Keep it Simple.

Cake anyone?

2011-04-10T01:50:00.003-04:00

I've resurfaced to share with you the various delights I've been working on.

Over the past few months I've made a lot of cakes, pastries and various sweets. Some of which I shared with friends and neighbours. I've been doing a lot of that lately. Sharing. You see, I have a sweet tooth and it's beginning to show.

Strawberry shortcake

learning to mask a cake -
we used whipped topping (Nutriwhip) bleh!

Black Forest cake

learning to decorate a cake with Italian buttercream

and using the various sugar flowers I've made

inside view of above cake with mocha buttercream

more cake decorating with buttercream -
I can say without hesitation that Italian buttercream is delicious!

seriously delicious Swiss jelly roll - we made two of these
one with lemon curd and the other with raspberry jam

Fruit Flan with pastry cream flavoured with Triple Sec -
we used Triple Sec often for flavouring our desserts

Napoleon Mille Feuille with strawberries

I've also made bread. I like making bread. It's so satisfying. Tastes much better than store bought supermarket bread. I wanted to register for the bread making course but it was full. Oh well, it'll have to wait until September.

Irish Soda (yeast-free) bread

Cheesy herby monkey (aka pull apart) yeast bread

A while back, I also entered a culinary student competition. Unfortunately, I didn't make it as a finalist. Even so, it was a great learning experience and I found it challenging when it came to making up my own recipe using pears as a main ingredient.

For my submission to the competition, I made this Caramelized Bosc Pear and Butternut Squash soup. I also made Bosc Pear and Pecorino cheese biscotti. The savoury biscotti was delicious! Piquant and cheesy. The soup was scented with thyme and sweetened with roasted Cipollini onions.

I'm still taking courses and learning a lot. French pastry class is running up until May. I have learned to make puff pastry from scratch. What a bicep developer making puff pastry is. Especially when it's part frozen. Apple strudel, strawberry-rhubarb turnovers and other delicious buttery pastries like Palmiers (elephant ears) have been made and consumed.
Hello hips!

Next month on my agenda is a pie-making course.
Then I'm stopping with the baking courses until September because...

1) it's Summer and I need a break;

And...

(insert drum roll)

2) I'm now working as a part-time production pastry chef at a local bakery making pies, cookies, and tarts and helping the head pastry chef with cake decoration. Yeah!

Keep on keeping on

2011-02-05T20:47:00.001-05:00

As you can see, I've been busy.

Lately I've made English tea biscuits with currants and bran muffins with raisins and walnuts in my baking class. A standard recipe with standard ingredients. However, I did learn that before filling the muffin liners with the wet batter, we should allow the batter to sit for half an hour to thicken. I questioned that duration of time for the batter to sit, but the chef told us it's necessary for the ingredients to meld together and the bran to swell. It's also easier to scoop the batter with the ice cream scoop. Yes, we used an ice cream scoop to fill the muffin tins. This allows for evenly baked muffins. One full scoop per tin. My muffins definitely were identical.

In my cake decorating class, I've also been making various decorations with royal icing such as shells, a variety of borders, and of course roses and rosettes. Making roses is quite the ambidextrous skill. Piping icing with one hand while turning the rose nail with the other hand can lead to hand cramps. But I think I'm getting the hang of it.

As much as I enjoy my tooth achingly sweet desserts, eating a sugar rose made with royal icing is actually sickeningly sweet. Too sweet for me even! It is made with plenty of icing sugar, meringue powder, cream of tartar and water. Food colouring and vanilla flavour can be added after.

There are 2 months left until these set of classes are over. I'm already thinking about what classes to take next....Healthy Desserts? The Art of Bread? Breakfast Cakes?

I've learned all kinds of great skills, tricks and techniques and I'm eager to learn more. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the chocolate eclairs we'll be making soon!

It's just pie but it's good.

2011-01-19T17:27:00.055-05:00

Yesterday I made this pie in my pastry arts class. Today it's half gone. Was it good? You bet!

Although I won't post this pie recipe, as it's a pretty standard pie recipe, unless you REALLY want it posted, in which case I will. Instead I will share some tips and tricks for creating a flawless pie.

The course instructor encouraged the use of Tenderflake (lard) instead of butter. It's supposed to be a good stand in for real butter while keeping the costs down. Of course you can also use half butter and half Tenderflake if you prefer a more pronounced buttery flavour.
It was also recommended not to use vegetable shortening because of the water content. Apparently, it makes pie crust shrink in the oven.

Also a must is to use pastry flour to make the pie dough, but to use all purpose flour for dusting and rolling surfaces.

We used Cortland apples as they are apparently one of the best apple choices for making apple pie. Also important is to use a good vegetable peeler to prevent bruising. The apple pie filling called for lemon zest and juice in it as well as cinnamon. The lemon added a lovely subtle tang to the apple pie filling. I think the filling could have used a tad more cinnamon. But I always like to increase the amount of cinnamon in recipes anyway.

The final touch was to use any leftover dough for making cut-out leaves and apple shapes to "glue" (with egg wash) onto the top of the pie. These add-ons are not mandatory but can, in addition to adding some aesthetics, easily patch up a hole or tear in the crust.

In terms of the egg wash, we added some water (50ml) to a beaten egg to create a seal for the edges, as well as to glaze the top of the pie. Also a must is the hole cut into the top of the pie. This prevents the pie from splitting open and thereby allowing all the pie juice to ooze out.

I've made pie before but never with such great detail and with such scrutiny. This course is forcing me to move slower and take notice of things I otherwise would not be concerned with like neat edges.

I also have a tendency to cut away too much of the apple with the peel or core. It was brought to my attention in class that I should refrain from doing this. I definitely learned a lot during the pie-making process. I probably gained some weight too in the pie-eating process (lard sure makes a good crust) but that's another post altogether.

Pastry 101

2011-01-15T01:05:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

This year I'm embarking on an adventure in the culinary world.

Stay tuned as I highlight delicious things made with sugar, butter, and cream. My weaknesses.

Salted butterscotch pudding!

And here's a photo of some delicious butterscotch pudding that I made a few weeks ago. I ate 4 bowls of it but not in one sitting. The taste was wonderful. The texture was a bit chalky though...perhaps it was the corn starch?

Did you know that there is a baker's product, a butter scented extract, which gives desserts a butter aroma? I just found that out this past week! Who would have thought? Anyway, I just thought I'd share that bit of info with you.

If you have a sweet tooth like I do, then you are in for a surprise. Maybe I'll even show you a photo of me wearing my full chef's uniform, checkered pants and all. I said maybe.

Stay tuned!

Shoes with a conscience

2010-08-29T22:26:00.028-04:00

You may know by now that...I'm obsessed with shoes!

Unlike pants, I seldom have an issue fitting into shoes.

I'm willing to pay more for shoes that have not only a nice style, but comfort and quality.

Enter into the picture Naya Shoes. Have no clue what I'm talking about? Stick around and be impressed.

Naya is a forward thinking, eco-friendly shoe company. You can follow them on Twitter too!

Naya uses natural and eco-friendly materials:

Vegetable-tanned leathers and linings
Natural or recycled content fabrics
Water-based cements
Footbeds containing natural cork
Boxes made with 80% recycled paper pulp, soy-based inks and water-based glue

The comfort is oh.so.comfortable!

"We infuse each style with pure comfort using soft leathers, breathable leather linings and layers of premium cushioning."

As Naya says: Good for you and for the Earth!

I first stumbled on Naya at Sears (shock!). Yes, that's right, I saw their shoes on display and was instantly drawn to the craftsmanship and array of vivid shoe colours...yellow shoes (see below) and green shoes, among others. Nicely designed and with great attention to detail, all for a reasonable price point.

I tried on a pair and was reveling in the soft, cushiony insole and how butter soft the leather was. Very soft leather means no blister or sore spots. So I purchased a pair of their gladiator sandals back in June and I have been living in these sandals all Summer! Not a single blister I tell you.

A few weeks ago, Naya sent out a Tweet asking their followers if anybody would like to review their Fall shoes on their blog. Being a shoe fanatic and having previously owned (and loved!) a pair of Naya shoes, I offered to review a pair of Naya shoes from the Fall line. I am writing this review without payment and without an exchange of free merchandise. Just because I love shoes!

Naya has launched their Fall line and after I perused their on-line Fall catalogue, I instantly swooned over several pairs of their shoes. The one shoe design in particular, which caught my eye was the oxford-style shoe or as it is named in the Naya catalogue "Jasper." (Btw, these shoes are not mine, I'm borrowing them for this write up!)

What a stunning, vintage-inspired design. Satiny ribbon laces. The trademark Naya soft cushion sole is evident as soon as you slide your foot in the shoe. The exterior of the shoe reminded me of a modern, feminine version of the saddle shoe, but instead of the classic two-tone black and white, there are two contrasting materials: wool and leather. It's very feminine yet tailored. Perfect for this Fall's tweed or woolen pant suits. The heel is almost 3 inches high (way higher than I tend to wear) but it didn't feel very high (when I tried it on) probably due to the chunky heel. The heel also has a rustic look to it, further adding to it's vintage charm. Think 1900s Victorian boot meets 1940s glam.

If you're not feeling the rustic wood heel? That's okay because Naya has plenty of different shoes for you to choose from. Check out their Fall line. Try on a pair and you will be glad you did. Sleep peacefully knowing you are doing something good for your feet and for the environment.

"Renewing body, spirit, earth"

I ate my way through Montreal

2010-08-20T13:37:00.030-04:00

It was hard to leave Montreal knowing I may have to wait a very long time before I sunk my teeth into another one of those buttery and flaky almond croissants. I developed an addiction to them and I did not feel one bit guilty!

The two days we spent in Montreal revolved around food.

For lunch there was a tasty, fresh vegan tofu sandwich with all kinds of veggies from Casa del Popolo.

For dinner there was diner food from Nickles, a Montreal chain restaurant. It was as good as to be expected given that it was diner food. We didn't go there for the food. It was the retro 1950s decor that lured us in, equipped with a jukebox, black and white tiled flooring, red vinyl stools and booths and chrome detailing. I kept it safe by ordering pan fried fish fillet and steamed veggies with a side Caesar salad. Yeah, I know, boring! No fries, no milkshake, no burger...

The second day in Montreal I struck gold! Breakfast was at a French-speaking restaurant. Luckily my husband is competent in French and did all the talking. I ordered Eggs Benedict with asparagus and mushrooms (a la forestiere) and the most ornate (and delicious) fruit salad I had ever seen!

Afterward we (husband and I) walked over to the Jean Talon farmer's market, which was nearby and we discovered the most amazing French bakery (Premiere Moisson) with mounds of pastries! I ordered a croissant aux almond (almond croissant), a decadent chocolate mousse bombe filled with molten caramel (chocolat piquant) and a bouchon (a less heady muffin oozing with caramel and pecans). So very delicious!

Just beyond the bakery was a vast expanse of fresh fruit and vegetables from the local farmer's market and I strolled the farmer's stalls ooh-ing and ahh-ing over all the beautiful produce. The mushroom stall with over 15 types of mushrooms really made me giddy with excitement. Lobster mushrooms and morel mushrooms along with your more familiar mushrooms oyster, shitake and cremini. I knew I had to come back again before we departed for Toronto the next morning.

For lunch I had...poutine! It was in the Old Montreal section at a touristy restaurant. It took over half an hour for the poutine to arrive but it was eaten in less than 10 minutes. It was good but I found the gravy a bit too salty for my taste. My favourite part was the cheese curds. If there were a "foods to eat before I die" list, I could now cross out poutine.

Just to digress briefly, although our trip was fantastic, there's also a lesson to be learned. Warning: Long convoluted story follows...

When we went to Old Montreal we parked the car in a metered parking lot nearby. We paid for a parking pass. Placed it on the dashboard and left. We arrived back to the lot after 3 hours and our car was gone! We soon discovered a sign above the parking meter machine, that we absent-mindedly did not see indicating that cars will be towed if they did not pay the correct amount for parking. We had paid our fare so why did we get towed? Seems the instructions for parking in this lot were very confusing - written with a pen on a piece of paper taped to the ticket machine and bleached out from the sun. Barely legible. Earlier that day we concluded that $10 should cover it as it was indicated on the scribbled paper that after 2pm it was $10 and we were coming up to 2pm...but it was in fact $13 maximum that we should have paid.

Our rental car had been towed!! A 20 minute cab ride and $12 later we were at a impounded car lot with a one-armed woman behind a shatterproof glass partition and a large barking German shepherd dog. No word of a lie. I know it sounds like a scene from a David Lynch (or Quentin Tarantino) movie. We had to pay the fine for being towed. This royally sucked big time. I insisted to my husband that we cancel our restaurant reservations at a fancy pants restaurant called Brasserie t! and instead we decided to go out for tapas. This was a smart decision!!!

Dinner was a phenomenal meal at a (recommended by friends) Spanish restaurant. Those feta cheese fried balls (in the photo below) drizzled with honey and caramelized onions were superb! The squid was soft and melted in your mouth. The stewed chickpeas had a hint of cumin and the rapini was al dente and garlicky. The Sangria was quite sweet (my kind of drink); I consumed 3 glasses of Sangria and quickly forgot about our towing drama of earlier.

The next morning prior to our departure from Montreal, we drove back up to the amazing bakery "Premiere Moisson" at Jean Talon's farmer's market. Another gorge-fest ensued with (again!) the fabulous almond croissant and a Chausson aux pommes (apple turnover) along with the freshest sandwiches ever. The bread was airy and light with a crispy crust on the outside. I had brie cheese with tomato and spinach sandwich on a mini olive baguette. The bread inside was slathered with fresh creamy butter. Oh man...fresh butter! So good!

Several stops at the fruit and veggie stands and my hands were hauling bags of sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh green beans, fresh fava beans, assorted coloured peppers (purple!), assorted coloured baby carrots (yes, purple too!), long white eggplant, a pound of juicy, tart apples, the sweetest and juiciest strawberries ever and a basket of ground cherries which are my new favourite fruit. Thank you Montreal for introducing them to me.

It was a bit sad to leave such an amazing food experience, we drove home with our farmer's market purchases and delicious pastries for the road trip. I savoured every crumb.

I can seriously see myself living in Montreal. The food alone is enough to lure me there. But I'm told the winters there are much harsher than in Toronto. Hmm, maybe I need to think about this a bit more.

Vacances

2010-08-13T23:24:00.015-04:00

Vacation time is here! I'm heading out to Montreal for a week.

First we're staying at a cottage north of Montreal with friends for a few days and then we're going into downtown Montreal for some sightseeing and of course, good eats.

One thing I plan to do is to finally try some poutine because I have never had it before and people are shocked when I mention this fact about myself. I know it's just fries with gravy and squeaky cheese curds but I very rarely eat french fries with gravy in Toronto so I guess, as the saying goes...'when in Rome'... or rather 'when in Montreal.'

I've been to Montreal once before. It was a short trip mainly focusing on meeting with some friends from abroad, so we did things as a group. I didn't get to visit the places I wanted to nor eat at the restaurants I wanted to because...we made decisions as a group. We went to pubs that served primarily beer and I don't drink beer. (Beer drinkers, I know I won't get any sympathy from you!) We ate at a restaurant that was over my budget at the time. I somehow managed to piss off the server when I didn't order a pre-dinner Port like everybody else at the table did. The server obviously had her own agenda.

This time I have an agenda. Bakeries to visit are at the top of my list. Bagels and smoked Montreal meat are not my thing, so I won't be hunting down any authentic bagel shops like St-Viateur Bagel, or deli meat shops, like Schwartz's.

I would like to go back to Old Montreal and explore it more. The quaint shops especially. There is also an art exhibit I would like to check out. The artist is a friend of a friend and I really like her paintings.

All in all, a time for me in Montreal.

If you have any (affordable!) suggestions about what to see, eat and do while in Montreal, please leave me a comment.

dreamy and creamy

2010-07-14T16:12:00.019-04:00

I have been jumping on the homemade ice cream/gelato bandwagon lately and enjoying the ride.

There is something quite satisfying about making your own ice cream. You get to adjust the ingredients to your liking. If you don't want it too sweet, reduce the sugar. If you want it low-fat, use 1% milk or soy milk OR make sorbet. If you want it crunchy, add some nuts or chocolate chips. If you don't want eggs in your ice cream custard, skip them.

Anyway you choose it, it's your own creation, so none of the additives and chemicals that you would find with commercial supermarket ice cream. Just spoonfuls of creamy, cold goodness.

With the rosewater ice cream , I followed the recipe loosely (see link). I omitted the eggs in the recipe and just made a simple cream base and added rosewater (God, how I love thee). I also added chocolate chips, which I don't think really went well with the flowery, delicate flavour of the rosewater. Oh well, next time I'll add pistachio nuts or candied lemon peel. See what I mean? You're the boss...

