Downtown in Dior: 2014

Hello November

HOBBIES. CRAFTS. AFTERNOON PROJECTS.

Hobbies are so important to me. Now that summer is gone and winter is on it's way, these are some of the things that I am currently occupying my free time with indoors...

Looking at photography and art prints to frame comme Gray Malin and Slim Aarons style - forever one of my favourites

Researching terrariums and getting ideas on what kind to build

Pinterest has been a great source of inspiration but it's all thanks to Crown Flora Studio

Weekly Roundup

Art prints to be framed

Always make life decisions based on fortune cookies

Birthday celebrations of all you can eat in Montreal

Super Cat!

Crystals and the power of the Himalayan salt lamp

Things I Like

BOOKS. CINEMA. COOKING.

Despite being sick with a virus, it's been a good...and dare I say... productive weekend on the personal home front. I finished reading Gone Girl and can hardly wait for the movie to come out in October. I am curious to see how Rosamund Pike plays Amy Dunne. Immediately after, I started reading Gillian Flynn's Dark Places but I can't seem to get into it. It will also be a movie starring Charlize Theron coming out in two weeks, on September 1st.

Movie first, book later.
I absolutely loved watching The Hundred Foot Journey. It was one of those great surprises because I have not heard anything about the book or the seen the trailer for the movie. The movie was recommended by someone who loves cooking and is a great Indian cook himself :) Of course right after the movie, we went out for dinner to an Indian restaurant. The movie also inspired me to make my boeuf bourguignon again in the near future as soon as we get into fall. It is hard to tell these days, it doesn't even feel like August right now with this weather. I planned on many more days to be spent at the beach but it looks like that may not happen now.

On the list...books to be read and recipes to be tried for Fall / Winter

The Hundred Food Journey novel itself
The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones
The Tenth Muse by Judith Jones
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler
Julia's Kitchen Wisdom by Julia Child
French Classics Made Easy by Richard Grausman
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
Cast Iron Big Skillet Big Flavors by Sharon Kramis
The Casserole Queens Cookbook by Crystal Cook
Cooking for Friends by Gordon Ramsey
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann
Around My French Table by Dorie Greenpan

This list looks really intimidating but the majority are cookbooks that are easy to follow with great instructions and a multitude of interesting recipes to explore.

I am not sure in what direction I want to move this blog. I don't even know if anyone reads it aside from my family and close friends (hi!!!) but I love it for me as a creative outlet and will continue with it. I hope to feature some photography on it and my cooking. Websites that always get it right: cannellevanille.com & theneotraditionalist.com.

Beautiful British Columbia

EVERYTHING B.C. + VANCOUVER
LAST OF SUMMER & THINGS LATELY

Summer days spent in British Columbia were memorable and magical. I felt so inspired and happy while I was there, even up to the very last moment. On the very last day of my vacation, grandma, dad and I went to explore West Vancouver and ended up at Ambleside Park at the Harmony Arts Festival.

Photo taken by dad

I re-visited the little secret community garden by the Pacific Ocean and I think, dad and I were both inspired to start painting again by watching this dad and daughter duo sit by the sea and paint.

At the art festival, I visited A Cagey Bee's booth and decided that I would buy some of her art prints. I first saw her work at Granville Island and was instantly taken by the Richie and Margot prints from The Royal Tenenbaums. I decided to get 'Ingrid and The Grey Bunny' and 'Beyond The Forest Edge' art prints for my kitchen. I ordered them online so they should be here in a week or so. I will find suitable whimsical frames for them and hang them up.

After the art festival, we decided to go to the Red Lion Bar & Grill before our bbq that evening. I had a salad and a quiche. Grandma had a salad and dad had apple pie.

Photos by dad

When we got home, we had a great feast of a bbq with trout and lot's of delicious salads that mum made and prepared.

Photos by dad

After dinner, Shaun and I embarked on a much needed walk.

It really was a perfect day

While I was in Vancouver, I also found the most adorable Herschel backpack with little woodland creatures on it and decided to get it for when we go on our hikes.

Currently inspired by taste of sara's beautiful photographs on her website and Instagram account.

I was actually so inspired that we ended up going to Whyte Cliff park after I saw her photographs.

My current projects consist of organizing fall outfits to sell at my local consignment stores and de-cluttering. I recommend this to anyone who has overflowing closets like me. Donating and selling your clothing, handbags and shoes is a great way to make extra room and a little bit of cash on the side. I plan to buy a new paint set with some of the extra money.

Things Lately

FRANCE. SOUTH OF FRANCE. PROVENCE.

It is no secret that I am, and as long as I could remember have been, a Francophile. I can never spend enough time in France and love returning. In the last year I have developed great interest in everything and anything to do with French cooking and the region of Provence in particular where I am planning on taking a culinary pilgrimage in the near future. This is in part to the many books I have read by Peter Mayle and of course, Julia Child. Some of my favourite books on the topic that I could read over & over have been these three...

THINGS I STILL PLAN TO DO THIS SUMMER...

Watch movies under the stars & have a movie rooftop night
Take the most scenic route home
Expand our definition of getting out of town
Museum hop on a ~~hot day~~ rainy day
Sneak out early on more than one Friday

*Inspirations from the Kate Spade blog summer bucket list

PROJECTS. BOOKS. INSPIRATIONS.

I've been averaging at reading about three books per month lately (I love my Kindle and consider it a necessity on all the flights that I have been taking lately) but I am also inspired to take on many new projects. I have recently started painting again with watercolours and acrylics. I am also interested in mandala designs and healing crystals.

In The Heart of Bavaria

Being in Germany during the 2014 World Cup was simply amazing! I loved everything about my time in Munich, travelling the German countryside on the autobahn and visiting the different regions and cities. Of course we paid visits to the many beer halls and beer gardens, including the most popular & famous Hofbraeuhaus.