hello weekend!

{ weekday baking: chopped chocolate for banana brownies }

(they were shamefully devoured too quickly to photograph!)

What do you have planned for this weekend? We're meeting my Dad for lunch at La Societe tomorrow and I can't wait to warm up with a coffee - it always feels like you've escaped to Paris in their dining room. Then on Sunday I'm headed out to shop for bridesmaid dresses for the June wedding I'm in. I love what the bride has in mind and am excited to see what we decide on. 

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The top indie beauty brands

My new red boots (that I'm completely obsessed about!)

Photography 101

Necessary self help tips

I plan on making my first gluten free cake next week, I'm going to try this recipe.

A dress I picked up for my April Vegas adventure

I'm dying to check out this new-to-Toronto store

Very cool new, upcoming Ikea collection

{ beauty haul at Anthropologie + a new kitchen candle that smells divine }

{ hair ties that don't give you pony tail creases! }

{ hair savior: hydrating mask that has brought my hair back to life }

{ a completely indulgent pedicure at Ritual }

beauty tips

As I was browsing through the newest issue of People: Style Watch at the salon last week I came across the below beauty tips. I was sitting in the pedicure chair, thinking to myself "say whattt!?". I mean the bobby pin tip especially, WHO KNEW!!? Anyhow, I figured I might not be the only clueless one here and thought these tidbits were too important not to share. You're welcome. 

girls date night

{ via }

I watched the How To Be Single trailer for the first time this week and couldn't help but giggle the entire time. It looks goofy and hilarious - the perfect movie for an all-girls date night. Watch the trailer HERE.  (...Plus Jimmy Fallon's recent interview with Dakota Johnson is pretty darn funny)

just because

{ Free People Collection Liberty Heel Boot }

I'm in search of a pair of tan boots.. which as it turns out are disappointingly difficult to find (unless I'm willing to spend $500+).. I did find these Free People boots which have a beautiful aesthetic and don't break the bank. They'd look great with dark jeans and a chunky knit sweater.

a cleaner for everything

{ Tea Tree All Purpose Cleaner $8 }

At our house, I reach for our all purpose cleaner daily. Whether it's wiping down the kitchen countertops, the bathroom sink or the coffee table - I'm frequently cleaning or tidying up. I picked up this all purpose cleaner at the Old Faithful Shop on Queen West and only recently started using it. From the first spray, I was completely hooked. The tea tree fragrance is natural and calming and yet it is still is a strong enough cleaner to stand up to what I need it for. Check out other Common Goods here - I can't wait to try the hand soap!

pucker up valentine

I know we just wrapped up Christmas but I can't help but look forward to Valentine's Day! It's always fun doing something special with D and I also love the opportunity to shower a few special friends with little thoughtful gifts. Terrain always curates the absolute best creative treats and pieces (their Christmas wreath shop is to die for), and I'd love to gift or receive any of these gifts...

{ pink & gold chocolates }

{ vanilla marshmallows }

{ I love you chocolates (for someone extra special) }

{ a book of love poems }

{ flower garden chocolates }

{ golden arrow silk bracelet }

happy weekend

{ a pretty little love note for a friend }

What are you up to this weekend? I spent the day at Osler Bluffs Ski Club in Collingwood yesterday. The weather was phenomenal and it was one of the best days of Ontario skiing I've had in a while. It was fun, and slightly painful, breaking in my new equipment!

I have a date at Studio Lagree on Sunday with a girlfriend (wish me luck..hardest workout ever) and plan to relax with D the rest of the weekend. February is getting booked up with fun plans, so I'm going to enjoy this quiet time while I can!

Enjoy your weekend. xx

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Here are a few fun posts from the web...

Swoon worthy wallpapers

A hair style I've been wanting to try

A friend made this last weekend and I had to stop myself from eating the entire skillet

A minimalist but cozy renovation

Inspirational twists on our go-to morning oatmeal

Derek Zoolander + Vogue's 73 Questions

Bookmarked for the days we will be shopping for kitchen lighting.. 

I loved this woman's story from last month's Toronto Life

I've noticed girls wearing these and they look so cool!

'Great New Podcast', like music to my ears. Commuting is infinitely better with podcasts!

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{ a fisheye selfie from Christmas morning (sleepy eyes and all :) }

{ I loved how this friends birthday parcel turned out }

{ snail mail (how funny is the Turonno postcard!) & new fancy pens } 

 

{ D and I got a new computer for Christmas and we finally got it all set up }

{ the case is the coolest! }

{ tarts from the St. Lawrence market that we brought to a friends place to share }

{ clockwise: lemon, strawberry-rhubarb, key lime, caramel apple }

{ St. Lawrence Market Highlight: these crisp & flavorful apples }

classpass

Have you heard of ClassPass? D gifted me a free month for Christmas and it kick started me into a new fitness regime. (There was also a deal for $20 off per month for three months, so I really committed myself with four months but I am loving the new schedule). It's a program that's been established in a bunch of major cities in Canada and in the States. Each month, as a member, you have access to thousands of classes at all different gyms around the city - the only limitation is 3 classes at each studio per monthly cycle. It allows my workouts to have variety and be challenging and I don't have to commit myself exclusively to one place.  

This week I did pilates, spinning and yoga and next week I'm doing pilates, spinning, boxing and barre. The instructors have all been very welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful in bettering techniques and encouraging for pushing your limits. 

My body hurts all over and it's such a satisfying feeling knowing I'm pushing myself physically. In the past I have tended to avoid fitness classes, and when I went I wouldn't dare go alone - so this is definitely pushing me out of my comfort zone! 

