Can we, shall we...

I recently discovered the cards of Roger la Borde and instantly fell in love.  It was this card that initially won me over and now every time I see a new one it is a must have it! Their beautiful intricate designs are like no other, and the words so unique. I heart them big time!

listening.

My friends of In Medias Res just released an amazing song to give a taste of their up coming album It was warm and sunny when we first set out. These boys are incredible musicians and I am excited for their album release in January!

If you missed it from one of my previous posts, a music video of the band, made by my very talented brother.

Also, my favorite song from their last album:of what was

Christmas time is near...

 The tree is trimmed, the cookies are decorated, and the Mariah Carey Christmas special playing.

Van city.

 Some of my favorite places in Van City...

Viva Fine Foods & Bakery: Great Breakfast, baking to die for, and amazing staff that seem to know everyone by name.

Barefoot Contessa: Bringing unique fashion to Main St and the Drive.

Medina Cafe: For the one and only Lavender Latte and fresh Waffles

Chill Winston: Great food, fun atmosphere, and co-ed bathrooms 

Kits Food Market: For my weekly flower fix. Amazingly beautiful yet cheap flowers.

Coal Harbor: For daily walks to view the sunrise

Carderos: Amazing seafood, Amazing views

Meinhardts: For groceries or food on the go

BeirCraft: aka Stellas. My favorite place for unique beer and home cooking.
Fine Finds: For the perfect little something

Thursday's tunes...

 

Metric - Gold Guns Girls (Acoustic)

We Were Promised Jetpacks - It's Thunder and It's Lightning 

Generationals- Trust 

...my top 3 picks of the week

 

Recently...

 Reading:A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

Listening to:Rolling In The Deep

 Home: from spending three days here relaxing, drinking tea and walking the sea side.

Wanting: to start 101 things in 1001 days challenge.

Discovered:A new Yaletown Gem where you will always find the perfect little something

Coveting: Frye Boots!

Bookmarked: this blog.

Christmas lights.

On repeat. 

This guy never seize to amaze.

winter design inspiration.

{A cozy fire with  great garland made by over sized pine cones}

{baubles, baubles, baubles}

 {a beautifully cozy bedroom}

 {A nature inspired clothes rack}

{A Holt Renfrew window display}

{I heart chandeliers} 

 {I love this wall paper...in small  doses}

 {A bottle full of lights DIY}

Also a DIY project for some beautiful outdoor lights.
See other decorative branch ideas here.

Music Monday.

The Acron.

An Indie Folk band from Ottawa caught my eye this week.

Love their sound. Love their videos.

Other songs on my playlist this week... 

The Otherside - Ohbijou  

Wild Nothing - Summer Holiday

You Will Find Me - Andrew Ripp 

 One Short Night - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals 

Chief - Your Direction

carpe diem.

this week...

I had breakfast at my favorite cosmic cafe.

Feeling the Christmas spirit here.

Received the second blue box of my lifetime.

Was inspired by this decor. 

Did some long overdue baking.

Longing to visit here.

Got my hands on this hot new mug.

discovered this lovely blog.

Currently...

           Craving: a Lavender Latte from:Cafe called Medina

          Coveting: one of these Scarves

Enjoying: this new tea.

Wanting to visit: One of my favorite SoMa stores.

needing this little black dress.

          listening to: The Autum Film

pink.

for the love of pink...

{a beautiful pink chair: flee market find}

 {Napoljonska: pink cafe in Berlin}

{Eloise Site at The Plaza, designed by Betsey Johnson} 

 {classy pink: Marian McEvoy's living room}

{Beautiful Arne Jacobson Egg Chair} 

{SMEG firdges}

{Audrey: the epitome of elegance} 
"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."
— Audrey Hepburn

and some girly girl music: Brit's pop's Kate Nash

currently...

listening to Right the Stars. 

coveting these prints by Perla Anne.

loving the MK shoes I recently bought.

can't get enough of these animation videos.

am wanting to try my hair like this for the holidays.

adoring these christmas cards.

yum.

I came across a recipe for Fig and Walnut Spaghetti, that was very intriguing and am excited to try it!



