tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63748965462055138262024-03-13T08:00:51.238-07:00Tea Swamp ParkChloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-81390234482229948172012-07-10T12:10:00.001-07:002012-07-10T12:11:47.036-07:00Yes, pleaseOne thing about my new found frugality (or, at least, efforts to be frugal) is that it's a lot easier than I thought it would be. Especially when it came to shopping.<br />
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I have been making a conscious effort to only buy things that I absolutely adore and am 100% positive I will wear regularly. I've also started taking a lot more time to make the decision to buy something - I used to be a ridiculous impulse buyer! (And really, it still gets the best of me sometimes.)<br />
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However, I've started noticing recently that I now have to actually talk myself into buying things. On a recent shopping trip south of the border I only bought two things! Shoes that I really did need and a skirt that I absolutely adore. Well, and I split on a bag of chocolate covered potato chips, but I mean...come on. Of course I did.
And then an item will come along that I don't need to think about for even a second to know that it is something that is meant for me to buy.
Like, for instance, this stunning silk scarf from <a href="http://blog.fieldguided.com/">Fieldguided</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4xkbz2P_SI/T_x9jw0hY8I/AAAAAAAAALg/B0-u9PfnMQ8/s1600/meteor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4xkbz2P_SI/T_x9jw0hY8I/AAAAAAAAALg/B0-u9PfnMQ8/s400/meteor2.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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There is a summer sale happening in <a href="http://shop.fieldguided.com/category/light-as-a-feather">their shop</a> right now - all Light as a feather scarves are 25% off!
Go buy one for yourself, and then maybe that meteorite one for me as a thank you for turning you on to the sale ;)Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-3077769306095242032012-07-08T17:43:00.003-07:002012-07-08T17:43:39.795-07:00Film Friday - Camp Life<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6671853377/" title="04330007 by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img alt="04330007" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6671853377_fd908f530f.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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A delayed post this week, as on Friday I was blissfully disconnected and camping with a fantastic group of people.<br />
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A shot from my first time at the best camping spot I've ever been to - morning coffee made on the fire. Does it get any better?Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-54010830127002778532012-06-29T16:33:00.001-07:002012-06-29T16:34:32.898-07:00Film Friday - Festival!For as long as I can remember, the Canada Day long weekend meant one thing in Hamilton - It's Your Festival!<br />
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Gage Park, a mere 10 minute walk from my house, hosts the anywhere-from-3-to-5-day festival that showcases the best in (through the years): tasty foods, rides, skeeball, jewelery with yin yangs, concert photos and bible quizes.<br />
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In other words, perfection.<br />
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It's Your Festival (along with Festival of Friends in August) were hands down the absolutely highlight of the summer for adolescent me.<br />
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<img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/punkfrok/mono12.jpg" /><br />
This is actually a few years past adolescence - the summer I was 22 and just days before I chopped those dreadlocks off.Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-64719070534762139072012-06-22T19:37:00.004-07:002012-06-22T19:40:25.524-07:00Film FridayYes, please.<br />
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<img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/punkfrok/mono4.jpg" /><br />
<small>Photo by Monica, from ages ago on a Toronto shopping trip</small>Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-15559328799720505622012-06-11T14:55:00.000-07:002012-06-11T15:00:11.061-07:00You may find yourself living in a shotgun shackMy most recent obsession (aside from The Hunger Games and dollhouses**) - shotgun houses.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/photos_by_roy/5116412970/" title="True Kentucky Shotgun House by Photo's by Roy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1161/5116412970_8bffae06b6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="True Kentucky Shotgun House "></a>
<a href="http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/Shotgun-House.htm" title="Power Pole and Shotgun Houses by c8132, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3144/2463634742_c81691e753.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Power Pole and Shotgun Houses"></a>
<a href="http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/Shotgun-House.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/architecture/1/0/E/u/shotgunflickr.jpg" width=500 height=300></a>
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From Wikipedia:
<br><i>The shotgun house is a narrow rectangular domestic residence, usually no more than 12 feet (3.5 m) wide, with doors at each end. It was the most popular style of house in the Southern United States from the end of the American Civil War (1861–65), through to the 1920s.</i>
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<br>I listened to a super informative and entertaining (as always) <a href="http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/hsw-shows/stuff-you-should-know-podcast.htm">Stuff You Should Know</a> podcast all about shotgun houses. I had heard the term before, and have seen some (during my New Orleans trip) but didn't know exactly what they were. And I certainly didn't know any of their history.
