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We recently did a photoshoot with the SUPER talented Reid Lambshed of When He Found Her.  If you're looking to a shoot with your beau, I would recommend him again and again. We live together and are pretty comfortable in front of the camera but these types of shoots can always be a bit awkward. Reid and his team were nothing less than perfect and I'm so happy with how they came out! 

I want to formally thank Zach for being SUCH an AMAZING boyfriend, not only did he bear the cold with me but he was so supportive all day. Not easy getting your man out of the house for a "photoshoot" that resembles an engagement shoot! haha I love you Bubs. 

ICELAND

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ICELAND, believe the hype. Seems like my whole news feed in 2016 was full of Iceland enthusiasts, no offence but it was pretty low on my "places to go list"... fast forward a couple bottles of wine *each* later and Zach and I booked our trip to Iceland. It was 3am and we had a week to plan / try and get our shifts covered at work.

 The first night I booked in advance on airbnb, just to make sure we had a destination and something to look forward too (believe me theres PLENTY to look forward too), from there we just followed our feet and booked in wherever we ended up. Before we checked in to our log cabin, I found this "secret lagoon" in Flúðir close by, so first official destination Zach and I stopped at was to take a hot dip in this gorgeous lagoon.

*Word of advice* Honestly rent a car.  We ended up having to pick one up in Reykjavik and not the actual airport *Mistake on my part but, it actually ended up working out to our advantage! We got to see Reykjavik! After spending a couple hours in the largest city in Iceland (pop 120,000) and spending $35 Canadian dollars on ONE breakfast, we hit the open road. 

I booked this cabin in the middle of nowhere with Zach in mind! Thankfully we didn't get murdered (despite what all my girlfriends thought). It was beyond charming and not to mention, right at the base of a huge mountain with horses running wild. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of going, super clean and cosy.  

The next day we woke up and drove to Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, then shortly after saw Skógafoss waterfall. Both so beautiful and located super close together!

By mid-day we were dying to find another hot spring. Good thing I pre planned and knew that If you continue driving down south towards Vik, theres a hot pool called Seljavallalaug. Its about a 20 minute hike down a mountain trail, so picturesque and worth it. 

After we returned to the car we continued down the coast and headed to the black sand beach in Vik, making sure to stop and check out the DC 3 Plane crash along the way *45 minute hike, bring a bottle of wine. *

Taken from Wikipedia "The epic plane wreck on the black beach in South Iceland. In 1973 a United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black beach at Sólheimasandur, in the South coast of Iceland. Fortunately, everyone in that plane survived."  

It really was epic, I've never felt more like Beibs in my life. ---->  https://youtu.be/PfGaX8G0f2E?t=2m11s <---

After a dark hike back to our little rental car, we drove to Vik. We stayed at icelandair hotel, and made sure to sign up to be called if there was a northern light sighting. Being too impatient to wait for a call, we drove to the middle of nowhere at 1am and laid on the car hood in hopes of seeing a green hue. Our patience was rewarded with a couple shy ribbons, but nothing lasting long enough to capture on camera. 

On our second last day we woke up and danced along the black sand beach before heading to Laugarvatn.

Laugarvatn was a couple hours back up the coast, we stayed at a magical hostel that used to be an old school. You really have to go and experience it for yourself. Also, please note the adorable cider cans. <3 

Later that night, We took a dip in the wellness geothermal pools and steam huts at Fontana just down the street.  Fontana, was by far the most relaxing experience of the trip. Laying in shallow, hot geothermal pools at night while staring up at the stars... I couldn't believe when we both woke up from our zen like state only to find that an hour passed! 

 

 

Moral of the story, Iceland is all its cracked up to be and I cannot wait to go back! 

Cheers, 

Amanda & Zach 

Toronto Island

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After an afternoon at "The Slip" on Lakeshore, we hopped on the ferry to Hanlan's Point. 

 "Saw some bums, had some fun and made a pretty solid attempt at the Dirty Dancing move" 

 

CAMPING W/ BAE

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Camping in Tobermory! It’s been on my summer “to do” list since 2014 when I saw a photo of a sunken ship in bright blue waters, never in a million years believing that it was taken in ONTARIO. 

Although the water was FREEZING, it was one of my favourite weekends… ever. 

We drove up with a tent, some confit duck, our trusty cast iron and a huge bag of peanuts. I thought the peanuts were for Zach to snack on, but truly they were for our new furry friends, little chipmunks.  <3

We Stayed at Lands End Park, located pretty close to the marina and ferry that go to flower pot island and the northern most point of the Bruce peninsula. Such a great location because our campground backed onto trees and we looked out onto the water, we really felt like we were on our own island. 

After a 4 hour drive from Toronto to Tobermory, we were so happy to arrive before sunset and set up camp. 

 
 

DAY 1

Night one we played crazy eights, drank too much whiskey and ended up staring at the stars on little beach down the road. Did I mention you could see SOOOOOO many stars?! I was actually appalled that you could see millions and millions when theres no city lights to interrupt. 

DAY 2

 

 

The next morning we woke up to the sweating sun and chipmunks running rogue outside of our tent. Had ice cream for breakfast, made friends with a chipmunk and happily revived by Caesers, we got ready to head to the “Bruce Peninsula”. There's a beautiful trail that's about an hour long and leads to this picturesque place called “The Grotto” Loaded down with a bottle of wine, our swimsuits and a camera, we begun . *The photos really don’t do this tail justice, it was beyond entertaining and looking back it really was like something in Greece.

“Do You Like Butter, Bubs?”
— Amanda *holding Buttercup flower under Zachs chin.

All in all , Tobermory is a gorgeous place to visit! I Definitely looking forward to going back & snorkelling around the sunken ship.

25TH B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y

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Throwback to the time Zach threw the most amazing surprise birthday! I remember waiting at my condo for him to pick me up and go for dinner and couldn’t believe that he “forgot” his present and had to go back to his loft to “get it”. With the cab meter running and wearing 6’ heels, I thought theres no way I’m going to run up with him 3 flights of stairs! Thankfully something came over me and I decided to make the trek. 

I couldn’t believe when he opened the door that all my friends and family were waiting in there! It was truly one of the most memorable moments of my life. Not only was the loft beautifully decorated, but Zach built this massive harvest table and was cooking up a storm! - Chicken legs, flank steak with chimichurri, mashed potatoes with chanterelle's, salads, sides & beets, not to mention a gorgeous charcuterie board! I’ve never felt so loved and alive… heres a couple stills of the evening.