Category :Uncategorized

I Apologize In Advance For My Language

Glasses – F21; Dress -street stand in Lagos, Portugal; Sandals – Abercrombie &Fitch.

This is one of my favorite dresses.  And can you believe I bought it for $5 in Lagos at a street stand.  Just goes to show that your favorite things might be the cheapest!  The colors are so sunny and they make me happy! And how wonderful to have a Love Story feature on the Ruche blog!  Go on, read it.  I dare you.  And if you like the photos, get Stacy Kinkaid to shoot your special moments…if you’re in and around Toronto that is. She’s so talented and just a complete pleasure to work with.

But alas, that’s where my happiness ends today…

Commence rant.
I nearly lost my dog.  And when I say lost I mean he was nearly killed. Yes, that adorable black fur ball was nearly killed. Why? Because of stupid dog owners!  A man had his huge German Sheperd off leash in a children’s playground – where it’s illegal to do so by the way – and the huge beast ran at my dog.  He came up and sniffed him, then bared his fangs and pounced on Drake.  Thank goodness my little guy is quick ’cause otherwise that thing would’ve got his neck.  I immediately put myself between the two and picked up Drake.  And the beast continued to try to attack him in my arms!  I half turned so that Drake was away from him – and my body was between the beast and Baby in her stroller, and shouted “No!” authoritatively at the monster.  It was shocked enough to pause, and that’s when the owner ran up, “He never does this.”  Clearly, you’re wrong because he just did.  Dog owners keep your #%@$@ dog on leash!  Especially where it’s illegal to take them off leash!  Especially around little kids!  Especially if you can’t control your own dog!  It’s one things for me to let Drake off leash – he’s barely 10lbs soaking wet.  If he charges, one swipe of a foot and he’s out of commission.  But a huge bag of muscle like a German Sheperd is another story.  I was terrified.  And not just for Drake, but for Baby and for myself.  Who knows what could’ve got into that brain?? So I reiterate, keep your #@%#$! dog on leash!!
End rant.

  *Pardon my language, but I didn’t stop shaking for an hour and poor Drake peed himself and didn’t stop shaking for two hours*

Quote of Today:
“This car is like a two year old.  It’s really annoying most of the time, but if someone tried to take it away from you, you’d kill them.”

Look Of The Summer

Boots- Ruche; Shirt – Ruche; Tank – Jacob; Shorts & Belt – AE.

First off, I’d like to give a warm welcome to my new followers!  I usually send each new follow a personal welcome message, but for some reason Google Friend Connect is not allowing me to do so for the last two weeks.  So unfortunately, a group welcome is the best I can do.  I’m so glad you’ve joined me! Let me know what you’re thinking.

Second, the outfit.  I read in some magazine that the “look of the summer” is jean shorts, a crochet sweater and cowboy boots.  Well, to be honest, I’m not a fan of crochet sweaters/shirts.  I like crochet as a detail, not as a centerpiece.  So, I decided to put a variation on the “look of the summer”  by pairing my cowboy booties and jean shorts with a top that has crochet detail.  It turned out that this was a great functional outfit to wear for my outing with Baby.  We decided to go out and get lunch *okay, I’m the only one who ordered lunch, she ate what I brought for her* and iced tea.  With Husband away on a business trip, I thought it was a great way to treat ourselves.  Oh, and I also got a chocolate-coconut macaroon.

P.S.  Sorry about the no make-up look today.  In this heat, I can’t stand wearing any.

And today’s True Story warranted a post all it’s own, so read that here.

Today’s True Story

Baby is really killing me with her smartness and cuteness!  First off, this morning while watching cars go by what did she do?  She gave Drake the Dog a big hug while they stood at the door.   Of course, right after she proceeded to knock him down and smack him in the head, but still the hug came first.

And she may not be walking, but she knows that we hide the remote behind the couch and under the pillows and so that’s the first place she looks now.  She’s figured out how to climb her stroller to get to the cup holders at the top. *the only reason I don’t have a pic of this is because I was spotting her*  And she’s also figured out that if she stacks my DVD binders she can use them to climb higher.  *yeah, I’m not impressed by that one*  

And yes, she continues to remove every single shoe from the shoe rack.

Hot Town, Summer In The City

Hat – Ruche; Glasses – F21; Dress – Ruche; Shoes – Payless.

 It’s 49 here in Toronto.  We’re supposed to be at the tail end of a heat wave, and tomorrow the weather’s supposed to drop down ten degrees.  Supposed to.  Early this morning the whole fam went for a walk, and since then we’ve dunked Baby in her pool and hung out in the master bedroom *the only place with an AC*
That’s where Baby has been sleeping too.

But I must say this dress is perfect for the heat.  The material feels heavy, but because it’s cotton and linen the whole thing breathes.  Ahhhhh….  And a wide brim hat and big sunglasses are my summer essentials!  that and SPF 60.

True Story:
Baby took a dump today in her pool.  
Yes, yes she did.

Iced Tea!

Shirt – Soundgirl ; Skirt – H&M; Sandals – Winners.

Can you believe it’s this hot?!?!?  45 degrees!  I’m melting.  But on the plus side, I’m reeeeally enjoying iced teas!  I’ve been drinking all kinds and they all taste so delicious!  But I’m going through my ice faster than I can make it.  Which is not a good thing.

I have to say I had an amazing shoot yesterday with a talented photographer – dANIEL gARCIA.   We shot outside on the beach and I was in tall wildflowers, up a cliff *in heels no less* and on the beach.  So much fun!  Can’t wait to share the shots with you.

But back to the heat wave, how do you stay cool when it’s hot?

Quote of the Day: 
“You’ll eat goose poo, but you won’t eat an organic cracker.”

