weekly wrap up + friday links

Jan 31, 2014

Today, I'm popping in to chat and do a weekly wrap up. I might try to do this once or twice a month. We'll see! So this week has been a little up & down. Up, because the store's been doing great (yay!) and it's turning into a real passion of mine, as I knew it would. I hope for it to be much bigger someday. But baby steps, right?! I also photographed our home yesterday for an upcoming blog post (highly overdue) so that was fun. Plus, it forced me to spruce up the place. As I always joke with Martin, the joy of guests? It leads to a superbly fabulous & clean home. Perk! Another up, is we've been growing so much in our marriage and as a result shifting our priorities. I'll save that for another post though, you know, once I collect my thoughts.

As for the down? Well, my health has been a real pain this week. I'm currently waving my fists in the air! ;) I deal with auto immune issues and the first thing to go is usually my digestion. It's bad. But not all is lost. I'm regrouping and putting myself on a diet of smoothies, lentil soup and rice. It's my go-to and always restores my health. Unfortunately, it gets pretty boring and I inevitably miss our pizza & ice-cream dates. However, my motivation is good and strong. We're trying to start a family and it's my number one priority to be as healthy as possible. Another ugh, is my parents are going through a fair bit of turmoil; it's been a stressful year for them and in turn a difficult time for us.

Oh life, you're a beautiful beast. So many gifts & so many struggles. I'm staying positive though and keeping my life calm. I'm saying no, so I'm not spread too thin, but saying yes to the stuff that's good for my soul. Basically, I'm just trying to be. Lumps, bumps, warts and all. I'm happiest when I accept my life exactly how it is, and stay thankful for all of it. Happiest weekend, love cats!! xo

Friday links:

1) Whoot! I'm doing free shipping over at my shop for orders $25 & up, all weekend long! Code: freeshipping. Plus, I gave the shop a little Valentine's spruce up.

2) Love this awesome post from Jen of Jen Loves Kev. Without a doubt, the blogging community is the best, and I love being inspired by amazing gals like Jen!

3) Since I'm on a lentil diet until further notice, why not make it fun and experiment with new recipes, you know?! I can't wait to make this lentil meatloaf.

4) Dying over this dress. I'd wear mine with tights, booties, and my favourite pea-coat. Plus, I want this entire embroidered collection from Shop Ruche.

5) And... wanna see the cutest thing ever? Check out this little pup! Perfectly adorable, gush!

spring's in the air

Jan 28, 2014

Hello. If you didn't get a chance to see the new blog re-design yesterday, welcome! I'm definitley in a spring state of mind + I'm a sucker for fresh starts and new inspiration... it's what keeps me inspired and feeling like I'm moving forward on my creative path. I'm thinking the motivator for all this is the amazing sun we've been getting! It's putting extra pep in my step and has me busy planning fun weekend adventures. We're hoping to get away to a snowy resort, visit one of our nearby islands and do a few day hikes this Feb & March. Bliss!

When it comes to my outfits these days, I've been craving extra comfy and cozy looks. I'm definitley one to go through phases with fashion. Some weeks all I want to wear is heels and look super polished, and then other times, I want to be as laid back as possible. Currently, I'm going through a bit of a boho movement and it's suiting me just fine. On this particular day (this past Sunday) we headed down to the ocean and spent the better part of our afternoon chasing our dog Scout and enjoyed a fab lunch. This was definitley the perfect outfit!

Love Necklace - XO Veronika
Cardigan - Madewell
Floral Smock Top - Forever 21
Jeans - Zara (similar)
Bag - KGB Black Label
Boots - Joe Fresh (similar)

A new look

Jan 27, 2014

Well, this is what happens when I take time to relax on the weekend... I code my blog! New year, new mood, new look. So, it goes. Perhaps a worthy New Years resolution is to stick with the same blog design. Haha, as Martin said... "Who are you kidding? You love changing things up!" Yes, guilty! But in any case, I'm madly in love with the new design. It's so pretty, happy and just puts me in a great little mood. Sold. Did everyone have a great weekend? We kept ours super easy. Our dearest friends visited us from Bowen Island. We enjoyed sun, food and great company. What more could you ask for right?! See you guys tomorrow for an outfit post, and wishing you a happy Monday!! xo

now closed: win a $30 gift certificate to my shop

Jan 23, 2014

As promised, I'm back with a fabulous giveaway for my shop. It's my way of saying thank you for all your amazing support. I'm excited to offer one lucky lady a $30 gift card to XO Veronika. What fun!! I can't wait to see which one of my dear readers will win. Yay!!

