• Home
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Social Media & Services
  • Contact

The Passionate Voice

The Sunday 7

March 25, 2018 • Lifestyle, Travel

Oh, Sunday’s. 

1. We saw Nelly this past week. Like the rapper. Who say ‘Hot in Here.’ Yes, it was epic. Like circa 2004 epicness that made my high school-University self sing WAY too loud. It was the best $45 I’ve spent in a while. It reminded me how we need more of those random nights out with friends that turn out to be the best nights.

2. I have a day in Toronto planned for some work-related things and meet-ups.. a day in the big city sans babe is what my heart needs right now.

3. This tote has my heart swooning. I’m just wondering if it’s big enough to hold all of my stuff.. and Blake’s stuff :S

4. Now that Spring may be here (the last two weekends have been sunny and made me hopeful here in Guelph!), I’m wondering where the Instagram spring stickers are now?!! Come on #Instagram!

5. If we’re talking about Spring, a good ol’ ‘Spring clean’ of the house is necessary. I found this handy list of one item you can do each day for a month to get your place clean super helpful.

6. A place we forget to clean that we use daily? Our smartphones. I used this list to give the iphone a good clean tonight!

7. Talk about a fun-filled week, we celebrated the upcoming nuptials of my girl Mac at The Fancy Design Co with a girls night out. It was wildly fun, I wouldn’t expect anything else from our group of friends. A night out with the gals celebrating one of the best people I know was SO needed after a week of Blake being sick with a cold. We had dinner at Gilt in Kitchener and oh yum, was that menu amazing.

{Photo Source}

Leave a Comment Lifestyle, Travel 2018, Blog452, Christina Crowley-Arklie, Cleaning, Discover Ontario, Evernote, Gilt, Instagram, iPhone, Kitchener, Nelly, Passionate Voice, Smartphone, Social Media, Spring, Spring Cleaning, Sunday, Sunday 7, The Fancy Design Co, The Passionate Voice, The Sunday 7, The Sunday Seven, Toronto, Travel

The Sunday 7

March 4, 2018 • Lifestyle, Travel

  1. After spending the last 7 days in 25+ degree heat in Jamaica, to say I’m ready for spring is an understatement. I’m just thankful after returning today that we didn’t have to dig ourselves out from under snow. Our recent getaway was the reason why I was quiet on social media and boy did it feel good to disconnect. It reminded me that I can function in my own head, away from all the distractions. And when I chose to use my phone or laptop, it was on *my* terms. Such a liberating feeling! I’ll be sharing more about our trip on instagram this coming week 🙂
  2. The only way I’m curing my Caribbean hangover tonight is by watching the Oscars. I love me some red carpet fashion & awards #Oscars90
  3. Back to spring being around the corner, daylight savings time is this coming weekend AND the other sign that spring is close by? All the maple syrup festivals across Ontario are starting to take place including my local hometown Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival this weekend. Can’t wait!
  4. It was the best feeling changing my laptop desktop wallpaper calendar to March. Here are some cute ideas for your desktop wallpaper here, here and here.
  5. While on holidays, I finished  Joe Biden’s book, “Promise Me, Dad.” What a gut wrenching, page turning read it was – so good! I’m now re-reading Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” which I have already dog-eared so many pages.
  6. The only other thing that made coming back from Jamaica somewhat bearable? Getting my Spring issue of Magnolia Journal in the mail… oh, and a Big Mac 😛
  7. And just to make my travelling heart feel a bit better about getting back from a much-needed trip like Jamaica? My mind is already wandering, thinking about possibly planning a solo spring trip to somewhere like New York, Chicago or Montreal. Seems like a lot with a young babe but I’m feeling so inspired by travelling #Wanderlust

Leave a Comment Lifestyle, Travel 2018, Award Show, Blog452, Books, Calendar, Chicago, Christina Crowley-Arklie, Daylight Savings, Desktop Wallpaper, Discover Ontario, Fashion, Holidays, Instagram, Jamaica, Joe Biden, Leadership, Life, Magnolia Journal, Maple Syrup, Maple Syrup Festival, March, Montreal, New York, Oscars, Oscars90, Passionate Voice, Promise Me Dad, Reading, Reads, Rural Ontario, Simon Sinek, Social Media, Spring, Start with Why, Sunday 7, The Passionate Voice, The Sunday 7, To Read, Travel, Travelling, Wanderlust, Warkworth

