June 2014 in pictures

Banana Republic Marimekko Collection Siirtol Siirtolapuutarha dress // Banana Republic necklaces // I really hate exercise but it’s a necessity // I stop to photograph the flowers // Something healthy (I don’t do enough of that) // something not unhealthy but seriously delicious // bring colour in // Dexter the store dog, wondering why I stopped petting him // This Is Where I Leave You

June kinda sucked (despite the birthday and the pretty dresses and the good food, way too much good food, I need to nip that in the bud), so July can only be better (or worse, if I’m feeling pessimistic). But now I’m on vacation and I don’t have to think about anything except sitting in Will’s parents’ backyard soaking up the sun, and reading the 6 books I have loaded up on my eReader. And maybe watch a bit more World Cup. I don’t know who I’m supporting now though, who has the best-looking players? (I’ll admit I’m shallow. But click here and let me know if there’s anything wrong with that. And while you’re at it, click here and here too.)

Happy Canada Day tomorrow to all fellow Canucks and Happy Fourth to all Yanks.

Birthday treats (food photos)

On my actual birthday, on Thursday, I celebrated by satisfying an intense craving for key lime pie (I’m not pregnant, no idea where the craving came from).

This was homemade key lime pie at Olde Yorke Fish and Chips in Leaside, where the fish and chips are very good but I go just for the pie.

Followed by salted caramel ice cream bars with salty toffee, which were just ok.

On Saturday, I put on another pretty (and more importantly, forgiving) dress to go out for pizza again.

 
Anthropologie Talassemtane Maxi Dress (Vanessa Virginia) // J.Crew flip flops

Beet caprese salad (Ontario heirloom beets instead of tomatoes), delicious

Beef carpaccio with arugula

Buffalo mozarella, basil, nduja sausage, house-made sausage, pepperoni – it was their special of the day, the Traditional, but I requested mine white (without tomato sauce), which I prefer.

I had the chocolate-amaretto budino again

Followed by ice cream from The Chocolateria on Roncesvalles. Salted caramel (best I’ve ever had) for me, cherry vanilla for Will, in chocolate dipped waffle cones. We made a little girl jealous when she saw us sitting enjoying our cones, she was staring at us enviously and as she was walking by we heard her ask her dad “can I have an ice cream cone?” while pointing at us.

Even one of my birthday gifts was food-related:

So with all that gluttony, it’s now time to cut back on the indulgences (or cut them out entirely, let’s be honest), and cook more at home.

Got to stop spinning in circles

Food photos from the weekend coming up shortly, but first up Friday’s outfit, still in the Banana Republic Marimekko collection theme.

Jacob tank (so old, probably 2006) // J.Crew Symmetrical Stone necklace // Banana Republic Marimekko Kivet print skirt // Gap classic ballet flats in rose bush

I’m not a huge fan of polka dots, but these are really more giant black circles. I’ll admit that I snatched it up because it was the last one left in store and happened to be in my size, fully intending to decide later and return if necessary. It’s not going anywhere, it’s perfect. Except that I can’t figure out how to unstitch the pockets (the way they’re stitched up is weird), so I have to take it to an experienced sewer (Will’s mom) to get her to tell me how to do it.

I can’t get away from black and white, but I like a pop of colour with it.

Forever 29

So today is my 36th birthday, and my first reaction is OMG, when did I get this old? (Not that it’s old. Not at all. I just don’t think of myself as that age, at ALL.) So from now on, I’m 29. Forever 29!

(I think I can still pass for 25. I still get carded occasionally.)

This year, with all the crap going on (sorry, don’t mean to be cryptic about it, but I definitely don’t want to talk about it today), I wasn’t much in a celebrating mood. I didn’t care if I didn’t do anything to mark the occasion, or if I got any gifts (although my sister is getting me this gorgeous necklace and I’m not complaining), but I gotta wear a pretty dress.

Banana Republic Marimekko Collection Siirtol Siirtolapuutarha dress // J.Crew Factory Clare Cardigan // HIlary Druxman necklace // Tory Burch Reva flats

Funny story about this Marimekko Siirtolapuutarha print: I saw it as an iPhone case in Copenhagen airport on my way home from my European adventure last September, but it was almost C$60 and way more than I wanted to spend on an iPhone case at the end of an expensive trip. So when I saw the Banana Republic Dress, I pounced.

The length on the dress might be a little inappropriate for a 36-year-old, but it’s fine for a 29-year-old, right? The Marimekko collection sold out so fast, I could only get a petite size, and even though I’m 5’2”, I’m usually more comfortable in regular sizes. I might let the hem down to get another ¾ of an inch.

Since it’s a Thursday, it’ll just be a quick dinner and gelato with Will, then a proper birthday meal on Saturday (pizza again, it’s my favourite). More food photos coming up this weekend/early next week.

Taking a break from real life

I know I’m not a daily blogger (props to all that are, and thank you for keeping me entertained with my blog reader!), but I try to post at least once a week, and this was an unintentional two-week hiatus. Life gets busy, I don’t make millions from my blog (or anything, let’s be honest), so real life takes precedence.

The first week of June was crazy busy with work, and the past two weeks have also been challenging personally. The good news: no one has died, I’m fine, it’s not anything with Will (we’re great), and everything will be ok in the end…I hope. (I can’t do anything but try to be as positive as I can, as excruciatingly hard as it is to be optimistic sometimes.)

So let’s try to focus on the good stuff that’s happened over the past few weeks. (One of the reasons I like blogging is that it let’s me do that.)

My work trip to Halifax, where I managed to sneak in some sightseeing at Peggy’s Cove in my limited time there:

I’m allergic to shellfish, but my colleague had this 2.5lb monster at the restaurant at Peggy’s Cove.

I had fish and chips instead.

The day was beautiful, which made for some gorgeous views. I think I’m looking out towards where Swissair Flight 111 went down, but I’m not sure.

Gorgeous, but I was afraid I was going to fall and bash my head on the rocks (I didn’t, obviously).

A half-selfie.

It was a really short but exhausting business trip, but it was a treat to go out there.

Since then, back home, and taking photos of flowers around town:

Including this basset hound, which is much quieter and well-behaved than the real basset hound I know.

Also lots of food, of course, mainly pizza and dolci at my favourite pizzeria:

Will likes his with two runny eggs on top.

Chocolate-amaretto budino (pudding) with whipped cream and candied almonds on top, served in a trendy mason jar.

Which I couldn’t finish, so they screwed the lid on and I had the rest at home the next day.

But I’d better watch it with the pizza and sweets, or I won’t be able to fit into any of my summer clothes, which I’m now wearing. Bare legs again! It’s my birthday next week though, so I’ll cut out the bad food after that (fingers crossed).

Banana Republic tank // Baublebar x Anthropologie Seastone necklace // J.Crew Factory Clare cardigan // Anthro Scalloped Stripes Ponte Skirt (Girls From Savoy) // Gap classic ballet flats in surf blue

Not my favourite look ever, but it was fine.

Still trying to get used to this hair too. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either.