Life Abroad

Happy Weekend!

2012-05-18T13:23:00.000-04:00

Enjoy your (long) weekend! I’ll be spending time outdoors with family, bike-riding along canals, and trying out some new recipes from this book. Have a good one!

photo from Johnson Canyon on our trip out West

Wonderful Whistler

2012-05-17T13:11:00.000-04:00

While a quicker route to Vancouver would have been to cut straight through the mountains, stopping in the Okanagan Valley for the evening, we decided to drive up to Whistler instead. Site of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Whistler hosted many of the skiing and snowboarding events, and is often called one of the world’s best ski resorts. We stayed at the Pan Pacific hotel, right in the hear of Whistler village, and had dinner at Ric’s Grill. I tried the blue rare ahi tuna and was pleasantly surprised by the spicy wasabi and ginger rub!

The next day was spent sipping cappuccinos at the base of the hill, watching skiers and snowboarders take the lift up the mountain. I was amazed and impressed by the tiny skiers, some as young as 2 years old, who would zip down the hill with no fear and impeccable technique! Whistler is an interesting blend of people – wealthier families with ski chalets who drive up from Vancouver to hit the slopes, mixed with young twenty-somethings from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand who work in the resorts and snowboard throughout the season. Whistler Village has great little shops, world-class restaurants, and beautiful accommodations. I can just imagine how bustling and vibrant the village must have been during the Olympics!

An Unexpected Landscape

2012-05-17T09:30:00.000-04:00

When I planned my trip out West, I naturally expected to see snow-capped mountains and tall evergreen forests. What I didn’t expect to see were rolling hills dotted with desert-like shrubbery, tiny cacti, and tumbleweeds. Just before entering Lillooet, British Columbia, driving along the Caribou Goldrush Trail, we were smack-dab in the middle of cowboy country. It felt like being in Arizona or New Mexico! I had no idea that such a unique landscape would be sandwiched between the snowy Rockies of Banff and Whistler. What this trip made me realize is how vast, diverse, and unique each area of Canada is. From the lobster harbours of the Eastern Canada, to the desert-like landscape of Eastern British Columbia, and the snowy bits in between, our country’s landscape is as unique as the people that inhabit it. Driving along this stretch of highway, inhabited largely by First Nations people, was especially interesting for me since I studied Aboriginal law last year. To read of land claims in our property class, and then drive through those very areas, was eye-opening and put everything into perspective. Canada is So. Beautiful. I’m clearly a proud Canadian, eh?

Canadian Wildlife Spottings

2012-05-16T09:16:00.000-04:00

I was so surprised by the amount of wildlife we saw while travelling across Alberta and British Columbia! Keeping my eyes peeled for all the animals turned out to be one of my favourite parts of our trip. From the big-eared, wide-eyed deer grazing at the side of the road, to the prairie dogs (as many as 20 of them) popping out of the holes near a rest-stop (a la “whack-a-mole”), it was fun to check the guide-books and tick off which animals we saw. The elusive moose and black bear were never seen, unfortunately! Next time hopefully :)

Mountain Sheep (above) in the Banff National Park

A herd of Elk in near the Banff Springs Golf Course

Tiny little red squirrel near Johnson Canyon

Prairie dogs (or ground squirrels) somewhere along the road

Lovely Lake Louise

2012-05-15T08:58:00.000-04:00

We said goodbye to Banff and drove to lovely Lake Louise, Alberta. On our drive, we passed under a few wildlife highway overpasses in the Banff National Park. Put in place along the TransCanada highway, these overpasses (and many underpasses), allow animals to safely cross the roads, cutting down on animal-vehicle collisions. Unfortunately we didn’t see any animals passing as we drove under, but I can imagine that seeing a family of bears or deer crossing above you would be quite the sight!

The turquoise blue waters of Lake Louise were frozen over when we visited, but it was still a breathtaking sight to see. Since it’s a major tourist attraction, I would recommend visiting before 11am or after 5pm to avoid the tour buses and crowds. We spent the afternoon having lunch at the Chateau Lake Louise, which offered a yummy gluten-free menu and unobstructed views of the lake.

I think Lake Louise is the perfect afternoon stop, if you’re traveling near the Banff area. In the summertime the views are amazing, and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a magical hotel (I felt like it was something out of Beauty and the Beast!) to enjoy a cuppa.

