start and finish

Pic from here

Y'all I just got back form an epic trip to Dallas.
My goodness it was so fun and just flew by!
A catch up post will come but first I wanted to give you the juicy gossip of how I started and finished my trip in a similar manner. 

• What I thought would be a smooth trip became...

A nail in the side wall of my tire and an emergency car switcheroo with my parents to catch my flight (on the way there).
My expected 4.5 hour journey became 8.5 hours due to some kind of border delay ridiculousness (on the way back).

• I was hungover BADLY on the way there and back.

On the way there because I had dinner with MrTrader and a bottle of wine and beverages at a bar later (the Friday night on the way there).

I went to Weber's in Ann Arbor and met up with Will and his crew who were out.  My flight landed at 10:45pm and I thought it better to stay at Will's for the night instead of driving home (on the way back).

In the interests of being honest I suppose I can tell you also...

On the way there those late night drinks with MrTrader turned into a sleepover of the randy sort.  Only y'all I so was not prepared for all that to go down.  I'm talking I wore black tights in lieu of shaving my legs etc unprepared.  I'm talking first day of my period unprepared.  I'm talking probably worst way to ever ummm "start" things off.  I literally thought I would not hear from him again but we exchanged a few texts during the week when I was in Texas AND we have date #4 on the calendar for tomorrow.  Maybe he was just as drunk as I was?!

On the way back...well everyone in grad school assumed Will and I hooked up...so that happened after one too many drinks and before I knew it things...happened.  But don't worry I made things sufficiently awkward in the morning when I was shy and embarrassed and naked didn't know how to handle the situation.  Will called me out for being awkward.  

So I oddly started and finished my trip in an awkward, slutty, hungover and very embarrassed fashion.

Spa Saturday

So I told you I was up early Saturday...
And it was because we were headed to the spa.
Which spa?
Le Scandinave Spa at Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario!

It's about 2 hours north of Toronto.
So we loaded up a car load of girls from my sorority alumni and headed north.

And it was amazing!
The sequence of what you're supposed to do is HOT THERAPY (hot tub/steam room/sauna).

Pic from the official website.

The Eucalyptus Steam Room pic from the official website.

Followed by a COLD PLUNGE (pools/snow (seriously welcome to Canada)).
And finally follow that with relaxing in one of the relaxation rooms or outdoor fireplace.
And simply repeat as much as you like.

It was pretty busy...and just gorgeous.
I would love to take some of my Texas girls (like Taylor and PinkSunDrops) to experience this because I'm guessing they haven't done anything like this.

These were two of the hot pools...you can see where you hang the robes and towels.

The snow covered roof to the left of the silo housed one of the relaxation rooms.  The silver silo was a Eucalyptus steam room.  The pool to the right was one of the cold plunge pools 55F.

Hard to tell but there is a fire pit at the top of the picture surrounded by Muskoka/Adirondack chairs.

Gives you a better idea of one of the fire pit things picture from the official website.

We even sat in chairs covered in snow...you should see our faces in THAT picture lol!
After that we had a quick snack of fruit/cheese/crackers before heading back to Toronto.
Laurel invited me out for dinner with her fiance and B so I joined.

We went to The Works Burger Bar.

pic from here

It was a fairly good burger place.
And I would go back.
However I get that they were trying to do something different with their glasses but I didn't love the measuring cup idea.

After a full on spa day (and I think it's quite hilarious that we finished it with burgers lol how healthy!)
I was beat and just headed home to relax.
A simply great Saturday!

Sock Bun Fun

So this past Sunday I met up with Quinn and Val for brunch.
Well actually it was supposed to me Quinn and I and then Quinn suggested we invite Val.
Which I seriously have NO problem with except...when they get together I don't get an invite.
But I'm trying to just not think about that.

So I wanted to try and do something fun for my hair.
I had been dying to try the sock bun.
So I of course youtubed videos.  
I settled on this one not due to the quality but because of the comparison of the way she did it.

So I used a sock and it really didn't take that long.
And the final result...(ignore the random cleavage lol).

