friday's excursion

i must talk about downtown t.o because it is one of my favorite places to be in. beware, this is going to be a post of pictures!


when john comes to visit, i like to take friday off and we just spend an entire day shopping, looking around, and of course eating (john's fun to eat with because he eats my tomatoes and always saves me the last bite. and there's just lots to talk about!)
instead of doing our usual thing, that is, going to ikea for breakfast, we went straight to downtown and had breakfast at sunset grill.

sunset grill
1 richmond st. west, toronto, ON M5H 3W4
(416) 861-0514
7 AM to 4 PM

the servings were generous, coffee was bottomless, the waitress was very attentive, but the potatoes could have been better (i am quite picky with my potatoes).

john, being the tea lover he is, wanted to try out the the red tea box, which we discovered while walking to the workroom on queen street (one of my favorite streets. there's just so many things to discover each time). i don't like tea at all (except for bubble tea. hehe) but the display window boasts of fondant covered cakes and cupcakes...that of course drew me in.

red tea box
696 queen west, toronto
416 203-8882

it also seems so idyllic and tranquil, but this whole experience was ruined by two things:
1) the very rude manager - who totally lacks people skills. she is actually quite notorious. i've read plenty of reviews and everyone complains about her.
2) the nasty, overpriced cake that we ordered for dessert (yes, the ones that drew me in in the first place). we got a chocolate malt layer cake and that was disgusting. it was mostly made of fondant and the insides were crumbling as if it was baked a week ago. all for the price of $11.
we got mushroom soup and this beef sandwich. it was tasty and herby, but the soup was obviously reheated and the beef was cold.
sigh.
one thing i liked though was the cantaloupe infused water our waitress gave us. just simply cut up large slices of cantaloupe (they didn't even peel it. that's where a lot of the flavor is, that's why) and leave them in your water pitcher. it's supposed to cleanse the pallet.
i'd go back there, as long as i avoid dessert and that awful lady.

here are more pictures from friday (hover over "notes" to see notes):

this is the dress i made, by the way! it has imperfections, but i love it and will wear it again! :)
i made this with the built by wendy pattern 3964, without the inset.

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last shot of summer & other things.

* summer's come and gone so fast. fall's settled in and the leaves are changing colors and more and more houses are getting their halloween decorations up.

* i splurged on 3 pairs of tights today. i really want teal and yellow ones.

* i am now caught up with gossip girl. and am loving chuck & blair more than ever. and am now hating serena.

* i hemmed my dress and skirt an extra two inches.

* i made another skirt last night! i am starting to love hemming. but i have yet to do invisible stitches. i'll give it a try with my next dress.

* discovered these lovely and good blogs.

* i really really really want to learn how to quilt and am hoping that the workroom has space in their presto nine patch class.

* i'm getting my laptop back tomorrow! i am giving myself a cut off time though. the laptop has to be shut off by 1o pm. i'm never leaving it on overnight again.

* bored at work? this is kinda silly, but really addictive. especially if you're competing with your co-workers.

* i am loving the following:

from the dorothy lee collection

built by wendy collection

* i have another TRENDS meeting tonight. october 25 is the next event! i love planning. :)

* i also signed up for back tack. more details later...but it will be my first crafty swap ever and am very excited!

and that isallisallisall.

it's rainy in toronto...i can't wait to go home and snuggle under the covers. and read more jane eyre. hehe. jane eyre hurts my heart.

one more sleep! :)

have a nice wednesday everyone!

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wearable patchwork and miscellany

i don't normally talk about fashion, but when i saw this comme des garcons dress, it made me think of paper piecing.

from Coutorture

English Paper Piecing, originally uploaded by the workroom.

anabela from field guided (a blog that i just recently discovered!) makes the same observation:

from here

from here

ever since i discovered ayumi's blog and her wonderful logcabin pouch, i've been wanting to try quilting. going to the workroom makes me want to start as well, but it just seems so daunting. i suck at measurements and sewing straight on the machine, and am not very patient - which i think are prequisites to making something so beautiful and grand like a quilt (am i right?).

anyhoo...in other news:

* it amuses me that "vegan" is now the new adjective for synthetic leather

* john is coming for thanksgiving! yay! this means long walks, long talks, movie nights and lots of holding hands. sigh.

