Starry Starry Night – Photoshoot with Sarah England Photography

It is always a pleasure working with someone that shares a similar aesthetic and like to you. Sarah England has time and time again proven to be someone that I throuroughly enjoy working with, as well as someone who consistantly puts out unique artistic photography. When Sarah approached me to do some shoots together for the Khatsalano Music Festival, I knew instantly that there was going to be something fun about working together again.

We got together this past monday evening to produce a shoot in my new office on columbia street in new west, and this is what we came up with in just about two hours of prep time. We got together 4 models (one couple, and two seperate girls: thanks again Mel, Duncan, Julia and Julie!), hung about 500ft of white christmas lights, borrowed some gowns from upstairs (we share a creative space with Ellebay Bridal Boutique and Truvelle Bridal), and made some magic happen!

Hope you enjoy what we came up with!           – A. xoxo

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As seen on The Refinery Magazine’s Blog – Editors Picks – Peachy Keen!

florals // room // earrings // dress

In today’s editors picks, Ainsley was feeling peachy with this warm palette. Check out some of her favourite picks from Pinterest this week!

From Ainsley:
This week is going to be peachy keen! I am venue scouting for clients and for The Refinery Magazine, which is taking me outdoors and into the wild wild world of hotels, halls, parks and gardens. What better way to stand out in a sometimes cold late winter environment? Wear some warm peachy colours with accents of navy’s, blues or creams!

Nothing looks better at a wedding than soft neutrals, and peach is a warm colour that can be accented with a wide variety of colours: from Purples to Yellows, Turquoises to Black. Last but not least, who doesn’t love a sweet and peach filled tart for dessert? Would you care for some champagne with that?

Date Night Series – #1

Todd and I moved to New West just over a year ago, in february of 2012. That entire year was a lifechanging one for me. I went from working a pretty lousy job, to working hard a growing my business into something that far succeeded what I imagined in one year. I also had the amazing opportunity to team up with Madison of Hope & Co. and start working on a little magazine called “The Refinery Magazine”. It was a crazy crazy year, and has only led to more craziness – thankfully it is all awesome craziness!

One of the most important things that helped that change was starting fresh in a new city: New Westminster. Even the name of the community screams: new, exciting, fresh, and old – all at the same time. After all, New West is the oldest city in British Columbia! When we first moved here we experienced some amazing new things, like walks on historic columbia, the rose garden in Queens Park, and date nights at the movie theatres or at some tiny restaurant down the street.

Starting this week, I pledge to write when I can about my experiences in New West, but also the wonderful things that Todd and I do together in the city we now call our long term home – or at least we plan to make it a long time!

First Off, we call it Burgers & Bowling:

How to start the date:

1. Strip off your work clothes after a long week. Call up Mel & Duncan who live across the street, or any couple that loves to have fun, and invite them out for burgers and bowling. Throw on a loose T-Shirt, hoodie, SOCKS, and your favourite pair of lululemons or jeans and head out the door.

2. Drive to Burger Heaven – This haven for burger lovers is a hidden gem for most residents outside of New West. Thankfully those who live here have usually tempted their tastebuds with some delicious meat, bread, and condiments. With a comfy atmosphere and good friends for chatting, the meal truly is angelic: home cooked goodness, without the mess afterwards. My favourite is their Miss Piggy’s favourite: #2 Teriyaki and Mozza Burger with bacon. Quite fitting.

Here is their website: http://www.burgerheaven.ca

3. Aim to catch Cloud 9 Bakery before it closes, because not everyone can have a glutenous dessert. Head to Cloud 9 for some delicious baked goods that everyone can enjoy, even those who are gluten free. Their cupcakes are TO DIE for, including their fabulous carrot cake delectable.

Here is their website: http://www.cloud9specialtybakery.com

4. Finish it all with some beers and bowling at the local bowling alley: Lucky Strikes. Pull up your socks, put on your retro shoes, and bowl the night away. If you are lucky you may even catch disco night, so be prepared to wear white and feel transported back to the 80’s!

Here is their website: http://www.luckystrikebowl.ca

I hope this provides you with some evening entertainment for maybe even this friday, and make sure to bring another couple along for this date, as 4 people just amps up the fun level even more. And of course, once you get home, its always a good time to turn on some JT or Robin Thicke, relax on the couch with a glass of wine, and chill.

Thank you new west for providing everyone with some entertainment. The Young, The Old, and The Romantics.

