Compiled here on Spotify is a playlist I made for this autumn.

After committing to a subscription, I have been revamping my playlists, which already feels old.

It was a compilation I put together in September.

Stand Out Tracks

ily (I Love You Baby) | Surf Mesa

There is something about this cover that makes me find motivation in the corners of the day.

Forever Young | Rhiannon Giddens and Iron & Wine

This track is special to me for many reasons. In part, it was made for the finale of Parenthood, a show that helped shape my marriage and desire to continue developing healthy relationships with my family. Forever Young was the opening title song, and this rendition happens to be my favourite. It reminds me of why it’s worth it to be there for those you love.

As the Autumn has progressed I am finding the pulse of truth become known to me.

It’s not a new concept by any means.

But it is a practice. A consistency. Meditation in the form of trust and gut.

It’s showing up to serve the work to move it forward.

Moving a project forward can feel invigorating.
It can feel like one is wonder woman and literally saving the day.

It can also feel like monotony.
The dirty work.
The scrubbing the floor just to have millions of feet walk all over it again.

And there it is. That pulse. It is steady and true.

Although one may feel that there is nothing to show for what one did to ‘move it forward’ today. There is an accumulation of days that can bring ‘it’ to the light.

It is something that only tenacity, grace and a bit of a stubborn nature can produce.

May we not discredit our work, no matter how big or how small.
How much the paycheck is or isn’t.
How many likes we receive or don’t.
How loud the applause or how quiet.

May we be more focused on serving the work before us and moving it forward to its next right place, even just a smidge more.

Eventually, we’ll look behind us and realize we climbed a mountain and despite the results and how many people saw,

we did it.

As evident, I may have gone a bit crazy and ordered too many books from the library.
Although I would argue, one could never order too many books from any library.
That being said, it means that these pictures are done haphazardly as I blazed through these reads in order to get them back to the library in time.

The Glass Hotel | Emily St.John Mandel

A story about a money mogul and a few that surrounded him. The way this was written, I just couldn’t get into it the way I had hoped. Not my writing style. I wanted to like it. I struggled with the delivery.

Of Mess and Moxie | Jen Hatmaker

A comedian of sorts, Jen gives her antidotes about life and faith. Some of it felt unoriginal, yet I kept reading because there were a lot of beautiful gems of thoughts tucked in the typical comedian’s rants. It did pack a punch where it mattered.

Road to Riverdale | Various authors

Always interested in adaptations etc. This was another look at how graphic novels/comics often are all done by various artists and storytellers using the characters and world provided. Enjoyed it.

The Lies that Bind | Emily Giffin

The best part of this novel, for me, was the first chapter. It was riveting. I could picture it completely and wanted it to continue as such. Of course, the story weaves out from there but in my own perfect world, we’d capture whatever that first chapter had and make it into a short film or film.

Dear Edward | Ann Napolitano

A heartbreaking and heart inspiring tale of what it means to be the sole survivor of a mass tragedy and grow into yourself and find meaning to continue living despite the loss. I enjoyed this read. Tears at the end.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | Suzanne Collins

This had to be my favourite of this month. I am utterly reticent about prequels. Ballad of Songbirds and Sakes is the prequel to the Hunger Games Series and it blew me away. To take a character like “Snow” and find out what he was like as a child, where he came from and how he rose to power. Incredible. It also gives incredible insight into the society that we are welcomed into for the Hunger Games Series and it also feels a bit of a warning at times for our own present-day world.

****NOTE: due to technical difficulties Noor’s interview did not come out as clear as we would hope. We look forward to a redo & time we can even welcome her into our studio.

Noor Aubaid 

Brand & Digital Strategist
Creator of the She + Me Podcast

Noor can be found working with others as a Brand & Digital strategist, while also interviewing and celebrating female founders in their journey, lives and work through her podcast She + Me.

