4 fab designer lines, a Mary Kay makeover and mini cupcakes?? What else can a girl ask for on a chilly November weekend? It was the weekend of the Holiday Pop-up Boutique hosted by Sally Han of Psalms 91:1 Accessories.

What is a pop-up boutique you ask? It’s a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous way to offer up a one-stop shopping experience to shopping divas. It’s a collaboration between some pretty fab designers in the fashion industry showcasing uber-chic merchandise and it was just in time for the Christmas season! For a girl like me… it’s absolute heaven.

The Holiday Pop-up Boutique was held at The Loft down by the Distillery District and featured an amazing line-up of leather bags (442 McAdam), clothing (Aime, Brazen Hussy), jewellery (Psalms 91:1 Accessories) and makeovers (Mary Kay)! There were also delish mini-cupcakes from prettysweet (seriously, to die for!) and a little bit of bubbly to wash it all down in style! Along the way, I got to meet some pretty amazing women and entrepreneurs who really made a lasting impression! To top it all off, a percentage of all proceeds from sales over the weekend was donated to Dr. Roz’s Healing Place.

I did my part and picked up some choice items that I couldn’t resist! Who am I kidding? The only way I would be able to NOT buy anything is if I incinerated by wallet into oblivion and glued my eyes shut so I wouldn’t be able to see all the pretty things…. and even then, I’m sure I’d figure out a way to feel the luxurious pieces and barter for goods with anything I had on my person at that moment! Oh shopping gods… why doth thou tempt me?!

Happy Sunday!

My new ultra-fave leather bag designer… 442 McAdam. Sarah’s bags are much like the cupcakes mentioned above… to die for. The familiar smell of leather just soothes the soul. I had to pick up one of her handbags… keep an eye out, I will be blogging about it later! Beautiful, rich leathers and suedes, amazing detail, what else could you ask for?!

This is Sarah… smart woman who was pre-med and then followed her dream and passion headfirst into the fashion industry… brilliant and hilarious to boot!

These mini cupcakes by prettysweet were fantastic! Yummy and moist… can’t ask for a better combination.

I lurrve Sally’s jewellery line, Psalms 91:1 Accessories. In fact, I had to stop myself from buying up entire collections because it is Christmas after all, and I do need to save some money to shop for gifts for other people!

Sally and I will be setting up a shoot sometime in the future so keep an ear to the ground on that one!

Meet the sexy and savvy sisters behind the Brazen Hussy fashion line! Kathleen and Michele were amazing to talk to and their line of women’s clothing is bold and… well, brazen!

Absolutely love the vintage feel around Sally’s loft. She did an amazing job with the decor.

The textures and feeling of the women’s clothing line Aime is just amazing! Think, the comfort of yoga wear in pretty chic business wear! Monica is one awesome entrepreneur who has ingeniously fused comfort in high fashion! And she’s got a brilliant smile… and shoes!

Lisa and Kareena were the Mary Kay consultants who were doing the mini-makeovers! Some serious pampering was going on… of course, I had to get in on that! I remember when my mom’s friends were selling Mary Kay and it was definitely not a chic thing back then… but now?! It’s not just your mom’s make-up company anymore!

I just had to throw this last photo in… Sally and her husband Dave, who by the way, is so diligently lending a helping hand to his amazing wife. I can bug him about this because I’ve known him for ages! Tee hee Dave!

Convocation. Graduation. The end of the tunnel. The defining moment when you know you’re done school for good. Call it whatever you like but it is definitely a sweet moment!

I was there exactly a year ago myself walking across that stage at U of T Convocation Hall receiving my diploma for having completed four years at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. I walked across that stage and became a naturopathic doctor.

One year later, I am so happy to have documented that moment for Iris graduating from the same program. Iris started the program with me back in 2004 but halfway along the journey, got pregnant with William and decided to take some time off. I’m so proud of her for getting back in it and seeing this grueling and ridiculously trying program to its end. I know it will all pay off when she’s back in Calgary practicing naturopathic medicine!

