tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61533978759399944032024-03-19T15:02:55.963-07:00be-spokenRickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-22972917885004666582011-03-30T16:26:00.001-07:002011-03-30T16:26:32.798-07:00Their Perfume, My Life<span class="article_content"></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Last week I stopped a woman at an event and asked her what perfume she was wearing. I tried guessing: “Eau Du Soir by Sisley,” I ventured. “No, <a href="http://www.sears.ca/product/clinique-aromatics-elixir/608-000035014-6610-02-8000" target="_blank">Aromatics Elixer by Clinique</a>," she replied. “Everyone asks me that when I wear it.” I don’t know this woman very well, but I will always remember her by that scent.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><img align="left" alt="" height="150" hspace="5" src="http://www.sweetspot.ca/uploaded_images/Oscar.jpg" vspace="5" width="150" />My earliest perfume-related memories are provided by my mom. Her dressing table was always filled with several exquisite glass bottles of iconic scents: Calvin Klein Obsession, Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds, Chanel No. 5, and Christian Dior Poison, but the scent she wore regularly, year after year, was <a href="http://www.londondrugs.com/Cultures/en-US/Product+Detail/Beauty.htm?BreadCrumbs=Beauty;Beauty;Fragrance;For%20Her;Oscar%20by%20Oscar%20de%20la%20Renta%20Eau%20de%20Toilette%20Spray%20-%20100ml&ProductID=6157200&ProductTab=3" target="_blank">Oscar de la Renta Oscar</a>. I have a picture of her in my head: She’s picking me up from school wearing a fur coat in our larger-than-life Cadillac. I step into the car and it’s filled with that dewy, sweet concoction. I’m so proud to hitch a ride with my glamourous mom.</span></div><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/33999/their_perfume_my_life/#ixzz1I81BjUGz" style="color: #003399;">http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/33999/their_perfume_my_life/#ixzz1I81BjUGz</a></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-54193227140366156382011-03-23T17:37:00.001-07:002011-03-23T17:37:41.468-07:00Going Gluten-Free<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I’ve been on the hunt for coconut flour ever since I found out there was <i>such</i><i> a thing</i> as coconut flour — it’s quite hard to find, especially in small quantities. So you could imagine my joy when I discovered what is destined to become my go-to source for gluten-free baking essentials: <a href="http://www.bulkbarn.ca/en-ca/index.html" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Bulk Barn</a>.<br />
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<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://www.sweetspot.ca/uploaded_images/bulk_barn1.jpg" width="300" /></div><span><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/33557/ricky_goes_gluten-free/#ixzz1HTNNnXDW" style="color: #003399; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/33557/ricky_goes_gluten-free/#ixzz1HTNNnXDW</a></span>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-50825714059817336652011-03-16T08:51:00.001-07:002011-03-16T08:51:58.597-07:00Guilty Pleasures<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Sometimes I make a discovery so epic it makes me giggle. So you’ll understand why my giggle turned into full-out laughter after I bit into my latest pastry obsession from <a href="http://www.safeway.ca/" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Safeway</a>.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://www.sweetspot.ca/uploaded_images/Glazed_Croissant.jpg" width="300" /><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It’s taken me a long time to organize my thoughts for this blog post because I want to get this description right. Imagine the lightest, flakiest croissant you’ve ever bitten into (well, maybe that’s a stretch — humour me) and the most unhealthy, sugary, glazed <a href="http://www.krispykreme.com/home" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Krispy Kreme</a> donut you’ve ever ingested. Now morph them into one delectable treat. Then drizzle it with chocolate. My heart races with anticipation as I write; or perhaps my arteries are clogging up. It’s exciting either way.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
<img align="left" alt="" height="150" hspace="5" src="http://www.sweetspot.ca/uploaded_images/Nescafe_3_in_1.jpg" vspace="5" width="150" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I’ve always believed in restraint when it comes to guilty pleasures, even though I’ve never practiced it. In fact, I relish in those simple, guilt-inducing foods, rituals and music I’ve indulged in ever since I was a kid. It’s funny, when you’re growing up in Saskatchewan, drinking instant coffee laced with <b>Coffeemate</b> with your grandma is a pleasure. Once you grow up and start to move in more sophisticated circles it gets demoted to a guilty pleasure. For the record, I still love instant coffee. My current fave is <b>Nescafé 3 in 1 </b>(which is available at my local <a href="http://www.realcanadiansuperstore.ca/LCLOnline/home.jsp?_requestid=4551515&storeId=813" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Superstore</a>).</span></div><span><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/33196/guilty_pleasures/#ixzz1GmJe9du3" style="color: #003399; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/33196/guilty_pleasures/#ixzz1GmJe9du3</a></span>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-16459863853446919082011-03-09T07:11:00.000-08:002011-03-09T07:11:11.140-08:00Five Things I Can't Live Without Right Now<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I’m forever making up lists in my mind: top five spring fashion trends, top five hairsprays, top five moisturizers, top five fragrances... you name it, I’ve made a top five for it. So it seems perfectly natural for me to share five things I can’t live without, as of March, 2011.</span><br />
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<tr><td valign="top"><img alt="" height="150" src="http://www.sweetspot.ca/uploaded_images/essenza.jpg" width="150" /></td><td valign="top"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><big><strong><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">My Nespresso Essenza</span></strong></big><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
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I love coffee. I’m proud to say it’s one of my vices. I recently told a friend that if I had $20 to my name I’d spend it on a one-week supply. At least I’d enjoy a daily moment of pleasure while I figure out how to make more money.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Admittedly, <a href="http://www.thebay.com/eng/homefashion/smallappliances/coffeemakersandaccessories-C100__Essenza_Flow_Stop-thebay/161678" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">this machine</a> is a little pricey, but it makes the most divine coffee. It’s easy to use, too. You just pop a specially designed pod (my favourite is <a href="http://www.nespresso.com/#/fr/en/coffee_nespresso/grands_crus/indriya_from_india" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Indriya</a>) into the loader thingy, press a button and presto: a perfect shot of espresso topped with a rich layer of créma that will rival anything made in a fancy café. (Nothing against fancy cafés.)</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Come to think of it, if I had $20 to my name I should consider selling my Nespresso machine. Never!</span></div></b></span></td></tr>
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Read more: <a href="http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/32812/five_things_i_cant_live_without_right_now/#ixzz1G7Dgmlhw" style="color: #003399; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/32812/five_things_i_cant_live_without_right_now/#ixzz1G7Dgmlhw</a></span>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-18550189442258920572011-03-02T05:48:00.000-08:002011-03-02T05:48:03.694-08:00Dear Calgary Weather<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Dear Calgary Weather,</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">You’re slowly turning me into a raisin. I know it’s not your fault, per se; however, could you please back off the extremely cold temperatures? Could you also inject some moisture into the atmosphere while you’re at it? I’d be ever so grateful.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I know, I know, I was born and raised in Saskatchewan, so I should know how to deal with dry weather, but I guess my time spent out east in the sweltering humid summers (and bone-chilling damp winters) made me complacent. Remember that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSmuURbRMAg" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Vaseline Intensive Care commercial</a> where the woman scratched the word ‘dry’ into her skin? This morning I scratched ‘help’ into mine.</span></div><span><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/32542/dear_calgary_weather/#ixzz1FRx0y9Xw" style="color: #003399; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/32542/dear_calgary_weather/#ixzz1FRx0y9Xw</a></span>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-51547153641641136902011-02-23T07:17:00.003-08:002011-02-23T07:17:59.010-08:00A Place to Call My Own<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://www.sweetspot.ca/uploaded_images/apartment.jpg" width="456" /><br />
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It’s official: I have a new apartment. After months of living with benevolent friends and family while I transitioned from Toronto to Calgary, I finally have a place to call my own — which brings along a wealth of challenges and new discoveries.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Let’s start off with the challenges: my apartment is virtually empty. Some people might look at my place and think: college student. I look at it and think: blank canvas. I can feel my decorating impulses start to kick into high gear. My Toronto apartment was a continual work in progress. It was about 100 years old, so I worked with the built-in charm to created a space that was comfy and elegant (in my opinion):</span></div><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/32058/a_place_to_call_my_own/#ixzz1EnO1NSMA" style="color: #003399; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/32058/a_place_to_call_my_own/#ixzz1EnO1NSMA</a>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-84274095376935281472011-01-26T08:15:00.000-08:002011-01-26T08:15:08.807-08:00How I fight aging — and it's not all about the product<div class="p1" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I’m at that age when my birthday cake arrives with one candle on it as a sort of “you-know-what-we-mean” gesture. Hey, I’m always happy when cake is involved, but boy do birthdays lose their lustre past the age of 12. </span></div><div class="p2" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br />
</div><div class="p1" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">To make matters even worse, I was born in January, painfully close to Christmas. Kids don’t see the common sense in combined Christmas/birthday presents.</span></div><div class="p2" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br />
</div><div class="p1" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I’m happy to say that I had a great birthday this year. The day started out wonderfully, in fact. My mom took me to <a href="http://www.avenuediner.com/" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Avenue Diner</a> for an amazing lunch — what a great spot! Then later that day my friend Natalie and I went to <a href="http://www.loungeburger.com/" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">loungeburger</a>. </span><span class="s1" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">After dinner we decided to go see <i><a href="http://www.foxsearchlight.com/blackswan/" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Black Swan</a></i>. I sat enthralled as I watched Natalie Portman twirl, leap and go crazy right before my very eyes. Psychosis aside, she looked great in her lightweight cotton dance gear and over-the-top Rodarte tutus. I noticed that there were lots of close-ups on her face — that woman has great skin. When I got home I inspected my own face for any new signs of aging.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/30464/i_dont_wanna_grow_old/#ixzz1C9ti0TNE" style="color: #003399; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/30464/i_dont_wanna_grow_old/#ixzz1C9ti0TNE</a></span></span>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-23782988963901874332011-01-19T17:43:00.000-08:002011-01-19T17:43:44.667-08:00Check out my first blog as City Editor at sweetspot.caHi there, I am so happy to announce that I'm the new Calgary Editor at www.sweetspot.ca. I absolutely love working for this amazing site and the amazing group of people that make it happen. Here is my first blog entry:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">"Picture this: I’m driving south on Macleod Trail in my brother’s 1998 Grand Marquis to meet my friend Shauna at</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.canyonmeadowscinemas.ca/" style="color: #c6688d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Canyon Meadows Cinemas</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">. It’s dark and snowing lightly. (Please note that I’ve never been fully convinced my night vision is very good.) The low fuel light flashes on and I begin to weave my way into the right hand lane; however, the fast-moving bumper-to-bumper traffic makes this impossible and I decide to fill up after I pass Glenmore. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">My eye starts to twitch and I instinctively rub it. This causes my contact lens to slide into that mysterious place it sometimes goes behind my eye socket. But it doesn’t come back! My depth perception fades and I start to white knuckle it as I roll my eyes upward, coaxing my contact lens to return to its rightful home on my cornea. I think to myself, “This would never happen in Toronto.”