(Near) The top of my Christmas wishlist

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the "i am not a paper cup" coffee cup. A cheeky play off Anya Hindmarch's "I'm not a plastic bag".
Clever, utilitarian, guaranteed to induce all sorts of envy at the office. Me likey.

And you thought only Hef could get away with satin robes...

Kate Beckinsale rocking the bedroom chic, courtesy of YSL. Love the belt. Adore the nail polish. Lovdore the ensemble*.

*minus the shoes--trashy trashy choice, Kate.

Keep Calm

Not to continue the obsession I have with cupcake related items on this blog, BUT this is the cutest thing I have ever seen!It's from jennysbakeshop on etsy and it is just such a cute take off on the increasingly popular Keep Calm posters (see below) For any baker like myself it's a must have! She also has lots of other baking related artwork  so check it out!

I am also I big fan of the Keep Calm and Carry On posters - it's currently hanging in my bedroom and my cubicle at work. sfgirlbybay has them on her etsy shop.

Cute as a Cupcake

As a cupcake obsessed person, I couldn't help but stop and adore these new additions to the MoMA design store- Cupcake Canisters from Barbara Thompson. If only I had more counter space to keep such charming things like this. It's a sacrifice you have to make living in a Manhattan apartment! 

Look of the day

Natalie Portman, looking effortlessly stunning, as usual, in a sheer black Rodarte frock. Makeup, shoes, clutch--all fab. Hair would be perfect too if it were a tad less frizzy. Otherwise, bellisima.

If I can't have them, then I want you to have 'em

I was at Winners (Canada's TJ Maxx) yesterday, and desperately wanted a pair of beautiful black patent Tahari pumps. I can't seem to find a photo of them, but they were a classic pair with a rounded point, scallop detailing at the instep, and very comfortable (Tahari's my go-to brand for comfy heels). As I had a shopping cart full of other purchases, I decided my bank account would hate me less if I left these lovely shoes behind.

But just as I was saying my 'goodbyes', I noticed a young woman trying on pairs of heels. Now, I just couldn't take it. This poor misguided lady was trying on those godawful ultra-pointy pumps that scream "I bought these on sale at Aldo!" Okay, I'm not trying to knock Aldo...okay, maybe I am. But you have got to understand that certain stores just make stuff that looks cheap! For example, one characteristic that makes shoes look cheap = super-point. Witness:


*shudder* All of these women suffer from Aldo Super-Pointy Heel Syndrome (ASPHS). Stores like Aldo take a trend (e.g. pointy toes) and RUN with it, creating this exaggerated knock-off that looks like a knock-off. ASPHS is only exacerbated when combined with cheap materials, like pleather/vinyl:


The worst part about this is that these shoes typically cost $100--more than what you could pay at TJ Maxx for a GREAT pair of luxury designer heels that look and feel better! Hmmm...I think I will write another post about the differences between cheap and cute shoes...

Anyway, back to the story. So this lady was trying on sinful ASPHS styles, and I just couldn't stop myself--I had to pipe up.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that you're trying on pumps. I know this may sound odd, but I love these beautiful classic black patent Tahari pumps with wonderful scalloped detailing and figure, if I can't them, I would want you to have 'em," I explained.

"Uh, okay," she eyed me nervously, "Yeah, I like black patent a lot."

"Oh yes, they give an outfit much more of an 'oomph' than plain black leather. Here try them on- they're super comfy too." I tried my best to give off 'I'm not crazy' vibes.

[She slipped them on]...and sigh it was magical the way she lit up!

"Oh my god!! These are amazing!"

"I know," I nodded, so pleased with myself, "They're one of my favourite brands and they elongate your leg much more, and they're an even higher heel height than the ones you were trying on, but probably much more comfortable and chicer."

She laughed, "Yes, you're right. Thank you so much!"

"Enjoy!" I smiled and turned away. Another fashion convert success story at my local Winners :)

Still longing for an IKEA Jonsberg vase

It's been years since I've fallen in love with Hella Jongerius' series of vases for Ikea--particularly the pink and gold one (although I'm digging all of them now, for different rooms). Don't know what reminded me of these, but I'm on a mission to find a Jonsberg vase. eBay->click to save search->daily reminders for matched items-> woot.

