Friday Five - April 5, 2013

1. Gandalf & Saruman Salt & Pepper Shakers

Periodically Dan will send me emails of things that he wants to buy.  I got a link to this salt and pepper set in an email earlier this week and I concur -- want!

 2. Mary Had a T-Bar Platforms - by Iron Fist

I love Iron Fist merchandise and their shoes, platforms included, are always super comfy.  I love t-strap heels and the lambs, bows and spikes just make these extra adorable.

 3. IAMX (Chris Corner) 

IAMX is the solo project of Chris Corner (from the Sneaker Pimps) and the reason I'm included him in this week's Friday Five is because he just released a new album (March 22nd) and I'll be seeing IAMX at the end of this month.

I had tickets when he came to Toronto in 2007 but ended up getting extremely sick and couldn't go.  So this will be my first time seeing IAMX live and I'm incredible excited.

 
 4. French Bulldog Ring by KopoMetal

Hey Alex, don't you already have a French Bulldog ring? I CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH FRENCH BULLDOG THINGS!!!

First, how cute is this ring (there's also a really cute French Bulldog wrap around ring) and second, there's quite a few cute rings available at KopoMetal's etsy store (fan of cats?) so I wanted to share.

5. Coconut Bacon

I follow Paul Jarvis on Instagram and Twitter and last week he posted a picture of coconut bacon that looks delicious and I've wanted to make some ever since.  In the comments section he indicated it’s made by mixing coconut pieces, soy sauce and mesquite powder.  Then you dehydrate the coconut pieces.  It sounds pretty easy.

If you like eating healthy veggie raw and cooked meals then you can check out his website EatAwesome.Ca and his “Eat Awesome - A regular person’s guide to eating plant-based, whole foods” guide.  There’s some yummy recipes and resources in there.

Happy Friday

Alex & Arthur 

 

Friday Five Fave - March 8th (All Doggie Edition)

Dan and I will be in New York for a few days next week and Dan's mother will be watching Arthur for us.  I'm currently in dog mode as I'm trying to compile a "Frenchie 101" package for her because, while she's used to babysitting dogs French Bulldogs fall under their own separate category.

With that in mind, I bring you an all doggie version of this week's Friday Five Fave.

1. DIY Dog Food Tin - by TidyMom

So, how cute is this tin?  Added bonus is that we already have a popcorn tin that someone gave to us for Christmas AND Arthur already thinks delicious (popcorn) treats come out of it.

2. Sweet Potato Chew Treats - 17 Apart

I'm always on the lookout for dog treat recipes plus I have a (vintage Kaj Franck Heart) bowl full of sweet potatoes that I need to get rid of before our trip, so this is a win-win!

3. Snout Soother by Natural Dog Company

The cracked dry nose -- the Frenchie's worst enemy (well that, and pretty much everything else in their existence).  I haven't tried this balm yet but I have high hopes based on the reviews.  I normally use Vaseline but Arthur just eats it off his nose before it has time to be absorbed into the skin.

4. Dog Scarf - Modcloth

So I'm a big dork and actually knit Arthur a scarf but if knitting isn't your thing you can try this adorable scarf from Modcloth.  I wish I had thought to add pom poms to the one I made.

 5. Death Star Dog Tag (ThinkGeek)

I saw these around Christmas time before they sold out but didn't buy one right away.  Immediately regret that now since they are sold out.  I periodically check just in case they come back in stock.

There's a QR Scan Code on the back that has all the pet and owner's information.

 Happy Friday!

Alex & Arthur

Dave Perillo Illustrations

I can't remember if I've posted about the art of Dave Perillo before but I'm not too worried if I have because his work is definitely worthy of a double post.  I know that I first discovered his work on etsy but couldn't decide on what I wanted to buy, so I just bookmarked it as a favourite and then went on my way.

It wasn't until I saw his Venture Bros piece in Gallery 1988's Adult Swim show that I was reminded of his work and I went and purchased a few prints almost immediately.  Although I was bummed I couldn't get his Venture Bros print.

This is one of the prints I bought from his etsy store.  I really like the size of it (it's 8 x 8) and I love Ghostbusters.  I have several of his 8 x 8 prints.

 

This is one of his newer pieces that he did for Spoke Art's show "Bad Dads" A Wes Anderson Tribute.  You can purchase it through their store here but if this print isn't your cup of tea, I urge you to go check out the rest of the store because there are a ton of awesome Wes Anderson inspired prints and original work. 

I've just clipped a few others that caught my eye, but there are so many on his blog and etsy store that I love.

Alex & Arthur

Gosia & Kelly Grace

Last week, on August 30th, I went to the opening of an art installation in one of my favourite stores Labour of Love (which I've written about before here).

