Jordana

Obsessed with FIAT

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Well, if you’ve been following me on Twitter then you are already aware of my new found obsession with the FIAT 500. (Thanks to Caroline from Paloma’s Nest for getting this obsession going.)

Now, let’s be honest, I’m not really into cars. I don’t really like learning about them, I don’t remember makes/brands/model numbers and as far as car maintenance goes, well, let’s just say that I’ve got car washes under control.

I currently drive a Jeep and it’s the only car I’ve ever had. I really, really, really love it. But, now it’s getting old and it might just be time for me to invest in something smaller and more efficient.

In comes the FIAT 500.

FIAT 500 Pop

FIAT 500 Sport

FIAT 500 Lounge

The FIAT 500 made its début in North America just a few months ago. Founded in Torino, Italy, FIAT has been designing and manufacturing stylish and efficient cars since 1900. The concept behind FIAT was to design a car as beautiful as the hills, towns, and coasts it was built to explore. In 1957, the Nuova (new) 500 was marketed as a city car. Dante Giacosa, its designer, described it as a scooter with a roof. In 1972, the last model in the 500 series was made and production ended in 1975.

A vintage FIAT in Abruzzo, Italy; photo by Jordana

Now, after over 35 years since production of the original 500 ended, FIAT has brought a new and improved version to North America. Hip hip!

This zipity zip car just might work for me. The differences between the three models (Pop, Sport, & Lounge) don’t look to be much of a big deal (for my untrained eye, anyway) so I’d be happy with any of the three. I’ve rented Fiat cars on many occasions in Europe so I already know I like driving them. Not only that, it’s Italian. Need I say more?

FIAT rental cars in Italy and the Canary Islands (1. Panda, 2. Panda, 3. Punto; parallel parking is so easy!)

Me: The Happy Driver

If I do ever get a FIAT 500, I’d obviously have to get all the accessories to match! How perfect that this car company loves white just as much as I do! I think it might be a match made in car heaven.

First, I would get a tumbler for my latte. There are cup holders galore in this little car so maybe I’d have to get two – to treat my passengers to an authentic Italian beverage.

Ceramic tumbler, $18.95

I would use the FIAT pen to write down my grocery lists and driving directions.

FIAT Mokina ballpoint pen, $150.95

I’ll need this tote for my groceries. Wouldn’t my pasta, tomatoes and basil look good in it?

tote, $12.95

The super white FIAT watch (and the FIAT 500 car) would get me to meetings and appointments on time.

FIAT slap on watch, $24.95

Although I don’t need cuff links, I would have to get them just because they’re extra cute. I’d probably make some sort of DIY project out of them. Maybe.

FIAT 500 cuff links, $69.95

I’ll need the FIAT wallet for gas money. That’s just a given.

FIAT 500 wallet, $124.95

Now onto wardrobe. Well, first I would get some sort of cool driving gloves (but FIAT doesn’t make any). Then I would put some of the Fiat clothing into rotation – to make me feel like a hip Italian race car driver, of course.

FIAT Technical sweatshirt, $99.95

FIAT technical jacket, $174.95

And for my wee little nephews who will be passengers while I’m on babysitting duty, I would give them each one of these:

FIAT infant body suit, $12.95

So what’s stopping me? Well, it’s a major purchase. Major price tag. Major decision. Oh – and it still makes me sad to think about giving up my Jeep.

If you understand Italian, you might enjoy the videos and additional information provided on the FIAT Italy website.

In some countries (but not Canada), the 500 by Gucci is available for pre-order (if you can manage to get on the Priority List). It’s sleek and black. Click here to learn more.

For a review of the FIAT 500 from someone more experiences than me, click here.

Photos of FIAT Pop, Sport & Lounge, and FIAT merchandise courtesy of FIAT USA.

Happy Birthday Dad!

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Today is my Dad’s birthday and since he is White Cabana’s number one fan (and even made appearances here and here), I thought I’d help celebrate his birthday by sharing some cute photos from his childhood.

Pretty stylin’ for a little guy who grew up in the smallest of small mountain villages in Italy, right? Don’t you just love his little bow tie and sunglasses?

In this photo of Dad, it looks like he went on a bit of a hike…in a suit. As if that would happen these days!

