I've Felt better

I spent the day at home, nursing a cold. You know when you think you are feeling better and then you try to do something (for me it was a bit of work on the laptop) and you realize you should've stayed in bed. Well, it was one of those days. I finally got out of bed at 4:30pm. One thing you should know about me is I have to keep my hands moving all the time - even when I am sick. It became the perfect time to sit and work at a hobby. I have a few.

I put the Christmas music, grabbed my needle and some wool and voila! Homemade felted Christmas ornaments. Like I said I have a few hobby - some require a lot of concentration, like the doll making. But felting is mindless and a great way to release some tension. Jabbing wool with a very sharp needle until it takes form. It's easy and quite enjoyable.

Someday I hope to play around a bit and really see what I can create with a bit of canvas and bits of wool. For now, my skill is limited to embellishments, birds and Christmas ornaments.

"That is a good book which is opened with expectation and closed with profit."
~Amos Bronson Alcott

one of my favorite mugs & a good book

Reading was never really encouraged when I was growing up. I stuck to Archie comics and when I got older I moved onto Cosmo and People magazine. A few years ago I made a New Year's resolution to read a book a month. Since then I've been hooked. I love escaping into someone else's world. Sometimes I wish the story would never end, other times I can't wait for it to be over.

A friend of mine has Shelfari on her blog and I thought what a great way to share the books one has read so I have added the feature. Good, Bad or just plain weird I willl eventualy get my titles all added. Currently I am reading The Birth House by Ami McKay. Canadian Literature is great. I am not very good at writing reviews, either I like it or I don't. So far I am really enjoying this one.

Assembly work not for me

For 2 days we have been stuffing, labeling, licking and stamping envelopes for our 2nd anniversary celebration. Over 3000 to be exact. Tedious work and I realized that this was not my cup of tea. One of the girls commented they could really go for this type of work but all I could think was "will it ever end?" Yes it would because we only printed so many invitations but in an assembly line the work would just keep coming, same old same old. Never changing. I compared it to knitting. I like to see progress with my work. With knitting you knit one, pearl one for ever. and eventually (a month later) you have a sweater or afghan. Not for me. Nope, I need to see some results. Instant gratification. Like renovating a room. One day it is beige, the next day it is Electric Blue or cooking (it's amazing what you can whip up in an hour) or bra fitting (it is what I do), within a 30 min span you've made a client happy. And the clients are all different, different likes and dislikes, different needs. Even the behind the scenes stuff for the store - like creating a newsletter, or creating a new radio ad, all pretty quick tasks, or attending a tradeshow.
But,as with all jobs, come the tasks that we don't like. So I say get it done and over with and get back to what I like doing, because, when you truly love what you do, it doesn't really feel like work.

"Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else." ~James M. Barrie

All I want for Christmas

Everyone seems to be getting in the Christmas spirit. I am finding it a little hard this year. Maybe it is because it has been crazy busy up until now. With the new store opening in 2 weeks, I am holding back on getting to "wrapped up" in the holidays. I think once that is over I can change my focus. The Santa Claus parade always puts us in the mood, we come home, enjoy hot drinks and good music and consider tackling the tree.


Big G untangling the lights!


Last night, after we got all unpacked from our weekend and little g tucked into bed, Big G and I sat and enjoyed the fire and a glass of wine, talking about how fast this Christmas season snuck up on us. We started talking about what we wanted for Christmas. Grant said "underwear" . I told him if he said that one more time I would buy him $400 worth and nothing else. (This is a man who does not like to shop). We had some laughs over past wierd and ugly presents and then started thinking about what we really truly wanted for Christmas and we both said the same. A week off - together. Anywhere. Tropical would be nice but not required. For the past 5 years we have taken our vacations seperately because work does not allow us otherwise. Grant's business closes for one week of the year. Christmas to New Years. We tried going away tropical before but that was with friends and family and frankly not very relaxing accomodating everyone's agendas. Lesson learned.
I can't see us getting away this year, vacation packages are not cheap. And I struggle with spending that kind of money on one week when we could put that towards upgrading the cottage and enjoy  it year round. Then we could spend the one week off there. That sounds like heaven.
It probably doesn't seem like a lot to some but it is a rather expensive gift, so if you are reading this Santa, wondering if you can make this girl's wish come true.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Taking my shower this morning I reached for my favorite shampoo and thought what a great stocking stuffer idea for a runner and then I started making a mental list of my favorite things. I thought I would share- in case you are looking for some gift ideas:

