Travel: Bayfield, Ontario

If you live in Southwestern Ontario and are anything like me then you must certainly be loving the weather we’ve been having lately. I am loving it! The winter hasn’t been horrible this year but at the first sign of warmth and sunshine, I just love spending as much time as possible outside. One of the things I love about living in London is its close proximity to a few gorgeous beaches. On Saturday I decided to jump in the car and head toward water – to Bayfield to be exact (one of my favourite destinations). It felt so good to put my feet in the sand and get a feeling of the (cold) lake water.

Photos by Jordana.

Art & Design: Ian McChesney

Fiona Chan is Caviar20‘s hard-working, tireless, charming, and clever intern. An interior design student at Ryerson University, Fiona had a lot of great ideas for Caviar20’s “paint it black” week on White Cabana. She alerted us to this sensational sculpture, located in London, by British artist Ian McChesney.

Titled Out of the Strong Came Forth Sweetness, the 72-foot high (!!!) sculpture resembles the upside-down form of tar dripping off of a spoon. Made of carbon fibre by a company that does ship building, the base is actually a leather-covered round seating area. Wild!

Images courtesy of the Contemporist.

Dear Readers: Do not adjust your computer screens. Troy is taking over White Cabana this week and, as you can see, he has really shaken things up around here! Enjoy. – Jordana

Photography: London, Ontario

A few weeks ago I gave my photographer friend Joel the following challenge – to take photos of white things in London, Ontario. Nothing so complicated, right?

Joel accepted the challenge (even though he admitted that he doesn’t love white as much as I do) and he recently sent along this photo and title:

Advertising: White Cabana Style

photo by Joel Lopata

Clever, Joel, clever.

5 for 2011: The Second Check-Up

Back in January – oh so long ago – I created a list of 5 personal goals for 2011 (click here to read it). Near the end of the month, I posted an update here. I thought it’s now time for a second review of my progress.

1. Wear rings. Yes – I’m trying. For the past several weeks I have worn mainly this silver triple ring that I have had since highschool:

I bought this black sparkler from Banana Republic and wore it a few times:

Keeping my nails polished has been especially encouraging for my ring wear.

2. Embrace the cold weather. It’s still winter. It’s still cold. Darn. Although the sun has been peeking out more (in between the rain) which gives me hope that spring is in fact on its way, even if it’s on the slow train. I have basically been living in my UGGs and Hunter boots this winter. Thank goodness for warm and dry feet!

UGG & Hunter boots

I have also been happily enjoying my Sunday afternoons of curling. There’s an energetic and lively bunch of people in the club and it’s such a social sport! I recently scored this vintage curling sweater which keeps me fully warm and I think it brings me some good luck too!

3. Host more parties. It’s been a decent month of hosting. In the past several weeks, I’ve hosted brunch, dinner and a weekend guest (Johanne!).

4. Try new recipes. I’ve tried to make progress with this goal. Honestly. For one dinner, I turned to David Rocco for some help. I made this oh-so-delicious lentil soup and rucola & pear salad.

I also made these sugar-free muffins for a meeting. Pretty darn good – they didn’t taste sugar-free. They were also super quick and easy to make.

5. Learn more about London, Ontario. I have quite a bit to report on for this goal. Near the beginning of February I attended a talk at London Museum. I’ve lived in this city for almost three years and I had yet to go inside this awesome building. I’m glad I finally did because white is everywhere!

staircase at Museum London

I also attended Ignite London at the Aeolian Hall. What an evening of creativity and inspiration. I’m already looking forward to the next event.

I went to see The Comos play at the Old Victorian Tavern. Sax + bass + old school tunes = an awesome night out! I’ve seen The Comos play a few times now but visiting the Old Vic was a new experience for me.

Another new place I visited was Call the Office to see Montreal band Plants & Animals perform. It was a friend’s birthday and so the night was full of fun!

via

Finally, I went to watch a curling game at the John Labatt Centre (JLC). Two firsts for me. The Brier (a.k.a. Canadian men’s curling championship) has been in London for the last week and being the amateur curler that I am, I had to go check it out. Watching professional curling for the first time was great! I had also never been to the JLC before and I thought this was the perfect occasion to see what it was all about Oh, the excitement! (And yes, of course I wore my curling sweater!)

The Brier at the JLC, London

Oh gosh – what a long post that was today. Lots of updates for everyone and maybe a new place or two to check out if you’re ever in London, Ontario!

White in London

by Johanne

This past weekend I had the pleasure of visiting my friend and White Cabana creator, Jordana, in London, Ont.

It’s easy to see why Jordana has made London her home over the past few years- there is an abundance of white here!

Jordana was very encouraging as I practiced seeing white everywhere.

Here are some of my favourite white moments from my white weekend with Jordana:

Branches of raw cotton at London’s charming Market

Jordana checking out beautiful water at the Market

White detailing on the packaging of Dry Soda water

A white portable ethanol fireplace, $758

Gorgeous white leather office chair, $302 on sale

Caffé latté art at Coffee Culture

Pouffy bridal dress in store window for London’s princesses

More bridal dresses with white poufs!

Even the cars are painted white and topped with fresh snow in London!

White and classic black made-by-Jordana art

at Jordana’s lovely home

Delicious sushi with white rice and creamy white napkin

Going for a (wh)nite on the town!

Jordana knows white: white t-shirt, plate, table, etc.

at the local diner for brunch

Me, I see white but I’m not fully white – yet!-. Wearing bright pink

but I did order a white wrap with sour cream for brunch!

A white snowman and snowcat greeted me home

in Toronto upon my return

 

Thank you so much Jordana for a fantastic weekend! I love being on this white adventure with you!

xoxo

Johanne