* i am hoping to get some sewing and crafting done this weekend. my energy's just been really low nowadays. but i do miss my machine!i'm planning to make my littler sister a crayon roll.

*my laptop has passed away. it's only two years old, but i guess that's the maximum lifespan of any techie thing now. things are just not made to last anymore. disintegration is the new thing. this is why vintage is awesome.

have a beautiful friday everyone!

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"amazing useless facts about me" & other things.

teehee. i've been tagged by q's daydream!
merci buckets! i luuurv surveys. harhar.

What are the last three things you purchased?
fabric, fabric & fabric.

What are the last three songs you downloaded?
songs by lily allen & stars.

What are the last three places you visited?
california (sf, monterrey, l.a), ottawa, quebec.
one day i would like to add european countries to that:
france, u.k, germany, italy, austria spain


What are your three favorite movies?
breakfast at tiffany's, eternal sunshine, gosford park, sabrina (julia ormond one), when harry met sally, annie hall, to name a few.

What are your three favorite possessions.
my sewing machine :), my vintage smith-corona corsair typewriter from john, my moon river 45 record

What three things can you not live without?
COFFEE, my laptop (which is close to dying even if it's only 2 years old), l'amour. cheesy but true. :)


What would be your three wishes?
to be in the same country, city, house one day with john :), to live in france, to be sooooo bilingual and fluent in french that i get a french accent when i speak english. AHAHA.


What three things haven’t you done yet?
live in france.
learn how to swim.
travel everywhere with john.

What are your three favorite dishes?
my bran cereal with bananas, buttery mashed potatoes, grilled vegetable sandwiches.

Which three celebrities would you most like to hang out with?
sigh, if i could only have hung out with audrey hepburn. which we would do in a really classy way.
clive owen. hehe.
and that is all. i can't think of any other celebrities i would like to hang out with.

Name three things that freak you out?
insects, especially earwigs. rodents. sleep paralysis (which happens when i've had too much caffeine or when i'm very stressed).

Name three unusual things you are good at.
hm. i can't do anything unusual. all i know is that i have monkey arms.
according to my sister i'm the best person to go to a concert with. one of her reasons is because i can dance funny without looking weird.

Which three things are you coveting?
anything by philip lim (argh argh argh), long hair (only because my hair is at the ugly growing out stage. i have to grow it for winter because it gets really cold), and the perfect pair of pumps.

Name three bloggers you are tagging.
only if you want to be tagged :)
john
giscelle
rebecca

*

i had a very productive weekend.
saturday i had a meeting for TRENDS. the kickoff event is really soon and i feel unprepared! at least i know what to wear already. hehe.
for those who are wondering what TRENDS is, it's a club that was started by teenaged girls a few years ago. getting tired of all the lewd and revealing clothing that was being made available to teenaged girls, they started this club to revolutionize the fashion world and to help the way girls see themselves, as women of value and of dignity. it's still a tiny organiztion, but it's got chapters in vancouver, montreal, ottawa, and toronto :) and because it's still sort of starting out in Toronto, we need a bit of funding, hence the fundraiser/intro event on Saturday. we thought doing an "everything under $10 event" would be a good way to get girls to come and learn more about TRENDS and raise a bit of money at the same time. i found a lot of clothes that i haven't worn in years. some from club monaco, zara and the gap. i found some jeffrey campbell and aldo flats and lots of purses from aldo. aaaaand...lots of american eagle shirts. muahaha. nothing wrong with american eagle (to some people, anyway) but i went through an insane phase when i bought all things american eagle.

any insane phases YOU went through?
all black? all white? what else?

