9 to 5, Fashion

Sophie Grace Workwear

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I’m back! It’s certainly been a while since my last blog post here but I have been very active on Instagram.

As most of you know I recently started a job as a full-time college professor and the Fall semester has been very busy! Now that we are back on campus I often struggle with what to wear to work in the mornings. Although I am a fashion blogger the struggle is still very real!

I was so excited when I came across a brand called Sophie Grace on Instagram. This Canadian, Vancouver based brand offers sustainable high quality workwear for women. Sophie Grace specializes in workwear that can be incorporated into your existing wardrobe. All their pieces are so easy to mix and match and are created with sustainability in mind. It’s a great Canadian option for ladies who want to curate a capsule workwear wardrobe.

My personal favourite out of all their pieces is the Ashley dress. It’s so versatile and can be dressed up for work or dressed down for the weekend. The Ashley comes in 4 colours,  black, ivory, navy and the latest colour – Bordeaux. I love the fit of this dress, it’s so comfortable and looks so chic! The dress also comes in a short sleeved option.

I also tried out the Kamala silk blouse. A silk blouse is a must-have in any work wardrobe and once again you can go casual or formal with this piece as well. The Kamala blouse comes in black, ivory, silver and desert ( I would say this is more of a gold).

What I like most about Sophie Grace is that it’s a Canadian brand created by  lawyer turned entrepreneur, Emma May. As a working woman herself Emma understood the struggle we go through with finding workwear that is elegant and versatile. I’m so happy she created a brand that produces clothing that is not only functional but stylish as well!

Check out this Canadian brand and let me know which pieces are your favourite!

Fashion

My Revolve Favourites

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I’m back with another fashion post and this time I’m sharing some of my favourite finds from online retailer Revolve.

I heard about Revolve a few years ago when I first started blogging ( I recently celebrated my 5th bloggiversay) and was always curious about their clothing. I recently picked out some items and here’s what I’ve been loving.

X Revolve Ava Dress

Got a wedding to attend? This dress is perfect as a wedding guest look. I love the off the shoulder design and cut. It also comes in Pink but I think the blue can be worn through the fall as well. Note – this dress does fit small so I had to size up to a size S from an XS.

Jillian Asymmetrical Midi Dress

Are you a bride to be this Fall? This dress is perfect for a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower. I love the asymmetrical neckline and fit. It’s by the brand Superdown which also tends to run a bit small so it’s definitely a good idea to size up with this one.

Natalie Belted Dress

This is the dress I’m wearing in the photos. I love this one, it’s very Chanel inspired and effortlessly chic! It comes in three colours, black, pink and ivory. I chose the ivory for a timeless chic look. This one fits more TTS but I still opted to size up to a small.

Trish Knot Sweater 

I posted this sweater on my stories and I got so many questions about it so here it is. This is THE sweater for fall 2022! The white and beige combo is so chic and elegant. It also comes in a pink and hot-pink combo but I definitely like this one better. The knotted detail is so cute and the colours are so classy.

Dina Mini Dress

Get a head start on your party outfits this holiday season with the Dina mini! I love the light blue and gold sequins on this one. The stars make this appropriate for Christmas and the holiday season. I would definitely wear this to a New Year’s Eve Party

Faye Midi Dress

Looking for a dress that’s perfect for Christmas and Valentine’s Day then the Faye Midi is your best bet. I love the off the shoulder open neckline and ruching. This dress is very flattering but runs extremely small. I ordered a size small but I should have gone up two sizes to a medium. There is some stretch to it but it is very figure hugging so I’d recommend sizing up to be comfortable.

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Fashion

Queen’s Plate ready with Queen Bee Millinery

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I’m back with a new blog post and this sure is an exciting one! If you’ve been following me over the years you know that I love hats and fascinators and will find any excuse to wear them. After the closure of my go-to shop for hats I was on the lookout for a store that featured classic feminine headpieces. When I came across Queen Bee Millinery in Perth,ON I was beyond excited.

