Mika's spiced autumn baba

When the weather outside is cold..bake cake. I'm actually very serious about this. Not like there is ever a bad time to eat cake. But after a beautiful summer full of gorgeous sunny days, the current palette of grey and rain and a garden that has been hacked back to prepare for winter, has left me craving something warm and the kiddos something sweet.

In comes this seasonal version of a baba au rhum. I love any dessert with an alcoholic twist so I'm all over baba's. Add to it the warming fragrance of cinnamon, vanilla, nugmet, ginger, piment, orange zest and topped with a spiced Grand Manier syrup and leftover maple butter dressing (more about that later) and we're done. Named after my little helper, bestest tester and not to forget beater-licker 😋. Everyone had seconds and some no names even had thirds.. It even had the baby, who we recently started weaning, giving me eyes. 

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Fall green

It's been awhile since I took any pictures and even long since I added any new greenery to our home. This little asparagus is the smallest and simplest of the bunch but surprisingly it is the thing that makes me most happy. I love it's feathery soft leaves. That, a little pink and some candles and I am ready to hunker down and enjoy the change in weather.

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Power pose

Artistry meets practicality. Every piece from Momoko Higashifushimi is equally beautiful in its simplicity but it is the large scale power mirror that makes me skip a beat. I am that neurotic chick that hurries to class to get exactly that spot in the mirror where I'm not stuck in the seam of two fused pieces and can see myself from crown to tip but most importantly while seeing no one else. I need to focus on ..sorry not sorry.. just my own movements and poses.

So how I long to have a space and ditto equipment at home to focus on just finding some quiet in my time alone. This mirror is the perfect size for just that. Coming with a built-in holder, if that is your jazz. For me, though, it's just the mirror and my mat. And the best part, when I'm all done and perfectly zen this piece still looks pretty darned good. Dare I say it is one stunning mirror.

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Life Lately

This picture seemed so fitting. And that, even before I read that they are doors from a lunatic asylum. I am currently painting door number seventeen. But seriously, this is the year that I lost myself. In family (my youngest baby is already eighth months, say what!), in moves, in renovations, in job changes. I don't do well with change. Live for and by lists. And must have order. So cramming all of the above into a couple of short months, should have been warning enough.

I feel like a thousand different voices are pulling me in equally as many directions. I always thought that my "get it done" drive was solely a strength and yet I only know realize I'm fresh out of strength. Rigid, unflinching grit can only keep you going for so long because it changes your outlook on everything and everyone around you. People become tasks, relationships become lists and flaws become greater. The beauty starts to slowly fade. And so why write? When everything seems the same shade of grey.

I'm more glutton than squirrel and I need beauty, wonder and fancy. To run and feel free. To look at a single flower and wonder how any one thing could be so beautiful. To look at my baby's crinkly eyed smile and not give a hoot about anything else, even the ginormous mess he just made especially for me. I choose family, freedom and the easily forgotten beauty of life.

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Seat with a view

Just one quick pic. I saw this house over on Est and was blown away by all the beautifully crafted spots to drink in the views. This one however is my favourite. Combining both my desires for a peaceful view and a sunny spot to curl up, read a book and maybe take a few naps..

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Lolo

I have an obsession with vases. My collection has taken over both the linen closet and the office. Most of the collection is ceramics, especially in white, because a girl can never have enough white ceramic vases.. And then I saw an image for the Lolo vase from By Lassen and I knew I needed to make the switch to lacquered metal. I originally saw and wanted it in black, so don't worry because it's equally as good in either colour. The inner grid even helps to bring out the inner Ikebana goddess in the most black thumbed of flower arrangers. And luckily it is just in time for spring!

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