Links of Note.

Summer peaked out at us this week but still not much sunny weather has stuck. It is the middle of June! What is going on? To cope I have become obsessed with this self-serve frozen yogurt place that is so inconveniently located. Why do I do this to myself? Just as well, I'll be thankful I have the time to take the transit trip to go visit there more often then I should.

In other news, I am teaching the 'Father's Day Tie' sewing class at Spool of Thread tomorrow (remember Sunday, that's father's day!). We started to take things off the walls here at our apartment yesterday and I'm getting antsy to find boxes and start packing things away for our move. Just let it be now please.

Have a dandy of a weekend! (oh and here are the links)

A madhatter tea party!

Gorgeous usage of the Woolly plant pockets.

Amazing camp out gear. The canvas tent is gorgeous.

Really neat lamps. Perfect for summer, no?

Bedroom inspiration. I can't wait to move!

These wedding cake toppers are gorgeous. The grey tweed suits are my favourite.

Yum, Rhubarb and rosewater mascarpone cake.

A to-die-for vintage find.

Have you heard of this trade guide? I'm on it.

How to send cake in the mail.

For a friend's birthday I thought it would be nice to mail them some super sweet cake. I had also been mulling over the idea of baking cake in jars in my mind for a few months. Here are the two recipes I used: cake and frosting.


Because the frosting recipe called for evaporated milk and the intention was to make a cake that only involved the ingredients I had at home, I looked up how to make my own. It takes a long time and I'm not sure how much of a difference it made. The icing was still delicious.

Once you have your cake batter all mixed up, fill up your jars 2/3 of the way. Place on baking sheet and bake in oven. I suggest checking them periodically throughout the recommend cook time.


All done!


I scraped off the tops to make room for icing. This was also a great opportunity to make sure the cake didn't taste awful. It didn't.


Next I packaged the jar up complete with label and single birthday candle.

Finally, I wrapped the box up with kraft paper. Then I took full advantage of the second jar of cake before heading to the post office. This was super easy and I think I will make it a regular gift!

Sailor.

"Carry your inner boat just like
Sailor, so that life becomes a little brighter.'

Concrete Sailor by Johan Pergenius

Links of Note.

Phew! Lots of links this week. I am a weekend away from submitting something I've been working on for two months (it isn't that interesting but I am glad that is nearly over). I'm not sure if I've mentioned this but I am going back to school this upcoming September. It is a decision I made last October but had not fully finalized until early last month. I can't wait! Now if only the sun would come out so I could start enjoying summer instead of wishing it to be over. If the sun is shining where you are this weekend, enjoy it for me!

A great handmade wedding gift idea from the Crafts Dept.

This wedding is swoon-worthy. Her lace dress is stunning!

Love this 'summer camping trip' inspired guest post by Rifle Paper Co.

Such a sweet gift to receive.

Cloud-shaped, pear-filled pastries. Yum.

A great father's day gift guide! It is coming soon!

Have you heard Janelle Monae? She is agreeably a classy lady.

Have you been following the blogger-curated summer must-haves on Camp Comfort? Well you should be!

I'd live here.

And I would love to live here as well.

You might want to make this Sunday morning.

Pen pals anyone?

Image from Mysterious Letters.

When I was younger, a lot younger, I had pen pals from all around the world. Some lasted through several exchanges and some only through one or two. I know I am not alone in my love for posted mail and would love to open up the opportunity to anyone who is interested in giving letter-writing and present-sending a go. I can promise to write.

If you are interested send me an at swagnerm [at] hotmail [dot] com with your address and I will send you mine in return. I'll post things internationally!

We're moving!

A couple weeks ago Brendan and I decided we have had enough of our damp (and sometimes moldy) apartment and building and gave our notice at the end of last month. On Saturday we signed the lease for a bright, shiny and clean apartment over on the west side! We can't wait to move in and I have been scouring my domino and blueprint magazines for decorating ideas. I'll be sure to share what I come up with and the process of decorating. Here's a sneak peak of the place!

Friday I'm in love.

Well this is turning to the blog in which I only post of Fridays. How boring! I find that although I don't currently have a job (which generally equates to a lot of free time) I still have a lot of life-figuring-out work that is keeping my mine occupied. Let's keep our fingers crossed that I can get it all sorted out by mid-month and get back to blogging about all sorts of great things that I'd rather spend my time thinking about.

Last week I said that I had some news! I am going to be teaching a beginner's sewing class (Sewing 101) at Vancouver's new sewing lounge, Spool of Thread. I am super excited about this and hope that all you locals (and visitors if you've got the time) come and check out the store and sign up for a class with me. The store, in my opinion, is just what this city needs. Sewing makes me feel handy. For example, 'oh I love this duvet cover but there's no zipper -- guess I'll go buy one and sew it in'. That could be you!

Spool of Thread is having their grand opening tomorrow from 11am to 6pm. Go!

No links this week, except for this website: Before you were hot. (Thanks to Diana for this one)