Fitness Favs

Happy Humpday, lil’ lovebugs!

As some of you may know, I’ve found myself falling head over heels in love with fitness over the passed eight years or so. Over the past five, I have retired my position as a “Cardio Bunny” and have gotten lost in the weight room a time or two (or six times a week, religiously).

After binge-watching Whitney Simmons’ YouTube videos lately (whatever, I am CONVINCED we would eat HaloTop and throw down savage sarcasm every night of the week), I figured I would share a few of my fitness must haves with you!

lululemon.com

lululemon.com

lululemon.com

Lululemon Wunder Unders – $98 CAD

• These are my tried-and-true, my ride-or-die. I wear these to the gym, I wear these to work (casual office), I wear these to the grocery store. Wunder Under’s suck you right in and are ohhh so flattering (nobody to ever be the wiser that I ate an entire pizza last night in these bad-boys)

Lululemon Align Pants – $98 CAD

• Okay, okay. I’m new here. I just bought my first pair of Align’s about a month ago. Everyone was talkin’ about them and I was skeptical.  THESE. ARE BUTTER. Honestly, so soft. Not making my stomach look as flat as my Wunder Under’s, but I don’t even just feel like I’m on a cloud in these – I AM THE CLOUD. Highly recommended. Only downside to these is I sometimes literally feel self conscious that I forgot to put pants on because they feel hella naked.

Lululemon Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve Crew – $78 CAD

• They make this in a long sleeve, a tee-shirt, a tank top. I have all of them. I’ll wear all of them this week.

apple.ca

sportchek.com

nike.ca

sportchek.com

Nike Dri-FIT Element – $100 CAD

• You running stairs on a warm Spring day? You going for a little jog? You playing golf? This Dri-FIT long sleeve will be your best friend.

Apple AirPods – $219 CAD

• Once upon a time, I briefly dated a very successful, kind man that gifted these to me for Christmas. Bless your kind soul. Best part? Workout with me and I’ll let you listen to one and we can jam out to the same song simultaneously. THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING.

Fitbit Blaze – $249.99 CAD

• Designed to make me feel guilty for every lame workout I have 2k18.

Adidas Ultraboost – $239.99 CAD

• These are pure bliss. I have my eye on the Adidas NMD next (I see you, Whitney).

MAN BCAA’s – varying prices

• THEY HAVE A SWEDISH FISH FLAVOUR.
• But seriously, BCAA’s are essential in muscle recovery – and they taste good. Win, win.

Celucor C4 Pre-Workout – varying prices

• For the pump.

Really real picture of me pretending to like running stairs in my Lululemon Wunder Under crops and Swiftly Tech long sleeve.

What are your fitness favourites, must-have gear and products for a better pump?

 

New Year, New Resolutions

2016 was a treacherous year for me. I left my live-in boyfriend…with that, came leaving my home, and one of my dogs. 2017 hit, and I was ready to start a new year leading with forgiveness, though I was still healing from my broken heart. All I asked out of 2017 was for it to hold more beginnings than it did endings.

Oh, did it ever. In 2017, I found myself in a new relationship (despite my constant urge to fight it during the first half of the year). I met men while I was single (So. Many. Men.) – each of which, came with a brilliant story, and an even better lesson. I began a new job, which both fit me and challenged me more than any of my previous positions. And lastly, I welcomed a new puppy back into the family – finally balancing my fur-children count back up to three.

2016 was excruciating, but it propelled so much growth. Now that everything has levelled back out over the past year, what goals do I want to head into 2018 with?

• Success. Now that I’ve learned my lessons from my single year, and now that my heart has healed, I want to base my focus around being successful. In both my career and my writing. I hope to find clarity in my direction.
  • Write, write, write, write, WRITE.
• Financial stability. Okay…Rome wasn’t built in a day so I guess it might take longer than 365 days to achieve this. But, a girl can dream.
• Growth. 2016 was a year of growth, 2017 was a year of coasting and letting life happen TO me. In 2018, I want to strive toward growth (preferably without the broken heart this time).
• Read. Just get lost in a good book…or ten over the year.
• Lead with understanding instead of judgement.

What are your New Years resolutions? I wish you all the very best year.

