Local Business

This building has been vacant in downtown St. John's for years (post-reno). I'm so curious why something hasn't opened in it yet. The space looks amazing and the facade is so much fun! Image via Rebfoto.

Speaking of local business, Greg and I daydream about all sorts of businesses that we'd love to see in St. John's such as:

• A casual and current men's clothing store that targets the young professional
• More restaurants with patios and ocean views
• A modern housewares and furniture store
• An antique shop focusing on mid-century modern pieces
  
• A true diner
• A blowout salon
  

Do you think about the same? What businesses would you like to see open in our community?

Card

While I have sensible business cards for my 9-5 job, these Anna Bond calling cards would be the perfect fit for my dream wedding planning business that I've recently come around to lusting towards.

My wedding planning business would also be off on the right foot with this address book! Image via Anna's blog.

P.S. Have I mentioned that Anna is the inspiration behind our wedding menu cards (er... wheels)?

Monroe

Since moving into our new house this past September, Greg and I have taken the scattered opportunity that has arisen to meet our neighbours and acquaint ourselves with the community outside our door. We've collected leaves and chatted about harvest moons, delved into the history of our street and its inhabitants, and hung holiday wreaths and admired their beauty with a neighbour from across the street.

Tonight, Greg and I were invited to attend a neighbourhood wine and cheese at our local Bed and Breakfast, Monroe House. We had the loveliest time meeting more of the residents of our road. I've now been swayed to the joys of the holiday block party. This evening filled us with the Christmas spirit, and has made me ponder holding a similar function this summer at our home. On top of the hobnobbing, the evening provided a gorgeous tour of the elegant property. I'd highly recommend staying at Monroe House if you find yourself in St. John's. Its proximity to Greg and me is a happy coincidence.

Image of lights on Harbour Drive, St. John's by Todd Baker.

DIY

Doing-it-yourself wasn't in my vocabulary until recently. However, becoming a homeowner and planning our wedding have both made me excited to put my own stamp on our surroundings and our celebration. In honour of this shift in my perspective, here are two of my favourite DIY resources: one for homes and one for weddings. Images via Once Wed and Design Sponge.

Speaking of DIY-ing, I am taking the pledge to purchase many homemade (and/or local) presents this holiday season. Greg and I began our shopping yesterday (in our very own neighbourhood).

Bouquet

After joyfully accepting Greg's proposal, we hid away for a few days and kept the news largely to ourselves. When we emerged from our seclusion and started to fill in close friends, we realized that there were a string of decisions to be made over the following weeks due to our relatively short engagement.

As we've scouted and confirmed vendors, we've had a lot of fun in shaping our big day. Tomorrow marks one of our last vendors to be secured - the florist. Our selection is special to me as the same shop provided the flowers that Greg gave me on the night he proposed (and they're our neighbourhood florist, which continues our goal to live in our own neighbourhood). Image via The Knot.

Grape

Tis the time of the year for holiday parties, work socials and cocktail receptions. While chatting with a close co-worker of mine over lunch yesterday, she divulged her Office's plans - to have a catered lunch from Grape Expectations. The scenario works like this - an accomplished chef comes to your home and prepares a gourmet meal in your very own kitchen. To top it off each course is paired with a wine selection. The whole purpose of the meal is to make learning about food and wine fun. How awesome is that?

If money were no object, I'd hold a similar function at my own home! The photos above are from Grape's Facebook site and were taken at our wedding reception venue (what a small world it is).

Auntie

We're loving our new Saturday routine of strolling Water Street and mingling around Auntie Crae's - the smell of fresh bread, herbs, and cheese - yum!

Sweets

With our move, I've gotten out of the habit of testing new recipes during the week after work. Now that I'm back into the swing of the 9-5 world, our measuring cups and spoons, blender, wok and chopping knives beckon to me. Now that our kitchen tools have found a new home, it seems only fitting to put them to work.

Yesterday, Greg and I wandered around our neighbourhood to the curious and delightful Sweet Relic. Perched steps from a spectacular view of the industrial (by Vancouver standards) waterfront that is St. John's harbour, the coffee shop meets book and antique store is a great place to linger on a relaxing afternoon. Located on Signal Hill in the oldest home in Newfoundland and Labrador (as articulated by the historic plaque on its facade), Sweet Relic offers a great alternative to big box book stores and Starbucks' grande lattes.

While poking about the shop, I happened upon a hat box full of small recipe books organized by ingredient called Sugar & Spice by Keda Black. I've been thinking about recipes recently, and this box conjured up thoughts of chocolate and sweets and dessert recipes! For an online consortium of recipes, check out Design Sponge's 'In the Kitchen With' series. As an aside, I'll certainly be borrowing recipes from the series for our upcoming housewarming party (photos of the house and party to follow soon).

