Neat Thought

"Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I loved that quote when I came across it in the paper this morning.

It stirred something in me. What do I create?

I blog, I cook, I study, I walk but really my life is a little short on creation. Or is it?

I have trouble believing sometimes that I am creative but then it occurred to me this morning:

my sense of humour, my ability to make people feel at ease, to smooth out uncomfortable social situations... these are skills that I am proud of, skills which require creativity. 

What a nice sentiment: thinking of one's life as their canvas. Friendship, admiration, conflict, sex, confusion, love, obsession, respect... are all colours on our colour wheel.

I don't need to paint or write or 'create' to be an artist.

Life is beautiful and it is our greatest work of art. We are always creating.

Neat thought, no?

via

The Saanich Fair

Who doesn't love a country fair?

Not me!

Aren't the goats nuzzling up just darling?

I love the shopping, the eating, the petting, the frolicking... 

There's nothing like a bit of childlike adventure to a country fair to nurture the spirit.

Speaking of childlike adventure, The Grimm Fairy Tales, well some of them, are available 'unvarnished' to peruse on Nat Geo. Stories we know and love like Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel and actually distant cries from the original versions. It's worth checking out. Here.

Hope you had a great long weekend!

if you care to know...

This questionnaire is thanks you Leigh over at My Leigh Ashley.

{one} what colour best describes you and why?

What a question! I have no idea. I really love the colour of English Breakfast with a smidgeon of milk, much like the colour of the title background, but I wouldn't say it describes me.

{two} how have you changed in the past year?

I don't drink or smoke anymore, and I have made it a habit to wake up at 6 AM every morning to do some sun salutations followed by a brisk walk before breakfast... and I shed myself of a few dysfunctional relationships. All in all - a lot!

{three} have you had any surgeries?

No, thankfully!

{four} why did you start your blog?

For shits and giggles.

{five} what are you looking forward to this summer?

Getting visitors, losing a few pounds and taking a summer class in English Lit.

{six} do you have any family traditions for the 4th of July?

Well, considering I'm Canadian, no. For Canada Day (July 1st) though? No.

{seven} what's something new you've tried in the past few months?

I've tried a lot of new things - going to Church, OA but my favorite accomplishments is I've really expanded my repertoire in the kitchen. I'm really learning to cook.

{eight} what's your ideal room temperature?

I would say 19 - 20 degrees Celsius is comfortable.

{nine} what was the last movie you saw in theatres?

Hangover 2. It was funny but I enjoyed Bridesmaids more.

{ten} what song do you think everyone should hear once?

Beside You by Van Morrison. It's just such a complex, textured, unpredictable and moving song and the recording it imperfect. Try and sing along. You can't - not unless you've heard it one hundred times.

Image Credits: MarthaStewart.com, Tracy Griffin.

if you care to know...

{one} How many times have you been a bridesmaid/maid of honour?

Just once, for my sister's wedding.

{two} What's the last thing you do before you fall asleep at night?

I write down 3 things I'm thankful for.

{three} You just won your dream vacation, all expenses paid. Where are you going?

Again? I did this last week - see here or scroll down. It would be a pretty decadent affair.

{four} What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Lying in a hammock, reading or picnicking. Do those count?

{five} As a child, what did you want to be "when you [grew] up"? Did you end up there?

Well, I wanted to be a star or a ballerina. That did not happen, but no complaints.

{six} what are three things your dream home would have but don't currently have?

More storage space, an updated kitchen and nicer tiles in the bathroom. All in due time.

{seven} what's for dinner tonight?

Probably a quinoa spinach salad or I might make a minestrone if I make the time.

{eight} if someone stopped by your house unannounced on a typical Saturday night, what might they find you doing?

Reading, watching a movie, exploring blogs or enjoying a laborious meal with a glass on wine... If I'm feeling particularly energetic I might be throwing myself a little dance party for one, with wine, crazy makeup and old-school Madonna on the radio.

{nine} what's your average monthly water bill?

Free! Well, it's included in the rent.

{ten} what do you do to relax?
Yoga, attempting to meditate (unsuccessfully mostly - but it's always relaxing!), reading or writing in my journal with a nice cup of tea.

These questions can be found over at My Leigh Ashley. Check it out, I always enjoy my weekly introspection.

