What to Wear: spring dresses

My dress decided to have a little love affair with that branch...

We're back! And this time we're showing you our spring dresses. When I got dressed for this prompt, I actually had a bit of a rough go. Although we've had some 25 C days in the last couple of weeks, this week has been cold and rainy. So, I had to layer up with a sweater and some nude tights, in an effort to stay warm in my spring dress.

My other challenge was picking a dress. I own quite a few, but none of them seem to be the perfect spring dress. I have the perfect spring skirt (make that skirts, plural), but my dress collection is more tailored to the fall. Weird, I know. Anyway, this is what I came up with. I bought this green dress at Army and Navy last year. I snagged it as soon as I laid my eyes on it. I just love the pattern.

From head to toe: 

Earrings: Etsy

Dress: Army and Navy

Sweater: Army and Navy

Tights: Walmart

Shoes: Walmart

Purse: Thrifted

Bracelet: Elysian Flowers (in Jasper)

Now this bracelet is my outfit's piece de resistance. I just bought it last weekend and I am in mad love. It's leather. It's a flower. It's colourful. I can put it on myself (yay for snaps!) and it's just downright perfect for spring and summer.

Well folks, that's it for this edition of What to Wear. Be sure to check in throughout the day to see the outfits that link up. I'm sure the ladies have some gorgeous spring dresses to show off. If you have one you'd like to show off, feel free to link up with us today. We'd love to see what you've got on. If you can't make it this week, but you want to join the What to Wear party in the future, be sure to link up with us on May 30 when we each show off our "power outfit." My wheels are already turning on this one! Hmmm... what to wear!?

Do you have a favourite spring dress?

An ode to coffee

You open my eyes
Wake my senses
Clear my mind

You're my morning companion
My tasty treat
Your first sip, a bitter kiss
Your second, a warm embrace

I love you, dear coffee
With your rich, bold taste

Please be there for me
As I'll be there for you
For I need you this morning
And this afternoon, too

Have you had a cup of Joe today?

On being a scaredy cat

Scaredy Squirrel

In my day, I've put myself in all kinds of uncomfortable, terrifying positions. I've been on airplanes alone. I've moved across the country alone (three times!). I've applied for school. I've gone to school. I've graduated from school. I've applied for jobs, interviewed for jobs, turned down jobs, accepted jobs, negotiated wages and I've said, "Forget it. I'm worth more than that." I've left boys behind. I've taken a boy with me (hi Ian!). I've jumped out of a tram car. I've ice climbed. And I've killed spiders. But even with all of those accomplishments under my belt, I still suffer from the occasional—twice daily—bout of fear. I am seriously scared of damn near everything. Half the time I'm scared to pick up the phone for an interview—and that's MY JOB! I'm scared to ask the tough questions. I'm scared of rejection. I'm scared to get on the back of a motorcycle or to trust myself enough to drive one. I'm scared of saying the wrong thing or publishing the wrong thing. I'm scared of burning bridges. I'm scared of trying new things. I'm scared of putting myself out there and I'm scared of accepting praise or recognition.

It's an interesting life, constantly living in fear and analyzing every little thing. Some days my fear holds me back while, other days, my fear of failure is enough to push me through everything else.

I assume I'm not the only person out there living in fear, either founded or unfounded. And I'm sure I'm not the only person who's constantly overcoming that fear. That's a part of life, I guess—getting scared and making decisions based on that fear. I just hope I never miss out on one of life's adventures because I was too scared to embrace it. I mean, what would my life have been if I hadn't hopped on a plane to London, Ontario to attend university? Or to Fredericton, New Brunswick for my first job, or to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories for my second job? Where would I be if I hadn't met Ian or if I hadn't moved to Jasper? I can honestly say I'm glad that I didn't have to find out.

What are you scared of?

European dreamin'

Fifteen-year-old me hanging out in Amsterdam. No big deal.

