THE POWER OF PALS

Posted by kait / November 4, 2013

On a recent trip to the desert, where we had been promised (a strong word, I suppose) inspiration, empowerment and next-level networking, some friends and I encountered quite the opposite. There was the three of us, sauntering around the pool at our beautiful hipster hotel, mystified as to how we had ended up in this bizarro gong show of a ‘retreat’ that we had spent thousands of dollars to attend. And while I am sure there were people who walked away from the experience feeling excited and inspired, until we took things into our own hands there was perpetual yawns plastered on our faces.

Instead of dwelling on this and retreating out of the beautiful hot sun, we decided to make our time there AMAZING. Since we all live in the same city, it worked out like gangbusters that the three of us ended up spending our days together. It meant we could actually go home and do something groundbreaking with what we had learned – from each other. The power of pals is an incredible thing, my friends. Not only can a good pal inspire you to achieve your dreams but they also make you smile, laugh, cry and learn how to be a better person. I relished in the power of my pals that weekend. We brainstormed and laughed and met people from all over. We made it completely worth our while.

My lesson learned from this? Never do anything you don’t want to do. Especially, if you know it is not going to help you in any sort of way. Abandon it and feel good about your decision. Find something new that inspires you and lifts you up. In our case, it just happened to be the decor, the cocktails and the people of the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs. Cin-cin to that!

Photo via

ULTIMATE OKANAGAN DREAM TOUR

Posted by kait / September 22, 2013

Just returned from a beautiful press trip to the Okanagan with Wine BC. Probably the most inspiring press trip I have ever been on, I met some incredible fellow female journalists, learned a ton about Okanagan wines and got a taste of a second summer. I’ve started writing some articles about some of the amazing wines, hotels and creators that I encountered on our journey and I can’t wait to share those with you as soon as they are published! For now, a couple snapshots of my time in the OK.

P.S. Seriously considering moving to Kelowna permanently.

GO DO SOMETHING! x FIESTA MOVEMENT

Posted by kait / September 17, 2013

Hello my lovely pals. Happy Tuesday! I wanted to share a bit about the Fiesta Movement. What is Fiesta Movement? Well, it’s all about getting ramped up for the arrival of the 2014 Ford Fiesta and celebrating the fun adventures that life takes us on. The Ford Fiesta Movement is inspiring me to stop messing around and do something worth talking about! Over the next four months, I’ll be taking on fun projects inspired by the Fiesta Movement, and how I spin it is up to you and me! Yes, you, the reader can help me decide how to make the most of each and everything month!

This month’s theme is ADVENTURE. Hey wait, I am pretty sure this whole year’s theme is adventure – at least for me. I’ve been lucky to do some amazing traveling this summer so I am hoping to make the most of this last month of warm(er) weather before any water freezes over. The photo above was from my recent adventure to the Okanagan and Wine Country. We kayaked up Okanagan Lake and it was stunning. I would love to hear any ideas of an adventure I should go on or partake in this month.

I am particularly inspired by Fiesta Agents Justin + Kyle’s Go Do Something! video. The idea of jampacking a whole day, from sun up to sun down, with adventure and fun sounds like the perfect way to take advantage of the Adventure theme. Maybe I could jampack a day with as much adventure as you can find in Calgary in one single day: Ziplining, rafting, bike riding, bowling, etc…. I’m up for a challenge so please send me your ideas! In the meantime, watch Justin + Kyle’s awesome California adventure here:

This is a sponsored post and I was compensated for my participation by the Ford Fiesta Movement. The photos and opinions expressed are my own unless otherwise stated.

#montanaslim

Posted by kait / September 6, 2013

Still daydreaming about our Labour Day weekend in Montana. An absolutely beautiful trip, we can always rely on Montana being hot, sunny and restful for a late summer visit. We headed down for the Vintage Whites Market – the last one of the summer – to scope out some sweet vintage finds. We actually booked a cabin in the woods this time through Gaynor Ranch & Resort which was a nice change from regular camping and staying in a lodge. It was a bit of a bumpy drive but it was totally worth it being secluded in the beautiful mountains.

The best part of the weekend was floating around Flathead Lake for a few hours basking in the sun and finally getting to be in some water. The whole summer all I wanted to do was jump in some water.

The market did not disappoint, of course. I found the perfect vintage metal cart that I am going to transform into a beautiful bar cart (just you wait and see!) and a tiny wood + metal chair. Top it up with some huckleberry iced tea and a brie + pesto buckwheat crepe and you’ve got a very happy Kait and Byron. So, when can we go back?

SF, I love you.

Posted by kait / July 17, 2013

Sitting in a beautiful Italian cafe called Fiore, amidst the hustle of the Wednesday morning commuters, sipping coffee – I am in San Francisco. The best.

I am here for Alt Summit SF – Alt’s one day version of the design blogging conference. Staying with one my super generous Alt SLC friends has made this trip even more special.

Off for an adventure today. xx

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!

meet me at azuridge

Posted by kait / February 26, 2013

I think that some of the most relaxing and memorable travel experiences are those that are close to home. There is nothing quite like a staycation. No airplane required. I was recently whisked away 40 minutes out of Downtown Calgary to the stunning Azuridge Estates Hotel with several other Calgarian media friends. Located near Priddis and Spruce Meadows, Azuridge is literally the only luxury spot outside the city limits.

