to visualise myself in a stable, "grown-up" job... because that requires admitting to being in the same place for an extended period of time.

How lovely would it be to just hit the road - drive to exotic places, meet new and generous people, see the sun, feel the ocean? Aww yeah, sign me up.

Sunny Days Make Everything Seem A-OK

What a Gray Day this has been indeed.

....looks like I'll be going to the (dreaded) Open House on Thursday. What a shame. I finally got myself psyched up for it and neither my printer nor my computer will cooperate in giving me a resume to hand out.

Mother Effer.

(Computer actually behaving very strangely at the moment. Fingers crossed I don't have another Dell Disaster...)

Feeling Low.

... or something.

I'm tired of spending hours scanning computer screens for job opportunities, mentally wrestling over the appropriate word to insert into a cover letter or application, feeling exhausted despite the startling lack of movement / physical exertion I've managed thus far.

I've found a company that sounds like a really great opportunity. It's holding an Open House tonight, and another one on Thursday night. I am unnaturally stressed about it - as I get about all events that involve a room full of strangers and a requirement to be my best and most outgoing self.

Does self-paralyzation exist? Is there a creature who - involuntarily or otherwise - stops itself from moving forward? There are enough venomous things out there, surely one of them is prone to masochistic tendencies... I'm pretty good at - involuntarily or otherwise - paralyzing myself. It sucks. It is not worth blaming things on, and yet it is very easy to blame a lot of things on.

So anyways, the day is gray, I'm filled with self-doubt, and I'm at the point where a cover letter makes me want to go to sleep and a meet&greet makes me want to cry.

No encouraging, go-get-'em comments please. I just need to vent and wallow before I get back on track.

Remember way back when, when I gushed over a beautiful, fashionable, (slightly impractical) netbook?

Well I still want one. Only I've decided that maybe THIS ONE would be much, much more fabulous.

Want to learn something new today?

Than read this article.

I started reading it last night but due to distractions and a tired mind, only finished it this morning. It postulates the emerging notion among evolutionary scientists that Darwin's theory of evolution is wrong, and outlines the theory that the "nature" and habits we develop today have the possibility to affect our offspring at a genetic level in future generations. Really cool stuff.

(I'm not even out of bed yet and already learning about and sharing theories that spit in the face of 150 years of common knowledge - if that's not a sign of a productive day to come, than I don't know what is!)

I want this bike.

...and trenchcoat...and boots.

via TheSartorialist

I slept in this morning!

...All it took was weeks and weeks of late nights and early mornings, a ridiculous amount of cardio at the gym, a 2am phone conversation, and glory be, I managed to sleep until 10 o'clock.

I really, really, really need to get better at starting my days. This whole 'laze around until 11:30 am reading and blogging but doing nothing truly productive' thing is starting to make me feel like a life failure.

Reasons to be "Up and At'em" in the mornings:

• It is sunny and gorgeous out now that Spring has sprung and I should be outside enjoying this blissful weather
• My bank account is in a sad, sorry state of affairs. I need a job aka need to be job hunting.
• Being the unemployed person who stays indoors in their sweats all day is too much of a cliche
• Showering immediately upon awakening is a surefire way to ensure actually waking up in the mornings
• Days are less stressful as I have more time to accomplish the things that I need to accomplish and need not worry about cramming everything into an afternoon
• When I finally do get said job, I'm going to need to be up and at'em every morning so I might as well start now to avoid the inevitable shock to my system.
• Drinking a full pot of tea every morning is lovely but indeed rather unneccesary. Such decadence is better left to weekends.
• I don't even sleep in! If my body (and/or the sun streaming through my as-yet uncurtained window) is going to wake me up by 8:30 every morning anyway then I might as well take advantage!!

Anybody have any other incentives for getting my arse in gear upon waking? How about any tips on how best to do so? I hope you all are part way through your day like normal, productive members of society are..

photos via Green Couch

Reverie I think you might have found my dream home. Certainly my dream bathroom - that bathtub is sublime.

What a lucky girl to have such talented friends..

Will Kipping Perkins: "I found out today that I’ve been nominated twice for a Theatre NS Merritt Award for Outstanding Lighting Design; for two shows that I feel incredibly lucky to have worked on with my good friends at 2b theatre company.
Standby for the results on March 29th.

“And the winner is…………………….”"

What will I ever do with my life??!!

Tonight I'm going out for a beer with friend of the family to discuss "my career". Remember the interview I had a while back? Well nothing came of it. All that stress was for naught.

So last week I met Mr. Banker for a coffee to discuss the possibility of me working in "the Finance Industry". He's super nice, and we had a great chat. I'm going to meet him and his wife (also a bank employee) for a post-work beer and continue a conversation about life in the finance world.

He suggested that in the meantime I think about other industries I would like to work in; which is a hilariously difficult request for me. My whole problem and the root of much of my stress is that I have not a clue what I'd like to do, or which career path I should choose.

So over lunch I took an online quiz to tell me which jobs best suit me (okay, so I took 2 quizzes..)

Quiz #1 says my ideal jobs are:

artist

historian

banker

novelist

university professor

photographer

veterinarian

paralegal

graphic designer

online content developer

webmaster

producer

managing director

nutritionist

advertising

nursing

Quiz #2 suggests these as suitable career choices:

editor

journalist

teacher

strategic planner

consultant

performing arts

marketing

communication

research and development

Interesting. Some overlap. 'Banker' is represented, but other than that no jobs that I believe Mr. & Mrs Banker can really assist in. Almost all of these require (in my view) further schooling. Helpful? Kind of, but not really. Huh.

Time change is kicking my ass this morning. Operation Americano is about to happen in a big way.

