cochonet rouge

Doors Open, Breathing Begin!

2010-04-21T16:27:00.004-04:00

(photo by Le Michelle Nguyen)

So the doors to the store opened last Thursday and, despite the one-week-behind-schedule issue (who can manage to open on time ANYWAYS?), the grand opening went off beautifully! Needless to say that it could have NEVER happened without the help of countless friends, family members and kind strangers!
So if you're looking for me, chances are I'll be here, you can see for yourself what Annabelle and I are up to here and read about our adventures inn shopkeeping over here.
AND don't get mad if I promo like crazy over here, k?
THANKS!

Cutting Tables and Lights!

2010-04-03T22:40:00.004-04:00

Well the day started off not so productively, with my AWESOME friends (didn't mean to make that sound sarcastic- Monia and Rob ARE indeed awesome) offering to go to Ikea AND Home Depot (um... are they crazy?) for our workstation tables, only to find out that despite ikea.com saying they HAD stock, our legs were nowhere to be found. Urgh.
Anyways, after a long morning at the park with the boys and Jazzy, I got ready to run around: pick up the sewing machines in Laval and try my luck at the Boucherville Ikea for those dang Fintorps. Bad hair and nasty sunburn to boot. Meanwhile, the menfolk were hard at work building huge ass cutting tables and putting up lights.

Anyways, I think it's taking shape quite well! Next up is the bookcase/fabric/wall unit solution, the black wall (which I am most excited for) and the workstations. We will be ignoring the cash counter (who needs one of those?!) until the very last minute- sounds like a plan?

Barn Raising

2010-04-02T09:52:00.003-04:00

It's been a heck of a couple of days- where mundane things end up triggering extraordinary emotional responses and where little tasks (like getting the kids to school) take on gigantic proportions. We've had a lot of highs and many many lows recently, but like I've recently learned, I'm really only fulfilled when shit is hitting the proverbial fan.
I've been trying to write this post about the transition that's about the take place: from stay at home mom to working mom with newborn, and unfortunately, my words are failing me. And it's all been said before, more eloquently and with much better grammar.
So instead I leave you with photos from the store- the painful (but gorgeous) floors and the SIGN! I never expected to have such an emotional response from seeing my own name on a storefront! Call me vain...

Subfloor
Dave and Bruno receiving the floor

Floor: installed!!

Storefront!

So yeah, have I mentioned how lucky I am to have such a handy, strong husband? Because seriously, without him, this would have been way more daunting than it already has been!
And also: it really DOES take a village to raise these kids and get anything done... .so thanks to everyone for pitching in...

Work in Progress

2010-03-25T16:07:00.003-04:00

After this weekend- I'll either be in a much better head space, or in a much worst head space!
These are some pretty crappy iphone camera photos of our space!!!

The floors come in tomorrow and will be installed over the weekend- painstakingly, I'm sure. Next step is building the cutting tables, workstations and cash and then we should be laughing, right?
Sigh.

Public Apology

2010-03-15T18:50:00.002-04:00

To my friends who have had birthdays gone by without one word of acknowledgment from me (that's you Sarah!): I'm sorry.
To those of you with pending email responses (d and Juice- I'm thinking of you): I'm sorry
To the cab driver I was too tired to chit chat with: I'm sorry
To the guy working at the Permit division: (Actually, I'm not so sorry about that). You're an idiot.
To Bruno, who I bark at like an insane pregnant woman: I'm sorry
To all of you who have helped so far with little thanks on my part: I'm sorry

I'll be better in a few weeks... I promise!

Weekend Recap: One Word Edition

2010-03-01T08:47:00.000-05:00

GASTRO

happinness can be purchased at any local pharmacy!

2010-02-25T10:21:00.004-05:00

Didn't you know? Here's where mine came from yesterday:

The self-loathing immediately disappeared- after the very first application! So I know that it's giving me cancer just by it being near me, but I just can't resist their muted earth toned packaging. And now Aveeno has a shampoo? That's where my very next $9 are going... to my happiness!

More awesome homes that don't belong to me...

2010-02-25T10:07:00.002-05:00

This is the second installment in the Dwell Dream Home Search 2010...

Warning: do not walk with heels

Industrial meets farmhouse

Playing with spaces and volumes, I love the idea of having vertical views.

Love the floor to ceiling window

I'm glad that when you look at the photos together, it doesn't look like someone who suffers from split personality disorder attacked a stack of expensive magazines. There ARE some common elements! YAY!
All photos from Dwell.

muwhaha

2010-02-22T22:39:00.005-05:00

See, I TOLD you! No more weekend recaps.

You know I was re-reading some old posts and it dawned on me that I started this thing in November of 2006- how crazy is that? Granted it was completely in the closet until the next year, but still! I've been blogging for three and a half years? My mom only just found out last weekend. She was miffed, but has yet to admit that she doesn't know what a blog is.
So yeah, some of those posts were actually not terrible. Which was a first concern of mine: letting people read my writing. It took a long time, but once I realized that no one really expected me to be a literary genius, it was easy to let go.
So while perusing the back "issues" of cochonet rouge I realized that my older posts are much more anecdotal than the posts I write now, which I think is more out of laziness than anything else. It's exhausting to write something that makes sense. Even if it's just grammatically (note that this post does NOT make sense grammatically, this I know).

So to make things a bit more personal here (because come on, let's face it, there are no strangers that come here) I've decided to share some recent crappy pictures from my iphone camera (that I love).

my office (that I think I'll be painting black- just this one little wall)

our breakfast nook, dining room, craft table

some vagabond children that showed up at our door demanding things like train conductor hats and Jiminy Cricket costumes

So there are going to be some BIG changes coming up soon, and I should be in a better place at the end of the week to give you the exciting details.
In the meantime, I'll try to find a remedy to my terrible heartburn, and maybe wash my hair.

Buttons & Cookies

2010-02-19T11:06:00.004-05:00

My friend Monia sent me this link from FortySixtatGrace, as it's such a perfect match for the big project:

Cute, right? The recipe card was designed by EvaJuliet (montrealer!) who stocks her Etsy shop filled with adorable prints that might find their way chez nous bientot!

Fall 2010

2010-02-18T12:45:00.003-05:00

I'm already dreaming about clothes that I'll be able to wear once I birth this last baby, get back to running and lose those darn pounds I seem to be compacting onto my body.

(me. Isn't my hair awesome?)

me loving red poppies and suede booties

me and the ladies just chilling

me again- third from the left

So there you have it, Alexa Chung's collection for Madewell for Fall 2010. perfect, right? sigh.... Back to my leggings...

House Dreaming

2010-02-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Because I'm insane and I thrive in chaos, I can't seen to move away from the idea of building a dream home. I started playing around with plans which were met with, let's face it, the most lukewarm of reactions. And I thought that I had already solved the dream home dilemma! so back to the drawing board, and thanks to Dwell's awesome archives you can search for homes based on structure types, lot types and location types.
So I'll be building a visual file over here every week, just so I can keep track of them:

All of them from Dwell- maybe next time I'll actually add information about the various houses, but for now, it's just eye candy!

Weekend Recap

2010-02-15T13:20:00.002-05:00

Maybe I'm going to change things up over here? I seem to even bore MYSELF with these weekend recaps!! Ok, so maybe the last one...

