a cozy drink

We woke up to a winter wonderland. Snow finally came to Toronto and it was beautiful outside. I had every intention on going out to enjoy it, but laziness came over me.

Instead, we stayed in our pyjamas, I made us a huge pot of chai, and kept warm inside.
Maybe I will venture outside tomorrow.

(lovely wooden spoons are from herriott grace)

that was yesterday, this is today

I am really excited for this year for a lot of reasons, but particularly for photography. The year has just started and I feel extremely fortunate (and so excited!) to have some really interesting projects on the horizon!

I am not sure if it is like this all over Canada, but I feel like the weather in Ontario is ever changing. I could walk outside in the morning and it is bright, calm and warm, and come back in the evening cold and drenched from horizontal rain (my least favourite kind of rain). I am going to be depending on the weather more and more, and this is what I use to anticipate it a bit better. The Farmer’s Almanac! It predicts the weather by chunks of 4 to 5 days through the entire year based on where you are located.

I don’t use it too often because I am aware that it is not 100% accurate, but this is what we used to determine the date for our wedding (because I really wanted an outdoor wedding) and for some other important events, and it hasn’t failed me yet! I will be sure to check the almanac with the outdoor weddings I have this year, just for my own interest.

I know it can be risky to plan an outdoor wedding in Ontario, I suggest any future brides to give this a try (or anyone planning anything outdoors!).

Thank you everyone for your sweet words and kind e-mails for New Years. 2011 is starting off really sweet because of you!

What I Learned

Some things I realized this year:

1. I realized not to over think things, and to just do it. Do what you love or what you think you love, and show it to everyone. Only good things will come of it. I promise you.

2. I like to plan for things because that is how goals are made. But now, I also look forward to the possibility that something better could change my plan along the way.

3. If holding a camera specifically taught me anything this year, Henri Cartier-Bresson said it best.

“You just have to live and life will give you pictures.”

4. I learned this year that I really love sparkles and confetti. (and even better, sparkly confetti!)

I have been at this blog for almost 2 years, and I cannot thank you enough for welcoming me into this beautiful, warm and inspiring community of friends. Your support and constant encouraging words have been invaluable to me. Thank you for letting me share a little bit of my world with you.

2010 was full of surprises for me, and I cannot wait for what is in store in 2011!

(The pictures of me are taken by Jinny!)

Happy! New! Year! Friends!

a holiday picnic

One of my favourite things about the holidays is gathering with friends and family that come home from far far away. Yesterday, we had friends over for a potluck dinner, and not having a dining table big enough to fit all of us, we set up a picnic in our spare room with lots of candles.

There was plenty of delicious food and plenty to drink. At the end of dinner, we just stretched out on the floor with our very happy tummies. It was perfect.

As part of Jin's Christmas present, I also got him Japanese whisky to try. He is always looking to try new whisky and he normally gets the ones from Scotland. I was happy that he likes this one from Japan, and so did all of my whisky drinking friends. Some of you asked what whisky stones are for. They keep your whisky cold without diluting your drink. You keep them stored in your freezer. A true scotch on the rocks!