Languid*Lovely

outcrops.

2012-01-11T19:37:00.000-04:00

Molly's Cabin

I currently have a bit of an obsession with cabins built on outcrops, as you can see from my Pinterest board Cabin (have I mentioned how much I love Pinterest?). I came across photos of this cabin last night and almost went out of my mind.

Molly's Cabin

Molly's Cabin, by husband and wife architecture team AGATHOM, is located in Pointe au Baril, an archipelago in Georgian Bay. The 1000 suare foot cabin is a simple, yet rich, reinterpretation of the architectural vernacular found in this area that responds quite beautifully to its context.

Architect Albert Frey's home in Palm Springs

I am curious to know more about the connection details involved in attaching to the bedrock. I still have time before I decide on a piece of land and attempt to build a cabin of my own (perhaps on one of the plentiful outcrops here in NS). Time to research, plan, dream and of course time to clip images of simple, beautiful and inspiring homes.

gorgeous greens

2012-01-02T13:06:00.001-04:00

So apparently it has been some time since I gave an update on the Bloomfield Community Greenhouse; the last time I posted on the greenhouse (scroll down), these babies were just seedlings. Now they are gorgeously gorgeous and ready to eat!

Prior to the holidays, our plants were looking a bit leggy. Perhaps due to the reduced light levels, maybe due to a lack of carbon dioxide. We made some adjustments, a fan for one, and this along with increasing day length seem to have made the difference. At a time when produce has all but disappeared from the farmers' market, it's quite wonderful to enjoy a freshly picked salad of local, organic greens.

integrated landscapes

2011-12-23T23:50:00.000-04:00

This Australian residence by CplusC architectural workshop illustrates a seamless transition between interior and exterior space. I really appreciate how the pergola is incorporated into the structure of the house; the steal beam runs between interior and exterior structures. So often landscape is an afterthought to the architecture, is a divergent style or not at all considered and in all of these cases looks the part. It's nice to envision a world where design professionals - architects, landscape architects - work together throughout a project to create a cohesive design.

{via desire to inspire}

baby pics

2011-11-20T10:59:00.001-04:00

As promised, here are a a couple of photos of the first seedlings to inaugurate the Bloomfield Community Greenhouse. It's now been three weeks since the first seeds were planted and the photos show the seedlings after one and two weeks. I'm so very happy that they are coming along so well and can't wait to enjoy my first harvest of tender, baby greens

week one

week two

fall show

2011-11-08T22:11:00.001-04:00

Autumn seems to be moving through rather slowly this year - which is fine by me! I love long, leisurely walks through Halifax's older neighbourhoods which afford glimpses of vibrant foliage (like this hydrangea) juxtaposed against colorful, historic houses.

bloomfield community greenhouse

2011-11-06T18:15:00.002-04:00

I feel pretty lucky and grateful to have been selected as a participant in the first year of the Bloomfield Community Greenhouse. What a great opportunity to grow food throughout the long, cold Canadian winter! Also a lovely boost for the spirit - the greenhouse was a cozy 42 degrees celsius when I stopped in today (we're still calibrating details like temperature regulation).

The greenhouse is a collaborative project between two community organizations - Imagine Bloomfield and Ecology Action Centre. It's a pilot project with a vision of community greenhouses throughout Halifax Regional Municipality. A handful of us were selected through a membership lottery and now we're responsible for the day-to-day operations of the greenhouse, logging our experiences along the way.

Features of this passive-solar design include solar-panels, re-purposed barn boards, solar hot-water heating that circulates under the interior beds, an interior rain barrel, a community message board and a vermicomposter. I'm eager to meet the buider, Zak Miller of Full Cycle Builders, to learn more about the technical components of the building.

I planted seeds about a week ago and they are just starting to emerge. I am so excited to get started with a new crop just when the gardening season would usually be slowing down. I'll be back soon with pics of the new babies!

garlic planting tutorial (it's time!)

2011-10-30T12:20:00.000-03:00

Right about now, at least in the temperate north, it is the perfect time to plant your garlic. Here is a simple guide to next season's bounty:

A stop at your farmer's market will provide you with garlic that is adapted to your local conditions. I bought bulbs of two varieties from different farms in Nova Scotia as well as two red types that aren't local that I am experimenting with.

Choose large well-formed bulbs. And from these choose the largest individual cloves to plant. Clove size is a better genetic determinant than bulb size of healthy, abundant garlic. I especially like the purple-tinged ones.

Before planting 'crack' the individual cloves from the main head and choose those big, robust ones.

This is the time to give consideration to next year's garden configuration. Remember garlic needs full sun.

Plant garlic (pointy side up!) 4" to 8" apart and cover with at least 2" of soil.

Adding a layer of mulch - I used fresh seaweed but straw, hay, compost and leaves will also work - keeps the soil temperature constant. Garlic hates freeze and thaw cycles which are common here in NS.

That's it for now! In early spring you will start to see your garlic shoots emerging. And in July the tops will start to brown and fade signaling time for harvest. We'll talk more later about harvesting, curing and storage.

evening stroll

2011-10-28T21:36:00.000-03:00

A few pics from a late summer stroll up the path behind my cabin shortly before I left Oregon. Magic?

hot hot hot!

