Serious Play

Instant: The Story of Polaroid

So, found a new book. 

 

I love instant photography.

This is the story of Polaroid's humble beginnings in Edwin Land's garage, the creation of a pop-culture phenomenon and the unfortunate eventual collapse as a company. The overview that I read claims that this is the company after which Steve Jobs modeled Apple, so I am curious.

After asking several relatives and friends if they owned an original Polaroid still in working condition and coming up empty handed, I purchased one at an antique store about a year ago. Finding film is difficult as it has long gone out of production. However, there is a company called The Impossible Project, which has devoted itself to recreating the instant photography experience. I was able to purchase a package of their film (8 photos for $32) which was quickly used up and never replaced. Still, the curiosity and intrigue still lie within me.

So, I am off to soak in a warm bathtub and learn of this cutting edge company...

 

 

 

 

Good Reads: Uppercase & Anthology

So, I have two new favourite magazines.

 

I have seen references to these magazines in various places in blogland. However, my introduction to both magazines was through Victoria Smith of sfgirlbybay. She has written for Uppercase and I love her work. Also featured in Uppercase is Andrea Jenkins (aka girlhula of hula seventy). She is my hero when it comes to instant photography, so I was tickled to see her in this magazine.

I was also introduced to Anthology through Victoria. She went on assignment in Amsterdam to write an article for this magazine! 

What I enjoy about these two magazines is the fact that they focus on creativity. There are so many talented people out there when it comes to creating and these mags tell those stories. I love that. They are not magazines that are trying to get you to buy something on every second page. Instead, they feature people who have made a living from their creative skills. People who have found a niche and are filling it, which in turn is filling them and those who appreciate what they do. I love that too.

For some time, I admired these magazines from afar (actually through sfgirlbybay's blog posts). I was hesitant to subscribe because the shipping was a bit too steep for me here in Canada. However, I was delighted to discover that the new Anthropology store in my city carries them!

And then I discovered that Uppercase magazine is published right here in my very own city!!

I am smiling...

 

 

F_nish Th_s B__k

So, I am running out to get this book by Keri Smith!

 

I am a total fan of her books and this is her latest. It is so fabulous and I have been waiting to get my hands on one. If you are a journaler, check it out!

You can also view some of the pages on Keri's blog...

 

 

 

Summer Reading

So, I have begun stocking up on good summer reads!

 

I had heard about 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett a few months ago and picked it up at 40% off a Superstore when I saw it. According to the back of the book, it is about three seemingly different ladies who come together to work on some project and of course become great friends! Funny thing, I was just finishing up 'Water For Elephants' last week, when my mom texted me saying that she was reading 'The Help'! I responded by letting her know that it was next in line on my bedside table!! It is uncanny how we think alike sometimes.

The second book in the queue is 'The Water Man's Daughter' by Emma Ruby-Sachs. I just picked it up randomly at Chapters the other day. It is about South Africa, and surprisingly, again, about three women whose paths cross. This was not on purpose. I do not go out looking for similar story lines, I just happened to be interested in the first couple of pages of this novel and was hooked in!

Thirdly, waiting to be read beside my bed, is 'New York' by Edward Rutherford. Similarly, this one was a random find. It had not been recommended to me, nor had I heard a review or any comments on it. It simply grabbed my attention while walking past in the bookstore. As far as I can tell, it is a novel with fictional characters, but through which the author is able to retell the story of this great city based on historical facts. "...a cast of fictional and true characters whose fates rise and fall and rise again with the city's fortunes", is what the back cover tells me. I am definitely interested. 

Now, I just have to finish off my little sidetrack and full-of-laughs novel, 'Mini Shopoholic'! A little humour mixed in with the more serious life struggles never hurt anyone now, did it?

 

What are you reading, or looking forward to reading this summer?

 

 

 

Donna Hay | Seasons Cookbook

So, I bought a new cookbook.

This is the kind of book that deserves a little time...and a cup of tea.

It is called Seasons, by Donna Hay and I found it at Winners (my favorite place for finding a deal) for only $25. First and foremost, I enjoy it for the scrapbook look and feel that it has. I analyze the pages for scraplifting.

I am mesmerized by the photos and ponder the settings for each shot, enamoured by the lighting.

I am not a cook, but I can envision myself preparing these recipes, all happy and smiling, because I get to look at my book while attempting to create something worthy of a picture-perfect book.


It really makes me want to prepare a bunch of food and head out on a picnic...