Happy Thoughts

Happy 2015! I don't know about you, but I am very excited about the year ahead--it just has a good ring to it. Part of making "this the best year yet" cliché come true, is creating resolutions you can actually achieve. So for this odd number year, I have deiced to set three goals, with enticing incentives to keep me on track.

1. Write more hand-written notes. Everyone loves to get mail (that's not a bill or junk), and it is a surefire way to bring a smile to a friend's face. This one will be easy to accomplish with the beautiful stationary designed and created by my sister Haley!

2. Read more. I love to read, but as we all know life can get in the way. So this new stack of yummy-smelling (new book smell--you know you love it!) books is sure to keep my nose in the pages.

3. Host more dinner parties. I try every year to get into cooking, and I just can't find the enthusiasm for it. However, I do love to host, so this seems like a good incentive to get into the kitchen. It's also a great excuse to bring out these fun champagne glasses (thanks Tess!).

 What will you resolve to do this year?

Happy Thoughts

I have always felt like I won the family jackpot so to speak. Both my immediate family and both sides of my extended family love to hang out with each other whenever we get the chance. Disclaimer: we are not perfect by any means, but genuinely liking each other is definitely a rare blessing, and one that I really am grateful for. When my cousin Joanna texted me the other day, she said she had an idea for a blog post--the importance of traditions. We had recently been chatting about the stress of the holidays and the effort we put into the gifts we picked out, the cookies we baked, the party planning, etc. etc. etc. and did it all matter? Did anyone care? But the truth is, it did. The act of carrying out our unique family events are one of (many) reasons, our families were close. It was because of the love and planning our Nana Vaxvick put into organizing our Boxing Day extravaganzas, and the many preparations my Grandma McPherson did to host our Christmas sleepovers, that made our Christmas memories so beautiful. It perhaps takes age and sometimes loss, to really understand the importance of those traditions, but remembering the real meaning of Christmas and why we do all we do, is what matters most. So thank you to my Mom for carrying on our McPherson Christmas sleepover, and for helping Joanna who now graciously hosts our Vaxvick Boxing Day. Here's looking forward to a Christmas rooted in the tradition of spending time with the ones we love.

Christmas shopping made easy

We're making our lists and checking them twice, and with Christmas officially 5 weeks away, it's time to start adding some checkmarks next to those to-dos! From ornaments, to gifts and stocking stuffers, the Penney & Co. stores have you covered. Check out my Christmas blog posts for Pineapple Street, Sweet Violet and Penney & Co., and see some of my favourite things below.

Pineapple Street

Sweet Violet

Penney & Co.

Happy Thoughts

Wednesday wisdom! This is such an important reminder, especially for us girls, who I think tend to be harder on ourselves. This was recently true for me when I forgot something at work (so insignificant I can't recall what it was anymore) and said something along the lines of "how stupid of me." I didn't even realize I had said it out loud, before a very wise man said to me, "you shouldn't speak to yourself like that." I was taken aback. He was right. I would never talk to another co-worker, friend or loved one that way, so why do I think it's okay to speak to myself like that? Your internal (and sometimes external in my case!) dialogue to yourself really does shape your confidence and self-worth. So my goal for the Fall season is to start being kinder to myself. I hope you will join me!

Happy Thoughts

Does the school schedule ever officially leave your brain? Like clockwork, August 1st rolled around, and I immediately started to fret--the Summer is almost over; I haven't been to the beach; I don't have a tan; I didn't paint that old dresser. Then comes Labour Day--I woke up in a sweat after I dreamt I was lost in an old school looking for my "office."

The positive? September still feels like the start to a new year, without the stress of actually having to go back to school. So after reading this blog post, I decided to fully embrace Fall--I have been brainstorming and planning some exciting workshops and events at Penney & Co.; I went shopping, finding some (many) fall wardrobe essentials; I've started getting up earlier to exercise before work; and I am planning a spa getaway with my girlfriends. So instead of thinking of September as the evil and imminent prelude to school and the winter season, I am trying my best see it as an excuse to start fresh.

What are you doing to fight the end-of-Summer blues?

Weekend Adventures

Prince Edward County is picture perfect: Wineries, beaches, quaint downtowns and delicious restaurants featuring local fare, all set against rolling hills. Andrea and I set out for a relaxing weekend, and ended up learning a few things along the way--like how to use a real-life, old-fashioned map when you loose cell reception, and how to sleep two to a 1/4 bed!