Tonight - via dailydoseofimagery - I stumbled upon Joe McNally's Blog. As you may have a thing for photography so I perused. I was intrigued, but not invested, not until I read this post. Here's a snippet:

Photographers. We’re strange, right? We can’t stop. We run when others
walk. We work when others relax. We have no sense of weekends, holidays, time
off, time on, or time in general, except as it relates to sunrise or set... We
shake our heads, punch buttons on expensive cameras, eyeball perfect strangers,
ask odd questions, and wait for light. What an odd thing to wait for. We also
have restive, restless, roaming eyes. Eyes that don’t shut down. Eyes that often
feel hemmed in or framed by a 35mm lens border, eyes that correspond to a 24-70,
or a 200-400, depending on what they encounter. Eyes that curse the dumb
conglomeration of plastic, brass and glass we place in front of them, asking
that mix of pixels and wiring to be surrogate vision, supple as the real thing.
Hah! We might as well ask a fucking toaster oven.

I'll be visiting again to read some more rants and stories, and ogle some more beautiful images.

Coco, you are just the coolest.

Was going to share a quote from quick-witted and classy Coco Chanel, but turns out she has so many good one-liners that one quote was not enough:

" Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door "

photo source

" As long as you know men are like children, you know everything! "

" Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty. "

" A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous "

Y'know what I just realized?

Yesterday I posted my 200th post! Perhaps I should have made more of a fuss, because 200 is a lot. Maybe I'll save the pomp and circumstance for 250...200 is a lot, but 250 seems oddly more impressive; so stay tuned: Post250. It's gonna be a party.

Found: Dream Home

I want to live here. I want to go to Paris. I want to stay here. I want this to be my life.

Who doesn't want to start their day with a salsa dance?

Hanging on

So Roomie is here, the apartment is in relative chaos, and there is currently a man drilling a hole through our basement wall.

BUT despite all of this, the apartment is coming along.

We have been on a hanging-spree for the past couple of days. Mirrors have gone up, hooks, photos, art, frames, it's all happening people. It is happening, and it is a LOT of work. We're working on a "feature wall" (if you will) in our living room. Yesterday we had a grand time turning our living room floor and all of our frames/posters/photos into a puzzle. We've now got a pretty good idea of what we want and I'd say about 1/4, no, 1/3 of all items are currently affixed to the wall.

Of course I don't have any photos of our progress yet (once all of our mess gets cleaned up I promise I will take some photos and post them. For now, here is an idea of what we are going for:

photos via desiretoinspire, apartmenttherapy and theselby

SPRING!! What a novelty..

It's 11 degrees and sunny right now. Time to get off the computer and go about accomplishing things so I can go outside and enjoy this beautiful day!

Quote of the Day

“The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”
- Tom Bodett, American author, voice actor and radio host

via Beyond the Gray

I'm sharing this because Roomie capital "L" Loves James Dean.

Man Candy Monday

...Like seriously, we're going to have a lot of James Dean in our apartment - but that is okay because he was one helluva good-looking man.

Sunny days, warm hearts

I'm listening to Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap on Radio 2, as I often do on Sunday nights (just going to throw this out there: it's an absolutely awesome way to cap off the weekend)

He just played Bobby Day, and I thought that it was the perfect song to sum up the day/weekend. Spring sprung in Toronto. It has been sunny and hovering around 8-10 degrees and it makes me unreasonably happy. Picture people, dogs, families, even Toronto hipsters (!!) outside enjoying the weather, strolling the streets, sitting in parks, dreaming of summer. Now put that to music, and you've got this song:

Today I went to a free concert. Have I mentioned the free concerts at the Four Seasons Centre? If I haven't, I don't know why because I think they're fabulous.

Today it was a recital by the voice performance students at University of Toronto. The recital title was called Lachen und Weinen, Weinen und Lachen: From Ectasy to Agony and Back Again. It was (as per usual) a truly lovely way to spend a lunch hour.

One of my favourite songs was by a contemporary Canadian composer; a composer who just happened to be attending the concert and obliged in giving the audience some insight into his process behind composing the pieces (which I thought was super facinating). It was the last piece of the recital, it was song by a beautiful mezzo-soprano, it was a German poem by Heinrich Heine which translates to:

My sweet Love, when in the grave,

In the dark grave you lie,

Then will I climb down to you

And nestle at your side.

I kiss and caress and press you wildly,

You're still cold and white!

I wail, I tremble, and weeping mildly,

I become a corpse myself.

The dead arise and midnight calls,

They dance in airy swarms,

But you and I stay in the grave

And I lie in your arms.

The dead arise, and judgement day

Calls them to torture and pleasure;

But none of this bothers us,

We remain entwined below.

Umm...

Okay, I just have to talk about this for a second. I read this article this morning and I'm not gonna lie, it's been in my brain all day long.

Vajazzling. It's here people. And yes, 'vajazzle' is a combination of the words 'bedazzle' and (ahem) "vajajay".

Jennifer Love Hewitt does it, so do the hoity-toits up in Rosedale, and really all I have to say is I DON'T UNDERSTAND.


Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I can go to sleep. Phew.

(And may I just say that I am not the only one with this on my mind, which is oddly comforting, and proof that I haven't completely lost it and turned into the girl who thinks about bejeweled bikini areas.)

Roomie Cometh!!

My roomie is en route to Toronto! She is on the open road as we speak...er, as I type! She is bringing with her a big box filled solely with tea paraphernalia. Don't know if you figured it out yet, but I am a big tea drinker. By the time she is un-packed we will have no fewer than 4 tea pots, and what I'm sure will be more mugs and creamers than any couple of 20-somethings has need for. It's going to be glorious.

PS. Saw this tea set at Indigo yesterday. It is adorable, and what an homage to what is sure to be a fantastically awesome movie.

Fabulousity

via TheImpossibleCool