a sweet valley high

Posted by kait / May 21, 2013

Just returned from a beautiful long weekend away to visit our friends in Trail, BC. A much-needed getaway to a beautiful valley was exactly what the doctor ordered. Feeling so much more refreshed and relaxed after returning. I’ve vowed to myself to not stay up past 11pm on weeknights anymore as that was becoming an easily increasing problem in my daily routine. Honestly, I was up until 4am the other night writing away. Not healthy despite the wonderful flow of words emerging from my brain.

While visiting the Kaslo May Days festival with our friends on Sunday, Jen and I stopped into a psychic & tarot card reader’s booth to get readings done. It was really incredible as to what she picked up on from me, without me hardly saying a word. She even knew that I had to be careful with what I eat as I am very sensitive and can get quite sick. She also told me some interesting things about my career future and some paths I will end up on in the next six years. Lots to look forward to, most certainly. It was nice to get an unbiased opinion or viewpoint from someone like her. Would love to get another reading done again sometime soon – this time maybe a bit more in-depth.

Back to the lovely grindstone now – so much to do & so much to share once it is all done. This summer is going to be amazing.

Make It An Analogue Day + Giveaway!

Posted by kait / May 18, 2013

Do you ever shoot with film? Do you ever take a moment away from your precious smartphone to press down on the shutter of a real film camera? Personally, I love to shoot analogue. I love the excitement of getting back a roll of film and never quite knowing what the results will be. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t – you never really know but sometimes you get some amazing images out of it. My favourite cameras for experimenting are Lomography cameras. I have been shooting on various forms of LOMO for over 10 years. Recently, I’ve been shooting on a DianaMini, Action Sampler and the La Sardina. The best time to take photos is obviously in the summer – the light is perfect and there is so much more to capture than in the hibernating months of winter. Just sharing a sampling here of my favourite images i have taken as of late. Every time I travel, I try to bring my cameras with me to really capture a different side of my travels.

Shooting on a sunny day is best – you can really capture some amazing images. Flowers photograph amazing with a LOMO camera – a certain nostalgic vibe rings through and just looks incredible.

I also love shooting at night with a coloured flash. Great for capturing your pals in a bar or while out for dinner – you can come up with some amazing images on a night to remember.

Because I love my LOMO cameras so much, especially my new La Sardina, I thought it would be great to partner with Lomography Canada to do a giveaway for my lovely readers. I want you to start shooting analogue this summer and I am going to do so by giving away a La Sardina St. Tropez Fontanette!

Entering is simple! Leave a comment here with your name & email address about why you want to shoot analogue this summer! The contest is open to Canadian readers only. Contest ends on May 24th and will be announced here.

For more chances to win, follow Lomography Canada here on Facebook and here on Twitter. After you have done so, leave a comment here to let us know that you have done so.

Good luck & stay analogue!

Here are some great images shot with a La Sardina from Lomography to get you inspired:

design district

Posted by kait / April 29, 2013

Continuing our plan for more date nights, we recently headed out for a dinner date and evening at District Tavern. I had stopped in at District before during Stampede season for a quick drink & bite for lunch but I haven’t been in since so I was really looking forward to seeing what was new on their menus.

While I was excited to hear about their delicious selection of gluten-free options, Byron was angling more for the craft beers that are brewed in house. And our server was really excited about bacon. Seriously, there is bacon in almost everything on their menu. We ordered up some drinks, I got their happy hour Mojito while Byron slurped up some Ambush Pale Ale. Starting our meal with a half dozen West Coast oysters served up with some, you guessed it, bacon vodka mignonette. The oysters were fresh and tasty with a real kick to them with the vodka sauce.

The cool thing about District is that they have all of the menus on rolling chalkboards allowing the chef to change things out daily. Sounds like they love bringing in new fresh ingredients and switching everything up a bit! After finishing up our oysters and drinks, it was time for dinner. I ordered the District Burger with a gluten-free bun with sweet potato fries. Absolutely delicious – I would have this burger again and again. Byron went for something a bit more Southern-style – pulled pork on a bun and the house IPA.

I’ll definitely be back for Happy Hour & a burger. And maybe next time I’ll try out their legendary poutine menu!

Design District Urban Tavern
607 11 Ave SW Calgary, AB

all photos via @yuppielove‘s instagram

Temple St Clair

Posted by kait / April 18, 2013

The amazing jewellery designer Temple St Clair is making a personal appearance at Holt Renfrew Calgary on April 24th and I couldn’t be more excited that she is making a stop in our city. These stunning baubles are just so glamourous and are begging to be worn with a luxe sundress on a patio in the sun. While they are bit out of my price range, I can’t help but dream about draping that 6os-inspired coloured bracelet over my wrist.

You can book appointments now to meet with Temple St. Clair Carr and shop her special collection of trunk show pieces. This is such a great opportunity to meet an inspiring designer who truly knows her way around gold. Email Mina to book your private styling consultation. Go for lunch at Cucina across the street beforehand make it one of those *ladies who lunch* kind of days.

