Runs on Coffee and Cream

July is THIS week... what?! I feel like summer is already 1/3 over! We didn't have great weather (summer weather) for most of June but it's here now!

This is our last summer before Emma starts school in September. It's crazy and very bittersweet. I look forward to her making friends and so that I can spend some one-on-one time with Lily. But it also means my baby is growing up *tears up*. 

So we're making the most of this summer and have already been to many playgrounds, splash pads, and eaten lots of ice cream!

Like most kids, Summer was my favourite season when I was younger. But I definitely grew out of it as an adult. Probably because I didn't get outside as much as I'd like, I was in an apartment with no air conditioning, and I hated dealing with the heat. The last couple of years I've found myself looking forward to Summer more though. I think it's because of our move to the North.

The past three Summers we've been here we've spent a lot of time at the beaches in and around the city, whether swimming in the lakes or just having a picnic. I honestly didn't know how much I'd love having multiple lakes within a 20 minute radius near me that I can swim in all Summer.

Then came camping. Yet another Summer activity that I look forward to and has been a blast every time we go. I can feel myself wanting to do it more and we've been talking about going more or even looking into renting a cottage.

To celebrate my love of camping and swimming at the lake, I rounded up some of my favourite Summer-inspired things.


1. Campfire Tank
2. Sunshine Beach Towel
3. Constellation Socks
4. Camp Stickers
5. LED Lantern

What are some of your favourite things to do in the Summer?
xo Jen

Last week we headed to Algonquin Park for a 5-day camping long weekend. We went back to Pog Lake Campground (where we camped last year). It was a great time and I fell even more in love with this area of Ontario. It's absolutely gorgeous there and pictures don't do it justice. We went on a couple of hikes, sat around the fire, looked at the night sky (the Milky Way was visible two of the nights), and played board games.

I apologize in advance for the amount of photos but it was hard to narrow down which ones I wanted to share.


We celebrated my birthday early there,so there was cake!


This view is a 10 minute walk from our campsite. It's incredible.


Dragonflies were everywhere!


Mr. Frog.


Cider and Pop 5!



Maple Cookie S'mores.


Reese Peanut Butter Cup S'mores.


Oreo S'mores.







Beaver Dam.


Mr. Beaver.




Mommy duck and baby.


More cider.



If you ever get the chance to visit any part of Algonquin Park, I cannot recommend it enough!! I'm already looking forward to next year's camping trip.

xo Jen

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend."

This upcoming weekend is a long weekend for Canadians and it symbolizes the beginning of Summer for most people. A lot of people head to the cottage or trailer for barbecues and campfires. Then you typically end the weekend with fireworks. We don't always have plans for this specific long weekend but this year we have some fun things planned and I'm really looking forward to it.

Because of the long weekend coming up and the beautiful, sunny weather we've been having, I'm in a Summer-mindset. I'm so ready for it!

These are just a few things that scream 'Summer' to me. I'm ready for camping, bonfires, road trips, cold treats, and sunny days!

Are you ready for Summer?
xo Jen

Companies really know how to market to their customers. I've been receiving emails from Look Human, Davids Tea, Bath and Body Works, and Old Navy (to name a few) with Spring-themes! From light and fruity teas, to shorts, to floral candles, and camping t-shirts - I'm wanting everything!

Look Human

The latest email from Look Human was their road trip/camping collection. And as usual, I kind of want one of everything.



Davids Tea

This past week I went to the mall and stopped into Davids Tea to smell and check out their Spring Collection. The teas I thought I'd want from the collection initially weren't the ones I came home with. It's funny how smelling the teas in person can make a huge difference, rather than basing your picks off the name and description. I cannot stress enough how amazing White Nectarine is. The smell and taste is exactly like a ripe nectarine. The other teas I fell in love with were Melon Drop and Fruits of Paradise. Maybe it's because I'm wanting Spring so bad, but all the fruity teas were winning me over.



What are you loving now?
xo Jen

 

One of my favourite things about Summer is camping and being forced to spend time outdoors. Yes, I say forced because even though I love being outside, I get distracted indoors by my computer and television and couch. So when we go camping, I spend all my time outside, unless it's bedtime or raining.

These are some of my camping essentials as far as clothing and accessories go. I wouldn't mind adding some of these exact items to my wardrobe too...

It's been a crazy busy couple of weeks for us. Me and Adam celebrated our first wedding anniversary together on June 25. I had to work that day but I came home to Adam making us homemade pasta for dinner. We had pasta, wine, and ice cream. It was a perfect evening. A couple days later we went to Niagara Falls with my parents for dinner and to walk around the Falls for a bit. It was a wonderful first anniversary.

 
So hot and humid. My hair has been up most days.


I had to take a picture of this guy posing with one leg.


American Falls


Canadian Falls



It was such an overcast day.


Homemade Pasta


Adam knows the key to my heart... ice cream! Both were really good, especially the PB&J!


I cannot decide if I want bangs again or not. In this heat it seems like a horrible idea but I'm just so unhappy with my hair lately. I've been watching Cougar Town recently and I'm so in love with Busy Philipps hair in the first season with her side bangs.

This past weekend was our long weekend because of Canada Day. We spent the night at my Aunt's trailer. It was so much fun. We went swimming in the freezing cold Lake Erie, had a barbecue, went for a walk and explored an abandoned house, set off fireworks, and then had a bonfire.











We look like we're casting spells from our wands.

This week has continued to be hot and humid. I'm working all weekend and it's so hot at work too. I have a feeling my evenings will be pretty lazy over the next couple of days since I'll be sitting in front of the fan at home.

Have a great weekend!

xo Jen