Beautiful Banff

2012-05-14T11:30:00.001-04:00

After flying from Toronto to Calgary, we drove directly to Banff, Alberta. Banff is a beautiful town nestled in the Rocky Mountains, and is home to the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel (pictured above). The hotel, styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle and built in 1888, is located in the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We spent an evening at the Banff Springs, swimming in the outdoor heated pools (even though it was freezing outside!), and enjoying coffees at the Waldhaus pub. I loved exploring the vast hallways of the old hotel, which truly feels like a castle retreat in the Canadian wilderness.

The next morning we took a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain. Looking down through the glass of the gondola, we spotted bear paw tracks (the black bears were just coming out of hibernation while we were out West, causing people to caution us more than once about their presence). At the top of the mountain, we walked from peak to peak across a wooden pathway, as snow fell softly around us. It was so quiet up there, and with 360 degree views of the mountains, it was easily one of the prettiest sights I’d ever seen.

On our way out of Banff, we spotted an elk nestled in the forest near the Banff Springs golf course. As we slowed down the car, and I began snapping shots, more and more heads turned. There were about 50 elk laying down in the forest, camouflaged in such a way that it made it difficult initially to discern how many animals there were. We were astounded by the size of the herd, and by their calm yet powerful presence. From the beautiful elegance of the Banff Springs hotel, to the harsh beauty of the mountains filled with wildlife, Banff was the perfect place to start our Western Canada adventure.

Across the Country

2012-05-12T16:05:00.001-04:00

I just got back from a beautiful and relaxing vacation across Western Canada. After finishing my first year of law school, a week of stunning scenery, delicious meals, and new places to explore was bliss. It’s hard to believe that the last time I posted was back in February. Reading cases and the scenery at the library don’t make for good blog posts though :) I’ll be back this week with more on our trip, including the amazing wildlife I saw, my thoughts on Vancouver, and the prettiest hotel nestled in the mountains.

Happy Mother’s Day to my sweet Mom, and all the other mothers out there. No one can make me laugh like my Mom, and I’m so grateful to get to talk with her every evening, and learn from her constantly.

Only in Holland

2012-02-07T13:45:00.000-05:00

A perfect way to enjoy the winter in the Netherlands - on an ice-cold terrace sipping a toasty cup of hot Chocomel (a wonderful syrupy hot chocolate drink). A Dutch friend of mine had tagged this photo on her Facebook page, and I couldn't help but marvel at how the Dutch are masters at enjoying life. It's freezing cold? No biggie, we'll just build an ice-patio and serve our customers outside! All seasons, if it's sunny, the Dutch are out and enjoying the weather. In a land plagued with lots of rain, I guess taking advantage of the dry days is a necessity.

photo via leiden.vandaag.nl

more travel palettes

2012-02-01T15:18:00.000-05:00

More travel palettes today, this time from Paris, Malta, Cuba, and Mallorca. I’m loving the Paris palette for my living room, but there’s something so graphic about the blue and green of Mallorca that would look great with a fresh white sofa.

travel palettes

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

Since I’m always trying to infuse the feel of the places I’ve been into my everyday life, I thought I’d create some travel palettes from some of my favourite destinations. Isn’t it interesting how the colours of each city are so distinct? I remember visiting Cinque Terre in Italy, and marveling at the beautiful pink, yellow and turquoise buildings. Amsterdam also had a colour palette of its own – mostly darker, earthy tones. I especially loved the black brick buildings there. I’m thinking of a picking out a travel palette for the next time I re-decorate…I’m kind of drawn to the Munster palette, since I’m loving all things mustard these days.

Do you connect colours to certain places? What would you say is the “colour” of the place you live? I’m thinking Toronto is red, grey, and navy blue.

have a relaxing weekend

2012-01-27T13:26:00.001-05:00

This weekend I’m making home-made gluten-free pizza with spinach and mushrooms and watching Crazy, Stupid, Love. I’m also looking forward to wandering around the St. Lawrence Antique market on Sunday morning, and finishing the latest John Grisham novel.

Hope your weekend is relaxing and productive (and that you don’t get too much snow!)

