MOVING

by Noémie on May 15, 2013

It hailed Sunday, and along with bouts of intense sun, rain, and even snow, we managed to survive all 4 seasons in one day. Spring in Toronto hunh? And I’m not even complaining because for the most part we’ve had the most glorious weather for the past few weeks.

In addition to changing weather patterns, life on this side has been a bit hectic too… You may have noticed that I’ve been missing for the past little while. Well, it’s more or less because I’ve just accepted a postion with Lululemon and will be moving to Vancouver for the beginning of June. Yeah, big news! It’s an amazing opportunity and I’ll be working directly with trends, so as much as dream jobs go, this is one of them.

This would have warranted a louder post when I originally accepted but I decided to let it sink in properly and although I’m crazy nervous I’m also so so excited (!!).

I’m the kind of person that researches things to death, especially a new city. I look over the details and indulge in information and like to imagine beautiful spots to visit. But I’ve been having a hard time finding great lifestyle blogs that can indulge me with photos of nice places in Vancouver. I’ve heard about the rain. Goodness, everyone tells me about the rain. But please, I beg of you, tell me about the coffee shops, and interesting neighborhoods, and running paths, and maybe go into detail about how good the food will be and how the mountains and the ocean make you praise whatever being put them there.

So far I’ve found a few treasures I can’t wait to try – whether it’s a collection of spots or a place I just happen to fall upon:

Le Marché St. George Just click on the damn link and thank me after.

12 Hours in Vancouver Because I’ve already tried a few recommendations and they are spot on.

Nelson the Seagull I can’t wait to try their wednesday day yoga.

One of A Few a really well curated store featuring Creatures of Comfort, Lover, Hope, Won Hundred… etc

Running in Stanley Park (or around the sea wall)

Revolver Coffee for great drip coffee

The Block / Old Faithful Shop / Roden Gray / Secret Location / Inventory Store to Shop, Shop, Shop…

Matchstick Coffee for great coffee and nice things to munch on.

Finch’s Market for their sandwiches

Granville Island The market!

Do any of you have any recommendations or suggestions? Let me know!

xox

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BEFORE 30

by Noémie on April 10, 2013

When I turned 29 in February I started thinking about all the things I wanted to accomplish before I turned 30. And then it dawned on me that 30 isn’t an end, far from it, it’s just a deadline. I’m actually very excited about my thirties but I’ve been rather dramatic about this year – maybe it’s just because it’s that well-needed kick in the butt that I need to feel excited about life again. I’ve been so excited about things that I sometimes forget to actually START.

Do you ever do that? So here’s to starting and finishing…and starting once more.

goals

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

So here are some of the goals I’d like to accomplish in the next 10 months. Some, sooner than later, obviously.

PERSONAL

Learn to make pasta. Make it for friends. Have it with good wine and homemade bread.
Get my camel wool coat altered, finally. It’s now two sizes too big for me but it’s great quality and the shape is still perfect. I’ve been avoiding it for cost reasons but it would be a shame for it to just hang in my closet.
Get my purse strap fixed. The stitching came loose on the strap and it’s coming apart a bit.
Get to Europe (Berlin!) for a week. Or two ;)

HOME

Get our bedroom set up. It’s actually ok now, but just ok. We need a new set of drawers, and a new duvet (the one we currently have is 20 some years old. Ew.)
Get my desk organized. Some artwork would be nice too.
Start my herb garden for the season. I got so much out of my garden last year and can’t wait to get it going again this year.
Organize our kitchen, including the cupboards.

WORK & CAREER

Get some fabric designed and order some. I’ve been playing with the idea of doing it with Spoonflower, but are there any other good sites out there that do the same thing?
Start taking photos of great style on the streets again. I’ve been so bad in that dept.

HEALTH

Run a half marathon. I’ve been running a few 5ks a week but could use the training and a half marathon would be pretty great.
Lose the last 10 pounds I gained after my time in China. The last month has been slow but I’m really proud of myself so far.
Join that yoga studio down the street. Do yoga 1-2 times a week between my running.
Reduce my refined sugar intake. So far I’ve been great with when it comes to recipes. But you know, everything has that stuff in it, so it’s been hard to ignore that cookie at starbucks or the macarons that Jason brings me…

What are some of your goals?

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LATELY

by Noémie on April 6, 2013

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I’ve been trying to enjoy the odd warm day we get every so often, even if they are few and far between.

