Mexico

Happy New Year I can't believe that 2012 is over- it went by so quickly. I have high hope this year, it's going to be a good one I can feel it!! 

Over Christmas I was lucky enough to join my family in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a week. It was absolutely gorgeous there, the week flew by, I think that the trip was much needed by everyone! Here are some of the photos I took while we were there that I would like to share with you, I took well over 400 and amongst the group thousands were taken- here are some of my favorites, that express the vibrancy and peace Puerto Vallarta had to offer!! 

C'est Si Bon

 Je Ne Sais Quoi Print|L'Essense Balenciaga|Isabel Marant Jacket|Ankle Boot|Givenchy Bowling Bag|Givenchy wallet|Chanel Nail Polish|Laduree|Pink Peonies|Eiffel Tower|Cafe Au Lait|Veuve Cliquot

One of the most enchanting places I have ever been is Paris. Not only is it the city of light and l'amour but there is something so captivating and historically rich that it left me with an incredible memory. In my daily life I like to reflect on french tradition sometimes, and enjoy a cafe, or eat baguette with a delicious cheese, listen to Edith Piaf, leisurely walk around my city while really taking in my surroundings. It is the simple pleasure that the Parisiennes enjoy that make life feel more plentiful.  Here are some of my favorite treats from my beloved Paris, I can't wait to see you again. Bisous xoxo

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Muskoka

Over the weekend Blayre and I went to the Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa to film a wedding. It was so gorgeous, an absolute must for anyone looking to get away from the city for the weekend, and a great place to bring kids. There are tons of water sports, the scenery is spectacular, and there are many lovely amenities including a spa. I also must mention the delicious Banana Chocolate Pudding- it was to die for... Especially at midnight cuddled up in bed after a 12 hour day!

I loved the scale and design of this pine tree styled chandelier in the sun room

We were so lucky that it didn't rain on the wedding date, I was also thankful there was a breeze  as we had lots of equipment to carry around. 

There were several pools on the property(Not to forget the miles of lake that sat in front of us)- sadly I didn't bring my bathing suit. :(

A lovely sized room, with an incredibly comfy bed! I think that this is close to three times the size as the one we stayed in in Japan!

Lovely cabin style pool house with my favorite hydrangeas

Was dying to climb up that floating slide, it looked so fun!!  During the ceremony there was one crazy fool who decides they should hurl themselves off of this, there is always one isn't there?? ahha

Photo shoot time! It was all very Chic Canadiana. The boats, the color scheme, all very Hudson Bay Company

Hard at work, I love this action shot! Unfortunately I don't have a better shot of the brides gown but it so pretty- the perfect balance of classic and modern.

Having a moment to sit and relax before the ceremony- it was really beautiful, the couple had a fabulous singer come and perform during the ceremony, and they read their own vows. (which despite all romantic comedies, people usually don't do) 

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Weekend Recap- Niagara Falls

What a fantastic weekend. My parents took my sister and I to Niagara Falls and what fun we had. I always have a great time with my family so I really look forward to trips like this. While we were there we celebrated my sisters 23rd birthday, took in a show in Niagara on the lake, went to the falls, ate great food, and lazed by the pool. It makes me feel like a kid again when it is just the four of us, I just love it. If you live in Toronto you should definitely head down for a day of two(you don't need more), go experience the falls, and then treat yourself to a stay at a cute hotel like the one we stayed at, it was so charming check it out here, it is called the Pillar and Post.

Today in Canada we have a national holiday so enjoy another beautiful sunny day all!! xo

The stairs famously seen in Niagara. They look really dangerous actually, and after seeing the film look as if they really haven't been updated in 60 years!

Getting ready to head to the falls. Maid of the Mist

Every family has a designated photographer. Peter is ours. 

Gorgeous views. The turquoise in the water was stunning.

On Maid of the Mist. I could barely see anything at this point because the mist had become so over powering so I had to just stick my hard out with the camera- this is the result.

