she said, she said

thank you, ok

2010-06-19T06:28:00.008-04:00

Jessica and I have decided to put our little blog to rest and start some new things.

I will still be doing some Seoul blogging here:

thank you, ok

and I will be collecting links I like here:

thank you, ok tumblr

space hamilton

2010-06-16T19:13:00.006-04:00

Another surprise in Itaewon.

Space Hamilton hosted an Open Market Art Co-op (for art works, books, magazines, used things, food, and clothing) last month.

I fell in love with the space.

Especially the decaying walls. And the name, which was a little reminder of home.

A Tale of Two Hotels

2010-06-16T10:59:00.013-04:00

Like most Torontonians, my experience with Queen Street’s hot hotels has been limited to late night buffoonery and early morning brunch. And so, while I consider myself quite familiar with both The Gladstone and The Drake – I’ve never actually climbed the stairs of either of these ever trendy hotels. During last month's Doors Open Toronto (one of my favourite Toronto summer events) I was able to take a peak inside these local landmarks and check out the rooms without checking in. Inspired by the boutique hotels of lower Manhattan, these historic heritage buildings have been beautifully restored in recent years – transformed from seedy rooming houses into hipster hangouts and spurring on the wave of gentrification in the west end.

Built in 1889 the Gladstone hotel, with its iconic red sign and dramatic arched windows, is the city’s oldest continuously operating hotel. Whether you drop by for weekly karaoke in the Melody Bar or sample fresh fare in the café, there is always something going on inside this architecturally stunning space. Rotating and permanent art exhibitions showcase local artists and a beautifully restored Victorian hand-operated elevator transports guests from their artist inspired rooms to the lower level gallery spaces and bustling bars. The hotel holds a special place in my heart as my parents met in a lovely old Victorian on Gladstone Avenue just down the street.

Just a couple blocks east the Drake Hotel, a self-proclaimed “hotbed for culture” draws sleek nightlife lovers and scruffy urban artists alike. Inside the funky hotel a refurbished 1950s art deco grand staircase leads guests up to the nineteen stylish bedrooms. The suites are chic yet artfully retro with a candy heavy snack bar and in-house Starving Artist wine on offer. The rooftop skyard features sun soaked cabanas under colourful muraled walls – the perfect spot for an early morning Caesar or a late night cocktail. The Drake’s corner café boasts the city’s best scones (blueberry...try the blueberry!) and its quirky gift shop lures foot traffic westward with plenty of Canadiana themed trinkets on offer. The hotel continues to expand along the Queen Street strip between Beaconsfield and Lisgar with a new ice cream/t-shirt shop opening this month appropriately named Scoops and Tees. And of course, Katie and I have both forced our boyfriends to jump in the old fashioned photo booth with us.

Both of these unique hotels feature creative touches that give back to the art communities living and working in the neighbourhood. The Gladstone has thirty-seven distinct artist-designed bedrooms while the Drake’s artist in residence program provides short-term living arrangements for budding artists looking for a space to create. Showcasing the best in local culture, art and cuisine these funky west-end accommodations offer so much more than your average downtown hotel. I only wish I could justify a staycation at one of these lovely hotels...but since I'm only a 10 minute walk away I guess I'll just have to settle for the ice cream and cocktails.

p.s. You can also read a (slightly edited) version of this over here.

just a kid from canada

2010-06-16T09:15:00.002-04:00

Irina Lazareanu in Another Magazine.

Just a kid from Canada... with really good hair.

Perhaps it's time for a (much needed) chop.

flea market

2010-06-15T22:52:00.005-04:00

Two Saturdays ago my boyfriend and I found ourselves at a (rather intimate) flea market.

We were invited by the fellows playing music in the third photo (20th Century Boys - listen here). They are both very sweet, play with great energy, and have cool post-punk fashion.

The flea market itself offered an eclectic assortment of vintage goods (for cheap!) hosted by stylish, young Koreans munching on McDonalds fries. Everyone was very friendly, the sun was shining, and it was a lovely time all around.

I wish I had taken more pictures, however there are lots to look at here.

hasisi park

2010-06-15T20:16:00.005-04:00

Hasisi Park takes beautiful pictures.

I like her projects.

Take a look at her big blog.

She makes me really want an old film camera like this.

exteriors

2010-06-14T22:31:00.006-04:00

The Galleria Department Store has an unmissable exterior comprised of iridescent LCD discs, shingled like cartoonish fish scales.

Across the street, a less futuristic apartment building also caught my eye.

deli heinzburg

2010-06-14T22:07:00.009-04:00

Oooh, this place is so good. So good that it required two back-to-back Sunday lunches. A serious sandwich with proper cheese is (relatively) hard to find in Seoul, so my boyfriend and I were both delighted with this spot. Located in Sinsa-dong, Deli Heinzburg prides itself in a wide (and meaty) selection of paninis, burgers, and deli sandwiches. Their toppings-to-bread ratio is exceptionally good. They also serve the best pickled daikon and cabbage I've tried since being in Korea. We'll no doubt be returning in the (very) near future.

happy food

2010-06-14T19:17:00.009-04:00

Sayaka Minemura's sweet little set on How's Your Weekend? led me to something wonderful: her breakfast project. I love these happy foods (and her wooden utensils) so much. Her blog, life in the slow line, is also super cute.

mixed tape

2010-06-10T23:54:00.012-04:00

Some pictures I took outside a cafe/gallery in Itaewon. I liked their window coverings.

I'm also a fan of Japanese masking tape company mt. Lucky for me, their colourful tapes are abundantly available in Korea.

Along with pretty tape, they're coming out with a new line of wrapping paper. See some cute wrap ideas over here - I love the donuts (and the 'wrap only myself' heading).

high five

2010-06-03T22:29:00.006-04:00

Along with a killer chickpea salad, Takeout Drawing also offers great views from their second floor.

boxes

2010-06-03T10:04:00.002-04:00

Found here.

