tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55965661552214843732024-03-05T15:47:40.108-05:00promises like pie crustrachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.comBlogger587125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-29339466134021368642016-03-28T12:12:00.001-04:002016-03-28T12:12:11.708-04:00When in doubt, stripes<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nBlcTUZjFLg/VqpqrvnU1NI/AAAAAAAAbC4/nTIlBZzNNDA-oiiyfCfyE5Xu5x-eXTU8ACCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_6256.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nBlcTUZjFLg/VqpqrvnU1NI/AAAAAAAAbC4/nTIlBZzNNDA-oiiyfCfyE5Xu5x-eXTU8ACCo/s625-Ic42/IMG_6256.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GtxmJJVSrJ8/VvlKMISf1ZI/AAAAAAAAeZo/peCi1zG1RZwsXrqR_7Q2SQfdHa9EIc-RwCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_6527.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GtxmJJVSrJ8/VvlKMISf1ZI/AAAAAAAAeZo/peCi1zG1RZwsXrqR_7Q2SQfdHa9EIc-RwCCo/s625-Ic42/IMG_6527.JPG" /></a></p> <p>(These photos at J.Crew from last month—I’m a little behind.)</p> <p>I do love stripes. But in my case, stripes are more of an accent than the main event.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vdufakhuS9I/VtT0qzhsvII/AAAAAAAAdbY/F899dmPGOdMC7oqMwVkoNi6FKL9-sK6TgCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_7604.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vdufakhuS9I/VtT0qzhsvII/AAAAAAAAdbY/F899dmPGOdMC7oqMwVkoNi6FKL9-sK6TgCCo/s600-Ic42/IMG_7604.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">J.Crew Carrie cami in stripe // Anthropologie cardigan (old) // J.Crew necklace // Gap skinny pants </font></p> <p>I don’t own a <a href="http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160309-the-ultimate-symbol-of-french-cool" target="_blank">Breton tee</a>. I've tried them on many times, even taken a few home from the Gap and J.Crew, only to return. Apparently I will never be <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BC5qCVLgeDH/" target="_blank">French cool</a>. </p> <p>But I do own a striped makeup bag, umbrella, and wallet. I couldn't resist the teal stripes. Or being matchy matchy with the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9E0Ps8An9E/" target="_blank">decor at Sweet Jesus 4 Life</a>.  </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6McAU6kNQ-c/VqpvOdk1qnI/AAAAAAAAbDg/gqvRGT23Zh0Jokb2r08M-xgLY5xIaXpqACCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_2369.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6McAU6kNQ-c/VqpvOdk1qnI/AAAAAAAAbDg/gqvRGT23Zh0Jokb2r08M-xgLY5xIaXpqACCo/s625-Ic42/IMG_2369.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">J.Crew makeup bag // J.Crew umbrella // Kate Spade wallet</font></p> <p>I also couldn't resist the navy stripes at J Crew recently. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MobwfmyWnSI/VvlUL2sPo-I/AAAAAAAAeaI/oo4pJQKKnSkK2ZFrNc2iobscHZYzVEyggCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_7880.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MobwfmyWnSI/VvlUL2sPo-I/AAAAAAAAeaI/oo4pJQKKnSkK2ZFrNc2iobscHZYzVEyggCCo/s625-Ic42/IMG_7880.JPG" /></a></p> <p>It is a little weird that I don't have a Breton tee. They're simple and chic and look good on everyone. But if I've learned anything about my own personal style, it's that I don't need to and shouldn't force myself to wear something just because everyone else is. I can love the look of the striped tee on other people (and I do), and leave it at that. </p>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-40112900557495370892016-03-14T12:46:00.001-04:002016-03-14T12:46:09.057-04:00Eponine London<p>Like most people, I’d never heard of <a href="http://www.eponinelondon.com/" target="_blank">Eponine London</a> until <a href="http://www.gofugyourself.com/royally-played-wills-and-kate-in-eponine-03-2016/gettyimages-514804368" target="_blank">Duchess Kate</a> wore an outfit. </p> <p>I’m not entirely sure it’s my aesthetic, but I love the bright colours and how can I resist a brand <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/the-duchess-of-cambridge-debuts-new-label-eponine-london/" target="_blank">named after Eponine from Les Miserables</a>?</p> <p>Some of my favourites:</p> <p><a href="http://www.eponinelondon.com/ss-16-1/1102" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J-V2Y4tFzu0/VubouUu-b4I/AAAAAAAAd7I/0LBDC5050t83Zjue35_2m8Dpcnp17FrIgCCo/s600-Ic42/Eponine%252BSS16%252BCollection-1007.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.eponinelondon.com/ss-16-1/1104" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GDyFI7UtYzY/VuboulLS-3I/AAAAAAAAd7E/lxp2K_6EStk6kF-KWIdnXhlI1BD54YZ6QCCo/s600-Ic42/Eponine%252BSS16%252BCollection-1038.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.eponinelondon.com/ss-16#/1116/" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2euzourFOYk/VubouyzoehI/AAAAAAAAd7M/A_Qdo4NIUR0OzRk2hz4wkvS55J5Lz9QVQCCo/s600-Ic42/Eponine%252BSS16%252BCollection-1050.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.eponinelondon.com/ss-16#/1110/" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vxehNK0lpcY/VubouU0JpJI/AAAAAAAAd7A/s4eFQXBnrhUsuBo9_M5ewDXdlCEF288dgCCo/s600-Ic42/Eponine%252BSS16%252BCollection-1029.jpg" /></a></p> <p>Still, a part of me thinks it can’t be a line of clothing named after Eponine without her beige trench and boy cap.</p> <p><iframe height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_EOla4fbRFM" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><iframe height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SNmgtkp6FGw" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-82729473759804490042016-03-08T10:58:00.001-05:002016-03-09T09:50:10.234-05:00spring has sprung<p>Or currently springing, because it’s not fully here yet.</p> <p>As a self-confessed winter lover, I will miss the snow and the sub-zero temperatures (I know, I know, this is not a popular opinion), and even wearing my parka.</p> <p><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-526KU0Ed5Tg/VqowiVbdXJI/AAAAAAAAa_8/KuaHysfQs8o/s600-Ic42/IMG_6242.JPG" /> <br /><font size="1">Soï</font><font size="1">a & Kyo Delphie parka // </font><a href="http://www.glove.ly/collections/glove-ly/products/classic-winter-touchscreen-gloves?variant=960926697" target="_blank"><font size="1">glove.ly classic winter touchscreen gloves</font></a><font size="1"> // Club Monaco tuque (a steal, marked down to $15 from $80) // Sorel kids boots</font> </p> <p>I have to retire my hot pink boots now because they’ve cracked and are no longer waterproof. I like the pop of colour on my feet (I was actually chased down at work once by a woman who wanted to know where I got them, and I had to admit that I have children’s-sized feet), so I’d like to find something similar to replace them, but it might be time to get adult boots.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7aBBiqY-sYI/Vsb9Wlj0_KI/AAAAAAAAc4g/_f9kPWQovoU/s800-Ic42/IMG_7192.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7aBBiqY-sYI/Vsb9Wlj0_KI/AAAAAAAAc4g/_f9kPWQovoU/s600-Ic42/IMG_7192.JPG" /></a></p> <p>I really will miss wearing my parka. Definitely a purchase I don’t regret; it’s like wearing a cozy sleeping bag outside. My sister calls it a sleeping bag with a waist. Nothing wrong with that!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iCOFV5SmYsg/Vsb9DF_2epI/AAAAAAAAds4/b-qG0Ceqd4k/s800-Ic42/IMG_7218.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iCOFV5SmYsg/Vsb9DF_2epI/AAAAAAAAds4/b-qG0Ceqd4k/s625-Ic42/IMG_7218.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_G2BxcLSOs/Vsb9L8zvqQI/AAAAAAAAds4/LbaRlXw4E-U/s800-Ic42/IMG_7206.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_G2BxcLSOs/Vsb9L8zvqQI/AAAAAAAAds4/LbaRlXw4E-U/s625-Ic42/IMG_7206.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjWLfFCP3gI" target="_blank">Lorelai Gilmore</a>, I think snow is magical and I think everything is prettier in the snow on it. The above two pictures were taken at Alexander Muir Gardens in north Toronto, one of my favourite spots in Toronto. It is pretty in spring and summer too, but I like it best covered with a blanket of snow.</p> <p>Last week a friend and I made a short road trip up to Ottawa (my hometown), where we froze our asses off (the hotel room was so cold—couldn’t figure out how to turn up the heat or it was just so cold it was doing nothing—I had to put my parka over my legs to stay warm), but it was still so so pretty.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LFNrGYk6hpg/Vt7mgSIF9FI/AAAAAAAAds4/asysodKcC7k/s800-Ic42/IMG_7620.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LFNrGYk6hpg/Vt7mgSIF9FI/AAAAAAAAds4/asysodKcC7k/s625-Ic42/IMG_7620.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d-KGrGwjJ98/Vt7mcWkBjUI/AAAAAAAAds4/Puf7lPWsIRQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_7627.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d-KGrGwjJ98/Vt7mcWkBjUI/AAAAAAAAds4/Puf7lPWsIRQ/s625-Ic42/IMG_7627.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-laalvNDkryg/Vt7mcUY7hqI/AAAAAAAAds4/TeADiN8qJ-I/s800-Ic42/IMG_7631.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-laalvNDkryg/Vt7mcUY7hqI/AAAAAAAAds4/TeADiN8qJ-I/s625-Ic42/IMG_7631.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EZklALXaziU/Vt7mpzTojzI/AAAAAAAAds4/vepjQsKSFU4/s800-Ic42/IMG_7642.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EZklALXaziU/Vt7mpzTojzI/AAAAAAAAds4/vepjQsKSFU4/s625-Ic42/IMG_7642.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RIu1VqwC4Co/Vt7mtgHk4UI/AAAAAAAAds4/fMWEsJmOK34/s800-Ic42/IMG_7645.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RIu1VqwC4Co/Vt7mtgHk4UI/AAAAAAAAds4/fMWEsJmOK34/s625-Ic42/IMG_7645.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Back in Toronto, I caught Lake Ontario before all the snow melted.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ISji3XqlaRg/Vt7tZJ3VtBI/AAAAAAAAdtY/4DTQDJHu-q8/s800-Ic42/IMG_7675.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ISji3XqlaRg/Vt7tZJ3VtBI/AAAAAAAAdtY/4DTQDJHu-q8/s625-Ic42/IMG_7675.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1_87LDK3q3Y/Vt7tdNmLjaI/AAAAAAAAdtg/ZwV2sCLrhk0/s800-Ic42/IMG_7689.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1_87LDK3q3Y/Vt7tdNmLjaI/AAAAAAAAdtg/ZwV2sCLrhk0/s625-Ic42/IMG_7689.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IE5AIgu1aT0/Vt7tgG5gOWI/AAAAAAAAdto/lGRCoi7Z3j8/s800-Ic42/IMG_7699.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IE5AIgu1aT0/Vt7tgG5gOWI/AAAAAAAAdto/lGRCoi7Z3j8/s625-Ic42/IMG_7699.JPG" /></a></p> <p>It’s going to be 17C (63F) tomorrow, so all the snow will be gone and it’s be grey/brown/depressing until it starts to get green. This is possibly my least favourite part of the year. But it does open up new coat possibilities.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Joc7OCRiWxg/Vqoqv5BIoWI/AAAAAAAAa98/tFpSBhCG2QI/s800-Ic42/IMG_6226.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Joc7OCRiWxg/Vqoqv5BIoWI/AAAAAAAAa98/tFpSBhCG2QI/s600-Ic42/IMG_6226.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Soï</font><font size="1">a & Kyo jacket // Kit & Ace modal/cashmere scarf // glove.ly gloves // Kit & Ace Evans long-sleeve tee // lululemon wunder under leggings // eric michael motorcycle boots</font></p> <p>I just realized that I’ve owned this jacket for almost nine years now. It was nine years this month that I moved to Toronto, and bought my first Soïa & Kyo coat at Girl Friday (now closed, sadly) on Queen St West, starting my love affair with S&K that’s lasted since then. Can’t believe I’ve lived in Toronto for nine years. It’s not very original to say, but time flies!</p>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-64541319150990180262016-02-29T21:11:00.001-05:002016-03-07T12:30:52.527-05:00Leap year!<p>Well, I haven’t been so great at “making it happen” as per <a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2016/01/make-it-happen.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, but the year is still young (even if more than 10% over). Unbridled optimism ahead!</p> <p>Since it’s an extra day in the year for us to do what we want, why waste it on working? Instead, my friend and I decided to go to Toronto Zoo. Despite living in Toronto for 9 years, I’ve never been. Check that off as of today.</p> <p>We saw the one panda hanging out eating bamboo:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iBHBV2KgS5pvG56cetP-3IgNOWBwQuCXj6v1XurUXCg9YFzvHdugni15DsEfxYkBsGSiph3iVDiAZNJ0ROwkvmByB5w6Opf7xz0iE50A9v5D6_gIP372acUbnhWBtL-Yk1069D_PNsW7cYf-An1KOw9m3wFzeuNuNd4Z6pcFIWHG0jB6ZkeMZ9I34OTPbQO6GTtNig_XZxdhoKzvGAiouI2v9ulxVL9nVNafP_1ozLTVvbEyEzu3uIRkERA5XO0J_EFjDrAOlmQu0XBzufhuJNEcNY7b9COFKktZ5KROu8AuLPMXSTnevrD8k6XXv4jsFQ3lc0xB5ris4vXLEeNTTW_GfTBE_AVtMtlLoS08bW1LabFzYbGqbsvqTsKRQITAwS-x9trhc2KK72pxdEs-fVqahTfvb7UaRRuQgYGvF2Nh2ZVoYbyYRFDI2NJz_0BF1aVrKaStDSf4RrIeZUilrFeH1pCDzIvKpR_vYa5xCp2L8qgvS1XtO5TdN4XVOJPn-ueQZLxPacRYKq9HARpiqGGXmXPqL6ZEh2sbPhH_EUoT0qQU6FaOmaldioV8cHMFoRafOQ=w1274-h955-no" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iBHBV2KgS5pvG56cetP-3IgNOWBwQuCXj6v1XurUXCg9YFzvHdugni15DsEfxYkBsGSiph3iVDiAZNJ0ROwkvmByB5w6Opf7xz0iE50A9v5D6_gIP372acUbnhWBtL-Yk1069D_PNsW7cYf-An1KOw9m3wFzeuNuNd4Z6pcFIWHG0jB6ZkeMZ9I34OTPbQO6GTtNig_XZxdhoKzvGAiouI2v9ulxVL9nVNafP_1ozLTVvbEyEzu3uIRkERA5XO0J_EFjDrAOlmQu0XBzufhuJNEcNY7b9COFKktZ5KROu8AuLPMXSTnevrD8k6XXv4jsFQ3lc0xB5ris4vXLEeNTTW_GfTBE_AVtMtlLoS08bW1LabFzYbGqbsvqTsKRQITAwS-x9trhc2KK72pxdEs-fVqahTfvb7UaRRuQgYGvF2Nh2ZVoYbyYRFDI2NJz_0BF1aVrKaStDSf4RrIeZUilrFeH1pCDzIvKpR_vYa5xCp2L8qgvS1XtO5TdN4XVOJPn-ueQZLxPacRYKq9HARpiqGGXmXPqL6ZEh2sbPhH_EUoT0qQU6FaOmaldioV8cHMFoRafOQ=w625-h955-no" /></a></p> <p>Tiger:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1WZU-MFEgL6iVEQkqs88XpE9LEzKfsurZLaV6t7uMb9yHJw2HUGIvBijtjRHI504QQyykU3BYDaLeqMg23DkWZTzNLW2CFR0Gk_T-UP4StHvOVo9d2HOn2UeukvyQq86EY8CbBxXu_txt3dmbQpUnOOZs8Et5nmJzzqEEXEuCJgEIxn-OuHxoQBMtCi_a623dI7CqIT4kIf6tAOqMTleZr6nutNBq3kI5YVz4cW_-e4qz8CvXUvGzsv5LJMlXMAqpUT_UcwAiT8ZcQB8UEvzeui4DOwkrJn7IJ58PLnhOMuoGpUq8v1I65n1lkptfsV_9davN84JGKN6LPj6_-VaU8LtkVZNeWpuGGUyZjjgp9THcDRCC_JlnZi7jjUeWV44WucGd4NWmUTXeb9fjibUQTuKSpz65GIO05ltVQYLTtqQ-19PhOrAI3mj5Wz_o5pvy1D5xzkirN4PTrEj8sGLwBFCXB3Hods2KiiMGualD9LDDnGthlWY5HrcXs7v68C9lkVCEs5D0cGdnTjGJGGI1IgIMsxl1gUU2sqRrgW-Yf6OUNeRGj_1RMHLea4ZoksZSQmHmw=w1272-h955-no" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1WZU-MFEgL6iVEQkqs88XpE9LEzKfsurZLaV6t7uMb9yHJw2HUGIvBijtjRHI504QQyykU3BYDaLeqMg23DkWZTzNLW2CFR0Gk_T-UP4StHvOVo9d2HOn2UeukvyQq86EY8CbBxXu_txt3dmbQpUnOOZs8Et5nmJzzqEEXEuCJgEIxn-OuHxoQBMtCi_a623dI7CqIT4kIf6tAOqMTleZr6nutNBq3kI5YVz4cW_-e4qz8CvXUvGzsv5LJMlXMAqpUT_UcwAiT8ZcQB8UEvzeui4DOwkrJn7IJ58PLnhOMuoGpUq8v1I65n1lkptfsV_9davN84JGKN6LPj6_-VaU8LtkVZNeWpuGGUyZjjgp9THcDRCC_JlnZi7jjUeWV44WucGd4NWmUTXeb9fjibUQTuKSpz65GIO05ltVQYLTtqQ-19PhOrAI3mj5Wz_o5pvy1D5xzkirN4PTrEj8sGLwBFCXB3Hods2KiiMGualD9LDDnGthlWY5HrcXs7v68C9lkVCEs5D0cGdnTjGJGGI1IgIMsxl1gUU2sqRrgW-Yf6OUNeRGj_1RMHLea4ZoksZSQmHmw=w625-h955-no" /></a></p> <p>Giraffes (hanging out inside, because it’s too cold for them to be