one with nature

Today is like a friday for me! I've got an extra long weekend starting tomorrow, and you'll never guess where I'm going. I'm going on my very first EVER camping trip. Yup, some butterflies are present in my stomach, but I know it's going to be such an awesome time. I'm not a super girly girl...I like being outside, hiking, swimming and the lingering smell of a campfire on your favourite sweater. It's going to be great. As much as I enjoy my big city, I like having weekends away where the air is silent and breezy and you can actually see the stars in the sky. Oh and really, who doesn't like s'mores?!

For all of you who are in Canada, Happy Canada Day weekend! For all of the rest of you, enjoy the rest of the week & weekend too. Everyone should light some fireworks, no matter where you are!

Photos via What Katie Ate {photos 2 &4}, Pinterest {photos 1 &3}

creative connections

{location, location, location...Beautiful Brassaii}









{from left, Shara Lee, Me!, Daniella & Maria}



{ and the prizes begin!}



{I won!}

This weekend I got to be a part of something really cool. On Saturday, for the second year in a row, The Canadian Design Blogger Meetup got together again. I wasn't able to make it last year, but was so thrilled to be able to join in on the fun this year. A big cheers goes out to my awesome friend Daniella of Dress, Design, Decor, and Vie from Verdigris Vie who did an immense amount of planning and organizing to make it all happen. What an event it was! From the location at Brassaii, to the yummy appetizers, {my favourite still, has got to be the goat cheese fritters and the tiny grilled cheese sammies!} this was a great way to network with fellow bloggers in Canada and just have some fun!

Not only was this event fun, but for me, I left a winner! I still can't believe it. {Ok, so I've never really won anything in my life...} The girls had a bunch of different draws set up from Ikea gift cards, design books, taps & shower heads and the list goes on from all the sponsors. My name was chosen for these beautiful Crate & Barrel Pillows! They go perfectly with my apartment decor, and who doesn't love a new set of pillows for a new season?

All in all a fabulous night, and I can't wait to check out all the different blogs from the women I met there. 'Til next year ladies!

Photos by Leah Kirin for Forever Moments...

ride your troubles away

Here's a snapshot of my bike {suitably named Dexter "Danger" Hampton, he's British after all} from the first ride of the summer. One of my favourite places to go in the summer is the island. I sometimes just need a break from the city, and that's the perfect spot to whisk off to. I prefer Ward's Island, as that's where all the island people live or have cottages and it's somewhat quieter than Centre Island. Though the boardwalk in between those is a beautiful ride! In attempts to keep myself busy and entertained, this adventure was really nice and ended with some relaxing and reading on the beach before heading back into the city...

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Photo via my Instagram

if I could sum up joy

Everyone needs to find their own little things that bring them happiness, or even better yet...joy. This album by Jonsi fully embodies what I think is joy. The sounds and words go straight to my core...And this has got to be my favourite song. Hope this helps that old monday feeling...

Tornado
"You grow, you roar
Although disguised
I know you

You'll learn to know

You grow, you grow like tornado
You grow from the inside
Destroy everything through
Destroy from the inside
Erupt like volcano
You flow through the inside
You kill everything through
You kill from the inside

You'll...
You'll learn to know

I wonder if I'm allowed ever to see
I wonder if I'm allowed to ever be free

You sound so blue
You now are gloom

You're now so blue
You now are gloom

I wonder if I'm allowed just ever to be"


Video via Youtube

a thought to ponder

"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling."

– Margaret Lee Runbeck

let your light shine through

I came across this post on Design*Sponge yesterday and my jaw dropped. This house, of Caitlin Van Horn of Roost {gorgeous blog btw} is basically my dream home wrapped up into a blog post. The mix of new and old, the colour palette, the textures of the wood, metal, marble...my dream come true! The bonus to this is all that natural light...gotta LOVE that natural light. It just makes everything look so much better!

Photos via Design*Sponge

bling blang

I just spotted theses glimmering beauties over at ariel gordon jewelry and am in love! Being the type of girl that doesn't like chunky pieces or bright colours, these simple and sweet jewels are just what I want! {but seeing as I just made a huge splurge at Hérmes Paris...I should probably wait for a special occasion to ask for one of these pieces!} Gulp...

Photos via Ariel Gordon

impatiently waiting

"...Your arms are lovely
Yellow and rose
Your back's a meadow
Covered in snow

Your thighs are thistles
and hot-house grapes
You breathe your sweet breath
And have me wait..."

Oh weekend, why must you arrive so slowly?

Photo via FGR by Benny Horne 
Song lyric snippet by The Civil Wars - The Violet Hour

a new kind of sugar high

I'm feeling a bit down today. My vacation is over and even though I still feel refreshed, there's just something about coming back home that puts things into perspective. I promised myself 2011 would be an awesome year, and that's what I intend to have happen! For starters, regardless if you're feeling down sometimes, treating others with kindness is the best way to get some lovin' back in return...

Happy June 1st everyone!

Photo via Everything Fabulous

is that case made of...wood?

I just spotted these super-cool iPhone cases over at Oh, Hello Friend. Where were these cases three weeks ago when I got my new iphone?! I'm definitely book marking this for when my other case kicks the bucket... {the Eiffel Tower helps the cause a little...heehee}

Photos via Signimade

one happy day

I had a great privilege recently to work with a fantastic couple and design their wedding stationery. Hilary & Jordan met while tree planting one year and it blossomed into a beautiful love for one another. Going with the idea on how they met, the couple wanted something laid back but also classic, and that represented the growth in their relationship. I created a colour palette of ivory, white, black and concrete/malt grey, and paired a tree motif with strong and timeless typography.

Along with the invites & rsvp cards to design, I got to work with an amazing calligrapher, Shira Leuchter. A jack-of-all-things creative, Shira does fantastic calligraphy and made all my beautiful envelope dreams come true! I am so thankful the overall idea came together and that not only myself & Shira love the package, but first and most importantly, that the couple loves it and feels it represents them. 

I feel so blessed to have met this couple and send them the best wishes as they start this new part of their life together!

Photos via myself

*If you're interested in my design work or have any questions, feel free to contact me from my contact info in the right sidebar.*

for all the mothers

Happy Mother's Day! What a gorgeous day it is in the city, and I hope wherever you are, if it's sunny, you are out celebrating today with your mother. Unfortunately, I am not with my mom today, but thinking of her dearly and am sending her all the love!

I have been out all day, just enjoying the sunshine. This morning I started at a beautiful cafe with a trusty book and some breakfast and then made my way up to what is always a favourite of mine...the book store! Ah, the smell of books and paper just brightens my mood even more! Throughout my walks today, I see families of all kinds out walking and laughing. These are the days I just love the city and all it has to offer.

Photo via Pinterest