check me out

Well looky who has been featured over at whatsupwhimsy - me that's who! I'm so honoured to be singled out by the lovey Shannon for my prop styling that I just don't know what to say. Well actually I always have something to say - whose kidding who - so let me start by saying - thanks Shannon. It is always such a nice feeling when other folks like what I do. If you haven't visited Shannon's site I encourage you to do so. My story can be found here at whatsupwhimsy. And yes, I am aware that I have plugged myself to death in this blog - for now anyway.

ah love .....

I can't believe it has been almost two months since my last entry. What have I been doing? Where did all that time go? I actually have some idea but still - two months?I have been thinking about my friends Ashley & Paul's upcoming wedding. I'm so excited for them and so very happy to be doing their flowers. So, many days spent looking at flowers and getting inspiration and this is just a taste.

hello pretty

Today my friend and jewelry expert Rhonda Riche from one of my most favourite blogs - graciousgood - suggested we meet up at Toronto Antiques on King as a start to my attempt to try and sell my grandmother's china. After chit-chatting to a dealer about my china, Rhonda and I looked and many. many lovely jewelery pieces. Oh so many things to dream about including the above hand painted fly ring. I'm going to guess and say it is Victorian, I could be wrong here as Rhonda is the expert not me. Isn't it fabulous, I love, love love it.
I'm also quite smitten with this cameo necklace. Full-bodied cameos are rare ( I learned today) and the chain, too sweet. After we finished spending our imaginary money, we went over to Queen street and popped into a vintage store where Rhonda couldn't help but place G.I Joe in front of this landscape painting, looks like he is really there doesn't it, hut - huh?

guest blogging

The other day my friend Daniel asked me if I'd like to write my top five travel items for his blog jetlegs - of course I was honoured and said yes. Here is a teaser but you really should check out his blog if you haven't already as it is clever, funny, and a must-read for all travel lovers.

I'm baaack

Okay, so it has been a while but I'm back. I had every intention of blogging before now but December was crazy-busy and then my hard drive died and took with it everything including every photo I had taken for the last three years. And yes, I should have backed-up but I didn't and I now know what all the fuss is about and so let my disaster be a lesson to you all back-up people I beg you. Back in October I wrote about going to Americo where I bought the most gorgeous wool ever and this is what I made - a big ol' cowl wide enough to pull up over my head if a hood is needed. My friend and fellow blogger - Lois of hellogirlthursday asked for the pattern and made one too. Lois stuck to the pattern and continued the rib stitch through-out where as I got frustrated and said to heck with that and just knit mine, as you can see Lois's looks much nicer - I think - but I love mine regardless. Okay, so I have knit my cowl and to go with it I found a lovely blue plaid jacket at Value Village - $2.99 - and I'm loving my ode to lumberjacks and then I get my Martha Stewart magazine in the mail and I'm looking through it and what do I see but some girl (with fabulous taste) sporting a BLUE PLAID JACKET AND COWL. I was robbed - robbed I tell you.

say hello to my little friends

Ah Halloween, the candy, the kids, the scary decorations - I missed it all because I was sick with the flu. Around 6:15 Halloween night I could here all the little ones on my street running around and laughing but I was on my sofa with a fever coughing up a lung. So I'd like to pay homage to Halloween and a few kids I know who made me smile. First up Logan, who is this cute and adorable on a daily basis. Second up is Jacques, Jacques' dad is my friend and a photographer Daniel Harrison and I if you know Daniel then you know this picture of his cute little boy's first Halloween is just one of many more to come. Last, but oh so far from least is Bella. Unlike most of her cousins and friends who wanted to dress up as princesses, Bella wanted to be Buzz Lightyear. I like this kid, she is an original, an independent thinker, a "be" not a wanna-be.

a note to my freinds

I can't believe that I am actually and finally feeling better. The last nine days were filled with coughing, sneezing, sleeping, coughing, sweating, sleeping - you get the picture. During this time I thought about a lot of things - most of them unimportant - however this one thought kept haunting me. If I were to die, how long would it take before someone became suspicious and found my body. I never worried about this before because I always had someone in my life - a friend or fella - who I spoke to daily and so if a day went by when there was no contact a red flag went up. I realize that although I have many friends in my life that I don't have that daily contact with any one person. I am not afraid of dying but I have Lily now and the idea of her being alone until someone found my body is terribly upsetting. I told this to my friend and neighbour Katy and, God love her, she has called me several times since to see how I was feeling. I'm sure she thinks I'm crazy but I need to know that someone will be on top of this so if I were to die suddenly that someone would find Lily and take care of her and find my body before I start to decompose and smell too badly.

