Change Not Coins

 

 

 

 

There are events that occur in our lives that make no sense and we ask ourselves in the morning and we brush our teeth "what has this happened to me?"

 

There are events that occur in our lives that make all those little nonsensical things make sense finally, many months or even years later.

 

This has been one of those times, one of those events. Actually a collection of events that just flipped my life upside down like I try to do so carefully on my own.

 

I lost my job. I lost my love life. I felt kind of lost. The beauty of it was the boy happened a few days before the job so the job loss over shadowed everything. Plus, I have SUCH an amazing network of friends that I didn't have a chance to even question myself. This all happened two weeks ago and in some weird, wonderful way... life has picked me up and dusted me off so carefully, I almost might believe that there is a higher power.

 

Everything suddenly makes sense again. This is what usually happens in October. Things of uncertainty come to closure for the winter.

 

I have a new job starting next week, it's something I have wanted to try for many years so I'm excited to begin. The company is different from my last and I'm really looking forward to new challenges and lessons.

 

And as for my love life, I'm not worried about that right now. I'm trying new things, saying yes to situations I normally wouldn't and just allowing for different to come into my life. It's nice to have this moment of satisfaction because i know that soon, things will start to get challenging in one way or another so I'm not ready yet but... I will be. Things just happen as they should and I am so grateful for everyone who has been so supportive through everything.

 

I have been selfish and at times weird. I took a week and didn't want to socialise (not like me), I flaked out on plans and just listened to my gut. And as it does, it changed and the adventures started to filter through. So many beautiful, happy memories have come from these few weeks.

 

And for the first time I honestly believe I deserve all of this. I am confident that I will do my best at my new job, I have a heavy track record of it... I know I am capable of doing my best. I also believe that I deserve all these amazing people in my life, I am touched by their love and compassion... and I would do anything for them and they have proven they would do the same.

 

LOVE!!! xxoo

What Women Notice First

I saw this ad:

(it made me laugh)

and it states that men notice boobs first on women and women notice hair on men. The more I think about it the more I can't remember for the life of me what I notice first on a man. I don't think it's his hair or his shoes or what he smells like... attraction doesn't happen until I spend time with the guy.

When I see a man I think the first thing I notice is his mouth and his eyes (side note, I just created a spread sheet of all the boys I've dated and what they look like-- conclusion is I don't have a type unless "glasses" are a type). Then maybe his chin but none of that matters until I've talked to a guy, then I'm either head over heels and down for the count or over it.

and as for boobs, I might agree that most men would notice boobs first for a few reason:

a) they are boobs and they have magical properties

b) as women, we tend to showcase them a little because we are aware of the magical properties which make men notice them even more. It's all good, men are usually pretty good and checking things out without getting caught.

I'm not sure what the point of this post is, I just though the commercial was funny though somewhat general. The point was made that Axe now has shampoo and the type of man who would use it might also take pictures of Justin Beiber to their stylist to get a hair cut just like it.

Do you have any thoughts on this?

The Intouchables

Last night I saw the movies The Intouchables.

You have to see it. I haven't felt this way about a movie in a long time.

The story is beautiful and funny. I have never laughed with a movie as much as I did with this one.

I went straight home and bought the soundtrack.

Watch the movie. It's a movie based on a true story and that's about all it is, a movie based on a true story. And a good story at that.

**

before the movie, was of course the previews for up and coming films. Two more films I am interested in watching

The Words with Bradly Cooper:






and then this:

Hyde Park on Hudson Official with Bill Murray

GOOD: Sleep Better in May

Check this out:

Things are easier said than done, or so the old adage goes, and we couldn't agree more. That's why we do The GOOD 30-Day Challenge, a monthly attempt to live better.

Dreaming of better sleep? You're not alone. A recent CDC report found that nearly a third of American workers don't catch enough winks. Shut-eye isn't just a luxury; the agency calls insufficient sleep a public health epidemic and reminds us that people who don't get enough quality sleep are more likely to suffer from a variety of chronic diseases.

That's why, for this month's GOOD 30-Day Challenge, they are asking you to join them in a pledge to sleep better. Sure, that means getting more hours, but also creating consistent sleep schedules, turning our bedrooms into perfect sleep environments, and more. Throughout the month, they'll offer tips, ideas, and resources for becoming a healthier and better sleeper.

This is one thing to try NOT to sleep on.