1. Freya Lounge Wear Lois http://www.freyalingerie.com/Lounge.aspx

The first thing I do when I get home is change out my dress clothes and into my soft and oh so comfortable jammies. I love the "Lois" set because it has a built in shelf bra that will actually work for my girls. There is just enough lycra in the fabric to make it move with you. of course these are available at The Girls Bra Shop.

2. Lush! I Love Juicy shampoo http://bing.search.sympatico.ca/?q=Lush&mkt=en-ca&setLang=en-CA

I love shopping at the Lush store when traveling to Toronto or Halifax. I Love Juicy was recommended by their staff when I said I my hair is more oily on run days. This is a great shampoo. Wouldn't use everyday though as it may dry your hair out.

3. Pampered Chef Rice Cooker  http://www.pamperedchef.ca/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=9917&catId=8&parentCatId=8&outletSubCat=&viewAllOutlet

no more rice spilling over and make a mess in my microwave, but I don't limit myself to just rice. This pot will steam veggies perfectly. Want to book a party or place an order online? http://www.pamperedchef.biz/stephanypublicover

4. Forever New http://www.fashionessentials.com/fabric-wash.asp

My skin is what you would call "hyper sensitive" and a lot of detergents are to harsh. We brought Forever New into the store when we opened because it came highly recommended for caring for our product. It is so gentle, it doesn't burn or irritate my skin and it has a mild but really nice scent. This stuff is great. 

5. Pearls http://www.benmoss.com/home/product/tabid/64/language/en-ca/p-22895-cultured-pearls-18-55-6-mm.aspx?catid=1488

I went out for deodorant and hairspray and came home with Pearls. I love the simplicity, yet sophistication of them, why, I will even wear them with a t shirt and blue jeans. Yeah I know they say diamonds are a girls best friend and I would never refuse diamonds but pearls are different, classic.

6.Ally McBeal  http://www.amazon.ca/Ally-McBeal-Complete-Calista-Flockhart/dp/B002VEJKKY/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1289781251&sr=1-1

I can't stand channel surfing. I am home alone a lot (well with little g) and I don't sleep well so typically I am up late. All very good reasons to invest in a series. There are so many to choose from. So many tv shows I couldn't miss over the years. But Ally McBeal was the quirkiest and most fun to watch. I have rewatched seasons 1, 2 and 3 a few times and hoping for season 4 and 5 for Christmas. hint hint. 

7.  Las Moras Black Label Malbec http://nbwines.blogspot.com/2009/08/las-moras-black-label-malbec-2006.html

wine is a perennial favorite hostess gift or Christmas present amongst friends. I love red wines and this one has a great start and finnish to it. The dark rich blackberry marries well with the hints of chocolate and vanilla.

8. Settlers of Catan http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/toys/Settlers-of-Catan/029877030613-item.html?ikwid=settlers+of+catan&ikwsec=Home

Thanks to Allison and Kevin we are hooked and have passed it on to many of our friends. This game is excellent. It's like Monopoly and Risk collided. See the true colours of your friends - Power Hungry Cut Throats. It's addictive and fun. Pick up the expansion pack if you want 6 players. and remember...

What happens in Catan - Stays in Catan!

9. LL Bean Shearling Slippers http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/61959?feat=503444-GN3

With their indoor/ outdoor soles these slippers are perfect. With the shearling surrounding your feet your have warmth, comfort and moisture wicking too. Wear around the house, or grocery shopping.



10. Essential Cyndi Lauper http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Cyndi-Lauper/dp/B00008PX8X

Grant gave me this cd a couple years ago for Christmas and I love it. I keep this cd in my car and have it on my ipod. Her classic 80's tunes and a few new ones. This collection is essential!

11. A Day at Nakai. http://www.nakai.ca/

We all need a day of pampering. This spa is beautiful and relaxing. Bring your ipod, enjoy a cup of herbal tea and mentally check out for the day.