Christmas Compact

I have not been able to make a craft in a while and it has been killing me! I was slaving away on this grant application but now that is complete, the first thing I did was sit down with new materials and some Christmas spirit.

 I love Christmas, beyond love even! It is a holiday for giving, for eating, for drinking, for crafting and of course for loving! Some crafts I'll have to post after the big day because they are gifts but I'll show little ones throughout the month because I'm too excited not to share.

Latest one- A little mirror compact with a festive twist. 

I was in Forever 21 and I saw these cute turquoise mirrors for a buck so I grabbed a couple in hopes of turning them into something a little more special. I got some glittery, white snowflakes from Midoco (a craft store in the Annex) a black sharpy and some elmers glue.

What I did:

I thought of cute festive sayings, write them on with a cute font.

Then placed the snowflakes on the front and back. I cut some in half for the sides and let them dry.

Maybe you'll be getting one ;)

the basement.

I feel 

someone else's blood pulsing

and sweat

Connected to something 

 The slight buzz of

wine, humans, music 

I want to move and dip and slide

and burst open 

all at once

expansion

space

confusion

yet, grace?

a basement

the darkness

a room to move
to feel

I feel...I feel, I feel the groove. ha.

Cabs...

I have a problem, I love taking cabs around the city! Now that the weather is getting a little chilly I don't want to bike and if TTC is taking too long I hop in a cab. This is a terrible (and expensive) habit. I just feel so glamorous; and its easy and I know there are no short turns or detours or crazy people. And I love hailing them, and I can relax, and it's quick and..and...

I need to stop defending myself.

I know I need to resist, it's a waste of money, especially around Christmas!

Okay, making and deal with you and me, no cab rides...

or maybe one per week, or only if its raining? or snowing? or I'm late?

oh gee.

There's always time for nap time

 I'm young, I perform in circus and dance, I have a ton of energy and I teach children BUT that doesn't mean that I don't get tired (although sometimes its hard to tell). My secret to keeping energy up and staying fresh...beautiful, quick, sweet, little naps.

A nap is a wonderful thing, and don't ever think taking one makes you lazy or old. It energizes you and also it gives anywhere from 15 mins to an hour of time just for you. Your body gets a break, your mind is at ease and you can rest those heavy eyes for a little while.

Indulge, enjoy, sweet dreams.

Stroke of Insight

I watch a lot of ted talks and I was re watching this one today from Jill Bolte who describes so beautiful and detailed her experience of having a stroke. I have seen this lecture before but today I realized how rare it is to see someone publicly speak with such passion and commitment.


Watching this woman speak is so fascinating as she is so connected to her body and as she is telling the story you watch her whole body being affected by her memory of this event. This to me is story telling, and a great story teller. She is funny and captivating and so present with the audience and herself. I hope that myself and all of my fellow story tellers can learn from this. 

true.

Bok Choy

I keep posting about food...Guess I'm a hungry girl, and hungry for international foods in particular.


I wanted to try and cook something asian inspired when I saw bok choy at the grocery store. Impulsively I bought it and had no idea what to do with it. But after googling it I realized how easy it was to cook into a stir fry. Now I didn't have a wok so I used the poor mans wok, which is my frying pan but I think it worked out.


Wash and clean the bok choy
Cut the stems diagonally and the leafy part horizontally
In your 'wok' heat with olive oil, then fry some ginger very briefly (30 seconds)
Add in the bok choy and let its start frying up for a few minutes.
Then you can add soya sauce but I added a stir fry sauce and a little water 


At the same time in a separate pan I did some cubed beef and steamed some broccoli,onion and green pepper. Then I mixed it all together (added a little extra sauce) and served it over chow mein noodles. It only took 20 minutes to prep and make it all and it was delicious (and an easy leftover to bring to work the next day).

Ethiopian

In a city like Toronto where there is such a diverse range of food and restaurants I had still never tried Ethiopian...but now. I have.  I went with a couple of fellow circus coaches to this place called M&B Yummy on Queen West. Now, from the outside I probably would never have walked in because it just doesn't look like much. But I was with friends who knew there was good food to be found and really friendly service. 


