5 Fave Friday

5. 6 Weeks to a Better Blog

This is a really cool series going on over at Sarah's blog right now. A whole bunch of different bloggers are sharing their thoughts on a lot of different topics. I"ll be making an appearance over there sometime in the next couple weeks. Pop over and see what's going on now if you are interested!

4. Bad Lip Reading
Amy posted about this site on Monday and oh my goodness it is so funny. It is also just really cool to see how you can make it look like someone is saying something completely different than what they are actually saying.

3. This pretty top.

Precious Memories from ModCloth

I really want to make myself a few shirts with a cute collar.

2. Merriweather Council embroidered necklaces.

The necklaces are super adorable and I love the colours that Danielle choses for her photos as well. So pretty!

1. Meredith's fawn-cho

I love this so much and I am also super impressed with anyone who knits themselves something wearable. I tackled an afghan but clothing still makes me nervous. I can't even tell you how many sweaters I have started and then given up on! You are the best Meredith!

Today I plan on working on a dress that I started yesterday. I finally cut out some fabric that I have had for so long but was never sure what I wanted to make with it. I'm excited to finish!

♥elycia

what i did :: natural history museum

This past weekend while we where visiting Kaylah and Kevin we took a trip to the Cleveland Natural History Museum. It was really fun; there are so many interesting things in there! On the website it said that photos were allowed but if you wanted to post them online you just had to ask permission at the front desk. So, of course Kaylah and I wanted to post our photos online so I asked one of the people at the front desk for permission. It went as awkwardly as it could have because apparently she was not familiar with what the website said and kind of had no idea what I was talking about. After much confusion we figured that it woule be fine to post photos on our blogs. So here are a few!

Warning: If you go somewhere with me I will almost definitely take creepy photos of you from behind while you are doing something else. Walking is my favourite but I am also known to creep on you if you're taking a photo of something.

They have tons of these really cool dioramas at the museum. 

There is also a little outdoor area with some real animals that you can visit. My favourite thing by far was the otter. Ivan and I saw some while we were in Montreal a few years ago and we fell in love. I completely forgot how adorable they were and I fell in love all over again. I officially want to change my answer to the "What animal would you be?" question from this video.

While these digital photos are pretty and fun, Kaylah took a bunch of film photos while we were at the museum and I can't wait to see how they turn out! I have been trying to shoot a bit more film lately and seeing Kaylah shoot so much has me even more motivated to do it!

♥elycia

photo an hour :: april 16th 2012

On Monday I decided to take a photo every hour. Here is what my day looked like.

 ::7 am :: 

I ate my leftover baked tofu sandwich for breakfast because there is no way I could have waited until lunch time. Also, I don't have a problem eating non breakfast food for breakfast. I have been known to eat leftover Indian food for breakfast.

:: 8 am ::

Someone is a very sneaky kitty! I was trying to take a photo of my glass when Farva stuck his face in it. I have started collecting these glasses with the name of the month and that month's flower on it. The one in the photo is April. I think they are so cute!

:: 9 am ::

I spent some time in my email inbox and tried to clear a few things out and answer any emails that may have slipped through the cracks. Does any one else open emails on their phone, say to themselves "remember to respond to that once you're on the computer", and then feel like they already responded to it because you have thought about what you would write back?

:: 10 am ::

Listened to some music.

:: 11 am ::

Checked in with my to-do list.

:: 12 pm ::

After exercising I made myself a drink with some of this fancy stuff in it. It tasted...interesting. I think I probably won't notice the taste after a few drinks.

:: 1 pm ::

Tested out all of my metallic nail polishes. 

:: 2 pm ::

Admired my new office curtains. I found them at Talize on 50% off day and was pretty excited. They are an even better colour in real life (the sunlight coming in the window washed out the colour in the photo a bit). 

:: 3 pm ::

I spent some time gardening because it was beautiful out! Super windy but really warm. I got pretty excited that our pear trees are blooming too!

:: 4 pm ::

My gardening shoes of choice. Somehow I managed to keep them clean.

:: 5 pm ::

I had an apple and some water while making dinner. I also admired my little counter display. I actually bought those two mushroom jars on different days but they are a perfect match. Actually that's not super amazing because I see them all the time all over the place.

:: 6 pm ::

Ivan has been doing some home beer brewing and his second batch was ready to try. We have been making sure to take photos of the first beer from each batch.

:: 7 pm ::

Did you know I play the drums? Well I do and these are my fancy sparkley purple set. Ivan was recording some songs for his work to use in videos and I played the drums for him for one song (that's why there are a million and one cables and mics!). 

After this I ran out to grab some groceries and nearly got blown away by the wind. We finished the evening by watching a movie and falling asleep on the couch. Very exciting.

♥elycia

Giveaway :: Chantilly Songs Prize Pack

Hello!

Today I have a musical giveaway to share with you. My pal Chantilly just released her new EP Up to the Moon (which I love by the way!) and today she is offering up a prize pack that includes that and some other goodies!

What's up for grabs?

:: Up to the Moon EP

:: Caught Light (older album)

:: A 5x7, 55 page kraft paper journal, hand-stamped with lyrics from the song "Escape". 

How to Enter

:: Visit Chantilly's bandcamp page, listen to the songs and let me know which one is your favourite! It's a tough choice, I think my favourite is "Escape".

Additional Entries (please leave a seperate comment for each)
:: Visit Chantilly's blog and say hello! I hear there's a party going on over there today and you're invited. Follow along if you like what you see.
:: Follow Chantilly on Twitter.

The giveaway winner will be announced on April 24th! Good luck!