As I write this, my big brother and my dad are chilling out in Holland with all of my extended family... and right now, as I write this, I am JEALOUS. I can't deny it. I mean, of course, I'm totally stoked for them. This is, after all, my brother's first time in Europe and, in some cases, it's his first time meeting some of the fam jam. I, on the other hand, had the pleasure of going through all of those new experiences nearly 12 years ago when I was a wee little 15-year-old girl. But, even though I've done it all once before, I am still incredibly jealous of their adventure. I want to go back so badly, especially now that I'm an adult. My mom was pretty great when we were there, letting me go off to the "disco" with my older cousins—the two evenings I did that were my first ever bar experiences—but, still, I think it would be so amazing go back as a full-blown grown-up. I'd have more control over my money. I'd get to call the shots and see exactly what I want to see. I'd get to pick all the restaurants and places to stay. I'd get to fly by the seat of my pants and chill out a bit. Yeah, that all sounds pretty great.

So I guess what I'm saying is, I think it's time I start saving for my next European adventure.

Have you been to Europe as an adult?

Friday

Did you know when you look up "Friday" on YouTube, Rebecca Black's horrible, mind-numbing song is the first thing that pops up!? I didn't until just now and I gotta say, I'm slightly offended. How is Ice Cube's movie not on top of that list? How could it possibly be second to REBECCA BLACK. If I'm being honest, I'd rather see the definition of the word Friday before that song.

You see, when that gem of a tune hit the airwaves, I was working in a newsroom in Yellowknife. And one of my co-workers, who I adore most of the time, took it upon himself to sing Friday EVERY SINGLE WEEK. No joke. In fact, it didn't even have to be Friday. Some days he'd just sing it... for fun. Now, of course, he did this knowing the song is the worst piece of music ever written and he did it knowing that everyone in the office was going absolutely batty. For him it was entertaining. For the rest of us it was torture.

On a happier note, it's FRIDAY! Like, for reals. So enjoy it, pals. I hope you-all have a wicked-awesome weekend. Mine is stacked with fun! Tonight I'm going to a friend's housewarming party. Tomorrow I'm volunteering to help build trails in the park. Then I'm going swimming for the first time this season! Saturday night I'm going to dinner theatre. And Sunday I'm going hiking. Life is grand!

How's your weekend shaping up?

LOTM: nature's treats

Since I can't go around picking up pine cones, leaves, flowers and rocks (newsflash, you get fined for that in a National Park!!), I decided to use today's prompt as an opportunity to show you photos of some of nature's most amazing underwater creatures. I mean, really, is there anything cooler than a jellyfish or a whale or a tortoise? Probably not. They're all pretty rad. Amiright!? Plus, I consider these photos little treasures from nature. Actually, I consider all of my nature and wildlife photos as treasures to behold. They are the best memories a girl could have. Who needs a rock when you have a wicked photo of a toad?

I took all of these photos at the Vancouver Aquarium last year. It was my first time being up close and personal with most of these creatures, and, let me tell you, I enjoyed EVERY minute of it. I could have spent a whole day wandering around in there. There was just so much to see. Plus, when do you get to see these guys? Not very often in my experience.

Have you enjoyed any of nature's treasures lately?

Gentri of Gentri Lee

Kelley of A Crooked Trail
Lena of Musings
Meagan of The Egg Out West

Michelle of On The Adventure
And guest blogger Faith of Twigs and Tea

That dude, Gratitude

Blue skies, wispy clouds, mountains, trees and rushing rivers—it doesn't get much better than this. 

Even after a hard day or a hard week or a hard month, all it takes is one day in nature to remind me why I'm working so hard. I love this community. I love this park and I love this life I live, even when it's stressful. Some days, when my stress levels are peaking at the point of a constant eye twitch, I forget there are people out there, living in cities, who have to travel hours just to have some peace and quiet, some clean air and some beautiful surroundings. When it finally dawns on me that all I have to do is step out my door, I realize just how blessed I am. Even on hard days I get to walk home staring at Whistlers Mountain, or look out my office window at trains and mountains and trees.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is I'm grateful I've been given the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place.

What are you feeling grateful for today?