blog, interrupted.

Hi folks. I'm taking a day or so off to enjoy a visit from my sister and my old friend, Scruffy.

I hope where you are as you read this you are safe and that the weather is behaving itself. Enjoy these last precious days of summer and make them count.

Ladybird Reunion.

What are you up to this weekend?

Five of my beautiful friends are coming to Kamloops to spend the weekend and I couldn't be more excited. Our plan is to complete a few last minute projects for this pretty lady (who is walking down the aisle next weekend - eek!), try out a few delicious recipes, and indulge in a cocktail or two.

It's been a crazy few weeks but I've managed to compile a growing collection of favourite links:

• Everyone should try this homemade end-of-summer body scrub. Trust me, it's worth it; you'll feel like a million bucks.


• I've wanted a bookcase with a secret door since I was a child. These two are perfection.


• Remember when I gushed over my new obsession, Instagram? Well I found information on how to print them in real time and here is a site that creates beautiful mini books (& magnets & posters & mini prints!)


• Wouldn't you love to cozy up in any one of these spaces?


• Meet my new favourite foodie blog. Yum.


• I still LOVE this colour palette.


• These chairs look so comfortable. (Officially added to my wish list).


• This photo makes me so excited to see Sam's bridesmaids next Sunday! Horray for grey dresses + nude heels.

Psst... in case you feel like "liking" something today on facebook, check out C Star Events' page. I'd be awfully happy to have you.

Happy Weekending.



(Photo by Miranda Karkling).

Summer Street Style

chic headscarf + classic wayfarers + nautical stripes + worked in denim + coral lips = weekend casual



(Photo courtesy of Keiko Lynn).

Lissie, Everywhere I Go.

I am a huge fan of Lissie's voice; it is so raw and honest. (Visit her site to hear more of her work).

Take a few moments to enjoy this beautiful song on your morning. Happy Wednesday.


(Video courtesy of Watch Listen Tell).

And we’ll change the world.

Jack Layton, Canadian NDP Party Leader, lost his battle with cancer early Monday morning. His passing has left Canadians of all political beliefs mourning the loss of an iconic, inspirational leader and cancer fighter.

For many, goodbyes are incomprehensible and the words just don’t come. Most fortunately for Canada, Jack Layton left an eloquently written farewell letter, outlining his life learnings and his dreams for our fair country. I am both inspired and grateful for his letter (found here) and I am especially fond his closing sentiments:

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

May you rest peacefully, Jack.



(Jack Layton's last letter to Canadians courtesy of CBC News).

Kate gets married.

Regardless of your opinion of her, it's hard to deny the sheer loveliness of Kate Moss & Kills' guitarist Jamie Hince’s English wedding. I found the event refreshingly understated and personal, full of soft, thoughtful details. I also enjoy how they incorporated classic details into a bohemian ambiance; the result was a brilliant countryside fusion.

Visit Vogue.com or – better yet – pick up the annual September issue (on news stands now) for the full story and photo spread.

I would much rather be invited to this wedding than to any Kardashian circus, wouldn’t you? Tepees for the children to play in has to be one of the most awesome ideas I've heard of in a while...




(Story by Hamish Bowles, Photos by Mario Testino for Vogue).

Wide-Leg Love.

You may have noticed that wide-leg denim has made a comeback this fall. I love my skinnies and I plan to wear them faithfully, even if they aren’t en vogue. That being said, wide-leg jeans are where it’s at. I have a pair of wide-leg Seven’s that I always manage to feel great in and I’d love to add a second pair to my closet.

These are my top three; what do you think?

Gap’s 1969 long & lean jeans, Joe’s Wide Leg, or EmersonMade Stretch Bluebells HighRise.

Do you have a pair of wide-leg jeans? Are you planning on hopping on the wide-leg train?



(Images courtesy of the Gap, Joe’s Jeans, and EmersonMade).

snapshots from a week of fun.

I was fortunate enough to have had last week off work. I was even more fortunate to have been able to spend this time with a collection of wonderful people. My iPhone and I saw some awesome things. If you follow me on twitter, you may have noticed that Instagram is my new favourite ap...

1. Fresh mojitos at local.
2. Martini bar at this lady's Sex and the City bridal shower.
3. Dinner at Nana + Papa's in False Creek.
4. Gelato with my sister.
5. Celebrating (a very belated) father's day with the bro, pa, and sis at the Vancouver Canadian's game.
6. I flew South of the boarder with a flock of Sam's Sassy Seagals (which is also known as a stagette or bachelorette or hen party, depending on where you're from).

It was a wonderful time.

