It was high time I added a Quebec City collection to my Montreal & Toronto series. You had asked me time and again, but I was waiting for some down time in my schedule to go take my camera on a road trip. It was a wonderful weekend, and I ended up with many more photographs than I expected! (Although, let's be honest: isn't that always the case with me?!)

It is with excitement that I introduce the QCity collection to you! You'll find that the "usual suspects" have inspired me: architecture, urban details, textures, colors, geometric patterns and moody hues. 

The collection is currently available in exclusivity to my VIP members who can order their favorite(s) via e-mail with a special pre-launch coupon they got. (Not a VIP? Remedy that here and now). Prints and coasters will be launched at the ​Etsy Ville de Québec spring show on May 26-27 in Québec City. 

Tell me: Which one's your favorite?

If you've followed me for a while, you know I always have something up my sleeve. Nothing mischievous, just always something NEW! 

Last time, it was the Havana collection and updates to the Canadian collection.

The time before, an exciting design collaboration with Ann and Lena from Lamou Design. 

The time before that, new product lines such as high quality birch wood coasters, notebooks and pouches. 

All of this within a year's span!

Well, why not? Art should be versatile and functional, suited to your own daily life, moods and decor. 

Here's a sneak peek at what I have up my sleeve this spring. I'll give you a hint: it's a new collaboration with Lamou design!

But here's the thing: My VIPs always get the news first as to what is new, and they get first pick on limited quantities. 

So... if you want to be in the know, here's where you sign up. Why bother? Because, in addition to getting special treatment (like exclusive picks and coupons), you also get a monthly newsletter for that bit of extra connection and inspiration. Not to play favorites but...

Are you in? Sign up here.

From my heart to yours.

Click on each event to find out more and to add it to your calendar.

West Elm Montreal Pop Up Shop: 29.04.2018
Etsy Montreal Marché Créatif Spring Printemps: 12&13.05
Marché de Mai On Sème: 19&20.05
Etsy Fait au Québec Printemps (Quebec City): 26&27.05
 Etsy Made in Canada Spring by Cheerfully Made (Ottawa) : 9&10.06
West Elm Montreal Pop Up Shop: 16.06.2018

Version française

This is a raw, personal, heartfelt post - I hope you can read it to the end. 

Many – in fact, most – of you don’t know that for eighteen years, I have been a sufferer of severe endometriosis and other related health conditions - experiences that have changed me and my life forever.

Although I’m a writer at heart and have written about almost everything, this is something I’ve never put into words until now, not even in my own journals, and something I certainly did not imagine doing so publicly. But after nearly twenty years of this complex story, and after seeing so many other women struggling in similar ways, it is time now.

Unexpectedly and in almost one sitting, I have written my first real book – cover to cover – complete with things I’ve never written for a book, like a preface, an author’s note and acknowledgments. In it, a raw, candid, descriptive account of my personal journey - one that will surely resonate with many women and men around the world.

Why? And why now?

This March, I will be launching an inspiring new initiative called Alba – a new dawn.  The website will showcase – through photographs, words and products designed for the cause – women entrepreneurs who have been affected by endometriosis, female cancers, chronic pain and infertility.

My goal with Alba is to help us shift the dialogue on women’s health and achieve a brighter dawn with more pro-active, holistic, systematic approaches for all, as well as to raise funding for research.

​I have chosen to launch it in March in time for endometriosis awareness month and for Women's Day (March 8th).

The e-book is now available for pre-order through my Etsy shop.

By pre-ordering today, you will receive it in your inbox on its release date, March 8th. All proceeds from the book will go to starting up and maintaining the Alba project, which in turn will help many women find their voices and will collect funds for research on female cancers and endometriosis. Needless to say, you'd be donating to an important cause. 

Whether you have been directly touched by the challenges of endometriosis and related health conditions (such as chronic pain, female cancers and infertility) or whether you are curious to learn more about this misunderstood and complex illness from the outside in, the poignant and brutally honest passages in "It's Time." are intended to educate, empower, inspire and heal. 

