Back to the Best Coast!

I'm back! 5 weeks seemed to fly by. Italy was just as amazing as I remembered, and then some. I got to pig out on gelato and the pharmacies did not disappoint with their gluten-free selection! Ate lots of pasta and found a gf restaurant in Florence! Learnt a lot, there's still so much art and history that I didn't get the chance to see. I like to leave wherever I travel feeling like I didn't do everything I should've done, it gives me more of a reason to go back. I'm coming back from this trip a very different person though: a little too full of good food, unattached (now enjoying the rainbow after the storm), and with a little more ink ;)
There's so much I'm thankful for, and traveling always reminds me how lucky I am to live where I do, and that I have some amazing friends and family. I believe everything happens for a reason, and the best things always happen after the worst. Once you're through a tough spot, everything looks a little brighter from the other side.
Lots of love to my Euro-family! I'm so glad to have more great people in my life!
Here's some choice photos from the trip; didn't take a lot this time (was too busy eating gelato!)
So good to be home! Missed everyone!

The Waiting Game

So I'm sitting overlooking the morning traffic of people milling around City Square, waiting for my new glasses to be ready (!), and I started wondering, where's the sunshine Vancouver?? Okay maybe it wasn't a direct train of thought but somehow after coming inside, sniffling and my hair sufficiently humidity ruined, I really wished it was summer. Despite the fact that my birthday is smack in the middle, summer happens to be one of my favourite seasons. I say one because there are times when I could live every day in a Vancity autumn. The trees, the colours, the comfort food! I digress.
Back to summer. One of my favourite things to do is pack up my selection of beads, hemp and girlfriends and trek down to Wreck Beach. (No, we don't go fully nude). The atmosphere is far more tranquil and beach-like there, rather than enduring the surplus of body oil and trance-blasting-muscle-morons at Kits. If only there were starbucks/sushi/gelato at Wreck too, then I might never leave!
Another favourite summer haunt of mine is my top deck. When the vines are in full foliage, they create a secluded oasis perfect for tanning or curling up in our hammock with a good book.
Sigh, can't wait for summer!
Fellow Vancouverites, what are your favourite things to do when we finally get some warm weather?
And Global amigos, I'd love to hear what's great to do in the summer months in your home towns!

Happy summer lusting everyone!

Hi ho, Hi ho.

It's off to the island I go! Hope everyone had a great week, I'm sure glad it's over! I'm just getting ready and packing the essentials. How many nail polishes/sunglasses/purses is too many for one weekend? For some reason I have a harder time packing for short trips than I do for long ones. So far, computer, aviators, socks, makeup, iPod, sweater and english paper. I always try to layer clothing for traveling, it saves space in my bag, and helps keep me warm on the ferry which always seems to be a little chilly no matter what corner close to an outlet I tuck into. So here goes, slowly packing enough to entertain myself while my boy works on Sunday. (I'm a little excited, it's been a long 3 weeks apart!)

Have a fabulous weekend everyone! 

Hope you too get to spend it with the one you love <3

St. Patty's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! I wish there was as much of a celebration for Irish holidays as there was for other cultures in Vancouver, however I'm glad to be able to participate today! Would love some soda bread and Guinness for breakfast mmmmm.

{via}