Getting ready for autumn

WHAT happened to summer?  We didn't get enough beach time in, sitting on outside patios or time at the cottage. It rolled, no raced, into September. The summer fun list does not have enough boxes ticked. If you still have summer weather get out there and make the most of it. If you are ready for autumn (seriously?) here are a few things to start on:

• Pumpkins and gourds are out so if you like to decorate with these colorful items now is the time to pick them up.
• Check your candles and essential oils - do you have your fall scents ready? If not start picking them up. 
• If you didn't take your winter coats and jackets to the cleaners in the spring, get off your butt and take them in now (before you need them).
• We hate to actually type these words out but....... if you have an extensive Christmas buying list now is the time to start picking items up. We only have X many pay cheques before the big day.
• Check your fall/winter makeup - check expiry dates and see if you need to pick up any trending lipstick colors!
• September is usually the month when classes and courses start back up. Check your libraries, university and community centers for what is going on. 

Let us know what you are up to this autumn and anything we should be putting on out "to do" lists.

What happened here ! !

Okay, take a breath. Another one.  It is the last day in August.  WHAT HAPPENED??  It was just June. We were just thinking about the new trends and colors for summer. Those cute sandals with the straps wrapping up the ankle. Getting the most out of our sun dresses, sipping cocktails on outdoor patios, trips to the beach. So much to do and all summer to do it.

Well, again what happened? July rolled in and out before we knew it. A few of us took vacation and squeezed in some cottage time.  Yes we sat at out door patios and enjoyed ourselves but it wasn't enough. The calendar flipped to August. Okay one full month left. Lots of time to squeeze in summer. Again a few vacations and beach days but never enough. The days rolled into week and now we are looking at the last day of the month.

Did you make the most of summer? Is your summer to do list all crossed off? Or are you a fall person and just wanted to get through it for cooler weather?  Let us know.  Also let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to discuss or maybe do a rant on.  After all it is almost fall.

Beat the humidity

It seems like the country/world is going through heat warnings on a daily basis. Combine that with high humidity and you have......you got it.....a sticky mess. When you walk out the door and within seconds you are dripping water like you just emerged from the shower. Humidity is calling. No, more than calling is evading and through the door and all over your floors.

If you are dealing or maybe not dealing with the heat and humidity we have a few ideas for you to consider.

• Head to the mall.  If you are having a non-spending month don't bring anything but ID. You are there to cool off. Walk around and sit in the food court. Bring a book and stay for a while.
• Head to the theatre.  There must be something there you won't find offensive.  
• Head to the beach. Bring an umbrella if you have one and water.  
• Head to the basement.  If you have a basement it is likely cooler there.
• Head to a friend's place that has air conditioning. Make sure you bring them a treat. A good treat.
• Head to a museum.  Most museums will have AC. Why not get culture and support the arts at the same time.

We would like to know how you beat humidity so drop us a line in the comments!

Ways coffee makes our day !

Ways coffee makes our day

•  Wakes me up.  Well obvious but this is a post about how coffee makes our day.
• Slows me down. This seems counter-intuitive but it is true for me. When I head to a coffee shop it is a whole experience. I sit, text, sip, social media and sip again. I am not worrying about getting to the next place. I am enjoying where I am right there and then.
• Social. Planning a coffee date on the weekend. There are so many coffee shops – new and old favourites to try. I have to say I enjoy walking into a new place and checking out the décor and seating arrangement.
• Cold coffee. Yummy. I find it a treat in the summer, especially if sitting outside.
• Connection. This takes place more at work. It is 3:00 o’clock and everyone is in need of a shot of energy.  So you walk over to grab a coffee together or make it.
• Exercise.  Yes you read that right. If I need coffee I head out at lunch time to pick it up. Easier than on the way home, plus I am getting a walk in and out of the office.

How does coffee make your day. We would love to hear from you?

Blogs we are currently digging!

We thought we’d share some blogs we are currently digging.  We’re also hoping you might drop a line in the comments of blogs we should be checking out.  So here goes in no particular order…..

https://www.weekendcraft.com/

https://thechicsite.com/

https://tatertotsandjello.com/

https://cozylittlehouse.com/

https://centsationalstyle.com/

https://inspiredbycharm.com/

https://suzie81speaks.com/

Where is your mental happy place?

Life can rough. Family, friends, work, health, finances - need we say more. There are a lot of demands on our time and energy. How do you catch your breath? How do we get a break? Or is that even possible in our fast path world?

If you can't escape physically, what about mentally? What can you do to re-energize? Here are a few things we do to just get that break at least mentally.

• Breath. Sounds too simple. But we are not talking about that shallow breathing we do. Sit or stand and take deep breaths. Feel your belly expanding. 
• Stretch. If you can do the Sun Salutation great. If you can't even simple head and shoulder rolls are good.
• Visualize. Picture yourself at the beach. Hiking. Sitting in the forest. Visualize some place that will put a smile on your face.
• Write.  Start a gratitude journal. Be specific don't write I had a good day. Write exactly what happened to make it a good day.
• Read.  There are great quotes out there or find an inspirational book. Keep it in your pursue.
• Music.  Just listening to music can change your mood. Make up a happy playlist. 
• Walk.  If you can get outside do it. Even if you just walk around the block do it.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Do what you have to do to keep emotional, physical and spiritually happy.  This is your life.

Dreams and Fantasies

We thought this would be a neat idea of a "get to know" you post. I mean sharing dreams and fantasies! After much talk it was decided only certain fantasies would be shared. There has to be some criteria here. I mean really.... These are various fantasies from a variety of people. No joke your thinking as you read them.

Living on Mars. Or maybe more to the point space travel. You know Star Trek, Star Wars. Exploring the galaxy. Meeting new life-forms that are hopefully more welcoming than the current one.

To attend fashion week in either Paris or Milan. Part of this fantasy is to be able to purchase the items and fit into them. Also part of the package is staying at the most prestige hotel and mingling with the designers and celebrities.

World cruise. Large balcony, well really best rooms on the ship period. This cruise would allow longer stops if necessary. More personal. Okay I own the ship so if I want to stay in Greece or Italy longer I do. Ship totally built to my needs.

We all decided on one fantasy together. That we owned property in various places around the world where we could meet whenever we wanted and party. Places like Paris, London, Prague, New York and of course we have our other friend's yacht, so trips around South America would be in order.

Do you have a fantasy? We could love to hear it or even add it to ours! It is all part of living and loving.