Porch Swings

Ever since our neighbours cut down their trees and as a result robbed us of any privacy we had from the sketchy triplex next door - and taking down part of our deck with them - I have been dreaming about living in an old home in the country. To be fair, it wasn't just the loss of the trees that made me think about this change. It's been slowly building for a while, the dream of having a big yard, lots of flowers and no neighbours that can see into your house when you're having a shower.

Again, the fact that we can hear the domestic disturbances next door doesn't help, nor does "Hey Buddy", the nosy and overbearing man who lives across the street who seems to know more about the goings-on in our house than we do. But I digress...

It's summer, and I would love to be sitting in a big porch swing on the big wrap around porch of an old home, with a cup of freshly made lemonade and a good book. And I would like to hear the birds in our yard, feel the warm summer breeze as it blows by and not hear a police siren in the background. So with that little rant out of the way, here is an ode to porch swings:

I like porch swings.

Holding Hands

Who doesn't though?

Len

Len wants a post about him. Here it is. Isn't he cute? Sorry, I meant to write she. Frankie, that is. Len's just ok.

Sleepy Time

Because it's pissing rain outside and I'm feeling sleepy after a big lunch, all I want to do is crawl into bed, snuggle up with a cup of almond tea and watch a cheesy movie. But there are a few things getting in the way of that dream right now:

a) I'm at work, and thus should really be actually doing some work

b) in order to feel 100% perfect, I would need to put clean sheets on my bed and I'm feeling waaay to lazy for that

c) if I went home I would be stuck thinking of all the things that I should be doing, and probably wouldn't be able to relax at all.

So, I'm fantasizing about other people's beds, and have compiled a list of my favourites below:

1. The Beach Bed. No explanation is necessary

2. The LOMME Bed. Created by designer Günther Thöny, this LOMME egg shaped "sleeping pod" comes equipped with built in lights, a sound system, and an iPod dock so you can drift off to sleep with your favorite music. Sold!

3. The Nook Bed. Not hard to recreate if your house has some odd shapes, this bed looks like the perfect way to escape all other distractions. Cosy! (Probably not recommended for the sleep-walkers out there...)

5. The Suspended Bed. It's hammock meets interior design and I think I could definitely rock myself to sleep in it. The Suspended Bed is made with a sturdy machined aluminum platform and stainless steel tension cables to keep the bed stable and free from movement. Available in bare aluminum, powder-coated in any custom color, or veneered in any type of wood. Costs more than you want to imagine.

6. The Grand Piano. Designed by Mario Bellini, the Grand Piano bed has a built in side table with your choice of straight or curved lines with glass tops available for drinks and accessories. Bellini included cut in areas on the sides for easy movement getting in and out of bed. I really love this bed, although again I wouldn't think it would be recommended for pregnant women or anyone with back problems.

7. Bunk beds. Bunk beds are awesome and everyone knows it. Those of you who had them when you were kids were cool, and those of us who didn't are still suffering from the long term effects of bed-envy. These ones are especially cool because of the windows, but really - bunk beds are awesome and anyone who disagrees is a fool.

8. Random Bed I Like.

9. The Indoor/Outdoor Bed. I have no idea who made this bed, but what I do know is that it's an indoor/outdoor bed, one that you can push out when the weather's nice and reign it in when it's raining. It's amazing, brilliant and I need one. I also need a view like that from my bedroom window, but I'll work on that next.

10. The Outdoor Boat Bed. Again, what can I say? It's heaven in a bed.

I like beds.

Which one is your favourite?

I'm Baaaaaaaaaack...

I'm back from one of the best weekends I've ever had. Family, friends, and strangers alike all helped to make this weekend away a memorable one. It was a whirlwind affair as B and I travelled to Port Hope, Wellington & Bloomfield, Lake on the Mountain, Sandbanks, Bowmanville, Toronto, and Missisauga over the five day period. We drank more wine than you would think possible and had some amazing meals.

Here are a few photos that I took with my IPhone, with more to come when I find a cable for my camera!

Wine Tours!

We're leaving today for a long weekend of fun fun fun! Prince Edward County here we come! For those who haven't heard, Prince Edward County is Ontario`s newest wine region. The growing season is as long as the Niagara Region, but the winters are colder. In 2000 they had one winery. Today they have more than a dozen. They also have a ton of gorgeous restaurants, galleries, artisans, and beautiful inns.

For anyone who knows us is aware of our love for wine and food. I have been looking forward to this trip for months and I can't wait to post all the pictures of our adventure!

This is a photo of the place we are staying, Fields on the Lake. It's a beautiful old home and barn that hosts weddings, concerts and festivals. We're told that there is a wedding on the Saturday night in the barn so we might have to become real life wedding crashers!



Hope you all have a fantastic weekend! xxxx

Photoshop

Photoshop is cool! I'm playing around with my favourite photos, more to come! (I'm noticing that I use favourite a lot - I can't help it, there's so much out there to love!)

(Can we talk about how much of a hunk B is in this photo?)

