Monday, June 13, 2011

Birthday Picnic

So on Saturday I celebrated my birthday by having a picnic at Riverdale Farm, which is sort of like a park, but with a little museum and a petting zoo. It is definitely one of my favourite places in Toronto because it always has goats, beautiful flowers, and chickens with hammer-pants. There was supposed to be a thunder storm that day, and even though all signs were pointing to rain, I utterly refused to cancel the picnic. The day started off a little rough because I had to carry so much to the farm, but once we got there it was so magical to see all my friends together in such a special place.
My mother gave me that beautiful Edith Ackley doll made by my very talented friend Claire Louise Milne for my birthday. I first saw her on Claire's blog and I instantly fell in love, she has a dress, an apron, an undershirt, bloomers and a petticoat that are all removable. One day I might try making her something, but I doubt that I have the patience or the skill. All my friends gave me the loveliest gifts. I got sewing supplies, tote bags, beautiful china, scented powder, delicious treats, I totally cleaned house! And Jon bought me tickets to the ballet, which I'm so excited about. I also made that lovely cake from Smitten Kitchen and it was very likely my best cake yet. I had to carry it to the farm in a hat box because I didn't have one of those special containers, but it lasted well.
Oh and the lovely Lini from A Scent of Rosewood gave me a blogger award!! Part of the award is that you have to say 10 things about you, which I thought was appropriate since it is around my birthday (a time of reflection for me). I'm not very good at these but I'm going to give it a try.
1) My favourite colour is undoubtably blue
2) I studied art history in university and love nineteenth and early twentieth century paintings the best
3) I have two brothers, one older, one younger who are both so very different
4) I consider myself a cynical person but my friends all tell me I'm not
5) I play the piano but very poorly, which I am proud of because Elizabeth Bennett also does
6) I don't really like to cook, but I can definitely get behind baking
7) I complain about how much work I always have to do, but if I have free time I always fill it up with more work
8) I grew up in Thunder Bay, a somewhat small town that is very isolated from the rest of the world but often in a good way
9. I have very good friends, some of them very old and some of them very new
10. I am addicted to buying sewing patterns, because they hold so much possibility even though I will never get around to making them all
And now I am to elect three other bloggers that I believe deserve this award. So here goes.
Claire from Needlebook: because her tiny sewing is amazing
Bicyclette: a wonderful new blog and boutique here in Toronto that is doing wonders for my wardrobe
Give me Bows: where cute reigns over all
Oh, so I am wearing a vintage shirt from a lady that sells her clothing at the St. Lawrence Market every Sunday, she was very lovely and I wish I could remember her name. She told me that she bought the shirt in Nice, and it is indeed made in France. My slip/skirt and sweater is thrifted, my tights are from topshop, and I bought these beautiful ballet flats while in New York. The company Pretty Ballerinas is Spanish and has actually used a design of a real ballet slipper from the year 1918! They are made in Spain, and are just so beautifully crafted, I feel like a ballerina in them (which is a huge goal of mine).
Francine and I shot a short film today so there will be some photos of our adventures coming up later. I am very excited. I hope everyone has a lovely week.

19 comments:

  1. Looks like it was a wonderful day. Happy birthday! Nice to see love for Bicyclette -- I'm going to be sharing some pictures I took there tomorrow, and I'm thrilled with how they turned out!

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  2. congrats on your birthday!

    you and your friends looked so good. so unique.

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  3. Your blog is so lovely :) And your birthday cake looks incredible, gosh I didn't even get a birthday cake this year! A bit sad.

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  4. this is such a cute post - the outfits, the setting, everything! so lovely xx

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  5. this looks like such a fun birthday picnis and the cake looks delicious!

    <3 steffy
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  6. What a wonderful idea! It is the perfect place to spend such a special day! Your suitcase is packed with the perfect treats too - especially that cake! Nom nom nom! Be sure to enter my £100 ASOS giveaway!

    x
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  7. Really a great idea.I am agree that it is best place to enjoy the special day. I hope you have great birthday.
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  8. I wish you a belated very happy birthday!
    Lini x

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  9. I'm famous!!

    Another beautiful post, Caitlin.

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  10. it really does look beautiful there! how lovely.

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  11. happy birthday to you! you look wonderful, and this looks like my kind of birthday party. It was also lovely to read some facts about you.

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  12. I'm so happy that young people have picnics, just like we did growing up. I love that it's not just pre-wrapped take-away from from a fast food restaurant, but a gorgeous cake. You must read the faerie tale about the little girl who carries a talking doll with her. And the doll protects her from the witch Baba Yaga, but she must feed her doll (just like you did on your picnic). It's a Russian folk tale, I think, and it's called Vasilisa the Beautiful. A must read for doll lovers.

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  13. Thank you Hila!

    and mom, I'm not sure tons of people are having real deal picnics, it might just be me and a few other people. I did read that it's the cool thing to do in Central Park though. And I will definitely have to read that fairy tale, it sounds amazing.

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  14. Happy (belated) birthday lovely, you look adorable in your shift + tights! Thanks for the tag, that's very sweet of you :) xxx

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  15. Happy be-lated Birthday !!
    It looks like it was a really lovely day, and I'm so in love with all the dusty pink/red/creams going on!!!!

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  16. Well, I am also agree that it is a best place to celebrate the birthday. Hope you had enjoyed your birthday!!

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  17. It is so beautiful place. Can you give the name of the place. It seems that every one had great fun enjoying this birthday picnic.

    Buy to Let

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  18. this is such a cute post - the outfits, the setting, everything! so lovely xx.

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