Noor is a compassionate and passionate woman who has been actively creating content to show that success doesn’t need to look anyone way and that creativity and inspiration can start from anywhere. 

She also has the insight into what it means to be a creative entrepreneur that enables her to leverage that knowledge and lift up others through all aspects of her work.

Insta Live Link <———

MORE NOOR

Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/she-me/

Website

https://www.sheme.co/

Over the years, we have found a spark of joy in having a lunch date during a typical work week.
In many ways, this is not that special.
Two people going out for just under an hour, to have a meal and then get back to it.
We are one in millions who do this.
But I would argue there is something incredibly inspiring, memorable and empowering about this when done in a way that creates connection and support.

In the run of a week, the amount of time we spend (as parents) telling each other about our work is minimal. There just isn’t enough time, and quite frankly, at the end of the day, who wants to talk about work?

A work lunch date has been our opportunity to share what is going on in our work lives, pitch ideas to each other, be them in literal or abstract forms and generally speaking, find new ways to support each other.

For us, this generally looks like going to our favourite local restaurant, asking each other about our work and genuinely listening. It’s the listening that sparks ideas even in the subconscious. We let our work thoughts flow in and out of the conversation without expectation.

What do an engineer and a writer/producer have in common?

On the surface, nothing.
Nothing at all.

But so much of our work is creative and collaborative in ways that we can both relate and find ways to support each other in the midst of the differences.

dinner with family friends.

Seasons come and seasons go.

Our world is in a season of needing to maintain distance.

It’s crushing.
No matter who you are, true connection is what serves the soul.

I realize that not everyone is going to be able to spend Thanksgiving with others this year.
We are privileged in Nova Scotia, Canada, to have only three active cases and no new cases of COVID in a week, at the moment.

This means we can gather in groups of 10 close people to celebrate.

Settling into a new home means that we are working hard to maintain a new property and revive what we had to set aside for a season of our life.
In many respects, our little shore loft was a haven. A place of refuge as we became new sides of ourselves. As parents, new career paths and new jobs/projects.

Now, it is as if our new home is opening up space for more again.

It could be the restrictions we face, or the lack of communing the past few years of hard work has provided, but either way,

this thanksgiving

I am most thankful for the table.

The opportunity to connect, nourish and revive the soul.

And life is fleeting.

The moments around a table with those you love and learn to love are numbered.
We don’t know when they will end.
We don’t know when the last time we will pass a plate to that person.
We don’t know if they will sit there again or be a bittersweet memory.

This Thanksgiving, however, we sit and eat, I will be relishing and making an effort to harness these table moments into my everyday life.

Jhoanna Gonzales Miners

CEO & Principal Consultant at SeasonNova & Creative Director at NOVADEI

Jhoanna can be found championing others in their creativity with NOVADEI, interacting with clients through her consulting businesses and work, while also finding ways to reflect and slow down. 

Jhoanna is a grounded spirit who creates space and empathy in her consultant work through unconscious bias, anti racism and bi-stander intervention training and continues to bring a healthy perspective and understanding into the workplace.

She also happens to have a beautiful way in reminding us through all aspects of her work to reflect on the deeper values and meaning behind our actions, motives and work.

Watch the Insta Live <—-

MORE JHOANNA

WEBSITES

https://seasonova.ca

http://novadei.com

The Wife Stalker | Liv Constantine

Another installment from the duo that makes the synanom Liv Constantine. I wouldn’t say this was my favorite of their books, but it did do their famous ‘turn the tables’ on the reader so to speak mid way and give you another way at looking at mental health, perspective and a fun psycological thriller.

The Enneagram in Love & Work | Helen Palmer

A borrow from my aunt. I admit, I didn’t count this book in my ‘goodreads’ list as read, as I ended up skimming the last section. This would be a perfect book to sit on ones shelf for reference when needed. I do like that it delves into the various pairings of personality in relationship both in work and personal life.