Anywho we decided to meet at this cute place called Stoney's Bread Company in Oakville (the half way point between Quinn and I).

Pic from here

Super cute place.
And when you go there you order and then sit down.
Which actually seems to work great with a busy Sunday crowd.

Pic from here

Super darling place.
We luckily grabbed the front corner booth in the warm sunshine.

Pic from here

So we snuggled in with coffees.
And started catching up.

Breakfast was delicious I had the Stoney's omelette.

Quinn was so sweet and had been holding on to my birthday gift since November.
Some nice warm plaid pajamas...so darling.

Pic form here

After that I basically just went home and cleaned up and did laundry etc.
But it was a lovely start to a lazy Sunday.

Fafafafafafreezing

So it is suuuuuuuuuuuuper freezing here.
Which makes me miserable lol.
This morning when I checked my phone here's what the weather looked like.

Yup brrrrrrrr is right!
This weather also makes me procrastinate and also hungry.
Random combination I know.

So here was a picture of my last night.

I know my life is super exciting lol.
I'm definitely finding myself daydreaming about visiting somewhere warm.

"If you really love Christmas..."

So I finally took Friday night to take down my Christmas tree while I watched movies and trashy TV in the background...like I said my newest obsession Washington Heights...and oh my goodness the last episode had friends for years hooking up...and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe it made me think of New Years Eve lol.

Moving on lol.
So time to take down the Christmas tree.
Not sure if you remember last years post.

I shared some Christmas ornaments.
So I thought I would share some more.

This fun red beaver...to honour Taylor's 2nd Trip to Toronto!

We wrote all our adventures on the back!
You can read about that trip here.

This is the fun angel Laurel gave me this year!

Two of my favourite things...Keys and Fleur de Lis
I changed the ribbon on my tree to a fun preppy plaid and I LOVED it!

This little one was for my dog (gosh I miss him dearly).

A gifted paddle as I used to help out with a Dragon Boat team when I lived in Singapore.

This ornament...well MrRealtor bullied me into getting an ornament with him once I told him of my tradition of picking ornaments for special times/memories/travel...and he insisted on getting one when we went wine tasting once.  He didn't take the hint when I didn't hang it on my tree.  So he did one day without me realizing...super annoying.  But don't have to worry about that anymore.

Last year's Christmas post.

And I'm not sure if you remember my yearly goals I had in for 2011.
And I didn't reveal my 2012 goals...
Until now.
As you recall I keep it in a special ornament (see last years post above!).

So here they were...

So how did I do?

Definite Fail at the first and second one.
I think I passed the third one.
The fourth goal was a sort of pass.  I had more romance but love...well not so much.
I super passed goal five with Eight Trips (all the USA but that still counts as out of the country right???
Trip #1 NYC, Trip#2 Buffalo, Trip #3 Florida, Trip #5 Chicago, Trip#6 Dallas, Trip #7 Ann Arbor, Trip #8 Florida
And the sixth and final goal...fail...oh how I dream of the Burberry Trench...one day.

So 2013...what will it be?

I'm setting my goals right now and am definitely open to suggestions :)

So with that..."if you really love Christmas, come on and let it snow"  Billy Hack ~ Love Actually

Going through the motions...

Pic from here

Totally feel like I'm on autopilot.
As per usual a feeling of unrest.
Ever feel a half beat behind?
It reminds me of being able to spot cheerleaders (my sport of choice) if they were "cheating" and following teammates choreography...super easy to pick up on because they were always about half a beat behind.

Only it sort of feels like that is happening to me in real life.
As I'm slugging through this job.
Dating/not dating/sort of dating.
Seeing old friendships melt away/new ones develop/finding my groove but not finding my groove...

Watching everyone else's lives HAPPEN.
The countless foray of birthdays/baby showers/engagements/weddings/etc.
(I'm pretty sure I'm using foray incorrectly but it sounds right at this moment).
The things that seem to be happening for everyone else (but me).

