Doggy Paddle

June 12, 2015Leave a comment

Days spent at the beach with friends and dogs are always the best of days, even if it’s a less than desirable beach. Although, I will never judge Garbage Beach, it has always been a spot I have enjoyed spending my time…there is nothing to dislike about a secluded beach in Toronto that we can have bonfires at (not legally, but, whatever). So since Meaghan lives just down the road from our fav beachy spot, we headed there on a Sunday to let the dogs have a nice run around and swim, which was definitely not voluntary. All three of them hate swimming, but they needed to be cooled off, so don’t think we are that mean. It was really a nice relaxing afternoon, but now my little Gussy is sick again. If you don’t follow me on instagram (get on that!) then you won’t know yet that Gus is having a rough time. This time he has ataxia. Incase you aren’t familiar with ataxia (I definitely wasn’t), in the simplest terms he has a lack of muscle control in his hind legs during voluntary movements, which means he is unable to walk, or hold himself up. It’s a neurological issue that we are hoping will rectify itself over the next few days or so, but if not, he will likely need surgery. We have to help Gus with everything now. We have to hold his back end up while he eats and drinks, carry him everywhere around the house because he likes being near me at all times and we don’t want him trying to get to me on his own. He needs help outside when doing his business, and it obviously goes without saying he can’t jump on or off anything, so I have to keep a close watch on him so he doesn’t fall off the bed or couch when we are sitting/sleeping. It’s really a nightmare. I don’t mind looking after him in this way (I’d do anything for this dog) but it’s the fact that he has no idea what’s going on that makes me so upset. Imagine spontaneously not being able to move your legs? How absolutely awful would that be?! I’m thankful he is not paralyzed – he still has feeling in his hind legs – but some narrowing in his spine is causing the ataxia. Gah! Poor guy is having such a rough time these days.

Anyways, Please send your well wishes Gus’ way. He’s an amazing little guy that brings a smile to everyones face.

*photos of my by Meaghan
Dress: Family Affairs

Teddy Bear Picnic

May 22, 20156 Comments

I failed to mention on here (but I did on instagram) that my little Gus has been sick all week. He ended up staying at the vet overnight yesterday because it had been 3 days since he had eaten (and this is a little guy who LOVES food), on top of vomiting and nasty, nasty diarrhea. Up until this morning I was quite concerned and we weren’t entirely sure what was going on…maybe he has pancreatitis, maybe he has a foreign body…it could be any number of things, really. But FINALLY he ate this morning, which was met with a huge sigh of relief from both Ryan and I. After losing Gertie last year, I’m always worried about Gus and his well being. This little guy has been with me for just over 4 years and needless to say, I’m quite attached to the little cloud ❤ So let’s hope he continues to get better and is back to his usual silly self.

These photos are from our last day in Barrie and feel quite fitting for today – just Ryan and I, and our happy little teddy bear.
(see my outfit details here)

Photo Diary: Barrie, Ontario

May 21, 2015Leave a comment

Last Saturday afternoon Ryan and I headed to Barrie to spend the long weekend at his dad’s place. While Barrie may not be the most exciting place in the world, their neighbourhood has a definite cottage vibe to it, making it the perfect escape from the city that is within reasonable distance from Toronto. These photos are from Sunday, which was our only full day there, and the only day we really got up to anything exciting outside of the house/neighbourhood. In the afternoon Ryan drove us around Oro-Medonte, showing me the house his dad used to live in, and the quaint lake side town it is in, which honestly, would be an idyllic place to live. After that we hung out at a small beach for a bit while we waited for Greg (Ryan’s dad) to meet us so we could take a ride on his boat. It had been ages since I had been on a boat so it was really nice, although, a bit cold. It was Gus’ first time on a boat however, so I think when the wind was whipping him in his little face he was a bit confused. He is such an easy going dog though, and he pretty much never gets freaked out byt anything, so he was the perfect little passenger. All in all, it was a weekend with just the right amount of fun and relaxation, and I came back to Toronto in good spirits, although a bit stressed because I neglected checking my emails or really doing anything on the internet, which always means a pile up when you come back to it. But c’est la vie, it’s okay to give yourself a break once in awhile and just ride on a boat.

