MY GIRLS

There are only 8 days left! 

It's hard to believe we are finally into the single digit countdown, but being this close has made me quite nostalgic about this past year and about my life in general.

That said, I thought today I would blog about four very important people in my life: my best friends. I know, I know, you are not usually supposed to have more than one best friend, but there is no way I could ever choose between them. Some have been my friend for years and others for a very short time, but all have been nothing but supportive and happy for me during every stage in my life and I just wanted to thank them for it all.

So, here they are.

Meet my BEST FRIENDS.

BRIDGET

NICKNAMES

Bridge, Bee, Beaver

WHERE YOU MET

I believe it was Grade 7, although we did not become really close until Grade 8.

I don't remember how we met.

FAVORITE MEMORY

There are way too many to choose from. We've been through a lot together. Just to name a few: St. John, Quebec, High School Musical, Graduation and the list could continue forever.

WHY YOU LOVE HER

She understands me like no other friend ever has. It's probably because we've grown up in very similar families, but she just always understands exactly how I feel or what I'm thinking.

AN INSIDE JOKE

FLUMP. Enough said.

THANK YOU

For standing by me for years, for continuously making me laugh, for making me feel important and for returning to my life without any questions. 

(You can find Bridge at www.girlplusmaritimes.blogspot.ca)

JORDAN

NICKNAMES

Jord, JJ

WHERE YOU MET

Well, this is a long story! Our families have known one another for years, but it wasn't until Jordan got married that I realized I wanted to be friends with her. So, I emailed her and we became friends within a few months. We like to say I stalked her...

FAVORITE MEMORY

Once again, that's hard. Probably all the snack nights at her house, laughing until I cried or the trip we took to Toronto. That's where I realized we really are best friends.

WHY YOU LOVE HER

She has a faith that is incredibly inspiring. Her happiness is addicting and her belief in my future has encouraged my own belief in it. She has such a positive spirit and you cannot help but smile around her.

AN INSIDE JOKE

Anything that was said in Toronto!

THANK YOU

For answering that strange email and for giving me advice. You inspire me, have given me such hope for the future and have given me a model of what a real marriage should be.

MARIAH

NICKNAMES

Mrs. BarronBark

WHERE YOU MET

She was hired just after me when I started my second job last fall. My first opinion of her was quickly changed.

FAVORITE MEMORY

Definitely her wedding! It was an honor to be there and celebrate with her...plus the dancing was awesome!

WHY YOU LOVE HER

She just loves life. I love to have in depth conversations with her and being open to different views of the world. She has such a loving heart and would do anything for everyone, yet she is also a fashionista and of course I can relate to that! Plus, she comes with Donald and he's just a bonus!

AN INSIDE JOKE

"Can I get something started?"

THANK YOU

For being my friend! It has been such a short time, yet you have been so supportive and loving through it all. You included me in your special day and made our shifts together so memorable.

JEZZIE

NICKNAMES

Jezzabella Beatrice, Jezzabelle

WHERE YOU MET

I met her at work too! I can't remember when we first started talking, but I feel as though I've known her for years.

FAVORITE MEMORY

There are a lot! All the dinners we have eaten together, the car rides we have taken, the movies we've watched. They are all my favorite.

WHY YOU LOVE HER

She is such a gentle person, the complete opposite of me. Her heart is so big and she is such an intelligent person. She has an amazing sense of humor and reminds me so much of my sister. (Which is probably why we get along so well!) Her presence alone makes me feel comforted and happy.

AN INSIDE JOKE

All the secret names for the attractive men at work!

THANK YOU

For being a constant in my life. You are there whenever I need you. You have shared so much of yourself with me in such a short time and made me feel important and loved.

Bridget, Jordan, Mariah and Jezzie. Those four names mean so much to me. They are such incredible women with such bright futures and I am blessed to be a part of them. No matter where I am or which people become my new friends, these four girls will have a special place in my heart. They have gone above and beyond for me and I don't know if I will ever be able to repay them. All I can do is say: 

Thank you for being my friend, I love you.

xo: kate

MY BRITISH WISH LIST

Playsuit, BOOHOO // Earrings, TOPSHOP // Boots, TOPSHOP

Nail Polish, ESSIE // Eye Shadow, MAC // Beanie, TOPSHOP

Just a few BRITISH things I would love to add to my ever growing closet...

xo: kate

OOTD: MAXI GIRL

There is less than two weeks until I leave for England and while I am beyond excited, I realize that I will be leaving the constant sun and hot weather behind. That means that I will also be leaving a lot of my summer wardrobe in my closet here. So, I have twelve days left to wear as many sundresses and shorts as I possibly can. Today was a day full of errands and walking downtown, so I wanted something fairly simple. This maxi dress is probably my favorite because of it's simple design and extreme comfort level.

