It's Almost Patio Season

After what's felt like an interminably long winter, I've been inspired to write about decorating your patio since it's finally getting warm enough to actually sit outside. Here in Ottawa, the sun is out and the temperature is above 15 degrees, which essentially translates to t-shirt and shorts weather for most people. In addition to picnics and days at the beach, warmer temperatures also signal the beginning of patio and backyard BBQ season. Considering how much time you'll (hopefully) be spending outside, it's absolutely worthwhile making your outdoor spaces pleasant and enjoyable. 

Most patios and decks are fairly open and exposed to the elements, so it's important to take that into account when decorating. Generally speaking, it's always smarter to decorate your outdoor space with pieces that won't be completely ruined if they were to say, accidentally be forgotten outside overnight and unexpectedly rained on.  

Aside from that, the two main points to keep in mind when you're decorating your patio are to 1. Keep in cool, and 2. Keep it comfy.  

1. Keeping it cool

Considering how hot and humid it can get in the summer, it's incredibly important to make sure your outdoor space provides a sanctuary of cool, refreshing shade. You don't have to completely block out the sun entirely, but you're probably going to want to designate at least one section of your patio as a "sun free zone". After all, if your patio gets too hot and bright, you're not going to want to spend nearly as much time enjoying it. Generally speaking, either you'll be lucky enough to have a patio in an area that is naturally shaded, or you'll have to invest in creating your own shade. There are a number of ways you can do that, with the most obvious and popular option being patio umbrellas. These are always a great choice and are easy to move around depending on where you want the most shade. Alternatively, trees provide a natural shade, and are a beautiful addition to any garden patio. 

2. Keeping it comfy

The second thing you're going to want to remember when you're decorating your patio is to make your living space as comfortable as possible. A patio is a place for you to relax and enjoy the outdoors, but it can always be a place to entertain guests, so you're going to want to make it comfortable. Think about it..hot plastic chairs don't exactly sound like something you would willingly want to sit on in shorts right? Instead, opt for the wooden ones and use soft pillow covers to make a seat worth sitting on. When it comes to what fabrics to use, you're going to want to keep it light and airy. Think linens, gauze, and cotton in refreshing colours like cool blue. Finally, it's important to make your patio feel like your own personal sanctuary, so feel free to add your own personal touches to make it feel like your own.

Hair Care (Budget Edition)

Not everybody can afford shampoo and conditioner that costs more than an hour (or more) of minimum wage pay. Thankfully, there are a variety of budget-friendly options available at the drugstore. Navigating the plethora of options however, can definitely be tricky, so it’s important to keep in mind a few general rules. 

1. Know your hair type and it’s specific needs

This is by far the most important piece of advice to consider, and surprisingly not common knowledge. If you’re unsure about the type of hair that you have or what it’s specific needs may be (lackluster, damaged, dry..), I would advise going to see a professional to have your hair assessed. You can go in for a consultation at most respectable salons for free and they will break it all down for you.

2. Keep to your budget

This one is kind of a no-brainer, but you’re going to have to remind yourself to stay on budget. If you’re anything like me, this can actually be a tough one because generally speaking, the prettier the packaging, the bigger the price tag.

3. Read the label

I know this can seem like a waste of time, but it’s important to know what you’re putting on your hair. If you have color treated hair for instance, you’re going to want to look for shampoo that specifically says “sulfate-free” to avoid stripping your color. You’re also going to want to be careful to avoid products that contain heavy waxes, which coat the hair over time.  Because most drugstore brand shampoos use fairly heavy duty detergents, the conditioners are designed to mask that by containing waxes to coat the hair.

*Major offenders: TRESemmé and Pantene

**I used to use the L’Oréal EverCrème Sulfate-Free conditioner until I found out that it coated my hair with such a thick layer of wax that my hair stylist could visibly scrape it off and show me. Just goes to show that even though a product might be “sulfate-free”, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “wax-free”.

4. Be prepared to go through a few bottles before you find the right one

Finding the right budget friendly shampoo and conditioner can certainly be a process. In many ways, it ends up coming down to trial and error. You might try something, really love it for a few washes, but end up hating it by the end of the bottle. 

My favorite shampoo and conditioner on a budget is the Herbel Essences Smooth Collection. It smells like roses and comes in pretty pink packaging. It’s been around for awhile, and it’s definitely a classic. Dove is another brand that makes affordable, ethical, quality products, so that’s a pretty safe bet in my books. In the mid-range category, Live Clean and Klorane also makes really great, natural-based products. Finally, if all else fails, go for baby shampoo! If it’s gentle enough for a baby, it’s gentle enough for you too!

Hair Care (Salon Edition)

I’ve heard it said many times that if you’re going to invest in an accessory, make it your hair because you’re going to be wearing it everyday! I think this is actually pretty sound advice and most of the time, I think I do a good job of looking after my locks. To be completely honest though, I know I can be pretty hard on it, especially considering the frequency with which I color and heat-style it. Luckily, there are some really fabulous products out there to help repair and restore your hair! 