I wish moving was this beautifully neat in real life.

takeout drawing

2010-06-02T00:52:00.011-04:00

Itaewon keeps surprising me. When I first visited this former expat ghetto last year I took one look around and left in a hurry, deciding that it was so not my scene. However, my most recent visit was filled with delightful surprises. One being Takeout Drawing, a cafe/artist residency, that served up both great atmosphere and a much-needed chickpea salad. I hadn't had a single chickpea since coming to Korea, so when I saw that this was offered (on their take-home zine/menu) I ordered it immediately. Roasted chickpeas, pine nuts, spinach, dehydrated strawberries, garlic - yes please! They also have a dangerous spread of carbs, which certainly won both my boyfriend and I over. As for the clientele, there were plenty of stylish Koreans lounging on the artificial turf, sipping on espressos and Moroccan mint teas, and luring in those passing by (myself included).

festival collection

2010-06-01T22:49:00.008-04:00

Proving that the best style inspiration comes from the streets (or in this case the field) H&M recently launched the Festival Collection - a co-ed collection inspired by the creative outfits frolicking around super hot summer music festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella. Think flowing bohemian blouses, tribal gladiator sandals, chunky beaded bracelets and plenty of light washed denim. Affordable essentials for any outdoor music lover. The Swedish uber brand is even going so far as to offer leopard print pop-up tents and paisley sleeping bags to accompany the on-trend festival apparel.

This summer collection marks H&M's third Fashion Against Aids campaign with 25% of the sales donated to HIV/AIDS awareness projects. Which means you don't have to feel too guilty about blowing a portion of your paycheck on these trendy but not-so-timeless pieces. Happy shopping!

jung eun park

2010-05-31T21:18:00.005-04:00

Jung is a freelancer illustrator based in Korea. She loves to observe and draw everything from people, trees, cliff, forest, streets, animals to council flat. She captures ideas from everyday life and bring it to drawings.

Speaking of The Book Society, here are some scans from a really sweet little book I bought on Saturday. Illustrator Jung Eun Park has done some darling drawings of herbs, which I will obviously have to display when I actually have a kitchen.

Here are some more of her illustrations that I particularly like:

Animals
Map: Seoul to London
Park Project: Hand Typography
BLINK: Book Cover

antique weekend

2010-05-31T21:17:00.019-04:00

The way I see it...you can never have too many beautiful antique treasures. Whether they're inherited from loved ones or discovered by chance it is always more interesting to decorate using pieces with a past. Taking a hint of inspiration from Sarah Richardson's latest project on a lovely country farmhouse I thought I'd try and incorporate some battered and beautiful second hand items into my own decorating plans. Luckily, the Christie Antique show was in town (well, just outta town) this weekend which meant I was spoiled for choice in the vintage furnishings department. Wheelers and dealers set up a patchwork of tents and booths on this beautiful conservative area to hawk their fine wares for quite reasonable prices - assuming you're a skilled bargainer that is.

From rustic farmhouse tables to worn in church pew benches there were large and small scale pieces of all sorts. My personal favourites included the fantastic old storefront signs, vintage typewriters, multicoloured country quilts and oversized apothecary cabinets full of miniature drawers . At the end of the day I was limited a little too much by my square footage (not to mention my budget) to pick up any grand pieces but I did find a few decorative little items to take home. My favourite find of the day: a pair of white washed deer antlers to mount on the wall or place haphazardly on a bookshelf.

Antique aficionados will be pleased to know the show makes a magnificent return at the end of the summer on September 11th. See you there!

vintage postcards

2010-05-31T21:09:00.005-04:00

I picked up these postcards from a little antique store in Insadong last week. There were many to choose from, but I so liked the colours in these two.

the book society

2010-05-31T07:23:00.009-04:00

The Book Society is a great little bookstore/project space run by Media Bus. Here you can find a well curated selection of small press and artists' publications, along with a variety of self-published books. It's easy to spend well over an hour here fondling the beautiful covers and smooth pages (even longer when it comes time to decide which ones to actually purchase). The store itself has a refreshingly unpretentious DIY feel, which made for a very comfortable browse. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's only about a ten minute walk from Hongdae, which means I'll certainly be visiting again in the near future.

Location
The Book Society
서울시 마포구 상수동 331-8
1F(#3), 331-8, Sangsu-dong,
Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
121-829

ming makes cupcakes

2010-05-28T20:15:00.006-04:00

Ming Makes Cupcakes is run by Ming Thompson, who... is really good at making cupcakes (and other things). The design on this website is fantastic - and those photos. Oh, those photos. Up in the middle of the night with sore muscles from my first venture into hot yoga, I was just drooling over Ming's cupcakes. It's probably for the best that I don't have an oven or I would surely be making the Sour Cream Apricot Cupcakes for breakfast!

toast it

2010-05-28T07:31:00.004-04:00

Toast It is a cork bread-shaped trivet/coaster from Brazilian design studio Oiti, which is run by Patricia Naves.
- Design Milk

Okay, coasters disguised as a loaf of bread? Amazing.

chlorine green

2010-05-28T07:18:00.009-04:00

I saw The Hurt Locker about a month ago and took these pictures after exiting the theater.

dream kitchen

2010-05-25T11:22:00.005-04:00

The George Tavern, London
The Selby

around the house

2010-05-25T08:58:00.013-04:00

Katie and I are both daughters of women who are passionate about their gardens. Ever since I can remember my mother's garden (no matter how small) has been a colourful petaled wonderland. Beyond the foliage there are carefully placed sculptures, gems, mirrors, lights and even a homemade pond full of frisky fish. Even inside every inch of spare counterspace is home to a vase full of freshly cut flowers.

Anyways, soon I'll say goodbye to all of these lovely indoor and outdoor botanicals (along with all of the chipmunks, the pool and the fridge full of groceries) and relocate to a jungle of the concrete variety. City-life certainly can't beat the landscaping and wildlife found out in the suburbs, but my downtown relocation hasn't stopped me from fantasizing about my new urban garden. I'm thinking wicker patio chairs, a bistro table, a piece of reclaimed fence from my mother's backyard and plenty of pots overflowing with hydrangeas and peonies. Maybe even a lavender wreath. The possibilities are endless - or at least as big as my petite little balcony. I'm hoping to recreate something like this, in condo size of course. But for now I'm enjoying the backyard in bloom and the smog free air for a little while longer.

prints and cans

2010-05-23T23:39:00.007-04:00

Carlos was testing out display options for his new prints (see more here). I am very lucky to live with someone who can so playfully brighten up our loft.

