Our forever or right now homes

We are so excited.  One of our favorite blogs A Beautiful Mess   (ABM) has launched a podcast.  AMB is two sisters blogging about life which includes crafts, décor, recipes and much more. It as a happy blog. There is nothing political, social or someones' rants on world or local events.  Any time you visit you will have a visually beautiful page, stunning pictures of homes, crafts and food.  They have series their 10 favorite things on Sunday. They have home tours and share both before and after their renovations.  Like I said it makes me happy. Period.

Their podcast is Emma and Elise talking – nothing serious. They launched three episodes. One they talked about their forever homes and went through their purchases and current homes and how they arrived there and what they are still looking for.  That got us thinking what our forever homes would be so here it in no particular order:

•           Loft in the city.  Ideally in an old warehouse with brick walls and high ceiling. The windows would be long and run the length of the loft. An industrial look with an open concept. Maybe the bedroom partitioned off. The pipes would be exposed in the ceiling.  The kitchen would be in the back with bar seating and dining table in front. Off to the side would be a cozy living room with leather sofa and chairs.
•       House on a lake surrounded by trees.  You cannot see the neighbors only when they are canoeing by the wharf.  It was a large deck off the open living room and a fire pit further down with Adirondack chairs around it. The lake is a good size for small sail boats, canoes and kayaks.  Of course we have a wharf for jumping off and tying our boats to. The house itself isn’t large. Open concept downstairs with a master bedroom and bath.  Upstairs at least three bedrooms and bathroom.  One larger bedroom more like a bunk house.
•       Brownstone in the city. I mean really. They look fabulous and people are blowing them up inside to create more open concepts.  I love the look of the outside. The brick, the stairs to the front door. My Brownstone would have rod iron gate and steps leading to a basement apartment (I want the rental income).  My portion would have a few walls down on the main floor to open the back up for the kitchen and seating area.  A deck off the back of the house.  I would retain the warm wood moldings but have white walls to showcase my extensive art collection (which I don’t have but would if I lived in a Brownstone).
•           Victorian all the way.  I even want the gingerbread lattice and wrap around front porch and trim.  I have wicker chairs and table on the front porch and the porch curves to the right to a larger porch and side door.  I’m not knocking out walls as my rooms are generous portions all with working fireplaces. I have a large eat-in kitchen at the back that you can exist onto a deck and down steps to beautiful flower gardens. 

As you can see our “forever” homes are very different.  While we were writing this someone said “you know this can change. Forever doesn’t mean forever just right now.”  Hmmm… so maybe these are our right now forever homes.  Do you have a forever home?  Let me know where and what it would be.

Rolling into a new month and season

We were discussing how fast the months are going by - leading into how fast the year is.  September and October for us are autumn.  The leaves are changing color, the days are still warm but the evenings are getting cool.  We can still have our bedroom windows open all night.  Not liking the shorter days but that is what autumn brings.

November can be a dark month.  The majority of leaves are off the trees.  It is that month between autumn and winter.  It is just before the holidays and when people start to get into panic mode over Christmas. It doesn't help that Christmas items have been out since before Halloween.  But we won't go there and our feelings about it.  Okay we will.  NOTHING SHOULD BE OUT FOR CHRISTMAS UNTIL AFTER REMEMBRANCE DAY. 

We decided to try and make November a more positive month.  Here are a few of our ideas:

• Start choosing your winter and holiday reading list. If you are not in a book club think about starting one.
• Get your Christmas cards out from last year. Do you need to purchase more? Start addressing ones to mail.  Get your stamps before the long line ups
• Make a new wreath just for November.
• Try a new restaurant or bar for drinks you haven't been to.
• Make sure you keep up with exercise classes.  Or try a yoga class or any new class.
• Treat yourself to a new autumn/winter item.  Maybe a new scarf? Sweater?
• Go through your winter clothes and donate what you don't want to wear this year.  Ideally we shouldn't have not put it away from last year. Be strong. Even if it still fits, if you don't feel good in it. Donate it.
• Start checking out Pinterest for fun holiday crafts to do with the kids or a girls' night.
• Head to cosmetic counter and check out new lipsticks.  Anything catch your eye to try? Maybe a new colour just for fun?
• Purchase a new candle for those long nights.  Let us know your favorite scents!
• Start making soup and stews. It is time for that comfort food.

These are just a few things to get us through November. Make the most of the month. We would love to hear your ideas for making the most of November or any month! Drop us a comment.

