MOVEMBER CANADA AND THE POWER OF THE MOUSTACHE!! | IT'S A NEW DAY | Nov 4

It is simply amazing the power that a moustache can have!

We are one week into Movember. For those of you that are not familiar with Movember;  it is a global movement which encourages men to grow a moustache for the 30 days of November to raise awareness of men's health issues particularly prostate and testicular cancers as well as mental health challenges.
 

The Movember Foundation is focused on living with and beyond cancer, staying mentally healthy and living with and beyond mental illness.  Mo (short for moustache) Bros begin the month without any facial hair and then grow and groom their Mo for the remainder of November while requesting donations from family and friends to donate to this very worthy cause.
 

Mo Sistas are the women that support the Mo and encourage the Mo Bros in their lives. They participate in fund raising activities and do basically everything that the Mo Bros do without growing a MO. Some women have decided to grow their underarm hair in support of the Mo for the month of November. I applaud their dedication to the movement.
 

  Here are the official Rules from Movember.org 
 

1. On Shadowe'en (October 31st), the complete moustache region, including the entire upper lip and the handlebar zones, must be completely shaved.
2. For the entire duration of Movember (Movember 1st - 35th inclusive), no hair shall be allowed to grow in the goatee zone - being any facial area below the bottom lip.
3. There is to be no joining of the moustache to sideburns.  
4. Failure to conform to all of these rules may, at the discretion of the official Movember Committee, result in instant blacklisting and may void invitation to the end of Month festivities (this year lip-marked for Movember 35th!)
5. Movember Committee accepts no responsibility for lost jobs, rashes, food/beer encrustments or any other such mishaps caused to the wearer (or his partner) of a Movember Moustache. You grew it yourself.

  

Some Mo Inspiration...

 

photos | courtesy of Google

 

 There is still time to sign up for Movember. Register here. 

 

HAPPY MOVEMBER!!

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle http://www.soulierdesignstudio.com 

E i E i OO ! | SLO MO SUNDAY SERIES | JULY 28

Happy, Happy Sunday!!

Here's hoping that your Slo Mo Sunday has been amazing so far and that you are basking in this glorious summer season. 

If you have been following my posts, you know that I relentlessly post about making sure that you include relaxation in your schedule regularly and that it is paramount to living a healthy and sustainable life. Everyone's idea of relaxing is very different; some like to listen to music, some like to spend the day in the kitchen baking, maybe it is going for a nice long walk or watching a movie, or maybe it is a leisurely game of golf.

Whatever it is just make sure that you fit it it somehow! 

As you know, hubby and I love our drives out into the country.  We find that it is a way for us to reduce our stress levels, it calms our minds and gives us such an invigorating feeling. Today, we left our home quite early, we packed up some fruit snacks and water and headed out to an area about a half hour north of us which is primarily farmlands. We prefer to cut through all the sidelines that are off the beaten paths while exploring all the country roads looking for historic buildings, interesting shops and of course local produce from the farmers. 

Our drive this morning was simply tremendous, the weather was just what the Doctor ordered and we snapped all kinds of pictures. We would love to own a hobby farm someday as we are absolutely crazy about farm animals, particularly cows and we certainly saw our share of them today as well.  Here are a couple of pics from our scenic drive this morning.  

Enjoy!

gorgeous field of wheat

here a soy farm (growing in the foreground) has grown a tree fence to separate land from the adjacent farm.

yellow, lavender and green of nature - it's a lovey colour scheme!

one of those sidelines off the beaten path - wow look at that corn

he doesn't look too impressed with us does he? But he sure is cute!

this might be the brother telling us to beat it!

not really feeling the love from this guy either

this turret was in the middle of no where - love the wrought iron piece beside it  

would have loved it for a DIY project and now that I think about it, why didn't I just take it??

great windows in this lovely church

and this is the stately entrance to Hanover Farm - can you imagine the house at the end of this driveway?

this is not my preferred style of home; my husband would move in, in a heartbeat.
as a designer I can certainly appreciate the workmanship in this Heritage Home. 

these last three pics are from the beach (Lake Ontario) just behind our home

We thought this would be a fabulous way to conclude our amazing drive in the country and it surely was.  We just sat for a while on the stone ruins, chatted about our road trip and how we might spend the balance of our Slo Mo Sunday.

