I’m a firm believer that there’s no bad weather if you have a good outfit. Not a lot going on here these days with the panini running the show, but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat the sidewalk like your runway. For most of the pandemic, I got up, got dressed and did my hair. Getting ready always makes me feel like I have my sh*t together, even when I don’t. These days I’m a little more lax on my WFH outfits but I still make an effort.

Although we’re not doing much, I love putting on a cute outfit when I go for a ‘mental health’ walk. DAY OR NIGHT. Me and my outfits have deff brightened a few peoples days during this panorama, mostly senior citizens but I’ll take it. You have no idea the power of a great outfit until you put it on. Go for it.

I solemnly swear that if you feel like garbage, putting on a whole look and going for a strut will brighten your day.

Me and my outfits have deff brightened a few peoples days during this panorama, mostly senior citizens but I’ll take it. Advanced style! The bar for fashion is pretty low in a pandemic. Go for it, you literally have nothing to lose.

When I need the motivation to pull it together and leave the house, this song always comes to mind. Do you know it? A Fatboy Slim jam from my party girl days “when they know what is what, but they don’t know what is what, they just strut, what the f*ck“. Works every time to get my ass in gear.

Last weekend I walked down to meet a friend on Ossington and went to a winter garage sale. I didn’t buy anything but it was a breath of fresh air. Thought it was kinda cute that my reusable bag matched the print on my jacket and the shopping bag matched my hat. I’m here for simple pleasures these days!

Today I pulled out a vintage shirt that belonged to mum. Our parents had a hot rod shop when we were kids called ‘Toys For Boys‘ and they went to heaps of car shows. This is from the Candian Street Rod Nationals in 1979, before I was born. I love it so much, fav colour. This shirt and many of my other vintage hot rod shirts were made at Tiger Brand, a manufacturer that used to be in Cambridge, ON (hometown). It’s amazing that after 30+ years they’re all in perfect condition.

My friend Jeremy used to be part of the company so I tagged him in my photo today. He ended up sending the screenshot to the family that owned it and this is the message I got back. Love it! I was gonna call this post ‘Tiger Brand’ but yesterday my title was ‘Eye of The Tiger‘ so that might be weird lol.

In other news, I left my Apple Watch charger at the cottage and even though I ordered a new MagSafe charger, the thing will NOT CHARGE. Pretty sure it’s bc of the voltage but alas, another day without my watch. Will go to Apple tomorrow. This is the first time since getting my watch last December that I haven’t tracked my fitness. I hate it! I can’t believe I’ve become so attached to this little device. If you’re considering ordering one, DO IT. I love it so much.

Got a manicure after work today and I can’t even begin to tell you how a small thing like that can really change everything. I feel put together again.

HOPE YOUR WEEK IS GOING GREAT!

BRB MANIFESTING. CHARGING IN THE SUNLIGHT.

Think my eyes look pretty cool here! Alexa play ‘eye of the tiger’. ? Amazing how bright sun on your face can set the tone for your whole day. I love letting her warm rays charge me up.

Have been thinking about this quote recently, one of my favs. Discovered it in high school and put it on a magnet that’s travelled with me to every place I’ve lived. It’s on the fridge in our house now and serves as a good reminder to never doubt yourself, take chances.

“Our doubts are traitors,
and make us lose the good we oft might win,
by fearing to attempt.”

― William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

Have confidence in your strengths & stay strong through the hard moments. Great things will come your way if you stick to your goals. Keep pushing through, you got this.

Had a nice run in the woods this morning then a cold plunge in the lake. I love being up here at the cottage so much. Nature calms me, helps me feel more myself. Grounded. Centred.

This coming week is a big one and I want to be prepared to handle anything. Taking an easy day to watch more holiday romance movies and spend some quality time with my computer.

In other news, I think my daily pandemic blog diary is coming to an end and I’ll stop counting the days soon. I’m ready to get back to my old blogging self and leave this panini in the past.

With love from the lake xo

How many times have you been in a situation, or given an opportunity but worried the outcome might be bad? Never? Well, that must be nice! LOL. I’ve found that through the pandemic my anxiety has gotten worse and it’s not that I think things will go bad, it’s just that I feel anxious something might go wrong.