Image credits: Bella Figura, This is Glamorous, This is Glamorous Tumblr, The Steward, This is Glamorous, Oscar de la Renta via This is Glamorous via nibs.

if you care to know... {Dream Luxury Vacation}

(Thanks to an archived questionnaire from Leigh over at Leigh Ashley.)
{one} if you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be?
All forms of non-renewable energy (so maybe that's more than one, but not in principle).
{two} if you could go on vacation for the next month with an unlimited budget, where would you go?
Since we're talking unlimited $$$ here, I would get a jet and go to the most expensive places:
I'd start with a weekend in NYC - get the best suite at the Plaza (below), eat at the best restaurants, do all the VIP stuff money could buy, especially shopping.

Then I'd go to London - stay in the best suite at The Goring (where Princess Catherine dressed for her special day), and see above for activities ~ but with a Royal flavour! 

Then I would take The Orient Express to Paris - stay at Le Meurice (below), dine at Mixim's and at Ladurée and see NYC itinerary only add a luxury Spa day, possibly at the Guerlain Insititut de Beauté.

Continue on The Orient Express through France and Switzerland...

 ...to Venice - stay at Hotel Cipriani Palazzo Vendramin. (Below) If I had more than one month I would continue on the train all the way to Istanbul.

Fly, with my fancy jet, to Stockholm - stay at the Grand Intercontinental Stockholm (below), meet up with my swedish friends and shop and eat and drink and be merry.

Hop over to St Petersburg - Stay in the Hotel Astoria in St Petersburg, go to the ballet.

I don't think I'd want to take on anymore because all that travelling, eating, drinking and general merriment in a limited frame of time would be exhausting and I would want to languorously luxuriate in the glory of it all, no?
{three} Cats or dogs?
(Gosh, there's more!?) Dogs
{four} would you rather date a lot of people or be in a committed relationship?
I'd rather be in a committed relationship. Dating can be excruciating and I love the love and support one has when they're in a relationship and I don't really get that from a date. {five} would you rather own a luxury yacht or a private jet?
Yacht. I don't mind commercial travel - I would only use a jet for my month long wandering extravagance to speed things up, but other than that, I'd enjoy being lazy on a boat. {six} what was the last book you read?
Eloise in Paris {seven} would you rather be really hot or really cold?
Well considering one could die in 'too cold' and but you can stay hydrated and stay in a dark place and live in 'too hot,' I'd have to choose too hot. {eight} if you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I love the name Lucy. {nine} what did you dream about last night?
That I was friends with and a driver for the band The Kooks. I woke up laughing, so not a bad dream! {ten} if you had to throw away either your tv or your computer, which would you throw away?
TV, but I wish I didn't need the computer. I wish I weren't so darn addicted to the internet!
Image credits: The Plaza via Concierge, The Goring by PacificCoastNews.com via Zimbio, Le Meurice courtesy of Le Meurice, Orient Express, Hotel Cipriani, Five Star Alliance - Grand Hotel Intercontinental Stockholm, Hotel Astoria via Hoosta

if you care to know...

{one} what’s the worst date you’ve ever been on?I don't know that I've had one. I remember once having no chemistry with this guy and had my friend call me with an 'emergency'. I would say the worst date would have probably been with an old boyfriend. Anniversaries were mostly underwhelming.
{two} if you could be any other person for one day, who would it be?I was going to say the Queen, but I feel like that would be really boring... So I'm going with someone who has top clearance with the CIA or whatever. I'd want to be James Bond for a day.
{three} what is your favorite kind of cheese?That's like Sophie's Choice! How can I choose? I guess a well aged cheddar.
{four} do you remember your 1st grade teacher?Yes. Chantal, she was nice. 
{five} who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?Um... no one. Then I wait to unload with the therapist.

{six} were you ever in a school talent show?No. I don't think we had talent shows. I was in a lot of other shows though: Fashion Show, music recitals, the plays, public speaking, etc.
{seven} who is your favorite fictional character?Anne Elliot from Persuasion for her nobility, fortitude and forbearance. Like, who's that good? Or Franny from Franny and Zooey, for her intellect.
{eight} can you open your eyes underwater?Yeah, but it's overrated. It just ends up irritating your eyes.
{nine} do you look at the keyboard when you type?Only when I put my fingers on the keyboard.
{ten} when was the last time you took a nap?Last week. It was a three hour nap! To make up for some lost hours from travelling.

Image credits: unknown via weheartit, unknown via weheartit

one two three four {fat + fired + girly}

Things I'm craving this week:

{To go to the ballet...}

{To read this...}

{To have a tea party...}

{... and a dress like this!}

So, now that I don't feel so grumpy about it, I'll share the cause for my recent grumpiness.

So about two weeks ago I told you all how I was going through a pretty intense interview process for a customer service related job that I really wanted. I ended up getting it (yay!) but after only two measly little shifts I was dismissed (boo!). For lack of confidence!

