And Back Again

What happened to me? Where did I go for the last two months?
Well, we moved into our very first home. We are the proud owners of a 1959 bungalow with cove ceilings and curved corners (perfect for the clumsy) and a lovely backyard. In our first week we started tearing down walls in the unfinished basement to finish it, we had a big dirty thirties carnival night in honor of Matt turning 30, I got a part time job at Plenty (Pretty much the best store in Victoria), we tore down more walls, I did 2 Christmas craft shows, we had plumber nightmares (plumber on a drinking binge anyone?), I threw my back out, we learned the art of cement laying, and we became proud owners of a cardboard safari moose head.
And that about sums it up. I do have some pictures to show and they will come in the next few days, but I just thought I should give a little hello to the world as I had a few seconds.

Old and Beautiful

I'm going through more of the pictures we took in France and could probably publish one of those jumbo coffee table books just with the pictures I took of old, withered cracking signs.

Procrastinating

Today marks the start of what I have dubbed packing week and what do I find myself doing? Drinking tea and pouring over old desiretoinspire posts, dreaming of future projects for our first home. Sure none o these projects will happen for years to come, but I like to be prepared.

In other news I'm going to be in this month Poppytalk Handmade Market starting Monday. Wish me luck and go check it out!

Remember?

Oh, I remember when we went to France for 2 months and had nothing to think about except what wine to drink that day... It all feels like a long, long time ago.

For Today

Outside my window are beautiful fall leaves blowing about the road.
I am thinking about going for a stomp through some crisp fall leaves.
I am thankful for our new house that we move into October 30th.
From the kitchen we’ve been having delicious Thanksgiving leftovers… mmm gravy.
I am wearing favourite old knee socks with HUGE holes… how embarrassing.
I am creating prizes for Matt’s 30th birthday party, you can never be too old for goodie bags.
I am going CRAZY with all these things you must think of when buying a house. Building permits, plumbers, mortgage rates, packing, cleaning…
I am reading an Idiots Guide to Remodelling Your Home.
I am hoping to have everything ready for the looming craft shows coming up for Christmas.
I am hearing A Fine Frenzy’s Bomb in a Bird Cage.
Around the house are piles and piles of things I should be doing, boxes to be filled, fabric to be cut, animals to have faces sewn on, tags to be made, clothes to be folded, forms to fill out… oh dear.
One of my favorite things right now is the new show community.

Foo For Thought

There's a new restaurant in town and it is glorious. Foo, focusing on asian street food, was recently opened by Stirling Grice, the sweetest server at Brasserie l'Ecole, and I am addicted to their potstickers. Totally afforable and ever so delicious go on down and have a taste, 769 Yates Street, accross from the movie theatres. Good on ya Stirling!

Gettin' It Done

With just over a month before we move my to do list is through the roof, and let me tell you the roof is on fire (hehehe). Lots of furniture first aid, clothes to mend, clothes to make, becoming smitten to manage... the list goes on and on. I find the more there is to do the less I do, however I have been posting some goodies on etsy lately and have great plans to do it more often.

Meanwhile my list grows on. Anyone know an inexpensive plumber?

New Goods for Becoming Smitten?

Yes, it's true! I'm still truckin along with Becoming Smitten and have even found the time to create a few new little badges. No two are alike each is a different organic shape and a fine addition to a jacket, bag or stuffed best friend.

Post 100

Where did I go you may be asking yourselves? Well as a girl who doesn't cope with change I had a big change present itself and I was unsure how to proceed. What is this big change? My husband and I are now home owners. Yes, it's time to join the world of grown ups once and for all. After a week or so to process all the changes to come (mostly leaving our apartment of 4 and a half years that I LOVE) I have decided that the only way to feel is stoked. Do people still say stoked, if not they should.

So here it is blog post 100 no where to go but up. I'll be posting pictures of our new home and of all the renos that are in our immediate future soon, but in the mean time let me tell you, 'our house is a very very very fine house!

PS. Anyone in the Victoria area looking for a beautiful apartment with hardwood floors, fireplace, and a gas oven in an old charecter home on Moss Street?

The Pit of Despair

I seem to have tripped and stumbled into a pit of despair. So many things happening all at once pulling in all directions and so this is me resolving to pick myself up, dust myself off and charge head on to all that beckons. And what better way to start that with the Princess Bride. Nothing can cheer up a gloomy face like Andre the Giant as Fezzik.

Here Comes Fall

I have really been enjoying this rainy, windy weather that Victoria has been having. There is nothing better than sitting by a fire drinking warm tea and listening to rain hit the window. Good bye summer.

