Wedding Wednesday – Honeymooners!

Happy Wednesday everyone! I am so excited to fill you in on a fun aspect of the wedding planning, the honeymoon!! Woot woot!

The second Ryan and I started talking about our honeymoon we agreed that we wanted to go away right after the wedding! It was so important that those few days right after we got married were spent together away somewhere, enjoying people calling us, “Mr and Mrs".

We had this wonderful plan that we were set on! We were going to fly out to Nova Scotia, rent a car and travel around the east coast enjoying seafood, beaches and each other!

This past summer my Mom and Dad drove down to Nova Scotia for a vacation. Mom was fast on the horn to me to let me know she was concerned about our honeymoon plans.

Mom discovered that even in July the weather was very cold and that it would most definitely be cold in May. She also discovered that most of the attractions that we wanted to see were not open until AFTER the May long weekend. So, we would be there cold and with no attractions to see….mmm….

A small moment of panic came over me when I realized we had to change the whole plan!! As a self professed organizer/planner this was a nightmare.  But, being the calm one in the relationship, Ryan quickly made me relax and reassured me that we would find something just as wonderful!

Well, I’m sure you all know now what I did….I Googled, “Top 10 Best Honeymoon Destinations”.

The search worked and it brought us to a whole bunch of different options. Mexico, Europe, Caribbean and many more! We continued our search by looking at hotels that we thought sounded nice in the destinations. After searching for about an hour we stumbled across the Sandals website.

There was something about their “honeymoon” feature that struck a cord for us. Quickly, we decided, Sandals Royal Bahamian resort was for us.

I know, it’s pretty crazy to go from this adventurous (drive around east coast) trip to a relaxed all inclusive. However, the more and more we thought about it, the more we liked the idea of spending the week after our wedding being pampered! Not having to think about where to eat, stay or drink! It was all there for us!

The best part about our Sandals package? Is that it is the honeymoon package! This means they are going to be doing some extra special surprises for us and continually recognizing the fact that we are newlyweds!  (Hello, massages, Royals Royce car service and our own butler)

A honeymoon was something we both wanted to share together as soon as we got married. We had to adjust our plans at first but it was all for a good reason! The Bahamas' are going to be a relaxing week, sun filled time as we enjoy each other as husband and wife! Can’t wait!

xo

Fievel Goes…I mean, Lindsay Goes West – Part 1

Hey everyone! So, as some of you already know, I was off for one whole week! Every summer Ryan and I take a week off of work and spend the time together traveling and relaxing. This year was no different. One of my best friends, Amanda had made the decision to be with your boyfriend, Josh, in Calgary Alberta.

After visiting with them at one point this year we all came up with an idea. I would drive out to Calgary with Amanda and Ryan would fly out to meet us. We would then spend the week seeing Alberta with Amanda and Josh!

Early (5 AM) 2 Sunday’s ago, Amanda and I loaded up her small focus and headed west!

Being that I had driven out west and back before I knew what to expect. I knew that the first leg of our trip across Ontario was going to be the hardest! It’s basically, a 16 hour drive across rocks and trees!

However, by switching the driving duties back and forth we made it Thunder Bay, Ontario with only one speeding ticket but basically in great shape!

We tucked into our hotel (finally) but with little sleep before waking up late (friggin phone alarm clocks) we guzzled the coffee and headed a few hours west for Manitoba!

It was a great feeling to finally hit another province! We grabbed a quick bite and continued driving until we finally hit Saskatchewan.

Finally, we could move our clocks two hours behind, we were in the final time zone! Feeling energized we decided to drive straight through to Calgary!

It was a long and late night of driving. Almost 20 hours later we were so happy to see the lights of Calgary, Alberta and even happier to see our beds! P.S Excuse me, Alberta, you suck! You have no sign for us to take a picture at!

It really is an amazing experience to drive across Canada and I would totally recommend anyone to do it. However, here are a couple of things I would have to recommend:

1. Don’t stay in Thunder Bay. Keep driving to Dryden! Thunder Bay can be a very sketchy and scary town! I mean crack heads in the potential hotel lobby! Geez!

