Thursday, October 6, 2011

(Scarf is a funny word....)

Brrr...it has been getting chilly here (especially in the mornings!) and a scarf has become a daily item for me. Though I usually just throw on one of my trusty ol' infinity scarfs - this video I found today over at Toque Girls has me very inspired to try some new looks! Here, in about 5 minutes, is 25 ways to tie a scarf.



P.S. - Once you get through the whole video, you can click on the little picture and it will take you to a video on how to do that specific one.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Thanks for the clarification

As an editor, I am constantly explaining when to use i.e. and when to use e.g. Maybe next time, I will pass this along! Love it! To view the full poster and explanation, click here!





Thursday, September 1, 2011

Long days

Between my full time regular job at a national non-profit, I also edit for a group of child psychologists in the city - everything from letters, to progress notes, to reports (some 20+ pages), and magazine articles. I also volunteer for a new music group (Land's End Chamber Ensemble) on the board of directors. And actually, tomorrow is my last day at my full time job and I am moving onto a new charity, so add that to my stress-mix.

So, this is why I am never here anymore! Between job 1, job 2, volunteering, seeing family, spending time with my husband (who I haven't even seen this week because we are both over our heads in work) and trying to have a social life and sleep - it is just a lot! I am not making excuses, just explaining myself :) But I haven't forgotten about my little blog, and I read all of yours almost daily (ok, sometimes weekly... ).

One day, hopefully, life will slow down. One day, hopefully, I will find a spare moment.

In the meantime, here is an Adele song I am obsessed with (lucky for Joe I wear headphones so he doesn't have to listen to it on repeat).

Happy rest-of-summer! Back to editing reports for me...





Monday, August 15, 2011

2 Years


Happy 2nd Anniversary, Joseph! I love you with my whole heart!


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

mini golf

Mary is visiting from Vancouver - I love Mary! So this evening we went to Canada Olympic Park for some mini golf and then to Licks for ice cream. Love these ladies!



(photos courtesy of Mary and Teira)



Monday, August 8, 2011

Sigh...

I know I haven't posted in awhile - I am sorry. Busy with family and friends visiting and just life in general! It should slow down soon - but I am still enjoying reading all your amazing blogs.

I would love an escape right about now. This looks perfect...

(via simplypi)


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Campfire song


Sarah Harmer is one of my favourite Canadian artists. She just released a new song in English and French called The Park Song (or, Chanson des parcs, in French) in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Parks Canada. I can't embed them, but you can find them by clicking HERE! Both versions are beautiful! Enjoy!

psst - thanks, Laura, for sharing!


Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Finally...


After 6 years (6!) of waiting, I have this beautiful book in my hands. It is the 5th book in the series called A Song of Ice and Fire. Have you read them? I can't wait to dig in!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Let's Get It On cover


Another cover! This one I forgot about but had heard for the first time years ago. Love both versions.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Love Song cover


I am a big fan of The Cure and just noticed Adele did a cover of their song Love Song. I like how she slowed it down and gave it a romantic sound. The original is here.

Also, I'll be posting pictures from this weekend soon - I had great seats for the Calgary Stampede Parade and saw Kate - although she blocked my view of William. Tomorrow, I finally get to see my friend Teira! She returned from her semester abroad and we are going to a pancake breakfast (there are pancake breakfasts all over the city everyday during Stampede - if you live in the area, find them at FlapJack Finder).

Friday, July 1, 2011

O Canada!

Happy Canada Day!






Today, Canada is 144 years old.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state with a democratic parliament.
Canada's land mass is 9,970,610 km2 (the world's second largest country).
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories.
Hockey and lacrosse are Canada's national sports.
Canada has two official languages: English and French.
The capital of Canada is Ottawa, located in the province of Ontario.
The population of Canada is 34,030,589.
With only three people per square kilometer, Canada has the fourth lowest population density in the world.

