Work has been kind of taking over my life lately, which I really don’t mind at all, but it’s definitely been a challenge to fit life in the mix. Last night was the launch party for Movember and it sounds like it was a great night. I ended up skipping the event to have dinner with my family and it was well worth it. I love having us all together
This weekend is my first Sambassador experience and I’m really looking forward to it. Tomorrow morning Jason and I are going to Inn on the Twenty for a wine tour, dinner, overnight in a Loft Suite and then a trip to the Spa for massages. I can’t wait!
UPDATE: In lieu of the death of the Libyan Leader, here’s an article from VICE about being on the front lines of the rebel uprising, written only 4 weeks ago
Imagine living in a 16 ft wide house? You have to check out the Shaft House
With the colder weather coming almost everyone has the sniffles or even a full on cold or flu. Here’s a great list called 10 Tips for Surviving Sick Days at Home
I was devastated to hear of the suicide of 15 yeard old Jamie Hubely’s suicide earlier this week and the National Post wrote an article about how educators need to get more involved and stop the bullying.
I heard on the radio this morning that only 47.5% of the population eligible to vote in Ontario did so last night. It’s one of the lowest turnouts they’ve had in recent years and I am honestly shocked. I have to admit I almost skipped out on voting to go to an event last night, but in the end decided that I better put my money where my mouth was and get my butt to the polls.
That got me to thinking about why people didn’t vote and I think it has a lot to do with not really caring about politics in general. My view of most politicians is really not good. I think they are generally sleazy and it’s unbelievable how they fight and bully each other. I think that they can’t pay attention to making policies because they’re too busy saying bad things about each other. We really need someone strong, who will listen to the people, help improve our economy and protect our natural resources and environment. There also needs to be something done about helping people understand the platforms and policies that each party is running on. Canada needs to step up it’s Elections campaigns and get more people voting!!
It’s important to have a say and you should do it. OK enough of my rant on voting. Here’s some Show & Tell…
Happy Thanksgiving and cheers to the long weekend! Jason asked me the story behind Canadian Thanksgiving and I had to admit I wasn’t too sure. I know its to celebrate the harvest, but the only things that came to mind were Plymouth Rock, Pilgrims and the Addams Family movie where Pugsley & Wednesday destroy their camp. Here’s the official entry from Wikipedia
What a rainy, dark day we’re having. I kind of like being inside all toasty and warm, wrapped in in a sweater and working away on my laptop.
Last night I surprised Jason with homemade soup (with chicken in his portion) and homemade jam. I was very domestic I absolutely LOVE cooking and making meals from scratch. It’s a little tricky to feed a vegetarian and a meatatarian in one meal but I’m getting the hang of it. The soup was really yummy and we’ll get to try the jam tonight! Watch for the recipes in future Monday Munchies posts, which are going back to regular weekly scheduling!
Here is a bunch of Show & Tells that I’ve found over the last little while:
PostIt Wars – people being super creative with PostIt Notes is really neat
Ebay has a section where you can buy spells, I had no idea! I could’ve been selling spells for years. Here’s one that Regretsy found Vampire Transformation Spell
Kat George from Thought Catalog wrote an article on period sex – honestly I know it’s kind of gross for you boys to think about (and sorry Mom & Dad) but I think that you should read it and share it with boys.
Unbrelievable posted 50 Rules for Dads of Daughters last week and it made me cry the first time I read it. I just read it again while posting and the tears welled up again. I’m very happy to say that my Dad has done everything on this list and I’m a really lucky girl to have a man like that to look up to and measure my suitors against. Think I’ve found a great man now
I love Kanye West’s 808 & Heartbreak album. Emma at The Awl wrote a very thoughtful piece on the album and what it meant to hip hop. Love her views.
Have you seen MulletJunky.com yet – I actually got lost in this site for at least an hour looking at and reading about the various mullets. Pure Gold.
Todd Maffin is a blogger and a recovering alcoholic. His post Why Addicts Like Amy Winehouse & I Can’t Just Quit is a really important read for anyone who is dealing with addiction – whether it be yourself or someone you love.
And lastly today I’ll leave you with a video of a few PSA’s on bullying from Perez. We all need to be responsible for our actions online and IRL. Stop Bullying Now!
Can you believe it’s Labour Day weekend already? It’s kind of bittersweet, the end of summer. It has been a pretty busy and fun summer and I’m going to miss it, but I’m really looking forward to Fall and moving forward with everything. I’ve been in a perpetual summer it seems, since January of this year and yesterday felt like the beginning of another new chapter.
