ABC time killer.

Good day.

I am not feeling very productive at the moment, and why not put off my to-do list for the day a little longer.  Anyone else just hate unpacking suitcases?  

I am back in Toronto, my grandpa is moving from the hospital to a different one with rehabilitation.   He is no longer in critical condition, and boy oh boy can he prove doctors wrong.  (He was given weeks to live after fighting cancer in 1994.)  I should write a post about him soon.

In the meantime, a little frivolity.  I haven't done a questionnaire in a long time.  Unlike the days in high school when I'd get emailed them constantly and be sending them to everyone on MSN.
(Side note: I am so old, that when I got my first email address, my parents didn't want me to have one.  They didn't want me 'chatting' with strangers on the internet.   I tried to explain - it wasn't ICQ!  Eventually I snuck a hotmail one - smilesfrommel.) 

A. Age: 28, until Tuesday.

B. Bed Size: Queen

C. Chore you hate: Cleaning bathrooms.  (Steve does it, I get laundry)

D.  Dogs: Are not my fave.  Especially if your dog jumps up on me and scratches me.  I secretly want to scream.  If I ever (not that I will) got a dog, it would be a dachshund.  They can't jump.

E.  Essential start to your day:: Lately I'm hooked on warm water & lemon.  Then breakfast.

F.  Favorite Color: Retro turquoise.  Shades of blue and green.

G.  Gold or Silver: Silver.  Or, white gold.

H.  Height: 5'7.

I.  Instruments you play: I played violin from grade 3 to 8.  Haven't picked it up in years.  Not sure if I remember how to read sheet music.

J.  Job Title: Freelance photographer/Photography Assistant

K.  Kids:  Someday.  Not anytime too soon.

L.  Live: In midtown Toronto.  It's pretty great.

M.  Mother's Name: Carole.

N.  Nicknames: Most of the time just Mel.  Sometimes Godecki, Mellie, Annie.  In the past: Mel Presidente (high school), Smell (my brother and cousins), Melanie the Melon cutter (elementary school kids are not very witty).

O.  Overnight hospital stays: Never.

P.  Pet Peeves: See D above. 

Q.  Quote from a Movie: “At least you'll never be a vegetable - even artichokes have hearts.”- Amelie

R.  Right handed or Left handed.  I don't know if I would notice if my left hand disappeared. 

S.  Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sister.

T.  Time to wake up: 8:00 am.  Unless assisting, then it can be 5:30, ugh.

U.  Underwear: Are fun to shop for.

V.  Vegetables you hate: Green peppers.

W.  What makes you run late: Checking email one last time.  Occasionally public transit.

X.  X-rays you have: My lungs from when moving to France.  And they make you keep it at home. 

Y.  Yummy food that you make: Cookies. Fancy sandwiches.  Breakfast.

Z.  Zoo animals: Always look sad.  Except for the penguins. I'd be happy to leave Antarctica too.

Snagged the questions from A Tiny Rocket.   

And because I feel that I can't post without a picture - here's my new haircolour:

Taken in Photobooth.

Have a lovely day.

52 weeks - week thirty-eight.

"ba", a photo by melaniegodecki on Flickr.

This is my cousin's little angel. Can you tell what his favourite toy is? All he ever says is "ba." He's the cutest.

And for those of you who read the previous post, we're still waiting, no answers, but I will be heading back to Toronto tomorrow. Thanks for your kind and thoughtful words, and thank goodness for babies that giggle :)

another life hiccup.

while i had recently picked up momentum with my "new academic year's resolution" to blog and craft more - because i enjoy them and don't take the time enough, i have run into another roadblock. 
a family member is ill and i've flown back to my hometown.  so i'm here, for a week or so.
such is life, and quite frankly it will always take priority.

take care in your corners of the world, and call someone to tell them how much you love them. 

