The reality is that I have too many Mexico pictures to squeeze into one post. Here I have done something extremely innovative; a post that is half outfit post, half photo journal. I know, I know, I’m like super creative and stuff. It’s all about thinking outside of my usual little tiny box 😉
This particular day in Meh-i-co we hung out with Adam’s co-worker Adam (are you laughing at white guys with generic names? Because I am) and his girlfriend Tessa. We all took a taxi into the nearest town, Playa Del Carmen. I love walking up and down the streets of Playa because it’s full of cute restaurants, little stores and street vendors, beautiful art, locals, and lots of touristy goodness. I wore my best vintage Aritzia ensemble (by vintage I mean shorts are Spring ’09 and Tank is Spring ’10) and we had a magic hour photo shoot on the beach! After our shoot, we hunted for a restaurant for delicious Mexican food. When in Rome! We settled on La Parilla where we sipped on large sized margaritas and had the yummiest meal of the trip!
Tank and Shorts from Aritzia // Vintage Purse // Forever 21 Sandals // House of Harlow Ring // Gifted Necklace
Beach and resort photos will be up this weekend. Happy Friday 🙂
I’m back from Mexico with a tan and an attitude that’s borderline TOO relaxed. More about my vacation later though (as in, I’m still in the midst of editing over 700 photos). Packing for this trip was rushed and unorganized and there’s many regrets in the way of clothing and accessories. For the first time ever I didn’t over pack, but it was a major disadvantage when I kept thinking of all the wonderful pieces I’d left at home. It’s also quite a chore to get outfit photos on a vacation. I think somewhere in the definition of ‘vacation’ it states that you should be taking a break from outfit photos. I’ll have to check my dictionary for the exact wording 😛
Despite all the clothing I left at home, this was the outfit I was most excited about. I got this dress at Barefoot Contessa on Boxing Day for half price. The colourful pattern is beautiful and the shape is incredibly forgiving. I also love that it can be worn to the office or out for dinner and drinks. Versatility is so necessary. I found so many wonderful things at Barefoot on the 26th, I can’t wait to show you the rest. From now on, I’ll only Boxing Day shop at small boutiques because they have great deals, tons of parking, and a relatively calm atmosphere. Perfect shopping conditions 🙂
It seems surreal, but we leave for Mexico in an hour. The trip is a little bit last minute, so it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I don’t even know what I’ve packed because once again left that until the last minute. I’m so bloody predictable!
I hope everyone had an amazing New Years and that you all have a lot to look forward to this year! I am so thankful to have had such a wonderful 2010, I can’t even imagine all the great things 2011 might bring. I definitely want to focus on achieving balance this year. Less partying, more blogging 😉 No really though, I do want to find more time to blog in the new year, and I look forward to catching up on my blog reading once I’m back home.
Have a great week everyone, be back soon enough xoxo
Not last weekend but the weekend before (Omg, has it really taken me that long to post this?) Adam and I ventured off to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Adam’s youngest brother Ben plays hockey for The University of Michigan and since it’s his last year, we made sure to pay him a visit. We chose this particular weekend because they held a huge outdoor hockey game on their football field called “The Big Chill” on 12.11.10.
We left pretty late on Thursday night for our drive to Seattle and hung out at the SeaTac airport until our 4 am check in time. Really tests your relationship when you have to pull an all nighter. Especially when one person is a nervous flier and very fragile before, during, and after flights (who? ME?) …not to worry though. I have no break ups to report 😉
After the longest day of travelling ever we woke up on Saturday morning refreshed and well rested. We ventured into town with Adam’s dad for a morning Starbucks and a mini Ann Arbor tour. On our way, we saw people already parked and tailgating before the game…at 9 AM!!!! They were drinking and eating barbequed food before I’d even had my breakfast! The entire town was buzzing about The Big Chill. Everyone was wearing Michigan gear and someone put Big Chill ice sculptures along their main street. Definite go big or go home policy there.
A few people on Twitter were wondering what I was wearing to the Michigan game because I had such a tough time packing for the cold. I ended up wearing a Michigan toque c/o of Ben, white long sleeve, Michigan tee purchased at the M Den, chunky Kensie sweater, black leggings, jeans, Michigan scarf, wool socks, Adam’s mom’s Sorel boots, leather gloves, and a long winter coat. My layers kept me warm enough, but by the 3rd period we all had to purchase hot chocolates for extra warmth. I honestly LOVE dressing up in a theme. This is why I’m such a sucker for Halloween, themed parties, sporting events, etc.
