Birthday Love

Ooooh we love Halloweeny birthdays! 

Costumes & Birthday Cake make for the best combo ever!

Wishing the lovely Michaela a Happy Sweet 16..... 

... cause you're only 16 once {okay maybe twice}

xo Ashi

Plants & Animals

A perk to growing up with a biologist as a father is that as soon as you can walk you are taken on field-trips to explore cool ecosystems such as rock pools. My most vivid memory from such excursions was one of my dad getting our car stuck during a classic Austin Powers moment. Along with learning why one -way streets are actually called one-way streets, I was fortunate enough to discover, first-hand, which creatures inhabit the UK's coasts.

Badly needing a dose of the outdoors after weeks of decorating, I wrapped Ashi up like a pretzel and set to, like the old days, discover some rock pools. So I put on my best Attenborough voice and proceeded to narrate our explorations. From the big grin on her face, I think she enjoyed herself... could have been the hot chocolate.

The Brit 

MCV Fall Preview

As promised, a little preview of what's new in the shop and our new set! 

Just because it's getting a bit chillier out doesn't mean you have to put away the flirty numbers {I'm writing this while wearing sweat pants ha!}. 

In fact we have a whole pile of glamourous vintage dresses to post online in the next few weeks and the good news is... none of it fits me! So, no more complaining that all our stash is an Ashiberry xxs {Marianne!}. 

This stuff was made for you! Enjoy!

xo Ashi

The Strokes

This has been the scene at our place for the past few weeks... paint, newspaper, masking tape, the DIY works. In fact, it really wasn't until this morning that we finally took the time to look around and realize... it's really starting to look like a home in here! We stayed with our beloved pewter for the living room and left the splashes of colour for the bedroom and kitchen... which also features a massive black board wall! It was originally intended for grocery lists and organization, but we've already covered it with lewd drawings and death threats {go figure}

But, the really exciting news is we've finished the set for our My CoCoon Vintage and had our first photo shoot today! The photos look incredible. I can't wait to show you what kind of goodies we're going to soon have in our shop. Oh in case you're wondering how come there aren't any photos of me painting away... let's just say, I've become really skilled in the art of supervising {ahem, you missed a spot!}

xo Ashi

Vintage Affair

The Brighton Photo Fringe had us running around town all weekend, catching photography exhibitions, but we did manage to sneak a quick peek at the very first Brighton Vintage Fair . Within the first hour of opening the Sallis Benney Theatre was jammed full of vintage lovers trying to find a bargain. Well, they didn't have to look too far, the prices were incredible for some really quality stuff. Plus, all the stalls were easy to comb through and the vendors got to share their personal take on vintage with their fabulous displays. Throw in some cupcakes and a DJ and by golly you've got yourself a party. No need to kick yourself for missing this hoedown, the vintage fairs are held all over the UK, the next Brighton event happens in four months... just enough time to fill your vintage piggy bank!

xo Ashi

The Renegade is Dead

You may or may not have noticed... but my alias 'Renegade' is no more. 'The Brit' is my new name and Alan Partridge is my game. The rebellious days are over it seems, thanks to some taming from Ashiberry, all things risky... I no longer attempt. A morally just individual has come shining through {Bullsh*# i hear you cry}.  I notioned the process to castration but in reality any wayward individual needs a beauty like Ashiberry to show them that life is better without a dashboard full of speeding tickets.

As for the new name, 'The Brit'. Well, upon our arrival in the UK, I convinced Ashiberry to watch the Alan Partridge TV series with me in its entirety. The long running mockumentary series chronicles the life of Alan Partridge, an uptight and cringe worthy failed TV journalist....  and to my shock {and pleasure}, it appears that myself and the aforementioned share a fair bit in common. I am actually, more than I ever realized.. very English.

Moving back to my motherland with a Canadian has been an eye-opening experience. Having been away for a number of years, the English idiosyncrasies that I see are striking. Be it speaking your mind in public, talking about the weather or complaining, we are definitely a funny bunch!

It's good to be back, but as for the weather.....

The Brit 

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Whichever date you celebrate on, or whether you celebrate it at all, we just wanted to let you know how thankful we are, dear reader, to have you along. We're approaching the blog's one year anniversary and we have so much to be grateful for... including the lovely turkey dinner that my dear Brit cooked for us last night. 

Yum!

xo Ashi


{Photo taken last fall in Vancouver}

Biscuit

You can't really go to Ibiza and not talk about the style. The island either features the tacky raver stores {glow in the dark belly button ring anyone?} or the high-end designer boutiques. Nestled throughout the cobble stone back lanes is where you'll find those one-of-a-kind gems that really showcase Ibiza chic, like Biscuit. The miniature shop makes you feels like you are walking into a dream wardrobe. It also features the fixings for the perfect island look, with a latin twist. The Ibiza look is all about soft, silky fabrics, draping grecian cuts and boots! Yup, the ladies of Ibiza are all rocking the boots.... even if it's scorching out. They pair them with everything from short shorts to over-sized tees to lush silk dresses. They could be cowboy boots, safari boots, gladiator boots, it really doesn't matter. I'd like to think it's a fashion tribute to Nancy Sinatra, but I have a feeling it has more to do with practicality. You see, Ibiza's streets are not designed for heels. The old town is all jagged and cobbled and the newer parts have these strange waffle patterns in the sidewalk which make it impossible to walk gracefully in your heels. Trust me, I almost ended up in a body cast after attempting the sky-high stilettos {of course, it got easier after a few glasses of sangria}. Next time, I'm opting for the safer option and breaking out the boots!

xo Ashi

Dog Days of Summer

Our daily beach routine was becoming a bit mundane, so we jumped on a scooter and whizzed around the island in search of... well more beaches and Can Dog! I had read about Rancho Can Dog in the paper ages ago. This animal shelters houses and offers for adoption dozens of abandoned pooches and cats, deserted often by vacationers when their holidays {and apparently their responsibilities} come to an end. They also offer doggy school and a place to leave your four-legged buddy while you're out of town. The article encouraged Ibiza holiday-makers to 'stop by and offer their services walking their dogs', but after attempting to communicate in three different languages and a phone call to France, we soon realized that wasn't quite the case. According to the care-takers it was a misprint in the paper. They're not too keen on strangers taking their animals for jaunts. You can't really blame them for being protective of these little guys, who are more than often discarded by their owners and left to fend on their own {jerks!}

They did however warmly welcome us into their large compound to visit with the dogs. Of course they knew to take us straight to the puppies... who isn't a sucker for puppies, but it was the older dogs that I really fell for. Although they were divided in different gated ares, they had plenty of space, sunshine and no lack of love from their hosts. If you're ever feeling generous and want to support a selfless and loving organization, well... my money is on this dog.

xo Ashi

Birthday Love

Happy Birthday!!!
 to my darling Renegade.

I'm so lucky to have such an amazing partner in crime.

{Love you}

xo Ashi