Last night I was not feeling great. I wasn’t sick-sick but it had been a really busy day. My head was full of anxiety, my mind was racing, and I was feeling stressed TF out. I realised it’s easily been two weeks since my last yoga class and I can 100% feel a difference in my mental health when I stop going. So, I scheduled my smart lights to turn on at 7am and set my alarm. I planned to get a coffee but then realized I forgot my wallet in the car. Urgh! I didn’t let that stop me. I was the first one at class just as Sandy was putting on a pot of coffee. It all worked out. It felt so good to stretch and work up a sweat. I came home, took my vitamins, and had a new perspective on the day.
I work hard at being positive and sunshiney all the time. It’s not always easy but the more you give and share, the easier I find it is to be genuinely happy.
If you are having a hard time, or you feel like quitting, remember why you started.
Last week I attended the What If Women Gala in support of War Child Canada. Since I was young volunteering has been something very important to me. In the last year, I’ve donated my time with Telus, served a few meals at Evangel Hall Mission, Movember Canada, Brands For Canada, and partnered with War Child Canada.
Aside from the gala being super fun, it was inspiring to hear stories of survival and celebrate the incredible accomplishments of women in attendance. I went with Deane from Veritas as an Ambassador for War Child. I rented this beautiful dress from Studio Fitzroy, my go-to place for great dresses.
I was jazzed to meet Margaret Atwood and Sarah McLaughlin. I loved that M. Atwood and her husband were both wearing Coogi Sweaters. When I complimented her on it she seemed surprised and pleased I recognized the Australian classic. I used to have one and it’s my most regretted piece of clothing I gave away. I think about that bright beautiful thing all the time and wonder where it might be.
My favourite part of last night was that @MargaretAtwood and her husband were both wearing COOGI sweaters. Couple goals. ??
Over dinner, Chantal Kreviazuk performed with Sarah Mclaughlin and Ruth B. It was great. I love Ruth B.’s ‘Lost Boy’ and hearing her sing it live was amazing. Dinner was also good. Deane and I had so many laughs together and I met some great people.
Photo Credit: Christopher Wahl
Sarah McLaughlin
Margaret Atwood
It’s truly amazing what we can do when we work together. Today on National Philanthropy Day, think about how you can give back to your community or online to an organization that matters to you. To support War Child Canada visit the website here.
If you need help getting involved and giving back, ask me! Happy to help!
I’ve been growing my collection of holiday sweaters for years.In honour of the holidays approaching and the ease of Amazon Prime, I’ve selected a few great holiday sweaters that you can order just in time to rock that holiday party.
Called on Sean to model some of the sweaters I ordered. Photos were taken using portrait mode on the new iPhone 8 Plus and my new millennial pink seamless background.
Ho-Ho-Holiday Sweater Fun
All three of Sean’s sweaters are from Amazon, the Cash Business Wreath, Braaaaap, and Go Jesus. I also ordered the Stripper Silhouette which is on its way lol. If you’re looking for something a little more feminine, I’ve included a few crazy print holiday dresses you’ll be sure to dazzle a crowd in. ?? Oh man, I can’t wait to bust all these out.
I love digging out my hidden stash of holiday sweaters that’s been tucked away. One of my all time favs that you can’t buy was a gift from Target Canada years ago (RIP Target Canada). It’s called the ‘Together Sweater” and fits two people. Sean and I only wore it once to a party and did not last in it all night. It’s wool and super hot but totally fun.
I love this stuff so much. Bring on the holiday cheer!
It was the day after Halloween, I’d been working from home, did some work, and took a nap. When I woke up I was in a hungry daze. Checked my calendar and I was so glad so glad to see this dinner because I love Mexican food and Marian invited me + I was really hoping we’d get to sit together. On the Eve of Dia de los Muertos and I hung out with a bunch of bloggers and Jarritos Canada eating Mexican food. The night was full of laughs and a delicious menu all washed down with Jarritos. My favourite flavours are grapefruit and mango for the record.
Shoutout to their photog Josh for the photos.↓ In this one, I’d already posted something on my IG story and someone said “do that again” so I’m laughing here because I’m watching my own IG story haha.
The menu was prepared by La Carnita. We started with 3 dips and chips including amazing guacamole, corn salsa, and spicy bean dip. Next, we had spicy Scorpion wings and Mexican Street Corn. I really wanted to eat the corn but it was a bit too messy for my liking so I passed and moved right onto the tacos.
I really love dinners like this that bring together a bunch of people from different backgrounds. I don’t usually get invited to that many ‘foodie’ specific things so always fun to make new friends.
