mind over matter

 Day {1} of the birthday festivities. 

My best friend and I share a birthday and celebrate together every year.

(we're one day apart - friend soul mates? you betcha!)

What a fun night it was & it just reminded me how little things are what make a birthday so amazing. 

Friends...

Perfect Presents...

Balloons...

Flowers...

Dancing my little heart out...

Eating hotdogs @ 2am...

Hilarious cab drivers...

Playing pool & not sinking any balls...

Finding the other birthday girl taking a nap...

Blue Hawaiian cocktails - one word - addicting...

Not acting my age...

I don't think it matters how old we're turning, I feel like every year the party trumps the previous year. Who cares about age anyhow? 

The way I see it, age is simply a case of mind over matter.

I definitely don't mind. So it really doesn't matter!

the first time

 

Jeans: F21, Shirt: Stolen from cousin, Cardi: F21, Shoes: Aldo, Belt: Gap

The first time I...

{Kissed a boy} 

Age 10, during an embarrassing game of truth or dare behind the baseball diamond

{Flew on a plane}

Age 7, we went to the UAE for vacation (thank goodness for barf baggies)

{Went on a date}

Grade 6, his mommy drove us to the movies to see Scooby Doo and bought us popcorn (that counts right??)

{Ate fast food}

Age 14, We didn't have McDonald's in Russia - I was super confused

 

{Had my heart broken}

Age 7, He was blonde and adorable and he wanted nothing to do with me (I wonder if that's why I never dated blonde guys hmmm)

{Took photos for a blog}

Age 20, Three months ago! That's where the photos in this post are from. My friend Danielle and I wanted so badly to start a blog, so we decided to try out taking pictures in public. Hence the awkward poses, laughing my head off, and martinies to calm the nerves!

It's my birthday weekend guys! I'll be turning 21 tomorrow and I can't wait!

Here's wishing myself a happy early birthday, and hoping that there will be many more "first times" in the future!

early warning systems

Dress: Killah, Shirt: Joe Fresh, Shoes: Kenzie, Fedora: Buffalo, Camera Bag: Theit

 

This is what I would have worn to work today, if Canada didn't decide that Fall is coming early this year and it started pouring rain in the morning.

I'm a determined gall I tell yah, because as soon as I got home, I switched my jeans for this adorable dress and threw on the fedora to combat the strong wind. 

(that was slowing turning me into a Marge Simpson look alike)

Then we quickly went to the store, you know, to let the world see what I imagined my outfit to look like today - even for a few minutes.

Seems like pretty crazy things have been happening as far as weather/natural disasters go around the world. Just yesterday we felt the earthquake that originated in Virginia - right here in Toronto. 

To add to that, tonight boyfriend and I are cuddled on the couch with candles and lighters ready to go in case this wacko thunderstorm causes a blackout - or a Tornado. Come on, we don't get Tornado's in this city. 

I think weather got lost and took the wrong highway.

Weeks like this make me wonder one thing though - there are so many early warning systems to help us prepare for earthquakes/tornadoes/tsunamis and hurricanes.

Why doesn't life have early warning systems? For example, why couldn't I get some sort of signal that in exactly 30 seconds my soup (which was warming up in the microwave) is going to blow up. I would have been ready with napkins, or even better, taken it out. Instead I was left cleaning up the mess as a room full of angry co-workers stood and tapped on their watches.

Some-one needs to invent one ASAP. Anyone? 

A girl can dream.

better early than never

The following post contains bragging and boasting and is suitable for purse lovers only.
If you have a weak spot for gorgeous bags or are interested in a review, please do continue reading.

 

What I've learned? That boyfriend has great taste in bags. 

Check out this gorgeous camera bag from Theit - can you believe he picked this out for me!?

 

My Birthday isn't actually until this Sunday, but when you live together (especially when you live with a nosy gall like me) - keeping presents a secret is pretty hard!

This beauty came in early (according to boyfriend) and he had no choice but to let me open the box and see what goodies were inside.

You guys should have seen me! I was like a kid who found where her parents stashed the Christmas presents. Woop woop!

 

I can not say enough good things about this camera bag 

(or about the boyfriend..I love you babe, I know you're reading this!)

The quality is phenomenal, the design is gorgeous & the size is exactly right.

I've been taking this baby with me everywhere! 

Check out the super-soft and padded dividers inside...perfect!   

Oh..and one last thing - it really is waterproof! We got caught in the rain this weekend and while my flats were soaking wet and my hair was a fuzz ball - my camera was safe & dry (NOT a single drop of water made it inside!)

Best birthday present a girl can ask for?

Me thinks so!

super size me

Shirt: FCUK, Jeans: Hollister, Flats: Town Shoes, Purse: FCUK

So turns out I'm a size 10. In sample sizes that is.

This week I stopped by the FCUK outlet, and was drawn to the rack labeled 

"Sample Sizes - Everything MUST go"

My heart went pitter-patter, and I quickly started scanning through the clothes. Low and behold I come across this gem of a dress shirt. Gorgeous color? Check.. Four leaf clovers for good luck? Check..

What more could a girl want?

I was already floating to the change room until I noticed the size on the tag.
TEN

I've never been a 10 in my life. I slowly creeped away from the change room and eyed myself in the mirror - half expecting to see myself double in size. I'm 5'2 guys (if that!).

However, after much thought I tried the shirt on & I bought it & I rocked it to date night!

Moral of the story? The modeling world is a cruel one. Imagine - someone like Coco Rocha is a size 4 and people call her fat!
(Have they seen an optometrist lately? Or a shrink perhaps?).
She's absolutely gorgeous, and so yes - she has REAL thighs.

