Type A Ramblings

Patio Gardening - Preventing Aphids

2014-05-28T18:35:00.001-07:00

My garden has been in place for almost a month and so far so good. I've been harvesting the salad greens on a regular basis and my flowering plants are coming along nicely.

There have been two (possibly three) casualties: I wasn't feeling too confident in the condition of my italian flat leaf parsley so I pulled it up and added a kale plant instead. The second plant death was one of my peppers. I'm not sure what kind it is but there's one next to it that is likely the same type and it is also not happy. I feel I may be overwatering - however, the other two pepper plants are thriving. When I pulled up the saddest one of the crew I noticed some rot at the bottom and the base just snapped. The leaves had been wilting with just the touch or shake of the stalk.

I don't know what's going on with the little dude on the left. I already lost one, today, because I noticed some rot on the base. Gonna dry out the soil and see what happens.

I have been doing regular inspection for aphids and while they are present I've been able to catch them before they really set up shop and do some serious damage.

I read in a couple of different forums and in the book "Mulch It!" that reflective mulch has been an effective deterrent for pests like aphids. Melinda Meyers noted that aphids orient themselves to the sky and the reflection from the foil confuses them and they crash and die. Perfect. Reflective mulch has been related to boosting fruit sizes and yields, according to studies compiled by the writers from Grower.com. Result in test plots impacted not only the size and the yield but also the fruit set up to 25%.

Here's what I decided to do:

I cut several strips of aluminum foil and folded it in half twice so it was sturdy. While I didn't pull the plants through the aluminum cover I attached strips across the top and tucked the ends into the edge. Attaching this way will also make it easier for me to remove it when the season is over or if this tactic isn't successful.

One thing that has been cautioned is that if it gets really hot it may "cook" the plants. I'll have to keep an eye open for this but luckily the aluminum covers are easy to remove.

How to make a Pallet Garden

2014-05-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is the year that I'm going to get into this vertical gardening fad. This tutorial is for planting seedlings and your plants rather than growing straight from the seed.

At first I was going to attach two square sized pallets together because I wanted to grow tomatoes and peppers at a higher elevation since they need more sun. But one day while I was leaving the parkade at work and spotted the most beautiful thing: a 7 foot pallet.

So I get it home and you know what????? It's 20 cm too wide for my patio! NOOOOOOOO!!!!! So out come the tools. I had to trim the sides and nail it together again.

You have got to be kidding me!

I also had to add more slats to the back for reinforcement and an additional one at the top and the bottom to create a larger box for plants that have a more complicated root system.

First thing you want to ask yourself is "what kind of pallet garden will I be making?"

With boxes between the slats that you have to create yourself with landscaping fabric
Without the boxes and just fill the entire pallet with soil

With this method fill the pallet with soil and then plant your veggies and flowers. You need keep the pallet lying flat and wait at least 2 weeks for the roots to settle in before you push the pallet upright. But I don't the patience or the room to maneuver this so I went with Option 1, which is what I will cover in this tutorial

Here's what you'll need to turn the pallet into a vertical garden box:

Roll of landscaping fabric - it's super cheap, about $8.00 and you'll have enough to spare for your pots and plant boxes. It's available at any home improvement and gardening store.
Staple gun - I have the cordless Arrow CT50 staple gun.
Hammer - to reinforce some of those staples that didn't go all the way down.
3.5 bags of 23 litres of soil (or about 2 bags for a regular sized pallet)

Creating your pallet garden box:

I wrapped some landscaping fabric on the bottom to close it up.

Next I made little pockets with the landscaping fabric between each slat. You'll be putting soil into these pockets so make sure you staple them in there nice and tight. If your staples are not all the way in the wood it leaves space for the fabric to tear under the weight. Grab that hammer and show that staple who's boss.

Once you've finished your pockets you need to turn it around and cover the back. I also added a plant hook on the side because I wanted to try out a Topsy Turvy this year.

Placing plants in the palette garden box:

It's really important to plan out where you're going to put things. Here's a sketch I made a while ago but I re did it about 5 times afterwards until I was happy with the over all scheme:

Watering your plants in a pallet garden:

If you take the route that I did with the pockets you don't have to worry so much about uneven watering. However, if you go with Option 2 and decide just to fill the pallet up with soil, you do risk the top drying out a lot faster than the other tiers because the water runs straight down to the bottom.

How much and how often you will need to water will depend on how much sun or shade you have, what kind of plants you have, and how you've arranged them. Make sure to follow the instructions on the plant cards and follow the advice from experienced gardeners.

Some tips for planning your garden:

Do your research

How much shade and sun does your space have? Plants that require lots of sun (like tomatoes, peppers, basil, and most flowers) should go in the top tiers. If they require lots of space, make sure you adjust your pockets. The bottom tiers are best for plants that like shade (hostas, kale, salad greens, broccoli, and rosemary).

For the first week, leave a matt at the bottom of the pallet. The soil is still settling in and it might drip down when you water your plants and this will create a hot mess. Trust me, I know.
Leave at least 1 inch of space from the top of the pocket when you're adding soil or else the water will just run right off and down to the ground.

Good luck and happy gardening.

Patio Garden

2014-05-15T19:44:00.001-07:00

After two years of moving around right in the middle of gardening season I'm ready to roll up my sleeves, dig into the soil, and grow stuff.

Here are some goals for the 2014 seasons:

Keep it simple

Since it's been a while since I've gardened I stuck to plants that I've had success with. No petunias or plants that turn into aphid farms

Grow vertically

I've created a vertical garden with a pallet. The pallet garden is a smart way (instructions coming up soon) to free up space for lounging

Think organic

I created my own compost tea, organic insecticide, and organic fertilizer

Space to relax

Adding a bistro set so I can enjoy the view and my garden

Here are some pics of what I've done so far and a break down of how and what I've down will come in the next couple of weeks:

Here's a close up of the pallet garden I created:

And check out my view. Vancouver is a beautiful city.

Patio garden at night:

I'm looking forward to the plants growing and to create different shapes and lines. Tons of DIY tutorials to share coming up.

Redecorating Type A Styles

2014-04-15T13:40:00.001-07:00

I moved back to Vancouver 8 - 9 months ago and have yet to share pics of the final results of the redecorating. It took me two days to complete everything (no, I didn't sleep) and accomplish the following goals

Cleaner colour pallette
Texture on some of the walls
Add some mid century pieces with a modern personal touch
More plants and less clutter

So without further adieu, heeeerrrreeee we go:

Living Room

Can you spot the changes?