Knowing that someone you love is having a really hard week
Having that feeling that you can't do anything to make it (above mentioned week) better- save maybe not pestering about meetings and obligations (I failed)
Eating three kiwis in a row (damn, they are TASTY)
Being so excited for B to show up at my parents' house
Adding a RSS feed link to the sidebar- if you actually want this fluff directly in your inbox!
Realizing that the kids are so much easier when B is around
Planning dream houses
Arguing about said dream houses
Catching the gold medal run by accident
Feeling like I've had enough of the Olympics, already? And the CTV coverage? Garbaggio
Admitting to myself that the Weekend Recap is super lame when there are no links
Waiting for the 17th and the 25th of February- DESPERATELY
Ignoring the baby name suggestions (like, really? it's too soon for all this)
Dreaming about this wall unit- again

Flowers over Chocolate any old day

2010-02-12T06:11:00.003-05:00

I'm not a big Valentine's Day person. It doesn't really mean anything to me- BUT- since it's an excuse to have/give/receive flowers... I won't poopoo it!
Here are the latest from small stump + studio choo. And how exciting, they opened their doors yesterday!! So any of you peeps living out in San Francisco, I URGE you to buy flowers there and support those ladies!

So have a great weekend, whether it be chocolate filled or not!

Seasonal Anthro Roundup!

2010-02-11T14:45:00.005-05:00

Well, here it is! My anthro spring 2010 roundup!

You'll forgive me for the lack of links, prices and whatnot.

Blech, is it still winter?

2010-02-10T14:08:00.002-05:00

feb2
Originally uploaded by gemma correll

Ok, so maybe it's the week, or the lack of sleep, but I've had a difficult time getting some QT here with the old cochonet. Like always, there's so much I want to talk about, but so little brain space to actually devote to writing and uploading photos (there has GOT to be an easier solution!).
So I'm feeling lazy- no pictures today. (okay, maybe ONE) BUT if you want your fill of visual inspiration you MUST check out sfgirlbybay's post on Blog it Forward... wow, this project is sure to take up a large portion of my web surfing time- when I actually get some. I've been firing off my right-click bookmark like you wouldn't believe!
I leave you with Gemma- that I love and who always makes me feel happy!

Weekend Recap

2010-02-08T08:08:00.003-05:00

Hosting my fav ladies in my house- which I don't seem to hate anymore (the house- not the ladies!)
Baking these brownines
Shivering at the creepiness of this This American Life episode
Starting this book
Wishing for days without any juice spills, or spills of any kind
Witnessing the awesomeness of MissSugarPuss
Cowering at the idea of another week of winter- blech
Excited by the upcoming Blog It Forward
Hoping that the kids' latest phases will be VERY short lived.

Flower Fridays!

2010-02-05T07:32:00.002-05:00

Flower Fridays brought to you courtesy of the lovely gals over at Small Stump + Studio Choo...

They also have a recurring feature over at d*sponge that's called We Like It Wild- which is awesome. I have a feeling that their new store is going to be a success! Can't wait to able to post photos like this one soon...
Have a great weekend! (can you tell that we had our first full night sleep in over 5 months??!- NO COMPLAINING- for a change!)

Tight Squeeze

2010-02-03T08:24:00.003-05:00

As many of you know, we've squeezed 4 people with BIIIIIIIIG personalities into a 850 sq ft apartment. Sometimes it works, but most often it's pretty tight. Like last night, when I had to sleep on our Ikea couch to accommodate the three male bodies in our bed. Why didn't we buy a king size matress? This question will torment me for the next 10 years.
So when I saw Emily Henson's 750 sq ft California bungalow on Design*Sponge, I almost cried. She MADE IT WORK!! And how...

So I know it's lame to repost the most influencial and highest traffic-ed design blog, but STILL. The birdhouses? The bunk beds? It's perfect!

Something out of the ordinary

2010-02-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

I once blogged recipes, like 2 years ago maybe? Do you remember that? I've since given it up as it's extremely time consuming with the camera, and the food, and the writing. Blech. Too much fuss for this munkee. I'll leave the food blogging up to the experts like this gal and this lady, and I'll stick to my own stuff. (Note to self: try to define what this blog is about so when peeps ask you , you don't stutter out crap like "you know, it's about stuff, like stuff that's pretty and stuff that I like.") I make myself barf sometimes.
Well, something changed on Monday. I got a hold of The Perfect Muffin recipe from my friend Jess. It's like the tabula rasa of muffin recipes. I, of course, fudged up the original recipe and the muffins turned out delicious.

So here it goes:

1 cup oats
1 cup milk
1 cup flour (you can half/half with whole wheat)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
pinch salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup oil

** now as part of my additions:
2 tablespoons flax seed
1/2 cup apple/pear sauce
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
brown sugar crumbled on top

Preheat oven to 375

Combine milk and oats in small bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes. Add egg, flax seed, oil and apple sauce.Whisk together dry ingredients (including sugar) and fold in the oat/milk mixture. Fold over until barely mixed. Transfer to muffin tins/molds, sprinkle brown sugar on top and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Thanks Jess, it's not part of my official repertoire!

today is monday, in case you had forgotten

2010-02-01T09:12:00.005-05:00

Today is Monday. Today Luca has yet another fever. Today, I will not change out of my pyjamas. Again. So in the spirit of last week's amazing photos....

Living Etc (via Desire to Inspire)

Skona Hem

Some monochromatic spaces that really feel warm and rich. I think the key is texture and a wide variety of it.
So there you have it. Is winter over yet?

Friday Flowers

2010-01-29T09:23:00.003-05:00

I think I'm liking this Friday thing...

Carrot-Copia from the girls over at Studio Choo/Small Stump. You can follow the progress on their new shop opening up in San Francisco.. it looks amazing already! Have I ever told you that in another life, I'd open a flower shop and have two big portuguese water dogs in the store with me? Like I said, in another life...

smitten by the smitten

2010-01-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

So there are rarely ressources, specially cooking ones, that are "no brainers" for me. My only exception until now, was Marcella Hazan. However, on my sister's recommendation, I started perusing Smitten Kitchen's site with a little bit more interest.
And OMG. The results! The boozy french toast is almost a weekly weekend occurence; the mac n' cheese is on meal plan heavy rotation; the banana bread has eclipsed my old stained recipe from lord knows where; and well, the pictures are stunning and the writing is hypnotic.
So there, my new favorite. Thought I'd share with you.

Living Spaces

2010-01-26T16:06:00.004-05:00

So today I left my purse on the sidewalk in front of my coffee joint. It's good that the girls that run it know that I am a) opening a business b) sleep deprived c) pregnancy-related-retarded (otherwise known as PRR). Guys, this does not bode well for the remaining 18 weeks.

In lieu of writing yet another annoying, self-pitying post, I thought I'd share with you some pictures of spaces that have made me feel good lately. Having the kids sick at home with me has made me realize that I NEED some Emeline Only Space. I'm thinking of a reading room/office/boudoir with a big ass clawfoot tub in it.

You know, like somewhere I could retreat to when I feel like I need to get away, but can't? Am I making any sense? I think the sleep deprivation and all the sulfates from the chicken fingers are talking...
Anyways, thanks for being around. I think I feel a whole lot better when I give this space some time and affection.
Oh and all the photos come from Bloesem's Let's Get Personal feature.

