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!
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!)
Unbeknownst to many I have been a longtime admirer of Scandinavian design. The clean lines, white color palettes, natural wood elements, and sturdy craftsmanship consistently leave me in awe and creating imaginary wishlists in my mind. Although my home doesn't currently boast too many Scandinavian influences it is still a style I refer to for inspiration on a regular basis.
While perusing one of my favorite blogs, Miss Moss I came across one of her recent posts featuring a very lust-worthy blog called My Scandinavian Home. The blog is written by a Swede living in London and features homes and attractions throughout the world that are inspired by Scandinavian design. Below are just a smattering of beautiful images from the site:
If you need a little home inspiration go check out the blog, it's quite something.
So we were having a discussion about our new home this morning while lounging around in my stifling hot apartment amidst boxes and labelled piles, when the topic of "living more naturally" came up. Matt told me about a friend of his that hasn't used shampoo in over a year; instead he washes his hair with coconut oil... And while I don't think I'm ready to say good-bye to Bumble&Bumble or Aveeno I definitely like the idea of using less chemicals in our home. I thought a bit more about our cats and them lounging around on the surfaces we clean with unnatural ingredients and I felt kinda bad for their poor paws, and then I looked at the chopping block Matt uses to cook on and thought there must be a better solution for washing off post-chopped food. I looked it up and found a ton of recipes for homemade cleaning products - they are SO easy to make! I already had all the ingredients for the most basic cleaner in my cupboards: white vinegar, lemon, rosemary and water.
I found a great website; EarthEasy that very simply outlines all the wonderful ways our regular household items can be put to cleaning use, check it out, it's really interesting! While I didn't get too experimental with ingredients like Borax or washing soda I did have fun making a great all-purpose spray that works really well and smells fresh and natural. I hope you guys try it, my goal is to eventually bring my cleaning supplies down to only a couple bottles instead of the arsenal I currently hoard in my pantry. Let me know what you try and how successful it is!
Alison
Ah, how cute is this guy finding heat relief in cool empty cubbyholes?!?
So this week was my birthday and for someone who doesn't LOVE celebrating her birthday I have to admit this year's festivities were pretty amazing. It started with a family get-together on Canada Day where my mother made the MOST amazing meal for everyone that she topped off with homemade ice-cream!!. My very sweet brother had a couple shelves made for a DIY I've been working on (more on that to come) and I was gifted an amazing shower curtain from Anthropologie that I've been eyeing for almost a year (not the same shower curtain but close; mom buys gifts months ahead and mine is no longer available). Matt also surprised me halfway through the day while I was swimming in my parents pool by walking through the backyard; he told me he had to work that day the sneaky bugger!
The day before my birthday one of my best friends Nikki had arranged to take me out for dinner. I met her at her office and we made our way through China Town at Queen St. and Spadina for some pre-dinner perusing! Dinner was at MILAGRO; it's a Mexican place I've been to a couple times and guys, this place is to die! If you haven't been yet you have to go - their Tacos Rosarito are too good to be true. My other bestie Julia surprised me there; these girls! Get outta town!!
Because every girl should have an ornate fan for daily commuting in this muggy Toronto heat!
This guy was amazing! Go hear him at Spadina and Queen and give him your money
Fast forward to my actual birthday... Matt took me to our new neighborhood for the day where we ate a late all day breakfast at the Beacher Cafe - I'm a sucker for breakfast food + old nostalgic diners.
We walked along our new beach (I use the word "our" like it ain't no thang, but I'm clearly THAT excited about our new hood!).
And then spent the rest of the time wandering Kew Gardens; where the lamp posts are stamped with the most adorable cat stamps, and the various side streets that branch off of Queen St. The houses there are stunning and everyone seems to take an abundance of pride in their filled-to-the-brim gardens.
We topped the day off with a movie-date to see Despicable Me 2; don't care who ya are, that movie is adorable and hilarious. We were laughing with tears. Do your inner child a favor and go see it!
