Brooms and Aprons and Dusters, OH MY!

I am fully aware of the psychology behind cleaning; its a control mechanism in which, if completed successfully (or to your liking), you achieve a sense of control over your environment and life.  I am also fully aware that I enjoy this little control mechanism as its ritual repeats itself every Saturday morning - at least I know one thing is constant and completely in my hands to manage.  And to that I say, why the hell not! (Ok, ok, lets be honest, some weekends I have to hold myself back from calling Molly Maid, I swear).

But, after a cup of coffee and two slices of pumpernickel toast with peanut butter and jam, I am ready to slap on the gloves for some much needed sloughing, shining, sterilization and serenity.

One rule: the humble abode will not be cleaned with anything "humble". Oh no, I have plenty of fun things to make the Saturday morning shape-up thoroughly fabulous.  Observe:

Pretty gloves and aprons from Carolyn's Kitchen Online!

And for chasing those dust balls away: 

Awesome tea towel and duster above from Fabu-licious

If you want to know a bit more about just how to clean the proper way, use this book I bought (yes, I know mom, you taught me well but - I gotta research everything on my own xo):

You can get the book online at Chapters.

Till next time,

Pink and sparkles

xoxo

F is for Martinis.....

Enough said!

Its FRIDAY and that means Martini and Movie night for me. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a sucker for a good martini and by martini, I mean the original, authentic, one and only dry gin (sometimes dirty) martini. For the record, the Cosmopolitain, Chocolate, Lychee, Apple etc. martinis are not, I repeat, not real martinis; they are mixed drinks in a martini glass. Period.

They say the martini started in 1862   in a town called Martinez, California, USA.  A miner struck gold and went into a saloon to celebrate - the bartender called it a "Martinez special" and gave him some gin with sweet vermouth.

Others say it originated from the Martini Rosso import (sweet red vermouth from Italy) in the 1870's.  Bartenders would mix the Vermouth with gin to clarify the colour and called it a Martini.

The truth of the matter is that noone really has a concrete history on the magnificent martini but I know one thing for sure - they are the happiest part of my week!

Here are some awesome martini glasses I enjoy:

Gorgeous, right?  They can be purchased at Swarovski.com ($500 / pair).

Check out these fun glasses from Got Martini:

 Also from  Got Martini, a fun one just for, well, fun:

I can't leave without sharing the recipe for the perfect, classic martini:

Classic Martini Ingredients

75ml (or approx 2+ 1/2 oz) Gin
15ml (or approx 1/4 oz) Dry Vermouth
1 green olive OR a twist of lemon peel
6 ice cubes

Classic Martini Directions

Into a mixing glass, toss a handful of ice cubes (about half a dozen), then pour in the Gin and the Vermouth.
Stir well. Some may prefer shaken!
Strain and pour into a martini glass.
To finish, either drop a green olive into the bottom of the martini glass OR arrange a twist of lemon peel on the edge of the martini glass.

Thats all for today...have a fabulous Friday.

Enjoy and CHEERS!!!

Dream home

I know I'm not the only one who Googles their dream home. I promise you, I WILL have this house one day.

All images from: http://www.dreamhomedesignusa.com/

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nothing much...

because im tired...too tired to even capitalize. i can use a bit of punctuation but i kinda shut my brain off when i get home from work. lately, its been crazier than usual and my typing is obviously stressing my husband out right now, so im gonna have to stop.

night!

New Favourite Artist

I've discovered Michael Parkes...and I couldn't be happier.

This man captures everything I love about fantasy realism (oxymoron isn't it). All his art gorgeously depicts the human body but, more than that, human emotion - or above that, human dreams. Given that almost all of his characters seem non-human, his paintings show emotions and human character - anger, love, grace, imperfection, pensiveness, hope...and the list goes on.

Take one of my current favourites: Tuesday's Child. Not only because it shows a ballerina, which we all know I'm a sucker for, but because she is effortlessly carrying about her day while danger is nearby.

Most of his paintings depict human, animal, action and emotion with touches of symbolism - which can be interpreted one thousand ways.

"Diamond Warrior" is another fav. It looks so calming to me. Calming because she is protected and safe.

This one is called "Chess Game" and it looks like something out of a story book.

I could post images all day, but I encourage you to Google him and take a look for yourself.

Entertaining!!

Hey there,

I know, I know...where have I been???? Well, things have been kinda crazy...setting up the inside of the house and now, construction on the outside, its been busy to say the least.

Now that we are in "entertaining mode", we've had a few of our friends over for dinner parties (my fav). I'm always on the hunt for the cutest entertainment accompaniments.; table linens, drink ware, serve wear or decor.

This is what I found this morning, and I wish I lived in the States to get them because I haven't seen them anywhere in Canada:

I know, ADORABLE. They are called "Drink Wear" and can be bought online at Perpetual Kid. In fact, there is a whole slew of them for the picking!

What are the chances I find these around Toronto before Friday night???

Anywho, till next time.

xoxoxo

Michael Jackson WAS sparkles

As my tribute to the King of Pop, I will highlight what reminded me of Michael Jackson:

The Sparkly Glove:

The "Bad" Jacket, all the video's dance moves and every time I walk into an underground parking lot:

The entire "Thriller" album and break dancing with my brother upstairs at our old house. Also, how gross we thought his wrist looked on the inside of the record cover (where he is holding the tiger). We thought he was the greatest thing alive:

There are so many other memories - too many to list here. Michael J. was a part of my childhood as he was to many of us. As a child, his stardom struck me as he provided my brother and I with many fun-filled "break dancing" memories. As a dancer, I looked up to his moves and rhythm. As a teenager his "Dangerous" album really was the first to teach me how our world is deteriorating - humanistically and environmentally - while, at the same time, sang songs of how beautiful the world is and humans are.

Thank you Michael for giving us the greatest art, softest voice, sparkly-est clothes and wondrous moves that will last forever and ever. We are lucky to have lived with him.

A.