Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Wishlist Wednesday

Home Decor





This time around, my Wednesday Wishlist is [obviously] home decor themed. Usually I stick to funny tshirts, jewelry, etc. but right now I'm focused on my house. I wish I could just go to IKEA, Pier 1 and Wicker Emporium and pick out anything at all that I want! If I could afford everything on the list above, I'd definitely buy them all!

My Wednesday Wishlist posts are stolen/inspired by Mo from Fleur de Moi. I love this girl! She's fun, funny, and has a really fun blog. She's also been a long-standing supporter of my blog which I could not appreciate more.


Mo's a New Orleans gal who loves pizza and cats. So, obviously, we are sou mates. Pop on over to Fleur de Moi and see what she's got on her Wednesday Wishlist this week!



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Monday, June 17, 2013

June edition of Literary Junkies

Welcome to the June edition of Literary Junkies! Every Tuesday, we book-loving bloggers get together to chat about our favourite books, authors, and all kinds of other bookish hooliganry! Join in on the fun!

This month's link-up questions are:

1.  What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.
2. Who is your favorite book character and why?
3. What would the title of your memoir be?
4. Cast your favorite book characters for the movie version.
5. What book or series do you remember reading as an elementary/middle school age?

This link-up is brought to you by:


Follow Taylor! Follow Lesley! Follow Jacquelyn!


This month, we've got a special treat for all Literary Junkies link-up participants! All participants can enter to win this beautiful print from KV's Design Studio! After you link up your post, be sure to scroll down to fill out the Rafflecopter to win!


This beautiful print is sold at KV's Design Studio:




To enter the giveaway, first link up your post. Then, scroll down a little ways to get to the Rafflecopter.



Now that you've linked up, enter the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Alright, I guess I should post my answers to the link up questions now, eh?  

1.  What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.


I only have one book on the go right now. Usually I have a couple! I'm reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton which was oh-so kindly gifted to me from the blogger Rachel from Front Row Seat! She loved this book so much that she was nice enough to pass a copy on to me! I'm half-way through and am enjoying it. I'm just waiting for the mystery to really start unfolding!

2. Who is your favorite book character and why?

Holy macaroni... who approved these questions?! Haha. This is hard! But I absolutely love this question and can't wait to see everyone's responses!

Part of me is tempted to say Chelsea Handler... she's so damn funny! And she's actually real. Another part of me wants to say Caitlin Moran because she's also so damn funny but she's so real and makes me feel better about myself! Yes, I realize neither of these people are "characters" per say. So, if I have to pick a fictional character, I pick Bridget from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I loved reading her story; I think I partly because I admire her but then at the same time also because I identify with her. Annnddd I also wish I looked like the actress who player her in the movie.


3. What would the title of your memoir be?

Women Fart, Too.


Haha! I don't know.
4. Cast your favorite book characters for the movie version.

Hmm this is a really tough question. I'd have to say that Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum is my favourite book of the moment. It's a WWII story set in Germany that gives the story of what it was like to be a German civilian during the war. Because I love Rachel McAdams I'm tempted to cast her as the young mother... but, really, a story like this needs no-name actors. I think small-time actors would give this book more credibility since historical stories aren't often with big actors.


5. What book or series do you remember reading as an elementary/middle school age?


Do you remember these books?! The California Diaries?! They were the best! I have always loved reading anything written in journal form. And the fact that every book had a different font?! Hells yes. Sign me up! Sometimes I still get the urge to go back and read this series! I only ever read like 5 of the books when I was young because they were so small and I didn't wanna spend $7 to buy a new one every week.


Happy reading! I can't wait to read all of your link-up posts!

Grab our button! Join our online book club!
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Celebrate summer stolcise!


I'd like you all to meet Megan, the beautiful blogger behind the blog Live Well and Breathe as well as the shop Brass Key Closet! She's here to chat about the upcoming summer solstice (on Friday!) which I'm quite excited about since I know nothing about solstices. Read along with me!