Doesn't help this morning that one of my old flatmates from Singapore facebooked me to invite me to his wedding...in 19 days.
With the lovely reminder "you promised you would come to my wedding".
I also figured I would have more than 19 days notice to get to the other side of the world!

Nevermind the last minute flight cost is hovering around the $3000 mark and would involve me flying out 8amish on a Thursday arrive at 6:20pm on a Friday...wedding Saturday and having to leave Sunday at 11:30pm and arrive back Monday at 12:10pm...I would officially spend more time in the air then on the ground!
I honestly wouldn't think twice if I had the money but between my Kate Spade splurge's in Dallas and being a little social butterfly...I'm stretched super thin financially...them's the breaks when you are flying solo.

But the guilt I feel...sucks.
Along with the slight emerald eyed twinge of when the F*CK will it ever be my turn.
I'm in a totally pissy mood.
Which is NOT very becoming.
Something's got to change...

Fashion Week in the TDotO

Y'all I'm slowly starting to get back into the blog groove...
Two nights this week I spent at Toronto's very own fashion week.
So here it is via my terrible iPhone pics.

So excited to walk up to the tent in David Pecault Square.
Even on a rainy night.

Val and I in front of the step&repeat...at least I think that's what it is called.

 Inside of the tent was really quite cool.
Probably the best part was the people watching and the amazing fashion.
I was so overwhelmed I barely got any pictures!

 DJ and cool light fixtures at the entrance to the runway.

 Media lounge sponsored by Canada's newest American addition...TARGET!
So excited when we spotted this.

When Val and I got to our chairs this was waiting which made it fun and exciting.
The show we were attending was Mercedes-Benz StartUp which is a contest for Canadian young designers...very much seemed exactly like Project Runway.
8 young designers...one winner that would get to show next year and get mentors.
So exactly like Project Runway minus the cashola!

I really couldn't get great pictures because of the bright lights...

at the end of the runway...(look at all the photogs!)

 Wednesday night my mum and grandma came into town to share in the fun.
Notice the new coat!

 Laurel came too so that was a great buffer.

We went to the Joe Fresh show.
It was amazing.  Though a TON more chaotic than the night before.
My mum made it clear while she enjoyed it she wouldn't be repeating.
Oh well I tried anyway.

So it was ALMOST a bucket list item crossed off.
Because I am way more specific...on that bucket list?
Fall Fashion Week in NYC and Spring Fashion Week in Paris.
A girl can dream can't she?

Thirteen- Victoria Day

Thirteen was a little complicated.
I need to relax a little bit and stop worrying so much.


Thirteen was holding my breath waiting for MrKent to confirm plans 
He made time for me though he had a ton of other stuff going on (work related).


Thirteen was an awkward kiss hello in the car.
Awkward enough for me to try it again...he still makes me nervous for the record.


Thirteen was catching a street car to Ashbridges Bay Beach to see Victoria Day Fireworks.
Leaning into MrKent and feeling like I fit so perfect.



Thirteen was watching the fireworks explode overhead.
For the first time in a LONG time within someones arms...which is just lovely.

Pic from here

Who else was there at Ashbridges Bay Beach??? these Royals.

Pic from here

Thirteen was us walking hand in hand along the beach after the fireworks finished.
Me listening to him and his observations that make me giggle and what I find so endearing about him.


Thirteen was me over thinking things.
And him not even realizing the train of thoughts streaming in my head at a frightening pace.


Thirteen was the cool feel of the spring night take hold.
And having someone to snuggle into.


Thirteen was sparkling water afterwards on his couch.
Talking about anything and everything and me thinking...gosh this man is so darn attractive.


Thirteen was making out and more.
Me thinking he was laughing at me...apparently he wasn't laughing at me.


Thirteen was me making some silly statement.
That made me sound much more ummm experienced then I am...(insert blushing here).


Thirteen was me falling asleep in his car while he drove me home.
Him kissing me sweetly goodnight and saying something along the lines of even though it is a short week, Friday seems a little far away.


Thirteen was him texting... Just walking in the door.  Good night beautiful! xoxo
And this morning with ...Good morning sweetie!