A lasting impression

Some websites you just happen to stumble across and they immediately suck you in, then two hours later you realize that you should probably get back to work. I think that is what happened to me when I first came across Tattoologist. I have one itty-bitty tattoo and I’m always playing around with the idea of getting a second and this simple site offers endless inspiration. Even if you have no desire to ink yourself, it is always interesting to see how people find new and creative ways to express themselves.



Some of my favorites:

Simple words in a lovely font

Hearts


A constant obession of mine, sparrows

Birds of a feather

Infinity

Images via Tattoologist

xo J

House for Sale!

As of today my lovely little townhouse that I have shared for the last three years with two of my besties is officially on the market. It has been a fabulous three years in our mini sorority house but I suppose it is time for us to really really grow up and live all by our lonesomes...or with a new hubby in Sonia's case.

However, it is not all sad, I am so excited to decorate a space all my own and I have been saving images galore as inspiration.

I am noting a bit of a trend though: white walls with lots of pops of colour! Lots of lovely colour!






I apologize, I am a bad blogger, and can not remember where I pulled all these images from al though my best guess would be www.designspongeonline.com

xo J

Is it too late to add something to my wish list?

I am not a big watch person, I tend to rely heavily on my blackberry for time keeping but I could change my ways for one of these WEWOOD watches. From Italy, WEWOOD is inspired by nature and sustainability in their designs. These are organic watches, free of any artificial material and to top it off for every one watch purchased one tree is planted, so you can buy guilt free!

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now”

Images Via WEWOOD

xo J

Dream a little dream

Ummmm….so….yeaaaaah… I am in love! With these little dream retreats. You know I like to read a lot right, how perfect would it be if I could curl up in this ah-mazing renovated cottage (Sandra Foster did it all herself for $3,000) and these Rest Nests with a pile of my favorite reads and make them my own secret escape. I mean I am speechless and incredibly jealous.

Sigh…a girl can dream.

Images via Dedon and New York Times

Sah-weet

Warning: The following images will send you running for the nearest bakery.

From Top to Bottom: Turtle Cheesecake from La Baguette et L'Echalote Bakery, Peanut Cake from Anna's Cake House, and a Maple Snickerdoodle from Butter Baked Goods.

Full credit for photographing and showcasing these sinful treats goes to CakeSpy - an amazing baking blog. CakeSpy and her hubby were in Vancouver for the weekend and man did they do some thorough research on Vancouver's best baked goods.

I can fully endorse some of their findings: (Lee's Donuts, La Baguette, Chocolatas, A La Mode, Liberty Bakery), but it was great to read about some places that I haven't been to yet either. Note to self: hunt out Maple Snickerdoodle at Butter, consume other buttery treats there, bring milk.

So thanks CakeSpy for the sweet inspiration! If you want to read her full post and drool some more at your computer screen, follow this link.

Re-cycle, Re-use + Re-invent

Do you have a tangled mess of jewelry that you never wear but can’t bear to throw away? Take some inspiration from Theresa Smed of the Dotted Loop. Theresa takes vintage jewelry and re-works them into new fabulously glamorous pieces. I particularly love the use of vintage scarves and fur collars. They are a mix of old Hollywood glam and new rock star edge. She also does custom pieces!

Last year I provided her with one of my fav pictures of my folks and she placed it in this beautiful rose gold coloured pendant. It was a wonderful experience working with her, she was so enthusiastic and such a sweetheart! Definitely go visit her booth at the One of a Kind show December 9th – 12th.

Images via Dotted Loop

That's Mint

Like walking into a chic home decor magazine - a trip to Mint will make your eyes sparkle like their walls. This new home decor and furniture store in Vancouver has unique, handcrafted and stunning pieces from designers across the globe.

Some pieces that I loved the most were their ibride trays. ibride is an amazing design firm from France that you must check out - and Mint carries a wide selection of their line if you want something for your home now.

More beautifulness in the form of acrylic side tables and STUNNING mirror - my photo does it no justice. Also boo that I didn't note the designers! There is a lot of product info on Mint's site though if you follow the link at the top or bottom of this post.