Before and After

I took out some of the very girly elements and reduced the amount of sharp and bright colours from the scheme. Here are a list of things that I changed (that I can remember):

Re-upholstered the couch
Made new pillow covers
DIY Starburst and Antlers
Put up new wallpaper
Plants plants plants
New art
Got rid of the desk and iMac
Made new coffee table

DIY Starbursts and new wallpaper and DIY Antlers and Mount

I'll post up pics of the other spaces soon.

Green Roof of the Vancouver Public Library

2013-05-03T10:49:00.001-07:00

About 6 months ago I woke up and drew the blinds in my hotel room and marveled at the gorgeous view of the Central Library of the Vancouver Public Library and it’s Green Roof. I quickly snapped a picture and posted it on Instagram to freeze this moment in time and to share it with others.

http://instagram.com/p/RJRsskqsfw/

Just a couple of weeks ago, Marya Gadison, Coordinator of Marketing and Communications of the Vancouver Public Library contacted me for permission to use that picture on the Vancouver Public Library site. She connected me to Shelagh Flaherty, Director, Library Experience. When I told her about my passion for gardening and interest in the Green Roof. On a day full of press releases, public announcements and meetings, Shelagh was kind enough to give me a chunk of her time so I could learn more about their plans to find new ways to develop space where people can connect, learn, create, and contribute.

Can you tell me a bit about the background about the Green Roof at the Central Library of the Vancouver Public Library?

The construction of the Central Library began in 1991. DA Architects and Planners, then known as Downs/Archambault & Partners, was among the local firms that contributed to the design of the building. While the model included a garden on the roof the city had not budgeted for this project. Those plans changed and we enlisted renowned and innovative landscaping architect, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander to design our green space.

Can you tell me a bit more about it’s purpose?

While the Library is a public place the roof top garden was not meant to be a place for people to walk around. In fact, there isn’t even a fence around it or any walking paths.

There are several benefits to having a green roof:

Increase the total mass of living matter in a given unit area
Reduce air pollutants
Reduce cooling requirements for the Library roof
Stores and delay storm water run off

How much care goes into the Green Roof?

The Green Roof requires very little maintenance. The plants in the garden were chosen because they were self-sustaining. We have had the same plants since the Green Roof was created and they are flourishing. (The majority of the BC native plans up on the green roof are blue and green fescue bunchgrass to represent the Fraser River and kinnikinnick, which represents the higher elevations of the land.) If you view the roof from above you’ll see that the design of the garden is made so it looks like the Fraser River.

Arial view of the Green Roof at the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library

Do you have plans to create green space at the Central Branch?

In 1991, to secure funding, we leased the top two floors the Provincial Government, which they use as offices. This agreement ends in 2015 and our hope is to have those two floors converted into public green space.

We are lucky enough to have Cornelia back on board to design the new green space for the Central Library Library. The residents and visitors of Vancouver can expect something that reflects Vancouver, which will be accessible and is self-sustainable.

What developments can we expect in the next coming years?

We recently released our strategic plan to expand community space. Our vision is to create a free place for everyone to discover.

The newest branch will be located on the 700 block of East Hastings. Partnering with the YWCA, this LEEDS building will also have social housing for women and children.

Scheduled for completion for the end of 2014, the Central Library will be unveiling a digital media space (3,000 square feet), which as been dubbed the “Inspiration Lab”. Residence and visitors may have access to a digital recording studio, video editing software and workstations, an interactive music lab and more.

While the population in the Vancouver’s Downtown Core continues to increase the City of Vancouver actively consults with the public and planners to find ways provide public green space. I encourage everyone to participate in the planning of these initiatives as it affects the residents and visitors of this terrific city.

Photo Courtesy of Alison J Dodd

Additional Notes:

Vancouver Public Library is one of the city’s longest institutions. Established in 1887, it continues to serve the public and has nearly 350,000 active card holders across 22 locations and online at VPL.ca through ebooks, databases and other digital services. VPL recorded more than 6.5 million visits in 2012; patrons borrowed nearly 10 million items, including books, ebooks, CDs, DVDs and magazines.

VPL is supported by the City of Vancouver, and is dedicated to meeting the lifelong learning, reading and information needs of the residents of Vancouver.

To learn more about the Vancouver Public Library, including their development plans, please contact:

604-331-3603

vpl.ca

Coming Up Soon - Vancouver Public Library Green Roof interview

2013-04-11T10:50:00.002-07:00

I'm back with a vengeance. Okay, that sounded a bit extreme. Let's say I'm back, excited, and enthused to start up this blog again.

The other day, Marya Gadison, Coordinator of Marketing and Communications for the Vancouver Public Library contacted me about a photo I had posted on instagram of their amazing green roof. After mutually gushing about this terrific space we realized there was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the green roof and share it with everyone. So in the next couple of weeks, I will have a great opportunity to chat with someone that works on this project and will be posting it on my blog.

Staaaaaay tuned!

The Roaring 20's - A Trip to MOV

2013-04-06T01:16:00.001-07:00

Last Spring, I went to the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) for the first time. I went there with a purpose. I was a woman with a goal. I wanted to see the "Art Deco Chic - Extravagant Glamour Between the Wars". With with the release of Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" in May 2013, it seems like an appropriate time to engage in some re-memories.

After 4 years of war, the world was recovering and ready to celebrate. Freedom and euphoria, the success of the women's suffrage movement, and the influence of Hollywood and jazz music all had an impact on fashion of the 1920's and the 30's. The "Flapper" became synonymous with a woman who enjoyed life, was wreckless and thumbed her nose at traditional female norms, was fashionable and not afraid to play up her sexuality. These were worldly women, not ingenues who needed to be protected from the dangerous world. The Flapper wanted to be part of it all.

Rather than being bound in tight bodices, stiff fabric, and covered in long hemlines, the glamourous fashions in the 20's and 30's were light, lose, and skirts were becoming shorter and more sheer.

The most delicate and intricate beading and embroidery

The style of these dresses was a symbol of the defiance against the culture and rules of the generation before them. Drop waists, bodices, and skirts draped loosely over the body, which would allow movement. Silks and chiffon dresses with shorter skirts which were often considered indecent allowed women to dance, and be free, while subtly showing off their gamine figure. The intricately designed motifs were embellished with beads and embroidery were often influenced by the fascination of the Polynesian Islands, the "Orient" and the Art Deco movement.