afterwards i went to fabricland. i am now an official member of fabricland. hehe. which means 25% or 50% discounts on all fabrics. because of this, i was able to buy 3 yards of 3 kinds of fabric, two of which are taffeta (awesomeness) and this lightweight, thin denim, and some lace. i want to make some blair waldorf-esque clothes. hehe.

i also bought more felt for more softies and cards. unfortunately it's not wool felt. i don't know where to get them here in toronto.

i was going to go to the workroom afterwards but felt so tired.

this whole weekend i felt so tired. granted i baked 50+ cupcakes yesterday but it shouldn't make me feel as if i've run a marathon. my muscles hurt and i have no energy.

anyhoo...have a happy monday everyone! i am enjoying hot spring rolls & shortbread cookies (from london! hehe and they are yummy) courtesy of co-workers.

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in search for the perfect fall shoes.

today i searched high and low on etsy for the perfect black pumps, heeled oxfords & heeled loafer type shoes.
the ones that i found were either:
* too pricey or
* well priced, but shipping is killer or
* not my size :(
the last one was always the case.

after work today i went to h&m and zara found that the shoes were either:
* too pricey
* too HIGH.

i'm not a very tall person, but if i were to wear these heels, i will definitely be towering over people. and when i tower over people, for some reason i feel like a guy. hmmm.

i also went looking for fabric.
queen street past spadina has lots of fabric stores. thimble has a nice post on where to shop for fabric in toronto. anyhoo, i went into one and was overwhelmed by all the fabric. the store was practically bursting at the seams (hardeehar). there was a particular linen one that i liked with simple circles outlined in black (it looked almost like it was by echino, which is by the way one of my favorites) but it was $20 per yard. ack.
i don't know why i was being so cheap today. everything was expensive to me, which was weird considering that today was payday.

i'll have to hit up the thrift store again to look for some shoes. the best heels are the ones from thrift stores anyway, since they're neither trendoid nor overpriced. and the heels are just right :)
my lymph nodes are quite swollen and it scared me when i felt the little lumps last night.
according to my sister's soon to be nurse boyfriend, it's a sign that i will be getting sick soon.
yikes.

tomorrow:
* i have another TRENDS meeting to for the kickoff event which will be next week. which means attendance is mandatory, lymph nodes and all.
the kickoff event should be exciting. i'm planning to buy little tags and twine for price tags.
* i will continue my fabric shopping at
1) fabricland. i want to buy some more knits. i made a dress off of wendy mullin's sew u home
stretch, and i have to say that it was so easy to do. i can see myself wearing it again and again. and it is for that reason that i should get cracking with more dresses.
2) the workroom! for more fat quarters

i cannot wait for:
* don giovanni
* my package of japanese fabric from matatabi to arrive
* john :)


so i finally finished off amy's birthday card. it needs improvement, but i was pleased that everyone liked it and didn't see the flaws as my mother did hehe. and i can't wait to start on making a few more as backup birthday cards. i'also planning to make gift tags with the same cupcake.

i stitched up the envelope flap. the white stitches give the envelope a classier look. hehe.

i sewed on a "postage stamp". hehe.

i also finally finished john's little turd guy.

he looks a bit cranky.
it's because he is pooped. muahaha.

there, there turd guy.

anyhoo, have a beautiful weekend! :)

now time to rest up these nodes.

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life is a cabaret, old chum.

one of mine and john's secret aspirations (i guess not so secret now) is to be picked out from the crowd and be photographed by scott schuman.
for those of you who know him and would like to find out how, here is an excerpt from h&m's autumn 2008 mag:

what do i need to wear to get you to notice me?
...a good tip is to show off one part of the outfit, such as the shoes or a statement bracelet...
what's the best way to emulate the big fashion houses in style, but without spending all of my student loan?
...designers buy vintage to inspire their new designs, so why not buy vintage? they never go out of fashion.

