Day 358: Ice Cold Therapy

Yesterday we had an epic day of outdoor adventure with Pat & Miranda at their cottage. Sean has been really into Wim Hof breathing and cold plunges for the last year. Some benefits of cold therapy are reducing inflammation, swelling, and sore muscles, improved quality of sleep, more focus, and improved immune response. To read up on it, check out wimhofmethod.com. If you can tough it out for a few minutes, you’ll feel AMAZING after. Sean filmed this with a drone and it turned out so good. Watch the video on Instagram here. Pat had to break the ice with an axe before we could go in the ice hole. He went first for about 2 min, then me for about 1.5 and Sean too. The temperature outside was about -6 and the ice water was VERY VERY COLD. Felt so energized after going in the cold water. I’m gonna try and go in our ice bath at the cottage a few more times this week. I find it really helps with arthritis in my arm and sore feet. Here’s to a great week!

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Day 546: Currie’s Music in Gravenhurst

Sean and I went on an adventure to Gravenhurst after work. One of our fav spots to visit is Currie’s Music & Antique Goods. They’ve got heaps of music equipment, records, and in the back, there’s a section with vintage clothes. I’ve gotten some real gems here! Today picked up this lovely red hat with a sequin star. Stopped into a Rustix for a coffee and since it was closing time, they gave it to me for free! I also found a Fiddle Fig for $15 (50% off!) at the grocery store which is a steal because I’ve paid over $50 for one the same size. Overall a great time! Also, we have so many peppers from the garden!

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Day 447: Cover Me In Sunshine

Went for a 4km run in the woods this morning while listening to Effortless by Greg McKeown on Audible. The book was recommended by a colleague and I’m really enjoying it. Great perspectives on work, life, and living a joyful life. Was a pretty relaxing day, beautiful weather. Spent a good amount of time reading in the sun, I started That Summer by Jennifer Weiner after Jen recommended it. I hadn’t picked up my kindle in ages and it was so nice to just sit and read. How great is this IG filter? Imagine I had this many tattoos. I bet mum will see this and be like ‘OMGGGG’. Ha! Cover me in sunshine, cover me in tattoos, I’m happy!

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Day 417: Taurus Twins

Saw Michelle for the first time in ages today. We’re born one day apart and usually spend our birthdays together, Taurus Twins. It was nice to sit outside, dance in the sun, and laugh together. Our last hang was back in March 2021 when some patios were open for about five minutes. It’s crazy to think how social life was before the Panini, I was a few events each week, it was normal to see hundreds of people, sometimes thousands. I feel like it will be ages before that happens again and just thinking about it gives me anxiety. It makes me feel nervous/excited about all the people/seeing everyone again. Most people have only seen me though a screen for 400+ days, a lot of people I haven’t seen at all. Feeling grateful for warmer temps and longer days. This week at work has been pretty good but I’m looking forward to the weekend. Sean and I are going up North for my birthday and I can’t wait to get back to the woods.

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Day 345: Stop and Stare At It

I turned right from our walkway to the path and heard the loudspeaker with messages about wearing a mask in both English and French. The rail path is extra busy today at magic hour with the air at a warm 5 degrees. Everyone keeps their distance, some people smile. I’m in my own world listening to classical music, taking in every detail, dressed in all black with a fur coat. It was my second walk of the day, I love getting fresh air. In an effort to avoid other humans I zig-zag the streets, taking breaks to walk on the road just avoid people on the sidewalk. This practice would have been so rude two years ago but it’s common now. I didn’t bring my phone because despite being home all day, I seem to have let it die. I’ve got music and route tracking on my watch so I’m blissfully disconnected from wifi & LTE. Out of reach, on DND. The sun is so beautiful setting over Dupont, I always stop and stare at it. This week I’m feeling more content than I have in a while. Have been getting 8hrs sleep pretty consistently for about 3 weeks and although I’m still tired, my body and mind are rested. Drinking less and working out more also help. I track everything these days on my watch or phone; sleep, meditation, breathing, steps, stairs, workouts, period, heart rate, oxygen, fasting, and when to water my plants. In other news, I’ve noticed I’m consistent with updating the blog for a few days, but if I skip a day, I skip a few days and batch update before my fear of forgetting kicks in. I take photos every day in an attempt to keep more memories and often upload them to a draft…

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Day 263: Hibernating and Creating

I blocked off some time in my calendar this morning to dedicate to Christmas present making. I am so happy with how my scrunchies turned out! I can’t wait to ship these out to friends later this month. It feels really great to make things and do an activity that’s not on phone/computer. I’ve been building a Pinterest board of things I want to make next, now that I’ve got the hang of sewing again. Here’s to hibernating and creating!

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Day 250: Turtleneck Season

As much as I really don’t enjoy being cold, I love wearing wool, scarves, tights, and turtlenecks in winter. I recently ordered a couple of cashmere-cotton blend turtlenecks from Joe Fresh and they’re great. You can use Sasha’s code SASHA25 to save 25% making them under $20! They can also double as a mask. ? Leopard jacket is also from JF, it’s the ‘Jilly Jacket’ in kids xl. The scrunchie I made about a month ago matches the print perfectly! Ran a few KMs in the city before heading to the office. Found this sculpture not far from the house, not sure if it’s Drake OVO or something by birdo?! We arrived back at the cottage just after 7 pm and Sean opened his new Oculus Quest 2. I’m really keen to try some of the VR fitness with this. Last winter I was able to go to the gym and use the treadmill but this year, once it gets icy, I won’t be running outside. Looking for more ways to stay fit without having to go outside. I’ll post a review of Oculus Quest 2 once I’ve tried a few games.

