What I am Loving Wednesday

Today is awesome!  It's Wednesday - but technically it's my Friday.  Woot! Woot!  Below are a few things I am digging at the moment.

I am super stoked that I get the next four days off. Tomorrow I am taking a much needed 'summer day' and Friday we will celebrate Canada's 144th birthday.  To celebrate Canada's birth, Steve and I will start by visiting his parents for the day and then meeting a friend for wings.  Well the boys will eat wings and since I am not a meat-eater I will enjoy some delicious poutine!  Maybe I will even make some of these for afterwards- because I do make pretty delicious cupcakes? 

I am extremely excited that Banana Republic will be creating a Mad Men - Inspired Line. Seriously?!  This is amazing! Did you know that I am a Mad Men fan?  I Recently became obsessed with this show after some office mates peer pressured me to watch it.  Now I am hooked!  I love Don Draper.  I love the afternoon drinks in the office.  I want to work at Sterling.Cooper. I want to look  and walk like Joan Holloway (Harris).  I want to see the world painted with more Betty Draper-inspired dresses.  Thanks to Banana Republic {and my laziness to vintage shop} - I can have this.  For now I am patiently waiting for the extended Mad Men series hiatus to end and this line to launch. 

{Picture Via}

I am happy that I somehow have twenty {20} blog followers in my entourage.  That makes me feel special.  Thanks for reading lovely people - you're super nice.  I am not sure where this blog is going - but I am pretty proud that I have stuck with it for the past 3 months.  That's difficult for a girl like me.  Seriously - thanks for the encouragement. 

And I am pumped that this weekend we are planning to get out of the city and head to the Sugar Bush for some weekend BBQ eating, living room dancing, and hanging with good friends.  It's seriously needed.  Peace out!

Check out what others are digging by visiting Jamie at 'This Kind Of Love'

Wedding ABC's | Father of the Bride

{F} Father Of The Bride 
This subject matter seems perfectly timed since my dear pseudo father is currently visiting from England.  Since we had a destination wedding and not everyone could attend {and I am not ready to get really personal  - yet} I was in need of someone to 'give me away'.  Actually I just wanted someone to walk me down the aisle.  I needed the support.  Just in case I tripped and fell {it's known to happen}.  I needed someone there to pick me up - just in case.  I needed someone to wait with me while everyone was waiting at the ceremony site - there was no way I was going to do that alone. 

Originally we had asked my pseudo dad, Brandon, to be our officiant - but we then came to realize that it's a lot more complicated to sort that out when marrying out of the country.  Actually I don't even think it's legally  possible in Cuba? I was bummed out about this at first because we both really wanted Brandon to be a part of our day. 

Brandon and I have known each other since grade 10 {or tenth grade}.  We became instant friends and have been ever since.  I am sure there are some good stories I could share - but let's just say we grew up together.  Steve and Brandon also played in a band together at some point in their teenage/early adolescent years. Apparently an awesome band?! If you know them - I'm sure you've been lucky enough to hear some tracks.  I wish I could tell you this was their band attire because it's pretty rad - but we can just pretend!!

Brandon and Steve were friends before Steve and I met. He was the reason we ended up hangin' in the same circle.  He's close to Steve and I - but in different ways.  He was the perfect person to walk me down the aisle. He even made sure I got my shoes off - without falling!  He's a great pseudo dad.

Missing something?  Get caught up here as I recap our wedding, from A-Z. 

{A} Attendance

{B} Bridal Party 
{C} Ceremony 
{D} Dress 
{E} Engagement

Flashback Friday | Pre-career Retirement

Today has been one of those days where nothing seems to go quite right.  Some could even say that I woke up on the wrong side of the bed!  I can honestly say T.G.I.F.F. {yes there is an extra F}

Days like these really make me miss my globetrotting life.  The days where I only worked for three hours  - 20 hours a week and was still able to shop. And travel. And save money.  It makes me miss the countless mornings lounging around the pool, drinking some sort of delicious drink. The endless possibilities to escape the city for some oceany awesomeness.  I long for those days where I enjoyed every minute - instead of wondering why there aren't enough hours.  Or how the days/months have passed me by so quickly.  Is it possible that I experienced a pre-career retirement?