outside):</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5ZQnGaWuMXtsLoLlUY5vorstds4PfpyXvbvYU2hyKVVYcG77yZhP2hqrpG2clgqXPUQ0hGFg_Tmu5Aatal5jSreLiXeVLL87XFSsATuYAG-Q4kNOKR1z6Aax8iaxX_-I80FW8jojWwLHYCivXi7qJRJZaVZN7tnMN2MDfHIaHjvH95om568A4K8EP-qETjlQieDTduRIKD_4Ez10YlAZ6_1eQdf-NzpRL1UBNRdWTZuJrZDPAsi6NN-PcgVYmcd5xTP9wXSycKQs6YcabJrRmelMGoyj8muJNPHrXTFazUaopD-lklJp4WPHglDJbAZBoOO_SCPBh9tMy1mcyxk2OU9yKDWq3DLo0l4kMymYSbYlHtNjyxvOpmPSDTeHREk917Oi4mUwKECYA9vefsZmFH7EUVv4iOHGqLvn2FF7f-J6mRaNA4p-vD4bTX8feQKQupn4Z_eS-6E7J64WEOD9GfQrs0bM--LJvsupEGy4IOAUnQ6trLF1MlSOj1050aL9MN3lcZvAkp_ETFrFbZ7bIIOOUNcfOnFouDi2Gf7jYqSXPRIeNz0N_3_4c8M98DFoFQ9bWw=w1274-h955-no" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5ZQnGaWuMXtsLoLlUY5vorstds4PfpyXvbvYU2hyKVVYcG77yZhP2hqrpG2clgqXPUQ0hGFg_Tmu5Aatal5jSreLiXeVLL87XFSsATuYAG-Q4kNOKR1z6Aax8iaxX_-I80FW8jojWwLHYCivXi7qJRJZaVZN7tnMN2MDfHIaHjvH95om568A4K8EP-qETjlQieDTduRIKD_4Ez10YlAZ6_1eQdf-NzpRL1UBNRdWTZuJrZDPAsi6NN-PcgVYmcd5xTP9wXSycKQs6YcabJrRmelMGoyj8muJNPHrXTFazUaopD-lklJp4WPHglDJbAZBoOO_SCPBh9tMy1mcyxk2OU9yKDWq3DLo0l4kMymYSbYlHtNjyxvOpmPSDTeHREk917Oi4mUwKECYA9vefsZmFH7EUVv4iOHGqLvn2FF7f-J6mRaNA4p-vD4bTX8feQKQupn4Z_eS-6E7J64WEOD9GfQrs0bM--LJvsupEGy4IOAUnQ6trLF1MlSOj1050aL9MN3lcZvAkp_ETFrFbZ7bIIOOUNcfOnFouDi2Gf7jYqSXPRIeNz0N_3_4c8M98DFoFQ9bWw=w625-h955-no" /></a></p> <p>Reindeer (who would have looked better in the snow, but that’s not coming until tomorrow):</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SjmPFhrNd03jpOgxEdT-MRsV9qcDHdRKc4TolQ41kR8ZMBkYe7DWDwfKfpaLo6Q6aCS_Kfi2yy3GqOWr8F46EqnkNcyclEzmvlk8Qw8tHE1lkPJ_Xub-2SsVJLCxUonXjSgSmEJGdqW7rWJj_cYLqh_XQYBz-ATay3QSOjWuy6UKPOD86epfKWdQcrU-4ZU87KS-ZyDkgpK2F6c8dRhZ6tfX4aaWiGhW86OYkyz_HTJxb2XkyHP8MgUWuHXOY9izjiLtzDcXFpy-1CzfO-lGNQWI_UGZuasCNVFaTMBLpiqvbUb8zc-0U1-ieSt-txOESaGdF7_iRBuKBKb39eKAozB8bqaSZS5E12_R0sWDE3-GD_Kdi6Ivq1zrTzitrlQPK1aZ8UdmTdD8yc0rTunb0bN7j6n35Vx0-sNnThxmf0nDL6LZSDUlKS7OgJctVT-OoQ0BzF3IZNNZGd3BCOZ1dQdpMYmYFyRztgukImkOIUXPMBqeRkLNA7IO2KXohF6AzQkwI0_fp9D8zBmd7ul0fHZM_1q3SraC2wngY9wxBm_MkZx6wf3lTo0p4qqL0olO6KQvTw=w1274-h956-no" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SjmPFhrNd03jpOgxEdT-MRsV9qcDHdRKc4TolQ41kR8ZMBkYe7DWDwfKfpaLo6Q6aCS_Kfi2yy3GqOWr8F46EqnkNcyclEzmvlk8Qw8tHE1lkPJ_Xub-2SsVJLCxUonXjSgSmEJGdqW7rWJj_cYLqh_XQYBz-ATay3QSOjWuy6UKPOD86epfKWdQcrU-4ZU87KS-ZyDkgpK2F6c8dRhZ6tfX4aaWiGhW86OYkyz_HTJxb2XkyHP8MgUWuHXOY9izjiLtzDcXFpy-1CzfO-lGNQWI_UGZuasCNVFaTMBLpiqvbUb8zc-0U1-ieSt-txOESaGdF7_iRBuKBKb39eKAozB8bqaSZS5E12_R0sWDE3-GD_Kdi6Ivq1zrTzitrlQPK1aZ8UdmTdD8yc0rTunb0bN7j6n35Vx0-sNnThxmf0nDL6LZSDUlKS7OgJctVT-OoQ0BzF3IZNNZGd3BCOZ1dQdpMYmYFyRztgukImkOIUXPMBqeRkLNA7IO2KXohF6AzQkwI0_fp9D8zBmd7ul0fHZM_1q3SraC2wngY9wxBm_MkZx6wf3lTo0p4qqL0olO6KQvTw=w625-h956-no" /></a></p> <p>I put my foot (in a Puma running shoe) in a big paw:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hHZneLaj3eeNuIQduUKPsV3RFbSUImpY9M8nCfSg7ruUgkCEu7nsmPSqj6YpGtI-Px6SkcUo8LnNdwngM5YZ9mPqUO9WlWwvPcM928Ve2lAGYlOi4krOszT7epgmcICp-mmQS12wG0HiSqqRNnZKkk2j3zMR54n9_grEx1GbXKm9uePOa0sRwYGqk7gU-_WN96h1wHdy4BrERHwXbrPDuntzPUaSmhgIXFzDCTm13uMsv__bTNPgbNB4QfYxaHLVvqx1Wp3yCnR5evuFghEU7VDuowNBagkp6rzmqAPYcd3EqmlXTK4REVbvMnc9aYnA5J5NBq8oKMUqam1-lhcmfVIphGA9tuASHwZ6AVQ7jO1Y0_wKz4y3vC0bdsUWDu-9bNAj__pEHFBuyMDb2h2GYH6GqCl2YIPLDv_yOBQjxxpXd0pX0CLMrzGtiivaJLNkh8nFqhOGyVqISAatdd7UfJV2RbDp8Cc4c_nEQka_GWJMTtwpqKZcQpOywwDdIQ--d2Kh0trcH1mkimjiXpeTBseWGERHkR_lsSK57gqyPiQQ249pTGVLLEg1ttqtOAI779sxGA=w717-h955-no" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hHZneLaj3eeNuIQduUKPsV3RFbSUImpY9M8nCfSg7ruUgkCEu7nsmPSqj6YpGtI-Px6SkcUo8LnNdwngM5YZ9mPqUO9WlWwvPcM928Ve2lAGYlOi4krOszT7epgmcICp-mmQS12wG0HiSqqRNnZKkk2j3zMR54n9_grEx1GbXKm9uePOa0sRwYGqk7gU-_WN96h1wHdy4BrERHwXbrPDuntzPUaSmhgIXFzDCTm13uMsv__bTNPgbNB4QfYxaHLVvqx1Wp3yCnR5evuFghEU7VDuowNBagkp6rzmqAPYcd3EqmlXTK4REVbvMnc9aYnA5J5NBq8oKMUqam1-lhcmfVIphGA9tuASHwZ6AVQ7jO1Y0_wKz4y3vC0bdsUWDu-9bNAj__pEHFBuyMDb2h2GYH6GqCl2YIPLDv_yOBQjxxpXd0pX0CLMrzGtiivaJLNkh8nFqhOGyVqISAatdd7UfJV2RbDp8Cc4c_nEQka_GWJMTtwpqKZcQpOywwDdIQ--d2Kh0trcH1mkimjiXpeTBseWGERHkR_lsSK57gqyPiQQ249pTGVLLEg1ttqtOAI779sxGA=w450-h955-no" /></a></p> <p>But the highlight was definitely Juno, the polar bear cub, who was completely adorable:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pf2Iy8XnZyJ-49Bgh6UZDMVO8HZckMuKtD3X1fXaBkuWqCQfii6FWXxo3gSz0Dk2eVpUZLQlE8o6jJqG4MAApr7-N1OzDou29PcJ-J2au6lZULEsI4nToVGVbwOe9fNIvjrzf7rJg1GsF6FGHPpFVmIppHeOOuRvqGQITYIYGPF1C2yqd4R5QqKNexykJg1NmsAoLn3HQiB628_-jXbfgrnUOBlS_xJ3jpBBzOPqj1yTSsHewAiMn8EWySi9xqaVmPpDo-2GIjG4zLoPXwXlb2cCVEVmxtZfPR2JIBV-P7NyIi2HoVixnDtX_FAe4_6v4F8wk80yE18D1D6VBCrvT-ffN6vHQQURn_BKJRF8X8HfGprEi6h0jLOmchXT61JaLGo4nUKaFmdpDYBJAk5ONCrPHkPZ6uoiOj_nFm2wcItdPIFxAip7HaaYdWm5ox4iznxE9-ykxZ0w4XOSk0DWP8hke8wTR6yoJu1_jz1TB2nafDG234vFBneXSVd9x-f4o0ZTyixZQV_zn2zUwGiMrF4xDe3KNK6abor8ZGOlGeaex29rJSezjzB_xlSnJa-WEZcl_g=w717-h955-no" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pf2Iy8XnZyJ-49Bgh6UZDMVO8HZckMuKtD3X1fXaBkuWqCQfii6FWXxo3gSz0Dk2eVpUZLQlE8o6jJqG4MAApr7-N1OzDou29PcJ-J2au6lZULEsI4nToVGVbwOe9fNIvjrzf7rJg1GsF6FGHPpFVmIppHeOOuRvqGQITYIYGPF1C2yqd4R5QqKNexykJg1NmsAoLn3HQiB628_-jXbfgrnUOBlS_xJ3jpBBzOPqj1yTSsHewAiMn8EWySi9xqaVmPpDo-2GIjG4zLoPXwXlb2cCVEVmxtZfPR2JIBV-P7NyIi2HoVixnDtX_FAe4_6v4F8wk80yE18D1D6VBCrvT-ffN6vHQQURn_BKJRF8X8HfGprEi6h0jLOmchXT61JaLGo4nUKaFmdpDYBJAk5ONCrPHkPZ6uoiOj_nFm2wcItdPIFxAip7HaaYdWm5ox4iznxE9-ykxZ0w4XOSk0DWP8hke8wTR6yoJu1_jz1TB2nafDG234vFBneXSVd9x-f4o0ZTyixZQV_zn2zUwGiMrF4xDe3KNK6abor8ZGOlGeaex29rJSezjzB_xlSnJa-WEZcl_g=w450-h955-no" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qUgPauAsnLK5q6m5s0rYwMHVLJ0MftsiH00J_tP3W9ake0G_G_3SFxlmt4pmzXmUi1cLMLMJWiM08htksmzu1OoQ1ropabS8jTAbJ0v7CWzhjkzGdZezZ6_jWJ6Xx-DF-mtqsuv45bvgjfxDR5DmbRcHuwiGyPBiuBy_hlealdjlsFCBP5J6G8BEdrXN6ZEpZfUEokp3XB9JVwqDtPk3z3qYh30Cyiy16dtZ-B8UKzxaHQWWLh9Acp3auSdQFFOccCTvB-uQg8BFWQvPywPvDHJK4Fml9HkoudSKXNb6kmkHeQALV9fMjZkxnI2gM-BbUj_sJ2dAvEBfUozKu-KsyEN4Ttqg9jUdKTjrdnXkQfExlnp9-NCAlv0RSGaP8tK6p4GO0j1lctA6i2cRBQLFyrQQ4wFHWDUCee19wxS9sy64j0PprsBt3zO06lmViq54I5FH5PiaAE63dOT7SYOezU1XWesVG9_teLAkGBHinEyWwuEhvEWF_OL0iy6N9P0FjNUkkkrBOzfcbeEovzfGpbWd3ElCOJvKpyTUpcgFeprLIGvTAUdSZXKnErVZcNVbGwiJMA=w1273-h955-no" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; 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border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/samXpsgj5cMaFVMgatapSYRyjmL-8lUN3rvZiSkGy-uRdbcsd3LTxNLkxYvqXj9SZ7HKlMuRXKWKuqRSFNCCVjkfUgZ9tanUIbSjk0HjSw_SAcgV35IDbUEqTRlKcmV88wNAR6CxDk_xQYprKJ4Id59m7LpAj-UHkcnRrg_NOFqwkKToLgW_E0SXd-vSfR0JDP53bgB18YnxHGoY-JAKszTTy_HCyyR0Q3jKnwdLcUkExJ1e4U2bB9xJKRczQtzrt_8HcimPl63gmJ09wDvF4P_eWk6OXqXln383FbmM4CbqdqXWkcf8j77jQJpnbxNfebpGuCplr5yO_J1-XCKVN6mdKfZ_wriZaewNPjgJFNsNDAnonj0bfnPVhi5b_mVFvJihUgdxPwPao7VEdFroPss6s3wPGMN26KJvdqIxI17FSl3M2gg6WwWsW2rdum0aEBj1qCv0EiT-zF4UPpRP4kBRoroUzwZ19TzGFp-ZDv_dVXwKbMvmSEcSg0rTv8ZmJ1tSnGofGMu8w4vDnRK0WbaDuqusLPRFrMV8kmlRzkUfcdlQ9STaDU1PTdYv0Qfh2TFFpA=w625-h955-no" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RcCWNBEEzKgPFROGAZf9tBYYamUC-vSK1Uazu3W1XLDcuCb5wjXMAZuU_hZna7_WgiPz1tjOHjdmkBCw5hTXru1m9NZeDVVs2E8RY4G3HVFtNbcC0-5KdvrwEVFMJCXHDlW84zZAxzIenUsrOkqq7bIfvYc3pTdtmon2C0ypqfR0xUzZRi--Wkw5qm_xJrWfzAI2v8nhbtzfG6Va2QmHLCqvWVvM50dF8mMfYU3bgtq8AK8N0qGLC0oen7JB_iP6L5ifpfHLCQQHlpu_KcpSJU--cCH2hrHmOc53FjVUL9GWB3fgYuT9od3WNvXLPim4TBu7xmnCIX_c45NVRqSXz0DMfSF6FBIrCuEHd2PNkFnuWnhBcNsWWD34FoOZO7aXrKTxSkuyZupNsK0VR7TpRmtu2TZX0SNDtLm8NnNf8e5sEI84LC17lLvSHOrwCrKk50QIyhWSebTzHDardNd9AFdsiTVMl-U0wGBHwNY4dcRaCENWHMKLKhhyTCxVsjAot3o-fvHct1Poza--LV8qiTxu3yYr4W1yAnDpWhXQWVDEdM2NWOoK84SuZESZnKvsX7ZF0A=w1274-h955-no" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RcCWNBEEzKgPFROGAZf9tBYYamUC-vSK1Uazu3W1XLDcuCb5wjXMAZuU_hZna7_WgiPz1tjOHjdmkBCw5hTXru1m9NZeDVVs2E8RY4G3HVFtNbcC0-5KdvrwEVFMJCXHDlW84zZAxzIenUsrOkqq7bIfvYc3pTdtmon2C0ypqfR0xUzZRi--Wkw5qm_xJrWfzAI2v8nhbtzfG6Va2QmHLCqvWVvM50dF8mMfYU3bgtq8AK8N0qGLC0oen7JB_iP6L5ifpfHLCQQHlpu_KcpSJU--cCH2hrHmOc53FjVUL9GWB3fgYuT9od3WNvXLPim4TBu7xmnCIX_c45NVRqSXz0DMfSF6FBIrCuEHd2PNkFnuWnhBcNsWWD34FoOZO7aXrKTxSkuyZupNsK0VR7TpRmtu2TZX0SNDtLm8NnNf8e5sEI84LC17lLvSHOrwCrKk50QIyhWSebTzHDardNd9AFdsiTVMl-U0wGBHwNY4dcRaCENWHMKLKhhyTCxVsjAot3o-fvHct1Poza--LV8qiTxu3yYr4W1yAnDpWhXQWVDEdM2NWOoK84SuZESZnKvsX7ZF0A=w625-h955-no" /></a></p> <p>Hope everyone had as cute a Leap Day as I did!</p>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-15421367401902228772016-01-28T17:17:00.001-05:002016-01-28T17:18:32.485-05:00make it happen<p>Januaries are weird, what with the whole post-holiday letdown, the pressure of New Year’s resolutions, and the cold, if you live in this part of the world. The past few weeks have been rough on a lot of people I know, including me. But:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7y-yMSrYDq0/VqooYh5bA9I/AAAAAAAAa9U/S8wx2kAgxvM/s800-Ic42/CZL0wbiWIAEowKc.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7y-yMSrYDq0/VqooYh5bA9I/AAAAAAAAa9U/S8wx2kAgxvM/s800-Ic42/CZL0wbiWIAEowKc.jpg" width="517" height="529" /></a> <br />{<a href="https://twitter.com/Peanuts_comics/status/689882805887725568/photo/1" target="_blank">via</a>}</p> <p>I’m only adopting one resolution this year:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BwawIEcnN-Q/VqoqvwPuxGI/AAAAAAAAa98/6vWObuQoDHs/s800-Ic42/IMG_6225.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BwawIEcnN-Q/VqoqvwPuxGI/AAAAAAAAa98/6vWObuQoDHs/s600-Ic42/IMG_6225.JPG" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopsale-clothing/4112402761388.jsp#/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Anthropologie make it happen pullover</font></a> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rzhdZ0gqZo8/VqosvrC7fRI/AAAAAAAAa_Y/3Jys2BsQCt4/s800-Ic42/IMG_4962.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rzhdZ0gqZo8/VqosvrC7fRI/AAAAAAAAa_Y/3Jys2BsQCt4/s600-Ic42/IMG_4962.JPG" /></a></p> <p>I’m not much of a sweatshirt person but I thought this would be a good top for the weekend. (Also because I’ve taken to wearing things on my chest. Mostly <a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2015/12/surfacing.html">dogs</a>, but I have a few slogan tees now too. Maybe I just really want people to stare at my chest?) This particular slogan spoke to me for what I want for myself this year, and that if I want something, I’m going have to make it happen. (I also frequently get asked what “it” is, to which I respond cheerfully, “whatever you want ‘it’ to be!” Deep thoughts sparked by an overpriced Anthro sweatshirt.)</p> <p>I say I only have one resolution, but of course the usual are percolating in my brain: eat less, eat better, cook more, tidy more, exercise more, shop less, etc etc etc. And this:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9dvONB_Jwx8/Vqowfl3SYZI/AAAAAAAAa_0/PZCK91lM3uE/s800-Ic42/IMG_6237.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9dvONB_Jwx8/Vqowfl3SYZI/AAAAAAAAa_0/PZCK91lM3uE/s600-Ic42/IMG_6237.JPG" /></a> <br />(<a href="http://www.kitandace.com/locations/toronto-bloor-st" target="_blank">Kit & Ace Bloor St</a>)</p> <p>Probably not.</p>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-62596373728914616372015-12-11T08:29:00.000-05:002015-12-11T08:29:00.451-05:00Backlog<p>Aww, shucks. People still read my blog. I’m thrilled! Thank you.</p> <p>I seem to be dressing a bit more casual lately, hence the cartoon dog T-shirts (I’ve also been wearing slogan tees as well, that’ll be coming up shortly), but I did take some photos of better outfits over the summer, so here are a few to catch up.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kxth2PL8AU8/Vl7YSnJ4jBI/AAAAAAAAUv0/IbRrant4lcw/s800-Ic42/IMG_2356.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kxth2PL8AU8/Vl7YSnJ4jBI/AAAAAAAAUv0/IbRrant4lcw/s600-Ic42/IMG_2356.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Anthopologie dress // J.Crew featherweight cotton cardigan // J.Crew necklace // Tory Burch Reva flats</font> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Sd9vIBzUcY/Vl7YIuQ7nuI/AAAAAAAAUvo/cQmo9rywuSU/s800-Ic42/IMG_2433.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Sd9vIBzUcY/Vl7YIuQ7nuI/AAAAAAAAUvo/cQmo9rywuSU/s600-Ic42/IMG_2433.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Anthropologie dress // J.Crew Factory Clare Cardigan // Gap ballet flats</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z65oCpLXUd8/Vl7X4wZS3tI/AAAAAAAAUvU/cxj7ugAxNGo/s800-Ic42/IMG_2560.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z65oCpLXUd8/Vl7X4wZS3tI/AAAAAAAAUvU/cxj7ugAxNGo/s600-Ic42/IMG_2560.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">J.Crew watercolour Carrie cami // J.Crew Factory Clare cardigan // Gap knit skirt // J.Crew Cece ballet flats</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iaj6jpiZHfo/Vl7XmUlBN4I/AAAAAAAAUu8/gNF8QB0dQZY/s800-Ic42/IMG_2837.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iaj6jpiZHfo/Vl7XmUlBN4I/AAAAAAAAUu8/gNF8QB0dQZY/s600-Ic42/IMG_2837.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Supermodel hair, before I cut a few inches off (achieved by taking my hair out of a bun)</font></p> <p>I also have a huge backlog of scenic/skyline/from my balcony photos, so here are my favourites.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b0SOgsKm3Hw/Vmq54veVtiI/AAAAAAAAVBs/Rbk-SlRuT5o/s800-Ic42/IMG_4336.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b0SOgsKm3Hw/Vmq54veVtiI/AAAAAAAAVBs/Rbk-SlRuT5o/s625-Ic42/IMG_4336.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HK7bQmiWSHU/Vmq54qh-35I/AAAAAAAAVBs/wEM-DSVSGtU/s800-Ic42/IMG_4341.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HK7bQmiWSHU/Vmq54qh-35I/AAAAAAAAVBs/wEM-DSVSGtU/s625-Ic42/IMG_4341.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-erZcmtC3ZXc/Vmq54sptadI/AAAAAAAAVBs/Z2vat04tej4/s800-Ic42/IMG_4347.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-erZcmtC3ZXc/Vmq54sptadI/AAAAAAAAVBs/Z2vat04tej4/s625-Ic42/IMG_4347.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Lake Ontario back in March:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MHZyMQMnYw4/Vmq3QXSe4eI/AAAAAAAAVAs/GhVmRiOgLl0/s800-Ic42/IMG_0631.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MHZyMQMnYw4/Vmq3QXSe4eI/AAAAAAAAVAs/GhVmRiOgLl0/s625-Ic42/IMG_0631.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--LFD_HWF07k/Vmq3QcHYz_I/AAAAAAAAVAs/PJ0kiKJadpQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_4359.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--LFD_HWF07k/Vmq3QcHYz_I/AAAAAAAAVAs/PJ0kiKJadpQ/s625-Ic42/IMG_4359.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Coming home on Porter Airlines:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ThY8yFJrPT8/Vmq2arJx_yI/AAAAAAAAVAc/aWtZT95AOfk/s800-Ic42/IMG_3219.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ThY8yFJrPT8/Vmq2arJx_yI/AAAAAAAAVAc/aWtZT95AOfk/s625-Ic42/IMG_3219.JPG" width="477" height="600" /></a></p> <p>A summer storm rolling in:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1jWV_1Nu0MA/Vmq_s1CiHxI/AAAAAAAAVJQ/3gvm_XsM1T8/s800-Ic42/IMG_2224.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1jWV_1Nu0MA/Vmq_s1CiHxI/AAAAAAAAVJQ/3gvm_XsM1T8/s625-Ic42/IMG_2224.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ndqh9f5y04I/Vmq_s98A83I/AAAAAAAAVJQ/Oi4v120shyU/s800-Ic42/IMG_2226.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ndqh9f5y04I/Vmq_s98A83I/AAAAAAAAVJQ/Oi4v120shyU/s625-Ic42/IMG_2226.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MKWwvQh4CKw/Vmq_s7GygsI/AAAAAAAAVJQ/u4NsC5TEAEI/s800-Ic42/IMG_2231.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MKWwvQh4CKw/Vmq_s7GygsI/AAAAAAAAVJQ/u4NsC5TEAEI/s625-Ic42/IMG_2231.