I haven’t managed to upload my vacation photos to the computer yet, so those will be put on hold for the next little while. So we’ll just talk about my wonderful supper last night. I intended on making chicken kabobs except I didn’t have any skewers. It turned out perfect though. As I just grilled the chicken and yellow pepper.

Side dishes were spinach salad, with cherry tomatoes, fresh mushrooms, cucumber, raisins, slivered almonds, and strawberries with homemade dressing*, and some roasted red pepper risotto (from a box but ohhh so good).

* Salad dressing:

• 3tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt + pepper to taste
• small bit of honey mustard

Then ended up having some sweet decadent dessert (by my standards) to go with it. Watermelon, pineapple, grapes, strawberries drizzled with a bit of chocolate sauce. Mmm.

Can you believe I had to photoshop those pictures of the food? My camera skills are getting out of hand! I need my tripod. Where is it!?

Have a great day all!!

Yayyyy!!!!!

I’m  back in the blogging world. I’ve been tweeting throughout my whole vacation in case anyone didn’t/doesn’t follow me.

When the alarm went off on my dresser this morning, I had forgotten that I was home in Ontario so it spooked me a bit.  Today was my first day back at work and it was so incredibly busy. A good type of busy where the day flew by and I almost forgot to take lunch and I decided to finally eat at 2pm!!

I can’t get over how many blogs I haven’t read in the 12 days that I was gone. My Google RSS feed says I have 1000+, so I don’t know the exact number. But I think I’ll skim through most blogs and of course not read all of them. So anyway, I will have a full re-cap and photo post coming up later this week. But for now I need to unpack all the groceries that I just went out and purchased and then make supper. After — perhaps I’ll make some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Until then…I leave you with some pictures to gawk at.

Jasper, Alberta

On top of a mountain taking the Tramway in Jasper Alberta, 1304 metres (4279 ft) above sea level. It was bitter cold, and snowing on top. I mean, look how high up I was!

At the base of Mount Edith Cavell just two days ago!

Walking to the base of Edith Cavell.

Since I’m not working and actually on vacation, I decided to still take two OOTWW (outfit of the work week) photos while I was working on Monday and Tuesday. A bit boring, since I was much more excited thinking of my vacation, than heading to work. Obviously.

Aline commented on my blog last week mentioning I should do a workout outfit of the week as well. I’m going to decline that one for now, until I start working out on a regular basis. Soccer has stopped (for me) for this summer season and I don’t run as often as I’d like to anymore. I have an appointment to get my breathing checked in late September, but each time I run I just can’t control my breathing and it makes for a difficult run. It’s also difficult to get motivated. I haven’t seen my friend and running buddy in ages because of it. I keep backing out! Guilt has officially set in ages ago. I do go for runs twice a week though, and I’m going to also try to run frequently while I’m here out west. So, that’s a little update for you all.

I’m off to enjoy some more of my vacation and not buy any industrial supplies!

Ironman + Vacation doesn’t really go together. Does it. Luckily I am not the one doing the race, so it’s technically my vacation and the Boyf will be on vacay too after race day.

We made it! Hello BC!

So it’s our second day here in British Columbia and the boyf has pre-registered for his THIRD Ironman Canada in 2011. Single women and men should be careful driving on the highways in their fancy rental cars like ours (seen below). Cops will pull ya over unless you have one of the best radar detectors to spot cops, because whether or not you’re here on vacay or not they’ll getcha! Not that we’re speedy or anything, because we certainly aren’t. Just sayin’

Oh MM Gee. It’s okay – it’s a beautiful spot here in Penticton, and I don’t mind coming here for another year. The weather is great and the place looks like a resort town. Mind you the hotels and motels gauge you like nothing else with a minimum of 5 night stay and we’re paying a fortune. In fact, we’re paying more at this motel that has stucco on the walls AND ceiling, than we are for the West Edmonton Mall hotel.

Stucco walls….lol

I have been updating my twitter a million and more times than I have been on here, clearly. So if you want to see what I’m up to all day long on my vacation, check that out – there’s always photo updates of random silly quirky things, for instance: Butt Road, Kelowna.

Our rental car is pretty intense. An eye oggling muscle car, Dodge Challenger which gets a lot of older men giving us thumbs up on the side of the road. It’s a little ridiculous looking!! We can’t stop laughing at it anytime we are about to get in it for a ride.

Sitting inside the enourmous car with so many blind spots. It’s a helluva time to park this beast too!

It’s also not very comfortable to rest your arm out the window. It’s so high up. Not this high, it’s a bit exaggerated, but it’s definitely high..

Yesterday I conked out pretty hard and nearly immediately after supper. It was such a long day going on 5 hours of sleep, an hour drive to the airport followed by the 5 hour plane ride and another hour to our destination. But we did end up going to the beach for a while since it was a gorg hot day out. We were relaxed all day yesterday walking the streets and checking out the sights.

