How to Turn Your Patio Into An Oasis

It's mid August... where did the time go! Soaking in the last bit of summer has been exceptionally sweet now that our little patio space is finally decorated. When Brandon and I moved in last summer we were so focused on the inside of the house that we totally neglected the outdoor space! I know it's a small space, but we just had priorities to get to!  It was a huge goal of ours to turn the space into a little oasis, where we could relax, have some friends over for drinks and BBQ some delicious food. Now that things have slowed down we have been enjoying it more and more. There are definitely a few ways we mastered the patio hang-out, and turned our space into a little oasis.

You don't need much to make it happen! Here's what you need to turn your outdoor space into a mini summer oasis:

1. Comfy seating
We knew we wanted a lounge sofa instead of a dining table and chair set up. It's just so much more conducive to hosting and hanging out! Plus who doesn't love a good cat nap outdoors? We scored our sofa at a great price online, but I knew I wanted to add in a pop of colour with some fun accent pillows so I headed to Target to pick up a few. I love how the colours are bright and fun and they do go with the couch.  Having a large seating area is perfect for hosting friends and family. Just make sure your pillows are weather proof! You don't want the rain to destroy them.

2. Delicious Drinks

To really feel like we're in a mini oasis we serve up some delicious drinks. This summer I was introduced to SoCIAL Lite vodka drinks and they are a serious game changer! Any drink that I can feel good about drinking is a winner in my book. They are crafted cocktails made from vodka, soda and 100% natural flavours. I am OBSESSED with Grapefruit Pomelo and Blood Orange! They are a nice light drink, and since I hate sugary drinks these are perfection. They have 0 g of sugar and 0 carbs. Yeah, summer-time perfection!




3. Music
Is there anything better than cooking and dancing along to good music? Usually we have a Frank Sinatra playlist going, or French bistro music (LOL). Or we go full on Spanish-mode when it's taco night. We always bring out our portable speaker  and connect to a playlist. It set's the tons for the night and livens things up when friends are over!


4. Plants/Decor
To have an oasis you need some greenery or plant life! It just takes the space up a notch and really makes you feel like you are somewhere tropical. We found some tropical plants to place around the perimeter of the deck and on the coffee table. We also hung an antique mirror on the back wall. Call me crazy, I know! But it makes the space look that much bigger and it feels so rustic, yet cool, and very homey! I love how the wall looks larger and adds in some ambiance.




5. Good people
Yup, the icing on the cake? Good friends and family to spend your days with. Summer is short, guys! You don't want to miss out on those special moments and get-togethers. Make time for loved ones this summer and get them over for a SoCIAL Lite! The drinks pair exceptionally well with popcorn or my fave, chips and guac!

That's it! A few key elements and suddenly you'll feel like you're in the tropics! Is there anything I'm missing that you feel makes a patio something special?

Thank you to SoCIAL Lite for sponsoring this post!

Honeymoon Beauty with Drunk Elephant The Littles

We're going to Miami and I am packing light. I am soooo ready to chill out. You will find me poolside, champagne side, and lathered up in SPF. It's just how I roll. I am beyond excited for the wedding but am also so excited to hang with my hunnie for a few days just us two! This summer has flown by with wedding prep, launching GG & CO, and work.

So what's in my skincare bag? Since I'm packing light I am relying on one brand that  I adore. I am obsessed with Drunk Elephant. I started with their Vitamin C serum after I ran out of this one, and from then on I knew I had to try more from the brand. The whole DE range is clean, fragrance-free,  and they focus on using LESS. Which is so important, no filler toxins or strange ingredients. Just

The Littles set is the ultimate and most perfect travel set. It includes everything you need for your skincare collection, all in travel-sized bottles to fit anywhere! I am smitten with this set. It's their most loved goodies all wrapped up into one little blue waterproof bag to take on the go.

So, what's in it? How do you use it?

