girlaboutOtown | STYLE AND LIFE IN OTTAWA

“A sincere desire to please one’s guests is the very essence of hospitality.  The ideal hosts, however, are not only frankly delighted to see their guests and interested in giving them a good time; they are also well trained in the disciplined unselfishness, perception, and tact that make entertaining proceed smoothly according to the accepted form.”

                                                       Vogue’s Book of Etiquette and Good Manners, 1969 

In the interest of good etiquette, for the sake of hospitality, and in anticipation of house guests for a week, this girlaboutOtown had to plan ahead.   I knew our days would be filled with outings, visits and stops and our meals an important pause to reflect and to relate.  I knew too, that stealing away from the group to blog would be near impossible.

So, rather than suffer the status of delinquent host, I gave in to logic.  I actually accepted the very kind assistance of a friend who has been offering for some time now to provide a post, for when ever I found myself in a pinch.

Well, with my arrivals this week, such a pinch finally presented itself.  Instead of struggle, I chose the path of least resistance, and in the process discovered real potential.  What a revelation! 

This week’s necessity has mothered a new invention. 

For now on, this girlaboutOtown will welcome a different kind of guest to the table.  The best kind. 

I hope you will enjoy the company of a few witty and wise new observers I have invited to occasionally contribute to girlaboutOtown.

Stay tuned soon for a lightly different view.

Collage images via domino, Style Redux and Simply Lovely.

Quote from Vogue’s Book of Etiquette and Good Manners, Conde Nast Publications in association with Simon & Schuster, 1969.

I confess things have been pretty busy for me of late.

This past Monday, I finally finished this semester’s Textiles course in the Residential Decor Program at Algonquin College, and none too soon.  Now, I am looking forward to a summer full of free evenings and self-directed learning.  Add to my extracurricular classes the daily grind of work and the whirl of end-of year events at the little girlaboutOtown’s school, and sure enough blogging has ended up on the back burner. 

But isn’t summer meant for winding down not running down? 

So this season, I’m doing it differently.  I’ve decided to press pause at work and to take a longer than usual vacation.  Call it an extended “think week”, if you will  (made famous by Microsoft boss Bill Gates, who disconnects for a week twice a year to consider his company’s outlook).  I will take the some time to unplug, to reflect, and to absorb.  I want to putter, to play a little and I want to ponder my future.  No grand schemes, no exotic travel…just a summer with the windows open, the sunshine on my skin and the sound of wind through the trees.

Of course I do plan on being productive.  Playing and puttering for me means  getting to the things  I never seem to have time for and doing what I want to do instead of what I have to, like organizing my boxes of photographs, clearing out my kitchen cupboards and learning all I can from decorating and design and design library I’ve begun to acquire.  Puttering means blogging better, drawing more and giving paint a try, and playing  means connecting to the places, people and things that motivate or inspire me the most. 

With the richness of time, I  hope to  integrate the thoughts, ideas and plans that have been accumulating in my mind, and maybe even discover a different path to pursue…

Being the regular reader I am of new Ottawa blog Apartment 613, I have noted their consistent use of Flickr photos in their posts.  They have even started their own Apartment 613 Flickr group to encourage contributions.  Smart.

According to Wikipedia, “Flickr is an image and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community platform. In addition to being a popular Web site for users to share personal photographs, the service is widely used by bloggers as a photo repository.  As of June 2009, it claims to host more than 3.6 billion images, up from 3 billion in November of 2008″.

Well this girlaboutOtown is a bit of a photo enthusiast, and I too regularly troll this image-sharing goldmine for fun and inspiration.  I am indeed signed in, and although I would not consider myself a Flickr fanatic, I am constantly fascinated and impressed by the calibre of work uploaded by professionals and amateurs alike.  Every time I go looking, I vow to take better advantage of this fabulous site.

Anyway, intrigued by the presence of an Apartment613 Flickr pool, I went looking to see what else I could find about Ottawa.  Would you believe what came up when I searched? 

