LOVE LIST - NOVEMBER MOOD // 011

We’re nearing the finish line. 2024 is coming to an end - how did we get to the holiday season already? It feels a little off, I think because of how mild the weather has been but the calendar doesn’t lie and we’re just over a month away from a new year!

So here we are… above is my NOVEMBER MOOD(board).

Enjoy the space between where you are and where you are going - is what I am really feeling right now … I’ve put myself out in the world with a new side project I’m working on (more on that below) and I know it isn’t where I want to be but I am definitely focusing on enjoying the process to get to where I see myself (even though that’s not always clear).
… and this is usually where I share a few specific things I am really into right now but I am not going to this month. I don’t know about you but I feel bombarded with Black Friday and then Cyber Monday deals, deals, deals!!

I really did have all intentions in creating a wonderful Canadian local shop gift guide for this months newsletter but then pretty last minute, I hopped on the market train and signed up for about half a dozen local markets for Sticker Club by rayna marlee. It has been very time consuming but fun as well! The sticker collage kits have been a hit. It’s been great seeing what people are interested in and gravitate towards as well, seeing how faces light up and people share their childhood stories and memories.

So, if you’d like to visit one of my pop ups to support me and other amazing local vendors, here are a few markets I’m popping up at:

Sunday November 24 - Cedarvale Holiday Marketplace
Sunday December 1 - Bialik Marketplace (private ticketed event)
Thursday December 5 - Hillcrest Market (ticketed event)
Saturday December 7 - Sweat and Tonic Market at The Well
Sunday December 8 - McMurrich Market
Thursday December 12 - Alexander Muir Gladstone Market

With Black Friday just around the corner remember how easy it is to shop Amazon but how meaningful it is to support local makers and economy

On another note, if anyone has any good book recommendations please pass along. I’ve read five books since the last newsletter and I couldn’t even choose one I wanted to share because they were all just meh!

This is my final LOVE LIST for 2024.
Wishing everyone (a very early) Happy Holidays and New Year.

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LOVE LIST - SEPTEMBER MOOD // 010

Happy New Year, I mean September! But seriously, September feels like a new year, a fresh start and I am ready for it. I’m holding onto the last days of Summer but I’m all in my Fall Feels: brisk mornings, shorter days. cozy sweaters. taking chances. evening walks… and this may be controversial but pumpkin spice is NOT on my Fall agenda in any form.

So here we are… above is my SEPTEMBER MOOD(board).

If you can’t stop thinking about it, don’t stop working on it - I have literally been stuck on an idea for this entire year and I am finally doing something about it. Keep reading to find out what I am talking about… and this is me encouraging you to keep working towards your dreams. You can do it (and I am always here to listen and support!)

… and now here are a few specific things I am really into right now:

I’m wearing … 
Charm Necklaces

Is anyone else on the Charm Necklace trend? They’ve been popping up everywhere all summer so when my 14 year old niece was visiting from out-of-town I thought it would be a perfect activity for us to make our own. I used to do this in high school and hadn’t walked into these bead stores since, but here we were on Queen Street (check out Hi Beads or Arton if I’ve inspired you)... and how cute did it turn out?! Also, please take a moment and check out this tamagotchi charm by Kimberly Doyle, or as they call them: gemagotchi (which sell out in seconds each launch!) How cute!!

What I’m reading …
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

In this month’s Book Club I want to recommend: One True Loves. Also a movie, which I am just remembering now that I need to watch! Anyone seen it?

Another book to note: The Perfect Couple (that I am currently almost done reading). I wanted to read this book because the Netflix Show just came out and I always love reading the book BEFORE watching. Not sure how I feel about it yet… so will report back. Also, are you team read the book first or watch the movie?

I’m crushing on…
Scrunchie Watch Strap

I was SO hesitate to wear a watch. I wear very minimal jewelery and could not stand the thought of having a watch band… but I wanted to count those steps! (FYI: it’s VERY hard to find a cool pedometer) but thanks to a friend who let me try her Apple watch, I am not hooked. I think it’s thanks to this scrunchie watch band I use. It feels like I am wearing a scrunchie (which I basically wear daily anyways)! It comes in a 3-pack and there are some pattern variations.

ICYMI -
SO what have I been STUCK on? (pun intended here).

Well, exciting things are happening in the sticker world (and this is just the beginning!!) Stickering has been a fun and nostalgic but also mindful and creative activity I have been doing this past year. I have been posting some of the sticker collages I’ve been designing and I’m excited to share that I am now offering Sticker Collage Events with the goal to create experiences centred around stickers.

