Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf's new photography series about people using the Tokyo transit system evokes the  claustrophobia in me.  I wonder how he managed to get all these close up shots without people noticing in such a crowded place.

All Photos are from Michael Wolf's website.

I Wanna Go

Summer Heart makes perfect summer sounds with their song I Wanna Go.  You can almost feel the heat waves bouncing off of you!




What is your favorite summer song?

Just One Second

What if you only had one second to show something beautiful?  This is the question Montblanc and Leo Burnett ask in their short film challenge.  Artists make a one second film encapsulating something that is beautiful to them.

Check out this compilation, Make sure you view it in full screen for full effect.:



If you only had one second to show something beautiful, what would you show?

Submissions can be sent to Montblanc One Second.

Blueberry French Toast

Wouldn't it be lovely to wake up in the morning and have some french toast with Blueberries and custard waiting for you? I think so.

There's No Leaving Now

The Tallest Man on Earth is coming out with a new album June 12th.  It's called There's No Leaving Now.  If you want a taste of what this album is going to be like, check out this mp3 from Rolling Stone.  I've always loved his music.  The lyrics are always so beautifully placed, and his guitar playing is phenomenal.  Make sure you check him out on his Myspace as well!

99 Feelings...

Artist Mitsy Sleurs set out to create a unique self portrait; illustrating 99 different feelings.  Sensitively modeled out of ceramics, Mitsy probes into what might be some of the hardest human feelings to describe,  and depicts them very successfully.

Make sure to view in full screen for full effect.

Maxime Ansiau

I love how some contemporary ceramicists use the kitsch element of traditional plate ware to create irony in their works.  Maxime Ansiau is a great example of this.  His work crosses architecture with ceramics in a way that takes an unexpected turn - into the kitsch - with pleasant results.

What do you think of this method?

All images are from Maxime's website.

Life in a Day

This documentary gives a glimpse into the lives of everyday people all over the world.

If you were to document a day in your life, what would it look like?

Under Stair Storage

I think I may have enough books one day to actually pull this off...

Where do you store your books?  Do you have a large collection, or aim to have one?

From Here.

Morning Glory Muffins

I made these vegan treats yesterday to have for breakfast and as snacks.  I can say that they are absolutely wonderful, and very healthy too!
Recipe from here.

Made about 10 regular sized muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp  Baking Powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• Pinch of Salt
• 1 Whole Banana, mashed
• 1/3 Oil (I used sunflower, but any vegetable based oil will do)
• 1 Apple, cored and diced (I left the skins on mine)
• 1/2 Cup Rasins
• 3 Medium Carrots, grated
• 1/2 Cup Walnuts, chopped (I like mine chopped coarsely)

Method:

• Mix dry ingredients together.  Then mix in wet ingredients (in vegan baking, the fruits and vegetables count as wet ingredients).
• Put mixture into greased muffin cups
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350º F

Let me know if you decide to try these out, and if you do, how they worked out for you!

Hot Yoga

I am a huge fan of regular Yoga, but have been enjoying Hot Yoga even more lately.  Hot Yoga is Yoga with extended poses done in a heated room; kind of like a sauna.  The heat allows your body to become softened, and makes it easier for deeper stretching.  It is very hot in the room, and the poses can require a lot of energy.  This combination causes everyone to sweat like crazy, which supposedly has a detoxifying effect on the body.  Hot Yoga cannot be done in a regular Yoga studio, it needs to be held in a special heated room.  If you are searching online to find a Hot Yoga studio near you, make sure to specify that it is held in the heated room.  If there are multiple studios in your area that offer Hot Yoga, shop around with a few drop-in classes first.  Different studios offer different temperatures, price points and benefits, so take the time to find one that is right for you. 

I can say for myself that I definitely feel better after a Hot Yoga session, and leaving the practice room is one of the most refreshing feelings I have experienced.  

