Off the Beaten Strip

I’ve been visiting Vegas on a yearly basis for the last 8 years, with even a 6 month stint in there as a resident, mainly because one of my bestie’s lives there and over the years I’ve made a lot of friends down there. I’ve definitely done the big blow out trips to Vegas, but this time I just wanted to relax, maybe I’m getting too old for the 4 a.m. party nights.

As an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the strip, the endless crowds of tourists and rowdy 21 year olds may I suggest Green Valley Ranch (www.greenvalleyranchresort.com). GVR, as the locals call it, is a Mediterranean spa inspired resort and casino, olive trees dot the property and grape vines run along one side of the pool. It is actually not officially in Las Vegas but is in Henderson (which I relate as the Burnaby of Las Vegas) really only 10 – 15 minute drive to the strip depending on traffic.

Besides the usual amenities, lovely pool with comfy loungers, expansive casino floor and bars (one which boasts beer pong tables which I thought was the most fabulous idea ever!) GVR also has The District, a collection of shops and restaurants designed along a streetscape feel. I think we had all our meals at The District. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for refreshing ice blended beverages (www.coffeebean.com), Lucille’s for some mouth watering BBQ (www.lucillesbbq.com), and Settebello for authentic Napoletana Pizza (www.settebello.net).

Not to mention, I love any hotel that gives me a nice, comfy robe to traipse around my room in!

All You Need Is Love

Today I'm shouting out a post of love and gratitude to my friends, family and loved ones - y'all are the best people I could ever know. I love you lots and will always be here for you. You've always done the same.

We all have people that care for us.

Who always has your back?
Show them a little love today.

Flying Solo - Week Four

View of the sky from my blanket

Another week comes to an end - and almost a whole month of flying solo! Time is a-flyin'!

This week I went in to the studio to audition and record 5 times. I did some great vocal workouts, contacted a few former teachers of mine for a hand with my upcoming voice class and I paid all my bills - joy!

Besides that - I had a lot of time to myself.

One sunny afternoon I took myself to the park with a blanket and a book and parked myself there for a couple hours. It did feel a bit weird at first, but eventually I felt happy and peaceful.

This reminded me of an exercise I did at university. The assignment was "take your inner child on a date" - whatever your inner child wants to do, go and make it happen. (Yes, this is homework when you major in Performance).

That time my inner child wanted to make a big ice cream sundae with strawberries and whipped cream and eat it while sitting on the bedroom floor. It was random, yes, but actually a lot of fun. Other people took their inner child to ride on the swings, buy bubbles at the toy store, all sorts of simple, happy-making stuff.

Sitting under the sun with my book reminded me how nice it is to give yourself a little present of time and love.

So mes amis I issue you a challenge: take your inner child on a date! Imagine your inner child coming up to you and whispering in your ear something that they'd like to do. You have 2 weeks to honour their wishes and make it happen.

And of course we want to hear too: what does your inner child want to do?

Have an unforgettable weekend!

Here I am!

So as usual I’m a running a little behind…seems to be a habit I’ve picked up lately with the busy world I live in!! But as Jen mentioned it’s for good reason this time I swear!! Drum roll please….prprprprprprprprrprprprp….I just got engaged!!!! Yes, big news, I know! It’s been a whirlwind of overwhelming love, excitement and well wishes from all our friends and family in the last little while and it’s been so wonderful and surreal at the same time, and we’ve been totally caught up in the moment. Needless to say there may be some wedding related posting going on from yours truly….ok so now back to what I was going to say before this beautiful engagement took over my world…
I’m Sonia, third Amis Are We, and as Jen and Jess have mentioned we’re all about good friends, good times and enjoying the good things in life. The joys, be they big or small, that inspire us, make us use the ol’ noggin, get the creative juices flowing, and that motivate us to connect with people, express ourselves and bring about happiness. And of course these things are made up of a little bit of everything for me, so you’ll see me delve into the realms of art, literature, writing, travel, food, fashion and now, yes, weddings! A serious patchwork, surprise, surprise, because variety is the spice of my life!