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Summer solstice is a meaningful time for my close-knit group of girlfriends and I. Solstice usually falls sometime between June 20 -  22 (this year, it's Friday, the 21) and is the longest day of the year, marking the official shift from spring into summer.

All around is thriving abundance of light and of life (my patio herb garden seems to grow exponentially in size with the passing of each day!). People everywhere are intoxicated by the arrival of more and more vitamin D-soaked days, looking forward to holidays and gatherings and summer music festivals.

Three summers ago, when my girlfriends and I planned our first getaway to a Gulf Island cabin, we did so because we recognized it would probably be the last chance for us to connect meaningfully before the onset of the energetic summer season; the chance re-calibrate and power up. Anytime I'm with these girls, I am immediately transported to the present moment - what Eckhart Tolle refers to as "the power of Now". Simply being. It's what makes our coming together so extraordinary, and why I feel so exceptional for weeks afterwards. And because of this, an annual summer solstice retreat is now a tradition of ours. The recipe for an amazing solstice retreat is simple... We always take care to make a decadent but wholesome meal. Fresh caesar salad and buns warmed on the barbeque. Chilled bottles of white wine or dewy cider or non-alcoholic herbed lemonade (recipe posted below!).

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Twilight lasts forever on the day's longest year, and that first solstice at the cabin, we wandered to the lake's floating raft and practiced our tree poses while watching flourescent sky melt into flourescent water for what felt like a beautiful eternity.

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We returned to the cabin's patio when bats began to dart past, and sat outside with glasses of wine, laughing until our guts ached. When we were ready to move inside, we lit tealights and read fortunes and laughed some more, until sleepiness finally won out. The rest of the weekend carried on at the same exquisite pace.

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Warm cinnamon rolls and coffee on the patio for breakfast; a visit to a local artisan to sample variations of goat cheese; and a lunchtime picnic at the island's provincial park,  basking seaside on boulders, spreading smoked salmon cream cheese on chewy bagels.

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I cannot explain how deeply restorative and meaningful our solstice retreats are for me (for us!); can't urge you enough to try it for yourself! Last year's solstice rained torrentially, and we were disappointed at first - bought a potted sunflower to make up for the absence of actual sun, and met at one of our own house's instead of the lakeside cabin. We soon realized, though, that the weather couldn't prevent our being transported again to that extraordinary present moment. We lit candles and a small fire in the woodstove, which helped remove the dampness and fill the high-ceiling-ed living room with glorious warmth. Late into the night we impulsively decided on yoga, indulging in quiet meditation and gentle poses as the rain drummed rhythmically on the skylight. When it was time for bed, we dragged our air mattresses to the living room and camped by the fire's remaining embers, falling to sleep almost instantaneously. I don't think there's any one specific way to celebrate the summer solstice, so long as you welcome the chance to be kind to yourself and honour the incredible plenitude that abounds this time of year. My friends and I are already counting down to this year's retreat, the grand finale to my week off of work. Come rain or shine, we will be together to celebrate the shift in seasons. I hope you'll celebrate with us. ...

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I first tried herbed lemonade during a road trip last summer, when my sister bought it from a local cafe. It's versatile and refreshing and can be as lavish or low-key as you like.

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You'll need lemonade, obviously. You can buy a can from concentrate or, if you find that a bit sweet for your liking, you can prepare your own blend. From Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance": "Boil two cups of granulated sugar and one cup of water with the rinds of three lemons cut into thin strips for five minutes."

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"Let the syrup cool and add the juice of eight lemons."

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"Strain and store in a covered container in the refrigerator. Use two tablespoons of the syrup for every glass of ice [so, assess how many cups your pitcher will pour] or carbonated water to make lemonade."

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Add a variety of fresh herbs to a large juice pitcher.

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The possibilities are truly endless: rosemary, lemon balm, mint, lavender - customize to your liking! Put a hefty handful of herbs in, and muddle gently with a wooden spoon (I don't like to be too aggressive here, because I like the herbs to be pretty still).

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Add your lemonade to your pitcher of herbs and stir - voila!

