i covet...

it has been pretty chilly here lately, and the perfect weather for bundling up with scarves, mittens, and hats.  it is always this time of year that i wish i had stuck to learning how to knit. luckily, there’s westcoast kove knits where we can find lots of cute handmade cozies already made with talent. i am particularly loving the chevron circle scarf.  you can choose your scarf in any colour, and i am picturing those chevron stripes in that gorgeous royal blue!

update: stefan bought me the chevron circle scarf in royal blue :-) 

 

 

 

 

 

maybe soon i really will learn how to knit my own winter gear. reviews of these how-to books (stitch and bitch / learn to knit) say they are helpful learning tools!

mikey, xox

rock was gifted by one of our lovely neighbours, thank you jane

instead of weekend pics today i wanted to use this space to say good-bye to mikey, our awesome cat.  mikey had an accident on friday and didn't survive.  we miss him terribly and spent our weekend mourning his loss.  we went about our weekend routines with great sadness.  everything would seem okay until we remembered him and then one of us would become a crying mess.  it is unreal to think he will never be back home to cuddle up with us, purring and kneading or amuse us with his antics. kai will miss his sleeping buddy very much.

we were very touched by the outpouring of support from our neighbours. it is great to know that mikey made such a positive impression on the people around us. he touched many lives and is remembered fondly by all. as kai tells people, mikey had a great life, albeit much too short. we will miss him dearly.

 

 

 

 

   xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox 

skin and hair care

those of you that know me are probably wondering what on earth i could be sharing about beauty products since i don't pay too much attention to the stuff.  stefan has more products than i do!  but i think i have some things i can share.  over the years i have consistently been told by strangers, friends, and professionals who work in the beauty business that i have healthy looking skin and hair and am asked what it is i do.  well, it's genetics because i don't really do much. perhaps that's the secret?  actually, over the last 8 years i have actually acquired some products; here they are:

facial products:

             

i started moisturizing daily in my mid-thirties.  i have consistently used philosophy's hope in a jar (tube form) with spf.  it is thick and creamy yet light and absorbs instantly.  it perfectly nourishes my skin, i swear that i can feel it working.  the only problem?  i can't find hope in a jar with spf in canada so i pick it up from the states (stefan or suji are my suppliers). 

for the longest time i would just fall into bed at the end of the day and skip washing my face (too lazy!).  i hardly wear make-up and so i didn't think it was necessary.  however, my latest purchase has turned into a staple: philosophy purity towelettes.  you just wipe your face and they remove dirt, the occasional blush or mascara i use, and leave my face feeling fresh and revitalized!

when i remember, i moisturize at night with philosophy's help me.  i am hoping it will help me with my fine lines!

once or twice a year, sometime during the winter months, i use st. ives' timeless skin mineral clay.  i love the feel of my face after i use it.  perfection!

hair products:

for the longest time i bought whatever shampoo and conditioner was on sale at the drugstore.  the bigger the bottle and cheaper the price i would purchase it.  that all changed when i discovered aveda's rosemary mint shampoo and conditioner.  i have been using it for a few years now and don't plan on stopping!  i love the scent (peppermint-y), some people need coffee to wake them up in the morning but i just need my shampoo and conditioner!

i go to an aveda salon to colour my grays away.  just the roots so my hair keeps looking natural instead of dyed.  the sunshine is a natural highlighter for my hair during the summer months, giving it a reddish tint.

rarely do i use anything else in my hair, except when my hair is especially frizzy.  i use phyto's pytodefrisant botanical hair relaxing balm (i posted about it here).  recently i tried aveda's be curly curl enhancer to help tame frizz. both work equally well.

if i am out for an evening with the hubby, i might use moroccan oil for a little shine.

have a lovely weekend!

the happiest women

let's move to holland!  according to maclean's magazine (september 2011), dutch women are apparently the happiest women in the world.  they consistently rank high in terms of happiness and well-being.  the major factor is that most dutch women work part-time (60% compared to 20% of canadian women), preferring the time to do things that matter to them, keeping a balanced lifestyle, "to stay mentally and physically healthy and happy."  as a result, dutch women consistently rank low in top positions in business and government.  some note that this is not okay, worried that women are not seeking equality in the workplace, are setting a bad example for their children, and believe that happiness is overrated and women should work to achieve wealth, status, and power instead. 

i believe that as long as there is choice - whether to be career minded, work part-time, or stay home to raise children - whatever a woman decides for herself is the right path.  betty friedan the author of the feminist mystique said it perfectly way back in 1963, "what we need are real choices. and i don't want to hear women saying one choice is more feminist than another."

photo by thomas schlijper

for more on dutch women check out the book dutch women don't get depressed by ellen de bruin.  the dutch woman is stereotypically defined as "naturally beautiful with a no-fuss sense of style, she rides her bike to fetch the groceries, has ample time with her kids and husband, takes art classes in the middle of the week, and spends leisurely afternoons drinking coffee with her friends." here is an interview with the writer.

matchbook magazine

i recently came across a new (since january 2011) online magazine, matchbook: field guide to a charmed life.  its main purpose is to inspire women to lead a life they adore.  it is an inspiring site, do visit and let me know if you agree.

this month they featured kate spade and her home which is located in manhatton.  it is a colourful and happy looking home.  exactly what i would expect from kate spade.  one day i will own one of her purses, one day!

   

      

   

 

 

 

vintage

i normally do not gravitate towards vintage items but i love the use of the recycled china in these pretty ring and jewellery holders.  i bought a similar one during my visit to toronto this past summer.

i also love these vintage glasses; pretty and fun. i think it's time that i start to scour some thrift stores!

spotted these on martha's website

and, who knew dollies could be so cool?

top and bottom images from here

weekend pics

we had a couple of highlights this weekend.  the first was spending a leisurely afternoon enjoying the camaraderie of our good friends, kam, ghazaleh and their gorgeous little boy kayan.   it is always very relaxed visiting them, even now that they have an almost one year old.  kayan has taken on his parents calm and charming personalities.  i loved watching kai interact with him; he was engaging, patient, and amused by the baby.  kam and ghazaleh are pretty awesome; they built their own home (i posted about other friends who did the same here), are purveyors of really good tea, and have an eye for art.  it is always a treat to be in their company. 

 

 

 

we took advantage of the sunshine and spent time outdoors.  we ate at the beach house restaurant located right on the waterfront of west vancouver.  it conveniently has a little beach at its doorstep and fantastic views of the burrard inlet and stanley park.

    

 

 

 

  

the symphony with special guest conductor bugs bunny (+ a few other loonie tune characters) was pretty fun; who knew you could laugh out loud at the symphony!  the cartoons were projected on the big screen, with their original scores played live. take a peek with this short video clip:

we took advantage of being downtown and did some eating at bel cafe.  again.  twice in one week (last week kai, who had a day off school, and i met stefan for lunch before catching a movie)! both my boys, on both visits had the sandwich with roasted berkshire pork, red cabbage, jalapeño, and house-made mustard. i had a most lovely soup with white cannellini bean, garden vegetables, and smoked bacon. and then of course there are the sweets!  if you live in vancouver or work downtown, do make a point to visit bel cafe, i doubt you will be disappointed.  

image from here

and other scenes from the weekend include mario and harry, kai's highlights!

watching harry potter, movie # 4

playing super mario brothers, i joined in but was not very good!