Latte Hearts & Wedding Bliss

I am taking a break (a short one, at that) from midterm studying to share with you the highlight of my day yesterday.

I am interning at a company that has moved offices, specifically to Spadina, right in Chinatown. On the main floor of this new building is the Toronto renowned Dark Horse Espresso Bar, which outdoes your friendly neighborhood Starbucks in pretty much every way possible. I treated myself to a Mocha Latte yesterday before work, and was enchanted when they handed me the final product -- I looked into the cardboard cup and saw a heart on the top!

I didn't even want to drink it, because that would mess up the design. Yeah, that lasted long. The latte was heaven, by the way.

In other news, if you happen to be in the area on Sunday, March 6th, I suggest coming by the Sheraton Hotel on Queen St. to the Wedding Bliss Bridal Show. I will be at a booth with the company I'm interning with talking about all things wedding. Also, there's a fabulous sample sale happening. I'll be there from 12pm-2pm. Come out and see!

Where to Church?

Back in the summer, Andrew and I took a long, long drive. We ended up in Lowville, which we thought was absolutely beautiful with its narrow, winding roads and quaint houses and parks. We kept driving and ended up in a town called Freelton (yeah, I know, we'd never heard of it either!). Freelton has close to nothing in terms of entertainment, industry, or real character. Or so we thought...until we found Our Lady of Mount Carmel R.C Church. I remember stumbling upon the church so randomly in our drive and getting out of the car to walk around the grounds. It reminded me so much of a little Irish or Scottish church, the kind that are so old you wonder how long the churchyard has been there for. In the summer, I wasn't planning my wedding and so, obviously, didn't bother to write the name of the church down or actually remember where it was located.

I should have!

Right after we got engaged, we started to talk about churches. And of course, the Freelton church was top of the list. Except for the fact that we thought it had been in Lowville. We didn't remember how far we'd driven and that we'd actually discovered the gem of a church in Freelton, near Hamilton. So today, upon arriving in Lowville to actually see the church again, we quickly realized, hey, this isn't the same church at all. We did, however, find St. George's Anglican Church which is actually in Lowville, and were quite taken with it.

Lowville is just lovely, I'm sure those of you who know it know this. We weren't able to go in, as we weren't there around Mass times, and the doors were locked. There are pictures online but of course I can't go by those -- they are always deceiving. Above is St. George's in Lowville, below is Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Freelton.

Based on the outsides, what do you think?

I'm going to make some calls this week and see if I can set up appointments where I can actually check out the interiors. Stay tuned!

Doe, a Deer

This is generally un-wedding related, but I want to post it anyway. Hope you find it somewhat interesting.

Have you ever heard of anyone having a deer for a pet? Me neither. But of course, being totally one-of-a-kind and original, not to mention almost deer-like in her fragile nature, Audrey Hepburn had a pet deer.

How beautiful is this picture?? The deer looks so vulnerable and yet so safe with her.

So sweet! It's just like a little baby.

She even took the deer grocery shopping with her...on a leash...

And clothes shopping...

And just hung out with it at home...

Just wanted to share these beautiful pictures! I have a very soft, sensitive spot for deers because a couple of weeks ago I unfortunately saw an accident involving a couple of does on the 401 on a sunny Sunday afternoon. They are amazing creatures and it's a terrible thing that the place they get their food is on the edge of our huge highways. Do your best to watch out for them. Without putting yourself in danger, of course.

Valentine's Day Weekend

Happy Friday everyone! In honour of Valentine's Day coming up, single or in a relationship, everyone should celebrate love. Here are my favorite "Hollywood" wedding moments:

Actress Grace Kelly married Monaco's Prince Rainier in the 1950's and simultaneously retired from acting. Wouldn't you have? She became a Princess! Look at all of that beading and lace...

Audrey Hepburn married Mel Ferrer in the 1950's as well. Her dress was a quintessential 1950's cut that ended just below her calf. Love her little rose wreath.

Oh, Richard Burton and Liz Taylor. Married each other twice and divorced each other twice. But she, as always, is gorgeous in this Grecian, or is Roman? style gown with flowers in her hair. Always glamourous.