TempleStClair

my spring picks:

18K Linky Pietra Bracelet in Mix Cabochons with Diamonds

18K Fiori Bombe Ring with Diamonds

18K Fiori Rock Crystal Amulet Earrings with diamond

18K Flower Necklace with Blue Moonstone and Diamond

Underground Film Festival & Giveaway!

Posted by kait / April 16, 2013

The Calgary Underground Film Festival is officially underway. Every year I wait and wait for the program to come out so I can plan out my week of film. This year looks incredible and I can’t wait to head to the Globe Theatre for popcorn and Canadian debuts. On my list this year, are the two flicks, Frances Ha and Picture Day – both reaching into the lives of young women on the verge of something. Amongst their troubles and failures, there is something great about them. I know you will love these two films.

Lucky for you, I have two pairs of tickets to each film to give away from the Calgary Underground Film Festival.

Here are the details:

To be entered three times to win two tickets for either Frances Ha or Picture Day, here is what to do! This giveaway is only open to residents of Calgary and who can attend the opening weekend of the film at the Globe Cinema at the following times:

Frances Ha on April 18th at 7:30 PM

Picture Day on April 20th at 7:15 PM

Update: Contest is now closed. Congrats to Morgan & Janice who both won a pair of tickets.

Frances Ha

Director Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Greenberg) returns with a humorous urban fairytale about growing up even after you’re grown up.
Frances is 27 and lives with her best friend Sophie in New York. She is busy reinventing her career as a dancer, and although it’s been a while since she graduated, a fully functioning professional life still seems like a distant dream. Even though her job search ends in one disappointment after another, she’s fairly content being inseparable from her best friend Sophie — even though they’re a bit like an old married couple. When Sophie moves into her dream flat in Tribeca with another girlfriend, Frances suddenly finds herself out on the street. Now she not only has to find a new place to live but also a new place in the world. A tentative romance fails as a result of conflicting ideas about what a relationship should be. Frances’s life is far removed from that of her dreams but her love of life remains indefatigable, as she drifts from one odd abode to the next.

Picture Day

Forced to repeat her senior year of high school, Claire’s (Tatiana Maslany – Orphan Black, Heartland) reputation is sliding from bad-ass to bad joke. Armed with an acid tongue and shielded by ever-present headphones, Claire locks onto the only student clueless to her sordid rep: Henry (Spencer Van Wyck), a nerdy freshman she used to babysit. At night, Claire escapes to raucous concerts where she catches the eye of 33-year–old Jim (Steven McCarthy, frontman of The ElastoCitizens), a would–be rock star who feeds on young fans’ adoration. Jim leads her into an intoxicating world of hard-partying musicians, while at school, Claire takes Henry under her wing. She reinvents her dorky friend as the mysterious rebel, throwing Henry’s life into hilarious turmoil. As Claire dances across the surface of these relationships, she eventually learns hard lessons about the difference between sex, intimacy, and
friendship.

Going to the Chapel

Posted by kait / April 9, 2013

Off to Vegas for the week to celebrate the wedding of Byron’s cousin Joel and our y soon-to-be cousin-in-law, Janice! We are staying off the strip this time which I am greatly looking forward to – our own private pool complete with palm trees. Can’t wait to indulge in a bit of r&r by the water and of course, party it up!

See y’all in a week!

Spring Style with eBay Canada

Posted by kait / April 1, 2013

A sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind.- Webb Chiles

eBayCanada_Inspiration_copy

Stripes, anchors, dots, rolled hems and gold accents. I can’t stop think about nautical elements and how I am going to incorporate them into my spring wardrobe. Today I am featured on eBay Canada’s Fashion Pages sharing some of my favourite pieces for spring. The weather has finally turned around in Calgary and we’ve got some warm winds coming through making it perfect for cropped pants and NO SOCKS!

My look was completely inspired by preppy girls on boats, sailor garb and the Teddy Girl movement of the late 1950s. I love their effortless and casual style – a few menswear-esque pieces paired with ultra-feminine makeup and soft wavy hair. Let’s just say, you can’t go wrong with the red, white and blue combo as you welcome in the spring. Just don’t forget to throw in some beautiful gold pieces of jewellery to glam it up a bit.

Bon Voyage!

The Goods:

Red Silk Scarf, vintage

Jean Jacket, Gap

Ruffle Top, Ralph Lauren

Dot Pants, Gap

Red Patent Purse, vintage

Navy Suede Flats, Target

Black & Gold Suede Heels, Little Burgundy

A Spring Clean

Posted by kait / March 26, 2013

I’ve already been getting a head start on my spring cleaning this year. It has been liberating, to say the least. I have been tackling room by room and discovering exactly what stuff should absolutely stick around and which should hit the road. It is slightly terrifying when you realize that you have been toting some stuff around for nearly a decade – things that have really no sentimental value, whatsoever. Regardless of what I may be getting rid of, my biggest goal this spring is to work on compartmentalizing the stuff that is going to be sticking around after the charity bin runs.

