fieldguided

through milk-tinted glasses

2012-02-27T15:28:00.000-05:00

Another outtake from the Scout & Catalogue shoot. These colours! I am now so enamoured of Kodak Portra 160 that I even enjoy taking pictures of nothing in particular.

A few of our recent postcards. Yes, the top one was inspired by the Craft Spells album cover.

A paperweight, a piece of pink glass sent by Jenya, a dream catcher that Carly gave me for my birthday (a First Nations-made one that she picked up in Thunder Bay). I am on my way to being this guy! Just kidding.

These SUPER knockoffs from ASOS are amazing, but also kind of terrible.

A beautiful handprinted tank dress from Thief & Bandit.

I am not one for much pattern usually, but Amie’s work is so incredible and these colours are so perfect for me that I can’t resist it. Hello, summer 2012 wardrobe staple.

fortnight studio visit

2012-02-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

On a gloomy day last week I stopped by the Fortnight Lingerie studio in Parkdale for a quick visit & took some photos while I was there. They had just finished up a production deadline & on this day things were a bit quiet. It was a lovely visit nonetheless & I am still no closer to making up my mind about what items I would love to order (because I want them all, you see).

This incredible musical note sign came off the front of Christina’s family’s music store. So amazing. That sign was hung in front of the store my whole childhood! It's nice that she was able to keep it.

Christina got these shoes at Chasse Gardée and they are the cuuutest.

I love this one, called Lola. I definitely recommend visiting a shop and trying on the pieces, if there happens to be a stockist local to you. Luckily, there are quite a few shops in Toronto that carry Fortnight.

Pretty postcard magnets from an event Fortnight did in Portland with Lille.

As I said, things were quiet on that day, but my friend Derrick Belcham recently made a sweet video showing Fortnight in production. Beautiful!

MADE IN CANADA from FORTNIGHT LINGERIE on Vimeo.

Thanks for letting me visit, Fortnight. x

treats

2012-02-13T17:17:00.001-05:00

Some treats for an unpleasant month (sorry, February babies). Katie-style.

Society 6 iPhone case, Nebula 3 by ThoughtCloud. The way I see it, I buy artwork for my walls, why not for something that I have on my person literally all day long? The case is really beautiful, although, sadly, it has already started chipping a bit along one of the edges.

Geoff & I aren’t really Valentine’s people, but I always feel compelled to get him something. This year I cheated and bought something both of us would want. I was walking past Soundscapes and I was happy to see both Blouse and Craft Spells records for sale because I had almost ordered these online. Plus free downloads, supporting my favourite music store, and beautiful art work! Sold. I gave them to Geoff over the weekend because I am not so good at surprises.

(The above picture was taken with the Diana lens that I had forgotten I owned.)

I’m going through a major Captured Tracks phase at the moment because I suspect that most of the bands on that label spent their formative years listening to the exact same music that I did. I can’t help but love nearly the entire label’s roster. It’s science, probably. A+ art department as well. Really into “Sleepwalking” by Cosmetics and “Harsh Realm” by Widowspeak.

A lucky find: deadstock vintage heart hoops. Rose petals on my fingers.

A shaggy, pretty hanging from Fleurlux, which I first spotted on Ashley Helvey’s blog.

An arrangement from Coriander Girl: always wonderful. Alison has just moved into a new, airy space that is so appropriately lovely for flower arranging.

repository pt. 3

2012-02-09T15:48:00.000-05:00

1. I saw this image posted to Laura’s Instagram account (laurakitty) and now I can’t wait to get my hands on the March issue of Elle UK. Clémence Poésy in Valentino, photographed by Pierre Bailly, and styled by Leith Clark. Beautiful! Incidentally, I got out of bed ten minutes later than I had wanted to the day this video was posted because I had to watch the whole thing: soft tonal makeup video by Lisa Eldridge.

2. Yesterday I heard that the March issue of Mojo is going to include a CD of Leonard Cohen covers, and I love this Bill Callahan cover of “So Long, Marianne.” I have listened to it approximately 8748273 times already. True story: for a short while I worked for a rare/fine book dealer who knew Leonard Cohen personally, and apparently one time over lunch my boss tried to convince him to give up the music and focus on writing poetry only. He told me this very sheepishly.

3. Sweet Alyson has just opened a print shop! I love this piece, The Pink Palace, and not only because it has a kitten in it (although I do love the kitten as well). I adore her quiet, calm aesthetic.

4. Pictures I ran through Instagram and never actually posted of my current daily makeup: Baby Lips lip balm, tons of blush (Sephora’s own in Healthy Rose), and the eyebrow powder I got from Eye Love. I am kind of obsessed with the Maybelline Baby Lips balms. There are probably lots of moisturizing lip products with a slight tint out there (including some with more natural ingredients) but I guess I am a sucker for inexpensive things in cute packaging. In the picture of me I’m wearing Cherry Me.

5. Pastel wonderland at the ASOS SS12 preview via one of my favourite blogs, Park & Cube.

6. A cute short/mood piece (!) called “After the Honeymoon” made by East Side Bride for Catbird. I would like all of those rings, please. Behind the scenes shot via ESB, taken by Cary Tijerina. Bonus little puppy alert! (Watch the video.)

7. Really loving Montréal designer Eve Gravel’s SS12 collection, especially the dark florals.

8. & 9. I can’t say that I am really that excited for Valentine’s Day, but I love an excuse for a good heart-shaped object, like these heart-shaped sunglasses from ASOS or these hilarious heart brass knuckles from Summerland.

