Joe - just because

I took these images a couple weeks ago and I didn’t know how to write this blog so I put it off. And off. I couldnt put into words what a great friend is to me and what an influence he has had on my life. But today I decided to really take a stab at this post, so as I type and then backspace and then repeat again and again, this is my attempt.

Joe has been a long time family friend. He saw me through kindergarten and Barbies and all the accessories that went along with the coolest Barbie play area EVER. He taught me sarcasm and that just because my nan didn’t make it, doesn’t mean its not delicious. He showed me through his experiences the importance of being true to yourself and that there should be cobalt blue in every room (I guess I should give Martha some cred for that one too!) Thank you for always telling me what you think and not always what I want to hear. And for always giving me the biggest hair ever!

*jad

A Red Ribbon Affair

Baby, you are fierrrrce.

Hair and makeup was sooo hot! Aveda - you are amazing!


Wednesday night I attended A Red Ribbon Affair Fashion Show in Toronto, an event to raise aids awareness. The event was hosted by a group of students who organized the event as their final university project. All of the ladies were absolutely wonderful to work with and definitely knew how to throw a really party! The designers included; C’est Moi, Jason Meyers and Baby Steinberg all of whom had really unique and inspiring pieces.
I loved being able to see how the event came together, by being backstage I saw the hair and makeup done by the fabulous stylists of Aveda. I got to experience the primping of the final outfits on the models. There was so much detail that went into each of the models, I was exhausted just watching all the stylists and models hustling behind the white curtain to make sure each girl was a picture of perfection.

The venue was S T U N N I N G! The show was hosted at Andrew Richard Designs in Toronto. I was soo jelous of this space, I wanted it to be mine! The light in the building was to die for, and there was even a rooftop space that we got some really cool urban shots in that was super fab. He rents it out to the public as well so if your looking for a chic/urban space then this is totally it!

I was so thrilled to be a part of this event, I had a great time and I loved getting the chance to step outside ‘my comfort zone’ and to do something really different than I have ever done before!

Here are a few images from the night,

take your time

As Matt and I were driving home from Huntsville on Saturday after the O.F.A.H. Camp we saw a sign on the road that said 'High Falls' so we decided to check it out. I was reluctant because we had a pretty long day and still a 2 hour drive ahead of us. I was feeling my bed and cozy blankets get further and further away as we made our way off the highway on to this old windy dirt road.

We took a wrong turn but quickly got back on track and then we spoted it - high falls, and suddenly my bed wasnt even on my mind anymore. I was in awe, that this veiw was minutes from the busy highway we were just on. I was in the "ijustsawmountainsforthefirsttime" kind of awe. Here are a couple quick shots we took and they really dont even do this place justice.

It goes to show you that sometimes its worth your while to take a little detour and not worry about time and always rushing to get from point A to B... you've gotta smell the flowers sometimes :)

JAD

roxy+nan

During my Poppas last weeks with us my mom decided to stay with my nan to help out around her house,make sure she was doing the best she could be and to just minimize as much stress as possible. Along with my mom came her little dog max. Max is a tea cup yorkie, who is soso adorable that whenever I see him my voice goes into cutey cutey baby mode and I just can't stop hugging and loving him. Max has this affect on a lot of people, including my nan.

She found comfort in his soft cuddles and warm kisses during one of the hardest times in her life. Max was the one who brought a smile to her face and eased her pain. My mom offered Max to nan because she knew how much they had grown to love one another and how comforting it was to be able to hold little Max and take peace in the great listening skills of a dog.

My nan refused my moms offer because she said she couldn't take care of a dog at the moment, and Max belonged to mom - when or if she decided to get a dog, she wanted one that was only herrs. In the past few weeks she had been asking anyone with internet access to look up puppis for her. She looked and looked and finally found Roxy, a shiztu puppy with just as much if not more SASSSS than my nan. The match was perfecccct!

I havn't seen my nan smile the way she does at Roxy in a long time. She is so proud of her adorable little baby. It really warms my heart.

I took Dakota over for a little play date and it was HILARIOUS. Dakota had no idea whatsoever how to play with something so small and tiny. Roxy was constantly bugging dakota, jumping on her, licking her mouth ... so much SASS in such a little thing - I loveeee it!

O.F.A.H. - 'Get Outdoors' Youth for Conservation

Saturday I was invited to attend the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters ‘Get Outdoors- Youth for Conservation’ kids camp. Matt has been a longtime member of the O.F.A.H. and worked for them for several years. He was helping out at a few of the camps so I decided to tag along and get some pictures of all the great things this organization does for not only its members but for children and conservation.