The Sunday 7

January 28, 2018 • Food for Thought, Lifestyle, Travel

  1. If only it was March right now and this beautiful sunny, Sunday was an indication that Spring was here. Unfortunately, looks like we may have to brace ourselves for some more winter weather (I mean, it is January still). In the meantime, I am enjoying as much time outdoors as possible and snapped this photo above on the city limits of Guelph overlooking the countryside #MyFavouriteViews #RemindsMeOfTheFarm
  2. I  can’t wait to try out this Mexican restaurant in Waterloo that I read about in Toque magazine, a free amazingly-designed magazine I found (for free!) in my local Balzacs in Guelph.
  3. I purchased this refreshing face mist from The Body Shop over the holidays and I’m loving it! Its the perfect mid-day pick up.
  4. I also recently bought these beauties (thanks to Winners!) and can’t wait to get to wear these.. in bare feet, with warm, sunny weather.. sometime soon hopefully #dreaming
  5. This place in Prince Edward County for a creative genius retreat looks ah-mazing! Who wants to hit the road and go with me for a weekend of brainstorming, writing and no cellphones (only for photos of course!)
  6. How is it February in 4 days?! We have lots of exciting plans in store for the next month. To keep me organized (and happy every time I open up my laptop), I found this cute February desktop wallpaper.
  7. Bell Let’s Talk Day is coming up this week on Wednesday, January 31st! Be sure to participate on social media if you can or at least watch some of the awesome shows that will be airing featuring real-life people talking #MentalHealth#EndtheStigma

Leave a Comment Food for Thought, Lifestyle, Travel 2018, Balzacs, Bell Let's Talk Day, Blog452, Christina Crowley-Arklie, City Limits, Country, Design, End the Stigma, Explore Ontario, Fashion, February, Food for Thought, Graphic Design, Guelph, Inspiration, Kate Spade, Mental Health, Mexican Food, Organize, Prince Edward County, Rural, Shoes, Spring, Sunday7, The Body Shop, The Passionate Voice, Toque Magazine, Travel, Travel Ontario, Winners, Winter

“Embrace Bold:” My 2018 Buzzwords

January 8, 2018 • Agriculture, Career, Communication, Lifestyle, Social Media, Travel

This is a big post for me.

Not only is this my first post of 2018 but this is my first ever PODCAST! (Can you hear my excitement through the cap locks?!)

Starting a podcast was a goal I had in 2017 but I kind of had a baby, so I wasn’t able to get around to getting this goal done. BUT, I’m kickstarting 2018 off in the best way possible and I’m making my first post here on the blog, my first podcast!

2017 – Beautiful Chaos

In my first episode, I reflect on 2017 and the 5 goals I committed to achieving last year. I’m happy to say, I accomplished 4/5 of my goals but by far, the best thing we did in 2017 was welcome our healthy baby boy Blake in May!! He is by far the greatest thing we’ll be able to say we EVER did. Its incredible to think love creates life like this. I summarized last year as ‘Beautiful Chaos’ but I also stuck to my buzzwords ‘Adapt and Adjust.’ Isn’t that what parenthood is all about.. adjusting and adapting… all.the.time?!

2018- Embrace Bold 

I also share in my first episode, my 2018 buzzwords which are ‘Embrace Bold.’ This was partly inspired by the Little Book of Hygge and Oprah’s recent Golden Globes acceptance speech which if you haven’t saw it yet, you can watch it here or read the full transcript here. Based on this mantra of ‘Embrace Bold,’ I’m also sharing my 5 goals for 2018 on the podcast.

Take a listen to my first podcast by clicking on the play button directly below. I hope you enjoy listening and I’d love to hear what you think.

Oh and by the way, HAPPY 2018! 

 

 

Leave a Comment Agriculture, Career, Communication, Lifestyle, Social Media, Travel #MeToo, #TimesUP, 2018, 2018 Goals, Agriculture, Bestselling Books, Blog 452, Christina Crowley-Arklie, Communication, Dreams, Food for Thought, Goal Setting, Goals, Golden Globes, Inspiration, Job, Life, Lifestyle Blogger, Mantra, Mark Manson, Motherhood, New Year, Oprah Winfrey, Parenthood, Passionate Voice, Passionate Voice Podcast, Podcast, Rural Ontario, Side Business, Side Hustle, Social Media, The Passionate Voice, Travel, Women

Taking a {Moment} to Pause

October 22, 2017 • Communication, Lifestyle, Social Media, Travel

This fall has been one of a kind. Fall in the agriculture world (my daily profession) is always a busy time of year. Harvest, Fall fairs, Ontario Agriculture Week, AGM’s and trade shows. Add a baby, some speaking gigs and travel (not to mention life!) into the mix and a whole new meaning to busy comes to mind.

