Obakki

So, while I did end up getting that bARBARA Í gONGINI cardigan after I posted about it, I seem to still be looking for the perfect little button up. The bÍg one is really very lovely, but I can't seem to figure out how to style the square corners if I wear it with the sleeves attached (my favorite way to wear it is actually without the sleeves and upside down for a cropped cowled vest). I likely will not be purchasing anything (except some more Twin Syndrome high-waisted undies and perhaps a good pair of warm walking boots) before my 2nd NY trip, but I sure would appreciate this perfect (and olive coloured!) draped modal and wool grandpa sweater by Obakki. Obakki is a Vancouver-based higher end label (which I could've sworn I had posted about before) from designer Treana Peake, which is all about craftsmanship (each piece is made in Vancouver) and humanitarian aid (100% of one of the lines go to childrens' orphanages in Cameroon). Though I'd much rather visit their flagship store in Vancouver, their online shop has a lovely sale right now, making these luxury pieces a wee bit closer to my budget (though the gorgeous ombre coloured all wool version is still way too far away). If I actually had a spending budget right now, that is.

More, please

I just returned from seeing Black Swan with my man, and I, quite frankly, am confused. I'm not quite sure what happened in the movie and expected more from Darren Aronofsky, especially as The Fountain is in my Top 5 movies of all time, if not the Top 2. Ah well. I am definitely looking forward to seeing Swan Lake at the NYC Ballet in February. I will also continue to enjoy all the food I am entitled to both cook and eat, as I'm not required to have rather disturbing back muscles and zero body fat. Here is a photo of my latest culinary endeavor. I was going off of a Vegan Dad recipe (found while searching for something to do with my concord grapes), with a few twists. First of all, I had only one apple instead of four (I was planning on using pre-made apple berry chutney, and made my own at the last minute). Second, I don't have a round cookie cutter to make it look like the original, so I cut the tofu into squares (meaning I only got four little 'burgers' instead of five), and used my fingers to (kinda sorta) shape the stuffing inbetween. Third, I used pre-made sage stuffing that had rice and carrots in it, and just added the apple cider and a few spinach leaves into the pot after it was done cooking. Oh, and I used butter instead of margarine, meaning it wasn't vegan after all. I really didn't like the fresh sage leaves that the chutney called for (perhaps because I'm not quite sure how I was supposed to chop it, as you can see from the photos), so I think I'll use dried sage leaves next time. This 'next time' may indeed be very very soon, as this smelled amazing while cooking, and tasted quite lovely. I've also been wanting to cook more cranberries just to watch them split ever since. Did you know a cranberry basically looks like a heart with four chambers when you cut it in half? Beautiful.

And no, this is not becoming a food blog. I just happen to have found a new hobby that is very therapeutic. And I think that great food is indeed quite fashionable.

Wunderkind

Tonight is the end of a wonderful time that won't reoccur for awhile now, but it's a pleasant and quiet end, relaxing even. It actually quite strongly reminds me of the end of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, particularly Alanis Morissette's performance at the closing ceremonies (minus the cut-off clip of French at the end of the video). The fact that I was watching the junior Canadian hockey team win last night and found out that Alanis had a baby on Christmas contributes to the similarity as well, I'm sure. I could probably find one if I weren't needing to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, but does anyone know offhand where I can get a dress like Alanis'? Black floor length dresses are simply classy, and yet I only own one that is now, very sadly, too big for me. Sigh. Anyway, so long, Christmas 2010.

Merry Christmas

...and from me. As you've noticed, posts have been pretty sparse these last few weeks. I suspect I'll have a lot more scheduled couch time next week, now that I've found some mulled spices to add to my apple juice. So let's meet back here in a couple days. Maybe I'll even get around to that Top (Insert Number Here) Finds of Fall 2010 post...

Wake Up, Open the Door, and Escape to the Sea

If I could see photos like these new shots of Stacey Grant's MA collection every day, I'd definitely get back in the blogging swing of things. I'd love to wear those dresses with some knee high red plaid Dr. Martens, possibly coupled with some sort of toffee cookie and a good strong cup of coffee. And the writing of yesterday's planned 'Top Something of Fall 2010' post. Ah well, tomorrow will be longer anyway.