Now that I'm home, and (some of) my laundry has been done, I'm raring to start on a few projects. I also plan on savouring every.last.bit of summer 2011 because although it's been a beautiful one I can feel autumn right around the corner.

tabletopics

Have you ever been at a party where you played tabletopics? I love this concept; with the right group of people you can have a fantastic time with these fun little cubes (not to mention the most random + awesome conversations).

I have played the Original tabletopics before and I’d love to purchase the Dinner Party edition for our games night arsenal (the girls night out edition may be fun, too). Wouldn’t one of these fun cubes be a great hostess gift?

Have you ever played tabletopics or a game similar to it?


(Photo courtesy of tabletopics).

conversation starter guest books.

How often have you picked up the pen and frozen, mid-stroke, after writing “Congratulations”? Each and every time I am faced with writing something in a guest book I panic. I try to think of something short + witty, or something profound, or something heartfelt and I always come up with a lame “congratulations and best wishes” (straight out of a Hallmark greeting card, published in 1968).

I love words. I am full of them. I just hate the pressure of a one-line message that is inevitably going to be filed away somewhere until the day it is dragged out at a couple’s 50th anniversary or the baby’s sweet 16 birthday party to my embarrassment.

Cue Martha, who has done it again. She’s inspired us to step outside of our guest-book-comfort-zone and into the exciting world of conversation starters. How brilliant; a guest book that acts as an icebreaker.

Some of my favourite ideas that she features (as clip art, no less, making it easy to print + wrap any notebook) are “what were you really thinking during our vows?” (hah!), “when did you know we were meant for each other?” and “what’s your funniest memory of us?” To hers, I add the following: “If you could describe us in a song, what song would that be?” “What toast would you make to us on our 50th Wedding Anniversary?” and “What is your advice for living a life you love?”

I also think this would be fun at a baby shower or first birthday. I’d love to write entries to my favourite tiny humans under the following prompts: “Dear 16-year old, Lyla…” or “If I could provide you with one life lesson I wish I learned at an earlier age…” or “Happiness is…” or “What advice to use and what advice to interpret for yourself…”

Awesome.

See another interpretation of Martha’s guest books here.

(Photos courtesy of Martha Stewart via me oh my).

summer sandwich.

This evening Kamloops experienced an impromptu thunderstorm which I - of course - revelled in. I made a light dinner and sat in my kitchen in front of the open door, listening to the rain. I dig a good summer rainstorm.

My dinner turned out to be a quick, healthy, and delicious treat. I thought I'd share as I enjoy any opportunity to tell people about this mustard (from williams sonoma). I would eat it with a spoon if that was socially acceptable. I love it. Try it for yourself.

My sandwich: toasted whole grain bread, 1/2 an avocado, 1 small Roma tomato, 'wichcraft sweet caper mustard, a couple slices of dill Havarti, and s & p to taste.

What is your favourite quick + easy summer dinner to prepare?

script school

I was working on a few online projects last night which allowed me to catch Kal's early bird tweet about this course (starting September 12).

Since I have had an exorbitant number of words, ideas, and verses floating around in my head over the last few months, this course has presented itself as the outlet I've been waiting for. Needless to say, I'm already registered.

I cannot wait to collaborate with beautiful minds and get messy. As the artist herself aptly puts it, this is the perfect opportunity to "be motivated and inspired by the beauty."

Visit her website to learn more.



(Course + poster courtesy of Kal Barteski).

Perfect Pique-Nique Baskets

When was the last time you enjoyed a picnic? Last night? Last year?

Although the end result is well worth it, each time I attempt to assemble a picnic I am surprised at the amount of 'prep' work that is involved. Enter Georgina Brandt with the brilliant service of picnic delivery, one of the best concepts I've heard about in a while.

I wish that... (a) I was in Napa to enjoy this service or (b) her baskets traveled north of the border.

In lieu of having the ability to sample these delicious homegrown treats, I will use them as inspiration to collect pieces for our very own basket. I love the idea of having vintage cutlery and linens specifically for a picnic basket and the mini salt-and-pepper shakers pictured here are charming.

Do you own a picnic basket and/or picnic regularly? What are your favourite meals to pack?



(Photos of Georgina Brandt's Boutique Culinary Occasions by Nicole McIntosh Bruce via simplesong + swanson vineyards).

move + learn + eat.

... three of my favourite actions.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

The corresponding videos are pretty incredible, as well. I'm officially in a state of wanderlust.

Check them out: move + learn + eat.


(Films directed by Rick Mereki via Black Eiffel).

B+W love.

I am absolutely smitten with the black and white living room of Likainen Parketti. It's the perfect mix of airy + industrial + cozy. Isn't that coffee table a bonafide beauty? I'm hoping to pick up an oversized letter or two on our trip to Oregon; this is perfect styling inspiration.

What do you look for in a living space? Natural light? A cozy nook to curl up with a good book?



