@INSTAGRAM

I love Instagram, I really do. I never fell for Twitter, and I've recently deleted my Facebook account but somehow Instagram really has me hooked. I delight in seeing the beautiful photos some of the accounts I follow post on a daily basis and thought I should highlight some of them here. I only know about half the people I follow personally, but there's something really special about getting a small glimpse into the inspiring lives of strangers - here are five of my current favorites; I hope you guys like them and maybe take some time to check out their truly beautiful feeds.

@arielealasko

From what I have learned from her Instagram feed, Ariele Alasko is a young wood-worker who builds stunning coffee tables, dining tables, headboards etc. in her lovely studio in Brooklyn, NY. Her work is amazing and her two pets (a dog and cat) makes the most adorable photo bombs.

@anotherfeather

Hannah Ferrara is perhaps my favorite account to follow; when seen in a grid her photos have a very beautiful color palette. She designs jewelry alongside her husband @fleetco who makes wonderful handmade leather good. Together the two appear to live a relaxed, down-to-earth life... I hope you enjoy her feed as much as I do.

@marte_marie_forsberg

Marte Marie Forsberg is a food/lifestyle photographer from Norway. From what I can see of her feed she works for a number of publications; taking photos throughout most of Europe. She is in a relationship with another one of my favorite Instagrammers: @Benjaminhole - in fact it was from his feed that I was introduced to her. Beware: Marte Marie Forsberg's feed will make you want to BE a photographer...

@benjaminhole

This is @benjaminhole - his feed is absolutely incredible. He's a farmer on the Isle of Purbeck in England and his feed features exactly that. As a secret country girl (who has never actually lived in the country) I swoon over this feed on a regular basis. Noteworthy: one of his herding dogs just had pups and as a follower of this account you get to watch them grow up!

@anne_parker

I don't know quite as much about Anne (sounds like Annie) Parker except that her world is visually stunning. From her feed I know she is a stylist but her photos more often depict her everyday life. She regularly gives her followers a peak inside her calm-looking home and recently she left me in awe with photos of her trip to Maine.

Who do you love following on Instagram?

Alison

HOME IS WHERE I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU

 Eeek! I apologize for the extreme disappearance but Matt and I FINALLY moved this week!! Craziest weeks are moving weeks, right? We experienced a handful of hiccups along the way (late movers, late elevators, rush key drop-offs...) but I would say overall the move went well. Despite being late our movers were incredible; hardworking guys that got the job done faster than I ever could have imagined. Our new apartment was uber clean when we got here which is always amazing and our grocery, Canadian Tire and (inevitable) Ikea trips were pretty smooth. There is so much work to be done on this place; our landlord is redoing our kitchen to better suit my talented chef of a boyfriend so there will be some unpacked boxes for the next week or so. C'est La Vie, we're so lucky she is being so incredibly accommodating.

The first few days have been really exhausting and not without minor Alison vs. Matt feuds; but for two people living together for the first time I think I should have expected that. We have strong personalities as individuals so house those under one roof and something over-the-top is bound to happen. I love Matt SO much, no doubt about that, and oddly enough the move-in feuds only made me love him more - that dude is INSANELY patient with me... maybe I'll make him a metal or a trophy.

Without further adieu here are some photos of the first few days in the new place :)

That's the closest our cats have come to sleeping by one another since the move... I'm still crossing my fingers they will become besties.

Are Matt and I the only one's to experience a hectic moving week? This is all normal right? Tell me about yours!

Enjoy the long weekend :)

Alison

WARD'S ISLAND, TORONTO

So today I ventured to Ward's Island for the first time to visit my mom; she has rented a small unit for the week and invited me over for the day. Before I get into the amazingness that is Ward's Island though, do yourself a favor and play the clip below... I was listening to it on my ferry ride over to the Island and it was kinda magical, guys.

Ward's Island is part of the channel of island's that exist in the Toronto harbor; which I today learned is the largest community in North America to be vehicle-free... that's right! Everyone either walks or bikes around the island, it's really amazing. A really cool community exists on the islands; small residential homes that were built up on what used to be camp grounds - all of which are surrounded by the most beautiful gardens and vibrant colors.

I had one of the best iced lattes I've ever tasted at the cafe right off the ferry loading dock - TRY THEM! It was an awesome day, and fun to have my mom all to myself!

Have a happy evening.

Alison

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

I spent the past week in New York for work; first time in the Big Apple... I wouldn't call myself an avid traveller; not because I don't want to go to and see everything but simply because I haven't had the most opportunities to do so. This trip was my first to New York, my first on business and my first on my own. I flew out of the beautiful Billy Bishop airport on the Toronto Island; Porter airlines. Has anyone ever flown with Porter? It is AMAZING! I HEART PORTER! I arrived at the airport super early in the morning and was welcomed with a hot latte and salted almonds - to me it doesn't get much better than that.

Below are a few photos of my journey for those of you who don't follow me on Instagram and weren't already bombarded with my NYC adventures. I wouldn't say that this trip made me an I (heart) NY girl, but it was definitely exciting. I've never experienced hustle and bustle as intense as that in New York; if you aren't speed walking you are obviously a tourist!

I finally had a chance to visit the MoMa (THE moma? MOMA? anyone?) and as a longtime member of a number of art galleries and museums back in Ottawa I have no problem telling you this girl was in absolute Heaven. 

With my company I also had the opportunity to volunteer with New York Cares - we visited a Public School on the Upper East Side where we painted a mural of the city skyline on the gymnasium wall. It was so cool working with that organization and despite the intense heat five floors up with no AC in the dead of summer, I absolutely adored the experience.

I won't bore you with details of my cancelled Friday flight and late night trip to the Holiday Inn closest to the Newark airport (worst. night. ever.) - the trip was great, and the training was more useful than I could ever describe. 

Back to packing boxes (my half-packed, unorganized apartment is making me edgy!)

Alison