Please follow @alba.a.new.dawn on Instagram and share this post as widely as possible, as we prepare for the launch of the initiative and the e-book!

If this resonates with you and you would like to find out about opportunities to become a member, affiliate or sponsor, please send me an e-mail to alba.a.new.dawn@gmail.com and I’ll walk you through how the initiative will work. All opportunities will also be detailed on the website when it is launched in two weeks.

This post, and this whole mission, comes from the most vulnerable, rawest part of me. I’m taking a deep breath and hoping you’ll join me on this journey. 

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

Whether you have been following me for some time or you have just stumbled upon my world, you may have noticed that Italy plays a huge part in my collection, my writings and my days. 

Why?

What's the deal with Italy? What gave rise to this "obsession"? How is Italy part of my life story? What's my favorite spot in Italy? All these questions and MORE are answered in an interview I did for the lovely Heather Carlson from "Smitten Italy" as part of our new collaboration.

Heather Carlson is a fellow italophile. We "met" in a magical place called Instagram, connected by our shared passion for Italian travel, food and culture. I stumbled upon Heather's shop of whimsical Italy-inspired goods, and later discovered that she is also behind "Merry Feast Travels", organizing culinary tours and offering travel planning services to any beginner or seasoned Italy-bound traveler. 

To find out more about why Italy is infused into my creative work, and to learn some Italy-related quirks about me that you probably did not know before, head to the Merry Feast Travels blog to read the full interview!

My mission with Veni Etiam has always been to inspire you, and help you find a piece of art that represents your own journey. 

If Italy resonates with you as it does with me, I think you'll be excited to discover the collection that is now live in the Smitten Italy shop!

Which one is your favorite? Heather and I would love to know!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series where I will interview Heather about her story and her tips for travellers to Italy. Don't miss out on goodies: follow us!

Three years ago, I had the crazy idea to put my favorite photographs from my travels onto a website, to see whether they might inspire someone.

Someone other than me.

I had a vision that was not perfectly formed, and no sense of entrepreneurship whatsoever. My goal was simply to share the snapshots that I had collected with the world, to hopefully evoke feeling through my photographic perspective, and to connect with people who loved what I loved -  places, color, details and the simple beauty of daily life.
​
I launched my online shop and my blog simultaneously, taking a deep breath and a great big leap, putting myself and my photography out there for the world to see. 

In blog posts, I started to share the moments and feelings behind my images, conveying what stopped me in my tracks, what I felt was a beautiful moment and a beautiful place.
​
I have always said that when I first launched my website and shop, I did not have a clue that what I was launching was (also) a business. I was a full-time PhD candidate in neurolinguistics; my head was immersed in science – theories, hypotheses, brain waves, syntax, statistics… But I’d always had a creative counterpart to this scientific soul – I had always been a writer, filling notebooks without the constraints of margins or lines, blogging for my university, dreaming up jobs that were unconventional for a tenure-track scientist. I had also always been a traveler, and even more so thanks to my scientific career. 

So, it seemed only natural that Veni Etiam existed on the side, coaxing me now and then to pay more attention to it, to help it grow beyond that initial circle of friends, colleagues and acquaintances who excitedly supported this inspiring endeavor.

I remember the first connections I made with strangers who discovered Veni Etiam. I carefully watched their reactions, carefully listened to the words they used to describe what they saw and what it made them feel. To me, it was my perspective, my experiences, my story. I knew my images by heart. I had given them each a title that meant something to me. To them, it was fresh, different, beautiful, colorful, inspiring. I remember feeling disbelief and belief all at once, that I could reach people in this way, that they saw value in what I created. They found themselves in the images, the perspective, the titles and the captions. They chose what represented them. They shared their own travel stories and bucket-list aspirations with me.

​Unexpectedly, the Etsy Montreal community took me under their wing. I don’t even remember how I first discovered the team, but the artisan community blew me away. There was so much to learn, and so much know-how to pass onto others. I volunteered my time for a year and eventually was recruited as one of the team leaders.

