Love, Liza

The Secret Lives of Buns

2012-02-10T16:20:00.003-05:00

So I just remembered that this happened and thought it was a kind of funny story and that I should probably share it. So here goes...

At the airport, on our way home from Tampa, my bun got searched. You know, the bun of hair on my head. Not my "buns" – cause if they searched my buns, that, I would not be writing about.

They have these new scanning contraptions at airports now, you see. You stand in this machine, with your feet planted on yellow footprint marks, and your hands raised in the air, and it whirs all around you and scans your entire body looking for, I don't know what, really? Bombs and drugs and contraband items, I suppose.

Anyhow, that's all well and good. I have nothing to hide. Except, apparently, maybe in my bun.

It seems that these fancy new scanning machines have problems scanning wet hair.

My hair was piled in a bun on top of my head, as per usual, and as a result was still damp from my shower that morning. The scanner machine did not like my wet hair at all and thought there might be something hiding in it. So, a very nice security lady took me aside and searched my bun.

So funny! She didn't ask me to take it down or anything, but she patted it and poked at it and stuck her fingers through it. So random!

The moral of the story? Don't hide stuff in your buns, folks! Cause they're gonna catch you!

Love,

Liza

The Beth Sweater

2012-02-08T23:39:00.006-05:00

So, Club Monaco has some new clothes out right now. (Not that it really matters as I have imposed a spending freeze of sorts. Though I haven't yet mentioned the spending freeze out loud. It is more of an internal battle I'm having, you see.)

But look! This sweater was made for me! The Beth cardigan! It's as if they somehow knew that cardigans are one of my very favourite items of clothing. (Fact: I went through a phase in elementary/high school where I decided cardigans should actually be called "cartrigens." Not sure why. Or why I just remembered.)

Moving along. Sort of. The Beth cardigan is even on their list of must-have items. And don't you think it's a double must-have if said item is named after you?! I do believe it at least merits a try-on. So there.

Love,

Liza

Walking Miss Daisy (and Gatsby too)

2012-02-08T19:24:00.001-05:00

I kind of fell in love with dogs last week. The DH's mom has two miniature schnauzers, Daisy and Gatsby, and after living with them for a week I have decided that maybe, just maybe, some day I could be a dog person. Not exclusively, obviously, cause I will always first and foremost be a cat person. Cats are just superior creatures is all. They are softer to snuggle with. And they purr. And they are the perfect size for sleeping curled around your head to make the bestest warmest cat helmet. And they're smart. And they do not smell.

Dogs smell. As cute as they can be, they smell. And that is just gross. And you have to pick up their poop. When it's fresh. Ugh. But.... you get to take them for walks! Which, turns out, is really fun! And they love you – all the time – because you feed them and that is enough for them. In summation, dogs are nice. And maybe, just maybe, when I'm older and wiser and have more time on my hands, I'll get one. Henry Kittenger has always wanted a pet puppy after all.

Love,

Liza

Cooking With Liza

2012-02-06T23:49:00.004-05:00

When I was living on my own in Toronto, I had gotten out of the habit of cooking proper meals. As you may or may not know, I am a huge fan of the sandwich. And so, when dinnertime rolled around I usually just found that if I stuffed whatever ingredients I had on hand between slices of whatever bread product I had on hand then – ta-da! – they turned into dinner.

While the DH does enjoy himself a good sandwich now and again, the art (and joy) of the spontaneous sandwich has never really been his thing. (But he sure does know how to turn Mr. Noodles into a fabulous meal, and his mini-pizza making skills are pretty amazing.) But I digress.

All this is to say that I've done more cooking in the past three months living with the DH than I had in the past three years living all by my lonesome.

One of the benefits about working for Canadian Living, is that when I left my job they sent me away with a stack of Canadian Living cookbooks filled with delicious delicious recipes. I've been working my way through them, but the recipe we've returned to the most over the past couple of months is the Chickpea and Swiss Chard Curry from The Vegetarian Collection. It is so good! We made it again tonight, and I swear, each time I make it it only gets better!

You can find the recipe on the Canadian Living website here. If you decide to make it yourself, I highly recommend doubling the recipe. Otherwise you only use two teaspoons of tomato paste, one cup of canned tomatoes and half a head of Swiss chard and are stuck wondering what to do with the leftovers. (OK you're still stuck with extra tomato paste even after doubling the recipe, but at least not so much of it!) Plus, it's so good that four servings are just not enough.

Bon appétit!

Love,

Liza

Home Sweet Home

2012-02-06T00:31:00.003-05:00

January was a whirlwind. A wonderful one. I honestly don't know if I've ever had a better start to a year. It was full of adventure and travel, and of plenty of relaxation, but also of hard work and exercise – a lot of it. (Despite which, it was also somehow a month of weight gain. Oops!)

But now it is February, and February, I've decided, is going to be a month of cooking and baking and other general home-making, and eking out some sort of routine, and working working working. All of which will be a welcome change, I believe.

It's fun to get away, but it's good to be home.

Love,

Liza

I Heart Mail

2012-01-25T22:22:00.006-05:00

Check out this super sweet belated Christmas/New Year's card we received in the mail today from Miss Stephanie.

She drew a portrait of our little family!

Steph and I have been friends for over 20 years now, and she's been making adorable drawings like this one for as long as I can remember. In fact, I still have a drawing she did for me in high school of A.J. McLean from the Backstreet Boys that has him singing "Beth's the way I like it!" (instead of the actual words to what was then one of my favourite BSB songs, "That's the Way I Like It"). Memories!

Thank you, Steph. You made our day!

Love,

Liza

A Book & Liza Lemon

2012-01-24T22:33:00.005-05:00

Just wanted to pop in to make a book recommendation.

I received When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman as a Christmas gift from my parents. I don't really know what to say about the book other than it's one of those ones you read straight through without putting down. (And it made my flight home from Hawaii the fastest flight in the world.) The book was a little bit magical and a little bit funny and a little bit sad, with characters ever so full of life. I wasn't thrilled with the ending, but I really enjoyed it and highly recommend you read it.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for the lovely gift!

In other news, I think we have critters living in our walls. Poor Henry Kittenger is acting like a tormented soul, sitting in the kitchen with his face pressed to the wall just staring and staring waiting for something to happen. Or sitting on the kitchen table staring up at the ceiling, enrapt by sounds only he can hear. It's kind of funny, but also kind of creepy – cause what if it's not mice or bats or squirrels and it's actually ghosts. Eep!

I accepted my offer of admission to library school today. And I gained a new client to add to my freelance copy-editing roster. As the fabulous Liz Lemon would say: "I'm a star, I'm on top! Somebody bring me some ham!"

Love,

Liza

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

2012-01-23T23:08:00.005-05:00

So much has happened in the past couple of weeks.

I went to Maui and it was amazeballs. It had been some time since I felt as relaxed and content and perfectly pleased with the world as I did in Hawaii. I swam in the ocean or walked on the beach almost every single day. I saw sea creatures both near and far. I swam with schools of fishes. I watched whales leap out of the waves and fight for the affections of other whales. I stood at the top of a volcano. I surfed – or attempted to, anyway. I ate fish fresh from the ocean. I had fun with my family – so much fun! I ran on the beach. I'm still finding sand in my hair and ears and shoes.

Whilst in Hawaii I also had a long-distance phone interview for a job – which I got. So not only was the trip was relaxing, it was productive! I also found out that same day that I've been accepted to the Master's of Library and Information Science program I had applied for at Western. Craziness! It kind of feels like everything is changing all at once – or like I'm trying to balance on a log floating in a river and it keeps rolling forward and my arms are swinging in circles and I'm making that "whoa! whoa! whoa!" sound you hear in cartoons. Also, I feel like I should be running in circles yelling "Rick! Rick! Rick!" like Amy Poehler playing Kaitlyn in those Saturday Night Live skits, if that makes any sense at all. (It's OK, it probably does not. But click on the link above and maybe you'll get it.)

In slightly less life-changing news, I also got my very first cellphone this week. Aren't you proud of me? And I went on a mini-road trip with my ladies to celebrate the lovely VT in Huntsville. Now I've got a few days to recuperate from all the sand and sun and fun before I'm off on my next adventure of more sand, more sun and more fun in Florida with the DH.

Whoa! whoa! whoa!

Love,

Liza

Serendipity

2012-01-08T05:47:00.005-05:00

While settling into my seat on the bus to Toronto – the first leg of my journey to Hawaii – I noticed what I thought was my new Moleskine agenda wedged into the crack between the seat and the window of the bus.

But when I picked it up I realized it wasn't my Moleskine at all – it was a black novel, missing its cover: Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel. The inside front and back covers were illustrated with sketches of old-school flying machines and "creatures of the air."

I have no idea what the book is about, but I feel like discovering images of flying machines whilst en route to embarking on one myself is kind of serendipitous, don't you?

Another serendipitous event? The fact that VT was visiting TO last night – the very same night that I was – and the fact that Saj had the night off work, and the facts that JC, SB and JS were all free too, and the fact that we had an amazeballs dinner out at Mitzi's on College, where I ate a crazy delish veggie burger topped with bacon and goat cheese, and where for most of the evening we were mysteriously the only people in the entire restaurant (the food is sooooo good! why don't people go there for meals other than brunch?!?), and the fact that it was one of the funnest nights like ever. Thanks ladies for making it happen!

Right now I'm sitting in the airport, at 6 in the morning, waiting to board the first of two flying machines I'll be riding today. And hoping that my serendipitous luck will hold out for the rest of my vacation.

Aloha!

Love,

Liza

Gift-Giver Extraordinaire

2012-01-06T13:25:00.009-05:00

The DH and I have a tradition of exchanging our Christmas gifts on New Year's Eve. We've done it this way for three years now. (Three years!)

This is because we spend our Christmases far far apart with our respective families. And rather than exchanging our gifts on the random mid-December day that we part ways for the holiday season, it seems far more special to unwrap beautiful goodies at a candlelit table in a fancy restaurant, all glitzed up for a New Year's Eve night out.

Not to brag or anything, but the DH has always been an excellent gift-giver – and this year was no exception.

The proof?

1. These adorable Kate Spade mittens – with the words "Over" and "Here" written on the palms. (Which came in handy [pardon the pun] when I lost my previous mittens – the ones with lobsters on them – somewhere in the depths of Urban Outfitters. Le sigh.)

2. A beeeeautiful pearl bracelet. Which just happens to look lovely styled with the mittens, if you ask me!

The verdict? Two thumbs up!

Thank you, my mister. You've done it again.

Love,

Liza

Suiting Up

2012-01-06T11:34:00.004-05:00

I bought two new bathing suits this week. Both from The Bay. And I absolutely love them. I seriously have never had an easier or more pleasant time shopping for bathing suits. It was rather strange, actually. I put one on and was like – yes! I put the second one on and was like – yes! And that was that.

