Category Archives: Girl Stuff

my guy ~ on his birthday

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Today is your birthday, sweet husband of mine, and in honour of it I’ve come up with a list of a few things I love about you.


I love how much you adore the outdoors and everything that nature has to offer, teach and share with us.


I love it when you tell me I’m beautiful even when we’ve worked up a sweat hiking or have been camping without the comforts of home and I look like this!


I love how hands on and involved you always are with our girls no matter what we’re doing and no matter where we are.


I love how you always make sure to expose your girls to every aspect of the outdoors even though they’re still so young and not able to do half the stuff you can’t wait to do with them once they’re old enough.


I love it when you get all excited to take us on new and exciting adventures that involve hiking and exploring beautiful scenery and the peacefulness that comes from being one with nature.

But more than any else, I love how happy you make me all the time, even when I’m mad at you.  It’s impossible to stay mad at you longer than a few hours.  You’re not perfect Mr.  … but you’re perfect for me and I think we make a pretty loveable couple.

Who knew our puzzle pieces would match so well?

Happy Birthday! One more year and you join me in my decade.  Enjoy your 30′s sweetheart!

pleasantly surprise me

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I found this quote on Pinterest the other day and it caught my attention because the words mean something to me. I should literally print it out and stick it on my fridge or bathroom mirror so that I can see it each and every day.

Source: thinknice.com via Bruna on Pinterest

Until  now, I have often found myself being disappointed in people. Not just your every day Joe but actual people who are around me almost every day, not including my family.

My family is there for me, always.

So friends.

I would pretty much do anything for a friend.

I don’t know about any of you but I need friends in my life and I am always a shoe-in for any kind of outing or gathering that requires spending time together.

I’ve learned in the last year or so that not all friends are as gun-ho to get together as much as I’d like and for reasons that are beyond me.

I get that people are busy. We all have families. I know there is never a minute of extra time in a day when you have kids and they have extra-curricular activities.

That’s my life, in a nutshell, and I am always willing to make time spend with friends.

Maybe they don’t socialize outside their family circle.
Maybe I need more social interaction then they do.
Maybe they’re just happy being friends who don’t hang out.
Maybe they’re just the sit-back-and-wait-for-someone-else-to-organize-something type of people.
Maybe it’s something else.
Maybe it’s me.

What I do know is that when you feel like you try too hard and nothing is reciprocated, you almost want to give up on said friendship.

But I don’t because that’s not me.
I don’t give up on people.

So instead of allowing myself to be disappointed in people, I simply remind myself that ” if I expect less of people, I can’t be disappointed in them”.

More so, when I least expect it, they might pleasantly surprise me.

I hope I’m right.

how pinterest helps bedtime go faster

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Every night, when I put my girls to bed, I sit on the floor of their bedroom and I wait for them to fall asleep. Although the both of them now share a room, the youngest still wants me to stay with her until her eyes close.

So while I do this, I usually have my iPad in hand and I peruse the pages of Pinterest.

It’s the best way to pass time in the dark.

It’s also a good way to see the latest in this year’s Fall fashion trends.

I found a few things I definitely want to invest in.

Source: neverfullydressed.co.uk via Bruna on Pinterest

I love all the long, shirt-like Fall dresses. So cute! They also look like they’d be absolutely comfortable.

 
Source: indulgy.com via Bruna on Pinterest

I love all the fun and funky winter leggings.

Source: esther.com.au via Bruna on Pinterest

 

I love the cute blazers and in different colours!

Source: shopwildbleu.com via Bruna on Pinterest

I love all the long, button up sweaters. So comfy and cozy!

 

And then there it was.  The perfect ensemble!  SO cute for a date night with the hubby!

Did you hear that hubby?

Date night.

Or … Christmas present!

What does spice have to do with relationships?

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In celebrating my blog’s 2 year anniversary, I thought I would take a walk down memory lane and share with you all an old post from my archives.

In actuality, this post was my very first guest post c/o the snarky, yet lovely Carri Ellen Brown and the blog she once called Mommy’s Little Monster Blake.

Having just re-discovered it a few days ago, I was awe-struck by the subject I chose to write about for Carri and couldn’t help but laugh as I re-read it two years after the fact.

What was I thinking?


10 Ways To Spice Up Your Relationship

Whenever my girlfriends and I get together, we always end up discussing relationships. If we’re not talking about friendships, we’re definitely talking about Marriage. More specifically though, we’re discussing married life after kids. Like what? Well like how everything changes once children come into the picture. If you’re married with kids and reading this, you know exactly what I mean. Life just happens.

