Yes to the Dress

Wedding

I worried that I wasn’t going to have that tearful, this is it! moment. That unlike so many television brides-to-be, I wouldn’t know when I’d found my dress. I did know a few things though:

I would rather be comfortable than look ‘skinny’.

I wanted to have a dress that I could wear all night.

I didn’t want to need help going pee.

The hefty price tag of my dress wouldn’t be a bragging right.

I was deeply uncomfortable about the idea of spending half a month’s salary (or more) on a dress, no matter how important.

As soon as you say ‘wedding’ the price soars on most things you can think of: flowers, meals, alcohol prices, photography, shoes, accessories, cards, underwear… and definitely THE DRESS.

It’s hard NOT to feel beautiful in dresses that cost twenty times the price of things you wear in regular life. I liked them ALL, with some exceptions, and I was lucky that my small bust and tall frame meant that if it fit around my body it looked pretty good. I didn’t face the complicated support and lift issues that more ample, curvaceous brides might have to deal with, or issues of hemming. How do you know what dress is the one when they all feel so pretty?

At the time I had red hair and the contrast was striking; pale skin, red hair and cream, off white, blush… satin, lace, tulle… it was a mini nightmare of choice overload.

The aha moment came when I picked up an unlikely candidate in grey – it was a party dress, very theatrical and almost like a ballet costume. As I picked it up, I noticed that its petal pink, blush and oyster counterpart was hanging behind it. I added it to the pile. As soon as I got it on I felt like a little girl, gleeful in my desire to spin. It went quickly from ‘love this’ to ‘maybe this is the one’ to ‘this is it.’

It also really helped that it was less than half the price of other gowns. I let my gut decide and my budget concurred with a sigh of relief. I had been adamant that I wasn’t going to get suckered into a big ticket dress. This dress wasn’t what I thought I’d find, but very strangely, it had everything that I had been looking for: it was not white, it was soft and romantic, interesting and unusual, light, one shoulder, no corset, open back, the illusion of strapless without the constant need to hoist, and even before being taken in it felt magical.

The first look. It felt so light and dreamy. I knew if heels were going to come into play we’d need to stitch in a few extra layers of tulle to add length.

Moment of truth: is this the way I want to feel and look when I walk down the aisle. It seemed too easy. Yes.

Give it a spin. With the full skirt and one shoulder strap I felt certain that dancing all night wouldn’t be a problem. The flowers at the waist were removable, too.

I had a sheepish face on when I realized how excited I had gotten. I guess that’s how you know. Even before alterations, which my mom’s neighbour completed for us at very minimal cost, and adding four inches of tulle layering to the hem, it feel really amazing and so comfortable – like I’d stepped out of a fairy tale. Mine.

It even matched the drawing I had sketched out months before I started the hunt, quite closely.When I was all ‘jacked up’ as they say, even the Iphone photos capture it pretty clearly – this was definitely a dress to which I could say an emphatic ‘yes.’

Three hours to show time. Getting ready at the Grand Hotel.

Accessorized and ready: Something old, something new, something borrowed… something blue not pictured here.

Ultimately, the dress I wore was the right pick, even though many more traditional and some very modern dresses felt beautiful, I went with the one that gave me a thrill. Good luck on your hunt!

It’s Up To You, New York: Honeymoon Part 1

Love

One year ago, we went on our honeymoon. A queer-friendly destination was high on our priority list. We started off in NYC and flew from there to the island of St. Martin (stay tuned for Honeymoon Part 2)… and did we ever have a blast! It was the perfect combo of sweet city heat and sight seeing, paired with relaxed island vibes and natural beauty.

I’m going to list everything as an imperative, but consider it as more of a suggestion. If you have half as much fun as we did, you’ll love New York, too. And yes, in a gay way. Air kisses.

Alison and Allia

Get a great hotel and then spend as little time in it as possible. We stayed at the Wyndham Garden, centrally located in the heart of Manhattan’s Chelsea district. The rooms were small, but very clean and quiet. We were right in the middle of things and the staff was just too sweet to describe.

Hit the streets on foot and fall in love with the strange and wonderful things you find as you take it all in.

Diverge from the beaten path and ignore people when they say it’s too far to walk. We tried to avoid taking transit. You miss so much of the city when you head underground. Unless you have a clock to punch, put on those walking shoes (plus, then you feel no guilt whatsoever about enjoying all the local treats you can stomach!)

Take recommendations. Our friend told us to check out Co. and we were not disappointed. We found awesome local brew and some of the yummiest food of our entire trip. The marinated warm olives had us making nom-nom food noises.