Inside we were greeted by two lovely women who assumed our order (which I didn't mind because I had no idea what to get) and we were soon served two enormous platters of food. All of our food was vegan (but for you meat eaters such as myself, you couldn't even tell) and it was served on a sourdough flat bread called injera. The idea is you share with the person sitting across from you so you this enormous plate of different foods and can eat with your hands. There were extra pieces on injera that you could use to scoop the different dishes into your mouth and you only really needed a fork for the salad. For the most part it is spicy but nothing too nuts, just a really lovely combination of spices. I'll definitely be heading back to visit this place again. 

Vote for my Show! please?

So the show I was working on Infinitum was nominated for best dance show in Toronto. If you have a second...please go and vote! Right now Alice in Wonderland is winning but it's a mainstream National Ballet show (which are beautiful) BUT lets rock the alternative circus indie scene!!!

Broadway Toronto is the site! 

Thank you Thank you!

Couple of cool shots from Joie de Vivre Studios.

Suite B

When I went searching for one bedroom apartments I was nervous about a number of things. Price, location, laundry, internet, windows etc etc.  I stumbled upon a great place, the price was right the location was PERFECT, internet and laundry included, what more could a gal ask for? The one thing..it was a basement apartment. I wasn't sure if I wanted to live in one. But this place was huge, the ceilings were high there were windows that brightened the place up, separate entrance and wonderful landlords. So I went for it and I am so so happy I did, I call it Suite B...because basement apartment sounds ugly and gives the wrong impression.

 My apartment started very plain and over the past 8 months its final coming together and feels like home. I have an office space, a cute cafe style kitchen and I keep the living room big and empty and use it as a studio space where I can do my actor work and yoga. My place is cozy, productive and quaint all in one. At least I tried to make it that way :) 

Beautiful gas stove, definitely helped me fall in love.

I layered things on the bookshelf like pictures, a vintage suitcase with my knitting supplies, storage boxes on top and a bundle of peacock feathers. I also stored my big pots and pans on the bottom. 

Vintage mirror, an ivy plant and a little window.

These retro chairs were a value village find, only 5.99 a pop. 

A room divider to close off the kitchen from my studio space and I can hang up pretty things if I like.

Jars from IKEA to store things in that add a cozy feeling and keep things accessible.

Added in some mirrors, laid down the yoga mat, and I also have puzzle mats that I lay down when I'm working out.

One side of my studio space, big blue wall to keep me awake and inspired. I also move my wardrobe out of my bedroom and into the main space because it was such a big beautiful piece. And...I admit I have a lot of clothes so when trying on things I like to have my space. And a simple storage unit beside it.

So my office is all this extra counter space and the end of my kitchen. There were all these extra cupboards and space so I put up some things I loved and plopped my computer there, my degree etc. Its not much but its nice to have a distinct working space in my house.

Just some cool containers in my office where I store cords for things, pens and pencils. These are fun because if I ever get bored of them I can redecorate if I please.

Bright and cheery bathroom

Lots of cupboards, some Marilyn and matching towels.

Covered my old comforter with this beautiful duvet cover, and above my bed I have this stencil (but secret...its actually a sticker and I know its a little cheesy but I love it) And my bedroom is separate from everything else which I also love.

My room is pretty plain but I do have this jewellery holder on the wall. I just got bamboo from Kensington market and nailed in to the wall and hung all my pretty things. I didn't want too much going on in my room because I wanted to be able to relax and sleep soundly there.

Long shot of the place

Simple, yet special.

Getting creative with simple things to make dining at home a little more special.

Kale Chips

My friend Miriam gave me this idea and its so easy. Buy a big bundle of Kale and rip it up and spread it out on a baking tray. Pour a little olive oil on top and some salt and bake for 5 mins in the oven. The kale becomes thin crispy chips that are a good little appetizer or a side to your dinner.

Basa Fillet

My basa fillet photo wouldn't upload so I had to steal this one form the web..I think mine looked better but you get the idea with the veggies and the citrus right?