I picked up these colourful cans and egg cup at a pop-up Swedish antique store on Sunday. The woman who ran the shop was very kind - she gave us one of the cans as a gift because we had visited more than once. I was very surprised/delighted. All of the furniture she had was beautiful - if I was planning on staying in Korea, I would have wanted to buy so many pieces.

sunday

2010-05-23T08:06:00.004-04:00

Today I took a stroll in the back alleys of Sinsa-dong. It was really nice to see this little green yard. And I really want to get some alphabet magnets.

jan lemitz

2010-05-21T03:18:00.008-04:00

Jan Lemitz, Rooftops, Seoul, 2009

I was flipping through the latest issue of IANN today when I came across Jan Lemitz's spread. I like this series of photographs a lot - with Korean culture becoming more and more contemporary, it's nice to see a slightly different take on the city.

insadong

2010-05-19T18:28:00.010-04:00

Insadong isn't a place I visit very often. However, on weekends when the weather's nice, the street is closed to traffic and taken over by locals and tourists alike, giving the area a summer festival feel. There are numerous restaurants up the side alleys (Insadong is a gastronomic heaven for traditional Korean food), and arts and crafts (pottery galore!) spill out from every direction. Lots of art galleries are located throughout as well (although none as quite as nice as those found in Samcheong-dong).

Nestled in between the cobbled streets of Insadong and the big box stores of Myeongdong, sits Jongno Tower, which is worth zipping up for fantastic views of the city through floor to ceiling windows.

Overall, Insadong is a great place to pick up crafty souvenirs/delicious street food, but the overwhelming crowds usually send me elsewhere.

Liberty Village

2010-05-19T16:26:00.010-04:00

I love Liberty Village. One of the best things about it - no one knows how great it is (yet). It's like the Distillery District circa 10 years ago. Arcade like alleyways, factories transformed into lofts, Balzacs coffee, delightful design stores, award winning brunch spots ... need I go on?

I like it so much that I wrote this little piece about it here. Oh yeah, and I'm moving there.

hippy kitchens

2010-05-19T10:03:00.009-04:00

Um, this is amazing.
(via Salad for Breakfast)

cafe sukkara, part two

2010-05-18T23:41:00.004-04:00

I posted about Hongdae's Cafe Sukkara a couple of weeks ago, but on my latest visit I took some pictures that I wanted to share. The ambiance in this place is just as incredible as the delicious food they prepare, and is one of the reasons we keep going back. I really, really love open kitchens, and that counter is pretty divine.

white wedding

2010-05-18T11:15:00.013-04:00

To paraphrase Billy Idol, it was a nice day for a fake wedding.

While Katie has been out and about finding hidden treasures around Korea I have been up to something slightly more bizarre. Yesterday I followed my friend Amy around Toronto while she and a cast of characters posed for wedding photos with (sometimes less than) willing members of the public.

Take note: Amy did not actually get married.

All of this buffoonery was in the name of shameless promotion for wedding-themed programming on Slice. You don't watch? You should. I'm not even going to try and pretend that Rich Bride, Poor Bride isn't one of my guilty indulgences every once in a while. So, I invited myself to tag along on this hilarious outing to snap shots for my photography class and more importantly, for my own amusement. There is nothing like crazed people in costume making a scene in Yonge and Dundas square. My favourite part might have been when well intentioned Chinese business men posed for photos with the 'happy couple' and then gifted the entire wedding party with carefully wrapped "presents from China." Did they just have these on hand in case they bumped into a newly married pair on the street?

Amy and her fuchsia clad bridal party will be running around the city handing out bubbles and embarrassing themselves wholeheartedly for the next seven days. Let me know if you spot them!

at corner shop + CAFE

2010-05-18T02:28:00.009-04:00

So, last weekend I paid a visit to at corner (which I wrote about here), and much to my surprise, they'd converted the space into a shop AND a cafe! This makes me endlessly happy. The interior design ideas here are amazing with so many little inspirations for decorating. The happy toast is my favourite part.

kukje gallery, samcheong-dong

2010-05-18T00:56:00.013-04:00

My boyfriend and I love Kukje Gallery in the Samcheong neighbourhood of Seoul. Located just outside the Gyeonbokgung Palace walls, the gallery sits on a pleasant, leafy stretch of interesting glass and concrete buildings and is a great place to see well-curated shows of both Korean and international artists. You can learn more about the space here.

Of course, my favourite part of Kukje is the Cafe, located on the first floor of the gallery. It's a great place to sit and have a pot of tea and a piece (or two) of cake, which comes served on very pretty plates. They also make the best hamburger I've tried thus far in Korea (I think the secret is the slice of grilled eggplant). The decor is very airy and bright, and the huge windows are great for people watching.

The Gallery has two separate spaces, the second located just behind the first. Here, their large library of in-house publications are for sale. The printing presses in Korea are absurdly good - the books are not only beautifully made but so reasonably priced, making them great additions to any library. I bought the Kwang-Ho Lee book on my last visit and would love to have so many more.

take note: stationery shops in hongdae

2010-05-16T23:58:00.008-04:00

Along with exciting vintage, Hongdae is also home to two wonderful stationery stores. They're conveniently located about a block apart from each other, across the road from the Aland.

1. Oval

Ooooh, this store is the best. It's discretely hidden up an alley, and I was so happy to find it. Oval has an exceedingly well curated selection of cards, antiques, notebooks, and magazines, most of which are imported from Germany and Japan. I love, love their calendar, which my boyfriend insists will be easy to recreate once we get back to Canada.

2. Spring Come, Rain Fall

I went into this store on my first ever trip to Hongdae, which was almost ten months ago. I remember being so excited by the selection and hoped it was a taste of what I could find in Seoul (it was). The woman who works there is lovely (and always pleasantly chatting away on the phone). The store exclusively sells O-Check Designs (which I love - and so does my mother) - I am so buying that deer figurine before I move back home.

There are many great little stationery stores in Seoul, but none that I find as charming and special as these two.

twenty-something

2010-05-16T23:39:00.016-04:00

Learning to Love You More

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."

-Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

food basics

2010-05-16T19:16:00.014-04:00

I was thrilled to find the new Apartamento this weekend in my favourite stationery store in Hongdae. I really like the cooking section of Apartamento, and this issue's was no exception - recipes for jam and chocolate mousse (and rulltarta, but I couldn't get a proper scan) paired with playful illustrations by Emily Roberston.

hongdae vintage

2010-05-16T06:56:00.010-04:00

Here are my favourite spots for vintage shopping in Hongdae:

1. Divine Comedy
Divine Comedy has a fantastic selection of purses, silk scarves, and belts. The store is also run by the most stylish, charming boys ever (and, much to my delight, they model the clothes on their website!). Sadly, much of their divine clothing selection is on the small side for both Carlos and I, but we keep returning to visit the lovely staff.

