Five on Friday!

We've made it through another week!

One

True story. My immediate team at work is quite small. This past week my coworkers and I realized we had freakin' forgotten our Managers birthday.......that was TWO WEEKS PRIOR. We freaked. 

Now, to some, this probably isn't that big of a deal but we do birthdays big at work. We decorate desks, cupcakes, go out for lunch, give a small gift etc. Friends, I was mortified and shocked that said Manager hadn't even dropped a SINGLE hint. Also, note that we "knew" when her birthday was as we had celebrated fine the year prior. It would be different if she hadn't told us when it was/we didn't have access to it but we full on did. Major fail. 

We ended up bolting out of the office and putting together something for her. She is a very sweet lady and took it all well. No hard feelings at all. 

I ended up putting about 5 reminders in my calendar for next year.

Two

Obsessed with Party Mix and I can't stop eating it. They sell it Dollarama. $1.00 for a massive bag? yes please. Did I mention I have a Dollarama like 30 seconds from me? Bad news. 

A friend suggested that I should make my own healthy version but that won't be happening. I need the real deal.

 

Three

Have you tried the Clinque Chubby Sticks? I have the Watermelon Twist one and absolutely love it. It's incredibly moisturizing and gives a nice hint of colour. I think they recently launched some more vibrant colours which look perfect for the fall. I will admit, they are a tad pricey though.

Four

I've been trying to figure out what the fashion "fall trends" are this year aside from chambray and plaid. Help a sister out and please share with me!

Five

It's a miracle. My wall gallery is complete and I am so in love. I'd do a sneak peek but I still need to fill all the frames so it looks kind of lame. I hope this part doesn't take me another 6 months to do or I've got some issues.

Have a great weekend!

Terry Fox Run 2013 for Cancer Research

For the past 4 years, my friend Casey and I have participated in the Annual Terry Fox Run for cancer research. For those that are not Canadian and have not heard of Terry Fox, please read here. He is truly a Canadian Hero!

In grade school in Canada, this run/walk is mandatory so it's always been a part of my life.  In University, I participated in the Relay for Life for 3 years, which, although a different event, still supports cancer research via the Canadian Cancer Society. The Relay for Life is a 12 hour team relay held at night. It was always tons of fun staying up with friends from 6pm-6am in the stadium on campus!

Relay for Life 2006

Relay for Life 2006

Relay for Life 2007

Tent City - where walkers take a break!

Relay for Life 2008 - I think it snowed this year (April!!) which is why it's indoors

After my Mom passed away in 2007, the Terry Fox Run, Relay for Life and cancer research in general became even more important to me.

I am so happy that I will be participating in my 5th Terry Fox Run in Toronto on September 15th. The "run" is a 5km or 10km walk/run/bike. My friend and I typically walk the 10k. They have music, performers, food and activities. Our goal each year has been to raise $1000.00 between the two of us. This means, that this year, we can proudly say we have raised $5,000.00 for cancer research!! This excludes the money we raised in University with the Relay for Life! Go us!!

Terry Fox Run 2010 - with Leslie Roberts from Global News

Terry Fox 2011 - signing the wall of Hope

Terry Fox Run 2012

I encourage you to find a charity that is meaningful to you. Whether you donate $1.00 a year, $100.00 or volunteer a day of your time, it gives you so much gratitude knowing your supporting something that is so close to your heart.

I am excited to do a Terry Fox Run Recap in September. For now, check out our team page here!


XOXO

Midweek Randoms

Happy Wednesday!

 

• This idea is awesome. Some malls in the GTA need this badly.

• I finished reading The Smart One by Jennifer Close this week. Really liked the book! If you haven't noticed, I love reading so please send me any book recommendations!

• I may or may not have watched the Teen Choice Awards Monday night. I didn't even know who half of the presenters/award winners were. I'm not sure why I am shocked by this as it is the teen choice awards not the I am almost 28 choice awards. I was also taken back by some of the outfit selections such as the below:

Oh Miley..

• I randomly watched the Rogers Cup on tv this past weekend. It's a tennis tournament here in Toronto/Montreal and is quite large. You get all the "big name" tennis players. I am not a tennis player at all, nor do I follow it but I think it's sometimes enjoyable to watch. While watching it, I realized I had completely forgotten that about 4-5 years ago, my dad, brother and I got tickets and saw Maria Sharapova play. It was pretty cool and a really neat experience!

          Do you watching and/or play tennis?

• Is it sad that I am already excited for our next long weekend in 3 weeks?! Woohoo!

• Perhaps I am a little behind in times but since when have kids backpacks have built in hoods? When I first saw this in a flyer this week I thought it was such a silly idea but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it's actually an amazing idea!! How practical is that?

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Pinterest Centerpiece Love

I'll be honest and say (along with every other woman) there are a lot of things on pinterest I say I am going to try, and don't. That said, I have tried some things - a ton of recipes, yarn letters, yarn wreath and have built an upholstered headboard courtesy of pinterest.

Here are some things that I really want to give a whirl, or use as an inspiration for decorating my dining/kitchen table come the fall. About 6 months ago, I splurged on a new West Elm dining table and chairs and LOVE them like you wouldn't believe. However, I haven't been able to find the perfect centerpiece as yet, so I think I may start to look at some DIY options.