Silver and Cold

I know this is old news as it appeared in the S/S 09 issue of AnOther Magazine (so says Diane), but Tilda in Sandra Backlund is rather perfect, don't you think? I definitely wish I had a knit dress right about now, as it's really quite cold out (and all my favorite clothes are hanging to dry as we speak). I even watched the fireplace channel for the better part of this laundry day and am still chilled to the bone. Funny how you can't quite trick yourself into feeling warm. Let's hope my crackling wood wick candle can do the trick...

Anywho + Kobra = A Warm Heart

I can't believe I almost missed Christmas. I just realized yesterday, amidst my huge day-long sigh of relief, that Christmas is next weekend. Next weekend! I have already done the majority of my shopping, and I did decorate the apartment on December 1st, but those were more chores than anything. With all that was going on at work (and thus my life), I didn't even think of getting into any type of holiday spirit. But now I'm free to listen to Amy Grant's Home For Christmas to my heart's content. It would also help to wrap some of those presents (a task which I love to do), but I have a week or two of blog reading to catch up on. Here's one gem I've already found, via DeSmitten: The drapiest of drapey warm wear from a collaboration between Danish label Kobra (by Fornebo) and Danish blog Anywho. Priced between about $215 and $320 (and only available here), I'm thinking these one-size wool and cashmere blend pieces are the perfect rewards for making it through this year...

P.S. Everything in my shop is 50% off for the weekend, just because. Meaning everything but the Alexander McQueen jacket is under $25. And yes, the McQueen is also on sale, against my better judgment. The regular $5 off for each additional item and $10 flat shipping fee still applies. Cheers!

Esteban Cortazar

Just think, if there wasn't a fresh foot of snow and -20 degree weather out right now, I could be wearing one of these numbers by Columbian designer Esteban Cortazar (found via ASOVF), complete with wrap sandals. Though I would have to actually get the dress first. And the sandals. Ah well.

So happy I could die

Today, I rediscovered the simple joy of looking forward to my vacation for the fact that it will be fabulous, rather than for the fact that it means I don't have to work for a couple of weeks. Of drinking freshly ground and brewed coffee because it's delicious, rather than because I'm too exhausted to stay awake past 2 o'clock. Of relaxing because I can, rather than because I need to. Of spending four entire hours baking something because I wanted more of what I had spent four entire hours baking the night before in an attempt to take my mind off of things. Blog (and life/sanity/happiness), I've missed you.

(Photo of my second attempt of Lottie + Doof's Grape Focaccia with Rosemary recipe, which I followed except for the electric mixer thing. Hand kneading dough is pretty much the greatest method of therapy ever, especially when coupled with de-seeding concord grapes. Oh, and I also halved the sea salt the second time around.)

Dude.

This still means that the pieces I want the most (see below) are too expensive for me, but I've definitely been distracted from my daily bike workout/The Wire fest by such an offer. Sigh. (P.S. The 'Limited Edition' items are the cheapest...)

Off The Deep End

I forgot that I hadn't yet posted this editorial spread from my favorite issue of my favorite local magazine, Parlour. These were shot at an indoor pool a few blocks away from my house. The city has been trying to shut down the pool for a while (apparently), and so there was an art and fashion show at the pool (featuring these photos and pieces from the fellow local Albertan designers of the clothing therein) put on to raise money and awareness to try and keep the pool open. I fully intended on going to said show but, umm, did laundry instead. Laundry is always the culprit, I find. Anyway, I have to say I have no idea what is happening with the pool. What I do know is that a pool they closed when I was just a wee one is only just now reopening this summer. So at least there's that.

Completely unrelated, does anyone have idea for what to do with a ton of concord grapes? I bought a bunch on a whim, and now need some recipes. I'm definitely going to be trying this grape and rosemary focaccia, as soon as I get some baking ingredients. Hopefully I'll have some photos and results to post on Monday.

Miroïke

It's rather cold and I, quite frankly, am stressed out. And so I think these pieces from Miroïke, a Berlin-based label from designers Ulrike Seidel and Ramiro Calderon Alvarado (and found via Pour Porter), are just what I need. I am particularly drawn to their (handcrafted in Berlin) Sock-Boot (or, 'Sock-Shoo'), a most interesting style (to say the least) which is 50% off right now in their webshop. Though the knit mask would be absolutely perfect right now...

