Fireworks Night

Fireworks Night | Sophster-Toaster

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always loved the Canada Day long weekend because it truly kicks off the summer. As Canadians, we tell ourselves that the Victoria Day long weekend (towards the end of May) is the weekend that starts the season of warm weather and summer activities, but it’s really just the marker for when it’s safe to put your garden vegetables in without risk of frost. Canada Day is when you can really sit out on patios at night, have barbecues, swim in lakes, and go camping and cottaging.

I also love that both Canada and America have a summer kick-off celebration at the same time of year. We celebrate almost the same thing, at the same time of year and in the same ways. The two holidays (one on July 1 and the other on July 4) almost never line up to be on the same weekend, but I love how we get a full week of festive spirits on both sides of the border right at the beginning of summer.

We were up at the cottage for Canada Day this year. We’re on an island, and lucky enough to have our deck face the part of the lake where the fireworks are, so we lit some citronella candles and played with sparklers while we watched the boats gather, each with their own twinkling, bright light. As the stars came out, we tucked the pup inside, sipped some Canadian beer, and watched the fireworks shimmer across the lake. Summer is officially here.

Fireworks Night | Sophster-ToasterFireworks Night | Sophster-ToasterFireworks Night | Sophster-Toaster

Dress ModCloth
Shoes Old Navy

Fireworks Night | Sophster-Toaster

All photos by Matt Harrison.

A Dress’s Last Hurrah

A Dress's Last Hurrah | Sophster-Toaster Blog

I absolutely adored this dress for years. It’s comfy, casual jersey cotton but has a fuller skirt, ¾ length sleeves and tailored princess seams, so it always felt a little fancier. I could wear it to class or wear it to the couch when I had a cold and it always felt right. I thought little black dresses were magic until I wore this little red dress.

Sadly, nothing can last forever – especially jersey cotton. The bright red colour is now faded, the soft and comfortable t-shirt material is getting thin and distorted, and the stains just won’t come out anymore. The dress hasn’t been fit to wear outside the house without a sweater I’m committed to keeping on for a couple of winters now. It’s almost time to say goodbye, but not before one last hurrah! So here she is, my favourite red dress, in all her aging glory.

A Dress's Last Hurrah | Sophster-Toaster Blog A Dress's Last Hurrah | Sophster-Toaster Blog A Dress's Last Hurrah | Sophster-Toaster Blog A Dress's Last Hurrah | Sophster-Toaster Blog A Dress's Last Hurrah | Sophster-Toaster Blog A Dress's Last Hurrah | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Dress H&M
Sweater ModCloth
Tights Pretty Polly

All photos by me.