{Happy Weekend...and New Beginnings}

The weekend is here...and I’m sure you have welcomed it with open arms! No matter what kind of week we have, there is always a sense of lightness and fun when the weekend finally arrives as we try our best to let go of stresses and focus on relaxation. What are you up to this weekend? What surprises are in store?

For Dave and I, this weekend will be a mix of emotions as we celebrate a new beginning for a dear friend...and figure out a way not to miss her terribly. One of our best and sweetest friends has been looking for a way to shape her future and take a leap of faith for a while. The universe listened and has given her the opportunity to explore something new and exciting in a new city. I am sure that it will be a successful experience and I wish her only the best as she embarks in this new adventure. My hope is that her heart will be in a constant state of joy and gratitude, and that the universe will keep sending her as many positive opportunities as she deserves.

Although I will miss her very much, I believe that we carry our love and our friendships in our hearts, so they can only get stronger, no matter what the circumstances may be.

Please join me in celebrating a new beginning and a year full of excitement and success for one of the loveliest people on earth!

Anna, we will miss you SO, but are looking forward to the visits, the emails, letters, skype conversations and all the love that will be travelling back and forth between here and your new home!

We are so happy, excited and so very proud of you for listening to your heart and taking this chance. We adore you!

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.” (Unknown)

Photo Credits: Image 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 This is Glamorous , Image 3 The Cherry Blossom Girl , Image 5 Flickr , Image 8 From Me To You

Blog Love: The Simply Luxurious Life

A few months ago I was very lucky to discover the wonderful blog The Simply Luxurious Life. In this incredibly charming diary, the lovely Shannon Ables writes with passion and elegance about life, fashion, cooking, decor...and so much more. Her goal is to share with readers various ways to bring a little bit of luxury into the everyday: “I decided to share my passions as a way to help others find their passion in life by clearing out the clutter and bringing in the luxurious necessities that can enliven and inspire each day” (Shannon Ables). Every day I look forward to reading the inspiring posts which are also wonderfully illustrated with the most beautiful imagery. I want to share this blog with you because it has truly inspired me to look for ways to bring more luxury into my life...and not the kind of luxury that requires spending money, but rather the kind that makes us feel happy and fulfilled at the end of each day. So as I go through this often hectic, but truly blessed life, I am making a conscious effort to surround myself with charm, beauty and positivity in any way possible so that I can make my journey that much more luxurious and enjoyable!
I would like to thank The Simply Luxurious Life for writing such lovely and genuine content and for being a daily source of inspiration. To end this post, I would like to share the links to some of my favourite posts from this wonderful writer, enjoy!

Why Not...Revel in Simple Pleasures

Stop and Celebrate

Why not...Make a Small Tweak

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your World

A Luxurious Work Day

Your Fear is Speaking

“I have come to realize that luxury is always in our proximity if only we know where to look, regardless of where we might be living. Whether it be found in wine, food, fashion, home decor, gardening, or entertainment, contentment and pleasure can be found. Here's to the good life!” (Shannon Ables).

Here’s to the good life indeed!

I wish you a luxuriously relaxing weekend.

All images from The Simply Luxurious Life

{Hello SUMMER}

I cannot believe how quickly time flies, here we are June 21st...first day of summer! I must say that I have been in summer mode for a few weeks already, as soon as the weather starts to warm up, I love to be outside and enjoy as many warm weather pleasures as possible! The beautiful thing about summer is that everyone is more relaxed, full of joy and eager to seek adventures, and as the days get longer and the nights shorter, it’s easy to let yourself be charmed by the warmth and beauty of the season.  What are your favourite things to do in the summer time? What do you look forward to as the season arrives? I’d love to know!
Here are a just a few of the lovely things I look forward to this summer:
Lots of time outdoors...hugging trees!

Quality time with my beautifully sweet, wide-eyed nephew

 

Lots of walks with Bailey Marley

Fun bike rides and new adventures

 

Light and delicious summer fare

Refreshing summer treats

Beautiful flowers to fill the heart with joy and rainy days to refresh the soul

Lots of time by the water and inspiring sunsets

 I wish you a beautiful summer filled with enchantment, fun, sunny days and easy breezy nights!