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<br>The older I get the more modest my dreams become of the kind of house I would like to eventually own. Something like this would be just perfect.
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<br><small>**Expect to see some (hopefully) pretty amazing posts related to this topic soon!</small>Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-32827859036513020092012-05-18T12:13:00.002-07:002012-05-18T12:18:02.506-07:00Film Friday - Victoria Day<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/punkfrok/camp2.jpg" Height=397 Wdith=500>
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Photo from about 8 years back, driving the 15 up my camp. The May 24th long weekend was always the first time of the year we would head up, definitely going to be a little camp-sick this weekend.Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-11440334503014950152012-03-05T11:14:00.003-08:002012-03-05T11:35:59.666-08:00BC TeachersThis morning I got up at the ungodly hour of 5:45 to stand in the cold rain for three hours. I did this as part of the current job action and BC teachers' withdrawal of services. For the next three days teachers all over BC are demonstrating (not picketing! we're not allowed to picket) in protest of illegal contract stripping and the punitive and damaging education legislation that the government is trying to pass.<br /><br />Being relatively new to BC I was pretty clueless about the history between the union and the government out here. That's not so anymore!<br /><br />I grew up in a fiercely pro-union family. My (very, very left) grandparents on my mum's side worked to set up unions at Westinghouse in Hamilton, among other places. During Mike Harris' time as premiere in Ontario my dad was on strike for 5 weeks. In grade 10 when my teachers were on strike my mum got us up early to go down with coffee and timbits to support them.<br /><br />While the job action is frustrating (last week before my two week spring break - I was definitely hoping for a lot of work since I'll be without for a while) it's necessary. <br /><br />And in an odd way, I am enjoying it. It's exciting! I'm out demonstrating and arguing for something I believe in deeply - something I've decided to dedicate my life's work to.<br />It also makes me feel closer to all my family members who share these beliefs (most of which aren't around anymore).<br /><br />Unfortunately I did not get a photo of the adorable student who came out to support us this morning with a "We <3 our Teachers" sign, but I did come across these wonderful Life photos from Francis Miller. <br /><br /><a href="http://images.google.com/hosted/life/36877e6db07b5a7b.html">Lake Central Stewardess Strike, 1958.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6956614661/" title="42fd5bfa3c7b0f4f_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6956614661_61a870e84d.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="42fd5bfa3c7b0f4f_large"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6956614475/" title="a3b6aba188befbbd_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6956614475_6d1df69b46.jpg" width="500" height="330" alt="a3b6aba188befbbd_large"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6810505522/" title="e492b5ff3e6f830c_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6810505522_f941c030c6.jpg" width="500" height="330" alt="e492b5ff3e6f830c_large"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6956614421/" title="c115887bb33df1fa_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6956614421_85865fd9c5.jpg" width="330" height="500" alt="c115887bb33df1fa_large"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6810505782/" title="023053fad5d84804_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6810505782_c10ac6e75f.jpg" width="500" height="330" alt="023053fad5d84804_large"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6956614297/" title="2a4bd07f6ddc9361_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6956614297_dc2189196a.jpg" width="500" height="330" alt="2a4bd07f6ddc9361_large"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://images.google.com/hosted/life/0e8481688a7e7085.html">Dancing Teacher's Strike, 1949</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6956614157/" title="0e8481688a7e7085_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/6956614157_f48579b9d2.jpg" width="500" height="478" alt="0e8481688a7e7085_large"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6810505382/" title="5b0defeb69462a18_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6810505382_754f38d37d.jpg" width="500" height="478" alt="5b0defeb69462a18_large"></a><br /><br />(Maybe I should try introducing a conga line to the demonstration tomorrow?)<br /><br />**ETA - On Wednesday March 7th and 2pm there will be a rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery in support of teachers. If you're free and want to support us, come on down!Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-69270866614714837372012-02-29T10:03:00.002-08:002012-02-29T10:06:34.778-08:00Happy Leap Day!