Tuesday Look: Shelley's Tree

When I first moved to Toronto I lived close to a card shop on the Danforth called Pulp. I had a insatiable hunger for the wares in this tiny shop. I visited the store regularly and got to know the shop owner. One day the fabulous shopkeep Shelley hired me. For the years I worked there Shelley helped reshape my feelings about Christmas. She taught me about tradition and diligence and appreciating rituals. It's no surprise that her tree was a pure work of art. It takes days to decorate and the results speak for themselves.

This Tuesday I celebrate the holiday tradition that is Shelley's beautiful tree. Happy home stretch everyone.

The Cheese ball

I don't like to cook. I have always had the good fortune of finding myself in situations where the roommate, husband, boyfriend or not-husband knew how to cook and well. It's almost a requisite because of my immense mental food preparation handicap. That said, I do have a specialty and it's the Festive Cheese ball. I serve it at celebratory gatherings to the point of producing no less that 8 per annum.

Like any good cook (but not one), I share the recipe, experiment with it, deconstruct and reconstruct it and generally feel a sense of pride when people try it for the first time and ask for the recipe.

The lovely Mel has been hounding me for the secret behind the cheese ball for months and this post is for her. Mel, you are enough a part of the family that I dedicate this post to you. Go ahead and make the cheese ball, you've earned it!

For the rest of you, try serving this ball of cheesy goodness with a side of red seedless and a variety of zsa zsa crackers and people will be asking you for the name of your caterer.

Ingredients:

• small package of Roquefort cheese (available from the blue cheese section of your grocery store and is in a triangle shaped package)
• package of cream cheese
• block of old cheddar cheese
• green onions
• Worcestershire sauce
• Tabasco sauce
• chopped pecans

Method:

• Combine equal parts of cream cheese (about half of a standard block) and Roquefort. This is easiest at room temperature.
• Finely chop 2-3 green onions and add to the cheese mix.
• Grate old cheddar in the equal amount of the cream cheese and Roquefort combined.
• Add Worcestershire and Tabasco to taste (zippy is good).
• Once the mix is well combined (hands work best) form into a ball and roll in chopped pecans and wrap in saran and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Serve at room temperature.
• Wait for the compliments.

If you have a cheese ball recipe that you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you. Happy entertaining!

Tuesday Look: The Evolution of the Little Black Dress

This weekend officially kicks off the Christmas gathering season. My practical side always craving an investment black dress for these such occasions. My impractical side dismissing the dress as boring because if I invested in it, I chose something classic. I am already turned off by the wearability of it. So here on the night before the night before the night before I wish I'd thought about it earlier I'm thinking about it. What is the perfect holiday attire? Let's assume for argument's sake that it might be something simple and black. Here are some new iterations of what was once known as the Little Black Dress.

1. Sequin mini by Ashish. There are a lot of sequin dresses on the racks out there this season but not all of them are as perfectly fitting as this. Ruled out for: length and the fact that it is best with bare or hosed legs, neither of which I would feature on the first snowy cold Saturday of December.

2. Halston studded pant suit. Almost a clear winner. Ruled out for: price and the necessity to further invest in a blazer for the shy moments early in the night.

3. Diane von Furstenburg wool wrap. Stephen bought me my first Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress the year there was the massive revival of dvf. I took it back after Christmas and enjoyed the advantage of 50% off and bought another. They are outstanding and comfortable and make you feel feminine and ready for business all at the same time. Another to keep the other legacy closet members company would be nice. Ruled out for: not shiny enough.

4. Theory shirt dress. I just plain love this and wish that I could wear it tomorrow. Ruled out for: wishing that I could wear it tomorrow.

5. Elizabeth and James Luna V-back sheath. This is probably my favourite. I like many things about it including the zipper down the back and the likelihood that it would lovely with some shoe booties and earrings with their own postal code. Ruled out: because the reality would never be as delicious as the imagined.

What are you wearing?

Weekend Reward: The Christmas Tree

After an exceptionally challenging week filled with parent teacher interviews, meetings, negotiating (with both children and adults) and one late breaking high fever, I am right ready for this two day work hiatus. This morning we are a fivesome plus pooch all in our pajamas eating raisins out of boxes, listening to Carla Bruni, writing on the chalkboard, folding laundry, fighting over the Rudolph stuffy that sings, pinning fabulous Harold Town "Star Tree leaving for Hollywood" buttons on our coats and feeling a little happier than usual because some time before Monday morning we will squint our eyes while looking at the tall Fraser Fir that will be erected in our dining room and wonder if the non-LED lights are evenly spaced. Happy December Saturday everyone!