I love seafood and I decided to try cooking with basa fillet (which is catfish) I know it might sound weird but it's delicious. I friend up some onion, coriander and garlic then friend the fillet in it. As it was cooking I squeezed fresh lime on it ate it with a garden salad. Easy and fresh.

Dessert

As my previous post states, there is some mint chocolate chip ice-cream looming about my apartment. To make it fun, I put it in a wine glass with a little chocolate syrup and strawberries...served with a pink spoon. It was the perfect finish.


Enjoy!

I feel lazy

 I was training Circus for a few hours today and I felt great after. Did some cool new drops on silks and and learning lots of new things on trapeze. Then normally I go to a dance class at night, and in between I cook or visit someone or do something...but right now I am feeling so incredibly lazzzzzzyyyyy. 

 AND I'm being so indecisive. I don't know what I want to do, or what I feel like doing or what I should or shouldn't do. Should I go out for dinner or stay in? Shower now or later, laundry in two loads or one, clean up now then cook or cook then clean or both? Call a friend, enjoy the quiet? Go to my dance class or let my body rest, do my work or embrace my evening off, go out? argghhhhh brain.

 The only thing I am sure about right now is that mint chocolate chip ice-cream on sale at the grocery store was an excellent purchase today and I am eating too much of it while I try to figure out what to cook for my real dinner.  I think its one of those days where there is so much choice, I could do anything right now and I just want to wander around aimlessly and eventually curl up with my ice-cream, my laptop and have an early bed night. Just one of those days. Hm, I guess I just need to be okay with that...

But I'm definitely okay with this...mmm so good.

Homesick

When you grow up in Nova Scotia and move to a big city like Toronto its easy to get homesick. 

No ocean breeze, less trees, no mom's cooking or Grandma Pat's cookies, I miss my seadoo (Jenny), driving a car, rock band and air hockey in the basement with Barry, limitless fridge, TV in mom and dad's bed, my oldest and dearest friends, nature walks, getting lost in nature and the list goes on and on and on. I have such a great life in Toronto and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I love where I'm from. Every time I go home I find my feet firmly on the ground again with people and places I love. Here's to the east coast, the place I love the most.

you can take the girl out of the east coast, but you can't take the east coast outta the girl by'

Joel Plasket captures it perfectly. Take a listen.

HANNA

Whoa, just watched this awesome thriller. It's called HANNA and its stars this gorgeous little Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchette and Eric Bana. Saoirse was only 15 when she did the film but damn does that girl rock the screen. I could feel myself holding my breath throughout the film. Its hard to find a good thriller these days thats inventive, smart and still keeps you on edge. This one did it for me. Rent it.

HANNA

A week of theatre

Whoa, not being a show for once has meant I have actually had time to go out and see theatre! Holy cow.

 First of all The Test (which I posted a video for in the past, produced by The Company Theatre) is happening now at Canstage. It is a strange and wonderful piece of theatre that is a must see. I left the theatre feeling a bit sick to my stomach by what I had just witnessed but at the same time I was blown away by the modern set design, dynamic sound and amazing talent on stage. I'm not going to spoil it so go see it yourself. The test runs until November 26, go and be shocked.

Then the witty and scandalous The Provoked Wife featuring the fourth year acting conservatory students at York University. I had studied the play when I was in theatre school at York but this modern adaptation by Rick Roberts (directed by Vikki Anderson) there were some lovely new surprised including a hilarious prologue and epilogue made especially for the students. The language was so accessible due to the adaptation and the actors handled the text with ease. I love restoration, I want to see more and more or it, I wish we did more of that in the city. It's so silly and fun. Sadly, the show has already closed but it was a blast.

I got to watch my best friend Shaina play Juliet in R&J with Shakespeare in Action and it was such a treat. I realized I had never seen R&J before!? But I've done scene studies and read it a hundred times. It was nice to see it in its entirety and see my beautiful friend light up the stage. They continue shows over the next couple weeks, but they are daytime perfromances only. 

Didn't have a picture of my friend in the part, but this is a classic.  Mhmm.

Next week is Imprints by Theatre Gargantua! Its a multidisciplinary piece, playing at the Factory theatre, I have some friends in it and this is an extremely interesting company to watch out for.