Monthly Archives: May 2020

Get Started On Your Victory Garden

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Book Cover of Groundbreaking Food Gardens by Niki JabbourIt’s almost Victoria Day, and you know what that means: it’s (more or less) time to plant your garden outdoors!

COVID-19 has disrupted a lot of markets and nurseries where we might normally purchase our baby/toddler plants from, but we can still get started on our gardens, as I’ve seen a few stores offer either curbside pickup or shipping to your door. I’m going to keep my “your actions are doubly important now in these times” message to a minimum here because I’m sure y’all know already how where you spend your money now (e.g. Amazon v.s. local gardening store) will contribute to what the landscape’s going to look like coming out of emergency measures as far as which stores are still there and which aren’t (not to mention fostering a sense of community by shopping local and supporting people and businesses which missions you believe in). All this with the huge heaping grain of salt, of course, that this is if you have the luxury to consider alternatives. End plug!

While the original “Victory Garden” refers to “vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks… during World War I and World War II” (Wikipedia), one of the desired effects of these home gardens was to boost morale – something we could probably all use a bit of right now. Not to mention the delicious fruits and vegetables you can grab from your own backyard throughout the summer and perhaps even autumn months after you’ve planted and tended to your garden! So let’s get started with gardening fruits & veggies and greening up our spaces with pet plants (also see Alyssia’s post on home decor)!

Do you relish the idea of growing 24 varieties of chili peppers in your garden? Me too!* Well Niki Jabbour will introduce you to 24 varieties (let’s be real: I know maybe enough varieties to list on one hand before I draw a blank) and walk you through how best to cultivate them in your garden so you can enjoy fiery meals throughout the year (by drying and preserving the fruits of your labour). Check out Groundbreaking Food Gardens** for other food garden designs that’ll have you reaching for your gardening hoe & watering can!

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Ponytails & Pyjamas: Beauty Routines in Self-Isolation

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Did I brush my teeth today? I wonder as I fire up my laptop for another day of working at home. As I sip my coffee and reply to the latest emails, I become increasingly aware of my unwashed hair, but since there’s no one to see it, what’s the harm in leaving it just one more day? Then again, I do have that important Zoom meeting at 2 pm. I should probably look a little more presentable for that. Surely some muted lighting will help hide the tired, dark circles under my eyes. And there’s nothing that a high ponytail can’t solve.

As each day melts into the next during social isolation, it’s easy to neglect even the most basic self-care rituals. I was never a high maintenance gal to begin with, but I feel myself slipping even further into lazy habits. The problem is, once you start wearing your pyjamas around all day, the malaise can trickle into other areas of your life.

Beauty isn’t just about the superficial. How you feel about your appearance can have a strong negative impact on productivity and energy. You might stop video chatting with your family and friends because you “don’t look good right now.” You’ll probably skip that afternoon walk worried because your hair is frizzy and your grey roots are showing. And now that you’re in your pyjamas – so soft and warm –  a little nap couldn’t hurt. But once you’re in that cozy bed, it’s oh-so-hard to get back up again.

So what can we do to feel better in these challenging times? How can we create a realistic and manageable beauty routine while being kind to ourselves? Continue reading →

Books for Your Zodiac Sign

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moon and birdsBook suggestions come in all sorts of ways. Maybe your friend read something that they couldn’t stop raving about, or maybe you follow various celebrity–led book clubs, or maybe you just like to browse the new and hottest books at your local library or bookstore. But have you ever considered a recommendation based on your zodiac sign? If you’re stuck for something to read in these times of lockdown, below is list compiled specifically to align with your astrological sun sign. Even if you think astrology is a bunch of hooey, it can still be fun! And of course, all recommendations are offered in digital formats! 

Since we’re currently in Taurus season, let’s kick the list off there.  

Recipe for a Perfect Wife book coverTaurus (April 20 – May 20) 

Recipe for a Perfect Wife – Karma Brown

The bull sign might be known for its stubbornness, but it’s got more going on than just that! A love for hands-on, earthly pleasures like cooking, gardening, romance, and a quality piece of clothing is also something a Taurus revels in. Recipe for a Perfect Wife is a parallel story of two wives in two vastly different times—the 1950s and now—who grapple with what it means to be a “perfect wife”. Connected by the older woman’s cookbook, modern woman Alice comes to know the truths lurking beneath a seemingly perfect life, and starts to reflect on her own. Tradition–loving Taurus will enjoy this exploration of conventionality through the ages—particularly the snippets of hilarious and absolutely horrifying “advice” for young women from the 19th and early 20th century that Brown prefaces her chapters with. And oh yeah—this book also comes with a bunch of recipes, some more questionable than others! 

Find it on: Overdrive│Hoopla

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