#WinterWonderland - Collab with Andrew So

I attended my annual work retreat this past weekend in the winter wonderland that is Muskoka. We were definitely spoiled this year. Weekend was filled with amazing company, food, activities, an incredible improv comedy show by Bad Dog Theatre Company (HIGHLY recommend you check out), and breathtaking views of Lake Rosseau. 

Also got a chance to experience dog sledding for the first time! The dogs were adorable, I could barely keep my excitement in. Ariel (featured below), was a pure joy and stole my heart with her tenacity and heart.

Now onto actual outfit details... Shot by my awesome friend and colleague, Andrew So. He doesn't have a website yet, so feel free to check out his Instagram!

#Switcheroo

I'm excited, nervous, anxious and scared to be getting Lasik surgery tomorrow. It was something I've been wanting to do for a few years now, but the decision to finally go ahead with it was rather last minute. For 2 weeks leading up to tomorrow's surgery, I've been wearing glasses everyday, so I was completely blind during this impromptu shoot. Clearly I was indecisive on what sunglasses to pair the outfit with, as I started the shoot wearing Quay's 'My Girl', only to switch to the 'Cha Cha's half way through.

Stay tuned for a more detailed post-Lasik update in my next blog post!

#Turks&Caicos

I wanted to share some highlights from my trip to the gorgeous Turks and Caicos (T&C) with bae and 2 of our friends. Got back 2 days ago and already missing the Caribbean sun. I aimed to come back a different race and although I didn't quite get there, still ended up with a bronze glow that I'm hoping lasts me through the dry Canadian winter.

Even as we were landing, you can see how turquoise the water is. At this point, I was jumping in and out of my seat, not able to contain my excitement.

We stayed at the beautiful Atrium Resort (booked through Airbnb):

After we got settled in, we knew the first thing we wanted to do was hit the beach. A local recommended Flamingo Beach, which wasn't too far from the Atrium. We only had a couple hours until sunset, so we made the most of our time there. I do want to note that I have never stepped foot on such fine and soft sand than until I got to T&C. It feels like you're walking on micro-foam pillows. I hate walking, but I will walk 500 miles if it's on this sand.

T&C is known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters, so it's no surprise that the majority of our time was spent on the beaches. If you plan on visiting, ensure Taylor Beach is one of your stops. It's a local favourite, as well as mine. The water is still, shallow and crystal clear so it's great for snorkelling, paddle boarding or simple frolicking. The last 2 pictures below are of Taylor Beach.

If you know me, you know I love paddle boarding and will jump at the opportunity every chance I get. I did a lot of paddle boarding in T&C, and I find it's a great workout, a quick way to get an allover tan, and allows you to see more of the island. Also threw in a behind-the-scenes shot ;)

Below are details of a few of my outfits:

Forever 21 White Dress (Old) // Topshop Nude Midi Dress (Similar here and here) and Forever 21 Denim Jacket // Club Monaco Black Crop Top (Old), Aritzia Babaton Antoine Shorts and Quay 'Cha Cha' Sunglasses // Forever 21 Floral Maxi Dress with Slit (Old)

It actually took multiple attempts to do the couple's yoga pose. It's harder than it looks! Also, there's a really cute dessert place called Melt worth checking out. It's a little pricey, but recommend trying at least once. Get the brownie sundae if you plan on going!

Highly recommend Bugaloo's and Somewhere Cafe for lunch. Both are situated right by the water so you get the island vibe along with a spectacular view. The tacos and fries at Somewhere are a must try!

Conch is native to T&C and there is a large abundance of it. Every restaurant you go to will have conch on the menu, offered in various ways (conch salad, conch fritters, battered conch, conch pasta etc.). Bugaloo's catches conch right from the ocean and sells the shell to tourists. If you don't mind the shell not being polished, you can find many along the shoreline of all the beaches. 

Another cool thing you can do is rent a puppy for a couple hours to socialize them at Potcake Place. It's a dog rescue charity that aims to reduce the number of homeless potcakes on the island. They give you everything you need when you take the puppy out, and all the puppies are well behaved, not to mention incredibly adorable! We had the honour of playing with Hugo, who was only 3 months old.

On our last day, we quickly visited Chalk Sound, which offers the bluest waters I have ever seen.

We spent close to a week there, and it was some much needed R&R. The island itself is quite small, so there aren't a lot of people. The locals are all very friendly, and love starting a conversation with you. If you're looking for a place to party, T&C isn't for you. There's not much to do outside of water activities, and it gets very quiet past sunset. However, there is a Fish Fry every Thursday, which is comparable to a small night market where locals and tourists alike come together for food, music and pure fun. Local restaurants and gift shops close early to set up for this event, and it's a great way to meet new people and wind down.

The food is great, but there isn't a large variety. I can sum up what I ate down to conch and jerk chicken. Needless to say, I think I've had enough conch to last me a lifetime. Other great restaurants to check out are Caico's Cafe, Coco Bistro (reserve 2 weeks in advance), and Chinson's Grill Shack (best Jamaican patties and festivals). Already drooling thinking of it..

Overall, T&C is a great place to wind down and relax if you're a beach bum like me. Don't forget to pack on that sunscreen because that Carribean sun is strong!

#PoshSpice

For some odd reason, the Gooderham building in St. Lawrence reminds me of that scene in Harry Potter when the Knight Bus goes between two London buses, brick by brick. Does anyone else have a go-to British accent when they read the HP series? Well mine comes out whenever I'm in this draped trench, and also whenever I'm feeling a bit posh. 

Forever 21 Draped Trench Coat (Similar here and here) // Aritzia Wilfred Durandal Sweater // Zara Zipped Moto Jeans // Nike Juvenate // Quay Cha Cha Sunglasses

#CleanSlate

Boxy, light wash denim jacket [✓]; Pink tips [✓]. All I'm missing is my Sony Walkman, scrunchy, mood ring and Baby Spice pigtails to complete the 90s mood. Cue Wanna Be by the Spice Girls ♫.