2. Satellite radio is great but NOT for long distant drives! They play the exact same songs over and over again!! By the end of the trip Amanda and I were both happy never to hear Jake Owens, Barefoot Blue Jean Night again!

3. Bring toilette paper! If you are the kind of girl that can’t “pop a squat”  (aka, pee anywhere) then driving long distances is not for you! When driving across Canada there are not many rest stops! At times you could go hours without even seeing a store! So, pulling over on a side road just might be necessary!

4. Most important, an amazing friend to chat, sing and have fun with!!

xo

Woopsy!

 

As you can see below there are three posts, 1 weeks worth of blogs! You see, being the BRILLANT blogger that I have come to be I thought I was so smart by “pre-writing” my blogs and scheduling them to appear on set day!

Ryan and I left for our 1 weeks vacation, without my trusty computer! Quickly, I learned that my posts were not showing up! What the heck!

Apparently, I forgot to click, publish….woopsy! I guess I’m not as brilliant as I thought!

*Hangs head in shame*

xo

House Tour – Spare Bedroom

The house that I currently live in (and soon Ryan will too, 246 days, woo hoo!) has 4 bedrooms, sort of.

You see, the master bedroom is very obviously a master bed room because of the size and the walk in closet. There are two spare bedrooms that were part of the original house build in 1912. Luckily, for me, these rooms actually have closets, unheard of in that time. There is also one last bedroom that is part of the addition my parents put on. This bedroom doesn’t have a closet and is abut the size of a small bathroom! Perfect room for a future nursery, as I jokingly tell Ryan! :-) For now, it’s used as Tuckers bedroom and storage.

Being that I selfishly used one of the full sized bedrooms as my new craft room I was still without a room for guests. I easily decided the other full room was going to be the guest room.

This room originally was mine growing up! It was lovingly called the “purple room” being that was what the wall color was for most of my youth. When I was very little my parents bought me some good quality wood bedroom pieces. These were a very good investment being that they are still in such great shape! It made for renovating this bedroom super cheap. Furniture, check!

Here’s the before pictures:

 

The floors were stripped back to the original hardwood floor. Out went the ugly grey carpet 2 years prior to this project. Talk about a big job! Linoleum tile over more linoleum tile and topped off with carpet! AHHH! 

About 3 years ago my family and I were staying in a hotel in Mont Tremblant. On each bed was a beautifully knitted blanket. It was as soft as silk and made out of the most amazing colors! I went on and on about this blanket! I wanted to take it home. Being that I’m not a kleptomaniac I said good bye. A few months later at Christmas “Santa” had phoned the hotel and found this blanket! I was so happy!

 

The Blanket

The whole room idea revolved around this one blanket. Being that this blanket is a rusty red a chocolate brown was picked out of a big catalogue of paint samples.

I went with some teal accessories from Home Sense (LOVE!) to bring out that thread color in my new throw. Finally, the add some light to the dark brown walls I opted for a nice clean white quilt for the bed.

With a few more special touches like, a homemade doll bed my Dad made me when I was little and “Ryan and Lindsay” beds, the room was complete!

The room has been used a few times and I am so glad I have somewhere besides the couch for a guest to sleep! I have to say, besides my closet, it turned out to be my most favorite room. It’s so bright and cheery, it’s my old room! I just love it. Maybe it’s the appreciation for all the hard work that took to get to this point. Maybe it’s the thought of all the family that has stayed in this room prior. But mostly, it’s the comforting feeling of getting another room done in the house. Is this what they call “nesting”? :-)

Happy Friday!

xo

Wedding Wednesday – Flower Power Part 3

Happy Wednesday everyone!!! I wish I could say how much I want the weekend to get here but I don’t!! This is my weeks holiday and I want it to go as SLOW as possible!

On today’s Wedding Wednesday post I’d like to finish up the flower talk! What’s left? Well, we need to decorate the church and hall!

The church Ryan and I are getting married in is pretty small. The pews don’t really have arms that would allow for flowers to hang from. There is however these big beautiful windows with nice window sills. These windowsills are decorated by the ladies of the church every fall!

