the Suquet home tells a story of eclectic elegance, taste and style
La Carinthia Fireplaces among Italian Leather Sofas (you can choose your style and colour).
Last Thursday I attended a designer & artist champagne reception to toast the newly opened Suquet Interiors in Vancouver’s Yaletown. A feast for the eyes…décor and art sublime!
Artist: Tanya SlingsbyArtist: Justin Ogilvie
The building itself has industrial flair with its high vaulted ceilings which melds perfectly to the furnishings inside; an enduring amalgamation of old world charm and modern luxe mixed with captivating art. A perfect combo.
the entrance
It doesn’t get much better than this.
I find the furnishings themselves are works of ART, and
definitely the standout magnificent mirrored fireplaces. Do you get the idea of how much I like them?
Artist: Tanya SlingsbyTanya Slingsby stands beside one of her ART pieces.
I met lovely Tanya Slingsby, an artist who has impressive and varied works of art displayed around the store. There are some amazing stand-alone pieces.
Mosaic wall art by Jason DussaultGeorgina Masana stands next to a set of her paintings
Georgina Masana is another talented local artist. She is originally from Mexico City. Her son Ramon Jr. is co-owner along with Rick Bohonis (previously of Urban Barn). I asked Georgina if there was a meaning to the name Suquet. Her explanation:
“Suquet is the last name of my late husband Ramon’s mother. It is also a Catalan word that means a broth in diminutive. When you use the letters ‘et’ in Catalan it means a diminutive. There is also a dish called Suquet that is similar to bouillabaisse with shellfish and broth served in a casuela. But basically my husband wanted to use it because it sounds nice.”
suquet meal
I agree. It does sound nice and it’s as nice as the tasty photo she sent me of the eponymous dish. Best of luck!
Suquet Interiors – 1014 Homer St. (in Yaletown) Vancouver.
Van Caissey is best described as a youthful him ‘n her multi-brand lifestyle boutique. Yes, that’s it!
I walked in because it felt airy and uplifting. The brands are not-so-typical.
They specialize in intriguing objects of desire – things you can use from your head to your feet, made by local artisans.
Clothing, hats, healing products, jewelry, skincare, some just for fun and vintage-inspired pieces and a rack of consignment clothing at the very back of the boutique.
Van Caissey is located in Vancouver at 3463 Main St.
FYI: there’s a funky neighbourhood hot spot for great breakfast/lunch right next door called Slickity Jim’s. I recommend you try it.
Now that summer is around the corner we should embrace all the colours of the rainbow.
photo: Colleen Kohse – Amalfi Coast, Italyphoto: d. king – Victoria Falls, Zambia
Because life is more than black & white
photo: Colleen Kohse public sculpture, Brittany, Francephoto: Lisa King – Stone Town, Zanzibar, Africaphoto: d. king taken from a closed car window – Salt Lake City, Utah.
This is a LifeStyle blog. Are you getting tired of hearing the term “Lifestyle?”
It has become such a common catch-phrase so I looked up the word in Wikipedia just to make certain of the meaning and know that I’m on the right track. According to them, the term denotes the interests, opinions, behaviours, and behavioural orientations of the person (in this case me, the blogger).
So this blog focuses on things that matter to me on a wide variety of subjects about things that attract my attention, pique my interest and what I find personally inspiring…with an emphasis on style with everything from food to fashion or just plain fun.It tends to attract a certain following of like- minded people. I do not have the following of Gwyneth Paltrow or Martha Stewart yet so I gravitate towards tasteful subjects of interest and try to put a personal element into the story whenever possible, which is fairly often, and without controversy. It encompasses my aesthetic of living in general…which I think is pretty simple…for the most part.
In a perfect world I would probably spend my life outdoors. As it stands, whenever the weather allows for it I do exactly that. Luckily I have close to 1,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space which I try to make feel as comfortable as possible to enjoy. This is my perfect lifestyle – doors wide open…indoor/outdoor living. And dogs are very important! As soon as we got an early surprise summer I scrambled to plant a few geraniums, set out pillows, get fresh flowers and get it together.