2. Joux Joux, Japan and Italy imported vintage

This store is tiny, always packed, and too cute... how great is that elephant shirt?

3. Gyahaha

This hidden gem is tucked away in a reconverted house (with an amazing, treasure-filled porch) about a block away from Divine Comedy. Much of the merchandise is imported from Thailand and Saudi Arabia (and there is an impressive selection to sort through) - they have highly covetable trench coats, purses, and sunglasses.

4. Salon Yong

This store has thoughtfully chosen pieces and the styling is very inspiring.

5. Finchley Road
I discovered this place recently - it's tucked away in a back alley that I don't normally walk up (the best places in Hongdae usually are). Here I found an amazing peach polka dotted coat and this place has the best selection of knick knacks. Although most of the odds and ends aren't for sale (Jessica, I tried to buy that nurse pug for you, but they wouldn't part with it) everything is very fun to look at.

//

zero per zero

2010-05-15T19:51:00.010-04:00

We make a happy life.
Have a talk and feeeeel love.

I picked up Korean design duo Zero Per Zero's Seoul Railway Map a few months ago in Hongdae, as my previous subway map had been overworked to the point where it had given up and ripped into four sad, separate pieces. The pair was inspired by the Tae-Geuk mark of the national flag of Korea, creating a beautiful, design-savvy way of getting around the bustling metropolis. They also have designed equally eye-catching and thoughtful maps for NYC, Tokyo, Osaka, Barcelona, and Hokkaido.

On a side:

I'll be doing a series of posts about my favourite neighbourhoods in Seoul, as I will be moving back to Canada in a few short months and I want to share what I love about this fantastic city with you before I leave.

and

Thank you so much to Laura at See Hear Say for the wonderful post about our little blog. What a nice surprise :)

pajubookcity

2010-05-15T09:32:00.011-04:00

This morning I ventured to Paju Book City, an innovative publishing community/living architecture museum nestled on reedy wetlands about 30 minutes north of Seoul. According to my city guide, Book City adheres to very strict architectural guidelines, meaning that all of the buildings rely on materials - plywood, polycarbonate, copper, and glass - that reflect the contours and colours of the surrounding countryside, allowing the whole development to blend in with its environment. My friend Hyun described it best, saying that it reminded her of a Lego town. I agree - an extremely beautiful, harmonious Lego town... with very photogenic rust.

some good things

2010-05-14T10:07:00.011-04:00

1. Kwang Ho Lee

Carlos and I went to see Korean artist Kwang Ho Lee's Touch exhibit at Kukje Gallery a couple of weeks ago. It was beyond fantastic. Plus, the cafe at Kukje has the best cakes. Seeing hyper-realist paintings of phallic cacti and eating green-tea cake make for a great time.

(see more here)

2. Poketo! Idea Book

We love this simple new notebook! In the box in the center, put down your main idea and goal and the surrounding boxes, write down all the other brainstorming ideas! Idea book - This is just what we all need to realize your ideas into reality! Now go!

YES! (via We Love You So)

3. Ana Kras

I want this coat rack. So much. (via Welcome Home)

4. cutting off the hem

Garance Doré

riviera

2010-05-13T17:30:00.010-04:00

On Tuesday I spent the better part of the day standing on a rain soaked golf course administering a putting contest for wealthy newspaper tycoons who kept calling me Katherine. Needless to say it wasn't one of my finer career moments.

While I was enduring arctic temperatures and fleece clad golfers, Karl Lagerfeld debuted his latest collection in the much more temperate (and stylish) locale of St. Tropez. The 2011 Chanel Resort collection featured barefoot and bronzed beauties in gorgeous (if not slightly impractical) beachwear.

Obviously my invite got lost in the mail. Luckily @LisaTant (editor in chief at Flare) and her jealousy inducing tweets from the front row gave us mere mortals an insider perspective on the fashionable fun in the sun.

it is a long day, a day without bread

2010-05-12T00:24:00.010-04:00

So true.

this and that

2010-05-11T21:55:00.007-04:00

I was inspired to change around my wall decor after seeing this post at Oh, Hello There. I love the idea of floating clothes pegs as I was getting majorly sick of the twine. My boyfriend bought the sailor painting at the Chatachuk Weekend Market while we were in Bangkok over Christmas, and it has proven to be my favourite addition to our loft. That funny rabbit hologram and the "All Goodness" card came from the best stationery shop in Hongdae, and you may recognize that little foxhat print if you've been reading along.

Speaking of Bangkok, you should check out this amazing photo blog of the smoking hot city. Essi's photos make me want to jump on the next plane back.

shabby chic

2010-05-11T13:52:00.008-04:00

After ten months in the suburbs, two weeks of apartment hunting and countless hours of arguing my boyfriend and I have finally found a place to call home (starting June 1st that is). While it's a bit more condoland than exposed brick loft I'm still dreaming up all sorts of fabulous ways to decorate our new pad - because clearly I get to make all the decisions on that front. And there is nothing better than starting with a blank canvas.

Rachel Ashwell (miss Shabby Chic) just released a new design book that has me all kinds of inspired. Vintage furnishings, frilly linens and peonies aplenty define this decidedly girly style, something that I might not be able to get away with in my new co-ed habitat. Ah well, a girl can dream. Regardless of my new roommate I still plan on incorporating plenty of florals and working exclusively with a palate of whites, french blue and greige.

nice buns

2010-05-10T21:33:00.011-04:00

My boyfriend and I are fans of this quirky café (in the Samcheong neighbourhood of Seoul - more on that later). Why? Because you can doodle on the walls, drink Guatemalan hand-drip, and munch on yummy waffles. There are also caricatures of the guy who runs the shop everywhere - and he rocks a ridiculously good man-bun. The world needs more man-buns.

nouvelle vague

2010-05-10T15:27:00.008-04:00

New Chanel 'it' colour. Beyonce approved. Gimme Gimme Gimme.

rumour has it...