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That easy. It's fun to add some circles of lemon and fruit - frozen raspberries or sliced strawberries. Just remember you might need to strain when you pour, especially if you've used something like rosemary or lavender. That's up to you.

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I love herbed lemonade as a summer solstice drink because it has a sort of witchy-ness to it fitting for an occasion rooted in nature and the Wheel of the Year. Also, it tastes amazing the day after you prepare it - the flavours brew and make for a way more potent flavour experience. Bottoms up!

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Saturday, June 15, 2013

Helping a fellow blogger in her time of need

Hi guys! I'm reposting from Wifessionals today. A fellow blogger is going through an absolutely terrible time and needs our help. Please read blow.





Hello everyone! My name is Sierra. Some of you may know me from Us + one.
Origanly I had planned to write about my blog and how I started. I decided to change it after a family friend of my husband passed away yesterday.








A couple days ago (June 11th) a family friend of my husband passed away after being hit by a car on his motorcycle, what makes it even worse is he lefts behind his pregnant wife would went into labor later that day. I write to you all asking for help! She needs love and support from everyone because she is now doing this all alone. I couldn't imagine having Jax by myself, let alone right after losing my husband. My heart just breaks for her.

I had a couple girls come to me saying they wanted to help by selling their product and sending the money they make to Paige (the widow) and her newly born son, Liam. 
I ask all of you for help. If you don't see something you like but would still like to donate, here is the link >>

Here is my shop and the necklaces I am offering. 


Here is what you can choose from:
"Prayer is powerful"
"Nair Family <3"
"Psalm 34:18"
"John 14:27"
"2 Corinthians 5:7"
"Jeremiah 29:11"
Please email me to place an order:
Nothingbutglisten@gmail.com

They are $20 each and $3 for shipping.

Everything is done directly through Paypal.




She offers- cheetah print, navy and white stripes, white, hot pink, yellow, yellow and white stripes, pale yellow, lime green, lime green with stripes, solid black, black with pink polka dot, pink with black polka dot, white with black polka dot etc etc. You can choose the thicker headband option of your color/pattern {chevron prints of nearly every color, damask print, aqua and white tie-dye}.
3 pack Shabby $10
Headwraps $7.95

Shipping $2
To order, please email
Sassybabyessentials@gmail.com

Erikka @ C. Marie's Boutique 
Single Bow $6 and Double Bow $8
Shipping $2

For orders and sizes, Please email her at:
henretta07@icloud.com




All shops are responsible for sending out orders and donating the money.
Everything except shipping will be going to Paige.
This will go one till Thursday the 20th
Thank you all so much for helping!


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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

20 beautiful knits for your home



1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10  |  11  |  12  |  13  |  14  |  15 
16  |  17  |  18  |  19  |  20

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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Never ever ever!



Never ever ever...

...would I listen to One Direction or Biebs by choice
...would I eat a bug
...would I say that Top 40 is acceptable music
...would I get up early on a weekend without a very good reason
...would I ever not have at least one cat
...would I turn down free stuff
...would I choose a Friday night of clubbing over a night in with a good book or movie (Fri nights are my sacred unwind night... and I hate clubbing)
...would I say no to ice cream
...would I say "Harry Potter is for losers"
...would I give up the chance to take a trip somewhere new
...will I be one of those fashionable girls (sadly)
...will I be happy staying in one place for too long
...would I choose snow over sun
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Monday, June 10, 2013

A fun summer ahead (Part 4)


For my final installment of "why my summer is going to kick ass", let me brag about my fun summer job! I'm going to be Camp Director at Easter Seals summer camp here in Newfoundland! Sure, it's going to be a lot of work and a huge responsibility but I feel like I'm getting the chance to go back about 10 years and relive the summer job that I really want to do. I always wanted to be a camp counselor!


Camp



Mossimo top, 24 CAD / Bench jacket, 56 CAD / G1 , 110 CAD / nalgene at Target, 10 CAD


What are you doing this summer?
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