Life in Material Loves

My lusts in 223 objects.


{materialism is only narcissistic if you can't justify it with extraordinarily long words}




{visit my Svpply}


bags.books.shirts.shoes.art.furniture.teacups.kettles.candles.satchels.mirrors.paintings.rings.earrings.necklaces.sunglasses.beauty.lingerie.boots.beds.wine.food.waffles.plants.boxes.antiques.frames.herbs.pillows.bowls.mugs.blankets.laptops.hammocks.nailpolish.albums.dresses.shelves.wallets.gadgets.bracelets.brushes.boots.cups.stags.cameras.glasses.tables.lights.coffeetables.lotion.

Monday Heart Strings

The drama, the heartbeats..
where would we be if not for the cliches of everyday life?
Embrace them, whether you're single or romantically attached, it's all in how you love things, anything, that makes it all worth while. The aches of the heart will always conquer the aches of the mind, or body. You're only as strong as your fastest heartbeat. <3

Some more things I love...

The first signs of spring...

     Sunday morning pancakes...

chai lattes...

looking like a french postcard in a cafe...

listening to the Gipsy Kings...

sushi dates...

paper-white flowers...

picture imperfect photo shoots...

early summer mornings...

cashmere...

nostalgia for summer...

the smell of basil...

What pulls on your heartstrings?

Domenica in febbraio

Another Sunday, and sadly no housewifing today. I'm in paper writing/procrastinating mode, the latter being a little less successful at the moment. However it is perfect weather to stay inside and do a bit of work now and then. The rest of my time is spent cruising Svppy, my new addiction. How is everyone spending this snowy Sunday? Or if it's not snowy where you are, (lucky) go out there and enjoy it!

I'd rather be here...

or here...

On the other hand, this paper (Theological Baroque concerning Caravaggio and Bernini in the 17th century) is making me lust for Italy. My trip is approaching soon, and honestly, half of my thoughts are about shopping. Canada gets pretty left out when it comes to fashion. The shopping opportunities are just so much more plentiful in Europe! I have a short list though, but I feel like it might grow once I'm there. Time to tighten my belt and freeze the Visa...

{mmm Italian olive oil}

{i'm also planning on getting some art, postcards, and maybe a vintage italian poster...and also clothes of course}

Ciao xoxo

Snowy Love

Snowy love.
It's a cold hand to hold.
Yours is the hand
that hands it on, chilled, and
poured over ice.
the glass' edge cusped with
The drip drip.
The icy dew.

On winter's nights,
yours is the hand
that holds mine tight.
veins pulsing with
frozen vodka,
a popsicle concoction.

Chilled hands.
Frozen feet.
The two short covers.
One might think,
you cut it short on purpose.
Just to see the icy sweat
freeze along my spine.

Musings...

Thanks to my lovely boyfriend I got an early start today, and early mornings before coffee make me think a little less before opening my mouth. This post is the consequence of that.
Firstly, I have never wanted to wear a full body suit of woolen knitted garments more than I have recently. What's the deal Vancouver? I miss the Olympic weather..so nice and warm for February.
Secondly, I stumbled across the awesome magazine that is Rue and am in love with their interior designs! I have a feeling the bf would love this one. We've been negotiating a decorating compromise with antlers. I think I could live with this idea.

 

Another time-consuming love I've recently discovered is Svpply. It's a site that lets you find products and people with similar interests. Svpply will recommend items based on your themes and also has gift guides! (one of my favourite uses for the internet. However after this past holiday experience I'll be a little more prepared to do my Christmas shopping next year..like in September.)

Peeps my Svpply here

Through cruising Svpply and many of the blogs I follow, I think I've learnt a lot about my personal style and stuff that makes me happy :) Try it, you might just get to know yourself a little better. 

For example, I've discovered I love porcelain mugs and other items. I also love leather bags, clutches, briefcases, satchels, wallets, pocket books..you get the idea.

I also love weird jewelry. I've never been a dainty accessory girl, and I love pieces that are a little different and attention grabbing. 

Oh and coffee table books. And coffee tables. 

{via}

Summer lusting on a rainy Monday...

