The days ticked by in December.

I still hadn’t identified my one word for 2020.

A year that looks and feels like something special. 100 years ago, women in North America and beyond were beginning to modernize and break out of the molds that had been set for them. It seems fitting that we are entering a new decade where #metoo, cultural sensitivity and gender parity are topics on the table. Ten years ago I graduated as an American Sign Language English Interpreter, got engaged to my now partner in crime and started my first career-focused job interpreting at a high school. I was attempting to fit the mold I believed was what I was made for. Part of it was learned, part of it was my own interpretation of what was expected of me, and part of it was fear of not having a place in this world. So I made it myself.

I didn’t ask permission then, and thankfully I don’t ask permission now.

It was seeing a simple posting from a professional entity on social media mid-December that moved me into 2020. A simple post about an opportunity. So I clicked. I clicked through many links and read through all the information and then it dawned on me.

This is my next BOLD right move.

Bold

bold | bəʊld | adjective 1 (of a person, action, or idea) showing a willingness to take risks; confident and courageous

It’s wasn’t the certainty that I could get something that made me sense the rightness of it. It was the realization that I had come to a place, somehow in the past 365-day journey where I could click through all of these links and recognize that who I am matched what was being asked for. That I could step up, raise my hand and ask “How about me?” and do that with a nervous heartbeat, but one that was assured, confident and ready to step out and welcome the risks.

I am ready.

2019 was, in many respects, a difficult year. It was also a year of growth and seeing that growth made me realize that it is time to be making moves.

Not rushed and unsure moves.

Just simple, patient and the next bold right move.

Top Centre - Clockwise : Fraiser Fir | Hammock, a.k.a. Thornbloom, Grateful, Thankful, Blessed Tea Towel | Winners, Tan Knit Sweater | H&M, Gold Tray | IKEA, Wine Glass | IKEA, Seeing Stars Essie Nail Polish | Shoppers Drug Mart, Glasses | All About Eyeware Optical, Glossier Highlighter | Gift for my 30th Birthday from Jasmine Alexander, Autumn Anthology | Amazon, Brown Silk Shirt | Suzy Shier, Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati | Lend from my Aunt

Frasier Fir Aromatic Candle

I first found this candle with my mom last Christmas. We both entered the Hammock store and stopped instantly in awe at the way this candle smells exactly like a real Christmas tree. This year I had to buy one. Especially knowing their business was suffering due to storm damage affecting their access to their flagship store downtown Halifax. It was a small thing to buy, yet I made sure to purchase this candle from them.

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed Tea Towel

With a newly renovated kitchen comes the desire to decorate it. That being said, I am always careful with decorations. I realize that personally, I tire of them easily. Focusing on seasonal decorations is a great way for me to enjoy decorating without boring too fast. I adore this set which reminds me of what Thanksgiving and the preparation for Christmas is all about.

Tan/Brown Knit Sweater

Mid Autumn, I was on the hunt for good deals. When I saw this sweater at H&M I was hooked. It was exactly what I wanted in a knit sweater. Loose, warm, complimentary and a muted tone. It is so warm. A luxury.

Wine Glasses

During our kitchen renovation this year, for some odd reason, we ended up breaking multiple water & wine glasses. I decided to look at what IKEA had to offer and was so pleased with this line. Previously I had stemless goblets. I adore those and still have three left, but there is something about these stemmed goblets that just speak to me.

Seeing Stars Nail Polish

Simply put, I am embracing brown this year and this nail polish color is making it happen for me.

Glasses

Getting my prescription updated this year led me to get a new set of glasses. I have a newer black pair that look similar to my old ones and this pair which I am enjoying wearing for a less aggressive look. I love that I can pop these on at a more formal event and feel that they are not taking away from my makeup / overall look.

Glossier Highlighter

Jasmine gave me this highlighter for my 30th birthday and I am still loving and using it. I love the way it adds a slight brightness to the face without being overt.

Autumn Anthology

Just as the last anthologies, I enjoy having each book in this series to read the natural rhythms of the seasons as the seasons unfold. I am a woman of seasons if you haven’t already gotten the hint….

Brown Silk Blouse

I am learning to re-love brown this year. I find it a comforting warm color to wear and the silk itself which is just so darn sexy.