The scoop and V shape was used frequently on both the neckline and the back of the dress emphasized the simple straight lines. The two dresses in the first picture were some of my favourites because of the rich and saturated colour of the fabric and the architectural effect of the draping and design of the back.

Hollywood glamour found it's way into this era's evening wear. Romantic and glitzy, these dresses were designed to capture the eyes of men and women and the attention of cameras.

I would probably mug women for these outfits. It is very very likely.

There was something about this saffron yellow dress that just drew me in. While it was considered daywear, I found it just as glamourous as the beaded silk gowns. The cut is so simple, the colour is warm and significant, and the fabric is easy and light. I'm not sure it would look great with my skin (I fear I'd look like I have jaundice) but I'd be tempted to buy it so it was part of my collection (yes, I have a collection of vintage dresses - who doesn't?!)

And lastly, these groups of dresses just left me awestruck. While typically I am not a pastel or monet-like floral type of person the simple and dreamlike effect that the fabric and the patterns make them seem wearable, touchable, and easy.

"Grrrrrrl, you look good". "What, you mean this old thing?"

No doubt the woman from the 20's and the 30's will be the muse of fashionistas and designers for the next season. I can't wait to see what's in store for Fall fashion.

I always find a visit to the museum fulfills my need to learn, explore, and discover. If you're in Vancouver, check out the exhibits at the Museum of Vancouver.

Address: 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9

Phone:(604) 736-4431

Website: www.museumofvancouver.ca

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Things to do in Palm Springs - Moorten Botanical Garden

2013-04-04T00:55:00.000-07:00

Even though succulents and cacti have been the "in" plants for quite some time, I always had an affinity for them. I remember the first time I received them as a gift I couldn't believe that you only had to water them once every 10 days. Suffice to say, that pot of plants perished. Cacti.care.disaster - womp womp.

Ahh, Debbie Downer - always adding a bit of perspective to every situation

So, last year I was in Palm Springs for Coachella and I think going to Moorten Botanical Garden listed higher on my list than seeing Florence and the Machine perform live. When I found out there was a Cacturium (yes, it is an actual term that was coined by the Moortens) I dragged my crew to travel out there on our bikes in the scorching heat.

YES!!!! I am in the Cactarium! Okay, I'll calm down.

The botanical oasis have been part of the Moorten family estate since 1938. Chester "Cactus Slim" Moorten transformed the home he shared with his wife, Patricia, into an emporium dedicated to the world of desert plants. With over 3000 varieties, from miniatures to giants I was giddy going through all the different types. I took so many pictures in the Palm Springs desert heat that my iphone actually shut off because it was burning up (I think my friends were, too).

I find succulents and cacti fascinating. They survive in the most extreme high temperatures with very little water. When flowers do appear they're vibrant and clothed in cheerful colours; they serve as a reminder that the desert is not an uninhabited, desolate, and deserted land. Life exists at a different pace in different forms on their own time. Cacti and succulents have the oddest shapes and textures and their peculiar appearance just puts me in a gleeful state. Can you guess which one is the "Cat's Palm" Cactus, in the series of photos, below?

Now under the care of the second generation of desert plant experts, Clark Moorten continues to share this "living museum of desert lore". If you're a fellow desert plant lover or just want to try something different, I recommend popping by Moorten Botanical Garden if you are visiting Palm Springs. Bring your camera, some sunscreen, some water, and your wonder.

Contact: clarkmoorten@yahoo.com or 760-327-6555
Address: 1701 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92264
Hours: 10 am - 4 pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Website: http://www.moortengarden.com

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Ahem - yes, I am still here

2013-04-03T23:08:00.000-07:00

So after a year hiatus, I have decided it's time to come back to go back to talking about the things that I can't stop talking about. I have a lot of catching up to do, so without further adieu - my rambling continues.

Design by Bubblehezza

The Saguaro Hotel - Palm Springs

2012-05-14T22:22:00.001-07:00

I've been visiting Palm Springs every other year since 2008 for Coachella. Each trip has been unique and amazing. While driving to finally visit Moorten Botanical Garden, I spotted the most eye catching site in the middle of a dry desert. Was it a mirage? I'd never seen this before, and being someone who loves vivid and bright colours, surely this would have been a place that would have been on my must see list. All I could think about was "What the hell was that!!! Do my eyes deceive me?"

Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

I was so excited to see this array of colours. It was like light had hit a crystal and all the rays had splashed in every direction. The colours just make me smile. I was filled with wonder and I made sure to jot down a note in my iPhone to follow up on this sight.

Turning the Corner, I caught the name of the hotel:

Photo Courtesy of Artisan Events

So, I did a google search to learn more about this mirage like paradise. It turns out, I've been hiding under a rock because everyone has been talking about this development. The Sydell Group celebrated the grand opening just in March of 2012, a month before the annual music festival, Coachella, was underway. Architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat set out to pay hommage to the bright tones and hues of the desert flowers that somehow, in their own miraculous way, survive under the most extreme conditions.

I can barely contain myself when I looked at the different rooms on their website.

Photos Courtesy of Hotels.com

Oh, and those are just the bedrooms. You want more - don't worry, I gotcha. Ladies and Gents, please look to your left and you will see the lobby:

Photos Courtesy of Hotels.com

Please follow me as I take you to take in the wonderful design of the El Jefe dining room, run by Iron Chef Garces.

Photos Courtesy of Hotels.com

And the folks from Artisan Events gave us a grand tour of the Tinto Restaurant. Check out their amazing pictures:

All Photos Courtesy of Artisan Events

Please be patient, there is much to see, I don't like to be trampled on. Finally, ladies and gentlemen, we have the pool:

Photos Courtesy of Hotels.com

That concludes the end of this tour. In lieu of monetary rewards for my terrific service, I do ask that you consider treating me to a one week stay in this cheerful oasis. Thank you and please come again.

Rize in Mount Pleasant

2012-05-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

Over the years there have been a great deal of conversation (and debate) regarding the now approved multi-story condominium in Mount Pleasant that will be developed by Rize Alliance. After withdrawing their initial plan to build a 26 story building due to negative feedback from the public, Rize Alliance received approval from the city to build a 19 story building on April of 2012. They have gone back to the drawing board to put something together that will make everyone happy, which will not be an easy feat.

