inconsistent thoughts.

kitty love

2011-11-20T14:18:00.001-08:00

oh, well.....

2011-11-05T16:46:00.001-07:00

tea for two

2011-11-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

Theres this cute little place tucked into the middle of young street in aurora called Bonsai Hill. They have over a hundred, carefully selected loose leaf teas from major tea producing regions of the world. Many of the teas are organic and fair trade products. Tea is served traditionally in-house and available for purchase so you can take it home too! Theres also coffee, homemade sandwiches, pastries...

& even traditional English afternoon tea, high tea and tea tastings made by reservations on sunday afternoons.

The walls of BH are decorated with different types of vibrant original oriental artworks and gifts such as traditional Chinese brush paintings, Chinese folk paintings, paper cuts, bamboo carvings, handmade Yixing tea pots, 100% silk scarves, and some simple jewelry.

"At Bonsai Hill, you will enjoy nature, green, peace, and culture..." SO CUTE. haha.

P.S Excuse the bad quality photos, they are from my blackberry!

classroom distraction doodles

2011-10-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

gotta love gel pens.

a siren song.

2011-10-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

" I wish I were a mermaid, and friends with all the fish. A shiny tail and seashells... that would be my wish."

a little obsessed...

2011-10-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

Today me and my sister made a red velvet cake with cream cheese vanilla frosting from scratch!! But YESTERDAY! I went to see Foster The People at The Sound Academy... &.... I loved this band beforehand (obviously! pshh, who hasn't heard pumped up kicks?), but it never fails that I fall completely head over heels every time I see a band play so well live. And they left me floored. Impressed to say the least. After feeling like I was at a crazy rave for a while (ears STILL ringing).... Mark Foster sat down on the keys and sang this beautiful ballad called 'Ruby'...a yet-to-be-released track......... can't. stop. listening. GAH.

OH! and they are also going to be performing on Saturday Night live This Saturday! yessss!

"She's got everything & nothing to lose"

10 things to do this week

2011-09-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Things to do this week: reblogged from another Amanda at Here Comes The Sun

OH what a crazy summer it's been...

2011-09-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

In the words of My best friend in the whole world...."We covered a lot of ground this summer missy; beaches, cottages, boys, 80's partys; nights out in town, down town and up north; roller coasters, road trips, co-ordinating outfits, lazy sundays; learning how to pump gas, play beer pong and drive on highways; burns, brusies and sunburns where there shouldn't be, camping, countless shots, hangover caesars, patio beers, bottles of wine... and lots and lots of pickles." I love you best friend ♥

Pretty much sums up my summer. Add a little country music and cowboy hats in there.... a lot of barefoot, blue jean night's? ;) a little bit of weird tan-lines, calls to CAA, setting up tents, roasting marshmallows and making the perfect smore, too many freckles to ever count... and too many memories.

it was hard to choose the photos to go in this post because theres so many i want to share....

& now its september and Im bundled up in a sweater, preparing for my classes that start tomorrow.

how many days until next summer?

OH... I don't know if I can wait 289 days

cottage things

2011-06-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

a beautiful life

2011-06-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

time stands still best in moments

that look suspiciously like ordinary life.

brian andreas

creme crochet & summer sun

2011-06-04T13:10:00.000-07:00

helloooo summer, where have you been all my life!?.... In the pics are: The top I got with my sister a while back from value village (its just a white crochet lace tank top), a new Strapless navy blue romper with bow-tie belt from Dynamite & my most favourite recent purchase... my cream coloured (also crochet!) peep-toe pumps. I plan on wearing these on a sunny afternoon on a patio somewhere downtown sipping some white wine... but that has yet to happen! haha ;)

p.s! for some extra inspiration, take a little visit to my heart

May & Mothers Day

2011-05-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

French toast, strawberries & fresh orange juice with a gift from banana republic for mom... As the blossoms bloom and the sun comes out, the sweaters come off and I start having sneezing attacks that scare people. LOVELY. ahah

xo

sun down

2011-05-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

Just a picture I took last summer...

xoxo

nifty, thrifty & vintage

2011-05-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

Im back from my mini road trip to winnipeg and summer's SO CLOSE. yay. ahem.

Me and Leslie decided to go to goodwill and drop off some of our old stuff we didn't wear anymore and take a look around to see what cool vintage stuff we could find... haha it was pretty fun trying on the crazy stuff like the high waisted shorts and the suede cropped top, the big (fake) fur poncho, the 80's fluorescent ski jacket (not shown in photos above) etc. etc.

we walked away with 2 tops and a denim vest, all for under 10$... WHAT? yup. what? yesssssir.
I'll post pics of the stuff we bought later... you can see the denim vest in the second last photo, and the floral dress that I'm wearing is from value village last year (still to this day one of my favourite dresses, fits me like a glove and its definitely my 'good-time' dress...and only 2 bucks.)

me and les have shopping regrets about that graphic sweater... we may just have to go back for it. although neither of us will ever wear it, its just so rad. haha

xoxo

summer means...

2011-04-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

Time to cuddle, tie-dye tshirts, strawberry tea, beachside bonfires, camping under the stars, spontaneous road trips & bike riding.

with summer break literally 3 days away I find myself dreaming of when the weather is nice and hot and I can run around outside my cottage in my bare feet.

tea lattes & textbooks

2011-04-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Just around the corner from my house is a coffee culture, soo convenient for when you can't get any work done and are in need of a chai latte. Or a brownie....

me and leslie decided to go there last night for a much needed pick-me-up.

yum.

p.s what do you think of the new banner!?

ombre sanguine tourqoise

2011-04-14T20:15:00.000-07:00

A spontaneous photo shoot taking place in my newly discovered backyard.
Inspired by this lookbook by Planet Blue Beach Rat .
Fluorescent coloured accents, Carefree, fun jeans & a tie-die tee
....good to go! Pictures of sister Leslie by Me :)

what if...

