Brunch wit' M'Ladies!

I woke up early (on my day off!) and made it to Cwood by 11:30 for brunch with Lauryn, Kat, and Melanie. Sabrina's had an hour and a half wait (really?!) so we dashed over to The Pop Shop and were seated almost immediately. That place is always jam-packed and full of kids and not ideal for conversation, but we got the update on Lauryn's new fella, Melanie's pregnancy (!!!!) and Kat's adorable children. While it was seventy degrees last Saturday, today it was only a degree or two above freezing, but champs that we are, we still got in a few selfies. Next time we meet I hope it's someplace where everyone can eat and we have lots of time to chat. I can never get enough time with these three gals!

(Selfie Saturday! And of course, those two figures seen in the above reflection were the owners of the SUV's side mirror that I was using to take a self portrait. So embarrassing, but I think it was so cold that they had their heads down and eyes closed against the freezing wind and didn't see me at all. At least that's how I have it set in my mind.)

Bo Bo Babushka

I love these absolutely precious nesting dolls from Bo Bo Babushka over on etsy. She made some slight changes to the Willy Wonka dolls but the ones for Pushing Daisies and The Grand Budapest Hotel are fresh and brilliant and so uniquely clever. If Irene Hwang ever makes a set of these for Hart to Hart, there is pretty much no price I won't pay.

...but to go.

With my upcoming journey to Dublin and Edinburgh quickly approaching, I contacted my dear ole pal, Helen and asked her to create an extra special Scottish edition travel journal. I wanted it in blue and white (the colours of the Scottish flag, naturally) and to feature a lovely quote from that fab fella, Robert Louis Stevenson. That Helen Coldwell is a wonder and I can't wait til this arrives and I can add stickers and photos to it and then pack away for the big adventure. Ain't it purty?!

Serpent

David Bowie - Rebel Rebel
The Hollies - Bus Stop
Nat King Cole - Night Lights
Tavares - More Than a Woman
Tom Waits - Hoist That Rag
Culture Club - It's a Miracle
Tony Bennett - When Joanna Loved Me
Annie Lennox - Precious
Dean Martin - Until the Real Thing Comes Along
Springsteen - Atlantic City
The Commitments - Try a Little Tenderness
Chris Isaak - Wrong to Love You
Mazzy Star - Fade Into You
Judy Garland - Lucky Day
Donny Hathaway - And Then There's Maude
Ani DiFranco - You Each Time
Johnny Cash - Five Feet High and Rising
Sam Cooke - Twistin' the Night Away
Alanis Morissette - All I Really Want
John Mellencamp - Paper In Fire
Glenn Close & Alan Campbell - Sunset Blvd.
Aerosmith - Angel

 - 15 October 2004

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

When I first saw this film in 2012 at the Bala Theatre with my brother Wayne we left feeling thoroughly unimpressed, aside from Benedict Cumberbatch's stunning blue necktie. We felt like a couple of morons and understood nothing that occurred onscreen. Not long after this I was discussing Tinker Tailor with Anne. She agreed that she didn't like it either - the first time she saw it. Then she gave it a second look when it was streaming on Netflix and really enjoyed it. I decided to try once more, based on my love of Gary Oldman and the extraordinary cast of some of my favourite male actors: Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Colin Firth, and Tom Hardy. Plus I thought that one guy was so handsome. (Mmm...Mark Strong.) Oh, and I took notice of the 'Batch, who I would later see pretty much everywhere. 

What I now appreciate about this film, which I have since seen more than a half dozen times, is that it is smart and well made and if you are awake and clear and pay attention you will become engrossed in every frame and nuance. All the things that were at first odd and unusual suddenly fell into place once I focused completely on every detail; the little moments or quirks of the characters became like the folds of paper in an intricate origami swan. It is, quite frankly, a masterpiece and I'm eternally grateful that I was open-minded enough to give it a second chance. 

Heart Beet Lunch

I'm that annoying friend that still takes photos of food when dining out. But look how gorgeous everything is!! Heart Beet Kitchen in Westmont is my favourite place and everything they serve is crazy yummy.

(My lentil taco trio and blue corn chips with salsa - my avocado toast with tomato, arugula {beyond delicious!!} - Kimmy's Heart Beet burger - Nat's Buffalo Cauliflower sandwich!)

5 Ladies, 5 Fab Bags

Clockwise: Cecilia's Tardis bag, Kristin W.'s big ole Michael Kors, my fun and Summery ModCloth tote, Nat L.'s charming Coach cheetah print, and Lady Miss Kimmy SP's fab purse that was ten bucks on clearance. Five completely different gals who had the best time together!