Queen Bee Millinery

I first heard about Queen Bee when my parents took a day trip to Perth and sent me a photo of the shop. I quickly found the store’s instagram account and sent a message inquiring about their pieces and hours of operation. That’s how I connected with Ranelle Larocque the owner and designer behind Queen Bee Millinery.  I shared my upcoming collaboration with Woodbine Entertainment to create content for the Queen’s Plate and my ideas about a hat for this very special event.

I visited Perth and stopped by the store; it was an absolute pleasure meeting Ranelle, and the rest as they say is fashion history! We became fast friends over our shared love of feminine fashion, classic style, and of course hats! Ranelle was gracious enough to design a bespoke hat for me to wear to the Queen’s Plate.

The Process

I stopped by the store with my outfit ideas and brought a long a few dresses to show. Ranelle had the cutest tea party set up for us! We decided on a strapless floral print midi dress that I had recently received from Shein. I loved the floral print and cut of the dress and I knew I was looking for a hat to incorporate the floral elements.

After trying on a few in-house pieces for size and taste we decided on a saucer shape. Making the hat took about 2 weeks and I received photos of the process as well. It was really special to see my hat coming together piece by piece.

Ranelle made some great recommendations about adding a hint of pink to my hat as well as some silk flowers and a green sinamay bow to incorporate more colour and movement. We wanted to add some extra elements for a bit of flair and debated between a quill and some feathers, the feathers won out in the end!

A few weeks before the big day I went in for a fitting to make sure everything was just perfect, and it truly was!

The Main Event: The Queen’s Plate

I was thrilled to attend the Queen’s Plate let alone have a custom designed hat for it. The whole outfit came together so well, thanks to Ranelle’s recommendations and talent. I got so many compliments and many ladies approached me to ask where I found my hat. I was beyond proud to say, ” it’s a custom piece by Queen Bee Millinery in Perth, Ontario”.

The Queen’s Plate was an incredibly meaningful collaboration for me in so many ways. As most of you know I was born in Sri Lanka, which was a British colony named Ceylon at one time. My great-grandmother loved the races when they took place at the race course in Colombo. I am told she used to travel to Colombo with her circle of society ladies in their bespoke outfits to watch the races. It was such a honour to be able to carry-on a little bit of  that legacy here in Canada.

Worth the drive

If you’re in the Ottawa area I would definitely recommend taking a drive to Perth and stoping by Queen Bee Millinery to say hello to Ranelle. She does a wonderful job listening to your vision and bringing it to life. If you’re not in the area she also ships worldwide and you can certainly contact her via email (ranelle@queenbeemillinery.ca) and zoom to set up a consultation.

I really enjoyed my time in Perth and can’t wait to visit again. There are so many wonderful businesses and hidden treasures just like Queen Bee Millinery.

Be sure to check out my Instagram for some behind the scenes footage at the Queen’s Plate.

Fashion

My Favourite Vacay Looks 2022

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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?

 

Lifestyle, Travel

Summer Activities at Fairmont Montebello

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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.

 

 

 

Lifestyle, Travel

Things to do in Toronto this Summer

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I’m back! It’s been a while since my last travel blog post and I’m so excited to share what I’ve been up to. Summer is finally here in Canada and what better time to start planning some vacations or staycations! For those of us in Ontario we have an added incentive of the Ontario Staycation tax credit. I although I’m based in Ottawa I always try to get at least one trip to Toronto in each Summer. It’s definitely Ontario’s largest and most popular city with so many sights to see and things to do, there’s something for everyone.

I visited Toronto a few weeks ago and had such a fabulous time thanks to Destination Toronto and their ideas on just about everything you could possibly need to know about planning a trip to Toronto.

Travel + Accommodation

As I live in Ottawa I could have chosen to fly, drive or take the train to Toronto but I really wanted to maximize my time in the city so Sashien and I chose to fly. We flew Porter Airlines directly  to Billy Bishop Airport which is conveniently located in the heart of the city. Transportation out of the airport is quick and easy and you can either take the ferry, a taxi or Uber. We chose to Uber and used it to get around to most places during our weekend stay.