Now I’m trying hard to pair down and keep things simpler but at the same time so many things have been collected from various travels (including many rocks & shells) and they’re hard to part with because of the memories. I’m one of those people who finds it hard to let go. Almost everything is from somewhere else and has a meaning. And I’m not traveling so much these days. I’m just a homebody who wants to feel like I’m still traveling.
Which included making these simple summer salads:
(L) Grape|Tomato & baby Bocconcini with torn Basil & Balsamic Glaze. (R) Kale, Yam, Feta & Sundried Tomatoes in a light vinaigrette.
Anyway, this turned out to be a random post because the last four days have been busier than usual with some last minute plans – which are sometimes the best. I ended up with a ticket to the Who concert on Friday which was so much fun (who says guys in their 70’s can’t rock!) and time spent with girlfriends and last minute brunches/dinners, a committee meeting and a fundraiser. And I have no clue what I’m going to write next. But know this….some exciting things are about to take place…..
It’s always an adventure one way or another
These napkins are very hard to come by – they invoke memories of time well spent.
Okay; super relatively short post. I haven’t abandoned my health posts entirely it’s just that I must feel excited, a little curious or at least inspired to post anything since that is the whole point of this blog. I think we’re being inundated with too much info.
There’s information overload and tons of stuff on health food store shelves so in a nutshell (speaking of nuts, nuts are good for you) what supplements are good to take for:
Heart Health: omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, niacin Increased Energy: vitamin B12, acetyl glutathione, ginseng Improve Skin: probiotics, idebenone, black currant oil Strengthen hair and nails: biotin, iron, vitamin C Toning and helping muscles: calcium, magnesium, B vitamins Weight loss: alpha lipoic acid, chromium picolinate, green tea extract Sleeping better: cQ10, magnesium, melatonin, L-tryptophan Bone strength: manganese, vitamin D3, curcurmin Anti-aging: selenium, Imedeen Prime Renewal, glucosamine, DHEA
So there you have it. Seems that supplements can really be great, but super important to work with your doctor on that, instead of just following trends!People jump on the bandwagon for the next miracle cure. Not everything is created equal but at least we have many options which is a good thing.
Oh one more thing…..
My Morning Routine: drinking warm water with lemon has racked up serious buzz in recent years—celebrities from Naomi Campbell to Gwyneth Paltrow are doing it, which is good enough reason for us all (but I swear that is not what started me on this – it was on account of having organic lemon trees on a property rented a year ago and I’ve been doing it ever since). Sipping on this combois said to help balance your body’s pH levels, wake up your digestive tract and liver, and detox the body. While the claims it helps aid weight loss are dicey, at the very least it can serve as a healthy alternative to a sugary morning latte. I add cayenne, a little honey and sip it through a straw because I’m told the lemon can erode tooth enamel over time.
Finding Peace of Mind. Isn’t that what we all want? Yesterday I went to my first clinical hypnosis therapy session. I posted about the process last week but hadn’t experienced it until now. Told you I’d follow up on it.
The practitioner is in the process of writing a book on the subject of which she has been practicing for 16 years. Her office was calming as expected, her music soft and relaxing and her voice ever so soothing.
It was a case of deep relaxation while opening the subconscious to work with the mind in order to achieve a peaceful feeling to overcome symptoms such as (in my case) anxiety, some stress and loss of sleep. Others use it to manage pain, kick bad habits such as smoking and change harmful attitudes. If you’re familiar with meditation and make it your practice you will find it much easier to achieve an hypnotic state.
I decided to do this because someone very close to me has a recurring cancer and I wanted to offer support and something positive to go along with the auto-immune therapy that this person is undergoing. A therapy not yet approved here in Canada, only successful in 4 cancer types with a 30% success rate and a multitude of possible side effects. After yesterday I realized the hypnotherapy could help me deal with the situation as well.
This could not have come at a better time for me because I had no more than one hour of restful sleep the night before for no apparent reason other than over-thinking and worry. But you can train your mind to push worry aside with training and diligence.
Most people in general find it easier to attain a restful body but the mind seems to stay active. The idea is to quiet the mind while a part of your subconscious guides you along to a restful place to offer helpful suggestions. It’s not meditation. Meditation is a blank state while in hypnosis part of your mind stays awake.
woman meditating on the beach in the Caribbean
The session lasted one hour. The tiny group of two other people and I were told that 15 minutes of hypnotherapy is the equivalent of 4 hours of restful sleep. We were under for at least 30 minutes so I figure by way of this, I was able to get my full 8 hours after all. I actually felt much more rested after the session ended. Good thing too because I had a very full day ahead and was able to make it through remaining alert (along with some coffee).
