red pepper jelly slash chutney

it was supposed to be a spicy red pepper jelly. However, I forgot the two cups of sugar and ended up with less than jelly and more of chutney.

Never-the-less, it's divine (according to people who wouldn't want to hurt my feelings) and is great with old cheese and crackers.

This was a two day process. The first involved soaking dried mangos, cranberries, red and yellow peppers and jalapenos in vinegar. The second day was stirring it all together under a hot stove until it got 'mushy.' 

animal hats

What was supposed to be a quick trip in and out of Michaels over priced craft store for some unaffordable stencils, turned into a photo shoot resembling a look book for animal hats.

location: Michaels in the middle of suburban nowhere

Model: Brittney

Photographer: kayla

stitch and paper

Getting inspired for this craft idea came out of a rumble through my 'special trunk' in my Canadian bedroom. I keep all my photos, sweet trinkets and cards given to me from special people.

I came across a card my sister had bought me years ago with a hot air balloon stitched on the front.

Opening up the inside, all of the thread was exposed.

I was instantly inspired and went straight for the sewing machine to get started on a little present for my beau who lives in NYC. 

Fashionista

The doll that goes on and on

Indian Henna

SNAP!

I think it is safe to say that in every person’s life, there is a moment of curiosity of fame. Flashing lights, crowds surrounding you and unknown people pleading for 'just one picture.'


I never felt true empathy for famous people covering their faces and complaining about their fame, until my trip to the Taj.

I'm not too sure why Indian tourists crave a picture of or with two fair skinned 'American girls.' Do they go back to their friends to show the picture and tell them a tall tale of how they fell in love with a Western girl and they will soon marry? Does the photo of us with the Indian family get blown up, framed and mounted in the living room? Maybe they find a place for it in their wallets to show people they meet? Who knows...

We decided to have fun with the swarms of people snapping our pictures, sometimes asking permission but most of the time not. We were full of patience and jovial expressions for everyone, in the spirit of ‘shanty time’.

The view of the Taj was blocked by crowds of single men and families all waiting their turn to sit with us and pose for a picture. We smiled so much my cheeks began to ache and I noticed that they look fairly serious, boarder-line angry in their photo poses.

At one point we had a baby fly onto our laps without warning and probably had looks of shock in those snap shots.
Some families wanted us to take their picture and show us what they looked like on the display of our digital cameras. I always found these requests very sweet. The families would look at the display and have a smile creep up and a sense of pride for how lovely their family looked in a group shot.

When at the Taj, what else is there to do than embrace celebritism.