Keira-anne.com

When my brother and I were children, my mom would sometimes bring home giant rolls of paper. I’d map out entire towns for my brother’s Hot Wheels cars. And when you were drawing rainbows and happy sunshine faces, I was taking pencil to ruler and sketching out floor plans. I’ve been fascinated with the layouts of homes for longer than I can remember. That said, you can imagine how excited I was to discover the basic blueprint for the infamous Skybreak House.

Located in The Warren, Radlett, Hertfordshire area of the UK and built between the years 1964-1966, it can be most easily recognized as HOME in A Clockwork Orange. Though the exteriors featured in the film are not that of the Skybreak House, this is one home that has me salivating at its interior design. If money weren’t a factor, I’d replicate it while simultaneously blowing up the square footage and maintaining the ratio.

My TV-watching hours are usually dominated by shows such as Property Virgins, Love It Or List It, House Poor or Take This House And Sell It. Room transformations are nothing short of addictive. Being that I’m hoping to upgrade to a larger and more permanent suite in a year’s time, the designs are becoming highly influential. Beyond gray paint and focal walls, I’m gathering some unique ideals. And if the Skybreak House wasn’t amazing enough already, it also features my latest obsession: barn doors.

Using chalkboard paint on a smaller wall surface charms, thrills and kills me.

Clearly a girl with kitchen savvy needs a workspace to reflect that. Given the choice, I will always choose stand-alone pieces over installed cabinetry because I prefer working in functional kitchen spaces. Some of my “I freakin’ wish” must-haves: butcher block island, industrial-sized porcelain basin, open concept storage and gas cooking.

I adore minimalist design in each and every room because it provides the perfect canvas for incorporating colours and pieces that inspire.

I’m kind of in love with platform beds but feel the pull into a torrid love affair with oversized headboards – particularly pseudo ones derived from art pieces or headboards of the upholstered variety. They make my heart go ga-gung.

Complimentary lamps and candles are not only essential but also add amazing beauty. Nothing, however, can top the perfection of natural light.

You will never, ever find the following in any home I ever live in: trinkets, shiny black appliances, anything made of oak, the colour yellow, enclosed entertainment units, paisley prints, bedding with a thread count below 400 or hutch units. Buffets, on the other hand, are not only acceptable but actually encouraged.

While I’m about 1,667 paychecks (and a lottery win) away from recreating the Skybreak House with some serious Keira-Anne styles, a girl’s gotta dream. After all, my body needs something to keep the adrenaline coursing between basketball games.

Photos top to bottom: Bloody Disgusting; Bloody Disgusting; inhislight07; Remodelista; Peach and Pearl; Brightest Young Things; Yossawat; Home Design | Decoration | Lighting; Wonderlane on Flickr; Author’s own; Author’s own; this_could_be_my_house on Flickr; Modern Luxury Homes; ExinteriorDesign; Apartment Therapy; Martha Stewart Living; me*jo on Flickr; Crate and Barrel; Crate and Barrel; Crate and Barrel; Crate and Barrel; Trendir

Being that I’ve made trips to both Canadian Tire and Ikea in the last week in an effort to create some order out of chaos in my apartment, it was interesting that I received an e-mail from a reader two days ago. She wanted to know how I keep my home clean and clutter-free. Want to know a secret? Up until today, it definitely wasn’t clutter-free.

Aside from the bathroom, my 434 square-foot apartment was busting at the seams. I had cereal boxes and mixing bowls stacked on top of my fridge, no drawer wide enough for a cutlery tray, all my spices were balanced on the top edge of my stove and a dogpile of shoes was hangin’ out in the closet.

You know how most kitchens have a junk drawer? I had three. All my cupboards were crammed with pots, pans, packages and plastic containers. Each time I’d quickly shut one, I’d breathe a quick prayer hoping that it wouldn’t pop open and spill its contents.

All that changed today. The truth is, whether you’re a Monica or a hoarder or somewhere in between, when your apartment is this short on space, organization solutions are a must. I’m a minimalist by nature so the process was an easy one for me.

Keep only what you need or use on a very regular basis in your space. If you don’t use it or need it, throw it in storage or get rid of it entirely.

The smaller the space, the greater the waste. Just because a surface is empty doesn’t mean you have to utilize it. Storing items on window ledges, the tops of bookcases or, in my case, the top edge of the stove only lends to making the space look more cluttered.

