Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Bon Kanye



Bon Iver pops up numerous times on Kanye West's new album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and I, for one, am loving it.  It seems totally unexpected and yet makes so much sense at the same time.  Love him or leave him, Kanye once again demonstrates his willingness to find inspiration from many different music sources.  Plus, Bon Iver is fucking awesome.  Listening to his album For Emma, Forever Ago is like opening a gift on Christmas morning over and over again.  Having almost an ethereal quality, it gives you everything you are looking for in that type of album.  The type of album you listen to when you are feeling mopey and need a reminder that feelings are universal and you aren't the only one on the face of the earth that has felt bad.  It actually makes be feel better because it makes me feel less special.  


Chin chin to KW for bringing us a little morsel of Bon Iver.



Saturday, November 20, 2010

SISTERSWHOTEXT

SISTERSWHOTEXT has officially launched! My sister and I have started a new blog complied of text messages we have sent to each other over the years.  Reading back on them makes us laugh over and over and hopefully we aren't the only ones.
Submit texts between you and your sister! Or letters, notes, postcards, recordings, videos, photos. And if you have a friend who's like a sister to you, that's cool too. Humor is key. We like ha-ha funny, and subtle funny, and heartbreaking yet hilarious funny. There’s a lot of humor in truth.

It is BEST and FUNNIEST if you can send screen-shots of things like texts or emails. If not, just send us the transcript.

Let us know if we can publish your real name or not.

We reserve the right to publish all submissions without payment.
Send everything tosisterswhotext@gmail.com

Me and my sister
England, 1987


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Lyrical Funday





Tegan and Sara, "Empty in Between"

You wear that superstar status on your shoulder
Don't worry I won't lean on you when I get cold yeah
Sell a million copies and I'll buy back your love
Tell everyone I hate you and I'll blame the above

Love, you're breakin' me
Oh love, you're shakin' me
From the car to the front door
I'm left empty in between

You wear that chip like it makes up your wardorbe
Don't worry I won't tell anyone you're so bad
Sell a million copies and I'll buy back your love
Tell everyone I hate you and I'll blame the above
Love, you're breakin' me

Oh love, you're shakin' me
Oh, from the car to the front door
I'm left empty in between

Oh love, you're breakin' me
Oh love, you're shakin' me
Oh, from the car to the front door
I'm left empty in between






Sunday, November 14, 2010

Fashion for Thought





One of my favourite looks is vintage Canadiana and Americana. I suppose it is the result of spending my summers in Northern Ontario, but I can think of few things better than snuggling up in a Hudson's Bay blanket or throwing on your L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Boots.  Classic and timeless, one of the most wonderful times of the year is at the end of August when the temperature starts to dip, watching the sun set on a dock wearing all sorts of mismatched plaid, a toque, and wooly socks.  If I am very lucky, I am hoping to get a pair of Hudson's Bay cashmere slippers for Christmas.  


In Toronto, a great place to find Canadiana gear for the home is the Drake General Store and for some more inspiration check out:
http://redcanoebrands.com/
http://www.acontinuouslean.com



The Plaided Lady

Hipster meets Heritage
Drake General Store
Toronto, Ontario

Vintage L.L Bean



Lake Rosseau
Muskoka, Ontario 2010





Friday, November 12, 2010

Sail Knot, Want Not







When I retire from this law gig I plan on sailing the world.  That's right, circumnavigating the globe in my own private boat, hopefully with my weathered husband of thirty years and a golden retriever named Fred.  I don't sail often nor do I have very much sailing experience, but I have been thinking and planning this since I was a teenager.  It's just one of those things that I decided upon years ago and there is no question in my mind that it will happen.  From the shores of the St. Lawrence to the Cape of Good Hope to the Italian Riviera, this is how I plan on spending my old age.  It's funny how quickly years pass you by and you realize you have not done much (read: nothing)  towards achieving goals in life that you most certainly intend on achieving.  Well, it's a Friday night in November, so I have absolutely no intention of taking up sailing on this brisk evening.  But you heard it here first folks.  In the words of the Avett Brothers (I sense a theme here), decide what to be and go be it.  This ain't no motivational poster, just a tip from one sailor to another.  And man, do I look good in breton stripes.





Monday, November 8, 2010

Crush of the Week: Keith Olbermann



All over the headlines these days, Keith Olbermann is Pomp and Pride's first official Crush of the Week.  Why? He's a smart silver fox with a pragmatic sensibility.  Host of MSNBC's Countdown, Keith embodies the qualities we should all expect in our media sources - fair, intelligent, and calls things like they are.  We look forward to your return soon, KO.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Lyrical Funday



The Avett Brothers "Murder in the City"

If I get murdered in the city
Don’t go revengin in my name
One person dead from such is plenty
No need to go get locked away

When I leave your arms
The things that I think of
No need to get over alarmed
I’m comin home

I wonder which brother is better
Which one our parents love the most
I sure did get in lots of trouble
They seemed to let the other go

A tear fell from my father’s eyes
I wondered what my dad would say
He said I love you
And I’m proud of you both, in so many different ways

If I get murdered in the city
Go read the letter in my desk
Don’t worry with all my belongings
But pay attention to the list

Make sure my sister knows I loved her
Make sure my mother knows the same
Always remember, there is nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name
Always remember, there is nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE7rkSELM3I&feature=fvw



Friday, November 5, 2010

Proustian Questionnaire



There are two sections of Vanity Fair that I really enjoy - the My Stuff section and the Proust Questionnaire.  In My Stuff, a person of some note, whether it be a chef, designer, or artist, fills out a questionnaire about their favourite things.  These range from toothpaste to watches to sheets and most of the answers are elitist and pompous.  Then again, so are the questions.  I mean, what kind of questionnaire asks you your favourite brand of stationary? If you have a favourite brand of stationary (almost always Smythson of Bond Street) than you are not of the common man. But I love it all the same.
The Proust Questionniare features celebrities and is always on the last page of the magazine.  In the past few editions, one question has jumped out to me.  When asked what trait he would most like to change about himself, the political commentator Bill Maher answered "My desperate need to be liked".  I laughed because I too suffer from this affliction.  I think it's a deplorable quality but one that I can never truly shake.  


