Rock Me

Photo by Merrill Campbell Kost

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me

- Old Crow Medicine Show

First Snow

First snow in Ottawa this morning.  It's so beautiful.  I love the way fresh snow muffles the sounds of the city.

View from my balcony this morning

My plants don't care that it's winter.  This orchid is blooming anyways :)

Brie - The Reason I'm a Bad Vegan

I've been what you call a vegan for almost five years now.  Some may shun me from their strict definition of veganhood for my occasional transgression involving a certain lactose-rich dairy product called Brie.  I don't know what it is about this gooey, delicious substance that, when paired with red pepper jelly, wrapped in breading, and baked at 400°F for 25 minutes, but I lose the will to abstain.

Oh, the blemish on my otherwise prestine record of meat- and dairy-free living!  What will I do?  Normally I have to run to the ladies' room, considering my body can't digest dairy to save itself anymore  :(

Guilty Pleasure - Justin Timberlake

I know I'm supposed to be a craft-making hipster, but what can I say?  I can't get enough of Justin Timberlake.  Sure, he's not the best actor, but you've gotta give him credit for breaking out of that whole N'SYNC thing and making it on his own as a solo artist.  Not easy.

He's hilarious in the SNL 3-Way (The Golden Rule) video with Lady Gaga.  My favourite lyric is "Wanna impress a chick? Do the helicopter dick."

LUSHious Indulgence

For those of you who know me well, you’ll know that I used to work at LUSH Handmade Cosmetics. Probably the best, most fun job I ever had, but that’s beside the point. I was a huge fan of LUSH before working there and working there just solidified my love, if not making it stronger. So today, I share with you, something I cannot live without: the LUSH Bath Bomb. Bath time is just not the same without a little fizzy friend.

Note: I’m not a specialist in any of these areas; below is simply my personal experience shared with hopes that it will help someone else!
This may be a little personal, but I suspect a problem for many women, so I will share. Being prone to “down-there” infections and loving bath time are two dispositions that don’t mix well. Certain chemical ingredients, such as common foaming agent sodium laureth sulphate, found in most bubble bath products can cause urinary tract infections in those of us who are predisposed. LUSH Bath Bombs are super-natural and contain nothing but baking soda, dried lemon juice and essential oils (and the odd sparkle or rice-paper flower too). Since I love bath time and hate infections, LUSH Bath Bombs and I are a match made in Heaven! I generally stay away from any bath product containing honey or sugar as well. I’ve heard sweet stuff can make your whooha unhappy.

At $6-7 a pop, LUSH Bath Bombs are truly an indulgence, but something I splurge for because I just love how my bath experience is enhanced. Baking soda leaves the skin soft and deodorized and the essential oils are powerful to affect my mood (usually improving it). I like to leave the water in the tub for a while after I get out making sure the bathroom gets good and smelly!

My favourite bath bombs available in stores right now (because there are some that I love that I have been discontinued or are available online only):

Sex Bomb (of course)

Avobath

Space Girl

And just in time for Christmas, I'd have to say that Lil' Lush Pud is one of my all time fav's.  I always stock up this time of year!

Some of our friends over on Etsy are making Bath Bombs as well! Check out:

• Whipped Up Wonderful
• Antoinette's Bathhouse
• Black Sheep Soap Company



Kristen Schaal is a Horse!

I effing love comedian Kristen Schaal.  She's not your regular female comedian, that's for sure.  You may remember her as the crazy stalker fan from the Flight of the Conchords television series or from her hilarious Sony Xperia Play commercials.  Have to say the Kristen is Killing It one is my favourite.  There are also some outtakes that almost made me pee my pants.  I first saw these commercials whilst watching StarCraft II tournaments on MLG.  Call me a nerd if you must, but I actually find it more entertaining then our national passtime, watching NHL hockey... I'm going to get crucified for blogging that... but I digress.

I first heard of the video in this post, without seeing it, on WYNC's Radiolab.  In the Loops podcast, they describe what they perceive to be the emotions go through a number of different emotions.  At first they're like, "Oh!  This is going to be a regular comedy skit. Kristen Schaal is a horse?!  Look at her silly dancing!  Ha ha ha!" and then after a couple more repeations they're like, "OK, OK, you're a horse."  and then they start getting a bit upset, "Really, you're still singing and dancing like a horse?  When will this END?"  But something happens, and eventually, it's just plain hilarious.  The comedy doesn't really fit with expectations, and all they can really do is laugh! Of course I had to watch the video after listening to the podcast. You can definitely tell the audience is transitioning through a range of emotions. I heard somewhere that Kristen and Kurt Braunohler once kept that skit going for 10 minutes!  You you imagine?