I intend on doing Hot Yoga even more in the upcoming months because of it's proclaimed health benefits.  Hot Yoga (and Yoga in general for that matter), is supposed to be good for your: sleep cycles, posture, back pain, stress...  The list goes on!

Have you ever tried Hot Yoga?  If so, let me know if it was it for you.

Whoa Nelly!

This might be blast from the past, but I have really been enjoying listening to Nelly Furtado lately.  Her music has an awesome mix of sounds that cross all different cultures and borders.

Although I have enjoyed her first album Whoa Nelly, Folklore seems to have a dance appeal to it that I just can't shake.  Nevertheless, I am providing examples of my favorites from both.  I've also included a more recent work that Nelly is featured on by N.E.R.D and remixed by Starsmith.

Whatever your musical tastes, you can definitely enjoy Nelly Furtado.

A favourite off of Whoa Nelly! :




A favourite off of Folklore:




A newer work:

A Memoir

There are so many things about this that make me so incredibly uncomfortable...  Maybe that's why I like it so much?

Let me know what you think of this touching film.

Jokes.

Honey Lavender Cupcakes

Okay, so I don't normally like cupcakes.  I generally think that they are too sweet even for a dessert.  However these Honey Lavender Cupcakes have me intrigued.  They seem to have just the right balance of sweetness and herbal flavour.  They seem like a nice thing to have with tea.

Check out the recipe here.

Let me know:  Do you like cupcakes?

The Road - Cormac McCarthy

It has been a while since I have posted anything here, and I apologize! I intend to get right back into it.

I have recently finished reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road, and thought I'd do a review on it.

The premise (taken from the back cover): "A father and his son walk alone through burned America.  Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind.  It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray.  The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there.  They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing and a cart of scavenged food - and each other."


This book was a quick read; I only invested about four hours into reading this 287 page book.  I found the beginning of the story slow, but it still held my interest until the middle, where the plot line gains more momentum.  This book is dark, and is represented with very bleak imagery.  At times I was frustrated that the language was not more descriptive, but it did match the scenario given in the book.  That said, The Road has moments of beautiful, clear language that are very striking in their simplicity.

One small thing that I did find irritating (this is my personal preference): I found the font in the book goofy looking.  I found it distracting as I was trying to plough through this very grim book.  I will add that this might not be a problem for some people, and could be easily fixed with the purchase of a different edition.

Overall I did like this book.  With a very simple and frankly depressing storyline, it still managed to keep me interested and keep me asking questions about it even after I have finished reading it.  It is easy to see how this novel was made into a movie, as it's imagery reads almost as easily as a screenplay.  If you want a quick, post apocalyptic read that is clear and easy to follow, I would recommend The Road.

As Fast As You Can

Check out a new release from Our Lady Peace - a great Toronto band!

It's sad that I missed these guys when they came to Montreal, I would've loved to see them live.

Lotus Root Chips

I have never cooked with lotus root before, but it intrigues me.  I like the idea of making your own crisps at home, and these look particularly easy and tasty...  Not to mention pretty!

Find the recipe and how-to here.

If you try them, let me know how they work out for you!

Splitscreen: A Love Story

I have been enjoying the split screen style of film lately.  This one is very sweet, so please enjoy!


Splitscreen: A Love Story from James W Griffiths on Vimeo.

Jeffrey Campbell

I've been gushing over Jeffrey Campbell's shoes in the style Lita.  They have the perfect edge of punk and sophistication.  I had the privilege of trying his shoes on at Urban Outfitters a while back, and was shocked at how incredible comfortable these shoes are.  The platform in them makes them incredibly stable, and it makes you feel like you are wearing flats even if you are donning five inch heels.

Check out his shoes at this website.

Yuna

I've been listening to Live Your Life By Yuna on loop for about three days.  I love the relaxed beat and how unique her voice is.  Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Kanoa Zimmerman

Kanoa Zimmerman takes black and white photos of divers and the ocean in the series of works, Free Dive.  I have not seen underwater life photographed in black and white before.  The images are enchanted and haunting, making creatures and people seem as though they are suspended in mid air.