♥elycia

what i wore :: feeling fancy

:: head to toe ::

jacket :: thrifted

brooch :: c/o Under the Shade of a Bonsai Tree

dress :: c/o Chicwish

shoes :: c/o Blowfish

Oh man. I was having some bad luck taking these photos. For some reason I kept forgetting to charge my camera battery so I started taking these running on (almost) empty. I was having the worst focus problems ever (I blame the dying battery) and my camera was repeatedly more interested in the trees behind me than me. Actually, I don't blame it...I am pretty interested in our trees as well. After about 5 minutes of taking and then deleting blurry photos it died. Anyways, I charged it partially and got back to it. I was determined to take these outside because it was a nice day and the trees were looking pretty. Problems aside, I'm glad I took these outside in front of our fruit trees. To all of this you may be saying "stop being a dummy and just remember to charge your battery". Yeah, you're right. Just thought I'd give you the back story of these photos in case you can tell that I look extra non-smiley.

I thrifted my jacket a few weeks ago and I am still pretty excited about the collar and the shape. Oh, and the big buttons! I feel pretty fancy in it and it is the perfect weight for spring.

Today it is really warm out, I'm just hoping that the sun comes out a bit. I have plans to get out in the front garden and clean it up a little. Normally we do that stuff on the weekend but this weekend we went to visit Kaylah & Kevin as a surprise for Kevin's birthday. As usual we had so much fun and as usual I am worn out! Also, I wish we lived just a smidge closer so we could hang out more often!

♥elycia

thrift find :: the ones that got away

Hello there,

Here I am again to reminisce about the ones that got away...thrift finds that is! There is quite a bit of heartbreak in this batch. Here goes...

What: Owl/peacock (?)  embroidery
Where: Florida (Goodwill or Salvation Army, can't remember!)
Why I loved it: The little guy is adorable and the colours are pretty great too!
Why I didn't buy it: This thing was DIRTY! As adorable as it was it also grossed me out a little. I don't know if you are getting the full effect of how yucky this thing was from the photo. Also, this thrift store was the stinkiest one I had ever been in. It really smelled like pee and I couldn't be sure that this piece hadn't been peed on.
Do I wish I bought it: Kind of! As gross as I just made it sound, looking at this photo makes me wish I had have taken a chance on it and tried to clean it up.

What: Cat plate

Where: Value Village

Why I loved it: Cats + yarn...need I say more?

Why I didn't buy it: I think I was trying to be good and not buy everything that I saw and loved.

Do I wish I bought it: No. For this one, looking at the photo and admiring it's cuteness is good enough.

What: Boy with Guitar art

Where: Ohio (that barn place...help me out here Kaylah)

Why I loved it: I love this kind of picture and Ivan plays guitar so it reminds me of him. 

Why I didn't buy it: I have no idea!

Do I wish I bought it: Heck yes! I can picture this in my office hanging on the wall in front of my desk. Or in our bedroom. Or the living room. It is adorable and I really wish I had have picked this little guy up.

What: Table and chairs

Where: Antique Attic Avenue (EDIT)

Why I loved it: This is my dream kitchen table and chairs. It was the most perfect colour ever and it was in amazing condition.

Why I didn't buy it: The amazingness of this set was only surpassed by the expensiveness. Too much money!

Do I wish I bought it: Yes and no. It breaks my heart that I don't own this but I'm happy I didn't drop that much money on it. 

Do you have any recent thrift finds that you loved but that didn't make it home with you?

♥elycia

5 fave friday

5. Uppercase Magazine

So apparently I have been living under a rock because I did not know about this magazine until this week. Astrid & her mom were shocked that I hadn't heard of it and after seeing it, I am pretty shocked too. It is pretty awesome. Very nice to flip through. I am a fan.

4. Supayana

Plaid Petal Dress

Kaylah & Andrea both posted about this beautiful shop recently and I am sold. It is full of pretty shirts and dresses!

3. This dessert!

Chocolate Frosting Shots

I am a huge fan of frosting/icing and all things chocolate and coconut so this dessert sounded so good to me. I made it last night when we had my dad & step-mom over and I was tempted to not serve it so that I could eat the entire bowl. Danger. I did end up sharing it if you are curious. The recipe says that you could use this as frosting for cupcakes or serve it as a chocolate mousse. We had it as a mousse and I loved it so much. You may have already gathered that from the part where I said I wanted to eat the whole bowl.

2. This fancy dress.

Palm Springs to Life Dress from ModCloth

I am pretty crazy about the colour and patten on this dress. The shape is pretty fancy too, I think I see some pockets!

1. Danielle's pretty crochet bedspread.

Just as a side note...I think Danielle's blog may be the prettiest thing on the internet. I love this bedspread she is working on and I feel her on making a bedspread for a King sized bed! I am still working on my granny square afghan for our bed!

I'm off to listen to some records and dance around my living room because I do cool things like that fairly often. Don't worry, I'll do some productive things today too. It's not just all dancing and playing with cats around here. What do you have planned for today?

♥elycia

what i wore :: wait, that's not me!

Who is this girl and what is she doing in my house with my cat? It's Astrid and we thought it would be fun for her to do a little outfit post from my usual location. Astrid posted the full "outfit post" over on her blog if you would like to take a look.

Astrid and her mom spent Monday night and part of the day Tuesday with Ivan and I so we decided to take a few fun photos together at our place on Monday and then around Hamilton on Tuesday.

Hanging out with some dolls.

Ever so casually flipping through records.

Holding some typewriters. Don't I look like a giant next to Astrid?! She is so little and cute!

Chatting with Farva.

At White Elephant on Tuesday.

Checking out Needlework for the first time. It is really cute in there and I'm thinking of taking a quilting class because I obviously need another hobby.

I just think this jumping photo is so funny!

Having visitors is really fun for me. Getting out of the house, chatting and checking out new places that I am too nervous to go in alone makes for a good day. Taking photos along the way is pretty fun too.

♥elycia