To enter you must:
1. Follow "By The Shore" via Bloglovin
2. Leave a comment with your favorite item from the shop

Bonus entries!
1. Follow the shop via instagram
2. Or via facebook
Please leave an additional comment for bonus entries only

This giveaway is open to US, Canadian, and UK readers. Good luck, everyone! I'll be announcing the winner next Wednesday! xo

UPDATED 01/29/2014. WE HAVE A WINNER... CONGRATULATIONS TO COURTNEY, OF THE BLOG: http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.ca/

Hello monday

Jan 20, 2014

(Bracelet: Stella & Dot, similar / Blouse: XO Veronika, find it here!)

So lovely to be back after a relaxing and refreshing weekend. This weekend, we decided to opt out of doing any outfit photos. We're attempting to use our weekends to rest and catch up on other life bits instead. Martin spent a part of the weekend marking assignments (he's a teacher), plus he's working on his masters. So, that's keeping him plenty busy. I spent the weekend puttering around our condo packaging shop orders, making jewelry, cuddling the fur fam and planning a fun giveaway for later this week (hint hint, it's for my shop)!!

Lately, I'm craving more time away from the computer too. Amazing how much time we can spend on here, hey?! My "computer free" plans include baking gluten free muffins (mmmm!), getting out for a mid-week hike with the dog, as well as wine + lots of bubble baths. We have a huge soaker tub and honestly it's the best thing ever! It's definitley my goal to take better care of myself and take time to unwind. I hope to stay more mindful, focused and on task with the things that bring me true joy & meaning. I'm excited to make these changes for myself!

I'm also trying, oh so much, to be less type A with the blog (as I mentioned in my 2014 goals). I'm working on finding a more lighthearted approach and reminding myself to have more fun with it. Yes, I love posting my daily outfits, but some weeks I'm busy and might only have time to post a recipe and do a quick "life lately" post. And. That is. Okay!! I'm not sure why I get so rigid and convince myself otherwise. Talk about kill joy. How do you guys keep your blog/life in balance? Spill please!

PS - I can't help but say I'm so overjoyed by your amazing support of the shop. It's keeping me mighty busy and I couldn't be more thrilled & thankful. Thank you!

Did you hear? the store's now open!

Jan 16, 2014

After several months of planning... I'm excited to say my shop is now open. I had an unbelievable amount of fun bringing together a cohesive collection. The shop features a lovingly curated selection of jewelry, accessories as well as clothes. The items are reflective of the kind of aesthetic I love... a little bit whimsical, classic, and above all, clean & modern. I have a ton more planned for the shop and we're still busy adding new products and lines. Martin has been an amazing help throughout the entire process and we can't wait to watch our little baby/business grow!

For now, the collection is small and quantities are limited. So, if you see something you love, be sure to nab it. Items are going fast! Many thank you's for your kind words and AMAZING support. I can't wait to continue to share this exciting journey with you!!

PS - stay connected via our instagram xoveronikashop. We'll be hosting giveaways & sharing fun shop promos too.

Fashion spirits

Jan 14, 2014

Today, I'm keeping my post nice and brief. The shop opens tomorrow (eeeeee!) and I still have a few things to finish as well as images to upload. I'm drinking lots of coffee, and playing my favourite tunes to keep my productivity up, up.

Gosh, I love this outfit. Am I allowed to say that? I put it together for a late afternoon out with Martin. It was rainy & miserable, but I was determined to not let the weather dampen my fashion spirits. Although lately, I've been no stranger to sweat pants, comfy sweaters and easy nights spent by our fireplace. In fact, that just might be a not too distant outfit post in the making. Just so you know! ;)

Outfit Details:

Snood: Loft / find it here
Pant: American Eagle
Bracelets: XO Veronika
Bag: c/o Mellow World
Shoes: Aldo Shoes

Five things i love

Jan 10, 2014

01. / 02. / 03. / 04. / 05.