Of all these ice cream flavours below, my favourite so far was the lemon gelato. Oh boy! I've made it twice already. Just 4 ingredients. You can't go wrong with that!

It's getting there...

2010-07-04T15:38:00.009-04:00

Well I'll be...I have banana peppers growing! Hot banana peppers! Yeah!

I foresee a dish of hot banana peppers stuffed with ricotta cheese or chèvre and fresh herbs and pan fried in olive oil. So very yum!

I also had a tiny green bell pepper but a pesky squirrel came around and scooped out the innards, i.e. the seeds. So my husband built some kind of protective barrier around the potted pepper plant to protect them. So far I think it's worked.

The rest of these images are just a few snap shots of the herbs growing in the herb garden.

Basil!

Oregano!

Dill!

So, all in all, a good decision on my part to grow herbs on the front lawn! I can only imagine how luscious the tomatoes would have turned out on the front lawn with 8 hours of sunlight. I sense a "told you so" moment arising.

Brown thumb turns Green

2010-06-18T12:32:00.021-04:00

This year when planning my gardening repertoire, I decided that I would create a front lawn veggie garden. My thinking: lots of sunshine would definitely yield to a successful crop. Last year, I tried to plant a series of veggies and herbs (tomato, pumpkin, raspberry, onions, garlic, mint, celery) in the backyard but with two tall and leafy trees casting shade and shadows over our yard, nothing came to fruition, except 3 little raspberries and some mint.

This is what our backyard garden looked like in May 2009:

This is our back yard garden now in June 2010:

See how dark and shady the backyard is...
it's great for keeping the house cool in the summer though.

There are still some veggies in the backyard. I thought I'd give the tomato idea another run and planted three of them, directly under a sunny spot where tree branches had been trimmed back. There are also two pepper plants in a pot, a hot one and a mild one. They too, are strategically placed under a sunny spot. There are also garlic shoots, raspberry plants, spring onions, mint (which is resilient and grows like weeds) and more basil in planters, as I love the stuff and plan to make basil ice cream one day!

Planting a front lawn veggie garden did come with resistance. My husband was against the idea as he didn't want our house to look like a Greek - Italian immigrants front lawn with sticks supporting tall tomato plants and a smorgasborg of miscellaneous, unruly crops. He likes order, symmetry, neatness, and colour. So I struck a deal with him. I suggested an herb garden. He agreed and so I (we) set off deciding what to plant in the front lawn.

This is what our front lawn looked like before:

This is sand by the way, which is under everybody's lawn.

We removed the sand and mixed some of it with nutrient rich compost soil.

And this is what our herb garden looks like now:

Big rock in lower corner is covering the city water main valve.

Some of the plants in my herb garden include: basil, purple basil, dill, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lavender, sage and cilantro.

I've already dipped into my basil, rosemary and oregano yesterday to add to my pizza toppings. The cilantro is taking a bit longer as it was planted from seed. The other herbs were planted from plants that were already grown.

There is no doubt in my mind that this herb garden will be a success unless "Orange" the neighbourhood tom cat pees on it, or if neighbours run off with my herbs. The intense sunlight of about 6 to 8 hours worth is perfect for herbs on the front lawn. Notice in one of the photos that the grass is brown? That's because the intense sunlight fries the grass, which generally requires watering everyday. Such a waste of water for something as completely useless as lawn grass.

Ultimately, my husband has huge dreams of tearing out all the discoloured lawn grass and turning our front lawn into a urban oasis - haha - but maybe that's just wishful thinking...only time will tell.

Sewing 101: The dress, the curtains & the birds.

2010-06-06T10:02:00.022-04:00

Remember the dress I mentioned I was sewing a few months ago? Well, it is now finished!

Despite a few sewing glitches around the neckline and a 2-week hiatus from completing the hem of the dress, I can now say that not only is the dress finished - but I also wore it!

The dress is form-fitting and slimming. The fit is absolutely perfect as it should be because it was made to fit my body. My favourite part of the dress is the neckline and the bodice area. There is something to be said about making your own clothing. Not just from the satisfaction of finishing a project, but that you actually get to use the finished product, and the end result looks damn good too! FYI - This photo does not do the dress justice.

Truth is, I had help making this dress. My sewing skills from Grade 7 and 8, just didn't cut it to complete this dress flawlessly. I must give credit to my good friend and sewing tutor, Cara of Leopard Spotted Designs. Cara's background is in costume design and she has worked in numerous films and movies as a professional costumer, dressing many famous celebs. She also teaches sewing at a Toronto-based sewing studio.

Cara also made these lovely kitchen curtains for me from (get this) cheese cloth fabric!! This loosely woven fabric, provides privacy, while allowing natural light to penetrate through. Clean, simple and with no frills. I LOVE my new curtains! Thanks Cara!!

And because all good things come in threes, Cara also sewed up these adorable fabric birds for me and I stuffed them with polyester fiber fill. I also added some rhinestone eyes to the birds, just because. I have a vase with some branches in my living room and these birds will look just perfect on there, once I've finished attaching the ribbon on them, of course.

So this ends my foray into sewing 101. I don't think I will be sewing anything else at the moment as I must tend to other pressing matters, like my neglected Etsy jewellery shop.

Accessorize like Cleopatra

2010-06-01T11:23:00.006-04:00

If you have a fascination with Ancient Egypt, mummies and curses, you're probably a nerd like me. And you've probably watched all "The Mummy" films too. Okay maybe not.

As a volunteer at the Royal Ontario Museum, I often browse the jewellery section at the Ancient Greece, Roman and Egyptian exhibits. Yes, I am a huge fan of antiquity and as a teenager I wanted to become an archeologist. No lie. I would have had to go away to study at McMaster University. The only Ontario post secondary institution offering an archeology program in the 1990s. Going away to study was unheard of in my family and as such, I never pursued my dream of traveling to distant lands and digging in dirt to find ancient relics...sniff.

So when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. As a result, nowadays I make jewellery reminiscent of ancient civilizations.

Case in point, these Egyptian-inspired sterling silver earrings. They are shaped like a pyramid and are made with (thin yet sturdy) 22 gauge sterling silver wire shaped with pliers. The beads are made of lead crystal, also known as Swarovski crystals. I chose red crystals for their vivid colour and how nicely they looked juxtaposed against the silver triangles.

They look just gorgeous in the sunlight as the crystals pick up the light. I will be making more pairs of these earring using other coloured beads, so if you would like to see another colour in these earrings, leave me a comment here or send me a message via Etsy.

Next on the agenda, Grecian key pattern jewellery...

All things blue...

2010-05-19T18:01:00.019-04:00

I'm briefly resurfacing ~ from resume writing ~ to tell you all that I have a new feature in my Etsy shop. And it's...blue!

I'm introducing Gift Certificates! I've had the idea bouncing around in my head for some time and then this week I thought "why not?" Why not just design some digital gift certificates for my Etsy shop, so that friends can give each other the gift of jewellery without committing to one specific item. There's nothing worse that buying something for your girlfriend or mom only to never see them wear it because...{insert one of many reasons} they don't wear red, or pink, or earrings, or bracelets....

I've got the certificates in denominations of $10, $15 and $20 dollars but customers can also request a higher denomination if they like. Just send me a message vie Etsy and I'll whip one up for you in no time.

Two new and blue jewellery items that I've added to my Etsy shop:

1) A playful pair of genuine aquamarine (icy blue) and sterling silver earrings.

2) An Egyptian inspired 3-strand necklace with genuine turquoise "marquis" stones and a durable sterling silver clasp.

As an aside, the weather here in Toronto has perked up considerably, the skies are blue and I have started to go for leisurely, (okay, who am I kidding)....intense (huffing and puffing) uphill/downhill bike rides along city streets, bike trails and paths in my neighbourhood.

For those that are into bicycles, here's a pic of my 2 year old turquoise blue bike. Cute, eh? It would look even nicer with a basket on the front.

This long weekend, I'll be riding my bike...among other things.

To my fellow Canadians, how will you be spending the Victoria Day long weekend? Or the weekend in general?

I'm posting a recipe!

2010-05-02T12:50:00.016-04:00

That's right! I've decided to post a recipe here on my blog, aside from the usual rants about design, jewellery and joblessness.

I did try starting up a food blog over a year ago and although I was excited about it at first, reality quickly sunk in that I kind of sucked at it! There are so many talented food Bloggers out there, that I just didn't feel I could successfully join the ranks and keep plugging away at it long term. So, I gave up on my food blog only after a few months, but I still love trying out new recipes and eating delicious food and of course, commenting on other Blogger's food blogs.

Here is the first official (sweet!) recipe on Keep it Simple: Walnut Fudge Truffles.

I love my desserts and I love my chocolate. What I don't enjoy are my wide Mediterranean hips - the first place I tend to gain weight and the last place I tend to lose the weight.

This recipe for chocolate truffles is taken from a fantastic cookbook called: Carb-Conscious Vegetarian by Robin Robertson. I've been creating recipes from this cookbook for the past 4 months and I have enjoyed every one of them. I've also managed to shed about 13 lbs in that time span yet have not deprived myself of fantastic food and desserts!

I've made these truffles before and loved the intense cocoa flavour combined with the buttery, creamy texture. Hard to believe these truffles are low-carb. And they are made with prunes...prunes! They were so amazingly good and were consumed so quickly that I forgot to snap a photo of them. The illustration I've posted does not do these justice.

Walnut Fudge Truffles (taken from Carb-Conscious Vegetarian by Robin Robertson)

1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/3 cup pitted dried prunes
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp stevia, or to taste (I used about 2 tbs agave and was happy with the results)
4 tablespoons non-hydrogentated, trans-free margarine, at room temperature
(I used Earth Balance which is suitable for a vegan diet)
Ground toasted walnuts and unsweetened cocoa powder, for rolling truffles onto

In a food processor, finely grind the walnuts and the dried prunes.
Add the cocoa, stevia, and margarine; process until well blended. (Note: If you prefer a nuttier texture in the truffle, add the walnuts towards the end of the blending process to maintain a coarser textured mixture.)
Shape the mixture into 1" balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat.
Consume as is, or to make them all fancy and pretty you can roll the truffles in the ground walnuts or cocoa, or a combination of each. (I loved them with the bitter cocoa on the outside).
Cover and refrigerate until firm and keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Makes 12

Extra notes about recipe:

Variation: You can substitute butter for the margarine

The "dough" will be quite soft when it first comes out of the food processor, but it should roll up just fine and then firm up nicely in the refrigerator.

For a sweeter, firmer truffle, you can replace the dried prunes with dates. Keep in mind that dates are higher in carbs, because of their high natural sugar content.

Product Review: airplus™ shoe accessories

2010-04-25T20:04:00.009-04:00

This past week I had a job interview. Yup! Finally, after all these months I had a call from an organization I had applied to asking to see ME! They were interested in my "diverse" resume, i.e. years of administration experience plus a design degree plus a former small business owner teamed with months of unemployment gaps.

In preparation for this job interview, I bought a business suit: a black jacket and black pants, a button down dress shirt in a baby blue shade, a new black handbag, and nude stockings - my least favourite kind. Yes, I know - very corporate. I also purchased some kind of new shoe inserts called "airplus™"... rubbery, gel cushion shoe insoles for my black pumps in order to avoid blisters. You see, I seldom wear high heels (no more than 2-inches) and when I do...ouch!

This product was a disappointment. The part that goes under the toes (the forefoot), cutely named "Gel Steppies" eventually became unglued from the shoe insole underneath and bunched up, and thus made walking very uncomfortable. I tried several times to fix the problem with no luck. The "steppies" just reverted back to their pre-disposed bunching. It made my one shoe much tighter. I hobbled home. I developed a blister as a result.

I also purchased the gel "heel cup" product from the same airplus™ line. The heel cup on the other hand was fine. I did not notice a significant improvement in my ability to walk in heels. In fact, I don't think that it did much. But thankfully I did not get any blisters!

Not only was I unimpressed with these products but it cost me around $22 for both the forefoot "steppies" and the gel heel cups. One more thing, the excessive plastic packaging REALLY annoyed me. When I got home, I kept thinking of ways that I could re-use the packaging rather than just discard it. Ultimately, I threw the packaging out after I realized how disappointed I was with their product.

One aspect that made this product somewhat redeeming was the pink ribbon symbol on the packaging, suggesting donations (or sponsoring) to breast cancer research.

What kind of product do you use to make your high heels more comfortable?

The weakest link

2010-04-15T14:21:00.010-04:00

Hurray, I finally finished the second of two identical sterling silver bracelets. Chain Maille bracelets to be exact. If you're not familiar with Chain Maille, it is also called "Mail Armour" as it was used to make protective garments of armour in the Dark Ages, High Middle Ages and during the Renaissance. You can read some history about Chain Maille here.

Chain Maille jewellery is made from links (or jump rings) that are linked together (using small pliers) to create necklaces, bracelets, earrings, you name it. The end result is very beautiful and very strong and durable. Getting there is another story.

The first bracelet took me a total of about 6 hours to complete within a span of several days. The second bracelet took me even longer ( 10 hours maybe?) because I messed up half way through the bracelet and had to undo several rows of the mistake and start over. What a pain in the you know what!! Argh!

Anyway, both bracelets are now complete and I can send them off to Greece to the woman that ordered them from me. Chain Maille jewellery is not something I make very often due to the cost of the materials (ahem, customs and duty fees, shipping fees, weight of silver) and because of the duration it takes to make it.

Here is a photo of the finished product. Beautiful! It's called a "European 4-in-1" (4 rows in 1 bracelet). There are so many different styles and patterns that you can make just by following the detailed instructions that arrive with your supplies.

Check out my Etsy shop for another style of Chain Maille bracelet called the "3-in-3" bracelet. I've also added a genuine jade laughing Buddha charm on the bracelet for some visual interest and charm. Pardon the pun!

Spring cleaning

2010-04-12T12:30:00.007-04:00

Welcome.

No, no...don't leave!

This IS the "Keep it Simple" blog. You ARE at the right place.

I did some Spring cleaning. It was long overdue actually.

I decided to change my blog header. (Hurray Photoshop course!!)

I went with something lighter on the soul and um, let's call it ..."tranquil and peaceful and zen."

Ommm....

I grew a bit tired of the black background and so I decided to go with a more traditional sterile white. I may change this though. There is such a thing as too much white, right?

I've also changed some font colours around.

I'm still experimenting with things so next time you visit, the blog may seem a tad different again.

I love feedback. So if you have any sound advice, I'm listening.

The Distillery District and polka dot beads

2010-04-06T11:33:00.000-04:00

This long Easter weekend was a complete blur. It went by so fast. I did however manage to squeeze in a visit to The Distillery District in Toronto. A former whiskey distillery that stopped operating in the 1920s. (Trivia: The movie "Chicago" starring Catherine Zeta Jones was filmed there because of the 1920's feel of the place). The district is a vast area of cobblestone brick paths and an assortment of newly renovated Victorian Industrial buildings transformed into posh restaurants, cafes, artisan shops and artist's studios. You can even go for a tour of the grounds on a Segway.

I especially enjoy going to The Distillery for my fix of Soma chocolates. Pricey? Yes! Delicious? YES! Olive oil, salted caramel and pecan butter crunch are just some of my favourites. No chocolates were consumed on this visit since I had another purchase in mind.

A trip to The Distillery is not complete without visiting some of the in-house artist studios, and getting a glimpse at their crafts. There are several jewellery studios over here. Need I say more?

One such venue is TANK fire + metal. This place is like eye candy for a jeweller or bead collector. It has so many stunning hand crafted glass beads and yes, some beads can be extremely pricey. They also sell their own line of jewellery using these handcrafted glass beads. Drool...

On this particular visit, I perused the bead selection and spotted these lovely polka dot beads. I love polka dots. Red polka dots especially. There is something very spring like and playful about them.

I purchased them. Ouch! A painful purchase when you aren't working. There goes my eating out budget for the month. But you see, I was smitten with these glass beads and gosh darn it, they are SO cute!

Being the proud owner of these happy beads, I have already come up with several ideas as to what to create with them. I will be eventually selling the end result on Etsy so stay tuned for that.

UPDATE! Have a look at the earrings I designed with the above glass beads. Now available on my Etsy shop.

Back on Etsy

2010-04-05T00:18:00.000-04:00

Over the past year I have been asked repeatedly by people if I would ever sell on Etsy again.

I would reply with a quick "no."

People could not understand why I was against setting up shop on Etsy (again!)
Don't get me wrong, I love Etsy! It's great! I have purchased many items on there. And I still do on occasion. But, well, let's see...6 sales in 4 years? Hmm, not a good sign!

It's just a lot of leg work photographing and posting new products, typing up all kinds of info and listing and re-listing with zero return. I'm not sure where and why I failed but Etsy just wasn't working for me.