last month, john and i went a-walking on our favorite street, queen street west, and found cabaret vintage. so many gorgeous dresses, jackets and little brooches. i wanted to take some hat boxes home but wasn't sure if they were for sale. really friendly shopowner, tao, took a picture of us and we found out last night that we made it to cabaret's street style gallery. hehe. it's definitely not scott schuman, but it's a start.
honestly i don't even think that my clothes were wowable. it's funny though how john and i managed to tie each other's outfits in by having something green. it wasn't planned at all. he had it tucked out in the morning and told him that he looked sloppy and asked him to tuck it in. he happily obliged. :)

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thrifty mission #2

went a-thrifting with angela during lunch today. for $62 i was able to buy:
* a carpet bag - a la granny, but it has its charm
* three vintage looking purses, all in mint condition (genuine leather, that's why)
* a pair of brown striped pants
* peep toe heels
* a bcbg dress (!!!)
* and la piece de resistance, a tiffany green rotary phone (well not exactly rotary...it has buttons)(!!!!!!!)
i was so excited when i saw it. it would be perfect for the new room.

a few things i learned while thrifting for a second time
* never thrift on an empty stomach. today i did and i was irritable by the end of it.
* scour the racks of clothes carefully
* grab whatever you can and sift through your findings afterwards

today i realized that i need to spruce up my vocabulary. i didn't even know what the word innocuous meant. but at least i can spell it! haha. and now i do:
in·noc·u·ous
–adjective
1.not harmful or injurious; harmless: an innocuous home remedy.
2.not likely to irritate or offend; inoffensive; an innocuous remark.
3.not interesting, stimulating, or significant; pallid; insipid: an innocuous novel.
it's not that i'm stupid, okay...hehe. it's just that i haven't been reading for a while. i always sleep on the train and at the end of the day i'm just dying to play with my scrapbooking stuff and the piano that reading just slips my mind.
i should really do word-of-the-days.
and i need books to read. stimulating ones. any suggestions?

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another survey, from angela.

i skimp when buying:
underwear.
i only buy underwear on sale at la senza, those 5 for $25 ones.
i splurge when buying:
* things for my face. i always have to have a supply of cleanser, moisturizer, toner and renewal from clinique.
* blouses of the same style but in different colors. i'm notorious for being a bulk buyer. but oh well.
* items on sale, especially at urban outfitters
* i splurge on sunglasses. i own more than 10.
* anything from urban outfitters and lately, scrapbooking websites and stores
i always break this fashion rule:
uh i don't know. ask my sister.
i never break this fashion rule:
as my sister says: i never wear sweats in public.
and i don't wear running shoes out of the house unless i'm going running. that's why they're called running shoes.
must have item for spring 2008:
a pair of glads. although i have a pair at home, another one in a camel color and in black wouldn't hurt.
augh i still want wide legged pants. but i haven't found one that looks good on me.
favourite store:
french connection, club monaco, the gap, old navy, urban outfitters, h&m, mango, yes angela, mango, obscure chinese & korean stores, thrift shops, kensington market, garage sales. haha.
style icon:
audrey hepburn of course & jackie o. when feeling feminine, this random parisienne girl that i stalk, dianne keaton in her younger years, and yes, angela, believe it or not, kirsten dunst when i feel like dressing down
most cherished item:
hm. i don't know. i cherish all my things.
favorite item of clothing:
i like my clothes...but my most favorite ones would be my gap skirt which i got altered to make it high waisted, my gold trimmed french connection top, my tiered top from h&m, my metallic flats. these flats are simple. in fact they didn't even make it to karyn's hall of shoes :( (note to self, wear funky shoes when going a-sewing) but i can wear them with anything.
favorite stylish movie:
breakfast at tiffany's & annie hall
guilty pleasure:
random blogs, hilary duff songs
describe your personal style:
gak. i dress too much on the safe side.
i feel best wearing:
lacey, silky, sheer (in a classy kind of way) feminine tops, blouses, dresses in a creamy color partnered with skinny jeans (cigs, to be more specific. i like them tighter at the ankle) and gold flats or sandals.
style quirk:
skinny belts
most overrated item:
augh i don't know. maybe not overrated but item that i really hate: leggings trimmed with lace. those are emeffing ugly. cheap graphic tees from ae, a&f or hollister? haha.
most underrated item:
clean, crisp white t-shirts.
most stylish city:
paris & tokyo
never caught wearing:
sweats & running shoes (unless i'm working out), hoop earrings, apple bottom jeans haha, shirts with big logos of californian brands on my non-existent chest, golf shirts, skanky clothing, clubbing clothes, shirts with ruching, pedal pushers, cargos
when i was in high school i wore:
all things american eagle and blue notes. haha.
do you shine your own shoes?
no because my shoes are the type that don't require shining
favorite fashion magazine:
vogue, lulu, flare, elle and teen vogue. but i prefer blogs of real people. they're easier to emulate. teehee.
favorite other magazine:
martha stewart hehe.
cologne, skincare, perfume:
everything clinique. i use clinique three-step with renewal and everything about eyes cream. i can only wear clinique happy. anything else makes me dizzy.
i always dress my best for:
i always like looking my best.