Fur Pile

Look at all the work being done at the Becoming Smitten homestead. I've got my nose to the grindstone. Etsy won't even know what hit it!

A Vantasy Picnic

We were lucky enough to be invited on a late summer vantasy picnic by the seaside the other day. Oh, and what fun was had by all. In the small confines of this van a delicious meal was prepared and served and eaten and most of all enjoyed. Some of our favourite people will be taking this van down the coast to the wilds of California and hopefully back again (please come back...). I envy the sights they will see, the food they will eat and the people they will meet. I don't envy the world’s smallest bathroom/shower they will be using for the next month. Follow their blog if you are interested in the sort of intrigue and excitement that, sadly my blog doesn't offer.

The Whistling Pig

Come on, do you really want to live in a world that is without the Vancouver Island Marmot?

Be My Pen Pal

After learning about the Mysterious Letters that were written in the small Irish village of Cushendall I have come to the realization that life would be better with a pen pal. These two people handwrote 467 personalized letters to each and every person who lived in the town. Some even got gifts! Each letter was a beautiful piece of art and now I have been inspired to write some letters.

There is a magical store over in Vancouver called The Regional Assembly of Text that is devoted to text in all forms. The best part is that once a month they offer a letter writers club! These ladies have all these typewriters you can use and supply everything you could need all you have to have is a love of letter writing.
No, I don’t have a cool typewriter, and no I don’t think I have it in me to write 500 people, but perhaps one person multiple times. I have atrocious handwriting but have lots of little goodies that I would love to send off to a special someone. Anyone in the market for a new pen pal?

For Today

FOR TODAY August 30, 2009
Outside my window there’s not a cloud in the sky.
I am thinking of having an animal give away for September.
I am thankful for friends that let you drag them to an outdoor picture show in the dark and cold that none of you really want to see.
From the kitchen we will be making a tart today.
I am wearing my polka dot red and white skirt I made for my first day at the market.
I am creating 10 new animals for my etsy shop.
I am going to a picnic party in a van at the beach tonight… FUN!!!
I am reading River Cottage Handbook #2… Preserves.
I am hoping to make some pickles soon.
I am hearing Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Around the house are lovely flowers my sweetheart brought home for me.
One of my favourite things would be warm bread smothered with butter.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Make a few traveling companions for Late Summer Vantasy
Start a new Becoming Smitten project involving wood
Have a photo session with animals for etsy.
Here is a picture of a custom fox I am sharing...

Party Down

I would like to have more themed dinner parties. Although more would imply that currently we have themed parties which is not the case. What sort of themes you inquire? Well, perhaps an 80’s birthday party for no ones birthday but with big poofy dresses, party hats and a birthday cake, or maybe a circus party with a kissing booth, bearded lady, caramel popcorn and lots of stripes, or perhaps a French party and we can view all 5678 photos we took in France with commentary for each pic (although that probably would only be fun for me…)

How to be Intersting?

Today I googled ‘how to be an interesting person’. Does this make me a little odd and exceptionally sad? I’d say so. However I feel encouraged because it all sounds very simple.
The first link up there was a fellow named Russ, and what does Russ suggest, you ask? Well it’s 10 simple steps:
1. Take at least one picture everyday.
2. Start a blog. Write at least one sentence every week.
3. Keep a scrapbook
4. Every week, read a magazine you’ve never read before
5. Once a month interview someone for 20 minutes, work out how to make them interesting.
6. Collect something
7. Once a week sit in a coffee-shop or cafe for an hour and listen to other people’s conversations.
8. Every month write 50 words about one piece of visual art, one piece of writing, one piece of music and one piece of film or TV. Do other art forms if you can. Blog about it
9. Make something
10. Read.

Hmmm I said to myself, that doesn’t sound too hard, but will someone back up his claims? I clicked the next link and met Ernest, Ernest Goodman and he had a list of 7 things…
get a hobby, start a campaign, go camping, teach yourself something new, read a book, go geek (In this he suggests starting sentences with basically…,actually…or technically…) and volunteer.

By the third link I was getting bored and didn’t read the whole thing but Essential life skills.net said that one can become an interesting person by cultivating a variety of interests, taking a genuine interest in others, reading more, staying on top of current events, and expressing your informed opinions. They also have a list of how to improve your personality, but I didn’t feel the need to click the link.

Moral of the Story

Should you run into me in the near future and I keep going on and on about how actually I was just camping, and basically I’ve started a new collection and how technically it’s not eavesdropping if they’re shouting their conversation in a coffee shop, make sure to tell me how interesting it all sound.

Kitty Daisy & Lewis

Nice 'after the market' music...

Sad Song

Such a great music video, I would like to be best friends with all three of these girls and we could bake cookies and have dance parties every day.