Into the Wilderness - Sarah Donati

A lend from my Aunt in PEI this past summer. A good distraction while I wait for Outlander series season 5 to come out so that I can read book #5 The Fiery Cross.

Autumn came with a beautiful gust of change.

Beginning with the release of Brilliansea’s short film ‘Her Business Your Story Our Calling’, moving through with the a completed outline of a one-woman show and it’s final rewrites to create it’s full first draft, a word goal completion for a personal project, continuing to curate and interview women for the spotlight series and getting immersed into what it means to be on the Board of Women in Film and Television.

This season has been full, enrapturing and exciting.

What I have learned

Enjoy the Process

With hard work put in both personally and professionally, I felt the instinct to let go of the expectations of others, myself and even the outside world. To simply enjoy the work before me. Board meetings, writing sessions, rewriting sessions, they all are apart of the process and have allowed me to sink deep into where the projects and work are asking for me to go.

Be Okay Going it Alone

I have realized that although I value and desire to lift others and bring them to where they need to be, I also am worthy of that cause myself. My work has weight and merit too. I can’t remain demure, simply because I enjoy the collaborative process. I can be both a team player and an advocate for my own independent projects.

As Autumn has been fading the past few weeks

I sense an exciting ripple effect beginning as I plan to release new projects, concepts and work into the air in 2020. I hope that as I continue to cultivate, curate and breathe life into existing and new projects, that I continue to honor the integrity and core of them as each new stage reveals itself.

Top centre - Clockwise: Tiger Sweater | Find from @littlethriftedcloset, Marie Cat | Gift from Auntie Heidi, Denim Long Sleeve | The Gap, Unicorn Headband | Freebie from Indigo, Cat Ears Headband | Joe Fresh, White Flower Long Sleeve | Old Navy, Pens | Gift from Auntie Jasmine, Artwork | From preschool, White long sleeve & pants | Old Navy, Reading is fun Frame | From Pre school, Jeans | Old Navy, Green Long Sleeve | Old Navy, Blue Flower Long Sleeve Blouse | Find from Auntie Nicole, Flower pants | Find from Auntie Nicole, Doughnut Pants | Carters & Gift from Mimi & Yeye, God Gave Us Thankful Hearts Book | Gift during an Autumn outing with Grandma & Grandpa, Gold Flats | Carters & Gift from Auntie Heidi, Little Wild Flower Pyjamas | Old Navy, Grey Sweater | Old Navy

Autumn started slowly. Many warm days in September and October early and it has only been during November that I have realized that we need to get more long sleeves and pants for the winter.

New to Her

The Tiger Sweater found by Little Thrifted Closet has been by far the staple item of her Capsule wardrobe for this season. It is big on her but will grow with her and allows for an extra coziness for her outfits when going about the autumn activities.

The Headbands were fun additions due to Halloween and a random giveaway we came across. For Halloween she was Marie, the Aristocat and having the simple white long sleeve & pants from Old Navy along with the headband from Joe fresh was a perfect minimal way to create the look.

Jeans from Old Navy are perfect. She is in a sweet spot right now, where Old Navy pants generally fit her width and lengthwise.

Still Going Strong

The green Old Navy long sleeve top from last winter which is a 4T still works great.

The Denim long sleeve from Auntie Heidi for Zoe's birthday is still the perfect addition to those preschool or days out and about!

Time to Go

There are t-shirts & a few long sleeves not pictured here because although she has worn them they have been outgrown in the course of the season.

The Blue blouse from Auntie Nicole is about to be one of those outgrown tops and I am so sad about it. It’s so precious on her.

Flowered pants now have a hole in them and we are so sad to see them go.

Top Centre - Clockwise : Brown Knit Sweater | H&M, Brown Keds | Soft Moc, Green Knit Sweater | Bootlegger, Brown Silk Long Sleeve | Suzy Shier, ‘Seeing Stars’ Essie Nail Polish | Amazon, ‘Less is Aura’ Essie Nail Polish | Amazon, ‘Spirit’ Lipstick | MAC, Blue Jeans | The Gap, Black Pants | RW&Co, Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati | Lend from a bookish Aunt, Black Pleather Jacket | Suzy Shier, Black Turtle Neck | RW&Co, Black Leather Boots | part gift from my parents : GLOBO Shoes, Rose Pyjama Pants | La Vie en Rose, White Cable Knit Dress | Magnolia Boutique, Green Pants | RW&Co, Black Pleather Pants | Zara, Autumn Anthology | Amazon.ca, Burgendy Sweater Dress | La Vie En Rose, Gold / White Silk Zipper tank | Bootlegger

Unfortunately this top down photo didn’t turn out as clear as I wanted it to. I thought about doing it again, but it’s that time of year where we have to pick and choose what we make a point of making a fuss over, and this isn’t one of those things this time around.