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6941604797/" title="1dd27a17c2ae175b_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6941604797_fab1dfdc9f.jpg" width="370" height="500" alt="1dd27a17c2ae175b_large"></a><br /><br />Professional Figure skater Carol Lynne w. 3/4 lb. flashlights embedded in the boots of her skates to chart the designs of her skating movements in New York Ice Show "Off to Ice." <br /><br />Photos by Gjon Mili, 1945<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6941604739/" title="1b45ac5d8b6b3f1a_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6941604739_7961b9d08e.jpg" width="388" height="500" alt="1b45ac5d8b6b3f1a_large"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6795490534/" title="090ba69768ced30e_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6795490534_51a69ba105.jpg" width="373" height="500" alt="090ba69768ced30e_large"></a>Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-92127164040242329542012-01-29T22:29:00.000-08:002012-01-29T22:38:05.889-08:00恭禧發財 - Gong Hey Fat Choy !Yes, I'm a week late.<br /><br />Today was the Chinese New Year parade in Vancouver though, and of course, again, I forgot to go.<br />Possibly for the best, it was a lousy rainy day. But, still. Yargh.<br /><br />But annoyance aside, here's to a happy and prosperous Year of the Dragon.<br />Last week I got to read a few books to students about the new year traditions and even got a couple red envelopes (no money though, just candy - fine by me).<br /><br />Found these photos in the life archive from 1954. Photographer:Joseph Scherschel<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6787693493/" title="31d1033eb0d981e4_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6787693493_b3c18b7d26.jpg" width="447" height="500" alt="31d1033eb0d981e4_large"></a><br /><i>Men building up a fire in front of an altar durng the Chinese New Year celebrations.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6787693591/" title="ad16458f7285c2c6_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6787693591_8b692d92b0.jpg" width="500" height="384" alt="ad16458f7285c2c6_large"></a><br /><i>Men gambling at a game of Mah-Jong durng the Chinese New Year celebrations.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6787693705/" title="58a4ac31e95bbbe3_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6787693705_51eef9a81b.jpg" width="500" height="397" alt="58a4ac31e95bbbe3_large"></a><br /><i>Children fold origami money during the Chinese New Year celebrations.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6787693969/" title="b83defe1ad2b22f8_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6787693969_3427bd1e04.jpg" width="500" height="393" alt="b83defe1ad2b22f8_large"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6787693847/" title="bdaad90c8d0a74c1_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6787693847_a0cc574df1.jpg" width="500" height="419" alt="bdaad90c8d0a74c1_large"></a><br /><i>The Chen family children receiving lucky money after dinner, during Chinese New Year.</i>Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-21559833716323792092012-01-27T12:14:00.000-08:002012-01-27T12:16:07.634-08:00Film Friday - Squamish<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6671854547_9324a273a7_z.jpg"><br /><br />Trees, a lake, sun and my fantastic friend Steph.<br /><br />Camping in the summer in Squamish.Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-60402767964221243212012-01-22T14:12:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:14:32.791-08:00WhoaTotally blown away by these <a href="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/18664/cross-stitched-fashion-ads-by-inge-jacobsen-for-georg-jensen.html">cross-stitched ads by Inge Jacobsen</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6744932447_4f97b91aba_z.jpg"><br /><br />Talk about inspiring - time to pull out my embroidery thread.Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-1121227658439672952012-01-13T17:38:00.000-08:002012-01-13T17:41:20.661-08:00Film Friday - Double exposure<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6671856947_e55435e6eb_z.jpg"><br /><br />When I got my Canon A-1, one feature I was especially excited about was its ability to do double exposures. Ever since I learned about how to do them (around 12? 13?) I've loved them. Gimmicky? Maybe, but I do love a good gimmick.<br /><br />I really didn't expect this one to turn out - but oh how it did! Campfire and beautiful full moon from our Squamish camping weekend.Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-85275817963027040492012-01-10T14:26:00.000-08:002012-01-10T14:45:26.203-08:00VancouvaversaryJanuary 10th is an important date for me, for two reasons now.<br /><br />First, it's the date I took a pretty big step and moved from Hamilton to Vancouver some 4 years ago.<br />The past 4 years have seen a LOT happen - good and bad. It took me a good while to get settled out here and find my footing. I am happy to say that at this point in my Vancouver life I'm pretty dang pleased. I still miss Hamilton like crazy, and all my family and friends. But I have settled in a neighbourhood that I love and within a group of friends whom I adore.