{chicago}

{yellow directory}

This weekend I'm going to Chicago! I can't wait. First & foremost because I get to see my dearest friend, Katie & meet her new little son. Katie & I met in grad school at the Courtauld in London. Katie is like a sister to me--& I don't say that often, not because I don't have good girlfriends, but because my relationship with my sisters is so unique. I love Katie to bits & she gives the best advice--on relationships, on life decisions, on jobs, on academics, on everything...
Katie & I have been through a lot-from the stresses of writing assessed essays at the Courtauld and doing research in the Warburg, to travelling through Italy and France, to being present as her bridesmaid at her wedding to the love of her life-she's the best companion you can ask for, because, even in the worst scenarios, she'll make you laugh. & keep laughing years later.

{Courtauld graduation day (& yes, how fitting to have a female nude statue behind us!)}

{special fundraising dinner at the House of Lords}

{vacation in Cefalu, Sicily (post-thesis submission)}

{Katie visiting me in Italy when I was conducting doctoral research}

I know this is going to be a fun, fun weekend. Even if we just end up hanging out in our pjs and drinking wine, I can't wait to catch up with her!
see you soon Katie!

{drinking prosecco in a caffe/bar in Bologna}

cheers!
L

{happy advent!}

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. As kids, we'd have our usual Sunday dinner of roast beef & yorkshire pudding, and then we'd head to the neo-gothic Christ Church Cathedral downtown Victoria, to hear the amazing candle-lit advent service, with traditional lessons & carols. Unfortunately, my family is all across the globe, and I haven't been in years, but Advent Sunday is still important to all of us. It always makes me think of my family especially, and I have to admit, makes me miss my dearest sisters.
Today I made my own advent wreath and put up a few decorations around the house, while listening to King's College Lessons & Carols (for more info on advent & the advent wreath, check out my blog on advent from last year). I also cooked up roast potatoes, brussel sprouts & a very small roast.

{some cuttings from my backyard & a homemade noel sign}

{my advent wreath--not so much a wreath but the idea is there}

Happy Advent!!
xo
L

{pink christmas?}

ever since I spotted a pink Christmas tree in the shop the other day, I've been contemplating having a pink christmas tree. it's so very cindy-lou-who.

{via i like i wish i heart}

{buy this on etsy (vintage greeting shop)}

{pinterest via poppytalk}

{via home klondike}

{pink hunters with silver & pink decorations. via sitting in a tree events}

{luxe and lillies}

or do I stay traditional with this simple white, red, & green theme?:

{via style files}

{martha stewart}

{pretty red&white bunting from tch}

Let me know what you think...but I'll be sure to post pics with whatever tree I decide to get!

{source}

{quotable thursdays, american thanksgiving}

{via holly mathers interiors}

Happy American Thanksgiving! I feel a bit like a fraud, as I'm a Canadian in the US, but kind colleagues have been wonderful enough to invite me to a turkey dinner today. We had our first snowfall yesterday, and I'm trying to get used to this late thanksgiving tradition, which seems to mix with the beginnings of Christmas festivities, and then there's the whole Black Friday thing. Despite my slight confusion, it does give me an opportunity to stop & think about what I should be grateful for.
I think Raffi says it best:

All I really need is a song in my heart

Food in my belly and love in my family

All I really need is a song in my heart

And love in my family

And I need the rain to fall

And I need the sun to shine

To give life to the seeds we sow

To give the food we need to grow, grow

All I really need is a song in my heart

Food in my belly and love in my family

All I really need is a song in my heart

And love in my family

And I need some clean water for drinking

And I need some clean air for breathing

So that I can grow up strong

And take my place where I belong

All I really need is a song in my heart

Food in my belly and love in my family

All I really need is a song in my heart

And love in my family

I'm grateful for food in my belly, the rain & sun, and the love of family & friends.

{via the sweetest occasion}

{from grey likes weddings}

Happy Thanksgiving!!

xo

L

{b-day celebrations & tutu obsession}

The weekend of Nov 12&13th, I spent 'home' in Vancouver celebrating my 30th. We had loads of fun. My niece, nephews & sister were there to greet me at the airport. Hugs & shrieks ensued, and then we headed off shopping in S. Granville area. We spent some time at Vancouver's first & only anthropologie--the kids loved looking at all the fun stuff, just as much as us adults did: 

{my & my darling niece at anthropologie}

{nephew (S for Sebastian) & niece (below) having fun in the store}

On Saturday night, we celebrated my b-day with girlfriends. We had loads of fun...got ready at my sister's:

{me & my niece getting ready in my sister's bathroom--notice we're both in tutus}

{me & julia before heading out}

{prosecco to start the evening off}

{ladies out on the town}

 the next day was my official b-day and my parents came over from the island. We went for a lovely walk...

{my Dad & my niece on the walk}

{gorgeous Vancouver backdrop (taken by some politician trying to solicit a vote)}

{biggest gift? hearing my Dad playing the piano on my b-day. oh, & belting out our favourite tunes together}

{gorgeous & absolutely decadent chocolate cake-thanks to Julia for cooking such an amazing meal!}

{look at this darling little purse my 6 year-old niece made for me}

{& look at this special personalised label!}

So the obsession with tutus--I considered that maybe now that I'm in my 30s I should give up the tutu. But as Carrie Bradshaw in SATC has shown too well, you're never too young for tutus, you just need to know how to style & wear them right.

{pinterest via connect in}

{via the cassandra monologues}

how great are these looks?:

{bcbg via trendhunter}

{via brown eyed belle}

{via reason to breathe tumblr}

So, yes, you know I've worn the tutu before, when me & Julia went to an exclusive Sex&theCity II party a few years ago: 

{at ju's house prior to getting to the party}

{at the SATC II party at Opus, this photo & below, by Pelman Photography}

For my b-day, I was inspired by the look of light shoes with dark tights, paired with a light tutu. 

so I paired my pink, waterfall tutu, with black tights, nude shoes, simple black t-shirt & a string of pinky pearls:

{quirky i-phone pic, taken at dinner by my friend Colleen}

here's an inspiration board I made at Polyvore:

{my ensemble at polyvore}

So don't resist--get into that tutu!

Thanks to all my dear girlfriends, my family, and particularly Julia, for making turning 30 so much fun.

bisous,

L