Maxi Dress, GAP // Sunglasses, OLD NAVY // Watch, AMERICAN EAGLE

Sandals, Borrowed // Bag, FRENCHYS // Lipstick, MAYBELLINE

This is the first summer my house has had an air conditioner and on days like this, it is a definite blessing! Although, I am sure I will miss the heat once it's gone. This outfit was perfect for a sweltering day and I look forward to donning this beautiful maxi once again next summer!

xo: kate

AUTUMN 2013 TREND ALERT: GREY

Nailpolish, TOPSHOP // Dress, TOPSHOP // Booties, ASOS // Brogues, ASOS // 
Sweater, RIVER ISLAND // Scarf, ZALANDO

Autumn is right around the corner! According to Harper Bazaar magazine, one of the biggest trends this fall/winter season will be GREY. So, I have decided to go on a little hunt for some of the United Kingdoms most fashion forward (and pocket friendly!) grey items. Whether it's nail polish from Topshop or brogues from ASOS, there is a place for a pop of grey in every wardrobe. I cannot wait to be sporting it this autumn season! How will you incorporate the trend?

xo: kate

ITS NOT GOODBYE.

My family has always told me that we will never truly say goodbye. So on Saturday August 10 2013 as I hung up the final decorations, I was reminded that this party was not to say goodbye, but to celebrate my accomplishment and my upcoming adventure.

I had spent months planning this party. I am somewhat of a perfectionist and control freak, so although this party was in honor of me, I still had to plan every last detail. It was a beautiful day.

I knew that I wanted to use the colors of the Union Jack, but after doing some research I found another blogger who had done a blue and red party. Her post inspired me and I knew that I had found the perfect theme for my day. This amazing (and quite addictive) blog is Mirabelle Creations. (www.mirabellecreations.blogspot.ca)

 

From her blog I got the color scheme, the idea for duck tape flowers and even cute little cupcake toppers. Her cupcake toppers were not quite what I wanted, so I decided to take her idea and run with it. Seeing as I am moving to a continent where many languages are spoken, I took nine different languages and put them on the cupcake toppers. Everyone had a blast trying to pronounce all the words!

She also made the beautiful note cards that were passed around and written on. It shows Canada and England with hearts in the place I come from and the place I am going. It added a special touch and I look forward to receiving one each week while I am away!

It was the best party I could have asked for. There were a few people missing that would have made the day perfect, but even though my sister and best friend are living across the country right now I know they were thinking of me that day. There were also two wonderful women who put a lot of work into this day: my mother made all of the cupcakes and scones, which took her many hours and tasted amazing, and my neighbor (and second mother) Nancy, who made my favorite cookies and decorated them in my colors. I felt so loved to have these two women put that much effort in to make my day special.

I just want to thank anyone who came to help me celebrate that day. It was amazing to see how many people I have in my life who have supported me, prayed for me and loved me throughout my life. I look forward to sharing this next chapter and all the rest with you.

xo: kate

SUMMER BUCKET LIST #3: FUNDY!

Most people have one place that will always remind them of their childhood, of the summers they spent growing and learning. For me, this place is Fundy.

Growing up, my family and I would travel to the small town of Alma, New Brunswick and camp out at Fundy. Our days were spent hiking trails, swimming in Bennett Lake, walking on the ocean floor at low tide and eating as much seafood and as many sticky buns as we could possibly handle.

So naturally, Fundy ended up on my Summer Bucket List.

We started out on Sunday morning and, after a small detour through a very beautiful, mountainous area (in other words, my dad got lost), we arrived just after lunch. Our first stop? Hiking trails! After finishing the first trail, we still had lots of time and decided to head towards our favorite trail, Dickson Falls. I have so many memories in that trail and the calm and quiet of the water and woods was just what I needed.

Once our hikes were finished and we were satisfied with where we had been, we headed down into Alma for the rest of the day. We drove straight to the bakery and picked up squares, brownies, brown bread and...sticky buns! This place is famous for them and, thankfully, we got there before closing!

With our pastries packed safely in the car, we parked at the beach and headed towards the ocean floor. Low tide was in late afternoon, so we took off our shoes and began to walk.

My dad is not a huge fan of walking in the sand, so while he headed back towards the boardwalk, Mom and I were determined to chase the ocean.

Although the wind was slightly INSANE we braved it and after walking over rocks, barnacles, through mud and water, we made it to the ocean! Mind you, the conversation I had with my mother in this beautiful surrounding was worth the gross feeling underneath my feet. Plus, we decided that this would be what us Maritimers call a pedicure!

Our feet in the ocean! We did it!

By the time we made it to the freezing cold Bay of Fundy, I was starving. So, we turned around and that is when we realized just how far we had walked. The view was incredible!

No matter where we looked, there was sand, sky and little bits of water. It reminded me just how vast our country is...and this is only a very small part of it! After taking in the absolute beauty of this corner of the country, we walked back and towards dinner!

It is tradition that when in Fundy, we eat on the deck at a small seafood restaurant overlooking the beach. They have a beautiful view and the most delicious seafood.

With scallops, clams and fish within our reach, we dug in. It had been a long day and we were all famished! Of course, I enjoyed every bite, knowing that it would be quite a while before Maritime seafood would be on my plate again! The smell of the salty ocean, combined with the taste of clams made for a perfect ending to a perfect day.

It was wonderful to just relax and explore for the day, especially in Fundy. It is the only place that makes you feel like a small child, even when you're twenty years old! I am so glad it was on my list!

xo: Kate