in the neighbourhood

My boyfriend recently took up photography as a hobby and I have to say, I am getting as much enjoyment out of his new hobby as he is; maybe more!   When I say hobby, I don’t mean he went out and purchased a camera, he actually signed up for classes with a professional fashion photographer downtown who runs classes out of her studio.

To make the most out of each lesson, he is asked to put his new found knowledge into use and practice.  The past several weekends or so, we have been visiting different areas in Toronto and snapping shots, he on his digital SLR, me on my basic nothing special digital.  I have to say, not only is walking around your own city with a camera fun because you get to play tourist, but also you are more perceptive and notice things that maybe you would have not given a second thought to before. 

I particularly have a penchant for anything industrial looking, gritty looking, colourful with lots of textures.  I like photographic urban landscape rather than people.  We have tried this exercise three times so far and here is a sample of the Bathurst and Dupont area in Toronto.

butter cream

I just started a great new book called Butter Cream: A year in a Montreal pastry school by Denise Roig.  The book is about the author’s life and decision to quit a 30 year career as a professional writer and university teacher to attend pastry school in Montreal.  She chronicles her year of learning, baking, testing, sampling and also weaves in a memoir that includes her reflections on her mother’s and grandmother’s  kitchen.

What hooked me as a reader in the first couple pages was Denise’s reflection on her need for change in her life and the “ah ha” moment which led her to make a change.  I think we’ve all been there before but little have the courage or intuition to make a change.  I experienced making a professional change from something that I was good at and did because it came naturally/easy to me to something that I was passionate about and I couldn’t be happier about my decision. 

What excites me, and I think Denise Roig does a good job at making this clear, is how life can take different twists and turns leading you in a new direction if you allow it to and are in touch with that little voice in your head that tells you you’ve plateaued.  

So if you are looking for a good story about change, work, a career and doing what you are passionate about set to the tone of baking, this is for you!  Book is here on amazon.ca.  I am sure you can also find it elsewhere.  As always, I got my copy from the library.

via amazon.ca

little pots

I keep seeing this idea surface in a couple mediums.  Most recently I saw it in the Martha Stewart Weddings magazine for spring where they turned little potted plants into a dessert and on Jesi Haak Weddings used as table place cards.  A totally fresh idea for a wedding, regardless of season, little pots are a nice way to gift your guests and save on decor.

via jesi haak weddings

via charming weddings

clutch

I love these wild looking vintage clutches I found on etsy.com by mother and daughter team behind the brand, Angee W.  These women are super talented and I belive are operating out of Toronto and Hong Kong.  Their online store is run on etsy which is why I have included the link.  You can also get to the link via the Angee W. website.

marimekko

I found the mecca of Marimekko in Toronto.  There is a little shop on Queen West called Paloranta Art and Furnishing and affable owner, Teemu Paloranta ,who is from Finland, carries a wide variety of my favourite Finnish brand. 

I was astounded to see so many SKUs of Marimekko.  Typically you may see a platter here or a bowl and some wallpaper there but not the whole kit and kaboodle!  Chez Paloranta, you could easily accessorize a kitchen and yourself.  Teemu is also and artist and paints.  He sells his work in the store and will customize a piece for you.  

A bit about Marimekko if you are not familiar: It was established in 1951, and soon became the leading Finnish textile and clothes design company, which is easily recognized by its bold floral prints. 

If you are looking for some hostess gifts for spring (Marimekko and flowers are synonymous = spring) or bridal shower gifts, go check out Paloranta.  I personally like the large platter as a gift idea,  either way, Teemu will help you choose, he is a wealth of knowledge.

via sweet potatoes inc

via homeworkshop

via superfuture

holiday serving trays via always mod

serving tray via casasugar