2011-04-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

Via {Urban Outfitters Blog} Check out this Canadian film/website {Welcome to Pine Point} by the Goggles (Paul Shoebridge + Michael Simons).

tulips = spring

2011-04-12T11:32:00.000-07:00

Tulips in Holland.
via {lemmemakeit}

born out of a sunset

2011-04-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

I'm Back!... The past few weeks couldn't have gone any better, I have had some of the best days {and nights} of my life. Met a ton of really cool, nice people and made too many memories that I won't be able to forget. Including meeting and partying with one of my favourite bands The Dirty Heads...I'll post pictures later! There music was also the perfect soundtrack to our Dominican Vacation. Leslie {sister} Ashley and I are freckled and relaxed... depressed to be back home after living in the ocean in our bikinis for a week and eating pineapples, its so weird to be bundled back up in our usual t-shirts and hoodies... It feels so suffocating.

But, I have been doing what I said I would do... {here} that I was going to start living my life a little more and Im proud for that. But as I have most recently just learned, life can't be rainbows and sunshine all the time. It's Karma I guess.... or just the way life is? haha. Somethings going to happen sooner or later thats going to kill your buzz, But It's how you deal with it that matters most. To my disappointment when I came home, the Job position that I interviewed for and was hoping so much for was filled.
:( *sighhhh. All well, who knows...hopefully I will find something just as amazing somewhere else. Get back on the horse... plenty of fish in the sea.... & all that jazz.. haha

:)

the cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea.

2011-03-31T06:37:00.000-07:00

off to Dominican...be back in a week!
xoxoxo

black, brown.

2011-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Just a little bit of inspiration...I'm really into gossip girl lately. Im SO excited for the next week, this afternoon I'm off to St. Catherines for a concert I have been waiting weeks for, and then when I get back to Toronto... its off to Dominican! so, excuse the lack of blogging as I still have yet to pack. {eeek...haha oops?}

around the house

2011-03-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

a dreamcatcher, scented candles, random trinkets, an unmade bed & a romper from aerie

a poster

2011-03-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

book covers

2011-03-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

sample book covers done from last semester. Re-inventing a book cover, photos and illustration are my own.

bustier

2011-03-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

From H&M... a total steal, and goes with everything. Can't wait to try it on with the high waisted shorts!

uhh, can I just be her?

2011-03-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

okay, SO... the 'thing' for spring is white. Its everywhere. {isn't it the same story every year?}

&...I know this for a fact because not only is the crisp, 'blank canvas-like', airy, oh-so-stainable garments featured in most {if not all} the fashion magazines right now,

but also... at work... the nude, beige and flesh toned bras have been just flying off the shelves like crazy.

I love white. But I am not one to keep white clothes.... I'm quite the awkward klutz.

So, this is definitely on my must-have list for spring/vacation. I am just having some slight commitment issues...out of the fear that I make a purchase and same day throw it out due to a stain a la vodka-cran {slash} strawberry daiquiri on the beach. Which I can tell you right now will be difficult to avoid.

I love this photo set from H&M spring 2011 catalogue {check out the full set of photos here, large & good quality}. Also, I saw the cutest thing while at the grocery store the other day {yes, I said grocery store}... Joe Fresh had the cutest long sleeve relaxed fit pullover made entirely out of crochet. only $40! I may go back. Perfect bathing suit cover up. maybe? we'll see.

lungs & other anatomy

2011-03-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

“You know that feeling… when your chest is squeezing in on itself, tighter almost like a cold wet cloth wringing itself of all moisture, relieved through eyelids snapped shut. The cloth is twisting and bending, desperate. And then when you try and take deep breaths to ease the pressure, you try slowly… it hurts. Even if the shortness of breath finally allows you to fully draw in the air around you that feels so thin… you finally complete the inhale, its sharp… you exhale, long and slow, a little shaky, yet no relief. And when you try to gulp it down, your throat is tight, is this what they mean when they say getting choked up? Like hands around you, angry. You want more then anything for those ever consuming thoughts, in a fight with your memory, you just want them to leave your chest alongside the carbon dioxide drowning your lungs from the inside. But they don’t, the thoughts are still there, memories waiting...both are staring at you. I am sure that this feeling is not regret, it is worse. & If there was any feeling worse then regret, It would be the moment of realizing time & how it is incapable of turning backwards for anyone.”

fleurs roses

2011-03-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

we walk on an unsilvered mirror,

a crystal surface without clouds.

if lilies would grow backwards,

if roses would grow backwards,

if all those roots could see the stars

and the dead not close their eyes,

we would become like swans.

frederico garcia lorca

via abundance

mom jeans

2011-03-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Me and my sister having fun trying on our new high waisted shorts from AE. Pairing them with crop tops and vintage T's is quite fun. Can't wait to try and pull these off in public haha, but we'll have to wait another 2 weeks until dominican to put them on....soo... in the suitcase they go, until then :)

xoxo

hey! guess what?

2011-03-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

Perhaps today?... I have realized something. This past year has been crazy for me... by that I mean, a lot of changes, some bad some good. I think I have changed a lot, whether the people around me see it or not... I feel like I have. Whatever is different about me or whatever is here now that wasn't before, it doesn't matter. All I know is that, where I am right now is somewhere in the middle of figuring my life out. And heres why...

I am so young and I still have a long way to go before I get anywhere established... Im not on the fast-track going somewhere asap. I forgot that life is about enjoying the journey. Where I want to be is not necessarily the direction that I am heading in right now but Im making it there, slowly. I would much rather take my time and enjoy my youth, trying for something while laughing along the way. I don't want to miss out on the best of things. So, a U-turn perhaps? a track switch? If anything, Maybe just a new way of thinking? If I need to take a break, take time, get refocused, go on vacation, find a new job, Try something new... I can. I forgot that I can. Isn't that funny? I forgot that I have no one to report to but myself. I forgot that my life is mine. I forgot that I don't have to look to other people for approval. I forgot that everyone deserves to be happy (including me). Im not going to let anyone tell me Im taking steps backwards, sideways or any direction to be considered 'the wrong way' Because...