[ photo via ]

Quintessential Cottage Country

2012-01-23T22:15:00.001-05:00

Quintessential Cottage Country – that’s how National Geographic Traveler magazine described Muskoka, Ontario, when it included it in its “Best of the World: Must-See Places for 2012” list, which was featured in the Nov-Dec 2011 issue. The article describes Muskoka, a place I am very familiar with, as “the heart of Ontario’s cottage country.” I grew up visiting the cottages of friends in Muskoka, which is a 2.5 hour drive north of Toronto. Later, in University, I worked for two summers as a live-in nanny to a family who summered there. It was, without a doubt, the most picturesque and relaxing way to spend the summer. Even the drive up to Muskoka, often dead-locked on the highway with other Torontonians trying to make it up to their cottages for the weekend, held the promise of something great. Visiting Muskoka is the archetypical Canadian way to spend a summer – boating, having bonfires, and relaxing on the dock in a Muskoka chair. There’s so much to do in the 2500-square-mile area, which is dotted with lakes, waterfalls, and rivers. I was so happy to see that it made the National Geographic list – it’s such a mixture of old-school charm and high-end real estate, chic shops, and some of the best resorts around.

When I was a nanny, my days were filled with children’s sailing, tennis, and golf lessons at the nearby country club. Afterwards, we would go swimming in the lake, make friendship bracelets on the hammock, and collect wild blueberries that hung to the rocky cliffs. Those were magical summers, and every year I try to make it a point to visit up there. Port Carling is a great town to visit – lots of nice patios and independently-owned shops. You can venture there by boat or by car, and easily walk the little town in an afternoon. Tours of the lakes, and the gorgeous cottages that dot them (ahem – that’s a boat house in the photo above, not the actual cottage (!!)) can be purchased through Lady Muskoka Cruises, or the traditional Segwun steamship. Resorts like Taboo and Touchstone offer great amenities, like infinity pools and modern décor, while the traditional Windermere House has been a favourite place for families visiting Muskoka for decades. If you’re traveling with children, there’s even a Santa’s Village amusement park that operates in the summer!

My favourite time of day in Muskoka is the early morning, when the boats haven’t begun their rides on the lake, and the sea-planes have not yet landed. The water is glassy and black, and occasionally a loon will cut through it as it floats by, creating ripples that spread across the surface. Sitting on the dock in the early morning, bundled up in a sweatshirt with a cup of coffee, is such a peaceful time. And at night, it seems like you can see all the stars in the galaxy – I’ve never seen stars as bright as those up in Muskoka. So while I’ve heard some grumblings about National Geographic’s inclusion of Muskoka on its recent travel list (i.e. “oh no, our real estate prices will go up! it will become more expensive to find accommodations than it already is!”), I think it’s great that Muskoka was included – everyone should get the chance to experience the slow-paced, sometimes luxurious, way of life that Muskoka has to offer.

Photo Credits: 1 2 (clockwise from top left):3 4 5 6

Inside Alcatraz

2012-01-22T23:10:00.001-05:00

With the start of the new primetime show Alcatraz, which I watched for the first time tonight on Citytv.com, I started thinking back to my trip to The Rock last December, and how I never posted any pictures from Alcatraz on here. Visiting San Francisco last year, I knew that the one “must-see” for me was Alcatraz. Even though countless locals had told me to skip The Rock, as it was too touristy to be worth the ticket price, I knew I desperately wanted to go.

We booked our tickets in advance, through the Alcatraz Cruises website, since we had heard that tickets sell out quickly, especially on weekends. Tours run from 9:10am to 1:55pm, and then there are night tours which begin at 4:20pm on some nights. A night tour would definitely be a fun (and eerie) option, and if I’m ever lucky enough to be back in San Francisco one day, I will be sure to book one. We ended up going on the morning tour though, at 9:10am, figuring it would be less crowded when exploring the island.

Ever since watching the Shawshank Redemption as a kid, I have had a fascination with prison movies - for me, listening to the audio tours at Alcatraz was a treat. So many stories lie behind the bars at Alcatraz, and the history of the island and those who lived on it (other than the prisoners) was so interesting to listen to. The children of the guards and prison staff actually lived on the island, and took the boat across the water to go to school each morning. Can you imagine what that must have been like?

I found our trip to Alcatraz to be eerily wonderful, and it was definitely a high-light of my time in San Francisco. It was a rainy, dreary day, and a thick blanket of fog covered the city. I remember being astonished at the beautiful vegetation that covered the island now, especially the wonderful succulents hugging the rocky cliffs.