Happy Birthday Dad!

White Makes Sense

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I had a great visit at HomeSense last week. If I had an unlimited budget (and a mansion) I would have gone crazy and filled up my shopping cart with loads of goodies. Instead, I picked up a few pretty gifts for friends and family.

I think this collection of serving platters, bowls and cake stands is especially beautiful.

photo by Jordana at HomeSense

The Miss Piggy Bike

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When I was a kid, my mom used to have a white bicycle like this one:

via Matchbook

My sister and I used to call it the Miss Piggy Bike.

The bike still comes up often enough in conversations. I think this is mostly because apparently my sister and I made her sell it at a garage sale (I think I was 7 years old but that’s not the point). Even though my mom would never use it now, she still talks about how much she loved it and that she regrets selling it all those years ago.

I spent Mother’s Day with my mom in Toronto and when we came across one of these bikes in a Queen West shop window we both smiled and we couldn’t leave it until we said a few words about the Miss Piggy Bike.

Aw. Memories.

Little Booties Go for a Stroll

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My friend Kate had her baby shower a couple of weeks ago and her extremely talented mom Margaret (or Cousin Margaret as I like to call her) created origami booties as a token of thanks for all the guests. She made my gift in keeping with the theme of White Cabana. How thoughtful, right? Thank you so much Cousin Margaret!

The pair of white baby booties came in a beautiful box with a perfect red crane closure. Such a beautiful work of art.

I was so smitten with the design and workmanship of this sweet little gift that I decided to have a little fun and try making a stop-motion video. These booties are made for walkin’! Here’s my very first video:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_JM4GOd6ys&w=640&h=390]

Photos and video by Jordana.

DIY: Paper Flower Wreath

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Earlier this week Johanne featured this beautiful paper flower wreath by Alisa Burke. I wanted to make it on the weekend but I was too eager and made it the night after Johanne’s post. Here’s the finished product:

It wasn’t hard to make at all but it was time consuming. Wrapping the Styrofoam form was the most annoying part for me but crumpling the paper (to add texture) was kind of stress relieving. Next time I would make flowers of different sizes, just as Alisa suggested in her tutorial. I completely overlooked this detail. Oh, and I used white printer paper instead of butcher paper.

I’m putting it on my door this weekend to welcome spring and all my springtime guests!

Photos by Jordana.

Chicago

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I recently had the opportunity to visit Chicago for the first time. Oh, wow! What an absolutely amazing city! If you like art, architecture, food and fashion (or any combination of these things), then a visit to Chicago is a must! Chicago also offers plenty of comedic and musical entertainment. Although my five-day stay was work-related, I did manage to play tourist in between work obligations.

Although Chicago is often referred to as the windy city, I much prefer its other name, the white city. There are plenty of white buildings, doors and art around the city. You can imagine how happy I was to be surrounded by all of this white!

One of the highlights on this trip was the 75-minute architecture tour boat some of us took over a lunch break. We listened to the history of many (if not all!) buildings on either side of the river. Another amazing experience was eating tiramisu (yum) on the 96th floor of the John Hancock tower. The view from here was absolutely incredible (and just a tad scary).

The Friday Five: Preparing for NYC

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I’m in New York City this weekend after a very crazy and emotional week. I’m happy to be spending time with my sister, brother-in-law and my sweet little nephews. I’m also going to be reunited with one of my running buddies and we’ll be running the NYC half on Sunday. My winter-training plan has been less than perfect so I imagine I’ll be taking a lot of walking breaks.

Here are five things that I brought along this weekend.

1. Sub-zero running tights from Running Skirts.

2. Antiperspirant – thanks Degree! It will definitely be put to the test at the half-marathon.

3. LeSportsac weekender bag – great for packing extra things (i.e., new purchases!).

black LeSportsac weekender

4. My new polka dot scarf. I always bring a scarf like this on trips – especially for the flight.

5. My Canon PowerShot SD1000. It’s small but mighty. I don’t ever leave the house without it!

Canon camera

Personal Note: Remembering Nonno

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My grandfather passed away on Sunday afternoon. He lived a healthy 95 years. Ninety-five! Nonno was born in  a small town in Calabria, Italy in 1915 and moved to Canada in 1953 and was joined by his family in 1962. Like many Italian immigrants at that time, Nonno worked in construction for the City of Toronto. He and my grandmother raised four children with little money but with great strength and determination.

