Our Wedding: the invitations.

Ben & I decided early on that we wanted our wedding invitations to be unique, personalized, and fun. We quickly set to work on the content, editing his version and my version together to create our story. When it came time to design the invitation I looked to one of my favourite people - Jessica Luch - who also happens to be a creative genius and a graphic designer. I provided Jess with a few pieces of inspiration and asked that it resemble an artistic poster; what she came up with was more than I could have ever imagined. 

Jess linked me up with Manna of Modus Paperie & Press in Vancouver who printed our invitations by letterpress. The beauty of letterpress is that each invitation is hand-printed and therefore unique which is such a special touch.  

The personalization of the envelopes and the postage was a labour of love. After ordering this stamp (by Elise) I knew I had to incorporate it into our invites. Together my bridesmaid Jillian and I shared a bottle of wine and had a ball scripting personalized messages for the envelopes. It was a fun & unexpected way of incorporating personality into our invites. This gorgeous postage stamp featuring Smoothly She Shifted by Canadian artist Joe Fafard was the final touch, tying together our eclectic black and white motif. 

I'm so proud of our invitations and how they became a conversation piece and a true representation of Ben + me. The feedback we received from our guests was overwhelming. We have one framed in our room; they are literally a work of art. 

(invitations designed by Jessica Luch and printed by Modus Paperie & Press. top + bottom photos by Adrian Photography; center photos processed with Instagram). 

Belmondo Organic Skincare

One of my New Years' Resolutions is a goal to eat more cleanly. I've extended this to all aspects of my body in efforts to live more cleanly. First on the docket: my skin. I've successfully incorporated water into my daily practise, carrying it with me everywhere. I've noticed that my skin improves when I make a conscious effort to drink water regularly. It's no wonder why I instantly fell in love with Daniela Belmondo's (Vancouver-based) organic skin care line, Belmondo; it makes my skin feel just as amazing.

I am fortunate enough to be friends with some pretty wonderful people, one of whom is Nicole. My favourite shop-owner and eco fashionista recently gifted me this travel sample set and I was instantly hooked.

If you follow this blog you know that I don't often write product-heavy posts. You also know that I don't write "sponsor posts." I write about what I like and I like Belmondo. As women, we spend countless hours poking and prodding at our faces and absorbent amounts of money on products to cover them up. For me, it was time to simplify.

Enter, Daniela: "I believe that beautiful skin comes from products derived from the earth’s pure and restorative ingredients. I’ve formulated this organic olive oil-based skin care line to protect, nourish, and enhance the natural beauty of those who use my products." I dig it. (and if that wasn't enough... she, and the company she founded, love animals, respect mama earth, think local, and are helping to build an orphanage in South Africa. What a mantra).

If you're interested in having a look at these products in person (or in giving them a smell) pop into body politic. Otherwise, the products are available online. If you end up giving any a try, I'd love to hear what you think.

Which leads me to my next questions: what is your current skin care routine? what products do you love?




(Photo courtesy of Belmondo via body politic).

Sam & Brock tie the knot.

Sam & Brock were married September 4 on a beautifully sunny Vancouver day. It was a fantastic celebration full of endless laughs, a few tears, and many memories, new & old. B & I feel so lucky that these two wonderful people are in our lives and that we were asked to share in their wedding day, one we won't soon forget.

Wishing you a life of happiness (& many, many, NYE parties shared with friends). Big Love.




(Photos via Instagram).

snapshots from a week of fun.

I was fortunate enough to have had last week off work. I was even more fortunate to have been able to spend this time with a collection of wonderful people. My iPhone and I saw some awesome things. If you follow me on twitter, you may have noticed that Instagram is my new favourite ap...

1. Fresh mojitos at local.
2. Martini bar at this lady's Sex and the City bridal shower.
3. Dinner at Nana + Papa's in False Creek.
4. Gelato with my sister.
5. Celebrating (a very belated) father's day with the bro, pa, and sis at the Vancouver Canadian's game.
6. I flew South of the boarder with a flock of Sam's Sassy Seagals (which is also known as a stagette or bachelorette or hen party, depending on where you're from).

It was a wonderful time.

Now that I'm home, and (some of) my laundry has been done, I'm raring to start on a few projects. I also plan on savouring every.last.bit of summer 2011 because although it's been a beautiful one I can feel autumn right around the corner.

Emilie + Daryl: Hey Wedding!

I am thrilled that I have the opportunity to share this stunning wedding with you. The bride and I went to elementary school together and - thanks to the power of the Internet - we have reconnected over the past few years. The time spent hearing all about her special day has been to my absolute delight; it is inspiring to hear about a couple so in love. Although I haven't yet met Daryl, I hold him in high regards for his taste in suits, music, and women. I wish you a lifetime of love & laughter, E & D.


Emilie and Daryl were married on February 12, 2011, at the historic Vancouver Club. Their wedding was captured by Karolina Turek.


The bride was impeccably adorned, donning a timeless pair of Louboutins and a stunning Enzoani sash (although, Daryl affectionately referred to the latter as her fanny pack).


Emilie loves white flowers and neutral palettes so this was the natural starting point when it came to style and decor. Wedding Design Studio assembled the bridal party's classic bouquets (white/ivory roses, hydrangea, freesia, baby's breath and leafy greens) and the venue's decor.


Emilie put her bridesmaids to work: "It actually took 5 people to get my dress on properly." Their gorgeous dresses are Melissa Sweet. Emilie's mum Jacquie was equally beautiful in her black and white number.


