Eating vegan

"Why would you go vegan?" "I could never give up meat". "How do you even get protein?".

Just a few of the typical responses I get when people find out I eat an all vegan diet. So why did I choose to give up meat and cut dairy and eggs from my life?

Over the last few years I have completely changed my eating habits. I began by cutting out refined sugar, and buying organic fruits and veggies. I started to buy more fresh food then processed and I noticed a huge change in my health. 

Last February while living in Nova Scotia Kyle and I watched a documentary about a group of people changing their lifestyle to become vegan. It showed what the majority of animals go through before becoming dinner. I cried the entire time and have not touched meat since (holllllllaaaa one year meatless!). Seriously though, this doc (vegucated) was a huge eye opener and I think everyone should have a watch. 

I still ate cheese and eggs ( but no other dairy products, as my sister is lactose intolerant and I was used to almond and coconut milk). Eggs and cheese have always made my stomach hurt, so eventually I gave those up to. I honestly found it so easy to give these all up after giving up refined sugar. Practically anything I shop for in the organic and natural sections of the grocery stores do not contain milk or eggs. 

I'm very lucky because my sister is also vegan, and my boyfriend is mostly vegan with the exception of dairy every now and then. I love going out and not having that smell of cooked meat on my clothes and hair haha. 

This diet has also forced me to try new foods and make a lot of my own recipes! Honestly we have so much fun trying new recipes. We incorporate a lot of legumes and nuts to make a "meat". We use a variety of spices to give any meal a kick! I think the best thing about eating vegan is not having the meat bloat after every meal ha. I feel fresh and energized, no more tired and sluggish days over here! 

I should also mention that although I stopped eating meat because of a doc, I really became vegan for my health and do not judge the meat lovers. I do however think that everyone should try some vegan or even veggie dishes, especially before knocking the way I eat. There is really nothing worse then being harassed for not eating a steak when that person has probably never even touched a lentil or bean:)

Some seed crackers loaded with avacodo, cuc, and red pepper. Fave snack. 

Valentine Day Gift Ideas

Valentines Day. The dreaded holiday to so many. I personally love valentines day, date or no date, a day devoted to eating chocolate? Umm, yes please. When in a relationship, I really like that valentines day can be as simple as you'd like, or as extravagant as you'd like. When not in a relationship, I really enjoy buying myself something for the heck of it, a girl can never have too many shoes. 

But seriously I really love baking corny heart shaped cookies, or fudge and cupcakes to celebrate the day! And keeping it simple with a dinner date at a favourite restaurant. This year Kyle got me tickets to see a ballet for my birthday and we will be going valentines day weekend. I couldn't think of a better date! 

I've put together some ideas on what to get your loved ones, or ourselves ahem ladies. 

1. statement earrings: bauble bar // 2. lush gift set // 3. wallet: kate spade // 4. pink pumps: lulu*s // 5. flowers (a cheesy must!) // 6. marc jacobs daisy perfume: shoppers drug mart // 7. nars lip pencil, dragon girl: sephora // 8. tiffany's pendent: tiffany's // 9. kate spade tumbler: indigo // 10. red lace bralette: free people // 11. pink polish: local drugstore

Those that know me know I'm a huge holiday fan, and will most likely be clad in pink in red for this occasion. I'll post some outfit ideas soon.

-Alicia xo

Subtle Snowfall

I am usually very into the winter months. I love a good snowfall, ice skating on the lake, and snowshoeing through new trails. However, I find myself wishing for summer more and more this year, and its only January! Is this what getting old feels like? 

Today we woke up to a very pretty snowfall, and the weather was (slightly) warmer, so I didn't have to bundle up eskimo style on our way to get tea. 

this beanie seriously is the coziest hat ever!

of course this cold excursion followed by our weekly tea and toast date at The Bourbon Quarter

faux fur coat: boohoo // striped knit: joe fresh // jeans: american eagle // beanie:joe fresh, similar here // booties: spring, similar here // bag: michael kors

Only a few more months left of winter, but who's counting:)

photos by kyle hanson photography

Cold Cold Sundays

Sundays are one of my favourite days, they are always so cozy and relaxing. Kyle and I usually spend our Sundays the same way every week. 

In the summer we get tea and toast at The Bourbon Quarter, a local restaurant/cafe in uptown Saint John. We will then head to the Queen Square Farmers Market and pick up lovely flowers and produce, then carry on our day outside with hikes, picnics, and photo adventures. 

The winter months however, have changed our schedule slightly. We still love getting up and going for toast and peppermint tea, but have found it so nice to just go home and relax, cuddle, watch movies, and make some new recipes.

This weekend has been so cold we did not want to leave our bed today. We took our time to read books, muddle around the apartment, and have a few cat naps. We only got out of our pajamas to go do laundry and meet up with kyles brother for a little photoshoot. We came home to a home made chili we had been slow cooking all day! Now it's time to relax (again!) and watch a movie/tv. 