Check out Kanoa's website here.

Summer Porridge

It had never occurred to me that you could make oatmeal in the fridge.  These recipes look great, boasting six different types of porridge you can leave in the refrigerator overnight and pick up to eat in the morning.  The look especially tasty for breakfast or snacks in the summertime.

Find the six different recipes here.

Let me know If you have ever tried making oatmeal this way, and how it turned out for you!

Tea Bag Cookies

There aren't many things that I like more than tea, or cookies.  But these Tea Bag Cookies are just the sweetest.  I think if I were going to make them I'd use a regular sugar cookie recipe and skip out on the chocolate dipping.  Don't they look perfect for a tea party?
Idea from Le Pétrin.

Electro Swing

Electro Swing is very popular in Montreal, and is a week night staple for my friends and I.  Electro Swing is a Swing rhythm mixed with Electronica, Rap, Pop and other contemporary music.   It's also a casual way to learn how to Swing Dance, which is surprisingly easy to learn.  Electro Swing allows you more variation in movements than regular Swing dancing, and hip hop, modern elements, and personal twists can easily be added because of the musics unique style
.

Electro Swing events are held all over Montreal, usually on tuesdays and feature a one hour dance class followed by a club until the early morning.  Admission is free if you dress in full swing dancing attire (wear a suit or a circle skirt!).

If you are interested in learning about Electro Swing, check out some online playlists such as this one:

Electro Swing 5 by Sentenial on Mixcloud

You can also teach yourself the basics of how to swing dance here:

Learn How to swing dance (for beginners). For more Swing How-To Videos & Articles, visit WonderHowTo.

Small Hands

Joseph Mann directs the music video of Small Hands for Keaton Henson.  Using puppetry instead of animation or CGI is somewhat of a rarity these days. In this particular video the puppetry is simple and endearing, but very effective with the message of the song.  Find lyrics to the song here, and enjoy the rather melancholy story illustrated in the film.

Make sure you view in full screen for full effect.

Architecture in Helsinki (Remixed)

This Clock Opera remix of Architecture in Helsinki's Contact High Makes me feel like I am driving down a highway even if I am completely stationary.  Download this song at RCRDLBL.com

Spiced Up G&T

With emerging warm weather it feels as though Spring has been completely bypassed and Summer is fast approaching.  It makes me think of one of my favourite Summertime drinks: The Gin and Tonic.
Next time it's hot out, I'll be heading out to the patio with one of these spiced G&T variations.
This one with Star Anise looks particularly appealing:

Simply add star anise to your standard G&T.

For other variations such as rosemary, cilantro, or cinnamon G&T's, check out this website.

Icelandic Street Art

Icelandic street artist Theresa Himmer uses giant reflective sequins adhered to the sides of buildings to create vacillating surfaces.  Her work reflects light and seems to mimic water or scales.  I'm almost buying a plane ticket to Iceland.
To see more of Himmers work, visit this website.

Kelli Anderson

This TED talk by Kelli Anderson is very inspiring.  Go mess with the conceptually rational!

Street Salad

I am a huge fan of Jamie Oliver.  His cooking style and recipes have a wonderful simplicity to them that makes them easy to replicate and delicious.  With spring on its way, I find myself craving foods that are bright in colour and very flavourful.  Jamie Oliver's Mexican Street Salad would definitely hit the spot.  Find the recipe on Oliver's website here.

The Burlap Bag

The Burlap Bag is an awesome online resource that has remedies for varying household plights.  These include how to make homemade air fresheners, laundry detergents and other home DIY's.  The best part of them is they are very inexpensive and environmentally friendly.  I was particularly interested in trying out making my own liquid soap.  Take a look around the website and let me know what you think!