Sewing

I want to learn to sew. I have a newly acquired sewing machine, and lots of great ideas. I'm overambitious, over-confident, and I'm sure you'll see me on the next season of Project Runway Canada. Winning, obviously.

Pillows, curtains, baby dolls, clothes, purses, weird costumes for Frankie, the opportunities are endless!!!!!!

Choreographed Aisle Walking

This is amazing. I know everyone hates watching videos, but you have have have to check this out. I laughed and cried and snotted and snorted. Absolutely brilliant.

Thanks to Cara, for sending it to me via Lake Jane, one of my favourite blogs.

And yes, I could definitely see us doing something like this - I'll add it to one of the main reasons to get married - dance party. Seems totally reasonable.

Shake your Head Feather!

Call me crazy, but I am really starting to fall in lust with flowery and feathery headbands. I know what you're thinking - silly girl, those are for brides - but I'm taking a stand here.

Don't you think summer would be so much better with one of these tucked into your hair? Wedding or not, it's young, fun and it's calling out to me!

The handmade headbands and combs below are amazing and for sale on Etsy by intothelookingglass. Check them out here:

I'm such a girl today - headbands and braids??

Tomorrow I will try to focus on more gender-neutral stuff! Maybe....

Braids

I've always loved braids, which seems like a cruel joke because long hair looks like ass on me so I rarely keep my hair long enough for pretty braids.
A casual messy braid down the back makes me think of living in an old home in the country, hanging clean white laundry on the line in the sunshine and making homemade iced tea.

Oh well maybe in my next life.

Who doesn't like braids?

Who You Callin' Tart?

Is anyone jealous that this is what I'm having for dinner tonight? I'm so excited for delicious veggie tart I can barely contain myself! I'm on the email distribution list for the 20 Minute Supper Club and the pictures alone make me want to turn myself into Gilbert's Mom.

Ingredients:
1 Sheet - 10- x 10-inch butter puff pastry, thawed
2 Cloves garlic
1 Cup each fresh basil, parsley, mint
1/4 Cup pine nuts
1/2 Cup goat cheese
1/3 Cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 tbsp
12 asparagus, trimmed to 4 inches
5 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise, trimmed to 4 inches
6-8 cherry tomatoes, halved

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Unroll puff pastry, remove paper, cut in half and transfer to a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Set aside.
2. In a food processor, chop garlic, scraping down sides of bowl. Add fresh herbs, pine nuts, goat cheese and 1/3 cup oil and process until combined. Spread mixture evenly over pastry, leaving a 1/2-inch border on all sides.
3. In a bowl, combine vegetables with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange vegetables like this on pastry: 4 asparagus pieces, 3 zucchini quarters and a row of cherry tomatoes. Repeat three times for each tart.
4. Bake 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and cut each tart into three servings (in between zucchini and asparagus). Serve with green salad.

I like tarts.

Murder in the City

I bet you think this video's gonna be crazy! It's actually the name of the song from my new favorite band, the Avett Brothers. They are from North Carolina and I like them.

Check out the video - you won't regret it! And if you do you should go back to listening Nickelback and Mariah Carey. Fool.

Ray Lamontagne look - check

Amazing lyrics - check

Acoustic guitars - check

Low-key video - check

They might be my new favorites.

The Sealpelt

Just in case the Snuggie and the Slanket were not enough, a Danish designer has created the Sealpelt.

Feeling bloated? Can't decide what to wear? Then the Sealpelt is for you!

In the Icelandic myths, seals are believed to be condemned by humans. One ancient story from the south of Iceland is about a farmer who early one morning finds a sealpelt lying on the beach. In a cave nearby, he hears voices and music. He takes the sealpelt home and hides it in a wooden chest. Few days later he returns to the beach and finds a crying, naked, young woman sitting on a rock. He brings her to his house where she stays, but he never tells her about the pelt. As time goes by they get married and have children. But the young woman is restless and often stares quietly out of the window at the ocean. One day when the farmer goes fishing, his wife accidentally finds the key of the chest, opens it and discovers the missing pelt. She takes leave of her children, puts the pelt on and before she dives into the ocean she says: "I am vary anxious, with seven children on land an seven in the sea." She never comes back but the farmer misses her terribly. Later when he goes fishing there often is a seal near his boat and its eyes are filled with tears. It is said that the farmer becomes a very lucky fisherman. And when his children play at the beach there often is a seal swimming close to land. Sometimes it brings them beautiful stones and colorful fishes. But their mother never returned.

None of this explains the need for a Sealpelt, of course, but what would a Tuesday be without a little Icelandic mythology? And yes, they are ridiculous, and yes they are obscenely expensive ($399US!!!), but I'm pretty sure I would have a lot of fun ripping around in one of those.

Get your Sealpelt here: http://www.birkiland.com/en/store/show/1236625540

Weddings

I caught the bouquet with the most minimal amount of effort possible.

It practically landed at my feet - which I should point out, were the feet at the very back of the throng of unmarried women. Ok, so I snatched it up pretty fast but I assure you it was pure reaction. They are pretty though, aren't they?

I'm still feeling tired out from the weekend, so I'm posting pics only today!