Kinfolk

Last Friday, Kinfolk Magazine, a new online and print magazine that is focused on the art of entertaining in small gatherings, launched it's inaugural issue, and it is safe to say that I am completely head over heels for it. What a beautifully constructed collection of photographs, articles, and videos. Beautiful simplicity reigns supreme throughout the publication from the physical layout of the magazine - articles in a gorgeous typeface and surrounded by enough white space to make me blissfully happy - to the gatherings described and depicted. In fact, their manifesto states that "Every element of Kinfolk – the features, photography, and general aesthetics – are consistent with the way we feel entertaining should be: simple, uncomplicated, and less contrived." The publication certainly lives up to this standard. What's more, the creative minds behind this publication are just that: creative minds. Kinfolk is written, photographed, compiled, edited, etc. by an international community of artists, and this creative energy saturates every element of the magazine. It is more than simply visually pleasing; it is enchanting and enticing, drawing readers in not with flashy layouts or brilliant colours but with restful, calming palettes that I could gaze at all day long. Extolling the virtues of small gatherings - beginning with time spent alone - Kinfolk has arrived at what is a rather appropriate time in my life. As I get older I am constantly struck by the importance of spending time with your dearest friends and have gradually come to recognize that perhaps this is not always a large group, but that a small group can be all the more enjoyable.  What's more, I'm at a point in life where friends are beginning to scatter far and wide as we graduate, get married, or move across the country and the importance of gatherings is becoming increasingly apparent, particularly the importance of simple gatherings where the focus is on the companionship and not the event. The idea of seeing time alone as an event is also beautiful and interesting as I begin to value my personal space and time more and more. Finally, I've consistently been learning the beauty and importance of simplicity in my life - whether it is in clothing or decor or taking joy in small things - and this is something captured and praised by Kinfolk. I am not sure that there is any other publication that could capture all of these things in such a beautiful package. If you haven't yet, go and check out the online edition. It's a must-read in my books.

A Little Bit Fruity

One of my favourite things about summer is the fruit selection. Every year, as soon as it starts to get sunny on a semi-regular basis I start craving fruit all the time. This year I was craving fruit starting in like February (in fact, I took this picture in March). It was ridiculous. The only problem with a love of fruit is that when you are the only person eating the food you buy, it tends to go bad before you can eat it all. And that is not only a waste of money and food, but just plain upsetting. I mean, I get all excited to have some [insert delicious fruit here] and go to the fridge and pull it out and it is all mushy and moldy and just generally nasty. It's awful, partly because then I am craving whatever fruit it was and nothing else sounds appealing once I start craving a specific item. So whatever I eat ends up being a disappointment. Anyway, I was reminded of the fact that I love fruit today when I went out for brunch/lunch today at this place that serves fruit with everything. It's fantastic.