I definitely encourage a Valentine’s day heart confetti attack/glitter gold mess just like the one we made last Friday!

associates

2012-02-08T13:20:00.000-05:00

These are just a few snaps from a few weekends ago when Geoff & some friends & I went to a few shows that were a part of the Toronto Design Offsite Festival, including Capacity and Not Forkchops. We walked along Dundas in the middle of a tiny blizzard that night, and I blushed every time someone walked by with one of the Os Mutantes totes.

Associates at Cooper Cole. The graphic designers in our group were trying to figure out what font this was. What the Font app consulted to confirm Bauer Bodoni. Thanks, technology!

At some point Chelsea noticed that all the boys were dressed similarly (two in gingham, even!). I had to censor some of the handsomeness because sometimes boys can be shy.

scout & catalogue spring 2012 pt. 2

2012-02-06T15:02:00.000-05:00

The Scout & Catalogue official lookbook is up; click here to view it. Exclamation points!!!

While Bre is off in Mexico and before she launches the full spring line, I thought I would share a few more images from Friday. I ended up with about 400, so yeah, there are quite a lot. I still can’t get over how beautiful Monika is and how beautiful her makeup was (blush to the max, always and forever). It's funny: the vibe of Bre’s work is generally so beachy and “bohemian,” but this shoot turned out so pretty & springlike. I, of course, adore that.

For this shoot—I say that as though I have shoots all the time—I used a mix of Fujipro 400H and 160S as well as Kodak Portra 160. The 160 shots are a bit peachier and milkier.

(The clutches in this pile are just calling my name.)

scout & catalogue spring 2012 pt. 1

2012-02-05T16:48:00.001-05:00

I mentioned here that Geoff & I were going to be working with Bre of Scout & Catalogue on a project, and here is a little sneak peek (although if you follow me on Twitter/Instagram/like Fieldguided on Facebook, you have already seen some of this). Bre had asked if we were willing to shoot her spring collection lookbook; my first reaction was to say no out of fear/intimidation since I have never even assisted on a shoot, but I knew that if she were asking in the first place, she trusted what we could do. Also, I know that I should always try harder at everything, so I said yes.

I am so happy that we did it and I love the results. She had an amazing team, a great location, & since Bre is such a good art director, of course we would capture white magic on film... We shot both film & digital but of course, my favourite shots are all on film, specifically on Kodak Portra 160.

I have to let Bre share the lookbook first, of course (it should be on her blog tomorrow), but no doubt I will plaster this blog with images over the next little while. This new collection is her best yet. Ugh! I love it.

Scout & Catalogue Spring 12
Photography : Anabela Carneiro + Geoff Piersol (Fieldguided)
Art Direction : Breanna Musgrove
Hair + Make-up : Elena Pacienza
Model : Monika Chelchowski

scout & catalogue spring 2012 shoot from anabela on Vimeo.

eye love

2012-02-02T14:50:00.000-05:00

I had my eyebrows reshaped at Eye Love Brow & Beauty Bar last week, and I was so happy with the experience. As someone who grew up in the 1990s and who has a brow that is naturally thick and lush (a horror to me as a 13 year old), I had overplucked my eyebrows to the point where I can’t look at the graduation portrait that hangs in my parents’ living room without cringing. When I had bangs I didn’t care about my eyebrows too much, but now they’re on display in a prominent place on my face, and I needed help.

I let them grow wild for a few months, and it was starting to get a little scary, so booked an appointment at Eye Love after a tweet from Natalie. I am so glad I did. I usually feel a little self-conscious having someone—including beauty professionals—that close to my face, but Mary was a sweetheart who put me right at ease by explaining her methods (she doesn’t follow trends, for one, which is important). She spent quite a long time working her magic, and I was thrilled with the results. Definitely the best $30 I have spent in a while. A whole new face! I believe!

Geoff took this silly picture of me hiding behind some roses and the light is catching one side of my face in an unfortunate way but my eyebrows are perfectly symmetrical, which they definitely were not before. I got a powder palette from Eye Love (made specially for the shop), which is the best brow product I have tried.

Afterwards I met with Bre for coffee (I was feeling pretty high on cool eyebrow vibes) and she was wearing THE BEST coat. Nice coat, Bre.

repository pt. 2

2012-02-01T18:54:00.000-05:00

I picked up the new Plaid magazine and it’s so good, filled with super beautiful editorials like this one. Local heroes!

1. There’s a new issue of Plant Journal out! I got the first issue at a pop-up shop so it would be cool if I could find it locally again.
2. Oh hey, adorable See by Chloé sandals that have already gone on sale.
3. Sad that So Much to Tell You is no more, but happy that Natalie has a new blog. That little list of things she loves on the side? Delightful.
4. The pleated skirt in my last post was from the thrift store, and I wear it so much that I might need to think about a backup (it will always be #1 in my heart). This one from ASOS is pretty similar (I love the peachy coral colour), although it seems to be out of stock, which it wasn't this morning. Never mind...
5. I always love Katie’s posts, especially when she writes about beauty products. I can't stop thinking about that NARS pink blush. It makes me think of that excellent feature on blush in The Gentlewoman a while ago, which I think about all the time; even if the images were in black & white I can just see that model wearing Gaiety. What a beautiful shade! Maybe not for my colouring, but so pleasant to look at.

6. Cutest image from Bre’s blog. Mouse is such a pretty lady. Geoff & I are going to be working with Bre on Friday and I am so, so nervous but also so, so excited.
7. This fake spring weather makes me wish I could get away with wearing a cape instead of a heavy coat, but we’re not quite there. This beauty is one worth daydreaming about, I think (no need to remind me that I already own a few capes while I am daydreaming).
8. A hair style to attempt on my own.
9. I loved these photos of Chelsea’s apartment on Luxirare! I remember reading about the I Love You Pink paint, so it was amazing to see it. Plus, I admit it: I LOVE Kylie Minogue. What?
10. Cat lady special! Anja turned me on to the best Instagram account in the universe: if you use it, look up the user wa_sabi. Ugh! So adorable.

chained

2012-01-30T13:30:00.001-05:00

A few months ago I came across a post on Onward, Lulu that featured a DIY for a Dolce & Gabbana-inspired fruit charm bracelet and thought it was just the cutest thing ever. I decided to try it for myself using some dessert-shaped erasers that I bought at the dollar store, which are possibly knock-offs of a more well-known (?) brand of Japanese erasers. I am just that committed to cake and other sweet treats.

