NO MIMES ALLOWED

So I've been afk for a little while, but now I'm back and with time to spare... again.

I just got back from Toronto and while I wasn't there for pleasure or for very long, I still got a chance to walk all around the city, and I got to say, TO - pretty nice city.

So I thought I would share some of the few pictures I took on my lengthy stroll.

the cn tower - so predictable (to take a picture of it, i mean)

the gorgeous harbourfront centre

the hotel

the view

steady hands... yup, that's me

more of the waterfront

captain john's harbour boat restaurant

the city

I'm a little camera-obsessed, clearly.

inspiration for the artistically challenged

This quilt makes me want to run to an arts & crafts store and spend all my money on paint, brushes, easels and everything else one needs to be an artist... if only artistic talent could be purchased, I'd be all set.

{via anthropologie}

i like it crowded

I have this incessant need to fill spaces. If there's an empty spot in the apartment, I put something there. While I love the minimalist approach to decorating, I'm finding out that I can't do it. It just isn't in my genetic code.
And I'm starting to wonder why I feel this is such a bad thing. I love my apartment in all its cluttered glory! So I am embrassing my rat pack ways. No more denying myself the need to fill in empty spaces!
What brought on this sudden revelation, you ask? This brilliant little balcony featured on apartment therapy.

I just love how cozy it is.

And don't even get me started on the whimsical mini paper lanterns.

My balcony is shockingly big for an apartment. I absolutely love it, but sometimes it feels so vast, like they're needs to be more on it. Some plants, a little breakfast table, maybe a fire pit... am I getting carried away?
One thing's for sure, you can never have to many twinkle lights, candles or paper lanterns. Or tiki torches... don't forget the tiki torches.

choosing a bag is like choosing a mate

And I cannot emphasize what a perfect match me and this bag make.

{zara}

It's got everything I want for that fun summer fling: the stripes, the material, the two short straps and a long one (for when you can't feel your arm anymore), the price - which doesn't force you into any kind of serious commitment...just everything!

I really, really want it.

saturday's listography

Why I love roadtrips

{via flickr}

having no timetable
the sound of the wind rushing through the window
hours and hours of music
"roadtrip wear" - sweats, running shoes and an old t-shirt
having a part of home wherever you go
sense of adventure
sense of freedom
leaving in the wee hours of the morning and watching the sun come up
stopping for breakfast, lunch or coffee in the middle of nowhere

CRAZY over...

Lufdesign leaf ties to keep unruly wires ruly or to pretty up anything and everything.

the gift of foresight

I was thinking yesterday how it might be fun to try making a terrarium. I have all these glass containers that are just lying around the house, might as well put one to good use.
So I googled diy terrariums and found some tips and tricks. There are some really pretty ones out there. I especially like the ones with succulents.

{via adelaide's events}

{via studio g}

{via nadia knows gardens}

So just as I was debating if which glass container would house my little "plant experiment" while browsing my daily blogroll, I came across a post on terrariums on design*sponge! Apparently, the very thing that I had begun to randomly contemplate yesterday was featured in the New York Times. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, terrariums are making a comeback!

You may think this is all just coincidence, but I say it's foresight. I knew I had a super power!

it's all in the family...sometimes

I consider myself a city girl, but I have to admit that owning a house with an enormous yard in the suburbs - even in the country - is something I would consider when looking to start that family everyone keeps asking about.

I was at my parent's this weekend and I never truly appreciate how pretty a very green, very flowery yard could be.

But as I sit here looking at this picture of my mom's clamatis and glance over to mine, I realize that a green thumb does not run in the family.

Pathetic, I know. I think it's because it's in a pot that it doesn't get any flowers...or barely any leaves for that matter. The roots don't have enough room to grow. Yeah, that makes sense...it's the pot, not me.

superhero for a day

There's no doubt that the Make-A-Wish Foundation does great things, but the effort that went into making a little Seattle boy's dream come true is truly touching. Have you read this story? If not, check it out here. Go on, I'll wait...

One of the sweetest stories ever, right!? Made me cry a little, which really doesn't say much - a really cute puppy can make me cry, but still! I bet you teared up...now, now, no need to be ashamed.

trailer trash trendy

I've just started watching this show Wonderfalls. I had never heard of it, but as all the shows Rob finds, I gave it a chance and I'm quite glad I did. I don't really know how to sum it up, but it's funny, the writing is fantastic and the main character Jaye Tyler, played (marvellously) by Montreal-borned Caroline Dhavernas, is cynical, witty and just plain awesome. Yes, awesome.
It was axed by Fox after the fourth episode (starting to see a pattern here with Fox), so there are only 13 episodes, but don't let that deter you. The show is great and you should definitely check it out, if you aren't among the 5 or so that have already.

One thing about Jaye Tyler is that she lives in a trailer park, which is something most people try to desperatly avoid. And who wouldn't? Trailer parks have always been the epicentre of the aptly named trailer trash. Cheap living arrangements when you can't afford better, right?
Wrong! I'm starting to see the appeal to living in a trailer. It's small and cozy, and as someone who likes to feel closed in, small and cozy is good. I started looking around and I found some really great airstreams.