a homemade life

I derive great satisfaction from finishing a book.  I started a new job today and will get to leaf through quiet a few now that I have a 35 minute subway ride to and from work every day.  I always say that I do my best reading on the subway.  While others are claustrophobic and complain about public transportation, I zone everything out and transport myself into a story.  I just finished reading Molly Wizenberg’s book (blogger behind Orangette– and now I know where the name comes from!), A Homemade Life.  When I started the book two days ago, I was skeptical because the chapters were so short and I was not sure if there would be any depth.  Low and behold, two days later, book finished and I felt touched by Molly’s story and proud of what she accomplished.  The book is less about her blog and more about her life; told through short vignettes where each chapter focuses on one or two recipes and shares with readers the story surrounding the recipe’s origination.   Reading A Homemade Life made me reflect on my story and the recipes that have found their way into mine and my family’s repertoire.  I even wondered what my book would look like were I to write about my life through my adventures in food.  I would pick this book up to read both for its story and for its recipes and I would not hesistate to gift this item as a hostess or bridal shower gift.  It’s a keepsake and will be treasured on your cookbook/bookshelf.  

via pink of perfection

tea cups

I found these cute tea cups to share with your pals and warm up on those cold winter mornings- from Pol’s Potten, a very cool home accessories design store from the Netherlands.  Check out their site if you are not familiar with the brand.  They make everything-  I wish I could order/ship to Toronto.  Amazing home decor/furniture products.

via elle.com

custom stamps

Happy New Year.

Another year another stationery identity right?  I am almost out of my personalized stationery and I have been surfing the web for the past two weeks to figure out who I will use to order my new batch of customized note cards.  I have been debating over biting the bullet and paying extra for letterpress or just going with a regular printed card.  Thanks to the infinite possibilities, I am finding it tough to make a decision when there are so many options and so many talented designers. 

One thing I did find that looks pretty cool is a custom stamp.  You enter your address and name and this company, Paperwink, makes a custom rubber stamp for you that you can stamp onto envelopes before throwing them in the mail.  Just another interesting and creative way to customize and self brand!  (all pics via Paperwink)

blue pool road goodie bag

For the people who love paper products in your life (ah-hem, me included), I found this adorable holiday goodie bag from minimalist stationery designer, Blue Pool Road in Los Angeles.  It comes with a mini calendar, a folded card, a post card, a thank you card (useful to thank your gift giver) and other funky items that I’ve posted below.  I love this idea. 

Sweet Flour Bake Shop

My friend and I ventured out to explore the Bloor West Village area in Toronto yesterday morning.  For someone living on the opposite side of the city, Bloor West Village is a bit of a hike but well worth the drive.  What prompted our sporadic trip, was a visit to Sweet Flour Bake Shop, a store in Toronto that “pays tribute to the cookie.”  The concept is simple.  People like the taste of fresh baked cookies.  People like to customize things.  So  Kim Gans, entrepreneur/MBA/ex-General Mills, put some innovation, imagination and fresh all natural ingredients together, the end result is a fun hot-out-of-the-oven fresh baked cookie concept. 

The option to customize both delights and entertains adults adn children alike.  On our expedition,we choose an oatmeal cookie base (three bases to choose from) with dark chocolate bits and walnuts.  After choosing our personalized combination, we watched in awe as the mixing and molding of our cookie began to bring our snack into shape.  2 minutes in a hot oven, we devoured a the cookie in our take away bag.   Upon paying I got a kick out of being asked “would you like a glass of milk with that?”  Of course they would ask that (the milk is organic) they are serving cookies afterall.  They also offer muffin tops (think Seinfeld) and granola that can be customized to your wildest imagination.  It is definitely worth the trip for a fresh baked cookie.  Sweet Flour Bake Shop also does gifts and catering options if you are thinking of edible gifts for this holiday season or an upcoming event.

via blogto.com

idea paint

This post is completely selfish in focus.

I hope to be house hunting in the near future and I keep my eyes and ears open for interesting interior decor techniques/products at all times.   I was blown away by this product when I saw it and I plan to order some to test it out when the time comes.  It’s called idea paint and it is a paint that you can put on any surface (walls, tables etc) which turns the surface into one big dry erase white board.   In other words,  you can draw and erase anything you’d like  on the surface once the paint is rolled on and dry (7 days).  Think of all the fun you could have around the house in the kitchen jotting down recipes or a grocery list on the wall, in a home office to brainstorm, in the washroom….. I freakin love this idea.  The ultimate creative product for the neat freak who hates chalk dust.

Look at some of the applications:

via reliable remodler

via contract magazine

via once upon a venture

via out blush