Christmas Vacation: European Edition

 Christmas has never been my favourite holiday - I'm just going to put it right out there. So when we were planning a trip to Europe for Christmas I was fully aware that this time of year in Europe escalates to a whole other level, usually in the form of a plethora of Christmas Markets and bottomless Glühwein (mulled wine). I was excited to soak up all of the season. Like how Paris is always a good idea, Europe is always a good place for the soul. I was craving some culture and new experiences in new cities so I swallowed a dose of Christmas cheer, put on some red lipstick and headed across the pond! We went to 4 cities in 2 weeks and each city offered their own unique qualities and charm. We ate and drank our way through Prague, Amsterdam, Cologne and Copenhagen while fitting in what we counted as daily doses of culture in the forms of museums, walking tours, trips to church and climbing towers.

Keeping align with the world of highlight reels, I've got you covered on must see and eats of these beautiful countries.

PRAGUE

Oh Prague! You can see why is called a romantic city. Having been one of the few places that was not bombed in WW2, the city had such an old historic feel and the buildings were so well preserved. Give me some bridges and some water and you've won me over. We climbed the Petrin Tower, it's the little sister to Paris' Eiffel Tower and gives you an incredible view to take in the city. What you'll see from this view is the Charles Bridge, famous for the gargoyles that apparently ensure a safe return to Prague if you give the statue a rub. This bridge is also the only bridge not made of wood and the secret ingredient to the mortar used is egg whites! The tower views also give you a great look at the King's Castle that stands out among the red roofs, important to note this castle lights up the skyline at night thanks to the Rolling Stones (the band). That's right! When the Stones were performing in Prague they concluded the castle should be lit at night and when the King said there was no budget for the lights the band generously donated them.  Another visual to note with the castle is the flag, it is used as an indicator for the people of the city to know when the king is in residence, if it's down they know he is out of the country and more likely than not embarrassing the country due to his fondness of the sauce. Prague is also home to the National Opera Theatre, how could we not go? I wanted my "Pretty Woman" after all. The theatre did not disappoint, but in true LC fashion I managed to fall asleep ... I blame the jet lag? Other city highlights to note is the Astronomical Clock which is manually run (except for the moon) and follows biblical number system, you'll also find the Lennon Wall under the Charles Bridge. My favourite part of Prague was the Christmas tree in the middle of the market, I think the tree was so magical it would turn the most scrooge of people onto Christmas.  

• Where we ate & drank:
  • Divinis:  We have a knack of eating at the best restaurants first, the steak tartar and the truffle pasta could be anyone's last meal. 
  • Naše Maso:  We concluded this may be the best burger we've ever eaten, a small butcher shop that you can take out or eat in with a glass of vino. The staff was so cute and helpful, likely if you lived in Prague this would be a regular stop to make your day better. I'll be back for the meat loaf. 
  • Bugsy Bar: Delicious drinks in a dark and sultry cocktail bar, perfect for a fedora and people watching.
  • Cafe Savoy: So good we went TWICE! Freshly made everything, special note to the french toast that was light and heavenly as well as the perfect marriage of eggs and truffles. Go here. 
  • Pastar: Amazingly fresh Italian food, the foie gras was delicious and the wild boar pasta was incredible. Just get the special, even if you're not sure what's in it - you will not be disappointed.

AMSTERDAM

I could walk the streets of Amsterdam for days, in fact we did. We logged some serious kilometers exploring Amsterdam but the distinctive architecture of the city provided a great distraction to take in all of the cities charm. Walking the canals you simply get immersed in the different colours, bikes, door ways, design details and quite possibly the family cat in the window.  

• There is no shortage of museums to visit in this city, we visited 3 that offered a wide array of pieces and artists: 
  • FOAM Museum: A photography museum that features a mix of young talent from around the world and provides them with a platform to share their work and world famous artists.
  • Van Gogh Museum: This museum hosts the largest collection of work from Vincent Van Gogh, it's incredible how many pieces he actually created and how it was so reflective of what was going on in his life. This exhibit also features his friends Monet and Daugbigny, artists really do feed off each others creativity and methods.
  • Moco Museum: With a focus on more modern and contemporary art, this exhibition features the works of Banksy and Warhol - they had their famous pieces 'Girl with the Red Balloon' and the Soup Cans but by far the coolest thing was the truck on display with Bansky's work - you literally felt like you were on the streets of London and you could feel both the political and hopeful impact his work has had on people.
• Amsterdam Light Festival: We were lucky enough to experience the water colour canal tour that took you through the entire city viewing different artists work from the water. 
• De Pipjt: South of Amsterdam this district is known as "the melting pot of cultures and nationalities" where you'll find an a variety of restaurants and coffee shops. 
• Where we ate:
  • Baker's & Roasters: Epic brunch work the wait, I'm currently recreating their turmeric, ginger almond milk latte at home.
  • Omelegg: Nutella filled croissants and any of the omelettes will not disappoint. Also! First omelette in the Netherlands, it must be good! 
  • Restaurant Red: Steak & Lobster. Enough said. 
• Red Light District: An eye opening walk... 

HAARLEM

I may move to Haarlem. We probably wouldn't have explored this city if it wasn't where our Air BnB was. It's about a 20 minute drive from Amsterdam and is this quiet place with cute little houses and store fronts with almost a Medieval look and no shortage of bikes. You literally felt right at home in this neighbourhood and like you could envision people's lives in this place, largely because when you walked by you could basically see into their entire home but still. Neighbourhood coffee shops, delicious restaurants, great boutique shopping - all these side streets led you to a giant square called Grote Markt, which nicely housed a giant Christmas tree which complimented the 14th century St.Bravo's church well. 

• Where we ate & drank: 
  • De Jopenkerk: this former church is now a place of warship Haarlem's infamous Jopen beer!
  • Rataouille: A michelin star restaurant that was recommended to us, quite the experience and the staff was phenomenal. From the wine pairings to the wide spectrum of dishes - our table left the meal impressed and with aspirations to become a sommelier. 
  • Thrill Grill: Burgers and Truffle fries. Delicious.
  • Anne & Max: Great spot for breakfast! Fantastic bowl of porridge. 
• Where we shopped:
  • Sissy Boy: I wanted all of the things in this store, from home to clothes, this place had unique pieces.
  • Number Nine: Great boutique spot with local designers which guaranteed we'd be coming home with some updated European style. 

COLOGNE

• Christmas Markets: I'd definitely say Cologne had the strongest Christmas market game. The city transforms into this enchanted Christmas land with each market offering a unique take on the holidays spirits. There were no shortages of food or drink to indulge in and your nose was pulled in every way from currywurst to bratwurst to freshly made crêpes, waffles and strudels all to be accompanied with a mug of glühwein in adorable Christmas mugs. The Heimat der Heinzel and Markt der Engel were our favourites and even included a skating rink in the middle, magical star lit streets, and a ferris wheel!

• Cologne Cathedral: The shining star of this city has to be it's Cathedral, spanning over 8,000 square feet, the gothic architecture commands the attention of the city and was even home to the three wise men and 20,000 other guests for that matter. You could stare at the details all day. 

• Museum Ludwig: The exhibition that was on was celebrating it's 40 year anniversary. It had a mix of 25 different artists and a wide array of art forms including videos, sculptures, and contemporary and traditional spices. 

COPENHAGEN

Christmas in Denmark! We were so excited to conclude our trip in this beautiful country, I'd only heard good things. Our pre-planning clearly lacked on this leg of the trip as we learned that in Copenhagen you celebrate Christmas on the 24th and most of the city shuts down from the 24th-26th or even til the New Year! We figured it out and made the most of the city, including a Christmas dinner feast from the epic corner store and a breakfast spread from 7-11. Other highlights (I know, there is more...) included:

• Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park: Fun fact, Disneyland was actually modelled after this place! Found in the heart of Copenhagen this amusement park is the second oldest in the world and offers a market feel with danish culture and some epic rides, noteworthy: 'The Demon', a rollercoaster peaking out at 28 meters high and 'The Golden Tower' which drops you from 63 meters high above the city. 

• Mad Kaffee: This brunch place is a must visit! Instead of a traditional menu you're given a pencil and an order form where you write your name at the top and pick your items, it's a dream of this indecisive soul who typically wants a bite of everything and not a lot of anything. This place delivered with everything from fresh pressed juices, in house baking of traditional danish pastry and croissants and an americano that will make anyone's day better. 

