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Reflections & Lifestyle

Summertime Reflections

Embrace the Sun: A Guide to Thriving as Women in the Summer

School is done, summer is here. It is time to slow down and enjoy what this season has to offer. It is the perfect time to experience adventures and relax and recuperate. There are several suggestions I have to make the most of this time; before it runs out… because let’s face it… September will be here before we know it.

1. Celebrate Your Skin

I think it is important to ditch the make-up; we slather it on everyday in our work life. Summer is the opportunity to go back to our natural state. All you need is sunscreen and refreshing moisturizers! It’s also a perfect time to schedule that “treat yourself” spa pampering.

2. Fashion with Flair

Gone are the business casual outfit and replacing them are comfortable lightweight dresses, shorts and comfortable sandals. Summer is also a season of COLOUR and playfulness in terms of clothing.

3. Indulge in Seasonal Delights

Summer is my favourite “food season.” The number of fruits and refreshing drinks that are in season are staggering. What better way to enjoy them, is by having a picnic with your besties.

4. Nurture Your Mind and Body

The way I relax is to reset and go back to the intentional routines I had set earlier in the year but unfortunately abandoned, with the excuse of “I’m just too busy.” Summer is not only the season of laid back fashion and incredible food it is also the season of self-care. Reading, yoga and gardening are the top three ways that I nuture my mind and soul.

5. Explore the Great Outdoors

Summer gives me more of a chance to get outside; winters are long and rough here; and the winter blues can be severe. Summer allows me to go for walks and go fishing and camping with loved ones. It also allows me greater flexibility to see friends and go on adventures in the city or go on quick day trips.

6. Connect and Celebrate Sisterhood

Summer is the season of get-togethers. True, meaningful connection is crucial in our overly technologically connected world. Chances to participate in BBQs, potlucks, picnic and spending time on the many patios of hip restaurants abound. it is important to renew your friendships and share laughs.

7. Reflect and Renew

We often reflect at New Years, but we should and can do this more often. It is shocking how little we check in with ourselves (and others). Summer presents a really good opportunity to check in with ourselves; you can do this at the start, at the end or both. You can reflect on how your year has been to this point, what you want your summer to look like, how your summer has been and how you want to move forward into fall.

In conclusion, make the most of summer in a way that meets your needs; but make sure to stop and smell the roses.

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Health & Beauty Reflections & Lifestyle

Raw Food Diet

We made the switch to raw food for our dog and the results have been remarkable; I can’t believe we didn’t do it sooner. The brand he loves is Bold by Nature. So why did we make the switch and what changes have we seen??

  1. His coat has never been shinier .
  2. His dandruff is at a minimum which made us think perhaps it was symptomatic of allergies; and if it isn’t the food had been great for his skin regardless.
  3. He is like a puppy again; so much more energy.
  4. Trying to get him to drink water has always been a struggle; and raw food helps to keep him hydrated especially when he is super active during hunting season.
  5. He is at a more healthy weight and his weight is more consistent –he really fluctuated between summer & winter.
  6. At our last vet visit they noted that he had some tartar; it wasn’t bad but we definitely didn’t want it turning into a major dental issue; since switching his teeth look much better.
  7. We definitely were dissatisfied with the amount of fillers in his kibble since the manufacturers changed the recipe.
  8. We noticed his got stiff easily and wondered if there was wear and tear on his elbow. Since switching we haven’t noticed any limping after laying down and his hygroma has not returned –sometimes it got to be the size of a golf ball.
  9. Let’s be honest, dogs can be stinky; since making the switch not only has his breath improved (probably because of improved digestive benefits) but his farts are not longer room clearing.
  10. We have even noticed a change in his bowel movements; he is more regular and seems less constipated.
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Reflections & Lifestyle

Back to the Vault: An Ode to Strong Women

Normally, we head back to the vault later in the month, however, I couldn’t resist dipping back to 2021 in honour of International Women’s Day.

An Ode to Strong Women

How are you commemorating the day?
Who are some strong women in your life?

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Reflections & Lifestyle

The Best Things About Spring

Spring has almost sprung; and I have been so looking forward to it!! This is my top 10 list about the best things about spring.

  1. More daylight!
    *The “dark” months are really tough on me; so being able to wake up to the shining sun –there is nothing better!
  2. Snow is disappearing
    *Depending on how harsh winter was, there is usually some kicking around. Although the grass is still brown and dead, the fact that its visible and starting its process of rejuvenation is exciting!
  3. Easter
    *Spending time feasting with my family is awesome!
  4. Strawberries
    *They are in season, and so tasty!
  5. Carrots & Beets
    *They are in season –bring on the delicious salads!
  6. Tulips
  7. Spring Break
    *A week off of school to relax and reset so I can make it to summer break after toiling away on report cards!
  8. Moderate weather
    *Perfect for spending more time outdoors and resuming my walks!
  9. Turning the furnace off
    *Just another indication that we are getting closer to summer
  10. Animals
    *Of course, baby animals have to be on the list! Because, duh!

What do you love about spring?