Fig & Walnut Spaghetti

Serves 2
whole wheat spaghetti, for 2 persons
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1 cup white wine
1 small lemon, juice and zest
1 big bunch of fresh spinach
125 g goat cheese
100 g walnut halves, roasted with salt in a dry pan or in the oven
salt
5 fresh ripe figs, cut in quarters
Boil the spaghetti al dente, according to the instructions on the package, and set aside when done. Add olive oil to a large frying pan on medium heat. Add garlic and let it sweat for about 30 seconds before adding 2/3 of the wine and the lemon juice. Stir around, add spinach and goat cheese while stirring (save a small piece of the goat cheese for later). Let it simmer for three minutes before adding the spaghetti and the roasted walnuts. Stir for 30 seconds, taste it and add salt if needed, make sure that the spaghetti is covered in the goat cheese/wine/lemon cream then turn off the heat. Add the figs and gently fold them into the pasta. Serve on a big plate or in a bowl with the rest of the goat cheese and lemon peel sprinkled over it.
YUM YUM!

inspiration.

Every real thing is a joy, if only you have eyes and ears to relish it, a nose and tongue to taste it." 

- R.F. Capon

ps. I have started to collect old colorful books...this has added to my inspiration!

Music Mondays

Open Seas.

I love them independantly Ari Hest and Rosi Golan but together they are a combination of a unique sound rich with harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. One of my many favorites: Keep me tonight.

Starlight and All in a Day are not to be missed either.

I am also recently loving Sierra Noble. She is a Metis fiddler that is starting go more mainstream in her sounds but I love her old and new sounds, I think because I have always wanted to be able to play myself!

inspiration.

white.

I came across Black Ink Interiors and her blog entry named 'White Done Right' and of course was immediately inspired. I find the white so refreshing and calming. A few more inspiring rooms...

Time for some inspiration is color as well. I am loving turquoise accents lately.

Can I also say how in love I am in with AGA stoves, a friend of my has one and not only are they beautiful but there is no preheating required!

More inspiration to come...

music monday.

In light of the recent Vancouver Folk Festival I have been brushing up on all the music that was featured this weekend. One Dan Mangan in particular.  I had heard a lot of this Vancouverite's music on CBC Radio  and even run into him whilst in a Kerrsidale flower shop but this week I made the plunge to buy his newest album Nice, Nice, Very Nice (2009) and I love it! My songs for recommendation  Road Regrets and The Indie Queens Are Waiting.  

music.

Today Madison Violet was featured on CBC Radio 2's Concerts on Demand and I instantly fell in love with this song. 

Another concert to add to the list, they are playing the Vancouver Folk Festival...

yum.

Yesterday I had the most amazing flat bread Pizza at 

The Beach House.

I am now inspired and more determine than ever to make my own flat bread pizza.

I think I may try this recipe from Martha Stewart and then add some bocchini cheese, tomato, and fresh basil with a balsamic reduction drizzle on top.

Makes 16

• 1 cup warm water (about 110 degrees)
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast (from one 1/4-ounce envelope)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface and hands
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for bowl
• Coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 large egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
• Sea salt, for sprinkling
• 1/4 cup fresh rosemary or thyme (or a combination)

Directions

1. Place water in a medium bowl; sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, oil, 2 teaspoons coarse salt, and the sugar. Stir until dough forms.
2. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead with floured hands until smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let dough stand in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in volume, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Divide dough into 16 equal pieces; cover with plastic wrap. Roll out 1 piece to roughly 4 by 10 inches on a lightly floured surface; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash; sprinkle with sea salt and herbs. Repeat with remaining dough, arranging 4 pieces per sheet.
4. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until crisp and golden, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool on sheets on a wire rack.

Yum!

Music Monday.

Last week these guys rock my world live at the Biltmore.

Next week it is off to Seattle to see this guy and his amazing piano skills.

Later this summer it will be off to see these guys rock the Malkin Bowl.

First two concerts only $10. Life is good.

This summer has been my first attempt at growing Strawberries.

and they have been extremely successful.

The first ripe strawberry. My pride and joy.

home decor i heart.

{I have recently inherited some beautiful colorful books

 and love the color coordination here}

{the arches in this hall give it such elegance}

{White will always win me over}

{My bottle collection is still going strong...}

{Flowers from the garden are also a must all summer long!}