• Walking Tour:
  • While all the locals celebrated Christmas, the tourists were left to explore the city with the help of a walking tour! We learned about some key players to the country like Bishop Absalon who founded Copenhagen and Christian IV. Christian IV was the King of Denmark for 59 years - during that time he had highs and lows including the Thirty Years' War and his ambition to focus on economic development for Denmark. His legacy lives on with his initials C4 branded on the buildings he was involved in building.
  • Christiania aka Freetown Christiana was founded in 1971 as a "social experiment" by squatters and artists, the "free town" refers to the fact this area is not policed by Copenhagen law enforcement and is protected by Christiania Law of 1989. In the Christiania community you'll find no shortages of murals, cafes, museums, cultural centres, music venues as well as 30-40 different types of cannabis for sale. Christiania has it's own flag and currency and it's understood that when you enter Christiania town you are leaving the EU. It's hard to describe what it was like to walk through this community but it is definitely sometimes to experience first hand, photography is forbidden but our tour guide encouraged us speak to members of the community to hear how they came to be apart of Christiania. 

I couldn't think of a better way to end 2016. Naturally, we were planning the next trip on the layover home because there is a lot of this world to see and, as the saying goes, "travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." Oh, and 'Memories are Souvenirs too', a sign in Amsterdam told me so. 

Where's your next trip?! 

Happy New Year!

xx

LC

How to Win at Hosting a Holiday Party

'Tis the season for all things merry, bright, festive and sometimes boozy. The month of December quickly fills up with various holiday events, multiple ugly Christmas sweater parties, Secret Santa exchanges and sometimes the dreaded obligatory work party. We've all been to those parties that are just stiff and uncomfortable with the equivalent to your weird uncle drinking too much egg nog and giving an angry toast. The "cool" people just wondering how long they'll have to stay before heading to the after party.

When planning a fun party for an entire company, it's definitely a tall order but I was determined to make this year's holiday party one to remember. I was apart of the planning committee for our holiday party and we looked for some inspiration from the king of hosting himself, Gatsby. He's famous for his parties in West Egg, of course.

Like any party you're hosting, whether it's a wedding, work party, dinner party, or baby shower you have to break down what decisions need to be made or else it can be overwhelming. I've compiled a list of how I plan parties and avoid losing your mind in a Pinterest rabbit hole.

1. BUDGET. Always a limiting factor that can put your party dreams to a halt but I'm a firm believer that you can work with any budget with a little imagination. Find out what your max budget is and work backwards from your big ticket items. For example, factor in the venue, food, and booze costs first. When budgeting, always calculate based on maximum number of guests and plus ones. This will minimize surprise costs at the end and allow for that inevitable overture (I always factor in a 5-10% unexpected costs into the budget too!).

2. VENUE. Think about the number of people you're hosting and who is the audience. Holiday parties don't have to be limited to hotels and conference spaces which offer little to no ambiance. Restaurants are great options for venues because they are more often now offering group menus, lots of food choices outside of the regular chicken and beef and are super accommodating to make sure the guests have an amazing time! We chose to host our party at Roof Garten, they call themselves a rooftop "utopia" in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Vancouver. You're transported to this indoor outdoor space that instantly offers an intimate dining experience and unique decor (think mirrored walls, a panorama bar and champagne lounge). Location is key when picking a venue too, think about transportation options to and from so you can make sure your guests can easily get to the destination. We could have not been happier with our choice, the food was amazing, and a perfect size for our group. 

3. THEME. Parties always up their game when a theme is involved, however, it's always a huge party fail if no one gets into it. Therefore, you have to be mindful of a few things when picking a theme you know people will participate it in: 

• Pick something that everyone will feel comfortable dressing up as. Ideally something people could potentially work with in their own closet so they don't feel like they need to break the bank or be discouraged to attend. 
• Don't be too specific but rather pick an era or genre. Our's was Great Gatsby which extended to the whole 1920's decade, men in suits mostly dressed up with a hat, bow tie, suspenders or a cane. Done! Girls have a wide spectrum too: sequins, pearls, headbands, fringe, fur... the list goes on. Even with a basic neutral dress, a girl could throw on some lipstick, curls and layer some jewellery and fit in! 

4. DECOR. Again, something that can easily get expensive quickly, that's why it's important to set a budget and work within it. Focus on a few key areas and do those well instead of trying to do a little bit of everything. For example our decor list includes:

• A gold "curtain" at the door, who doesn't love making a grand entrance to a party? Gatsby sure did.
• A champagne "tower", plastic cups from the party store and champagne "bubbles" behind (coloured balloons). We even tried the champagne pour and were semi-successful! An overall hit and a great photo op.

• Table decor: We opted to stick with the gold and black Gatsby idea, black table cloths, and spray painted wine bottles gold. Super easy but packed a punch when draped with pearls and feathers. Not to mention an abundance of candles! Candles are my go-to for instant ambiance game changer. 

5. NETWORK. Everyone knows a guy who knows a guy who knows... you get the idea. We were fortunate enough to have an in house DJ who kept the party going all night which was awesome and saved us some pennies. Utilize who people know: referrals always give the best result. Another employee referred us to Dang Good Booths and they were AWESOME! So professional and wonderful to work with. They allowed us to customize the print out of the photo's to match our theme and add our company logo. Needless to say the photos became more interesting as the night went on and were a huge hit! Our very talented design team did a wonderful job with the signage, invites and photo booth print outs; of course on trend with our Great Gatsby theme. 

6. PLANNING. Delegating and pre-planning are always a huge help when hosting a large event. Stay organized with the guest list so your numbers are accurate, keep a decor list, and track your spending so you don't go over budget. Complete what you can ahead of time (huge time saver) and most of all; ask for help and delegate tasks! Such as, a set up and take down crew, decor, 'hostessing' (monitoring drink tickets, and etc.) and name a person to be a liaison with the venue. A huge help when keeping to the timeline, food service and clean up. 

I hope I've inspired you to look outside the box when planning your next party and think about a place you had an amazing dinner or brunch at... maybe they host private events! Engage your coworkers with favourite movies and get ideas for a theme (James Bond, Masquerade, etc.) and get everyone excited for the next work event that you'll be planning. 

xx

LC

My Solo, Impromptu trip to Chicago

As a habitual planner I am always trying to work on my spontaneity in life: reservations don't always have to be made, days don't need to be planned out to the last detail and if things don't work out you don't have to take responsibility for the failed plans' shortcomings. Life should be lived more on the no-plan plan which is something I'm constantly working on. I have had some glimpses of spontaneity over the past few years, but probably the one I get the most reaction from is the trip I booked to Chicago on 6 hours notice... BY MYSELF! 

I'd recently been on the job hunt and was looking to change my career. The whole process was emotionally draining and I still wasn't particularly sure I was on the right career path, but despite my uncertainties I had found a job and signed the offer to start on Monday. Before I entered into this new phase of my life I felt like I needed to both de-stress and have a change of scenery before embarking on this new journey.

It's Wednesday night and I'm searching Expedia and Kayak for travel deals that would have me on the beach by Thursday morning. With my friends unable to pick up and go from their jobs and lives, I made the decision to take the trip alone. Limited funds and lack of last minute deals killed my beach dreams, so I started looking at some cities I've always wanted to visit and Chicago came on my radar. The windy city: home to the Chicago Bulls and Cubs, the Magnificent Mile and who could forget Ferris Bueller's famous day off. I was sold and a few hours later at the airport. 

I always appreciate a city with easy commute options from the airport. The CTA train takes you from O'Hare Airport right downtown, and it wasn't more than an hour later I was standing on the Magnificent Mile looking at a tree lined lit street that gave me the Christmas feels (and I'm not even a Christmas person!). I'll mention my trip happened in the middle of December and coming from the west coast I found the windy city to be also quite chilly. The trip I booked had me staying at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile: a beautiful hotel, perfect location for walking distances to museums and attractions along with a king size bed that Kevin McCallister from Home Alone would be stoked to jump on and snuggle up in. I had no time to plan this trip so I hit up the concierge for some tips to start my first night (and the following nights) in the city. 

First stop led me to the John Hancock building, iconic to the Chicago skyline standing 1,000 feet above the ground. I was in time to catch the sunset and received a tip that rather than spending the money on the observation deck, head to the 96th floor bar for the same view to be enjoyed with a cocktail in hand. A seat for 1 is no trouble to find and I ended up with an incredible view and met my doppelgänger on the same trip as me. She happened to be starting a job on Monday as well and went on a last minute trip herself! I will recommend checking out the bathrooms at this bar as they have a floor to ceiling window. Needless to say my selfie didn't turn out but still a cool view! 

Dinner, for 1. The common misconception when you see someone dining alone is they'd been stood up or are at the wrong restaurant and their 3 friends are next door. My quick research on the restaurant scene led me to The Girl & The Goat, the executive chef had recently won Top Chef so naturally I wanted to see what the hype was about. The concierge politely informed me there was no way I was getting a table there. She recommended Beatrix instead and I couldn't have been more pleased! I opted to sit at the bar where I was confused for a nice man's blind date - it was all going well until the girl showed up 45 minutes late and I basically third wheeled their date and made menu suggestions. I'd recommend the Straight "A" Salad which I re-create at home and the meatloaf (a restaurant fave!). 

