Photography: American Girl in Italy

April 29, 2013 | 2 Commentaries

American Girl in Italy, photo by Ruth Orkin

American Girl in Italy, photographed by Ruth Orkin, is one of favourite photos. It’s been hanging in my room at my parents’ house (yes, I still have one there) ever since I bought it at Ikea at least 10 years ago. When I look at it, I think about Italy, I think about fashion, and I think about how the lady in the photo felt as the center of attention.

While I have owned this photo for so long, it was only this past week that I learned about how it all came to be (why I have never researched this before beats me!). So as the story goes…Ruth and Jinx (the “American Girl”) met while each travelling alone in Europe. Women travelling alone in the 1950s was not as common as it is today and Ruth came up with an idea to photograph Jinx to show “what it was really like”.

Jinx Allen, who is now known as Ninalee Craig, is as beautiful and stylish now as she was then. Here she is at an exhibit wearing the same orange scarf she wore in the photograph.

image via The Toronto Star, via You May Be Wandering

And while American Girl in Italy may be the most-recognizable photo, the others in the collection are also quite amusing and full of life.

photos via Ruth Orkin Archive

Thanks Mom for sending this my way.

The Friday Five: Bathrooms

April 26, 2013 | Leave a Reply

I love the variety of design in the bathrooms that I’m featuring in today’s Friday Five.

1. The tendency is toward vintage in this bathroom’s design. The art-deco chandelier, the simple mirrors, and the marble counters make this bathroom a winner from top to bottom.

via Sojorner

2. This bathroom is modern, modern, modern. The artwork, the shower faucet system, and the floating sink and toilet make this bathroom sleek and clean.

via Emmas DesignBlogg

3. Exposed plumbing is one of the things that I’m attracted to in this bathroom. The simple oval sconces seem to add an industrial feel to this space.

via Desire to Inspire

4. Shimmer and shine through the use of glass doors and walls makes this bathroom modern. The hard-edge tub and the simplicity of the stand alone faucet are two of the many elements in this space that make it stand out.

Chicago residence by Dirk Denison Architects, via Desire to Inspire

5. My favourite feature in this bathroom is actually the window because it reminds me of France. I love the addition of the antique scale and the simple light ball fixture over the sink. It’s a little bit rustic and a whole lot of calm.

via 79Ideas

Happy Friday!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Photography: Buying a New Camera

April 25, 2013 | 1 Commentary

I have been wanting to buy a new camera for a while now – something small enough to carry in my purse, better than my iPhone 4S and Canon Elph (I do still love the Elph), and something with a great lens that would produce gorgeous photos. Oh – and in the $200-$300 price range (always on a budget, I am!). So when my photographer friend Joel told me about a great sale on Panasonic’s Lumix LX5 at Black’s, I had to check it out (with his help of course). After his explanation of its features – and my many “Are you sure this is what I want?”, I decided to order it online as there were none in stock in London. A $500 camera for $250 and it’s got a Leica lens (cool)! Needless to say it was an exciting afternoon! It was even more exciting when it arrived about a week later.

Unfortunately I got sent a camera that had previously been opened/used/touched so I contacted Black’s (oh, the power of a tweet) to inquire. The service I received to resolve this issue was so efficient and friendly that I might just be a Black’s fan for life.

me and my LX5, photo by Joel (with a cell phone)

Me and my camera are becoming the best of friends. We’ve already gone to The Home Depot, to work and to Toronto. There’s much to learn about photography and I think this little LX5 is going to show me the way.

Thanks to Anthony S. at Black’s for providing excellent customer service. Thanks for your advice Joel.

20 Below: Personalized Note Pads

April 23, 2013 | Leave a Reply

I love supporting Canadian designers around here and today I am happy to share Penny Paper Co.‘s personalized note pads. The Classic is one of my favourite styles.

Penny Paper Co. classic note pad, $14.95

I also think the confetti collection is quite cheery and would make a sweet gift.

Fashion: Lolë Activewear

April 22, 2013 | 3 Commentaries

I recently discovered Lolë, a Montreal-based activewear clothing company, and I was instantly impressed. I’m one of those people who generally wears activewear for active pursuits rather than for doing errands around town or meeting friends at a café. I like my workout clothes to look great but to perform well too. When I landed on Lolë’s website, I first browsed the tennis section since this is the sport I have decided to learn more about this spring/summer.

twist tank top, $48

essential cardigan, $100

jump-up tank top, $60

ace skort, $65 (and don’t you love the hi-top runners?)

But Lolë is much more than tennis wear. The full collection includes items that are most suitable for yoga, golf, running, and water sports. In addition, there is a selection of pieces that are suitable for travel and city living. The clothes online look to be fashionable and very functional. And, of course, many other colours do exist!

balasana cardigan, $90

vinyasa capri, $80

rennie 2 pants, $90

delightful 2 jacket, $150

Lolë is one of those companies that is committed to promoting healthy living. The company organizes a large outdoor yoga tour called the Lolë White Yoga Session and it will be in Toronto and Montreal this summer. Just look at these photos…doesn’t the yoga session look like such a great community activity? Plus, everyone wears white!

Stand-alone Lolë stores are located in Montreal, Toronto, Oakville and in dreamy places like Chamonix, Biarritz, Paris, and Zurich. Lolë’s activewear collection can also be found in other stores around the world.

All images courtesy of Lolë.

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