(Styling and photos courtesy of Likainen Parketti).

A picture tells a thousand words...

... but sometimes no words are required.


(Photo by Edyta Szyszlo. Visit Edyta Szyszlo + 100 Layer Cake for additional photos and the sweet details of this wedding.)

Stevie Nicks, Wild Heart

This version of this song may be my most favourite ever.

Happy Weekending!

Truth.

(Poster by Photography Concentrate via Pintrest. Visit their site for free poster downloads).

Fashion + Intellectual Property.

Forever 21, the international, box-box fashion store, is being sued by Feral Childe, an independent and sustainable womenswear collection that was started by two talented artists.

The grounds upon which the charges have been laid? Copyright Infringement.

After reading about this lawsuit, I was left with the following questions...

First: does this small womenswear line stand a chance against the international powerhouse that is Forever 21? How can it compete when the lawsuit itself barely breaks the news? Therefore, I must ask why this story isn't deemed newsworthy? (Much respect to the outlets who have run this story, specifically body politic, EcoSalon, Ecouterre, Jezebel, and Tree Hugger).

Second: is it the first time Forever 21 has been involved in something like this? Unfortunately, no; it definitely is not the first time. I cannot say I was surprised to hear of the other allegations. Nonetheless, the growing list is disconcerting. Anna Sui, Betsey Johnson, Diane von Furstenberg, Foley + Corinna, and Phillip Lim are among the designers who have taken action against Forever 21. (On top of all of this, the documentary film Made in LA addresses issues surrounding wages and working conditions fought for by Forever 21 employees. But that is another story for another blog post...)

Third: in the end, who loses? This is the hardest answer to choke down as it is the artists and the art that suffer. Alice Wu and Moriah Carlson, the duo behind Feral Childe, explain (to TreeHuger) that they "always strived to create the very best in innovative, ethically-produced clothing that is made to last"; the blatant duplication of this original design "is just plain wrong."

Therein lies my argument: interpretation (a translation; a version) and inspiration (to infuse into; to affect) are two very different things. Furthermore, to describe Forever 21's fabric as an "interpretation" of the Feral Childe textile is significantly far fetched an argument.

By no means should this post be considered an organized attack on Forever 21. Rather, I am interested in opening a dialogue that addresses the importance of the artist and the importance of intellectual property.

Specifically:

How do you feel about this story? Do you care about this issue?
Will a story like this affect your choices as a consumer? Why or why not?
I agree that a store such as Forever 21 serves a purpose; however, at what cost are you willing to capitalize on a "good deal" on fast fashion?


In closing, I respect the fact that we all have a certain allotment of discretionary dollars with which we can purchase as we desire. I simply prefer to know where my money is going and, once I know, I feel the information should be shared. Please remember to link with love and ensure we give credit (& compensation) where it is due.



(Photos courtesy of Donger / Burrroughs APC via Ecouterre).

The Sheepdogs, I Don't Know

I love this Canadian band. Their sound is perfect for a sunny afternoon on the patio and their future looks pretty bright, too. After winning the Choose the Cover contest, they will grace the cover of next month's Rolling Stone magazine (which hits newsstands on Friday).

The group calls Saskatoon home yet their audience has grown, internationally. They have also received a deal with Atlantic Records which indicates more awesomeness is yet to come. They already have a chill rockstar swagger, don't you think?

What album or song is getting extra play this summer on your patio?



(Video courtesy of NBC via Global).

summer fun: turquoise.

Turquoise is one of my two favourite colours (coral is my second favourite, if you wanted to know) and I enjoy incorporating it wherever I can, especially in the summer.

These two turquoise beauties are at the top of my wish list right now (and - if I'm lucky - they will both be mine after my trip to Seattle later this month)!

I wear pearl stud earrings almost every day but, in the spirit of embracing pretty summer-y things, these Kate Spade studs would give my pearls a run for their money.

The future home of this ceramic farmer's market basket is on my window sill where I will store my favourite of the moment recipes.


More summer fun in shades of pink + red.



(Photos courtesy of Nordstrom + Anthropologie).

on the run.

Welcome, August!

Wow. It's August.

I want to pump the breaks on summer because it just started flying by and I have more things on my to do lists than time to do them, it seems. On that note, isn't this a rad print?! So bang on!

Anyhow, as time marches on, I'm back at work today after a wonderful weekend spent with beautiful people (including my dear mum who came to visit). I had a ball. Best long weekend ever.

What did you do over the long weekend?


. . .

Did you know that you can 'like' c star events on facebook, pin with me on pintrest, and tweet with me on twitter? Well you can. Come join the party if you haven't done so, already!



(Print from Urban Outfitters via Pintrest).

brunch.

Happy BC Day.