Stickering is a mess-free, creative, and mindful activity. Sticker art is a non-intimidating form of self-expression that’s guaranteed fun! The possibilities are endless from birthday parties to social and corporate events: think stickering with your besties, think wine and stickers, how about a team building activity with your office, a Holiday Party activity, or a personalized PR launch event.

There are so many ways to customize a sticker event to make it a truly unique one-of-a-kind event! I can't wait to bring people together through stickers and I can’t wait to sticker with you!

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LOVE LIST - JULY MOOD // 09

HI JULY! SUMMMMMMER IS HERE! … and already flying by! Anyone else? I hate the pressure of feeling like I need to take advantage of every moment of summer because it’s too short. 

So here it is, my JULY MOOD(board). Time is not refundable, use it with intention - as you can see, I already feel like summer is flying by! But that’s time and I’m enjoying it and I hope you are too! We’ve had lots of out of town guests visits which is nice. I’ve been trying to catch up with friends, grab coffee with colleges, and sit on patios whenever possible. No big travel plans this summer but plan to spend lots of time in nature because nature is the best. I’m also trying to implement some new long term work habits and I’ll update you on those when results start trickling in.

For now, here are few things I’m loving at the moment:

I’m wearing …
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen 

This is my FAVE sunscreen. I use it daily and what I love most about it is that it is NOT greasy, a real natural finish, and it is CLEAR. Clear? Yes, it comes out clear. So when you accidentally get some in your hair or you run out the door and miss the crease in your nose, or smudge it on your shirt (like we all do), you don’t see it! Also, it does not smell. Like I don’t understand how they made this concoction but I’m here for it (and SPF in general) ☀️

I’m reading …

We’re halfway through the year, so I did a round up reel of all the books I’ve read so far this year. Summer is a great time to pick up that book that’s been sitting on your bedside table and enjoy a poolside summer read. In this month’s Book Club I’m  recommending my top three 2024 reads (that would all be great beach reads):
1. This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
2. Just For Summer by Abby Jimenez
3. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Happy summer (the best) reading!

I’m crushing on…
Heinz x Kate Spade New York Collection

When you have a husband who loves ketchup as much as mine, you are drawn to the new Heinz x Kate Spade New York Collection when it pops up on your feed. Yes, this classic brand on a purse and loafers is very intriguing but also quite comical. I’m still a little confused by this quirky collab but it’s sparking all the feels. Do I go for a Heinz tote bag or keychain?

I’m watching…
Love Island USA Season 6

I’m HOOKED (and apparently I am not the only one says the Internet). I don’t know why. I have never watched this show before. Not sure how it even came on in the background a couple weeks ago… all I know is I can’t get enough of it right now. It’s really good (in that terrible-reality-mindless-brain-numb-cringe kind of way….) and I’m invested and obsessed. It’s on CRAVE… You’re welcome.

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ICYMI -

ANOTHER COOKBOOK in the world! I’m super excited that another cookbook is out and on bookshelves - The Young Forever Cookbook: More than 100 Delicious Recipes for Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life by Mark Hyman. This was a fun project to work on with a fab team - Kyla Zanardi as the photographer and Dara Sutin behind the recipe development and gorgeous food styling. We had a lot of creative freedom with this one, so I was able to work my art direction and prop styling magic ✨

If you want to receive my monthly updates and faves directly to your inbox… I would LOVE for you to subscribe! to my newsletter ❤️ Thanks for reading!

LOVE LIST - MAY MOOD // 08

HI MAY! Above is my MAY MOOD(board). Keep it Simple - that’s my plan for the summer. I’ve been itching for the simpler times. Not sure if this is the “good ol’ days” or small town vibes or even “the grass is always greener” idea… but life can get so busy and chaotic, and then time flies by. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially around summer time wanting to do it all. We feel we need to cram in as much as we can because our Summers are short. I’m going to keep is simple and enjoy.

Walk whenever possible. Get outside. Stop and smell the flowers. Literally. Patios, picnics, and play. Shoes off. Lots of sunscreen… and ice cream.

