Something Fun: Amy Sedaris' Home Tour

Hello, friend! How was your weekend? Mine whipped itself up into quite a whirlwind. As a result, I've fallen well behind on a ton of errands. (Sleep, too.) Cut to me, today, feverishly trying to make up for lost time.

In short, I lack the mental wherewithal to prepare a proper blog post. Instead, I'm going to share a fun video I recently, randomly unearthed that left me completely charmed over.

A few years ago, Amy Sedaris gave New York Magazine a tour of her quirky, super unique NYC apartment. I'm such a fan of hers -- she's so clever, bubbly, and delightfully weird. Turns out, those same qualities can also be attributed to her home! Watching this clip feels like falling into a bright, unpredictable rabbit hole (wherein you will find an *actual* rabbit).

I've now seen the video three times and, decisively, like Amy Sedaris more than ever before :)

Image credit: The Cut

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Everyone's Upstairs Neighbors

I hate to speak in grandiose generalizations, but... it really sucks to have upstairs neighbors.

While ours aren't The Worst Ever, they certainly qualify for Pretty Fucking Loud. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they knowingly wait until 11:30pm before starting to move heavy furniture back-and-forth across their apartment. Or jump rope. (Yes, seriously.) Or barrel down the stairs -- which are conveniently located alongside my bedroom wall lol fml -- and slam the front door AT FULL FORCE when leaving the building, regardless of the hour.

Almost. Every. Night.

ANYWAY. After a particularly annoying evening, I sought out a funny video from 2015 called Everyone's Upstairs Neighbors in hopes of improving my mood. It worked! 

Stewing in a shitty mood doesn't solve problems, but a little levity will almost always make you feel better. It's nice to have something small (like a goofy Youtube video) to turn to for perspective and a good laugh.

Do you have noisy neighbors? Are YOU the noisy neighbor??

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The Hunt For Cute Bedding

Back in October, I was struck with the sudden urge to refresh our apartment. (Didn't everyone get swept up in some form of Pandemic Nesting?)

Specifically, I had a nagging fixation on the smallest room in our place: Our painfully boring-looking bedroom. After seven years of living here, we were long overdue to show it some decorative love.

My first priority was finding ways to soften, brighten, and warm up the space because it gets hardly any natural light. Considering our bed dominates 90% of the floor's real estate (I swear the room is MINUSCULE), fresh and easy bedding seemed like a crucial update.

In my search, I discovered Urban Outfitters is a veritable hunting ground for lovely home decor. They basically make all your cozy boho bedroom dreams come true.

I MEAN...

 

 

 

Who knew! (Not me, apparently.)

I looove the calm atmosphere and all those mixed textures. (Corduroy! Velvet! Sherpa! Tufting!) Let's not forget the pretty color palette -- pastels, washed jewel tones, neutrals, with a sprinkling of interesting prints. Ultimately, I chose a tufted duvet set (in white) with a chunky teddy blanket. The quality is pretty damn impressive in-person. Weeks later, I'm still genuinely surprised by how much I like it all. 

Loads of customer reviews mention that the colors they saw online do not match what they received. To which I reply: It's Urban Outfitters lol of course you're not getting exactly what you saw online. Regardless, the store has a pretty lax return policy, should you be irrevocably disappointed.

My final thought? UO's prices are unbeatable if you're looking for thoughtful, current, stylish design. (Believe me -- I did hours of digital leg work.) Even if you're just shopping around for ideas, their merchandising is a treasure trove of inspiration for soft, laid back bedroom decor.

Next, I want to get my hands on these crescent moon-shaped mirrors from Coeur d'Artichaut, a series of sweet prints, and a pile of decorative throw pillows (for Reggie to inevitably claim as his own) ;)

Image credit: Residence Style

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Winter Holidays: How Soon Is Too Soon?

Obviously, the answer depends on the person, right?