Tuesday Look: Another Shoe Mistake

I spent the workday in a version of these shoes today. They were the knock offs of the knock offs of these YSL Trib Two Double Platforms that Rachel Zoe and Victoria Beckham have been teetering around on for months. Ironically, I was also waiting for the assistant from my doctor's office to call me with the referral to the chiropodist. Literally. Turns out the Posh and I are both suffering from the same malformity of the pedi variety. I can't name it because it automatically calculates my age as however old I really am plus 25 years. But I digress. It's Tuesday and here's a bit about my day.

6:30am rise and determine which of my three children is in the bed next to me, head downstairs for coffee, assist with dressing youngsters, drink more coffee, say good bye to family except not-husband who I am mad at.

7:30am shower, dress, look for mascara, find mascara, find there is not enough mascara, choose lip colour based on accessibility

8:10am head downstairs to find coat, purse, keys and discover that shoes feel a little loose, remember that I have gel insoles in my purse, vow to insert them in the car on the drive to work

8:40am arrive at work having not installed insoles, clip my stiletto flip flops through the parking lot and pray that the solution in my purse is actually a solution, regret decision to take the stairs to my third floor office

8:50am install remedy, try to run to meeting but heel slap my shoes the whole way to the second floor boardroom

9:00am sit in meeting, listen intently, learn things talk about holiday and consumer spending and facebook as a mechanism of self branding and promotion and dream of the google searching that will lead me to some kind of shoe comfort

10:00-12:00pm answer phone, talk to many, many people who need to discuss things like remaining vacation time, discipline issues and professional development budgeting, I sign invoices for flowers, respond to many emails, talk to recruiters- all with my shoes off

12:15pm order lunch and eat at my desk because I can no longer walk around, install heel grips that I have ordered to arrive with my lunch

12:30pm hate my new heel grips, remain in my office responding to more phone calls, hire an employee, have a conference call about an employee who is moving to a new location, talk to that employee, remain in my office, shoes back on my feet as ornaments only

3:00pm have a meeting in my office with a colleague who always has on nice shoes, today to make matters worse, she sat across the desk from me, in her stunning over the knee flat boots looking comfortable and fashionable

3:45pm daycare calls - youngest son is crying has a fever and it's rising, arrange to leave work, call a cab, talk to the team, tell them I'm going, get ready to rush and remember that these shoes are going to slow me down, not to mention that I don't think that I can face the lovely, vibrant, sporty, appropriately dressed care givers in these bad idea costume pumps, dive into the bottom drawer of my desk and find some passe slingbacks that are out of season, out of style and are a fashion crime unto themselves but when I slip my feet in, I want to marry them

4:00pm explain to my boss that I am leaving to retrieve my sick son, run

4:45pm arrive at daycare find my son burning up, red cheeked and weepy, I float in and whisk him up like a super hero and dash back to the cab, call in to a conference call, whispering directions to the cab driver and words of comfort to my son while weighing in to the call on important matters as appropriate, arrive home phone still on my ear, medicate son and pour him in to bed, slip off my back up shoes and kiss them quietly wishing I had a cold bottle of Prosecco to wash away another shoe mistake of this working mother. Maybe the chiropodist will call tomorrow.

Kissing on the Lips

I'm not an incredibly affectionate person. I like to think of myself as warm but I don't love to hug people that are simply acquaintances. This wouldn't normally be an issue but I work in an industry where hugging and especially kissing are like saying "hey" or shaking hands. Cut to yesterday when on the way to work a woman called into a radio show I was half listening to and complained that her husband's boss always kissed her on the lips upon seeing her at the annual Holiday soiree. Whatever was she to do? Should she tell her husband? Really? This is her dilemma? Get this woman a crisis. Stat.

In my work and social circles we tend to kiss on both cheeks when we see each other after any absence greater than a bathroom break. A lot of people do. I made the mistake of confessing to Stephen that I sometimes kiss people on the lips. Cuts down on the wondering which cheek we're hitting first and it makes me feel kind of warm inside. It's not a deliberate come on and because it's a split second decision, I don't want to give it too much analysis because my motives feel pure. So I'm keeping it. I'm not apologizing for it. I like a good lip kiss. Save the hugs for the huggers (Yoga Don are you listening?) Happy Friday.

