Jasper the Sunflower

A few years back...OK a lot of years back; I was the proud owner of a nice new bright red Pontiac Sunfire.  She featured a front-wheel drive platform, automatic transmission, and a 2.2 litre 4 cylinder engine.  I was in love with her curves, amazing 6 speaker sound system and of course the air conditioning!  She was all mine - I was riding in style. :)  It didn't take me long to name her Jasper b/c she was jazzy and snazzy (I was young, don't judge).    

This is not actually Jasper; but she looked like this

How cool are those side panels - snazzy aren't they? ;) 


We had a lot of great times together; she went to university with me; travelled all over Ontario to various football games and finally was with me on my very first day in the "real world" - yes, I proudly drove her all over.


Typically, my younger sister got my 'hand-me-downs'; Jasper would be no exception!  For the past 5 years she has been kicking around in Jasper the Sunflower (sunflower came from her).  I don't have all of the stories but I am sure they were similar to mine and that she too loved to drive Jasper the Sunflower.  


This car has done very well for our family, she owes us nothing; if anything we owe her!  You have no idea what this car has been through - among other things she's been rear-ended, buried in the snow, hit the ditch, got stuck in the middle of a road during a snow storm, been egged, gone to university AND college and finally, for the grand finale got crumpled up while parked!


Here are a few pics...

Final trip out the driveway

We both had fun kicking around the city and country side with Jasper the Sunflower - and it showed; she had 260,000km's on her all of which were put on by my sister and I.  

While I got a new car a few years back; today my sister traded Jasper the Sunflower in for a fancy new car - just hope the next car is up to the challenge; she's got big shoes to fill!

RIP Jasper the Sunflower; we'll miss you!


   

Dear Santa...

I wanted to share with you my Christmas Wish List this year...it's not directed at anyone this late in the game; but if a certain someone were to run to the shops to get what's on here I'd be OK with that ;) 

This list is definitely all over the place; my new love for DIY projects this past year is the inspiration for a few of the items.   


I actually baked with one of those Kitchen Aid mixer's for the first time this past weekend; it changed my life and now I want need one.  If you haven't had a chance to bake with one - you probably shouldn't; you will want need one too - don't say I didn't warn you :) 


I am particularly looking forward to this Christmas as it's my first as a married woman!


and finally...a quote from a favourite Christmas movie

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons. It came without tags.  it came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled 'til his puzzler was sore.  then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays y'all!  

Burlap? Yes Please!

Back in October I found this on Pinterest.

via Pinterest

I fell in love instantly - so I was going to have to make one for myself!  Off to Michael's I went and picked up the following:
- Burlap
- 18" foam wreath
- pins (the ones with the little ball on the end)


I started by cutting the burlap into 4" x 4" squares; since I wasn't sure how many squares I'd need I pre-cut about 50 of them to get me started and began to pop them onto the foam wreath. 

long way from being done

this is where 30 squares got me

the end of the roll :(

It was at this point that I realized I was going to need a whole lotta burlap to cover this wreath; poor planning skills on my part.  I headed back to Michael's to pick up some more; at least I got to use another 40% off coupon - have I mentioned yet that I love a good deal!?


Once I finished with the burlap I added some fall décor that I had around the house and stuck it on the front door.  

I was pretty proud of myself!

And now that winter is here and the holidays are approaching I swapped out the leaves for a wintery pine cone and some festive berries!


Ta-dah!

Happy Holidays

Never mind the boring white door; it's being painted in the Spring, Newly Acquired Husband just doesn't know it yet ;)

I love this thing, it can go with me from season to season or until I find something else on Pinterest to replicate :)

A Successful Black Friday!

Sorry I've been MIA, I've got lots going on and I can't wait to post about all of the good things I've got going on...one thing at a time; today, it's all about my recent BLACK FRIDAY experience!


Black Friday is the day following the US Thanksgiving; traditionally it marks the start of the holiday shopping season - and is the busiest shopping day of the year!  To me it's about the deals!  Every year I, along with some friends (including one very daring husband (not mine)); travel across the border to tackle the crowds in search of the best deals!  


Yes, the horror stories of being trampled and people fighting over the hottest ticket item are true.  I've never experienced them first hand and I find it crazy that people stand in line all night just to be first in the store - our group is not that hard core; the only craziness we deal with is the line up at the GAP.