Hope you have a great weekend! I'm in Brooks visiting with family and today we are having a big BBQ and hopefully going to see the fireworks. Next weekend, the Calgary Stampede starts so I am going to get downtown bright and early to see the parade and catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, who are currently on a Canadian tour and will be in Calgary. Stampede goes on for 10 days and is this huge fair and rodeo, with chuckwagon races and bull riding. I'm not really too big into it, and by the end of the 10 days I am just wanting it to be over, but the parade is fun and there are pancake breakfasts all over the city every morning. Can't go wrong!

photos:
wikipedia
Travelpod

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day!


My favourite memory of my dad is when we would eat lunch together (black forest ham, lettuce, and cucumber sandwiches in pita pockets with chicken noodle soup) and watch the Flintstones before I would go to school in the afternoon. Miss you immensely, dad.

What is your favourite memory?

(photo via weheartit)


Sunday, June 12, 2011

Bicycle!

The days here have been...inconsistent. One day it is sunny, the next it is very rainy, or, like yesterday, very rainy then very sunny to very rainy. This had made it difficult to get out riding my bike. I love my bike and I love going for rides. But it needs to stop raining and, lets be honest, I need to get off my bum.

I wish Calgary was a better bike city. It has its trails here and there but not a lot of on-road bike lanes and the city is not very accessible to bike - there is so much sprawl. Do you live in a city that is easy to bike?

My friend, Teira, is in the Netherlands on an exchange and one of the first things she did was purchase a bike. She made this very cool video of her commute. I wish!


I miss you, T!


Sunday, June 5, 2011

U2 part 2

At our seats!

This photo was taken by Latoya Wilson - a friend of mine who was also at the show. She was in the same section as us but in row 56. A very different (and sweet!) view than what Marley and I had at row 2. Massive stage!

Marley and I waiting for the concert!

The stage!

The stage was massive! The screen would shrink and expand and the video shot through the entire show was so cool - one of the best parts. They performed a lot of their older songs and a lot of new. I was really surprised that they played Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me and it may have been one of my favourite parts of the show. Marley's phone unfortunately died and my photos from my phone are not that great. We did get some cool videos though! It started raining a bit too and near the end of...I think it was Elevation...Bono started singing Singing in the Rain. So glad we got to go!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

U2

U2 was amazing! I'll write a bit more about it soon - but I am functioning on very little sleep so I am going to bed now. Hope you are all having a great week!


P.S. Happy birthday, Joe!



Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Vegas!

Well, we are back. Vegas was exhausting - but both weddings were beautiful and congratulations to Lindsey and Jesse and Jennie and Lawerance!

It was late when we arrived and I was sick and a big grump so I went to bed while Joe toured around. The next day we explored the strip, went to Mesa Grill (Iron Chef Bobby Flay's restaurant - yum!), and met up with Joe's sister who happened to the be there on business and went to see Cirque de Soliel - LOVE (it was all about the Beatles). It was pretty cool but lacked a lot of the crazy acrobats Cirque usually has. But still really good effects!

On Friday we went to Lindsey and Jesse's wedding ceremony in the middle of the Nevada dessert, the reception was at Serendipity 3 at Caesar's Palace (where their 'wedding cake' was frozen hot chocolates) and then went to the casinos and gambled!

Saturday was another day we had to ourselves so we spent it going from hotel to hotel, bar to bar, casino to casino, just taking it all in. I must say - Joe and I had a really good day and very good conversation. We are so busy with our lives that sometimes we forget to do that. In the evening we ran into Lindsey, Jesse and her family again and went to Serendipityy 3 again (what can we say? It is super good and the mac and cheese was delicious!)

On Sunday we went to Jennie and Lawerance's wedding in the gardens at the Flamingo and enjoyed the wonderful dinner reception. Jennie looked so beautiful!