Take your own Proustian Questionnaire here:
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/proust-questionnaire

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Ode to a City

               

There are good cities and there are great cities. But the best city of all in my opinion is the one and only New York City. The Grande Dame of metropolises, I have had the pleasure of making her acquaintance on several occasions and each time I crave more. More buildings, more shopping, more museums, more food, more everything. For people that enjoy city life, it is the city. The moment you land at JFK or LGA (or dare I say Newark) you realize you are someplace special. Like, Paris and London, it is one of those cities that transcends even itself. It is so frequently the setting of movies and books that you feel like you know it even when you have never been. But make no mistake, YOU MUST GO! Walking through Central Park on a beautiful day before eating the crab cake sandwich at Sarabeth's is worth the price of the flight alone.


There are a million and one things to do in the city but if you've never been before do all the touristy things first. Because, unlike a lot of other cities, the touristy crap is actually really great. C'mon people, it is THE Statue of Liberty, THE Empire State Building, THE Met, THE Radio City Music Hall, THE Plaza. Don't pretend that stuff isn't pretty fucking awesome.

One of the best ways to figure out what is going on in the city is picking up a copy of New York magazine or looking on their website at nymag.com. I spend an inordinate amount of time on that website even when I am not planning a trip. The content is hilarious and reflective of all the things I like about New Yorkers - smart, informed, and at times unabashedly shallow. Their approval matrix is a highlight of my week.


Three of my favourite things about NY, NY:
1. The three B's: Bergdorfs, Bendels, and Barneys.
2. The music scene: It's unreal. Every artist from everywhere plays NYC, often for multiple nights and on multiple occasions.
3. The New York Times is the local paper. THE LOCAL PAPER!
In the words of Ferris Bueller... it is so choice....

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Girls Gone Bike



Ah, biking in the city. Is there any better feeling? Whizzing past the honks and horns of cars, finding new and faster ways to get around town while trying to avoid those nasty hills. Biking in Toronto is always a lot of fun, and while not as bike friendly as Montreal, is still a pretty safe mode of transportation. Whenever spring comes around I have big aspirations for me and my bike. I say "my bike" but I don't actually own one at the moment. For the past few years I have either borrowed one or picked one up for the season but I have yet to find a bike worth holding onto. I am convinced that if I found the perfect bike I would actually stick to my springtime plans of biking all summer instead of giving up around July.

I hate to admit it but I have a hard time sacrificing fashion for biking. If I want to bike somewhere it generally means I have to wear certain clothes (pants or shorts) with certain shoes (closed-toe flats, with good grippy bottoms) and carry a bag big enough to tote around a helmet all day. And this bothers me. And it bothers me, that it bothers me. I just want to be one of those cool girls that hops on her bike no matter what, no matter where. The Sartorialist teases me with all these beautiful pictures of gorgeous ladies riding around town in just about anything. I think I should just stick to my plan of getting my friend Geoff to double me on his bike to all my appointments. Cause nothing looks cooler than two people, one bike.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Sandwich Monday


Hands down my favourite condiment is mustard - and classic Maille dijon can do no wrong in my books. It makes almost any sandwich a work of art and I always make sure to have some in my arsenal. Last year I spent a ridiculous amount of time perfecting a sandwich that has been universally approved by my friends and colleagues. It doesn't really have a name but the flavours come together blissfully.

Ingredients
Chicken breast (sprinkled with rosemary)
Granny Smith Apple (cut thinly)
Brie
Dijon mustard
Caraway rye bread slices

Served with a side of greens, this sandwich is always dressed to impress.


Sunday, May 9, 2010

La Musique


While some people associate memories with a scent, I almost always associate it with a song. Or a series of songs. Or a band. In good times and bad, music has always provided me with a sense of "rightness". That is to say, a particular song can make a good moment even better or a bad moment just that much worse.

Consequently, I just don't get it when people aren't into music. They clearly have never had that feeling. You know, the one where you hear a certain song and something inside of you just starts moving. And you're smiling, and suddenly the whole day melts away and it's just you and this song and it is as if the song was written just for you. And of course it is! Because obviously no one in the world could connect with this song the way you are, at this moment, in this place, with these emotions. 

There are three bands in particular lately that rock my socks. Mumford & Sons is a group from the UK who sing with such emotion that you can't help but be reminded that life is to be lived with vigor. Yeasayer is an outrageously awesome group whose clever arrangements make me want to dance every time. And Frightened Rabbit. That voice is the butter on my baguette of life.

Mumford & Sons, The Cave
Yeasayer, Ambling Alp
Frightened Rabbit, Swim Until You Can't See Land


Showing a little pomp and pride at Toots & the Maytals, Brooklyn, NY 2009.

The Beginning

There is no better time than the present. After years of trolling the blogging-sphere I thought it about time that I started one of my own. I have a million ideas and no ideas, all at the same time. Before putting them into words I've decided to post some of my favorite images that I have collected over the past months. They all make me smile. Every. Single. Time.