Friday October 21: Panda Ball

Last night we were lucky enough to be at the first ever WWF Toronto Panda Ball - and at the head table no less!  I rarely say this, but it was glam night

And even better, I was seated to my close friend J and so didn't have to do the cocktail conversation but instead, could just chat and sip wine.

And relax.  Which I did.

The Canadian Tenors sang the Cohen classic Hallelujah and behind them was this amazing footage of water, whales, people crossing the desert on foot.  It worked.

I wore my favourite necklace last night, technically on loan since it is intended (by my 95 year old grandmother) for my brother's wife, but since he's single, its mine for now!

Of course I didn't take any pictures, but there were so many photographers there, that I'm counting on finding some of them, and hopefully I'm in them.  I think I need an iphone...

PS I knew I could count on someone else to take pictures in this case The Grid  & The Hollywood Minute 

Sunday October 17: Do I Click Three Times?

Sundays, especially rainy cold Sundays are meant (in my view anyway) to be sent in sweatpants or pjs (or yoga clothes if you must), sort of preparing for the week ahead. 


Often this doesn't mean actually doing anything practical but mentally getting ready for the week ahead - usually with the New York Times, and carbs and coffee. 


But this Sunday saw us heading out to another Diwali Gala - this time at the Royal York for this. 


And on Saturday, realizing I had no shoes that matched my dress, so I went out (in a windstorm) with Avery (who is possibly my favourite shopping companion next to R) and bought these - interested, you can find them here.


A little Dorothy?


I know I thought so too.  


But they matched, not that you can tell from the shot below.  And if nothing else, my 8 y/o niece will be impressed, so much glitter!

Note to self: this is not best angle

Thursday October 6th: Early Diwali

I admit I'm playing catch up - a dead laptop (but thank you Andrew at Apple who saved me and all my unbacked up data!)  Plus our escape weekend away in an internet free zone (Mom's house). 


But back to Wednesday night - R's annual Diwali Gala, seen here in the weekend Globe and Mail. A comment - this picture was taken when I had just arrived, so the reason my eye is closed is from my giant giant smile and not from too much white wine.  That comes later.  The dress?  From ebay by MaxMara.  The sort of art deco jewellery from India. 


Can I also share that he is in this months Canadian Business?  Read his article on why Canada needs to be build a relationship of usefulness to India here

Saturday September23: Sunglasses

Eight years ago, when R and I were first in Paris together, I bought a pair of D&G sunglasses.

I loved these sunglasses and wore them all the time, everywhere.

Here.

These were the perfect sunglasses, the kind that make you feel glamourous and together even when you haven't washed your hair in two days, are wearing tatty yoga clothes and dropping groceries as you lug two kids around.

They had that kind of power.

And then this summer, on our vacation in BC, we took a friends Beaver plane to his lake tucked away in the mountains.  And went for a swim.  And yes, I was advised that I should take off my sunglasses but laughed and said they were part of my look.  So of course, shortly after, I leaned my head back and down they went, to the bottom of a lake that is actually much deeper than it seems.

So I bought a new pair.

But I wasn't sure how I felt about them.

Until yesterday, when R& I went out to dinner and a house party, (all of which happened to be  in part of town that reminded me of being an undergrad at UBC) and just as we were racing back to the babysitter,  I realised that the sunglasses that I thought were in my purse were gone....

But despite R skepticism, when we went back to the dive we'd had some pre-party drinks at, they were there.  So I think's its a good sign...

Thursday September 22: Less Sleep, More Zen?

For the past two months, or maybe more, I have trying to make myself get up at 5:30 am.

The extra oh, two hours a day of child free work time, would have a huge impact on what I can get done, and when. Plus, an early start apparently means a more productive rest of your day.

But so far, I haven't managed more than two days in a row at all.

What's strange is that in the past, I used to do this.  For writing my first book, to make sure I went to hot yoga before work so what's wrong now??

Anyway, I just discovered this site, so maybe I'll try some of the tips....