After graduating with my PhD, I devoted more time to Veni Etiam. The more time I spent on it, the more I fell in love with the journey.
​
I fell in love with creating something that comes from me but resonates with you, and am so touched when you say I helped you find something that inspires you daily or solves a hurdle in your decor. 

I fell in love with the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and all the different hats we wear – design, production, shop manager, marketing manager, sales rep, customer service rep, events rep, accountant, photographer… tasks with which to easily fill a 60-hour week!

I fell in love with the feeling that running my business gives me – the daily ingenuity, flexibility, connection, learning, decision-making, experimenting, risk-taking and re-assessing that comes with the territory, often pushing me outside of my comfort zone and sometimes causing me a heck of a ton of stress, but also allowing me to carve a life that is centered on creativity, connection and balance.  

This year, I have lofty goals for Veni Etiam and I know that there will also be many unexpected twists and turns along the way to make the story all the more interesting!

To all of you who have been on this journey since day one, I’m so grateful to have had you by my side! To those of you I met along the way – thank you so much for making a little room for me in your lives.

​To those of you who have just stumbled upon Veni Etiam, there’s so much to discover, so please stick around. You can follow this blog, and my daily posts on Instagram and Facebook. Heck, you can even become a VIP and be privy to newsletters and coupons!

To my fellow artists and entrepreneurs: I’m so honored to be among you, to learn along with you – often through you.

To anyone with big dreams and multiple passions that can seem (to others or to yourself) as irreconcilable: don’t doubt, just do.
​Only then can you really find yourself. ​

If you know me a little already, you know that I'm a creative soul and a scientist bottled into one. This week, I was interviewed by the McGill Reporter about how I balance science, art and entrepreneurship, in the context of an event happening at my alma mater called "Artists Among Us" on November 1st. This annual show and sale celebrates students, staff, faculty and alumni members of the McGill community who, in addition to their academic careers, are passionate about creating art. 

I truly enjoyed answering Neale McDevitt's interview questions for his article, as I have been reflecting a lot lately on the intersection of my scientific and artistic careers. 

We compared their native (Italian) and second-language (English) to native-speakers of each language, as well as to second-language learners of Italian. Our aim was to study whether, and in which areas, changes might occur in how a native-language is used and processed due to influence of a second-language and due to factors related to the individual’s experience (e.g., age of learning, amount of exposure, length of residence, etc.) ​

Veni Etiam Photography is a fine-art photography shop where I sell my local and international travel photography as wall art and other home decor products. My mission is to inspire and transport people with a piece of art that represents who they are, where they have been and where they dream of going. I transform the photographs I have taken in our city and all over the world into innovative wall art (on paper, canvas, aluminum, acrylic, wood), designer furniture (coffee tables) and small gift items like coasters, notebooks and magnets. There is something in my shop for every decor, mood, memory or dream. Veni Etiam is a Latin phrase meaning "return again". No place is ever the same (and neither are we) and therein lies the beauty of returning. I have an online shop and an Etsy shop where the full collection can be found. Several Montreal shops carry images from my local collection, and I participate in markets and shows in Quebec and Ontario year-round. 

It’s hard to tell. I have almost always been academically-minded and passionate about a career in science; I was the girl who carried an encyclopedia in her backpack and asked her 4th grade teacher whether she could do independent “research” while her peers did their schoolwork! But I have also been very creative from a very young age. I haven’t always been a photographer. Rather, my first and favorite form of art is writing. I have always filled notebooks with ideas, impressions and recollections.

​After my B.Sc from McGill, I moved to Europe for two years to pursue an unconventional M.Sc program in three European countries. My parents gave me my first digital camera as a “bon voyage” gift. Those travels enabled me to write, but also to discover a new form of storytelling -- photography. I learned mostly by doing, until photography became so natural to my daily routine that it changed the way my eyes were accustomed to seeing the world. As I conducted a part of my PhD research abroad and travelled to international scientific conferences, I collected more photographs and stories to tell. For this reason, I always say that my career in science fueled my art and accelerated my vision for an online art shop, culminating in its launch during the most intensive part of my PhD (data analysis and manuscript-writing). 