2011-10-28T21:35:00.001-03:00

I took this photo of my cayenne peppers on my last day on the farm in Oregon. It's the first place I've lived that I could really grow these spicy little heat-lovers. I'm now home in Halifax, NS and the lovely fall we had been having has turned bitterly cold! Just thinking about that long hot summer takes away a bit of the chill...

st. john's salve

2011-09-17T18:48:00.001-03:00

I spent the other night making a st. John's wort salve - simply melting beeswax into oil infused with st. johns wort, calendula, comfrey and echinacea. It has a beautiful, rich, red tone and would be great for burns, nerve damage and all-purpose skin healing.

I'm feeling inspired to put together a line of pure, plant-infused body products. I can't wait until I have a bit of land to grow all of the herbs myself...

repurposed patio

2011-08-27T01:53:00.000-03:00

I see these old concrete blocks everywhere - at the curb, in parking garages, there are currently several in the loft of the cabin I am renting. This patio shows a great way to put a common, resource-heavy product to re-use.

This patio is part of a kitchen garden designed by landscape architect Chris Saleeba of Fresh Digs for the Pantry at Delancey. Saleeba offers a service he calls 'DIY Construction Coaching' which gives support to budget-conscious clients so they can install a project themselves with guidance along the way. A fantastic idea! See more of the kitchen garden here.

what i've been up to...

2011-08-21T01:08:00.004-03:00

Hello there! It has been awhile. I have been away from home for over 8 months now and traveling without my laptop. What started out as a 3 month trip to Ecuador, turned into Nicaragua and Costa Rica and then a 9 week internship in Oregon and 4.5 months later here I still am in this lovely little village in the wilds of Oregon. Since the internship in herbal medicine and farming I've been staying in this lovely little octagonal cabin on an old farm at the very edge of the forest. I'll be soon heading home to Halifax, NS but I'd like to share some of my travels, and my life at the moment. Here are a few snaps:

my bath tub

my backyard

a wild turkey saunters by

upper forest meadow

the farm

fall finale...

2010-10-27T23:06:00.008-03:00

My last big harvest of the season

golden beet

late October berries

A long, fantastic gardening season is coming to a close here in Halifax, NS. Here are a few shots from last weekend - just after a few light frosts. I'm kind of amazed that I am getting such a great harvest this late, especially the strawberries! Last year I took things a bit further with a cold frame, but a recent life change has had me questioning where I'll be spending the winter so it looks like I'll soon be closing the garden down for the season. I just read a post over at diggin'food that lifted my mood at a time when I really need some brightening:

"...I was reminded that one of the best things about gardening is that you know what will happen. And you don’t.You know if you sow a bean seed it will crack open underground. A little root will emerge, and soon the emerging bean will nudge aside a lump of soil. The sides of the bean will open up like wings and a tiny plant will unfurl slowly like it just woke up from a very long nap.But sometimes a bird gobbles up the seed. Or your dog digs up the bed. Or the seed just doesn’t germinate. It’s a mystery. This risk factor is what makes gardening and life so interesting. It is never the same. The expected and the unexpected happen. And that, of course, is the whole point."

Summer being the busy time it always is, over the next few weeks I'll share some post-season posts that I meant to share in real-time, but you know, didn't get around to.

chicken coop!

2010-10-04T21:36:00.000-03:00

Ok I absolutely need a backyard so I can interject this sleek chicken abode The Nogg.

I have been very delinquent with my posting - but the garden is still going strong. I have been off on a little adventure which I will share with you as soon as things calm down just a bit!

plant combinations: cabbage and marigolds

2010-08-24T15:59:00.000-03:00

Another gorgeous plant combination: cabbage with marigolds. Spotted in a garden neighbour's plot.

air plant pods

2010-08-23T15:54:00.000-03:00

Bringing things back inside ... I love air plants and I love pods so these are perfect! From Michael McDowell's Etsy shop Mudpuppy.

garlic time

2010-08-18T13:49:00.003-03:00

I decided to arrange my garden plot into a modified square foot (14") method this year. I made the mistake of moving my garlic into formation in late March. It really didn't like it and the stalks remained pencil thin until recently dying back completely. I just uprooted it and was pleasantly surprised to find decent size bulbs. Root vegetables are always such a delight to harvest.

borage cubes

2010-07-31T16:11:00.001-03:00

When talking with a friend about how to use the borage that has taken over the communal herb garden, my friend Eileen suggested I put the flowers in ice cubes.

And so I did. These sweet blue flowers that I often nibble on are the perfect addition to a gin and tonic. I also wonder if the cucumber-taste of the leaves might infuse gin nicely.

coneflowers and bumblebees

2010-07-28T10:51:00.002-03:00

The echinacea is in bloom and the bumblebees are loving them, even more than me! They are also all over the borage (more to come). As I was picking borage flowers one ran smack into my arm and didn't sting me. That is the way of the gentle bumblebee.

twined

2010-07-26T21:50:00.001-03:00

My fellow community gardening friend, Crispin, has strung up twine through a neighbouring Japanese maple and connected it to his bean poles to allow them to keep 'twining'. It's quite lovely, I find twine to be very simple and elegant.

