Wednesday 31 July 2013

Conversations


The scene: I was whining about how our bed is too big and how sometimes I can't even reach Nick.

Me: I want a smaller bed

Him: I want a bigger bed!

M: {pouts and rolls eyes}

H: kidding!

M: Queen beds just aren't quite big enough. I wish there was a bed size between a king and a queen. Like a baby king.

H: Or how about a drag queen? (Proceeds to burst into laughter) I am turning into a loser.

At least he's beginning to realize it! kidding. a bit. 

image source: Better Homes and Gardens 

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Car Dancing

Ever since I was old enough to drive, I was a car dancer (and perhaps before that too). I heard a woman on the radio describing her drive home, with a serious car dancer in front of her, and how much joy it brought her. I hope that my car dancing also brings joy to those around me. It's far nicer to see someone having a good time on their commute than someone who's grumpy, frustrated and ready to snap (read: sometimes that's me, too).

The car dancing started in highschool, when, at 17, there wasn't much else to do on a weekend but cruise around town. My friend and I would blast rap (again with the rapping) and do our best car-dance moves; Much to the entertainment of those around us. We had some very specific dance-moves perfected just for the car. Nothing like two preppy teenage girls, cruising in a min-van, dancing to gangster rap. 

If music I enjoy is on the radio, you can bet I'm singing and dancing, providing entertainment for the rest of the frustrated/bored/grumpy drivers out there. Who's with me?

Monday 29 July 2013

Breakfast

Lately, I've noticed people (read: bloggers) posting these elaborate breakfasts on instagram and I can't help but wonder: am I the only person who still just grabs a quick bowl of cereal in the morning?



I realize there is such thing as a balanced breakfast...and that cereal and coffee are not exactly filled with vitamins and fibre, but sometimes (pretty much all the time) all I want is that little bowl of goodness.

If I run out of cereal (or, more likely, out of milk) I eat toast with peanut butter, which is actually keeps me going much longer, but it's still only my back up plan.

My all time favourite cereal is Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but since it's void of any nutritional value, I have to save that as a 'treat'. When we were younger, my best friend and I liked CTC so much that her parents literally had to regulate our intake. Two bowls a day. Not a single cereal piece more. The best? Her parents also wrapped up boxes of it and put them under the Christmas tree. CTC addicts? You bet we were.

So, all that to say, who's making these glorious breakfasts of waffles, fruit, yogurt, tea, and fresh juice for these people during the week? Oh to have a chef. And to work from home...

Friday 26 July 2013

Fashion Friday: Summer Uniform

Summer Uniform

I have been living in this outfit this summer. I'm sure my friends are sick of seeing it, but I'll tell you what, I'm not sick of wearing it. There's nothing like denim on denim for a Canadian summer. I made my cutoffs out of some old jeans years ago and now they're perfectly worn in. Finish it off with a pop of red and some bright, woven friendship bracelets and you're good to go! You can find these items here.

Cheers to a great summer weekend!

Thursday 25 July 2013

Where Do You Get Your News?


I grew up in a house where the Globe & Mail was delivered every morning, and The National news was always on at 10pm. Now, I like keeping in touch with the world's news, but I don't always have the time to dedicate to reading the news (although I do love hunkering down with the Saturday morning paper).

During the week, I keep up with my news through The Skimm. It's written by two women from New York. Although it's written from an American perspective, I still get the details of what's going on in the world, through a unique voice. They remind me of me (they have a dry sense of humor that they inject into their writing). It's really nice to have someone curate the news into one succinct morning email. I realize the graphic makes it seem like it's targeted at females, but I think the information they provide would appeal to both men and women. Because you know, in some parts of the world (maybe not in contempo-casual) it's considered cool to know what's going on.

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Girls Week 2013


A bunch of us have just returned from our annual trip to the cottage with our girlfriends. We call it girls week, but really, it's as many days as you can take off work to be there. This year I just had a few! We all truly look forward to this time every year. It's a chance to just hang out together, have fun, and eat to our hearts' content. Another great thing about this cottage is that each year, my friend's parents have made a change or added something new. It's perfectly decorated in an eclectic cottage style. There's always something to look at and a new treasure to find. If I ever have a cottage, this is exactly what I would want it to look like. Here are some pictures from my time up there (you'll notice a theme of various drinks paired with different reading materials...oh, and chip mountain).












Friday 19 July 2013

Happy Friday

Wooo! Finally Friday! This week has been a long but good one. On Sunday, I'm heading up North with my girlfriends for our annual girl's week (or few days, whatever vacation time we can get!). So Monday/Tuesday I won't be here, instead I'll be relaxing and enjoying this beautiful scenery.


Here are some of the other things making me happy.


My obsession with iced coffees just got better with the addition of coffee ice cubes.


