My friend Joel took this picture of my skates while we were at the Covent Market rink a couple of weeks ago. The rink is now closed for the season which makes me a bit sad because I really do enjoy skating but it also makes me happy because maybe, just maybe, spring is really on its way.
photo by Joel Lopata
p.s. I’ve had these skates since Grade 8. I think it’s about time I get them sharpened.
Okay – so I gave everyone a break last week and decided to not write a Fiat 500 related post. White Cabana was beginning to look like a blog devoted to Fiats rather than one devoted to design in white. My family was getting especially annoyed with all my babbling about this car and I can imagine that some White Cabana readers may not be as entertained by my Fiat 500 posts as I imagine they are (I do try to entertain you though).
For those of you following this blog and my tweets, you already know that I am a big fan of the Fiat 500. I wrote about my initial interest for this speedy little car in this post. Since then I began a series of Fiat 500 posts related to reasons why I want one of these cars (one, two, three). I have even taken one for a test drive and even though it was red, I loved it. I don’t own one (yet) but I do think that when I do buy a car this is the one for me.
Today, in the fourth installment of this series of posts, I list reasons 301 to 400 for why I want a Fiat 500.
301. I love talking about it. And writing about it too.
302. It’s a perfect car for summer driving.
303. I would drive myself to the pool to cool off this summer if I had a Fiat 500.
304. I would bring my nephews too.
305. My license plate would be right at home on the Fiat 500.
306. Fiat added cup holders to the 500 before bringing it to North America (source).
307. The rims are emblazoned with the Cinquecento logo. Love this attention to detail.
308. It’s midnight and I’m writing about the Fiat 500.
309. It’s midnight and I’m also reading about the latest in Fiat 500 news.
310. It’s midnight and I’m wondering why I decided to begin this series of posts.
311. Grazie means thank you in Italian. I’d say this if I got a discount on a Fiat 500.
312. A Fiat 500 requires stylish driving shoes. I’ve got plenty ready to go.
313. My sunglasses are ready to be worn in a Fiat too.
314. I could drive to Bayfield, Ontario in a Fiat 500.
315. I’d drive through the Hamlet of Varna on my way to Bayfield.
316. And I’d be sure to slow down in this 50km/hr zone (see #315).
317. Erica (@ECmothdesign) loved my last Fiat 500 post.
318. Erica (@ECmothdesign) thinks Fiat should discount the car for me/us.
319. Erica (@ECmothdesign) thinks we’d both look darling in them.
320. Erica is a smart, stylish and successful woman. I think Fiat should listen to her.
at the Montreal Auto Show
321. I could buy a Fiat 500 bocce set to match the car.
322. I don’t really know how to play bocce ball.
323. But I could learn.
324. I learned how to play Scopa a couple of weeks ago.
325. I’m getting back to my Italian roots one game at a time.
326. It would be nice to have an Italian-designed car to carry around my Scopa cards & bocce ball set.
327. How many decks of Scopa cards would fit in the trunk? Any guesses?
328. How many bocce ball sets could fit in the trunk? Any guesses?
329. I could also carry around the Scopa cards in this handy seat compartment (see photo below).
330. I’m not sure a whole Bocce ball set would fit in this compartment (see photo below).
Fiat interior
331. The Sport has 16″ cast aluminum wheels.
332. To tell you the truth, I can barely see the difference between the 15″ wheels on the Pop & Lounge and the 16″ on the Sport.
333.The Sport has a rear spoiler.
334. I’ve never had a car with a rear spoiler before.
335. What’s the point of a rear spoiler anyhow? Anyone know?
336. The Sport has fog lamps.
337. I’d have to figure out how to turn the fog lamps on. And then I’d drive in the fog.
338. Bright chrome door handles is a standard feature on the Sport.
339. I figure I could check my make-up in the shiny handles. Right?
340. I still don’t know what red brake calipers are. Anyone?
341. I’m still surprised that air conditioning is an optional feature. I think this isn’t right. But I still like the Fiat.
