Holiday Baking Recap

Much of the holidays were spent in the kitchen, baking- just how I like it! Below is a collection of goodies I made throughout the break (thanks to Mom for your help with the Pine tarts!). Like last year I didn't buy any gifts for friends, rather they received a tin of home-made baking. While I was putting the tins together, my dad explained how his parents did the same home-made gift giving during Christmas with baked goods, sweets and fruit. It felt so great to hear that, I also felt like I was maintaining some sort of tradition and hearing that definitely made me feel connected to my grandparents. No, I did not make any attempt to healthy-up these baked goods- we only eat them once a year so why not enjoy white flour and sugar in all their glory? :D

Spiced Shortbread: nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, vanilla

Caribbean Bar: shortbread base, pine apple, coconut, cherries, rum

Banoffee Pie: digestive cookie base, condensed milk, bananas, cream

Chocolate Chip Cookie: semi sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla

Mint Bar: butter, chocolate, mint

Nanaimo Bar: butter, chocolate, custard

Savory Cookies: black pepper, aged cheddar, pickled jalapenos

Cupcakes: buttermilk, vanilla, toasted coconut

White Chocolate Chip Cookies: white chocolate, coconut, vanilla

Brownies: lots of chocolate!

Pine Tart: flaky pastry shell, pineapple, spice

Patties: chicken, thyme, scotch bonnet pepper

Thimble Cookies: butter, almonds, raspberry jam 

Christmas Card 2011

For 2011 I decided to do another hand-made card for Christmas. Owls are everywhere it seems so I thought this would be a nice opportunity for me to create my own little owl illustration. I think the card came together quite nicely, but I must start earlier this year (ie. start designing in November!). Goal for 2012 Christmas card: designed, printed and ready to mail out by Monday December 10th. Feel free to hit me up in November for a friendly reminder, I may need it :P

Pepperpot

Pepperpot is the national dish of Guyana and traditionally served at Christmas time. This year I decided I would like to play a heavy hand in the Pepperpot-making (with help and supervision from my Dad of course!). Essentially it is a spiced meat soup/stew made with cassareep- the secret ingredient in Pepperpot. What's cool about Pepperpot is that it derived from the Amerindians in Guyana (First Nations ppl), but is eaten by all the different Guyanese ethnicities- one love! At home our Pepperpot is always made with lamb, and spiced with garlic, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, rosemary and chillies/bird peppers. I think I did pretty well this year, there was none left after boxing day :) Thanks for you help Dad! 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all! I hope the holidays were filled with good cheer and even better eats! With the new year comes a fresh start, a clean slate for all of us to simply do better. Last year definitely had it's ups and downs, but I survived them :) I accredit my survival to two things- my friends/family and goal setting. Towards the end of 2010 I made career, health and personal goals for myself. I feel like the act of making those goals allowed for 2011 to be quite focussed and very productive. Some goals I did not achieve (that's what 2012 is for right?), while others I completed- such a great feeling! Goal setting allowed me to identify what it is that I want out of life and helped me to create a plan in achieving that life. Reaching certain goals in 2011 helped me to gain confidence in myself and my talent. I do believe I can create any opportunity for myself if I simply work hard enough- a major lesson to come out of 2011. I hope 2012 is a productive, meaningful and kick-ass year for everyone, stop talking and start DOING! Happy New Year!

Design Sponge at Home

Christmas has come a little early this year- mainly because I treated myself to some books, one being Grace Bonney's Design Sponge at Home. I am super excited about this book! I have yet to become a home owner, however once I do I can't wait to design the hell out of my place! I would like to think Design Sponge at Home will be a tool, reference and lovely piece of print work that I will keep with me well into old age. I want to fill 2012 with plenty of DIY projects and I think Design Sponge at Home is a great place to start.

Pulled Chicken + Coleslaw on a Biscuit

Happy (belated) December! The holiday season is upon us, and that means one thing- EATS! This sandwich was extremely satisfying and a complete cheat! We had left over grocery store rotisserie chicken in the fridge, which I pulled off the bone and shredded. I added BBQ sauce and mixed in some pepper sauce and brown mustard. There was also some packaged coleslaw mix kicking around in one of the veggie drawers, we didn't have dressing so I mixed mayo, greek yogurt, evaporated milk, onion/garlic powder and a little celery seed for good measure. I made the biscuits (took about 20 mins) which together resulted in a yummy slider-style sandwich that tastes like summer but really hits the spot for the cold months ahead. If home made biscuits are too cumbersome for you, buy some rolls (also tried on kaiser- equally as delicious).

Typographic Artwork for lululemon Square One

Through the encouragement of a dear lemon (lululemon educator Crystal), I had an opportunity to create some in store artwork for my local lululemon store at Square One Shopping Centre. The project brief was simple "whatever you want." I'm fairly certain designers, illustrators and creatives alike rarely get an chance to do "whatever" they want, so as you guessed I was all over this!


I took 3 parts of the lulu manifesto (parts I felt any guest could relate to) and illustrated a pattern that represented that particular manifesto piece. I then set the message/content in various styles of hand lettering over the pattern and placed the entire illustration over some old bits of wood I scanned (and had found in the basement- score!). Perhaps the final work can be characterized as a hand drawn digital collage (if that makes any sense).


It was a really great experience to be designing positive and motivational messages. As fun as the illustrations are I do hope the guests (and educators) at the Square One store are able to place some focus on the content, some really great food for thought there! Straight up- extremely fortunate for the opportunity to create work for a company like lulu, I hope there will be more in my future :)  

Pattern 1

Poster 1 Type

Poster 1 Final

Pattern 2

Poster 2 Type

Poster 2 Final

Pattern 3

Poster 3 Type

Poster 3 Final

Final Series