fancy a swim?

I have been craving a dip lately.  I think that perhaps a pool would restore me to my lighter self... temporarily of course... and that's the cause of this craving.  I am not a lover of the public swimming pool but I might suck it up and go for a swim if I can find a decent bathing suit.  I am all for the belly baring bikini but not in a public indoor pool in the middle of the winter (did I mention it was minus thirty five degrees Celsius today!!  brrrrrr!).

I am thinking that the tankini is the way to go... I just haven't had any luck in the tankini shopping department thus far.  There are several maternity tankinis available online... I just don't know that I can go there yet... as in admit to myself that I actually require one of these suits to accommodate my growing twin belly.

Of course a hotel pool would be ideal and that might just be in the cards in a few weeks time as my Mom and I are planning a Montreal getaway for some preggo clothes for me... and hopefully some fashionable finds for her.  Bikini in a hotel swimming pool.... I am thinking a definite yes.

Until then I will either suck it up and go public or continue to hunker down as I have been doing and wait awhile to fulfill this craving.

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is an incredible colour and looks very relaxing!  via National Geographic

watercolor beauty

I'm flipping through the new issue of Lucky Magazine and watching big chunky snow flakes fall through the window.  I just came across this beauty featured in Lucky's inspiration board for February.  Did I mention I love watercolours? 

Watercolor Fashion Illustration Print - Meditation by SilverRidgeStudio via etsy

Happy Weekend!

have a lovely weekend

With February just around the corner, that day that celebrates love is quickly approaching. Yes I'm referring to Valentine's day. Yes I am one of those people who likes to recognize and celebrate the day devoted to love. Usually we celebrate with a nice dinner out but this year I would be up for forgoing that dinner out.... staying in instead and celebrating.... somewhere tropical.

Oh we shall see if that happens. For now I will leave you with some lovely pictures to hopefully brighten up your Friday and warm you up to love.

How do you measure love by alifethroughthelens via etsy

Sign of Love by HeyHarriet via etsy

Intertwined by TheGinghamOwl via etsy

via LeLove

Happy Friday!

give me some summer

This weather is really starting to get to me... and.... it's only January.  Could the sun at least make an appearance?  Please!  This weather is really throwing me into some serious babymoon wishing... southern babymoon to be precise. 

Since it is still unclear as to whether or not a babymoon is in the cards for us, I will settle for dreaming right now...

and I will paint my toenails a punchy coral so that at least when I look at my feet I will think summer!

Summer Memory by A Life Through The Lens via etsy

I Dream of Plastic Summers by elgarboart via etsy

Dew by raelindsay via etsy

Highway Surf Patrol by elgarboart via etsy

via

Happy Pink and Green Thursday!

save the date...... fax

No we are not getting remarried.  It was announced today that Kate and William have sent out... or rather their camp has sent out, save the date faxes!  Am I the only one that sees a problem with this?  Really a fax?  Do people still use the fax machine as a valid means of communication... especially personal correspondence?  I for one expected more.

Picking out stationary was one of the highlights of our wedding planning for me.  I realize that not everyone sends out save the dates however, if you are going to send them out, at least do it properly (in my not so humble opinion) and send out the real by-the-mail kind.

Okay my rant is over.  Point made.

In case you are in the throws of wedding planning and in the market for a save the date, here are some of my most loved options...

Love the Card... now called Love the Design did our save the dates and I love her collection... via

An elegant option by Shine Invitations via

This is a fun take on the save the date by Embellished by Tiffany via

For a more modern look by Sunshine Greeting Card Co. via

maternal america...more fashionable maternity options, yes please

There is hope.... fashionable maternity clothing does exist!  Thank you all for your wonderful shopping suggestions yesterday.  I continued my search last night and I stumbled onto the Maternal America line while searching Nordstrom online for maternity options.  I am impressed.  I definitely think that I will be ordering this piece.  Yes it is print heavy but I could layer a sweater over it in the cooler months to change it up a bit.  What do you think? 

Printed Kimono Tunic Dress by Maternal America via Nordstrom

For a more toned down look they also make this one....

Sequin Shoulder Kimono Dress by Maternal America via Nordstrom

Shopping....here I come!

so long to the skinny

Hello maternity clothes... Yes it is that time. I was really hoping to make it to the twelve week mark before taking the plunge into maternity wear but my body has other ideas. I have been wearing the bella band for a few weeks now with my fly unzipped but my jeans end up falling down and making my butt look saggy which I promise you it is not.

I looked around to see what the online world of maternity clothes has to offer and I was disappointed to say the least.  I managed to find a couple of decent options but nothing has really grabbed my full attention thus far.  I am hoping it is because it is January and we are between seasons... really really hoping this is the cause for the less than glamorous options I am finding.

I know some people think that it does not matter, you are pregnant so you have a license to look bad... I fully disagree.  I am finding it hard to accept these constant changes in the size of my stomach, and always present but ever increasing skin issues.  I need to at least feel like I look good, call me vain that is fine, but this is harder than I thought. 

There is a glimmer of hope... I have heard rumors online of an Anthropologie maternity line debuting in February... please let this be true! 

For now I say farewell to my skinny self... I will miss you but I will see you again... I promise...

ASOS Maternity Three Quarter Sleeve Tab Shoulder Shirt

Boob Maternity Treggings

Boob dress..... this would work well in oh mexico.... hint hint Andrew

Cavorting Flora Blouse.... maybe this non maternity top could work... maybe...