I tried something similar with my plot: I have been growing scarlet runners up tomato spirals and they too had reached the end of the line. Following suit I connected twine between the poles and my neighbours trellis to create an arbour. Unfortunately someone didn't like my idea and pinched the bean tips. Oh well.

Pesto!

2010-07-26T21:34:00.001-03:00

The basil is finally ready and I made my first batch of pesto this season. I used this recipe which I fine-tuned last summer. Sooo delicious!

eggplant and potatoes

2010-07-14T16:57:00.001-03:00

I harvested these gorgeous potatoes last night. They were delicious with fresh dill, butter, salt and pepper. I've been hilling my potatoes up with compost and exploring gently with my hands to unearth potatoes near the surface...

I'm also growing eggplant for the first time. Somehow the fruit just snuck up on me as I discovered them with delight a few days ago. These attractive plants caught my eye and I picked up a white variety at the local farmers market. I've chosen to grow them on my sunny SWest facing deck in a pot rather than transplant them into my gardening plot. I'm also growing watermelon and tomato on the 4th-storey deck and they're all thriving.

'happy' gardening

2010-07-14T09:40:00.000-03:00

In the midst of a rough couple of days, I stopped by my garden last night in a horrid mood. As soon as I walked onto the sun-drenched site in the early evening I found myself thinking 'I love my garden, it makes me so happy!' Sappy I know, but true. Do you think of your garden as therapy?

pretty partnership

2010-07-08T16:56:00.002-03:00

I just came upon this photo on the Evergreen website - cabbage and nasturtiums - what a lovely edible plant combination.

bok choi beginnings

2010-06-27T19:39:00.004-03:00

I uprooted my bok choi today, as it had bolted. I meant to post these photos a while ago, when the garden had first taken off. Now they've been harvested and replaced with heirloom tomatoes.

I've started a 2nd sewing of the purple variety. Hopefully it's not too late...

lady birds

2010-06-27T18:38:00.003-03:00

Snap of lady bugs on the sweet cicely at my community garden's communal herb garden. Apparently these little ladies have been scarce the last couple of years. The garden was practically teeming with them as they feasted on aphids so perhaps the pesticide bans are helping to bring back the pollinators and other beneficial insects.

my new bed!

2010-06-11T21:10:00.002-03:00

Ok so not mine yet, but I have to find a way to get this bed! (via Lake Jane )

test tube trend

2010-06-04T09:41:00.000-03:00

I'm really digging this test tube storage trend. My herbs and spices desperately need organization and that spice rack would be perfect. Honey by Bee Raw and Dean & Deluca spice rack.

Oh wait, I just found this DIY test tube tutorial on Apartment Therapy .

diy outdoor lighting

2010-06-02T21:29:00.000-03:00

I love the industrial/DIY/adaptive reuse of this garden lighting . I spotted it on DigginFood , my new favorite blog. It features delightful posts on gardening and eating. I am especially taken with the creative use of such unusual veggie parts as kale buds and garlic scapes. Check it out.

Ambivalence

2010-05-04T21:37:00.000-03:00

I am close to finishing Anne Kingston's enlightening and provocative book The Meaning of Wife, and it has definitely woken up my feminist side. It has made me question why I would ever want to enter into an institution fraught with such restrictions and indiscretions placed upon women and also articulated many of the feelings I have about women in contemporary society. How quickly I am swayed... I saw this wedding at Lake Jane today that had me dreaming of my own fairy-tale event. This phenomenon is actually discussed in Kingston's book, many women have ambivalence about marriage but most are excited about the wedding, the ring, the dress... Could I perhaps have love and a big party to celebrate it- without a legal contract and the dreaded title of wife?

bike storage

2010-04-27T18:20:00.003-03:00

Yet another example of innovative bike storage for a loft-like space.
(via Apartment Therapy )

divider

2010-04-13T19:38:00.001-03:00

Simple, rustic diy rope room divider by Alwill Studio . (via remodelista )

yy

2010-03-31T22:19:00.002-03:00

This skirt does look like so much fun!

(yy studio via greedy girl)

unhappy hipsters

2010-01-31T23:33:00.000-04:00

Check out this blog that adds melancholy captions to images from Dwell magazine featuring moody hipsters in their modernist homes. Quite funny.

Lying on his back, watching the passing clouds, he worried over the Nathaniel Hawthorne lookalike’s role in this grim threesome.

(Photo: Céline Clanet; Dwell, November 2009)

Everyone always leaves.

(Dwell, April 2009)

perfect backyard wedding

2010-01-28T20:45:00.003-04:00

(Spotted on A Cup of Jo via Once Wed )

YIN yang

2010-01-24T23:39:00.000-04:00

This lovely lady is surely in touch with her masculine side, but apparently I'm not. I've just started rereading Gabrielle Roth's Sweat Your Prayers , a book that has been on my book shelf for the last 10 years. This is a book I discovered through my friend Robin during my electronic music stage (aka raves) in my early twenties. It is a frankly sexual book that explores ecstatic dance through archetypes, the first two being feminine and masculine, flowing and staccato respectively. After reading her descriptions of these archetypes and their relationship to masculine and feminine qualities I discovered how strongly feminine I am.