Nonno and Me, January 2010

I have many fun memories of Nonno. When he stopped driving a few years ago, family members took turns taking him to do his errands. On one trip to the library, he instructed me to wait in the car while he went in to pick up his Oggi (Italian magazine). Before I even had a chance to tell him I would go in for him, he was out of the car and running Рyes, running Рacross the street. He was fast, too! The car ride was fun too Рwe discussed movie stars, social events and world news. And of course, no errand was complete without stopping by his favourite caf̩ to enjoy a cappuccino.

Watching Nonno maneuver aisles in the grocery store was quite the entertainment. When you reach his age, I guess you’ve got a pretty good idea about the layout of your favourite store. He was efficient, direct and got around with mighty speed. He also knew the best place in the city to buy fresh bocconcini and ricotta. Even at 95 years old, Nonno was responsible for supplying everyone in the family with these delicious Italian cheeses.

Nonno was the most social person I’ve ever met. If he had a Facebook profile, I can guarantee that his friend count would be higher than any of ours. He was self-sufficient, busy, and his healthy diet was enviable. He was an avid reader, made excellent use of the Toronto public library, and loved to play Italian cards.

No matter how old any of us grandkids got, when we visited him at home he would be sure to offer us a juice box. Ha ha. Just thinking about how many juice boxes I’ve drank at his house puts a smile on my face. Every chat with Nonno usually involved him saying, “Whaddya gonna do?” We grandkids always tried to recreate the line but it just never sounded the same as when he said it.

He was also quite the fashionisto – he was particular about colour, design and fabric. He was always happy to add another beautiful Merino wool sweater or cozy argyle socks to his wardrobe – as long as they were up to his standards. When he was 93, Nonno went out to buy a new suit for his Italian club’s dinner/dance. He wanted to look good, of course, and his existing suits just wouldn’t do. And yes, at 93, he still enjoyed a good party!

I am happy to celebrate Nonno’s long and healthy life and dedicate this space on White Cabana to him.

 

5 for 2011: The Second Check-Up

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Back in January – oh so long ago – I created a list of 5 personal goals for 2011 (click here to read it). Near the end of the month, I posted an update here. I thought it’s now time for a second review of my progress.

1. Wear rings. Yes – I’m trying. For the past several weeks I have worn mainly this silver triple ring that I have had since highschool:

I bought this black sparkler from Banana Republic and wore it a few times:

Keeping my nails polished has been especially encouraging for my ring wear.

2. Embrace the cold weather. It’s still winter. It’s still cold. Darn. Although the sun has been peeking out more (in between the rain) which gives me hope that spring is in fact on its way, even if it’s on the slow train. I have basically been living in my UGGs and Hunter boots this winter. Thank goodness for warm and dry feet!

UGG & Hunter boots

I have also been happily enjoying my Sunday afternoons of curling. There’s an energetic and lively bunch of people in the club and it’s such a social sport! I recently scored this vintage curling sweater which keeps me fully warm and I think it brings me some good luck too!

3. Host more parties. It’s been a decent month of hosting. In the past several weeks, I’ve hosted brunch, dinner and a weekend guest (Johanne!).

4. Try new recipes. I’ve tried to make progress with this goal. Honestly. For one dinner, I turned to David Rocco for some help. I made this oh-so-delicious lentil soup and rucola & pear salad.

I also made these sugar-free muffins for a meeting. Pretty darn good – they didn’t taste sugar-free. They were also super quick and easy to make.

5. Learn more about London, Ontario. I have quite a bit to report on for this goal. Near the beginning of February I attended a talk at London Museum. I’ve lived in this city for almost three years and I had yet to go inside this awesome building. I’m glad I finally did because white is everywhere!

staircase at Museum London

I also attended Ignite London at the Aeolian Hall. What an evening of creativity and inspiration. I’m already looking forward to the next event.

I went to see The Comos play at the Old Victorian Tavern. Sax + bass + old school tunes = an awesome night out! I’ve seen The Comos play a few times now but visiting the Old Vic was a new experience for me.