This weekend is going to be all about relaxing. I’m going to unplug and not make any plans and see where the weekend takes me. Do you have any plans this weekend?
If you’re working today I’ve got some pretty good time waster links for Show & Tell. I’ve got a double dose of them since I was too busy last week to post.
Toronto’s City Council is currently looking to reduce the budget and they are proposing changes like reducing service quality (making emergency response time over 2 hours), eliminating pet licenses and even contracting out the services. Please sign this petition to let City Council know that it’s important to YOU as Torontonian that TAS remain public and well-funded!
Here are some interesting vintage photos of rockstars in their bathing suits. Some of them are pretty awkward and wait til you David Bowie…
Recently I stumbled upon A Beautiful Mess and it’s been added to my Google Reader. Elsie is the writer and she wrote 5 Tips for Better Self Portraits and anyone who is taking their own photos should read it.
Have you guys seen my sister Kristin’s online clothing collection and store? Hate and Heartbreak is the name and they have “clothes for the bruised and broken”
Wow. This photoset simply called Cool Places is absolutely breathtaking. I can’t imagine some of these things are still standing and where are they?
Elle.com have a great list called 25 Beauty Tips Reusing Household Items. I’m definitely going to try the olive oil and egg yolk hair mas and trick for old buttons!
“I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me.” and more quotes by Hunter S. Thompson
The Hairpin is another great site on my Google Reader and they show you How to Make Ice Cream Without A Machine – definitely going to try this. Maybe this weekend…
Marc from Marc and Angel Hack Life has a really nice post on 60 Ways to make Life Simple Again – I think we could all use a bit of help simplifying. Things definitely get too hectic at times.
The past two weeks have been pretty crazy with my new job. I’m loving it here and am so glad I made the decision to find something new. I wanted to get a contest up this week for you but as you might have noticed I’ve been a little quiet on the blog but very active on Twitter!
It’s hard to believe that it’s getting close to the end of summer. I’ve kinda been in a perpetual summer climate since November of last year so I’m a little nervous for the cooler weather to come. It’s been a pretty amazing, crazy and hectic summer, getting back into the Toronto groove, living in a ridiculously small apartment with my man and starting a new job and reorganizing my agency. But no complaints! I absolutely love where things are going and can’t wait for what’s next!
Today the CNE opens and this really signifies that summer is coming to an end. I want to take Jason and actually experience the Midway AND I can’t wait to watch the AirShow – what’s your favourite part about the CNE?
I’m a self-diagnosed insomniac. My dad has it and I just can’t seem to sleep through a night. I’ve stopped having caffeine after 8:00pm and these Five Foods That Will Harm Your Sleep . If you have any tips and tricks to sleep better PLEASE SHARE!!
We’re being inundated with social networks, but I think you should check out this recco from Raymi – She’s Connected
Today’s Show & Tell is inspired by a post I read this morning on Raymi’s blog. I have been fortunate enough to jump into the world of blogging & social media and made some really great connections and friends. Today I want to highlight the blogs of the amazing women I have met IRL and those that inspire me on a daily basis.
First off, if you haven’t read any Raymi you really need to start. Hers is the first blog I ever read and she inspired me from the beginning to start my own. I went from fangirl to friend after I semi-stalked her at a “How To Be Famous On The Internet” speaking engagment. Girl you are a pioneer and I think you are an amazing woman. Thanks for being there to talk to me when my shit hit the fan last Oct.
You’ve all seen this little blondie mentioned in my posts and out at events. Casie Stewart writes a daily lifestyle blog and it is a very sunny and positive site. We met when I invited her to be media for IndieWeek 2009 and have been BFF ever since. I <3 you tons and thanks for putting some sunshine into my day
Oh Miss Currybomb – what can I say about her? We have been friends since we were quite young and reconnected in the city a few years ago. Your blog is always interesting and I love how you write. Thank you for listening to my crazyness and for bbm’ing me to check out the latest “WTF is she doing now”
KeriBlog aka The Canadian Explorer aka #Olympics correspondent for 2010 – a girl who loves Canada, tech & security. Your videos entertain me and make me smile, the safety and security tips you’ve posted are always added to my “To Try” and I think you are an amazing woman. Thanks for being you
Lauren O’Nizzle – friendly, blonde internet kid. I freakin’ love reading your blog and you make me lulz on the daily. Your internet slang is ridiculous and your photoshopped pics and gifs make me want to learn how to do it. You also have the best About Me page I think I’ve ever read
Ok – maybe I should have called this the blonde girl brigade post instead…
My pink hair inspiration came from Gala Darling – I had always wanted pink hair but never enough guts to do it. And then I came across her blog and her self-love attitude was beyond inspiring. I totally purchased her e-book/podcast series “Love and Sequins” and I thoroughly enjoyed her ideas and advice. Read her blog for a dose of self-love, awesome fashion sense and thoughtful articles.