Outlander | Diana Gaboldon

Okay, okay, you caught me. I re-read it again. I spent this summer reading sections and re-watching Season 1. ‘Drought-lander’ is a thing, especially during the pandemic. I will be an old lady re-reading this series.

The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember | Fred Rogers

I forgot to capture this read before it left the house to go back to the library, but a simple small read of amazing quotations from Fred Rogers. A meditative book.

TV Shows / Films of note:

When Harry Met Sally | because I watched it for the first time. classic 90s
The Great Canadian Baking Show | why did it take me so long to get to this?
The Home Edit : Organized | because its perfection
Toy Story | Watching it with a kid for the first time is such a millenial thing to do.

Her Business Our Story Your Calling is a short documentary featuring various entrepreneurial women and their businesses' stories. Through their experiences, we aim to inspire and encourage other people (focusing on women but not limited to) to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

A Brilliansea Production

Director: Claire Fraser
Producer: Amy Grace
Co Writers: Claire Fraser & Amy Grace
Editor: Claire Fraser
Cinematographer/Camera Operators: Claire Fraser Devon Pennick-Reilly Amy Grace
Featuring:
Korayne Romanchuk - Koko Mod Floral Design
Kate Pepler - The Tare Shop
Elana Camille - Elana Camille Creates
Victoria Smith - Fluke Boutique
Sharlene Loveless - Glo Barre (Rebranded:Rehab Body Lab Wellness & Tanning Studio)
Claire Fraser - Claire Fraser - Photography & Videography

Summer was a season of giant shifts for us as a family and individually. Selling and moving from our little loft into a home was a job that took up most of our summer days, but in there we found some lovely little moments and here are a few things that made our summer special.

Friendship Lamp

On a whim, we sent a lamp to both ourselves and our long-distance besties in British Columbia to have a little fun while living on opposite ends of the country during a pandemic. It felt foolish at first, but all five of us have enjoyed the fun and colourful warmth it brings us to know that we are thinking of each other through our days.

Glitter in the Air

I have always liked this song. I have been practicing more now that we are settled into our new home and seeing it all come together.

Lightfoot and Wolfville Rosé

For our anniversary we went to our favourite vineyard for a private tasting and lunch. This was one of the Rosé’s we had and I adored it. Had to bring it home as a little nod from our day.

Lightfoot and Wolfville Tote

In their shop, Lightfoot had this tote for sale and I have to say, one of the things that I have always adored about the vineyard and farm is their branding. They have a beautifully romantic way of summarizing their values and history in their images.

IKEA Water Glasses

During our kitchen reno in 2019 and since we had multiple water glasses break for various reasons. (washing glassware in a shallow bathroom sink for six weeks may have something to do with it) It has left us moving into a new house with just five water glasses left and all mismatched from various sets. Picking up a pack of these glasses is a wonderful way of celebrating hosting in our new home and welcoming a new season in our lives.

Daisy Jones and the Six

I picked up this book during my first venture out of the house after the strict pandemic restrictions lifted. It served as a lovely summer read that had the taste of “A Star is Born”.

Sunglasses

So glad that I pulled for us to both get prescription sunglasses earlier this year. They made this summer’s nature walks, drives and the few beach days we could squeeze in so much more enjoyable. Huge thanks to All About Eyeware for making that happen during the spring months.

In this special edition of the Insta Lives, Amy & Claire discuss what’s next for Brilliansea and announce the public release of their short Short Documentary “Her Business Our Story Your Calling” for September 23rd, 2020.