That being said, I ADORE this seasons capsule.

There are many things not pictured here (fitness wear, under tanks, pyjamas, black dresses & blazers.) But I figure those are staples all year round and if I end up wearing them a lot during a season or are in a big event that season, I will feature them in the capsule. Just know this is clearly not the only clothes I own for this season. Just the more curated look of what I wore on the daily with a few staples sprinkled in that didn’t make the cut for the picture.

New to Me

The cable knit sweater was a purchase I am still weighing if I feel was the right one. I may end up sharing this item with the bestie, Jasmine.

The brown knit sweater is a dream, along with the burgundy sweater dress which has pockets and hugs the body exactly how you want it to, while also leaving enough room to feel cozy.

The Silk Long sleeve is also new to me, and something I found for $13.00. I was so happy to have acquired it!

Still Going Strong

That Black pleather jacket is a dream. I adore how it keeps me warm yet still feeling chic heading to a meeting.

The brown leather KEDS are a forever joy for me. I am taking extra care of this pair, because I love them so so much!

The Gap blue jeans are a solid pair. They don’t have that new look to them anymore, but they are still holding strong after many days of wear and washes.

Time to Go

The white silk tank with gold zipper has not stood up with time. I am not ready to let it go just yet, but I am realizing that some pieces from Bootlegger stand and some do not. This has been one of those that don’t. The gold leaves on the white silk have faded quickly and it’s starting to loose its vibrancy. I loved it, so this is very disappointing.

This year

we have the privilege of being able to replace our old christmas tree. A bitter sweet thing to do, as our original tree was given to us the year we were married by Jeremy’s grandparents who decided they were done having a big tree. Along with their decade old or more tree they gave us a bunch of vintage ornaments they wouldn’t be using anymore. His grandparents passed away within the past two years. It’s been a heavy and fast loss in that area of our lives but this year we have seen the inheritance and blessings from his grandparents in many areas, especially this one. Hanging those beautiful vintage ornaments is a soft reminder of Grammie and her creative touch.

a night decorating the tree.

I think this is what Christmas, a true and grounded christmas attempts to do every year.

It seeks to remind us of the dearest, most highest and important things on this earth.

To be reminded of that, breaks us open a little bit and gives us insight into what we can’t put words around.

This christmas,

I have decided to do what I am going to call

The December Dailys.

A handful of things I will do daily. A bit like a benediction, prayer, meditation or ritual.
To remind myself of the glory of Christmas and the peaceful preparation it can bring

• Read advent cards with Zoe

• Light the Advent candle

• Read Ann Voskamps advent book

• Play christmas songs on the piano
  

Being a lover of music means I adore so much of it. With more and more access via streaming services, I have needed to find ways to curate my listening so I don’t get overwhelmed by it.

You can listen to this seasons curated playlist on Spotify.

Stand Outs:

Lover by Taylor Swift

Because ‘Lover’ might one of Taylor’s best albums yet & I love everything about this song.

Succession by Nicholas Britell

Because Jeremy & I have loved getting into this television series & everything about this opening song is perfection. A classical and modern mash up. The piano in this is so on point. #chills.

Problem by Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox

Because this band brings me back to my swing dance/blues class days (always started in the fall) & I the lyrics may be a great sassy wink.

Dunes by Alabama Shakes

Because this song has such deep grit and soul. love preparing for a weekend brunch with this playing in the background.

Thanksgiving comes early in Canada,

which has always slightly bothered me. In part, because I do like the idea of celebrating Thanksgiving closer to Christmas as our neighbours in the States do. Almost as if it was marker for the start of the holiday season.

Thankfully we are blessed to be Canadian and thus we cannot change the early nature of our thanksgiving long weekend.

