The More Loving One

I was watching a show when I heard the characters talk about a poem by W.H. Auden called, The More Loving One. I wonder what it must be like to write poetry like that. Anyways, the second stanza is my favourite and I think the favourite of many people who read this poem. Enjoy!The More Loving One
by W.H. Auden

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That, for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.
How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.
Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.
Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total darkness sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.

Image via The Thought Experiment

The Joy of Books

Browsing, thinking, contemplating, dreaming, sighing, procrastinating... and I found this video of Toronto bookstore, Type Books. It made me smile. Happy Monday!

The Night Circus

Hello hello! Did you all have fabulous holiday celebrations? I definitely did. Skiing didn't quite happen (thanks to foggy bad weather) and I didn't get to see White Christmas on the stage (no time this year). But I did watch White Christmas on television and plans for Whistler are being made and we did have a fabulous Christmas Eve feast!Pictures to come but first, my darling Jessica W.N. of MUAHjwn introduced me to a new book entitled, The Night Circus. It is so magical and filled with unbelievably vivid imagery. Author Erin Morgenstern truly paints pictures with words...It makes me feel... inspired! Time to pull out the sketchbook.

Portobello Road, London

I've never been to London. Actually I've never even been to England! I have been to Scotland once. Anyways, if I was making the trip, I'd visit Portobello Road, the world's largest antiques market: vintage silverware, books, old cameras, decorative tassels, the old printing shop, walls of vintage sewing machines, fine china, silverware... it seems like a fun, eclectic and definitely colourful place to visit...Remember this? I loved watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks!

Photo sources (aside from a Google image search): Decorati Access, Oleg Skrinda, and Souvlaki for the Soul.

Design*Sponge at Anthropologie, Vancouver

Well, as I expected, Grace Bonney's book signing event at Anthropologie was fabulous. Everything about the event was inspiring: the book, the author, the people in attendance (great outfits all around), the employees (so friendly and cheerful), the products and their displays! I couldn't resist taking a few snapshots. Enjoy!

I wasn't the only one with my camera out! And how I would have loved to bring that bolero home... and an initialled mug!Lots of fun outfits walking around the store. Glittery gold shoes, double panelled leggings, and my favourite look of the whole evening: The Girl with the Lace Skirt. (Click to zoom)
As this adorable young boy was reaching for cupcakes, I couldn't resist snapping his picture! Let me share the dialogue that happened just before he reached:

Boy: I want anothew cupcake
Mother: Well, you can have another one now but then no ice cream later. You choose.
Boy (short pause and with a thoughtful expression): Hmm... that's okay. I'll just have the cupcakes now instead of the ice cweam!

Yes. That table is made of rolled up magazines... I think! And there's a lot of great shoes in this shot...
I love this cutlery set! If I needed more cutlery, I would have bought these.

Fire

This happened at a construction site a two minute drive away from my house last night! From my driveway I could see a giant smoke plume, sparks and the orange glow of flames. It's so strange to see so close to home! Right now, the street is still closed and the firefighters are still spraying it with water. Can you believe that almost 10 hours later there is still smoke rising from what's left of the building?!
On that fiery note, here are some beautiful watercolour paintings by Stephanie Pui Mun Law that I was reminded of...

Fiery Glory

The colours of these last two makes me think of the water vs. the flames...

Two Wolves

Climbing the Dragon Gate

If you really like these paintings you can purchase prints (or even originals) from the artist's website :)

Happy Birthday Jules Verne

Don't you just love today's Google logo? A classic and whimsical submarine theme in honour of one of the great science fiction novelists, Jules Verne.I'm sure you've heard of his stories, or at least seen some of the movie adaptations, no? Well I love looking at the vintage book covers for his work...

Gift Guide for the Girls

Hello again! I survived the exams... Barely :P I dread seeing my grades on Tuesday. My last exam was Chinese Literati art and how I wished I could have been Chinese for just two hours! It might have helped keep all the names straight!
Here's my gift guide for the girls: best friends, mothers, daughters, and --for any gentlemen who may or may not discover this post-- girlfriends...

For your mother: A Pinhole Press Wall Calendar, personalized with sepia photosFor your grandmother: A Pashmina Paisley ShawlFor the dancer: The Nutcracker ballet tickets (also a good gift for moms)Men, for your girlfriends: A bracelet from Marco BicegoFor the artist: BBC Film, The Impressionists (optional link)For the avid reader: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison AllenFor the city girl: Longchamp La Pliage bagFor the country cowgirl: Ariat Heritage Brown Western Boots

For the traveller: Moleskine City NotebookFor the fashionista: A Subscription to Vogue

Gift Guide for the Boys

I met my favourite hockey player today! He is a Swedish player that became one of the greatest Vancouver Canucks in team history and had his jersey number retired. The mayor of Vancouver even named Dec. 11, "Markus Naslund Day" and he was kind enough to chat and sign a jersey that I bought for my dad as a 50th birthday present. That got me thinking and I decided to brainstorm some good gift ideas (other than sports jerseys) for the boys in our lives: fathers, brothers, significant others... I hope these help!

For the golfer: GolfTool from Victorinox Swiss ArmyFor the athlete: Alex 32 oz. water bottle with Clean Seam TechnologyFor the entertainer: A vintage cocktail bookFor his feet: H by Hudson Angus Tan Washed Lace Up Boot from Urban OutfittersFor the city boy: Navy Bicycles Skinny Tie from Thomas PinkFor the country cowboy: Calgary Stampede limited ed. belt buckleFor the photographer: Roberu Compact Camera StrapFor the artist/writer: Moleskine notebooksFor the musician: Vinyl Music from Urban OutfittersFor the traveller: Kikkerland Travel Luggage Scale

5 Stages of Exams

The picture says it all...

I'm at stage 3. Time till exam: 5 hrs. and 40 mins.

(Source: Ubyssey Archives)

Gilt Frame Card Holder

This is a brilliant idea! Using this gilt frame card holder from Pottery Barn is an elegant way to display cards, and not just Christmas cards. I would use it for my sketches as well. Hmm I sense a possible DIY here!My paper is due tomorrow! So long ladies. I'm off to type type type...