Love Letter to a Contemporary Dancer

This week my incredibly talented cousin (and best friend in the entire world), Eleesha Drennan, won first prize at the International Solo Dance Theatre Festival in Stuggart, Germany. 

The competition was pretty fierce and intimidating, but she danced her little heart out and won first place for dance. Isn't that amazing?! I couldn't be more excited for her!

It's so hard to make it in the contemporary dance world, but she's doing it anyway!

(photo via NDC Wales)

In one month my husband and I are heading out to the UK to watch her perform with the National Dance Company of Wales, and watch the company perform her own choreography too. 

This will be the first time I'll get to see her performing live professionally. I can't wait!

Just a little bit in love with Florence Welch

Honestly. I'm completely smitten with her. She has a new album coming out November 7th and I'm so excited. The first single, What The Water Gave Me, is out and it's everything I hoped for... moody, dramatic, romantic, tortured... I just can't get enough of her incredible voice.

Have a listen....

Josee & Jon's Elegant Toronto Wedding

  On Saturday we celebrated the marriage of two dear friends of ours, and it was such a beautiful wedding! 

The wedding was held in an art gallery in Toronto's distillery district, which made for a very unique and modern backdrop.

One of my favourite details at this wedding was the flowers - the tables were covered with all sorts of vases and mason jars holding mostly single blooms and succulents. It was a gorgeous change from the traditional centerpiece.

 The food was amazing too... especially the dessert trio (much better than any wedding cake I've ever tasted!)

Oh and the champagne came with candied hibiscus flowers in them... so pretty!

All in all it was an incredibly stylish event, and I wish that I'd taken more pictures, but I was too busy enjoying myself : )

Congratulations again, Josee & Jon, you make such a beautiful couple.

oxo

Just like the movie Up.... but in real life!

How much fun is this project? 

Just like in the movie Up, this team of scientists/engineers lifted a 16 by 16-foot house using 300 massive helium balloons. 

They also set a new world record for the largest balloon cluster flight ever attempted.

I love science!

watch more about it here...

Montreal's own: Advika Ethical Clothing

Advika is a gorgeous ethical clothing line made here in Montreal.  

The fabrics are so soft and comfortable, and each piece can be worn in multiple ways. I have an Advika drawstring skirt that also works as a dress or a top. It is seriously one of my favourite clothing items that I own! 

The best part about Advika is that it is ethically produced and designed with sustainability as it's focus. Advika Clothing is made entirely from soy, bamboo, organic cotton & hemp.

Meet Jamie, the artist behind Advika. She is a beautiful soul, and a very old friend of mine. Jamie is one of the most charismatic and fun-loving people I have ever met. 

She puts so much love into all of her designs.... and you feel it when you wear one of her pieces.

I hope you check out her Etsy store, there is plenty more to see!

I'm so glad I discovered Nikki McClure

I am so happy to have discovered Nikki McClure. The more I read about her, and the more I look at her beautiful creations, the more in love and inspired I become. Her unique artwork is made from paper cut-outs. She uses an x-acto knife and carves out incredibly intricate designs from a single piece of paper.
I just love the feeling of these images. She captures simple, precious moments of everyday life, which also evoke feelings of a much deeper, more complex beauty and symbolism.

If you have a minute, watch this little video to see how she makes her amazingly intricate paper cut-outs. It's really interesting... Her art, her small independent business, her entire lifestyle, it's all so inspiring!


Nikki McClure by Dicky Dahl from PatCastaldo on Vimeo.

See her website here. She has so many incredible posters, calendars, books and cards. I Especially love this journal (which I just ordered online).

Like I said before, I'm so happy to have discovered her!

I heart Demetri Martin

I just love comedian/musician/artist/actor Demetri Martin. He's sweet, smart and adorably funny. Did you know that he dropped out of NYU law school in his final year to pursue a career in comedy?

I love the subtle humor of his drawings and his flip-art.

Meet Russe

This is Russe (Ron Schwartz)
He lives in Vancouver.
He's an all-around great guy.
He is also a very talented painter and graphic designer.

I like his art. A lot.

Check out his website, and his blog.

All paintings by Ron Schwartz: 1. Four Seasons: Summer, 2. Forest Greens, 3. Two Boat

Meet Sylvie and her well-seasoned book of recipes

This is Sylvie. She is a very multi-talented woman. She worked as a cook for several years on a tree planting base camp in British Columbia. Working in a small mobile kitchen, and having to feed masses of ravenous tree planters, this girl certainly gained a lifetime of cooking experience. This is Sylvie's book of tried and true recipes. I LOVE how used and battered it is. Clearly the best recipes are the ones on the dirtiest pages!