Flickr found more than 500, 000 photos tagged Ottawa, and more than 1000 groups.  Subtract any reference to Kansas, and there are plenty of images to sort through…

Here is a selection of the largest and most active Ottawa related Flickr groups:

• Ottawa Group - 1,693 members and more than 31, 000 individual photos!
• Flickr Ottawa - 293 members & 5,678 photos
• Ottawa Life - 191 members & 5,944 photos
• Greater Ottawa - 155 members & 3,467 photos
• Ottawa and Surroundings - 139 members & 2,340 photos

Here too are a few smaller Flickr groups with special interests:

• Ottawa Film Shooters - Still shooting photos with old-fashioned film.
• Parliament Hill- Images of the icon only please…
• Ottawa Street Art -   Graffiti, stencils, installations, and stickers qualify.
• Ottawa Birds - Yes.  Real birds. The kind that fly.
• Ottawa Dog Blog- Dogs too.
• Cheap Eats Ottawa- The same as the blog, only in pictures!

Finally, here are a few of the brave individuals who take great photographs and share them with the world:

• Rustybuckets - Amazing graphic representations of everyday things.
• MikeyG - This guy is prolific, and seems to always be where the action is…
• Jo Stockton - Eats well, lives well, and shoots great pictures.
• JB Hildebrand - This fabulous freelancer has the arts & culture scene covered, and makes Ottawa look super-cool…

Andrew Vincent at Raw Sugar Cafe by Jesse Hildebrand on Flickr. 

Amateur or professional, serious or not, if you live in Ottawa and love photography why not check out one of the city’s many Flickr groups?  Lurk if you prefer, or leap right in! 

For more information on photography in Ottawa, you can also find some hugely helpful listings at OttawaStart.com’s Photography Guide.

Yesterday was the first day of summer, and it was Father’s Day.  To celebrate, this girlaboutOtown rolled up her sleeves and did some cooking for the family.  I have always been one for keeping things simple, and last night’s feast was no different. 

Credit goes to Ina Garten, of Barefoot Contessa fame.  This former White House staffer turned chef, shop owner and best selling cookbook author has made effortless, elegant entertaining her trademark.  Also a regular contributor to House Beautiful one of my favourite home & garden magazines, Ina Garten has somehow managed to coax my culinary instincts out of hiding, where they have been since the little girlaboutOtown was born.   Reading her simple but inspired recipes regularly for the past few months seems to have regenerated my confidence in cooking and renewed my interest in hosting at home once again.

For last night’s feast, I tried a recipe I had experienced before, done brilliantly by a good friend of mine a few years back.  Ina Garten’s Grilled Tuna Nicoise Platter from her 1999 cookbook The Barefoot Contessa was wonderful for supper, and much of it could be prepared easily in advance.  Served at room temperature, the seared rare tuna, herb seasoned potatoes, and blanched green beans drizzled in a zesty Dijon vinaigrette, received rave reviews from grownups and children alike.  Alongside a crisp chilled Sauvignon Blanc, the Nicoise salad platter provided sufficient substance, without being overwhelming for a warm summer evening. 

Decadent strawberry shortcakes, with farm fresh berries and fluffy whipped cream over homemade followed up our main course.  My sister-in-law pulled these off beautifully, and together, I think we came pretty damn close to delectable dinner perfection! 

(These days, its a success when something I serve is not followed by a backup peanut butter sandwich…)

Grilled Tuna Nicoise Platter

Ingredients

• 8 (1-inch-thick) fresh tuna steaks (about 4 pounds)
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 pound French string beans (haricots verts), stems removed and blanched
• 1 recipe French Potato Salad, recipe follows
• 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges (6 small tomatoes)
• 8 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and cut in 1/2
• 1/2 pound good black olives, pitted
• 1 bunch watercress or arrugula
• 1 can anchovies (optional)

For the vinaigrette:

• 3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 10 tablespoons good olive oil

Directions

To grill the tuna, get a charcoal or stove-top cast iron grill very hot. Brush the fish with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill each side for only 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. The center should be raw, like sushi, or the tuna will be tough and dry. Arrange the tuna, haricots verts, potato salad, tomatoes, eggs, olives, watercress, and anchovies, if used, on a large flat platter.