I’ve learned that there really is a place for every item, but sometimes you have to think outside of the box. And sometimes you need to bring new (furniture) boxes into your space. I completely adore the metal rack I picked up for less than $100. A small investment can make the biggest difference.

I swear the space in my kitchen has doubled. Cooking and baking will be fun again (and even more fun once I buy myself a KitchenAid stand mixer very soon).

A minimalist space doesn’t have to be short on personality. These frames were only a few dollars each at Ikea and allow me to showcase a few of my favourites. I’m also big into colour and fabric. While almost a year later, I still haven’t decided on a piece of art for above my couch, my apartment is still warm and inviting with a few plush throws and cushy pillows.

My foyer closet, while spacious, was a disaster zone. Cookware, shoes, lighbulbs, a candle stash, tools, towels and laundry supplies and whatever else you can imagine were taking over. A hanging ironing board, hanging shoe caddy and proper bins for everything have made a world of difference.

And finally – finally – I have all my CDs and DVDs within reach of my fingertips in the Drona boxes from Ikea. Perfectly enough, their dimensions accommodate both forms of media in large volumes.

Any questions?

Finally, after seemingly endless days of eating, cooking, baking, wrapping, unwrapping, smiling, drinking and running around, I’ve had a day to do nothing. It’s 4:20 p.m. and I’m in my pajamas – still. I briefly dressed myself long enough to take the dogs for a long, long walk, after which I could feel the workout in my ass and thighs. Nothing has felt tight in days, except perhaps my jeans. I love winter weight.

Lately I’ve become pitiful at taking photos of things as they happen. That’s not to say I haven’t snapped any, but this is all you get. Let’s begin with three photos of my niece intriguing herself with one of the gifts her favourite auntie bestowed upon her, shall we?

It’s a musical octopus. Each tentacle plays a different note in the music scale. The best part? It’s lightly vanilla-scented (no word of a lie).

Years ago my mom was happy to resign herself from baking and cooking duties, leaving the responsibility to myself and my sister-in-law. While Laura took care of Christmas Eve, I pulled out the stops on the big day. I like to call it my Ziggy Stardust Christmas Banquet Table. Yes, that’s gold lamé that’s blinding you.

I also managed to bake four dozen fluffy buns from scratch, roasted a turkey, chopped and cooked sinfully delicious stuffing with sides of yams, garlic red-skinned mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and roasted brussels sprouts with walnuts. You get the picture.

Kinda excessive, no?

Chillin’ with my buddy.

Each Christmas, my mom gives my brother and I an ornament that’s usually reflective of the past year. This one’s pretty self-explanatory.

This one represents my love of the ocean…

And apparently I enjoy shopping from time to time.

Anyone who knows me (and by that I mean knows me) understands the inexplicable affinity I have with First Nations culture. I have, in fact, been known to leave the First Peoples Gallery at the Royal BC Museum in tears simply because of overwhelming feelings. A few years ago my mother gave me a Haida sun from the reserve in Comox.

Daddy-O still joins us every year. I think he kind of looks like Jerry Springer.

Oma and Opa are always there too.

I’m basically obsessed with everything and anything that’s made by Wilton for baking. Sprinkles in my stocking.

My aunt bought me the last two seasons of my favourite sweaty, naked and incarcerated men. It’s HBO at its finest.

I have a plan for these…

Jordy matches everything at my mom’s house.

I really need to hurry up with this blog post so I can get moving on to more important things. I’ve opted for SNES with The Legend of Zelda.

You can’t actually tell, but the skirt of this dress was in three layers, each with a different pattern. I saved up many weeks’ allowance to buy it from Zellers. Be jealous. Be very jealous.

Guess who.

We popped open Christmas crackers with dinner and I found a blue fawn in mine. I’m thinking it’s a sign that my cake just might win the Interfaith Baking Competition.

Mom gave me a grey knit endless scarf for Christmas. I think I’m in love.

My brother and me.

This is how we roll.

Clearly I have a lot to look forward to in the next year, so I’m not filled with that dreaded “what now?” thought that usually takes over like a tryptophan nap. One thing I’ve traditionally done in January is execute a mini makeover in my home. This year I’m picking up an industrial shelving unit, storing all my cooking and baking wares on it to make more room in my too-cramped kitchen. In a few months it may be present time to me. My current lease is up at the end of March. With that, I’ve decided to stay another year in the studio I’m currently calling home before moving to a more spacious casa with a large kitchen and an actual bedroom.

It’s time to end the rambling and save the princess.