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/3055906999/" title="November 23, 2008 by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3164/3055906999_8bc008af12.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="November 23, 2008"></a><br /><small>Back in 2008, Wreck Beach in November (much less nakedness)</small><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/4407462131/" title="IMG_8994 by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4062/4407462131_0f18398866.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8994"></a><br /><small>Statues and blossoms at English Bay, visiting with Calypso in 2010</small><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6671852591/" title="04330005 by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6671852591_b232566189.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="04330005"></a><br /><small>Houses in Mount Pleasant, taken summer 2011</small><br /><br />The newest significance to January 10th is that it's the date, one year ago today, that this little bundle of joy entered out lives.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6671853007/" title="04330006 by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6671853007_e6c6b720f7.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="04330006"></a><br /><br />Miss Minnie Pearl has grown from a wrinkly ball of crazy into a very sturdy, still wrinkly, lovely little dog. This is a photo from an amazing camping trip in the summer, which I'm pretty positive she absolutely adored. Afterward Adam and I both noticed a definite change in her, in that she was much more receptive to what we said. I think she was pretty grateful for the mini vacation.<br /><br />And I can speak for both Adam and myself, that we are both extremely grateful for all of the hilarity, cuddles and snorts (sooooo many snorts) that Minnie has added to our lives.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6671855575/" title="Plum tuckered by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6671855575_38d152b208.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Plum tuckered"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6671856715/" title="04330017 by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6671856715_220076e83a.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="04330017"></a><br /><small> Minnie stealing focus from the always-lovely Caitlin and Tony</small>.Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-83372839114607266492012-01-03T23:03:00.000-08:002012-01-03T23:21:24.403-08:00New Year, new goals..<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6633270113_d1c0f738cc_z.jpg"><br /><small>Photo by Caitlin, at her lovely place</small><br /><br />I spent my New Years Eve with a lovely group of people in a lovely place.<br />I made the banner above, after being inspired by <a href="http://aestheticoutburst.blogspot.com/2011/12/garland-diy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2Faestheticoutburst+%28Aesthetic+Outburst%29">this post</a>.<br /><br />The new year has never been a huge deal for me, I've always been more influenced by the school year and looked at September as more of the 'fresh start' time of the year. That being said, I do usually make a few resolutions, usually of the "just be more healthy" variety. This year, though, I did come up with a couple rather specific things, and I have a feeling the specificity will make them easier to stick to.<br /><br />Again along the healthy line, I've resolved to cook fish at least once a week and to do a veggie dinner once a week as well (as a lover of alliteration I was thinking of a "Meatless Monday" theme). Tonight I did pan fried tilapia and yesterday it was roasted veggie sandwiches with sunchoke purree (on homemade bread no less!) so I'm off to a good start already.<br /><br />Though I adore a good restaurant meal, I do cook a lot at home and those meals are generally pretty healthful. They may contain some indulgences like duck fat and such, but hey...that's still better than all that processed crap, right? ;) A more general resolution, which I guess is ongoing, is just to keep up with the home cooking with whole foods.<br /><br />I also want to get on my "swimming regularly" goal from my <a href="http://chloelees.blogspot.com/2011/11/29-before-30.html">29 Before 30</a>, and tomorrow my plan is to march on over to the pool and sign up.<br /><br />I hope everyone out there has had a good start to 2012, and if you've made any resolutions - all the best with them!Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-5434990685655678192011-12-31T17:11:00.001-08:002011-12-31T17:13:23.642-08:00Happy New Year!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6609766373/" title="babynewyear by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6609766373_30e5de0fc0.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="babynewyear"></a><br /><br />I'm nothing if not a lady obsessed with her bulldog. (I realize it's a birthday hat, let's just pretend it's a new years one.)