Watercolour Skirt

This mint bag is the first pastel piece I ever featured on P&P. It lead me down a path of pastel obsession and fixation, and every time I wear it I am flooded with the memories of first starting this blog. The bag was first bought as my every day bag, it accompanied me on a European adventure, and has now become a special piece I cherish wearing. I pulled it out for a wedding shower last weekend, and just loved how it accented the colours in this watercolour skirt. Coming across a big mint door was just an added bonus!

{H&M top, RW&CO skirt, Coach bag (old- similar, similar), Handmade earrings (by a friend), Old Navy sandals (similar)}

Uptown, Downtown

Black on black felt like the perfect combination to take me from a surprise birthday party in the north end to a late dinner/celebration in the heart of the city this past weekend. I know you read this here, but just because I go crazy for mint and blush, doesn't mean I don't love a good black on black ensemble! I whipped out these leopard party shoes, a fuzzy pastel coat, and a sequin/backless top for a little embellishment... a new haircut always helps too! Tell me- how do you elevate the classic colour? 

{Old Navy coat, Forever 21 top, Tory Burch clutch, J Brand pants, Sam Edelman pumps}

Minty Cool

My mint obsession continues! I was doing a little Black Friday shopping this past weekend and came across this mint coat at Old Navy. It was love at first sight, and it was also 40% off (!!). Winter days often devour the sunlight and leave us with dreary, grey skies, and wearing this jacket literally brightens up my day. It's fuzziness keeps me warm, and just wearing this particular shade can force a smile out of me on the haziest of days. I must say, my closet really looks like a cotton candy dream now! I love pairing this coat with sparkly gold and white; it's a fresh, cool, and classic way to incorporate pastels into your winter wardrobe. Seriously, who ever said pastels aren't possible in Winter?!

{Smart Set hat, H&M top, Old Navy coat, Zara pants & pumps, Kate Spade clutch}

Impending Shift

Soaking up the final days of summer means that I will be parading around town in true pastels and pastries fashion- floral on floral on ballerina slipper pink on mint. Some of these pieces will stick around for the summer-fall transition, others I will sadly be saying à bientôt to for this year. Does parting with some of your most-loved summer pieces seem like an impossibility right now? 

Sugar Cookies and Royal Icing

 A few years ago I asked my aunt for her famous sugar cookie recipe and now every time I make them my mind becomes flooded with childhood memories. Her cookies were always baked to perfection, iced in pretty colours, cut into fun shapes and I could not wait to dive into them at any chance I could get! This year I decided to put a pastel spin on the classic Christmas shapes and I'm so excited to bring them out on Christmas day where she can give mine a taste. Follow the recipe below and make these for any occasion, I promise you won't be disappointed!

Sugar Cookie:

3/4 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 TSP vanilla
2 1/2 cups four
1 TSP baking powder
1 TSP salt

1. Thoroughly mix butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
2. Blend in flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Cover dough at least 1 hour to chill in refrigerator.
4. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
5. Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on  floured board.
6. Cut our shapes and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake 6-8 minutes. (makes about 4 dozen)

Royal Icing:

4 cups sifted powered sugar

3 tablespoons meringue powder

8-10 tablespoons of warm water

1. On a medium speed, beat powered sugar and meringue powder together.
2. Gradually add in the warm water- 1 TSP at a time (you may find you don't need all 10).
3. Stop beating when icing is texture of toothpaste (not too runny, not too thick). 
4. Separate into bowls and add desired food colouring.
5. Put icing into squeeze bottles or icing bags and pipe away (I start by outlining the cookie and then flood the inside adding more as necessary). 

I usually ice the cookies the day after I bake them because the process tends to be long. Don't let this discourage you! They are the cutest little cookies and are just as delicious as they look.

Top 5 Summer Moments

Once I finished school, I thought I would have more free time to do as I please. Boy was I wrong! I may not have had mandatory readings to do and essays to write, but this summer I worked my first 9-5 job, and after adding on an hour commute (each way), I felt the weeks just slipping away. Not to mention trying to balance time to see friends and family felt as though I was working another job in itself! That being said, I still did manage to have some wonderful adventures and moments that I will never forget. So here they are, my top five favourites moments of summer 2013. 