​As both creative and scientific sides are deeply ingrained in me, I feel like I need both to thrive. I remember when I first launched my shop, my mind was suddenly on fire with ideas both for my dissertation and my art. I don’t believe in dichotomies, and I think that if we look around, nobody in our circle is all one thing or all another. For as long as I can remember, I have been fervently interested in multiple things. My B.Sc course-list included both Neuroscience and Venetian Art History! I could imagine my life going a whole bunch of different ways (and still can).

​I think we all have this in us, perhaps some of us more than others, and it’s more about following the drive to pursue those interests to see where they might lead, what we might learn, how we might impact others. That is what has led me to have an unconventional academic experience, where I was involved in so many different initiatives and living in multiple places. People, including myself, have not easily been able to fit me into a box, and I consider that both a great blessing and a great challenge, primarily because of expectations we are confronted with all the time. In academia, there are certain expectations of you and what your path should be, and the artistic community also has expectations of your approach to your craft. A track is often seen as a linear trajectory, and any deviation as unfocused or a waste of skill. But, truthfully, the only waste I see is a calling or opportunity not explored.

Yes, there are aspects of art and science that intersect for me, because both are infused with my interests, skills and experiences. Everything I have learned along the way gets transferred into whatever I am doing. I think there is as much room for creativity in science as there is room for a strategic approach in creative endeavors. I unexpectedly became fascinated by business and marketing over the last two years. In business, just like in science, I am organized, analytical and data-driven. My scientific training has helped my business planning, in determining what I wanted to offer, the problems I wanted to solve, the niche I wanted to carve and who my audience is. In both art and science, ideas come naturally for me, whereas the technical skills take more practice to master. In both, I have the same work ethic, and I value networking and training experiences because there is always more to learn.
​
I am about to launch a second business that allows me to combine all these facets of me and all my scientific and creative skills. I hope it will work out because that would be a real dream.

​The biggest gift my art has brought me is the heartwarming and motivating feeling of having inspired others. I love witnessing shoppers’ reactions to my artwork in person, which is why I pack my schedule with as many local events as I can handle! Knowing that something that inspired me at the time has touched someone else and is now part of their everyday space is a special feeling. I love the connections I have made with clients through my work online or in person. I genuinely enjoy helping them put together a gallery wall for their home, knowing that together we are creating a space that will be their sanctuary and bring them joy. 

Thank you to Neale McDevitt from the McGill Reporter for this fun interview!

In case you missed it: I got to cross off a destination from my bucket-list!

I just returned from Havana, and shared my impressions in words and photographs of the city in my previous blog post. 

And now, I'm extremely excited to launch my new Havana collection, which aims to convey the mood and raw beauty that La Habana radiates. 

Here are the images that are new in shop, and which could be ordered on paper, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood. 

This collection really excites me, not only because I've always wanted to discover Havana, but also because of all the senses and feelings I aimed to capture forever.

The collection is not yet in my art shop or on Etsy. I’m offering FIRST PICK and 20% off to my VIPs until August 25th.

Not on my VIP list? You’re missing out. Join here.

From my heart to yours.

This past spring, I was proud to be one of the participating artisans of the One of a Kind Spring Show. I met so many wonderful people during the show, and our conversations about travels and life were mutually inspiring. It made me happy when they found a piece of the world (and of my heart) to take home with them, but I have ESPECIALLY loved hearing from them after the show. I love it when they tell me where the piece hangs and how it brings them joy every time their eyes land on it, or how my art and my stories offer a perspective that they may have missed before. 

It is for this precious "connectedness" that I was so excited to set up my *new* One of a Kind Online Shop.

​Now, show-goers (and anyone, of course!) can easily find me year-round. 

