Beds

I know, it is strange, pictures of beds. But I really like beds, I do! A bed, is where you dream, where you start your days, where you think. In my case, it is the place I enjoy reading the most. It is also where I find my ideas, my concepts, seriously ;-)

My bed,

Alizée's,

and Miranda's.

Sweet dreams!

Corner View: Out Your Back Door or Window

There's a group of bloggers (worldwide, of course) who put corner view pictures according to different weekly themes. I am late, and we're supposed to put the picture on our blog on Wednesdays but I've behaved too well for too long in my life, I deserve a little craziness (I am soooo wild, almost out of control ;-)

So this week, the theme is "out your back door or window". I didn't actually take a picture, but I had one that I took a couple of years ago. Yeah, I'm such a cheater. It is still a picture of my backyard, though, so not too naughty girl in the end.Next week's theme "street fashion". "Ze" question: will I go out to take a picture or will I still misbehave, be lazy and only go through my photo archives? Can you bear all that suspense? I live a wild life, filled with unbelievable, unexepected intrigues don't you think? ;-)

13 Sweet Things

1. Having a new toy ;-)
2. Wearing short sleeves even outside
3. Taking the time
4. Getting to know new people, great people!
5. Laughing so much with Mimi, in my bed (about the fish in her science class...)
6. Eating fresh ripe green grapes
7. Reading for a long time, in bed of course
8. Having wonderful visitors this weekend
9. Texting Alizée (with my new toy!)
10. Living in a peaceful house where passion/love is our motto
11. Be inspired
12. Receiving birthday cards by snail mail
13. Having projects that eventually materialize

And you? What are your sweet things?

Community Life

I wish my community was friendlier but it is not. I try to smile to people as I do my powerwalk, but not many reply. I meet people I "know" (but can't remember from where) and we never acknowledge one another. Maybe it's just me, maybe it's the typical kind of relationship we have around here. I wish I'd be living in a friendlier community. Not that I don't make efforts to help changing it; I'm volunteering today, tomorrow and Saturday. There's a huge festival welcoming high school students who are artists from all over Quebec. Let's see if my community is ready for a friendly challenge ;-)

Prezi, My New Love

A "Twitter" friend mentionned Prezi at the beginning of the week. Won-der-ful! Enough of the boring Powerpoint, hello Prezi.
It took me a while to get used to the tools. Forget the traditional menus, this is how it looks:
I can't wait to test my presentation tomorrow during a workshop where I'll talk about digital natives, along with other stuff. At home, everyone finds it really sharp, yessss.

By the way, on Twitter, I am @dominiquepl

13 AMAZING Things that Happened to Me Today ;-)

1. When I walk, I make an effort to smile to people. 'Cause around here, people don't even look at each other when they meet. I live in a peculiar little town.
2. Mimi filled the big blackboard with words starting with the letter B. Don't ask me why "B". Looks nice.
3. Have new Facebook friends. Have you seen this? Funny.
4. Ali is almost done filming her documentary (Two girls getting ready for a night downtown). Can't wait to see this. Seriously.
5. Claude only brought a wine bottle from his meeting. Since he usually wins digital cameras, laptops, trips, we're kind of disappointed ;-)
6. Threw my neighbour's cigar's tops back on his yard (what is this idea to throw them over the hedge, are you 10 or what?) Inhale, exhale, life is made of 1001 oddities, I might as well welcome them with calm, serenity even.
7. Received interesting feedback from a colleague. Waiting for feedback (that isn't coming) from a school principal.
8. Looking for an original ice-breaker for a group of 16 people. Nothing's coming. Strange. Me, the idea machine. Need lots of fresh air. Tomorrow.
9. Viewed a very interesting conference (in French) on the future of traditional media.
10. Been retwitted by someone "important".
11. Ate calmari at the restaurant. They were not that fresh I guess. Not telling you the rest of the story.
12. Decided I have to go see André Sauvé's show (French comedian).
13. Wonder what will happen to Sookie... Crazy stuff, for sure.

What about you? Anything AMAZING happened to you today?

Funny ecards

ecards that are SO not politically correct, enjoy!

Away We Go

I want to go see this movie badly!