Now I know it would be hard for my personality to translate here in the blogosphere, but I was born for customer service. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm damn good at it, so I am very confident about my skills in customer service. The reason for my dismissal being a lack in confidence is totally bogus.

I started thinking about other ways I could have been lacking confidence. Was I overwhelmed or feeling anxious? I was actually feeling surprisingly calm and relaxed for beginning a new job, so not overtly. Was I asking too many questions? Isn't training period the time to ask questions? That would be ridiculous, right?

Was I not enough of a go-getter? Definitely not the case. I was told on one occasion by the manager, "training is a two week period, so just observe for now," and then on another completely separate occasion by a different superior, "Okay, so today you observe, tomorrow you do." Then, when I could tell how obviously busy it was, and the very nice lady training me was frazzled,  I went ahead and helped her by ringing things in, helping customers with what I could...

Then tomorrow turned into, 'could you come please come into my office.'

I asked if there was any way they could give me another day... so I could be more 'confident', reminding her that she had instructed me to observe, etc. She said she wasn't opposed to that idea and even mentioned that the lady who trained me stood up for me. She didn't have the authority to grant me another day so she said she would contact the owner and ask him. I could tell that she was feeling contrite and that she felt she owed me that much.

So the owner came in and basically said no, that it wasn't going to work, that I wasn't a good fit, meanwhile the manager had her hands on her face looking really ashamed. I didn't get it. Meanwhile, I was such a champ, remaining calm, even though I wanted to cry. I asked the owner if he could give me some feedback that I could reflect on for future job offers... and he said, "just work on your confidence."

Work on your confidence? That's it? I asked him to elaborate and he said, "well you seemed a little tentative." How could I have been tentative when I didn't do anything? I was told to stand back and did so and yet I even went beyond what my expectations were for the day.

Then, to add insult to injury, he escorted me out. Brought me to the staff room so I could get my stuff, he did, and with eyes like a hawk, watching my every move to ensure I wouldn't steal or break anything, and then ushered me out of the building. On my way out the manager looked at me with so much remorse on her face and even mouthed, 'I'm so sorry,' so I put my hand on her shoulder and whispered, "don't worry, I'll be fine."

So this is what I've concluded: The owner and I had had virtually no contact before I was hired. The more I think about it, the more I remember how relatively flawless my performance was for a trainee. Therefore, I was let go for superficial reasons. You see, I'm quite fat. I'm not fishing for compliments, for those of you that know me, it's just a fact. It sucks but it's the truth, and the owner is a superficial pig who couldn't tell me the real reason for which I was being dismissed without having a lawsuit in his hands. So, thank you sir, for letting me go so early in the game because working for you would have inevitably been a gross displeasure!

On to more uplifting things, here are some good weekend links:

Great compilation of new books. My summer reading list in there.

So. Much. Pretty.

How I'd love to do this drive.

A woman after my own heart... or stomach.

What a *sweet* idea!

Image credits: Maria Helena Buckley via National Geographic Daily,  Illustration by William Nicholson via Wikipedia Flickr user Squeaky Sharpie via Flickr, Scott Schuman via The Sartorialist

if you only read one, read number six...

{one} what profession have you always admired?Well I admired the people whose work involves menial labour or jobs that are labour intensive: Farmers, cleaning staff, chefs... and basically any job that most immigrants do when they come to this country because we refuse to do it. As for a position that I've always admired or aspired to: Fashion Designer. So not only does it require mad artistic talent and skill but it takes balls to do it. To constantly face criticism and to be surrounded by superficial, disingenuous dickwads... Usually they're also intelligent (fashion has to have a narrative!) and always have an unrivaled passion for their craft. That is very admirable I think. Also, a University Professor is so much amazingness. No much how much I read, I feel like their aptitude is just beyond me. I mean to get a PHD. History Professors always amaze me. Also, Doctors: was never good at science.
{two} what would the title of your memoir/biography be if it was written today?In the mood I'm in: Shit out of Luck.
{three} how far do you commute to work?35 minutes door to door. 
{four} are your earlobes attached or detached?Detached. What a weird question.
{five} do you eat the unpopped kernels of popcorn at the bottom of the bag?No.