In terms of accommodation options Toronto has endless possibilities based on your needs and price point. On this occasion we were hosted by the Ritz-Carlton and we thoroughly enjoyed everything the hotel had to offer. This place is definitely worth the splurge! From the personalized guest key cards to the friendly and accommodating staff the Ritz-Carlton exudes five star service. We also had the chance to check out their onsite spa My Blend by Clarins. This spa was exquisite and offers so many high end services exclusive to Clarins, we both had the rebalancing massage and left feeling relaxed and ready to take on the weekend!

Sights + Attractions

Toronto has so much to see and do it’s impossible to see everything in one weekend but we did visit some really unique and interesting places on our trip. Of course there’s the traditional CN tower visit and the trip to Ripley’s Aquarium, which are great family friendly activities but as we had both seen them in the past we wanted to check out something different. One of our first stops was Little Canada which is an exhibit featuring animated miniatures of various cities and vistas around Canada. The exhibit is a work in progress as they build different parts of Canada. We enjoyed visit miniature versions of Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City. This is a great family friendly exhibit!

If you know me in person then you’re quite aware of my shoe addiction, so this shoe-a-holic definitely couldn’t pass up a chance to visit the Bata Shoe Museum. This museum covers the history of shoes and features notable footwear from various centuries. At the moment there’s a brand new exhibit called Future Now which explores over fifty futuristic footwear designs from the auto-lacing Nike MAG to the virtual RTFKT x Staple Meta-Pigeon.  My favourite item at the museum were the Christian Louboutin shoes for Barbie, how cute!!

If you’re looking for something more on the relaxing side then you must check out Hoame Meditation Studio. They offer a number of different meditation classes and experiences. We took a breath work meditation class at Hoame, I must admit I struggled with this one as I’m quite the chatterbox and we had to stay quiet. But if  zen is your thing then you should definitely check it out.

Theatre + Shows

We arrived in Toronto on June 10th just in time for the National Ballet of Canada‘s opening night of Swan Lake. I’ve always enjoyed Tchaikovsky’s pieces so I was thrilled to get to see Swan Lake. The ballet runs until June 26th at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. If ballet is not your thing you can also check out Harry Potter and the Cursed Child which is playing throughout the Summer and into the Fall. If you’re in to musical theatre there’s also many other shows scheduled for the Summer a full list can be found here. I would highly recommend Singin’ in the Rain which plays this Fall. In addition to these there’s also concerts and other shows to check out.

Restaurants + Nightlife

We checked out a lot of great restaurants during our trip and Toronto definitely has so many choices to offer. On day 1 we had lunch at Oretta located on King St. West. I loved the decor and ambiance in this traditional yet modern Italian restaurant. They also have another location in midtown. This is a lovely spot for a casual drink and some gelato.

As we were staying at the Ritz-Carlton we got to check out some of the restaurants at the hotel, my favourite was Epoch which features indoor and outdoor dining spaces. This newly renovated restaurant features signature drinks a brand new menu and a patio with a great view of the CN Tower. I really enjoyed grabbing a cocktail outside, I would recommend the Lychee Queen cocktail. We also had breakfast at Toca which is located inside the hotel, Toca stands for Toronto Canada and the main attraction in this restaurant is their Cheese cave. It’s definitely a unique feature and a must see if you’re at the hotel.

Yorkville is one of my favourite areas of Toronto featuring high-end shops and unique restaurants. We stopped in for lunch at Bar Reyna which was totally worth the hype! We loved the mediterranean spin on traditional brunch dishes. I also really liked the ambiance and the decor on their patio. For drinks I’d recommend 7 am in Ibiza it’s a great take on an espresso martini!

One of the highlights of our trip was our dinner and evening at Lula bar. This was such a fun experience. Lula Bar is a latin resto-bar that features live bands and salsa dancing on the weekends. We enjoyed a three course meal, there is a set menu to choose from; followed by a salsa class and live music. I would highly recommend checking them out if you’re spending a weekend in Toronto.

