Cococakeland Book Launch

There are no words for the joy I feel when I think of this human.

Talent, heart, style, fight, and the same teenage boy humour seeping out of the cracks of her professional façade.  I've been inspired by Lyndsay for a very long time.  She was in some random class with me back in 2006-2007 when we were at Emily Carr.  She did some sort of music piece.  I recognized her again in Real Weddings magazine and so began the creeping until our friendship blossomed into what it is today.

To have been a single ribbon woven into the fabric of her life is a humbling honour.  To have someone I admire so much trust me with photographing her family, her work, her scary face-off with breast cancer  and now her book launch is one of my greatest joys in my life.  I don't know how she does what she does and I tell her this often.  I admire how she maintains her genuine awesome self, how she has stayed grounded and ever dedicated to her family and friends.  I admire her honesty and I have forever been touched by the consistent messages of support and laughter I receive from her.

The making of this book is such a huge achievement.  I am so damn proud of this woman and all she has been through.  I am thankful for her life everyday as I scroll through her feeds, knowing how precious this life is.  I am so thankful she is still here with us to spread her creativity and her laughter. 

You are a shining star, Lyndsay, and I wish you a long joyful life of continued success!

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Myla Rose turns 4

These pictures bring me so much joy.  I am so happy to have the Houstons back home from Europe after 3-4 long years of following their travels on Instagram.  We celebrated with a backyard birthday BBQ party for Miss Myla Rose and her close friends and family.  My Houstons cup has been so empty for so long that having it filled with their presence and so many familiar faces just had my cup overflowing, my blown out candle was lit (and truthfully so was I on Root Beer Vodka) and it was like being given the chance to relive my youth again. 

Happy Birthday Myla!!!!


Paint Night No.1

After a million revisions, Paint Night was relocated and whittled down to a tight group of 4 ladies.  This was not the original plan, but it ended up working perfectly for a simple test run.  If we are defining success by delicious food, wet whistles, and attendees who had a great time and left happy with their final product, then in spite of a sudden downpour, Paint Night was a definitely success!

Downpour?  Yes, we had a very unexpected 20 minutes downpour midway through the event (as well as all day Saturday...), so these photos are actually a compilation of 3 different days of documentation.  We all had to scramble to bring everything inside: the table full of paints, the food table, the rug for chilling, and of course all the easels with their canvasses.  The rain failed to dampen our spirits and we continued on drinking + painting in the middle of my living room!  Snacks and dessert was served just before Kevin arrived home.  He was probably expecting/hoping to return to a quiet home, however, he was instead accosted by a room of roaring ladies forcing him to play "guess whose painting is whose" followed by a critique of each piece.  Best.

Alright, enough chatting, onto the photos...

RECIPES
Crostini Platter via The Artful Desperado
Chocolate Cake inspired by ILĀ


Mega thanks to Kevin for the insane amount of work he did throughout the week helping to prepare everything from designing + building easels to slaving in the kitchen making all the delicious food and sangria for our lovely guests.  Big hugs to my buddy Dave for helping me to streamline my ideas and keep my mind focus while accompanying me on the grocery run!

Stay Tuned for PAINT NIGHT No.2 coming this July!  Date to be announced!