The Playgroup.

Last week the family (excluding Chris) headed off to the engagement party of a close family friend. It was a Thursday evening, we were all exhausted from the work week, and not yet embracing the holiday spirit that comes after multiple Christmas parties and social gatherings.

We should have known what an incredible night it would turn out to be. We drove home with grins plastered ear to ear, reflecting on the wonderful evening, spent catching up with friends we rarely get to see.

A little background...

When my mom was about to have me, a group of women (also expecting their first) formed, "The Playgroup". It was a group for mothers with new babies, and served a social purpose for both the women and the children, but was also a means of spelling off one or two while the others looked after the kids. Great idea right?

Well, these women never would have known that "The Playgroup" would have multiple rounds, and 33 years later, the children of the Playgroup would remain friends.

Many of us are still single, but Alli's engagement was the best excuse for all of us to gather, and welcome her fiance into the crew 33 years late.

Here we all are as kids (I'm the classy one in the pink smock with my tongue out).

Oh Christmas Tree...

Wow, has December ever been a bad month for blogging! Rest assured, in a week's time, I'm on holiday and will have no excuses (other than Christmas shopping, which I have yet to start). Are you that surprised?

This week I had sixty-five Art 8 paintings to mark, so what did I do instead? I started to decorate my new apartment for the holidays. Obviously.

Most of my decorations this year are extremely basic, and nothing I am that proud of. My bank account wouldn't allow new festive purchases, and I already had decorating anxiety over the fact that my place isn't quite set up as I would like it (and won't be for some time). As a result of it not being set up, I couldn't have a tree as I realized, with the rest of the furniture arriving part way through December, I wouldn't know where to put it.

Why am I bothering to tell you all of this?  Well, apart from the usual decorations, I tried a little something new. I loved putting it together, and had a goofy grin on my face the entire time.

What's amazing is that I saw something similar on instagram, and already had all of the photos developed as I had used them in my final show at Goldsmiths last year. I was wondering what to do with them (and actually have a more permanent idea for after the holidays), but this meant I could enjoy them now. And what better way to pay tribute to my year? I think this might become an annual  Christmas project.

It's a BIG day.

Words cannot describe how excited I am about this evening. Tonight my movers (brothers) are helping me move the larger items into my new apartment.

'Tis the Season.

Yes, I realize this is the time of year to be searching for special items for your loved ones, but selfishly, I'd like to show you a few things I came across in the hunt for others (I swear). Unfortunately, as I'm just about to move into a new apartment, the items on my personal list are a little more practical, but these things look lovely none the less.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7* / 8 / 9 / 10

*The Coat pictured with the scarf is Isabel Marant for H&M (good luck trying to get your hands on that one). Perfect, isn't it?

About some of these items-

I thought the UGG driving shoes sounded like a wonderful idea. I'm always caught wearing flats in the winter season, despite having no socks with them, and it seems perfect to have a pair with a sheepskin lining.

The Camera bag by Ona is beautiful, though if you click the link, you'll see there isn't a bag that you won't like. I'm constantly looking for a bag that will fit my camera, but that I can pass off as a purse.

My accessories are all over my dresser, so I thought the jewelry tray was a nice way of keeping order, when things aren't put directly back in the jewelry box.

A Canada Goose Down Parka- Ever since I went to Copenhagen, I've been lusting after these. Definition of Cozy...or so I'm told.

The Daniel Wellington Watch. I've had my eye on these for over a year now (brown and gold to serve the purpose that my silver and black one can't). Check out the website.

And don't you think the Anthro dress would be wonderful at Christmas parties? YES.

Bonus item:

My Favourite Scent from Jo Malone (I LOVE the Bath Oil, and candles)

Ok, enough about me. What do you have your eye on this Christmas?

Ladies Night.

On Friday evening a good friend from high school hosted some of us for a wine night at her beautifully decorated North Shore apartment.

Southlands Stroll.

I spent Saturday with my good friend Nicola, and our SLRs down by the Fraser River. We took a little walk through Southlands, admiring the lovely homes, and their accompanying horse paddocks.

Eastside Culture Crawl.

While I know you are not holding your breath, I'm happy to announce things are (slowly) coming together. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. My coaching season is over, parent teacher conferences are done, and my report cards are (almost) complete. I also received an envelope in the mail from Goldsmiths announcing officially that I had completed my masters with merit. Phewf! Apart from all of these little milestones, the most exciting news is that I've found a new apartment, and am counting down the days until I can nest (December 1st).

Lady Luck.

I knew my blogging routine would take a hit as I transitioned my world back to Vancouver, but wow, I did not expect life to become such a whirl wind.

Showcase Showdown

On Thursday night my brother's band (Coldwater Road), played their hearts out

in their Peak Performance Project showcase at Fortune Sound Club.

My Best Friend's Wedding.

Well, that title was easy.

If you've been following along with the blog (despite my inconsistency), you'll remember that my best friend Kristin recently got married in Sonoma California (Gundlach Bundschu Winery). Due to the hectic chaos that is the September 'start up' for teachers, it was a wonderful weekend break from the routine, but more importantly an opportunity to share and witness one of Kristin's biggest milestones to date.

'Twas a Dark and Stormy Night...

Things are still pretty busy-

I haven't (really) been swimming, or cleaning my place, or cooking, as on the rare occasion that I find myself home from school at a reasonable hour, I'm choosing to relax on the couch instead. Choices. I figure I have about another month until I (might) get my life back. In the mean time, with this horrible rainy (and cold) weather, I thought I might show you a cozy (and VERY easy) recipe I made a few times before I left London. Yes, the chick pea obsession continues...

This one is also a Vij's specialty: Vij's Green Onion Chickpea Curry.

I would suggest you follow this link (with more tomatoes and less salt) as I found the original a little salty.

If you're waiting to see pictures from the wedding, don't worry, you haven't missed them. I'm waiting for the bride to get home from her honeymoon. That's fair right?

If you're in the Vancouver area, there's lots of music to see in the next 14 days. Patrick's band is doing a fundraisor at the Biltmore on Thursday night (see poster below), next Thursday is his Peak Performance Project Showcase (click the link for tickets), and next friday you can catch The Deep Dark Woods (see THIS post) in town.

California Raisins.

One of the highlights of last weekend's Sonoma wedding was a wine tour of three Vineyards. Most of us had a hearty breakfast in preparation, but little did we know, spitting would not be an option. Each vineyard gave us at least three tastings, though some gave us four, and the third, handed us three different (full glasses) of champagne. It goes without saying most of the guests sunk into a deep sleep after a day of drinking and sunshine, but was it ever fun!

The Vineyards we stopped at were:

1) Ravenswood Winery

2) Buena Vista Winery (the oldest winery in Sonoma)

3) Domaine Carneros Winery (the champagne stop)

Have a look at our day...

Heading off in our Charriot-

H, catching up on some work between tastings.

The bride and her uncle.

Using a 'wine thief' to taste from the barrel.

Walking up to Buena Vista Winery.

The Count of Buena Vista is alive and well.

The Ladies.

Enjoying a scrumptious picnic lunch from The Girl & the Fig.

Domaine Carneros.

A little photo shoot with the bride and groom to be...

Nice colours boys.

On the whole, what a wonderful day, and an amazing way for all of the guests who had made the trek down to California to get to know each other. Nothing like countless glasses of wine to break the ice. I would have loved to have brought some bottles home, but my carry-on luggage wouldn't allow it. Next time!

Stay tuned for the spectacular wedding day...