Summer in a Flash.

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Here are some summer-themed instas from the last little while. I forgot to post so many that a few are a little outdated, but never you mind! I had lots of treats (ice cream and cake as you can see) bought this vintage coffee tin for Father's Day, drank mojitos and smoothies, and had lots of summer dates. <3

Family Time.

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Some of my favourite days just involve hanging around my father's house. When he moved to a completely different city from just down the road, we promised that our time together would be about quality instead of quantity. This seemed like a terrible challenge at the time, as I was so used to spending every other weekend with him, and every Thursday in between. If you're a child of divorce, this probably sounds familiar. I was heartbroken and worried about the strain it would put on our relationship. As it turns out, it was one of the best things for us. We've grown so much closer as a family now that we're limited to certain block of time when everyone is available. During this time we aren't sleeping, out hanging with our friends, or playing on the computer like we used to do when we lived with him. We usually have delicious dinner, watch a movie in the home theatre, and go for walks, nothing crazy. Oh, and drink lots of homemade wine (pictured below is Summer Peach, the perfect cocktail of sugar and alcohol). As a side-note, I also get to hang out with my little step-sister, who in a matter of 26 days will be officially be a teenager. I can't believe it. What is truly unreal, is how much she looks just like me in the bottom photo. I guess if you spend enough time together/know each other for long enough, you begin to look alike even without blood relation! Happy Saturday <3

Little Bites of Heaven Recipe.

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Ever crave something sweet but don't feel like making 20 portions of it? Of course not, that's a silly question. The only reason people bake is to eat all those extra portions. Cupcakes for 24 anyone?

But really. I found this great recipe by Anna Olson for individual brownie cups, though I added some major alterations. I did make one mistake, however - baking soda instead of baking powder. Blerg. So I'd recommend following those key ingredients to a tee without mistakes. Mine turned out a little crumbly, but like a halfway mix between a crumbly cookie and chocolate cake. Worked for me :) I also used 1 medium-sized muffin pan instead of 2 mini ones.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
• 2 egg
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Butter and flour a mini-muffin tin.

Over a pot of simmering water, melt butter halfway. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. Allow to cool to room temperature.

In a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or with an electric mixer), whip eggs, sugar and vanilla until pale and thick. Reduce speed to medium and add chocolate mixture.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt and stir into egg mixture. Spoon into prepared pan.

Bake 18-25 minutes.

Dear Daddy-O

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You're one my best friends, in case you didn't know. I don't think anyone could be more of a daddy's girl than me, and I know that I couldn't have dreamt up a better father than you. On days like today I get emotional remembering all we have gone through together, how we've gotten closer, and our bond even stronger. You are easily the most embarrassing person in the world, whether you're chatting up boys for me or accidentally wearing your spandex biking shorts when I'm hanging out with my friends. You've done Zumba with me, for crying out loud. No boyfriend or any other father would shake their "ta-ta's" to the Pussycat Dolls in a beaded skirt like you. Thank you for all the girlie movies you sat through on our nights together, thanks for all the coffees, thanks for all the things you've carved out of bare wood that will never leave my bedroom. Thank you for being the recipient of all my venting, the shoulder I cry on, the friend I share my most exciting news with. Thank you for being the person I can tell all my crazy hopes and dreams to, and not make me feel like a fool. Thank you for making me feel loved, and turning me into the kind and loving person I try to be today. Nobody inspires me more than you, and if I know what to aspire to be or how to love others it is because of you. Any other man who comes into my life has incredibly big shoes to fill, and an impossibly high bar to reach. I am truly too blessed to have you.

Happy Father's Day <3

June Instas.

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These are my last few instas of the week. Remember you can follow me @caraclaudia :)  I wrote notes to my boyfriend while at work, ate a lot of food, (and more food and more food), took secrets pics of my cutie, went out for dinner at the diner, used my gramps' lens, took a selfie of my new favourite tshirt (before a night on the town with some friends), cupcakes for mama's birthday, creeped my Dad's cat [Skylar] and admired the beautiful architecture of Guelph's cheap apartments. Again, I apologize for the awkward amount of food porn. 

Good day!

Photographers in the rain.

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Sorry I've been so absent lately. It's not you, it's me. It really is! Alright, it's you. Just kidding.

As I am sure I've mentioned before, my papa is both one of my best friends and one of my favourite photographers. When we hung out last I decided to blow some cobwebs off of my camera and experiment a little. All these pics were taken when I was trying out my grandfather's old lens which is an ultra zoom lens. It's so zoom-y that I was standing in our neighbours yard when I took these. Not. My stepmom has a beeeeaaauuuutiful garden that is just starting to bloom, and despite the rain I was determined to take pictures of it. I can't wait to get more use out of this lens, and I also can't wait to buy even more. What can I say, it runs in my blood. Enjoy these pictures of creatures, critters and creations!

Channelling the 70's!

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Today is a very special day to post these photos, as it's my momma's birthday! I'm so thankful to have her as one of my role models. She's one of the strongest women I know, with the strongest heart that has taught me so much. She is constantly the voice in the back of head, and I can't be proud of myself and my decisions with thanking her. Of all the things I've done in my life, none would have been possible without her love, and occasionally criticism... so "tough love" I guess. 

Segway: My mother has these two beautiful photos hanging in her bedroom from the 80's, and they are undoubtedly mummy-licious. I truly have the most beautiful mother in the world/in the history of time/in all the universe. Well, maybe. I got inspired by her big floppy hat, a touch of Sophia Loren, and challenged myself to a self-portrait series. Nothing too special, but definitely a fun way to kill a Saturday afternoon. Enjoy! And buon compleanno Mama ♥

May Instagram!

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Welcome to my last week of instas! The weather was so boootiful but then turned kinda sour. Before it did, I enjoyed these amazing smoothie popsicles from President's Choice. Nom nom nom! I went out on date night to see Men in Black 3 and I LOVED it. I think there was even more work put into this one than any other instalment, therefore may be even better than the original. Just saying! We went out for dinner for my mommy's b-day, she doesn't look a day over 40 ;) I got my latest shellac - a pretty pink. I went out for coffee a lot with my dad (because my boyfriend doesn't drink coffee, my dad is frequently my date).  I drew a picture of how being at work makes me feel (like a zombie, in case you were wondering). I went out for sushi with my wonderful friend Melissa and it was delicious as it always is. Hope your weekends were lovely my friends!