Hey, It's Ok!

To be so incredible happy and excited that the New York Rangers have clinched a playoff berth!! I can breath easy and enjoy the rest of the season.

That Kentucky, my March Madness pick, is still going strong. This is not something I care about, but it's more bragging rights that the girl who knows nothing about basketball can pick a good team.

To not like the fact that Jordan on Big Brother Canada is trying too hard to be like Peter from Big Brother Canada's season 1. Something that Peter and I had an exchange on Twitter about. 

That I'm looking forward to going home for Easter and spending time with family. 

 

To be disappointed that I will miss out on the Lilly Pulitzer for Target Collection, since Target in Canada is in the process of closing- a lot of stores have already closed and the rest are in the process of closing. I was so excited when this collection was announced too 

That I am finally happy again. See yesterday's post for context. 

 

 

 

Speaking of yesterday's post... I announced yesterday that my weekly quote will be shared on Tuesdays, instead of Mondays. This weeks quote:

Inspire Me Hiatus & New Series

Happy Monday everyone!! I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!! My weekend was great. Friday was spent with a friend and her daughter, where we had Kraft Dinner- which is kind of a tradition for us. Saturday I went to Guelph and had dinner with a friend; we went to two different restaurants (one for dinner, one for dessert) and then back to her house to exchange Christmas (for her) and birthday (for me) gifts. Sunday I was woken up in one of my favourite ways- a phone call from a friend- and spent the rest of the day relaxing.

I have a couple of things to announce...

Every Monday, I would start my week off by posting a quote and a write up related to that quote. Both of these things were inspiration to help me get through my days. For a very long time- too long- I found myself in a very unfortunate and overly negative situation. I struggled to be happy, positive and get through days, especially when I knew I had specific people I would need to deal with. These Monday posts served as a reminder...be happy, see the good, your attitude reflects your mood, follow your dreams, take chances, things will improve, etc. 

Earlier this month, things changed. The negative...the toxic...the cancer...was removed from my life. While this brought a new set of challenges, I felt genuinely happy and relieved I was able to finally distance myself and be done with the situation. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel like myself again. I'm happy. I'm laughing. I have so many prospects and potential opportunities coming my way. Things are looking up!!

While it's always great to be inspired, I no longer need my Monday dose of inspiration to survive the days and weeks. So, I've decided to put my 'Inspire Me' posts on hiatus and have decided to include a favourite quote (and I have MANY) with my Hey, It's Ok! post on Tuesdays.

What will fill my Monday blog post spot? 

For a while now, I have been wanting to do a series on a topic that I'm interested in and kind of excel at. What is it? You'll have to come back NEXT Monday to find out!

Hope everyone has a GREAT week!!

Sunday Reading & Coffee

I always felt reading the Sunday newspaper and drinking coffee was a very grown up thing to do and something I should  be doing, so I did. While I no longer have a newspaper subscription, I still feel that a great Sunday includes coffee and reading.

With this concept, I decided each week- on Sunday- to share some of my favourite reads from the past week. So grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and enjoy these reads.

6 Awesome Bloggers Reveal Their Unconventional Beauty Role Models shows a wide and interesting array of women that are admired.

Beauty products can be so expensive, so I love this list of 23 Must-Have Beauty Products For Under 10 Bucks. I have used a lot of products on this list and was introduced to some new ones to try.

Keeping with the beauty and list theme I have going... 15 Old Hollywood Beauty Secrets You Won't Believe.

We all know that there is more to beauty than what's on the outside, Beauty Tips for the Body and Soul: What Really Makes Women Attractive?

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!!

Weekly Wrap Up

A blog friend of mine, years ago, had a Saturday link up called 'Weekly What'. She eventually cut back on her blogging and the link up came to an end, but I kept doing it...I liked the concept; basically you put all of your Monday-Friday posts in one post on Saturday. It's essentially a summary of the past week on your blog. 

I thought for 2015, I would bring the concept back...

MONDAY: I started the week off with some inspiration.

TUESDAY: I linked up with Amber for Hey, It's Ok!.

WEDNESDAY: I updated the planning process for a Charity Gala I'm working on.

THURSDAY: I shared the food & drink from the Bedtime Stories Baby Shower I hosted for a friend.