The groceteria nearby, Belbin's Grocery, also tempted my taste buds this weekend with its selection of oils, including pomegranate oil! Our neighbourhood has certainly offered up many culinary delights thus far (and I'm not even counting our proximity to the dining haunts on Duckworth and Water). All in all, I feel reinvigorated to express myself through food after this weekend. In fact, Greg and I are also joining a cheese club! The best part of this reinvigoration is that it's occurring only steps from our home, which fulfills our life goal of living, in the fullest sense of the word, in our own neighbourhood.

Lamp

Since touching down in St. John's, I have been consumed with organizing and preparing for our lives in this new city. I'm on a timeline; Greg arrives on Sunday and I have a long to do list before collecting him at the airport. One of the challenges in our new home is that we have more space than in our Edmonton apartment. One of the things this means is that we have more lighting options to select. When considering floor lamps, I'm thinking seriously about the Overachiever from Attica. 

Saucer

I am excited to announce that Greg and I have snagged an on-sale, floor-model (note that means a double discount) George Nelson Bubble Saucer Lamp Fixture! To add further bliss to the situation, we made our purchase from the Canadian store, Light Form; I enjoy purchasing from within my own country when possible.

I highly recommend Light Form for its friendly, prompt and convenient service. For those of you not in Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or Seattle (their locations), Light Form's showroom is largely available for purchase online. Image via Kuantanboy.

Stools

While browsing the Antique Mall on Gateway Boulevard last Sunday, Greg and I stumbled upon two mid-century fiberglass bar stools. I thought about the pair all week and am delighted to report that we welcomed the stools to our home on Saturday. Thankfully no one else snatched them up before us. Our stools remind me of these stools, minus the hefty price tag. I've got plans to restore the fibreglass shells and spray the bases with rust-proof paint.

Speaking of great design finds, check out Edmonton's Izm. I am struck by the beauty of Hypnotizm (a bench).

Toys

As a child for birthdays and Christmas, I'd ask for microscopes, books about mathematics, tarot cards and brain teaser games. For those from St. John's, my wish lists were comprised of toys and books from Carnaby Row and Granny Bates. I adored Klutz Press and Peggy Parish's Amelia Bedelia books. I spent many a rainy afternoon in my basement playing Jewels in the Attic.

At this point in my life, I find myself drawn to toys and creative books once again. As evidence, I bought Greg an Eames' House of Cards for Valentine's Day and I have just begun reading the cartoon novel, French Milk.

My internet travels have found me stumbling upon other fun toys for people of all ages. I think my attraction to these colourful confections is a way to counter the seriousness of other aspects of my life such as deciding how to invest my RRSPs and ensuring my car is tuned up regularly.

Here are some pieces I'm currently enjoying:

Alexander Girard's Wooden Dolls - Girard worked for Herman Miller, and designed textiles for the Eames'. Originally constructed for his home in Santa Fe, the dolls are hand painted. To purchase, see here. Photo via Design Sponge.

Belua Designs' Sock and Sweater Monsters - Each Saturday, Greg and I feast our eyes on these stuffed dolls at the Strathcona Farmer's Market. I love that the toys are locally made and think they'd be a fun addition to our couch. To purchase, see here. Photo via Belua Designs.

Born

Happy Birthday Gregory!

These yummy carrot cake and lemon cupcakes were showcased on Cupcakes Take The Cake. They perfectly match Greg's and my dessert sensibilities. 

On the topic of cupcakes, I am looking forward to checking out Edmonton's cupcake cafes - Flirt Cupcakes (101 Street and Whyte) and the new Fuss Cupcakes (Whyte and 104 Street), which is set to open in April. For details on the Edmonton cupcake scene click here.

I am also excited about Design Sponge's new Calgary city guide!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

St. John's

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador - City of Legends

St. John's

I was raised in the oldest city in North America. Originally known as "Rio de San Johem", St. John's has English, Italian and Portuguese roots. History remarks that Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto landed in Bonavista on June 24, 1497 and found a sea brimming with cod fish. St. John's was selected as the capital due to its strategic, sheltered harbour. Its main drag, Water Street, is the oldest street in North America and was developed between 1541 and 1546. Settled in the beginning by fishermen from South Devon, St. John's eventually grew to become the centre of commerce and politics in the province.