342. The Fiat 500 Sport has TomTom navigation.
343. I’d have to figure out how to work the navigation technology.
344. Hmm – seems like I have to learn a lot what with the navigation & blue tooth technology.
345. Since when did driving a car get so complicated
346. The head rests can be tilted forward & backward. Woah. Wild.
347. It has keyless entry. So cool.
348. It also has a tire pressure monitoring system. I’d love this!
349. I already know how to put air in my tires.
350. One less thing to learn if I got a Fiat 500 (see #337, 343, 349).
351. I would have to get these boots. Not sure I’d wear them but I’d have to get them.
352. The Lounge has a vehicle information centre.
353. What is a vehicle information centre?
354. Twitter followers have lots of good things to say about the Fiat 500. @Milnoc did this Fiat 500 review.
355. Yes – people on Twitter are still sending me Fiat news.
356. I find it really interesting that automatic transmission is an option on so many cars in Canada…including the Fiat 500. Don’t most people drive automatic?
357. Seems to me like car companies – including the Fiat 500 – are just suckering people in to make more money with the automatic transmission feature.
358. I know how to drive standard and automatic so would it be wise to invest in standard to save some money?
359. Two of my uncles like the Fiat 500.
360. The Fiat 500 gives me lots to talk about with said uncles.
361. This week I’ve been teaching both of my nephews (1 and 2 years old) to say Fiat.
362. My dad has changed the words of Jingle Bells – instead of “one horse open sleigh”, he sings “Fiat 500”. My 2 year old nephew laughs at this. And corrects him. Sweet, right?
363. My nephews would look so cute in Fiat apparel. They look good in white.
364. On my last four trips to Toronto (driving on the 401 for two hours) I have only seen one Fiat 500.
365. My sister thinks this is weird (see #364).
366. I think it’s kind of weird too (see #364, 365) but I’m trying not to think about it.
367. If I had a Fiat 500 I might be the only one driving from London to Toronto on a regular basis.
368. Talk about prime advertising opportunity (see #367).
369. Oh – and I’d drive from Toronto to London too. That’s a lot of kms worth of advertising time.
370. If Scott Schuman (of The Sartorialist) snaps a photo of it – it must be cool.
photo by Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist)
371. I’d probably need to keep a regular supply of biscotti in the Fiat 500. For guests. And for me too.
372. If I had a Fiat 500 I could stop writing these posts (sometimes in the middle of the night – when I’m losing sleep over all of this car stuff).
373. I would write other Fiat 500 related posts. Obviously.
374. What music would you recommend I listen to while driving this car?
375. Just browsed through the Fiat 500 Canada Facebook page. Nice photos. I’d definitely add a few of my own.
376. I’m going to try and go to the Fiat (and other cars) meet-up in Woodbridge, Ontario tonight that @MaranelloFiat told me about. I’ll post about it if I go.
377. If I had my own Fiat 500, I’d probably take it to the Thursday night meet-up.
378. And I’d have a gelato at La Paloma.
379. If I had a Fiat 500 I’d drive it to Leslieville (Toronto) and have a yummy pizza at Lil’Baci.
380. Pizza, just like the Fiat, makes many Italians proud to be Italian.
381. I generally go for a simple margherita pizza. I wonder what the Fiat folks go for?
382. I wonder if any of the Fiat folks know how to make pizza.
383. I’m getting side-tracked with my reasons, I know. What do you expect? I am coming up with 500 reasons afterall.
384. I would drive my Fiat 500 to Toronto to visit Johanne.
385. I would drive my Fiat 500 with Johanne to the next LG Fashion Week in Toronto.
386. I would drive my Fiat 500 to Kingston, Ontario to visit friends.
387. I would drive my Fiat 500 to Ottawa to visit my friend (and loyal White Cabana reader) Shannon.
388. I might even drive my Fiat 500 to New York City to visit my family.
389. It would be easy to drive and park around NYC.
390. There was a red Fiat 500 in the movie Letters to Juliet.
391. I haven’t seen this movie…yet.
392. The fact that there’s a Fiat 500 in this movie makes me want to see it.
393. I think the actors drive a red one in the movie (thanks Erica for the tip).
394. The Fiat 500 has been a great conversation starter.
395. Did you ever play that game, (Name a colour) punch buggy, no punches back? My sister and I did every time we saw a VW bug (the original). It occupied a lot of our time on summer road trips to Florida. I wonder if there’s a similar game for Fiat 500s? There should be right?