So there you have it, two new bathing suits. Two! In January! Because I am travelling to not one, but to two warm-weather destinations this month.

I have just two more sleeps until I leave for Maui, Hawaii. (Preceded by a Saturday night out with my ladies in Toronto. And then a mid-trip layover lunch with Linsy in Vancouver – so excited!) I'll be back in Ontario for one week and then it's off to Tampa, Florida, to meet the DH's mom and lounge about poolside.

Warm-weather America, here I come!

Love,

Liza

Happy New Year

2012-01-03T17:27:00.004-05:00

Well, another year has come and gone. Out with the old and in with the new and all that jazz.

I've been thinking a bit about this blog. About how I blogged much less in 2011 than in previous years. And how I was kind of disappointed about that fact. I wrote only 87 posts in 2011, whereas I wrote 171 in 2010 and 177 in 2009.

I had a good reason for the blogging slump, though. My new job involved far more responsibilities and challenges, and far less time to play around on the interwebs whilst at work. Which was a good thing really. A very good thing.

Still, I'm hoping to improve on my blogging in 2012. I sat down and reread those 87 posts from 2011 from beginning to end today and I realized how thankful I am for this record of the events in my life – both big and small – and how wonderful it is to relive simple everyday happinesses. I really do love my life, and this blog reminds me of all the reasons why.

So here's to a blog-filled 2012. May it be the best year yet.

Love,

Liza

I'm 29!

2011-12-16T00:12:00.008-05:00

In case you were not aware, it was my birthday on Tuesday. And a very lovely birthday Tuesday it was.

I didn't do a whole lot. A little bit of freelance work. A little bit of errand running. (I am now officially a member of the London Public Library!) A little bit of turning 29. A little bit of cake-making.

Yep! I made a cake. A Sour Cream Banana Cake with Chocolate Ganache Glaze from the blog Orangette. Except I treated the glaze more like icing. As in, I made a lot of it and put it all on the cake. (The recipe said to only use a third of the ganache on the cake and to save the rest for another purpose. But it was my birthday and my cake – and what better purpose could there possibly be? – so I did it my way, which meant: MORE ICING!)

I'm not 100% sure but I think this may have been the very first not-from-a-box-of-cake-mix cake I've ever made all by myself. Aren't you proud of me?

After the cake-making was complete, the DH and I went out for dinner to Abruzzi, a little Italian restaurant that was quite nice. (And best of all free! Thanks to a gift certificate from the CL copy corral – some of the sweetest ladies I ever did work with. Thank you, thank you!) While the DH opted for steak, I thought pizza was much more of a birthday-appropriate dinner, what with pizza parties and so forth, so that's what I got. (Side note: Hey family? Remember when Ben had his birthday at Pizza Hut and Shane [I think it was Shane? Or was it Ben?] laughed so hard he squirted root beer out of his nose? [Or some sort of pop? Maybe it was even swamp water? Did they do swamp water at Pizza Hut?] Cause I do. But don't worry, I did not squirt root beer out of my nose at Abruzzi. I was drinking red wine, anyhow.)

Aaaanyway... when we got home we ate my cake, which was delish. And then the DH gave me my birthday gift. And a wonderful birthday gift it was: a Pendleton Portland Collection scarf! She's a beauty.

For those of you not in the know, Pendleton Woolen Mills is a family-owned textile mill located in Portland, Oregon, that has been around for over a hundred years and is best known for its beautiful Native American blankets and shawls. This year, Pendleton teamed up with some young Portland designers to create The Portland Collection, a modern line using original Pendleton fabrics. The line is absolutely beautiful. You can check it out here.

I had my eye on a few of the pieces, but hadn't mentioned the collection at all to the DH. But he came across some Pendleton items on the interwebs whilst looking for gift inspiration and knew they'd be perfect for me. He was right! I am absolutely in lurve with my new scarf. (And feel likewise about the DH.)

Love,

Liza

Frugally Fashionable

2011-12-13T23:05:00.000-05:00

I discovered today that my very lovely gal pal, VT, has begun her own blog! It is called Frugally Fashionable and it is awesome. Not only is VT one of the most well-put-together ladies I know, she also knows how to find a mean bargain. And did I mention she's a poet? And my go-to girl for the most up-to-date celebrity gossip? Trust me – you want to read her blog.

Since adding Frugally Fashionable to my blogroll was a must, I took the opportunity to update the rest of my blogroll as well. Some of my current favourites are Miss Moss, Pennyweight and Wit & Delight. Check them (and some other lovelies as well) out on the right.

Love,

Liza

Oh Christmas Tree

2011-12-12T20:52:00.008-05:00

The DH and I got our very first Christmas tree together last week. (Romance!) It is a teensy little thing. Maybe almost two feet tall? I'm not sure... I'm bad at measuring things with my eyes. And it is a real live tree! From a forest! In the ground!

We have it sitting on a stool in front of our living room window, so it looks much more impressive to all the people passing by outside.

Henry loves it. Ever since we got the tree he's been sitting on the ottoman that is right next to it so that it's almost – just almost – like he's laying under a real tree in the real outdoors. Also, he likes to drink out of the tree's water dish. It's very cute.

The thing about getting your very first Christmas tree is that you also then have to get your very first Christmas tree ornaments. But when you've just spent over $300 on a brand new winter coat (with a rather glamorous faux-fur collar) it seems rather frivolous to be spending money on seasonal decorations. (Weird isn't it, how spending $300+ on a faux-fur seasonal coat somehow did not seem frivolous at all.)

And so, the crafting begins! We decided that the very thing our little tree needed most of all was a string of cranberries! So economical. And so pretty. Henry helped with the stringing.

And voila! A cranberry-bedazzled tree.

Next up... popcorn garland? A tinfoil star? TINSEL!?? Only time will tell!

Love,

Liza

P.S. The first picture of Henry above, reminds me of this one of Snoopy and the Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

It's That Time of Year...

2011-12-05T00:00:00.004-05:00

I generally don't believe in starting my holiday celebrating before Dec. 13. Due to Dec. 13 being a very important day and all. (It is my birthday, in case that wasn't clear.)

However, right this very minute while on the couch with my laptop, perusing the interwebs (sitting next to the DH who is studying for his very first law school exam, which is tomorrow) with my headphones on and my iTunes set to shuffle, my very favourite Top 40 radio–style Christmas song shuffled itself on.

(Just to clarify: My non-Top 40-radio favourite Christmas songs are all the songs on my parents' Reader's Digest Christmas Throughout the Years records/tape cassettes which we have listened to every holiday season for my entire life.)

This is honestly one of my favourite Christmas songs. It is ridiculously cheesy. And ridiculously catchy. And now, after resisting the call of the holiday spirit for a week or so, I'm afraid that I am feeling rather festive. I present to you: "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays" by N'Sync.

Love,

Liza

The Things I Like Best Right Now

2011-12-04T22:07:00.007-05:00

The thing I like best right now this very minute is the music of Youth Lagoon. Specifically the Youth Lagoon album The Year of Hibernation. It is pretty and calming and kind of sad. But also kind of happy and uplifting.

And also another thing I like very much right now is the fact that the DH and I were discussing our very favourite part of the album and it turned out to be the exact same part, except I liked it because of the sound of it and the DH liked it because of the words.

That part is in the song "17" and it is kind of the chorus and it goes "When I was 17 my mother said to me 'Don't stop imagining. The day that you do is the day that you die.'" And now that I know the words I like this part even more. You can listen to the song here.

Love,

Liza

You've Got Mail!

2011-12-04T21:09:00.004-05:00

I was waiting for mail all last week.

Waiting for some freelance fact-checking work to arrive.

Waiting for cheques to come in for all the freelance copy editing I've been doing.

Waiting for my driver's license to arrive with my new address on it so I can finally get a cellphone. (Long story, don't even ask.)

Waiting for a package that the DH was expecting that I was ordered not to peek at, even though I would likely be the one to have to sign for it. (It came on Wednesday and I may have shaken it a bit – it was light – but I didn't peek at the sender info, I promise.)

But on Friday I got some mail I wasn't expecting. From my super best friend worldwide, JC. Well, actually, it was from a company called Curious Doodles in Portland, Oregon. "But why would a company called Curious Doodles from Portland, Oregon, be mailing me a package?" I asked the DH. "I did not order any Curious Doodles. How... curious. What could it be?"

The DH acted coy. He didn't know why a company called Curious Doodles from Portland, Oregon, might be mailing me a package. Or what said package might be.

He did, however, know that a certain JC had requested my new address. And he was very proud of himself for not spilling the beans.

JC sent me a housewarming gift. A crafty housewarming gift. It turns out Curious Doodles is a maker of screen-printed and embroidery goods. Specifically, the maker of a tea towel calendar DIY embroidery kit.

Image by Curious Doodles.

Thank you, JC! I am very excited to improve my embroidering skills. I do believe this will be the perfect activity for the long winter nights ahead. I'm kind of hoping 2012 will be my craftiest year yet. (Cause 2011 most definitely was not.) I think this is a great way to start things off.

Thanks again, JC! SBFWW 4eva!

Love,

Liza

The Staircase of Doom

2011-12-01T21:54:00.014-05:00

I took a walk (possibly the longest walk ever) to the Goodwill Bookstore on Wednesday. First I walked downtown and then I walked around and then I was like: It's a beautiful day! Let's continue walking! All the way to the Goodwill Bookstore! And then home again!

In total I walked approximately 12 kilometres. Cause I am awesome like that.

At the end of our little dead end street, we are lucky enough to have a secret pathway that makes it easier for us to walk to downtown. (OK, so it's not really a secret pathway at all – we probably have the most pedestrians a dead end street has ever had – but I like to pretend it's a secret cause it makes it more special. So shh. Secret pathway it is.) The secret pathway involves, well, a secret pathway, and then a huge crazy-steep life-endangering steel staircase. I like the staircase most of the time. Cause it feels secret and special. But when you're coming home from a run – or in this case from a 12-kilometre walk – the staircase turns from a staircase of awesome to a staircase of doom.

Approaching the staircase of doom.

It's kind of intimidating, right?

Anyhow, more importantly: The books! I bought six books all of which I'm super excited to read.

They are:

Red Dog by Louis de Bernières.

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon.

Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter.

Labyrinths: Selected Stories & Other Writings by Jorge Luis Borges

Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel García Márquez

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

This is my bedside table topped with my new books, topped by my desert sand crystal brought back from Tunisia by my good friend Lisa. Also, I'm currently reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon from the DH's book collection. (I opted for it over the Augusten Burroughs I was considering the other night.)

Now I'm off to read in bed!

Love,

Liza

To Do

2011-11-28T22:50:00.005-05:00

I'm slowly but surely checking off all of the things on my list of things to do.