Tuesday Inspiration

What better place to draw inspiration than from pictures of past weddings online?


Floating roses as centerpieces....gorgeous. I am in love with roses.

I know, I know...A Walk to Remember...but honestly, how beautiful was Mandy Moore in this scene? The moment I saw that lacy veil I knew it was what I wanted (or very similar to what I wanted) at my own wedding. There is something so antique about lacy wedding veils without being too "grandmother-ish". They're as classic as it gets. And aren't weddings all about tradition anyway?

Now I am all for clean lines and a neat bouquet, but there is something so regal and beautiful about a big cascading one that gives the bride an entirely new silhouette. What do you think? Especially a bouquet of pale pink roses.

An Audience

Can I just say how nice it is to write here and know that people are reading it and (hopefully) enjoying it! I love an audience.

You know who else loves an audience? Or certainly should get used to an audience? (Ha ha).

Kate Middleton.

In keeping with all things wedding-related, what event is more exciting than the upcoming royal wedding in April? I can't wait, and I don't even know these people. A friend of mine at school sent me a link to Holt Renfrew's website the other day because the gorgeous blue dress Kate Middleton wore at her engagement announcement back in November is available to all of us commoners.

Made by designer Issa and priced at $535, this dress is the exact one Kate wore, and I think I'm going to need to find a cheaper version of it ASAP. What do you think??

(Not) Saying Yes to the Dress

Today I tried on wedding dresses. For the first time ever. It was quite an experience. Don't be sad, my lovely friends, this was just a few hours for my mom and I to see what was out there, what I looked like in different styles -- it wasn't a serious wedding shopping event! You will all be invited when I shop to buy, don't worry!

So, we got to the boutique and were escorted to a big room in the back, with wall-to-wall bridal dresses. In the center was your traditional huge, three-way mirror and platform upon which I would model my bridal style. I tried on about five dresses, some A-line, some mermaid, and was laced up like a Victorian maiden (and was subsequently amazed at my figure...I should always wear corsets!!). As I stood on the platform and allowing the consultant to smooth out my train, I put a veil on my head and just looked at myself in awe. It really wasn't real until this point. I suppose this is the first of many of those moments.

All in all, I went in with one idea of a dress in my mind and left with many ideas. I'm keeping an open mind. I did try a "headpiece", though, as they call it, which translates to "tiara" in regular people's terms. I'm SOLD. I love the way I look with a sparkly tiara.

Anyway, that's all for not saying yes to the dress. It will certainly be an adventure once I really start looking!

Up in the Air

You know that movie with George Clooney, the one where he flies everywhere, lives out of a suitcase, and essentially fires people for a living? It's called Up in the Air and it was kind of a big deal last Oscar season. Why am I referencing it here, though? Because it's a little bit of how my life feels currently.

I have a stunningly sparkly engagement ring on my finger but no wedding date (as of yet). And that's fine. I guess. Maybe. I am not good with uncertainty and surely this is no exception. It's an adventure my fiance and I are on. But we're on it together and things will hopefully sort themselves out in due time. We're both at a stage in our lives where school is about to begin (or end), we need a place to live, and we need income. Oh, and we can't wait to get married (did I mention that?)

Complications aside, yesterday was the first snow day of the winter, and my school was closed. I took advantage of my day off by using a face mask to exfoliate (I've been sick throughout the week and as a result look ghostly....and ghastly). The mask was gorgeous and smelled like cream and honey. By Balea. Highly recommended. Didn't do much else.

Tomorrow I am wedding dress shopping -- yes, I know, no date. But hey, gotta start somewhere. Happy weekend.

William & Kate Merchandise

With the engagement of Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton came the surge of 'Wills & Kate' merchandise, specifically mugs, tea towels, and even dolls. I was browsing Wedding Bells and came across these new mugs made just for the royal couple.



I love these! Look at the little champagne bottles and glasses, and the crown and tiara. These, my friends, are modern products for a modern royal couple. Not like your grandmother's, or even mother's, Charles & Diana sterling silver spoons, these are actually chic mugs you WANT to use. They're only available as of February 14th, Valentine's Day, and I definitely want to buy one for myself! Obviously for my tea on the morning of April 29th....;-)