Canadian Design: Alanna Cavanagh’s Prints

An Empty Belly by Alanna Cavanagh, Kiku Corner

Alanna Cavanagh is a Toronto-based artist whose illustrations are available as silkscreen prints, artist proofs, or greeting cards. Her work has been featured all over, from the New York Times to a Toronto condo development near where I work. The drawings themselves seem to be loose line drawings that have a carefree feeling. I especially […]

DIY: Lacy Grey Crocheted Cowl and Free Pattern

DIY: Lacy Grey Crocheted Cowl and Free Pattern, Kiku Corner

Our mom taught Tomiko and me to crochet way back when we were kids. I was just seven or so and I wanted to crochet a blanket for one of my dolls. I was just trying to make a rectangle in single crochet stitches, but I was having issues – what I made instead was […]

The Year in Books: December with I Love Macarons by Hisako Ogita

I Love Macarons by Hisako Ogita, The Year in Books December, Kiku Corner

In December,I am more closely looking at I Love Macarons by Hisako Ogita. I first read about macarons when I was devouring food blogs back in university, around 2006/2007. They seemed to be a mysterious, legendary delicacy that I had no hopes of finding in the small university town of Guelph. Fast forward to today, you […]

Soma Chocolatemaker

Soma Chocolatemaker, Kiku Corner

It is pretty much impossible to go to Soma Chocolatemaker and leave without buying something tasty! Whether it’s a handcrafted chocolate truffle, impossibly rich chocolate cake or thick hot chocolate that is basically melted chocolate, there is something to tempt everyone. One of the many benefits of visiting a Soma boutique is that the chocolatemakers […]

Homemade Ginger Syrup

This rich ginger syrup has a very concentrated flavour and a rich golden colour. It’s also so easy to make! Donatello and I made two large mason jars of it and found ourselves adding it to just about everything: tea, cocktails, and even salad dressings.