How was your long weekend? I’d love to hear what you got up to.

Me
Skirt: vintage
Crop top c/o Samantha Pleet
Shoes: Sylvie and Shimmy
Sunglasses: Public Butter

Ryan
Shirt: Levi’s
Pants cut into shorts: Levi’s
Hat: Brixton
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Belle Vie / 35

March 20, 2015Leave a comment

(All photos from my iPhone)

1. I’m a huge fan of Jeffrey Eugenides. I read these books quite a long while ago, but they belonged to my ex, so while they were some of my favourite books, I didn’t ever think to get my own copy. It’s been well over a year since that relationship ended, and I’m just finally trying to buy all the books he so kindly introduced me to (thanks Matt!) And I know! A lot of people love love love Middlesex (so do I) and not so much The Marriage Plot, but I LOVE The Marriage Plot, big time.
2. Selfies in the park on a rainy but warm-ish day.
3. Sneaky snaps of a man (Ryan) and his case of beer.
4. I bought pants!! Can you believe it!? A pair of patterned high-waisted cigarette trousers and flared high-waisted jeans. I have quite a few pairs of trousers, although I don’t wear them much…but jeans!? I haven’t owned jeans in flippin’ years. They may end up being something that was a waste of money…I dunno!
5. When I first moved to Toronto I was only working part-time, which mean’t most of my pals were at work during the day, so to keep myself busy I’d pass the hours away in book stores or at coffee shops. I could sit in a book store for hours reading something in it’s almost entirety. I also didn’t have a lot of money, so reading a whole book and never having to buy it was awesome. ha!
6. I found this amazing book called 20th Century Fashion: 100 years of apparel ads at BMV the other day. As you can see, it was right up my alley and carried so much fashion inspiration. I had gone to the book store for some other books, so I couldn’t justify spending close to $30 on this, but I may go back, because clothes!
7. OH MY GOODNESS! Do you notice something very wrong with this cactus!? HA! This cactus belongs to Danielle’s roommate. I can’t remember the full story now, but she bought it at I think a corner store (?) Without close inspection you’d think it was a flowering cactus, but you’d be wrong! The man at the store glued flowers to the top of the cactus. When Danielle told me that story I could not stop laughing.
8. This little guy is honestly the best. I say it all the time, but like, I mean it.
9. And my heart exploded when I found these two like this. Honestly the sweetest thing I have ever laid my eyes on.

Belle Vie / 33

February 18, 2015February 18, 20154 Comments

1. While shooting some content for the blog, Gus decided to join in and when I went to edit the images I almost cried laughing from how hilarious he looks in this shot.
2. Lately I’ve been trying to eat a bit healthier since I am a junk food nut. In replace of eating an entire bag of peanut butter m&ms I’ve been having almonds, dried cranberries and just a few dark chocolate chips.
3. A mountain man and his baby.
4. Maybe I’m a bit late jumping on the bandwagon, but I’ve become a huge fan of avocado toast, only this recipe is a bit more interesting – seedy bread, a little mayo dijon topped with mashed avocado and a hard-boiled egg. If you’ve never tried this before, do it!! So tasty!
5. My new Zoeva makeup brushes that I am in love with and my Falconwright clutch (unfortunately Falconwright is no longer.)
6. Always blending in to everything white.
7. My house was freezing over the weekend, so I went over to the mall and picked up some $3 slippers for my hooves – how I went without slippers for so long, I am not sure.
8. Last week I was quite ill, and for 3 days this is what my life looked like.
9. I’m modelling for and styling a lookbook this coming weekend and the designer wanted a sort of French new wave film vibe, so I picked up these Anna Karina inspired glasses…my eyesight is superb, which I shouldn’t complain about, but I sometimes wish I needed glasses so I could wear fun ones like these.