1. This may be my favourite picture of Ryan. I love how his eyes smile.
2-3. Taking Gertie to the park is so thrilling for me. She really loves it, except when she sees or hears a small motor vehicle coming by, then she loses it and runs for her life. Meaghan and I had a good time chasing her down the other day.
4. I love the light fixtures at Pizza Libretto. Would love to have something like this in my home one day.
5. The power was out on my entire street last week from 6pm – 2am, I’m still unsure of the reason. The only other time I had no power in my apartment was during a severe storm. It’s amazing realizing how much we rely on electricity. Ryan and I had to go out to eat and then spent the evening by candlelight.
6. Meaghan is such a beauty and someone I am very thankful to have in my life. Frankie is pretty neat too – such a strange little creature she is.
7 – 16. Ryan took me to the “secret beach” last week. It sort of made me think of“The Beach”. There were a few people walking by with dogs, but for the most part it was pretty vacant. It’s a spot I would like to frequent this summer, and maybe let a few friends in on the secret.
Tag: Ontario
Belle Vie / 10
1. Sipping coffee in the sun room at Ryan’s dad’s home. This is our favorite room to start the day when visiting.
2. Beach feet.
3. Blue skies and yellow umbrellas.
4. We spent a lot of time at the beach this past weekend, which is ironic since I’m a ginger who burns within 5 minutes of direct sunlight on the ol’ pale skin.
5. Beans, Ebony…she has a lot of names, and none of them really describe what a wonderful dog she is.
6. Playing his acoustic guitar again. It’s funny, I only seem to photograph him when he plays his acoustic, but he really loves his black and tan Les Paul the most, and plays it way more often.
7. They have burned all the trees in the “Tree Preservation Area”.
8. Tullah, oh wee Tullah. I swear to you, small fluffy dogs love me, they just know, at heart, I am one of them.
9. Just some pretties chillin at the beach.
10. Moody beach bum.
11.The tiniest pine cone. There was another picture we took with these wee pine cones, but it was out of focus, which is such a shame, it would have been a great pic.
12. He is always highly entertaining to take pictures of. I sometimes think he is more comfortable in front of the camera than I am.
Swedish Summer
Sometimes it’s necessary for me to get out of the city. I do love Toronto (like really really do) but my mind and body often crave the slowness, fresh air, and silence that north of the city has to offer. Luckily for me, Ryan’s family lives in Barrie, in a beautiful home with ample outdoor space and a very short walk to the waterfront and forest. Ryan and I made the most of our weekend by doing pretty well nothing, which felt perfect. And I was excited to get this Family Affairs, Swedish Summer dress in the mail from Nina about a week or two before. It was the perfect dress for this particular day – lightweight, summery and fun. It’s one of those dresses that doesn’t really need styling – the print is so awesome and the cut is so cute, it’s a piece that can stand on it’s own, in my opinion. I like over the top and complicated sometimes, but I also really like simplicity, as long as I stay true to my silly, quirky nature.
I hope you all had a very lovely weekend. Mine isn’t over just yet, but I’ll keep this short and sweet because I have many new items to photograph for the shop (!!!), cleaning (ugh!) and grocery shopping to do. So, bye for now!
Dress: Family Affairs
Shoes: G.H. Bass & Co
Keep On Walking
It was such a beautiful weekend filled with friends, good food, and time well spent outdoors. Whatever little bit of warmth mother nature will give us, we shall receive with open arms. Because of my surgery, lack of sun and a never ending bitter chill in the air, I’ve been finding it hard to motivate myself to do anything other than sit on my couch with one of my many antique tea pots and episode after episode of Friday Night Lights (insert Nashville, New Girl, Girls, The Mindy Project). This is not natural for me…it’s not the sort of thing that keeps me happy (although those shows are amazing!!!) So it doesn’t hurt that one of my best friends (well two) is (are) the brains behind The Vacant North and can remind me that while winter can feel like the enemy, and the wind can deter us from leaving our nests (which is sometimes totally reasonable! i don’t want frostbite), if weather permits, hiking and exploring can be just as invigorating and fulfilling with snow on the ground (and ice water in your boots).
When I first got my Samantha Pleet Blixen Boots I told myself I would never wear them in the snow, and I would keep them in impeccable condition. But the snow came, and day after day I’d lace them onto my feet because there was no other boot I really wanted to wear. And after some time I realized I would rather have them come along on adventures with me. Why not let them live?! Afterall, I feel Samantha Pleet always depicts strong, beautiful, adventurous women in her clothing and shoe designs, so it makes sense that outdoors and in nature is where they are mean’t to be.
*photos of me taken by Meaghan
Coat: in the shop!!
Skirt: vintage via Common Sort
Beret: vintage
Scarf: thrifted via Salvation Army
Socks: H&M
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine
Gloves: gift from Meaghan
Cutting Ice to Snow (with your legs)
I am currently visiting my family in Ottawa for the holidays. It has been one year since I visited my home-city, which seems totally insane, considering it’s only 6 hours away (bad daughter!). Needless to say, this time of year is always a special one for me. Snow and ice made it a bit of challenge to actually get here, but we made it safe and sound…until these photos. The snow in these photos was up to my knees, and about half way through taking them I really regretted my decision (like REALLY regretted). My finger tips still don’t feel right, and the snow literally cut my legs until they were bleeding. I came wearing pants, but could not get them back on because they had frozen from being wet. The pants-less trudge back home was a treacherous one. It was all around one of the less smart decisions I have made in my life. However, it’s sometimes hilarious to know the things that happen behind the scenes. Sometimes things look so right, and that they exist perfectly within their own realm. But really, if you saw what was happening during the whole experience you would A) wonder if I even had a brain and B) consider rescuing me from my own stupidity.
Anyways, it happened, I came away with some decent shots, and I still have all my fingers and toes…so not a bad day. I am now off to decorate our tree and wrap some presents for my family. I hope everyone has a very lovely Christmas Eve.
Dress: a little boutique in Toronto (cant remember name)
Headpiece: handmade by my Mother
okay andie 