Watch the Live Here:

Amy & Claire Insta Live

Top Centre - Clockwise: Marie the Cat Shoes | H&M, The Penderwicks | Indigo, Strawberry Dress | Thrift find from Auntie Nicole, Rainbow Overalls | Carters, Tropical Romper | H&M gift from Auntie Heidi & Uncle Sean, Pink Hoodie Sweater | H&M, Whale Mug | Gift from Great Aunt & Uncle, Pencils | Gift from Great Aunt & Uncle, Rainy Day Activity Book | Indigo, Striped Shorts | Old Navy, Donuts graphic T | Carters, Pink Shoes | Winners, Doll | Gift from Great Aunt & Uncle, Pink Swimsuit | Zara, Blue Dress | Thrift find from Auntie Nicole, Jean Shorts | Carters, Yellow T Shirt | Thrift find from Auntie Nicole

True to form, Zoë would rather be in a dress and without shorts or pants. This can be challenging when the only clean clothes are shorts and t-shirts but she managed to spend most of her summer in dresses, rompers and her overalls. And we scooted by in these shorts from time to time.

Seen here are her most worn outfits. Not seen are 3 pairs of pyjamas, 5 other t-shirts & a couple of dresses she outgrew during the summer.

New to Her

Blue Dress

A find from Auntie Nicole during her thrifting adventures. This dress was a hit. She wears it again as soon as it’s clean.

Swimsuit

Growing out of her last swimsuit, brought us to land on this one. Precious.

Hoodie

Not a fan of extra clothing, at least with a zip sweater it’s easy for her to put on without the strong commitment of her other pullover sweaters.

Still Going Strong

Overalls

She wears the overalls constantly and they stand up so well.

T-Shirts

All her t-shirts she has either grown out of this summer and the ones that are left are still in excellent condition. Easily donatable.

Time to Go

T-Shirts & Dresses outgrown not seen here.

Top centre - Clockwise : Black tank romper | The Gap, Blue tank | Modcloth, Tank dress | H&M, White silk tank | RW&Co, White/Grey striped cropped pants | RW&Co, Jean Shorts | The Gap, White T Shirt Dress | La Vie en Rose, Brown Purse | Modcloth, Butterfly Sweater | Winners, Dock Candle | Gift from Jasmine Alexander, Biker Yoga Shorts | Aerie, Sun Glasses | Prada, Blue / White Striped Romper | Aerie, Daisy Jones & The Six | Chapters

Summer this year was not what we expected. Kidney Stones, selling our first home, buying a new home, preparing our little for Grade Primary during a pandemic… compared to others these are minor problems. We are well overall, we have a roof over our heads, our daughter has what she needs. That being said,

I would be remiss if I didn’t say we are experiencing whiplash from a certain amount of the heightened stress we’ve had to journey the past year (much which is unmentioned and I talk about minimally).

The above picture indicates the clothes I wore on routine this season. Even though I had other options, exhaustion, lack of ‘outings’ etc meant that much of my beloved summer clothes went unworn and I chose to re-wear these select items for ease.

I trust that next summer will be different than this one.

New to Me

Under Armour Sneakers | I wore out my sketchers of 10 years. Thus it made sense to invest in a new pair of runners.

Butterfly Sweater | My first solo shopping trip out after the pandemic restrictions lifted, I saw this sweater. It has become a symbolic piece during the wild months we have been living.

Still Going Strong

Blue silk tank | My first thought out purchase postpartum, August 2015, goes strong. I ADORE this shirt and hope it stays with me for the next five years.

Prescription Sunglasses | I picked these up at All About Eyeware in Bedford, NS. Having Perscription sunglasses change everything. I had a few very embarrassing moments occur while I was out for a walk where people were trying to get my attention and I didn’t realize who they were or that they were gesturing to me. An upfront cost, but very worth it.

Time to Go

Sketcher Sneakers | The state of my Sketchers was embarrassing. Of course, making shoe purchases amidst a pandemic poses its challenges. In the end, I dragged myself out and purchases this pair. A middle ground pair of sneakers that I can do my cardio workouts in, and get out for walks in,

Jean Shorts | Another one of my first purchases postpartum in 2015. These jean shorts have been my only jeans shorts and are one of 2 ‘non workout shorts’ that I own. This pair was begging to be replaced this year, and although I didn’t get around to it, I know it will be first on my list next summer. They are falling apart in embarrassing ways.

