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Sunday, September 25, 2011

The Waiting Game

I am sitting in the living room of my boyfriend's apartment. It's 12:32 AM on Sunday September 25th and I need to up and ready to leave for the airport in 3 hours. My bags are packed, my plane outfit laid out, iPad charged... and yet I can't sleep. I guess the anticipation and the  months of planning and waiting for this day is just too much for me right now. I am torn between the extreme excitement and the realization that in a week, we will be back home and my sister will be married. I think the excitement is really to blame here though. I am so excited to get on the plane and get off in the Bahamas. This is just a quick post to say Goodbye for the week. I wish you all well and can't wait to share all the pictures and stories when I get back.
With Love,

S

Friday, September 23, 2011

S is for Stylist

It’s FINALLY Friday and if I said last week dragged on it was only because I had no idea what was in store for me this week. I am working long hours to try and prepare for the week I am going to be missing and, as is usually the case, everyone has “emergencies” that “absolutely have to be done before you leave”. It’s great to feel needed at work, but there’s a limit. Running around and having lots to do usually makes the days go faster, but when you’re packing more hours into an already hectic day it just leaves you feeling exhausted. Plus trying to fit in gym time, seeing friends before leaving, appointments, packing… ANYWAY,  I need to stop complaining because there are only 2 days left until we leave for the Bahamas and that fact alone eliminates my right to b**ch.  I hate to admit this, but I am not packed yet. The women in my office, all of whom are older and have families, gave me the wide-eyed “WHAT!!” when I told them that this morning. My response: “I like to live dangerously”.  My real excuse: lack of inspiration. I have been so tired these past couple of days that I haven’t been able to put together proper outfits. I know, I know… I’m going to the Caribbean and all I need to do is throw on a bikini or a sun dress, but I like OUTFITS. I don’t like to bring unnecessary items (which is virtually impossible to avoid) so I like to know which shoes/bracelets/earrings I will be wearing with which dress/skirt/bikini. By putting together outfits instead of just throwing pieces into a suitcase, I avoid bringing a whole bunch of things that I won’t end up wearing. Though I change my mind while down there and bring backups just in case, it makes getting ready that much easier. On top of all this… I love to play stylist. If blogging isn’t my true calling, and my backup career of being a wedding planner falls through, then I would like to be a stylist. I love putting together combinations of clothes on other people who may not have come up with the look on their own and as a result, make them feel better about how they look. I love clothes. I love fashion. And I love dressing other people. In addition to the wedding shows I love to watch, I also love fashion shows. I have watched enough of them and flipped through enough magazine fashion spreads to know how to make any body type look its best. Now, I am no Rachel Zoe, and some people may not agree with me on this one… but I love to do it and usually people are open to me helping them out when they can’t decide ‘what to wear’.  I am also very good about lending stuff to my friends and sisters, and would never hesitate to say “hey, I have a great necklace for that top” if someone needed an extra accessory.  Ok, so I just sat here for a good half an hour writing, when I could have been organizing myself so I better get going. Hopefully my closet will be more cooperative today and I can finally get some things into my suitcase. I’ll post some pictures of the outfits I put together (that is if I ever get them put together) but for now… I will just post outfits I wish I had :)


With Love,

S

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Soup*Salad*Spanakopita

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Yes, it is kind of an unlikely combo but there was a no-holds-bar in my kitchen this weekend… this is only a portion of what was created over my 3-day weekend    (Hooray for working in a high school!)  


As S so clearly stated, my sisters and I are very different, I, (K) have been described as the cook/baker of the family probably because unlike my little sisters S & T who get stressed and run to the gym, I head to my Kitchen Aid mix master. (Over the years my various roommates have learned that if they return home to a kitchen filled with baked goods, it probably wasn’t the best of days in the land of K!!!)


What’s the source stress??? MY SISTER IS GOING TO BE SOMEONE’S WIFE IN 8 DAYS!!! OK, so that might not be the direct cause of stress because I do ADORE B (her fiancé) but rather the fact that I don’t have a single thing packed- correction: I don’t even have a suitcase to pack anything in even if I wanted to! Yikes!


So off to the kitchen I go…


Leek & Potato Soup                                                                                                                             


- 2 tbsp of butter


- 2 cups of leeks (all of the white parts, a little of the green)


- 2 cloves of garlic, minced


- 1 cup of celery, chopped


- 4 cups of chicken or veggie broth (low sodium is best for you!)