You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

I don’t know if this photo of Jennifer Lawrence learning about her 2011 Oscar nomination for Winter’s Bone is real or where it came from. All I know is that it showed up on Tumblr sometime last month and I can’t stop thinking about how magical and wonderful it is, for five simple reasons.

1. The matching parental bathrobes! In kneelength, no less. So risky and carefree. And also, Mom Lawrence has thrown her hands in the air and is waving them like her daughter just got an Oscar nom, and for this I love her so.

2. That hot, hugging brother of her’s. I’ve got something he can bear hug – this bowl of popcorn I just made for us to curl up with on the couch as we watch Mythbuster reruns together and spoon.

3. Silk pajama pants, a t-shirt, a sweater from Old Navey that Grandma gifted you last year, and some cheap black slippers?! Jennifer, you are wearing my wishful thinking signature look and I like it!

4. Hello, Jennifer Lawrence’s boyfriend Nick Hoult. You are in your gym clothes at 5 in the morning which means you are a maniac and you also kind of look like you’re wearing roller skates which means you are the perfect man.

5. Oh look, a movie star decorates her apartment with things purchased at Home Sense. It’s official – Jennifer Lawrence is the most likable celebrity around.

Mr. Richie

I can't help it, this morning as I listen to an interview on Q, I hear Lionel Richie talking.

I love him.

He's great.

His songs are amazing to drive to becasue they are so great to sing along too.

He just released a new album yesterday-- gotta buy it.

Confessions: I Had a Sexy Dream about Hitler

It's true. I had a dream that I was alive during World War II and Hitler and I had an affair and he was a good lover.

*cringe

Don't judge me. It was just a dream. He wasn't a horrible monster of a man in my dream either, he was a nice dream lover with a cute little mustache above his upper lip and together we hated Himmler together. I wore this long green silk dress and a mink cape. This dream had all kinds of romance that would have been perfect for a fiction film like Inglorious Bastard.

I also had a dream I was married to  Danny Bonaduce-- not the grown up version that we see around as a B rated celebrity but the Danny Bonaduce who was staring in the Partridge Family at the age of 15.We were married and then he cheated on me and I was so upset! Even when I woke up , that feeling of betrayal stayed with me. I haven't liked him since. hmph.

I also remember having a dream when I was really young about this boy I could have cared less about. His name was Lucas and he wanted nothing to do with me before my dream or after my dream but because in this dream, he kissed me and I fell deep into dream love with him, I had a soft spot for him ever since. and I've never forgotten about.

So my affiar with Dream Hilter still seems wrong, at least I can validate it with these other dreams of love and heartbreak. Interstingly enough, Dream Hitler adn I had the best relationship out of them all. Maybe that means that Danny Bonaduce is the best person in real life.

Confession Complete.

Have you ever had some weird dream relationship with anyone? I know a friend of mine had a dream he lived with Britney Spears on a pile of subwofer speakers.

Food and Love

They go hand in hand.

Or maybe hand in mouth.

Here is a list of some of the best food and love moments Hollywood has to offer to us, according to Avenue Magazine.

I personally just love movies ABOUT food.. not movies about love that have food in them.

The Age of Innocence

Say what you will about 19th-century New York socialites, but you can’t deny they knew how to throw a dinner party. The movie adaptation of Edith Wharton’s 1921 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (directed by Martin Scorsese) features food porn for fuss-budgety types, with lavish displays of historically accurate cuisine. To properly re-create a scene from this film will require an abundance of silver serving dishes, servants and overall opulence — the likes of which you’ll only see at the Fairmont Palliser, Calgary's grand dame of hotels.

Meal: Chilled seafood plate (king crab legs, chilled oysters, marinated prawns, sea scallops, mussels, clams with Marie rose sauce and shallot mignonette) in the Oak Room. (133 9 Ave. S.W., 403-262-1234, fairmont.com/palliser)

Click here to see the scene.

Bridges of Madison County

It’s the age-old story of the middle-aged farmer’s wife (Meryl Streep) and the globetrotting photographer (Clint Eastwood) hooking up for four days while her husband is away at the Illinois State Fair. The food in the movie is simple and plain — think scrambled eggs and toast — and if that’s how you plan to wow your love, then you’re pretty lame. Including the film for its food is a bit of a stretch but I think Bridges is a great love story and they do eat, after all, so you can take your cues from the breakfast they share after they consummate their affair and look for the best eggs you can find.

