{Blog Life} Tagged! A Little Bit About Me

Wow, I am horribly slow at keeping up with other blogs and whatnot! Way back in February (oy vay), Tanya of Dans le Townhouse tagged me for some blogging fun. I think a bunch of these games have gone around a bit recently so I don't even know if there are people left to tag, so I'm just going to skip that part and answer Tanya's questions and throw in my random facts so that ya'll get to know a bit more about me.

Tanya's Questions:

How much time do you devote to blogging each day?
Not a lot, clearly. Each week I try to spend a few hours to get posts ready for the week but I have a regular day job plus a part-time job where my schedule varies. That means I sometimes work weeknights once I'm done my day job and usually weekends if I'm around, so getting projects done to even write about here is impossible at times.

My biggest struggle though is just taking and uploading photos while the sun is out and then re-sizing/adjusting colours if needed. Once I have the photos ready to go, writing posts up is quick, but it's a slow process for me to get the photos taken and fixed up...

What do you think is the best room in your house/home/apartment/lean-to?
I'd have to say my bedroom since it's the most put together at the moment, which really isn't saying much. We're just starting to work on the house since we haven't changed much over the past 20 years, so I'm sure my opinion will change with time! (And pictures will come eventually as well, but remember the answer above!)

What is your favourite colour?
Blue!

What skill would you love to learn?
I would love to learn to sew. I didn't have a clue what was happening in grade 8 home ec and we ran out of time so I brought my unfinished boxer shorts home for my mom to finish! She's a pro at sewing so I've never had to but I should probably learn since I want to make pillow covers and whatnot.

Are you sentimental about stuff, or can you de-clutter with ease?
I am a total pack rat! I always say that I got the pack rat gene from my paternal grandfather who kept everything (newspapers, VHS tapes with random recordings, magazines, etc)! For me though, I keep things because of sentimentality or because I might need it one day. It never fails - as soon as I throw something out, I'll need it soon after, so I just deal with that by never throwing things away! I'm trying to de-clutter now though so that when I move I have less to sort through and less to bring with me as I have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. I also hate spending money knowing that I just had something so I try to avoid throwing away the still useful stuff.

Who is your favourite band/musician?
I can never just pick one! Mat Kearney, John Mayer, Jon McLaughlin, Maroon5, Take That, The Script, Sara Bareilles, Pixie Lott, and some of the remaining boybands from the late 90's/early 2000's... Their songs are catchy!

How do you organize your books? By colour? By theme?  Some personalized system?
I order mine by genre and then sometimes by size or based on what spine colours look better together. I'm very particular on the organization of my files and stuff, so now that I think about it, I'm surprised I'm so easy-going with my books lol.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I always struggle with this question in interviews! But since this isn't job related, I'll say, purchasing my condo! I've only paid 10% on it so far and I wish I had a (real) job earlier on so I'd have more saved to buy earlier, but hey, it's done now! It definitely won't hit me until I'm all moved in though.

Do you buy yourself fresh-cut flowers?
I would like to but my dad has a ton of plants around the house so it seems like a waste, even though we have way more vases than any household needs. When the condo is done, I plan on buying some for myself every once in a while. I can't keep plants alive so it'll be nice to have some fresh flowers every so often.

Do you screen your phone calls?
We don't have call display on the landline so we just pick up all calls even though our voicemail is capable of screening. On my cell I usually don't, unless I'm near a landline and then I will reject the call and call the person back on a landline lol. I'm on pay-as-you-go and text more, so I try to use a landline when I can.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you?
Ok, I know something funny must have happened in my lifetime, but I cannot remember anything! I have a terrible memory for these things and I've already been thinking about it for the past 4 days but to no avail. Maybe one day if I think of something I'll tell ya'll.