Today I:

• Loved my jivamukti class, live music, chanting, I think its the best part of my week. I also discovered a 6:30 am class not far from the house, can I do it?
• Was oddly excited by the spur of the moment $65.00 H&M outfit I bought this afternoon and wore to curriculum night at the school today (see below for the picture); 
• Enjoyed some post yoga birchermusli from Movinpick - I love this stuff. 

I was devastated to read this story about the death of this poor little boy.  Sometimes it seems like every cliche about the cruelty of the world, the potential heartbreak of being a parent or just being here on earth seems so true its overwhelming. And calls into question, why we do most of what we do in the wake of it all, if that makes any sense. 

Ps. just as I typed that sentence my 5 y/o (who isn't yet asleep) came to give me a hug. Which somehow makes it all more emotional.  

Sunday September 18th: A Bouncy Castle Comes Our Way

R is back and has taken the boys out for a walk and some post trip treats.

I'm mentally trying to get some perspective on parenting.  On the rational side, I know I'm obsessing about something small (a couple of remarks from Seth about kids on the SK playground), like everyone else, each day I read, see or hear about the horrors that so many kids are enduring and know, that this is on the small, small side.

Emotionally, I can't wait to talk to his teacher and see what's going on.

This then, is the insanity of being a mother and yet I know its a luxury to be even be able to angst about these things at all. Only possible because we have a place to live, food to eat, the expectation that our children will not only be secure, and safe but also have some sort of inalienable right to round the clock happiness, at least as long as we think we can control it.

Deep breath.

Today, on the worlds friendliest street as my hood will now we known - we are having a street party, complete with a bouncy castle.  Yes, a bouncy castle on a little street in the heart of downtown Toronto, literally off one of the busiest intersections in the city. And lots of food, and always lots of wine.

R and I are also attending the launch of this book on the international world of art theft by a friend and former colleague.

I'm excited for the party, even though I actually hate going out on a Sunday night, it feels wrong.  Sunday nights, in my mind should be spent organizing for the week ahead.  A legacy of my childhood I think.

Today I am:

• Hoping to work out soon; 
• Planning on wearing my BCBG thin turtleneck dress (always a date favourite);
• Asking for help in being able to successfully guide my kids into being happy, confident and secure people; 
• Loving the warm fall sun and breeze and 
• Wondering why even though I feel like I am constantly buying groceries, we have nothing good to eat in the house.  That and how, if its getting cold out, the mosquitoes seem like they're getting bigger. 

Tuesday June 21: Post Party Hangover

On Saturday R & I had our combined 75 1/2 Birthday Party. 

About 60 people at the house, with fresh caipirinhas being mixed, mini cupcakes (of course) and my favorite part - the chance to wear a one piece black jumpsuit that I just bought from Guess. So 70's swinger, I loved it.

Actually even better than the outfit is that we had some amazing friends come in from New York, London and San Francisco which meant late nights laughing on our matchbox size 4th floor deck, sipping mezcal.

Random party highlights:

• "My name's Seth Sarkar, its a pleasure to meet you"
• "You say potato, I say aloo."
• All the amazing art that Cy hung up 
• A pantry with more champagne than food.

Wednesday June 8: Figuring It Out

I'm not a blog virgin, but this project makes me feel like one.

 Currently, I write a weekly blog for my next book, I spent two years writing for another project, but both of those were easier, since what I was supposed to talk about was clear.

And I guess that's the whole idea of this project, the challenge of outwardly writing about my life.  But I'm so used to writing either on a specific topic or just ranting to and for myself (anxious recriminations on why its taking so long to get a project going or why I ate so many Quality Street toffees), that it becomes difficult to look beyond that.

But then who says I need full sentences or even real topics....in that spirit then:

Today, I: 

•  Took the boys to Indigo where they played with Thomas and we bought birthday presents for weekend ahead ( including a kit that lets you make a giant fort with sheets);
  
• Loved eating flatbread with cream cheese (straight from the container of course);
  
• Wore my new tan linen pants and black shirt from Jacob and
  
• Talked to Mom (while walking from R's office to the nursery) about parents who try and decide their kids lives for them. My take: how are they so confident they are right. Hers: Some kids just need more help and parents can at least suggest safe options.  Hmm.