Seems no matter where I went, people would ask me if I had a website to showcase my work. They wanted to see my jewellery designs on-line. They would often mention Etsy to me as if I had no idea that it existed. "Yes, I know all about Etsy," I would say, adding that I had signed up back in 2005. "It's just so saturated with jewellery sellers and there is a LOT of competition," was my often repeated excuse.

Then one day, I heard through the grapevine about a site where I could create an on-line portfolio easily along with a monthly fee - of course. So I decided to do just that. The site is called wix.com. I spent hours and hours uploading images and typing text into my soon to be new on-line portfolio. I was so excited and really keen to get it done. This wasn't going to be an e-commerce site. It would just serve the purpose of displaying my work. I really enjoyed the easy to use web tools and all the interactive widgets on there. And I really liked hitting preview and having a glimpse at what the end result would look like.

Despite the extensive work I did on that site, I was still not 100% happy with it. There were constant technical glitches and often my hard work would disappear (by accident) into cyber space and I had no idea why and then I'd have to begin over again. How frustrating!

Weeks and months came and went and still I had not launched my new site. I desperately needed to set up a site to showcase my jewellery. Etsy came to mind. I toyed with the decision daily. A photographer friend of mine wanted to provide a link to my jewellery site from his photography site, yet I STILL had no site set up. "Just get something up there," he said..."a site of some kind or whatever." "Just do it!"

Becoming impatient with myself and the situation at hand, I sat down earlier today and spent 2 hours uploading images and typing out descriptions. Yes, I re-launched my former Etsy site.

I'm not expecting much this time around. I just want to have an on-line reference for anybody that may be interested - now or later - to see what I've been creating. If I do happen to sell something along the way...bonus!

Anyway, If you have any suggestions or ideas on how to improve the selling power of my Etsy shop, please let me know.

You can find my Etsy shop widget on the right hand side of my Blog.

Projects galore!

2010-03-25T16:13:00.000-04:00

In a previous post, I had showcased an assortment of vintage beads my friend K had given me to incorporate into a necklace. Well, the necklace is finished! I have created a long necklace using sterling silver parts (chain, beads, clasp) along with the one-of-a-kind, vintage beads. I am very pleased with the results as I'm sure K will be when she sees it up close!

On another note, I have become inspired to sew a summer dress for myself.
Here is the lovely grey-blue fabric I will be using.

And here is the Burda pattern for the dress. I'm so excited to be making this dress! And you know what? The supplies hardly cost that much. The pattern, 3 of metres fabric and the zipper came out to $30 CDN with the Fabricland member discount card. Of course, there is labour involved, but since I'm making the dress for myself, I'm not factoring in the cost of the labour. I'm anticipating that it will take me a while to complete, as I am a newbie. All I know is that if I had purchased a similar type dress at a clothing store it would have been priced anywhere from $60 to $100 and it would have been made in another part of the world, and probably in a sweat shop.

I have also (finally!) completed the Photoshopped image that my photographer friend J asked me to help him with. Here is a portion of the image with the copyright watermark splattered all over it. Yes, I'm paranoid and neurotic! (As a side note, for the Bloggers that may want to know how to re-create this copyright watermark effect, there is a tutorial on YouTube showing you step-by-step how to do this using Photoshop).

On the image below (and with the help of Photoshop), I tweaked the model's make-up, the skin on the entire face and body, the eyes and eyebrows, the hair, I added a motion blur in the background and I also highlighted some details of the vintage car. I sent the photographer a jpg of the finished image and he really liked the work I did!!! I have learned quite a bit at my Photoshop course. I now have new work to add to my portfolio and a new skill set to add to my resume!

a walk down memory lane

2010-03-21T00:45:00.000-04:00

I have been digging into my numerous art portfolios of yesteryear and walking down memory lane as I unroll my drawings and dust off my old paintings.

Have a look at what I unearthed recently:

a cubist ink drawing of moi (1992)

me holding an onion (how symbolic!)
chalk pastel/conte (1999-2000)

gouache paint in a multi-colour me (1999-2000)

chalk pastel and peeking self (1999-2000)

These are all self-portraits drawn for my various drawing classes over the past 20 years. I swear I'm not vain. Well, maybe just a little - but these self-portraits were requested by my art instructors over the years. Frida Kahlo did several self-portraits of herself too so self-portraits is a common theme in art.

I have plenty more drawings/paintings to scan or photograph and upload. Some really weird stuff from my abstract Salvador Dali-inspired days. Like this one for instance:

an oil painting called "Hush" (1993)

Stay tuned...

Plenty of hats...

2010-03-08T12:52:00.000-05:00

I'm wearing many hats these days. Jewellery making is still at the forefront of my daily regime. I'm designing a necklace for a friend with some vintage beads she picked up at an estate sale years ago. The beads are gorgeous! Unlike anything I've seen. Have a look:

I'm also completing a Photoshop advanced level course at night school. This will soon be followed by InDesign. I'm trying to get up to speed in my knowledge of graphic design software. My hope is that it will open a door (or two) for me in terms of job placement. I've been wearing the unemployed hat far too long and it really sucks!

I'm still plugging away at sending out resumes, and networking, and telling everyone I know, including their grandmother, that I'm looking for work. According to the job hunting books, this is the way to do it. I've also visited two temp agencies as a last resort. And, if that weren't enough, I'm also looking to volunteer at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). I love learning about ancient civilizations and dinosaurs!

Friends of mine have been very supportive and have been offering me all kinds mini-projects to keep me busy and inspired. I mentioned earlier in this post about the necklace I'm working on. Another friend, a photographer, asked if I would be willing to tweak some photos of his with Photoshop in exchange for some professional photography shots of my jewellery. Sweet!

I've also been asked by friends, who are launching their own businesses, to design their business cards for them. These are the perfect projects with which to augment my design portfolio!

In my previous post, I had mentioned about working on my on-line portfolio. Alas, it is still under construction. I really want to hit the 'publish' button and make it visible to all, but it's still lacking in samples of my current work. I already have plenty of scanned images of my art class projects from high school from over 20 years ago. I doubt a prospective employer cares about those doodles. I need plenty of fresh, recent work.

So as you can see, I'm working at a variety of things in an attempt to keep busy and I'm also enjoying the creative work process. It takes time, effort and commitment to create things I feel are worthy of displaying.

For instance, I made these two pairs of earrings this past week. I am so pleased with the results that I wanted to share them with you. The 'peacock' earrings are my recent favourites. They are made with Swarovski crystals in two shades of blue for added depth. And the beads splay apart over the silver "Smarties" bead just like feathers, hence the name.

The second pair of earrings which I named 'glitterati' were made especially to be worn on a sunny day. Why? Because the sterling silver beads I've used, pick up the light and sun beautifully due to their glittery, pocked surface. A perfect homage to the sunshine we've been getting lately.

The weather has warmed up considerably and I'm much more inclined to go for longer walks with my dog. He's such a sweet, quiet little dog and he's made so many friends in the neighbourhood, with other dogs and people alike. Neighbours greet him before they say "hi" to me. I'm not complaining though, he's been (the vet and I suspect) through some abuse in his former life in Texas (before we rescued him), so he deserves all the loving he can get. Here is Dexter sunbathing, his favourite afternoon activity.

Back to life

2010-02-04T21:30:00.000-05:00

After a long hiatus, I've decided to return to this fair-weather blog of mine. I'm not sure why I have neglected this blog other than the fact that I dislike writing about myself. Yes, you heard correct. I'm one of those people that rather keep her thoughts hidden in the depths of her brain. Sometimes this is counterproductive. Like the dozens of times when I can't remember my dentist appointment because I did not write it down right away. At the time I had convinced myself I would remember it. Guess what? I didn't! Thank goodness for reminder calls.

Blogs are about writing and communicating. It's an on-line diary. I never had a diary as a kid or a tween or a teen. Never! I did not understand the concept of a diary and why would I want to write things down if I can keep them locked in my head for ever...where nobody could find them. Not even me!

It's true. I once used to pride myself on remembering all kinds of details and information and now...now, I'm lucky if I can remember my best friend's telephone number. Aging does that to you.

So, where was I ? Yes, I have neglected this blog for awhile because I have been doing other things that have taken up precedence in my life. Like what, you ask? Well, like getting back into making jewellery. My Etsy shop is no longer functioning and I doubt I will re-activate it for selling purposes. However, I will keep my account on Etsy because I LOVE shopping there.

It feels good to be creating once again. I sure have missed it. I'm not sure how I will pursue the selling aspect of my jewellery production. My friends are very fortunate gals, especially at Christmas time and on their birthday. They know what they will be getting: one of my creations. Sometimes it's earrings. Sometimes it's a necklace. They are always so grateful to wear my pieces and incredibly supportive about my craft.

I have been working steadily on an on-line portfolio, which will showcase my jewellery and also other creative projects. The portfolio will display images of all the things I've worked on in the past like my medical device thesis from OCAD, my charcoal drawings of nudes, my oil and acrylic paintings of yesteryear (as far back as high school) and some very old, out-dated fashion design illustrations that I drew back in junior high. I unearthed a series of drawings from my parents basement a few months ago that I had not laid eyes upon for 20 years. Both my husband and friends who saw these drawings were amazed that I made them because I had never talked about them or showed them to anyone in years! This show-and-tell resulted in many questions from friends about why I never pursued fashion design or illustration as a career. Well, it's a long story but I'll give you a hint..."whaaat iz dis, you want to be a fasion design? Dat is ridicula. No ay, you going to you-niverseti to be a tea-cher!" Need I say more?

So without further blah-blah, here are a couple of images of my recent jewellery work.

Long overdue shoe talk

2009-10-24T23:56:00.001-04:00

When it comes to shoes, I often put quality and style first. Don't get me wrong, I love bargain shopping just as much as the next person but sometimes you get what you pay for. When it comes to the comfort of my feet, I'm willing to fork over a bit more cash if it means no limping and no blisters.

The Josef Seibel "Nadine" bootie satisfied my needs and my wants recently. I bought these incredibly comfortable boots (pictured above) and have not looked back. They are worth ever penny I spent.

Here is an on-line source with plenty of shoe eye candy from the Josef Seibel collection. If you reside in Ontario, you can find Joseph Seibel shoes at Walking on a Cloud and at The Blue Shoebox.

I'm also looking at these cute winter boots called "Puffin Frost" from Canadian company Merrell for the snowy season...hmmm, I have a birthday coming up!

Retail Therapy

2009-10-16T11:30:00.000-04:00

Okay, so now that we are all caught up I just wanted to emphasize how important retail therapy is when you need a pick-me-up!

Etsy, as we all know, is a GREAT place to shop and despite my current unemployment status, I can still find some wonderful and unique items that won't break the bank.

Pretty Raccoon, a Toronto-based, on-line store sells a vast assortment of woman's clothing in a variety of colours and styles. They also sell some funky vintage clothes, but what I had been ogling for quite some time was their line of screen printed tops and scarves. So pretty!

Another bonus is that the Canadian dollar is almost on par with the U.S. dollar, so I did what any savvy shopper would do, I seized this opportunity. I purchased a black boat neck top with a white chandelier print and a raspberry scarf with silver seagulls printed on it.

My order arrived 3 days after I made it...how's that for expedited service when you shop local. I just can't wait to try out my new purchases. I feel better already.

Expectatations

2009-04-19T20:45:00.000-04:00

Hello?

Is anyone out there?

Anybody?

It's me...Bijoux.

Remember me?

Did you miss me? I missed you.

I know I've been gone for a while.

I have been really busy...working...two jobs.

I recently quit one of them. Now I have one part-time job which I love!

I also had a cold this past week. I tried all kinds of remedies (Cold FX, Vitamin C, Zinc, garlic pills) to keep the cold away but it just reared it's ugly head as soon as I thought I was in the clear.
I'm much better now and I have also rested a lot.

Let's see...what else have I been up to?

I started digging in my backyard garden a few days ago to try and get it ready for some plants. I want to plant some vegetables and also a raspberry bush. I'm not a natural gardener so it should be exciting to see what becomes of the seeds and seedlings I plant.

I'm getting rid of the grass in the front lawn because I dislike grassy lawns. I just don't think they serve a purpose so I will be replacing the grass with rocks, wood chips and some black-eyed Susan's, wild flowers and other perennials. Rock gardens rock!

Painting the kitchen is next on the agenda. I will be priming it this week. The previous owners used oil paint so I need to prime the walls first before I apply the latex green colour I've chosen. I haven't painted anything in over 5 years so it should be interesting to see the results.

I also picked up some great leather boots on sale - a cropped version of the boots in the photo. They have a leather sole and a tiny little rhinestone strategically placed under the sole...such attention to detail and made in Brazil by an Italian shoe company, Corso Como.

I also picked up a few items from Etsy recently like this great print from an Etsy seller called "Black-eyed Suzie." Isn't is pretty? I love Gothic artwork.

About two months ago, in the bleakness on winter and also from Etsy, I bought this hat, which I love! The colour, the style, the fit...it's all good! And just the other day I bought this t-shirt and this wrap skirt, in preparation for the warmer weather.

Oh, and I picked up a great, (inexpensive due to haggling) Schwinn exercise bike from CraigsList which I have been using to try get back into some sort of an exercise regime.

Well, that's my update. I'm looking forward to catching up with you all.

I will try to post on here more often but as the weather is getting warmer outside and we are expecting it to reach 22 degrees Celsius by this Friday, I am compelled to spend more time outdoors. But I will update you all on the kitchen painting results and the garden landscaping projects as they unfold.

They say it's spring...

2009-03-13T20:09:00.000-04:00

Blossom Dearie is a jazz musician from the 1960s that I have been fond of for several years now. I first heard one of her songs from watching the movie, The Squid and the Whale and was enamoured with her child-like voice and lyrics.

Today, as I was walking around my neighbourhood and enjoying the spring-like weather, Blossom's song "They say it's Spring" unexpectedly popped into my head. When I got home, I went onto YouTube and tried to find that particular song so that I may listen to it. I stumbled on someone's tribute to Blossom Dearie and quickly came to the realization that she passed away recently.

I leave you with a random YouTube clip featuring Blossom Dearie's song: "They Say it's Spring."

R.I.P. Blossom Dearie (April 28, 1924 - February 7, 2009)

Kitchen update

2009-03-07T00:54:00.000-05:00

I finally managed to add a little something to the kitchen wall in order to make my life easier and more organized when cooking. As you can see the walls are still that seafoam green shade that I wanted so desperately to change. We didn't get around to painting the kitchen walls before winter set in so we plan to definitely paint them this summer.

Ikea is so great for providing a wide selection of inexpensive, decorative accessories to jazz up your living space. And make it functional too! These kitchen wall organizers have been extremely helpful in freeing up some drawer space. The knife magnet is especially fun as it makes me feel one step closer to becoming a better chef. Yeah, wishful thinking! I think Jamie Oliver has one too in his kitchen.

On my next trip to Ikea I plan to pick up one of these shelves to store some often used cookbooks, hang some additional kitchen utensils, a cluster of dry chili peppers, a strand of garlic bulbs, and perhaps a pot of fresh herbs.

It's a painfully slow process of making a kitchen become functional when you can't afford to totally gut it and start from scratch. And don't get me started on the existing, unimpressive kitchen appliances that came with the house and the lack of modern ones like a microwave and a dishwasher.

LEGO: Decades later, I'm still a fan

2009-02-27T00:28:00.000-05:00

How cool is this? I want one!!

LEGO Business Card, Feb 2009

Do we really require all this packaging?

2009-02-22T12:18:00.001-05:00

What do you think about excessive packaging? I often shop at bulk stores just to avoid it.

I recently purchased a new cell phone and it came in this monstrous plastic spaceship. I am so annoyed by this unnecessary packaging, that I have been compelled to write to the CEO of Virgin Mobile and share my concerns with him.

What are your thoughts about too much packaging? Would you avoid purchasing this product because of the use of too much plastic?

I did see a recycling 'triangle' symbol on this package. Chances are I can probably throw it into the recycling bin and not have to worry about it any more, but I'm still bothered by it.

Below are the specs from an on-line source which lists the various commercial products that can be manufactured from recycling this particular plastic packaging:

Statistic: In 1999 PET accounted for 48% of plastic bottle resin sales, making it the most widely used resin in plastic bottles.

Packaging applications: Soft drink bottles, water bottles, beer bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter containers, salad dressing containers, juice bottles, vegetable oil bottles.

Recycled products: Fiber, tote bags, new PETE containers for both food and non-food products, fabric for clothing, athletic shoes, luggage, upholstery, furniture, carpet, fiberfill for sleeping bags and winter coats, industrial strapping, sheet, and film, and automotive parts, such as luggage racks, headliners, fuse boxes, bumpers, grilles and door panels. (taken from http://www.earthodyssey.com/symbols.html)

Inspired

2009-02-16T22:00:00.000-05:00

white mother of pearl beads and sterling silver

Lately, I've been feeling more inspired than I have in a LONG time . These designs are for a friend of mine. I hope she likes them.

