May 21, 2010

Photo courtesy of: Ditte Isager

Exciting news! Toronto Naturopath, Doctor Mubina Jiwa will be now joining us every week or two with some fun – and healthy – recipes. Visit her website to learn about her Toronto naturopathic practice here.

From Dr. Jiwa:

This salad is a fresh way to start the week. Recently, I was looking for an inventive way to change up my salad regime when I came across this recipe. Watercress is an underutilised super food. If you look at this chart you will see what I mean! It’s easy to find, tasty and quick to prepare. Around this time of year and into the warmer weather it is refreshing raw and in the winter can be lightly steamed with some tamari (soy-sauce without the extras – just soybeans & water).

I made this salad last night for my lunch and made a couple of adjustments. I used 1 teaspoon of honey which I dissolved in the rice vinegar instead of the sugar, only used 1 tablespoon of olive oil and used tamari instead of the soy-sauce, which contains wheat and lots of salt. I mixed the apples into the dressing and put the rest in a separate container so it wouldn’t get soggy.

Yours in Health,
Dr. Jiwa, Toronto Naturopathic Doctor

Recipe:
1/4 cup rice vinegar (not seasoned)
1 tablespoon grated sweet onion such as Vidalia or Walla Walla (use large holes of a box grater)
1/4 cup finely grated peeled Gala apple (use small holes of a box grater)
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 cups watercress (thin stems and leaves only; from 1 large bunch)
1 firm-ripe avocado

Read more here, above photo courtesy of: Ditte Isager

Category: Recipes | Comments Off
Tags: Dr. Mubina Jiwa, Salad, Toronto Naturopath

May 20, 2010

So fun to find a Vancouverite’s etsy shop I’ve not seen before.

Down Home Amy’s gorgeous handmade items all feature her own illustrations – they’re fun aren’t they? Amy screen-prints and sews each item in her east-side Vancouver studio. It’s great to see that her creations are made from organic cotton and earth friendly fabrics.

Click here to visit her shop.

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Handmade Finds, Home Decor, Indie Fashion, Vancouver | Comments Off
Tags: Eco Friendly, Home Decor, totes

May 20, 2010

As if I need another reason to visit Europe! One of these days I’ll get there… In the meantime I can look at these gorgeous photos of this carpet of begonias at the annual festival in Brussels, Belgium.

Found via Blissfulb’s blog.

Category: Events, art | 1 Comment »
Tags: begonias, Brussels Flower Festival

May 19, 2010

How is it that today’s the first time I’ve stumbled upon Clever Nettle’s vintage shop? They’ve got lots of gorgeous items in stock for spring and summer and I love the way they’ve used paper art in the photos for their most recent collection.

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Indie Fashion, Vancouver | 1 Comment »
Tags: clothing, summer, vintage

May 18, 2010

Home Decor in Black & White

Found this beautiful space recently on artist Mia Linnman’s blog and knew I had to share it, so many beautiful design details and thoughtful touches. The photos are courtesy of Jansson Fastighetsförmedling.

I’ve paired each photo with some Etsy finds of my own…

1). Nesta Home 2). Nesta Home 3). Monkeys Always Look

4). Sara Tops 5). Fire Art Pottery 6). Lunar Lounge Design

~Posted by Amy

Category: Handmade Finds, Home Decor | 2 Comments »
Tags: black and white

May 17, 2010

Home Decor – Ball Mason Jars

These humble jars – invented in 1858 and once used only for canning – are now popping up everywhere. I love the various ways they’re being used: as casts for ceramics – as in the case of Alyssa Ettinger’s lantern shown above, as vases, and Post Road Vintage has taken things to the next level by using them in their upcycled coat hook.

I found a lot of these items thanks to teegee’s treasury on Etsy.

Clockwise, left to right: 1). Post Road Vintage 2). South Rose Window 3). Midwest Finds 4). Alyssa Ettinger

Category: Home Decor, vintage | 2 Comments »
Tags: ball mason jar, upcycled

May 14, 2010

The above image is from Bobeda Farm – and is available in their Etsy shop, here. Mother (Gail) and daughter (Amy) are both artists who live in a farmhouse along the central coast of California.

The countdown has begun – in less than a week we’ll be in California! Just for a long weekend, but all the same I’m super excited. I’ve never been – and have always wanted to go. There’s part of me that wonders if we’ll end up living there eventually. Not just for the endless sunshine or the beaches, but more for some of the lifestyle and ethos I’ve always associated with California. I’m curious to see if what I’ve always imagined lines up with reality in any way – I’ll let you know what I think when I get back.

What’s even more fun about this trip is my husband thinks we’re just going to Whistler for a much needed weekend away. He knows there’s a surprise element but he thinks the surprise is in Whistler… He’s insisted that he doesn’t want the surprise unveiled until the night before though. I’m more than a little bit excited to see his reaction. Clearly – he doesn’t read my blog, and I’ve let him know just in case, to be sure not to read it before the trip.

Planning this get away has made me think about my goals a bit – I think all small business owners are constantly trying to figure out the right “mix” in terms of working to achieve their goals and balancing that with time for themselves and time with family and friends… How much do I want to work? If I’m going to continue to work 7 days a week for many months of the year is that really just for “right now”? I think a lot of us tell ourselves – I need to work this much “right now” to achieve my goals… For myself – I probably need to look at everything a bit more closely this summer and perhaps see about setting some new goals that do include at least a bit more time away from the office! I’m open to any and all advice on this

Hope you have a great weekend!

~Posted by: Amy

Category: art | 5 Comments »
Tags: california

May 13, 2010

My busy season is winding down and it couldn’t come at a more perfect time. My eyes are heavy and really the most appealing thing right now to me is a nap, or two, or three! Some exciting things are on the horizon that I can’t wait to share with you though. Lots of news and things in the works that will be posted over the next few days and the next couple of weeks…

On to today’s post – around my office you’ll find a lot of photography – all purchased on Etsy. I’m consistently blown away by the talent I find there. All from independent artists and really, very reasonably priced.

Some searching on Etsy today led me to Sixth and Main’s new shop – and from there I knew with the warm weather we’re having here, that even through my tiredness it’s time to celebrate the new summer season that’s almost upon us…

I think all of the prints below would brighten up a kitchen perfectly.

The photo above is from Sixth and Main – a passionate photographer and painter who now calls LA home. Her work can also be found in this book, She’s a Rainbow, featuring the female photographers of Etsy, which I’d really like to own too.

This next photo is from the very talented Shannon Blue, a self taught photographer, who after becoming a mother discovered her love for taking photos.

Maria Kallin loves colors and she brings her own very beautiful point of view to all of her work.

~Posted by Amy

Category: Home Decor, art | 3 Comments »
Tags: Photography, strawberries

May 12, 2010

Handmade Jewelry from Alisha Louise

I know where I’m getting my next pair of earrings! Seattle metalsmith Alisha Louise makes each gorgeous piece by hand, finding inspiration in her travels through Latin America, the United States and Europe. The art deco inspired pieces are right up my alley.

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Handmade Finds, Handmade Jewellery | Comments Off
Tags: alisha louise, handmade jewelry