Pura Vida

{view from The Springs}

Costa Rica is not only one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited, but it is home to such amazing individuals who live a life focused on protecting the environment and embracing the "Pura Vida" (full of life) spirit. This past week I stayed at the Hilton Papagayo in the Guanacaste region, but also got the chance to visit other areas near by. Our amazing stay was filled with plenty of relaxation time, adventure and amazing food. For someone who is obsessed with avocados and mangos, this was the place to be!

Aside from drinking cervezas and margaritas by the pool and spending quality time with my man, some of my highlights were trekking through the rainforest, zip-lining across from the Arenal volcano, relaxing in the natural hot springs at The Springs Resort, and heading up north to Nicaragua to check out Granada (detailed post to come). Our view of the (active) Arenal volcano was impeccable. Our tour guide explained that the whole volcano has not been visible for the past 3 months, due to clouds. Since Costa Rica is now making its transition into rainy season we were pretty lucky that on this sunny day we could experience the volcanoes beauty in it's entirety. 

From the moment we arrived to the most we left, we felt completely welcomed and safe to explore the many beauties this country has to offer, and I cannot wait to return and indulge in it's many thrills once again! 

{the resort after an afternoon rain shower}

{town of Liberia}

{daily snack}

{boat ride on Lake Arenal}

{monkey spotting}

{relaxing at The Springs}

YYZ to LIR

Tomorrow I am headed to Costa Rica for a week of relaxing and fun in the sun. After a stressful month of finals and an even more stressful week in and out of the hospital, this vacation is much needed. Three IV drips, one cast (now a splint), and a dose of antibiotics later, the doctors finally gave the boyfriend the OK to go away. Even though we may not be able to do all the zip-lining and adventures activities we had planned, I am SO grateful that we are still able to enjoy this vacation! I will be back the 28th with regular posting and I hope you will be too! Enjoy the week and hopefully warm(er) weather.. I know I will! xx

{my suitcase seems to be filled with brights and intricate cut-outs}

Generation Enchanted

After watching the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday and listening to Emma Watson's acceptance speech, I was in shock to hear out loud that the Harry Potter books and films have been in my life for over a decade.  After seeing those clips of Emma in HP, I started reminiscing of my trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It doesn't really matter how old you are, the city of Orlando has the ability to take anyone on a magical childhood adventure. I was just amazed at the whole experience of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and would recommend anyone who grew up with the books or movies to make the voyage once in their life. However, if you are planning to sooner rather than later, try and wait until 2014 as Universal has recently announced an expansion which will include a working Hogwarts Express, Diagon Alley and Gringotts. Ah-mazing. As if the Butterbeer, Honeydukes and the crazy realistic Hogwarts castle weren't enough! Here is a peak into the trip I took back in October.

Lovestruck Expo

Last Sunday Darling & Daisy held the first ever Lovestruck Expo at the 2nd Floor in Toronto. I had the pleasure to be on the event management team and cannot believe it is already over! We had a great turn out and all around crazy, but fabulous day, filled with treats, a pop-violin artist, burlesque dancers and photobooth fun. We staged three separate parties (wedding, engagement, birthday) at the event, and let vendors incorporate their specialities into the designs, as well as giving them the option to have a booth. I am in awe of all the creative and talented Toronto businesses that I got the chance to meet. A big thank you to everyone who came out!

In between all the craziness I managed to snap a few pictures, but definitely head over to Lovestruck to check out all the professional shots!

{woodland theme birthday}

{boho engagement party}

{bicycle built for two themed wedding}

{team Lovestruck in the photo booth}

Vacation Beauty

I cannot believe that I will be finishing up my undergrad and heading to Costa Rica next week! I am so excited that I have already started rounding up my "must pack" beauty items. I am looking forwards to relaxing on the beach and doing some adventurous activities, but since the temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high 30's I am gravitating towards the light and dewy look. These are some of my favourite beauty products at the moment that I will not leave home without.