The camp was founded by Robert Pye and his wife Kathy. I got the pleasure of chatting with Robert when he took me and a few of the kids out fishing. He told me of his first date with Kathy and how the idea of the camp came to life on the back of a napkin during their dinner. Years later the camp is the only camp of its kind in Ontario and has grown so popular that its spots are coveted and fill up within the first day of registration.

I got the chance to catch up with the Camp Coordinator, Alesha Caldwell. Alesha has been involved with the camp since she was young. She was one of the camps first campers and she loved the experience so much she has since dedicated her time as a volunteer, then got a position as a summer staff and now has been offered a fulltime position with the O.F.A.H. - even before her graduation from the University of Guelph, which is such an accomplishment! You won't find anyone more organized, safety conscious and dedicated to kids'conservation and leadership experience than her.

The really great thing about the camp is that it is SO hands on. The kids get the ‘traditional’ camp experiences like sleeping in cool cabins, eating in a big mess hall, campfires, swimming and meeting new friends BUT they also get such unique experiences that go above and beyond other camps. They get to try archery with a variety of different bows and targets, they get to learn from the experiences of real conservation officers and try shooting at the .22 range. The kids are taught how to tie their own fishing flies that they get to take home afterwards, and they are able to swap fishing tales as they boat along the lake in hopes of snagging the days biggest catch. I thought the camp was such an inspiration as it is mostly run by volunteers and really teaches the kids so much about the outdoors, conservation and for the older kids it allows them the opportunity to get involved in a really amazing organization.

When I was on the boat with Robert, he was really involved with educating the kids, which was really neat to be a part of. He didn’t just hand them a rod and say ‘cast away’ He spent one on one time with each of them allowing them to choose their own bait, he showed them how to secure it to the hook and the line and then the proper way to hold the rod and cast. I really loved that I got to see him in action with these kids because without his vision, time and perseverance there wouldn’t be a camp that does these incredible things and reaches out to so many.

If you would like more information on the camp, go here:(http://www.getoutdoors.org/)
Or becoming a member of the OFAH, go here: (http://www.ofah.org/)

Random 1

I just thought I would share a few random facts about me to start your weekend off!

I love love looveee camping.

Mint chocolate chip ice cream is my favourite.

Walmart is one of my favourite stores.

I beyond love cards, I thinking browsing and picking a nice card for someone is so sweet. I almost always cry when I get one, I think its so personal.

I cannot remember ANYTHING without my blackberry, hence why I can't put it down.

I turned my kitchen pantry into a fabulous shoe closet ... pfft who need food when you can have 7000000 pairs of stilettos!


:) here is a shot of our puppy Dakota and her 3 besties (matts parents dogs!)

Thosee People...

You know those people who can make you feel like you've known them for years, and put you at ease with their warm smile and easy conversation?

Well I met one of thooseee people last night. Her name is Allison and I'm beyond excited to be shooting her and fiance Greggs wedding in September.

From the moment I sat down I knew that we would click... She knew that vanilla bean lattes are the way to my heart! We got down to business quickly discussing the details of her wedding, her bridal party, the venue, her picks for locations, her decision to have a 'first look' and then we got into my favourite part - the proposal (more of that in a few weeks when I visit them in Toronto to shoot their engagement!)

The conversation was so lovely and ended with another of my favourite topics - amazzzing shoes and sales! Thanks Allison for the sale tip and the latte, your so sweet and I cant wait to document your engagement and wedding!

The 15 year old inside...

Yesterday was Canada Day (happppy birrthdayyy canada!) and of coarse I had the day off. What were my big plans for Wednesday night?

A night of dancing and drinks with friends? .. no

A yummy dinner and walk with Matt and Dakota? .. no

Waiting in line for 2 hours and gushing - literally gushiiing with excitment when Jacob came on the screen with no shirt? ... YESSSSS

My mom bought the tickets to Eclipse like a month in advance and my sister and I were SOOO excited that it was finallly the day that we got to droollll all over edward and jacob. My hand is bruised with how hard my sister squeezed when she sawww them!

Im literally a 15 year old girl inside and am totally undeniably withoutadoubt in loveeeeeee with jacob AND edward.

ps. its the BEST movie yet ... all intenseee and gorgeouusss.


annnnd because I dont want to post without a pictture, heres 2 pretty floweers :)