Looking back at recent posts, I realize that I've done a lot of grumbling about work and being at home 24/7. But hey, life wasn't all bad! I'm grateful that I'm still gainfully employed, my loved ones are healthy, and I can WFH safely during a global pandemic. Plus, there were a few bright spots this summer. Here's a quick look at some highlights that occurred away from the laptop and the Zoom calls.
I didn't go too crazy shopping in Paris because I wanted to stick to a budget, we were traveling with carry-on only, and some of our luggage space was devoted to gifts for friends and family. What's photographed above represents the remaining 75-80% of my purchases, 6 months after our trip. The gourmet treats have been consumed and a lot of my Saeve purchases have been used up, but I still wanted to do a shopping haul post. Better late than never, right?
Ah Paris, home of beautiful breads, buttery pastries, Michelin-starred restaurants, cozy bistros...the list of culinary highlights that the city of lights can lay claim to is endless! We always make a point to seek out memorable dining experiences wherever we travel, but the food in Paris was so good that it deserved its own post separate from the photo-heavy travel recap. If you're planning a trip there soon, be sure to add these spots to your itinerary!
In April we were lucky enough to spend almost two weeks in Paris thanks to a great airfare deal I found online; it was my second time in the city of lights, my husband's first. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous (what if people were rude? what if it didn't live up to expectations? what if Lawrence hated it?). But this holiday turned out to be one of the most magical vacations we'd ever taken—exactly the right mix of activities, leisure time, and amazing food. What a way to recharge and rediscover our zest for life!
As you may already know from my Instagram Stories, Hubs and I were in Toronto during the August long weekend to see Taylor Swift! I know I say this with every mini break or vacation, but I feel like this one couldn't have come soon enough, especially with how stressful work has been this year. Here's a photo-heavy look at what we did. (Spoiler alert: There was a lot of food.)
As you might have seen from my Instagram, Hubs and I went to Portland for an extra long weekend recently! This getaway coincided with me attending a professional conference and honestly it couldn't have come soon enough. Working overtime on a demanding project, dealing with staffing issues, and overall stress and exhaustion were really starting to get to me, which is also why I've been MIA from the blog lately. It was so nice to escape from everyday life for a couple of days and unplug for a bit. All the details on where we went and what we did after the jump! (Spoiler: It involves a lot of food.)
After Rome, Venice, and Florence, Cinque Terre was a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the major cities. As incredible as our time in Italy had been up until that point, we were also kind of worn out by the non-stop walking, sightseeing, getting on and off trains, finding our way in a new city with luggage in tow. On one memorable day in Florence, we logged 23,000 steps and I developed blisters—and the next day we still went to Lucca and went on a walking tour there! By the time we departed Florence for Monterosso al Mare, I was desperately craving a slower pace and lazier days, if only to give my feet a break. Cinque Terre delivered just that.
Our honeymoon in Italy was one of 2017's major highlights, which is why I'm so excited to be able to recap our visit to Florence today. Looking back at these photos, this was probably the most eclectic leg of our trip.
Happy holidays, dear readers! Before we gear up for 2018, I thought it might be nice to take a look back at some of this year's blog highlights. (Bonus tip: If you click on any of the photos they'll take you to the original post.) Ready? Let's go!
When we were planning our honeymoon in Italy, Venice was the destination we were both most ambivalent about, especially after reading this New York Times article likening it to "Disneyland for adults" and hearing several fellow bloggers complain about what a tourist trap it was. Rome had history and a certain grandeur about it; Florence had the Medici and medieval architecture; Cinque Terre looked amazing in photos. But Venice, what did it have? Canals? Gondolas? In the end though, Venice ended up blowing us away and was by far the best, most enjoyable leg of our trip.
Of all the places we visited in Italy, Rome had some of the trip's highest highs and lowest lows.
All roads lead to Rome. The month before I turned 25 on September 25th, I briefly contemplated doing something wild and crazy to celebrate my champagne birthday and landed on going to Rome by myself. That trip never happened. Instead I stayed in town and planned a huge party at which I got very drunk. Lawrence, the sweet guy I'd met through salsa dancing and only started dating the week before, showed up at my doorstep to pick me up on the night of the party wearing his best blue shirt and holding a dozen red roses. Fast forward through our relationship, from dating to buying a condo and moving in together, our engagement, getting married last year. Now here we are, both of us heading to Italy for the first time for our honeymoon. Funny how things come full circle, isn't it? I'm so happy and grateful that I ended up taking this "8-year detour" and I'll be seeing the Eternal City for the first time with my love by my side.
Between work and blog and the demands of everyday living, the fact that my husband and I haven't been on a proper trip since our mini-moon in Naramata kind of snuck up on us. So when Ford Canada asked us if we'd like to borrow a 2017 Ford Escape for the week, of course the answer was an unequivocal "Yes!", immediately followed by thoughts of where we'd like to road-trip to next while we have the car. (Any excuse for a vacation, right?) We very quickly settled on Tofino as neither of us has ever been and we've both heard how beautiful it is. As we discovered a couple weekends ago, this seaside community located on Vancouver Island has more to offer than just surfing and stellar fish tacos. A photo-heavy look at our Tofino getaway, plus travel tips and our thoughts on the 2017 Ford Escape right after the jump!
Looking at these summery and sun-soaked photos, it's hard to believe that it's only been a few short weeks since we got married and went on our mini-moon in Naramata. The 3-night getaway proved to be the perfect transition between the excitement of our nuptials and the humdrum reality of everyday, and it was made even sweeter thanks to Ford Canada, who generously loaned us a brand new Ford Escape for the duration of the trip. All the details on our trip and our impressions of the Escape after the jump!
There comes a time in every young woman's life when her idea of a good time shifts from stumbling around downtown hotspots to a quiet evening at home, from free shots lined up at a bar to a glass of wine in an upscale lounge. That shift happened for me right around my 25th birthday, so I knew for my stagette I didn't want to do anything too crazy, just enjoy laid-back and fun quality time with my favourite girls. My maid of honour more than came through by planning a weekend getaway to Bowen Island. Just a 20-odd minute ferry ride from Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, Bowen Island feels a world away from the city. Here's a little look at what we did, in case you also want a decidedly more chill bachelorette party.
Two years after our trip to Boston (and after two weeks of radio silence on the blog), I thought it'd be nice to kick off the week with a look back at the last few photos from our time in New England. The boy and I still think of this as the most magical trip we've taken together as a couple. And after two weeks of on-and-off sickness—a lingering cough from a cold I caught in February, a painful neck spasm that prompted an emergency RMT appointment and several canceled Bar Method classes—I sure could use a little magic.
Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers! Hope your significant other spoils you with flowers, chocolates, and snuggles today—or if you're single, today's a great day to have a Galentine's Day with your best girlfriends over brunch or simply treat yourself to a long bath and a glass of wine. As you're reading this, I'll be en route to Toronto for an exciting Grammy viewing party with Beauty United tomorrow night—yay!
As you read this, I'm already en route to Washington, DC, and Virginia on a much-needed, much-anticipated vacation with the boy! The free flights we booked through Aeroplan points somewhat make up for the terrible exchange rate—but they also mean long stop-overs and awkward hours in economy class. To make coach feel a little more luxe, I'm stashing these items in my carry-on to keep my skin happy and hydrated, and my spirits up.
