Taking a page from the highline.

I love the modern design used to incorporate green into the walkway. Via Highline Fliker Stream

I am totally behind on posting this. I first read about it in May (in Azure I believe) but with my posting hiatus I never ever finished the post (a trend I am sure you have seen around here!). But now I have been reminded again about the Highline from my good ol' Club Monaco standby.

What beautiful fall colours! Via Highline Fliker Stream

The highline is this wonderful mile and a half, recently completed (June 2009) park in Manhattan, where an old abandoned elevated rail line has been re purposed and redesigned into a public green space. This project was funded through a joint venture between the city and private donations. On top of amazingly designed walkways and landscape, there are movable art installations and shows (both theatrical and musical) that rotate through. School programs visit, it hosts block parties, public discussions and there has been a large number of proposals on the highline since it has opened! And everything is updated on their blog. This blog would most definitely be on my favourite list if I lived in Manhattan!

I would take my lunch break here! Photograph by Nikole Bouchard via Highline Blog

In Vancouver we have this abandoned railway track running through the west side of Vancouver, much like the Highline in west Manhattan, only not elevated (which creates more logistical problems). Parts of the rail line in Vancouver are lined with gardens but much of it is just overgrown grass. It would be great to see Vancouver take a hint from New York and re-develop.

What much of the abandoned rail line looks like in Vancouver... Via Our Fernie blog

October - To Do

There is snow on the peaks of the local mountains, and there are less than 50 days until ski season! Fall is really here... and so is a new month, and a new To-Do list. This month is very similar to last month since I didn't get everything done!

Via Moods of Vancouver

1. Organizational Tasks - 3 of them - already seeing the benefit of being a bit more organized!
2. Sew Dark Roman Blinds - these are so daunting to start. I think I am going to try and do it in small steps.
3. Sign up for courses - signed up and am currently taking 2 of them!
4. Move bedroom wall art - soon soon...

For October, I have high hopes, but I must be realistic, I'm going home for Thanksgiving on top of the two courses and one starting up soon. All of which doesn't lend itself to a lot of free time! No excuses though, this is the month for a completed list!

1. Sew some of the Roman Blinds - purchase doweling, top piece of wood and lining material. Cut and measure out all material
2. Move bedroom wall art
3. Clean out room - documents, clothes and (gasp!) shoes.
4. Move winter clothes up, store summer clothes
5. Keep up with course homework.
6. Post 1 time a week.

Ambitious, I know. See you in November is a many check marks!

Molson Mural

Molson Revealed it's 2010 Mosaic Mural to support the Canadian athletes of the Winter Olympics. You can submit your photo here and then once they have put all of the images up, there will be a special message for Team Canada.... A nice way to show that Vancouver (or at least Molson) supports the games! I wonder what the message will be, and who designed it?!?

Images via Molson's Blog

Canadian Content

I'm back.... and what brought me out of my deep winter slumber? Canadian design! I was catching up on some much needed reading and I came across a post on Design*Sponge about the Interior Design Show in Toronto. The show was sponsored by my favorite magazine - Azure!

I love the light webbing through the slats of wood of this sauna. Work by StudioJunction, check out their website, they do amazing things with wood! Image via Design*Sponge

Via Azure

The entrance way of the Gladstone Hotel via Design*Sponge

Both pieces by ceo & waito, they do stunning things with ceramics. Top image via Design*Sponge and lower image from the ceo & waito website.

I especially loved the work by Vancouverite Jeremy Hatch, who installed a porcelain-cast of ropes, pulleys, skids and wrenches... while much of it broke while being shipped out from BC, he was not disappointed, rather he said it just makes the impractical ensemble all the more poetic. If only I could look at all the downs in my life as poetic...

Image via Design*Sponge

Image from Jeremy Hatch's website

Westcoast Bound

I am ecstatic to be returning home.... back to the westcoast after two months away!

Keller + Keller

My rain boots are ready!