I'll take you morning and night how I use the products:

AM
*Beste Cleanser (jelly, so light but really cleanses the prores)
*C-Firma (vitamin C serum), mixed with B-Hydra (hydrating serum). I mix these two serums together. You don't have to. Decide if you want to brighten go for the C-Firma if you want hydration go for B-Hydra.
*C-Tango (eye cream to dab in the thin skin below the eyes)
*Umbra Tint (it's a moisturizer with SPF 30 and has a little glow to it)

PM
*Beste Cleanser again
*T.L.C. serum (it's a glycolic serum so it exfoliates and gets rid of dead skin cells)
*Marula Oil (Face oil to rejuvenate the skin, lock in moisture and nourishes the skin)
*Protini Cream (a decadent face cream to seal the deal for the night)

GUYS. THIS SET. It's literally everything. So worth it. Literally made me for to take to Miami, right?!

Let me know if you're drunk in love with DE.

GET IT NOW!

Indie Lee Daily Vitamin Infusion

When brands actually take the time to reach out to you to get their message out to the world, it has such a huge impact on me.  So many companies try and inundate the industry with their "try this, try that messaging", but why? We want to know how they use their products, what they use and all the deets!

While Indie Lee was visiting Toronto, I had the chance to sit down with her and chat all things wellness, clean beauty and even her favourite spots in Singapore.

If you don't know her story, you NEED to drop everything and become familiar with it now. The brand is about empowerment, education and healthy living. After being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, Indie made it her mission to change what we put in and on our bodies, what we clean with,  and what we eat. She's fighting disease, pollutants, toxins one day at a time, and wants to educate us on how we can do the same.

I love Indie Lee products. They are grounded in education, nature and holistic living. One sniff and I instantly feel at ease and my shoulders lower. It's like my tension is released, and I am calm. Like I can breathe again, and see straight again.

I've already chatted about the squalane oil here, but I think I found my newest obsession. The Daily Vitamin Infusion. It's a new oil/serum and it contains my beloved squalane, but also rosehip seed, vit e, rosemary leaf, and avo oil. Basically, MAX nourishing, plumed, and hydrated. I am hooked! Just a few days with this stuff and my skin is already looking so refreshed!!

Next, do you ever suffer from achy muscles, inflammation, or body pain? ME TOO! Post gym soreness? Tense shoulders? Tech neck? I have it all... Enter in the I-Recover Mind & Body Gel. It contains arnica, black pepper, lavender, and mint. All you do is rub over your muscles/joints and it soothes and releases pain and tension. Indie told me she uses it whenever she has a flare from her arthritis. Now that is power by nature! It goes on light, absorbs quickly and the smell is just so sensual.

Some of my other favourites? The Brightening Cleanser, it's light, smells like strawberries, and none of the products are formulated with sulfates, phthalates, petrolatum, parabens, aluminum, and dyes. Hello, beautiful!

And, while I still have your attention, I URGE you to check out the Radiance Renewal Peel pads. Man, on man, you know I LOVE peel pads. It's like an instant skin fix. Leaves you with baby soft skin as it exfoliates, and skin is brighter and more even toned. I love that these contain vit c (!!), so good for hyperpigmentation. Just make sure to lather up with sunscreen afterward, as your skin will be more sensitive after the exfoliation! And guys-- don't let these go to waste, use the remainder on the back of your hands and on your chest. You know what I said

Have you dived into the green world of beauty? Now I don't want you to become overwhelmed and throw everything away and feel like you need to be 100% green and clean. Just start with small changes! Are you out of a product? Why not, when you go to restock try out a different one, that is better for you, the environment and ultimately the world!

Let me know if you've tried Indie below...

GET THE GOODS!

Pre-Wedding Beauty Tips

This post is sponsored by Centrum, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

You all know that I am serious about my beauty routine. It's something I don't compromise on. Now that the wedding is officially one (!!!) month away I'm doing all the things I can to stay on top of it. But it can get a little hard. There are all the outings, the celebrations, and the indulgences that definitely take a toll on my skin, and in turn, are affecting my time management skills. With all the things on my mind, like finalizing the officiant, collecting RSVPs, getting guest favors in order, I need max efficiency when it comes to beauty. Especially since stress can affect you on many levels. No thank you!! There are a few things I've been doing to keep in check that require minimal thought and effort. Like so minimal I don't even need to think about it. Which is amazing for lowering those stress levels! And I'm about to spill...

