2015: mindfulness, gratitude, simplicity, reading, and lots of tidying

I agree with Oh Joy, 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:

via

It could be worse, it could be like this:

via

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?

I’m dealing with the panic with tacos from La Carnita on College St, in Toronto (amazing tacos):

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.

The overwhelming urge to tidy comes from the first book I read this month, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing 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 KonMari method (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.

2014: food, books, dogs

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.

My favourite food photos of the year:

smoked meat sandwich at Caplansky’s, Toronto // burger at Allen’s, Toronto // churros and chocolate at Xoco, Chicago // fried chicken at momofuku noodle bar, Toronto // birthday key lime pie // beet caprese salad at Pizzeria Libretto, Toronto // pizza at Pizzeria Libretto // birthday ice cream // ice cream sandwich at Moo Milk Bar, Toronto

Amazing grapefruit juice at Fat Pasha, Toronto // the rotisserie duck at momofuku ssäm bar, NYC // poutine in Ottawa // the Tim Horton’s chocolate chip muffin that got me a new job// amaretto-chocolate budino with whipped cream, sour cherry compote, and chocolate at Pizzeria Libretto // a meal I actually made myself in the summer

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.

• A Short History of England, Simon Jenkins – everything you need to know about England in one reasonably-sized book.
• Where’d You Go, Bernadette, Maria Semple – the book everyone was reading at the beginning of the year.
• Fresh off the Boat: A Memoir, Eddie Huang – food, swearing, and a little bit about the Malice at the Palace.
• The Rosie Project, Graeme Simsion – really funny and sweet
• The Fault in our Stars, 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.
• A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from my Kitchen Table, Molly Wizenberg – I love books about food. This one made me cry a little.
• Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), Mindy Kaling – I remember liking this, but not much else about it. I worry about my short-term memory.
• Before I Go to Sleep, S.J. Watson – I stayed up late to finish it, a real page-turner.
• The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein – something different and original.

• This is Where I Leave You, Jonathan Tropper – fine, but I wouldn’t read it again.
• Blue Plate Special: An Autobiography of my Appetites, Kate Christensen – one of the better food-centred memoirs I’ve read.
• Jim Henson: The Biography, Brian Jay Jones – I’ve always loved the Muppets, so I had to read this.
• Bossypants, Tina Fey – I love her.
• A Long Way Down, Nick Hornby – a depressing premise.
• The Bling Ring, Nancy Jo Sales – a story of some horrible teenagers.
• Toast: The Story of a Boy’s Hunger, Nigel Slater – obviously, I like reading about food.
• Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China, Jen Lin-Liu – I like reading about travels and food.
• 1982, Jian Ghomeshi – I read this because I was a fan of Q, but I now regret reading this book given he turned out to be a complete asshole. At least it was a library ebook and he didn’t make any money off me. Also, it wasn’t that great a book.

• Eleanor & Park, Rainbow Rowell – teenagers should read books like this one; banning it is a stupid idea.
• Eating for England: The Delights and Eccentricities of the British at Table, Nigel Slater – I love all things British, including the food.
• Delancey: A Man, a Woman, a Restaurant, a Marriage, Molly Wizenberg – not as good as her first book, but interesting.
• Yes Please, Amy Poehler – I love her too.

• Not That Kind of Girl, 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.

And finally, my favourite random dogs of the year (just call me doggie paparazzi):

Like I said, bring on 2015. It can’t be any worse than this year. In fact, I’m determined that it be better.

Thanks everyone for reading my insane thoughts and looking at all the photos I post this year. Happy New Year!

October 2014 in pictures

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.

Most of the pictures on my Instagram 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.)

Will's "I feel so guilty I'm leaving you to go on a long vacation even though you said it was ok" flowers // golden puppy // travelling! // trip reading // sour cherry sorbet // Korean treats Will brought home // inflatable Ursula // inflatable cat the size of a house (the head moves back and forth and it also glows in the dark) // poutine

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.

Books, books, books

I’ve spent the whole month escaping in books. First it was on vacation when I had lots of time to read and to escape the boredom of Parksville, and since I’ve been back it’s just a good way to de-stress from work.

I’d set myself a New Year’s Resolution of reading one book a month because I felt I was spending too much time watching TV and being on my iPad, and it’s been one I’ve kept. Also, I read six months’ worth in this one month, so I don’t have to read anything for the rest of the year. Just kidding, I’m not going to stop. Also, I’m a little obsessed with library eBooks. The fun of reading, at no cost!

