oh Chanel, how I adore thee

So I'm browsing on the Chanel website, deciding on my next purchase (ha!). There are the usual suspects: the white gold and diamond rings, the strands of creamy white pearls with the classic double CC. And then I come across this little number. So different, so avant garde . . and yet classic and refined at the same time. Which when you think about it is everything the Chanel brand stands for.

Listed in their Les Intemporelles de Chanel (The Timeless Chanel) collection, the description reads only "Diamonds and white gold necklace". Of course there is no price attached because I think at this point, if one were seriously considering adding this necklace to their collection, the price would be something dismissed with a lofty wave of a well manicured hand.

Now I'm not a big fan of making a fuss and big gifts at Valentine's Day. But for this? I would make an exception....

Little Black Dress by LanaStepul

Here are some fresh takes on the LBD (little black dress),created by LanaStepul. And while each dress is unique, they each definitelyembody classic lines and tailoring.

In addition, each dress is custom made to your measurements, so you are ensured of the perfect fit.

These dresses suit a pretty wide range of age groups. I could see them as prom or highschool party dresses or as bridesmaid dresses for an Italian wedding (where black is a common colour choice).

I would wear one for a night out on the town with the girls, a special dinner with the beau.  Heck, I'd wear one to do housework (though maybe not the gardening).

Maybe with my hot pink heels. Or the red ones. Although the shoes shown above left and above right also get my votes. These are the style of dress that don't need a lot of flashy baubbles and jewelry, since they stand out on their own. Inthis case, the jewelry would detract from the dress. A good pair of earrings, a slim line bracelet (diamonds of course) and you're done.

Is it appropriate to wear black to a holiday office party? I think so. I mean, I would, depends on the party. What do you think?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year . . .

. . .and it's just around the corner. Here is your "non-denominal festive season" image for today:

Design Dot

Just a little shout out to my new friends at Design Dot. Why? because they were so kind as to feature my little shop gingerbugZ on their blog. So, in the belief of good karma, I am returning the favour.

Design Dot is a group of etsy sellers who come together to discuss ideas, creativity and help promote each other. This is a wonderful source of support, especially on those days that my inspiration meter is on E for empty and I need a good kick in the rear.

It is also a great source for gift ideas and putting together a wish list for Santa. In our house, Santa likes detailed lists, especially those with pictures or web links. Less chance for misunderstanding the requested wish . . . .

To see the featured post, and to discover many other abundantly creative and talented designers and artists, be sure to have a little wander over to Design Dot.


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A Pocket Full of Memories

Today I put on a coat that I hadn’t worn in awhile. Since January.  Thursday, January 13^th to be exact. How do I know this? The contents in the pockets.

Have you ever put on a coat or a jacket that you haven’t worn in quite awhile and discovered forgotten treasures in the pockets? Money maybe, a receipt from the dry cleaners, a candy from that restaurant you went to on your birthday.

The contents forgotten in a pocket often bring back sharp memories of how they got there. Take for example the items in my coat pocket.  A favorite hair clip that I had decided was gone forever. Did I remember that I had put it in my pocket back then? No. But today when I found it I remember clear as day that I wore it to the opera. Lucia di Lammermoor to be exact.

A lip balm. I’m always losing lip balms. And eventually, as is the case with today’s discovery . . . I find them again.

But the most poignant treasure was a little slip of paper with a name, a location time, and a number.  “So-and-so – Starbuck’s – 5:30 – 555-555-1234”. Written hastily in red and torn off a notepad.  And for a moment a hundred memories came rushing back. And it made me smile a little to myself.  The journey I have taken since that little piece of paper. The lessons I had to learn, what the heartache needed to teach me; the stronger person I am today.  Ah, if only I had known then what I know now.

I put the note back in the pocket. I may need to remind myself again one day.

. . the Pumpkins are coming, the Pumpkins are coming . . .!

look what has been growing in the fields around our house ! Just a couple weeks ago they were still green and hidden under the leaves. But then the sun came out for a few warm days and Presto ! . . .Pumpkins.

These certainly look like the ideal pumpkins for Halloween . . .bright orange, smooth surface, nice and round. But shape doesn't really matter when using pumpkin in recipes. I mean, does the pumpkin pie really concern itself with how it was shaped beforehand? Probably not. Still, the nice shape and lovely fall color do inspire me to be creative in the kitchen. Pumpkin Pie anyone?

Ensemble

Last night, Mr. Dashing and I decided to go out for dinner. In itself, not a big deal, but dinner out together usually means more than one stop. We like to restaurant hop, which allows us to try out a few different restaurants and atmospheres throughout the evening, Sort of like bar hopping, but much swankier.

We decide to take the train downtown, since we agreed there would most likely be bubbles and neither of us wanted to drive. Besides, parking in Vancouver costa a small fortune.

We started at Ensemble, which is the focus of this posting. Ensemble is the brain child of Top Chef Canada winner Dale Mackay. We sat at the bar and swapped stories with the bartender and sipped on muddled cocktails. With these we enjoyed a honey beet salad, as well as buffalo mozzarella with watermelon and balsamic reduction. Oh, and crab cakes. All three plates were very good and nicely executed, but it was the cheese / melon / balsamic that really stood out for us. The sweetness of the watermelon off set with the tang of the balsamic was a little bit of bliss. The buffalo mozzarella helped ensure each bite was something different; some smooth with just a hint of sweetness, others creaminess with the bite of the balsamic.

There is a mixture of lounge-y bar atmosphere alongside sit down dining; giving the room an overall warmth. Or maybe it’s just because it’s a small room on the corner of Thurlow and Haro. Or that Mr. Dashing was rather amorous and flirty. Either way, it was a great way to start off our evening, and we intend to return soon to try more of Chef Mackay’s dishes.

Afterwards, we went to Coast for oysters and bubbles (well, Mr. Dashing had the oysters, we both had the bubbles), then to Gyoza King for ….gyoza, ebi mayo and sake, to Cin Cin for dessert and more bubbles. Finally, a little stop in at Thierry for macarons before heading home.

So $300.00 lighter, the evening was a big success. Until I broke one of the heels on my favourite pair of boots on the way home. First world problems, I know.

 
Looking forward to our next night out.