My Favourite Vacay Looks 2022

It’s that time of year again! Summer = vacation time! I haven’t done a fashion blog post in a while so I thought I’d share some of my favourite vacay outfits for 2022!

Tropical print dress

If it were up to me I’d wear tropical prints all year round! Those you know me in person know that I love palm print… well everything. That’s why I love this cotton black and white palm print midi dress. It’s cotton and comfortable for the warmer summer months, it also works well if you’re heading down south for the winter. The midi length makes this dress a bit more classy and formal and I love the bardot neckline.

I picked this dress up a few years ago but I have linked some similar tropical styles below.

High waisted cream pants + Top

Believe it or not neutrals are in for summer. Although I generally love colour I wanted to incorporate some neutrals in to my vacation wardrobe and these high waisted pants in a cream colour were just perfect. I’ve linked them and many other options below.

I paired it with a one shoulder floral top and flower earrings for some flair. For a more vacay style look I accessorized with a bamboo bag. This look can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories and footwear you choose.

Ruffle Skirt + Tank

I love a good ruffle skirt for summer. Whether it’s a mini or a midi ruffle skirts are so cute and feminine for summer. I’ve had this one for a number of years and wear it every year without fail. It’s one of my vacay staples. It’s great with a tank top or white t-shirt for sight seeing or strolling around local markets at your destination.

Once again you can dress this up or down depending on what shoes and jewelry you choose. I have worn this skirt with both flats and heels.

Floral Romper

Rompers are a great piece to pack in your luggage for a vacation! They’re a cute alternative to shorts and can be dressed up or down. This year I’m loving this floral one shoulder romper from Dynamite. I ordered it online and I am so happy with it. I chose the all over floral print option but it does come in a solid green colour as well.

The one shoulder detail and flowy fabric give this more of a formal look which I really liked. You could wear this on a night out on the town or to dinner while on vacation.

Fancy gown or dress

What’s a vacation without a fancy dinner? Do we really need an occasion to get all dolled up when on vacation? I think not. I always pack some of flowy gown or fancy dress for any vacation. You never know when an exciting invitation may come your way.

I absolutely adore this strapless geo print teal gown that I ordered on Shein. I bought it especially for my trip to Mexico with Sunwing airlines. It reminded me of the ocean and matched perfectly with our swim out pool.

Another dress I adore is this cute flared skirt embroidered detail dress I ordered online from Le Chateau. I wore this to the ballet on my recent trip to Toronto. I thought the ballet would be a great reason to get all dolled up.

I’ve linked similar styles for both below.

 

What are some of your vacation must haves?

 

Summer Activities at Fairmont Montebello

I’m so happy that we are finally right in the middle of summer. As most of you know summer is my favourite season in Canada and it’s also a great time to travel and explore. I recently visited Fairmont Le Château Montebello which is just a short drive away from Ottawa in Montebello,Quebec. This was my first time visiting in the summer so I was excited to see what the hotel had to offer in terms of summer activities and excursions. I had visited Château Montebello before in the winter for a holiday staycation. If you’re curious about the hotel amenities and room types pleas check out the post linked here.

Not only is Château Montebello one of the largest log cabins in the world it is also Eastern Canada’s #1 family resort. There’s lots of summer activities for everyone to enjoy.

Water sports, Pool and Cabanas

If you love the water then this hotel is for you! Boasting a full marina where many guests park their boats, the hotel also offers water sports like water skiing, canoeing and kayaking. There’s also the outdoor pool where you can spend a day tanning or in the water. If you’re like me and enjoy lounging by the pool instead, consider booking a Cabana. This is a great option for groups as cabanas can accommodate up to 6 people. Each cabana comes with ample seating, a poolside view with towels and chilled water onsite. You can also order food directly to your cabana. Reservations for the cabanas must be made ahead of time and have an additional cost of $249.

Other Activities

If you’re in to more landlocked activities the hotel has a sports chalet where you can rent equipment for cycling, mini-golf, tennis, croquet, bocce, horseshoes, basketball and volleyball. Château Montebello also has its own tennis courts and if you’re new to the game you can also sign up for an onsite lesson. It’s recommended that you book 24h in advance for the lessons.

I like a more relaxed vibe when I’m on vacation so I stuck mostly to the walking paths and hiking trails around the property. In the evening there are also onsite bonfires where you can relax and roast marshmallows if you wish. In addition the hotel also offers carriage rides to visitors and hotel guests for a fee, this must also be reserved in advance.  Once specific point of interest at Montebello is Manoir Papineau which is the estate of Louis-Joseph Papineau, who was a leading figure in Canadian politics. Tours of Manoir Papineau are available Wednesday to Sunday from June 22 to September 5.

The hotel also offers its own historical tours of the property starting daily at 4:30PM. It is recommended that you book your tour 24h in advance. Activities, tours and restaurant reservations can be made by contacting the activity concierge at montebelloconcierge@fairmont.com.

While walking around the property I came across a sign about on-demand photoshoots. This is another interesting activity you can try onsite and of course book in advance. The property at Fairmont Montebello is lovely and a great location for a photoshoot!

Dining 

Throughout the year the hotel offers a number of dining options such as Aux Chantignoles Restaurant, Bar Le Foyer and in-room dining. During the summer months you can take advantage of Le Riverain Terrace and the outdoor Barbecue. I tried both and I really enjoyed the food! I would definitely recommend the Chiken Tikka wrap at Le Riverain for lunch and the Barbecue for dinner. The dinner menu comes in three courses which are delivered to your table, outdoors and overlooking the Ottawa river. This was a great experience. The Barbecue costs $65 per person excluding taxes and is an all-you-can-eat style offering with courses of salad, seafood and meat. If you’re a fan of one particular course you can always ask for more. I really enjoyed the beet and tomato salad and of course the meat course. Reservations are highly recommended as this is a very popular dining option at the hotel.

In addition there are also many outdoor seating areas and gazebos around the property. Aux Chantignoles offers outdoor seating in the summer and we enjoyed a nice breakfast there. At the moment Fairmont Montebello is offering picnics to go. You can order your picnic basket ahead of time, have it delivered to enjoy around the property. This service is available daily from 7am to 10pm and once again it’s recommended that you reserve in advance.

If you’ve been to Château Montebello in the winter or fall then be sure to visit again to check out all this property has to offer during the warmer months.