Here are the latest three beauty hacks I've been incorporating into my wedding routine:

Beauty foods
Water dense foods have really been helping to improve my hydration levels and keep me looking plump and dewy. If you look in my fridge there is usually a wide assortment of fresh fruits and veggies. I love snacking on them, taking them to work, or having them cut and prep for when I am ravenous and need something to tide me over before dinner is ready. I recently read that celery is great for hydration, carrots can provide nutrients for my eyesight, and veggies like spinach can help build on my fiber intake. You can really never have enough greens, right? Just drizzle with some olive oil and lemon and you're all set!

Beauty Supplements
This is something I introduced into my routine this year and I'm hooked. Taking Centrum Multigummies Multi+Beauty requires no effort or thought on my part, which I love. I can work on my beauty routine without even thinking about it. I have the bottle out on the counter with my beauty items, and the flavours are cherry, berry, and orange! Best part? They really work to support your beauty from within. It's not just a cosmetic fix! The gummies are a multivitamin that is formulated to maintain eyesight, bone health, and metabolism. They also contain essential vitamins (including biotin) to promote thicker hair, healthy skin and stronger nails. Efficient, effective, just what I need right now! Plus-- my hairdresser actually told me my hair looked so great on my last appointment!


Gua Sha
I can't get enough of this little tool. It's a self-care, beauty technique that is said to help with circulation, help reduce puffiness, lift and firm the skin as well as smooth fine lines and wrinkles.  If you are familiar with a jade roller, it's similar to that. You glide the tool over the face in an upward motion to move the liquid and build up out of your face. It's amazing for contouring and really de-bloats the face. Here's a quick video to get you started on how to do it. I just slather on some face oil or serum and glide away. The stone has a grounding/calming effect so the ritual is very therapeutic to me. Try it out next time your reading, watching tv or lying in bed.



Do you have any other beauty tips to spill? I can't wait to keep you posted on the wedding journey! Time is just flying by!

*This post is sponsored by Centrum.

Have you tried Centrum Multigummies Multi + Beauty supplement? For more information, visit www.centrum.ca.

MultiVitamin/Mineral Supplement. Always read and follow the label.

London and Amsterdam Outfit Diary

I was itching to get back to Europe. It had just been TOO long. When my girlfriend and I actually discussed the idea, we didn't think it would happen... until we looked at each other and our eyes light up... "LET'S DO IT!".

Traveling to Europe with a carry on sized bag is never an easy task. Especially when you love taking photos, showcasing your outfits and sharing content. But girl's gotta travel light if she wants to be efficient! I mean-- I was taking planes, trams and walking my behind all over so it was just not an option to travel with a large suitcase. So I packed the essentials. A few pieces to really mix and match my ensembles and make it seem like I had more to work with. I think it worked out pretty well, plus I still had room to bring home two pairs of shoes from Primark and a new satin pink skirt! I was smitten.

Here's how I worked my wardrobe to maximize my outfits:

BOTTOMS
I brought 4 pairs of pants with me; a pink pair, a white pair, a pair of mustard culottes and a pair of jeans. I wore them all at least twice each! This may seem like a lot, but since they are all very thin wide leg style they rolled so well in my carry on and took up no space! The thickest pair of pants, my comfy jeans, I wore on the plane and on the colder days in London. They were great to pair with a tank top and also my sweater. It's just practical to bring a pair of jeans while travelling since they are so versatile. I find darker jeans to be best for travels as they are super easy to make look fancy with some accessories! The pants I mixed and matched with my tops all week.

 TOPS
I brought all the basics, all neutrals and all thin piece which were perfect for layering. A knit white tank, a fine black tank, and a pink crop top. Each top could be worn with each pair of pants so my outfits literally doubled. I stuffed them my rattan bag in my suitcase so once again they took up no space! Very effective! I ended up picking up a leopard crop top which was once again SO thin that I knew it would take up no space when rolled.

