Quote of the Day

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the life you've imagined."

-Henry David Thoreau

For my wonderful friend Chloe, who also loves this quote.

(Photo courtesy of Paper Tissue)

Wish List- Herve Leger LBD

Dear Little (and I mean little) Black Dress,

I would like to own you, if only to feel naughty and edgy for one day of my life. Sigh.... if only you weren't $900. 

Sincerely and heartbrokenly yours, Ally

Dress by Herve Leger by Max Azria

Visit BCBG.com here. 

LOL

Whoever made this banner is genius and should sell these. My sentiments exactly. 

(Photo courtesy of Paper Tissue)

Half Hour to Gorgeous Hair at Blo

The calendar may technically disagree but, for all intents and purposes, summer is here! I'm not sure what it is but the dawn of the warm weather and smaller outfits always makes me long for a new look, hairstyle wise. Last year I chopped off my hair to a chin length bob~ a look I enjoyed at the time but grew quickly tired of. This year I don't want to act as drastically but I still feel the need to change up my look now and again. Blo is the perfect option for me. A wash and blowdry at my normal salon (Suki's, which I totally adore) can cost up to $50 or $60 with tip, and while I don't mind spending that kind of money on a cut I don't care to drop that much on a style that only lasts until my next wash. I tried Blo for the first time last year and the style I was given was an unmitigated disaster (think bad, crazy Shirley Temple curls....ick) , so I was hesitant to try it again. However, my friend Erika has booked herself and her 7 bridesmaids (myself included) into Blo for her August wedding so we opted to try it again this past weekend. Thirty minutes and $30 later Erika and I emerged with stylish, swingy hair and wallets only slightly dented. Two days later my typically stick straight hair is still bouncing along nicely and I'm trying to work weekly visits into my budget. Visit Blo here for locations around the city (including inside The Four Seasons hotel) and to see their "menu". 

Above are before and after pics of Erika and myself. Would you spend $30 for a blowdry if it made you feel like a babe? 

Perfect Summer Sangria

A few weeks ago while sitting on the scorching patio at Italian Kitchen Leah and I indulged in some delish white sangria. While lacking the tons of yummy fruit I was looking forward to (only a few lame cranberries floating in the pitcher), the sangria itself was light, sweet and oh so easy to drink! I've been dreaming of making a batch of my own since!  This recipe is courtesy of Martha Stewart.com (and as we all know, Martha never does anything less than perfection). Cut up some fruit, toss in some berries and throw this fantastic concoction together the next time you have guests over! 

Prosecco White Sangria

1 bottle chilled Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine)

5 ounces brandy (peach brandy preferably)

1 cup peach juice

Superfine sugar to taste

1 peach pitted and sliced

1 nectarine pitted and sliced

Assorted berries (raspberries, sliced strawberries)

In a pitcher combine fruit and brandy. Let sit for at least one hour. Stir in Prosecco and peach juice. Add superfine sugar if desired. Serve chilled. Yum! 

Quote of the Day

"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."

-Emily Bronte

Have you ever felt this way about someone?

(Image from the film Amelie)

Today's Smile

Yesterday I had a wonderfully girly day with my friend Erika. After brunch at Pastis we made our way back into my neighbourhood to head to our visit at Blo (more on that later). We parked a few blocks away (darn you, Vancouver, and your ridiculous permit system, I shake my fist at you!) and as we were meandering back to Hemlock Street we could see people in groups standing all around the place and hear the most strange and desperate of wails just down the block. As we hesitantly approached we could see a mama raccoon (yes, in broad daylight) trying in vain to get her two frightened babies to cross the road. The babies were loath to cooperate and were hiding under cars and darting back into bushes to hide. Mama Raccoon was crying loudly (easily one of the most heart wrenching sounds I have ever heard), trying again and again to corral her terrified babies to safety and, inevitably, sleep. Everyone was mesmerized, watching this vision of nature in the middle of the city. I was terrified the little family would be confronted with the cars whizzing through the neighbourhood and had dialled 411 to get through to the SPCA when Mama picked up one baby in her mouth and basically shunted the other baby across the street and into a thicket of bushes where, assumedly, their den awaited them. Their cries quickly quietened and the clumps of fascinated bystanders began to dissipate. Erika and I moved on as well, but deeply touched by this sweet familial tableau in an otherwise normal day. To see the sweetness of these beautiful creatures still brings a smile to my face today. 

Fur

This is why I go through about one lint roller a week! White sofa + long haired cat = many many sticky lint sheets covered! 

The Perfect Casual Outfit

I love casual clothes. They often look the most pulled together yet effortless and can still be completely chic! This photo of (cancelled sadly) Lipstick Jungle's Lindsay Price is the perfect example of casual perfection. I love everything about it~ perfect jeans,  simple top, ridiculously lovely hair (I would kill for this style) and best of all, amazing red shoes! I wish I could look like this everyday! I will try....

Happy Birthday

Today would have been my Nannie's birthday and I have been thinking of her all day, missing her more than ever and wishing she were here so much. She was a wonderful, generous and funny grandmother and I see her goodness and spirit in my amazing (AMAZING) mother all the time. We've been without her now for 8 years and it has felt like a moment and a lifetime in one. 

