Birthday in Paris

This year for my birthday, it was extra special. Not only I had a mini surprise get-together on the eve of my birthday, my surprise birthday gift from my amazing and thoughtful boyfriend was a 4-day trip to Paris! I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. 

The moment I saw my breath made contact with the Parisian air, it was love at first sight. My whole face lit up with excitement. Minus the fact it was tremendously cold that day, it was the last thing that was on mind. All I wanted to do was walk around and take in everything Paris had to offer.  Every corner I viewed was better than the last one. I was in absolutely in awe. What made it even extraordinary was being able to share it with my love, in one of the most romantic cities in the world.

My babe! Thank you!

xo Stephanie

Travel Is The Only Thing You Buy That Makes You Richer!

Well after a good 14 months on the beautiful island of Sicily it was time to pack my suitcase and return to my family and friends for a little visit. Since my man is working on the ship I decided to take 2 months and go back home to see everyone. Unfortunately, that means leaving my partner in crime Stephanie but she's holding down the fort while I am gone as she continues her Sicilian adventure. 

My first stop is Germany to visit my Oma and Godparents as well as my sister who is woking for my aunt this summer. I love this time in Germany I just get to relax and enjoy my time with my Oma watching her favourite soap operas while she cooks me way too much of my favourite German dishes. I take advantage of my aunts indoor pool and work out room to work off the large amounts of delicious potatoes, schnitzel and beer. I visit with other relatives for dinner and go to the lake house for a family barbecue. Germany is such a lovely Country and it is always so nice to catch up with everyone whilst drinking a beer or two. 

I always try to dress up when I am travelling I don't mean something to fancy but something you feel comfortable in while still being in style. I just don't believe in sweat pants as the only answer to comfort. This wrap skirt and long did just the trick. 

In the summer, there is no other place to be then the Beer Gardens here in Germany. You can go out dress up with a pair of jeans and cool down with a large glass of beer and soft pretzel. 

      

Nothing like an afternoon shopping and what not better to wear then a cute pastel coloured jumper perfect for trying on clothes and its always a comfortable chic option. Zara has many fun summer clothing out now which I took advantage of.  Also, Bijou Brigitte has amazing summer accessories. One should always finish a hard days shopping with ice cream I chose the spaghetti ice not quite like the gelato back in Sicily but it definitely did the trick. 

   

After such a beautiful week in Germany the best way to finish it off was a BBQ at the lake house where  I spent many summers as a child. I decided to go for a summery sunday dress something cute light and fun for a cool summers day by the water with good food, great people and even better conversation.

 

I had a lovely time in Germany!!

Next stop Toronto, Canada!

xo Nicola 

A Life Without Dreams Is Like A Garden Without Flowers

With the sweet scent of Flowers in Bloom comes the sweet sense of possibilities and new beginnings. You feel renewed as you see from a dark and ever so cold winter the start of new life with the sun and the beautiful colours beaming, that can only bring a smile to your face. Especially after a fucking horrible, cold, lonely, dramatic, wearing 8 layers, wet socks, and gloomy 6 am alarms. It was that kind of Canadian winter for poor Stephanie. Having to hear 4 months of everyone in Canada bitch and bitch and bitch about the weather as I sat in my palm tree +6 island, I felt it was my duty to bring Stephanie shortly after arriving back in Sicily to the 'Infiorata' in Noto. Because there is no better way to celebrate spring then murals made of flowers in the most beautiful Baroque town.

  

Surrounded by tourists, Sicilians and Italians a like, we took in the sights but very quickly became part of the skeptical ourselves. Between us posing holding up sidewalk traffic. My skirt is flying up Marilyn Monroe style giving a free show to the town of Noto.  And Stephanie's Sicilian man is giving us modelling advice. We definitely added a true  Canadian flare to the event. But that’s just us, we wear what makes us comfortable, girly and free. I love wearing fun skirts and large fascinators or '2^nd heads' as my man calls them with his ever so sexy Italian accent. While Stephanie loves casual, easy and chic clothing, as she mixes prints, and clean lines seen here.

 

This is just the beginning as we continue our life journey on this old school island that is Sicily and the whole 'wild' wide world. Bringing our Canadian Torontonian culture views and style wherever we go. Learning and inspiring us as we inspire them. Taking it all in one day at a time and sharing our experiences… 
 because fuck it's fabulous, exciting and true!