But really, isn’t it spring yet? I stare at the sky everytime it’s sunny, as though it might never happen again. This is the life of a Canadian at her wits end with a very drawn out winter. easter_weekend.asinkremains.com-40 I have a soft spot for lilies now – whether in tall vases or in short drinking glasses, or even in San pelligrino bottles like some would do. That and a good bunch of tulips. These were 4 dollars for the bunch and I bought them after a few hours drinking coffee from Voodoo on College. I can’t help but think that spring is coming soon when I look at them.
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I’m still not over taking photos of my random little pots. The one above is a favourite of mine… for obvious reasons ♥ Please ignore the dying plant inside.
april_weekend.asinkremains.com-2 I’ve made my way back to Delux for their Cuban Sandwich. It’s just so good. And of course I’ll have to have another avocado salad next time because this was the prettiest one I’ve had in a long time. Citrus and Avocado, who knew? easter_weekend.asinkremains.com-19 I made Salsa with a can of diced tomatoes. It was desperate but turned into a really tasty treat. Black beans and avocado, some onion and cilantro and a good squeeze of lime juice and it’s love. I wasn’t going to include these photos of my brunch at the Drake a few weekends ago, more or less because I don’t like how harsh the sun is in them, but it was a delicious meal. So there. Elizabeth has the chicken and waffles and I had the eggs benni with Salmon. This is probably the weekend I started to get side tracked on this “healthier lifestyle shtick” I’ve been doing since September. Oops. april_weekend.asinkremains.com-3 Of course a ten degree day means summer is just around the corner, right? I can justify this matt orange lipstick right? Bought it at Bicyclette and now want the sun to come out so my freckles get darker and matt orange lipstick isn’t as scary.

xox

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MAKE YOUR LIVING

by Noémie on March 20, 2013

Guys, how about a bit of inspiration for your end of week?

I was lucky enough to get a heads up (Thanks Nada!) on a new video series from Etsy featuring some ridiculously talented folk. I love seeing this stuff; the talent, the entrepreneurial spirit, the work ethic – all to make some dreams come true. The Make Your Living video series was launched yesterday and profiles Canadian artists who currently sell on Etsy. Their aim is to encourage artists to take the leap by featuring artists who’ve used Etsy to start their small businesses:

To kick off the series we began in our own backyard, in Kensington Market to the studio of Victory Patterns, where Kristiann Boos invited us into her pattern making digs, where she designs vintage-inspired wears for the every woman. We then travelled north to Caledon, ON to the studio of husband and wife duo, Patrick and Mara who run Studio liscious, creating one of a kind, modern furniture and paintings. Both artists make their living using Etsy.

I’ve always thought it was a brilliant way to start your business with practically no investment (other than in your product) and I know so many people who would not have been able to get started without it. If any of you are interested in starting your own little business, Etsy is investing in Canada in support of Canadian artists with projects like Make Your Living, taking the spirit of DIY to heart and giving Canadians a head start by offering 20 free listings to try it out with the promo code “makeyourliving” redeemable at etsy.com/promotion!!

Do any of you have an any success stories with Etsy? I had one a few years ago and it was so easy to get it started. Anything stopping you from starting that dream business?

xx!

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SOME PRINTS

by Noémie on March 3, 2013

I’ve been messing around with watercolour recently and while I get a few patterns going I threw some together and put them on Society6 as prints, iphone cases and pillow cases. I find the phone cases much more interesting although they look nice as framed prints.

I’ve been posting a few every now and then, so take a look and let me know what you think :)

iPhone Cases I’m also thinking about developing some fabric prints, and while I like a good clean vector based pattern, there’s something fun about organic and imperfect hand drawn patterns. I’ve been enjoying putting watercolour to paper and deciding which shape to use…

I’ve also finished my second ceramic class, and I’m strongly thinking about signing up for the third. I’m really enjoying them. Any of you taking good classes in Toronto?

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

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TURNING 29

by Noémie on February 21, 2013

It’s funny how I never thought age would shift my sense of self, that is until I realized that I would be celebrating the last birthday in my twenties. It wasn’t the impending upcoming birthday – the big 3-0 – that bothered me (like it does for some), but the end of a decade. Being afraid of my thirties would only mean that I had regrets on the things I missed out in my twenties, which to be honest, are quite minimal. I have a soft spot for my 20s; they’ve been good to me and have given me insight on the ~~adult~~ person I’ll eventually become in my 30′s.

