Friday 22 July 2016

Fashion Friday: Country Concert

Happy Friday everyone!! This has been such a long, busy, productive week and I am so excited that the weekend is here!! I will be heading up to the summer home to spend time at the beach and with family- it should be a good weekend!! 

In my opinion, summer weekends and concerts go hand in hand, especially country concerts! I am a HUGE country music fan, and while I don't have any plans to attend any concerts this weekend, I wouldn't mind heading to one! 
 
The next best thing? Styling an outfit for a country concert! Well, maybe not "the next best thing", but this is a pretty fun country concert outfit!
 
Hat // Belt // Boots // Dress //  Watch // Necklace
 
Something that sets country concert goers apart from other concert goers are the cowboy boots and hat! These gorgeous Turquoise Lace Boots from King Ranch Saddle Shop will stand out in a crowd and are a great statement piece for this outfit. The other statement piece is this Tourism Calgary Canvas Hat by Smithbilt Hats Inc. Smithbilt is basically the official hat supplier for the Calgary Stampede...they are iconic!

I am a fan of colour and I think that turquoise and pink are a beautiful and fun colour combination. This Cami Dress from Old Navy is not only perfect for a country concert, but it is super comfortable. I maybe own one or two or ten of these dresses in various prints and colours. 

For accessories, I decided to keep it simple. The colours in the Layered Cabochon Disc Pendant Necklace by Lucky Brand go beautifully with this dress and are a nice compliment to the boots. This bourbon coloured Textured Faux Leather Belt by Ralph Lauren and the Luggage Metro Watch by Kate Spade are the perfect finishing touches to this outfit. 

Now, if only I had somewhere to wear this outfit...

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!

Wednesday 13 July 2016

Currently- July Edition

I have decided, after years of blogging, that I would jump on the 'currently' blog posts. I always enjoy reading other blogger's 'currently' posts, so I thought I would do my own, so here we go:
 
Watching
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Gilmore Girls. I didn't get into this show when it was on TV, but I have been watching it on Netflix- currently on Season 5.
 
Reading
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 A co-worker and friend lent me this book. I'm about 100 pages in and love it!

Listening
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I am listening to "Can't Stop The Feeling" by Justin Timberlake on repeat...love this song and it's a fantastic summer song too!
Planning
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A food truck event for later this month!! It should be pretty fun!!
 
Feeling
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I had some shocking and upsetting news late last week. Yesterday (which is when I wrote this post) was the first time I was really able to process that news. My heart hurts more than I thought it would. But I know things will be ok, everything happens for a reason, and that things will work out the way they were meant too. 
Wanting 
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I am on the hunt for a 2017 agenda. I usually get a Lilly Pulitzer agenda, but am thinking about trying a Kate Spade agenda this year. I wouldn't mind being the owner of the Kate Spade agenda pictured here.
Loving
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I am so loving this amazing beach weather we have had this summer!!


Tuesday 12 July 2016

Hey, It's Ok!

Airing My Dirty Laundry

To be saddened and concerned about all of the violence and negativity recently. When will this end? What has to happen for the powers that be to step up and make changes?

That I had a pretty great weekend! It was nice to spend time with my parents, sans my siblings (who I do love dearly), and be an only child...even if it was only for a couple of days. We did a ton of stuff- out for breakfast and dinner, time at the beach, craft show, and visited a conservation area.

To not understand this whole Pokemon phenomenon. I just don't get it. What's the hype? Why is it so great?

That I am sad that a colleague is no longer a colleague- she left the organization. I truly enjoyed working with her, learning from her, and the friendship we created. She is missed and I'm struggling a bit without her.

To blessed to have some amazing friends in my life. They are always looking out for me, helping me, supporting me, and wanting to see the best for me. They truly amazing and I am so lucky to have them in my life.


Friday 8 July 2016

Fave 5: Edition 5

Happy Friday!! We are hours away from the start of the weekend. I have a weekend filled with family ahead of me and I very much looking forward to it!! Something else I look forward to? Summer! There are many, many, many things that I LOVE about summer, it's a long list, but today I thought I would share five of my favourite things about summer!! So here we go:

1. Cottage
I am so incredibly lucky that we have a cottage in our family. I don't spend nearly as much time there as I would like, but I LOVE being at the cottage- especially when my cousins are around! My childhood was spent here and I have nothing but happy memories.
 
