Botanical Prints

Botanical Prints



Recently I have become interested in hanging prints around my apartment. I have been in this apartment for around 7 months now, but have not been very dedicated to decorating as it is only a temporary living arrangement. I have several plants, a some candles, a blanket ladder, and a few other decor items - otherwise, the apartment is relatively simple. I am all for minimal design and I feel like my room definitely embodies this. By adding a few botanical prints, my room has a more of a personal feel while maintaining the simple and 'white' vibe which I am going for.



I found a free download for these prints through the blog "The Painted Hive," and thought I would try them out. The download link came with 9 different prints, I chose to use three of them.




The prints are sized 11" x 14", however I printed them at 11" x 17" to give a white border along the top and bottom of the print. For now they are hanging by tape, but eventually I hope to use a wooden frame. I think the white border along the top and bottom will give a nice distinguishing element between the frame and the print.

Like I said, the download is FREE, so you only have to pay for printing (So awesome!). I chose to print through staples as they offer same day pick up, so I knew it would not take long and I wouldn't have to wait for them in the mail. This was the most convenient way for me to get my prints, but they do offer shipping. I also chose staples because it seemed to be the cheapest option. I got all 3 prints done for a total of $4.06, including taxes - each print cost $1.29.


Printing at staples is quite easy, first you go to www.staplescopyandprint.ca, click on "print a document" and then upload the file you wish to print. If you chose to download the botanical prints above, all 9 will upload to the document print section. Click continue, and then you are taken to a page where you can modify the images on the print. For example, I chose to print the image on 11 x 17 sized paper, and selected "none" under the 'reduced/enlarged pages' section. I then selected "Coated 2 Sided Gloss, 80-lb. Cover" under the 'paper stock' section. When you select 'check out' to buy the prints, you can select how many you actually want to print. I selected three, but you can select as little or as many as you want, I believe you can even make duplicates at this point.




Th paper is thick, glossy, and has a very nice feel to it. The colour is vibrant and shows up exactly how it does online - I was very impressed!



There are several other botanical downloads which I hope to use in the future, they are linked below:






Thanks so much for reading!

Madison xx
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Fairy Pools | what to see in Scotland

Fairy Pools | what to see in Scotland

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The Isle of Skye: rugged, wild, magical. It is just off the western coast of Scotland and is full of adventures waiting to happen.


The fairy pools are one of many amazing natural attractions on the Isle of Skye. They are located near Carbost, a small village on the western side of the island. There is a small parking lot at the trail head, which is indicated by signs along the roadways. The trail itself is relatively easy to hike, it is downhill from the parking lot and then flat for quite some time. When you begin to see the fairy pools, you start to walk uphill, past several of the waterfalls. Along this path you will notice that there are several pools which are located at the bottom of small waterfalls, most of these are accessible so you can swim in any one of them!





 The pools are surrounded by beautiful rolling mountains - the falls are located in a valley which is quite wide, creating a dramatic landscape.




We were lucky enough to visit the fairy pools on a relatively warm day, so there was no problem with feeling too cold in the fresh Scottish water.






There is lots of folklore around the area, as it is so beautiful and magical looking. The water is so clear and so fresh, perfect for swimming - it is no wonder that the place is home to Celtic myths. The Isle of Skye is full of a wealth of Scottish history, along with lots of rugged beauty begging to be explored. The town of Portree is not far from the fairy pools, offering many great restaurants and accommodations. Swimming in Scotland is something which is not that common, as the weather is relatively moderate and does not usually get warm enough. Swimming in the fairy pools however, is totally worth it, no matter how cold the weather (within reason of course)! 😀

Thanks for reading,
Madison xx

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Gyu-Kaku | Eat Calgary

Gyu-Kaku | Eat Calgary


One of the best Japanese BBQs in Calgary, Gyu- Kaku, is centrally located and newly open. I ate lunch there on a windy Wednesday afternoon. The lunch menu is quite large and very well priced, allowing for a good selection and a filling meal.