SWEATER
I wore one sweater on the plane and ended up getting SO much wear out of it, since it was chilly when we would leave in the early morning on our adventures. It was pink (naturally), and once again could be paired with white, more pink, yellow and of course, the denim jeans.

JACKETS
I brought my jean jacket in my suitcase and wore my leather jacket on the flight. Having two options was great as it allowed me to switch up my looks from day to night and make my outfits edgier.

STATEMENT PIECES
I had to bring some fun pieces! A little leopard dress, my Gucci bag (which stayed with me in my carry on all flight), and a fun dotted jumpsuit. On my travels, I picked up the satin long skirt which was literally 9 pounds, so I HAD to jump on it!

ACCESSORIES
Here's where I go a bit fun! Big earrings, hair clips, rings, and chain necklaces. They really change up the look of an outfit and are so easy to add a touch of glamour or grunge to any look. As much as I wanted to bring all the clutches and bags, I brought two-- my pink GG and a rattan bag. Both large enough to fit phone, wallet and my lippies. I always had hand wipes in my bags, and my watermelon face mist. Pro tip-- stuffing your bags with your tank tops is a great way to save space!

SHOES
I love a simple white sneaker while travelling. They are so versatile, and go with everything! Not to mention they are so comfortable to walk endless miles in. I wore my white Keds on the flight and with a few looks. It's so essential to bring a few options because you never know how your feet will respond to walking for hours in one pair. I brought a pair of black slides as well and ended up purchasing a pair of white slides at Primark. I brought along one pair of high heeled black slides which I wore in the evenings. I love that they were low in height, still comfortable for daytime walking, and are open in the back (no swelling!).

I don't think I overpacked since I got a lot of wear out of EVERYTHING in my suitcase. Next time, I would consider a blazer in place of one of the coats because I am just loving oversized blazers right now! All in all, I think I did pretty great! I even managed to minimize my skincare routine (which you can still catch in my story highlights on Instagram). All my outfits in live action and beauty products are in my London & Amsterdam highlights if you'd like to take a peek!

What an amazing trip. Honestly, it felt so good to get away even if only for a week! It's amazing how energized and inspired a little travel, culture and new experiences can make you!

What are some of your packing/traveling light tips?

G E T  T H E  G O O D S

Glamorous Bachelorette Weekend in Toronto

Okay, so it's been a bit since my bachelorette staycation.  I know, I know! There was a lot going on and I did need a few days before I was fully functioning (lol). It was THAT fun. I felt like I was 19 again. Jumping on beds, running around town with my girlfriends, staying up until 5 AM. Ah.. the good old days! The only difference is that we had a gorgeous hotel suite to ourselves and didn't have to worry about waking up our parents! My girlfriends really made me feel soo unbelievably special and honored to be in their lives. Our weekend consisted of some of my favorite things-- champagne, guacamole from Baro (one of my fave restaurants in Toronto), sparkly dresses, photoshoots and more! We even had tarot cards readings and in-room yoga!

I'm going to break down all the goods, and dive into exactly what you need to have the ultimate glamorous bachelorette staycation in Toronto. 

WHERE TO STAY: Since we weren't going too far and we didn't have to worry about flights and transfers, we picked a luxurious hotel where we could truly feel like princesses! The St. Regis Toronto was the epitome of luxury and glamour! From the moment I pulled up the staff was waiting for me with a glass of prosecco in hand, and ready to accommodate my needs. I felt like a true celeb! It was so swanky and I loved it. Who wouldn't? And seriously, just the smell of the hotel is so breathtaking. You walk in an immediately you feel at ease, refreshed and like a true star.

The bed was fluffy and oh, so comfy and the staff were actually divine. They came to pull out our sofa bed every night, and put it back together the next morning. They brought us chocolate dipped macarons, and even a chocolate tower molded to the shape of the hotel! They were so accommodating and even brought us up buckets of ice to chill our bubbly! How soon can I get back here?!

