The Good Wife: About Last Week...

I've often joked with people about how much I love The Good Wife but I can't binge watch old episodes since the series completely stresses me out. Last week was no exception...

(Spoilers ahead!)

Southern & Swampy

After the surprising announcement that the next season of True Blood will be its last, I thought I'd round up some of my favourite southern-inspired finds to pay tribute to the show's mysterious mix of gothic southern charm...

• It makes me infinitely sad that the talented musicians behind country/folk duo The Civil Wars are currently not on speaking terms. Joy Williams and John Paul White have been estranged since November 2012, but by moxie or miracle, they released a sophomore self-titled album (recorded last year while on tour) just this past month. My favourite track is called to 'Dust to Dust' and you can preview it for free over at NPR's All Songs Considered.

• This stunning digital print by Korean artist Madame Lolina reminds me of Sookie Stackhouse's sleek black Diane von Frustenberg dress in the episode Dead Meat. Off to meet her potential faerie-vampire husband, Sookie's outfit encapsulates the sexy, dangerous, and supernatural energy that makes True Blood so deliciously watchable. Madame Lolina's 'Crow Hat' print shares a similarly alluring quality with the crow's glossy black feathers complementing the model's dramatically winged eyeliner and almost stiflingly ornate dress. Available in three print sizes over at The Working Proof. 

• Southern Tupelo Honey Favours from Pressed Cotton - Of all the different honeys I've tasted, Tupelo honey has got to be my favourite. Harvested from tupelo trees that only grow along four rivers in Florida and Georgia, this swampland honey is prized for its pure and slightly floral flavour that is perfect simply scooped out of the jar and savoured. Read more about the fascinatingly tricky process of producing tupelo honey here. 

• Southern Lights Electric Co. x Pennyweight Goods - It was love at first light when I first set my eyes upon this elegant lamp by Adam Gatchel of Southern Lights Electric Co. Designed to darken and age over time, this limited edition steel and brass swing arm wall lamp makes the rustic refined with its use of unfinished steel and raw brass. Sadly this edition is already sold out at Pennyweight, but you can view more of Adam's stunning fixtures (along with his commercial work) over on his website. 

What will you miss most about True Blood when the TV series wraps up its run?

♥

(Photos via The Civil Wars, The Working Proof, Pressed Cotton and Southern Lights Electric Co.)

Roshambo.

Although I hated seeing Charlie getting walked all over by Marni through most of his time on Girls, I'll still be sad to see his character go since it now leaves us with only Adam, Ray and a rotating carousel of seemingly random male guest stars.

In the meantime, I'm glad to see that Christopher Abbot has re-surfaced in this gorgeously shot video for Free People. I hope his departure from Girls due to "creative differences" doesn't hinder his chances of scoring other high-profile projects in the future.

What did you think of the season 2 finale of Girls? (I was a bit frustrated and sceptical of the whole romanticized tying up of loose ends.) How do you think they'll write Charlie off the show in season 3?

♥

TV Dinner: Dr. Who

For our latest installment of TV Dinner, we're skipping across the pond to the whimsical world of beloved British sci-fi series Dr. Who.

For fans of the sophisticated story lines and compelling characters (not to mention the obvious allure of adventuring through time and space), these galaxy salt and pepper shakers from LEIF would make the perfect gift for aspiring companions of the mercurial time travelling doctor.  

Handmade by homeware designer Alison Brent, the marbled surface is streaked with metallic cracks of gold and the iridescent finish up top fits in well with the galactic theme too. Although not quite a TARDIS blue, the pattern reminds me of the "cracks in the universe" first spotted in Amy Pond's bedroom during the premiere episode of the eleventh doctor's storyline.

Whether chasing after baddies, fighting Daleks, or rescuing River Song, these ceramic shakers would make a stunning addition to the dinner table and would also serve as a fun grown-up nod to the kid inside who would give anything for a taste of adventure.

PS - On a scale of 1-10, how fantastic was the season 7 premiere of Dr. Who? I'm so curious to learn more about Oswin Oswald, Clare Oswin (the new companion) and how the two relate.

