Friday was my 33rd birthday and I had an awesome day. I didn’t want to have a huge night out or wake up feeling groggy, true sign of getting older I guess. I’m feeling really happy and excited about where I am in my life. Being in a good place gives you reason to welcome being a year older with open arms. On Friday I had margaritas and snacks on the Valdez patio with a bunch of my BFFs. They have a range of cool seating which is a popular choice for wooden garden furniture, so it made it a great place to sit and chat away for hours. The BBQ there is open till 3pm and the food is AWESOME. Huge thanks to Cameron (Untitled&Co) for snapping pix of us girls. We had a blast! So many laughs. Have a ton of photos on my phone too. The sunshine on Valdez patio is perfect 2pm+ for afternoon drinks and tanning. Love these girls so much, L-R Lauren, Maria, Carla. Cam, designer owner of Untitled&Co, you should check them out at untitledandco.com. Charmaine just moved here from LA, creep her IG, she’s a babe. Lauren + Chloe (the other half of Untitled&Co!)   Perfect SUN! Later in the evening Sean picked up an amazing Mexican dinner and we ate it at Cherry Beach watching the sunset. It was perfect. Thanks all for the birthday wishes. I’m excited for all the things the next year will bring!

If you’re looking for a spot to soak up some serious holiday cheer, look no further than Ginger’s Cocktail Bar! I had the chance to pop by the media preview and let me tell you, it’s pure holiday magic. Tucked away in the Junction Triangle, the upstairs of Le Dolci has transformed into a winter wonderland and the holiday decor is totally on point. The space is decked out with cute holiday touches that make it feel warm and welcoming, perfect for catching up with friends or celebrating the season. And the drinks? So good. They’ve got an amazing lineup of festive cocktails (with and without alcohol) – think warm spices, hints of cinnamon, and all the seasonal flavours. Each drink is crafted with care, balancing the holiday spirit with fresh and fun flavours. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a cozy spot to sip something festive, Ginger’s is a perfect spot. Grab your BFFs, head to Junction Triangle (my neighbourhood!), and let Ginger’s bring a little extra cheer to your holiday season. Ginger’s Cocktail Bar officially opens November 15th, you can pop by with kids from 6-8 pm, then it’s 19+ until midnight!

Last week my two BFFs and I stopped by the new Awkward Portrait Studio by Awkward Family Photos to preview it before opening weekend. Lauren, Sarah, and I were joined by the lovely Greta (Lauren’s cat) for a super cute photoshoot. Scroll down for a link to my giveaway for your own session. 😁 Once you arrive at the pop-up you can pick your backgrounds and use any of their many props. It’s located at Richmond & Bathurst and each 30-minute studio session includes 2 backdrops and 10 digital photos. You can also buy printed photos, merch, or the official Awkward Family Photos book. I have posted a giveaway on my Instagram for a FREE portrait session. ENTER HERE! The winner will be announced Friday. You must be following me and @awkwardportraitstudio. The session is for 30 mins and you can bring up to 8 people! Pets are welcome. If I were to do it again I would plan much more awkward outfits and weird poses. They have iPads where you can view all the background choices and get inspired by awkward ways to pose. Some of them are seriously hilarious! I planned for us all to bring denim jackets at the last minute and I love these ones so much. Awkward Family Photos – How It All Started Childhood BFFs Mike and Doug started the website in May 2009 after Mike saw an awkward vacation photo hanging in his parents’ house. Thinking there were probably heaps of other people with their own awkward family images, they created a friendly place where everyone could share and celebrate their awkward family moments. Book your family or friends session here and see us on their website.