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a night at home.

i decided to stay home tonight. i've been so tired! but it's the good kind though...i've been going from lesson to the next and volunteering from one event to the next that it's nice to be at home and just do whatever and eat dinner from the kitchen. hehe.
yesterday my sister and i went thrifting. for $32 and a few cents i was able to score:
- two pairs of heels
- a gray skirt which is now at the cleaners being altered
- a vest for the winter
- two record albums, one of henry mancini and another which has honeymoon in paris on it
- the most darling teapot in a light coral
i've decided that i will hang those two albums and showcase some of my polaroids...in my new room.
AUGH. we bought a house! i am so excited! it has the awesomest kitchen ever! :) i am soooo excited!
so i am trying to sew up softies...they're cute little homemade stuffed toys. but first, meet suzy. my first doll. i took the simple doll course at the workoom. last sunday. i still have to fix her face. i want to either embroider her features or sew on buttons. i can't draw for crap.

i'm indulging myself in hobbies right now: piano, cardmaking, sewing, cooking, etc...doing things that i never had the time to do while i was still in school.
this thursday i will be taking a workshop on designer cookies with raiya at the bonnie gordon school of cakes. if you've seen the perfect man with hilary duff, the cakes that are showcased in that movie are by bonnie gordon herself. again, i am so excited! :)
so this is one of my current projects...i have yet to name him or her, but it's a little softie dog:


what the heck is that, you ask. it's a quickutz squeeze. you stick in a die and your paper of choice and it cuts out letters or shapes for you and even embosses paper.

cards.
a stack of fat quarters (1/4 yard of fabric). this collection is going to grow soon. johnny, this is for you.
embellishments. which i will have more of once i get my long awaited package from
two peas in a bucket
cutting tools.

and that is all for now. i'm hoping hoping hoping that i will get my sewing machine soon.

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snow day!

woohoo it snowed lots today and got out early for work. i scored a deal on two tops (same top, different colors - one black and one silvery/creamy) club monaco, which were originally $139 but were on sale for...$29.99. i am becoming the master of deals. hehe. i am slowly collecting spring clothes for the great family trip. the other day i was able to get a black, cropped bell sleeve coat (perfect for a fall day) for $7.50.

i feel like crap. and my eye bags look like crap and can hold a crapful. haha. argh.
the sky is so orange and i am quite blue inside.

ps: i love you.
pps: i would really really like to have an old school polaroid again. just like arthur. who tragically died while in rome and his last picture ever was st. peter's. it was a good death i suppose.

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i want...

- pink polkadotted luggage
- to curl up in my bed and sleep
- to eat fries and chinese food without feeling sick
- to make up and make out
- a new polaroid camera
-to paint my nails purple and get waxed
- a panini sandwich
- to get rid of that crease in my forehead
- to go to the bathroom
- to eat ice cream out of a box
- a nice ball of yarn
- a thick warm wool scarf
- dinner out with a close friend
- stars across the sky
- a sunny day.

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