It took me a while to get around to it, but I finally made my own desserts charm bracelet this weekend. It's hilarious and silly and I love it. With the proper tools it was quite easy to make; the instructions on Onward, Lulu are thorough, but I still have a hard time wrapping headpins neatly & messed up my fingernails in the process. Good thing I haven’t bothered to put on nail polish for, oh, a month or more.

I also decided to make a quick & easy new camera strap. I have a few camera straps at this point but this camera has become such an important part of my life/prized possession that I feel compelled to accessorize it. I found this chain belt with tassels at Zara & decided instantly that it would make a great camera strap (and also a great belt). Obviously had these straps on the brain! I took off the lobster clasp it came with—although I kept it, because it would be easy enough to make into a belt again—and added new, smaller lobster clasps. I found these clasps at Michael’s, but the selection was so limited that I got silver ones and spray painted them a flat black (I already had the gold-tone jump rings). Ta-da.

not forkchops

2012-01-27T12:21:00.000-05:00

In December Geoff & I were contacted by a local design company, imm living, about collaborating on a limited edition tote to give away as part of an event for the Toronto Design Offsite Festival. We, of course, jumped at the chance. The event is called Not Forkchops; for Not Forkchops, a few local designers created a prototype of a product, and attendees have the opportunity to vote on which item is put into production.

Since the idea behind the event was cultural integration, and since many of the designers created products that alluded to their ethnic backgrounds, we made a tote that featured lyrics from the song “A Minha Menina” by the Brazilian band Os Mutantes (“the silver moon hid itself and the golden sun appeared”), since Portuguese was actually the first language that I learned to speak. We won't be selling this tote but if you visit The Department between now and Sunday there might be some left.

We attended the media opening on Wednesday night and hung out with some balloon dogs. Thanks, imm!

repository pt. 1

2012-01-24T16:27:00.000-05:00

I’ve decided to start having a regular “repository” of things I come across, because people keep making and doing beautiful and amazing things and I feel compelled to share. I know that plenty of other blogs do this already, and I've certainly done it before (again, not in a regular sort of way) but I hope I can put my own personal stamp on it, somehow.

With apologizes and reverence to Kate Miss, Diana Moss, etc.!

I love the SS 2012 lookbook for Montreal label Ursa Minor. The photography (by Francesca Tallone) is precisely the kind that makes me think “I wish I had taken that photograph.” Pitch-perfect tones. More information can be found on Elizabeth’s blog.

1. Photography by Valerie Chiang.
2. I came across a detail of this painting on Pinterest and can’t seem to find the name of it or the name of the gallery that owns it (or if it’s in a private collection, etc.). It sure is beautiful, though. It’s by Adolphe Étienne Piot (1850–1910) and the lady in it reminds me of Michelle Williams.
3. An English rose via Wildfox.
4. A beautiful hanging by FleurLux, found via Ashley Helvey.
5. Elizabeth (above) recently posted about her friend Dara’s jewelry, and I immediately snapped up one of the necklaces. It might end up in my box of things I’m saving for the wedding (I seem to be superstitious about these things and don’t want to use them in advance!).
6. I had to share this: Karl Lagerfeld’s new kitten Choupette, three rosebuds tall, via V Magazine.
(Background image of a detail at Céline spring 2012)

A few other things:
-This blog was selected as an “up and coming” blog at Alt Summit, so if you’ve been reading for a while, give yourself a pat on the back!
-An interview with me for Ace Camps is here.
-I contributed to a lil’ post about winter on Francesca’s new Lawrence journal with some of my favourite ladies.

closet & casa

2012-01-18T13:50:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to say that I'm on Oh Joy! today as part of the closet & casa feature. I'm excited! Thanks, Bri & Joy.

And yes, that's the pendant from this post (I ended up ordering it as a late Christmas present for myself) as well as a favourite blouse from Gillian Tennant.

faded forests

2012-01-16T12:46:00.000-05:00

Our sweet friends Hollie and Jane (of White Elephant) recently created a lookbook for their vintage shop, Ainslie Wood Co., and the results are just so stunning that I wanted to share them here. The photos were taken by Jesse Senko on his family farm.

I particularly love that the inspiration for the title comes from a letter of Emily Dickinson to her brother Austin, from a passage that feels appropriate to read in winter: "there is another sky, ever serene and fair, and there is another sunshine, though it be darkness there; never mind faded forests, Austin, never mind silent fields — here is a little forest, whose leaf is ever green; here is a brighter garden, where not a frost has been."

Full lookbook here, Etsy shop here.

A note on replies: I will no longer be using my former comment-reply system as the blogging platform I use now allows threaded comments. As you can see from my last post, I will now be replying to comments directly. I know that often the only reply I have is "Thank you!" (which I hope never seems trite!) but replying to comments is something I enjoy, and is the best way I know how to thank you for your visit & your comment, should you leave one.

in my bag

2012-01-11T14:29:00.009-05:00

I haven't done a post like this since LiveJournal (RIP), but I always enjoy seeing posts like this, personally (voyeur alert). This doesn't include everything; keys, gum, scribbled lists on crumpled papers, etc., it's all in there too. I tend to carry way too much stuff in my bag, and maybe after seeing this post you'll tell me, "AB, just get an e-book reader already." I know that I am well on my way to a shoulder injury.