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Nathan Phillips Square:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KsZU83zR1nE/VmrA1k_JwpI/AAAAAAAAVJg/rHp_wMJTRL8/s800-Ic42/IMG_2160.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KsZU83zR1nE/VmrA1k_JwpI/AAAAAAAAVJg/rHp_wMJTRL8/s625-Ic42/IMG_2160.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A0knig1GYa8/VmrA80YLOYI/AAAAAAAAVJo/CGH5JAMErk8/s800-Ic42/IMG_2874.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A0knig1GYa8/VmrA80YLOYI/AAAAAAAAVJo/CGH5JAMErk8/s625-Ic42/IMG_2874.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4dm8wYE1Y1s/VmrBDI936TI/AAAAAAAAVJs/FcZ-bP36ZR8/s800-Ic42/IMG_3903.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4dm8wYE1Y1s/VmrBDI936TI/AAAAAAAAVJs/FcZ-bP36ZR8/s625-Ic42/IMG_3903.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3wKyXX4F_SA/VmrBDN9U6EI/AAAAAAAAVJs/HJud83rxxuY/s800-Ic42/IMG_3906.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3wKyXX4F_SA/VmrBDN9U6EI/AAAAAAAAVJs/HJud83rxxuY/s625-Ic42/IMG_3906.JPG" /></a></p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-26503390464860533232015-12-01T18:05:00.001-05:002015-12-02T18:04:38.555-05:00Surfacing<p>Is this thing on?</p> <p>Wow, it’s been a long time. Nine and a half months since <a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2015/02/snowy-snow-snow-with-side-of-brutal-cold.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>. I could have had a baby in the intervening time! But just to be clear, I didn’t; that’s definitely not why I haven’t been posting since February. No secret babies. I just decided to skip all the warmer months and only post when it’s cold. </p> <p>Well, not really. I think I’ve been having some writer’s block and I needed a break. But now I kinda feel like getting back into blog writing and celebrating some of the more frivolous things in life, because Lord knows I need some distraction right now. Unfortunately, my 2015 hasn’t really been any better than my <a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2014/12/2014-food-books-dogs.html" target="_blank">2014</a> (and in some ways 2015 has been a lot worse), but I’m determined not to focus on the negative and just keep moving forward.</p> <p>(Also, I say “frivolous” but I really shouldn’t diminish my love of clothes and makeup and hair just because some people might think it’s vain and unimportant. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/nov/14/beauty-how-makeup-can-help-at-hardest-times-in-life" target="_blank">Never underestimate</a> the power of these things.)</p> <p>Lately it’s been a lot of comfy clothes for me, a lot of stretchy elastic waistbands, leggings that can masquerade as pants (like <a href="http://shop.kitandace.com/apollo-pant-m-f15" target="_blank">these</a> and <a href="http://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=1041408&vid=1&pid=531601003" target="_blank">these</a>), and t-shirts with dogs on them. I have to watch out with the stretchy bottoms though; they’re a little too forgiving to all the binge-eating I’ve been doing lately. (I call it eating my feelings and my feelings have been <em>delicious</em>.)</p> <p>A couple of weekend outfits:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pUBfh5zYAW4/Vl4zzTzhHWI/AAAAAAAAUsw/554cnRQ-raY/s800-Ic42/IMG_3499.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pUBfh5zYAW4/Vl4zzTzhHWI/AAAAAAAAUsw/554cnRQ-raY/s640-Ic42/IMG_3499.JPG" width="300" height="402" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5-9AcaXOX8/Vl40IEKb3RI/AAAAAAAAUs4/2a4rraTto5k/s800-Ic42/IMG_3427.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5-9AcaXOX8/Vl40IEKb3RI/AAAAAAAAUs4/2a4rraTto5k/s500-Ic42/IMG_3427.JPG" width="300" height="403" /></a></p> <p><font size="1">J.Crew t-shirts (springer spaniel from fall 2014, bulldog puppy from earlier this year) // </font><a href="http://shop.kitandace.com/MARGO-TANK-MELANGE?quantity=1&colour=HGRY" target="_blank"><font size="1">Kit & Ace Margo Tank</font></a><font size="1"> // J.Crew Factory cardigan (on left) // Gap modal motercycle jacket (on right) // lululemon wunder under leggings // puma running shoes</font> </p> <p>And a colder weather outfit (not ready to break out the full winter gear yet), along with my new storage cube from Crate & Barrel. It might not live there permanently, trying to figure out where I want to keep it, but it’s housing all of our winter accessories (hats, scarves, gloves) and providing a place to sit while we put our shoes on. I’ve had this Anthropologie jacket for 5 years now and the lining is starting to tear, but it’s still a spring/fall workhorse for me.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y3YpuZzA5TU/Vl4zjieqekI/AAAAAAAAUsk/dWsC6ITdGPI/s800-Ic42/IMG_4243.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y3YpuZzA5TU/Vl4zjieqekI/AAAAAAAAUsk/dWsC6ITdGPI/s600-Ic42/IMG_4243.JPG" /></a></p> <p><font size="1"><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/pdp/detail.jsp?&id=18652719#/" target="_blank">Anthro Cream Confection Jacket</a> (2010) // </font><a href="http://shop.kitandace.com/evans-long-sleeve-m-f15?quantity=1&colour=HTHR%20Grey" target="_blank"><font size="1">Kit & Ace Evans Long Sleeve</font></a><font size="1"> // Club Monaco pompom tuque // lululemon wunder under leggings // eric michael motorcycle boots</font></p> <p>Hoping for a few more interesting outfits in the next little while, but we’ll see. I have no idea if anyone will still read this, but that’s ok, it’s really just for me! </p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-51123821840449767072015-02-15T09:26:00.001-05:002015-02-15T09:49:33.072-05:00Snowy snow snow (with a side of brutal cold)<p>A couple of weeks ago, I wished for snow in Toronto. Yeah, that’s right. I like snow. It’s pretty. This city is really ugly in the winter and needs a blanket to cover up. Mother Nature obliged with a few light snowstorms (nowhere near the <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/02/14/more-snow-deep-cold-making-its-way-new-england/O0lHLkhgDd06UPdqBoa8vK/story.html" target="_blank">80 inches that Boston has</a>, that’s way taller than my sister), and I was happy.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J7fKu9faQok/VOCjSjFQ8lI/AAAAAAAAMvo/w1_1mpU_IOY/s800/B88DGT2IUAEeiaT.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J7fKu9faQok/VOCjSjFQ8lI/AAAAAAAAMvo/w1_1mpU_IOY/s600/B88DGT2IUAEeiaT.jpg" /></a> <br />{<a href="https://twitter.com/thesimpsons/status/562671885499265024" target="_blank">via</a>} (Don’t ask me what episode this is from, I’m not good with the newer ones)</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KmMn_2v0BkE/VOCYp55jP7I/AAAAAAAAMt4/amjDCTZqprE/s800/2015-02-12%252007.34.44.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KmMn_2v0BkE/VOCYp55jP7I/AAAAAAAAMt4/amjDCTZqprE/s625/2015-02-12%252007.34.44.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IGFHUHmdZsQ/VOCeSbrDtMI/AAAAAAAAMuI/iHV3OFfJxH0/s800/P1050807.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IGFHUHmdZsQ/VOCeSbrDtMI/AAAAAAAAMuI/iHV3OFfJxH0/s625/P1050807.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Prettier, right?</p> <p>I did not, however, wish for this.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I-kSZNzC66U/VOCXpkbKmfI/AAAAAAAAMtw/cLE3Zvac800/s800/2015-02-15%252007.51.53.png" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I-kSZNzC66U/VOCXpkbKmfI/AAAAAAAAMtw/cLE3Zvac800/s800/2015-02-15%252007.51.53.png" width="500" height="378" /></a></p> <p>That’s fucking cold. Almost to the point that the “feels like” temperature is about the same in Fahrenheit. (-13F, feels like -36F.) I don’t think I’m leaving my condo today. Even my recently-purchased parka (I finally caved and bought one, on sale) won’t help.</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jS2DrTjGRCk/VOClTMo3OUI/AAAAAAAAMv4/T5dqIFBJPc4/s800/2015-02-05%252016.42.03.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jS2DrTjGRCk/VOClTMo3OUI/AAAAAAAAMv4/T5dqIFBJPc4/s600/2015-02-05%252016.42.03.jpg" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.soiakyo.com/ca/en/delphie-grey-winter-down-coat-for-women-with-fur-hood" target="_blank">Soia & Kyo Delphie coat</a> – it’s a little long on me, a little puffy, maybe not the most flattering thing I’ve ever put on my body, but it is WARM. It’s like wearing a duvet. Or a sleeping bag.</p> <p>And I love the hood (it’s made of Asiatic raccoon fur--sorry, PETA):</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7abzPBBt_XY/VOClUoxSToI/AAAAAAAAMwA/A0-53OVoVVQ/s800/2015-02-02%252017.01.36.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7abzPBBt_XY/VOClUoxSToI/AAAAAAAAMwA/A0-53OVoVVQ/s625/2015-02-02%252017.01.36.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jGNRgbflZeI/VOClaostWdI/AAAAAAAAMwY/2Y1oSfOgma8/s800/2015-02-05%252016.44.17.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jGNRgbflZeI/VOClaostWdI/AAAAAAAAMwY/2Y1oSfOgma8/s600/2015-02-05%252016.44.17.jpg" width="300" height="403" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p1iHC4lCK_Y/VOClcD36WPI/AAAAAAAAMwg/xH1kO8aAs1E/s800/2015-02-05%252016.44.23.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p1iHC4lCK_Y/VOClcD36WPI/AAAAAAAAMwg/xH1kO8aAs1E/s600/2015-02-05%252016.44.23.jpg" width="300" height="403" /></a></p> <p>I know spring will come soon enough, so I’ll enjoy the snow while it’s here, and stay inside on the couch under four layers of quilts until then. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KPuoKbDbqmU/VOCeZH528ZI/AAAAAAAAMvA/RVA2_ZDyUBg/s800/2015-02-11%252017.15.47.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KPuoKbDbqmU/VOCeZH528ZI/AAAAAAAAMvA/RVA2_ZDyUBg/s625/2015-02-11%252017.15.47.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BwVCTBnAVnc/VOCeVFN4h3I/AAAAAAAAMug/nZDvuv6jpgU/s800/2015-02-10%252007.58.24.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BwVCTBnAVnc/VOCeVFN4h3I/AAAAAAAAMug/nZDvuv6jpgU/s625/2015-02-10%252007.58.24.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ogjJWNlNArk/VOCeUbQFQ5I/AAAAAAAAMuY/yQHUkI3pcfk/s800/2015-02-10%252007.57.51.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ogjJWNlNArk/VOCeUbQFQ5I/AAAAAAAAMuY/yQHUkI3pcfk/s625/2015-02-10%252007.57.51.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QbbuaIVyZMU/VOClWTH6-xI/AAAAAAAAMwI/U2ZEhYE1AZ4/s800/2015-02-03%252007.47.46.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QbbuaIVyZMU/VOClWTH6-xI/AAAAAAAAMwI/U2ZEhYE1AZ4/s625/2015-02-03%252007.47.46.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MkIWYNG_TqM/VOClYaLCOtI/AAAAAAAAMwQ/94iBumePLJg/s800/2015-02-03%252007.49.15.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MkIWYNG_TqM/VOClYaLCOtI/AAAAAAAAMwQ/94iBumePLJg/s625/2015-02-03%252007.49.15.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r9pPsbc_oWw/VOCeWLmhlJI/AAAAAAAAMuo/LRweHIAihFQ/s800/2015-02-10%252017.14.27.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r9pPsbc_oWw/VOCeWLmhlJI/AAAAAAAAMuo/LRweHIAihFQ/s625/2015-02-10%252017.14.27.jpg" /></a></p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-40152184441221664542015-01-22T19:07:00.000-05:002015-01-22T19:07:02.094-05:00Cleanin’ out my closet<p>I think I gave the impression in <a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2015/01/does-it-spark-joy.html" target="_blank">my previous post</a> that applying the principle of “does it spark joy?” when deciding what to keep in my closet was really easy. It was easy, for 90% of it. I started running into trouble with the remaining 10% and started to think and question too much. So although the <a href="http://tidyingup.com/">KonMari Method</a> recommends cleaning in one fell swoop, I had to put that pile aside, clear my head (which meant ignoring it for a few days), and coming back later. </p> <p>What I learned from that: </p> <p>- If I answer “I don’t know” to the question “Does it spark joy”, then the answer is really “No.”</p> <p>- It’s ok to say goodbye to something I loved before but no longer love now. I used to worry sometimes that my tastes are too fickle, but now I’m just going to go with it. Things change, that’s always ok. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MZTvZKq3K38/VLpkSivio2I/AAAAAAAALNc/TYKqloNfcSg/s800/IMG_2898.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MZTvZKq3K38/VLpkSivio2I/AAAAAAAALNc/TYKqloNfcSg/s600/IMG_2898.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Kit & Ace sleeveless top // Mexx cardigan // J.Crew necklace // Gap ponte leggings // eric michael booties</font></p> <p>Some other important things I learned when going through the exercise of going through my closet:</p> <p>- Neutrals rule. As much as I like colour, I prefer to keep it as an accent and stick (mostly) to a palette of black and grey. I know, it’s not very adventurous, it’s not out of my comfort zone, but it works for me, and my life needs my closet to be safe and easy right now. I love <a href="http://instagram.com/p/yIcfmkpQ3A/" target="_blank">this</a>, but not right now. Maybe later.</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gXeorwc_shc/VLpkT82IR3I/AAAAAAAALNo/xbOu36MIcrE/s800/IMG_2899.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gXeorwc_shc/VLpkT82IR3I/AAAAAAAALNo/xbOu36MIcrE/s400/IMG_2899.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aejVUsC6o6s/VLpkUdi1MRI/AAAAAAAALNs/owop1L4-qZA/s800/IMG_2904.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aejVUsC6o6s/VLpkUdi1MRI/AAAAAAAALNs/owop1L4-qZA/s400/IMG_2904.JPG" /></a></p> <p>- Things that spark joy don’t have to be fancy, or really unique, or really different. I love a simple pair of black leggings or black ballet flats. A basic black pencil skirt makes me happy. Just because they’re simple pieces doesn’t mean they can’t spark joy. I used to think that basics were mere necessities, but maybe I used to have the wrong ones.</p> <p>- I’m never ever paying attention to those lists of <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/wardrobe-basics/essentials-for-a-well-balanced-wardrobe" target="_blank">"Wardrobe Essentials"</a> or <a href="http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20185823_20350180_20752437,00.html" target="_blank">"10 Things Every Woman Must Own"</a> again. Every woman is different, and while these guides might be helpful for some people, they don’t work for me. I don’t have a blazer (never found one I liked), I don’t have any button-down shirts (shocker for someone who works in an office), and I won’t get any unless I find ones I love. </p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-62798980561621906732015-01-17T13:08:00.000-05:002015-01-17T13:08:00.216-05:00Anthropologie on Queen St West<p>My tastes have been moving away from Anthro recently so I haven’t been in a store (or on the website for that matter) in ages. I’m so out of the loop I didn’t even know that a new store opened in a <a href="http://www.blogto.com/fashion_style/2014/12/anthropologie_to_open_in_queen_st_church_this_friday/" target="_blank">converted church on Queen St West</a> (a hipster area of Toronto) in December until I stumbled upon it while looking for the <a href="http://www.kitandace.com/" target="_blank">Kit & Ace</a> <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/11/11/store-guide-kit-ace/" target="_blank">store</a>. Not a bad coincidence, since I had a Christmas gift card from Will in my pocket.