The gardens at our place are so beautiful and we're lucky enough to have ton of hydrangeas in our front garden.


This hot weather is killer (although I seriously love it) but it's nice to be able to cool off in my parents' pool.

And the most exciting news yet - my friends just had a new baby early this morning! Congratulations Jess and Mike!! Can't wait to meet her!

Have a great weekend and if you need some reading for Monday and Tuesday, check out some of my favourite blogs to the left.

Ps. wishing a very happy birthday to my sis-in-law Hannah!

Thursday 18 July 2013

Current Obsession: Condiments

i didn't think a picture of salsa would be all that exciting, so i give you, a beverage that looks like a frog

Right now, I can’t get enough of two popular condiments. Salsa and Tzatziki.

I may have even thrown a small (and very unreasonable) fit when Nick was not able to find the salsa that I specifically wanted to eat for lunch and opted for the exotic peach-mango salsa instead. Peach-Mango?!

Hi, I'm Emma, and I'm a picky person. 

Hi Emma.

Anywho, I have started structuring meals around these meal-accessories. The other night for dinner I made…get ready for it…nachos, and then I had quinoa covered in tzatziki as a side. Shameful. Except that I’m not sorry. It was weird but it tasted great!

What gives? Maybe I’m deficient in vitamin c and…garlic? 

Ps. my all time favourite salsa is this stuff.

Pps. Do you know why salsa is such a popular condiment? Because people like to say salsa :) First person to name the source of that quote wins...my admiration.

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Lately on Instagram

Happy Hump Day! Here's a look at the beginning of my summer as captured through Instagram.

dressed to impress at the wedding of my friends; one tired pup; photo booth fun; 
favourite mug and reliving our trip to Cali; my braided crown; bridesmaids; 
life sized legos; breaking the rules; local asparagus

a dog at our lawyer's; decorating one of my offices; I heart Anne Taintor
Lights; one delicious elephant ear; learning helpful tips at work; 
reward after a long day; taking in the sunrise; house warming chocolate

creating an entrance; hanging our gallery wall; bright new bathers; 
breaking my new year's resolution; plenty of exciting mail; my very official stamp on my favourite stationary;
 quiet mornings; new (prescription) sunglasses; dinner at Earth to Table

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Vintage Finds

I love looking for antiques and interesting pieces to add to my house. Most of my antiques and vintage pieces are from my grandparents or garage sales, like these. But when I'm looking for something specific, I tend to look online. Enter: a great new online shop!

Since I'm such an avid watcher of the Bachelor/Bachelorette series, I also follow Jillian Harris' blog. She recently announced a new project. It's an online vintage shop called Charlie Ford.

They have pieces at different price points, and everything from art, to kitchen ware, to jewelry. Here are a couple of the things I've got my eye on.

I plan to keep checking back because I'm in search of a crystal decanter.
Happy on-line antiquing!

All imagines from charlieford.com 

Monday 15 July 2013

Summer Tunes


Year after year, we curate our lists of the songs of the summer. I found my summer tunes 2003 mixed CD in the car recently, and it's funny how many of the songs I still love even ten years later. Summer tunes always bring warm memories and great feelings. Here's what I'm listening to so far this summer:

Infinitesimal - Mother Mother
Get Lucky - Daft Punk ft. Pharrell 
Troublemaker - Olly Murs ft. Flo Rida
Treasure - Bruno Mars
One in a Million - Down With Webster
Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke ft. TI & Pharrell
We Can't Stop - Miley Cyrus

Friday 12 July 2013

Conversations

The scene: Nick goes to the grocery store to pick up some milk and a watermelon. Now we are unpacking the stuff he bought.

Me: Hey, what's this?

Nick: The watermelon.

M: Really?

N: Ya. It's a honeydew watermelon.

M: {pause} Hmm do you mean a honeydew melon?

N: {looks over at the melon} It's not a watermelon?

M: No, love.

N: Then what is it??

M: Just a melon.

Ps. This is it (just in case you thought perhaps it resembled a watermelon. I doesn't.)


Thursday 11 July 2013

Thirsty Thursday: Gin & Tonic


Ever since I met my in-laws, I've had a thing for gin & tonics, no doubt because they introduced me to the drink.When I was younger (cough *underage* cough), I couldn't stand the taste of gin. It was like pine needles. But now? Love the stuff.

When the weather gets warm, it's one of those things that I can't wait to drink. 5pm: Cocktail hour at the Ellison household. Bring on a g&t.

Here's how to make one (because obviously you need instructions on pouring alcohol into a glass).

In short cocktail glasses, add ice, one ounce of your favourite gin, and then top 3/4 of the way up with tonic. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve. Cheers!

Ps. Be careful cutting those limes...I seriously cut my finger (but continued on snapping pictures; I'm that dedicated)







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