Mount Pleasant is hands down my favourite neighborhood in Vancouver. Sure I love Commercial Drive, Downtown, and Gastown but Main Street has my heart.

I've done a couple of interviews with two of my favourite consignment stores, Front and Co. and C'est La Vie and these blog posts are filled with testaments of people who have a passion for what they do and they are among the many unique individuals who contribute to Mount Pleasant's character.

While other developments have gone up in this area such as 3333 Main, The Stella and the Sophia, I was either not fully impressed with the design of the building or was turned off by their location. When it comes to Main Street, I want to see the developer bring in social housing (both for families and single residents), green space for community gardens, space that will house a daycare, and perhaps a grocery store Co-Op. I'd also love to see space for a Farmer Market.

The development that will be built by Rize Alliance has been met with opposition from many groups, including the Residents Association of Mount Pleasant (RAMP). Members are concerns about the ill effects that gentrification will have on their beloved neighborhood.

But Rize Alliance have been involved in some projects that show some promise that they understand part of what makes Mount Pleasant so special. Since April 2011, The Rize Pop-Up Shop has housed local artists and designers to showcase and sell their work to the public.

Notable occupants include Ion Magazine and their network of artists and Sandra Todd of Velveteen Vintage, who gave a handful of youths (age 14-18) the opportunity to flex their creative muscles and gain some valuable business acumen through their exposure to the retail world.

Admittedly, I have my eyes on this development and have been for quite some time because, ultimately, I would love to live here. I'm a condo person and I'm excited to see if Rize Alliance will be able to strike that balance between urban living and Mount Pleasant charm in the design of this new project. Mount Pleasant isn't just made of art and artists, it's a community of individuals who care deeply about the social, economic, and environmental impact that such a large scale development will have on their land.

What are your thoughts?

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Blame it on the Rain

2012-05-09T21:05:00.001-07:00

"Blame it on the Rain" - Millie Vanilli (1989)

Yeah, the title is cheesy. I loved this damn song back in the day. I think I was 9 or 10 - it was an age where one would be impressionable, foolish, and misguided. I don't feel ashamed as we were all duped. Rab and Fab wore a lot of spandex and that creeped me out a bit.

WHOA, I TOTALLY DIGRESSED - GET A GRIP, PAM!!!!!! Okay, so April was just a messy, rainy affair. I thought we'd never see some sun. But now the clouds have parted and we're full of cheer. I'll certainly need to spend the next couple weeks updating my blog because I've seen and experienced some pretty cool things here and there.

This is the first thing I saw when I woke up to this morning. Yep, that's worth posting on Instagram!

I'm excited to say that I'll be taking on a new challenge which will take me to British Columbia's wine capital, Kelowna, to live and work for 15 months. While I do try to keep my work and blogging life separate I can say that I'll be working for one of the places I visited with the Girls Who Wine, back in September of last year.

I'll be close enough to Vancouver that I can drive or fly back in the blink of an eye. It will be the first time I've lived or worked anywhere outside of Vancouver and this is a pretty big step for me both personally and professionally. But I'm ready for the challenge and the adventure and all my loved ones are supportive of this move.

There will be host of new things to write about, a slew of sites to capture on camera, and rants and raves regarding the special places that I find in Kelowna.

As my move inches closer, I am increasingly aware of how happy am to appreciate my environment and those in it and see the value in all that is around me.

News Flash: Front and Company

2012-03-29T00:03:00.000-07:00

Front and Company was the first place that I came to consign my clothing, even though I had been shopping at thrift stores for quite some time. What drew me in was the window displays and how innovated they were in creating a story. Each year, the story becomes more elaborate and this is extended into the shop, itself. It's like a emporium of creativity.

Photos Courtesy of Front and Company

I've always been curious about the thought process behind the window displays and the store interior. Each season, there's a different theme that's just fantastical. I had an opportunity to sit down with Sonia and Allie in their new studio to chat about what inspires them and how they work as a team.

1. Tell me about your background and how you've been able to bring creativity to the store fronts and interior of Front and Company?
Sonia - I started at Front and Company 6 years ago. I have a theater background but joined Front and Company because it looked like a great place to work so I started on the retail floor and then started assisting Diana, one of the owners, with merchandising. Now I'm the lead in designing the window displays and coming up with the themes. My first project was the Winter 2009 Christmas theme.

Photos Courtesy of Front and Company
2. What is your process to create the whole look of the store?
Sonia - It's a team effort. We're a group of creative people. Two-thirds of us are either art school students/grads or musicians. Each person has their own specialty. Katrina is great at building things and Karen does great miniatures, which you'll see in the next store theme. It's a lot of hard work but it's also a team building experience. We're all committed to making the store look great and we all feel so proud when it's all done.

We get a lot of support from the owners. They gave us a great budget so we don't scrimp on the materials.

3. The Christmas 2011 theme was amazing. How did you source all the materials?
Sonia - We have quite a few of the old items from other themes in the back of the shop and we use them if we can. The large plastic clear globes are from a plastic company and it took a while to find them. They were quite pricey.

The larger plastic fixtures are from a company in Gastown. We often use clothing from Diana's collections as she has amazing pieces that you couldn't find anywhere.

4. What's your favourite theme?
Sonia - The up and coming theme is my favourite but it's top secret. It's one that I've been obsessed with for a while and I can't wait to complete it.

5. How do the fashion trends influence the themes?
Allie - We consult together on what the trends are and I keep an eye on what's coming in. We've got some people who are great at sewing and can put together some terrific things.

Sonia - Allie is meticulous when she sews - she can replicate something down to the littlest detail.

6. How do you decide what items you will accept?
Allie - it really depends on the season and the trends. We have three pickers and each of us have different styles and we choose different things. Sometimes we try something out to see if it will sell. You just never know. The three of us stay in touch with each other on what trends we're noticing and what people are bringing in.

Sonia - I find that there are so many opportunities to have interesting conversations with our consignors. When someone brings items that are unsuitable for our store, it's a chance for us to educate them on what might work better. Conservative wear doesn't sell well at Front and Company but we try to steer consignors in the right direction to the other places where they might take it.

7. What do you think makes Front and Company unique?
Allie - We have amazing clothing and stock and that is in part of our great consignors who bring in a great mix of styles. Our items are also reasonably priced. I feel like our store is part of this special community and it's in the center of it.