~mel

Wish I could have bought: at Renegade Chicago

I still have to sort/edit/print/scrapbook/blog the pictures I took in Chicago, but I thought I should at least share something(!) from our trip there. 
I was thrilled that the Renegade Craft Fair would be on while we were in town.  So of course I headed to Wicker Park to walk around and check it out.  It was great ! 
I spent all of my money I had brought, picked up some Christmas presents as well as goodies for myself, and endless inspiration for future craft projects. 

I wanted to buy so many things, but couldn't get them all - so I collected business cards to make this little list of coolness to share.

My etsy treasury of those who had etsy shops. 

Mind bending wooden jewelry

Food inspired goodies for your kitchen

The cutie little hat that looked great with my hair

T-shirt shop - featuring the yellow tee I bought

Pretty jewelry made using vintage stamps

Quirky graphic tees - one of which I bought for Steve

Cool graphic design prints

Handmade vinyl wallets & bags

Porcelain necklaces, etc (I bought one)

Enjoy the links, and thanks Renegade crafters for sharing your talent!

52 weeks - week thirty-six.

This past weekend, while in Chicago,  I was lucky enough to meet up with fellow blogger Malori from Sunday Morning Sugar.  We met at the Art Institute of Chicago and took a walk around the Modern Art wing.  It was great fun.  This painting by Frances Picabia was one of my favourites. 
Thanks again Mal! It was lovely to meet you :)

Chicago Tomorrow!

Well, the title really says it all.   Steve and I are heading to Chicago tomorrow morning, for a long weekend vacation before school starts next week.

On the agenda:
Cubs game at Wrigley Field
Fashion's Night Out - shopping night

I think I'm meeting up with Mal, a blogland friend
Renegade craft fair
Checking out how much tickets are for the Bears vs Falcons (we may watch from a pub/check out tailgates only)

and probably - the aquarium, some amazing architecture, a giant bean and a Marilyn :)

Anything we're missing?
Let me know!

52 weeks - weeks thirty-one to thirty-five

I got a little behind on posting my 52 week project.  I blame summer vacation.  Thankfully, the weather over the long weekend wasn't great, and it was easy enough to sort and edit photos. 

Good news for you, more photos in one post.  This one's all over the place. 

Week #31. 

"Don't worry Daddy, I'll catch you!" Adorable. 

Week #32. 

My apologies that you can't see this one totally yet.  

It is for a friend who is opening a men's clothing store - and he wants it kept secret until he launches.  (soon enough though - and exciting - my first shoot with a male model. )

Week #33.

I met Anna through our photography class last year.  We had a great day of shooting out at a stunning park just outside of Guelph, ON. 

Week #34.

A photo of Rachel for Delight Bags, my aunt started a small business designing reusable shopping bags.  They are extremely durable, have cushy handles and cute designs.  

Visit on facebook and say hi!

Week #35. 

Jenn is a musician and all around super fun gal.  

I did some headshots and fun stuff with her over the weekend. 

As always, if you'd like to see more pictures, check out my flickr.
Did you have a nice long weekend?

Must watch.

We interrupt this long weekend to bring you this. 
So many beautiful outfits! No idea what the Sept 13th thing means, but after this, it must be cool.

I think the 40's and black 60's dress are my faves.
What's your favourite era?

My Summer Vacation - Part Two

My Dad, Jen & Sequoia and Carter.

The reason to travel to Thunder Bay this August was for my Dad's 50th birthday.  He and his wife & 2 big dogs drove from Calgary and stayed at his brother's (my uncle's) cottage for a couple weeks.  I spent a few days out there, enjoying the lake and the pristine 70's decor :)

Check out this retro inspiration:

The carrot salt and pepper shakers above the stove!

The patterned orange and purple shag carpet is huge - maybe 12x20 feet.  I love it. 

There were plastic strip curtains, stacks of patterned chair cushions, fabric as cabinet doors, mushroom dishes and placemats that remind me of the Dainty Squid blog, and this outdoor table.  

I took advantage of the cute kitchen and made my dad a big stack of birthday pancakes.

Then spent a lot of time hanging out near the dock, watching them fish, enjoying the sound of water splashing against rocks, and doing crosswords. 

Very peaceful.