Laura's Bridal Shower #1: Canada

I had my first bridal shower on Sunday in Canada! I am still overwhelmed with joy at how beautiful it was and how generous Steve's family is. We are both so lucky to have such a huge loving family on both sides. It was a perfect day. Special thanks to my future mother-in-law and sister-in-law for all you did to put on such a lovely shower. <3

Wearing: There She Rose Blue Floral Print Dress f/ LuLu*s // Shoes, Necklace & Earrings-  Target

Thanks to everyone who made my first bridal shower so special. It was perfect.

xoxo,
Laura

Toronto

I spent last weekend in Toronto since Steve had a gig at the Cadillac Lounge Friday night. Since I was in Canada two weekends in a row, it helped that my parents decided to take the hike over the border with me so that we could meet up with Steve's family and enjoy his show together. So we all took off Friday morning and got to the city in time to clean up, settle in, and take a cab over to watch Steve play. (More on that later)
Since we had all day Saturday to wander around the city, we bundled up and took a stroll down Yonge street. It was my parents' first time in Toronto, so we tried to see as much as possible.

Dundas Square

Royal Bank Plaza- Windows tinted with real bits of gold dust

Of course, no trip to Canada is complete without a cup of Tim Horton's coffee.

I am going to go ahead and apologize in advance for anyone who is not a hockey fan. My favorite part about this trip to Toronto was visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame. For those of you who don't know this about me, I'm a huge NHL fan. Notably, the Detroit Red Wings. It was such a cool experience to see jerseys, skates and other hockey paraphenelia from Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe, Sergei Federov, and more. 

Not sorry about not being a Blackhawks fan.

I realize not everyone may be a hockey fan, but if you're ever in the city of Toronto with some spare time, I recommend checking it out. If not for the hockey excitement, do it for the history alone. Lots of cool things to see.

xoxo,

Laura

St. Catharine's Rib Fest

On Monday, August 5th, Steve and his band in Canada played the Rotary Club's Rib Fest in St. Catharine, Ontario. It was the second rib fest I had attended in one week (as well as my second rib fest EVER).  I swear they have one every weekend in Canada. 

 

I am willing to bet I wouldn't have enjoyed the experience as much if I were still a vegetarian. The grilled barbeque chicken was pretty much the tastiest thing ever. 

Steve and the guys played two 45 minute sets and the crowd loved them. It was also great to see his friends and spend some time with them! They are so wonderful.

Steve played his grandmother's favorite song at the end of his set, and she stood up and started dancing along. It was the most precious thing.

xoxo,
Laura

Travel Tuesday: Niagara Falls, Ontario

One of my new favorite places to visit is Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.  I went back in March when my parents came with me to visit Steve's family and it was the first time I had seen the falls. Although it was freezing cold and my ears were completely numb, the views were breathtaking.  

I went back to Niagara Falls last weekend when I took a couple days off work and decided to enjoy a much needed long weekend in Canada. The weather was amazing and the views were better than I had remembered. 

Next time I go, I would love to go on one of these boat tours. They take you right into the falls! 

 

If you're ever able to check out the falls, do so! They also light off fireworks every evening at dusk, and they are magnificent. This place attracts so many visitors and tourists from all over the world, and it's so great to see the blend of cultures that are gathered around taking photos.
It's really a sight to see.

xoxo,
Laura

Niagara-On-The-Lake Wine Tasting

This past weekend was one of those "best weekends of my life" experiences. After work last Friday, I headed off to Canada to meet up with Steve and spend some time with his friends and family. We stayed in Niagara Falls Sunday-Tuesday and went wine tasting in Niagara-On-The-Lake all day Sunday. 

 

I figured this was going to be very similar to Traverse City in northern Michigan. What I didn't know was how many wineries were going to be in such close proximity. It seemed like everyone that was wine tasting was on their bicycle, cycling from vineyard to vineyard.

If you're ever in the Provence of Ontario and you love wine, you have to treat yourself to a wine tour in Niagara on the Lake. 

xoxo,

Laura