Wanderlust: Hawaii Holiday

 Hawaii was magical and unforgettable.

The beautiful landscape, the inviting beaches, the towering palm trees and the smell of the salt ocean air draws you into another world - this is truly paradise. Hawaii is a place to experience with all the senses and it's is so picturesque that it's hard to take a bad photo.

There was only one week to fit all of our excursions in and the island is quite large, so make do with the time that you have. Here are my top 5 places that I’ve enjoyed and I hope you will find helpful too:

 1. Snorkel at Hanuama Bay – This was a local’s recommendation and I highly suggest you make this one of your top spots. Make sure you get here early because the crowds swarm in at 9am and scare away the fishes. Go further out and you might see a turtle. We bought an underwater camera with film (they still make these things!), but I recommend renting a go-pro for better quality photos and video.

2. Sushi - Eat sushi to your heart's content. I had sushi almost every day but I'm a fanatic. I recommend Suntory for traditional Japanese meals (it reminded me of the meals I would have in Japan) but I also enjoyed Doraku Sushi and Island Vintage Coffee for their Ahi Poke Bowl. The Poke bowl is made up of raw fish, seasonings,  and rice and feature the freshest fish in Hawaii. I have cravings for them ever since I've been back.

3.  Luau – I really enjoyed myself at a Luau. We went to the Chief's Luau and it's full of narrative, jokes, fire throwers and Hula dancers set against a beautiful backdrop. We had a feast of pit roasted pig, purple taro bread and local Hawaiian cuisine.

4. Diamond Head Crater - We got up early in the morning to hike all the way up the crater. Once the sun is overhead, it makes it harder to climb to the top and the trail gets overcrowded with people. The hike is worth it once you reach the top, and the reward is the spectacular views of the island.

5. Pali Lookout – We took a day excursion around Honolulu and we stopped at Pali lookout. This is such a beautiful lookout point, with panoramic views of O’ahu. This is quite breathtaking and the photos do not capture the natural beauty. Also, ladies, you’ll need to hold onto your skirts as it's extremely windy here.

Wanderlust: Santa Barbara and my Top 5

Last year I was lucky to get in some time to travel to the beautiful beaches of Santa Barbara. It's still cold and wintery in Toronto, so what better way to look back at my California trip than today.

Here are my top 5 things to do in Santa Barbara:

1. Butterfly Beach- this beach is away from the main downtown area so you can enjoy your time away from the crowd. Sometimes you might run into tourists with their cameras if you decide to photo shoot on this beach. While I was messing around with this billowy scarf, 2 Japanese tourists started taking my photo. Erm, kind of embarrassing.

2. Rent a Bike Cruiser- The best possible way to cover ground and see all of the beaches on foot would be to rent a bike cruiser for a few hours. Its fun and you get great exercise, especially if you can make it up the peak for the great view of the harbor. I recommend taking some sandwiches and snacks for the rest stops.

3. Pool hopping- Hands down, the Bacara resort has the most beautiful pool to dip your toes in. You won’t be disappointed with their picturesque pool especially when the sun starts to set.

1. High Tea at the Four Seasons Biltmore- A beautiful view of the ocean from the patio and sweeping fabric from the indoor courtyard remind me a Moroccan villa. I recommend the High Tea just so you spend a few hours soaking up the beauty of this place and the excellent service. You definitely need to spoil yourself here.

 5. Farmer’s market- Sunday’s are not complete without checking out the market for the colorful fruit and vegetables, picking up a bundle of Gerber flowers, and fresh herbs for homemade tea.

A few other places that didn’t quite make the cut, but are still worthy to check out:
• walking down State Street, the heart of the city
• the new public market for fresh and organic meals
• getting Mexican food at Playa Azul or Superica

For my most recent adventures and studio happenings, please follow me on instagram @loveatfirstblush.

Road Trip

Taking some downtime this past long August weekend with friends at the cottage to explore the beautiful countryside. We took a fun road trip into Collingwood and made a stop at Blue Mountain village to hike up some trails. We managed to make it up to the top of the mountain to some spectacular views.

The sunsets and fields of wildflowers in the country side are so picturesque. I think road trips should be a monthly essential.
 

Travel Plans: Buying Trip

We're headed to Los Angeles this week to check out the markets and gather inspiration for our 2015 collection. A buying trip usually involves researching upcoming trends, buying product samples and taking photos for inspiration. I like to find most of my inspiration from vintage stores and flea markets as these places have the most unique pieces and details that I can incorporate in my sketches and designs.

I've been wanting to check out the Rose Bowl Flea Market for the longest time. It falls on every second Sunday and we just missed it last August when we traveled to Las Vegas for the MAGIC trade show.

I'll be posting more photos from our instagram feed. Follow us if you want an inside look at our finds from our travel diary: @loveatfirstblush

San Bernadino mountains

Postcards from Los Angeles

There's nothing like a California sunset to breathe new inspiration into our next collection. The warmth of the city and the relaxed atmosphere has been greatly welcomed these past few days.

I love California beach culture- the grungy rock influence of Venice beach or the fun ambiance of Santa Monica pier.

Eating fish tacos, Thai iced tea on the beach, feeling the sand between our toes while the sun sets, or catching a midnight rickshaw ride with friends are these unforgettable moments.

Wanderlust: Las Vegas, Nevada

Missing my early flight in the morning, I almost didn't make it to Vegas.

Fortunately I was booked on a later flight and I arrived in Vegas to the sound of chiming bells from the slot machines. It was hot and humid, but the excitement of this place made me forget the weather. After all, its one of the cities that never sleeps. This year, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to walk the trade show and check out the Sourcing section at Magic.

Every morning, I would get up early to watch the sunrise from our Wynn hotel room and watch the golden light spill over the mountains. The view is nothing short of beautiful. And you know that saying, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Yes it rings true.

Paris Decor

My memories of Paris are forever engrained with balconies overlooking open courtyards and terraces, tiny cafes and historic monuments - a beautiful, romantic city. I'm incorporating Parisian chic into parts of my home and creative spaces.

Found here: 1. Paris balconies 2.  Antique Floor mirror

Scooters and Sunsets in Florence

Walking along the River Arno in Florence, you can catch glimpses of bicycles and scooters zipping down the paved streets. If you stand in one spot long enough, you'll see a fashion parade of stylish outfits flashing by on chic colorful bikes. It makes me want to own a red scooter and drive along the streets of Old Montreal.

Wanderlust: Florence, Italy

Back in July, we made a trip to Italy for our summer vacation. I've backpacked through Italy about 8 years ago and this time, it was nice not to lug around a backpack. Italy was everything I remembered and more.

Florence is my one of favorite cities in Italy. The streets of Florence remind me of the cobbled streets in Old Montreal, but bathed in golden hues antiqued with age. Somehow the food just tastes better here, even the fruits. I would love to tell you where the best pizza or pasta is, but the best part of the trip is just wandering the city, getting lost and finding those hidden gems on your own.

A few tips. Try Florentine steak and fried zucchini flowers at a local eatery. For best and free views of the city, walk up to the rooftops of a hotel.