</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/29935/new_boy_in_town/#ixzz1BXH61Bse" style="color: #003399; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/ricky_zayshley/29935/new_boy_in_town/#ixzz1BXH61Bse</a> "</span></span>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-78140865479283425452010-06-17T12:46:00.000-07:002010-06-17T12:47:00.177-07:00Five beautiful gifts for your father—(not so) Rich Man’s Edition<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A beautiful watch</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">—Timex SL Series Automatic</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTb7W6z88uqVRWpxE5zb8L2T79fjrRpdg00GA21el6j5z1NVC0l2mZiLIPrumfWVTtdDhN0BL9wYDQgBpayS4vtfQK7Vkm2fyOI3af8HeLpxHbMeuFmcQhMppaoBInLQ4XOhdAmygGto7/s1600/%5Bimg_1642_3057_T2M516.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTb7W6z88uqVRWpxE5zb8L2T79fjrRpdg00GA21el6j5z1NVC0l2mZiLIPrumfWVTtdDhN0BL9wYDQgBpayS4vtfQK7Vkm2fyOI3af8HeLpxHbMeuFmcQhMppaoBInLQ4XOhdAmygGto7/s400/%5Bimg_1642_3057_T2M516.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I don’t think you can get a nicer watch for $275—trust me, I have one!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.timex.ca/">www.timex.ca</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Beautiful design:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> All ten Wallpaper City Guides for the iPhone</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnavgHTN4PfYc1s5LraqnbSEHWdXUG_Ib8dwZELtg0wJhkijNBgw7CpReZpPbS2nnA46lNIbwrtnt0pTAVV6c1Cfi6oFL_feL8bK1Sy6dgyDtO-JnHejjr3AbTre9M67om-IOytb7-eMr/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-15+at+5.36.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnavgHTN4PfYc1s5LraqnbSEHWdXUG_Ib8dwZELtg0wJhkijNBgw7CpReZpPbS2nnA46lNIbwrtnt0pTAVV6c1Cfi6oFL_feL8bK1Sy6dgyDtO-JnHejjr3AbTre9M67om-IOytb7-eMr/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-15+at+5.36.34+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Think of how handy these apps will be for your world-traveling dad. New York, Milan, Berlin, Los Angeles, Paris, Barcelona, London, Amsterdam, Rome and Tokyo—$3.99 each!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.phaidon.com/travel">www.phaidon.com/travel</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A beautiful bike:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Gary Fisher Simple City 8</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdlcTHueB_YqlZUM7aGAzrGiJ42jeKgytrUXJ8aoWelGZQOVjiM04-Upjg8s6blKHNJv88Qhw3_SpyfnCa_3v0pi3AMJ14a_pNZ9IfZDK3F3mQmvO_b9vbW_K6kRgMdXpylERH20UowSK/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-17+at+3.39.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdlcTHueB_YqlZUM7aGAzrGiJ42jeKgytrUXJ8aoWelGZQOVjiM04-Upjg8s6blKHNJv88Qhw3_SpyfnCa_3v0pi3AMJ14a_pNZ9IfZDK3F3mQmvO_b9vbW_K6kRgMdXpylERH20UowSK/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-17+at+3.39.03+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This beautiful bike has all the charm of the Pashley Guv’nor for half the price. Bonus: it’s a Gary Fisher, so you know it’ll last a lifetime.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.fisherbikes.com/">www.fisherbikes.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A beautiful guitar:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Yamaha F310</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbfmm0F2tR4BBDbQ7Xy_TTO64cGJTtxTyz_ZaspWXm_1Il4sdvcMUeGJ-w9b59fIExiBuFmUw4yAKWPZpfmZQDh5ttJuHYP94M1y-ilfZ4VEoVg6wk7u7KQ4WJ5X_ruZmxjHGfrehhkqr/s1600/_c394935_image_0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbfmm0F2tR4BBDbQ7Xy_TTO64cGJTtxTyz_ZaspWXm_1Il4sdvcMUeGJ-w9b59fIExiBuFmUw4yAKWPZpfmZQDh5ttJuHYP94M1y-ilfZ4VEoVg6wk7u7KQ4WJ5X_ruZmxjHGfrehhkqr/s400/_c394935_image_0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I think this is the #1 best-selling guitar of all time. That’s not surprising considering it sounds great and is priced at around $200.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.yamaha.ca/">www.yamaha.ca</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Beautiful cuff links:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Tiffany & Co. Barbell cuff links</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-byL0MAI3HuKkSJRP_NNBu1TF8Kk-6LmHnabnCYzyJTUGFFvxJkvhO2GvPxv7V1H6ky3zvX6R4rb6gdk1hw5NGVPE_XC5LwQhDpdwDDysjOBwZlVon4YC7uw5yF0LLiS0YYyFyc17bKxL/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-17+at+2.47.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-byL0MAI3HuKkSJRP_NNBu1TF8Kk-6LmHnabnCYzyJTUGFFvxJkvhO2GvPxv7V1H6ky3zvX6R4rb6gdk1hw5NGVPE_XC5LwQhDpdwDDysjOBwZlVon4YC7uw5yF0LLiS0YYyFyc17bKxL/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-17+at+2.47.58+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These sterling silver beauties are minimal, elegant and $180 CDN.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.tiffany.ca/">www.tiffany.ca</a></span></span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-33038721677235413772010-06-13T13:28:00.000-07:002010-06-14T16:18:04.235-07:00Five beautiful gifts for your father—Rich Man’s Edition<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A beautiful watch</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Baume & Mercier</span></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2cV-EGlhyphenhyphen-cQNLMDAMRHy154onquUhqxQoJHKMzmYWJLy7R6VaCe7oycgk6Ng_eY7V7K0vptBSNDvhuAVbKsFVSzMYQnoKWwcUi_n6mgIedomx5jxPc1qZHAj1qVG_hsBxBYbIqtnLWH/s1600/Classima+Executives+8852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2cV-EGlhyphenhyphen-cQNLMDAMRHy154onquUhqxQoJHKMzmYWJLy7R6VaCe7oycgk6Ng_eY7V7K0vptBSNDvhuAVbKsFVSzMYQnoKWwcUi_n6mgIedomx5jxPc1qZHAj1qVG_hsBxBYbIqtnLWH/s400/Classima+Executives+8852.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baume & Mercier </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Classima Executives Magnum XXL Chronograph (#8852). $4,590 CDN</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09b2bKJJjI-tsPDY4v2AftT3JMj6ASGTQYCLi1DfmCW_wvI7W_zQxaJEvcq_OpgeQWeSgYBz1ysPDXWHV_yxY6nhrrhQbpchvWE1Uf66OHKALZXpqxJk_H4RwzxqfK4wUz8P1rz_QBB4T/s1600/Classima+Executives+8851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09b2bKJJjI-tsPDY4v2AftT3JMj6ASGTQYCLi1DfmCW_wvI7W_zQxaJEvcq_OpgeQWeSgYBz1ysPDXWHV_yxY6nhrrhQbpchvWE1Uf66OHKALZXpqxJk_H4RwzxqfK4wUz8P1rz_QBB4T/s400/Classima+Executives+8851.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baume & Mercier </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Classima Executives Magnum XL Chronograph/Dual Time (#8851). $3,790 CDN</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Giving a man a beautiful heirloom-quality watch is the equivalent of giving a woman diamonds. DIAMONDS!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May I suggest a Baume & Mercier watch for your father this year. This fine Swiss watchmaker dates back to 1830 and has been making some of the most exquisite timepieces ever since. In 1921 Baume &Mercier was awarded the prestigious poinçon de Genève (Geneva hallmark) by the Geneva Watchmaking Senior Committee.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Today the company is still turning out some of the most desirable timepieces in the world. And here is why I suggest this brand for your father: it’s not the obvious choice.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In this price range there are a few other options from different companies; however, when your dad’s jacket falls ever so slightly to reveal a Baume & Mercier watch, those who recognize top-notch quality will be impressed. And every time your dad checks the time, he’ll be impressed too. (And he’ll think of you.)</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Note: be sure to engrave your gift with a meaningful message or simply your father’s initials.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.baume-et-mercier.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.baume-et-mercier.com</span></span></a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A beautiful guitar</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">:</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Martin Signature Series D-28</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXWQ-khQbpSYfs-r7an0RSNEQKj6NgunB0kC7XwRQKal7xdLjb92Vtxoa7erTng50BijrEXJotaeUqdz8tyUnIkHmsiQQbDstUbC7NZ7fUFCIe_fMUdHkNped41etQ_KnyKrGHraye54J/s1600/d28+main+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXWQ-khQbpSYfs-r7an0RSNEQKj6NgunB0kC7XwRQKal7xdLjb92Vtxoa7erTng50BijrEXJotaeUqdz8tyUnIkHmsiQQbDstUbC7NZ7fUFCIe_fMUdHkNped41etQ_KnyKrGHraye54J/s400/d28+main+copy.jpeg" width="397" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Martin Signature Series D-28. From $3,000 USD</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Chances are your dad either knows how to strum a few chords or appreciates those who can. In either scenario he’d appreciate owning a fine guitar.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I think the Martin D-28 would do quite nicely. Since its introduction in 1931, the D-28 is the standard to which all large-bodied steel-stringed guitars are based. Its large “Dreadnaught”-sized body is the most widely imitated guitar model in the world.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Family sing-alongs will never be the same!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.martinguitar.com/">www.martinguitar.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Beautiful design</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">:</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> An iPad with Phaidon Design Classics Preinstalled</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQO9QKsY0aEpE4Tq-sp258hfN9nqyDNqJKAvC_fgfKaO7LVw8ZUP1MJXIVISXYl-Ui7RAACrqbjhkf9mSNVMbBRVAZspRnwBHBu_yQJwO2mfsD_hCxH81XOs32Obx0t46wL8Ln3eIt-s4/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-11+at+9.45.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQO9QKsY0aEpE4Tq-sp258hfN9nqyDNqJKAvC_fgfKaO7LVw8ZUP1MJXIVISXYl-Ui7RAACrqbjhkf9mSNVMbBRVAZspRnwBHBu_yQJwO2mfsD_hCxH81XOs32Obx0t46wL8Ln3eIt-s4/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-11+at+9.45.09+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If your dad appreciates good design, chances are he wants an iPad. Sweeten the pot by installing Phaidon Design Classics on it so he has something cool to test out when he turns it on. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Actually, at $20 the app is quite the deal. The three-volume hard copy sells for almost $700, about the same price of the 16 GB 3G iPad model. Basically a 2 for 1 deal—get one for yourself, too!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.phaidon.ca/phaidondesignclassics"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.phaidon.ca/phaidondesignclassics</span></span></a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Beautiful cuff links</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">:</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Paloma’s Marrakesh cuff links</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf4NoLdo1f8Y6ny5z6CUh5NNRKpZAbYabfViRZLuS1ReyjBjKgd_Lh3cdUjOejHvvCSllSGnUR1ICybanXcpyYGnF_QC2tbRNAAd5XJ9DKtgA6R0gOvE-EuF16KvpMJCtJbPRGK5BHrw_/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-11+at+10.02.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf4NoLdo1f8Y6ny5z6CUh5NNRKpZAbYabfViRZLuS1ReyjBjKgd_Lh3cdUjOejHvvCSllSGnUR1ICybanXcpyYGnF_QC2tbRNAAd5XJ9DKtgA6R0gOvE-EuF16KvpMJCtJbPRGK5BHrw_/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-11+at+10.02.55+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Paloma's Marrakesh cuff links, Tiffany & Co. $5,300 CDN</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The mere fact that your dad needs cuff links—in this increasingly uncuffed age—qualifies him as being elegant enough to deserve these exquisite specimens. And let’s face it, men love getting something in a Tiffany box, too.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I recently found myself in one of those last-minute panics while dressing for a wedding. Everything was perfect: suit freshly dry cleaned and ready to go, perfectly tied tie, sparkling black patent shoes... Only one element was amiss. I forgot to pack my cuff links!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gruesome images of me arriving with garbage bag twist ties holding my shirt together crept into my head. Luckily my host provided me with a beautiful pair of sterling silver Tiffany cuff links for the evening just seconds before I was conjuring a full-blown adult tantrum.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And then it struck me—every man needs to own a pair of Tiffany cuff links.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I love these ones because they’re exotic and will go with anything your dad could possibly pair them with. Made with 18K gold and black enamel, they are sophisticated enough to wear with a tuxedo, but quirky enough to pair with jeans and a blazer. Now that’s jewelry your dad can put to good use.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.tiffany.ca/">www.tiffany.ca</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A beautiful bike</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">: The Guv’nor by Pashley.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nDLzF4Tnj51MZ-604JiWuKL9BvnPe8D-zy7I4Uz0FsUxmp0G1HSWEhnhBCmJSniEORJsDF6nzZtfX4A2rY1_YaF4noTnfaXw4zn_BjXozzfMiAO2TvKRjCyKjxFceNJIX-z6Sqbe8n5O/s1600/pashley-guvnor-lg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nDLzF4Tnj51MZ-604JiWuKL9BvnPe8D-zy7I4Uz0FsUxmp0G1HSWEhnhBCmJSniEORJsDF6nzZtfX4A2rY1_YaF4noTnfaXw4zn_BjXozzfMiAO2TvKRjCyKjxFceNJIX-z6Sqbe8n5O/s400/pashley-guvnor-lg.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"A good day to ya!"</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A few years ago I did a story about high-end bikes and I fell in love with the Guv’nor by Pashley. For obvious reasons! Everything about it screams “Guv’nor,” from its gold-piped black rims to its Brooks saddle seat to its handmade leather grips. This is a beautiful bike.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Based on the 30s-era Path Racer by Pashley, the Guv’nor is suitable for both city paths and cobblestone street. In either context onlookers are sure to tip their hats in approval.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.pashley.co.uk/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">www.pashley.co.uk</span></span></span></a></span></div><div><br />