For the vinaigrette, combine the vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Drizzle some over the fish and vegetables and serve the rest in a pitcher on the side.

French Potato Salad:

1 pound small white boiling potatoes

1 pound small red boiling potatoes

2 tablespoons good dry white wine

2 tablespoons chicken stock

3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

10 tablespoons good olive oil

1/4 cup minced scallions (white and green parts)

2 tablespoons minced fresh dill

2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley

2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil leaves

Drop the white and red potatoes into a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until they are just cooked through. Drain in a colander and place a towel over the potatoes to allow them to steam for 10 more minutes. As soon as you can handle them, cut in 1/2 (quarters if the potatoes are larger) and place in a medium bowl. Toss gently with the wine and chicken stock. Allow the liquids to soak into the warm potatoes before proceeding.

Combine the vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Add the vinaigrette to the potatoes. Add the scallions, dill, parsley, basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Recipe by Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa, from the www.foodnetwork.com

Photos by me.

This girlaboutOtown has checked one more “must do” off my Ottawa related New Year’s resolution list for 2009.  As indicated,  it has been my intention for some time to  make it to an opening night vernissage at a local gallery.   So finally, this past Friday, I went out to the Red Wall Gallery at the School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO) to celebrate the opening of their latest exhibit, “Likeness” which runs from June 12-September 12, 2009. 

“Likeness” features photo-based artists and examines portraits as representation. Showing in conjunction with Festival Karsh, which commemorates the work of legendary photographer Yousuf Karsh, “Likeness” offers an eclectic mix of powerful and provocative images.

Festival Karsh is a city-wide summer long event that marks the 100^th anniversary of Karsh’s birth, including the major new exhibition Karsh: Image Maker at the Canada Science and Technology Museum as well as several special events and hands-on activities.  The “Karsh Trail”, a self-directed walking tour through Ottawa’s downtown core, highlights sites and displays related to Karsh enroute.  Historians, celebrity watchers and photo enthusiasts alike - Festival Karsh has something for everyone!

The SPAO’s current Red Wall exhibit “Likeness” is just one of many points of interest along the “Karsh Trail”, but it is definitely one stop worth making. 

Images from:  SPAO, Festival Karsh & the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

It is almost impossible take issue with books.  Almost, that is.  Fiction or non-fiction, contemporary or classic, provocative or just plain pulp - books feed our minds, inspire great insights and nurture our creativity.  They also pile up.  While stories are good for the soul, books do take space, and one can often end up with too many to store!

Some people are book buyers and others are borrowers.  Some like to read them and pass them on, and others like to build a library and live surrounded by those that best reflect their interests and passions.   Eventually however, there comes a time when a clean out is called for, and both buyers and borrowers must recycle at least some of their books – if only to make room for new ones! 

Used book sales are a bibliophile’s dream. Where better to offload your tired old titles – or pick up a few new finds?  As it turns out, there are enough scheduled in the next few weeks to keep any book lover busy!

Starting next Thursday, June 11 and running until Sunday, June 14 the Elgin Street Public School is hosting its Annual Book Sale, 310 Elgin St., at the corner of Gilmour Street.  To stay out of trouble, shop between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

On Saturday June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. the Friends of the Experimental Farm Used Book Sale will be held at the Arboretum in Building 72.  Organizers promise a great selection for stocking up on summer reading.

Old Ottawa South Gently Used Book Sale will be held Saturday, June 20  from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 61 Main Street.  Books of all kinds will be available for all that come to browse, but come early.  When the books are gone, the sale is over.  Proceeds go to the Brantwood field house renovation fund.

On Saturday, June 27 from 9:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the One Boy One Van Foundation will be holding its Really Big Book Sale outside Convent Glen Catholic School at 6212 Jeanne d’Arc Blvd. in Orleans. Thousands of gently used and new books, CDs, and movies will be sold to benefit physically challenged children in Eastern Ontario. 

