DINNER AL FRESCO | LET’S MEAT OUTSIDE

My partner Joe and I will usually organise a large dinner party every summer.  It's a chance to see those lovely friends that you don’t always get to see through out the year.  It also allows us to exercise some of our favorite hobbies on a much larger scale. Joe: creating the ultimate dinner party menu and roasting large cuts of meats. Myself: entertaining, staging and cooking.

This past summer we were fortunate enough to be house sitting Joe’s Mom, Christine’s house.  Christine is originally from Leeds, UK.  She has an incredible white washed, authentic, all natural, rustic English country side aesthetic. 

We knew that this would be the perfect setting for our dinner party. 
The larger the location the larger the guest list.  This was our biggest and best challenge yet.  We settled on a southern theme dinner party.  We were going to have slow roast meats, corn on the cob, cheesy mac and cheese, whole roast peppers, and Bourbon cocktails.

The day before the party started I hung yards upon yards of metallic bunting I had made.  Joe dug out a 2 x 2 foot pit, for his beef shoulder slow roast he was roasting over night.

The day of the dinner party, 'Let's Meat Outside.' This was what our dinner party for 40 looked like...

 

  

 

all the nice photos by: Masako Adachi

xo

AW

EAGLE BLUFFS | Day hiking

The other day I went on a day hike with a few friends.  It reminded me how lucky I am to living in such beautiful surroundings.  The hike started at the base of Cypress Mountain, and we made our way to the incredible look out at Eagle Bluffs.  The view is incredible out there!  The top photo shows Howe Sound, and the views from the look out continue to span across greater Vancouver and the surrounding areas.  

We didn't see any eagles up there, but we did spot a raven perched on the tree top. 

I hope you are also enjoying the last remaining moments of summer!

xo

AW

IVAN | Studio Mascot

 

Meet Ivan Wong, the studio mascot.  He was previously a mascot at Cats Only, a local veterinarian clinic + cat hotel.  We were fortunately to adopt him two years ago; shortly after they changed locations, and it was no longer a good place for such a curious, trouble-making cat.  He has brought his mascot experience, and outgoing personality to AW studios.  It would be hard to picture the studio without Ivan.  His past times include: demanding hugs and hangouts, chilling out in his Cat Tipi, discussing current events and general mischief.

xo
AW + Ivan

CARAVAN BEACH SHOP | Tofino, B.C.

Fresh from AW studios, I just sent off a bunch of custom hand stamped leather 'TOFINO' key chains to one of our super sweet retailers, Caravan Beach Shop.  The creative drive behind this shop is Jen Thorpe.  We first met when we worked together in Vancouver, this was part of my past life when I was working as a clothing designer at a major Canadian retailer.  Since then we have both started our own businesses, reflecting our mutual love for the Pacific coast.

Jen balances the perfect mix of locally made products, all your must-have surf accessories and vintage.  This shop tops the list of places to visit when you come to this super chill, laid back surf town.

I can't wait to visit Caravan next month when I go to Tofino.  I'll be hand delivering some new AW bags!  While I'm there I will also refresh my amateur surfing skills. I'll share some more of my favorite spots in Tofino next month during my visit.

xo
AW

WHITE SAND BEACHES...

 

Since returning to the West coast, every summer I am fortunate enough to take a trip to Desolation Sound.  My friend Andrew hosts an incredible weekend, inviting a small group of close friends each summer to his family’s cabin. 

 

The island has white sand beaches, driftwood staircases and the feeling of endless summer.  It is breathtakingly beautiful, it feels timeless. This is where the collection AW by Andrea Wong was first conceived.

xo
AW