Castle is an Australian brand created by Rachel Castle that makes the loveliest handmade linens and artwork. Most recently they’ve teamed up with another company, Gorman, to launch a clothing line inpsired by the Castle aesthetic. The products are total eye candy, don’t you think?
Photos from Castle’s website and Facebook page, clothing shot from Ish and Chi blog.
One of the highlights of living in a cold climate is indulging in creature comforts. This weekend was all about comfort. Being out in the country in front of the fireplace. Snuggling under the covers. Indulging is wintery, stick-to-your-ribs cuisine, such as this beef chili and cheddar biscuits recipe, which I cooked this weekend. The chili turned out well though perhaps a little meaty for my taste (a few more veggies would have been nice). The biscuits were a delicious complement to the meat and spicy chili. Naturally, I forgot to take pictures so both the recipe and the photos are courtesy of smittenkitchen.com.
I love New Year’s resolutions. I always have – there is something about starting fresh in a new year that never ceases to inspire me. Like many of you, I have a few resolutions. One is to become a stronger person, physically.
Last year presented some physical challenges that were, if not very painful, certainly a nuisance. In the summer, I took to running up the mountain in the mornings before work. At first, it felt amazing. After a while, I began to experience abnormal muscle pain in my hips, butt and upper legs – as well as a nerve pinching in my butt. I felt like an OLD LADY. And no offense to the old ladies out there, I am sure you are rocking your thing, but I’m 31 years old and NOT ready to feel physically limited!
In the fall, an ergotherapist unblocked my hips, which had been causing me to run with all of the elegance of an elephant – and I regained some motion I didn’t realize I had lost. She also determined I had weak core muscles which was causing a lot of trouble. So this year is the Year of the Core. I will become the Wonder Woman of the core muscles. Just joking. Sort of.
In 2012, I’ll become the master of my gluts. The ambassador of my abs. A leggy priestess of all that is fitness.
This is not about losing weight. It’s about building a strong body that will carry me through the years.
A bit of inspiration to help me along: I started a Pinterest board called Strength Inspiration.
What are your resolutions this year?
Photo via Pinterest, by Marc Thyssen
There is no way. In a thousand years. I could ever keep such a straight face in this hat. Isn’t it lovely, though? And perfect for our harsh Montreal winters.
You can buy one, if you so desire, on Yokoo’s Etsy shop.
Last year I fell in love with Reed Krakoff’s fun assortment of shoes and handbags. Reed Krakoff is the more youthful and dynamic brand to mother brand Coach’s more matronly offerings. I find that most people – myself included – tend to focus too much on building closets based on neutral, practical, passe-partout colours and forget how much brighter tones can enliven our days and show off our personalities. A few of my favourite items from the latest collection:
Yep, this is a gym bag. At 900 USD a pop, it’s too expensive for my blood considering how fast I’d wear it out or otherwise mess it up.
Images: ReedKrakoff.com and Facebook.com/ReedKrakoff.