This comes as a bit of a shock; I've always considered my strong independent streak as a sign of masculinity. Friends and lovers have protested by saying I'm very soft and feminine, but I've dismissed them. Roth describes femininity as awareness, inspiration and substance and masculinity as action, discipline and form. I'm sorely lacking in the energy I need to accomplish things in the real world. I have paintings in my head that never take shape. I let a recent love be completely careless with me as I patiently excused his behavior due to his circumstance rather than standing up for what I needed. I'm leaving for Central America on savings that should have gone into my RRSP.

Of the three masculine archetypes Roth describes, 'Father' is most absent within me. I need a Daddy that will march in and tell me to clean my room, forget about any guy who doesn't mean it, finish my 5 year plan and get my ass in the studio and paint. I need a firm hand and some tough love. And by 'Daddy' I'm talking about a part of myself that needs developing, not someone I need to attract. Can I develop this side of me by dancing? It sure is fun so lets see where it goes. Now I just need to put down the book and do the practice...

(Images via the Sartorialist and The Hindu )

Tulum!

2010-01-21T19:26:00.002-04:00

My little adventure is fast approaching (15 days!) and since I'm flying into Cancun and making my way down the coast to Belize, my first stop is in Tulum, Mexico. I spent a day here with my dear friend Jenn when I was in Mexico last April and was astounded by the paradise we found along the beach road below the famous seaside Mayan ruins. 10 km of stunning beaches fronted by mostly thatch roofed cabanas and very small hotels; this stretch is completely off the grid. Several resorts are candlelight only while others have electricity during set hours from generators, solar panels and wind turbines. My day trip was filled with delightful moments and the place felt really powerful- I've been itching to get back. I've heard rumours of development- possibly a nearby airport and a cruise ship dock- and want to spend some quality time there in the meantime.

My first night is booked at Copal part of Ecotulum. This place features cabanas on a jungle cliff overlooking the beach and doesn't have electricity. It's also clothing optional, but I'm a bit on the shy side and am traveling solo, so I won't be jumping on that train. I've heard the place has really good vibes and is close to everything, I've also been told to expect wildlife- geckoes, iguanas and crabs- in the cabana. Regardless, I'm excited for the experience. I'm spending 2 additional nights in Tulum that I haven't booked yet, so I'm open to suggestions!

While in Tulum I also hope to explore cenotes , rent a bike and check out ruins at nearby Coba , do morning yoga on the beach, eat lots of yummy Mexican food, lounge in hammocks, do a tetzamul (traditional Mayan sweat lodge) and spend lots of time on the beach reading, sketching and stargazing... then I'm off on a long bus ride to Caye Caulker in Belize where I hope to check out the reggae vibes and take it real slow.

derailed

2010-01-16T20:34:00.002-04:00

Happy New Year! A bit late, yes I know. I just realized I hadn't posted in a month! I guess I'm an all or nothing kind of girl- after posting every day for 4 months. January always seems to take the winds out of my sails and Halifax has been unusually sun-less this year. I'm staying out of the depths with light therapy and St. John's Wort, but I'm still very withdrawn, with not a lot to say at the moment.

I've booked a trip to Mexico and Belize for February and I'm very excited for a big jolt of sunlight.

3 weeks! I'll try to keep you filled in on my travel plans. I'm backpacking down the coast of Mexico to Belize where I'm meeting up with a group for a conference and 10-day tour of land planning and environmental education practices in Belize. I'm happy about the combination of lounging and learning.

So I hope once these winter blues pass, I'll be back on my blog swing. I really enjoy doing a daily post, but I'm not going to force it at the moment, rather seeing where it goes...

Hope to see you again soon!

(photo via sfgbb )

amaryllis

2009-12-16T14:02:00.000-04:00

holiday decorating

2009-12-15T12:50:00.000-04:00

I have always spent Christmas at my parents, so I've never really done a lot of holiday decorating. But I really enjoy these clever holiday ideas. (via apartment therapy and lake jane )

existential crisis #334

2009-12-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

So I'll admit that I seem to be hardwired to ponder the meaning of things. The long cold nights that make me want to snuggle in at home are getting a bit heavy and perhaps providing way too much time to my thoughts. Maybe I'm just not getting enough sun...

Regardless, just days ago (my last post), I was feeling thankful for being in such a great line of work and now I'm questioning it all. Is this what I'm meant to do? I don't feel like I'm using my talents. How might I bring those talents to the table? Would I be happier elsewhere? Where?

I'm mid trip planning and I'm wondering- Am I running away? Will time away help me figure this out? How the hell am I going to pull this off?

Do the long nights of December bring on your dark nights of the soul?

(photo via Bliss )

a day at the office

2009-12-12T08:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was a nice break from my usual design desk job- I got to visit a site I've been designing in order to check the alignment of a road that will soon be constructed, and to find a place to install a bridge to cross this stream...

When I left the city it was sunny and mild, but the Annapolis Valley was a winter wonderland. I've been feeling a bit jaded lately with working in a high-pressure firm, but days like this make me appreciate what a great profession I'm in.

This site will soon be a camp for sick kids, and I intend to make sure the camp rests lightly on this forest and keeps all of the magic that drew us in the first place.

