Coffee Siphon

Saturday, I had the day to myself and decided to go do something I'd been meaning to get around to for months. After reading - or more like seeing a cool photo - in Oliver Strand's Ristretto column last summer, my mouth has been watering to try Japanese slow-drip coffee. I saw a slow dripper at our local beach hut - yes, we're pretty fancy in Dundarave - but the thought of coffee with my salmon burger was never appealing. However, I'd noticed a new cafe had opened up around the corner a few months back that advertised Japanese slow drip so off I went. Well, it turned out that their slow dripper uses a paper filter and I don't like paper filtered coffee, needless to say, I did see this appealing bong like contraption that I thought I'd give a try. I selected the Guatemalan.

It's a coffee siphon - some call it a vacuum. Watch a short clip below or view it here:

image Stacy Reynaud

If you like coffee, you have to try a siphon. Butter. Just like butter.

Can we have these in our restaurants, please? They're doing it here.

I know its about brand awareness but come on

I'd have to spend an hour picking all the bloomin' labels off of these - they ruin the shoe and make them look cheaper than they already are.

Black Canvas Women's Wedges TOMS Shoes

What to do when a work colleague passes

One of my team members from work passed away last week. I was notified by his daughter. This was a new experience for me as I've only indirectly worked with one other person that died. This situation was different because I was his 'manager' and it was my responsibility to inform his colleagues.

1. emotion is natural and expected. If you feel like you need to cry do so. If you want to try and hold back the tears look up or drink some water - it tends to help.
2. in notifying colleagues say what you truly feel and relay any information the family has requested you pass on. This could be dates of the memorial service, names of charities you may make a donation to in lieu of flowers and in our situation, a final word to his colleagues.
3. if you are the deceased's 'direct report' then you must contact the HR department. They will do all the paperwork for life insurance and notify the other departments. If they do not distribute a notice of memoriam within the work place it is the department's, who the individual worked in, responsibility.
4. express your condolensces to the family. Say what you feel but don't dwell on the details or manner of death. Ask if there is anything you can do at any time to be of service. Nothing more needs to be said.
5. when in lieu of flowers appears on the death notice the family has put it there upon the deceased's request or because they honestly feel the contribution will help them feel comfort knowing some good will come. A cheque is sent to the charity with a note saying, "This donation is sent in loving memory of Mr. X McABC, of 10 Park Place, Mount Vernon." If family members who should receive an acknowledgement did not live with the deceased, mention the name and address to which the acknowledgement should be sent; "Please send the acknowledgement to..." Your address should also appear on the note. The charity then sends an acknowledgement, which lets the donor know the contribution has been received and can also be used as a tax deduction. The charity also sends a notice of contribution to the family of the deceased.
6. gifts of cash should never be sent directly to the family in place of flowers or a charitable contribution. However, a group, club, neighbours or work colleagues may take up a collection for a bereaved person who is in financial difficulty.
7. if the hour and location of the funeral service is made public it is considered unkind not to go to the public funeral of a person with whom you have been closely associated with in business.

The Duffel Bag Mystique

The Gold Rush 1898 duffel bag evolution - Chilkoot Pass Alaska

Even the word duffel bag conjures up images of three day old stubble and mud caked motorcycles all interwoven with vetiver, tobacco, musk and dirt.

Lost treasures from both Kurt Cobain and the Rolling Stones have been found in duffel bags. The duffel bag as Ark of the Rock and Roll Covenant?

Whatever it may be, the duffel bag only gets better with age.

Etsy Ciao Baby Vintage find

Quote of the Week - Herman Hesse

If I know what love is, it is because of you.

image from the collection of Stacy Reynaud

No sale for you

Today I tried to buy three things online. Two wouldn't ship to Canada and one is on back order. I'd go off on a tangent but I won't.

1. Filson zip tote
2. Caswell-Massey Onyx Soap
3. This Smells Like Dirt perfume (I may order a sample of one of these lovelies instead)

Quote of the Week - Francois Fenelon

We can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs.

