Hello weekend, and welcome Fall!

I can't believe fall kicks in tomorrow morning. Love this time of year. Do you? 

Back next week!
janis

An Early Taste of Thanksgiving

A couple of months ago, on a hot summer day, I shot a Thanksgiving story with Sarah & Murray Bancroft. Sarah is the editor-in-chief of VitaminDaily and Murray is a talented chef and food stylist.  Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October - right around the corner and I can't wait.

Thought I'd share some of the day with you...

Sarah and Murray's daughters, Emmanuelle and Charlotte, help with dinner by digging up potatoes from the garden.

The "kid's table" decorated in deep oranges and pinks. Plates and bed spread (used as a table cloth) from The Cross. 

Emerson digs into her Pear Tarte Tatin. 

The menu. 

Sarah sets the table for dinner. 

For Sarah's tips on entertaining with kids, and loads more pics, click here or pick up the October issue of Today's Parent. The recipes are fantastic!

Store Tour: West Elm Vancouver

Happy Friday! How was your week?

I think it's safe to say that pretty much everyone knows the shop West Elm, right? I have to be honest, I wasn't overly familiar with what West Elm was all about.  I've always been a champion of the indie anything, and independent shops, and always will be. I had the opportunity, along with a dozen others in the biz, to be given a tour of the new Vancouver store by Creative Director, Vanessa Holden. I've been a huge fan of Vanessa's, since she co-founded Donna Hay magazine then onto editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living.  After that tour, I have a new appreciation of what they're all about, and it's all good.

Here are some of the things that stood out to me....

They have an Etsy section featuring local talent. This collection included Dahlhaus Ceramics and Walter Helena Photography, to name two.

I was told that each store is decorated to suit the city it's in. They gave the Vancouver store a woodsy, crafty theme. Loved the string pieces hanging behind the front counter. 

They have several products labeled "Discovered". One of a kind pieces. A great selection of throws, cushions and rugs. I bought the Kantha Throw in the bottom right corner. It's made of vintage saris hand-stitched by craftswomen in North India. It's beautiful and reversible too! 

Vanessa Holden, top left. I think I need the side table, top right...x2.

Part of the proceeds, from the opening night party, benefited Arts Umbrella. A fantastic place for kids to learn a variety of art forms: dance, photography, paint, etc. Definitely a new appreciation of West Elm.

Are you a fan of West Elm? What do you like best about them? I'd love hear your thoughts!

Have a great weekend! Back next week.

janis

Baked

How's your week so far? I've been slightly under the weather, and editing hundreds of images. Wednesday popped up out of no where!

Picked up some peaches and made a quick batch of muffins. These are so good, not too sweet and not too hideous for you either ;)

Peach Cornmeal Muffins - makes 12

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup almond meal
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 peaches, peeled and chopped
zest and juice of 1 lemon
brown sugar and flaked almonds for topping

Preheat oven to 400f/200c. Lightly grease a 12 cup muffin tin and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, egg, honey, yogurt, and almond extract, until smooth, then add the applesauce and vegetable oil.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, almond meal, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, salt and lemon zest. Stir in the liquid mixture until just combined. Batter should be lumpy. Carefully fold in the peaches.

Spoon the batter into each muffin cup and top with a sprinkle of almonds and brown sugar. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until lightly golden in colour. Allow to cool in the pan for a few minutes, before turning out onto a cooling rack.

Happy, happy Friday!

Back next week...
janis

City Living in NYC

This past April, I had the pleasure of hanging out with Jen Ramos of Made By Girl, her husband Matt and Darla the boxer, at their NYC apartment. A small space and, wow, was it ever organized! Their home is in a special issue of Style At Home that's all about organizing. Here's some more of our shoot....

Jen's perfectly tidy office and paint studio. Turquoise candle holders from The Cross. 

Some of Jen's paintings and prints. You can check out more of her work here. 

Matt whipped up a small smorgasbord for us. He's not a chef, but he could be. So delicious. 

Hard to keep my eyes off this box of Sprinkles cupcakes during the shoot. 

Do you live in a small space?  We do, but I can't call it organized. Any special tricks for de-cluttering? Feel free to share your ideas!  

Have a lovely day!

janis

weekend observations

How was your weekend? I'm still in weekend mode, as it's a long one here. Most of mine has been spent cleaning out the garage and editing pics, but I did fit in a couple of other things as well.....

Love vintage books sans dust jackets.

The wedding ceremony took place near the port of Vancouver, and the reception was at the old Salt building. Beautiful place. 

Are you still in weekend mode? What did you get up to?

janis

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