Elle Quebec (picture heavy)

I bought the current (September) issue of Elle Quebec last week and I've been completely in Love with the editorials and photography in there ever since. Adele was on the cover, so of course I had to have it, but it was while flipping through it that I knew I had acquired a true gem. The fashion spread was completely up my alley with the flowers and the cool and warm colours. I don't purchase magazines often because they're usually filled with advertisements, bad advice, and not the kind of fashion and style I gravitate towards. This issue however had some insightful articles and I didn't feel bombarded by the advertisements, they exhibited taste and class.

Although I am returning to school this fall, I have been on the lookout for a 1 year technical program that will allow me to be qualified for a specific kind of work because as of right now I feel like a jack of a few trades and a master of none. Commercial Photography has been on my radar recently as I truly enjoy taking good pictures and seeing amazing work like this really gets me excited and inspired. It would be great to learn more technical aspects of photography and to be specialized for commercial work such as advertisements, Fashion shoots, weddings, travel and so on. I don't know yet if that is the best route for me, but I like the idea. My main focus for now is to live day-to-day so that I don't miss a beat when looking too way ahead.

I leave you with a video I recently discovered by a group called Two Door Cinema Club, whom I may possibly see live if I can find more than one song I like, even if this is a really good one!

Sweet evening in little Italy and a new etsy item

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79928508/large-rose-felt-ring-upcycled

Last Tuesday night, two friends and I met up at a lovely restaurant in little Italy called Bottega, which is a pizzeria but they serve pasta and calamari as well. We were supposed to be four altogether (The Fantastic Plastic 4 to be precise, naming ourselves after the very first project we all worked on together in uni when we met in our first class of our program). Unfortunately, that friend is leaving the province soon after having just arrived back from a 6 month working trip to Australia and her family surprised her with a going away dinner so she didn't have much of a choice but to cancel with us. We were sad to hear it, as now it'll be difficult to plan something before she's all packed and ready to go!

Nevertheless, the three of us met up and had a wonderful evening at Bottega. We started on a calamari appetizer, then we each ordered our own stone oven baked pizzas (which were baked right behind us in a stone oven in full view!). Our pizzas respectively were Margherita, freshly sliced mozarella and cherry tomatoes (I forget the name), and cheese with grilled vegetables (the name also escapes me). We swapped slices and marveled at how incredibly tasty they were. I was transported back to Italy and missed it immediately.

One of the two friends had recently discovered an amazing wine (which I need to ask her the name of!) and wanted me to try it as well. Putting it on my tab for when I actually start earning more money, I accepted that she pay it for me that evening. And I am so glad she had me try it! It too, reminded me of the amazing white wines I had tasted in Italy, the kind that is soft, smooth and doesn't hit you in the head as soon as you take a sip. For dessert, we ordered the canoli, which comes in twos but our waitress immediately offered to add a third one as soon as she saw us deliberating. I wish I had been able to leave a better tip, those canolis were so sweet, creamy and crunchy.

I highly recommend this pizzeria, it is a small slice of Italy with a romantic and friendly ambiance. Also, the waiters and waitresses were very well mannered and well-dressed in their bow ties, white aprons and vests (if I remember correctly, I was preoccupied by the food and our conversations!) .

As for my etsy shop, I just added a new item which is a large rose felt ring that I decorated with some hand stitched glass beads. I wasn't quite sure about it at first, but it grew on me and now I find it really pretty.

bunny?... must pet it forever!

Caught up on some snooze today and was lucky to have such a lovely and peaceful Sunday. The only downside being that my father is dealing with a tooth infection and subsequently his face has swollen up..not good.

The upsides however aren't that numerous but neither are they few; my aunt got a bunny rabbit recently and it is the cutest thing I have ever seen *_*. I was reminded of the bunny I had as a child for a short time, we returned it because it was pooping everywhere..not sure why we didn't deal with that and keep it. This precious little princess is so gorgeous and she has reinforced my desire for a pet. I have been thinking I would want either a parakeet, a cat or a bunny as a pet once I move out. A bunny is slowly becoming a 1st choice.

We also decided to bake not one, but two sweet recipes: oatmeal cake squares and brownies. Needless to say.. omnomnomnom.. plus they were so incredibly easy, it was hard to mess up.

Finally, I rediscovered Michelle Branch thanks to a friend who posted this video on her facebook wall, it is her first single in a number of years and I think it is just great. I'm not much of a fan of her country style songs but when she goes rock, it's never a miss.

a long day

Phew, I am tired from what I am happy to share, was a long hardworking day! I woke at 9:48 am, dreaming that I was already up but really sleepy and yelling at my father that we needed to leave at 10:00 am. Which we did, because he was going drop me off at an ex-teacher's studio so that I can work on a custom long coat for a special buyer on etsy, who just so happened to be my 1st online buyer! This time however the item is 100% by me and sewing an upcycled sweater long coat ain't as easy as it sounds, but it's coming along nicely.

The other day I rode my bike despite there just having been a downpour and I was risking getting caught in a second wave of thunder showers. Lucky for me, no such thing happened and I learnt that going for a ride right after the rain, when near to no one is outside and through a forest/park, is just about the most intoxicating feeling ever.

Another good thing happened today, I hand-delivered a sold etsy item! I had just posted the necklace up on the shop and decided to share it on my facebook wall when a friend called shotgun and I had to remove it right away! Amazing!! It wasn't much, but I am proud of that cute little rosebud.

I wanted to end today on a good note and so what better way to do that than to make medium-sized crepes and grow heart eyes for new school supplies? It's been a while since I got excited for notebooks, I almost wish I had a Math class to fill it with equations. Almost!

Monday

I actually wish I could say I had a tiring day of work today and am ready to hit the hay face first. But my face has been in the hay (so to speak) all day. I've indulged in some knitting, pigs in blankets with swiss cheese and fresh strawberries from the market, brought over by my aunt. I also continued practicing the guitar, I am so bad right now, but I can tell I'm getting more comfortable little by little. Hard days works indeed.

Plans have been forming in my head, but I can't start executing them because I have no income! It's quite frustrating. A lot of things were generally bothering me today. In other news, hearing about another quite violent riot in London was saddening. I love that city, it holds a special place in my heart, and it's a shame there are such inequalities that it should lead to a revolt. It would be a bit unrealistic to say that the problems will be fixed soon, but hopefully they get a bit better.

cookie crazy and new items!

Spent yesterday baking more sugar cookies (with sprinkles this time!) and making some items for the shop. I'm finally getting better at adding items more frequently, need to keep that up!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78335091/feather-and-flower-hair-pins-upcycled

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78335091/feather-and-flower-hair-pins-upcycled

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77392902/red-flower-headband-upcycled