2010-05-10T12:58:00.005-04:00

Banksy is in town

I have an overwhelming urge to troll around the Lower Donlands in search of some of the Banksy-esq pieces that have been popping up in the past few days. But are these artworks legit? Since the elusive street artist is (apparently) in town to promote his new film they very well could be the real thing.

to market, to market

2010-05-10T00:04:00.010-04:00

I went to Dongdaemun Market last weekend, although there are a number of different markets in this area, so I'm never really sure which one I'm actually at. Although the fare at Korean markets tends to be very octopus/blood sausage heavy (I'm more of a smoked salmon and baked good kind of girl - I want to go here), they are still fun to visit - and great for people watching. Not to mention that this particular market houses Seoul's largest vintage clothing bazaar, which always makes for a great Saturday afternoon.

feel good lost

2010-05-09T18:54:00.015-04:00

We got a bit lost in Seoul this past Saturday. Normally, this could be frustrating, but the sun was shining, we discovered some unexpected treasures, and, with the help of a kind man, eventually found our way back.

tiny hat

2010-05-09T18:20:00.005-04:00

Last Wednesday it was Children's Day in Korea. We spent it strolling around the park next to our apartment building, gushing over the copious amount of cute kids (and their outfits). Particularly this little dear - red flats, beige skirt, navy cardigan...and that hat! I don't think I'll ever be a fan of tiny toppers for anyone over the age of 4, but I do think this little girl's miniature straw chapeau is fantastic. So much fun.

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T08:10:00.008-04:00

I know everyone says that their mom is their best friend, but do you know what - I think if they met my mom SHE would be their best friend. Since I was two weeks old my mom has been my traveling companion; 24 years on and our family adventures haven't stopped. We share a love of flat whites, antler chandeliers, cowboy boots, white wine, and seeing the world. I'll spend my life trying to be as cool as her.

Sometimes we don't get to spend holidays together, so it's pretty extra special when we do.

Happy Mother's Day Mom... thank you for letting me ride kangaroos before I was even old enough to know I wanted to.

how's your weekend?

2010-05-09T03:26:00.009-04:00

I've contributed to How's Your Weekend?, a beautiful photography collective - check it out.

the f word

2010-05-09T03:01:00.006-04:00

It isn't a ground-breaking observation, but hot damn, Beyoncé is FIERCE.

I'm just trying to find the woman in me, yeah

2010-05-08T21:04:00.007-04:00

********
Chocolate bars and wine corks, that's our home...
The definition of 'I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman'.

- My boyfriend, on the current state of our apartment

on beauty

2010-05-06T23:24:00.004-04:00

Make It Plain - Leslie Hewitt

fiesta

2010-05-05T14:53:00.011-04:00

A lot of good things have come out of Mexico. Jose Cuervo, ponchos, quesadillas. In fact, everything about this fiesta country is colourful and delicious. I have never been but would love to go someday. Anyways, a very good friend of mine (who insists she's half Mexican but is one of the palest people you'll ever meet) first introduced me to Cinco de Mayo a few years ago. Essentially, the fifth of May commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French back in 1862. It is also a fantastic excuse to consume numerous mid-week margaritas on a patio.

While anyone who knows me (especially the slightly inebriated version of me) knows my affinity for a late night burrito, one of my favourite spots for Mexican delights in Toronto has to be Margarita's on Baldwin. There are delightfully tacky chili pepper lights strung up on the walls and the zesty margs are served in goblet sized glasses rimmed with salt. Yum. There is also a large enough enchilada/fajita/quesadilla/taco/burrito selection to keep you satiated til next year's celebrations.

So whether you're Mexican for real or just Mexican at heart I hope you find some time today to indulge in a little after work bebido to celebrate our neighbours south of the border(s).

of mice and woman

2010-05-05T09:03:00.013-04:00

***
"Katie, you have two choices," my mother stated calmly, yet firmly, over the phone.
"You can seize this opportunity to be a strong and independent woman, or you can just stay on that chair for the rest of the night.
Take control of the situation.
Empower yourself."

The situation she was referring to was the mouse I had just seen in my apartment.

I ended up calling over my friend Patrick to set the traps. Mice terrify me.

at corner

2010-05-05T05:40:00.013-04:00

At Corner is a really special antique store in Hongdae. I love visiting it as it's stocked with vintage LIFE magazines, telephones, doilies, and pencil sharpeners. There's a friendly resident dog, which often charms me into buying something (it usually nuzzles me towards the linen sales). Above that, the staff are lovely, good music is always playing, and it's just the kind of store I would hope to open some day.

blue skies and some links

2010-05-04T00:32:00.011-04:00

Here are a few links to things I like:

- ghetto athletics at my friend Julie's blog
- lovely wall decor at M. Dash
- bird braids
- homemade pop tarts
- Magic Molly

two wheelin'

2010-05-03T12:23:00.003-04:00

I just got back from a mid morning bike ride (on my sweet yet barely broken in bicycle) and I've realized two things. One: I'm incredibly out of shape and Two: the world needs more bike lanes.

team macho

2010-05-03T09:52:00.007-04:00

Team Macho is a (super-rad) Toronto-based collaborative illustration and fine art effort. You can check out their playful pieces on their site's gallery and at Magic Pony. My boyfriend (who notified me of their collective awesomeness) wants their book - along with one of those 'staches.

forever is today

2010-05-03T01:19:00.007-04:00

My new favourite photography blog.

cafe sukkara, hongdae

2010-05-02T07:26:00.010-04:00

Cafe Sukkara is the best. The food is organic and delicious, the staff all have bowl cuts and attitude (in a good way), and they prepare their unpretentious menu in a homey open kitchen. Their soy lattes taste like buttered toast and they make ginger ale from scratch. Handmade ginger ale. Served with molasses. It is heavenly. I will also be recreating the taco rice I had for lunch and eating it probably every day this week.

Neighbourhood

2010-04-30T12:04:00.010-04:00

Writer, urban activist and Annex resident Jane Jacobs

I love to travel, it's right up there at the number one spot on my list of life passions (followed closely by brunch and discovering new nail polish colours). That being said, after spending the past two months plane-hopping it has been pretty nice to return home and fall back in love with the city I left behind. Toronto is sometimes a hard beast to love. At the worst of times it's cold and dirty and you're waiting for 45 minutes for a streetcar in the middle of a garbage strike. But when I'm gone for a long period of time I always miss it. After all these years of traveling I know for sure that there is absolutely no substitute for a pemeal bacon breakfast sandwich at St. Lawrence market.

Anyways, with 20-ish degree weather on the horizon this weekend it seems like now is the perfect time rediscover all of the best things TO has to offer. So if you city dwellers aren't doing anything on Saturday or Sunday (and even if you are) I would suggest that you take some time to reacquaint yourself with your neighbourhood and tag along on a Jane's Walk tour. Inspired by the work of Toronto community activist Jane Jacobs, these free walking tours are led by local neighbourhood know-it-alls who uncover fascinating stories from Toronto's past while traversing through the city streets. With 120 tours to choose from in and around the downtown it's a great opportunity to meet your neighbours, discover hidden treasures and learn about the history of your 'hood. I'll be strolling the Sorauren and Wabash railway corridor on Sunday - fueling up before hand at Mitzi's no doubt.

