The Soundtrack of Summer

If you call Toronto home, chances are you're planning on being outside today as much as possible. It's supposed to get up to 31 degrees Celsius (and feel like 41!), so it’s time to roll out on the park grass like cats in the sunshine, y’all.

And, if I can make a slight recommendation, break out the Death Proof soundtrack*. I was listening to it on my walk in today, and I realized it’s my favourite album ever. YES, a soundtrack is my favourite and the best. I was actually fantasizing about walking around with a huge boombox perched on my shoulder so everyone else could also have the perfect soundtrack to their morning, but then I remembered those people are assholes.

Don’t believe me? Download it here and listen for yourself. Here’s a taste: Hold Tight by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. JUST TRY to resist a band name that rad.

So break out the sunscreen, crank up the tunes, and get ready—summer’s only just begun, dolls.

*With some tweaks! Do as I do and remove the following tracks: Paranoia Prima, Planning & Scheming, Stuntman Mike, Sally and Jack, and Whatever–However. Tarantino has an awful habit of sticking in bits of dialogue and atmospheric music that wreck the vibe of the whole album. I could've removed them for you, but I'm an album completionist and prefer to just untick the box in iTunes. Just do it and thank me later.

My new favourite breakfasts

Hi friends! I have three great recipes for you today, all for yummy breakfasts, and all totally basic and cheap. I'll list them ranging from easiest and least time consuming, to the most challenging.

Smoothies:

Inspired by this post by the Nutrition Diva, I have been making smoothies almost every morning. They are perfect for when you are still half asleep, and don't have much time to make food. These ones are super good for you, filling enough for a meal, and taste like a cup of sunshine... seriously.

I use a magic bullet to whip this stuff up, but you could use any blender as long as the quantities are right.

My version: 

2% milk, however much you want (I find this has the best taste and consistency once it blends)

one banana, chopped up

some strawberries, if you have them around

one ice cube, to cool things down

one spoonful of almond butter

one spoonful of cocoa powder

Blend it, pour it in a glass, and you've got a tasty way to wake up in the morning.

Next up, Skillet Eggs with tomatoes and goat cheese:

I made these this morning, which were easy and the perfect breakfast for two! (Since I'm just one right now, I will have leftovers, my favourite thing in the world)

My version:

Add a tablespoon of butter and cream to a skillet, and put it into the oven on broil

Once it melts, add four eggs, a whole bunch of chopped up grape tomatos, and some goat cheese

Put the skillet back in the oven, the recipe says to let it broil for 5 minutes, but I'd say 7 or 8, depending  if you like your eggs runny or more firm

Okay, now I'm pulling out the big guns (but not). Hollandaise on poached eggs!:

This one was a group effort. I did the eggs and sauce while Dan fried up some bacon and toasted the english muffins to perfection.

I took my recipe from here, and followed it pretty much to a T. Read it on the site itself, because hollandaise can be pretty tricky. I had to make two batches because (beware!!) if you take it off the heat, even for a second, the egg yolk and the butter will separate. Keep it warm, and keep whisking, until you pour the sauce over your poached eggs, which are sitting on top of applewood smoked bacon, on top of an english muffin. YUM. This is definitely the most complicated of the three, but still not so bad, as long as you have 4 hands instead of two. Give yourself some time for this one, and have extra ingredients on hand.

Gridlock

I'm having an off week. You know, those weeks when you only reach for the same ol' standbys to wear, or the weather just isn't agreeing with you, or you're on the home stretch of a long and drawn out project? Yeah, one of those weeks.

Luckily, it's Friday, and I have fun plans with good friends, and a new 'do, and a ballin' new ring.

  Bar of hearts ring and freshly gingered hair

That unpainted pinkie nail feels very indicative of my mental state right now.

So you get style inspiration for summer instead. These are some things that have been floating through my radar, and that I'd like to have floating on my body. Light, loose, sheer, easy clothes in soft colours and bold prints. Enough of this rain—give me shorts season instead!

Vanessa Jackman

The Sartorialist

Happy Because

Closet Visit

Facehunter

Mr. Newton

Isn't that fabric just the best thing you've ever seen?

Mini Cat Zine

Just a quick post today…I want to share with you a zine that I learned about on Frankie magazine's website.

Li-Kim Chuah from Melbourne is an awesome collagist. I like to think that my collage work would be a lot like hers if I actually put in the time and work to make it look good. 

Her latest creation is about cats!! Of course, I am biased, but I think it's just the best. It reminds me a lot of Sonja Ahlers' eyelash print, but on acid. I highly suggest you either pay the $6.50 to buy this zine or get out there and make one your damn self. Tell me where and when, and we'll have a craft night.

All images from Chuah's etsy

Toronto Camera Style

Inspired by this awesome website documenting cool cameras around Tokyo, Dan and I have started a blog about our city's cameras called Toronto Camera Style! It doesn't look like much yet, we only have three pictures, but it's growing fast. Anytime we see someone around town with a cool camera, Dan usually wants to stop and talk to them anyway, so we have started snapping pictures of the ones we like the best. There are some awesome cams out there, and very interesting people attached to them. We have a flickr group set up (called Toronto Camera Style) so you can contribute your own pictures!

CHECK IT OUT! We'd love some feedback.

UPDATE: Amanda is now featured on the site!

Post Frittata

A few things I'm feeling inspired by right now, in order of colour saturation.

Megan's long bob (photo by Lisa Warninger)

Scout and Catalogue's lightweight wool scarves. She hand dyes each one herself. This one looks like the rainy weather we haven't had a reprieve from lately. Once I save up some pennies, I plan to buy one of her lovely totes too.

Cocorosa's styling is enough to make me reconsider sweatpants, almost.

Calivintage's pretty layering.

via Craftster

The linen stitch. I love how it creates a sturdy fabric with just enough textural interest, and how it can even out very colourful yarns. Yes, I lust over stitch patterns.

 

via Refinery 29

Sephora by OPI's latest nail decals, Chic Print for Nails. I'm partial to the Giraffe and Tiger versions.

The home of the late Mimi Weddell, shared by Matchbook Magazine from Vogue Casa Oct 2005. The fearless colours and golden light are what draw me to these, although the hoarder bookstacks hit a little too close for comfort.

 

This raspberry limeade cocktail from The Kitchn. It may be cold in TO now, but soon it'll be hotter than we can handle. Cheers to that, friends.