Baked Blueberry French Toast

Don't worry, your blueberry french toast is only exploding temporarily!

Here's what I brought to my friends place on Saturday before we headed to the PNE. I had a minor freak out when the french toast tried to escape the bonds of the dish (pictured above). Thankfully after stabbing it a few times (to check if it was done) and leaving it to rest a bit, it came back down to earth. Whew!

Do you have a bunch of friends staying at your place or do you need a recipe to bring to a brunch?

Look no further mes amis - this is the french toast to end them all. I usually am not a big fan of french toast the traditional way. My dad's version tastes too eggy and fried for a sweet dish (sorry dad)! This baked version removes the savory/sweet confusion. It's definitely on the sweet end and its custardy texture complemented with the tart blueberries cutting through the maple syrup makes this french toast a deliciously sinful way to start your morning.

Baked Blueberry French Toast
Recipe courtesy of Gourmet Magazine (slightly tweaked by Jenny C)

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 40 minutes
Inactive Time: 8 hrs to 1 day for absorption
Yield: 6-8 servings

1 (24 inch) baguette
6 large eggs
3 cups milk (I used 1%, original recipe calls for whole milk)
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg (I used cinnamon b/c I didn't have nutmeg)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1 cup pecans* (optional: I left them out b/c of my amis' nut allergies)
1/4 cup butter plus 1 tsp* (for pecans)
1/4 tsp salt* (if you're adding pecans)
1 1/2 cup blueberries

Butter a 13 by 9 inch baking dish. Cut your bread into 1 inch slices and arrange in one layer in the baking dish. It's ok to smoosh the bread in order to fit more slices - pack it in there!

In a large bowl whisk together eggs, milk, nutmeg (or cinnamon), vanilla and 3/4 cup brown sugar and pour evenly over bread. Chill mixture, covered, until all liquid is absorbed by bread, at least 8 hrs and up to 1 day.

*For pecans: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a shallow baking pan spread pecans evenly and toast in middle of oven until fragrant, about 8 minutes. Toss pecans with 1 tsp butter and salt.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Sprinkle blueberries and pecans (if using) over bread mixture. Cut 2 ounces (1/2 stick) of butter into pieces and in a small saucepan heat with remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, stirring until butter is melted. Drizzle butter mixture over bread, place baking dish on cookie tray to catch any overflow and bake mixture 40 minutes (the original recipe says "bake 20 min" but I've done that before and found it too loose still... if you like your french toast looser go for it), or until any liquid from the blueberries is bubbling.

Poke it if you're curious to see that the middle is cooked, then let rest a little & serve with maple syrup.

Enjoy!

Can't stop this thing we started....

As per Jenny's previous post, we did have an amazing time at the Beach Boys / Bryan Adam's concert. Mr. Adams can definitly still rock and it was obvious that he was having a great time too, not to mention it was the most glorious Vancouver summer day.

Now to settle a discussion we were having through out the concert, how old is Bryan Adams because the guy is seriously ageing well, at least from what we could tell from our view point. A quick little google search has answered the question, he was born November 5, 1959 which brings him to 51 this fall. Which is around what I suspected because I know Madonna is in her early 50's and I feel they emerged on the music scene around the same time.

I would go so far as to say that Bryan Adams is ageing a bit more gracefully than Madonna! (no offense Madge but ease up on the face-fillers)

Flying Solo - Week Three

Whew! Another week bites the dust & happily this one ends on a high note!

It was a bit of a dodgy beginning as the week began with super high humidity here in Vancity - meaning that my night owl tendencies took over. Holla to you my fellow night owls - hoot hoot! (Yes I did just make that joke.) I was up half the night, and half dead during the day. Boo! BUT my late nights, major procrastinations (online tv - why do you tempt me so!) and some general loneliness from hanging solo most of the time were far outweighed by some AWESOME highs.