Another new place I visited was Call the Office to see Montreal band Plants & Animals perform. It was a friend’s birthday and so the night was full of fun!

via

Finally, I went to watch a curling game at the John Labatt Centre (JLC). Two firsts for me. The Brier (a.k.a. Canadian men’s curling championship) has been in London for the last week and being the amateur curler that I am, I had to go check it out. Watching professional curling for the first time was great! I had also never been to the JLC before and I thought this was the perfect occasion to see what it was all about Oh, the excitement! (And yes, of course I wore my curling sweater!)

The Brier at the JLC, London

Oh gosh – what a long post that was today. Lots of updates for everyone and maybe a new place or two to check out if you’re ever in London, Ontario!

Displaying Collectibles

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Many of you already know that I have a slight obsession with anything Parisien…at the top of the list is the Eiffel Tower. Even though I’ve seen it plenty of times, it renders me speechless on each and every visit. It’s an incredibly impressive structure.

Over the years I have slowly collected a group of mini Eiffel Tower structures. I usually have them lined in a row on my bookshelf, ordered by height.

Sometimes my guests rearrange them in new ways – one tower out of line, towers in a zig-zag formation, etc.

Of late I’ve grouped some of them in a lidded glass container.

However they’re grouped, I find clustering this collection in one place makes for a pleasing display.

Many thanks to Seema Persaud at Canadian House & Home for featuring this idea in her Readers’ Top Spring Decorating Ideas article yesterday.

Photos by Jordana.

White in London

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by Johanne

This past weekend I had the pleasure of visiting my friend and White Cabana creator, Jordana, in London, Ont.

It’s easy to see why Jordana has made London her home over the past few years- there is an abundance of white here!

Jordana was very encouraging as I practiced seeing white everywhere.

Here are some of my favourite white moments from my white weekend with Jordana:

Branches of raw cotton at London’s charming Market

Jordana checking out beautiful water at the Market

White detailing on the packaging of Dry Soda water

A white portable ethanol fireplace, $758

Gorgeous white leather office chair, $302 on sale

Caffé latté art at Coffee Culture

Pouffy bridal dress in store window for London’s princesses

More bridal dresses with white poufs!

Even the cars are painted white and topped with fresh snow in London!

White and classic black made-by-Jordana art

at Jordana’s lovely home

Delicious sushi with white rice and creamy white napkin

Going for a (wh)nite on the town!

Jordana knows white: white t-shirt, plate, table, etc.

at the local diner for brunch

Me, I see white but I’m not fully white – yet!-. Wearing bright pink

but I did order a white wrap with sour cream for brunch!

A white snowman and snowcat greeted me home

in Toronto upon my return

 

Thank you so much Jordana for a fantastic weekend! I love being on this white adventure with you!

xoxo

Johanne

The Friday Five: My Menagerie

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I recently realized that I have a growing collection of (fake) animals in my house. Right now it seems like everything I have comes in pairs…how very Noah’s Ark, right?

Lions

Jonathan Adler lion

lion paperweight

The Jonathan Adler lion was a congratulatory gift from my sister and brother-in-law. They gave it to me when I completed my Master’s. I have since purchased a matching mini JA lion ornament. My mom found the glass paperweight with the lion etching at a garage sale and she thoughtfully bought it for me (p.s. I’m a Leo).

Birds

bird

a pair of wise owls

I found the sweet little bird at a thrift store and just had to have it. I haven’t found the perfect spot for it yet though. I won the owl pitchers (or vases) over at Greige. They are happy on my bookshelf  – near a pair of owl bookends. (Honestly, I can’t believe how my animal collection has grown!)

Elephants

elephant pillow

I bought these pillows (one is an elephant and one is a giraffe) for my parents a while ago at Loblaw Superstore. They didn’t seem to like them as much as I did so the pillows soon became mine.

How about our White Cabana readers? What are your collections made up of?

5 for 2011: A Check-Up

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A couple of weeks ago I posted 5 goals for 2011. I thought I’d update you on my progress.

1. Wear rings. This has been a bit of a challenge for me, mostly because I’m not in the habit of wearing them and I forget to put them on when I’m getting ready in the morning. However, here are some that I have worn since I set this goal:

Jordana’s rings: Sparkle, sparkle!