• Updating my address with what seems like everyone in the world. Check!

• Installing all the updates on my computer that I always seem to put off. Check!

• Cleaning off my computer desktop while I'm at it. Check!

• Returning that shirt I felt the need to buy from H&M even though it was clearly way too big. Check!

• Draino-ing the bathroom sink. (For the third time in a week. Ugh.) Check! Check! Check!

• Starting to blog on a regular basis again. Check!

Sometimes accomplishing little things can feel so rewarding.

Tomorrow's definitely to-do list:

• Replace the SIN card that I lost when my wallet was stolen in February 2008. (I've been putting that one off for a loooooong time. Dealing with Service Canada is very very time-consuming. But unemployment = all the time in the world!)

• Sew a button on one of the DH's shirts.

Tomorrow's maybe if I get around to it list:

• Sign up for a London Public Library card!

• And/or visit this magical wonderful place.

(I'm out of books to read, once again. Though I may just start by working my way through the DH's library. Starting with some Augusten Burroughs, perhaps?)

What are you reading?

Love,

Liza

Fitness & Shark Attacks

2011-11-27T21:43:00.002-05:00

I joined the gym today!

And I've gone for a run four days in a row now. (I think I'll take tomorrow off though. My legs, they are tired.)

Have I mentioned I'm going to Hawaii in January? With my family?

I figure if I keep up this crazy fitness routine that by January I'll be ready for the beach. More specifically, I'll be ready for the bathing suit I'll be wearing on the beach.

Whilst in Hawaii I would like to take surfing lessons. I'm less scared about the prospect of sharks, more scared that I'll somehow whack myself in the head with my own surfboard, knocking myself out and drowning. So please keep your fingers crossed that I somehow become agile enough to surf successfully. (And while they're crossed, I suppose there's no harm in hoping for a lack of shark attacks, too. Please and thank you.)

Love,

Liza

Living in London

2011-11-25T17:18:00.003-05:00

So it's official: I am a Londoner. Or perhaps a Londonite. A Londonian? I'm not really sure. But the point is I am a citizen of London.

So far, so good.

I arrived Monday and my parents spent two lovely days helping us get settled in. My dad did some mad yardwork while my mom and I shopped. We discovered some yummy burgers at The Works and a delicious Portuguese barbecue place called The King of the Pigs just a short walk from home.

Henry is getting used to the house. He's still a bit nervous and has been spending some time hiding out in the basement under the guestroom bed. But he's loving climbing the stairs and sitting in the breakfast nook from which he can look out to the street. He is not, however, loving the "no cat on the new couch" rule. (I may be having a hard time with it myself. Couches are prime cat-snuggling locations, after all. Le sigh.)

So far I've been for two runs. (The weather was so beautiful today!)

And I made my first home-cooked London meal: Chickpea and Swiss Chard Curry from Canadian Living's The Vegetarian Collection. It was pretty delicious and got the DH's stamp of approval. (He does not actually have a stamp. But he liked it, I promise.) I also made turkey burgers, but we haven't eaten them yet. They're for dinner tonight. With all the unpacking and rearranging of things and cooking and lounging about I feel like a real homemaker. (Don't worry, I've also done a bit of freelance work. So I'm not quite a real lady of leisure. Yet.)

So, like I said: So far, so good.

Love,

Liza

Librarian Liza?

2011-11-08T21:40:00.003-05:00

I applied to graduate school today. I'm not 100 per cent certain I actually want to attend. But I applied. Keeping the options open and whatnot.

To become a librarian or not to become a librarian? That is the question.

Part of me worries that I'm romanticizing the career. That I don't want to be a librarian so much as I just want to be surrounded by books. On sky-high shelves reachable only by spiral staircases and/or rolling ladders. Which is silly, I'm aware. But wouldn't it be nice?

Love,

Liza

Two Weeks

2011-11-07T21:01:00.002-05:00

Two more weeks (actually, nine more days) of working at my job.

Two more weeks till I see my parents, who have been road tripping across Canada and the US, and who I miss muchly.

Two more weeks till I leave behind this apartment I've lived in and loved. (And till I part ways with the Beth couch. Le sigh.)

Two more weeks of living in Toronto, eating the things I love to eat, walking the streets I love to walk, shopping at the places I love to shop.

Two more weeks of spanding quality time with all the best lady pals a girl could ask for. And feeling super lucky that all the best lady pals just happen to be my lady pals.

Two more weeks till a new adventure in a new city with my favourite fella and Henry too.

Only two more weeks!

Love,

Liza

Hair Again

2011-10-12T22:56:00.004-04:00

Hair: It really is one of my favourite things to write about.

I am currently wanting and wishing and just waiting waiting waiting for my layers to grow out. Alas, my bangs are still only apple-of-my-cheeks-length. But some day they will be long and my hair will be all one length. And it will look like this – a long wavy bob – and I will be happy.

Or will I?

If I also somehow get to magically own that floral blouse at the same time, then yes. I do believe I would be perfectly content. Wouldn't you?

Love,

Liza

Chip & Pepper

2011-10-11T22:56:00.006-04:00

One of my least favourite things in the world is having someone say to me: "You look really tired."

Or, as a co-worker said to me today: "Are you sick? You look like you're getting sick."

It's an insult masked as concern.

What they are really saying is: "You look really shitty today." Or in the second case: "You look really shitty. Maybe it's cause you're sick. Please stay away from me just in case so I don't catch that business and end up looking as terrible as you do."

In cases where you are neither tired nor sick what this all means is that you not only look awful, it's your own fault that you look awful.

To sum things up: If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all, please and thank you.

I was telling the DH about how this happened to me today. And being the nice boy he is, he tried to explain that perhaps I didn't look all that terrible. Maybe I just didn't look as cheerful and peppy as I normally do. Except the words that actually came from his mouth were: "You know, maybe you just didn't look as chip and pepper as you normally do."

That's right: Chip and pepper.

The only thing that made me feel better about my miserable appearance today is the fact that the DH thinks "chip and pepper" is a saying. And that it means something along the lines of "chipper." Or "cheerful and peppy." It is not and does not. But it made me laugh. A lot. So thank you, mister, for brightening my day!

Love,

Liza

Autumn's Here

2011-10-05T22:08:00.005-04:00

I've been eating oatmeal for breakfast all week. Maple syrup and brown sugar. And wearing boots. I've been nestling into my green khaki jacket and wrapping scarves around my face when I leave for work in the mornings. In the evenings I've been bumming around the house in full-length pajayjays and Grandma-knit socks. When on the Beth-couch, my baba blanket is firmly ensconced on my lap. When I went for a run this evening I wore a long-sleeved shirt. My windows are all closed and I've been sleeping with my sleeping bag spread out on top of my regular blankets. It's been cold. I haven't bought ice cream in over a week. I ate soup for dinner on Monday. I even bought the makings for chili. But was too lazy to actually make it. I've been having trouble sleeping. Too many weird dreams. About parades of whales and spooky voices in the night and the DH's head floating in the living room. I wake up at 7a.m. and it's still dark. And my nose is running. And I'm always hungry. Like a squirrel getting ready for winter.

It is October. And autumn is here. And I like it.

Love,

Liza

A P.S. specifically for JC and SB: I really wish Hawksley was wearing a shirt in this video. It would just be better that way. You know: Find a sweater and you'll be better and that sort of thing. Also, please note the classic-ness of this video. 1. Mr. Lonely and his long hair and leather fringe jacket. 2. The skinniness of Mr. Workman. 3. Both Kespers are present: Darkness on drums! And the other one! Peter or something? (OMG, remember that time we went to the Clothing Show in like first or second year and I totally spotted Darkness Kesper and we followed him around and whispered "Darkness...darkness.") 4. Derek Brady is there too! Ah the memories.

A Responsible Adult: Part 2

2011-09-27T21:48:00.006-04:00

A bit more on being a responsible adult...

Tonight I watched the first two episodes of Up All Night, the new TV sitcom starring Christina Applegate and Will Arnett and Maya Rudolph, who is basically playing Oprah. (Hilarious!)

(Sidenote 1: I love Christina Applegate. Remember how hilarious she was in The Sweetest Thing? Especially the part when she's in church and tells this kid who keeps staring at her that Jesus is behind him. Hilarious! [Sidenote to Sidenote 1: Saj, we should totally watch The Sweetest Thing together before I move.] Sidenote 2: I feel a special bond with Will Arnett because I saw an interview with him once where he talked about how he spent his summers in Kenora, Ont. Just like me!)

Have you seen it? So far, I'm loving it. It somehow makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, being a responsible adult isn't such a bad thing. (Not that I'm planning on pumping out babies anytime soon or anything. I'ma gonna leave that one to my brother and Melbo, who celebrated their two year wedding anniversary yesterday. Come on guys, I want to be an auntie, already! And hello, I'm struggling enough with just getting my clothing clean. Le sigh.)

In summary, the show stars many funny people. And is produced by Lorne Michaels. Therefore you should watch it and then discuss it with me while we eat and drink delicious things sometime. Kthanks!

Love,

Liza

P.S. Two blog posts in one night = totally responsible.

A Responsible Adult

2011-09-27T21:19:00.008-04:00

Announcement: I believe I'm turning into a responsible adult.

The proof? I finally took the dress I wore to SB and the Big C's wedding to the dry cleaner. Why does that make me a responsible adult, you ask? Their wedding was over two years ago. The dry cleaner is literally one block from my house. Yet somehow that sweaty, smelly dress managed to sit in the exact same spot by my front door just waiting to go to the dry cleaner. For two entire years. What can I say? I was a lazy disaster. But now folks, now I'm a responsible adult who frequents the dry cleaner.

And that's not all. Yesterday I took five items of clothing to the tailor. The tailor! Cause, in case you hadn't heard, I'm skinnier than I used to be. Blamo! And so many of my clothes are too big for me. I did a closet purge on the weekend: I got rid of a lot of stuff. But there were four dresses and one shirt I decided were worth keeping and getting altered to fit again. So responsible of me.

Except turns out tailoring is expensive! It cost me $200 to get five things fixed! That is more money than it cost me to actually buy the clothes in the first place. Blerg. Who knew responsibility was so expensive?

Except when it's free! In final closet news, I got a free pair of boots from work yesterday! They're just from Old Navy, so don't get too excited. But they were free and they're cute and I think responsible adults would like 'em.

So get ready folks, for the whole new responsible me! You're not gonna know what hit'cha.

Love,

Liza

Shoes Cubed

2011-09-19T23:10:00.008-04:00

I bought new shoes this weekend! They're the Buschur leopard-print loafers from Aldo and I love them.

I wore them for the first time to work today and received many a compliment on them. Also received: Two blisters. Blerg. It's OK though. I think the shoes will stretch and break in quite quickly. Fingers crossed.