How did you spend your day??

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco-Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

Please visit us at https://www.soulierdesignstudio.com 

WHERE DID THIS YEAR GO ? | SLO MO SUNDAY SERIES | JULY 20

Remember as a child when school was out for the summer our holidays seemed to go on for an eternity? 

Same thing for our birthdays; it just seemed so long from one to the other. I recall my mom saying when I was young that time seems to go so much faster the older that you get and I never quite got it back then. 

NOW, I GET IT! 

This year has just whirled by and I can't believe that we are already nearing the end of July. Where did the year go? Since our summers here are quite short, this is the time of year to be taking full advantage of the lovely weather, spending more time outdoors, soaking up the goodness of the sun, catching our breath from our crazy fast-pasted lives and more importantly RELAXING. 

What are doing today to carve out some much needed time to relax on this SLO MO SUNDAY?

Some Inspiration. 

Photo - Courtesy of Elmueble

Photo - Courtesy of Pinterest

Photo - Courtesy of Pinterest

Photo - Courtesy of Pinterest

Photo - Courtesy of A Crimson Kiss

Enjoy your Sunday!

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco-Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

Please visit us at https://www.soulierdesignstudio.com 

PICNICING - ASTON MARTIN STYLE | SLO MO SUNDAY SERIES | JULY 13

When was the last time you went for a picnic? I'll bet you can't remember. 

Actually it has been an eternity since I have been on a picnic. Lately though, we have been talking about planning one in the very near future.  There is something extra special about taking a beautiful drive through the countryside, finding an ideal spot with a breathtaking view and dining al fresco. Sooooooooooooo relaxing. 

I don't need to tell you that that we live in very stressful times. Living a sustainable lifestyle includes finding healthy ways to reduce our stress levels in order to nurture ourselves.  So, it is paramount that we regularly take some well deserved time to relax and recharge our drained batteries.  

For now,  I invite you to join me on this SLO MO SUNDAY on a Virtual Picnic executed ASTON MARTIN style!! 

This lovely day is launched by packing our Aston Martin vehicle with the Aston Martin Picnic Hamper in the trunk .....

(Hey this is my virtual picnic, so I can own any car I want to)  

The convertible roof is down of course and the drive is glorious through the countryside.  The weather is fully co-operating; the sun is shining, the gorgeous, fragrant flowers are in full bloom and the sky is so blue. 

Really doesn't get much better does it?

Wait STOP the car!!

I think we have found the perfect spot for our picnic ... Wow, such a great view.

Ok, it is time to unload our Aston Martin Picnic Hamper and our yummies we have prepared. 

(The price tag for this hamper is quite rich but it is such a well made, durable and high quality piece that it is definitely a sustainable heirloom piece.)

It has all the utensils you could ever imagine or need - stainless cutlery, bone china plates - cups and saucers, thermos, crystal wine glasses

Pic - Google

Now the food....... yummy!! That long drive has worked up quite an appetite.

                    

Please help yourself to a Pressed Picnic Sandwich - So delish (source for recipe at bottom of post)

Doesn't this sandwich look amazing? Can't wait to try this Pan Bagnat - A french picnic sandwich with everything in it but the kitchen sink. 

Can I offer you a slice? (source for recipe at bottom of post)

Pic - Google

Our picnic luncheon would not be complete without the champagne - Let's toast this spectacular day.  

CHEERS!  

We had a great time, did you?  

We would love for you to share. Tell us about your PERFECT picnic.

Pressed Picnic Sandwich - Picture and Recipe - Donal Skehan

Pan Bagnat Sandwich - Picture and Recipe - Lavender and Lovage

Aston Martin Picnic Hamper - LUXDECO

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco-Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

Please visit us at 

https://www.soulierdesignstudio.com 

ICONIC SANTORINI HOTEL | IT'S A NEW DAY | JUNE 19

Are you looking for a little inspiration today? 

The gorgeous Iconic Santorini hotel is carved from the volcanic caldera wall into a cliff on this wonderful Greek Island.  All of the 22 guest rooms have water-facing terraces and spectacular views from each of the five levels. 

