Nuit blanche

Bizarre Celebrations by the_polyvorina on Polyvore.com

Oh, Montreal. It's like the city needs to be celebrating.

All. the. time.

Most of the festivals make sense - the Jazz Fest, the Just For Laughs, les Francofolies, Fringe...  at least they all celebrate something specific.  More or less.

This weekend marks the end of the Montreal High Lights festival.  A festival that celebrates nothing and everything all at once.  Lots of performing arts shows, themed dinners, cocktail hours and random winter activities.  I love all the art featuring lights that gets put up everywhere.  There's even a sugar shack set up at the Old Port and a temporary ferris wheel too.

If I wasn't afraid of heights, that's where I'd be going.

But I am. 

Instead, I'll be going to check out some of the activities for the Nuit blanche tomorrow night.  Tons of venues are open all night, including just about every museum in the city and, most importantly, the metro!  There's even a Hot Salsa Night at city hall.  But mainly I'll just walk around the Old Port taking in the sights and sounds.

Une nuit éclairée by the_polyvorina on Polyvore.com

I'm especially excited for the fireworks!

Hope your city is as fun as Montreal.  If not, you should move!

Pamplemousse

Pamplemousse by the_polyvorina

I'm on a grapefruit kick.

My favourite way to eat them is to slice them in half and sprinkle them with sugar.  Then I just spoon out chunks and eat 'em.  It's delicious. 

But I've had like 3 today.

So, what else can I do with grapefruit?

Brutal Hearts

The Romantics by the_polyvorina

The Romantics.  This movie has the best kissing scene since The Notebook (and I think this one is way better).  I never had a thing for Josh Duhamel before, but damn! 

Now I do.

Basically the movie is the story of 7 friends reuniting for a wedding.  The group is nicknamed "The Romantics" for their "incestuous dating history."  And that pretty much says it all.  The focus is on the history between the groom (Duhamel), the bride (Anna Paquin) and one of the friends (Katie Holmes).  It has an all-star cast usually featured in rom-coms, but this isn't a romantic comedy - you've been warned.

The movie itself isn't one of the great films of our time or anything, but I go back again and again just for that kissing scene.  It's also for the song that plays during it.

Coeur de Pirate by the_polyvorina

Brutal Hearts by Bedouin Soundclash and Coeur de Pirate (both Canadian, Quebecoise even in the latter case).  I just love this song and am now on a mission to find everything by Coeur de Pirate.

So that's your movie and music rec of the week.  Now what do you recommend to me?

Everyday is Someone's Birthday

A Birthday Dinner by the_polyvorina

Busy days.  Busy, busy days.

We had dinner at the Mister's family home last night for a birthday.  I was called to make a cake, rather last second, but I got it done and it was quite pretty.  Imagine a picture of a pretty cake here because I didn't take one.  Oops.

I also had to jump through hoops to get a job application in.  Doesn't quite bode so well for the job when just applying is the sort of endeavour featured in Greek odysseys.  At least Ulysses didn't have to wait around for a call to tell him how he did.

Now, it's grocery-time and I have to pick up a bottle of wine because we're going to a very special dinner tomorrow night for a great friend's birthday.  I can't wait to try this restaurant, L'Académie.  I've already perused the menu and I'm trying to decide between the veal tortellini with rosée sauce and the filet mignon.  I'm a sucker for a good steak, but you never know how a restaurant makes it 'til you try it so my indecision continues.  What's your vote?  Do you have dishes you usually gravitate to at restaurants?

I Got Nuthin'

Hello! by the_polyvorina

But hello!

My Stylish Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!

What's on the schedule?

Maybe an after-work museum or movie date?

XOXO by the_polyvorina

Followed by a romantic dinner for two?

In The Details by the_polyvorina

Maybe even a little dancing afterwards?

Swingin' Love by the_polyvorina

Or just a casual night in (guess which one's got my vote!).

J't'aime by the_polyvorina featuring heart diamond rings

Whatever you do, hope it's fabulous and lovely!

All You Need is Shopping & Dinner

All You Need by the_polyvorina

Nothing like a night out with friends to break the spell of hibernation.

Friday was a perfect night with the girls.  We shopped for a couple hours and then had dinner at this little local restaurant we've been going to since our teens.  We spent the whole time laughing and catching up - we hadn't seen each other since before Christmas, that's just crazy.

Nothing came of the shopping for me.  The friends got many sweaters.  But I was looking for plain black pants.  The normal waisted, straight-legged, in a crisp fabric, I-could-wear-to-work type. 

Not happening. 

Everything was high-waist or low-waist, unprofessionally tight or with a wide leg.  And what is with the sweatpants-fabric in business wear trend?!  Not digging it. 

So the search continues.

