- 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 🙂
- The only way I’m curing my Caribbean hangover tonight is by watching the Oscars. I love me some red carpet fashion & awards #Oscars90
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 😛
- 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
The Sunday 7
- I spent two days this week in Toronto and I was reminded of how much I love the hustle and bustle of the city. Of course, its easier to say that when I’m not working there full-time but there really is something so intoxicating – the energy, the ideas, the inspiration.
- I’m crushing hard on these high back dining room chairs for the cottage.
- Adding some Italian Ruscus greenery in the house this week has made so much of a difference, reminding me on the coldest days that spring will one day (soon) be here :S
- I devoured this series after seeing all the Golden Globe wins and hype for the show. Let’s just say, its some captivating TV that is hard to stop watching.
- Still trying to figure out what your goals are for 2018 or how you’re going to execute on them? I watched this video by the motivating thought leader Robin Sharma, whose message “Until you personally believe that you can achieve a goal, you won’t even start the process of making it happen” so resonated with me.
- I am a huge font fan.. I seriously fan girl over beautiful fonts that I stumble upon on blogs and the internet. This ‘Pretty Pen’ font was one I recently found that I am absolutely love.
- A few days at home on the farm this past weekend led to a night of some of the best conversation and drinks (rye of course!) with the fam. We joked that at 3am, you can solve a lot of the world’s problems (or at least have fun TRYING to solve them :P). There is truly nothing better than family. They’re your people.. and they just get you.
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The Sunday 7
Happy Christmas eve! How is it already Christmas tomorrow?! My favourite time of year is here and before we know it, we’ll blink and it will be gone. Today, all I have planned is eating, baking, more eating, evening mass and spending time with the fam. This marks Blake’s first Christmas so this holiday is even more special. Enjoy the time with your loved ones! xo
- Our trip to Manitoba this week brought the most beautiful, snowy (warmer) cold weather that allowed us to spend time outdoors. I was able to get this beauty shot above before my iphone shut off from the cold temps, figures right?! We had the best time with family and I even had a chance to visit my favourite local shop, Pineridge Hollow. I grabbed this amazing smelling ‘White Pine’ candle.
- These creative ways to ‘dress up your toast’ for Christmas morning by food blogger Brittany Stager look oh so yummy. Try these tomorrow morning!
- I hope I’ve been good this year because this cool piece of new technology is on my wishlist 🙂
- Check out this cute desktop wallpaper to brighten up your computer or mobile backdrop to match the festive season. Anything plaid or checkered for me please!
- This (easy) tomato soup recipe with a grilled cheese and this will be a perfect lunch.
- Looking for a last minute Christmas idea (24 hours to go)?! This gold flatware set is beau-ti-ful!
- I love this white envelope idea for Christmas. There is so much more to the season than gift giving. I seriously love giving rather than receiving.
Merry Christmas everyone!
The Sunday 7
Inspired by Interior designer and blogger Shea McGee at Studio McGee, I’ve followed suit and started my own ‘Sunday 7’ series here on the blog. Shea was the keynote at the Blog Podium conference I attended in Toronto this past September. This series can be a fun a way to capture all of the random work + play items-articles-happenings-design inspiration-photos-thoughts that spark my interest.
Hope you enjoy!
- Loving this DIY calligraphy wrapping paper that may look ah-mazing all year round, not just under the Christmas tree.
- If you are in need of some of the cutest cards and prints, check out local Ontario gal Sarah’s Etsy shop, ‘Sweet Simplicity Paper Co.’
- I ordered matching beanies for Blake and I from Muskoka Baby, a Muskoka mom making handmade and fashionable baby products and accessories!
- If you haven’t yet read about 94-year old tweeter Harry Leslie Smith, do yourself a favour and read this fascinating article about him.
- My family and I visited the Toronto Christmas Market for the first time together this weekend, in the well-known distillery district. What a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas and take in the historic buildings in a beautiful setting. Oh and it was my first time trying mulled wine (so good!). I’ll be trying my hand at making mulled wine over the holidays with this recipe.
- We are heading west this week to visit the in-laws in Manitoba for Christmas. You’ll be able to find me in the quiet countryside, cozied up with a new good read and browsing (for hours) in my favourite little shop, Pineridge Hollow.
- The first major snowfall this weekend at home on the farm was so peaceful and calming. You could tell even Duke our farm dog enjoyed the new blanket of snow. I was able to write a blog post about this welcomed ‘quietness’ that the snow brings, I’ll be sharing next week!
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Taking a {Moment} to Pause
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:
- 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.
- 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.
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!