CHRISTMAS TAG

1. What is your favourite Christmas film?
   • THE HOLIDAY…Elf, and The Grinch too, of course!
     

     

     
2. What is your favourite Christmas song?
   • Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens
   • Driving Home for Christmas – Jonathan Roy
   • ANYTHING from Celine Dion’s Christmas album 
3. Where do you spend your holiday?
   • At home, by the fire and everybody I love
4. Have you ever had a white Christmas?
   • I live in Canada, so it’s very rare to not have a white Christmas (even though this year might not be!)
5. Where would be your dream place to visit for Christmas?
   • New York City…without a doubt
6. What is the best Christmas gift that you’ve ever received?
   • After my brother passed away, I claimed his baby blanket and slept with it every night. After the blanket turned about 30 years old, my mom went out and bought me a replacement. When she was diagnosed with cancer, that blanket used to sit at the foot of her hospital bed. Now, I sleep with it every night and I’m so thankful for it (I still sleep with my brother’s blanket too…not ready to retire that one either).
7. Do you prefer giving or receiving gifts?
   • I like the spirit of gifting. I love wrapping the gift and tearing it open. What is inside of the gift doesn’t have as much value to me as watching somebody I love pick apart the beautiful wrap job!
8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
   • Fake! Because I put my tree up way too early for it to be real.
9. What is one thing you asked for this year?
   • A puppy…and she came three weeks early. Her name is Benny and she is beautiful!
   • 
10. What is your favourite type of Christmas treat?

• I love ham for Christmas dinner! I also love a good eggnog drink!

 

SIX DAYS! Can you believe it? 

Merry Christmas, lovelies!

Holiday Date Ideas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Whether you’re in a relationship or casually dating or committing to some single-time and looking to enjoy some Christmas cheer with your girlfriends, I have come up for a list for you to check off this holiday season!

• Volunteer! – in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada…brrrr), we have an organisation that puts on a toy delivery for families in need. I did it this past weekend and it was worth every minute of my Sunday.
• Sleigh ride – bundle up
• Drive around and look at Christmas lights – go and look at the neighbours hard work
• Christmas concert – whether it’s your children’s, a church, or one by the local theatre
  • Edmonton had The Singing Christmas Tree this past weekend and it was divine – if you’re in the area, add it to your TO-DO list for next Christmas

• Christmas baking
  • Santa’s Crunch Popcorn – recipe and picture by Two Sisters Crafting
  • Eggnog Cookies – recipe and picture by Love from the Oven

• Christmas movie binge watch 
  • See my last post of Christmas movie recommendations here.

• Ugly sweater Christmas party

• Build a gingerbread house – do we ever get too old for this?

What are some things that you do for the holiday season?

Must-Watch Holiday Films

How I haven’t made this blog post in the history of my beloved blog is beyond me. I am a Christmas fanatic. Really. All November and December, I eat, breath and sleep Christmas.  So here, I present to you a Holiday watch list by a (self-proclaimed) professional.

Home Alone

• No doubt to get a couple of laughs from the fam when you’re watching a much-cuter version of Macaulay Culkin.

Santa Clause

• Tim Allen is like a Christmas movie king. He even stars in Christmas with the cranks as (once again), a grumpy old guy that finally sees Christmas spirit.

Elf

• Oh Will Farrel…THANK YOU.
• The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

The Grinch

• Did you know Taylor Momsen played Cindy Lou? Because I found that out like two years ago and it threw me for a loop. Still a classic though.

Step Mom

• Okay, this is just one of my all-time favourite movies ever. Susan Sarandon and Julia  Roberts are: A) beautiful and B) guaranteed to make me ugly-cry. Every. Single. Time.
• DO NOT FRET – this movie is not black and white.

Family Stone

• Award winning cast who includes Diane Keaton (yes), Sarah Jessica Parker (double yes) and Luke Wilson (drool). Oh, and also will MOST DEFINITELY make you ugly cry.

The Holiday

• You don’t have to ask me twice about that Christmas fettuccini, Kate. A wonderful and heart-warning drama about love, friendship and the holiday’s.

What Christmas movie are you settling in with for a long winters nap?