Click here for a list of all of the tours happening in the city this weekend. And if you happen to be a neighbourhood nerd like myself then I would definitely suggest reading Jane Jacobs' The Death and Life of Great American Cities.

telephone

2010-04-29T23:18:00.005-04:00

Kermit gabbing away on a pay phone (remember those?) via this awesome post at I Love Hotdogs.

Happy Friday.

quelle couleur?

2010-04-28T20:03:00.010-04:00

Yves Saint Laurent Colouring Book

Colouring is therapeutic. Recently, I showed one of my younger students the very (ahem) technical skill of outlining dark then filling in lightly (while colouring always in the same direction). It was a nice break from barking subject/verb agreement rules, as it was clear that seven-year-old Apple (yes) was more interested in learning how to properly colour than conjugate.

I like the idea of this YSL colouring book because, well, it's very pretty. It would be nice for a coffee table. I also like it because it treated me to the memory of Jessica's Gangsta Rap colouring book which decorated our fridge while we lived together in undergrad. Word.

once upon a manicure

2010-04-28T11:58:00.005-04:00

The Shrek Forever After Collection
Who the Shrek Are You, Whats With the Cattitude, Rumple's Wiggin, Ogre-the-Top Blue, Funkey Donkey and Fiercly Fiona.

Today, in bizarre collaborations I never could have imagined: the folks at OPI thought that a film about an ogre and his motley band of furry friends would make great inspiration for a new range of cartoon coloured polishes just in time for summer. Strangely enough, I kind of agree. A bright palate of blues, purples, and, yes of course, ogre greens make up the soon to be released Shrek Forever After collection. Coinciding with the launch of the fourth and final (you promise!) installment of the franchise, these shades are as bold and offbeat as their namesake - not a pink or red in sight! Personally I'm loving the pastel blue What's With the Cattitude but true Shrek fans will fall for the swampy green Who the Shrek Are You.

espadrilles

2010-04-27T18:55:00.005-04:00

Here's a true (and kind of embarrassing) story. Recently I was reading a rather forgettable novel (Kinsella? Keyes?) in which the young female protagonist kept referring to slipping on her espadrilles. Somehow in my two decades of education and countless years of shoe loving I had never come across the term. Wikipedia quickly resolved that. And now that I've been educated on proper footwear vocab I'm dreaming of adding these preppy espadrille sandals from jcrew to my summer wardrobe. How perfectly sweet would they be with a white eyelet dress on a balmy June eve?

dancing on my own

2010-04-27T13:23:00.004-04:00

Remember Robyn? I certainly do...i'm pretty sure Show me love was on heavy rotation on my disc-man for the better part of 1997. And just as sure as denim on denim and bicycle shorts are returning to your summer wardrobe this Swedish pop sensation is making a comeback. If the rest of her album is anything like this Royksopp collabo and this soon to be summer dancefloor/H&M fitting room fave then I'm pretty excited about it.

great DJ

2010-04-25T21:05:00.005-04:00

The Music Room, New York - The Sartorialist

I like so much of what's happening here.

colourful kicks

2010-04-23T12:11:00.012-04:00

I have a very strict rule about wearing running shoes on my feet outside of the gym. It just doesn't happen. However...if I was somehow convinced to cheat it would be with these new Nike Air Royalty sneaks inspired by the tasty shades of Ladurée's best selling treats. The new Macaron series (yes for real) offers mono-chromatic pastel coloured kicks in white, pink, blue and yellow. Unfortunately, just like their dessert counterpart, this feminine footwear collection is currently only available in Paris. Of course.

But it's not all bad. You can still satisfy your cravings for some pastel-hued edibles at any number of pretty patisseries around the city. The photo above is from Nadege, a particularly sweet spot overlooking Trinity Bellwoods park.

"on Wednesdays we wear pink"

2010-04-21T10:47:00.014-04:00

pastel trench love affair at Burberry

pink peep-toe pradas on Tommy's blog

sweet candy cotton found here

blossoms in bloom outside Buckingham Palace

marvelous Marie in magenta

custom macarons at Laduree

Rococo at its fussiest - Fragonard's The Swing

I love pink, although let's clarify - pastel not neon. Funnily enough I don't even wear the colour that often (although I certainly wouldn't say no to that Burberry Prorsum trench). I actually think the typically feminine shade looks a lot better on my boyfriend. Still, with it being springtime and the blossoms blooming in my front yard I thought this delightfully pretty hue deserved a shout out.

p.s. Remember how totally fabulous Mean Girls was. What happened to you Lindsay?

underdogs

2010-04-20T20:04:00.005-04:00

Illustration by Fanny Bostrom

In light of Jessica's love for french bulldogs, I obviously had to post this playful drawing by Fanny Bostrom (which I found after admiring her sweet City Hall wedding). I think the gold watch is my favourite part.

boutique in bloom

2010-04-20T17:38:00.008-04:00

I just finished reading about a lovely little flower shop in H&H and thought I should share my floral findings with all of you. Coriander Girl, an adorable botanical boutique in the heart of Parkdale, offers up whimsical bouquets in vintage vases alongside sweet smelling soaps, lotions and candles. Alison Westlake, the coriander girl herself, opened the shabby-chic flower and gift shop last September after forgoing her acting career in favour of her green thumb. The charming little shop is right at home amongst the increasing number of antique shops, cute cafes and vintage clothiers that seem to be popping up along the Queen (seriously) West strip. Westlake (who blogs about her fleurs here) promises that she'll create fresh and unique floral arrangements to suit any budget. So even us penny-pinching flower fanatics can walk away with a petite bouquet of artfully arranged foliage.

Visit Coriander Girl at 1537 Queen St. W. Afterward, stop by the nearby and newly opened Belljar cafe in Roncesvalles.

awful library books

2010-04-20T11:15:00.010-04:00

Okay I'll admit it, I have a serious flaw when it comes to buying a new book. I always judge a book by its cover. The prettier the cover, the more likely I am to buy it. If the cover isn't eye catching - well, it better come with a very good recommendation from Oprah (or Katie). And don't even get me started on paperbacks with movie posters for covers, I cannot stand to have them on my bookshelf. I made a small exception for An Education because I was desperate to read it and I couldn't find a copy sans Carey Mulligan on the front. Anyway, I know Katie loves a good book cover as well, which is why I'm sure she'll find Awful Library Books as hilarious as I do.

