Altitude

Brock Road. Pickering, Canada. altitude: 85.8m | Shiroyama Mountain. Hyogo, Japan. altitude: 216m

I’ve always been interested in the spacial relations between people. I would love to explore the contrasts or similarities of two completely different geographies and the type of culture we’ve immersed ourselves in depending on where we are. Hence welcome to the first blog post of this new series called Dear Friend. A photo response series between Weijia and I, featuring photos taken by me and her at different time, place and settings. Our photos will always be taken with consideration and in reflection to the topic we’ve chosen for that week, sometimes I’ll start the topic, other times she will, every week’s different and spontaneous. This way I can get a peak of the adventures she’s taken and be super jealous but inspired; same way I can remind her a little bit of home and let her know that a friend from afar misses her dearly.

Midnight Snack

I have a really bad habit of constantly snacking on food whenever I’m working in front of the computer. I’m not a night owl at all, I need my tea, midnight snack and really good music to keep me awake. Somehow food always taste the best at midnight, wouldn’t you agree?

street lights from the annex toronto / krispy kream donuts yummmm

Black Affair

1. Brooklyn Slate black slate coasters 2. Boticca wharton gold circle earrings 3.Arteriors Home flynn glass latern 4. Gary Graham beaded tunic 5. Vivian Tamayo hunter green jasper stalactite ring 6.Karen Walker Eyewear harvest black 7. Kate Spade an ace up your sleeve

Back to Bed

If my bed had a voice, it’ll say:”Come back to bed. There’s not much to see in the world. It’s better in my arms. I’ll take you to every place imaginable and let you dream all night long.” Original photo, view from Pearson airport.

January Scents

Even though most of the stores have their spring items displayed already, the Canadian weather outside still doesn’t feel anything like spring. Actually, it feels like it’s getting colder rather than warmer. During this winter to spring transition, most of the people staying home because they’re trying to keep up with their new year solution by eating and cooking healthier foods at home. Some are just plain broke from holiday shopping, while others are tired of another late night at social gatherings when new projects back at work are rolling fast. Here’s a couple of scents that I found very appropriate for the January stuck-at-home month. It’s not quite spring, so I’d save floral scents for later. For now, something citrusy to wake up the mind but also creamy and subtle enough for moments when you want to cuddle in front of the fireplace or tv.

[creme caramel rooisbos DaivdsTea ].[shea butter hand cream l'Occitane].[level grapefruit bergamont candle Indigo].[cream brulee jar candle Pier1].[peachy citrus massage bar+lemony flutter cuticle butter Lush].[succulent floating candles Crate&Barrel].[breathe sea salt sachet + breathe shea butter soap Lollia].[moss jar candle K.Hall Design]

Be Okay

Has anyone ever said to you that everything’s gonna be okay and you believed them more than you’ve ever believed in yourself? I have, lot of times. Sometimes I just need that one good friend, that one special person, or even a total stranger to reassure me in these simple words: You’re doing fine and everything is going to turn out okay. Strange how it can sound so cliche and casual, but at times when you’ve already dug yourself into a hole and too blind to see all the blessings that have bestowed upon you or too distracted by outer voices to think things through your head properly, hearing these words can really help. I think hearing it helps to remind myself the importance of slowing down and stepping back. Take a long walk, go shop, call up somebody, eat something delicious then come back to reevaluate the situation, where I am right now, how and what can I do about it because it’s not the end of the world.

I hope people can realize that everything’s gonna be okay for them too, just like I did. Once I realized, I felt a bit foolish, a similar feeling whenever I look back on all the distasteful fashion choices I made (and still make) over the years. It can be laughable, embarrassing and even painful, but it’s alright because everything’s okay, a special someone told me so.

Original drawing by me.

2012 Calendars

Here’s a beautiful January 2012 desktop calendar from Shanna Murray (so glad that she continued on from her collaborative calendar series from last year, I loved those) and a vintage aqua blue calendar printed on maple veneer (totally my colour! also available in peppermint red and other colours). Although one week of January went by already in an unbelievable blur, it’s not too late to hang up new calendars and change up desktop backgrounds. I like monthly calendars because it helps me to see dates and weeks in a bigger picture and definitely have helped me plan my days more efficiently. Not only is it an important reminder that days are going by fast so I should stop slacking, but it’s also a great visual tool to plan your vacation and marking off special days of the year so you can look forward to them even more.

a. Curiousdoodles’s  DIY embroidery tea towel calendar b.Catherine Campbell illustrated monthly calendars  c. Oh My Deer watercolour wash calendar d. Fine Day Pres art print wall callendar e. Lunar calendar by Kin of Kin f. Illustrated botanical calendar from Rifle Paper Co. (their calendar garden print is equally beautiful)

Morning Dose

Here I am, imagining myself stirring my tea with the most heart warming I love you a latte teaspoon at a quiet Paris cafe before people bustling into the city with big dreams and hopes, or somewhere by the water in Venice, overlooking old buildings that surface in morning sunlight with such grace. Maybe I’ll pick up a hand dyed tulle skirt to wear just because it feels like that kind of a special morning.