Zoetic Ebb is my latest girl crush. Not only is she ethereally gorgeous, she is an amazing artist and photographer. I love her style and design asthetic and her most recent project D4RT – a mobile art class that aims to bring workshops and public art projects to impoverished communities all over the world, with its first installment to take place in September of 2011 in Yantaló, Peru - is currently in need of funding and you should donate if you can.
love Maegan is a California girl who is gorgeous and crafty. She makes the most amazing DIY crafts, outfits and accessories called Maeg-It yourself and I love her daily outfit posts. Maegan has great style in both her clothing and home and I love seeing her inspirations and finished projects. She is inspiring me to be more crafty and to try and make things myself.
And last, but certainly not least, is Ree from The Pioneer Woman – this might not be the kind of thing you’d expect me to read looking at the other bloggers her, but this is one of my all time favourite blogs I’ve come across. Ree is a city girl turned ranch mom & wife and I kind of want her life. I love reading about her family and life on a ranch in the midwest. I hope one day to make it out there to see for myself. I love reading about her brother Mike and the impact he has on the community around him. It is the blog I go to when I’m in need of some relaxtion or peace and I just LOVE IT
I read many more blogs and my Google Reader list has about 60 on it but these are my daily must-reads. I love that some of you have become friends IRL and everyone inspires me and makes me want to continue to create and write my own site.
Last night Jason and I went to Echo Beach to see Morgan Cameron Ross open for Third Eye Blind. I had no idea that they were playing until we got there and Morgan asked the crowd if they were excited to see them! We had rushed down after work and made it in time to see the last few songs of his set. If you haven’t checked out his music yet you should get on it. Luckily I got to hear my two favourite songs “My Brother Went To Prison” and “Let It Go”.
We went over to say hi after his set and got CD’s and VIP passes (Thanks Morgan!) so we headed over to the VIP area and had some food and beer to watch Third Eye Blind. They started off the set with Motorcycle Drive By and then played a couple old and new songs. The crowd was pretty much all people who were teenagers in the 90′s. Average age of 30 for sure. Haha, such a nostalgic night. I hadn’t been to Ontario Place since last summer and it was really fun night.
This weekend we’re going camping and I can’t wait! I haven’t been since I was in Grade 9 with Sam Denomme and it’s Jason’s first time camping in Canada! Thank goodness for a long weekend because I have been working way too hard lately Do you have any plans this long weekend?
Here’s Show & Tell to distract you til it’s time to go home!
Some rich parents are spending ridiculous amounts of money (up to $200,000) to build playhouses for their children. And yes, they are nicer then my apartment.
Working from a home office has seen me have my share of meetings at a local coffee shop. Sometimes you get people that just have a clue how to work in a public space, so luckily Mashable has compiled The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Coffee Shop Etiquette
I love looking at things and finding their “faces” and no I don’t think that objects have feelings but these 15 Anthropomorphic Objects are pretty cute.
I am always reading and learning how to use different tools for web, photo and design and these Photo Retouching Tips And Tricks In Photoshop from Smashing Magazine were really helpful
Another great site I’ve found recently with tutorials for learning about web design is HTML Dog
Since moving back to Toronto there are two of us in a pretty small apartment. I’ve been looking for ideas on how to make the best of our small space (and lack of storage) and came across the Apartment Therapy blog. I LOVE it and you should check it out for some inspiration.
And last, but not least, today I’ve got an Infographic from Mashable called The History of Email
What a great week! The weather was beautiful – except for yesterday which was a little too hot – but I really can’t complain because it could be winter I had a couple disappointing things happen which almost put me in a funk, but then I thought about them and it just made me want to work harder to achieve my goals. Got to catch up with some of my favourite people at the Murphy’s patio and spent some really good, quality time hanging out with my man.
