Did you know that a lot of Hallmark movies are filmed right here in next to Burlington? Hamilton, Ancaster, Oakville, and Milton — all just a short drive from Burlington — have quietly become some of Hallmark’s favorite filming spots. Between the heritage buildings, cozy small-town main streets, and rolling countryside, it’s easy to see why.

Fall in Burlington feels like that moment when everything finally slows down just enough to notice the little things — the crunch of leaves, the smell of apples and cider, the glow of soft light as the sun starts setting earlier. It’s the season where hoodies become outfits, pumpkin everything becomes acceptable, and the city somehow turns golden.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know I share a lot of myself online. Pretty coffee shots, travel snapshots, cozy home corners, outfits I love… the curated pieces of my everyday. And if you looked at the photo from this shoot — the one where I’m sitting calmly on a stool, smiling under perfect lighting — you’d probably think it was effortless. But here’s the truth: this moment was anything but effortless.

There’s something about the Brant Street Pier in Burlington that always calls me back. Maybe it’s the way it curves into Lake Ontario like a soft little wave, or maybe it’s just the peace it brings. Either way, it’s one of my favorite places to breathe, reset, and just be.

I used to have a pretty specific idea of how life was supposed to look by now. There was a timeline in my head, one I assumed everyone else was following too — with the major milestones checked off in just the right order. I figured by this point, I’d have more certainty, more clarity, maybe even a few more answers.