hint o' the holidays

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Last night was the first night Nick & I were able to take some time to decorate. We're hosting a small gathering of close friends this weekend so it was time to get cracking! With some Christmas music in the background, and A LOT of laughs, we made some seriously cool bunting, and set up my baby tree. Above is a little hint of what it all looks like!

The bunting is made from strings of twine, some fabric pendants and paper pendants. I always seem to have random paper/fabric lying about my apartment, so we managed to scrounge up enough of these two patterns to fit Happy Christmas! I cut some letters out of paper and spray glued them onto the pendants. We then literally sewed the pendants on with needles and thread. We had some leftover ornaments, so Nick had the great idea of stringing them along the bunting as well. So fun! We took so many photos, and I definitely will post them later, along with photos from the party on saturday. {maybe even a Bunting How-To!}

Also, to start some of you in the festive spirit, a little tunage to boost your mood mid-week!

Enjoy!

Photos via myself on Instagram

what brought me here

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. At first thought, I freaked a little. The thought of no longer being in my early 20's, the thought of truly being an adult...I'm not ready, I can't be! But as I began thinking more and more, and reflecting on how much I've gone through, even in the last year...I am ready and excited to see what this year will bring! My day was complete with birthday singing from my work peeps {Thanks Melissa, Jacki, Sun & Julia!}, a lunch date with a bestie {thanks Amanda!}, a little pampering, a lovely chat with my mother, beautiful and thoughtful gifts from Nicholas that cut right through to my heart, an evening filled with a yummy dinner made by him too, tuns of laughter and love. I couldn't ask for any more...and I didn't want the day to end.

Today, on my first day of being 26, I am filled to the brim with love but also humbleness...how did I get so blessed to have such an amazing partner in crime who I met on HIS 26th birthday {hello Nicholas!}, loving family & such encouraging friends. It's some kind of wonderful!

Here's a cheers to a fantastic friday and great weekend. To all those in the U.S., happy thanksgiving!

Photo via myself

let it linger

My apologies for the lack of posts lately. Life has definitely been going at lightning speed, but I couldn't be more thankful for where I'm at! With my birthday happening this week, I always find myself reflecting on what's happened within the year, and what I've learned. Most people take New Year's to reflect and make resolutions, but for me, my birthday marks an accomplishment of another year. I have learned SO SO much in my age of 25...love, patience, selflessness, humility, encouragement, what it's like to really be a faithful and supporting woman, and a whole slew of other emotions & life lessons. At the risk of sounding like a woman in love, I have never felt more alive than I do right now! How blessed I am.

With all of that being said, lately I have also been trying to figure out what I want this blog to be, and am taking some time with that. It originally started as a scrapbook of design ideas and cool things, but has progressed into much more of a lifestyle blog...I hope to slowly incorporate more fun things into For Design's Sake and hope you'll bear with me. Nick and I have been doing a tun of cool projects lately and I really want to share them with you! I haven't been sure how to start it {whether it be a weekly thing, or just a progress report}, but am open and welcoming ideas and suggestions on what you would like to see & read!

Happy monday to you all!

Photos via myself, photo edited by Nick Pilon

then sings my soul

Aside from a birthday celebration tonight, Nick & I don't really have any weekend plans...and it's just how we want it. After many weeks of going to and fro, we finally have made some down time. Oh to wake up on a saturday morning, make breakfast and just see what the day brings! Some of my favourite chill days include nothing but some good ol' tv, a classic book or even just a brisk walk out in the fall air...

What about you?

Photo via Pinterest

amidst the hollows and valleys

Last night I had the awesome experience of seeing The Civil Wars live at The Phoenix, with my concert peeps. {hello to Amanda, Justin and Nicholas!} Post-show, we were all talking about how beautiful their voices sounded together and that they are just as amazing live, as they are on their album. It's always such a delight when that happens! Each song was meticulously played and every verse turned into poetry. Makes me wish I was that talented in music! If you ever get the chance to see them, you should, you will not be disappointed...

Photos via The Civil Wars Tour Diary by Allister Ann

in the dead of night

"...There wasn't a sign of life left, except... by now, there were no more screams. I realized that I was alone, with fifty or sixty of those things just... standing there, staring at me! I started to drive, I - I just plowed right through them! They didn't move! They didn't run, or... they just stood there, staring at me! I just wanted to crush them! And they scattered through the air, like bugs."