Here are some helpful tips for visiting The Rock:

- We stayed on the island for about 2 hours. Coupled with getting on the boat and waiting times, the whole excursion took us about 3 hours. If you’re super interested in the island, you can stay as long as you’d like, with the last departure being 4:25pm.

- If you’re looking for a fun “experience” while at The Rock, ask to be locked up in D Block, in one of the solitary confinement cells. The “guard” will lock you (and fellow brave tourists) in “the hole” in complete darkness. Seriously, I thought this would be fun. Unfortunately, after we were left in there a leeeetle too long, I started to get nervous! I guess it makes the experience feel more authentic?? Think twice about doing this if you’re a chicken like me :)

- Bring some food and drinks with you, which you can eat on the dock. Food is prohibited on the grounds of Alcatraz, but after a morning of exploring, we were glad to have packed some granola and bottled water.

- It’s slippery! If you’re there on a damp day like we were (and let’s face it, San Francisco commonly has these wet weather days), make sure to watch your footing. The pathways are a bit rugged and kind of slick, so wearing good walking shoes with some grip on the bottoms is a good idea.

- Bring photo ID when picking up your tickets (it’s required), and leave the bulky backpacks or luggage at home (they’re prohibited).

- Do listen to a walking tour. It was so interesting to hear, through their own words, the stories of some of the individuals who lived and worked at Alcatraz. It’s guided in a way that makes the crowds spread out and creates a steady, even-paced flow of people, so you never feel like you’re in the way of others, or that you can’t see something.

Anybody watching Alcatraz the tv series? I’m not sure what to think about it yet… Seems a bit far-fetched for my liking, but it’s definitely cool to see the scenic shots of San Francisco and Alcatraz.

Welcome 2012!

2012-01-09T07:26:00.002-05:00

We celebrated 2012 at my friend's new condo – drinking Niagara wines, playing hilarious board games (like Taboo and Things in a Box), and snacking on a wonderful spread put out by Courtney. We rang in the new year with funny hats and scenes of Time Square in NYC.

2011 was an interesting year for me. So much happened, it was definitely one of those transition years. I graduated from my MBA program and started law school. I moved to Toronto full-time, and decorated a cute little studio apartment. I made new friends and got to spend lots of time with my sweet niece and nephew. I learned to knit (thanks Yvonne!), cycled from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario with my Dad, and worked at some amazing organizations (like Big Brothers Big Sisters).

2012 is sure to be exciting (at least I’m hoping it is!). My resolution? Be kind to those closest to me, for at the end of the day, they are all that matter.

Holiday Vacation

2012-01-07T00:06:00.002-05:00

This Christmas holiday, I had three weeks of vacation from law school. When I started my Christmas vacation, I could not fathom having enough activities to keep me busy. I didn’t know what to do with myself! The first few mornings when I woke up, I kept having to tell myself, “It’s ok, there is nothing you need to be doing…just relax and enjoy!” Easier said than done. All in all, I think I did a pretty good job of just relaxing and enjoying :) When there was a lull in the excitement around my parent’s house, I seemed to resort to baking, and whipped up two cheesecakes, popcorn peanut butter balls, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, French onion soup, turkey meatballs with cranberry dipping sauce, and sautéed potatoes during my stay. Needless to say my parents aren’t looking forward to me leaving any time soon!

This Christmas was different in many ways. It didn’t snow. At all. In fact, today was so warm it felt like the middle of October! It was the first Christmas where Maxx, my nephew, actually knew what was going on. Maxx and Kendra, my niece, made our Christmas amazing – at ages 2 and 3, they were so much fun to watch open presents! We spent Christmas morning at my Grandma’s house, eating breakfast with extended family, whereas we normally spend it at home. We Skyped with my Oma from Prince Edward Island, as she couldn’t come to visit us this year.

Hope you all had wonderful holidays, and I wish you all the best in 2012…and thank you again for your continued support and encouragement in this blogging world xo

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T23:15:00.001-05:00

It has been a long time since I last posted on this blog, but I wanted to say happy holidays to all my lovely readers around the world. So much has changed in my life in the last few months – a new school, a new city, a new boyfriend, new hobbies, and new experiences. It has been a busy whirlwind, filled with excitement, challenges, and lots of life’s little lessons. This Christmas break, I’m looking forward to spending relaxing time at home, reading John Grisham’s The Litigators, baking lots of gluten-free treats, and seeing my niece and nephew. Our festivities start tomorrow, since we celebrate mostly on Christmas Eve. I’ve already baked these and these, both delicious!

