an adventure at the kodak company: maybe knowing isn't the point

 

 

 

 

So we showed up at this destroyed broken-glass, spray paint, cracked pavement and charcoal building with with our shopping bags and beautiful Tibi dress. The whole time, I was like, 'Alright, I hope the squatters are nice.' Even though we tried to shoot fast, she got mild frostbite and I got a cold. Yes, it was worth it though. I'm learning more and more that letting go and having faith can lead to fantastic surprises.

Ish - this is perfect, isn't it?:
Choke by Chuck Palhniuk:
We can spend our lives letting the world tell us who we are.
Sane or insane.Saints or sex addicts.Heros or victims.
Letting history tell us how good or bad we are.
Or we can decide for ourselves.
And maybe its our job to invent something better.
It's creepy,but here we are,the crackpots of our time, trying to
establish our own alternate reality.To build a world out of rocks and chaos.
What it's going to be, I don't know.
Even after all that rushing around,where we've ended up is the middle of
nowhere in the middle of the night.
And maybe knowing isn't the point.
Where we're standing right now,in the ruins in the dark,
What we build could be anything.

We do not steer the courses of the heart.
In spite of what the self-sure stoics say,
the passions answer to a deeper art.

Words impose, aver, but slide apart -
on deep privations, dictums hold no sway.
We do not steer the courses of the heart.

The logic of the cold physician’s chart
will never sort their mysteries away,
for passions answer to a deeper art.

Ascetics to their impulses impart
a crude mortification - even they
could never steer the courses of the heart.

What subtle origins give them their start
our partial, apish memories mislay,
and so they answer to a deeper art.

By slow revision, they play their part;
not them to us, but we to them obey.
We do not steer the courses of the heart.
Our passions answer to a deeper art.

We do not steer the courses of the heart.
In spite of what the self-sure stoics say,
the passions answer to a deeper art.

Words impose, aver, but slide apart -
on deep privations, dictums hold no sway.
We do not steer the courses of the heart.

The logic of the cold physician’s chart
will never sort their mysteries away,
for passions answer to a deeper art.

Ascetics to their impulses impart
a crude mortification - even they
could never steer the courses of the heart.

What subtle origins give them their start
our partial, apish memories mislay,
and so they answer to a deeper art.

By slow revision, they play their part;
not them to us, but we to them obey.
We do not steer the courses of the heart.
Our passions answer to a deeper art.

Credits:
Ish: Model, makeup
Jen: Photographer, stylist, props maker
Dress: Rent Frock Repeat (founded by two awesome ladies in Toronto)
An adventure at the old Kodak Factory at Eglinton and Keele

Going down memory lane: bP Nichol Lane

There are some streets that bring back memories. This street is one of them for me. It’s the street that reminds me of the many university boys and many cigarettes smoked. But it is much more than my personal memories. This is BP Nichol Lane, named after the famous Canadian poet who left behind a huge archive of interesting poetry. Though, it is the four line poem carved into the concrete that leaves the largest impact on me.

To the left of me is the Coach House Press, a publishing company who has gone out of their way to publish literature that pushes boundaries. The cream building behind me, once used to be known as Rochdale Collage in the 60’s, a student run alternative educational institute/hippie commune which was closed down due to… well… neighbor complaints of out of control hippies. Given that the residents were made up of hedonistic idealists and clothing was optional in certain areas, I think it may have been a fun place to hang out.

The poem is so simple while at the same time, it conveys such large ideas and leaves me with a tinge of sadness. While hanging out there, Jen actually bumped into the guy who comes down and waters down the words once in a while. Our lake overflowed…

 During gorgeous summer nights, I find myself on this street often and I wish there were more streets in Toronto named after poets and authors. So that when we find ourselves on a random street, we suddenly come to remember a million little memories filled with stories, faces and words caught in time. For now, I will leave you with these words to ponder:

And remember,

Rainy days bring Sunshine!

Jen and Ish.

bp Nichol Lane
Bloor + Spadina

amazing macarons: La Bambouche Patisserie

... so as you can see from the bite marks in photo above, it's really hard to resist the macarons. Macarons that are made well have been really hard to find in Toronto, but I became a believer when I found La Bambouche! And they make awesome gifts! Perhaps for Mothers Day. Perhaps for Treat Yourself Day (everyday?) It's up to you.

The pastry artists/owners of this patisserie, Stephan Nason, was trained in French pastries, as well as Japanese cuisine. They specialize in fusion desserts, which is how you ended up with Asian flavors in a French pastry, like: 

Green tea and mango macaron tastes like their respective ice cream flavors. Which is awesome.

And ume (which is apparently pickled plum) with a sake filling actually tastes like sake! It's definitely odd to find it in dessert, but it's got a kick.

La Bambouche also has classic macaron flavors, like chocolate, vanilla, and my all time favorite:

 Just thinking about it makes me giddy. Hehehehehe!

