5 Songs I Loved During Maternity Leave: Part 4

April 29, 2015


As I mentioned in Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3, I had a lot of time to peruse the internet while I was on maternity leave. My son and I always enjoyed listening to music while I was working on the shop, and we would often find bands and musicians that we had never heard of before through YouTube. I wanted to share with you five songs that I really enjoyed listening to -- and discovered -- while I was on maternity leave back in 2011/12.

Lana Del Rey was yet another random find on You Tube. This song was actually a link that I clicked on after finding the first song that I shared by Marina and the Diamonds. I love the haunting nature of Lana Del Rey's voice. There is something so soothing about it.






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5 Things: 2015 Mother's Day Gift Guide

April 27, 2015

1  -  2  -  3  -  4  -  5


Mother's Day is creeping closer and closer. For those of  us that are not quite on top of things and don't already have something planned for our mothers, here are five really wonderful gifts to consider giving your mom this year: unique pottery, garden art prints, comfy t-shirts, fun art-deco jewellery, and garden rocks. Remember that you still have two weeks to find something -- or plan something -- amazing to show your mom how much you love and appreciate her. Mother's Day is May 10 this year.



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14/52

April 24, 2015


If he doesn't come home with a dirty shirt, then I have no idea how his day was.




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13/52

April 17, 2015
I caught him in his morning routine for this week's portrait. He enjoys watching shows on the iPad while eating breakfast. The medium may have changed, but watching cartoons before school has not. Have a great weekend!






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Shop Update: Springtime Handmade Market 2015

April 15, 2015
I have been a busy bee in the shop this month because I am getting ready for the Flock & Gather 2015 Springtime Handmade Market -- check out all the vendors here. I'm really excited to be participating in my second handmade market. It is such a wonderful experience, and a fantastic atmosphere to be a part of -- plus I get to finally meet you and we can interact in person.



I've got a few more brooches that I've been working on for the market, and I just finished folding the cards and categorizing them and the art prints so they are all ready to go. Of course there are other little finishing touches that need to be taken care of -- like how I'm going to set-up my table -- but I feel like the big stuff is over and now I can focus on the small details. I can't wait to see you there, but if you can't make it then I hope you send some well wishes.






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5 Songs I Loved During Maternity Leave: Part 3

April 13, 2015


As I mentioned in Part 1 and Part 2, I had a lot of time to peruse the internet while I was on maternity leave. My son and I always enjoyed listening to music while I was working on the shop, and we would often find bands and musicians that we had never heard of before through YouTube. I wanted to share with you five songs that I really enjoyed listening to -- and discovered -- while I was on maternity leave back in 2011/12. 

Krewella was another random find on YouTube. You know those videos along the right hand side that are similar to the song that you are currently listening to? Alive was probably in there one time, and it was an instant hit in our house. My husband is a big fan of this style of music, especially with women's voices singing -- and Krewella does have fantastic voices.






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12/52

April 10, 2015
It has been just over one week since his birthday, and I am amazed at the changes that have happened since then. He has figured out the art of sassing back -- which we will not have to deal with for the next 20 years of our lives -- but he has also figured out how to utilise his listening ears a lot more, especially in the morning when we are getting ready to leave the house for the day. The smile on his face changes his look so much, and he reminds me of one of my cousins -- brings back family memories.



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Toxic: Thoughts on Natural and Chemical Products

April 08, 2015
I recently visited the dentist because of some tooth sensitivity which she informed me was caused by some things in my diet, and in order to repair the damage that was done she wanted me to switch to a different toothpaste after finding out that I use a natural toothpaste -- to be environmentally friendly and not put harsh chemicals into my body. The look that she gave me when I told her what toothpaste I use has never made me more embarrassed to be someone that is trying to use more natural products and be aware of what is being used on my body.