</div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-79081432862651028652010-06-09T09:08:00.000-07:002010-06-09T15:57:18.815-07:00Colognes for Father's Day<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">What type of Dad do you have?</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think shopping for Father’s Day can be one of the most challenging of tasks. The old standby is cologne, but do you know what your dad likes? Or, perhaps it’s time for an update. Here are a few of my suggestions:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Manly Dad</b></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Polo by Ralph Lauren</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50sky5mSwWHyNr4sD53-kJAbzwQ1MhJt0sz_o_3hJ19GvfcGQ6GGIv_vyzR4U663_aFGSLHfptGGbB8Pa9PBEdfnoBXY6jWwp8sDjsvSRkETGomHUxvp0nSz0qsxRdqHX3zzhLWlK1fop/s1600/polo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50sky5mSwWHyNr4sD53-kJAbzwQ1MhJt0sz_o_3hJ19GvfcGQ6GGIv_vyzR4U663_aFGSLHfptGGbB8Pa9PBEdfnoBXY6jWwp8sDjsvSRkETGomHUxvp0nSz0qsxRdqHX3zzhLWlK1fop/s320/polo.jpeg" width="262" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If your dad drinks JD for breakfast and wrestles wolverines for fun he probably doesn’t wear cologne, but if he would rather don a plaid shirt than a suit chances are he’d like Polo. It’s a 80s classic that has—in my opinion—gotten a bad rap since its heyday. I really do need a bottle of this stuff! So does your dad. Notes: Pine, Basil, Geranium, Oakmoss and Leather.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.polo.com/">www.polo.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Refined Dad</b></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Infusion d’Homme by Prada</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV3pz_ST4Ggl-nuXlmz2RToqQk0vjooB3qzN77Na_83EokZp3smWD1o1_Xw6t3zWX9VihAPis4P7B0Kx_iYF-yn7GROxujk_W1MQWwI5eztRaoE_11PuswqGAXIZ7h-Wy0VvONWDk-n3M/s1600/Prada+Infusion+d%27Homme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV3pz_ST4Ggl-nuXlmz2RToqQk0vjooB3qzN77Na_83EokZp3smWD1o1_Xw6t3zWX9VihAPis4P7B0Kx_iYF-yn7GROxujk_W1MQWwI5eztRaoE_11PuswqGAXIZ7h-Wy0VvONWDk-n3M/s320/Prada+Infusion+d%27Homme.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A few days ago a very well-dressed, elegant man walked by me at Starbucks. And as we passed, a trail of Infusion d’Homme followed him. It was a great coincidence because I too was wearing that wonderful scent. It’s a light and somewhat powdery cologne that is perfect for summer days and nights. Your father will be oh so refined wearing it. Notes: Mandarin Orange, Neroli, Iris, Benzoin.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.prada.com/">www.prada.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Worldly Dad</b></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Terre d’Hermès by Hermès</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuKQ8aATXiaJGGeLJUWo4O6oITwOElLwGBpbhfvypfYDvHB5aKWffHroIb_-Jx76jNt5gpH36C12xPHSYtHYD2zkZEvL4FFwiQqbZVwRPUgVQQ3PNkl3NgaBIt-2I4bEJtXGWmI_uN9ka/s1600/Terre+d%27Hermes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuKQ8aATXiaJGGeLJUWo4O6oITwOElLwGBpbhfvypfYDvHB5aKWffHroIb_-Jx76jNt5gpH36C12xPHSYtHYD2zkZEvL4FFwiQqbZVwRPUgVQQ3PNkl3NgaBIt-2I4bEJtXGWmI_uN9ka/s320/Terre+d%27Hermes.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How many times will I blog about this cologne? I could write a book about how much I love it. Obviously I’m lumping myself into the worldly category here, but I do feel a sense of adventure when I spray it on. If your dad is equally comfortable in a boardroom as he is on a yacht, this fragrance is for him. The best part about Terre d’Hermès is that over time his suit jackets—or yachting-wear—will start to become infused with the scent. It lasts forever on fabric! Notes: Orange, pepper, cedar, vetiver, bay rose and benzoin.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.hermes.com/">www.hermes.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Jazzy Dad</b></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Havana Vanille by L’Artisan Parfumeur</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtVOHlTegdHTRjrk8HSSxsX4NomzjXYPwqHVz1N33PzwNf2h7W9cf7vCqgBgeLzZanylqcO5aj4hRRiBYrfVBSYy94TihnLeeaNda5jL6CyBuI7VdpU6lTRqu8qx3eu3td0kunJ8IviLj/s1600/Havana+Vanille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtVOHlTegdHTRjrk8HSSxsX4NomzjXYPwqHVz1N33PzwNf2h7W9cf7vCqgBgeLzZanylqcO5aj4hRRiBYrfVBSYy94TihnLeeaNda5jL6CyBuI7VdpU6lTRqu8qx3eu3td0kunJ8IviLj/s320/Havana+Vanille.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Havana Vanille is my latest fragrance addiction and definitely my next purchase. If your dad sports a straw hat and smokes the occasional Romeo y Juileta while listening to Latin Jazz, this could very well be his next go-to cologne (made easier if you buy it for him, of course). The concept is brilliant: a masculine Vanilla scent that manages to be sweet without being gourmand. Notes: Mexican Vanilla, Clove, Narcissus, Rum and Leather.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.lartisanparfumeur.com/">www.lartisanparfumeur.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Hip Dad</b></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Commes de Garçons (self-titled)</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-miQ4jKXcnMw5dSXG8KUIeA2D-olYJCuywyP62e_7KdRp4YTPIWQ0JJ1POe8G08L0TkncdU2j2B1yT-Fl55GibrEyKEud59xZk_BS97J2uAcldLGKMHbIS5rPEv5ep18EE1ilBIeZ0RWb/s1600/comme+des+garcons.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-miQ4jKXcnMw5dSXG8KUIeA2D-olYJCuywyP62e_7KdRp4YTPIWQ0JJ1POe8G08L0TkncdU2j2B1yT-Fl55GibrEyKEud59xZk_BS97J2uAcldLGKMHbIS5rPEv5ep18EE1ilBIeZ0RWb/s320/comme+des+garcons.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To be honest, I don’t know too much about this cologne other than the fact that the art director at the magazine I used to work at wore it. I always thought it was a great fashion-forward, edgy scent. He always smelled masculine-yet-cool. If your dad hasn’t lost touch with his fashionable side or wears ironically studious-looking glasses (that are indeed ironic—you know the difference) then consider this scent for him. Notes: Labdanum, Cedarwood, Black Pepper, Honey, Rose, Incense, Sandalwood, Nutmeg.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Available in Toronto at Nomad.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.nomadshop.net/">www.nomadshop.net</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">Here are some other matches:</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Hippy Dad</b>: Muscs Kublaï Khän by Serge Lutens</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqzs7Uj_wjv8w2a3IH2wpIxSbRVMiJw-zzViZGkPcGvDJr0Thsrij1OyECUF4Afb_osakQUAdMdvTSFncIpa2f6IDCiMhHHZwMC6zh9okCwKWzKBx9nUiyWpI6awLKOFWS1c0Ng8sgjL4/s1600/muscs+kublai+khan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqzs7Uj_wjv8w2a3IH2wpIxSbRVMiJw-zzViZGkPcGvDJr0Thsrij1OyECUF4Afb_osakQUAdMdvTSFncIpa2f6IDCiMhHHZwMC6zh9okCwKWzKBx9nUiyWpI6awLKOFWS1c0Ng8sgjL4/s320/muscs+kublai+khan.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A real musk for the man who is unafraid of his animalistic side. Notes: Musk, Vanilla</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.sergelutens.com/">www.sergelutens.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Old-School Dad</b>: Colonia by Acqua di Parma</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFJfH2T1V7LqQUmYk729yPmRo_Q4zBbNtFdwD6eoDgLl_I_1tEkDGtl3Usg8xUfRnSfIMy8o5pqhqZQyyHqh5lF49tHQ_jhCnxr_twBbNKzVhv9mibsszZL12YCwvmS0OxtRCft-yVTVG/s1600/Acqua+di+Parma.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFJfH2T1V7LqQUmYk729yPmRo_Q4zBbNtFdwD6eoDgLl_I_1tEkDGtl3Usg8xUfRnSfIMy8o5pqhqZQyyHqh5lF49tHQ_jhCnxr_twBbNKzVhv9mibsszZL12YCwvmS0OxtRCft-yVTVG/s320/Acqua+di+Parma.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This scent is a true original. As crisp as a freshly pressed Italian linen suit. Notes: Citrus, Lavender, Rosemary, Vervain, Bulgarian Rose.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Available at Holt Renfrew.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.holtrenfrew.com/">www.holtrenfrew.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Drugstore Dad</b>: Old Spice</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIzSi0iZfszG0p9SJTDX_EJKlzWD4SxJlWTzEAq0l8QATI856-h8p_fkpoDw7VO1OnV_uPsMER9av8SeB_oV9BOtRvxi6ivsdiD9ebJwc3kQT4tlP6849_KLLvSK_165qnLUZdpVFeHZg/s1600/450px-Old_Spice_Original_jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIzSi0iZfszG0p9SJTDX_EJKlzWD4SxJlWTzEAq0l8QATI856-h8p_fkpoDw7VO1OnV_uPsMER9av8SeB_oV9BOtRvxi6ivsdiD9ebJwc3kQT4tlP6849_KLLvSK_165qnLUZdpVFeHZg/s320/450px-Old_Spice_Original_jpg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 13.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 13.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">T</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">his is one of the “cheap” colognes that I’d gladly wear any day. Originally created in 1937, this old staple is really quite a nicely constructed scent. Plus the bottle is actually quite cool. Notes: Orange, Spices, Carnation, Jasmine, Vanilla, Musk.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.oldspice.com/">www.oldspice.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Barbershop Dad</b>: Aveda Pure-Fume Tonic for Men</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMUUfB9Jw5SqubBcCe1TeQ8OJ8ZmGjH7zpaVf5ZkRjp3zWkqrlKcKe00Vw3U4FWU78l9v99PWf4lnVJfTby9LLSAVuFOx853WRy7idf0YzjxBzmW-KLogVrXQg-4FsNVVB4Fq6k8o46KY/s1600/aveda+pure-fume+for+men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMUUfB9Jw5SqubBcCe1TeQ8OJ8ZmGjH7zpaVf5ZkRjp3zWkqrlKcKe00Vw3U4FWU78l9v99PWf4lnVJfTby9LLSAVuFOx853WRy7idf0YzjxBzmW-KLogVrXQg-4FsNVVB4Fq6k8o46KY/s320/aveda+pure-fume+for+men.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spraying on this cologne is like spraying on that lingering scent you experience at an Aveda salon. I, for one, am a fan. And if your dad is a salon-loving kind of guy, he’ll be a fan too. Notes: Lavender, Citrus, Bergamot.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.aveda.com/">www.aveda.com</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Are you getting your dad cologne for Father's Day? If so what kind.... Or, what kind of cologne does/or did your dad wear? I'd love to know!</span></span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-80332062974930162362010-06-08T11:46:00.000-07:002010-06-09T14:12:46.539-07:00La Mer and Oceana for World Oceans Day<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am pleased to write to you about a special topic that is close to my heart. Today is <b>World Oceans Day</b>—a day for us to take stock of—celebrate and perhaps mourn—the state of our saltwater. Originally started in 1992, and officially declared by the United Nations in 2009, World Oceans Day seeks to bring attention to the sea’s vital ecosystem to help preserve its delicate habitats and wildlife.</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To commemorate this day, my favorite skincare company, La Mer, has released a special limited-edition, 100mL World Oceans Day “blue” Crème de la Mer jar and will make a $200,000 donation to Oceana, one of the world’s leading ocean advocacy organizations. This is the first time the company's iconic jar has been altered since it was originally created by founder Dr. Max Huber!</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj65WZ-dsO585HSAdQgvfVq3f9Ju5trfOsbNTzAfSYbpsCNWx33g0NZuaq6Kqok97nBKSW7Xv8Q5403L9Bg3NaNgxa1DeTfW0RP33QS3gJcjaKKb3mSmUQyfvQBjMxlpjp-SeerSUlr7P/s1600/2010+WOD+Creme+de+la+Mer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj65WZ-dsO585HSAdQgvfVq3f9Ju5trfOsbNTzAfSYbpsCNWx33g0NZuaq6Kqok97nBKSW7Xv8Q5403L9Bg3NaNgxa1DeTfW0RP33QS3gJcjaKKb3mSmUQyfvQBjMxlpjp-SeerSUlr7P/s400/2010+WOD+Creme+de+la+Mer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">La Mer’s reputation as one of the world’s finest skincare brands is built on its proprietary “miracle broth” formula, which is derived from a rare sea kelp harvested off the coast of California. Who better to align with Oceana to raise awareness and spread the message to their many, many customers.</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">And now, more than ever, the message needs to be spread.</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It seems as if no matter what media outlet we turn to right now we are faced with disheartening images of contaminated ocean, oil-drenched birds and once pristine beaches covered in a slick, tarry coating. This is truly our wake up call to take action and help protect the world’s seas. </span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, England is facing a one trillion-dollar debt, North America is only now showing signs of economic recovery, and even China is getting nervous about its economic outlook, but for obvious reasons the world’s spotlight has been thrust onto the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. When it really counts, we instinctively know that money woes dwarf in the shadow of an environmental disaster.</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But there is still hope. Organizations like Oceana are dedicated to providing real, scientifically-based and measurable solutions, and their efforts are felt all around the world. In their five-year partnership with Oceana, La Mer has donated over $500,000 to the organization’s sea expeditions, studies and preservation efforts.</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This year’s sizable donation will help support Oceana’s expansion into Belize. As Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless explains, “Because Belize has the second largest Barrier Reef in the world and is one of the jewels of the sea, anybody who thinks about the world’s oceans from a global perspective thinks about Belize.”</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">La Mer is also sponsoring a deep sea dive with Oceana’s spokesperson, January Jones. Please watch the video below to see the astonishingly beautiful waters of Belize and to learn more about the work that is being done there:</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rjYjadeZk4Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rjYjadeZk4Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am a firm believer that cosmetics companies such as La Mer can make a real difference. Beauty is not merely the effects of a creme (however amazing they might be), it is also core values and ethical practises. This special blue bottle will be your daily reminder that your purchases can help support good causes. There is no need to abandon luxury, but there is a need to support luxury that gives back.