We finished off the meal with Paleta, one of their signature items, similar to a popsicle that cleans the palette. I am getting hungry as I write this.
Thank you Jarritos Canada + Branding & Buzzing for the invite. So great to hang out and catch up over my favourite food! Sean is a fan of Jarritos and I was lucky to bring some home too. ?
I was compensated for this post but there's a good chance I would have gone for the food + fun times. ?
Today kicks off Social Media Week in Toronto. I’ve been part of it every year since it started, in some capacity. This year I’m on the SMTWO Advisory Board for my second year and speaking on a panel Wednesday. It is truly amazing to be part of an industry that has grown and developed SO MUCH the last 10 years.
I could go on an on about how special the start of it was and how there were so few people. Back then, the role of Community Manager didn’t exist, we couldn’t’ schedule updates, there were no analytics, no budgets, and advertising was few and far between.
Back then people had influence, we called them leaders. Fearless self-starters who took chances, tried new things and did things differently. We followed to see what they would do next. Influence came from their work and the impact it had on others, not just followers.
Things have really changed and they continue to change. This is what makes Social Media Week such an important event for our growing industry. Every year the topics are different and there’s new platforms, policies, and processes to discuss. For the past couple months, I’ve been tweeting ‘NEW THINGS EVERY DAY‘ almost daily when a new feature is added to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat. It’s a challenging space to work in because your tools and the entire drawing board are always changing.
#SMWTO has TONS of cool things, here are a few of my favourites!
Thank you to Michelle & Pinch Social, all sponsors and partners for making this happen another year. I’m excited to attend a bunch of sessions, meet new people, and catch up with old friends.
Oh man, did you get a shock when you woke up this morning? I opened my curtains to see that the patio door had a layer of icy frost! Damn. It’s cold out there. Broke out the winter boots and warm jacket. Here we go guys, it’s winter.
I’ve been a little off my game this week. Maybe I’m coming down with something? Slept in more than usual today and went to bed at 10 last night which is pretty early for me. I didn’t even make yoga once this week. I also ate so much crap I probably gained 5 damn pounds! We’re closing the cottage this weekend and I’m not looking forward to it. I wish we could keep it open all winter! I know I said I like the closing duties but once winter hits, it’s all bittersweet.
There’s no bad winter, just bad outfits. Keeping warm in Sean’s Burberry scarf and these are my fav glasses. DYK you can get Celine on Amazon?!
I’m heading to have lunch with April and I always feel energized when we hang out. Stay warm out there my friends! Keeping this quote in my thoughts today and sending sunshine in your general direction through the internet.
In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.
– Albert Camus
Some people like aisle seats but I always pick window if I can. I like something to lean on and I love staring out the window. Takeoff is one of my favourite parts. I love being on planes, it means you’re going somewhere!
I’m deep in planning my winter vacations and couldn’t be happier, it’ all starting to come together! I leave for New Orleans in 2 weeks, then for a big 21-day adventure in December. I can’t wait. Nothing like knowing you’ve got sunshine in your future!
View from our room in Montego Bay, Jamaica
If you’re looking to get away soon, I’m sharing this link for you to get some $$ back on your accommodation. UseBooking.com and they’ll reward us both with a $40 CAD gift if you use this link. Once you check out of your hotel, the reward from booking.com will show up as a refund on your credit card. If you have questions about how it exactly works, read the FAQ here. The Nice thing about booking.com is they have no booking fees, free cancellation (most rooms), and price matching.
Also, if you haven’t signed up for Ebates make sure you do that before going to booking.com, you’ll get 2% back on your purchase! Their average cashback per order is $6!
P.S. If you're looking to save money and get smart using Amazing, check out this post on thebabbleout.com.
This weekend was fun. I went out for one last kayak before we put all the stuff away. It was surprisingly warm, but damp, great weather for getting things done. Although it’s a lot of work, and I can feel it in my arms today, closing the cottage is something I kinda look forward to. Sean and I do together as a team; heaps of lifting, holding the ladder, carrying the canoe, putting away the outside stuff, and family trips to the dump. We had Embot with us and her fav part was deff packing the trailer then chucking everything into the huge garbage at the dump.
For years I’ve been wanting to make cutting boards from some of the beautiful wood laying around and we finally did it! I marked and measured, Sean put them through the planer, then cut them into pieces. I spent ages with the sander making them nice and soft. Before I started my project, I did a look of research and read quite a lot of information on orbital vs sheet sander. After careful consideration, I realized which one I should be using for a nice finish so it was a good job I looked into it! The next step is sealing, drying, and wrapping for the holidays. I need to visit Lee Valley this week. I spent lots of time in the garage with my dad as a kid so doing that as a family this weekend was nice.