I will continue this journey longer by going to sessions and setting aside a specific time (5 to 15 minutes a day) to sit back, relax, imagine my colour (we choose a colour theme – mine was shades of fuchsia before she said to make it a relaxing colour so it became violet), a vision (private although I shared it with the others in the room) and see where this guides me. I can tell you that my set visual is the most wonderful inspiring sensation.It wasn’t this but I love this dream like illustration and since I live partially in a dream world it inspired me to include it.
Have you tried this?
Practitioner: Louise Evans Address: Suite #205, 2902 West Broadway Phone: 604 773 5595 Website: sparkhypnotherapy.com
Remember the post where I declared my love for the Vintage Airstream Trailer? That was 10 days ago although it seems like months now.
I found out that many travel companies are getting on board the vintage trailer bandwagon: In November, rental company Airstream 2 Go partnered with Texas boot-maker Lucchese (love them too – bought a pair in Nashville) on a custom itinerary through the Lone Star State, which includes a trip to the factory and a pair of custom boots.
Airstream says it’s selling five times as many trailers as it did in 2009, spent $6 million on a new office space, and recently hired 130 new employees. Sounds like the making of a major comeback story.
CHECK THIS OUT:
If you’re not the road trip type but want to experience the Airstream lifestyle for a night or two, here are five firmly planted and beautifully decorated hotels for your next vacation.
El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas
El Cosmico Photo: Courtesy of El Cosmico
There is probably no place more appropriate to situate a trailer than Marfa, the art-centric, holistic desert oasis of the Southwest. El Cosmico offers tepees, yurts, and, most important, several models of trailers that are sparsely decorated but seriously cozy. There’s a minibar in each but, intentionally, no Wi-Fi.
AutoCamp, Santa Barbara, California
Autocamp Photo: Courtesy of Autocamp
This tiny Airstream-based hotel is made up of five vintage trailers, some of which come equipped with flat-screen TVs, large bathtubs, and Malin + Goetz products. Each trailer also comes with two beach cruiser bikes for getting around the camp.
Hotel Daniel, Vienna, Austria
Hotel Daniel Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Daniel
Nestled in the garden just outside the boutique hotel, one silver Airstream trailer is available as a room option for guests. The 172-square-foot space was created by interior designers specializing in yachts and has a sleek, minimal feel. It nods to the experience of being out on the open road, but is in the middle of a busy urban center.
Italy Airstream, Venice, Italy
Italy Airstream Park Photo: Courtesy of Italy Airstream Park
The website touts this as “the first Airstream park in Italy,” and it’s certainly the first of its kind on the Adriatic Coast. Recently opened in April, the six Airstreams each sleep up to four people, with a shaded canopy bed outside. It’s 30 minutes to Venice by car, or you can take a longer two-hour ride to reach the Dolomites. There’s also a beach just outside the park.
Caravan Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Caravan Tokyo Photo: Courtesy of Caravan Tokyo
For those looking to skip the Ritz or the Park Hyatt for something a little more low-key, Caravan is the place to stay in Tokyo. It’s a single trailer that sleeps two, parked near the bustling Harajuku neighborhood in a mixed-use office complex. It’s a fantastic example of innovative, smart Japanese design, with a gray exterior, modern pendant lamps and paper stools inside, and a wooden outer deck and lounge area.
I know this is not the same thing but….
It’s what I have for now and it’s more easily transportable. I’ve made many meals in this rig including once in Texas a fully-cooked Christmas dinner. It’s true! Coffee anyone?