13 Chick Flicks I Enjoy Watching (Over and Over)

1. Love Actually ( Seen it soooo many times, LOVE it)
2. Pride and Prejudice (The dresses, the houses...)
3. About a Boy (A lesson of life given by a boy who's not having that much fun and another one who thinks he is)
4. Hope Floats (Because of the house, so grand)
5. Hope Springs (For the craziness)
6. When a Man Loves a Woman (Tissues required)
7. Sense and Sensibility (Alan Rickman is so "class")
8. Finding Neverland (Because we all have a child who doesn't want to grow up inside of us)
9. Once (Different, the music is to die for)
10. Shall We Dance (A nice story about enjoying life)
11. Sweet Home Alabama (Can't get away from love)
12. Amelie (Colorful, lively, Paris, yeah)
13. The Notebook (Again, tissues...)

New Math

Love this website!

13 Smooth Songs I Listen to While Working (X2!)

1. Fall at Your Feet (Crowded House)
2. Drive My Soul (Lights)
3. Goodnight and Go (Imogen Heap)
4. The Day Before the Day (Dido)
5. Death and All His Friends (Coldplay)
6. Anne Niverre (Meb)
7. Expectations (Belle and Sebastian)
8. Black Burning Heart (Keane)
9. Fondu au noir (Coeur de pirate)
10. The Call (Regina Spektor)
11. Moment of Surrender (U2)
12. The Golden Floor (Snow Patrol)
13. My Biggest Mistake (David Usher)

Can't stop! Let's go for another round of 13...

14. Re: Stacks (Bon Iver)
15. The Show (Lenka)
16. Toutes les chances (Mara Tremblay)
17. The Turnpike Down (The Lemonheads)
18. Your Rainy Days (Meb)
19. When It Hurts (David Usher)
20. Young Folks (Peter Bjorn and John)
21. Hide and Seek (Imogen Heap)
22. This is Your Life (The Killers)
23. Pourquoi (Marie-Pierre Arthur)
24. Dreams on Fire (Slumdog Millionaire)
25. Hallelujah (Rufus Wainwright)
26. The Hill (Markéta Irglová)

Being Responsible

It's not that I want to promote this product, but you have got to admit that this TV ad is really good.
(just don't watch the last seconds ;-)

A New Project!

Selfportrait by Tanja

Had lunch with my dear friend Tanja today. Great discussions as usual, but I miss working with her and after much talking we decided to work on something special very soon. This is so exciting!!! Can't tell more about it, it still in its draft form but it's my Thursday Love, working with someone I appreciate very much. And my Bella Tanja is an exceptionnal human being. All those who have met her will tell you the same thing about her...

What Are You Eating This Week?

This week, while surfing on the Internet, I found this presentation of families from different countries with a display of what they eat in a week.

Interesting, touching. Makes me think, especially since it's the first week of the 5/30 Health Challenge...

Bon appétit everyone!

Bon Iver

Just fell for his music...

13 Blogs to Visit

1. an angel at my table (okay, I know it's written in Swedish or something but the photos are so beautiful)
2. colourful drops of everything (my best friend Tanja's blog)
3. decor8 (designer, author, living between Boston and Germany)
4. Hulaseventy (Andrea, a wonderful source of simple inspiration)
5. kennedy & friends (a Brazilian crafter sharing her time between her family, sewing and science studies)
6. L'off mère indigne (a not so typical mother from Québec, in French)
7. Ma vie est tout à fait fascinante (a funny Parisian illustrator, in French)
8. Mitaine écarlate (unbelievable recipes, really, in French)
9. Motherhood is Not for Whimps (a Washington DC mother, very funny)
10. november moon (an incredible artist )
11. Petit précis de Grumeautique (a French illustrator sharing her adventures with her little one)
12. scrumdillydilly (a funny & wild L.A. artist!)
13.Portabellopixie (a designer who makes won-der-ful girly fabrics)

(Part 2 next week, I like so many more!)

Little Treasures

There are so many things I like in this bookcase: my notebooks, my inspiring books, my old movie tickets (another thing I collect), my artists' cards, postcards I plan on putting on my inspiration board one day, rubber stamps, markers, my just "in case" chocolate.

My dear little treasures!

An Ad...