new boots, new yarn, and a new haircut

This was one perfect day. I decided to do a little shopping before heading over to get my hair cut and it was success all-round. First stop, Get Outside on Queen west to look for much needed winter boots. I knew I wanted Sorels but which ones? After trying on four different styles I settled on the caribou's in slate - bring on the snow 'cause I'm ready. Then, I went into Americo at 577 Queen street west. If you have never been, please oh please make the trip. This is a Canadian yarn company which carries high-end, all natural fiber yarns produced for them in the Andean highlands of south America. And, if yarn isn't your thing, they also have gorgeous blankets, throws, cushion covers, merino wool fabric by the metre, handbags, and the best selection of trimmings and notions. Finally, I went to The Cabinet Salon for a much needed hair appointment. The Cabinet Salon is the creative collaboration of Emma Rose and Alex Macdonald. Emma has cut my hair for the past five or so years and when she was unavailable, Alex stepped in. It goes without saying that I am so happy that they have joined forces and opened their own business. The space is gorgeous, light-filled and welcoming - just like Emma and Alex.

bed time

My friend Sarah has been in Cambodia for almost a year. She has been in Kampot town, a small fishing village in the south that we stumbled across and fell in love with while we were traveling together 2 years ago. Recently, Sarah has gotten sick and in order to see a doctor she had to travel 6 hours north to the city of Phon Phem. Sarah's last letter was not about how she was feeling or the amount of traveling she had to do to see a doctor but how much she loved having to stay in a hotel with soft pillows and a comfortable bed. So, in homage to Sarah here are a few beds which I would gladly travel hours to sleep in.

happy Wednesday

No one works a fake-fur rug like my friend Dave. Reminds me of Peter O' Toole in A Lion in Winter, what a great movie and what fabulous dialogue. My favourite quote:
Henry II: I marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody.
Eleanor: At my age there's not much traffic anymore.

loving today

I love fall, I love the cool air, the smell of leaves, and even the crazy wind we have been experiencing that has knocked my tomato plants over on my deck several times smashing the last of it's green fruit. Today I made roasted squash soup and my two sweet friends Rhonda - of the blog graciousgoods - and Jessica came over for lunch. I love that our schedules allowed for us to meet on a Tuesday afternoon - a Tuesday afternoon - how lucky is that. Jess updated us on lil' Sophie's skills at cooking (sort of) and her decision to boycott toilet training - I can't believe she is going to be 2 soon. Rhonda told us she spent yesterday dressed as a zombie and wandering the subway promoting the movie Zombieland. Life is good.

heart on

Today I was introduced to some of the new creations of Toronto artist Heather Marchand. You should really check out her website to see all she has done. Her work is ethereal, complex, fluid, sometimes furry, and to some, a wee bit gross. I personally have a bit of a crush on this little heart made from bathing suit liner and plastic tubing. I wish it came brooch-size so I could wear it around on my sleeve and other places.

ah kids

My friend Maggie is officially two. To celebrate her second sun rotation she had a party - it was a huge success. The adults had an open bar and the kids got cupcakes - everyone was happy.

all work and no play...you know the rest

Sometimes you need to inject a little silly into your work day. It all started when we discovered that the mini marshmallows I was propping with were not only Kosher but also contained fish. And, as if that wasn't enough, I was also surprised to see that stylist Lee's Toronto Blue Jay's hat collection - 9 in total - had grown to included purple, to match his purple plaid shirt and boxers (you'll have to take my word on that part). Then, a green fragile rock-like pillow made it's way into the heart of Sabine and Tim.

I love my job

There are days when work is challenging but that was not the case on this Rubbermaid shoot shot by photographer Andrew Grinton. Three days of styling flew by with rave reviews from the clients and lite hearted banter. My personal faves are the ones of art director / hand model Lionel Bebbington - you know I love you Lionel - but you were cracking me up my friend.

Al's inspirational dress

Not too long ago I posted a picture of a dress that I have and hope to one day get into again. Then, my sweet friend Alexx called me and said that she had an inspirational dress too and this is it. She bought it hoping that it would fit her someday. Well, after much hard work - including treacherous long distance bike rides - her lovely tree-dress fits perfectly. So, tomorrow when I'm sweating it out at the gym I will think of Al's dress and my dress and press on.

friday favs.

This weeks favs include a fabulous shot of my friend Lois's pink tights. I saw it on her blog, hellogirlthursday. I agree Lois, we all need a little colour injection this summer. Next, the cutest little felt birds by Tanya Aguiniga. And, last but far from least, this sweater from Anthropolgie - how do I love thee, let me count the ways.

the wonderful work of illustrator Julia Breckenreid

My friend Julia Breckenreid has illustrated a children's book - An Eye For Colour, on Bauhaus artist and teacher Josef Albers. It will be available in September and she is already getting - much deserved - rave reviews for her beautiful work. I can't wait to have a copy in my hands. To keep. Forever.