Despite the fact that I lighten my hair, blow dry it, and use either a flat iron or curling iron on it every day, I would say my hair is in pretty good condition. Genetically, I’ve inherited naturally thin hair, although I’ve been told by many stylists that there’s still a lot of it on my head! In any case, this means that whenever I’m shopping for any hair care products to help restore moisture and softness to my hair, I have to be ultra careful about making sure I don’t pick anything that will weigh my strands down. On a daily basis, my absolute favorite shampoo and conditioner is the Kevin Murphy Angel Wash and Angel Rinse, which is specifically designed for fine, color treated hair like mine. Oh, and it also smells really nice too! Even my boyfriend noticed it, and he’s the kind of guy who would only say something if he either really liked it, or really didn’t like it. 

Since my hair is blonde, I also like to use a toning shampoo and deep conditioning treatment in my repertoire to avoid getting too brassy or dried out. My favorite combination right now is the Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Wash, which is a lavender infused shampoo, and the Kérastase Chroma Riche Masque, which is an incredibly rich, luxurious miracle worker! 

Now, unless you’re one of the very rare few who let their hair air-dry every day, it is absolutely necessary to incorporate some kind of heat protection into your routine. I alternate between the Kevin Murphy Young Again oil, and the Kérastase Keratine Thermique. You only need a small, dime-sized amount of either product, which you work through your hair (starting with the ends) before blow-drying. After that, I either flat-iron, or curl my hair, depending on my mood or the occasion.  

I almost always wear my hair down, and rarely (if ever) use hair spray or mousse. However, one product I do like to use, is serum. Since my hair is fine, I always have to be careful to only use a very small amount, and never anything too heavy. Luckily, I seem to have found my holy grail product with the Kérastase Elixir-Ultime Thé Imperial oil, which is designed for color treated hair. It might seem like a lot of products, and certainly not cheap, but if you’re putting your hair through the ringer, you’re definitely going to want to invest in quality products to keep it looking healthy and beautiful.

Bringing The Beach Home

There is (almost) nothing better than spending a day at the beach, feeling the warm sun on your skin, swimming in the water, and relaxing with friends and family. I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to go on many family holidays to beaches both far and near, and I truly cherish those memories. 

There is just something very special about going to the beach. Maybe it’s the salty air or the fact that going to the beach usually means a day of fun and relaxation, but I know it’s certainly something I always look forward to. 

It’s no wonder then, that people have taken elements from the beach, and incorporated them into their homes. There are even ‘beach homes’ for goodness sake! Even if you don’t live a short, sandy walk from the water, there are still plenty of ways to bring the beach to you. In fact, one of the best parts about decorating your home (or a single room) in beach-inspired style, is that you can achieve a great beachy atmosphere without actually having your floors covered with sand. Using accents like wicker, rope, and shell, all add a nautical, beachy atmosphere to any room. 


Of course, using the colors of the water also serve as an excellent way to bring the beach to your home, all while adding a nice depth of color to a potentially otherwise neutral room. You can read more about how to decorate with shades of blue here. 

One of the most relaxing ways to bring the beach home is to mimic the aroma of the beach. I personally love the look of candles in any room, and there are quite a few reputable companies out there who make a number of nice scented candles. For instance, Bath & Body Works ‘Oceanside’ candle, or Yankee Candle ‘Ocean Star’ both smell incredible and definitely bring my mind right to the beach. 

Statement Necklaces

So I have to admit, when it comes to jewelry, I tend to lean more towards the ‘minimalist’ side, rather than the ‘blingy’ side. In fact, when it comes to accessories in general, I like to keep a “less is more” kind of mentality. I’m not saying that wearing a lot of accessories is a bad thing in any way, because truthfully, I think that some women can pull it off quite well, I just find that personally, it’s not in my style comfort zone. Generally speaking, I almost never wear more than one or two pieces of jewelry. On a day to day basis, I wear earrings (my go-to pair are small gold hoops), and occasionally a complimentary necklace. I would love to be able to wear rings and bracelets more often, but as beautiful as they are, they tend to get in the way if you work at all with your hands. 

In any case, one accessory I am really excited about working into my wardrobe, are statement necklaces. Now, statement necklaces are certainly nothing new, but because they have become such a popular accessory, there is a much better selection out there now than there was say, two or three years ago. Besides their obvious aesthetic appeal, I think one of the things that really appeals to me about statement necklaces, is that they have the same kind of easy, pulled together look that a dress does. Like a dress, a statement necklace is something you can easily put on in order to take your outfit up a notch. In fact, one of my favorite ways to style a statement necklace is to pair it with a neutral colored top in order to make it the focal point of the look.

For spring, I’m really pining after bright jewel tone colored statement necklaces like the Kate Spade “Glitzy Spritz” or the BP. “Cabuchon” necklace in light blue. In terms of how to accessorize the rest of your outfit, it’s generally a good idea to keep things light. 

For instance, if you’re going to wear a classic white tee, cropped denim jeans, wedge sandals, and a coral statement necklace, then I would suggest going with small stud earrings (either gold or matching coral drops maybe?), and maybe, if you’re feeling particularly bold, a gold bangle or two. Similarly, if you’re wearing that same coral statement necklace with a bold watercolor print dress like this one here, then I would suggest keeping the rest of your accessories even more minimal.