If they weren't $90 I would seriously consider getting them in some of the other colour/pattern options. Especially the sparkly fuchsia.

And the black-and-white print. Not sure if it's supposed to be cow print? Or dalmation? Either way, I like it.

In case anyone would like to buy me an early birthday gift, I wear size 8. And if, you know, you think I need to take things up in the classiness factor, I will also accept the Steve Madden Madee loafers in the sequins, pattern or suede of your choice. And there are many choices.

Thanks in advance!

Love,

Liza

New Home, New Hair?

2011-09-08T22:18:00.006-04:00

Since it's been almost three whole months since I cut my hair off and, thus, almost three whole months since I've mentioned my hair on this here blog, I do believe it's time to start up another hair discussion.

Namely, should I cut my hair slightly asymmetric-style? Like so?

Me thinks, yes. Though I'll probably wait a couple more months to ensure the longer side is as long as can be. It might be a nice way to mark my move to London. New home, new hair: Sounds about right!

Love,

Liza

Photos from pennysage.com.

The House Hunting Checklist

2011-08-22T21:25:00.005-04:00

When the DH and I decided to look for an apartment together I made a list of things I wanted our future home to have. It was a pretty simple list, but I still felt that finding a place with all of these features was a rather lofty goal. But get this:

1. Two bedrooms: CHECK!

2. Laundry: CHECK!

3. A proper bathtub: CHECK!

4. Some sort of outdoor space, be it back porch or backyard: CHECK and CHECK!

5. Stairs for Henry to run up and down: CHECK!

I can hardly believe it but our house has them all. And on top of it, it's also got: A dishwasher! And air conditioning! And a car port! (Not that we have a car.... So let's call it a bicycle port instead, OK?) And get this: I'll even get to have my very own sewing room.

I've been telling everyone I see about how lucky we are and how great the house is. But for some reason until this very moment I had completely forgotten about one of the house's very best features. It has an attic! With one of those creepy staircases you pull down from the ceiling to get into! Ever since I was a little girl I've wanted a house with an attic. Specifically an attic with big dormer windows, and filled with strange antiques and mysterious trunks filled with old diaries and beautiful clothes and long-lost treasure maps. But a teensy little attic with a creepy staircase and absolutely nothing in it is not a bad start, right?

Love,

Liza

Our New House

2011-08-21T20:56:00.002-04:00

It's teensy but it's ours!*

*In that we are renting it for the next 12 months.

Look out, London, Ontario! Cause Liza and the DH are coming to town.

Love,

Liza

The Future

2011-08-08T22:12:00.005-04:00

Have you seen the preview for Miranda July's new movie, The Future? I want to see it so much. The movie, not the preview. I've seen the preview.

Did I mention the film is narrated by a cat? A cat named Paw Paw. That's him, above. You want to see it too now, don't you?

It's one of those things I'm worried my hopes are too high for. And that I'll be crushed when it's only mediocre. So I'm trying not to think about it too much. But it's narrated by a cat named Paw Paw. So it's probably going to be amazing, right?

Love,

Liza

I'm In Love With A DJ

2011-08-07T20:24:00.006-04:00

The DH DJed at a party in Nova Scotia last weekend.

And I think this is a cool picture.

That is all.

Love,

Liza

Too. Much. Fun.

2011-07-20T21:29:00.005-04:00

I feel like I have so many things to tell you. I've been a very busy girl as of late.

There's been sitting on patios for four hours talking. And shopping, unsuccessful. A celebrity spotting. Running and swimming. And then more shopping, successful. And eye doctor appointments with pupil-dilating eyedrops that make the world too bright to see. And birthday presents bought. And passport applications filled out. And heat! Oh, the heat. And cats who are too hot to lay anywhere but on cool surfaces. And last-minute visits from brothers and sisters-in-laws. And four fancy dinners out in a row! At Fuzion, Woodlot, Guu and Milagro. And crazy dreams. Oh the crazy dreams.

In short, I'm spent. Body and mind and bank account are all exhausted. But it's been worth it all.

Still to look forward to: The weekend! Sleeping in! The final Harry Potter! More pool time! And then a short work week and a mini-break in Halifax. Hooray for summer!

Love,

Liza

Song of the Week

2011-07-11T21:40:00.004-04:00

You know how sometimes I get super obsessed with one song and listen to it over and over and over? Until I'm sick of it? Except I never really get sick of it, I just get obsessed with a new song instead?

Well this week's obsession, for your listening and watching pleasure, is "Dance Floor" by The Apples in Stereo.

Here are the best things about this song/video.

1. It totally sounds like a girl is singing, but it's a middle-aged balding man.

2. The robot voice backup vocals are amazing.

3. It's superfun to dance to.

4. Elijah Wood is in the video and is super adorable. Like, I now kind of have a megacrush on him. The best part is when the singer hands Elijah the vocoder mic and Elijah sings a "bop" into it and looks all surprised at his robot voice. (Start it at min. 2:40 to see what I'm talking about.) Question: Is it OK to have a crush on a hobbit?

Enjoy the video!

Love,

Liza

Summer

2011-07-10T20:54:00.004-04:00

Summer has never been my favourite season. I just can't handle the heat. It makes everything more difficult. Especially exercising.

But today I learned that running in 28°C/feels like 34°C weather is much more bearable when your destination is a pool! The DH and I ran to the Riverdale Park outdoor pool today where we floated, frolicked, splashed about and practised Dirty Dancing lifts to our heart's content.

Then we basked in the sun (the DH) and the shade (me), napping (the DH) and people watching (me) till dinnertime. We weren't entirely prepared today as we brought neither books nor snacks, but next week we're going to give it another go. This time in my neighbourhood, at the Sunnyside pool. You should come too!

Summer, maybe you're not so bad after all.

Love,

Liza

Charlie

2011-07-05T20:44:00.007-04:00

So I stopped at Charlie today. You know, the store on Queen St. that sells pretty things and is currently having a summer sale.

I tried on this dress.

I like it because it is pink. And because it has an interesting back detail. And also because the front zipper provides the option of no cleavage or a little bit of cleavage or a lot of cleavage. Variety is the spice of life, my friends.

However, do I really need another dress? Probably not. But maybe yes. Hmm. To be determined.

Love,

Liza

High-Five

2011-07-04T22:14:00.004-04:00

I went for an after-work run today and boy was it hot. I feel like I can officially say it was a "scorcher."

I wasn't sure I was going to make it.

But then I got high-fived by another runner whilst crossing the Roncesvalles pedestrian bridge, so that was that. It was like getting a 1-up in Mario. Or a Nitro in that car racing game I can't remember the name of. As soon as I got high-fived I was able to run like it was nobody's business.

So, to the gentleman in the purple tanktop and matching purple track pants, I hope the high-five was as good for you as it was for me. Let's do it again sometime.

Love,

Liza

Adventures in Food: The Kraft Edition

2011-06-28T21:40:00.005-04:00

Adventure No. 1: Last night I made Kraft Dinner for dinner. Cause I'm awesome like that. I cooked the macaroni, strained it, added the butter and milk and cheese powder and then prepared to eat it straight from the pot. Again, cause I'm awesome like that. But first! First I had to pour myself a glass of milk. Because milk and KD are probably the greatest beverage-food combination ever. (Except for maybe milk and Kraft Singles grilled cheese sandwiches.) Now I don't know about you, but before pouring my milk, I always like to give the carton a real good shake. Which is all well and good, unless you've already removed the cap. In which case, shaking the carton will result in milk erupting directly into your left eyeball, then all up in your hair and all over your shirt and the floor. (Who knew my milk shaking was so powerful?!?) It was a disaster. A delicious, delicious disaster. Just ask Henry, who happily lapped up my mess.

My left eyeball hasn't felt the same since. Seriously. The milk was really cold. And my eyeball was super dried out today. Coincidence? I think not.

Adventure No. 2: I ran out of peanut butter the other day. Kraft Smooth Peanut Butter to be specific. (Which just so happens to also go amazingly deliciously with a cold glass of milk. Umm do you think Kraft is in cahoots with cows or something? Also, I really didn't mean this to turn into a Kraft promotional piece, I swear.) I knew this day was coming for some time. And I had decided some time ago that once this jar of PB was done, I would buy only all natural peanut butter. You know, cause it's "better." Well guess what? It's not. It just isn't. And you have to keep it in the fridge! Maybe it's one of those things you learn to appreciate over time? I'm gonna stick it out for awhile to find out. But, guys? I am not optimistic.

Love,

Liza

Summer Fun

2011-06-27T22:30:00.004-04:00

This weekend was wild. Non-stop fun times. Nachos and wine and beer and a dance party with the girlies. A crazy crowd at Aretha Franklin. A run and date night with the DH. Brunch with the lovely SW. And delicious potluck action with a wonderful crew.

Let's do it again, shall we?

Love,

Liza

I Heart Hines

2011-06-22T22:52:00.006-04:00

It's only the second day of summer, but I can already tell it's going to be a fun one! Perhaps because of the delicious Island Foods roti I enjoyed with Morrison today, followed by the sipping of grapefruit-flavoured Perrier on the back porch. Classy ladies, we are.

Perhaps because the DH and I somewhat spontaneously decided to book a trip to Halifax for the August long weekend and scored an awesome Air Canada seat sale. (And the flight leaves from the Toronto City Airport instead of Pearson! Booya!)

And perhaps, just perhaps because we ended spring on such a high note with the most random and hilarious time in Pittsburgh.

Umm did you know that there's a football player on the Pittsburgh Steelers team named Hines Ward? And did you know that he participated in and won Dancing With The Stars this year? Well, the DH and I did not. Nor did we really care. Until we saw this T-shirt in Pittsburgh, that is.

In case your backwards-reading skills aren't up to snuff, the T-shirt reads: I Heart Hines: Always a Champion! And if you know the DH, you know his last name is Hines. And if you know me, you know that I do heart him. And, get this, he IS always a champion! Making this the best T-shirt ever!

Le Weekend

2011-06-12T20:03:00.003-04:00

Another great weekend is coming to a close.

Friday night JC and I had a date night and tried out the delicious food and wine at Enoteca Sociale. Yum.

Saturday afternoon I got my hair cut!

Saturday night I enjoyed some bad-for-me food (chicken fingers & fries, and two flavours of ice cream) and some crafting and Twilight Eclipse–watching with my ladies. (Though, truth be told, I struggled with my crafting. A lot. We made these awesome pompom necklaces found on the Honestly...WTF blog. But as you may know, I am far from a skilled crafter. Especially when the crafting takes place at nighttime when I am most easily frustrated. Alas, my necklace was not completed. I worked on it some more this morning though, and found the work much easier. Regardless, the rest of the ladies made some beautiful necklaces. Once we're all done, I'll be sure to take a group photo of us wearing them.)