This weekend we’re supposed to go up north to a pool party and then I have a bridal shower on Sunday but today my bro suggested camping and I’m kinda hoping we can do that instead. I haven’t been camping in YEARS. Like so long I can’t even remember the last time. I’m a pretty good camper, having been through the whole Girl Guides thing – all the way up to Pathfinders. I can waterproof a sleeping bag like it’s nobody’s business. I am desperate to go swimming again. I have to say that I really miss living on the Gulf of Mexico and being able to go to a beach whenever I want.
I’m running out of time to post today so here goes:
I love horses and when I saw this article on Wild Konik ponies in England I had to share
There has been a lot of stress around myself and my life lately and I’m really not one to take pills, so when I saw Fifteen Most Fabulous Herbal Sedatives it was a blessing in disguise. I drink Chamomile Sleepytime tea and have a lavender essence spray by The Body Shop that is amazing.
Update – HOLY CRAP IT TAKES FOREVER TO LOAD MY BLOG – I’m working on a brand new design/layout and will get the loading time fixed as well. Hopefully the new site will launch August 1st!
Summer in the city and life is good! What do you have planned for the weekend?
The Beaches Jazz Festival starts today with concerts at Woodbine Park and runs through July 24th. Next weekend is the Queen Street closure and band’s play all weekend in the street! Here is a printable PDF of the schedule
Tonight at The Sound Academy my friends Rebel Emergency are opening for ska/reggae legends Toots and the Maytals – Jason and I are going and I can’t wait to see the show!
I’m hoping to get out of the city and go cottaging or camping and I hate using bug spray. The Hairpin posted this great article on Making Your Own Pleasant-Smelling Natural Insect Repellent. I’m going to try it and please let me know if you do as well.
Photographer Richard Cormen was invited by an then unknown singer named Madonna to photographer her in and around her NYC home. The beginning of an icon.
Oh gawd. You have to look at the photos in the Awkward Stock Photography blog. They are just so ridiculous.
Now this is kind of scary but very interesting. A factory in Germany is using robots and computers to to grow skins cells that they hope will one day be able to be transplated. Umm… yeah.
Most people I know are in debt, myself included. I’ve been working dilligently to manage it and get it paid off and when I came across this article from The Consumerist Reader Pays Off $14,330 In 20 Months I decided to use it as my guide.
That’s it for this week. Hope you have a great weekend and I’ll blog you again soon!
What a whirlwind week! Working downtown above the Hyatt for the next month, which is really great. NXNE & NXNEi (didn’t get a media pass this year, but ended up as a delegate). Cleaning, organizing, unpacking and moving in preparation for Jason’s arrival next week! I am so excited for him to be here and to show him our city. In case you haven’t noticed I have a big heart on for Toronto lately. The next three days are going to be crazy NXNE, concerts, gifting lounge, MMVA’s, Father’s Day. Phew!
I’ve got a whole pile of Show & Tell stuff saved up over the past couple months. My first since moving back to Toronto. Today’s is a big one
You may have heard by now that studies show sitting down in offices all day is VERY BAD for your health. I’ve been standing more and as soon as I unpack my big yoga ball I’ll go back to sitting on it. Here are some other great seat ideas from Mashable
“If we were playing Russian roulette and had one bullet, I randomly spun the chamber and fired but nothing was fired, would you rather fire the gun again or respin the chamber and then fire on your turn?” – this and other crazy interview questions asked at Wall Street job interviews
Peter Bregman wrote a really interesting post on the Harvard Business Review on why he retunred his iPad after a week. I’d love to know your thoughts on iPad and tablets in general. Worth it? Time wasters?
Today I learned that one of my friends is taking a sabbatical to Israel at the end of summer. I recommend that EVERYONE do this at some point. I was more or less on one (but with the work part) in Florida the past six months and it did wonders for my head and heart. Here are 7 Reasons to Take a Sabbatical from Work to Travel
I admire Anna Wintour and IMO her influence has made her THE most powerful woman in Fashion. Here is a great article by Wall Street Journal on “Brand Anna” via Nubby
“Be Gentle With Your Parents” – this is a good reminder for all of us. I am very guilty of getting frustrated easily and not always talking the nicest to my parents. I have amazing ones and they don’t deserve the attitude that they still sometimes get from me (and my siblings).
My cell phone is now my only phone line and I have really been trying use my headset when talking on it, instead of holding it to my ear. You should too. Read This –> Cellphone Radiation May Alter Your Brain
Last but not least – if you haven’t seen the video of 9-year old Robert Jeffrey’s dancing to Vogue then here’s your chance. He kills it!
That’s it for this week my friends. I’m off to finish up my workday, then move more stuff and out to NXNE for the night!