On Monday we came home - and it was a loooong day. We took off from Vegas and a passenger had a medical emergency so right after a very turbulent take off we turned around and landed very quickly. Many people on the flight got sick because it was so rough and we had to all get off the plane so it could get cleaned and the paramedics took off the other passenger. Luckily, I was able to make to it the airport bathroom before getting sick (yes, it was that awful). So then we took off again and had 2 layovers - in Portland and Seattle and FINALLY we made it back to Calgary. I am still tired!

Next week is U2!! I am so excited for that - especially because I finally got my ticket confirmation and get to pick up my tickets at the window marked "U2 Guest Tickets" since I have band reserved tickets - it pays to have a husband who has connections to U2! Marley (my younger sister) is coming with me and it is going to be soo fun!

For now, here are some Vegas photos!
I hope you all had a great weekend and you are having a great week (it is almost over already!).

Vegas

Frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3

Fountain at Caesar's Palace (one of many)

Eiffel Tower at Paris - not as big or cool as the real one, but still nice

LOVE - waiting to see the show

Mesa Grill - Bobby Flay's restaurant in Caesar's Palace

Yum!

Ugh - I can't imagine eating beef any way but well done, but Joe liked it!

The best dip ever

So strong

This was inside!

The middle of the Nevada dessert - the backdrop to Lindsey and Jesse's wedding ceremony!


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Viva Las Vegas!


Off we go! Hope you all have a great rest-of-week and weekend!


Friday, May 13, 2011

Faces of Ebony




Today was a long day. I went to work early at 7:30 am and then afterwards met my friends Jennie and Cassidy for dinner. Then Cassidy and I headed to the Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club for the Land's End Chamber Ensemble's concert Faces of Ebony (I sit on the board). What an amazing performance - I really enjoyed it. James Campbell was our special guest and they played jazz influenced pieces. All in all - a very long, exhausting day and now I am going to sleep.

Tomorrow I am headed to Brooks to watch Ainsley's dance recital and take my mommy out for Mother's Day since I never saw her last weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend! What are your plans?


Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Tea time

(via weheartit)

One of my favourite things about my job has nothing to do with the job - but the fabulous group of older ladies who sit in their big room and drink tea every afternoon around 2:30. A couple of them (well, most of them) are from Britain and I guess it has just always been that way. My desk is against a wall that I share with them and I hear all the chatter (today it was about how the royal couple are on their honeymoon - and isn't Catherine just beautiful?) and I love it. They get the tea made, put it in a pot, put on a cozy (that has pictures of Big Ben all over it) and have it on a tray with cream, sugar, sweetener and tea cookies. Once in awhile I join in.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Monday Mish Mash

Twirl necklace from Kate Spade that I will be buying for my niece, Ainsley, who loves to twirl (and is very good at it!)


My new mug
(via Anthropologie)


Vegas in 9 sleeps!
(via weheartit)



And Joni Mitchell because I love her.

I hope you have a great start to your week!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there - especially to my own mommy! I love you and I'm so proud to be your daughter! You're the best!

(via weheartit)


Friday, May 6, 2011

Have a nice weekend!

(via weheartit)

What are your plans this weekend? Tonight, Joe and I are going for burgers and fries. The rest of the weekend I want to do nothing, but alas, I have a bunch of editing to do.

It is finally starting to warm up here but we have been getting rain and gray skies. But at least there is green grass in some places!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Yum yum

I am on a quest to eat more vegetables. I do eat them right now, I just need to eat more. What are your favourite ways to prepare them? Any amazing recipes?

Here is one I am looking forward to trying!


Raw Tuscan Kale Salad

*1 bunch Tuscan kale
*2 thin slices country bread, or two handfuls good, homemade coarse breadcrumbs
*1/2 garlic clove
*1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus a pinch
*1/4 cup (or small handful) grated pecorino cheese, plus additional for garnish
*3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for garnish
*Freshly squeezed juice of one lemon (scant 1/4 cup or ~50ml)
*1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
*Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Trim the bottom few inches off the kale stems and discard. Slice the kale into 3/4-inch ribbons. You should have 4 to 5 cups. Place the kale in a large bowl.