– Ben, Night of the Living Dead

Happy Halloween!

think envisage

I am learning how cool it is to be surrounded by so many creative people every day, even more so now that I'm dating a designer. How wicked is it that we can all be creative, but in various ways? Our life experiences, interests and knowledge guides us each down a different path, and a different solution for a project. Nick just finished his personal website and I wanted to share with you all. Seriously killer...Check it out!

the world goes 'round

I have been in serious "deal with it" mode for a few weeks with so many things, and now I finally have an opportunity to take a deep breath and do a blog post. Yay! My life hasn't been filled with too many creative things to share lately, but I do have a few plans with the boy to make some seriously awesome crafts as Christmas presents...but I can't reveal those til later! I am though, hoping to photo document all of these things and more over the next little while! I want to share it all with you, and hopefully inspire you to create your own gifts for any occasion. It just feels better giving a homemade gift, doesn't it?

In the meantime, I wanted to share some snapshots of what's been going on in my life. Let's start with this past weekend. The handsome boy and I just took a roadtrip to see some of our mutual friends in Ottawa. {Also a shout-out to Jenna & Travis, who didn't make it in these photos...} The entire weekend was filled with non-stop laughter and well... A LOT of food! I love these guys SO much and couldn't have asked for a better first experience in Ottawa! Can't wait to go back!

Photos by myself, Nick & Christen {A big thanks to Nick for photo editing these suckers!}

a midsummer's day

I know this is a long time coming, and promised these photos ages ago, but time was lost somewhere in between September & October...and I can't seem to find it. I assisted Amanda a while back in the summer with this gorgeous and cozy wedding. What a blessing it was to be able to not only share the day with Mark & Emily, but capture some of the moments, so they can share them for years to come. Here are a few snapshots that I managed to get. Hope you enjoy!

Photos via myself

a bushel and a peck

Even though the day started off cold & blustery, my two best girlfriends, Amanda & Daniella and myself headed off to the little town of St. George to go apple picking. Starting off with a yummy breakfast and a catchup sesh, we then headed to the Orchard farm. The sun finally came out and it was a beautiful day filled with way too many apple snacking, silly shenanigans, and non-stop laughter. Thanks girls, for an awesome day. Fall has officially begun!

Photos via Amanda & Myself

over the rolling of waves

I love everything about the sea. How massive and undiscovered some parts are, how cool creatures live in the depths, and how beautiful the sound of waves are on the shoreline. The size of the seas really make you realize how small you are amongst this earth! I came across this really awesome wallpaper by Abigail Edwards today and it made me smile. How these simple lines and curves can so easily describe these massive wonders! How cool would this look in a nursery or just one big wall in your home studio? Her other illustrations are cute too...I LOVE the simplicity! Super sweet...

Photos via Design*Sponge

amongst the rubble

Life, in all its wonders has been so ridiculously busy. I also really hate typing out that excuse, life is always going to be busy, let's face that fact right now! So no more apologies...only thank you's. This post is a thank you to all my family, friends and you amazing readers for sticking with me even through the busy times. You rock!

Photo via Pinterest

locked in

I can't illustrate people, so when I come across a really great one I tend to just be, flabbergasted and in awe. I especially love fashion illustrations, simple and grand strokes of crayon, sometimes with a hit of watercolour. How gorgeous are these Percy and Reed Dry Shampoo packages? I LOVE how simple the typography treatment is, with these awesome figures as the hero. I admit, I'm slightly jealous that their hair is so voluptuous, and maybe...just maybe, I'll have such large locks if I use this dry shampoo? Heehee...

Photos via The Dieline

with fire and delight

It's already been a few days since returning from the cottage, but let me tell you, it was such an incredible time, and I am longing to be back there right now! Last Thursday, the crew packed up the car and we headed to the annual Labour day cottage location in Lambton Shores, Ontario. Our days were filled with some remaining summer sun, bonfires, epic s'mores {have you ever tried them with peanut butter cups instead of good ol' chocolate?}, tuns of jam sessions and games. I have to say though, the most memorable moments were made with the people that were surrounding me. Quiet, breezy nights on the beach with nothing in view but the stars, and a sense that this world truly is amazing.

A BIG thanks goes to Amanda & Justin who so warmingly invited all of the crew to their digs! Thanks guys! Love you both. xo

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, regardless of having an extra day or not. This is the week that always has that aura of newness when school is starting back up and wish you all that are going back, the best of luck!

