Sarah and Helene: A Mile End Engagement Session

These girls are awesome roller derby loving chicks. I have actually seen Sarah at some roller derby events without knowing it. She is serious when it comes to her games but outside of the arena, Sarah is a jokester, always pulling faces and making hilarious suggestions. I actually remember her finding random masks during our walk and bringing them along for photos. Helene is super cool and calm, I guess you would have to be around Sarah the prankster.

The girls had their very first date in the Mile End, so this area means a lot to them. With the Arena near by they spend a lot of time there. During our shoot, we made it our business to stop by Tammy's flower shop. Last year Tammy's shop had a devastating fire and the locals all pitched in and helped her rebuild in every way they could. Her shop is iconic on Rue Bernard with bird cages and flowers hanging from every inch of space.

These girls are tying the knot at the fabulous Fiddler Lake resort at the end of August. I cannot wait for it. It is going to be an amazing location with two beautiful girls. It could not be more perfect if we tried.

A start to the garden

Not so long ago, the summer seemed to pop its head out after what felt like a very long winter. We got hot humid days and long beautiful evenings, it was time to switch out the wardrobes. Well that was just a two weeks ago and we have since been yanked back to rainy, cold, dreary weather.

During this summer spell, we took the opportunity to wander the streets of our neighbourhood and we found this vintage wagon during a yard sale. Within minutes, it had served its purpose. It was perfect for going to the local garden shops and farmers markets.

 We bought some flowers, strawberries, raspberries, tomato plants and lots of herbs.

That evening we spent cleaning up our deck and blowing bubbles to the cats. I have never seen two animals so scared in all my life. Luckily for Yuma, our 5 year old neighbour, the bubbles carried into his garden and he had a fun time catching them.

©Alison Slattery. All Rights Reserved.

Montreal Botanical Gardens

Recently Farah and I trekked out into the cold Montreal weather and headed for the warmth of the Botanical gardens greenhouses. It has been months since we have seen any sign of green and although I love winter and the snow, sometimes it breaks you and you end up craving the summer months.

I had been only once before to see the butterflies, when they are free to roam the greenhouse. Unfortunately, I have little knowledge about plants, so I cannot tell you whats what, but I can tell you that if you are missing summer then this place is a hit.

This greenhouse was full of Begonia's, there are over 1500 species (I had no idea) and Gesneriads (again no idea but it is supposedly like an African Violet). They put them together because of their beauty and diversity and their need for similar environments.

The Ferns greenhouse was gorgeous. All these plants need to adapt to their environment to survive but the fern is pretty much the MAGICIAN of plants because they can be found everywhere. They are highly diverse and have adapted to life in the hot humid places as well as places without water.

The Garden of Weedlessness was a collection of bonsai tree's ranging in age from 15 to over a 100 years.

The Hacienda, capturing details of a Hispanic garden. It has an amazing display of cacti.

The tropical rainforest greenhouse. My favourite and where everything grows with abandon. This is where I want to build my tree house. It was just a jungle of plants.

The tropical foods greenhouse, yes an entire greenhouse with some 80 amazing plants. This was a close second favourite, most likely because of the spices. Fruit like mangoes, bananas and star fruit were perfect for the picking, some even a little too ripe.  It took all my strength to not be like Dennis the Menace and pick some. I was most excited to see the plants that contribute to spice rack at home: star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, allspice, black pepper, nutmeg, mace and cloves. This may have been the best smelling greenhouse.

After our day with the plants, we decided to warm up at Orien Thé with some chai, Japanese sencha and baklava.

©Alison Slattery. All Rights Reserved.