Tuesday Look: Bronwyn and the Sequin Glam Shorts

I had occasion to visit Forever 21 on the weekend. I go there to spite the people that named the store. "Oh, yeah? You've got to be 21 to shop here? True as that may be, I love your cheap chic wares and so, I will continue to come here and naively expect good service." There was a sort of Saturday morning frenzy going on that I got quickly swept up in as I hurriedly surveyed the racks in the Dundas and Yonge flagship. There was a greeter with a clipboard doing the greeting and running what appeared to be a pretty tight zone chart. On the front rack was a perky, beautiful collection of holiday wear. These shorts included. I found my size, pulled it off the rack and began happily walking about imagining all of the places I could wear them. All of the occasions that I would be so happy to have them in my closet and all of the opportunities that I would step in and out of parties where this would be the very uniform that all of the women would be wearing. And then I remembered that I wasn't actually going to be going to any of those places. I then started thinking about all of the places where I actually do go where I couldn't wear them, like everywhere and I looked around to see if anyone was watching. I put them back on the rack where they had just been and I touched them with both hands on the waistband that was nice and high and was probably very flattering on the right body.

I tried to cheer myself with trying on several value priced rings to no avail. I left still longing for them. Part of me (the big part) wants to simply buy them and hang them on a wooden skirt hanger in a place where I can admire them and try them on from time to time.

This is a little like I feel about this weeks Tuesday Look. This is courtesy of the lovely Mel who is always on fashion assignment.

This is Bronwyn who works as a showroom assistant at the Vikki Stein Agency selling labels like Marc Aurel to boutiques and small chains. Her sense of style nicely showcased in a grey lace tank by LaSenza, handmade vintage brooch belt by Irene Rabkin, velvet harem pants from H&M, booties from Aldo and fabulous faux fur vest from Zara. Bronwyn described her style influences as steampunk and rock glam. (I wonder to myself when steampunk becomes age inappropriate?)

I'm thinking about heading back to Forever 21 and buying Bronwyn the sequin glam shorts. I have a feeling she might actually get some wear out of them.

The Greatest Clothes of All Time on Serious Sale

It's Friday and I'm seriously ready for this weekend. A busy social calendar this week and an even busier career has meant for a tired head on the pillow every night. I feel a spring in my step this morning because the Lemon Fresh worshipped Heidi Merrick is selling her stunning wears at prices for plebs. Drool, become inspired or Christmas shop for your discerning gal but do go and have a look. It gave me some much needed energy. Happy Friday.

Tuesday Look: Bandage Skirt

I tried this skirt on today after work. I was appeasing Ramona by doing it. It is nothing I would ever pick up and put on my body myself. All I'm going to say about this elastic piece of wonder is that I have rarely felt this good about my body in any item of clothing. This variety is by BCBG Max Azria and the city is sold out of them in black in a size for humans who eat food from time to time. While this skirt will not cure all that ails you I assure you that it will definitely make you love your body a little more than you do right now. Run and buy one if you can. They have a lovely rainbow of colours and it's an 80's flashback that you'll actually enjoy. This holiday season will be made better by a positive body image in this crazy figure flattering magical skirt known as the Bandage. (retails for $179)

Saturday Craft Itch: Advent Calendar

Happy weekend all. I've got an itching to craft (not sew as I'm still mad at Simplicity pattern 5922 and the Kenmore-co-conspirators).

I'm ready to make another advent calendar and with December fast approaching, I'd better get on it. I've made two in the last two years and loved every minute of it. The collection of the precious items which represent each member of the family that is being gifted by the calendar, the decisions about paint, nails, fabric and ribbon. I love it all. I know who the family is that is being gifted this year. Now begins the fun. My birth mother gave me a homemade advent calendar the year that we met and it is one of my most precious possessions. Here are the inspirations I'm looking at. Care to join me in the countdown to the Advent countdown?

The pre-blog Hallowe'en photo shoot

Lemon Fresh was a Christmas gift from the not husband last year and so these photos were never published. I'm thrilled to have a chance to finally share them as they are among my favourite shots of my favourite time of year. The talented Greg did us the glorious service of documenting our ghostly festivities last year. We started in the studio showcasing my first attempt at homemade costumes. The ginger haired lovelies are the offspring of the lovely Ginger. As you can see we had dual Batman and Robins and one reluctant Dorothy. The trick or treating was joined by Ramona and brood and the street shots are a reminder of the exquisite weather of Hallowe'en 2008. Happy Celebrating everyone! My clean pathology results are making today an extra special celebration.