Staff Picks: Emma Kirsh

Hello All!

With my first post on the blog, I wanted to embrace the coming spring with this beautiful emerald colour! I cannot believe that the first day of spring is only three days away! I am currently staring out the window at the magnificent sunshine and I am feeling inspired by nature.

As we move into the time of brighter days, blooming flowers, and greener grass let us imitate the spring by choosing colours that mirror the great outdoors. This colour would be great to incorporate into an outdoor wedding, whether it be in your bridesmaids dress, in your bouquet or even just on your invitations! This colour really helps to enrich and brighten up your day! I know I will be rocking this colour a lot this spring! Wave goodbye to those winter blues, and say hello to springtime!

- Emma

painting // dress // purse // living space

Songs on Sunday: Madison's picks

Today is the first day we're starting our Sunday playlists - and it's a bunch of fun! Over here at The Refinery we love music, so this is fun for us & fun for you! 

Maybe you're looking for some new tunes to take to the gym with you, play in the background of your next dinner party, or just listen to in the car - well, we've got options!

This week, my picks are mainly upbeat - but not necessarily dance-y - except for my very last pick Stay, which I will get to in a minute.

My very favourite song on this list (right now) is The Mother We Share, by Chvrches. I first heard it the other day, and I just can't stop listening to it! It has a great energy, and when I listen to this song my mood instantly becomes a better one. This is a definite must-listen, I think!

The Born Ruffians make me want to sing out loud - I just really love this song. I know, my descriptive words are lacking a bit, as I keep saying I just love all of these songs - but seriously! These are good picks! That being said, this band is different, but not too different...if you get what I'm saying! I played it for my siblings last night, all of us with really different tastes in music (one is a country & pop lover, and another is into hard-core rap & Grease - yes, Grease!) and by the end of it, they both wanted this song on their iPods! It is a bit of a slow starter, so don't give, at least listen to the whole thing once! 

Prairie Girl, by Rah Rah is just a lovely song - it's upbeat, it's fun, it's Canadian - what more could you ask for? Are you a prairie girl? If so (and even if not), you have to listen to this one! 

Do you need a dance tune? This is it! I'm sure most of us have trouble waking up in the morning, it's hard, the bed is warm, cozy and sometimes filled with a loved one - it's hard to drag yourself out of there and hop in the shower and get ready for the day. But tomorrow, I swear - turn on This Head I Hold, and you'll be dancing right into your socks! 

Now, Stay, by Rihanna is sort of unlike me. I am not usually a big Rihanna listener - but I heard this song at the Grammy's and all I can say is wow! It totally surpirsed me, as I didn't think of Rihanna as this type of musician before, which wasn't really fair I guess! Anyway, this song is beautiful and it is my "down time" song for the week - though it is quite sad. However, it's easy on the ears! 

Enjoy! 

Next Sunday, we'll have Ainsley's top five for the week!

// Ashley + Bradley // Real Wedding by Richard Giordano Photography

As co-editors of The Refinery Magazine, we often realize the differences we share in taste, despite how similar they may seem to the naked eye. For example:

Ainsley LOVES a bit of elegance and also a little bit of rustic in a tarnished environment, such as a warehouse, barn, or shipyard. Something that could easily be featured in The Refinery Magazine, and we think no one would blink an eye.

Madison on the other hand LOVES strong typography, geometric patterns, black & white motifs, clean decor in an airy and open space - think a loft somewhere with exposed brick, light & bright with an understated modern feel but not missing those subtle details. Something that could also be featured in The Refinery Mag.

So, when we saw this submission from the talented Richard Giordano Photography we simply had to post it because it had things we both loved. Ainsley: Glam in a tarnished dockside environment, and of course love. Madison: Clean decor in an open, beautiful space, and also, love.

Congrats Ashley and Bradley! Your wedding is simply stunning!

Vendor List:


Photographer: Richard Giordano Photography  
Ceremony location: On the pier outside the Pinnacle Pier Hotel 
Reception location: Gusto di Quattro 
Bridal gown: Vera Wang from David’s Bridal          
Cake : Executive Chef Nicholas Lim of Gusto di Quattro      
Caterer: Gusto di Quattro        
Flowers: Brentwood Florists


This wedding was the closest thing to eloping that you can get without leaving your hometown.  Stay-loping?  Family and friends didn't know the wedding took place until they received text messages and phone calls following the ceremony!  