- 1 cup carrots, chopped


- 3 cups potatoes, cubed (I leave the peel on for added fibre but you don’t have to)


- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk w/ a tsp of lemon or vinegar)


- 1 tsp dill


-Melt butter and cook leeks until softened


-Add garlic and celery & cook for 1 more minute


-Add carrots, stock, potatoes (salt & pepper to taste)


-Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat & simmer for 20 mins.


-Allow it to cool slightly and then transfer to blender


-Return to pot, add buttermilk and dill.


Salad


-Spring mix (really, any salad will do)


-Dried cranberries


-Crumbled walnuts


-Crumbled parmesan


Dressing


- 1 tsp honey


- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar


- 6 tbsp olive oil


-Mix it all together & enjoy!


Spanakopita


- 4 sheets of phyllo


- 14 oz spinach


- 2/3 cups feta


- 1/4 cup of mint, chopped


- Salt & pepper


-Butter flavoured spray


-Spray a large pan


-Cook spinach until just wilted


-Allow it to cool


-Add feta, mint, salt & pepper


-Spray 9x5 pan


-Fold 1 sheet of phyllo in half & press down into the bottom of the pan & on the sides


-Spray w/ butter spray


-Spread 1/3 of spinach mix on top


-Add another layer of folded phyllo sheet, repeat until all layers of done.


-Bake at 375 for 25-35 mins.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Lost and Found

Happy Monday morning everyone! I know it’s Monday and I probably shouldn’t be in such a good mood, but Monday morning means that we leave for the Bahamas in LESS THAN A WEEK. I couldn’t be more excited. Though I can’t wait to get there, I am also kind of sad for the whole thing to be over. As I think I’ve mentioned before… I love weddings and have had so much fun helping my sister plan for hers.  Maybe if blogging isn’t my true calling I could become a wedding planner haha.


Anyway, since my weekend consisted mostly of shopping, working, cleaning and organizing, I am going to go in another direction with this post and tell a different story.  When I was 20 years old, I decided to move to Australia for six months. At the time, I had never even been away from my family for more than two weeks and yet made the decision to move to the other side of the world… completely by myself. It was a bold move, even for me. I got the idea from a friend of mine who had spent a summer in Adelaide (where I would end up living) and once the idea was in my head… it stuck. I was determined to go there, and I wanted to do it alone. Looking back, I don’t know where my 20 year-old self got the courage, but somehow I found it. I won't deny that I was scared in the few days leading up to my departure but there was a driving force inside me, a strong sense of adventure that calmed my nerves. I knew the first few days were going to be very difficult, and they were, but it was an experience that shaped me into the person I am today.


The night before I left, after a nice family dinner, my sisters and I drove around listening to Journey and I can remember thinking ‘how am I going to make it for six months without them’. Getting on the plane the next morning was one of the hardest things I have ever done. At a few points, I considered turning around and running back to the safety and comfort of my family… but I didn’t. I boarded the plane and made the 24+ hour trek to Adelaide, South Australia. As I mentioned before, the first few days were rough. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know where to get groceries. I didn’t know where the bank was. I was lost. Completely lost. I tried to avoid calling friends and family as I knew this would just make it harder and University didn’t start for a couple weeks… so I sat in my room for a few hours and waited. For what, I don’t know, but I waited. Finally I made the decision to stop feeling sorry for myself, got up and went to explore.  Knowing Canadians are often more than happy to help a fellow Canadian, I went to  Eddie the manager of my apartment building (it was a complex for students only) and asked him if he knew of any Canadians in the building. He smiled, and told me that three very friendly girls from Ottawa had just moved in one floor up from me. I was so relieved. Again, I don’t know where my 20 year-old self got the courage to do this (probably a combination of loneliness and desperation) but I went upstairs and knocked on the door of the apartment number Eddie had scribbled down for me.  At first I heard nothing and considered turning and running down the hall, but then someone swung open the door and said ‘Hey, what’s up?’. That someone turned out to be M, who ended up being my closest friend for the 6 months I lived there and who I still talk to today. Two other girls lived there as well and the four of us would end up traveling together, partying together and doing pretty much everything together for the entire time I was in Adelaide. Man, am I happy I went and knocked on their door.