<br /><br />2011 has been a pretty great year all around - it was the year of the bulldog after all. It was also a year where I became even better friends with all of the amazing people that I surround myself with. <br /><br />I hope everyone has a safe and happy night xoChloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-83800796363001021382011-12-30T16:33:00.000-08:002011-12-30T16:36:34.628-08:00Film Friday - PNE<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6603544969/" title="Carnival fare by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6603544969_aa86dd6234.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Carnival fare"></a><br /><br />Finally (finally!!!) got some film developed and got them to digitize it for me.<br /><br />As a kid, one of my favourite summer activities was going to the CNE (or, as we called it "The Ex") with my mum, her friend and my nanny.<br />Since being in Vancouver I've tried to make it every year to the PNE and I've succeeded so far.<br />Most important thing to do while there - eat lots and lots.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6603545307/" title="Totes healthy by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6603545307_bcf85ab619.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Totes healthy"></a><br /><small>Deep fried poptart, what up!</small>Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-32111780434651188662011-12-10T16:37:00.000-08:002011-12-10T16:46:16.009-08:00Total Eclipse of the Moon<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6489586853_58e7880ac1_z.jpg"><br /><small>Photo by Don Oberbeck</small><br /><br />Last night/this morning there was a (super amazing) total lunar eclipse. I got Adam to wake me up around 4:30 so I could see it (it started then and the moon was completely covered by 6am). He had set up his telescope and we were lucky enough to have a totally clear, beautiful night. We could see it perfectly from our front yard.<br /><br />Adam got a bit of video, but no still pictures. The above photo I got from the website <a href="http://spaceweather.com">spaceweather.com</a> which I learned about in teacher's college (It gives northern lights alerts, and I was pretty gung ho on seeing some when I was in Thunder Bay. Unfortunately I never did.)<br /><br />It will be the last total eclipse for 3 years, so I'm pretty happy that I got my sleepy self out of bed to take it all in :)Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-60279944495080646212011-12-06T12:09:00.000-08:002011-12-06T12:10:39.264-08:00École Polytechnique MassacreOn December 6th, 1989, a man entered the École Polytechnique in Montreal and murdered 14 innocent women.<br /><br />Geneviève Bergeron (born 1968), civil engineering student<br /><br />Hélène Colgan (born 1966), mechanical engineering student<br /><br />Nathalie Croteau (born 1966), mechanical engineering student<br /><br />Barbara Daigneault (born 1967), mechanical engineering student<br /><br />Anne-Marie Edward (born 1968), chemical engineering student<br /><br />Maud Haviernick (born 1960), materials engineering student<br /><br />Maryse Laganière (born 1964), budget clerk<br /><br />Maryse Leclair (born 1966), materials engineering student<br /><br />Anne-Marie Lemay (born 1967), mechanical engineering student<br /><br />Sonia Pelletier (born 1961), mechanical engineering student<br /><br />Michèle Richard (born 1968), materials engineering student<br /><br />Annie St-Arneault (born 1966), mechanical engineering student<br /><br />Annie Turcotte (born 1969), materials engineering student<br /><br />Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz (born 1958), nursing student<br /><br />All killed because they were women.Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-89554902912223376162011-11-30T21:08:00.001-08:002011-11-30T21:21:28.711-08:00CHRISTMAAAAAAAAAAAAS!Alright! It's Dec 1st (in Ontario anyways) which means I can allow myself to start getting super jazzed for Christmas! :D<br /><br />I love Christmas. Love it. It has nothing but lovely memories for me - I love the parties, spending time with family and friends, eating tons of delicious food, making the house smell all piney and putting paper snowflakes and tinsel everywhere.<br /><br />I also really love Christmas crafts. I grew up in a household with a mum and a nanny who were all about homemade decorations, and that bug was passed on to me.<br /><br />Counting down the days has always been a huge source of joy for me, so I'm all about advent calendars and crafts. I'm going to be buying a delicious Lindt calendar tomorrow, and tonight I whipped up this bad boy:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6434755355/" title="Advent tree! by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6434755355_91bacc6da8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Advent tree!"></a><br /><br />Advent paper chain tree!<br /><br />I used <a href="">this tutorial</a> (it's actually a little tricky). I found loads of pretty great ideas of things to make for advent; a few of my favourite:<br /><br /><a href="http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/advent-calendar-tuesday-tah-dah.html">Cute paper cone tree</a><br /><br /><a href="http://myhomespunthreads.blogspot.com/2008/12/day-23-make-season-bright-continued.html">Neat idea to repurpose vintage Christmas cards</a><br /><br /><a href="http://awednesdayafternoon.