A friend shared the BEST NEWS EVAH!!! (It is not my place to tell...but a wee hint is that the friend in question is Sonia our 3rd amis, and it has rightfully delayed her intro post, but man are you gonna love her post when you read it!)

Personally I had a wicked session at the Ocean/IPP studio this week, recording for a legendary Anime cartoon. My character must have gone through every conceivable situation - I had to sing (!!), play myself as a child, kill a demon, get possessed and die...twice. Talk about an emotional workout! I loved it though and send much love to you peeps at Ocean - I heart you!!

Other proud moments: I booked the studio for my upcoming voice class! Dates are gonna be Thursday nights 8pm - 10pm October 7, 14, 21, 28. Then today at 5pm I got called in for two more auditions on Monday. WOO HOO - here's to riding momentum!

So what's the weekend got going on? Well tomorrow is opening day of the PNE a giant fair that takes place during the last 2 weeks of summer. Since they're celebrating 100 years of the fair, the PNE is pulling out some big guns - especially with their concert series. The amis and I are checking out the kick off concert tomorrow with headliners Brian Adams and The Beach Boys! As the Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten would say: "How bad can that be?" I'll have to explain my affinity for the Beach Boys another time. As for tomorrow, me and the peeps will try to snag some wicked photos to share with y'all.

Ok time to cut ya loose- go enjoy your weekend! You earned it!

Mucho love,
Jenny C

Pssst....I made this!

A two-tone throw pillow with fabric flowers as part of a baby shower gift.

Not only did I make this but it was hand sewn! I lifelong dream of mine has been to have my very own little sewing machine…maybe this year is the year I make that dream come true, because this pillow would have taken no time at all with a sewing machine rather than laboriously stitching every evening in a dim living room, but it was worth it because I was really proud of the outcome (even though I think I could perfect the finishing better….a sewing machine would help with that!) and the mother-to-be loved it.

I hope by making this a regular series of mine on Amis that I will stay motivated to actually try all the creative ideas that are bubbling up in my head! Stay tuned!

Introducing - Jess(y)

Allow me to introduce myself….

Like Jenny I was not blessed with a lot of fun nicknames so I can be just Jess to all of you out there. My desire for wanting to be part of a blog came from the many beautiful blogs that I frequent and the community within our own city that has developed and thought that I’d love to share my two bits and push my own creative juices. While my job is with a company that I enjoy, with lots of exciting new things on the go and new opportunities for me to grow, it is a 9 to 5 desk job, which sometimes leaves me wanting something more, so here I am!

I grew up in a creative household, art, photography, food, literature and fashion galore, so my posts will most likely float in these realms. Things that you will see from me:
· Images that strike my fancy whether it be photography, fashion, design
· Tails of culinary adventures, in my own kitchen and in others
· My own creative endeavors with art, photography and DIY
· A heads up on the most recent book I’m curling up on the couch with;

I hope to learn more about myself through this process and I look forward to sharing with you all the ideas and images and people that inspire me on a daily basis!

Flying Solo - Week Two

Remember learning to walk?

No...me neither

But I think it would be kind of like what learning to work for myself feels like so far. After spending so long working for other people, it's been difficult at times this week to let myself concentrate full force on my dream and go for it.

Despite that, I'm making progress. I've adopted the mantra of reaching out every day and doing something or talking to someone that scares me but will hopefully bring me more success.

So far so good. I had 2 auditions this week, 1 of which I ROCKED! I usually feel pretty good after an audition, but after this one I felt fist-pumping good.

I also went to my first BNI meeting - which is a business networking group with chapters all over. There were about 60 people there, and we each had to give a 30 second pitch about our business. I steeled myself, gave my pitch and didn't instantaneously combust.

