Friday, March 30, 2012

life according to my retro cam














 1. Starbucks....I haven't had one in sooo long!
2. Sleeping on my side of the bed
3. Cuddling on the couch
 4. The Bf's birthday dinner. Takeout from Swiss Chalet
5. Homemade birthday cake....mmm, sprinkles
6. Making a wish!
7. Big Breakfast
8. Play time
9. Creekside
10. Mountain side Pub = Nacho's!

p.s. I'm clearly struggling with my photo placement....#bloggerproblems
I'll fix as soon as I can figure out what's wrong!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

so small...getting bigger


Yep, Kea's doubled in size since we've got her.  And right now, she's got a chubby belly and a lot of extra skin around her neck and shoulders, so that means another growth spurt is about to happen.  I bet she'll double again over the next two to three weeks or so.
We still love our crazy little lady!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

blue stripes


We finally had some sunshine here in Vancouver over the last week or so, and everyone was out and about enjoying it.  The Bf and I ran some errands, walked the dog and hung out together.  This outfit is from last weekend, (I know, I'm such a slow-poke!) I wore it to the Vancouver Blogger Sale.  This weekend I worked, so I hope you all got a little bit of sun for me!
Have a lovely week!


 Striped T: Anthropologie, Jeans: Citizens of Humanity,  Belt: American Eagle, Necklace: Gifted,  
Clog Booties: American Eagle, Purse: vintage,

Friday, March 23, 2012

van blogger sale

image via Jen 

Over the weekend I attended the first Vancouver Blogger Clothing Sale at the Waldorf Hotel.  And, wow! What a turn out! There were a ton of local bloggers selling lightly used clothing straight from their own closets! Partial proceeds going to Dress for Success Vancouver.  
I said hi to a few favourite bloggers, Alicia and Melissa, and met a few other wonderful ladies, Jen, Monika, and Randa.  They are all just so lovely! 
Congratulations on such a success ladies!  Can't wait till next year! ...who knows, maybe I'll set up shop ;)

image via Jen 


I walked away with a beautiful print by Randa.  I See Noise prints are originals that she creates and they are simply beautiful! The perfect feminine touch to any room in your home.  I'm still shopping around for the perfect frame for it, but when I get it all together, I'll be sure to show you! 

Thursday, March 22, 2012

butternut squash

During these transitional months when the days are getting warmer and the nights are staying cold, a warm bowl of soup is just what I'm craving.  This year my favourite kind of soup is Butternut Squash.  And I've finally tried to attempt making it on my own.  I used a recipe from my Bf's Step Mom.  She's quite the cook!

And I have to say, for my first time, it turned out pretty yummy!!

Smoky Squash Bisque

2-3 lbs orange squash (I used butternut, but you could also use turban or hubbard)
1 tbsp butter, melted
4 large cloves of garlic, cut in half
1 onion, sliced
1 large carrot, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
4 cups of chicken stock or broth (I used vegetable stock, it's what I had on hand, and makes it vegetarian friendly!)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3-4 drops of Hickory liquid smoke*
1 to 2 chopped fresh sage leaves or 1/2 tsp dried
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
fresh coriander for presentation

1. Peel, seed and cube squash.
2. Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add garlic; saute 3 minutes or until garlic is lightly browned on both sides.  Add onion, carrot and celery; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add squash, stock, cayenne and liquid smoke.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat and partially cover.  Simmer 20 to 25 minutes, or until vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally.  Add sage and salt; simmer 5 more minutes.  Stir in lemon juice.
3. Puree in batches in a blender or food processor.  Taste and if needed, add more salt (soup can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days).  When ready to serve, heat soup until hot.  Ladle into bowls, garnish with a sprinkling of chopped coriander.  Makes about 6 servings. 

*Hickory liquid smoke - I didn't have any of this, nor was able to find it, nor quite knew what it was.... I put in a bit of the sauce that comes in a can of chipotle peppers in it instead.  It helped with the smokey taste. 





Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Sterling Shoes - Snap your Style

Spring is here, and that means bright wedges, strappy sandals and cute purses!

Sterling Shoes is launching an amazing contest, Snap your Style, to celebrate Spring!  
Submit a photo of yourself with a head-to-toe look and tell Sterling why you should win!

There are 10 great prizes, including a $1,000 gift card to Sterling Shoes.  That's like a year of free shoes!

There will also be a Voter's Fave!  They'll win a $500 gift card and be featured on Sterling's Blog!

The judges, of course, are some lovely local ladies.  Sterling Buyer and Partly Sunny blogger Sunny Shum, Sterling Senior Brand Manager Lisa Eaton, and The Anthology's Kelsey Dundon.

Click here to head to Sterling's Facebook Page for more details and to vote for your fave!! 

Submission dates started March 16th through May 15th.  
One entry per person.  One vote per person per day. 

Go! Hurry up and take some photos! I know I will!

so small....getting bigger

Little Kea is growing everyday! I noticed it first in her legs, they're getting longer.  Her head is getting bigger, especially her snout.  And her little belly is getting wider and longer.  It's been just over 3 weeks now of us being her new parents, and what a difference already.  During the first week I was able to hold her wrapped up in a little ball with one arm, now I usually need two.
Is it possible to fall more in love everyday?
You can see the first of so small here.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

so small

I promise, I won't post photos of my puppy forever.....well, maybe.  But I just had to show you how small she was when we first got her, about 2 weeks ago.  I'm going to do a photo a week to show her growth, it changes that quickly!!  

Yeah, she's all tuckered out!

Friday, March 9, 2012

couch bound

So, it looks like I'm pretty much couch bound this weekend.  My throat has decided to join forces with some sort of evil and are working hard to make me feel horrible.  I plan on watching movies, napping, drinking lemon ginger tea, and cuddling with the puppy.  Not necessarily in that order, I feel that the napping aspect may take presidence.   What are your plans this weekend? Someone please enjoy the outdoors for me!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

braids and knots

I tried a new hairstyle the other day, inspiration from here, and I've worn it a couple of times sense then.  
It's super easy! 
Start with 2 pigtail braids, try and keep it a little loose right at the connection to your head, and secure them with clear elastics.  Then, with bobby pins, pin up your braids.
I went with a bit of a knot in the middle this time, but you can create whatever style you want.



Monday, March 5, 2012

jumpers and puppies


One week in and Kea is doing so great!  She's figured out to go to the front door when she needs to pee, she knows when dinner time is (for both her & us), and she can almost get on the couch on her own.
We went for a couple of walks over the weekend, and her little legs get her a little further every time.



Jumper: Topshop (over a year old), T-shirt: Aerie, Watch: American Eagle, Necklace: Gift, Shoes: Jeffery Campbell (c/o Alicia Fashionista)

p.s. no, I didn't wear these shoes for the whole walk....I promptly changed into oxfords afterwards!!
p.p.s. I swear, in the last photo, it's just my hand in my pocket! ;)

Thursday, March 1, 2012

first walk

We went for our first family walk on Sunday morning and Kea did great! She is so friendly with people and other dogs, she goes right up to them and can't wait to say hi!  And it doesn't hurt that everyone who sees her wants to give her a little pet.  Our walks aren't necessarily very long distances, but they do take a little while.  Her little legs are so small!!


Look at her cute little nose! I couldn't resist!