I know what you're thinking! One of my favourites moments from this summer was really spent eating cake? But yes, this year's birthday cake (made by my fabulous mother) was so amazing that my mouth waters just thinking of it! Maybe it was because last year we were away on my birthday, and the slice of restaurant cake was not exactly extraordinary, or maybe it was because she put so much heart and soul into the cake. As you know, chocolate chip cookie dough is my weakness, and this baby had it all over! Best birthday cake ever!

As you saw with all my planning here, that busy June weekend where I hosted a Champagne Birthday Party and my Graduation Gathering, was such a special weekend. On the Saturday night we celebrated, Gatsby style, for my boyfriend's birthday, and on the Sunday I was showered with love from all my family and friends. It was such a wonderful, heartwarming weekend and one that I will always remember. 

If you already know me you'll know that I love live music! So, when Mumford and Sons announced their Gentlemen of the Road Tour- Simcoe Stopover, I knew I had to go (despite the fact that camping was necessary and I haven't camped since Girl Guides). I went with some friends from school and it was the most amazing weekend! We arrived after a long drive on Friday and by the time we set up our tent we were only able to catch Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes play. We woke up early on Saturday and went into town, which was completely gentlemen-ified. It was amazing to see how the whole town embraced the 2-day festival. The streets were closed, there was moustaches and top hats everywhere, and all the local people had volunteered to help out. By Saturday night we were ready to see Mumford and made our way through the 35,000 person crowd to get to the front. We had the most amazing view and the music was incredible, just as I anticipated. 

Before I started my internship I was able to get away to Central America for a quick trip. It was an amazing time filled with adventure, beautiful scenery, and ultimate relaxation. We learned so much about the region and the local people were so kind. There is still so much more I would love to have seen in that region, and just thinking about it is making my desire to travel grow! Hmmm.. where to next?

If you would like, you can read more about my time in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Lastly, I have never felt so proud, excited, nervous, liberated and invincible as I did on my graduation day. It was such an amazing moment and definitely it has become my most memorable day of summer.

**This post may be premature, seeing as I have pretty exciting long weekend plans, however I felt as though a post was long overdue! 

Graduation Party Inspiration

Finishing my undergrad is hands down my biggest achievement yet, so it's no surprise that my family and I are in the celebrating mood. This weekend my parents are throwing me a graduation party, and despite the risk of thunderstorms, I am feeling pretty blessed that other people actually want to come together and celebrate something that I have accomplished. Even though I've been so busy working and planning this event, I've managed to commondeer some of the planning to add a hint of my favourites, as you can see with this inspiration board, the colours mint and gold especially.  Stay tuned for pictures from the event! 

Modern Monochrome

If monochrome consists of varying tones of only one colour, why does the term evoke bold coloured suits and teased hair that was so prevalent in the 90's (think Saved by the Bell). I love the idea of wearing various shades of one colour! You can customize the hues to your liking, and it provides a fresh look. It's no surprise that blue is my go-to, so I paired my favourite mint bag with lighter jeans and a deeper coloured peplum top. For a pop of colour, and to keep the outfit from looking too put together, I threw on a pink statement necklace and some favoured bracelets. I think it's safe to say that going monochrome can be an exciting way to make a professional, crisp statement, while moving away from the all black or all white ensembles. 

{Top- Smart Set, Jeans- Material Girl, Purse- Coach, Necklace- Forever 21} 

Plenitude of Pastels

During the spring and summer months my favoured ensemble is often comprised of an abundance of pastels. Yes, I do pair pastel pieces with neutrals in fall and winter, but I seem to go pastel crazy when the warmer weather hits and the sun is shining! In contrast to the perceived ideology, pastels do not have to be faint and subdued, and I often find that wearing a combination of mint, lavender and pink can be just as bright and dazzling as your favourite neon pieces. The pairing of pastels makes me most happiest, and I hope you now understand where the "pastels" in "pastels and pastries" came from. And yes, you may remember my obsession with this Coach Mini Tanner from this post ... I caved. 

{and the fact that it matches this 1957 Cadillac is amazing.. but purely coincidental}

{Blouse & Necklace- Forever 21, Jeans- Topshop, Shoes- Shoedazzle, Purse & Wallet -Coach, Sunglasses- D&G}