1. Blue Plate Special – Kate Christensen.
   Since I’m obsessed with food, I loved how the story of her life (and an interesting one, too) was linked together with food.
2. Jim Henson: The Biography – Brian Jay Jones.
   Very detailed, very comprehensive, really fascinating, and a must-read for anyone who grew up on the Muppets like me. So much talent and creativity in one person, it’s amazing.
3. Bossypants – Tina Fey.
   Hilarious. I’m a Tina Fey fan, so wouldn’t expect anything less. I’m listening to the audiobook right now because it’s interesting to hear it in her voice, but I really hate audiobooks. I find they’re like listening to a long monologue. I make the exception for her, though.
4. A Long Way Down – Nick Hornby.
   The only novel on this list, which is interesting to me. (I thought I only read fiction.) I don’t know if I’m a fan of Nick Hornby. I didn’t want to stop reading, but I don’t think it’s one I’d ever return to.
5. The Bling Ring – Nancy Jo Sales.
   I really liked Nancy Jo Sales’s Vanity Fair article, and I just finished watching the movie so I thought I’d read her book. It was a quick read, and insanely fascinating, but I’m not sure that a full book was necessary. At any rate, I kinda understood their motivations. You see something, you want it. I’ve done the same things with blogs I read. I have never stolen anything, however.
6. Toast – Nigel Slater.
   Another life story told through food. This one I liked just for all the British foods I’ve never heard of but had to Google because I needed to know what they are: Heinz Sponge Pudding, Jammie Dodgers, bourbon biscuits, Walnut Whip, Sherbet Fountains. Some of these sound truly disgusting (sponge cake in a can is so bleahhhh), but I suppose that’s what happens when you grow up in England in the 1960s.

If anyone has any good book recommendations, I’d love to hear them!

March 2014 in pictures

I say this Every. Single. Month. but damnit where did the time go?

This month saw wild swings in weather (but it looks like the worst is over, even though I’ve said that before), lots of juice, three types of ice cream in one day, lots of cookies, and two books read (at least I’m sticking to that resolution!).

I never wear my hair up // drooling over J.Crew shoes // gorgeous gorgeous dress at Dolce & Gabbana // lunch at Wvrst // my new obsession juice // in the window at Mulberry // J.Crew flats // I love dogs hanging out of car windows // green juice (not as bad as I thought)

salted caramel ice cream // at Chocolateria // Skor and key lime pie gelato // frozen vanilla custard // a reread this month // a new book // at Moo Milk Bar, my new favourite place // pho // elephant in the room at Anthropologie

Now I’m off to end the month with the series finale of How I Met Your Mother, and I may cry, because I do love that show. If I get a little teary, I’ll just watch this to laugh.

(Edited to add: I was in the camp that hated the finale, but I might change my mind on a second viewing.)

Always look on the bright side of life

I may have started 2014 off on the wrong foot, with my pessimistic rant about the new year last week (I think that was just PMS combined with the lingering effects of a bad cough and a bad case of I-don’t-want-to-be-back-at-work), but I’m determined to pull it back.

I was going to post my New Year’s resolutions even though I’m late and it’s already getting towards late January, but then I realized that my list is pretty much the same as last year.

But I’m not going to be pessimistic about that, I will not see that as having accomplished nothing last year,  it’s just a continuation. I’m going to continue eating healthy as much as possible, being financially responsible, not procrastinating, and definitely staying optimistic. (Glass half-full! Half-full!)

I’m also going to add these more easily-measurable goals:

• Move every day. I will never be a gym person, and that’s fine. When the weather is good, I walk two hours every weekday. Even if I don’t do that, I need to move. Even just 10 minutes a day. It’s beneficial and I can commit to that anywhere (but likely at home).
• Read at least one book per month. I always have my iPad or iPhone in my hand. I read blogs, online articles, etc. all the time, and that’s fine, but I want to get back to reading actual books. My goal is to read at least one book per month (re-reads count, I was going through my shelves the other day and realizing I own a lot of books that I want to read again). I’m already ahead, I’ve read two new ones this month already.

(A Short History of England packed a lot of history into not very many pages, so much so that I felt like I learned a lot and also nothing at all. I think everyone is reading Where’d You Go, Bernadette, and like most people I found it really funny and entertaining. Never mind that it took me two hours fighting with my Kobo and Adobe Digital Editions to download the library ebook, in the end it was worth it.)

• Wear everything in my closet. I heard somewhere that we tend to wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time (or it could just be Barney Stinson making stuff up). I think I fall into that habit, especially with something new. So I’ve done the trick of turning all my clothes hangers around and then turning them back the right way when I wear something. It’s awesome to keep track of what I’ve worn recently and what I haven’t worn in a while.
• Make an effort with photos. Last year I used my iPhone camera pretty much exclusively. I’m not going to stop using my iPhone; my goal has never been to have a huge blogger following and entice people with gorgeous photographs that get pinned all the time. In the end, my blog is for future me, and future me only wants to remember what I wore and what I did, but future me might also appreciate a few better photos every now and then.

