West Coast Road Trip | 2
Tofino
California Poppy Reserve
For someone who loves flowers as much as I do, it feels like a bold statement to say California Poppies are my favourite, but they easily are. I love how they seem to be so many things all at once, and how many of those qualities are contradictory. They are delicate yet wild, cheery and bright while also having calming properties that help reduce anxiety. Actually, whenever I am feeling anxious, my husband tells me, "you're just a poppy in the wind." You might feel like you're loosing control or all over the place but you are rooted and will be just fine. Fittingly enough, when we arrived to the poppy reserve, the winds picked up, the poppies danced and we wandered around the orange fields completely smitten by the sweetest flower.
LLOYD clothing
I recently discovered LLOYD clothing and immediately fell in love with their line. Designed and manufactured in Vancouver, LLOYD's pieces are timeless, beautifully constructed and just feel really nice to wear. My husband and I share their linen T-shirt and it's going to be hard to wear anything else this summer but their white linen set.
You can browse more of their beautiful line here.
Kauai
Hackwith Basics
I've been following along and wearing the beautiful work of Hackwith Design for a few years now. I love the simplicity of their pieces, the quality of their fabrics and that they are made to order by a team of amazing women in Minnesota. So, I was beyond excited when they asked me to take some photos of a piece from their new basics line.
This top is lightweight, loose, and just so comfortable. My new spring/summer staple.
I recommend taking a look at the rest of the collection here.
winter solstice | 2016
we have started a tradition in our home of throwing a big solstice potluck party to celebrate that the darkest days are behind us. it feels really nice to fill our home with good friends, good food and some winter cheer.
winter on the farm
Winter Warmth Part II
EAT
During the darkest time of the year, there is a great need to connect, celebrate and share. The Winter Warmth dinner, hosted by HOLD and prepared by Tonya from The Well Woman, did just that. A three course plant-based meal was thoughtfully made using many local ingredients and then beautifully displayed, blurring the line between food and art. We visited farms and collected winter greenery, which filled the space at HOLD with some winter cheer and the warm glow from candles burned into the night.
Winter Warmth Part I
GATHER
In preparation for the Winter Warmth dinner at HOLD prepared by Tonya of The Well Woman, we spent an afternoon picking greenery in the snow, visiting a local farm to gather ginger, sweet potatoes and cabbage and (just for fun) had a quick visit with the endearing alpacas over at Hinterland.
As a native to Toronto, it was fun taking Tonya to some of my favourite spots on the coast. She was also able to experience the island in a way few visitors do, with a fresh blanket of snow.
Abeego
An image for the recently rebranded Abeego, a reusable food wrap made from beeswax.
west coast road trip
I see the world in stills. I notice the way light falls on an object, can sense how movement will make its way into a frame, I see emotions as a single moment... I create and carry these images with me everyday, not always in the form of a photo, usually just in my mind. Stills just make sense to me.
I have driven to California three times this year. I never tire of the landscape and I always see new places but I wanted to document this trip differently. So, I did something that doesn't make sense to me. I took videos. And so did my husband (thank you, Bryce!) I am no videographer and the editing process to make this very simple and rudimentary video took me longer than I would like to admit. However, I had a lot of fun with it and can't help but smile when I watch it.
* if you click through to view it on vimeo the quality is better*
* the song in the video is Charlotte and Charlie by Radio Skies who we saw in Ojai and had the best time dancing to *
iceland
from a trip that still feels like a dream.
road trip
In May, my husband and I drove to California for a wedding I was photographing in Petaluma. Having done the west coast drive many times, we wanted to experience some new adventures while still visiting some of our favourite spots. Here are some of the highlights from this trip.
picnic at point reyes
a soak at orr hot springs
oregon sand dunes
sea ranch chapel
the arches in brookings, oregon
sunset at mount shasta
big sur highway
a hike in the redwoods
a quick jump onto the PCT via highway 224
frequent stops to pick salmon berries + wild flowers
Tomorrow morning, we leave for California again and have a very different trip planned out. Can't wait to share our adventure!
high point acupuncture
Spring Line | Korinne Vader
When I was younger, I was always so excited to get a new outfit for the first day of school, my birthday or whatever seemingly monumental occasion was happening in my youth. I remember trying on countless outfits until my room resembled the aftermath of a clothing tornado. My requirements for clothing included that it looked great and cost little. It wasn't until I got older that I began to understand the actual costs of clothing, both on the environment and for factory workers. The more I learned about the fashion industry the more important it became to me to wear clothing made locally with intention and love.
When I met Korinne Vader last year, all of those things came together. Korinne creates unique handmade goods that reflect the beautiful imperfection of nature and humankind. She designs and sews everything from her home studio on Vancouver Island. Her craftsmanship and ability to create effortless designs makes each piece unique yet timeless. I am so grateful to photograph such a lovely collection.
Below are some photographs from her spring line which you can find here.
west coast drive
I recently travelled to California to photograph an engagement session and decided to make a road trip out of it with my best gal, Marla. You know you are the best of friends when you travel over 5,400 km in 10 days and still want to hang out. We didn't quite experience sunny California as we traveled the week of El Niño but the beauty of the coast is undeniable regardless of the weather. This is a collection of photographs taken throughout our drive in Washington, Oregon and California.
winter solstice
the returning of the light. winter solstice is one of my favourite things to celebrate. it signals that we've made it through the darkest days. it feels like an accomplishment of some sort. a small victory to help us get through the winter and a reminder that warmer days are ahead.
this year, we had a small gathering with close friends in our home. I wanted to bring as much of the outdoors in and fill our home with the natural beauty of cedar, hemlock, pinecones and beeswax. a local grocery store was disposing a box of oranges which I happily took home to turn into something beautiful. this simple little garland filled our home with so much cheer. I am so grateful for this time of year, for a chance to slow down and appreciate the subtle shifts from the darkness to lightness.
waking dream
We woke early that morning, the sun hardly visible behind a dense layer of fog. It was one of the first cold mornings after an even colder... our tent weighed down with condensation. As we walked down the road, hundreds of webs lit the way. An open field too bright for tired eyes held in it the most magnificent sight. Had we not been close enough to touch, I would have sworn it all a dream.