– Ainsley xoxo

P.S. This activity is age appropriate for everyone, so next time you have an evening free, take the kids along, or even the grandparents – or not!

Grooms & Greens – As Seen in The Refinery Magazine

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I recently put together a shoot for The Refinery Magazine, and have really enjoyed the hard work and time that I put in to creating this grooms lounge inspired shoot. One of my favourites was the “Grooms & Greens” section that can be found within the new pages at: www.therefinerymag.com

Below are some photos from the Mag, and I hope you enjoy!

Vendor List:

Produced by Ainsley’s Affairs

Cupcakes by Pink Ribbon Bakery

Macarons by Macaron Chez Moi

Floral Styling and Design by DeLovely Creative

Photography by Magnolia Photographic

Shot on Location at Lofty Living, New West, B.C.

Menswear from H&M

Beautiful Tech #1

 

I know you are probably sick of hearing about The Refinery Magazine from me, but I think you should head over to our blog and download some love for your tech! You will see a few coming out over the next couple of weeks leading up to our big launch!blogpost 4

 

Head on over to http://therefinerymag.blogspot.ca to download a little valentines love for your favourite phones, ipads, computers and more!

Love your Tech!

 

Ainsley xoxo

Introducing: The Refinery Magazine!

The Refinery For My Blog

 

After a long long time of anticipation, hard work, and blood, sweat and tears, we are finally just over a month away to our very first issue! This is an INCREDIBLY exciting time for myself and all the vendors involved with The Refinery Magazine!

I would like to thank the amazing vendors who contributed to this amazing new mag, and without your hard work this wouldn’t be a reality!

Thank you so so much!

Most importantly I would like to thank Madison Hope of Hope & Co for her countless hours of graphic design and making this magazine an actual reality!

Stay tuned for the first issue by liking out page:

www.facebook.com/therefinerymag

We hope you like our first issue, and can’t wait to see and hear your feedback!

Love Love Love,

Ainsley ( & Madison)

Co-Founders of The Refinery Magazine

12 Days of Christmas – 7 Swans a Swimming – Christmas Countdown Wedding Inspiration

12 days of christmas 7

 

There is always something stunning about a beautiful pure white wedding. Today we got a huge amount of snow in Metro Vancouver, and it has tainted everything white. I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from the beautiful big flakes floating down from the sky and making everything look a whole lot more like Christmas! Today I spun those 7 swans a swimming in to one of my all time favourite ballets: Swan Lake. I believe that white weddings are appropriate all year long, and I am even planning a wedding for a client that is happening next august that is all white!

I hope you enjoy this wonder white dream ballet inspiration, and hope that wherever you are, you too will get a light dusting of snow on December 25th. Just so you can frolic and play!

Clockwise from top left:

1. Bobette & Belles 2. Elizabeth Anne Designs 3. Southern Weddings 4. OneWed 5. RuffledBlog 6. Pinterest 7. Visions By Heather 8. Bridal Tweet 9. June Bug Weddings 10.Bridal Musings

 

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Ainsley xoxo

P.s. You can pin these images and share them with your friends if you really like them! ❤

12 Day’s Of Christmas – A Partridge In A Pair Tree – Daily Wedding Inspiration

12 Day's of Christmas 1

With Christmas at our doorsteps, it is lovely to sit back and look at some wedding inspiration, whether it be on pinterest, WedOverHeels, VeilTV, Facebook and other creative outlets!

Introducing a daily blog feature counting down to Christmas, each day focusing on one of the gifts your true love might give to you! First up: A Partridge In a Pear Tree! Pears are one of my favourite fruits, and make wonderful desserts and fruits for weddings, plus, having a pear shaped body myself, I am partial to its delicate flavour and skin! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s inspiration: Two Turtle Doves! (now that will be easy!)

My take features golds and pears whipped all up in to a black tie affair!

From Top right going clockwise:

1. Preston Bailey Cocktails 2. Style Me Pretty 3. South Bound Bride 4.Pinterest 5. Loverly 6. Citrus & Orange

 

See you tomorrow Loves!

Ainsley xoxo

Almost home from Mexico!

Hello all!
It has been a wonderful trip to Mexico, and I cannot wait to share my few photos! I have missed all my readers, and especially my brides, who I am sure are eager to tell me what has happened during my week away! 😉

More importantly I am so excited to pump you up for my big change happening December 1st! Stay tuned!
Whoopee!

Much love from Toronto International,

Ainsley

Your principal planner that is always on the go! Literally! 😉