Our house: before & after

Come check out more of our before & after images over at www.lovelyvelo.ca

Wedding Celebrations

Join us over at www.lovelyvelo.ca for a year of heartfelt celebrations leading up to our weddding.

Photos

Suitcase Tuesday: Fasano Hotel, Sao Paulo

The Fasano Hotel and where I saw Kate Hudson in Brazil over at www.lovelyvelo.ca!

House Hunting

On the hunt for our first home over at lovelyvelo.ca

Tins + Tulips

More tins at www.lovelyvelo.ca!

Suitcase Tuesday at Lovelyvelo.ca!

For more, come to our new site at www.lovelyvelo.ca!

lovelyvélo is moving!

We have a new look!

Come visit us at www.lovelyvélo.ca; our new permanent website!

happiest beginnings

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a joyful close to 2010. I had such a lovely holiday filled with good ol' family time and so much generosity.

I was overwhelmed by the thoughtful surprises that found their way under my tree, including a stunning custom painting of C and I from C's little brother. He commissioned it by the amazingly talented Irene Pau. We are the first couple she's painted!

In celebration of a new year and new beginnings, you will soon see a change to the Lovelyvélo website. Stay tuned and happiest beginnings to all of you!

*photos by me. I have not had the heart to take down my tree yet. I snapped a few pictures yesterday and couldn't resist a little photo shoot of Boomer curled up in our bedroom curtains.

merry! merry!

Happiest Holidays to all. May it be filled with Joy and Sparkle (and beautiful wrapping like this from Papermash!)

what's on your wish list?

My wish list was small this year; I've been feeling completely overwhelmed by all the joy and happiness in my life that I really can't imagine needing anything else.

But because my family drops a a few goodies into each stocking, I gave this little list:

* Luxe City Guides for New York, Chicago, Melbourne and Sydney (all places I'm headed in 2011!)

* Glue refills for my ATG 700 (I can't live without this thing, it makes magic!)

* Anything fromThe Paper Place on Queen West.

What's on your list?!

* photo from here.

{suitcase tuesday: la mamounia...}

A trip to Marrakech would not be complete without at least a sneak peek at the legendary La Mamounia. Recently re-opened, this is the place to see and be seen in the Red City. I have to say, for me, it did not live up to the hype. Although the gardens were mystical, I found the interior to be dark and a tad pretentious. I had only a chance for a quick look about, but perhaps next year I'll get to see for myself what has the celebrities buzzing...

{suitcase tuesday: el fenn in marrakech...}

I've been home from Morocco nearly a month already and can't believe I have yet to share with you the property gems of Marrakech!

I have to start with Vanessa Branson's Riad El Fenn because it is such a magical little hideaway in the bustling Medina. I was fortunate to spend one night here and felt perfectly at home. The boho-rustic decor is cozy and inviting, especially in the crisp air of November. Each of the 21 rooms has its own personality (mine had red leather walls!) and there are no keys for the doors.

In the morning, a beautiful tray of mint tea and fruit waits outside each room and can be enjoyed in one of several courtyards or on the breathtaking rooftop. At night, the roof twinkles with hanging lights and candles and offers a stunning view of the Katuba Kasbah.

For a serene and romantic spin on Marrakech, this is absolutely the perfect choice.

{holiday sparkle... engaged!!!}

At the whirlwind of holiday-time, I am back with very exciting news: C and I are getting married!

He proposed in the beautiful lounge of the Soho Hotel before we walked to a delicious and cozy dinner at Marben. I was so suprised and so overwhelmed, it has taken me a week (and a work trip to Vegas!) to recover.

What better way to celebrate the magic and sparkle of Christmas!

* photo via flickr.

{advent begins...}

hello lovely readers! thank you so much for still visiting lovelyvélo even in my long absence. I am just back from over 2 weeks in Morocco for an incredible trip to the High Atlast Mountains and a phenomenal conference in Marrakech. I am overwhelmed with riad photos to share, but while I busy myself preparing them, I had to let you in on Black Tomato's holiday countdown. Starting tomorrow, visit their site daily for beautiful photography and prezzies of course! can't wait to see what's behind door number one!

{covet garden...}

Feast your eyes on the third issue of Covet Garden, a new e-mag featuring eclectically designed Toronto homes.

This Kensington loft is my favourite space from Covet Garden so far. The jungle of books and plants are a perfect compliment to the bright and dramatic high ceilings. Need I draw your attention to the bath?! No, you oohed and aahed already, right?

{sonoma bound...}

Time at home goes by in a blink, I am off again! This time to beautiful northern California and the rolling countryside of Sonoma county. Looking forward to a lovely dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen.

I'll be gone for a week, back in time to blitz about madly in search of a Halloween costume. Any ideas? I need help!

{Le Tour!...}

It's official! The 2011 Tour de France course has been released. What better way to celebrate than to imagine ourselves high up in the Alps. From the cozy restored 1771 farmhouse, Mas de Coutettaz, we can get a marvelous panoramic view of the mountains and phenomenal access to the riders!Looks like winter would be pretty wonderful at the farmhouse too! I think I may do better skiing downhill in the Alps than trying to tackle those climbs on my bike, n'est-ce pas?!

{globetrotting i do's...}

I'm doing a little destination wedding reconnaissance for my day job. So tell me, what's your idea of the perfect wedding away? Quiet vows on the beach? By candlelight in the courtyard of a tuscan villa?

Are warmth and sun a must or can a foggy, rustic farm be just as romantic?

{traveling anthropolgie...}

With Fall the perfect time to travel through Canada and the best season for Anthropologie shopping, I'm taking my favourite of the October collection to B.C.'s Hastings House on Salt Spring Island.A little morning pedal past farmland with ocean and mountain views, followed by an afternoon lunch and warm coffee overlooking Ganges Harbour, then cozying up by the fire with fresh bread and cheese before a delicious local lamb dinner prepared by Chef Marcel sums up a perfect day on the island.

*photos via Kiwi Collection and Anthropologie

{an autumn pedal with Audrey...}

Ahhhh... what could be better than a bike ride with Audrey Tautou? Trombone & company at the end are my favourite!

Found via Riding Pretty.