(from Banana Republic & Forever21)

2. Embrace the cold weather. Second goal. Second challenge. I’m trying. My friend Kate knit me a gorgeous white scarf. I love it and it’s definitely helping to keep me warm (thanks Kate!).

scarf by Kate

Jordana with scarf

3. Host more parties. I’ve hosted one dinner party (for eight of my friends) since 2011 began. I think this is a decent start. I even managed to put together little flower arrangements for the occasion:

floral arrangements & photo by Jordana

4. Try new recipes. For said dinner party (see #3), I tried two new recipes: 1. Mushroom crostini (similar to this recipe) and 2. Pasta Alla Formiana (by Giada de Laurentiis). I kind of burnt the tomato topping. Oops.

5. Learn more about London, Ontario. I haven’t necessarily learned more but I have supported the arts community. I went to the Aeolian Hall to see (and listen to) performances by Julie Doiron, Sunbear and Castlemusic. Very entertaining. Great venue.

photo by Jordana

Well, there you have it, my first update on my 2011 goals. Goal number 6: to keep updated my progress.

Friday Five: 5 for 2011

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I feel like I’m one of those people who constantly make and revise resolutions.  When I feel like I need to change something to improve my life, I do. When I have achieved a goal, I set a new one. I think about short and long term goals all the time and I write them down. Sometimes I share them with people. This is one of those times. Here are five things that I’d like to do in 2011:

1. I’ll wear more rings. I used to wear them a lot and then I stopped for no apparent reason. I’ll start with a ring my sister gave me which looks similar to this one:

floral ring, $5.80

2. I’ll brave the cold this winter and get outside. I’ll wear more layers, I’ll put my boots to good use and I’ll try to stop complaining.

Lord scarf & cardigan, All Saints

3. I’ll host more parties. Getting together with friends and family is fun – why not do it more often?

balloons, Martha Stewart

4. I’ll try new recipes. And I’ll try not to limit myself to yummy desserts.

via Martha Stewart

5. I’ll learn more about the city I’m currently living in – London, Ontario. Museums, galleries, shops, concerts…I’m ready to explore and to feature my adventures on White Cabana!

Etsy Taste Test

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Have you tried out the Etsy Taste Test? I just had a go and the results are pretty cool. Have a look at some of the items that came up in my Taste Test search.

Mid-century wingback chair, $1100, Bohemiennes

Industrial factory stool, $265, French By Design

Set of Jen Risom dining chairs, $650, En Route Studio

California Originals Pottery, $42, Barking Sands Vintage

Look at all of this white! And I didn’t even choose any white objects during the search process. Crazy, right? Somehow Etsy just knew…

Snow Days

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We’re experiencing our second heavy snowfall today here in London. The whole city has basically shut down – the university is closed, shops are closed, and public transportation is only running for half of the day.

This afternoon I put on my Hunter boots and fleece liners (amazing!), wore layers of clothing, sported my furry chapeau and I braved the winter weather. Here is what (a mostly white) downtown London looks like today:

Victoria park is covered in snow

Snow covered trees in Victoria Park

St. Peter's Cathedral with a dusting of snow

St. Peter's Cathedral in white

p.s. For those of you who are curious – yes, I absolutely adore white. But that doesn’t necessarily mean I love the snow. It’s great to look at but it’s really not for me.

Images by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Chez Jordana

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So…I admit it…I decorated before December 1st. I just couldn’t wait! Here’s a peek at five of the decorations on my mini (green) tree.

Little bear ornament, MoMA

Paper tree ornament, MoMA

Ice skaters ornament, MoMA

The Letter J ornament, made by my sister

Mini lion ornament (I'm a Leo), Jonathan Adler

Images by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Coffee

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Ahh…coffee. I love the smell, the taste and the look. I love the feeling of drinking a coffee at my local café. I love meeting a friend and catching up on gossip at a new café or sitting alone on a patio with a cup in hand and watching the world go by.

I’m a fan of any kind of coffee…my choice usually depends on the time of day, the occasion and the café. I like a latte or cappuccino in the morning or as a mid-morning break. I enjoy a nice espresso after a good meal or as an afternoon pick-me-up.

And yes – sometimes the coffee I drink is so special, it deserves a photo! I’m happy to welcome you to today’s caffeine-filled Friday Five!