</p> <p>I didn’t buy anything (nothing caught my eye, so the gift card will keep), but the store is gorgeous and so Anthro it hurts.</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n870lez4p2A/VLEpTJxo-fI/AAAAAAAALMg/fEIKmcE2ApQ/s1600/2014-12-29%252015.25.03.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n870lez4p2A/VLEpTJxo-fI/AAAAAAAALMg/fEIKmcE2ApQ/s625/2014-12-29%252015.25.03.jpg" /></a> <br />It’s perfect, right?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XDwzdzWuJR4/VLEpL2iCvUI/AAAAAAAALLs/UGrcZHSOnCg/s1600/2014-12-29%252015.03.01.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XDwzdzWuJR4/VLEpL2iCvUI/AAAAAAAALLs/UGrcZHSOnCg/s625/2014-12-29%252015.03.01.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYUnsmKte6f2KmiQpoqahfCEa_znhPnPGA7HUtszKM7XCUVxPwizoKvUmf50rd84rfVu0kvy8rFTxCbL3lOP_1efltFhS_xetW2IfoDG4ULLA5FMc530jmzWS0odh9Tk2tndotb-OHNIm/s1600/2014-12-29%252015.09.09.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYUnsmKte6f2KmiQpoqahfCEa_znhPnPGA7HUtszKM7XCUVxPwizoKvUmf50rd84rfVu0kvy8rFTxCbL3lOP_1efltFhS_xetW2IfoDG4ULLA5FMc530jmzWS0odh9Tk2tndotb-OHNIm/s625/2014-12-29%252015.09.09.jpg" /></a> <br />On the inside, exposed brick with a view of the TD Canada Trust across the street.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7knLsxsle30/VLEpNHpxMaI/AAAAAAAALLw/D4KH-BXEujw/s1600/2014-12-29%252015.03.46.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7knLsxsle30/VLEpNHpxMaI/AAAAAAAALLw/D4KH-BXEujw/s600/2014-12-29%252015.03.46.jpg" /></a> <br />This did catch my eye, but a tulle skirt is completely impractical for me.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r18d-QXgv68/VLEpN-gWCmI/AAAAAAAALL4/CyTZOOLa8Jk/s1600/2014-12-29%252015.04.06.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r18d-QXgv68/VLEpN-gWCmI/AAAAAAAALL4/CyTZOOLa8Jk/s625/2014-12-29%252015.04.06.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8ob87wyip8c/VLEpO-60fnI/AAAAAAAALMA/KYqnZFTieaQ/s1600/2014-12-29%252015.04.27.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8ob87wyip8c/VLEpO-60fnI/AAAAAAAALMA/KYqnZFTieaQ/s625/2014-12-29%252015.04.27.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QLBCr7pXp8I/VLEpP9ghx6I/AAAAAAAALMI/oE0NUVkFjug/s1600/2014-12-29%252015.06.11.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QLBCr7pXp8I/VLEpP9ghx6I/AAAAAAAALMI/oE0NUVkFjug/s625/2014-12-29%252015.06.11.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D8C6m-ILX2g/VLEpRGkdTtI/AAAAAAAALMQ/aOQ_AOuUdY8/s1600/2014-12-29%252015.08.14.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D8C6m-ILX2g/VLEpRGkdTtI/AAAAAAAALMQ/aOQ_AOuUdY8/s625/2014-12-29%252015.08.14.jpg" /></a> <br />Can I live here?</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-9108256330290838792015-01-14T18:11:00.000-05:002015-01-14T18:11:00.330-05:00does it spark joy?<p>It’s a simple concept: only surround yourself with things you love.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3qAoDM07Dkg/VLKPtrRs2nI/AAAAAAAALNE/GByOs5HzlgU/s800/20141111_150434.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3qAoDM07Dkg/VLKPtrRs2nI/AAAAAAAALNE/GByOs5HzlgU/s600/20141111_150434.jpg" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Club Monaco silk top // J.Crew cardigan // J.Crew necklace // J.Crew fluted skirt // Wolford tights // Tory Burch Reva flats</font></p> <p>For instance, I love this outfit.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LqRc8vOtmdQ/VLKPw8D5CMI/AAAAAAAALNM/3lqpcU_DMQU/s800/20141111_150435.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LqRc8vOtmdQ/VLKPw8D5CMI/AAAAAAAALNM/3lqpcU_DMQU/s600/20141111_150435.jpg" /></a></p> <p>One of the major principles of the <a href="http://tidyingup.com/" target="_blank">KonMari Method</a> is to go through everything you own and ask “Does it spark joy?” and if it doesn’t, get rid of it. Go with your gut and don’t rationalize. It really did make going through my clothes easy; I didn’t have to ask if I could make three outfits with an item or if I’d worn it within the past six months, I could ignore the rationalization that sometimes goes on in my head (people at work really like this skirt!), and just ask it I love it or not now. Not if I loved it before. So a few dresses I haven’t worn in ages stay. Anything I wore just because I felt I should or pieces I used to love but don’t anymore went. </p> <p>But it’s much harder with other areas of the house. In the kitchen, do these oven mitts spark joy? Well, not really, but I need to have oven mitts. I don’t think it means I should throw them out and buy oven mitts I love (or should I?). In the bathroom, do I love this bottle of glasses lens cleaner? Does this nail file spark joy? Do I have strong feelings for this <a href="http://www.revlon.ca/Revlon-Home/Products/Beauty-Tools/Pedicure/NEW-Revlon-Pedi-EXPERT-Pedicure-Kit.aspx" target="_blank">Revlon Pedi-Expert</a>? (Actually I do, it’s essentially a cheese grater for your heels and it’s the best thing I’ve tried to deal with my terrible feet.) </p> <p>So there’s stuff I love, and stuff I need. I don’t know if it’s possible to have 100% stuff I love. But 85-90% is probably ok, right?</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-84720975107244297242015-01-10T10:55:00.000-05:002015-01-10T10:55:00.111-05:002015: mindfulness, gratitude, simplicity, reading, and lots of tidying<p>I agree with <a href="http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2015/01/currently-snacking-on.html" target="_blank">Oh Joy</a>, I don’t believe in making promises I can’t keep, so the first 10 days of 2015 have been all about stuffing my face. And now I feel like this:</p> <p><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HKEv1dOHKew/VLEYKxIhflI/AAAAAAAALLI/jYs5yUWw50s/s600/B6RiAsuCEAE9hzU.jpg" /> <br /><a href="https://twitter.com/TheSimpsons/status/550672818753380354/photo/1" target="_blank">via</a></p> <p>It could be worse, it could be like this:</p> <p><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GIASd-T1mCI/VLEX5nYrtaI/AAAAAAAALLA/M_1gTokb6tw/s600/B6Oxw-CCMAA88yo.jpg" /> <br /><a href="https://twitter.com/TheSimpsons/status/550479034417549313/photo/1" target="_blank">via</a></p> <p>Seriously, I’ve been eating everything that isn’t nailed down in the last week (carbs rule!). I think it’s been a combination of the cold weather (I’m packing on another layer of fat to keep warm), starting to exercise a bit more again, PMS, and anxiety about starting my new job on Monday. I have a lot of anxiety. I want change, but then change freaks me out. Everyone is telling me it’s good to feel nervous and it’s not enough of a change if I’m not feeling nervous, but is it normal to feel as panicked as I do?</p> <p>I’m dealing with the panic with tacos from <a href="http://lacarnita.com/" target="_blank">La Carnita</a> on College St, in Toronto (amazing tacos):</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Io2Yt6IPYBA/VLEfIrYm3EI/AAAAAAAALLY/tcIz9eKeYuY/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Io2Yt6IPYBA/VLEfIrYm3EI/AAAAAAAALLY/tcIz9eKeYuY/s625/IMG_3413.JPG" /></a></p> <p>So I’ve already failed on the “eat better” New Year’s resolution and I’m effed until next year (kidding, I’ll get back to it eventually), but here is my short (and somewhat vague) resolutions for 2015: practice mindfulness (live in the moment), be grateful every day (I’m very lucky to have what I have), keep things simple (everything), read two books a month (up from last year’s quota of one a month), and tidy a lot.</p> <p>The overwhelming urge to tidy comes from the first book I read this month, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing-ebook/dp/B00KK0PICK/" target="_blank"><em>The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing</em></a> by Marie Kondo. It’s adorable and completely bonkers (she’s cuckoo but I love her), but it’s also the first “self-help” book I’ve read in a long time that actually made complete sense to me. I’ve already started on the <a href="http://tidyingup.com/" target="_blank">KonMari method</a> (or a variation of) and attacked my kitchen, and so far, no relapse. I’ll post more about this as I attack the rest of my condo.</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-62921687427190833682014-12-31T18:55:00.000-05:002014-12-31T18:55:00.261-05:002014: food, books, dogs <p>Of course, it’s all about recapping the year right now. At first I wasn’t going to do that, because 2014 sucked hard and I didn’t want to acknowledge it even existed. Bring on 2015, I say. But I can’t erase a year from existence, so I’ve decided to celebrate the good things, in food, books, and dogs.</p> <p>My favourite food photos of the year:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gSdUPOPCX3k/VKQpbJdSY0I/AAAAAAAALJg/O2AgE3I2e-M/s1600/2014-12-31.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gSdUPOPCX3k/VKQpbJdSY0I/AAAAAAAALJg/O2AgE3I2e-M/s600/2014-12-31.jpg" /></a> <br /><font size="1">smoked meat sandwich at </font><a href="http://www.caplanskys.com/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Caplansky’s</font></a><font size="1">, Toronto // burger at </font><a href="http://www.dine.to/sites/allens/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Allen’s</font></a><font size="1">, Toronto // churros and chocolate at </font><a href="http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/xoco/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Xoco</font></a><font size="1">, Chicago // fried chicken at </font><a href="http://momofuku.com/toronto/noodle-bar-to/" target="_blank"><font size="1">momofuku noodle bar</font></a><font size="1">, Toronto // birthday key lime pie // beet caprese salad at </font><a href="http://pizzerialibretto.com/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Pizzeria Libretto</font></a><font size="1">, Toronto // pizza at Pizzeria Libretto // birthday ice cream // ice cream sandwich at </font><a href="http://www.moomilkbar.ca/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Moo Milk Bar</font></a><font size="1">, Toronto </font></p> <p><font size="1"></font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QlUjDEe3PHE/VKP400E8eoI/AAAAAAAALIU/FDwebK2mKUs/s1600/photo%25202-2014-12-31.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QlUjDEe3PHE/VKP400E8eoI/AAAAAAAALIU/FDwebK2mKUs/s600/photo%25202-2014-12-31.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Amazing grapefruit juice at </font><a href="http://www.fatpasha.com/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Fat Pasha</font></a><font size="1">, Toronto // the rotisserie duck at </font><a href="http://momofuku.com/new-york/ssam-bar/" target="_blank"><font size="1">momofuku ssäm bar</font></a><font size="1">, NYC // poutine in Ottawa // the Tim Horton’s chocolate chip muffin that </font><a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2014/12/how-chocolate-chip-muffin-changed-my.html" target="_blank"><font size="1">got me a new job</font></a><font size="1">// amaretto-chocolate budino with whipped cream, sour cherry compote, and chocolate at Pizzeria Libretto // a meal I actually made myself in the summer</font></p> <p>I decided that I spent too much time watching TV and on my iPad and not reading enough, so I set a goal of reading at least one book a month in 2014. I surpassed that, while still watching too much TV and spending too much time on my iPad.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gmaxsHKFOss/VKP3sjoZFGI/AAAAAAAALH8/8ECTFuzDQtM/s1600/2014-12-31.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gmaxsHKFOss/VKP3sjoZFGI/AAAAAAAALH8/8ECTFuzDQtM/s600/2014-12-31.jpg" /></a></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Short-History-England-Glorious-Nation-ebook/dp/B005UOTB7E/" target="_blank"><em>A Short History of England</em></a>, Simon Jenkins – everything you need to know about England in one reasonably-sized book.</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Whered-You-Go-Bernadette-Novel/dp/0316204269/" target="_blank"><em>Where’d You Go, Bernadette</em></a>, Maria Semple – the book everyone was reading at the beginning of the year.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Fresh-Off-Boat-Eddie-Huang/dp/0812983351/" target="_blank">Fresh off the Boat: A Memoir</a></em>, Eddie Huang – food, swearing, and a little bit about the Malice at the Palace.</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Rosie-Project-Graeme-Simsion-ebook/dp/B00BATWJFE/" target="_blank"><em>The Rosie Project</em></a><em>,</em> Graeme Simsion – really funny and sweet</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Fault-Our-Stars-John-Green-ebook/dp/B005ZOBNOI/" target="_blank"><em>The Fault in our Stars</em></a>, John Green – catnip for teenagers. I don’t like overly sentimental, emotionally manipulative books, but as far as that sort of thing goes, this book was fine.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Fault-Our-Stars-John-Green-ebook/dp/B005ZOBNOI/" target="_blank">A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from my Kitchen Table</a></em>, Molly Wizenberg – I love books about food. This one made me cry a little.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Everyone-Hanging-Without-Other-Concerns/dp/0307886271/" target="_blank">Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)</a></em>, Mindy Kaling – I remember liking this, but not much else about it. I worry about my short-term memory.</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Before-Go-Sleep-S-Watson-ebook/dp/B0054LVP3Q/" target="_blank"><em>Before I Go to Sleep</em></a>, S.J. Watson – I stayed up late to finish it, a real page-turner.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Art-Racing-Rain-Garth-Stein/dp/1443404969/" target="_blank">The Art of Racing in the Rain</a></em>, Garth Stein – something different and original.</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r4WM7TaE4us/VKRFpPW1hKI/AAAAAAAALJ4/qOEJPhRHPMo/s1600/2014-12-31.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r4WM7TaE4us/VKRFpPW1hKI/AAAAAAAALJ4/qOEJPhRHPMo/s600/2014-12-31.jpg" /></a></p> <ul> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/This-Where-Leave-You-Novel-ebook/dp/B002GEDEKQ/" target="_blank">This is Where I Leave You</a></em>, Jonathan Tropper – fine, but I wouldn’t read it again. </li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Blue-Plate-Special-Autobiography-Appetites/dp/0385536267/" target="_blank">Blue Plate Special: An Autobiography of my Appetites</a></em>, Kate Christensen – one of the better food-centred memoirs I’ve read.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Jim-Henson-Brian-Jay-Jones/dp/0345526112/" target="_blank">Jim Henson: The Biography</a></em>, Brian Jay Jones – I’ve always loved the Muppets, so I had to read this.</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Bossypants-Tina-Fey/dp/0316056871/" target="_blank"><em>Bossypants</em></a>, Tina Fey – I love her.</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Long-Way-Down-Nick-Hornby/dp/1594481938/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Long-Way-Down-Nick-Hornby/dp/1594481938/" target="_blank"><em>A Long Way Down</em></a></a>, Nick Hornby – a depressing premise.