where’d all the living go: off to a show

So so so excited to see tonight at the Republik! I caught their workshop at the Calgary Folk Music Festival this past July and was instantly mesmerized by them and their sweet tunes. July seems like forever ago so I can’t wait for the music to be recreated tonight.

I took this photo at the Folk Fest. ♥♥♥ The title of this post is one of my favourite songs by them!

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going to a house show!

Tonight I get to go to a house show. One of my darling co-workers is hosting the band Snowblink as part of her housewarming tonight and I absolutely cannot wait. Listen to their dreamy tunes.

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life lately

you can see the varying stages of my winter gear. i am so lucky to live in a city where we get warm bouts every couple of days. though the migraines those warm winds give me is hardly enjoyable.

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planning for blog camp

I attended an online workshop on Friday in preparation for the Altitude Design Summit this January. It was so inspiring and looked at all ways to prepare yourself for this conference and the many amazing things that could happen at it.  ALT is the dream bloggers conference full of design camps, inspiring speakers, and the presence of some of the most amazing bloggers in the world.

Anyways, I was shocked at the incredible sense of community during this online workshop. Everyone is just so eager to connect and cross-promote eachothers blogs and also help eachother with weaknesses we may have (ie. apparently having a fabulous facebook fan page is what people are really looking for at the moment!).

Check out some of my new favourite reads of the week. There are so many that have been bookmarked and added to my reader but here is just a few to get you started. xo

house of earnest :: darling entertainment ideas, home decor, & more

Simple Street :: Cataloging Simple Inspiration

Food Nouveau :: my new favourite foodie site full of amazing recipes & food travels

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the holidaze & my mission to love winter

As you can see by this sparkling shot of downtown Calgary, the Holidays are rapidly approaching. Twinkle lights, big red bows, Christmas parties, shopping rushes, and a sprinkling of snow (we’ve been SO lucky so far this year) are all what is on people’s minds as we rapidly move through the month of November into December.

I am excited about this winter, for once! I plan on avoiding my usual plan of hibernation and instead will head out into the snow for snowshoeing, iceskating, winter hikes and long walks. Of course, there will be hot chocolate and apple cider but a lot less boxes of Turtles and cups full of Baileys. Last winter nearly did us all in so I am being proactive this year and making winter work for me. Winter = Fun. Right? Do you think my plan will work?

Just as with any other less desirable activity, what you are wearing makes a different. This year, I bought a parka I love, some adorable ski bunny winter boots that will prevent me from bailing onto the sidewalk on my walk to work, a luxe faux fur headband, and I got my black wool dress coat altered to fit me a bit better. If I am going to enjoy winter, I better damn well look absolutely fabulous!

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i’m in love: the lomokino super 35 movie maker

 

Today Lomography leaked their top secret new product: the LomoKino Super 35 Movie Maker. I couldn’t be happier. As a nostalgic babe who has long since longed for a working Super 8 and also the dark room and processing to go along with – I can’t believe they have come out with a beautiful new analogue movie camera using 35mm film! So so exciting for anyone who is obsessed with vintage home movies or who love to write their own short films.

Here is some specs about the LomoKino:

Retail Price: $79 for the Lomokino, $99 for the Lomokino + lomokinoscope

Film type: all kind of 135 roll film

Lens: 25mm

Exposure area: 24mm x 8.5mm: 144 images/film

Continuous Aperture: f/5.6 – f/11

Shutter: 1/100

Hand cranked: approx. 3-4 fps, 36-48 sec. movie per roll

Film counting: volume display

Focusing: (normal) 1m~infinity,(press button for) 0.6m close up

Tripod mount: yes

So, what are you waiting for? Get one and start making memories. Its at the top of my wishlist! :)

 

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will you be my pal

 

October 21st marked the 2nd edition of Will You Be My Pal! This time we had even more ladies, more that didn’t know eachother, more food, and even more fun! I would say it was a glorious affair and I got the opportunity to meet some pals I had been waiting for ages to meet IRL! The pictures speak for themselves but I have to say – I can’t wait until Number Three which will be happening in the early spring! Thanks to everyone who came out – looking forward to meeting the rest of you next time! xo

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life lately

Oh gosh. Been neglecting this old place a lot lately. I’ve been busy. The kind of busy where you stay up late working on stuff until 1:30am only to wake up again at 7:00am and start all over again. The kind of busy where when you do have a free moment you veg out in front of the TV or pass out during a ‘nap’. Good busy though – have been working out 5-6 times a week and doing lots of freelance projects but I am definitely looking forward to some R&R in the near future. How do you balance work & life? Sometimes I think I’ve got it and others not so much. Its always something to strive for though. You can never spend to much time laughing with friends and family. xo

 

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halloween

This past Saturday I was given the fun and awesome opportunity to attend the Calgary Opera’s Grave Gala at Hotel Arts on behalf of Swerve Magazine.  Along with two hosts from UP! Radio, Leslie and Kevin – I judged the costume contest. This year’s Grave Gala was Carnivalesque-themed and they did an incredible job of making the ballroom look authentically from the days of freak shows.  Beautiful paintings, cages to be danced in, and a troupe of pink-haired mischief-makers perfected the evening.  There was also a room filled with psychics available for readings which was very cool – I got an energy reading and my numerology done and it was all good news!

As for my costume, I went as a black swan-esque fallen angel. Since I was a judge I assumed I didn’t have to be ‘just anything’. My cohorts for the evening dressed as the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow. They had hoped to get in contact with me to dress as Dorothy but no luck. Instead I was a dark ghoulish girl in a tutu and black wings. It was so much fun!

I didn’t manage to get photos of the winning costumes but they were outstanding and all handmade. The winners were as follows:

Best Couple: Mad Hatter & Queen of Hearts

Best Male: Terrifyingly scary Scarecrow

Best Female: Native Warrior Princess

Best Group: Harlequin Clows

Judge’s Choice: Carnivalesque Mime Couple

 

As you can see by the photos it was a breathtaking, whirlwind affair — the snapshot of the CanCan dancers totally reminds me of Moulin Rouge when they are drinking absinthe! A perfect Halloween! Thanks Swerve for the chance to party with the glamourously masked party people of Calgary.  What did you get up to this Halloween? Were you a black swan as well? Apparently, it was the most common costume choice this year!

xo

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