sweet hearts

...for your sweetheart from Art School Girl.

Say it aint so

Just in case you were missing out on your weekly dose of trashy North American tabloids. Bachelorette winning tiny swim-trunk wearing Ed has been caught cheating not once but twice on his new tv-show fiance Jillian. Gasp. The best part of this story? - The alleged text he sent to one of the ladies he was romancing that encouraged her to come over for a midnight rendezvous and ... "bring beer and condoms."

lazy sunday

Photos by Rebecca Miller.

She's, like, a total Betty

During my serious Lookbook addiction, I came across Betty A, a 25 year old girl from Paris (of course), and was suddenly hit head over heels with a style crush that has since refused to die. Lucky for me, it doesn't have to. Betty's Le Blog de Betty is comprised of detailed photos of her creative outfits, droolworthy fashion finds, and, most importantly, she wears jumpers galore! As for my constant inner debate of whether or not to shed my middle part in exchange for blunt bangs, Betty certainly makes a strong case for fringe.

Antique Week

Now that the summer sunshine (well kind of) is finally here and the city streets are clear of all that garbage it seems unreasonable to spend anytime at all indoors. However, looking for an excuse to beat the heat (and unemployment) this week I decided to head west of the downtown - like, really west - to Sherway Gardens for the Summer Antiques Showsale.

Throughout the week antique vendors have set up their displays in the mall and are selling all sorts of one of a kind collectibles and vintage treasures. Whether you’re looking for pocket watches, pendants, furniture, furs, teacups or toy soldiers the show has a little something for everyone. And unlike the rest of the retailers in the mall these vendors are often willing to negotiate prices or, at the very least, offer a classic tale of where that particular porcelain pug or treasure trunk originated. My personal faves included the aforementioned porcelain pug (of course) as well as the variety of retro toys, floral teacups and olde tymey Toronto street maps.

The antiquing event, now in its 38th year, runs during regular mall hours all this week through to Sunday, August 9th. And if you get bored of dusty china and expensive vintage furs theres always the regular old mall fare to satisfy your shopping needs (Aritzia summer sale anyone?)

get smitten

While I do love going out to eat, living in Korea (where my kitchen is hardly large enough to make, oh, a bowl of cereal, let alone a three-layer cake) has made me realize how much I miss cooking (and goat cheese - but that's a different story). Before leaving, the bleak economic climate had forced me out of restaurants and back to making lists, preparing meals, and dining in.

What I found, however, were that these comforting, homemade creations were often up to restaurant quality (and certainly more satisfying) - in fact, the few times I did make it out to wine and dine, I left with a swift case of what my mother calls 'restaurant regret'. For this new found skill, I have a fearless cook from a tiny kitchen in NYC, the creator of Smitten Kitchen to thank.

Filled with delicious photography, creative (& budget) recipes, and informative how-to's (pizza dough from scratch, anyone?), Smitten Kitchen is a must for those living on their own and interested in cooking something other than grilled cheese. For quick, easy, and recession-friendly meals, I highly recommend trying out the huevo rancheros and the goat cheese, asparagus, and lemon pasta. Both were in heavy rotation at the old Locke St. kitchen. Oh, and try everything else. Your stomachs (and wallets) are sure to be smitten. Trust me.

keys, please

I love this print by Kate Nydam at Little Paper Planes - and I know that Jessica appreciates a good old antique (or Tiffany's) key every now and then, as well. So here you go, Napes.

A page of beige.

Since the summer is almost over and we'll all be back in black soon enough I thought I'd take a moment to celebrate Beige, the quintessential summer neutral and my favourite hue against sun-kissed summer skin (while it lasts).

Reading Rainbow

Why aren't there bookstores in Canada like this one that I spotted on Oh Joy! ? A must visit on the inevitable trip to Beijing.