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Bling-Ring-Celebrity-Obsessed-Teenagers-Hollywood/dp/0062245538/" target="_blank">The Bling Ring</a></em>, Nancy Jo Sales – a story of some horrible teenagers.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Toast-Story-Hunger-Slater-Printing/dp/B00CB5R4A6/" target="_blank">Toast: The Story of a Boy’s Hunger</a></em>, Nigel Slater – obviously, I like reading about food.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Serve-People-Stir-Fried-Journey-Through/dp/0156033747/" target="_blank">Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China</a></em>, Jen Lin-Liu – I like reading about travels and food.</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/1982-Jian-Ghomeshi/dp/0143182870/" target="_blank"><em>1982</em></a>, Jian Ghomeshi – I read this because I was a fan of <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/q/" target="_blank">Q</a>, but I now regret reading this book given <a href="http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/jian-ghomeshi-how-he-got-away-with-it/" target="_blank">he turned out to be a complete asshole</a>. At least it was a library ebook and he didn’t make any money off me. Also, it wasn’t that great a book.</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BtEaKAUGcjk/VKP4z2ztazI/AAAAAAAALIM/x7nsRNRYBmo/s1600/photo%25201-2014-12-31.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BtEaKAUGcjk/VKP4z2ztazI/AAAAAAAALIM/x7nsRNRYBmo/s600/photo%25201-2014-12-31.JPG" /></a></p> <ul> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Eleanor-Park-Rainbow-Rowell/dp/1250044995/" target="_blank">Eleanor & Park</a></em>, Rainbow Rowell – teenagers should read books like this one; <a href="http://bookriot.com/2013/09/19/dont-ban-books-like-eleanor-park-teens-need/" target="_blank">banning</a> it is a stupid idea.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Eating-England-Delights-Eccentricities-British-ebook/dp/B00760GBQ4/" target="_blank">Eating for England: The Delights and Eccentricities of the British at Table</a></em>, Nigel Slater – I love all things British, including the food.</li> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Delancey-Man-Woman-Restaurant-Marriage/dp/1451655096/" target="_blank">Delancey: A Man, a Woman, a Restaurant, a Marriage</a></em>, Molly Wizenberg – not as good as her first book, but interesting.</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Yes-Please-Amy-Poehler/dp/006226835X/" target="_blank"><em>Yes Please</em></a>, Amy Poehler – I love her too.</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ee8aEgUoo3k/VKRQWfNt5bI/AAAAAAAALKg/eX1vFfY5xWk/s1600/2014-12-31.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ee8aEgUoo3k/VKRQWfNt5bI/AAAAAAAALKg/eX1vFfY5xWk/s500/2014-12-31.jpg" /></a></p> <ul> <li><em><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Not-That-Kind-Girl-Learned/" target="_blank">Not That Kind of Girl</a></em>, Lena Dunham – the book every blogger was pictured with, it was fine and entertaining, but pretty self-involved. I liked Tina Fey’s and Amy Poehler’s better.</li> </ul> <p>And finally, my favourite random dogs of the year (just call me doggie paparazzi):</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-waa44yI6lAE/VKRFr_LJTNI/AAAAAAAALKA/rVWjVzp4kKM/s1600/2014-12-31.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-waa44yI6lAE/VKRFr_LJTNI/AAAAAAAALKA/rVWjVzp4kKM/s600/2014-12-31.jpg" /></a></p> <p>Like I said, bring on 2015. It can’t be any worse than this year. In fact, I’m determined that it be better.</p> <p>Thanks everyone for reading my insane thoughts and looking at all the photos I post this year. Happy New Year!</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-57115448511026449632014-12-31T08:12:00.001-05:002014-12-31T08:12:33.745-05:00December 2014 in pictures<p>December, you were a <a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2014/12/how-chocolate-chip-muffin-changed-my.html" target="_blank">good month</a>. Even if I did catch bronchitis and was out of commission for a week, with a lingering cough for over two.</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jC3OurSchWw/VKP0toBokFI/AAAAAAAALHU/PA4Hi3KHPlw/s1600/2014-12-31.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jC3OurSchWw/VKP0toBokFI/AAAAAAAALHU/PA4Hi3KHPlw/s600/2014-12-31.jpg" /></a> <br /><a href="http://instagram.com/p/wuZgBmgnwq/" target="_blank">J.Crew Bliss sweatshirt</a> // <a href="http://instagram.com/p/wuviV0gn--/" target="_blank">R is for Rachel (or Roots, really)</a> // <a href="http://gusandabby.com/" target="_blank">gus and abby</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/p/w5Coktgn0o/" target="_blank">coaster and notepad</a> // <a href="http://instagram.com/p/xE35hpgn8c/" target="_blank">Quimby sleeping with his paws up</a> // <a href="http://instagram.com/p/xH2wRrgn86/" target="_blank">Quimby and his sister, Echo</a> // <a href="http://instagram.com/p/xMaNvXgn-z/" target="_blank">trying to detox a little</a> // <a href="http://instagram.com/p/xO8-HJgnyg/" target="_blank">LOL</a> // <a href="http://instagram.com/p/xQJXEIgn8E/" target="_blank">yum</a> // <a href="http://instagram.com/p/xRVovYAn2T/" target="_blank">yum again</a></p> <p>I’ll be back later with a 2014 recap of sorts.</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-16490749520752949772014-12-29T18:56:00.001-05:002014-12-29T18:56:04.826-05:00Christmas: a recap in photo form<p>Many photos of puppies and food ahead; you’ve been warned.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-elwJjpWKp7g/VKHgYjkJTII/AAAAAAAALDc/uqtx2LvRLXQ/s800/IMG_3125.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-elwJjpWKp7g/VKHgYjkJTII/AAAAAAAALDc/uqtx2LvRLXQ/s450/IMG_3125.JPG" width="445" height="600" /></a> <br />Travelling in Hugo Guinness for J.Crew Springer spaniel tee (I thought it was a basset hound but I think it’s a chubby Springer spaniel)</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rqy1jahS--0/VKHgZtrqo5I/AAAAAAAALDo/sfAFSwuD_Pc/s1600/IMG_3128.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rqy1jahS--0/VKHgZtrqo5I/AAAAAAAALDo/sfAFSwuD_Pc/s500/IMG_3128.JPG" /></a> <br />A really pretty tuna sashimi bowl for lunch before going to the Boston Pops</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jx2lC4scksY/VKHgdQdctTI/AAAAAAAALDs/HVpVCP7Hf9Q/s1600/IMG_3139.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jx2lC4scksY/VKHgdQdctTI/AAAAAAAALDs/HVpVCP7Hf9Q/s600/IMG_3139.JPG" /></a> <br />An actual Springer spaniel at Quimby’s daycare, where we left him before going to the Boston Pops.</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-73dJPeJkZ6o/VKHgeK9-ZxI/AAAAAAAALD0/Mk4VJrBNjT0/s1600/IMG_3143.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-73dJPeJkZ6o/VKHgeK9-ZxI/AAAAAAAALD0/Mk4VJrBNjT0/s625/IMG_3143.JPG" /></a> <br />The Boston Pops</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fnZsnG9bq-E/VKHggdcNH8I/AAAAAAAALEM/erquOayF0Yo/s1600/IMG_3170.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fnZsnG9bq-E/VKHggdcNH8I/AAAAAAAALEM/erquOayF0Yo/s625/IMG_3170.JPG" /></a> <br />My sister and her sleeping puppy</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vzORYExWe1M/VKHgvRIPgnI/AAAAAAAALGU/cexILwU4Uzg/s1600/photo%25204.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vzORYExWe1M/VKHgvRIPgnI/AAAAAAAALGU/cexILwU4Uzg/s625/photo%25204.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sZOIdarAdRc/VKHghAVVeSI/AAAAAAAALEY/mq4E58_ps0I/s1600/IMG_3177.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sZOIdarAdRc/VKHghAVVeSI/AAAAAAAALEY/mq4E58_ps0I/s600/IMG_3177.JPG" /></a> <br />BEST. DOG SHIRT. EVER.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M8RtOJQGv24/VKHghqizvnI/AAAAAAAALEc/Puc7tnS-qfA/s800/IMG_3196.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M8RtOJQGv24/VKHghqizvnI/AAAAAAAALEc/Puc7tnS-qfA/s625/IMG_3196.JPG" /></a> <br />Selfies.</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8e3sQsTNL5Y/VKHgiS6DsII/AAAAAAAALEk/jMwA9ZFQRXc/s1600/IMG_3199.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8e3sQsTNL5Y/VKHgiS6DsII/AAAAAAAALEk/jMwA9ZFQRXc/s625/IMG_3199.JPG" /></a> <br />Laziest dog ever.</p> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9I4UGAqcawI/VKHk-X1x90I/AAAAAAAALGo/racAWQB0k9g/s1600/IMG_3162.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9I4UGAqcawI/VKHk-X1x90I/AAAAAAAALGo/racAWQB0k9g/s625/IMG_3162.JPG" /></a> <br />Christmas Eve prime rib roast. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r4YOw9BhvME/VKHgjfns0wI/AAAAAAAALEs/kB_R9uekwn0/s800/IMG_3207.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r4YOw9BhvME/VKHgjfns0wI/AAAAAAAALEs/kB_R9uekwn0/s500/IMG_3207.JPG" /></a> <br />Ginger-cherry white chocolate chip cookies, adapted from <a href="https://www.ming.com/food-and-wine/recipes/simply-ming-season-5/ginger-cranberry-chocolate-chip-cookies.htm" target="_blank">this Ming Tsai recipe</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-97gqVturhb8/VKHgkPCqonI/AAAAAAAALE0/v4EPloj9yV0/s1600/IMG_3211.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-97gqVturhb8/VKHgkPCqonI/AAAAAAAALE0/v4EPloj9yV0/s600/IMG_3211.JPG" /></a> <br />Christmas duck, puppy wants some too.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P2qDiHqPLdU/VKHgmL8HeMI/AAAAAAAALFE/scLwib4ByWM/s1600/IMG_3220.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P2qDiHqPLdU/VKHgmL8HeMI/AAAAAAAALFE/scLwib4ByWM/s600/IMG_3220.JPG" /></a> <br />Still the laziest dog ever.</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zTLBsn-JclY/VKHgnOpYfmI/AAAAAAAALFM/zd7fk8cDf5w/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zTLBsn-JclY/VKHgnOpYfmI/AAAAAAAALFM/zd7fk8cDf5w/s625/IMG_3232.JPG" /></a> <br />Homemade poutine on Boxing Day (or as it’s called in the U.S., the day after Christmas).</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-blazayhZ12I/VKHgn_fF4uI/AAAAAAAALFU/_v1jDN4kAeE/s1600/IMG_3235.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-blazayhZ12I/VKHgn_fF4uI/AAAAAAAALFU/_v1jDN4kAeE/s625/IMG_3235.JPG" /></a> <br />Will and a lapful of labradoodle.</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tYHhE3HO8B0/VKHgon30amI/AAAAAAAALFc/5VYzTQYMiSs/s1600/IMG_3267.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tYHhE3HO8B0/VKHgon30amI/AAAAAAAALFc/5VYzTQYMiSs/s625/IMG_3267.JPG" /></a> <br />Waiting for Shake Shack ice cream.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ndOEe3krzU/VKHgp5QyGmI/AAAAAAAALFk/ako2o0yjHzk/s1600/IMG_3272.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ndOEe3krzU/VKHgp5QyGmI/AAAAAAAALFk/ako2o0yjHzk/s600/IMG_3272.JPG" /></a> <br />Achieved!</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4gSxdWjYz4E/VKHpADW0ARI/AAAAAAAALG4/lTKFENRbVBs/s1600/IMG_3299.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4gSxdWjYz4E/VKHpADW0ARI/AAAAAAAALG4/lTKFENRbVBs/s600/IMG_3299.JPG" /></a> <br />After Shake Shack, a play date with his sister Echo, who lives in the same Cambridge neighbourhood. My brother-in-law met her in the park by accident, and he and Echo’s human realized that they’d both gotten the puppies at the same breeder in Maine. What are the chances?</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCe0DTzJRt4pg7VyuEEsYPBYKv0mZXQiNneNwoBUoJNcSf7nHBGM2-2bG359VFMFNrGrD-gqBmKFCfqxjkGBDndozg5wrYLtfyzZOyyepVIGlOAXJpwROPmSOZc6j1pItTkyjlNQWPKBy/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCe0DTzJRt4pg7VyuEEsYPBYKv0mZXQiNneNwoBUoJNcSf7nHBGM2-2bG359VFMFNrGrD-gqBmKFCfqxjkGBDndozg5wrYLtfyzZOyyepVIGlOAXJpwROPmSOZc6j1pItTkyjlNQWPKBy/s625/IMG_3292.JPG" /></a> <br />What did I say about Quimby being the laziest puppy ever? But after playing hard with his sister, he deserves a little lie-down.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NeszYKdP-G4/VKHgqgErNHI/AAAAAAAALFs/Ob7IOwwrc3k/s1600/IMG_3290.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NeszYKdP-G4/VKHgqgErNHI/AAAAAAAALFs/Ob7IOwwrc3k/s625/IMG_3290.JPG" /></a> <br />Making the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/dining/091crex.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NY Times chocolate chip cookies</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JH2Ub1u0E6Y/VKHgsaKE19I/AAAAAAAALF8/7SFAakJaFFU/s1600/IMG_3293.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JH2Ub1u0E6Y/VKHgsaKE19I/AAAAAAAALF8/7SFAakJaFFU/s625/IMG_3293.JPG" /></a> <br />They are delicious, and worth leaving in the fridge for 72+ hours.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VcDxuYFl-R4/VKHgtLTFSgI/AAAAAAAALGE/7W5dM7gq17w/s1600/IMG_3296.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VcDxuYFl-R4/VKHgtLTFSgI/AAAAAAAALGE/7W5dM7gq17w/s600/IMG_3296.JPG" /></a> <br />Quimby and his big buddy hanging out before we left. He (the puppy) and I got depressed afterwards. Perhaps 2015 is the year I finally get a dog.</p> <p>Hope everyone had a great Christmas too!</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-59196095608054123742014-12-23T17:03:00.000-05:002014-12-23T17:03:00.218-05:00So many Santas (and Christmas indulgences)<p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h7oX2DtGtOQ/VJiaA3KtC0I/AAAAAAAALA8/UkggAGzhyUo/s1600/IMG_3110.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h7oX2DtGtOQ/VJiaA3KtC0I/AAAAAAAALA8/UkggAGzhyUo/s625/IMG_3110.JPG" /></a></p> <p>It’d be better if there were snow on the ground, but it’s pretty cool. It’s a street in Toronto where 45-50 houses (nice houses, this is an affluent part of the city) have 14-foot inflatable Santas on their front lawns.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e2YIR8xFcfs/VJiaC4-lePI/AAAAAAAALBM/TwsoZmBVq4U/s1600/IMG_3112.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e2YIR8xFcfs/VJiaC4-lePI/AAAAAAAALBM/TwsoZmBVq4U/s625/IMG_3112.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7CnJu6HUxWc/VJiaDwt6OaI/AAAAAAAALBU/kGgEqTmo4EA/s800/IMG_3116.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7CnJu6HUxWc/VJiaDwt6OaI/AAAAAAAALBU/kGgEqTmo4EA/s625/IMG_3116.JPG" width="300" height="402" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QuSqxD2gCSM/VJiaB1hzE2I/AAAAAAAALBE/6fxAj_3PmrY/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QuSqxD2gCSM/VJiaB1hzE2I/AAAAAAAALBE/6fxAj_3PmrY/s300/IMG_3111.JPG" width="298" height="402" /></a></p> <p>I struggle every year to get into the Christmas spirit, but this helped!</p> <p>Every year Will and I like to treat ourselves to a nice dinner at Christmas, so we went to <a href="http://momofuku.com/toronto/daisho/" target="_blank">momofuku daishō</a>. This is what I wore:</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5CH37XT7D10/VJiZ7mKOZqI/AAAAAAAALA0/oFY0ndngXps/s800/IMG_3093.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5CH37XT7D10/VJiZ7mKOZqI/AAAAAAAALA0/oFY0ndngXps/s600/IMG_3093.JPG" /></a></p> <p>The light wasn’t great in the restaurant, but here’s a sample:</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y1CoIVjLMW0/VJiaPFbFH2I/AAAAAAAALBc/tdfhyfL6dlA/s1600/IMG_3097.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y1CoIVjLMW0/VJiaPFbFH2I/AAAAAAAALBc/tdfhyfL6dlA/s625/IMG_3097.JPG" /></a> <br />The dry-aged beef tartare was AMAZING.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-al3V_Af9v7Y/VJiaP7KlVKI/AAAAAAAALBk/1UC1GQH5eWs/s1600/IMG_3100.