Pacific NW Road Trip

I know you're all just dying to hear about my little road trip through the Pacific Northwest, right? (Right?) Well, let me tell you - it was glorious. The weather was the absolute pits ... it poured the entire time ... and there were a few unexpected bumps along the way but overall it was bliss. We drove. We talked. We browsed. We shopped. We stayed at the fabulous Ace Hotel and we ate the most delicious food. Salmon chowder - where have you been all my life? So, so good. And don't even get me started on the delicious-ness that we discovered at some food trucks in Portland. I'll gain 10 pounds just thinking about them.

I took hundreds of photos, all of which I can't wait to scrapbook. My point and shoot camera isn't doing so well these days. The zoom is broken, it's hard to get a clear shot because even the slightest movement causes everything to blur and the grey, overcast weather didn't help either. I played around with different settings and angles and was quite pleased with the results. Despite the crappy camera, I managed to get some really fun shots during our travels. Here are a few of my favorites -  

As much as I enjoyed my time away, it feels great to be back in beautiful Vancouver. I know I'm beyond biased, but British Columbia truly is the best place on earth. *happy sigh*

first Christmas, then this ....

Christmas has always been a big deal for my family. We have TONS of traditions - the candle-lit service on Christmas Eve, opening gifts and stockings together on Christmas morning, having a big yummy breakfast together and then spending the rest of the day prepping for our turkey feast ... a feast that can sometimes include up to 20 guests. I moved to Vancouver from Montreal two years ago, but we've managed to continue the traditions I love and cherish.

This year, though, things will be a little different. With my Dad's passing, none of us are really feeling up to a big celebration. My sister and brother-in-law decided to sneak away to the Caribbean for the holidays. My mom and grandmother opted to stay in Montreal, enjoying a quiet Christmas at home. And Alan and I played around with several ideas (Las Vegas? San Fransisco? Hawaii?) before finally settling on a cozy, Pacific Northwest road trip.

We'll spend Christmas Day with my sister and brother-in-law at their *fabulous* new condo in Whistler and then we're hitting the road for six days of quality time together. Just me, him and a car full of delicious left over Christmas munchies. We're planning to tour Seattle first and then drive down to Portland. The best part? Alan booked reservations for a deluxe room at The Ace Hotel - the super stylish, super hip new hotel chain with locations in Seattle, Portland, NYC and Palm Springs. I've been dying to stay at The Ace and I'm beyond excited about our reservations.

Christmas without my Dad will be difficult and strange, but at least we're doing something fun. No time like the present for making new traditions.

-xo-

hello again ...

Oh you guys. YOU GUYS. I've miss you.

So I haven't posted in almost two weeks and I blame craziness at work, Easter and a total lack of creativity for my absence in blog-land. All that is about to change, though. Why? Because I will be purchasing a new digital camera very, very soon. No more photo-less blog posts ... no more begging Xinxin to bring her camera when we venture out on our city escapades ... no more seeing cool things and trying in vain to capture them with my cell phone camera. The race is on to re-enter the wonderful world of digital photography. Why the sudden rush? Because I've officially booked time off work and am going ON VACATION for 5 glorious days here ...

Beautiful Portland, Oregon. I don't know much about the city and I haven't a clue what I'll see while I'm there ... all I know is that I definitely want to swing by the famous Voodoo Doughnuts shop. Anything and everything else I come across will just be a holiday bonus.

This will be my first real west coast vacation & you have NO idea how desperately I need this. I leave on May 13th. Until then, wish me luck finding the perfect camera to capture my holiday adventures! :)

xo

Southern daydreams ...

I love living in beautiful Vancouver (see previous post for further confirmation of my love) but, I'll admit, I sometimes get "other-city-sick". I'm the kind of girl who tends to leave a little piece of her heart in every place she visits. There are days when I just get this longing in my soul to hop on a plane and fly to another city, just for the weekend, to soak up all the good things it has to offer. Right now, I am definitely, unquestionably, without a doubt longing for New Orleans.

Ah, New Orleans. Land of po-boys and pralines and sweet tea and Bourbon-braised ribs. That magical jazz wonderland where magnolia trees blossom and trolleys take you on leisurely drives through the Garden District. Home of the late great Louis Armstrong - really, need I say more? Do I know what it means to miss New Orleans? Yes, yes I sure do.

None of those photos are mine - click on the image to be taken to the original source. (That's right, I give credit where credit is due)

I'm not gonna lie - I am seriously considering a trip to New Orleans this fall.

I just miss it so much. :(

Do you ever get "other city sick"? If so, where does your heart pull you toward?

xo

An Olympic Day ...

One of the perks of having a sister and a brother-in-law who work for the Olympics is getting to see the Olympic venues even though they aren't open to the general public yet. Today we went to Whistler Olympic Park. We got to see the tracks where the bobsled, skeleton and luge events will take place, and the slopes where the skiing events will take place. We even saw the V.I.P hall where Prime Minister Harper and President Obama will be hanging out between events. The coolest part of the day, though, was getting to watch some of the Canadian future Olympians practice. Here are some photos I snapped today ~

Watching the Canadian athletes practice:

The Olympic Rings:

And, last but not least, here's some proof for Natalie that I really did go snow-tubing:

It was CRAZY scary ... the tube swirls round and round so fast ... but I have never laughed so hard in my life. Tons of fun!

Hope you're all having a great week. -xox-

.. some photos ...

Just thought I would share some photos we took today up on the mountain. Whistler might just be the most beautiful place in the country! It's like a magical winter wonderland here.

No boxing day sales for me ... just the Rockies, snow and lots of trees!

xox

home :o)

I'm home from the beach and I had such a fabulous time being lazy, reading, swimming in the ocean, collecting seashells, eating fresh lobster, shopping in the boutiques around town and, of course, lying in the sand and soaking up the sun!

The highlight of my trip was finding a snail shell on the sand. When I picked it up, this little guy came out to say hello:


-xoxo-

goodbye peeps!

I am off to this magical place:

See you in a week when I get home from Maine!!
xox

travel dreams for 2009

My heart longs to see the world in 2009. I don't know if I'll be able to afford to travel much, but a little destination daydreamin' never did anyone any harm!

I've visited most of the East coast ... Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia. I'd love to venture out west soon ... I hear California, Nevada and Washington calling! (By the way, you can make your own map here.)

I'd love to see Germany.

I'd love to go back and see my sister in Vancouver, British Columbia.

... and I'd love to see Paris, France!!

Where do YOU want to go in 2009?

xOxOx

home from paradise ...

You may have noticed that I've been M.I.A these past few days. That's because I've been busy having the time of my life here:

The beautiful beach in Oqunquit, Maine. I LOVE going here in the summer ... it's such a breathtaking, serene place and the little shops and boutiques inspire me so much. I was so glad my mom was able to get those shots of me by the sea, I think they really capture how much I love the ocean. And, of course, leave it to me to find scrapbook supplies every where I go.

My mom and I were driving down the highway and out of the corner of my eye I saw this sign. Of course I made her stop the car and we ventured inside. It was such an awesome shop ... I've never seen so many rubber stamps in one place. It's owned by this really nice couple, who showed us around and gave us all these great tips and tricks. I was so excited to come home with all these awesome goodies:

xOxO Stephanie