It's a Parrot Party

It felt wonderful to wear this romper out in the warm weather. For some reason I didn't get around to wearing it much last year, hopefully I do so more this time around. My weekend was crazy busy. I think I got about five hours of sleep in a span of 48 hours at one point. I headed out dancing on Friday night and things just rolled along and the next thing I knew the sun was rising and the sky had the soft fuzzy cotton look that comes with dawn.

Romper - Purchased from Reluctant Damsel on Etsy

Sandals - Sears

The ironic part is that I kept saying I had to take it easy and have an earlier night because I was going to an open house at Ottawa's Cordon Bleu at ten the next morning. I still attended the info session, but I was running on a two and a half hour nap haha... I felt better whenever I was moving, so the forty five minute walks there and back were really quite enjoyable. The sun was out, the birds were chirping and there was a lovely breeze. It was still early enough for the earth to have that cool morning feeling to it. I was pretty miserable sitting inside but I'm glad I attended the session. I'm still see-sawing between Pastry and Cuisine, now more towards the first than the later. It's so hard choosing.

I had the opportunity to see the kitchens and talk to some of the Chefs, as well as see one of them make chocolate boxes right in front of us. All of the teachers are French Chefs from France and they all have that typical French accent, which amuses me to no end. They seem like a bunch of great characters and teachers. I really want to attend. I'm also waffling between taking just the beginner level and seeing about doing the rest later, or doing the whole Pastry diplôme in one chunk. The problem with doing it all at once is I'd run out of money to live on midway and I don't think I could work and learn at the same time. Not to mention having to take out another ten grands worth of student loans. Me no likey debt.

I'm hoping that having the beginner certificate will be enough to help me along for a while. And as much as I love both baking and cooking, I don't want to be a world renowned chef. I have no interest in touring the world or working in a fancy five star restaurant. I just like making tasty things and feeding people. Not to mention I am totally okay with washing dishes or sweeping floors in a bakery if that gets me in and lets me watch experienced bakers. I am not willing to be someone's office bitch admin assistant though, because I have no interest in moving up in that kind of environment and see no worth in the work.

It reads: A Bad Day on Vacation Always Beats A Good Day At Work!

Now finally I can explain the post's title. A few weeks back I walked by a shop called Fab Gear 64 on Wellington and saw this purse in the window. The shop was closed at the time but it had gotten my attention and the purse (okay, more like giant tote, but I say purse) was calling me. A few days later I walked by again while the shop was open, went in, fell in love and brought it home. Yes. It is covered in crazy partying parrots. My friend said they remind her of elderly people in Miami. They're having a good time though, and I dig it!

This thing is huge and glaring and sticks out. But I love it ever so much. It helps that it is both machine washable and has a wipe-down canvas interior while still being lightweight, perfect for my summer adventuring. Plus it has frigging partying parrots on it, how can it get any better?! I'm now living by their example and just having a good time as much as possible! I think they would approve of my past weekend.

In less than two weeks, my friend Laura and I will be selling crafty things at the Ravenswing Craft and Zine Fair here in Ottawa. Of course I've been procrastinating and am probably more behind in a few projects than I should be, but it's not the end of the world, I always manage to work things out in the end. It should be a great time. I hope you are all having a good Monday. Cheers!

"C" is for Crafts

I love me some crafty goodness. My most recent new project was making secret book boxes for some friends of mine. What better than a secret book-nook? I didn't take any photos during the process, but it was really simple. I say simple, and not easy. Cutting out all those pages was hard, time-intensive work!



My old room mate loves Sherlock Holmes, and when I handed him the book he looked at the spine and exclaimed happily. Then he opened it and exclaimed in happy surprise! They both really loved them, which made me happy. They're not exactly the prettiest looking things, rather rough around the edges, but I think I did good for my first ever attempts!



All the tutorials I read either left the inside raw (which I thought was ugly, and messy) or used the cut-out pages to papier-macher a layer over the raw edges. I opted for a felt-lined interior. It helped that I had felt leftover from my Halloween costume. The tutorials also said not to try using a softcover, because you would cut through the bottom. Folks, ain't no way that's happening unless you are crafting with your brain in your pocket.



I enjoyed making these, and I might make more in the future. They're a neat gift, and are so easily personalized.The only thing I'd do differently is leave more intact pages at the beginning, and use a glue stick to glue down the last top page instead of liquid glue.

My next project, I have decided, will be spoon rests! You know, those things you lay your spoon on while cooking so you don't get sauce all over the counter or stove. I want to try making some really funky ones out of resin with nifty inlayed items. Sparkly spoon-rest anyone?



Tomorrow my friends are coming over for a late potluck brunch. I'm excited! Good food, great people, what more can a girl ask for? Then Sunday I'm heading to Church (no, I have not discovered the Lord) with my grandparents, going to a community breakfast and then doing some thrifting. A busy, happy weekend for me. I hope you all have a really great weekend too! Cheers!