Favourites || September
I’m writing this on September 29th, and I can’t believe this month is over already!
Although it seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, I still had time to discover a few new favourites:
Green Passionfruit Tea | David’s Tea
I received a box set of tea from my friend Anneke for my birthday at the end of August.
A couple of the flavours are similar to my normal go-tos - an Earl Grey and a Chai.
But I was so surprised by this fruity, floral package of green.
With its green tea base, I totally expected to dislike it.
I have a general dislike for green tea, and tend to stick with black or white teas instead.
But based on scent alone, I gave this tea a shot.
Now it’s became the most drank of the four teas in the set.
Sierra Burgess Is A Loser | Netflix Film
We all know that my favourite genre of almost anything is Young Adult Romance.
And this film is no exception.
There was a lot of controversy over this film because of the premise of taking a case of mistaken identity a little too far.
In the film Sierra receives a text from a really attractive guy at school.
She is shocked because she is not what culture generally would consider attractive herself.
She figures out that he actually thinks she’s one of the popular cheerleaders.
At this point the storyline crosses into the realm of catphishing.
The film is based on the concept of the play Cyrano de Bergerac.
In the play Cyrano is desperately in love with a woman named Roxane, but he has a large nose and is deemed unattractive.
He then impersonates the man that Roxane is in love with - Christian - and begins to write letters to Roxane pretending to be him.
Following this same storyline, Sierra Burgess Is A Loser, was argued to not translate the story well into modern times as catphishing, is illegal and an actual existing problem.
People claimed that a film like this, marketed at teenagers, would encourage young people that catphishing is a plausible way to get what they want.
I don’t know. Maybe they’re right.
But either way - I really enjoyed it.
Being someone who has spent my entire life overweight, and fitting the category of “unattractive”.
Sierra Burgess hit this vulnerable part inside me that knows that if a guy was willing to fall in love with WHO I am, rather than how I look - It would be well worth it, and I would make their life absolutely wonderful.
There was also the added benefit of Shannon Purser - the actress who plays Sierra - being a little more on the heavier side.
In the midst of Hollywood diversifying - I hope they begin/continue to diversify the size of main characters, as well as the roles that are played by those who are considered overweight.
I have constantly been told by Hollywood that as someone who is fat, my role in the world is the funny and supportive best friend.
I am not the kind of person who is attractive or wanted.
I don’t get to be the heroine or the centre of a beautiful love story.
The only way for me to stand out is to not. I was built to a sidekick.
But I’m tired of being a sidekick.
And I’m tired of Hollywood telling us that only pretty, size 4 girls get the guy.
So - watch it for yourself, and leave me a comment. What are your thoughts? Too creepy, or a touching romance?
Vanilla Sea Salt Chocolate | Chocosol
I just want the entire world to know about this chocolate company!
There’s just something about the texture they create that makes it so good!
And Vanilla Sea Salt is my favourite.
Do yourself a favour, and pick some up.
Burden Of Truth | CBC
I have long loved the actress Kristin Kreuk.
Ever since the days of her playing Lana Lang in Smallville (although let’s be honest I was always rooting for Clark Kent to end up with his blonde best friend.)
So when I saw on social media that she was part of this brand new Canadian TV show, I knew I was going to give it a shot.
It turns out that this is exactly the type of show I enjoy.
Kristin plays an attorney who goes back to her home town to help with a case, where she partners up with the local sherif and an old friend.
Young girls are getting sick.
What’s causing it?
A new vaccine, or poisonous water run off?
No spoilers!
So you’ll have to watch the show to know. :)
(PS - One of the great things about CBC is that they allow you to watch full seasons of their shows even after they air. No locking episodes a week or two later. No logging in or purchasing a subscription.)
Pushup - Lingerie Lip Colour | NYX
This colour is almost a perfect match for my natural lip colour. It just adds a bit of colour, and because of the closeness in colour - it lasts pretty much all day.
I am still a huge fan of matte lipstick, and this one fits the bill.
It is a bit drying (like most matte lip colours) so I have to apply moisturizer beforehand.
With no stickyness - this colour has become my daily go to.
What is your recent favourites? Leave me a comment!
That Church Conference || Atlanta
I've spent the better part of this week in Atlanta on my very first "work trip".
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(Does this make me an official adult?)
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I got to meet our community.
Put faces and voices to digital names.
The people who share our space.
Who challenge is.
Inspire us.
