High Five for Friday & Last Day for 15% at PPH Print Shop!

When you're not "working", Friday is really just another day. & for me, it's actually not as loved as well, Mondays. And this is for obvious reasons. Friday in the restaurant world is busy busy. So we don't get to see Ryan all to much until Sunday rolls around and by Monday we have him all to ourselves. Hence our bias favouritism to Monday. But that's okay, Aiden and I have dubbed Fridays as "movie night". We don't always watch a movie per se, but I make him nap after school (haha) so that he can stay up a little later and hang out with me, is that selfish? Nahhhh, he loves it! Especially since let's face it, Sadie has "taken up most of my time" for the past well, year (she's almost ONE, I'm in great denial & don't want to talk about it).

But before Sadie Bear turns the big o-n-e, Aiden turns five in five days! FIVE!! Besides his superhero birthday party, I'll be conjuring some pretty awesome things for him for his birthday next week. Our baby is five! So to start off my what I will now call my "high five for Friday" series ... I've round up five goodies that are on Aiden's birthday wish list (okay, maybe it's more of a gift guide for us, ha!). We try to keep it simple for birthdays & try to go overboard with gestures (because who doesn't like to feel special on their birthday?!) rather than presents. That's what grandparents are for right? & those crazies always spoil our babies.

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Aiden's not a big video gamer, but my MIL bought him Lego Batman 2 for PS3 recently & it surprised us how fast he picked it up and he definitely enjoys playing the game. We obviously limit the time he plays but I do think that it teaches him patience (lots & lots of patience), some reading skills (we're working on sounding out letters to make words) & I love seeing his face when his reaches small victories. I loved to read when I was a kid & I remember my mom always getting us books as part of our gift. I'm so happy that Aiden loves to read to & can "get lost" in stories. His most recent "thing" is writing stories about dad & mom being super heros that save children - which all sounds pretty accurate, lol. How perfect are these Choose Your Own Adventure books?! I think they'll be a hit! Aiden is a big baseball fan. He loves to play with Daddy-o in the basement when the weather's crappy out & on the front yard when the sun is shinning. We haven't be able to find a league where he could join just yet, but he's itching to play. So naturally, we'll take him to his first Jay's game in the new few weeks! Woot! The new bike will come from Lolo (good ol' grandpa), the new bike always comes from Lolo. Lol. Board games are big in our family. Monopoly needs to be part of the collection!

 

Can't believe those photos were now five years ago! Let the birthday celebrations, yay for birthdays!

▲▲▲ Reminder! Today is the last day to get 15% of all prints in my Etsy shop! Use discount code May15 when checking out valid until 11:59 PM EST. Oh & if you're local - feel free to message me for local pickup & save on shipping!!

& as if I need another social media outlet ... follow cute lions roar via Bloglovin!

Happy Friday! & Happy Shopping :)

Super Simple Summer Makeup

Growing up, I had bad skin ... baaaaaaad skin. I took various medications for my acne & to be honest, I'm still slightly self-conscious about my face now. But along the years I've learned some tricks of the trade and stick to a really simple routine. And let's face it, the last thing you want when you're out and about in the sweltering heat (especially with two babes!) is to feel like your makeup's caked on - gross.

My "face" routine changes here and there, but for the most part this is what's been working for me. & and I'm no "beauty expert" but any mean - I try things & if it works it works. I also rely heavily on the opinions of my girls (who run the world, girrrrrrrllllls). I invested in a Clarisonic Mia around last Christmas and I must say, I don't rave about it as much as I should. I use it daily and it's uber gentle on my face. Also, I love the fact that I can use it with any facial cleanser especially since I'm one to try new products from time to time. It's beyond simple to use and 90% of the time I use it while I shower. Through my friend Rachel, I've also discovered a plant-based Facial Foaming Cleanser by live clean. I've tried my fair share of facial cleansers but I must say, my absolute favourite thing (well, things) about this one is the fact that is smells pretty AND IT REMOVES ALL MY MAKEUP at the end of the day. Huge plus! I've also been using their Nourishing Night Cream which is really my first night cream experience, ever - so hard to compare to anything else. So until I try another, this one is working for me. I wouldn't say that I'm heavy on the green movement, but I do love to go green when I can and I am loving their products so far. Read more about live clean & their story here. For daily moisturizers I tend to flip flop between Spectro HydroCare for Blemish Prone Skin and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer.

