Hello Weekend

Hello! I hope October's off to a good start for you!

It's been a while since my last post, as it's been a super busy month. I've had a variety of shoots - everything from lovely homes, to Christmas, to a fun trip to Victoria BC for Canadian Living magazine. Instagram and twitter have been the way to go for me. Both are perfect for keeping in touch with all of you as well.

Thought I'd share one of the shoots I worked on. It's now on my lottery fantasy list. A beautiful 50 year old "cruiser", named 'Breezin' Thru', built by Vancouver company, Benson Shipyards. Eric Jespersen, a boat builder, restored my current fantasy, and Peter Wilds furnished it for their Australian client. 

Loved all the black and white against the warm, dark, glossy wood. 

We didn't have a lot of time with 'Breezin' Thru', as she was being shipped to her new home in Australia. This was quite the event. Loved having the opportunity to say bon voyage, as she was lifted onto the cargo ship.  

Could you hang out on 'Breezin' Thru' or would you prefer to stay on land? 

If you'd like to read more about Eric Jespersen, and this project, click here. He's a talented craftsman. 

Have a fantastic weekend! 

janis

Summer Cocktails for a Poolside Day

Happy weekend, and a happy long weekend to my fellow Canadians!

Thought I'd share some fantastic cocktail recipes with you. I shot this story at Fairmont Pacific Rim, here in Vancouver, for Style At Home magazine. I've put up the entire story, and all the recipes, here, so take a look!

The beautiful pool at Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver BC. 

Once again, if you'd like to see the entire story, and get the recipes, click here. They're so good! 

Have a great weekend!

janis

x

My City

Happy hump day! Hope your week's going well.

I wanted to share a story I did for The Simple Things magazine, one of my favourite mags. Each issue they do a "My City" feature, and they asked me to do one on Vancouver. I love these features, so I was pretty happy to do one for my hometown. Click here for the whole story.

What do you love about your city? I'd love to hear about it.

Have a good day!

janis

City Living

Happy Friday! I've had a very busy, but fun, week of shoots - gardens, lifestyle, homes and bedding. It had it all. Hope you had a good week too.

Thought I'd wrap up the week with a few images of a well planned out small space...only 500 square feet. Not so unusual in Vancouver. This glamourous space was designed by Peter Wilds.

Loved the idea of eeking out a tiny "bedroom" from what was a closet. Peter's a clever boy. 

Could you live in 500 square feet? I have, but it can be tight. Didn't have a well organized space like this though. 

Have a good weekend!

janis

Shop Love

I love my neighbourhood. Within about 10 blocks, there are heaps of cafes, restaurants and shops. One of those shops is one of my favourites, Nineteen Ten. Owners, Amy and Jenn, have created a very homey store, with a great mix of furniture, home wares, lighting and accessories. They've also started a line of their own. Talented women.

I've shot their shop a couple of times now. Most recently for House and Home magazine. Here's a peek...

The stool is one of Amy's and Jenn's creations. I'm also a fan of the serving utensils, and brightly coloured pendant light cords. 

If you find yourself in the Vancouver Main Street area, pop in and say hi. If you plan to visit Vancouver, add Nineteen Ten to your list of shops to check out.

What's your neighbourhood like? Are you in the middle of a busy city, suburb or the country? Would love to hear from you!

janis

Weekend Walkabout in an Instant

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend.

We had our nephew, Jake, with us for the weekend, which is always fun. I gave him my old Nikon D200, so we took it out for a spin. He loves photography, and that makes me happy ;) I used my sx-70 and took a few "instant" pics during our walkabout...

By the way, I did take my sx-70 to Palm Springs to see how it would work in desert light. Let's just say, not at all as it was 43 degrees every day. Way too hot for the film, it seems. Expensive lesson learned!

What did you get up to this weekend?

janis

A Happy Family Home

How's your week going? Mine has been busy shooting two homes, a video project with my pal, Heather, and getting ready for the Vancouver West Elm etsy event this Saturday. Crazy week, but fun. 

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I like to share images from magazine shoots that I've done, featuring the designers I work with. I love seeing all the different styles, and tastes, that they all have. Today, I'd like to share a home designed by Angela Robinson with cabinets by Tanya Schoenroth. They make a great team.  The entire story is in the June issue of Style At Home.

I thought this walk-thru, from dining room to kitchen, was a great idea. Lots of extra storage and a perfect spot to do a little prep work. 