Sunday afternoon was spent with the DH in Kensington Market, eating falafel sandwiches and gelato.

And Sunday evening will be devoted to snuggling with Henry Kittenger, who, due to my crazy schedule this week, has been woefully ignored as of late, and of course to reading Harry Potter. I'm on Book 6 now: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. So good!

Hope your weekend was as enjoyable as mine!

Love,

Liza

Before & After

2011-06-11T14:33:00.002-04:00

Before:

After:

Hair!

2011-06-08T19:47:00.004-04:00

OMG. The day is finally here. It is official: I've booked a haircut at The Proudest Pony! As of Saturday it will have been 11 months and 4 days since I've had a haircut. Craziness!

Of course, I have revised my hair plan once again. I'm currently thinking of a slightly longer version of this:

Thoughts?

Love,

Liza

The DH is Awesome & Summer Starts

2011-06-03T20:17:00.006-04:00

The DH is writing a super intense crazy hard exam tomorrow from 9am to 5pm. He's been studying like a madman for months. Seriously, I'm constantly awed and impressed (and, let's face it, annoyed) with his drive and dedication. He is awesome. And I am proud of him. And you should wish him luck.

Basically what it all comes down to though, is that as of 5pm tomorrow, the DH is a free man. His summer begins. (Not literally, because summer doesn't actually begin till June 21, and because he still has to go to his job and everything. But, you know, figuratively, schoooooool's out for summer.) Which means my summer begins tomorrow too!

While the DH kicks some exam ass, I'll be kicking my own day off with some shopping and some lady friends here and here, to be hopefully followed by some patio action. (Though the stupid Weather Network is calling for isolated showers. Le sigh.)

Sunday I'm having brunch with my wonderful parents who are in town for a wedding. And then the DH and I will begin our summer celebrations! With more shopping and perhaps some burgers and beer. Also, a Yeasayer concert on Tuesday and a Junior Boys concert on Thursday.

Best first week of summer ever!

Love,

Liza

Run, Walk, Run

2011-06-01T21:45:00.002-04:00

Dudes, I am on a roll.

Case in point:

1. Went for a 6K run on Saturday.

2. Walked about 7.5K on Sunday.

3. Went for my usual short 4K run on Monday.

4. Walked home from Queen and University (about 4.7K) on Tuesday.

5. Walked home from King and University (about 4.5K) tonight. Then topped that off with my usual run when I got home.

No super crazy awesome distances or anything. But a solid little exercise regimen if I do say so myself.

Did I mention I did sit-ups before each run? Booya.

Love,

Liza

Hufflepuff

2011-05-30T21:41:00.007-04:00

Warning: This is a very geeky Harry Potter–related post.

I'm pretty wrapped up in the world of Harry Potter these days. I've just started Book #4 of the series: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. So good!

In case you were wondering which Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry house you'd be a part of, you can find out by taking this very in-depth online quiz.

I am first and foremost a Hufflepuff, with strong leanings toward Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest and hard-working. (Other famous Hufflepuff's include Cedric Diggory a.k.a. Edward from Twilight and auror Nymphadora Tonks a.k.a. Ellie from About A Boy.) Ravenclaw's students tend to be clever, witty, intelligent and knowledgeable. So to sum things up: I am awesome.

I have a feeling I'd be pretty good at magic in general, especially Charms, the development of incantations for the uses of bewitchment, and Transfiguration, the art of changing the form and appearance of an object.

I think I'd be pretty terrible at Potions and Herbology though. (JC and SB, I think the two of you would excel in these subjects.)

Take the quiz and tell me how you're sorted! I want to know and my Divination skills are just not up to the challenge.

Love,

Liza

P.S. Since when am I such a mega-geek?

Bon Iver's Beth

2011-05-29T20:53:00.007-04:00

Just another night snuggling up with my cat and my computer on the Beth-couch, watching a thunder and lightning storm out my bay window.

This evening's big Interweb discovery is that Bon Iver have a new album. And guess what? There's a song called "Beth" on it!

OK, it's actually called "Beth/Rest." But that's just as good, right? Cause when you think of me, you think of nothing but peace and calm and restfulness, don't you? Ha. Perhaps "Beth/Lazy" would be more appropriate.

I can't find it on YouTube, probably because the album hasn't actually been released yet. (It was leaked on iTunes by accident or something?) So instead, I give you the only version I could find: a cover by this young fella.

So pretty! I'm happy there's a new song about a Beth. Cause, while I personally love it and all, the one by Kiss was getting a little old.

Love,

Liza

Lazy Weekend

2011-05-28T19:35:00.005-04:00

After the hustle and bustle of last weekend in NYC I felt like this weekend deserved to be rather low-key and lazy.

Friday night the DH and I went to see Bill Cunningham New York, a documentary about the 82-year-old street style photographer. It was super sweet. Just like Bill. I loved the juxtaposition of how simply he lives – in a tiny kitchenless/bathroomless studio with hardly any possessions, just a single bed, stacks of fashion books and row upon row of filing cabinets holding his photographs – against the frivolity and opulence of the fashion he so loves and the society and society people he photographs. I highly recommend it. (JC and VT: If you see it, please watch for the Mr. Peanut reference. Hilarious!)

Since I had no Saturday plans, I indulged in a late sleep-in. It was amazing. Then the DH and I went for a sort of sloth-like 6K run (I'm still getting over a cold, so running was a bit of a challenge today) through Rosedale. It's been our running neighbourhood of choice lately. I love seeing all the gigantor fancy homes and there are lots of cute little trails and parks you can run through. Today we saw a big shaggy dog prancing through a little bubbling brook. I was kind of jealous of him.

Tonight I treated myself to some Stampede Bison Grill for dinner. A most delicious way to end the day. And tomorrow I get another sleep-in followed by a late brunch.

I love lazy weekends.

Love,

Liza

Shopping in NYC

2011-05-26T20:16:00.008-04:00

My major purchase whilst in New York was a purse. The most beautiful purse in the world! I found it at the Brooklyn Flea and just had to have it. You can see what it looks like here:

It is dark brown leather, with black leather straps, inside pocket and removable flap. It has gold hardware and black feathers screenprinted onto the inside. It is a beauty. It was handmade by Ryan Greer, who sells his wares as Flux Productions on Etsy. On a slightly unrelated note: Mr. Greer had very nice freckles. Just sayin'.

I also bought this T-shirt from Madewell.

I tried on these lovely Madewell Nubuck Sandstorm Booties too, but alas, they couldn't find the second shoe in my size and it was the last pair. It was mysteriously missing somewhere in the store. They don't have my size left online either. Hmph. I suppose it wasn't meant to be.

Lastly, I bought one Almond & Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bar from the Mast Brothers Chocolate Factory. Have you seen these guys? Adorbs!

Love,

Liza

Chicken Bones, Relish and Diner: An Ode to NYC

2011-05-25T21:47:00.006-04:00

I am back from NYC. Poorer in funds, richer in purses. Well-fed but no chubbier. And with brand new legs of steel. (Because of the hardcore walking we did. Not because I surgically inserted steel leg implants to make me taller or anything like that. Don't worry.)

Here are some things JC and I noticed about NYC throughout our travels.

1. There seems to be an overabundance of: ice cream shops, fried chicken and pet supply stores. Seriously. On any given corner you can find one of each.

2. People like to throw their chicken bones on the ground. It is gross.

3. New Yorkers are surprisingly friendly. When they see you studying a map, they offer to help you.

4. There is a restaurant called Relish in Brooklyn. (Or there was. Upon conducting a Google search I have just discovered it has been closed for some time now.) Anyhow, it was a diner. In an old diner car. But it is not called "Diner." It just is (or was) one. If while standing on a street corner, examining a map to find your way to Relish, two young hipsters approach you and one asks if he can direct you somewhere and you say, "Yes, do you know where diner is?" (cause for some reason your brain is no longer functioning properly) and he then tells you, "Yes" and you say "Do they have burgers? We want burgers." and he says "They have the best burgers I've ever eaten" and then he directs you there, when you get there, you should not be surprised that you haven't arrived at Relish (because, if you've followed this confusing paragraph closely you'll realize you didn't actually ask where Relish was), but at an actual place called Diner. And they do, in fact, have really good burgers.

5. Williamsburg really is full of hipsters.

6. It's easy to get lost in Central Park. Twice.

All in all, it was a lovely, if rainy, weekend. Thanks JC for spanding time in NYC with me!

Love,

Liza

Brooklyn We Go Hard

2011-05-18T21:33:00.003-04:00

Over the next few days you can find me...

• Listening to some Thurston

• Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge

• Exploring The High Line

• Eating from trucks

• Shopping my way through the Brooklyn Flea

• Getting my culture on at the MOMA

• Oh, and perhaps grabbing a drink at Zablozki's?

You know, just chillin' out, maxing, relaxing, all cool.

Happy Victoria Day weekend!

Love,

Liza

Dollars and a Dress

2011-05-15T20:34:00.005-04:00

I've had some good luck with finding money lately.

The other weekend the DH and I were on a falafel-eating mission in Kensington Market. Whilst walking up the street, I noticed a fellow walking towards us focusing on something on the ground. I followed his gaze and saw that he'd spotted a $10 bill. I was closer to it than he was and thought that he must have dropped it, so I picked it up and handed it to him saying: "Here you go!" He was like: "Actually, it's not mine. You keep it." And I was like: "I thought you dropped it! You saw it first, you should have it." And he was all: "No, really, you should keep it." And then the DH was like: "Yoink!" And took it from me. Hmph. (It's OK we decided to put it toward lottery tickets.)

A couple of days later I spotted a loonie on the bus. Right in the middle of the aisle. I had to wait for a lot of people to get off before I could nab it. But I did.

Anyhow, this is all to say that I'm hoping that my money-finding luck will continue. Because if it does, I'm on my way to buying this awesomesauce dress.

Wish me luck!

Love,

Liza

Closet Visit and The Coveteur

2011-05-14T09:07:00.003-04:00

Awhile ago I told you I'd perhaps be introducing you to some of the blogs I enjoy. But then I didn't. Cause I'm lame like that. But today I will!

I've been in a bit of a fashiony mood lately. Mostly because I've been trying to decide what to wear to this cocktail party tonight. But also because of my impending NYC trip where I plan to spend as much as America will allow me.

The Coveteur is a blog run by two Toronto ladies who take you inside the closets of some super stylish people. Many from the magazine world – editors from Vogue, Teen Vogue, Harper's, Flare, Elle, etc. (Which I find interesting because I, too, work at a national women's magazine – mind you, not a fashion one – and it doesn't really make sense to me how they can afford such wonderful things on a magazine employee's budget. Hmph.) Anyhow, prepare to be jealous of the pretty things these people own.