So here it is, my super simple summer makeup routine (which is speedy & super mama friendly too!)

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Now I don't always use everything listed above all at once. Some days I go without a Primer (#5) and some days without the Radiant Touch (#2). Although this YSL product is killer - works wonders as a concealer and a highlighter. Typically for days when I feel (and look) tired and for when I have a function other than picking Aiden up from school to go to. Also, I usually only use either the Beach Blush (#6) or the Multiple (#8). The beach blush is my everyday go-to while the multiple is more for my evening affairs. The Magic Skin Beautifier (#4) is the lastest addition to my collection and I'm slightly in love. It's a light coverage and really feels like a whole lot of nothing on your face - perfect for warm summer days and nights! If I'm not using this, I always go back to my go-to foundation - Studio Tech by MAC. It a fuller coverage, but goes on like butta! I try a crap load of mascaras both drug store and higher end brands. The d.j.v. Fiberwig was one of my favs for the longest time because it truly was like plastic lash extensions and came off so easily with warm water. Oh, and no raccoon eyes either! But there's something about this $5 mascara that I'm loving - the funky brush gets every lash & even gives pretty good volume. For the price tag, how can you complain?!    

Oh & we celebrated my God-daughter Callia Aryanna's baptism over the weekend. How adorable is she in that dress! Honestly she's got rolls for days, what a chunky chunky burnin' love! She's obviously Sadie's future bestie, but my hope is that as she grows that I'm able to be there for her along side her parents and have a strong kind of relationship / friendship with her. Family is so so important to us.

Don't forget to take advantage of my almost summa summa time discount code - 15% off all print in my Etsy shop until Friday (May 31st)! Use discount code: MAY15 when checking out :)

Oh & check out this featured post that Alessia from The Styled Child posted about moi & my little shop :) So cool when I get to connect with other Mamas (especially from Toronto) who share similar interests and hobbies. Thanks again Alessia!

Monday Mantra, FP Moccs & PPH Print Shop Discount Code!

Nothing like starting the week with some positivity! & some sunshine, yay!

From time to time I browse around Pinterest for "words of wisdom" and I never fail to find something that speaks to me so fluently for my current situation - does this ever happen to you?

Big changes happening in the next little bit and I'm feeling all sorts of emotions. I'm not doubting that this the best decision for our family (especially for right now, while our babies are still babes) but it will definitely be an adjustment. I'm excited, nervous, anxious and scared - a whole whirlwind of emotions. But what an adventure it will be, bring it on! Time to let go & let God and simply trust the process.

Two other things:
1. I've been waiting for the Freshly Picked Moccasins sale since well, forever & the day has come! I finally snagged a pair of these 100% leather, handmade (by a Mama!) in the USA moccs in Platinum for Miss Sadie Quinn! How freaking adorable! I cannot wait to for them to come! If you want a pair for your little one as well, check Susan out on Instagram or Facebook for your 25% discount code until May 31!

2. & just because it's the last week of May, and almost summa summa time - I'm offerring 15% off all prints in my Etsy shop from now until the end of May! Woot! Use discount code: MAY15 when checking out. Enjoy lovely people :)
*Offer valid from now until May 31, 2013

stop thinking & start doing!

we get into it because we have good taste ...
... well, obviously - hehe.