Nice little bit of d.i.y. artwork - the rusted bit of a gate for wall art. 

Stunning coffee table by Brent Comber. Prints by David Burdeny.

Fun way to mat and frame family photos. 

The family room with more local art, and a fantastic rug from Anthropologie. 

What do you think? Is this a home you could live in? Is it your style? Would love to hear from you!

Hope to see you at the West Elm Etsy event on Saturday May 25th! Lots of great stuff to check out, and there will also be Nanaimo Bar cupcakes, by Rosie of Butter Baked Goods. Yum. Click here, for more details. 

janis

Weekend Observations

I hope you had a nice weekend! I'm still in weekend mode, as it's Victoria Day today. I do love a holiday Monday.

Here's a bit of what went on around here this weekend...

Had a sneak peek at a house designed by Evoke International Design. Landscape design by Considered Design. Styling by McCarthy•Hinder. 

Popped down to Seattle for a whirlwind day trip, with a couple of good friends. Checked out the European Masters exhibit before it wrapped up, at the Seattle Art Museum. Found ourselves in Fremont, a cute neighbourhood filled with shops and restaurants. Picked up some Swedish clogs at Lambs Ear Shoe Boutique....had to have them. 

If you're in the Vancouver area, you have to check out the Grand Hotel exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery. It's all about the evolution of the hotel. Love it! It's on until September, and I plan to visit several more times. So much to take in and absorb. 

A few links to some of favourite blogs...

• a beautiful modern home in Santa Barbara at Design Elements

• "roughing it" at SF Girl By Bay

• Nanaimo Bar Cupcake anyone? Recipe by Rosie, of Butter Baked Goods, over at Poppytalk. If you're in Vancouver on May 25th, stop by West Elm for the Etsy event and meet Rosie along with several Etsy sellers (I'll be one of them). 

Have a great day! 

janis

Weekend Observations

How was your weekend? Hope it was a good one.  Here's a bit of what I got up to...

Popped out to see my friend Heather, at her blueberry farm, to chat about an upcoming project. Heather's book, Farm-Fresh Recipes, was just released. Do you have a copy yet? Lots of recipes inspired by life on a farm, with her 5 year old daughter, Lily. 

I know you've seen them "pinned" all over the place, but I made a mini terrarium from a vintage mason jar that Colleen gave me, while on a shoot. It had been filled with cookies, and now it's filled with mini plants...not nearly as fattening.  

Played around with my Lensbaby for my Canon. Love how it makes this cityscape look. 

Loving my SX-70. My week with the ladies of Instant Love and the fantastic group of women that also took part. It really renewed my love of instant pics. This weekend I experimented with Impossible Project film and different lighting (bright sun, cloudy, showers, and indoors). 

That was it for me....well, and hanging out with my mom, of course. What did you get up to? 

Back soon!

janis

TGIF

This image is from another lovely shoot this week with Gallant & Jones. Wait until you see their new products. Let's just say, I can't wait for picnic and camping season.

What are you up to this weekend? Hope it's a fun one.

janis

Easter Weekend Observations

Are you still enjoying a long weekend? It's been sunny and perfect, here in Vancouver. Full of chocolate rabbits? I'm officially done with hot cross buns and chocolate anything....for awhile at least.

This is a little of what I got up to this weekend...

Worked on pics of a shoot I did with Ami McKay, of Pure Design, and stylist Crystal Carson. That also happens to be one of my images turned into a light box. Love light boxes.

Played around with some Impossible Project film with my sx-70. A little tour of Vancouver, "polaroid" style. Have you tried this instant film? Not like the old style polaroid film that would develop within minutes....this takes about 45 minutes, depending on the temperature, camera, etc. Still love it though ;) 

My contribution to the family Easter dinner: cupcakes. I used the Wacky Cake recipe, but added a caramilk chocolate egg in the centre, and iced with butter icing and coconut. 

Easter always brings out a little pastel in me. 

What did you do this long weekend? Still enjoying it? 

Have a great day! Back soon.

Janis

I Could Live Here

Heirloom is a fantastic vegetarian restaurant here in Vancouver. It's located in an almost century old apartment block, and it's been freshened up by the team at Evoke International Design.  All art work was custom designed by them as well. The mix of vintage cabinets, modern chairs, old brick walls and beautiful tile, does it for me. It's one of those places that I could live in....

Do you ever walk into a restaurant or shop and imagine living in it? Think you could hang out in Heirloom? 

Have a good day!

janis