Regardless, I wish I could do this for the rest of my life and feel like this all the time.

Check out other trips down memory lane with the new host  Lauren from 'Heya, Sparky!' for flashback Friday

What I am Loving Wednesday

I participated in 'What I am Loving Wednesday' last week and well I am kinda loving it - so I thought I'd join in again today because there are a few things that I am loving on this rainy dreary Wednesday.

I am loving that I had the day off this past Monday and I got to spend the entire day curled up on the couch with this guy, while I caught up on homework.  To be honest - there was a whole lot more cat napping going on then homework.  This guy makes an awesome pillow.  Isn't he the cutest?

I am loving that our dear friend Brandon is back in Canada for a visit for the next two weeks.  I am also loving that we are going to get together and have dinner at my favourite restaurant on 'the Danforth' tonight - Astoria.  Seriously their Greek Salad is unreal - it's smothered in copious amounts of feta.  And their tzatziki is outstanding.  And their vegetable kebabs are delicious. 

Via Astoria

I am loving pinterest. Who isn't?! It's amazing!  I have pinned so many great innovative ideas.  I have viewed countless pictures of adorable cats.  It's a fabulous time waster.  And crafty inspiration.  Like this DIY picnic blanket - I am going to sew one of these babies up before the end of picnic season.

Via Pinterest

I am loving that new photos were recently uploaded to our Photobucket group album from the wedding. And I am loving that this picture was one of them.  I love everything about this photo. It really captures how I felt in that moment - I am going to frame it.  I love it so much. [Thanks J]

Check out what others are loving this Wednesday over at 'This Kind of Love' 

Wedding ABC's | Engagement

{E} Engagement 
I honestly believed that Steve and I would remain life-long girlfriend & boyfriend.  I had hinted at getting married by sending him various links to websites and pictures of rings- but he never really seemed that interested.  That was fine with me or at least that's what I made him believe.  In reality I was secretly scoping out wedding dresses online, reading wedding blogs, and dreaming up a wedding that I was sure would never happen.  I mean come on we had been dating since 2002 - and just recently celebrated our eight year dating anniversary - if it was going to happen it would have happened already, right? 

On March 18, 2010 - Steve and I were planned to depart on a three week vacation to Vietnam to celebrate turning 30 [and to mourn no longer being in our 20's].  I assumed that this would be the trip he would propose on - and if he didn't I would know for sure that it would never happen.  Well to my surprise - Steve proposed a mere few hours before we were to head to the airport. I didn't expect it.  I looked awful.  I wasn't prepared for it.  It was casual.  I didn't cry.  I loved that moment - so much. It was perfect. It was special. And I loved that we were about to leave and spend three solid weeks with each other travelling to new and old places a country that we both hold close to our hearts. It was the perfect way to start our transition from boyfriend & girlfriend to fiance & fiancee.

Seriously - check out how happy this couple is gallivanting the Vietnamese countryside newly engaged.  It makes you want to vomit a little.  Sorry about that.

Even though it is vomit inducing I do highly recommend that every newly engaged couple go on some sort of engagement-moon - It seriously is the best.ever!  It's a special way to celebrate a special moment with that special someone.

Missing something?  Get caught up here as I recap our wedding, from A-Z. 

{A} Attendance

{B} Bridal Party 
{C} Ceremony 
{D} Dress

Wedding ABC's | Dress

{D} Dress
Eeeeppp - you have no idea how excited I am that I get to dedicate this post to my dress.  Whenever I think back to our wedding [and my dress] I always smile.  Whenever someone comments on how gorgeous my dress was - I want to shout "I know right?!"  I try to not sound overly humble - but truth be told I really love my wedding dress and it is gorgeous.  It was more perfect that I ever imagined.  It hit all my curves the right way.  It made me feel beautiful.  I mean who feels ugly in a wedding dress anyway?