FRIDAY: I finished the week with an update on my New Year's Resolution and how I'm doing with it.

Friendly Resolution- March

My friends are my world. I try really hard to be a good friend and I try really hard to work on my friendships. It's so easy to let friendships fade if you move, get married, have a baby, start a new job...there are so many reasons/excuses. I've always tried to maintain my friendships; generally one or two visits a year with texting, phone calls and Facebook messages in between. 

I'm not big on New Year Resolution, because let's be honest, most of us rarely stick to them. This year, I decided that every month, I would make the point to connect with two friends. How did I do in March?

K- A long time friend and someone I haven't seen in awhile. We went out for drinks and dessert. Our friend, L, was supposed to come but wasn't able too. We had planned to stay out until 11 but we ended up staying until after 1am, closing the place down! It was so great to spend time with her.

P's Surprise Birthday- There was a surprise birthday party for a friend of mine. Not only did I get to see her, but I got to see about 5 other people, who I hadn't seen since Christmas. It was nice to see everyone, even if I only stayed for an hour or so.

A- My cousin and friend...I hadn't seen her since Christmas (same time as the above mentioned friends). She was at the surprise party, but she also came with me to the David Myles concert that night (which is why we didn't stay long at the party). We had a blast at the concert, and went for poutine afterwards.It was nice to spend so much one on one time with her.

G- My friend I went to Cuba with! Again, someone I haven't seen in ages! We went out for brunch...again, nice to spend time with her and catch up!

C- Another friend that I haven't seen since Christmas. We went out for a late lunch. I always enjoy his company and hearing what he's been up too. He rivals me for the most active social life!

I connected with a lot of friends, one on one, this month...this is surprising since I spent a good chunk of the month being anti-social and cancelling a bunch of social outings. 

I realize that I likely won't connect with so many friends in the coming months- I think that two is a realistic number. I'm really hoping this is a 'resolution' I can stick with all year.  Like I said, my friends are my world and I think it's so important to put time and energy to build and maintain friendships.

January // February

Baby Shower Part 3- Food & Drink

Almost a year and a half ago, I hosted a 'Bedtime Stories' Baby Shower for a dear friend of mine. Even though the actual baby shower was so long ago, I still want to share details of the event with everyone. This is a timeless, gender neutral and fun theme.

Today I wanted to share the food & drinks!! It was decided that we would ask everyone to bring their own lunch and that we (the office) would provide a cake or cupcakes. I also wanted to include food and drinks that fit our theme.

What goes with bedtime stories? Cookies and milk, of course!!

Like the gift table, the food table (picture #1) was also turned into a bed (see the decor post on how this was done). We had white and chocolate milk, which I poured from cartoons into reusable plastic containers with lids (purchased from the dollar store) and placed in an ice bucket (also from the dollar store).

The office decided to purchase cupcakes instead of a cake, because it was more cost effective. A friend of mine made the cupcakes (picture #2)...how adorable are they?!?!? They were pretty delicious too.

I am not much of a baker, which my friend knows, so she was extra touched that I baked cookies for her shower. I ended up making two kinds of cookies; Campfire Cookies (picture #4) and Rolo Stuffed Sugar Cookies (pictured #3).

The cookies & milk were a huge hit with everyone in attendance and was a nice way to tie our food and drinks to our theme.

Looking for more on this Baby Shower?
Theme and Invitation
Decorations

Charity Gala- Theme & Sponsors

Back in January, I mentioned that my dad appointed me to his Charity Gala. You can read about our first meeting here. We had a meeting in February, which was really just a touch base meeting. S and I broke up the sponsorship list for us to do follow up.

We had a meeting last week, which I unfortunately had to leave due to another appointment. But it was a productive meeting.

Sponsorship money and auction items are coming in! We have a title sponsor, confirmed an auction company to run our silent auction for us (this will be the fifth event I have done with this company) and have confirmed entertainment for the dinner portion of our event- a murder mystery! Things are really coming together and it's shaping up to be a great event. 

At this meeting, we also confirmed our theme...Drive In Movie! I had mentioned before that we had picked cars as a theme. After some discussion, we decided that cars were an element to a theme opposed to a theme on it's own. We have some really neat ideas on how to incorporate this theme into our entertainment and decor.

Hopefully next month I'll be able to reveal a little bit more about our entertainment...it's going to be pretty fun!