If I imagine myself 60 years from now looking at a road map of my life, I don't want it to be a straight line drawn in pen with a ruler. I would find much more satisfaction in myself if it was a crazy bunch of misdirected penciled lines. All leading somewhere different around the page, with a few that may have been erased and redrawn a few times. A beautiful pattern I can trace with my fingers and smile upon, without regret.

as corny as this post is, I thought is was necessary to rant
{mostly for my own sanity...which has been lacking thereof lately.}.

"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story."

P.S If there is any kind of advise I can give to others about 'happiness' it would be this: Live your life. Do what you want to do, when you want to do it and don't necessarily think to far into the future. And In the words of the most handsome John Mayer, 'Say what you need to say'. Otherwise, it will end up coming out in a way you don't intend it to, Probably at very bad time, in a very bad way. And you will regret it. %100 guaranteed.

P.P.S Any suggestions for good books I can take on vacation with me? I'm headed to dominican in just over 2 weeks. yessss.

okay, rant done.

xoxo

they won't give peace a chance, that was just a dream some of us had

2011-03-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

rock & roll crush: Springsteen.

2011-03-03T07:39:00.000-08:00

Theres just something about those musicians. I have this love of all old music for some reason... and Bruce Springsteen. Ahaha. Eeeep! He's so dreamy. And that song... gets me smiling every time, I mean... you just want to join in on that snappy dance move he does at about 0:53 seconds in. Im just saying, I think we would be perfect together. Maybe in a another life though. And you gotta love those high waisted, light denim faded skinny jeans he's wearing... only a real man could pull that off. He he he. Oh and didn't you know he wrote "Im on Fire" about me? yeah. He totally did.

;)

xoxo

p.s check {this} out... my friend Paivi showed me this...

he's just jammin before a concert in Copenhagen. Music for the love of music.

*sighhh

Oscar favourite: Mila Kunis

2011-02-28T14:21:00.000-08:00

What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't blog (at least a little bit) about the Oscars?! Although everyone in the entire blogosphere is doing the same thing...bloggers gotta do what a bloggers gotta do! haha. They happened just last night and bashfully, I admit to going to sleep at a wimpy 7:00 due to a crazy weekend and wicked headache. So therefore I missed the actual awards show... and what a shame too, because my husband (James Franco) *wink*wink was hosting alongside the always beautiful Anne Hathaway.

This dress by Elie Saab caught my eye the most. Love the cut, colour, shape and all that lacey, drapey texture in all the right places. The understated silver and diamond accessories are perfect along with the nude toned clutch and nail polish. Pastels can sometimes be hard to wear on certain skin tones because it washes a lot of people out, but her slightly olive skin tone is actually complimented by it. This is a colour and style I think we will be seeing a lot of come spring.

xoxo

hello, high

2011-02-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

High waisted bottoms have been making there way into mainstream fashion for a few seasons now, and slowly but surely we are seeing people on the streets actually wearing this trend. A lot of dresses and skirts last year were a cute easy thing to wear without going 'full out eighties' with the tight denim. But my favourite thing and at the top of my list of things to buy for spring are high waisted shorts. I love the breezy chiffon ones, the black double buttoned ones, and the faded denim ones (classic). There are tons of ways these can be worn, dressy or not. Next time I go out/ dress up Im going to try switching my usual black high waisted BDG skirt with black high waisted shorts....

plus, you don't have to worry about your "cooka" being out!

ahem...(snooki reference).

you can totally dance on all the tables you want, Jersey styles.

lol, joke.

p.s the last four pics/pairs are from Urban Outfitters.

xoxo

un canadien errant

2011-02-22T19:15:00.000-08:00

fuzzy socks, playing in the snow, christmas sweaters, cute boy cute kitty...

p.s have you seen 'One Week' with Joshua Jackson? one of my favourites and a lovely ode to canada.

p.p.s click here

lovely weather

2011-02-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

lovely, yet brief...

Dear, mother nature
giving us one day of Spring in February was too...
a.) tease us
b.) freak us out
c.) give us a taste of whats (hopefully) soon to come

HM?!

That very same day of experiencing plus ten degree sunshine, I found myself driving home at night in a blizzard. I mean, I am definitely not one to get my hopes up too high because I know very well that here in Canada and in Ontario especially... whenever you think spring is here and the snow is gone for good or is at least on the outs, there is always (seriously, always.) one more white out, snow day, snow squall. Whatever. Winter just seems to linger. I yelled at my family for opening the door and leaving just the screen exposed. "It's still winter outside! turn the heat back on forgodssake!". But I couldn't help but open my window all the way for a few minutes and just breath in that intoxicating scent of spring.

Here one minute, Gone the next.

{me by my window and the sun shining right on in}

To: my followers, I love...

2011-02-17T07:09:00.000-08:00

...Just some sort of late valentine xo.

Hope you all had a good one! I just wanted to say thank you to all my followers for reading through my rants, writings and randomness. I am really really wanting to do this blog thing for a long time and eventually perhaps make some money off of it (?) through advertisements... but in order to do that I still need way more followers.

Soo... Im asking....Help a sista out!?? copy my link into your Facebook status or twitter to make me the happiest little wannabe journalist in town.

love, me. xo

silk blouse + trench coat

2011-02-15T11:39:00.000-08:00

I can't wait to wear this trench coat that I got last week with a little black dress underneath and some black patent pumps now that the weather is a little bit nicer (well at least for the time being). I took off the original belt that it came with and replaced it with my own vintage leather belt that I found a long time ago and I have been looking for a place to put it. The jacket is perfect for spring because it has a cute little polka dot lining on the inside so its still nice and warm. & the best part it that I totally match inspector gadget.