A New Day

Sometimes it takes a cold slap to wake you up to what you think you're missing. Sometimes, like those Sunday nights when there's nowhere else you'd rather be than curled up with your laptop, and you're procrastinating doing your french homework because you secretly like the drama of putting it off, it's these times that you really get to thinking. Looking back on the TV I've watched today, I starting thinking about all the goals I've set, and forgot about or passed over. The inspirational people who've lost a person's worth of weight, or reinvented themselves all for the sake of a TV show, do you think they would have done the same otherwise? If life's a movie, is nothing worth doing without an audience?
So, with this thinking in mind, and knowing the small, yet global outreach I have, I'm starting to appreciate the things that I do just for me. I started this blog as a way to get out some pent-up creative juices, and put my little words out there. The longer you keep your hand out though, the more pigeons start to land and roost. Soon I was getting asked to advertise, market, and sell myself to the millions of eager viewers out there, if they could only get smacked with my blog! What happened to the days that we did things for our own pleasure? No credit, no infamy, no cheerleaders. I'm not discrediting all the support I've been getting, don't get me wrong! Anything I hear from readers and friends is overwhelming and very humbling. I'm touched that I get to reach out to people through my writings.
I do feel though, as a novice blogger eager to get my words out there, that I've maybe lost myself a little in the process. My room's a little more cluttered and for the first time in a while I'm just letting it build. So I'm taking this moment to turn over a new leaf. I have a pile of "to do's" that I'm itching to get at, and I think I've been waiting for a moment that isn't going to come to push me to do them. It's A New Day, and I'm all the push I need to get it done, whether it's blog-worthy or not.

A few things I love...

I just love this...

{via}

and this...

{via}

and I would love to organize my recipes in this.

{via}

everybody wants a princess bedroom.

{via}

Britney's Back?

So I watched the premiere of Britney Spears' new video Hold It Against Me last night and I have to be honest, I wasn't a huge fan. It might have had something to do with the fact that I had watched the two hour countdown of select Britney music videos that made me expect more from the pop princess, or it might be the fact that, after having watched that many videos already, the 2011 version seemed somewhat repetitive? Maybe it's just me, but I still think Brit is an icon and a legacy. (Gaga doesn't look so original in rhinestone sunglasses and barely there outfits anymore. I got your back Britney). I did find a theme in most (see, all) of her videos, which somehow seem to foreshadow her eventual social suicide and mental breakdown? All the lyrics about people following her, stardom somehow not being enough to make her happy, even Toxic shows the singer trying to point out what a leech society is. And considering she doesn't write her own songs, is it too much to theorize that the industry was planning on making Britney so big, only so that she had the farthest to fall? Like anything new, it's only popular when it first comes out and  top of the line, and again when it makes headlines for crashing, finally.
Personally, and I know this is probably a little paranoid if anything, but I think the media and those around Britney were plotting her celebrity death for profit. Having her father control all her finances and her career, it doesn't seem unlikely that others were happier with the turnout of Britney's life than she was. I do feel for her. I don't think I could last that long in the spotlight and not go at least half crazy. It's a sad world we live in when 16 year olds get memoirs and the icons of my generation are only making headlines for showing their nether-regions. One day your turn will come Mr. Bieber, soon you will be the Britney of tomorrow. Sadly, since your haircut only suits 12 year olds, and once people realize you're actually a lesbian in disguise, I don't think you'll last long enough to taste both ends of the spoon.
True fans of Britney, I stand with you. It takes a big person to scrape herself off the underside of pop culture and still remain true to her music. Keep it up Brit, I know there's a I'm A Salve For You sequel in you somewhere.

little love.

Today a little love came
down, and sat upon my shoulder.
It perched
And nestled in my hair, 
it's feathers tickled my neck
As it dozed under my ear.
Little love, it cooed and chirped
a little love-bird song.


Little love
it kept me company,
And reminded me of you.
I kept it close today,
this little love,
And pretended it was you.