Laugh. We were tuned-in to the humour of the city and the days were made lighter by all of those laugh out loud moments. Gotta love a meatball-specialty shop that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Eat as many treats and local delicacies as you can find!

Go to at least one fancy place. We went to the Standard Hotel where beverages were $20 US each. Gimlet, anyone? Moscow Mule? Go somewhere where you’ll feel like you’ve pulled the wool over someone’s eyes just by being allowed in. I was definitely under dressed, and felt a bit like a the Anne Hathaway who arrives amidst the fashionistas on day one in The Devil Wears Prada, but got away with an ‘I don’t even give a care’ rock star incognito look.

The Standard felt like the set of a James Bond film, from the stealthy elevator ride up a bazillion stories, to the gilded interior, and the staff are off-duty glamazon models in tiny little whisper-of-nothing dresses; they don’t seat you at tables, they catwalk you there. And the male staff are dressed like the bellhops in the Grand Budapest Hotel. Check out the very racy bathrooms with floor to ceiling windows (in the stalls) and the breath-taking views of the city.

See live music. We went, on the recommendation of a friend. (Thanks, Annie!) to see the performance art piece, Sleep No More, at the McKittrick Hotel; the evening started and ended with cabaret-style live acts and this bombshell songstress who later morphed into a rockabilly crooner. Hello, Jessica Rabbit. http://www.sleepnomore.com/#share

Go see Sleep No More. It bears repeating. Trust me. Just do it. It’s creepy, intriguing, intimate and an immersive experience. You start by putting on a mask, then the fun begins as you’re ushered into a maze of performance and choose your own adventure style artscape. Very voyeuristic, sometimes sexy, sometimes deeply uncomfortable. I got licked… and I kinda liked it.

Be ready to appreciate the surprises, small and large. We arrived home to our room to find a card signed by the hotel staff and some treats; when they realized it was our honeymoon, they wanted us to feel the love.

Don’t sleep all day. We went to the Chelsea Market almost daily to try different foods and to wander. We ate at Giovanni Rana and were seriously spoiled by the staff. On that particular day it seemed that everyone wanted to give us free stuff. We graciously accepted. Chelsea Market website: http://chelseamarket.com/

Drink Champagne. Cheers often.

Don’t get too caught up with a plan. be open to seeing where the day takes you. Follow your whims and enjoy the ‘not knowing’ where you might wind up next.

Take photos to remember the experience, but don’t spend all your time behind a camera lens. Also, pack clothes that will make you feel amazing – in physically and mentally. Comfort is key, but so is feeling great once you get out there. It’s my firm belief that your cute clothes (like fine china) should not be ‘saved’ for later.

Put yourself in the scene. Stop and ponder. Do what the locals do, but don’t be afraid to be silly. Allia needed a break, and just happened to look adorable sitting there. We took this photo on the Highline (one of our favourite places). There is so much to see and do and the concept of the Highline itself, of reclaiming urban space, is awesome. Check out the website: http://www.thehighline.org/

Get a map and pick a direction. See what happens on the way.

We found a soap and beauty product shop that gave us free treatments and hand massages just for stopping in. Say yes to those fun indulgences and don’t be afraid to leave when you’re ready to move on.

Visit an art gallery or museum. The New School had an exhibit that was free to the public: a politically charged collection that commented on history and current events, while examining censorship.

Take a break if your feet are sore or someone gets hangry. (not naming names, here).

Have a cocktail. Try something new. Muddled blackberry somethin’ somethin’. Enjoy happy hour.

Meet up with friends who are in town! We went to a Dessert Club, Chika Licious, where we had several courses of dessert paired with wines. We were met by old friends from New York, and a Toronto ex-pat.

Indulge. Coconut marshmallows. Lavender shortbreads. Chocolate ganache with hazelnut and sea salt.

Do something spontaneous. Just say, okay. Or in my case, say ‘stop the car!!’. We were driving around Alphabet City when I noticed a human sized bird’s nest in a tree, a whimsical tree fort, in the middle of a park. We made a pit stop, obviously.

Soak up some culture. We went to the famed Newyorican Poets Cafe for an open mic poetry slam. It was incredible. I am hard to impress when it comes to live performance, but I was mind-blown by the talent and energy we saw that night. This is a not-to-be-missed experience. http://www.nuyorican.org/

Eat pizza while you wait in line. Share some and swap stories with the people you just met.

Get into it. Really, you’re on vacation, so have a good time. Let go of your preconceptions and be in the moment. I didn’t know what to expect and the slam poets had such range that at times I was laughing til I got the hiccups, at others I sucked in my breath in shock, while some moments left my eyes brimming with tears.

Eat at a diner.