:) xoxo

nail polish trends

2011-02-13T08:40:00.000-08:00

(left to right)

1. L.A girl

2. O.P.I 'samoan sands'

3. O.P.I pearled 'sand in my suit'

4. Nicole by O.P.I 'you can!'

Nudes and peaches look good with any outfit or skin tone and elongate your fingers for a more elegant look, and best part is chipping is a lot less noticeable.

happylist (deuxième)

2011-02-10T10:21:00.000-08:00

1. When a song randomly comes on my ipod when it's on shuffle, that describes my current mood or situation perfectly. (and no I am not one of those people that puts it in their Facebook status.)

2. When the sun is at that perfect spot in the sky, that it fills my entire room with the prettiest kind of light. (usually around 4:40pm these days)

3. Jellybellies, and mixing all the different flavours together to make awesome combos, (my favourite is one bubble gum, one fruit punch..mmm...).

4. Spontaneous karaoke sessions with my sister... or random 90's dance party's with my closest friends when we are in the middle of studying.

5. Glass of wine before bedtime with mom.

6. Prematurely (and not seriously) planning my perfect wedding and all the details (ahem... how embarrassing, Im 19 and single)...I just like to sit and think of these things while watching shows like 'Say yes to the dress'. Im a girl okay. I may or may not have a secret folder on my computer with all my inspiration photos collected from MarthaStewart.com....

7. My family's extremely loud and obnoxious dinner table conversations.

8. 'Canadian-ness'... In the form of: Maple syrup tapped from the trees at my cottage, skating on the lake or homemade rink in my dads backyard, Tim Hortons, Snowmobiling, bonfires, hockey, Bare-Naked Ladies and the Tragically hip, Tobogganing/Toboozing, KD with ketchup, om nom nom.

9. Stretching. exercise.

10. Breakfast... always. (making it, eating it...I wish every time was breakfast time)

yayyy happy.

:)

February Inspiration

2011-02-09T12:16:00.000-08:00

(starting from top, rotating clockwise to center)

1. Diana Dreamer camera

2. Assorted scented candles

3. Aerie cotton undies with seashell pattern

4. H&M coral lace bra (first bra not bought at aerie in years and I must say I'm quite impressed)

5. Lush 'iced wine' shower jelly (Smells too good!)

6. Silver jewellery (gold is out!) one from local jewellery store, other one from H&M

7. Rosebud Strawberry lip balm and moisturizer (mmm...)

8. Essie #10 blanc

9. Heels in second photo from Costa Blanca accessories (only $15!!)

10. Magazine: ELLE canada February 2011

February is the most depressing month of the year (its proven). SO, I have kept my mind distracted from the -20 degree temperatures by focusing on spring and how quickly these last few weeks have flown by. I made a little photo collage of my favourite things right now (think, bright and cheery), Inspired a lot by Marc Jacobs spring/summer 2011.

The magazine spread that appears in my photos above, and inspired me for the look was from ELLE Canada's trend report entitled 'Spring Awakening' (pg. 99). It says "Luxe Gypsies, boho hippies and punky gals put on a brilliant show... Bring on the highlighter hues, disco purples and breezy whites...It's sheer madness!" ...And I'm loving it.

polaroid loveletter

2011-02-06T20:15:00.000-08:00

2 most favourite things at this moment:

1. Bathing suit by Aerie (here). Although I can't wear this to the beach for at least another 4 months.

2. Tiffany's double heart sterling silver pendant necklace, in their classic turquoise. Birthday gift from dad. so sweet.

3. My new pierced navel. eeeeeep! (I was feeling spontaneous.)

room to be creative

2011-02-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

When I grow up (haha)... I will definitely have an entire room in my home dedicated to making crafts.

photo credits for last photo: 1. Martha Stewart 2. Pottery Barn
3. Country Living 4. Michaels
found the clipboard photo on google, forget exactly where its from?.... but Im almost positive that it is also from country living.

enormous pockets.

2011-02-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

There are WAY too many things that I wish were pocket-sized, so that I could take them with me everywhere I go.

Sticky note made by Michaela Lynch, quoting one of my favourite poets: Jonathan Safran Foer and his book 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'.

declarations of love.

2011-02-01T21:02:00.000-08:00

Len, over at 'A little Hamster ' has these adorable little necklaces... My heart fluttered a tiny bit when I saw the note carrying pendant. Perfect for a hopeless romantic. I bet any girl would love this as a valentines day gift.

Or do people even still celebrate valentines day anymore?? to cliche?
...Whatever. Cute Jewellery.

"These new necklaces are a declaration of love. I found both of them in Asia and are limited editions from Made by lennebelle. The antique heart shaped pendant which is a little box as well, was used to keep tabaco but you can put a sweet reminder in it. The other one I like to call ‘secret message necklace’, you can put just any note in it! Something between you and your love. And of course the ‘You are my number 1′ necklace is a pure declaration of love."

p.s her blog is cute too!

p.p.s I love when I find cool stuff on the internet.

DIY before/after

2011-01-31T06:56:00.000-08:00

1. So after I soaked the wallpaper in hot water, then peeled it off slowly.... (caution: do not get excited it DOES NOT come off in one easy piece) you must go around and soak the wall again because you will notice that there are two layers to the wallpaper, the design and the brown paper backing. Although if you have the newer kinds of wallpaper you shouldn't have to do any of this...did you know they have 'peel and stick' nowadays? so cool.

2. After you soak for the second time the backing will be more easily removed with a scraping tool.

3. After that you want to go around the areas with an abrasive spongepad and remove any tiny little bits left over.

4. Then the first coat of paint, corners and edges first with a small dense-bristled brush. Then fill in the walls with a roller. repeat.

I must say that I am so happy with it, the amount of natural light that bounces around in there now is so pretty. All I have to do now is hang up all my art, frames and mirrors, find a new duvet cover, a night table (currently my bedside lamp is resting on a pile of hardshell suitcases) and...thats it. I think.

The good thing about white is I can change the mood/tone of my room by switching up the colours of the other stuff thats in it (the art, bedspread, rugs etc.) and it is not as labour intensive & you can do it way more often.