Here's a peek:

If you are stumbling upon Veni Etiam for the first time, WELCOME! Through my travel photographs from near and far, my mission is to inspire and transport you, while enlivening your space. Each piece can be created for you on canvas, aluminum, acrylic, wood or fine-art paper, in the size of your choice. There is something for every decor, mood, memory or dream.

On the OOAK shop, you'll find a selected collection of my prints and wall art from Montreal, Toronto, parts of Europe and Asia, and - coming very soon - Havana. 

So, until we meet again at a future OOAK show, you know where to find me! 

From my heart to yours.

As part of my brand new "Feature Friday" project to highlight inspiring members of the community, I interviewed Canadian author Jeremy Ethan Cohen to discuss his intriguing first novel "An Apocalyptic Legend".

Jeremy is an ESL teacher at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in Montreal, and has been writing for as long as he can remember. While unpublished short stories and a children's book are tucked away in his home office, "An Apocalyptic Legend" is his first work to grace the shelves of several Montreal bookstores. Jeremy describes the novel as a descriptive, multilayered psychological fantasy, and gave me a tour of its style, themes and his process of writing in our interview. 

WITHOUT SPOILERS, WHAT IS THE STORY ABOUT?
In short, after a battle between divinities, one god has resurfaced and is trying to manipulate an individual to bring about the end of the world. Two adolescents have discovered what is going on and are trying to stop this from happening.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES IT SPECIAL AS A STORY?
I don’t think it’s a story that’s been told before, with its own organic twists, turns and unpredictability. Once you’ve finished reading it, you might feel a sense of satisfaction at seeing at how it all wraps up.

WHAT GENRE DO YOU THINK YOUR NOVEL FITS MOST IN? 
I like to call it a psychological fantasy, but it also mixes the mythological and spiritual. Plus, the style could be considered Gothic, to an extent, because of the tone and descriptiveness.

IF YOU THINK OF YOUR STORY, WHAT 3 WORDS COME IMMEDIATELY TO MIND? 
Complex, intriguing and descriptive.

YOU SAY YOUR BOOK IS MULTILAYERED. CAN YOU ELABORATE A BIT ON THAT?
I think the book looks at different levels of consciousness, awareness – so, levels of the psyche, in a way. Plus, there’s an understated level of magic, not quite at the forefront but which plays an important part nonetheless.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MOST POWERFUL THEMES IN YOUR STORY?
Faith, brotherhood, memory.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PASSAGE IN THE BOOK?
I always think of one chapter. I like the imagery, the emotion, the raw naivety of one particular character in the scene. It takes place in a sort of purgatory.

IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE STORY THAT SURPRISED YOU OR TOOK A DIFFERENT TURN THAN YOU EXPECTED?
As I was writing, sometimes something would happen that would actually surprise me. It’s like the ideas were coming out and taking the plot in an unexpected direction. But, I can’t fully answer this question without giving too much away. Once finished, and seeing how the plot wrapped up, I was surprised to see little connections throughout the book that I hadn’t intentionally planned out.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR WRITING A BOOK?
I had originally written it as a short story. Then, one day, it’s like a door opened and I saw its potential and where it could go. From that point on my only inspiration was getting the story out, which was just pure enjoyment.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE IT? 
About six years. I’m quite a slow, meticulous writer. I started it back when I was at Concordia University – I spent a lot of time writing rather than studying!

WHAT AUTHORS OR STORIES DO YOU THINK HAVE SHAPED YOU AS AN AUTHOR?
Frank Herbert’s Dune, for instance, and other novels with the themes of “destiny” or “fate”. Also, Ursula Le Guin, especially for her Earthsea novels.

WHAT HAVE YOU READ THAT HAS MADE YOU CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION ON FICTION?
For one, Alfred Bester’s The Demolished Man. It pushed me to look at the depth writing, the subtext and subtleties. I believe An Apocalyptic Legend has a multileveled style, which asks the reader to be a bit patient and attentive. Also, Margaret Atwood’s novels – her writing technique is at a level that awes and inspires me.