Tuesday In Review: The Essential Bib

My little one’s Mally Bib

 Sorry this is one day late!

If you’re having a baby, get yourself this bib.  If you know someone who’s having a baby, get them this bib.  But make sure you two talk, ’cause you only need one.  This is the essential bib.  It’s reversible and the other side has a food catcher, but the really awesome feature of this is that it’s washable leather.  It’s very durable and heavy enough that it stays put when you put it on baby.  But the best is that during the multiple feedings of a typical day – meals plus snacks – you pop this puppy on and when you’re done stick it under the tap, or wipe it down and it’s good to go.  There’s no need to get a fresh one, or scrub, or really put any effort into it at all. Wipe and stick it on your fridge *it’s got a magnet* and it’s dry for the next round.

I’ve bought this for two friends with babes and they’ve both said that the worst thing that has happened to them is that they forgot it at a grandparents house and had to go without for a few days.   I’ve used this bib from Baby’s very first solid meal and it’s still going strong.  When she grows out of it I’m getting this one in a toddler size.

Simple Bliss

Husband was smirking at me.  What?

Hat&Glasses – F21; Dress – AE; Flip Flops – Abercrombie&Fitch.

We went for a walk while the day was still cool.  Which it isn’t a lot these days.  We’ve got Baby sleeping in our room in her playpen since it’s the only room in the house where the AC fits in the windows.  So the whole family now sleeps there – Me, Husband, Baby, and Drake the Dog. 

Getting back to our walk…Drake the Dog had a great time running around with Husband. 

Then he had fun chasing the Canada Geese around.  Don’t worry, he’s too slow to ever catch one. 

 
And finally,  I’m sort of glad to be back because I’ve really missed this little munchkin!

True Story:  I made breakfast this morning for me and Baby (Husband was doing a night shift).  Baby ended up eating everything!   Two huge pieces of multigrain bread, and all of my scrambled eggs!

Good In White, Bad In Black

Shirt – thrifted; Jeans – Mavi; Sandals – Zellers.

It’s so hot and humid here, I can barely stand it.  But I’m trying every which way I can to stay cool.  That may or may not include wearing as little clothes as possible in the house – I’m not going on record as saying anything!

I picked up the white shirt above in NYC at a thrift store.  I’ve had my eye on this shirt from Ruche, but when I found something similar for only about $9 I was sold!  I love how loose and breezy it is.  And yes, I’ve failed miserably in the ‘no shopping’ department when I was in NYC.  But hey, it’s NYC.  And generally, I’ve gotten a lot better.  Not great, mind you, but better.

Oh and guess what?!?  I’ve finally made my official appearance in the web series I’m working on.  And I’m a suspicious character in black.  Love it! Check out the latest episode below, and go here to see previous episodes and behind-the-scenes.  Let me know what you think!  *but be nice/constructive please*

Random Sundays: Last Blast in NYC

Heading out from my sister’s.

I’m finally back today.  I got in very early and I’m a little delirious from the exhaustion.  But happy.  I loved New York, but I have to say that I wouldn’t want to live there.  First off, the roaches.  I can’t stand those.  But more so, it’s about Baby.  I know people raise kids in the city and do so very well, but for me there’s not enough green space.  Yes, there’s the park, but other than that most playgrounds are jungle-jims with concrete.  I like that two minutes walk from my house in one direction there’s a pond, and in the other a park with green grass and swings.  And more importantly, that I have a backyard and not just a balcony.  Again, that’s just my opinion.  You may disagree, and that’s totally cool.

These are things I never would’ve thought about earlier, but I notice them now.  So New York, you’re awesome and so much fun, but let’s just be friends and nothing more serious than that.

Because as far as fun, New York was great.   Here’s a few more pics of my last day’s adventure.

At a greasy spoon diner for brunch.

I love a greasy brunch!  Mmmm….bacon….coffee.

Saturday flea market in Park Slope.

Vintage pin-ups anyone?
And the best part?  Pie at 4&20 Black Birds.  Delicious!!
True Story:  
Someone, not naming any names, decided that it was a reeeeally good idea to poo during her bath today.  And then got reeeeally upset when I immediately took her out of the dirty bath water.

Second To Last

Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
River Cafe by the Brooklyn Bridge.

Shirt, Dress & Bracelet – F21; Dress – H&M; Sandals – Zellers.

I didn’t take a lot of photos of my day yesterday.  For some reason, I don’t know why, my camera didn’t pop into my brain all that much.  I spent most of my day in Brooklyn.  Walking in the Historic District of Brooklyn Heights, then Dumbo, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, and finally ending up in Park Slope.  I saw a lot of people and got a feel for the neighborhoods.  But I do apologize for not snapping enough photos. 

As I start my last day here I’m happy.  I’m happy for the chance to get away and have quiet time.  When I was single I spent a lot of time just walking and thinking.  Now with all the demands of my full life I don’t often get that chance.  So it was nice to just walk up and down streets come what may.

I’m physically tired – my feet hurt, and I can’t sleep on my sister’s broken, lumpy futon – but I feel mentally refreshed and ready to jump back into my everyday.  And I’m more than ready to see my three darlings – Baby, Husband, and Dog.  My video chat with them this morning was rough and short-lived.  Baby started crying when she saw me.  I guess it was too much to see me but not be able to get to me.  I know how you feel honey. 

So now, I’m heading out for my last day here. 
It was fun New York, while it lasted, but I’m ready to go now.  Thanks for a great time!

P.S. I’m now ending all of my posts with either a True Story – something that happened that day – or a Quote of the Day – something I heard someone say that day.

Quote of the Day:
“You see what you want to see”
Follow on Instagram