The Wolverines won 5-0 and The Big Chill broke the Guiness World Record for most people at a hockey game. Ben even got an assist for the first goal!
We went for a celebratory Italian dinner that night and shared bruschetta and a ton of laughs. I get along really well with Ben’s girlfriend, Anya, and am so happy we got to meet her! Such blast hanging out with some of Adam’s family and they spoiled us all weekend paying for things, driving us around, making reservations, etc. I still can’t believe we were a part of a world record, it was truly an amazing hockey game!
It was a short trip, only 2 full days in Michigan, but I had sooo much fun. The second part of my Michigan trip will be posted on another website that I am guest blogging for. It includes our tour of the University of Michigan campus in a snow storm aka beautiful photos. More info on the exciting guest blogging series to come in the new year!
The last few months have been packed with events, dates, jobs, classes, workouts, social networking, family, friends, oh my God the list goes on! I operate on high stress all day long, rushing from here to there, A to B, and sometimes C. Quite often, I feel like I just need a moment to stop and breathe.
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Adam and I took last Friday off work to go spend a long weekend breathing in the fresh island air. We stayed at a fairly new place called Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet, BC. It’s about 3 hours from the Nanaimo ferry and very close to Tofino. The drive in itself is worth the trip. The views (shown at the beginning and end of the video below) along the highway are breathtaking, like looking at a painting come to life! Black Rock Resort was also beautiful and gave a sense of privacy like a cabin, but with all the bonuses of staying at a resort. We spent our 4 days relaxing, storm watching, walking on the beach, sitting in the hot tub, cooking delicious meals, and enjoying each others company. I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend even if I tried.
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Riding Pants, Shirt, Jacket, and Scarf all c/o Plum // Boots from DSW // House of Harlow Ring // Bird Ring from Forever 21 // Vintage Earrings
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Rather than boring you with a million photos here on le blog, I have compressed them into a lovely Windows Movie Maker film. Sigh, one day I’ll have a MacBook and can kiss these ghetto videos goodbye! Enjoy xoxo
I sure hope you’re not sick of my travels because I have more photos from a weekend away!!! Just before we went to SF, I went to Seattle with 6 other girls for Paula’s stagette. It was my first real stagette (or bachelorette or hen party, whichever you prefer) experience.
My favourite part of the whole weekend was the shopping. Oh jeez, I’m such an addict!!!! But I left Seattle with some amazing tax free beauty products from Sephora ,as well as a cute top from Anthropologie. I actually wore the Anthro shirt tucked into a skirt in San Fran, it’s pictured here. Think of my Seattle shopping as my warm up to San Fran shopping 😉
After our Sephora makeovers…honestly miracle products! I couldn’t believe the difference.
Flowers at the Market in Seattle are so freakin cheap! This bouquet back in Vancouver would be at least $50!
Sorry mom…
The theme for the second night out was 50’s pin up. I decided to be a good girl and not buy anything new for themed outfit, so mine was item from my own closet thrown together. Unfortunately, we all kind of looked like a confused theme. That’s okay though, as long as the bride looks good, right ;)?
From a piano bar to a fire hall…
Now only one week until the big day. Eeeek so much to do!!!!
Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend so far. I’m off to get ready for dinner and drinks tonight, ciao xoxo
I have taken, edited, and sorted 600 photos from San Fran. I feel like I never want to look at these photos again hahaha!!! These last photos are actually 2 days mixed together…you’re welcome for any confusion 😛
The last full day of San Fran fun was the day of “S”. Saucalito, shopping, and supper. Saucalito is also VERY touristy, but the ferry ride over was well worth the views and free tan. If we’d planned to have a meal there it would have been better, but ice cream was a close second.
These shopping photos were actually accumulated over two days (hense the random outfit change mid photos). When we went to Haight and Ashbury on Sunday, I was only given TWO hours to explore the boutiques and felt as though I was going to burst with anxiety! Our flight was later on Monday, so we all went back on Monday morning to peruse.
Haight & Ashbury was an amazing neighbourhood, I would compare it to Main Street here in Vancouver. It’s full of ‘hip’ people (I seriously felt unfashionable amongst the SF stylish), tons of cafes/restaurants, and fabulous boutiques. There was all sorts of shopping including vintage, consignment, cheap boutiques, local/eco stores, record stores, and the list goes on. My favourite stores were X Generation for their cheap trendy items, Wasteland for their amazing designer label pieces, and Pink Lily for their reasonably priced dresses.