Happy Valentine's Day 

Happy Valentine's Day

Welcome, Valentine's Day! It's been a healthy buildup of excitement, and the weather is not affecting my mood in any way. To the grinchs out there; shut up for one day. You have every other day besides Christmas, Valentine's and other holidays to push your self-hatred on others for something that doesn't include you. Sorry, but I'm going to revel in this holiday. It comes but once a year, rain or shine. Might as well pucker up and kiss it!

Lots of love everyone, hope you get to enjoy the day :)
XOXO

Valentine's Eve

I apologize for lagging on the countdown this weekend. I was enjoying my own Valentine's and didn't make the time. And so, just in time for the evening before the big day, I wanted to post one of my favourite Shakespeare sonnets.  I know Shakespeare is overdone but if you can't read him at Valentine's...

Sonnet 116

Let me not to the marriage of true minds 

Admit impediments; love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds, 

Or bends with the remover to remove: 

O, no, it is an ever-fixèd mark,

That looks on tempests and is never shaken; 

It is the star to every wand'ring bark, 

Whose worth's unknown, although his heighth be taken. 

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks 

Within his bending sickle's compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, 

But bears it out even to the edge of doom. 

If this be error and upon me proved, 

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Banana Reese's Muffins

Success! I've been anxious to make these banana bread Reese's cup muffins all week. My boyfriend loves my wheat-free baking and wanted some muffins for Valentine's Day. I've also found a new favourite way to make banana bread. They turn out moist and evenly baked in muffin form, and are quickly disappearing! This recipe is for banana bread so it can be put in a medium loaf pan as well. I made it into 1 dozen muffins. Remember to freeze the Reese's overnight, it makes them easier to chop into pieces.

1 cup mashed bananas (2 medium bananas, riper is better!)
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1-1/4 cups flour (brown rice, tapioca and potato starch)
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil
5 Reese's cups, frozen, and chopped into chocolate-chip sized pieces

Add bananas, sugar and vanilla in medium bowl and beat at med speed for 1 min.
Add eggs and mix well.
In a large bowl mix flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Add banana mixture alternating with oil. Mix well at low speed.
Add chopped Reese's and gently mix into batter.
Fill oiled muffin tray/silicone muffin cups
Bake at 350F for 30 min.
Cool 5 min.

Enjoy! Share at your own risk!

Wheat Free Mixed Berry Pie. Take 1

So this was a trial run. I was low on shortening so I didn't have enough to make the lattice for the top crust. Kinda played around with the measurements as this was my first attempt at a wheat-free pie. And I used all frozen berries.


Crust:
1 1/2 cup flour (I used 1 cup brown rice and 1/2 cup tapioca flour)
1/2 cup shortening
4 tbsp cold water


Preheat oven to 400F.

Cut shortening into flour until a crumbly texture forms. Add water. Work dough with hands until soft and form into a ball. 

Place dough in 8 inch pie pan (I only had 10 inch; maybe part of the problem) and press it into the bottom and sides using fingers or the back of a spoon.

Use fork to prick the bottom of the pie to prevent buckling. 

Place crust in oven for 12-15 min, or until edged are golden brown.

original recipe at about.com

Filling:

(the original recipe called for fresh berries, but I combined the quantities for all frozen berries. If you use frozen let them thaw after mixing for about 20-30 min)

1 cup fresh strawberries, halved

1/2 sugar (I added a bit more after the berries had thawed)

3 tbsp cornstarch (also added more to make the filling stick together better)

2 cups raspberries 

1 1/2 cups blueberries

(Or about 4 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries)

In a large mixing bowl, stir together sugar and cornstarch.

Add strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries; gently toss until berries are coated. (When using frozen fruit allow fruit mixture to stand for 15 to 30 minutes, or until fruit is partially thawed.

Stir berry mixture, and transfer to the crust lined pie plate. 
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 25 minutes when using fresh fruit, 50 minutes for frozen fruit. 

Cool on a wire rack.

original recipe at allrecipes.com

Notes:

I am definitely going to have to play around with the crust. I think more shortening and enough to make a slightly thicker crust would help a lot. This version came out a little too hard. Also, after filling the crust with the filling, I sprinkled it with more sugar and some cinnamon. The filling turned out awesome! 

