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On Thursday December 9th in Queen West’s popular art district, De Luca Fine Art | Gallery hosted “A Timeless Evening of Art & Wine” with tastings by Angela Aiello of iYellow Wine Club from Hillebrand’s Artist Series. A Meritage, Unoaked Chardonnay, and Riesling flight was offered – and mon dieu they flew! My favourite was the (gasp) Chardonnay but ONLY BECAUSE it was unoaked. So fruity – the flavours seemed to stack in my mouth with each sip. (Oh, and Angela is delightful. I will definitely be checking out some of her wine events in the future.)

So the event kicked off at 6pm, and entertained a steady stream of buyers, voyeurs, and epicures until the food and wine was packed up at 10pm. By eight o’clock the party was so full, it felt more like a club night than an exhibit opening. I was screaming at my friends J and M over the conversation. So loud. Other gallery events I’ve been to did not have this kind of atmosphere (save I guess for the Power Ball and AGO Massive Party lol). My fellow entrepreneur colleague, who shall remain nameless, actually said she went to an opening at 1313 Gallery before coming to the Ciba party, and it was “nothing like this.” Has De Luca Fine Art become the next hotspot on the block??

What we were celebrating (other than the wine and company) was a reception for Bosnian painter Ciba Karisik. His series of paintings entitled “Labels” tip-toed the line between reality and art. Oversized, vivid, complex, textured, accurate – walking into the gallery and witnessing his works for the first time was actually shocking. I did not expect the paintings to be that… AMAZING.

(It made me wonder if gallery owner Corrado De Luca was not a modern Medici, and Ciba Karisik his Michelangelo.)

Sarajevo-born Ciba holds a Master’s degree from the Sarajevo Academy of Fine Art, and clearly loves to paint aged wine bottles. His ripped labels covered with settled dust convey the distinct patina of Time’s passage, and express Ciba’s keen sense of the brevity of life. For what could be more poignant or fleeting than the opening, and subsequent devouring, of a bottle of wine? Ciba seeks and offers in painting an equivalent to poetry through his unique marriage of art and wine. And afterall, did not Robert Louis Stevenson (who, by the way, I share a birthday with) say, “Wine is bottled poetry”?

Introduced for the first time at De Luca Fine Art | Gallery, Ciba Karisik offers pure painting for the pleasure of his audience and his collectors – who include none other than Brian Mulroney, Alex Trebek, Martin Short, Martha Stewart, and Bono. “Labels” will be exhibited through January 9th, 2011. So I invite you to drop by De Luca and revel in the oenological intimations of this incredible artist and his timeless art.

DE LUCA FINE ART | GALLERY (est. 2004) is located at 1153 Queen Street West, Toronto, in the heart of the Art District. Collaborating with partner Italian Galleries, De Luca Fine Arts is dedicated to representing and introducing Italian and International artists to Canadian collectors. For more information, visit www.delucafineart.com.

iYELLOW WINE CLUB is an established wine club community of over 5,000 members, offering educational, entertaining, and exciting ways to discover wine. Visit www.iyellowwineclub.com to learn more about the club, and its founder Angela Aiello.

HILLEBRAND Artist’s Series – a tasteful way to support the Arts.

Cin cin,
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YAY! Snow! Finally! :o) They’ve been dumped on in the U.K. and we’ve had naught in Toronto. So I was quite delighted to see a white wonderland outside my window when I got up this morning. Which meant my usual rain-tea walk in the Park became a snow-tea walk (with cookies). Here’s more pics:

So romantical! ‘Tis the feeling of the season. I just wish my wiener dog was here to share the snowy romps with me. (Memories of us making snow angels and chasing each other around the park in Milton last winter, le sigh. Am weenie-sitting over the holidays… maybe he could sleepover with me in Toronto instead!)

Yay!
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That’s right, I’m just crazy about Tiffany’s!

I don’t remember the first time I saw Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or read the novella by Truman Capote. I know I saw the movie before reading the book, and I would guess these things happened circa 2006. I do, however, recall the first time I heard of it: in highschool English class, during a discussion about book-to-film adaptations. I did my report on ‘Circle of Friends’ (as was the style at the time), but a girl in class did BaT and it always intrigued me. Not to so much to see the film nor to read the book – I cannot explain why I wouldn’t have wanted to – but because the girl who did the report was soooo not like Holly Golightly in the least. She was butchy, and unrefined, and clearly had no interest whatsoever in style.