I managed to get some A LOT of good gifts for myself my loved ones; I don't know how, but things that I like always end up in the shopping bags ;)  By the end of the excursion I found something for everyone on my list - I don't want to mention the gifts that I got, because most people that I bought for read this blog (or at least they better); but I think they will all be pleased!  


I can share with you these 2 deals - Newly Acquired Husband is up a pair of jeans that I found for a ridiculously good price: regularly $135 I paid $54!  And I'm up a bag full of goodies from DKNY and Banana Republic for 60% off!


Our van full of ladies and 1 man hit the Fashion Outlet Mall followed by Target and finally Walden Galleria Mall - it's one long day; but we wouldn't be able to do it if we weren't prepared.  


My tips for surviving:

1. make a list: know who you have to buy for and what you might want to get them
2. know the stores you want to check out
3. know the deals: you can find all of the deals that will be offered online
4. look for coupons: if you search you can find a coupon that will give you an even better deal than is being offered in the store
5. don't forget your patience: if you are looking for a quick shopping trip this is not the day (or weekend) for you; expect line ups, people and traffic

The best part about tackling Black Friday?  I'm done my shopping early and can enjoy the holiday season.  I already can't wait for next year.


And after all of that, I totally know what you're thinking - how does that husband travel with 4 women and spend 12 hours shopping!?  I can't answer that; I'm baffled myself!  :)

Sarah's House: Master Ensuite

I’m sure I am not the only one tuning into Sarah’s House on Tuesday nights - it’s by far my favourite TV hour each week.  This week Sarah and her side-kick Tommy tackled the master bath; I was especially excited for this episode because I am patiently waiting for Newly Acquired Husband to give me the ‘green light’ to start and plan for our bathroom renos!  I'll admit it; I've added this bathroom to my inspiration file. 

Our bathroom is not 195 sq ft; and our reno will not be nearly as extensive, but I do like elements and want to share with you this grand (and glam) bathroom. 

What's not to love???

I love the double vanity and all of the storage that it offers.  Our current vanity is small with little to no practical storage, so my our new vanity will have all sorts of drawers and doors!

I also love the natural stone and various tones of green and grey that were incorporated; it makes the space feel soothing.   

Newly Acquired Husband and I have no plans of replacing our tub, but look at the freestanding one that Sarah added…a girl can dream right!?

courtesy of HGTV.ca

I am very excited for us to (eventually) begin this project; it’s still months away, but when I get the green light I'll be ready! :)

Does the 'Hollywood' Sign Exist?

My recent trip to LA sparked a desire to try and see the Hollywood sign - you know the famous one you see in movies and every episode of 'The Hills'!?

So while riding in the back of the cab along the various freeways from LAX to my hotel I was on the lookout for this...

photo courtesy Wikimedia.org

You would think it would be easy to spot!

Naturally I was BBM'ing a close friend and shared with her my thoughts that this sign didn't exist...to my surprise she disagreed said it existed; she's actually seen it.  

Determined now more than ever to see this sign I asked my crazy cab driver which way I should look; but he was too busy weaving in and out of traffic and listening to techno beats (live from a local club) to bother answering me.

I asked the hotel concierge about the sign when I arrived she said: “oh yes, it’s right over there; you will be able to see it from the night club upstairs”.  I was excited; I would be in that nightclub the very next day - I would for sure see the sign in the morning...or so I thought.  The sign is not visible when it’s rainy and overcast :( 

I've been to LA several times and have yet to see said sign.  And yet again I was unsuccessful.  I'm pretty sure it’s just a prop that they show us for fun to create a desire.

And then…just as I was about to board my plane home; someone sent me this…

The view from Drais Hollywood

*sigh* 

Travel Tip Tuesday

I spent my day trying to get a flight to LA for this coming weekend...tip: book a flight earlier than 4 days before take off!

Typically I avoid connecting flights (I'm sure we all do) I value my time; but days like today I had to bite the bullet.  I exhausted several airlines in an attempt to find a deal - but everything was coming in at $1400 ONE WAY!  I never thought it would cost to so much to get to Hollywood.  On a regular weekend it doesn't, on a regular weekend you get a flight for about $700 total.  But this weekend is not a regular weekend, this weekend the American Music Awards are taking place, so this weekend I will need to connect.

In light of today's travel woes; it's the perfect time to share with you tips for surviving connecting flights

1.      Whether your flight is non-stop or connecting delays are inevitable; if you have to connect the last thing you need is to miss your flight, so plan ahead.  I like to leave at least two hours in between flights

2.      Pack in a carry-on; if you have a tight connection chances are your checked  luggage won’t be making it, even if you do

3.      Depending on the length of your connection you may be able to leave the airport – it’s a good time to check out a city that you may not have otherwise visited. 