I'm also in need of a new book, does anyone have any suggestions??

So nice to have weekends with him. 

Look at all those beautiful colours! 

You cannot make a decent supper without blasting your favourite records

A few black and whites 

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and a beautifully cozy Sunday.

-Alicia xo

25 and feeling alive

So this past Friday was my 25th birthday, and I've been so busy I haven't had time to post about it! I feel most people dread turning 25, but I was really excited and decided to do birthday things all week and drink as much wine as I wanted. Birthday week did not disappoint. I started of my birthday week with receiving a few birthday presents (from myself, because hey why not?) in the mail. So in love with the weight of this bag! It's so light! 

I of course had to get a birthday mani as well. Kyle surprised me when I woke up birthday morn with tickets to the ballet and breakfast in bed. He later surprised me again with a new perfume. He is much too good to me💕 

I was lucky enough to spend my birthday night out to dinner at a local thai restaurant, thandis, with my two sisters and our boyfriends. What better way to turn 25 than with a belly full of thai and a head full of wine! 

I headed to moncton for my birthday weekend to shop and take on the casino for the first time with Kyle, my sister and her boyfriend. Such great company! Of course we couldn't leave until we got in a session of hot yoga! 

We couldn't wait to go to St. James Gate for supper, but forgot to make reservations! When we called they told us they had a full house. We decided to get dolled up and go anyways just to see if they had any room. After some please and thank you's from Kyle they found us a table, and had wine infront of us in minutes. So great! So happy to have spent the weekend with Kyle and these two love birds! 

On Sunday my family had a birthday supper for me, which we do every year. It was great, my mom even made a vegan cake! Yum! 

What a great birthday! Thank you everyone for all the wonderful wishes and making this day so lovely☺️

Winter Accessories

Hi all! So it is has been freezing these past few days in New Brunswick, and although we are pretty used to cold maritime weather, it has been unusually warm this winter. So the drop to minus 20 in the last week or so has been quite the shock. Is it summer yet?

Unfortunately for most, this is just the beginning of what we have to look forward to! The one thing I do love about the cold weather are all the cute warm and cozy accessories to bundle up in. 

scarf: joe fresh, similar here // headband: american eagle last year, similar here // gloves: Ralph Lauren // boots and socks: hunter

A scarf is the key to keeping warm and looking fab. I love how large and bulky this scarf is. It of course keeps me warm (its gigantic) and looks so cute! And duhhh its plaid, and looks super chic. The scarf is reversible with a sort of houndstooth pattern on the opposing side. 

Another winter style I love is a headband, keeps you warm, looks good, and can be easily worn inside or out. Therefore, if you're like me and covering up a bad hair day, you will not need to remove it through the course of your day:)

Gloves or mittens are a MUST in Canada, I think we can all agree. I love these gloves, since they're made of cotton I can easily move my hands while driving, unlike leather gloves or mittens. Oh and did I mention they're PLAID? 

The one thing I love most about my hunters, other than how fashionable they are, is that I can wear them in very high amounts of snow and not get my my feet and socks wet, as they're so tall. I of course love the wool hunter socks because they really do keep my toes nice and toasty. I also love wearing any high sock with these boots, especially wooly ones that hit just above the knee!

What are your favourite winter accessories?

-Alicia xo

photos by Kyle Hanson Photography

2014 Highlights

Happy New Year All!

What a year! For me, 2014 started off by thinking it would be a good idea to walk uptown to see the fireworks (in stockings and heels naturally). It today is known as the night Kyle and I got stranded uptown in minus degree weather, only to bribe a cab driver $60 to take us home. We of course did NOT do that again this year:). 

Hmm 2014, well I had my very first mouse in my very own apartment, in the middle of nowhere, so that was cute. I mastered the art of mixed nut cracking with a hammer, as I could not afford an actual nut cracker. And I got pulled over by the police for avoiding pot holes. I became a vegetarian, and later a vegan, went on a million beautiful hikes, explored Iceland with my love, and have given up on people and things that do not make me happy. 

 

  Im not one for resolutions, but do enjoy goals. Therefore my goal for 2015 will be continuing to only do things, and be with people, that truly make me feel alive. 

If this last year taught me one thing, it would be to follow your heart and to do what makes you happy, and to not just settle. I've learned that happiness and success are not measured by money, but by the way you feel at the end of the day, and by the ones you have by your side. I would rather work some silly job and go home to my beautiful boyfriend every night, then to be away from the ones I love for days on end. I am so thankful for this.

Here's to 2015 friends! And here's to not taking life to seriously, and enjoying it every step of the way!

New Years Photos by Kyle Hanson Photography