Merry Christmas

Wishing lots of love to all those near and far...and in our hearts. 

Merry Christmas! xo

Happy Winter Solstice!

Wishing you all things happy this season!

A little taste of Japan

Have you been to Sanko yet?  As you know, it's one of my favorite places to pick up munchies and groceries in Toronto.  They have the best selection of chocolates and sweets from Japan, not to mention sauces, noodles, tea, cold beverages, fresh produce, earthenware, biscuits, nori, specialty foods and seasonings (like furikake).

I love how colorful and cute the packaging can be!  This is just a sneak peek of what you might see at a combini (Japanese convenience store) or grocery if (when?) you visit Japan:

The Mother of all craft events

I love going to City of Craft.  It's always really inspiring and I love meeting the artists.  This year H and I bought some really lovely goodies including a cute pin of a monster named Janice by Denture Thief, a mini chalkboard necklace by Killside Krafts, really awesome ceramic pins of people's faces by Julie Moon (I loved her display which encouraged visitors to "find your doppleganger") and a beautiful card by Genevieve Jodouin.  I was also excited to see Bunners Bake Shop there - a new vegan and gluten-free bakery - which had the most delicious creamies (similar to whoopie cakes but filled with luscious vanilla bean frosting).  I swear each creamie weighed a good pound or two each so you can imagine how decadent and scrumptious each one was!

Another event that I went to recently was the Annual OCAD Book Arts Fair which showcases the work of book artists, printmakers, small publishing companies, zinesters, letterpress printers, cooperative print shops, paper and printmaking suppliers, and (of course) the students of OCAD. It's also very inspiring and filled with all kinds of beautiful works of art to purchase and behold.

One of my favorite artists on hand was Eunice Luk of Fantasy Camp.  She was so sweet and cute - just like her art! - and she even gave me some sheets of her lovely handprinted papers for free!  H and I bought some of her hot foil hand stamped pins and several packages of her stickers.  We also picked up some really cool prints, a few fun zines and some copper stamped pendants.

I really enjoy attending events like these for inspiration but I especially love the opportunity to share them with H.  It's great exposure for her to see the range of amazing artists and their work.  It's also a way to show our support for the community and pick up some treasures along the way!

Hope you're feeling inspired this season!  Talk soon.  xo

What I was up to

Just in case you were wondering what I was up to during those long silences this fall...

[I swear I did more than just eat.]

Ole Christmas Tea

I went to a Christmas Tea at Toronto's First Post Office yesterday (put on by a tea group that I belong to).  It was quite intimate with just two tables and very cozy as we nibbled our treats by the fire.  The host of the tea had a nice spread set out of homemade scones with butter and strawberry jam, gingerbread cookies, butter tarts, shortbread and mini sandwiches.  There was a lovely selection of loose teas including Coco Chai Rooibos, Organic Silk Dragon Jasmine and Margaret's Hope Darjeeling.  I opted for the Coco Chai which was really delicious.

In addition to tea time, there was also an informal program in which the host led us through some Victorian Christmas traditions.  Here are a couple of interesting tidbits:

Sir Henry Cole invented the Christmas card in 1843 by printing a thousand cards and selling them in his print shop in London at a cost of one shilling each.

The Christmas cracker was invented in 1848 by Tom Smith, a London candy maker.

[Ah, London...]

It was a really lovely little gathering and a nice experience.  Tea at the post office...what a perfect combination!

Don't worry

They sang this song at H's recent Christmas concert:



I really love the sentiment and the message behind this song.  It's so simple and yet so powerful.  I think they should sing this every morning instead of the National Anthem at school.

Millionaire

I love this quote (though, secretly, I don't know why one couldn't have both):

"It is perhaps a more fortunate destiny to have a taste for collecting shells than to be born a millionaire."

(Robert Louis Stevenson)

Sketchy

Last night I performed in my first sketch comedy show and I even did a little stand-up routine!  The venue was at a teeny cafe in the neighborhood that has a makeshift stage in the back.  We were joined by a group of young adults that my teacher recently instructed through a film and television acting program.  One of our "troupe" members is a professional musician so there was also live music during the show and funny sound effects added to the acts. 

I was nervous at first but the intimate and cozy crowd was very generous with their applause and laughter which was very encouraging.  It felt good to be up in front of people telling silly stories and acting goofy, though I really do need to develop my characters a bit more next time.  Still, it was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to the next show (yes, that's right...I'm planning to do another!) which will likely be in the New Year.

In the meantime, I've started another class - this time through a school - where I can learn more about the craft.  There won't be a show when the course ends but it'll be fun just meeting new people and stretching my boundaries even more.

Lights! Camera! Action!

Today J begins shooting the low-budget crime film that he wrote!  (Isn't that exciting?!)  I can't even imagine how amazing it must feel for him to be on set and in his element.  I'm so very happy for him and of course (cheesy as it is to say, albeit true), proud!  He truly deserves this!  I've never met anyone so passionate and dedicated to his craft.  His work ethic is really inspiring (as well as exhausting...heh heh).

I can't wait to hear all about his experience later this evening.  Hope all is going well!  :)