What the wha??

We’re leaving France?? But we LOVE it here!

Well, it’s true. After months of weighing up (read: agonizing) whether to stay in France or return to Canada, we have made our decision.

We are returning to Canada in early June…

{{sob}}

This has been the hardest decision for us to make thus far while away. Because we LOVE France. We LOVE Europe. We LOVE living here.

We have had months of tormenting ourselves with this decision. We’ve gone back and forth, teetering between France or Canada? Canada or France? But we want both! We want France more than Canada. Canada is more logical than France! 

It’s been a torturous ride because for us there is no wrong answer. 

We have pondered what to do in great detail, inspected every angle, dissected our choices…

Weighed up the pros and cons of both…

The topic has dominated our energy and our time; taking over our every conversation… what fun is that?

We exhausted ourselves on the subject…

And returning back to Canada won out by thismuch…

What we are coming home to, however, is exactly that. Home. The house we bought is in the village of Naramata where Daniel and I met. A block up the road is one of my besties. Across the pond so to speak in either direction is both sets of my parents and more besties. I am excited for Diaz to get to know the Canadian side of her family.

Oh but I miss France already. Leaving France for me is walking away from The One. The greatest loves of my life.

So why are we leaving?? Well, lots of reasons. Mainly for Daniel’s work; mostly to be closer to family and friends for this stage of our lives. We do not talk in terms of leaving forever though. “Forever” makes me feel squirrely and claustrophobic. But we do need to regroup some. And home in Canada has turned out to be the place where we can do that for awhile.

~K~

Indeed she did. Saturday we invited Diaz’s new little bestie, Olivia, out to celebrate with us at the indoor play park. Diaz’s birthday was pink and all things Hello Kitty, as per her request.

And of course, there were a few gifts - to be worn at the same time according to Diaz’s standards - to open once back home again in a special package sent from her grandparents in Canada. 

Happy Birthday Miss Sassy Pants!

~K~

… to change the entire life-in-this-very-moment experience. A friend to giggle with. A friend to play along side of. A friend to share french fries with at our favourite neighbourhood road side sandwich stop. And a friend to run mad with laughter and joy down the street, forgetting all “stop before all crossroads” rules, thereby giving your mamas collective heart attacks as we chase after you.

Diaz has found that friend in sweet Olivia.

~K~

The entire weekend I was in London the city was the shade of gray. Overcast skies, cold bundled up people scurrying to and fro in their black wool coats on wet streets with flakes of snow trying to find their way to the ground in the icy wind.

Yet, when I went through my photos I was surprised at how many pops of one colour there was in almost each shot. Red. Everywhere there the hint of red.

And if you’re interested in seeing more of the Meet the Blogger London photos from the wonderful photographer Yeshen Venema, you can check them out here.

And to read a great post about colour themed blog posts, please visit the lovely Louise from 30s magazine.

~K~

I went to Meet the Blogger London!

I hesitated and really almost didn’t go. Daniel was away in Canada for two weeks and we only just picked him up at the Barcelona airport the day before I left.

And the day before we went to pick him up, Diaz took a tumble off the couch and cut her chin badly.

Catastrophe! Diaz was not too keen on her new “whiskers”.

With the hospital experience and Diaz’s screams of terror while getting stitched up were still fresh in my mind the thought of leaving made me feel ill. Daniel, in a very jet lag haze, told me to get on the plane or he would personally zip me up in a bag and put me on the plane. 

And so I did! This is the first time since Diaz was born almost three years ago that I have left her for more than four hours. After numerous pep talk texts while sitting in departures from my best girlfriends back home, off I went. 

And I am so happy I did. 

The Event was great. So many interesting, smart and creative people. All weekend I was feeling inspired. I wanted to piggy back this feeling for as long as I could as I knew once I left it would be life as I know it. Play-dough making, barbie playing, sandwich wielding cozy life. After the first keynote speaker, Yvonne from The Yvestown Blog and the fantastic presentation from the lovely Will from Bright Bazaar, I felt inspired to do more. After the end of the weekend I felt like my little blog actually could be more.

^ Yvonne providing some very clever tips for staging shoots.

^ Marianne of Nordic Bliss

^ Louise of 30s Magazine

The conference was held at the new and very posh ME London. The hotel is gorgeous and completely striking. Being in such a masculine, modern building was exciting and stimulating and so different to my own taste. It is sleek, smooth and shiny. It is blend of dark and shiny. The rooms contrasted with cold and hard, soft and curvy, dark and illuminated. And there are some spaces and pieces that had me stunned silent in awe.

For example, 

Gorgeous. This chandelier was just ridiculously beautiful. It filled the room. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.

Me at the ME. Lost and overly highlighted…

Truth be told, I looked much worse in the harsh lights. Lost and all flaws overly highlighted….. actually, let’s not look at that….

Meanwhile, after the tour of the hotel, we were treated to a manicure with the latest colour and style trends provided by Dulux while sipping on glass(es!) of champagne.

Thank you Meet The Blogger London, the ME London and Dulux for hosting a great weekend!

~K~

You stop me in my tracks. Everyday. With your beauty. Your light. I don’t believe you even realize just how attractive you are. Or maybe you do and you are so set into that confidence exudes. Lately I find I can’t walk down the street without being struck by you.

You are loved.

~K~