If I HAD to choose another colour (say, white didn't exist...haha)... my second choice would have been a muted yellow. yup, yellow. Think, Serena Vander-Woodsen via Gossip girl. (below) Im pretty sure these pictures are older, I think in the new season her room is a little bit different but you get the idea.

live by the sun, love by the moon

2011-01-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

YAY for freckles.
the moon kinda looks like it may have freckles too...

by the way, Im done painting... 2 painstaking days, 2 full coats later, 2 showers to try and get the paint off and TOO many coffees and one very sore wrist later.

couldn't be more pleased.
pics to be posted soon!

white.

2011-01-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

For the new year, me and my sister are painting our rooms. We went to Benjamin Moore with no specific colours in mind. With the beautiful array of shades to choose from the options were endless. Leslie decided to go with a creamy baby pink "pink voille". Me being a design student, most would think I would walk away with some loud, extravagant hue. But! oh contraire!... I ended up walking away with a paint chip with a hue entitled "Simply White". Some would argue that the 'starkness' of white will turn my room into a dentists office. But I disagree, It's...

symbolic. deep. inspiring.

no?

new year. blank slate. new beginnings. WHITE.

a blank canvas.

its light, and airy.

will I regret this decision?.....

I think not.

at the moment...

2011-01-20T06:37:00.001-08:00

Film noir crush: John Payne

2011-01-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

I don't know what it is about him... but after watching Miracle on 34th street (maybe a little more than just one time) throughout the holidays, I find myself wishing I were born in 1912. If only.

sighhh.

already thinking of spring

2011-01-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

sunday.

2011-01-16T16:15:00.000-08:00

I love sundays. kind of. Sundays mean the end of the weekend, Back to reality. Mondays. Homework. But sundays are also the days where your nursing your hangover, recuperating from the past few days of constant gogogo. The perfect excuse to stay in bed all day in your PJ's and watch cartoons.

picture of romeo (a.k.a rapeo) on my bed, snug as a bug in a rug.

dimly lit

2011-01-13T21:32:00.000-08:00

Hey, do you like the new look? ... I have a few other banners too, just leave a comment!

all 'inspiration' images via weheartit

island in the sun

2011-01-13T06:45:00.000-08:00

I'll try and fill in what has been missed, but so much has happened over the holidays, its a whirlwind.

These are some of my favourite pictures of our trip to Cozumel (best vacation ever)... although my freckles are unfortunately already fading. floral dresses, flip flops and belly flops, beach hair, sandy toes.

looking out the window at the slushy filthy snow that line the toronto streets, I'm beginning to wonder what i WOULDN'T do to go back there now.

-currently entering every vacation contest on the internet

xoxo

vanished

2011-01-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

soo...I have had a bunch of tech problems in the last month, one of them being that my laptop dead. gone. splat. donezo. and then I went to mexico with my sister. But now im back (well sort of) on my new blackberry wooo. Although I can't do any proper posting until I cn afford a new laptop and who knows when that will be. hopefully sooner rather then later!

Xoxo

lights & stars

2010-12-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

more (& more) holiday posts! ..yay.

Me and my roommates have taken our small amounts of spare time to turn our apartment into winter wonderland. Garlands, wreaths, bows, glitter, snowflakes etc. We stayed up the other night obsessively cutting out the perfect little white snowflakes to string around the apartment, we ended up hanging them in the living room window... so it looks like its always snowing! :) You can see Charlie hopping around in the bottom corner of the last photo... cuutiee pie.

ALSO!, I have got my name mentioned on a blog of caliber for the first time! (although not for my blogging talents) but for a giveaway that I won, HURRAY!

I won a piece of jewelry from The parliament of two. Thanks to the quite dapper Bedlam of beefy.

heres the giveaway post! HERE & HERE. (omg look it says my name & blog! gahhh)

p.s I chose the bunny brooch of course :)

OH BABY, it's cold outside

2010-12-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

These are some pictures of decorating the tree, my favorite ornaments, champagne, kitty cat, silly face & grandpa socks of course.

I love every single thing about the holidays.

GAH,.

currently my roommate/bestfriend of life is baking ginger cookies

my fave.

the scent is absolutely intoxicating....i think im in heaven

yum yummy yum.

CLICK HERE FOR SOME AWSOME CHRISTMASNESS

give a hoot, don't pollute!

2010-12-10T19:15:00.000-08:00

This was a poster I did for a pro-eco organization that was doing a campaign to raise awareness about the destruction of habitat and the effects of tourism on our environment. It is done by hand, mixed media collage and pencil, sharpie.

this misplaced feeling

2010-12-09T13:13:00.000-08:00

I hate this lost-ish feeling. bleh.

a poster for baskerville

2010-12-05T20:24:00.000-08:00

So, this is a poster created for my typography class. We were supposed to pick a font that we liked/found interesting and then create a poster for it, which conceptually illustrates the font and what it's all about. So i picked baskerville, I chose to emphasize the uppercase Q and the lowercase g becuse those are the two most memorable letterforms in the typeface. The gears are symbolic of how the font is a 'transitional' font which was made at the beginning of the industrial revolution, and they are supposed to have that 'industrial' feel, as well as show how the letterforms work together... like gears.

I still have some editing to do, in the title and subtitle spacing... I can't decide if its too close to the edge or not.

back! & with some inspiration

2010-12-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

OKAY, so all my assignments are done... and there is only one last exam to study for. SO, I am back :) !

& I am going to start posting some work that I have done in the last little bit of the semester so you can see what i have been up to...

The snow is falling and its getting cold outside.. I love everything about the holidays and all that comes with it: glitter, cozy knitted sweaters and scarves, hot chocolate (or white mocha's mmm), grandpa socks, the lights, the smells, the cheesy decorations...

be back soon!

