Category: Totally Random

The Christmas Holiday Season usually brings a few good new releases to the movie theatre, and there are three in particular that I’m looking forward to.

1. True Grit is what I would normally call a “man’s movie”.  It’s a remake of the 1969 Western (originally starring John Wayne), this time made by the Coen brothers, starring Josh Brolin and Jeff Bridges.  Usually this wouldn’t interest me, but No Country For Old Men was soooooo good.  And True Grit has Matt Damon.  That’s enough to get me to the movie theatre.

2. Black Swan is the latest film from Darren Aronofsky, who I usually like (and who Ian usually hates).  So I’ll probably have to wait for video for this one.

3. The King’s Speech. I love Colin Firth.  And I love British movies.  Done.

And, because I’m a super-nerd, Tron: Legacy could be worth shelling out a few bucks for.  I’ll wait to see the reviews on that one first though.

Remember when I was searching for bedding for our new queen bed?  I did end up getting that Dwell Studio duvet cover from Target – I ordered it off the website and had it shipped to my Aunt in New York, who then shipped it to me.  Even with that extra step, it was still a deal – I couldn’t find anything I liked in Canada that was around the same price.  Now that it’s here, I think it looks great in our master bedroom (semi-blurry iPhone photo above).  Now I just have to decide what colour to have the walls painted… I really can’t stand that bright blue.

Yes, I know, a circular bookshelf is terribly impractical.  But it just looks so cool.

[via sfgirlbybay]

Ian and I finally upgraded to a Queen size bed in our room, after 5 years of sleeping in a double!  With the dog at our feet and a baby on the way, we figured it was finally time for a bigger bed.  We got a good mattress on sale at Costco, and after lots of deliberation, bought the Lillesand bed (headboard, footboard and bed frame) at Ikea.  It wasn’t my first pick, but the price was right.

Now I’m on the search for the perfect duvet cover.  Most of the furniture in our room is white, and with a black bed, I’d like something graphic that ties in black, white, and maybe some other colour. I’m really digging this Dwell Studio duvet cover at Target, but Target doesn’t ship to Canada.  There are services that can forward packages to you across the border, so it might be worth it if I can’t find something else I like in town.

Once the duvet cover is chosen, then it’s time to choose a paint colour for the walls (right now they’re a hideous bright blue.  Other people say they like it, but I can’t stand it.)  More on that later…

It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, and most of us have Monday off work to celebrate.  It’s gorgeous autumn weather in Toronto – sunny and crisp.  Ian and I are dog-sitting for a week – Isabel’s best friend Tater is coming to stay with us.  We’re looking forward to taking the dogs for walks, enjoying the weather, and having a relaxing weekend.  On Saturday we’re going to see The Clockmaker at the Tarragon Theatre, and on Monday we’ll have a few friends over for Thanksgiving dinner.  Ian’s going to smoke a turkey on his Weber “Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker”!  I’ll make my garlic mashed potatoes and a pumpkin pie, all while the dogs romp and play.

I hope you have a wonderful long weekend, and if you’re looking for things to do, read this great round-up of “Thanksgiving in Toronto” suggestions on blogTO.

[photo by Flickr user Gary J Wood]

Ian has been asking for a Union Jack pillow for a while.  I think he saw the one in Joanna and Alex’s apartment in NYC, and decided he had to have his own.  I don’t think Ian will like this, but how cute is this quilted Union Jack pillow?

The new film from Gary Hustwit, Urbanized.  You might remember Hustwit from such rad documentaries as Helvetica and Objectified.  Seems everyone’s interested in urban planning these days.

[Thanks kottke.org for the tip]