Soft Light

I came across these photos from about a year ago that I never posted. I really liked them and miss the soft southern light that we used to get in our old apartment.

Window Panes

Between the paintings below and these beautiful window panes, I hardly even noticed the furniture in the interior design store. I love the foggy glass and the varying density that the different variaties that the ivy created.

Finger Paint? Yes, please.

I never know when or where I see something that I get really excited about. This weekend while looking at kitchen appliances, Oskar and I stopped in at a home interior shop.

The furniture was lovely, but it was these paintings that really had me going. They made me want to return to my inner kindergartener and take up finger painting. The paintings actually reminded me alot of the aboriginal art that I saw in Australia. I loved the artist's bright palette, the tactileness (is that a word?) of the paint, and the energy created by the playful linear shapes.

This monster print is awesome. It was set up outside in a Kensington Haunted House/Alley Way. No artist name or other pieces near by, but so strong!

TO

Just a few snapshots around TO.
1. A neon green bike spotted in front of Honest Ed's a few weeks ago, already it's been disassembled. I wonder if it was worth anything.
2. A bald man with octopus hair that I almost stepped on my way to Oskar's office.
3. A series of little boy's room art that I saw and loved at an open house.
4. Some layered paper and graffiti in front of a building from my old hood.

Concert

With the impending deadline of baby looming. Oskar and I have been trying to do everything under the sun that our friends told us we won't have time, energy, nor money to do post-baby. So we went to the Mumford & Sons concert at the ACC. I had no idea how popular they were. I'd only heard them on CBC Radio 2 a handful of times. They sold out the ACC! Good for them and they were awesome live.

The Aquarium

I love my iphone. I've pretty much left my camera to collect dust and use my iphone camera for everything. It's so handy, and of course always with me. Plus, in between taking pictures I get to play words with friends.
It was fun to walk around the birch aquarium and see all the neon coloured under water creatures.
Oskar's favourites were the sea horses.
I thought the shark cases with eggs that were incubating were pretty cool. They were backlit so I could see the shark babies swimming around in their cases. A man that worked there came over to me and explained that the female shark lets the egg and case go into the water and they are left floating free on the ocean to develop. Once they are ready, they break out of the casing and start their life alone (if they don't get immediately eaten by predators). A far cry from how people gestate and raise their young. Us humans are so high maintenance, it's amazing we've lasted for as long as we have.

The Getty

One of the major treats on my vacation was going to the Getty, outside of LA. Considering we paid 10-20 dollars per person to go to galleries and small museums along our way, I was floored when we had to only pay 10 dollars for our parking at the Getty.
We then got treated to a ride up the mountain side, with stunning views, and got let off at the amazing delight of the architectural beauty that is the Getty.
I thought for sure they were going to gauge us at the cafeteria, but even then the prices were reasonable and the food good!
My favourite was walking through the gardens, while sipping on an iced coffee, looking up at the Getty's cluster of buildings and out at the Hollywood Hills.

Around the town

My favourite by far are the 2 nights we spent in Manhattan Beach. Great food, really active yet laid back people(which I was not expecting from LA, at all), and a boardwalk that extended for more than 25 miles (which we took full advantage on with our hotel bikes). I think Oskar said he left his wallet in El Segundo 50 times.

Pre-baby vacation in Cali

To celebrate our last few weeks together as a couple, Oskar and I headed west to Southern California. Hoping to extend our summer, but it ended up be cooler weather in Cali then Toronto thanks to the tropical storm off the coast.
We flew into San Diego and then made our way very slowly up to LA. I didn't want to be too ambitious with our vacation plans since I was 35 weeks at the time.

Destination, Etsy

The other night, while Oskar was at a Stag, (or as I affectionately have nick named Stag-O-Weener) I made some new collages. There final destination is Etsy, but I just have to set up a shop now. See how this backwards process forces me to work more.
Anyway, I think they are cute and perfect for a baby's nursery. I would keep a few for myself, but I already have plenty of artwork to choose from.

UPDATE: My ETSY shop is up!

My Own Island

Well, that's how it felt anyway. In the middle of summer I was lucky enough to get Toronto Island to myself. I guess the fact that it was a cool, foggy, weekday did help.
But it was a bit creepy when I didn't run into another soul on my 2 hour walk. After walking for a while I laid down on bench on the boardwalk and took a nap. When I woke up and looked over on the ground I found this adorable little yellow heart. It made me smile.

Lightning Storm

I went to Royal Canadian Yacht Club, over on Toronto Island the other evening. When I arrived on the dock it was warm and sunny. I was doodling on a bench when I felt the wind really pick up and saw a big storm front coming in. All the boats started racing for shore, the sky and water turned dark and bursts of lightning began to dance over the city skyline. It was quite a show!

Biking around Toronto Island

So many adorable cottages on Toronto Island. It's so green, lush, and best seen from bicycle. There is such a demand to live on the island that the owners are chosen by lottery! Just a ferry ride from Toronto, I say sign me up.