Category Archives: Cool Things
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Friday Finds
1May 10, 2013 by Amie M
I’ve been a busy bee lately. I took out my Christmas stockings that were left unfinished for Christmas, and finally charted out our names for the tops. Maybe they will get done in time for our first Christmas in our house!
I took out a book from the library, one I’ve been debating buying. It’s Colette Patterns first pattern book. I am excited to go through some of the tutorials, and constantly renew it, until I make a dress out of it. Then I will buy the book. I need to branch out of kids clothes and quilts.
I’ve also been finishing up a rather large quilt top. I will post photos soon. I need to learn I don’t need to post photos of only finished projects, intermediary posts are good, too!
In the meantime, here are somethings I have found, and loved, in the past while:
An adorable letter from a Junior Ranger. Leave only footsteps, take only pictures.
Mila Kunis is flipping awesome! Notting Hill much?
This page is bookmarked, pinned and well-viewed for honeymoon inspiration.
Gollum covering Taylor Swift. ‘Nuff said.
And a WWF camera has caught on film the elusive snow leopard! These stills are fantastic.
Wait, I want to add another. You will pee. I promise. And them you will fall even more in love with Jim. I mean John.
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Friday Finds: A Colourful Winter Week
Leave a commentMarch 1, 2013 by Amie M
I’ve been away. Life. You know the drill. Paul and I are busy with some life moments and wedding preparations. More when things come along further.
This week we have seen snow upon snow upon snow. With little melting periods in between. Being a pedestrian sucks in those melty bits. Anyone who is close to me knows I abhor people who complain about winter when they live in an area with a very obvious winter. I love winter. I love the crisp white landscapes, nose hairs freezing as I walk to the bus, an evening walk outside as the snow is gently falling. I can’t stand people who complain about the cold or snow, as if it doesn’t get cold and snow every year at this time.
I guess I miss how Tobans embrace the winter, and use as a measure of strength. Heck, I used to wear mini skirts to high school, in heels, in -25C. And drive a truck with no heat to school.
I also love how winter inspires me to nest and dream in my house, to start thinking of ways to make the inside a colourful retreat from the stark outdoors, or make me want to wear more colours. It also makes me want to share in more moments of laughter and love with the people in my life.
Sherry and John of Young House Love released their line of Benjamin Moore paint colours today. And oh my, I am in love with a lot of them! In true $herdog and John style, all the colours work well with each other, making it easy to pick a wall colour and go with any of the others for accents. I am picturing a Crisp Linen kitchen, cabinets and walls, with Artichoke Hearts and Balsam accessories. Or a Whisper bathroom, with Calypso Blue and Hearthstone accents.
I am in love with these shoes. But these ones may be better.
And this price for two colourful Pyrex dishes isn’t too bad. Scratch that, I am guilty of willing to pay almost anything for good colourful Pyrex. Do you like Pyrex? I love Pyrex. And milk glass. And depression glass. And old silver.
I know most people may have already seen this. Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar interview. Please watch the full video, not the shortened ones, as the full one actually has an intelligent question being asked of her. Why is it most female actors are asked about their hair, make-up, peaking, and tripping, but never about the content of the movies they are in, or about the impact their work can make. The first question in this video is fantastic, and J-Law’s answer is spot on. The interview’s intelligence (from the media side) goes down from there. But her quick wit and dry responses help her keep above where the media is trying to pull her down to.
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Friday Finds: Feeling Feminine
Leave a commentFebruary 15, 2013 by Amie M
This week has been one of coziness, cuddling and homebodies. Trudging through the almost snow day last week, to having no heat this past weekend, to more snow, and baking sprees, I think I’m about ready for a change. A pretty one, please.
I’ve been drawn to some very feminine items as of late, and adding more fem to my life and surroundings is needed.
These flats are made out of cork leather, and are in my size!
I like these heart measuring spoons. I have measuring spoons, and even though they are on a keychain, I am still missing a good many of them. And they are boring. But these ones are also very much in tune with the theme of love this week, with that day yesterday.
This coat has been in my Etsy faves for a long time.
For some reason, pastels and pastries feel feminine to me. I would like to blame Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. She started something there. Bake at 350 shared a great foolproof tutorial on making macarons. I may have to take advantage of the long weekend and try my hand at a batch, or two, or three.
