two after twenty

Monday Moment, week fourteen. This is “Wilbert”, my friend Audrey’s plant. I’m currently plant sitting for her as she backpacks through Australia (and eventually settles in Korea). So hopefully I can keep this little guy alive until she returns! My methods of keeping this jade plant happy are: 1) pushing it up against my window so it gets the most light, and 2) watering it sparsely. I did the exact opposite when I first got Wilbert, and … well. Disaster ensued.

This is a 35mm still, an untouched print from the lab (except for the typography, of course). I love the dreamy purple colours that came out during process.

It’s been a bit quiet on the blog lately, I’m sorry! I’ve spent the past week recovering from a bad cold, but am thankfully feeling much better now. I had an itch to take some photos today, especially after my neighbour dropped off a bunch of dark purple lilacs from her garden a few days ago. Here are a few from my ten minute photo session. It felt good to hold my camera again!

Also, Happy Mother’s day to my wonderful mom.

Today’s Monday Moment. It’s a bit of a Monday Miracle (haa, another alliteration!) that I’ve managed to put this up in time, mainly because I’m recovering from a really nasty cold. This photo was taken at the same time as this series, a series that made me want to pursue more baking/photo combos (and it looks like I will be trying more in the future, thanks to Senaa’s envelope #2 … more on that when I’ve recovered).

These are a few shots from my quick visit to Ottawa. I have fond memories of this city – thanks to my awesome pal Kayla – and Jackson and I had a great time exploring. We did so much walking, I basically killed my shoes. We dropped by the Canadian Museum of Nature, where a whale exhibit was being featured (totally up my alley!). We visited the Rideau Centre, The Market, and grabbed brunch at the Elgin Street Diner. And, of course, we ate beavertails (that yummy-ness featured below!) All in all, a nice little trip.

… I also realize that we look super serious and sad in these photos. I guess whenever a camera is pointed at either of us, we panic and make strange faces. These were the candid shots, that sort of portray us as normal-ish people. Sort of.

Today’s Monday Moment. This was taken during the same time as Em’s visit to Toronto & Crafted.

Em also made a wonderful little piece where you can see a brief behind-the-scenes of some of these shots and the rest of her Toronto visit (I’m in the first half of the video in the green shirt, making the awkward faces and whatnot). Go watch and visit the rest of her beautiful creations :)

If you saw this post and read the description for number two, you’ll know the (slightly embarrassing) set up for this series (basically, pushing the subjects flush against a random window to get some decent light). This mini photo session took place in Senaa’s kitchen, and was also a result of two things: 1) a much-needed tea fix, and 2) Senaa’s discovery that I have never had anything from the Harbord Bakery.

I’ve walked by the Harbord Bakery more than enough times and have always meant to pay a visit, but never did. Apparently this was something that needed to be fixed. So we both braved the cold rain, walked down to the bakery, bought a bag of chocolate chip and raspberry shortbread cookies, and then brought them back to Senaa’s for a mini (impromptu) photo shoot. Then we ate them … and they were delicious!

Today’s Monday Moment. This shot was taken around one of my favourite spots by the lake. It was also captured at the same time as this series. View large by clicking the photo (a must!). Yep, I was a bit of a creeper and sneakily shot these two talking by the water (hahaa). Hope everyone had a happy Monday!

My very good friend Senaa (a very familiar face around this blog) never fails to surprise. Firstly, let me say this: I, like many other bloggers, like to keep my blog a “happy place”. I never like to touch on personal issues and frustrations, etc. – this is strictly a stress-free zone. But this is a post where my real world sort of sneaks into my happy place, because below is a mini surprise Senaa made me one day, and part of it was to cheer me up. The other part was just for fun!

She gave me one big envelope with five envelopes inside. I’m not allowed to open envelope two until I finish envelope one, and so on. The first envelope’s instructions: take a photo of my current 5 favourite things. This was hard – I really wanted a steak to snap (hahaa), but I narrowed my choices down to what you see below.

001. The camera pendant you’ll usually find me wearing. I found this guy for $8 at a vintage store! 002. Haha, this is kind of a preview for my next post. Since I don’t have any lights, sometimes I have to succumb to the classic push-your-subjects-next-to-a-window-and-shoot technique. I love it. 003. My 35mm Ricoh Singlex TLS. It used to belong to my dad … he used it a lot back in the day. I love this camera for so many reasons. 004. My piano, named Lucy. Always a favourite. Been my girl since I was 9, and has gotten me through a lot. 005. Read more about why I love magic hour here.

And I’m off to open envelope number two! Love ya, Senaa.

Today’s Monday Moment. An old 35mm print taken at the same time as this series. Must view large (just click the photo!).

And a huge congratulations to my older brother, Adrian. He’s engaged! Congrats Adrian & Victoria!