Dinner was great though!  We love going to this place.  So many memories.  And it's great going where everyone knows your name.  ;)  I used to go for breakfast so often that I had a "the usual" breakfast sandwich.

Have you got a regular place?  What do you love about it?

And what do you think of this whole business wear meets cotton-fleece trend?

This Isn't the 2nd Grade

So Valentine's Day is right around the corner. A time for lovers and for loving. And my true love is for event planning (sorry Mister!).

I've noticed many of the party features for Valentine's Day are rather cute. Like those parties you'd have in second-grade with the pink and white cupcakes and the red construction paper Valentines you'd make for your mom.

Be Mine, Valentine by the_polyvorina

Chances are though, like me, you're not 8 anymore. So here's a more glam event for your idea file.

A Valentine's Night Ball.

Valentine's Night by the_polyvorina

A masquerade ball for Valentine's Day. I'd use the classic red and pink colour combo, but with more black than white. Low lighting, lots of candles, roses and black feathers. I'd tie black satin ribbon around the vases and hang a cluster of black lanterns from the ceiling over the main table.

The main table. Where the food is. The all-important food. First, no Valentine's Day is complete without chocolate. That one's obvious. Chocolate in bowls, chocolate on plates, chocolate cakes, chocolate cookies (shaped as hearts if you're cheesy like me that), chocolate covered strawberries. Red and pink candies can even double as decor too.

So that pretty much takes care of dessert.

Add in a cheese platter with some spiced nuts, figs, grapes and roasted olives. A freshly baked French baguette with a roasted red pepper dip. And if you're in need of more substantial fare, consider making mini lobster cakes and beef tenderloin bites. I'd also serve up individual servings of lemon pasta for a lighter (and vegetarian!) option, ready to eat with a fork in each bowl.

Wait, what was I saying about food being all-important? Let's not forget drinks! I love champagne flutes. There's something about the feel of one in your hand. To fill those glasses, I like the SAQ's website, Espace Cocktail, for drink ideas. For this event, I'd serve Skyy and Love Bubbles or Sparkling Rose. Or something equally pink or red that I could add berry garnishes to.

Once everyone has had a few of those, I'd direct them to the photo booth. Now would be a good time to mention I am really loving the home-made photo booth trend at parties. Tape up a piece of ironed fabric to a wall and set up a tripod. Have masks, large picture frames, boas, long cigarette holders, hats, whatever props come to mind and you'll end up with great memories of the event.

Behind the Mask by the_polyvorina

 

Send your guests home with heart-shaped chocolate favours now and embarrass them later with the photos!

Happy Valentine's Day, pals! ;)

Flats

Bootsy by the_polyvorina

Tomorrow is Friday and I have a dinner date with girlfriends.  Since shopping is on the schedule, flats are in order.  And a sweater.  Maybe sweaters.  It's cold out there.

When did those groundhogs predict winter would be over again?  Are they usually right?

Sets my heart aflutter

Butterflies by the_polyvorina

I love the dress in this set!  If I was going to any of the Montreal Fashion Week events, I'd wear it. 

I'd be overdressed, but I'd wear it.

Pictures of Cake Not Included

Le Chocolate by the_polyvorina

The chocolate sheet cake I wrote about in my last post? I think it just might be the "best ever." That Pioneer Woman knows what she's talking about there.

I love how easy it was. One saucepan, one bowl and a measuring cup. Plus the cookie pan I baked it in. I had all the ingredients on hand... Well. I ran out of cocoa powder and ended up using hot chocolate mix for the icing instead. 

Rule #1 of baking? Check for all of your ingredients before you start! And I did...  for the cake.

Anyway, it worked and this cake is really delicious! Especially when warm - I reheated every piece in the microwave for 15 seconds before eating it. It's also very large. And sweet. But thin.

I liked that it was thin. Better icing-to-cake ratio I think. And that's something that's important to me. Has the perfect icing-to-cake ratio ever been scientifically determined? Could it be? Someone should be working on this.

Anyway. I liked the format so much that I made a carrot cake the same way yesterday.  It's alright, but just not as good. Can't fool me. I know a carrot when I'm eating one. It does not taste like chocolate.

Carrot Cake! by the_polyvorina

And now I'm off to eat leftover chocolate cake and google icing-to-cake ratios.

R.Kelly Haunts Me

It's the Weekend, Baby by the_polyvorina

It's inevitable. 

Every Friday, the weekend comes.

And every Friday, R.Kelly haunts me.

"It's the freakin' weekend baby, I'm about to have me some fun."

Seriously.  Every Friday.

Now since my world looks like this:

We unfortunately won't be having much fun afterall. 

I do have a friend coming by for lunch today.  But other than that, I plan to spend some time baking.  Nothing like turning on the oven when the weather is so awful.

