Question #4

Day 4. Post a picture of you in your favourite outfit

Yeah for an easy day!!! Here is an outfit I wear all the time. The shirt is really simple but pretty, the capris are comfortable and I get to wear my red patent sandals. The photo was taken by Jon in Montreal on our Honeymoon this summer. I was watching the ducks in the pond (and yelling at the kids who were throwing big rocks at the ducks...)

Question #3

Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?

I could take the easy way out of this question and talk about Fiona. She definitely inspired this list and the development that comes with it. I am spending more me time focusing on what I want to say and do. No more Facebook addiction- I am still online on occasion to check events and messages, but no little games anymore. My time has been spent collecting inspiration and finding lovely things to use in client's spaces. I am seriously addicted to Pinterest now, but that's a good thing because it can keep all of those sources sorted for me. The site will also make it way easier to find unique items to set my designs apart. And now that I have completely distracted you from the original question I am going to get back to it. I should talk about Fiona, but this time I'm not going to. I said thank you to her already and will actually do the work while I'm here.


There are two wonderful women who have recently come into my life and because I can't decide which to talk about I will talk about both (and try to cut the rambling down!)


Robin- I stumbled past your blog and you came over to check out what I was saying. Whenever there is a post of yours in my list I read it first. Your words help me to find my own and your support has helped me to keep going. Your children are so lucky to have a mother who can communicate with them honestly and will grow up strong because of it. There is already evidence of it in Jessica's blog (the writing thing also passed through the family tree!) You make me want to keep going and keep learning. Thank you for giving this new blogger a chance, some encouragement and something to reach for in my writing. 


Teresa- You came to work with me and amaze me every day. You always have a big smile on your face and have made me laugh when everything in my head says not to. Your ability to shrug off negativity and raise spirits is truly a gift. When I told you about this project you told me that everyone is beautiful in some way. You don't need these questions, my praise or my compliments, because you already embrace the lesson. You have shown me what I am trying to learn. There truly is beauty in everyone and there is a ton of it in you. Thank you for complimenting me every day, making me feel loved and making me feel like I can do anything.

Pinterest

Ok, I am still sick but finally have a day at home. I got an email today with my membership to Pinterest. I requested it last week but they have to approve you first. I logged in and am now very, very addicted. It is a way to collect photos, inspiration and links to awesome products.
Check out the new link on my sidebar to my profile there and my boards!

Best Fortune Ever

I love this fortune that was on my tea today. Too awesome!

No big post today. Between the icky allergic reaction night last night, the gym this morning and then work I am drained and ready for bed. Goodnight! 

Question #2

Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?

I had to tap into Jon's knowledge base for this one. I stared at the screen for a long time before asking for his help....so here are his answers:
 - I am ALWAYS cold. No matter how warm it is outside. Even in Greece when it was +30 at night I still snuggled under the blankets. 
 - I change my hair colour every 2 or 3 weeks. In the past few months it has been dark with blond streaks, purple, black, chestnut brown and is currently dark red.
 - There is a scar on my cheek from when I was little. I was using the bar in my closet to practice my gymnastic moves and it spun. I hit a metal bookcase....I ended up with stitches. I don't notice it anymore but he loves it.
 - I am a closet geek, a title coming from Jon and a few of our friends. I am refusing to play Dungeons & Dragons or Magic with them, but I love games. My reason why- I will get too addicted. I have to pull myself away from Restaurant City which is meaningless and simple, put me into a complex game? You'll never get me out!