November in pictures

November is kinda a dreary month (didn’t help that I had a cold for two weeks), so it’s good that it flew by. As time tends to do on me.

the books I read while I was sick: My Berlin Kitchen // Maman's Homesick Pie // Paris in Love // I carried a box of Kleenex around for three weeks // pomegranates, my favourite fruit // Remembrance Day cupcakes // Movember cupcakes // Santa’s been imbibing too much // workday fruit

my nephew // J.Crew socks // my nephew in his Spiderman costume // Wait? what’s that? // sleeping nephew // Abby the Basset Hound // cold walk // November roses // happy snowman

Bring on December, I'm ready! I want the snow (but only the pretty, fluffy snow please), the holiday baking (I'm sugar-free and gluten-free until the weekend before Christmas, when all bets are off), and the general good Christmas cheer. I've been in the Christmas spirit thanks to Cee Lo Green and the Muppets:

Also, it's only 25 days until the Les Miserables movie comes out:

I was a musical theatre geek about 15 years ago and I cannot wait to see this. I will be there on Christmas Day.

October in pictures

I feel like all I did in October was eat, but apparently not. What I will remember is 3 out of 4 weekends were not very relaxing (Thanksgiving weekend in Montreal, then an unexpected houseguest, then Ottawa), but I made up for it with the past weekend (so lazy, I think I was comatose). I'm very much looking forward to sunshine returning to Toronto (I’m Vitamin D-deficient and I crave sunshine like crazy), but we got off easy with Hurricane/Superstorm/Frankenstorm Sandy compared to much of the East Coast, so I can't complain.

the book I’m currently reading; the book I just finished reading; India, our friends’ 15-year-old three-legged German Shepherd/Doberman mix; donkey; horse; chicken (we were at our friends’ hobby farm outside of Ottawa); a coffee table shaped like the Canadian prairie provinces; extremely friendly golden retriever; giant Great Dane impersonating the Sphinx.

adorable T-shirt at GapKids; adorable little boys’ suit at GapKids; asparagus fire hydrant sculpture in Westboro (Ottawa); teddy bear fire hydrant sculpture; Abby the anxious Basset Hound; kalbi beef taco at Banh Mi Boys (what, did you think the food photos were done?); sausage pizza at Pizzeria Libretto (so worth the gluten overload); ghosts!; giant pumpkin in Yorkville.

As for shopping this month, I picked up a few cardigans and a few T-shirts on sale from J.Crew, and this Club Monaco top in the maroon/navy stripe. Again, not sticking to my resolution to buy only one thing per month this year. But January was so long ago…can’t I just start over now?

Sweatsuit alternative

In recent years, my quest to develop my personal style has led me to do a lot of research. By research, I mean watching a lot of “What Not To Wear” and reading various books on fashion/personal style, including Trinny and Susannah’s What You Wear Can Change Your Life and The Survival Guide, Clinton and Stacy’s Dress Your Best: The Complete Guide to Finding the Style That’s Right for Your Body, Nina Garcia’s The Little Black Book of Style and Tim Gunn’s A Guide To Quality, Taste & Style. Sometimes I ended up being more confused than when I started; I got bogged down in “rules.” Eventually I learned to take everything I read as a guide and not as gospel. I still don’t own a lot of pieces that are on the “top ten essential items” lists (basic dress pants, a blazer, and a button-down shirt, for instance), and I don’t think my wardrobe is going to fall apart tomorrow.

I think Tim Gunn’s book is my favourite, especially if you read it in his voice—his top ten essential items list is pretty spot-on for me, actually. I take his advice on the sweatsuit alternative to heart:

“There is something appealing about pretending we live lives that require prim little suits during the day and only the most challenging vintage Balenciaga by night. Even if that is your life, isn’t it safe to assume that every so often you just need to be comfortable and enjoy some easy, unrestricted movement?”

It was a sweatsuit week for me. I had a cold and a sprained wrist and I did not feel like getting dressed; I could have happily worn yoga pants or leggings to work all week. But I didn’t, because I have a little black stretchy-knit elastic-waistband pencil skirt that I picked up form Club Monaco a few weeks ago. I’ve worn it for the past four days.

Anthropologie Winged Victory Top (Odille) | Anthro Bette Cardigan (Sparrow) | Hilary Druxman necklace | Club Monaco Celia Skirt | Wolford Satin Opaque tights | Michael Kors heels | tensor bandage courtesy of the medical centre at work

This is a recycled outfit, just with a different skirt, tights, and shoes. Not only did I not want to get dressed, I didn’t want to have to think about putting together new interesting outfits either. It also looked a lot better a few months ago; I’ve definitely put on weight (working to stop that now). They’re not the most flattering pictures in the world, but it’s how I looked this week.

But on the upside, I’m not wearing the bandage anymore, and my wrist feels a lot better.