'Supermodel Pets'

Richard Phibbs

     Ella has been wanting a dog ever since she could say the word 'puppy'.  At this point Colum and I kind of think that there is actually no 'perfect' time for a pet and she has been patiently waiting for (almost 5 years) and well it just might be time to take the leap and add an addition to our mix.

After researching, reading and researching some more I have come across great information and funny stories and then I came across this.  A photographer's work was influencing how often sheltered animals were getting adopted.  The story goes on to talk about how professional portraits changed how people saw the animals entirely and she was encouraging other photographer's to adopt a shelter so their work could help save lives too.
 
Would you consider adopting a pet?  I'd love to hear your thoughts...

xo

ps. Richard Phibbs, an accomplished celebrity and fashion photographer donated his amazing skills to HSNY photographing pets that need homes. Check out the amazing result here!

What's in Season: May Fruits

   Before May ends I wanted to post about the fruit that is ripe and in season this month!  Fruit always pleases a crowd at our house.  I want to enjoy fruit when its ripe, ready and true to taste as this book points out.  Food is a straight shooter to my heart and what better way to celebrate it than with the seasons.

I would like to make sure my kids get the most out of what they eat so learning what's in season is like keeping with my grandmother's tradition of sprinkling our plates with love (she always said that was her most important ingredient). 

Here's fruits that are in season during the month of May (and the vegetables too!).  Again these lists are relative to up here in Toronto and would be appropriate for most of the United States.

Fruits for May

cherries
pineapples
apricots

Cherries rarely ever make it past fresh from the stem for me.  I don't eat many of apricots but might pick up a few next time we are at the market (I tend to only pick them up if they are dried because they are so handy in a trail mix)  Do you have a favorite fruit? (Colum loves pineapple ;)


xo 

ps. I have rhubarb in the oven and it smells beautiful! I can't wait to share the recipe with you!!

Have a Relaxing Weekend!

     Wow! Would you believe its Friday already?  This week has been pretty up and down for me and I'm really looking forward to a few days of winding down.  Things get kind of crazy when its just the two of us and I think I am a bit family and friends homesick.  Living around the world is great but not being able to take everyone with you is not so great ;) Trying to keep some spare time to catch up with Colum is proving challenging these days with the energetic duo and the late nights of catch up work.  So this weekend I think there is a bike ride or two in store and a packed picnic lunch.  Ella and Finnian love picnics! And Colum and I get a chance to get away from the computers ;)  I hope everyone has a relaxing weekend!  

Check out some links from the week

gorgeous dress

how did I not see these until now

interesting article

more pretty halo's here

in case you missed it

more about this next week

not sure what to do with this

xo

Photographraphic Project: Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf

     Michael Wolf is a German photographer based in Hong Kong and Paris.  He's really well known for his diverse photographic projects.  Wolf has been invited to photograph such cities like Chicago and the impression is incredible.  I loved this one and anyone would be lucky enough to be able to hang that in their home. I thought this one from Tokyo really shows how adaptable the human spirit can be when it needs too. This series really took me by surprise.  Each city has such distinct ways they shape their surroundings in an 'organic metropolis'.  Michael Wolf's photographs have been on display in Asia, Europe and the United States. And he has been published in a number of books.  I wonder what his next project will be?

xo
ps. What do you think about the toy story collection? Or real fake art?
pps. Just watched this documentary

Pretty Flower Halo's

     My sister is getting married in August and these flower halo's have come up in conversation quite a bit. They are so lush and impressively simple that no wonder she has had her eye on them. I think its a really great way to add such unique natural beauty to such a memorable day.  There are so many different styles from simple to extravagant, I think it would be so hard to choose if I were the bride (I don't think my sister knows if she'll wear one or not just yet).

How about this one?

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or maybe this?

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on the simpler side?

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or with a veil?

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something a bit more lush?

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Such a statement piece don't you think? Would you consider wearing one? It would photograph really well no matter what the style.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xo

ps. I wore a handcrafted mantia on my wedding day ;)

What's in Season: May Vegetables

photo credit

 After reading this book I am really trying to pay attention to whats 'in season'.  I get so gloomy when the seasons change and in winter I tend to pretty much hibernate. I'm really trying to find more delight each time the winds changes and trying to pick out their unique and wonderful sides is a great start.  A good way to highlight them is with great food! I usually pay attention to what there seems to be a lot of at the market or on sale but thought it would be more useful if I actually wrote it down (maybe share a recipe or two). These lists will be relative to here in Toronto but will work for most of the United States too.

Here's what to expect for May the next time you hit the farmer's market

okra
zucchini
rhubarb
artichokes
asparagus
spring peas
broccoli
lettuce

Have you ever cooked with okra? It reminds me of this book. I think rhubarb is first on my list before the past due date creeps up on me, it reminds me of home.  Do you have a favorite on the list? I would love to hear your thoughts.

xo

What Are You Reading: French Woman Don't Get Fat

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The French way of life has been popping up all over the place for me lately; like here and here.  So when I came across this book I thought I would see what the sudden fascination was about. This book had a lot of great things to say about how woman approach food and drink (I'm sure men can relate too!).  Mireille Guiliano pointed out some key things for me.  I really liked her constant reminder that food is a stimulation of the senses and her bit about how all water is not good water even if its fancied up with a pretty label.  Best thing about the book is being reminded that each season has its own style of fruits and pleasures to enjoy! I am going to try and follow the growing seasons a bit more and remember that just because I have a large selection to choose from at the market doesn't mean that it will taste the way it was meant too! 

Do you think you'll read the book?  Have you read it already?
 
ps. here's Mireille's latest cookbook