Who love us.
The people we work for and with.
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And in the midst of this I got to do what I think I'm best at.
The thing I enjoy the most....
Talk.
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I got the insane privilege of spending the last three days sitting with pastors, leaders, entrepreneurs, volunteers, walking miracles . . . and hearing their stories.
The pieces of their lives that have shaped them.
Created them.
Shifted them.
I've heard about miracle meetings.
Rock bottom ultimatums.
The good and bad moments that changed everything.
I became the confidant to people's business plans, ministry hopes, and everyday struggles.
I listened to people's passions and callings and observed how beautiful being human is, and how these things bring us together.
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I love traveling.
I love meeting people.
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California - it's looking like you're next!
(and I can't wait!!)
My friend Alex was the one who went to That Church Conference with my boss, Brady, last year. So when we got back he asked me what I thought, and I had to admit I had only attended one of the actual sessions. Most of my time was spent in the coffee shop inside the Atlanta Tech Village - Octane.
My boss was working on his keynote, as well as an upcoming product launch (stayed tuned in November!!), and needed the wifi and working space. I used the opportunity to read (currently on book 23 of 2018!) and talk with anyone willing to sit close enough.
I love that this trip, and the notoriety of my boss and the company I work for, give me such a beautiful opportunity to speak with people from all over the world. It’s so interesting hearing people’s stories and listening to their dreams.
I hope my life gives me so many more of these types of opportunities.
PS - my boss is a complete legend. I’m so thankful that he took me along on this trip.
Wedding | Blake & Jenn | Sneak Peek
A few weeks ago I had the incredible privilege of photographing my childhood friend, Jenn's wedding. Although the day was beyond warm, it was also beyond beautiful.
I'll be sharing more details and photos next month, but for now here's a brief snapshot of the day.
I love photography because . . .
Photography is a love affair with life.
-Burk Uzzle
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I got into photography because life is short and beautiful moments are worth remembering.
I've always been an old soul.
Even from a young age, I could feel the brevity of life in the way that the sun rises and sets with the day passing quickly before your eyes, and people come and go, with the ones you love never seeming like they had enough time.
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Photography became my solace.
My assurance that beautiful moments are still beautiful after they've passed.
And people are still important when they're no longer present.
And there's something lovely about pulling out old, yellowed photographs - reading the scribbled date, places and names on the back - and noting that our lives have been well lived.
Filled to the brim with moments and places and names and faces worth remembering and loving and doing our best to capture.
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I photograph for feelings.
To transport me back to the way the lake at the cottage, or golden hour on my balcony, Thanksgiving with my family, the beach with friends makes me feel.
Full.
Alive.
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I photograph for the future.
A shoebox filled with prints and stories to share with nieces and nephews and friends and hopefully children, of when their parents and I were young and learning. Our exploits and calamities. The times we triumphed and the times we tried our best but only won scraps of wisdom and scraped hearts.
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I photograph because I am dead center in the middle of a life that is so worth living.
Every painful/perfect, glorious moment of it.
Photograph by my insanely talented sister - Allysin. Find her on Instagram here.
What is your favourite photograph? Tell me about it!
Coffee | Crafted | Toronto
Crafted (135 Ossington Ave.)
Of the 3 coffee shops that I visited during our day trip to Toronto - I think Crafted may have been my favourite space. Everything was cute and rustic and somehow welcoming in a homey kind of way. It made me want to bring a book, or a notebook and study; letting Toronto hurry by.
I picked up an iced almond milk latte (I know shocking! haha). And being one of Pilot's location, the quality was of course beautiful.
Bellwoods Brewery (124 Ossington Ave.)
The last brewery we stopped at was Bellwoods. Which had some really sweet hipster vibes.
Their space flowed seamlessly from inside to outside.
There were strings of lights. And it was just a beautiful space.
Bonus: Peace Collective (131 Ossington Ave.)
Across from Bellwoods, and literally right next door to Crafted was Peace Collective AKA Peace Treats Co.
Last year for Allysin's birthday we visited Toronto and wanted to go to Peace Treats Co. At that time they had just opened a new location at Yorkdale mall, and the line up was so long that we gave up. (You can watch the vlog here.)
So when I saw one right there, I knew I had to seize the opportunity!
I ordered the "Nutty By Nature" which is all peanut butter & chocolate, and all delicious. I believe it's part of their summer menu, so it might only be available for a limited time.
