Zaz up your wall, getting ready for winter, Thai food for the soul
Let's do this
A few places to upgrade your wall
OK, as a family photographer I feel like I would be disrespecting my profession to not first advise you to PRINT YOUR OWN PHOTOS. My own walls are (unsurprisingly) filled with family photos and it never ceases to make me smile. PRINT THEM.
After you’ve exhausted all your photos, here are a few places to find fun prints and posters:
Try second hand stores - this is super vague but I have a friend (you know who you are) who is forever finding prints and paintings second hand and they look amazing.
I love these photos and the story - this man found 80,000 photos taken in 40 countries over 40 years that his grandad took. And the prints are wonderful!
Pony Studios has cute posters and a ton of other cute items and is based in Montreal.
Darveelicious has beautiful illustrations of Montreal landmarks big and small.
Where do you like to get prints and posters? Any fun ideas for me?
A… Jar
This is not a revolutionary idea by any means, but I was photographing a family recently and they mentioned how they had a movie jar. They drop the names of movies they want to watch, whether it’s old or new, in a jar and then it gets pulled out for movie night. It reduces scrolling and (hopefully) complaining.
I remember I did something like this when my kids were young. With the long winter ahead of me I researched ALL the activities in Montreal - whether it was a museum, a cool place to drink hot chocolate or a park that looked interesting, and they went into a jar. Then we’d pull it out and head off. When you’re tired and don’t feel like doing any research it can be a lifesaver.
We’ll be at Tremblant this winter, and I think this might even be a fun idea there - I’m sure there’s a ton to do in the area. If anyone has any input for my jar let me know!
Épicerie Pumpui - One to.. thai
Épicerie Pumpui is a much talked about Thai restaurant (and grocer - I have to admit I didn’t see that). It has been on my to-eat list for aaaages but it’s kiiiinda far so I haven’t made it until now. But it is SO worth it - really amazing food. If you're really feeling the Thai love - Épicerie Hour Hong is not far away at all. I follow their Instagram and it always gets me excited to look at what they have in store. I’m personally someone who loves snooping around supermarkets in other countries - anyone else feel the same way?
90’s babes unite! Who went to Lilith Fair? I did! Even though my only memory of it is shucking corn at my apartment with friends the day before (so I suppose not really a memory of it at all). Oh well - I know I was there. There is a new documentary out to help revive all those memories and it looks pretty amazing. I also didn’t know about all the (ridiculous) backlash. For those too young here is a quick primer.
I have to admit I didn’t even know they were elongating the Metro Blue Line - but they are! Yay for public transit. Here are the names chosen for the new metro stations.
Got a kid (or adult) that wants to try their hand at carpentry? Nick Offerman (yes, from Parks & Rec) has a new book called Little Woodchucks that looks like a lot of fun.
The cutest ceramics! Including some to decorate your wall.
Have kids 10 or older that are interested in all things spooky (check, check) - Récits Lugubres is a free activity where you explore the different streets and meet actors telling creepy stories. I’ve described it terribly - check out the website. French and English tours are offered.
I love these fun clutches! If you are wearing a simpler dress they are a fun way to add a little pizazz.
Just because these are a little hard to find, if you have a child in the french school system (not like - lycée french but Quebec french), we use these books to revise every year. Thanks Steph for reminding me.
We went to The Art of the Brick Lego Exhibit and a lot of you were curious about it from my Instagram story. All the art work is from one artist who weaves his story in his art and throughout the exhibit. It has a decidedly adult feel to it with reproductions of famous paintings and art, as well as some of his own works. There is a large animal exhibit that is interesting and a children’s area at the end. We liked it, but honestly didn’t spend much time there. We did have lunch at Cochon Dingue next door which was very pleasant. If you are looking for a lego exhibit that is a bit more for kids, and with a bit more creativity (sorry dude) Le Sommet de la Brique is pretty amazing (this year it’s in Ste-Hyacinthe).
Shameless Plug:
Besides my regular family, maternity, newborn, headshot, boudoir photography I’m hosting Christmas mini sessions this fall. Link here to book. I also have one Old Montreal mini left Oct 18th. Contact me for that one.
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Michelle Little is a photographer who specializes in family, maternity, newborn, headshots and boudoir. I offer studio, in-home and outdoor photography. You can see her website here and get in touch here.
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