396. For any Fiat 500 Canada product related concerns you can call 1-800-521-9900.
397. Maybe I should call this number (see #396) to discuss my concern about my growing Fiat 500 obsession.
398. Did this person really buy three white Fiats?
399. Apparently Fiat is going to release a larger version in Canada in the spring. I don’t want the larger version.
400. I have mixed feelings about the fact that there are only 100 more reasons to list in this Fiat 500 series of posts. Any recommendations?
If you were lucky enough to attend the National Stationery Show in New York City last week then you may have come across Artistry Cards, a Canadian stationery company dedicated to producing eco-friendly notecards and journals. Pillows, pencils, and calendars complete the Artistry Cards product line.
Toronto-based Artistry Cards is special in that it prints all of its cards and notebooks on 100% recycled stock. Everything is packaged in clear, biodegradable sleeves. Not only that, because it prints to order at their card store/print shop, there’s virtually zero paper wastage in the production of its cards.
Artistry Cards’ newest collection is all about Canadiana. Graphic images in this collection include wildlife, woodland creatures as well as canoes, trees, and the very recognizable mountie hat. We’ve got some great things going on over here in “the North”, eh? Oh – and I must also mention that almost everything in the store is less than $20! Hip hip!
calendar, $12 {true colours: shades of red, white, green & brown}
Canadian Creatures cards, $4.50 each {true colours: shades of red, white, brown}
Woodland Creatures cards, $4.50 each
Woodland Creatures card collection, $4.50 each
O Canada cards, $4.50 each {true colours: shades of red, green, brown}
Finally, here’s a treat for you! Artistry Cards is offering White Cabana readers a 10% discount on all their products. Enter ARTIST (all caps) at checkout. Click here to start shopping.
All images courtesy of Artistry Cards. Many thanks to Faith at Artistry Cards for sending along a beautiful sample pack.
Velvet roses from inVU Drapery Co.
We are delighted to be offering White Cabana readers the opportunity to enter a beautiful giveaway courtesy of our friends at inVU Drapery Co. In addition to carrying a beautiful selection of drapery and fabrics, this Canadian company offers design consultant services, custom upholstery and drapery installation. It’s a source for inspiration for homeowners, designers, and yes, bloggers too!
This week inVU Drapery Co. is sponsoring this gorgeous giveaway: a pair of the Velvet Roses cushions (valued at $129.99 each)! We just love the texture on these cushions, don’t you?
Giveaway: A pair of velvet rose cushions by inVU Drapery Co.
To enter, visit inVU Drapery Co. and leave a comment on this post. (This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only.) The contest closes on Thursday November 25th, 9pm EST. Good luck!
If you’re in the Toronto area, be sure to visit one of their locations in the city or their retail location north of the city (under the BB Bargoons banner).
p.s. Be sure to leave your email!
I was recently introduced to the lovely Heyday Design, owned by Vancouver artist Claire Madill and I’m impressed (thanks Christine!). These white porcelain creations are all about modern Canadiana!
Large beaver jar, $85, Heyday Design by Claire Madill
Detail of Beaver jar, $85, Heyday Design by Claire Madill
Small Canadian jewel jar, $36 each, Heyday Design by Claire Madill
Nursette jar, $18, Heyday Design by Claire Madill
Extra large Imperial Crown jar, $125, Heyday Design by Claire Madill
I have a growing collection of glass Imperial crown jars so I’m definitely a fan of the white version above. Claire creates these jars from a slipcast using a mold made in-studio from the original glass version (some courtesy of her nanna – sweetness!). And the fun doesn’t stop there – Claire has a line of accessories as well. Have a look at these earrings:
Wing earrings, $52, Heyday Design by Claire Madill
Images courtesy of Heyday Design.