For me, the sight of anything Christmas-related in October feels premature, but waiting until the eleventh hour to dig out your twinkle lights is such a missed opportunity for prolonged festiveness! November is my sweet spot to get all the holiday heavy lifting out of the way -- so that, come December, I can sink into the holiday spirit worry-free :)

Our wee tree normally goes up by mid-November. Same for stockings and novelty decor like snowflake-printed dishtowels, homemade wreaths, and a bootleg Elf On The Shelf that I got from Dollarama. Our menorah is put back on display, but the candles only emerge at Hannukah. (I'm a big fan of these cute ones from Indigo!)

  

While decking the halls, I might queue up a holiday playlist on Spotify, or stream some classics like Elf, Home Alone, or Christmas Vacation (HUGE favorites in the Sciortino family). However, once decorating is done, it's critical to pause the holiday entertainment until December, or risk getting sick of it all.

As for gifts... I start picking them out really early. Like, first week of November. And (brace yourself) I even maintain a holiday spreadsheet to keep track of whose presents are left to buy, total spending, etc. I know. I'm nuts. The thing is, Christmastime or not, I get unreasonably panicky by last-minute shopping -- ESPECIALLY in a cramped, nearly-picked-clean store. Being proactive about gifting is my coping mechanism. And I also get to shop ;)

  

This year, I'm aiming for a more relaxed attitude toward the holiday season, since the pandemic has me homebound with plenty of time to spare. That being said... I just put two tiny firs on my kitchen table, and that aforementioned spreadsheet is already getting some action. Apparently, I can't help myself lol.

What are your thoughts re: gung ho holiday preparedness?

Image credit (top): Pinterest -- sorry, I lost the link!

Image credit (trees): All ours from holidays past -- 2014 to 2019 :)

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Preserving Fresh Herbs At Home

Sadly, the time has come to pack up the the last, last, last of the outdoor plants. (If we're being honest, it might even be a week or two too late.) I held off harvesting my herbs as long as possible -- largely out of sentimentality toward my long-gone summer gardening routine. Now that temps are dropping down to single digits, however, the party is officially over.

Here are a few ways to stretch the life of your garden harvest, if you're interested!

INFUSED BUTTER

I've already talked about my foray into homemade infused butter and, so far, it's the most satisfying way I've found to preserve fresh herbs.

(Also: DUH. It's butter!) 

FROZEN

Try freezing your herbs in olive oil. I cut up parsley, sage, rosemary, and chives into tiny pieces, and portioned them out (in an empty ice cube tray) for single use. Pour olive oil overtop until the herbs are covered, then freeze. Once frozen, the oil became opaque and pale yellow. When you're ready to cook, you can pop one cube out at a time, as needed.

DRIED

Dry and store herbs in a clean mason jar (or similar sealable container). Oddly, I've struggled with this method the most! I could have sworn my fresh rosemary had dried out to crispy perfection but, after three days in a glass jar, it started sprouting mould (disgusting). In fairness, I was impatient and should have let the plants air-dry even longer, so the failure is on me lol.

KEEP GOING!

Risk keeping them indoors. Just last week, my chives and parsley sprung back for a third life. I felt too guilty tossing them in the compost bin, so into the house they came. To be honest, I'm not sure how long they'll survive, since my apartment doesn't get loads of sunlight. But you might have better luck!

So, have you called it quits on Gardening Season 2020? Were you able to preserve any of that hard work? I'm definitely curious to hear about it :)

Image credit (top): Popular Science
Image credits: Food Waste Feast (herb butter), Foods Guy (frozen), The Spruce (dried), Country Living (indoors)

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3 Comedy Specials (To Get You Through A Rainy Weekend)

Look, the last few weeks have been challenging, if not outright rough. We can all benefit from a big belly laugh. Since Montreal is basically grounded for another two weeks, and this weekend's weather forecast is looking not-so-sexy, why not sidle up on the couch and stream some stand-up. (Don't forget the snacks.)