We pulled up to the property in our plush limo bus and I was immediately wowed by the stunning scenery that surrounded Azuridge. I spotted a soaring water tower and large tiered gazebo off in the distance, not to mention the gorgeous wood and stone main buildings. Their friendly staff greeted us eagerly and ushered us inside to celebrate our evening with a glass of bubbly.

After a few pop, fizz and clinks we headed off to check out our rooms for the night. My husband and I were so excited to move into our luxurious room and get well-rested but alas we still had dinner to get to.

We were then toured around the property where we got to see nearly every single room in the place. Not only is there a private theater room where you can stretch back in super comfy chairs and a faux fur blanket. A gorgeous fitness center looks out over scenic foothills and the Rocky Mountains. Talk about an inspiring place to workout. We also found out that one of our fellow attendees’ room had a tent in their loft plus an Xbox console. Lucky!

Soon enough it was time for dinner and we all met up in one of the fabulous dining rooms. The meal was so eloquently presented and each morsel was jampacked with flavour. My favourite part of the meal was the cocktail of New Brunswick lobster and Louisiana crawfish with mango and avocado.

We had only just finished our amazing dinner when out came a wonderful gift from Azuridge! Hunter Boots for everyone! I received a sweet pair of shiny grey boots and Byron got matte black boots. What a great surprise.

Apparently, they wanted to keep the surprises coming because out came Calgary-based musician Michael Bernard Fitzgerald who was going to serenade us this evening by the fireside. Delicious après dinner drinks were offered (I indulged in some Baileys & Hot Chocolate!) and giant marshmallows sat by the fire. MBF played some beautiful songs for us and humorously snuck the word ‘Azuridge’ into his lyrics. It was fabulous.

It was the end of a long week so a tuckered out group of journalists headed off to their rooms for a great night sleep. I was ready for bed too but not before I indulged in the beautifully presented cocktail hydrotherapy bath treatment. Salts served up on a martini glass and bubble bath in a shot glass – this was one deluxe bathing experience. What could really be better than a big jet tub that you can stretch out in. So nice and relaxing after the perfect day.

We checked out in the morning after enjoying a lovely little breakfast with cappuccinos and fresh juice. Watching the sun rise over the property was something absolutely magical. The dewy lawns and the ethereal glow around the forest surrounding Azuridge just added to the fairytale feel. I could have stayed all weekend.

So, perhaps the next time you feel like you need to get away from the city for some R&R, call me and I will meet you at Azuridge.

photos by kait kucy

a mtn adventure

Posted by kait / January 3, 2013

mtnadventure1

A couple of weeks ago, right before Christmas we whisked ourselves away to our friends’ place in Panorama, BC. The perfect pre-holiday holiday, our weekend with Amanda and Norm was the perfect mix of laziness, food and wine. It was honestly such a beautiful place. Panorama apparently has some incredible skiing and also is host to natural hot springs. Their place was right at the base of the ski hill so we got to watch the competing skiers zip down at top speeds.

It snowed during the nights but was the perfect temperature and so sunny for snowy walks during the day. We just loved their sweet black lab, Gidget – she was so much fun to play with all weekend long.

We’ve got a couple more wintery getaways planned over the next couple of months and I will be learning to ski for the first time at the end of January. It is so hard not to be inspired by all of those stunning mountain peaks!

mtnadventure2

travel love: wayfarer’s campground

Posted by kait / August 30, 2012

We recently returned from quite possibly the most relaxing trip I have ever been on. I really really REALLY forgot about any troubles, stress or day-to-day junk. It was a good thing but it definitely made it hard to get back to the grind. We stayed at the best campsite ever – at Wayfarer’s Campground just outside Bigfork, Montana. Nestled right up against Flathead Lake, we fell asleep every night to the sounds of the waves and woke to the sounds of speed boats starting up. One of the days we visited the Vintage Whites Market where we picked up some sweet vintage things and enjoyed buckwheat crepes filled with pesto and brie and Sweet Peaks Huckleberry ice cream. Quite the dream, it’s true. A trip full of adventure we drove up the Road to the Sun through Glacier Mountain Park and got pulled over by a sheriff for speeding! Luckily, he didn’t give us a ticket – we just played dumb. I can’t wait to head down that way again soon – I find it super inspiring not to mention I love shopping at the Target and all of the great thrift stores!

Anyone have big plans for the long weekend? I’m gonna hunker down and do some serious work!

travel love // champion lakes, british columbia

Posted by kait / July 25, 2012

Just returned from the best time ever camping at Champion Lakes, BC with our lovely friends The Millers. While it wasn’t exactly my first time camping (slept in cabins many times) it was my first time sleeping in a tent – I have to admit I was a little bit scared at night. What can I say? I am a total wimp.

Anyways, it was so perfect to have a long weekend of being outdoors 24/7, exploring small-town BC and snoozing on a raft on a lake in hot weather. I only came away with a slight burn and no bug bites. Incredible as I normally attract mosquitos like it ain’t no thang. Guess BC skeeters aren’t into me.

Now that I am back in action, I’ve got loads to catch up on so there won’t really be the usual features this week but I will try my best to share a good DIY on Friday!

The Calgary Folk Music Festival starts tomorrow evening and Beirut + Chris Isaak are the headliners for the night. This is the third time (first + second here) I am seeing Chris Isaak in three consecutive years!!!! Can you say superfan? I can’t wait!