In the summer I usually use a tote bag (tote bag shout-out!), but at the moment I'm using this leather tote that I got from ASOS. It's the prettiest blush colour, it's huge, and having the ability to carry it in different ways is helpful.

Clockwise from top left:
1. My own Wild Heart tote from Summerland, in case I stop to pick up a few groceries on the way home.
2. Urbanears headphones that I got new on eBay but often feel a bit weird/dorky wearing. They sound pretty good, though, at least to my non-audiophile ears.
3. Angora blend mittens from Joe Fresh in tan to camouflage the inevitable coffee spill. This post is a bit Joe Fresh-heavy but ever since the store opened on Queen, I've been stopping in a lot. Cheap (guilt-inducing) thrills.
4. Gold tone Casio watch that I would wear to hot yoga class so I could tell how much torture (just kidding but not really) was left, and even though I haven't been to yoga in a month I have yet to remove it from my bag. I am not much of a watch-wearer.
5. Phone, a.k.a. baby computer life organizer (I switched back to this mint case because the white cat case was getting a bit dirty).

6. O-Check notebook (I got this one on clearance at, oddly enough, Club Monaco).
7. What's up, peony obsession? This is a stack of photo prints from my Canon A-1 that I just had developed -- I got a lot of mileage out of those peonies.
8. Leather Erin Templeton card holder plus the most recent business card I had printed.

"Another day cloudy memory: at this moment I am drawing to remember or to erase."

9. Oh look, it's another one of our silk scarves. One of my favourite parts of making our own products is stealing stock for myself -- I am so greedy.
10. Karen Walker sunglasses, also from Summerland, although I will forever be kicking myself that I didn't get the tortoise frames.
11. Round leather pouch from Jessica Jensen. Every December Jessica Jensen, a local designer, has a holiday shop where I pick up small leather goods as gifts, but I kept this one for myself. It's perfect for subway tokens, since those always get confused for dimes when I store them with my change. Plus look at the thing. It's adorable.
12. I got something from Hetterson, finally. For now I'm using this "satchlet" for keeping Instax Mini pictures.
13. Olympus Stylus Epic camera currently loaded with Fuji Neopan film.
14. Wallet from Status Anxiety. I was excited when Status Anxiety offered to send me a wallet because a. the wallets are lovely, b. that name so great, and c. I love getting mail from Australia. This is the Audrey, and I know that Audrey & I will have a nice, long life together (Liss has one in pretty rose -- her post inspired this one, actually). I love it, love it.

15. Malin + Goetz eucalyptus deodorant. I've recently switched to deodorant rather than anti-perspirant, and I carry an extra with me just in case. I got this one after reading about it on East Side Bride. It works well, but it turned my skin a bit red, sadly. I keep it as a backup now. It's not exactly travel size but whatever.
16. Violet/Leather from my beloved OLO.
17. Hair things. These are all over the bottom of my bag (see below).
18. Emery board from Joe Fresh.
19. Cream lipstick in Tulip from Joe Fresh.
20. I bought myself a Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet (this one is "La fascinante") after watching this Lisa Eldridge video a few times and being hypnotized by it. It's a beautiful lipstick, it's true.
21. Aveda Hand Relief. It's winter, y'all. This is my favourite hand cream and I am in denial about the fact that this tube is nearly empty.
22. Face blotters from Muji. I always forget I have these.

The gold bobby pins are from COS, and the other two are from France Lux. These tiny things are very precious and I'm so afraid of losing them (I've already lost the other white -- or rather "mousseline" -- bobby pin & two others).

Top to bottom:
23. Jetoy cat diary + pen from Muji.
24. TIFF Lightbox program. I always vow to go there to see more movies, and it just... never happens.
25. A Practical Wedding by Meg Keene. I am trying to be the Chillest Bride Ever but I am prone to occasional irrational flare-ups of envy/frustration/stomach-curdling anxiety, so I got this hoping that it will help calm me down/remember to be reasonable and not crazy (about wedding things, anyhow).
26. IQ84 by Haruki Murakami (I've removed the dustjacket). A pity party: my schedule doesn't allow for much in the way of reading time, so I have to sneak in bits of it when I can. My subway ride to work is barely 20 minutes long which means I have been reading this excellent book maybe three pages per trip. I hope it finish it sometime this year. I usually end up carrying this one in my arms & not in my bag.
27. The latest issue of Worn Fashion Journal. This one is the best issue yet, plus they had a cat-themed release party for it. Amazing.

REPLIES

sara.k, Hanna, Celine, carissa, Katie, rachael, erin, Inge, Sarah, Hopscotch, Marion: Thank you for the sweet comments! You are all so sweet.

abby neal: For these I used Fujipro 400H, which is my favourite film of all time, although I also like the 160S.

Kate: We are keeping a Craigslist lookout! Maybe someone else will list one for $25... Thanks for scarves excitement!

carly mary: Haha, glad you like it.

Jane Flanagan: Eeep! I hope you'll like them once they are fully revealed.

erica: Thank you! Yeah, I know what you mean. Film also just has an instant warmth that I'm drawn to.

Nicole: Thank you! Hope you'll like them when they're finally revealed.

erica-knits: Thank you! Love the maxi.

elle :: everything reminds me of you: It really does! I haven't even touched my LC-A since I've had it.

CARLY WAITO: Fairy grotto + someone's birthday coming up soon...

Apricots+Silk: Thank you! Yes, I was quite pleased with the wintery feel they had. Always nice when that happens. Same to you!