A few traditions we have been working on as a family each year.

1. Write a list of 100 things we are thankful for.

2. Have a autumn themed brunch.

3. Do an age appropriate thanksgiving themed activity (colouring pages this year)

4. Take an autumn walk (if weather allows)

Within those activities there are the obvious spend time with each side of our families and generally, enjoy quality time together.

This year we were sick, so our plans had to shift a bit. We gave thanks for how 2019 has been growing and challenging us. No matter what trials we have journeyed through the year, we have so much to be thankful for. Seeing how quickly Zoë was able to rhyme off all the things she was thankful for brought us into a place of centred-ness, reflection and celebration for everything we have.

Even if we do have an early Thanksgiving, I believe it is the perfect heart, mind and soul preparation for the Christmas season to come.

Thankfulness is the beginning of everything.
Like a prayer before a meal.
A donning of a jacket,
lacing up of boots before a walk of exploration.

Thankfulness is a precursor.

& here we are.

Walking into the leaves of autumn. The night air is decidedly more crisp and the sun is slower to rise. Autumn was never my favourite but I am learning that I may like it more and more with each year that passes. There is something promising and comforting about it. The warm blankets, lit candles, baking in the oven and coffee that warms not just your stomach but your hands. A sense of renewal in the shedding of things.

Personally

This Autumn I am seeking to honour and encourage a new and steady routine. We had to put a lot on the back burner during the spring and summer to accomplish our necessary renovation and although I could remind myself it was all for a good reason, it was hard not to see the weekends and evenings waste away from us and the missed time spending with our friends, family and each other. We will embrace the Autumn weather and go for walks and I will continue tidying our house from our huge overhaul. Letting go of what isn’t for us anymore and finding a new way to connect with each other and those we love.

Professionally

The Spotlight Series is going back into the studio to film women. Through Brilliansea we are aiming to continue our project by mindfully curating the women we bring in. We want our project to display diverse and unique backgrounds in both life and experience. I am continuing to learn my place on the board of women in film and television and have given myself grace to learn how the association works before taking on too much. This season I am going to be pushing myself to grow and experiment behind the scenes of my work in both development and production areas. I am sensing that my season of carefully taking in and curating has been teaching and showing me where I can expand and accomplish new elements of my craft that will empower and equip me to create quality work.

& with that I step onto the fallen leaves with a bit of refreshed purpose and mind.

September is an odd month to be fitting in reading while everything is changing and starting back up again, but it also happens to be a huge part of my sanity, so thus, I cracked open these four…

LIGHTLY | Francine Jay

A little ‘light’ read on a clutter free life. Over the past five years I have been on a journey to living ‘minimally’ / ‘lightly’. These reads aren’t necessary for me, but remind me of my why’s. I am easily overwhelmed and am especially affected by the atmospheres around me. This little read gave me a small reassuring pat on the shoulder for all the reasons I have let go of excessiveness and embraced curating our small space.

THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK | Timothy Ferris

Have only read the updated introduction thus far, but am about to deep dive. I can tell that I will leave this book with a few new tricks up my sleeve on what it means to use my time productively and to the best of my ability. I have learned in my professional life thus far that I thrive when I have efficiency in both the administrative and the creative.

MILK AND HONEY | Rupi Kaur

This book of poetry was raw and candid in very visual ways. Touching on abuse, love, loss and self-acceptance, this is a beautiful collection that has a way of capturing the essence of a woman.

THE INVITING LIFE | Laura Calder

Becoming parents, moving, and renovating has meant the past few years have been less about hosting and more about ‘surviving’. That being said, reading this little beautiful book has given me a reminder for a love of having people in to connect and find solidarity with.

Top centre - Clockwise : White Cat Marie - Aristacat | Gift from Auntie Heidi, LOVE Swimsuit | Joe Fresh, Anchor Hat | Fluffy Bottom Babies, Rainbow Overalls | Carters, Water Bottle | Gift from Yeye from trip to Hong Kong, Puppies Sticker Book | From Indigo for PEI road trip, Star Sneakers | Zara, Whale | long ago gift from Auntie Nicole, Black Shorts | Joe Fresh, Rain Boots | H&M, Mermaid Pyjamas | Carters, Jean Shorts | Carters, Jean romper | Carters, Fingerling key chain | gift from family friend, Mermaid t-shirt | Second hand find from Auntie Nicole, Donought t-shirt | Carters, Mermaid | Fluffy Bottom Babies

Summer seems to be the season where we stick to our main few outfits on rotation. With hot and sticky days that go between 28 - 35 degrees the last thing you want is to regret dressing your child in something that is either too hot or just way too inconvienent.

