LIFE LATELY :: Birthdays. New York. Reality.

Goodness gracious it's been a while! I knew these last couple weeks were going to be busy but I never expected a whirlwind!

If you follow me on instagram you'll know I was whisked away to New York for my big three-oh! Jack was so sneaky planning the entire trip, keeping it a secret AND even including a fake-out in Albany. It was absolutely lovely. We managed to squeeze in so much so I'll just share few of my favourite moments... although I couldn't help myself so I did make a little flipagram with all my snaps.

THE surprise! // New York from Williamsburg flea // intermission at Matilda on Broadway // summer-esq outfit snap // sustenance // brooklyn for brooklyn-sake // Central Park boathouse // photo-bombing a selfie? // classics

We lucked out and had gorgeous, summery weather with only a touch of rain (slash a small hurricane) while grabbing ice cream at Fulton Ferry Pier in DUMBO. We didn't get to many actual sights, instead opting for neighbourhood to neighbourhood eating & exploring. No lines, full bellies, can't lose. We even perfected the perfect daily travel schedule:

leave hotel by 10am >> neighbourhood of choice >> breakfast >>

explore >> snack >> explore/neighbourhood hop 

hotel by 7 >> nap until 9 >> get dolled up >> head out for dinner >> home by 2

If I could, I would live in those four days on repeat. I'd meant to snap more outfit photos while as part of the itinerary but truth be told our camera is heavy and I chose life & an iPhone. We'll all just have to wait for summer so I can share all my fun outfits - don't worry though, they're worth wearing on repeat! Upon arriving home I immediately hopped on a plane to Toronto for a week with my new team and we've been packing ever since my return. May is a big one. My posting may be spotty for the next couple weeks but I cannot wait to share our new adventure!

♡ ♡ ♡

lust list :: Birthday Wishes

As my birthday is one week from today (calm down, I know, it's all very exciting) I thought it would be fitting & fun to put together a little wish list. Funny thing is, as much as I swoon daily for all of the pretty things trying to compile a slew of them together for my birthday was difficult - not something I would expect. It may be because this year is a big one but nothing felt right... like anything was monumentus enough to mark the occasion. The things I found myself wanting most were not easily purchased items but were rather thoughts & hopes for the upcoming months and year. So, to satisfy both my material and more elusive birthday wishes I included a little bit of both.

worn archive // scotch spring polishes // Joie mariner sweatpants // Shellys London brogues // Kate Spade wallet // baublebar bracelet // Marc Jacobs watch // Kate Spade sunnies // Kate Spade candle holder // Kate Spade tote // beats Pill speaker

Health: I always believe this is an important focus to consider in daily decisions.. that said - I hate running & I love sugar. As I get older though, staying ahead on this health thing is going to help so I want to adopt a routine that works for me.  

Travel: I've been really enjoying taking advantage of our new city and all the 4 hour roadtrips we've been doing. I hope we keep it up, especially as we move to a new city and so many more 4 hour roadtrip destinations open up!

Grace: Grace is the face that love wears when it meets imperfection. Holding the thought of grace always in the back of my mind leaves me better equipped to handle the daily frustrations and injustices that have no place in my heart. more of that.

Mindset: Approaching this birthday I've been wary about fore-fitting my claim to the "20-something" title I've grown quite comfortable with. The thought of it leaves me scrunching my nose and wishing for a DeLorean of my own. When I consider what I feel I'm losing, I realize I have an idea that my 20s were for discovery & adventure, while my 30s should be for focus & solidifying. I fear that shedding my 20s means losing my youth and my right to be care free, to make mistakes and to not settle. It's a fear that makes me face all the things I had hoped to accomplish by now but haven't, all the places I wanted to go but still have yet to see and all that is to come and what it will demand. While there are certain truths present I've realized there is no line in the sand. I am who I am, I want what I want, I enjoy what I enjoy and whatever the title - 20something, early 30s - I just have to remember to be true to me and those I love, the rest will come and go as it pleases.

Happiness: Because that's what this all leads to and what it's all about, right?

// bring. it. on. //

Life Lately

Sometimes you just need a little break. Unplanned, unrehearsed and a complete disappearing act. I didn't even know it was needed until it happened. I should have seen it coming though; the last couple weeks have been kah-ray-zee.

I launched two new clients at work, helped my sister pack up her life to move to FINLAND, enjoyed our last couple weeks with her, planned and pulled off Jack's 30th birthday which included a surprise trip to the Ottawa Blues Fest for Neko Case and Wu-Tang Clan, and a SURPRISE visit from his amazing sister, Ruby (now coined the best thing ruby and sorren ever managed to do) and will wrap it all up this weekend with a Blues Fest repeat to see Bjork. 

I made the most of the warm festival days so once I make some time I'll share my festival-wear with you - a hint? I'm a big fan of chucks and my new denim vest.

red, white & maple

that's right folks, today was Canada Day. It was our first Canada Day in our new city and we celebrated with our best red & whites! Each year I rack my brain trying to put together a red and white outfit [I'm cool like that], this year I was so excited to rediscover this Sugarlips dress in my closet - nothing like a little sartorial patriotism. 

Today also happens to be Jack's and my date-iversary! We had a delicious anniversary brunch at Le Gros Jambon [sah good] and then wandered around the Old Port for the afternoon before meeting up with my sister to see White House Down - what better way to celebrate a cloudy Canada Day, eh? Top it off with burgers, drinks and a surprise Guinness man-cake [baked by my sister] to kick off Jack's birthday week and I'd call this day wrapped. 

BIRTHDAY, hooray!

Today is my birthday! As per my birthday tradition it is calling for rain - thundershowers no less - but it doesn't even matter. Not a little bit. No sky is going to rain on my parade [or birthday as it were]. 

