I'm not ready for autumn...

...But my wardrobe is! Check out this rich orangey-yellow jac dale vintage blouse. It has large side pocket details at the bust, and tuxedo tails in front and back. Here I've paired it with Toronto-based LABEL silver leggings which I got at the Muttonhead warehouse sale a few weeks ago, a pair of vintage Kaufman heeled rain boots, and a leather triangle necklace from Gigi's Little Art Department.

Incidentally, I've lived in a beautiful loft of the old Kaufman building, so these rainboots have a special place in my heart although they're a tad too small at size 8. Jac dale brand has been cancelled but was a subsidiary of Elanstyl Diffusion Ltee based in Quebec.

Two pieces of wall candy

I worked on these projects during the winter, accompanied by some red wine. Outdoors was ugly, slushy, and grey, contrasting these colourful fun pieces. The stencilled damask one, done with acrylic and gloss medium, was an experimental foray into stencil work and the craquelure effect. I need to find a way to prevent the stencil from sticking to the painting as I'm workign on it. Perhaps make it out of something other than paper? The craquelure effect should have been done with a matte medium on top rather than gloss. Definitely will be doing this again. The other piece was a mixed-media collage incorporated surreal sort of space invaders thing, and I am quite happy with it.

My Favourite Sandwich

This is an ode to my favourite sandwich ever, apart from a hoagie, but I will talk about hoagies another time. There is something magical about a salt & peppered slice of sweet, juicy tomato from the garden, topping a melted slice of aged cheddar on rye bread. These ones came from a tomato plant left by the previous tenant at the (beautiful & oh so missed) loft in Kitchener last November.

Let me also make a note that mass-produced tomatoes are ok in a pinch but their flesh tends to be hard. I was cutting one up the other day and it sounded like I was sawing through celery! Another good indication of a good tomato is how it smells on the shelf. If it smells like nothing, chances are it will be tasteless.

 

Dried Orange Peel

These delicious-smelling orange peels were s(h)aved from a bunch of oranges hanging around the apartment using a vegetable peeler. I dried them in a pan on the lowest setting until they felt dry to the touch. As they toasted their aroma deepened. After they cooled, they got stored in a jar... The aroma matures a lot at this stage. I'm not sure what to do with them yet, but every so often I open the jar and smell their awesomeness.





Also, I think they'd be good with duck, or in marmalade.

Love Daniel's Cheese

Just spent over an hour tasting aged cheddar cheeses and chatting with George Batarseh of Daniel's Cheese and Deli in Cambridge, ON. Probably would never have found the place if it weren't for a group deal on it, because it's off the main roads. A great experience and some delicious cheeses!