The run down

I've been realizing the past couple months that no one really knows where in the world I am right now, or what the heck I'm doing there. Due to this -I'm going to give you a bit of a run down of what's up lately.

The past 4.5 years I've been in school. I lived in Fredericton, Montreal, Saint John and Halifax. In August, I graduated from NSCAD University in Halifax. I returned to my hometown in Saint John, New Brunswick.  In September I started working as Social Media Coordinator for Handworks Gallery and Exchange on Germain. I run all their social media platforms, blogs, marketing, photography, interviews, fashion writing, content creation & graphic design for both businesses.

Aside from my 9-5, I am running a startup with my best friend and cousin, Katie, called AKA DECOR. AKA stands for Art known as decor. It's a combination of art, photography and interior design. For now, we have started with cushions and will be going up from there. We are part of a startup program called Venture Garage by Enterprise Saint John. We are wholesaling to two stores in Saint John and it's still a little bit on the down-low as we're so close to making so many things official before we announce them all. I'm going to do a whole other post on AKA later on, so stay tuned.

To add to that, I've been painting like crazy. Painting used to be my getaway that I used to explore now and then, but the past year it's been more consistent than I ever imagined. As a photographer, I never expected to have any type of income from painting, but it's happening, fast! I haven't had a break from commissions in over a year. It's a dream!

We've also moved to a new place in uptown and it's another absolute dream. The ceilings are high and the rooms are white. It's like living in a studio. (I'll do an apartment post soon ;) )

I have to say, It's pretty cool to be finished school for ever and ever and ever and to be amerced in the real world. Doing everything I ever wanted to be doing.
I've always lived like I should be living somewhere else, and working really hard towards getting out of wherever I was & on to the next thing. I can honestly say right now it's finally not the case. Saint John really is  what everyone's saying it is right now -It's awesome. So many entrepreneurial opportunities, resources, and eager people in the city ready to help you get there. It's a breath of fresh air hearing other people in the city that love living and working here. As comedian James Mullinger said in his recent arena show, "In Saint John -anything goes & everyone knows" haha, but in some cases, this works in your favor. Hard work pays off here, and people notice.

So stay tuned for a lot coming up, from Art Battles, to personal posts, to new fashion and lifestyle brands. I cannot wait to share everything thats been happening in more detail and what's coming up next.

Also, thanks to you guys for reading and following along for all of the fun. It's really cool to interact with everyone, weather it's on Instagram or someone stopping me on the street. It's so cool to have built something that's so personal but exciting, and having a place to put it all. So new friends and old, welcome! and thanks for hanging out <3

x
Allie

Nuvango

I'd like to introduce you all to a Canadian brand & Gallery, Nuvango! Someone on Instagram recently tagged them in one of my photos when I was looking for a Marble Mac Book case. I then started chatting with Dawn, one of the Nuvango team! Dawn is from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and has been along for this crazy ride of her husband's vision. The art gallery and studio is in downtown Toronto and has been going strong for five years. The gallery features works of Canadian artists. These artists provide their designs for Nuvango's clothing. All clothing is handmade in their manufacturing studio, by them. I love this concept!

I am wearing the Furious Ocean's Queen West Leggings. The artwork design is by Andy Greyscale. It's awesome. I'm completely obsessed with the ocean and these were my first pick. (Aside from the Marble MackBook skin ;) ) The material is soooo comfortable and the stretch is perfect. They are so flattering, and just so different. I love these leggings and each time I've worn them I have gotten 100 compliments. As east coasters, the water speaks to our heart <3.


Shop the look here:
Sweater by Lululemon
Leggings by Nuvango 
Shoes by Nike

I'll be blogging a few more looks by Nuvango, but in the meantime, check out their line for yourself!