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-countdown-activity-list.html">Incase you have loads of wooden spools hanging around...</a><br /><br />Within my group of friends there is a discussion happening RIGHT NOW around trying to plan a craft night soon, so I hope to have lots to show off on here.<br /><br /><small>And that's an end for NaBloPoMo! Well, my 1/3 of it anyways. Thanks for reading along ;) I've liked getting into the groove of posting everyday, hopefully I'll keep it up </small>Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-21471332101050700962011-11-29T23:51:00.000-08:002011-11-29T23:58:48.176-08:00Kate Beaton is fantasticI should be sleeping, but one quick post!<br /><br />Everyone, do yourselves a favour and get thee to <a href="http://www.harkavagrant.com/">Hark! A Vagrant</a> post haste.<br /><br />Not only does Kate Beaton make history (and not just any history - Canadian history!) interesting and funny, she also does things like this:<br /><br /><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6429642505_54cccb1bf2_z.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6429642701_d9547cc46d_b.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Nancy Drew and Edward Gorey have big places in my heart, so I just love her.Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-12884027203712984482011-11-28T20:20:00.000-08:002011-11-28T20:56:58.167-08:00Shopping locally & consciouslyAs is the trend these days, I do my best to shop locally. For food this can be tricky in Vancouver - not because there isn't that option but because that option, in high falutin' Vancouver is a pricey one. But, I have always been more than happy to spend a little more money on food if it's going to be a lot more tasty, so this hasn't been too hard for me to do.<br /><br />When it comes to everything else in life (or, clothes and stuff) I'm trying to also stick to this rule. With more work comes more money (yay!) and I've decided that extra money isn't going to equal more stuff, but better quality stuff.<br /><br />I want to share a couple recent purchases here, and I want to share them because I am so super jazzed about both of them!<br /><br />First!<br /><br /><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6148/6193512597_a39907ca4e_z.jpg"><br /><br />This <a href="http://goodnightday.bigcartel.com/"><i>beautiful</i> Simcoe braided chunky headband from good night, day</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://stayfancyfree.blogspot.com/">Tara-Lynn</a> runs this wonderful shop, and if I could buy one of everything in it I would. This headband is fantastically warm and so SO SOFT. I've worn it every chilly day since I got it, and hope to wear it for hundreds more! <br /><br /><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6407603067_0397fbee42_z.jpg"><br /><small>How great is this picture? Both this and the first are from Tara-Lynn's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifiwererosemary/">flickr</a></small> <br /><br /><br />Next!<br /><br /><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6238/6423008681_b0f2c97957.jpg"><br /><br /><a href="http://www.erintempleton.com/bags/good-girl">The Good Girl bag from Erin Templeton</a>. My dad sent me some birthday money this year and told me to buy something good for myself with it. And I did!<br />I have have slight anxiety over buying purses, I never want to have one that I might see someone else with. This usually leads me to thrifting purses, which definitely works, but they often wear out quickly. So I decided it was high time I got myself a proper bag. Not being of the Coach set, I looked to local designed Erin Templeton and went to her cute shop in Chinatown that I had walked by probably hundreds of times.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.erintempleton.com/files/images/Erin_Templeton%28sm2%29.jpg"><br /><br />I love my purse! It's made from beautifully soft leather, is just big enough for my things but not so big that I'll fill it with crud and it looks really, really cool. I'll use it for years!<br /><br />This year I've actually gotten most of my Christmas presents from etsy or other thrift stores. I'm trying my best to look for vintage or hand made things. A little easier on the environment and heaps more unique.<br /><br />Hooray for shopping!! ;)Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-31840984928208622062011-11-27T21:14:00.000-08:002011-11-27T21:29:30.779-08:0029 Before 30Another list inspired by <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/11/28-before-29-a-goal-list-.html">another blog</a>.<br /><br />My next birthday is my 30th. And while I am determined for it to "not be a big deal", well, we'll see how that goes.<br />But in the spirit of being a grown up and making goals, I've come up with 29 things I plan to do before I turn 30.