Winterstations 2016

Last year I forgot about the extreme Winter temperatures once I had a good reason to be outside in the ridiculous cold. So I was really looking forward to checking out this year's edition of the Winterstations competition so see what the winners came up with. Today JLo and I lunched and then wandered down to Kew Beach to scope out the installations.

'Flow' by Calvin Fung and Victor Huynh. A wooden reinterpretation of ice crystals.

'In the Belly of the Bear' by Caitlind Brown, Wayne Garrett and Lane Shordee. This domed sitting space featured a fur lined loft. It was so cozy and such a nice juxtaposition of hard and soft and light and dark.

'Steam Canoe' by OCAD University. Beautifully constructed wooden shelter.

Fire pit installation to shield visitors from the cold by architect Douglas Cardinal.

When you live in the heart of the city, you forget to look around and admire a simple beautiful Winter day. It's further enhanced by an interesting and interactive outdoor art experience. Check out the Winterstations on until March 20, 2016.

Oh hi!

Hi guys!  Sorry for the absence! I've been busy traveling and enjoying the Spring and these first couple days of Summer.  I plan to share some photos in the next few days.  In the meantime, look at this cute pup!  Took a lovely long walk with KK and her big happy poodle yesterday.

Memories of New York City

It has taken over half a year to post these pictures!  But now I can appreciate the experience all over again. 

I had always thought I would move back when I left school at Parsons a million years ago.  At the time, I was worn out and just wanted to be back home for a while.  I told myself I would one day move back and do New York right, as in not the over worked grouchy student life way.  My time there was a time of transition for me and I don't think I had adjusted to all of the change in my personal life and my living situation that well.  By the time I had gotten into the swing of things, it was near end.  

So, two Summers ago I took two weeks to hang out in New York in a rented apartment with no agenda whatsoever.  Just wanted to see the friends I had there and wander aimlessly around town.  Loved it!  Then last September I wanted to do it again, but was only able to swing one week.  Still great!  Got to see some amazing friends, and this time my friend S.F. was able to join for a bit too! We walked non stop.  Think we logged an average of 20,000 steps per day.  I have no idea what is normal, but this sounds like a lot to me! Here are some snap shots from a beautiful week in the big apple in September 2014.

Strolling and stopping here and there in SoHo as soon as we landed.

Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. A first for me.  The weather was perfect in the mid 20's and sunny.  The three of us thought roadie in hand would have been ideal!  Haha!

 Admired the architecture.  Man oh man, they just don't build things the way they used to.

Imbibed at McSorley's with new friends.

Reminisced about passing Union Square daily while in school.

Perused ABC Carpet and Home

and Fishs Eddy.

Stopped for a bite and vino at Eataly as we are all about food!

Zoomed through Times Square to catch a show.  And spot a big baby.

Passed gaudy souvenir shops.  Added to my travel shot glass collection.

Had a *small* dinner at ACME.

Relaxed over a delicious brunch next to Julianne Moore at Café Cluny.

Grabbed a snack at Dominque Ansel Bakery.  Had the DKA.  Very tasty.

Ace took me to the Comedy Cellar.  Got cozy with strangers and had some good laughs!  

View from the apt on a cloudy day. 

Light Cave, the Friends With You installation near the Standard/Highline.

Late Bloom Necklace at rest on a drum!

Supply shopping bonanza.  Like Hoarders but all jewellery supplies.

Window shopping uptown.

Window shopping downtown.

Love a good pretzel.

Shiniest brightest blinding Indian restaurant.

Portrait Necklace and Glou Glou the fish.  Thankfully GG survived under our care!

Visited with the lovely ladies at Mariposa Communications!  Saw their sweet showroom and enjoyed a nice lunch with the team.

Wandered around on night time explorations!

Caught the Jeff Koons Retrospective, the last show at the Whitney's upper east side location.

So glad to have made it. Hard to believe these balloon pieces are metal.

And that was it!  Caught a flight back to Toronto hours later!  

Hoping to work out another stay sometime this year!  Reviewing these photos is giving me a big itch to visit! As they say, I <3 comment-3--="" ny="">

We're GOLDEN!

DIY Gold Shoes!

We have the midas touch!  Jill (of Headmistress) and I have taken to making everything we touch turn to gold!  I had a couple pair of cheap and cheerful shoes that I had owned for a while.  Purchased them in a moment of poor judgement where I was convinced by the price.  I didn't quite think about how these colours are just not for me.  Well no problem...

Grab a can of gold spray paint and give those babies a few coats.  We took to our backyard, a.k.a. graffiti alley, where the scent of spray paint is the norm.  Make sure to remove laces, tape off the soles and fill the interior of the shoes with paper.  We only wanted to make the leather/suede parts golden and wanted to avoid over spray.  For even coverage, spray several light coats waiting for each coat to dry before the next coat.  The suede will absorb a lot and require several coats admittedly making them a bit crunchy, but I don't mind.

And taaaa daaaa!  The neglected shoes become every day wearables!  I always need more gold shoes!

This is one of my favourite photos taken all of last year.  Stumbled across this leaf stained sidewalk in Parkdale.  Beauty is everywhere!

Next up, DIY Polka Dot Gold Leather Skirt

Jill carefully cut out perfect round circles of tape and applied them to a vintage black leather skirt.  We eagerly took it out back and Jill gave it a few coats of gold.

Again, mist several light coats for even paint colour.

And wear napkins as masks if nothing else more effective is handy!

Once dry, remove the tape to reveal amazing black and gold dotted mini skirt!

We have found that the gold will develop a slightly antiqued look after a fair amount of wear, but that was expected.  Just don't be surprised.  After all, this is paint and not dye.

Anyhow, I am already lining up some more goodies to attack with the spray can!  Can't wait for Spring weather especially with these near minus 30 C temps!