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-al3V_Af9v7Y/VJiaP7KlVKI/AAAAAAAALBk/1UC1GQH5eWs/s625/IMG_3100.JPG" /></a> <br />Hanger steak ssäm</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f7qgc98uugI/VJiaQo2sZKI/AAAAAAAALBs/QuVSbJEjGbk/s1600/IMG_3102.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f7qgc98uugI/VJiaQo2sZKI/AAAAAAAALBs/QuVSbJEjGbk/s625/IMG_3102.JPG" /></a> <br />Roasted rice cakes with spicy sausage, Chinese broccoli, and tofu (essentially Asian gnocchi, so good)</p> <p>I had this <a href="http://milkbarstore.com/" target="_blank">milk bar</a> cookie for breakfast this morning: <br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mkOsj_ZHkLY/VJiazYl0DxI/AAAAAAAALB8/97qFiWVNA0A/s1600/IMG_3109.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mkOsj_ZHkLY/VJiazYl0DxI/AAAAAAAALB8/97qFiWVNA0A/s600/IMG_3109.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Followed by some Soma chocolate</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FcVlytZzRnU/VJiayaWXYNI/AAAAAAAALB0/Bvf_LPTqlFo/s1600/IMG_3106.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FcVlytZzRnU/VJiayaWXYNI/AAAAAAAALB0/Bvf_LPTqlFo/s600/IMG_3106.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Hey, it’s Christmas, it’s time for indulging.</p> <p>I haven’t done a lot of shopping recently, but I celebrated my new job with this J.Crew necklace (no longer online), at 70% off:</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MGv5bvEI7LM/VJihqj7-TEI/AAAAAAAALCw/zIeqiFkjNi4/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MGv5bvEI7LM/VJihqj7-TEI/AAAAAAAALCw/zIeqiFkjNi4/s600/IMG_3123.JPG" /></a></p> <p>I’m heading to Boston tonight to spend Christmas with my sister, brother-in-law, and my nephew puppy. Lots of puppy pictures to come on my <a href="http://instagram.com/promisespiecrust" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. I hope everyone has a good one!</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-36979146153955182862014-12-20T13:14:00.001-05:002014-12-20T13:14:35.493-05:00How a chocolate chip muffin changed my life<p>Alternate title: Can a chocolate chip muffin save your life? (short answer: yes)</p> <p>Real title: How a craving for a Tim Horton’s chocolate chip muffin led me to be in the right place at the right time. </p> <p>I’ll explain. But first, this is the muffin I was craving:</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DozPN_KyfxE/VJW6TWgtvVI/AAAAAAAALAU/CDsYo5G21VE/s1600/20141217_091213.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DozPN_KyfxE/VJW6TWgtvVI/AAAAAAAALAU/CDsYo5G21VE/s625/20141217_091213.jpg" /></a></p> <p>Can’t blame me, right?</p> <p>It’s no secret that 2014 has been a craptacular year for me, and also seems like it was for a lot of other people too. So I’ve been a little desperate to have some good news to end the year. Cutting it a little close, but I got it. </p> <p>One morning a few weeks ago, at the end of November, I was sitting at my desk at work being frustrated about something or other, having a bit of a hard time being back in the office after being home sick/working at home the week before, and trying not to give in to a craving for a chocolate chip muffin. Finally I just said screw it, sugar and wheat be damned, I’m getting the damn muffin. </p> <p>To make a long story short: I ran into a colleague I used to work, I let him cut the Tim’s line in front of me, we started chatting, I mentioned it might be time for a change in the new year, and he said he’d just posted a position that I might be a good fit for. I got back to my desk (with my muffin and peppermint tea), looked up his job, and messaged him that it looked interesting and I would apply for it. I applied, had three interviews, and got the job, in less than three weeks. It’s a great opportunity for me, it’s something new and something more along the lines of what I want to do, and I’m so excited to be starting that in the new year.</p> <p>So is the moral of the story to never ignore a craving? That could be dangerous, because I have a lot of cravings. But if I’d squashed this one and stayed at my desk, I wouldn’t have run into my new boss in line, and I might have passed by his job posting. It was truly a case of being in the right place at the right time, and proving that having a good work ethic and working hard pays off in the end, because people want to hire you. </p> <p>At any rate, thank god for the good news, or else I would have had to write off this whole year entirely. I’m very grateful for my good luck. Very grateful.</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-34165285633880154412014-11-30T20:14:00.000-05:002014-11-30T20:14:00.102-05:00November 2014 in pictures<p>Christmas is just around the corner, and almost at the end of the year. This year has just flown by. I can’t say I’m upset about that though, because it’s been a pretty crappy year for me. If it’s going to be a bad year, at least it went quickly. I’m feeling cautiously optimistic that things are looking up, but emphasis on “cautious” there. Maybe in a few weeks I’ll have some good news…</p> <p>In the meantime, this was November:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8yZSuLR7LLk/VHtn0JnT_DI/AAAAAAAAK_c/J-3sdmzQUUw/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8yZSuLR7LLk/VHtn0JnT_DI/AAAAAAAAK_c/J-3sdmzQUUw/s800/IMG_1152.JPG" width="600" height="603" /></a> <br /><a href="http://instagram.com/p/u6QyyUgn89/" target="_blank"><font size="1">doggie in jail?</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/vQwzoogn1h/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Remembrance Day</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/vWOhm9gn9p/" target="_blank"><font size="1">eating cupcakes for the United Way</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/vtPXaLAn0L/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Saturday morning grocery shopping</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/vyLIuvAn4s/" target="_blank"><font size="1">sunrise</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/vzfOvngn92/" target="_blank"><font size="1">sunset</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/v4EudBgnwo/" target="_blank"><font size="1">ice cream in winter</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/wAb2JUgn_z/" target="_blank"><font size="1">a manicure and my book of the month</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/wCEhz5gn7E/" target="_blank"><font size="1">quizzical doggie</font></a></p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-44542384444626291862014-11-19T20:18:00.001-05:002014-11-19T20:42:18.449-05:00I love fall<p>I’ve been stuck inside for the past 5 days with a nasty cold. While I’ve been sitting on my couch drinking strong ginger tea (grate fresh ginger, add hot water, steep, strain, drink) and hot honey and lemon (squeeze a lemon, add honey and hot water, drink), it suddenly turned into winter. </p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x_QhmcdzxnE/VG08MGBEJcI/AAAAAAAAK9Q/xuBLIyFWOII/s1600/20141117_150950.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x_QhmcdzxnE/VG08MGBEJcI/AAAAAAAAK9Q/xuBLIyFWOII/s625/20141117_150950.jpg" /></a></p> <p>What is this white stuff? I was enjoying fall and I want it back. Mostly because I haven’t had time to write my “I love fall” post. But it looks like fall temperatures will come back next week, so maybe it’s not over yet.</p> <p>And it could always be worse, it could be <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/11/snowed-in-buffalo-residents-share-stunning-images-of-buried-city.html" target="_blank">Buffalo today</a>.</p> <p>I love fall for the colours.</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cuk9bUkSr88/VG0_Wovit6I/AAAAAAAAK-E/9zn1lmC6wG4/s1600/IMG_2882.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cuk9bUkSr88/VG0_Wovit6I/AAAAAAAAK-E/9zn1lmC6wG4/s625/IMG_2882.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hbDtTBcfDeQ/VG0_boSuTkI/AAAAAAAAK-M/n7nPuQY6wDI/s1600/IMG_2911.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hbDtTBcfDeQ/VG0_boSuTkI/AAAAAAAAK-M/n7nPuQY6wDI/s625/IMG_2911.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A_xKCnZI9HA/VG0_fjCwDHI/AAAAAAAAK-U/MRC2fkZ2eHw/s1600/IMG_2916.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A_xKCnZI9HA/VG0_fjCwDHI/AAAAAAAAK-U/MRC2fkZ2eHw/s625/IMG_2916.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iJ5b51VcQEg/VG0_h0UlB8I/AAAAAAAAK-c/EW1LxwZImGc/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iJ5b51VcQEg/VG0_h0UlB8I/AAAAAAAAK-c/EW1LxwZImGc/s625/IMG_2917.JPG" /></a></p> <p>The last two pictures are at Queen’s Park, here in Toronto. I love fall for the cool temperatures, comfortable for walking around the city in.</p> <p>I also love the coats (fall weight, not winter weight) and the scarves, even if I am incompetent at tying them and can only do the European loop.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s59LjRsprRE/VG1AbuMHtOI/AAAAAAAAK-w/2RYJnZH0PZ4/s800/20141106_071204.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s59LjRsprRE/VG1AbuMHtOI/AAAAAAAAK-w/2RYJnZH0PZ4/s600/20141106_071204.jpg" width="450" height="809" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Soia & Kyo trench coat // cashmere pashmina from Nepal (gift from Will)</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GEKYjAtSMRc/VG0_kYfg8fI/AAAAAAAAK-k/VRfJHJafPRQ/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GEKYjAtSMRc/VG0_kYfg8fI/AAAAAAAAK-k/VRfJHJafPRQ/s625/IMG_2927.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pCvxI6WJ5pY/VG1Gp-wm6qI/AAAAAAAAK_E/kyTNr1RlVKw/s1600/20141016_174638.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pCvxI6WJ5pY/VG1Gp-wm6qI/AAAAAAAAK_E/kyTNr1RlVKw/s625/20141016_174638.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fbfsrhzr0ko/VG1Gs3JXVfI/AAAAAAAAK_M/PAoQoREx46c/s1600/20141016_180303.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fbfsrhzr0ko/VG1Gs3JXVfI/AAAAAAAAK_M/PAoQoREx46c/s625/20141016_180303.jpg" /></a></p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-19331703472667807632014-11-09T11:23:00.000-05:002014-11-09T11:23:00.160-05:00Highlights of NYC and Boston, only a month late<p>More proof I’m a bad blogger: I’m finally getting around to posting pictures of my trip to Boston and NYC, which happened a month ago.</p> <p>I think I was overwhelmed by all the photos I took and trying to weed out the bad/redundant ones.</p> <p>Here is the first batch, with minimal commentary, just the highlights (but of course, probably too many pictures). </p> <p><a href="http://momofuku.com/new-york/ssam-bar/rotisserie-duck/" target="_blank">The rotisserie duck at Momofuku</a>: <br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y8ye09ZPYOc/VF4KBjpwHTI/AAAAAAAAKz8/wuPhLK4A-aY/s800/IMG_1057.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y8ye09ZPYOc/VF4KBjpwHTI/AAAAAAAAKz8/wuPhLK4A-aY/s625/IMG_1057.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jvYBr1icnek/VF4KCkrbTwI/AAAAAAAAK0E/vGCcEPTlExc/s800/IMG_1058.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jvYBr1icnek/VF4KCkrbTwI/AAAAAAAAK0E/vGCcEPTlExc/s625/IMG_1058.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-puchZB64BFI/VF4KDtqtcyI/AAAAAAAAK0M/8umXHdzuoNE/s800/IMG_1059.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-puchZB64BFI/VF4KDtqtcyI/AAAAAAAAK0M/8umXHdzuoNE/s625/IMG_1059.JPG" /></a> <br />We ate until we were sick, but it was so good. I highly recommend it.</p> <p>SoHo in the rain on a Saturday: <br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3WiIKWOKWuk/VF4KEjoRuvI/AAAAAAAAK0U/cCypt9LCSag/s800/IMG_1063.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3WiIKWOKWuk/VF4KEjoRuvI/AAAAAAAAK0U/cCypt9LCSag/s400/IMG_1063.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ACG0tNeA2lA/VF4KGrK2XrI/AAAAAAAAK0k/S6ti_vYt8mE/s800/IMG_1065.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ACG0tNeA2lA/VF4KGrK2XrI/AAAAAAAAK0k/S6ti_vYt8mE/s800/IMG_1065.JPG" width="301" height="400" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GlkpoP8EJk4/VF4KIdP7njI/AAAAAAAAK00/h11_f0V1mys/s800/IMG_1069.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GlkpoP8EJk4/VF4KIdP7njI/AAAAAAAAK00/h11_f0V1mys/s625/IMG_1069.JPG" /></a></p> <p>This little puppy in a raincoat at J.Crew in SoHo: <br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yrKdKqyFXy0/VFYh7W3-bWI/AAAAAAAAKzk/Dp3rVjRrKpw/s800/IMG_1067.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yrKdKqyFXy0/VFYh7W3-bWI/AAAAAAAAKzk/Dp3rVjRrKpw/s500/IMG_1067.JPG" width="300" height="404" /></a> <a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-du9LdkXPEww/VFYh8X3W6II/AAAAAAAAKxQ/BCbEiUNIxWQ/s800/IMG_1068.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-du9LdkXPEww/VFYh8X3W6II/AAAAAAAAKxQ/BCbEiUNIxWQ/s400/IMG_1068.JPG" width="301" height="405" /></a></p> <a name='more'></a> <a href="http://www.pokpokny.com/home/" target="_blank">Pok Pok NY</a> and finding out I’m not allergic to shrimp: <br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pcUEg7dzYJQ/VF4KKIz25JI/AAAAAAAAK1E/LkFZXNYywgY/s800/IMG_1072.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pcUEg7dzYJQ/VF4KKIz25JI/AAAAAAAAK1E/LkFZXNYywgY/s625/IMG_1072.JPG" /></a> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXUt6w_hB0ttaD09I_ouWg2GYfMS2K4-o9lT7UwbREZxEj74VJMcYoMeSGEoQFhUtzUWZBfnW79vYl7-r4AOA9vU6BuzXgPvJp_JOdqhWI5gOephvTkfkh0rrOkRKwyUbAcDcdUmw5lt2/s800/IMG_1074.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXUt6w_hB0ttaD09I_ouWg2GYfMS2K4-o9lT7UwbREZxEj74VJMcYoMeSGEoQFhUtzUWZBfnW79vYl7-r4AOA9vU6BuzXgPvJp_JOdqhWI5gOephvTkfkh0rrOkRKwyUbAcDcdUmw5lt2/s625/IMG_1074.JPG" /></a> <br />I didn’t realize this delicious noodle salad had dried shrimp, but I ate it and I was totally fine. Take that, supposed shellfish allergy! (I was lucky. I also always carry an Epi-Pen, just in case.)</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8yyZfKmaLT4/VF4KNXVO2VI/AAAAAAAAK1g/vB-VzHA8hkQ/s800/IMG_1075.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8yyZfKmaLT4/VF4KNXVO2VI/AAAAAAAAK1g/vB-VzHA8hkQ/s625/IMG_1075.JPG" /></a> <br />The sticky rice was so good, I could have eaten 10 baskets of it.</p> <p>Also delicious, the pineapple drinking vinegar (sweet and tart and sharp): <br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M8wJPvUzClo/VF4KLPu-8rI/AAAAAAAAK1M/BpR6SyiL1HA/s800/IMG_1073.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M8wJPvUzClo/VF4KLPu-8rI/AAAAAAAAK1M/BpR6SyiL1HA/s625/IMG_1073.JPG" /></a></p> <p>In Brooklyn, <a href="http://stevesauthentic.com/wpnew/" target="_blank">Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies</a> and the <a href="http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2008/07/sugar-rush-steves-authentic-key-lime-pie-on-a-stick-chocolate-covered-red-hook-brooklyn-nyc.html" target="_blank">Swingle</a>: <br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3FbJP5bywns/VF4KSdobjAI/AAAAAAAAK2E/s0-1_12Tyq4/s800/IMG_1081.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3FbJP5bywns/VF4KSdobjAI/AAAAAAAAK2E/s0-1_12Tyq4/s625/IMG_1081.JPG" /></a> <br />This building speaks to me.</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-afQkLoI2z6c/VF4KTLDd-kI/AAAAAAAAK2M/IC6WjgcEnC8/s800/IMG_1082.