Library love.  Images via the now defunct Domino Magazine.

The New Art Festival took place this past weekend at Central Park in the Glebe.  Formerly known as “Art in the Park”, this year’s festival offered Ottawa art lovers a new and different take on one of this city’s favourite outdoor events. 

Image from The New Art Festival

Remaining true to its non-profit, non-commercial, community based roots, this year’s exhibition was fully juried for the first time, and prizes were awarded for Best 2-Dimensional Artist, Best 3-Dimensional Artist and Best Student Artist, as selected by The New Art Festival’s 2009 jury.  For this girlaboutOtown, the transition was a positive one.  While the quality and calibre of art was clearly enhanced, the festival’s casual feel and accessible atmosphere were certainly not compromised.   

This time, my little girlaboutOtown came along to see the show.   For a wee girl as prolific a painter as she, The New Art Festival was a true inspiration.  It was as though she had found a place among those  - like her - who are bold about colour, brave with their ideas, and uninhibited in their choices.  As she often does, she reminded me once again that she “has been an artist since the age of two”, and proudly paraded along as if she belonged.  Which of course she does! 

For her to see the artists with their art, and to understand that creativity can carry her through to adulthood, our Sunday stop at the park was definitely worth the time spent wandering.  The New Art Festival may end up being more than just a memory of a divinely delicious chocolate chip cookie for my little girlaboutOtown.  Instead, this experience may have already opened her mind to a path she might not otherwise have thought possible…

For a full list of this year’s participating artists, check here.

Just last Sunday, I took part in the first ever Old Ottawa South “Homes between the Bridges” Home Tour.

This self-guided tour of six stylish houses was most definitely impressive, and nothing short of socially sanctioned snooping - albeit for a good cause! 

While I was pleased to have partaken and would definitely do so again, it did take me some time to recover.

In the end however,  I came away with a better appreciation of what makes my own house feel like home. 

Read more in my latest piece at OttawaFocus.com.

This girlaboutOtown posted fewer than her regular two this past week, but with good reason.  It was my birthday yesterday, and I have been ever so busy celebrating!  Since last Thursday, it’s been a whirlwind, and  I’ve had a grand time.  I am thankful to those (and you know who you are) who made it all so… 

Thursday:  It was girl’s night out at Jak’s Kitchen on Bronson Ave, and we stayed entirely too late.  A popular brunch destination, Jak’s did dinner very well indeed.  I thoroughly enjoyed a fine plate of seared salmon served on a bed of bacon & spinach, accompanied by a nice crisp white wine, and reconnected with good friends after way too long.

Friday:  I always appreciate a good movie night at home.  This time, I shamelessly played the “birthday card” and managed to convince the fella to rent the Woody Allen directed “Vicky Christina Barcelona”.  Now, I am totally inspired to travel to Spain!  Lucky for me one of my fellow girls about town will be moving to Madrid later this summer…  

Saturday:  I finally finished off the homework for my latest interior decor course on textiles, providing an in-depth analysis of the differences between 100% natural silk and the watered appearance of a Moire poly-cotton blend.  Thanks to C&M Textiles for the several samples and their so very sunny dispositions!  Then, as the little girlaboutOtown likes to say, it was a “free play” day - which usually means a thrifting trip to my favourite second hand destination, Value Village.  As usual, there was fun to be found.   Anyway, I returned home just in time to greet the Little Cakes lady, who just by coincidence, was dropping off a couple of wee mini-cupcakes for me to sample.   Fluffy and light, with buttercream frosting to die for, these delicious little cakes were pure bite-sized delight.  Stay tuned for more soon about Ottawa’s newest cupcake bakery Little Cakes…

Sunday:  The fella woke me up with fresh hot coffee & a smoothie, and presented the most divine gold cocktail ring (and matching studs) which he procured from a vintage jewellery dealer on Etsy.  What is there not to love about that?  Later, after champagne mimosas and my Mom’s  fabulous a brie & asparagus soufflé (it was my Dad’s birthday too), the ladies of the family headed out to the  first ever Old Ottawa South “Homes Between the Bridges” Home Tour, a fundraiser for the re-development of the Firehall Community Centre.  There was plenty to peruse in these six striking homes, and we had lovely afternoon, despite the lousy weather!