<br /><br /><b><br />1. Make a quilt<br /><br />2. Start swimming regularly<br /><br />3. Make gumbo<br /><br />4. Make 3 different types of cheese<br /><br />5. Organize sewing room/work area<br /><br />6. Learn how to knit<br /><br />7. Make a piece of clothing for myself<br /><br />8. Get Horizon training<br /><br />9. Do my driving test<br /><br />10. GO to a life drawing class<br /><br />11. Put photos into photo albums<br /><br />12. Edit wardrobe to only things I wear & love<br /><br />13. Do some dyeing with homemade natural dyes<br /><br />14. Make an embroidery sampler<br /><br />15. Do a photography project/learn to use all the cameras around me<br /><br />16. Paint a picture<br /><br />17. Sew something for Minnie<br /><br />18. Make mustard<br /><br />19. Take a train trip<br /><br />20. Host a themed dinner party<br /><br />21. Go to Museum of Anthropology<br /><br />22. Organize spices/pantry<br /><br />23. Do yoga regularly<br /><br />24. Finish 'mad women' embroidery project<br /><br />25. Get into making smoothies<br /><br />26. Do a daily photo project for at least a month<br /><br />27. Read 30 books<br /><br />28. Go to Vancouver Police Museum<br /><br />29. Go to New Orleans (again!)<br /></b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6416564933/" title="a9e97b4387bf9d04_large by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6416564933_d3b4a0b4c3.jpg" width="500" height="331" alt="a9e97b4387bf9d04_large"></a><br /><br />The (very, very, hopeful) plan is that I will actually ring in my birthday in New Orleans. With lots of friends, maybe even some family - that would be ideal.<br /><br />There are some long overdue things on the list *coughDRIVERSLICENSEcough* and some newer interests of mine. A lot of the things on my list are things I've been meaning to do for ages and have bits and pieces in books and documents on here related to them (painting, sampler). I've got such a problem with motivating myself though. So here is a list for all to see! And if I fail, then all will see that too!Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-51997258736443858332011-11-26T18:22:00.000-08:002011-11-26T18:28:48.997-08:00But it wouldn't be make believe if you believed in me..Paper moon photos are one of my favourite things, and <a href="http://everyday-i-show.livejournal.com/131651.html">this recent post</a> gave me more than I could have hoped for.<br /><br />I love the variety in the people who are in them, and the variety of moon faces!<br />This one is probably my favourite one ever (ever).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408734009/" title="2883125962_12f8a3e03e_z by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6408734009_068b9359d3.jpg" width="322" height="500" alt="2883125962_12f8a3e03e_z"></a><br /><br />How could he not have a girl?! That coat!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408733821/" title="5930218289_e2ac529ca7_b by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6408733821_0f79a24b9d.jpg" width="386" height="500" alt="5930218289_e2ac529ca7_b"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408733637/" title="6048872685_a16fa10fec_b by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6104/6408733637_ce10d5a897.jpg" width="373" height="500" alt="6048872685_a16fa10fec_b"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408733491/" title="5463893350_37f593c408_b by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6408733491_aec25426a8.jpg" width="317" height="500" alt="5463893350_37f593c408_b"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408733325/" title="5856737775_08bb602f8d_b by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6230/6408733325_d926b00df0.jpg" width="368" height="500" alt="5856737775_08bb602f8d_b"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408733065/" title="2187638255_f88de844fd_b by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6408733065_8e90060a56.jpg" width="300" height="500" alt="2187638255_f88de844fd_b"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408732851/" title="2433350230_e03e9a03e6_b by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6408732851_cea042e93b.jpg" width="343" height="500" alt="2433350230_e03e9a03e6_b"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408732717/" title="3970050392_d9956f343b_o by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6408732717_8283f18e1f.jpg" width="364" height="500" alt="3970050392_d9956f343b_o"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408732303/" title="3696627052_d48c7d2cd7_b by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6103/6408732303_5246e23ae5.jpg" width="320" height="500" alt="3696627052_d48c7d2cd7_b"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6408732119/" title="4932050187_c121f1e602_b by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6408732119_e7fa1e33a5.jpg" width="339" height="500" alt="4932050187_c121f1e602_b"></a>Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-66086726150576337092011-11-25T12:27:00.001-08:002011-11-25T12:28:38.880-08:00Film Friday - Mary!<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6401362887/" title="Miss Mary"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6401362887_a20a9252e2.jpg" alt="Miss Mary by girl and tonic" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6401362887/">Miss Mary</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/">girl and tonic</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>My "best friend since third grade" extraordinaire. This is a snap from summer 2010 when she came out to visit for two weeks.