I'm not entirely sure what Jack has in store for us but I do know it involves playing hooky, sleeping in late, tasty treats and bike riding adventures - unless, of course, we are majorly rained out in which case swap in: cross-city road trips. Hope you all have lovely days with at least one adventure and while you're at it, eat a piece of cake in honour of my birthday why don't you? 

Mish Mash - A Weekend of Birthday Celebration!

As you know, Jack's birthday was last Thursday, July 5th. I love birthdays. They are the best. They are better than Christmas. There is nothing better than celebrating a birthday, especially when it belongs to someone you adore. SO. I stretched Jack's birthday as long as I could manage resulting in celebrations Thursday through Sunday. It was wonderful! We had so much fun. Thank you to our amazing and wonderful families for sharing the weekend and helping me make it a birthday to remember!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
July 5th, morning - open gifts!
July 5th, afternoon - surprise, there's another gift!
July 5th, evening - a delicious five course birthday meal at Coastal at Night

July 6th - family birthday dinner & gifts at Mexico Lindos

July 7th - birthday shindig complete with neckties, friends, cocktails and an AMAZING Chai birthday cake, with French Vanilla Cardamom custard and White Chocolate Cream cheese icing from the GORGEOUS Gateaux Rose

July 8th - birthday lunch with my family i.e. more cake [raspberry & pistachio] and gifts

July 9th - leftover cake for breakfast

Happy Birthday to Handsome Jack.

I love birthdays; they are the absolute best! I think I may even love other people's birthdays more than my own... I've got a bunch planned for today and through the weekend, but I can't tell you about it 'cause Jack's a snoop. So many secrets, I think I may burst!

Twenty-Eight is the New Twenty-Seven

Today is my birthday! ... i.e. Wedding Wednesday is once again put on hold. Don't worry though, I've been planning loads and we'll be back on track next week. 

This year is special. This year, my birthday festivities will stretch out over an entire week. That's right Saturday to Saturday, with a little birthday-payback sure to drop by Sunday morning. If you follow me on instagram or twitter you are likely aware that my parents made me a delicious meal Saturday night while Jack and I were down in the valley getting our wedding-planning on. We had almond-stuffed mushroom caps, spanakopita and caprese salad. It was delicious, it was diverse, it was like I went on a food crawl of Europe - but much less expensive.

I'm not exactly sure what's in store for me once the clock strikes five, but I'm pretty sure there will be cake involved - there better be cake involved. Not that I need more pastry ...my day began with two rounds of Two if by Sea croissants and then I had some red curry from Chabaa for lunch. But thems the breaks. It sure is tough having a birthday.

Food Friday: Carrot Cake

Carrot cake... where do I begin??
I make this cake at minimum, 2 times a year (usually it's more like 4 -5).
It all began when Jack and I first started dating and I found out that he LOVES carrot cake. If it were a human I would have some intense competition for his attention. Even as a baked good it often overshadows me... but that's an issue for another time.

So, two times a year I'm required (although I do so lovingly) to make this cake.
The first time is at Jack's birthday, the other is at Ruby's (Jack's sister)
Apparently the whole Carr family has a thing for carrot cake
and when Ruby realized Jack was getting it on an annual basis she signed up, although under the strict request that there be no nut OF ANY SORT included in the cake. She's "allergic".  

Carrot Cakes are pretty easy to make, they're just slightly time consuming. 

1 & 2 - The hardest part to get through is the beginning when grating carrots. Usually I am able to coax someone else into doing this for me, but this time I was on my own. It. took. FOREVER. I'm serious. The only reason I didn't go crazy while doing it was that I pulled up a stool and set up Gossip Girl (pre-Christmas)- I recommend it for everyone. 

3 - A key thing to remember is to shift that s*** (i.e. flour, baking powder, spices, etc.) Sifting when baking cakes, muffins and cupcakes, makes all the difference in the world. When I make a special cake, I even sift 2 - 3 times - yeah, that's right, I over do it. That's how I roll folks; all or nothing.

4, 5 & 6 - Another trick I like to use when making cake (although it is slightly less effective when carrots or other disruptive ingredients are involved), is to separate the yolk from the egg white. I mix the yolk in with the rest of the wet ingredients and then beat the whites until they form soft peaks.

Place the egg whites aside and continue the recipe as instructed. Once everything is mix in, fold in the egg whites. This should help make your cake lighter since the white add air into the mixture - it's the bees knees. 

 FULL RECIPE (It's my go-to)

The icing is fairly simple and completely delicious.

1. Make sure you have enough icing sugar. I always assume I have enough but never do. Checking first will save you a trip to the store in your sexy sweats and lounge-wear.

2. Take your room-temperature butter and cream cheese and blend them together. Take these out when you begin your cake. I never do. I only think of them as the cake goes in the oven and then I have to wait. Don't worry though... I always have tons of Gossip Girl to catch up on, and once that's done there's always Vampire Diaries (or VD, as Mary would prefer call it).

3. Blend everything with your mixer. Don't be a hero, mixing by handing does nothing for anyone. Everything includes, vanilla, icing sugar, butter, cream cheese and grated lemon and orange rind. Don't think this is enough of a recipe? Here's the full thing.

4. Oh yeah, the orange is my secret edition. So don't tell anybody... I'm looking at you, internets.

Now all you gotta do is decorate to your hearts content. Sometimes I fill the iced cake with walnut pieces, other times I use the coloured icing tubes to decorate. When I feel fancy I go all out a create tiny little marzipan carrots that I paint with orange food colouring and top with cloves.

The one note I will make is, when layering cakes it helps to shave off the top rounded part of the cake. This will help them stack better and prevent sliding.

My decorating job for Jack's birthday 2011