ARE THERE AUTHORS YOU DISLIKED AT FIRST BUT THEN GREW INTO?
Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and other Gothic literature. When I got more and more into reading classic science fiction, fantasy and horror, I picked up Poe’s stories again and really started to appreciate how the English language could be manipulated and used with such complexity and beauty. I started to see how English could be used in a more nuanced way.

YOUR STORY HAS POWERFUL CHARACTERS. HOW DID YOU CREATE THEM?
I’ve always been drawn to characters that are wise beyond their years – how knowledge and intelligence sets them apart, but brings with it challenges and conflict.

DO THEY REMIND YOU OF OTHER CHARACTERS OR ANYONE YOU KNOW? 
As I was writing, I didn’t have anyone in mind, but after rereading and talking about it with others who have read it, I realized, hey, there are people from my life who helped to form some characters.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES YOUR CHARACTERS RELATABLE FOR YOUR READERS?
Due to the conflicts they face, the devotion and emotions they feel, and the difficult choices they have to make.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF WRITING FOR YOU? HOW DID THAT EVOLVE OVER THE COURSE OF WRITING YOUR NOVEL?
​I think the grinding attention to detail – in every sentence or bit of dialogue – makes the writing process emotionally demanding for me! In terms of how it evolved…I think after having finished writing An Apocalyptic Legend, I felt a sense of accomplishment and relief, but I am sure it will still take as much creative energy (maybe even more) to write my next book. I feel a bit of self-imposed pressure. I’m mulling over new ideas and am excited about continuing to write, but sometimes I feel even more critical towards my own writing.

WHAT IS THE IDEAL MARKET FOR YOUR BOOKS?
Older teens who are perceptive readers, and adults as well.

WHAT ELSE MIGHT YOUR READERS HAVE READ AND ENJOYED?Well, Dune and the Earthsea novels, as mentioned, because of the similar style, and how the reader can gather a lot from the subtext and insinuations.

IF YOU COULD COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR READERS, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
If you do choose to read my novel, give yourself a chance to get immersed in the story. If you feel that it’s at first challenging to read, I can pretty confidently tell you that you’ll find your rhythm and almost adapt to the style.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS AND DREAMS YOU HAVE FOR THIS NOVEL?
It would be great if a publisher picked it up. My immediate goal is just to get exposure and for people to read it, hopefully like it (haha!) and to, also hopefully, give me feedback.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
Well, I’ve got a sequel in mind. In the first story, fairly hefty decisions were made and I feel that there might be some fallout. The idea is still brewing, but I’m getting close to breaking the ice. I also have some short story ideas that I’d like to get started on. They’re all linked by a common theme, but I’d like to try writing each story in a separate style.​

For more about the book and upcoming events, follow Jeremy on his blog and Facebook page. You can currently find "An Apocalyptic Legend" at Chapters, Indigo Books & Music and Drawn & Quarterly in Montreal. Thank you, Jeremy, for such an interesting and insightful interview! 

Are you an artist, author, travel destination, restaurant or café and want your story to be featured in "Feature Friday"? Send me a message and I'll share how it works! 

The "Vague de Concours" is a community initiative with a twofold mission: to help shoppers discover entrepreneurs from the province of Quebec, and to instill a feeling of solidarity and mutual support among local entrepreneurs. 

Launched last year by Karine Foisy, owner of Veille sur Toi, the Vague de Concours is essentially a series of giveaways happening in tandem among hundreds of entrepreneurs and artists in Quebec, following a common theme. Each participating business offers a free product that fits the designated theme, and shoppers can enter as many contests as they wish, on each individual business Facebook page. The official page of the Vague de Concours - Créateurs québécois showcases the hundreds of giveaways in one common photo album - a beautiful testament to all the talent in our province and a fantastic opportunity to shop local.

There are 4 giveaway waves per year, and the summer wave is HAPPENING NOW, between June 26th (8pm ET) and June 30th (8pm ET). 

The theme of this first giveaway wave is "Black & Blanc". About 700 local creators are participating in this joint giveaway, and there is so much talent to discover! The contest is taking place over on Facebook, where the process is extremely simple for a chance to win.