Our counterparts, the men in our lives, never discuss relationships. They choose to keep that part of their life to themselves. The topic of sports is way more entertaining to them.  Us women, however, need to vent about the never ending housework and cooking, the raising of the children, how little time we get to ourselves and the slow but sure disappearance of time available to re-connect as a couple with our significant others. <Insert “sigh” here>

It’s hard to talk with each other when your conversations are constantly being interrupted by children asking you questions or seeking your attention. How often do you begin a conversation with your spouse to only have it cut short because one of the kids is crying, fighting with a sibling, fallen down and gotten hurt or simply wanting you to play with them? It happens often! How often do we get to the end of the day, go to bed and then feel absolutely exhausted, physically and mentally, that the only thing we have energy left to do is sleep? AHEM!

We all know too well how easy it is to become wrapped up in the normal day-to-day routine of life with all of the after school activities, play-dates, homework, career expectations and the responsibilities of the home. Can you blame couples then for forgetting about the importance of paying special attention to each other? What do you mean we can’t just assume that our partner knows just how much we care, love and value them? Aw, come on!

So, in light of all this, I came up with a list of 10 things couples can do to spice up their relationship. And no, I’m not talking about what you think I’m talking about either! Get your mind out of the gutter. (Guys need romance in their lives too so stop rolling your eyes male readers!) I made this list with the intention making sure that I’m putting enough effort into my own relationship. After all, I plan on spending the rest of my life with this guy. Isn’t it important to keep things alive and exciting between us till death do us part?!

So bare in mind that my list was created by a female mind. It might be a little girlie-themed.  ** Disclaimer, I’m no relationship expert and cannot guarantee that my list will save or spice up any relationship so don’t hold me to it. Results may vary with each couple. Use it at your own risk!

And viola ….

How about …

1. Hold hands every chance you get.

2. Kiss each other throughout the day.

3. Randomly give each other hugs throughout the day.

4. Set aside 30 minutes every day or night to talk to each other.

5. Plan a date night once a month where you go out together and do something you don’t normally get to do with each other.

6. Be spontaneous. Do something unexpected or out of the ordinary for you.

7. Tell your spouse how beautiful or how handsome they look. Don’t overdo it though. The compliment will lose it’s meaning.

8. Engage in non-sexual touching throughout the day … a squeeze of the hand, caress of the face, rub the back, hold hands or share a quick hug. In the evening, once the kids are in bed, cuddle on the couch together while you watch television.

9. Try never to go to bed angry.

10. Do small, inexpensive but special things for each other.

The list can be tweaked to fit any couples needs. Think about your own relationship and come up with things you can do that might benefit you as a couple. Don’t forget to include your spouse’s input in the list making ladies because, after all, it’s not always just about us even though we like to think so.

Not bad advice for a novice relationship therapist wanna-be, right?

laughter, happiness & joy

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Every year, before the new school year begins, I try to think about an area in which I want to improve as a teacher and I set myself goals to accomplish for the year.

I’ve done that again this year but on top of setting myself teaching goals, I decided to add a personal goal to my list.

The personal goal contains three words.

Laughter.

Happiness.

Joy.

Let’s start with laughter.
I laugh at jokes or if someone is being silly. I laugh when my girls do or say the cutest things.  I can even make my husband laugh every now and then with a stupid comment or a silly anecdote.  While this is all nice and lovely, I want more laughter in my life.  I want it to be a part of my every day and not just my every once in a while.  I want laughter to become a part of who I am.

Goal #1   I will make more of an effort in my day to day living to make others laugh.

Happiness is important to me because, over the years, I have come to realize that feeling content is not dependent on any outside forces or material possessions I may acquire.  It’s  easy to complain about what hasn’t gone the right way or about what I don’t have in my life.  I can choose to be happy or I can choose to be miserable. Ultimately, the choice is mine to make and being happy comes simply from looking at my life through a positive camera lens and being thankful for everything I’ve been able to capture in the photo book I call my life. Most importantly, happiness is doubled when you’re able to share it with others.

Goal #2   I will make more of an effort to help others find their happy even if it’s as simple as offering up a hug or a smile.