My Hero.

I justed watched this Handmade Portrait on Etsy and I am in awe. Mimi Kirchner is my idol. Her strong man dolls? Awesome. I am in awe.

For Today...

For today, August 23, 2009:

Outside my window is a lovely wind and a not too hot not too cold summer day.

I am thinking of new projects waiting to be started.

I am thankful for yummy bread for breakfast.

In the kitchen a hot pot of tea is steeping for me.

I am wearing hand me down jeans and messy hair.

I am creating a new dress, if all goes well.

I am going to Prima Strada for a lunch date with my sweetheart and then... Inglourious Basterds.

I am reading the calendar… fall’s almost here!

I am hoping to go shopping this week.I am hearing the RENT soundtrack, Light my Candle.

Around the house is a mess from yesterdays market.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Puppet Show for Anna.
Dinner with friends.
Silk Road tea.

Here is picture I am sharing that I took in Saussignac, can't wait to go back.

The Red Dress Shoppe

Things I love:
Dresses check.
Vintage anythings check.
Shop spelt with the extra pe at the end check.

This looks like the place for me, my check list is full. I wish these were mine. This online boutique, the Red Dress Shoppe, is fantastic. They specialize in new retro clothing with vintage inspired styling. These dresses even have lovely names there's the Memphis Blue, the Bella Swing, the Sugar Crystal, the Clover and my personal favourite, the Metroliner Stewardess Doll.

The Feel of August

Flickr is one of the greatest things out there in the world of the internet. It’s an unending source of inspiration. Here are a few pics I've loved lately. 1. English Summer 2. the mad tea party 3. cats 4. dream bedroom 5. shine like the stars 6. happy bike 7. Chaise de jardin

Dream Home?

This re-vammped pigeonnier built in 1750 is the cutest little guest house ever! Would I be the happiest girl EVER if this was mine?? Yes. Would I stand by the top window calling my while pigeon friends? Yes. Would Matt want to live in a tiny castle with no kitchen? No, probably not, but I bet Maurice our cat would love it. Would I be willing to move down to Louisiana to have it? Unfortunately not likely. I suppose it is simply not meant to be... maybe I can visit. Thank you Apartment Therapy for finding such lovely thins for me to spend my hours gazing at.

Lost that Lovin' Feeling

Okay, don't judge me but I have recently become quite tired of all our music, it all sounds the same and I simply needed a break. So my solution was to get something awesome to listen to. Now my ears are enjoying the soundtracks of Grease, Dirty Dancing, Top Gun and, to make me feel better about myself, Amelie. The urge to re-watch all these movies and all others like them is very strong and I am weak. Oh Tom, I would have gone to the ends of the Earth for you... sigh... I'll always have Maverick.

Animalia

Love this! Animalia has been around for ages, but I still love it as much as the day I saw it. Mikel Uribetxeberria created this series by mixing pictures of animals found in internet with photos of places he's taken. This gorilla is by far my fave!

For Today

I found this awesome daybook prompter in the wilds of the internet from the Simple Woman's Daybook Blog. I love it and I shall use it hence forth and life shall be simple. It's a sort of fill in the blanks finish the sentence sort of thing.

FOR TODAY August 20, 2009

Outside my window our neighbours house is being raised and built upon.

I am thinking of having a nap already… is 9 am too early for napping?

I am thankful for the cup of tea Matt made me.

From the kitchen are the sounds of Bread by Matt in action.

I am wearing oops, the same thing I wore yesterday… my new hand me down summer dress from Anna.

I am creating 7 new big animals and several new minis for the market this week.

I am going... well, today I don't think I'll be leaving the house but tomorrow is bread baking day at Cafe Brio.

I am reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.

I am hoping this hot hot weather goes away and I can break out my boots and scarves soon.

I am hearing drilling next door and Minisnap.

Around the house are reminders we haven’t quite finished rearranging the furniture and reorganizing.

One of my favourite things right now is the peach tart Matt made last night that we are going to have for breakfast.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Finish reorganizing.
Assist Bread by Matt in his bread making
Work on these animals
Think about bettering my market display.
Here is picture thought I am sharing of my favorite #2 guy, Maurice, who hates the hot summer days asmuch as me. Don't worry I'm not going to be one of those blogges who's all about their pet, I just like that h's glowing in the morning sun...

Sights of the Market

I love Saturdays. I love waking up early and rolling out breadsticks and baking off croissants with Bread by Matt. I love wheeling down with our displays and seeing everyone slowly set up. I love listening to all the musicians that come and play and help the time pass. I love Cutie Pie's pies and cupcakes that she shares with us. But most of all? I love all the supportive market goers that are so encouraging each week. If you’re in Victoria or on the Island and have yet to come down to the Moss Street Market, you are really missing out! Come on down and don’t be shy.