Veni Etiam Photography is one of the participating businesses of the Vague de Concours. The prize to be won is "Lincoln Park" - a photographic print on satin paper of my melancholic friend in Chicago. Easy to frame and versatile for any style of decor - even a nursery! 

To participate in the giveaway:
- Head over to the Facebook page
- Like the post
- Leave a comment: Tell me where you would hang it!
- If you feel up to it, share the post to help others discover Veni Etiam Photography!

Don't forget to like the main page for the initiative Vague de concours - Créateurs québécois in order to be notified of future contest waves and to discover all the talented Quebec artists who are part of this giveaway.

GOOD LUCK!
​
From my heart to yours.

The toughest part about artistic collaborations is that you have to keep them a secret until the launch! As this new international project unfolded behind the scenes, it was difficult for me to contain my excitement, as this is the first home furniture design project that Veni Etiam has been part of in its short history. 

The concept was born out of the vision of an American duo of architects and designers, passionate about creating original home furniture that innovatively flips perspectives yet allows customers to enrich their space with furniture that reflects their own style. Together, Ann Clark and Lena Georas founded LAMOU design, creating designer tables that are as artistic as they are functional. 

"Tables are at the center of our living and working spaces. We gather around the table, bring things to the table, turn the tables: shouldn't tables reflect our spirit and personality? I think so." -- Ann F. Clark, LAMOU co-founder.

​Since the start of Veni Etiam Photography in 2015, my mission has been to combine art with innovation, offering my photographs in a range of mediums (paper, canvas, metal, acrylic and wood), so that you are able to customize the art to suit your own decor, dreams and moods. Your home is your sanctuary, after all, and it should reflect you. 

Having connected on Instagram and "met" face-to-face on Skype (long live technology in our modern world!), the LAMOU team and I instantly knew that we were a great fit and that together we could create an exclusive collection that would excite and inspire our followers.

Our tables come in 2 square sizes (15 or 20 inches) and one large rectangular size (23.4 x 47.5 inches). The height of all table models is 23 inches. The tabletop is made of solid (1-inch thick) Baltic wood. My digital photograph is directly printed (and UV-cured) onto the primed birch surface with a satin finish. The elegant hairpin legs are made of solid steel with a factory finish. 

The wood is primed before the photographs are printed onto it, so the finished product is almost perfectly loyal to the colors of the original image. Edge colors options include black, natural oak and folkstone grey. Hairpin legs are black by default but you may request custom order if you would like to change the leg color to suit your decor. ​There are 8 images in the permanent collection, but in the spirit of customization, you may request another Veni Etiam photograph on your table as a custom order for no extra charge!

​The tabletop is coated with a protective covering that basically makes it a giant coaster, already protected against spills. To clean, wipe with a soft damp cloth only. Although robust, your table should be treated with care and is intended for indoor use. Recommended maximum weight is 50 lbs. Your table will ship in two parts (tabletop + legs) delivered together. Easy assembly with handheld Philips head screwdriver (screws included).

As this is the fruit of a collaboration with LAMOU, these tables ship from the USA. Production time is approximately 2 weeks, and shipping times are estimated at 3-7 business days.

​Head here for more information and to shop the collection!

Ici vous trouverez toutes les informations en français. 

This past weekend, I spent hours immersed in writing. I let go of all those anchors that ground me to the 'real world' and relished being on a separate plane of existence for a while. As you may know, writing has always been my main passion (photography just kind of snuck its way in). I am excited to reveal that, over the past few months, I have (finally) been working on a book of travel stories told in words, rather than photos. 

I won't reveal the title or concept of the book just yet (but you can subscribe here for updates on the book and special sneak peeks!). However, this Monday's inspiration comes from 5 key places that have a special place in the book. 

Have a smooth week!

From my heart to yours.