I don’t remember what my classmate actually said about the adaptation, but I will always think of her and wonder whenever I see the film or read the book. Which I do a few times a year. (I will also always cry when Holly throws Cat out into the rain, and also when I hear ‘Moon River.’)

Recently, on my birthday, I had the film looping (muted) during my cocktail party. Mainly this was to get me in the mood for my present to self: a midnight titanium 1837 T&CO signature ring to replace my two hematite rings that shattered earlier this Autumn in an unfortunate fruitfly whacking incident (wound too fresh to tell more).

ANYHOO, okay so I’ve got the ring. My first ever Tiffany’s purchase! (Again, why I wait for these things is beyond me. Well, other than the poverty of course! Har, har.) But then, for me always, when it rains it pours, since my Momsies has gotten me a Tiffany key for my Christmas prezzie! (Will act surprised.) It’s an old-timey key, in honour of Innings Gate Co. but I just couldn’t decide on its necklace. To me, anyway, Tiffany’s delicate chains do not compliment the heavier keys. Maybe they look appropriate with the sparkly keys, but not with the classic vintage-style key I selected. Nonetheless, I had my eye on a Tiffany blue twist cord earlier this year, and I wondered if it would be right for my key. But oh, golly gee damn! I couldn’t find it listed on their website! Only the black cord was there. I emailed the sales associate who helped me and my Momsies, only to be informed that the blue cord was discontinued and consequently unavailable. Devastation!

BUT ALAS! like Holly Golightly always says, “Isn’t Tiffany’s just wonderful?… The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there.”

And, lo and behold, my lovely sales associate hunted down a blue cord and called last night to say she has placed it on hold for me!

Will post photos after Christmastime.

Yay! Nothing bad can happen to me now.

Toods,
x

I love books. I collect books. I have about 15 full shelves of them. Haven’t counted them in a while. But I’d say I’ve read, maybe, 70% of them. And no, I will never replace them with an e-reader! Sacrelig!

So, in case you were wondering what’s on my book shelf, well, I can’t show them all at once – way too many – so I’ve decided to make a series of posts for your curiosity to revel in. These posts are not in the actual order of my shelves, or in order of preference, they just happen to be what I’ve taken a photo of today :o)

Shelf #1: Motivational/Inspirational/Instructional

Cameron, Julia. Vein of Gold.
Cameron, Julia. The Artist’s Way.
Cameron, Julia. Finding Water.
Harmony’s Garden Journal (a notebook)
Cameron, Julia. The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size.
Cameron, Julia. The Right to Write.
Goldberg, Natalie. Thunder and Lightning: Cracking Open the Writer’s Craft.
Goldberg, Natalie. Wild Mind: Living the Writer’s Life.
Field, Syd. Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting.
King, Viki. How to Write a Movie in 21 Days.
Callan, K. The Script is Finished, Now What Do I Do?
Frank, Anne. (not that Anne!) Telling It.
Krevolin, Richard. How to Adapt Anything into a Screenplay.
Snyder, Blake. Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need. (has a pic of a Milo on the cover dangling from a rope! too cute!)
Simens, Dov S-S. From Reel to Deal.
Jewison, Norman. This Terrible Business Has Been Good to Me.
Carter-Scott, Cherie. If Life is a Game, These are the Rules.
Goodman, Michelle. The Anti 9 to 5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women who Think Outside the Cube.
Goodman, Michelle. My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire.
Spragins, Ellyn. What I Know Now About Success: Letters from Extraordinary Women to Their Younger Selves. (thanks to my friend M for this prezzie!)
Williams, Nicole. Girl On Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success.
Blanchard, Kenneth and Peale, Norman Vincent. The Power of Ethical Management. (stole this from my Daddy-o!)
Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. (and this!)
Lichtenberg, Ronna. Pitch Like a Girl: How a Woman Can Be Herself and Still Succeed. (Daddy-o gave me this one as a prezzie)
Hesser, Amanda. Eat, Memory: Great Writers at the Table. (my wiener dog gave me this one on my b-day…thanks B!)
Williams, Nicole. Wildly Sophisticated: A Bold New Attitude for Career Success.
Williams, Nicole. Earn What You’re Worth: A Wildly Sophisticated Approach to Investing in Your Career – and Yourself.
Sones, Melissa. Full Frontal Fashion: Never Worry Again About What To Wear.
McCarthy, Carrie and LaPorte, Danielle. Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design.
Carlson, Richard. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff… and it’s all small stuff.
Bacon, Lauren and Mears, Emira. (I wish my last name was Bacon!) The Boss of You: Everything a Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run, and Maintain Her Own Business.

