FRIDAY FAVES // OVERSIZED SCARVES

I know it's technically still summer (for two more days!) but yesterday our weather changed and I whipped out my fur vest and it felt goooood. The other day my friend Danae walked into work with one incredible oversized scarf. It was the kind of scarf that could also work as a blanket in an emergency. Those scarves are the best. So naturally, I'm on the hunt for one. What do you think of these ones? 

Thank goodness I have so many options to choose from, ha! Which one is your favourite?

1. Black Knit

2. Nova Scotia Plaid

3. Oversized Geo Blanket Scarf

4. Demi Boucle Oversized Scarf

5. Brushed Plaid Blanket Scarf

6. Thermal Popcorn Scarf

7. Oversized Square Scarf

8. Striped Wool Blanket Scarf

9. Sienna Oversized Plaid Scarf

Happy Friday! Enjoy your first fall weekend!

xo,

s.s.♥.

5 THINGS I'D TELL MY HIGH SCHOOL SELF

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Well, it looks like school may be back in session around these parts. Our teachers have been striking since June and FINALLY it looks like the government and the BCTF have come to some sort of agreement. I'm so thankful that the government didn't force the teachers back to work and actually worked something out. TEACHERS, I LOVE YOU!

Last week as I was dropping off a friend late at night I noticed two teens sitting on the side of the road.  I immediately had the thought that if they had school the next morning, they probably wouldn't be sitting on that curb. I can't imagine the trouble I would have been getting into with a 3.5 month summer. 

I graduated from high school ten years ago last June.

Ten years.

TEN YEARS!

I like to think that's a looong time ago. Like real long ago. But for some, it's not really that long ago. I guess it seems like a billion years ago because I am a completely different person than I was in high school. When people tell me they met someone I went to high school with my usual reaction is to cringe a little bit...but I can't change how I was back then and I'm not going to go around carrying old guilt.

But I have pondered on what I would tell my high school self if I had the ability to talk to her like Spock had the ability to talk to his past self. What would I tell her if we were sitting down for coffee and she asked me for life advice? Ha, the conversation would probably be veeeeery long as I would tell her which boys to run away from (all of them) but for your reading purposes, I'll narrow the list down to 5.

5 THINGS I'D TELL MY HIGH SCHOOL SELF

1. LEARN LEARN LEARN

So baby girl, one of the awesome things about high school that I definitely took for granted is that you get to learn. You get to learn a lot of different things and the best part is, you don't have to pay for them!! Take photography! Take an art class! Heck, I know it's hard but actually learn that second language. I know there are a whole lot of other things that take priority in your life (like friends and parties) but you won't regret learning, so make it a priority.

2. WEAR MORE CLOTHES

You don't need to give away the farm. Girl, you're stunning. You're lovely. You're beautiful. Showing off your body isn't going to make those truths truer. 

3. STAY AWAY FROM BOYS

#2 is really a preface for #3. Wearing little clothing will attract boys who will not add value to your life. Oh boys. They can make us act real crazy. And they can also do a number on your heart. I know you probably won't listen to me but it's probably best if you just be friends with guys. Like actual friends, not falling completely head over heels kinda friends. There is a man out there for you. You'll meet him in a looong time, and it will seem like eternity but when you meet him, it will seem like you waited five minutes. He is so worth waiting for. And I know the guy in front of you may seem really hot or really nice but honestly, it's best if you just live your life without him being your one and only. You got this.

4. DON'T LET OTHERS DEFINE YOU

Want to know a secret? You don't have to be what others want you to be. Maybe someone has labelled you something. Or maybe you've labelled yourself something so you'd fit in. Kick those labels to the curb girl. Just be you. And also, try to be kind to others. Stay away from drama. Stop gossiping and speak about others how you would want to be spoken about.

5. JESUS LOVES YOU

I know you met Jesus a couple summers ago at a bible camp and you hang out with Him when you go back each summer but He wants to be with you everyday. He loves you girl. He loves you right where you're at. He's not mad at you. He wants to help you do this life thing. He wants to fill those holes in your heart and calm the fears and tell you that you're beautiful. He wants to bring light and hope when it feels like the world is crashing down around you. He loves you. He loves you. He loves you.

