Friday 24 July 2020

Summer cocktails

cocktail,drink,ibiza,red

We thought we'd bring together in one spot a few summer cocktail ideas.  If you have a favorite please share!!

A beautiful mess  has a whole post on cocktails! Check it out.

Another inspiring blogger Inspired by Charm showcases his summer cocktails.

Have you tried cantaloupe and ginger cocktail? Visit Style at Home.

Apartment Therapy  shows us 13 easy to mix cocktails that could become our signature one!

Hope you found something you'd like to try this summer to sit and enjoy on the patio.  We deserve it.

Friday 17 July 2020

Summer talks on well everything!!!


With lifting of restrictions we have finally had a few chances of getting together.  Loving it.  We know we were and are fortunate to have access to Skype and other social media platforms to get together, share and make sure we are connecting.  But seriously face-to-face can't be beat.

Our latest discussion resolved around summer trends from clothes to make-up to decor.  With being home for extended length of time home became a focal point.  Reading articles on what COVID-19 has told us, home design wise, we are in agreement (majority of us). Open concept is great but we need more define areas if we are working and living at home for longer periods of time. Maybe not go back to a formal dining room but an alcove or working in a desk in the kitchen or living room.

Outdoor space was also highlighted and much needed.  Part of our self-isolation was still winter but still we need natural light.  Consider adding plants to your home if you are not a plant person. Nothing major but we found having something green to look at during the winter or anytime is nice.

Introverts know they need their own space. So consider reworking your bedroom. If you don't have a large home with living room and family room - everyone needs a place to escape. Rework your (kids) bedroom. What do they really need in there?  If you moved furniture around, did a good purging of old toys, clothes, even furniture could you make space for a small chair for reading? A space for yoga? One of us has a chair and table in the corner of their bedroom and it was much used during pandemic.  A place to curl up with coffee in the mornings. Reading in the evening. Just a space to get away.  Another person moved a bed from the centre of the room to a wall and free up floor space.  Think outside the box. Who uses the room?  How do you want it to function?

Since the stores have opened up we have been shopping for home decor items. Pillows and/or pillow covers.  Pretty summer dishes.  Small rugs for splashes of color.  It has been fun to add new items to our decor.  You don't have to spend big money.  IKEA and other places have pillows forms. Buy a few and then purchase pillow covers for different seasons.  Easy way to switch up your decor. Plus pillow cases are easy to store if they all fit the same pillow form! Win / Win.

Clothes and make-up wise we have been purchasing just fun clothes. Nothing expensive and if they last this summer great. Not an investment. It is about making the most of time and money. This is summer people for some of us it will only last a few months so get out there and enjoy.

Thursday 2 July 2020

Celebrating with the new normal

Canada Day July 1st.   Different places have different celebrations.  They can include parades, breakfast, activities for the kids, concerts and of course fireworks.  This year, well not so much.  People offered virtual concerts and fireworks but not the same feeling.

We miss being with a crowd, Excited and gathering energy from each other.  Sharing an exciting event together. Taking to strangers.  We are trying to adjust to the new normal and in cases embrase it. Working from home making better flex hours of our days. Less travel so less gas emissions.  Connecting more with families and friends away via Zoom, Houseparty and Skype.  All good.

But yesterday so lacked celebration. A few of us discussed it and felt off all day.  We know the reasons behind decisions and support them. It is just maybe we as a family/friends have to get more creative at home.  BBQ? Breakfast? Flags? Activities for the kids.  Yeah we can do this as summer is here.  Take a special day and blow it out of the water. Yes it might take more planning but start early and pick up a few fun things for kids and adults.

If this is the new normal for the forseeable future we have to work with it not against it.