Kiirsten's Wedding Shower

My sister is getting married! 
For those of us who know Kiirsten & Kevin the sentiment is: FINALLYYY. But even as Monica Gellar as she is, Kiki-Lee has waited patiently for 8 adventurous years for KHip to pop the big question. As a role model couple for many, being there for the official day on Saturday, July 21, 2012 will be quite the CeLeBRaTioN! 
In the meantime the maid of honour (aka me) has been busy working at the details for the two parties on my MOH To-Do list. Back in April we were lucky to be surrounding by a number of amazing ladies: younger to older at the Rautenberg Residence in Erin. It has been a few months since the event but Thanks to Kiir's amazing sister-in-law Karine, I recently received some of the photos she took on her nice camera. 
It was kind of nicer to get the photos a bit later since it was a great reminder of what a special day that was. 
Here are some of the highlights from Kiirsten's Wedding Shower back in Saturday, April 14th! Thank you everyone for coming!! 

Brown Sugar Bath Scrub recipe available here. 

             

   

 

THANK YOU Sugar Mamas Desserts for the
BEAUTIFUL CAKE!!  

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE BACHKiiRETTE!

Brown Sugar Bath Scrub

I have definitely been slacking at Blogging lately. With the new job & the amount of Online Community/Web stuff I am having to tackle for that, I've neglected getting on here and writing some more personal things.
I have a lot to say about my lovely sister Kiirsten's wedding shower that I planned last weekend!! But for now I'm going to focus on the Party Favour I created since I have had many requests for the recipe. 


I got a few different ideas from a few different websites but I think this "recipe" is pretty do-it-to-your-liking. I was hesitant to follow exact measurements ... for one, because I never do with anything that I make (haha)... and for two, because relying on cups & teaspoons doesn't always equal the best end result.
I had to make 30 jam jars of the scrub. I made it in 4 different batches based on 1kg bags of the dark brown sugar so the ingredient amounts listed below are for the TOTAL 30 jars. If you are needing to make only a few jars or containers or what not, I'd say divide this info by the 1kg bags as well. 


BROwN SUGaR BAtH SCRuB
To make the scrub you will need...
- 4 Kg Dark Brown Sugar
- 2 Kg Pure Sugar Cane Brown Sugar
- 1 Kg Granulated White Sugar
- 2 Litres of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 4 Fl. Oz. of 100% Natural Vitamin E Oil
- Pure Vanilla extract
- Optional: Pure Essential Oil in your desired scent (I used Lavender)  


So what do ya do now? 


Step One:
Combine your dry ingredients. 
Put 1kg of your brown sugar into a big bowl, mix it with a 500grams of the sugar cane, and 250 grams of white sugar. 




Combine your wet ingredients.
In a separate bowl, mix 250mL of your Olive Oil with 2tablespoons of your Vitamin E oil and 3tablespoons of the vanilla. Stir it up so that it blends as much as possible. 


Step Two: 

Combine the two. Be sure to stir the dry stuff a bunch to avoid any clumps. 



Step Three:
Put in a few drops of your essential oil. Some oils can be quite strong so be careful here. For the lavender I did about 4-5 drops, mixed it around and then decided if it smelled like it could use some more.   


*You may think that your batch seems a little oily or a little dry. Feel free to add more sugar or oil as your heart desires... It's pretty hard to screw this up. Sometimes I even threw in more vanilla if I wanted a bigger scent. 


For the most part I kept thinking it seemed too wet or pretty oily, but once I divided it into the jars I realized it tends to crystallize a bit. Also - after using it I realized the oilier probably the better. It makes your skin SOOOO SOFT. 


And that's pretty much it! VERY simple... 

I scooped it into the jars using a regular kitchen table spoon & decorated them to my liking! 

Below matches the butterfly theme and the colour scheme of the party.

GOOD LUCK! 

When Change is a Good Thing.

Change isn't something that many of us welcome into our lives. We wrestle with it, we avoid it, often we just plain out don't want anything to do with it. I sympathize with not being interested in change or the things that have to do with change. It's uncomfortable & unfamiliar. Who wants to be uncomfortable? I think it is when you start to become uncomfortable in your "norm" that you actually start to seek out change. And in this instance, you may start to realize that change is not necessarily a bad thing.


We've all been faced with different levels or instances of changes. Whether it is the beginning or the end of a relationship, a move, a loss, an unexpected event, or maybe even a planned one that you reluctantly accepted. The bottom line is that we all know that change is the only constant and no matter how hard we try to fight it; it is going to be there.

I think there are times when if we open a new door without hesitation that we can be faced with wonderful changes that tend to end up being more of a positive than a negative.  Not to say that they are not still uncomfortable, but they are maybe not the worst like we first expected. Take moving for example... some people are forced to move out of their preferred place of residence be it to move in with partner, for a job, financial reasons, whatever the case may be. When most of us think about moving away from the place we're used to (and most likely love) we probably think "No way! I love it here" "All my friends and family are here!" "Why would I want to live in the city when living in the country is SO much better?" "OMG I am not going to be a suburban soccer mom with a minivan!" 