During the six months I lived in Australia, I packed as much exploring and as many adventures into every single day as I possibly could. We did everything; from driving the great ocean road from Adelaide to Sydney, to wine tours on camels, to surfing at Bondi Beach, to skydiving, and everything in between.  I have no regrets about my time in Australia, and would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I went completely out of my comfort zone and found myself by doing so. I don’t think that I realized how little  I knew about myself until I started pushing my boundaries; seeing what I was really capable of.  I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given (much thanks goes out to my family for their support) and don’t think I would be the person I am today had I not taken this chance. I wouldn’t give up the experiences I had, or the people I met, for anything in the world.


Part of my organizational weekend was cleaning up my computer. I have way too many documents on my hard drive and I know I will need lots of space for all the pictures we will be taking down south. While doing this, I came across all the pictures from my trip and decided to go through them. I don’t look at them that often, or share them with many people (I don’t have a facebook account) and this may be because the memories I have and the months I lived while there are now a part of me.  I do get somewhat teary-eyed looking back at the times that passed, and the friends I made who are back in Oz… but the memories are with me all the time. I thought I would share a few of my favorite pictures on here, however, because the beauty in Australia can take your breath away. So enjoy… and happy Monday!





 Kangaroo Island, South Australia





Sandsurfing, Seals & Kaolas - Kangaroo Island, South Australia





No photoshop here! That's the color of the water at Blue Lake, South Australia, 1 of the 12 Apostles & a waterfall... all stops along the Great Ocean Road.





Surfing, Kayaking through the shipwrecks (so many dolphins) & a view from our van.





Our camel from our 'Camel Vineyard Tour', a Kaola pancake made during one of our pancake dinners, an orphan kangaroo named Wino.





Sunset on the beach near my apartment. As you can see by the local... this show happens everynight, no need to act impressed!





Just another day down under

With love,

S

Sunday, September 18, 2011

To the market

I met with the florist this morning to discuss what I would like for my reception in Montreal.  I love all flowers and all of their arrangements are so beautiful so I find it difficult to choose.  Thankfully I had my mom and S with me who are good at making decisions.  With less than three weeks until the day, someone has to!



Since it is a beautiful Sunday morning, we decided to head to the market.  My mom wanted to get more corn (which she raves about every year at this time) and S and I loaded up on apples.  Even though the market is really busy on the weekends, I enjoy going on Sundays.  It is the only day of the week that I find people are truly relaxed.  Everyone wanders around from vendor to vendor, some sampling the fresh fruits and vegetables, others checking out what new crops are in season.  Even with all the people, a Sunday at the market has a certain calm that I appreciate.  Happy Sunday Everyone!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

That's Amore

It’s FINALLY the weekend and I couldn’t be more relieved. This week dragged on for me and I felt like Friday was never going to end. For the first time in months though, my boyfriend and I had a free night last night and he was just as happy as I was. E moved here from Italy 5 years ago, and I think he sometimes misses the slower paced lifestyle he grew up with.  Even though he is very social, he also enjoys the nights where we don’t have to rush out the door to some birthday event or dinner party. I love having an Italian boyfriend; I love his laid-back attitude, his accent, but most of all… his cooking. On last night’s menu: Pizza made from scratch with fresh vegetables, goat cheese, homemade pizza sauce and mozzarella (I will post my recipe below). Now I know… I have a wedding coming up, but in the same way soup makes T feel warm in the fall, pizza is my favorite comfort food. I could probably eat it every day and never get sick of it. Well, let me be more specific: I could eat the pizza my boyfriend and I make and never get sick of it. It isn’t the greasy, soggy mess that arrives at your door from most pizza delivery places in our city. Instead it has a thin crispy crust, a light tomato sauce, and the perfect amount of toppings. My favorite part of cooking is when we have ample amounts of time to drink wine, listen to music and really take the time to properly prepare our meal. During the week we often throw something together (for E that still means cooking… never mac and cheese, but it is rushed) and eat it in front of the TV. On the weekends though, the TV doesn’t get turned on around dinnertime. We rarely get a night where we don’t have something, especially recently with a family wedding coming up, so I cherish the ones when it’s just the two of us. We opened a bottle of red wine, made the dough, cut up the vegetables and just enjoyed each other’s company. It was so nice. Even though I do love cooking… I am looking forward to having a week off while we are down in the Bahamas. Not having to worry about what you are going to make for breakfast/lunch/dinner for a whole week is one of the things I am looking forward to while on vacation. The resort we are going to for my sister’s wedding has a few different restaurants, all of which we will get to go to while down there, and I am excited to try each of them. Since I don’t have much on today, and I’m working tomorrow, I put together a few outfits to try on for the dinners. I took some pictures for opinions. The sun was pouring in the windows though, making the colors on the dresses look a bit different… but you get the idea. I have a lot of dresses, but I think these ones will definitely be making it into the suitcase. We don’t leave for another week, so I am sure I will change my mind over and over and I will mix and match and move things around… but I always like to get opinions. I better run because I have plans tonight and need to start getting ready. Happy weekend!