PARTY VIBE: The girls were already upstairs and were setting up the room.  So I headed on up, glass in hand to our deluxe suite on the twenty-fifth floor, overlooking the gorgeous Toronto skyline. There were balloons, photo props, and pink party accessories! Night one got started. We had snacks delivered from my favourite healthy foodies, the girls from The Fix + Co. put together a veggie tray, and fruit tray with coconut bites and more. It was delish! You need room snacks, especially when the drinks come out. Popcorn, veggies and dip, fruit and protein bites were all essentials!

GAMES TO PLAY: The girls put together some really cute games for my arrival. Number one-- guess who brought the lingerie. The coffee table was adorned with undergarments which each of the girls had brought. I had to guess who brought one depending on their styles. If I got it wrong-- drink! (well, we drank if I got it right, too!). The next game was my favourite. They had asked Brandon a series of questions regarding our love story before. Think-- what's your favourite quality in Gab, where was your favourite vacation spent together, what was your first impression of Gab, etc. I had to guess his answers. It was really so sweet to hear his answers and to have his direct quotes read out to me. I could hear his answers in my head and having them read out exactly as he wrote them was hilarious.

"LOW-KEY" NIGHT: Our first night was supposed to be low key. That's a big LOL. They had made reservations at Baro Toronto-- one of my absolute favourite resturants. I loved that the girls picked Baro because this meant we did not have to switch places for after dinner dancing. We ended dinner at 11 PM and headed right upstairs to Escobar. You need a password to get in, but the hostess brought us up where we stayed for drinks and dancing.

DAY ACTIVITY: Day two consisted of brunch at LOUIX LOUIS. It's the restaurant at the St.Regis. The decor is stunning, just so luxurious and alluring. The ceiling looks like pink marble, the room is grand and the bar is massive. We had our breakie and headed back down to the room for in-room yoga and tarot card readings put on by One Love Tarot. We had a restorative yoga session, where we got to basically nap (lol) and then we hung out altogether before refreshing.

FANCY NIGHT: You need to have one fancy night for your bachelorette (even if it just is one night). For us, this meant we all got decked out in sequins. As soon as the girls decided on sequins, I visited my ladies at The Fitzroy for a dress rental. This piece was the most perfect bachelorette piece, ever! Just enough booty! We got ready and I had my favourite photographer, Laura Clarke, come over to take some fun shots of all of us in the room. Then we put on our outfits and basically had a hell of a time running around the city in our sequins while Laura took pictures. Having these moments captured meant so much to me! Especially I'm such a lover of capturing the moments. So many little giggles and laughs that cannot be captured by a selfie. We went back to our suite and the girls told me we were going to A Toi, which is the hidden restaurant/bar behind the coffee shop, Coffee Oysters Champagne. The decor, the menu, the drinks and the staff-- it's all an experiential vibe that makes you feel like you're walking into a scene from The Great Gatsby. It was sooo swanky, such Paris vibes. I was obsessed! You walk into a hidden champagne room and a secret door transports you back in time. You can't even leave back through the front door! My superstitious girlfriend was freaking! Such a good time if you're looking for a totally unique experience!

The next day we woke up and made our way back to the real world. It was such a dream to live such a luxe life for two nights! I'm seriously still in awe from the weekend and how amazing my girlfriends are! It felt so good to spend the whole weekend with them. Best part is we didn't have to far at all! Having a glamorous hotel suite to ourselves for two days was so perfect-- no flight necessary! We got to laugh, dance, cry and pop bubbly. Now that it's over it's basically all steam ahead to the wedding! Oh, baby, are we every getting close!

P.S. You can check out my Instagram highlights reel for the behind the scenes x-rated moments ;) (click GB WEB)

AND make SURE you watch the VLOG here:

*Thank you to The St. Regis Toronto for partnering with me on this occasion, and to The Fix + Co. for satisfying all cravings!

*All of these glorious photos were taken by the most talented Laura Clarke Photography.