Three Dots and a Dash: one of the coolest bars I've ever been to. Another recommendation from the concierge, she basically told me to walk down a dark alley for 10 minutes and when you see a torch you'll know you're at the right place. A bit unnerving but I was game! You're escorted downstairs to this room and you're immediately immersed in the feels of a beach side bar on a tropical island. Drinks literally the size of the table and more umbrella drinks than you could imagine. The room is filled with a mix of men in suits and tourists but the vibe is intoxicating. I traded in my usual neat scotch drink for the "house" drink of rum, all spice and something citrus. It was heaven and I was drunk 3 sips in. 

Museums! I love visiting museums in new cities, I was lucky enough that the David Bowie exhibit was on at The Museum of Contemporary Art. The man was a legend you really saw how ahead of his time he was, from his persona Ziggy Stardust to his elaborate costumes and music videos. David Bowie changed music and his iconic forward thinking approach to the artistic side of it all paved the way for artists to be able to express themselves through so much more than their music but rather display what music meant to them as artists and how they connect with their audience. The Art Institute of Chicago was another highlight and one I could keep coming back to to fully absorb the monstrosity that is this museum - it is one of the oldest and largest museums in the United States in fact. I won't pretend to know too much about art but I do enjoy wandering the different rooms and era's, noteworthy mentions would be Monet, Picasso portraits, Andy Warhol and the painting that captured Cameron's attention in Ferris Bueller, exhibit A below. 

Architecture Boat Tour: A friend had recommended after doing in the summer and I was pleasantly surprised that it was still running in December. We were welcomed with coffee and baileys to keep us warm on the river as we cruised through the city. The architecture was incredible to learn about and the view from the boat offered a different perspective than walking by it. My favourite building was the London Guarantee that stands tall beside the Michigan Avenue Bridge. 

Chicago Bulls Game: How could you not go and watch the Bulls play, I mean Michael Jordan played on the same court... a $50 ticket got me a seat at literally the very last row in nose bleeds but it was one of the most fun times I had at a sporting event. I don't think it was a very important game against the Portland Trailblazers that night but the crowd made it feel like it was a game 7 in the play offs. I appreciated the gentleman sitting beside who told me the full history of the Chicago Bull's history as he'd been a season's ticket holder for 25 years. Best. Fans. Ever. 

I obviously couldn't leave without a cliche solo photo in front of the giant bean! I'd definitely visit Chicago again as I feel like I just tipped the iceberg with all the fun things to do in this city, next time I want to catch a show at Second City and a Cubs game! 

Has anyone else done a solo trip? Where did you go? Would you do it again??

xx

LC

Accessorizing for Autumn

Oh, Autumn. What a beautiful time of year: the leaves are changing, the air is crisp and the colours of the season can't be beat. Depending on which city you live in, this season can be short lived and the prequel to the looming winter months that may mean endless snow shovelling and below zero temperatures. In Vancouver, September and October are some of my favourite months and can almost feel like an extended summer. Autumn also kind of reminds me of that awkward stage when you're growing your hair out from short to long and you don't really know what to do with it. Same goes for this season: you can't wear your winter wools but t-shirts aren't warm enough. You want to wear flats but it's a bit too cold and you can't be bothered to pull out the knee high boots just yet. As I mentioned from my summer style post, accessorizing for the season is a great way to stay on trend, transition pieces in your wardrobe from season to season (white after labour day IS ok, everyone!), and not necessarily break the bank. See what looks I'm falling for... (see what I did there?):

• Chokers: They stayed around! This trend has been consistent since spring and it seems to be gaining only more momentum and people are getting more creative with these necklaces. I'm not saying that I will go full bling but I am enjoying experimenting with different lengths and tying looks. I found this one at The Latest Scoop.

• The Cape: This article of clothing is probably the one I get the most flack for, and it's not new flack. It dates back to high school when I rocked a knitted poncho look while everyone else was wearing sweat pants to school. Maybe I was just ahead of my time? I am an old soul after all. The cape is a great layering piece and an easy alternative to a trench or raincoat for a brisk fall day. Since a cape is a lot of fabric, I'd suggest pairing with more fitted pieces for the most flattering look. I paired it with jeans and a t-shirt, it worked well for my afternoon of leaf tossing. You can find this cape at Nordstrom. 

• The Bold Lip: The lip is such a game changer in the world of make up. Recently I was heading out for the evening and had no time to put any effort into my makeup but I opted for this dark plum lip shade. It's the easiest way to update a look from day to night and really makes your lips the statement. No need to go heavy on the rest of the face, either! I love easy makeup routines. I'd definitely suggest a lip liner first and to colour in the lip. It helps the lipstick not bleed and it will stay on longer. I saw this great youtube video as well. This lipstick is one of of my favourites and it's from Ana V Beauty!

• Hats: Some will be surprised to hear that as much as I love to dress up I LOVE to wear baseball hats just as much. You never know which version of me will be showing up to dinner. My parents bought me this hat for my birthday and I'm happily expanding my baseball hat collection to this wide brimmed hat. I've tried the floppy hat before but I find myself just jerking my neck around trying to see all day - in a not-so-graceful manner. This hat stays out of my eyes and can be a life saver on a bad hair day. Another find from Nordstrom, here. 

• Mixing Patterns: Every time I invest in a new article of clothing I try to think of at least 5 things I can wear it with and how it can transition from season to season - this helps in justifying purchases (especially those with a hefty price tag). I'm so happy that the "no white after labour day" rule is long gone (exhibit A below). I think white is such a crisp colour that can be a perfect way to update an outfit and a fresh change from the black, gray, navy, brown neutral. This skirt paired well with this buffalo plaid print and complemented the black panelling on the skirt. I'm a big fan of mixing prints; some tips to keep in mind when pairing pieces are:
  • Pair pieces in the same colour family
  • Play around with scales of prints (think large and small polka dots)
  • Mix the SAME prints (example: floral on floral)
  • When in doubt, neutrals are always the perfect pair

So these are some of my favourite fall looks this year (also! you can't forget the blanket scarf that makes for the ideal array of clothing while watching the rain or snow fall down outside...) I hope I've inspired you to shop your closet and re-evaluate that summer wardrobe before you forget it. But also don't shy away from jumping on a new trend or lip shade. 

Enjoy this beautiful season! I feel like old man winter while be knocking on the door before we know it...

xx

LC

All photos taken by the lovely and talented, Jess! Check out her Instagram @thehappyjess!

Baseball, Breweries, and Bubbles

Well! It has been a busy week for this girl, but a great one. I celebrated my day of birth and for all you Virgos out there you can attest to the fact that we are very stubborn people and I personally would rather fuss over others than others fuss over me. This week turned out to be a series of wonderful events that allowed me to spend my time with some of my favourite people. Overall, it made for a very memorable and enjoyable birthday week - a week that may take me another week to recover from.

My friends and I have been going down to the watch the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners play for 5 years now. This year the series landed on my birthday, so to keep up with the tradition 10 of us headed down to Seattle (along with the rest of Vancouver and any Blue Jay fan in the tri-state area), to cheer on what would hopefully be the turning point of the recent subpar Blue Jays' performance (and, of course, to heckle some Mariners along the way.) The Jays put on an epic performance and had all of Safeco field erupting in excitement with their 10-2 win. I love Safeco field: the roof was open, the structure is simple and airy, and I also think there isn't a bad seat in the place. Another selling feature of the stadium is the garlic fries - who doesn't love to eat chunks of garlic?? Well, some people I'm sure have a garlic aversion, so I'd recommend it to be an all or nothing decision in the group because the smell is STRONG. With the buzzing energy of the game, the after party led us to the infamous Cowgirls. Think Coyote Ugly meets Urban Cowboy: girls in leather chaps and a mechanical bull. The Blue Jays even made an appearance, they must have heard it was my birthday...

This weekend I was also gifted a Brewery Tour from my sister! A first for me and definitely on my Vancouver to-do list. I'd highly recommend Vancouver Brewery Tours - our guide Rachel was awesome and very knowledgable! Vancouver is now home to 50+ breweries and that number is only growing. We visited 3 breweries: Brassneck, Strange Fellow and Storm. My preference of beer is not as extensive as my preference of coffee by any means, so I was excited to learn more about the art of craft beer. My lovely mother (an avid wine drinker) joined me so it was a fun new experience for the both of us. I've summarized each brewery along with my favourite brew and some facts I learned along the way: 

• Brassneck:
  • What I learned: 
    • The 4 ingredients to Beer: Yeast, Hops, Water and Barley.
    • There are actually only TWO types of beer: Ale and Lager.
  • What I drank: No Brainer, Hibiscus Wit, Old Money Mild, Passive Aggressive.
  • Favourite: No Brainer! 

• Strange Fellows:
  • What I learned:
    • A brewery known for it's sour beer selection and aged beers - that's right: like wine, beer can be aged for years! On average, most beers age 6-8 weeks but some can be up to 15 years.
    • Oak Barreling: Offers a different depth of flavours and aromas that are absorbed by the beer over time.
  • What I drank: Sour, Saison, Dunkel, White IPA.
  • Favourite: Saison or the Sour - it almost tasted like a cider.