Here are three comedians whose work consistently has me lol-ing to the point of mild physical pain. Seeing them listed in a row, I definitely spot similarities between them: Their material is clever, chatty, relatable. And very funny (duh). I want to be friends with all three of them. Maybe you'll feel the same way! 

I'm new to the Michelle Buteau bandwagon -- but better late than never! Her new special, Welcome to Buteaupia (on Netflix), is a lot of fun to watch. She can be a little crass and somehow super cute at the same time. I love her stories about being a first-time mom, and can barely catch my breath when she talks about her husband's super European family. Click here to watch the trailer :)

It's hard not to love Hannibal Buress! Josh (my sherpa for all things stand-up) introduced me to him years ago and I've been a fan ever since. Hannibal released Miami Nights (free on Youtube!) back in July. Some of his jokes are so goofy -- those crack me up the most. I'm helpless against silly one-liners and random observations. He also gets into the time he was arrested in Miami. Who knew police injustice could literally be so ridiculous.

I actually saw Iliza Shlesinger perform Elder Millenial (on Netflix) at Just For Laughs a few years ago! She's an incredibly strong performer and storyteller, but has also been accused of being woman-hating or anti-feminist. And fine, maybe some of her material takes a derivative view on female friendships. The thing is, those bits speak directly to my own experience as a younger person -- almost like she lifted actual events from my own time as a member of a group of suburban frenemies. Is that a good thing? I don't know. Does it strike a chord that shakes free some serious laughs? You better believe it.

Long story short: Iliza's bits about lady-sheep, party goblins, and trying to locate something in your purse are great. And if you like this special, then she has four or five more (also on Netflix) that will be right up your alley :)

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Who are some of your favorite comedians? Who cracks you up the most? 

Image credit: I totally screwed up and lost the sources, sorry!

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9 Cute Cushions For A Pandemic-Induced Home Makeover

Has anyone else been bitten by the home reno bug? Lately, I find myself in a major NESTING MOOD, which I assume was spurred by the one-two punch of chilly weather and Montreal's reinstated lockdown. If the plan is to stay home -- for what I suspect will become an indeterminate time period -- then my place needs to feel COZY AF.

While hunting online for homeware, I keep getting side-tracked by fluffy chenille blankets, modern-looking table lamps, and pretty throw pillows. Smaller home accents can give any room a fresh hit of personality, and are obviously way less expensive than buying a new sofa or coffee table.

Here are some cushions I'm fawning over -- I love their warmth, texture, and how they lend juuust enough color to brighten up a space (without looking like a full-blown circus). Click any photo to go to its website :)

  

  

  

Apparently, I'm drawn to a soft yupster/boho vibe lol. What are you looking for when you shop home decor?

Image credit (top): Ideal Home
Image credit (products): Every photo is linked to its source

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6 Fun Summery Prints

A while ago, I started mentally mapping out a decor revamp for the bedroom. I'm super slow to pull the trigger on pricey things like furniture -- such an investment! (And that was BEFORE I lost my expendable income lol.) Instead, I'm easily drawn to smaller accents like blankets, baskets, miscellaneous pretty decor.

The project has since been put on hold, but that hasn't stopped me from occasional browsing through Society6's enormous collection of art prints. Circling back to the ones I'd bookmarked, my subconscious was clearly going for a specific *vibe*. Wanted to share some of my favorites -- so pretty and summery -- in case anyone out there has walls in need of sprucing :)

  

  

Would you ever seasonally swap out the framed art in your home? I feel like that's something a very mature, organized person would do (i.e. not me).

Image credit (top): Chatelaine

Artwork credit (top to bottom, left to right): Beach Goddess, Camouflage, No Fall, No Flight, Summer Flowers III, Love Conquers All, Shelter

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Two-Minute Tidy

Cleaning the house sucks.