I tried to put a source for this photo, but the blog on the image doesn't exist.

I love everything about this table centerpiece. The simplicity of it with a small pop of colour. This is totally do-able for the fall and would look great in my space (I think!?). The hardest part would probably be finding some tree branches in Toronto haha!

Via

Again, I absolutely love this. It's apparently a Pottery Barn Knock off. It would also look great on a kitchen counter, but unfortunately, I don't think my kitchen is large enough for this My concern with this one is that I wouldn't ever have enough fruit to fill it up and I sometimes find that the fake fruit looks a bit too fake for me.

Via

I'm trying to stay away from candles as my centerpiece because I already have a bunch of them scattered through my condo, but I think with the added wood touch and floral pieces, it breaks it up a bit.

Via

Another really easy "craft" that would look so lovely in a basket as a for the fall. I picture this done with white and gold pinecones. I wonder if they would look tacky though? Would have it try it out.

Now, let's just see if I actually attempt any!

Millions of Peaches, Peaches for Me

This weekend was nice and relaxing. It's just what I needed after a crazy busy weekend full of traveling and fun last weekend.

Friday after work I met up with a friend and we went for dinner at Spring Rolls. I've typically enjoyed most of what I've ordered there but what I got on Friday wasn't that great. Boo! I still had a great time catching up with one of my besties.

Saturday I thought I would sleep in but ended up waking up at 7:30am. This is what my life has come to and I think I just need to accept it and move on, ha!

I ended up going for a bike ride and meeting my friend Casey at the St. Lawrence Market. It was SO busy. The farmers market isn't open on Sunday which baffles me, so each Saturday it's always packed. I ended up getting some fresh corn and a massive basket of peaches. The peaches are half gone already. Delicious!!!

YUM!

I also spotted a new (to me) vegetable called Patty Pan Squash. I wanted to buy some just for its looks and name, but decided against it.

This is a super embarrassing photo (hello, elevator selfie) but I just wanted to show off my outfit I wore on Sunday. I finally had the opportunity to wear my pink eyelet shorts I scored a month or so ago at the Gap on a huge sale. I think I was also relieved that I had made it back to my condo after nearly dying on my bike like 5 times. City biking in Toronto is no joke!!

Sunday was filled with cleaning, cooking, groceries, a little reading on my balcony and getting ready for the work week ahead. I tried a new recipe yesterday evening to have for my lunches this week and I'm excited to share it with you (assuming I like it!).

What were you up to this weekend? I swear I say this every week, but I can't believe we're already into the middle of August!

Five on Friday

You know the drill for Friday! Linking up with some fabulous ladies.

One

I need a crockpot. Yes, I said need! For the past 2 years I have told myself I don't need one nor do I have the space for one (sounds absurd, but that's condo living). I may ask for one for Christmas...and my whole family/Mr.C will roll their eyes at me ha!

It makes me so excited for the fall which is just around the corner. Do you have a favourite brand?

Two

My eyes are currently dilated from an eye appointment I just got back from. I can barely even see what I am typing haha. The good news is that I still have 20/20 vision 2 years post laser eye surgery! Full experience can be found here!

Three

Peaches are finally in season!!!! I am going to go to the St Lawrence Market and get some fresh local ones this weekend. I hate how they are only in season for such a short amount of time so I try to eat mass amounts. Speaking of peaches, when I was in grade school, I ate a whole basket without washing them. I woke up the next morning covered in hives..for days. Wash your peaches ladies (unless you buy organic I guess)!!

 

St Lawrence Market

 Four

I need a new blush. I wear "Warm Soul" by Mac basically every single day and it's running low. It's been my go to blush for the past few years and I am ready to switch it up. Any recos?!

Warm Soul - Mac

Five

I've been on a huge reading kick lately. I just finished "Size 14 Is Not Fat Either" - by Meg Cabot. I don't typically like her books (to the point where I can't even finish them) and although I didn't love this book, it kept me entertained. I had no idea it was going to be a mystery. Are all of her books always mysteries? This just shows you that I've never finished any of her other books!

Enjoy your weekend. The weeks are just flying by!

Green Monster & Cliff Bars

Friends,

Two things I am currently obsessed with: Green Juice & Cliff Bars.

While browsing my local Canadian Tire a few weeks back, I spotted a Magic Bullet on sale for $25.00 and had to have it. Mr. C makes smoothies every morning with his Magic Bullet and raves about it. Compact, easy to clean, powerful, comes with a few different plastic cups etc.

 

                                                  
 Every Sunday when I go to the grocery store I basically walk the vegetable and fruit aisle and pick up anything that is green that could be semi ok in my juices. It usually consists of:

• Spinach
• Cucumber
• Kale
• Green Apple and/or Pear
• Green Grapes
• Celery

I usually also have some frozen berries on hand that I toss into it along with a lemon slice for added flavour. Every single time I make it, it's always different (I don't measure - I just shove stuff into the blender) but always tastes SO good. I call it my salad in a cup.