Recipe for homemade pizza:


-1 pack of instant yeast


-4 1/2 cups of flower (plus 1/2 cup for dusting)


-1 3/4 cups of warm water


-3 tablespoons of salt (you can put more if you prefer it a bit saltier)


-1/4 cup of olive oil


-semolina (optional)


Put a small amount of warm water into a bowl and open the pack of yeast into it. Put it aside for 10-15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt in a bowl and mix it arount. Once you have let the yeast absorb into the water, pour it into the 1 3/4 cups of warm water and mix the oil in with it. Flour your hands, and then slowly mix the wet and dry ingredients. Start kneeding the dough and add flour if you find the dough too sticky. Continue to kneed with your hands until it stops sticking. Take a cloth that has been run under hot water and place it over the dough so it is covered. Let it sit for 30 minutes (more if you want a fluffier crust) and it is then ready to be rolled out. Turn oven to 450, flour the counter and roll out the dough until it is less than an inch thick. Now, many people prefer to use a pizza stone... but I use disposable alluminum pans because I find them easier to work with. *TIP if you have trouble getting the base of your pizza crispy, sprinkle semolina (available in most grocery stores) on the pan before putting the dough onto it. I love this tip. Make a few holes in the dough with a fork, spread the tomato sauce and apply your favorite toppings. The pizza takes 15-20 minutes in the oven and then it is ready! Buon appetito!



With love,

S

Friday, September 16, 2011

Stuck on Soup


If you are wondering why the name of my blog post is as it is…the answer is very simple.  I have been making soup for the past few days.  Poor B has not been fed anything but soup.  Tonight was a personal favorite of mine: Mulligatawny.  My only regret is that I now smell like curry.

It was quite cool today, even though the sun was shining, and it was dark before I got home from work.  I spent most of the year waiting anxiously for summer to come and it leaves just like that – without saying goodbye.  I am sure we will have some beautiful days in the fall but none that will warrant a colorful maxi dress, a Sunday picnic at the tams, an afternoon on a roof-top terrace with sangria, a spontaneous brewery stop along the canal to sample the latest beer or a mini holiday up north or to the States.  I realized while walking to go meet a friend today that those fun summer days have come to an end (well at least until next summer) and that fall has quickly arrived.  We sure did a lot this summer and I want to thank all my family and friends for the good times.




Bon weekend tout le monde.

T

Quite the Spread

Good morning! I am sure you will all be happy to hear that I am in a very good mood this morning. The sushi and wine night at our friend’s gorgeous newly-renovated condo got me out of my funk. She made a beautiful dinner consisting not only of sushi, but also chicken and beef sliders, sweet potato fries, salad and baguette with goat cheese. Though I ate more than I should have (I try to think of the bikinis sitting in my drawer but it’s tough) we had a great time and no one could hide their excitement for the upcoming trip. It was a good group last night… we sat, ate, and chatted until we were full and ready to go home to bed. So thanks again D for the great night! Your place is beautiful and I am so happy you are finally all moved in.