Take a selfie, and wear some punchy lipstick 😉

Rent a bike and ride around Central Park.

Eat at places that are suggested by friends, or sound intriguing. Bar Bacon sounded like it would be right up our alley… Beer and Bacon pairings!?! But the service sucked. Like REALLY sucked. Don’t get discouraged. It can still be fun, even if you hit a bit of a snag, or a diva server.

Try, try again. Not on our recommended list, we ended up walking by this Mexican place with a great crowd and followed our bomb of a bacon tasting appetizer experience with a truly memorable Mexican main course at El Centro (http://www.elcentro-nyc.com/). We loved it. The food was plentiful, the vibe was fun and we spotted an Orange Is The New Black cast member just a few tables away.

Go to the places everyone raves about. We went to Amy’s Bread because my brother said it was delish. We had olive oil ice cream, dark chocolate gelato and a slice of olive oil cake with lemon. Please … do this if you have the chance! And chat with the wonderfully friendly staff.

Make friends with a local. Turn an ‘uh-oh’ moment into a good one when Allia’s backpack strap broke and we were forced to track down a leather repair shop. We ended up meeting this new friend.

What a charmer.

Don’t let minor set-backs ruin your day. Retrospectively, this little detour wasn’t a big deal. See, Allia, I can admit it.

Do the big touristy things. Voila, Brooklyn Bridge. But maybe, pick an overcast day to walk the sucker.

Share meals. If you want to eat often, avoid feeling stuffed, and to try lots of different places – eat your way around the city and share, share, share. Splitting meals, like the one we enjoyed at Bevacco (http://bevacco.com/), was a great way to keep up our energy and let us sample the variety on offer in one of the foodiest cities in the world. We loved the decor of Bevacco and their Italian fare was pretty scrumptious.

Bevacco (http://bevacco.com/).

Get one really special thing that you wouldn’t normally indulge in. This is the one that got away. This Vince Camuto statement piece has been on my mind ever since I restrained myself and didn’t buy it. Get yourself a souvenir that you’ll really love – each time you see it you’ll remember where you first met.

Enjoy a home cooked meal. Friends invited us out to Jersey for the evening. We were spoiled with Oysters Rockafeller and a spread of mouth-watering food, then we played after-dinner games and caught up with old friends.

Find a hole in the wall. We went to Cubby- Hole – a little dive bar in the LGBTQ scene. It was pretty memorable in a campy way.

Do something that is personal. For me, as a grad of the Sexual Diversity Studies program at U of Toronto, seeing the Stonewall Inn was a must on my NYC list. This is where it all started. The people who fought for our rights back in 1969 are the reason we can even be on this honeymoon. Thank you.

Get emotional. I did. Whatever your heart’s issue is, when you get there you’ll feel it. We spent our last night in New York watching drag queens and appreciating our history.

We did love New York. The city was the perfect start to a two part honeymoon. Stay tuned for the next leg of our journey – shifting to island time on beautiful St. Martin.

Work It

style

Heading to a conference. Great way to spend a summer. Especially when you just so happen to get to stay in the same hotel where you spent your wedding night. So, now that you know you’ll be sitting in the evenings in a roof top hot tub, enjoying blackout curtains and having your beautiful wife join you there for three nights… you’re left with the question of what to wear.

This could be like many teacher things, and involve a wide array of styles – from cargo shorts and polo shirts, to pencil skirts and blouses. I’m going to aim for a happy mix of comfortable, bright and eclectic – add a dash of confidence and no one will know that I’ve never been trained in TOK before (Theory of Knowledge *an International Baccalaureate Program course about ‘Ways of Knowing’ and ‘Areas of Knowledge’). The initial email was full of so much jargon and abbreviations that I whimpered and called my friend Jenn for help with translations. Never fear – I will look poised and competent, absorbing as much as I can from 3 days of professional development.

Patterned skirt and blouse, with shoes you can walk in. Perfect for the journey to the venue and for walking post-session.

Patterned skirt and blouse, and swap these heels out for a small wedge – any shoes you can walk in. Perfect for the journey to the venue and for walking post-session.

A maxi-dress and cropped white blazer. Appropriate for a summer meeting, but lose the hat – instead I’ll be flat iron- curling my lob.

A shell in a solid colour (black for me, with a nice wide neck) and a high-waisted skirt in a bubbly print (I’ll be wearing citrine and black and grey geometric). Add some pretty black patent leather peep toe wedges.

I’ll suss out the level of business in the boardroom (conference center? lounge? we’ll see), and determine how dressy to go based on what I encounter on day one.

I have a dress almost exactly like this; same shade with a swirling cream pattern. Paired with a great necklace and laser cutout leather wedge gladiators… I’m all set for daytime and dinner afterwards.

