Save the date!!

Hello bunnies!!

I have some FANTASTIC NEWS.

Nick and I are getting married!

We very unromantically decided to 'put a ring on it' while in the car on August 27th, while discussing how ridiculous the wedding industry is.

Nick: " We should just elope while in Vegas in March"
Me: " Sounds like a plan to me!"

Then we proceeded to discuss what kind of rings we'd like, our very non-traditional wedding plans, and the plan for me to take his name.

Neither of us want a big wedding, or any kind of ceremony at all, really.
We've decided to have a small celebration with friends and family on March 22nd before our Vegas vacation on the 27th. No church, no vows, no flowers, no 'colors', nada. Just two crazy kids in love celebrating with those they hold dear, some food, music, and a silly photo booth. We will have a lawyer come in for about 10 minutes to sign the papers to make it all legal and such , then we will be jetting off to VEGAS!

We may have a cheesy Elvis drive-thru wedding while in Vegas, and will certainly be taking advantage of the fact it will also be Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly weekender, to celebrate with our international friends!



This weekend, we took a drive out to my favorite antique shop, Angel Mist Treasures, in Stoney Creek , to do some ring shopping. The owner, Denise, knows me to a tee, and always has exactly what I'm looking for, even without telling her the details. It is a lil uncanny!  I knew I'd find my dream ring at Angel Mist, and I was right.


It was very important to me to find an antique ring, and Denise had the perfect set. A 1952 white gold and diamond engagement ring and matching wedding band. My heart fluttered, Denise had goosebumps, and Nick also approved.


For Nick, we are looking at ancient Viking rings from a museum shop online. It's also important to him to have a ring with character!

 

So there you have it. We are doing something we always said we wouldn't.... but I couldn't be happier!

If any of you will be at VLV in March, be sure to come celebrate with us!!!

xoxo
Lenora

The big 2-7 with the best friends one could ever ask for!

Hello bunnies!

Today is my 27th birthday!

I thought I'd share a few photos from yesterday's festivities while I wait for more to unfold this evening!

Nick had to work, but was sure to leave me little love notes around...

Kaycie and I started the day off with a fancy little brunch with a Victorian Tea Party theme. 

We had pastries, fresh berries, bacon, eggs, and most importantly....mimosas! 

Later that evening, my very best friends in the world, Kaycie, Dylan, Sue, and my wonderful boyfriend Nick, had a little soiree planed for me! They took me out for a lovely dinner, followed by drinks and board games chez Sue & Justine.

I did fingerwaves and pincurls in my hair and pinned it up in a faux 20s style bob. I absolutely love this length on me, and am highly considering chopping my hair off.

 Sue and Justine have a little hobby farm with lots of chickens, ducks and turkeys, all free-range. This lil guy came trotting up to the deck to say hello and posed for some photos.

Off to the Green House restaurant. Unfortunately the service was terrible (2 hours for our food, rude servers, undercooked food...and I have a touch of food poisoning) but we made the most of it!

Back to Sue & Justine's for card games and birthday presents. Dylan gave me this wonderful vintage Jesus statue, which will go perfectly with my creepy religious-iconography wall in my living room. Yep, I collect creepy Jesus things!

Silly crowns for everyone, and Dylan in a dress. We played Cards Against Humanity- my all time favorite! The dirty version of Apples to Apples!

All in all, it was a very magical night, and I am so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life!!!


Today, on my actual birthday, I'm giving thanks to my parents for what they did 27 years go, and for all the hard work that ensued.

Also, many thanks to my friends past, present, and future..even those bad few I've lost along the way- you've all helped me become the person I am today.

Thanks to my haters, who've pushed me to DO more. Thanks to my lovers, who encouraged me to LOVE and LEARN more.

So so SO many thanks to my true love, Nick, for being my rock, my inspiration, my support, my joy.

So yes, happy birthday to me- but the real celebration is not only existing, but enjoying it with all the beautiful people in this world.

XOXOXOX

DIY Shop sign- before and after!

Hello bunnies!

So lately I have been setting up little Le Noire Vintage pop up shops at events (burlesque shows , rockabilly shows, etc) and I've been very much in need of a SIGN.

I especially needed a sign since next month, I will be vending at the 1st Maritime Rockabilly Shakedown Festival!

I'm really excited to be the only vintage clothing seller, as well as the only antiques vendor!

So, what to do about a sign?! I had a VERY tight budget, so I was worried it would be a challenge.  Luckily, I acquired  a 1920s school house chalkboard that was in need of some TLC -- FOR FREE!

With a lil elbow grease, a few layers of chalk board paint, some wood glue in the joints and hinges, new nails, teacup print ribbon, old keys, old photos....

and VOILA!

Total cost: $25! 

 I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. The perfect mix of antique, kitsch, and DIY !

Also, holy crap I LOVE liquid chalk markers!! No dust! 

That's all for today folks! 

XOXO

Lenora

Must be the season of the.....mint

Hello my bunnies!

Is everyone enjoying this beautiful summer we are experiencing? My garden is absolutely loving all the sunshine, particularly, as previously mentioned- my mint plants.

