Don�t get stuck. Move, travel, take a class, take a risk.

Don�t get stuck. Move, travel, take a class, take a risk. There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither. This season is about becoming. Don�t lose yourself at happy hour, but don�t lose yourself on the corporate ladder either. Stop every once in a while and go out to coffee or climb in bed with your journal. Now is your time. Walk closely with people you

holiday photos: banff & canmore

Sometimes a lady needs to leave the city for a short jaunt to the mountains with her husband. And really, who doesn't enjoy a jaunt that feels far-flung but actually doesn't require a plane ticket?

So, off we went last weekend on a three-day mini-getaway/road trip to Canmore and Banff. It was exactly what we needed (�cause last week was a doozy, friends). The fresh mountain air was refreshing and revitalizing, and that never ending list of should, could & must dos from home instantly disappeared from my mind.

We rented a condo at the Falcoln Crest Lodge - explored Canmore and Banff, took long walks, rode the gondola at Sulphur Mountain (so fun!), ate good food, snuggled by the fire and relished in our time together... away from it all.

Here are a few photos of our trip, if you'd like to see...

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The majestic scenery takes your breath away, doesn't it? We love this part of Alberta and can't wait to come back. During our trip, I secretly pretended we lived there. I'm such a dreamer (and a nerd).

Have you ever visited Canmore? Or Banff? Either way, here are some suggestions...

A mini travelogue:

• Ride the Sulphur Mountain gondola. It offers insane & exhilirating views of six mountain ranges.
• Eat at Bella Crusta. This Canmore eatery makes THE best focaccia chicken salad sandwiches.
• Try the smoked sweet potato cheesecake at Iron Goat in Canmore. Smoky sweet & delish!
• Have a beaver tail pastry smothered in nutella at Beaver Tails in Banff. So dang good.
• Visit Bow Falls. Just don't walk out onto the ice like I did. Poor Scott kept calling me back.  
• The gorgeous Banff Springs Hotel is definitely worth a look. Even if you're not staying there.  
• Keep your eyes open for wildlife. The deer, elk, birds and rabbits are all around you!
• Got a sweet tooth? Stop by the Banff Sweet Shoppe for all sorts of candies & fudge.
• Go dog sledding! Our tour was cancelled because of avalanche blasting. Drat! But we'll be back.
• Hike the Grassi Lakes Trail. An easy 4 km hike that leads to two stunning aquamarine lakes.
• And if you're in the mood for sharing, try Canmore's Tapas Restaurant. It's delicious & romantic (; 

wanderlust: charleston, sc

The winter months always have me feeling wanderlust. I'm seriously craving some adventure, peeps. I think it's that springtime is teasingly close. Plus, it's been four months since our trip to New York and I have the insatiable urge to go somewhere. Somewhere with heaps of good food, cool little neighbourhoods and interesting architecture. An ocean or sea nearby wouldn�t hurt either.

But I'm going to have to wait. You see, we're bypassing our winter holiday this year (last year's trip was amazing). First world problem, I know. There are two reasons why: 1) we surprised my parents with a trip to Jamaica for their 40th anniversary and 2) we're saving in order to renovate our 1950s kitchen (so happy about this!).

Thankfully, this temporary travelling sabbatical hasn't stopped me from daydreaming about how I'd like to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary in June. Scott and I have thrown around the idea of going back to New York (which we LOVED!) and San Francisco (where we celebrated our 5th anniversary), but the main contender may just be Charleston, South Carolina. Yep, the South is calling my name, y�all.

While researching Charleston, I happily discovered that it�s the No. 1 tourist destination not only in the U.S., but it's also the top travel city on the planet, according to these guys. The eating is damn good there, too. I'm especially looking forward to super fresh seafood and lowcountry classics. The menu items at this charming local spot are already calling my name (in particular the fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, succulent fried chicken, gooey macaroni and cheese & squash casserole). And I�m not leaving Charleston without trying the famous 12-layer Ultimate Coconut Cake at the Peninsula Grill, which, apparently, has become the cake-of-choice for Charleston brides and Martha Stewart.

While we�re in that neck of the woods, we thought we might pop on over to Georgia and visit the quaint beach town of Tybee Island. I learned about Tybee while watching HGTV's House Hunters International one day (love that show!). A funky young New York couple bought a summer home in Tybee and now, just like them, I'm completely smitten with the place and its chill seaside vibe.

So, the nerd in me will continue to research  and dream of a southern summer getaway.