I was on the road earlier this fall travelling here and there to attend events where I had the opportunity to speak and see industry colleagues, friends and even blog readers (hi Mary!).  This is something I have valued so much since becoming a mother – the opportunity to get out of the house and talk with others about things beyond motherhood. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a new mom but there is nothing like keeping the brain stimulated beyond the baby talk of goo goo gagas and talking current events, agriculture or anything for that matter.

One thing I’ve also come to value and be more conscious of this fall is my use of social media.

Because social media is what I do for a living and the means to which I consume most of my news and keep in touch with people, I’ve wanted to ensure I’m using it with the best of intention. I don’t want to find myself aimlessly scrolling through social channels *just because* especially now that Blake is here.

Having a child has also made me question everything I post on social media for fear of the unknown – could/if photos of your baby appear somewhere you (or they) never expected one day? Because we’re writing the social media books as we speak (and they’re ever-evolving!), its hard to know where pictures of your kids and content could surface. I’ll be blogging more about this in coming weeks.

When smartphones were becoming a *thing* only a few short years ago, nothing bothered me more than watching someone at a public event have their face buried in their phone scrolling through their Facebook or Instagram channel. I didn’t want to be that person. Heck, I entered the workforce at a time when the etiquette was to not even bring your phone(s) into meetings. That definitely dates me… and that wasn’t even a decade ago (face palm)!

I’ve made two simple changes this fall that have really helped me disconnect when needed and feel like I’m in control of my social media and phone, not the other way around:

  1. I have disconnected my email account from my phone. Every time I want to check my emails now, I have to go to safari and log in to my account which makes it more time consuming to do, hence limiting how many times a day I check my emails. Also, not waking up every morning to that red bubble telling me the number of emails I have waiting for me before the day has even begun has felt transformational.
  2. I downloaded the Moment app to track my screen time usage. I have been able to see how much I use my phone and know which apps are the most time consuming. I have been able to set daily limits on how much I use my phone and it then sends me reminders before it locks me out of my phone if I’ve went beyond the limits I’ve set. Wild stat: the average person spends 4 hours a day on their smartphone! I know, crazy right?!

Having the independence away from my phone has been a mind game changer. Social media is an incredible tool if you use it to your advantage, not let it be all consuming.

Social media is an incredible tool if you use it to your advantage, not let it be all consuming.

Click To Tweet

As a communications professional, you have to stay on top of the social media game in terms of what’s new/trending and actively use platforms to engage. But you can do it in a strategic, manageable, less mind-numbing way. And, your smartphone data bill will thank you, I know mine sure has. Not to mention, a more healthy personal lifestyle will surely follow if your making memories and not documenting *every* personal detail of what you ate, wore, did while showcasing your selfie game for the millionth time. Unless of course, if that’s how you making a living or its what you love doing, then social media it up!

Leave a Comment Communication, Lifestyle, Social Media, Travel 2017, Agriculture, App, Baby, Blog 452, Blog452, Business, Christina Crowley-Arklie, Communication, Email, Facebook, Fall, Inbox, Instagram, Life, Millennials, Moment, Motherhood, Parenthood, Side Business, Side Hustle, Smartphone, Social Media, The Passionate Voice, Travel, Travelling, Twitter

Next Page »




Twitter Email Instagram LinkedIn
* indicates required
Email Format
Tweets by @CCrowleyArklie
Load More...
Follow on Instagram

Categories

  • Agriculture (39)
  • Book Review (2)
  • Career (43)
  • Communication (76)
  • Food for Thought (26)
  • Inspiration (58)
  • Leadership (48)
  • Lifestyle (56)
  • Making a Difference (60)
  • Public Speaking (48)
  • Social Media (45)
  • Travel (20)

Recent Posts

  • We’re Live {at our new home}
  • 6 Lessons Learned #onthecampaigntrail
  • A Changing of {Life} Seasons
  • Tuesday Thoughts
  • 7 Ways to Manage Your Digital Footprint
alt text here

copyright 2014 the passionate voice | design + development by kory woodard