Love this necklace

Saw this on the Style.com homepage yesterday and fell in love. Metal hardware + leather + statement bib necklace = whitepeach's fantasy. Even though it's by the ubiquitous preppy-boho Tory Burch, I'll covet this piece despite the name association (thank god it's not logo stamped!)

R+H and HB

I am so happy to announce that my all time favorite office supplier now has their very own boutique at Henri Bendel New York. I am going to check it out later today, so I might add some more photos later, but get excited about another place to find the fabulous Russel and Hazel products!

Postsecret

Can we please talk about how I just spent the past hour browsing through postsecret.blogspot.com?!? I know I know...I'm wayyyyy behind the times and you've probably already seen it and/or bought the book(s), but it's so raw and titillating and honest and voyeuristic--I can't get enough! Here are a couple of my favourites:





I'm also in love with Other People's Love Letters by Bill Shapiro. Same kind of concept, but with love letters. This one is profoundly moving:

Roost

I have become enamored with Roost products lately. From the porcelain mushrooms to these beautiful lighting options.

 

One of my favorite Roost items are these beverage dispensers.

Velocity has a nice selection of Roost products - check it out!

Inside Out

I've been noticing more and more inside out objects lately - and I like it. I am always a fan of looking at things in a new light, and this certainly no exception. These are from Crate & Barrel, MoMA Design Store & Uncommon Goods.

Roger Federer at 2008 Wimbledon

I'm not typically a men's fashion fanatic, but when I saw Roger Federer at this year's Wimbledon (my FAVOURITE sporting event), I nearly died. He looked SO slick in his monogrammed gold and white cardigan, white polo, and matching sport bag. What an exciting departure from the more avant-garde (/hideous) outfits we've been seeing on the courts (*cough* Serena *cough*). I just wish his tennis racquet bag matched--ahhh so distracting!


I am definitely going to have to track down one of these pieces. I really must commend whoever designed the RF logo--it's absolutely stunning.



And what an exhilarating final match between him and Nadal! While I love Roger, I have such a soft spot for Rafa's boyish charm. What a cute pairing between the genteel Federer and rough-and-tumble Nadal. I've been fortunate enough to watch both of them play live and I must tell you, it's such joy. I love tennis!

Too Sweet!

I saw this on Fred Flare as part of the "Next Big Thing" contest with young designer Amanda Goss. How cute is this!? Cupcakes are the latest thing after all ... miniature cake stands - best idea ever! 

Whimsical Wonders

I am a big fan of whimsical items for the home. Items that represent a clever way of looking at things, or things that make me smile are the kinds of items I want to surround myself with. A few months back I went to a gallery opening for Ingo Maurer - whose piece is shown above. He had a way of capturing something so charming about an object we all overlook everyday - the lightbulb.

I'm sure you will continue to notice that some of my favorite pieces have this same charming, but practical, quality to them.

One of my all time favorite pieces of furniture, which I broke down and bought for my new apartment, is the Louis Ghost chair by Philippe Starck. This now classic piece of furniture has that whimsical touch to it that makes it so endearing - a modern twist on a classic piece from a bygone era becomes a new classic.

These birdcage lamps by Roost do something similar to the Ingo Maurer pieces for me - but in a more earthy and rustic sort of way. 

And not to harp on lighting (or in this case the illusion of lighting), but I find the Blik Chandelier wall decals one of my favorites as well. Elegant, yet a little tongue in cheek. Ingo Maurer also brought to life the idea of the one dimensional representation of light with his Luster LED chandelier.

I only wish I had a place big enough for all of these wonderful things!

Letter Writing for the Modern Age

Looking at WhitePeach's post and the adorable Post Pockets (which I hope I WILL be receiving in the mail quite soon) - I was inspired to write about one of my favorite things - stationary. To me there is nothing nicer than receiving a card in the mail from someone - except sending one to someone! I can spend hours browsing through card stores in search of the perfect cards for the people I care about.  This however, is a luxury that I don't have now that I am working. 

Enter - JackCards - both a card lover and card hater's dream. Jack Cards not only solves the problem of forgetting birthdays & important dates (hence card haters) but it solves the problem of not having enough time to spend hours in the Hallmark store. All you have to do is enter your friends and families birthday & address and browse through the hundreds of cards on the site. There is a card for everyone and every possible occasion, and it even reminds you of when someone's birthday is coming up so you know it's time to pick out their card! 