My answers that I thought up while typing his in:
 - I have a big scar on my tummy. I don't really care that it's there. Two of my tattoos are right next to it, so it gets attention along with them and doesn't bother me. 
 - I would way rather give my money to people who work hard. I don't care that farmer's markets groceries and craft show gifts cost more, I like to know who made the item and help support them. I try to do all of my shopping in boutiques that are owner run. Why support WalMart? 
 - I love to sing and I do it constantly. I don't care what the music is or what I am doing, I am singing along. Seriously, I have to pick specific songs to listen to at the gym or else I sing along with my iPod while on the treadmill with headphones on. I feel that it helps me to express my feelings- Jon has often said that he can tell my mood based on the music that's playing.
 - My eyes are stunning. They are brown with green and hazel flecks. I hate wearing my glasses (and usually don't) because they block them. I have tried contacts, I am currently awful at putting them in.
 - It is really hard to make me give up. Some people see my stubbornness as a fault. I don't, I think it means that I will meet my goals and set even higher ones. 
 - I love to volunteer and help our community. I have so much of everything in my life that I need to give back and help others get there.
 - Cooking is one of my favourite things to do. When I had my own kitchen (I share one right now) I had someone over for dinner every night so I could cook for them. It's one of the biggest reasons why I am excited for Victoria. 
 - I read anything and everything. The internet is an evil thing for me. Blogs, Twitter and Facebook could take over my life if I let them. I have spent days on Wikipedia clicking on the random button. In fact, that is where a few hours of today went. 
 - Bold colours are my favourite. I love mixing strong hues and balancing them out. They are why I specialized in Contemporary design. I can't handle pastels and muted tones all the time. They have their place, and can be used properly, but I am still not a fan. Give me bold any day!
 - I give my cats crazy voices and talk to them when they are meowing at me. I can have a whole conversation with Firefly when she is in one of her moods. 
 - I refuse to start my day without coffee. Not necessarily because I need the caffeine, more because I love the warmth that it brings. I am also a bit of a coffee snob. I will go to the big chains if I don't have any other options, but prefer to go to smaller coffee shops. It goes along with my small business support thing. I think it's awesome to know the baristas by name and visit with them while waiting instead of that strange silence while they spend 5 minutes on your drink.

Dad's Birthday

So, my Dad's birthday was yesterday and I was soooo excited about his presents. I'm not sure if he clicks in to check up on me so I couldn't post them until he had opened them, but now I can!!!
I ordered him a custom canvas from the talented Stephanie at Geezees. Check out her shop here!
Here is the proof from her (I forgot to take a photo of the finished product!) She took one of the photos of us dancing at my wedding and put the lyrics to the song along the side. The font is very me (see, I love styles that look like handwriting!) and I love that she chose to make the one sentence larger.

I also got him a copy of Aspire by Kevin Hall while I was at a seminar last month. Kevin was one of the speakers and was selling and signing his books over the weekend. I had a blast chatting with him and am so glad I picked up a copy of the book for both of us. The book is based on the power of words and he picks a handful of words to show why they are inspiring, uplifting and the greatest gifts. It is a beautiful read and one that I will pick up again and again for motivation. 

If you do read this, Happy Birthday again Daddy! 

I love you!

Question #1

Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?

Why is this first one so hard? I read it yesterday, resolved to think about it today and write tonight. I still have nothing. No, that's not true. I have the physical beauty definition still in my head. I think beauty and I think of models and what I would love to look like. Most of the physical traits that I admire the most are completely unattainable for me. For example, I wish that I was taller. There is no way that will permanently happen- I can try with pretty shoes, but eventually I need to take them off. I wish that I had curly hair. Mine is straight as a bone and, if you try to curl it the curls fall in an hour or two. Even when professionally done. Even with a ton of hairspray. 
Nonetheless, there has to be more to beauty than I am getting to. I think there is a ton of beauty around us. I think people's smiles are beautiful and the light in their eyes when you make them laugh. I think nature is amazing and beautiful, even when it means freezing my butt off to go anywhere. I think my cats are beautiful with their soft grey coats and green eyes. I love textures and find lots of textiles beautiful based solely by touch. I think life is beautiful, messy, but definitely beautiful. I think volunteering for charities and helping others makes you beautiful. Ok, ramble over.


Beauty to me is knowing that your actions all come from love, that they will make someone feel special and loved and that your outward appearance doesn't matter.