New to Her

The Mermaid shirt, a second hand find from Auntie Nicole a.k.a Little Thrifted Closet was gifted to Zoë & she ADORES it. It’s lightweight and perfect for all that summer sweating.

Auntie Heidi also brought back a Disney stuffy ‘Marie’ from the Aristocats and Zoë has been carting it around ever since.

Still Going Strong

The H&M rainboots are still perfectly sized and should do us at least until the end of this year. They are great quality.

Whale was away for awhile while we dealt with renovations and a bug problem. He has since had his spout fixed and is sealed up for more cuddles on the couch.

Time to Go

LOVE swimsuit from Joe fresh is becoming too tight, before the end of this year we will have to find a new swimsuit.

Various T-Shirts that became too small / tight over the summer.

*Not picture here a two dresses and a beach cover up that Zoe wore off and on along with a few spare t-shirts that either were in the wash when this photo was taken or were already too tight by the time the summer was ending.

Top Centre - Clockwise: Navy Blue Tank | RW&Co, Black Romper | The Gap, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Tank | Bench, White T Shirt Dress | La Vie En Rose, Sailboat Pyjamas | La Vie En Rose, Black Shorts | Winners, Jean Shorts | Bluenotes, Starfish KEDS | Softmoc, Blue/White Romper | Aerie, Rose Gold Watch | Fossil, Essie Nail Polish | Shoppers Drug Mart, White/Grey Dress | H&M, Summer Anthology | Amazon, White/Grey Pin Strip Pants | RW&Co, Pink Silk Pyjamas | ASOS, White Silk Tank | RW&Co, Blue Silk Tank | ModCloth, Green Shorts | The Gap, Blue/White Striped Dress | Banana Republic

This Summer, as with all summers, I found it hard to put my finger on what I needed and what was working for me. Maybe it’s the unpredictability of ‘Nova Scotia’ summer days? The way they can be overcast and a bit chilly while the next sunny with humidity pushing the temperature past 35 degrees Celsius, and the following day foggy, humid and raining in spurts.

I was able to end the summer with a deeper understanding of what next years capsule goals will be and what worked for me overall.

New to Me

Blue/Striped Romper

I found this romper at Aerie and immediately fell in love with it. It reminded me of a wardrobe item I had back in my early twenties found second hand by my bestie Jasmine. It was a beautiful piece that I wore every Summer up until a couple years ago when I realized it didn’t exactly fit who I was anymore and felt it was getting a bit too ‘love worn’ to wear. This is a perfect addition that still holds that appeal to me.

White T-Shirt Dress

Found at La Vie En Rose as ‘lounge wear’ I immediately was drawn to this piece not only because it was $10.00 but I loved how it was soft on the inside and would be the perfect 'throw on’ post beach or pool day.

Pink Silk Pyjamas

Ordered via ASOS when I realized that waiting for Victoria Secret to bring in the exact pattern / colour pyjamas I wanted would take too long, I purchased this set which is made by Bluebella the same company who made the Navy / Pink silk pyjamas I bought last winter. A bit pricy but oh so comfortable and good quality.

Still Going Strong

Silk Blue Tank

Seen here as folded, this tank has been with me since first summer post partum and although it was an expensive order from Modcloth, it’s a huge favourite of mine, in my favourite shade of blue and a it is perfectly shaped and simple.

Sail Boat Pyjamas

Still a summer/Spring favourite to wear. Cozy and light.

Time to go

Jean Shorts

Bought them the first summer after giving birth in May. I have made these work for the longest time. I bought them cheap from BlueNotes not knowing how my body would change over the the postpartum journey. In reality, I think I ended up shrinking them in the dryer by accident, but they’ve done the job for 5 summers, even though I am packing them away for the autumn/winter season, replacing them will be a focus for next spring.