Last weekend, I visited Toronto’s Distillery District Christmas Market with my parents. It was freeeezing cold, but made the atmosphere just that much more Christmas-y. We browsed the market stalls and art galleries, looked at the amazing Christmas decorations, and tried a few treats from the stands. Highly recommend visiting next year – it’s the closest thing we have in Canada to those wonderful Christmas markets that pop up around Europe!

Below are my Christmas presents, wrapped and ready to go with recycled snowflakes, paper, and old ribbons (plus cute print-out tags found on pinterest!).

May your holiday season be bright, and filled with all the things that make you happy!

My New Toronto Home!

2011-09-02T11:52:00.001-04:00

So I realize that I’ve been a horrible blogger this summer….and especially in the last few weeks…but I do have an excuse! I’ve been working full-time, and after work have been devoting my time to getting ready to move to Toronto! I moved in last weekend, and let me tell you, it feels amazing to have my very own condo in the city! It’s super-tiny (497 sq feet to be exact), and it’s only one room (plus a galley kitchen and bathroom)…but it’s all mine! Yay! Throughout the summer I was on a scavenger hunt to find pieces for my new place, all on a budget. I started out with a brown futon from my undergrad days, but wanted to create a black and white colour scheme. From there, I decided that a neutral palette of browns, creams, whites, and black would be appropriate. A little while ago I posted about how I found two Tiffany blue antique chairs on the side of the road, for free, and immediately decided to use them as an accent colour in the space. The only issue was that I still needed a table. With such a small space, I was really hoping to find a white bistro table with a pedestal base. The closest thing I could find was one at West Elm, but at $199, it was still way out of my price range. Two days before I was set to move to Toronto, my Mom and I were driving past an antique store, when I shouted “stop the car!” There, sitting on the sidewalk, was an adorable square kitchen table with two white chairs. I wasn’t too fond of the whole “country kitchen” look of the set, but for $30, and the impending move, I couldn’t be picky. Initially I was going to store away the two white chairs in my storage locker, but have since decided that a mismatched set of two Tiffany blue chairs and two white chairs looks really cute. I also painted the table legs black, as well as a black geometric pattern on the table top.

Another way I customized my apartment on the cheap was to make my own artwork. In my opinion, nothing pulls a room together faster than hanging some art. I used three pieces that I had previously made in art classes at school (like the Lenny Kravitz silhouette art that is blown up in my breakfast nook), and found the other frames in my house. To make cheap art, I just found images that I liked online, and printed them off on regular paper. Popping them into the frames instantly gave the look I was hoping for. I even created a print using Picnik, where I typed in various Amsterdam-related words in different fonts, set on a black background. This way I can easily change up the art whenever I feel like it, and it won’t cost me a cent. On my dresser I framed a picture I drew in Amsterdam one morning, staring out of my window.

By far the most costly item in my condo is this cow-skin rug from HomeSense. It was a splurge, (thanks Mom and Dad for the birthday present!), but instantly tied in the browns, creams, and black of the space. Plus it’s super-soft and silky, and is the perfect size for in front of my futon.

I had so many mismatched antique items that I was a bit worried how they would work together in the space. From this old coat-rack to a beautiful claw-footed half-moon table my Mom’s friend gave me, I wondered if the different colour woods would look ok. I think with the dark floor that they all tie in nicely, and give the space some character (nothing is worse, in my opinion, than walking into a house that looks completely from an IKEA catalog). I also brought along my Amsterdam table, that I brought home in a suitcase. For only 5 euro at a Queen’s Day sale, it was a great find from my time there. Now it houses my ceramic elephant and a little basket of change.

One of my favourite elements of the room is this custom bookshelf. Originally just a plain ole white bookshelf that I had in my bedroom for ages, I decided to give it a facelift by wall-papering the back. Since the width of the bookcase was more than the width of a roll of paper, I had to do some tricky lining up of the pattern, but I think it ended up matching pretty good. The owls are from an antique store, and were originally coloured. Made from chalk, they’re actually from the 1930s. I ended up negotiating and got them both for $20! A few coats of glossy white spray paint later, and they’re heavy book-ends or decorative pieces.

