"We Are Photographers?"

Seriously, I have not experienced this much of Toronto in the past ten years as I have in the last two months.

There is a Photography Festival hosted by CONTACT going on from May 1 - 31, 2010 and there is a book full of exhibitors that will be showcasing their work during this period.
A group of exhibitors that are at the top of my list and very dear to my heart are none other than the few close friends of mine that have been exuberantly passionate about photography.

Words cannot begin to describe the stories their collections tell. Their pictures alone speak a thousand words.
Please come out and support them and all the other amazing photographers this city has to offer.

Cooking from my Makeshift Recipe Binder I - Lamb & Mash Potatos

Last week I decided that I would begin to try out recipes from my makeshift receipe binder. I had ripped out and stored in a folder many many recipes from different magazines and calendars and I would tell myself, 'I will make this tomorrow' or 'I'd definitely try to make that someday'. Well, that someday is now. I decided to make rack of lamb and homemade mash potatoes. Yes I know, what's the big deal about making homemade mash potatoes right? Well for me, it's a big deal because I failed to make mash potatoes that had just the right texture and softness. This time, I can say with confidence, I finally succeeded. Originally, I was going to make lamb rib chops but No Frills was almost out of meat (not quite sure why, guess everyone needed meat in their meals that night). So I bought a rack of lamb instead.

To the Food Junkie, you inspire me to try new receipes and to cook more :) We should have a cook-out one day!!!

Handcrafted Brooches by LBT

Today's blog is about handcrafted brooches. I'm very excited to be blogging about this topic because of a few reasons.

One, I've discovered a new found love for these precious pieces of accesories. I cannot recall the last time I owned a brooch but now I own 3 1/2 and hope to expand that collection.

Two, they go very well with almost everything I wear. Delicate and classy with a hint of style that goes with today's fashion trends.

And three, they are handmade locally by my close friend.

This first brooch was a part of her first collection and as soon as I saw it, I fell in love with it. Being the artisan and designer, she did not see it the way I did, sort of like the ugly duckling of the bunch. I told her otherwise, and she gave it to me as a gift. I think it dresses up any black or dark solid colour blazer or cardigan.

The second brooch was another one of my favourites. I adore the design as it reminds me of the "Marie Antoinette" times.
The next pair of brooches were custom made for the black dress I wore to our friend's wedding. I requested the brooch to be the attention of the dress as the dress, the shoes and the clutch were black. It turned out amazing and just how I invisioned it to be. The colours were soft but bold enough to stand out.

I can't wait to see what new creations she has coming our way!

A Wedding To Remember

This weekend was filled with love, laughter, happiness and just pure bliss.


Two very close friends of mine tied the knot this past beautiful Saturday. The church, St. Paul's, located downtown on Bloor Street is elegant, traditional yet modern. Being able to get married there definitely is......a true blessing.

The reception was held at Le Jardin in Woodbridge. The decor was absolutely stunning. Everything was beautifully coordinated, from the table center pieces to the changing colours of the chandeliers.













Congratulations Kristy and Jonathan! Wishing you both eternal happiness and many many extrordinary adventures to come as a married couple.

The Life of a Beta Fish

Ever since I was young, I always wanted a pet, preferably a dog, but my parents never let me have one. I'm not sure if it was a build up of not being able to have pets as a child that led me to surround myself now with a mini zoo - my dog, my rabbit and 2 living beta fish. If I could, I'd get another dog too :)

Beta Fish. Had no idea this type of fish existed until my lovely

ex-coworker and current friend told me that we should get a fish

for the office and that beta fish are very pretty to look at.

So we bought our first beta 2 years ago, he was mainly blue and we named him 'Ph'atty. He was a strong one, living through all the stress we put him through, from weekly bowl cleanings to monthly bowl cleanings, children poking at him, and moving him from a martini bowl to a vase to a 'real' fish bowl. Then, he passed away one day before the holidays. We definitely missed him, so we decided to go get another one (not to replace him of course!).

This is Spike, and he is happily living in the office fish bowl.

Thinking I was pro at maintaining beta fish, I decided to get one for home. Boomkin, a vibrant blue beta, turned out to be not as susceptible to stress. In the 2 1/2 weeks of his life with me, he developed 'ich' (white spots all over the body and fins) and 'fin rot'. Medication didn't cure him, and soon he started to do this all day:

Goodbye Boomkin, you are definitely missed.

I wasn't ready to give up, so I decided to go out and buy yet another beta, in hopes that it would at least outlive Boomkin. Instead of getting one, I ended up getting 2. See, male beta fishes cannot coexist in the same tank. They would kill each other. I felt one fish in the bowl seemed sort of lonely, so I spoke to the 'fish' expert at the pet store and found out that you could have 2 or more female beta fishes in the same tank. I was

skeptical about it, but thought I would try it out. The first night, I could not take my eyes off of the 2 females fishes I bought. The red one, named Puffy totally bullied and picked on the white one, Huffy. They started flaring at each other and Puffy would open her mouth, trying to bite Huffy. However, the tables turned a week later. While Puffy was too busy chasing after Huffy, Huffy decided she would eat all of the food, even Puffy's. She grew so much stronger and was able to fight back, going from victim to bully.

I think they have gotten over the phase of who owns the tank and have become friends. I've had them for over 2 months now and they are doing just fine.

Amazing Finds at the One of a Kind Show

As mentioned earlier, here are a few items I purchased at the One of a Kind Show. All made in Canada - something you don't see too often anymore.

--> This is a multi-purpose dish called the "Freedom of Choice" and comes with a rosewood spoon. It is made by Hilborn Pottery, a Canadian company that specializes in 'original wheel thrown and hand built clay products of exceptional function and form'.

The one on the right is also a Hilborn Pottery product, but slightly different in form and finish.

They also have large serving dishes, and a whole lot of other spectacular versatile products. Please visit their site at: http://www.hilbornpottery.com/ for more information.

This is a very cute plush baby toy created by Pico Charlie Cole. It is machine washable and super soft. They sell things for your baby, for your dear pet, for your home and for you and him. Had no idea their store was so close in Markham - behind the Wendy's and Tim Horton's on Woodbine and Applecreek. Great gift ideas for baby and bridal showers, newly weds, and for yourself. To view and purchase products online, visit http://www.picocharliecole.com/.

Beautiful handsewn pillow for your dearest little baby. Their products are made of natural fabrics, washed linens, and hand printed using water-based inks. This particular pillow is made of washed linen. We chatted with the owner of tuliP + i for awhile and learned that she just moved back to Toronto from living in Italy for many years. All of the words and phrases are printed in Italian. I really wanted to buy the long pillow with 'O McDonald had a farm' lyrics printed in Italian on it. Maybe in the future....

To view her limited edition collection of pillows, blankets and quilts, visit http://www.tulipandi.com/.

Definitely recommend going to the Christmas show.

One of a Kind Show

Last week a few friends and I decided to attend the One of a Kind Show that happens twice a year in Toronto, once in the spring and once before Christmas.

Thinking that we would only be there for a couple of hours, a close friend and I ended up staying for 5 1/2 hours when the rest of the group had left 4 hours before us.

We had so much fun walking up and down the endless aisles of booths filled with homemade, handcrafted 'one of a kind' items. Of course, loving everything there, I had to decide on what I wanted to purchase most. Photos of items to come shortly.

For now, enjoy this picture of a booth I took a picture of. This booth sold NUGS, handmade clay 'voice activated' figurines.