I will also be working on a ring for another client. We picked out the bead on Friday. It's a large, round, pink, natural stone bead. I will be wire-wrapping it with square Argentium silver wire. It will be similar in style to this ring:

14K gold-filled wire and jade bead

I'm not sure that I will be opening up another Etsy shop, but if you happen to be interested in having something custom made for you for a special occasion or for a friend or family member, let me know and I'd be happy to create something for you.

You can still contact me by message on Etsy, as I have not closed down my account. Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=9468

You Gotta Go to the AGO

2009-02-10T14:28:00.000-05:00

Recently, I went to the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) with some friends and was pleasantly surprised.

As a designer and a graduate of OCAD, I had spent most of my student years visiting the AGO over and over again and ultimately, I grew tired of it. However, I was eager to see the new renovations and so when our friends suggested that we plan a visit to check out the AGO, we woke up early on Sunday morning and made it there for 10:30 am. For those of you that don't know me well, I am NOT an early riser on weekends!

Well, what can I say about the new AGO! What great changes have taken place! There is something there for everyone. It is not just the art work on display that is impressive. There are definitely some newer, post-modernist pieces of art on display, although a lot of the classical pieces are from their existing collection. But what REALLY amazed me was the architecture and the design (staircases and support beams) inside the building. Breathtaking! The things that the designers did with the wood, it just blew my mind!

The furniture throughout the AGO was very comfortable. I was pleasantly surprised. It's not very often that you find comfortable seating in public places. I took my time sitting on the various postmodern playful, foam chairs and cube stools, which were more mostly sized for children. Likewise the chunky leather and curved wood seating and tables (see below), which from a distance appeared rigid, were incredibly comfy and ergonomic beyond belief.

What also appealed to me was the lookout points with large glass windows which allow you to view the cityscape from an elevation. And the natural lighting streaming inside the AGO was so warm and wonderful (perfect for us sun-starved Torontonians) and very sleep-inducing. If I were a cat, I would curl up in the sun by the window and sleep for hours.

The gift shop had some interesting pottery, houseware decor and jewellery. (Can't forget the bling!) And there were plenty of items to appeal to the younger crowd as well...educational toys, children's books about artists, and fun stationary. The AGO also offers plenty of art classes for adults and children.

And being a foodie, I just have to mention the food at the basement cafe (one of many spots at the AGO to grab some food and drink). The orzo salad with grilled portobello mushroom that I had was tasty and plentiful. My husband's smoked turkey sandwich was warm and the bun was fresh. For dessert, the lemon macaron was tangy and gooey. It tasted good but - I have to say - it was a bit on the dry side. Not the best I've had - but I ate it anyway!

So, if you want something fun and different to do on a weekend with your family and have not yet seen the AGO renovations, I suggest you go. There is so much to see and do, two hours alone will not allow you enough time to cover everything.

I would also suggest a subsequent visit in a few months time with perhaps a sit down meal at the fancy pants "FRANK" restaurant (named after the architect Frank Gehry). I hear the food is very good but the minimalist decor is not very appreciated.

Go and see for yourself and then come back to my blog and let me know what you thought!

Form Follows Function

2009-01-26T12:38:00.001-05:00

It's winter. It's very cold outside. I've been spending a lot of my time indoors. Examining the space with the eye of a designer and the budget of a pauper.

I have a tendency to try and solve problems in my head. All kinds of dilemmas from what to cook for dinner based on what I have in my fridge, to what kind of job to apply for based on my credentials. Yup, I'm at it again. Job-hunting. Anyway, I digress. But lately, since I've been spending a lot of time indoors, I have mainly found myself addressing decorating challenges afflicting the new house. I have a LOT of ideas swimming in my head. Too many to afford.

In November, when we moved into the new house, it was suggested by many that we take our time and gradually (over time) upgrade the house. No rush! However, when you see something on Craig's List, like this antique Chinese room divider, I just had to leap. It was definitely a need, not a want.

The dilemma: The house has a sunroom at the front - an enclosed porch area that acts as a storage space for coats, shoes, bags of salt and shovels (for the snow), empty boxes, etc. I once made the mistake of leaving my winter coat in that space and could not bring myself to wear the coat afterwards, as it was freezing. Brrr! The sunroom is not insulated and whatever temperature it is outdoors, can also be found inside that room.

Which got me thinking...Where on earth are we going to hang up our wet and snowy winter coats when coming indoors? (For the past three months we had been hanging up our coats on the backs of our kitchen chairs.) There is no closet or alcove to hang up coats in the main entrance to the house. And although there is a wall that I could install some wall hooks, I just thought that would obstruct the overall flow of the house and create clutter in the entrance way. I had to think fast and come up with a solution to this problem before Summer arrives.

I decided a folding Chinese screen would do the trick. Craigs List is great for finding inexpensive used items and I have seen many of these screens / room dividers over the past few months but nothing I was strongly compelled to purchase. Either I didn't like the style, or the colours, or the price, or the painting on the divider...for instance, Chinese warriors on horseback...um, no thanks!

When I mentioned my brilliant idea to J, being the analytical one, he hemmed and hawed over the idea, finding reasons that it might not work...functionally that is. Let's just say, I proved him wrong.

The room divider is situated to the side of our entrance way, between the living room and the entrance. This past weekend when the in-laws were over, the divider held up not one or two coats, but four winter coats in total. And it did not fall over or collapse under the weight. Hurray! It served it's intended function perfectly.

I also found out something else about this room divider. It blocks cold air from entering the living room when the front door is opened. So later today when I go out, not only will I have a warm coat to wear but when I open the front door to exit the house, the cold draught blowing into the house will be stopped by the room divider. Two problems solved with one product. Don't you just love dual purpose products? I do!

I plant to 'fix-up' the folding screen in the Summer by sanding and varnishing/painting it. For the time being, I will be fastening some 3M removable wall hooks on the side that faces the hallway.

Do you have a product you love that also serves two purposes? Leave a comment and tell me what makes this product so great and what two roles it serves.

My first selfish purchase of the year.

2009-01-13T22:56:00.000-05:00

I have been hankering for a new purse for some time now but didn't feel that I should buy one considering I already have a small collection of (mostly black) purses to begin with and it's growing.

My current 'wintery' purse is in its third year and although it is still in great shape, I dislike it a great deal. Don't get me wrong, the colour is great! It isn't black, which is a change for me. But the functionality of it is awful. It is difficult to find things in there because of it's triangular shape. Small items get pushed to the corners which then requires a longer search period, and I can never fit a book in there or a lunch container, or both. It's a perfect time for a replacement.

As I was browsing through Etsy the other day and looking at some of the items that I had flagged as a favourite, I noticed that one of the sellers TT Peas and Carrots who makes purses was having a post-Christmas sale. Well, I dove right in a purchased this purse:

It's roomy and stylish and I really like the 'lollipop' design on the purse. The colours (navy blue and burgundy) are perfect for this time of year, don't you think?

The new purse is on it's way as I type this and I should have it by next week.

As for the current purse I'm toting (pictured below), it's either going into the Goodwill donation bag or I'll put it aside for a future clothing swap that I might host in the Spring.

If you are hankering for a new purse, you've got until January 18th to take advantage of TT Peas and Carrots purse sale.

French cuisine pour deux? Oui.

2009-01-06T23:13:00.000-05:00

My husband and I have decided to start the new year by doing something fun together. We have enrolled in a French cooking class.

The class is being held at the Calphalon Culinary Centre this coming Friday and I am so excited. I really enjoy cooking and also experimenting with new recipes. It surprises me that I have not yet started a cooking blog. Perhaps, that will be next on my agenda.

French cooking is quite foreign to me, so this is a perfect opportunity for me to learn something new and also spend quality time with my husband.

I know off the bat that I am going to take the lead and assign my husband as a sous chef. Truth is, I have a hard time sharing kitchen space at home. My husband will attest to that, i.e. "You're in my way, John." And oftentimes I can become a bit too critical, .i.e."This food you made is kind of bland." Yes, I confess, I'm no fun in the kitchen. I guess it's the perfectionist designer in me. Excuses aside, it's time to relax, decompress, learn something new and above all, have some fun!!

If you want to do something different and fun for a change, Calphalon offers many cooking classes for the beginner, as well as for the more seasoned chef-wannabe. There are also some fun couples classes offered for Valentine's Day for the person that would like to try something different with their amour.

Here's what's on the French menu for this Friday:

Mussels Provençal
Filet au Poivre
Haricot Vert
Apple Tarte Tatin

Hmmm...I wonder if there is wine available with our food?

I've never been to France so I guess this is as close as I get without the cost of a plane ticket and the pricey hotel accommodations. All I have to do is hop on the subway and head down to King Street and Spadina Avenue.

Speaking of cooking and food, if you have never watched the movie "Big Night" you are in for some side splitting laughter. I saw Big Night many years ago and absolutely loved it!! A highly entertaining movie about Italian food, running a restaurant and family loyalty.

Watch the trailer below. You won't be disappointed.

The Ritual

2008-12-31T18:58:00.000-05:00

As far back as I can remember when ringing in the New Year, my mother would bake a Greek cake or sweet bread called a 'vasilopita.' What made this 'cake' so special was the hidden coin thrown into the cake batter prior to baking. As a child, it was all about getting the 25 cents, or in later years the loonie (Canadian dollar coin). I never cared much for the actual cake. It was just a plain white cake studded with raisins, flavoured with orange zest and sprinkled with icing sugar. No chocolate chips. No frosting. No whipped cream. No fun. I often pleaded with my mother to add chocolate chips in it so I would be more inclined to eat it instead of crumbling it up in search of the coin, and then leaving it on my plate. Her response was always the same: "This is a Greek cake and I am not changing the recipe by adding chocolate chips."

On New Year's day, I'll be heading over to my parents house for - you guessed it - the cutting of the vasilopita cake. This is one instance where I will stick to my new year's resolution of cutting back on desserts. I will have my slice of cake but I won't be eating it :)

If you want to learn more about this tradition, I have inserted a blurb below from Wikipedia.

"Vasilopita (Βασιλόπιτα) is a traditional New Year's Day bread or cake in Greece and many other areas in eastern Europe and the Balkans which contains a hidden coin or trinket which gives good luck to the receiver. It is made of a variety of doughs, depending on regional and family tradition, including tsoureki.

On New Year's Day families cut the Vassilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year. A coin is wrapped and hidden in the bread by slipping it into the dough before baking. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time, in order of age. Slices are also cut for various other people or groups, depending on local and family tradition. They may include St. Basil and other saints, the Virgin Mary, the Church, the poor, the king (formerly), and the Kallikantzaroi (Καλλικάντζαρος), commonly translated as goblins.

Saint Basil's Feast Day is observed on January 1, the beginning of the New Year and the Epiphany season known as the Vasilopita Observance."

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2009!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

2008-12-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'

If you have never watched this movie, please do.
It's fantastic!

However you choose to celebrate this festive season...
have a great one!

A new way of painting

2008-12-22T12:36:00.000-05:00

Some of you may already know that I try to live a chemical-free lifestyle. By chemical-free I mean using household products that don't contain a lot of harmful or toxic ingredients. For instance, I use vinegar and baking soda for many cleaning chores around the house. I use a scent-free and phosphate free laundry detergent. I use a hydrogen peroxide-based safe bleach. I do not use fabric softener because those synthetic fragrances are really not good for you and many times they make me feel nauseous or give me a headache. Ditto with my dish washing soap. My bath soap. My shampoo. My deodorant.

So, when it came time for the new house to be painted, my husband and I knew that we did not want VOCs' (volatile organic compounds) floating around in the air during and after the painting process. We opted for a relatively new brand of paint from Benjamin Moore called Aura. This paint has no distinct chemical smell and is guaranteed to be very low on the toxic emissions. Hence good for you and for the environment.

The paint was exceptional! It went on opaque. It dried very fast. Seamless touch ups. And it did not leave any lingering smell in the house for days afterwards, the way most household paints do.

Was it expensive? Yes. It was twice as much in cost than regular paint would cost.

Am I looking forward to painting the other rooms in the summer with Aura? You bet.

Do I work for Benjamin Moore?
No. I just know a great product when I use it and Aura paint is a fantastic product.
Even my father-in-law who is a seasoned painter and who is partial to his own paint brand, was impressed with Aura.

alive and kicking

2008-12-19T23:45:00.000-05:00

I'm here!

Alive and kicking!

Did you miss me?

I know. I know. I have been truant from my blog.

After my head cold went away, I just decided to focus on getting the new house in better shape i.e. organized. I'm still plugging away at it - little by little each day. Thankfully, the living room and dining room are in better shape now:

The kitchen on the other hand, still needs work. I have a third less storage space in my new kitchen than I did in the previous place.

I don't have a lot of counter space. Many of my baking and cooking things are STILL in boxes. Which means less ambitious cooking for the holiday season on my part. Although, I did manage to make these tasty chocolate coconut snowballs the other day.

Jubilation! My final OCAD course is done and OVER with. I received a final grade - an A! I can now upgrade my existing design diploma to a Bachelors of Design degree. Hip hip hurray!

Christmas is quickly coming up. I have not really decorated the house aside from a few baubles hanging on some branches in the living room. We have decided to not get a tree this year. You know, in an attempt to keep the household expenses down.

I much rather put my money into one of these kitchen islands from Ikea:

And then there is my new-ish job. Did I mention that I found a part time job? Well, I did. It has also been keeping me occupied for a month now. I work for a kitchens and bathrooms retailer as a junior design associate. There is plenty to learn and a LOT of job training involved. I'm enjoying the novelty of the job, learning all about kitchen cabinetry, wood joinery, different surface finishes, faucets, plumbing, kitchen counter tops, bathubs, sinks, toilets, tiles...whew! That is a lot!

Also, in an attempt to get back to designing things in the new year, I have been eager to get my workshop space functional. It's still in disarray. Right now it looks like this:

Speaking of designing, I haven't decided yet if I will stop entirely with jewellery making and switch to designing another product. I was actually thinking of designing housewares and making accessories for the kitchen.

All that being said and done, I think we're ready to take the plunge and get a new pet come Spring. I had talked about it here on my blog. Starting this coming Monday and for the next 2 weeks, I will be cat-sitting for a friend of mine. She has an exotic breed of cat called a 'Cornish Rex' and I am going to be put to the test...having to clean up after another creature besides my husband. Yikes! I have a sensitive gag reflex so the mere sight of animal scat is enough to send me hurling LOL!

Before I sign off, I also need to mention a new addiction that I recently acquired.

It's called Mad Men.

I hope you know what I'm talking about. I wasn't too keen on this show when it first watched it on DVD but now I am finding that I like it more and more. Being a late comer to this show, I am now trying to catch up by viewing the episodes on-line at ctv.ca

I'm really looking forward to the new year. New beginnings. New inspirations. New projects.

A new season of Dexter.
A new season of Mad Men.
And a new season of Weeds!

Perhaps a new flat screen TV too? Right now I watch ALL my TV shows on-line on my 12-inch laptop.

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

I knew this would happen.

2008-12-07T15:14:00.000-05:00

Woe is me :(

image source: www.flickr.com/.../in/set-72157600115550718/

staying afloat

2008-11-28T13:41:00.000-05:00

I have been incredibly busy these past few days.

First, there was the move. What can I say other than I'm still swimming amidst boxes and all kinds of belongings that do not have a new place to call home yet. I guess organizing takes time. The painting had to come to a halt. Only 3 rooms were painted. The living-dining room and the bubble gum pink bedroom (the latter room took 3 coats of primer and 2 coats of latex paint to cover). The seafoam green kitchen with fruity tiles and the hockey-themed basement will have to wait until the summer to undergo changes. There's no way I want to be smelling paint fumes and chemicals while I sleep at night.

Then there is my night school course that is wrapping up and I am still plugging away at a ten page assignment. It's due on December 8th. The great thing is that my research topic is on the science of scent and I'm really enjoying the research part but not the essay writing part.

And lastly, there is the part-time job that I just recently got which involves computer-based training that I have to undergo before I can officially begin my position. The training has started but I am no where near completion. The training has to be completed by the end of December. I am hoping to complete the training sooner so I can start working.

Other than that I am doing okay. I still haven't found the time to get my flu shot. God help me if I get the flu now!!

The Christmas holidays are fast approaching and I have barely made a dent in my gifts list. I'm avoiding shopping malls at all costs. I did make a few purchases on-line which has helped me tremendously. Hurray for the internet and Etsy!

Well, I should get back to my research paper. I hope to return with better, more exciting and less hectic news in a week from now.

Have a warm and safe weekend.

Today, I'll have my cake and eat it.

2008-11-24T09:24:00.000-05:00

I love eating birthday cake!!