And then there's Closet Visit which is run by blogger Jeana Sohn. Jeana visits the closets of friends and other fashionable people in LA. Again, I don't really understand how these people have so much cool stuff when I have like a total of two cool things in my wardrobe. But whatever. Good for them.

Enjoy the pretty!

Love,

Liza

Things To Be Excited About:

2011-05-13T20:50:00.003-04:00

1. It is Friday.

2. I'm already finished the freelance work that's due Monday.

3. I get to sleep in tomorrow.

4. I'll be attending a cocktail party tomorrow night. I'm excited about it for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: I bought a new cocktail shaker especially for the event; the cocktail I'm making involves peach-infused vodka; I get to wear this awesome black-and-gold French Connection dress I scored at a clothing swap last month; I will be debuting some cheap hilarious H&M costume jewelry I bought just for the occasion; the DH will be there instead of studying like a mega-nerd.

5. It's been nice enough out to rock my Birkenstocks. (Speaking of which, I've totally rediscovered my Birk clogs. They're awesome. How had I forgotten them for so long?)

6. It's raining. Which is rather nice when you have nowhere to go on a Friday night.

7. I'm going to NYC!

May the First

2011-05-01T20:22:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure why exactly, but I feel April was kind of a meh month.

Perhaps because of the seemingly never-ending rain and gloom. Perhaps because my parents were overseas and I missed their biweekly phone calls. Perhaps because I hurt my knee running two Thursdays ago and am still recuperating. Perhaps because I still haven't managed to earn myself a hair cut.

So here's hoping that with the first of May comes sunny weather and family time and strong knees and the loss of three pounds.

Please and thank you.

Love,

Liza

Bolt

2011-04-21T21:09:00.005-04:00

Today the DH emailed me during work and said: "Guess who went for a morning run?"

I replied: "Usain Bolt?" (Cause I'm funny like that.)

To which the DH replied: "Yes...probably...but also me!"

To which I have to say: "Oh yeah? Guess who went for a 9K run after work?"

The answer: Me!

Booya.

Love,

Liza

Tina & Harry

2011-04-20T20:56:00.011-04:00

Every year for my birthday my parents give me a gift card to Chapters Indigo. Best gift ever. And every year I hem and haw over what exactly I should spend it on. You see, I usually buy my books secondhand, so when I'm buying books new, I want to make sure they're special. I made my decisions today and purchased:

1. Bossypants by Tina Fey. Cause she's hilarious and my hero.

(Also, I think I want this to be my Halloween costume.)

2. The complete Harry Potter Signature Edition 7. So exciting!

I'd been thinking for awhile that I'd like to reread the Harry Potter books. My dad got them all as they came out, so I read them whenever I went home to visit. I think it might be fun to try and read them all again before the final film comes out this summer. Do you think I can do it?

Happy belated birthday to me! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Love,

Liza

Cat Photobooth

2011-04-20T20:32:00.012-04:00

One thing I know for certain: If you ask JC to check on your cat for you while you're away, she will inevitably orchestrate a JC + cat Photobooth photoshoot.

Last weekend's evidence:

(This may be the best photo in the world ever.)

Historical evidence:

Don't say I didn't warn you!

Love,

Liza

...

2011-04-18T21:15:00.005-04:00

Don't have much to say these days. But a picture is worth a thousand words, right?

Love,

Liza

A Funny Conversation

2011-04-05T21:56:00.006-04:00

The DH: I got new Sony earbuds today. They're squishy, kind of like a stethoscope.

Liza: I don't get it.

The DH: Have you ever put a stethoscope in your ear?

Liza: What?!? Uh no? How would that even be possible?!?

Awkward and confused pause.

The DH: The ear part of the stethoscope...

Liza: Oh yeah.

In conclusion: I'm an idiot.

Love,

Liza

NYC & Pittsburgh

2011-04-04T21:27:00.003-04:00

As a contract employee I'm not entitled to vacation. Sad, I know. However, my work is super awesome and because I do put in overtime, they've been kind enough to offer to reward me with a day off here or there should I require one. I decided to take them up on the offer and have booked two long-weekend mini-vacations over the next couple of months.

In May, JC and I will be jetting off to New York City for a long weekend of shopping frivolously and indulging in delicious foods. Seriously, the list of restaurants and bakeries we want to go to far out-number any sort of appropriate quantity of meals per day. (My excessive eating the past couple of weeks has been a good preparation/stomach stretching for the NYC trip, really.)

Then, in June, the DH and I are going to Pittsburgh! You see, we'd been talking about how we both would really love to visit Fallingwater, the crazy awesome home Frank Lloyd Wright designed in the 1930s. The house is about an hour and a half southeast of Pittsburgh, which is about five-and-a-half hours from Toronto. So I'd suggested to the DH that it might make a fun little road trip for us to do sometime. Then, a couple of days ago I rather serendipitously received an email from Megabus informing me they had a new route between Toronto and Pittsburgh. Even better? They were running a special promotion: $1 each way. So, for a grand total of $4.51 (there was a 50 cent booking fee and 1 cent exchange rate) the DH and I are busing it to Pittsburgh! (If you're interested, you have to book it from the US site.)

What else will we do in Pittsburgh? Visit the Andy Warhol Museum. (Apparently he was born in Pittsburgh.) And eat a Primanti Brothers sandwich! Cause it has French fries in it. Obviously!

Love,

Liza

Weekend Recap

2011-04-03T17:31:00.005-04:00

Some things I did this weekend:

Friday:

Visited the One Of A Kind Show where I bought fresh salsa and a Dutch apple pie.
Ate a super delicious dinner with JC at Parkette, a new restaurant on Queen St. W., followed by dessert at the Drake Café, and then a drink with the DH at The Rhino.

Saturday:

Watched SB run the Harry Rosen 8K Spring Run Off at High Park. She was sick but still managed to run really really fast, cause she's awesome like that. (She also makes some delicious banana bread.)
Went for a really long walk.
Stocked up on books at Value Village.
Had an amazingly restful afternoon nap.
Ate dinner with the DH at one of our usual spots.
Watched Let Me In. (Vampire movies are the best.)

Sunday:

Tried out a new 8-kilometre running route with the DH that ended at Booster Juice, where I proceeded to drink my smoothie too fast and get brain freeze.
Ate Mother India roti for dinner and the previously mentioned apple pie for dessert.

In summary: Lots of good food, and lots of activity. Just the way things are supposed to be.

Love,

Liza

Fashion Firsts

2011-03-27T21:28:00.004-04:00

This weekend was one of fashion firsts for me.

I wore my new shoes out Friday night for a fancy dinner at Tutti Matti with the DH. At one point, on the way there, I walked past a group of four cops and I heard one of them say: "Did you SEE her shoes?!?" I'm uncertain whether he a) liked them or b) thought they were ridiculous (especially because it was very cold out and my toes were exposed) but either way, I'm glad he noticed.

I've decided that fancy dinner out is the perfect opportunity to wear very high heels. You do most of your walking en route to the restaurant when your feet are happy and feeling fresh. Then you get to sit for a couple of hours, strutting with ease only to and from the bathroom. And then, by the time dinner is over, you've had half a bottle of wine so you're slightly tipsy, and you wouldn't want to endanger yourself by walking in heels whilst tipsy, so your boyfriend splurges on a cab ride home!

I was feeling rather fashion forward after my shoe debut and so on Saturday night I decided to go all out and wear lipstick to the movies! Lipstick, people. Lipstick! I have never in my life worn lipstick. Except maybe on Halloween. I bought a tube of bright red lipstick a long long time ago, put it on once, thought it looked ridiculous, and never wore it again. Until last night. The verdict: It still looked ridiculous. The DH couldn't stop staring at my lips the whole night. And not in a good way. More like in a car wreck kind of way. We decided that lipstick itself isn't necessarily a bad thing. But bright red lipstick is. At least for me.

Love,

Liza

P.S. Do not pay to see the movie Paul. Just don't.

I Did It!

2011-03-18T16:39:00.002-04:00

Guess who got new shoes?!?

And is probably taller then her boyfriend now?!?

It's me!

Love,

Liza

What Would Beyonce Do?

2011-03-16T19:51:00.004-04:00

So I tried on these shoes today:

Kind of crazy, I know. But crazy good, right? They're by designer Julian Louie and are available at Aldo. I read about them months ago and have been patiently waiting for them to come out so I could try them on. Today was the big day.

They're surprisingly comfortable. And I've been wanting to buy a pair of heels for awhile. But not just any heels. Heels that make a statement. Heels that make their own outfit. And I think these may be them. But the thing is, this is the only pattern available right now. More styles will be coming out slowly over the next few weeks. And I think this one is pretty awesome too:

So what to do? Buy the first pair, which, really, are more my colour and my look. Or wait till this other pair comes out to check them out in person, taking the risk that if I don't like them, the first pair might not still be available in my size?

Hmm... It's times like these I like to ask myself: "What would Beyonce do?" (Thanks Saj!) But really, who are we kidding? Beyonce'd buy both pairs. Thoughts?

Love,

Liza

Spending Thaw

2011-03-15T21:38:00.004-04:00

I broke my spending freeze this past weekend with two new T-shirts and I couldn't be more happy with them:

This long-sleeve super cozy one from Topshop at Jonathan + Olivia (but in a dark dusty rose colour).

And a black and white striped tee from French Connection, which complemented my lack of a voice on Monday rather nicely. If only I'd had a beret, I would have made quite the perfect mime.

Oh shopping, how I missed thee.

Love,

Liza

Something Borrowed

2011-03-15T21:16:00.006-04:00

I finished all of my new year required reading yesterday. It was a rather sad day.

Some of the books I loved: Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, Jonathan Tropper's This Is Where I Leave You (which should totally be made into a The Family Stone/Dan In Real Life–style movie) and both the Joseph Boyden novels.

Some I was disappointed with: Sloane Crosley's essays and Steve Martin's An Object of Beauty (I loved Shopgirl so much, I had such high hopes for this one, but I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. Then I reread Shopgirl fearing I misread it the first time, but it turns out I still loved it. A lot. So no hard feelings, Steve Martin, OK?)

Anyhow, I haven't managed to do another book shopping spree, so I thought I was going to have to do some more rereading. But luckily a co-worker lent me something new to read: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger.

I'm only a handful of chapters in, but I've already gotten all teary-eyed. More than once, actually. I should probably just go out and buy my own copy cause I think it's gonna be a good one and I hate not owning the books I love.

Love,

Liza

A Gross Post

2011-03-15T20:46:00.008-04:00

I've been sick the past few days with a sore throat and terrible cough. As a result I've been very lazy in my food preparation. Lots of takeout and soup from a can.