Well done!

via Swissmiss

13 Reasons Why I Can't Wait for Hubby to Come Back Home

1. He's been away for two weeks (the longest time we've ever been away from each other in almost eight years)
2. We need a cook in here!!!
3. We need a man in here!!!
4. "The bed's too big without you"... And I'm freezing.
5. Can't wait to hear more about your trip in Africa.
6. I need help with my taxes.
7. I need support for that big move I have to make this weekend.
8. Evenings are boring.
9. Mornings are too quiet.
10. I really prefer when he drives the car.
11. Running errands on my own? Pff, not that fun. At all.
12. I have so many things to tell him!
13. #*$Bf9˜ı±•DH&#*r (that's our code, only he can read it ;-)

Nice Pictures

Found on the web this site so easy to use when you feel like having fun with your pictures or when you need to fix a few of them and that Photoshop is not an option. An example?

Before:

After:

Takes only a few seconds... Enjoy!

Lucky 13

Even if her birthday is only in a few days Miranda already had her party.
She wanted it to be blue & orange (I added a touch of white).

Cupcakes, candies, the table decor and garlands,
everything was blue, orange, white!

I also made little pockets for the guests.

It was a nice party :-)

Don't Know What to Say

We all need to love, to be loved.

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Validation

The best short film (14 minutes of pure happiness) I have seen in ages. Not only is it well made with its music so appropriate but the message is exactly what I believe in: we all need appproval, validation for the great things we do, for the good in us and there's good in everyone. Saying something nice has an impact on everyone (even when we don't "see" it). And remember that being nice is not always easy to do, sometimes it is discouraging, but hold on, keep doing it. Change is on its way.

And you?
What do you do so the people you meet everyday feel good about themself?

Shame... on You!

No, really, disco wasn't always a good thing, especially for the poor guy.
Now I can't stop laughing...

Vintage

A little because of Alix, I discovered the beauty of vintage clothes and accessories: dresses that look nice when you twirl, hats that may protect you from the sun but that are a ton of fun when the wind comes out, purses that go click when you close them, ultra feminine aprons and pinky lingerie...

So here's my list of 13, well 15, I don't feel like choosing today:
(click on the picture to go back to the websites where I found them)

Twitter, My New "Thing"

After a few month using it, I can finally say that I really like Twitter, from the huge social media family. It's a quick way to learn interesting and sometimes pointless things (curiosity is everywhere, we want to know, period) but always succint (140 characters to express yourself, no more!).

I have read that the more followers you have the more impact you have. Not really what I am looking for :-) I have also learned from personal experience that it is not the number of people you follow that counts but the quality or rather the pertinence for you of those you decide to follow.

It takes a certain amount of time to find the "good" contacts and like on Facebook, you can flush the undesirables (you know, you can always change your mind!) without them knowing. Everytime someone starts following you, you can receive an email and there is the possibility to block access to your profile (like on Facebook), which I find contrary to the primary goal of social media: networking. Must tell you I am not the security-online-obsessed type of person. Will I regret it one day? I don't mind, I'm living dangerously at the moment (yeah, right...!).

So, who wants to follow me?

The Marshmallow Experiment

Learning to wait:

She'S Talking About Me

I think I'm going to cry...

A former art director for Martha Stewart Baby and Kids magazine is talking about my photos on her blog. She also included a link to my website. Can't wait to see the impact!

13 Jobs I've Had

1. Babysitter (nice kids, little rascals, babies, older kids)
2. Employee in restaurants (McDonald's, Van Houtte, bakery, pizzeria)
3. Salesperson (Greenberg, Amandine)
4. Office work for a small town
5. Clerk in a students' employment centre (dealing with the medias)
6. Clown -1 day- (I seriously think everyone should do that once in their life it's good for humility)
7. Librarian (children section)
8. Helping a couple (senior citizens dealing with health issues)
9. Substitute teacher
10. English as a second language teacher
11. Pedagogical advisor
12. Education consultant
13. Entrepreneur!

Taking Risks

A touching short film, a nice story.
The story of people taking risks.
Wonderful risks.
The type of risks we don't take enough,
that could change our lives.
I took a risk like that on an April evening.
My life changed.
For the best.

A Thousand Words, Ted Chung (Vimeo)

Feel Like Weeping?

Then read this...

"Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it".

Harold S. Hulbert

Found here

Viva Discovery!

"The scandal of education is that every time you teach something, you deprive a child of the pleasure and benefit of discovery".