• Storm Brewery:
  • What I learned:
    • Vancouver's oldest brewery! (In operation for 22 years).
    • When drinking a sour beer you are supposed to take 3 sips to appreciate the taste.
    • The owner does NOT like pumpkin beer but brewed an 'Apple Pie' Lager which was delicious for fall! 
  • What I drank: Vanilla Whiskey Stout and Apple Pie Ale
  • My Favourite: BOTH!! 

My birthday celebrations concluded with a girls' night out for dinner at Hapa Izakaya for some sake and sushi, followed by bubbles and live music at the The Lobby Lounge in the Fairmont Pacific Rim. A great spot for live music and even better people watching. 

So there you have my birthday round up. It was a great week and I'm so lucky to have all the amazing people in my life that I do (insert sappy emoji here). 

xx

LC

Expiring Days of Summer

I was confused and alarmed this weekend when I was walking through my neighbourhood to hear crunching of leaves at my feet. How was this happening? I was just settling into summer weather and sleeping in front of my fan. This season always seems to take the longest to arrive and the quickest to leave. I'm hoping for a beautiful September to ease back into scarves and boots, but in the mean time I'm going to hit summer hard this week - I need material for my back to school report on "how did you spend your summer?" Check out what's on my to-do list: 

• The Vancouver Mural Festival happened on August 20th and over 35 pieces of street art have been added to the city! It's a wonderful addition to so many different communities and buildings; I'm so lucky that so many are in my 'hood' of Mount Pleasant. If you reside in Vancouver, what a perfect way to spend an afternoon by grabbing a coffee, taking a stroll and checking out the new and old murals the city has to offer (see the map of all the murals here). I personally really enjoyed the one pictured below, the giraffe clearly stole the show - and apparently I'm as tall as a dumpster. 

• Eating in season! Everyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I appreciate a big salad, I'm basically Elaine from Seinfeld, I just want all the things in one big bowl - is that too much to ask?

http://www.rantlifestyle.com/2014/02/17/greatest-seinfeld-food-moments/

THIS is why when summer rolls around I know that my usual salad staples are going to be completely dressed up with the fruits of the season! I love experimenting with new recipes (thanks, Pinterest), and can usually not go wrong with a leafy base plus a fruit, nut and type of cheese. This watermelon salad was the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Lastly, presentation is everything for convincing the skeptics that salads are anything but boring - so make it pretty and it'll be irresistible. Exhibit A and B below: 

• VAG (aka the Vancouver Art Gallery) is in the heart of downtown Vancouver, and I'm embarrassed to admit it took me far too long into my Vancouver life to visit this gallery. It's weird because whenever I visit a new place or city, museums and art galleries are always on the top of my list; I guess I just took for granted the VAG would always be there. Anyways! I went to a FUSE event this year and it was fantastic (go see Smashup before September 5th!) I loved the lay out and the architecture: it felt like there were hidden rooms and then all of sudden you're on a roof top and a dance party is going on. The Picasso exhibit currently on right now is on my to-do list for this week, followed by a beverage on their adorable patio. 

• Another Vancouver summer highlight is Playland at the PNE, home to the famous wooden roller coaster and deep fried ... everything? Mars bars I've heard are a particular highlight. I think it's high time I saw what this event is all about - I will report back! 
• Lastly I will be soaking up all the patio weather I can and trading in my usual vodka soda for a Paloma - I was even inspired to pop the Patron at home and make my own version. 

I hope my to-do list has motivated you to give summer loving one more kick at the can and enjoy whatever your city has to offer! I know my to-do list will keep me busy, if anything it will be a distraction to the fact that I have no Drake in my life to buy me a billboard and express his years of love to me on national TV... ah well, can't win 'em all. 

xx

LC

Weekend on the Sunshine Coast!

I love weekend getaways; a short and sweet escape from your regular routine and usual weekend activities. However, in order to do the art of weekending well you need to make sure you plan ahead to get the most out of your trip! Yes a bit of a tedious task but usually every group may have a planner(or volunteers) to take charge and make sure everyone has the best time. My list below is tips that I find helpful, a little how-to guide if you will... 

• Location! Location! Location!
  • This weekend my friends and I went to Half Moon Bay, BC on the Sunshine Coast, not to be confused with Half Moon Bay in California - that location looked great too, but unfortunately was not in the sailing schedule for BC ferries... It was everyone's first time to the Sunshine Coast and it did not disappoint! Even better, from door to door the travel time was just less than 3 hours - that included a ferry ride!
  • **FIRST TIP: For weekend getaways, don't spend your whole time travelling, you'll barely feel relaxed before you have to back up and go again! I'd say destinations in the 3-5 hour range are best for Friday-Sunday trips.

Smuggler's Cove

• Accommodation
  • **SECOND TIP: Whether you're a group of six or a twosome, think about what you're looking for out of the weekend to plan for the best accommodations. Trips to the spa might mean you're best suited for a resort or hotel, in our case we were looking to relax by the fire pit and make some delicious food (Seafood Boil!! More on that later!). An Air BnB was the best value and suited our agenda, be sure to note the number of people in the house allowed and any additional costs! We rented a house that had enough space for everyone to have a room, a huge kitchen, a fire pit and the seclusion from city life we were looking for. 

• FOOD!
  • Again, location becomes a factor when planning the food situation, for our destination to the island we decided it was the perfect setting to try our first Seafood boil. We hit the local fish market and picked up fresh crab, mussels, prawns and clams - paired with some lemon, a plethora of salt and we were in business. Oh, and butter, can't forget that! We served it up by dumping the pot of seafood deliciousness right on the table - such a fun way to feast. And an easy clean up!
  • **THIRD TIP: The rest of the weekend was mostly groceries we brought over, I'm a big fan of this approach as I think that on short vacations grocery trips should be limited so you can just enjoy (also saves you some dollars in the end usually)! We had lots of family styles meals and grazing. For your next trip look at what the local specialties are and try something new! 

Being locals! 

Island afternoons.

Breakfast, is the most important meal of the day.

The end result of the Seafood boil! 

• Activities
  • **FOURTH TIP: I find activities are always best to not necessarily be set in stone, you don't want weekends to feel over planned... that would defeat the purpose of a weekend away! Unless that's your goal and you want to fit in all the things - go for it! We realized that one of BC's greatest natural spectacles was right in our back yard, the Skookumchuck Narrows were about 45 minutes away from our place and the 4km hike led us to where twice a day there is a change in tide reversing the direction of the rapids! How exciting! Sadly, we were a few hours late to witness this phenomenon but it was still a gorgeous hike... we'll be back for you Skookumchuck. Next we stumbled upon Smuggler Cove after missing our turn off, it was literally just us on the rocky beach and a few jelly fish, so serene! Lastly, we were introduced to the long running tradition of the 'Sleepy Hollow Rod Run' where literally the entire town sets up on the side of the highway (think living rooms set up on the side of the road), needless to say there were some pretty impressive cars to admire. So basically is what I'm saying is that sometimes, even planners, need to fly by the seat of their pants and see where the day takes them! Enjoy, talk to locals, get suggestions and explore. 

Skookumchuck Rapids, a few hours to late... 

Brown Lake enroute to the Skookumchuck! 

So that sums up our little summer weekend getaway! I love going new places and a change of scenary, we booked this trip only on a few weeks notice so don't be deterred that we're already in August (when did that happen by the way?!), lots of summer left to enjoy. 

The last tip I'll pass along is that while outside stargazing and having sing alongs around the fire, be mindful that voices DO carry and islanders will call in a noise complaint. We had a visit from the local authorities but he appreciated that us city folk forget the stillness of the island means voices carry... or it could have been the Nate Dogg song choice on the speaker, we'll never know! 

Happy Weekending!! 

xx

LC

My Summer-ish Style!

Everyone has a favourite season to dress for: whether you love being cozy in scarves and boots during fall and winter or in maxi dresses and flip flops in summer, we all have our fashion niche. However, it's always good to change up the wardrobe staples with each season. I love to "shop" in my closet and find new ways to wear old pieces or simply remember clothes I forgot about months ago - they're like new again! Summer unfortunately has been hit or miss in Vancouver, which is very disappointing after a really hot spring but, c'est la vie! Weather is for elevator small talk (or dates). 

Seasonal trends are not for everyone nor do you have to go completely outside of your style to keep up with what the kids are doing. Stick to what you're comfortable in (to an extent) but don't be afraid to go bold with a fashion trend, who knew the 90's would come back with the grunge look and chokers?? I like to think of these pieces as an extension of your wardrobe: a statement look or piece that may only be around for the season. Sometimes these "trendy" pieces come with a hefty price tag and you need to evaluate if it's really worth it. I think we can ask all the people that bought the cherry printed Louis Vuitton luggage if they still feel like that was a sound judgement call or if they should have stuck to the classic. So my advice is spend the money on the pieces that will be able to wear into different seasons (think a great ankle boot with a summer dress and also jeans in the fall, love these ones!) and be more practical with the on trend purchases! 