On our last morning in Toronto we had breakfeast at OEB Breakfast Co. This restaurant is a great family friendly place that offers gourmet style meals at an affordable price. If you do go be sure to check out the Canadian Lobster and Shrimp Crepe. It’s such a fancy first meal!

Of course there are so many dining and entertainment options in Toronto and you can learn more about them on the Destination Toronto website.

Other fun stuff

One thing I didn’t cover yet was shopping! Toronto has so many malls it can be overwhelming but my favourite is definitely Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Not only does it offer an assortment of stores and designer boutiques it also houses my favourite Macaron shoppe Ladurée. I’ve visited in the past and wrote about my high tea experience there, you can read all about it here.

If you’re looking for the city that has something for everyone then Toronto is definitely for you! We had such a wonderful time on our weekend stay, a huge thank you to Destination Toronto for helping us plan our trip. We’re already planning another trip back this Summer. Don’t forget to check out Destination Toronto to help you plan the ultimate Toronto vacation and see Toronto now!

 

 

Beauty

Why I wax with Parissa

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Can you believe Summer is finally here?! It’s time to break out the sundresses, shorts, rompers and bathing suits. This means it’s also time to have those legs, underarms and bikini lines ready for all that fun in the sun! It’s been a while since my last skincare blog post so I’m excited to share one of my summer ready secrets, Parissa wax. Waxing is a great way to get rid of unwanted body hair and can be done safely in the privacy of your own home.

The Parissa Story

Parissa is a brand I’ve always been familiar with when it comes to at-home waxing but what I didn’t know about this brand is that it’s Canadian and female owned. Founded by Azar Moayeri, a chemical engineer by profession the Parissa story is a true immigrant success story. Azar was a pioneer in a male dominated field and the first female chemical engineer to graduate from the University of New Edinburgh. She later moved back to her native Iran where she worked as a Project Manager. She moved to Canada in 1981 with her husband and children, that’s when she noticed a need for clean, safe and naturally based hair removal products. At the time all hair removal products were chemically based creams or bleaches and of course she saw this as an opportunity to create something remarkable for women!

Azar created Canada’s first all-natural hair removal products right from her kitchen and to this day Parissa remains a family affair. One of the things I love about Parissa is that the ingredients are 100% natural and ethically sourced. They’re also safe for my sensitive skin.

I’ve had bad experiences with skincare products in the past which has resulted in hyperpigmentation and breakouts, with Parissa I don’t have to worry about this.

I recently tried three products from Parissa and I’ve been loving the results I’ve seen.

Bow Waxing Pen

The first product I tried was the Brow Waxing Pen This product is great for keeping your brows on fleek all year round. It’ll also save you a bi-weekly or monthly trip to the salon. Having threaded my brows in the past I wanted to change up how I was styling my brows and this was a great alternative. I love the precision you get with this product and the fact that it’s vegan and fragrance free. It allows you to target specific areas of your eyebrow and is great for short and coarse hair as well. If you’re looking for a broader range of coverage for your brows or are new to at-home waxing then you can also try the Brow Wax Strips.

Face and Body Sugar Wax

For more gentle areas and the sensitive skin on my face I tried Parissa’s Face and Body Sugar Wax. This formula is the gentlest hair removal product and doesn’t irritate my skin. I also like the fact that it washes off and is easy to use. If you’re short on time this product is great since you can just warm it up in the microwave and you’re good to go. It’s safe for hair removal on your upper lip, underarms, legs and bikini line.

Roll-on Organic Sugar Wax

The third product I tried was the roll-on organic sugar wax. I found this products worked well for my legs and I really liked the convenience of the roll-on applicator, which comes in both wide and narrow sizes. This sugar wax is also microwaveable and washes off, a great time saver. I don’t have particularly sensitive skin on my legs but for those of you who do you’ll be happy to know that this wax is vegan and fragrance free. This product can also be used on your upper lip, underarms and bikini line.

Why wax at home?

One of the biggest reasons I chose to wax at home is convenience. I don’t have to worry about booking my appointments in advance or adjusting my schedule accordingly. Most salons also charge you a fee for missed or in some cases cancelled appointments, so you don’t have to think about this with at-home waxing.  There’s also the added privacy and safety of doing this yourself in your own home, especially for more discreet or sensitive areas.