</span></span></span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Available in Canada exclusively at Holt Renfrew. </span></span></span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.theoceanproject.org/">www.theoceanproject.org</a></span></span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.oceana.org/">www.oceana.org</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.oceana.org/"> </a></span></span></span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.cremedelamer.com/">www.cremedelamer.com</a></span></span></span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.holtrenfrew.com/">www.holtrenfrew.com</a></span></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-36388377608634130152010-06-07T20:57:00.000-07:002010-06-07T20:57:43.349-07:00Salade Niçoise<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tonight we had the most glorious Salade Niçoise. It’s so amazing how simple and easy it is to eat elegant meals every night. I feel like I’m eating better than I ever have before, and I’m actually spending less doing it!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cXcuPsgYkMK1vBmCqXsq_GQYg4YX7_ky7XyLkBEVDQqAeoe3mq9fUeekIrw0NnIig2eQe2IX1y0o2QQiBdTRJz3zhlRpCUUOPiHIaToG6gNP6K4JcPpuvs6U4eABXr-qJ760gTClLo-m/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cXcuPsgYkMK1vBmCqXsq_GQYg4YX7_ky7XyLkBEVDQqAeoe3mq9fUeekIrw0NnIig2eQe2IX1y0o2QQiBdTRJz3zhlRpCUUOPiHIaToG6gNP6K4JcPpuvs6U4eABXr-qJ760gTClLo-m/s400/IMG_0805.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQbrRFsMKy8Oqetf9WLW43DWN5_Pt9S7NBUNsX95bsqhyphenhyphenoUudT27rtSufLr_CkQdNCck-PZiH97Kx9fQPGwy8TD4yJoj9G1Kcx3DGWbGiHeyeERVx-r2f8vFmY155frmWjyhPoHewIbCD/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQbrRFsMKy8Oqetf9WLW43DWN5_Pt9S7NBUNsX95bsqhyphenhyphenoUudT27rtSufLr_CkQdNCck-PZiH97Kx9fQPGwy8TD4yJoj9G1Kcx3DGWbGiHeyeERVx-r2f8vFmY155frmWjyhPoHewIbCD/s400/IMG_0806.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This salad is perfect because it brings together the best of the season while also providing lots of protein. I can’t wait until I can raid the farmers markets this summer to make it taste even better. Hint: Buy a bottle of Bonjour Brioche's salad dressing. It is AMAZING! (<a href="http://www.bonjourbrioche.com/">www.bonjourbrioche.com</a>); however, if you want the best restaurant version, go to Patachou (1120 Yonge Street, Toronto, 416-927-1105).</span></span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-68565816006570623672010-06-05T13:03:00.000-07:002010-06-05T13:03:54.364-07:00I Want, I Need<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">Paper-thin cotton cardigan</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Harder to find than you might think. I want a cardigan that is light as a feather. Ironically the price tag rises the thinner you go. I love this cashmere (no it’s not cotton, I know) option at Ralph Lauren Black Label, a steal at $399 USD:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpnYINqvqIFWumfWWnAi-kW-YCimRran-L-f8Wi2kAQdbTS5evQjq4cAacUWw1f0u71kGDu7duiOEjYRbidVDaoCuNGLcAkr0tEnLsETt7gMSmZBjBgYc8-1H6jxhs1C1KKnj57eoquKi/s1600/Ralph+Lauren+Black+Label+Cashmere+Cardigan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpnYINqvqIFWumfWWnAi-kW-YCimRran-L-f8Wi2kAQdbTS5evQjq4cAacUWw1f0u71kGDu7duiOEjYRbidVDaoCuNGLcAkr0tEnLsETt7gMSmZBjBgYc8-1H6jxhs1C1KKnj57eoquKi/s400/Ralph+Lauren+Black+Label+Cashmere+Cardigan.png" width="271" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3898654&fbn=Division%7CMen%7CSee+All&f=PAD%2FDivision%2FMen&kw=cardigan&parentPage=search">Cashmere cardigan by Ralph Lauren Black Label</a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This much less expensive option from American Apparel is great, too (is this company bankrupt?):</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOzMaPQwWvJwTKja4Br7ju0c-DriDo4qD3DzXSX2ZoZ30UgxHS_xc88wY-6MiZ3Tao_vpQY7frSqN4MkAf-qCNqpU9b7zrb-4HFqFHnq_TttSB0KpeNhrfbazmpbJA0s3lgpPpT6Ap5vE/s1600/American+Apparel+Tri-Blend+Cardigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOzMaPQwWvJwTKja4Br7ju0c-DriDo4qD3DzXSX2ZoZ30UgxHS_xc88wY-6MiZ3Tao_vpQY7frSqN4MkAf-qCNqpU9b7zrb-4HFqFHnq_TttSB0KpeNhrfbazmpbJA0s3lgpPpT6Ap5vE/s400/American+Apparel+Tri-Blend+Cardigan.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://store.americanapparel.ca/rsabr400w.html">Unisex Tri-Blend Fine Rib Cardigan in Athletic Grey by American Apparel</a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">Beat up camouflage cargo shorts</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I love the idea of wearing a rugged pair of camouflaged cargo shorts with other more preppy items. I might have to pick up this pair from Old Navy ($20!):</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcPElWKJVcnd9Zhka2YBtzYQoVsrWbJ6nil-_q2XeK36N7OhmZwTChgAnl3hN6QIJUYFuuD08HA2JyaqUooXDKUNc3FXG0w8rBDV2aZFYKKaWR-xkOupYqtZYerfcdmOcWJMs1c1JrMR7/s1600/Camo+Cargo+Shorts+Old+Navy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcPElWKJVcnd9Zhka2YBtzYQoVsrWbJ6nil-_q2XeK36N7OhmZwTChgAnl3hN6QIJUYFuuD08HA2JyaqUooXDKUNc3FXG0w8rBDV2aZFYKKaWR-xkOupYqtZYerfcdmOcWJMs1c1JrMR7/s400/Camo+Cargo+Shorts+Old+Navy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=26519&vid=1&pid=698967&scid=698967042">Cargo shorts in camo by Old Navy</a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">Geeky knapsack</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">How ridiculously amazing is this leather backpack from UK-based leather retailer Grafea? I absolutely love it—not only for its vintage good looks, but also for its obvious versatility. Backpack and briefcase AND messenger bag? I will own it:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGtCEyzGR_jjBfFZkHGzwuU-OJjJtzGJz4hkHrm3_lURV7NTQ72yMSpr_rbPt00bNgHQHSZqDMthQv485zOvcFWn9XyOkH3WloyNS35y0CkzFaAo83in1rLmc8iNtRpGRp7Ug-zKBOsSR/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+10.38.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGtCEyzGR_jjBfFZkHGzwuU-OJjJtzGJz4hkHrm3_lURV7NTQ72yMSpr_rbPt00bNgHQHSZqDMthQv485zOvcFWn9XyOkH3WloyNS35y0CkzFaAo83in1rLmc8iNtRpGRp7Ug-zKBOsSR/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+10.38.07+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.grafea.co.uk/shop/Old_School_Leather_Backpack.html">Postwar backpack by Grafea</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibP6MNp6O7oUmHKeSNJ_50V8IvvsGa4ks7kzkBDyeX9coIXVKQmVeRi2dqa1iZ4CjcvsGRmPVTynWZ98wT6VLKQvbyIq9XYOv1yBD4Gv7am8qUauJ1f_6GUvwrEQk4mR3D16_EVuKBlcz9/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+3.27.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibP6MNp6O7oUmHKeSNJ_50V8IvvsGa4ks7kzkBDyeX9coIXVKQmVeRi2dqa1iZ4CjcvsGRmPVTynWZ98wT6VLKQvbyIq9XYOv1yBD4Gv7am8qUauJ1f_6GUvwrEQk4mR3D16_EVuKBlcz9/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+3.27.13+PM.png" width="205" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Birkenstocks</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Flashback to good times. A must have!:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8ZcBv3nhifSbuT9OzLJlDk6XOYzrZEEKH26lv0cPSiskxY8wwW7s77zXsCay4FpCEQswShKWtjx6m3B8RIykMZH8G9RPvMXmbzIVdTGIbi3q3r_csdJ_bGD9sCPXxgxPXzdGGIltTCWj/s1600/Birkenstock+Arizona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8ZcBv3nhifSbuT9OzLJlDk6XOYzrZEEKH26lv0cPSiskxY8wwW7s77zXsCay4FpCEQswShKWtjx6m3B8RIykMZH8G9RPvMXmbzIVdTGIbi3q3r_csdJ_bGD9sCPXxgxPXzdGGIltTCWj/s320/Birkenstock+Arizona.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.birkenstock.ca/model/ARIZONA-1439-en.php">Arizona sandals by Birkenstock</a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Perfect white t-shirt</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Obviously the trend these days is everyday items made luxurious. How about these two options:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZ-r1XoQYumqlkG2BR9PCk9SV7jbJWRIPbd3AZ2iy_wRUGLd_XlEXt9nxt9nslRW7vrp7O9ZX9MxS1SgpMtI5I1po-Q9Xf1y4l9ANCrrKvuRU0qnCB2RNuiIp0ynhvq9mPLXTKNqB-d1y/s1600/James+Perse+V-neck+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZ-r1XoQYumqlkG2BR9PCk9SV7jbJWRIPbd3AZ2iy_wRUGLd_XlEXt9nxt9nslRW7vrp7O9ZX9MxS1SgpMtI5I1po-Q9Xf1y4l9ANCrrKvuRU0qnCB2RNuiIp0ynhvq9mPLXTKNqB-d1y/s400/James+Perse+V-neck+.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.jamesperse.com/men/short-sleeve-t-shirts/short-sleeve-v-neck/viewProduct.do?productId=prod470249">Short Sleeve V-Neck by James Perse</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVlrB0Hm9ldMdyMsSHROSp7eC2sqW4WY2qt2r5JDvpGo5olVYmw18EvDCl2V4KhPI2zcA6dZnWG2Mt7VhyY3ed-g5Q9CFikgCo5_6fZ1KfC-mUXh3N-3LB8hk3HJPTMFlJnR1xIi-VBj9/s1600/Pima+Cotton+Classic+T+by+Alexander+Wang.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVlrB0Hm9ldMdyMsSHROSp7eC2sqW4WY2qt2r5JDvpGo5olVYmw18EvDCl2V4KhPI2zcA6dZnWG2Mt7VhyY3ed-g5Q9CFikgCo5_6fZ1KfC-mUXh3N-3LB8hk3HJPTMFlJnR1xIi-VBj9/s400/Pima+Cotton+Classic+T+by+Alexander+Wang.png" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://shop.alexanderwang.com/shop/#/t/men/">Pima Cotton T-shirt by T by Alexander Wang</a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-65060898321169693722010-06-05T08:06:00.000-07:002010-06-05T08:09:33.266-07:00I Love Buffy Sainte-Marie<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can think of no other artist whose music is so honest, raw and original. In my opinion, Buffy Sainte-Marie deserves icon status right up there with the grand dames of diva-dom.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGp2h4xHG54uge7e4iiQqpUvwCO5_nq4EdBjgHtOwnygDqUpK0HGVT0P2lbSwYKjxsFGFcEENAitzGmqJ4WWD-1zFHXuqNLLIynynOc6ovS-YANKSLojViJ6VwOpZ05J4ihHy3E9KTTgw/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+10.08.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGp2h4xHG54uge7e4iiQqpUvwCO5_nq4EdBjgHtOwnygDqUpK0HGVT0P2lbSwYKjxsFGFcEENAitzGmqJ4WWD-1zFHXuqNLLIynynOc6ovS-YANKSLojViJ6VwOpZ05J4ihHy3E9KTTgw/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+10.08.21+AM.png" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I was a teenager I listened to music as if I were an active participant in the creation of the sound. It meant so much to me—possibly because the experience was as much a self discovery–process as simply an aural one.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don’t know when my undivided attention to music tuned out, even if there have been bright spots along the way (Robyn, Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, Feist, Carla Bruni—KATE BUSH); however, Buffy reinvigorated my sense of music and discovery. It’s been quite a challenge to round up her old recordings, but little by little I’m getting it done. Look at some of her stunning album art:</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4U3r9nlR5VmLLK3faSssDTNbWQico-fhyvUwuXwhPn_TWAlGFTa-di-jxzthruj5NWXZjBTlQjzyG04svsQTT0lAsoTbr3AAJK3hqU1jpQNyzFWiaEqDeEnU61LeeQkj2Y6j25ag2Cy3/s1600/99436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4U3r9nlR5VmLLK3faSssDTNbWQico-fhyvUwuXwhPn_TWAlGFTa-di-jxzthruj5NWXZjBTlQjzyG04svsQTT0lAsoTbr3AAJK3hqU1jpQNyzFWiaEqDeEnU61LeeQkj2Y6j25ag2Cy3/s400/99436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6DABoIgOfM6n7fEXQcTi17vucpCOdxtdLczIC_p1JBM89PoPAHqW4bszd5CRIVp8eEPiVpxYZHEDPJ99AUzmN3OH6pKMrUeidZPUijUy-17XduHuASUr1woQju2Xd9I8-6_UP00BDOW1/s1600/Buffy+Sainte-Marie+-+Little+Wheel+Spin+And+Spin+-+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6DABoIgOfM6n7fEXQcTi17vucpCOdxtdLczIC_p1JBM89PoPAHqW4bszd5CRIVp8eEPiVpxYZHEDPJ99AUzmN3OH6pKMrUeidZPUijUy-17XduHuASUr1woQju2Xd9I8-6_UP00BDOW1/s400/Buffy+Sainte-Marie+-+Little+Wheel+Spin+And+Spin+-+front.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YK2H8jIJ66LTTvOqLyv-K0Pzdlt_Efca3XPCV7IoYfrHNtXJhR2K7fbfTYVVNgU7SdqgAqqbFyGlTUSytyY-4lXfHO8BdNdKUh7XNeybNEUvKZxx7heQlHqkXY-LFFA7-qSKDuWz6LxD/s1600/buffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YK2H8jIJ66LTTvOqLyv-K0Pzdlt_Efca3XPCV7IoYfrHNtXJhR2K7fbfTYVVNgU7SdqgAqqbFyGlTUSytyY-4lXfHO8BdNdKUh7XNeybNEUvKZxx7heQlHqkXY-LFFA7-qSKDuWz6LxD/s400/buffy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xc9ILOJCg-f7zW2Ny4slUPeOOQJjxoyY2O3mS1Rn1l5tHy6gTp_BFLW88oX_8EUeQRT9hyS9m7UdMnqp5jidavC6utHRNd5XogUdlKS2bslUXLD1-LycSad_AU40880zys_Ti367Y_9V/s1600/illum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xc9ILOJCg-f7zW2Ny4slUPeOOQJjxoyY2O3mS1Rn1l5tHy6gTp_BFLW88oX_8EUeQRT9hyS9m7UdMnqp5jidavC6utHRNd5XogUdlKS2bslUXLD1-LycSad_AU40880zys_Ti367Y_9V/s400/illum.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku6XZ9Q_6YF2tnTDi50rq93MnJRHPVUsSLZBhQMuI1e-xAnCNR9YQQUjsEW9plxQhQXCC1ab6B-Y1j0ZB2CKk5ghyphenhyphenuw8Prc08BQPb_BpChVQ0r6annVWYYSM6FLLIr7U4tXYNz8VGJ0n_/s1600/Buffy-Sainte-Marie-Buffy--Changing-W-437422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku6XZ9Q_6YF2tnTDi50rq93MnJRHPVUsSLZBhQMuI1e-xAnCNR9YQQUjsEW9plxQhQXCC1ab6B-Y1j0ZB2CKk5ghyphenhyphenuw8Prc08BQPb_BpChVQ0r6annVWYYSM6FLLIr7U4tXYNz8VGJ0n_/s400/Buffy-Sainte-Marie-Buffy--Changing-W-437422.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is hard to describe Buffy Sainte-Marie’s style. At any rate, it’s progressive, odd, political and original. Born in Saskatchewan on the Piapot Reserve, she was raised by distant relatives in the US and gained prominence as a singer-songwriter during the folk movement of the ‘60s. Perhaps this is where my affinity for her music comes from: a genetic attachment to Saskatchewan. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEDts84QftKhVSNSDwGNb6q_JZI7iGQSxCqszyiWPqyxE84skOuhaACyuKWHlDYgHUzTCTaCBY68j2ycha2n1kdb27rQ_nfGEIHMTfj0IJ6yCnE2pfxzitBWnUjCY9Qs6BSKukecBirY-/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+10.08.44+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEDts84QftKhVSNSDwGNb6q_JZI7iGQSxCqszyiWPqyxE84skOuhaACyuKWHlDYgHUzTCTaCBY68j2ycha2n1kdb27rQ_nfGEIHMTfj0IJ6yCnE2pfxzitBWnUjCY9Qs6BSKukecBirY-/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+10.08.44+AM.png" width="287" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think I started to cry when I first heard her song “Qu’appelle Valley, Saskatchewan.” It’s as if the lyrics are my own. It makes me homesick. Here’s a challenge to my Saskatchewan-born readers, listen to this song and tell me if it doesn’t capture the feeling you get when you enter the valley:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7sYKzSXhKBg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7sYKzSXhKBg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></span></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Sainte-Marie’s career is her ever-evolving style—she is able to transcend genres and be a pop star, folk-scene mover and shaker, educator, activist, American, Canadian, painter, singer/songwriter, and probably lots more. Her song “Universal Soldier” became an anti-war anthem of the ‘60s, yet her song “Till It’s Time For You To Go” —which was written in the same era— became a standard for Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand and Cher. She took a 16-year hiatus from recording after her 1976 album </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sweet America</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, however during that hiatus she won an Academy Award for writing “Up Where We Belong” for </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An Officer and a Gentleman</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_0DtgBcv1f3w5YA7uzF3E7N1FVp6Efn2GMx32Z-k-jvDc3YxjzQcwxi1SqYrlte3hI9TZjrDUhyjK1OBjqqxD9PmS5WBAko9QTRKAiewKIdQU2Q1m4hdaZ7uaEkDiiqsUInsNYYabMCz/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+10.11.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_0DtgBcv1f3w5YA7uzF3E7N1FVp6Efn2GMx32Z-k-jvDc3YxjzQcwxi1SqYrlte3hI9TZjrDUhyjK1OBjqqxD9PmS5WBAko9QTRKAiewKIdQU2Q1m4hdaZ7uaEkDiiqsUInsNYYabMCz/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-05+at+10.11.15+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here’s my dream Buffy Sainte-Marie playlist (most songs are available on iTunes):</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Now That The Buffalo’s Gone,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s My Way</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1964) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">This song packs so much information into just a few minutes. I challenge you to listen to it and not be outraged at the treatment of aboriginal people in North America.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It’s My Way,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s My Way</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1964)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Until It’s Time for You To Go,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many a Mile</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1965)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Little Wheel Spin and Spin,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Little Wheel Spin and Spin</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1966)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“My Country ‘Tis of thy People You’re Dying,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Little Wheel Spin and Spin</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1966)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Summer Boy,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fire & Fleet & Candlelight</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1967)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“97 Men in This Here Town Would Give Half a Grand in Silver” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fire & Fleet & Candlelight</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1967)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Lyke Wake Dirge,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fire & Fleet & Candlelight</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1967) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">This arrangement just goes to prove that Buffy is a touch crazy. It’s wacky, and very trippy at the same time—hard to believe it was recorded in the mid-1960s.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m Gonna Be a Country Girl Again,”</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I’m Gonna Be a Country Girl Again </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(1968) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Perhaps one of the best country songs ever written. I can’t believe it hasn’t been covered!</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The Piney Wood Hills,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m Gonna Be a Country Girl Again </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(1968)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“God is Alive, Magic is Afoot,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Illuminations</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1969) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Apparently Buffy simply freestyled the guitar arrangement while singing the lyrics to this Leonard Cohen poem. It’s truly one-of-a-kind.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Better To Find Out For Yourself,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Illuminations</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1969)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Adam,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Illuminations</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1969)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“She Used To Wanna Be a Ballerina,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She Used To Wanna Be a Ballerina</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1971)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Song of the French Partisan,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She Used To Wanna Be a Ballerina </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(1971)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Now You’ve Been Gone for a Long Time,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She Used To Wanna Be a Ballerina </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(1969) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">The emotion in her voice in this recording is astounding. In the last refrain she slows down her vibrato to sync with the rhythm of the song—unusual and effective.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“He’s an Indian Cowboy in the Rodeo,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Moonshot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1972)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Moonshot,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Moonshot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1972) Perhaps the most beautiful strings arrangement ever recorded.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Native North American Child,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Moonshot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1972)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“For Free,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quiet Places</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1973)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Just That Kind of Man,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quiet Places</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1973) This song really captures that enraptured feeling you get when you’re in a very robust physical relationship.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The Jewels of Hannalei,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quiet Places</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1973)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Can’t Believe the Feeling When You’re Gone,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Buffy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1974)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’ve Really Fallen For You,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Buffy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1974)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“(Hong Kong) Star Boy,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Buffy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1974)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Can’t You See The Way I Love You,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Changing Woman</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1975) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Listen to this song on headphones if possible; the vocal recording is amazing. And the lyrics: “Pheasant wings I sew to every memory; Every place you've touched me is embroidery." Wow!</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mongrel Pup,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Changing Woman</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1975)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“All Around The World,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Changing Woman</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1975)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sweet America,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sweet America</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1976)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Look At The Facts,” <i>Sweet America</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1976)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sweet January,” <i>Sweet America</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1976)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Qu’appelle Valley, Saskatchewan,” <i>Sweet America</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1976) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Perhaps the best song ever?</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I Been Down,” <i>Sweet America</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1975)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Starwalker,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coincidences and Likely Stories</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1992) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I like this version better than the one on </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sweet America</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. So much energy!</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The Priests of the Golden Bull,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coincidences and Likely Stories</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1992)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coincidences and Likely Stories</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1992) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">I get a lump in my throat every time I listen to this song. I think it's one of her best.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“To the Ends of the World,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Running for the Drum </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(2009) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I am planning on making a cover of this song. It's an instant classic, almost Morrissey-esque.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Still This Love Goes On,” </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Running for the Drum </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(2009)</span></span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Buffy Sainte-Marie was honoured last week with a Governor General’s Award for the Arts. I can think of nobody more deserving of this honour. And at age 68, she looks better than ever! PLEASE MAKE SEVERAL MORE ALBUMS, BUFFY!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C-lMNIfhcZhY-_oToOIPKuWvJeIe-qRNJazxSwsD2wfs4lMMza5JsAVkwhuzAlH8n77sM8z_Nx8gL8zcx6QhDtgITQeellhGRHdDSwZN15SdM5ePyetgro_AXtcfni_htzKFWYj0jElb/s1600/3396424678_8067470509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C-lMNIfhcZhY-_oToOIPKuWvJeIe-qRNJazxSwsD2wfs4lMMza5JsAVkwhuzAlH8n77sM8z_Nx8gL8zcx6QhDtgITQeellhGRHdDSwZN15SdM5ePyetgro_AXtcfni_htzKFWYj0jElb/s400/3396424678_8067470509.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-84318207118753018852010-06-04T11:43:00.000-07:002010-06-04T12:01:53.418-07:00Current Obsession: Panna Cotta in a Fancy Cup<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Welcome to my latest obsession: Panna cotta. I made this delectable dessert last night. For some reason I doubled the recipe and ran out of ramekins, so I reached for whatever other vessel I had available. Luckily my roommate J owns two almost Rococo tea cups. What a perfect combo—a rich dessert in a gilded cup.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoJhOwwLt8LxpsrOHdKiWAgJEkq6AAEWEhczsHUn59p5tya7E9p8KB6wU6brwvrXlMOAW1y76mOLECW1LNGd3yAuSlmGQI-voq63wSgJ2r5BerUwEwuWALzTDMhFOvveg4yne5o_tJSZB/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoJhOwwLt8LxpsrOHdKiWAgJEkq6AAEWEhczsHUn59p5tya7E9p8KB6wU6brwvrXlMOAW1y76mOLECW1LNGd3yAuSlmGQI-voq63wSgJ2r5BerUwEwuWALzTDMhFOvveg4yne5o_tJSZB/s400/photo-4.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For those of you who’ve never made panna cotta, it truly is the most elegant and easy-to-make dessert in the world. I served mine with basil puree and rhubarb sorbet, however it goes with just about anything (chocolate, any fruit, caramel, etc.) Here is the recipe I used:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 cups heavy cream</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 package of gelatin</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 vanilla bean</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In a medium sauce pan, sprinkle gelatin over one cup of the cream and let stand for five minutes. Turn the heat to low and stir the mixture until the gelatin completely dissolves (3-5 minutes). Add the rest of the cream and the vanilla bean (scraped out seeds plus the bean) and continue to stir over medium heat until steam begins to rise from the mixture. At this point, remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes. (The top might set up a bit during this time, so give the mixture the occasional stir.) Transfer to ramekins and refridgerate until firm. And enjoy!