I hope you're having a magical pre-holiday weekend! xo

leg warmers

2009-12-09T12:34:00.000-04:00

I have always loved leg warmers, a kick-back from growing up in the 80's I guess. So I've been quick to embrace the warmer-over-tights/ leggings comeback. I especially like the thigh-high variety. I picked up a pair yesterday, and am wearing them as we speak (see bottom pic).

(photo by Michelle Doucette )

(via Grijs )

cardboard vaulting

2009-12-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

I have spent the last couple of weeks working on very technical grading plans and feeling like an engineer- this is incredibly inspiring! This guest bedroom is carved out of the side of a mountain in Vals, Switzerland and the vaulting represents the contours of the mountain. The 400 mm cardboard was computer cut but begs for a little diy re-interpretation. Check out more of Studio JVM here . (via Apartment Therapy )

happy monday

2009-12-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Monday! I hope you've had a great weekend. I've been happily nesting and being quite anti-social. We had our first real snow yesterday in Halifax, and although it was just a wee bit, it drove me further into my lady cave. I just don't enjoy winter, hence the gorgeous spring pic. I know it's not even officially winter, but I'm dreaming of budding leaves, and crocuses and ...

(Photo via what possessed me )

healthy glow?

2009-12-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've previously mentioned that I am following the Spent program for modern exhaustion. It's 6 weeks long and I am finished this weekend! One of my tasks this week was to check all of my body care/ cosmetics for unsafe ingredients. I typed all of my products into Cosmetics Database and was appalled at what I was rubbing on my body and am now faced with the sad task of throwing out some of my favorite beauty products. The good thing about this website is you can type in a product (ie. mascara) and it rates pretty much all of the products on the market from 1 to 10 so you can find safer alternatives.

Warning! Don't try this unless you are prepared to do some major house-cleaning!

(photo via j. crew )

penguin invite

2009-12-03T12:24:00.001-04:00

Since we seem to be on the topic of weddings today. The perfect invite for bookish types from Greenwich Letterpress .

(via a cup of jo )

rock solid

2009-12-03T12:13:00.000-04:00

As much as I love the beach, I could never quite see myself getting married on one. This wedding on a rock outcropping on the other hand is perfectly sweet and simple. My perfect wedding would still be under big trees in a beautiful garden, preferably my to-be garden.

(via a cup of jo )

tree prints

2009-12-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

I absolutely adore these tree relief prints by Brian Nash Gill . He rolls the ink right on the trunk, overlays this with paper and then rubs to create the print with his own hands. The print below is hemlock.

(via antler magazine )

take me out to dinner dress

2009-12-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Who could refuse you in this? {via modcloth}

life envy

2009-12-01T09:37:00.001-04:00

Oh my, where to begin, this is so much more than a girl crush. Artist Bobbie Burgers has what I concede to be the perfect life. I saw her featured in Canadian House and Home a couple of years back and have carried those torn-out pages with me. Here is this young, beautiful artist living in a colorful modern house in Vancouver with gorgeous blond children and a furniture designer husband. I've often thought of her as a role model for where I'd like to be. Painting at home, hanging out with the kids in the garden. Maybe her idealic family even won me over to the idea of children...

Just this week I stumble upon an article about her Okanagon summer home and new love of farming on the properties orchards, gardens and vineyard. Her perfect existence just became more perfect. *sigh*

{images via bobbie burgers and house and home }

happy monday!

2009-11-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

I hope you had a great weekend and are restored and ready for another week! I'm still a bit sleepy, I decided on a late night snack of energy balls that kept me up late. I just had another, so hopefully it brings me around! Here are some pics of sea holly I bought at the Halifax farmer's market this weekend:

can you make this outfit into a garden?

2009-11-30T08:46:00.001-04:00

So this is my kind of garden design! Studio G occasionally features a post entitled 'can you make this into a garden (CYMTIAG). She uses an outfit as inspiration and then creates a mood board for a garden. Surely a spin-off of Domino's (RIP) 'make this look a room'. I really miss Domino's column but CYMTIAG is so much fun it almost makes up for it! Check out the Pish Posh and Christian Dior inspired garden.

messy books

2009-11-26T16:23:00.001-04:00

These books are so haphazardly attractive. This never works for me!

diy headboard

2009-11-26T08:00:00.003-04:00

My step-dad is building me a headboard for Christmas, I just have to find a design I really like. I looove this design from the Market Hotel in Barcelona. My step-dad doesn't know what he's got himself into...

{via Lake Jane }

smoothie secret

2009-11-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

After coming out of an intensive architecture program, moving constantly and entering a high-stress work environment, I had recently hit an energy low. I started the Spent program, which is all about bring you back in balance with a natural rhythm through daily beats over 6 weeks, about a month ago and am really noticing a difference in my energy levels, mood and , believe it or not, my face. A few of the eliminations have been tough, but one thing I really enjoy are the morning smoothies. I think the key ingredient that gives these smoothies such a gorgeous texture is... avocado.

I've played around a bit with the Spent recipes and my favorite adaptation is the:

StrawMan Vigor Smoothie

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1/4 cup frozen mangoes

1/3 avocado

1/4 cup coconut milk

3/4 cup water

1 scoop whey

2 tsp greens powder

1/2 tsp ground flax

Combine in a blender and blend 'til smooth. This is the perfect breakfast- quick, portable and packed with protein, good fats, fibre and phytonutrients. And delicious!