Noémie {as ink remains}: It was pretty tasty! I loved the whiteness of it, as well.

in dreams: It was good! I was so happy that we didn't have to wait in a lineup and were seated immediately. Plus hey, can't go wrong with bottomless French press...

Miss Moss: Haha!

P R I M O E Z A: Such a huge compliment coming from you, thank you.

teresa: Oh yes, just do it! I don't consider myself an expert at all and that camera that I used did all the work.

Camille: I know what you mean, but I'm glad you like the look of it! Yes, it's silk, hand hem-rolled.

Ringo, have a banana!: Preach!

hungryandfrozen: Thank you! I didn't have the yogurt but maybe next time I'll give it a try.

Trixia: Ha, I love that that is a thing we do. I have so many pictures of our mantle, it's kind of ridiculous. Thank you!

kelsey louise sykes: Thank you for saying hello! So glad you like the calendar! I'm so proud of those lil' Dreamcats. And yeah, I realized after we started making the bags that Bruce has a similar line (I picked up a vinyl copy of Born to Run and when I heard that line, I immediately looked up who had written it first, although they are, as you say, slightly different), but you're the first person to tell me that! Thanks again, and happy new year to you as well.

Lolo: Thanks! For these I used Fujipro 400H, my fave.

ilovesasek: Same to you!

winter scenes

2012-01-05T16:36:00.000-05:00

These pictures aren't anything too special, but I have been enjoying the little Olympus camera that Geoff bought recently. Film forever.

Brunch at L'Ouvrier; peonies; mountain sign; velvet maxi skirt, hair, and clog boots, or what you do when you get to the end of the roll and want to finish it faster; an attempt at capturing a beautifully-coloured sky; our scarves arrived and will debut soon (I first mentioned them here), but for now, a little peek.

REPLIES

Celine: Thanks so much, Celine! Same to you.

Valerie Enríquez, Caitlin Shearer, in dreams, sn, Anna, Hanna, Ariane Reichardt, Sweet Harvest Moon, Mallory, Apricots+Silk, hila, Our Youth, Lolo: Thank you, everyone! You are all the sweetest. One last time, happy new year!

katie merchant / thank you, ok: The Coriander Girl bouquets are the best!

tara-lynn, Jane Flanagan, Hollie: Thank you! I was very happy that night (& maybe a liiiiittle tipsy). I think it's a good idea to have your birthday party on a day that isn't actually your birthday.

onbeauty: Thanks! I keep trying to find a similar skirt for when I inevitably wear this one into the ground.

danica: Ha! In real life I think we actually look quite different. Katie is so much taller than I am, anyhow! But she's a beauty so I'm flattered!

Melissa Dominic: It's the best.

Camille: What a lovely wish, thank you! I hope so too.

Kate: Haahaaahaha! Stalker, pfft. I'm the one who puts it out there. Also, I take that as a compliment! Thanks, girl! Same to you.

darcy dubose: Thanks! Sadly, no, it's polyester, which means that it's a static magnet.

erica-knits: Thanks, Erica! I loved your green skirt too! Maxi skirts are the best. And thanks, I shall take that as a compliment (although it's not really true in real life, just in that picture!).

avalonne hall: Oh wow, how sweet of you to say! Thank you, thank you.

stephanie renee: Thanks so much!

happy 2012

2011-12-31T14:32:00.000-05:00

I hope your 2012 is filled with magic & beauty. xoxoxo

Instax Mini shots of peonies; me and Katie outside The Common, where I had a little birthday party this week (we're holding sparklers, but they're not visible, and YES I wear that skirt constantly)

Some good times via Summerland; a fresh bouquet to welcome in the new year from Coriander Girl.

REPLIES

rachael, Annie, Jane Flanagan, bawkbawk, EvaForeva, Noémie {as ink remains}, Jennifer, erica-knits, Mallory | The Storm in a Teacup, carissa, roberta jane, justine | lovemaki, Lightning Heart, Reanna, Anna, Hanna, Nastya, WSAKE, Idle Wife, jen, Celine, in dreams, april, Hello Lindello: Thank you all very much! Always nice to enjoy a happy accident.

ghost peonies

2011-12-30T19:59:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago I brought home a tiny fortune's worth of peonies in beautiful peachy pinks and creams. I was mostly interested in getting some photos of their texture, with a view to incorporating them into the wedding invitations Geoff & I hope to design eventually. Peonies all the time always, obviously.

I used up nearly a whole roll of film only to realize afterwards that the film I had put in the camera weeks before and forgotten about was Fuji Neopan, black and white, and not colour (I can't tell what type of film is in the camera once it's shut). Ghost peonies.

REPLIES

Jane Flanagan, DEADWEIGHT, Rachel Anastasia, coldrooms, m.fay, sew nancy, Florence, Tracey, Sweet Harvest Moon, Julia: Thank you for the comments. I'm glad you enjoyed!

Camille: That's so cute! English is my main language, and I still had a lot of misunderstood lyrics. I didn't know what "hobnail boots" were until I came across them in a Beatles song!

michelle: Thank you! I really like my little sequined clutch.

rachael: Yes!

Anonymous: The counting is very, very quiet! You can only hear it on headphones. George Martin was the Beatles' producer, a very talented man!

Ringo, have a banana!: My parents didn't listen to the Beatles, so when I discovered them, it was really almost life-altering. Is that exaggeration? Probably not!

hila: Glad you like it. I struggle to find things that I think are truly, truly original in this funny little world and I think these zines are so unique and incredible. I really admire LJ & Liz for just doing it.

Apricots+Silk: Oh yes, enjoy these years! So important.

Copper&Whim: So sweet of you to say, thank you.