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-80331186806557974042010-06-01T22:46:00.000-07:002010-06-01T22:46:41.326-07:00Summer of Salads, day 2<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On today’s menu:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1omePTf6K0rMfEYR2963lD3erEEWdP8HtQDRbL8nPx-kpLFnXHa5Tn2tCR9j8bwGJ00LImR_g0I6t5Cd-jZA_xGobgTAiXrA2cvZY_CuZRPXsNmdac7m4Lq0JI9CU2OyD0Zf_fmszu5fo/s1600/mushroom+salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1omePTf6K0rMfEYR2963lD3erEEWdP8HtQDRbL8nPx-kpLFnXHa5Tn2tCR9j8bwGJ00LImR_g0I6t5Cd-jZA_xGobgTAiXrA2cvZY_CuZRPXsNmdac7m4Lq0JI9CU2OyD0Zf_fmszu5fo/s400/mushroom+salad.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTb6-M8DcS4oBLJ-Mw6BRgXbk1eW_yTfXraziAlT8slYy4TsIM2opOos-XoR4MRhqG_iaSUYpMfiRT-4qYfGfeevF7xbG65lwh855z_zecifjhi3dN-3sJK-lhIWmpARf43-YL7X-Utmgp/s1600/salad+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTb6-M8DcS4oBLJ-Mw6BRgXbk1eW_yTfXraziAlT8slYy4TsIM2opOos-XoR4MRhqG_iaSUYpMfiRT-4qYfGfeevF7xbG65lwh855z_zecifjhi3dN-3sJK-lhIWmpARf43-YL7X-Utmgp/s400/salad+close+up.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Field greens+hearts of palm+Bonjour Brioche dressing+caramelized onion, herbes de provence and garlic roasted mushrooms, and brie de chèvre=divinity</span></span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-71839327732194139482010-06-01T11:33:00.000-07:002010-06-01T11:33:37.917-07:00Summer of Salads<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am lucky enough to live in the same building as four of my closest friends. We have been known to indulge in the finer things in life (fondue, caramel corn, high-fat sushi); however, this summer we have made a pact to strive to maintain our gourmand integrity while celebrating the produce of the season. This is our summer of salads.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The idea came to me when one of my culinary idols, Mark Bitman, wrote this amazing story, entitled “101 Simple Salads for the Season”, in the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">New York Times</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4phDYrwNM5iOB2pw7R7pOztgD07F5L1R560d93pLRkyAhmEhUfVCFwpCjtFolZWqEuo3R-ZN7Eiae3FGQ0JnBcChU-TLUyLC90ygA4Pw_9g4-Vu3lI5JWkbBpfs5tpO5JcN1-K3BD6bGM/s1600/salads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4phDYrwNM5iOB2pw7R7pOztgD07F5L1R560d93pLRkyAhmEhUfVCFwpCjtFolZWqEuo3R-ZN7Eiae3FGQ0JnBcChU-TLUyLC90ygA4Pw_9g4-Vu3lI5JWkbBpfs5tpO5JcN1-K3BD6bGM/s400/salads.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/dining/22mlist.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/dining/22mlist.html</span></span></a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Who doesn’t want to eat like that? I do admit that in the past year I’ve redefined my diet—and as a result I have lost several pounds. And the key to my success is primarily salads for dinner. I make it count, which means no skimping, but when I’m done my salad—save a glass of wine or a coffee in the evening—I’m done eating for the night. If I go to be a little hungry, so be it.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, the transition to exploring creative salad options for the summer is not far fetched. It just takes a little bit of planning. I recommend buying enough salad ingredients for a week’s worth of meals. Having to pick up missing ingredients is a motivation killer. I also recommend going all out. Eat lots. Lots of good stuff is simply lots of good stuff.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last night we made a divine salad—it might not exactly qualify as diet food material, but it was delicious:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkotcKP2EJnf7Ugsn_uRf9P4kZ3b65wRJ6H_uVN9gEJhaZ-pi0d87RbGIzS_U-VgcYVYr8Bh394b_eroisWZP4dW4UvxgH5LR7Gv4dmmCuuDNr5EueUeHNKGngu5bJhjMqBMMsz4vzexB/s1600/summer+of+salads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkotcKP2EJnf7Ugsn_uRf9P4kZ3b65wRJ6H_uVN9gEJhaZ-pi0d87RbGIzS_U-VgcYVYr8Bh394b_eroisWZP4dW4UvxgH5LR7Gv4dmmCuuDNr5EueUeHNKGngu5bJhjMqBMMsz4vzexB/s400/summer+of+salads.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spinach+poppy dressing+green apples+red onions+cranberries+toasted walnuts+brie de chèvre= amazingness</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ll document our journey, and please share your own salad recipes with me, I’d love to try them out!</span></span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-14570375806916229362010-05-25T07:43:00.000-07:002010-05-25T07:43:07.035-07:00Current Obsession: Cole Haan<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This weekend I stepped into <a href="http://www.colehaan.com/">Cole Haan</a> to take a quick gander at their summer offerings, and, to the surprise of both me and my very discerning fashion friend, I fell in love with the American-classic styles and very affordable price tags!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take a look at these very tempting current offerings:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT1ZoxqEEDJ4YD-7rl3ZPUmVkBLk7dTBUwmiJg9fnu7BUGdtCGrwY9FOGiXWK0bfzGpX6wX2YnhEw4yJIhvAiA49tUzIHdqMKy3r3HY6j2Xapbepgtp0kB7aAfaTBLaTwagUdqQoTR_w6/s1600/Air+Grant.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT1ZoxqEEDJ4YD-7rl3ZPUmVkBLk7dTBUwmiJg9fnu7BUGdtCGrwY9FOGiXWK0bfzGpX6wX2YnhEw4yJIhvAiA49tUzIHdqMKy3r3HY6j2Xapbepgtp0kB7aAfaTBLaTwagUdqQoTR_w6/s400/Air+Grant.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Air Grant. An amazing driving shoe, light as a feather and well priced at under $150.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVaEhG81t_kpedYyiRZCvNIYMAvwo6djCvKlWwYOTQKID_fWoheBDiCiCL25Ocv6fw4FpUhmZBptgCtjkHrebEgHs5SEobLJNScqjzJpNgkdtayXS0cSMU9_-8VwhoYbEwNaokg2dCeCc/s1600/Air+Yacht+Club+Boat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVaEhG81t_kpedYyiRZCvNIYMAvwo6djCvKlWwYOTQKID_fWoheBDiCiCL25Ocv6fw4FpUhmZBptgCtjkHrebEgHs5SEobLJNScqjzJpNgkdtayXS0cSMU9_-8VwhoYbEwNaokg2dCeCc/s400/Air+Yacht+Club+Boat.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Air Yacht Club Boat. I love this washed-out dove grey colour. Looks like you've had them for years.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4HwSNBtphlao5S5KAaNo4NwGMcnORZ0-ge50eO6ZhiYF9RhVJwRHoy91TTa45fn86-jcpNddcX31PD4tUbm-lMiRwphvfAb61zRto2h7QeLIvbjkJng72Kcn7ohgt7TaOQfPAareA1R3/s1600/Air+Yacht+Club+Canoe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4HwSNBtphlao5S5KAaNo4NwGMcnORZ0-ge50eO6ZhiYF9RhVJwRHoy91TTa45fn86-jcpNddcX31PD4tUbm-lMiRwphvfAb61zRto2h7QeLIvbjkJng72Kcn7ohgt7TaOQfPAareA1R3/s400/Air+Yacht+Club+Canoe.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Air Yacht Club Canoe. All-American classics call for all-American colours.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzIDqBj3eVxc5xQFwHrF3fH9tsVWcHU_GsxaFmBpm1P06w_Q5kJNNxkaMDwYue5ljTR9DCqPYVNA3tU24nKgdD-XY9DilskseOcADXYfkqjSDjOhM-NNUDyYdQxiL4Q4MFvIVh08aY6nw/s1600/Air+Colton+Saddle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzIDqBj3eVxc5xQFwHrF3fH9tsVWcHU_GsxaFmBpm1P06w_Q5kJNNxkaMDwYue5ljTR9DCqPYVNA3tU24nKgdD-XY9DilskseOcADXYfkqjSDjOhM-NNUDyYdQxiL4Q4MFvIVh08aY6nw/s400/Air+Colton+Saddle.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Air Colton Saddle. A classic saddle shoe with the added comfort of Nike Air soles—what more could you want?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd6hBk0xtt151wr6XxyCFvkCH-mgQCFwDVjkrhnDdsVUQ2gGtUyUAGzwC89rKsXNKm8Kv84p9iP2RQ8AENnZZ2pQkoe7Mda-9497Ft1IBA40yl7ixBr9hdn6AvHhNLRj2Z5vWnwu9pKyu/s1600/High+Hat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd6hBk0xtt151wr6XxyCFvkCH-mgQCFwDVjkrhnDdsVUQ2gGtUyUAGzwC89rKsXNKm8Kv84p9iP2RQ8AENnZZ2pQkoe7Mda-9497Ft1IBA40yl7ixBr9hdn6AvHhNLRj2Z5vWnwu9pKyu/s320/High+Hat.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">High Hat. There is something very Rockefeller about these boots. Walking sticks and top hats extra.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTy-ymUHqKbDFtfqx631ushQWDmCVUj7sFoxqOBGb4oWg_3Qbm4D32HDwxZcxngDIPj-586bvjLOTS41hSDFp_Xp_AccKoU2_xm9OiXbxx8f13HTvCB8ddcC-St_lKFEjBxKMxvDopSzA/s1600/Woven+Braces.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTy-ymUHqKbDFtfqx631ushQWDmCVUj7sFoxqOBGb4oWg_3Qbm4D32HDwxZcxngDIPj-586bvjLOTS41hSDFp_Xp_AccKoU2_xm9OiXbxx8f13HTvCB8ddcC-St_lKFEjBxKMxvDopSzA/s400/Woven+Braces.png" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Woven braces. I don't have a nice pair of braces. These would be a good start.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fRrJ4Dap_hwcHtRpgCwipmGMYbYXgguiGBSpW_yrlwRkyj7AZF3-A92k6LiXLFweOqTZagmmvpC_aOmJv7tYEXjoXwUXTR77a56r2AfESKDkQRu0dxtH871fHHpla68goeyQ_xZX_rzZ/s1600/Portage+Shave+Kit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fRrJ4Dap_hwcHtRpgCwipmGMYbYXgguiGBSpW_yrlwRkyj7AZF3-A92k6LiXLFweOqTZagmmvpC_aOmJv7tYEXjoXwUXTR77a56r2AfESKDkQRu0dxtH871fHHpla68goeyQ_xZX_rzZ/s320/Portage+Shave+Kit.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Portage Shaving Kit. I'm always on the lookout for a great toiletries bag—this is so chic!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the pièce de résistance:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq9sUxIIXvMAaAP2sSNq35ebdk6H9_lBUbU1XRPbuj6drlAl0KG6y_Ts5av7Y7pSxAQgj4KPlLeHh7pIehhE4LUKIwfjNvE81BdvLAmIRB9b-hj6gx0pH85IzkpejIfh4P3jZqBGPJgRc/s1600/Tote+Front.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq9sUxIIXvMAaAP2sSNq35ebdk6H9_lBUbU1XRPbuj6drlAl0KG6y_Ts5av7Y7pSxAQgj4KPlLeHh7pIehhE4LUKIwfjNvE81BdvLAmIRB9b-hj6gx0pH85IzkpejIfh4P3jZqBGPJgRc/s400/Tote+Front.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Canvas and Leather Tote. Perfection. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjngAp2BfkyenLRu9qt3x-FyT3zUsvLJ02HPShXHwhyGSeqihBKoFc08MiM9sxv6UVq21X0t51BtOwbksLC3ACCKcV2M3YIKjLPxp-DEoia7BosNp7Jhr8M92kHm3CBD5FcQfSLixApu2/s1600/Tote+Side.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjngAp2BfkyenLRu9qt3x-FyT3zUsvLJ02HPShXHwhyGSeqihBKoFc08MiM9sxv6UVq21X0t51BtOwbksLC3ACCKcV2M3YIKjLPxp-DEoia7BosNp7Jhr8M92kHm3CBD5FcQfSLixApu2/s400/Tote+Side.png" width="272" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Side view. Slim enough to fall nicely on your side. Large enough to carry whatever it takes to get you through the day!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear Canvas and Leather Bag,</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will take you everywhere I go this summer. You’re the perfect bag because I can carry my gym clothes in you, or my laptop, or even groceries when I forget to take a reusable shopping bag.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love your colour and the fact you have handles and a shoulder strap.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yours truly,</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ricky from be-spoken</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">p.s. go on sale soon</span></span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-8673294764929482622010-05-23T10:29:00.000-07:002010-05-23T11:05:16.344-07:00Classy? The irony is killing me!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You’d be hard-pressed to find a classier guy than <a href="http://www.derekblasberg.com/">Derek Blasberg</a>. He’s smart, funny, handsome, a snappy dresser and a great host (if his mingling skills at the party recently thrown for him at The Bay’s luxury shopping mecca The Room are any indication). And with the recent release of his new book entitled—fittingly—</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, he is the authority on good behaviour.</span></span></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZOIjOZXYDISAO8ajJBfy3xzs45bfFaEmgiDI12TIyhru5_QqlKjpN8B3BhniwIxPgLHdp3KANZ4w8ayYvBKo6TdYIXoksQQNCiZ30Eelq8oBbkWdYm95fOQ9p_2qjpus0xMCxj3IOKF4/s1600/classy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZOIjOZXYDISAO8ajJBfy3xzs45bfFaEmgiDI12TIyhru5_QqlKjpN8B3BhniwIxPgLHdp3KANZ4w8ayYvBKo6TdYIXoksQQNCiZ30Eelq8oBbkWdYm95fOQ9p_2qjpus0xMCxj3IOKF4/s400/classy.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Buy it <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Classy-Derek-Blasberg/9781595142795-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527derek+blasberg%2527">HERE</a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enter Ricky, the authority on embarrassing behaviour: The day got off to a shaky start. At around noon I decided to smear a layer of self tanner onto my face, just like they to in <a href="http://sas.guidespot.com/bundles/guides_3s/assets/widget_c4SFrBQubaZ4QnM79CneFp.jpg">Hollywood</a>! It should be known that my bathroom is fully stocked with every kind of beauty product you could ever hope for: eye creams, hair tonics, bronzers, soaps, lotions. You name it, I’ve got it. Except recently purchased self tanner! Instead running to Shoppers Drug Mart to buy some <a href="http://www.lorealparis.ca/skincare/sunless/sublime-bronze.aspx">L’Oreal Sublime Bronze</a> (my go to) I rummaged through my stuff and found a tester of <a href="http://www.esteelauder.com/search/search.tmpl?query=self+tanning&x=0&y=0">Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Golden Perfection Selt-Tanning Lotion for Face</a>. This is actually one of the best self-tanning products on the market; however, when I squeezed it into my hands the consistency was runny and it smelled a little chemically. Did I turn back, wash my hands and forget about it? No. I continued to slather it on. And wait to see what happened.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Luckily, it turned out ok. I really should go buy some of that stuff. If it worked after sitting on my shelf for a year, imagine what a fresh bottle could do!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, my face turned out relatively bronzed and ready to go. Then the big dilemma arose: What to wear (c'mon Torontonians hardly ever get a chance to dress up), ! I chose one of my favorite combos: bright shirt, bow tie, dark jeans and a blazer. Simple, classy and very much ME. As I tied my bow tie, I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, “Classy, very classy indeed.” My pride quickly faded, though, as I boarded a streetcar and chugged along to The Bay while warding off stares of dismay from my local Leslievillians. Apparently nobody around here has ever seen a man wear patent leather shoes.