the calm before the storm

I took these pictures over a month ago. it was hotter then heck out and there was a weird eerie quietness outside. the sky was so pink and vibrant that I had to try and capture it. Most of these photos are taken from my rooftop patio and show our view of the city.

this is the little school across the street from my house, I love the red doors.

I am less in love with the children who yell on the playground at 7am.

this week has been great so far. I have had dinner with old friends and it feels great to catch up on their lives.  this weekend my step sister is visiting from Ottawa and I can't wait to take her out! we are going to go thrifting and probably to kensington market. Its been so long since we had quality hang out time and I can't wait!

ps jaci I have been trying all day to facebook message you the house address so if you read this I am trying!

(this last photo was a mistake but I loved how the lights turned out blurry and bright.)

the beauty department + sparkly nails

How amazing are these nails?! I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with the sparkly gold colour. tutorial here

Also the website this tutorial came from is one of the best websites I have discovered this week. The Beauty Department is a great resource for hair tutorials, makeup, and other beauty related topics. The site is very well organized and VERY informative with lots of pictures. I'm sort of a dummy when it comes to hair and makeup (I've been using the same products pretty much since I started wearing makeup) so I'm really enjoying learning how simple some of these looks are. Especially the hair tutorials, who knew braids could be SO simple?!

magazine inspiration- Part 1

So when I finish reading design and decor magazines I will usually recycle them. I am an anti-clutter type person. I may hold on to them for a few months, build up a small pile and then something inside me says GET RID OF THIS PILE RIGHT NOW. If its not contributing to making my life better, its gone.

so I've always had a pile of tear out pictures of the best stuff I can't imagine recycling. Its an 'inspiration pile' if you may (not quite as glamorous as an inspiration board but it works!)

I thought I would take some pictures of the different styles I am attracted too. The picture of the bed below appropriated says "organic modern" which I think describes this style very accurately.

This style is all about clean but warm whites, neutral grey and clear glass. Natural woods and eclectic details.  This is the look I am going for in my new bedroom. 

what do you think?!

Tuna Luna

MMMM.... I came across this yummy looking sandwich on koko's kitchen and wish I had this in my lunch today! 

I love a good tuna sandwich but tuna is one of those ingredients that really relies on the supporting ingredients to take it to the next level. roasted peppers and white beans?! YES PLEASE! 

(not my pictures or recipe, but looked WAY to good not to share!)

TUNA AND WHITE BEAN SALAD ON TOASTED BAGUETTE

Recipe Courtesy of Laura Calder – French Cooking at Home Via Koko's Kitchen

• 2 red peppers
• 1 yellow pepper
• 1 orange pepper
• About 1/2 cup olive oil, more for the baguette
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 celery ribs, sliced
• A scant cup (100 g) pitted Kalamata olives, roughly chopped
• A few handfuls of fresh parsley leaves
• 2 cups cooked cannellini beans (use white kidney if you can’t find cannellini)
• Salt and pepper
• Zest and juice of 2 lemons, more to taste
• 14 ounces (390 g) high-quality tuna chunks packed in olive oil, drained (about 3 cans)
• 1 to 1 1/2 baguettes

Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Seed and julienne the peppers, toss on a baking sheet with a few tablespoons of olive oil, spread into a single layer, and bake until soft, about half an hour. Remove from the oven and turn the heat up to 400°F (200°C).

Tip the peppers into a large bowl. Add the garlic, celery, olives, parsley, and beans. Season with salt and pepper, and toss with the lemon zest and juice and the remaining olive oil. Add the tuna last and carefully mix it in with your hands so the chunks don’t break up too much. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Slice the baguette(s) in half lengthwise and then into pieces the length of the palm of your hand. Arrange on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toast until golden and crisp on top but still squishy within, about 5 minutes.

Put a piece of toast on each plate and top with a generous heap of the salad, including the juices.

REALLLY inspired by these pictures of the most gorgeous home. wow wow wow

via The Brick House

its in the mail!!!

Do you love getting mail?! I DO!

even though my friend Dave and I probably talk on the phone at least once a week we also mail each other. pretty much he mails me back regularly and I procrastinate for a few weeks and then get my shit together and mail back.

we are constantly starting sentences with "well your going to read about this in the letter but.." or better yet

D-"I went on an nature hike"

E- "Yeah i know, I read it on your blog"

D-"Right"

D-"So after that .."

E-"You went shopping with your mom"

D-"Right, guess I wrote about that too"

hahaha oh the internet!

do you like this envelope Davey?!

He gave me shit about my lackluster envelopes and called me out on it in the last letter. "YOUR MOM WORKED AT FABRICLAND, MAKE THIS HAPPEN"

if your interested in being penpals I would love to have more letters coming and going in the mail.

Leave me a comment and I will be sure to email you back! I will even write the first letter.

HAPPY SATURDAY!

really?

I get email from urban outfitters almost daily and usually take a few seconds to glance at the offer or see what the stock is. but today I opened my email and almost puked. REALLY? those red boots are horrible! I'm pretty sure that style came and went with the spice girls.

bracelet

I am looking for a layered bracelet. here are some etsy finds. which one is your favorite?!

  

multi strand friendship bracelet

multi chain bracelet bymargaret

leather cuff bracelet from lacklusterco

azure gold tubes from Epiphany6andCo

brown and tan leather bracelet from tanya laurel

rope bracelet - twisted from junghwa

brown leather bracelet from easy time

shotgun sally

taking these pictures in my bedroom forces me to make my bed. 

this has been a great week so far. eating healthy. three pilates classes. season finale of big brother and entourage. 

top - thrifted for $2 at goodwill
skirt - given to me by my ex's mom
poncho/cape - thrifted for $7 at double take
necklace- from edor etsy shop because of the oh hello friend good cheer deal (still available if you want one)

I wish you could see the detail on the cape..it has buttons running up the front and then two button near the sides that can be done up to make 'sleeves'. its a really nice knit and perfect for this weather.

I have already started my christmas shopping. can you even believe that?! I want to get the perfect things for people this year and I HATE malls so I needed to get my game on early. There are lots of great things around the interwebs and and I want to handmake a lot of things so I'm gathering ideas and making paypal purchases.

family - this year you are getting a detailed list. honestly, I am happy just to spend the time together, but I know there will be gifts. I really hate clutter and just don't have time or room for it in my new life so if its not on the list please don't buy it. last year I spent the next two months after christmas returning items for store credit and i still haven't used it all up. i'm not ungrateful, i just don't want to waste both of our time. I would rather get one amazing item then 12 random things I need to find space for.

my hair looks like a rats nest in these photos but I ended up wearing it on top of my head in a messy bun and wore my glasses most of the day so it ended up looking pretty nerdy.

not every pedestrian is a good person

watch it to the end. promise.