Valentines Day and Getting Through the Winter

Hey guys! I'm super happy about how this Valentines cocktail for She Does the City worked out! (Post HERE). Michael photographed the pictures and as usual, many of the items are available at BYOB Cocktail Emporium. 

Valentines Day was really nice. I had a galentines dinner with Jess and Claire at Rock Lobster on Ossington. The food and cocktails BLEW me away...lobster mac and cheese literally made me speechless. I could eat it every day.

I am so happy we're at the halfway point in February. I've been feeling really stuck the past two months but have also been working really hard every day to push through, trying to set up new opportunities and  get myself in a position to accomplish some major goals...so far, things are still kind of stagnant but I have a feeling that in the next few weeks life is going to accelerate big time and get really exciting. Just in time for Spring. 

Sharpie on the Walls

Wallpaper is grossly expensive but I love it. That's why I get so excited whenever I see a DIY alternative. I think this gold sharpie wall that I saw on Design Sponge (link here)  is so cute and modern, not to mention affordable. Could be risky though. Would you try it?

Printing Photos and Feeling Grateful

Heavy flakes of snow are falling out my window right now and it's actually pretty beautiful. Today I'm going to go for a long walk with The Staves on my Ipod.  This winter has been pretty brutal weather wise but today I'm not complaining. 

In the first week of January I was on a mission to print out my photos. I spent three days compiling hundreds of pictures on a USB stick, somehow knowing I couldn't look forward until I had a chance to look back. And I'm so glad, because I got a lot out of it and its something I hope to keep forever.

The pictures made me feel really grateful. When I look at them I feel so lucky for my nice apartments over the years, all the trouble I got up to in Montreal, and the snapshots of my family and friends. I look happy. It's been an overwhelmingly happy life. It reminds me to be grateful now because even when things feel shitty, I'll look back at my photos in a few years and see how lucky I am.

Over the album, I can see my star players, the people who show up again and again. The people who are in color. The pictures reminded me to reach out and be grateful and loving towards them. It's okay that we're busier than we used to be as long as they know and I know, that we're still around.

My parents have moved away, I'm not in Montreal anymore, I work more than I play, I've developed new interests and passions, friendships and skills. Sure, I could have seen this evolution on the computer screen. But somehow, it just feel so much better to hold it in my hands, right in front of me.

I have 50 empty slots for new photos, waiting to be filled. I'm excited! What does the future hold? xx

Walter Caesar Mix

My third post for She Does the City is up! This time it's all about Walter Caesar Mix. I kept the recipe really simple on this one, because I think the mix is so good it does all the work for you. Get a glass, add ice, pour in some vodka and top with Walter. Easy as pie. CLICK HERE to read the post :) 

Did I mention how much fun I'm having with this? I want to find ways to do more. I'm really inspired by the cocktail videos and photos designlovefest makes. Maybe one day... 

Ginger Tea Hot Toddy and Jordy's Glorious Return

Hey guys!

How is your winter going? My spirits have been known to drop in late January about as drastically as the temperature outside, but this year I'm feeling ok. Well, as ok as one can feel when its -40 out. 

I'm having a lot of fun with my column for She Does the City. My newest post just went live, you can check it out HERE. I love developing recipes and styling the photos. I got the cups and tray from BYOB and the background branches from sad Christmas trees on the curb. My brother Mike is doing the photography and it's really fun working on this with him. Get the link to his tumblr HERE. (http://mike-morris.tumblr.com/)

Here are some pictures of the cocktail...

My spirits are also high because my long time friend Jordy is visiting from Korea. I met Jordy at alternative high school, a place where the student lounge area had a big yin yang on the floor and we called our teachers by their first name. Where one of our assignments was to list all the qualities we wanted in a mate. For grades. 

Jordan is smart as a fox, caring and hilarious. When he's around I remember how loud my laugh can be. It can be seriously shockingly loud. So welcome back boisterous laugh and welcome home Jordan! 

Us at New Years a few years back! 

She Makes Cocktails

I've got some good news, I'll be writing a regular cocktail column for She Does the City. My first post went up last night so please check that out! (link HERE)

All the recipes will be developed and styled by myself and photographed by my brother Michael Morris. I'm going to focus on recipes that are fresh, simple to make and creative. Think lots of DIY elements and no recipes with 15 ingredients, because who can afford that or even bother.

I've been wanting to write for She Does the City for a long time so I'm really pleased with this new development! Mike and I worked on these photos in December just for fun and I really wanted to find them a good home. I think this collaboration with She Does the City is a perfect fit. Stay tuned xx

Wanderlust

It's -30 out, I'm still sick and wondering how I'll spend my day. I think a trip to the doctor is in order. I also want to go through my hard drive and pick some pictures to print out. I'm feeling the need for a tangible place where I can cement my memories. 

Speaking of wonderful memories, when I was in high school I spent two summers at a youth leadership camp located on the southern most tip of Vancouver Island and I absolutely fell in love with the landscape, the air and the people I was lucky to meet there. I've been tossing around the idea lately that 2014 will mark my return. I would love to travel around British Columbia and then make a quick stop in Portland. 

I found these pictures on the Kinfolk website. It's a portrait of Fortress Lake in BC and a few friends who took a remote camping trip out there. I want to stand on the edge of the water and breathe in that fresh air. How about you? Is the New Year making you want to wander too? 

All photos from Kinfolk website (source)