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urban exploration

Urban exploration used to be one of my favorite, misunderstood hobbies. Illegally entering into the calm, beautiful underbelly of the city to explore and document forbidden spaces. It isn't about "breaking in"; it's about appreciating the architecture, the disconnected history, and the overlooked aspects of the urban environment. It's the best way to feel completely alone when you live in a city of 1+ million people. I haven't been exploring for quite a while as I lost my UE partner to love. I suppose love saves you from wanting to see lonely places.

So I recently bought this book to remind me why I love it and to inspire me to continuing to search for abandoned structures. Written by Toronto explorer "Ninjalicious" who ran UE website and zine Infiltration and recently died of cancer.

patterns

I love patterns. Wallpaper, upholstery, rugs, patterns on plates, teacups, cutlery. Mostly of the vintage variety. And I've recently started noticing how I love the randomness of "patterns" on maps and sewing patterns. So when I found these vintage sewing patterns at my favorite neighborhood thrift store I fell in love. I heart the illustrations. Makes me wish I knew how to sew.

Also, I found this jewlery box. I love how a needle was left in the fabric. Used as a sewing box.

This weekend I saw Control as part of Mason's birthday. It was good. Everyone had the same complaint: "Boring. Another movie about a tortured rock star that ends up killing himself." Yeah so what. At least they told the story stylishly.

Bijou gets a new home

After seeing Pam and Emily at Lido and filling up on the best war wonton, Matt took me to the Kensington flea market. It's probibly the best flea market in Calgary and I always seem to find something there (the vintage valentine's day card framed in my bedroom, and a 70's cruiser that I've been criticized to have only ridden once). After only being there for minutes and rummaging through vintage children's books, Matt stated "Don't freak out. I want you to remain calm, but have you seen the bird cage?" I freaked out and bought it immediately. 20 bucks. 5 times more expensive than Bijou's previous home.

I adore the obvious art deco design and beautiful graphic ornament on the front glass. *swoon* It gives Bijou soooo much more room to flutter and freak out. It took me a while to get him in it, considering the fact that he absolutely hates me. I left the cage door open to his previous cage (also a thrift store find, but much smaller and designed 2 decades later than his new one). He eventually flew around the apartment manically until landing in Leroy's bowls, getting trapped AGAIN in the blinds and eventually letting me scoop him up into a tea towel to transfer him to his new home. He currently investigates his new perches and toys.

Bijou pictured in his old home, nervously awaiting his transfer.

Apart from the new bird cage I received a new painting from Isreali artist Julie Avisar that I've hung beside Chelsea's piece in my "den". It's a gorgeous red/fuscia on wood, part of her tree series.

popcorn paws

New thriftstore finds:

After spending the morning with 4 children, a dog, an ex-boyfriend and some watercolours, the ex-boyfriend brought me to Toys R Us to buy Alicia a skipping rope. It was during this time we discovered a hidden Goodwill. Lately I'm in love with patterns on plates.

Then I was lucky enough to spend a lovely afternoon with Leroy "Popcorn Paws" Olah during which time we played dress up.