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Reflections & Lifestyle

2024: In and Out

I am jumping on the bandwagon and making lists for what is is IN this year and what is OUT this year…

IN…

-Moisturizing daily
-10,000 steps a day
-Drinking more water
-Getting out of my comfort zone
-Reading daily
-Duolingo daily
-Organizing my bedroom
-Honesty
-Self-advocacy
-Finding new bingeworthy shows
-Dates with my husband

OUT…

-Couch potatoing
-Mindless scrolling
-Wearing uncomfortable bras
-Alcohol
-Coffee
-Worrying
-Procrastination
-Negativity/Toxicity
-Financial irresponsibility

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Reflections & Lifestyle

A Year in Review: 2023

January in Houston...

Fancy Bitches February…

March Break in Victoria…

Snow Goose Hunting in April…

Gardening in May…

Celebrating our 7th Wedding Anniversary in Style in June…

Lego Exhibit at The Muttart in July…

Afternoon Tea at the Hotel Macdonald in August….

The Importance of Being Earnest at The Citadel in September…

October’s Pumpkin Harvest with my favourite guy…

November in Banff…

The Grinch Life in December…

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Reflections & Lifestyle

Accountability Post: December 2023

Today, brings my “three goal a month” series to a close. I have managed to make some positive changes in my life, and as much as I hate to admit it; I have also fallen short this year. BUT, I never gave up and that’s what matters.

For December I wanted to “finish the year strong,” by…

1. Brushing up on my Spanish

-This is one goal I managed to knock out of the park, I am absolutely loving Duolingo. It is like riding a bicycle!

2. Implementing “No Phone Friday”

-This one didn’t turn out; mainly because I sort of forgot about it; I got 100% distracted by an upcoming project.

3. Doing an end of the year purging

-The purge was not as far reaching as I had hoped but of course I did manage to do a big pre-Christmas house clean, and it felt SOOOOOO good.

I am not sure what sort of goals I will set for myself in the New Year, but I am very much looking forward to what 2024 has in store for me. I wish you all happiness and health in the coming coming year.

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Reflections & Lifestyle

Finishing the Year Strong!

2023 was all about accomplishing three small goals each month; it was a bit of the mixed bag, but all is not lost. I had a lot of success and I definitely learned a lot. To finish this series of posts I am setting my last three goals!

  1. Brush up on my Spanish
    -I spent most of my teens learning the language and I took it in university; in fact that is my minor. I have lost my fluency. I enjoyed knowing a second language; but without using it –you lose it!
  2. No phone Friday’s
    -Rather than checking out and being a phone zombie; I’m going to relax and check out sans screen. No falling down the Instagram rabbit hole for me.
  3. End of the year purging
    -Even though I did a massive house cleanse; we seem to have accumulated more junk (stuff that doesn’t bring us joy). There are a lot of people who may need it. To de-clutter our home and ultimately our minds; we can head into the new year in a better state.
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Reflections & Lifestyle

Accountability Post: Mental Wellness Challenges

Instead of three small goals for the month of November; I participated in a bingo card style Mental Wellness Challenge –which had 20 tasks. I really enjoyed it; I liked the flexibility of having 20 tasks rather than 1 each day because if I got behind or life got in the way I wasn’t panicking to finish it. I did have to make some modifications to some of the tasks. This is how I did….

1Went to bed at 7:30 pm11Enjoyed WALKING AROUND in the sun in Banff
2Grateful for: feeling better, friends, a chance at TSwift tickets, got caught up, business season was successful, family, new books, got snow tires in time, no drama, having the best husband!12Unsubscribe from emails
3Walked up and down the driveway with the dog13CHECKED IN on 5 people
4Called my husband14Woke up 30 minutes earlier to REFLECT
5De-cluttered my desk at work15Planned a DINNER date with my bestie at El Corazon
6Took one day of social media16Went the entire day without complaining
7Set short terms goals to start journaling again, walking more, increase water intake and cut down on junk food 17Bought myself BOOTS WITH FLOWERS ON THEM
8Made a DILL PICKLE SALAD KIT18MADE TIME FOR breakfast
9Watched the sun set19Cleaned the bathroom; which I had been putting off for a long time
10Got rid of all the old pots & pans and living room lamp20MEDITATED; in order to be more present

How was your month?

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Reflections & Lifestyle

October Accountability Post

I spent this month “Fighting Fatigue” with my three goals.


1. I lightened my load by reducing the number of posts I had to prepare and that definitely made a difference because I had a lot of extra responsibilities this month. I was able to do all of them, and do them well. I can’t wait to get back to posting three times a week; especially because I start a lot of my Christmas prep/planning in November.

2. I changed the supplements that I was taking by signing up for personalized vitamin packs. I felt so amazing for the first two weeks of the month and then I got really sick. I decided to stop taking them because I wasn’t sure if I was experiencing side effects from the vitamins or whether it was a nasty flu coupled with stress. I did maintain my multi-vitamin. I am going to resume the vitamins to see what other changes I need to make for next month. The vitamin packs included…

AM PM
-Magnesium -Magnesium
-Vitamin D -Probiotic
-Vitamin B6 -L-Theanine
-Probiotic
-Zinc

3. I took in some art therapy and lunch with a best friend. It was so nice to just take a break from everything. We viewed Second Skin, Boreal Barometer, Between Things (AB Ceramics), and A Link With Nature.