And if you�ve been to either of these places, please let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Thursday, friends! So happy the weekend is almost here (:

Dajana

Images from here, here and here.

new york bound!

We're going to New York, lovelies.

To say that I�m excited would be the understatement of the year. I can�t wait to wander the city that never sleeps with my beau.



Here are some of the places we�d like to visit.  If you have any other suggestions, I�d love to hear them!

+ Central Park (bike ride, anyone?)
+ MOMA & The Met
+ Madison Square Eats (foodie fest!)
+ Big Gay Ice Cream (I'm dying to try the Bea Arthur or Mexican affo�gay�to)
+ Momofuku (winner winner chicken dinner)
+ Red Rooster (hel-lo Harlem!)
+ Chelsea Market (more foodie fun)
+ Madewell, Uniqlo, Pippin and Anthro (a girl�s gotta shop, right?)
+ Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
+ Top of the Rock/Rainbow Room (both offer a lovely vantage point of the city)

We�ll be hoofing and subway�ing it throughout our stay � we�ve heard that the subway offers the BEST people-watching and more cultural immersion than the United Nations. (:

Wanna come along on our travels?  Join me on Instagram at allkindsoflovelyblog.

Ciao for now!

p.s. I've memorized this in anticipation of our trip.

yoga getaway!

Happy Friday, friends! I'm especially joyful because I'm off on a two-day yoga retreat at the cozy and serene River Lodge. My friend Jenn (last seen here) is hosting the *spring* edition of her lovely Soul Yoga Retreats. My mom and I had such a fantastic time at the last retreat, we decided we HAD to go again.



For me, this weekend is all about winding down, re-energizing and chillin' with my mama. And eating good food, of course! Just take a gander at the menu prepared by chef Sally Vaughan-Johnston. Italian Hazelnut Ginger Cake with Vanilla Bean Gelato? Yes, please!



I hope your weekend is just as relaxing, friends. 

Dajana

Images via Jenn Parks and Ashley Fulks.

irie days in jamaica

Hi friends! Life has been busy since we got back from Jamaica, but in such lovely and positive ways. I went away on a girls weekend/soccer tournament and I've also tried out five new restos in the past three weeks (including Taste, Farm, & Corso 32). I'm really into joie de vivre'ing!

But on to what I really want to share with you: my fashionably late Jamaican vacation post.

Did I mention that this was our first trip to Jamaica? I have to say it was paradise. Negril's casual, laid-back pace and tropical beauty were a feast for the eyes and soul (especially for this sun-starved lady).

We stayed at Couples Negril, which is an all inclusive resort (highly recommend!). This is fairly uncharacteristic of us, as we�ve always extolled the virtures of travelling off the beaten path.Our trip to Costa Rica last year was exactly that kind of trip. But y�know what? There is a place for all inclusive resorts in a person�s travelling repertoire. Especially when said person (in this case, me) is in dire need of tranquility, rejuvenation and most importantly, not having to worry about a single thing.

Couples Negril had all of those things covered, along with romance, delicious food and hospitality. Speaking of hospitality, the resort staff were fantastic! One of our favourite parts of the trip was getting to know these incredible people, especially Kadeen, Syan, Nordia, Tiffany & Celia. They were lovely! As an aside: while we were getting our dance on at the Ultimate Dance Party (cheesy name but oh-so-fun!), Nordia told me I had rhythm. Hellooo! I can dance, peeps. (:

In Jamaica, we were able to take our relaxation to a new level of bliss. It was truly the most perfect tropical holiday. I would go back in a reggae (heart) beat.


Vacation highlights:

• Noshing on all kinds of tasty Jamaican delights, including: ackee & saltfish (Jamaica�s national dish), curried goat, dumplings, callaloo, bun, fried plaintains, jerk pork & chicken, festival, roasted breadfruit & soursop (my new fav fruit)
• Our first ever couples massage at the resort�s award-winning spa - divine pampering!
• Watching local kids jumping from 40 foot cliffs into the sea
• Going down the slide during our sunset catamaran cruise
• Discovering the Silver Birds Steel Orchestra. Their rendition of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" was amazing!
• Meandering along soft white sand with my best {boy}friend
• The sound of tree frogs at night
• Swimming in the warm crystal clear cerulean sea
• Devouring four books while relaxin' in "my" hammock
• The delicious pink, purple and orange sunsets
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

I hope you've enjoyed perusing these pictures as much as I've enjoyed posting them.

Happy Wednesday, friends! I sure have missed you.

xo Dajana