Under the weather

Ladies and gentlemen I  have recently come down with a nasty cold and have taken to tea and rest. I will return in a few days when I'm feeling more like myself. 

 

On Being Alone

When I saw this video around a month ago I knew it was share-worthy but then I kept on surfing (the web that is) and forgot about it until now.

Such a great summary / guide on spending time with yourself. 

- I love to dine alone at lunch. 

- I've been meaning to go to a movie alone for years (I find it hard to do).

- Ohh a forrest alone, might be a little scary (especially if you were in the mountains).

- The gym alone is a favourite of mine.

- Shopping is best when I'm alone. I make good decisions with no one around.

Showering the Bride

This weekend was pretty great. J and I ventured to Red Deer & area (where we both grew up) to toast two of our dear friends who are very soon going to be tying the knot. He attended a bachelor/stag and us ladies gathered for a bridal/stagette party.

The bridal/stagette party was very well done (everything was in the style of the 1950's) complete with cigarettes (of the candy variety), glass bottled coca-cola, music from the era, pearl earrings and vintage dresses. Ah, but wait...  no 50's party would be complete without our kitchen appropriate womanly aprons!

Everyone looked really fantastic. Unfortunately I was not in the mood for taking photos and opted to enjoy the evening sans photo-snapping. So... no proof.

Great Etsy Shop

Sometimes Etsy can be a little overwhelming and not all shops are created equal.  However the Allen Company Inc shop is definitely a gem that must be shared and celebrated. It's a vintage shop with clothing, shoes and accessories and I think it's updated pretty regularly (which is another key feature of a great Etsy shop).

If I was going to make a little purchase right this moment, it would be:

Vintage Pale Twig Woven leather oxford flats  

Vintage Bisque Brown leather coach purse

Vintage White Lace Top

Angela's Ashes

At first I did not love this book. It was kind of slow and a little depressing. But then I reminded myself that it was a memoir, and then the characters seemed really endearing and relatable. Just regular folk trying to live their lives in less than desirable conditions with a life full of unfortunate events. In the end I could not put it down. 

Frank McCourt is a fantastic real life person with an amazing life story written from the naive perspective of his younger self. If you're in the mood for a kind of real life Huck Finn I recommend you check it out. 

Dreaming of... Wine Gums!

Favourite Yum, yum. I love wine gums. Definitely a guilty pleasure.

Bangs?

Thick, bold beautiful bangs. I just love 'em. But should I get them? Again? Now that is the question.

 Jenny Lewis

 Zooey Deschanel

And no bang list is complete without (my fav) Cat Power (Chan Marshall). 

So... bangs? 

Organic Grape = Tastes Great!

Did you know that there's such a thing as organic wine. Okay, maybe you knew but I recently found out. And there's something fantastic about organic wine other than the obvious – no headache – for me anyways. When I drink organic wine I don't get that immediate headache that lingers for the night. Of coarse, consume in moderation :)

Cono Sur (pictured)  is an organic, reasonably priced, ($15-ish) Chilean wine. 

Try it out and let me know what you think. 

Monday Morning in August

I'm not sure if it's just me being a complainer but it seems that this summer (at least the August portion) leaves a little to be desired. For instance, in Edmonton, right now, it's very cloudy and around 13 degrees – in the history of my life, that's more like mid September. So anyways, I guess I'm starting off this week complaining about the weather...

AND

 I must admit that anything is better than mounds of S-N-O-W (which we undoubtedly await).

Happy Monday! Ha.

You Make my Dreams Come True

I can't take full credit for thinking this video was a must-store / must-share kind of video as a friend actually posted it first. Still I think it's double post worthy because it made me smile the second time.

Wouldn't it be just fantastic if people in the real world (like say tomorrow at the park during lunch) would just bust out in song and dance and everyone would join in and know exactly what to do. Ah I wish.

Dreaming of... Yoga in the Park!

This Saturday in Edmonton at Louise Mckinney Park lululemon athletica is holding yoga in the park. By donation. Thinking I might want to participate. Click here for more information.

Also, this will be the last 'Dreaming of...' from the studio as my last day is tomorrow. Eick!

Also, also, do you like my new spectacles? It was a tough choice as I'm actually trying to not wear glasses and just train my eyes to get strong. However sometimes glasses are just necessary, like when you're driving at night.

Blouse for all kinds

With fall fashion starting to emerge I can't help but get a little excited (for those of you who dislike the early mention of autumn – I'm sorry). I just get so thrilled when fall clothes start to pop up (on the internet, in the stores, on magazines).  Here are a few styles that have caught my eye.

Batwing Shirt – Cheap Monday 

Nichole Sweater (how perfect) by Dace

Oversized Wool Knit Sweater – Sansovino 

See by Chloé Off the Shoulder Blouse

Belle by Sigerson Morrison Knotted Oxford

Now I just need to find a way to get rich! 

Goodbye Studio Office

Exciting news: For the last week I've been preparing for a change of jobs!

I have recently accepted a position with a well known, amazing non-profit organization; which means I'm leaving my wonderful small studio job behind. It is a huge step for me and as the start date (Friday!) gets closer my nerves are starting to act up.

Today I started to clean up some of my little bits of inspiration to make room for the next eager designer but before I did I took a few pictures. You might recognize some things.

Dreaming of...

... golf? I'm not really sure yet if I love golfing. What I am sure of – that it would be lovely to be outdoors all morning with J, wandering around hitting things.

Shake it!

Ha! Hilarious way to start a Monday. So fun. I can't help but shake it. Also I love the cheesy 

powerpoint-esque transitions. Enjoy!

Summertime

Sometimes I wish I could order up a little wind for the home. You know, a nice fresh breeze that smells like rain or fresh cut grass. 

Photo via Jill Take Photography

One Part Pretty

These necklaces and to be honest, most of the jewellery in the Laura Lombard Shop is exactly my cup of tea.  Just the right mix of femininity with a the perfect amount of architecture. Very rad.

Dreaming of...

... Ben Harper!

Seeing this fantastic soulful chap this evening at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival (I really wish they would do a website redesign, it just does not do the festival justice). I hope he plays some of my favourites (Waiting on an Angel, Forever, Burn One Down, Excuse Me Mister, Mamas got a Girlfriend)

Follow Your Own Path

Sometimes it's scary and hard to stick to my guns, choose my own way, follow my heart. I think though it's important for each of us to remember to follow our own unique path and know that it's exactly right for us. As scary or not popular as it sometimes might seem.

Phew, and with that I take a leap.

Photo via the internet. Sorry I lost the credit. 

Tuesday Morning Music - PacoVolume

PacoVolume, from what I can tell is a sweet little french band with the most wonderful videos. I want to live in this video – the old french mansion, fly fishing, raising a horse (even though I would have no idea how to do this). I won't spoil the end but it's a little teary.

Calgary Folk fest and the proof

I've finally got around to unloading my camera of the various summer activities it has documented over the past few months and there are some jems.  I'm just posting some shots from Calgary Folk Fest a few weeks back. It was perfect weather, great tunes, surprisingly yummy food and lots of dancing fun.

Me catching some rays.

J and I enjoyed some early morning beer. 

J figuring out the schedule. Trying to decide which shows to check out.

Dan Mangans set. It was very hot. We were very fortunate to snag this chose up / shaded spot.

Dan Mangan and I after I got his signature. I was embarrassed to ask for a picture. So I asked him, 'Would it be totally humiliating if I asked to get a picture with you?' he said no. The nice gal in line behind me took the shot. Thanks nice gal. 

Corb Lund closed the show on Saturday night. We danced our pants off.

A close up of ol' Corbie Lund.