And then it got me thinking: Are there somethings that we need to sacrifice our healthy body for in order to maintain a healthy body? Should we be using sunscreen with chemicals that hurt our body over long-term use to keep our body safe from the Sun? Should we be using bug spray to protect ourselves from the many insects that carry harmful diseases that you may just have a slight chance to contract? Should we be brushing our teeth with toothpaste that is filled with all of the things that we know hurt our body in order to keep our teeth in top shape?

I read this post over on Gawker today after it was shared on my Facebook feed by a physician friend of mine, and it got me thinking about chemicals that we put into -- and on -- our bodies that maybe aren't as toxic as we think -- unless you are using 20 bottles of sunscreen on your body a day, and brushing your teeth 10 times a day and swallowing the toothpaste. It also made me think about who I should be trusting to give me the information that I need to make the right decisions for my body. I know that my doctor is not going to push me to do things that will harm me, and they have also given advice and offered alternatives and natural ways to approach my health.

I've talked about this with another friend of mine that knows a lot about chemicals and used to test water adjacent to mines for harsh chemicals. We were talking about the ingredients in the food at the supper table, and he mentioned that anti-freeze is in one of the salad dressings. I asked him about the affects that that would have on our bodies, and he said it's fine in small doses as long as you don't chug the entire bottle. It reminds me of the old adage of everything in moderation, and, as Oscar Wilde says: "Everything in moderation, including moderation."

There is so much research done to find out the affects of chemicals on our bodies in the short term and in the long term, and this is turning into a post that is way too scientific for me and beyond my point. There is nothing wrong with using natural products. I use them on my face, in my hair, and to clean my house on a daily basis. I love natural products and the philosophy behind them, but when you've had two root canals and three fillings -- with another five that need to be done -- over the course of four years then maybe there are some natural products that you just shouldn't be using.

When we seek council in the right places -- not someone on the internet that discredits members of the scientific community -- then we are able to make the correct choices for ourselves and the body that we want to have.

What are your thoughts?



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Now He is 4

April 06, 2015


To tell you the truth, I don't really have a lot of great photos to share with you from my son's 4th birthday party. It was dark out so I had to use my flash, and I was also busy so there aren't many photos to actually post here on the blog. A lot of the photos that I took are just not of the quality -- and perfect world type -- that I like to share with you, and a lot of them also have family members in them, so I really don't want to post those. I didn't get any of the typical photographs that I take, so you get to see one of the best -- and I guess you could say most important -- photos of the night. I always try to get a photo with my son on his birthday. It's almost as if I get a break from all of the action and slow down to take a moment with the birthday boy -- as if to say that I was there.

Now that he is at the age where he can start making some of the decisions around his birthday party, he decided that he wanted pizza for supper, and some candies. I filled things in with some vegetables, a variety of chips, and some drinks. It was a wonderful night full of family, gifts and excitement. There's nothing like a birthday party when you're a child. It's hard to slow down to even take a birthday photo with your mom :)





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11/52

April 02, 2015


How fitting that my 500th blog post should be a portrait of my son, and also about his 4th birthday. Yesterday we invited our families over for supper to help celebrate, and then we opened presents and ate cupcakes -- the details will be shared next week.

Really, what I want to do is talk about my son and the four crazy/amazing years that we have shared with him. Before I snapped these photos, he came out of his room after getting dressed and asked me "How do I look?". He has started asking more questions and wondering about things -- like why the moon is sometimes out during the day -- and exploring and making representations of things that he sees or likes while he plays or makes art.

He is such a silly little guy, and it has been so much fun seeing his humour blossom. He tries to make jokes about situations and then says "I just joking, Mom", and then giggles while covering his mouth with his hand. He loves swimming, tries to enjoy skating, and often asks to go mini golfing or bowling -- right now his big thing is going to the movie theatre. 

He has an excellent memory and often talks about things that we did "last night" -- which means "last time" -- and mentions little moments in time that we have completely forgotten about, but which must be so very important to him, and I love hearing about them again. He is a very independent little boy that shows his emotions easily -- and magnified -- but he comes by it honestly. He has been such a joy in our lives. Here's to what 4 will bring!



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