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-afQkLoI2z6c/VF4KTLDd-kI/AAAAAAAAK2M/IC6WjgcEnC8/s625/IMG_1082.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RbrjSpIJUnM/VF4KVzwvM-I/AAAAAAAAK2k/qp-1Luvayl0/s800/IMG_1085.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RbrjSpIJUnM/VF4KVzwvM-I/AAAAAAAAK2k/qp-1Luvayl0/s400/IMG_1085.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dANHPrYGOyg/VF4KWjP4otI/AAAAAAAAK2s/DDFQo6F5rP8/s800/IMG_1086.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dANHPrYGOyg/VF4KWjP4otI/AAAAAAAAK2s/DDFQo6F5rP8/s400/IMG_1086.JPG" /></a> <br />It’s a frozen key lime pie on a stick, dipped in dark chocolate and it was amazing. Steve’s is a little hard to find, in an industrial area at the end of some very bumpy roads, but it’s worth the trip.</p> <p>Also amazing was the view of Manhattan around the corner from Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies. <br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CWJxr-18hgc/VF4KUB-_UAI/AAAAAAAAK2U/ak4cL4qxh7Q/s800/IMG_1083.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CWJxr-18hgc/VF4KUB-_UAI/AAAAAAAAK2U/ak4cL4qxh7Q/s625/IMG_1083.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xkZTrYtD0Ws/VF4KYbSHEZI/AAAAAAAAK74/y6cxdqa1UW4/s800/IMG_1088.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xkZTrYtD0Ws/VF4KYbSHEZI/AAAAAAAAK74/y6cxdqa1UW4/s625/IMG_1088.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sokS0B76CnI/VF4KZ2WSkSI/AAAAAAAAK3E/H_9IO_gv2Ho/s800/IMG_1089.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sokS0B76CnI/VF4KZ2WSkSI/AAAAAAAAK3E/H_9IO_gv2Ho/s625/IMG_1089.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.rag-bone.com/" target="_blank">Rag & Bone</a> in the West Village (shopping while waiting for our table at <a href="http://takashinyc.com/" target="_blank">Takashi</a>): <br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-37c48aiGrNc/VF4Ka2LbyWI/AAAAAAAAK3M/Y3VxD7_BEPY/s800/IMG_1090.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-37c48aiGrNc/VF4Ka2LbyWI/AAAAAAAAK3M/Y3VxD7_BEPY/s625/IMG_1090.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A2ilWdzUU24/VF4Kb5kdnvI/AAAAAAAAK3U/unYc9XxppLI/s800/IMG_1091.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A2ilWdzUU24/VF4Kb5kdnvI/AAAAAAAAK3U/unYc9XxppLI/s625/IMG_1091.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wJeKFoI-d9g/VF4Kc8C4kiI/AAAAAAAAK3c/qk0yprJ60cc/s800/IMG_1092.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wJeKFoI-d9g/VF4Kc8C4kiI/AAAAAAAAK3c/qk0yprJ60cc/s625/IMG_1092.JPG" /></a> <br />I want those booties.</p> <p>Magnolia Bakery is still a thing: <br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gwm8V4qGw2I/VF4KfkNQ7HI/AAAAAAAAK30/K9sQFeWmLto/s800/IMG_1095.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gwm8V4qGw2I/VF4KfkNQ7HI/AAAAAAAAK30/K9sQFeWmLto/s625/IMG_1095.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FaUBc168eyY/VF4Kes3r9LI/AAAAAAAAK3s/DxZGQG1IwW0/s800/IMG_1094.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FaUBc168eyY/VF4Kes3r9LI/AAAAAAAAK3s/DxZGQG1IwW0/s625/IMG_1094.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Takashi is delicious and a lot of fun, but if you have hair like mine (a sponge that absorbs all ), you’ll leave reeking of meat and in need of a shower asap: <br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kEOPnCb4-Jc/VF4KhX1QvjI/AAAAAAAAK4E/eVCk-YOCdR4/s800/IMG_1097.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kEOPnCb4-Jc/VF4KhX1QvjI/AAAAAAAAK4E/eVCk-YOCdR4/s625/IMG_1097.JPG" /></a> <br />It’s all about the beef.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yhDko8vRw9s/VF4Kiehlp_I/AAAAAAAAK4M/2ji0GHGKML0/s800/IMG_1098.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yhDko8vRw9s/VF4Kiehlp_I/AAAAAAAAK4M/2ji0GHGKML0/s625/IMG_1098.JPG" /></a> <br />Tartare</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jiWQuZVmuMI/VF4KjIh5pbI/AAAAAAAAK4U/mpfT-PH8RSc/s800/IMG_1099.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jiWQuZVmuMI/VF4KjIh5pbI/AAAAAAAAK4U/mpfT-PH8RSc/s625/IMG_1099.JPG" /></a> <br />Stewed beef tendon casserole (so good)</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zLhXXbU1BBM/VF4KkFr2zZI/AAAAAAAAK4c/IidsfV0MrMA/s800/IMG_1100.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zLhXXbU1BBM/VF4KkFr2zZI/AAAAAAAAK4c/IidsfV0MrMA/s625/IMG_1100.JPG" /></a> <br />Tetchan (large intestines, we’re not afraid of the nasty bits)</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LvzcXzEDGGY/VF4KmMskQaI/AAAAAAAAK4s/KYbZAtRBDeg/s800/IMG_1102.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LvzcXzEDGGY/VF4KmMskQaI/AAAAAAAAK4s/KYbZAtRBDeg/s625/IMG_1102.JPG" /></a> <br />Short rib and beef belly.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KtEFiyzL_XQ/VF4KnBQwKCI/AAAAAAAAK40/UUklvwQQkwA/s800/IMG_1103.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KtEFiyzL_XQ/VF4KnBQwKCI/AAAAAAAAK40/UUklvwQQkwA/s625/IMG_1103.JPG" /></a></p> <p>The next day, <a href="http://www.shakeshack.com/location/madison-square-park/" target="_blank">Shake Shack in Madison Park (the original)</a>: <br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qewSJgK8ADw/VF4Kot9Y6OI/AAAAAAAAK8Q/x6StCRj36DM/s800/IMG_1104.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qewSJgK8ADw/VF4Kot9Y6OI/AAAAAAAAK8Q/x6StCRj36DM/s625/IMG_1104.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zyBBypoGfOM/VF4Kpyg2t7I/AAAAAAAAK5E/VB2PytHO8TA/s800/IMG_1105.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zyBBypoGfOM/VF4Kpyg2t7I/AAAAAAAAK5E/VB2PytHO8TA/s625/IMG_1105.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQykSATg_Nqlp1TiH4Rq_AR1t3tLeaXBIN_6eFUQEJF5kaCT8J3ZmzeUMLA6MeHJDt12IiBQR39Szwxqk8AXtvt9JGPSBue_oUBMK3rx6w9Ec5nKnVpm2CUDO6_w0NRMu_yjaxLufRDWbm/s800/IMG_1106.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQykSATg_Nqlp1TiH4Rq_AR1t3tLeaXBIN_6eFUQEJF5kaCT8J3ZmzeUMLA6MeHJDt12IiBQR39Szwxqk8AXtvt9JGPSBue_oUBMK3rx6w9Ec5nKnVpm2CUDO6_w0NRMu_yjaxLufRDWbm/s600/IMG_1106.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c99opLnhR8w/VF4KtwfXE0I/AAAAAAAAK5c/49y3NwzM-7I/s800/IMG_1110.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c99opLnhR8w/VF4KtwfXE0I/AAAAAAAAK5c/49y3NwzM-7I/s625/IMG_1110.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--BrSOBbOAv8/VF9qMhDrRGI/AAAAAAAAK9A/tRX6RykZ6G8/s800/IMG_1137.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--BrSOBbOAv8/VF9qMhDrRGI/AAAAAAAAK9A/tRX6RykZ6G8/s600/IMG_1137.JPG" width="500" height="503" /></a> <br />Missed this one from my <a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2014/11/puppy-post.html" target="_blank">last post</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9DxVfVDq0Qk/VF4KuiWMr6I/AAAAAAAAK5k/5YSQpsk6quw/s800/IMG_1111.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9DxVfVDq0Qk/VF4KuiWMr6I/AAAAAAAAK5k/5YSQpsk6quw/s625/IMG_1111.JPG" /></a></p> <p>First time at Big Gay Ice Cream: <br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0FVqrBn3TkY/VF4KwdqW94I/AAAAAAAAK50/dyT9zmWQnZo/s800/IMG_1113.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0FVqrBn3TkY/VF4KwdqW94I/AAAAAAAAK50/dyT9zmWQnZo/s625/IMG_1113.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7b1Gd_eUitE/VF4KyQeSEmI/AAAAAAAAK6I/DJGZckzdosA/s800/IMG_1115.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7b1Gd_eUitE/VF4KyQeSEmI/AAAAAAAAK6I/DJGZckzdosA/s400/IMG_1115.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Sdt1v5B08MA/VF4Ky9DztjI/AAAAAAAAK6M/MkJly2lLgAs/s800/IMG_1116.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Sdt1v5B08MA/VF4Ky9DztjI/AAAAAAAAK6M/MkJly2lLgAs/s400/IMG_1116.JPG" /></a></p> <p>First time in the <a href="http://www.meatpacking-district.com/" target="_blank">Meatpacking District</a>: <br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wl9GapLhJA0/VF4K0OMYQJI/AAAAAAAAK6U/1b0-7YoAeWs/s800/IMG_1119.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wl9GapLhJA0/VF4K0OMYQJI/AAAAAAAAK6U/1b0-7YoAeWs/s625/IMG_1119.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YV-H3mS1G7s/VF4K1HknS-I/AAAAAAAAK6c/GDHRivecVKg/s800/IMG_1120.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YV-H3mS1G7s/VF4K1HknS-I/AAAAAAAAK6c/GDHRivecVKg/s625/IMG_1120.JPG" /></a></p> <p>First time on the <a href="http://www.thehighline.org/" target="_blank">High Line</a> (on a gorgeous day): <br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SAks80ibFOo/VF4K3EgJKnI/AAAAAAAAK6w/H7LZcdWV3_8/s800/IMG_1122.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SAks80ibFOo/VF4K3EgJKnI/AAAAAAAAK6w/H7LZcdWV3_8/s625/IMG_1122.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-omSJIxX2A6c/VF4K4RO2LOI/AAAAAAAAK64/rVwKVJQoGcc/s800/IMG_1123.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-omSJIxX2A6c/VF4K4RO2LOI/AAAAAAAAK64/rVwKVJQoGcc/s625/IMG_1123.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P4iGK-pihLo/VF4K2IHAONI/AAAAAAAAK6k/b8Cj6JfCjZE/s800/IMG_1121.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P4iGK-pihLo/VF4K2IHAONI/AAAAAAAAK6k/b8Cj6JfCjZE/s625/IMG_1121.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Walking the Hudson River Greenway: <br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NpNLZdvDvPo/VF4K6XP5OHI/AAAAAAAAK7I/yBHD4h-eGM4/s800/IMG_1125.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NpNLZdvDvPo/VF4K6XP5OHI/AAAAAAAAK7I/yBHD4h-eGM4/s625/IMG_1125.JPG" /></a></p> <p>NYC, could you get any better?</p> <p>Back in Boston, I mostly hung out with the <a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2014/11/puppy-post.html" target="_blank">puppy</a> at my sister’s in Cambridge, drinking real ginger ale: <br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d0XAJAk5K_Y/VF4K8WpTagI/AAAAAAAAK7Y/OlpUdoNB9B4/s800/IMG_1131.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d0XAJAk5K_Y/VF4K8WpTagI/AAAAAAAAK7Y/OlpUdoNB9B4/s625/IMG_1131.JPG" /></a></p> <p>But when we went out we saw this gem: <br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MsM7UO6p21Y/VF4K7bSQdVI/AAAAAAAAK7Q/8CUJdcnzlM0/s800/IMG_1129.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MsM7UO6p21Y/VF4K7bSQdVI/AAAAAAAAK7Q/8CUJdcnzlM0/s625/IMG_1129.JPG" /></a> <br />I wanted to lean out the window and yell “YOU ALL LOOK SO STUPID!” (I think <a href="http://www.bostonbysegway.com/" target="_blank">segways</a> are so stupid. But I hope the tour group had fun anyway.)</p> <p>Before I left, Shake Shack again, in <a href="https://www.shakeshack.com/location/harvard-square/" target="_blank">Harvard Square</a>: <br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QfEXCbJ0QYc/VF4K9LtrE2I/AAAAAAAAK7g/cl9-jQ4uU8M/s800/IMG_1135.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QfEXCbJ0QYc/VF4K9LtrE2I/AAAAAAAAK7g/cl9-jQ4uU8M/s625/IMG_1135.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FG_EM42mm3g/VF4K99RzauI/AAAAAAAAK7o/5MFEnRQCaRY/s800/IMG_1136.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FG_EM42mm3g/VF4K99RzauI/AAAAAAAAK7o/5MFEnRQCaRY/s625/IMG_1136.JPG" /></a> <br />That’s a red velvet concrete. Quimby got the end of it, lucky puppy.</p> <p>And back in Toronto: <br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4QUtkTCrKic/VF4KOx-0hnI/AAAAAAAAK1s/1jdTytQ2Sks/s800/IMG_1046.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4QUtkTCrKic/VF4KOx-0hnI/AAAAAAAAK1s/1jdTytQ2Sks/s625/IMG_1046.JPG" /></a></p> <p>And countering Shake Shack with a healthy dinner of steamed kale, broccoli, and bok choy with grilled tofu and sweet potato (from <a href="http://www.freshrestaurants.ca/" target="_blank">Fresh</a>):<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--wuJ1LIokOI/VF4KPqvte7I/AAAAAAAAK10/AjLiUxrWe8g/s800/IMG_1047.JPG" target="_blank"> <br /><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--wuJ1LIokOI/VF4KPqvte7I/AAAAAAAAK10/AjLiUxrWe8g/s625/IMG_1047.JPG" /></a></p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-22314272517720026612014-11-02T10:19:00.000-05:002014-11-02T10:19:00.206-05:00Puppy post<p>My nephew dog, 4-month-old Quimby the mini labradoodle:</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eYhcrTWWE3E/VFYh2lXUuYI/AAAAAAAAKwo/EAI0G7h7ip0/s800/IMG_1052.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eYhcrTWWE3E/VFYh2lXUuYI/AAAAAAAAKwo/EAI0G7h7ip0/s500/IMG_1052.JPG" /></a></p> <p>I have so many photos of him from my trip to Boston and NYC that I felt he deserved his own post. </p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yPUf7iuCRYA/VFYh1X-NZXI/AAAAAAAAKwg/d9gY9FiusKg/s800/IMG_1051.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yPUf7iuCRYA/VFYh1X-NZXI/AAAAAAAAKwg/d9gY9FiusKg/s625/IMG_1051.JPG" /></a></p> <p>Mini labradoodles are a bit small for my liking (I like big dogs), but he’s pretty damn cute. (Also the fact he doesn’t shed helps, that’s pretty awesome.)</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_YtSpo42kwI/VFYh5DEJq9I/AAAAAAAAKw4/St0DXfjK0a0/s800/IMG_1056.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_YtSpo42kwI/VFYh5DEJq9I/AAAAAAAAKw4/St0DXfjK0a0/s625/IMG_1056.JPG" /></a></p> <p>He’s a really good car passenger. And he looks like he has a bad perm. (The two facts are unrelated.)</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s2xacenzEc4/VFYh6ecrSoI/AAAAAAAAKzc/p4K6d69n5K8/s800/IMG_1062.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s2xacenzEc4/VFYh6ecrSoI/AAAAAAAAKzc/p4K6d69n5K8/s625/IMG_1062.JPG" /></a></p> <p>He loves my sister and brother-in-law, and eventually he loved me too (he’s a little slow to warm up).</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fCGqw8THMEM/VFYh9fdDFpI/AAAAAAAAKxY/pFMniQhJBL8/s800/IMG_1076.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fCGqw8THMEM/VFYh9fdDFpI/AAAAAAAAKxY/pFMniQhJBL8/s625/IMG_1076.JPG" /></a></p> <p>He’s a little shy around other dogs, but he met this Westie at Brooklyn Flea and played nice with him.</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QAYoUNEvNvE/VFYh-GsRuxI/AAAAAAAAKxg/lJ8kWDk2zZU/s800/IMG_1077.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QAYoUNEvNvE/VFYh-GsRuxI/AAAAAAAAKxg/lJ8kWDk2zZU/s625/IMG_1077.JPG" /></a></p> <p>This little boxer puppy was so excited to meet Quimby, he bopped him on the head.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v-_M78YibtI/VFYiBM_qd0I/AAAAAAAAKxw/uLO86f8OhGQ/s800/IMG_1078.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v-_M78YibtI/VFYiBM_qd0I/AAAAAAAAKxw/uLO86f8OhGQ/s625/IMG_1078.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dec1gC78GWA/VFYiDXoXRXI/AAAAAAAAKyA/wx2RrG1MaYM/s800/IMG_1107.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dec1gC78GWA/VFYiDXoXRXI/AAAAAAAAKyA/wx2RrG1MaYM/s400/IMG_1107.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oqiTuhDB-7k/VFYiEWZbEOI/AAAAAAAAKyI/7FkFqZ0wN-4/s800/IMG_1108.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oqiTuhDB-7k/VFYiEWZbEOI/AAAAAAAAKyI/7FkFqZ0wN-4/s400/IMG_1108.JPG" /></a></p> <p>We selfied in Madison Park, but he was upset that his humans left him with me to go for brunch.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xnDgjEWpdtk/VFYiFfvzPvI/AAAAAAAAKyQ/55T_8_4l1MA/s800/IMG_1117.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xnDgjEWpdtk/VFYiFfvzPvI/AAAAAAAAKyQ/55T_8_4l1MA/s600/IMG_1117.JPG" /></a></p> <p>We made up for it with some <a href="http://biggayicecream.com/" target="_blank">Big Gay Ice Cream</a> (I couldn’t finish my <a href="http://biggayicecream.com/treats/" target="_blank">Salty Pimp</a>).