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Day 182: When in Doubt, Go Out

Go outside, beneath the trees, listen for wind dancing in the leaves. Look at the sky, breathe in the air. Throw your hands up, like you just don’t care. ✌️ Hoodie: Superette Shop – Sherbet Glasses RayBan Studio: Mother Nature

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Day 163: Visit Spain w/ Do Rueda’s Online Wine Event – Sept. 22nd!

Last summer I went on a press trip to Spain where we did something like 13 wineries in 4 days. It was awesome! Our adventure took us all over the Do Rueda region where they specialize in white wine and 1,000-year-old indigenous grapes (Verdejo). A wine tour here is a good idea if you plan on visiting Spain! Since you’re most likely not heading to there anytime soon, take a virtual trip to Spain’s Do Rueda with an online wine class and wine & snacks inspired by the region. I received a box to try, everything paired perfectly with the wine. See my video here! Learn about wine this week in Do Rueda‘s online wine class with Master Sommelier, Bruce Wallner (Sept. 22), and mark October 5th in your iCal for Wine Night Instagram Live with wine expert, Angela Aiello (@superwinegirl).

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Day 143: On A Wednesday

Today was a pretty chill day. I spent most of it working on a new client project then had a massage at night. Was excited that my latest delivery form the Zara sale arrived. it’s nice to be home! This bodysuit is one of my most fav items in my closet now! I visited Ani at Holistic Body Contouring in Vaughan to have a Lymphatic Drainage Massage and WOW it was amazing. It’s kinda like a natural butt lift, I could see the difference in one cheek to the other when compared in a photo. This type of massage treatment is very popular with celebrities and in Europe/Russia. If you are interested to learn more, visit @HolisticBodyCountouring on Instagram to see some videos/images. I’ve already booked another appointment to back for Lymphatic Drainage on my face. I can’t wait!

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Day 111: Unicorns in the Sun

Today we went to visit Talia & Nelson at their cottage on Lake Simcoe. We had lunch then went to Lagoon City in the boat. I had no idea this place existed! It’s a whole subdivision on the water lined with cottages, a restaurant, and a hotel. Such a cool little spot! After boating, we relaxed in the pool. Talia and I had a little photo shoot while the boys were out on their own adventure. It was really nice to float, eat chips, and have ice cream in the sun. Before our visit, I ran 4 miles for my NRC July 4th challenge. It worked out to be 7km which is one of the longest runs I’ve done yet. When I started, I thought ‘how am I going to do this‘ but then before I knew it, I was on the home stretch passing 5km. I’m really proud of myself and have learned to love running.

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Day 109: You’ve Got A Friend in Me

Today I had a great day. I went to visit Talia at their cottage about an hour away and Elise was there too! We swam in the pool and it was so nice to have a girl hang. I was so excited I didn’t even take ANY PHOTOS. I don’t know what I was thinking! Over the past month, I took a step back from posting to give space to creators of colour and support Black Lives Matter. the ripple effect sharing and documenting less on social media has directly changed my behaviour. I’m spending more time enjoying the moment and less picking up my phone to capture everything for the ‘gram. I spent some time reading a new book in the afternoon and when Sean was done work, our friends surprised us with a visit on their boat. The boys went skiing and we listened to music on the lake. Sean, what a dreamboat! This has become my new fav outfit, I got it at Joe Fresh a couple of weeks ago and used Sasha’s SASHA25 code for a discount. It’s totally wild and so comfy. I love being here so much. We’ve been meeting more neighbours on our road and the lake, everyone is so nice. Tomorrow there’s a garage sale at the Mayor’s house down the road. ?

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Day 108: Canada Day ??

Woke up to find a copy of the Dockside Muskoka magazine left on the dock. I love that they’re delivered this way! Been doing some research on Canada and the history of today. I’d like to acknowledge we are on the land of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee territory. Treaty of Williams (1923), Robinson-Huron (Treaty 61, 1850). If you’d like to see the history of your land, visit native-land.ca. The day was pretty relaxed, Sean worked and I read outside for about 3 hours in the afternoon sun. I finished  The Three Mrs. Wrights by Linda Keir, it was so good! Felt a bit weird about doing fireworks given everything that’s going on in the world but then again, they bring joy to us and other people on the lake. Sean set up the camera to do some photos and only set off one before bed. I took these on my phone and ran them through the Huji Camera app. I am forever grateful my parents decided to immigrate to Canada and NOT the USA. Growing up here has provided us with a world of opportunity, education, safely, and healthcare. I am proud to be Canadian!

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Day 94: Smashing Records in Style

Today I smashed my own 5K record and completed my 55KM challenge for the month. I am so grateful for these challenges hosted by Amy aka @lesbest. It’s really kept me motivated to get my shoes on and hit the road. When I got back to the cottage a package was there, it’s was like a reward for hustling hard. The PR team sent the Hayley X Coors Slice shorts and shirt. Sean is wearing the set in a size small, looking like a supermodel! He’s been a really good motivator for my running doing does 4-10K a day on his morning runs. We’re both feeling so much better since we stopped eating so much crap and started moving our bodies. ILY. Thank you for supporting me my love! Idk if he will see this bc I’m pretty sure he doesn’t read my blog, he gets enough CASIE IRL haha. I hope you are having a good day! ?

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