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!