On The Cusp!

This week has been off-kilter. It started with us buying a mini-van. I knew my day was coming but I'm not sure I was totally prepared for what it would feel like to get behind the wheel of the Mommy Mobile  or if you prefer Swagger Wagon. All of a sudden 29 felt precariously close to 30 (dun dun dun!). Thankfully, I learned how to drive on a mini-van so Vancouver will be safe, however, I might be giving my neighbours cars a friendly tap now and then (I mean there's a bumper for a reason, right?). 

Another adjustment for me is getting used to Jethro sleeping through the night. Holla! I'm back in the land of the living. Suddenly, the world is a little brighter and less blurry. Ben and I actually engage in pillow talk instead of collapsing into a comatose sleep. 

Through all the changes in life one of many things that brings me pleasure is a package at the door. Especially when it's wearable. Fresh Produce Clothes let me choose an item from their online store to review and this Art School Tunic is the perfect all year round addition to my wardrobe. I love the loose fit, pockets and fringe. The material is cozy, the ideal weight for throwing over a tank on a summer evening (I'm thinking Celebration of Light, Vancouverites). In the winter, the looseness will allow for multiple layers underneath. Best of all, the Art School Tunic functions as a wearable nursing cover! 

It isn't really shorts weather in Vancouver, but I think we're on the cusp! See the flowers in bloom and my prepared vegetable beds?!

Event: Nifty for Fifty

The fifth Annual Nifty for Fifty shopping sale is happening April 22, 2012 from 11 AM - 8PM at Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street) in Vancouver. Over 25 local designers and artists will be featuring their work for a steal of a deal. Vendors include Adhesif Clothing, Allison Wonderland, Erin Templeton, Daub and Design and many more. 

Stina Gan Necklaces. I'd be the coolest mom around with a dino necklace. 

Adhesif Clothing is selling these reworked vintage vests for $25.00! Gah!

 Admission is $1 at the door. Make sure to bring paper money because many vendors will be accepting cash only.

For more info check out the Nifty for Fifty Facebook Page

I'll see you there!

A Spring Wedding

Alexander McQueen long sleeve gown, Lanvin puffed sleeve dress, Alexander McQueen silk print dress, Miu Miu neon cocktail dress, Stuart Weitzman two tone shoes, Proenza Schouler high heel wedge, Hot pink handbag, BCBG Max Azria satin handbag, Dannijo vintage looking jewelry, Miso neon jewelry, Marni hat, Leather sunglasses

A Spring wedding in Vancouver is a tricky occasion to dress for. In one day the weather can exhibit multiple personalities; a sunny morning may turn into a rainy afternoon, followed by more sun, then rain, then hail and a touch of snow. The temperatures can range from tank top to put-on-that-parka extremes. As I was thinking about what to wear to Ariana's wedding, and how not to spend a gazillion dollars, I settled my heart on finding a vintage piece that might need a little bit of a nip and tuck. 


In the first shop I visited, be still my beating heart, I found a unique piece I couldn't pass up. The dress is a black ankle length number, long sleeves, sweet heart neckline, funky embroidered gold crosses and neon pink stripes across the skirt. It fit like a glove, and most importantly, there's buttons on the top for easy breast-feeding access. The dress is straight from the 70s, but don't the proverbial they say, "what's old is new." All the dresses above are from recent fashion seasons and pay homage to the 70s. The accessories are inspiration for how to make the dress more current (although seriously, they could be from the disco decade too.) 


I can't wait to post pictures of the dress next week. 

Get Your Garden On

I often complain about the oddities of our 100 + years rental home in the city, when really I should count myself fortunate that we have a wonderful yard, treehouse included, for our kids to play in. Part of our rental agreement is that we help maintain the grounds and we are discovering that outdoor work is a joy (to some people, I know many who loathe gardening).  Last year I concentrated on creating raised vegetable beds to grow our very own "farm" to table produce. 

Some results from last year's garden.

To help me out on my foray into the land of vegetables was my dear neighbour J, who as I mentioned earlier this year passed away from a quick spreading cancer. J was very kind at pointing out my mistakes, my number one error; planting too earlier. My number two error; planting too much. This year I plan to take the lessons I learned from J and grow the best urban garden. Ever.  But let's be honest, I'm still a novice and without J watching over my shoulder, my cucumbers may grow into pumpkins again. 

Thankfully I was sent a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide To Small-Space Gardening by Master Gardener (yes, that is an actual title), Chris McLaughlin, and after reviewing the book, I'm full of renewed hope that my garden might produce an abundant harvest. Here are a few of the tips I found most helpful:

Succession Planting - McLaughlin suggests planting the first row of seeds and then simply plant the second row a couple weeks later for a continuous harvest. Duh. It seems obvious but we didn't do this last summer and all our greens matured at once. The flowers were pretty but our plates were empty by August.

Cool-Season vs. Warm-Season Vegetables - Get this, some vegetables grow better in the spring and fall, some grow better when temperatures are consistently warm. Note to self: Don't plant tomatoes in April. The key is to also know what zone you live in, for identifying the cool and warm season. Living in Vancouver I'm a Zone 7-8er. 

Use Your Space -  There are so many flowers, vegetables and herbs that can thrive in small spaces. I've been mapping out every nook and cranny of our yard this year so that we have plenty of plant variety without the overcrowding. 

These tips are a tiny portion of the wealth of information The Complete Idiot's Guide To Small-Space Gardening contains. McLaughlin uses her expert knowledge to create fun projects for even the most inexperienced gardener. 

Let the adventure begin!

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Gift Guide: The Tech Savy Mom

1. Invisible USB sticks. Gorgeous, sleek, functional. 

2. Refusing to eat your mom's flax seed smoothies? Gift her this stick blender for the perfect, individual smoothie. 

3. Who cares if mom actually need glasses!? These frames are chic! 

4. Every mom should have sparkly nails while she plugs away on her laptop.

5. Some vibrant arm candy will keep your mom awake during boring business meetings.

6. I think mommy would enjoy a Macro Lens Phone Band for taking pictures of the kiddies.

Eggsactly

Every week my family hosts a group of guys and gals from our church for a time of discussing the Sunday message and giving us an opportunity to take care of one another in a small group setting. It's pretty important to meet like this when you have a church of close to 1000 people. How else would you get to know anyone!? I love this group. They are family. Each one has an amazing story, awes me with their generosity and has made me laugh until my tummy hurts. 

We're not hosting an Easter dinner this year but I thought it would be fun to get crafty and decorate our kitchen with Easter themed loving for our group. I got my hands very sticky making this threaded mobile of egg shaped orbs. Go here for a how to. They suggested making the orbs egg sized but I took that to mean ostrich sized eggs!

I also whipped up some fun coconut nest cupcakes which prompted my hubby to say, "Oh right, 'cause bunnies don't lay eggs." Yes, that is true. The idea is from here.

 

 

 

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and as I said last year, "May you mourn on Good Friday, reflect on Silent Saturday and celebrate on Resurrection Sunday!"

Mad Hatter Tea Party

This weekend we celebrated my friend Nicole's 40th birthday with a Mad Hatter Tea Party. Ever since the Royal Wedding I've been wanting to sport a funky head piece and this was a great excuse to try one on for size. I loved my over the top bow although I only found it the morning of the party when I raided my neighbour's tickle trunk. This year I turn 30 and although theme parties are a hoot, I'm leaning more towards an intimate party at a favourite restaurant. But that's not until December...