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fast forward an hour or so to the actual party. For those of you who haven’t been to The Room at The Bay, you really are missing something spectacular. It’s truly one of the best shopping experiences in Toronto, if not Canada... if not THE WORLD. Nicholas Mellamphy, The Room’s artistic director, has created a little piece of fashion heaven. Naturally, the party was a success with all of Toronto’s fashion heavy hitters—including Stacey Kimmel and Suzanne Rogers (and me)—present swirling around in luxurious couture. My two friends, J and G looked amazing in their towering heels and perfect hair and makeup. We saw several people we knew and began to mingle.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">But I hadn’t eaten all day. And several glasses of white wine mysteriously found their way into my hands.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One glass of wine—I start to unwind. Two glasses—I start to get socially lubricated. Three glasses—I start to think I’m hilARious. I’m pretty sure I was well into my third glass by the time I met Derek. Needless to say I attempted several jokes to varying degrees of success, all the while not trying to spill my wine onto Mr. Blasberg’s nice suit. I told him that I needed a cute name, even cuter than Ricky. He suggested substituting an “i” for the “y.”</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbOec9xGQXwN0C1n_dhGzJwBZRgkzocH_0BXzQZokdjKQ-X1RU-Jc2W8Mzcq7_mW-WIi4ZZ73cZnQDnvVH8SuVUgdDJo0GqNdukWhIRfXP-P7M_30CjJwoVZzabyGbaGoTbwCrlAReS1V/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbOec9xGQXwN0C1n_dhGzJwBZRgkzocH_0BXzQZokdjKQ-X1RU-Jc2W8Mzcq7_mW-WIi4ZZ73cZnQDnvVH8SuVUgdDJo0GqNdukWhIRfXP-P7M_30CjJwoVZzabyGbaGoTbwCrlAReS1V/s400/IMG_0771.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3__M1zHU_yYaJcWxAbf3RrEKFrKb4IJvrgeN9L-Uyqm_q6-KVxe3L1lBaWRxJp7zQ_sUwD5iou5-fr8pAAHWl-GSpHe0-SiAea0ypFaOKD56sQu5xyucqVAbVKvZ5atje_zLsTnqPr4n/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3__M1zHU_yYaJcWxAbf3RrEKFrKb4IJvrgeN9L-Uyqm_q6-KVxe3L1lBaWRxJp7zQ_sUwD5iou5-fr8pAAHWl-GSpHe0-SiAea0ypFaOKD56sQu5xyucqVAbVKvZ5atje_zLsTnqPr4n/s400/IMG_0771.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My claws are grasping at this book like I'm scared it will be snatched away by the swag thief</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After meeting the lovely <a href="http://www.byrdiebell.com/">Byrdie Bell</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/monstermaltz">Lyle Maltz</a>, my friends and I decided to go home. But before we did, we made sure we said goodbye to our host. “Derek, we’re leaving," I said, "but before we go, I want your final verdict. Classy or trashy?”</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Ricky,” he replied (remembering names at parties is essential to being classy). He pointed at J and G. “Classy.” Then he pointed at me. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I interjected, “Trashy, right?”</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Derek nodded yes. I knew it! Thankfully I now have his perfect little robin’s egg blue manual to educate me on how to go from this:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oAzj4_6WByLiIuXPnwFZq1LRvAP2BEjxM5Nx7bgupuOMDlAzdIJGW1kGj_-Y7G8kKx-iy4CcTIl6yeDfd5rlmm7tvvgTeuTOAJTbsH7qEvz6X1V-LGrCuFz7mWDl_x4jkLxZLhU9kcN-/s1600/n508293495_77828_7290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oAzj4_6WByLiIuXPnwFZq1LRvAP2BEjxM5Nx7bgupuOMDlAzdIJGW1kGj_-Y7G8kKx-iy4CcTIl6yeDfd5rlmm7tvvgTeuTOAJTbsH7qEvz6X1V-LGrCuFz7mWDl_x4jkLxZLhU9kcN-/s400/n508293495_77828_7290.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To this:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedabhKJGQ4d3OikfVJ39uuiOh6EKDSt-avzmBNcLJ-ZI5suq6MJxY4NQJsYFeRRC_70bMqbVjd9Ks1S2RLvtc3nIyR-KJ2tZtg3kkB_u8rasCyKsY887yICA5HW5e8JG99FdePxc8L4C8/s1600/4537_97575878495_508293495_2559652_4608541_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedabhKJGQ4d3OikfVJ39uuiOh6EKDSt-avzmBNcLJ-ZI5suq6MJxY4NQJsYFeRRC_70bMqbVjd9Ks1S2RLvtc3nIyR-KJ2tZtg3kkB_u8rasCyKsY887yICA5HW5e8JG99FdePxc8L4C8/s400/4537_97575878495_508293495_2559652_4608541_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-30944078928314365232010-05-22T13:54:00.000-07:002010-05-29T07:36:33.742-07:00Current Obsession: Fratelle Carli Saponetta<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It’s really important to love your soap. It’s one of those daily necessities that can turn a routine into a ritual. For this very reason, I have secured a few months supply of my favorite soap—Fratelle Carli Saponetta:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXUNkWRpQhz15OwrizCcXKqpjLku7pjx-xNAyjn38guJ9xJ8bNMXqt5sHUdCDl_P_-i0UmSbTCnNWy0tnt-advrKS1WTLk1xeHK6Kw2rJtEZTPiR77hf4siEYi5ATrfnuiB1AvtAGB8TJ/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXUNkWRpQhz15OwrizCcXKqpjLku7pjx-xNAyjn38guJ9xJ8bNMXqt5sHUdCDl_P_-i0UmSbTCnNWy0tnt-advrKS1WTLk1xeHK6Kw2rJtEZTPiR77hf4siEYi5ATrfnuiB1AvtAGB8TJ/s400/IMG_0778.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now I buy it by the box!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I came across this wonderful lemon, herb and olive oil–scented soap quite by accident several years ago while rummaging through a sale area of a local Italian supermarket. I was instantly addicted to its amazing scent—which, incidentally, is how I think all men should smell after a shower—and used it up very quickly. Unfortunately, the supermarket I bought it from was out of business when I went back to stock up! So, like any obsessed consumer, I kept the wrapper in my dresser for years to help me remember the brand if I were to see it again.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Fast forward a few years: While browsing the amazing produce at Harvest Wagon in Rosedale and as if I was a bloodhound in search of the fallen rabbit, my nose lead me to my beloved Fratelle Carli Saponetta! It could have been the happiest day of my soap-loving life. Never again would I have to smell mass market.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I hope you have a soap that gives you this much pleasure on a daily basis. If you do, could you tell me what it is? I’d love to know.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.harvestwagon.com/">www.harvestwagon.com</a></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.oliocarli.com/">www.oliocarli.com</a></span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-75586329683779300112010-05-21T06:07:00.000-07:002010-05-21T07:00:46.372-07:00Five things I WISH I Couldn't Live Without<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Yoga</b>. I WISH I liked yoga more than I do, because I have a vision of me decked out in Lulu Lemon drinking lemon water and talking about my core to a woman named Lemon. And in this vision I always have a great body. It’s not that I dislike yoga, I just get easily discouraged and intimidated by the scene—ironically, it’s the same scene that attracts me, too. I have been checking out unlimited monthly packages at various establishments (if I go for it, I’ll submerge myself immediately) and 889 Yonge in Rosedale looks amazing! </span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.889yonge.com/">www.889yonge.com</a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcAuHGoHHpNlR0iXFIZP2h6NOKIg9lIR35s7UxcPFi6W9bVSmP3GGi0gpLJhDeY9Z8mG2w-Z4MOOJirc5QdXr3alXcusmtshr0uEsOw6tLztOdmr-FomWEWhyphenhyphenU9gb7PDwlnzLhgctzxjC/s1600/yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcAuHGoHHpNlR0iXFIZP2h6NOKIg9lIR35s7UxcPFi6W9bVSmP3GGi0gpLJhDeY9Z8mG2w-Z4MOOJirc5QdXr3alXcusmtshr0uEsOw6tLztOdmr-FomWEWhyphenhyphenU9gb7PDwlnzLhgctzxjC/s400/yoga.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That should be me</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Vitamins</b>. I recently had the chance to learn about a great new brand of health products launched at Shoppers Drug Mart called Bodylogix. Their vitamin lines are gender specific and contain AM and PM formulas. How ingenious! And the list of ingredients is a who’s who of the nutrient world, with guest appearances by saw palmetto, pumkin seed and pygeum bark extracts, green food concentrates, enzymes and lots more. Unlike other vitamins that tend to make me feel nauseas, these ones go down nicely with hardly any after taste. So why don’t I take them? I always forget! Bonus: When you buy any Bodylogix product you receive a pin number that gives you access to their amazing website, where you can find customized workouts and diet menus—I have no excuse. <a href="http://www.bodylogix.com/">www.bodylogix.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ydoKCHY5UDbS_G_VdiMbfOZLm-nCWkTM1YRXfzAOvSS9b7u3ZhS-5I0T25hR2G31G5AHTLSahWZk47vbXzFkHzH-3tsF6ZPNyjXLp4vmzN_g7pbjMCbOt16IZiu59qWRYW2jl8V-1Un4/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+8.23.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ydoKCHY5UDbS_G_VdiMbfOZLm-nCWkTM1YRXfzAOvSS9b7u3ZhS-5I0T25hR2G31G5AHTLSahWZk47vbXzFkHzH-3tsF6ZPNyjXLp4vmzN_g7pbjMCbOt16IZiu59qWRYW2jl8V-1Un4/s320/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+8.23.07+AM.png" width="188" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Paper correspondence</b>. I buy stationary all the time. And then I watch it disintegrate. I have every intention to be that person who sends letters, postcards and writes thank you notes. Unfortunately, to this point in my life, I’m not him.... yet. I think part of my problem is email: it’s just sooo easy to stay in touch digitally. Luckily I have found a wonderful website that incorporates the look of tradition stationary with the ease of email (they also sell the old-fashioned stuff, too... I can’t wait to order my customized letterhead asap): <a href="http://www.iomoi.com/">www.iomoi.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI2iqFKlpvTIfC35sQpTfqZoNwO3cQque7vibSWjp6elKzNhR5Xvr4xwEpRUqg89eS3qEmrEuh5AxBDpEAkfZNebetRa3YA-8rDnXXWYA3L9_-yLgxQga0dMCFM3ofaf7lsQYaNS1mWsX/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+8.27.54+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI2iqFKlpvTIfC35sQpTfqZoNwO3cQque7vibSWjp6elKzNhR5Xvr4xwEpRUqg89eS3qEmrEuh5AxBDpEAkfZNebetRa3YA-8rDnXXWYA3L9_-yLgxQga0dMCFM3ofaf7lsQYaNS1mWsX/s400/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+8.27.54+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_cHTshmxY58nTOhW2xi_iW-uQjvAY_SrRFBMEkk2rD-DzGpdnin0zAhiSqjB_vcT8v1Qub5oag8Cji0JwleQNr6ELEZeDkB-lXkkKa9gGhCQYYNSLFns2-lnwdADiCmKlzIg23XUndhk/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+8.28.24+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_cHTshmxY58nTOhW2xi_iW-uQjvAY_SrRFBMEkk2rD-DzGpdnin0zAhiSqjB_vcT8v1Qub5oag8Cji0JwleQNr6ELEZeDkB-lXkkKa9gGhCQYYNSLFns2-lnwdADiCmKlzIg23XUndhk/s400/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+8.28.24+AM.png" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Porter Cooper must be a classy man, but so am I! I need a calling card asap.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjHvtC4hVGvua8r8eGgLqjFozBfUBtNR-2I0WTOWmuc_l9UoMDMS1I2U17rQAs8RhyphenhyphenhS16_Jj_Pay19nUbaMrdRN8uwNe1YHvw2V1Szqw0tBU0JKudCQ8rsNvGgsR9u6gxyXw3QohMLez/s1600/image001-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjHvtC4hVGvua8r8eGgLqjFozBfUBtNR-2I0WTOWmuc_l9UoMDMS1I2U17rQAs8RhyphenhyphenhS16_Jj_Pay19nUbaMrdRN8uwNe1YHvw2V1Szqw0tBU0JKudCQ8rsNvGgsR9u6gxyXw3QohMLez/s320/image001-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My own calling card design not yet in production</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Last week my friend Amy sent me the most beautiful letter all the way from Australia. It was so nice to receive something other than a bill in the mail—I really love the retro envelop, too. I vow to write her back (and use up some of my stacks of beautiful paper).</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR7-iVCjmArG807dljMEbqt3JPdjG3sa6MjPtL4CuySLJRa35kD9wDKuvnONKReg57SlQh0B-mBQpWr8YUcXhmACg1z0h9_JGwaqq1uavPQ1eLw77Qj6830wiKvjJNYdyCZB2tB9L2O-t/s1600/IMG_0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR7-iVCjmArG807dljMEbqt3JPdjG3sa6MjPtL4CuySLJRa35kD9wDKuvnONKReg57SlQh0B-mBQpWr8YUcXhmACg1z0h9_JGwaqq1uavPQ1eLw77Qj6830wiKvjJNYdyCZB2tB9L2O-t/s400/IMG_0773.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexRYFUk7-vebBlEuAV5NB0e0AWyUrsCeHmDps5NgzS_XmtHN-sBRoYc3Ra22G9scI-gSHV02kf61o__vTeZg6UmntpYZNtLwbH7vU6bmEtd5SS60Rzl1x0Ipx-u_A3Nr_Kd6RI2N3PQuf/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexRYFUk7-vebBlEuAV5NB0e0AWyUrsCeHmDps5NgzS_XmtHN-sBRoYc3Ra22G9scI-gSHV02kf61o__vTeZg6UmntpYZNtLwbH7vU6bmEtd5SS60Rzl1x0Ipx-u_A3Nr_Kd6RI2N3PQuf/s400/IMG_0775.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tea</b>. I like tea, but I wish I LOVED tea. I love coffee and need it at regular intervals daily, but I really wish I loved tea just as much. And just like my stationary, for some reason I have a massive collection of beautiful teas on my shelf that I never use. One canister contains black tea spiked with lavender and rose petals! I even have the most gorgeous jasmine flower tea that unfurls from tiny balls into full blossoms. Do I drink them? NO. I didn’t even know a dedicated tea drinker until I moved to Toronto—where I come from it’s coffee, coffee, coffee. That being said, so far my favorite places in Toronto for a hot pot o’ tea are <a href="http://www.morocochocolat.com/">Moroco</a> (if I can resist their sipping chocolate), <a href="http://www.nadege-patisserie.com/">Nadège</a> (for their macaroons and <a href="http://www.kusmi.ca/">Kusmi</a> tea) and <a href="http://www.redrocketcoffee.com/">Red Rocket</a> (for their Chantilly Grey by <a href="http://www.teainthesahara.ca/">Tea in the Sahara</a>).</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF61KSfwUs5gpvcSLvfWQWYOl30TUc5Wx-TfvZ72OQTyYAqWRWXYfbA7WyXd0dNpzzFlCknUAFxsqHWYkVmtyV5n1EUXowB0dnX9hxU1CEbTz3-lpnpbYpIEyI878T6bmLZzgTbDczXn7Y/s1600/kusmi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF61KSfwUs5gpvcSLvfWQWYOl30TUc5Wx-TfvZ72OQTyYAqWRWXYfbA7WyXd0dNpzzFlCknUAFxsqHWYkVmtyV5n1EUXowB0dnX9hxU1CEbTz3-lpnpbYpIEyI878T6bmLZzgTbDczXn7Y/s320/kusmi.