Tutus

This photo of tutus makes me miss my ballet lessons that are on hiatus this summer. Image via English Muse.

I'm also loving these candid portraits from Urban Weeds. Capturing natural beauty is the best!

Windows

I have a serious soft spot for window boxes.

Here are some of the ones I'm lusting after on Flickr. I should also mention that I love coloured clapboard, which is an obvious influence from my hometown.

If you're curious to install your own window boxes, check out this compilation of options from Apartment Therapy.

Images via Jeff Wignall, Luvzdollz, ihrigmr, I Love Butter and Pikaluk.

Table

While shopping for frames for our inspiration wall this afternoon, Greg and I happened across this new must-have Stockholm side table from Ikea. I love the lines!

Live

I absolutely positively cannot stop listening to this acoustic version of Lazy Eye. Image via Max Wagner. 

ban.do

Aren't ban.do's corsages sweet? I'd love to add one to the hip of a little black dress.

Cantine

I love Edmontonian David Cantine's acrylic on plexiglass paintings. Those of you who've been to Leva might recognise his work. His still lifes make the perfect point of reflection while enjoying a spinach and feta pizza, San Pellegrino and cream cheese icing cupcakes, as Greg and I did this evening. Images via the Peter Robertson Gallery. 

Wishes

These days I'm drawing significant inspiration from Door Sixteen (check out Anna and her house on Flickr here). The mix of 100 year old wood floors with the best in mid-century design has me excited. I also enjoy her support for and continued use of Ikea products.

While Anna seems capable of scouring the best finds (an upholstered Eames rocker for $20!), I'm chaulking her good luck up to the fact that she's steps from NYC, while I'm in frosty Edmonton. Greg and I are however, on a mission (or I'm on it and he's tolerating it!) to expand our mid-century modern fare beyond one vintage Eames orange moulded plastic side chair, a House of Cards, a Hang it All and two scavenged fibreglass bar stools.

My dream wish list includes:

Two (Canadian designed!) Solair Chairs by Fabrio Fabiano and Michelange Panzini to place outdoors on a stone patio (to purchase see here). I smile when envisioning a DIY planter, in yellow or another contrasting colour, flanking the chairs. For a full expose on the Solair's come back, check out The Globe and Mail.

An Eames LCM for the living room in red. For a beautiful vintage one, check out see this eBay listing. I think the LCM would add more texture, through the use of wood and metal, to our furnishings, as well as an always appreciated dash of red.

Two Bertoia Chairs to sit around a Saarinen table (or more likely, this Ikea 'cousin') to sip lemonade on a patio under a trellised archway (one can dream!). To purchase Bertoia chairs, check out Knoll.

An Eames House Bird from the Eames Office to set on a mantelpiece. I think the wooden confection would accent our new painting very nicely!

A George Nelson Saucer CC lamp to hang over our dining table (available from Modernica). I think the colour and shape would nicely complement our Torsby table (in the forsted blue glass variety that's no longer being manufactured) and Nandor chairs.

Images via The Globe and Mail, Tread Way Gallery, Addo Novo, Eames Office and Modernica.

BLT

I love a new take on an old standby. Naturally that's why I cannot wait to make this BLT. I've never been much of a bread fan, so this 'sandwich' appeals to me. Doesn't it look yummy? Recipe, photos and details from The Globe and Mail. 

Credenza

I am in love with this credenza. I must start saving my pennies now. 

Fabric

I'm thinking I might need (want) to purchase a couple of yards of this fabric to make some throw pillows. A splash of Eames' on the front and a neutral linen on the back will help keep this project under (only slightly over) budget. I'm particularly keen on the large dots, unisol (which mirrors a new favourite summer skirt of mine) and checkered split. For a more budget-friendly graphic splash, I enjoy Ikea's Stockholm Rand rug. Image via Eames Fabric. 

Skirt

This Monday, while dressing, I took inspiration from these ladies with their full skirts above the knee, looser t-shirts and pointed-toe flats. I've switched the white t-shirt for a grey one though, in hopes that the grey makes me look a little more tanned... here's to hoping! I'm also hoping my smile is as infectious! Images via Frolic and The Sartorialist.

I'm also discovering and enjoying Vancouver's Hey Ocean. Check out there tune, Alleyways, here.

Rack

These flickr finds make me excited to hang our own Eames Hang-It-All. Images via Grey Anemone, Made Good, and Sandiv 999. 

P.S. I'm loving this interior. 

Sail

On this Sunday evening, I wouldn't mind finding myself on the open seas. Images via Vogue's Like a Virgin editorial.   

