Things I Love: Summer Edition

Okay, so I skipped out on the Things I Love July issue, but well, as my mom would say: shit happens. Besides, a lot of magazines do a 'summer edition', squeezing together July & August, so why can't I?

1. Master of Business Administration. I've been giving some (sorta) serious thought to the U of A MBA program, as it's part-time, accessible and could be loads of fun (totally serious). But really, I'd rather have this: Crafting MBA. Megan Auman is a trained jeweler and silversmith, a woman dedicated to the crafting scene, and more importantly, someone who wants to help other crafters succeed.
I'm not a crafter myself, but I signed up for her (free) e-newsletter and have found it to be immensely helpful. She also does business consulting too, and has an awesome list of recommended books and even a book club! She's a smart cookie. And I know lots of you out there either dabble in crafting for pleasure or are trying to make a go of it. Please check out her site. Her blog constantly inspires me. Check out one of her old posts: 'stop using work to procrastinate from doing real work'.

2. Blue Hawaii. I've never been to Hawaii before. Some friends tell me it's super commercial and tourist-y, but I don't care. I must go to Hawaii before I die! It's on my list. But this section here is not about Hawaii, it's about an amazing band from Montreal called Blue Hawaii. This is the lead singer from Braids (one of my most favourite bands ever!) side project. Rafaelle is originally from Calgary (with the rest of the Braids gang) but they all moved to Montreal about two years ago. I love theses guys. Anyway, see for yourself. You can check out the Blue Hawaii myspace page here.

(I MAY have a slight girl crush on Rafaelle (above, left, obvs). I once got her email address from her after I stalked her at a Famines show at Tubby Dog in Calgary, and I fucking lost it! I'm still so mad at myself, two years later).

Best of all, Blue Hawaii has a free download of their album Blooming Summer. Just click right here for the magic, and voila: music! (Blue Gowns takes the cake, followed by Belize, Dream Electrixra and Lilac (which means I just listed half the album: whoops!)). Happy listening.


3. You know what else I love? Scarves. I'm almost happy fall is on it's way (in Edmonton, at least). Okay, I'm always happy it's fall, I just wish winter wouldn't be so wretched. Anyway, fall means scarf season. I'm sure most of you are like me, and we try and pull off scarves all summer, but sometimes it's just too hot. Check out these beautiful Osei-Duro scarves, for 29 bucks each.


Lily + Jae also has a beautiful silk scarf this season, available in three different patterns:

Lily + Jae Silk Scarf, 45
Dace Walter Coat, 310
F-Eve Annick Bag, 74

4. Lastly, I am in love with the Beauty Parlour. They're been around for a year and a half and are located just a few blocks down the avenue from us. Yet I had never been in there before. I heard tons of great things about them and saw their adorable posters around town, but just hadn't stumbled in yet. Thankfully, that changed.

First, check out my beautiful new haircut:


Eeeii! Awesome, huh?

The Beauty Parlour is a salon which is both committed to beauty and the environment. They are a clean air salon, and they have ammonia-free colour services, which is much safer for everyone, both guests and staff. There space itself it exceptionally gorgeous (you'll be seeing photos of it in a bit, I'm thinking Emilia is just going to have to do our fall photo shoot there) and it even has a little boutique too! Check it out for yourself at the second floor of 10011-82 ave (right above the scooter shop!). If you first prefer an Internet visit, I can arrange that here.


They've even generously donated a prize for our upcoming 8th birthday party! Mark it on your calendars, it's an event you won't want to miss: Thursday September 9th! xox.