My two favorite girls

The hotel Marilyn Monroe stayed in while filming Niagara in 1952. She was 26 when she filmed the movie. She died a decade later. We watched the movie last night to see if we recognized a lot of the places we had seen, quite good actually, not as dated as I had anticipated!

So ornate

Jennifer with a very sweet elephant

Rainforest Cafe- Jennifer and I love to take pictures here!! Its one of our favorite "sister things"

Having fun with the crew

The Mist

Lucky enough to see a rainbow while we were there.

Love this pic. Mom & Sis- Just like in the movie Niagara

We "journey'd" behind the falls- it was really quite breath-taking, and even kind of scary. I can't believe that man recently tight roped across them.... Insanity.

Isn't this so pretty. Patch of clovers. I wonder how many are  lucky??

We can't resist coming to IHOP. One of the classiest joints around!!

Smiley Face Pancake- A tradition 

Guilty pleasure IHOP- Waffle- So, so good. Although I felt ill after!!

Natural Whirlpool- Featured in the 1953 movie Niagara

Laura Secord Monument

The path of water that leads to the States

USA- Beautiful Farm. Sometimes I daydream of what it would be like to live in a small town.

Me and Bessie the Cow at Cows- We are dressed the same

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Niagara

Marilyn Monroe Niagara

My parents are visiting from Calgary and I couldn't be happier! They have spent the past week travelling through Ontario with my godmother. I am really excited to spend a few days together. Tonight we made some really delicious pizzas and watched I Love You Man- always interesting and mortifying to watch movies like this with your parents!!!

Going to Niagara Falls, On tomorrow so excited. Were going to do Maid of the Mist where you get to go under the falls and experience them in all of their wonder! I hope it feels like a ride at Disney world, that would be fun- I can't wait!

Friday is my little sis Jennifers b-day and I can't believe that she is going to be 23. Wow, time has flown by so quickly. She is my best friend and confident and it feels like it was just yesterday that we were racing around on our bikes in Alexandria, getting into Zoo in London, dancing up a storm in Munich, so many memories(Baby carriages for old people...)!!

I think I will return to the blog on Monday with fun pics, and hopefully we will have discovered some treasure along the way for me to share with you!

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

 Always Stay Graceful,

 L.

S.t.a.r.- You're Big In Japan

My favorite new pose- EVERYONE poses like this here

Konnichiwa Everyone!! We arrived safe and sound in Japan last week on Wednesday. Since we arrived it has been Go, Go, Go!!! This post is going to be pretty long- I have committed myself to a few good hours of picture loading -I am sorry this is going to be the LONGEST post ever, but I've missed you all, and I want to share all of our pictures/experiences with you guys(although this will be a small sampling, considering the truck load of photos I have taken so far.) So buckle up people!!

In the ancient bamboo gardens- one of the most spiritual places to be, so quiet and serene, and clean- they had stadd in there sweeping the ground!

Blayre and I began our journey by taking the train into Kamakura(the transportation here is incredible- so convenient). Apparently Kamakura is an old training ground of Samurai, and is currently an upscale surf town that caters to wealthy tourists and surfers. People also come far and wide to visit the many shrines and to see the Daibutsu- a large Buddha statue nestled in the mountain side. Also it is the "sakura" season, which mean "cherry blossom" season and so while all of the flowers in bloom it is a beautiful sight! Kamakura kind of reminds me of Hawaii, lots of surf shops and burger joints(so not what I was anticipating to see) and this is actually something I have noticed in Tokyo too- lots of Hawaiian inspiration! From Thursday- Saturday we had our plates full with wedding stuff( we came here to film a wedding!) The couple Duc & Hiroko live in L.A. but because of the brides family background on her paternal side decided to have a traditional Japanese ceremony, it was such an incredible experience- I will post the video when it is finished. Check out Elle & Be films for other wedding vids.

OMG- Real Bamboo in the wild, I was just Blown away!!

At the Bamboo Gardens

Twins thanks to Joe Fresh!

We love the vending machines here- amazing coffee drinks- some are even served hot!!

I took about 100 photos inside of 7/11- The staff was laughing at me- there are so many cool things to take pictures of I couldn't stop myself!