Often, the task gets left for the weekend because it doesn't fit into your busy workweek. Can you think of a bigger drag than spending Saturday doing laundry, reorganizing cupboards, and deep-scrubbing the tub? I can't. At the same time, hanging out in a messy apartment drives me bonkers. It's a very annoying cycle.

I finally found a super effective system that barely feels like cleaning at all.

Take two minutes (literally) and tidy whatever you can during that window. I mean it: Set a timer, then let yourself off the hook after 120 seconds and go about the rest of your day.

It's all about breaking down your space into manageable chunks and going at them in a gradual way (as opposed to tackling everything in one long shot). You'll be surprised by how much actually gets done! 

Since I started working this way, I realized you can clean almost anything in under two minutes. Personally, in that small time frame, I'm able to unload/reload the dishwasher... Or straighten up all the shoes and coats in the entrance... Or swiffer the floor in every room... Fold the laundry (maybe even put it back in the closet!)... Wipe down the stovetop and kitchen counters... You get the idea.

These spurts of tidying don't feel daunting. Instead, I find myself more inclined to clean throughout the week because I'm never committing to tons of housework. 

I'll admit that it's impossible to avoid the occasional, necessary deep clean. You just do it a lot less often, which is awesome.

The two-minute tidy means multiple clean-up sessions throughout the week -- that sounds like a lot. But the pay-off is huge! My place is now consistently in decent-enough shape that most people (except my mom lol) can drop by unannounced and I wouldn't be completely ashamed.

And what's two minutes, really? Most Beyoncé songs are longer ;)

Image credit: Android Central

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21 Housewarming Gift Ideas

It's Moving Day in Montreal!

Sending strength to whoever is schlepping their lives across town today. Under normal circumstances, switching to a new place is exhausting. During a pandemic? I can't even fathom.

Housewarming parties are a natural extension of "pay your friends with pizza for moving your stuff" season. I suspect things will be a little different this year, given social distancing measures and (in my case) a general phobia of sharing confined space with loads of people. But that doesn't mean you need to skip out on celebrating your pal's new milestone!

When you eventually swing by their new place, here are some cute gift ideas to commemorate the occasion. There should be something for all bonds and budgets in this list, so hopefully it'll come in handy for someone out there :)

FOODIE FRIENDLY

1. WINE (duh)

If you drink the stuff, then there is no such thing as having too many bottles of wine in your house! For me, the goal of a good housewarming gift is CONVENIENCE, so I would choose a red that doesn't need to be refrigerated. Consider including a corkscrew with your gift, in case theirs was misplaced during the move. Stokes has a bunch of nice options, but a regular one from the grocery/pharmacy does the trick too.

Bonus: You can also get your friend those little drink markers -- they're great when you're hosting groups :)

2. Good olive oil

I'm always so thrilled to get this as a gift because it's something I rarely (if ever) buy for myself. 

Montrealers looking for a huge assortment can hit up Milano's, Capitol, and Cavallaro. My trick for finding the best one? Ask the oldest-looking Italian person on staff for help (joking) (not joking).

Another take on this idea: A fancier balsamic reduction or specialty hot sauce, both are fun alternatives to olive oil.

3. Easy herbs

Look, depending on the giftee, giving someone plant can be straight up rude lol -- it's a lot of commitment to spring on a person!

Herbs, however, are generally super low maintenance. And there's the added perk of EATING them down the road. Two gifts in one ;)

Mint, basil, and parsley are safe bets. You can do one large plant in a terracotta pot (don't forget the drip dish on the bottom), or a more elaborate set-up with 3-4 plants in one container.

4. A trusted cookbook

I love gifting books for any occasion!

In terms of cookbooks, my personal favorite is from Smitten Kitchen. Ottolenghi and Mark Bittman are other solid options.

Don't forget to jot down some well wishes on the inside cover.

5. Oven mitts

Even if theirs didn't go missing in the move, it's always good to have back-up oven mitts for when the old ones inevitably get destroyed. This pair from Crate and Barrel is really pretty and these from Genuine Fred are hilarious.