Pure luxury, tranquility, relaxation, seclusion and solitude describe the experience that awaits you here.

Here are a few beautiful images to give you an idea of how incredible this hotel is.

Enjoy!

All pictures - Courtesy of Pinterest

Iconic Santorini, a boutique cave hotel!  Feeling Inspired?

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability, Eco-Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle.

Please visit us at https://www.soulierdesignstudio.com

MONTREAL - GALERIE YOUN, GREAT FOOD, ART EXHIBITS | KICKING BACK ON THE WEEKEND | APRIL 25

What an absolute BLAST!!

I very much enjoyed an exciting trip to Montreal this past weekend with my husband and daughter.  We were invited to attend a Gala Event at Galerie Youn in downtown Montreal where my son, Jamie Bradbury's work is currently on exhibit. Jamie a Visual Artist, recently moved from London, England to Montreal and Saturday night was the Gala Opening for his show.

The founder and director of the gallery is Juno Youn, who also co-founded and directed SPIN Gallery in Toronto (Ontario) from 1999 to 2007 prior to moving to Montreal, Canada.  Galerie Youn represents several contemporary artists from around the world and participates in various art fairs and exhibitions each year.

GALERIE YOUN

Jamie's work primarily explores race, globalization and multiculturalism through the use of drawing, painting, sculptural installations, and writing.  He recently lectured at McGill University and will be participating in a conference at Oxford University in London, England in July and then he is off to a residency in Atina, Italy. Not long ago, Jamie was shortlisted for the Jerwood Prize curated by Photoworks. Some of his works are held in private and public collections such as the National Portrait Gallery of Canada. 

Jamie Bradbury - Visual Artist

Here is a couple of his pieces from the past few years that are not in his current Exhibition at Galerie Youn.
    

                                                                      Graphite (Pencil) on paper  

Learning from the Master - This watercolour painting is of himself viewing a spectacular piece in a gallery.

  

Fritz - Another watercolour painting

(Ok, I am a very proud Momma bragging about her VERY talented son !!)

Anyway, back to the event it was a huge success with a lot of media coverage and was highly attended despite the torrential rainfall the entire day and evening.  Fabulous wine, hors d'oeuvres, music and wonderful conversation with so many new acquaintances were the highlights of this spectacular night.

Unfortunately, this weekend very boldly reiterated that my 7 years of French study in school didn't stick; my French is totally non existent!!

As mentioned, Saturday it poured rain the entire day and unfortunately we did not get out to see the sites as we had intended. It has been many years since I visited Montreal and I remember just loving Old Montreal and really wanted to visit again.  So we drove around Old Montreal site seeing which is by the way, sheer decadence for the eyes! I can certainly see why it is a major tourist attraction. Beautiful cafes, restaurants and wonderful shops line the gorgeous streets.

The architecture and cobbled streets are breathtaking and have been restored/maintained to preserve the look and feel of its days as a settlement. Many of the buildings date back to the 17th century. The lovely horse-drawn caleches or carriages certainly help retain the feeling of days gone by.  Simply Amazing!

Here are a few images that I snapped with my Blackberry this weekend, highlighting some of the exquisite Architecture 

 Enjoy! 

If you have not had the pleasure of visiting Montreal, I would highly recommend it but there are just a few tidbits of important information that I would like to share with you before you go........

There are no right turns on a red light, the green flashing light is at the end instead of at the beginning and I recommend, you will thank me for this one, that if you do not know how to speak/read French that you bring along an English/French dictionary. This will assist you in reading the parking signs that are everywhere. We ended up with a $53.00 ticket because we parked in a permit parking only zone. My husband was seriously ticked!!!

I actually cannot wait to return to Montreal again and this trip has inspired me to take up French. I signed up for Duolingo recommended to me by Jamie my son. You can learn several different languages in Duolingo. It is a very effective language learning tool which is completely free with no hidden fees.

So far, I have completed a french lesson each day since my trip and surprisingly, after all these years of not speaking any French whatsoever, I actually have retained more French that I thought.  Love it!!

à bientôt 

(Bye for now)

Soulier Design Studio specializes in Sustainability and Eco Friendly Design, Products and Lifestyle
Please visit us at http://www.soulierdesignstudio.com