And finally at-home waxing is a lot more economical than waxing at a salon. With the cost of just about everything increasing lately I’m more than happy to save some money with waxing at home. If you’ve never tried waxing at home you can find some tips and tricks here, including all the details about the international day of waxing.

Have you tried Parissa wax products before? Which one is your favourite?

Lifestyle, Travel

Trip to Los Cabos, Mexico

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It’s been a minute since my last post but I am so excited to be back! I recently went on an amazing trip to Mexico and I can’t wait to share all the fun stuff I got to do and try.

The whole travel experience was seamless thanks to Sunwing Airlines and their amazing team here in Canada and on the ground in Los Cabos. Sashien and I flew from Ottawa to Los Cabos via Toronto. Sunwing airlines flies to Los Cabos every Thursday from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.

When we arrived in Mexico we were greeted by the Sunwing rep and whisked away to our private transfer which took us to our first resort. We stayed at two resorts during our 7 day trip.

Secrets Puerto Los Cabos

The first resort we stayed at was Secrets Puerto Los Cabos. This adult only resort is the epitome of luxury. Featuring swim out rooms and suites the accommodations at this resort really are fantastic. We stayed in the Master Suite Swim Out room with an ocean view. This spacious suite opened up in to a terrace and pool. It was truly magical taking in the sunrise from our own private pool.

The resort features two different classes of rooms, regular and Preferred Club rooms. The Preferred Club rooms offer  a private check-in/out area, upgraded amenities, butler service and access to the Preferred Club Lounge which also serves breakfast, hors d’oevures and features premium bottles of liquor.

Preferred Club (PC) guests at Secrets Puerto Los Cabos can also take advantage of an exclusive pool, the preferred pool which is ideal for a quiet day by the water. PC guests can also have their breakfast at Oceana Restaurant which overlooks the preferred pool and the ocean.

Aside from Oceana there’s lots of dining options to choose from at Secrets. We checked out Himitsu the Japanese restaurant and attended a Tapanyaki show, it was so much fun and the food was amazing. We were also treated to a romantic dinner in the wine cellar at Portofino the resort’s Italian restaurant. Another great restaurant at the hotel was El Patio which featured Mexican cuisine. In addition to the restaurants Secrets also offers a wide selection of bars from Manatees Swim Up Bar, to Barefoot Grill and Barrcuda bar. There are so many options to choose from. A full list of bars can be found here 

Besides the pools and restaurants there’s also many onsite activities to explore. We enjoyed the Sip & Paint experience and created our own painting to take home with us. We also liked the tequila tasting.

This resort was truly luxurious and magical! We loved the superior accommodations, dining options and most of all the service. A special thank you to our butler Leonardo for making our stay so rememberable.

Dreams Los Cabos

For the second part of our trip we stayed at Dreams Los Cabos. This family friendly resort is about 30 minutes away from Secrets and located closer to the more tourist area of Los Cabos. Dreams is a vibrant and lively resort with many of the same amenities as Secrets. As both resorts are owned by the same company AM Resorts there are many similarities between the two properties.

We stayed in a spacious ocean view Preferred Club level suite at Dreams which featured a furnished balcony overlooking the gardens and sea.  The views from the balcony were stunning and we enjoyed having breakfast alfresco. Although Dreams is a family resort it does feature an adult only pool in addition to the main pool which has a special kids area. An added benefit of the PC level rooms is the private beach reserved for Preferred Club guests.

Dreams also has many great dining options such as Bordeaux restaurant which features French cuisine. We were treated to a lovely dinner at this restaurant, a special thank you to our server Dennis who made this such a fun experience.  Another option for dining is the romantic dinner on the beach experience. This is something that you can arrange through the hotel when you arrive. We had an amazing dinner at sunset on the beach with all the fixings. A huge thank you to our server Manny who made this such a magical evening.