As some might guess, I’m the kind of person that gets sentimental over things like that – saying goodbye to a previous decade to say hello to a new one. It gets me thinking about way too much. Oh, and people asking when Jason and I will have kids can do that to too.

I took Friday off from work just because an extra day to a long weekend sounded like such a nice thing. I gave myself a break and drank more coffee than I usually do, and ate things I usually don’t. I danced with great company on Saturday and watched movies all day on Sunday. It was a great weekend.

I’m currently writing a list of things I’d like to get through this year – something I should be doing more fervently with short and long-term goals.

Turning 30 is just a nice reminder.

My friend Elizabeth brought me a whole dozen Glory Hole donuts. They’re pretty fantastic.

They were good (even if a bit dry) the next morning with coffee.

I’ve also been coming along really well in my ceramics class. I’m thinking about signing up for a third class starting in April.

How have you all dealt with getting older? Did any of you have anxiety?

Hope you all had a great weekend! xx

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THE FIRST OF MANY

by Noémie on February 6, 2013

I thought it might be best to get a happy post up, seeing as life is good, even with a bit of my mojo being out of wack. Annnnd it’s been a while since I posted any good food! And there is lots of good food in Toronto (even if I’m not eating as much of it as I used to! Sad Face!)

It’s been a while, yes, so bear with me as I post everything I haven’t posted these past few months. There were weekends I didn’t even take out my camera – which sometimes resulted in missing out on sharing but sometimes I like to give my shoulder a break and sometimes it’s just nice to eat something that isn’t all that remarkable but familiar and comforting and the cold months of January and February have been good for that.

First up? North of Brooklyn! We’ve been wanting to try this itty bitty place since forevs and finally on a cold and drizzly day in December we did. It was good. The crust was crispy and chewy and charred just so. I’d eat there again, even with Jason who would eat 6 slices to my one and make me a very jealous girl.

Elizabeth had been wanting to try Universal Grill for a bit until we did last month. Empty when we walked in but extra busy as we left, it showed potential for being a great local place to eat (It’s a bit awkward to get to if you don’t live near by.) The food was exactly what we wanted – even if it was just granola and fruit for me.

Oh look, this was the weekend where it reached 14? 16? Crazy really. And really beautiful. How about a repeat please?

What better way to celebrate a birthday than with nails by Pinky’s ?! Very cute, Very affordable.

This was probably the highlight of January – Rose and Sons. Amazing food, and amazing service (not usually a combo seen in Toronto.) It’s small, and cramped, and I’m sure they’d give you a smack if you got picky with your food but guys, why would you! We had the following:

Griddled Brie Cornbread; brisket, fried egg, maple syrup, chili sauce
PLB Special Melt; bacon, sausage, pickle, fried onions, cherry jam
Eggs-3; schmaltz hash, toast, bacon or sausage or pork chop

We wanted ramen last week but that fell through when the restaurant we aimed for couldn’t seat us. So we walked over and found us a gem in Elle M’a Dit on Baldwin. It’s quiet and unassuming the food was really lovely. Go there for a quiet place to catch up where they’ll let you sit for hours over french pressed coffee.

Now I’ll sign off before my stomach starts to grumble ;)

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PUZZLE PIECES

by Noémie on February 3, 2013

Have you ever hit a wall? In life?

I’ve been working so hard trying to get my life in order that I think I’ve lost a puzzle piece along the way. I’ve reached so many goals, so many that I didn’t think I could ever reach (honestly) My running is beyond what I’ve ever expected (I’m running 7k now – crazy to think that.) I’m even thinking about signing up for a half marathon by fall of this year. I’ve also dropped a few dress sizes, getting right back to what I was post living in china. I feel so much better, and healthier. It’s definitely been a challenge to think differently about food – as fuel instead, but it’s been so gradual that it’s just a different lifestyle now (To think that I’m on lululemon on a near daily basis checking out new run gear makes me laugh…) but it gets me excited and that’s a good thing.

On the other hand, I feel a bit drained as well – seeing as I put so much effort into that aspect of my life I feels as though it’s taken away from my creative side. Work has also been a bit more challenging, so it’s hard for me to sit in front of the computer to create when I get home. But I miss that part of my life so much. My blog, my side projects, they’ve all taken a hit!

Has this ever happened to you? One life change leads to a strain in other parts of your life? Even if that life change is a good one? How do you find focus again?

Let me know, would ya?

