I choose to believe my brother brought these back from Tokyo because he thought I looked like the cute girl in the illustration. And not because I need them.

In other weather-related news, I have just started an official Twitter page (there is a link to it on the right column of this page) and I have posted a link to the recipe of some AMAZING looking popsicles. So pick up some yogurt and fruit today and enjoy!

Toronto and Ottawa

Missing Ottawa a bit. These are from my last trip.

And by OC I mean Ottawa Carleton.

Alber Elbaz has been working wonders as the Artistic Director for Lanvin since 2001. And he’s also a great illustrator!

Pictured above are some stamps my friend brought me from Paris featuring his drawings. So great! His illustrations have been featured on the backdrop for this Acne Lanvin collaboration photoshoot, on numerous Lanvin products, and apparently he has illustrated a song for Mika, which I would love to see.

Personally, in terms of design, his shoes have always tempted me. Have you seen this crystal-embellished satin ballerina flat? Or maybe these leather boots? Size 9 thanks.

Since Spring, I have revisited the bangle. Big time. And rings. Not to say I’ve been shopping at all (well…)

I used to wear most of these, at different times growing up, and now I wear them all together at once. It feels like a uniform, in a good way, in that it ties seemingly different outfits together.

All the rings are my mother’s, as are the bracelets, except the skinny silver one that looks twisted like rope. This was a childhood gift I was never too excited about – until now. There’s fashion for you.

Also in these pictures is a little vintage fur coin purse (herein lies the shopping) that I got in Ottawa on my last visit. The owner of the vintage shop said customers often thought the coin purse resembled an owl. What do you think? I’ve been looking for a coin purse for ages and thought this a cute find – it even has 2 compartments. And a key fob. Awesome.

A little local shop is closing quietly on Saturday. I first visited Finn a few years ago after missing a flight to Paris. And it made me feel a bit better. Owner, Amalie Bruun, was having a sample sale for some Scandinavian designers and I picked up a white collarless pinstripe shirt with unusual detailing by Resteröds.

This week I had to visit and say goodbye, and couldn’t leave without this amazing yellow hand-printed silk tank from California-based designer Jesse Kamm. It is so beautiful in person and is perfect for this weather. With a cardigan it will easily take me through to next season.

When I complimented Amalie on the white bird earring stand in the shop, she took the earrings off and gave it to me. Isn’t it sweet?

Amalie was also the one to tell me about Dessert Lady, who in addition to making beautiful cakes (and selling gorgeous sugar-based orchids – upcoming wedding cakes anyone?), make lovely all natural ice creams – including honey lavender.

If you’re in the neighborhood on Saturday, stop by Finn to wish Amalie luck in her new ventures, and if you’re feeling sad about discovering this special shop too late, then you can always drown your sorrows with ice cream a few steps away at Dessert Lady!

I totally fell in love with this little guy! We had quite the photoshoot and I wish he would have followed me back to Toronto, but alas…

Last week was full of experimenting with textiles! As I mentioned in an earlier post, the India Flint lecture entitled, Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost – Travels with a Dye Pot, took place a few days ago. I attended the lecture, and also took part in India Flint’s workshop at the Contemporary Textile Studio Coop. Which was fantastic.

I dyed silk and wool mostly, and some paper – all with local plants and flowers. It was quite fascinating. In the past, my (limited) experience with dyeing had been very structured – still amazing, but very organized and calculated. In contrast, this week’s workshop was not very formulaic at all. I mean, some knowledge was employed obviously, such as the importance of staying away from all things poisonous and so on. The experience was very individual, despite being in a group, each person using similar substances and tools.

In the end, we all walked away with: lots of fabric samples; a little book made with dyed paper, fabric, embroidery, and pen and inks (or stick and ink as it were); an apron; as well as a curiosity to continue wondering and experimenting.

I already have big plans for more natural dyeing!

Last week at lunch I checked out the Friends With You installation at Queen’s Park for Luminato. We tried to get some shots of some of the characters walking around, but they were going on break (Rosalyn posted some great pictures here).

Overall, it was super cute, and there were lots of kids having fun – the white character in the last picture was even a bouncy castle. Art is fun when it’s interactive!

Some close-ups from my mother’s yard. Taken on the May 2-4 Weekend.