NUVANGO

Comment your favorites!!!




xx
Allie

Backpack Backpack

I don't know about you, but once I hit the age of 13, there was NO more wearing a book bag. The cool kids had over the shoulder bags, so obviously, so did I.
Now, 2016 -as a photographer, fashionista & packrat, I carry a lot of shit around. I hate to admit, but my shoulders are starting to suffer from my unnecessary belongings that I insist on carrying around with me. So low and behold, Allie B now owns a backpack. Of course it's cute, I refuse to wear one otherwise. Jokes aside -this bag is awesome. It fits my 15" macbook +chord, my camera body +2 lenses, my wallet, keys & lipstick. That's pretty good. The big pocket holds my bigger things and the two front pockets can hold 2 lenses in one, and my keys, wallet & lipstick in the other one. Mind. Blown. I got this thinking it would limit me into what I could bring with me, not fit everything I own! Win/win?

The bag is from Amazon but the link has been removed, so I picked a few of my favorites.

Shop similar: here, here & here




xx
Allie

Jasper, Alberta

About a month ago, we had this glorious idea to plan a trip over Easter weekend. 

The timing was good, hotels were cheap, and we all had the time off! We stayed 

in Edmonton for a night then got up early Saturday and hit the road to Jasper.

I'll leave out the details, but I wasn't feeling 100% this whole trip, so we didn't 

get to do as much as we planned. There was a lot more I had planned in my head

 for this post too! I really need to thank this crew for dealing with me and being 

so accommodating, poor Callum spent the whole time running around looking for

 medicine and making food runs, while I'm begging him not to leave?? Haha ah 

well, we really made the best of it, and had an amazing time anyways. 

We stayed at Astoria Hotel in Jasper. It was really really cute. It really had the 

old country, mountain, feel. We only really got to try out the hotel's restaurant, 

which was pretty good! My Mom & Chris went on their own pub crawl, so 

maybe talk to them about food, ...or beer ;) 

One of the cool parts about this trip is that we couldn't really plan anything 

(because of sick me!!!) so we just had a wide open day of driving around and 

exploring anything we thought looked cool. We drove up and down various 

mountains, pulled over to the side of the road and watched wildlife and blasted

 good old country music! What else do you do in Alberta? 

Anyways, enjoy! Don't forget to watch the video at the end!  

x

Allie

We stayed in Edmonton when we got home and I took a few

 more pictures there. So I'll throw those in here too! We 

searched for about an hour for some good view points of the

 city and found that in all the ones we found, there were trees

 or buildings blocking the view. We finally found a really good spot, by accident!

 It's perfect. 

We spent Tuesday morning gallery hopping and got to revisit some 

of my favorites. If you're checking out galleries in Edmonton, 

make sure you stop by The Front Gallery and 

Peter Robertson Gallery, both of these and more

 are on 104th Ave (along with about 10 others). 

It's a really fun date idea! We did it in

 December then again this time. It was really cool to go 

back and see our favorites, and compare the past and present 

shows. 

This city is really starting to grow on me! 

x

Allie

Saint George Maternity

Last weekend I made the drive to the beautiful Saint George. Pulling up to 

their driveway, I knew this was going to be a fun shoot. Their house was recently built

 and looked like something out of a magazine.

 After being greeted by their friendly dog, I met the couple and their amazing home. 

Everything was white and the decor was so thought out. I'm obsessed with home 

decor, all things white and natural light. --This house was my dream home.

I loved hearing about the making of their home and the excitement of the new coming

 baby boy! 

It was a Saturday well spent :) 

Jenna is such a gorgeous Mom to be, and you could tell how excited they

 were to have this new addition to their little family.

These kind of shoots make me really excited about my job.

Thanks for choosing me guys!

Our favorite loft apartment

A little peak inside of our home <3

I’ve been meaning to post about our apartment since the day we moved in, but kept putting it off.

 Isn't that the way it always goes?

We found this place in September and absolutely fell in love with our uptown loft
 the day we walked through our door. 

The exposed brick and amazing location wins my heart over every single time I come home.

 It’s such a cool space. 

It’s so relaxing at night hanging out on the couch playing music with friends.

It's so refreshing in the morning with the traffic below and the sun peering through the skylights,
 or on a rainy night the clear sound of the rain hitting the roof puts me to sleep every time. 

