Venice- The Food

The local restaurant, Tosi, was steps away from where we stayed. This is where the locals go (and perhaps a handful of more adventurous tourists) to hang out...

The Parmesan & Arugula Pizza was my favorite!

I hadn't realized how huge sweet shops were in Venice. They seem to turn up every 10 paces and each is more spectacular than the last. The goodies not only look amazing but taste scrumptious as well. Part of the reason they taste so good is they are not overly sweet. You can actually taste flavors, not just 'sweet' the way so many North American desserts seem to be...

Add an expresso for the perfect combo. (Standing at the counter of course is about half the price compared to sitting down).
The coffee is out-of-this-world. The best. anywhere.

After a gallery visit we had 'toast' which is how they refer to all the sandwiches on display which get grilled after you order. Perfect comfort food. Yum.

Venice

I just returned from a one week stay in Venice- a city like no other; a city referred to as "the most beautiful in the world".

You quickly adjust your way of looking... you are in another reality in a sense...

Venice simply embodies grace and beauty everywhere in everything. From the street lights to the shop signs to the painted doorways and the ornate brass buzzers on all the apartment entrances to the filigreed grillwork on the most humble of windows...

We are incredibly lucky to have a close friend who had the courage to buy a flat here. It has become her 'go to' place several times a year. (she rents it out during the rest of the year). We stayed with her and were able to get a real feel for the place through her eyes. Shopping for fresh produce on the barge that parks on the canal by her flat, buying cheese at the local deli and eating pizza at the small restaurant right in front of her place was, well. heaven...

I will continue to post on Venice throughout the week... opera, galleries, special exhibits and amazing food... oh my, the food- thank goodness we walked for miles every day!

My New (Old) Studio

It all started with my amazing find of this vintage Steelcase Desk. Found at the
Salvation Army Thrift
for the glorious price of $19.99.

A week of de-cluttering later, here is my new and improved studio!
(yes, these ARE the after shots... you should have seen it before)...

I have 3 zones; my computer/desk set up,
my 'sewing central' by the window, and,
in between my paper zone where I can create cards or any other
graphic design type project.

my style is lots of color tempered by natural wood finishes
and grounded by the block of black & chrome
via the desk. it's happy, creative space that doesn't take itself
too seriously!

1960's Pop Art Cat Illustrations

Found.
2 1960's era framed cat illustrations.
(reproduction prints, not originals).
To Keep?
To Sell?
For now, to keep... loving them too much!

Ron Sexsmith Galbraith Street

I have become a huge fan of this Canadian singer/songwriter; Ron Sexsmith. His lyrical musicality and poetic phrasing leave me mesmerized...

Here he is in a pub in NYC, acoustic guitar in hand, just him and his words piercing the quiet, dark room. This has to be my all time favorite song of his.

I thought it a fitting choice for this weekend, the Canadian Thanksgiving.
A song about going home again- even if just in memory.

I've Been Seeing Red

Some weeks you seem to find items
with a common thread; be it style, type or... color.

Lately I have been finding great vintage design in
RED.

Seasonal serendipity?

Bring it on...

A Visit to Charlottetown PEI

This past weekend my husband and I enjoyed a quick visit to Charlottetown, PEI to visit some old friends.

We took a Thursday afternoon flight and returned home late Sunday night. Even though it was not a long stay, it provided us with a welcome change of scene. It is a very bucolic place; pastoral scenery in every direction you wander...

We had some delicious seafood to savour the east coast cuisine experience. Eaten in a popular local hangout made it even tastier and the waitresses were so naturally friendly in a very non big city way.

I had chosen our lodgings online. Looking for a comfortable bed & breakfast inn I had many to choose from. I took my time and studied the decor closely... I knew I didn't want anything too cutesy; too many places seemed to have been stuck in a 1980's over-wallpapered, over-laced, over-dried flower arrangement type of decor time warp... you get the idea! Luckily I came across The Hillhurst Inn. It is a very lovely place with authentic art, woven carpets and spectacular woodwork throughout. Our room had a restrained elegance that was comfortable and luxurious at the same time.

Our breakfasts were held at a long communal table in the formal dining room each morning. It was interesting to meet the other guests and hear about their travel experiences. The food was fresh, thoughtfully prepared and different each morning- a real treat! (breakfast being my favorite meal of the day).

Saturday my 2 girlfriends and I drove all over the east end of the island for the Annual 70 Mile Yard Sale. Along country roads, farms and small clusters of houses joined together to put out tables of typical yard sale fare. As with any thrifting venture you go through a lot of useless & weird stuff to find the odd 'treasure'. I did not bad, finding 5 or 6 items that were worth the effort. Finding those things of course was half the fun, especially with friends to share a laugh with along the way!