Obviously I'd have a lot more to say, but I'd want her to know most of all that she is loved just where she is at.

Now I'm curious, what would you tell your high school self?

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

I SURE LOVE MY CITY

If you're from Victoria, you've probably seen this video a number of times and recognize half the people in it. But for those of you not from Victoria, I'd like to show you my beautiful city.

This vid was shot by the incredible Dave Wallace. He's a creative genius which I've had the pleasure of knowing since I was a teenager at camp! When he asked people to be in this video I was like, sign me right up because I knew it was going to be good. He captured our city so beautifully...and I even had tears while watching it for the first time..lol.

How good was that? I can't wait to keep showing off Victoria in my local series (I'm starting to research my fave coffee shops but here are my fave spots to get fish tacos!)

Hope you all had a rad weekend. The weather in my neck of the woods was insane! On Saturday we were living the lake life and it felt like July. Insane.

Sending extra love out to you today because it's Monday and you all know we sure need extra love on Monday!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

FRIDAY FAVES // ANKLE BOOTS

So I'm on the hunt. I want to find a great fall boot. I've tried in the past but I haven't found "the one". But this year I'm determined to cash in my birthday moola for the perfect ankle boot.

Here's what I've found so far...

1. Black w/ Zipper

2. Grey Boot

3. Black w/ Gold Chain

4. Black w/ Dotted Zipper

5. Printed Boot

Ahhh, those Steve Madden ones are quite fierce, I just may have to run into Town Shoes to see if they carry them!

It's Friday...hoooraaay! Do you have any big weekend plans? James and I are heading up island with some peeps from our church for a little worship retreat. Another #imwiththeband trip for me :) But I'm excited to hang on a lake with amazing peeps and enjoy one last weekend of summer of bonfires and tanning (it's going to be 25 degrees, that's still summer to me!!)

Hope your weekend is THE BEST.

Love you to the moon & back,

s.s.♥︎.

ROASTED YAM AND GARLIC SOUP

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So I made you something tasty AND healthy. Yes, healthy!!! I first made this soup a few years ago when I was doing the Daniel Fast. I felt like I was dyiiiing and I needed something to fill me and that's what this soup did. Oh and it's also gluten free, dairy free, sugar free and all that jazz ya know. Yaaa, girl, it's healthy and soooo good. 

It's the perfect soup for those grey fall days (yes, I'm over summer). A perfect Saturday afternoon activity.

ROASTED YAM AND GARLIC SOUP

Ingredients:

• 6 cups vegetable stock
• 3 large yams
• 2 garlic bulbs
• 4 tomatoes
• 2 red peppers
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 tsp salt
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp minced sage
• 2 tbsp minced oregano
• 2 tsp ground coriander seeds
• 1 tsp ancho chile powder
• pinch allspice
• 2 tsp chipotle puree (I pureed one can of adobe chilles!)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375. Wash yams well then poke a few holes in each one with a fork. Cut off the tops of the garlic bulbs, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap in tinfoil. Place yams and garlic on a baking tray and roast for about 45 mins. The yams might need longer than this, but you'll want to take the garlic out. When the yams are tender, cool slightly and remove skins. Squeeze flesh from the roasted garlic bulbs.
2. Halve and seed peppers. Place peppers and whole tomatoes on an oiled baking tray and roast until the skins begin to puff and brown (about 15 mins). Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 10 mins. Peel away the skins and set aside.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large soup pot. Add onions and saute until translucent. Add garlic, spices and herbs and cook until the garlic is golden. Stir in the peeled, roasted vegetables (you might want to chop them up a bit too), the stock and the chipotle chiles. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 mins.
4. Puree the soup until smooth. And then eat it up!
5. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Rebar Cookbook

Delish hey? And it makes a TON so enjoy it for days :)

Love you long time,

s.s.♥︎.

P.S. Sorry for the no post on Monday. Work has been full (but AWESOME), I've been studying for my Pneumatology midterm & other exciting things which I can't talk about yet...(not pregnant, ha!)

Thank you for following along. I'm so excited to share with you more of my favourite fall recipes (pumpkin on pumpkin on pumpkin) but for now you should really make these cookies.