And, just for fun, here’s a photo of some of my weenie-themed birthday cards I received on 13 November (Bailey gave me the one on the left!):

You can never go wrong with a wiener dog theme on ANYTHING.

Toods,
x

I am a die-hard Simpsons fan. I quote Homer pretty much three times a day, every day. Since I was 11. I stopped watching the show religiously when I went to university (around the end of the millennium) because, although it had started to get lame, honestly I just kept forgetting to tune in on Sunday nights (was preparing for Monday morning classes, studying and all… yahhh…).

So because I am such a huge fan, it was really hard for me to admit this season that I really wish the show would end. It’s just not funny anymore. They try too hard to be “with it” and it SHOWS. It was funnier when it was irreverent and simple. And although kids did take to “The Bart Man” in the ’80s when it first came out, The Simpsons really isn’t a kids’ show. But nowadays it’s like they are those middle-aged parents opening Facebook accounts and starting Twitter feeds to say to their teenagers, “See!? Huh!? I’m with it. I’m hip. Duck-a-duck-a-duck-a…heyyy.”

Regardless, I will always hold the show near and dear, and so in honour of my affinity for the past, I present to you my Top 10 Favourite Episodes. This list is always changing, but my top 5 remain strong. I know there’s tonnes I am missing, so feel free to add them in the Comments section!

AND SO THE LIST BEGINS:

1. When Homer and Mindy Simmons go to the convention in the Windy Apple: “The Last Temptation of Homer.” So many good lines from this episode (i.e. “Think unsexy thoughts, think unsexy thoughts!”) but really I love it because Mindy is the perfect female Homer.

Scene: Homer is attracted to Mindy and afraid he’s going to cheat on Marge.

Cracking open his fortune cookie at dinner with Mindy, it says “You will find happiness with a new love,” and Homer groans “Even the Chinese are against me!” Then they go back to their hotel and Homer starts to cry.

Mindy: Homer, what’s wrong?
Homer: Yeah, like you don’t know. We’re gonna have sexxxxx!!
Mindy: Well, we don’t have to…
Homer: Yes we do. The cookie told me so!
Mindy: Desserts aren’t always right.
Homer: But they’re so sweet!

2. Homer’s real Mom returns to Springfield: “Mother Simpson.” This is a hidden gem. Not many people would list this as their #2, but when you watch it you will agree it’s one of the best. So many of the greatest one-liners come from this episode alone! My fav “I’m a livin’ joke!” by Grandpa Simpson for example. Or when Mr. Burns tries to storm the Simpsons’ house in a tank and puts on some “war music” but Waylan had recorded over it by accident with “Waterloo” by Abba. Oh, good times. Had. By. All.

Also: my fav scene from all episodes is at the very end when the credits roll. Homer is sitting on the hood of his car in the desert, looking up at the stars. So poignant! Sigh.

3. “Lisa The Vegetarian.” You don’t win friends with salad! You don’t win friends with salad! Sing it with me!

“It’s just a little airborn, it’s still good.” ‘Nuff said.

4. The chilli cook-off episode: “El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Homer.” OMG. Good episode. Like my friend J said, “Marge, where are my chilli boots!?” But I love it for the coyote. “Find your soulmate, Homer.” The first time I ate habanero salsa I swear I saw my spirit guide. Or maybe that was just Milo.

Anyhoo, I also love how Marge tracks Homer down at the lighthouse because of his disdain for public transit, and how Springfield slopes down in that direction.

Homer: It’s like you’re from Venus…
Marge: And you’re from Mars!
Homer: Sure, give me the one with all the monsters.

I also enjoy the line “I’m just your memory. I can’t give you any new information.”

5. Mulder and Scully and the alien sighting: “The Springfield Files.”

Alien: I bring you peace.
Crazed Mob: He’s bringing peace! Quick, don’t let him get away! Break his legs!

Maybe I just love this episode because The X Files reminds me of high school.