Below are a few things I’m loving at the moment:

I’m shopping … 
Joe Fresh x Jessi Cruickshank Collection 

So in the last newsletter I mentioned I was going to the Jessi Cruickshank live comedy show. So, it was a blast! At her show I entered a contest, as one (me) does… and I won! I won a gift card to Joe Fresh, makeup and gift box from Shoppers, and the new JF x Jessi Cruickshank collection for myself and a friend! So my sister Lisa took me to the show, so I took her to the contest. We showed up, not knowing what really to expect and Jessi surprised us. We had such a fun morning and left with shopping bags full… and there’s a good chance you’ll see me in this outfit this summer.

I’m reading …
The Idea of You

In this month’s Book Club I want to recommend: The Idea of You. You may have heard or seen the movie on Prime. If you haven’t watched it yet I recommend reading the book FIRST. The premise is that a mom takes her daughter to a concert and ends up starting a relationship with one of the boy band members. People say it’s inspired by One Direction and Harry Styles. I always love reading the book first and when I read this book I made sure not to know which actors were playing the main characters. When I watched the movie the actors were NOT what I envisioned!

I’m crushing on…

Embroidery Florals

I’ve been very into embroidery lately. I think it’s so cool what you can embroider and I love the texture it creates. I found this account on instagram (@fredi_boldt) and her clothes are just the cutest. Her videos are so calming to watch! I could watch them all day.

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ICYMI -

TWO COOKBOOKS have come out over the past two months that I helped style: 

Heydays at The June Motel: Beach Town Classics which I am so proud and IN LOVE with. I prop styled and art directed this one. I worked with an incredible team to bring this brand to life in the form of a cookbook. I got to spend two occasions at The June Motel Sauble Beach and it’s just so magical there. Heydays Restaurant is so delicious and we have been back as a family a few times now! This book has so many yummy recipes and brings all the feels. 10/10 recommend!!

Good Food, Good Mood: 100 Nourishing Recipes to Support Mind and Body Wellness is the second book that is now in the world. I had the privilege to help Tamara and Sarah source and plan all the props for their second cookbook. It turned out beautiful and I have been making so many of their nutrient rich and super tasty recipes. It is also so informative and I’ve learned so much from these ladies. A must-have for every kitchen!

If you want to receive my monthly updates and faves directly to your inbox… I would LOVE for you to subscribe! to my newsletter ❤️ Thanks for reading!

LOVE LIST - MARCH MOOD // 07

HEY MARCH! How is it March? Anyone else feeling this? Spring is definitely in the air and I hope you’ve been enjoying the beautiful weather as much as I have. I have been trying to walk daily, where I sneak in some quiet podcast listening but let’s be real, it’s usually pushing a double stroller around with whiny kids.

Above is my MARCH MOOD(board). It’s definitely reading Spring with lots of bright floral vibes. Nature is and always will be a place where I go for inspiration and I am feeling I’m needing it more than ever right now. It’s that time of year when the momentum of the new year is wearing off and things may not be going quite as planned, the way I vision-boarded... so I am reminding myself: Be messy and complicated and afraid and show up anyways.

Anyone looking for an accountability partner… I’m feeling like I need one in my life right about now! … and now here are a few specific things I am really into right now:

I’m creating … 
More Nostalgic Sticker Collages

So I’m still sticker collaging. I find it to be a great mindfullness activity - a relaxing, yet creative way to end the day. I finished my oversized 20x30” piece that is now hanging in the one of the boys room, Benson and I made sticker collage I Spy Valentine’s Day cards for his class, which were a great success, and I’ve been creating these smaller shaped sticker collages. So for now, I will continue to be sticking.

I’m listening to … 
Phone a Friend with Jessie Cruickshank

You may remember her from MTV Canada or The Hills After Show, or even her short stint on The Goods… well I couldn’t stand her when she was on any of those shows. Fast forward many years and I LOVE her and how hilarious she is… So much that I am actually going to her live show this weekend. Her podcast is literal LOL, talking about life, pop culture and everything “elder millennial”. She’s brings on weekly guests who she calls. Literally I look forward to every Thursday when she releases a new episode. So if you’re looking for a new listen… her new season starts next week.

I’m using … 
TYMO Hair Straightener

Okay, so this is definitely kind of random… but I’ve been loving my TYMO hair straightener. TikTok made me buy it and I’m glad I did. Specifically this video convinced me to add to cart on Amazon. It’s different from any other hair straightening product I’ve had before and it just works!

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ICYMI -

I loosely participated in a Pattern Challenge in the month of February.
Here are a couple of my favourites: Kelp, Peace, Things, and Magic ✨

If you want to receive my monthly updates and faves directly to your inbox… I would LOVE for you to subscribe! to my newsletter ❤️ Thanks for reading!