2010-11-22T13:49:00.000-08:00

Trying to be a part-time employee, full-time design student and part-time realtor...
among many other things, can be utterly exhausting.

with my workload from school for the final weeks and then critiques, my extra hours at work (due to the lack of funds) on top of my already busy days is waring me down. And because of this, my bunny Charles went for hours yesterday without food or water. I felt horrible. I also have been trying to coordinate group projects and at the same time trying to find a renter to take over my sub-lease via craigslist and e-mail. Oh and trying to register for next semester too when all the classes i need are full.
GAH. GRR. whhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyy!? kqwljfb;iequljgw;qigub prr.

anyways, leaving the blog for about two weeks,
be back as soon as soon as
I feel a little less hostile.

holiday gifting

2010-11-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

CLICK THIS NOW :)
I am so inspired to be crafty!

very aerie.

2010-11-18T20:34:00.001-08:00

oh a winter with no snow...

just not the same.

but definitely a nice thought.

pink lingerie

2010-11-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

new favourite nail polish: Revlon Top Speed nailpolish in Pink Lingerie.

favorite flower: Peonies.

2010-11-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

found here.

This is interesting.

...Reminds me of my dad's farmhouse, they grow in the front yard.
too pretty.

2010-11-10T08:17:00.001-08:00

Collage Collage - Shop, Look + Learn from Pike on Vimeo.

I found The coolest little children’s store in Vancouver, Canada called Collage Collage, They made a beautiful video about all the great things they’ve been creating. “An Awesome Book” themed-workshops have apparently been on the menu. I lovveee Dallas Clayton.

petits déjeuner

2010-11-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

Being a vegetarian on weekdays, I find it tricky to feel full sometimes. I found when you take some goat cheese, sliced baby tomato's and place them on a whole wheat baguette with a little salt and pepper...you get a lovely little lunchy, brunchy snack that fills you up until dinner. Not to mention that the bread is the worst/most fattening thing for you here, the creamier the cheese, the better it is for you. Those brick cheeses are horrribblleee for you and goat cheese is a very yummy option.

More wrinkles, more roles, more Charles.

2010-11-07T19:50:00.000-08:00

The amount of posts from here on out that are going to revolve around Charlie are endless.

just a warning.

:)

sleepless in the city.

2010-11-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Don't you just hate it when you are happy, content and on top of things...
you feel like all the shit life has put you through in the past, is completely behind you...
your over it. Its all good. forgiven and forgotten. whatever. no big deal.
your feelin all like Jessica.

and then, you go to sleep.

you sleep, and you end up having dreams and nightmares that make you stressed and upset when you wake up. whether it be about that test, making rent or that person.... Making you feel disoriented, polar opposite of how you feel when the sun is out. when your awake and alert.

but as soon as your unconscious and you reach that third realm of deep sleep. These things that you have driven out of your head just come waltzing back in... no big deal.

whatever.

I'll just never sleep?

photo by me of me from an old post

sparkle

2010-11-03T20:23:00.000-07:00

This song is by robyn, I heard it on last episode of gossip girl with the perfectly typical chuck and blair romance scene. The picture is off of Kaitlin's camera, sparklers from 2 weeks ago at the cottage.

ah oui, an illustrator from paris.

2010-11-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

illustrations by french artist Lucile Prach.
check out her etsy shop 'luciles kitchen'
& her website.

so cute! , can't quite put my finger on why I like them so much

:)

p.s I would give anything to have a vanilla macaron flown in from Paris' Laduree right now.
yumm. mouth. watering. droooool. om nom.

oh how cute

2010-11-02T08:49:00.000-07:00

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

Under Construction!

2010-11-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

bare with me while I make a few changes to the blog.
renamed, reformatted and redone... slowly but surely trying to figure out how i want this thing to look.
maybe I'll post three or so banners and have everyone vote on the best one,
OH & please take notice of the new url.

p.s Do you like the new name?

Meet Charles.

2010-10-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Full name: Charles (a.k.a Charlie), Bun-Buns, Borough (as in scar-borough)

Charlie buns :)

I came home on a friday night after dinner with my mom to a bunny at my feet t the front door, as a surprise from my two best friends Nooshin and Kaitlin... He is the sweetest little thing, although he was shy at first, he is now getting used to his new home and proud mama's :)

fragments of black and white.

2010-10-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is something Im working on in one of my classes, we are learning how to use a diagonal grid using only black and white images and symbols. this is a typical exercise for learning how to do magazine layouts etc. I tried to stick with somewhat of a theme, but i don't know

Old European Decadence

2010-10-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

These were all taken at the Royal Ontario Museum through the glass (as you can probably tell). But, how badly do you want one of these crazy chandeliers in your living room?! I kinda though about stealing one. Not gonna lie. Oh the crown moldings and wall panels so intricately made with the utmost attention to detail! The wallpaper! The art! The jewels! Ohhhh hoowww mahhhhvelous. (british accent).

day at the ROM :)

2010-10-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

I went to the Royal Ontario Museum on Saturday with my sister mom aunt and goddaughter (unfortunately I don't know why mama, auntie and baby aren't in any of these photos though). I LOVE the ROM!, so many cool things to look at and not enough time!, everything about the design and decor is just...cool. And you can take some realllyyy good photos there. creepy things in jars and behind glass are always awesome (I love gross and gore). I loved the batcave And 'Europe in the twentieth century' exhibit... all with these intricate and ornate rooms decorated intently from floor to ceiling. (That exhibit deserves its own post, coming soon).

;)

xo

reusable vs. disposable

2010-09-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

So, I have not used a paper cup in at least two weeks. I have been using a reusable water bottle and a reusable coffee mug for all my drinks while out. It has been SO easy. I didn't think it was going to be so easy. but it was. YAY :). Not to mention it's actually cheaper!

If you look at the celebrities in these photos, its kinda pathetic right? Like why is drinking out of these paper cups (not necessarily Star-bucks...any coffe cups.) so 'trendy'? what is so 'trendy' about it? is it the status you gain? by being able to walk around proudly with your five dollar coffee? In downtown Toronto, everyone you see on the streets are walking around with coffee cups held out in front of them, leading them to there destination. Zombies.