If anyone tries a variation on this please let me know! Don't be afraid to experiment :)

My Other Love Affair

I love Pyrrha

 I am so so so in love with this Intaglio necklace from Pyrrha. It's an image of Cupid and Psyche. One of my favourite marble statues of these two in the Louvre in Paris. next Pyrrha purchase? I think so! Let the meal skimping and budgeting begin! Details!

4th Day of St. Valentine's

It's been a bit of a hectic day, so here's some pictures of animals kissing. It's cute and love-themed. 

Enjoy! <3

Ended with a beluga..'cause they're amazing, gentle creatures with hearts of gold and enough blubber to fuel enough lamps for 200 Chanukahs. (I have no idea if that is true. But roughly 80% of facts are false anyway) 

Day 5 of St. Valentine's

Short and sweet today: continuing the countdown to Valentine's Day, and in an ironic circumstance the most beautiful things sometimes grow out of hatred. When you realize who is really an important presence in your life, and who is not worth your time, it's easier to put everything in perspective. 
Staying true to what you believe in, and what you love is beyond any negativity anyone can throw at you. As overused some words are, their meaning is never lost when they're the words you need to hear. 
Love, for all things, is beyond what makes us cry, angry, or afraid. On that note, I thought a multilingual post on the ways people say, "I love you" around the world. :)


Je t'aime - French


Te amo - Spanish


Ich liebe dich - German


Ik houd van u - Dutch


Ti amo - Italian

Eu te amo - Portuguese

I ngrá leat - Irish Gaelic 

Et vull - Catalan 

Volim te - Croatian

seni seviyorum - Turkish

szeretlek - Hungarian

mwen renmen ou - Haitian Creole

Jeg elsker dig - Danish

Sixth Day of St. Valentines

So it's day 6 of my Valentine's countdown and even though I'm not a flowers girl, I like the symbolism that flowers can have, especially on Valentine's Day.

Anemone - a dying love A yellow Crocus worn in the buttonhole on St. Valentine's day will entice your future intended love Daisy - innocence Forget-me-not - true love and constancy Fuchsia - elegance Lily - purity Pansy - loving thoughts Periwinkle - early friendship Poppy - consolation Snowdrop - hope Sunflower - warmth of feeling Tulip - a declaration of powerful love(red), hopeless love (yellow)  Add rose bud petals to your bath water to conjure up a lover. Put red rose petals in a red velvet bag and pin this under your clothes to attract love. A rose given with its thorns removed, but still with its leaves means: 'I am no longer afraid to reveal my feelings; I live in hope.' A rose without its leaves and thorns sends the message: 'There is nothing to hope or fear.' facts courtesy of new-age.co.uk

The Seventh Day of St. Valentines

You know how there's the 12 days of Christmas? Well in my opinion, I think every wonderfully over-commercialized holiday should be extended by at least a week. Argo, the 7 Days of St. Valentines. In honour of the celebration of love, both plutonic and romantic, I'm going to do a Valentine's countdown, sharing some lovely love-themed tidbits and trivia. Firstly, having just had to research this myself, where does the whole tradition come from anyway?

The (fascinating!) history of Saint Valentine's day comes from, as so many Christian holidays do, the martyrdom of a Saint. Although there were many St. Valentines, the two honoured on February 14 are Valentine of Rome, a Roman priest, and Valentine of Terni, a bishop during the time of Roman emperor Aurelian, who was also martyred. Why all the romance then? Well, it wasn't in fact until the 14th century that the notion of romance was even associated with St. Valentine. By that time, the original two saints had all but been forgotten. 

In fact, the first association with romantic love and Valentine's Day was brought to us by Chaucer. From there, cultures developed a romantic link with the date of February 14. By the 16th century, the idea of sending paper valentines had come about, and by the 19th had become so popular than entire factories made the love-themed little notes. 

Now, the electronic versions have become the valentine-de-jour. I still enjoy the paper variety, and seeing as there are so many adorable versions to choose from, I think I'll stick to the tradition. 

Hope you've enjoyed this tiny history of St. Valentine's Day! More tomorrow as I continue the countdown of the 7 Days of St. Valentines!