Front and Company is very eclectic, both with the way the store looks, to the styles that we carry, the people who shop here, and the staff. The trends that we carry lean towards girlie and contemporary. We have a great mix of vintage and modern items. There are some brands that are really popular, like Aritzia's brand, Wilfred. But we have a mix of everything here and that's what people love about the store, that you can put together different items to create a unique look.

Our rummage sales, which take place four times a year, just keep getting bigger. The items are discounted and dead stock of samples that we need to clear out and consignment items that didn't sell. All the proceeds go to a charity that we've chosen. We chose Doctor Without Borders as the charity to receive the proceeds from the last sale.

Sonia - The sales just keep getting bigger because the store has gotten busier. We start out with this huge mountain of clothing. I can tell how well we did because I always jump into the pile after we're done.

I really encourage you to pop into Front and Company. It's a unique experience and their innovative ideas keep the store looking fresh and fun. Keep your eyes peeled for the newest happenings at Front and Company by checking out their website, their blog, which is run by Dan, and their Facebook page.

The next rummage sale is coming up on the Eastern Long Weekend. I have to warn you, I'm the girl who is throwing elbows to get into that pile. I get pretty ugly.

Front and Company
3772 Main Street
Vancouver, BC
V5V 3N7
604-879-8431

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Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

2012-03-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm a simple girl. Sure, I like me some pretty and sparkly jewels but I'm not Elizabeth Taylor. Geometric shapes and outlines are seen in decor and fashion for a couple seasons now. I'm the type of person who teeters between styles and find myself loving the urban and edgy look but going back to vintage girly girl with a modern twist styles. But what I love about this trend is that it's taking something that usually looks extravagant and makes it modern and simple.

I stumbled across a couple of items that caught my eye that fall within the lines of the geometric outline trend. This a great cushion by graphic designer, Leonora, of Yellow Heart Art. I'm a big fan of her stuff, so check her out! The diamond cushions are terrific.

I'd love to have a large one and several mini ones sitting in a little corner of my home, scattered and spilled out on the floor.

I'm really liking these charms by Geometric Land. Even though it's an outline of a diamond, the brass takes the preciousness and prissiness away from it.

Diamond Charms - by Geometric Land

The settee and console table designed by American Designer, Darrell Landrum, in the late 40's to 50's has lines that remind me of the geometric setting of a diamond.

Check out the fun and whimsical store decor of Hansel, a Singaporean womens wear label and their usuage of paper art:

All photos courtesy of Hansel blog

Of course, if someone were to give me the real thing, I wouldn't reject it. Even it it's the dreaded Marquis/ Pear shaped diamond:

DIY - Space Invader Pillow

2012-03-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted a DIY. Here's something I did back in October. I made this duvet cover and pillow set for a video game enthusiast as a birthday present.

Here's a simple way* to create the a space invader decal but you can use this method to add any simple silhouette.

What you'll need:

two types of fabric (I used cotton flannel)
double sided fusible (iron-on) interfacing
scissors
ruler
pins
iron

Find a picture of the character that you would like to put on your cushion.

Take a look at the interfacing. One side will have the "wax" the other side will have the "glue". Put the paper print out on top of the wax side of the interfacing and put the fabric underneath the interfacing so it touches the glue.
Carefully pin the three pieces together but make sure the pins are neat and straight - no puckering.
With a sharp pair of scissors, carefully cut the pattern out. If there is a hole in the pattern (i.e. an eye) cutting an "X" makes it easier to cut it out neatly.

So now you have the design in front of you - keep those pins in there. Get that iron ready.
Flip the pieces over so the fabric is facing you. Iron just at the top so that the interfacing is stuck to the fabric. Now that everything is secure, take out the pins.
Straighten everything out and continue to iron.
Wait about 10 - 30 seconds, or until the fabric and interfacing is cool.
Now flip it over to the paper side - peel off the paper
Now if you already have a cushion cover or if you are making your cushion from scratch, you can now take the decal and pin it on the cushion.
Make sure you're happy where you've pinned it because once you activate that iron, it's set.
Run the iron over the decal and the cushion - and you're done.

I put the decal under the sewing machine using the zig-zag setting and secured the design against the cushion.
Repeat the same instructions using the opposite color if you want to have two different sides for your pillow.

*If you only want a black silhouette, you can just get black interfacing with the adhesive on one side, cut out the pattern and "viola", you're done! Even easier!

Here's a couple other pillows I've made using this same technique:

You May Also be Interested in:

DIY - Headboard

DIY - Reupholstered Chairs

DIY - Upside-Down Planters

News Flash - C'est La Vie Consignment Boutique

2012-03-04T03:11:00.002-08:00

So what is consignment? You bring your unwanted but fashionable clothing to the store and the consignee will go through your items and choose what they feel will be appropriate for their customer. The store staff will price the items and sell them in their store and you split the profits.

I've been consigning with C'est La Vie Consignment Boutique for years and have developed a friendship with boutique owner, Faustine Faure. I'm such a frequent customer that she knows my consignment number by heart. Her store is a mix of vintage items and more contemporary pieces that you would see in H&M, Aritzia, and Club Monaco.

Here's a great example of mixing vintage and modern pieces. This look would probably cost at least $500 brand new. But the tank top is by a local designer and was priced at $25. I was just crazy about this skirt but it was too small for me and it pained me to know that I had to pass up the great deal. This skirt is only $25! I threw in some pretty accessories to complete this spring look. The green 80's style belt was only $14 and the vintage patent leather heels are $30. A complete head to toe look for under $100.

The second look is something I bought a couple of years ago. I got the red H&M polo for $7 and the 80's linen skirt was about $25.

So here's an example of my recent experience with consignment. I popped by C'est La Vie and checked my account and I had $30 to pick up. The beautiful poncho was only $45 dollars and since I do consignment with C'est La Vie I get an additional 10% off. So this poncho cost me $10! Love it!

Faustine and I sat down together to chat and chow down on dim sum. I picked her brain about vintage, fashion eras, and the consignment business.

Tell me about C'est La Vie Consignment boutique:

People always think that C'est La Vie only sells vintage but it’s a mixture of both old and new. But I do love the quality and uniqueness of vintage. For the price that you pay for vintage you can wear something that inspires the top designers like Louis Vuitton. I really do try to keep my store affordable. I have some designer jeans that sell for $250 dollars if they are brand new and I price them at about $30 - $50. I know that it's tough for the people who bring them in but I have to be priced well so people can afford them and they understand that.