I used to buy an average of two paper-cup drinks a day, so like...coffee, tea etc. Thats 14 cups a week. Thats 730 cups a YEAR. All from just little old me. just me. Imagine, adding up everybody else's on top of mine.

And somehow, we just throw these cups away in the garbage without thinking about it, as if it just disappears (WOW, magic!). When really it doesn't.

If everyone just tried switching to reusable instead of disposable... imagine how much less cups would be thrown into landfills each year?

P.S Don't give in to the 'recycled/green/post-consumer fiber' jargon you see written on some coffee cups claiming that they are environmentally friendly or recycled. Because what most people don't know is that canada actually does not have enough paper supplies or the industry to recycle our own waste, we must export, import and transport... creating an ongoing cycle of wasteful behaviors impacting the environment. Because, if your coffee cup is being flown over from across the world on a gas guzzling jet... who cares if its recycled? isn't that worse?

UGGH.

rainy day rant.

2010-09-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Citizens of Toronto,

Hello there, my name is Amanda. I would just like to speak out on something that has grown to concern me greatly. I was just interested to know why you all insist on carrying your umbrella's in the fashion in which you do. I am not sure if anyone has brought this to your attention before, but I find you very violent and inconsiderate. Yesterday I almost got my left and right eye (on multiple occasions) jabbed out by the cheap and dangerous metal spokes protruding from your umbrellas. In the case in which this would have happened and if I had not defended myself with the best of my self-defense ability... I would have been blinded. Not to mention decapitated. I am urging more of you to start wearing rain jackets with hoods. This would allow you to see where your going and to NOT severely injure civilians as you briskly walk to wherever you do so need. If you do not stop these violent acts in which I am forced to face every time it rains... I WILL be forced to take further action. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you take my requests into serious consideration (mostly for your own health benefits).

FU,
Amanda.

p.s be sure to pause the music in the ipod nano mixpod on the left-hand sidebar if it's making the reading difficult.

photo.

city at night

2010-09-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Well, i just got into town about an hour ago

took a look around, see which way the wind blow

where the little girls in their hollywood bungalows

are you a lucky little lady in the city of light

or just another lost angel in the city of night?

- L.A woman , The Doors

photo by me

just being...

2010-09-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes... what you REALLY need is some fruity girly drinks, some good friends and munchies. Your bound to laugh your face off and forget about the stupid STUPID boys & all the homework that have been making you miserable.

green bean.

2010-09-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

I used to be very environmentally aware and conscious of my impact on the earth. I sort of let go of those cares a little bit when school and work and MY life became more important then recycling, composting and unplugging. But I am in a sustainability class this semester and I have really had a change of heart as to what is important. In the class we are basically a group of little activists at our school, doing hands on designing of all things green at school (water bottle program, organic food program, electronics recycling etc.) promoting and creating an outlet so that the students become more aware of how easy the school makes it to be green. I also had to make a list of things that i would do to be more green. ( it has to be attainable...im not going to put impossible standards on myself).

1. Become a weekday vegetarian* (first week a success!)

WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE BOTTOM.

It explains all the benefits, and everything you will be doing to help the environment, world hunger, and the treatment of animals.

2. Walk as much as possible. (easy peasy- I already do.)

3. No more plastic. (water bottles, grocery/produce bags, individually wrapped convenience food etc.)

this is very difficult unless you have a reusable water canteen and a reusable coffee mug.... proud to say I have used both all week!

4. Eating more organic and locally grown food. It's expensive, hard to find and sometimes there are fakes!! did you know that the average american dinner has travelled at least 1,400 miles? (thats a lot of unnecessary transportation, and 'middlemen'). Pesticides are killing countless species of plants and wildlife.

5. Unplug. turning off all lights when not in use, and unplugging appliances that are not on.

6. Recycle & Compost. Make serious use of the green bin and the recycling bin. (easyyyyy)

:) happy earthing, fellow beans.

P.S go listen to some of The Black Keys. They are GOOD. Really good.

what is the opposite of two? A lonely me, a lonely you.

2010-09-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try. Just one more time." - Thomas a. Edison

(photo of me taken by me a long time ago)

beach day

2010-09-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

frozen yogurt, beautiful weather... sucking up the last of summer :)

love thing.

2010-08-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

Seth & Summer, Noah & Ally, Ross & Rachel, Rose & jack......

lovelovelove. xo

simple dressings.

2010-08-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

I love Rachel Bilson and Jennifer Aniston's simple and understated style. I hate difficult, fussy, overdone clothes. Even the way they pair heels with denim makes them look put together effortlessly. I think you should wear the clothes, the clothes shouldn't wear you... so sometimes having tights, a high waisted skirt, a blouse, a necklace, a tank top, a belt etc etc... pulling together to make an outfit, you sometimes get lost and drown in the clothes, and its a big mess. I think Neutrals and subtle prints are key and always layering simple cottons.

The Sweetest Thing

2010-08-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

circa 1998: a blue eyed boy meets a brown eyed girl, men on motorcycles, tattoos (Im seriously considering one), old school romance, Freckles, beach days.

:)

Oh, oh oh The sweetest thing

if we all were a little more like jessica....

2010-08-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

resituated

2010-08-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

   So, move-in day has come and gone. OH by the way, me and my two best friends/ roommates are moving (yet again)... I just realized that I hadn't posted anything about this yet. But I have already packed, boxed, taped and unpacked and I now reside at a new geological location in downtown Toronto. (which really isn't far at all from our old place, just down the street and around the corner in fact).