I don’t have anything quite like this, but I like the vibe. The patterned frock and sweet jacket with a bold contrasting necklace. Do-able.

Simple and comfortable. This skirt is my favourite colour and stands out (probably always) but especially paired with black.

A blouse, tucked in our out, will look perfect with wide leg linen trousers (cropped and high waisted, to show off some ankle and a great pair of shoes). Swap out a few accessories and you're ready for night time. Or change the pants for jeans if you are feeling constricted.

A blouse, tucked in our out, will look perfect with wide leg linen trousers (cropped and high waisted, to show off some ankle and a great pair of shoes – preferably not ones that would make me walk like a girl graduating from grade 8 in her first pair of ill-fitting heels). Swap out a few accessories and you’re ready for night time. Or change the pants for jeans if you are feeling constricted.

Each day after the conference I’ll hit the gym at the hotel, and then meet friends in the evenings, pretending that I still live downtown and am not a fixture of suburbia.

Always a fan of stripes with gold and red. Ahoy!

Bring those cropped trousers back and pair them with a graphic top.

My favourite new pants are a genius creation from Titika, in a bright print, they are cut like a trouser but bend like a yoga salutation. With a simple top, they are big bang for the buck.

These are my new go-to pant. They feel AMAZING – as described above.

Stay tuned for whether I got a passing grade. What is on your work wardrobe hit list?

High Seas and Summertime Style

Home Sweet

Taking a style cue from the textures and smell of summer, I got myself a new fragrance: Vent Du Sud, by Lise Watier. This Canadian-made fragrance is the smell of my vacation, distilled and prettily packaged. I went into the pharmacy with a few sheets torn out of a magazine, ready to treat myself a little (it’s been two years since I got a new fragrance). The scent is layered with jasmine and vanilla, with a definite island or beach vibe. It will live, coolly, in the fridge to mist myself on my way out the door.

It seems like everyone has the heat, seashore and breeziness of the season on the brain (despite hearing from my friend that she is currently shooting winter and Christmas spreads for her magazine). I am happy to stay firmly in the now. So here’s to summer and the ways we can keep it around us, all year long.

Summer cook out tea towels. Campy and wonderful, from Anthropologie.

A vignette inspired by coral and sea side iconography. Found on nauticalcottageblog.com

A white bed spread, textured pillows and a wall hanging of twine-wrapped stones. If I felt up to it, I’d haul some home from the beach and build myself a similar art piece. No mobiles, please.

More texture and beading and faux fur, oh my! With an ornately carved headboard, reminiscent (or literally) from travels abroad.

A very literal interpretation of the theme.

Sea shell knobs and hooks. Found on Anthropologie.com

I love the textural quality of the ropes in different gauges, and little creatures from the deep.

Found art.

A quiet retreat; calming, cool and collected.

15 shades of blue; a great mash up of beachy items. Found on beachblissliving.com

The right kind of whale tale. Perfect with ropes and soft accents. Found on Houzz.com

Anchors away! I’m hooked on this anchor accessory. Pun intended. Found on Anthropologie.com

What summer inspired touches are warming up your days?

Fit Girl Challenge: End of Week Three

Foodie

So, like most things, the momentum starts strong. Out of the gate we were both so psyched and motivated. The endurance is the problem. We got a little derailed when we went home to visit my parents for a weekend (wine country will do that). I also struggled when Allia was back at work and I was left to my own devices – and by devices I mean a jar of Nutella, and all the other odds and ends of delicious things that are definitely NOT on our clean eating list.

Remember, ME: get back on the band wagon and keep going. I was especially tested when I went up to a cottage for a few lazy gorgeous days at the lake (see the INDULGE tab for more on that in a few days).

But I have found that going to classes at the gym keeps me accountable. There is a group of super buff moms who seem to want to take me under their wing (they like that I’m flexible, but not as strong as they are… I think). When Tatiana asked if I’d stay for the next class, too, (like… a second hour of cardio) I admitted (trying to sound as non-judgmental as I could that I was just plainly too lazy. She replied, in a really cute, but slightly scary accent, “Suck it up, Princess!”

I guess that’s what gets you arms like sexy ropes and a butt that is half way up your back: sucking it up.

I’m re-motivated. Still on board and probably going to extend our 28 day challenge to a fifth week, just to make sure I see the full extent that a change of habits can accomplish.

Really, it’s about will power. I should be able to kick my sugar cravings. I can do this. Can I? I will try. Behold the gallery of delicious, clean eating:

Grilled chicken, roasted veggies (zucchini, carrot, potato), sun dried tomato and a dollop of hummus.

