Take Me Out // The CNE

August is one of my favourite months for so many reasons. For one, it's my birthday month, plus it's the perfect time to load up on local berries and fruits, and hit the beach! Most importantly though, It's the month of the CNE, Toronto's own magical carnival that runs from early August till September each year!

As a Vancouver to Toronto transplant, I hadn't actually been to the CNE (also known as "the ex") until last summer, but from the moment I walked through those gates into the swirling flashing lights I was totally hooked. Imagine a place filled with perfect pastels, pop music, fun rides, and literally every kind of food you can possibly imagine. Well, that's the CNE!

The CNE is one of those places that's so full of energy and excitement, sometimes it's overwhelming. People whiz through the air on old-timey rides that look like a curious combination of fun and terror, and everyone has some sort of sugary treat in their hand at all times. Lovers spend endless amounts of time, money, and energy trying to win their dates the perfect prize at the game stalls, while children struggle to escape their parent's grasp in the crowd.

The colours, sounds, and smells are intoxicating, and I can promise one visit each summer won't be enough to get your fill. For one, the amount of things to eat at the CNE is staggering. Baked potatoes, deep fried mac and cheese, raw vegan tacos, mini donuts. fancy ice pops, waffles loaded with toppings: if you can name it, it's there! I mean really, you could literally be in the food hall for weeks without getting to try everything, and then of course there's the rides, and the games, and all the shows and sights too!

I headed down to the Ex with Brianne one smouldering evening a few weeks ago to snack, ride, giggle, and explore. We wove our way through the labyrinth of people, snapping photos and stopping to admire stuffed donut prizes and expertly painted pink cotton candy stands.

When it came to wardrobe decision, I knew colourful wasn't really up for debate. I chose a casual new teal Everly dress from Bicyclette, and paired it with little white sneakers and an adorable peachy purse with gold lip details. To top it all off I brought along a denim jacket that I designed from Bow and Drape, which conveniently had a sequin carousel horse sewn onto the back! It was too perfect not to cart around all day in the sun.