Sisterly Love!

This weekend seemed to fly by! As I sit here drinking some ice cream cake tea I feel so blessed to have the life that I have. On a side note....there is such a thing as ice cream cake tea! I went on a Davids tea shopping spree and tried a few new flavors.
On Friday night the hubby and I went on a date to celebrate his birthday at the Olive Garden. We had a great evening spending some quality time together.
I even tried a new red wine! It's called Rosacto and it's a sparkling red wine. It was pretty delicious!

me on our date!

On Saturday evening we went to a BBQ at Blair and Nicole's family farm. It was great to see our friends and catch up. We even had a bonfire! Evenings like those make me so excited for summer!

best friends!

Nicole & I

Nicole had the cutest set up!
 I loved the mason
jar drinks!

Sunday was an awesome spring day. Church was a really good sermon. It was on Psalm 37 and living a rock solid life.  Walking in God's way can be hurtful sometimes but it is worth it in the end. I feel challenged to live my life in a "rock solid" way and always doing things, even small things, the right and Godly way.
On Sunday afternoon Jess and I had a sister date! I love spending time with my sister and catching up on our busy lives. We went shopping for bike accessories. My dream has come true and my sister now has a cruiser bike so we can go riding together! I bought a new vintage wooden bike rack for the back of my bike so now I can attach my picnic basket to my bike! My two favorite summer things can now be combined..Pinics and bike riding!



"There is no better friend than a sister.
 And there is no better sister than you."

some delish freckled lemonade at Red Robins!

our bikes!

I love my bike

 Have a happy week!

Mel XO

Happy birthday husband!

Happy 26th Birthday to my loving husband, Mika. We have been together for his last 8 birthdays!! Isn't that crazy? Each year I love him more and I look forward to spending many more birthdays with him. He is becoming such a man of God and I am so proud to be his wife!

Happy Birthday and I love you!

Mel xo

me & Mika in Mexico

 "God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you..."

Under The Veil

For those of you that don't know, as well as working at Tracycakes, is that I have a business on the side called Under the Veil wedding hair design.  I pamper brides in the comfort of their own home while designing the style they have always dreamt on their special day! I love styling hair for weddings. My favourite part is when the bride gets her dress on and her whole look comes together! If you are getting married or know anyone getting married please refer me!
I also do regular cuts/colours on evenings and weekends if you are looking for a hair stylist. Right now I have a salon in my parents basement(thanks Mom and Dad!) since we are still in a townhouse. My dream is to have a salon in my own house one day soon.
You can reach me at contact@undertheveil.ca or 604-557-8190
Here are some photos of some past weddings I have done.

Happy rainy Wednesday!

Mel Xo

My "green thumb"

So Mom and I discovered the NICEST nursery last spring. Windsor Greenhouse. (check em out!)
They have the most beautiful biggest flowers and plants.  What's great about this place is you go there and pick your plants and bring your pots and they will plant them for you!!! It really doesn't even cost that much extra and the best part is you don't have to get your hands dirty!! Another bonus is that they let them grow in their greenhouse until around May-long weekend when they are ready to pick up!
I really love gardening and like to do some of it myself but it seems like these ladies really know what they are doing. I think I am going to have some beautiful planters and hanging baskets this year and I cannot wait to pick them up!
Well I am off to cook some Sesame Ginger Salmon for dinner for the hubby and I.
I better go enjoy this sunshine while it lasts.

Happy Spring!

Mel Xo

some of my plants I picked!

I planted these herbs on my own! I love cooking with fresh herbs!

Spring has sprung!

This weekend was just what I needed! On Friday night we had a baseball game (I know I play baseball right?) and then we were off to a bbq/bonfire at our good friends Mike and Sarah's place. They live on a farm which I am so jealous of! I need to remind myself to not covet them when I am there!
We had a nice relaxing Saturday morning and Mika made me some delicious coffee (seriously my fave part of the week with him!) We just sit and relax and catch up each others week.
On Saturday night Mika took me on a picnics date to the river. The first picnic of the year is always so promising and gives me hope that summer is coming!
Sunday was such a good day as well! We went to church and then I went shopping with my mom and sister. I went shopping to buy one pair of flats....but I ended up with 2 pairs of flats, sandles and a tank top!! All for $50! They were such good deals and I have been really wanting some new spring shoes. 
We also celebrated Mika's birthday with my family on Sunday evening. He is turning 26 this year. I LOVE birthdays but sadly my husband doesn't share my birthday monster attitude that I have so normally it is pretty low key. His only request is to go to the Olive Garden!
All in all we had a wonderful weekend!! Now it's Sunday evening and time to relax and get ready for a busy week ahead of us!
Last weekend I posted about slowing down and not being so busy that I don't have time for God. I feel that this past week I did make time to spend with God and it made a big difference on how my week went. I have started going to Sumas Mountain Coffee on George Furgason for a latte. I bring my bible and journal and just have some quiet time and it is wonderful! They seriously make the best lattes. My fave is the toffeenut latte. God is good!