There are so many great things about it:
Celebratory. Pretty. Fancy. Colourful. Decadent. Rich. Creamy. Sweet. Delicious. Tasty. Satisfying. Moist. Melt in your mouth. Euphoric.

And some not so great things:
Addictive. Fattening. Stores junk in the trunk. Sugary. Caloric. Cavity-causing. Coma-inducing.

Am I forgetting anything? Ah, yes...!

Birthday cakes also mark another year of getting OLDer!! Don't ask. I'm not telling.

Can I have my cake now?!

I need to drown my woes of getting older in a whopping slice of decadency.

Happy Birthday to me!

*Image taken from cupcakedivinity.blogspot.com

Dudes want a brasierre.

2008-11-21T12:28:00.000-05:00

About a year ago I watched the movie Kinky Boots and found it an entertaining, enlightening and inspiring movie about a shoe designer catering to...cross-dressers, drag queens and any man who wants to dress like a woman. It is a fun British movie and I do recommend it to those who like a good laugh as well as a great marketing idea.

Today, I came across this article on-line and I was completely and udderly (pardon the play on words) baffled by the trend. At first anyway. It makes complete sense though.

Men who enjoy wearing women's clothing cannot do so comfortably because of their size. Their feet are bigger. Their rib cages and skeletal frames are bigger. Try as they might, men just can't fit into women's brassieres.

This is where I say: I wish I could have thought of that. Seriously!

Was it George Costanza or Kramer that came up with the idea of a man bra some 8 years ago? At the time we all laughed and thought it was a joke.

Designing lingerie for men. Brilliant!

Business 101. Tapping into a market that never existed. Addressing a market need. A niche that needed to be filled, just like a bra cup that needs to be filled. Ugh, okay BAD joke!

I'm not only curious to find out more about this market. For research purposes - of course. I'm intrigued and amused that this is happening in Japan. Don't get me wrong. Cross-dressing and drag queens are everywhere. I just never would have thought Japanese men would be buying into this.

Excerpt from on-line article:

Since launching two weeks ago on Rakuten, a major Japanese web shopping mall, the Wishroom shop has sold over 300 men's bras for 2,800 yen ($30) each...Wishroom Executive Director Akiko Okunomiya said she was surprised at the number of men who were looking for their inner woman..."I think more and more men are becoming interested in bras. Since we launched the men's bra, we've been getting feedback from customers saying 'wow, we'd been waiting for this for such a long time'," she said.

Watch Kinky Boots and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Just for Laughs: Kitty Segway

2008-11-19T01:16:00.000-05:00

This is hilarious!! I almost want to get a Roomba AND a cat just so I can partake in the joy of watching this up close.

I wonder what the cat is thinking while riding its Roomba-Segway? LOL

Ch-ch-changes!

2008-11-13T18:46:00.001-05:00

Surprise! I painted my kitchen.

Just kidding, this isn't my kitchen. It's a photo I found on Flickr.

I really like this shade of green. It has inspired me to paint my overly white kitchen this juicy, fresh shade of green.

I stopped by The Home Depot today and picked out a whole selection of paint swatches in greens, blues, beiges, browns, whites.

The photo above shows the entrance and partial living room space of the house. My husband really does not like the mocha-coloured walls (says it's too dark) and I'm not a huge fan either, so we have decided to paint the living room and adjoining dining area. I have not yet decided on the colour of choice but more than likely it will be a lighter shade of the existing colour.

Another thing that both my husband and I do not like is this peg-board box that is currently covering the radiators on the main floor. Not only does it decrease the heat efficiency in the house but it is also an eye-sore. There are three of them in the living room/dining area. And one in the kitchen. We are not sure if we should leave them there for now, or tear them out. Tearing them out would cause damage to the floors, walls and surround molding. If we leave them there until next summer we will have to paint them now with the new wall colour.

Can you say Pepto-Bismol? This pink colour has got to go! Two coats of primer are required to effectively rid the pink tinge off the walls before a new colour is applied. I'm leaning towards a deep blue-gray shade.

And for you Toronto Maple Leaf fans, how about a two-toned navy blue and white basement for your viewing pleasure? Seems the previous man of the house had installed his very own hockey shrine in the basement. We are not keeping the colour scheme. We will be painting the entire basement a solid white colour to brighten up the space.

Any thoughts? Ideas? Opinions?

My ultra white kitchen

2008-11-01T01:08:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my soon-to-be new kitchen. This is where I will be doing my cooking and entertaining come November 15th.

The kitchen is a good size and I'm happy about that but I also feel that it needs some colour. It is just too stark and white. The walls are a lovely seafoam green but I don't think the colour really goes in a kitchen . What do you think?

Also, I have another dilemma. There are four tiles on the backsplash with a fruit medley painted on them. I do not like images of fruit on tiles. For those of you that are 'do-it-yourself' home renovators, I need your advice and suggestions on how to cover up those four tiles. Do I paint over them? Do I take a chisel and chisel them out and pop in 4 new tiles in white? Is this even possible to do? Ideally, I would love to have a professional redo the entire backsplash in a mosaic of black, gray and white glass tiles (see photo below), but that is out of the question for now.

Halloween Anniversary

2008-10-23T22:35:00.000-04:00

I consider myself very fortunate to have my wedding anniversary so close to Halloween.

Why? Because I really enjoy Halloween. It brings out the kid in me. Halloween satisfies my affinity for spooky films. It nourishes my love of all things chocolate. And, Halloween costumes are great fun too! Truth be told, I no longer go 'trick or treating' or get invited to Halloween parties. But I do enjoy seeing all the fantastic, unique costumes parading around the city from children and wacky adults, just like me.

Wait, there's more. October 28th is not just our wedding anniversary. It also commemorates our very first date, eight years earlier. I swear, we did not plan it this way. It just coincidentally happened like this. And I'm sure glad it did.

This year for our wedding anniversary we will keep it simple. Last year we went to a fancy restaurant in Yorkville and had a very good meal. This year, given that we have made the purchase of a lifetime, I think we will swap chocolate bars instead.

The supermarket in our neighbourhood carries an eclectic variety of gourmet chocolate bars from international chocolate manufacturers. Recently they started carrying Vosges chocolates. I have read about Vosges before on food blogs, so as soon as I saw Vosges on the shelf, I pointed it out to my husband and we stood there reading the packaging, seeing all the various flavour combinations and envisioning chocolate divinity.

Here's just a small sampling of Vosges' creative combinations:

Barcelona Exotic Candy Bar hickory smoked almonds + Fleur de Sel grey sea salt + deep milk chocolate

Black Pearl Exotic Candy Bar ginger + wasabi + black sesame seeds + dark chocolate

Goji Exotic Candy Bar Tibetan goji berries + pink Himalayan salt + deep milk chocolate

Red Fire Exotic Candy Bar Mexican ancho & chipotle chillies + Ceylon cinnamon + dark chocolate

Mo's Bacon Bar - New Applewood smoked bacon + Alder wood smoked salt + deep milk chocolate

So, as you can see, I'm completely fine with getting a chocolate bar (or two!) as an anniversary gift. Vosges chocolate is not your standard, nuts and nougat bar. It has pizazz!

(I hope someone called 'John' is reading this...wink...wink.)

Along with the decadent chocolate, I think I would also like to watch a movie to commemorate BOTH my anniversary and Halloween. And what better way to do this than to watch a horror movie - of course! I think I have a few movies in mind that I am interested in watching, thanks to Lindy Loo's blog, but if anyone else out there has a suggestion, I'm all ears.

Speaking of ears, I saw the cutest pair of elf ears at a party supply shop last weekend and seeing that I have shorter hair now, I think those elf ears would be perfect for me to wear on Halloween day when I'm out running errands. Just for fun!

So heads up to you fellow Torontonians. If you happen to be at Fiesta Farms supermarket, between October 28th and October 31st, and you see a petite, dark-haired Mediterranean woman poking around in the chocolate aisle, spending an unusually long period of time reading chocolate bar packaging AND wearing elf ears...don't be alarmed, it's just me shopping for my wedding anniversary in Halloween style.

Trick or Treat!

You're my obsession...I cannot sleep...I must have you!

2008-10-17T20:59:00.000-04:00

"El Naturalista shoes express a different way of thinking and acting. Being a naturalist entails respect for a rich, profound philosophy that lays its trust in life and attributes everything to nature. Making El Naturalista shoes out of vegetable-dyed leathers and recycled rubber is part of our holistic approach to shoe design. We provide footwear for people who advance while they walk." (http://www.planetshoes.com)

I was in a shoe store last week with my husband. He was buying shoes for work. I was browsing. Then I saw them. My future shoes! I smiled at them. I picked them up. I admired them. I really liked them. Then I looked at the price underneath. I gasped! I put them back on the counter. Three hundred and something-something dollars for a pair of boots from El Naturalista. There has to be more to this shoe than meets the eye.

I jotted down the name of the shoe company and back at home I surfed the net until I located the main website online. I also found a Canadian distribution site for 'El Naturalista'. What can I say other than I am smitten by all of their shoe designs. From an aesthetic perspective, they look great from every angle. Even the sole is beautifully thought out and styled. The attention to detail is remarkable. I'm obsessed. These are the shoes that a perfectionist dreams about.

Furthermore, they're the product of a Spanish shoe manufacturing company. Spain is also home to the uber stylish and comfortable Camper shoes, which we all know and love. Could there be another Spanish shoe line that is comparable to Camper? Perhaps. But wait, there's more!

In terms of the manufacturing and quality of the shoes, here's what the company is touting:
El Naturalista shoes have been " impregnated with olive oil" (no kidding! sounds good enough to eat) and they are made with recycled cork, recycled rubber, and leather that is tanned using vegetable extracts and ground tree bark among other things. How eco-conscious of them. These shoes also provide reflexology attributes, breathable insoles, anatomic insoles and ergonomic rubber. And they can also help you lose those unwanted 10 pounds with a revolutionary weight loss 'nanosphere' technology. Just kidding! The true test though, would be to try on a pair and see for myself just how great these shoes are. If you own a pair of El Naturalista shoes, please leave me a comment and let me know what your experience has been.

For now, I guess I can ONLY dream about them.

Here's a song that explains exactly what I am feeling right now.

The ritual of good chocolate

2008-10-15T22:03:00.000-04:00

I received a bag of these delicious Pavlidis "Giaconda" (Tzokonta) chocolates from my mom, who just got back from Greece. The bag is almost empty. Only in Greece, eh? Pity!

Just for fun!

2008-10-10T00:33:00.000-04:00

I enjoy a good, hearty laugh from time to time. I think laughter is an important part of our overall health and mental well-being. So, on that note, I have a little treat for you.

I'll be the first to admit that I have a horrible singing voice and I also enjoy making up my own words to songs when I don't know what the heck the singer is saying. For instance, Pete Townsend's song, "let my love open the door" was once sung as, "you might have opened the door" by yours truly, until my husband (the Pete Townsend fan that he is) made it his mission to correct me.

I do not watch television. I do not enjoy watching shows like American Idol or Canadian Idol but I do occasionally enjoy a good laugh at someone elses expense.

When watching this video clip just remember that the performer is attempting to sing in English.

To my fellow Canadians: Happy Thanksgiving !

I'm it!

2008-10-09T16:20:00.000-04:00

I've just been tagged by the very talented, jewelry designer, Charlene of "Adding a Little Colour to Life."

The rules:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here's the dirt on me:
1. I'm a night owl. I do my most creative thinking late at night, usually after midnight.
2. Long fingernails and toenails on people is a BIG pet peeve of mine.
3. I think I've got the widest hips of anyone I know. It makes buying jeans extremely difficult.
4. I can go for weeks without listening to music. Then one day, a song will pop into my head and I will become obsessed with that song until I listen to it half a dozen times.
5. I like hiding behind doors and jumping out and scaring my husband when he least suspects it.
6. I have an extremely acute sense of smell to the point where I will get a headache from scented products or other foul odours like sewage or rotting garbage.
7. My favourite film genre is horror movies. I watch them all year round and not just during Halloween season. I prefer movies about hauntings and the supernatural as opposed to slasher flicks.

I'm tagging:
Kickpleat of "The Small Joys"
Laurie of "Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska"
Lindyloo of "Yeah, that Vegan Shit"
Megan of "Raised on Sunshine"
Kalliope of "ich Kalliope"
Dawn of "Vanilla Sugar"
Fiber of "28 Cooks"

before and after

2008-10-02T21:18:00.000-04:00

Before ...

and after...

After a series of setbacks with scheduling a hair appointment, waiting over 2 weeks for the appointment to arrive, being 20 minutes late for the appointment, having the Aveda salon send me home for being late (can you believe that?), and re-scheduling for the very next day, only to have the salon call me a couple of hours earlier and tell me they will have to re-schedule due to a an issue with the student appointed to cut my hair - sigh !

I gave up on Aveda and went to a girlfriend's trusted hair salon...And, I actually got an appointment on the same day!! The haircut itself lasted a mere half hour compared to the hour and half that I normally am required to sit in a chair when an Aveda student cuts my hair.

So...f-ck Aveda and hooray for me!! I was inspired to write that from one of kickpleat's (Everybody Likes Sandwiches and The Small Joys) fab greeting cards found on Etsy!!

Anyway, I will no longer be clogging up the bathtub drain with grotesque amounts of long hair. Hip hip hurray! Hear that husband? You will no longer have to fish out huge wads of wet hair from the tub drain. Nor will you find hairy dust bunnies around the house when you use the Swiffer duster. And you won't find a curly strand of my hair in the Greek salad either...actually, that's not entirely true...the hair just happened to be on the plate and then the salad was placed on top!

The best thing about having short hair is less time required to fuss with it. Also, less shampoo and conditioner and styling products are required, which means "save your money" (think ING banking commercial).

Finally, I have spotted the cutest cloche hat on Etsy which I truly need to get in order to keep my head warmer in the winter months. So, here's to nice haircuts and nice cute hats!!

My New Kitchen Buddy: Double Action Potato Masher

2008-09-28T21:57:00.000-04:00

I purchased this potato masher a few months ago but had not used it until this weekend. The most obvious reason being that mash potatoes is just not a summer time food. This evening however, I was in the process of making tofu chili and had just emptied the contents of two cans of plum tomatoes into the pot. I decided to use my potato masher to mash up the whole tomatoes, rather than dice them up beforehand.

This kitchen tool worked like a charm. The 'dual action' mashes both the tomatoes on the bottom of the pot as well as any tomatoes floating around in the liquid. Awesome!!

With Canadian Thanksgiving just around the corner, this masher would be perfect for making sweet potato mash or garlic mash potatoes!

Best Features:

stainless steel for easy clean up
can withstand high temperatures
comfortable handle
minimal use of force required; great for people with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome
can be used for mashing tomatoes, potatoes, boiled eggs, tofu, bananas and cooked carrots

Custom orders

2008-09-24T21:16:00.000-04:00

Two bracelets, hot of the pliers, ready to be worn on someone's wrist. These two bracelets are actually custom made for a client. The client wanted a "gaudy" bracelet with a little bit of vintage thrown in. One for her, the other for her sister. The client has seen photos of both bracelets and is very pleased with the results.

I have also acquired a new selection of Fall/Winter inspired beads and will be creating some new pieces for my Etsy shop. Coming soon!

Short & Sweet. To cut...or, not to cut...?

2008-09-12T16:48:00.001-04:00

Pass the tofu

2008-08-25T23:14:00.000-04:00

I'm sure that many of you have heard about the listeria outbreak here in Ontario and in British Columbia related to contaminated meat products from the Canadian manufacturing plant Maple Leaf Foods. According to the latest report there are twelve confirmed deaths related to listeriosis and many others victims that have been reported ill.

I no longer eat red meat or poultry. I have not eaten beef in over 5 years. I became severely ill eating beef on 2 separate occasions and decided to remove it from my diet. A little over a year ago I also gave up on chicken for no other reason than the disgust I felt one day when I was handling raw chicken. Overnight, I erased all red meat from my diet. My protein sources are now derived from foods such as tofu, tempeh, veggie burgers, okara burgers, beans and legumes, some varieties of fish/seafood, eggs and cheese.

I am continually re-assessing my food choices. I no longer drink milk because of a whey intolerance I have developed. I have my cereal with almond milk or rice milk and occasionally soy milk. I'm not saying that my food choices are flawless. (I still store food leftovers in plastic containers in the fridge and freezer). The purpose of this post is NOT to insist that people stop eating meat. My point is that we need to examine what we eat and why we eat it. And in doing so, are there different (read: new) ways of approaching our food consumption? Will we still be eating the same kinds of foods in 15 years from now? Will we become a new generation of hunters and gatherers?

Why am I telling you about this? Because this is the end of food as we know it. Every so often we will hear a story in the news about E. coli found in spinach, and earlier this summer we heard about tomatoes contaminated with Salmonella. I know people that stopped eating tomatoes at that particular time only to start consuming them again a week later. How careful do we need to be?

