Around the House

Happy Weekend!

The sun came out today, which is big news living in Victoria. In the winter, it basically rains or is grey everyday. A lot of people grumble about about the rain, but I enjoy snuggling up inside, sipping tea, bundled up with the windows all open listening to it. Plus, everything is green year round. It's terrible for photos though.

Today I met a friend downtown for bubble tea and strolled through Chinatown in the sunshine. I got up early and cleaned and organized my apartment. Satisfying day!

It feels a little like Spring here. I'm a little sad because we didn't even have ONE snow flake. Not-a-one! I love when the sky turns lavender and all the pretty snowflakes flutter down. Everything looks so peaceful covered in white. (Anyone from eastern Canada is probably rolling their eyes, I'd be sick of it too, but it's such a novelty here!)

I saw about five minutes of snow when I was in Vancouver in early December... but it turned to rain by the time we got outside... rain that was horizontal and unavoidable and freezing cold. Thank goodness it was a close walk to the cafe for a hot breakfast. If you're ever in Yaletown, try going to "Sciué Italian Bakery Caffé". I had probably the

best

scrambled eggs, sausage, and everything on the plate was to die for... like I'm not even a "breakfast person" and I was blown away. It's also gorgeous (nothing like this exists in Victoria, I swear.) I had an astounded look on my face when I entered. When my friend described the "little coffee shop" he went to... I had not imagined this! Anyways, that was quite a bit of sidetracking from discussing the lack of snow in Victoria.... but seriously. I would go to Vancouver again just to eat here!

Photo taken from Google Maps

Back to the weather (cuz that's not a cliche topic, right?) Anyways, I'm torn between wishing for the brisk, sunshiney days of spring with cherry blossoms and gardens, and a nice blanket of snow with boots and warm beverages. No matter which way the weather chooses to go (It's ground hog day, isn't it?... I believe the rodent hypothesizes that it will be an early spring!)...this sunshine has got me into spring cleaning mode.... so here's a few pictures of my apartment!

 I'm off to go eat some poutine from a local hole in the wall (like, basically a hole in the wall.... I'm not kidding) in Esquimalt and to play Scatergories with my parents. Definitely a good day!

 Have a lovely weekend!

What's the best meal you've ever had at a restaurant? Or a top 3? 

Doll Number 5

Hello everyone! Has another week gone by already? Wow. It seems like my life has been flying by these last few months!

This is Anaya. She has a matching sister that will be next week's post. A family friend purchased these two little ones for her granddaughters while she was visiting... it's fun to know where the dollies will end up!

Speaking of children... my cousin brought a beautiful little boy into the world a week ago, and the family couldn't be more thrilled. He's absolutely lovely, and I was lucky enough to get to hold him, visit with his older sister, and their sweet dachshunds. It was a great day!

I'm really loving this dollie pattern with the beehive, pigtails, and sweaters. I might have to make one in every colour! Sadly, I've completely worn out my wrists... like inflamed muscles and clunking wrist bones worn out. Apparently typing all day and obsessively knitting isn't what our wrists were designed for... who knew? Thank goodness I work at a physiotherapy/chiro etc. office so I'm well taken care of and can get lots of free advice! I'm going to try and take a break this weekend (I made next week's at the same time so #6 will be still be up!) It might kill me not to knit...(especially because I just bought some new colours that are fantastic!!) but it'll probably be happier in the long run! Wish me luck!

How has your week been? 

Dolled Up

Alright. I know I'm not a fashion blogger. But I do like putting together these posts. (Oh if my pinterest were my closet!) 

We recently had the first Forever 21 open on the island, and I have to say, I'm pretty excited. Like, I think I wore a Forever 21 top to work every day this week. I do have to say that some of the stuff looks pretty icky-quality wise, but if you hunt around and read labels, there are some AMAZING finds. Everything I purchased has been great quality

and is super comfortable.

We're having an H&M and a Joe Fresh as well as a Target (!!) opening this year... so Victoria shopping is definitely improving (but still has an awesome downtown core of local businesses.. it's a great compromise.)

The only sad thing is there is this awesome area called Market Square that is a double-decker, opened courtyard area that used to be full of businesses. An iconic fudge place called Fat Phege's Fudge Factory closed down last year. Apparently the rents are too high and they are trying to attract a "higher" clientele. Boo I say! It could be such an amazing area if only the shops could survive! Keep the exclusive stores in the new complexes, and keep downtown local, handmade and awesome, please and thank you! <<steps off soapbox>>

I'm sure Victoria shopping isn't very interesting for non-locals.... so here's the outfit! 

The outfit:

I really want one of these Cowichan sweaters. I'm allergic to wool (like, I tried on this adorable army green sweater at Forever 21, did a dance and knew within a second that it had wool in it) so it's pretty hard to track down a decent cotton/acrylic one.

Peter pan collars just make everything look cheerful, and I absolutely love this olivey-green colour.

There's nothing cozier than a nice pair of moccasins.... I have a pair that almost looked like that until my parent's dog decided it was a badger (he's a dachshund) and tried to eat it.

Anyways, that's it folks! Have a great weekend!  

Doll Number 4

Okay, I'm pretty excited by this one. I did some devising and realized that a smaller needle makes a (in my opinion) tidier looking arm. I'm going to try this on the legs too. (Never too late for a little experimenting!) I'm really liking her "woodsier" wardrobe. I knitted in a lot of texture into the sweater, to look like one of those Aran ones. She looks very British to me, so I

named her Piper. (Is anyone else loving her little stubby pigtails? As soon as my hair gets long enough... this is happening.. and I do realize I'm almost 24.)

This week has positively flown by. I've been trying to work on devising better systems at work. (I may have come up with a few semi-brilliant ideas to make our lives easier.) Office work isn't very glamorous (unless you're Joan Holloway), but it does feel good to reorganize and reduce the tediousness of tasks.

I'm writing this post Thursday night, before I start my Adobe Illustrator class. I'll have to update you on my impressions/ progress. I'm pretty excited but nervous at the same time!

I'm going to spend some time this week drawing and updating my other blog Dearest Doodles (not linking because I want it to look better and have updates first! I can't wait to draw again, it's been much much too long!)

Hope everyone's having a good week! Are you working on any 52 or 365 projects? 

Thanks for reading!

PS:

Thank you for new readers that left comments! Makes my day! 

PPS

: How gorgeous is the retro rotary phone she is standing on. It's getting it's own post soon!  

Tidy

I mentioned that my mum had taken up crocheting recently... isn't the afghan amazing? I obviously played around with filters on this photo... the colours are much richer and lovelier in person. (also note the adorable crochet coasters-- I'm a lucky girl.)

While the photo is somewhat busy (Okay, I'm not great at staging... who noticed the ipad cord and the space heater?) I did redo my drawing area (yes, my apartment is a cavern) to look a little cleaner and am super excited about it. It's just a garage sale table, a thrifted kitchen chair, a bedroom lamp and a few mason jars, but I love it. Just need to make some drawings to hang in the picture frames. I also re-did my bookshelf to house my yarn.

I can't wait to sit down and get drawing sometime this weekend! 

Here's the actual colours... I'm in love!

Super excited to use this pencil crayons, and to hang my Flapper Doodle Print!