1. I was in Ascoli with my aunt, uncle and father. We stopped in at Caffe Meletti before hitting the farmer’s market. The Barista wrote me a special message in my little espresso. Sweet, right?

An espresso in Ascoli, Italy

2. I was in Gstaad with my good friend Shannon. Going to Early Beck easily became an afternoon routine for us. We shared many laughs and gossiped for hours.

A cappuccino & croissant in Gstaad, Switzerland

3. On one of my trips to Paris, I stopped in at a restaurant near the Palais Royale to write postcards and get re-energized!

An espresso and tarte in Paris, France

4. I’ll never forget the morning adventure my good friend Boba and I had in Montreal. It was pouring rain outside but we were determined to have breakfast at La Croissanterie Figaro, which came highly recommended by a friend. Even though we were exhausted after a busy work week in Montreal, we stuck it out and we were rewarded with a beautiful breakfast and a couple of delicious cappuccinos.

A cappuccino with a mountain of foam in Montreal, Quebec

5. I was on a 5-day vacation with Shannon (yes, the same friend) in Budapest and we stopped in for a coffee and strudel at the First Studel House of Pest. Our food and drinks were delish!

Latte at the First Strudel House of Pest, Budapest

How about you? What are your coffee drinking routines or memories?

Photos by Jordana.

Vaseline: Make it a Good Skin Day

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Looking for a way to take care of your skin this season? Vaseline‘s line of products keeps skin healthy, nourishes it and increases skin’s moisture level.

Vaseline Art by Jordana

Vaseline's New Line

Thanks to our friends at Vaseline, I have had the opportunity to try out some Vaseline Intensive Rescue products. I’m happy to report that after a couple of weeks of regular use, my skin feels and looks great. Bonus – the lotions are non-greasy (a definite pet-peeve). Double bonus – these Vaseline lotions are white!

Vaseline Intensive Rescue products are available at most drug and grocery stores across Canada.

Art and images by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Giving Thanks

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It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada so I thought it appropriate to make a list of five things I’m thankful for this year (besides health, family, friends,  work, and the food in my fridge):

1. My black Hunters. They keep me and my feet happy.

Hunter rainboots

2. My 1/2 marathon medal. Ah – the sweet precious medal.

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2010 Finishers Medal

3. My MacBook. I had no idea I would love it this much!

Mac keys light up for action.

4. My sewing machine. I got it for Christmas last year and adore it. I just wish I had more time for all the sewing projects I have in mind!

My Singer is a mighty fine machine!

5. My new 2011 agenda book (from Paris!). It has a list of text talk acronyms which is going to help me stay in-the-know.

Ready to text

Wishing all you Canadian readers a very Happy Thanksgiving! And wishing all White Cabana readers a very happy weekend!

Photos by me.

Personal Note: Remembering Nonna

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My grandmother, two months away from turning 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday morning. She lived a long and healthy life in Italy and was one of the strongest women I have ever known. A few weeks before her passing, she was hard at work making her famous plum jam and when I saw her just over a week ago in Italy she was telling me about a special espresso set she received on her wedding day (in between giving her usual list of orders and opinions, of course!).

Nonna (88 years old) and her sewing machine

I’m happy to dedicate this space on White Cabana to Nonna Landa. I will always remember her strength, her straight-to-the point personality, and her talent for sewing a perfect outfit faster than you could say Vogue.

Children’s Gifts: Ovale Paris

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Ovale: Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris

Ovale, the brain child of designers Gilles Neveu and Vladimir Flabert, houses some of the most cuddliest toys, softest clothes, simplest jewelry, and prettiest silver gifts for babies and children. This unique, minimalist brand carries many items which make gift-giving memorable and unique.

Clothes neatly hung in a row at Ovale, Paris

Browse Ovale’s current collection by clicking here.

Images by Jordana.

Travel: Paris Architecture

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The buildings in Paris never cease to impress me. I love the variety of designs, the details of the carved stone, the ironwork and the grand arches.

Les Halles, Paris

Centre Pompidou, Paris

Sacre Coeur, Paris

Place Vendôme, Paris

Apple store, 12 Rue de Halévy, near Opéra, Paris

 

For more information about these locations visit: Les Halles, Centre Pompidou, Sacre Coeur, Place Vendôme, Apple.