Check List for the Week:

2010-01-25T16:19:00.003-05:00

1 sick 2 yr old: Check
1 bored 3 1/2 yr old, getting over sickness now transmitted to above child: Check
1 pregnant mama with the beginnings of a flu: Check
1 mother over seas: Check
2 boxes of chicken fingers in freezer: Check
1 father who hasn't been alone in 20 years: Check
1 delayed grant decision: Check
1 loan office delaying disbursement due to above delay: Check
1 lease depending on deposit from above loan: Check
5 guaranteed nightly wakings: Check
1 meal plan missing from my fridge : Check

1 awesome week ahead: Check

Flower Fridays?

2010-01-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Ranunculus, citrus and rosemary...

from Small Stump+ Studio Choo

Maybe we've got ourselves a new Friday theme?

Fun Crafting Vote

2010-01-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

Go and vote for your favorite crafters over at PoppyTalk!

Or you could just peruse all the sites of the nominated crafters, like me.
Has it been hour already? You'd think that I lead a life of leisure, what with all this time wasting I do!
Well at least I categorize that time as "inspiration seeking", right? Maybe I could even log those hours somewhere.
(Cute little logo, don't you think?)

Ceramics

2010-01-20T10:46:00.003-05:00

Dutch artist Jorine Oosterhoff:
lovelovelove

Again with the ceramics? What's there not to love? One day I'll learn to work in this medium... imagine all the teapots I'll make!
Via Bloesem that has just reinstated my faith in the internet!

Sweet January

2010-01-19T11:28:00.002-05:00

Does anyone else feel like 2010 has a whole lot of surprises in store? Some good, some horrible but all necessary. Seems like I haven't had good news in a long time. It actually seems like all we've been getting is news that's super tragic and difficult to make sense of.

Yuck.
I'm in the middle of what feels like a tornado. After 18 months of slaving away at this business plan, things seem to be so close. And I haven't been able to sit back and be proud of all the work that we've done. Not once. Maybe it's because all the steps have been so incredibly difficult? So complicated and annoying? I don't know, maybe it's because going into this kind of project without any money puts you in a situation where you have very little power? Kind of like at I'm at the mercy of the bureaucrats that constantly need more and more from you. With every bank statement I send, or every call I take from my realtor, I want to retreat into my carapace. Yet I think about the finished product and I all I want us to be there. To fast forward.

So today, like many others, was suppose to be a day when I could move forward and cross something major off the eternal list of things to do. As per usual, it got delayed and didn't happen. So now schedules need to be reshuffled, kids relocated, ultrasounds canceled. Questions answered and "WTFs??" adressed.
I guess I'm just so tired of being so close and have it delayed, pushed back, questioned.
Boo. Pity party much? Yes indeed. I just can't find the right balance between feeling on top of the world and feeling weighed down by it all.

And it doesn't help that I'm backed by the most loyal, dedicated man I have ever met? Who almost always finds a way to make me feel better about what I'm doing? And the boys, that despite their distaste for most natural foods and luca's relunctance to fall asleep and STAY asleep, are always ready to make me laugh and try to enjoy the moment?

So yeah, poor me. Boo hoo. But still, why does it always have to be so darned hard?
Stop. Breathe. Enjoy?
Easier said than done!
Maybe I need to go watch It's Complicated- again.
Thanks to Jenna that inspired me to come back here...

Quick Giggle before I fall unconscious

2009-12-08T20:52:00.001-05:00

nov29-30
Originally uploaded by gemma correll

The bit about mussels and vaginas in the bottom left hand corner made me giggle. Ok, more than giggle. Maybe snicker?

Quick before the kids wake up....

2009-12-02T08:04:00.002-05:00

Courtesy of Julia Rothman, via her Twitter Feed...

Weekend Recap

2009-11-30T13:10:00.002-05:00

Yelling- and lots of it
Staring blankly at the financial tables, heart pounding, head wondering: WTF?
Wishing I had more Anthropologie in my closet, like this lady!
Enjoying a fun impromptu pizza night with some new friends
Catching this movie on the free movie channel- SCORE!
Greeting the ILs after a long trip
Loosing myself in this book
Counting down the days

Chirstmas List

2009-11-27T15:22:00.004-05:00

This is my living-in-technicolor-dream-Christmas wish list.... (not to be confused with real list which includes practicalities such as fancy shampoo, knee high socks, moleskine planner...)

Lino Block Kit from Speedball

The almost iconic address file from Lovely Design

Subscription to Uppercase Magazine
(finally a subscription where the $CAD price is the lowest!)

Gift Wrapping Vintage Kit from Nice Package
(aka, Ez from the wonderful Creature Comforts)

Iphone case: simple, clean, practical. From Byrd and Bell on Etsy

Gennine Zlatkis Bird Print for ThreePotatoFour

But really, at the end of the day, all I want is a full night sleep and $100 000. A girl can dream, right?
Have a great weekend!

Lovely Suprises

2009-11-25T16:25:00.002-05:00

nov9-10
Originally uploaded by gemma correll

I can't seem to write anything that makes sense today. Maybe that's because I have been stuck writing, or rather re-writing, a 10 000 word business plan.
So I just want to thank MissKate for giving me a half hour of pure happiness as she posted about the brilliant gemma correll.
It makes me want to draw.

Weekend Recap (it's a bit of a doozy)

2009-11-23T07:57:00.003-05:00

Having a wee bit of a nervous breakdown (we can be honest here, right?)
Driving down to Knowlton seeking some mothering
Realizing that my mother is the least mothering person I know. Damn
Feeling good about being disconnected for a few days
Soaking in the luxury of the clawfoot tub, reading this novella
Roaming the Town of Brome Lake streets looking for D
Coming home, childless, hypnotized by Karen Armstrong on Tapestry
Being welcomed to a spotless home by my crew-cutted husband
Setting my sight on a big fat steak-frites for dinner
Enjoying a quiet adult evening at our new steak spot- nothing fancy, but something that's ours
Forfeiting to the 12 ounce steak, NO amount of work can be done after THAT much red meat
Browsing the quiet streets of the Internet, finding endless inspiration here
Deciding that all I want for Christmas is this, tutorials here

Admitting that I'm way over my head here, but somehow, things will work out?

Get your own!

2009-11-20T08:07:00.003-05:00

Remember Yokoo?Well, now you can get a FULL collection of stuff over at Urban . In store as of a few days ago, they'll be adding pieces to the collection. Can't wait to see if we get it here in Montreal. Don't you love that logo?
Happy Friday everyone!

2 (or Better Late than Never)

2009-11-19T14:38:00.006-05:00

Your hand is buried in my hair and your head is resting on my shoulder. You hate it when I sing.
You just told me your best friend is baby Charlotte. She's 4 months old and you love holding her.
You're 2.
You've already mastered the potty and the camera. You're a quick study, sly as a fox just like your Papa.
You're only 2.
You have that rare ability to affect the mood of a crowd. For better or worst, you need us to feel your emotions. I think you get that from me.

I'm sad that you'll never be 2 again
Happy Birthday (better late than never?)