Brad Kunkle

Brad Kunkles' work is like something out of a dream.  Nature mixed with figures float through space.  These oil paintings encapsulate the etheral in a way that seems within reach.
Visit his website.

James Roper

James Roper has been the inspiration for many of my pencil drawings lately.  I love the way that he seamlessly mixes the visceral with the mechanical, but makes the combination seem so natural and unquestionable.  Take a peek at his website and tell me what you think!

Beirut

This video is hilarious.  I love the contrast between the military and the high school dance cliche.  Seeing everyone so bored while the  ridiculous is happening brings back memories.  Not to mention the song is great.

Le Mystere de Papier

Artist Peter Gentor has a new exhibition up in Northern France called Le Mystere de Papier.  His sculptures are delicate and ethereal.  They remind me of being underwater in the ocean, and looking up to see a new and fascinating creature above you.  To see a short film and photos of the exhibition, I encourage you to visit Gentor's website.  Happy exploring!

Raw and Vegan?

Over the weekend I was lucky enough to visit a friend who so graciously let me use her kitchen.  We decided to try out this recipe to make raw, vegan brownies. We had never made anything raw before, so we were both a bit apprehensive, but were shocked at how easy and delicious they turned out!  Thanks to her my cooking (or not cooking?) fix has been  met.

The recipe for the brownies is:

• 1cup walnuts
• 1 cup dates 
• 1/2 cup cacao powder
• a pinch of sea salt
• a handful of chopped chocolate pieces or chocolate chips.

1. Blend walnuts in a food processor until made into a flour-like consistency (about 20 seconds)
2. Add dates into the food processor with the walnuts, and blend until made into a paste. (another 20 seconds)
3. Add cacao powder and a handful of chocolate pieces and blend until conbined (about 10 seconds)
4. press the mixture firmly into an even layer in an 8X8 pan.
5. cut into squares and enjoy!

This recipe is great because there is very little sugar, it seriously cures a chocolate craving, and it only takes about 5 minutes to make! 

Give them a try and let me know what you think.

Pea, Mint, and Parmesan

I am going to have to start apologizing for all of the food related posts.  I simply can't get my mind off of all the delicious things I want to make once I have a kitchen.

Back at home, my family often serves bruschetta as a tapa or an appetizer.  I think that these pea, mint and parmesan crostini's would be a nice update.  They are also very pretty, and I think they would be great to serve at an outdoor party or BBQ.
You can find the recipe at this website.

Forever

It is an important sentiment to remember that growing doesn't stop; it goes on forever.
Happy Valentines Day.


Growing is Forever from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.
View in full screen for full effect.

Dessert Nachos

Because I do not currently have access to a kitchen, dessert making seems to be a distant dream reserved for the future; however these dessert nachos are possible even kitchenless!  You could make your own cinnamon sugar pita chips, melt dark chocolate, and add strawberries for a tasty tapa or dessert.
Find the recipe at ourbestbites.com.

Succulent

If I had enough space in my current living situation, I would definitely consider making a hanging succulent garden.  They take up very little space because you can hang them up, and don't require a lot of care after planting them.  You could probably move them indoors or outdoors if you plant them small enough to transport.  Plus they look super pretty!

If you want to get more creative with it, you can choose interesting shapes for the plants to go in.  This is an example from artist Judy Kameon for the New York Times.

Wooden

My obsession with all things wooden continues!  How sweet would it be to give or receive a wooden valentine for valentines day?  I do wish there was real chocolate in this though...

I have also been liking the look of wood working tools, so these vintage tool pendants are right up my ally.  I think that if you clustered them together on chains of different lengths, they'd look really cool.

To see more adorable things made out of wood, check out Haus Interior's website.

Side Garden

If you had really good sunlight on one side of your house for a garden but not enough room for a plot, I think these planters would be a really cool option.  You could even maintain just a small plot for your herbs this way as well.