Making sure everything you keep around has a dedicated space is so important. If you find yourself stuck trying to find a spot to keep an item, you should either rethink your organizing system or rethink keeping the item. I have come to realize that there is a fine line between an item that has sentimental value and an item that you are keeping out of guilt because it was a gift. I was holding on to a lot of things that were no longer of use to me only because I had received them as a present. The best way to get rid of something like that is to think of how someone else might discover it for the first time and enjoy it instead of it just taking up space in your cupboard.

Currently, I am reworking my bedroom closet. I managed to get rid of seven small bags of charity bin clothes from both Byron and I’s wardrobes. I ended up selling some really cute dresses that I had but didn’t wear anymore to friends on Facebook. Now I am perfecting my organizing style with bins, velvet hangers and closet organizers. Saving space is super crucial and everything you do should maximize the room you do have especially when you are living in a smaller space like a condo or apartment.

The bottom line is that you’ll want to start now, like I did, so that once summertime rolls around you won’t have to worry about digging through your closets for that dress or bag – you will have it at your fingertips in no time. The summer months should be spent enjoying the warm weather and taking advantage of your great wardrobe! Plus, the more room you make now – the more cute stuff you can pick up to replenish your wardrobe.

This is a sponsored post that I am being compensated for, however all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep this site alive!

modern kitchen: 80th & Ivy

Posted by kait / March 20, 2013

Dinner is my favourite meal of the day. While I appreciate a nice long breakfast or a lunch date with friends, every day I kinda ‘save myself’ for dinner. There is something absolutely civilized about dining in the evening and enjoying each morsel of a beautifully prepared meal.

And a dinner done right is certainly something to write home about. Ambiance, taste and care are all elements of a dinner done right. I found these all at 80th & Ivy on Friday night. A newer restaurant to Calgary, this self-proclaimed modern kitchen is where you go for an incredible locally-sourced meal complete with wine pairing perfection, a beautiful interior and exemplary staff.

Planning date nights has been a new priority for us. While I wouldn’t exactly call us an ‘old married couple’ quite yet, it is still very easy to slip into the routine of Friday night take-out and comfy clothes. And while there is nothing wrong with a bit of routine and R&R at the end of a long week, sometimes all you need is a new experience to liven up your attitude before starting the weekend in a tired and slugglish mood.

80th & Ivy was our date night destination last week and we were absolutely blown away by the service, food and fun we had over a three course meal. It was great to meet several of the management team and really get to know their expertise and witness their enthusiasm for local product, fine wine and excellent presentation. I really appreciate that kind of dedication when I visit an independent establishment such as 80th & Ivy.

I would love to share our menu with you as well as some photos I snapped during the meal.

Drinks to start: Pimms No.2 for me and a Dunkel Beer for Byron.

Small Plate to Start: Pan Seared Scallops and Prawns with Bacon & Rhubarb Relish

Spring Creek Ranch Prime Rib with root vegetables & wilted kale. This is only available on Fridays and Saturdays – absolutely worth showing up for!

Beer Braised Short Rib with herbed gnocchi and wilted kale.

Dessert: Creme Brulee with Amarillo Ice Cream & Rhubarb Compote. To. Die. For.

The Chocolate Mousse. Triple frozen layered chocolate mousse.

Night cap: The Homemade and Village Brewery Blacksmith.

Thank you 80th & Ivy for a memorable evening of food and conversation. Looking forward to returning for future date nights!

Happy Friday: Plum Fizz

Posted by kait / March 15, 2013

Happy Friday, friends! After a tricky week of weather here in Calgary (and likely elsewhere in the world) I felt we all deserved a tasty drink to get the weekend started off right. I came up with this sweet little cocktail recipe featuring my new favourite drink obsession: Umeshu, Japanese plum wine. It is absolutely delicious, sweet and maybe slightly addictive. Regardless, I think you will enjoy the Plum Fizz!

What you need:

Umeshu Plum Wine (similar here)
DRY Juniper Berry Soda
Sliced Plums
Ice Cubes

Pull it together:

Drop an ice cube in each glass. Spear a slice of plum with a toothpick it and rest on the edge of the glass.

Fill the glass halfway with the Umeshu. Or fill it more if you want it boozy.

Here comes the fizz part! Top with the Juniper Berry Soda. Yum….

Reposition your speared plum and drop in a pretty straw. Now, slowly raise the glass to your lips and take a healthy sip. It should taste like a fizzy liquified version of the candies, Sweet Tarts. Sweet and tart with a whole lot of fizz!

Your weekend can now begin. Hope you have a great one and please let me know if you have any great cocktail ideas that I could try out!

Plum Fizz made especially for yuppielove. All photos by Kait Kucy.

Lavender Glass from Anthropologie.