JULIANN WILDING & HENRI FABERGE

Some gave them white bread, and some gave them brown;

Some gave them plum cake and drummed them out of town.

When a creative alliance is paired with a romantic partnership, the iron is hot for epic results.  Henri Faberge and Juliann Wilding's tireless production of underfunded and overachieving drama/music/film events will leave people talking for years.  Some will gloat and reminisce, the less fortunate will sit with silent regret at having missed a unique moment in Toronto performance.  Don't miss the final episode of Henri Faberge's Heligoland Follies, March 1, 2012 at Hart House, UofT.

JENNIFER MURPHY

This large and open space, with an abundance of natural light, is like no other in Toronto.  The pink marble dining table paired with the yellow chesterfield - armchair set are the crowning pieces.  Everything about the space harkens to a New York City loft apartment in the 1960s.  Jennifer Murphy champions colour and composition in her mixed media installations and it translates in the decoration of her home.  We were very fortunate to preview some works in progress for Murphy's upcoming exhibition at Clint Roenisch in May. I shot some of the happenings in her studio, and was so tempted to post the images....but I shall keep it all secret!  We're really looking forward to the finished work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUEEN ANNE'S SECRET

I often wondered how women managed their fertility before pills, patches and implants became the norm.  In looking into the matter I found a wealth of historic solutions, my favorite being Queen Anne's Lace seeds.  Also know as Wild Carrot, seeds from this plant have been used as a contraceptive method for centuries.  1 teaspoon of dried seeds, taken daily, is a welcome alternative to the birth control pill.  

For complete instructions, side effects and success rates, visit Sister Zeus, an informative website on "synergistic fertility management".  I love her voice and she is very good at listing books and readings related to natural methods.  I found her link to Wild Carrot Seeds for Herbal Contraception by Robin Bennett very informative.

MARBLED PLASTIC

A marbled surface of any material is a passion of mine.  I spotted these oversized plastic cups at an auction last spring and it could not be helped.  I bid on an entire lot for these 2 items and the Goodwood community must have thought I was suffering from lunacy.  We really filled  the truck with treasures that day and delighted in peameal bacon on a bun.

I'm uncertain of what to do with these cups as they are nauseating to drink from and plastic tastes terrible.  I saw a matching salad bowl with serving utensils at the St. Lawrence market in it’s original packaging  - a supposed unopened and unwanted wedding gift.

 

FLORAL SILK TOP

This top is made of the most beautiful fabric I have ever seen.  Found at a Value Village in Newmarket, this fall/winter piece looks towards warmer months with printed tulips and early summer roses.  These colours would suit most complexions. There really is nothing like a printed floral silk to help one feel good about being alive.

 

 

 

REUNION

Two 1967 Cinelli mod. B's.   

Finding one 1967 Cinelli in all-original condition was a lucky break.  Finding a near identical twin ten years later is just weird.     Same size - same colour - same year - same decal from Bloor Cycle - same components.  The only difference is the colour of the bar-end plugs.   Weird.

Guest contributor J Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIBI TIBI NEUSPIEL

Tibi Tibi Neuspiel trained for a year to become Bjorn Borge and face Geoffrey Pugen as John Mcenroe in the much lauded Tie-Break at Toronto’s Nuit Blanche, 2011.  The physical and mental discipline required for this feat sparked our interest and lead us to attempt an unravelling of the ineffable Neuspiel.

A populist joker on first consideration, his playful nature softens the obsessive martyr underneath.  The intuitive work he creates is made accessible through humour or cultural references, with these easy points of entry serving as a gateway to his real ambition: to induce the unspeakable feeling in his audience that he himself has felt in the presence of art.  Self aware and humble, he takes real pleasure in his pursuits with the caveat that what he is ultimately looking for may not be what he's doing right now.

His upcoming solo exhibit, The Confident Lesbian runs April 5 – 28, 2012 at Narwhal Art Projects, Toronto.

DUFFERIN TUNNEL

When I was four I visited Disney World and took a ride through the Space Mountain.  Going through the new Dufferin tunnel brings back the drama and excitement of that early experience.  It's nice when the city gets it right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MID WINTER ARRANGEMENTS

We were recently commission to create these bouquets for a ceremony.   On, perhaps, the coldest day of this balmy Toronto winter, we were not disappointed by the unique selection, helpful staff, and consistent freshness of the flowers found at the corner of Avenue and Dupont.  Kay and Young Florist at 136 Avenue Rd. was our favourite, but you'll find the other four adjacent shops almost as good.