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.

Rain, rain...

I don't know where you are in the world but, its raining here, and I woke up with a headache. Actually, many people are affected by the weather - specifically, headaches due to barometric pressure (weight of the air above pressing down).

Hesitant to take Advil (not a fan drugs), I got to my desk at work and took out the Lavender & Peppermint aromatherapy oil and rubbed some on my temples and under my nose. {Aromatherapy is the application or use off essential oils - often extracted from plants - to promote healing in the body.} Anywho, the smell is fabulous and you know what, it worked!

You can get pretty and pure aromatherapy at fine shops like Sephora which double as skin treatments as well. Other essential oils (for more therapeutic purposes) are sold at my favourite natural health marts; Good Health Mart and Planet Organic. Don't be afraid to spend a bit on your oils to get the most bang for your buck. Opting for the cheaper oils means that they may be diluted and, in some cases, not even the real thing!

Please read this on using essential oils safely.

Have an aromatastic day!!

Alessandra

xoxo

Couch...Check!

YAY! Found couches at The Bay on Bay and Queen St. in Toronto. Super excited, chocolate brown micro suede with movable chaise. Its gonna look great. Sorry I don't have a pic to accompany this.

On to the next thing....who is obsessed with Nigella Lawson's Kitchenware. I'm dying! Here are some of the things I'm on the market for:

These look like eggs!

Because everyone needs a lemon juicer squeezer

These mixing bowls look so comfy

Cummon! Real spoons?!? Too cute.

Last but not least, old school measuring cups

Anywho...I'm on a hunt for these this weekend.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Talk soon...

Alessandra

xoxo

moved in .... and movin' on

Full speed ahead! I'm ecstatic with the new house and my new life...its taking some adjusting but, overall...what better than to go home to your OWN house and rummage through everything that is YOURS??? Its wonderful!

We are still searchin' for a couch. Mind you, we just got back from the honeymoon (Tahiti) and really haven't had the time to search for anything lately...perhaps we'll go this weekend.

Funny what happens when you get a house...you stop thinking about yourself (as in shopping for yourself) and you think of how you will express your style in your home and surroundings instead. I went shopping on my lunch break the other day - at Canadian Tire! - to look for a good ironing board. In the past, my lunches would have been spent trotting through Eaton's Centre in Toronto, looking for the latest accessory of the season.

Perhaps Ill go to Homesence today....I'm dying to get one of those really cool trendy ceramic stools for my home...don't know where we'll put it but, I'll figure it out.

Until next time....

byebye

xoxo

Plushy yet stylish

SO the house is almost ready (and we are getting married in TWO WEEKS)....appliances next week, all tile this week. So excited! We are in the market for the perfect couch. Guidelines: small space, open concept to kitchen, blue/gray-ish walls, walnut colour floors, comfort, sexiness and quality.

So, here is what we found:

Its the Sophia couch from Urban Barn and I think its perfect. Not to mention, there are various sectionals that can be added to it and its made right here in Canada....wicked!

And here is another...

This time, from LazyBoy. Only problem: this bad boy is over 10 feet in width and I fear it will not fit the space at all. My fiancee is all about it though...so, Ill give it some thought.

And the search continues....I'll let you know what comes up.

Toodles.

Obsession

My new obsession consists of searching for perfect "party" plates. We are getting ready to move into our new home so I'm on the market for anything dinner-party related.

I recently had my bridal shower which, as you can imagine, brought along oodles of pretty house items, including plates. Despite, I always find myself looking for that whimsicle "touch" of pattern, shape or texture to accompany my simple every day plates.

Just look at these awesome Happy Birthday plates and mugs from Rosanna Inc. - I am completely smittin for all her stuff, let me tell ya!

Till next time...adios!

First post

So, I started a blog about six years ago and lost my interest -- school and other items on my forever "to-do-list" always took priority.

I realize now how I loved to blog --so much better than the overbearing, invasive Facebook or MySpace has over my personal life.

The purpose of this blog will be to highlight everything about, well, "life"! And because this is a site about life...It will reflect some of the current stages in MY life.

So, I'm getting married May 9th of this year (oh dear, so close). For the last year and three months, I have been inundated with wedding planning, wedding researching, wedding decisions, wedding politics wedding tears, wedding stress, wedding joy, wedding love, wedding shoes, dress, bridesmaids, parties, showers and so on! Look forward to all things wedding.

Other than that....I have a few other things up my "life" sleeve. You can expect tips on better living, healthy lifestyles and even how you can make your life quite frankly, prettier.

ENJOY!