Shoes

I finally felt in the footwear loop this morning when I came across this snap on The Sartorialist depicting two pairs of shoes that mirror recent purchases of mine. Now on to finding belted dresses and fabulous sunglasses... 

Take-Away

At the end of the work week Greg and I traditionally chow down on homemade pizzas while watching rented flicks in our living room. This routine is one of mutually adored vices. We pile pita shells high with sauce, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers and parmesan. 

This afternoon Greg met me downtown after work to assist with some clothes shopping (I'm now one pair of black-patent-leather-t-strap-pumps richer). After our walk home through the legislature grounds, we stopped at The Sugar Bowl for a balsamic goat cheese stuff tomato with shallot bread (super yummy!), mojitos and cheesecake. Our Friday night included a slightly different indulgence for dinner than the pizza pie routine, but was equally enjoyable nonetheless. I think it is important to treat yourself every now and again. 

Speaking of treating yourself, check out Fast Food Fancy. The site offers recipes to remake your favourite ever-so-bad-for you treats into more visually appealing meals. Think Dao Mi Noh Chow Mein made from Domino's Fancy Pizza or Tapas de Castillo Blanco made from bacon cheeseburgers, french fries, onion rings and a chicken burger. 

Even if you're completely opposed to fast food (as I was after viewing Super Size Me and reading Fast Food Nation), I promise you'll be intrigued by how much more appetising these recipes look after their makeover. For a clear example of what I mean, the picture above is spicy chicken sushi made from Popeyes Chicken. 

Strength

Today I am gaining strength and inspiration from the fact that a room like this:

can become a room like this:

Both images via Young House Love. For a full overview of Sherry and John's transformation, see The Nest's article.

Mascara

This is what I call fantastic mascara. For some reason, I don't feel ready to face the day without applying mascara after brushing my teeth each morning. 

For You

I love you, Sweet. All images via Le Love. 

Talent

Fake it 'til you make it; truer words have yet to be uttered as regards my creative abilities. I wasn't born with perfect pitch or poetic vigour. However, I have tried my hand at tap dancing, painting, singing, theatre, violin and ballet. With such a string of ventures (many short-lived), one could come to the conclusion that I give up too easily (and they'd be half right).

While I do feel pangs of jealously when I see others create in ways that seems to be effortless from the outside, I think the most cathartic way for me to release creative energy is through the written word. I don't linger for long with the green eyed monster. While I've enjoyed the other pursuits, I don't feel empty without their accomplishments and embellishments.

This love affair with words began a long time ago. As a child I wrote poetry and preferred to play with books over dolls. In the midst of my teenage angst, I dabbled in online journalism and wrote a short story that to this day I reflect upon fondly. In my university years, I wrote a bi-weekly newspaper column. For a long time I missed that writing, and in fact, many days I still do. Thinking about words (and even fonts) excites me. Thankfully writing, albeit not of the creative bent, is a major component of my current profession.

Greg and I chatted about creative energy on our road trip. We were exposed to poets, actors, musicians and potters. The joy that stretched across their faces when talking about their art was infectious. It got us to thinking about our own energies. In thinking back on that side-by-side chat on a hazy Saturday evening, I write this post as a commitment to myself to delve into writing more thoroughly. I'm sitting at a juncture in my life right now, and I'd like to use my pen more frequently in this next chapter. I'm venturing forward with the intention to write another short story. We shall see where this pursuit takes me. I think this is one of those truck stops.

Image via Janny Brocken.

P.S. I haven't given up on ballet, and hope to continue in the fall.

Baby

One could not be reasonably expected to view this photo and walk away without baby fever. Image via Keith David Young (via A Cup of Jo). 

Bed

Forging back into my regular work week after a two week hiatus has left me with (a) a string of meetings and training sessions this week, and (b) longing to rest my head on a pillow well before my typically mandated bed-time (10:30 pm). Image via Design Sponge. 

Comox

I feel a little bit more grown-up these days. Greg and I took the plunge and purchased our first real piece of artwork. While a calculated splurge that we slept on, we left the gallery in Qualicum elated and euphoric! I'm very excited to hang the piece in our home.

Feeling inspired by Joslyn's Things I Bought Thursdays, here's our recent purchase - a Brian Buckrell acrylic on canvas board, entitled Turning Left, Comox Ave. Naturally, we hopped in the car and drove the one hour to Comox, BC from Qualicum Beach to check out the very intersection this painting depicts. I cannot think of a more delightful way to spend a rainy day.