Things about my grandmother:

Her name was Julia Susannah Sterling Woodward Reid. (The Susan in my name is adapted from hers, Susannah, which I like better.)

She always had Fresca at her house. I loved that. 

When I used to ask her something she wouldn't say "Yes?" she'd say "Hello?" Very English.

She was allergic to eggs, as is my Auntie Di.

She loved the colour turquoise and always dressed my mom in it when she was young, therefore my mother hated the colour. I, in turn, love it. 

She loved watching golf on TV.

She would nap on the sofa with the weather channel on. 

The summer before I graduated high school she let me stay over at her house for a week or so because I needed a "vacation" from my house/parents/brothers/life. Her house was a great getaway! 

I miss you and love you, Nannie.

xoxoxo

(Photo courtesy of Paper Tissue)

Have a Sunshiny Weekend!

Well, friends, it's been a long and hot week, a week that's felt more like three than just one. I wanted to write but was feeling a little uninspired (besides, I was trying my best not to move as I was laying under my ceiling fan in our insane 32 degree weather!!). Despite wading through my two jobs and doing summer planting with my dad there wasn't much free time to contemplate pretty fashions or the new place to go in town. Nevertheless, it was a nice week in its own way. I heard from a few very good friends, including my lovely Rachel in France (miss you!) who took the time to write me a long email despite the fact that I haven't done so in awhile (sorry, love~ soon!). I embraced pay day today and indulged in new summery sandals. Best of all, tonight I'm hitting the town with my new friend Nicole for drinks and girl talk and then will be brunching tomorrow with the beautiful Erika, followed by us trying out Blo (review of our new hairstyles to come later this weekend). Stay cool, lovelies, and enjoy the sunshine! 

Quote of the Day

"Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt."
-Kurt Vonnegut

(Photo courtesy of Paper Tissue)

Wish List- Tiffany & Co.

Every week I intend to reveal something on my Wish List (trust me, it's a long list!) and share with you things to covet in our wildest dreams! This week I'm lusting after Tiffany & Co.'s new Key Collection necklaces. Designed after antique hardware, Tiffany has reinvented an everyday item into something incredibly beautiful, delicate and fashion forward. These necklaces are inventive and charming~ a very fresh take on an everyday accessory. The keys are offered in gold, platinum, sterling silver and the pulse-racing diamond collection, with several different chains to pick and choose from. The diamond key above is truly a Wish List only item at a spine tingling $15,000 (yeah, in my dreams), but the more modest silver crown key is a more manageable $295. The Key Collection can be found at the Tiffany & Co. store on Burrard and Alberni Streets, where I intend to go very soon and have (what else?) breakfast. Audrey, I think, would be proud. 

Visit Tiffany & Co. here. 

Smile of the Day

On a day when I don't feel really right with the world these brought a smile to my face. The adorable puppy is Kupo (a mini American Eskimo), my friend Kayli's little guy. I'm totally in love with him!

(Photos courtesy of Kayli A)

Chivalry~ Dead or Alive?

Don't get me wrong. I love men. LOVE 'em. However, lately I've been wondering this~ is chivalry dead? I sincerely hope not but it seems incredibly hard to find chivalrous behaviour in the average man these days. Perhaps this is a ridiculous generalization and yet I spend my days being cut in front of by men (definitely no ladies first any longer), ignored when a friendly smile is offered (um hello, it's a smile, I'm not asking for a marriage proposal!) and I don't even remember the last time a door was held open for me (if ever). I often wonder how it was being a woman 50 years ago~ what was "courting" like? How did men truly treat women? Did they buy flowers (without being ordered to!)? Has chivalry gone out with the times as women have become men's equals in the professional world?

I had all but given up hope when something restored my faith a few weeks ago. I was helping a man at the store, giving him inane advice on what to buy friends as a wedding gift (he took my brilliant advice) and as his gift was being wrapped he went to have breakfast at a dive I recommended. Later when he returned to pick up his purchase he came to thank me and gave me a truly lovely bouquet of flowers. I was completely moved. There was no ulterior motive, no phone number left or requested. It was simply a gesture, a thoughtful kindness. This stranger made my day and weeks later I still think of that sweet and generous man out there and how lucky one lady will be to have him one day. So, boys, if you're reading this you may think about holding open a door even once in awhile, or buying your girl a bunch of tulips or running her a bath after a long day (or even better, a back rub!). A friend recently reminded me that chivalry isn't dead, it's just hiding a little more these days. Look hard enough, girls, and it's bound to reveal itself. Or it will if the guy is worth it!

What do you think? Is chivalry dead?

(Photo courtesy of Paper Tissue)

This Apple is Not To Be Eaten!

I fell head over heels in love with this decal I found yesterday on Etsy! Isn't it adorable? Yes, decals used to be only of the peel and stick variety for storefronts but in the last year they've transitioned into home decor and can be found everywhere, from high end stores to Ikea to art supply stores like De Serres. This Snow White decal sticks right onto the front of your Macbook and I absolutely love how it looks like she's cradling the apple! For $20US I had to have this personal touch for my laptop! Visit seller Back Glass on Etsy to find the same Snow White or other fun decals!