Two weeks from today, I’ll be waking up to this…

Photo: Magnus. on Flickr

Months ago my mom and I decided that, instead of heading to Hornby Island this summer, we’d head to Tofino. Believe it or not, despite the fact that she’s lived on Vancouver Island since the mid-1960s, my mom has never been. Ucluelet, yes; Tofino, no. We booked one of the gorgeous beachfront suites at Middle Beach Lodge and will spend three days dining, exploring, sunbathing, drinking Island wine, surfing (well, I will), wandering and snapping photos. And no, I do not plan on bringing my MacBookPro. Pictures will come after.

I look forward to my summer holidays every single year, and they’ll start at 3:00 p.m. on July 31. As usual, I’ll be heading home to Vancouver Island to spend time relaxing out of the city. However, unlike last summer, this one will be filled with family and I am beyond excited to spend time with my incredibly adorable niece.

Not only that, but I have so much else to look forward to such as the annual Filberg Festival, BBQing, running on the beach with Jordy and Charley, dragging my mom to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, sleeping in, short jean shorts every single day, gathering tasty goods at the Coombs Old Country Market, tanning my legs (finally!), Nautical Days at the Comox Marina and whatever other fun surprises pop up along the way.

Now that July is running out and our summers are half over, what are you looking forward to doing in August?

This weekend marked me and Jordy’s first trip back to the Island together, including his first ride on public transit in his new carrier. He has done nothing short of amaze me all weekend. Not only did the travel time unfold seamlessly, but he has adapted to life at my mom and aunt’s house so well and has made fast friends with Charley – it’s clear that he’s comfortable here.

Apart from being stuck in the steel-walled pet area, the trip was a lot of fun for us. The sea air, the sunshine and meeting new dog friends were all highlights for Jordy.

The Driftwood Mall is jumping on the sanitary bandwagon, offering patrons complimentary hand sanitizer upon arriving at the mall.

Local Comox Valley businesses are offering a Comox Glacier-clad reusable shopping bag – I have yet to get my mitts on one, but I’m planning on it during my next visit.

I swear I didn’t have a blizzy, Andrea! I’m waiting for next weekend, pre-pedis.

In the evening yesterday, my mom and I found ourselves at Avenue Bistro in Comox for dinner. Why tell you what I had when the menu can explain it even better?

Baked Hazelnut Crusted Comox Camembert with apple cranberry compote and baguette crustini

It wasn’t listed on the online menu, but Avenue Bistro was pouring Carbrea Vineyard‘s 2006 pinot noir. When my mom and I were on Hornby Island in the summer of 2007, I picked up a bottle; it’s still corked in my apartment, being saved for a special occasion.

Local Squash Ravioli with toasted walnuts, spinach, sautéed mushrooms and blue cheese butter

I tried so hard not to be tempted by dessert, but when I found out that this was on the menu, I could no longer resist:

Molten Lava Chocolate Cake with vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis

The weatherman failed big time in his forecast for the weekend… 9 degrees and overcast with rain turned out to be 20+ degrees, sunshine and blue skies. After spending the morning at the Art & Bloom Festival (more about that later), we scooped up Jordy and Charley and headed for Miracle Beach.

The tide was out far enough that we could dig our toes and paws into the soft sand and wading pools.

This dog is so much like his mama… Jordy loves the Island, the ocean and the simple life.

I guess it comes as no surprise that both Jordy and Charley are completley exhausted and fast asleep in the family room as I type this.

Even after such a long day, nothing was going to stop me from dragging out our patio furniture for the summer and BBQing up a bundle of veggie dogs for dinner. Obviously I washed them down with Diet Pepsi.

Our family home is truly one of the most beautiful, comfortable and peaceful places that I love being at most…

No white noise, no traffic, no noise neighbours… just chirping birds. Literally – just chirping birds.

Tomorrow we’re headed back to the city for a quick, four-day work week before another weekend to look forward to. Lucky me gets to stop in Coombs en route to pick up a few loaves of their fantastic four-cheese rosemary bread and, of course, more Island Farms ice cream.

When I was a teenager, I spent all my May long weekends camping in Parksville. Between swimming at the beach, roasting marshmallows around the campfire and trying my hand at mini golf, there was always something fun to do.

Photo: City of Parksville

Times have changed and though I no longer find myself camping in the springtime, the long weekend is a perfect excuse (like I ever need one) to get back to Vancouver Island.