Nobody knows when a contaminated food epidemic will strike. This is serious stuff. It is scary. Can you imagine what will happen if our drinking water became contaminated with a lethal contagion? Everybody drinks water. We need it to survive. Remember Walkerton?

Sorry to sound so morose and Armageddon about this but I happen to enjoy food. I want to be able to eat food without having to worry about Salmonella on my tomatoes.

For now, I will continue to be on guard and develop an obsessive approach to washing fruit and some veggies...with a natural soap and/or a vinegar and water mixture.

I read the book "The End of Food" about a year ago and I highly recommend it to those who are seriously concerned about their health and redefining their food choices. You will never see food the same way again. I didn't.

What are some of the things you are doing to protect yourself and your family from unsanitary/suspicious food products?

The nose knows.

2008-08-15T19:52:00.000-04:00

I happened to be in Greek town (the Danforth area) today and I popped into The Big Carrot to browse. Nay, scratch that. There is no way you can go to The Big Carrot and just browse.

For those of you not familiar with The Big Carrot, it is a supermarket that sells organic produce and food that caters to the alternative diet: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. It's kind of like Whole Foods but smaller scale. There is also a cosmetic and toiletry section that is stocked with natural and safe beauty products like hair colour without harmful chemicals and oodles of vegan skin care products, paraben-free bath products, massage oils, soaps, lipsticks, soy candles, and fragrances. All meant to be safe for you. Amen.

So while I was at The Big Carrot, I picked up some tempeh and almond milk and some other food items. Then I went to browse at the skin care products. I came across several brands that appealed to me: Ecco Bella, Jurlique, Weleda, and Dr. Hauschka. I was very tempted to make a few purchases, but I didn't. It's called willpower...!

Then I arrived at the fragrances and saw the Pacifica line on the shelf. Never having heard of them, I decided to see if their fragrances were any good. There are around 12 different fragrances to choose from: Nerola Orange Blossom, Mediterranean Fig, Tahitian Gardenia, Spanish Amber, and many others.

I immediately began spritzing myself to determine which fragrance I liked best. Well, I couldn't decide as I had several favourites! I tend to like light citrusy scents or "green" fresh smelling fragrances. I really liked the Mediterranean Fig, and it's not because I happen to have roots in the Mediterranean. The scent of the Mediterranean fig was subtle and fresh with a tiny bit of sweetness. I was smitten. I also enjoyed the Nerola Orange Blossom. Hurray, I found a fragrance that did not make me feel like puking and did not give me a headache.

Just to digress, there have been instances when I have been riding the bus or subway and someone has sprayed too much perfume or cologne on them, that I have become really ill. This perfume will not do that to me because it does not have synthetic additives and other nasties. Here is a caption from the Pacifica website discussing why their perfumes are so great:

"Pacifica's fragrances are beautiful, inspired blends that draw from classic, as well as unexpected, essences. Our fragrances truly set us apart from all other candles on the market. We use essential oils, natural fragrances, and only the best raw materials in creating our essences. As a result of our commitment to purity, our essences are of a higher quality than those of our competitors. Equally as important, we refuse to use Pthalates in our essences. Pthalates, chemicals commonly used to dilute fragrances and make them more soluble in wax, have been linked to respiratory problems."

Who wants to wear perfume that is laden with Pthalates and hormone disruptor chemicals. I certainly don't and I don't think you would either.

Although I did not purchase 'said' perfume, I will be going back there at a later date to pick it up. I'm waiting to finish off my Weleda Citrus deodorant body spray first. Another superb product that I have been enjoying all summer. The freshness of this body spray is so energizing. A definite pick me up that wakes up your senses and lets you smell like a tall glass of fresh lemonade. Click here to see a YouTube video about how Weleda is working with the WWF to save the endangered, wild (and certified organic) arnica plant in Romania.

Let's drink to healthy and incredible smelling body products!!

Hillside: I saw, I ate, I purchased

2008-07-31T00:26:00.000-04:00

hey, what happened to the "L" ?

Hillside was a fantastic experience!

As my title aptly states, I saw some good performances. I ate some great food. I attended an informative 'eco' workshop. I had an artist paint a pretty design on my hand with henna (mehndi). And, I purchased a fantastic painting from one of my favourite Canadian artists, Wendy Ryan.

Did i eat pakoras? Yes. I had four of them. With tamarind sauce.
Did I have some Mapleton's Organic Ice-cream? Yes. Chocolate cherry.
What else did I eat? I had the most amazing cold chocolate drink made with raw cocoa and chili spices. Hot damn! I also sampled some "raw" vegan pizza which was superb! And I sampled some raw chocolate! I also had a spicy Jamaican veggie roti...yum! And a bit more raw chocolate! Are you surprised? I'm not. The food tent was one of my favourite places to hang out.

re-usable Hillside mug

spicy, cold chocolate drink all gone! can I have another one?

What workshop did I attend? I went to a workshop called "wild edible plants." I learned that you can make "lemonade' from Sumac flowers, tea from stinging nettle, you can eat the root (wild carrot) from Queen Anne's Lace. The group was also introduced to other edible wild plants, such as pineapple weed, English plantain and some other plants which due to my bad memory, I cannot remember. It was an informative workshop where we were also given the opportunity to sample the various wild plants in a tea.

Hillside, is also making a conscious effort to enforce preservation of the environment by maintaining and encouraging visitors to practice ethical use of the island's facilities. Hillside was actually doing this years before it ever became trendy. Guests are encouraged to bring their own mugs, re-usable plates and cutlery. There are plates and cups that can be borrowed from the food vendor and then dropped of at the washing station where volunteers will wash all the cups, plates, etc. There was no styrofoam or other plastic take-out containers offered by the food establishments. There was a clean water station where you can fill up your water bottle for free. And I did several times. The water was refreshing and tasted great! Their music stages are also powered by solar energy. All in all, a very good thing.

music on the main stage

music on the island stage

music on the sun stage

Then it was time for me to explore the crafts. I saw some interesting jewellery which I passed up on. I know - ME! pass up on jewellery? There was also some nice homemade, natural body butters and lip balms which were tempting but I decided to pass on those as well.

Then I spotted an artist that I had once purchased a painting from on Etsy. I recently ran into her in Ottawa back in June at the Art in the Park event. Well, low and behold here she was at Hillside selling her gorgeous paintings. And I was so excited to chat with her again and see all her newest creations. Well, I was bitten by the "buy-it-bug" and so I bought one of her larger-sized acrylic paintings. It is now hanging up on my living room wall and I love it! Dreamy, ethereal, innocent, surreal, child-like...beautiful.

I also went by the Buddhist monks tent and had a look at the Tibetan handicrafts. The jewellery was beautiful. The hand-painted silk dresses and skirts were stunning too. Unfortunately, I missed a special Tibetan ceremony performed by the monks: the Tibetan Sand Mandala.

"Eight monks from the Sed-Gyued Institute of Buddhist Studies will take up residency at the festival as part of a five-week stay in Ontario, sponsored by the festival. The institute is associated directly with the Dalai Lama. The monks, who will have their own tent, will provide instruction in Buddhist teaching and traditional Tibetan art presentations. They will also conduct short performances on stage." (http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/380044)

Speaking of creativity, I visited a henna artist's tent and after some thought and extra cajoling from my husband, I decided to have a arabesque design painted on my hand. I think the design is beautiful and I could not stop admiring it all evening. Don't laugh. I have no intention of ever getting a tattoo, so this is as close it it gets. Besides I have always liked mehndi on Indian woman's hands and feet from years ago, long before it ever became popular.

I would have to say that my day at Hillside was well spent. We did not head back home until well into the night. Have a look at the beautiful shot of the sunset over the lake.

If you haven't had enough of Hillside yet and you want to learn more and see more photos, have a look at Blog Guelph.

Hillside or Bust!

2008-07-24T00:47:00.000-04:00

I tell you, Craig's List is a fantastic resource.

I managed to nab not one, not two, but THREE tickets to this year's Hillside Music Festival.

All tickets on-line were SOLD OUT! So naturally, I switched into investigative mode and began monitoring the "tickets" section on Craig's List to see if anyone was selling tickets to the event. Well, I was in luck. Many people were selling tickets. Some were selling weekend passes and others were selling day passes. I just wanted 3 Saturday passes. And viola, I found two available tickets from one seller and one sole ticket from another seller.

Next, it was hubbie's turn to do his part. He hopped onto his bike and zipped through the city traffic like a bat outta hell trying to meet up with both sellers. That's my boy! He bought the tickets and now we are sitting pretty waiting to head over to Guelph with some friends for the big event on Saturday.

Good times...good times!!

I've been to the Hillside Music Festival twice before and always look forward to the various FREE workshops, the handmade crafts for sale and the fantastic local food vendors. And let us not forget the music. It's all about the music!! A vast selection of live music on three different stages. You can pick and choose to your heart's content.

I can't wait to chow down on some spicy Indian pakoras and samosas, or maybe I'll have some pierogies instead. For dessert, I'll indulge in some Mapleton's Organic ice cream, or fair trade chocolate or some syrupy baklava. Then, I'll sniff out the handmade soaps, drool over the jewellery and the pottery, join in on a meditation workshop or even a belly dancing workshop (gasp!) and groove to the music out in the hot sun.

The Weather Network says we are in store for rain on Saturday. Oh well, I'll just have to make a mad dash for the food tent yet again - yum! Woodstock has got nothing on this event!

Here's the musical line-up for the weekend:

And for you beer lover's, there is even a beer tent with Canadian beer from local microbreweries. As for me, that's my cue to make another mad dash to the food tent for some iced tea of freshly squeezed lemonade. Cheers!

Disclaimer: Okay, this post is not about anything design related but what the heck, I'll find something at Hillside on Saturday to tie it back to the design theme of this blog.

Bijoux's new jewellery on Etsy

2008-07-21T22:12:00.000-04:00

After a bit (who am I kidding) - A LOT of thinking, I decided to give my jewellery shop on Etsy a bit of a makeover. Nothing too major. Just a new banner which I created myself and some new items, like the earrings that you see on the right sidebar.

The rings, although not recently made, have been re-posted on the shop with a new, lower price point. These are the only rings I have in my collection and I won't be making any new ones until these sell, so get 'em while they last.

One of my inspirations for creating new pieces of jewellery, is thinking about exotic, distant lands, that I would like to visit one day: I was inspired by Morocco! I love the use of vivid colours in Moroccan tapestries and home decor. I love Moroccan jewellery. Heck, I even love Moroccan food. I made a necklace with this in mind. I pay homage to Morocco by using an assortment of second-hand beads that I picked up at a flea market over a year ago. These beads just shouted "Morocco!" and so a new necklace was born.

I have only listed 10 items for now but will be adding more to the batch on a regular basis. Coming soon are some new bracelets that I am working on and many more necklaces, some new and some re-structured.

Go ahead, take a peek. Tell me what you think.

Who's got the Funk?

2008-07-13T11:07:00.000-04:00

I've been a bit truant in blog posting lately. I guess you could say that I have been in a slight funk. Not sure why. Perhaps it has something to do with being...(ahem) unemployed since April. Perhaps it's because I have been neglecting my jewellery business, or because I'm still not selling as well as I would like on Etsy. Basically, I'm bored and uninspired!

I decided to take down all my Etsy jewellery photos the other day and start from scratch. I will be taking new pictures of my work. I am also creating some new pieces of jewellery. I'm even thinking of developing some grand marketing scheme...well, maybe not that grand of a scheme but anyway, it's time I tried something new.

Here's a sample of some necklaces I have been working on lately.

I had a motley of costume beads that I picked up at a flea market a few years back. They had been sitting around in a bag and I had no idea what to do with them. They weren't the usual precious gemstones that I am inclined to drool over and create with. I felt no rush to use them in my work. Some of the beads were glass, others plastic, a couple were made of tin, and there were brass ones as well. Some of the beads might even be retro - dating back to the 1980s or earlier.

Well, I'm happy to say that I finally took these beads and made them into exotic "Moroccan" inspired necklaces. I actually am quite pleased with the results of these necklaces. I have yet to post them on my Etsy shop but I will be doing that very soon.

What is Industrial Design?

2008-06-27T01:38:00.000-04:00

When people ask me what I studied at OCAD and I tell them Industrial Design (I.D.), they often look at me dumbfounded. What is Industrial Design? is a question that I hear often.

Well, there is no concrete - carved in stone definition. It's basically product design. Designing products like furniture, toys, product packaging, shoes, clothing, jewellery, cars, sporting equipment, kitchen appliances, ...you get the idea. It's the mass production of products BUT not always. It could be small scale production too! It's designing products that help make people's lives easier...supposedly. It's design that also takes aesthetics into account. Aesthetics is an important factor when purchasing a product. Just look at Apple computer products (the iPod Touch and the iPhone) and the success of the company.

On the flip side there is bad design too. Unattractive, badly made products that do not take the user (consumer) into consideration. Badly designed products that may injure the user (i.e. children's toys are often recalled) or are poorly made and difficult to understand their intended use.

Parents - do you ever have a hard time assembling your child's swing set? Do you ever have a hard time understanding how to program an electronic device like for example a digital camera or a movie camera? Does having too many knobs and buttons on a product confuse you? Does using new gadgets stress you? Have you ever wanted to toss your fax machine or printer out the window? Well, it's not you that is the problem. You are not an idiot for being unable to understand how to program a VCR. It is the designer and the engineer's fault. Bad products = bad design.

Here's your chance to vent. Tell me about a bad product experience that you have had. Or tell me about a great product experience you have had. Anything that makes you squeal with delight when you use it?! Tell me about it...I'm all ears.

So who are some famous Industrial Designers?

Philippe Stark

Raymond Loewy

Le Corbusier

Eileen Gray

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Alvar Aalto

Buckminister Fuller

Frank Gehry

and many others.

The following video clips will shed further light onto the question of what is I.D. ?

Shhhh...design project in the works

2008-06-11T23:02:00.000-04:00

I have been busy lately working on a new design project with my husband. We are designing a medical product. Unfortunately at this time, I will have to be a little bit cryptic as the design competition is being discussed on someone's blog.

It feels great to get my hands on a new project and revisit all the militant and fascist rules of design that I learned in school - not that there is anything wrong with that! For instance...what makes good design? is the product ergonomic? is the product user friendly? does form follow function? yada yada yada

Today I bought some Fimo and made a prototype. This prototype will be photographed and imported into Illustrator so that I can play around with the interface and colour swatches.

My husband is working on the design proposal and figuring out how this product will work.

The deadline to submit the design proposal is Sunday. I promise to share more about this mystery project once the competition is over. Wish us luck!!

On the road again...

2008-06-06T00:55:00.001-04:00

Yes, that's right. I'm going to Ottawa for the weekend. The nations capital. A large metropolitan city but much less crowded than Toronto. That's a GOOD thing!!
My husband is already there visiting with a friend and I will be joining him on Saturday. I'm taking the VIA Rail train. There is no way that I would agree to take a Greyhound bus to Ottawa. That would be torture especially with the impending heat wave we are expecting this weekend: 33 degrees Celsius!

If anyone has any suggestions as to what kinds of things to do in Ottawa, please let me know. I have visited Ottawa twice before so I have been to the popular tourist attractions like Parliament Hill, the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the National Gallery. The question is, "what do I do this time around?"

Greekish Delight

2008-06-03T16:16:00.000-04:00

I'm back from my 2 week trip to Athens. I must say I had a fantastic yet busy time. I helped my mother with the task of cleaning out all the closets in the house and bagging and disposing of 8 bags of my clothes and shoes/purses from the 1990s and around 30 or so English ESL books from my teaching days in Athens as well as my collection of University political science text books from Toronto that I had shipped to Greece when I moved there in 1993. Just to make note - there is nowhere (the equivalent of Goodwill or Salvation Army) to take used clothing to in Greece except distant monasteries or orphanages who expect you to shell out 40 Euros for a taxi to send the goods to them. We also asked some of our acquaintances if they knew of anyone who would like the clothing. We were repeatedly coming up against a brick wall. My mother and I put the bags of clothes and shoes next to the garbage bin and at some point during the night someone from the neighbourhood helped themselves to the many bags of clothes. Ditto with the books. Thank god for that, as I felt extremely guilty and angry with myself for "throwing" out perfectly good clothing and books into the trash. Greeks have "issues" with wearing second hand clothes or revealing to people that they want second hand...tsk tsk!

fruit bearing trees at home in suburb of Athens

The weather in Athens was quite hot and very sunny. The average temperature during my stay was hovering around 32 degrees Celsius. I also managed to make it to the beach one day and got a very bad sunburn on my shoulders. I did not wear sunblock. I became burned while plucking oysters and mussels out of the ocean by hand. My mother and I went to an island off the coast of Athens called Salamina. We spent the day with a childhood friend of my mother's who owned a beach house there. By the time I realized how badly I was burned, it was too late. My arms and shoulders were bright red and there was nothing I could about it but soothe the burn with standard after sun cream.

oyster picking in Salamina

fresh oysters picked by me and my mother

sunburn

sea urchin - my mother ate the eggs inside the cavity

there were plenty of jelly fish in the water that day

The highlight of my trip was eating fish and seafood practically everyday. Deep fried skate and squid, pickled octopus, steamed shrimp, grouper, sea bass, grilled fresh tuna, you name it. It was all very tasty and fresh from the local farmer's market. Then there was the delicious ice cream. Oh my god. I tried not to overdo it but I did consume 2 ice cream bars and 1 ice cream cone and more ice cream out of the carton at a friend's house. I also had my share of baklava, kadaifi, galaktoboureko, all syrupy and flaky and so buttery good. The tomatoes and watermelon in Greece are incredibly sweet and I had my fill of both. I also was offered some fresh farm eggs from a neighbour. The yolks were so vivid orange and I was tempted to have an omelette practically every second day. Which reminds me, I should have my cholesterol level checked.