The thing is, what if it turns out better than you expected? Better than you could have ever imagined? What if all your hard work, late nights, long days, sweat, tears, finally pay off like you always dreamed?

It’s possible.

One of my fav books from when I was little is from the ValueTales series, “The Value of Believing In Yourself“, the story of Louis Pasteur (published 1977). Pasteur is known for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation, and pasteurization. The story is about him finding a cure for rabies because he believed in himself.

Funny side note about this book, I got a new copy for Emily when she was a kid and didn’t remember the part of the story where the dog passed away. Sean was like, “um the dog DIES?! What kind of story is this?!” HAHAHAHA. Safe to say, neither of them feels the same passion for the book as me. Whoops! (I’m sure mum will find this hilarious.)

Believe in yourself, anything is possible!

Worked from Sean’s office today and it was nice to be back at my desk. I’ve been spending so much time at home I almost forgot what it felt like to ‘go to work’. The morning light that shines in from the south-facing windows is enough to keep me coming back.

Drove to Hamilton in the afternoon to pick up our first round of merch for Funday. After months of design meetings and emails, our order was ready and turned out amazing!

Needed to get some steps in so I took a long walk after work. It’s really nice to be downtown. Hard to believe I used to go out ALL THE TIME. These days once the sun goes down, I really just want to be home.

As the days get shorter, here’s to finding that light in your day!

We drive up to the cottage last night and it was so great to wake up here. Went for a walk/run on the road and the cold air was so refreshing. Most of the leaves have fallen, you can see right through the forest.

Went for a dip in the lake when I got back and you may think it’s crazy but I love it so much. It hurts and it’s hard, but the feeling after is hard to describe. It’s a high that you don’t get from anything else, it does something to your mind and body. Watch my video here & do more things that make you feel ALIVE!

I look forward to cold plunges in the lake so much that I ordered a stock tank to set up on our patio in the city. It’s on backorder but we’ll have it soon. I also ordered platform Ugg slippers and can’t WAIT for both to arrive.

Hope you are having a relaxing weekend. Love from the lake xo

Dear Diary, today I went for a walk at 3:45 to pick up an order from Indestructible Mfg about 15 mins from the house. I went for a run this morning but I think I really need to stay prioritizing a walk in the day. With clocks changing this weekend I want to make sure I get some sun each day.

Having less daylight and the colder temps has gotten the best of me sometimes and I know I need to actively prepare. In 2020 I wrote a series of things to help beat Seasonal Affective Disorder, see them all here. This is the first time, in a long time that I’ve had a full-time job and don’t want to fall into old habits. When it gets dark by 6 pm, it’s easy to keep working and miss the day. Note to self: make a walk work.

Used a set of velcro rollers I ordered online and they actually looked better IN my hair than after. I need to practice and use a hair oil when I take them out next time, my hair was mega frizz.

In other news, work is going great and I’m excited to tell you (SOON!) what I’ve been working on for the past year.

Catch that sun while you can. ☀️

My order from Zara arrived and I’m so happy w/ my latest finds in the kid’s section.? Both this sweater and bright pink jacket are kids 11/12!

My post from November 2020 came up in my Twitter memories today, posted a Moonomens IG on that day too. Saw this post by GFDA today and absolutely love following their account, good advice, always.

“Burn so brightly that you catch the world on fire”

Checked out a wedding venue w/ Brock & Lauren after work. Hadn’t been here before, a secret location, speakeasy style venue behind a small bar on King West. Perfect mirror selfie spot in the back!

Went to the Stackt Market w/ Cory before our ladies dinner date. It’s so lovely there! Took a bunch of photos, looked around, admired the sun setting over the train tracks, under the full moon.

We had dinner at Clio, the new restaurant on the 3rd floor of the old Spoke Club. Gail is a member there so she was able to book us all a table. I had the kale salad, scallops, and broccolini, all delicious.

Met up w/ Sean at the office after, stopped on Ossington for one cocktail and was in bed before 11. Nice to be out but I also love being home. ?