Hey, It's Ok!

 

To be so excited that Big Brother Canada started last night!! I've been counting down since the end of last season for this season to start! I hope Marsha the Moose makes a few appearances this season.

That I did not fill out a bracket for March Madness. I never do...but I think it would be fun.

To always pick Kentucky for March Madness...I always think they're going to win. Even if I don't fill out a bracket or follow NCAA basketball.

That I am hopefully. Yesterday was the first day, new outlook, things are going to improve.

To be looking forward to lunch with a fellow Brock Alumni tomorrow!! I met her at a networking event and I'm looking forward to connecting with her and getting to know her better.

Inspire Me- Rainbows & Stars

Happy Monday!! I have a meeting later this morning and that's about it for the day. I'm having lunch with a Brock Alumni and someone I met a few months ago at a networking event on Wednesday, night out with some friends on Thursday and another meeting on Friday.

It sounds like a busy week, but it's really not. It's a hopeful week. I'm hopeful that this is the week that things turn around and start to get better. I'm back to socializing and spending time with friends. I'm ready to bounce back!!

I know bouncing back will take time and will likely not happen over night. So, here's some inspiration to help me get through the week:

 

This quote is a reminder that there is always something good to look for. No matter how bad things may seem, there is good to be found. Sure, you might have to search a bit and there will be obstacle to block your view...but there is good, there is hope. 

Sometimes we just need to hold on to rainbows and stars, to get through the periods of rain and darkness. Sometimes, even if we can't see the rainbow and stars, just knowing they are there helps.

Mug O' Comfort Swap: The Reveal

I love blog swaps...not only are they fun, but they are a great way to discover new blogs and 'meet' new bloggers! The last swap I participated in was the Spring Polish Swap, back in April of 2014...too long ago!! So, back in February, I signed up for the Mug O' Comfort Swap hosted by Chaotic Goddess Swaps.

I was partnered with Mickey from Lunar Liongodess. Unfortunately due to our busy schedules, we weren't able to exchange too many emails, but I enjoyed getting to know her and it was fun putting a package together for her.

Mickey, completely spoiled me!! I am so in love with everything she sent. What did she send?

• Kentucky Derby Festival 2015 mug...I LOVE the Kentucky Derby, which I didn't tell Mickey, so I was beyond words excited to get this mug!
• Earthy Browns Beeswax Lip Balm...we still have cold days here in Canada and lip balm is a must!
• World Market Dark Chocolate Cocoa Mix...I love hot chocolate and I can't wait to drink this out of my new Derby mug!!
• Red Hot Roasters Organic Coffee...this is Kentucky roasted coffee, which I can't wait to try.
• Walkers Shortbread Cookies...shortbread is my favourite cookie, it reminds me of my childhood.
• Rosemary Shortbread with Coarse Sea Salt...these are supposed to be sweet and savory, can't wait to try them!
• Variety Tea Sampler...this has 5 flavours: Earl Grey Lavender Tea, Tropical Green Tea, Golden Chanomile Herbal Tea, Sweet Ginger Peach Tea (cannot wait to try this!!) and English Breakfast Tea
• Blackdog Candles in Creme Brulee...this smells divine and portions of the proceeds are donated to animal shelters.
• Old Honey Barn Kentucky Mint Julep Mixer...I was so excited to see that Mickey had sent this!! I love Mint Julep's (because of the Kentucky and Derby connections) and cannot wait to try this...after I get some Kentucky Bourbon, of course!
• Louisville Postcard..love that Mickey sent a postcard representing her home with a note on the back. 

Seriously, how awesome is this basket?!?!? I told you that Micky spoiled me!! I have always loved Kentucky and I've always loved the Kentucky Derby...and I love that Mickey was able to tie both of these things into the Mug O' Comfort package she sent me. I am so excited about and in love with this swap package!

Thank you so, so, so much Mickey. I truly appreciate all of the effort and thought that went into this package, and I really love everything!

Go here to see what I sent Mickey!

Also thanks to Chaotic Goddess Swaps for hosting...there next swap is Books & Bloggers, visit their blog for more info and to sign up.