                     
Something else that cheered me up yesterday, was going to T’s dress fitting. With the wedding 10 days away (and in the Bahamas no less) we were hoping to take it home. But, alas, it wasn’t perfect and so we will be making one more trip back to the boutique before the dress goes home with my sister.  I don’t mind though… I find such beauty in wedding dress stores and no, I’m not referring only to the dresses. I love watching the girls going in and out of the changing rooms, emerging in the most beautiful white gowns you have ever seen. They look in the mirror, tilt their heads and try to decide if this is the dress they want to say ‘I do’ in. Though dramatic shows like ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ depict many Bridezillas who cannot make up their mind, or try on hundreds of dresses only to leave empty-handed… my favorite brides are the quiet ones. I love watching a shy, timid bride come out of the dressing room, look at herself in the mirror, and start smiling ear to ear. I love how she is quiet with her admiration; she knows she looks beautiful and you can see it in her eyes. She doesn’t need to jump up and down and scream ‘this is the one’ because usually either her mother or maid of honor can tell just by her expression. She is confident in her decision and knows, the same way she did with her fiancée, that this is ‘the one’.  And then, to seal the deal, the saleslady brings out the veil and bouquet, bringing everyone to tears. I’ll admit, I have watched other brides while waiting for my sister and have, on occasion, teared up despite the fact that this girl is a complete stranger.  T was one of these brides. She didn’t make a big scene, or drag ten family members to her appointment. She went in with an open mind, and came out with a gown that fits and suits her better than I could ever have imagined. Even though the dress wasn’t perfect yesterday, it will be on the day she wears it. I know that it will take B’s breath away and the thought alone brings tears to my eyes. What can I say?  I am a sucker for weddings and a sucker for love. I am not romantic and mushy gushy… but I LOVE a good love story and I think the best kind of love is like these brides; not showy and over the top… but reserved, confident and strong.  So here’s the Love and to Friday!

           

With Love,

S

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Turning Lemons into Limoncello




Let me start this post by saying that I woke up today to a dark sky, chilly air and rain. Lots of rain. Now, I don’t mind a rainy day every once in a while, but I prefer them on days when I can stay in bed all day watching movies and eating popcorn. This is not one of those days. Instead of starting my day off on a bad note though, I chose to be positive. I threw on a pair of leggings and a tank top, put on my Wellies and red raincoat, grabbed my umbrella and headed out the door to the gym. I thought a 7 AM class would wake me up and start my day off strong… it didn’t. The class I did, known as a Tibata, was not the right ‘early morning class’ I had been hoping for. It wasn’t a relaxing yoga class, or an easy beginner’s step class but rather a boot camp style torture session that caught me completely off guard. I am not in the best shape, but definitely not what you would consider out of shape. Not one to give in, I pushed through the class despite the burning I felt in every muscle in my body. Now I am sitting at my desk at work and let me tell you… I am paying for it. Not even my coffee and honey nut Cheerios are making me feel better and they usually do the trick. Looking out the window to the rainy day is making things worse; it is reminding me that summer is officially over, and winter is on its way. I wish I could be more like T, she loves the fall. She manages to overlook the impending doom… the inevitable months of darkness that are to come. Whereas K & I love flip-flops, beach waves and summer tans, T is an apple crisp making, soup loving, pumpkin picking, sweater wearing , full-on fan of autumn.  But hey… to each their own.  I know I can turn this day around though and I will. T has her final fitting for her wedding dress (I always tear up seeing how beautiful she looks in it) and we are all going to a friend’s condo for sushi and wine tonight. But, the thing that is making me feel even better about my day is knowing that this weekend my Italian boyfriend is going to be making authentic  Limóncello (Italian pronunciation: [limonˈtʃɛllo]) is an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy). Though it’s meant to be consumed sitting in the sun on a beach in the south of Italy… I’ll take what I can get. I’ll close my eyes, ignore the rain, sip on my drink, pretend that’s where I am and escape for a few minutes. Besides, nothing warms you up quite like a few sips of Limóncello :)


 With Love,

S

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

LATE NIGHT

B and I were craving something sweet tonight.  Only half the dough made it to the oven.       Good Night!



Fall-ing For Soup



For a while now, I debated the idea of starting a blog.  I enjoy reading other peoples blogs and there are a number that I follow. I am the middle of three girls (K – the older one, S – the youngest and me, T).  We are such different people but are so close, with each other and each other’s friends.   Since we are involved so much in each other’s lives and could each contribute in our own way to a blog, I jumped on board when S suggested we start one together. So here we are....


I am not the chef in the family – that would be K.  She is fantastic and during the winters when she lives close, my fiancée and I bribe her over to our house as much as we can so she will cook for us. I myself do enjoy cooking and baking but I don’t take it as seriously.  If I use a recipe, I will follow it as much as I can depending on what I have in the house.  This drives K nuts – she would make trips back to the store if anything as little as the garnish for the top was missing.  S and I laugh about this but it is obviously why her stuff tastes so much better than mine!