6. Pints of your fave local ice cream

Look no further than Kem Coba, Les Givres, or Bilboquet. For folks who aren't located in the city, Coaticook is an A+ option and most grocery stores carry a range of fun flavors.

Bonus: Throw in some waffle cones and an ice cream scoop!

7. Cast iron skillet

Okay... Maybe a skillet is 10% less cute than the others ideas on this list lol, but I guarantee your friend will be 150% pumped to get one!

Lodge is the best. They make a wide assortment of sizes at different price points. You can find this brand almost anywhere -- just do a quick web search to find the store closest to you.

Consider adding a little note (or link) on how to keep it properly clean and seasoned.

HOME GIZMOS

8. Cloth masks

Gifting in the Covid era! A new home gets lots of traffic during housewarming season. I'm sure your host would appreciate having a stack of these handy in case a guest forgets to bring their own.

9. Fancy soap

Notice a theme? ;)

You can't have enough soap on-hand during a pandemic, right? Splurge on a something really special (hello Aesop), extra points if you pair it with the matching hand cream.

10. Framed photo

Such an easy personalized gift -- especially if you already have printer-access.

Umbra makes really cool picture frames. (This basic one looks tailor-made for printing out your insta favorites.) Stalk your buddy's social media for a kick-ass photo and voilà!

11. Bluetooth speakers

I have this affordable little guy from Anker and really, really love it. Great for playing music when people are over, or listening to podcasts while cooking.

12. A board game

If your friend intends to host more people than usual in the coming days, now is the time for party games to shine. I like Jenga, Codenames, and Cranium. When in doubt, a deck of playing cards and some poker chips are fun :)

13. A super cute (and FUNCTIONAL) fan

Montreal is creeping toward peak summer heat. If your pal doesn't have A/C -- or even if she does! -- a good fan makes all the difference between comfort and, well, melting away on the sofa. Something vintage-inspired is stylish and crowd-pleasing -- I have something similar from Homesense, their stock is obviously inconsistent but you can still take a look there.

14. Tote bag

A lot reusable bags get purged after you move homes. It's also nice to have a cute canvas tote by the front door, ready and waiting for your next grocery run.

Put a bottle of wine inside, and your tote suddenly doubles as a gift bag.

Wherever your friend moved, chances are there's a local hot spot that sells merch lol. (Here in the Plateau, for example, Lawrence Boucherie and Drawn & Quarterly totes are ubiquitous.) Grab one of those and help your friend transition into their new neighborhood ;)

Baggu also has a HUGE assortment of fun, bright options.

Or... For people who lack car access... One of those roller shoppers are super useful and make for a very thoughtful gift.

R & R

15. A weighted blanket

Look, moving can be freakin' nerve-wracking. If your pal is prone to anxiety flare ups, a weighted blanket might help soothe their stress.

These can be pretty cost-prohibitive, though, so pretty throw (like this one from Structube) is a decent alternative.

16. A special candle

Help them set an olfactory tone to their new space. Maison Louis Marie is a faux-Labo brand that passes for the real thing. The fragrance I linked is a really convincing Santal knock-off lol.

Also a big fan of these "neighborhood scents" -- they're funny and, more importantly, smell really great. (Don't tell the Plateau, but Rosemont is my favorite fragrance.)

Make sure to remember a matchbook or lighter!

17. Flowers

Blooms are always pretty, but I actually prefer a bouquet of eucalyptus because, when dried (preferably upside down), you can keep them for a really long time.

Bonus: Put them in a stylish vase :)

18. Makeshift emergency kit

There's a good chance tons of your friend's belongings are still buried in a box somewhere. No one wants to go digging for a bandage when they urgently need one! Find a small hat box or tin (I own something like this) and load it with band-aids, advil, polysporin... Maybe even some CBD oil if you're feeling particularly generous ;)

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

19. Gift card to a nearby restaurant or café

With all the headaches involved in moving, a gift card will give your pal a necessary worry-free break and some time to breathe. Plus, it gets them out exploring their new surroundings!

