anthropologie: ikat frequencies shirtdress

This is one of my favourite Anthro pieces from this year. Perfect for when you're standing blurry-eyed and half asleep in front of your wardrobe on a Monday morning wanting to feel effortlessly chic in a hurry. I've been living in it this summer.



When it's a tad chilly, I pair it with skinny jeans and on balmy days, I only need to add sandals and I'm out the door. It's nice to have such an easy and versatile piece in my closet--and you could just stuff it in a suitcase for traveling.

Anthro has added three new prints to the mix but I stand by the original blue motif. The vibrant blue makes me feel like I'm vacationing in the Mediterranean. And that's important when, in reality, I'm smack dab in the middle of the Canadian prairies with neither a body of water nor European vacation in sight. (;

Dajana

drink: strawberry rhubarb italian soda

Rhubarb is plentiful at my parent's place (I'm garden-sitting) so I decided to make strawberry rhubarb simple syrup. It's delicious and only requires two steps - you just need to prepare some fruity simple syrup and have some sparkling water on hand. It couldn't be simpler, promise! And it's a fantastic way to use up rhubarb.

Strawberry Rhubarb Simple Syrup (adapted from Eat, Live, Run)

Ingredients
3 large stalks rhubarb, chopped
16 oz fresh strawberries, sliced
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
Sparkling water for serving

Combine rhubarb, strawberries, water and sugar in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the fruit has broken up. Strain the syrup twice - once through a colander and once through a sifter. You can keep the strained fruit to top pancakes or yogurt for breakfast - it's delish, too.

Place the strained syrup in a jar and let it chill thoroughly.

To assemble sodas, fill a glass with ice and sparkling water. Add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of simple syrup to the glass, depending on how sweet you like it. Enjoy!

Other great uses for this syrup would be to use it to make Strawberry Rhubarb Mojitos! Just add in about two ounces of this syrup to your rum along with some lime juice, mint and ice. Perfect summer time sipping!

I'm so inspired I'm going to try a rosemary-infused simple syrup next.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Dajana

style: bold + sweet stripes

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(On Kat: Dress - Eva Franco, Sandals - Geox)

Scott and I had a fun double dinner date with our friends Kat and Gord, last night.  We went to Von's and indulged in oysters, clam chowder, steak and a lovely chocolate cake (we all got the choco cake). I finally wore my B.B. Dakota dress and was happy to see Kat rocking the most gorgeous Eva Franco dress from Lola's Boutique.

(Dress � B.B. Dakota, Jacket � Joe Fresh, Sandals & bracelet � H&M, Necklace � Anthropologie)

Sundresses and sandals have become my go-to wardrobe choice on pretty much a daily basis. Add in a topper (jacket, cardigan or blazer) and it instantly becomes work appropriate.

Hope you�re having a sundress kind of summer!

Dajana

p.s. Thanks to our husbands for taking these shots and for having the patience of a thousand men.

d�cor: sarah & bendrix print

This Sarah & Bendrix gold foil print caught my eye on Etsy. So much so that it's now making its journey from London, England to me.

�Non, je ne regrette rien,� is taken from an �dith Piaf song, and means �No, I have no regrets.� 

Isn�t that a fantastic phrase to keep in mind?

Dajana

Studio owner Veronika also has a charming blog.

drink: watermelon juice

The weather in Edmonton is hot (record-setting!) and sunny, and it finally feels like summer.

I survived the sweltering heat this weekend by mixing up a batch of watermelon juice. It�s the perfect thirst quencher, is a great way to use up overripe watermelon, and is super easy to make.

In a food processor or blender, puree three cups of chilled cubed seedless watermelon and 1 tbsp. or so of lemon juice. Serve garnished with a piece of watermelon.

For a more bubbly beverage, fill your glass halfway with watermelon juice and then top up with sparkling water or prosecco.

Easy peasy and so refreshing!

Dajana

happy fourth!

via

Happy Independence Day to all of my American friends!

I hope you get to eat cake. Heaps of it.  (:

Dajana

happy birthday, canada!

cupcake, crave.

My most favourite country in the world turns 145 today.
To celebrate, Scotty and I are going to drink beer (Fr�li for me), eat red velvet Canada Day cupcakes, catch up with friends we haven't seen in a while, and if we can stay up *late* enough (um, when did 11 p.m. become late?) we're going to watch the Canada Day fireworks finale in our gorgeous river valley. Our city puts on quite the show. Atleast they did the last time we went to see the fireworks...11 years ago. I remember it really well because it was our first date. (:

Hope you're having a wonderful, relaxing, and soon to be firework-y weekend, too.

Dajana