(Sidebar: do you ever get that voice in your head when you're scared about something and it thinks of the most far-out worse case scenarios ever? Ha, yeah, me too!) Anyway, it went well and I met some great folks.

Finally, I think I've found the perfect space for my upcoming voice acting workshop. I haven't struck the deal yet, but I checked it out today & it is perfect. Located in lovely downtown Vancouver, it has beautiful natural light, hardwood floors and a gorgeous patio too. I think we might have our Q&A sessions out there at the end of class.

Hey, do you or anyone you know want to learn more about voice acting? If yes, what would you like to learn or hope to get out of a class?

Here's to two weeks of surviving solo.

Happy Friday!

Introducing - Jenny C!

Hi Peeps!

I'm Jennifer Cameron and the closest thing I've ever had to a nickname is "Jenny C". Feel free to call me that or just plain Jen is fine as well.

Any other Jennys out there? Shout out to you!

I'm a voice actor, which is pretty random, but also the best thing ever! I love being in the recording booth and using my acting chops to create hundreds of different characters. I recently (read: 3 weeks ago) quit my lovely and stable full time job to pursue my voice career full time. Now my new favourite word is: Yipes! Because having your whole future in your hands is a powerful and sometimes scary prospect.

I'm gonna be using my posts to talk about voice acting and sharing the highs and lows of running my own business. I'd love to hear from those of you that are interested in voice acting, and those entrepreneurs out there that are considering or have already dove into life working for yourself.

Also, I'm a huge food lover. I know a lot about food thanks to the internet & TV, but when it comes to cooking it - well, I've still got a lot to learn! I'd love to share my forays into cooking and yummy food inspirations here too.

And finally - pretty things. Ok this is for the girls out there that love pretty things. I personally have a weakness for gorgeous paper, anything colourful and, conversely, all-white interiors. So of course, I'll be peppering in some pretty things posts as well.

Voice, Biz, Food, Eye Candy: those will be my realms. Please let me know which subjects you want to hear more about as we forge on, and maybe, just maybe, I'll narrow my scope for you. :)

In the meantime - this is me, Jenny C!

ps I love to rhyme.

Introducing - The Amis!

"Amis" = "Friends" in French.

"Amis Are We" is a fun way of saying we are friends. And it rhymes. Bonus!

So who's behind Amis Are We?

Well there's 3 amis writing this blog: Jessy, Sonia & me, Jenny C. We met over a hopscotch game on the first day of Grade 1, and have been friends ever since. The 3 of us are part of a large group of girlfriends, about 13 ladies in total, that have been pals since we were kids.

This blog is our way of sharing the things we love, what inspires us and where life is taking us, all in one.

And we want to hear your answers to those questions too!

So this week we'll each be introducing ourselves a little more to you. And we'd love to hear back - what do you love? What's inspiring you right now? What can't you live without? What's your next big adventure?

Flying Solo - Week One

Have you ever wanted to work for yourself?

Well I was crazy enough to try it and have just completed week one of Life2.0, life after full-time employment, life working for myself. Yipes! Now the test: can I work hard and build a successful business, or will the temptation of YouTube and other pitfalls lead to my demise?

I could feel both possibilities battling it out this week! There were uh-oh moments, one sleepless night, kindness from strangers and finally my first job apres my day job. I'm exhausted! Did any of you business owners out there feel this way starting out?

Highlights:
-Booking a voice gig
-Auditioning
-Getting wisdom from another business owner (Deborah Wallace from The Finer Details Event Planning...thanks for your time Deb!)

Lowlights:
-Unexpectedly buying a new phone after mine jumped into my friend Chicken's pool (it made a run for it then sunk- a priceless moment).
-Dealing with bureaucratic timelines ("We'll get that paperwork over to you in 2 to 3 weeks" Wait...what?)
-Discovering Word Mole

I think I ended this week on the plus side, but there is still so much to do and learn.

How would you tackle life as an entrepreneur? What should I do first?