at my new fave hang out having a latte!

me and my new basket my hubby got me for my birthday!

we were the only ones there! so romantic!

love him

tea with my favourite nephew Jonah!

my new finds! "Life is short wear cute shoes!"

 Have a good week!

Mel xo

garden dreams!

Today I signed up for Simple Roots Weekly Garden Box! You pick up your fresh, local and organically grown produce once a week. It starts in June and I cannot wait to get my hands a bunch of delicous farm fresh veggies and cook up some Jamie Oliver recipes!
My dream is to one day have my own garden but with town house living, this is just not a possibility right now! So I am settling with a herb garden and getting a box of fresh garden veggies once a week.

Happy Wednesday All!

Mel xo

Here are some photos from the Simple Roots Farm website! Check em out!

Slowing down...

Lately I have been feeling challenged to truly surrender myself to God and his plans for my life. This is hard thing for a girl who loves to plan everything about her life! Some things I am working on are making sure I am resting and listening to what God is trying to tell me. I would imagine it would be hard to tell someone something if they were busy running around all the time. I am totally guilty for always having a full schedule and burning myself out. Lately I have been challenging myself to make sure I am not SO busy that I cannot hear God speaking into my life whether that be through a sermon at church or through my morning devotional.  When I get too busy and tired sometimes church and devotions are the first thing that get skipped. This is something I am ashamed to admit, but sometimes we need to be real with ourselves in order to change.
My goal is to slow down and enjoy all the small moments in life and really listen for God's still soft voice...

maybe I will grab a latte and just be still and listen..

On another note this week has been really great! Yesterday morning I woke up to find my morning smoothie made and a "just because" card in my car. I love my husband!

Mel xo

Happy Happy Friday!

Today is Friday and its SUNNY so that makes a girl happy! Since I need to go paint my nails for tonight I will keep this short and just post some photos of my latest crafting/thrifting!

chalkboard herb labels (painted these so they won't rinse off in the rain!)



New throw pillows from MCC ($2 each! Take that West Elm!)
 Also new window pane frame from an antique store on the way home from the cabin!

burlap covered lamp



burlap covered photo mat I LOVE burlap!

I have also sewn a maxi dress! I don't have any photos yet but here is where I got the inspiration from! I will post some pics of it soon.

Happy Weekend!

Mel xo

Relax, refresh, renew....

Sometimes you just need to get away from it all and relax. We are  SO very blessed to be able to go to our family cabin every so often and do so.
We went away this past Easter Weekend. It was just Mika and I and my parents. Normally the whole family goes so it was a little quieter that most trips to the cabin.
There are so many reasons why we all love the cabin but some of my favorite moments are waking up and drinking a hot cup of coffee while gazing at the lake and the mountains, sipping a glass of wine on the patio, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Since my Opa passed away this past year trips to the cabin always have moments of sadness to them since we have so many memories of Opa at the cabin. Opa has left such a huge legacy and I am so proud to have been one of his grandaughters! He was the most generous, and gentle hearted man I knew and I miss him tremendously. I can't believe that almost a year ago we had our last trip to the cabin with Opa. This was my last picture take with Opa last year on Fathers Day weekend.

me & Opa

While we were at the cabin this weekend Mika smoked fish just the way Opa used to! While Opa was in the hospital Mika spent countless hours visiting with Opa and jotting down notes on things he said. He got Opa to give him instructions on how to smoke fish.

All in all we have a wonderful, relaxing time at the cabin! Here are some photos. :)

me and my sexy hubby

some good reads

tea and macaroons!

obviously some wino with mom!

Happy Wednesday!
Mel xo