**always know there are items not pictured here, as they either are duplicates / additional extra wear (like under tanks, a few extra pairs of pyjamas, year round dresses / work out wear, swim wear) I tend to show the most used items of that season & reassess the items that don’t make it into this picture.

Bedford basin.

and here we are in summer…

How did this happen I wonder? It’s as if I fell asleep as the spring rain begun, awoke with the trees in full bloom and our loft filled with humid air once again.

I enjoy preparing for the turn of the seasons, but I confess, this season there has been less preparation and more of a treading water while I wrap up the ever running list of action items. They haven’t all been attended to in time, but a feeling of satisfaction for what has been dealt with lingers with me today.

I am approaching the summer with a bit more intrigue.

Personally

we are over half way done a kitchen renovation. Getting close to putting the counters in gives me hope and interest on what is to come once we have it finished (meaning a functioning kitchen, I’m no sucker, I realize this won’t end anytime soon) and how we will celebrate the hard work we have slogged through doing it mostly (90%) ourselves.

Professionally

finishing up a short documentary with Claire Fraser (adding the last segments along with colour grading and music) while also taking on a new roll as a ‘Women in Film and Television Atlantic’ board member. It all leaves me very curious and intrigued over the next few months.

I am welcoming curiosity into this next season of my life and I wonder where summer will take us?

Spring was a very full three months of home upheaval and yet through it all, these little things brightened up the renovation slog and put a smile on my face.

Turkish Dish Towel

Found a set of two of these at Winners and got incredibly excited. This towel has that Turkish design to it but the inside is very absorbent for drying dishes when needed. (A harder thing to find than one would realize)

Lightfoot & Wolfville Riesling Wine

A beautiful reminder of lunch and tour of the Lightfoot & Wolfville Winery during my 30th birthday weekend. I cherish the memory of the time with my oldest and close friends that day and am in no hurry to open this bottle. I admire how this specific vineyard runs and do their best to nurture and cultivate the land that has been in their family for generations.

Eternal Optimist Essie Nail Polish

Adore this light toned pink nail polish. Something between nude and pink.

The Secret Garden | Francis Hodgson Burnett

Every Spring I give this classic a re-read or a rewatch of the film. Each time I feel renewed and find new mysterys within.

Learn Me Right Sheet Music

Learn Me Right debuted in the Disney film “Brave”. This song became an anthem of mine as I was learning to become a more fuller version of myself. It speaks of grace, humanity and the ability for renewal.

Puff.Me.Light

I adore the time with my hair stylist & this time around she used a ‘puff.me’ product and it was everything. I believe I ordered the lighter version of what she used in my hair.

KarlLagerfeld Patten Leather Flats

I hunted for a pair of black flats for a long time. Coming across this pair was everything and thankfully my mama bequeathed them to me for my birthday (I may have hinted at her to jump at a timely sale….). So thankful to have them in my life. Perfect for dressing up and dressing down. Jeans or dress, they stand alone. I almost want to set aside some cash to buy more pairs for when I wear these out. And I will wear them out, because they are my FAVOURITE!

Glossier paint, Highlighter & Boybrow Products

A 30th birthday gift from the bestie & literally everything perfect for a busy and ‘no muss no fuss’ woman like me. Sure, I like to be polished and classy but on the daily’s I am more a ‘wear these 5 outfits on rotation’ and use these few main products ‘to boost the face awakening thing’. Give me simple & minimal any day!

Cotton Foxhound Candle

Having a candle to burn throughout the current season is a pleasure of mine that I adore keeping up. The Cotton candle was a lovely fresh sent for Spring made locally. (Nova Scotia)

Spring was jam packed with personal endeavours.

Birthday parties, our first home renovation and many regular/additional ‘spring cleaning’ items on the list. I was able to give that heavy and long list of personal items a lot of my attention, while also leaving my creative self longing for more luxurious time at my desk.

This spring I have been learning the art of ‘curating time’.

I would say I had already learned this, since anyone who has a baby knows that the time between the ages of 0-3 years of age are years that one looses their hold on ‘having control of their own time’. That being said, I am on a new journey of what it means to take on more, handle bigger projects both personally and professionally and enter into them acknowledging the potential of overwhelm while also creating boundaries for my own mind and spirit to maintain and curate peace in all that I do.