If there was a piece of advice that I wish I took from past brides, it would have been to start looking for my dress sooner than three months before the wedding.  This probably made many past brides gasp!  Or even faint. That's right - with 3 months to the day to go - I decided that I should probably get my dress sorted.  So Jen and I went out with my only intention to browse.  Seriously this should have happened at least three months prior.  But miraculously the dress I bought was the second dress I tried on and the first one I chose from the bazillion others in the shop.  It was also in my size - with a few alterations required in the hips [I've got some junk in the trunk]. So all within an hour and a half - I had chosen and purchased my [perfect] wedding dress. 

I love so many things about this dress - but my favourite part was the ruffly strap.  I am a woman who loves loves loves ruffles.  But I also love the ruching - perfect for hiding my lumps and bumps.  I love the corset back.   This dress has a small train - but I had the seamstress create a french bustle.  I never bothered unbustling to let the train out.  It looked amazing all bustled up. Don't you agree?

I love this dress so much that I want to do dishes in it.  I want to watch TV wearing it.  I could even sleep in it.  Hopefully one day we will renew our vow's and I will get to wear it again.  For now these pictures help me remember the day I felt I looked perfect. The day Steve told me I had never looked better.  The day I became this mans wife. 

Missing something?  Get caught up here as I recap our wedding, from A-Z. 

{A} Attendance

{B} Bridal Party 
{C} Ceremony

Wedding ABC's | Ceremony

{C} Ceremony
The last two weeks leading up to the wedding I stalked the weather network app on my desktop -  with the 14 day trend view - religiously.  Since the moment we decided on a destination wedding - I was getting married on the beach, in the sand, with the ocean as our backdrop. There was no other option.  I am not a woman who takes many risks and since I was certain that it was not going to rain on our wedding day this didn't seem like much of a risk (or so I told myself).

On the morning of the wedding - I can't even begin to tell you how many times I looked out our hotel room window.  I assessed every greyish-looking cloud in the sky.  Tried to calculate which way the wind was blowing (which was every way possible - with all it's might).  By 10:00 a.m. (time for my hair appointment) I was positive that mother nature was once again going to come through for me.  We've made some deals in the past - we're pretty tight.

During the time I was getting my hair done - the wedding coordinator had called Steve and informed him that she was positive that our 2:00 p.m. ceremony would be rain free. Phew!  However - she also informed him that the wind was fairly strong and suggested we consider getting married on the terrace.  Umm..really?!  She left this decision with my future husband?  Luckily he knows me pretty well and told her that he was not going to be responsible for making that choice.  She promptly found me in the hair salon - and I said "It's just a little wind ...?!" - famous last words!

Just found out that it wasn't going to rain - probably the first time I smiled all morning

I didn't realize how much wind there was until I arrived at the ceremony location and the only way to describe the wind is -well- to say it was effin' windy. I wasn't sure how my hair was going to hold up - I was positive that my curls would have been ruined.  They weren't.  Amazing right?  I had brought my own hairspray (since it's difficult to get some products in Cuba) - John Fredia - Frizz-Eaze Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray (probably the best product I have ever bought)  despite the crazy wind - my hair never even moved. I highly recommend it. 

So on March 3, 2011 - Steve and I were married on Varadero Beach in Cuba (Longitude: -81.174233-Latitude: 23.188967 - if you want to map it out or just check out Google maps).  Just as planned.  Needless to say I am overjoyed (wind or no wind) that we were able to celebrate that special moment on one of our favourite beaches in a country that we love.  I also appreciate that our guests were able to tolerate sand in their faces and (other crevices) so we could be wed in one of the most beautiful places.  Thankfully for them - the ceremony was short and sweet! 

Photo Credit: Randalin @ Harvesting Kale

Photo Credit: Momma @ Live.Laugh.PullYourHairOut (My Sister-in-law)

Missing something?  Get caught up here as I recap our wedding, from A-Z. 