2. Bonfires
We are currently under a fire ban because it has been so dry, but my some of my favourite summer nights have been spent around a bonfire with either family or friends. 

3. Drinks on the patio
Is there anything better than meeting up with friends or going out with colleagues after work for a few drinks on the patio? Great way to unwind, enjoy the summer weather, and have fun with friends.

4. Outdoor concerts
All summer nights, in my opinion, should include music. If it's music you can listen to live, even better. If it's live music and outside, that is ideal. 

5. Summer Sunsets
Something that I do on Friday and Saturday nights, if I'm at the lake, is head down to the beach to watch the sunset. Not only is it a spectacular view and a great way to end the day, but it is so peaceful and tranquil. 



Thursday 7 July 2016

From The Archives: Pink Flamingo

For today's post, I thought I would head back into the archives and share this fantastic drink recipe- Pink Flamingo
We are fully into the summer season and one of my favourite summer activities is to socialize with friends- aka drinks on the patio/deck/balcony/outdoor space. Combine this activity with my favourite animal, flamingos, and you have one of my favourite summer drinks. I often serve this drink in the summer months when I have friends over. A great thing about this drink? It can easily be adjusted and made into a non-alcoholic drink so everyone can enjoy it!

Wednesday 6 July 2016

Woke Up Feelin' This Way

Happy Wednesday!! We are half way through the week and I am counting down the days until the weekend- another summer weekend spent at the beach!! In my opinion, there are a lot of things that make summer...well, summer. One of those things is music. While we listen to music throughout the year, we always have music playing during the summer- especially when we are outside. Whether it's hanging out in the backyard, on a patio, or down at the beach, music is there to add to the experience. 

One song that I am currently loving- I can't get it out of my head and I think it's a great summer song- is this one:

Me Too by Megan Trainor
 
This song makes me want to have a dance party on the patio. Maybe, I should do that this weekend!!

Tuesday 5 July 2016

Hey, It's Ok!

Airing My Dirty Laundry

To have taken a very extended blogging break. And to be back to blogging. 

That I don't like that Big Brother brought back former houseguests, especially since- in my opinion- they brought back annoying houseguests. 

To love everything that K.A. Tucker writes. If you like to read, you MUST check out her books! I'm a HUGE fan of hers and have not been able to put down any of her books. I have recruited a number of co-workers to the K.A. Tucker fan club too!

That after months of searching, I still haven't found a condo to buy. The right place, at the right time, will come along. I need to continue to be patient.

To being looking forward to an event that I am working on for later this month- there will be food trucks!!

That I am excited that a friend from high school- who I have recently reconnected with- has decided to start a book club!! I'm looking forward to reading and being introduced to new books and authors, as well as the socializing that will come along with it!

Monday 4 July 2016

Inspire Me: Future Imagined

Happy Monday!! I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. It was a long weekend for my Canadian friends- we had Friday off for Canada Day- and is a long weekend for my American friends- Independence Day. 
 
This past weekend, I also had the opportunity to share my second home with one of my longest standing friends- it was fun to show her around- and I had the opportunity to celebrate my great-grandmother's birthday! I love seeing and spending time with my grandma.

Anyway, life has been pretty busy these past few months, but a lot of fun too!! I went through a period (that lasted a few years), were things were not happy or positive and I kept pushing through, hoping things would get better. Better they did get! I had no idea that I would ever be this happy, appreciated, satisfied, or fulfilled. My life has done a 180 in the past year and a half. I am so blessed and thankful.
 
This quote isn't necessarily one of my favourites- I do like it a lot- but it applies to me 100%. This quote is a great reminder when plans veer off track or you get frustrated with the way life is going. I am constantly reminding myself that my past is not a reflection of my future- all of the negative I experienced won't follow me into my future. The future is bright and will be better than expected.



Friday 1 July 2016

Happy 149th Canada!!

149 years ago, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick decided to form a nation, and thus (the Dominion of) Canada was created.
 
If you know me, you know I LOVE my country and you know that I LOVE being a Canadian. I am proud of everything Canada stands for and am in awe of the diversity and beauty of this country I call home. I honestly believe that Canada is one of the best and most beautiful countries in the world. 

Tourism Canada has a ton of fantastic videos that showcase this great country, which showcases Canadian experiences and Canadian destinations. In honour of Canada Day, I thought I would share this video with all of you:

Explore Canada- The best of the best of the best