All photos by Jordana.

Travel: Paris' Marché aux Puces

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Paris is full of history – obvious enough, right? For a walk through the past, visit the Marché aux Puces at the Porte de Clignancourt. Furniture, clothing, accessories and every day knick-knacks from periods gone by are housed in this large antique market at the edge of Paris. The atmosphere is lively and busy and there are plenty of things to grab (and keep!) your attention for hours.

A neat pile of white radiators

French embroidery

Doors: Three in a row

Door moulding detail

For a bite to eat and some Edith Piaf entertainment, visit Chez Louisette.

Chez Louisette

For more information about the Marché aux Puces click here.

For more information about Chez Louisette click here.

All photos by Jordana.

Travel: Paris Statues in the Jardin de Tuileries

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This week, I am happy to share some of the photos I took while I was in Paris last week. Paris continues to be a vibrant, engaging and impressive city and I am always happy to return.

I hope all our White Cabana readers enjoy this week in Paris!

Let’s begin with a few classic statues from the Jardin de Tuileries.

L'ete (summer)

Julius Cesar

Nymphe

For more information about the Jardin de Tuileries, click here.

For an extensive description of all the statues in the Jardin de Tuileries, click here.

All photos by Jordana.

Snow in July: A visit to the Matterhorn

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A few weekends ago, I had the amazing experience of visiting the Matterhorn (i.e., the mountain on the package of the Toblerone chocolate bar). It was an incredible day and I was completely overwhelmed by the beauty of this enormous mountain as well as by the village of Zermatt at the base.

Jordana jumps in front of the Matterhorn

While on my hike down from the Gornergrat, I came across some snow. While other people were building rocky Inukshuks, I decided to bring out the Canadian in me and built a couple of white snowman. It was a happy moment!

Snowman 1 by Jordana

Snowman 2 by Jordana

 

Images by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Birthday Edition

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Happy Friday! I hope you’re all looking forward to a most fabulous weekend. I’ll be celebrating my birthday (yay!) in Paris (extra yay!) so you can imagine how excited I am feeling right now. Before I head out, here’s a very white birthday edition of the Friday Five.

A champagne toast via Real Simple

A big oui for brie and baguettes via This is Glamorous

Cake to share with friends and family via Real Simple

Make a wish upon a star, Moravian Stars, $13.50, Upon A Fold

Gift tags, set of 3, $3, Venerate

 

Oh – and please don’t forget to enter the CSN giveaway! Today is the final day to enter. More details can be found here.

 Images courtesy of Real Simple, This is Glamorous, Upon a Fold,Venerate.

White in the Canary Islands

| 4 Commentaries

The Canary Islands, although actually part of Spain, are located only about 10km off the coast of Morocco. This archipelago is made up of several islands including: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Very cool.

El Auditorio, Tenerife

A few years ago, my friend Shannon and I had the most fabulous vacation in the Canary Islands. In our too-short holiday, we managed to tour Tenerife and Gran Canaria with our friend (and local Gran Canarian), Ignacio. We ate great food, met many nice people, and enjoyed visiting small towns, driving around in our little rental car, and brushing up on our Spanish. We also managed to jump our way across the two islands – at the Dunes at Maspalomas, Parque Nacional Teide, in Mogan, and at one of our gorgeous hotels, the Reina Isabel in Las Palmas. One of our favourite photo shoots was at El Auditorio, the Tenerife Opera House.

  

Shannon & Jordana Jump for Joy at El Auditorio

Shutters

Symmetry at El Auditorio, Tenerife

9 dots, El Auditorio, Tenerife

El Auditorio from another perspective

Perfect point, El Auditorio, Tenerife

 

If you’re looking for a beautiful vacation destination chock-full of adventure, I would encourage you to consider the Canary Islands. They don’t disappoint.

All photos by me.

The Friday Five: Travel Accessories

| 7 Commentaries

As I’ve been travelling for the last two weeks, I thought I would devote today’s Friday Five to lovely white travel items.

1. First on the list is a beautiful travel journal. Jot down addresses of those special restaurants and sketch your beautiful surroundings in one of these lovely little books.

