LIFE LATELY.

Life lately has been made up of the following:

Family gatherings

Puppy dogs and favourite people

Going out on the town

Lots of fantastic food and drink

Games upon games of Cards Against Humanity

Because my cousin was visiting, this year felt like an extended holiday. I am so grateful for her visit, and it's been a blast spending so much time with the people I love. This was one of the best holidays in years.

I hope you all had a great holiday season. Back to the grind of 5-day work weeks and winter blues. 

Until next time.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES: PART I.

FESTIVITY #1: DATE NIGHT

A girlfriend & I had a Christmas date night a couple weekends ago. It was fantastic.

We went to town. in Ottawa, and got the ricotta stuffed meatballs and rosemary potatoes. 

Basically the most heavenly thing I'd eaten in months. 

Paired with a couple Townie cocktails each, dinner was fantastic.

So was the show. We got placed at the chef's bar, so we got to watch the food being prepped.

It was fun guessing what everything was. 

The care that goes into each plate? Man. Fascinating.

FESTIVITY #2: WORK CHRISTMAS PARTY

We had our workplace Christmas party at the War Museum last weekend.

It was such an awesome venue - I was really excited when we got to pose with the tanks!

Also, this dress was a huge hit and got many compliments. Thank you, eShakti!

It was a good night. We were dancing on chairs. It was that good.

Also it was a mini celebration for me... I got the promotion that I was working for.

Thank you for your luck everyone! It definitely worked!!!

To be continued....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Happy Halloween everyone!

I went to a costume party last weekend. 

I was looking for a cheap and easy costume, but couldn't decide on anything for weeks.

The day before, I finally settled on being a stick-man.

Most people at the party called me Tron. 

Hey, at least I wore a costume.

I call that a win.

Do you have Halloween plans?

JUST TWO GIRLS IN TORONTO.

Last weekend I met with one of my closest friends in the loud and busy city of Toronto. Her birthday passed a few weeks ago, and mine is coming up, so we decided to have a joint-birthday-celebration. Together. With champagne.

Sorry in advance for iPhone quality. You know how it goes...

We celebrated turning older.

Realized people don't come to Pickle Barrel for their great lighting...

Told ET to phone home...

Found a spicy pony head (if you click this it will be the weirdest thing you've ever heard. And if you share our sense of humor, possibly the funniest)...

Encountered some steaming man holes...

Stood in Georgian Bay...

Posed with a Hawaiian thing...

Had cupcakes to continue the celebrations...

 And there you have it. This is what happens when we get together. This is why I love her - I just wish I had more photos of her! I think most are on her phone :(

ART IS IN & A SHOPPING TRIP.

This past weekend was fantastic. Thanksgiving is always an amazing time of the year, but lucky us, we had three days of sunshine and warm weather. With turkey eating and relaxation time filling up Sunday & Monday, my cousin Renee and I met up for some lunch and shopping on Saturday.

We first stopped at Art Is In Bakery. If you are from Ottawa and haven't been here, you're missing out. It would take you weeks to try everything. From pastries to meals, they offer a wide range of food for your breakfast, lunch or snacking needs. I had the chocolate chip & peanut butter cookie and there were real peanuts inside it. For serious. It was the best cookie I've ever had.

Then we walked from my place to the Rideau Centre, passing through some of Ottawa's beautiful downtown greenery. It reminded me of a minuscule version of central park, just because of all the people on benches reading, chatting or just enjoying a coffee. Okay- so there's no one on these benches, but I swear we passed tonnes!

To end the day we did a bit of shopping. And by a bit I mean she did a lot, and I did some. I finally splurged on a sweater from American Apparel that I have been eyeing for a few months now. Can't wait to show that off to you all soon.

Until next time!

My Long Weekend.

This weekend I went to Sudbury with a couple friends to visit our bff who's doing her Masters there. It was the perfect little trip to spiritually mark the end of summer. Although we have another ~20 days to go, September first always feels like fall to me. 

I did some shopping, of course.

I climbed a rock. There are lots of rocks in Sudbury...

I touched the Big Nickel! TOUCHED it!

We made a dinosaur friend.

Hope you had a wonderful long weekend doing whatever you were doing!

Do you feel fall in the air where you are?

That time I went to paradise.

Last weekend I joined my friend and her family at a cottage they were renting. Three days of perfect weather, sunshine, beach and friends? YES PLEASE. Here's a snapshot of what we did.

 And every single day was finished with a beautiful sunset over the water. Each sky was better than the previous, and of course I had to take pictures of them all.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the last little bit of summer we've been given. 

What my friends think I do.

This is just a silly post to hopefully get you through your Thursday...

As a style blogger, I sometimes ask girlfriends for photography help. You know, to take a few shots and not laugh at me. This time my friend Kelly wanted to be in front of the camera. Below she shows off her outfit she calls "Old Faithful"- always there for her when she doesn't know what to wear:

 

Thank you, Kelly, for reminding me to never take myself too seriously :) 

Weekend recap: Friends & weddings.

This weekend I took a road trip to meet up with a friend, and then went to another friend's wedding.
Here's a quick re-cap of what went down.

Friend & I went shopping. 

Where I met a cute mannequin and bought a Jones soda.

Then had my very first Target (said with a French accent) experience. 

I was thoroughly excited.

Bought this dress excitedly. And some shoes. 

Went back to the hotel and celebrated: 

a) being awesome

b) seeing each other more than once a year

c) ... being awesome

The next day we had a wedding to go to..

We tried to take some cute selfies in the mirror. Those sucked.

So we ventured outside. Much better.

Me & my hot date. 

The wedding happened. Bride was beautiful, ceremony was beautiful, venue was beautiful.

All around beautiful. 

And then I ate dessert.

The end.

How was your weekend?