One of my favourite lighting suppliers is Schoolhouse Electric Co who specialize in vintage style fixtures. The company uses a series of restored moulds, and creates every piece through a hand crafted process that closely replicates the way these fixtures would have originally been produced. They are also well constructed, using heavy gauge solid brass which is finished with a hand applied patina, and all the shades are individually handblown. And in addition to being beautiful and high quality, they are incredibly well priced.

Recently they launched a collection that they collaborated on with one of my favourite artists, Yellena James, on their first artist series collection. The fixtures all feature beautiful glass shades with Yellena's drawings.

Today, an email hit my inbox announcing their new vintage brass finish, as if their line wasn't lovely enough.

I first heard about Schoolhouse from Anna at Door 16, who used their fixtures in her bathroom and bedroom, where they look just lovely in her Newburgh home.

A few months ago, I was reading a lot of fashion blogs and discovering a lot of great fashion and shoe lines. This one shoe line in particular really caught my eye with their edgy, and architectural designs, and their affordable price tag was just icing on the cake. But, I didn't save the link in my book marks. For months I have been scouring archives of different blogs looking for the link to this shoe store. No such luck. Then today I was out shopping and decided to stop into a new shoe boutique, and guess what was sitting on their shelves!

So I introduce to you, my favourites shoe brand: United Nude Shoes

Now available in Calgary at NC Shoes.

This is so stunning:

Fly16x9

The Miu Miu model is my fave.

I would embed the video if I could, but it's really best viewed on the site.

Oh my, this is a sad and neglected place these last few weeks. I guess life just got a bit hectic, this past weekend we went to Coachella, which was really fantastic, and now I'm playing a bit of catchup. So it might take a bit to get back to regular posting.

So to fill this space a little longer, I wanted to share a link to a music website that I have been enjoying as of late, La Blogotheque:

#80.1 - VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Mansard Roof
Uploaded by lablogotheque. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

This is my favourite band right now, and in 10 days I get to see them at Coachella!

One of my favourite local artists is Lisa Brawn. She does wood cut blocks in cherry, walnut, or salvaged Douglas Fir that she then paints, creating these vivid depictions of different people and animals. I love the simplicity of the solid blocks of colour outlined with the graphic black cutting patterns. The majority of her work features famous icons, and she has done series that include Country Singers, Old Hollywood Film Stars, Circus Freaks, and the 1972 Phone Company Employees. Last year she was commissioned to do this portrait above of Morran, Camilla Engman's dog. You can view more of her incredible portfolio on her website.

Part of the Canadiana Series

This is my absolute favourite salad, and I have been eating it a lot over the past few weeks. And it's perfect for an easy Easter lunch, to save room for the the dinner you will likely eat later today. Plus, it's pink!

Crunchy Salad:

1 Bulb of Fennel

1 Gala Apple

1 Beet

Juice of Half a Lemon

Olive Oil

Blue Cheese to Taste

Cut the tops off the fennel, slice in half, and cut out the core. Thinly slice the fennel as thinly as you can with a knife, and place in a large bowl. Core the apple, cut into slices and cut into julienne strips. I like to leave the skin on the apple, as it adds to the colour of the salad, but you can peel it if you would like. Take the top off the beet, peel, slice thinly and cut into julienne strips. Add the apple and beet strips to the fennel. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the salad, with a drizzle of olive oil. You don't want to add a lot of liquid, as it is really only intended as a light seasoning, and to help stop everything from browning. Crumble the blue cheese and add half to the salad. Toss to mix the salad. The tossing process helps to break up the blue cheese and distribute it through the salad, so you get the flavour throughout. Serve and top with the remaining blue cheese. Makes about 4 servings.

Note: So you don't like blue cheese? You can just add it at the end, or omit it entirely. The salad is still great without it. Also, this salad is great with lightly toasted walnuts added.