Source: Vogue Magazine Article (by Brooke Bobb) 5 Airstream Rentals That Trump Traditional Hotel Rooms
Out with the old, IN with the old recreatedI often wonder how fashion designers get it together to keep coming up with new ideas for something original and inspiring for every season (including “resort wear” which is considered another season in fashiondom which makes five) and all those nerve wracking make-or-break shows. Something that will make people excited to want to go out and buy that new shirt right away. To be “that girl.” Because you know the easiest way to transform yourself is through clothes – if you dress for your mood (not necessarily the occasion). Sometimes you see something totally wild. You can admire it (on someone else) but never consider it for yourself and sometimes it’s like….I like it but it’s been done before…again and again (maybe they’ve just added some more buttons, zippers or pockets but otherwise it’s the same). In any event you must be very creative to keep plugging away at it and try to outdo your last performance. Just as much pressure as a musician has to come up with a new hit, but not wanting to be totally typecast…….as a
The New World Order – Vintage Alaia Shearling Bomber Jacket (website below)
Designer, Musician, Artist (one who paints + draws), Actor, Photographer, Chef, Writer……(blogger?) and even Politicians (The best reality TV drama going is Trump vs Cruz vs Clinton vs Sanders). I’ve been watching the U.S. debates like any other interested Canadian.
By being typecast I mean restricted to one style (a recognizable signature style such as a Picasso painting), that are the kinds of things that people “expect” of you . But even with Picasso, the style may be recognizable but it’s not “always” the same. You know what I mean. Maybe you eat the same cereal all the time but one day you put blueberries over top and another day strawberries. There must be an element of surprise.
In the mad crazy world of invention, everything seems to be intermixed lately. Fashion and Art, Art and Food, Beauty and Culture. A designer visits an art gallery and gets ideas for his next collection. Actors are models, models are actors and regular people are starring in their own version-of-reality TV series. It’s interesting.
For myself in general, I draw inspiration from everywhere. People, the media (like everyone else, is a big contributor) through TV, magazines, newspapers, online with other peoples blogs, music, books, stores, movies (amazing ones this season), art, travel, restaurants, nature and on the street. I’m usually more inspired when I’m travelling and things look different and fresh and I’m living more in the moment (which we say we should do but mostly do not). It’s not only for trying to come up with new ideas for the blog so it doesn’t get stale (I hope) but also in day to day life, in areas like cooking and finding a new recipe for fish or maybe trying out a new running route to keep from getting bored.
As for restaurants, why do you think Cauliflower is having a moment of fame right now trying to outshine Kale in many restaurants? The chefs have come up with some pretty incredible ways of serving it. It’s still the same vegetable but now it tastes so much better. We never thought of baking it with chilli and lemon before? Hell; I was just taken out to a popular restaurant and they had a delicacy of chocolate covered crispy chicken skin on the menu. When I asked the waiter what happened (like did the chicken fall into the pot of melted chocolate by mistake) I can’t remember but I think it actually did. In any event, it was a mistake. But one most people like because it’s new (if you didn’t know that it was chicken, it could be walnuts). And if it wasn’t served cold, it would be more greasy. Yuck! Not like the intentional chocolate covered bacon many chefs are now serving. At a party someone brought orange chocolate covered bacon. Really?? I went off again…but really…
I’m wondering how important any of this is to any of you? I believe inspiration is a big deal. At least something else to keep us going, a curiosity towards finding a different way, idea, recipe, whatever…
The passage of time has been miraculously beneficial for Yoko Ono. While previous generations held grudges and questioned her motives, in the 21st century Ono is cherished for her provocations and wisdom. As a musician and multimedia artist since before the term was coined, Ono holds the rare position of courting a global audience without ever having to compromise her work, which is often wilfully impenetrable.
At the age of 77, Ono continues to think of the long-term, with two forthcoming exhibitions and a recent album, as well as progressing her ongoing project around the world, asking the masses to imagine peace. It is a message from which she will never waver.
Shop the closets of fashion lovers from Paris, Berlin, Milan, New York City, and more. Mix ‘n match high street, luxury vintage and new pieces with Vestiaire Collective.
Vestiaire Collective – St. Laurent Leather Biker Jacket
Four wheels move the body; two wheels move the soul
Came across a cool find in Sonoma, California that had nothing to do with wine. I was on the lookout for a coffee shop.
Something reminded me of driving along for miles on a very long stretch of road with nothing in sight except for dirt in Marfa, Texas. At the time, my husband who was driving the VW Camper casually said “I think there was a Prada store back there.” Me, almost asleep in the back seat: “Whooah…go back, go back – just to make sure it’s not a mirage you’re seeing.” It wasn’t.