{photo via sunset }

belize it is!

2009-11-24T14:13:00.000-04:00

I just have to share this coincidence! I mentioned last week that I was considering an enviro-education tour of Belize that would look at land planning, agriculture and ecology while touring the rain forests, temples and coastline. I can be really indecisive, and have been meaning to do a bit more research and review my budget before submitting my application.

I just read my Astrotwins weekly horoscope and I quote "Add a spiritual-slash-educational component to any vacation you take. Study Mayan temples in Belize..." I believe in listening to signs so I think that just made my decision for me!

gray sweaters

2009-11-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mrs. French over at Bliss recently added a post on gray sweaters. My winter wardrobe is also dominated by gray sweaters, yet I can't help but want more. This j.crew sweater is my favorite from Mrs. French's picks . I can't help but worry what my favorite color says about me?

happy monday

2009-11-23T08:00:00.003-04:00

Happy Monday! I hope that you all had a great weekend. I spent most of mine catching up with friends over tea, playing house and having bike adventures (no that's not me). I'm actually quite pleased with myself for going out of my bike comfort zone. I am biking for the first time since I was a kid in the country, so I've been keeping to my usual safe, quiet routes. I was also in the most incredibly happy mood last night (almost scary happy), my heart rate rarely breaches 90, so perhaps from the exercise endorphins?

I also noticed that I was frequently approached by guys when with my bike or even just carrying my helmet. Are guys really into chicks with bikes, does it make me more approachable or does it just give them a reason to strike up a conversation?

{photo via a cup of jo }

winter wanderlust

2009-11-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

I am in the process of figuring out my winter holiday plans. Nova Scotia is really beautiful in the summer and I come down with a bad case of SAD most winters so I've saved my holiday time for then. I did a resort week in Mexico for the first time last winter and had a great time but I'm looking for something a little more cultural and educational, while still getting relaxing beach time.

I've heard about an ecological education tour in Belize that looks at land planning, agriculture and ecology while taking you on a tour of the country. I'm really interested, but would probably add a couple of beach days on the end. I'm also considering WWOOFing and longer term volunteer opportunities. I'm really excited but indecisive and need to make up my mind soon if I want to get my timing right. Have you had an experience with this type of travel you'd like to share?

stream-of-consciousness

2009-11-19T08:00:00.008-04:00

I always love Angela's art picks over at Antler Magazine's blog . I recently checked out her blog . An excerpt from her lovely stream-of-consciousness writing:

NOV 6, 2009

under and over...

stitch, stitch, stitch, and twist. grey day. drizzle, drizzle. gold gouache and red glitter. a cranky rottweiler. rekindling. re-thinking. learn, push, pray. slowly, slowly now. easy, easy. gold and red and grey. twist. twist. rottweiler yawn. a trigger in black, breathing slow, easy now, curled up around my toes. the warmth continues to roll. the gold. the bows. the bows are tied. ribbons 'round my wrists and eyes. grey day. safe and low.

city blocks

2009-11-19T08:00:00.006-04:00

For all of you urban design geeks out there. A cool, little diagram comparing city block sizes.

{via landscape+urbanism }

new york, new york

2009-11-18T08:00:00.003-04:00

As if the High Line doesn't have me hankering for a trip to New York. These dreamy photos by Marc Yankus sure do. {via what possessed me }

puppy lust

2009-11-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

I have to admit that I look at puppies the way most women my age look at babies. My puppy lust has been dormant recently, but this pic brings it all rushing back. Look at these adorable golden retriever puppies!. (photo via a cup of jo )

black boots

2009-11-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

I'm in the market for a new pair of boots and I've got to say I am smitten with Geox's Cruz wp . I've been known to destroy quality boots in little time as I stomp to work through slushy Halifax streets. These boots are fully waterproof without treating, really comfy and with a great pair of jeans, super hot. (The photo doesn't do them justice).

cold frame balcony gardening

2009-11-16T15:02:00.000-04:00

I'm about to undertake a little experiment that has the potential to provide me with fresh herbs and greens throughout the winter. A cold frame is like a mini-greenhouse. It's a bottomless box with a hinged glass top. Usually this would sit over in-ground plants. I'm reluctant to leave this at my community garden, so I'm giving it a go on my 4th floor balcony. It won't be as well insulated, but as I've said this is an experiment and I've lined the bottom with newspapers, which will hopefully provide insulation while still allowing drainage.

All of the plants below I've either moved from my balcony or re-potted from the garden. From top left corner, clockwise: chives, cilantro, flat and curly-leaf parsley, bok-choy, swiss chard, parsley, arugula, mustard greens, spinach, kale and red-leaf lettuce. Wish me luck and I'd love tips if you've got 'em.

happy monday

2009-11-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

I hope you had a great weekend. Yesterday was a drizzly, foggy, rainy day here in Halifax. The perfect day to sip tea and catch up on reading, cleaning and cooking. It still amazes me how people keep big houses in order when I find it such a struggle to keep up my 1 bedroom apartment. But it sure feels good starting the week stocked and organized.