In 7/11- Great food options including Gyozas...

Daibutsu in kamakura- Look how small I am!!

Blayre taking part in the cleansing ritual upon entering the spiritual grounds of the Daibutsu

A beautiful shrine we found not far from the Daibutsu, that was the most beautiful zen & scenic place I have ever been to, just gorgeous. With views of the ocean, it was literally paradise. I feel so inspired by the Japanese culture at the moment.

The driver was in such good shape

Yes, this is what the rickshaw driver wears to run.... He ran 2 miles in these...

Blayre filming

Cherry Blossom lined path through Kamakura

The wedding- there were so many tourists snapping this I felt like we were with Britney Spears

Sake wall

Harajuku was insane- everything there is so over the top, loud, colorful and cartoon like- doesn't feel like reality. If I had some of my childhood wardrobe I would look more of the part. Think Betsey Johnson & Hello Kitty + Sailor Moon= Harajuku Girl

Saturday we hopped on a train and headed into Tokyo and found ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the "Electric District". I love Tokyo so much, the culture is so incredibly different and yet familiar at the same time. Japan is rich in traditional values and so advanced in some of it's technology, and self expression through the street fashions- it is a land of great juxtaposition. The females are very overt in the way that they dress, and yet they are very feminine and quiet when it comes to self expression. It is crazy to see someone running out of an arcade in Harajuku, dressed as little bo peep, eating a Krispy Kreme doughnut with an arm full of Chanel bags, while beside them an old woman walks slowly dressed in a traditional kimono heading to an ancient temple within the same city block. What is really interesting though is that everyone seems to respect each other. There is next to no garbage on the streets, and there seems to be a lot of respect for tradition and the older generations here which is quite beautiful to see.

Major Trend- Tattoo designed sheer Tights

Topshop- Bright pastels everywhere

Rock N' Roll- Loved this dress

This mall had many levels, and in between were these cascading displays

These glasses were $200 and the sales guy was totally trying to pretend that it would be cool if we bought them... I think not- they look like something that a Venetian cartoon character would wear

We had no idea what was going on here- peoples names were drawn, then a contestant would go up to both of these girls and challenge them to "Rock, Paper, Scissors", who ever won got a flyer with their faces on it??

Look at the girls face on the far right- it is covered in jewels, and decorative items

Harajuku Girl

Crazy phone cases

Hawaii inspired decor

One of our favorite treats- Chocolate filled Koala Bears

Our hotel room- Remm Akihabara- Blayre is totally channeling Lost in Translation

The view from out hotel room

Incredible "Taco" joint- Hola Taco Cafe in Harajuku- and by taco I mean Japanese food crammed into a hard taco shell- so good!!

The Final Act: Last night my sister and parents arrived to join us for the week- so amazing that we are all here together! Today is my birthday and so we walked through some beautiful parks, and the big treat of the day was having afternoon tea at Ladureé at the famous Mitsokushi Department Store in the Ginza district of Tokyo. It was such a fantastic experience, everything is so incredibly beautiful, and the desserts are straight from the heavens!! The pictures will speak for themselves!

Jennifer's Glam shot in front of Laduree

The details are impeccable down to the gold embossed napkins

Fit for royalty..

A look at the dessert bar

Raspberry & Citron Tarte

Buddha Shrine in Yanaka Cemetery

Beautiful Cherry Blossom Trees lined the streets throughout the graveyard

Young Hipster Punks hang out on the grave stones

We walked into a Pachinko arcade/casino type place - everyone in there was in a trance. There is no law against smoking in these places so the smell was intense, and the music was blasting- we ran out before they told us to stop taking pictures!

Crazy neon colors everywhere

So here are some pictures of our trip so far- I have taken around 700 pictures already(it's out of control) I will post more later! You have probably spent the better part of you morning now looking through this, but I mean if you are at work and feeling like getting away for a bit- why now!!

Also check out this great article that Blayre wrote for Weddingbells.ca about what to look for when picking out a videographer on your wedding day- So proud of my guy! xoxo

Always Stay Graceful,

L.