A guy after my own heart

2009-11-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

So I was wasting time on Lena Corwin's blog the other day, after seeing that Jenny from Wiksten would be teaching a sewing class at Lena' studio. Anyways, Lena sells some of her things (coveted pillows that I would love to carry at the shop, but alas aren't available for wholesale) at the Brooklyn Flea Market, a weekly gathering of cool stuff with uber cool people and food.

Blah blih blah.
One of the guys that designed the BFM poster is Wayne Pate, a brooklyn based artist, maybe even artorialist as he coined? Anyways, he has this great print of a seagull with which I have irrevocably fallen in love. Turns out I've seen his stuff before, as one of his prints is pretty famous in the illustration circuit (you might recognize this one).
Oh and he loves teapots, specially this one, which apparently makes the best cup of tea. Period. Too bad they don't make it in red!

Bottom Line: Seagull = Mine.

Guy walks into an adverstising agency...

2009-11-16T12:59:00.003-05:00

Um, hello? Anyone there?
I'm going to skip over the useless spiel of what I've been up to, why I haven't been around, general complaints about life, haircuts and coffee sleeves, and dive straight into the goodies! We'll save all that stuff for another day.
Anyways, I give you:
Samantha Robinson (via, PoppyTalk, but I could be wrong, could totally be HeySuzy too).

I ♥ Teapot

Fruit

Bowls

Gorgeous original porcelain from Australia, as seen in Donna Hay, House Beautiful, etc. I love the teapot- obviously- and the delicate patterns. Her homepage is also really fun.
Anyways, just wanted to share a bit with you.
I missed being here, but we'll talk about that later, k?

The Fall Of Emeline

2009-10-01T18:57:00.003-04:00

Things I've learned this week:

When meal planning, it's always helpful to write a grocery list. This will avoid situations like: It's 2pm and I want to start my pot roast. Yet there is no beef stock, no tomato concentrate,no red wine, no rosemary, no thyme. hmmm. Raincheck on the pot roast.

When dealing with suppliers, it is often helpful to ignore them. They tend to bring their prices down.

When reading grant and loan applications, it is important to read the eligibility criteria.

When asking people for reference letters, it is important to know BEFORE contacting them that there are certain forms that need to be filled out. This will avoid that shameful call back.

When planning to post surveys on FB or Twitter, always check the link. Like 5 times over. And swallow your "I don't use Facebook" line- no one wants to hear that.

When writing that lame blog post that is way overdue, it is important to thank everyone and say sorry for Falling off. Again.

And yes, if you haven't filled out the survey: PLEASE DO

What was that thing I did on Mondays?

2009-09-21T08:06:00.002-04:00

Was it called a recap? At this point I'd have to write a recap a la War and Peace, to keep up to date with what's been going on. I'll spare you, seriously. There's no need to go there.

Have you guys noticed that falling behind on your blog browsing, flickr, Twitter stuff is like forgetting to water a plant?
First you feel regret and you think "hey I should really water that, it looks pretty bad" and then over the next few weeks you start feeling that really, no amount of water will save it, so you won't water it at all- what's the point? And by the time 8 weeks fly by and your ALOE looks like a shade of Martha Stewart Neutral paint, you're like I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY I LET YOU DIE CAN I MAKE IT UP TO YOU? And then you water and water and water until SOMEHOW, the Aloe comes back to life.
And once it looks good and you no longer feel the shame, you start ignoring it again. Even though you know better.
That's how I've been feeling about the Internet. Like no amount of catch-up will bring me up to speed with all the goodness I've missed.
I don't really know what I'm talking about. I've spent the last 4 nights trying to not murder a two year old. I wrote an email to a friend of mine this morning and her response, at 7h21 was
"are you drunk?".
'Nough said. I've got some big things ahead, some of them I've been preparing for, others I've been trying to ignore. Like the toddler hanging off my nightgown.
ok, blogger is taking forever to upload images, so y'all will have to wait until later for my sister's amazing new Flickr uploads.

in the wise words of Liz Lemon....... suck it!

Monthly Mega Recap

2009-08-19T14:20:00.003-04:00

I don't think this summer has been an easy one for many people. Maybe there has been some sort of cosmic shift or maybe Earth is slowly morphing into a black hole. It's the only explanation that makes it easier for me to sleep at night.
Needless to say that this place has been a haven for me creatively and emotionally. Although the highlight of my days are usually blog-related (lame, right?), I'm going to have to put it on hold until I can get a bit more free time. I'm thinking mid-september, once the boys have adjusted to pre-school and I've reintegrated cooking, cleaning and running into a semblance of a schedule. Let's just say that this summer has kicked my mind, my heart and my body.

So can I leave you with a recap...?

Pulling my eyelids open for this series
Loving this storefront
Rekindling my love for design mags
Switching up the drywall for the tent walls
Worrying A LOT about the upcoming race
Nightswimming. Enough said
Leaving for Knowlton on Monday
Playing back in my head my date with justine
Moving forward on a huge creative idea, thanks to this movie
Adorning myself gold accesories and a new brown belt
Anticipating the return of this series: Oct 15th peeps. Mark it down.
Giving in to the toddler food issues and presenting only toast for dinner
Lusting over this address file
Looking forward to the changes ahead

em

VACATION!

2009-08-11T11:34:00.001-04:00

Yay, we're off camping for a week!
We'll see you all when we get back. Wish us good weather and a drama-free trip!

um, not so hot these days

2009-08-07T09:49:00.002-04:00

Just a warning, this is half rant half pitty party. Please don't mental note the rambling sentences or snicker at my poor use of punctuation. This is really to make myself feel a bit saner. So forgive me.
I've been at home now for just over three years and while I'm aware that I should be thankful for having this life with two beautiful, healthy children, for having an AMAZING partner who is always there to change the aquarium filter, and who incidentally, always has the best interest of our little family at heart and who has an entirely selfless skeleton; yes, despite these seeming idyllic conditions, this week I am not happy. Crazy, right?
Maybe this morning, it's the fact that Luca threw the piggy bank in the aquarium trapping Gill and dislodging the filter, clouding the water with fish feces (I just barfed a bit in my mouth) or maybe it's the fact that I don't want to run into anyone I know for fear of bawling my face off at the first dreaded question "how are you?" "Um, I'm not doing so well, do you have about an hour and a box of kleenex?". Maybe had the kids not nonchalantly refused to eat my meal - which Ia literally tortured myself to make- maybe I would want to fix all the broken playdough animals this morning, or heck, maybe I'd want to pack snacks and make a healthy lunch. But I don't. And I don't want to clean up my shredded National Geographics Shark book that i've had since I was 8, either. Oh and I don't want a three year old complaining that I'm not swinging him the right way at the park, nor do I want to hear the whispers of the other mothers. Nope I'm "happy" in my pyjamas ignoring the chaos around me, sipping my day-old french press coffee. And dinner tonight? Y'all can fend for yourselves, I've got a date.
Hang on, playdough sharkie needs an emergency fin reattachment.
Ok, so this post was going to be about the existential crises of the stay at home mother, but I have neither the skill nor the patience to puzzle the words together and write a coherent post. Let's recap here: I'm just about ready to hang up my housewife coat and switch it for
active-participant-of-society-that-gets-renumeration-for-services-rendered coat.
Buuuuuuuuut, it looks like I'll need to wash the "art" off the washer and dryer and fashion a Mr Jeremy Fisher (from beatrice potter) costume out of a tool belt/scarf before I can get to anything.
So on that wonderfully positive note, have a great weekend and remember that "these are the best days of your life and enjoy your children while they are little, soon they will be grown up and will be able to cook and clean for themselves?" Sounds horrible.