Best Christmas Gifts | FOR HER

Happy holidays, lovelies!

I hope the month of December is treating you well, and that you’re gearing up for the holidays – whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or anything else, I’m sure we can all agree that everybody just has a little more pep in their step this time of year.

I have put together a few Christmas gift ideas for the lovely lady in your life!

For The Beauty Lover

• Flowerbomb perfume from Sephora 
  • $90-$195
  • Okay, okay! I’m cheating…this was totally on my list last year. It just smells SO good. Not offensive to anyone, appropriate year-round. You can’t go wrong with it!
• Masking set from Sephora
  • $31
  • Every woman loves a little relaxation and mask-ation. Perfect stocking stuffer!

via sephora.com

For the Lovely Tech Geek

• Portable iPhone charger from Amazon
  • $27.99
  • It took me nearly 24 years to splurge on one of these, and in my humble opinion, I think they are absolutely necessary. Besides, this one is so chic.
• Marble Phonecase from Etsy 
  • $19.99
  • The marble trend just isn’t over yet.

For the Netflix + Chill Kinda Girl

• Faux Fur Robe from Pottery Barn 
  • $136
  • I think I’ve finally found the only robe that could be considered good-looking.
• Bath set from Lush 
  • Varying prices to fit your budget!
  • Bonus tip: Lush bath bombs in her stocking. You’re welcome.
• Diffuser from Amazon 
  • $49.99
  • Now imagine this: throw another gift under the tree with her favourite essential oils. Voila!

For the Dog Lover

• Namastay Home With My Dog crew neck from Treat Dreams 
  • $57.99
  • Oh…and 10% of proceeds go toward animal shelters. Feel good while you shop.
• Blow a picture of her dog up into a canvas
  • You’ll lock her down for sure
• Custom Dog Phone Case at Etsy 
  • $17.99
  • Or just put her dog on her phone case

NOTE TO THE READER: I AM RESISTING PUTTING MY NEST CAM ON HERE THAT I USE TO TALK TO/SPY ON MY DOGS WHILE I AM AT WORK.

For the Fitness Enthusiast

• Resistance Bands from Amazon
  • $22.99
  • These always come in handy on leg day. Besides, it’s a non-pervy way to tell her how much you love her peach!
• Adidas NMD
  • $130
  • Okay these are super fly. Not to mention, Whitney Simmons wears them. Whitney Simmons wore flip flops and army pants, so I wore flip flops and army pants.

So have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, lovelies! What’s on your wish list?

Best Halloween/Autumnal Flicks

Hello lovelies,

I am curled up on my couch with a cup of chai tea, my pumpkin candle lit, and my heated blanket on. Fall has officially hit in Canada and I am cozy as can be…with my little movie schedule leading up until Halloween.

I can’t be the only Canadian 90’s gal that fondly remembers the both the kid-friendly Halloween flicks and the bone-chilling, 80’s-90’s horror films that lit up my entire October attitude. So here we go with a mix of the nostalgic family movies, all the way up a couple adult horrors that will really remind you that it’s not summer anymore (kind of a horror in itself).

1. Halloweentown – please PLEASE tell me that you remember the adventures of sweet little Marnie and her kookie (AKA batshit crazy) witch grandmother (AKA DEBBIE REYNOLDS – PREACH)! Ahhh this is a classic. If you’re going to watch anything this fall, make it Halloweentown (BONUS: it’s ultra kid friendly and BRILLIANT).
2. Hocus Pocus – okay this just speaks for itself. Watching Sarah Jessica Parker go boy crazy as a witch is just too good (even though I’m still a die-hard for watching her go boy-crazy in a pink tu-tu alongside Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda).
3. Halloween – Michael Myers. Halloween night on 1963. Inability to sleep for weeks. SIGN. ME. UP.
4. Friday the 13th – Okay this is just a given following Halloween. You have to really dive in to the best slasher films before 2000.
5. Scream – In the way of horror movies, I see this a classic. So cheesy. So scary. With a cameo of young Drew Barrymore.

What are your Halloween must-watch movies?