The girls got ready at the Pinnacle Pier Hotel and wedding took place on the pier at Lonsdale Quay.  This wedding took place mid-January.  The weather was incredible!  Sunny and 8 (ish) degrees.  Sure, we were all a little cold, but we really couldn't have asked for anything more from Mother Nature.  

After the ceremony and some photos at the pier we made our way to Deep Cove for donuts and warm coffee at Honey's Donuts.  Brad and Ashley spent many years in Deep Cove during the beginning of their relationship so it was obvious to have creative photos taken there.  

The wedding party made their way back to the Pinnacle Pier Hotel and shared the great news with friends and family via phone calls and text messages.  When it was time for dinner we moved down to the enclosed (and heated) patio at Gusto di Quattro for dinner the executive chef, Nicholas Lim, took a day off of his normal duties to prepare (and serve) an amazing meal and wedding cake.  An impromptu first dance and made for a great photo opportunity and once again shows the love that was apparent all day long.

There were only eight people who knew about the wedding.  They spent the entire day together, obviously loving each other’s company. The love and happiness was overflowing all day and I was extremely grateful to be a part of it.

- Richard

Ashley (the bride) has kindly shared the following:

How did you meet?
He was a cook and she was a waitress. The only way to her heart was through her stomach with yummy yummy food.    
  
Engagement story
A surprise visit to Tofino. We stayed at the gorgeous Wickaninnish Inn. The day of the engagement, we put on our galoshes and rain suits to head out for a rainy November beach walk. Half way out he knelt in the soppy sand and proposed. It was perfectly imperfect.    
   
Wedding date
January 12th, 2013 (Ashley's Grandmothers birthday)   
   
Wedding theme/motif
Simple & elegant. Bringing a family together.     
Number of wedding guests
Eight           
Your best moment
Saying “I do” to the man of my dreams and our children there to witness it.  
   
Wedding song
John Mayer “Home”. We didn’t plan a traditional wedding, so no speeches, bouquet throwing or first dance. But our guests thought differently. We had stepped out for a moment and when we came back they had cleared a spot for us to have our first dance. They played the song and it just felt right... I felt “Home”.     
 
Favourite wedding detail
The whole day was amazing. I would have to say the homemade biscotti and monograms my girlfriend Stephanie Jung had surprised us with. All hand made by her.

Honeymoon
TBA... I’m hoping for Italy!!!      

City Guide - Philadelphia City - Sherry Lu Photography

Sherry, of Sherry Lu Photography, is an incredibly lucky young woman. We are always following her travels on facebook, whether it is to NYC, The interior of BC, or somewhere else that produces stunningly eye catching photos.

Recently I (Ainsley) saw Sherry made a trip to the wonderful city of Philly. Home to more than just cream cheese, this city sparks the imagination of historians, foodies and lovers of brick everywhere. Not only that, it makes the perfect destination for a "city guide" honeymoon.

Many of you may have seen our first issue's city guide to the Meat Packing District of NYC by Amanda Picone Photography, and so now we take you across the river to Philadelphia!

Be sure to take a read at the bottom with some travel notes from Sherry!

- Ainsley xo

I chose to share photos of Philadelphia with lots of brick, as this is the most commonly used structural element within the city. While visiting Philly I had the opportunity to take in many cool attractions, including the Franklin Institute - much like our cities Telus World of Science! This whacky and fun science centre has attractions for all ages, and is set within a gorgeous historical building! Check out more info here: Franklin Institute.

Another favourite attraction of mine was the Shake Shack. Originally based only in NYC, they have recently opened in Philly! They serve up a great meal for anyone to enjoy, and my favourite was their burger and of course their milkshakes!

One of the highlights of the city is checking out the City Hall. The public is allowed to walk around the hall, and inside the centre is a gorgeous courtyard worth taking photos of.

Last but not least, I would highly reccommend checking out Statue Park which is located near City Hall, as well as College Hall at the University of Pennsylvania. It is the oldest building on campus, and has amazing architecture!

I hope these photos inspire you to travel to Penn State, and visit the wonderful city of Philadelphia!

- Sherry Lu xo