Life Happens

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It’s kinda hard to believe how fast this summer came and went, with very few things going exactly as planned. There’s a saying “you make plans and then life happens” which is how I would describe the last few months.

Heading into summer 2017, I was employed, living in a new house (with leaks, which is why I haven’t posted more of my home reveal {KITCHEN REVEAL}) and a busy summer of photoshoots, both for my blog and my studio’s clients. My husband, Trevor and I had plans to explore our new neighbourhood, and maybe a few day trips filled with hiking and adventuring.

Fast forward to June, I was one of many that was laid-off from my job, due to a huge restructure, I was then 2 months pregnant, which was planned – but didn’t expect it to happen so easily. Things got scary fast, with the notion of being unemployed and expecting, but as my supportive husband reminded me, I had a job, our studio and this blog, and I would be able to concentrate 100% on creating successful businesses out of them.

Plans were in motion, meetings came rolling in with potential clients and partners, and then everything changed. That loving husband of mine was hit by a car while commuting home from work on his bike. With a broken arm and bad concussion he’s been off work since the accident, and our days are filled with doctors and therapy appointments to help him regain his strength, and help reduce the symptoms of his concussion.

Timing is really everything though. If I hadn’t been off work, there is no way I would have been able to have been there for Trevor, who had always been there for me, to take him to his appointments and help him heal. A few weeks earlier, we also had found our dream puppy Taco, a 3 month old French Bulldog, and he was coming home to us the Friday after the accident. Taco, has been a lot of work, but also been a saviour for Trevor bringing him such joy and purpose during this difficult time.

Today, I am now 20 weeks pregnant, feeling great, and happy to finally be ready to share the news. Trevor is still on the mend, with his arm almost healed and undergoing aggressive physiotherapy but still suffering with constant headaches and light sensitivity. Taco is the sweetest boy, taking well to training and getting to know his sister Monkey (who is a little more resistant of this new guest in her home).

For fall, I’m not making any plans, but rather rolling with the punches, as that’s how things seem to be going anyways.

Dress: Farm Rio from Anthropologie, Sandals: H Halston,  Frames: Joseph Marc from Clearly.ca

Wedding, Set, Go

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We are now mid-wedding season, and I found myself attracted to a classic shapes this season, that is totally new for me. For the last few years, it was all about gowns when it came to wedding-dressing (two examples of stunning gowns I’ve worn to some fabulous weddings: 1, 2). I loved how glamorous I felt in a floor sweeping gown while twirling on a dance floor. But this season, and it may be the humid temperatures, I’ve found myself tempted by shorter silhouette for formal engagements.

Typically I wouldn’t wear a short dress to a formal event, as it never really felt as elegant as I wanted to, until I laid eyes on this silk embroidered shift dress from Stella McCartney. It was love and first sight. From the colour to the floral details, not to mention the pockets, it truly was like nothing else I have in my wardrobe and knew I had to have it.

I paired this beauty with my favourite vintage choker and the matching earrings I picked up at The One of a Kind Craft Show a few seasons ago, and was absolutely in love with this ensemble.

Dress: Stella McCartney, Necklace: Vintage, Earrings: OOAK, Shoes: Nine West (old)

Our Kitchen Reveal

They say “good things come to those who wait.” If that’s true, then I’m deserving of all of the good things.

A few years ago, my husband and I, as newlyweds, purchased our first home together. It was a pre-construction, and move in was set for summer 2015. Due to, literally every unforeseen circumstances, we have just moved into our new home this past February, that has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. (Which has also been the reason for my recent disappearance.)

Due to the delays, there were a few things we’ve realized that we had the time to do, like save, plan and invest. Staying in our tiny apartment for those extra years, was definitely a strain to our lifestyle, but as time went on, both of us were able to continue to save money, as we tried to live with our new budget.

We spent a lot of time figuring out how we were going to use the space; today, a year from now, and five years from now. We bought a stacked town house, aka too many stairs – but it’s turning out to be a great workout. Our main floor is an open concept living space that hosts our living, dining, cooking and entertaining. This is my favourite space, probably because it’s the most complete, but also because I’ve been shopping for most of these pieces over the last few years, and at last I can see them.

Today I’m revealing kitchen to you, and over the next few months, stayed tuned as I complete each room and share with you our journey as we make this space our home.

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Trevor, and I are entertainers. We love to host, so creating a kitchen and dining area that made sense for group gatherings was really important to both of us. We started with keeping things open – which meant loosing our upper cabinets and allowing our beautiful collection of dinnerware and serving pieces to shine. We found sturdy and beautiful floating shelves from Silicate + Studio, a design studio and lab in Idaho, and fell in love with the perfect imperfections of their wood pieces.

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Next came to adding the show stopping piece. I was fortunate enough to have partnered with Delta Faucet Canada to upgrade my kitchen space. This Champagne Bronze beauty is not just about her looks, she’s also brilliant. With Touch2O Technology, a simple touch anywhere on the curved spout will turn the water on and off, and will automatically shut-off after four minutes to conserve water. I love the colour and how well it works with the mixed metals, whites and woods, blues and citrus theme I have.

 We still have a bit of work to to do in this space, like adding the rest of our door handles, figuring out storage solutions for our cabinets and adding flush under-mount lighting to the shelves. But overall I couldn’t be happier with this space, it’s exactly what I’ve pictured and had hoped for.
Photography by 2Boo Studio
Faucet: Delta Faucet Canada, Shelves: Silicate + Studio, Dinnerware: Villeroy and Boch, Cookware: Le Creuset, Cake stands, cheese boards, accessories: Hudson’s Bay & Home Outfitters, Cat ring tray: Kate Ubbi,
Barbara is wearing: Top and skirt: Who What Wear Collection, Glasses: Clearly.ca
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Thank you to Delta Faucet Canada for sponsoring this post, all opinions are my own. To inquire about sponsored posts and working together, please email amy@shineinfluencers.com