Photos via Amanda

remember when we used to play

Just for random's sake, after having this song in my head ALL DAY from Kill Bill, {it's been a stressful day...} I thought I'd also share a couple of sweet posters that I've had in my favourites for a while. I love when typography takes charge and the idea shines through! Awesome, non?

Photos via Pinterest

slow dance

It's a new week. Hope you all had a lovely weekend! After a very busy weekend myself, shooting an adorable wedding with Amanda, I am having a hard time jumping into monday. I woke up feeling amazing and rejuvinated, but as the day progresses and is a short week here in Ontario, I can't help but dream of the cottage days about to arrive on thursday. I'm counting down til I can spend endless hours in front of a fire and in the company of friends!

Oh yea, and the wedding we shot!{which was located in Haliburton, amongst the trees, on a beautiful lake no less...swoon} Stay tuned for a sneak peek of those photos this week. I can't wait to download them and share the memories I captured! And I'm pretty sure that location got me all in the cottage mode...

Photos via Pinterest by Kyracee

watching the time float away

As amazing and wonderful as life has been lately, it's also been super busy. What I wouldn't give to have some time off, drive up north and just sit on a dock and watch the sunrise...or the sunset. What decadence it would be to not know the time, to eat when you're hungry, sleep when you're tired and make some beautiful memories with friends. Next weekend is a long weekend here in Ontario, and I can't wait to pack up that car and head to Amanda's {& Justin's} cottage for a few days...pure sweetness. 

Photo via Pinterest

ex marks the spot

I have lived in Toronto for over four years and still have never been to the Ex. But that all changed last night, when Nick's parents got us free passes. So we grabbed some of our peeps and headed on over, prepared to eat nothing but batter and have some good laughs. I haven't laughed so hard or smiled that much in a long time! {can you tell how happy I am by my ridiculous face I'm making in that photo? Oh dear...} I LOVED it! All the flashing lights, the ridiculously horrible music, the compulsion to run like an 8 year old high on sugar {Tiny Tom cinnamon sugar donuts to be exact}...it's all wonderful.

Also, one day I'd really love to pay to get in and take my trusty Nikon and just snap away and get some awesome photos. Super sweet!

Photos via Pinterest & Facebook {via Nick's friend John}

look where it brought us

I am in awe as to how life can change so quickly and how it happens when you're least expecting it. How people can so easily jump in and out of your life, but how some remain steady throughout the years. How jobs can all of a sudden end, but another one lines up the next week, or teaches you patience and doesn't arrive for a year. So many different things happen and you can never plan for it. What an adventure this is!

I have been wanting to share some news with you for a little time now, but wanted to wait until I felt it right. Today, it is finally right! Earlier this year, I lost an important relationship in my life, and that was a big change. Since then, I have regained so much strength and such an excitement for what life can offer. With that said, last month, I got blindsided...but in the best way possible! A guy named Nick introduced himself at a friend's house. {on July 11th, his birthday no less!} We hit it off right away and we've been hangin' ever since. Still now I am just in this crazy daze of how someone can just enter your life, your paths just happen to cross when you're not looking, and how amazing it can be. Not only do Nick and I have regular every day, fun things in common, {he too, is a graphic designer} but in terms of morals and beliefs, we seriously hit it off. All of this is still new, but with every passing day I am reassured that this guy is gonna make some serious awesome in my life...and I hope I do the same for him!

Thanks for reading my lovelies!

xo

Photo via Nick Pilon

cheers and well wishes

Lovelies! I apologize for the lack of posts lately. Let's just say some exciting personal things are happening in my life, and I've been crazy busy! It's the summer and inevitably you try and catch all the nice days to be outside, the weekends are filled with weddings and cold beers on patios. What a season, right? Today I'm off to a wedding of a good friend and her fiance. They've been dating for 12 years!!!! I can't wait to celebrate their big day with them, and all my friends.

Hope you all are having some sort of fun today too, and see you back here soon!

Photos via From Me To You

got your boots on

Happy Hipster Friday to you all! I'm just knocking best wishes over to you, while I slave here at the office. Can't wait to lock up some good times tonight, and hope you do too!

If you're wondering how I latched onto this hipster slang, check out The Hipster's Dictionary. Ha!

Photo via Pinterest