What is  one to do when your mint is beyond plentiful?

Stuff it in everything you possibly can!

I finally revived my long-neglected cooking blog to share a recipe for gluten-free chocolate mint muffins.

They are TO DIE FOR.

Click on over to FAT GLAM KITCHEN to see the recipe

Of course, the real reason I sat down to write today, was to share today's project:

Home grown mint TEA!

After grinding up my test batch of 3 types of dried mint,  I used a metal tea steeper plus about a spoonful of dried mint- and voila! Delicious, flavorful, soothing tea! Much better and tastier then store bought!

It was time to cute a generous amount of all 5 varieties of my mint (Mojito, spearmint, chocolate mint, berries and cream, and english mint) to be strung up and dried, to make a powerhouse 5-mint tea blend!

I am very pleased with how many uses I've found for all the beauties growing in my garden lately.
Our mint was grown for the sole purpose of enjoying a refreshing mojito every now and then, and has evolved into playing a major role in our kitchen. Spinach gets tucked into almost every dish- from smoothies, to omelettes, to stir fry.  Green beans are snacked upon, free off the vine, or tossed into salads, stews, or steamed for a delicious side.

What is your favorite thing growing in your garden this year?

xox
Lenora

A little bit more garden...this time, in the sunlight.

Hello bunnies,

After last night's post , I thought I'd share a bit more. This time, some progress in the sunshine.

Everything is coming in fantastically!
Today I planted lots of radish seed for sprouts. I absolutely love their tangy taste in salads!!
I also planted lots of cilantro and sage for a later harvest. Kale sprouts are coming in well for an early fall harvest.

All in all, I'm very happy with my 1st attempt at urban gardening. Lots of trial and error, many restarts and frizzled, dead leaves... but so much learning! It is immensely satisfying, and will surely be done again next year!

xox
Lenora

A warm summer night at home, sweet home.

Hello bunnies!

A couple of you on Tumblr/Twitter were asking for garden updates, so I thought I would oblige!

I only felt inspired to take some photos after sun-set this evening, which took this little 'photoshoot' in a more home-decor direction rather than urban garden-centric.

Fresh mint is drying in the window tonight, hanging from binder clip, and coriander seeds are drying in a metal tea steeper. In our house hold, every day items have multiple uses, especially office supplies! 

Mint is not the only thing that is extremely plentiful in our garden at the moment. Our green beans,
sweet snap peas, kale, oregano, hot peppers, purple peppers and climbing spinach are also abundant.

Particularly the spinach. 

I am very surprised, we started this spinach from seeds back in late May, and in the last three weeks, it has exploded into a maze of twisting vines and thick leaves. We eat spinach almost every day in some way- it is wonderful!  Climbing spinach is a bit thicker compared to regular spinach, and has a heartier, earthier flavor. Fantastic in stir fry or chopped in salads, quiches and feta & spinach pies. 

 Not much else to report, really. We are looking forward to harvesting some more green beans and strawberries in coming days. Tonight we feasted on a quinoa salad with fresh sweet snap peas and other local fresh veggies from the gardens of other friends.

How are your gardens growing?

I'll leave you with one of my favorite things in my kitchen...just because!!

xoxo
Lenora

Turquoise Polka Dots and Pleats and BIG BIG changes!

Hello my beach bunnies!


I hope you've all been busy, enjoying the beautiful summer sun!
I thought I would pop-in with a little update, and to share some of my summery outfits the last couple of days!

So, life has been a crazy roller coaster this summer. Lots of changes- but all for the best!  I resigned my position with River of Pride for personal reasons, and hit a snag with funding for my budding vintage-clothing business. Resigning my position with ROP has allowed me to have more free-time to spend time with some very amazing friends I have made. Having to seek new employment has landed me a position finally using my Psychology background. It really is true- things sometimes need to fall apart  for better things to fall together.

I'm  happy to share that my new position will be as a support worker! I will be working with several , long-term elderly clients, doing day to day things like shopping, cooking, and just spending time. Mostly working with newly-widowed women learning independence.  I am thrilled and cannot wait to start . I have always wanted to work with the elderly, I have endless respect for them, and truly look forward to learning from them while helping at the same time. The best part of this position, I will not have to deal with the nursing aspect- I'm pretty much going to be paid to be a friend. I couldn't ask for anything more rewarding!

In terms of my summer wardrobe, I've been living in bright colors and flowy skirts!

As always, everything above is thrifted, down to the amazing deadstock 1940s sandals that I scored     for $2. I know. I can't believe it either.

Today's outfit is also completely thrifted. I am in love with the 1930s rainbow sunglasses, modern-does-retro lucite heel peeptoes, and 1960s turquoise polka dot pussy bow blouse. Don't you just love a good fuchsia&turquoise color combo?!

The garden is going well, despite many of our plants being eaten mercilessly by squirrels and cats.
Our spinach and green beans are doing marvelously though! We've been feasting on spinach daily!

How is everyone doing? Any adventures? Any funky outfits you're particularly proud of?

XOXO
Lenora