4.      Check-in for both flights at the same time – remind the check-in staff of this if they don’t do this for you.

5.      Be Zen – your travel time is naturally longer when connecting, so why dwell – it will make the travel feel so much longer

So my lesson of the day – book your flight in advance, it’ll save you your precious time (and money)! ;)

Safe Travels!

PMS!

Yesterday I had the privilege to spend the day with 500 amazing ladies (and a handful of gentleman and some Firefighters) in support of women's cancers.  I volunteer my time to help with Pamper Me Senseless (PMS); and I must say it’s up there on my list of “most rewarding experiences”.

Over the past 5 years this team has worked countless hours and come together to raise over $400,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society...I am proud to say that I have been a part of it!

What is PMS you say?  It’s about the women!  It’s about surviving, sharing and laughing!  It’s about the celebration!  Ladies get to spend their time shopping, shopping and even more shopping.. They can be pampered by 4 of our lovely vendors from within our community.  Pampering includes the opportunity to get their nails, hair or make up done or sign up for a short massage.  After they have spent all of their hard-earned dollars they enjoy a delicious meal and a fashion show with collections from local stores and designers.  Up next are the silent and noisy auctions, a keynote speaker and some entertainment to round out the day.  And finally, a celebration isn’t complete without a goodie bag to take home! :)   

This year we had Carole Bertuzzi Luciani as our keynote speaker; the crowd loved her, you can find out more about her here.  I do hope that one day you will be fortunate enough to hear her speak; yesterday was a first for me and it was a moodivational!  KW Glee also wowed us – there is some serious budding talent in this area.

I enjoy volunteering I find it to be a very rewarding experience - this week I am excited to be able to volunteer with Free the Children's We Day Waterloo.  
  Here are a few photos from PMS

Main Ballroom

Main Stage

Silent Auction

Travel Tip Tuesday

I like to think that I am a well seasoned traveller - business traveller that is; and as such I'd like to pass along some of my tips and tricks to you!  I'll be doing a short post each week...on Tuesdays ;)

It's a personal goal of mine to at least attempt to travel without checking luggage; not always attainable but I certainly give it my best!  To me, it is a form of art to be able to travel light and you wouldn't believe the time it will save you once you are at the airport!

If you are not one of the blessed and lucky ones that can achieve this goal I have listed what I think are "essentials" for your carry-on.  They will make your travel smooth and hassle free – all while keeping your carry-on within the restricted weight limit ;)

My Top 10

1.       Passport and ID: You can't go anywhere without your passport - treat this as your most prized possession while on the road.  Likewise, if you have a VISA to enter a country you will want to keep this with you.

2.     Money: I like to keep my money where I can see it; in my pocket!  

3.      Itinerary and Tickets: I usually put everything into my trusty BlackBerry so I have it handy, but I also like to keep a hard copy on me just in case.  You will need this information for filling out customs forms etc

4.     Valuables: Keep your expensive jewelry with you (or leave it at home); if you like love costume jewelry like I do and wear it every day, toss this into your checked luggage.  Keep your camera with you; you just never know when you may want to capture the moment.    

5.     Toiletries: I like to keep my toothbrush and toothpaste handy (especially for longer or over night flights); I also carry my contact lens solution and make-up remover wipes to freshen up (airplane air isn't exactly skin friendly).  Be sure that any liquids you pack are under 100ml and they all fit into one small clear plastic bag or they'll snag it at security.

6.     Medications: Travel can be so unpredictable so it's good to have these on you in the event you need to take them while en route.  It's always good to have a copy of your prescription or a Dr's note too – security could be having a bad day and decide to take it out on you J

7.     Music and Headphones: I like to travel with the noise cancelling headphones myself.  You can thank me when you are sitting beside someone that snores or have a crying baby nearby.  

8.     Change of Clothes: Depending on the length of your trip you may want to throw in a quick change of clothes in so you can feel refreshed at touchdown.  I like to add my bikini when heading somewhere warm - I figure if I have this and my toothbrush I am set for the week should my luggage get lost.

9.     Hand Sanitizer: You are trapped inside of an airplane with 300 other people for x number of hours...do you know the number of germs you will come in contact with?  Certainly not the cleanest space.  I keep my travel size hand sanitizer within arm’s reach and you should too!  