Leather Journal

 2. Next up is a soft sleep mask. For the flight, for the hotel…I never travel without one!

Lambie Sleep Mask, $10, My Bath House

 3. Third on the list is a go-with-everything watch.

I.D.E.A. Hexagon Watch by &Design, $70, at Unica Home

4. A camera. Of course!

Canon Camera, $199

5. A fifth fabulous travel item is a beautiful wallet to carry all your cards, currency and id.

Lincoln Road Neda Wallet, $195, Kate Spade

What are your must-haves?

Images courtesy of Lonny Magazine, Marie Claire, My Bath House, Next Tag, Unica Home, Zappos.

Travel Guide: Denver

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Some people have been asking me for more information about what I did in Denver so I thought I would compile a list of some Denver highlights just in case other White Cabana readers are heading that way.

1. Denver Art Museum : A great selection of American Indian art, very family friendly, and architecturally interesting.

2. Corner Bakery Cafe : The traditional Swiss oatmeal was a perfect breakfast for me and it reminded me of Switzerland. Truly.

3. The Market : A friendly, open-concept restaurant on Larimer. So much selection. I went with a capicola sandwich while I was there.

4. TAG: Continental Social :  Such a delightful little restaurant. Had a yummy meal during happy hour…a friend and I ordered the full menu and shared. Perfectly delightful!

5. Tattered Cover Book Store : I could have spent hours, if not days, here. So comfortable and warm. Not to mention – a great selection of new and used books.

6. The Cruise Room Bar at the Oxford Hotel : Chatted with friendly bartenders at this Art Deco bar. Ordered the La La Cosmo. Delish!

7. Bookend Cafe in Boulder, Colorado : A friend and I stopped in here for a treat. Love the feel of this cozy cafe.

8. Cherry Creek Mall : I hate to admit that I spent some time indoors while I was in Denver but this mall was quite amusing. I had a fun time at Tiffany & Co., Anthropologie and Martin + Osa. And my made-by-me yogurt at Cherry on Top was delicious. Bus number 83L gets you there from the downtown Civic Center station in about 15 minutes.

9. Colorado Convention Center : All in white. So bright and airy. The blue bear is kind of cool too.

10. Cheesecake Factory : I know it’s a chain. But the cheesecake is oh. so. good. I enjoyed a piece of the original cheesecake with fresh strawberries on the side. Yum!

Denver Delights in White

| 4 Commentaries

Last week I had the fortunate pleasure of discovering Denver, Colorado. To tell you the truth, this city surprised me…I was completely impressed with all that it had to offer. Great restaurants, so pedestrian-friendly and a museum chock full of interesting artefacts. It was easy to get around on foot and by public transportation. Around almost every corner, there was an interesting outdoor sculpture. Although a tad on the chilly side, it was sunny each day which made for some really great days.

Here’s a look at some of Denver’s white beauties:

Colorado Convention Center

Ceiling art, Colorado Convention Center

Civic Center

Denver Art Museum

Walkway at the Denver Art Museum

The Violin by Roy Lichtenstein, Denver Art Museum

Game Hunter by Victor Higgins, Denver Art Museum

The Big Sweep (in b&w), Denver Art Museum

State Capitol, Denver

Me & the tulips, in Boulder, Colorado

All photos by Jordana.

What's Your Colour?

| 10 Commentaries

I took this quiz over via How About Orange and learned that red, not white, is the colour that matches my personality. For White Cabana readers who want to know a little bit more about me…the following red is my colour description is fairly accurate.

You boast incredible willpower and are capable of overcoming obstacles that would normally leave others shaking in their boots. You have a penchant for colorful environments and often impress others with your energetic bursts of energy. Your interests in many areas of life often leave you scattered, but when you focus you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

And you? What’s your colour? Please share.

Paris: Institut du Monde Arabe

| 2 Commentaries

On my last trip to Paris, I went to the Institut du Monde Arabe for the very first time. What a sight for the eyes! The architecture is intricate and so geometric. 

Grand Entrance, Institut du Monde Arabe Institute du Monde Arabe

Building detail, Institut du Monde Arabe

How many squares do you see?

From the inside out.

The outside of the building is gorgeous and from the cafe terrace one has a beautiful view of the buttresses of the Notre Dame.

Buttresses of Notre Dame

Photos courtesy of Jordana.

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