Happy Thoughts

My recent Bookmark book brought me a surprising amount of, well I have to admit, enlightenment. I shy away from admitting this, because it's a non-fictional novel aimed at 20 something girls...not your typical deep read. But maybe that's the beauty of it.

The quote that I read, and then re-read, was this, "Just the act of repetition itself—will bring enlightenment. Quantity becomes quality. If you do anything enough, if you keep putting effort in, eventually something will happen, with or without you. You don’t have to have faith when you start out, you just have to dedicate yourself to practice as if you have it."

This simple, yet profound truth can be applied to so many aspects of life. For some of us, it is working towards our dream careers, for others it is saving for their first home or even retirement, maybe even meeting that right someone. This is also a good practice for our mental health--repeating positive mantras (even if you don't believe them at first), pushing through grief or pain, day-by-day reminding yourself, that in time things will get better. Sometimes you have to work on blind faith, trusting that the universe has a way of working things out. As a wise fish once said, just keep swimming!

Weekend Adventures

Rooftop Mojitos? Check. Shopping vintage? Check. Good company? Check.

My sisters and I, and our dear family friend Hilary, decided on a whim to meet in the city. We parked at a random lot and walked to the closest bar, which just happen to be Oaisis Rooftop Patio. Next, we ventured to Queen Street to scour the vintage shops, and ended the afternoon with a stop to the Distillery District.

Gratitude Journal

"Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson 

After spending some much needed quality time reflecting on life, love and happiness following the loss of my Grandma McPherson this past week, I am happy to be back sharing what brings me joy. Thank you for your patience and support.

Chloe XO

DIY Beauty

I have never been a "product junky" kind of gal. With sensitive, pale skin I am often afraid of trying the latest and greatest products to hit the scene, in fear of bad reactions. Instead, I choose to stick to a pretty simple beauty routine, incorporating natural products whenever possible. So, I have enlisted the help of my sister Tess, to show us three simple and effective beauty DIY's.

EXFOLIATING/MOISTURIZING 

In a small bowl (that you don't mind bringing into the shower), mix together brown sugar and olive oil. Add just enough oil to create a wet paste (olive oil is a great natural moisturizer). Jump in the shower and start exfoliating. The results are baby-soft skin, and is perfect for daily/weekly use.

FACE MASK

In a small bowl, spoon in roughly two or three tablespoons of cold, plain greek yogurt. Next, open one probiotic capsule and empty the contents into the yogurt. Mix together and slather onto a clean, make-up free face. Let the mixture sit on your skin until it hardens and gently wash off, and moisturize as normal. The enzymes from the yogurt and the probiotic from the capsule help reduce redness, invigorate the skin and leave it feeling silky smooth. A great once-a-month treatment.

TEETH WHITENING 

Mix baking soda with a little bit of lemon juice (from the bottle is fine), just enough to create a paste. Then, just like normal toothpaste, brush your teeth. Tess actually found this method to be more effective in whitening her teeth, than the standard Crest White Strips.

What at-home beauty remedies do yo swear by?

Weekend Adventures

This weekend, we decided to explore a spot we have seen from afar many times (oh the joys of DVP traffic), Evergreen Brick Works. All we knew before taking off, was that we should follow the smoke stack to the Sunday Farmers' Market, and boy were we in for a pleasant surprise. This is a must-see weekend stop, suitable for adults, couples and families alike. Check out our adventure below!

THE MARKET: Fresh lavender, chocolate, artisans, craft beer, soaps, fruit, wine, gelato.

GARDENS/TRAILS: An amazing array of gardens, and access to the Lower Don Trails.

RETAIL/ART: Check out Café Belong & Evergreen Garden Market, and the amazing art exhibits.

Shop Late Shop Local

You can find me at Pineapple Street. Hope to see you there :)

Gratitude Journal

Having lived away briefly for school, and Toronto for a fun year in the city, I am grateful to once again call Brooklin my home. Absence really did make this heart grow fonder for her small town!

So, I decided to use my day off from a busy few weeks of work, dance recitals, dinner parties, workouts and concerts, to enjoy my own backyard.

Gratitude Journal

Happy Victoria Day! Taking time to be grateful has been one of the best lessons in "happy" I have learned. This week, I am grateful for a fun road trip to a town as sweet as its name, Honey Harbour. I always love spending time in this small Georgian Bay community, because it means lots of laughs with some of my favourite friends--who just happen to be family!