Christmas has a Magic of it's own!

After my last post, I got to thinking about other things that make Christmas special. And so I decided it would be good to share some of my favourite books from when I was young - I still read them every year.

This one is very cool, as it's a pop-up book, very intricate. If you get a chance to see one, it's super super cool. Just don't let kids touch it unattended, or suffer the consequences...

Love it, very cute perspective on the Christmas Story, from the viewpoint of the animals. Sweet.

Classic, gotta love it. Anyone else out there mortally afraid of the grandfather who randomly is sitting on top of a clock? Yowzers.

Don't make me sing the song. Because I will. You know I will.

"Bloomin' boots...." and "Lovely Pud" are two things that I still say all the time. Though don't get me started on how Pudding doesn't actually mean pudding, and actually means dessert.

This is the best book, no doubts about it. This is THE christmas story book of my childhood. It's set in Calabria, which is rare, and the story is beautiful. I read it to my students last year and cried. "NO MAGIC AT CHRISTMASTIME, Christmas has a magic of it's own!"

I just discovered this book this weekend, and I'm a sucker for anything Mary Engelbreit. Her drawings are just the best.

Happy Reading!

xox

A.

Christmas at the Yaton

I have a favourite month, you know. That month just happens to be December. I don't even like winter, not a fan of the slush and the shoveling and the hats and boots and the snowpants the kids have to put on before recess. Ick. But December, now there's a magical month. I keep busy decorating the house day by day using my advent calendar. It's not even so much Christmas Day I look forward to, in fact I find that day a little sad, because then all the preparations are done. A wise man once told me that it's all in the journey, and I'm inclined to agree.

The Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto is one of my favourite places. And in this post I'm not really going to talk about the shopping aspect of the place, but more the way it kind of changes a little around the end of November. I know I know, it's all in order to sell more, but the Yaton (as I call it, for some reason) holds so many memories for me, that it isn't really about shopping then, it's just about remembering the times I used to go downtown with my parents to see the windows, or the lights, or even just the random smell of Orange Julius pervading the air. Or maybe I'll think back to those days in High School where we'd go down to the Eaton Centre on a Friday right before Philosophy class and buy ridiculous stuff at Stitches, or Urban Planet because we could afford those stores then, and then race all the way back up Yonge to burst in the door right as our teacher was getting started on some philosopher I couldn't understand...

Anyway, here's the Yaton at Christmas...


The ubiquitous Canada Geese.

This thing has gotten more and more elaborate every year, I tells ya.

I like how this pic looks crazy colourful.

This tree actually turns. Marc told me that he went into the Yaton one night and it was actually fake snowing in there. I was jealous.

Swarovski, I believe.

Yep, sparkles as it turns.

I used to call that tree the rocket-ship christmas tree. Wait, I still do.


Happy Christmas Everyone, I hope you can look past all the insane shopping and see the beauty of the season.

xox

Ave

Joie de Vivre

The other day I suddenly started thinking of France again. Perhaps it was the yearning for macarons, or even the fact that I'm planning a trip to Europe in the summer, or maybe someone mentioned Oysters again (that's another blog post entirely...). It could be that I keep reading Bardot in Blue or it could be that my friend Bene blogged about Paris too... Well, whatever the reasons, I got all wrapped up in thinking of all things French.


Do you ever feel like you're a different person in other countries? I think I'm myself, but a little more fancy. ;)

I haven't seen many gardens like these in Toronto. Parisians know their gardening, apparently.

I get excited to see Mona every time. I don't care if you're not that impressed by her, I always will be. We go way back.

Then again, me and Botticelli just seem to find each other all the time.

Call me odd, but I really love visiting Le Cimetière du Père Lachaise. There are some really fantastic graves in there, so beautiful, and you escape the noise for a bit, and you get to visit some really inspirational people. I like to visit LaFontaine and recite "La Cigale et La Fourmi". Then again, that's just me...

The Louvre at Sundown is always nice.

It's nice during the day as well...

L'Arc de Triomphe is also one of those places I've visited many times, and will never tire of.

La cour du Roi quand le soleil se couche.

Dad surprised me one afternoon with goods from the patisserie. No complaints from me!

Somehow the TTC just doesn't compare.... ;)

A la prochaine, I wish Huitres au Gratin to you all.

xox

A.