20. Personalized map of the neighborhood

This works best if you are very familiar with the area. Print out a map and jot down all the awesome spots you know -- bakeries, coffee shops, exercise classes, parks to read, places to people watch, key bus stops, etc. It can even be done digitally! Save a google map with your collection of pins and e-mail it to your pal.

THE MVP

21. Card with a heartfelt note

Self-explanatory and, honestly, the sweetest gift you can give :)

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Happy Moving Day! Bon courage and congrats!

Image credit (top): The Spruce

Image credit (olive oil): Lifehacker Australia

Image credit (tote bags): Bon Appetit

Image credit (candles): Dieline

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Five Easy Houseplants

I desperately want to be a Plant Person. I've only ever had the best intentions when bringing home a leafy friend. But if time (and the many shrivelled plant corpses) has revealed anything, it's that I'm actually a gifted houseplant murderer.

Personally, I blame our apartment. The space is very dry and never gets direct sunlight, so it's not the most hospitable environment for growing greenery. But there's another, bigger problem at hand... I'm terribly neglectful and hardly nurturing of my houseplants.

Shockingly, there is a small handful of plants I've managed to keep alive for the long haul (knock on wood). They have a lot of the same qualities: Very low maintenance, not much watering needed, can thrive without tons of sunshine. They're basically indestructible. They also happen to be very pretty :)

I'd like to share five houseplants that have thrived under my spotty care. If you also struggle to raise healthy plants, then you've come to the right place.

Snake Plant

This plant seems perfectly happy sitting by the TV, going weeks without fresh water. I spend more time wondering whether or not it's dead (or fake) than I do actively taking care of it. The plant always looks so strong and colorful. Mine is 6" tall and I plan to buy a 10" sister. That's how much faith I have in this plant's will to live ;)

Philodendron Cordatum

At almost ten years old, this is my oldest surviving plant! It started as cutting from a friend's much larger plant, which I kept in water for months before my mom moved it to a terracotta pot (where it still lives today). Its needs are super straight-forward -- give it tons of water, wait a couple weeks for the leaves to start sagging, then water it again. Like most of my other plants, this one only gets indirect sunlight for half the day, max, which seems to be plenty.

Zanzibar Gem (or ZZ Plant)

One of MANY Ikea plant purchases over the years, but the only one that hasn't perished. In fact, it's grown significantly bigger, and its branches are looking a little haywire. Which hardly bothers me because I'm just thrilled it's alive! I couldn't tell you how to keep it properly watered, though. My system is to forget it exists, remember eventually, then water it in a panic. Seems to do the trick lol.

Lipstick Plant

Mine comes from the flower shop on Mont Royal, just east of Parc Ave. It sits by a window and only gets indirect sunlight for half the day. I wait for the leaves to get a little droopy before watering. Plot twist: I glanced over one day and noticed she'd sprouted red flowers. (That's where the name comes from.) Since then, more blooms have popped up every once in a while. Makes me feel like I'm doing something right ;)

Bunny Ear Cactus

It has NOT been my personal experience that cacti are easy to care for. I've brought home so many, figuring if they can live in the desert, then they could handle my apartment. Incorrect. My Bunny Ear cactus is the reigning champ (meaning: sole survivor). It just hangs out in the front window, gets seldom waterings, and grows pups like crazy. I've also been pricked this plant more times than I'd care to admit, but as long as it keeps growing, all is forgiven.

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There you have it -- my snapshot of durable, resilient houseplants. Hopefully someone out there will find it helpful!

If you also have experience with these plants, or know of other brainlessly easy ones to care for, I'd love to hear about it.

Good luck and happy gardening :)

Image credit: Hass & Co.

Image credit: Snake Plant, Philodendron, ZZ Plant, Lipstick Plant, Bunny Ear Cactus

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