Featured on Style Me Pretty

Our wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty Canada yesterday, which – to someone who has followed the blog since 2008 – is a big deal. I’m basking in the glow that is C Star Events’ first official “feature” and the memories that these happy photos bring me. Our vendors collectively facilitated the most perfect day.  Thanks, team. 

autumnal love

Autumn is my favourite season. Around these parts we're warming up with new hand-knit sweaters, stocking up at the last farmers' market of the year, enjoying pub favourites (deep fried pickles rule my world), getting crafty with DIY projects, baking delicious birthday treats (happy birthday, Jen!), walking through crunchy leaves, adorning the front door with pink pumpkins, and prepping for Wednesday with a couple of favourite halloween decorations.

My heart is happy. What is your favourite thing about fall?




(images processed with Instagram. follow along: username cstarevents).

dream bank.

Every once in a while a product comes along that makes me excited. Enter:  Uncommon Goods' Dream Bank.

Isn't this the perfect way to get excited about a future trip, outfit, or pet? I can also see it as an effective aide to help teach a child how to save money for a special purchase. Heck, it would work on me. Consider this one wish-listed!

Thanks to my sister Jenn for telling me about this.




(photo courtesy of uncommon goods).

the golden flamingos have taken flight

Remember this post? The day has finally come. This morning I am heading south of the border to Palm Springs to spend three sun-filled days with my gaggle of golden flamingos to celebrate friendship (& a party B and I are throwing in September). I am blessed to have such amazing women in my life and I am so looking forward to catching up with them poolside. This weekend also marks the two-week-countdown to our wedding day which is crazy exciting.

Happy weekending, all! If you can, take a moment to celebrate friendship with your favourite lady bird(s). After all, "no one looks stupid when they're having fun" (Amy Poehler quote).

Rifle 2013 Cities Calendar

As a long-time fan of Anna Bond's paintings at Rifle Paper Co., the recently released cities 2013 calendar makes me very happy. Considering the fact that B and I are planning a 2013 Euro-trip, I'm quite certain this baby belongs on a wall in our kitchen. Bonus: the hand painted maps would make great prints (to keep or gift) once the month passed.


(images courtesy of Rifle Paper Co.)

girl effect.

Just when I thought Kal couldn't get any more awesome she's gone and done it: her art shop is currently stocked with these girl power bracelets. The bracelets - designed by Winnipeg based jewelry designer Hilary Druxman - have been created in support of girleffect.org who put it best: The math is simple: Girls + Girl Champions = Something Way Bigger Than All Of Us. Now that's a movement I can stand behind. 

Pop on over to Kal's corner of the internet to have a look (after all, these pretties would make a great gift). More information about Girl Effect can be found here.

Oh, and while you're there: make sure you check out these rad key tags (link with love, y'all).



(Photographs courtesy of Kal Barteski).

Bits + Pieces of Springtime

Oh, hey.  I'm back.  I took an impromptu week off of blogging to get things in order, off line.  I then realized that - try as I might - that's not going to happen (I'm much more organized in my head).  It's spring time which means I'm distracted by everything: a hallway of balloons as a birthday surprise for B, pretty spring flowers atop my mantle, and the blue blue sky, to name a few.

I've been plugging away at wedding projects (check back tomorrow for a status update) and attempting to get things in order.  Today is the four month countdown to our wedding which simultaneously makes me dizzy, smile, and sick to my stomach, in the best way possible. I have some fun wedding posts lined up so - I promise - more on this soon.

I hope your week is going well.  Mine has been messy, but then again...

(Poster by Amanda Catherine Designs).

Jayme Dee, Somebody That I Used to Know (cover of Gotye/Kimbra)

I'm in love with all things Jayme Dee; her voice is one part gritty, two parts sweetness, altogether beautiful. Oh, and she's featured on The Hunger Games soundtrack which means she's my kind of people.

This Gotye/Kimbra number has been on replay in our house for a few weeks so I was excited to hear Jayme's stripped down version. Visit her Youtube stream for some awesome covers and her new original pieces.

Happy Sunday.


(video courtesy of Jayme Dee's Youtube channel).

Healing Hearts

I wanted to share a few photos from the Healing Hearts fundraiser event that took place in Kamloops on March 3. The night was full of many laughs and a few - aptly chosen - songs. Proceeds from the evening went to the RCMP Victim Services unit who help families as they face tragedy.

The night also marked the first time Lisa McCauley took to the stage since her husband Jim was killed. Lisa was glowing as she delivered material that had every single person in the house laughing, some until they were crying. She showed immense strength in her ability to deliver a performance that was beautiful, touching, and altogether hilarious. My favourite photos of the night are from when her three boys jumped on the stage at the end of her performance and showered her with flowers and hugs.

I feel so blessed to have been in attendance; my heart was warmed by the experience. Lisa, you are awesome. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.

Happy International Women's Day

Lisa McCauley

My dear friend Lisa is an amazing mother, a thoughtful friend, and a hilarious comedienne. She is one of my favourite people on this earth and last night she was featured on Global BC. Lisa was interviewed by Mike McCardell and spoke about life without her husband Jim, the father of their three boys who was killed in a car accident late last year. A loss like this leaves the type of pain that you'd never wish upon anyone; the type of pain that, as a friend, you can only begin to imagine.

As can be identified in the short news clip, Lisa is an absolute inspiration and one hell of a mother. Further proof of her remarkable strength is in the fact that she is taking to the stage this Saturday for Healing Hearts With the Magic of Laughter and Song, a fundraiser benefitting the Kamloops RCMP Victim Services group. The fact that she is taking to the stage is amazing on many levels; however, to know Lisa is to understand that she is a giver and taking part in a fundraising benefit that will inevitably help people in her very shoes is just in her nature.