Until next time!

(Photos by BBC One, LEIF and Wikipedia)

If you're interested in more of Alison's designs, you can also follow her on Facebook!

Kyle Killen's 'Awake'

Photo Credit: NBC via Global TV

Compelling, smart, and suspenseful, the series premiere of Awake offered viewers a complex storytelling puzzle that has you rooting for the 'lone ranger' protagonist standing at the precipice (or frontier) of dreams and reality.

Meet Michael Britten. A veteran homicide detective that we first encounter when his car plunges off a cliff critically injuring his wife and his son. After he regains consciousness, Michael discovers two separate realities - one where his wife is dead and his son is alive, and another where his son has died but his wife lives.

This excruciating conflict is what drives the drama as Michael transitions from one world to another when he falls asleep with no idea which one is real. Luckily, the viewers learn how to distinguish between the two realities through the sophisticated use of visual cues and colour palettes - cooler, starker tones when Michael is with his son Rex and warmer, softer environments when he's with his wife Hannah.

Photo Credit: NBC

Photo Credit: NBC

For Michael, the key lies in his wrist where a simple rubber band is worn - green when he is with his son and red when he is with his wife.  He claims it's what helps to keep him straight, but the panic that ensues when he wakes up one morning with no rubber band at all only illustrates how deep and disturbing this psychological coping mechanism may be.

As Michael returns to the police force and begins work-mandated therapy, the struggle between what is real and what is fake becomes strangely advantageous as details from one crime case often lead to clues and key breakthroughs in a parallel case worked in the alternate universe.

Rounding out Michael's support team are rookie partner Erfam Vega and pragmatic psychiatrist Dr. John Lee in the green/Rex reality and veteran partner Isiah "Bird" Freeman and Jungian psychoanalyst Dr. Judith Evans in the red/Hannah reality.

From the producers of Lone Star (an excellent but short-lived drama that similarly explored issues of dual identity), this taut psychological, science fiction thriller packs a philosophical punch that combined with slick cinematography and the grittiness of a crime procedural makes it a surefire contender in its time slot.

The next episode of 'Awake' airs in Canada on Thursday, March 8th at 10:00 pm on Global TV. 

Missed the series premiere? Catch up online with full episodes at Global TV (Canada) or NBC (America). 

TV Dinner: 2 Broke Girls

::: TV Dinner...a new feature serving up two of North America's favourite pastimes, TV and food! :::

For fans of the acerbic and hilarious diner sitcom 2 Broke Girls...(with acerbic and hilarious leading lady Kat Dennings)

May I suggest this equally amusing 'Brooklynese' coffee set from New York houseware gem Fishs Eddy?  

Includes two cups of cawfee, a shuguh, and a creamuh (USD $41) for your favourite hipster or hobo (wherever they may fall on that spectrum.)

Until next time!

(Photos 1: CBS / 2: Fish Eddys / 3: Wikipedia)

Cheat Sheet: Winter 2012 TV Schedule

Daniel and Emily celebrate a major milestone in an upcoming episode of Revenge! But knowing both the premise of the show and the shocking way episode one began, how well do you think this story will end?

Happy New (TV) Year!  The winter hiatus is *finally* over and I can't wait to get back into the swing of things with my favourite comedies and dramas.  With lots of new midseason premieres, many established shows are schedule hopping, so here's a quick cheat sheet I compiled to ensure you don't miss an episode!


Mondays
Mr. D - Jan. 9 @ 8 pm - CBC
How I Met Your Mother - Jan. 2 @ 10 pm - CityTV (returns to 8 pm slot in Feb.)
Castle - Jan. 9 @ 10 pm - CTV
2 Broke Girls - Jan. 2 @ 10:30 pm - CityTV

** Don't fret penny-can fans!  Cougar Town returns to CityTV on Feb. 14 (Time TBA)

Tuesdays
New Girl - Jan. 17 @ 9 pm - CityTV

Wednesdays
Modern Family - Jan. 4 @ 9 pm - CityTV
Happy Endings - Jan. 4 @ 9:30 pm - CityTV
Revenge - Jan. 4 @ 10 pm - CityTV

