Monday, December 28, 2015

A Little Christmas Miracle

I was visiting someone close to me in long term care and they had promised a friend of theirs Christmas lights for their little tree that had none.  I was going to the nearby mall after anyways and picked some up and brought them back the very same day.  I handed them to the recipient of these lights and their face was a bit confused so the person I was visiting said "Merry Christmas"!  Then their face lit up with instant joy and they began to open up the lights.  I had to leave shortly after but when I returned there on Christmas eve I noticed such a bright and lovely tree and it was hard to believe that it was the very same tree that was lacking that luster but was now owning such a warm glow!  I am so proud of the person I am close to for orchestrating this and I am so happy to have played a part in such a little Christmas Miracle!  Look at how beautiful it is!!


I hope everyone kind had such a lovely Christmas or holiday and all the best for the New Year!!
 

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Decore J'adore

We purchased a circa 1929, 2 story, single detached, charming red brick home in Toronto years ago and decorating it has not been a challenge since art deco and vintage classic design styles 
are among my favorite.  The house itself is full of charm with it's stain glass windows, brass accents, solid cherry wood through out and solid design, as well.  Was not hard to find the perfect pieces for it.  I still want to replace the furniture in the living room but I want to have my basement redone first.  Hopefully soon.


I found this majestic vintage art deco brass peacock fireplace cover for a mere $40 Canadian on Kajiji.  It even has patina on it but since I will be keeping it I might polish her up.  Goes perfectly with the house.    

My husband and I were at the Don Valley Art Show at Todmorden Mills and picked up this beautiful painting by Judy Tarnofski called Mid-Summer Medley.

Here are my Bob Mackey of NY dining room table and chairs at the smaller setting.  I have another two chairs and 2 table inserts to make it even bigger.  It's very lovely and of okay quality.  With reproductions they are usually not solid.

One of my stain glass windows.  This one is located in the dining room.  It's such a beautiful piece that really brings such charm to the room and house.

98% of my doors have glass knobs and the rest are brass.  The home inspector mentioned how rare that was and was so impressed at how original our house was.  We were very lucky to say the least. 


My vanity was a lot of work.  There were carpets upstairs and ugly 80s light yellow particle board built in desk and walk in closet.  I ripped it all out and we were lucky to have had the original hardwood floors underneath all throughout the house in which we had the upstairs refinished and then the rooms painted.  

Our backyard is landscaped with Japanese plants and trees mostly.  It's very beautiful to say the least.


Even the door hardware is incredible.  

Sunday, December 6, 2015

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

So we haven't had much snow at all this year but that doesn't mean that there isn't any festive lights, glam and cheer!  I don't really get into the consumerism part of Christmas but I do enjoy the rest, especially giving to those in need.  I give a few modest gifts to the people I am the closest to and not ask for much just so that I can give to my local charities.  This year I also started making things and selling things in order to raise more. I also love taking pictures this time of year too.  Toronto is beaming with the Christmas and holiday spirit and it shows.






More on my Flickr album Christmas Time In Toronto!

I like to wish all the kind and good people a very Merry Christmas &/or Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year!  All the best to you and yours in 2016!

Warm Regards,
Anna Garasto




Wednesday, October 14, 2015

I Keep On Falling

I am so lucky to live in Toronto, especially central, near so many beautiful parks and trails.  It's so very lovely all year round but my favorite time is autumn.  The bright colored leaves and the brisk yet sunny days invite me to wear my favorite sweaters or flannel shirts and sip on yummy pumpkin spiced lattes.  Already this year we have visited some amazing places here in Toronto like Brick Works, Cryptopolis, Broadview Park and Trail and more!  I uploaded some of my pics to my flickr but here are a few of my favorite shots so far.




Here is a great article on the top 10 places to see fall foliage in Toronto.    There are a lot of other amazing places here too but if you are just visiting then try to see some of these listed in the article.  Also Hamilton, Ontario which is the capitol of waterfalls in the world is gorgeous any time of year but again I am really in awe of the stunning colors on top of the existing beauty!

It's also time to go to spooky parts that are rumored to be haunted like in the book guide Haunted Toronto by John Robert Colombo!  It's not only creepy but it's also historic and lots of fun too.  Some places seem so peaceful and innocent while others had a bit of a creep factor.  When The Bright Pearl was open I felt kind of uneasy there because it did seem to have a lot of energy in the air, almost like there was a spiraling, vibrant and cold forces mixed all together there.

Even the cup I had my pumpkin spiced latte served in was so pretty.  Yes, of course I took a picture of it too without the protector sleeve. :)


I just wanted to add a couple of my favorite Halloween pictures I took this year too!  It was a great one and I wanted to share them with all of you.  My husband pointed out the most perfect pumpkin at one of my favorite Old East York, Central Toronto, Circa 1920s solid red brick building in our area.  The next is a picture of my parents house that I helped decorate and it turned out really great.   