Meal: Margarita omelette with confit tomatoes, feta and basil at Red’s Diner. (1415 4 St. S.W., 403-266-3448, redsdiner.com)

Click here to see the scene.

Casablanca

This 1942 classic is considered to be one of the most romantic films of all time, and while it’s not a gastronomic classic, they drink tons of Champagne and other tipples, making it well worthy of emulation for romantic purposes. Veuve Cliquot makes an appearance in the movie but it’s Mumm Cordon Rouge that Rick and Ilsa tipple throughout their Paris love affair. Bonus points for also featuring burbon, brandy, Cointreau and French 75 cocktails, made with gin, Champagne, lemon juice and sugar.

Drink: French 75 at Blink Restaurant. (111 8 Ave. S.W., 403-263-5330, blink-calgary.com)

Click here to see the scene.

Chocolat

Based on the novel of the same name by Joanne Harris, this film features chocolate, Johnny Depp and France. Say no more, non? On top of that, there’s comedy, sensuality and dynamic characters that make this quirky, unpredictable story both charming and touching. Despite the cliché that is chocolate and romance, this movie isn’t.

Shop: Coppeneur Chocolatier. (105 8 Ave. S.W., 403-457-4210, coppeneurchocolate.com)

Click here to see the scene.

Lady and the Tramp

Perhaps the most iconic film image of two lovers sharing a meal is actually one of animated dogs. After Tramp, a stray mutt from the wrong side of the tracks, rescues Lady, an uptown cocker spaniel, the two share a plate of spaghetti and meatballs and a night of romance ensues. Just please, please, don’t actually share a piece of pasta in public. Just because it’s cute for dogs doesn’t mean it’s cute for you.

Meal: Meatballs (frozen) and store-made tomato sauce from the Italian Supermarket. (265 20 Ave. N.E., 403-277-7898, italiansupermarket.com/)   

Click here to see the scene.

9 1/2 Weeks

This steamy, sexy drama might not be for everyone, but in the realm of erotic food scenes, it is unequalled in mainstream movies. (By mainstream I mean not porn.) John (Mickey Rourke) spoon-feeds a blindfolded Elizabeth (Kim Basinger) a random assortment of whatever’s edible in the fridge and pantry, including fruit, pasta, Jello, milk, cough syrup, honey and whatnot. As for how to mimic the moment ingredients-wise, anything in your fridge or cupboards will do.

Click here to see the scene.

Waitress

I know, I thought the same thing before I saw the movie. Keri Russell? Felicity? There’s no way this movie can be good. But the pie! The movie is about a small-town waitress who’s married to a big jerk so she makes up for her miserable life by baking the most magnificent pies. There’s a plot that involves an unplanned pregnancy and a handsome doctor and the usual sap, but if you can look beyond that and focus on the pie then you’re in for a treat.

Pie: Lemon meringue pie from Pascal's Patisserie. (101, 5240 1A St. N.E., 403-968-6158, pascals.ca. Check website for availability.)

Click here to see the scene.

When Harry Met Sally

Meg Ryan’s fake orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally may be one of the most recognizable scenes in movie history, but what about that pastrami sandwich of Harry’s? The scene takes place in Katz’s Delicatessen, a real deli in Manhattan that specializes in pastrami, corned beef and hot dogs. Fortunately, Calgary has its own deli specializing in smoked meat so we can all have “whatever she’s having.”

Meal: Traditional Montreal smoked meat sandwich at Myhre’s Deli. (1411 11 St. S.W., 403-244-6602, myhresdeli.ca)

Click here to see the scene.

Cupid, Draw Back Your Bow

Which one are you? Which one would you like? As much as I look at this... I think I am still just an old fashioned girl.


Image borrowed from the lovely Lenorenevermore

Jumping on the V-Train

I had plans for Valentine's Day. That's right, I HAD plans. One of my besties and I were going to get together and do girl things/ Eat Thai, watch Eat Pray Love, dream about vacations, maybe go ice skating and paint some pottery. We were going to giggle, get dressed up for ourselves and there would be absolutely NO BOYS.

I mean seriously, the other 364 (wait it's a leap year, does that make it 365 again?) days are pretty much devoted to boys but not Valentines. Nope.

So I got a text yesterday. My bestie has a boy in her life that is HEAD OVER HEELS in love with her. He didn't really hear her when she said "I'm hanging out with my bestie on V-Day so we'll do something another day". So apparently he went out and planned amazing things to surprise her and well... long story short, I told my bestie to go. I would fend for myself.