Photo: DragonWoman on Flickr

The weather forecast is a bit less than favourable, but I’m hoping to get a lot of fun packed into those three days.

Aside from spending quality time with my aunt and introducing Jordy to his new “cousin” Charley for the first time, my mom and I are looking forward to a scrumptious dinner at Avenue Bistro in the seaside town of Comox. However, I can’t decide between the Baked Hazelnut-crusted Comox Camembert with apple cranberry compote or the Vegetarian Meze Plate with hummus, baba ghanouj and more delectable goodies.

I think it goes without saying that we’ll be feasting on some Island Farms ice cream for dessert. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for banana fudge to be in stock!

If you happen to be on the upper Island this weekend, be sure not to miss the annual Art and Bloom Festival at Woodland Gardens in Merville. My mom and I went last year and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery mingled with beautiful crafts from local artisans.

And the best part? It’s a dog-friendly location, so Jordy and Charley will be tagging along as well! Hopefully that sun will hang on long enough to allow the four of us a trip to Miracle Beach‘s off-leash beach to let the monkeys burn off some energy on the sand…

What do you have planned for the long weekend?

It is the place of my birth, it is where my family resides and it is where my heart is. Vancouver Island is home in more ways than I can count, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that I visit often. Once a month at a minimum; every single weekend if I had things my way.

Each time I tell someone that I am returning for a visit, the comment I most usually get is: “oh awesome! Have fun in Victoria!” Contrary to popular belief, Vancouver Island is so much more than just our Province’s capital (though it is a beautiful capital).

Photo: a_greig on Flickr

Prior to its discovery in approximately 1774, Vancouver Island was – and still is – home to many First Nations peoples, including the K’ómoks, Coast Salish and Kwakwakawa’wakw. Gracing the southern-most shore of British Columbia, Vancouver Island stretches 460 kilometres from tip to tip. Dotted with cities, towns and villages, the Island is now home to close to 750,000 residents.

Photo: addicted Eyes on Flickr

Being that it’s located off the coast of mainland British Columbia, Vancouver Island is accessible by air and by ferry services linking the mainland to Victoria, Nanaimo and Port Hardy. A fantastic rail system has brought the cities of Courtenay and Victoria together, with stops at all points in between, making travel both easy and breathtaking.

Photo: abaransk on Flickr

Today the Island is a proud, bustling, hard-working epicentre for many of the industries Canada is famously known for. Aside from forestry, tourism and fishing, wine-making has seen a huge surge with vineyards cropping up in various communities, proving to be a lucrative contribution to the Island’s economy. In fact, when given the choice, I only purchase Island-produced vino and personally believe that the wine is fantastic!

There truly is no place like Vancouver Island, with everything from rocky shores to pristine beaches, expansive farmlands and the unforgiving mountainous spine. One doesn’t have to wander far off the beaten path and among the towering cedar and fir trees to come face-to-face with grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, moose and the indigenous Vancouver Island marmot (though nearly extinct, you can probably spot one of these guys on Mount Washington during the summer months). Deer in our backyards is a common occurrence. Those traveling by ferry may be lucky enough to spot dolphins or killer whales while making the trip across the Georgia Straight!

Photo: Yogi on Flickr

Should you get the chance to explore Vancouver Island and all it has to offer, take the opportunity. It’s a beautiful, unique slice of British Columbia that I am so proud to call my home. I’m really excited about this new series, and I hope you’ll enjoy a weekly peek inside what I consider to be one of the rarest gems around. For more information on tourism to Vancouver Island, please visit one of the links below.

• Vancouver Island’s Official Tourism Website
• Super, Natural British Columbia – Vancouver Island
• Tourism Vancouver Island

Someone asked me the other day to explain why I am happy living in Yaletown. I said that if he’d lived in the West End for five years, he’d understand. However, that sounds rather loveless for the West End, so allow me to elaborate.

Downtown Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood is not without its charm. Friendly and familiar faces, quaint walk-ups, beach views from almost every balcony and more ethnic food eateries to choose from than there are in the colours of the rainbows that adorn the West End’s streets. When I first moved to a high-rise just south of Davie Street in the late spring of 2004, I soaked everything up and couldn’t get enough of the place that I called home. The West End also lacks a sense of pretension, so there’s comfort in that.

Photo: TylerIngram on Flickr

After several years, I began failing at seeing the charm. Maybe it was because I had changed or maybe it was because nothing was new and nothing surprised me anymore. We all have our breaking points, and after the emotional t-bone collision I was smacked by earlier this year, change became inevitable. Never before did I envision myself moving out of the West End (let alone into Yaletown), but I did.