I came across this video maybe last year and related immensely. It's been a little while since my brother and I launched our "company" but we we've been taking the slow & steady route. We don't do much advertising or promoting our business mainly because we both still have "real" jobs (whatever that means). All our work thus far has been through referrals, which is actually a good thing! We love the creative aspect of what we do, but adding crazy pressures and deadlines to creative work sometimes makes it daunting and well, not fun. And it's supposed to be our fun "job" ... but, we can't stay in this bubble forever. It's time to take chances, take risks and start making work that were smitten about and proud of.

I've kept that screenshot of a conversation with my brother that I hold so close to my heart. It simply makes me smile. I do, have to remind myself that success does not happen overnight & not to get discouraged by this. Having the courage to finally step outside of my comfort zone & take the plunge to do something I love - that's half the battle right there.

If you're thinking of starting something and or changing something so that you're indulging yourself in your passion ... stop thinking & start doing. You'd be amazed with what you're capable of :)

I take my cup with sugar please!

So these my child is in a cup photos have been surfacing in my social media feed & I had to try for myself.
After a gazillion shots later ...

& apparently, shirts are completely optional in our home, LOL.
Ha! Cracks me up every time!

Hope you all had just a splendid Victoria Day long weekend :)

the day I opened my shop ...

Yesterday I posted this on my Instagram ...

there's something about seeing the ideas & plans you've fabricated in your mind come to life.

Tomorrow is launch day, I'm officially opening up shop!!

& it was followed by this post this am ...

& we're live! so so excited to take on this creative life. thank you friends for all the likes, comments & support. do more of what makes you happy! happy Friday! & happy shopping!

Then my friend Rachel noticed a typo in my welcome blurb ... by "take peek", I meant "TAKE A PEEK" #workingpastmidnightisnogood - and I thought ugh, I need to delete and re-post. But I decided to leave it as is. As much as it bothers me, there's a sense of authentication to it. This is the start of my new adventure. It's something that has been in the works in my mind for quite some time now but there's always been a reason, some sort of excuse as to why I wasn't able to just start. But I've taken the plunge - step one, check! I know the journey will be filled with excitement, anxiousness, fear, happiness - all sorts of emotions. & I'm looking forward to the crap load of things I will learn about myself, how I balance my home life with this new "small business", the customer service aspect & basic human interaction.
I am on a high & I am in my happy place.





Ya-freakin-hoo!!

oh boy.

Late last week - a fall on the playground at school where you sliced on the front of your head needed a trip to the ER with Daddy to make sure you didn't need stitches. Three long hours later (where Daddy said you were more patient than he was ... lol), thank goodness it was nbd, nothing a little medical glue couldn't fix.

Then insert itchy puffy eyes on Sunday which reached its peak on Monday while at school. With the fear of possible pink eye,  Daddy picked you up and brought you to the walk-in clinic since our family doctor is on vacation. The Pharmacist attributed it to seasonal allergies & suggested taking some benadryl for some relief.

Back to school on Wednesday only to hear that your nose was bleeding for a good portion of the morning. Oy. But nose bleeds are common for you & you've actually gotten really good at controlling them & making them stop. But you're still such a small guy and sometimes, a little bit of blood can look like a whole lot of blood. We were up every few hours last night dealing with bleeds, oh boy. Kept you home today as well & they've stopped for now ... hopefully for good.

What a rough few days for our guy.
But your spirits are up & you're definitely your regular, silly, crazy self - which helps calm my worry for sure.

Get better soon, baby boy! xo.

Sadie hosts a playdate!

... well she didn't really host ... it was more like come on over, let's let our Mamas take 3887425 photos of us & meltdown when it's time for a nap (or time for Mamas to eat their lunches). Oy.

Say hello to our friend Everett (who's really Sadie future bf) ...

 

Discussing foreign affairs while waiting for Callia ...

 

 & finally, Everett and his ladies!

 

 

Sadie cracks me up in the photos of the three of them! She's 6 months older than Callia (her 2nd cousin) and 5 months older than Everett. You can tell she's not impressed with having to lay down on the ground for a photo shoot - definitely something she's not used to! Soon enough these babies will be running around chasing each other, can't wait for that!