11 5 Random Facts
  • When I was a kid I swore that I would never drink coffee... then I got my first office job in my second year of university and kept falling asleep while reading scientific journal articles on the first day! Now I can't go a day without having caffeine, otherwise I get a headache! Terrible. It definitely helps perk me up though!
  • I watch a lot of TV. Like, everyone says they watch a lot, but seriously I watch A LOT. It's a problem I have, but I have to watch shows that air regularly on TV, then I have to watch shows that are not available in Canada (or are usually at least a year behind), plus Brit shows! I'm really behind on shows because I watch so many though and I'm talking months or even years, behind... It's hard to keep up!
  • I am definitely a night owl. I always set my alarm early to train myself to be an early riser, but it just can't happen. The snooze button (and sometimes accidentally, the off button) is too easy to hit in my sleep.
  • I wish I could be more stylish! I love reading fashion blogs, watching shows like 'What Not To Wear', and I know what styles I like on others, but I cannot for the life of me put myself together that nicely! Despite my mass amounts of clothing, it's a struggle to think of what to wear each day! Sometimes I wish I had my own personal stylist and hair/makeup people.
  • I love chocolate. Depending on the amount, it will disappear within a matter of minutes, hours or days of me spotting it if it's in the house. No one else even has a chance to taste it sometimes, I'm that quick!
I can't think of anymore. It was hard enough coming up with these ones so 5 is all you get this time around!

And just so this isn't all just text, here are some photos from 2 weeks ago when the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Mets 14 to 5! So many home runs that night, it was amaaazing!

Blue Jays at bat with the open roof at Skydome! (I hate calling it the Rogers Centre)

Enjoying the great weather/game/company and unlimited quantities of food! . The Jays running back in to bat

I *think* the Jays are at bat here... The white (Jays) and grey (Mets) look the same from a distance.

{At Home} No More Saggy Seating

Last summer I went around to a few stores with my parents in search of a new couch for the family room as the current one has been with us since about 1990? It's not too saggy or uncomfortable, but it sure is ugly to look at nowadays. We didn't find anything we loved and after sitting in so many in such a short period of time, they all felt the same so we took a break from shopping.

This past weekend my mom and I went out to look again and we ended up at the Sears furniture store since my mom really liked the quality of the leather we saw the last time we were there. After maybe 2.5 hours of hemming and hawing, we put our order in for Italsofa's Aquila sofa and reclining chair!

 We're getting the black three seater sofa. There are no good pictures of this couch online so I had to take a picture of the information card the saleslady gave me. I love the legs!

 I also took a photo of the photo I took on my phone (I don't know how to transfer photos to my computer lol). We really liked the high back and it's a recliner! Hopefully it's sturdy.

It's going to be delivered June 6th so we're going to be shifting couches around in the meantime. The current family room sofa and loveseat will go in the basement (although I don't think both will fit) and then the couch in the TV room in the basement will hit the curb!

I was originally against this couch because it seems a little to modern for our house, but my mom is thinking that it will eventually move with them when my parents downsize so it's a good size. Plus, it'll give me the kick-start I've been waiting for to finally tear down the wallpaper and chair rail we've had for as long as we've had the couches! I've probably wanted to repaint the room since the wallpaper went up! Gotta love 90's decor...
I don't tidy up for "before" photos lol. Makes the "after" more dramatic, hopefully!

I  am getting ahead of myself though. Even though the sofa and chair are coming next week, I have to paint a dresser before I even start thinking about touching the family room!

{Out & About} Springtime in the City

Another month, another trip to New York! Of the six days I was there, they were forecasting rain and thunderstorms for five. Luckily the weather changed for the better and it maybe drizzled for half a day? I love NYC in the spring! The summer is just too hot when you're sweating while standing on the sidewalks or waiting for a subway train (fingers crossed that it's air conditioned) to roll in because the station feels like a sauna.

I'm also not a fan of New York in the summer because of all the tourists that flock to the city, which I got a taste of last weekend. It bothers me in any city, but for whatever reason it aggravates me the most in NYC because regular New Yorkers are always in such a hurry, you'd think visitors would get the hint and NOT stop suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk to look up at the skyscrapers or take a photo of a family member who is also blocking the way! And must they really walk 4 people side by side along a busy sidewalk?! Half the time I end up walking on the street by the curb just to get away from everyone lol.

