Thursday, May 29, 2014

three things thursday

We all stumble across awesome things on the Internet every day. Three Things Thursday posts (#threethingsthursday) allow me to share the best things I see each week. Hope you learn something new, find something that makes you think and/or read something that makes you smile. Enjoy!
 
1. How Long To Nap for The Biggest Brain Benefits

2. Trying to avoid toxins in your beauty products? Print this chart off and take it shopping with you.
 
3. What does your family's Disney Side look like? 
Create your own family HERE.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

today's inspiration






* Sorry for not giving credit. If you are responsible for any of these images, words or projects - THANK YOU!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

three things thursday

1. A new mom in a box is my fave. Sure is!
via you are my fave

2. What do you use Coconut Oil for? I use it as my face moisturizer.
 
3. This rings so true since having a baby and feeling like time is flying by.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

today's inspiration

I used to do a lot of "inspiration round-up" posts. Fell off the wagon but have come across a few gems lately that I wanted to share. I also have a ton of posts started in my draft folder that I hope to get to soon. Baby girl is almost 7.5 months old and I seem to be spending more time hanging out with her more than doing anything else. And I am loving every minute of it! Have a great week friends!
 




 
 
* Sorry for not giving credit. If you are responsible for any of these images, words or projects - THANK YOU!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Thursday, May 15, 2014

three things thursday

1. A great reminder when life gets busy and loud.
 
2.. I was going to write a whole post about this but thought I would list it here instead. Looking for a great gift for a mother-to-be in your life? Get her a pack of bra extenders! I saw these in my drawer the other day and was reminded how awesome they were when I was pregnant, and continue to be as my body changes with breastfeeding. Remember to get her a pack of 3 and 4 hook ones because every bra is different. Trust me - this is an inexpensive gift that might seem odd in the moment, but the mom-to-be will thank you!
3. This was hanging in my grandmother's room in her care home and after she passed, my aunt wanted me to have it. My dad made this many moons ago and he is long gone as well. I will cherish these photos for years to come. And yes - that's me in all my half naked glory sitting in my grandma's bathtub.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

recently // may 2014

Making // time for more walks with the kiddo.
Cooking // this pasta dish for dinner.
Drinking // too many energy drinks.
Reading // blogs but would like to get back to reading novels again sometime soon.
Wanting // to try a Fitbit bracelet but not sure if it is worth the investment?!
Looking // into alternatives to cow's milk for when the babe turns 1.
Playing // soccer again and it feels SO GOOD!
Watching // too much Real Housewives drama.
Wishing // that I didn't have to go back to work in 5 months. Yikes!
Enjoying // Charlotte - all day, every day.
Liking // that I am making money by selling our used items on Facebook. Genius!
Wondering // why I didn't start selling things on Facebook sooner?
Loving // our little family of 3.
Hoping // that we are going to have more sunny days than rainy ones soon.
Marvelling // at the fact that Charlotte has her first tooth.
Needing // sunshine. It makes such a big difference to my day.
Smelling // flowers on our walks.
Wearing // my new fluorescent orange hoody and loving that the hot hues are back in stores.
Following // the Stanley Cup play-offs. My husband doesn't really give me a choice.
Noticing // that Charlotte desperately wants to crawl but I am okay if she waits a while longer.
Knowing // that my life is amazing.
Thinking // about what I want to do with this blog.
Feeling // happy.
Giggling // at Charlotte's new trick - scrunching up her nose when she is frustrated.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

happy mother's day

The best Mother's Day article I read this year ...
 
Our Mother's Day gifts for the Grandmas ...

I know a lot of moms who can related to this ...

We celebrated my first Mother's Day with a yummy breakfast, a beautiful card, a bottle of perfume, a cold glass of wine and tons of playing outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Hope your Mother's Day was also a delight! 

Friday, May 9, 2014

brain dump

Life has been a bit crazy lately and when life goes off the rails, I quickly realized how much I enjoy having set plans, writing and following a regular napping schedule for my daughter. When I don't get to enjoy those 3 things, I feel like all hell breaks loose. I am now back to normal and all those things are taking place again so I feel much more settled and less anxious. Amazing what a little order can do for my type-A personality!
 