And last but not least, I have been in love with Janet Hill Studio‘s paintings for some time now. My favourites are Francine and Her Frenchie, and Little Wings. Both are very different definitions of feminine, and I really want a print of both.
Anyone else feel a need for change to get out of a rut as of late?
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Your Valentine’s Day Gift
Leave a commentFebruary 14, 2013 by Amie M
Last night Paul and I had Dad over for supper. He was in town with work, and we managed to steal him away for some scrumptious Indian food and a quick visit before we dropped him off at his hotel.
On our way back home, we stopped in at the grocery store to get some supplies for V-Day baking festivities for tonight. The scene in the grocer’s was adorable. All sorts of men, all ages and sizes, were pouring over the florist section of the store. They were picking up and smelling bouquets, deciding between tulips or roses, or carnations, or a mixed bouquet, or even potted orchids. We purposely got in line behind a few gentlemen who were buying their bouquets for some extra smiles.
While in line, I kept hinting at Paul that flowers would be nice. He would just respond that I didn’t really like Valentine’s Day because it was so expensive. He’s right, and I like romantic things a little better when he is random, or when I am. Like giving me a phone call and offering me a ride home from work so I don’t need to take the bus. Or impromptu sushi date, or hamburger date, or milkshake date.
But it also feels nice like to do something together with someone on Valentine’s Day. You get to cuddle up with or be in the company of someone you care about and get a nice break from winter’s cold.
So, Hunny, when I get home from work, I am whipping up some of Smitten Kitchen’s caramel brownies, and we are watching a Star Trek, Star Wars or Indiana Jones movie when you get home from jamming with the band.
Sound good?
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Friday Finds: I Wish It Were a Snow Day
1February 8, 2013 by Amie M
Taking the bus to work today was an adventure. Navigating the 100 meters to the bus stop saw me almost falling down the front steps, twice, being thankful my rubber boots are lined, and then almost slipping on the sidewalk into the side street as I was crossing. But waiting in the calm quiet while the heavens were pouring what seems like all the snow was peaceful. I stood there and listened to the snow falling on the trees and on the hood of my parka. The soft rustle of crystalline flakes rubbing together, the cornstarch sound of other’s footstep on the ground were wonderful.
The walk to work from the bus stop was fun. I stomped and skipped my way through the almost knee high drifts. I giggled a little bit because it felt like winter back in Manitoba, just a few degrees warmer.
Then I trudged into the office building and saw there was next to no one in. Oh, if only today was a snow day!
I would be out for a long walk in the neighbourhood, until my toes grew cold because I gave up my warmer winter boots when I moved to a more temperate climate in Southern Ontario. I would convince Paul to stay home so we could go tobogganing at Guelph Lake down the dam with Vanessa and Rashaad. Those two are lucky buggers because the University is closed. They are probably laughing at Paul and I now.
Instead I will share a few things to keep you cosy and wishing for a traipse through the drifts.
These prints by Indigo Bunting, available from Paperless Post make me want them in paper to post on a wall! The nice buns one makes me giggle.
If I were at home today, I would so tackle Paul’s nightstand. He has a tower of a book collection going. He calls it his queue. Well, this queue is a hazard that makes me wince every night we crawl into bed. One good bump, or jump up from a certain large orange haired lion wannabe will send everything toppling to the floor. Thank goodness the lovely and hilarious Emily Henderson has some tips to style a nightstand with the essentials. A mix of the vignette 2 and 3 (modern, fresh and masculine) would suit Paul nicely. Now Emily needs to come up with a function styling tips for dressers! We both need a little help there.
If Paul and I were at home together today, I would get him to memorize a poem together. A sonnet would be romantic. I used to do this all the time in school, especially Junior High and Elementary. But the poem I remember the most was from when a friend and I entered into our region’s Festival of the Arts as a duo reciting a poem. We chose the Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service. Jen and I had wonderful inflection as we read that poem aloud together, adding some sinister tilt to our voices. I still remember the opening verse:
There are strange things done in the Midnight Sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
Weather and roads pending, we are heading to Heather’s tonight for some much needed board gaming and pizza. Oh, and root beer.