My summer style picks that will be on repeat this year... 

• Stan Smiths: I usually go for the white Chucks in the summer but I decided to splurge on my first pair of Adidas Stan Smiths and I LOVE them! These are so comfortable and the ultimate classic all white shoe. A versatile piece that goes with everything from dresses to jeans to a cigarette dress pant. I will admit I was inspired by Victoria Beckham on this look... I think her husband has some deal with Adidas too...

• The Bucket Bag: I love clutches but summers are best suited for hands to be free so cross body bags are the way to go (plus, they're perfect for bike rides and wine tours!) I found my bucket bag in the Nordstrom sales bin - a new brand for me but really happy with it! I love the tassle details. This is another one I like and this one. The slip on mules were only $5 at Old Navy and ripped jeans will never be a trend, but always a true love in my books.  

• The Choker: I was too young to adopt this trend in the 90's but I always appreciated Cher and Dionne's choker style in Clueless. You're seeing these more and more this year and I must say - I kind of like them! I went thrifty on mine and picked this one up for $15 - we'll see if this trend extends past the summer before I spend my dollars on this look! 

• The Strappy Sandal: Summer time means trading in the pumps and boots to show off a fresh pedicure. I love this sandal because you can wear it with everything; I love to wear them with jeans to dress up a casual look too. One day I'll splurge on a Stuart Weitzman pair but these Steve Maddens are a great price point and you can wear them all night because of the 3" heel. I want them in every colour.

• The Fanny Pack: I originally bought this for my day-of duties at weddings: I hate carrying around a purse when I'm 'working' but always needs to be carrying supplies (tide to go, sewing kit, flask, cell phone etc). But I'm realizing that fanny packs are so handy! Let's not go so far as my dad's neon/velcro version circa 1991, but Hershel has designed a really cute one - they actually call them 'hip packs'. It's my wedding accessory of the summer. 

• Off the Shoulder EVERYTHING: I'm seeing this trend everywhere, the shoulder is the hottest body part this summer! From flowy tops, cute dresses and fitted crop tops. I feel like it's a flattering cut for most figures and you don't feel overexposed. I will say that sometimes it's annoying to keep adjusting some styles but I saw this amazing youtube trick! My story telling usually entails lots of arms gestures so this youtube trick really saved me! This blue dress was another Old Navy steal for $15! 

So that's LC's summer round up! Whatever trend you're wearing make sure you feel great and you will look great! I'll leave you with a photo from the Deighton Cup this weekend. It was so much fun! Everyone got really into their outfits and these two ladies even made their fascinators! Very impressive. 

Hope you had a great weekend!! 

xx

LC

Stressful Long Summer Days?

Summer Solstice has finally come and gone and we can embrace summer in all its glory. Depending on which hemisphere you live in, you might have already been treated with summer-like temperatures; or you live in Vancouver and you wake up to January pissing rain and end your day in 25 degrees. HOW DO YOU DRESS FOR THAT?! 

But really, summer: what's not to love? You wake up with the sun shining, the days are longer, patios stay lit 'til 9pm, weekends are spent lounging at the beach or at a park reading a book and working on your summer glow. All sounds great, right? In theory, yes. But for some, longer days can make one feel the need to take on MORE and add to her daily routine. Why? Because it's light out for more hours so you should fill those hours with summer-y events and things, right? Lest the guilt for not enjoying "summer" seeps in. I should be going on nightly bike rides or picnicking with ocean views! 

As much as I consider planning to be a strength of mine, balance is something I struggle with. I have a habit of saying yes to too much and wearing myself out. June has been a big month and it's not even over! My June can be summarized in several bullet points:

• New Job: Is going well! A welcomed change of pace and new challenge. I personally struggle with the feeling of being new and useless but I'm dealing. An amazing team helps! My new Monday to Friday is apart of the Customer Success team at a start up company that makes purchasing ridiculously easy... 
• Whole 30: In January I attempted a Whole 30 that lasted 5 days; I figured June should be the month of redemption. I'm on day 20 and I should feel like Bey walking down the street having an epic hair day... but I don't.  I promise to report on day 31 when I'm reacquainted with a cold beer!
• Kayla Itsines: I'm on week 10 of her "Bikini Body Guide". First off, this girl is a genius and a machine; these 28 minute workouts are killer. I can't say I'm ready to streak the quad with my bikini body just yet, but it's a good sweat. 
• Wedding Season: It's begun and and my day-of duties have begun! Read what I do as a day-of coordinator is here! 
• SLEEP: I can't remember the last time I slept through the night. I've always been a sleep walker but it's been particularly bad as of late. I've tried lots of things: sleep routines, meditation, BONE BROTH.... you name it. Next to try: Sleep Podcasts. My eye bags and sanity really hope it works.
• Homemade EVERYTHING. I'm trying to not eat out at all this month (partially because of Whole 30, partially because of the wallet). Homemade is great but I feel like all I do is grocery shop and I'm not feeling flush in the bank account just yet.

So you can see, I have a few things going on in my life. Thank goodness I gave up dating. 

Remember that episode of Sex and the City when Aidan moves in with Carrie and she worries about being exposed for her "secret single behaviour"?? Well, we all have them. At the end of my work day I like to come home and, like Carrie, have an hour. I don't want to talk to anyone. I want a snack and watch the Young and the Restless. It's my thing: I grew up watching with my mom and it's just a way to mindlessly unwind. I think that an hour a day is something that everyone needs to take: you do you, but make sure it's not an errand or a chore - those are a whole different ball game.

I've come up with with 5 things I'm going to try to help create stressLESS long summer days:

1. Morning workouts instead of night workouts: get the endorphins flowing early and enjoy the calmness and quiet before the rest of the neighbourhood starts their day! 

2. Shift my language: evaluate what is genuinely a priority versus the rehearsed response of "I don't have time".

3. Say no, and actually mean it. Not because you have plans but maybe you've had a stupid long day and you're exhausted and you need to go to bed at 8pm. Say it with me, "I'm sorry I can't tonight, but let's make plans soon!" Full stop.

4. Patience. I take on all these new tasks and want results yesterday. I will work on patience and have decided to do 1 yoga class per week. Namaste. 

5. Live by John Lennon's words: "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans". Again, shift my perception from long stressful days to you never know where they day will take you. Spontaneity is a wonderful thing. 

So yeah, I'm going back on my original resolution of the year of yes, but sometimes no is something that allows you to enjoy the "yes" things more.

xx

LC

A Weekend in Wine Country

With every big life change I always have the inkling to get out of town; an adventure before a new chapter begins, if you will. I started a new job this past Monday and I knew my vacation needed to be doable in two days: not too much travel time and ideally somewhere to soak up some sun. The end result ended up being right in my "backyard" of BC - Kelowna! The last time I was there was as a kid driving from Edmonton, so I was so excited to return and, this time, to enjoy the grapes (and by grapes I mean all of the wines the valley had to offer!) 

I went with a friend I've known since my high school days in Edmonton - and our vacation chemistry was spot on. It's so important to find the people you can travel with, because said people can make or break a vacation.

We stayed at the Okanagan Lakeview Bed & Breakfast; it was our first B&B experience and we were beyond impressed. Michelle and Ralf had a gorgeous lodge-like-home overlooking the lake. The house boasted high ceilings, exposed log beam; everything cabin-y you want in a B&B by the lake. The room was more like a hotel with all the amenities you could want, plus it displayed a view of the lake and our own private terrace! A big bonus was the delicious breakfast served to us the next morning; I think B&Bs are the way to go! I highly recommend this B&B if you find yourself in Kelowna.

We booked the "Afternooner" wine tour with Discover Okanagan Tours, and it was nothing short of fantastic - they even made an exception to pick us up from the B&B! Rocco, our awesome driver, had the pleasure of driving around 6 ladies for the afternoon, but the pleasure was all ours. From learning our names to http://quailsgate.com/ special requests and capturing photo ops, this man had it covered. And he knew his wine too! We went to 6 wineries and came back with more than 6 bottles... always just a wine enjoyer, I did learn a thing or two as well! Obviously less information was absorbed the more the wine flowed. Check out our wine facts and highlights we learned from the wineries we visited!