Last Sunday, April 27th, the world lost an angel here on earth, my grandmother, Janet Isabella Bower (nee Shankie) at 91 years old. The family viewing was this past Sunday and the service was on Monday. 
 
Great Grandma Janet and Great Granddaughter Charlotte on Grandma's 91st birthday - January 20, 2014.
 
For the past several years, my grandmother's health has been deteriorating including a heart attack, strokes and dealing with dementia. Therefore, it didn't hit me as hard as I thought it would when my aunt phoned to tell me she had passed (I went to the hospital knowing I was saying good-bye the Friday before she passed away). But I struggled with the head of our family being gone for a few days afterwards - and had a moment where I broke down at the burial. To say that this woman will be missed by friends and family is an understatement - she is a part of us, she made us who we are and for that, I will be eternally grateful.
 
BOWER, Janet Isabella January 20, 1923 - April 27, 2014 Janet Isabella Bower was the daughter of Thomas and Bertha Shankie and was raised in Burnaby, British Columbia. Predeceased by her husband of 60 years Charles Franklin (Frank) Bower, her son Gordon Franklin Bower, her son-in-law Charles Tyrone Flintroy and her brother Ramsey Hunter Shankie. Janet is survived by her loving family; daughter Janice Flintroy, grandson Michael Flintroy, granddaughter Danielle Shaw (Bobby), great grandson Charles and soon to be great granddaughter Emily, granddaughter Jaclyn Van Den Berg (Chad) and great granddaughter Charlotte, and great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Kai Bower, granddaughter Charleen Flintroy and grandsons Rikko and Delano and numerous other family members and friends. A special thank you to the Hughes family for their love and support. Our gratitude to the staff at St. Michael's Care Centre. . Funeral Service will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home (3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby) on Monday May 5, 2014 at 1:30pm.
 
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While I was dealing with everything that was going on with my grandma, I was a part of a conversation on Facebook as to what the best diaper pail on the market is. I know - random - but since our daughter has started eating solids, things have become a bit more ... fragrant in our house - ha ha. I've mentioned it before but I have a HUGE love affair going on with Facebook right now and this just illustrates it once again. I asked the question about diaper pails on a "Mom Group" that I am a part of and within seconds, I had one reply saying that if I end up with a Diaper Genie, they had three free refills for me (this was from a friend) and another reply saying that if I wanted to come pick it up, they had a new Diaper Genie I could have for free. Um - yes please!
 
On top of my grandma not doing well and then passing away, I was hit with the flu which then transitioned into a sinus infection/cold. It was brutal and I am sure that the stress and heartache I was going through didn't help. My rock star hubby took our daughter out for a daddy/Charlotte day so I could sleep in and he picked up the Diaper Genie for us. When he got home, I broke down when I saw what was with the Genie - keeping in mind I have never met this woman and only had a two second convo on Facebook. I had sent her a message telling her I wasn't feeling well so my husband was picking it up and she had left a big bag of all brand named clothes for our daughter, along with a mug, a teabag and a note wishing me well ...
 
 
I was blown away and overwhelmed by the kindness of this stranger. There is always a bright light in this world even on the darkest days. Thank you!
 
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And on another random note - I have to tell you that I have been selling our stuff on Facebook for 3 and a half weeks now and it is going so well. Look for a post in the near future for tips and tricks to organize and sell your items on Facebook - it's so much easier than you might think!
 
Thanks for reading my brain dump for the week. How is your week going?

Thursday, May 8, 2014

three things thursday

1. What a fun invitation for a fun party idea!
 
 
2. I love these reminders on Instagram from Becky Higgins about how to cultivate a good life.
 
 
3. I know Easter has come and gone but these
19 Vintage Easter Bunny Photos That Will Make Your Skin Crawl made me literally LOL!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

one man's trash is another man's treasure

Lots has been going on around these parts later and I am preparing for a big old "brain dump" post soon but in the meantime - if you are going to be in the Langley, BC area this upcoming weekend, mark your calendars and come to our garage sale for your very own treasure hunt!