Serena: Thank you!

let it be beautiful

2011-12-21T12:28:00.004-05:00

When I was 13 years old I took some Beatles cassettes from my brother's room and made copies of them for myself. I would listen to "Strawberry Fields Forever" on headphones as I was falling asleep, sometimes rewinding to hear that part where you can hear George Martin counting again, and I fell in love/became obsessed with The Beatles. The White Album is still one of my favourite records, "Strawberry Fields Forever" still one of my favourite songs. There's something kind of magical about the music you love when you're a teenager. It never leaves you.

My friends Laura Jane and Liz have started re-writing all of The Beatles songs as short stories or essays, a very ambitious project that will span nine volumes called Let it Be Beautiful — if anyone can do it, they can. They have printed the first six stories as zines as a preview.

I read them in the order of Beatles songs I liked least to the ones I liked best, so: Another Girl, Like Dreamers Do, Penny Lane, Because, A Hard Day's Night, The Inner Light. The stories are about Laura Jane and Liz's lives — sort of, but not really at all — just as they are sort of, but not really at all about the Beatles and their songs.

Laura Jane has "Lennon" and "McCartney" tattooed on each of her arms in cursive script, and they're my favourite tattoos on anyone ever.

When I started reading one I wanted to stay up until I had read them all. When I saw Laura Jane in person afterwards I almost started to cry when I told her how much I loved them. I carried them in my purse for a few weeks afterwards, so I could re-read passages whenever I had the chance.

You can get them & read excerpts here. I really recommend them.

See also The White Album.

REPLIES

rachael: Agreed.

Arlie: I know, the scarves are so great!

thedailyanglofile: Thank you! It sounds like we're in the same boat. I overplucked for so long that I'm not sure they'll ever grow in properly, but I suppose I just have to be patient. Good luck with yours.

kater: Aw, thanks.

Bre: Monoi oil, you say. Just looked it up and I'm interested! I know what you mean about Rodin... But I have heard great things about it.

Noémie {as ink remains}: Thank you, glad you enjoyed.

viv: Thank you! I'm eagerly awaiting the delivery of my ballet DVDs (the one thing from my list that I bought).

Jane Flanagan: Oh, thanks for the recommendation. I've heard good things about them so I'm looking forward to trying them out.

Hanna: You're not alone! I do that as well. Haha.

danica: Thanks, Danica! And that's good to hear. I love a good tough workout that makes me feel as though I'm doing something good for myself. I used to do the New York City Ballet workout but I found it a bit boring & was easily distracted while doing it. It was beautiful, though.

Siubhan: Thanks, lady! I'm sure by now you've seen the peach and gold. Gorgeous, no?

hila: Thank you! I'm glad you understand my methods, ha!

Ringo, have a banana!: Thanks, girl! I love giving presents too. If only I had the cash to do it properly!

in dreams: Aw, that's too bad, but I understand! Thanks for the kind words on the silly ol' list.

Fresh Faced Girl: Thanks!

darcy dubose: That's funny... Aquarius isn't even a water sign.

Aprile: Oh, nice! She is so stunning. Sheesh.

CARLY WAITO: Thanks, Carly! I ordered the DVDs as a gift to myself because I'm not sure I'll be able to renew my yoga pass, haha. If anything they're beautiful to look at.

Giulia: Great! I hope mine will come in the mail soon because I'm looking forward to trying them out.

LeeLee: Thank you!

amy: Thank you so much!

hungryandfrozen: I know, I covet it all myself! That's great about the hot water bottle cover! They're so handy in winter.

all i want for christmas is you

2011-12-12T16:57:00.001-05:00

Banner from Nice! Love the inspiration, love the Constable kitty cameo.

I wasn't going to post any sort of gift guide this year, but I want to post these things to get them out of my system. It's basically a visual list of things I would love to own, although I know that if I don't own a single thing, I will be okay. Thank you for indulging me.

Left to right, row 1: Luxe faux fur hot water bottle, Restoration Hardware; go big or go home with a Louis Vuitton gold collar necklace (image via T magazine); fancy candles, perhaps from Diptyque, although this Byredo one sounds lovely (image via Up the Wooden Hills; who knew Ben Gorham went to Ryerson?)

Left to right, row 2: I have a set of Anja's cat coasters on its way to me but the peach and gold ones look amazing; gold Dieppa Restrepo oxfords; lately Bambi Northwood-Blyth has been my #1 brow inspiration, so lush! I've been trying to grow mine out a bit so I think in 2012 I'd love to visit, say, Gee Beauty for their Beauty Brow service to get them reshaped.

Left to right, row 3: silk scarf by Leah Goren; gold metallic shopper from Zara; silk colourblock socks from Hansel from Basel

Left to right, row 4: Ballet Beautiful DVDs. I have tried dozens of workout videos over the years and I am so picky about them. They are sometimes too boring, too annoying (how does the instructor know that I'm doing great? Hush!), too short, or involve too many high-impact moves that I can't perform in my second floor apartment. These look amazing, and based on the preview, they also look really tough. I don't imagine that I'll look remotely like a ballerina but at least I can look at one; shearling trapper hat from J. Crew which is sold out, which is for the best; XO tote from Need Supply

Left to right, row 5: coral/khaki tie from Alder & Co. (I would get this for Geoff but steal it); Moth origami lampshade by nellianna (via Miss Moss' peachy flamingo gift guide); dress from CALLA's spring/summer 2012 line (styling by Leith Clark; photo via CALLA's Facebook page)

Left to right, row 6: I feel like I keep seeing references to Rodin's Olio Lusso, and I'm very interested! It's so fancy; pretty handmade ballet flats by The White Ribbon (I love the styling in these photos); I love the vignettes that accompany the RUSSH astrology 2012 guide by Susan Miller (Virgo's is my favourite) -- it would be cool if all I got for real was the 2012 year she describes for Capricorn, please and thank you!