   But, let me take a moment to reminisce, as it is time to say goodbye to my beloved home. First off, Baldwin street was perfect. It was perfect for the time and place the three of us were at in our lives... starting out in our first year at school, moving out for the first time, in one of the biggest cities in the world, not knowing what we were doing or what to expect. Now let me paint you a mental picture of what it was like to live here, with a few of my describing words: It was lively, hustley-bustley, old downtown, hipster, kensington/ chinatown district brick house
in the neighborhood of couches on porches, serenaded in the late evening by indie acoustic guitar music men strumming away with scruff and fedoras. As the scents of all the cute little artsy-fartsy cafes down the street make your stomach growl, and the little video shop plays a classic old film noir outside while a cute couple shares gelato. Although Baldwin street was great, it was clear to us we had different ideas about the rest of how university should go. Time to focus on school more, in a better environment. A little safer, a little smarter, a little cleaner (ahem ALOT cleaner).

(in-suite laundry YES!!)

     The new place is an upgrade (to say the least). It's beautiful clean, and safe. (not to mention the view). I could go on forever about how much BETTER it is. I know it's only my first night, But I still find myself unsituated. By 'unsituated' I mean that I am still unfamiliar, unattached and not in love yet, almost like Im pulling up a tree from the roots, and replanting it somewhere else. But whats stopping me?Memories? perhaps. Although I know those won't be hard to make. I suppose 'situated' will come when the third roommate kaitlin arrives, she is out of town and doesn't move in until later next week.... same with our couch and chair, haha. So maybe, slowly but surely i will be situated. I can feel it starting, and I'm excited. decorating the place to our own unique style (and budget)... and tailoring it to ourselves. Anyways, I think I have drank my fair share of tea. (Im currently at starbucks with friends drinking tea after tea to use the free wi-fi, I don't get mine until the 24th)

So, until next time.. :)

p.s the illustration is by Sophie Blackall, who also does one of my favourite blogs missed connections.

bridges vs. walls

2010-08-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

"The loneliest people in this world put up walls instead of building bridges."

images from weheartit

dreams, realities in waiting.

2010-08-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

So, I haven't posted any of my own art or photography (besides little snapshots) in a long time... So i thought i would upload some photos i have been taking to show that i haven't done absolutely nothing all summer. I do go to an art school...yeeesh. haha. I have been experimenting with really low-grade quality cameras because i kinda like the raw effects it brings out like disposables, or webcams for example. They are much more gritty. (plus i have been kinda living out of a backpack all summer and there is not a lot of room for big fancy cameras) Sometimes you just gotta make do with what you've got.

& yes thats me, and yes that is vintage floral wallpaper. I was at my dads 100 year(ish) old farmhouse. and yes that is a flesh toned bra. Intentionally unsexy, unprovocative. haha

banana popsicles

2010-08-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

my skin is dark from all this sun (well, dark for my typical white-ness) my hair is light and sun-drenched, so i guess summer must be coming to an end. does it have to?...what is it about THIS summer that I love so much? not summer in general, but THIS summer?. could it be the atmosphere, care-free and hot. fun and chaos is on everyones mind. getting into trouble doesn't seem all that bad. everyones a little more spontaneous, a little more skin is showing. twirling around in a sundresses. licking the melted popsicles drips from between your sticky fingers. I have had fun. so much fun. i have been free. no rules. running around in bare feet covered in mud kinda fun. jump off the end of the dock into the water fully clothed but you don't care because your so hot kinda fun. listening to your friend play that song you love on his acoustic guitar sitting across the campfire from you. sand between your toes. french braids. tomato colored noses.

& So i am left with this: "you get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a place, I told him, like you’ll not only miss the people you love but you’ll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you’ll never be this way ever again."

its like when your at a party where you know no one, or on vacation somewhere across the world, or you were just told you were going to die in a few days.....

you are uninhibited.
you are wild.
you are free.

Im diggin' this vintage kinda vibe.

2010-06-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.

So... Im not really a fan of Beyonce's music at all, but i do LOVE this video. If i were famous, my music videos would all look like this. And now i will be on the lookout for that robins egg blue shade of nail polish she's wearing that matches that cool vintage phone! & that floral corset??! so cute.

p.s i know i have been lazy lately with this whole blogging thing... but its because im just enjoying my summer! (and also because i left my laptop charger back downtown and when my laptop died two weeks ago, well... i was out of luck)

p.p.s expect posts to be posted on a daily basis again soon! (photos need uploading etc.)

indefinite vision

2010-05-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

Photos by VIEVVV

free.

2010-05-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

cottage bound

2010-05-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

Sooo, my long weekend plans include: the cottage, the cottage & the bachelorette (go alli woot! woot!)
anyways, i am so excited because i haven't been up to the cottage in so long. its going to be nice seeing as it is the place i consider "home".. i have been coming up every summer, fall and (some) winters since i was born...i pretty much grew up there. And no matter how many times me and my sister have moved houses with our divorced parents... the cottage is the one place that always stays the same. :)
my grandpa built it yeeeaaaarrrsss ago with his bare hands!

OH yes. and on monday... bachelorette starts with Ali as the new lady, i love her!... Jake didn't deserve her, he's a dirtbag and is as boring as a thumbtack. i saw some cute vancouver boys in the trailor. which are soo much more her type. YAY monday.

Apartment therapy.

2010-05-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

I have a design sense of mind. I tend to like small details and strong concepts.
I LOVE these interiors because of their charm, character and style.
not too modern, yet not traditional. stylish, yet home-y. (the list goes on)

There are a few similarities between them that you may notice,
and i am obviously a huge fan of. Including;

1. Unique lines and curves, interesting sense of space.

for example in pictures 2, 3 & 4 you see organic lines juxtaposing with hard, straight lines. Arched doorways and cascading overhead beams.

2. open, airy & un-claustrophobic.
yet still intimate.

3. warm, cheery colors.

4. & windows, OH the windows. (i swoon)
large and open, letting a ton of light in.

I also notice ONE more thing about them that they all have in common, one thing in which i envy so much, envy enough to maybe even be inspired... they are all CLEAN.

i HAVE to do something about the current state of my room.. (not to say that my apartment is in any way comparable to the photos above).. but i know that it could look ten times better if i just cleaned it up.

in fact i have already started... spring summer cleaning has started.

sunday.

2010-05-16T10:08:00.000-07:00