1. Batiste Dry Shampoo : because after long days by the pool there sometimes isn't enough time to wash hair before dinner
2. Baby Lips in Quenched : perfect moisture and SPF 20
3. Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine Spray : to spruce up the locks 
4. OPI Mermaid Tears : tropical and bright
5. Maybelline Dream Fresh Beauty Balm : (this is the first BB cream I've tried) tinted SPF
6. Bare Escentuals Bumox Lash : a travel size of one of my favourites
7. Revlon Love That Pink & MAC Viva Glam Gaga : bright pinks for evening wear
8. Clinique Moisture Surge Intense : can relieve the driest of face days 
9. Viva La Juicy : light and floral
10. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Buff : this is my favourite product right now, and I am excited to see how it lasts in the humid temperatures 

**On a side note: macaron look-a-like boxes are perfect for packing earrings and dainty rings 

Festival Fashion

Outdoor summer concerts and festivals have to be one of my favourite things.. ever. I can still remember my first Warped Tour (2006) where I lost one of my brand new sparkly flats while crowd surfing for the first time (I found it after the crowd disappeared, in a pile of dust). Since then, I like to think that I started making better outfit choices for summer music festivals, especially in the shoe department (no open back shoes or flip-flops for starters!). Even though I will sadly not be attending Coachella this weekend, I already  have a multitude of concerts to look forward to over the summer. I have put together a few perfect festival pieces, whether you enjoy laying back on the grass or getting up close and personal. 

1. Urban Renewal Acid Wash Destroyed Denim Shorts
2. Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Bag
3. Staring at Stars Crochet Panel Sweater Knit Top
4. River Island Gold Mega and Peal Ring Pack 
5. Asos Cat Eye Sunglasses
6. Studded Thong Sandals  
7. Skull Bracelet 
8. Asos Suede Studded Backpack 
9. Cambridge Knit 
10. Layered Maxi Dress
11. Pins and Needles Sweetheart Lace Crop Top
12. Daisy Lace Swing Tank Top
13. Geo High/Low Necklace
14. Rosie Cutout Combat Boot 
15. Zinke Starboard Bustier Bikini Top 

Lemon Cupcakes With Cool Whip Icing

When I'm in the mood for cupcakes (when am I not?) I almost always go for some variation of chocolate or caramel, but I made these lemon cupcakes for a birthday celebration and I'm hooked. I used this recipe for the cupcake (it may look familiar as I used the icing for my latest macarons), and decided to swap the strawberry buttercream for a tried and true favourite: my mom's cool whip icing. This icing is honestly one of the bests, it is very light and not as sweet as traditional icing. I have vidid memories of my mom baking cakes and cupcakes for birthday parties from my elementary school days, and this icing was almost always present. 

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of Cool Whip  
• 1/4 cup of icing sugar
• 1 cup of Milk
• 1 package of Instant Pudding mix in flavour of choice (I used vanilla) 

Directions:

1. Beat together pudding mix, milk and icing sugar
2. Fold in Cool Whip 
3. Optional: I added 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon peel shavings to compliment the lemon flavour of the cake

{These darling cupcake cups were found at Winners}

Closing Time

I cannot believe today is officially my last day of classes for my undergraduate program. I have came across some of the most amazing people who turned into the most amazing of friends, and the professors I've had over the past four years have taught me more than I could ever learn from a textbook. They have honestly shaped who I am and how I think about the world. I have truly loved my program despite the stress, sweat, tears and the countless all-nighters studying and writing papers. I wish everyone that I came across during my time at Glendon the very best of luck in everything they do. Usually I would be wishing to press the fast forward button on exams, but this time around I am trying to take it all in since it means the end of this chapter of my life. It has been a crazy last four years and although I haven't made any decisions for September, I am excited to see what is to come. 

Mastering le Macaron - Part Two

Hope everyone had a fabulous long weekend! If you saw my first attempt at making macarons, you knew I was on the hunt for a yummy buttercream recipe. I used the same recipe for the base of the macaron, but found an amazing raspberry buttercream icing to sandwich in the middle- and what a difference it made! I was hoping for a stronger yellow colour, but I was worried adding too much food colouring to the base would make them too watery, and not turn out. Still, I find the natural-ish colour looks great with the pink icing.

I used this icing recipe, but instead I changed the strawberry jam to seedless raspberry jam, and added a tad bit more for a stronger flavour. Although I still cannot compare them to the ones I had in Paris, this batch was far better than my first attempt. They were also a perfect addition to our Easter sweet table! Still wondering if any of you have mastered the macaron?