Photo From The Daily Buzz

Emil Kozak

Emil Kozak's photos remind me of wandering street at early hours of the morning; finding obscurities in new things in new places.

To see more of Kozak's work, visit his website

Current Swell

Current Swell is a band from British Columbia that I was lucky enough to see live last night.  It was probably one of the most incredible live sets I have seen in a long time.  My favourite part of the night was when they sang Brad's Song; it was so powerful it almost brought me to tears.  If you can get your hands on their album, I would strongly encourage it.

Stefan Kürten

I am loving the dappled light in Stefan Kürten's paintings.  His work explores what a domesticated nature might look like by portraying greenhouses and recreational areas with an eerie yet nostalgic feel.  I like how they almost look like drawings because they seem so intricate, but they have the depth that a painting gives.  These paintings are also massive, with dimensions in the 190 x 270 cm range.  They would be incredible to see in person.
To see more of Stefan's work, visit this website.

Sandwich Art

The concept of Low Commitment Projects is pretty neat; executing projects that take very little time and effort and recording them.  It makes you want to start acting on more of your fleeting ideas. One of my favourite projects on the site is one that makes sandwiches with different artists as themes.

Rothko Sandwich

Mondrian Sandwich

Christo Sandwich

Test Tube Lamp

This test tube lamp is the coolest! If I had a greenhouse (and I really wish I did), this would definitely be hanging out in there.  I love how you can change what goes into the test tubes.  On Maria S.C's website, she has some examples where she fills it with coloured water and it looks fabulous!  I wonder how hard it would be to make one yourself...
Find it at this website.

Laura Marling

I absolutely adore the British musician Laura Marling.  Her lyrics are so ingenuous, but also very relatable.  She's got me humming along to her songs all day.



BIGGEST TEAHUPOO EVER from UnFuzzy on Vimeo.

Rocking Out

I have really liked jewellery with simple settings.  I find that it looks natural and is more wearable on the body than very complex jewellery.
Lately I have been noticing more jewellery with simple settings cropping up, and I just love that it is becoming more available.  I am particularly enjoying natural stone rings.  Because the rocks are not processed to look super shiny and the settings are so simple, they are a bit cheaper than other 'fancier' rings, and I think they look gorgeous.
Sources are linked underneath the pictures.

Crystal Ring

Natural Stone Ring

Geode Ring

Wooden

Recently I have noticed that I have been taken with the texture of wood, and the use of wood in design and art works.

Check out this interactive robotic sculpture made by Daniel Rozin.  He uses video combined with a moving sculpture made of wood to give the illusion of a mirror:

On the design side of things, I would really love to snuggle up in to a wooden blanket one of these days:

Check out where to get this wooden blanket on Elisa Strozyk's website.

Denise Julia Reytan

Denise Julia Reytan uses her jewellery in art installations, but I think they look ridiculously cool on their own.

For more of Reytan's work, visit her website

Hannah Richards

All of her comics make me chuckle.  I highly recommend that you visit her website to brighten up your day with a bit of sarcasm.

White Lies

Even though this music video came out a while ago, it still makes me want to re-watch E.T.

You Make it So Good

Please stay young. Please stay hungry.
ps. I still feel this way about meat loaf.


Eric & Magill "You Make It So Good" from Liam Mitchell on Vimeo.

Leslie David

Leslie Davids painted hands make me feel like I've finished a really good painting session; hands caked with paint, exalted and exhausted.

To see more of Leslies' work, visit her website.

Validation

A short film.

Apricot

A cute video that I found on Lily and The Muse, which has a plethora of sweet ethereal videos.

APRICOT — A Short Film by Ben Briand from Moonwalk Films on Vimeo.

Winter Camping

Not a whole lot makes me want to winter camp.  It's so cold that when you are doing it you feel like you might never be warm again.  But this video put up by Poler Stuff kind of makes me want to again.

Quiet Camp Vibes from Poler Camping Stuff on Vimeo.