(Ok so maybe that last one was more specifically what I would say... haha!) 

But more times than not - no matter what preferred hesitation statement you choose - relationship trumps location, money trumps ideals, and since a job is what makes you that money... career trumps pretty much most of your options. 

So how do you weigh things out to make sure that your happiness isn't trumped? 

My only real thoughts here is a good ol' fashion dose of: look on the bright side!    A Pro/Con list may help...although beware of the fact that you may end up with more Cons for the time being than Pros. The ultimate goal here is to not necessarily be 100% Pro, but it is to open your mind to being a little bit more Pro. One step at a time. The more you sit and relish in all your Cons you will never get the chance to experience what Good Change feels like. It does exist! And it's pretty wonderful!! 

If there are areas that you're struggling with right now, I challenge you to come up with a plan about how you are going to seek out positive change. 

My recent personal example would be after struggling with career growth dissatisfaction for the last few years, I needed to abandon my hopes & dreams of continuing in the sports marketing industry. This wasn't an easy decision whatsoever. But essentially I had worked myself to a "moo point" (as Joey would say on FRIENDS) and then just felt stuck. This dissatisfaction was affecting me in several different ways, until I finally decided that just as I felt I was "meant to" work in sports, there may be another spot out there that I am more suited for right now. I threw caution to the job search wind finally landing myself in  ...... the PET industry! So turns out; there IS a bright side. Leaving sports & the company I have been part of for many years behind wasn't a positive experience, but the end result of becoming a Manager; finally climbing onto the platform I've been lounging for, is a feeling of satisfaction that outweighs the negatives of all the goodbyes. 

This coincides with the fact that good change probably just doesn't come out of no where. You need to make things happen for yourself. If you're unhappy, you can't sit around being unhappy & expecting to wake up one day just glowing with happiness. Hmm, sorry... it doesn't work that way. Be proactive! If you want a relationship; don't sit around on the couch watching Ben pick Courtney wondering if CTV has even looked at your submission for the Bachelor Canada. Go to a Marlies game and plop yourself in front of a group of guys!  If you want a new job; apply to at least 5 a day. Make your LinkedIn profile, get yourself to networking events, create a portfolio, send e-mails, make phone calls! If you want something new but can't afford it; go through your old clothes, books, furniture, electronics, put whatever you don't use up on Kijiji! (I know "its weird", but people buy that stuff...) And start a piggy bank that contributes solely to the purchase of that vacation, pair of boots, pair of breasts, whatever it is you are looking for! If you want good karma; Volunteer!! Buy the person behind you in line their coffee, send a text message to 10 people on your contact list that you haven't spoke to in a while and say, "Hey! Hope you're doing really well... just wanted you to know I am thinking of you." 
It is crazy how many of these small little changes in your habits & mindset can really be a great thing - and the results can be even better. 

Girl Friends.

I had a girlfriend say to me once...

"You know how you meet those girls? The ones who claim they only get along with guys, and say can't they get along with girls because we are all dramatic or bitchy,etc.  You know what I always want to say to them: Do you ever think that it's because of the insecurities within yourself that you can't get along with other girls? There are so many ladies out there, who get along fine with the others. Maybe it's you. Maybe you're the one who is dramatic & bitchy. Not the rest of us." -JP

This has stuck with me since I first heard it. You see it everywhere you go: girls are judging one another, making each other feel bad, trying to bring each other down to make themselves feel better. I had a recent experience that exploded after a long time of build up, and sitting down now evaluating everything about it... all that I can think is: 

Thank God I am surrounded by amazing, supportive, intelligent, lovely 

girl friends.

I will be the first to admit I haven't always been the nicest girl myself. I've been immature, I've been catty, I'm sure I've hurt some feelings. I'm not proud of these things. I was young; I made some mistakes, we all do. Yet now that I am in a completely different phase of my life I am able to appreciate how much further everyone gets by just being kind, encouraging adults. 

Growing up in a small town it goes without saying that just because everyone knows each other - doesn't mean you like each other. There are girl fights over boyfriends, fights over class projects, fights over clothes, fights over prom committee, ...there are a lot of fights! hahah But that's middle school & high school. You'd think that once you're done high school, and move up and on, you leave that stuff behind. 

Girllll, we were WRONG. It is shocking to me that even out in the "real world" (even post-University) you encounter these females who just have so many personal insecurities that they wrap themselves up in bringing everyone else down. Don't you just want to shake them & say get over yourself?! And they're everywhere! They're at work, they're at the gym, they're in the washroom of the bar, they're in the elevator of your building, they're behind you in the grocery store line up. 

It seems like you just can't get away from them.

So what can you do about them? It's a tricky question. I can't even begin to pretend like I have an answer. What I can say is that it is mostly important to recognize the behaviours of these people, and try to avoid doing them ourselves. You know the saying, "You are the company you keep" ...? This definitely rings true for anyone in your life, but especially for us ladies. It is frustrating to see wonderful people who surround themselves with other females who are arrogant, who lack a moral compass, who are unmotivated, flat out rude, and mostly who are negative. These qualities tend to rub off on others and if you are subjecting yourself to it regularly, eventually you will probably be an unpleasantry too. 