Baklava

amazing double dipped rich dark chocolate coating vanilla and caramel ice-cream

Galaktoboureko (sweet custard and phyllo pie)

yum!

so good!

fresh farm eggs

large shrimp

pickled octopus salad

Then there is the shopping addiction I develop every time I go to Greece. Athens is indeed the place to shop especially during end of season sales - which - unfortunately for me - occurs in February and September. Nevertheless, I bought some clothes from an outlet mall/stock store for myself (yes, they exist even in Greece), I purchased quite a few items for my husband (at his request, of course), and some clothing items for each of my three nieces as they all have upcoming B-days.

I also overdid it on the shoe purchases. I bought 3 pairs for myself and one pair for my niece/goddaughter.

sandals and shoes!

purses and handbags!

Then there were the fragrant soaps and bath products with olive oil in them. I purchased some olive oil bath products for my S-I-L. What I had been ogling at for some time was the mastic infused skin care products. Apparently, mastic (fragrant tree resin used in Greek baking) added into skin care products is all the rage at the cosmetic counters and pharmacies. A bit too priceyfor me to indulge in purchasing this time around. Maybe next time.

The jewellery - as to be expected - was incredible and I purchased 2 inexpensive but interesting faux bijoux pieces for myself. I also became inspired to create some new jewellery pieces for my own projects.

At Monastiraki, I also picked up some kitcsh Greek souvenirs for friends. I love visiting the Monastiraki for it's quaint shops and winding pathways. It can be a tourist trap so I often practice caution (although bargaining is highly encouraged) but I always make sure that I talk Greek to the shop keepers so they don't try to pull a fast one on me. Tourists are easy targets in Athens for being swindled, especially by taxi drivers.

And finally, I packed my suitcase with oodles of 70% dark Pavlidis (health) chocolate for me and hubbie. Yeah, that is what the bars of dark chocolate state: "health chocolate." Don't you just love that?

I enjoyed traveling around the downtown of Athens by Metro. Their new, shiny and modern Metro system makes Toronto's subway system seem somewhat 3rd world. Of course the Athens Metro was built in 1999 whereas the Toronto Transit System has been around since the 1960s.

Athens Metro

I watched quite a bit of television in the evenings including the Eurovision music competition (Greece came in 3rd). Some very cheesy Greek celebrity talk shows, some B-rated American movies from the 80s and 90s, and the most annoying news / political discussions including arguments and insult-throwing by "experts." These debates are usually displayed on some 4 or 5 separate view panels on the tv screen, just like the opening scene to the Brady bunch show.

Hot debates included, the rising gas prices, the Eurovision competition and why Russia came in first, the rising prices of fresh produce, shootings during the elections in Yugoslavia (FYROM), debates around making Greece smoke free by 2010 (Greeks love their cigarettes), the first gay Greek marriage, going Green (FYI - I stumbled upon a recycling depot outside a major supermarket chain store, where you can dispose of glass bottles, metal cans and plastics. It was a 20 minute walk from the house. I only made it there on one occasion and disposed of about 15 bottles and cans. Other than that there is NO organized weekly recycling pick up (yet!) from residential areas. All the food scraps went into the garbage. Sad. So very sad.

The recycling depot outside AB Basilopoulos supermarket - you can chose to either redeem the bottle & cans for a coupon to use at the supermarket or donate the monetary credits to a children's charity. Interesting concept.

There is a wide range of non-Greek people now living permanently in Athens. For instance, there are people from Russia and many other Eastern European countries that have settled into the country, as well as Albanians, Romanians, Poles, Filipinos, Pakistanis and Indians, Chinese and Japanese. Greece has indeed become a country of foreign ethnicities and it is not unusual to find Japanese or Chinese restaurants in tourist destinations of the city.

As for cultural events, I attended none. I did not go to the Acropolis although I admired it from afar. I did not visit any museums but I saw plenty of archaeological sites on my daily trips to Athens. The downtown core of Athens was not yet teaming with throngs of tourists as it was still early in the season for that. In my opinion, the best time to go to Athens is May and late September to avoid tourist season.

All in all, I'm glad to be back home to the loving embrace of my husband. I'm also glad get out of the hot sun for a bit, although I do think a slight tan is actually quite becoming on me. And it's also nice to finally be back on-line as I was without my laptop and internet for the duration of my trip.

Athens bound

2008-05-17T01:56:00.000-04:00

This is what I will be viewing come Monday morning! Yesireebub, I am going to the country often referred to as the 'cradle of civilization' and to the origin of my roots...Athens, Greece!

As I was just in Greece approximately 8 months ago with my husband, I do not have an agenda or any special touristy plans for this trip other than to spend time with my mother and help her out with some domestic chores.

For those who have not seen the Acropolis or the Parthenon up close, I highly recommend that you get there soon. The Parthenon leaves you speechless. It is so majestic and colossal!! You feel so tiny next to it and revel in it's beauty and size. To think that this architectural wonder was built so long ago by people that had no access to modern technology or machinery is mind boggling. It leaves a lasting impression on any tourist -- young and old. You often find yourself asking "how did they build this structure so long ago?" It is often a question that baffles modern day architects and which has led to many discussions and debates in an effort to explain the Parthenon's construction during 448 - 432 BC.

Athens is like any other modern day city with many boutique shops and fine eateries, juxtaposed with the intensity of traffic congestion and acrid pollution. The city never really quiets down (or even sleeps) at night and the young locals are notorious for eating dinner at 10 or 11 pm and then proceeding to a beach side bar or patio to dance the night away.

Things I plan to see and do while I am in Athens:

visit shoe boutiques
browse through clothing boutiques
drool through the window of jewellery boutiques
stuff my face with baklava, ice cream, fresh fish and seafood
meet up with some relatives and friends
hang out with my mom
partake in major cleaning and organizing of the house my parent's own
get a bit of a tan
rest and relaxation
read books and magazines
watch some cheezy Greek television programs with subtitles
people watching
tell off taxi drivers who overcharge me - it has happened to me before and I actually spoke Greek to them too, so they knew I was not a tourist fresh off the plane
visit some Greek Orthodox churches
update my Greek identification and Euro Passport - time permitted

See you back here in early June.

As they say in Greek: Yeia sou!! (translation: good-bye & hello)

In with the new - out with the old!

2008-05-08T11:32:00.000-04:00

After being spoiled with a series of super sunny and warm days back in mid-April - May has greeted us with cooler temperatures and plenty of rain.

Now - don't get me wrong - I do believe that rain is good for cleaning up all the muck on the streets that our harsh, snowy winter left behind and it's also great for the newly sprouted plants, but I was not prepared and properly attired for these forthcoming rainy days. I don't own a raincoat or a waterproof jacket nor do I have waterproof shoes or rain boots. So these past few rainfalls, I have been wearing my old, decrepit and holey Pumas. Let me tell you now that those sneakers do little to protect your feet from puddles and rainfall. They actually absorb water like a sponge.

This is when I decided to visit my local MEC. Now for those of you that do not know, MEC or Mountain Equipment Co-op is a Canadian store that sells outdoor hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, camping and 'roughing it' equipment and supplies for the outdoorsy types.

I am not an outdoorsy type. I LOVE nature and I LOVE wildlife (which includes insects too!) but I cannot live in a tent or sleep in a sleeping bag. I have tried. I was miserable and achy. And yes I am a Canadian but I can't say I'm a fan of camping. My husband on the other hand is a seasoned camper. I do not know the first thing about canoing or rock climbing. He loves all kinds of outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. Oh dear!

So when I mentioned to hubbie the other day that I wanted to stop by MEC and pick up some clothing he was surprised. "What?" YOU want to buy clothing from MEC and not Etsy? Whoa!!

Yes that's right! I want to get a waterproof jacket and a soft fleece or hoodie and perhaps a couple of organic cotton t-shirts and maybe a pair of Keen sneakers.

Well, suffice to say, I made my purchases at MEC. I spent a good hour or more combing the racks of clothing. Saw some very nice, fluffy Patagonia fleeces which , in my opinion, were wayyyy over priced. I passed on that. I tried on the Keen sneakers that they had on display and found them very stylish and cute but not the MOST comfortable. Then I tried on this pair of urban walking sneakers and yes! - I bought them. They fit like a glove. Ergonomic and contoured to my feet. And comfortable - hurray!

I also picked up a raspberry-coloured, inexpensive hoodie that is very soft, and a light waterproof jacket lined with fleece in grey. Actually, I wore this jacket home as it was raining when I left MEC. It is waterproof!! And warm!! The jacket is great for our rainy spring weather but I do have a critique to make. It is not the greatest fit for a woman with curves. It is form fitting on the torso BUT with no extra room around the hip area. I hope it loosens up with regular wear. What was MEC thinking? That every customer that shops there will have an athletic and buff physique with broad shoulders and a narrow hips?? Real woman do have curves!

So yes, my trip to MEC proved to be a success and now when it rains on Sunday - I can actually go outdoors and not worry about getting water in my shoes and drenched to the bone.

I still have my eye on these short-sleeve organic cotton t-shirts and their longer-sleeved counterparts, although I do find them a bit on the plain side. I think I'll visit Etsy to see their collection of creative t-shirts for the time being.

Shoes: Comfort and Style do exist!

2008-04-28T23:51:00.000-04:00

In case you don't already know, I have an obsession with shoes. Most women do. However, I also find comfort an important factor when buying shoes.

I have had all kinds of unpleasant situations (blisters, callouses, corns) with ill-fitting shoes. Most new shoes will create some kind of unpleasantry to my feet. Even cushiony athletic sneakers will cause blisters the first few times I wear them.

When I was a young fashionista, I did not give one thought to comfort when I bought shoes. It was all about style and looking good. I suffered a lot those days. I remember one winter walking to school in these very trendy "Peter Pan" boots with a wrinkled leather exterior and a pointy toe. The soles were very slippery with no treads at all. I wore them on icy streets and took many slips and falls as a result. But I still wore them because after all I rather break a leg in style than look like a nerd when I was 18 years old.

Nowadays, when looking at shoes, I have a tendency to examine the shoe from all angles to ensure that they meet my strict criteria before I purchase them. Salespeople in shoe stores probably think I'm a weird piece of fruit but who cares! I will be wearing the shoes not them.
I don't care for stilettos. Or pointy toes. I like rounded toes or squarish toes on the shoes. I like flats but I also like a bit of a heel like a chunky heel or a kitten heel.

Recently I found myself at the mall and I popped into a bunch of shoe stores to see what sort of selections were available. I looked for a walking shoe with some pizazz. I also looked at sandals since summer is just around the corner. I did not want orthopedic looking shoes. I did not want shoes that would fall apart after a month of wear. I was really disappointed with the crappy shoe selection out there. I came home that day mumbling to myself about how I wish I could design shoes one day.

I decided to conduct a search for shoes on-line. One of the shoe sites I looked at was the New Balance website. I thought that they might have some decent walking shoes that are also comfortable. They did!! I saw a few pairs that I liked. But one pair that I REALLY wanted! A sandal/shoe hybrid. I had to drop by New Balance soon.

This past weekend I went to the nearest New Balance shoe store and tried on the pair that I was smitten with. They are really nicely designed shoes. When I tried them on, they felt incredible on my feet. Apparently the sole has some kind of memory foam so when you step into the shoe your foot sinks into the foam*(see specs below) and it feels so comfortable. Sold!!!

I won't tell you how much I paid for these very comfortable, stylish shoes because I'm still reeling from the shock. I do intend to get my money's worth from these shoes because they will go nicely with jeans, capris, skirts and yes - even dresses. And although I was hoping for something with some vibrancy and colour (not black) these shoes are unfortunately black.

Here is where the designer in me begins to conjure up colourway swatches for subsequent pairs of these shoes...black and red, tan and brown, silver and black, pink and brown, contrasting rubber sole/leather upper colours, contrast stitch colours...the possibilities are endless.

Shoe specs:

• Stridarc™ heeled rocker sole
• Full-length layer of Abzorb® cushioning
• Primalux™ comfort cushion topcover
• Removable Velocor™ footbed with stability cradle
• Soft-seam lining to avoid irritation
• Ionact® antibacterial protection

Happy Earth Day!

2008-04-22T14:52:00.000-04:00

I know I have not posted anything in a while. I have been busily studying (read: cramming) for my final exam tomorrow for the course: "Ecological Principles of Sustainability" at the Ontario College of Art and Design. This course was such an eye-opener and I learned a good deal about what I can do as a citizen to assist in the quest for sustainable living. The bulk of the course readings and discussions included articles promoting alternative energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal powered homes and products, energy efficiency/renewable energy, ecosystems and human interferences, natural selection/evolution and modern day sustainability in our city.

Coincidentally, it is also Earth Day today and although I don't have any special celebrations planned for the day, I wanted to share something super cool with you readers.

A few weeks ago I purchased this from Etsy.com:

It's a wooden cuff made from reclaimed wood with a screenprinted image of a honeycomb pattern. I love the whole idea behind this bracelet cuff. 1) It's mahogany wood. 2) The wood is reclaimed. 3) It's biodegradable. 4) It is lightweight and fits snugly on my wrist. 4) I love the image of the honeycomb on the surface. Insects are my thing and I find them so fascinating especially how they build their homes and habitats.

The brains behind this wooden cuff is the creative and talented Industrial Designer - Sara Schalliol. She also has some colourful, geometric necklaces on her Etsy shop made from wood, which I have been coveting for some time. And that is not all. Sara also designs and creates some funky jewellery trees for displaying your jewellery collectables.

So if you want to make an eco-conscious purchase today to commemorate Earth Day look no further than here.

Why couldn't I have thought of this idea when I was a student studying Industrial Design and had access to an abundance of wood scraps from the wood shop...doh!

Green Coupons Galore

2008-03-31T21:03:00.001-04:00

My little green book of BIG savings arrived today in the mail. I am so excited. It is full of local, Toronto-based 'green' businesses that are offering products and services for the aspiring ecoholic.

I can't wait to use the coupons to get a discount on a bicycle tune up or to purchase some new accessories for my bike like a wire basket. I'm so excited...Ohhhhh yeah!

I tend to be a coupon hound. I have the Entertainment coupon book for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. I have used a dozen or so of these coupons/vouchers for discounts on restaurant meals and blockbuster movies.

I also go on-line and do a Google search for coupon sites that offer coupons to use in my city. I use coupons for groceries (Europe's Best frozen berries) and for entertainment (Cineplex theatres) and other necessities such razors and Tylenol.

This book offers some great deals! My husband couldn't even believe it . He thought it was a typo when one of the coupons indicated receive $20 off your groceries when you shop at "Organics on Bloor" (Street) ...can you believe that?

Some vegetarian/vegan/organic restaurants offer free appetizers. Others offer 10% off the bill. You can also find coupons to get you discounts (or one free class) for yoga or Pilates or a massage or a facial discount at an organic spa called Elixir. There are even services offered for your furry buddy like a nail clipping for Fido or Morris. It's also a great way to try out new restaurants and visit local businesses.

I think (for now) this little green book is only offered in Toronto. But you just never know, perhaps later 'the little green book' will become so popular that it will be available in other provinces. Spread the word.

Here is the site if you want to find out more about this little green gem!

Will you be switching off your lights?

2008-03-28T21:14:00.001-04:00

Did you know that North Americans consume more energy than any other country? Even countries that have a vastly higher population like China and India, use significantly less electricity than the United States and Canada.

Did you know that light pollution can effect the environment?

Did you know that lighting can also affect human health? "Research has been being done on the subject for years and it is well known that indoor fluorescent lighting can cause many health problems such as migraine headaches, fatigue, irritability and many other health conditions."(www.earthaffairs.com)

Did you know that continuous lighting may destroy crops, trees and even wildlife?
"Light pollution is defined as the lightening of the night sky due to artificial light being scattered about, it is also known as sky glow. Unnecessary light not only wastes massive amounts of electricity, but it adversely affects wildlife as well." (www.earthaffairs.com)

Do you want to know what you can do to make a positive change? Read this.

