The Perfect Up-Do's

I can't even count the amount of times I have rocked horrific up-do's. I look back at pictures and I can't stop laughing. At the time, I thought they were chic, timeless, and super on trend. Boy, was I wrong. I think that happens with everything though; fashion, hair, + beauty change and evolve that it makes the pictures you look back on seem out of date. What is cool now, isn't always cool a few years down the road!

Lately, the trend for weddings or events is very simple hair - usually left down, natural, and not fussed with. What happened to getting a really great up-do? I think if you do the proper research and find a style that works with your dress, face shape, and hair - an up-do can look really nice instead of leaving your locks free. I think the key to a good up-do is a confident hair stylist, do your research (so don't just pick out an up-do from a magazine or ancient hair book from the salon you just walked into for the appointment), leave your hair un-washed so that it is easier to manage, and lots of moveable hairspray.

Up-do's don't need to include 100 bobbi pins anymore. They can be simple pony-tails, braids, or top-knots. 

For your wedding are you wearing your hair up or down? What are your bridesmaids doing? 

Spring is in the air...

Mixing patterns is still HOT for Spring. Especially mixed with gold accessories!

Denim and a crisp white shirt never goes out of style + is the perfect Spring wardrobe.

Floral skirts are all the rage + especially worn short!

Denim cut-offs are a wardrobe staple. Bring on the thicker belt + pair with a plain T with denim jacket for a wardrobe win!You can never go wrong with a print Spring dress. Layer with a light cardie and your favourite pair of sunnies for a great overall look.

Things that would be nice to have...

I have been trying to find the perfect aviators...but the right ones just haven't come along. I majorly need by Vegas - so I guess now the hunt continues and my first stop will be Michael Kors.

Diamonds are a girls best friend. My mom had bought me some beautiful diamond earrings a long time ago - but I unfortunately lost them. I would really like to get a new pair. They are the perfect accessory that is very timeless. You can wear them every day, with every outfit! I love the shape of the ones above!

Gold scissors? Ahmaze. Once we move into the new house - I'm buying these. I love them!

Every girl needs the perfect LBD. I don't feel like I have one in my wardrobe right now. I want one that would be good for day or night. Something simple and elegant. The right LBD is really hard to find...

What's a girl to do when she wants a great black bag and has to choose between Celine + Balenciaga?

I really want fun and interesting details like this lamp at the new house. They would add character and charm.

The perfect party partner. Music is the key to a good party - so this will also be needed for the endless amount of gatherings that I hope to have at the new house. Space = Party.

Oh and since it's Friday and the weekend is almost here, wanted to share with you some amazing recipes I've maid via Pinterest in the past week - so you can enjoy too!

Skinny Cheesy Potatoes: These were really good - but I used real potatoes and grated them. Next time I would cube them.

Huevos Rancheros:  Such a great breakfast! I ate mine without the tortilla since I am on a health regime, but my fiance loved it with the tortilla. I also added cheese just for some extra flavour!

Hummus: On Pinterest - this was titled, "Best Hummus Recipe Ever!" - well it's true. It is delicious and I pretty much ate the whole dip in 3 days.

Lemon + Feta Dip: Very light and packed with flavour. Takes about 2 minutes to whip up! I cut up some carrots and cucumber and toasted some pitas for dipping. I tossed the leftover dip into some kale and it made an unreal dresses - you just have to add a bit of olive oil to thin it out.

Turkey Lettuce Tacos: This was dinner the other night. Such great flavouring in the meat. 

7 Layer Crazy Greek Dip: Made this for Easter dinner. It's more like a meal and hard to scoop. Tasted great thou.

Happy shopping, cooking, and decorating this weekend!

Wedding Photography Inspiration

When I am thinking about my wedding photos - I look to non-wedding photos for inspiration. Today's post is focusing on photos for me and my girls. I want them to be inspired by fashion and be pictures that we would all want of each other. I want us to look glamorous and have a lot of fun taking them. Better practice your modeling poses ladies! xo

This picture is happening forsure. I love everything about it. 

Since we are getting married at a beautiful resort in Muskoka, this picture with all 7 of my girls the morning of looking at the water would be AH-MAZE!

I would love to get this shot before we are ready + then another after. I have some pretty styling bridesmaids - so this would be unreal especially infront of the rustic cottages.

The un-posey - posey nature of this photo is awesome. 

Besides how epic the hair is in this photo. At the wedding I would like to get a pic with each of my girls. 

I want my photos to express movement, emotion, and be more free. I don't want any stuffy stand around photos that are the mainstream typical photos you always see.

I have a super awesome photographer who I know can pull these shots off. I'm excited to have a little photo shoot with my girls on the day of the wedding. It will be fun. I'm sure we may feel silly at moments, but that's all part of it!

New House Update: Basement Inspiration

The countdown until we move into our new house is on. We are officially less than 30 days until moving day. I feel so very ready to leave our condo. It was our first home purchase together - but we are excited about what lies ahead. 

We are both in LOVE with our new house. Actually. It's so very us. 

Unfortunately, the new house has a dungeon for a basement. It's actually kinda creepy. Well, according to me and my super awesome realtor. We have had 2 contractors come over to plan out the basement renovation, the cost, and scope of the project. I have never been through a full on renovation like this before, just a small bathroom face-lift, so I am pretty excited. It does seem a bit daunting - but I like the idea of putting together the plans, lay-outs and really customizing the space to our taste.

Here are a few of my must-haves for the finished basement:

1st MUST HAVE: Laundry Station

Right now, the only laundry in the new house is in the upstairs bathroom. It's a washer/dryer combo. Not a super fan of this and heard when you have kids it can be a nightmare! I'm looking forward to getting a super high efficiency washer and dryer. I want there to be storage and a folding station.

2nd MUST HAVE: TV Area + Wainscoting

We are looking forward to creating another living space in the house in the basement. We want to have a super comfy sectional, big tv (Ryan will watch sports + I will watch a ton of reality tv), wainscoting, lots of white and light colours, and just another spot to entertain really. I've heard that putting tile in the basement makes the most sense in case of a flood, so we are going to go with hardwood looking tile. Perhaps, even upgrade some in floor heating. Booyah! 

3rd MUST HAVE: Bathroom + Shower 

When Ryan and I were laying out the criteria in our new home, we said that there had to be at least 2 bathrooms. Well, the house we bought only had one. Sometimes you have to compromise - it is Toronto! Nonetheless, now we need to put in an additional bathroom in the basement. We want a small upright shower, no tub, toilet and sink. 

4th MUST HAVE: Custom Built-Ins

In the new house I am craving organization, storage, and a spot for everything. Living in a condo that had zero storage solutions has really got me thinking about space savers and organization. For the basement I really want to have a custom built-in for the tv, books, toys for future babies, and other odds and ends. It makes for a great focal point in the room and keeps things tidy.

5th MUST HAVE: Pot Lights

The house we bought is an old Victorian home and during that time, basements weren't necessary or needed. Hence, why our basement is such a dungeon. The ceilings are low in the new basement, so as part of the construction we need to bench it, which means we need to dig down to create more height. The other option besides benching is under pinning - but that is a huge beast that comes with a super high price tag. We are opting for the cheaper and just as good option! In order to keep the height we are creating, I want to go with pot lights for lighting. They are snug to the ceiling and look great. 

This renovation is going to be a huge undertaking - but I'm pumped about it.