Inside our new closet I was able to see the clothes I didn’t wear this season and want to appreciate my love for them and hopes that next summer will look different than this one.

I think it’s safe to say I have a colour pallet for the warmer months of the year.

What an uplifting conversation with @katepepler from @thetareshop! We are so excited about her new store opening in Downtown Dartmouth this fall!

INSTA LIVE <———

Rage Becomes Her | Soraya Chemaly

This read brings light to the number of pressures women are under to present themselves in a certain way. Raising my own spitfire and knowing that she comes by some of those traits naturally, it was helpful to read and be reminded of the various societal and systemic gender pressures that women are forced to endure and it starts early. I wish this read gave me more to hold onto in regards to how to harness our anger as women practically, but it did a lot in validating where anger is from and how often it is manifested in women physically in pain etc due to a lifetime of repressing negative emotions.

Daisy Jones & The Six | Taylor Jenkins Reid

A fun summer read about a band and a singer who collaborate together during the 1980s. It has that rock band vibes and shows how much toxicity is in the industry of music-making that artists are surrounded by. A sweet atmospheric read.

Never Eat Alone | Keith Ferrazzi

Encouraging true collaborative professional relationships in a world where ‘self-made’ is celebrated and abused in it’s meaning.

Normal People | Sally Rooney

Just cracking this read open, but already into it. Helps to know that when I have finished it, there is a television series based on the novel waiting to be watched.

The Lions Den | Katherine St.John

Picked up while very high on drugs after a day in the E.R., waiting for more medication to help a kidney stone along. I very much thought I deserved a new book after that much pain. A summer mystery. Beach read at it’s finest. Rich people on yachts, a woman who doesn’t want to be there etc.

TV Shows & Films of Note*

Maudie | because it is literally the most moving film I have seen in a year. For Canadians, you can stream it on CBC Gem.
Trolls | Colourful. Fun for kids. Way too many OMGS for littles, ill-placed. (we edited them out)

Call it a pandemic, insightful colleagues, actively producing independent projects for almost a decade, or maybe just old fashioned perspective. The developments this year have helped me recognize that my work as a producer has weight and value.

At my core, I am a writer, but that has helped me develop my production skills through honing what it means to craft a story. Knowing that there is a bigger picture at play and wanting to see the creative ideas I have come to fruition.

The medium of producing has been becoming more apparent in my collaborations with others. I realize that the joy for me in making anything is behind the scenes of it all. Cultivating an atmosphere of creativity, collaboration and honouring the project holistically. To see a project in its whole self drives me in anything I do.

I am not sure where my active pursuit of professional producing will lead me, but what I do know already,

producing is not just about 'making it happen'; it's about honouring the whole process and working to make sure all of the moving parts are working to their best ability.

Amy Grace sits down with Kaitlyn Adair and discusses how COVID has brought its challenges to the creative entrepreneur as well as its own blessings. Reevaluating and learning to appreciate relationships and home in a new way. 

Instal Live <——-

While coping and recovering from Kidney stones I ended up having the laydown time to read. I inhaled these books and am so glad that with the return of the Halifax Public Libraries I am back to my normal reading routine.

You, Me, and the Sea | Meg Donohue

A beautiful take on what it means to come from a damaged home and find one’s own identity outside of it to return to make space better. I enjoyed the relational realism that was depicted in this story.

Where the Sidewalk Ends | Shel Silverstein

A fun read with our daughters. A few of Shel’s poems before bed often gave us a good laugh or a thoughtful pause.

Landline | Rainbow Rowell

Inhaled this read in 24 hours. Rainbow Rowell writes her stories in a way that allows the reader to relax, get curious and enjoy the ride. A story about what qualities are in a long-lasting relationship and what makes them survive.

