Mimi Takes Five - #358

ONE // Red Gingham Dress

I think I have found the most quintessential red gingham dress! I'm a big gingham fan in the spring and summer months, and have a closet full of gingham options. However, as classic as a red gingham dress is, I had a gaping hole in my collection. Nothing screams summer picnic or BBQ quite like a red gingham dress does. After years of searching for just the right one, I think I've found the most perfect version! The silhouette, the sweetheart neckline, the eyelet lace trim - it's a masterpiece! I couldn't have imagined a more ideal dress option. I've already worn in a handful of times and can't get enough of it. With Canada Day just around the corner, it would be a great option for the day, then I'd pair it with a patriotic sweater for the evening fireworks. Matching red espadrilles or classic white sneakers would complete the look. I'm so happy I found this beauty of a dress!

TWO // Bookbinding

I've been going to my colleague's bookbinding sessions for years now. I just love paper crafts! To me bookbinding is at the intersection of scrapbooking and sewing, so I'm all in. I've learned something new at every session, but the double-sided booklet has to be the cutest one I've done so far! That being said, the shoe booklet is so totally my style! While I thoroughly enjoy making the books, I think I have yet to actually use any of the ones I've made over the years. It's the same syndrome I get when buying new journals and cute notebooks. I want to keep them pristine, or I want to use them for the perfect thing (which never happens) so I never end up using them. I need to just grab one and start writing in it! The best part about learning this skill is that I can make more booklets as often as I want or need, so there is no real reason not to use the ones I've already made!

THREE // Red Manicure

I decided I wanted red nails, so I gave myself a manicure. Nothing says Canada Day quite like a bold red manicure, ha ha! I tend to feel the urge to sport red nails this time of year because it makes pretty much any and all outfits instantly patriotic! What's not to love? It's a low effort technic with high reward. Also, I find I prefer manicures in the summer because I get to see them all the time as opposed to the winter months when I'm wearing mittens and gloves. For now, I'm enjoying my little red nails and smile every time I catch sight of them. I find I tend to really appreciate my manicures when I'm reading a book because my hands are always within sight. It's the little things that bring me joy!

FOUR // A  Man on the Inside

My husband and I started watching this show on a whim as we scrolled the endless suggestions on Netflix. We were delightfully pleased with this one! A Man on the Inside is about a retired widower who is challenged by his daughter to find a new purpose in life. He answers an ad in the paper and becomes an investigative assistant to a PI and infiltrates a retirement community to be the source - or, the man on the inside. Ted Danson is hilarious in the role of Charles and the repartee with his fellow residents and new boss are top-notch. I'd say the show is giving me slight Murders in the Building meets The Office vibes, but the overall feel is lighter and more slapstick. Each character is as endearing as the next and makes this show a delightful watch.  

FIVE // Puzzle

I have to say, I'm noticing a theme in my recent puzzles - they all involve houses in some way. I had started with a Painted Ladies puzzle, then went on to the old schoolhouse puzzle and now I did a puzzle of colourful houses on a street in Newfoundland. I wasn't going for the house theme, yet it seems to have found me! This puzzle was a fun one to do because of the bold colours. However, that didn't make it an easy one per se. I did manage to work one section at a time because of the colour distribution, so that was more methodical than my usual approach. I started with the border, then moved onto the ski, then worked by colour from left to right - so the teal house, blue house, yellow house and so forth. It's not often you get an image with such defined sections. It feels good to be back on the 1000-piece puzzles!