Some new and contemporary looks: 1. Talula Babaton suit (2 pc) - $50 2. Talula Babaton dress - $40 3. Costume Nationale jacket - $45

How did C’est La Vie get started?

Luscious mink, rich leather gloves, and the most fabulous hat

I was always doing it in France and worked in vintage shops. When I came to Vancouver I discovered this different type of consignment. In France consignment shops are more conservative and less fun. So when I saw the consignment stores in Vancouver I fell in love; it’s very different. But I was only a consignor and brought my clothes in for the store to sell and I only wanted to do it as a hobby.

Then my daughter was born and I took a break for 3 years. My mom was the one who pushed me to open my own store. I had saved some money so I didn’t have to work and focused on raising my daughter. Then I looked and saw that still I had 10K and I got a loan on top of that. I chose Main Street even though there were already so many stores.

I’ve been thinking about opening a second store and Gastown has been appealing. I love the old style with the bricks. I’ve often thought about going to Toronto or France.

What’s your favourite era?

Well, I really like mixing things from different eras and different styles so I don’t have a favourite period. But I love certain things from each. I love the fabrics from the 40's and the shape of the jackets; the curves just have a beautiful way of accentuating the body. But I love the 70’s hippie flow and I love things like platform shoes. From the 60’s, I really get into the tougher looks with the belts and motorcycle style.

So your boutique is bright and pink with a late 60’s to 70’s vibe. Does your home have a similar look?

Yes, I think so. My home decor is very 70’s and the walls are bright orange with accents of green. At the time I started the shop, I really liked pink and orange together. It’s funny because pink isn’t even my favourite colour. But the colours popped into my head and I just stuck to that idea and went with it. I think it’s fresh, bubbly, and it reminds me of the colours that you see in the clothing from India.

I see some fashion icons on C’est La Vie’s walls such as Jerry Hall and Twiggy. Who has influenced you?

I grew up in fashion because my mom was a fashion designer and I was always around it. I went to runway shows and flea markets at such a young age. I was always reading fashion magazines. My mother was a designer for many different brands. It has been so important in influencing and inspiring my fashion and style background.

It's always a pleasure to learn about what drives people and what their passions are. For Faustine, it's fashion and mixing different styles of clothing together from different eras and create a look that's unique and personal.
You can also find pieces from C'est La Vie at local vintage clothing sale events such as The Chosen Ones that is held at the Waldorf Hotel and The Beggar's Banquet (blog post in the future!) in Gastown.

Here's a couple of my favourite pieces that I've bought over the years from C'est La Vie:

1. Two piece vintage wool dress with cropped jacket - $50 2. Talula Babaton silk dress - $35 (regular over $150) 3. Vintage wool crepe dress - $35

Take a stroll into C'est La Vie to see what surprises they have waiting for you. They're located in the trendy Main Street neighborhood.

Open 7 days a week 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
3247 Main St.
Vancouver, BC
604-876-2284
www.cestlavieboutique.ca
Consignment terms and conditions

You might also be interested in:

Laura of "On the Racks"

Roselle and Fabulous Neil from Filmgo

The Journey to Cartems Donuterie

2012-02-25T14:57:00.007-08:00

Everyone is talking about Cartems' donuts. They're not your run of the mill donuts. They're handmade by skilled pastry chefs and the ingredients are sourced locally. Donuts are made daily - not frozen. Currently housed in the Gastown hood at 408 Carrall, this pop up donuterie had some serious traffic. Pals, Mark Tagulao, Rajesh Narine and Jordan Cash will be updating us on the permanent location in the nearer future.

So, here is my journey to get my hands on these donuts:

9:00 am
Woke up a groggy mess

10:00 am
Finally got out of bed - still a groggy mess

11:15 am
Head over to the Gastown hood to meet Sally who tells me Cartems has already sold out of donuts. They opened at 11:00 am! The calvary will bring their reserves at 12:00 pm.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

11:30 am
I loiter around Gastown, hitting up a couple of vintage stores.

The window @ ArtSpeak

12:00 pm
Modest line up starts. Anticipation is building. Yes, I know, these are donuts, for crying out loud. But I heard they are good. Really good.

12:15 ish pm
Doors open, the crowd is happy, we're excited. We want our donuts.

You can order online in advance and they deliver in the designated area

12:20 pm
Rajesh Narine apologizes and thank us for our patience - he's a nice dude. I didn't have a mean bone in my body for these peeps. I spot the much talked about Earl Grey donut and add them to my 1/2 dozen order. Also included are the Camp Fire, 2 Carrot Cake, and Cinnamon Sugar donut. There was a Slow Heat donut and they sold out of the Maple Bacon Donut. Next time, my friends. Next time.

These are so good. Earl Grey Donuts - I call them my Crack Donuts. They're addicting. Dangerous. Sigh.

And I'll have two of these, please.

12:30 pm
Grocery shopping and wanted to get home so badly to eat my donuts that I forgot to pick up miso paste.

1:00 pm
So, now it's me and this box of treasures. Voila - let your eyes feast on these beaut's.

Knock Knock

Hello, my pretties

I dig in for the Earl Grey. Slightly euphoric. Delicious, slightly crispy on the outside. Dense. Fragrant.

Oh yes, you and me.

1:05 pm
There are voices coming from the box. I open it. I could have sworn the carrot cake donut winked at me. I teach that damn thing a lesson and eat it. Wonders if I should call a therapist.

1:10 pm
Making tea and the donut box is still open. I am weak. Hand is reaching into the box and it's beyond my control. The Camp Fire donut disappears. This is getting out of hand.

1:20 pm
*uck it. See ya later 2nd Earl Grey donut. Now decides to put the box with the remaining donuts at the top of my jacket closet - out of reach. Closes closet. I am safe, for now.

Turquoise, Teal, Aquarmine Home Decor

2012-02-20T14:40:00.001-08:00

Every once in a while I toy with the idea of changing the colour scheme of my apartment. Currently, the colours that fill my home are these:

But I've drooled over many turquoise, aquamarine, and teal coloured pieces that I've been tempted to change things up and bring in some pieces that change the vibe of my place up a bit.

Here's a little gallery of pretty turquoise items that have caught my eye:

Courtesy of Love the Hays

Courtesy of A La Mode

Courtesy of Core One

Courtesy of Crystal Cattle

Courtesy of Sunny Sunflower House

Courtesy of Retro Verigo Vintage

Some gorgeous rooms with a similar colour scheme:

Courtesy of Decor Pad

My Favourite - Jonathan Adler in Coco Cozy

Coming up soon - Faustine from C'est La Vie

2012-02-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of C'est La Vie

What I find most inspiring is people taking something old, typical, used, ugly, beautiful, odd or strange and making it their own. A couch that would normally look bland and boring can be spruced up with a couple of fantastic pillows or an upholstery change and it will have a personality that matches the owner.

