a peek inside the fishbowl

I had a fun little article published in last month’s issue of Ottawa Magazine.

A few months ago the editor asked me to go shopping with a specific question in mind: what would an Ottawa mommyblogger want to receive for Mother’s Day?  (HELL-O. I love these kinds of assignments. If you know me at all you probably know how much I love great design and pretty things.)

I wanted to focus on some local businesses for this piece so I set my sights on Westboro and West Wellington, grabbed a coffee and went on my merry way. By foot. (Ow.)

I shopped. And dropped. And brought everything home. The editor took it away to be photographed. I wrote the blurbs and was photographed too (more on that later. Maybe). And that’s pretty much all there was to it.

Here’s the online version of the spread. I tried to cover some different price points. (Although I harbour a deep desire for a Vespa, a fancy bicycle, a Disney cruise, and a train trip in the Rockies I tried to keep myself in check.) Everything pictured is something I’d be happy to receive as a gift from a loved one. Or a perfect stranger for that matter.

The painting by Ottawa artist Andrew King is my hands-down favourite. Sadly (for me) it sold long ago. The title is #4 Barrhaven. HA. DOUBLE HA. Just look at those little people! And that teeeny OC-Transpo bus so far away on the snowy horizon! You know the driver just had a 10 minute coffee break right? And that it’s -20? And that the bus is probably full and is going to drive right by without stopping? My god it cracks me up. WELCOME TO OTTAWA.

There are a few items missing from the final piece, either because they were things I wanted and weren’t in stock or they didn’t fit into the layout:

• A pair of VERY pretty earrings and necklace from Ottawa jewelry designer Brenda Wong that I picked up at Wall Space Gallery. I wish I had a photo. They featured my birthstone, a peridot, and had just the right amount of sparkled and dangle. LOVE.
• A red Le Creuset dutch oven from Kitchenalia – an amazing store for those who like to bake/cook/entertain.
• A stack of salty caramels from The Candy Store.

I also want to mention that the necklace I’m wearing in the photo is one I received from Blend Creations! (Not Westboro, but woot!)

What would you like to receive for Mother’s Day?

I know I just listed off a whole bunch of material goods, but do you know what I really want for Mother’s Day? A sparkling clean house! Scratch that. I would love for someone to whisk our family away for a wonderful holiday and THEN I would like to come home to a house that has been scrubbed within an inch of its life.

*sigh*

Dare to dream, right?

Speaking of Mother’s Day, don’t forget to check out the sweet Mother’s Day giveaway I have going right now. It’s not too late to enter! ETA: we have a winner!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Poor Sarah woke up with a fever this morning and is lying on the couch watching tv. Scooby-doo is really a stupid cartoon and I can’t believe I ever watched it. I had to postpone an appointment for Piper to get a booster this morning as well as a lunch date I was really looking forward to. Deadlines are looming and there are a few too many things on my plate today. I have a headache. Mark is at a dental appointment. It’s overcast and dark out this morning. I wish the house would magically tidy itself. I have no idea what we’re going to have for dinner. I have 100 pushups to do later today. I have a largish creative project I want to take on but little time to actually organize and plan the logistics of it. I could really use a long hot shower and would love nothing more than to hide in my bed with a book and (another) hot coffee.