Though I didn’t get to visit them, for those of you going to SF to shop I hear that the Mission District, Union Street, and Fillmore Street are all great shopping neighbourhoods. With so little time, I only made it to Haight Street…I suppose I’ll just have to go back!
For the last supper, we all went to Park Chow in the Sunset District. The restaurant was packed the whole time we were there, so be sure to book a reservation in advance! We lucked out and got almost an entire room to ourselves. The food was delicious, I highly recommend the veggie pizza! And if you’re into California wine, my go-to all weekend was the Bridesmaid Sauvignon Blanc. Just sayin 🙂
San Francisco is one of the only other cities that I could see myself actually living in. It’s beautiful, the food is delicious, the shopping is to die for, and it’s only a 2 hour flight away from Vancouver! If you want a quick getaway, I would suggest SF in a heartbeat.
It’s amazing when you look back at how much you accomplish in one day on a vacation. If I were that productive all the time, my to-do list would drastically shrink! In one day we saw Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39.
Chinatown had a lot of meaning to my dad’s cousin Jason, as his parents used to work in Chinatown when they first arrived in San Francisco from China. We visited the alley where his mom used to work in a fortune cookie factory, and went in to a different fortune cookie factory to purchase some. We also visited one of the oldest temples in Chinatown, where his mom used to go to pray. Chinatown was so alive with people and bright with colour, I really enjoyed it!
They say it’s good luck, but I’m pretty convinced it just sucks getting bird poo in your hair….
Right on the border of Chinatown, you come across these markings on the light posts. The area is called North Beach, and is obviously the Italian area of San Francisco. It’s full of cafe’s, Italian restaurants, cathedrals, and basically all that you would expect from a “little Italy”. We grabbed coffees in North Beach, and Adam and I actually went back there later that night for a romantic Italian dinner for two!
After our coffees we were dropped off at a major tourist spot, Fisherman’s Wharf. It wasn’t my favourite part of the trip since it is so rich in tourists, but well worth checking out for its views of the water and Alcatraz!
After our day of classic tourist fun, we went to Macy’s and bought a bunch of work shirts and ties for Adam. Macy’s is so big in Union Square that the men’s and women’s sections are separated by BUILDINGS!! Insanity…pure insanity!
One more post about SF and then I’m done with it. And we got word that none of my family there was injured in that terrible explosion, although it was very close to Nelson’s mom and his son. Absolutely terrifying, my thoughts and prayers are with those who were affected.
The first night restaurant choice was Q Restaurant in the Richmond District. My dad saw it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and really wanted to try it. The atmosphere inside was very casual and cozy, it really made you feel like you were at a friend’s bbq. The food was delicious, I very much recommend Q!
Yes, this man has a degree…
Squash, yams, onions, and corn over rice, black beans, and beets!!! I was full for days 😛
We were honestly spoiled the whole trip because each day one of my dad’s cousins would drive us around to see all the usual tourist attractions. It’s SO much easier to see a city if a local drives you since they obviously know the way around. We hit Lombard Street aka America’s crookedest street, Coit Tower, The Golden Gate Bridge, drove through Saucalito, and went to the Academy of Sciences (which is a museum, aquarium, etc.) The day ended with my parents at the wedding and my brother, Adam, and cousin Nolan ate dinner at Town Hall between Howard and Mission. We joined my parents at the wedding later for the biggest gong show wedding I’ve ever seen in my life. Score one for the Asians!
I didn’t realize it, but San Francisco can be lost underneath a cloud of fog a lot of the time. When we arrived at The Golden Gate Bridge, it was nowhere to be seen. Our plan to walk across it changed to us driving over it and then going up to the military base for a better view. On the hill, you could see the bridge going into the cloud and it made for some pretty wicked photos! It’s very eerie standing in the cloud, especially when there’s a search and rescue team working around you to retrieve a body…
Our awesome hotel The Westin St.Francis was right in the middle of Union Square (the equivalent to staying in Robson Square here) so we were steps away from all the excitement!
Costume change!
My dad’s cousin’s kids (whatever that makes them to me) were soooo drunk. They kept yelling about how we were all family and how my dad was “the muthafucking shit”. They even invited my dad into their wolfpack. Now that’s family love!
My dad introduced Adam as Nolan’s boyfriend to THREE separate people. Pretty sure my extended family is now convinced that Nolan is gay.
What happened after the crazy wedding? San Fran Parts 2 & 3, including my shopping adventures, will be posted this weekend!
More photos on my Flickr, which you can also access by clicking on any of the photos.