I was a little disappointed, I was looking forward to our day. But it's OK. I get it for sure. I'm seeing her instead on Wednesday.

So now I'm going to have a traditional Valentines Day of hanging out with the boy I like, go to a movie and all that stuff. No expectations.

I also made myself tuna for lunch and cut each sandwich out to look like little stars.

I love me so much. Happy Valentines Day Me!

Fall In Love Again

This summer, I fell in love again. With myself.

I was talking to a friend a few weeks ago about how I courted myself during my pensive days of summer. Monday was date night, the rest of the nights were devoted to others. I couldn't remember what I had called it... Mono-Monday's? My Monday? ... errrr... I couldn't remember.

and then I saw it..

Onesie Monday and I found this post. I remember that day. It was a good day. Since then, I don't have a second though about doing anything on my own. Expect maybe travel. People seem to be telling me to be careful.

An old friend said this to me:

"I love your hunger for life but agree with your mom. No big time travels for you on your own! You're too little on the outside even if you're big on the inside..."

and I wrinkled up my nose like a 5 year old in stubborn rebellion.

 

We'll see.. I can do it. I make up my own rules (no offence JS, if you read this!).

 

I didn't mean to get into this. I just wanted to remind myself of that post about Onesie Monday and how much fun I had courting myself in the summer. it's like the final part of that relationship should be a romantic vacation for onesie. Oui?

The World As Seen By Einstein

I am searching for a place to start. In doing so, I came across an essay I read many many years ago penned by Einstein.

The World As I See It by Albert Einstein

It really has nothing to do with what I was searching for but that's OK.. I still wanted to share it with you.

Happy Day!

Adventure

Last night over spaghetti and meat balls, I talked about travel . I can talk about life, love, travel and food till the cows come how and dinner is ready to be cleared. I feel rather sad for Mr.SL who just had to listen. I decided yesterday that I need to take a trip on my own. I have decided this a few times and I kind of toy with the idea in my mind but really.. it feels like my life if just waiting for me to do this.

I need this.

I am looking for my sign, on where to go. My heart keeps saying Italy and my mum keeps saying no. It's not safe. I think it is. It is, isn't it? For a solo woman to travel...? It's safe? Right?

I want a place where there are no safety nets. I want a place that is going to challenge me but not completely freak me out. I just want to go. I want to go, experience and come back. This has to be done. I just need to buy a ticket and go.

There is far to much in this world to see, I need to start chipping away at it now. I can't wait for people... I can't wait for anyone. I have the means now to do it. I need to do something.

Then I saw this post on my favorite blog:

Italy Tips and I wonder if this is my sign?

I'm not sure what kind of questions I need to ask myself. Maybe I have to ask myself "what it is that I want to see?" "What is it that I want to experience?"...

Where do you think a good place would be for a solo female traveler to go?

Strawberry Jam Came Home

last night I brought my baby home. I call her Strawberry Jam. She's an Art & Lutherie and she's a spruce Burgundy with built in electronics. I didn't buy her myself. She's a collection of effort and love from some of the most important people in my life.

My parents, my sister, two of my BFF's Laura and Reena and Mr. SL.

This guitar makes my heart sing, just like they do. What could be more special then that?

It's been a year long trek. A year of woes, joys and other such adventures. I always turned back to my guitar though and so it was time to buy one for real. She's big, but I can handle her. She's rich and soulful.

She's a ginger too.

Welcome to the family, Strawberry Jam-- big red.

Crying

I cry a lot. It's just a fact. I went through a time in my life when I didn't cry at all. I would watch things of beauty and I could feel the pull on my tear ducts and I would crinkle my nose and hold back the tears. I saw that same face on Emma Stone when she had a little emotional break down in the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love. It looks funny but it works. Then I stopped being that way, I would get weepy over beautiful music, touching moments or times of accomplishment. For the longest time I was never sad, I cried more often over happiness then over sadness. And then that changed. I expressed it all and I expressed it a lot. Last year was a year of tears. I cried because I was mad, I cried because I was sad, I cried because other people were crying and I cried because I was happy. I did a lot of crying. Sometimes thing would hit me when I was out walking around, I would feel lonely or witness two lovers appreciating each other. One time I was sitting in line at folk fest, the opening night. I was so excited to be there, in the summer sun, that I started to cry. In public, behind my sunglasses. That was exactly where I wanted to be and even though I was alone, I was delighted. Delighted at the possibilities and the potential of moments. The joy in my heart was overwhelming. I felt a little unstable but I really can't help it. I am a crier now. Maybe, one day, it will change but for now I cry. SL gave me a canvas of a photo he took. I was touched so much by the simple act of his thoughtfulness that I cried. I held my heart, said my few words and cried.