I am half sick of shadows, said the Lady of Shalott

In July 2009, I went to London with my dad. We were there for just three days, and we lucked out because I saw a poster on the underground for an exhibition at the Royal Academy - John William Waterhouse. He is quite literally my absolute favourite artist (well, he's fighting it out with Botticelli for the top spot), and I was so thrilled to see all his works all located in one spot. I find his works really do something for me, and inspire me to no end. Here are some of my favourites, even though I like all of them.

Circe offering the cup to Ulysses. Oh that Circe, she was quite the woman.

The Lady of Shalott - this one is my absolute favourite. I stood in front of this painting for a very long time and may or may not have shed a tear for her. Poor thing.

Lying, robed in snowy white

That loosely flew to left and right

The leaves upon her falling light

Thro' the noises of the night

She floated down to Camelot:

And as the boat-head wound along

The willowy hills and fields among

They heard her singing her last song

The Lady of Shalott

Enchanted Garden. I want one of those.

Whenever I need to do something that needs me to be stern, this is what I think of. Yes, odd, but just look at her.


We have one Waterhouse here in Toronto at the AGO, I enjoy looking at her for a long time. Unfortunately, they've put it in a rather horrible position and given more prominence to pieces of art that are far less appealing. But, at least she's here.

xox

A.

Divine Inspiration

It's been a while since my last post, back to school is hectic and leaves little time to stop and smell the roses. I went to church this morning, and found a quiet spot. We're lucky enough to have some really wonderful windows at our Church... A little piece of Europe here in the T dot! I hope you enjoy them as much as I always have. The photo above is of the Window in the Choir loft, where I always sit. St. Cecilia patron Saint of music.

I always wonder who this mysterious woman is peering out at the congregation.

This one has always been my favourite. The angel wings are so perfect - rainbow coloured AND feathers. It was recently restored, and I'm happy to say nothing has changed.

I hope you find your quiet space too.

xox

Ave

The Overlooked Closet

Years ago, I read a book called "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. (You can find that book right here ). That book has been a constant inspiration to me over the years, and I recently picked it up to leaf through it again. In one of the chapters, the author discusses how to create beautiful spaces in your home, in the most simple of spots. In one case, she discusses the Linen Closet. I suppose most people's linen closets are a jumble of towels and such, but why not make it something more special? Add something to make it a place of wonder...


Beautiful towels are always a good place to start. I got this one for my birthday. Can't wait to take it to the beach...

Piles of cute linens can be inspirational too - you can get nice ones anywhere, but right now vintage linens are very collectible. See what whimsy you can find.

Our linen closet is overflowing with lace. My grandmother passed down to us piles of frothy lace table cloths, and lace trimmed hand towels...I just think they're charming and pretty.

You all know of my love for lavender, in the linen closet it takes on the job of keeping things smelling lovely and I believe it also keeps away moths. Useful!

Now this is the perfect linen closet. Special, something ordinary turned extraordinary. Imagine having a walk-in linen closet! So sweet!

Enjoy the last bit of summer my dears, new beginnings are just around the corner.

xox

A.

Sweets straight from Paris

My parents have returned from their wanderings on the old continent. They spent some time on our cousins' vineyard in Burgundy, took a trip to Normandy, and gazed up at Mont St. Michel. You can read about their adventures here I had set them the task of getting me one precious little thing from Paris.... A mini coffret of macarons all for moi. They did not fail in the attempt!


The taste is somewhat indescribable... Ok fine, it's crisp on the outside, but as soon as you get to the middle, the delicate thing crumbles into your mouth and inside the soft creamy centre ..... hmm so good.

The bag and the box will be lasting reminders of the deliciousness -- until I get more. Hmm.

I'm so glad they got the lovely green coloured box with gold...very classic.

Tellement mignon, tellement délicieux. Le sigh.

I`m quite obviously going to keep this box forever. If anyone throws these out they`re completely insane.

I`m savouring these.... as slowly as I can. But currently there are only three left. So far my favourite is the vanilla.... Delicious.

xox

Ave

Target and Liberty of London

I know I'm late jumping on this train, but the truth is I've been eyeing this forever. I am finally planning a day down in Buffalo, NY, to try and snap up some of these fantastic items from Target. You all know how much I love Liberty of London, and I'm hoping that I'm not too late to get a little something. Quite frankly I'll settle for anything....


Anything with Liberty florals pretty much floats my boat. But when you toss in anything tea-related, you've got me hooked!

Candles, stationery, pillows...... I want it all!

You just know if I find these, they're all mine....

Come on now, a piggy bank with peacock feathers on it??? I'm coming to get you, piggy! ;)

xox

A.