REPLIES

erica: Thanks so much for stopping by the show! It was so wonderful to meet you. x

in dreams: Did you make it?

fawn: Aw, that's sweet to hear.

erica-knits: Thanks for stopping by!

Eden (Three Toad Circus): Thank you!

Kathrin: Agreed.

Lolo: Whenever you're ready, we'll be here.

holiday bulletin

2011-11-29T15:37:00.001-05:00

Here is some information for those of you who might be interested in making holiday purchases.

Canada Post shipping dates (plus or minus a few days for packing, and in time for December 25) have been posted in the shop header. I wish the cut-off dates weren't coming up so soon, but we can arrange for faster shipping if necessary. We appreciate your patience with shipping.

That said, here are a few other options.

In person: we are doing one show only this season, and this Saturday. It's called Handmade Holiday, and it is presented by Kid Icarus. This one is always a lovely show, and we'll have special items with us. This will be the only place to get one of the Wild Heart totes we did for Summerland in person (unless you live in Portland, in which case Summerland will be selling them at a market the following weekend). I'm also hoping to have some luxe wool cashmere neckties available. Come say hi!

We will also have some items at this pop-up shop at NACO on Dundas, as well as at our usual stockists.

Online: we are participating in a fantastic holiday shop, hilariously also called Handmade Holiday. If you order items from this shop they will be shipped from the United States, so that will give you a faster shipping option if you live in the US.

Thank you all for your support this past year. It means so much to us. xo

Photo via Anja.

REPLIES

erica: Thank you! And yeah, I know what you mean. They're such cute rings! I like that the '1' looks a little like a twig, but the number doesn't have much significance to me, personally.

a_berson: Yes!

in dreams: Ooh, I love that. Sounds like the best combination.

Wayside Violet: Thank you!

hila: I know what you mean about feeling like a kid playing dress up because I feel the same way. But there's just something about being in a big soft coat!

shimmer shimmer like a girl

2011-11-28T16:00:00.000-05:00

I recently received some beautiful, luxurious pieces from Lulu Frost (lucky me!) and I'm looking forward to wearing them to holiday parties. Sparkle is just so necessary. I am forever influenced by Bre's disco party.

I have to admit that when I picked out the Teardrop necklace, I actually had the idea of "something blue" on my mind...

The other two pieces here are the Mesh Narrow bracelet (which incorporates a vintage brooch into the piece, and the Cascade earrings. These earrings would look lovely with a sassy high ponytail, I think.

If you've seen me in real life lately I've probably been wearing this faux fur coat -- I really can't get enough of it. I feel a bit like a little kid in it, so the grown-up accessories help.

Thank you, Lulu.

If you're wondering about the title of the post, it's a reference to this, my favourite Veruca Salt song. Also, I took these pictures with a teeny-tiny new film camera that Geoff found for me, an Olympus Stylus Epic.

REPLIES

CARLY WAITO, ALDRIN, jenny gordy, jen, DEADWEIGHT, Celine, mackenzie, darcy, Up The Wooden Hills, Noémie (As Ink Remains), Kitiya Palaskas, Christine, fathima, isitsecretisitsafe, hungryandfrozen, Reanna, fathima, Anna Emilia: Thank you all so much for the sweet comments! Nice little morale boost! I'm really proud of Geoff for producing that sweet calendar.

anja louise verdugo: Almost didn't! Glad it happened too.

kater: Aw! I'm so glad you like it. I am honoured you would want to spend your pennies on it!

in dreams: Oh yes, Amy's blog gives me serious floral envy (if that's a thing). What a beautiful life!

Hopscotch: You know, we've never really thought about tea towels. Probably because we don't own or use fancy tea towels ourselves!

Kate: Ha! I'd love to see it the re-brand! Too bad about the lack of cats.

hila: I understand completely! It's a constant source of stress, but also inspires feats of creative thinking to get around it sometimes... Ahem.

christine: Thanks for sending that along.

Sarah: So happy to hear that!

BlondeMuse: Oh, I love white Persian cats. So beautiful!

dreamcats 2012

2011-11-22T17:11:00.001-05:00

There almost wasn't a dreamcats calendar this year, but Geoff really wanted to make one since he really enjoyed making the 2011 version (aw, Pony was so much smaller then!). I know this isn't a very practical calendar since you can't write on it, but it's more like an art print, or like a tea towel calendar.

I love fluffy white kittens but can't have one of my own — two cats is my limit, and there's enough fur on all my clothes already — so at least now I can look at them every day. The images were taken from a vintage cats book that Sonja gave us last year.

Available here or here. Even if you're not in a position to get one, which I completely understand, I hope you enjoy it!

REPLIES

thrillofthechaise.com, hungryandfrozen, Satin and Souffles: I'm glad you enjoyed!

hila: Yes! Let's go!

erica-knits: It's super cute. You should do it!

in dreams: I know what you mean about the flowers -- the flowers are so important to me too! I'm hoping for simple, beautiful wildflowers, nothing too extravagant or overly-styled, you know? Kind of a hippie floral vibe, I think.

onward, lulu

2011-11-17T16:54:00.001-05:00

Some beautiful imagery via Onward, Lulu, the blog of jewelry line Lulu Frost. It reminds me of both Wildfox's and Bre's blogs & makes me want to put on a faux fur coat and so many bracelets.

REPLIES

Melinda Josie: Thanks for the sweet words, lady! Psst, we're sharing a photographer! I am so excited about that.

marissa (stylebook): So sweet, thank you!

Ro: I'm glad you appreciate that sentiment... it's just not my style to put that much pressure on myself, i.e. that the one day has to be so perfect. Just have fun! Thank you.

soniadeli: Thank you, and I hope so!