The (Modern Female) Roman Legionary

If I could redo my high school graduation photo, this here would be what I'd try to emulate. This is from knee and origami expert Dóra Mojzes' S/S 11 collection, which was inspired by Roman soldiers. Speaking of, I have about four books I should be reading right now about Roman poetry. But McNulty and these chocolate covered pretzels are just too distracting...

Nokomis, I hardly knew you

This week I've been obsessed with stopping by a grocery store or two to get some supplies, then coming home and looking up recipes to try my hand at. Then, basically two hours later, I've managed to make an outrageous mess in the kitchen and a meal that isn't exactly what I was hoping for. Next, I proceed to scarf it down while watching one or two or three episodes of Season 1 of The Wire, and wonder how I can like Dominic West so much after his less than honorable character in 300 (it's most likely the Irishness). 

Today, however, I managed to make something rather delicious, being Caramelized Tofu with Brussel Sprouts, and I managed to cook my own tofu pretty much perfectly (see photo above of my finished product). I'm not sure how well I did with the brussel sprouts, as it's the first time I've ever cooked or knowingly eaten them, but I do know that kids are too harsh on them. I got the recipe from here, and pretty much followed it except that I used a nutted pilaf instead of cooking walnuts with the tofu and garlic. I have no idea how to mince garlic with the one little paring knife I have, but I thought the resulting little candied garlic bits were rather awesome. I also have no idea how to chop cilantro with said paring knife, but I love love love the smell of cilantro too much to feel bad about that green massacre. It's a shame though that I read immediately after my meal that Nokomis, i.e. the brick and mortar store in my town, is closing in the New Year. Just when I was ready to make the resolution to buy more Canadian, and to buy local. Raise a glass with me and sigh.

To Lee

"Celebrating the breathtaking imagination and groundbreaking designs of Lee Alexander McQueen, the latest fashion film by Nick Knight pays tribute to McQueen's sensational creations, stellar career, and most importantly to the man himself. Directed by Knight and set to an exclusive soundtrack by Björk, the film is featured online at SHOWstudio.com."

Vibe Johansson (et al.?), S/S 11

I snapped this photo of a rack of clothing at International Playground in NY, as I just loved the colour palette of the neutrals and purples juxtaposed with the oranges (or mustards?). Now, if my memory serves me correctly, Virginia said that these were Danish designer Vibe Johansson's S/S 11 collection. I didn't look at the pieces too closely as Virginia had them hung up in the back to decide what to order for the store in the spring (i.e. they weren't for me to buy quite yet), so I could be wrong. At any rate, there are a few photos up on NJAL of Vibe's S/S 11 collection, and I'm quite a fan of the colour palette whether it's the same as seen above or not. 

I also dearly heart that last outfit.  Methinks I shall have to revisit International Playground in February.

Diana Orving

Today's find (via a brief mention in ASOVF) is a Swedish designer named Diana Orving, whose A/W 10 'LIGHT' collection is rather endearing. As is the 'About' section of her website, describing Diana as an 'autodidact', a word which makes my Classical heart go aflutter. Ditto on the month-old webshop that contains too many wonderful things that I'd like to get (see below). 

I love skirts with windows (previously enjoyed with my onearmedscissor industrial/cyber punkish skirt). And I almost feel like I owe it to my eerily changing knees to show them off. I've always thought that knees are the most unattractive part of the body, but who knew you could change the shape of them with just a few exercises in less than a week? I kind of wish my physiotherapist had warned me about this sudden onset of knee 'puberty' (as a co-worker called it), so that I could've at least documented the changes via photos or charcoal drawings or such. I'm sure there a gaping hole in the blogosphere just waiting to be filled with a 'My Knees, A Retrospective'.

Head On

In the words of my co-worker, holy moly. This week has been utterly intense and overwhelming. So much so that I feel I need something to keep my head attached and/or supported, before it disconnects from any additional information/excitement overload. I think this Attila Design collar would provide such a service rather perfectly.

P.S. New York, here I come (again)(in February)!

I wish I had bee's knees.

The tiresome exercises and insane 60-second long stretches my physiotherapist gave me have caused me to strike many a pose such as those found in the photos for Japanese label DRESSEDUNDRESSED's S/S 11 collection.

Said exercises and stretches also bring to mind the name of the following Canadian electronica band, even though my calm and sometimes silly nature is more in line with the 'band members'.