For further information, here is the link to the World Wildlife Federation Fund (WWF).

Lights out!!

A lot will be happening in Canada on March 29th!

Canada has one of the highest participation rates around the globe with over 150 cities participating! Check below for a list of some events and some of the iconic buildings and landmarks that will be turning off their lights Saturday. Check your local news for more events near you or host your own Earth Hour Celebration for your friends and neighbours.

HALIFAX:
The MacDonald Bridge, City Hall, Parade Square, Halifax Water Commission's main building and Nova Scotia Community College

OTTAWA:
The Parliament Buildings

NIAGARA:
Niagara Falls

TORONTO:
CN Tower, Toronto Eaton Centre, Fairmont Royal York Hotel and Honest Ed's

Nathan Phillips Square - 6:45pm free concert featuring Nelly Furtado!

Toula Restaurant, Westin Harbour Castle - special "$60 Earth Hour" Dinner Menu

Library Bar, Fairmont Royal York - special "cocktail hour", including specially mixed drinks in honour of Earth Hour

David Dunlop Observatory, Richmond Hill - at dusk, star gazing

Murphy's Law Pub, The Beach - special candle light dinner with menu prepared by chef Shayne Legassie, featuring unique cold foods! 1702 Queen Street East

Public Pot Luck Dinner - 5:30 to 7:30pm, with candle light parade around the park and along the Danforth @ 7:30pm. Bring food reusable dishes and cutlery. All welcome.

Candle Light Yoga - with proceeds going to WWF-Canada.
The Big Stretch, 1560 Bayview Avenue Suite 303, 416-486-4448
Fireflow Yoga, 172 Eglinton Avenue East 2nd floor (3 blocks east of Yonge & Eglinton), 416-839-6621
Moksha Yoga Downtown, 860 Richmond Street, 416-737-8936

VANCOUVER:
Science World of British Columbia, Olympic Flag, City Hall Clock, VanCity, BC Hydro, City of Vancouver, Lions Gate Bridge, Cambie Street Bridge, Burrard Street Bridge and Harbour Tower

HARTLEY BAY, BC:
Whole community!

I'm an Ecoholic.

2008-03-21T22:49:00.000-04:00

I've been reading this book for a couple of days and I highly recommend it. I borrowed the book from the library but I am actually considering getting my own copy. It's a great reference book. If you haven't yet become aware of the many environmental issues surrounding our daily lives as well as the impact it has to our health - I suggest you have a peek into this book by Canadian writer Adria Vasil.

This book is chock full of tips and suggestions on alternative products that replace the harsh chemical based and environmentally destructive ones, found on the shelves of our local drug stores and supermarkets.

From cosmetics (my weakness) to household cleaners (I use vinegar to mop my floors) to food and clothing and everything in-between. This book addresses ways to make the switch from using for instance, an antiperspirant that is full of cancer-causing chemicals to an alternative and safer deodorant from 'Green Beaver Company' (a Canadian company, naturally).

Case in point, for the past 6 months I had been using a roll-on deodorant that clearly stated "No Aluminum Chlorohydrate" right on the cap. This week I made the switch to a deodorant from 'Green Beaver Company' when I discovered (by reading 'Ecoholic') that my regular deodorant's ingredients (listed right on the package in uber tiny font), actually contained formaldehyde. Yup, that's right - a cancer causing agent, that I was strategically applying to my armpits day after day, right next to my lymph nodes. Disgusting and scary!

So basically, the villain deodorant is from a company that makes OMBRA bath and hygiene products. They were touting their products as being "alternative" by removing the agent that is known for causing Alzheimer's - yet they added a slew of other harmful agents thus creating a misleading product for people concerned about what they put on their skin.

If you are ready to stop supporting companies that only care about making millions by selling their toxic chemical laden products, get your hands on a copy of this book.

Even if you only make one change in your daily regime, it's a positive change that will help you and the environment around you.

Disclaimer: I do not work for the 'Green Beaver Company' nor am I related to Adria Vasil. I am not pitching these products for any other reason other than to talk about my health and yours.

Comedic Relief

2008-03-15T16:19:00.000-04:00

Since I'm making good progress on my biological succession research report, I thought that I would take a break and post this YouTube clip:

A very serious issue yet spoken about in funny way (read: tongue in cheek). This is a clip of Ellen DeGeneres on a recent episode of her daytime talk show addressing a homophobic politician's comments about homosexuality.

I also think that Ellen's response ties in nicely with my "keep it simple" approach on this blog.

You're awesome Ellen!!!

Enjoy folks!

Life

2008-03-09T18:26:00.001-04:00

It has been a month since I last posted. I have been extremely busy and don't have much time for blogging these days. Between working all day, going to night school, doing the required weekly readings, studying for quizzes and tests and writing essay reports, plus trying to make it to the gym once or twice a week and spending my weekends house hunting...as you can see - I'm pooped!!

I will be back to my weekly postings soon but right now I do need to return to the essay on ecological succession, which I am currently writing.

I love Mary Janes.

2008-02-10T01:19:00.000-05:00

CYDWOQ

Women love shoes and I am no exception. My dream job is to one day work at a shoe company designing shoes. In my world, shoes have to have the following qualities: snazzy/aesthetic/stylish/funky design, comfort, durability and all at reasonable price. Tall order - I know. Mind you, I know that a good pair of shoes can set you back a few hundred. I have been known on occasion to dish out up to $200 for a pair of shoes without batting an eye...no regrets. If you're going to invest in a stylish and comfortable pair of shoes - I say, you get what you pay for.

I love mary janes. That's right, timeless, classic mary janes. I have several pairs and variations of the classic mary jane in a slew of colours. There's a bronze pair (purchased 5 years ago and stlll ticking) with a slight kitten heel (Kenneth Cole) and a red pair of Chinese flats (China town) and several black pair - one of which is a partial shiny patent leather (Bandolino). I even have a two-toned spectator mary jane shoe with a kitten heel...a style right out of the 1940's (Franco Sarto).

Mary Janes are so cute! They can be worn with both pants and skirts. They make my feet look good and feel even better. No pinched toes or bony outgrowths as a result of wearing pointy stiletto shoes. Don't get me wrong, high heels make ones legs appear longer, more streamlined, they emphasize the muscles on a woman's legs, men find them sexy and they complete the look of a sophisticated business suit or a dress for a formal black tie event. They are also very uncomfortable and throw your posture out of alignment and over the years can create irreversible damage to your feet. I really am amazed when I see women wear them everyday to work. Ouch!

Every season there is a new take on the classic mary jane and I'm right there in the shoe stores, mulling over the new seasons selection...which pair do I buy this year?

John Fluevog

Giddyup: horsepower processor

2008-02-03T16:38:00.000-05:00

Since my wedding in 2006, I have made some (long overdue) household purchases to equip my kitchen with the necessary basic kitchen tools and apparatuses. We did not have a wedding gift registry. We told our 15 guests, "no gifts please" as we did not plan to host a dinner reception afterwards. We went to a restaurant. Everyone paid for their own meal. As a result, no wedding gifts meant that we had to start from scratch. Well, almost. My husband and I had a couple of things from our own bachelor and bachelorette kitchens...nothing matched...a lot of it was getting old. We had to start anew.

One of the first things I longed for was a food processor. (And, just to digress - the second kitchen item I have been longing for is one of these.) Although not really a kitchen "must-have" I had been eyeing the Cuisinart and KitchenAid line of kitchen processors and admired them for their aesthetic appeal and selection of funky colours. It's their design that won me over. Of course, I expected the device to also kick ass in the kitchen! I trusted that Cuisinart or KitchenAid would make me a happy homemaker. It also had a good reputation to back it up.

I never did get my 'fancy-schmancy' Cuisinart or KitchenAid food processor because I could not afford the steep price. A few months ago, I purchased a Black & Decker 10-cup food processor in stainless steel and black - and I am enamoured by it's strength and power. Vrooom!! It has MEGA horsepower. It pulverizes food with its blade and creates the most amazing, smooth and creamy garlic hummus and black olive tapenade in the blink of an eye.

Granted - it's not as pretty as a Cuisinart or a KitchenAid and does not come in a choice of red, or pink or blue but aesthetics aside, I am very happy with this purchase. The good thing is that it only has 3 blades that you can use...not a lot of excess parts to fuss over which means, not a lot of washing afterwards. Hurray! The first blade slices and grates. The second blade minces and mixes and the third blade is a dough blade (!) That is all. I can certainly live with this simplicity. Like I always say: keep it simple and you can't go wrong.

Oh yeah, one more thing: the price was good to my bank account too!

My rating for this product: 4.5 out of 5

Convenience (1)
Durability (1)
Functionality (1)
Aesthetic (0.5)
Safety (1)

Where is Bucky Fuller when you need him?

2008-01-27T15:24:00.000-05:00

For the past month my husband and I have been attending open houses on the weekends with the intention of purchasing our first home.

To say that the quality of housing in our city is "pathetic" is an understatement.

We have seen houses for sale that are in very bad shape and in need major renovations. I do not like doing renovations. We also saw houses for sale that have been gutted and restored and are absolutely stunning, the price hovering around $499,000. Purchasing one of those latter homes would require us to fall into serious financial debt and probably eat Kraft dinner everyday for the next 20 years. I am not prepared to do that.

We have even toyed with the idea of purchasing a condo to keep the cost down ( I do not like condos) but with the added monthly condo maintenance fees hovering from between $300 to $800, you might as well buy a small starter home and have a small garden too!

It comes as no surprise that most young couples today have to move to the burbs (yech!) in order to get more bang for their buck but then spend 3 hours a day traveling to and from work.

We need to remain in the city because our jobs are here, as well as our friends, our fitness gym, our doctors and naturopaths, and as such it suits our lifestyle. We don't own a car nor do we want to. In the summer we bike or walk around the city. We enjoy having shops and markets within walking distance. We also like like to do our part for the environment. Living in the city enables us to do this.

Conceptually speaking, the Buckminister Fuller, energy-efficient and low-cost "Dymaxion House" is just what I need. Fuller designed several variations of the Dymaxion house, which was basically a home building kit which could be propped up on site. Made of aluminum sheeting and designed to resemble a 'flattened bell' - this pod-like structure would certainly be a welcome sight in today's quest for sustainable living. Equipped with a mist shower for water conservation and other energy saving amenities, Bucky's Dymaxion is a perfect match for my lifestyle. Unfortunately, it would never fly in my city.

Instead, my intelligence and my bank account have been insulted by the real estate market. $300, 000 gets you a starter home - what MLS likes to refer to as a "renovator's delight" (gag!). Many of these houses require a new roof, a new furnace and/or air conditioner, new electric wiring to replace the knob and tube, hardwood to replace the mite-infested broadloom, new tempered glass, double pane storm windows to keep the heat and the cold out, and what on earth does one do with a driveway if they don't plan on purchasing a car??

Cities around the world have already begun introducing a variety of alternative housing arrangements for the modern and environmentally aware home buyer, pod-like structures reminiscent of Buckminster Fuller's designs and futuristic, sci-fi movies.

The UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan and many more countries around the world have woken up to the benefits of living small, and energy efficient. The UK has introduced an idea for new age housing called the ecological kit house. Even in Mexico, once considered an underdeveloped country ecological houses are sprouting up like jalapenos peppers.

I want a small, low cost ecological house. I would like my home to have energy efficient technology and a small garden so in the summer months I can grow my own tomatoes and peppers.

Instead, I get nonsense like this.

A friend indeed.

2008-01-25T12:25:00.000-05:00

Okay! I have a confession to make. I do not like raw apples. I know what you are thinking. What an odd ball I am. I can explain. It’s the sour factor. I can’t handle sour fruit. On the rare occasion, when I have bitten into an apple, I shiver and cringe as the sour juices attack my palate. And the texture – it reminds me of a raw potato. Apples, in a pie or a strudel with cinnamon and brown sugar, on the other hand – bring it on!!

Despite my aversion to apples, I still challenge myself by eating them every now and then. I have tried many varieties of apples and my favourite has got to be the humble McIntosh apple: proudly Canadian!

Here’s why I like it: It’s small. Not too sour. Crispy on the outside. Juicy on the inside. Fresh flavour. Done in three bites.

My husband on the other hand, loves apples. We always have an abundance of them in the refrigerator. A couple of times while searching for a piece of fruit to take with me to work, I have reluctantly grabbed an apple. Very reluctantly. At work while eating an apple, I have often imagined and daydreamed about how this apple would taste better - dipped in caramel sauce or chocolate sauce. Hey – I’m always thinking…

This year, I am making a conscious effort to eat more apples. *gasp*

You know what they say: “An apple a day...”

But seriously now. What factor (or tool) made me change my apple aversion? Maybe, just maybe, I can change my aversion to apples by making it ‘effortless’ to eat an apple. You know, getting rid of the yuck factor, i.e. seeds, core, stem, slicing it into uniform pieces...Eureka!!!

One day - not too long ago, while I was browsing at Canadian Tire, I came to linger - somewhat obsessively - over this tool:

An apple cutter and corer. Now I ask you…who owns this tool? Does anyone actually feel the need to shell out $6 for this instrument?

Well, I did. And I love it! If you bake or cook with apples a lot, you too will enjoy this kitchen tool.

After washing the apple, I whip out this tool and ha-ching!! Apple cored and sectioned lickety-split. I throw the wedges into a small container pop it in the fridge and it’s ready for work the next day.

Yes - a knife can certainly do what this apple cutter/corer can - but it’s not the same. The safety issue is foremost in my mind. Knives cut fingers. The apple cutter/corer doesn’t. What about the efficiency of this tool? A flawless execution folks!! One downward movement with the apple cutter/corer takes care of several movements with a traditional knife. Brilliant!

Despite the use of this kitchen tool, the apple is still not my favourite fruit. Having this little "tool" however, brings an element of fun into the arena. It's clean and simple design makes it easy to use and to understand it's intended purpose. The symmetry of the apple cutter/corer and it's combination of simple curves and lines, combined with it's high chrome finish lends a simple, aesthetic appeal.

For more information about apple cutter/corers - follow this link:

http://recipes.suite101.com/blog.cfm/apple_corers_peelers_and_cutters

I'm giving this product a 5 out of 5 based on the following criteria:

Convenience
Easy to Use/Functional
Durable
Safe
Aesthetic

This product review is based on the following criteria:
Usability/Functional
Safety/Comfort
Aesthetics
Convenience
Durability

A Good Product.

2008-01-18T20:10:00.000-05:00

Well folks, it's that time of year again. Back to a fitness regime. I signed up at a local fitness club recently, really keen on getting back into an aqua fitness program, as I really came to enjoy it in the past. It's the perfect form of exercise for me and my ailing back.

While in the process of purchasing the required pool necessities: bathrobe, combination lock, mini shampoo/conditioner bottles and other fitness club regalia, I came across this product by Speedo.

It's basically a chamois and boy-o-boy does it soak up water. After my first swim class, I used the chamois to absorb the residual water from my hair and I was amazed at it's absorbent ability. It's better than a towel because you can actually wring it out and re-use it, whereas a bath towel remains wet and heavy until you throw it in the dryer.

I've also seen this chamois at MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op / www.mec.ca) and the great thing is that MEC carries these in various sizes and colours. I purchased my chamois from New Balance (www.newbalance.com) and it comes in a variety of colours: pink, yellow, white, green, purple and blue but alas, it was only available in one size: the size of a face towel (12.5" x 16.5").

Nevertheless, I highly recommend this product to those individuals that dread having to carry bulky towels to the gym and wet, heavy towels back home. And for those individuals - like myself - who do not want to pay an extra fee for towel service.

I'm giving this product 4 out of 5 based on the following: usability/functional, convenience, safety, and durability.

In terms of aesthetics I found this product lacking - which is totally okay. I don't feel that this product necessarily needs to be aesthetic. Despite the various colours avaliable - I found the appearance of this chamois reminiscent of an auto chamois and not a body towel.

Product review is based on the following criteria:

Usability/Functional
Safety/Comfort
Aesthetics
Convenience
Durability

A Late Bloomer.

2008-01-17T23:18:00.000-05:00

Well, I made it to Blogland. Not sure why it took me so long to set up a blog. Laziness? No, not really. Procrastination? Maybe. Feeling overwhelmed with the complexity of setting up this site? Sure. Being a perfectionist? Hmm, probably. Unsure about what topics to focus on? Of course. I've got too many things on my mind: The environment. Sustainable living. Product design. Shoes. Purses. Clothes. Films. Art. Books. Food. Jewellery (jewellery!). The list goes on. Well folks. I'm here now and that's all that matters. Better late than never. Stay tuned...