Or, because of lines like these:

Mulder: Mr. Simpson, we want you to recreate your every move the night you saw the alien.
Homer: The evening began at the gentlemen’s club, where we were discussing Wittgenstein over a game of backgammon.
Scully: Mr. Simpson, it’s a felony to lie to the FBI.
Homer: We were sitting in Barney’s car eating packets of mustard. Happy?

Mmm…mustard.

6. Lisa joins the hockey team: “Lisa on Ice.” Like when Bart and Lisa start kicking and punching the air in each other’s general direction, “And if you get hurt, it’s your OWN fault!”

Marge: Homer, now don’t you eat this pie.
Homer: Alright… Okay, pie, I’m just gonna go like this [chomping action], and if you get eaten, it’s your OWN fault!

Other amazing one-liners include:

Ralph: Me fail English? That’s unpossible!

and,

Homer: Lisa, if the Bible has taught us nothing else – and it hasn’t – it’s that girls should stick to girls’ sports, like hot oil wrestling, foxy-boxing, and such-and-such.

7. Homer’s car gets the clamp on its tire at the World Trade Centre: “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson.”

Vendor: Mountain Dew or crab juice?
Homer: Blech! Ew! I’ll take a crab juice.

Did you know this episode featured the first appearance of Duffman?

8. Homer goes on disability: “King Size Homer.” Like when Homer’s working on his home computer and it says to press any key, and he’s like “Where’s the ANY key?” and then sees the TAB key and says “Mmm, a Tab!” and pushes it and the computer starts and he’s like “Oh, no time for a Tab now! The computer’s starting!”

OMG too many good ones to list all here. But for starters:

Phone Operator: The fingers you are trying to dial with are too fat… please mash the keyboard with your palm now.

Bart: [After Maggie gives Homer a piece of plasticine to eat] Dad, it says it’s non-toxic!
Homer: [Already in mid-chew] Well, that’s a plus.

Homer: Stupid bird! I never should have put you in charge!

And, of course, the classic…

Homer: I don’t want to look stupid. Just give me the muumuu.

9. The new Lisa at Flanders’ beach house: “Summer of 4 Ft. 2.” When the family is sitting around playing Dream Date and Bart gets the dud and Homer says to Milhouse, “He looks like you, Poindexter!” Or when Milhouse signs Lisa’s yearbook at the end of the trip and says “See you in the car!” LOL

Memorable moments:

Milhouse: School’s out! Up yours, Krabappel!

Shop Clerk: Celebrate the independence of your nation by blowing up a small part of it.

Homer: Yeah, um, give me one of those porno magazines, a large box of condoms, a bottle of Old Harper, a box of panty shields… and some illegal fireworks… and one of those disposable enemas. You know what, make it two.
Marge: [Later] Homer, whatever you’re planning for tonight, count me out.

Lisa: It beats doing stuff.
New girl: Yeah, stuff sucks.

Homer: Sweet merciful crap!

And my fav line…

Lisa: [talking to herself after a seagull scares her] You don’t control the birds. You will one day, but not now.

10. “Whacking Day.” Oh, Whacking Day, how could I forget thee!?

Homer: Whack, whack.
Marge: Woo, woo.
Homer: Whack, whack, whack!
Marge: Woo, woo, woo!

Homer: I am Evil Homer! I am Evil Homer!

Barry White: I love the sexy slither of a woman snake.

SO MANY MORE:

The end of the world angel: “Lisa the Skeptic.” Of course my favourite part of this great episode is when Ned Flanders sings “Que Sera Sera” at the end. I guess this one is good just because it’s smart AND funny (just like me! LOL).

But what about “No beer and no TV make Homer something something” Halloween special? Or “The doll’s trying to kill me and the toaster’s been laughing at me!” And when Homer goes to Chocolate Land and sees a sign for 50% off chocolate!? Or Jacques the bowling instructor?

OR THIS!

Homer: Ooh look at me! I’m making people happy! I’m the magical man from Happy Land! I live in a gumdrop house on Lollipop Lane! Oh, in case you can’t tell, I’m being sarcastic.
Marge: Well, duh.

I need to stop. This list could go on forever. Okay, one more…

Ralph: Yay, sleep! That’s where I’m a viking!

THE THOMPSONS 4EVA
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***Please note, I apologize for any errors or omissions in my quotes… they are from memory not necessarily verbatim!