Joy is the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.  I want to filter this emotion into those moments of my life when I may feel embarrassed, stressed or disappointed in myself.  So I made a dinner no one liked. Who cares?  At least I tried. Yes, I walked out of the ladies room with toilet paper attached to my shoe and co-workers laughed at me. Embarrassed? Yes, but who cares? We had a good laugh.   I want to find the joy in the not so good. I want to be able to laugh at myself when I make a mistake or fail as a Mom or wife. There is always room to start over again the next day so why not let go of the things that bring us down? Move on, I say!

Goal #3   I will make more of an effort to find the joy in life’s mishaps and bloopers and I will help others to do the same.

The main goal for this up-coming school year is to remove most, if not all, of the negativity in my life whether it be from my own personality or through people I keep in my circle of friends and family.  If I can help the negative people in my circle to see the brighter side of life, I will go out of my way to help them find it.

People are not drawn to negativity.
People are drawn to those who laugh, look happy and have a lot of fun ~ Anonymous.

So I’m cleansing! In process, is the purging of any small bits of negativity I may have in my life. Once empty, I will fill my being with lots of laughter, gratefulness and good times and I will do my best to share it with those around me.

How about you?  What goals have you set for yourself for this up-coming school year?

did someone say free make-up?

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Guess what?

My sister, the Mary Kay Consultant, has so kindly offered me a gift basket of product that I can offer as a giveaway to one lucky reader.

All she’s asking is that you be so kind and LIKE her Facebook page.  That’s it !

All you need to do for me, is leave a comment below telling me the name and about a favourite skin care or make-up product you love. It doesn’t have to be Mary Kay. It can be any brand you use.

In the meantime, here’s what you can win from Mary Kay if you’re name is drawn …

Source: marykay.com via Bruna on Pinterest

A full size Ultimate Mascara.

 

Source: marykay.com via Bruna on Pinterest

Oil Free Make-up Remover

Source: marykay.com via Laura on Pinterest

Pink Santeen Lip Gloss

Source: marykay.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Facial Cleansing Cloths

Source: marykay.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Oil Control Lotion

You get these 5 items for simply liking a Facebook page and leaving me a comment about one of your favourite products or brand.

Winning couldn’t be any easier!

The winner will be announced a week from today so stay tuned!
(Giveaway open to Canadian residents only.)

back to school shopping

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Every year, my teenage daughter and I take a day and go back to school shopping together.

First, we make sure she gets all the essential school supplies along with a new backpack.

I always make sure she gets all the essentials first like undergarments and socks.

Then she focuses on items like rain and snow boots, rain and winter jackets, gloves, scaves and a warm hat.

From there, we replace clothing items she’s grown out of like jeans.

Once we’ve purchased the things she needs, we go on to her list of things she wants.

I pay for the things she needs and she pays for the things she wants.  Over the year, she saves up money from birthdays and Christmas and other events so she can purchase the things on her list of wants.

As part of our special shopping day, we usually go out to lunch together and splurge for things like Menchies ice-cream or iced lattes from Starbucks.

We always have a really good time.

As back to school time is fast approaching, so is our back to school shopping extravaganza day together.  In fact, it’s happening just next week.

I’m thinking that maybe I should get in on this back to school shopping thing too. Who says it has to be restricted simply to kids or teenagers?  Why can’t Moms shop for themselves too?

Having this in mind, I thought I’d get a head start by parusing through some Pinterest boards.  While doing so, I came up with my own list of things I want for back to school.

Here’s what I want …

Source: fashionworship.com via Bruna on Pinterest

I especially love the boots!  I’m not so much a scarf person but I can get use to them if they make me look cooler.

I also fell in love with this … trench coat.

Source: witanddelight.tumblr.com via Bruna on Pinterest

I so want this coat! Looks awesome with the black and the jeans. I love, love, love it!

And then I found this outfit.

Source: Uploaded by user via Katherine on Pinterest

The shoes are so funky. I could never wear them to work without falling down or being teased by my co-workers though.  Plus, I’d tower over my first graders. I do love that leggings are still in style for this next Fall season. Looks like baggy, oversize sweaters are going to be popular too. 

Last but not least, I want a jean jacket.

Source: Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest

I had a jacket just like this years back but gave it away when they faded out of style. Had I known they’d be back, I would have held onto it.  I should know better. Everything comes back into style.

And there you have my back to school wish list!
Not to shabby for a mommy, eh?

Any of you moms get yourself new things when you go back to school shopping with your kids?

looking forward to, excited for …

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There was a time in my life where I often needed to have things to look forward to in order to be happy. By things, I don’t mean material possessions exactly because often it was needing to have something to do or somewhere to go.