St. John's is also minutes from the most easterly point in North America, Cape Spear. The city is wrapped in the North Atlantic. And though I am biased, I think it is home to the friendliest crop of people in Canada. Since 1949, St. John's has been the capital of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

If your travels happen to bring you to St. John's, here's how I recommend you occupy your time:

Where to Stay: Should an extended stay in the city be in the cards, I recommend Hometel on Signal Hill. Though brownstones are not traditional St. John's structures (they're more indicative of a modern remake of homes in Dublin), the location of these rooms and houses at the base of Signal Hill and on the eastern outskirts of downtown makes them a worthy consideration. For more traditional St. John's flair, orient yourself in Jellybean-centre Gower Street at one of the row house bed and breakfasts. The Narrows and Bonne Esperance are notable options.

Bonne Esperance

Where to Eat: Fine dining options have grown exponentially in recent years as the city has blossomed into an oil and gas capital. For breakfast, roll down to Duckworth Street's The Bagel Cafe and Figgs for hearty fare. For lunch, check out the Austism Centre's Pantry at Shamrock Farm for fresh soups and salads. For dinner, overlook the Atlantic Ocean in nearby Portugal Cove-St. Phillip's at award-winning, Atlantica.

Atlantica

For those seeking a vegetarian meal, try The Sprout on Duckworth. For a traditional Newfoundland meal, try Bacalao. Ensure you also make time to grab a hot chocolate and cheesecake at Coffee Matters on Military Road. Aqua, Blue on Water, Basho, The Gypsy Tea Room and The Vault are sure to please those looking for fine dining.

Where to Drink: Spend time catching up with friends over cocktails and spicy wedges at the Australian coffee house and cafe, Tangled Up in Blue on Bates Hill. Reflect on your college days at The Republic. Get screeched in at Christian's on George Street. Taste local beers at the Quidi Vidi Brewery in Quidi Vidi village.

Quidi Vidi Brewery

Where to Shop: Twisted Sisters Boutik on Water Street is the premiere shop for Canadian designers, great shoes and locally made purses and jewelry in the city. August and Lotta Stockholm nearby offers chic Scandinavian designs and great leather shoes. For fun, locally designed and made t-shirts, try Living Planet. Belbin's Grocery on Quidi Vidi Road is a wonderful family groceteria with healthy take-away options and smiling service.

Earrings at Twisted Sisters Boutik

Sites to See: Signal Hill where Marconi sent the first telegraph. Icebergs in May and June. The Royal St. John's Regatta on the first Wednesday in August. The Rooms provincial museum and art gallery. The Battery fishing village at the edge of downtown. The St. John's Haunted Hike for ghost stories. The Grand Concourse Authority's walking trails, namely Rennies River. The intricate Rawlins Cross. The pink-white-green tricolour flying on the Southside Hills overlooking St. John's Harbour. Irish step dancing lessons from Shawn Silver.

All photos are from the respective websites listed.

Date Night

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I'm feeling aglow with the emphasis on love and friendship all around me. Normally at this time of year De Beers would be running tennis bracelet commercials on all the networks, but in 2009 the recessionary climate has shifted the advertising of presents to celebrate Cupid from diamonds to DIY. The absence of these commercial trappings makes focusing on the actual relationships with your spouse, friends and family that much easier. Midwinter is a great time to spark new friendships and remind your loved ones how much you care about them. I think simplicity and sincerity is the theme to pursue this Valentine's Day.

Together Greg and I enjoy routine, but we're trying out something new for both of us this February 14th (more about that in a later post). For those of you interested in trying something new with your beau, the Alberta Art Gallery in Enterprise Square offers drop-in-art classes ($10 a pop) on Thursday evenings from 7-9 pm. Each class is instructed by a professional artist and includes all supplies. The classes this month focus on drawing emotions, figure drawing and printmaking. Wouldn't dinner out at The Blue Plate Diner followed by an art class make a fun date night?

Isola Bella

I once read in Real Simple that it is a good idea to keep birthday, congratulations, thank you and other sorts of cards in your home so that in a pinch you can always share a kind thought with someone close to you. Last year, I found a sale at a local card shop and stocked up on a range of birthday cards.

This advice from Real Simple contradicts the lesson my mother taught me - cards are a waste of money, spend the money you would have spent on the card on the gift. This approach works fine for her because her friends and family know what to expect, and she always hand delivers presents so she is able to articulate in person how much the recipient means to her. The special part about my mom's ritual is that when you do receive a card or a letter it means a great deal. For someone like me, who is just as likely to pop a birthday present in the post as deliver it to a friend who lives close by, I grew to rely on e-cards. Hallmark has a great variety and I often send them (in addition to the required post on their Facebook wall).

