Feeling this Today: Serena Ryder - Weak In The Knees (Radio Edit- Video)

Celebrating Wyatt

Neglecting my blog is not the only neglecting I have been doing of late. The birthday parties which typically bring me loads of joy have been non existent or lack lustre in 2010 and I have been missing them. It doesn't change the sentiment of gratitude that surrounds the special days in February, March and June when the members of my brood came kicking and screaming into our home on Rusholme Road. As I get ready to stuff the loot bags and write the to dos on my list, I am taking a moment to remember what tomorrow's ad hoc celebration is really all about. Tomorrow is the anniversary of little Jack Wyatt Carmichael. All five years of him. All mischief and sensitivity, he has a singing voice that makes me want to cry and a curiosity that has him doing serious time on the naughty chair. I am so lucky to know him and luckier still to share a life with him. Happy Birthday Wy Wy. Here's how we did it last year when I was feeling that all things were possible. I look forward to feeling that way again.

June 24th 2009

Crazy as it sounds: Birthday parties for my children are a huge source of personal enjoyment. Firstly, I am celebrating the increasing distance between me and the anguish of labour and secondly, because the preparation is a great outlet for creativity with a distinct timeline-ie. I have to complete the project. If you're a regular reader then you know that we've been prepping. My son Wyatt turned 4 (and I was out of town on his actual birthday-okay I said it). But before I left, as we do every year, we threw a party in our backyard which marks his entry into our lives, the anniversary of my first date with his father and the beginning of cottage season. This party makes me happy. Photos courtesy of crazy talented Greg Pacek. To view more photos click here.

I made a banner for Wyatt's naming ceremony and we pull it out every year on his birthday. Here it is the backdrop for the work table.

This is one of the first iterations of the boats that we made and in the end was one of my favourites.

I think Steve lives to dress at events. He looks good everyday but I think he actually does story boards and sketches for his party statements. On this nautical afternoon, he doesn't disappoint.

The guests decorated boats.

The late afternoon light was a gift.

Happiness.

The in crowd.

Ramona's beautiful whimsy.

Post cake bliss.

The marina hid our fire pit.

If you were here, I love you. If you weren't here, we missed you.

Earning my Stripes

It's Saturday and the whole house is sleeping. An interesting bird is singing in the backyard and I am dreaming of the first sips of my coffee. I have been neglecting this little space as of late and I am hoping to chronicle some lovely Island moments and ice cream faced children in the weeks and months ahead.

Here's a summary of what's been going on:

A couple of lean teams got leaner at work and my phone won't stop ringing and performance reviews are coming and soon I'm going to be taking Fridays off and the grass now needs cutting every 4-5 days and the bed wetting continues and the geraniums need a drink every night (and so do I) and I'm returning phone calls to my girlfriends I love so well so much more slowly than I'd like and then the Shigella came and the Spring concerts and the registering for Kindergarten and the hiring of the nanny and the big frisbee that the kids love so well keeps us laughing after dinner as we stand in the long grass of the back yard thinking about the laundry inside that is waiting for me.

And now I need a bit of time to go and find the right striped tee because Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel could not look more perfect and I think if i just had one the same I could probably face just about anything. Happy Weekend!

Easy for a Friday

The lovely Ginger has a talented sister who fronts the fabulous rising band Dragonette and here is a video that I can't get enough of right now. The make up, fashion and impossibly fabulous hair all make me swoon. Love this with me today. Happy Friday.

Tuesday Look: Sakura and The Joe Fresh Bomber

Tonight I took this jacket (which I finally decided to take the tags off)

and this fabulous team

and went here

and saw this

and felt like this

We Went for a Walk

I've been doing a lot of running lately. Not the fitness kind. Just the pace of life kind. All the more reason to celebrate the walks- with my favourite team. Happy Weekend!

Tuesday Look: Margaret Trudeau

In a couple of short days we (the good people of Aveda Canada) are having a bash. It's a fundraiser in support of our Earth Month partner: Watercan. They do amazing things including create sustainable access to clean water for some of the millions of people who live without the luxury of water for sanitation and hydration. The bash is on Thursday night at the Design Exchange and the evening is likely to have many high notes but most exciting to me is spending the evening with the luminous Margaret Trudeau, Watercan's honorary spokesperson. I've always liked the fashion of the early Sussex Drive years and here are some of her glorious looks.

Tuesday look courtesy of the woman many of us will always think of as Canada's first lady - still doing great work here and further abroad.

Tuesday Look: Boots Made for Walking

I've been neglecting this little space lately in favour of my busy life via increased responsibility at the office and a hunger to get out of the city every weekend. So here's a summary of the last two weeks.

1. I'm fighting with the Ministry of Transportation
2. I'm looking for a car
3. I'm embracing my new responsibilities at work and still asking stupid questions
4. I'm deeply engaged in fundraising and helping to plan a gala which will (must) be a success
5. I pulled out the first loose tooth of my 6 year old
6. I'm hiring a nanny
7. I celebrated a milestone anniversary at my job
8. I took Graydie to Prada, Gucci, Ports and Holts in one afternoon and tried on dresses upon dresses for said fundraiser gala
9. I bought one more lovely bra set as per my New Year's resolution

10. I have been living in these suede ankle boots and loving the comfort and the look. I'm dreaming of the spring when I can just wear a dress and these.

This Tuesday look is courtesy of the boots which are a lovely marriage of comfort and style and make the walking a little easier.

Tuesday Look: Celine Spring 2010

My recent twitter habit has found me updating myself on world events once per day. It's a healthy obsession that takes only minutes and helps my conversation skills for the next 24 hours. I've enjoyed the Olympic happenings via @Marie Claire but I'm fascinated by the front row musings of @Lisa Tant who was knee deep in Milan Fashion Week. It's opened me to all kinds of fashion inspiration and it's got me diving deeper into brands where twitter is abuzz with praise. Yes, I guess that makes me a "follower" in both the twitter and the trend sense. Here is a peek at the brilliant Celine Spring collection 2010. The new vision of Phoebe Philo (formerly of Chloe) is well expressed in this lovely collection. I'm just loving the twitter feed that keeps confirming that 2010 is a camel year in fashion.

Tuesday Look: Birthday Girl

Tonight we celebrate six years since Georgia arrived on the scene. Here she is with her new nordic equipment from us and her birthday crown from her kindergarten teacher. This is the outfit she chose for school today. On her birthday it's up to her. I love this Tuesday Look. All six glorious years of it!

Tuesday Look: Aveda + Rodarte = NYFW high note.

What a proud time to be Canadian! Everywhere you go people are talking about hockey or skating or luge or snowboarding. We are all united in the pride of our games and in my little circle we are blushing over another lovely moment. The great team of hair pros at Aveda were busily putting their stamp on NYFW. Below check out the FW2010 genius of Laura and Kate Mulleavy a.k.a Rodarte. The attention to detail of these relative fashion new comers has been described as "couture like." I say that the hair rising nicely to the occasion. A proud Tuesday indeed.