Librarians Mary and Holly are the curators of his quirky little blog that showcases outdated and often quite odd public library holdings. The covers are anything but pretty and often border on offensive but they're certainly worth perusing if you're looking for a giggle.

Coachella

2010-04-20T10:20:00.007-04:00

If wearing peasant dresses with cowboy boots while drinking beer out of plastic cups isn't a good enough reason to wish you were at Coachella this weekend - there was also some seriously good music. Every year I read the lineup and wish that I could coerce someone into flying to California for a three day camping trip. I will make it there one year. Until then, I'll spend the day recreating the festival feeling in my backyard with a DIY Coachella playlist on itunes.

la roux - cover my eyes
vampire weekend - white sky
florence & the machine - rabbit heart (raise it Up)
imogen heap - clear the area
hot chip - over and over
she & him - why do you let me stay here
pheonix - fences
lcd soundsystem - daft punk is playing at my house
the xx - islands
mgmt - time to pretend

'those cherry blossoms really remind me of this...'

2010-04-19T19:43:00.006-04:00

'...and by "this" i mean the cover art...not the tragic yet ultimately fictional biography riddled with drug abuse and heart ache.'

-a recent post from Jessica on my Facebook wall

Funny girl.

what next?

2010-04-18T09:54:00.013-04:00

I just watched The Graduate - I want to wear majorly winged eyeliner, grow my hair to be Elaine-length / I need Mrs. Robinson's cheetah coat.

saturday

2010-04-17T21:23:00.004-04:00

YES

2010-04-16T15:58:00.008-04:00

images from Mr. Newton (via Ringo, have a banana!)

THESE OUTFITS ARE AMAZING.
I love that striped maxi and I can only imagine how much Jessica wants/needs that penguin sweater. Don't even get me started about the coat.

hype dis

2010-04-16T15:25:00.004-04:00

Some sweet new pieces are up at Carlos's blog - check it.

'If we planted one of those in every hole, it would be like a forest in the road'

2010-04-14T21:33:00.006-04:00

pothole gardens

via all the mountains

the dilemma of foreignness

2010-04-13T18:44:00.005-04:00

Beware, then: however well you carry it off, however much you enjoy it, there is a dangerous undertow to being a foreigner, even a genteel foreigner. Somewhere at the back of it all lurks homesickness, which metastasises over time into its incurable variant, nostalgia. And nostalgia has much in common with the Freudian idea of melancholia—a continuing, debilitating sense of loss, somewhere within which lies anger at the thing lost. It is not the possibility of returning home which feeds nostalgia, but the impossibility of it.

But we cannot expect to have it all ways. Life is full of choices, and to choose one thing is to forgo another. The dilemma of foreignness comes down to one of liberty versus fraternity—the pleasures of freedom versus the pleasures of belonging. The homebody chooses the pleasures of belonging. The foreigner chooses the pleasures of freedom, and the pains that go with them.

-Being Foreign, The Economist via M. Dash

the simple life

2010-04-06T21:16:00.006-04:00

Organic living through gorgeous photographs found in Ahorn Magazine (via We Love You So).

signed, sealed, delivered

2010-04-05T23:10:00.005-04:00

I will be buying a package of doilies (love!) and making these inventive envelopes (via) immediately. Now, if only I was planning on hosting a tea party sometime soon.

the science of sleep

2010-03-19T18:44:00.007-04:00

Rolande Tapiau d’Aunoy lives in an apartment in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Every room is devoted to entertaining guests. The Louis XV bishop’s-crook bed looks like a sofa. James Ivory directed Leslie Caron in a scene from Le Divorce here. Rolande does not sleep in the same bed as her husband, saying that the cypress and the reed can flourish only if there is space between them.

Nathalie Wolberg, architect. Saint-Ouen. She enjoys clearing her mind when she comes home, so each room serves a specific purpose. The hanging bed is for resting, blanking out and forgetting. Feeling as though she were levitating fulfills Nathalie’s need to connect with the cosmos.

To make her daughter happy, Nilaya’s mother gave her this caravan to travel around Italy.

Alain Passard, chef. Fillié-sur-Sarthe. A cage-bed painted with anti-rust primer does the trick when he wants to stimulate his mind. When night falls and silence is all around, Alain reflects upon his day and plans his future in the middle of his kitchen garden. Whether standing up or lying down, to him the garden is a healthy place, a haven where creativity and feelings freely flow. Naturally the bed must be in the center.

Sebastien Rinckel, architect. Aubervilliers. The bed, a human-sized cocoon that he built and attached to the front of his house, is reached from the living room and called "Alcove".

Thierry Bouet
(found here)

I don't really have any peculiar sleeping habits, other than I like to sleep on the left side. I think that my ideal bed would be a feather nest, something I used to try and emulate when I was a little girl with a few duvets and strategically placed pillows. A caravan would have been nice, too.

As for today, it's a rainy Saturday in Korea and I've woken up far too early - the perfect kind of day to tuck back into bed and hide away for at least a few more hours. I only wish I had any one of the above sleeping spaces to nestle back in to.

specs appeal

2010-03-18T10:37:00.004-04:00

Do you like my new glasses?

Katie and I have both been cursed with less than perfect vision, and as such have been blessed with a legitimate reason to indulge in spectacular spectacles every once in a while. After an impromptu eye test at one of Kuala Lumpur's many mega malls I received the unfortunate news that I am inching closer and closer to becoming classified as 'legally blind.' Fortunately, a new pair of fabulous frames always helps me deal with my failing optical capabilities. Hopefully boys DO make passes at girls in YSL glasses.

cafe hibi

2010-03-16T21:34:00.006-04:00

red bean cake
curry lunch set
clementine
hot air balloons
clothes-pegged bill
adorable knick knacks
=
the quintessential Korean cafe

the blues

2010-03-16T21:26:00.007-04:00

photos from Jak & Jil and bakerby

I'm only interested in wearing black, gray, and lots of blue.

short story

2010-03-14T05:24:00.002-04:00

I really, desperately, in a "can't stop thinking about you" kind of way want these shorts. I think they might be a bit too short though. Although topshop.com does label them as "shorts" as opposed to "hot pants."