I also had some amazing experiences too.  Celebrating the Moon Festival and going to the Madonna concert opening night at the ACC.  I will post pictures of all that on my Flickr shortly.  I just wanted to add a couple pictures now that I took from my iPod.








Monday, March 16, 2015

The Secret To Being A Great Cook



There is a simple thing that I do that ensures my cooking always turns out great.  I actually taste it.  That's right.  You just have to taste what you make.  It's a big part of cooking.

I don't even really follow recipes when I cook because I mostly prepare Mediterranean meals that consist of easy and hearty meals, that in my opinion, hold a similar concept.  I learned to cook from my mother who is a phenomenal cook.  I watched  her make the traditional meals from where both my parents came from Italy and then started to do the same.  The technique involves great ingredients and caring.  I find that when you put your heart into the things you do it actually turns out so amazing.

My mom and I love to watch cooking shows together and we cook many different international meals on account of that too.  On top of the delicious Mediterranean meals, (Italian, French and Greek mostly), I can also do Butter Chicken, Japanese Teriyaki  and stir fries are some of my favorite meals from around the world that I make easily!

Rachael Ray has some pretty incredible and easy meals that she has on her website and the Food Network site.  I found some of her books at yard sales and thrift shops for a great price that are loaded with some great ideas.  I learned how to make the perfect boiled egg thanks to her on her show.  Bring water and eggs to a boil.  Cover.  Put on simmer.  Time for 10 minutes. Voila!  They are perfect!


Moral Media



I think we should all support the artists/companies we listen to and watch.  It's a tough business now a days so why not do that?  I have purchased media via Google Play, iTunes Kindle, Netflix, Sony PlayStation, etc..  I call it Moral Media.

There are two definitions I came up with.  1.  The act of paying for what you watch/listen to.  2.  Media that has an ethical and moral message.  This blog entry is obviously about the first meaning.

Some people constantly hoard illegal copies of digital media to share and I think that's very wrong.  Unless it's not available for sale you should try and buy it.

I follow The Laws of the Natural Order which include the 10 Commandments and Thou Shall Not Steal is a big one and applies today.  Even though technology has made it so much easier to do, doesn't mean that you should.

If you "sample" things then delete them please.  If you find that you can't then it's time to buy.  It's that simple.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

My Biggest Vice... iTunes! *Update - Not Happy With Apple

It's actually not a bad thing, however.  Plus I was able to incorporate my existing CD collection to it and my iPod.  The ones that I have had since I was a teen up until now with the ones that I find at thrift shops and yard sales too.  The artists that wear fur I will not support but if I like their music or movies I will buy it 2nd hand to be honest.

Music is truly a positive experience for me.  Uplifting and energizing.  So I do not mind buying the majority of my music online legally via iTunes.  Actually, all my latest music I purchase is via Apple because it's so convenient and they save a copy of all your purchases.  In about 2 years I have purchased over 300 songs.  Mostly the best of albums, that song you just can't get out of your head and long time favorites.  Is it kinda crazy to want to share my collection with you?  Oh who cares.  This is my blog and I want too! lol

That is my moral media collection!  I still have more CDs to add but right now my iTunes sort of reflects the side of me that I want uplifted.  I really do love music that has that compassionate, universal, enlightening and intelligent message. Songs that have meaning that touch me and I can relate to or our society should take note of.  Media with meaning.  I use music to meditate, to work, to relax, to work out and just about every aspect of my day.  When I am not listening to music I do love to stream my Netflix!  Now that's another blog entry.

Update.  I purchased a brand new CD from HMV this past weekend.  I had a feeling to get the physical instead and it was actually a great thing because it was much less.  With another purchase it was only $7.99 and of course there was something my husband really wanted too so it was great for the both of us.  Minutes after I got home I opened my iTunes and added my new CD and then right after added it to my iPod.  It was that easy.

Today I purchased two songs by Madonna, 4 minutes and Revolver, and the rest of my Marina and the Diamonds FROOT pre-order on iTunes.  Moral Media is sweeter to listen too, in my honest opinion.

Purchased a few more iTunes and CDs.  I am not stopping anytime soon either.  Here are my recently added songs and/or albums.

Update-February 15, 2021- iTunes updated their software to not included purchased media.  I am not happy about that.  I got a new apple device and only a quarter of my music showed up.  I will never buy another apple song or apple device again. 

Friday, February 13, 2015

Vintage Valentine's Day Cards

I really love retro things and Valentine's day cards are no exception.  I found a bunch of them on Google.  What a treasure.  I love the internet.

Here are a few of my favorites...



I find them all to be so adorable, a bit creepy and even strange.