I want to branch out a bit and hear what you put in your green monsters if you make them! I've heard some people do the whole banana and peanut butter which could be ok.

Can't wait to hear! Cheers to green juice!!!!

 Let's talk Cliff Bars. My second love. I eat these things like they are candy. I know they aren't for everyone as they are REALLY high in calories (250 cal) but I need it. My metabolism is insanely fast and I was finding I was eating a solid breakfast then typically a granola bar in the morning and would be starving within an hour. The regular granola bar was not cutting it so I now eat Cliff Bars and I am obsessed.

They taste good and keep me full. A little pricey but I don't even mind. My favourite is chocolate chip but while searching for an image just now I noticed there are tons of other flavours that my local grocery store doesn't offer (carrot cake, macademia nut, pumpkin pie).

While Mr. C and I were in NYC and Boston last year he brought some of these with us and they were life savers when we needed a quick snack in between meals!

I love Cliff!!!!!!

Do you eat them?

Midweek Randoms

• Oh my goodness, I do not know what's wrong with me. I woke up yesterday feeling BEYOND exhausted and had no reason to be. I went into work and couldn't focus at all and all day it felt like if I shut my eyes for 2 seconds I'd fall over asleep. I ended up leaving work a bit early and napped and still feel really off. I didn't eat dinner either. I hope I'm not coming down with something.

• Today I was supposed to be off work for a medical procedure. I went in and he said things seem to be moving in the right direction so medical procedure was cancelled - yay. Bad news is, I was mentally prepared not to go into work today!

• Some happy news? It's already Wednesday!

 

•  I'm starting to see back to school commercials and flyers. When I was in school, I was one of those people who always loved this time of the year. There's something so fun about buying new binders, fresh paper and pens. Nerd. Also, school in Ontario and most of Canada doesn't start until September - I know a bunch of places in the states have already started!

• I miss Morris. I can't recall if I mentioned this earlier but I am not an animal lover (I don't dislike them, I just am not a huge huge fan), but my dads cat is the best. Ever. He also weighs like 17lbs.

Hi Morris!

•  This is an incredible story of a father and son that I recommend you read.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312947/Dick-Hoyt-Devoted-father-72-pushed-disabled-son-1000-races-WILL-run-Boston-Marathon-Mondays-meant-last.html

• I have been loving some pieces at J Crew lately. We do have a store in town but it's so insanely expensive and things never go on sale. An outlet mall just opened about an hour away and there is an J Crew outlet there so I hope to hit it up in the next few months. If not, I will be making my way across the border to shop!

Via J Crew

Via J Crew

Via J Crew

• My condo feees have increased by 1%. UGH! This doesn't seem a lot but I swear they have gone up about $100.00 since I moved here 5 years ago. So annoying!

What's happening on your end?!

Mountains and Sunshine in Mont Tremblant

What an amazing long weekend. I am already in withdrawals with heading back to work tomorrow! I left work on Friday around noon, took the free shuttle to the Toronto City Airport and hopped on a 1 hour flight to Mont Tremblant,. It would be about an 8 hour drive from Toronto which is far too long for a weekend.

Mont Tremblant is in Quebec and is mainly known as a ski resort in the winter months. I grew up skiing there with my family and have so many wonderful (albeit freezing cold) memories with my family. It's actually a year round resort and in the summertime is quite awesome and turns into a cottage country.

Upon arrival at the smallest airport ever, I noticed my dad wasn't there waiting for me which is very unusual. He is normally early for everything. I tried calling him multiple times and there was never any answer. Long story short, he was at the wrong airport, haha! There is an airport closer to Tremblant that he went to but when he got there he noticed it was a dirt runway and was super sketch. He had no idea how my Porter plane (80-90 passenger plane, not a dinky little thing) was going to land there and he wasn't aware that there was any other airport. He asked some random man walking by and it turns out the airport I was at was actually 50km outside of Tremblant. Fail.

Friday night we grilled out, sat out on the deck, checked out the area and went for a short bike ride.

We woke up Saturday morning to semi iffy weather but decided that it wasn't going to stop us! We biked over to the village, browsed some stores, had lunch on a patio, and just relaxed.

Sunday was about the same - biking, walks, lounging outside etc. We decided to do an activity at the base of the mountain called "The Luge." You take the chairlift up the mountain and luge down. We were a bit skeptical with how fun it was actually going to be - but oh my GOSH, best fun I've had in a long time. You control how fast you want to go so we were actually zipping along quite quickly down the mountain. So much fun and we would both do it again!

Here we go!

Dad and I going down - so fun!!

Michele's son, wife and kids were also there this weekend so it was fun to also catch up with them. The weather was still a bit too chilly to consider swimming at the beach or in the lake off my dad's place but nice enough that we weren't roasting when out and about during the day.

Evenings were filled with concerts in the village, long walks and yummy food!

I am so thankful for weekends like this. My family has had a tough few years with my mom's passing 6 years ago and a few other hurdles, so I cherish time I get to spend with my dad now more than I ever have.

If you're ever in the Quebec area, I highly recommend visiting Mont Tremblant - any season!

Have a great week!!!!