{A} Attendance

{B} Bridal Party

What I am Loving Wednesday

I have witnessed many bloggers in the blogosphere participate in 'What I am Loving Wednesday' hosted by Jamie from This Kind of Love and I thought that I would join in because a) I like Wednesday's b) I like stuff - a lot of stuff c) It's a fantastic way to procrastinate.   I am not sure how this really works - but here are a few things I am seriously digging this fine Wednesday:

I am loving that Tim Horton's has brought back the Blueberry Glazed Timbit!  I am loving this so much I bought a snack pack of 10 for breakfast this morning and hid it in my purse so no one would see them.  Not that I don't like to share - but seriously these.things.are.delicious!

I am loving that we are going to see Hot Water Music at the Opera House this Saturday. I've seen them before - but never with Steve.  I am also loving that they are playing on a Saturday - so we can make a date night out of it.

I am loving my new Bodum Ice Green Tea Jug.  It's perfect for summer.

 
And I am loving my husband's family.   They are great people and I am lucky that I get to now call them family. 

P.S. I am hoping that the Vancouver Canucks will win the Stanley Cup tonight. 

 Check out what others are loving

Wedding ABC's | Bridal Party

{B} Bridal Party
After the tough decision was made about when and where we were going to host the wedding - we were then faced with another big decision.  In case you aren't aware - wedding planning is full of challenging questions. We had to decide whether we wanted to have a bridal party or not?!   After some deliberation we mutually decided that it would be best to do without.  We didn't want our guests to feel obligated to attend.  We also didn't want to add any additional expenses.   We simply wanted all of our friends and family to enjoy a holiday with a wedding thrown in the middle of it.  No work involved - it's a wedcation after all!

It wasn't until we started to fill out the paperwork for the wedding coordinator in Cuba - that we realized that our non-existent bridal party wasn't possible.  There was a glowing spot on the form that asked for the 'Names of bride and grooms witnesses'.   Why didn't we think of this before?  Such an obvious oversight.  So we were back to having to make a decision about selecting two guests to do us the honour and try not to work them too hard. 

Luckily for me - my selection was quite easy.  My dear friend Jen had prepared an eloquent proposal on why she would be the perfect fit.  Little did she know - she was the only one I had in mind.  But who doesn't enjoy a little flattery? Jen also held our rings during the ceremony and threw me an amazing bridal shower & bachelorette party! Lucky for me I get to return the favour - summer of 2012. {Thanks Jen and get ready for Las Vegas}

As for Steve - his decision was also fairly easy.  One of Steve's close childhood friends, Chris, had already committed to join us and since we had originally asked him to be our MC if we decided to host an at home wedding (and he's got an awesome beard) - this choice only seemed natural.  Chris also threw Steve a tasteful stag (so I am told).  {Thanks Chris for making sure Steve arrived home safely and deciding to keep the beard}

Missing something?  Get caught up here as I recap our wedding, from A-Z. 

{A} Attendance

Wedding ABC's | Attendance

I have finally found a way to recap our wedding.  There are so many options it was hard to decide.  But through some blog research I found a post titled 'Wedding ABC's' by Kristen at Joyful Ramblings and I might have squealed a little.  It's perfect.  A recap of your day from A-Z.  Except I am going to switch it up a bit by changing some of  the letter topics and break it down into twenty-six different posts, covering one letter at a time. Because as I mentioned before - I want to remember every detail. Let's get started shall we?

{A} Attendance
When the engagement excitement eventually wore off - it came time to think about planning the wedding.  Choosing the location and creating the guest list was probably the most difficult task.  For the first six months of being engaged we flip flopped between an at home wedding (insert a big wedding) or a destination wedding (insert small wedding).  Since Steve and I are both people who do not enjoy being centre of attention - we decided that a destination wedding was a) more our style b) more intimate c) less complicated.

However with choosing a destination wedding - it actually becomes more complicated when assembling your guest list and selecting your destination.  Money is always a factor.  Location and hotel accommodations are also huge.  As in the end you will never be able to accommodate each guests budget and or comfort level.  Which ultimately means that some key guests won't be able to attend.  Bummer!

But we persevered and with that we finalized a list of roughly 40 guests invited to join us for a week of fun in the sun.  Thankfully 20 of them were able to join us.  It was the perfect mix of friends and family for a perfect week.