Thursdays
30 Rock - Jan. 12 @ 8 pm - CityTV
Community - on hiatus with no confirmed return date :(
Person of Interest - Jan. 12 @ 9 pm - CityTV
Bones - Jan. 12 @ 8 pm - Global  (Mid-season finale, new episodes in spring)
The Finder - Jan. 12 @ 9 pm - Global  (Spin-off and midseason replacement for Bones)

Fridays
Ringer - Feb. 3 @ 10 pm - Global
The Good Wife - Jan. 9 @ 8 pm - Global (returns to regular Sunday time slot Jan. 15)

What new midseason shows (if any) are you planning to add to your schedule?  I'll be tuning into Mr. D and The Finder even though Mondays and Thursdays seem packed already!

♥

(Photo by ABC via wetpaint)

Cheat Sheet: Fall 2011 TV Premiere Week

Barney and Robin share a steamy dance moment at Punchy's wedding in the season 7 premiere.  Possibly legendary?! 

Off to the races! Here's a quick snapshot of what I'll be watching this season as sitcoms and dramas make their way back to the small screen:

Alumni
How I Met Your Mother - Monday, September 19 @ 8 pm - CityTV
Castle - Monday, September 19 @ 10 pm - CTV
Modern Family - Wednesday, September 21 @ 9 pm (back-to-back episodes!) - CityTV
Community - Thursday, September 22 @ 8 pm - CityTV
The Good Wife - Sunday, September 25 @ 10 pm - Global

Being Erica - Monday, September 26 @ 9 pm - CBC
Happy Endings - Wednesday, September 28 @ 9:30 pm - CityTV

How to Make it in America - Sunday, October 2 @10:30 pm - HBO Canada
Bones - Thursday, November 3 @ 9 pm - Global

Freshmen
Ringer - Friday, September 16 @ 10 pm - Global
Revenge - Wednesday, September 21 @ 10 pm - CityTV
Person of Interest - Thursday, September 22 @ 9 pm - CityTV
Once Upon a Time - Sunday, October 23 @ 7 pm - CTV

Latecomers (Midseason)
Alcatraz - CityTV
Awake - Thursday, March 1 @ 10 pm - Global
Cougar Town - Tuesday, February 14
The Finder - Global


What shows will you be tuning into this season? :)

(Photo: How I Met Your Mother via CBS)

Urban Weekend

Re-watching episodes of How to Make it in America (season 2 premieres on Oct. 2) and admiring these colourful rooftop prints from Tim Jarosz:

              


Which one is your favourite? I'm partial to the one with pops of violet and fire escapes that remind me of New York :)

(Image 1: HBO Canada via DaemonsTV 2, 3: Tim Jarosz via Society6)

TV Addict

As we transition into our summer series (Hiccups and Dan for Mayor anyone?), TV networks announced their cuts and new draft picks from hundreds of pilots for the upcoming fall season. Here are the shows I'll be sad to see go and some new shows I can't wait to meet.

Goodbye:

Mr. Sunshine

I'm sorry Matthew Perry! This show was light, cute and entertaining. And after so many seasons of Friends, I really felt like it was my karmic duty to tune in to support Chandler's (uh...I mean Matt's) newest venture. Sadly, I could never quite remember when it was on and I wasn't too motivated to find out.

A Love Letter to Gok Wan

Just when I think I couldn't love him anymore...I catch the first episode of Gok's new show "Miss Naked Beauty".

Championing a natural version of female beauty, Gok and his sassy Brits take to the camera to reveal their most hated body parts. As the women flip up their muffin tops, buttocks, breasts, and thighs, I'm in awe of how truly beautiful the human body is. These gorgeous girls are reflections of us, with every insecurity and every ounce of courage and joy fighting for dominance in front of the camera.

It's intellectual, it's inspirational, and it makes for really good TV. But is it revolutionary? Well, I hear there is quite a bit of controversy with the activities/challenges down the line so that still stands to be determined. In the meantime, tune in and judge for yourself!