Becoming | Michelle Obama

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Michelle’s account of her life thus far. Written beautifully and easy to follow her everyday woman’s journey from girlhood to becoming FLOTUS.

Little Fires Everywhere | Celeste Ng

A stunning read on motherhood written by Celeste Ng set in the 1990s in a traditional planned community of “Shake Heights” in Ohio. Character development is a steller, you can picture the community and the people who live there. A beautiful story.

my desk this summer it seems….

I am starting to see a pattern.

In life there are seasons of action, seasons of growth and seasons of waiting.

There are also seasons of constant inturruptions.

I would say that for me, 2020 thus far has been all of that and more.

Most recently, a season of waiting and constant interruptions.

A laptop needing up to two weeks of service, a trip to the E.R., recovering from Kidney stones, scheduling major life changes and appointments (all good changes), and least of all, a cat who most certainly wants to sleep on ones work chair at all hours of the day while one tries to make a borrowed laptop fill the void. (if you do creative work, you know that software, subscription services are all part of ones daily routine. Trying to make do without those programs is a bit of a slog. )

It can feel infuriating when you realize time is being wasted while you wait for things to resolve. A kidney stone to pass, pain to recede, paperwork to go through, a laptop to be fixed and yes, even a house tiger to admit defeat in who gets the chair as she ‘slomps’ away with a chirp of dissapointment.

It can also be an opportunity.

To enjoy life, to think more, and connect with both colleagues and friends alike in a new way.

Things I have enjoyed in the waiting:

Reading. Having the library open again has given me new reading enjoyment and movtivation.

Routine Skype calls | A colleague / good friend of mine started a bi weekly Monday chat routine and it has been huge in helping us suss out our creative energy, thoughts and plans for our projects.

Reordering my thoughts | Forced time away, even if scattered has a way of expanding the mind outside the box. Re-imagining what is, to what could be.

So while I am impatiently waiting for my own laptop, for our life changes to occur and in a time when so much seems to be ‘up in the air’, I will be working on my ability to enjoy the process of the waiting and find growth here. Be it in a hospital bed, at the beach, or simply… admitting defeat and letting the house tiger sleep peacefully while I drag the old borrowed laptop to the floor by the rotating fan.

Summer is a time of road trips, driving to the beach, and parties.

Although drives in our province can happen, we find ourselves in a season of planning and preparing. A huge part of that is having our child enter primary school. A huge stepping stone for her and us.

While creating a playlist I found joy in adding a few tracks that reflected summer like films while also adding tracks that felt reflective of a summer full of shifts, pandemic restrictions and hopes for the future.

Summer 2020 Playlist <——

*Standouts

In the Waiting | Kina Grannis

This track has given me a lot of hope, peace and reminder to stay present in the moment and day I am in.

Revival Anthem | Rend Collective

It’s no secret that I ADORE music from the British Isles. Rend Collective has a tone similar to Mumford and Sons while also highlighting their faith in creative ways. Seeing them play live last year was a highlight. Their energy is terrific. (It didn’t hurt that they said Nova Scotia of all the provinces in Canada reminded them of the same music energy / atmosphere they see in Ireland.)

La Vie En Rose | Lady Gaga

A Star is Born tore my heart in two. I found it beautifully done to the point of feeling the ache of it’s echo months later. Always loving this song, I found Lady Gaga (Stefanie) rendition of it reaches new heights.

Water | Kanye West

As polorizing as Kayne can be, I find his creativity fascinating. Over the years I have resonated with his work that highlights the desire to connect with a higher power.
I initially found peace in this song when this couple captured the physicality of the song.

Seasons | NEEDTOBREATHE

This song hit me in the gut and was an instant purchase. I think music connects us as humans and ultimately I would argue that it’s a way that we connect deeper with that which made us.

*always tacked on the playlist is a few tracks from the Outlander season / book I am re-reading / rewatching. Summer 2020 is Book 1 & Season 1.