You can be a nerd like me and pick out cards for everyone who has a birthday coming up in the next 3 months and then order them all at once or just order one at a time. But either way you choose to do it - one card at a time of 20 -  you have the added fun bonus of received the cards pre-addressed and stamped at your door two weeks before the event. Just sign, seal and stick it in the mailbox. 

This is truly letter writing for the modern age. Easy, Fun & a great use of technology. Now when am I going to come up with a great idea like this? 

More great finds from my homeland

Algonquin, clean air, poutine...just a few of my favourite things about Canada. Now I can add one more to the list: thesouvenirshop.ca

The brainchild of Motherbrand, a design firm dedicated to preserving Canada's culture, and Toronto's art-haven Gladstone Hotel, Souvenir Shop tackles the oft-tacky world of souvenirs by offering a fresh take on Canadian mementos.

Some of the things on my wishlist (and btw, how cool is the drag-and-purchase feature?!):

Ani+Lumigrane's Maplemap hanging lamp - winner of the Best Collection Award during IDS08 and more importantly, winner of my fluttering heart.

Laura Henneber's Post Pockets - genius transparent postcard sleeve...Chiffon Cupcake might be getting one of these in the mail...

Cynthia Hathaway's Souvenirs Revisited:Bear - what a disarming piece that artfully blends humour, environmental caution, and beauty.

Annie Lum's recycled laptop sleeve - functional nostalgia--I love it.

Stepping back to step forward

Inspiration comes from anywhere--this we know. For me, it's typically fashion-related; the way a hemline falls, a combination of patterns, or a well-placed and off-beat accessory--these things can ignite my imagination. But today, inspiration struck from the unlikeliest of places: an argument.

As ChiffonCupcake said, I'm out West studying for a few months. Amid my melancholy stupor at the thought of leaving CC, I managed to get my act together long enough to find a sublet for my room--or so I thought.

To spare you (and myself) the long and painful story: I got ripped off. Subtenant moved in. Subtenant did not pay. I spent weeks trading angry emails and phone calls, lost hours worth of sleep, and worst of all, wasted far too much of my precious study time. Instead of focusing on my textbooks, I focused on getting this woman to pay.

Exhausted and distraught, I called my mother. I explained to her how exploited I felt and I pleaded for her to help me plot my next scheme.

My mother, bless her heart, calmy said, "Don't be Hillary Clinton."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Don't be Hillary Clinton," she repeated. "What's the bigger picture, here? What is your main objective? I think it's for you to get the best education--and right now, you're not getting it because you're too busy chasing after a lost cause. In fact, you're wasting time, energy, and money trying to get this woman, who is clearly not going to pay you, to pay you."

And she was right. I was just like Hillary. Hillary was too busy trying to win the nomination that she kept pouring money and resources into a campaign destined to fail, even jeopardizing the unity of the Democratic Party in the process. Though it was clear to many that Barack was going to clinch the nomination, Hillary was too entrenched in the trenches to see it herself.

In my case, it was about recognizing that, and I'm paraphrasing here, "A crazy bitch will always be a crazy bitch", and knowing when to direct my energies elsewhere. I should have cut my losses. Should have looked for the bigger picture.

And so here I am, inspired to share this perspective with you: sometimes, you have to step back to step forward.

Way Out West - the start of Lovdore

The story is short and sweet. Two best friends from the big apple have to say goodbye for a few months while one goes off to change the world. They exchange cards. One, who is fond of mixing words together to form the proper sentiment, decided that love and adore were words that described the friendship best. However, neither of these words quite worked on their own, so she combined them into "lovdore". 

After they discussed the word later, they both decided that this was the perfect name for the blog they had been dying to create for months, and so it was. Lovdore.

We hope to spark something for others out there as our friendship has for the two of us. It might be about fashion. It could be about the latest place we visited in the city that we recommend as a must. It could be about our latest baking experience - but whatever the post, we hope it is something that will add a little something special to your day.

We also look to this blog as a growing process. By combining our thoughts and things we love in one place, maybe it will plant a seed that someday grows into something much bigger.