Begin To Write: An Explanation

During the last week of February, my life began to fall apart- yes, that is a tad dramatic. I was getting hit both personally and professionally- one thing after another. It wasn't just one or two situations that spiraled out of control, but 10-12 situations, each of them getting progressively worse as time went on.

While I love my blog and I love writing, I really needed to take time for myself. I needed to deal with the situations and I needed to take care of myself- which means I did very little outside of the situations. Out of character, yes...but I needed that time to care for my mind and soul. It was a lot of cups of tea, reading and watching Netflix.

I am so lucky to have so many great friends who reached out to me during this time. They provided laughter, hugs, positive thoughts, advice and, at times, distraction. I was reminded how much I am loved and cared for.

Late last week, I was dealt a major blow...the worse of them all. This is an on-going situation, with no end in sight. But I am taking care of it and I have faith that it will eventually be resolved. Again, I am so lucky to have such a fantastic support system around me. I do have my ups and downs, but for the most part, I've been able to maintain a positive outlook.

I am working towards resolving all of the outstanding issues and, not only starting a new chapter, but a whole new book. I'm starting with a fresh page, a clean slate, a new beginning. I'm still in the draft stage, no plot yet, but it will eventually come to me and I will begin to write. 

Metaphorically speaking, of course.

On the literal side of things, I have begun to write again- hence this blog post. More will follow in the coming days.

Hey, It's Ok

 

To need a change. Hopefully one comes soon.

 

That I am dreading the predicted 'bad weather' we are supposed to get tonight. I'm done with the snow and cold and dangerous weather.

 

To not watch The Bachelor. I don't get the appeal.

 

That I'm looking forward to bowling next week! I am a horrible, horrible bowler...but it's for a good cause and it's a networking event- two things I like.

 

To be looking forward to a surprise birthday party AND the David Myles concert this weekend!!

Inspire Me- Thoughts About It

Today is my first day back in the office after four days off. I spent these four glorious days hidden away at the family's second home. I did some errands, shopped for my Mug O Comfort Swap Partner, read, did some work for a charity gala I'm working on...and that's about it. It was a quiet and most uneventful time off. 

On Thursday, I met up with two friends/former co-workers for dinner and drinks, before heading over to the Royal Wood concert. Royal puts on an AMAZING show!! He is insanely talented, engaging with his audience and funny. It was a small, intimate venue (the first time I'd ever been there) and it was just Royal and his guitar player. I had a lot of fun and truly enjoyed the show!

I would love to have more time off (and I will later this month); I could use a couple more days to truly unwind and relax.

As usual, I'm turning to a quote for some inspiration this week:

How true is this? Happiness is a choice. Our mind frame and how we approach situations we find ourselves in directly corresponds with out level of happiness. If we tell ourselves we are miserable and that a situations sucks, it will and we will be unhappy. But in the same situation, if we smile and focus on the good, we will be happy. 

 

A few months ago, I had someone question me and why I laugh- something I do All. The. Time. I told them I laugh because I am happy.  They didn't like that answer, and even told me I was too busy to be happy. I disagree...like I said, happiness is a choice. 

I have made the choice, and the effort, to be happy. Happy is my word for 2015 and something I am working hard on.

Happy thoughts and attitudes create happy situations and experiences.

Sunday Reading & Coffee

I always felt reading the Sunday newspaper and drinking coffee was a very grown up thing to do and something I should  be doing, so I did. While I no longer have a newspaper subscription, I still feel that a great Sunday includes coffee and reading.

With this concept, I decided each week- on Sunday- to share some of my favourite reads from the past week. So grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and enjoy these reads.

The biggest social media debate and controversy this week was whether or not a dress was white and gold (which I thought it was, based on the first photo I saw) or black and blue. This article explains what started everything and has pictures of the original dress, including from the store and settles once and for all the actual colour.

Sticking with the dress, The Science Of Why No One Agrees On The Color Of This Dress is an interesting read as to why people are seeing different things.

If you are wearing a great dress, you should be wearing a great lipstick; 21 Genius Lipstick Hacks Every Woman Needs To Know.

A show that I am currently obsessed with, and sad that the season finale aired this week, is How To Get Away With Murder. If you haven't watched this show, you should. The finale was mind blowing and I just have to share this Q&A, 'How To Get Away With Murder' Boss On That Killer Finale And What's Next.
 
Hope everyone has a great Sunday!!