The pressure put on women to be slim (especially in the modeling industry) is ridiculous.
It's like there is a bar set for boni-ness.
And it's pretty darn high.

There is something I'd like to say to the designers of this shirt. I LOVE food, I'm healthy, and even if this is a size 10 in your eyes, I think I look DARN good. So go ahead.

Super Size Me ;)

PS. My early birthday present from the boyfriend arrived today 

(and he had NO time to hide it)

Can you guess what it is?

le woof woof

Lazy me :) Top: Forever 21, Shorts: From Highschool (who loves short shorts?), Sandals: Michael Kors

Awkward && Awesome Thursday

Awkward

// Being prescribed a puffer. Guys I don't have asthma! But apparently they use inhalers to treat dry coughs. Gosh those darn things are scary! Boyfriend tried to talk me into using it all night, before he finally gave up and we cuddled.

// Coughing at work ALL day & getting really dirty looks.
My dear work friends, I'm not contagious! 

// iPhone turning coughing into couching (i.e. I was "couching" my lungs out)

// Thunderstorms..enough said

Awesome

// Using said inhaler the next morning then running into the washroom as boyfriend is taking a shower and sharing my success.
I think he mumbled "Good job babe!" through the water.

// Lunch date with boyfriend. Boo yah.
// Cuddling - rocks my clothes socks off

// Eating cherries and tying knots with the stems

// Stargazing at the cottage last weekend

// Loosing at cards to my dad (just like old times)

post it

Sick in bed today - yet again. Bah humbug.

But what's better than cuddling up with a good book? 

Excuse my messy hair - pajamas - and lack of a face

 

Most of all, there is nothing I love more than my totally awesome boyfriend 

who's working from home and taking care of me 

&& taking photos for me ... he's perfect I tell yah

 

As if he needed any more reasons to be perfect. Check out the sweet post-it love note that was sitting on my desk yesterday (along with a delicious chocolate bar).

My heart melted, boy even mentioned fashion. He's a keeper.

Love Notes & Chocolate? That's a rom-com title right there.

good friend vs. best friend

Skirt: Aritzia, Shirt: Unknown (stolen from mom), Shoes: Browns, Earrings: Aldo

Have you guys ever seen those quotes floating around the net, of good friends vs. best friends?

Like...

A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be in the room next to you, saying, "That was awesome! Let's do it again!"

&&

A good friend asks for something to eat. A best friend eats all the food and then asks "What's for dinner?"

This past weekend, I went to the bar for a really fun girls night. In the process we came up (and by came up I mean this actually happened) with one of those quotes that trumps all the others. Are you ready for it?

Good friends tell you that you have toilette paper stuck on your shoe. Best friends wait to see how long it is before you notice.

Yup. I <3 my girl friends! They rawk my socks I tell yah :)

dolly

Internet, I'd like to introduce to you my sweet, loving, scheming pup - Dolly :)

Oh how I love her fluffy ears, her puppy eyes (she's darn good at them!), and her ability to get whatever she wants..whenever she wants.

She's also quite the model I tell yah. As soon as she sees the camera - it's like she has her very own 'magnum' face (a little Zoolander reference there)

For the past 10 years, I can't get enough of this little one, and it broke my heart when boyfriend & I moved out, to leave her at my parents. Our condo doesn't allow pets, and we didn't think she'd handle a new house too well (she's like 70 dog years old!)

So naturally, I have a bagillion pictures of her everywhere. My phone, my camera, my computer, my wallet (yes, I'm one of THOSE people, don't judge)

So (to fill your cuteness need for the weekend) here's little video of Ms. Dolly, squeeling, not wanting me to go to Los Angeles this past february...She saw the suitcases and went bananas! 

Don't go! from Kate on Vimeo.

like clockwork

Skirt: FCUK, Blazer: UO, Shoes: Winners

Hooray for the first day I felt better and my bum actually made it to work.

I wasn't so productive - but hey I was there - that's a step in the right direction right?

Today is the 11th (in case you're like me, and thought it was the 10th)

Which means it's our anniversary, and also the one day a month boyfriend & I try to go on a mini-date and get away from the hectic-ness of everyday life.

Today we went to TCBY for some delicious fro-yo and lots of laughs.

Yet somehow, just like clockwork, our mini dates always end at Walmart.

We stroll romantically, hand in hand, through the isles, picking up cleaning supplies 

(and some fuzzy slippers for me!)

Because...somehow we always run out of stuff on the 11th. Go figure.

But hey, it's our very own tradition & I can't argue with that.

PS. In case you guys were wondering - I had to change :( Because also, just like clockwork, I managed to spill almost my entire dinner on my skirt. Nothing new there.

you catch more flies with honey

Shirt: Gap, Jeans: A&F, Shoes: Winners

...Aaah-choo

Excuse me. 

I've been stuck sick in bed all day, making best friends with dust bunnies and the tissue box. Who gets sick in the summer? Totally sucks. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Boo!

But being sick means more time for one thing - blogging! 

The pictures I'm sharing today are from this past Saturday. Boyfriend & I went to Mandarin, for all you can eat crab legs and lobster. 

Then caught a movie (it was the closest activity near by - convenient for rolling to after stuffing our stomachs silly)

Our night ended @ 9:00pm - when we finally decided to head home and make like a sweet old couple (i.e. spend the night in, watching TV and drinking tea with honey).

PS. If you leave your tea w/honey on the tray, the fly you've been trying to catch all day will land straight in the cup. Be prepared to make a new cup-of-tea :) Guess it's true what they say. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.