In order to keep with the rustic/vintage theme the flowers will be going in big mason jars instead of vases. There will be one yellow flower arrangement for each window.

At the head of the church there are two large wooden doors and the florist suggested two full flower wreaths that would accent the area with flowers without doing the typical floral arrangement.

For centre pieces I wanted to keep it relatively simple and again going with the theme of the wedding. Mason jars filled with yellow Gerber daisies, calla lilies and roses. There will be one for every table. It is very important that they are short enough that people can look and talk over top of them to the other side of the table.

I will be adding some raffia ribbon to each jar before brining them to the florist. Just a little DIY project for a special touch.

 

I have to admit picking flowers was so easy! With flowers, I knew what I wanted! Dare I say flowers were far easier then “the dress”? As for right now, this is the final list of flowers for the wedding. I’m happy with this because there is not too little and not too many! In the words of Goldilocks, “Just right!”

Happy Wednesday!

xo

A Sure Sign You’re Growing Up…..

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had an amazing weekend! I know I did! Most people are off work today (in Canada) because it is Labor Day long weekend! Around these parts that’s known as SHAWVILLE FAIR WEEKEND!

Every year growing up I would SOOO look forward to the fair. When I was smaller it was the rides and games. The older I got the more I appreciated the bands and the beer tent! Either way it was an event I loved to partake in every year. Until now….

Don’t get me wrong, I still love the fair. It’s a sure sign of fall, which has to be my most favorite season! In fact, I even went to the fair for a while this year too! However, I really didn’t get excited over the anticipation of the upcoming local fair like I use to!

I’m SO over standing in line for rides! The games and food are just so expensive and now I look forward to sleeping in my own bed so I want to drive home (which means no drinks for me).

I’ll always go to the fair and support the awesome event. But for this year anyways, I just wasn’t into it. I know I am far from being “old” but I can’t help looking back onto my care free fair days! The fun that was had was sometimes reckless, and silly but it still made for a lot of great memories.

On a more upbeat note, yesterday marked 2 years since I have started blogging! Wow!! This blog has become such a wonderful place and community for me. Not only do I have a great writing outlet but I’ve met some get people along the way too! Thank you to all of you who follow! It is greatly appreciated!

Happy Monday!

xo

The Love Story Of Grease Monkey and Bionic Woman

Remember before when I mentioned I’m odd? Well today’s post will demonstrate this. If you would prefer to avoid nonsense you will want turn away now.

Well….I warned you! :-)

You know how most people grow out of their imagination? Well, not me! I use to make up stories when I was a little girl. Really about anything at all! Whatever it was, the story popped into my head!

Yesterday, I was in the car with my brother and saw these two bikes in front of us. Instantly, a story came to mind that explains their biker names on their leather jackets!

So, without further adieu, a rare glimpse into my mind as I tell you the love story of Grease Money and Bionic Woman. 

Once upon a time there was a beautiful biker princess named Bionic Woman. All the kingdoms around would talk about how lovely Bionic Woman was! She had the most beautiful black leather dress and hair feathers with beads.

Bionic Woman was very independent and brave. She would travel far and wide on adventures. One day while roaming her kingdom the evil Hell’s Angel flew from his perch and attacked the poor princess.

With all the commotion and noise a young, quite humble young monkey woke from his sleep. Quickly, he realized someone was in trouble and jumped onto his Harley to help. Rushing over the where the Hell’s Angel was attacking Bionic Woman the Grease Money popped a wheelie on his bike and off flew the frightened Hell’s Angel.

The Bionic Woman was so happy to have been saved. She walked over to her hero and slowly pulled off his helmet to reveal his face. Quickly, the Bionic Women jumped back when she saw that in fact her hero was a hairy monkey.

The Grease Monkey was so ashamed of his appearance. The Bionic Women gently tilted the Monkey’s chin and looked into those brave innocent brown monkey eyes. She grabbed his grease filled hands and felt a love that she had never felt before.

Grease Money and Bionic Women hopped onto the back of their bikes and rode off together in the sunset to live happily ever after.

See, I told you I was weird! :-)

Happy Friday!

xo