La fin de semaine prochaine, celle de la Fête des Mères (13-14 mai), On Sème organise leur 3ème Marché de Mai à Montréal. C'est l'occasion parfaite pour accueillir (finalement) le printemps et d'acheter des semis, des fleurs, des produits gastronomiques, des thés et des créations uniques conçues par 40 créateurs montréalais.

​L'entrée est gratuite et l'ambiance est familiale. C'est l'occasion idéale pour trouver un beau cadeau pour gâter Maman (et pourquoi pas vous gâter aussi?!)

Provenant directement de la Concordia Greenhouse, l'équipe de City Farm School vous offrira des semis de tous vos légumes: aubergines, betteraves, brocoli, cerises de terre, choux de Bruxelles, choux, chou-fleur, chou-rave, chou kale, fenouil, haricots, oignons, piments forts, poireau, poivrons, tomates, concombres, melons, citrouilles, courges, ainsi que plein de verdures, de fines herbes et des fleurs à découvrir sur place.

Vous pourriez aussi acheter des billets pour 5 ateliers:

• 13 mai, 12-12h30pm. Atelier-midi sur l'intervention par le jardinage (Pierre-Vincent Breault)
• 13 mai, 14-15h. Gestion du stress, énergie, concentration et plantes médicinales (Marie-Josée Vivier)
• 14 mai, 11-12h30. Nutrition Workshop: A Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet (Danielle Levy, Registered Holistic Nutrition Practitioner)
• 14 mai, 13-14h30. DIY Affordable & Sustainable Cleaning Products (Pamela Filion)
• 14 mai, 13-15h. Culture de champignons à la maison (Guillaume Benoit)​

Vous y trouverez aussi une sélection variée d'entreprises montréalaises et leurs créations d'art, bijoux, fleurs, confitures, épices et d'autres produits gastronomiques. Pour voir la liste complète des artisans, consultez la description sur la page Facebook de l'événement. 

J'ai super hâte de passer mon weekend dans une atmosphère communautaire dynamique, entourée de plantes, de fleurs et de personnes sympathiques! Venez nous saluer et célébrer l'arrivée du printemps à Montréal.

On Mother's day weekend (May 13-14), On Sème will be hosting their 3rd annual May Market in Montreal. It's a wonderful opportunity to finally welcome spring and buy your seedlings, flowers, local food, teas and unique creations by 40 Montreal artists.

​The event is free, totally family-friendly and the perfect opportunity to find a meaningful gift for Mom -- and perhaps also a treat for yourself and your beautiful home!

Directly from the Concordia Greenhouse, the City Farm School team will provide thousands of ecological seedlings. There will be eggplants, beets, beans, broccoli, cherries, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale, fennel, onions, chilies, leek, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squash, and all sorts of greens, herbs and flowers to discover at the event.

The edible and permaculture plant nursery Neumark Design will also be on site, offering fruit and nut shrubs, perennial vegetables and flowers, tea and herb plants, mediterranean and tropical edibles, permaculture landscaping plants and more. MicroHabitat will also be offering compost, ecological fertilizers, pots, as well as gardening advice. 

There will also be 5 workshops you could purchase tickets to attend. 

• May 13, 12-12.30pm. Atelier-midi sur l'intervention par le jardinage (Pierre-Vincent Breault)
• May 13, 2-4pm. Gestion du stress, énergie, concentration et plantes médicinales (Marie-Josée Vivier)
• May 14, 11-12.30pm. Nutrition Workshop: A Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet (Danielle Levy, Registered Holistic Nutrition Practitioner)
• May 14, 1-2.30pm. DIY Affordable & Sustainable Cleaning Products (Pamela Filion)
• May 14, 3-5pm. Culture de champignons à la maison (Guillaume Benoit)

A diverse selection of Montreal artists will be selling art prints, jewelry, flowers, jams, spices and other food items. To see the full list of exhibiting artists, hit "see more" in the description of the Facebook event page. 

What I am most looking forward is spending my weekend in a vibrant community atmosphere, surrounded by plants, flowers and kind people. Come say hi and celebrate spring in Montreal.