If using the bread, toast it until golden brown on both sides and dry throughout. Tear into small pieces and pulse in a food processor until the mixture forms coarse crumbs, or crumbs to your liking.

Using a mortar and pestle or a knife, pound or mince the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of salt into a paste. Transfer the garlic to a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup cheese, 3 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, pinch of salt, pepper flakes, and black pepper and whisk to combine. Pour the dressing over the kale and toss very well (the dressing will be thick and need lots of tossing to coat the leaves).. Let the salad sit for 5 minutes, then serve topped with the bread crumbs, additional cheese, and a drizzle of oil.

Prep time: 10 min - Cook time: 5 min

Adapted from the Raw Tuscan Kale Salad with Chiles and Pecorino recipe in Melissa Clark's In the Kitchen with A Good Appetite.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Calgary today

(photo by Mike Taddeo)

Along the Bow River in Calgary looking towards the Rocky Mountains.


Saturday, April 23, 2011

Easter Eggs

Today, we painted Easter eggs! My niece, Ainsley, loves Mario so Joe and I decorated eggs for her in Mario characters!

Luigi, Princess Peach, Mario, Donkey Kong, and Bowser!

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Drowning

I have felt like I just cannot keep up with anything these past few weeks. With a full time job, a contract position, a volunteer position, plus a few personal issues I am trying to sort out - I am drowning. I am not able to find that much time for myself. I need to slow down, calm down, and refocus...easier said than done.

(via weheartit)

Do any of you meditate? The past few nights I have been going to bed a bit earlier to just lay there and breathe. It has really helped me sleep better and feel a little less frazzled. I am thinking of learning more about meditation; I don't know anything about it besides quiet and deep breathing. I am sure there is more to it then just that. I just need to find some balance. Any suggestions?

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Foldover zipper clutches

There are so pretty - I love using a clutch when I go out with friends just for coffee or breakfast. These are simple and casual. I think I like the yellow one the best!



Inside!










Saturday, April 9, 2011

Saturday Evening Mish Mash

How is your weekend going? Mine has been pretty busy - but this evening, I'm just relaxing, finally!

Here are a couple of things I'm excited about:

  • My new cup! Yep, I went back to Anthropologie to get one. This one isn't on their website and I love it! (And yep, still don't have a camera...).





  • While at the mall, I wandered into the Kiehl's store to purchase some new face products. I have a friend who has amazing skin and has used it for years and years - but I didn't give it a shot. Then, while at the airport last week, the girl in front of me in the security line had pretty skin and I caught a glimpse of her belongings in the bin (I didn't mean to be snoopy - it just happened!). In her little zip-lock bag were travel sized Kiehl's products. I decided then I was going to try them. I bought some cleanser last week, and went back for more yesterday after falling in love with samples. My skin feels a lot better already. The price tag is a bit high, but a little goes so far, so it is worth it. Have you ever tried Kiehl's? I love finding new products.



  • A Game of Thrones. I LOVE this book series, and I am so excited for the HBO mini series that is starting in 8 days (I've been counting down for awhile). Have you read them? Click here for a 15 minute preview. In July, the 5th book in the series comes out - I've been waiting for years and years!
  • The Canadian Election - May 2nd. True, this is the 4th Federal election in 7 years, and yes, many Canadians are upset about it. I'm not one of them. As Rick Mercer wrote, "There is much discussion in this country about whether this is an unnecessary election. The Prime Minister went so far as to call it a dangerous exercise. There is no such thing. There are many threats to democracy—voting isn’t one of them."
  • Easter weekend - I get to go to Brooks and spend time with my family!
  • Las Vegas - only 38 more sleeps!
  • Hawaii - My mom is there right now, probably relaxing on the lanai. Joe and I will be going back in October. It seems so far, but it will be so nice to be back!
  • The chocolate milkshake Joe is making me right now.
I hope you are having a great weekend!!