Style Inspiration: Emma Watson

Since her feature in British Vogue, I’ve noted Emma Watson among my Style Inspirations. Before then, she was just that girl who played Hermione in the Harry Porter series to me. Maybe I was out of the loop. I’m loving her super short haircut right now. Her features are strong yet feminine enough to carry it well. I can’t help but be reminded of Twiggy. Perhaps it’s the short hair/British Vogue association all swirling around in my mind, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ms. Watson counted Lesley Lawson as one of her favourite fashion icons.

Watson’s style right now is all about a feminine palette, lace, and just the right amount of sparkle.

Trend: Felt Hats

In case you didn't know, I love hats.  I think they bring a touch of class to any outfit.  In Saturday, October 29th's edition of the Style section of the Ottawa/Montreal Globe and Mail, there was an inspiring spread of floppy felt hats.

I got mine in brillant blue from Olam Boutique in Montreal of $59.99CAD.

Here's some I'm drooling over:

Style Inspiration: Charlotte Gainsbourg

Whilst living in Australia in 2008, I had a lot of free time on my hands.  I went on a journey of musical discovery to find, among other artists, Ms. Charlotte Gainsbourg.  I become hooked on 5:55.  How could I not?  She collaborated with Air, another of my very favourite French musical ensembles, to create an album of strange love analogies with her whispery voice reminisent of best girlfriends amateur attempts to sing with acousitc accompanyment. The critics may be harsh, but I love her for her simplicity and honesty.

Since then, the French actress/musican has always caught my eye whenever she (frequently) graces the pages of glossy North American magazines.  Her natural, low-maintenance style has defintely been a style inspiration to many in recent years.  Noteably, Gainsbourg is the face of Balenciaga Paris fragrance, running elegant campaign that's not over-defined.  More details on the fragrance & history of the campaign on Wendy Lam's blog, nitro:licious.

What I love about Charlotte Gainsbourg’s style is that it’s not over-defined.  You get the sense that almost anything would fit, yet there’s something very Gainsbourg about everything.  Her unfussy brunette lochs insight envy.  For me, she embodies modern French elegance.

Leslie Feist: Metals

Not long after the album's release on October 4th of this year, I purchased Leslie Feist's newest album, Metals.  I blog about it only now, more than a month after, because I had to let it sink in.  Metals has been in an endless spin on my turntable ever since I got it & I have to say: I love this album.

It's so different from her previous albums, but it's so Feist.  The vocal harmonization on Bittersweet Melodies gives me goosebumps... & I can just picture a crowd of friends swaying in unison & singing along to the la la la parts.  The lyrics to Comfort Me ring so true to me. A Commotion is another of my favourite tracks because of it's Andrew Bird-esque arrangement.  I'm not sure if she's using violins through the Janus Horn (a spinning phonograph style speaker) to get the effect, but it sure sounds like it - sounds like awesome.  Potential hipster anthems include: Graveyards and Comfort Me.

Stream the ablum here.

I'll be attending her show at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on Monday, December 5th, 2011 & so should you.  Tickets are still available. I'll let you know if it's as good as her Reminder tour :)

I Love Making Stop-Time Videos

Music by Wilco - On and On and On

Please view full screen even though blogger doesn't upload in HD. It looks better that way.

Let's Tauk Sofas

Meet Big Ben

Yes please.

A Montreal based company, Montauk Sofa's goal is to provide the most stylish, comfortable, fashionable sofas with no impact on the environment. They use closed-loop recycling which means that when you what to get rid of your Montauk, you call 'em up and - with their reclamation program - they reused every bit and piece they can to make something new.

Why I Love David Rakoff

A quote, admittedly removed from it's context, but awesome none the less, from Mr. David Rakoff in his book Don't Get Too Comfortable:

"If, for example, it came to light that the dangerously thin, affectless, value-deficient, higher-aspiration-free, amateur porn hauteuse, Paris Hilton was actually a covert agent from some secret Taliban madrasa whose mission is was to portray the ultimate capitalist whore puppet of a doomed society with nothing more on its mind than servitude to maman and celebrity at any cost, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised."

