A little Danish idear. Hang on.

Isn't this neat? It's from the Canadian blogger, a little danish, who moved to Copenhagen to live said beautiful life. Groovy.

First Impressions + Wanderlust

When I was 18 my Family Studies teacher, while on the topic of childcare, opened my eyes to the wonder that is Denmark. Later in university, Sociology courses revisited the country with enviable higher standard of living, health, and environmental conscientiousness. This was a brief period where I was fired up over the national childcare and daycare issues in Canada and wished to move to Denmark if/when I raised a family (only the best for the dogress and her little ones). Fast forward to present time, when we find family life less appealing, have a preoccupation with the here and now and ups and downs of new condo ownership. Dreams of Denmark were shuffled into the creaky attic of my brain, tangled in icky cobwebs of baby names, career aspirations (vet + flight attendant!), and years of education. Last night while peeping through my blog reading list, a friend reignited my interest (in the country, not babies). I had heart palpitations over the ridiculously beautiful life (through images) a Canadian was enjoying in Copenhagen. Great, don't you just have it all now, Denmark! Since, for many reasons, we can't scamper off to Copenhagen and live a visually obese life of beauty, I've resolved to fall in love with Canada again (well, not again—for the first time). Specifically, the city of Toronto. Hmm, but I can't help but compare the stark contrast of ours to the historically and architecturally rich cities elsewhere. 

[sources unknown, sorry!]

Even the doors are more beautiful in Europe (though I'm pretty certain a couple of them are from the U.S.). And I've yet to visit a park (or garden) in Toronto that could made my heart flutter and encourage peaceful daydreaming like the ones in Paris and NYC. Have I not properly met Toronto? Am I not frequenting the right spots? Are there really places in this city that provide...

...a spot for people watching and daydreaming

...whimsical carousels

...manicured (or largely majestic) trees

...live music

...beautiful fountains

...miniature sailboats

...grand libraries

...romantic streets

...and waters

...as well as structures

Even the staircases in Europe are beautiful! Cuss!

 

If you really want some heartache, click here. Do it! You're not my friend if you don't. So beautiful. Ridiculous oozing and sobbing of wanderlust.

Le Sigh. Le big freakin' sigh.

Rocky's expression perfectly sums up my mood for this week. Nose flared, lips pursed, and eyes crossed with a touch of despair/exasperation (I might be reading too much into the photo now. just maybe). It's been a tough few days—I lost a loved one on Monday morning. And then I suffered an unnecessary dish washing accident involving the following sequence of events: crashing mug, bloody bathtub, pizza and ginger ale (so that I wouldn't faint?), subway ride (it's called frugality, beech!), the ER, four stitches, lobster (fried rice for me. mm, it was good), and ice cream. 

So, maybe it's because of said events that I was particularly irritable or maybe it's because people were that obnoxious, but I had an awful evening at my class tonight. First of all, the lecturer, though appreciatively enthusiastic and passionate, had such a thick accent that I couldn't understand 85% of what she was saying. Secondly, she was yelling! Really, every friend of mine has heard of my strict indoor-outdoor voice policy and can only applaud me for enduring three hours of ear rapeage. My ears were ringing just ten minutes into the lecture. She was speaking that loudly! And then she was baffled as to why she was losing her voice an hour into the lecture?! So, there I was, seated, ears ringing, stomach aching, head throbbing, and then (unbelievable) I had to add sore jaw to the list! It was so painful that I was unknowingly clenching my teeth in angst. 

Now let's move on to the classmates. Holy bajoly! This one ridiculous lady arrived thirty minutes late, strolling in and interrupting the lecturer mid-sentence with a loud "hi" followed by "I'm late." She then proceeded to noisily settle in and continued to disrupt the class with stupid questions—stupid because she was so busy texting, emailing, and facebooking that she didn't hear the lecturer and would ask unnecessary questions, all with this disgustingly huffy voice and rolling eyes. Oh, and we can't forget the staple set of chatty females. Really, these people in their mid-thirties to late forties were cackling and prattling about. Twice, they were shushed by fellow classmates and eventually quieted by the lecturer. What is it with adult learners? I've never witnessed such frequent displays of disrespectful behaviour among students until I attended these evening classes. Classes filled with grownups with this haughty air of entitlement and rudeness about them. I stormed (hobbled) out in anger when we were dismissed and the dogre found me on the street curb, all deflated and dejected. Sounds like I'm being melodramatic but I seriously curled up on the curb and pouted into the darkness. I may have also sent evil thoughts to certain individuals.

And don't even get me started on occupancy fees for new condo owners. Glad for the weekend and very much looking forward to the end of the dogre's eight-day shift. Okay, this grumpy goose needs to rub some polysporin on her toesies and head to bed now. Fare thee well.

My heart goes pitter patter / Leather goods

I started Illustrator 1 this week and thought I'd fool around for a bit (ever since I changed to a Mac, I've been going through some serious MS Paint-withdrawal! yes, I just compared Illustrator to Paint). Have to say, it wasn't the least bit painful since (in the name of research) I leisurely sifted through photos of my favourite purses. Clearly, all bags are out of my price range and I can only admire from afar—ho hum. Let's begin with my all-time favourite Chloe. Don't forget to click images to enlarge—you must appreciate the details and colours of each bag! Do it! --> I just clicked the images and only two will enlarge to original size. why is that? someone explain this to me!

Something to feel work savvy and scholarly?

And for a balanced life, something for apres work and the weekends!

While we're daydreaming, does anyone have some chump change to gift to me a Chanel? Yes, yes, you there?!

{photo credit: coach from coach.com; hermes from garance dore; tory burch from shopbop; topshop from topshop; all others from net-a-porter.com/google search}

Underneath the leaves where the blackbirds turn blue / Looking towards summer

Don't these photos scream SUMMER?! I can't believe we're already five days into March. I'm not sure if I'm really drinking life in and slowing down to savour anything. It's like we're constantly looking forward—deadlines, dates, upcoming markers. Hoping for a summer filled with homemade ice cream, mini finger sandwiches, ice cold colas with lemon wedges, strolls in the new neighbourhood, window shopping for furniture pieces and chandeliers, and cycling on Centre Island again? Maybe even styled like this effortlessly chic girl below?

{photo credit: garance dore}

Just look at her! I've actually been unwell and cooped up indoors for the past couple of days, longingly flipping through this season's J.Crew and Anthropologie catalogs.

I really, really love the J.Crew's menswear lines. Never disappointed.

By the way, did you notice some new additions to my blog? Over there, on the top left. I've started an online recipe box with the hopes of trying each recipe at least once, before the year is up. If you're up for it, why don't you test some out as well? Decadent chocolate cakes and truffles? Comforting soups? Fancy breakfasts?!