Iris had so many members of her supportive and loving family attend convocation that she wanted to capture it all without having to worry about running around trying to do it herself. I had a wonderful time photographing the entire day, capturing all sorts of fun moments with Iris, her husband George, their beautiful son William and all the members of their families!

Iris: Congratulations on getting through CCNM and so many best wishes for your future practice! Thanks for allowing me to capture your special day!

George: Congratulations on getting through CCNM with Iris… it’s finally over!

Much love, Jenne.

It was so cute how William had his own his own gown and grad cap!

This moment was captured during Toby’s valedictorian speech… it was a mixture of laughter and tears.

Dr. Iris!

This kid is so cute I could just eat him up!

Yep… that’s me actually in front of the camera… I got pressured into doing it!

Everybody say Ha-aay, Ho! George cracks me up!

These two are such an awesome couple!

… and an even more awesome family!

I had to post this pic with Iris and Jo… two beautiful women with whom I am fortunate to have forged awesome friendships!

And here come some serious laughs… I can only imagine what Iris and George’s wedding was like… pure jokes!

The girls wanted a jumping shot so they went first…

… but it wasn’t the last of the jumping. Some serious air!

Hil-frickin’-larious!

GQ… eat your heart out!

Jess also graduated that day and became a fellow ND… some of you may remember her from her fab photo shoot a while back! There may be another one in the works… stay tuned for that one!

The first ever Naturopathic Cancer Research Golf Tournament was held yesterday at the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham by a group of students from Medical Students Who Care. This was a phenomenal event run by several students from CCNM including Jonothon (this was his brainchild), Frank, Mike, James and Ellen. It was great to see so many supporters out golfing on what turned out to be a fantastic day. You couldn’t have asked for better weather than what we got yesterday: sunny, a few clouds and 15 degrees! Great golfing weather!

There were just over 100 golfers participating in a foursome, shot-gun start, best ball, 18 hole, round of golf at one of the most prestigious golf courses in the country… all in support of a great cause. There were a wide variety of players, everyone from naturopathic doctors and students to chiropractors and chiropractic students to friends and family and celebrity players such as hockey great Darryl Sittler!

I had an awesome time photographing the event… I got to boot around in my own golf cart for the entire day and the guys put my logo on the back of the event golf shirts! (Thanks guys!) I was excited because I was able to get outdoors and shoot but also because it was my first time driving a golf cart! So much fun! I also got to try out Graham’s newest lense, the 28-70 f/2.8 L! What a sharp lens… I couldn’t believe it… and fantastic image quality on the 5D. So anyways, enough talking because I’m sure you want to see photos of the day! Enjoy and don’t be afraid to leave a comment!

Jenne.

Golf bag tags anyone? The service at the Angus Glen was awesome! You’d go park your car and an attendant in a cart would come around, pick you up and drop you off at the front doors… even if you were only 30 metres away from the centre.

The driving range was pretty nice… all the golf balls and the ball bags were branded with Nike logos! Every single ball.

Some lovely volunteers for the day! They had fun as well later on puttering around in their own golf carts!

Holy crap! Darryl Sittler! It was pretty funny, there were a lot of guys shuffling around, trying not to be too obvious in their awe of this hockey great!

Ooohh… Vespa! This one’s for Lily… I remember when you said you wanted to arrive at your wedding on a Vespa, although you wanted a yellow one right? These Vespas (there were two) were up for grabs at the 11th or 12th hole… how you ask? Hole-in-one! Sadly, I don’t believe anyone was successful, although I hear some came pretty close…

On your mark… Set…

…GO!!!

I love this shot of Iris! It looks like she’s all pro and stuff! Look out Annika!

This was the view from the 9th hole! It was pretty awesome… golfers teed off from the top of a ridge and then drove down in their carts to play the rest of the hole!

Love this shot… can you spot the golf ball?