{six} what is the strangest gift you’ve ever received?This almost deserves its own blog post. Okay so, when I was going through a wee bit of a Robert Pattinson obsession (Cringe! Read: not a Twilight obsession, just Robert Pattinson)... I was living in a house at uni with 6 other people, more if you count gfs/bfs, where birthdays were a big deal. I'd never actually had a big-deal birthday before then. A cake was baked, my favorite cocktail was served in a punch bowl, and the most strange/greatest surprise: I was asked to sit down in the kitchen with my eyes closed... I was waiting for a cake or something... but then a group of 8 of my friends came out with Robert Pattinson heads and sang me Happy Birthday! One of my roommates had gone to the crazy effort and made these cutouts of his face and all I could see was 8 RP heads bobbing away at me. I fell out of my chair I was laughing so hard (I was tipsy). Then, they gave me a calendar where they photoshopped me into every picture with him: Us out for dinner, us out at the club, us celebrating New Year's Eve, Hallowe'en, etc. It was so thoughtful! I'd never had anyone go to so much effort and was so touched. Oh and I'd only known them for three months! It was a summer sublet. I'll always remember that as the greatest celebration in my honour, ever.
{seven} what is one tv show that you wish hadn’t been cancelled?Friday Night Lights. Best show maybe ever!
{eight} what is something that you are saving money for right now?School.
{nine} what hobby would you like to take up?There is SO MUCH: Horseback riding, sailing, painting, photography, choir, knitting, quilting, crocheting, dance and a book club.
{ten} how many times a year do you get really dressed up?Never. Do weddings count? If so, then maybe once a year.

{Sigh...}

Image Credits: unknown via weheartit, Me

Lykke Li's Sadness is a Blessing

I came across this little clip on a favorite blog Hey, Lady Grey (thanks Vanessa!) and had had had to share it. It actually came out today so this is hot off the press. Enjoy!



I love her because she's so artistic. I get the feeling everything she produces is considered with her utmost attention. I feel like she has a vision and she doesn't stray from it. I don't get the vibe that too many musical artists out there have a vision (Gaga aside), they just put out stuff and hope people like it. Anyway I love the aesthetic of this clip, and that you can hear some 60's Motown influences in there. Sidebar: I love my Motown. Her dress and dancing make her this wispy ethereal little thing, and with the  bittersweet melody... it's kind of haunting. Maybe I just watched it too many times in a row that it lured some sort of sadness out of me.

How do you feel about the notion that sadness is a blessing?

I could not agree more. Secret: I have spent years in therapy (like since I was 12, sortathing) and have come to the conclusion that you only get over something once you've sat with the sadness. To let it take over, however, is not easy nor is it always an option. Sometimes it takes an asshole being rude on your preferred form of public transportation or a senile old man calling you fat (true story: happened this week) to tap into those darker places that are normally inaccessible. Because you aren't really mad at the chump who keeps on 'accidentally' grazing your boob on a crowded bus, that shit doesn't shape or haunt you, but it will piss you off enough to touch on the things that do. Every time I do, I feel more and more free from the constraints of that underlying sadness.

The other side of the coin is indulging in sadness. I think that can be dangerous and one needs to set a limit to it. You can get stuck there. That kind of self-absorption, it can be intoxicating and beautiful and selfish and deluding. "For sorrow, the only lover I've ever known..." I think that's probably the kind of sadness she's singing about. Sadness for the sake of being sad.

Anyway, that's my two cents. On a more uplifting note, here's another not so new but beloved nonetheless clip of hers.



Credits: Images: All images borrowed from lykkeli.com Clips: Sadness is a Blessing; Directed by Tarik Saleh, Director of Photography Carl Nillsson via Hey, Lady Grey. I Follow the River: unknown via lykkeli.com

if you care to know

{one} have you ever been stuck in an elevator?Not that I can remember, thankfully!
{two} have you ever ridden on an elephant?Yes, I have. When I was just a wee one at a zoo. It was pretty much the greatest day of my life. Sidenote: Have you seen Water for Elephants? Having read the book, I was a little disappointed. It should, however, be mentioned that Robert Pattinson's acting is improving (if they have to keep putting all his pretty in movies, I'm pleased by this development). However, it was actually uncomfortable how little chemistry he and Reese had. Cringe!
{three} have you ever met a well known celebrity?Met? No. Spotted? Yes. Molly Ringwald, Halle Berry and once Rob Lowe asked me to share (if that's what you call taking turns on) a leg pushy work-out thingamajig at the gym. I was like UM, YES, I WILL TOTALLY LET YOUR SWEAT TOUCH MY SWEAT. Then some personal trainer dude was like, "Omg, that's the guy some Sixteen Candles!" He obviously got his movies wrong but I wasn't going to correct him, he was too excited...
{four} do you have any food allergies?No, but my tongue likes to get itchy when I eat kiwi...
{five} do you know how to sew?I wish, on the to-do list...