Since I got a Kindle last year I’ve read SO MANY BOOKS. It’s the most convenient way to read and I’ve started putting my phone down before bed and reading a book instead.
If you’re looking to cosy up with a good book, here are some favs I’ve read over the last year. I’m really into suspense, mystery, thriller, or murder. If you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them. I can always add to my reading list!
We’re back in the city now and tonight I’m going to the War Child #WhatIfWomen gala I told you about last week. I’m really excited to start getting ready and put on my dress. I picked it up from Studio Fitzroy this afternoon and IT IS AMAZING! I’ll be sharing posts from the night on Twitter and Instagram Stories!
Hope you’re having a good day. This time of year can be kind of dreary, so try to find inspiration in people and places around you. Smile at strangers and treat yourself or someone around you to a small surprise. Spreading a little bit of kindness will do wonders for your own mood!
Last week my sister and I went on an adventure to Prince Edward County. PEC is southern Ontario with a coastline on Lake Ontario’s northeastern shore. It’s been about 20 years since either of us were in The County. I have fond memories of Jenie and I camping at Sandbanks Park with our parents, playing on massive sand hills, making things with clay.
Our trip was courtesy of The Drake Hotel and their PEC property, The Drake Devonshire. We were there to experience Countylicious, similar to Winterlicious/Summerlicious where restaurants feature 3-course prix fixe menus for $40/pp (+ tax & tip). In 24 hours we did so much more than just eat great food. The County has so much to offer so here are a few thing I recommend for your PEC road trip.
5 Things to Do in Prince Edward County
Visit Wineries
There’s 40+ wineries in PEC and a whole bunch of breweries. If you love great wine, you deff want to visit the princeedwardcountywine.ca and make a plan of places to visit. On our tour we stopped into Wapoos Winery, the very first one in the region. It’s absolutely beautiful and right on the water. Check out the Wapoos menu for Countylicious here. If you happen to drive a Tesla, they have a charging station.
Eat Great Food
There is no shortage of great places to eat in Prince Edward County. Starting today, Countylicious kicks off with a celebration of fine dining featuring prix fixe menus from local restaurants. Chefs have created unique, County-inspired menus with an appetizer, entrée, and dessert.
Have you ever smelled fresh carrots from a farm? Had arugula straight from the earth? I can tell you that the produce from Blue Wheelbarrow Farm is incredible. We met the young/cool farm owner at The Public House and were all so impressed with him we took a little tiki tour to his farm. They supply fruit & vegetables to heaps of restaurants in the area. He showed us around the grounds, introduced his cute dog, and picked fresh farm foods for us to try.
Go to a PEC farm if you can, it will make you want to move out of the city!
Blue Wheelbarrow farm Owner
Jenie and the cutest farm pup!
These were amazing.
The whole gang!
Public House is very cute!
The County Wine Tours
If you’re a wine-loving foodie, check out The County Wine Tours, a company co-founded by friend Erin Bury. They have local guides that’ll take you on a wine or brewery tour by bike. Much better than trying to get around by car. They also do custom tours and company retreats. Bosses take note!
Keepin it cute in The County with my sister and Diala! Follow her on IG at @dialaskitchen, I’m in AWE of her recipes and photography.
The Great Outdoors
If you feel at home in nature like me, you’ll absolutely love it here. I spend a lot of time in Muskoka but Prince Edward County has its own beauty. It reminds me of travelling back in time a little, it doesn’t have the busy you’ll find in Muskoka. Well, not yet!
There’s nothing like a getaway to the country, or county, to hit the refresh button on your life and recharge your batteries.
Ok so, for years Sean and other friends have said I’d be great on a kids show. I’ve never disagreed and this weekend, although it was only a one episode interview, I was on a kids show! I love doing tv. It’s so fun and being on camera is something I’ve always been into.
You might not know I was first on stage at 5 years old and pretty heavy into dance competitions growing up. I performed heaps as a kid then spent a few years as a teen model before shooting my first commercial in high school.
Watch the Video: My Job Rocks – S2 E8
The show is called My Job Rocks and it’s on Rogers and Bell Fibe. My episode will be out in March and I’ll keep you posted when I have a date. Until then, here’s a little look behind the scenes!
Throwing it out there, I’d love to do more tv and am totally available!