Living quite far away from most people I am close to has caused me to rethink my approach to card sending. I purchased some great cards this fall with blank insides to send out as needed. I spent some time in Vancouver in November looking for cards and writing paper with Greg's mom. She thoroughly enjoys writing letters and is frequently putting something in the mail to us. When a piece arrives Greg is always certain to analyse the stamps affixed, as no detail is overlooked and the postage often reveals a message about the contents. I've started to open up more to the benefits of letter writing and card sending. My favourite cards are Isola Bella from Mudlark. Here are file folders with the same pattern:

If you happen to find yourself in Edmonton, I recommend checking out Chicken Scratch on Whyte Avenue for all your paperie needs.

Wild Tangerine

Order the house special. Do your research. Do not be afraid to try the dish critics rave about even if you're not initially drawn to it. This is a lesson I am happy to say I have learned.

When living in St. John's I enjoyed reading Karl Wells' reviews of local haunts. Reading those critiques was different than reading a restaurant review in Edmonton though - chances are I'd been there before and had my own take on the kitchen's offerings. Karl's insights were simply a yardstick to measure my own opinions against.

In discovering Original Fare Dot Com, I have taken to reading reviews before dining out at a new cafe. Before heading to Culina, I heard overwhelming praise for the steak with dirty mashed potatoes, blue cheese and chocolate sauce. I tried it. I loved it. I look forward to eating it again. I rarely order red meat at a restaurant and tend to think chocolate is best served for dessert. This said, I am very happy I took a leap and trusted the view of the foodies.

Last evening, Greg and I joined some friends at Wild Tangerine. Before leaving the apartment, I read review after review that sang the praises of the shrimp lollipops with wasabi yogurt. I am not normally the biggest fan of wasabi; I do not mix it with my soy sauce when eating an unagi roll. However, the shrimp skewers wrapped in angel-hair phyllo pastry were memorable. The yogurt had a welcome kick. I will be sure to order them again.

The decor of the restaurant was fun too. Check it out:

Wild Tangerine is located in Oliver and is run by brother and sister team, Wilson and Judy Wu. Call ahead; reservations are highly recommended.

Royal Bison

All Edmontonians interested in buying local jewelry, artwork, photographs, soaps and journals should check out the Royal Bison Craft Fair on Gateway Boulevard today. Greg found this cupcake pin cushion for me at the fall installment of the Royal Bison.

Farmer's Market

Like clockwork, Greg and I head to the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market most every Saturday. A short 20 minute walk from home, the Market is sure to be a bustle of activity and a great people watching venue. A caveat in our routine - we usually show up at the Market with five minutes until close. As a result, many booths are already packed up and few vegetable vendors have stock remaining. This weekend we made a pact to arrive before 2:55 to have a fulsome opportunity to check out the wares.

The first thing we noticed is the seasonal variation of the Market. Of course we knew the ripe orange peppers and yellow tomatoes would be replaced with red potatoes and turnips, but the range of non-fruit and vegetable items has expanded exponentially since the summer/early fall version of the Market. Yesterday we found a yummy white bean soup, adorable children's plush toys, jellies and jams, and raw chocolate. We considered buying a mounted graphic photo of the Garneau Theatre. We took time to indulge in an Edmonton special - green onion cakes. Yummy!

The Market is a great opportunity to see the work of our fellow city-dwellers. You can find crystals, homemade teas, hand-carved salad spoons, magazines covering the Edmonton art scene, buskers, locally designed clothing and purses, delicious baked goods and spicy sausage. Your eyes will be tempted by jade plants for sale. Your nose will be tempted by perogies and a range of cheeses. You can purchase hand-painted wine glasses, cloth flowers, house numbers, fudge and woolen mittens. The Market is a cornucopia of delights.

I cannot think of a more relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a windy Saturday afternoon in Edmonton. The bonus - once you've milled about the Market there's a whole host of shops to poke in along the strip before heading back to Garneau.

McKernan Belgravia

Last night, while meandering the narrow roads of Allendale, Parkallen and McKernan back to our own neighbourhood, Garneau, Greg and I mused about the status of the McKernan Belgravia LRT station. Its existence opens up a whole new range of residential living opportunities for those who love their proximity to Whyte Avenue, but would also like to have a (somewhat) affordable backyard.

I'd caught rumours about town that the station is fully functional but will not become operational for another few months as a cost saving measure for the city. Instead of blindly believing the rumours, I've done a little digging on the municipal website. According to a December 18, 2008 construction update, the only remaining work is clean up, installation of shelter glass and landscaping. McKernan Belgravia will be operational on April 26, 2009!

For more information click here.

I am looking forward to being able to take the LRT into a residential neighbourhood to support a cute coffee shop and bookstore that sit on 76th Avenue. It would make a great after work stop followed by a walk back to Garneau.