Postcards from Québéc City

A shark rearing to chomp up a Fleur de Lys on a fishing line

Whenever I go somewhere new, I'm always lookout for street art and graffiti.  I think that you can learn a lot about political and social situations, as well as get a sense for a places humor through street art that you stumble across.  It is a way to visually connect with people from a place that is foreign to you through signs and symbols. In a way, these messages can help you make sense of an environment that is strange to you.  On my trip to Québéc City, I was quite impressed at the amount and the quality of street art on the old fortress walls of Old Québéc.  Québéc street artists create large, colourful pieces that appear to be stenciled or free handed onto walls.  I noticed that the use of text and words is abundant, and often acknowledges social situations in the area.

On The Weekend: Québéc City

A vista from the walls of Vieux-Québéc

This weekend was a little out of the ordinary.  A friend and I ventured up to Québéc City for two days to indulge in some Franco-Canadian fun.  We mostly kept to the old city, which is the only preserved fortified city in North America (North of Mexico).  It feels European, many of the buildings were constructed in the 1600's - 1800's and are very authentic.  We also took a half-day trip to visit Montmorency Falls, a very large waterfall just outside of Québéc City.

On The Weekend: The Grand Prix and Chocolate

This weekend was the Grand Prix in Montréal.  Fast, expensive cars were parked everywhere downtown, and you could even hear the races far off into the distance (those cars are loud!).  Aside from cool cars, another prevailing theme of the weekend seemed to be chocolate; I visited a student favorite: Juliette et Chocolat in St. Laurent.

On The Weekend: 21 Balançoires

This weekend, I went to see the public art exhibition  21 Balançoires in Montréal.  The public is invited to swing on colourful swing sets.  The swinging action makes music, and with some cooperation with some other swinging friends, you can create some beautiful sounds.

Postcards From France

A Vista in St. Emilion

The rainy weather in Montréal is evoking a wanderlust in me.  I find myself daydreaming about exotic locations I would like to visit, and thinking about all of the interesting places I have been.  As a result I have been thinking about my trip to France this past February, and have decided to post a few pictures of my experience there.

Star Trekking

I had the pleasure of seeing Star Trek: Into Darkness this weekend.  Amidst crazy gravity defying scenes, great special effects and cryogenic freezers (?!), I couldn't help but notice Zoe Saldanas' makeup.  She just looked to darned put together while she was kicking Klingon butt!  This is probably just an excuse for me to fan-girl over Star Trek even more I've attempted to recreate the look, which is very simple.  What girl has time for makeup when there is intergalactic space to explore?

The Green Goddess

My Mum turned me onto making these green smoothies as a great way to get some extra veggies into your diet.  She was the one that coined the name "Green Goddess".  Yes, I was skeptical at first - just look at that colour! - but one taste had me hooked. These smoothies are sweet, refreshing, and oh-so-good-for-you.

Girly Spring Makeup

Girly Makeup by theblackbarney featuring maybelline

Spring can be shamelessly girly.  Floral prints become irresistible, and there's plenty of corals and soft pinks to go around.  This is my go-to makeup for the early spring.

Join Me For Lunch: Versatile Asian Salad

This salad has been a staple in my kitchen for at least two weeks now!  It's so delicious I don't think I will ever be tired of it.

Something I love about salads is their versatility.  If you don't like something about a salad you can skip or replace that component with virtually no risk.   That's why with this salad recipe I have included a list of other ingredients that might be interesting to add or substitute.  Be creative and play with your food!

Passion Pit, The Black Keys, Sigur Ros

Passion Pit: Constant Conversations (St. Lucia Remix)

I really can't stop listening to this.  The best part is that it's available for free download!


Also check out this exclusive release from The Black Keys: Strange Times

To finish off, a lovely song by Sigur Ros: Njosnavelin (yes, I had to check multiple times to spell that correctly).

Join Me For Lunch: Black Bean Soup and Quinoa Tabbouleh

This week I made myself a smoky and spicy Black Bean Soup for lunch, with a side of a fresh, protein and calcium rich Quinoa Tabbouleh salad.  With a side of Corn Chips, this made a delicious and filling lunch!

Read the recipes after the jump!

Chris Duncan

The song For by the artist C Duncan has beautiful intertwining melodies and lyrics, with a drop that brings the realization that you wish this song would never end.

Ombré Nails

 I very seldom find nail designs that I feel I would actually wear.  I don't like too much on my hands because I use them to work a lot, and find that simplicity is best for me.  However sometimes I feel a little left behind because nail design is making a big comeback; it seems that everywhere I look there is a large focus on intricate nails.  I figured it was time to try something out.

Read more after the jump!

Easy Chocolate Cake

This week, I needed a chocolate cake recipe that could be easily prepared with very little mess.  I found this recipe, and as always made some adjustments.  Although it is not a super rich chocolate cake, it is very moist, and works as a perfect base cake if you have other dessert items to add to it.
Bonus: It's vegan!

One Pan Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Sugar
• 1/2 cup Cocoa
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 tsp Salt
• 3/4 cup Canola oil
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 cups Water, with 1 Tbsp Instant Coffee or Espresso added
• 1 cup Milk 
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. sift all of the dry ingredients in an ungreased 9" X13" pan
3. add all of the wet ingredients and mix until well incorporated.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, and let cool before serving.

Notes:

• You could use vegetable oil, or even sunflower oil for this cake.  Just make sure it is a neutral tasting oil. 
• If you don't have lemon juice on hand, white vinegar will do the trick for this cake
• In order for this cake to be vegan, just replace the milk with water.  I used milk because i found it gave the cake a slightly richer texture, but it will be just as tasty with only water.

The cake it THAT simple.  The best part is there are no dishes to clean up after making this cake other than measuring cups, baking utensils, and the pan you cooked it in.  I think that this cake is delicious with the addition of:

• Raspberries and vanilla or chocolate ice cream (or both?!)
• Carmel sauce
• Any fruit
• Chocolate buttercream frosting
• Whipped cream

Enjoy!

Fleetwood Mac Revisited

Julia Holter re-explores Fleetwood Mac's "Gold Dust Woman" in the album "Rumors: Revisited, which features contemporary pop covers on Fleetwood Mac's album "Rumors".  This particular cover by Holter retains a spooky feel, with a digital crescendo and wailing lyrics.

Give it a listen:



See the full album line up Here.

Need

The artist Wax Has a great song about our limitations regarding consumerism.

View in fullscreen for full effect.

INSiDE

A short film highlighting the frustrations of multiple personality disorder.



INSiDE from INSiDE Short on Vimeo.

Benjamin Kyle

Imagine being stranded by your own amnesia, unable to remember your own name or personal identity, searching for any opportunity that could be lent to you...

What would you do in Benjamins' situation?

Make sure to view in full screen for full effect.



Finding Benjaman from John Wikstrom on Vimeo.

Chris Gentile

Artist Chris Gentile intersects surfing and art in his work.  In this video, he speaks about his process and inspirations in his artmaking.



Chris Gentile from The Scout on Vimeo.

In The Pines

A short film

Make sure to view in full screen for full effect.



In The Pines (Short Film) from Shep Films on Vimeo.