When I was single and in college, I looked forward to spending time with my girlfriends. When I became a mother for the first time, I longed for a little extra time to myself. When I became a mother for the second time, I longed to have time to sleep. When I became a mother for the third and last time, I longed for all the things I no longer had time to do.  Read a book, watch a movie, do my hair or have adult conversation.

I have never been one to need to buy things to be happy although shopping definitely is fun. I have always been one to need or enjoy time spent with people I love or hold close to my heart.  Like my parents, grandparents, sisters or girlfriends.

Now that I’m married 7.5 years and a mother to three girls, life is beyond busy. Deep down, the one thing I always really miss is being able to spend time with the man I married. My hubby.

Sure we live together and talk all the time but it’s always with the kids or about the kids. Sure we spend time together but it’s centered around the kids. Sure we see each other every day but it’s always as a mommy and daddy or a wife and a husband.  That’s what happens when you become a family with someone and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

That doesn’t mean though, that neither one of us misses what used to be …

I miss the moments we use to share when we were just us. Him, that guy and me, that girl. He misses getting to be the people we were when we first fell in love and doing all the stuff we had plenty of time for.

So nowadays, we look forward to sharing a night or a weekend away with each other.

It’s something we know we need to do every once in a while and I’m so grateful when we can.

And it just so happens, we’re getting that opportunity this upcoming weekend.

Excited for it?  Yes, yes and yes!

Mama’s Losin’ It

 

a friend is …

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The other day, while having a chat over coffee with a friend, we ended up in a discussion about friendship.

The friend, from here on out, will be referred to as Judy to protect her identity.

Judy confided in me that for the last year or so, she has been struggling with her feelings about a particular friendship of hers that has undergone some change.

Before sharing her story about this struggle, she asked me to give her what I would deem my definition of a friend.  Easy task, I thought. I’ve had an abundance of them over the years and said the following:

“A friend is someone you trust, adore, look up to, believe in, laugh with, cry with, support, feel affection for and who is not related to you”.

Judy seemed content with my definition but then asked me what I would consider to be my expectations of friendship. So I thought about all the things I felt made me a good friend.

I’m kind.

I compliment.

I’m supportive.

I do my very best to be there for them when needed.

I’m caring.

Thoughtful.

Patient.

Understanding.

Honest.

Trustworthy.

Fun.

Encouraging.

And I always listen.
And I listen well.

I shared this with Judy and she smiled.  She then asked me if I had friends who were all of the things I listed about myself.  I thought about it quickly and just as I was about to respond yes, I stopped.

I have friends. Definitely, I do but do they match all the qualities I listed about myself as friend?  Um, honestly, the answer is no with the exception of one friend who comes pretty  darn close but that’s because we’ve known each other since we were five. My other friends fulfill some of the qualities on my list but not all.

Judy went on to say that her struggle with a particular friendship stems from the disappointment she feels when her friend doesn’t fulfill her own list of expectations for friendship. If a friend isn’t to Judy what Judy feels she is to her friend, she harbours feelings of doubt and disappointment in them which then leads her to question the friend’s loyalty.

I thought about this for a second and then realized how very easily this can happen in any relationship.  How as people we set ourselves up for disappointment because perhaps we expect people to be like us and when they don’t reciprocate friendship in the same way, we doubt their loyalty.

Judy’s definition of a good friend lists 20 things.
My definition listed out 13.
An other person may only have 5 on their list.
And so on, and so on.

When it comes right down to it, everyone has their own ideas about friendship and all that it entails.  It may or may not match our own.

The on-line Oxford dictionary defines friend as a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.

A pretty simple definition.

To me, a friend is so much more than that.
To Judy, friendship is so much more than even what I expressed above.

Which leads me to the realization that sometimes I, too, feel disappointment when a friend may not be for me what I think I am for them. Just because I would re-arrange my schedule to spend time with a friend doesn’t mean that they would do the same. Does this mean they like me or value me any less than I do them? Not necessarily … but … it’s not uncommon to feel this is the case.

I learned a lot about my own feelings and expectations for friendship via my little chat with Judy the other day.  She made me think about relationships in a way I hadn’t before.

Everyone hears what you say.
Friends listen to what you say.
Best friends listen to what you don’t say. – Anonymous

I think true friendship isn’t being inseparable, it’s being separated and nothing changes. However, the moment a person shares their time with you, they have shared a part of their life with you. And this is what makes friendship special to me.

We all need friends but maybe some of us need them more than others.

Do you expect your friends to be the kind of friend you know you are?