Summerhill Winery: 

• Known for its Pyramid (aka "fire in the middle") and their sparkling wine! The unique component of this pyramid versus other wineries is that it follows the french tradition of putting sparkling wines in dark, cool places for 30 days so the "cuvee & dosage marry".
• I took home a Riesling, which I thought would be great to have on hand for summer! Not the biggest white wine drinker but the Reisling was the perfect blend of dry and sweet and went down too easily... will be adding this to the rotation for girls night on the patio! 
• Marechal Foch: I am not a fan of this berry: it's a hybrid french wine grape. I enjoy sitting by a campfire but don't enjoy drinking them. But, as we learned, every palate is different. Could this be the cilantro of wine?!
• What we bought: Brut and Riesling

Rollingdale WInery:

• Cherry Port: I usually only endure a port with my grandparents after a meal, but this cherry port was so nice! The cherries naturally make it sweeter and had a very nice finish! Who knew??
• Did you know the grapes aren't picked until Halloween? The wineries have been happy with the hotter weather this year: longer growing season = more sugars = sweeter wine and higher alcohol = winning!
• This winery is Organic Certified which means no sulphites are added to the barrels. So it's basically just fruit, which is good for you, so drink up.
• There were two SUPER sweet wines that were able to win over the NON drinker in our group! Impressive.
• What we bought: Tumbleweed

Little Straw Winery:

• Cuvee: a type of wine that is dependent on the season, the weather, the blend and cannot be replicated! If you find one you like, best to stock up or you'll miss out.
• When trying so many wines the tastes started to blend together, so we were told to always take a second sip as the first one is not an accurate representaiton of the wine. Good to know.
• Chef Trevor is the talented in house chef who offered a tapas menu at the winery. These tapas were on a different level! Wine soaked apples with homemade boursin with honey and chives was a stand out winner! All paired well with an incredible rhubarb rosé - YUM!
• What we bought: Tapestry

Mt. Boucherie: 

• BC has so many great white wines and bubbles to offer, I wasn't as impressed with the reds until this winery. We found the Syrah that had been opened this year - it was by far the best red of the tour! 
• This winery gave a great view so we snapped a photo with the bridal party on our tour - a sweet punch of girls that let us join their celebrations! 
• What we bought: Syrah

Quailsgate:

• First of all, I'd be completely find with getting married here. It's so beautiful with a terrace overlooking the vineyard and lake! A stunning property.
• We learned that rosé should be enjoyed the same year it was made! (I may have a few bottles to get rid of...) In fact, the colour of the wine actually turns after the season! So, Rosé Okay within the year.
• What we bought: Chassele (the trifecta of wines - the varietals). 

Beaumont:

• Alexandre owns the Beaumont winery and he has FUN doing it. We walked into live music and even Rocco our driver was invited to drum along. He serendaded the group with a lovely rendition of 'Can't Help Falling in Love with You' to my friend Sabirah - it was coincidently her wedding song! He sung just to her, but his toothy grin had us all swooning...
• What we bought: The sparkling "Serenade" 

What's wine without a little cheese? Less enjoyable, obviously! We visited Carmeli's Goat Farm on the way out of town; the goats were so cute and not a fan of the rain! Our favourites we went home with were the chevary cheese (Provence, Lavender and Thyme & the Dill and Onion), gouda and the blue cheese. We paired with chevary cheese with a peach and bourbon compote - to die for! This place also offers a free cheese tasting with purchase, I'm pretty sure we tried 15 cheeses! What a delicious end to the weekend.

I apologize in advance if I've butchered the language or descriptors of wine. It became harder as the tour went on to retain much (for obvious reasons) but I enjoyed the experience so much! Kelowna is a beautiful place to visit with over 200 wineries - a repeat visit is required. I am happy to have broadened by understanding of wine even in the slightest... I'm pretty stocked up for summer too!

I'm always first to think outside the country for vacations but sometimes I need to remind myself how beautiful BC is and all the gems it has to offer.

Here's a little tip from me to you: before heading on the Crow's Nest (by accident...), be sure to fill up your tank of gas. We managed to reach East Gate gas station with 20km to empty to find that NO ONE was there. Needless to say we happily found out that 0km on a Ford Fusion will take you an extra 30 km's ... 

Cheers to weekend adventures and visits to wine country!

xx

LC

How I Updated my Kitchen under $1000

With every change in season I always get the itch to do the typical big clean, purge my closet of all the clothes I've worn to death and take on a new décor project! Bathrooms and kitchens are always big ticket renos so I have to get creative with my updates...

Let's just note my dream kitchen below...

Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/homebunch/

The previous owner of my condo did some updates but left some definite room for improvement. I have white cabinets - which I love - but I also have this sort of terrible green granite counter tops to work with. I knew I couldn't afford to replace the counter tops so I just needed to tone down the colour and shift focus away from it.

FLOORS! The floors were something that definitely could use a facelift and would not break my bank. Originally an awful laminate reminiscent of a school classroom, I worked with Carecraft Contracting and upgraded to a beautiful porcelain floor in black with a bit of gray undertone. I chose larger floor tiles and to lay them vertically to make the surface area look larger. Also, these large tiles compliment my choice of smaller tiles for the backsplash.

Fuzzy photo...worse floor.

So much better!

BACKSPLASH! Another easy/inexpensive way to update a kitchen - and subway tile is my favourite. Gloss, matte, glass, colour and you can have fun with the grout as well to make it more noticeable (think white tile with dark grout to make it stand out!). My backsplash surface area is on the smaller side, so I opted for a monochromatic look in white tile and light gray grout. I'm super happy with the result! Like the Big Lebowski woud say, it really pulled the room (kitchen) together!! Handy work by the talented team at Carecraft Contracting again. 

Pre-Subway Tile

PASSTHROUGH! One of the reasons I bought my place was because the face of the kitchen was "open" to the living room and dining room. The passthrough offers a small counter space, but it was topped with laminate that had no curb appeal. I worked with a carpenter and picked out a gorgeous piece of wood and stained it to bring out the natural grain. The pass through - although a minor detail - looks fantastic and contrasts the granite, tile and stainless accents in the kitchen. Moreover, it is a nice transition into the dining room. Not too mention its function for serving, housing my cook books and everyday entertaining use.

Before...

Between the floors, backsplash and passthrough upgrades, I was able to makeover my kitchen while staying on my $1000 budget! The counter tops even seem a little less green now...

The finished project! 

So don't shy away from kitchen or bathroom upgrades - set out a budget and decide what will offer the most impact while not breaking the bank!!

What is your next weekend project?? 

xx

LC

A Work Week with LC

I love to people watch or people stare as some might accuse. What can I say? I'm a curious one! When I travel I always like to get a sense of the vibe of the city, namely: what is everyone wearing? 

When I was in London I worked in the financial district and, without a doubt, I saw the best dressed men I've ever seen. Like David Beckham good (well, come on, not quite that good.) The tube would be jam packed and 30+ degrees, but the men would be standing there cool as can be in their perfectly pressed Hermes suits, cuff links, pocket square, and even their socks coordinated without breaking a sweat. That was the norm. The women, on the other hand, had a bit more of an eccentric style that often included jelly sandals so, needless to say, there was some disconnect in London's fashion, but overall, a very well dressed city. I've always been impressed with NYC attire as well, partially because you can truly wear anything and no one will be phased (j'adore Carrie). And in a city that WALKS everywhere, woman even Sex and the City it up strutting the streets in 5 inch heels! I mean if you're going to spend the money you might as well wear them!

I think many Vancouverites will agree that our city has a very laid back look for a bustling metropolis. You're not going to find any Harvey Spectors wandering the streets in three piece suits (sadly), nor are the woman in power suits. That doesn't mean there aren't powerhouse business people walking the streets - it just means that the guy in converse and plaid standing beside you at the food truck might be the CEO of the latest start up. So another life lesson I always follow, be KIND to EVERYONE. You never know if they'll end up being your boss.

Even with our relaxed feel, I prefer dressing up for work compared to my day to day wardrobe. It gives me a type of confidence that I wouldn't normally get in jeans and sneakers. I'm short, and I've always had jobs where I work with a lot of men; heels help to make me feel metaphorically and physically on their same level. Besides dressing for the job, I like to add my own style and definitely not stick to the typical boring work attire. Most things are fair game, leopard, lace, suede - in moderation, of course.

Check out my wardrobe from this past week! Spring is settling in so my black tights will go into hibernation again soon.

My final advice on the work day wardrobe is wear what you feel BEST in, you're going to be your best self if you do.

And like my slogan says, you can never be overdressed.

xx

LC

And thanks to my colleague for enduring lunch hour photo shoots!

Jacket: Vera Moda. Skirt and Top: Calvin Klein. Shoes: Aldo. Dog: Milo!

Sweater: Banana Republic. Boots: Nine West. Dress: Calvin Klein.

Trenchcoat: Banana Republic. Top: Joe Fresh. Skirt: Pink Tartan. Shoes: Nine West.

Skirt: Banana Republic. Sweater: Winners. Necklace: Banana Republic. Shoes: J. Crew.

Dress: Diane Von Furstenberg. Bag: Cole Haan.