It was a collaboration between the artist Gosia and Kelly Grace  I'm a big fan of Gosia's work, I have one of her pieces hanging my kitchen, which I will photograph and post at a later date.

I loved the show. Gosia and Kelly Grace created a family that revolved around the main characters Mary Jane and Arthur (yay!).  The installation, set above a fireplace, was a collection of family portraits and memories.

Here are a few images that I took with my iPhone.

Once upon a time there was a very peculiar couple named Mary Jane and Arthur.  When Arthur was growing up...

 

You can check out the installation at Labour of Love until September 30th - I recommend it.  Also, both Gosia and Kelly Grace will be at the Cabbagetown Arts & Crafts Sale this weekend (September 7-9).  Here's the list of exhibitors at this weekend's festival.  Sabine Alpers from Felt Factory will also be there...I'm also a fan of her work.

If I have time between my TIFF schedule I'm definitely going to head on over to the Arts & Crafts Sale.  Speaking of TIFF, it's the opening day and I'm pretty darn excited.  I get to see these people perform a live unrehearsed reading of American Beauty.  Can't wait!

Alex & Arthur

Five Fav Friday

1. Sweets Away - Nails Inc. Sprinkles Polish 

I own very few glittery nail polishes as I get frustrated with the lack of coverage or application difficulties.  Not with this polish my friend.  It covers great and I love the colour, it's a white base with blue, pink and silver sparkles.

2. Parlo(u)r Pretty Bag - Modcloth

Speaking of blue and pink, I ordered this bag on Wednesday.  I really hope the colours are as pretty in person as they are online.

3. Richard Ayoade

I sneakily took this picture two years ago at the after party for the TIFF premiere of the film Submarine.   In fact it's the first time I've really posted it anywhere.  It's of Richard Ayoade (right), who directed the film adaptation of the novel Submarine which was written by Joe Dunthorne (left).  I love the book (read it) but love the movie (SEE IT!) even more.  Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige were perfect as Oliver and Jordana...but that's getting off topic.

The movie The Watch (formerly Neighborhood Watch) opens today, and while it looks terrible it has Richard Ayoade in it who is not terrible so I thought I'd give him props!  

You may recognize him from the British TV show the IT Crowd.  If you're not familiar with it, please watch it! Or, if you're hugely into British comedy like I am, you may also recognize him from The Mighty Boosh, Snuff Box, AD/BC, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace or Man to Man with Dean Learner.

Submarine was his debut directorial feature but he's also directed music videos for The Artic Monkeys (including their 'Live at the Apollo' DVD), the Last Shadow Puppets, Vampire Weekend and the video 'Vlad the Impaler' by the band Kasabian.

I recently read that he will be directing a new comedy called The Double.

*Note, I have not seen The Watch -- the previews haven't appealed to me. However, neither did the ones for 21 Jump Street and it was funnier than I expected*

4. suPom on Etsy

Welcome to the wonderful world of The Big Lebowski, Wes Anderson, and Monster Yoga!  This whole etsy store is full of amazing illustrations.

 5. Ideapaint

Ideapaint is one of those products that you really really really want but isn't necessarily something you need.  Well, I want Ideapaint and while it will be useful it's not something I need which in my language translates to "something I'll probably never buy...because when I go to buy it, I'll come up with reasons why I shouldn't"

Well no more! This is my pledge that I will buy Ideapaint sometime within the next year (and a half) to snaz up my home office.

What is Ideapaint you ask? It's paint that turns your wall into a whiteboard.  This best part is that it also comes in clear so you can transform any coloured wall into a dry erase surface.  Just look how much fun this little girl is having doodling ice cream all over the kitchen wall.  Jealous!

 Thanks for stopping by,

Alex & Arthur

Stalked by Sonya

I feel like I'm being stalked on the internet by Sonya Winner.  Everytime I come to peace with the fact that owning one of her rugs just isn't feasible I see one featured on a website.

I can't remember when I first came across her website but I remember instantly falling in love with her colourful designs.  When we first moved into our condo I researched how I could get my hands on one (you can order on her site) -- I even found a store in Toronto that had a couple on hand.  Unfortunately they are expensive rugs and I just can't justify spending over $2500 on something that Arthur will dirty and probably scratch to pieces.


But I do like to dream....

How cute is this rainbow runner? I even have the same shoes in peach with black hearts.  It would look perfect in my hallway.

 

 

 

This is the one I thought about buying.

We looked at a condo with a very similar layout but like zero windows.  I absolutely loved it except it was like being in a cave.

Maybe when I become rich it won't be a problem to purchase one of these rugs and have Arthur wreck it.  I can just buy a new one, right?

Hope you're having a great Tuesday morning.

Alex & Arthur the rug destroyer