Seymour Papert

13 Things You Probably Don't Know About Me

1. I did some modeling when I was a child.
2. I once «forgot» to get out of a chair lift.
3. I can walk (or dance) for hours without feeling tired.
4. I'm obsessed by homemade donuts (my husband only makes a batch once a year, otherwise I can't stop myself). By the way, there are still a few in the freezer. They are talking to me, calling me. No joke.
5. I am a very good public. Watching a funny movie at the cinema with me is quite an experience :-)
6. I can't sleep if my feet are cold. It's the only thing that can stop me from falling asleep.
7. Less than 3 years ago, it was im-pos-si-ble for me to tolerate mess. I'm over that now and I feel a lot better.
8. I can hardly see myself with a car that would be automatic.
9. I've had my cell phone for more than 6 years and I don't plan on changing it soon. It still works fine.
10. I can't watch eye surgery on TV. When I go to get my eyes checked I'm the freak who won't let the doctor do some of the tests. (Nothing goes into my eyes. No-way).
11. When I watch TV, I'm always covered by one of my quilts. Even in the summer.
12. Being on the road inspires me (driving or not).
13. I'm not a big fan of fine cuisine.

La vie en rose

I'm really in a good mood these days. Everything's going well. Verrrrrrry well, indeed. I see la vie en rose and it's wonderful.

Here are my newest creations, I like them very much and I'm having a blast making them. I was originally making them for little girls, but it struck me that I can use the extra bling for myself. Don't we all?

I made other flower brooches and some more for children celebrating their birthdays. They are here, if you are interested!

Also coming up soon, my Etsy store (because my main site is still in French only, it'll be bilingual one day, but it takes time so for now, Etsy will do the job...) will have more of my items.

Ciao! And enjoy the day...

Yoga

There's a program here in Quebec called the 5/30 challenge. For six weeks, at least five days a week, you eat a minimum of 5 fruits/vegetables and do 30 minutes of exercise. I've decided to do it, but not only for a couple weeks. I really want to do it. I'm doing it. Up to now it's way easier than I thought.

With the snow on the sidewalks and all, it is not really possible for me to do my power walk (which I loved doing in the fall), so I switched to yoga. As soon as I wake up I put on my little yoga kit and I stretch, I breathe. It feels good and I've realized I'm already more relaxed. I thought it'd be difficult to do yoga on my own, but I'm quite motivated and I found a good moment to do it. I found my yoga sheets from the time I did yoga with Isabelle et Daniel. Great memories.

As for the fruits and vegetables, since I love them (especially the veggies), that's fine. I have discovered the great taste of squashes and I'm hooked. I love the spaghetti squash (so easy to prepare, an hour in the oven at 350 and it's ready! And delicious...). There's also the butternut squash which makes a fine soup with carrots, an onion, sweet potatoes if you have any, a little chicken broth and spices (thyme, cayenne pepper), so tasty.

Feeling like doing the 5/30 challenge too?

Foutaises, a Short Film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet

A short film that was some kind of inspiration (I've read that somewhere) for Amélie's adventure... You will see Dominique Pinon who also played in the movie.

Nice.

Here, everyone is on vacation, that's great...

For Paris Lovers

Ahhhhh, Paris...

13 Sites Where You Can Buy Online

Some of these sites don't sell international, but the items are so cute I couldn't resist. It might even give you travel ideas!

1. Dringdring

2. Made by Hank

3. Violet

4. Anthropologie

5. Pip Studio

6. Decorative Country Living

7. Rikshaw Design

8. The White Company

9. The Green Gate

10. JCaroline Creative

11. Zone

12. Shabby Chic

13. Finally, of course... monRendez-vous!

Organized

I have fabric.
Lots of fabric.
And a large armoire but it was jam-packed.
I had to do what I had to do.
Took me an entire Sunday.
Hundreds of pieces of fabric of varied colors, textures, nicely folded, well organized, the ugliest at the back, the prettiest at the front (how discriminatory, life's unfair).
Happy.
Very, very.
Just gotta keep the rhythm!
P.S. 1: Beloved stepmother just sent me two huge bags of fabric. Where am I supposed to put those? My life is filled with drama, I know :-)
P.S. 2: And no, the bottom shelf is not organized. Will stay like that. Because.

Six Little Things I Do

A Follow-up to Guylaine's post...

1. Listen to VERY LOUD music (like I'm doing right now: Keane, David Usher, Imogen Heap, Dido...)
2. Stroll around in a fabric store
3. Wrap myself in one of the quilts I made when I watch TV
4. When there is almost no one else at the movie theatre (ahhh, empty rooms)
5. Change my handwriting for fun
6. Cut (I can do that for hours, but this pleasure comes with a major bug, I have to buy magazines = $$$)

Let's Decorate!

