There Are No Rules...

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.."-Ansel Adams

Well as I mentioned in a previous post, I recently had the pleasure of borrowing a digital slr camera for a road trip to Lunenburg. I had so much fun. SO much fun...I am going to have to pinch my pennies, collect cans and maybe even darn some socks to make one of these my very own. I know nothing about it, just the basics but found as the day went on, I became a little more aware and my pictures started to improve! Here are some test shots. Enjoy!
-m

If You Can't Make It Better...

"If you can't make it better, you can laugh about it!"- Erma Bombeck

I have been on the hunt for a house for a very long time. I figure since living in Halifax I have spent close to fifty-thousand dollars on rent. FIFTY-THOUSAND!

What do I have to show for it?

-A warm and safe place to sleep would both be positives.
-Close proximity to work is also a bonus.
-Walking distance to lots of coffee shops and the heart of Halifax.
-Some bad ass orange counter-tops (I secretly love them).
-I have also had to put up with leaking windows.
- Freezing tub drains..sigh.
-A series of useless superintendents (one even called me a trouble-maker...)
-An oddly bountiful infestation of spiders (seriously I even found one today!)

Now the exciting part! My offer has been accepted on a sweet, middle aged home that I can not wait to make my own. It needs some TLC, but nothing crazy and even my inspection went well this time!

I have learned a lot on this house hunting adventure. I have literally been schooled in the way of real-estate and although I am far from an expert, I have some tips to share.

-Find a real estate agent you can trust. NEVER buy a house without one...almost did that and I would be in trouble tits deep if I had.
-Do an inspection, an inspection saved me from buying a money pit.
-Do your research, know values, areas and what it is you want. Always keep a look out, houses move fast in this city.
-Be flexible and keep an open mind, paint colors may suck but is it structurally sound?
- If applicable know your tenancy act and become friends with the tenancy board because tenants ALWAYS come first even if you are inheriting them with a purchase.
-Cover your behind, make sure your offer has a few outs (like I said, get a good agent!) incase you get cold feet or change your mind!

Happy House Hunting!
-m

I Love Photo Sessions...

"I love photo sessions. I'm alone, I'm the queen and everyone is talking care of me"- Eva Herzigova

This summer, my sister and I decided to have our pictures taken. We hasn't had professional pics since we were both barely in school and thought since she is moving back to Europe that it was now or never. We hired a local photographer named Robyn Galloway and we spent an hour walking around Charlottetown in our Frye cowboy boots. It was a good experience and we were shocked at how much fun we ended up having.  Check out Robyn's web site and check out a few snip-its of our photo shoot! Happy Thursday!
-m

 http://www.robyngallaway.com/

The Soul Becomes Dyed...

"The soul becomes dyed with the color of your thoughts.."-Marcus Arelis

Loved the masonry!

I have a thing for red doors...

Fun details!

There is just something fa-fa-fabulous about a punch of color in unexpected places. I especially love color on houses, it adds character and personality. Lunenburg and Mahone Bay are full of examples of this. Character homes with some va-va-voom! Here are some snip-its we snapped on a day trip! Enjoy!
-m

Better Belly Bust...

"Better belly bust than good liquor be lost!-Jonathan Swift

My sister and I took a road trip to Lunenburg on a very crisp February Friday. She had never been and I was so excited to show her the quaint shipping community famous for building of the Bluenose that hoses many unique galleries, shops and eateries. She was pleasantly surprised at what the small community had to offer and as always the architecture and paint colors of the homes tickled my fancy.

One of the unique shops in Lunenburg is the Iron Works Distillery. What a place. Housed in a marine blacksmith dating back to the late 1890's, half of the appeal is the building itself and the other half is the amazing and unique spirits they craft in small batches. Wide plant floors, ancient beams and the smell of wood stove, sawdust and warmed liquors made for a perfect pit stop on a bitter cold day. Be sure to check it out if you are ever in the area!
-m

They actually grew pears in bottles!

The distillery contraption!

Apple brandy...they even let me taste it!

What a picture!

I Pitty The Man Who Marries Our Josephine....

"I pity the man who marries our Josephine, he would have to live on doughnuts and puff candy...."-G.Grandfather Hislop

I went to dinner at my grandparents home recently. If you know my grandparents, you would know exactly what that may include... A home cooked meal, usually of the delicious and predictable variety and lots of stories and discussion about recent news. My Grandfather is a brilliant man, who did a lot of good in his career heading up important negotiations for big names like CBC and CUPE. He worked with health care for years, we always have so much to discuss, not to mention he has an excellent sense of humor and totally cracks me up. My nanny? Well she should have probably been a writer. Her stories are always so vivid I feel as though I have been transported to Scotland or Halifax in the 60's and I am watching the story unfold.

On this Sunday, nanny was telling me all about how before she was married her culinary specialties (her only specialties) were homemade doughnuts and "puff-candy"(which sounds like a bubbly brittle toffee of some sort, have yet to find a recipe...). Her father always said he pitied the man who married her as they would have to live off of doughnuts and puff-candy, which would not be an easy task. Josephine told me the very last time she made puff-candy was over 50 odd years ago, and that it left a bad taste in her mouth. She had set it on the window sill to cool, just like in a cartoon.... a stiff Scottish wind blew and her beloved toffee fell the two stories down into the garden. She hiked up her skirt and ran down the stairs out into the garden only to find several puppies, yes puppies, devouring her creation...all within a matter of a minute. I love Josephine stories and I nothing short of loved that one!


I personally have never made puffy-candy or doughnuts but I do make cupcakes. Since I had a borrowed SLR camera, I couldn't not bake something fabulous and capture it with a decent lens. Plus I really haven't had the chance to introduce you all to Betty, my fabulous, magical, mixer.
-m

Meet Betty! Isn't she beautiful?

Classic red velvet..can never go wrong..

Fabulous Value Village find...$8.00!

Nothing fancy, but they look some cute!

...clean up

Rain-Drops On Roses....

"Rain-drops on roses and whiskers on kittens..."- Favorite things -Sound of Music

Here are a few of my favorite things.... I am talking about the things that I cant get through a day without and some frivolous things that I just downright love at this moment, probably a little too much...

Frivolous yes...but I heart painted nails and no one beats OPI for trendy colors!

Leather mittens...yes leather gloves rock, but these bad boys keep my fingers warm on the walk to work...

Don't need 'em but I always love me a LBD and think everyone should have a go to LBD..

Benefit "Boiing" heavy duty concealer. This thing lasts FOREVER and can hide bags under my eyes that are so big I could take them shopping with me..impressive!

Ask anyone, this is aways on my person, and in my car, pockets, drawers and in each purse I own....

Dansko clogs...my back ached at work (remember I am a nurse by trade..) till I met the dansko clog and I have never looked back...LOVE them.

David's Tea travel mug...pricey yes, but keeps coffee hot for hours, like six hours and if you are into tea this thing even has an infuser included!

Decent coffee...this is my fav.

The best toothpaste ever...seriously.

I am addicted to moisturizer, and this one is the most bang for your buck...try it, oatmeal is the best!

A not so favorite thing...spilling coffee on my cute frock..gah.

Frozen tub drains, not a good thing to wake up to..sigh

OR Greens, not only are they unflattering but I am quite certain that they are made of green sheet plastic although that theory has yet to be proven. All I know is they make me sweat..gag. I do love my co-workers though, they are the best!