How do you unwind? Sometimes it’s watch some Netflix. But lately my thing is eating Popsicles in the bathtub. How about you?
My Little Creative Corner
When I moved into my apartment, my lease stated that I was not allowed to drill holes in the walls. It wasn’t until I decided to hang up my Wavelength Pop-Up Gallery photos that I decided to look for other ways to put stuff up that wouldn’t leave any marks. Then I found the entire line of Command damage-free wall hangs at Dollarama!
Anyways, I decided to add a whiteboard to my creative corner and found a neat magnetic one from The Board Dudes that has a cork board frame. Now I’m ready to organize my thoughts and to-dos all in one place. I have a really bad habit of flagging too many e-mails or bookmarking too much stuff so this is a good way to mark down what is truly important. Sometimes the ease of digital things just gets in the way.
I love having a little corner in my small apartment where I can dedicate to being creative, whether it’s making art with my drawer full of supplies or simply just writing. A designated spot to me is integral for productivity and also a lovely place to take a mental break.
Do you designate a place to be creative?
Happy 85th Birthday Grandma!
Last weekend we celebrated my grandmother’s 85th birthday. My grandpa had passed away 2 years ago and grandma had some difficult times afterwards (including a stroke) but she is a strong woman. She has a crazy memory for her age and also an appetite for food that I totally inherited.
Seriously though, she lives for gatherings with people that involve going out and eating. It doesn’t matter what sort of physical ailments she goes through, the fact that we’re all there is enough to put a smile on her face!
Beer From Gigantic Brewing
I couldn’t resist buying this beer from Gigantic Brewing Company because it has a robot on it! The craft brewery is based in Portland Oregon and have other robot beers but this particular IPA is year round.
I also adored the B-Side Brewing label that described the collective as a record label but for beer. Hope to try some more cool beers from them soon.
This particular IPA was super bold and dark. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart and packs a punch like the robot on the label.
New Raincoat From Helly Hansen
Last year during music festival season I got rained on a couple of times. While plastic bags and disposable ponchos saved me sort of they weren’t that good for keeping water out. By the end of the day, I was freezing. This year I decided I wouldn’t let that happen and so I bought a raincoat that was both functional and stylish.
I visited Raindrops at Yonge & Bloor which had a great assortment of jackets and rain accessories. I fell in love with the Helly Hansen Kirkwall coat in purple! It’s well fitted and has a tie around the waist. It’s also both wind and waterproof with a venting back. SO I AM TOTALLY READY FOR YOU RAIN. COME AT ME.
A More Active June
This weekend when I was home, I weighed myself on the scale and I realized that since moving out I have gained a little weight. It’s nothing detrimental but it made me realize that I need to make an effort to be more active if I want to stay healthy without changing my eating habits. I’d rather die than do that.
Instead, this June I’ll consciously include more physical activity. June is busy as it is with music festivals so that will already involve a lot of standing and travelling by default. I’ll take longer walks and avoiding taking the bus when I’m heading to places that are a reasonable distance away. Maybe I’ll even take the stairs at work (to my 6th floor desk). I’m not about to go to the gym but it doesn’t hurt to make tiny little improvements!
The Things You’ll Sleep Through
Last night, two of the houses across from my parent’s engulfed in flames. This happened at around 5am in the morning. The cause of the fire is still unknown, though I think lightning (there was a storm last night) was ruled out.T he weirdest thing was none of us even had a clue until around 11am when my piano students told us they had trouble getting into our street. We had slept through a serious fire which burnt down two rooftops.
Maybe it was for the better that we weren’t awake. What would we have done? Maybe we would have needlessly packed up our stuff and fled to a safer area. Or idiotically stood around the fire scene taking photos while worrying if the fire would spread onto further houses.
We were thankfully safe from the fire and I’m kind of glad we all slept through it.
Power Wallet
My favourite new daily accessory is the Power Wallet from The Photojojo. It’s a super functional faux-leather wallet/clutch that has a built in battery for charging my phone.
Inside it came with instructions and an adapter for my iPhone 5S. The battery can be charged by plugging the USB end to your computer or Apple blocks. On full charge, the wallet can charge around 1 and a half iPhones to full.
The phone fits right in when you are charging it so you can use it as a mini clutch. There are also many slots and sections for coins, cash and cards. Now I’m ready for a night on the town without my phone dying on me!
I Got My Haircut
After years of either cutting my hair myself or going to First Choice, I decided to find a real hair stylist. I wanted one that was in my neighbourhood and looked trendy. Since I had no loyalty to literally anywhere, I had no idea where to start if I were to call places for appointments.
Instead, I decided that I would take a walk on my half-day (Fridays) and find a place in my area that would take walk-ins and looked trendy at the same time. There are a lot that don’t fit neither description in the area. However, I landed in Salon AF and their staff was very welcoming. I was paired with a stylist named Suzy and she listened to all my requests. I found this important because I find that sometimes stylists do more of what they want instead of really listening to the customer which was my fear with cheaper walk-in places.
I wanted to freshen up my flat hair with some layers, but at the same time not look like a bush. I didn’t want it too short and to have real blunt bangs that looked like they have a purpose being there. I got exactly what I wanted and am super with my happy with my haircut. Plus a bonus is that the salon offers free bang trims between cuts so no more ruining my own hair.
Thanks Salon AF! I will definitely be back (with an appointment) for my next cut and/or colour.
Desserts @ OCHO
My friend Melody and I recently stopped into Hotel Ocho for desserts and a drink. We are strangely similar people and we managed to order the exact same thing. A Raspberry Crême Brûlée with strawberries and shortbread. It was very delicious and had a sweet raspberry sauce to dip the cookie or spoon in!
It was also half price martini night, and I couldn’t resist ordering what was called I’m Sorry Your Face. Isn’t that a hilarious name for a cocktail? Anyways it was vodka, mango juice and sprite. It went down super easily.
While we didn’t have any of the meals yet, I can highly recommend the dessert and cocktail menu!
Tiana Feng 