I love the way Emilie describes Daryl and his groomsmen: "Daryl likes his suits quite tailored so the guys all had custom suits made. His vision was definitely Mad Men inspired and I love a man in a good suit and John Hamm's pretty dreamy. We bought the groomsmen black silk pocket squares and black bow ties. It was so cute when they all had to get YouTube up on the iPhones to learn how to tie a bow tie because I didn't get the pre-tied ones. I thought everyone should just wear their own black shoes and belts so that it wasn't super matchy-matchy. Daryl and each of his groomsmen looked so amazing and handsome, I was extremely impressed."


Their style matches the vintage-feel of the venue and the classic neutral palette, perfectly.


I absolutely love this photo of Emilie and her dad, Gavin, just as much as I love the caption that comes with it: "My dad actually told me to 'get it together' because I was so close to tears!" Adorable.


This wedding was full of beautiful people.


Mad Men, Beautiful Bridesmaids, and the Happy Couple.


This is another one of my favourites. Très chic.


First dance as husband & wifey.


Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dances. So sweet.


Although Wedding Design Studio beautified the room the day of the wedding, Emilie decided to design her own vases: "I decided to make my own mercury glass vases after learning that buying or renting mercury glass vases was going to cost me half almost 5 months salary. I sourced out Krylon "Looking Glass Paint" (really important you don't just use chrome paint because it doesn't give the same result) and went to five or six Value Villages around the Lower Mainland and bought out like 60 various shapes of glass vases. My MOH Amanda and bridesmaids Jessica and Karleigh helped me spray them one rainy fall afternoon and I'll just say we all kind of enjoyed the sensation we got after a few hours holed up in a garage with the spray cans... They turned out pretty good I think!"


Emilie was also kind enough to provide a few schedule details: "Since our wedding ceremony and reception were both held at the same venue we decided to have a 430pm ceremony followed by a cocktail hour with hot and cold canapes in a separate room at which time the bridal party took group photos. I LOVED having the ceremony/reception in the same venue and I think many of our guests enjoyed it too. The Vancouver Club facilitated such a smooth transition from room to room and everything went really well while we were off taking pictures. At about 6:45 our guests were directed to come into the ballroom where Daryl and I greeted everyone as they came into the room. I decided to do that as oppose to a receiving line right after the ceremony." I love this idea.

Advice to other brides-to-be? "Everyone say's this, but it's so important - don't stress so much! People get so carried away with wedding planning and often forget what the purpose of the day is. I'm really happy that we planned a great party in under 10 months and were still madly in love after the day was over. There were times when I felt a lot of pressure so I think I handled it pretty well."

Favourite part of your wedding? "The speeches were absolutely my favorite part of the wedding. I mean, everyone loves to hear their closest friends and family say nice things about them and ours did just that. The caliber of speakers was top notch; they all turned into comedians! I guess we gave them quite a bit of content over the years to help make their speeches funny to say the least. My dad's speech was so touching, I cried pretty much the whole time he was up there."


To summarize their special day, Emilie put it perfectly: "We had so many people tell us they had a great time and so in my mind, everything was absolutely perfect. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better day."


Congratulations, again, Emilie & Daryl.



Vendors

Letterpress Invitations: printed by Black Stone Press / Photobooth: Photobooth Vancouver (see some photobooth photos from their wedding here) / Flowers & Decor: Wedding Design Studio / Venue & Catering: Vancouver Club / Honeymoon Suite: Fairmont Pacific Rim / Bridesmaid Dresses: Melissa Sweet (in Dove Grey) / Photography: Karolina Turek
Videography: Blue Pencil Productions / Make Up: Sarah Parkes (of M.A.C.) / Hair: Lucy O'Neill & Brie Barker / Musicians: Renee & Stephan Bulat / Marriage Commissioner: Maureen Hunter.

Emilie & Daryl: Engagement Shoot

Very shortly, I will be sharing the beautiful wedding of this girl and this guy. It's quite something so don't stray too far...

In the meantime, I wanted to share the lovely collection of engagement photos that Emilie and Daryl had taken (by Emilie's talented brother Dylan) in Point Grey.


I love the lighting and the style of Dylan's work. Amazing job.

PS: Emilie and Daryl, you're freaking adorable.

(Photos by Dylan Yee).

Aidan Knight - Jasper

Jasper by Aidan Knight from Aidan Knight on Vimeo.

Today I'm getting my life organized, cleaning my house, and starting a few projects that have been sitting around waiting for me to get my butt in gear. This song is on my playlist and I've hit 'replay' at least a half dozen times. I love his voice. Ah, BC talent at it's finest.

On that note, who's attending KHATSAHLANO! The West 4th Music + Arts Festival on July 23? There are 5 stages of FREE live music and should NOT be missed. Find more information, here.



(Video courtesy of Aidan Knight).

M & J.

Today Ben and I are in Delta prepping for the highly anticipated wedding of our amazing friends Matt & Jen who get married TOMORROW on the ninth day of July, their ninth anniversary. (Where has the time gone)? B and I are so very excited to stand up beside these two beautiful people and toast to the next chapters of their story. Congratulations Matt & Jen. We love you very much.


Miranda Karkling took these stunning engagement shots a couple of weeks ago. Don't you think they turned out perfectly? I cried a little bit when I saw them. (Yes, I'm bringing tissues to the ceremony).

M. + J.
07.09.11.