10 Tips to Impromptu Hosting!

Ok, we've all been in that situation where you're thinking of something to do on a rainy Saturday night and the best idea is for someone to host a relaxing evening at their house, and everyone agrees that someone should be you (INSERT PANIC EMOTION HERE!). Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE hosting. I have the Monica Geller from Friends gene. However, I'm also a planner and before having people over I prefer to have my walls be washed, fresh sheets, fluffed pillows... the whole shebang. But you know what, sometimes it doesn't work out that way you have to say "Great! I'd love to host" (Again, insert more panic...) And get down to work.

I've come up with a few tricks that help me always stay "host ready":

1.  Stocked bar: I've said it before and I'll say it again, too many options are just too many. A few staples I always have on hand that always prove to be crowd pleasers:

• Prosecco (or champagne) chilled in the fridge. Life is about celebrating, the big or little things - a first date to an engagement. Always best to have a chilled bottle of bubbly to pop!
• Hard Bar Staples: Vodka (in the freezer), Gin, Crown, Rum and Tequila, for good measure.
• MIX! My Soda Stream has saved my life (and dollars) to serve up Vodka sodas. I usually have cans of coke in the fridge because someone will always say yes to a rum and coke.
• Garnishes: Lemons and Limes. Cute to have on the counter, inexpensive and always adds a little zest (pun intended) to a drink.

2. Candles! Instantly creates an ambiance in the room and are easy to have on hand. A few flameless are great to have too.

3. Flowers! I love flowers and now that we're in tulip season I usually treat myself to a $6 bunch. An easy update to your place that doesn't take much time or money!

4. What are your go to favourite fridge staples? I would love to say that I am always equipped to put together an amazing charcuterie board at a moments notice, but I'm not. Guacamole is one of my favourites so I always have avocados on hand (find & master a great guac recipe like this one). I serve this with some salsa and some corn ships and watch them disappear! Or get fancy with a towering plate of nachos, but my nachos, unlike the restaurant's, are layered up on cheese and the guac won't be extra. I also love my hummus, bake pita chips and some veggies. Super Easy! Figure out your go-to recipes and make sure they are always on the grocery list!!

5. DELEGATE!!! This is the hardest one for me because I have control issues and I want to do everything, but I've learned that IT'S OK TO ASK FOR HELP! Especially if you're doing dinner. You made Lasagna? Get someone to grab a loaf of break for garlic bread! Dessert? Would love you do bring some. Make sure you're clear you'll have some booze but if there is anything specific your guests like to drink then encourage them to bring it along!

6. ICE! It seems obvious but it's so easy to forget. I try to stay on top of it but I will always have a bag ready to go, just in case.

7. Run the dishwasher/do a plate and glass check. On average people have 3 drinks in a night and can typically use 3 glasses. Another Martha tip I use is to have all my glasses accessible on the counter so guests don't have to go through my cupboards. 

8. Entertainment. Whether it's a Throwback Thursday playlist or a classic board game, sometimes entertainment needs to be planned. Spotify is my go-to right now; who knows, it could be a game changer and spark an impromptu dance party. It's fun to find out who else has Bieleber fever (clue: everyone). Some classic board games to have on hand:

• Cards Against Humanity
• Cranium
• Heads UP!
• aaaaand Twister

9. Did you ever hear the saying, "Make sure you have clean underwear on so if you get into an accident you won't shame your family"? I try to keep the same mentality about the cleanliness of my home. Be prepared for the "pop by" and impromptu gatherings by tidying a bit every day; it is way less work than one massive clean up, and you'll have one less thing to stress about when hosting! 

10. Just say YES and you'll figure it out; no one is expecting perfection so don't put that pressure on yourself. (I say this now, but my inner Monica Geller sometimes creeps in).

writing this post is inspiring me to host a gathering -  anyone else? Twister and chili may be on the menu tonight... 

Hope everyone had a good weekend and I hope the Easter Bunny was good to you!!

xx

LC

Keep Austin Weird...Y'all!

The most common question I got asked after I said I was going to Austin for the weekend was: WHY??? And my response was: Why not! The destination originally was chosen to go to the SXSW music festival, however, after doing some more research we realized that to attend that festival would be pretty pricey, so we decided to fly there just for the city's sake. Often compared to as a "Portland" of Texas, the state's capital offered a ton of culture, live music, landmarks and most importantly delicious food. And we ate ALL the food. 

There was a group of 6 of us and we opted for an Airbnb near the University of Texas. It was a great location and most places we wanted to visit were walkable or a short uber ride away. My first Airbnb experience was a great success and offered relaxed accommodation for a group (for a decent price, too!) The first day we were having beers on the back patio in 20+ degrees - in February. Done! 

I won't beat around the bush, food was the main motivation of the trip. I'd done some research before I went and there are so many fantastic blogs with countless restaurant recommendations that would require months to get through and inevitably stretchy pants or a mumu to get out of. Some of my favourite blogs for a guide to Austin were The Tig and Camille Styles restaurant guide .

Contigo was our first meal and before I'd even taken my first bite I was in love with the ambiance. The indoor/outdoor restaurant was lit by stringed bulb lights and a roaring fire in the corner with family style seating. After a friendly "Y'ALL" from our server, we proceeded to order basically every shared plate on the menu. Our favourites : foie gras, pork liver pate, steak tartare and proscuitto - these dishes are so good that when the plate was cleared our group admitted that if it was socially acceptable to lick the plate, we would have. Our mains didn't disappoint either: sausage, bacon burgers and steak, this farm to table restaurant  had all the meat covered. This restaurant became the bench mark for the rest of the trip. 

Surprisingly with all the eating we did this trip, not a ton of food photos were produced. Was this because we were all mesmerized by the best of the beefs? Probably (and I'm an Alberta girl - I know my beef.) Meat was a constant throughout the trip and we didn't meet a charcuterie board we didn't love. Taco's were available at basically every corner, and we found a delicious Taco food truck, Torchy's Taco - which we happily indulged while waiting to get into ANOTHER restaurant, Elizabeth Street Cafe. This restaurant is famous for it's Pho and croissants - it was rude to not try both. BBQ was obviously the other Texan delicacy we needed to try, and everything I read about Texas BBQ lead me to Franklin's BBQ. I hate line-ups but I was prepared for this one, as some reviewers even suggested to bring a lawn chair! Well, long story short, the 4 hour wait was not the best use of our time so we gave up and looked for the next best BBQ, which was closed... As Jay-Z would say, on to the next one, the 3rd best BBQ in Texas, Micklethwait! Granted we didn't taste Franklins, but this BBQ did not disappoint! The jalenpeno sausage was amazing and the brisket was so tender it fell off the bone! I'll chalk it up for the win. I did snap a photo of Franklin's below, the line-up went about 2 blocks long. 

In between the eating we did walk and explore the city (we needed to sweat out some meat after all...) The University of Texas was boasting with Longhorn pride and a sea of orange. The buildings were beautiful with so much history: the bell tower standing high above the campus was an iconic landmark. The true highlight of the skyline had to be the State Capitol building, both inside and out!

We also day tripped to San Antonio because the world was our oyster and that oyster was the state of Texas. Only an hour and half away we found a great spot for lunch, CURED. The charcuterie board was one of the best we had the whole trip and the bloody mary/pickle juice combination was a great twist on our beloved Caesar - this meal CURED our hangover to say the least. The restaurant décor was so cute too!! Tin ceilings, exposed brick, hanging meat and honey comb tiling. We also explored the river walk through the downtown which was flanked by restaurants reminiscent of Venice, well, an American Venice. San Antonio is also home to The Alamo where the battle of 1836 took place when Texas was fighting for their independence from Mexico (dose of history for you!)

Another favourite spot we checked out was Rainey Street, where you'll find old frat houses turned into bars and restaurants. I'd say it's an Austin secret spot but it's not, it was packed on a Saturday night - great restaurants, perfect location to bar hop and some fantastic people watching! Several locals recommended Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden and it didn't disappoint! A huge open space with long family style seating, live band (with possibly Willie Nelson on lead vocals) and a pig roasting in the corner - it doesn't get more Texas than that. Oh, and the food! 30 housemade sausages. Enough said. And 100 craft beers on tap washed it all down nicely. Our evening carried on to one of the frat house bars, Bar 96. It had a feel of an adult house party! The DJ kept us singing along to some classic rap tunes all night - between that and the free pour drinks we got our dance party on! 

Hamilton Pool is an hour outside of Austin. This natural pool was the result of a the collapse of an underground river thousands of years ago. The water is a glistening emerald green and it's surrounded by a cave with a waterfall cascading down. It's not big and you truly feel secluded from all city life. The water was refreshing to say the least - actually, it was freaking cold but worth it on a hot day! 

A few other noteworthy restaurant locations: Sway - a twist on modern thai with some asian fusion flavours mixed in! I'd recommend the son-in-law dish and some sake. We also went to Parkside for our Valentine's Day meal; naturally steak was consumed and it was delicious, but it was the sides that stood out for this meal! The mac n' cheese and squash were fantastic. Oh, and the beignets, those were magic. 