But today I felt better. And so I decided to make myself a proper dinner.

I had bought myself my first ever salmon fillet last week, intending to expand both my culinary skills and my tastebuds' horizons. I took the fillet out of the freezer to defrost this morning and got home from work with a plan: to bake the sucker in aluminum foil in the oven with some mushrooms and sundried tomatoes and olives and garlic.

What I didn't know until I unwrapped the package and exposed the underside was that salmon fillets come with the fish scales still attached! So gross!

I've gotten out of the habit of preparing meat at home. I tend to make veggie-based meals most of the time, saving my meat eating for when I'm dining out. So, as lame and silly as it may sound, slicing the skin/scales off of that poor little fish was rather upsetting. I definitely whimpered while doing it, may have screamed once, and, of course, I shed a couple of tears. Cause that's how I roll.

The salmon ended up being delish. But I can't decide if the anguish was worth it. Poor little fish.

Love,

Liza

P.S. Are you fine folks out there familiar with the word "hork"? Yesterday I told the DH about how I was horking on the streetcar on my way home from work and he was all like: "I'm not familiar with that term." And I was like: "You know, like, to hork up some phlegm." And he was like: "That's disgusting. This conversation is over." I'm not crazy am I? Hork is a word, right?

A Newish (To Me) Dress

2011-03-05T14:44:00.008-05:00

I've been cleaning out closets and going through my wardrobe and I came across this shirtdress I'd bought at Value Village a couple of years ago, intending to alter it. It's a pretty pink and white gingham, and the shoulders and sleeves fit well, but otherwise it was basically just an unattractive sack.

Since it's a rainy day here today in Toronto, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to get organized and get sewing. So I hemmed the sucker, added a belt and ta-da!!! now it's a rather cute dress if I do say so myself.

Hooray for being productive!

Love,

Liza

Monthly Goals

2011-03-02T20:01:00.004-05:00

So I still haven't lost those three pounds I intended to lose before I got a haircut. In fact, it is now more like five pounds that need to be got rid of. (See reference to Caramilk bars below.) Hmph.

But it's OK, because it's given me more time to find hair inspiration. (Are you guys tired of this subject, yet? I apparently am not.) I really think I've got it this time: Florence Welch of Florence & The Machine. Her Oscars hair is exactly the length I want mine.

To expedite the haircut, I am making March a no junkfood month. I've actually been doing really well with my monthly goals. (Other than the lose three pounds one.) January I gave up diet coke at work, which was a complete success. I had not a single DC at work in January. In February I had one, but it was at a work tea party and since I don't drink tea, I needed something to imbibe at the party, so DC it was.

In February I went on a spending freeze, which was also a complete success (except for buying and ingesting a ridiculous number of Caramilk bars) and will carry on indefinitely.

My March goal is to achieve my haircut (a.k.a. to lose five pounds). Wish me luck!

Love,

Liza

David Blackwood

2011-02-24T21:30:00.004-05:00

Monday was a holiday. I took advantage of it by sleeping in till 10:45, puttering about the house and checking out the Art Gallery of Ontario with the DH. We gave ourselves only two hours for our visit, so unfortunately we didn't get to see everything.

One exhibit we missed, but that I really would like to go back to see is Black Ice, a series of prints of Newfoundland by Canadian artist David Blackwood. I immediately recognized his "Hauling Job Sturge's House." It's on the cover of The Shipping News, which is one of my favourite novels (and an excellent movie, too).

The exhibit is showing till June 12, so there's still lots of time. Let me know if you'd care to join!

Love,

Liza

My Idol

2011-02-24T20:13:00.005-05:00

I just realized today that I forgot to mention on here something very important that happened on Valentine's Day.

I saw Chad Doucette on the subway.

This might not mean anything to you. Especially if you didn't watch Canadian Idol circa 2006. But I did watch Canadian Idol circa 2006. And Chad Doucette was my favourite. He was super geeky looking, had a strange voice and reminded me of a vampire. That's all it takes to win me over, apparently.

He was on the same subway car as the DH and I on Valentine's Day night, and I recognized him immediately. And he totally recognized that I recognized him. (Obviously. As you may recall, I am terrible at playing it cool around celebrities and/or non-celebrities. Aside: One time I saw Scott Speedman at Musa and just stared at him the whole time. In my defence, he is rather handsome and therefore a distraction.) It was all very embarrassing, the Chad thing. Mostly for me, because how lame do you have to be to recognize a non-winning Canadian Idol five years later? Answer: Very lame.

Anyhow, Chad looked well. Skinny. Rather hipsterish. And if he were on Canadian Idol today, and if I still watched it, I firmly believe he'd totally still be my fave.

Love,

Liza

P.S. I was thinking about all the celebrities I've spotted and feel like I should compile a list of sorts. For now, here are three celebrities I've ridden the TTC with: 1. Buck 65. I shared a streetcar pole with him and his girlfriend on the Queen streetcar. 2. Feist. Another one I believe I forgot to tell anyone. It was the College streetcar and we were the only two people on it! Cause we're awesome like that. 3. Chad Doucette.

What celebrities have you taken the TTC with?

Adorbs

2011-02-24T20:01:00.004-05:00

Aren't my parents adorbs?

Thanks for having us for Family Day weekend! It was perfect.

Love,

Liza

Family

2011-02-17T21:31:00.011-05:00

It's Family Day weekend! And I'm super excited to be spending it with my family. I was hoping to get in a walk across the frozen lake to the island, like we did this same weekend two years ago.

However, with the balmy weather we've been having I'm pretty sure the lake will be a pile of slushy danger.

For your viewing pleasure and amusement, here is my brother Ben demonstrating how to distribute one's weight evenly over the ice so as to avoid making it crack. Ha.

Happy Family Day!

Love,

Liza

Three Things

2011-02-16T21:50:00.003-05:00

1. I really hate doing laundry.

2. I really love fried egg sandwiches topped with bacon, Kraft singles and mustard.

3. If you go to this website it'll give you a compliment. Mine was: Last night I had the hiccups and the only thing that comforted me to sleep was repeating your name over and over.

Love,

Liza

Romance?

2011-02-15T20:18:00.006-05:00

Valentine's Day night got off to a rocky start.

The DH and I were supposed to meet at Bathurst Station at 8pm for a date night involving a nice dinner out and then watching Amelie at the Bloor Cinema. I arrived at 8:05 and sat on a bench by the transfer machine to wait. The DH is frequently late, so I figured I had at least

5 minutes to kill. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, the DH had actually arrived at 8pm and was freezing his skinny little butt off waiting for me by the doors to the station. Because I was partially hidden from view by the transfer machine, and he was tucked around the corner,

25 long, cold, annoying minutes passed before we noticed each other.

Red-and-white dinner for Valentine's Day!

Luckily the situation was so redonkulous that we couldn't not find it funny and we got over our annoyance at each other pretty quickly. We had just enough time to run to the oh-so-romantic Sarah's Falafel & Shawarma where the DH ate the falafels of his dreams, I happily nommed on some chicken shawarma and we shared the joy of garlic potatoes.

Then, obviously, we intertwined our arms to drink our coke and diet coke, all romantic-styles, cause we're awesome like that, then rushed off to the movie.

If you've seen Amelie, you know that the storyline revolves partly around a photobooth mystery. So on our way home, when we noticed the photobooth in Bathurst Station, we knew had to get our photos taken. Terrible/hilarious photos of me (but cute ones of the DH) ensued, rounding out perfectly the redonkulousness/romance of the evening.

It was one Valentine's Day that will definitely not be forgotten. Thanks, mister!

Love,

Liza

Hudson

2011-02-09T22:32:00.005-05:00

If I were a millionaire and not on a spending freeze I would probably buy every single pair of shoes made by Hudson.

Starting with these ones.

Unfortunately they only ship to Great Britain. And I'm neither a millionaire nor not on a spending freeze. Oi.

Love,

Liza

Hibernation

2011-02-07T22:26:00.003-05:00

It seems all I want to do these days is eat. SB says its hibernation season and therefore it's OK.

This weekend I ate grilled cheese sandwiches and nachos and drank beer. I went for a run at one point, but I'm not sure it matters because I also ate super delicious French toast from Swan and overdosed on all-you-can-eat sushi from Sushi Island. I will not discuss the amount of chocolate I've ingested of late.

Tonight I bought a roast chicken from the grocery store and made it into a hot chicken sandwich, smothered in St. Hubert gravy from a can, with a healthy helping of peas on the side. Henry had some too. Roast chicken, that is. He's not so into the peas. Or gravy.

If it makes you feel better, I do have the makings of a salad for my lunch tomorrow. Carrot sticks too.

I hope you've been eating as well as I have, my friends. Let's all bulk up and hibernate together, OK? Our hair may grow long and unkempt, but at least we'll be happy.

Love,

Liza

Bunny Time

2011-02-04T22:07:00.004-05:00

Today is the first day of the Chinese new year. Apparently it's the Year of the Rabbit.

This is Darius, the world's largest rabbit.

Happy New Year, my bunnies.

Love,

Liza

Warmer Weather

2011-02-02T18:49:00.006-05:00

It was a snow-filled day here in Toronto. Not as snowy as people were afraid of, but snowy nonetheless. Some of my co-workers took advantage of the inclement weather by working from home, but the stoic that I am, I trudged to work and back as per usual.

I like the snow. It doesn't bother me the way it does some people. A warm coat and boots really do work wonders. But that doesn't mean that I'm immune to the lure of warmer weather. This afternoon I kept thinking back to May when JC, SB and I visited Saj in Los Angeles and then road-tripped up the California coast to Big Sur across to Yosemite National Park and then on to San Francisco.

We had one perfect day that was all roadside fruit stands, wide blue skies and sun on our faces.

Oh, and fountain pop in our bellies. That didn't hurt either.

As beautiful as winter can be, days like today sure make you thankful for days like that one.

Love,

Liza

Spending Freeze

2011-02-01T19:00:00.010-05:00

A new month, a new rule.

January's rule was: "No diet coke at work." And believe it or not, it was successfully implemented. Not an ounce of delicious soda pop crossed my lips Monday to Friday, nine to five.

This month the no diet coke rule still stands, however I'm also implementing a spending freeze! No shopping for me all February long. No clothes, no shoes, no nail polish. No problem! Hopefully.

I figure February is a good month to give it a go. It is the shortest month after all. And after my impulse purchase of last month...

(yup! I bought it!) ...my credit card sure could use a break. Wish me luck!

Love,

Liza

Iron & Wine & Tchaikovsky

2011-01-31T20:13:00.005-05:00

It was a quiet week, last week. And this week I expect more of the same. I feel rather hunkered down for the winter. And content to be firmly ensconced on my couch, the Kittenger by my side. Though I did manage to accomplish two runs this weekend. Thank you very much.