Rounding out the day was dinner for three, including a marvellous chicken marsala for me, at an old family standby Mr. B’s March House Restaurant on Bank St. out near Hunt Club.  The grand finale was a rich chocolate mousse cake, courtesy of my little girlaboutOtown’s dad who took extra time to track it down on Preston St., even with the girl in tow.

Simple pleasures.  Thoughtful gifts.  Quality time.  Lucky me indeed! 

As for today, one small birthday-related matter remained to be taken care of.  Darn it - if I hadn’t been having so much fun, I might have remembered to take care of small details like driving.  Oops!  I have just returned from renewing my license…

A little while back, I was asked to ponder the question of Ottawa style…  

Often maligned, O-Town is not well known for its sartorial prowess.  There seems to be no shortage of those who lament Ottawa’s lack of fashion finesse, who bemoan our limited shopping options, and who willingly concede to a culture that celebrates casual dress. 

Not I!  Not anymore. 

I say it is incumbent upon us all, as citizens of Canada’s national capital, to do our part.  Stand up and stand out!  Every day we get dressed is a day to be the change we want to see.  Others will follow those who lead…

The following are just a few grown-up girl suggestions, suited to Ottawa’s more subtle style, that are sure get you started.

Statement Shoes - In my mind, there is no stronger statement that a seriously stunning pair of shoes.  With pants, a skirt or even at work, nothing gets noticed more that fancy footwear.  I am sold on the Internet shoe shopping - for diversity and for price - but for local shoe finds, check out Town Shoes, Nine West or Coach at the Rideau Centre.

The Perfect Pencil Skirt - Flattering and versatile, this trim shape will lend some sass to your ass!  Warning: wearing a pencil skirt may leave you feeling uncharacteristically confident.  I found my prized pencil in the most unexpected place…

A  Cool Cardigan -  Yes, the cardigan might sound a little too button-down or bow tie to be fashionable, but imagine the cool combinations…sexy with the pencil skirt,  refined with denim, and downright fabulous with a lovely little black dress…

Chunky Funky Jewellery - Finish off with flare by adding and an unusual piece of jewellery to otherwise unremarkable outfits.  Buy vintage or handmade, and discover the power of projecting your unique personality.  For great prices and a gorgeous selection, try Etsy - or for more local treasures, shop the park at The New Art Festival coming up June 6-7.

The Classic Jean Jacket - A jean jacket can do more than cover up your cold shoulders once the sun goes down.  It can also add a bit of edge when your wardrobe seems a bit too sweet.  Do try to avoid head-to-toe denim though, and instead pair this classic jacket with more colourful pieces and softer shapes.  For long wearing denim in contemporary cuts, get going right on back to the Gap.

Cowboy Shirt - Some might say plaid has no place in the big city, but I would beg to differ.  With sexy jeans and some statement shoes, a cowboy shirt might actually serve to shake up the downtown scene.  To find a genuine version, step into one of Ottawa’s very cool vintage clothing boutiques Aunt Olive’s or Young Jane’s to see what turns up.

The White T -  It’s clean.  It’s chic. It goes with everything.  What more is there to say?  I make my annual pilgrimage to Old Navy each May to get the season started and to stock up on white T’s.

Super Sexy Boots -  An authentic pair of cowboy boots will definitely put a kick in your step.  Talk about walking the walk!  Check in regularly at Value Village for a pair with that truly “worn in” look.

Summer White Jeans - What could be better than breezy, easy white denim jeans?  Dress them up with high heels and bold jewellery or dress them down with a few crisp and casual stripes.  Either way, white jeans will carry many a day!  The Gap is always a good place to check for wardrobe staples like these.