<br /><br />We're provinces apart and don't talk as much as we'd like to, but none of that really matters. When we do talk, or get together, it's the easiest thing in the world (and generally includes a lot of giggling). <br /><br />We've been best friends for 20 years, and I'm sure we'll be best friends for another 20 (and probably another 20 after that, and so on).</p>Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374896546205513826.post-75222279439651606212011-11-24T12:37:00.000-08:002011-11-24T13:06:44.008-08:00Shades of YellowNovember in Vancouver can be tough.<br />Before moving out here I had numerous people tell me to watch out for the rainy weather, and do my best to stay positive. I'm a pretty positive person, and have never minded rain all that much, so I didn't think I had anything to worry about. And I didn't! Until I finally (it took a couple years) experienced a real Vancouver bout of rain. Good lord.<br />Rain isn't as exciting here as it can be in Ontario - there's no thunder or lightning. <br />Just clouds, and rain, rain, rain. And wind.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6396323443/" title="November Rain by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6039/6396323443_a1f25643ff.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="November Rain"></a><br /><small>Grim car garage view chosen to emphasize cruddiness</small><br /><br />Weather like this usually keeps me inside. As I get older I seem to be less capable of doing nothing all day, so inside days generally lead to me keeping busy. And most of the time, keeping busy = cooking.<br /><br />My canning craze from the bountiful days of summer has not slowed much, even if the produce has. So, looking to things in season in fall lead me to one of my favourite veggies - beets!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6377491905/" title="Golden beets by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6095/6377491905_5b05b0cd96.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Golden beets"></a><br /><br />Specifically these lovely golden beets. I used <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/pickled-beets-recipe/index.html">this</a> Alton Brown recipe as a base (I loved the idea of roasting the beets instead of boiling!). I roasted them with onion, garlic and some sage from my garden (that and thyme are the only things left). I used regular pickling vinegar, but threw extra sage in while bringing it to a boil. I then chopped the beets up, and popped them in jars, to which I had added some mustard seeds, nigella seeds and a few juniper berries.<br />Et voila!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6396334959/" title="Golden beets, pickled by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6396334959_3e821f6186.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Golden beets, pickled"></a><br /><br />Another endeavour of mine has included Meyer lemons. I was introduced to these beauties while working at <a href="http://southchinaseas.ca/Pages/enews10-11.html"> South China Seas</a>. I got to take the odd, almost-bad one home but usually just made them into lemonade or threw them into some gin (which, don't get me wrong, was delicious).<br />In the last week or two I have noticed that they've become available at "regular" grocery stores, usually in bulk (a bag of 6 or so). Adam decided to pick some up, and since they don't have the longest shelf life I needed to use them up quickish.<br />I turned to one of my favourite things in the world - lemon curd.<br />Oh. My. God.<br />First of all, it's pretty much the easiest thing in the world to make. Whiz everything up in a food processor and then cook it for less than 10 minutes and you're done. It tastes a million times better than any you would buy. And! With the extra floral sweetness of Meyer lemons? Ridiculous.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloelees/6396347521/" title="Meyer lemons: curd and preserved by girl and tonic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6396347521_ea87a54f12.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Meyer lemons: curd and preserved"></a><br /><br />The jar on the left was full as of Saturday.<br />The jar on the right is what I did with the rest of my lemons. Another delicacy I was introduced to through SCS was <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Preserved-Meyer-Lemons-102747"> preserved lemons</a>. They're used primarily in Moroccan cooking and often made from Meyer lemons. I actually have never used or tasted them myself, but now is as good a time as any, right?<br />As of today they're halfway through their sitting period. They've been blanched, cut up, mixed with salt and covered with their own juice. They sit in this mixture for 5 days, after which I'll top up the jar with some olive oil and pop them in the fridge where they should be good for up to a year.Chloe Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990354345080455015noreply@blogger.com0