Japanese BBQ is always fun experience, you cook the meat yourself - it is great to do with friends.


 My friend Diana ordered the seaweed soup to start, I had the miso. Both were very delicious, but I would recommend the seaweed soup if you had to chose one. You also get a house salad to start as well - it is very good.


We ordered several meats to grill on the barbecue, they are all marinated and sliced for convenience: Duck Breast, Kalbi Short Rib, Pork Belly, New York Miso Steak, and Yaki-Shabu Beef.



All of the meats were delicious, my favorite however was the New York Miso steak and the Kalbi Short Rib.


The photo above is of the Tuna Tataki, my favorite part of the meal. Diana recommended we share it, and I am so glad that we did! It is the most refreshing tuna with fresh vegetables which compliment the flavor of the tuna. I LOVE raw tuna, and this dish showcases its fresh taste.


The meal comes with a bowl of rice to round out the meat. They provide sauces to go with the meat and rice, however the rich flavor of the marinated meat is delicious enough on its own.



The space itself is refreshingly modern with dark wood and orange material. It is unique, and has a super great vibe.

If you are looking for a modern, delicious Japanese BBQ in Calgary, this is is a great option - I highly recommend.



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Canmore Falls

Canmore Falls


There are countless waterfalls in the Alberta Rockies, many of which are large tourist attractions. Many waterfalls are not as popular, but that does not mean that they are not as beautiful! One of my best friends has made it her goal to visit all of the waterfalls in and around the Canmore/Kananaskis area! Canmore falls is one of the waterfalls which she has shown to me, and it is absolutely wonderful!


This hike is not long at all - 20 minutes at most. In the winter, the path can be a bit icy, so it is best to wear proper hiking footwear! The access to the trail head is across from the Quarry lake parking lot on Spray lakes road (HWY 742). You can park in the parking lot, then cross the highway at the cross walk - there is a trail opening on the other side of the road. You will cross over the upper-falls, and then continue down the path. There is a set of stairs which take you down a hill to a creek which is the base of the falls. With frozen snow and ice surrounding the rushing water, this creek is beautiful!




Follow the creek upstream a few meters and you will see Canmore Falls! There are two waterfalls, a lower and an upper. The path takes you to the lower falls, and in the winter I believe it is to treacherous to attempt to reach the upper falls. However, in the summer, I do believe it is possible to scramble up and view the other waterfall. 


This waterfall is great to visit if you are staying in the town of Canmore and do not wish to travel to far from the town site in order to go on an adventure. 

If you want to see more of the waterfall adventure, you can watch my vlog!  


Thanks for reading,

Madison xx

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Alforno Bakery & Cafe | Eat Calgary

Alforno Bakery & Cafe | Eat Calgary


As you probably already know, Calgary has a very impressive coffee scene! Alforno is one of many craft coffee shops stationed in the city - it has both a bakery and cafe. It is a refreshing space with crisp, yet inviting design! The sitting area is on a raised platform, giving it a cozy, slightly private feel. All in all, the space is welcoming and easily accessible. 



Alforno is situated in Eau Claire, a section of Downtown Calgary. It is easy to get to and has street parking! Win! 

I have been to Alforno a few times, and while I haven't tried their lunch or dinner menu, the bakery treats and cafe are amazing! On my most recent visit, I shared the Chocolate mousse with a friend. It was super creamy with a distinct dark chocolate flavor, my favorite! 


We each ordered a drink, I had the chai latte and Diana had a matcha latte - they were both very good with cute latte art. Unlike some chai lattes, this one was very creamy rather than watery. This is my favorite way to have chai! 




The interior of Alforno is so beautiful - its challenging to describe, so here are some pictures!





This is the type of place where you can sit for hours sipping on a latte with your favorite book without even realizing how much time has gone by. 

If you are looking for a place to enjoy coffee in Calgary, this is definitely a good option.

Thanks for reading! xx

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