Teapot fridays and some stuff I missed this week

2009-08-07T08:43:00.004-04:00

Happy belated Ms....

Hope you're having an amazing time in the Redwoods- thanks for being a great listener.

In other cochonet news

Teapot du jour:

Japanese ceramic with stainless infuser. Available here for $45

Weekend Recap

2009-08-03T14:11:00.002-04:00

Watching B and my mom gut fish
Witnessing the union of Matty and Kim
Knowing that next time I get married, I'll do it here
Deciding on an impromptu date with B: forgettable burgers and this movie. Unforgettable company
Eating the best local meal: beef/this farm, trout/our pond, zucchini+rattes/garden
Letting myself dream of a bio-diverse farm at 43 bailey rd
Dreading the unpacking, meal planning and grocery stocking of the week ahead
Catching up with what I've missed online
Enjoying my time offline

Pour Gwennola

2009-07-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

Et un autre blog de photo pour te faire rever...

Sandra Juto: Blog::portfolio::flickr

Oh my,

2009-07-28T10:40:00.001-04:00

Jenny-wiksten-made-Gordy's search for the perfect black jean is mesmerizing. Scratch that, all of Jenny's latest posts are great, specially Bold Necklace hunt...
Also led me to this find for Lena Corwin.
No pictures...sorry!

Tuesday

2009-07-28T08:14:00.003-04:00

Wood Block Books

Miranda with Pink Gloves on Meech Lake, 2008

I love the translucent quality of watercolor- isn't Miranda BEAUTIFUL? I once had a hat like that- I think it was abandoned on the floor of either Miami or Bifteck once upon a design-school time. Aaaah, those were the days!
Canadian illustrator, publisher, writer and art director Leanne Shampton. You can buy the block books at John Derian in NYC and see the rest of her books here.

I'll be going to Knowlton on Thursday so I'm trying to figure out goodies to post here for the time that I'll be gone- but if I don't manage, I'll see you again next week?
love
e

Weekend Recap

2009-07-27T13:02:00.002-04:00

Pampering myself with manicure/pedicure, new makeup (thanks juice!)
Shuddering at how many times I've heard *mani-pedi* this past week
Loving my man in his suit
Reading this book in the car
Resenting Denise (the front desk clerk) for the absence of king size beds in the hotel
Missing exit 57 due to said book
Getting all teary-eyed at the vows
Witnessing a dance-off of grand proportions
Reliving my passion for RockyHorrorPicture Show on the dance floor
Being outraged when the barkeep announced *we're out of white wine*
Rocking the wraparound french braid
Feeling DONE with cupcakes and blue icing
Enjoying all the alone time w/B and remembering how much we loved talking to each other
Tugging at my heart when i realized how much i missed the boys
Looking forward to doing it all over again next weekend!

Teapot Friday Wedding Edition

2009-07-24T05:48:00.004-04:00

We're off to the Laurentians for a wedding this weekend. Thought I would give you my top choices from the Bloomingdale's Registry Boutique:

Signet Platinum

Night & Day Teapot

Night&Day Individual Teapot

Simple, white, over $200. Essential pre-requisites when choosing a teapot for your registry. Now, if only they came in red...

Paper Planes

2009-07-23T09:04:00.002-04:00

Long time blogger and graphic designer, contemporary paper designer Suzie Jack! I rekindled my romance with her blog last week and can't stop going to her shop. Her stuff just makes me happy- I could picture myself opting to go with something similar for a corporate identity or something. Or even personal thank you notes, greeting cards?
So here's a sample of her stuff- super random and without separate descriptions because I'm suuuuper lazy this morning!

Calendar is my fav. Be sure to check out her blog- her content is always original and she finds all these beautiful themes that she documents. I sometimes want my house to look like one of her posts... that's a good thing, right?
SuzieJack Shop
SuzieJack Home
SuzieJack Blog
Enjoy... we're off to the pool. Maybe I can finally fix my tan and STOP wearing these ridiculous tube tops. Seriously, I look like the tramp mother of two illegitimate children.

Anthro Love

2009-07-22T08:45:00.004-04:00

Here is my seasonal anthropologie roundup:

Soooooo, get buying ladies- total outfit cost would only be like $2000...

morning observations

2009-07-21T09:49:00.002-04:00

apartment floor is apparently a toilet
cure to worst hair day ever: shave bangs
missing shoe is not a deterrent to outside adventure
no amount of deodorant will take the B.O away today...sorry suzanne
need a personal assistant to organize snacks
need that tunic from Toast in order to be whole again
i'll be back tomorrow with better stuff- the poodle hair is poisoning my blogging brain!

Weekend Recap

2009-07-20T08:12:00.002-04:00

Chasing fireworks
Entertaining Mateo with my nautical prowess
Eating pancakes, strawberries and bananas as a midday meal, in bed, with B and the crossword
Being freed of my culinary duties on a Sunday night
Hoping Justine made it ok
Wondering how I ended up with babies in my bed all weekend
Completing an 18K run
Crossing one more NDG eatery off our list. For good
Hoping that these i-teeth are going to come in quickly
Taking all morning to do groceries, clean the fridge and put everything away
Reading this book and not feeling it
Rejoicing the the sunshine streaming in through the curtains
Detesting the pile of clothes on my floor

Teapot Friday

2009-07-17T08:25:00.005-04:00

A bit of porcelaine love straight from Argentina....

Calu Parrot Water Decanter $280

Nadia Teacup $46

Teapot with a cold: $120

saved the best for last....

On Music: in two parts

2009-07-16T08:41:00.006-04:00

I'm trying to find some new music these days. Don't get me wrong, I've loved my Royal Tennenbaums soundtrackbut both B and I are getting a bit tired of Police&Thieves (who knew?). My ipod is sounding as redundand as most of my blog posts and CBC radio2 just played the WORST east coast haligonian rock I've ever heard.
What's a monkey to do?
The Internet will surely have the answer! Here's what it's offered up to please me...

PasteMagazine (tag: signs of life in music, film and culture). All Time Top 10 Rock Documentaries is the latest installments in a long string of great top ten lists published on the Paste website (the last popular one was Top 17 Romantic Comedies of This Decade) and hence twitted for the tweeps to read. Top two picks: Flaming Lips' Fearless Freaks and this Wilco gem.

Urban Outfitters LSTN now streams playlists and offers up the mp3s for free-which is genius! Super fun easy way to lay your ears on some new tunes. {via for me, for you-}

So that's it ladies, I'm sweating and need more coffee.
later

morning observations

2009-07-15T07:05:00.003-04:00

(photo by Jen at SimplyBreakfast: website, etsy, enjoy)

audio books are the new television.

5h55am is not an appropriate wake up time

kashi puffed 7 grain cereal+half a banana+ handful dried cranberries+slivered almonds=genius

coffee is best when not shared with 2 year old

apparently monsters hide in curtains

hopefully we will all be happier today, but knowing that Justine was "out for blood" yesterday made me feel so much better about being irrationally foul.

new to me, old to everyone else....