I'll be back a bit later with a peek at my little balcony cold frame garden which will hopefully keep me stocked with fresh greens and herbs throughout the winter.

homemade paneer

2009-11-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

My favorite Indian dish is saag paneer, but I had never attempted it at home. I kept meaning to buy the cheese when I found out it was available at a local Indian grocery, then I came across this recipe for homemade paneer on Apartment Therapy. It's simple, using only milk and lemon juice, easy and quick. And amazing! That block of cheese lasted less than a day and was glorious in the curry and on its own.

home at last

2009-11-12T09:00:00.002-04:00

I am in a snuggly, sappy, love-in kind of mood (ok so when am I not?) and I came across my absolute favorite magazine cover. I just had to share the love.

i want. i want. i want.

2009-11-11T11:03:00.004-04:00

Moving right along from sustainability to materialism. I want this lovely dove-grey scarf...

These great red tights...

And for my hair to grow a bit longer so I can wear it like this...

{photos via stockholm street style and a cup of jo }

go big ...

2009-11-10T12:38:00.000-04:00

Wow! This big, bold painting creates quite the impact in this

(bed?)room. {via Desire to Inspire }

sustainable sites

2009-11-10T11:52:00.002-04:00

The Sustainable Sites Initiative has finally released its Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks for suitable land selection, design, construction and operations, the first rating system for sustainable landscapes in North America. It is similar to the LEED rating system with a series of prerequisites and credits for points. Unlike LEED, it is site-focused and applicable to sites both with or without buildings. Under this system a farm or park could be rated and certified on its sustainability as a LEED certified building would. The USGBC , which regulates LEED, is a stakeholder in this project and anticipates incorporating the Sustainable Site's rating system into future LEED points.The Points Categories include:

Site Selection
Pre-Design Assessment and Planning
Site Design- Water
Site Design- Soil and Vegetation
Site Design- Materials Selection
Site Design- Human Health and Well-Being
Construction
Operations and Maintenance
Monitoring and Innovation

I'm really excited about this system- the Guiding Principles are really inspiring, and include:

Do no harm
Design with nature and culture
Use a systems thinking approach

These guidelines stress ecosystem services such as:

Local and global climate regulation
Habitat function and pollination
Food and renewable food products

They also have a practical application with specific recommendations for implementation in the Potential technologies and strategies heading for each point.

At this time, the Pilot Project Phase , the SSI is encouraging voluntary implementation of these guidelines by planners, landscape architects, engineers, developers and government agencies. You can submit projects for Pilot Project Certification, which will eventually move into full certification.

As land planning and design professionals we need to take the first step. Download the SSI Guiding Principles and Performance Benchmarks here . Distribute it to your coworkers and encourage your company to design under these guidelines. We have the potential to create healthy, productive, sustainable landscapes and this initiative is a major step in the process.

desk dreamin'

2009-11-10T08:59:00.001-04:00

I'd love to be here right now...

But right now it feels more like this...

Ok, it's not that bad. I'm not in a cubicle, I have a window and a giant plant, but being stuck inside on a gorgeously warm November day feels like cubicle hell.

{photo via Bliss}

Awwoooeee

2009-11-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

Today just happens to be Monday and one of those days where I am so achy and crampy, that it surpasses nausea to almost delirium. I'd love to spend the day in bed...

I came across this photo on what possessed me just as the principal of an architecture firm I'm working with came up behind me. I blushed, and tried to casually move on to our project, but he laughed and assured me that he too looks at things he shouldn't. I still giggle whenever I see it.

girl crush- autumn colors

2009-11-09T08:59:00.000-04:00

Since today seems to be all about confessions... If I saw this girl on the street, I'd be very tempted to follow her home. {photo via a cup of joe }

farm dreamin'

2009-11-06T15:19:00.001-04:00

Jason King over at Landscape+Urbanism has put together a great intro to urban agriculture that has me daydreaming about food production. He talks about such things as seed bombs, front yard veggie gardens and land sharing as well as some higher tech options such as roof and vertical gardening. It's full of fun ideas and lists some really great resources. After reading his post I've been thinking about new signs for my community garden's herb garden, backyard chickens and pygmy goats! Okay so I need a backyard first... Read the full post here.

jennifer martin

2009-11-06T09:00:00.004-04:00

Antler magazine's blog always has great artist picks. I love the delicate dreaminess of Jessica Martin's mixed media work. Check out her gallery here .

t.ruffles

2009-11-05T11:15:00.000-04:00

Too sweet! I'm actually a little teary... This new blog is a collaboration between a photographer and a writer. One posts photos and the other fills in the text- 'candy for your soul'. {via Bliss }

karmameju

2009-11-05T09:00:00.003-04:00

I just stumbled upon Karmameju's lounge-wear collection and am somewhat awestruck. Imagine lounging about in this drapey pajama pantsuit! And I'd definitely be tempted to wear these gorgeous nightgowns in public!

crack garden

2009-11-04T09:00:00.004-04:00

The Crack Garden in San Francisco recently won an Honour Award from the ASLA. This gritty residential garden at a low-rise apartment building represents the spirit of nature breaking free from the concrete and asphalt that cover most of the urban ground plane. The residents of this building created the garden themselves, using jack hammers to remove 'cracks', which were then planted.