So you can imagine my interest and surprise to discover just at the very moment I wanted a cup of coffee and some scooters (after some wine tasting in Sonoma) a café pitstop to end all pitstops.
And again; a drive-by which happened so fast that I had to say “whooaa…what was that back there? It looked like a really cool vintage scooter shop and I caught signage for coffee…(I have a sharp eye for certain things if I’m not sleeping) go back, go back.”
And there it was…scooter heaven with a latte on the side.
It’s everything I was looking for in a bike shop/café and to top it all off they serve you breakfast right there while you wait for repairs. You can buy vintage vespas…and I found the helmet I was looking for. A nice rare find with excellent coffee.
SORENTO IMPORTS HAS SONOMA COUNTYS MOST DIVERSE SELECTION OF NEW, USED AND VINTAGE MOTOR SCOOTERS! THEY ARE AUTHORIZED DEALERS OF GENUINE, ADLY, PEIRSPEED AND LANCE POWER SPORTS. THEY ALSO STOCK USED SCOOTERS AND DIRT BIKES WITH A LARGE COLLECTION OF VINTAGE VESPAS, LAMBRETTAS, CUSHMANS AND OTHER CLASSICS.
THE FULL SERVICE REPAIR SHOP OFFERS EVERYTHING FROM SCOOTER AND MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE TO FULL RESTORATIONS SPECIALIZING IN *SIDE CAR INSTALLATIONS AND CUSTOM MOBILE FOOD AND UTILITY CARTS.
*Next time I’ll bring my scooter to have them install two side cars – one for each dog.
I’m always looking to incorporate new healthy ingredients for smoothies and teas but never lattes – so this recipe which was originally featured in a recent GOOP newsletter for Great Skin – Inside and Out kills two birds with one great caffeine-free latte. I used my favourite creamy almond milk from Califia Farms (California) in Toasted Coconut which is only 45 calories per cup. YUM! Both ginger and turmeric have incredible anti-inflammatory properties, which means this soothing and delicious latte is also really good for you.
Ginger + Turmeric Latte
SERVES 1
1 heaped teaspoon peeled and finely chopped fresh turmeric
1 teaspoon peeled and roughly chopped ginger
1 tablespoon organic coconut sugar, maple sugar or raw blue agave sweetener
2 teaspoons organic virgin coconut oil
pinch himalayan salt
1/4 tsp. high quality green matcha powder (optional)
1 cup almond milk
Combine turmeric, ginger, coconut sugar, coconut oil and a pinch of sea salt in a powerful blender.
Heat almond milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until just simmering.
Pour the hot almond milk into the blender and blitz everything until smooth and frothy.
TIPS: If you can’t find fresh turmeric, use 1 teaspoon of ground. I added a sprinkling of cinnamon on top – delish! *Try adding half a banana for additional silkiness & flavour.Beauty Tips:
Jean Godfrey June, goop Beauty Director
I think food makes an enormous difference in the look of your skin. Too much sugar starts an inflammatory glycation process that’s not just super-aging in the long-term, it makes you look puffy and lethargic in the short-term. Inflammation has been proven to be a huge factor in aging in general, and in the way your skin ages, in particular, so anti-inflammatory foods help—my current personal anti-inflammatory obsessions are turmeric and sour cherry. And avocados, like everyone else on the planet!
Fats got such a bad name for so long, and I truly believe they’re critical, especially for people with dry or aging skin: Avocado, sunflower, olive, and coconut oils are all incredible, plus I like to take wild salmon oil capsules. And eat oily fish: My boyfriend and I grilled some fresh herring from the farmer’s market and they were—so good. I’m a huge egg person also. I’m in favor of full-fat milk if you’re going to have milk for the same reason.
And again, antioxidants—in many of the foods I’ve already mentioned, but pretty much every fruit, vegetable, and nut in existence—are important to take internally as well as topically.
Turmeric is incredibly anti-inflammatory and incredibly delicious. My boyfriend got a pound of turmeric powder one day, and that started the whole craze. Fresh turmeric takes it to whole new level; put it with fresh ginger and the flavor is just…heaven.
This latte is pure comfort food, the creamy almond milk, the rich coconut, a little salty a little sweet, warm, spicy: Everything I love!
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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