La Bambouche has a patio just around Yonge and Elginton, which is ideal for coffee dates as the weather warms up since their lattes aren't bad either:

So until next time: 

There will be more flavors to try!

Much sunshine, 

Jen.

Photos by Jennifer Xu

La Bambouche

4 Manor Road East (+1 other location)

416-481-6735

Mon - Thurs: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Fri - Sat: 8:00 AM  - 11:00 PM

Sun:  8:00 AM  -   8:00 PM

OCTAVE: Gets your heart racing.

The cab’s flying at lightning speed through the streets, over the snow banks of late winter , to drop us off right in front of our little dancing haven for the night. But little did I expect what was inside. Instead of a murky, dark club where the ceilings were sure to sweat on me during the night, I stumbled in and I kid you not said to myself ‘ Holy Crap, its The Magic Kingdom’. Hundreds of intricate cranes hung from the ceiling along with handmade cherry blossoms while the walls were coated in massive paper flowers a la Georgia O’ Keefe. And all of it, glowing to the surreal qualities of black light.

This was all done by the very creative hands of two (+volunteers) of the coolest chicks in Toronto, Nici Villano and Morgan Ross, who have just started their party planning company OCTAVE. Tagline: Our goal above all is to get your feet stomping, your heart pounding and to support local artists. Come on out and see how we get er done.’

Let’s just say I danced so hard, I couldn’t feel my legs the next day. As for my heart, pounding and delighted. Partying in this space felt like, in a weird way…being at home…and all your friends came over ….and decked it out with cool art deco… and your favourite local dj (In this case, Toronto’s Ill Gates) came over to spin. Yes, that’s how good the ‘vibe’ created was. Cherry on top: There were performers, from hoop artists to dress up geishas (see below). I have my favourite party photographer, Andrija Dimitrijevic to thank for truly capturing the essence...

I just love the effort Nici and Morgan put in to creating a beautiful space to dance in. Their next event is a Japan Tsunami fundraiser, with 100% of the profits being donated. It’s on April 23 at Radiolaria, 1166 Dundas St. W. I asked Morgan if she had anything to add and she said ‘It’s all worth it just to see a lot of people dancing and having a great time.’ My heart just warmed up. They’ve got the great party recipe down.

Photography: Andrija D.

The Moment with Pretty Freedom

My friend Ramine, stylist and clothing store manager in Toronto stepped into Pretty Freedom, and said "Omg, fur." Racks and racks of pale-colored heaven. Tried it on, but finally said "No, I can't."

I'd like to call the feeling "The Moment." That moment of pure joy for that gorgeous item that has your name on it, followed by the moment of instant regret when your rational decision making kicks in. But I know Ramine will be back at the store. Actually, our whole crew of four will be back at the store. "The Visit" will happen, followed by another cheesy Oprah-title encapsulating the human experience like "The Exchange".

Antiqued jewelry here, bold sweaters there, blouses over that way, and I'm just like 'this might as well be my closet'.

Pretty Freedom is a vintage clothing store that is super stylish at the foot of Kensington Market, and Affordable. There's a huge variety of styles (that Jodee can direct you to. He's really modest, but he and his partner, Helena, have a great eye for putting things together). For instance check out this one that he and Ramine worked on.<3

=

Jovana shot this in a restaurant across the street Back Alley Grill with shockingly delicious pizza. As the model Ishrat put it, "Better than Italy". They also have live Jazz. And ribs. and steak. Using the sous vide. Yum. More on this later in the weeks.

You want to know something? This place is Affordable.

Jacket: $41. Boots: $65.

Glitter jacket: $55

Fur coat? >$150. Pants? $28.

All of this by the creative minds of Helena and Jodee. Every little corner of Pretty Freedom is aesthetically pleasureable to the eye, especially the boudoir-like changing room. Think intricate vintage mirrors and lace covered lamps dangling above you. I closed the curtains, pretended I was a 40’s pin up model and gave those mirrors some looks they won’t forget.

How did this happen? Before the store was built, Helena and Jodee joked about the ultimate dream of quitting their jobs and having their own businesses. Over wine, they talked about their favorite words in their native languages,’ Ilus’ in Tagalog meaning Freedom being Jodee's and ‘Malaya’ in Estonian meaning Pretty being Helena's. Time passed, and one day, Helena surprised Jodee with a business license for Pretty Freedom. So they did it. And Toronto needs to thank them for all their efforts in bringing some serious style to Toronto. They continue to give us a unique and accessible take on style and expression, and even luxury. And we'll continue to support them as the store grows.

Much love (and sunshine)!

from Ish, Jen, Jovana, and Ramine.

Details:

Pretty Freedom

167 Augusta Avenue
Kensington Market
Toronto ON, Canada

Tuesday - Sunday 12PM - 6PM
Monday Closed