I have learned

when tackling big projects I need to stick to the matter at hand, stop myself and even at times, my partners in crime from wondering too far ahead so as not to feel the weight of what has yet to be done.

I have learned that unplugging for 24 hours once a week is exactly what I need to monitor my anxiety as well as give my every fast paced mind a forced break.

I have learned that I do extremely well when my expectations for myself and from others are clear and I have prepared a bit in advance to meet them.

Overall, this Spring has been full personally, and professionally I have gained a lot of strategies to handle the projects and work that lies ahead.

What my work space looked like for almost 3.5 weeks & still has a lot of kitchen items chilling with me as I post this.

Top Centre - Clockwise: Mermaid Pyjamas | Old Navy, Magnific Graphic T | Joe Fresh, Black Shoes | Shoe Company, Donuts Graphic T | Gift from Mimi & Yeye, House Puzzle | Gift from Mimi & Yeye, Mother Teresa Book | Indigo, Amelia Book | Gift from Auntie Heidi & Uncle Sean, Unicorn purse | Gift from Auntie Heidi & Uncle Sean, Bunnies | Gift from Grandma & Grandpa, T-Shirt Dress | Old Navy, Mermaid | Fluffy Bottom Babies, Mermaid Sticker Book | Gift from her Birthday, Mermaid Pyjamas | Gift from Mimi, Yeye & Great Grammie, Graphic rainbow Pants | Gift From Auntie Heidi & Uncle Sean, Green Pants | Old Navy, Flower Pants | Second hand find from Auntie Nicole, Crayons & Drawing Pad | Gift from Auntie Jasmine & Uncle Tyler, Chambray Top | Gift From Auntie Heidi & Uncle Sean, Blue Flower Blouse | Second hand find from Auntie Nicole, Graphic Blue Pants | Gift from Mimi & Yeye.

New to Her

Mermaid Pyjamas

If you didn’t know it already, the theme of Zoë’s fourth birthday was mermaids and it turned out we were right on brand. Many gifts were either mermaid pyjamas or stickers.

Birthday Dress

I adored finding this dress. It’s perfectly balanced in both comfort and relaxed and feminine. I don’t know who Zoë will grow to become and what she will like in the future but this dress, for now, says everything I know about her. Imaginative, poised, articulate and goofy all in one.

Baby Bunnies

Finding cute small easter things has been harder than I thought it would be. I admit, I am trying to find the equivalent to what I would have had in the 90’s but I didn’t think it would be this hard. My mom was able to find these two bunnies in the little critter collection, and she used that as a little easter gift.

Still Going Strong

Magnific Graphic T

This T I picked up late last summer and trusted it would still fit come next spring. It does and is the perfect little long t.

Green Pants

Picked these up late winter and although they fall a little bit around her hips, I trust they will fully fit by fall and until then, they do the job.

Time to Go

Pyjamas not seen here

Countless pyjamas wore out over this Spring. Holes in pants were the common theme.

Socks not Seen here

Let’s just say, it’s time to get her new socks.

Top Centre - Clockwise - Black/White Dress | H&M, Dare to Lead by Brené Brown | Indigo, White Silk Tank | RW&Co, Black Blazer | H&M, Glossier Tint, Glossier Highlighter, Glossier Boy Brow | Gift From Jasmine, Lavender Shirt | Pseudio, East Coast Lifestyle Hoodie | Pseudio, Psalms | Gift from Jasmine, Girlfriend Jeans | The Gap, Missing in the gap is Green Pants | RW&co, Graphic T | Threadless, Blue Tank | RW&Co, Silk Rose PJ Pants | La Vie En Rose, Patent Leather Shoes | Birthday Gift from mom, Essie Nail Polish | Shoppes Drug Mart, Grey Dress | Second hand from Jasmine, Cotton Candle | Foxhound, Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon | Indigo

New to Me

Black & White Dress was a last minute whim moment with the bestie Jasmine. After lunch together she nudged me to go for a quick shop to see if we could find a new dress for me to wear to my 30th birthday party. I was BEYOND thrilled to come across this dress and realize I had been eyeing it for about a year. Now was the perfect excuse to buy it. Jasmine get’s all the credit for this lovely addition into my 30th year.