I think I'll be trying this chocolate sheet cake by the Pioneer Woman.  We'll see if it's really "the best ever."

Actually, I wouldn't know.  This'll be the first sheet cake I ever make.

And with that, I leave you with what I'm suffering through right now...

"So baby gimme that toot toot"
"Lemme give you that beep beep"



The Messiness that is Me

*Disclaimers:

• I am not good at photography.  I use a point-and-shoot and probably don't even know how to turn off the flash.
• I am not one of those proper, organized or, hell, even clean housewife-y types.  Oh, I'd like to be and if you've never been to my house, I'd probably pretend to be.  But no.  This is what my house actually looks like.
• I am not good at photography.

So the Mister and I rent a 3-bedroom apartment.  Why a 3-bedroom for 2 people?  Because.  Because we got a great deal at about the same price as most 1-bedrooms in this part of the city.  Because the location is fabulous - close to work (for him) and to public transportation (for me), on a quiet street (for me) with lots of parking (for him), close to the waterfront and walking/biking paths and with no neighbours in the front or in the back (for both of us).  It is a great apartment.

But, ok, the reason we have a 3-bedroom apartment for 2 people is that we're hoarders.

There I said it.

He hoards tools, electronics and anything that "might be useful someday" if something breaks or needs to be replaced.  Or we have to move.  Or we finally get a house.  Or he, for some reason that would never happen, has more than one car.  Or he finally gets around to doing one of those "oh, we shouldn't buy that/fix that - I can make it/do it!" projects.  Or the bartering system comes back.  Or, you know, it's the apocalypse.

I hoard useful things.  Like books and clothes.

I had a system for the books, but then I tried to do the re-organizational thing and now they've been in boxes lining the wall of our front "exercise" room for about 2 years.

The clothes though, the clothes I have a system for.  Sorta.  Well, it is a system.  Just not a very efficient one.

This is the closet/dressing room.  I just call it the closet. 

People sometimes get confused when I talk about it.

"What you doing?"

"Oh, just sitting in the closet, sorting socks."

"Oh."

"So I was drying my hair in the closet when a bird flew right into the window and died."

"You were drying your hair in the closet?"

"Um, you're missing the point here."

Makes for fun times.

Anyway.  It is a mess.  I have so many ideas for it.  But little time and resources.  And, uh, motivation. 

I need to get better hangers for one.  Those are the same hangers I've had since I was a teenager.  Seriously.  Of course, I've had this storage system since then too. 

I also need to add shelves and separators (I was thinking of using magazine-ends maybe?  I don't want to buy those cube shelf ones.  Other ideas?)  Another shelf on top of the rails would be a good idea too - that's a lot of lost space!  I obviously need storage boxes as well.

I want to paint the whole room and maybe even the shelves and dressers.  And then add a room-long rail along the ceiling to hang a curtain in front of the clothes.  A colourful one with pretty patterns maybe.  I dunno.  I'm obviously not there yet.

This is the other wall.  It has shoes and jewelry and all the Mister's products, plus the hair products and my various perfumes and creams, etc.

If you look really close, you can spot the following items:

a missing door, shoe boxes and more shoe boxes, bras in shoe boxes, Liquid Advil, Liquid Gravol, a cake stand box, a kimono, a bag of bolts, Pictionary, old shopping bags, a mini Canada Post mailbox circa 1982, a coat rack (not hung, just casually strewn on top of stuff - useful!), a monkey robe, a painting of a sunset and salt and pepper shakers.

True story.

Now ideally I'd clean that up.  Then I'd take that shelf down to put in a proper vanity to house the jewelry, the lotions & potions and all this stuff:

I'd put the shoes on the wall where the makeup and mirror are.  On tilted shoe shelves going up to the ceiling.  No more stacking shoes on top of other shoes for me! 

I think the only thing I wouldn't change is my nail polish storage.  I love this system!  I can see all the colours at once and they're completely out of the way.  So far, I've got 68 nail polishes in there and plenty of room for expansion.  Love it!

So that was a glimpse into the messiness that is my home.  There is so much to do!  I really need to decide on a plan of action and get to cleaning this up.  So that's my plan for spring.  Stay tuned for that post (just keep in mind that I didn't say which spring).

Best. Episode. Ever.

Candy! by the_polyvorina

Mmmm...  candy.

Actually, I don't care much for candy (and I don't care that now I'm dead to you either, so there).

But it's so pretty, isn't it?  I would build myself a real-life gingerbread house to live in if I could.  But I know, I know.  Those pesky children would come and eat it.  And then the cops would be all like "ma'am you can't cook children in your oven, I don't care how much of your house they ate."  And I would go to jail.  Where there is no candy.  And I'd be sad.

But, it would make for the best episodes of Law & Order or CSI ever, no?