An article was passed on to me today & this was part of it:

"Spend your time with nice people who are smart, driven and like-minded. Surround yourself with the people who reflect the person you want to be. Choose friends who you are proud to know, people you admire, who love and respect you."  ... "Some people will test you, some will use you, and some will teach you; but most importantly some will bring out the best in you."

...when it comes to female friendships I'm not sure there needs to be much more to it then that! It's really not as complicated as - for whatever reason - so many of us have been trapped into making it. 

I really just wanted to write this today to remind all of us ladies (and realistically, all the guys out there too!) that sometimes it doesn't hurt to take a big long look in the mirror; to evaluate ourselves, and those we surround ourselves with. If there are females of questionable character, there is no time like the now to be a grown up and make an important decision as to whether or not this insecure person & their negativity is something you really want in your own life for long term. Chances are, it's not. 

This post is dedicated to ladies in my life who are incredibly smart & beautiful;  inside & out. 


.: to view the mentioned articles click here:.

Raising a Pup.

Just around this time two years ago, I made a big life decision. I decided to get myself a dog. Not only was this the biggest life decision I have ever made, but it was also the best life decision I have ever made. 


Although I like to think I am not "one of those" owners who talks about and brags about her pup as if he's her child, I know that I kind of am. 
But I'm actually kind of OK with that. 
Elliot has changed a lot of things about my life. He's introduced me to chewed tupperware and goobers on everything. He has made wearing black and sleeping-in impossible. He has me taking 60minutes to do something that would otherwise take 20. But here's the thing; I would never, ever trade any of this. Despite the things you have to give up when you become a pet owner, it is astonishing how much you gain. 


I got Elliot at a weird life stage; it probably seemed irresponsible to those around me. I lived by myself, I was single, I went out more days a week than I stayed in. But really... he was exactly what I needed. Elliot taught me things in our first few months together that it otherwise would have taken me years to understand. He centered me. He grounded me. He made me realize that putting your time & energy into loving something was more important than many of things I thought were important at the time. 


I have to give tons of credit to my friends & family for stepping up to the plate and aiding me in my times of need as a "single mum". But I think on some level Elliot has brought something special into your lives as well, so you probably aren't too upset about those whiny nights or hair-covered jackets. 


It was a bit of a spur of the moment decision, but I did know what I was getting myself into. I don't recommend getting a pet without some serious planning. In fact - I strongly recommend borrowing someone else's pet so you understand just how much time & energy having a canine buddy takes. When you sign up for buying or adopting a pet - you need to understand that you are committing to being their care taker for life. 


It is interesting though... when you first get your puppy, you are thinking about the present, the now, and how they're so adorable you just can't stay mad at them for eating your undies. But you don't really think about all the major events these little creatures are going to be there for, and also just how much they are going to be there for you. I know now that there couldn't have been a better time, or stage of my life for me to take on the challenge of raising another being. He brings entertainment, amusement & unconditional adoration to me each & everyday. He is going to be with me through so many things; moving around, gaining or losing people in my life,  falling in love, career challenges, buying my first house, getting married, and most likely even having my first children. I know we are talkin' way far away here, but that is my point exactly. Thick & thin, exciting & scary, emotional & uncontrollable experiences are going to come and they are going to go. 


When I made the decision to get Elliot, I really made a decision that no matter what happens at the end of the day it is going to be me & my pup.
But I'm actually really OK with that.  

 snoozin' & treats. treats & snoozin'. 

Going For It.

I have always wanted to start blogging. I'm not sure what the hold up was, maybe I  thought I wasn't interesting enough. But I've come to realize that it doesn't really matter whether or not I think I'm interesting; it more so matters that I just may have something to say.

(And for those of you who know me - you know I always have something to say!) 

The Blogger world is pretty neat, I'm excited to get more deeply involved. Although not so much a blog-writer (yet!), I have always been a big blog-reader. I love cooking blogs, blogs on entertaining, blogs from sports personalities, Top 10 blogs, blogs with Tips, all those kinds of things. Except now that it comes to my own blog I am hesitant to pinpoint a specific area of discussion. I'm not exactly an expert at anything in particular, nor do I have an encyclopedia series worth of wisdom that I want to share with the world. However I am a bit of a free bird, and out of all the things I could be described as: boring is not one of them. 

I guess as your classic Aquarius you will find that I tend to thrive on eccentricity and open-mindedness. I value being a bit unconventional and a lot independent. I support social awareness and am curious about the world around me; near & far. 

I Try new things - I Travel - I Take a genuine interest in life. 

These will be the 3 Ts I intend to explore from week to week in a Tall Glass Of... 

Between a combination of these characteristics - plus a side of random - I believe it could turn "lil' uninteresting me" into a pretty good read every once & a while. 

I know I'm not going to be great right away. I know I'm going to need a little help here & there. But I am ready to get moving. To start learning, sharing, and proving to myself that I do have something interesting to say.

I'm ready to go for it.