So, what do you think? Any tips for small-space living? I’m actually getting used to living in one room, and with a lot of organization and a place for everything, it’s surprisingly spacious!

happy weekend!

2011-08-12T17:13:00.001-04:00

{photo via}

Another week gone in the summer! Why is it going by so fast?! Can someone please make it slow down???

Hope your weekend is the perfect mix of fun and active, and relaxed and calming. I’m not sure what this weekend has in store for me, but after a crazy week, I’m really looking forward to some down-time. Enjoy yours!

PS. Don’t you love the wide-planked wooden floors and breezy white look of this room? Reminds me of being back in Amsterdam for sure…

Photo Flashback: Delft

2011-08-11T09:19:00.000-04:00

I’m sure all of you have seen the classic blue and white pottery, called Delft Blue Pottery, from the Netherlands. It is quintessentially Dutch, and is still made in the Dutch city of Delft. Just a few hours south of Amsterdam, Delft is a great place for a day-trip, and is easily accessible by train. It has world-class universities, and the most charming canals. I instantly fell in love with the slanting church, pottery tiles, and tiny streets. When my parents visited me in the Netherlands, we went to Delft and climbed the winding stairs to the top of the largest church tower. The views were remarkable, and I loved seeing the country from a different vantage point. If you’re ever in the Netherlands, Delft is definitely a city worth putting on your itinerary!

Kayaking

2011-08-10T09:03:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I went kayaking for the first time. It was fun, and although my shoulders were burning slightly, I just loved being out on the water. Even though I get sea-sick, this just reaffirmed that one day I should probably own a boat. There is something about the colour, smell, and sound of the water that is so soothing, don’t you agree?

When I move to Toronto in a few weeks, I will definitely be heading down to the Harbourfront Centre for long walks and trips to the marina.

Studio Apartment Inspiration

2011-08-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

On the weekend I got the keys to my new apartment in downtown Toronto. After a long time of searching, I finally found something that was a) not in a sketchy neighbourhood, b) clean, and c) affordable. Although some places were bigger than the apartment I decided to rent, they either didn’t have 24/7 security or were super-grungy with completely out-of-date kitchens, bathrooms, and appliances. The studio apartment I finally decided upon is absolutely beautiful. It’s only 500-square-feet, which makes it a tight squeeze. However, it has white Carerra marble countertops, a stainless steel backsplash, a marble bathroom with glass shower, and huge windows looking out to the city. So it feels bright and spacious, even though it’s not. Plus the way the lay-out is, it makes for numerous different furniture placements, which is a bonus.

On the weekend we spent a day cleaning, moving in boxes, and painting. I chose “white on white”, which is a warm white that instantly made the space feel less clinical. I have yet to move in all of my furniture, and will be doing that at the end of the month.

Initially I had wanted to do the entire space in black, white, brown, and cream. Very neutral. My couch is chocolate brown, and my linens will be white. But I also have a lot of black accent pieces, so that was where my “neutral” theme came from. All I needed was a small round table and two chairs for my breakfast nook! But then, one day on my drive home from work, I found two gorgeous antique wooden farm chairs sitting at the side of the road, painted in the most beautiful Tiffany blue. For free. Yes, I stopped my car, loaded them into my trunk, and had a nice chat with an elderly man who informed me they were dated back to the late 1800s. Amazing! Do you ever watch the show “American Pickers”? I definitely felt like a picker that day. So I brought them home and scrubbed them clean. The paint is chipping, and you can see layers upon layers of coloured paint peeking through. I love how the chairs come with their own personal history, and decided immediately not to pain them (I initially thought they would be gorgeous sprayed white). So now I have “Tiffany blue” as an accent colour in my space, which I think will work well.

When deciding which accent colour to throw in there, along with my neutrals and Tiffany blue, I thought honeysuckle pink might be nice. Just a pop here and there. Maybe a flower vase or a framed piece of pink fabric. What do you think? I will definitely keep the pink to a minimum, but I think it will be a nice contrast to the blue.

Here are some inspiration boards I’ve been using for my studio:

Have a great weekend!

