2012: Year in Review

2012 has come and gone. Can you believe it? Where did the time go? It seems as though it was yesterday I was making my first New Year’s resolution.

In 2012 I resolved to try something new every month. I think I succeeded.

January: rode in an ambulance and got CT scan

February: went on a date with a complete stranger (in NYC no less!)

March: applied for a job I didn’t have a chance in getting, but landed among the top 3 candidates

April: signed up for the Bar Method’s 90 Day Challenge

May: took a leap of faith

June: applied for my first out of Province job

July: attended a wedding solo where I'm not really tight with anyone other than the bride and groom (Yes, it’s just as awkward as it sounds)

August: went to my first music festival

September: took my first overnight bus trip from Ottawa to NYC and back

October: joined the FHFF team/started shamelessly promoting myself to strangers in Ottawa to get a job

November: started my first French novel (I’m still reading it…)/met 1-on-1 with the Associate of my department/submitted my first article for print

December: did the bone luge at Wildebeest

2012 was a bit of a tough year for me, but it's ended on a solid, good note and I can't wait to share it with you. 

Did you manage to keep your 2012 resolution? What are you resolving for 2013?

Have a happy and safe New Year! See you in 2013!

Photoblog: Ottawa

As we here in Vancouver bask in the wonderfully wet and mild winter (where my friend recently went golfing), I thought I'd share some over due photos from my most recent(ish) trip to our nation's capital, Ottawa (where they have a ridiculous amount of snow). It's a lovely city with so much more to offer than just Parliament (which is pretty cool). I would recommend visiting before it loses it's charm (and becomes as touristy as Victoria - you know what I'm talking about).

Burrata & figs from Town

The sun setting over Parliament & the Peace Tower

Yeah, I wore a hoodie dress to a black tie event

Persian delights 

Repping Canada on Remembrance Day 

Carb goodness from Grounded

Coffee tools at Bridgehead

Remembering at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Delicious Caesar from Oz Kafe 

Rabbit poutine from Oz Kafe

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers (for men)

Stockings can be one of the most fun and easiest things you can put together for Christmas. But aside from the standard fare (magazines, mandarin oranges), here are some items that show just that little bit of extra effort.

Image via Dela Cruz PR

Instance Harlow socks - $11.50
Cool socks for guys are a thing right now.

Image via Dela Cruz PR

Urbanears Medis earbuds - $60
They come in a variety of colours, patterns, and styles.

Save on Meats sandwich tokens

Encourage do-gooding.

Image via etsy.com

My Bella copper money clip -  $24
The best part, get it personalized. Lots of other styles available on Etsy.

Image via amazon.com

Tovolo sphere ice molds - $12 (set of 2)

Round ice prevents your drinks from becoming diluted.

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers (for women)

Stockings can be one of the most fun and easiest things you can put together for Christmas. But aside from the standard fare (magazines, mandarin oranges), here are some items that show just that little bit of extra effort.

Image via sarahapp.com

The Lip Slip - $24 (from BeautyMark)
My favourite lip gloss. Read my review.

Image via kitchening.ca

Kitchening & Co. macarons (Urban Fare & various other Vancouver locations)
Delicious and they look pretty.

Image via katespade.com

Kate Spade business card case  - $58

It's always really great to be able to give someone your business card from a professional looking case. If this one's out of your budget, Etsy has lots.

Image via cwonder.com

C.Wonder cashmere heart gloves - $58

They're super cute and they have smartphone-capable fingers!

Image via cwonder.com

C.Wonder monogrammed stationary cards - $10 (set of 8)
Because everyone wants monogrammed stationary. No? Just me?

Bombay Brow Bar brow tab (6 services for the price of 5)
I don't know about you, but I'd be stoked to get this.

Event: The Sartorialist x Secret Location

Vancouverites, the Mayans must've been right; the end must be near. Why else would fashion's most famous blogger grace us with his presence?

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, The Sartorialist was here.

We came, we saw, he signed books (and prints), and was just a delight.

We were discussing how he picked the images for his prints

Aside from how he picked the images that were made into prints (he felt that they all kind of represented places he's visited), we also briefly discussed something, or someone, new to his site...

Last week, my friend Justin tweeted that his "first post" was up on The Sartorialist. Puzzled, I clicked through.

As it turns out, Justin (of Tucked Style) is the newest member of The Sartorialist team as the Men's Fashion Editor. He's crazy, fun, knows his menswear, and is a very talented photographer. I strongly recommend checking out his blog.

Being in Vancouver, I often forget that in other places, particularly in the US, people actually blog for a living. In fact, they not only blog for a living, but in Scott's case, he can gainfully employ others - not just have free interns (that BoF article is extremely interesting, by the way).

But that's a topic for a different post.

Blazer: Forever 21, T-shirt: Wilfred, Jeans: Banana Republic, Boots: Rachel Comey