Happy October

We thought we'd give a wrap up of our summer "to do" list.  For some of us it was a commitment to get a job done.  For others it was an item on a long list.  So yes linen closet was purged/clean and there were multiple beach days.  At the last minute the junk drawer was completed (we mean last minute as like last week).

Going through toys is still on the list along with start a wine journal, attend yoga classes and pick out pictures for 2020 calendar.  Positive was pictures on phone where sorted, deleted and sent.

Did you finish any or all of your summer to do list? Have you started a fall one?  We haven't!

Carry on!

Non-negotiable / rules we live by

We were discussing what is non-negotiable and that got us into rules we live by. Weather we realize it or just unconsciously do it.  What rules do we follow when we are making decisions and choices?  We have come up with a few.  Realize this does not apply to all of us but here are "our" non-negotiable.

1. If I can't afford it I don't purchase it. I will not go into debt for a vacation or a high end product.
2. I will not dump a friend if we have plans and something else comes up.
3. If asked my opinion I will be honest even if it is not exactly what the person wants to hear.
4. If you ask me how an outfit looks - I will tell you. Not flattering or WOW.
5. To show up and be there for family and friends.
6. Don't judge other people.  We have no idea what they are going through.
7. Sleep on it before making a big decision
8. Live and let live
9. Be open to trying new things i.e. especially drinks
10. Yes you can wear white after Labor Day!

Chalk Couture is here - excited !

One of us is very excited.  That would be me.  Chalk Couture has finally come to Canada.  Chalk Couture.  is a product which is easy and fun to use.  Basically chalk paint and stencils. It doesn’t get easier than that. 

You don’t need to purchase their products to use their chalk paint and inks.  I have seen people use IKEA pillows (see above), their own chalk boards, plastic, you name it they have Chalk Couture it. Stencils have a sticky side to adhere to the item and slap the paint on.  You can find YouTube videos for details instructions.

There is a variety of stencils for every occasion and season.  I’m excited to get my hands on it and try some products before the holidays.  Check it out.

Making the most of summer

We are now into the second full month of summer.  Some of us how no idea where June and July went.  We were having, not coffee, the other evening and talking about where the days go. Yes we are at work, wishing our lives away for the weekend or summer vacation that comes and goes with a blink of an eye.  But besides that what do we have to show for the time we are here?  Since we are starting a new month we wanted to have concrete items to show that we did something. Not have another month of “I have no idea where the month went.”  “It just flew by”.

At this point out came the phones and lists were made.  We decided we would champion each other to complete at least one item on our lists for the month of August. So that when we met in September we could discuss what we did and have concrete items (take pictures).  We are checking in weekly to see what was happening and if help is needed.  Here are the items we are working on in August.

1.   Purge/clean linen closet
2.   Go through toys that are not played with or no longer age appropriate (goodwill)
3.   Read a book (seriously this had to be put on the list) 
4.   Get to the beach
5.   Go through pictures on phone and delete, file or send to appropriate people
6.   Have picture book made up of parents’ anniversary/life together 
7.   Pick pictures out to make 2020 calendar (part of Christmas presents)
8.   Start a wine journal
9.   Get to at least two yoga classes
10.   Clean junk drawer in kitchen

None of these projects are big but a few have been on lists for months and just not making it to top.  We picked projects that are doable in a month.  Wish us luck! Not that we need it.

First Long Weekend of the Summer

Summer has official arrived.  July 1st is Canada Day.  A holiday which falls on a Monday so it can't get better than that.  School is out and now for the official first long weekend of summer.  People are heading to cottages and campgrounds.  Those staying in the cities are taking in Canada Day events.  Everyone has been praying for sunny weather.  Some of us will get it and other won't.  The weather is fickle like that.

Turning the calendar to July the realization hits that yeah summer is here. Weather cooperating or not. Summer vacations have been booked usually months in advance.  Day programs for the kids have been booked and everyone is bringing in a sweater to work for the air conditioning.

With two months of summer ahead of us how to make the most out of it? It you have already booked a cottage for a week or have one of your own that takes care of you. Just make sure you make the most out of it. Maybe day trips to places around you? Beach? Summer reading at the cottage? 

A few of us want to make sure we make the most out of the summer but creating Summer Lists.  A few ideas are heading to beach, a wine tour, summer reads, gardening, a girls' weekend away.  Even somewhere an hours drive is fine. Check out festivals like music, art and cultural in your area. 

Think about what you want to say in September when asked "what did you do this summer?" Make sure you have a few fun and interesting answers.  This is it people. Two months of it make the most of it and create memories.