Sweet potato burrito in a corn tortilla with grilled kale, mushrooms and cheddar cheese, fresh salsa and cilantro… with a side of tempeh.

Mini pizza party: apple slices, green pepper, marinated tempeh and pizza topped with olives, spinach and artichoke hearts.

Prepping my morning egg and English muffin with avocado and tomato.

Et voila! A yummy, balanced breakfast. Pair with lots of water!

Deconstructed Nicoise Salad: tuna with yogurt dressing and green onion, fresh lettuce, boiled potato with pepper, green beans and cherry tomatoes, lightly sprinkled with citrus and balsamic.

Roasting veggies is my jam.

Pork with rosemary and parsley, roasted with cherry tomatoes. A new protein for my power bowl.

Yumm. Rosemary pork, grilled veggies and hummus.

I know that photos of food that are not styled by food stylists and photographed by professionals rarely look as tasty to an objective viewer as they do to the person who ate or made it; but I’m just a regular person with an Iphone. I promise, these dishes were so yummy that I licked the plate. Figuratively. Or maybe literally.

Sigh. How can I stray when the food is so tasty? I need a witness to keep me honest. Thank you internet.

Cottage Country – A Canadian Rite of Passage

Uncategorized

“I’m heading up North” – though vague sounding, is a Canadianism for the rite of passage (for many) that often starts in your youth; sometimes you are lucky enough to have a cottage that has been in your family for generations, or maybe you’ve rented a property somewhere for the week. “Up North” indicates to the listener that you’re heading to Haliburton, Algonquin, North Bay, Penetanguishene, Georgian Bay, the Kawarthas, the Thousand Islands, Bobcaygeon or Muskoka. You would likely be somewhere in the Canadian shield, amidst shield rock and on one of the thousands of lakes or rivers that spread across the area directly North of the Greater-Toronto-Area (GTA) and extend into the wilderness of the North.

A quick search for “Ontario Cottages” yields a wide array or cottage getaways, from McMansions on the lake, with speedboats, jetskis and floating trampolines, to quaint log cabins and family places with bunkies for overnight guests.

I just got home from the Haliburton Highlands, where a family friend shared her lovely cottage (a truly impressive new-build) on a lot beside a quirky old place that had been in her family for years. What a beautiful few days.

It had never occurred to me that Up North wasn’t universal until our exchange students from France asked (over a decade ago), something to the effect of ‘what do you mean by zees ‘Up Nort’?’

The Wolfe Islander Ferry

We had a cottage for all of my childhood, on Wolfe Island, on Lake Ontario, just a short ferry boat ride away from Kingston. My grandmother used to cottage there as a girl, and later she and my grandfather retired there and built a home on the same property as the log cabin cottage that I stayed in throughout my youth. It was the best thing a kid could have as a place to forge memories. I spent my days out of doors, building rock castles for minnows, waiting until the appropriate hour of 8 am to run up the hill to Granny’s, lazing on a screened-in porch and playing board games, sitting by the fire, reading books, climbing the birch trees, making forts and jumping in and out of the lake.

I wish so much that we’d kept the property in our family, but I will be having the chance soon to re-visit the island with my nieces. About three years ago I went with my wife to the island and we knocked on the door. The current inhabitants asked if I was the same Alison whose name was carved into the cement of the steps down by the cottage. Yes, that’s me. They offered us lemonade and let us see the property and sit down by the lake. It makes me happy that a new family is loving it as much as we did.

This time around, I was visiting and enjoying a cottage far more luxurious than either the one I knew, or the house I now own. Field stone and granite and wood, oh my. It was truly a gem and its location will remain a secret. Highlights included amazing meals.

a great jump in the lake.

sunsets

visiting the local wildlife preserves and study facilities

a tour of the sculpture forest

sleeping soundly in a room with windows open (but not too open in case of bears).

Landscapes that rival a Group of Seven Painting (who is the that?…A group of seven prolific Canadian painters). Here are some examples:

Varley – Stormy Weather

Macdonald – Mist Fantasy

Casson – White Pine

Tom Thomson – The namesake painter of my elementary school.

So, enjoy these days of summer. Get outside. Get up North. Get into the water. Where is your little piece of paradise?

Hip Gift List: What to Get When You’ve Gotta Get It Good

Indulge

There are a number of gift-giving occasions ahead of me. What do you get for the artsy friend of your mother who is hosting you at her luxe cottage for a few days? What would your bestie-sisterwife cool girl living downtown like for her birthday? What kind of present do you get for your designer friend who has impressive taste and a weak spot for themed parties? The anniversary of my brother-in-law’s birth is rolling around… what do you get a guy who gets everything he needs? What is the perfect gift for a family friends’ anniversary party?