Thoughts?

people, places, things.

2010-03-13T21:28:00.010-05:00

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” - Tim Cahill, Travel Writer

Sometimes I think that the best things about traveling to new places are not necessarily the sites you see or the things you do but the people you meet along the way. I have met some pretty remarkable people throughout my years of travel. Most of them I remember fondly in fading photographs preserved in scrapbooks while a handful of these strangers have become some of my closest friends.

A recent travel adventure took my family on a search for long lost relatives of my great grandfather who grew up in Myanmar (or Burma back then) before moving to the UK. After several failed attempts in taxis and on foot we finally tracked down the house that my father had visited thirty years ago. Not only did I get to meet the much talked about Great Aunt Iris, who incidentally has now become a nun, (pictured at the top with my grandmother) but we connected with a number of distant cousins who were all wonderful and welcoming and miraculously fluent in English. We shared our black and white photos while sipping on watermelon juice and the world never felt so small.

Throughout the weekend I went on to meet many of the friendly faces of Myanmar. From the kind ladies who helped dress me for the temples (my wardrobe of summer dresses has become seriously problematic in the modesty department) to the taxi driver who, despite the painful language barrier, understood sign language for 'beer by the water' there were countless moments with unforgettable people. My favourite incident might have been this hilarious gang of cigar smoking ten year old boys who rushed to help me collect sand by Inya lake.

with a baby louis vuitton under her underarm

2010-03-13T06:12:00.016-05:00

While in Bangkok one of the shop owners commented on the vintage scene in Korea, saying that it was basically nonexistent. Although there may be some truth to this, a few treasure troves are still lingering around, full of vintage gems. Some are just a little harder to find. Today, I came across the absolute best vintage store ever - by accident. A sliver of a doorway lead to a dangerously steep flight of stairs and ended in a dream world of beautifully displayed furs, handbags, and dresses. I never thought I'd say this, but a small, black Louis Vuitton bag has found its way into my wardrobe. I hate the monogrammed, flashy handbags, however, this bag is subtle and classic. I only hope Vivasell doesn't go by the way of my favorite cafe and stays open - at least for a few more months.

Address. B1F 534-20 Shinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Tel. 02-3443-6048

hang me up to dry

2010-03-11T20:26:00.008-05:00

1. the guardian 2-4. my photos

When I think of Shanghai, I think of lush, green grass (there's no grass in Korea - at least where I live), fireworks/campari on The Bund, and hanging laundry. Lots of hanging laundry. En route from the airport to our hotel I remember being shocked by the number of high rises that were basically ensconced with curtains of hanging linens. Throughout the rest of the trip, the weather was rather uncooperative, which I think curtailed the outdoor drying - but on sunnier/drier days, I can imagine the city looking a little more like this. I love it.

hot as ice

2010-03-10T23:28:00.009-05:00

At the risk of inducing some jealousy here I'm going to tell you that winter is the furthest thing from my mind right now. For the past few weeks I've been bronzing and sweating daily in 35 degree plus heat so it's getting a little hard to remember what it was like to have to wear layers. Truth be told I kind of miss it. Especially now that I've had some time to catch up on Chanel's Fall 2010 RTW show (ironically all of this sunshine has made me sick with a cold so I'm hibernating today and reintroducing myself to the wonderful world of style.com). Anyways, all of this latest Lagerfeld eye candy makes me pleased that my permanent home is in a climate that involves four distinct seasons (albeit not as proportionate as I'd like) rather than this year round heat and humidity. Arctic apparel may be cumbersome at times but I can't imagine a life/wardrobe without chunky scarves, leather jackets, fur vests and tweed.

strawberries and tea

2010-03-10T22:45:00.010-05:00

There are few things more delightful than afternoon tea with scones, even better when dolloped with gluttonous amounts of homemade strawberry jam and cream. So imagine how happy I was to discover that this quintessentially British tradition is thriving just a few hours outside of Kuala Lumpur (my home for the time being). A three hour road trip takes you on a winding journey outside of the city to the picturesque countryside of the Cameron Highlands. In stark contrast to the skyscrapers and Starbucks of KL these lush green hills are a rural wonderland dotted with tea plantations, strawberry farms and plenty of wild orchids. Amongst the breathtaking landscape is a charming little English Tudor style hotel called The Smokehouse where we stopped for quite a while to enjoy the colourful rose gardens and some sweet homemade treats. I would definitely recommend a visit for anyone who finds themselves craving some colonial comforts on this side of the globe.

the books

2010-03-08T19:26:00.007-05:00

Paul Octavious - The Book Collection

Now I want to make book stacks shaped like Godzilla, The Loch Ness Monster, and the number 26.

chocolate cake

2010-03-08T09:26:00.016-05:00

Chocolate Cake, a heavenly little dessert cafe in Hongdae, always has a line up, but is well worth the wait. Their flourless chocolate cake and sinfully rich chocolate pots are wickedly good and the decor is just delightful. In my next home, I want blue walls and lots of framed photographs.

curious pages

2010-03-08T08:37:00.010-05:00

Looking for books about teddy bears or rainbows or feelings? You’re at the wrong place. Here we celebrate the offbeat, the abstract, the unusual, the surreal, the macabre, the inappropriate, the subversive and the funky.

I pretty much love every post over at We Love You So - especially their post about Curious Pages, a hilarious blog devoted to peculiar children's books. When I was young, my parents religiously read to me, but stuck to more conventional material - the Merchant family favourites were The Berenstain Bears, Madeline, Each Peach Pear Plum, Goodnight Moon, and, of course, Love You Forever. For someone who teaches her fair share of children's books, I could certainly add some inappropriate tales to Curious Pages' list - Chunk the Chick (a story about a lonely chicken who is too 'chunky' to have any friends), and The Sad Clown Brigade (two clowns quit their circus jobs, become janitors at a hospital, build a rapport with a sick kid, giving him the best day of his life after which he promptly dies). Anyway, I digress. Curious Pages is a treat, serving up equal hits of nostalgia and joy. Check it out.

it will stop raining

2010-03-06T06:21:00.005-05:00

My new favourite food blog: it will stop raining*. I like to see pictures of what other people eat as much as I like seeing what they wear and what they read. One thing I've sincerely missed since being in South Korea is cooking, and this delightful Japan-based blog makes me desperately want to use my teeny kitchen for more than just toast, soft-boiled eggs, and cereal.

look up

2010-03-04T20:00:00.006-05:00