All images by Simply Charming Style

{Happy Monday}

I hope this gorgeous day finds you re-energized from the weekend and looking forward to what the new week will bring! Last week was a bit of a crazy one for me, I found myself really busy throughout, but looking back, I’m not even sure what exactly I got accomplished...yikes! This is something that often happens in life, we find ourselves taking care of so many things and not focusing that when all is said and done, we wonder where the time has gone. But over the weekend, I had a chance to take things slow and relax, the weather was a perfect combination of bright sunshine and cosy rain, so it gave me a chance to enjoy being outside as well as cosy up and enjoy a relaxing day in with my honey and our little pooch. Today I’m feeling blessed, grateful and energized and want to keep reminding myself to slow down and really take the time to enjoy those things I love most. I’m looking forward to a happy and productive week...I hope you are too.  Here are some images of some very busy little creatures...enjoy!

I wish you a lovely Monday and a week full of subtle adventures, warm smiles and fulfilling productivity!

All images by Simply Charming Style

{Daydreaming: Alice in Wonderland}

So, I know I am a wee bit late, but I finally had a chance to go see the much anticipated “Alice in Wonderland” movie in 3D. I had high expectations for this movie, not only because of the top notch actors involved, but because this story pushes one to open up, dream, imagine and believe in the power within. Although in the end I wasn’t too impressed (just my personal opinion) with this version of this much-loved classic, I thought the visuals were unbelievably creative and inspiring and I walked out of the theatre day-dreaming of lush flowers, deep colours, delicious treats and charming tea parties...and coveting Alice’s cool and lovely dresses! Here is what my Alice in Wonderland day-dream looked like. Enjoy!

For some "Alice in Wonderland" wedding inspiration, check out {Wedding Inspiration from the Movies: Alice in Wonderland}

Photo Credits: Image 1 Alice in Wonderland, Disney Image 2 Vogue Image 3 & 4 Paper Cakes Finds Image 5  Style Me Pretty Image 6 The Caketress Image 7 Style Me Pretty

{J’aime...Chatelet!}

I think that my sister Marily and I MUST have been French in a past life...we absolutely ADORE everything French. We love the food, the wine (this one is mostly me), the simplicity of their lifestyle, the movies (Amelie is my favourite!), the simple, yet oh-SO-charming decor...I could go on and on. A few years ago, we were blessed with the opportunity to take a little trip to the South of France together, and we always reminisce about the relaxing, soul-soothing time we had and all the beauty that we encountered: the cuisine in Mougin, the fragrant streets of Grasse, and the heart warming scenery in Saint-Paul de Vence...among many other pleasures! That trip has stayed with me and as I spend my days living in a bustling city (where sometimes it’s hard to find a little quiet), I am ALWAYS on the lookout for things that will bring a little bit of France into my life. Enter Chatelet a lovely and charming little store in the Beaches (Toronto) filled with gorgeous French country style! From beautiful furniture and linens, to sparkling chandeliers, to sweetly scented soaps and lotions, Chatelet has everything you need to fulfill your French decor fantasies! If you love pretty, visit this sweet little store and I guarantee you’ll find a little treasure (...or two, or three) you’ll want to take home!

All images by Simply Charming Style

{A Sunny Day in Toronto}

Well, it looks like spring has finally sprung! Toronto is filled with people enjoying the sun, the patios and the fresh spring air...while anxiously awaiting the heat and fun the summer will bring. One of the best things about living in the city is that we are steps away from a nice variety of things to do on a pretty springy day: iced tea at a patio, ice cream by the lake, flower markets, a ferry ride to the island...to name just a few. And the great thing is that when the sun is shining and the breeze is blowing in your hair, everything you do feels luxuriously relaxing.  Here are some pictures from our latest sunny afternoon by the lake. I hope you have a lovely weekend full of spring pleasures.

All images by Simply Charming Style