A few other questions to ask:

How much can I spend? How well do I know them? What’s their style? What do you want your gift to convey? (ie. We have one mind and I knew you’d like this immediately when I saw it. Or… You two deserve a special night with a great bottle of wine and a movie).

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME

Some fun coasters to protect her house from your clumsiness. Perhaps some Tide-to-Go, too.

Herbs for cooking (fresh and potted), or in spice mixes (maybe better for a cottage). Also, try some yummy blends of tea in pretty tins.

Herbs for cooking (fresh and potted), or in spice mixes (maybe better for a cottage). Damn Martha Stewart for having such good ideas.

Also, try some yummy blends of tea in pretty tins.

Fresh ingredients, well-presented, to help with dinner. Be mindful of food allergies and lifestyle.

ANNIVERSARY

I am a wine lover and maybe that makes me biased. How about a bottle of sparkling wine, like an Iced Cuvee from Trius, or another bottle that is special to you, paired with a gift card for Itunes – signed with a note that suggests they curl up together for a romantic movie at home? Or get a fun new playlist to listen to as they share the bottle before going out dancing (and taking a taxi there and back)? If you know their style well, perhaps a picture frame and a suggestion to print (or offer your services on this one) a photo from the day of the party to celebrate their love. My wife and I have taken a photo each year of our relationship, standing the same way. One day we’ll need a whole wall for these. Perhaps we’ll make a flip book.

If you know the couple very well, you can play on their personalities and really get inspired to personalize the gift. This pair of prints: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/124790536/two-2-printable-files-digital-download?ref=market

GIFTS FOR COOL GIRL FRIENDS/ AND COOL OTHERS

When you search ‘hipster gifts for women’ an array of succulents and terrariums come up. If you’ve been reading this blog, you know I love the terrariums from crownflorastudio.com.

A dish of succulents could be the perfect thing for the girl who has everything, especially if she’s a plant killer. Suit the container to her style.

A pretty geometric variation.

Or hang it up – this is a living wall of succulents.

For men apparently anything with a mustache is a go, but for those friends who are girly and particular, the challenge is amplified.

Home brewing materials. If they like to drink…

If they REALLY like to drink: a personalized whisky barrel.

For the foodie: a mobile foodie survival kit.

Pick up some vinyl to add to their record collection!

Ironic taxidermy. Unless they’re into REAL taxidermy.

A funny book you know they’ll like. James, you aren’t receiving this book, but when we saw a book recently, it had YOU written all over it.

If you’re sure your friend REALLY has everything, try something totally unexpected, like a 50 Shades of Gray-inspired play kit (ironic or not), get a plaster casting done of their torso. A great suggestion from Mamamia.com,

“For the discerning art collector, here’s something you probably don’t have at home on your mantlepiece: a cast of the inside of a vagina. What? You do? How progressive. Well done you.”

http://www.mamamia.com.au/lifestyle/daily-wow-internal-vagina-casting-sfw/

If all else fails, enroll them in circus school, life drawing, wine tasting… or archery. More on that later.

There are some really great ideas, if you have time to ship, at: http://www.uncommongoods.com/, or on Etsy.com.

Locally, in Toronto, there are some great ideas at The Drake General Store, Crown Flora, Lavish and Squalor – try for local businesses 🙂

Happy Hunting! Any and all suggestions welcome in the comments.

Paradise Found – A Love Poem to Santorini

style

Some smart musical theatre lyricist said to “start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.” But for today, let’s think of this as an editorial to capture the magic of a destination wedding in Santorini, Greece.

Here is my ode to the beautiful friends, food, architecture and faces of the island. What do you wear on a vacation that might include walking, hiking, shopping, lounging, swimming, riding around on a four-wheeler, a wedding and…. adventure? I think I got this one figured out. I had lots in my suitcase and felt ready for anything.

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Oia’s Jenga-like architecture is every bit the post card you imagine – homes stacked precariously on top of one another, along the cliffs and hillsides. One person’s roof is another’s infinity pool.

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The El Greco Hotel – the most amazing experience. The staff was just spectacular (see the “LOVE” story about our stray puppy resue). This was home base for the duration of our trip.

The Greek are very specific. Don’t do it. Do what? Don’t leave – is how we felt at the end of our trip.

We rented ATVs for two days and explored the entire island.

A shop in the traditional village of Megalochori.

Catching the sunset in Oia.

From the terrace of Kyprida (restaurant) we could see a pack of kittens playing in the setting sun on the roof top.