I hope I've inspired you to visit Austin (or have made you hungry?) It's truly a bad ass city with lots to do and even more to eat. 

Until next trip...

xx

LC & Gang

Taco Tuesday!

Agh - the weeknight dinner party: a daunting task that requires organization and pre-planning, but can be great way to spice up the week from a normally boring night of laundry ... am I right? Taco Tuesday is one of my favourites to host; it's always a good time and, if you're extra lucky, it will lead to a hungover Wednesday - who likes hump day, anyway?

Seriously though, TACOs. What's not to love? They are the ultimate meal to serve because the possibilities are endless and you can be as creative or as classic as you want to be. Pick a base (veggie/beef/turkey are my go-tos) and get creative with the rest! I often want to offer every taco shell option (hard/soft/corn/flour/bowl or lettuce) but have come to learn that sometimes too many options are just too many. My past taco party I went authentic with classic smaller corn tortillas. They were a hit and held the filling well - no one likes a messy taco. 

Taco "bars" are going to be the new candy "bars" at weddings... well, maybe not, but definitely a midnight snack. They are the best. I'm huge on the add-ons for tacos (*note: even if you mess up the meat, the add-ons will save you - there was never a taco that guacamole didn't make better). Have fun with the presentation too! For a larger group I'd suggest a buffet style taco bar for easy serving - check this one out. So fun!

I had 6 people at my Taco Tuesday, so we just did family style. A larger group would have made it harder to navigate/pass dishes so just keep that in mind when setting your table! End result still looked delicious...

I'm not normally a huge dessert person but this past holiday season I took an interest in baking. I feel that baked goods are a great crowd pleaser, and I want to be a 50's house wife and serve pineapple upside down cake on the regular. ANYWAYS, when I host any dinner party I always like to complete the meal with dessert, leave the meal on a sweet note (see what I did there?). Keeping with the Mexican theme I opted to make Mexican Brownies. They turned out to be rich and sweet with a lovely kick of spice that became evident 3 seconds into chewing. I can confidently say none were left by the end of the evening with each guest consuming 3-4, so, be warned, it's hard to stop at just one! 

A dusting of powdered sugar makes anything prettier,  a dusting of corn makes it real life.

I hope I've motivated you to take on a weeknight dinner party! Do you need more motivation? Not only does it force you to clean your house so you don't have to spend your weekend doing it - BUT left overs! I love bringing taco salad for lunch the next day. My go-to taco recipe is here.

Happy Taco Tuesday!!

xx

LC

Set the tone to your home!

Is your entry solely designed for functionality or do you use it to introduce the style and feel for your home?

Why not make it both!

When I bought my condo 3 years ago I was beyond excited to decorate it the way I wanted, a clean slate - a blank canvas. First thing I did was paint the walls with a neutral gray, and off I went furnishing 700 square feet. My credit card was getting quite a workout to say the least and, after investing in some big ticket items, I had to slow the decorating down. I put off the entry way til the very last because I didn't know what I wanted to do with it! The space is a little tight, so I didn't have the option of making it its own separate room. I spent many hour Pinning and still couldn't come up with anything I liked or I was too nervous to try...In the mean time, Jim Morrison hung behind my door.

The before...

I finally came across this Pin and it inspired me to do a circle mirror gallery wall combo. I liked the simplicity of all the white frames, but there are some super great gallery walls that combine lots of different colours and textures. I'll try on my next wall - baby steps!

Photo Credit to bowerpowerblog.com

I have so many photos I've collected over the years and enjoy framing pictures of my travels, so I knew I wanted a mix of both art, words, my favourite places with my favourite people. This was the mix I came up with!

• Heart of Gold - this was a gift from a dear friend AND my favourite Neil Young song. (similar one here)
• A Banksy Art Piece "There's Always Hope".
• London's skyline (dear to my heart from when I lived there briefly in 2014).
• My friend Kathryn and I with a backdrop of Manhattan.

I'm definitely not a knick knack person and there is a fine line between too much accessories and just enough, but details are a great way to add personal touches of you... even in a small entry way!

• The IKEA side table was upgraded with a new mustard rose handle (an easy inexpensive way to update a piece!). This knob's an oldie from Anthropologie, but you can find a similar one here. 
• My keys hang on the slogan my mother feels she needs to repeatedly tell me: "Keep Calm and Carry On".
• My mail has a home on a cute heart envelope dish - it also holds left over change from world travelling (note the British pence). It's also a great dish to store other grab-and-go items (like my sunglasses so they don't get lost in the black hole of my purse!)
• An anchor door mat because nautical is always in and I need to display my constant life dilemma of Converse vs. Metallic heels.

This is my current entry way, I'm happy with the progress I made and my first gallery wall but I think an entry way might just be one of those spaces that's ever evolving... I'm thinking wallpaper next? 

How will you welcome your guests into your home?? Get creative! 

xx

LC

aaaaaaaaaaaand one last quick check before heading out!

Say YES... then Netflix and Chill.

As we near the end of January, I find it crazy how people’s emotions are a pendulum from the beginning of the month - the promise of new resolutions and optimism for the new year ahead - and then mid month hits and the pendulum hits a giant boulder and you almost feel stuck. You realize you go to work when it's dark, come home when it's dark and, for Vancouver, the winter rain has set in and that can be a bit of a downer.

I've been deemed a bit of a "planner" among my friends, I love organizing group events, hosting dinner parties, volunteering and getting involved in different events in the city - I want to admit that part of my motivation is that I am single and live alone and if I DIDN'T reach out and organize things I would lead a sad life sitting in my apartment binge watching Netflix, alone. That's why I have a rule: say YES to as many invitations as possible - especially if it's outside of your normal routine! It's always hard getting there but usually 95% of the time you're happy you went or it's an experience to talk about.

A few things I said YES to this week:

• A visit to Grouse Mountain! I usually just visit the mountain after doing the traitorous 3km hike up. This time we went up to see the snow!! Crazy this mountain is just 20 minutes outside of downtown and it transports you to a winter wonderland with activities like skating, sleigh rides, skiing and some epic photo ops in the twinkling lit forest walk. See exhibit A: My loud cackle captured on film.

• Another fun (and NEW!) thing I participated in this week was volunteering for the Vancouver Symphony Ball! It was a black tie, "Singing in the Rain" themed event and all to support a good cause - what better way to spend your Thursday night? I'd also recently purchased some black tuxedo pants that I needed to debut at the perfect event...  on a white carpet. 

• I joined one of the many "new" online dating apps, "Bumble", yes ladies, there are bee's out there waiting for you to talk to them! And by Bee's I mean men. This site is a bit different than the other ones because the woman needs to make the first move within 24hours of being matched - I'm a fan of the concept, but I won't lie, my rate of return on responses was about 5% (Insert defeated emoji here.) HOWEVER, I did connect with a guy and am proud to say I am going on a date this weekend!

So you can see the theme here: say YES...JUST DO IT. You won't regret it! Well maybe you will, but then you'll have a story to tell over a bottle of wine with the girls and you'll always have your sweats and Netflix to go home to ...

Happy Weekend!

xx

LC

New Year. New Me. Cliché, I know.

So 2016 has finally arrived, whether we were prepared or not, people start to naturally outpour all of their New Year resolutions and mantras, including my favourite: NEW YEAR, NEW ME (said it a boisterous Oprah voice). 

I’ll admit this year I was a full on textbook example of someone aspiring to make this year the BEST ONE YET. These plans didn’t so much include resolutions, but rather:

1. Complete a WHOLE 30 (www.whole30.com). The “cleanse” that includes no sugar, dairy, grains, legumes… oh and Prosecco and other fun boozes.

2. START A BLOG, this one was a long time coming. I actually signed up in October but it finally came to fruition in January. The New Year: time to get shit done. (Thanks for tuning in to blog #1!)

3. See a psychic! I admittedly spend a large percentage of my days worrying about past, present  and future life so, any sort of insight I could get – spiritual or otherwise, was welcomed for my sanity but also to spare my friends the ramblings of over analyzing yet another year of Lauren.

A check-in on progress…

1. I lasted 5 days on the Whole 30, and a few series of events (and Vodka) have lead me back to Day 1. Life happens and sometimes plans change – but I’m back on the horse…

2. Blog #1 published = SUCCESS! 

3. I really enjoyed the psychic experience. I left feeling optimistic about life, appreciating the things I have to be grateful for and worrying less - a little, at least. I’ll chalk it up for the win and, if anything, I am excited to see how the year unfolds!

So whether you’ve gone all or nothing on the resolution front, a few things to keep in mind: it’s not the end of the world if plans change, that’s life. Tomorrow is going to happen either way, and like the music legend that was David Bowie said, “You could be a hero/ Just for one day / We can be us / Just for one day” So just be you, everyday. 

XX

LC (FYI: a nickname I go by, in a world with many Laurens)

Said goodbye to 2015 in my hometown, Edmonton, Alberta. Photo Cred: Elizabeth Marie