Dear clients: I don't drink a lot I promise. 

Okay then. 

I am a summer beverage enjoyer. Summer holidays begin and the white wine goes in the fridge, and where as I wouldn't typically order wine with a meal it becomes the most anticipated part. I also tend to eat out more, I am a sucker for an invite to the patio or a late evening dinner invitation. 

So, when I can roll eating and drinking into a little work/community support, I am pretty  darn happy. I have been hitting quite a few of the 30 day local food challenges, mostly with kids in tow, but this weekend was all mine. 

I kicked off the weekend Thursday night, (when you are self-employed you receive a weekend  head start, to balance the times you worked day and night,) with dinner at Atlas Cafe with my beautiful friend Lucy. Beaufort Winery, Altas and Prontissima Pasta teamed up to create a memorable evening of pasta specials and wine. The Beaufort Ortega is always my top pick for summer wine, so much so that I haven't tried their other offerings. They were pouring a white wine flight and I sampled their Beaudacious and Pinot Gris, which has pushed the Beaudacious to equal standings as the Ortega. To match the wine, Sarah from Prontissima  Pasta was circulating samples and Atlas was offering a variety of pasta specials, including a trio of pastas, which was truly delicious. Seriously Atlas, do you ever go wrong? Your service is always seamless and the food always fulfilling and buzz worthy. 

Now, it has come to my attention that not all of you know about Prontissima Pasta. Not to get on my soap box, but come on people!!! It is in Tin Town, otherwise known as Rosewall Crescent and you can also pick their goods up at the Farmers Market. Their pasta is my fave for impressing guests, delivering dinner to a friend in need and making a quick family meal - so you see, you really need to check it out. 

I was a good student in high school butI failed grade 8 sewing, well, Mrs. Richards gave me a C- because apparently it wasn't cool to fail someone in a grade 8 elective, however, she made it perfectly clear that if I was to register for sewing 9 and have the same tragic results she wouldn't be so generous. 

My step-mom decided to take on my cause and champion my untapped textile skills.  Over the course of three years I broke two of her sewing machines, had a half dozen fights with her about knitting and had at least a dozen failed knitting projects. 

I tried again a few years ago. I thought knitting would be the perfect hobby for an on the go gal like myself. I could watch a movie and still create. I failed. 

So, when I met Megan I was a little awestruck. Not only does she knit, she creates the darn pattens - I am in awe. She is receiving international attention, on the web and in magazines for what she does so well. You can visit her online at Tricksy Knitter. 

She is gorgeous, and there was so much within her to capture. Stunning, warm, natural and a little bit fierce. 

I had just been out shopping for a new pair of converse right before this shoot. I picked them up off the shelf, but reluctantly put them down, hearing my mothers voice "wait a week, and if you still are thinking about them, then go get them."  But when the Leblanc family rolled out of their car all wearing converse it was divine shopping intervention, totally trumping my mothers sage words. 

I adore this family. So fun, so much personality and style - although I think they could have been wearing burlap sacks and still look great. I could have played with them all night - can you tell how fabulous they are?  And more than a wee bit stunning! 

The bottom one is my fave - love all the expressions. 

So in no specific order here is a tad of what we are playing in the office these days:

1. Good Old War  - this band is opening up for Allison Krauss tonight, I googled them awhile back and they have been on heavy rotation since. I am always the gal at a show that seems to be there to see the opening band. 

2. Caro Emerald - my friend Lindsey turned me on to this and he probably owes Christine an apology because I listen to it pretty much every day in the office. 

3. Beastie Boys - new album is called Hot Sauce Committee, need I say more?

4. Broken Bells - Music I try to sing along with, unsuccessfully, but who cares 

5. Taio Cruz - This is so not my musical style, but when your four daughters beg you to put it on your ipod then all sing along with it in the car, how can I resist. 

6. The Zolas - a Vancouver Band that makes me happy

7. Emily Spiller - a little hometown love on the list. Emily is making huge waves, and has a fabulous sound and stage precence. If you haven't seen her yet, you should, and then you can also say "I saw her when...."

And what is on your playlist right now? 

But then summer comes, and I feel like I have to grab it, all of it, before it shrinks away again.