I have to wonder if the crack garden was an influence on The High Line , the new elevated park in Manhattan. Its striated concrete planks are a more streamlined version of this idea. I have to gush, I am completely in love with the High Line, can't wait to visit, and will likely be featuring this in an upcoming post.

week 2 down! finally!

2009-11-03T10:58:00.001-04:00

So I started the Apartment Therapy home cure for the 3rd time, weeks ago. I kept getting caught up on week 2, within which one of the tasks is to remove everything from your kitchen, get rid of what you don't really love or need, clean everything and put it back in an organized manner. Although I have a small kitchen, this was a major task for me. Let's hope I can hold it up as I move into week 3 and the next room- the entry way.

lonely

2009-11-02T09:00:00.006-04:00

{via Bliss }

stephen floyd

2009-11-02T09:00:00.005-04:00

Brooklyn artist Stephen Floyd is having his first solo show in NYC, 'I Love America and America Loves Me', at Heist Gallery . His illustrations are simple, political and blatantly sexual. {via Cool Hunting }

head shots

2009-11-02T09:00:00.002-04:00

I love the detail in these prints by Nosideup . Visit her Etsy shop here . {via Darling Dexter }

a mod entrance

2009-10-30T09:00:00.004-03:00

This mid-century modern path is really fun! Check out the DIY here . {via Apartment Therapy }

pumpkins!

2009-10-30T09:00:00.002-03:00

I have a pumpkin (from Mom's patch) and I have a power drill and I'm going to try to replicate the pretty pumpkin front and centre. {via House and Home }

hoarders

2009-10-30T09:00:00.001-03:00

I have a rather bizarre sense of humour, but I find this hilarious. Since my dining table has been taken over by outdoor plants moved in for the winter, I can definitely relate. {via Away to Garden }

slug love

2009-10-29T11:43:00.001-03:00

How cute is this little guy? {via cool hunting }

light and lovely

2009-10-29T09:00:00.001-03:00

Ohmy! To live in these peaceful light-filled rooms... {via bliss }

bike art #2

2009-10-28T09:00:00.001-03:00

Here's one more bike storage option as art!

Lawrence Halprin

2009-10-28T08:59:00.001-03:00

Perhaps the most influential landscape architect of the last several decades died yesterday at the age of 93. Lawrence Halprin was innovative, inspiring and prolific until the end. I saw him speak in San Francisco 2 years ago and was really moved by his humour and insight. He was a designer who could marry beauty with ecological and social function.

“My own way has been to design the outward forms of nature but emphasize the results of the processes of nature…This act of transmuting the experience of the natural landscape into human-made experience is, for me, the essence of the art of landscape design.”

He was responsible for the 'alternative' Sea Ranch community plan in the 1960's which was inspired by and responsive to the wind, ocean and cliffs. Its design manual prohibited perimeter fences and non-native plants. Read his biography from The Natural Landscape Foundation.

DIY skinny jeans

2009-10-27T09:00:00.007-03:00

Check out this post and tutorial on diy skinny jeans . It sounds super easy, can be done on an ordinary machine (not a serger) and allows you to adjust the skinny to your liking. I definitely have a few pairs of old jeans that could use a tune up. I'll let you know how it goes! {via Darling Dexter }

Also tips on a pro-look at-home jean hem that is simple and keeps the original cuff. {via freshly picked }

urine charge

2009-10-27T08:59:00.001-03:00

I just stumbled across this post about using diluted human urine as fertilizer. Apparently with our excessive western diets urine is high in protein and nutrient rich. There seems to be a whole little counter-culture that uses human waste as fertilizer.

I am experimenting with ways to add nutrients to my community garden plot- I'm mixing in seaweed for the winter and have considered cover crops. I'm trying to stay open, but I think I'll have to do a little more research and allow some processing time before I consider this method. {via culiblog }

hippie chic

2009-10-26T09:00:00.002-03:00

This is definitely not my usual style, but I love the quirky/hippie/prepiness of this outfit. {via Stockholm Street Style }

the city that never was

2009-10-26T08:00:00.001-03:00

I don't have an iphone or live in NYC, but if I did I'd definitely check this out. Phantom City is an iphone application that allows you to walk through the city and see visionary designs of the same space on your phone. It engages the user by giving the option to rate the design. {via design under sky }

cairo communities

2009-10-23T09:00:00.002-03:00

I just saw this photo over at Polis . How beautiful/creepy/intriguing is the built form of the suburbs against the desert?

friday fun

2009-10-23T00:54:00.001-03:00

This is a whole lot of fun. I really want to work here! {via sfgbybay }

milk & cookies

2009-10-22T09:00:00.001-03:00

What a fantastic idea for party food- milk shots and chocolate chip cookies. I'm planning a crafts & cocktails party to celebrate finishing Apartment Therapy's home cure and am adding this to the menu. Setting a date would probably give me just enough pressure to stay on track! {via lake jane}

visceral comfort

2009-10-21T09:00:00.006-03:00

Love these chairs from aqua creations . They look snuggly and casual, yet perfectly styled. {via grijs}

rockin' it

2009-10-21T09:00:00.005-03:00

A couple of street style pics from the Sartorialist and Stockholm Street Style .