Gone camping!

TB and I will be camping in the Lake George region of NY state for a few days over the Labour Day weekend. So far, the forecast looks fairly promising and I've got my fingers crossed that, unlike a few weeks ago in New Hampshire, gallons of rain will not be dumped on us this time around. New Hampshire, you're a lovely state, but I think you need to change your state motto to "Kinda sucks when it rains every day, especially if you are camping and your tent leaks, because let's face it, you came for the mountains and lakes and all that outdoorsy stuff, and there's only so much time you can spend in the outlet malls".

In other words, I'm hoping that there will be none of this:


And lots of this:


And yes, we got a new tent. Yay! Have a great holiday weekend!

Mad about Mad Men

TB and I caught an episode of Mad Men while traveling in Maine last summer. Because it hadn't aired in Canada, we ended up downloading the first season and now we're downloading the second, which is now airing in the US. It's currently one of my favourite shows. CTV is planning on running it in Canada later this year, although they haven't specified exactly when yet.

It's about a group of cads, scoundrels, and sinners and their wives, but mostly mistresses. Yes, of course they're in advertising. It takes place at the dawn of the 60s, when a deal was sealed with a scotch and a cigarette in the conference room. It recreates the era beautifully and taps directly into its zeitgeist.

If you find it hard to identify with these types of characters, it may not be the show for you. Few of them have many redeeming qualities. But the writing and luxurious vintage feel are irresistible to me.

I read the news today, oh boy

And I was part of it!

This past weekend, I was featured in an article that appeared in the Montreal Gazette about Etsy. I obviously knew about the article since I was interviewed and photographed, but I had no idea how big it would be. It was the feature article in the Saturday Lifestyle section. Jessica Howard did a wonderful job introducing Etsy to Montreal and should give Etsy yet another little boost. You can read the online version here.

I know two of the other Etsy sellers who were featured and I highly recommend their shops. Suzanne Gerrior's Hip Kid shop sells t-shirts that are screenprinted by hand. Celia Cruz sells gorgeous handbags and pillows (of which I'm the proud owner of two) in her PacoandLupe shop.

We're going to a party party

I'm more of a landscape and fine art photographer and seldom photograph people (in fact I'm known to wave people out of my shots), but yesterday I brought my camera along to the birthday party of my friend Dina's 5-year old son, Ben. I brought only my Lensbaby with me, and soon discovered that focusing was even more of a challenge than usual with this lens since children don't ever stop moving (can you tell I have no kids?). I must say though, I had a blast! I could just maybe get used to this people photography thing.

I'll be away on vacation for the next couple of weeks, so see you in mid-August!