Aside from the many dining options, pools and special services the highlight of our stay at Dreams was the Bali bed experience. These luxury cabanas on the beach feature wifi, a big screen TV and amenities including wait service. The Bali beds can be reserved upon your arrival at the resort by contacting the concierge. There are three different packages for booking these cabanas and each offers different services and amenities.

If you’re staying at Dreams Los Cabos be sure to take an excursion out to visit the Arch of Los Cabos. You can take a short taxi or Uber ride to Plaza Paradiso mall where you can board a glass bottom boat to take you to the arch. There’s many different tour packages that you can book but if you’re in the area I’d highly recommend venturing out to see this notable tourist attraction. We had such a great time on our boat tour and it was one of the most enjoyable activities we did. You can book excursions directly via Sunwing or the hotel concierge.

This was easily one of the most memorable vacations I have been on. Thank you Sunwing Airlines and AMResorts for sponsoring this trip.

Home Decor, Lifestyle

Valentine’s Day Bar Cart

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I’m back with more Valentine’s Day content and this time I have a home decor idea. If you’re like me and love decorating your home for any occasion then you’ll love this Valentine’s Day Bar Cart idea. It’s a fun and cute way to add some colour and joy to your home 🙂

Start with a bar cart you already have and if you don’t have one you can use a plant stand, book rack or any other stand. I got my bar cart 2 years ago from Linen Chest and I’ve linked it and all the items I used at the bottom of this post.

A bar cart typically has two levels so I decided to add some champagne glasses and a bottle of rose sparkling wine for the top layer. I added some cupcake topper harts to my champagne glasses for some extra Valentine’s Day flare. I also added some red roses, flowers are always a nice touch. If you don’t like red you can always go with white or pink roses or any other flower of your choice.

For the bottom level of my cart I added some heart shaped dishes I picked up and filled them with some Valentine’s Day chocolates. Heart shaped chocolates and candies can be found almost anywhere this time of year and they’re a cute treat for your guests or significant other. You can also try adding some cinnamon hearts.

I found some Valentine’s day decorations like a light up love sign and some heart garlands at a party store but you can find these on amazon or at your local dollar store. I’ve linked my bar cart and decorations below. I’ve also got more Valentine’s Day decor ideas and items on my Amazon Store.

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Are you decorating your home for Valentine’s Day?

Lifestyle

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: For Him

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Can you believe we are almost at the middle of January?! This year is going by so fast! With Valentine’s Day a month away I thought it would be helpful to come up with some Valentine’s Day gift ideas for men. I know we ladies often put together our own wish list but in recent years I’ve really struggled with finding items for men.

I’ve put together a few items for guys; Sashien has some of these items and he gets a lot of use out of them.

Herschel Duffle Bag – This duffle bag is great for a trip or the gym. It comes with double handles and a strap for easy carrying. There’s also an interior compartment to protect contents. This is a great gift idea that’s under $100.

Jack Black Skincare Set – If the man in your life is into skincare or even if he needs a little nudge in the right direction the skin saviours set by Jack Black is a great gift. This set includes a cleanser, moisturizer, exfoliating scrub and lip balm. At under $60 it’s a steal!

Valet Tray – Staying organized is easy with this functional yet masculine valet tray. It’s perfect to sit on top of a dresser or side table and comes in many different colours. This gift is under $50!

Cassis Noir Candle – This limited edition candle by Brooklyn Candle is a great gift to add to your gift bag. It’s a nice addition to pair with something else. It has a masculine scent that isn’t overpowering and can also double as a home decor item.

Canada Goose Vest – Water-resistant and perfect for a harsh Winter this vest is definitely a splurge piece! If you feel like spoiling him this Valentine’s Day then this is a great gift idea.

Secrid Wallet – Can he keep a secrid? Well now he can with this functional and chic walled from Secrid. Sashien has used these wallets for years and they’re so convenient. They come in many different styles and colours and are a great gift under $100.

Y Eau de Parfum – If you’re feeling scentimental why not treat him to a luxurious cologne. This particular one by Yves St Laurent offers a bold woody fragrance but you can really choose one that best suits his preference.

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