2009-07-15T06:55:00.003-04:00

ashley and drew. ashley and drew and Urban Outfitters.
amazing

i love your scarf

hopes and dreams

a moment of solitude

a look only you would understand

all are prints of original illustrations in ink then digitally colored. all $20usd. all available here.
yet another stellar thing that comes from portland. grrrrrr.

Get ready my dears:

2009-07-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

By the talented peeps over at Refinery29

Weekend Recap

2009-07-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

Running for TWO EFFING HOURS
Fantasizing about angels lifting me up to the heavens for the last hour and a half of the run
Ordering pizza and settling in for a quiet night with this movie
Swelling, nay, elephantitis of my eyelids from the 3 hrs of crying caused by said movie
Catching This American Life live on the radio
Reacquainting myself with this blog
Cutting up bread and stale bagels for the fish at Beaver Pond
Realizing that all the fish at Beaver Pond are dead
Drooling over these
Wanting to tune out to incessant irrational demands from 3 yr old
Drawing the line at dogs in strollers. Come on now
Bookmarking like a madwoman
Kicking the ball around with 3 generations of Garbarinos
Looking forward to a well deserved day sans children and a shopping date with an old friend

For Annabelle

2009-07-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

I have no words to describe this:

Simply genius. Can we hang it above your bed?
From Feeling Stitchy via MakeSomething... you should check out the indigo dress she just made and dyed.
I have also made a mental note to proofread the posts BEFORE I hit Publish. Not after. Starting tomorrow.

Teapot Friday

2009-07-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

I'm just tickled to be on my patio, watching the kids and *shopping* for teapots...
I give you....

`Electric Kettle from Japanese Houseware brand Metaphys
Garden Factory Planters by Metaphys

Now you guys have a great weekend!

Small Stump

2009-07-09T08:44:00.004-04:00

this is going to be much shorter than I had anticipated. Something about a writhing toddler and crackers will force me to cut this short.

A few observations from this morning:

There is really only time to either floss or make snacks in the morning. Today I picked flossing.
Teaspoons are effective weapons in 2yr old vs 3yr old battle
Although somewhat dangerous, scalloped edged scissors are an okay toy while mom flosses
It only requires 1 hour to convince 3 yr old to dress himself
CBC Radio2 and a knob of butter makes everything ok
Blogging, making grilled cheese AND plucking eyebrows is not as easy as it looks
I'm feeling a parenting book from Cochonet Rouge is the next logical progression? No?

On another non child (hence non Here are some prints from Small Stump (floral designer genius from Rose and Radish:Pick Something Else SilkScreen $15

Inside Outside Silk Screen $28

The fridge has just been taken hostage by two small pirates...

Wishing i was Casey

2009-07-08T07:00:00.000-04:00

The best part about not blogging for awhile is finding all the bookmarked sites I had planned on blogging about.
Like this one, an online tribute to Casey from his friend Anjelika, who I found in a maze of links that included MakeSomething and HeartExplosion , which are both ridiculously inspiring and motivating.
Anyways, I really liked this idea and I bet that Casey felt pretty special. Maybe a bit embarrassed, but definitely loved.
Tootles!

Sweet Fine Day

2009-07-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

Marshmallow Sampler Pack from Whimsy&Spice

I think it was Holly from Decor8 who mentioned that she had ordered a sampler pack from Whimsy & Spice. "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? Is there anything the Internet CAN'T DO" I asked myself? Intrigued by the idea of delivery baked goods I immediately followed the link and ended up discovering the most beautiful space. Husband and wife team of art directors, designers and pastry chefs Jenna and Mark seem to have it all figured out and document it beautifully.
Now I know I've said this before, but SERIOUSLY, everything these people do is golden. THE BLOG has become my homepage and the basis for many fantasies about my future. Her photography, her writing , the fact that she has two little ones (one picky & one terrible twos) all these things just have me hypnotized. So that's my recommendation of the day. Whimsy & Spice. The End.

Weekend Recap! (i know... i know...)

2009-07-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

Listening to Mateo's chatter about being a strong boy, eating pizza and wanting to hold sharks
Watching this movie- again- and still loving it. Specially all the vests
Helping my dad stock the pond with trout
Wishing I had run more- damn those Townships are hilly
Devouring this cake. Seriously Aimee, the orange MAKES this cake! YUM!
Wearing red gardening clogs- thanks Maman
Driving that pick up truck
Contemplating how big Luca had gotten
Loving my morning coffee with D- always wishing it was longer
Admiring Mateo as he held his own in a group of brave boy-frog hunters
Making a feeble attempt at bingo
Being thwarted by masses of elderly bingo players
Visiting a magical place that was the setting for about 15 years of the best memories
Putting the boys on horseback at that very place
Pouring over this book, over and over again
Being part of a truly wonderful 50th birthday party
Knowing where I want to be when I'm 50
Falling in love with a house- to the point of tears (did I ever claim to be level-headed? NO)
Looking forward to being a bit more present here

Rebirth

2009-06-16T12:58:00.004-04:00

I planted my window boxes last night and it released this happy energy that I'm calling My Rebirth.
So much has happened over the past month that it's been hard to process the entirety of it all. Blogging just didn't happen naturally, so I tried not to force it. I'm learning to respect the things that make me happy and recognize the things that don't. I like blogging when i'm happy, yet despise doing it when i'm unhappy.
Seeing Justine and Hilary makes me happy. Having a fridge full of fruits and vegetables also makes me happy. Hearing Nico sing Fairest of the Season does too.
Moving makes me incredibly unhappy. As do empty boxes and piles of garbage in my kitchen.
So with all those things out of my life, I can move forward now.
The above pic is the summer edition wallpaper from Alicia Bock's (bloomgrowlove) for Kindred, the super collaboration between Holly of Decor8 (BEST twitterer EVER) and Ez from Creature Comforts.
It's the perfect image to describe where I'm at TODAY. I'm sure tomorrow will be a whole other ball game.
It feels nice to be home.
xo
e

Today

2009-06-15T07:34:00.003-04:00

for justine, on her 30th birthday....

Two Roadside print illustrations by Jayme McGowan

You are the specialest.
Your skin beith the best
Marlena's got nothing on you

(ok, maybe it's not a haiku, but it's only 7h00am!)

Lubs,
e

Hoping

Just a quickie

2009-06-09T19:17:00.003-04:00

Despite my foul mood... this made me smile today

So let's thank the kinds folks over at Argyle Whale for making things a bit rosier.
Etsy
Blog

(what a garbaggio day today has been)

Plant Killer

2009-06-03T15:04:00.003-04:00

In the past two months I've managed to kill all but one of my houseplants. Granted, I've never been an awesome indoor gardener, but I've managed to at least keep them ALIVE. Maybe not happy, but at least living.
Well, alive no longer. The move, the stress, the babies and my laziness are all contributing factors, but I blame the Universe. Come on, can't we blame the Universe for everything? I think it's my 'get out of jail free' card. Now I can go spend loads of money on new plants that I will inevitably kill in 5-7 years. Sounds good to me!
OR....
I could purchase some of Shannon Gerard's Plants You Can't Kill over at her Etsy shop...
Found through the wonderful Karyn at MakeSomething, Shannon seems to be a jack of all arts-trade within the Toronto arts community. She illustrates, she crochets, she publishes, she teaches... dude she does it all. AND with a sense of humour- check out her Mature Themed Crochet Kits. HILARIOUS.