While walking along the sidewalk something hit my head, I didn’t know what it was and I looked up and noticed an acorn tree above me. I took one right off the tree as souviner. Isn’t it cute and super tiny??

Today we encountered a few minute torrential true mountain area downpour.

It didn’t last long, but I made Boyf go get the car while I waited under a bike shop’s door way.

We’re trying to eat out as little as possible to save some money so I brought some schnackin’s with me. Healthy eating on the go! Except it’s a tad annoying to cook while you’re on vacation. Know what I mean?

Late lunch.

Stuffing face.

That’s all I have for now. I’m off to read a couple of blogs while boyf sets up his bike!

Aren’t picture posts the best?

Wave bye!!

All packed up and ready to go! This week we’re heading out to British Columbia as my Boyfriend competes in his second Ironman Canada. Blogging will be sporadic but I will still be here!

I ended up wearing quite a few new pieces this week. Working close to a good mall doesn’t help my savings account any, or social security disability for that matter. Monday’s top? From an “old lady” store, Thursday’s necklace and purse? Braaaaand newww.

Also, there is a $60 gift card to CSN stores up for grabs that ends on Monday. Don’t forget to enter multiple times!

(click to enlarge)

Purse lovah. I have a thing for white purses, but then who’d want it to get dirty? I certainly have no idea how to clean purses.

Haylie Duff sporting a lovely purse. Gimmie!

Kristin Cavallari sporting a Michael Kors Gansevoort Tote ($299)

Chloe Gemma handbag

Prada Cervi Antik (source)

After browsing online for some purses, I was lusting after a nice brown one. I headed into the local Coach store and found a lot of ugly purses. I don’t like the name to be sprawled everywhere, and I’m more a fan of leather, than I am fabric. The leather one’s weren’t that eyecatching to me.

The other day I went into H&M after work and I spotted a purse that was inexpensive and pretty. And in brown! I don’t own any brown or black purses. So, I snatched it up and bought it instantly. This is the type of purse I would like to have last me a long time. If it was real leather I’d be happier. But this bag will probably only last me six months to a year.

But it’s nice, right? I am definitely bringing this purse with me to British Columbia on the airplane. Well — I’m off to make some custom luggage tags. Seriously. I am. Benefits of being a Graphic Designer!

Also — people! Enter my CSN stores $60 gift card giveaway, only have until Monday. It’s a freeeeeeeeee gift card for you guys. What’s stopping you?

So many of the Etsy store owners are quite friendly people. Leslie over at Sugar Pie Chic is no exception. Her aprons stood out at me as one of the better designed aprons that I have come across online. I think I really enjoy the cut and style of the pattern that she uses on her aprons.

This one is my FAVORITE.

I haven’t gotten to see one in person, since I haven’t purchased one yet (hint hint, anyone out there?), but I’d love to eventually buy one from her Etsy store and try them out. I am the messiest cook/baker and even eater. I always get stains on my pants when I’m eating. I get splashes of tomato sauce or chicken juice sprayed up on my clean white shirt – even if it’s an old shirt, it still sucks to have it stained when you’re cooking or doing chores around the house.

Pink!! (C’mon, who doesn’t love pink)

I think everyone who is just as messy as I am, or just wants to look cute in the kitchen, to go over to Sugar Pie Chic and check out the designs.

So tell me, are you a messy cook like me?

Over the weekend we went to a beach in Goderich. While the Boyf was about to practice swimming before his big race — we took Alfie in the water. Whoops, apparently dogs weren’t allowed on the beach. Either way, Alfie somewhat enjoyed it. He actually swam out to me (maybe 2 feet from the shore) but still. It’s an accomplishment.

Since he was car sick and in Lake Huron and out walking on the trails, I decided to bathe him last night, and take tons of photos!!

About to launch out of the tub. Notice our new bath tiles? Aren’t they wonderful?

Soaked.

This is when he starts whimpering. Poor fella.

Look how tiny he is!

Drying off and ignoring the camera.

Is our dog not the most cutest little thing ever? Here he is wrapped up in a towel drying off. At first I had him in this towel, and let him roam free around the house til I noticed he was wiggling everywhere and trying to dry off more. I picked him up and re-wrapped him in this blanket, where he sat contently til he dried off. He also would NOT look at the camera. I think he was angry. I had to say “Treat?!!” for him to look at this shot above. Terrible :)

After not getting soaked by the little five pounder, I deserved some mocha ice cream. It was…yuumay.

You know how you click on an acquaintance’s facebook, then you click on their significant others facebook and so – on, until you’re on someone’s page you’ve never met. No? You don’t do that? Just me being creepin? It’s alright.

BUT! I found a picture of me on this persons facebook who I don’t know. It was their display picture for Ironman Canada (the number of vehicles with a yakima roof rack was wild!) last August and I found myself!!

Terrible terrible posture, but I blame it on that I was looking out for my Boyf to come out on the bike so I could wave the Newfoundland flag.

Neat yeah. But kind of creepy at the same time. I wonder who else’s photos I’m in, that I never knew…