Tea Time

Note to self: relax! Enjoy a cup of tea ... I have a lot going on right now with the wedding, supervising students, doing a new therapy group at work for the first time and preparing for another exciting change coming up in a few months (I'll tell you about that when it comes closer :) Less coffee - two per day is not good for me. I've now transitioned to having green tea in the afternoon or when I get home from work. I feel like I'm still getting an energy boost and it's calming at the same time. I'm not even sure if I really like the taste of coffee!? Maybe it's all that sugar I used to put in it? Anyways .. the other day I even munched on some chocolate covered orange peels which are YUM. This is all okay. I don't have to be productive every minute of the day! It's OKAY to sprawl out on a blanket and crack open a book! Relaxation is key ... 

~B

It's an antipasto kinda night~

On my way home today I stopped by the market and was inspired to go straight home and whip up some antipasto. I love antipasto and just realized that even though I don't often make an antipasto plate I eat the various components of my typical antipasto plate a few times a week. I love olives and tomatoes with olive oil! There's no better way to start off a meal!

Happy Wednesday!

~B

One Year Blogiversary!!

Wow time flies! About one year ago I finally decided to start this blog. I had wanted to start a blog for a while and was inspired by my cousins who are both bloggers. I think what kept me from starting my blog was not knowing what to name it. I know sounds silly but it's true! Overall, the blog has and continues to act as a creative outlet for me, a journal and a way for me to connect with others. I know I haven't been blogging as much lately but I hope you all continue to check in here once in a while.

Last weekend was a long weekend and I spent it relaxing. It was nice to spend time a home, doing some DIY projects and watching tv. Here are some pics of some of the other things I did. 

Got brunch at Insomnia Cafe. I'll be going back there just for the hash browns!

We planned to play board games at Snakes and Lattes but it was a 2.5 hour wait. Instead we played scrabble at home. I've set up a really cozy area in our reading nook by layering blankets and cushions over our gym mats. It's a great use of the space.

Valentines day roses and baking some Croatian pastries ... YUM!

So here's to another weekend and another year of Lilac Dreams!!

~B

Weekend Relaxin' in Florida!

I'm guessing that you've likely heard about the huge amount of snow Toronto got this past weekend. I was super lucky because I flew out on Thursday night as planned for a weekend in Fort Lauderdale. The weather there was awesome. I'm really eager for summer to start. I can't wait for evening walks and not having to wear so many layers. The fiance and I have never gone down south to get away from the cold Toronto winter so this trip was really awesome for both of us. Here's are some of the highlights of my weekend. Short and sweet!

bar hopping along the canals 

enjoying some Cuban cuisine

enjoying the sun at South Beach during a day trip to Miami 

cuddling on the couch with our friend's two frenchies  

Mexican!

gators at the Everglades! 

I think that my favourite thing during this trip was the 24 km bike ride we did along the Everglades. We thought it was a hoax at first but quickly discovered that all the gators were real. We got really close to them and I'm still surprised how close I was. Apparently gators find the water cold at this time of year and are only interested in lying in the sun to get warm. I guess preying on humans is not their top priority right now, which worked out well for me. I've done a boat tour of the Everglades before but this was waaay better. You get way closer and you get to see lots of other wildlife during this type of tour. Needless to say, I wish we could go to Florida every winter!!

Happy Tuesday!

Wedding Planning: My Dress Search!

Hey peeps! I hope everyone has had a good weekend and is enjoying the Superbowl (if you care about that!?). The fiance is a HUGE football fan so I'm sitting here trying to be (or rather look) supportive. I'm basically catching up on some emails and wanted to update you all on my dress search. 

I went to about 5 places to try on dresses. One of them was a blowout sale where my mom and I stood in line for one hour. Unfortunately I didn't find anything there but I had to try. I can't image spending $$$ on a dress and not being able to say, well ... I tried! I stood outside in the freezing Toronto cold for one hour but oh well I didn't find anything. 

So, like most girls I have a story about my dress. I bought it at the first place I went and it was the second dress I tried on. I should have purchased it right then but of course I wanted to be sure and went to a bunch of other places to try on more dresses. I love my dress and I like that my mom also pointed it out and insisted I try it on. I know that it is MY dress because I kept thinking about it and nothing else compares to it. I am so excited to wear it on my wedding day. Unfortunately, there's another six months  until it comes in and there will be several fittings before it's just right. 

My approach to wedding dress shopping was to go and try on as many styles as possible. I had spent hours on Style Me Pretty and Pinterest pinning dresses that I liked. Looking back it was fun but kinda pointless in a way because it's hard to really have an idea of what styles look good on you until you go out shopping. I tried on many dresses, some just for fun even if I knew I wouldn't even consider them. It was a fun experience and not as stressful as I imagined. I also kept it simple by going with my mom on one occasion, once with my cousin, once by myself and once with my mom and cousin. It's probably best to not go with a large group of people. Too many opinions!

Styles I tried... 

puffy/I guess a ball gown?

old hollywood

a line? I really like this dress.

lace with key hole back

Don't worry, I haven't spoiled the surprise by showing you anything close to my dress!

~B