What to wear: New Years Eve!

What to wear: New Years Eve! by vodka-caviar featuring Helmut Lang

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Stocking Stuffer Ideas by vodka-caviar featuring a leather flask

Holiday Gift Guide Under $100

Holiday Gift Guide Under $100 by vodka-caviar featuring a wood cheese board

Holiday Gift Guide for Him

Holiday Gift Guide for Him by vodka-caviar featuring a whisky decanter

Holiday Gift Guide Under $25

Holiday Gift Guide Under $25 by vodka-caviar featuring Pier 1 Imports

What to Wear...To a Holiday Party!

What to Wear...To a Holiday Party! by vodka-caviar featuring a lace shirt

May & June

May was such a busy month {mainly because I planned it that way} I needed to always be doing something to pre-occupy myself because Jeff's contract down in Bermuda kept getting extended. So many exciting things happened in May that I blogged about already...My 28th, my best friends 30th, I went to Bermuda for my Birthday and it was one of my good friend's bridal showers! Her wedding was this past July in British Columbia {I will get to that later}. She was in Toronto visiting for a wedding and one of her bridesmaids held a shower for her with all her friends from Ontario! It was so nice to get to see her if only for a short time!

the bride & I

{skirt: Top Shop  tank: Forever 21  jacket: Olive & Oak}

 

 

FINALLY May 31st arrived and it was off to the airport to pick him up! It's such a weird feeling waiting for someone you miss to come through those sliding doors....every time the door opens your heart skips a little! I was so nervous but so excited to have him home FINALLY after what seemed like the 4 longest months ever! There I was at the airport with a GIANT welcome home balloon! We headed straight from the airport to his cottage on Manitoulin Island for a little R&R :)

 

 

June was a lot of getting back into the swing of things...visiting friends and family Jeff hadn't seen in 4 months and just spending time together! A few birthday's, father's day and delicious meals out on the town! OH! And we took up tennis!

 

welcome to the 28 club Norah!

Effy baby catching some raise

Dad's Day Dinner at The Harbord Room

doubles anyone?

 

 

 

Our 1 year anniversary was back in June and Jeff had bought us Dave Matthews tickets! It was a must since the concert was the same day! Dave is one of my favorite artists and I see him every summer so it was a nice way to spend our 1 year together...despite the rain.... {womp womp}!

 

 

a surprise cheese bored and champ awaited me when I got home from work!

we fancy

another AMAZING Dave concert!

 



 

Back in February we had booked our camping spot at Pog Lake in Algonquin Park for Canada Day weekend! Despite the Tornado warnings and freak torrential downpours whenever we went canoeing it was a super fun weekend! The 6 of us had a awesome time cooking delicious meals over the fire, drinking wine and enjoying the black flies! Camping once a year is good enough for me....unless I have a trailer my tent days are over for the summer!

 

 

all loaded up and ready to go!

mandatory burger stop

home for the weekend! Cozy right?

hikers

don't slip!

so Canadian....so annoying

O' Canada....it's pouring rain again

total canoe trip failure

 



 

 

 July was just as crazy and jammed packed as June! Stay tuned..!*





 

Summer....

Ok....how is it already August? I can't even believe the summer is almost over {it really upsets me to say that}. We have been so busy these past few months I really haven't had the opportunity to jump on here and blog about it....Since my boyfriend got back from Bermuda we have been go go go...literally living by the calendar on weekends and zipping all over to see people and take vacation time. I am going to a month by month update post because so much as happened and a lot of photos have been taken!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer...and for those of you in Canada I hope where you are it's been warm and dry!!

xox

Bridal Shower Gift Ideas!

Bridal Shower Gifts by vodka-caviar 

I'm getting to that point in life where my friends are starting to get married, which is obviously super exciting BUT I'm not 100% sure on the "traditions" and "rules" when it comes to gift giving at bridal showers and even the wedding! This coming Thursday I am attending a bridal shower for one of my closest friends! The kicker is she lives in Vancouver and the shower is taking place in Toronto {while she is visiting for another wedding} and the gift I give her needs to be small enough to pack in her suitcase but personal and more unique than a gift card! So I started thinking of cute ideas that I would love to receive....and started searching the internet for ideas! Here is what I found!

1. Kate Spade new york Say Yes "Mrs" Necklace $78: available at Kate Spade and The Bay

2. Pinch Provisions Bridestastic Deluxe Wedding Emergency Kit : $75: available at SEPHORA
3. Levtex "His & Hers" Pillowcases $26: available at Nordstrom
4. Vera Wang Infinity Ring Holder $55: available at The Bay
5. "I DO!" Sugar Paper Coasters $30: available at J Crew
6. Silver - Plater His and Hers Teaspoons $51: available on Etsy

7. Philosophy Here Comes the Bride Skin Care and Fragrance: $32: available at SEPHORA

I actually ended up getting her the Kate Space new york Say Yes "Mrs" necklace! I'm super excited about it and I really think shes going to love it! It's simple and understated but classy and chic! I'm really excited to give it to her!! {hopefully she doesn't read this....shhhhh!}*

Forever 21 Binge!

Forever 21 Binge! by vodka-caviar featuring sleeveless dresses

I mentioned yesterday that I had done some online shopping at Forever 21! I use to really dislike shopping there, it was overwhelming and I thought the clothes were terrible. However, I have since developed a new appreciation! I have really scored some great pieces that have been getting a lot of compliments. I tried to find some of them online but they aren't available anymore. The ones that are, are shown above! 