I read this article today and it reminded me of me and that I would be a public crier if I lived in New York. Part of it being that I didn't get a car until a few months ago, I have done a lot of crying in that car already.

They mention movement and I can relate. Walking fast is a great way to be. I only saunter when I am with other people. I remember years ago writing a blog post that simply stated

"I walk just fast enough to ensure that I stay one step ahead of my tears"

it's the truth. This was during my nose crinkling days.

Do you cry? What makes you cry? Do you cry in public or in a quiet place away from everything.

RomCom Girls

here is a delightful rundown of the common RomCom girl. Do you see yourself in any of these characters?

I am a combo of The Ethereal Weirdo and The Skinny Woman Who Is Beautiful and Toned but Also Gluttonous and Disgusting.


fact.

Wine Etiquette

Though there isn't any mention of what to do about red wine lips, here is a wonderful guide regarding the etiquette for drinking wine. Or any beverage for that matter.

Wine Etiquette by Cup of Jo

The Gift of Eatible Love

There is no better gift then food. It's a tangible expression of love, passion and creativity that can be taken into the body with the intention to nourish. How fantastic is that. It brings comfort, strength, memory, joy. To be able to create this, see it, touch it, taste it... it's a special kind of special.

I bake. I am a baker. I have been baking since I was old enough to jump on the counter and reach things from the top shelf of the top cupboard. My mum had given me a book called Mudworks for Christmas when I was 10 and in this book was an architectural recipe for gingerbread houses. It was fragrant and hard as rocks. No matter how hard I tried to not over mix the dough or over cook the cookies, it was always hard. I would make sure that I always gave tea with the cookies so people like my grandmother wouldn't break their teeth. Now that I know what I know about baking, I realise that 6 cups of flour and 1 1/2 cups of water shouldn't be in any cookie recipe. But that is when I started to enjoy baking.

Now my ginger cookie recipe is chewy, soft and made with fresh ginger grated with care. There is no water in the recipe at all.

Over the weekend I baked for a collective 24 hours, I pounded out over a dozen different kinds of cookies and treats. I watched as a table filled with over $200 of ingredients slows diminished and beautiful, treats started to pile up beside it.

But not everyone likes cookies, cakes and sweets. Not everyone can have these things. I have a large family and between my mothers allergies to anything cow related to my aunts kidney disease, my dad's insatiable sweet tooth and my brothers cynical ways... I have to make sure that everyone can have something.

and then it dawned on me. What's easy to make, easy to alter and everyone (I thankfully do not have any gluten sensitive family members) can enjoy? Fresh Pasta. I received an old fashioned pasta maker and cutter for Christmas a few years back and realised that this might make a perfect gift. The pasta that is, I like my pasta machine far too much to give that up.

I picture fresh herbed pasta or cracked black pepper. My Dad likes really thin noodles and my mum just likes anything fresh and organic. This is easy, it's healthy and I'm going to do this.

I looked on line for direction and method. I wish I had been able to spend time with my mothers grandma who came over from Italy in the early 1900's as a teen. She used to cut pasta by hand, rolling it out with a broom handle and laying it out on the bed over a towel all the while her home made pasta sauce bubbled on the back of the stove. Using her hands she would motion for my mother to keep eating, at 10 years old she was thin for her age and this was the during the times that thin was out. It was my mothers grandma's mission to make my mum gain some weight.

**

This is the site that I found that I'm going to use as my method. I'll let you know (hopefully) how it goes!

Picture borrowed from: Here

HMMMM.... so I went looking for a lemon pasta thing I posted about a few months ago and I came across THIS post. Seems like I'm loosing my mind a little these days. Hahahaha.

Plate Color

I was listening to one of my science pod casts and they mentioned this:

Plate colour can change your perception of taste: study

and here is an interesting article about the psychology of color.

Your Cute for the Day

I'll be the big spoon, you can be the little spoon

Upward facing Panda

How cute! They are so cute I just can't stand it. I wanna eat thier little faces and paws.  Omnomnomnom...

[picture credits]