Classic Glamour

"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and ..... I believe in miracles".

                                                                                    :: Audrey Hepburn

 

This little montage of pictures is a tribute to Audrey Hepburn. 

Like many people, I am charmed by her delicate beauty. 

I think that every image ever taken of Ms. Hepburn is a clear display of her gracefulness and femininity. She is the epitome of Classic Glamour.

** pictures on this post are not my own, contact me if any need to be removed

My Valentine

My Honey .............. I've always said that Richard has a barrel chest because he has such a big heart and needs extra room to hold all the love.
He loves me even when I'm cranky. I'm a night-owl and he's a morning person, so I'm cranky in the morning when he is happy....... and still he loves me.
He warms up my feet when I come to bed with popsickle toes. He looks at me like no one ever has before ...... not just with love, but with trust and admiration.


My Honey.... my Valentine, he makes every day special.


My heart waited a long time to be filled with such love ............... and he was worth the wait.

Happy Valentines Day

Girlie Glam

I always said that I was born in the wrong era. Instead of being born in the 50's I should have been a mature woman then, to be able to wear the incredible fashions that were born at that time . 

I love full skirted gowns that float when you walk (or dance), gowns with body and life. I love lace, chiffon, taffeta that ruffles and the hour glass silhouette that whispers sexy.

 

This ultra feminine gown by Hattie Carnegie is a show stopper. 

The extended open leaf style lace presents the full skirted gown in a bolder 

look than what most lace gowns could.

Cecile's, with a French Twist

One of my very favourite places to visit while in Niagara On The Lake is Cecile's House.

It all started with their beautiful French influenced Bed and Breakfast. The rumour is that the guests constantly asked the owners of the B & B where they bought all of the beautiful decor items that enhance their rooms. France of course.

Chris, the owner of Cecile's, was born and raised in western France and later moved to Canada. His experience as a sous-chef in New York and Montreal, combined with the influence of an upbringing in France provided Chris with the je ne sais quoi that is evident in everything within the house of Cecile's.

Cecile's House :: Niagara on the Lake

And so the pretty little Parisian shop of the same name was born so that all visitors can enjoy the French influence. I have shopped at Cecile's Home and Gift since it was first open and visit every time I am in town, the ambiance is an experience in itself. The shop is charming and you truly feel like you are in France when shopping there. On our recent weekend in Niagara I paid a visit and found several wonderful treasures to take home.

One of these petite bud vases now adorns my nightstand.

Lavender sache and soap

The dome and cake plates would encourage me to bake some cupcakes.

Dishware and glassware are imported from France.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Chocolate and Wine

Let's start first with the highlight of the Niagara Region of Ontario; Niagara Falls is the main attraction. The Falls are one of the seven natural wonders of North America :: 168,000 cubic meters of water falls over the 173 foot drop at the crest every minute. It makes for both a spectacular and eerie site.

 Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake (summer)

The Niagara region boasts with some of the prettiest towns that all flourish with unique growing opportunities. Ontario fruit growers provide the best apples, pears, peaches, strawberries and grapes. The area wineries are producers of wonderful wines that are proven International Award Winners.
On our weekend away for the Niagara on the Lake, Days of Wine and Chocolate Festival we visited local wineries to indulge in the pairings of an assortment of chocolates with some truly spectacular wines. The Prince of Wales hotel on the main street has an incredible view of the boulevard and park; be sure to Indulge in 'high tea' at the hotel if you visit.

Love this Aerator at Hillebrand Winery

Niagara Falls Ontario (summer)

Richard and I on the 'Days of Wine and Chocolate' tour.





  

Richard and I were introduced to some new wines at Hillebrand, Jackson Triggs, Peller, Pelliteri, Inniskillin, to name a few. There are so many fabulous wineries in NOTL that have great events all year round.
Ever the romantic, Richard arranged for pretty white roses and a bottle of Pinot Grigio chilling for our arrival at the hotel. It was a wonderful weekend in one of our favourite places to visit; add chocolate, wine, great dinners and wandering throughout the town with my Honey ........ very romantic.

Everybody Loves Wine & Chocolate

We visited Niagara-on-the-Lake (Ontario) this past weekend for the Days of Wine and Chocolate Festival. A weekend away with my Honey in a romantic vineyard town sampling chocolate and wine............. hmmm, that adds up to a perfect combination.

On the way in to town I always stop and visit in at Regal Florist and Garden Center.

When we stepped in to the garden room the smell of the fresh soil in the plants made me believe that the ground hog might be right and that spring is just around the corner. I really get excited when I see all the flowers and plants that Regal has because they are always full, healthy and there is a great assortment. And then of course there are very carefully selected accents ..... wonderful planters, outdoor furniture, and water treatments, garden ornaments.

After eight years of  'stopping by',  I will admit that many of the treasures in my garden and home are from Regal.

Purple highlighted with citrus planters

 

The water splash has a great sound on this fountain

Regal sells the biggest fern plants I have ever seen

My day would not be complete without a Cardinal sighting

Ahhh, Spring !

 

Our visit to Regal made me forget that there was snow outside and dream of great spring flowers.

Not A Snow Bunny

I really do not like the winter and can be a bit cranky when it's too cold. The web and media is full of images of cars stuck in the snow and people shoveling themselves out AGAIN. I hope these pictures of some of the sunnier spots we've visited help to warm everyone up. Enjoy!

Excellence Riviera Cancun- the Spa and spa pool area.

The Pyramids in Mexico

sink hole in Ichinichi

 Are you feeling a bit warmer? Maybe the sunshine in Greece will help.

Seaside massage area at Mykenos Grand - THIS was heaven

  

And on the Island of Santorini.................. 

Infinity pool at Andronis - Oia, Greece

I can't wait for spring to see the pretty streets right in our own neighbourhood. Stay warm everyone.

St Andrew's Church - Oakville, Ontario

Love Bites



Love Bites from Eat My Words


If you are suddenly seeing RED, it's all good. Valentine's Day is only two weeks away and it's time to start preparing the perfect message of love to your special Valentine.

My sweet friend, Jeanne, at Eat My Words (in Toronto) has created something special to help you express your love. Cupcakes, Love Bites and Blissful Brownies all decorated with hearts and kisses makes playing Cupid so easy.

 

Yummy cupcakes and brownies will be available at Scotia Plaza on Valentine's Day, with proceeds directed to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The Bank of Nova Scotia is generously donating up to $5,000 to the foundation......all in the name of love.

Love Bites are available by order up to February 7th, for delivery by February 12th; just in time to start your Valentine celebration weekend. And maybe your true love will share some of the sweet treats with you.

Profits at Eat My Words goes to the foundation - always. You've got to love that.

Brownie Bliss