Day Trippin' Down Memory Lane: Newtonbrook Bowlerama

As a kid, I was always a huge fan of bowling.  My parents were both in a bowling league before they had kids, and as far as a fun family activity goes, bowling always won out.  It didn't hurt that there was a reasonably priced, delightfully scuzzy bowling alley in our neighbourhood (which was also the neighbourhood my mother grew up in!), the Newtonbrook Bowlerama.  All of my childhood birthday parties were here: greasy pizza, gutter bumpers and all.  One time, I even out-bowled two teenage boys the next lane over, when I was young.  Now, I'm very much out of practice, and must have just been killing it that day when I was 10, because I barely broke 100 this trip out.  It didn't really matter, though.  Just seeing the incredible lack of any updates to the Bowlerama whatsoever made it all worth while... it was a total trip back to the mid 90's!!

Yes, I do have the most ridiculous bowling form ever.  I look like a gentleman bowing.  I don't know where I got it from, but any attempts to correct it were just an utter failure.  I'm doomed to forever look like an idiot when I bowl.  Tragic, really!  Thanks for taking a peek at a fond childhood memory with me :)

--Erin

Embracing my Retro Kitchen

Value Village was very good to me this weekend.  Not only did I get what I needed for my halloween costume, but I also picked up 4 place settings worth of the greatest dishes! Even better, there are cups and saucers to match.  But even better than that, I also found a metal kettle that looks charming with the set.  My house is very dated, and there's not a lot I can do about the decor.  So I've tried to embrace the 70's nature of the house, despite normally being more of a 50's or 60's girl.  The print on these plates has colours that can fit into either era, so they work in this kitchen and will hopefully work in one I have more design control over too! 

Speaking of design, as you can see I tried out a couple new fonts in this post.  I have been toying around with some design changes, including the fonts.  What do you think? Yay or nay?

--Erin

O.O.T.D: Helen's Necklace

This past weekend the Shaw Festival had its final round of openings for this season! This is the outfit I put together for the last show to open of the season, Helen's Necklace.  The show is a two-hander, which is unusual for Shaw, and takes place in Jordan, which is also unusual! In the play, Helen is backtracking her steps through Jordan trying to find a "lighter-than-air" pearl necklace that she has lost.  The show featured outstanding performances by Sanjay Talwar and Tara Rosling, and particularly effecting lighting design that really helped to define the locations in Judith Bowden's cavernous set.  It was definitely not like anything I've seen at Shaw before, and I like the the company is so dedicated to shaking things up; even if only in its studio theatre space.  Likewise, it was cool to see something mounted in this space, as I am designing 2 shows which will play in the studio theatre in late September! In fact, we have our design presentations and first read through tomorrow.  Exciting!!

The Deets:

Dress: Thirfted

Tights:Filene's Basement

Shoes: Hand-me-downs (Bubie)

Bracelet: self made

Earrings: Vintage

Belt: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Hand-me-down (Mum)

This outfit features not one but two hand-me-downs.  I love getting people's old things! I'm lucky enough to have women in my family with very distinguished  - and very different - senses of style.  When they decide a piece just doesn't work with enough of their things, they give them to me because they know I NEVER say no! Even if I cut that old jacket up and use the fabric to make a pillow cover, I can't let a good piece of clothing (or jewelry! or shoes!) go straight to the landfill or thrift store or whatever.  All items must make a stay in my closet first.  Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. 

Do you get the hand-me-downs in your family? Love it or loathe it?

--Erin