I will shoot a wedding here someday… such a gorgeous sight at the 18th hole. What a way to end off the course!

I convinced Amy to pose with the Lexus that was up for grabs at the 17th hole… What a hot chica! Somebody came real close to winning the car with a hole-in-one! Sorry, babe not included.

One of my last shots of the day… Basking the warm glow of the late afternoon sun.

So we had our changeover retreat this past weekend (yes, the weekend of the humongo snow storm!) up in Innisfil, Ontario at the Kempenfelt Conference Centre. It was so nice and I know there were some who were apprehensive about going up given the weather forecast, however Yash and I felt it was so important that we do this as it would most likely set the pace for the incoming NSA. Needless to say, the weather was crappy on the Saturday while we were up there but by the time it came for us to leave on Sunday afternoon, the sun was shining and it was like it had never even snowed! I couldn’t believe the job that the snow plows did during the day… kudos to you guys! Especially since we had heard on the evening news on Saturday that the OPP had closed down a section of Hwy 400 between where we were to Barrie!

Well, here are some photos from the changeover ceremony and the group shots afterward!

This would be the incoming VP Clinical Education: Amel and the outgoing member: Judy! I have to say, if you were ever to meet Judy, this girl is one ball of energy! I’m not kidding you… she’s always perky and always has this incredible smile on her face!

Next up, Meighan and Laurie… these two gals are going to be great VP Socials! I love their enthusiasm and passion already and their events are going to be outstanding next year!

This one’s a bit sentimental to me b/c I held it last year as VP Internal Communications… and now Tracey’s passing the flame on to Michelle. From what I’ve seen of Michelle, she’s going to be yet another great VPIC!

Yay! The coveted NSA stamp changes hands! I was so excited to get this and evidently, so is Michelle!

Sarah did an awesome job as one of two OAND reps this year and I have no doubt that Katie will be the same!

See?!? There’s Judy smiling away in the background! Can’t miss that smile!

This was our outgoing shot…. in the group (L to R): Chris, Rikki, Sarah, Laura, Tracey, Mike, Tobey, Judy, me, Nick, Scott and Jon. We were missing Ashley and Mike that weekend… we missed having them with us!

I LOVE this photo! Isn’t this so fun?!?!? Rikki’s especially awesome!

This final series is great… this is the incoming NSA executive for 2008-2009 (L to R): Shawn, Meighan, Michelle, Laurie, Ellen (you rock!), Jayani, Amel, Kat, Katie, Adrian, Crystal, Nick and Yash (he’s going to be a great president… I’m so happy to be passing the torch on to him!)… They’re also missing one person: Jacqueline.

So keep scrolling down to see what ensues… I’m not sure who it was, I suspect Mike or Jon, picked up a handful of the fresh, white stuff and launched it over to the group! I love the following reactions!

Overall, this was a fantastic weekend and I hope everyone had as much fun as I did! NSA rocks!

Happy weekend!

J.

So, it turns out there are a few extremely proactive colleagues of mine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) and they have been working day in and out to organize a fundraiser in the form of a golf tournament for cancer research in naturopathic medicine. I’ve volunteered my services as a photographer for the event and after a few preliminary conversations with Jon, Frank and Mike, I will be the official photographer for that event! There are still details that need to be hashed out… but it’ll all come together.

As for this tournament, it’s a great cause and reason to raise money as the more research is conducted into naturopathic ways to treat and co-manage cancer with conventional medicine, the more credibility our area of medicine garners and better, safe and confident care can be administered. If you want more information, check out the tourney website by clicking on the logo above for details and how to register. They’ve already garnered quite a bit of interest as well as celebrity involvement from Darcy Tucker and Matt Stajan of the Leafs. Oh, and did I mention it was going to be held at the Angus Glen Golf Club, probably one of the most prestigious golf courses in the country??? if you already know about this information and want to register, just click here! Take my word, it’s going to be a great event!

J.