I feel the same way about clothing. I have a good mixture of vintage and modern items and love the process and result of mixing it all up to create a look that expresses who I am at that given moment.

One my favourite spots is C'est La Vie, a vintage shop that also does consignment in the trendy Main Street hood of Vancouver. I've been a consignor and a shopper for years. The owner, Faustine, is what I call an Upper Crust Bohemian Parisian. She's a bit different - from her clothing choices, her eclectic taste in music and her quirky ways. She is passionate about vintage clothing and has a wealth of information to share.

So now that we're getting into spring cleaning mode, she'll certainly have some tips on what is hot for Spring and maybe even point us in the direction on some cool combos that we can try with what we have in our closet.

Stay tuned... Faustine and I are going to share some wine and chat, and you get to hear all about it.

Adorable Paper Models - Papercrafts

2012-01-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

Oh - how I wish I bought that paper model craft of the scooter that I saw at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Now I see cute paper model crafts, everywhere!

Scooter DIY Paper Model post card

So, I just saw this terrific set of paper model towns by papierowemiasto that are inspired by a small town in Poland. This set is only available in Europe so we'll have to settle with enjoying it visually:

All photoes from Papierownemiasto

I bought the Themis Mobile after drooling over it for months and finally found it at one of my favourite shops, Vancouver Special. I first saw it in Lucky Magazine a couple of years ago and then went on a hunt to find something similar. Leave it to one of my favourite shops to carry this wonderful piece by Artecnica. Even though I knew that I didn't have a proper home for it, I bought it anyways just in case I change it up in my apartment.

Photo Courtesy of the MOMA Store

So how about we do a little roll call to bring some attention to some other eye catching paper model and crafts:

Can you believe this is a paper model of the Audi A7? I guess this is the only way I could fit it into my budget!

Nicol and Felix by Spanish designer Perro Loco

Shinkansen (Train) Town by Sanrio - link to the templates

Modern Pendant Light

2012-01-16T16:41:00.000-08:00

I have decided that I need a new light fixture. Currently, I have mid sized discrete pendant lamp that I had picked up at the Torre and Tagus sale. It's okay. There's nothing really special about it. There's no real impact. I don't want it to be the main focus of the open space but I do want it to be a point of interest. It must be a bright light - since it is in the kitchen and would also be the main source of light in the room. I don't want it to look like it belongs in the lobby of an expensive condo or in a restaurant. I want it to look unique - like my home. I think the idea of repurposing a bird cage is cute but just too shabby chic for me and I don't want too many edges or details.

Here's what I have - and unfortunately, with the light on, you can't see the mesh-like details:

It's currently sold on Amazon.com (I got mine for only $30!).

I'd like something simple. I did a little Ikea hack by spray painting a fruit bowl and turning it upside down for my entrance light and I would like to have something similar this light:

I'm not sure if I want to go industrial or continue on with the quirky and bright scheme. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Eating Habits - Goal for 2012

2012-01-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

My sister used to lecture me about my carbon footprint. Okay, it was huge. Like, Shaquille O'Neil huge. But things changed when I moved out on my own.

First of all - I couldn't afford to buy all new furniture so I became the Craigslist queen. Then my inventory of clothing was getting out of hand so I turned to consignment (to buy and sell). Then I got into gardening and became more selective of the food that I bought, what I kept (as organic fertilizer for my garden) and what I put in my body.

Then I moved downtown and I got rid of my car and took public transportation, zip car, cycled, scootered, or walked to my destination.

All these changes happened in the span of about two years.

But now I have a new goal, which I've been working on for about two months. I plan to cut down my carbon footprint and live a healthier life by drastically reducing the amount of packaged and processed foods I eat. I had to take an inventory of the food that I consume the most to identify my buying patterns. How to do this? I kept track of what was in my recyling box for the past three weeks. Here's what I found:

LOTS of canned beans, tomatoes, beets, pears (for baking), Jyoti's canned curry, herring and sardines and condiments
Tons of plastic packing for campari and grape tomatoes, arugula, falafel, and goat yogurt

Bye! (Sniff, Sniff)

From this

To this

This is much better than a year ago when I was taking out my recycling every other day.

So what can I do?

I have already bought containers and filled them with dried beans.
Continue to pre-plan my meals (I have weekly meal plans).
Make my own curries.
Take the time to prepare my own beets.
Never buy canned goods by the bulk and when I don't actually need them. They tend to just sit there in my cupboard taking up valuable space.
Make my own chips (kale and sweet potato) and pop my own popcorn.
Buy seasonal veggies. In the summer, I would get large bunches of mizuna and arugula from the UBC farmer market for stupid cheap. So, now that the season has changed, I can eat kale and sprout my own quinoa for salads.
Make my own falafels. Besides, the store bought ones are always pre-fried. I'm sure I can make patties that I can just pop into the oven or on the Foreman Grill.
In the summer, I will buy fresh berries and make my own preserves.

Less packaging, just buy your veggies from the smaller grocery stores or farmer markets

These tools will be part of my arsenal to keep me on track:

Foreman Grill

Slow Cooker

Salad Spinner

Currently, my intake of processed and packaged foods is quite low - I'd say I'm probably at about 65-75%. I'd like to see that go down up to about 75% - 85% by the end of February.

How will I know that I've succeeded?

I only need to take my recycling out once a month and eventually, every other month
The canned goods shelf is replaced by dried food. It has already gone from two whole shelves to half a shelf.
Packaged salad and tomatoes in my home become as rare as a full moon (I'm keeping my expectations realistic).

Any tips to share?

Recipe - Quinoa salad with sauteed kale and tofu

2012-01-09T21:24:00.000-08:00

So, I've gone on about how much I'm loving kale so here's a little recipe to the dish I made, today:

Quinoa Salad with Sauteed Tofu and Kale

Ingredients:
-1 cup of mixed dried beans (or two cans of mixed beans)
-1 bunch of kale
-1 large red onion
-1 bunch of parsley
-1 cup of grape tomatoes
-two cloves of garlic
-1 red pepper
-juice of 1/2 lemon
-1.5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
-2 tablespoons of masala spice powder
-1 small package of firm tofu
-1 box of quinoa
-water or stock

Beans:
If you are working with dried beans make sure to soak them over night and boil them for about 10 minutes. Drain and put aside.