Photo: John Bollwitt on Flickr

While Yaletown has long had a reputation for being the opposite (read: pretentious) of the West End, I’ve found a sort of peace here that I never expected. I could never buy into the notoriety of labels and lust that has become synonymous with those who avoid Yaletown at all costs, and I certainly enjoy making a playful mockery of it all. While being off of work last week, I would walk Jordy in the mornings with thrashed hair, massive mascara caked under my eyes and baggy sweats. Young men in their impeccably-tailored business suits would walk by without so much as a glance and I loved it.

Photo: miss604 on Flickr

I suppose you could say that life in the West End was like living with ADD; life in Yaletown has found me feeling more more balanced, calm and sure-footed. There’s something harmonious about my new neighbourhood that I felt lacked in my life in the West End. We may all be characters in our own books and stories here, but at least I feel I’m on the same page as everyone else around me.

Sometimes the most amazing parts of our lives are born out of some of the worst parts of our lives.

“I hate to see you cry,
Lying there in that position.
There’s things you need to hear,
So turn off your tears and listen.”

Many weeks ago, in a search to find the right dog to call my own, I came across one dog’s profile. While I looked at countless profiles of dogs in foster care and shelters all across the Province, there was one little face attached to a happy name that I just couldn’t shake.

I’d visit Jordy’s profile over and over again to the point I practically had his information memorized. His tiny face was burned into my memory and his photo’s been saved in my cell phone for almost a month now. I knew at the time that I was weeks away from moving into my dog-friendly apartment, but I decided that I had nothing to lose, so I e-mailed his foster care organization for an application form.

A few days later, the form arrived in my e-mail inbox but with a cautionary message that a handful of others had already applied for Jordy and were currently in the screening process. I didn’t allow that to discourage me, and instead filled out all ten pages.

“You know it’s nothing new,
Bad news never had good timing.
Then the circle of your friends,
Will defend the silver lining.”

Despite every sucker-punch 2009 has knocked me down with, I knew that there was something about my attempted adoption of Jordy that encouraged me to keep going. With tons of support from loved ones and friends, I started the hoop-jumping process. Before long, I found out that all the others who had applied to adopt Jordy had been turned down. After phone interviews, reference checks and a personal home visit, I was finally allowed to meet Jordy this afternoon. My application had been approved, and the ball was now in my court, so to speak.

As I got behind the wheel in today’s beautiful sunshine, with Sarah McLachlan making the trip to Duncan nostalgic, I set out for Jordy’s foster home. My stomach was mixed with nervous anticipation and excitement. I wasn’t sure how Jordy would react and was secretly worried that after all I’d gone through in the application process that Jordy wouldn’t take to me.

“Pain throws your heart to the ground,
Love turns the whole thing around.
No, it won’t all go the way, it should,
But I know the heart of life is good.”

What happened this afternoon surprised everyone… me, Jordy and even his foster mom. For a dog who is normally so fixated on his “person,” Jordy and I were drawn to each other within moments. He was affectionate, cuddly, kissy and loving. The three of us took one of the other foster dogs for a walk in the woods, but before long, Jordy was instead sticking directly at my side, glancing up every 15-20 seconds to make sure I was still close by. And suddenly, he stopped and reached up to be picked up by me. His foster mom called the moment “amazing” as sunlight literally cut between the trees and onto Jordy and I as I held his little body in my arms. He chose me; I chose him.

Next Sunday, April 19th, I will be bringing Jordy back to Vancouver and into his forever home. The love I feel for this little monkey is so unlike anything I’ve felt before. His photos don’t even remotely do him any sort of justice, and what I found in Jordy was a million times more amazing than I could have ever expected.

I can’t imagine my life being in any other place than right here and now.

I’ve spent four nights in my new apartment, and sometimes it feels like the last place I lived in never even existed. My tower in the West End was far too much like a college dorm and less like a home that I felt comfortable in. It seems likely that I’ll be in this new place for a few years, but had you asked me six months ago where I’d be today, this apartment would’ve been the furthest thing off my radar.

I finished unpacking the last of the boxes this afternoon, put a lot in storage and tried to organize it as simplistically as I can. This place needs a few more touches like some fresh flowers, more books, another plant and some storage baskets for my wall unit, but I’ll get there. In the meantime, here’s a quick look…