Back to the Real World

So I am back from my fabulous trip down to warm and sunny California, as well as back from my holiday break with the family. It is now back to reality and back to the daily grind. But for some reason this year, I am embracing being back and having things be routine. I love having time again to browse my regular haunts and scoping out the 2009 posts so far. Some are recapping 2008, some are making 2009 resolutions, some are talking about 2009 trends, and others are just writing like it is just another day.

I am torn as to what topics I want to navigate through during these first new year posts since all of the above mentioned posts are wonderful and valid. I am a planner and a future thinker, so making goals and predictions comes naturally to me. I am also analytical and like to review the past. But recently I have been trying to stay focused on the present. So really, I want to tie everything into one, because just like my decor style, my thoughts and emotions are eclectic and sometimes almost random.

So I hope you enjoy this eclectic smattering of New Yearesque posts.....

Three things I wanted to write about while on vacation:

1) There has been some crazy weather this season!! Before the holidays Las Vegas even got snow! Back at home in Vancouver, they have received tons of snow since Dec 13th... more than a couple feet in total! Many many planes were delayed and work was cancelled due to poor commuting conditions! And the snow was not confined to only Vancouver, Toronto had a some back to back storms as well... This all adds up to it being a white Canadian Christmas from Coast to Coast for the first time since 1971!!

Photograph by Cleo Sullivan

2) Does anyone know of any light refreshing drinks for 2009? I want to find some not too sweet, not too strong sipping cocktails for the new year. Finally I might be able to avoid being that one person at the table who goes... um, ahh, let me see... before finally going with a glass of their house wine!

Photography by Victoria Granof

3) I just want to dress up. Lately I have had this unrelenting desire to go over the top with everything. I want bright fun jewellery, elegant gowns, and big and romantic hair! Unfortunately my cravings are not so practical, especially now with the recession. I wonder however, can I bring some luxury into my life for little to nothing?

Photography by Richard Phibbs

Keep it cozy....

I hope everyone stays warm this weekend! I can't help but think of those who can't cuddle up inside with a warm blanket and candles, or don't have a cozy hat and scarf.... My hopes and thoughts are with them.

Chris Everard

Chris Blott

Through the lens of Kevin Clark

Kevin Clark is a Vancouver based photographer with some amazing shots - that evokes such a range of sensations - from being spooked like with the first photograph, to feeling at home with the second, to making my mouth water with the food photographs! He also has a blog...

I just love seeing images where I can recognize where they are!

Lions Gate Bridge

Just near my apartment!

I love how he captures the light. This size of image really doesn't do it justice. Check out his website for a better view.

I just adore his food photos - everything looks so flavourful and rich!

Going Beyond Green with Reusable Bags

I was referred to the blog This Time is Now by Emma's Design Blogg, and what an amazing blog it is! One of the posts Transformed reminded me of a project that Commercial Drive does. Commercial Drive is a vibrant neighbourhood in Vancouver with great initiatives. There are street banners hanging from the lamp posts, which eventually get retired. However instead of throwing them out, they 'transform' them into reusable shopping bags.


Because the banners are always colourful and festive, the bags inevitably are bright and cheery. And if the colour doesn't cheer you up, then the thought that you are saving 1.77 tons of CO2 emissions a year, or that all the proceeds from the sale of these bags are re-invested into the community to build new green spaces might!

Party Season!

I'm back in town and I am ready to go out and party with my friends! Good thing, since the Christmas party season has started! I got a head start last night, with a impromptu girlfriend gathering at the Flying Tiger only an hour after getting off the plane! How great it is to be back in the world of wonderful drinks and food and familiar faces, it was almost sensory overload! I'm still dizzy on how fast the Internet is and how bright and flavourful the colours are and how warm it is! The next few weeks will be filled with...

Festive dinner parties (Jeffrey W. Miller)

Work Christmas parties (Jocelyne Beaudoin) (I love that sputnik light!)