I love the fall.  I am not a fan of what comes after but I love the crisp air, sweaters, apple picking and SOUP.  Since our weather has started changing and I wore my first sweater and pants of the season today, I went to the market and bought a variety of fresh vegetables, headed home and pulled out my big pot that sits at the back of my cupboard, untouched all summer.  I forgot chicken broth so I made due with water and St-Hubert stock powder (K would be so disappointed).  My house now smells of garlic and onion while my soup simmers on the stove.  I would post some pictures of my lovely colorful soup but the steam keeps fogging up the camera lens.


I wish you all a lovely day,

T

Destination: Bahamas (Part 1)



Fight? Why whatever do you mean? We NEVER fight!!! ('How could we fight on a beach that looks like that???' - S) Ok, so that’s a lie but knowing that we have been blessed enough to have each other in each of our lives AND now get to celebrate one of the most important days of T’s life- I for one, can promise NO FIGHTS!!! Plus, after months of starving myself to a) fit into my bridesmaid dress & b) have an “acceptable” beach-body, I’ll be thrilled to eat again and thus be in a good mood!!! (If I get cranky at all, just give me a cracker, it’ll passify me!!!)


I am pleased to hear that S is already focused on the 7-day trip… I haven’t even been able to wrap my head around the plane ride! NOTE TO READERS: Of the 26 individuals who will be boarding the plane, destination: Bahamas, a good 1/5th will be doing so under heavy doses of medication- yes, dear readers, we have some nervous flyers on our hands!!! I could inundate you with stories of two-headed women, muffins being whipped at fellow flyers or tales the endless “Sky Mall” magazines I have to read to keep T occupied during take off & landing but instead, just trust me- flying with this group is going to be a doo-sy!!!


So S, I admire your confidence in the flight- or should we be honest and admit you either a) over looked that situation or b) are too afraid to even entertain the idea of what that flight will be like!!!!


Either way, I could not be more excited to be a part of this experience. There will surely be an abundance of laughs, stories and tears (all happy of course!) So here’s hoping I can make it down the aisle without losing complete control and becoming a total puddle (yes, although I am often seen as the “tough” big sister, I can also be an emotional train-wreck… especially when it comes to my sisters!!!)


So here’s to you T & B- groom
This is gonna be one to remember!!!

All my love,
K

The Count Down is On!



So T is getting married on the beautiful island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas and the departure date is now less than two weeks away! As many of you know, soooooo much planning and countless decisions go into planning a wedding. Months of sweat and tears and it all comes down to one day… well 7 days in our case (plus a 120 person reception when we get back, no biggie) but the countdown is on. My sister receives daily e-mails from friends and family saying ‘Only 18 days left!!!’, ‘Only 12 days left!!!’ …. As if she doesn’t already know! If you’ve ever been involved in a destination wedding, then you know that almost all of the planning is done over the internet. Now, this may appear to some to be easier because your choices are limited but, let me tell you, it isn’t. When you haven’t seen the location, or the flowers, or even tasted the food you have chosen… you tend to get a little stressed. You have to have faith in your choices and trust that the strangers who are helping you plan your wedding from miles away are going to help you make it the day you have always dreamed of. Letting go and letting others have the control is not easy for any bride. I have to say though, my sister has in no way been difficult or a ‘Bridezilla’ like the ones I see watching endless hours of wedding TV at home.  As Maid of Honor, I feel my big sister’s stress as if it were my own. We have reviewed every detail and gone over every choice but, with less than two weeks to go, it’s time to just try to relax and concentrate on what’s important: what shoes and what dresses are going to make the cut (the airline’s one bag limit is causing us more stress than the actual wedding planning). Haha just kidding. Most importantly, it’s time to focus on enjoying yourself. I try and tell my sister to sit back and soak it all in… take some time to appreciate that this is a time to be happy and celebrate the love you and your fiancée share. This is easier said than done believe me, but she does make the effort. Everyone is excited to get away, enjoy good food & wine, and relax in the sun… but they are also excited for the big day. We all love my sister and her fiancée very much and are genuinely happy about the life they are about to start together.  So big sisters, let’s try and relax and have fun, but most of all… Let’s try not to fight  :)

With Love,

S