Missing:Val, Dave, Randalin, Kris & Kale

Missing: Randalin, Kris & Kale

Flashback Friday | Honeymoon?

Two posts in a row - WABAM!! You can finish scratching your eyes with disbelief now.  It's Friday - and I am off work on a summer day.   Woot! Woot!  And I have been thinking a lot about where I would like to spend my honeymoon.  We have finally decided on a time - late February 2012 for an anniversarymoon and only six (6) months away {edit - if I could do math properly this should read nine (9) months away} - but are still contemplating where.  After seeing the Hangover 2 (Amazing right? Does anyone else have a crush on Zach Galifianakis? Or am I alone in this?) and catching glimpses of the awesomeness of Thailand, especially Bangkok.  It made me want to go back - really bad!  I haven't stopped thinking about it since we saw this movie two weeks ago.  So I suggested this to Steve - and he seems game.  Yippee! 

I have been to Thailand four, incredible, times.  Usually on a stopover for a few days.  I have explored some of the Southern region beaches - but I really want to see what Northern Thailand has got to offer. It has got to be incredible. I know we should probably go somewhere new for our honeymoon - but it's really hard to justify when you know how completely awesome a place is.  How great the food is.  How nice the beaches are.  How utterly perfect the weather is.  All the monkeys everywhere even though I am afraid of them (a story for another time). Sadly all my really good Thailand photos are on a disc that is presently lost in the room designated as 'the room for things with no home'. But I did manage to dig up these from my first trip back in 2003, and they make me wish it was February 2012 right.now! Steve you can commence booking our anniversarymoon - consider the decision made. 

New Hobby

I've got serious case of I-can't-find-time-to-update-my-blogitus. You've heard of it right? I sure hope it's not contagious.  Well I am working on a treatment plan - as I previously posted - I am going to start recapping our wedding. Yay! But sorry not today because I am still working out what I want to write about, and the order.

OK!  I am procrastinating.  Did you know that I am a master procrastinator?  My skills are phenomenal - envy worthy really.  Shockingly I do manage to get things done.  If I am interested.  I have a hard time staying interested in one thing for too long.  Which explains my very first post and probably explains all my hobbies; baking, cooking, sewing, crocheting, gardening, blog/web designing, and now I want to dabble in photography.  Seriously if you've seen me take a photo - you should commence your laughter now.

Are you done?  Alright.  Well we just bought a fancy schmancy used camera from my lovely sister-in-law.  It's a Sony-something-or-other. And I want to learn how to use it.  Bravely, I picked it up tonight and instantly felt intimidated.  I mean it's a serious upgrade from the iPod I've been using to  snap shots with lately.  It's got a lot of buttons and dials. There's a big honkin' lens - and I didn't even know how to turn the dang thing on. Ummm...did I seriously just use honkin' and dang in the same sentence? It's the cameras fault. 

Let me tell you - Basil is not impressed with this new hobby interest.

That's for shizzle.

The First Quarter

Today marks our second milestone - today we {by we I mean me} celebrate our first quarter as married people.  Unbelievable!  How did this happen already?  It doesn't feel as though 90 days ago Steve and I were standing on that beautiful {but very windy} beach in Cuba declaring our love in front of 22 friends and family.  I am so lucky that such wonderful {and funny} man chose to be with me.

But this has got me thinking! I have wanted for some time now to start recapturing the wedding week so I don't start forgetting all the details.  I want to have something to look  back on and remember just how special the day and week was.  Through some intensive blog research {this is how everyone comes up with all their genius ideas right?}  I've decided that I can't just recap the experience in one post and call it a day.  I need to relish every detail {even if no one cares - because I do}.  I want to remember everything, from the planning, the dress, the shoes, the travel plans, the nights at the disco, to the wedding day. Maybe I am just going through post-wedding-planning depression? Does this even exist? Whatever it is - I've got a major urge to talk wedding.  And who doesn't love reading  or talking about weddings?  This girl definitely does.