This Saturday Lisa will be doing what she does best: spreading love and bringing laughter to everyone in her presence. Jim, her biggest fan, will be so proud of her. The rest of us will definitely laugh, probably cry, and continue to be inspired by her.

Lisa wrote a book that I think everyone should read. Visit her website to learn more.




(video clip courtesy of Global BC, event poster courtesy of Kamloops Convention Centre).

Friends with Kids

I can't wait to see this Jennifer Westfeldt film (she wrote, directed, and stars in it). The cast looks amazing and I'm so excited to see the Bridesmaids-allum team up again; these beautiful people make damn hilarious films.

It looks like it hits theatres March 9, everywhere. Visit the official site for more information.


What is the funniest movie you've seen lately?

Ian Cole

Ian Cole has one of the best websites I've seen in a while. His design talents aside, I was instantly captivated by the creative portrayal of his work through his interactive website. It's as though you are stepping into his designer mind and watching his projects unfold before your eyes.

As a fan of the letterpress (and of random, quirky, thoughts) I'm particularly smitten with his 73 Letterpress project. 73 nights in a row, Ian printed a thought on his letterpress, subsequently creating a collection of beautiful art.

While you visit his website to view this and other projects he's completed, I'll be trying to figure out how I can get my hands on one of these printed thoughts...





(Images courtesy of Field Notes, Ian Coyle; the second photo was taken by Lindsay Josal).

Good Things are Worth Sharing

Have you seen the newest way to spread the word on LINKwithlove? Key tags! They're pretty + colourful+ come in a two pack for sharing. Word on the street is that these babies are moving quickly so get yours soon (here) and be the change.




(Images courtesy of Kal Barteski for LINKwithlove).

Link With Love, revisited.

(click on image to enlarge).

Hi friends. Today I'm talking about intellectual property and crediting. Although I've touched on this before, I wanted to revisit the topic as more and more of my friends have entered the world of Pinterest and are now disseminating images all over the internet. I've been passionate about this topic since university and it's something I want to ensure others, especially those closest to me, are aware of. Consider this post my soapbox speech and, if you'd be so kind, I'd love it if you would please read on.


Incorrect image/idea crediting. It's something we've all been unknowingly guilty of at some point. It is also something that is so easily avoided by educating ourselves on the best practices that we are all capable of following.

Before re-pinning, re-blogging, or re-tweeting something, make sure the image (a) has a link and (b) is linked back to the original source. When the link is available, share away; when it isn't, do the work and find the original source to update the link and credit appropriately. By doing so, you're ensuring the idea/ photo/ image is linked back to its original source and subsequent "shares" will be done so appropriately.

It's not all about financial compensation, folks; it's about striking a fair balance between original ideas and interpretations of those ideas. We might not be able to credit absolutely everything that inspires us because sometimes we can't explain it, let alone map it out in clean links. However, in this day and age, when we have google, IMDB, shazam, and other searchable databases at our finger tips, it's appropriate to acknowledge the creator, wherever possible.

The image above (created by erin loechner and pia bijkerk with yvette's lovely handmade fonts) says it perfectly. Please join the movement and continue to educate yourself and share with others.

A great place to start is by following the work of these movements:


In their words... LINKwithlove is the idea that by banding together in a "neighbourhood watch" type way - we, the internet, could teach and learn respect when dealing with intellectual property online.


In their words... Creative Commons develops, supports, and stewards legal and technical infrastructure that maximizes digital creativity, sharing, and innovation.


So... are you onboard? Do you link with love in your daily practise?




(Top image created by erin loechner and pia bijkerk with yvette's lovely handmade fonts).

embrace your inner fool.

I must learn to love the fool in me - the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool.

Theodore I. Rubin, MD


When I read this quote (shared by Joanna) it really resonated with me. Today and every day, I hope you are reminded to embrace your inner fool.


What is your favourite quote?



(Quote via A Cup of Joe. Photo of my un-pedicured feet in the Pacific Ocean, moments before B & I got engaged).

A Handy Tip for the Easily Distracted

Simply put: I need to do more of this.



(Video by courtesy of nowness discovered via bleubird vintage).

Work Hard & Be Nice to People.

This is my new mantra.

I love it because it's straightforward + true. I especially love it because it puts the onus on me. Although I am not in control of what the world throws at me, I am in control of what I put out into this world.

It's a simple sentiment but it has put a lot into perspective for me. I hope you join me in the power of positive thought.

Wouldn't this pretty print be the perfect addition to a dressing table or entry way? It's a great way to start the day and a good reminder before leaving the house.



(letterpress print courtesy of sugar paper).

we're getting hitched!

Apologies for being MIA. My excuses? A fantastic holiday to Oregon (more to come on this subject) and an exciting proposal (much more to come on this one). That's right, Ben and I are engaged. We're in the process of letting this all sink in and bask in the excitement + love + awesomeness that is all around us.

I promise, I have an arsenal of posts that will be surfacing shortly. Until then... Happy Monday, friends.



(photos courtesy of the fantastic b&w booth at Ace Hotel, Portland).

In case you were wondering:
a. yes, I am excited about my ring
b. yes, that's our dog in the first strip, and
c. yes, Bauer was allowed in the booth. I asked.

script school

I was working on a few online projects last night which allowed me to catch Kal's early bird tweet about this course (starting September 12).

Since I have had an exorbitant number of words, ideas, and verses floating around in my head over the last few months, this course has presented itself as the outlet I've been waiting for. Needless to say, I'm already registered.

I cannot wait to collaborate with beautiful minds and get messy. As the artist herself aptly puts it, this is the perfect opportunity to "be motivated and inspired by the beauty."

Visit her website to learn more.



(Course + poster courtesy of Kal Barteski).