Prepare marinade:
-In a bowl squeeze the juice from the lemon
-Add 1.5 tablespoon cider vinegar
-Add masala powder, pinch of salt and pepper

Prepare the quinoa:
-Follow the instructions on the box
-I added half an onion and 1 clove of garlic to the boiling water as well as a pinch of salt
-The box of quinoa that I used made about 2 cups of quinoa and let it it aside for 15 minutes

Prepare kale, tofu and onion mix:
-Clean and de-stem the kale chopped up into 2 inches chunks
-Drain and cut the tofu in 1 inch squares
-Put the other half of the onion in 2 tablespoons of oil
-Add 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
-Sauteed until onion start to brown a bit
-Throw in the cubed tofu and add a little bit of salt
-Once the tofu starts to brown a little add the kale
-Add one tablespoon of masala powder and a bit of salt

Sauteed until kale softens but still crunchy. This will take about 5 minutes. Set aside.

Prepare the rest of the veggies:
-Slice grape tomatoes in half
-Cut red pepper into 1 inch squares
-chop up the parsley

-Add beans

Throw in all the vegetables in one bowl and mix with the marinade. Throw in the quinoa last.

Eat and enjoy!

Kale - My new meal buddy

2012-01-09T20:21:00.000-08:00

Ever since the Fall popped around, I've pretty much had kale everyday.

I grew two types of kale in the summer - baby kale and just regular kale. The baby type was lovely in salads and sandwiches, where as the kale is great sauteed, roasted or in a baked dish.

Now, a bit about my eating habits. I'm back to my regular schedule where I prepare my meals by the week. I find that if I pre-plan my meals I make wiser choices on what I buy, how much I buy and what I cook.

I have another thing to admit. I'm ridiculously cheap at times. I can't stand seeing people put things to waste. We had a number of luncheons at work and they used kale as a garnish and they were going to throw it all out! You can eat that stuff! So I took it all (about three large plastic bags full) and froze what I couldn't use immediately.

I'm not the type of person who gets tired of eating the same thing everyday. I can eat the same thing for lunch and dinner - I'll go ahead and toot my own horn - I'm a great cook. I've been using my slow cooker for the most part and it's one of my favourite kitchen tools. I love eating soups and stews. They're hearty, good for you, easy to make, and you can fill em with great stuff.

So, I've made the following items over the past weeks and everything had kale in it:

Week 1: Minestrone Soup
Week 2: Butternut and sweet potato soup with roasted walnuts, fennel and fried kale chips
Week 3: Thai Curry stew with sauteed kale, roasted almonds and root vegetables
Week 4: Lotus root, shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choi, five spice marinade tofu stew in a spicy chili sauce and pickled kale
Week 5: Borscht
Week 6: Kale, sun-dried tomato, pecorino cheese, green olives, mustard seed, red onion quiche
Week 7: Quinoa salad with sauteed onions, kale and tofu

What the hell is so great about kale? According to WHFoods, kale has some of the following benefits:

Antioxidant-Related Health Benefits

Kale's cancer preventive benefits have been clearly linked to its unusual concentration of two types of antioxidants, namely, carotenoids and flavonoids. Lutein and beta-carotene are antioxidants that protect our body. Recent research has also made it clear that at least 45 different antioxidant flavonoids exist in kale.

Other stuff about kale according to mercola.com:

Kale eases lung congestion and is beneficial to the stomach, liver and immune system
It contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect the eyes from macular degeneration
It also contains indole-3-carbinol, which may protect against colon cancer
Kale is an excellent source of calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and chlorophyll

Nutritional Value of cooked 1 cup of kale (boiled and without salt) from Happy Juicer:

Vitamin A(IU)	13621
Vitamin A (microg retinol activity equivalents)	681
Vitamin B6 (mg)	0.138
Vitamin B12 (microg)	0
Folic Acid (microg)	0
Niacin (mg)	0.5
Riboflavin (mg)	0.07
Thiamin (mg)	0.053
Vitamin C (mg)	41
Vitamin E (mg)	0.85
Vitamin K (mg)	817
Minerals
Calcium (mg)	72
Copper (mg)	0.156
Iron (mg)	0.9
Manganese (mg)	0.416
Magnesium (mg)	18
Phosphorus (mg)	28
Potassium (mg)	228
Selenium (microg)	0.9
Sodium (mg)	23
Zinc (mg)	0.24
Other
Protein (g)	1.9
Fibre (g)	2
Water (g)	91.2
Carbohydrate (g)	5.63
Energy (Kcal)	28
Lipids (fats) (g)	0.4
Cholesterol (mg)	0

Care to share your recipes???

Modern Faucets

2012-01-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I've fallen off the grid again. I blame it on Turkey coma. That's terrible of me, blaming the poor bird. I take accountability, I got lazy. But I'm back and I have to get some things off my to do list! On of the top things that I need to do is get a new faucet.

I hate my kitchen faucet. It's just so generic. I want something with a pull down spout. I had one at my old apartment and it made such a difference with regards to cleaning the sink and getting all the food into the garburator. So my lovely parents got my a gift certificate to Home Depot to help me with that.

Definitely not one of these:

Judge Judy says "That thing looks like my gavel. Get this ugly thing out of my court!"

Okay got that out of my system. I don't have a lot of room so those larger faucets for gourmet kitchens just won't work. I also want something sleek and discreet. The last thing I want is for people to come to a dinner party and immediately see the faucet. It should complement the space. People's reaction should be "oh, and this faucet... it's nice". What I want in this faucet:

Must be silver or chrome
Single handle
Cannot be more than 32 centimeters tall
Must have a pull down spout
NO PLASTIC PARTS
Must be below $300
Easy to install cuz this gal is going to try to do it herself

Alas, I was shocked at the sticker prices...I won't even bother posting the prices. Some of them cost more than my mortgage. YIKES.

Houzz.com - by Sinofaucet

The Decorating Diva - faucet by Blanco

Als Pics = faucet by KWC Ono

Home Depot - Faucet by Blanco

Faucet Direct - faucet by Moen

So far, no. 4 looks like it might be a winner. It's in my price range, it's sleek and simple and I like the Blanco faucets. Suggestions?