{ you can scroll through all the classes available on the day of your choice }

{ you're able to filter your class search }

{ you can review your upcoming work out schedule }

{ and see old classes - maybe you had a favorite instructor! }

I'm working out 4-6 times a week and I feeling fantastic. I'm feeling stronger, more energetic, and I don't feel as bad about the occasional indulgence :) 

I'm curious, has the New Year brought a new work out regime or attitude?

I'd love to know what workouts you're digging these days!

a winter ballcap

{ Coal Tracker Hat, on sale for $32 }

I picked up this winter worthy ballcap at MEC when a girlfriend and I went and browsed around the store earlier this week. The store is filled to the brim with all sorts of temptation and I couldn't resist this cold weather spin on a summer staple. The current cold temperatures still demand warm wooly touques, but I'm hopeful slightly warmer weather will be upon us soon.

street style

I loved browsing the photos of all the stylish folk honored as a part of Toronto Life's 20 Best Street Styles from 2015... Check it out here.

hello weekend

{ a surprise gift for D earlier this week }

What do you have planned this weekend? I'm meeting a friend for a manicure and drink after work tonight and can't think of a better way to kick off the weekend. We have a couple dinners with friends planned and I'm hoping to squeeze in a spin class to balance out the fun! Enjoy your weekend! xx

{ beautiful roses in our living room }

{ new kitchen utility tool: bike pizza cutter }

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In case you're looking for a laugh to start off your weekend....

An epic celebrity couple lip sync battle, (with surprise guest)

And an even more awesome carpool karaoke. 

just because

{ ladies Stan Smith sneakers by Adidas, $115 }

I'm dreaming of warm, snow-less days and would love a pair of Stan Smiths to wear all summer long.

a very yummy soup

{ Avgolemono, Greek chicken soup }

I came across this soup recipe online recently and in an effort to keep with my goal of trying a new recipe this week, we gave it a try on Tuesday night. The ingredients were mostly things you have in your house and it came together in less then 20 minutes - the perfect weeknight meal. It was creamy and lemony and the dill tasted so fresh, I had to stop myself from going back for thirds... You've gotta try this soup!

new games

D and I love having different games in the house to bring out when we have friends and family over. We even bring them with us on vacations or weekends away! A few of our favorites include Wizard, Bananagrams and Quiddler.

Our friends gave us a fun new game called Spot It! for Christmas. It's a game of matching and you've got to be quick! The tin of cards also comes with instructions for about six variations on the game which adds to the fun.

When we were at a friends last weekend, they brought out the game Anomia. It combined matching and categories and again, you had to be quick! The game allows for quite a few players which is always great in social gatherings, the more the merrier. I can't wait to pick this one up!

phone gadgets

{ Smartphone Projector $35 }

For those times where there's a few too many friends to huddle around a little iphone, how cool is this makeshift projector. The concept and construction is simple but it works! I thought the idea was so cool, and with it being super affordable, it's a fun idea that you don't feel obliged to use all the time.

Also... This iphone polaroid printer is so neat. I don't fully understand how it works but I'm all about having physical photos these days. After getting my polaroid for my birthday, we've had so much fun collecting photos and creating photo bulletin boards. A very cool idea!

{ Impossible Instant Lab Universal Photo Printer $199 }

happy weekend

{ the most striking frozen waterfall we found on our New Years Day hike }

It's been good getting back into the swing of things. The work week was balanced with a dinner with D's parents before they left town and some workouts which felt great after holiday feasting. 

I'm a bridesmaid for a June wedding and we're getting together with all the entire bridal party tonight - it will be so nice to catch up with everyone. We don't have much else planned for the weekend and I can't wait to relax and finally get rid of my lingering cold. 

Whatever you have planned, enjoy your weekend. xx

{ my parents always have the best Christmas tree }

{ D spoiled me with a few of my favorite scented candles }

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Do you mask? 

I looove the look of rosey flushed cheeks.

This has inspired me to try a booze free February

I'd really like to read this book and I fully expect to cry a lot.

I'm dreaming of summer days and how I would wear this dress all the time.

Top and base nail lacquers that were reviewed as some of the best.

An unexpectedly terrific movie. 

my favorite podcasts

Do you listen to podcasts? Until not long ago, I always wondered what the little purple unused app on my iphone was for. But last years buzz about Serial got me wondering... what exactly am I missing out on? One of the things I missed most about commuting in a car was listening to talk radio, and podcasts have completely filled that void (even over satisfied in some ways because there's no music interruptions!). The hosts are engaging and you start to feel like your listening in on a friends conversation. I have subscribed to a few podcasts and as new episodes become available they will download under the 'unplayed' tab when I'm connected to wifi and then I'm free to listen to them whenever I'd like.

A spooky story about a town of 350 people who all of the sudden just disappear one night. It's creepy at times and a little weird, but still a gripping plot line that keeps you coming back for more. 

Season 1 was probably one of my most popular podcasts ever and I totally get why. It was like a suspense thriller movie, and I hated getting to work and having to turn it off. 

Season 2 is about a US army man named Beau and his escape/capture in Afghanistan. I've only just started it, but I know it's going to be good. 

The name says it all - the topics are all about the subjects we tend to avoid - death, sex and money. The host Anna Sale interviews different people each week and the topics range so widely, some are sad, some lighthearted. I love looking forward to what each episode is going to be about. She does follow up calls with popular interviewees too, and it's so fun to hear updates!

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I'd love to know, what podcasts are you listening to? Or what were some of your past favorites?