Mint also creates custom furniture like the killer sofa in their display room and lovely occasional chairs. If you have a small mint to spend (let's be real - it costs money to buy such beautiful things), or if you just feel like furnishing the mansion in your mind, stop by Mint and check out their offerings.

Mint Interiors
1805 Fir St.
Vancouver BC
Tel: 604.568.3430
Web: www.mintinteriors.ca

Paris, je t'aime

This is the apartment version of The Secret Garden. This is like my dream! Can you imagine stumbling across an apartment like this that has remained untouched for 70 years!

The owner moved away in 1940 but kept up the payments even though no one was living there, until passing away this last year when it was finally discovered. Makes me want to get lost in Paris and buy lots and lots of pretty things!

See more photos here

Images via Apartment Therapy

Jen Being Random

Hi Mes Amis!

I've been thinking of trying a video post for a while, so here it is. It's in two parts because of its mega file size. I hope you enjoy it!






Links mentioned in the video:

Danny and Annie's story
Steve Job's commencement speech
Angela Ahrendts's commencement speech
TED Talks YouTube Channel

Happy Wednesday!
xo

What beauty...

There is so much beauty and wonder in the world we live in. Some times with routines, schedules, appointments and good ol’ faithful work the beauty that surrounds us goes unnoticed because we are so entrenched in our daily lives. It happens to all of us no doubt, as lives get busier and time seems to run faster, but I always find it refreshing, when in the middle of the chaos of the everyday something catches my eye (or nose, ears or skin!) that reminds me of the wonder we are living in. I am always so thankful for those moments because they make me feel alive, connected and living this history. Whether it’s watching a child at play, a breathtaking view, receiving a kind act from a stranger or realizing that you’re having fun, it’s those moments that seem to bring me down to earth again and remind me not only of this world’s awesomeness , but also to not take things for granted. I’m so grateful for the priceless simplicities and nuances of life…they are a beautiful gift.

Shopping Destination: Old Faithful Shop

Have you ever walked down a block and been stopped in your tracks by a store you just passed?

This happened to me last Thursday walking by the Old Faithful Shop on Cordova St. in Gastown. After walking through the doors, I was entranced by the space.  I went up to one of the store's owners, wide-eyed like I had just wandered into Wonderland and whispered: "how long has this been here"? Ok, maybe I didn't whisper. Anyway he looked at me kindly (and maybe pityingly) and informed me that they've been open since May. I clearly need to walk around Gastown more often!

Old Faithful Shop is an open, airy and modern take on a general store with beautifully chosen merchandise. Don't you love when you can actually see all the products in a store, and really appreciate them? Me too!

This store does that to perfection, with simple sections of treasures ranging from plants, to cookware, from gifts for your man, to candles for your bath. If you're looking for a gift for someone special, or a treat for yourself or your home, I highly recommend stopping in and enjoying their refreshing take on retail.

Old Faithful Shop
320 W. Cordova St, Vancouver
778-327-9376

(P.S. The store even smells good! Currently they're carrying a Balsam Fir incense that smells like a woodsy hike through a provincial park.  It'll smell amazing in your house for cozy nights this winter. I know I picked me up a box!)

Inspire Me...

Since we are still in the early stages of Amis I thought it helpful to give you a further peek into what makes me who I am. Throughout the course of Amis I plan on frequently posting on things that inspire me from food, fashion, art and books and everything in between. So I thought it appropriate to start with my original inspiration.

My dear Dad, not only is my Dad one of the smartest people I know with a knowledge base that would serve you well if you needed a “phone a friend”, he is also the best cook! I have had the privilege of growing up with every type of food imaginable. In particular, considering my Dad’s heritage doesn’t lie in either, he still cooks Italian and Mexican food like no other.

My little Mom, coming in at only 4’ 11” you would maybe expect just a mouse of a lady but that doesn’t hold true for my mom. She is stubborn, intimidating at times, a chatter box, ambitious, an endless explorer, a risk taker, an artist in so many areas and one of the most creative people I know. My personal wall décor shop is her art studio, whatever she isn’t currently displaying on her walls I will display on mine.