Wheat-Free Trail Mix Mini Muffins

Another success! The recipe calls for brown rice flour or other, but I used a 3-part mix of brown rice flour, tapioca flour and potato starch. And they're mini because I wanted to make a dozen, and test out my new silicone muffin cups. I also added the trail mix. This recipe is one I use for all muffins, adding whatever flavour I feel like. It's simple and very adaptable. Original recipe from CanadaBBHosts.com


1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp butter
2 eggs
1 cup rice flour  (1/3 cup each potato starch, tapioca flour and rice flour)
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla

Cream together sugar and butter. Beat in eggs.
Add vanilla to milk
Mix flour, salt and baking powder together and add to sugar/egg/butter mixture alternating with liquids.
Stir without overmixing.
Can add 1 & 1/2 tbsp berries. If frozen add frozen. (this is the part I substituted with trail mix. And I used a bit more than 2 tbsp)
Bake 350F for 20 min
Makes 8 muffins. (or a dozen bite-sized!)

Enjoy!

Little Shadow

What you see is not the end
not the light, the darkness
is only proverbial.
Bring yourself closer
see the shadows
step on their toes.

You're just a little too far away
to hear the creaking cracking
just a little too far to the left,
stand up straight,
don't blink to adjust
to the gloom
Just step into the shadows
Breathe them in
You're just a little shadow too.

Be a little shadow
be proud
hold your rifle close, Shadow.
Things that bite
bare their teeth in the dark.
Things that sting
will find you Shadow.
Be brave
and remember
What you can't see
can't hurt you, little shadow.

The Sound

To the ones who are listening,

keep your ears pricked, the sound

is not a whisper

if you listen

listen closely,

it's a symphony of burbles 

of whimpers and giggles

cat calls and snickers.

Each sound resounding

the sound, its noise

a vibrating vocal

Stay on your pins

keep your needles close to

your thighs

get ready to pinch yourself, 

your ears will listen for the sound

it's a beauty full of chimes

rhymes and rhythm. 

2 months, 3 1/2 weeks

...Until Italy! just building the excitement. I can feel the Tuscan sun now...and the subsequent sunburns. But still excited!

Hello?

It's a lonely little blogging world I live in...

Every day is born anew, and I love coming up with new things to try and write about. Sometimes I'm a little stuck. And I do have ideas, they just take a little more prep time than I sometimes have in the day *sigh*. Even now, it's late and all I'd like to do is have another cup of tea, curl up in my mess of a bed, and talk to my boy. Sadly, I'm just sitting here, procrastinating studying for my french exam, listening to Ben Harper lull me to submission, and writing to who-even-knows. If there's a bevy of life out there reading what I write, then they must be a bunch of ninjas. Ninja's wearing invisibility cloaks. My newest role models are the ladies who have made something of themselves in the blogging world. Even writing that seems tacky but they give me inspiration to keep on writing. Blogging's brought back my urge to write poetry, something I've always been a little shy about. Anyways, if you're out there, blog readers, it's nice to know you take a minute to peek at what I do.

Lots of Love and happy Wednesday,

Whit.

When We Are Inspired

In circumstances that fall
into our laps,
their normalcy, the trifle
incidents that plague us like
the lingering odor of
last night's pork chops.
In these times is where we,
one little me, and I
find our inspiration.
What book blew open, distracted
on our thighs
its wind-groped pages
an impatient whirlwind, which
leaves us swept up
a crimson dirt clod
in the scattered edges of its sheets.
In these uncommon commonalities
the comings and goings
of everyday indiscretions is where
we blink into poetics.
Where our eyes become
the peepholes into
our dingy ill-lit minds.
Where we, and I
digress, and imagine that
one little me, just you
is something bigger 
than what we appear to be.

20 second poem

From what I've learned,
the instant you are struck
with a seeming strike
of genius
pen it.
Write it with a flourish
if need be.
I would.
Because,
while the rest of them
the joggers the smokers
the candlestick makers
are all going about,
you'll be the one with
the mighty pen.
So write it,
It's really all you have, right now anyway.
One word a little
too late
a little
too little.
It's all okay, 
you're just writing.
And how could that,
be wrong?