</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SXI3T9lj1ZI/VFYiGf9u4WI/AAAAAAAAKyY/xnuV2T8Wico/s800/IMG_1118.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SXI3T9lj1ZI/VFYiGf9u4WI/AAAAAAAAKyY/xnuV2T8Wico/s500/IMG_1118.JPG" /></a></p> <p>As sweet as he is, he is sometimes a brat. He doesn’t like to walk when he’s not in a group, so he just lies down on the sidewalk.</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y5AQwNmy4u0/VFYiMQno6II/AAAAAAAAKzA/Oe7Doi272Cs/s800/IMG_1132.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y5AQwNmy4u0/VFYiMQno6II/AAAAAAAAKzA/Oe7Doi272Cs/s400/IMG_1132.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aYwMwG2k47M/VFYiN1Oi_7I/AAAAAAAAKzI/5q3SxVQI8eI/s800/IMG_1133.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aYwMwG2k47M/VFYiN1Oi_7I/AAAAAAAAKzI/5q3SxVQI8eI/s400/IMG_1133.JPG" /></a></p> <p>But he’s so cute, we’ll forgive him.</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6L0PEa5666M/VFYiPVGerqI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/m2wj1B2tr0Q/s800/IMG_1134.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6L0PEa5666M/VFYiPVGerqI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/m2wj1B2tr0Q/s625/IMG_1134.JPG" /></a></p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-46388874767031284652014-10-31T20:37:00.000-04:002014-10-31T20:37:00.628-04:00October 2014 in pictures<p>This whole blogging thing, I’ve gotten pretty terrible at it over the past few months. I’m way behind on posting about my October trip, so I’m not going to get to that until next month, and I’m way behind on reading and commenting on all the blogs on my reader. My weekend will be dedicated to catching up. It’s a good thing I only do this for fun, and I don’t try to make any money off of it, because I wouldn’t be doing very well.</p> <p>Most of the pictures on my <a href="http://instagram.com/promisespiecrust" target="_blank">Instagram</a> this month were from New York City and Boston, but I want to do them justice by putting them up in their own posts. Lots of puppy pictures coming! (And food. And sometimes puppy with food.)</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LHzIJ5qJBKA/VFQNf5bzJZI/AAAAAAAAKwI/YeNdz6270T0/s800/IMG_2876.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LHzIJ5qJBKA/VFQNf5bzJZI/AAAAAAAAKwI/YeNdz6270T0/s600/IMG_2876.JPG" /></a> <br /><a href="http://instagram.com/p/tnyoNJgn7g/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Will's "I feel so guilty I'm leaving you to go on a long vacation even though you said it was ok" flowers</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/t8XV8yAn8h/" target="_blank"><font size="1">golden puppy</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/t8oALTgn54/" target="_blank"><font size="1">travelling!</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/t-c0r5An9y/" target="_blank"><font size="1">trip reading</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/ulczyIAn8v/" target="_blank"><font size="1">sour cherry sorbet</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/ulczyIAn8v/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Korean treats Will brought home</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/uoToOFgnwh/" target="_blank"><font size="1">inflatable Ursula</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/uoToOFgnwh/" target="_blank"><font size="1">inflatable cat the size of a house (the head moves back and forth and it also glows in the dark)</font></a><font size="1"> // </font><a href="http://instagram.com/p/uoToOFgnwh/" target="_blank"><font size="1">poutine</font></a></p> <p>It’s Halloween tonight and in true Canadian fashion, it’s cold and raining with a chance of snow later. Costumes are always dictated by room for a snowsuit underneath. I’ve been indulging in a bit of Halloween candy (who knew frozen Twix were so good?), and hope all the kiddies out there come home with a good haul, have fun, and stay safe.</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-20804403034054062922014-10-18T21:03:00.001-04:002014-10-18T21:05:16.360-04:00Saturday<p>I got home from an extended Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in Boston and NYC (the <a href="http://promiseslikepiecrust.blogspot.ca/2014/10/mmmmchocolate.html" target="_blank">chocolate</a> went down really well, except I’m confused that my sister and brother-in-law don’t binge like I do, they actually eat one or two pieces and then stop, wtf is that?) on Wednesday, blog posts about my exploits upcoming, once I get my act together. </p> <p>I went back to work on Thursday and Friday, but it still feels like I’m on vacation. Maybe because Will is still in Nepal (he finished his trek up Gokyo Ri and is fine, nowhere near the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/18/nepal-rescuers-final-search-blizzard-survivors" target="_blank">blizzard and avalanche</a> that happened last week, terrible about what happened to the trekkers there), and I’m having a weekend to myself where I can do what I want. Not that I can’t do what I want when he’s here, but it’s just different.</p> <p>So today I had pie, hot chocolate, and went for a lovely fall walk.</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-shuMDux1FNA/VEMGUVx3gLI/AAAAAAAAKuw/0s4cvgoEulM/s800/20141018_121732.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-shuMDux1FNA/VEMGUVx3gLI/AAAAAAAAKuw/0s4cvgoEulM/s625/20141018_121732.jpg" /></a></p> <p>And took the opportunity to try out the camera on the Samsung Galaxy S5, my new work phone.</p> <p>I picked up pie at <a href="http://www.wandaspieinthesky.com/" target="_blank">Wanda’s Pie in the Sky</a> at Kensington Market.</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NacdR9__y7I/VEMGKpk6CuI/AAAAAAAAKuQ/nEIVpPSMb3U/s800/20141018_092027.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NacdR9__y7I/VEMGKpk6CuI/AAAAAAAAKuQ/nEIVpPSMb3U/s625/20141018_092027.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-esBtS4G2yQI/VEMGR5U0BII/AAAAAAAAKuo/RbznSgrSClo/s800/20141018_105750.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-esBtS4G2yQI/VEMGR5U0BII/AAAAAAAAKuo/RbznSgrSClo/s625/20141018_105750.jpg" /></a></p> <p>The Ontario sour cherry was…fine. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for pie?</p> <p>I also went to the Distillery District, which I love.</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YXC66eea9g0/VEMGc4YfjSI/AAAAAAAAKvI/b3V4PJ56XtY/s800/20141018_101001.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YXC66eea9g0/VEMGc4YfjSI/AAAAAAAAKvI/b3V4PJ56XtY/s625/20141018_101001.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u19tvJeGHHY/VEMGnOXWUWI/AAAAAAAAKvo/BZye30CCn5w/s800/20141018_102113.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u19tvJeGHHY/VEMGnOXWUWI/AAAAAAAAKvo/BZye30CCn5w/s625/20141018_102113.jpg" /></a> <br />There are locks on the letters, like on the bridges in Paris.</p> <p>I just happened to end up at <a href="http://www.somachocolate.com/" target="_blank">Soma Chocolate</a> again. I mean, I’m there already, I can’t not go in, right?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-38YykUQ7OCY/VEMGOrqlgWI/AAAAAAAAKug/kar9IdDxqrY/s800/20141018_101649.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-38YykUQ7OCY/VEMGOrqlgWI/AAAAAAAAKug/kar9IdDxqrY/s625/20141018_101649.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Tz807-42O9M/VEMGM0Xm2gI/AAAAAAAAKuY/i78ae8dS_mA/s800/20141018_101412.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Tz807-42O9M/VEMGM0Xm2gI/AAAAAAAAKuY/i78ae8dS_mA/s625/20141018_101412.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ZnkJbI9ygk/VEMGhmBV-kI/AAAAAAAAKvY/1NCB_K8knYQ/s800/20141018_101421.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ZnkJbI9ygk/VEMGhmBV-kI/AAAAAAAAKvY/1NCB_K8knYQ/s625/20141018_101421.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PYlDK3XaCIc/VEMGjraUqPI/AAAAAAAAKvg/TRTOD8wr0uI/s800/20141018_101811.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PYlDK3XaCIc/VEMGjraUqPI/AAAAAAAAKvg/TRTOD8wr0uI/s625/20141018_101811.jpg" /></a></p> <p>The hot chocolate is their Spicy Mayan with milk, not sweet at all. It’s more like a coffee than a sweet drink.</p> <p>Today’s outfit:</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E0CVtAGv5VU/VEMGGcYM5WI/AAAAAAAAKuI/_k860SP-fZ4/s800/20141018_171107.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E0CVtAGv5VU/VEMGGcYM5WI/AAAAAAAAKuI/_k860SP-fZ4/s600/20141018_171107.jpg" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Soia & Kyo raincoat // American Apparel circle scarf // Gap zip leggings // </font><a href="http://www.zappos.com/eric-michael-laguna" target="_blank"><font size="1">eric michael Laguna boots</font></a></p> <p>Not a great photo, so here’s Friday’s outfit:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xi2VXgg1dcU/VEMGEyS4ZYI/AAAAAAAAKuA/G8ce2gGc3lI/s800/20141017_070239.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xi2VXgg1dcU/VEMGEyS4ZYI/AAAAAAAAKuA/G8ce2gGc3lI/s600/20141017_070239.jpg" /></a> <br /><a href="https://www.jcrew.com/ca/womens_category/knitstees/shortsleevetees/PRDOVR~B5130/B5130.jsp" target="_blank"><font size="1">Hugo Guinness for J.Crew Dog Tee</font></a><font size="1"> // Gap zip leggings // Gap classic ballet flat in rose blush</font></p> <p>I can’t resist a hound on a T-shirt. </p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-71374744041600628532014-10-08T22:11:00.001-04:002014-10-08T22:11:15.329-04:00Mmmm…chocolate<p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DDBAleggdts/VDXp74h8V-I/AAAAAAAAKsU/ANYbIYmXrZU/s800/land_of_chocolate.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DDBAleggdts/VDXp74h8V-I/AAAAAAAAKsU/ANYbIYmXrZU/s600/land_of_chocolate.jpg" /></a> <br /><font size="1">(from the episode </font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burns_Verkaufen_der_Kraftwerk" target="_blank"><font size="1">Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk</font></a><font size="1">, season 3)</font></p> <p>You’d think you’d be able to get pretty good chocolate in Boston (<a href="http://www.burdickchocolate.com/" target="_blank">L.A. Burdick</a> isn’t bad, for one), but my sister always requests that I bring chocolate from two local Toronto chocolatemakers when I go visit. </p> <p>I’m happy to do it, even if I turn into Homer in the Land of Chocolate while I’m shopping for the goodies.</p> <p>At Stubbe Chocolates, I picked up truffles, salted caramels, chocolate-covered Australian ginger, and an assortment of bars.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cvbmDX77wVY/VDXsAJkNWAI/AAAAAAAAKsg/eNupa2oo6_g/s800/319843_10152437524175596_1587873453_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cvbmDX77wVY/VDXsAJkNWAI/AAAAAAAAKsg/eNupa2oo6_g/s600/319843_10152437524175596_1587873453_n.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QONfNobtxdo/VDXsaD9P-kI/AAAAAAAAKtM/zNAVtO7OpG4/s800/IMG_2457.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QONfNobtxdo/VDXsaD9P-kI/AAAAAAAAKtM/zNAVtO7OpG4/s600/IMG_2457.JPG" /></a></p> <p>My sister and her husband ration themselves and make their stash last. If it were up to me, this would probably be gone in a week. It’s amazing that I had these for a few days in my house without tearing into them and ending up in a chocolate orgy.</p> <p>I also go to <a href="http://www.somachocolate.com/" target="_blank">Soma chocolatemaker</a> in the Distillery District.</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f_0fmq4Vqes/VDXsmv9q_kI/AAAAAAAAKs4/97InooaQCig/s800/IMG_2443.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f_0fmq4Vqes/VDXsmv9q_kI/AAAAAAAAKs4/97InooaQCig/s600/IMG_2443.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--wZynqD3k0E/VDXskARBw8I/AAAAAAAAKsw/UikJMlhPkVo/s800/IMG_2445.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--wZynqD3k0E/VDXskARBw8I/AAAAAAAAKsw/UikJMlhPkVo/s600/IMG_2445.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OGyhSOZ9BhQ/VDXsrbwa5UI/AAAAAAAAKtA/9JjEyKwvIGg/s800/IMG_2450.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OGyhSOZ9BhQ/VDXsrbwa5UI/AAAAAAAAKtA/9JjEyKwvIGg/s600/IMG_2450.JPG" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Ri7MRja7hY/VDXtj7v2CWI/AAAAAAAAKtY/Zl-DY1qmXzA/s800/IMG_2444.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Ri7MRja7hY/VDXtj7v2CWI/AAAAAAAAKtY/Zl-DY1qmXzA/s600/IMG_2444.JPG" /></a></p> <p>When I’m there, I’m like a kid in some kind of store. Of course I have to get something for myself. I love the English toffee with almonds, the dried cherries tumbled in dark chocolate, and their latest truffle of the month, calamansi and white chocolate in a dark chocolate shell (omg so good).</p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4yNnPvaQm8c/VDXuLlqw40I/AAAAAAAAKtk/QRHcSI63k_Q/s800/IMG_2447.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4yNnPvaQm8c/VDXuLlqw40I/AAAAAAAAKtk/QRHcSI63k_Q/s600/IMG_2447.JPG" /></a> <br />Blurry because I was shaking with impatience to get at them. </p> <p>I have so many goodies to bring to Boston that I had to put everything in a box, and it was heavy!</p> <p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k972MLoxQ6g/VDXtyktC6aI/AAAAAAAAKtg/VRID95Km1uM/s800/IMG_2455.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k972MLoxQ6g/VDXtyktC6aI/AAAAAAAAKtg/VRID95Km1uM/s600/IMG_2455.JPG" /></a></p> <p>It’s appropriate for what will be a food-centric weekend. As it should be, it’s Canadian Thanksgiving so I have to be gluttonous regardless of where I am. </p> <p>Hope everyone has a good one and more food photos to come when I get back!</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596566155221484373.post-76081157710188140632014-10-06T18:50:00.000-04:002014-10-06T18:50:00.574-04:00Pants!<p>It’s full-on fall now, after being spoiled with basically the summer we didn’t have in September. Jacket weather again. (But not parka weather. Come on. It’s not winter yet.)</p> <p>And I’m wearing pants? What?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5_s2COq58II/VCgEiHt2OFI/AAAAAAAAKrM/j1t-ZCrWEx4/s800/IMG_2311.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5_s2COq58II/VCgEiHt2OFI/AAAAAAAAKrM/j1t-ZCrWEx4/s600/IMG_2311.JPG" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Soia & Kyo jacket (2007) // J.Crew lightweight merino sweater // J.Crew necklace // </font><a href="http://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=1011765&vid=1&pid=349597003" target="_blank"><font size="1">Gap ultra skinny ankle pants</font></a><font size="1"> (got on sale for $35!) // Gap classic ballet flats in rose blush</font></p> <p>I’ve been a staunch skirt/dress girl, but this year, I wanted something simpler. A sleeker, unfussy, uncluttered silhouette.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N3YGWD-U-ec/VCgEZop-3SI/AAAAAAAAKrE/WtVXeAC3i2U/s800/IMG_2314.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N3YGWD-U-ec/VCgEZop-3SI/AAAAAAAAKrE/WtVXeAC3i2U/s600/IMG_2314.JPG" /></a></p> <p>I’ve always been afraid of being boring (just a plain V-neck sweater and black pants?), but a big statement necklace will always save me from that. I’ll still wear skirts and dresses, it’s just nice to have another option once in a while.</p> rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438183830009278348noreply@blogger.com3