Anyways, I digress... Though I realize I titled this post "Springtime in the City", there are no outdoorsy pictures whatsoever. Oh well! On to some photos:

A sampling of the eight shows I saw this trip. 
(First Row) 'How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying': Say what you will about Nick Jonas, but he was terrific! A million times better than Darren Criss, though Daniel Radcliffe was still the best overall. 'Death of a Salesman': Phenomenal performances by the cast! 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes': Megan Hilty in another Marilyn Monroe related role and she was freakin' adorable, on stage and off! Love her.
(Second Row) 'The Best Man': Almost didn't see this because of the political topic, but I'm glad I did. Talk about amazing cast. 'Death of a Salesman's Biff: Andrew Garfield. 'One Man, Two Guvnors': I want to see it again! Love James Corden.
(Third Row) 'Newsies': Another great ensemble! Awesome seeing so many 'SYTYCD' dancers as well. 'Once': Haven't seen it on Broadway yet, but I loved it off-Broadway at the NYTW. Cristin Milioti has such an amazing voice. 'How To Succeed': Had to snap a shot before it closed (May 20).

Can't remember exactly which cold ramen noodles these are since the website is in Japanese and I can't find the English version, but it was tasty! Though I had the soup one and it did get salty after a while. But the deep fried oysters were delicious!

It was my second time being in the city during the Rebecca Minkoff Spring Sample Sale and this one was way crazier than my first time 2-3 years ago!

Girls were tossing bags around everywhere. There was absolutely no organization whatsoever this time around!
I wish I had gone earlier as it was slim pickin's by the time I went on the second and last days, but I still managed to find nice colour combinations for crossbody bags for Mandie and myself after a little digging. I was only supposed to go to pick up a bag for her since I had just bought another bag as a treat for myself (for getting switched from contract to permanent at work), but I couldn't not buy! Sigh...
 Georgetown Cupcake in SoHo! Pictured are my favourites, Red Velvet and Vanilla squared. Also pictured is the free Chocolate PB Chip which was one of 4 free cupcakes that I picked up over my stay! Because the premiere of the second season of 'DC Cupcakes' was airing on the 11th, instead of the limited 100 secret flavour cupcakes they usually have each day, the promo was for one free cupcake of your choice all day long!
 My $2.50 falafel at Mamoun's Falafel in Greenwich Village. When I walked in there was one guy who had just finished ordering and by the time I sat down with my order (1 min later because they are super speedy), there was a huge line of at least 30 people ordering nonstop.

The 7th Avenue Donut Shop in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It's like traveling back in time! I don't normally like crullers, but goodness it was so light and airy, I ate it before I could take a picture, obviously. Loved that behind us were 2 police officers. In a 24hour donut shop. In New York. Classic!
I love how the stools emerge from the bar!

And in less than a month, I'll be back! Not for theatre, but for a girls' weekend/bachelorette! I'm tired just thinking about it since we'll be cramming in eating, shopping, museums, other tourist attractions, and more eating, but at least we'll be staying in the city! No trekking to/from Brooklyn for me this time!

I really need to make non-New York related travel plans though... All my vacation days are being eaten up by these trips and I have another in the works for July for Shakespeare in the Park (Into The Woods with Amy Adams)!

{Eat} Shiso Tree Café

Hooo boy! I have not logged into Blogger in forever and I would like to say that my absence was due to all the progress I've made on projects, but that is definitely not the case! Just busy with work and life I suppose.

And that definitely doesn't stop me from eating! A few weeks ago I tried Shiso Tree Café for a second time and it was just as delicious as the first. Located in J-Town, it serves wafu pasta. That is, Japanese-style Italian pasta.

 All pastas come with a salad with wafu dressing.

 Soup of the day, Cream of Potato (I think).

 The remaining bits of the Okonomiyaki Fries. Completely forgot about taking a picture since we dug right into the deliciousness!

 Smoked Salmon Rosé.

Shrimp and Corn in Cream Sauce. This was good but I think I prefer the Shrimp Okonomiyaki from my first visit instead.

Green Tea Créme Brûlée. Why yes, this did taste as good as it looks/sounds! For reals, it was amazeballs.

Looking at these photos, it's no wonder my belly was so stuffed afterwards! But it was worth it! I'd go back just for the Green Tea Créme Brûlée!