I was in desperate need of some new spring/summer work dresses I was excited when I found these work appropriate pieces that can also transition into going out. I wasn't 100% sold on the green colour of this Belted Skater Dress {$24.80} but I needed to venture out of my comfort zone of neutrals so I gave it a shot and got tons of compliments on it!  I picked up two classic tiered dresses, one in white with a high neck {$27.80} and one in purple {$27} both are from the LOVE21 line which fits half a size larger than the regular line so size down! Sadly the purple dress is currently sold out! 

Next up, I needed some new tanks/tops. I cannot express to you enough how comfortable and amazing this light blue Chiffon Racerback Cami is! I highly recommend it! It's loose fitting and the straps are adjustable! The best part is it $12.50! How can you pass that up? I wore it {here} to my friends wine tasting Birthday party last weekend. I also took a chance on this Floral Crochet Lace Top {$14.80} it's somewhat a crop top. I picked it up in a size small and it fits perfect I'm really happy with it! So far I've pair it with jeans but it would look cute with a high waisted skirt or shorts!

Finally, I picked up this Open - Knit Shawl {$27.80} a few months back before I went to Bermuda for the first time! It's a great piece to pair with a bikini {here} or a dress and shorts. Very versatile and well made! 

Basically 99% of my current wardrobe is from Forever 21, and I get compliments daily which is reassuring considering how inexpensive the store really is compared to other retailers that I love like Zara, Aritzia, Top Shop and BCBG.... I think I would rather spend $100 and get a few different items than $100 on one item, does anyone else feel this way?!*

Recent Summer Shoe Purchases!

Recent Summer Shoe Purchases! by vodka-caviar featuring leather ballerina shoes

Since I was unemployed last summer I obviously didn't make too many unnecessary purchases {sadly}! So after 2 full summers of the same shoes and sandals I was in desperate need of some new footwear for both work and everyday! I made a Forever 21 purchase online and picked up a pair of these strappy sandals in brown for $45. Next up, I was in terrible need of a new pair of ballerina flats! I loved the ALDO ones I bought maybe 2 years ago so I tried to find a similar style and grabbed a pair of cute pink flats called Adrirawien for $60. Finally, this past weekend I hit up the Niagara Outlets with my friend before her birthday party. Nine West was having a sale buy 1 get 1 50%! I obviously couldn't pass that up! So after much deliberation I decided on these and these! A fairly successful shoe binge! All I need is new pair of flat sandals and I think I'm all set!*

weekend roundup!

This past weekend was the first LONG weekend of summer 2014!  The weather held up for the post part! It was such a busy weekend! Saturday was my best friends 30th birthday!!! So we went wine touring in the Niagara Region which is always a good time! Got our nails done, had a delish dinner in Niagara Falls and watched some Fireworks!  Sunday I took my mother out for a post Mother's Day {boozy} brunch at the Ancaster Mill. If you haven't been I HIGHLY recommend it! The food selection was amazing and the mimosa's we flowing! Monday I got the chance to meet up with some of my other besties for some patio drinks and ice-cream, caught a few rays and had dinner with my parents! Nothing CRAZY but busy and friend filed just what I need to pass the remaining days! Below are some snaps from the weekend! I also did a little shoe shopping but I will post about that later!!!*

 our DD for the day!

 

 first tasting of many at Flat Rock Cellars

 

 love this!

 

aging wine

wine tasting outfit of the day!
Cardigan: Forever 21  Tank: Forever 21   Necklace: Aldo  Pants: Dynamite

 

Birthday Girl!

 don't be fooled by the melon

Effy baby & mama!

a boozy brunch

The Ancaster Mill

 

exhausting run at the park

Birthday in Bermuda!

I just got back from my FINAL visit to Bermuda....that means the boy will be home NEXT WEEKEND! at the end of the month. Now that I've said that...this past weekend was one of the best weekends! I went to Bermuda to see my boyfriend but to also celebrate my 28th {which was last Wednesday}! We did so much! Friday he had to work, but lucky for me there is a pool in his backyard so I took full advantage, even though the weather wasn't amazing! Friday night we headed out for a Birthday dinner at one of the best seafood restaurants on the island, Barracuda Grill, then off to Elbow Beach for some beach side martinis! Saturday the weather was BEYOND perfect and Jeff surprised me with a boat rental for the day! We did some snorkeling and found a beach that we had all to ourselves! What more could you ask for?! We ended the night off with dinner and drinks on the beach and a bonfire! Such a perfect weekend!*

 riding in style! {just picked up at the airport hence the baggage!}

Pants: Forever 21 Tank: Forever 21 $1.50 Sandals: Steve Madden {old}

 Bermuda's Best Fish Sandwich {here}

 Birthday Drinks at the Beach

 Martinis & Tapas {here}

 our sweet ride for the day!

isn't a day at sea without a Dark & Stormy!

 clearly loving life!
Bikini: Victoria Secret  Sunglasses: Call it Spring  Top: Purr Clothing {Old}

 no one else around!

 bumpy ride!

 I'm not complaining!

 sunken ship!

 

bonfire on the beach!

 

Birthday cupcakes...squished...but delish!

my little breakfast guest....Lizzy

Thank you Bermuda for 3 amazing visits!