10:  Laptop: *sigh* 

All of these items are light weight and easy to fit into any carry-on.  Just remember anything you bring you have to carry (it says so in the name) J  

Travel safe and travel lightly friends!  

DIY Love

So I have been dying to share with you the outcome of my VERY FIRST DIY project!

I was on the hunt for a sideboard or buffet to add some additional storage in our kitchen/dining/living space; I was able to find what I was after for a great deal on Kijiji.  It needed TLC, but I was up for the challenge!

My very first DIY in all her glory!

OK, so it doesn't look like much; and it needed way more work than I initially thought, the door on the right didn't close properly and the drawer was off the track and a little sticky.  In fact, I thought that I got ahead of myself in the 'DIY World' when I first started but it didn't take me long to realize I LOVE this world and want to be in it.

I started by stripping off all the broken pieces and then sanding down the whole thing twice OK three times.  From there I hit up Google to read about repainting furniture only to learn that there is a special kind of paint that I would need to use.  Off to Home Depot I went in search of cabinet paint (it's just a little more resilient to the wear and tear that furniture is typically accustomed too).  I brought home the paint chips to try and match to our already existing kitchen cabinets and then I was off to the races.

After a coat of primer, and 3 coats of white paint my cabinet was starting to take shape.  I added a fresh piece of panelling to the back (you can't tell in the picture, but it is there) and some new modern hardware.  I fixed the track for the drawer and added a new piece so that the door would close properly.  Newly acquired husband helped me move it inside and voilà! instant storage.

not bad for my first DIY!

I'm quite proud and learned A LOT for the next time I tackle a DIY :)

I apologize for the lack of pictures, when I worked on this I wasn't planning on posting it for all to see.  I promise to get better at the picture taking thing for future projects.

Total Cost: $75!!!
- cabinet: $45 from Kijiji
- Primer: leftovers from a previous paint job
- White Cabinet Paint: $20 (Home Depot)
- Hardware: $10 (Home Depot)

Up next, a dresser!

Fall is...

I’m probably a little bit late with this post as it is the end of October, oh well!

I have always loved the fall season, and not because it’s getting cold – I WILL be a snow bird some day when I can afford it. 

I actually love fall for so many reasons that I am not sure I can narrow it down or communicate it in a way that will make sense.  I get a warm, fuzzy feeling just thinking of the crisp air; probably because I want to crawl into a pair of jogging pants and curl up on the couch with the remote. 

Rather than write something that will likely turn into some form of rant I thought I would put it in a nice neat list.  Before you begin reading you should make a quick trip to Starbucks for a Pumpkin-spiced Latte – a surefire sign of fall. 

Neat List

Fall is my Fashion Show

Sure I have a closet full of flirty summer dresses and by mid-March I book a pedicure so that at the first sign of spring my toes are sandal ready; but come October my love for boots appears!  I LOVE boots, all of them especially when paired with some tights and a wool sweater dress…oh and skinny jeans, they look so good with skinny jeans!  

Fall is Soup, Soup and More Soup

Creamy soups, broth soups, chunky soups, and whatever is left in the fridge soups - I love them all.  Soup is a go-to meal at our house, that and grilled cheese.  My all time favourite is Butternut Squash soup, particularly the kind that my newly acquired husband’s mom cooks up :)  I'll share the recipe in an upcoming post.

Fall is my Colour

Growing up country fall looked like this; pretty colours for miles

How could you not love fall when it looks like this?

I also love all of the décor - front steps filled with mums and pumpkins, front doors with beautiful wreaths and lawns covered with leaves!  It makes my walks with Miss Manola so much more enjoyable with so much to look at.

Fall is my TV

All of my favourite shows return to continue with their juicy story lines AND my Sundays are once again dedicated to Football – Go Giants!  Does anyone else plan their schedules around what’s on TV; I find I always have a lot of plans on Wednesdays.

Fall is my 'Reset'

Something about fall shoots me into productivity mode.  I prep the house for winter *tear* and clear out clutter with one fell swoop.  I find time to reconnect with friends and family that I may not have seen over the busy summer months and get myself back into a routine (especially with my friend ‘gym’).

So there you have it, a neat list.  Feel free to share what fall is to you – I’ll read about it while curled up on my couch. :)

Wedding Fever

I cannot believe that I have been married for ONE WHOLE month…seems like yesterday that my newly acquired husband and I were chatting on MSN (every relationship starts somewhere right!?) until the wee hours of the morning. 

