weekly (un)wind: Canada Day Festivities!

 

Growing up I was on the shy and more introverted side, which is why it surprises me that as I've gotten older I've come to be quite sociable! In fact, in the last year I've realized I just can't say no to any sort of social gathering. I love doing dinner, drinks, movies, coffee, planning (and attending) small and large parties alike and especially any event that revolves around dancing and getting silly! 

 

Red and White Wine Sangria

Living in Ottawa, Canada Day has always been a huge celebration for Jeff and I. His parents have a big and beautiful backyard (equipped with pool and tiki bar), where we invite all of our family and friends for an all-day party, ending the night with fireworks and sparklers.

It's a great way to kick off the summer months, and has become a fun tradition that's created lots of memories!

Parliament Hill on Canada Day! Celebrating in the nation's capital.

  

 "And I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy."

The Great Gatsby

It's always sad going back to work after a long weekend, but I'm looking forward to an exciting and action-packed July!

Adventures in Tulum

Well, it's safe to say: I had a love affair with Mexico. I loved the people, the culture and the experiences we had there! Having an entire week to eat, drink, adventure, and spend time with my friends (and myself, of course!) is more then I could have ever asked for.

 

We managed to squeeze a lot into our little seven day retreat: a crazy first day (that I'll never forget), cliff jumping into a big blue lagoon (little mermaid fantasies coming true),  a (scary) underwater cave tour, a failed canoeing trip, zip-lining, a birthday party, the Mayan ruins and amazing and authentic Mexican food at a little restaurant on the beach. 

Swimming with sea turtles and through a coral reef was definitely a highlight, as were the outrageous games of Cards against Humanity. I came home with a sunburn (still paying for that one) and 600 photos (I spontaneously bought an underwater Nikon camera before we left, and it was the BEST purchase ever!) along with some souvenirs. Endless laughs and reading three books later... that doesn't even cover half of it!

We've been back for about a week, and I'm happy to say I don't have the vacation blues. We returned to beautiful spring weather, and unpacking inspired me to de-clutter and organize nearly my entire house! It feels good when everything has a proper home.

I finally began to scrapbook after printing pictures from my trip. I've been gathering up art supplies in tupperware for years now, waiting for the day when I would feel like starting again. It's hard to get that push when your days feel so busy and you come home from work so tired!

Feeling energized, I promised myself that this summer instead of mindlessly watching TV or losing myself in the internet, I would do something for ME. And that is going to be scrapbooking! I love finishing a page and looking back on past memories. I feel like it's something I'll have fun looking back on when I'm older as well.

Jeff surprised me yesterday by cleaning our patio from top to bottom (we live in a construction area, so over the winter it got VERY muddy), and planting us some colourful new flowerbeds! I'm excited to read and have breakfast in the mornings outside again.

I love spring. Bring on the sunshine!

Sam

(PS - I should dedicate this post to my love for my new photo editing app by A Beautiful Mess. You can find it in the iTunes store!)

Folded (Unfolded) Unfolding

"If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she's late? Nobody." - JD Salinger (Real Simple Magazine/2001)

Life this past week has been...interesting, to say the least! Lots of big changes for me on so many levels. At a time when I feel like I've come so far professionally and personally, life always manages to throw a  curve ball, making you re-visit and re-learn everything you thought you knew about yourself. I've had the song Colorblind by the Counting Crows on repeat for the past week - the lyric "I am folded/and unfolded/and unfolding" seems to describe my state very accurately! (Fun fact - I saw Counting Crows open for Maroon5 when I was 17 years old and had no idea who they were. After dating Jeff, a big fan, I now know their music by heart and regret not paying more attention when I saw them from five feet away!)

Anyways, I'm becoming a bit obsessed with Instagram, (and my iPhone in general) for allowing me to capture more candid moments in my life. I love having a timeline of memories on a day to day basis that I may not remember otherwise. I find it sweet and peaceful to look back on my week in pictures and remember the happy, funny and cute moments that happened.

1 - I made some frivolous makeup purchases this week! Kate Moss (my favorite model, I would die for her natural cat eye among other things) came out with a new line of lipstick from Rimmel this year and I finally found it at a Shoppers downtown. Naturally I bought three shades.

I also purchased the Benefit "Boing" concealer, my favorite brand specifically for their packaging.

2 - Last Saturday I threw a princess themed Birthday party for one of my girlfriends! Strawberry shortcake cupcakes, pixie sticks, and "pin the diamonds on the Barbie" all included!

3 - Nothing makes me happier then colours that pop. The first picture is a pot my mom painted in her crafty days. I get a lot of my inspiration from her. I've been debating getting these flowers tattooed for awhile now, but I can't decide how I feel about tattoos with colour in them...

Second is my new haul of books! I'm lucky to have a godmother (and her best friend) who read atleast a book a week and then ship them off my way to pick through! I can't lie...sometimes I pick books specifically based on their pretty covers. I love them on my beside table (The one pictured above is The Blind Contessa's New Machine - Carey Wallace).

4 - I got to spend some quality time with my two best friends this weekend which was more needed then I can put into words. One just got back from Thailand and brought me back the sweetest (and shiniest...) travel mirror. She knows me well. She had lots of stories to tell and pictures to show. She travelled to Thailand to teach English for 6 months, then proceeded to go to Cambodia, Vietnam, and finish her trip visiting a friend in China!

My other best friend and I celebrated the beginning of her summer! Exams done, fancy dinner, followed by an old fashioned sleepover (blow up mattress in the living room, playing scratch cards and reading books..lots of giggling. The whole shebang!) We woke up the next morning and headed to the Ottawa Convention Centre for the Vintage Clothing Show. We go every year together and it's become a tradition I really look forward to. It was a great day.

5 - A little pick me up! I was feeling down so I picked up an adorable canvas (a bit damaged - or as I like to call it "pre-loved") from Winners on sale for only $14. I put it up in my makeup room so I can see it every morning. I love the idea of celebrating everything, big and small.

And my new desktop! I'm on my computer a lot and it's a nice reminder to choose to have a good day. Thanks to DesignLoveFest.

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And with that...I'm off to Mexico for the week with my boyfriend and some friends! Our plane takes off tomorrow morning at 7AM. I am anxious but beyond excited for a week of relaxing, reading and taking in some sun. It's the perfect timing!

Sam