Mostly though, I've been downloading music like a maniac. The new Iron and Wine album, Kiss Each Other Clean, first of all. While I'm sure the whole thing is wonderful, I can't get past the first song, I love it so much. It's called "Walking Far From Home" and you can listen to it here:

Otherwise I've been listening to a whole lot of Tchaikovsky. Specifically his ballets. After seeing Black Swan the other weekend I wanted to listen to the whole ballet-worth of Swan Lake. And with that I downloaded the Nutcracker Suite (most of which I already had, cause I love me my Nutcracker) and Sleeping Beauty. Sometimes I like to pretend I'm en pointe and tiptoe quickly across my kitchen, hands rounded above my head, like a ballerina. Cause I'm awesome like that. I'm pretty sure I was a ballerina in a previous life. I've got the callused feet and high arches to prove it. So please excuse my absence here, my barre (a.k.a. kitchen counter) awaits me.

Love,

Liza

Broken Dreams Club

2011-01-23T20:43:00.005-05:00

The DH and I have been listening to Broken Dreams Club, the latest album by Girls, pretty much nonstop for two days now. We listened to it the whole way through about five times in a row while filling out law school applications yesterday afternoon. Then for another hour or two today at my place.

It's really really good.

Girls are from San Francisco, which is probably why the album feels like summer nights. As a result, it's another perfect cure for the winter doldrums. And while it might not be quite right for pelvic thrust dance moves (see previous post), some slowed-down wide-armed spinning circles wouldn't be uncalled for.

Love,

Liza

Warm-Up Routine

2011-01-23T20:02:00.007-05:00

A special dance routine to warm you up on this cold winter's day:

Little Miss Sunshine Dance Scene from azer on Vimeo.

My favourite moves include, but are not limited to, spinning in circles really fast with your arms spread wide (1:57) and family-wide pelvic thrusts.

Love,

Liza

Fashion Quandary

2011-01-20T18:59:00.003-05:00

OK. I am super obsessed with an item of clothing. It's by Wilfred and is available at Aritzia. I've been stalking it for months now.

The problem is it is muchos dollares. $225 to be exact. Which is a lot a lot. Last week it finally went on sale. For $200. Which is not much of a sale if you ask me. Last night a salesgirl at Aritzia told me that some things in the store would be reduced further today, but some things would be going back to their original price. So I stopped again hoping it would magically be on super sale. Turns out it went back to $225. Boo.

So here is my quandary. Should I buy it? For realz though. Is it worth it? Help!

Love,

Liza

Getting There

2011-01-17T22:40:00.003-05:00

More hair inspiration:

Love, Liza

Between A Couch And A Cold Place

2011-01-17T20:30:00.005-05:00

My living room is very drafty these days. I have a big bay window in which the Beth-couch sits and where most nights you will find me curled up with my computer, my blankets and my diet coke. The floor of the bay is always oddly cold, and so last night I pulled the Beth-couch out of its nook to investigate. I didn't find an obvious source of the draft – no cracks in the walls or anything – so I nudged the couch back into its nook and went back to quilting and watching the Gilmore Girls. (Quel surprise.)

About a half hour later I realized something was missing: Henry Kittenger was nowhere to be seen! And if you know Henry, you know he's huge and therefore always to be seen. He wasn't stretched out in his usual spot on top of the couch, right by my head. Nor was he on the desk basking under the heat of my lovely new lamp.

Not on the chair, not under the chair, not on the other chair. Not on my bed, not on the fridge and not perched at the kitchen window waiting for a visit from Scrappy, the neighbour's cat. Not even in the bathtub.

Henry? I called. And that's when I heard the saddest of mews. From behind the Beth-couch where I'd been sitting all along. Turns out that during my investigation I had unknowingly trapped my giant Kittenger in the cold and narrow space between the couch and the wall of the bay window.

Worst cat mom ever. I'm pretty sure he forgave me though. Snorgles ensued.

Love,

Liza

Weekend Recap

2011-01-16T17:27:00.008-05:00

I did it! I bought me some new winter boots. These are the ones I went with. They were $50 off at B2. Take that, winter!

While out shopping for the aforementioned boots with my cousine Jessica yesterday afternoon, we decided to stop for lunch at Arepa Café where we ate, well, arepas. Mine had avocado, plantain, black beans and cheese in it and it was super yummy.

The DH and I went for a run this morning. It was just a short one, and we took it pretty slow, but it still felt really good. Especially after the fried chicken, collard greens and fries I ate last night. A group of us celebrated the lovely Victoria's birthday at Allen's on the Danforth. It was delish. Victoria and I drank red wine, the DH creeped out JC and then demonstrated his ratface.

All in all, some excellent times.

I turned on the TV just now (something I seldom do) and discovered Amelie playing on Channel 11. The perfect movie for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Hope your weekend was as lovely as mine!

Love,

Liza

RIP Boots

2011-01-13T22:05:00.006-05:00

Today has been a rather sad day in the world of boots. You see, I have once again managed to crack the rubber on my Tretorn winter boots (pictured here, circa Feb. 2009).

The first time it happened was mere weeks after purchasing them. And I somehow lost my receipt, making exchanging them a long, complicated process involving correspondence with the Tretorn office in Sweden and their distributors in Quebec and being accused of owning boots it was impossible for me to own as they'd never been sold in Ontario, but then they were wrong, and I was right, and then I mailed them my old boots and they mailed me my new boots. It was very annoying, let me tell you.

Anyhow, I've managed to do it again. It's my stupid high arches. They make my shoes bust open near the ball of my feet all the time. So annoying. And in case you haven't noticed, it is still January, meaning winter is far from over. So I either have to continue wearing my Tretorns and get accustomed to soggy feet probably ensuing in a bad case of trenchfoot (I'm currently reading a book about the First World War, and from what I hear, trenchfoot really sucks) or suck it up and buy a new pair of boots. Blerg.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, I also discovered today that I've worn down the soles of my black leather Replay boots so far that there are big gaping holes in them. Like you can see the heel of my foot through my boot. Very unprofessional. Also, potentially, very soggy. And, potentially, the trenchfoot. Again.

The death of two pairs of boots in one 24-hour period is a major loss. Good thing I'm going shopping with my cousin Jessica this weekend. Let's see if we can remedy the situation, shall we?

Perhaps with something of the Sorel variety?

Though, the last Sorels I owned I busted through after a mere two winters. Sorels are supposed to last a lifetime folks. Pssht.

Love,

Liza

Required Reading

2011-01-11T20:52:00.009-05:00

Between a trip to the Value Village book section before the holidays, some thoughtful Christmas gifts from family members, and the Amazon gift card my brother gave me for my birthday, I've managed to assemble a rather excellent reading list.

Here's how I'll start off my reading in 2011:

Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden

Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden

I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Tree of Codes by Jonathan Safran Foer

The Country Ahead of Us, The Country Behind: Stories by David Guterson

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

OK: The Improbable Story of America's Greatest Word by Allan Metcalf

A Taxonomy of Barnacles by Galt Niederhoffer

Fidelity by Michael Redhill

Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

As a bit of a book hoarder, I'm always surprised by the books people feel compelled to donate to Value Village or the Goodwill. I always manage to find such good reads. Thanks, weirdos!

Love,

Liza

Hair Again

2011-01-08T23:18:00.006-05:00

I have decided that when I reach a specific goal weight I will treat myself to a new haircut. What might that weight be, you ask? Well, a lady never tells her weight, does she? Or her age. Or whether she kisses on the first date. Or something like that.

Anyhow, I'm thinking shorter. Shoulder lengthish. And keeping the bangs.

I really like the last girl's back of head. I've been thinking about something like this for quite some time now, as you may recall (July 7, Nov. 3). But this time, I won't let the stylist talk me out of it like last time. (Apparently I haven't cut my hair since July 9? Crazy!)

I apologize for ruminating on this for so long.

Love,

Liza

Cat Content

2011-01-08T22:58:00.001-05:00

It seems to me there has just not been enough about kittehs on this here blog of mine.

To remedy that, I suggest you watch this:

You're welcome.

Love,

Liza

Me and Kate

2011-01-08T22:38:00.006-05:00

I received loads of lovely presents this holiday season: a wonderful quilt made by my mother (which I will photograph one day, I promise), my very own set of dominoes, a brand spankin' new iPod and much much more. I'm very spoiled, guys, it's true.

Case in point: My gifts from the DH. He splurged and got me the Daycation Bon Shopper in Sandpiper by Kate Spade.

Isn't it purty? And as if that weren't enough, he managed to find for me a replacement for the Kate Spade pen necklace I bought myself whilst in San Francisco and then proceeded to lose at the Arcade Fire concert this summer. (See here for a reminder. Apparently the DH did understand the gravity of the situation after all!) The new necklace is red instead of turquoise, but is just as beautiful, if you ask me.

I'm a very lucky girl, indeed. Thanks y'all.

Love,

Liza

First Run of the Year

2011-01-03T20:44:00.003-05:00

I went for a run today. A very good run. It felt fast. I don't really know that it was fast as I didn't time it. And considering I've been a slacker in the running department, it seems unlikely that it could be so. But still. It felt fast.

Which reminds me that I think I have another goal of 2011.

Run a half-marathon?

Just thought I'd put that out there. We'll see.

Love,

Liza

True Grit

2011-01-02T23:38:00.005-05:00

The DH and I went to the movies last night to see the Coen brothers' latest, True Grit.

It was pretty good. It was a short, sweet story, with a few funny scenes, and not too much violence. What I wasn't expecting was the fashion. Most notably Mattie Ross's belt and jacket. And the bear man's bear cloak.

I'd like one of each, please and thank you.

Love,

Liza

2011

2011-01-02T21:26:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!

I don't have any resolutions in particular this year. But something I have been thinking about is getting organized. Decluttering my apartment, my closets, my life. Simplifying things.

I've already begun. Clearing out filing cabinets. Bringing clothes and other items to the Salvation Army. A new year, a fresh start, says I.

My NOW Magazine horoscope for this week says: "One of your top assignments in the coming months will be to play with greater intensity and more frequency and a heightened imagination. If you want to achieve your adult goals, you'll be wise to recreate your childhood wisdom in a higher octave."

So I think I'll work on that as well. I hope you'll come out to play with me.

Love,

Liza

One-Eyed Cat

2010-12-18T23:32:00.008-05:00

Dear Blog,

Not that I'm planning on getting another cat or anything, but if I were I do believe I've found the perfect little sister for Henry. Her name is Genevieve, she's three months old and she's living at the Toronto Humane Society right now.

And she's only got one eye! I could have myself a little wonky-eyed cat family! And between the two of them they'd have perfect vision! If she had herpes, I'd adopt her in an instant.

But maybe you should adopt her instead!

Love,

Liza