So I bid you temporarily farewell- until B hooks up the stupid router. Probably by the weekend and then I shall regale you with all the goodies I've been hording!
love
e

My new Seth Rogen

2009-05-13T17:15:00.002-04:00

is Mark Ruffalo. SR is all yours Annabelle.
Brothers Bloom

Weekend Recap Final Edition

2009-05-11T07:19:00.002-04:00

Attending a whore themed baby shower. Come on, you know only whores pop 'em out
Feeling anxiety levels climbing to new heights
Loving this movie
Regretting
Eating breakfast in bed
Feeling like I'm part of a running community. finally
Enjoying a Julep hot dog
Wondering if I haven't signed up for too much
Signing off of for the rest of the month
Thinking of Nancy
Missing all of you (D you've been on my mind!)

It's time for what you call Happy Birthday Cake

2009-05-08T08:15:00.002-04:00

As I write this, you are perched on the computer desk playing with the printer. Pushing buttons and exploring the wonderful world of Brother MFC 5440CN with Luca. I just scolded the two of you and you're crying on the floor. You're reduced to a little pile of long blond hairs and big crocodile tears. It only takes a few minutes and you're back on the desk. Trying to feed a disk into the printer proves to be more difficult than you anticipated. Luca will help, don't you worry. If only Papa could see you now.
You demanded toast and butter this morning. I apparently didn't put enough butter for your developed palette. I finished your cold pieces of toast, like I do every morning. My how you loathe crusts.
We are going to the garden today and you're excited to retrieve your blue hat (read, MY blue hat that you have stolen). Liam, Suzanne and Avia are excited to see you today. Jazzy will meet us at the garden and walk home with us. She has a surprise for you.
No, it's not chocolate.
When we get home, we'll probably read some books on killer whales and you'll wrestle with Luca until someone starts crying. Then naptime will come and you will resist at first, but then cuddle up to your dearest dodo. You'll also bring along your blue sharky and you'll have extensive conversations until sleep finally takes you away.
I wonder where your dreams take you. A small part of me hopes that I'm in them.
You will forever be in mine.

It's time for what you call Happy Birthday Cake
I love you,
Maman

Yokoo Update

2009-05-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

New Yokoo favorite:
I’m not a crazy person. I just like what I like.
(excerpt from Vice interview w/ Sarah Steinberg)

Quiet Afternoon

So since our last update, it looks like our little friend has EXPLODED! Notably, she was featured in the Vice Fashion 2009 Issue (which you can read here, on her blog).
And through her Flickr Blog I give you an excerpt from the interview she did with YellowGoat Design:

Before etsy and knitting, what did you do?

Before I came too busy for anything but filling orders, I lived my life as rather faint and less notable and chronic sentimentalist. Yeah I was one of those girls. I fell in love more times than Erica Kane. I based my entire life around whomever I was in love with at the time. Painters, musicians, drug dealers. I even dated a man who used to pick pockets. Then somewhere along the line I realized I was just a hapless romantic who, like the rest of my peers, grew up on bad television and romantic comedies and I should stop torturing myself over men that didn't wipe my tears with silk handkerchiefs.

I don't know why, but I really like that answer.
Read the rest of Yellow Goat's interview here.

Okay, so I'm done stalking her.
For this week

My weekend had a bit of...

2009-05-04T08:47:00.002-04:00

Kite flying at the park
This illustrator
Driving
Birthday celebrations
Weekly Stump by the NYT Saturday puzzle
Dance contests
This design blog
Declaring Seth Rogen as my boyfriend. Thanks to the second viewing of this film
Running my 10K on a Friday night- coming in strong
Limping through my 4K
Picking my paint colors
Shocking myself with the neutrality of above picks
Looking forward to Wednesday Night Yoga! Who's with me?
Realizing that there were far too many wonderful parts of last weekend for a Weekend Recap

Summer Dresses

2009-05-03T07:00:00.002-04:00

I found BleuBird Vintage while reading up on my favorite rebel knitter Yokoo. She just announced that she will be selling her wares through BleuBird and you can read their interview here.

Here's a sampling of their summer dresses....

They have more that one model- it just worked out that all the dresses I loved were sported by this tower of Pisa Lady.
I wonder what Tyra would say about her.

Downsizin'

2009-05-02T08:35:00.004-04:00

As you may or may not know, we're in the throws of yet another move over here at Cochonet Rouge Headquarters.
In the spirit of this move (which, in square footage, will be a major downsizing) I give you the finalists in the always inspiring Apartment Therapy Small Cool contest.

478 square foot 1928 construction, San Francisco pad

819 square foot Victorian, Boston flat

210 square foot Upper West Side flat

So there, if these guys can make 210 square feet look fantastic, there's hope for us yet!

I give you ....

2009-04-28T23:16:00.002-04:00

The Bolo? Read the Refinery29 piece about its comeback.
Justine- you should tell your brother.

Mini Break

2009-04-28T07:58:00.002-04:00

So I think I'm going to take the week off from here. I need to organize the move so that I don't die of a panic attack next week.
Have a great week and thanks for all the birthday wishes.
This lady felt real special.

Weekend Recap Birthday Extravaganza Edition

2009-04-27T15:28:00.001-04:00

Will come tomorrow- when it's not glorious outside!
kisses

Looky Looky, who turned Thirty?

2009-04-24T08:20:00.003-04:00

I'd like every day to look and feel like this...

One Spring Day- by Yoote

Wasn't it just yesterday that I was 25 and thought I knew e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g? Smugger than me? Can't imagine! I seriously shudder when I think of things that came out of my mouth. And some of the fashion? Disastrous. Some of the haircuts? Hilarious, at best.
I guess what I'm clumsily trying to get at, is that I've come a long way and could have never done it without the very supportive people around me.
Thanks for putting up with my bossiness, my food snobbery and late night stumblings of yore. The hysterical phone calls and eau-de-spit-up perfume; the non-existant email responses and missing phone calls. Please forgive me for my sometimes brutish tone on the phone- specially you Justine! I'm sorry I made my sister's life MISERABLE for 3 years while we lived together- it's amazing she still talks to me. No jokes!
So yeah, a big cheers to all of you and big happy birthday to me!

For my new bedroom?

2009-04-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

Can't stop with the art work...

Letterpress stitched print by California based artitst Lisa Solomon

Suspects

2009-04-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder who stole your missing sock....

Sergio Tiger Tiny Print $15

Leo Masked Kitten $25

Marcel Tiny Print $15

Mati Rose, San Francisco artist married to choice illustrator to the Black Crowes, Hugh D'Andrade.. um, how much fun must their studio be??
Website
Etsy
Blog
{via HQ Galleries}

Weekend Recap Take Deux

2009-04-20T15:18:00.002-04:00

Ridding myself of my non-driver status
Completing my first 5K race with an amazing bunch of women
Cursing that last kilometer and swearing that I'll NEVER run another step
Thinking about registering for the Tour Du Lac 10k minutes later
Hashing it out with B
Exhausting my emotional supply
Signing for our new home
Feeling serious envy of A's house
Trying to be kind to myself
Having problems doing above mentioned
Breathing
Hoping to sleep soundly this week

Weekend Recap Race Edition

2009-04-20T07:59:00.001-04:00

will be a little late this week!