And tons of catching up with friends! (Jeffrey W. Miller)

Oliver and Lilly's

A little over a month ago I found, just off Granville street, this adorable shop - Oliver & Lilly's. I was walking home along 13th Ave and the window display literally pulled be across the street!! Inside I was greeted with this tree -

It is so simple, yet intricate and interesting and... I absolutely love it but I just can't seem to find the perfect word to describe it! The store beyond the tree is a truly unique and lovely store. The displays are divine, with loads of texture, colour and layers, just the perfect touches to compliment the great clothes!
This store is such an inspiration - not only for my wardrobe (which I know will improve ten times now that O&L is sooo close) but also for my home - Styling ordinary objects can create that sense of magic! It reminds me of back in the day, when I used to make my mom's dinning room center pieces - I loved collecting random objects from around the house and arranging them... I encourage everyone to take a walk down 13th Ave, and drop by! Go for the tree, and you'll stay for the clothes! (If you aren't in the Vancouver area, check out their blog!)
All images from O&L.

Happy November

The last of the leaves are falling here. I had a wonderful bike ride today through the treed streets of Vancouver, the leaves lofting their way to the ground.... I hope you are all enjoying the last days of fall....

Via Spirit Mountain

Living Space IT Factor

Wow! I can't believe it is already Wednesday. I feel like it is still the weekend! What did everyone get up to this weekend? Any fun trips out of town?

I stayed in town over this last long weekend - the second time this summer too (I was in town for the July Long Weekend as well). I have always made an effort to go away over the long weekend - that extra day just calls me to travel a bit farther. This year things just seem to pop up around the long weekend that end up keeping me in town. Last weekend it was moving that kept me here. I moved into my new place - remember that one I incessantly talked about last week? This weekend also marked the beginning of my bf's big tournament: The World Ultimate Championships (Ultimate Frisbee that is) right here in Vancouver!

Leading up to this weekend, I wasn't too keen to spend my long weekend just unpacking boxes. So I made a plan to take one day off and take a trip out of town - just to escape. But I didn't take that day. It wasn't because packing/unpacking took too long, it was because once I moved into my new apartment I just didn't want to leave. I don't know what that IT factor is when it comes to an apartment - but this one has it! Could it be the south facing windows, the open spacious living area, or even the weird feeling you get by having neighbours across the alley in units just like yours? I really don't know. So really what makes a great apartment? Does anyone have their own personal IT factors when it comes to your apartment/home/living space?

Added Note: Sitting in my apartment last night pondering the IT factor, I confirmed my suspicion that IT has nothing to do with amenities. As seen from the example image below, granite counter tops are not the it factor for my apartment. Actually, in moving into this new place I have down graded in terms of space, kitchen appliances, outside area, and size of my bedroom. What I guess I am trying to say is I think this IT factor goes beyond the physical items.... which is wonderfully liberating.

Via flickr - Jeanhclee

My apartment - not unlike this one, is old and has not had any major updates since inception, but for some reason it has that it factor, despite the wood cabinets, pink toilet and metal window frames!

Quality vs Quantity

So I was biking with some friends to Deep Cove the other weekend and I had a very bull headed moment. I had biked around there before so I kind of knew were I was going so when my friends turned off my theoretical route, I questioned it quite vigorously (trending towards venomously) the route decision. But then my fellow biker said something that almost literally stopped me in my tracks. “Quality over Quantity, Ashley, we are going for Quality over Quantity.” That was it, that was what this blog is about. It is to remove my deeply ingrained sense of faster, bigger, better into more enjoyable, happier, fulfilled. Now I am no where near getting there but the rest of that bike ride I spent the time really taking in the ride, and enjoying it. Not trying to get there faster. And what a beautiful ride it was. I saw an area I had never seen before and some spectacular views that I didn’t even know existed. If I ever do ride out to Deep Cove again, I will take that route…. As I will also try to always choose Quality of Quantity!

More Vancouerism in Vancouver

Surprise Surprise, I am posting about Vancouverism again. There is just so much to show though! Below are some buildings that are part of the Vancouverism show in London right now. There is so many good pieces of architecture in Vancouver!

Marinaside False Creek (Concord Pacific)
Spectrum
The Olympic Oval
The display in London around Canada House (okay! - this one is not in Vancouver - but maybe it was made in Vancouver??)



Surrey Central City

Sunset Community Center