Being this my very first blog post, I thought I would share with you some pictures from our wedding and the events leading up to it! 

The whole process started with this beauty of a rock that my husband (I still giggle when I say the word) gave to me – it’s from his family so there is history to it and I am honoured to have received it; he had it redesigned just for me…I think he did good!

Immediately we I started making plans; venue was already decided – growing up country it was a no brainer that we would be married on my parents farm…this was non-negotiable…maybe this whole wedding planning thing wouldn’t be so hard after all.

Having event management experience I already knew that anything with the word “wedding” in it would also have a very large price tag attached to it; but I was determined to not only satisfy my very picky, glamorous taste but do it with a not so glamorous budget…good thing I also love a challenge.   

With location decided, I began with the photographer; has anyone looked into wedding booking a photographer lately, WOW I am in the wrong business!  I managed to locate Elisa from Images by Elisa; you can find her here – she was EXACTLY what I was after and she fit my budget nicely! 

I couldn't have asked for a better photographer!

Keeping with the rustic country theme we had our meal catered by Dominic at Gusto Catering and it was served up family-style.  I spent the summer scoping out garage sales and Kijiji for a great deal on serving platters and bowls that could be used for the meal, I was after non-matching, country looking dinnerware.

Flowers, gardens and grass oh my! 

I’ll mention now that I decided to place our venue (the tent) in the middle of a corn field, yes, that’s right, the middle.  So in the spring my daddo, brother and fantastic uncles had to be crafty when they were planting the corn in order to leave a space large enough for the tent – they would eventually plant the grass too! 

Measure twice, plant once

If you build it, they will come; grass being seeded

Some serious TLC was needed midsummer

My mom on the other hand spent every free moment of her summer gardening.  I left her in charge of this, my green thumb is non-existent, hers on the other hand…well, flowers were blooming in September that shouldn't have been! 

See all the wonderful hard work!?  I would need about 15 more of these to capture all of it!

The Big Day! 

After some melt downs, and tears (it rained the entire week before) we got married outside on my parent’s lawn.  I opted for a rustic feel, guests sat on cushions and bales of hay, and candles replaced traditional flowers.  My inner five year old came out during the planning process so I decided to make our guest book, welcome table décor, candle holders to light the path, center pieces and  table numbers to name a few; I won’t show them all to you, I’ll follow up with a “Wedding DIY” post!

Here are few shots of the ceremony …

The rustic ceremony setting

My Daddo walking me down the aisle...it was just what I had always imagined it would be

*sigh* ...I could just share pictures with you all day long.

We're hitched!

THE dress was purchased at Taylor’s Bridal; totally recommend; Linda will naturally become your fairy Godmother.  I had a vision when I started looking, and no one was deterring me from that, no one – Sean’s only request was that it was strapless…easy enough since I never even considered anything but!  Surprisingly it didn't take me long to ‘Say Yes to the Dress”; although, I did have to envision what it would look like on me since the size I tried on was just a weeeee bit too big (12 sizes too big); nonetheless I paid and walked out of there with the biggest smile, I was the happiest girl in the world! 

I wore wedges (perfect for walking on lawn), some bling, a feather, and left my hair down to channel my inner country music star!

I also talked Husband to be <giggle> into writing our own vows…it was the perfect touch AND they were absolutely wonderful; better than the traditional vows!  I do suggest getting ahead start, writing them the night before like we did is an unnecessary added stress :)

Reception

Keeping with the fall, rustic, country theme, I slaved in the kitchen for 6 hours made (with the help of some very wonderful ladies) our favours; caramel apples – YUM!  They fit perfectly with the meal that Dominic prepared – they based the meal on what’s was season and purchased everything local; have I mentioned that I love Gusto and that the meal was delicious!?

Husband to be and I also made our wine; fun fact: you should actually start making wine up to a year before.  We didn’t even have a year to plan; it was all happening in 8 months from when he popped the question.

The amazing home-made wine: a red Bardolino; white: Pinot Grigio

Hustle and bustle of our guests

Our tent all lit up!

So there it is, an incredibly short version of our wedding – I will expand on a couple of the DIY’s in a later post (I can’t write about everything on the first day).  I like to think that the wedding looked rustic/country yet elegant and classy; I also like to think it looked like it cost a million bucks!  Wish I could plan another one…any takers out there???