Camille: Ugh, I really hate limousines although I do appreciate why they are useful. Thank you for the sweet words. I will have to revisit them if I ever start to go a little crazy.

sushi lover, naomemandeflores, Jessica Kleoppel, Xochiltyay, amy, Bre, Alexia, katie merchant / thank you, ok: Thank you!

rachel: Thank you! I've actually never been to a restaurant one but I like the idea of a built-in low key quality, you know?

Darcy: Ha! Yes, not caring about other people's opinion on things you love is pretty important.

EvaForeva: Thank you, & I hope so...

erica-knits: Thanks, lady!

Sarah: Whoa, party bus! That sounds really fun.

amy w - over and under: Thank you! I'm torn about speeches... they can be nice but I think I would just be so embarrassed!

Angela Barnes: Thank you -- yikes, I hope so.

Elena: Thank you!

sarah: Oh yes, that's such an important thing to me. Thank you.

justine | lovemaki: Maybe it will be really boring! Just kidding. Thank you!

unique weddings: Thank you.

alice: You're sweet to say so, thank you!

Simone: I sure did, it was a beautiful celebration!

Elaina: Thank you! I hope so too.

in dreams: Thanks! Oh yes, I didn't want to have it at a time of year when the potential for blizzards could arise. I would love to have a reception at an art gallery (I think that would be the most natural choice for us) but because of a series of compromises I've had to make, there will be a seated dinner and most galleries aren't large enough to accommodate that. Plus they can be really expensive! At least at a restaurant you don't have to pay to rent the room. Melinda Josie had her reception at that gallery (Thrush Holmes) and it looked lovely. It's a great space.

Stephanie: I can't help it... I don't consider myself a religious person but after 20+ years of Catholic school, I can't help but have it be the natural choice. Plus I'm really not the sort of person to write her own vows.

Jennifer: That's so wonderful to hear!

Miss Crowland: You know, I haven't. I already have a place in mind, my dad's friend owns it. Probably not as nice as Le Select, but oh well!

Rosie: <3!

CARLY WAITO: Thank you, yaay! Hope to see you again soon.

rachael: Thanks!

Julia: Thank you! Well, there will definitely have to be a fair amount of compromise because we can't do it without help. I think that ultimately we will have our own say on a good chunk of it, though.

Jane Flanagan: Wow, that is so kind of you to say, thank you so much. If I ever get out of hand, please TELL ME.

Hollie: Thank you! I hope so!

east side bride: That makes me so happy. So glad! I know how much you like shoooooes.

danica: Thank you! And exactly. Geoff isn't all that much taller than I am and since I broke my ankle a few years ago I am rather wobbly in heels. No one wants a stumbling bride ripping her dress down the aisle...

hila: Thank you, sweet Hila! That was a lifetime ago, it seems! I am also baffled by how much people spend on them. It is unbelievable to me.

Hwasoon: Thank you, sweet lady.

Trixia: Thank you!

Up The Wooden Hills: Thank you so much! I'm excited about the dress too, it's probably my favourite part! I hope I will look nice in it.

april: Finally, right? And YES PLEASE. Maybe I'll hire you to be my decorator!

wedding shoes

2011-11-15T15:55:00.001-05:00

Geoff & I have been engaged for quite a while: since December 1, 2008. For years I thought that we would just pick a date and go to City Hall and make it official, and talked about doing this, but over the past three years I knew (I knew!) in my heart that that wasn't something we could realistically do. We had to be ready for the alternative, and we are now ready for it. Posting this makes me feel quite nervous, since it's so personal.

We have a date set for next September. We are having a church wedding, which has surprised a few people, but it feels right (I find comfort in tradition, in the repetition of familiar words). We don't have a reception venue, because looking at venues in Toronto gives me a panicked feeling, and fields or farms or even large yards aren't readily available to us. We might have our reception at a restaurant that most of our friends can take a short cab ride to get to (this is actually really important to me). Our every day lives are full of self-expression and creative endeavours. Our wedding will be an extension of that, and not the only example of it in our lives. We don't intend to go all out, and I don't want to spend every moment of the next few months thinking or talking about it. I want it to be a fun party!

I won't turn this into a wedding blog, but I thought that I could occasionally share things like this: these are the shoes that I will most likely wear. They are simple white leather oxfords that I found on clearance. I've worn them around the apartment, and I have strung these pretty laces that Tara sent me through them. They are just so typically me, so chill and comfortable, and therefore perfect (my mother will beg to differ).

REPLIES

Elise / Pennyweight, sn, Ariel, Chuck, Sara/Matchbox Kitchen: Thanks for the sweet words on the scarf -- I'm amazed because it's hardly visible! Hope you'll like it when it's made.

Julia: No excuse! Just rock that cape!

Rebekka Seale: Aw, thanks.

Angela Barnes: Thank you, and soon, I hope!

Brodie: I have never experienced a summer Christmas and find it so fascinating! I do love a snowy Christmas but think I should try the opposite at least once.

carissa: So sweet! You made me blush.

erica: Oh, then Ezra's Pound is perfect for him! I don't really know much about coffe but I think they are very serious about it.

Erica: Thank you! I've thought about it, but I don't think I can do it. Thanks, though!

geeta: Thanks! Those picks were fun to put together.

erica-knits: I had totally forgotten about the hankie! That really puts it into perspective how long I've been stalling on this... yikes. Thanks for the sweet words.

Kate: Minimum orders make that too risky... but your comment made me laugh!

hila: Aw, thanks! I don't know about that!

p: That tote is from the Wild Nothing website: http://wildnothing.bigcartel.com/. Sure, girls can carry that tote! I do!