Vintage Sonia Rykiel

1980

The Joy of Renting - 1960s Bathrooms

image Stacy Reynaud
1961 Washroom
This is probably one of the better ones we've had the privilege of.

Men's Boots in Summer?

Oh, yeah!

Alternate between wears and air them out. It's all in the socks anyway.



1. Julius 2. A DICIANNOVEVENTITRE


3. Tretorn 4. G Star Raw



5. Caminando 6. A DICIANNOVEVENTITRE


7. BB BRUNO BORDESE 8. MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

then again you could always wear espardilles.

Last Weekend

Stacy Reynaud

I've been eyeing these for awhile - too tight (Sally Ann Londsdale)

yes, please

opposites attract

the black bag reminds me of this bag

didn't buy a thing

bitchin'

blue velvet house shoes - the mark was on the mirror not the shoes - SPCA thrift store go get 'em!

Style Inspiration - 1970s Maria Schneider

ok it's Marlon Brando but he looks damn hot here.







27 March 1952 – 3 February 2011

What I wore...1996

December 1996
in my defense - we were on our way out and it was -5

hat - vintage mohair (I still have it)
leather jacket - men's vintage with a zip in liner (I wish I still had it!)
wool gloves - military surplus
trousers - men's vintage (I loved those pants!)
boots - platform Fluevogs

Tip of the Week - Looking Your Best While Traveling

1. Neatness
2. Appropriateness

You may only be travelling with two or three outfits, but if you choose wrinkle-resistant materials, unpack your clothes when you arrive, keep them clean (carry a spot remover), and press them, you will always appear well dressed—no matter how much the cost of your outfit.

Which fabric travels best?

A few thrift shop finds

Whew - I hope you've recovered from that cold/flu that was going around. No matter how many times I washed my hands it got me (after two weeks of teasing) - it's air born apparently. I made a feeble attempt at thrifting just before it hit - here are some pics from a store located about an hour south of my place. The poodle's name was Spring.

I look forward to getting fashionably back on track!

Trends - 1920s Industrial Shelving

more images

16 Things Never to Do While Dining Out

Do Not:

1. use the same cutlery for each course. If the waiter lays your dirty utensils back on the table cloth after clearing the first course hand them back and request clean ones.
2. break off a piece of bread without offering your guests any. When a loaf of bread is placed on the table break off two or three pieces and offer them with the rest of the loaf in the breadbasket or on the plate to the people beside you.
3. only serve yourself coffee or tea if the pot is placed on the table without first having been poured by the waiter. The person nearest the pot offers to pour, filling her or his cup last.
4. put those unfortunate paper wrappers and plastic containers that are now littering our dining tables into empty cups or glasses. These unfortunate sugar packets and jam containers should be placed on the edge of the saucer or butter plate.
5. pour wine from the ice bucket without first wiping off any water from the outside of the bottle. If the waiter does not return after initially opening the bottle and pouring the first glass you may refill glasses, after wiping the bottle, beginning with your guests.
6. use a comb at a restaurant table - or in any public place. Never rearrange or put your hands to your hair in any place that food is served.
7. blow your nose at the table.
8. lick your fingers. Ask for a finger bowl if your food is really that messy.
   
9. reach over and spear your dining partner's food. Hand your unused fork to him/her and they will then pick up a bit and hand it back to you.
10. offer a taste of your food to your dining partner with your dirty utensil. Instead, slice a small piece with their utensils, or with yours if it's before you've used them yourself, and put a small portion on their plate.
11. introduce every Tom, Dick and Harry in your group to people you know and happen to see at the same restaurant. Simply nod and say 'Hello' as they pass.
12. table hop. Pulling up a seat at another table is not in good taste.
13. call your waiter "Sir".
14. make a scene if there is an error on your bill.
15. offer to 'pay half' after the bill arrives. This should be brought up before you get to the restaurant.
16. make out. Even if it is a dark corner table - no matter how tempting it may be.