With love and gore,

8 Perfect Autumn Dates

 

The leaves are changing, and the days are filling with that crisp fall air. As I kiss goodbye my perfect summer, I’m getting ready to embrace the cooler days and pretty colours with one of my favourite people in the whole world. Here’s a list of some of the perfect ways you can spend your fall with your significant other, friends or just you:

1. Pumpkin patch! Get lost in a sea of orange and children’s smiling faces.
2. A leisurely walk through the forest. Share stories about the wild things you saw on your weekly trip to Walmart whilst hearing your feet crunch on leaves.
3. Raking – hear me out here. In a desperate attempt to make housework sound sexy, it really could be a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
4. Corn maze. Aren’t we actually all just children in an adult world? Besides, doesn’t it sound romantic to get lost in a literal maze of corn, eventually to only find yourself amongst a group of teenagers smoking a doobie?
5. Haunted house. Holding hands while a sadistic masked man jumps out of the darkness (I do not recommend doing this one alone).
6. Pumpkin carving. Please be careful, there is nothing sexy about an ER visit.
7. Shop your Farmer’s Market. This is a perfect chilly Sunday idea. Overpriced apples, yes…but priceless memories.
8. Just. Snuggle. Up. Bath and Body Works LEAVES candle highly suggested. Bonus points if you have a fireplace. Cardigan, CHECK. Cozy socks, CHECK. Let’s. Get. It. On.

 

Have a safe and lovely fall, to all of my singles and my not-so-singles. I hope you all enjoy the season regardless of where you are in the world.

Sending my love to you always,

Millennials and Dating

My girlfriend sent me an article about why our generation is failing at dating today. The article discussed technology, ghosting and disconnectedness. She especially related to it because of her recently ended relationship.

This article got me thinking: are Millennial’s “bad” at dating, due to our weakness at connecting on a deeper level? Or, are we simply a generation that refuses to settle, due to our independence, heightening access to the world, and wild imaginations (constantly dreaming of bigger goals, successes, and passions – always chasing the next high).

Fifty years ago, the norm was a stable marriage, happy children, and a white picket fence. That stability and “American Dream” is what the bulk of society chased. As the years wore on, we gained access to education, knowledge, power, equality, technology and the world as a whole. With this, the standard changed, or in some ways, abolished completely. Finally (and in my opinion, thankfully), individuality become accepted, and sometimes, celebrated.

Millennials found comfort in being alone. Perhaps, to some extent, we are never alone with our Instagram accounts and Netflix, but our bedrooms have become quiet and our beds have become empty. We no longer seek to fulfill the standard society laid out for us. Instead, we welcome adventure, and the world has become smaller, so men won’t chase the neighbour simply because the cease to believe a better fit might be out there.

The philosophies and social norms have changed with the generations. This may have made dating more “difficult” than the courting and and the 9 PM curfews. However, as scary as terms like “ghosting” and “bread crumbing” may be, if we are a generation that has learned to not settle for anything but extraordinary love, than did we really lose? Furthermore, if we are a generation who has learned to not only welcome, but accept independence, self-sufficiency, and on some nights (when the silence creeps in) even loneliness, then are we actually doing an injustice to dating? Or are we simply seeking justice for ourselves.

Thanks for reading, xx

 

June 2017 PLAYLIST

Hey lovelies,

I hope your June is going well so far! In Alberta (Canada), it’s finally lush and green, with the addition of a few incredible thunderstorms. I have been enjoying the weather – that won’t last long enough hear – alongside some music I would love to share with you!

• Get What You Give – Felix Cartal 
• Bad at Love – Halsey 
• Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan (oldieee!!!)
• Alaska (SOHN Remix) – Maggie Rogers
• Kansas City – The New Basement Tapes
  • A band completely worth checking out. Made up of Jim James, Elvis Costello, Marcus Mumford, Taylor Goldsmith and Rhiannon Giddens, these artists recreate unrecorded Bob Dylan songs.
• Every Morning – Sugar Ray (throwback to the 90’s, sitting in a little restaurant listening to Sugar Ray and Nickleback)
• Cringe (Stripped) – Matt Maeson (soooo much soul)
• Once – Maren Morris (the feels)

What have been your summer ’17 anthems so far?

Sending my positive energy your way xo.

Light and love,