Random Acts of Pastel

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Hello! I’m Alyssa, and I’m the blogger behind Random Acts of Pastel. Random Acts of Pastel (or RAOP for short) started out as a street art concept that I came up with to make the world around me a happier place. I was fresh out of Journalism school, and already feeling jaded by the click-driven, advertising-fuelled industry. I was blocked, stuck, and totally unable to move forward, and finding inspiration in Toronto felt next to impossible In search of a new creative outlet, I decided to paint everyday objects around my city pastel colours to brighten things up a bit, to do away with all the grey and gloom. After a few pink fire hydrants, I switched my Instagram name over from a personal account to RAOP, and from that moment on I was “pastel hunting”. Over the years RAOP has grown from a fun personal project that treasures delight and celebrates everyday magic, to a lifestyle brand that strives to do the same. In 2019 I decided to change the narrative of my story, becoming a single mom by choice to my daughter Summer Honey Rose. Though motherhood has taken a front row seat in my world since then, this space also continues to focus on fashion, beauty, and design. RAOP puts the party in your daily routine! Source

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Scope Local
Language English
Country Canada
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Our Pastel County Disco Wedding

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
It’s been a year since Jonnie and I said “I do” amongst our nearest and dearest in Ontario’s Prince Edward County, and despite all of the trials and tribulations that we’ve been through these past 365 days, thinking back to our wedding day still takes my breath away.
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The HBAC of my dreams: Penny’s Birth Story

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
Just after my cesarean with Summer, knowing how disappointed I was with how things had turned out, my midwife looked me in the eyes and said “next time you’ll get the birth you wanted”. From that moment on, I had HBAC (home birth after cesarean) on my mind, and this past September, I finally got there! It was one of the most exciting, redemptive moments of my entire life, and changed my perspective on my first birth in ways I never could have expected, but most of all it gave me peace.
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Long Wedding Locks with Vegamour

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
I’ve put a lot of thought into what I might want my wedding to look like over the years, and now that it’s really happening, the reality of making all my dreams come to life is a LOT.
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An Under The Sea Playroom Reveal

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
It feels like it’s taken forever, but my first official room reveal at the new house (aka #pastelsunriseplace) is live! I teamed up with Crate and Kids to dream up a truly whimsical all-purpose setup for our spare room. Part playroom and craft space, part reading nook, and part guest room, this space could have easily become a forgotten void at the back of the apartment where we just threw bits and pieces, and for the first month or so it was.
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A Sunny Bathroom Reveal

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
I am over the moon (or… sun?) to be sharing the newest finished room at #pastelsunriseplace – our sunny bathroom! When I first saw this space, I was amazed at how much we’d lucked out on the basics: nice neutral tiling and countertops, plain white cabinets… it was basically a blank canvas BEGGING for a renter redo! The existing mirror and light fixture were my main concerns, but overall I saw so much potential in this little bathroom without having to take on a massive amount of costly work.
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A Living Room Reveal with Article

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
I’m usually quite quick when it comes to developing a vision for a space, and most of the rooms in this new apartment were a piece of cake – except for the living room. Since moving in last year, the living and dining area of our apartment have been constantly in-flux. Maybe it’s because I’ve never really designed such a large, open space, or because we wanted to make the furniture we already had work vs.
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A Pastel Patio Reveal

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
Just in time for the Labour Day long weekend, the massive project we’ve been working on ALL summer long is finally here: THE PATIO! Let me start by saying the outdoor space at this home is a LOT, like easily as much space outdoors as we have indoors between the yard, back patio, front yard, front porch, and small front patio as well.
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A Pastel (Family) Guide to Toronto

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
I lived in Toronto for almost 12 years, which means I likely know it better than I know my own hometown of Vancouver! I’ve been planning to get back for a visit as soon as it felt safe to do so since I made the decision to relocate back to the West Coast in March 2020, and after what felt like forever, we finally made it happen this last month.
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Summer’s Whimsical Toddler Room Reveal

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
As previously mentioned, decorating kid’s room is by far my favourite type of styling (like, can this be my full time job down the line please?) In this line of work, and as a mom in general, it’s easy to get sucked into buying all new everything all the time, especially after a move, but I’ve really enjoyed challenging myself to make each of Summer’s spaces so far feel different, without breaking the bank on a whole new set of furniture.
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Summer Goes to Disneyland

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By Alyssa Garrison
| Random Acts of Pastel
When I envisioned Summer’s early years, I always pictured lots of travel. She’d grow up on sandy beaches and knee-deep in snow, forever chasing a new adventure while eating whatever food was available without complaint. I had high expectations for a highly adaptable kid, and I was going to get as many flights in as I could before she turned 2 and trips became double the price. And then 2020 threw us all a massive, coronavirus-shaped curveball, and my globetrotting toddler fantasies evaporated.
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