If you're in Toronto this weekend...

2009-04-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

I think you should check this out...

City of Craft & the workroom present
The Hunt & Gather Trunk Show
Sunday April 19, 2009
Noon-5pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West

I have a hunch it might be, um, awesome. If only because there will be loads of local peeps like these lovely people.

Rules to live by...

2009-04-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Invest in one good antique to anchor a room.
Always have an extra case of champagne on hand.
Read Remembrance of Things Past for inspiration—but only 13 pages a night, so you don't get burned out.
It's a given to have fresh flowers around; keeping them monochromatic is the easiest way to have major impact.
Check your mother's and father's closets. Way in the back, there's always a jewel—even old slippers.
Plan a trip to Paris, just for the flea markets.
A collection doesn't have to be accumulated over time. Sometimes it's fun to buy the whole thing at once.
Forget about purebred dogs; adopt a mutt.
A framed drawing of your pet by a friend can be more meaningful than the most expensive Matisse.
Make a collage on your refrigerator of museum stickers, invitations, funny notes, and every time you reach for something, you'll be reminded of how lucky you are.
Close your eyes for 30 seconds at least once during the day, to be quiet and grateful.
Buy your favorite books in hardback—that's one thing you'll never grow tired of.
Always have enough negative space in a room, so the eye has a chance to relax.
Don't throw away old clothes, furniture or knickknacks—drop them at Goodwill.
Monogram as much as you can! It shows you care.

From Libertine (published by Domino) via {fieldguided}

Serious Branding

2009-04-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder about these gorgeous glossy magazines? Like how, all of sudden, about 6 years ago, everything started looking the same? Everything on white dishes, everything looking so clean and simple- so EASY, yet so contrived? Turns out, duh, there is this ring of stylists and brand specialists that plot those looks out for us layfolk.
I give you Vanessa Holden - donna hay, martha stewart weddings, real simple. To name but a few.
So check out her website- it's seriously AMAZING. I love all the little tricks and touches she added. Well I guess I shouldn't expect any less from a branding specialist!

I wonder how much fun her job actually is? I bet you she's the lady that says "Make it bluer; take those away- gawd they're HIDEOUS; that looks great but can we get that centered?; where's my coffee; go get my dry cleaning."
I likey.

Weekend Recap: Easter Edition

2009-04-13T08:30:00.002-04:00

Spending some quality time with the G. Love
Listening to the stillness. Luca on my lap, my eyes on the pond
Dragging myself up the Badger Hill.
Cursing Ms. D for above-mentioned superhuman feat
Trying to figure out the coming birthday bonanzas
Playing a killer game of Scrabble with some old friends
Saying goodbye to the family cat
Struggling with the Saturday Puzzle- even with the entire team on the job
Rolling out of bed at 9h30- in my own private studio!
Delighting in the joy shared between grandfathers and toddlers
Hunting for eggs in a seriously lovely treasure hunt
Feeling very grateful for all the help and all the love
Knowing what awaits me at home
Debating between colors. Still

Long Weekend Sendoff

2009-04-09T13:41:00.003-04:00

Went to check out paint swatches for the new pad and I'm flip flopping....I go from monochromatic french grays with pops of orange, to robins' egg blue with dashes of pink, red and white...Wonderful bookcase from the always talented Yvestown...her Flickr sets make me swoon. She also reminded me of how much I love this stuff...

Ok, have a great great great long weekend!
My shoulders are so sore from our yoga class last night, that I just can't type anymore! Can't wait for next week... will keep you ladies posted on the dets.
So long!

Quick Plug

2009-04-08T11:00:00.000-04:00

For the yoga class tonight!
If you Montrealers running ladies are looking for a good yoga clinic (specifically for runners) then come to Moksha NDG Yoga (4260 Girouard) tonight at 8pm!
Can't wait to see you ladies!

Art n' stuff

2009-04-08T07:00:00.000-04:00

I won't even bother telling you anything. These pieces seriously speak for themselves:

Droplets

Sea/Clouds

Maiden Voyage

Chair 1 (embroidery on paper)

Perfect for my new scandinavian life!
Sarajo Frieden L.A based artist.
Blog
Lila Rogers Agency (if you want to drool some more... )
{via Creature Comforts}

New Etsy!

2009-04-07T14:20:00.003-04:00

So, if you like my banner and this banner.... y'all will be thrilled to know that Jess from Linear Ramblings has just launched her Etsy shoppe.

Strange bird is one of my favorites... I love how layered her work is. Hopefully this one will be up at the shop soon... Hint hint.
Support a brother. Buy some prints!

Weekend Recap

2009-04-06T07:45:00.003-04:00

Loving-nay adoring my iGoogle: Blogger, gmail, twitter AND the weather? Awesome
Cocooning and enjoying this movie- thanks to my justine
Feeling like we should have done more the kids
Needing to step it up a bit in the running area
Giggling at all your comments
Reeling from the overwhelming week
Discovering this blog {via this blog}
Looking forward to some time in Knowlton with the D-lady
Scaling things down, to make bigger things happen in the future
Footloosing it and fancyfreeing it at this movie with B
Running down to the market with this lady
Overwhelming need to firebomb the Premiere Moisson in above mentioned market
Knowing that you're making the right decision
Picking out paint swatches for the new look...

oh and...

DESTROYING THE SATURDAY NYTimes PUZZLE.

That's right. All Caps.

Door Sixteen

2009-04-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Finally! I've found visual proof that painting wood floors white is a GREAT idea. Bruno is going to die!
Not too sure how I haven't come across this lady before, but anyways, I stumbled on her site last night and it was INSTA LOVE. Everything: the house, the love for white and black, the hair...
She's got me dreaming about restoring an old Victorian house and living in a small town. Book cover designer by day, blogger by night and friend of Camilla Engman.... all signs point to new blog crush. So yeah, DoorSixteen... give it a whirl.

Friday Sendoff

2009-04-03T09:03:00.004-04:00

HELP! Someone has broken into my house, staged a photo shoot and published it on Design*Sponge without crediting me...

Don't you just hate it when that happens?

house actually belongs to this talented photographer and this graphic designer

Cute Food Stuff

2009-04-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

These were mainly for Sarah, but I thought I'd kill two dumb birds with one genius stone:

Eric Carle Caterpillar Cupcake Party from CoCo Cupcakes
Adam Pearson: Food Stylist, and life partner of ...

Matt Armendarariz : ridiculously cute and talented

Delicious Days: awe inspiring food photography and styling

For more amazing food photography and styling- you MUST check out William Brinson!

Yes Please- more goosebumps

2009-04-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

Ukelele: Check
Cute Lisa Loeb glasses: Check
Amazing camp factor: Check
Goosebump quotient: High

Danielle Ate The Sandwhich
via Dear Golden

Spring Cleaning!

2009-03-31T11:36:00.001-04:00

So you're dearest little Cochonet was in The Gazette on Monday...
Read more here!