Lost Mojo

I threw my back out a month and a half ago. Spent a lot of time weeping in pain on the floor, and have since found out it was from working. When hunched forward focused on the sewing machine apparently you are doing damage to your body. I've been mobile for a while again now, however every morning I have to ice my shoulder and neck and once a week I have started seeing Victor, the massage therapist.
Is there a point to my whining? Yes, I feel as though I've lost my mojo. I'm finding so many excuses not to work... So I ask myself, as most people do when in a conundrum, what sage advice would Julie Andrews sing to me if she was my mentor? Would she say be like the robin and sing while you work? Would she say find your own spoonful of sugar and make it a treat to work?
Would she sing my workroom clean for me? I guess she'd tell me to stop moping about and work through it. I like to think that Julie is a tough sort of mentor... I wish she was nicer to me.

My Favorite Thing.

Been spending a lot of time doing my favourite thing... eating. The Moss Street market just happens to be filled with some of the most amazing farmers and the best pie maker known to man, we have been eating well this summer. It makes it even easier to eat well is having two fantastic cooks at your finger tips. My loving husband of Bread by Matt fame and Anna's husband Grant from Brasserie L'ecole who I believe may be the most passionate man about food that ever graced this earth, cooked up a storm last weekend... it was heavenly. Then finally my sweetheart treated me with a date night at Brasserie L'Ecole either the best or second best restaurant in Victoria... and it was all we could have hoped for. Olives, frites, good wine, great atmosphere, what else is there in life?

An Elephant, a Rabbit and a Wolf Walk into a Bar...

We rented a movie last night and I'm pretty sure the video guy judged us because of our late fine of $40 for Repo a Genetic Opera. Don't bother watching it if you haven't; just becaue a movie has Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer does not mean it will be gold. Hey lesson learned video guy! In an effort to not be judged a second time I thought it sensible to return our movie on time.

So, with the moral support of Minto the wolf, Oscar the Rabbit, Chester the Elephant and of course Anna, I set out to return my, yes unwatched movie OTTO, with a few stops along the way...
First Minto needed to take a rest as it is hard work being carried around all the time so he took a time out with Anna, then Chester had some calls to make to Asia, and boy did those rack up, let me tell ya, and finally one must never pass a playground with out a few turns on the monkey bars..

Jailhouse Rock

Don't you ever get in the mood for classic Elvis? I sure do.

The Conversation

Customer: The last time I bought something from you I got your business card and have been reading your blog.

Me: Oh! That's fantastic. Which animal did you get?

Customer: A rabbit with black and white ears, but what I wanted to tell you was there's no more posts on it.

Me: On the rabbit?

Customer: Your blog. I'd like to read your blog but you haven’t written anything for quite a while. Why put it on your cards if you don't use it?

Me: (Speechless) Ummm... you are right.... ummm, I'll start posting I promise...


So consider me told! I am a bad blogger no more. I'm getting organized, I'm writhing lists, I'm preparing to be the best darn blogger I can be. Starting now...
ish.

Where did I go for so long?

We went to Vancouver to see the Decemberists at the Vogue. The concert was spectacular. They put on such a great show and left me feeling like we should really go to the Treasure Island Music Festival. What did I learn you ask?
1. To begin with I am pretty sure that the band and I could be best friends if we ever got to know each other. I’m not one of those fans who says things like that, I just know in my case it would be true… right…
2. My life would be better if I too was in a band.
3. I need to learn to play the Xylophone. It is an oft overlooked instrument and I believe it may be my soul instrument.
4. People that listen to the Decemberists have great fashion sense. At least the women. It’s unique and colourful and lovely.
5. The Decemberists sound even better (if possible) when they’re load and live.

Yes, I have become even more smitten.

Well It's About Time!

I have finally found what has been missing in my life, someone to sit in my home and harass me until I have accomplished something. The end product? Five, that's right 5 new items in my etsy shop. I'm really happy with my photos; I upended our table and shoved our old dresser against it then threw in a pinecone for good measure. I even got my hands on a natural lamp for the perfect lighting. It just takes so long, but no my loyal friend sat behind me (doing the dishes and making smitten buttons no less) until there was an end result. Yep, lazy procrastinators all across the land should all have such a friend.

Paper Cranes Bring Joy

I've decided to take the week off sewing as it turns out sewing is ruining my neck, making it hard to move (not fun). So I'm making a paper crane mobile out of old maps. This way when I'm bedridden I can gaze up at these little guys and they will bring me joy.