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The here, and the now

by Noémie on November 21, 2012

This post has been in the making for weeks, I’ve been meaning to make it back here but just haven’t made the time. It’s been a productive few months, and although I’ve taken a sabbatical from this blog I’ve kept busy in a few other various forms. I’ve noticed that my energy levels and moods sky rocket when I keep busy and interested in things. Things like a running clinic that I do throughout the week, and a ceramic class on Saturdays (which I’m so in love with) and a canning class a few weeks back, and a visit home last weekend, a new addiction to tea, a returning yoga habit, eating better (which is an activity in itself, really) and feeling better about myself and where life is going. Even if I have no idea where this life is going.

Oh, and of course there’s my portfolio. I’ve been working on cleaning it up… giving all of my projects a bit of an overhaul and getting the whole thing to look more cohesive. I’m not 100% on the branding but I’m happy with the setup. You can find it here. Let me know what you think will ya? I’ve also purchased a new-to-me macbook to get myself out of the house when I am working on projects, because a change of scenery and some good coffee is great for inspiration ;)

I’ve also been in the habit of making goals lately. Running and eating healthy were to big ones and I’m glad they’re going well, but I’d like to try to get myself to set a few goals for this winter, because otherwise I could very much just disappear into my apartment all winter long and you may not see me for the next 6 months!

…And drumroll please:

Keep running past my clinic, in a regular schedule. I have 4 more weeks and need to keep it up past December. A big fat goal would be a half marathon next year… August?
~~Sign up for another ceramic class in January.~~ (DONE!) I’m getting the hang of it now and would love to be able to make sweet planters for friends.
Take more photos, because I’ve seriously been lacking in that dept. Learn to use my camera properly.
Take a few photos of people with beautiful style. I don’t think we get enough credit for our style here in Toronto.
Learn to be more productive and efficient on my computer/laptop. I’ve been a graphic designer for years but I’m sure I could use a few more tips to go all that much faster.
Watch and listen to more podcasts on my way to work, while on breaks, at home with tea. I’m currently into After The Jump, Taste Matters, Ted Talks, and Lynda.com
More blog posts! Of course!
Get Christmas-ready at home. Lots of baking, get a nice small tree for the apartment, a few home-made decorations?

There are always so many that can be added, but I suppose these are the ones that are taking precedence. Anabela listed some great goals of her own, one of which I’d love to do as well – coffee in the morning with my husband. He gets up far earlier than I do and sometimes I feel like it would be nice to wake up with him and relax over coffee before getting my day started. Seems easy enough yes?

On another note, I have pictures!

A few of my planters from my ceramic class. I swear I”m getting better ;)

Magazines I’ve picked up over the last few weeks. I’m pretty smitten with Gather.

Some olive wood boards my mom brought back from a trip overseas. They smell so nice.

Guys, I love my new runners.

xx!

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On things lately.

by Noémie on September 19, 2012

It’s been a really good couple of weeks – back on my running and I’ve started a new diet, although to be honest I hate the word diet. I’m basically just watching what I eat, removing the excess coffee/snacking.

So, generally things are better :)

On another note, I’ve been away from this blog for a few weeks, posting here and there instead, but mostly just missing. I’m in the process of cleaning up my portfolio and it’s taking longer than I planned. My biggest issue has been making my portfolio look cohesive, because well, most os my projects are all so different from one another – in both style and type of projects. What I really need is to define my brand – what I want my aesthetic to look like; the colours, font types, layouts, products…

Do you ever have problems defining your style? I’ve noticed my collection of work lacks a bit of direction – my work is fine really, but as a whole it just doesn’t communicate coherence. I look at some who have such a distinct style and I can’t seem to put my finger on my own, and more often than not I’m incredibly influenced by so many, loving someone’s type treatment there, or another’s photography style there. After reading Ana‘s post on Finding your own Voice and Style, it dawned on me that I might not be the only one who struggles with this. I sometimes found pride that I could be a jack of all trades, being able to fit my work into any category, but I long for something that reflects my personal aesthetic/brand.

I took graphic design courses in school but for the most part I taught myself everything I know, and style development was never in the forefront. And then of course there’s Pinterest, and everything else on the internet. For the last year or so I’ve collected so much inspiration, and deciphering what I like vs. what my style is, is getting harder and harder.

For all of my dear graphic friends out there – do you go through this too? If not, how have you found your style, and when did you know that was it?

Let me know! xx

above image from Lizzy Stewart

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MOVING