{six} did you get an allowance when you were young?I didn't really have an allowance, per se, well there was one, but there was never a cap set on it... Gulp, should I be embarrassed? 
{seven} how often do you fill up your gas tank?Once a month, it is so expensive! I'd rather spend that money on a nice cheese (which is also shamelessly too costly)... or many nice cheeses. Why is cheese so good?
{eight} have you ever been stung by a jelly fish?Yes. In Tropea. :'( 
{nine} have you ever been robbed?I have been mugged... so my person has been robbed but not a home.
{ten} what is the worst haircut you’ve ever had?Well, when I was about 12, I was chasing a dream. Said dream was The Bob. Something along the lines of this, sans bangs and much more villainous. I wanted to look villainous. Instead, I came out like this. Shall never attempt looking evil anywhere near scissors again.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great day!

Image Credits: unknown via weheartit, unknown via DGAF

if you care to know

{one} how often do you do laundry?Every two weeks. I should do it more often but I live in a residential area with no laundromat and I don't have a machine so it's quite an ordeal, but it can't go longer than that... I don't own enough clothes.
{two} what is your favorite type of cookie?Oatmeal raisin.
{three} what would you do with an extra $2000 per month?So Leigh's answer was: "Hire a personal trainer and someone to clean my house." I'd have to agree, and eat out at a really nice restaurant more often. By more often, I mean once a month, compared to none a month.
{four} what was/is your favorite subject in school?I loved drama, and sociology/ethics, that sort of thing.
{five} have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?No. I wish. I'd like to think I'd do it one day but that shit freaks me out. What if you fall out?

{six} what was your high school mascot?

Eh... I changed schools a lot. So there were Lions... and two of the other schools I don't think had mascots.
{seven} if you had the chance to go into space, would you?Um... I don't know. I think it would be an amazing experience but I think I might get a little bored, claustrophobic and generally freaked out.
{eight} how often do you go dancing?Not often enough. Last time I went was Hallowe'en.
{nine} would you rather drive or fly?Well that's hard to say. Depends on where the destination is. If it's in the US or most of Europe, definitely drive. But if it's in parts of Asia, Africa or the Middle East and there's a high risk of me getting lost and being unable to communicate my way out, then fly.
{ten} have you ever been caught re-gifting?Yeah! Recently. (Oops!) It was a teddy bear my brother gave me then I re-gifted to my niece... Hey, at least it's still in the family, right?

Image Credits: unknown via  smile you're beautiful, unknown via weheartit

if you care to know

{one} have you ever fainted?No... I have felt very very faint, to the point where my eyes blacked out and I felt my body dip but never a full-on drop to the ground faint. I remember once my sister fainted when I was really young, I thought it was the scariest thing in the world. I screamed like it was my job, and it was at a family reunion so I think they all thought I was a little crazy... I just remember thinking "she's dying!" Very scary thought.
{two} what is your favorite casino game?Blackjack. Love blackjack!
{three} do you have a good sense of direction?um I guess so. I don't often get lost. Although sometimes in Italy I get lost because the streets curve and it's not a grid.
{four} laptop or desktop?Oh gosh I love my Macbook something fierce... So laptop.
{five} what is your go-to hair style when having a bad hair day?Bun. Ballerina bun... or this messy bun.
{six} do you read the newspaper on a daily basis?No. I check the Huffington Post and BBC everyday though, but I am nostalgic for the days a paper was read every morning... Actually that never happened in my house, the coffee-breakfast-paper morning routine. It was always chaotic in the morning for getting me out of bed was no easy task. It is something I'd like to introduce into my life... What a lovely, simple routine.
{seven} do you have a favorite celebrity chef?Laura Calder from French Food at Home although I believe she's only a 'celebrity' in Canada, and of course Julia Child.
{eight} what tv show would you like to make a guest appearance on?Hum. Can't choose. SNL for the history of it all. Sex and the City for the wardrobe. Madmen for the design. Friday Night Lights for the writing. Hawaii Five-0 for the setting. Come to think of it, any Jane Austen short series would be a dream!
{nine} do you have satellite radio in your car?No. I drive with the good old ipod. It's perfect because I have playlists, audiobooks, and podcasts... all I need for a road trip.
{ten} what was the last movie that made you cry?Never Let Me Go. Maybe naïve of me, but that movie made me really realize that sometimes, life is just. not. fair. I mean I know it's obviously fictional but the feeling of powerlessness over fate is ubiquitous... if you believe in fate.

Image Credits: unknown via weheartit, unknown via weheartit