A burst of colour – the doors of Santorini were a favourite study for us. The tank and maxi skirt were a great choice in a breezy fabric, able to be tucked up for riding the ATV, but still comfortable for walking or dining. The cardigan was a must, to limit sun exposure on the shoulders. American Apparel jelly sandals let me go from town to beach, from the hot sand and straight into the water.

High waisted linen trousers and a cropped striped t-shirt, with Keds for walking all day and driving on the ATV.

A posh perch at Eros beach. We drove down a long, winding dirt road, with wind-carved cliffs on either side of us, which opened suddenly onto a picturesque beach with thatched umbrellas and a beach-side restaurant/bar.

Window shopping in Thira, Santorini. A ruffled, one shoulder dress in a bold print got me a compliment from a complete stranger. And an elderly Greek gentleman told me I had the look of a European ‘fashionista.’ I’ll take it.

Blue beads, headscarf (to save me from helmet hair), sunnies, navy blue culottes and a lace top, with comfortable shoes for walking all day! Plus a bucket back that fit nicely into the ‘trunk’ of the ATV.

A bright blue crop top and patterned maxi skirt, bold earrings and flip flops for drinks pool side.

Yes, those are my wife’s legs. Yes, those are tiny fish eating the dead skin cells off her feet. Our visit to the Fish Spa was awesome. Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DrFishSpaExperience?fref=ts

The El Greco was simply – the loveliest, most welcoming resort. It was beautiful to look at and very luxurious, but that was the tip of the iceberg. The staff was just SO nice. They helped us at every turn, especially in finding a home for the sweet puppy we fell for.

Our little sweetheart, Gaia, stole our hearts. We got her microchipped, vaccinated and the hotel’s staff helped us to find her a home when we were unable to get the documents to take her back to Canada with us.

Perissa Beach, Santorini. Post-wedding day of recovery and relaxation.

Rehearsal dinner outfit: Black crop top with back cutouts, bow-belt and tea-length high waisted skirt with lace overlay.

Heading to one of the El Greco’s numerous salt water pools.

Happy Toronto Pride! We hit the airport, ready to wave our mini flag. This is the first Pride in 16 years that I’ve missed. For travel, you carry your hat (to save space), wear culottes in a wrinkle-free fabric, a tank for arrival and a patterned cardigan for the plane.

Allia is ready to hit the rolling sidewalk. Departures, in comfort and laid back style.

Last supper. Falafel, salad and pita.

Cucumber, dill, pine nuts and smoked salmon salad.

Our final meal was recommended by the owner of Muska, one of our favourite stores in Thira. The food was delish!

Wine tasting at Gavalas Winery.

Crazy beautiful. Monolithos Beach.

Incredible skies.

The view on the way to Oia for sunset.

The clouds and sunlight in this cemetery were so beautiful. Exploring and taking unexpected turns were some of the best parts of this trip. It was a ‘Say Yes’ vacation.

What do you expect to find at the end of a long, off-roading adventure? Definitely a mixed martial arts ring that looks like Mad-Max-Thunderdome fights happen in it under flood lights at night.

Chilling out max and relaxing all cool – at Eros beach with Elissa and Allia.

Sardines. Allia’s favourite. I always make ‘yuck’ face when she eats them at home. Only allowed because we were eating at a roof top terrace.

This car was so dusty that people had written messages from countries far and wide.

Journalling throughout the trip. Allia likes that I enjoy writing, because it means we get to look back at our trips and reminisce – in detail. Wink.

One of my favourite moments in Thira, at night, was seeing the gorgeous and uber-cool Elle Macpherson. She is stunning in person, and was so gracious about taking a photo even though she MUST have been bombarded 24/7. I was as close as I’ve ever been to star-struck. She is such an icon and I’ve just been re-watching Friends. It made my night!

I loved all the donkey iconography and sculptures – a day of wandering and night out for dinner requires a beautiful Anthropologie tie dyed dress with lower back cutout.

A bohemian mish-mash of patterns. Beach-side eating, al fresco, with swimsuits under tunics, at Waves Restaurant.

Love to love you, baby.

Plates to break at the Greek Wedding!

Picked up this Anthropologie dress, regularly $258, for $30. Paired with cork and gold heels, and some bling-y costume jewellery, it was perfect for dancing the night away. I thought about wearing something lighter, more beachy, but the weight and structure of this fabric actually held up really well to the mediterranean heat and humidity… and the dance party that lasted ’til 3 am. Allia also wore a cheap and cheerful Grecian inspired, red satin maxi dress with halter bared shoulders and a drawstring waist, and gold accents.

The ceremony and reception took place at Oceanides, right on the water with a pool and tables surrounded by the sea and candle light.