2011-08-05T14:20:00.000-04:00

{photo via}

How amazing is this transparent kayak? I went kayaking for the first time last weekend and loved it. This weekend I’m attending my friend’s bridal shower (can you believe this is my first time attending a bridal shower for a friend?! I feel so old), getting the keys to my new studio apartment in Toronto, painting and cleaning the apartment, and hopefully eating lots of yummy gelato from our delicious neighbourhood gelateria. What are you up to this weekend? Hope it’s a good one.

Canal Days

2011-08-04T08:04:00.000-04:00

On the weekend I went to “Canal Days” held in Port Colborne, Ontario. Every year, the tall ships sail into the port, and tons of food vendors line the street. As we ate dinner at the Sugarloaf Marina on the outdoor terrace, we watched as the sky produced the most amazing show of colours. Shortly after the last sky picture was taken, that big line of rain washed over us, drenching everyone in a span of 5 minutes. Then, the rain cloud left as quickly as it came, and we were left with the most gorgeous balmy summer evening. The funnel cakes and elephant ears at the festival were seriously tempting me, and although I can’t eat gluten, I was considering it. They even had fried butter at one of the vendors, which was crazy disgusting. Has anyone ever tried that? I’m not sure I could. I don’t think there’s anything I enjoy more in the summers than walking through a street festival. Such great energy and always interesting people-watching haha. Any great festivals in your area?

Ch-ch-ch-changes

2011-08-03T18:50:00.001-04:00

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been so long since my last blog entry. Where did July go? I’m pretty sure I’ve never spent thaat much time away from my blog before, but somehow, I just couldn’t get a post together. A lot of changes have happened in my life this summer, some good, some not-so-good, and it’s definitely been a transitional period in my life. I’ve experienced heartbreak, incredible joy, immense gratitude, and liberating freedom all squished together against a back-drop of evening bike rides and trips to the market. Strange how sometimes different aspects of your life seem to fall apart at the same time, and then, when you least expect it, it all comes together again. I’ve learned that I am incredibly resilient, and have a definite knack for looking ahead and not dwelling on the past. I guess that’s a good thing, but sometimes it can make me feel a bit robotic. I mean, shouldn’t I be upset about certain things? I guess I’m just hard-wired to move ahead and look to the positives, which is a blessing. All I can say is that I’ve never been so grateful for my amazing family and friends as I have been this summer. I’m going to miss them terribly when I move to Toronto in a month!

Eek! Speaking of which, I just got the most *adorable* bachelorette apartment in downtown Toronto, and I cannot wait to decorate. I will probably be posting some interior design/décor stuff on the blog, just as a way to compile everything. I’ve already started pinning some things on my pinterest account, if you’d like to follow along. I’m pretty nervous, anxious, and excited to move into my first real place, on my own, in the big city. Be prepared for lots of Toronto posts, as I plan to go everywhere with my Nikon (for the first little while at least!).

Hope all of your summers have been going well, and if not, I hope you manage to find something positive in there.

Fourth of July 43km Bike Ride

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I had an amazing long weekend. Canada Day was beautiful, and the gorgeous weather made everything we did this weekend feel like summer! We spent most of our time at one lake or another (we live in the Great Lakes region of Canada). On July 4th, while our neighbours to the South were celebrating Independence Day (something we used to do when we lived in Kentucky), my Dad and I decided to take a bike ride. We have been training in the evenings and on weekends, cycling for roughly one hour a night. We usually go along the trail that runs the length of the Welland Canal. It’s really beautiful, and we see such interesting things while cycling…like baby rabbits, flocks of gold finches, and Canadian geese that sometimes hiss at us when we cross the path. For this bike ride, we rode from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The ride was 43km in length, and took us about 2.5 hours (we stopped along the way to take photos and for popsicles). We dipped our toes into Lake Erie in Port Colborne, and finished off the ride with our feet in Lake Ontario, on the beach of Port Weller in St. Catharines. It was great, and surprisingly not that exhausting! The only thing that was slightly uncomfortable were the gusting winds that never. let. up. But we made it! It was such a nice way to spend the day with my Dad, and feels great to accomplish the “lake-to-lake” ride along the H20 Highway.

View Lake to Lake Cycling Route in a larger map

Above, the photo is when we started in Port Colborne at Lake Erie. Below, we’re high-fiving having made it to Lake Ontario, 43 km later!

Hope you all had a great Canada Day and Fourth of July! What did you do this weekend?