Glossier Products were introduced to me via Jasmine. ‘For the busy woman doing all the things’ is something like what she said to me when she gave them. I am already hooked at their natural affect and how easy they are to apply.

Lavender Shirt with the bat like sleeves which is folded here, was a purchase made out of necessity and also a ‘need-to-add-a-bit-more-style’ to my wardrobe.

Patent Leather Black Flats are everything! I have been yearning to find the perfect pair since having to throw my last pair out. Thankfully, my mother came to the rescue and helped me hunt these down and gave them to me for my 30th birthday. They are the perfect addition when you want something simple that says ‘smart & classy’.

Still Going Strong

Graphic T from Threadless bought in 2012 is still a staple and is obviously made to last because it is thriving.

East Coast Lifestyle Hoodie continues to be the first thing I grab in the morning after I put on my exercise clothes. This hoodie may have been a ‘trendy’ purchase but it sure does the trick and I like representing my favourite coast as I start my day.

Girlfriend Jeans are everything. The perfect fit and feel for the weekend life.

Time to Go

Rainboots from Winners. Of course I always forget to take pictures before I pass things along or throw them out. I had bought a pair of rain boots back in 2011 with money from my first year of working and felt so utterly proud of them. They were purple rimmed with coloured rain drops with a white background. This year I wore them out and sadly realized they had cracked in more than a few places. I was sad to see them go. ESPECIALLY, as a Nova Scotian woman… I am now in need for rain boots / shoes.

I LOVE ALL THE MUSIC…

that’s no secret.

although I have struggled to organize the amount of music I have accumulated over the years. Scads of old favourites, groupings of new ones. Some come out through my childhood and others have been found in my adult years.

Starting to gather it all for a quarterly playlist to put on my iPhone to be one the go with me has begun to grow on me and work for me.

I have also begun mirroring that playlist on Spotify so I can use the ‘songs like these’ feature to explore more music in that mood I have curated.

A few notables:

She’s Always A Woman - Josh Groban : turning 30 with a stronger sense of my womanhood.

Songbird - Eva Cassidy : Walking in faith and singing over those I love.

Extravagant - Amanda Cook & Steffany Gtretzinger : Heading into Easter with an open heart in faith.

Find the full playlist here:

On Spotify

This spring feels more special to me. It could be that I am ending an era by turning thirty in about a month, or it could be that life is doing that Spring thing where it makes you feel that everything is coming up new again. Either way…

You think you know everything & then…

Developing ‘a new way' of doing things to grow in my capacity to handle what I am wanting and needing to take on has had it’s successes and falters. I have found a joy in making better rhythms and routines with social media, chores & various activities. I have also found that there are unplanned and unforeseen life circumstances which can derail any form of ‘efficiency’ and more often than not, will arise the MOMENT, you think you have it all figured out.

As we welcomed Spring we were and still are in the thick of a home maintenance issue. Currently still in limbo with dealing with the issue at hand, this has made me quite unhinged both personally and professionally.

I have been holding onto the idea that these are the life things which want to derail you from what is good and amazing in life.

Take heart , everything in its time…

So this Spring my personal goals are to:

• Work in spring activities with my family where probable and possible.

• Seek proper footwear & needed apparel replacements

• Add variety to breakfasts.

• Tackle home projects & decisions one week at a time.

• Continue to follow and add boundaries to tech tools & distractions to be more present (i.e. check emails at a certain time daily etc)

& we are all just working hard to stay present and cultivate the ground we were made to stand on.

*fInd me where the wild things are….

This winter has in many ways gone by so fast.

Looking back, I realize much has happened in these weeks since the Holiday season.

This winter I have finished writing contracts, launched a collaborative platform Brilliansea with Claire Fraser & have begun arranging my necessary work tasks in a way that leaves room for more play and more time for cultivating and curating the work I do.

This winter I have learned that my work will sometimes be seasonal. Busy some months , where other months a bit more wide open.

I have learned that spending more time staring and browsing through social media is not the answer for me.

I have also learned that I thrive with variety and in doing so, need to level up on my administrative tasks so that I am not bouncing around from thing to thing with no direction and yet a lot on my mind. (a.k.a. mental load)

Leaving Winter, I leave satisfied and more than a bit proud at the shifts and changes I have found along with what I have accomplished. There is so much to be thankful for and so much more to explore.