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>A book a week</b>. I used to read every day. I used to devour books. I now can’t even concentrate long enough to read a magazine article! I’ve gone down from a book a week to five books a year, if I’m lucky. This doesn’t stop me from browsing Chapters and buying the occasional novel, nope. So what’s the disconnect? I break it down to two factors: my favorite authors don’t put out too much material and I spend too much time on the computer. (Actually there is a third reason: I’m constantly looking for that “aha” moment in a book. I start so many that I never finish because I simply don’t feel like it’s going to move me in any way—damn you <i>Book of Negroes</i> for being so memorable, you make the other books quake in your presence.) I will solve this problem in a few way: first, take a book with me wherever I go and retrain myself to read in my downtime when I’m out and about; second, read before bed; third, try to get my book club going—I’m in the midst of organizing a good old-fashioned book club replete with fabulous members, amazing books, really tasty treats and good wine. Here are a few books I’m interested in reading this summer:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYdPVkR1X7s-7O7rzIYfgpI3l8cTrrhUbXjLDDhvSkBcUHmkIKzOcAMLjIAFD_VC7gJecvQdgGsLiu5rQhisy5X7A665YbS7-FkgI3qPOLOEyxlEZSg7wuoglWUqRD4x0k0yEItre02v0/s1600/yann_martel_april_7_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYdPVkR1X7s-7O7rzIYfgpI3l8cTrrhUbXjLDDhvSkBcUHmkIKzOcAMLjIAFD_VC7gJecvQdgGsLiu5rQhisy5X7A665YbS7-FkgI3qPOLOEyxlEZSg7wuoglWUqRD4x0k0yEItre02v0/s320/yann_martel_april_7_large.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've started this one before, but didn't finish. I love Roberston Davies, and LOVE a good trilogy!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What are some things you wish you couldn’t live without?</span></span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-39310966973733989002010-05-18T08:51:00.000-07:002010-05-18T08:51:35.286-07:00Ten things I can’t live without, as of May 13, 2010<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coffee, more specifically the Nespresso system. I need a cup or two each morning, and since this stuff is expensive, fancy and tailor-made for single servings, I don’t over-caffeinate. Favorite varieties include Fortissimo Lungo and Indriya—both are bold, spicy and perfect for Americano-sized cups.</span></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEb08-j6nUNlIAYIOxRQK52ka3G-ifc_BsTlIrEx0KZsSkwQ-HtIJcE6RN-J2Dsms3T3pEpaDxU21uzU2c6rzjeiKkT2Ow4KrdHbHjyj4flTEKCezmj862GIBTLCsbPyQ58QGw5XAH7ei/s1600/pacifica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEb08-j6nUNlIAYIOxRQK52ka3G-ifc_BsTlIrEx0KZsSkwQ-HtIJcE6RN-J2Dsms3T3pEpaDxU21uzU2c6rzjeiKkT2Ow4KrdHbHjyj4flTEKCezmj862GIBTLCsbPyQ58QGw5XAH7ei/s320/pacifica.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Clinique Skin Supplies for Men Non-Streak Bronzer. I’ve often thought about what my desert island cosmetic essential would be, and I always considered this item... but then I realized that I’d probably develop a pretty good tan on a desert island, thereby rendering a gel bronzer quite obsolete. Oh, those scenarios are so complicated, and I take them so seriously! I do wish this product contained sunscreen, though.</span></span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bqxMrJ43Eqez1LkrxQTqNkwymOT3yEwkiMLDAR81JGlRc0JhUgksE_sTDJR2CsUGl1JH9NjeDGl2In2tz89Aj1P0X0NLPZVQSDHMVKFO4LJY4hr7BRiT7gcRIch_1EPCMCSFr6W_oxHF/s1600/Non-Streak+Bronzer+Int%27l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bqxMrJ43Eqez1LkrxQTqNkwymOT3yEwkiMLDAR81JGlRc0JhUgksE_sTDJR2CsUGl1JH9NjeDGl2In2tz89Aj1P0X0NLPZVQSDHMVKFO4LJY4hr7BRiT7gcRIch_1EPCMCSFr6W_oxHF/s320/Non-Streak+Bronzer+Int%27l.jpg" width="184" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baléa 3 in 1 Cleansing Cloths. I recently came to terms with my lazy nature. Turns out I’m not as high maintenance as I once thought. The fact is I HATE washing my face at night! I know, seems terribly shameful for a beauty junkie, but it’s the truth. I keep a box of these amazing face wipes by my bed and “wash” my face with them as I lay in a semi-comatose state. They leave my skin clean and fresh, and they’re cheap!</span></span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG907nzn4cuDNmes59NMJdwWVNczJrHk4aRzbUticv2FeFZMbSNkeEYuhKvhOcOgd96FL1UOKrNwDVSYkjywEZCrukMq8HOBiI6bcvWLCUNlfDQsm3Jh-x2SJW87FTgUw5dXmrkWo_1JC/s1600/balea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG907nzn4cuDNmes59NMJdwWVNczJrHk4aRzbUticv2FeFZMbSNkeEYuhKvhOcOgd96FL1UOKrNwDVSYkjywEZCrukMq8HOBiI6bcvWLCUNlfDQsm3Jh-x2SJW87FTgUw5dXmrkWo_1JC/s320/balea.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gillette Razors. The best a man can get, enough said. (I will be blogging a bit more about Gillette’s new Fusion ProGlide razor in a day or two—it’s really good!)</span></span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAvd8hoxVk2SA-lvD1opXO_YhWxs8qDXxlzQCSaIwNH-qtY__uqHmUYrXmCjbLeg_hXTtzEe5TlENhwUCfNgwhA37D4azWkqccwUZhwz4h3nSBwc7lvtNk8C12nGNZ_oaw4QzumH-Pq1J/s1600/Gillette+Fusion+ProGlide+Power+-+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAvd8hoxVk2SA-lvD1opXO_YhWxs8qDXxlzQCSaIwNH-qtY__uqHmUYrXmCjbLeg_hXTtzEe5TlENhwUCfNgwhA37D4azWkqccwUZhwz4h3nSBwc7lvtNk8C12nGNZ_oaw4QzumH-Pq1J/s320/Gillette+Fusion+ProGlide+Power+-+back.jpg" width="114" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My Vespa and my bike. Seems as if I’m a two-wheel kind of guy. I’ve had my Vespa for a few years now and I absolutely love zipping around town in it. I truly think low emission scooters should slowly replace five seater cars holding one passenger. Just makes sense, right? Last year I bought a vintage Eaton’s Glider bike made by Raleigh and I LOVE it. </span></span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1mwVI-z4UJZubTgikhnz3DUGYGjUqhyqtTYa5eP03pidPacLzwF-x7VDi_jcxzxPILbvbifYv42a9gZbMnPg2o2CBUhfcFt2CBKfC28pQ57L4SKUM2Dder3h6ClXzqGClwzmM4tvnUUl/s1600/my+bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1mwVI-z4UJZubTgikhnz3DUGYGjUqhyqtTYa5eP03pidPacLzwF-x7VDi_jcxzxPILbvbifYv42a9gZbMnPg2o2CBUhfcFt2CBKfC28pQ57L4SKUM2Dder3h6ClXzqGClwzmM4tvnUUl/s320/my+bike.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(note my glamorous lifestyle: bike indoors, garbage can, recycling with high-sugar cereal in it)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My apartment. I absolutely love my imperfect apartment. It’s old and somewhat dingy, but it’s also charming and the consummate city residence. For every bad feature (questionable plumbing, cheap tile in the kitchen, there’s a good feature (high ceilings, big windows, lots of room). There’s something about the energy in my apartment that makes people want to convene there. And that makes me very happy.</span></span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJw1JFpo0TehhMTB8J0hP-J1LjESgtep94tm0PI_wdymmxx2yaE6MllWrYl4CF00IPf8noVonVFEslROarbC5W4BgL3160psDOfSTEii2-A8YJ5JecarolxJOkx-evdo-Y1Ph481qH6pH/s1600/my+kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJw1JFpo0TehhMTB8J0hP-J1LjESgtep94tm0PI_wdymmxx2yaE6MllWrYl4CF00IPf8noVonVFEslROarbC5W4BgL3160psDOfSTEii2-A8YJ5JecarolxJOkx-evdo-Y1Ph481qH6pH/s400/my+kitchen.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXVAOTNjkcQjjJI21k6y5_WaRCHO0mgxcRlgjSn2oJ_pe5f4lMReBrpRigvqE26zLdQSVd5cHRfPERirbo2q4zh9mBlFM_uSO5vXqWjGiSZHfTJlu-e85sf7Nx64LA6F8Gs4FS4VX1Vnl/s1600/my+living+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXVAOTNjkcQjjJI21k6y5_WaRCHO0mgxcRlgjSn2oJ_pe5f4lMReBrpRigvqE26zLdQSVd5cHRfPERirbo2q4zh9mBlFM_uSO5vXqWjGiSZHfTJlu-e85sf7Nx64LA6F8Gs4FS4VX1Vnl/s400/my+living+room.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My niece Versailles and my nephew Jacob. These two kids bring endless amounts of joy to me and my family. They are a constant source of laughter, wit and love. Versailles is currently very much into American Girl dolls (and her Cabbage Patch Kid named Sadie) and Jacob is a budding comic artist. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for these two!</span></span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQmZzFSGUhY7umfup1HuhhG-olK9mOli-L8VfLTPmSMA05NWGds-dhti5zw-kvlIdGhTlzpZ58oSLBFlCdJDfPsEKHy8DV_YIkLyV736kLZL10U9Echnd-MbQ7R_P19ZjNmUXmMqpGLdv/s1600/jacob+and+versailles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQmZzFSGUhY7umfup1HuhhG-olK9mOli-L8VfLTPmSMA05NWGds-dhti5zw-kvlIdGhTlzpZ58oSLBFlCdJDfPsEKHy8DV_YIkLyV736kLZL10U9Echnd-MbQ7R_P19ZjNmUXmMqpGLdv/s400/jacob+and+versailles.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Runners up: Red wine, Club Monaco, bagged salads, olive oil, perfect omelets, macaroons</span></span></span></div><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-88812831147577366992010-05-11T10:00:00.000-07:002010-05-11T10:00:47.887-07:00Flower Power<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I once said, “There’s nothing in the world I love more than fresh cut flowers.” Perhaps a bit of a hyperbole, but there’s a lot of truth in that statement.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Freshly cut flowers enliven any home. They are a true reflection of the season. Tulips, lilies, lilacs and peonies in spring, then lavender, freesia and sunflowers in summer.... the list goes on.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sometimes I splurge on my flower purchase, but most of the time I buy a simple bouquet from my local florist, scrap the greenery and baby’s breath and create elegant little vignettes like these ones:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYE9fsxExc5ji05mWv7KQJX41_Va1b6OoTjX4S1OVc6HbK4fbCWN3JFTZcFJc5tB0toqNTH4V6MnUnk15Fa_VwTM6lBb4ns0atwl9qTg8uu3te1AdT1MOBXkvGCwuSxVk-LVOuf7GA465/s1600/photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYE9fsxExc5ji05mWv7KQJX41_Va1b6OoTjX4S1OVc6HbK4fbCWN3JFTZcFJc5tB0toqNTH4V6MnUnk15Fa_VwTM6lBb4ns0atwl9qTg8uu3te1AdT1MOBXkvGCwuSxVk-LVOuf7GA465/s400/photo3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here are some beautiful blushing pink hydrangeas I just had to have:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPYJ5ziAbRuqwxMDkhr7YDx4DP3_Qg4SqFJa-v6W_xIF-ew-qFbCR9-36nqHFfwSlJucsvvSybYBu6dOPl5PoTCSR0f4R2G7iKWG2zEc3Q_B9du1B2GJfVu5HGOV1AF44yzKM1A4zZICG/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPYJ5ziAbRuqwxMDkhr7YDx4DP3_Qg4SqFJa-v6W_xIF-ew-qFbCR9-36nqHFfwSlJucsvvSybYBu6dOPl5PoTCSR0f4R2G7iKWG2zEc3Q_B9du1B2GJfVu5HGOV1AF44yzKM1A4zZICG/s400/photo.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Of course, nothing compares to experiencing living flowers in nature, but then again, nothing compares to a wide array of cut flowers inside, too!</span></span></span></div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153397875939994403.post-90922148283039232302010-04-21T20:22:00.000-07:002010-04-21T20:22:16.785-07:00Vintage Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jzfcTq-vidIxFoSAfODidUvk99YM1UYiiEkVc4RE7UDFBasLVNdPb_9ZK0_Ezgf-sZC0AdYrcbX7fv5NO79u07QqBlHFL0QVHe6heOSqRAgLWg8FuivwK9jBT1mvMqOLLgJoQSR48RKX/s1600/Grandma+Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jzfcTq-vidIxFoSAfODidUvk99YM1UYiiEkVc4RE7UDFBasLVNdPb_9ZK0_Ezgf-sZC0AdYrcbX7fv5NO79u07QqBlHFL0QVHe6heOSqRAgLWg8FuivwK9jBT1mvMqOLLgJoQSR48RKX/s640/Grandma+Z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Find the fashion lover in this photo: An easy task, given that my wonderful grandma Angela Zayshley is front-and-centre sporting a black-and-white dress, flat shoes and her trademark bright red hair. She is standing next to my grandpa and my dad on his wedding day. You can see tell-tale signs that this picture was taken in a small Saskatchewan town, from the festively decorated car with a plastic swan on the roof, to the expansive sky, to the grain elevator looming in the background. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I guess you could say my grandmother—she refused to be called “baba,” the typical name for a Ukrainian matriarch—went </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">against</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the grain. Her husband was a working man who preferred to live on his farm; my dad was a sort of Rockabilly guy replete with sideburns wearing a... what kind of collar is that? But my grandma was pure glamour. Even with a limited budget and not much access to great shopping, she turned out Fifth Avenue-worthy looks no matter what the occasion. Her sense of colour and adventure was truly original. It wasn’t odd to see her wearing hot pinks, glaring yellows and shimmering golds—maybe even in the same outfit. We’d often scratch our heads and wonder, “where did she </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">buy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> that?” </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have always been enthralled with her love of fashion and she inspires me to dress well every day. Many other people found her form of self-expression irresistible, too; however, several of her fellow small-town residents didn’t understand it. She dressed elegantly to replicate on the outside her inner joy and love of life; I don’t think many people around her loved life as much as she did.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My Grandma Zayshley just turned 93 this year. She still has red hair, and she still lives alone, keeping herself busy by caring for her immense wardrobe. If I were to knock on her door right now she would most definitely be wearing an unexpectedly chic ensemble. I once asked her who inspires her to dress the way she does. Her reply? “Me.” A true original.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here are some more of my favorite pictures of my grandma:</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXlKxV7MkyRSbtxN6BkarbN6WdmSdSzbl-I8j9N4sLWh6nidGfZk3DHCL794ZNiu8etoMkijrHC-vXOe3nqC3C6GqxzeKfSV5TMyYzQVgp3diUHeWPUPtBdVM0GZjX8YRm4pwLaVbOopi/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXlKxV7MkyRSbtxN6BkarbN6WdmSdSzbl-I8j9N4sLWh6nidGfZk3DHCL794ZNiu8etoMkijrHC-vXOe3nqC3C6GqxzeKfSV5TMyYzQVgp3diUHeWPUPtBdVM0GZjX8YRm4pwLaVbOopi/s640/IMG_0274.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my grandma and me Christmas 2008</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbf5MGrAi2zn5Ro4eqY2svqukFubT7NBF-iBHesXOz0kkCcZVpndUCkuFIf9vdzG6vuIbxx2P2FZMEGCoV2G-k2tOBFHL3lmqTFtrZfa3nDTBL6UJ8ubw82mcv3w6Kxp6jh9iJwJmYvnx/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbf5MGrAi2zn5Ro4eqY2svqukFubT7NBF-iBHesXOz0kkCcZVpndUCkuFIf9vdzG6vuIbxx2P2FZMEGCoV2G-k2tOBFHL3lmqTFtrZfa3nDTBL6UJ8ubw82mcv3w6Kxp6jh9iJwJmYvnx/s640/IMG_0627.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a painting I did of my grandma. She's a saint to me.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div>Rickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840898508035991380noreply@blogger.com2