Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Music & Musings

[album cover via monsterdinosaur]

Drinking my new favourite tea(Revitalise from Pukka: Cinnamon bark, ginger root, cloves and black pepper, elderflowers, orange peel!!), making plans with Amanda to attend the oneofakind show later this week, and listening to her favourite record of the moment: The Crackling's Keep Full Ambitions. It is the perfect soundtrack to accompany a cold, rainy night, and makes writing research statements quite pleasant, actually. Thanks Kenton, for the lovely tunes!  

*I've thought about changing the title of these posts to music, musings & tea. Yes, I drink exorbitant amounts of tea and enjoy hoarding it as well :)

Rainy day blues





On gloomy and wet days like today I am reminded of the wonderful camping trip I had over the summer, on the grasslands of Amdo, Tibet. After a cold and damp first day we were graced with a beautiful sunset and an even more spectacular sunrise the next morning. It's hard to describe the quiet calmness I felt watching the sun rise over those rolling green hills; to be in such a remote place, far from the stresses of everyday life...I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience that.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Home Inspiration: Yumiko Sekine





Yumiko Sekine's beautifully serene home is such inspiration to tidy up the house and get rid of any excesses. I love the patchwork linen curtain, gingham tablecloth, and pretty pretty ceramics. (Thanks, design*sponge, for always being a bright part of my day!) 

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Canadian Sweaters





I love these 'Canadian sweaters' from the Japanese shop Coton + deux. As a proud Canadian, I must say that they look warm and cozy enough to make even the harshest winter nights tolerable (although I live in one of the more temperate parts of Canada...).

Friday, November 26, 2010

Photo Inspiration: Arctic Aerials by Robert B. Haas






Stunningly beautiful photos of the Arctic shot by Robert B. Haas for National Geographic,  featured in the photo book, Through The Eyes of the Vikings.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Music & Musings: Sick at Home edition


Sipping on homemade 'cold be gone' tea (lots of grated ginger, lemon, honey) and listening to the wonderful debut LP, Mount Chimaera, from Brasstronaut. Something about it is so comforting & familiar, and manages to inspire me to accomplish whatever needs to be done (at this particular moment: get over this malaise/cold and work on grad apps). 

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Happy Wednesday



Happy Wednesday! This video of Cookie Monster auditioning for SNL has been making the Internet rounds. (I first saw this yesterday thanks to TOfoodie!)
Blah blah blah cookie joke cookie joke :)

Happy birthday, Jonathan!


Happy birthday to my younger brother, who is the definition of someone who 'works hard and plays hard'. Hope you have the best day and a great 23rd year! (I know you will what with multiple trips planned and a new condo to move into...)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Reminder of Spring


As we inch closer and closer to the winter solstice the days seem unbearably short. This morning felt like the first day of spring - blue skies, a light balmy breeze, and cyclists in shorts - but of course by the afternoon the temperature had dropped to a cool 4 degrees.


I took these photos back in the April, when the cherry blossoms in High Park were in full bloom and everywhere you looked were happy crowds enjoying the perfect weather. We had the most lovely dinner picnic, complete with a spread of tasty cheeses, market-fresh bread, local wine, and lots of friends, new and old dropping by. I can't wait until the first days of spring roll around again!


Until then I guess we do have the magical first snowfall, steamy hot chocolate, and twinkly holiday lights to forward to... ;) 

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Happy Wednesday



Babies eating lemons for this week's Happy Wednesday! Thanks to Karen for tweeting this.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Music & Musings


Listening to Alexi Murdoch on the Away We Go soundtrack, looking at pretty vintage clothing on etsy, and sipping some tasty vanilla rhubarb tea.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Music & Musings


Considering the future (grad school) while listening to memphis' a little place in the wilderness.

Happy Wednesday



My good friend Danielle sent me this video of a Labrador and dolphin swimming together in an Irish harbour (Treehugger also posted it yesterday). Enjoy :)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Music & Musings


Reminiscing about springtime picnics and enjoying cup of hot 'Bedtime' tea while listening to The Lighthouse and the Whaler's self-titled LP (perfect spring music!).