Guys, can you believe my shop is opening this coming Wednesday?! Both the colour block bag and delicate triangle studs are from there. How adorable, right? I seriously can't wait to share the shop with you. If you'd like to follow along... you can do so via my shop's instagram account xoveronikashop. Here are a few more things I'm absolutely loving from around the web!

1) This post from Liz from the blog Sequins and Stripes. I honestly relate to every word and could not have said it better myself!!

2) Doing the Radical Marriage series through our church was amazing! I'm thrilled to see you can now order the DVD box set too. This is definitely something I'd like to re-watch with Martin throughout the year. I can honestly say it did wonders for our marriage as well as brought us so much closer.

3) Um, k, so I'm totally obsessed with my blog besties recently opened instagram account. Her blog is equally spectacular!

4) Need this beautiful acrylic painting in my life. Oh how I swoon every time I see it!

5) Happy day, my favourite Loeffler Randall polka dot flats are on SALE! Yeah, baby!

Winter wonderland & cozy day off wear

Jan 8, 2014

Well then, that was definitley a ridiculously long blog break. I can't believe my last outfit post was several weeks ago. But so it goes. In all honesty, it was delightful not having to think about outfit photos or structure my day around them. Don't get me wrong, I love fashion (always!), and this space, but it was so wonderful to forget about blogging and just be. This year, it's my goal to find the balance and not put so much pressure on myself, in both life and blogging. Sometimes, I'm way too type A for my own good.

As for the photos? These were actually taken back in December, and thank goodness I had them saved for a rainy day. I've been in bed this past week with the most dreadful flu/cold, so outfits have been far & few between. But, I'm back on my feet and you can expect to see a lot more of me next week. Thanks to Melissa of the style blog Miss Melissa for the fabulous photos too!

PS The winners of the banner ad giveaway are...  Bivisyani Q and April Everyday. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. I used Random.Org to choose the winner. Please email me to claim your prize! :)

Outfit Details:

Toque: thrifted
Jacket: Forever 21 / similar
Cardigan: stolen from hubby ;)
Tee: Gap / similar & awesome
Jeans - Zara
Booties - Old Navy / find 'em here

Happy 2014

Jan 2, 2014

Oops, sorry guys, I didn't intend for such a long blog break there. But truth be told, taking the last two weeks off has been absolutely magical. Granted, I'm terribly behind, and I have yet to announce my fabulous banner ad giveaway winners... soon, soon, I promise. I'm actually currently in bed with a wretched flu and living off of soup and never ending cups of tea. Sigh!

Aside from said flu, I have high hopes for 2014. It feels like there's unanimous excitement for a new year and fresh start. Am I right? I'm looking forward to a year of greater clarity, and I'm feeling a strong pull towards a more simplified life. Hopefully, I'll be able to share more of my personal journey here on the blog. I always intend to, but then I get distracted and out of sync with my goals.

On that note, here goes...

Blogging: I'd like to blog a little less in January, and when I do, I'd like it to be more organic and of the moment. I'm hoping to get back to posting our little adventures, recipes, personal updates, and of course, fashion, always fashion! ;)

Time: I hope to spend my time more consciously this year. I'm usually knee deep in projects, the blog, work, and I make little time for my hubby, friends and family. It's terrible and I really don't like this about myself. So yeah, life balance, it's something I really need to learn.

Exercise: Run twice a week + go to the gym once a week. Totally doable! Again, I just need to learn to prioritize my time better.

Appreciating: Buy less and appreciate what I have. Wow, sometimes I can get so wrapped up by consumerism that I totally forget to enjoy all the things I'm blessed with. Shame on me! 

Family: We've been trying, not always with the greatest success, but we are hopeful that this is the year we'll get pregnant. It's my goal to take better care of my health in order to increase our chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Home: Spend more time on home DIY projects, entertaining friends, and spend time in the great outdoors. We're surrounded by the most amazing trails and I'd like to make more time for that.

What about you? Any goals you're excited for?!...

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