We absolutely love this place, 

but on a sadder note, we’re moving out! 

----On a happy note, it's for rent! 

We have amazing landlords at Historica Developments that make sure every thing is always taken care of next day.
  —Also, they give wine for Christmas ;) 

Jokes aside, this apartment, building, location, is unreal.
We have a roof top patio with two barbecues and a fantastic view of the city.

 (It’s also where Callum & I’s love story began! -It may be the perfect spot to see
shooting stars, ..How magical right?) 

Anyways! Spread the news!

We’re really sad to leave but sooooo excited about what’s coming up next! 

Stay tuned ;) 

Contact Historica for an appointment & all other information about the loft! 

It's available April 1st! 

x

Allie 

Giveaway!

Time to draw a couple winners for my latest Facebook & Instagram giveaway!

I love doing these giveaways, it's pretty cool to be able to make people happy by 

just my artwork. It's cool to see the shares and comments go viral, I'm like me? 

You guys like my work enough for there to be 166 IG comments on my photo?! 

The reaction from you guys always makes it worth while. 

That's unreal, thank you guys. 

The IG winner of the watercolor elephant is @roycastro94! 

The winner of the Facebook contest of the watercolor world map is Brittany Steeves! 

Thanks SO much for participating, you guys really do make me want
to keep going and keep sharing, 

you rock <3 

Stay tuned for the next giveaway!

Have a great week!

x

Allie

DIY Canvas Stretching

 I don't know how many of you are painters or have any interest what so ever about 

stretching your own canvas, but, it's too good, I had to share. 

I've been living my life within the guidelines of Michael's 50% off sales for too many years,

 and finally, I've had enough. It's time to take painting into my own hands. I wanted to be able 

to paint as big as I want, as much as I want, without the restrictions of ONE 40% off coupon 

on one regular priced item, every time I go to my local craft store. 

Enough is enough people. Here is how it's done. The following is how to make canvases

 as big as you want, for minimal prices. 

Step 1: is a little harder then shown in photos ...

But, I went to Kent, told the employee what I needed, (some kind of wood?!?) to build 

canvas on, and he guided through the next couple steps of buying wood: What we went with,

was 1"x2" pine, long and strong enough to be the structure. 

Step 2: Convince someone to build the frames. Jokes aside, I thought this would be easier 

then it probably was. I bought the wood, asked my dad who has a garage full of tools to 

check youtube and build me one of the these things. 

Took a few months, but then I was surprised with a Christmas gift of two built wooden

 canvas frames. Thanks dad! xox 

They weren't "hard" to do, but took several days for glue to dry, etc. 

So I'm here to tell you about the fun part; actually stretching it yourself. 

So easy, even I could do it. Which says something.

You will need: 

-Canvas frame

-Canvas (can be purchased at Fabricville for $10.99/meter)

-Hammer

-Scissors

-Staple gun

-Staples, duh

-Stretcher (Amazon)

Step 3: 

Lay the canvas as flat as possible underneath the frame as centred and even as you can.

Make sure to leave at least 5 inches at the edge of the canvas to fold over.

Step 4:

Use to stretcher to grab the canvas and pull it as tight as possible over the wood.

Step 5:

Hold it tight and use the staple gun to secure it into place.

If you're a little off, like myself, use a hammer to nail it straighter into place.

Step 6:

Start in the center if each of the four sides, then make your way around each side,
equally, so each side is pulled tight gradually. 

FYI: Staples don't need to be straight .........

After about 45 minutes, depending on how big your canvas is, make your way
around the frame, and you're finished!

Make sure to fold the corners neatly and tuck them in and staple them
as tight as you can into place.

And, voiloi! Your canvas is stretched!!

After it's stretched throw a coat or two of gesso on there,
(sounds easy but also takes about a half hour) and let it dry over night. 

Next day, you have a giant, primed, ready to paint on canvas! 

I hope this helped! 

Any tips on doing it yourself to make it even easier then this, leave a comment below! 

Would love to hear from you!

xx

Allie