Penguin Cake

So I love penguins. Not sure why. Actually it's because they are perfectly crunchy cute waddlers. Like get cuter. When I was growing up it was Dolphins but now its definitely penguins. So last weekend I decided to make a penguin cake. I am by no means a "cake boss" but I think it turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. First I baked 2 cupcakes (the feet) and then a rectangular cake for the body. I trimmed the top to get the wings. Then I iced him, thought I would make him wear a bow-tie a la Chuck Bass.

10 Tips to Being Photogenic

So I read these tips in a magazine recently...I will paraphrase and put my own spin on them...enjoy. I do not guarantee any results, but if they make you more photogenic then I will take the credit.

1- Stand Like the Celebs

So basically they said you should stand with your torso twisted, one shoulder facing the camera and one pointing away. Oh and I also heard somewhere else to put your hand on your hip - it makes your arms see slimmer.

2 - Wear Lip Gloss

So maybe this tip is for girls only. The recommend a barry colour since it's supposed to be universally flattering.

3 - Be Sober

No drunk pictures.

4 - Lay Off the Hairspray

They recommend "natural hair", I don't think they mean bedhead though unless that is the look you are going for...

5 - Use a Good Camera

Do I really have to elaborate?

6 - Stick Your Neck Out

Maybe don't overdo this one though, you could look crazy.

7 - Sunrise or Sunset

These times of day have the most flattering light. No glaring sun in your eyeball or bright flash making you look white at night.

8 - Reduce the Shine

Don't look all sweaty, again unless that's the look you are going for. They recommend some blotting powder.

9 - Say "Money"

Don't say cheese say money. I've tried this one and it works actually. The smile is much better. Plus who wants to yell cheese?

10 - Trademark Your Look

o you know how models have a signature walk or stare, that's what the article said to do. This Zoolander. People tell me I tilt my head to the side like 90% of the time when I pose. Practice in the mirror - that's what Tyra tells her models to do.

Now go take some pictures!

Top 5 Songs of December

Meet Me Half Way - Black Eyed Peas

I think I first heard this song (I don't listen to the radio sorry) when they performed it on SNL. They did like a slowed down version that I really liked. There's something catchy about it even though it's not a party anthem song. Wil.I.Am just seems to make things sound good. I don't even hate Fergie in this one.

Empire State of Mind - Jay Z (ft. Alicia Keys)

Okay I know I know, another mainstream song. But after my recent trip to NYC I love all things New York. Also as my friend Amy says "It's such an inspiring and motivating song" (I'm not sure if that's an exact quote, so don't sue me). My friend Tania says it makes her want to be from New York. They also featured it in Gossip Girl this week (like duh they wouldn't).

Ambling Alp - Yeasayer

I think I heard this song 4 times (on satellite radio) on a recent trip to Toronto to see my friends the Pretty Faces play a show. I've always like Yeasayer and this song is no different. It has the same random lyrics and crazy sounds mixed with a rhythmic beat. It's another one I try to sing along to and probably am getting totally wrong.

Let Me In - El Perro Del Mar

So this song isn't "new" but I had gotten it before we saw this Swedish act perform with PBJ last month and hadn't really listen to it much. After seeing them I decided to give it a try again. I now appreciate the simplicity of it. It's different - they are Swedish after all. It has a drifty very Urban Outfitters feel.

Boneless - Notwist

Okay so I thought for so long he was saying "homeless" instead of "boneless". Why? I have no idea since it doesn't sound ANYTHING like homeless. I love how he draws out the word and the little high whistle thing mixed with the like dirty drum machine sound (in the remix version I have). The original track is good to, a good driving song for roadtrips or a song to ponder life by.

