happy early weekend

{ the most adorable cactus stickers from the drake general store }

Long holiday weekends can never arrive quickly enough! Even after last weeks vacation, I'm looking forward to finally getting unpacked and enjoying time at home. I'm off to a friends birthday party in Trinity Bellwoods tonight and can not think of a better way to kick things off! Whatever you are up to, enjoy yourself. xx

{ peonies that have our house smelling divine }

{ rose gummies infused with prosecco for our engagement party }

{ my first ever Saks purchase! }

{ ps. their sale is an additional 40% off sale prices! }

kettle valley railway

While we were in Kelowna we knew we wanted to do some sort of fun outdoor excursion. My sister had visited before and couldn't say enough good things about their ride along the Kettle Valley Railway. We hired a guide and rented bikes through the hotel and were driven up the mountain to Myra Provincial Park. The trail wound around the mountain, along 18 different tressel brides and through several different tunnels. We rode for 20 kilometers total and stopped for a beer at the half way point to enjoy views of the canyon. It was a beautiful and fun way to enjoy the outdoors (and as you can tell, I got very good at using my iphone while biking ;). Here are a few photos if you care to see...

Pro tip: You can rent bikes at the entrance to the park. The trail is very user friendly, and we really didn't need a guide.  

a summer dress

{ Sienna dress }

I'm finding myself on the hunt for dresses these days... I'm looking for an outfit for our upcoming engagement party and am in search of ideas for bridesmaid dresses for my lovely ladies. I didn't really find what I was looking for... but I did come across this little number on the Reiss website. I have yet to visit their new store in Sherway Gardens but with the current 50% off sale, I might just need to! 

Wouldn't this be a great dress for summer weddings, a fancy date night or even a work meeting? I am completely obsessed with the stripes!

kelowna

Beautiful British Columbia never disappoints, and the past week spent in Kelowna was no exception. The West Coast is easily one of my favorite places to visit (mostly due to some of our favorite people living there) and I love getting to visit and explore new parts of the province. We stayed overnight in Vancouver last Saturday to catch up with friends over a seriously tasty dinner and then spent a week with D's parents in Kelowna. It was so nice to spend some quality time together. We spent time outdoors, went to the spa, tasted a bunch of amazing wines and had such wonderful meals. Here are a few photos if you care to take a look...

{ the cutest gift from Cross Design (I could live in that store...) }

{ two of our best friends picked us up from the airport in Vancouver & 

treated us to the best dinner at AnnaLena to celebrate our engagement }

{ our hotel was right on Lake Okanagan and had such pretty views & sunsets }

{ we visited about ten wineries, one of my favorites being The Hatch }

{ we were able to bring home some wine & 

I can't wait to share with friends and enjoy all summer long }

{ and we snuck in a brewery for good measure... }

happy weekend

{ a June reminder of how lovely peonies are }

I'm loving this glam bridal look

A $6 bottle of red just made a 'best wine in the world" list..

D and I jokingly talk about whether he'll have a beard for the wedding, so this made me laugh

I'm excited to try this new gel polish

Say what... avocado thieves!?

This is so adorable - what first song would you play for your baby?

We need a few more candles, and I want to try this scent

Everything you could ever need for under a wedding dress

{ the most beautiful bridesmaid gift, that I wear daily }

{ summer staple, Bellwood bottle shop visits }

{ an amazing ceasar from Lil Baci in the Beaches }

{ a souvenir from Costa Rica }

engagement party

There are a lot of things to consider when planning a wedding and I've found the most fun part is how you get to personalize the process and day into something that works best for you and your partner.

While most brides have one, for me, the idea of a bridal shower wasn't something that I am fond of. There were a few who were initially surprised but it's been great how supportive everyone has been with me straying from convention.

I do however love the idea of having the opportunity to celebrate this special interim period of being engaged with family and friends - thus, we've planned an engagement party! My parents have been gracious enough to host and we'll have the event catered so everyone can just have fun. My favorite part is that D and I will get to celebrate and enjoy together.

We ordered the invites from Minted and they just came this week. I'm thrilled with the crisp, modern look and the hint of shimmer from the silver foil edging. It's the first visual element of the wedding that we share with people and I'm so happy with how they turned out. It's no secret that I love sending snail mail, so choosing invites was something I was really looking forward to!

my favorite bridal shops

If you have planned a wedding or are planning a wedding, you are likely well aware of how many options exist for all things wedding! There are hundreds of photographers, florists, caterers - it's sometimes difficult to get a foot hold on where to start... I was excited to start shopping for a dress and knew it was an experience I wanted to share with my mom and only those closest to me. I had been to a few shops during my stint as a bridesmaid and there were a couple that came recommended. Here are the shops I've visited so far...

Mrs. Bridal - a boutique shop on Davenport with the sweetest staff members. The accessories are curated beautifully and their dress selection is small but lovely.

Pearl Bridal - a shop in downtown Port Credit with a great selection of gowns. The ladies are welcoming and there's a bridemaid shop upstairs if you're looking to kill two birds with one stone.

White - a luxurious shop in Yorkville that carried high end international designers. The service was terrific and made for a really enjoyable appointment. (they give you cookies too!)

I have yet to find a dress (!) so I still have appointments at Kleinfelds, Felichia and will book at Lovers Land if needed... I'd love to hear any suggestions from all of you experienced brides.

Keeping the dress a surprise: A friend who got married in October kept her dress a secret until her wedding day and it was so much fun anticipating what she was going to wear on her walk down the isle. I've appointed my Momma as official photographer so that I am able to look back on what I try on and invited my two bridesmaids to attend appointments in person, so they are able to see what I choose. We have skyped in D's mom and my sister during appointments so they can get in on the fun from far away :)

a quick catch up

{ homemade super cheesy pizza }

Personal accomplishment: I have officially learned to function on less sleep. June is expectedly busy at work, and it barely feels like there's time to catch my breath! We leave for Kelowna, British Columbia on the 18th, so it's easier to push through knowing there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Here are a few photos from recent days if you care to see...

{ looking through old photos: my most favorite partner in crime }

{ free coffee c/o my spin studio }

{ a sweet wall hanging at Mrs. Bridal }

{ the cutest little baby raccoon }

{ who nearly walked right in our back door before making a quick escape }

+ + + + +

This past weekend, one of my long-time high school girlfriends got married! I was so honored to stand as a bridesmaid and it was such a beautiful celebration. Every single detail was attended to and the room had a lovely, intimate glow. The dance floor was busy all night long (talk about wedding goals) and the bride was breathtakingly gorgeous!