Hamming it up for the camera. The wedding was like a high school reunion (with the best possible outcome). Turns out the bride, Lindsday, stayed in touch with all the nicest, most sincere and warm people we went to school with. Catching up with them was amazing, as was meeting their new partners and families, and having them meet Allia.

Journaling, the morning of the wedding. Ready to do hair and make-up in a strapless ruffled dress with asymmetrical hem, and some bright beads.

Trip in reverse: Here is our first night. The rehearsal dinner. The couple pulled out all the stops and treated us to an incredible multiple course dinner – and we ate like royalty (see below for some of the highlights).

Truly back to the beginning. This is day one. We had no idea what an incredible trip we were in for! Thank you, Santorini, and big thanks to all the friends, new and old, who made this a wonderful week in paradise.

Muska: Boutique Profile – Santorini, Greece

style

On vacation in Greece, my friend (the bride) found a beautiful boutique in the maze of Thira’s streets where she purchased gorgeous jewellery and a tunic. I was smitten and she literally drew me a map of how to track down the shop. Belted, or loose, the tunic she found was on my must-have list the second I saw it.

The day after the wedding; the bride, Lindsay, was ready to relax on the beach. Tunic/beach coverup from Muska – Thira, Santorini.

Muska has jewellery, textiles and two items of clothing. But the two items were both pretty amazing. Keeping it small and doing it right were exactly the right choice for this boutique. The tunic they offered had interesting details and beautiful fabric. This would definitely be my travel souvenir, plus my wife was equally excited to share this piece. We don’t see the bride enough in Toronto life to worry about bumping into each other in the same outfit, and she was more than happy to share her find!

Lindsay, the bride, rocked this entire outfit the day after her wedding. Looking so perfectly relaxed and stylish. The other item on offer was also a tunic, in rust and cream. This blue variation summed up the colours we’d been seeing in Santorini, so the choice was a no-brainer.

Each piece of jewellery was distinctive and the colours were exactly as you’d expect from the Greek islands. Statement pieces, indeed.

Gems set in ornate teardrop settings, in a rainbow of colours. I love the turquoise and coral with gold.

Gems in ornate teardrop settings, combined in a rainbow of colours. I love the turquoise stones with coral and gold.

Variations on a theme.

My favourite earrings. The Butterfly. The colour was just amazing.

My wife and I got matching bracelets.

Rings – too many to choose!

We could have happily bought out the entire stock, but reasonably decided to leave with a tunic (to share), a pair of bracelets and a gorgeous handwoven, organic cotton hand towel for our guest bath. Now we will think of our travels every time we see it.

Hand-woven organic cotton towel.

Muska‘s owner/operator was friendly and lovely to speak with; he even sent us to a delicious restaurant for our final night in Thira. All they need to do now is to get themselves onto Google Maps and to set up a web store. Good bye, Santorini! And Thank you – Efkharisto!

Crown Flora: Shop Profile

Art, DIY

Sometimes you fall in love with something frivolous. How could you not love this gold stegosaurus, with a jaunty little succulent protruding from his spine? At the One Of A Kind Spring show http://www.oneofakindshow.com/toronto/index.php, we found this little guy, who came home with us that day; I’d had my eye on this kind of thing since our wedding. We were inspired by some things we had seen on Etsy and I’d pinned a bunch of cute little animal-projects to add whimsy to our celebration.

Some of the best included:

Gold animal cake toppers.

Jar toppers for cosmetics, q-tips and cotton balls, or even candy jars.

Fridge magnets.

There are so many ways to chop and rearrange these little cuties.

We ended up using skewers and spraying them silver and gold, then arranging them throughout our hydrangea center pieces. Each table had an animal of its own: the lion table, the giraffe table… it was questionable who should be seated at the hippo table (the group with the best sense of humour).

At Crown Flora Studios’ booth at the Spring One Of A Kind Show, we fell in love with the dinosaur, as well as this sweet terrarium. For the cost of purchasing all the materials, we figured it was just as easy to get one that was already put together. They do such a good job and the arrangement of the elements inside the glass container were so well balanced. The folks at Crown Flora let us select our animals (two little giraffes) and our new terrarium can be hung/suspended or sit table-top. This was one of our favourite finds!

Two giraffes are right at home in their little bubble with an air plant, some moss and stone.

This quirky addition to our coffee table is adorable, but definitely gets hidden when our small nieces come to visit.

To check out more of Crown Flora’s work, visit their website: http://crownflorastudio.com/ They also do styling, workshops and flowers…

Crown Flora: crownflorastudio.com

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Muska: Boutique Profile – Santorini, Greece

Crown Flora: Shop Profile