Movie Weekend

Last weekend I saw three movies. Here is what I saw and what I thought:

Public Enemy - Some parts were slow, you had to pay attention to follow the story and keep the characters straight. As usual Johnny Depp did a good job "becoming" the character. 3.5/5

Julie & Julia - This one was really good. I loved the parts between Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep. Amy Adams wasn't my favourite part of the movie surprisingly. I thought it was really good and I really like the actor who played Julie's husband - he was in Away We Go. Pretty sure I'll buy this one - even if it DID make me want to eat after. 4/5

Brothers - Very intense emotionally, like I didn't cry but you definitely have strong feelings for the characters. The little girls in the movie are amazing. It's shocking and I would definitely recommend it. Some critics panned it for the "war" themes but put that aside and it's a decent movie. My one friend said the only thing missing was Jake Gyllenhaal topless. 4/5

Vogue Moment

So while in New York we saw a photo shoot that was taking place across the street from our hotel. We recognized the model (Coco Rocha) and the photographer (Annie Leibovitz), and we assumed it would be for Vogue. So low and behold in the December issue...the photo we saw being shot!

A Mid December Retrospective

So I was going through my computer and deleting old files when I came upon some old photos that I hadn't moved over to iPhoto. So I decided to see where I was approximately a year from today over the last few years. The earliest digital photos I had started in December 2004, I think when we got out first digital camera to go to the Bahamas. Wow that was an amazing trip in so many ways. One of the main things I remember is my sister and I not fighting for a whole week. Now that's amazing.

This time in 2005 I had gotten my dad tickets to see Gwen Stefani (who he has always loved). So here is a picture from her Dec 10 show at the ACC. This was when I was still fairly new to concerts and could count the ones I'd been to on my fingers.

In 2006 I was making cupcakes with my best friend Hollie. We loved decorating cupcakes, it was so "crunchy". I really miss her, and when I look at pictures I remember why. We had so much fun together.

In 2007 the only mid december picture I have is of my driving to school on a snowy morning drinking Starbucks. Well the Starbucks thing hasn't changed. I was in my second year of Management Studies at Conestoga College. I've reminisced about school before and my mixed feelings about it. Well that's where I was 2 years ago.

So what was I doing last year? Well I was apparently at Yorkdale taking this picture in the underground parking lot. We had gone to find dresses for the big James Bond party we were throwing. We shopped and then had dinner at Moxie's.

What am I doing today? Well I went to work, wrote this, and am now leaving to go have coffee with Amy and Tania. Wonder what I'll be doing next year?

Anthropologie

Okay I LOVE LOVE LOVE this store. The clothes are so unique and the details are so special. Nothing seems cookie cutter or like something you could get anywhere. A lot of the pieces are pricey, but they are quality. A lot of their stuff is dreamy and girly. I was first introduced to them by my friend Hollie. We ordered our bridesmaid dresses from the site. Here's my and her sister Hannah in them...

When you walk in the store your eyes are going everywhere trying to take in all the displays with their textures and colours. The first one I went to was in Boca Raton, FL. I must have spent over an hour just looking at everything. Here was one of the displays. When we were in New York we went to the one by 30 Rock and we probably spent 2 hours there. I got an amazing dress and found this beautiful handmade (not in China) statement necklace that was on sale too.

Not only do they carry clothing, shoes and accessories, but they also have a wide variety of housewares including bedding, furniture, dishes and decorative accents. I just recently found out they carry swimwear... it's the prettiest stuff I've seen.

Their catalogues are also amazing. The photography is beautiful and soft, each one could be be featured in Vogue. I would sign up for them, they are free. If you like scrapbooking or just looking at beautiful things it's a nice treat in the mail. I am not responsible if you then want to get the items inside though.

Check It Out: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp

How I Will Remember November

This picture was taken November 8th, I swear. It was probably more than 20 degrees in the sun. It was a beautiful day. The water was so clam and we skipped stones and sat on logs enjoying cold "beverages". I love that we had no snow all month, I mean I know it has to come eventually, but it's here for long enough, so I don't mind the late start.

This picture was taken near Bayfiled, ON at a friends cottage.

Chicago Girls

So I came across this song somewhere...it's kind of funny and catchy. I've never been to Chicago but I'm assuming it's fairly accurate?

Chicago Girls (The XX)- James Dean http://www.mediafire.com/?zdt5mhz5wnu