Standout Sunglasses - Why not add a little glamour and mystery to your everyday.  Who cares if you are only out to take the bus to your cubicle?  Slip on some slick shades and feel free to stare.  No one will know the difference!   This year, I splurged on a polarized pair from Marc Jacobs while in California, and have not looked back since…

 A Smart Dress (preferably in black) -  It’s hard to go wrong with a dress, and it’s true, the LBD can be adapted to just about any occasion.  Even Saturday morning trips to the grocery store can be elevated by throwing a dress over the ponytail, and just adding flip-flops. 

Sailor Stripes - Some people are suckers for stripes, and this girlaboutOtown is definitely one of them.  Classic and clean, they can take you from boardroom to beach and back again.  The French Sailor shirt from LL Bean will stand the test of time and last forever!

The School Blazer - A crisp blazer can be made casual when matched with pants and some runners, but why not spiff up and send strong signals when you want to be taken seriously?   For good suits that speak well, consider Holt Renfrew and invest in the best.

Evergreen Jeans - No wardrobe is complete without a good pair of well fitting jeans.  Feel good in them, and wear them any day or everyday with whatever you feel like.  Keep them neat for work, with good shoes and a proper top or let loose for the weekend with nothing but a T.  Just promise when you find yourself staring confused into your closet, you will remember there are always other options. 

Mix and match.  Splurge and save.  Most of all?  Make the best of every day!

And remember - fashion fades, but style remains…

Product info here and here.

Occasionally, a little brain candy can be fun.  For those of you who can trace backward through your memory and recall the ever presence of Star Trek on TV or in the theatres  -the latest Star Trek movie from producer J.J. Abrams, founder of Bad Robot Productions and one of Fast Company Magazine’s 100 Most Creative People in Business - is sure to make your heart skip a beat. 

This new Star Trek movie takes audiences back to before the beginning, and picks up the story of  James T. Kirk, Captain Spock, McCoy, and Sulu et al,  where they first meet at Starfleet Academy.  Things take an interesting turn when this young, brash and green motley crew ends up aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, in response to an intergalactic emergency.   True to their original characters, but portrayed with a more contemporary flair, the team has not yet begun form.  Visually stunning and suitably suspenseful, this was one blockbuster movie I am happy to have seen…

No need to be a fanatic either, it was just plain fun.  Check out the trailer, go gobble some popcorn, and enjoy!

The Great Glebe Garage Sale is upon us again.  This coming Saturday, May 23rd, one of this girlaboutOtown’s all-time favourite springtime events will take place.  For those who thrive on the thrill of the (bargain) hunt, and who love to wander wondrously through one of Ottawa’s most established neighbourhoods, there is nothing better that this, the grandest of garage sales.

From antiques and art to skis and skirts, this massive street event has something for everyone.  Just about every home east of Bronson Ave., west of the Canal, and south of the Queensway has something to offer the hoards of people who descend in droves to uncover some fantastic find.  Serious shoppers and casual browsers alike can easily get caught up in the festive spirit that spreads through the streets like the smoky aroma that emanates from a busy hotdog stand.    Bands play.  Baked goods are homemade.  Beer is available mid-day!

And, as if all this fun weren’t enough, this is a community event that also makes a contribution.  Since 1986, the Glebe Community Association has encouraged everyone involved to donate to the Ottawa Food Bank, which serves more than 38,500 people a month.

So how, you might be wondering, could this possibly cause a conundrum? 

Well, this girlaboutOtown is in desperate need of a downsize.  I’m overrun with enough of my own previously procured trinkets and treasures, and my resistance to the temptation of thrift is futile.  Any foray in the near vicinity of vintage furniture is almost guaranteed to end in an acquisition, for which accommodation is near impossible.   There are no walls left to line, no closets to co-opt, and my basement has now officially gone beyond chaos.  

Rationally, I know what to do.   Better to stay home and tackle my stacks.  Recycle my jumble and junk.  Filter and fix my previous finds! 

But then again, I might miss something simply marvellous…

Images by me.