The Holidays are officially here: I made decorations for Xmas trees yesterday. They are sold here, if you are interested. More to come!

13 Songs I Listen to When I Do My Powerwalk

1. Days Go By / Dirty Vegas
2. Disturbia / Rhianna
3. Dreamer / Hilary Duff
4. Get Together /Madonna
5. The Getaway / Hilary Duff
6. Hungry Like the Wolf / Duran Duran
7. Out of My Head / Mobile
8. Point de mire / Ariane Moffat
9. Smalltown Boy / Bronski Beat
10. Unison (Remix)/ Celine Dion
11. Viva la Vida / Cold PLay
12. The Walk / Imogen Heap
13. Where the Street Have No Name / U2

Meb: Anne Niverre

Congrats to Meb who shows up for the first time at urler.tv

I love...
the rhythm made by the typewriter
the pink rainboots
the Powerpuff Girls party hats
the green fence
the words written with a chalk
the party flute
the bow on the track
the hopscotch
the ukulele
Meb's soft voice...

13 Books I Love Looking at Again and Again...

1. How to Be an Explorer of the World (Keri Smith)
2. Messy Thrilling Life: The Art of Figuring Out How to Live (Sabrina Ward Harrison)
3. Wreck This Journal (Keri Smith)
4. The 1000 Journals Project (Kevin Kelly and Someguy)
5. Spilling Open: The Art of Becoming Yourself (Sabrina Ward Harrison)
6. The Five Senses (Hervé Tullet)
7. I Love... (Minne / Natali Fortier)
8. Brave on the Rocks: If You Don't Go, You Dont See (Sabrina Ward Harrison)
9. All the Postsecrets books(Frank Warren)
10. Peace: 100 Ideas (Joshua C. Chen & David Krieger)
11. Seasonal Home (Kristin Perers)
12. Country Living Shoestring Chic: Extraordinary Style for Less (The Editors Of Country Living)
13. Garden House: Bringing the Outdoors In (Bonnie Dahan)

Little man

I babysat a fantastic little man yesterday.
6 months old.
An unbelievable smile.
Come back anytime, Mateo.
The smiley cup will be there, waiting for you!

13 Random Facts at Ariane Moffat's Show Last Night

1. Ariane is brilliant, handles the public well, sings divinely and is clearly having lots of fun on stage.
2. Good chemistry between her and her musicians was obvious.
3. Inspiring lighting.
4. Graphic animations very appropriate and contributed to a comfy ambiance.
5. Her adaptations to her songs are always great, we do not miss the original versions (which is not the case usually)
6. Her public loves her, warm atmosphere (if you forget the 2-3 year-old screaming in the theatre... Can someone explain this to me, I don't understand. Ariane reacted well to the situation, good for her!)
7. The room was not organized for dancing, but Ariane made us stand up and we danced through one song.
8. Sound, wow... We could easily hear the lyrics and all the musical subtleties. Grrrrrreat.
9. Marie-Pierre Fournier as a «first part» (3 songs), beautiful voice, funny on stage, remember her name.
10. Even the songs I like a little less were fantastic.
11. The musical chair game (each musician changing instrument for a song), fun and friendly.
12. Go to a show in my hometown and barely knowing anyone, weird. Luckily I was with a good friend of mine.
13. I thought of my daughters a lot during the show, the tickets were my birthday gift (hugs and kisses darlings, thanks a lot!).

I'm An Explorer.

•Bought another of Keri Smith's book (how can we resist, she is so great).

•Realizing how much I've been an explorer, a person who needs to collect for as long as I can remember.

•Observing more than ever, using my 5 senses.

•Feeling the need to analyze what I observe.

•Not asking myself why I needed to slow down at work anymore.

•Enjoying my moments of freedom so much.

•Taking pleasure in little things and being eager to spend the entire month of December to do so.

•Listening ot my internal clock telling me to sleep a little later and go to bed a little later as well.

•Loving more (my husband, my daughters, my friends, my work, my hobbies, my projects, life).

•Taking good care of myself (for a change!)...
Found this while walking at lunch time, probably a piece of a princess costume. It's cute: pink, shiny, looks like a precious stone. I think I get the message: my daily walks (4km each time) are precious, they give me a healthier complexion and keep me «enlightened» :-) We can find small doses of encouragement everywhere in the nature, just keep your 5 sens alert.

And you, what have you discovered today?