Design: The Great Outdoors

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We had a few wonderful summer-like days over the last couple of weeks (interspersed with rainy, cold April days), which seemed to put everyone in a happier-than-usual mood (on account of Ontario’s 3rd lockdown currently in place until at least the end of April…ugh!). The trails were busy with walkers, joggers, and cyclists, and it felt great to get some real vitamin D!

I’m eager for outdoor living and entertaining this summer. (Yes, back to entertaining…I’m thinking positively!) I’m thinking casual gatherings with easy food and drinks. I want to be outdoors and maskless with friends enjoying good food, music, and games. I want people to feel comfortable to come inside to use the bathroom or to grab another drink. It’s not too much to ask after 1+ years of lockdown, right? Right?!

What do I need for outdoor entertaining? While I take stock of my current inventory of furniture, tableware, and games, I’ll also look around the online marketplace to see what’s new and fun.

Chapters Indigo: wine goblets, $24.50CAD; orb LED lantern, $24.50CAD; octagonal firepit, $989CAD; outdoor stool, $249.50CAD sunbrella pouf, $99.50CAD
Hauser: firepit and cover, $2889CAD; firebowl, $1459CAD; air xl arm chair, $149CAD; lake chair, $489CAD; bayfield teak folding chair, $499CAD
Crate & Barrel: melamine platter, $24.95CAD; melamine dinnerware, $10.95+CAD; bocce, $219CAD; 2-in-1 bean bag toss, $209CAD; dining chair, $449CAD; acrylic glass, $7.95CAD

Marketplace: Toss Designs

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I need this champagne nightshirt for my next birthday!

Look at the other cute products from San Francisco-based Toss Designs.

champagne nightshirt, $76USD
champagne pyjama set, $76USD
pink truck champagne nightshirt, $76USD
hump day water bottle, $24USD
pouch, $22USD
water cooler art, $160USD

If anyone knows how/where to get these items (especially the champagne pyjamas) in Canada, please share!

Marketplace: Terrain Home Goods

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I enjoy browsing the beautiful items offered at Terrain, which is an America home goods (and plants and beauty) store part of the Anthropologie family. This ruffle marble bowl caught my eye on my recent browsing adventure, so I had to take a moment to see what else was in stock. Here are some favourites.

ruffled marble bowl, $48USD+
16″ ceramic pot, $498USD
beech wood watering can, $26USD
teak lounge chair, $288USD
pedal waste bin, $128USD

I really just look at Terrain from afar since it’s in the US. Have you ever bought anything from Terrain?

Personal: Things on My Mind

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I have a long list of things on my mind for you today. There are plenty of interesting links for you to peruse over the weekend.

  1. Jacques Pepin making a fried egg is a good video.
  2. A couple of months ago, I started meeting my nephews and niece on Zoom for a short French lesson each week. It’s been a very fun part of my week (and I hope the same is true for them). Even though it has taken a pandemic to get us here, I’m so happy! If they weren’t in virtual school/homeschool/half-time school (so many variations this past year!), and I wasn’t working from home, and Zoom didn’t exist, we wouldn’t be having these lessons. I find it very cool.
  3. I made this acorn squash stuffed with chicken dish from Half Baked Harvest, and it was an easy and tasty recipe.
  4. I did the 16 Personalities test, and my results were pretty darn accurate. Any guesses as to my personality? (Executive: ESTJ – Part of the Sentinels personality type: Observant and judging personality types known for their practicality and focus on order, security, and stability.)
  5. I need to do this historical walking tour of Waterloo.
  6. This video from the Marsh family “Totally Fixed Where We Are” is fun (if you can laugh about the reality of lockdown life). Watch their other videos, too!
  7. Speaking of music and creative people, you’ve got to check out Damien Robitaille on Instagram. He makes me smile with each video. It’s hard to choose a favourite, but his version of Daft Punk’s Around the World could be it.
  8. And Korean acapella group Maytree’s acapella jingles are impressive, too!
  9. What have you been watching on Netflix/Prime/Crave/Disney+/etc.? Here’s what I’ve watched in the last little while (with brief ratings): Ginny & Georgia (fine), Little Fires Everywhere (good), Parks & Recreation (so funny), Margin Call (very good), The Big Short (very good), and Criminal (fine).
  10. I keep going back to this list of recipes I’ve tried and loved. Pasta alla vecchia bettola, potato leek soup, roast chicken, and chicken broth have been on a weekly (or near weekly rotation). Yum!

Personal: March Update of my 2021 Goals

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Who else has drafted a list of goals to accomplish in 2021? What’s on your list? How did you to this month?

March has been a tough one on my end. There’s been a lot on the go personally and professionally, so I’ve had little to no time (a) for leisure time and (b) to remind myself of my goal list.

That said, here’s this month’s update of my 2021 goals.

  1. Eat more vegetables. Sort of! While I haven’t had many salads this month, I have had a few delicious ones, and I made some veggie stir fry dishes to get some veggies into my diet.
  2. Travel. Nope! I didn’t leave the Waterloo region at all this month.
  3. Save money. Sort of! I have continued to keep track of my spending for the most part.
  4. Pass on magazines/books/clothes/puzzles. Sort of! I have a stack of magazines ready to pass on.
  5. Crochet a blanket. Sort of! I’ve made quite a bit of progress, but mid-month, I put the project on hold due to lack of leisure time. I still have another 274193 hours until it’s done!
  6. Reduce social media consumption. Sort of! I know I can do better, but I haven’t been scrolling aimlessly through Instagram as much lately.
  7. Renovate my bathroom. Nope! No progress here.
  8. Play games. Yes! Throughout the month, Bananagrams has continued to be on heavy rotation. And I do really enjoy tackling the weekly crossword in the Globe & Mail, too.
  9. Edit my magazine subscriptions. Nope! Like in February, I haven’t edited anything this month because none of my subscriptions were up for renewal. I did pass on a few deals for new subscriptions that came my way.
  10. Read more. Nope! I really let the ball drop with books this month. I still have Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer on the go (for my faculty book club at work). I started Mary Lawson’s A Town Called Solace, but my library borrowing time expired before I could finish it. There are a few good audiobooks and paper books stacked waiting for me.
  11. Blog. Sort of! I was definitely on top of things at the start of March, and then my rate of blogging declined. Shoot!
  12. Embrace cross country skiing. No need! Snow is gone! Spring weather is here (and I hope it’s staying). It’s time to pack up my skis!
  13. Cross stitch. Nope! My planned project is waiting for me.
  14. Have fun! Yes! I did have some fun in March, even though there was a lot on the go!

Previous updates: January, February