The Tailban reference seems timely, as - I'm sure you know - Mr. Osama bin Ladin's death was widely publicized in the media today.

Mr. Rakoff writes in this way that when he gets going, his ideas and sentences become so complex that you must listen to them multiple times before getting that lovely, "ah ha!" moment when you fully grasp his idea. I realize that Mr. Rakoff is, in fact an author, but I write the verb "listen" instead of "read" since most of his material I have been exposed to has been on NPR's This American Life, a favourite radio show of mine, hosted by the lovely Mr. Ira Glass. I also have a propensity for audiobooks, since I enjoy multitasking. Reading a paper bound book while knitting is extremely challenge, I'm not sure if you know how much so. And the solution is audiobooks and brilliant public radio. This is why I love David Rakoff.

Dear Summer:

Never turn to fall.

365 - An exercise in self-love

Lately, I've been toying with the idea of doing a 365 project. It's a major undertaking and I'm really awful about commitments RE: Self Betterment (remember that New Years Resolution about going to the gym every day? ...Me either). But I'm going to give myself the benefit of the doubt this time. I've been brainstorming for quite a while know. All these odd and end ideas in my head will find themselves a home in my 365 project.
WHY? you may ask... well, first and foremost, the reason anyone does it, in my opinion, is pure and simple narcissism. The need to have other people recognize how beautiful and amazing you are in body and skill. It about loving yourself. Fringe benefits being nostalgia and honing of photography skills.

Find my project at www.flickr.com/photos/genevievegood

Ellen Von Unwerth

Model turned photographer who captures provocative images of her subjects without making them sex objects. Earned her stripes photographing Claudia Schiffer for Guess. I love the way her work has evolved over time.

Body Below

There's a story I could tell
When the cold wind starts to blow
Like a whisper in the night
From a friend that you know

It says "keep holding on
To my body below
Forsake me not,
Don't ever leave me alone"

There was a time when the sun
Gave it's life to the trees
And the air it smelled sweeter
For the honey & the bees

The ocean rolled salty
& wild & free
The fruit swelled & ripened
& burst with their seeds

But what starts with desire
Can turn into need
The chest gets all tight
Like it's got some disease

What burns in the fire
Just ends up as coals
What floats on the water
Can sink like a stone

Now i want to believe
Every word that you say
I want you to need me
To not go away

Have trust in the nighttime
& faith in the day
To walk on the water
Be never afraid

Can you bear it upon you?
My love has gone under
Above all the stars
Have forgotten to glow

But if you keep holding on to
My body below you
I'll warm you & keep you
From feeling alone

Leif Vollebekk

If Jeff Buckley were not dead and grew up in Ottawa, he would be Leif Vollebekk. I attended an intimate show last night at Raw Sugar Cafe and Leif did not disappoint: his vocal range gives me goosebumps and his lyrics are comfortable and familiar. Since the release of his first album, Inland, is songs have evolved beautifully. He has even created a rock (guitar) version of his song 1921 since have has discovered that he cannot produce a piano wherever he tours. It was quite fantastic. He hopes to record another album this Fall and tell me he has plans to press vinyl, resources willing. I'm all over that! Check him out. Sponsor him even. He's ever-so-talented and needs support!

Photo credit to J B Hildebrand, misappropriated from Myspace.

Nan Goldin

The photography of Nan Goldin explores love, gender, domesticity, sexuality, obsession, and dependency. Her shots are so candid. When I look at them, it's almost as though I have permission to look into these intimate moments in the lives of the people captured.

Oh No! Oh My!

I discovered these guys on my SXSW 2008 mixtape of awesomeness. The booty just don't stop with that playlist! All the way from Austin, Texas, meet Greg, Joel, Daniel & Tim the self-released wonders of Oh No Oh My. Their song Walk in the Park is reminisent of the Beatles, featuring the flute (what an under-represented instrument in the world of indie-rock!), and ironic lyrics, such as "it's a nice day for a walk in the dark/it's nice day for a drive-by shooting." Give 'em a listen on Luxury Wafers.