Kaleidolight Cardigan from Anthrologogie could definitely work with my growing bump

and the search continues.... have any maternity clothing suggestions... please do share!

have a cozy weekend

It is frigid in Ottawa today and the weekend is only getting cooler... time to hibernate.

I've rented three movies, Andrew's picking up a couple of dinner options and then we are hunkering down and staying in.

I plan on investigating some babymoon options and hopefully getting into my new book, One Secret Summer by Lesley Lokko.  I've read all of her other books and they are a nice escape without being overly fluffy.  I read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls last week and although it was an amazing book, it was also quite stressful, and I found myself awake at night thinking of the horrible neglect that she experienced as a child.

I will also be spending some time perusing the following great finds from other bloggers this week:

Super cute baby basics from Mini Mioche that Joanna posted about at Cup of Joe.

Debating the idea of being a SAH WFH ... Elizabeth from E Tells Tales got me thinking.

and finally... taking the plunge into maternity clothes.... the plan... ASOS, Anthropologie sale forgiving cardigans, and Ingrid and Isabel basics.

How will you be spending your weekend?

I hope it's warm!

Dog Day Afternoon by sintwister via etsy

sparkling new suds

We have successfully crossed one item off of my pre babies wish list.... and I have to tell you I am pretty excited about this... we bought a new washer and dryer!  Okay this may not seem that exciting but believe me, if it took you close to three hours to do one load, you too would be doing a happy dance.

We went on a bit of a blitz on the weekend, well a four store blitz... just to make sure... since it really was love at first sight.  There were two cycles that I really wanted in a new washer... a hand wash cycle (I had this at home with my parents and loved it) and a sanitize cycle (this could definitely come in handy with oh... two babies).  Also, these machines need to be quiet... close to silent.... as they are on our upstairs floor.  We knew we wanted front loading high efficiency machines so it just came down to brand and price.

We debated between two Samsung models and the LG brand.  Samsung won.  There were just too many reviews online about the LG model citing mold on the seal in the washer door.... mold and a germ-a-phobe do not mesh so that was out of the question!  So the Samsung won.

Samsung 218 washer and dryer from The Brick

They just arrived and I am itching for Andrew to get home and hook them up so I can throw in a bunch of delicates that I have been procrastinating on washing...

Heidi is anxious too as she is up there giving them a full inspection and likely trying to figure out what they do and where the old ones went.

I so wish we lived somewhere that was eternally warm so we too could hang our sheets and clothes to dry outside in the sunshine.... a girl can dream!

Spring Cleaning by SuzieChaney via etsy

Laundry Au Natural Villa in Italy by imagesofeverything via etsy

Summer Breeze by galleryoncentral via etsy

Dainty by f2images via etsy

Venitian Canal Venice Italy by rebeccaplotnick via etsy

Happy washing to you too!

I have been noticing all of these pink and green Thursday posts so I thought I would join in. I realize my pictures this weak are rather weak in the pink and green department so I promise I will do better next week!

blog love and a peek...

While quarantined to the couch for the better part of this weekend I was delighted to receive a lovely blog award from Charlotta Ward at Space for Inspiration!  This definitely brightened my day (and made me feel a tad guilty for sitting around in sweats, feeling sorry for myself for feeling sick, feeling fat, feeling exhausted and feeling quite un-stylish!)

Thank you Charlotta for interrupting my sorry state and bringing a smile to my face!

Charlotta hails from Sweden and her blog is fabulous.  Definitely pop on over and prepare to be inspired!

Now, the Stylish Blogger Award asks the recipient to .... Link back to the person/people who gave the award, list seven things that your readers may not know about you, and pass on the award...

First, a peek into who I am....

I love five star resorts and camping... but not the in between

via

I love sleeping when it's pouring out especially if I am in a tent or cabin

Tarps are a campers best friend

I have super curly hair... and fight with it everyday... the iron usually wins

via

Accomplishing a successful back handspring was one of my life's greatest achievements

via

I knew I loved my Husband when I was thirteen years old

I hate being chased... seriously hate it.... hated figure skating when I was a little girl because they made us play 'games' where they would chase us...

Alice Chased by the Cards via Cipher

I value quality over quantity when it comes to my wardrobe... I'll take one piece from Holt's over ten from the mall any day.

DVF's Elsinna Dress via ShopBop

I am now passing on the torch to five lovely ladies...with five lovely blogs .... in no particular order...

Please click on through to take a look.... and have a fabulous day!

dear mexico...

I miss you.

I miss your sun and sunsets, your pina coladas and coronas, your lounge chairs and swim up bars, the smell of sun screen and the feel of salt in my hair, your cobblestone streets and sandy beaches.... most of all I miss that first breath of sea filled air...

Friends of ours are getting married in Mexico this week and we are wishing that we were there to celebrate with them and to bask in the heat.

If it was any other year or perhaps in a few months... we would be there... believe me... but me being close to nine weeks pregnant with twins is keeping us here... in the cold... with no scent of the sea...

Every year we contemplate another location for a trip but we always seem to end up here..

Royal Playa Del Carmen

Excellence Playa Mujeres

Downtown Puerto Vallarta via

A wedding shoot on the beach at the Valentin Imperial Maya.... I admire those brides who willingly get their dresses wet... but personally I could never do that to my Vera!

Valentin Imperial Maya

I just love Mexico..