Yes, I still scrapbook

In fits and bursts, mind you. But it still counts...

Trim The Tree This layout taught me a couple of things. Firstly, I need to get more Christmas embellishments (too bad I hate them all). Secondly, I love ink. Today is amazeballs Sometimes something doesn't work out like you wanted to. And that's okay. You've still got a cute kid to scrapbook, after all. And washi tape fixes so many shitty layouts.

 Oh Ben Sures I tried a lot of things with this layout, and here is what I ended up with. Love all the little bits hiding by the picture there. Sunset I loved this paper. And then hated it. I think I covered up all the yucky bits. Also, I love sunset photos.

Tell A Story I took the text right from the blog post about this photo. Simple. Wonderful. Love Your Face Sometimes I forget all the cool shit I know how to do. Embossing, inking, stenciling. I'm a pro.

Do any of you go through crafting phases?

How do you keep the mojo flowing?

later loves

It's Damn Cold Out!

The thermostat before Dude & I left for school this morning. My Instagram caption was: "I'm thinking positive...because I remember days when the red disappeared altogether!" And I do! It was a cold drive to school, but I am grateful we can drive and not have to walk in this cold. Dude ran from the car to the door and banged and banged until someone let him in. They don't have outdoor recess when it's this cold, so I'm hoping he gets to do something fun again, like blow things up in the computer lab again...don't ask!

And now I sit in my sort of warm home, drinking coffee and blogging while I should be packing and getting ready to head to Jasper to visit my best blog pal! Truth be told, I hate too much Greek food and drank a smidge too much wine last night at my Christmas party so I am trying to let those after effects dissipate before I do too much "walking around" and "moving in general". Sigh...

And since I seem to be sharing TMI, let's at least get to some pretty pictures!

Left: Photo taken by me at the Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo back in September. I swear Dude wasn't there against his will, and that he did actually enjoy himself. I love love LOVE the simplicity of this page. There are literally 4 elements. Shit, I keep forgetting to put the date on there...

Right: Photo take by Dude on our Jasper trip for his birthday in the summer. He was adamant that he did NOT want his own photo taken with Jasper the Bear, so I did the nonchalant Mom thing and asked him to take my photo instead. I think he did a pretty damn good job! This layout also makes me super pleased...another simple one, and that pink paper is WHEEE!!

This photo was taken on Lucas' birthday! Gosh, I love that giant tooth! I made a joke that night, about him getting too old to hold my hand, and he told me not to worry. That he wasn't too old for that. He is such a sweet boy sometimes. Ha! I love that striped paper.

I made these layouts after I got home from the Christmas crop last weekend. Late, but still so inspired! Not sure what I did AT the crop, but I'm sure it was something. I did take a "go view BFF's new place and eat pizza and beers" break at the start of the night, so I didn't get as much scrappy-time as usual. But I mostly just enjoy hanging out with all my scrappy-friends that I just don't get to see near enough! Hello Ginger, Candace, Karen, Allison & Sheri! AND NADINE!!

good times...

later loves

Serendipitous What To Wear

This prompt - what to wear to a music festival - was serendipitous because I just happened to go to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival two weeks ago! I didn't get a lot of pictures of my outfit, but I would still love to share some of my good times with you today.

Must haves:

- Comfy & sturdy sandals, good for walking from stage to stage and keeping cool & cute!

- Hat & sunglasses to keep the sun off

- Backpack covered in pieces of flair for carrying water, sweater & pants for when it cools off in the evening, and the rest of the goods!

- Notebook and coloured pens....cause that's how I roll!

- Music Festival Program so you can best choose which stage to hit up next

Speaking of hats...

We spent some time tying knots in weeds to add some hippy-decor to my fedora. Dan's pith helmet needs no extra decor, cause it's damn awesome as-is!

And here is BFF's What to Wear to a Music Festival. His also applies to "What to Wear While Napping at a Music Festival"...love those long hot summer days!

I'm linking up at Nicole's blog today with the What to Wear group. We're dwindling away! Won't you join us?

It was a long day, and we left about three songs in to Bruce Cockburn's set cause we were both yawning so darn much! But we had a lovely time. Highlights include:
- Seeing Martin Sexton perform twice!
- Meeting up with my friend Marilyn for a catch-up
- Discovering some new favourites: Shakey Graves, Rayland Baxter, Ron Hines, Rachelle van Zanten, The Milk Carton Kids...ummm...etc!
- Veggie burger from The Act food truck for dinner (so delicious)
- Our contraband beer...shhh, don't tell!
- Watching the sunset over downtown, and the beautiful moon come out, and the International Space Station zoom by overhead!

How have you been spending your long summer days?

later loves

p.s. I just changed some of the width settings

on my blog, so you'll notice some wonky

photos for the next little bit!

Baby...???

I recently attended a gender reveal party for a not-yet-born baby. Yep, that's a thing.

I saw more pairs of baby shoes than I wanted to. They were all very adorable, but I still don't understand the point of shoes for babies...

Jill chose to do the standard "cut the cake to reveal the sex". That is, the colour of the cake represents the type of baby you're having. I swear...this is a thing people do!

Jill had her ultrasound that afternoon and immediately called her cake person to get the cake done in time for the party.

The anticipation is pretty much killing everyone in the room at this point!

Everyone cheered and Jill was giggling! It was a fun moment!

And then we ate some more delicious cheese, and champagne, and looked at more baby shoes. It was a fun evening, and I got a chance to catch up with Vivi, Kirsten and Chantel. Which was the best part of the entire evening anyway!

All kidding aside, I am super happy for Jill and James and wish them all the best with their baby girl!

later loves

P.S. My beautiful Grandma turns 81 today. Happy Birthday!

Fill In The Gaps

I've been really busy lately, but some days I feel like I am moving in slow motion. So much going on, and so much more to squeeze out of summer!

Thought I would play a bit of catch up on the blog here. And maybe catch myself up as well...enjoy.

Specifics about all these amazing days to come!

How is your summer coming along?!

later loves

Bestest Blog Buddy

Yes Nicole. I'm talking about you.

I am so proud of you for driving out here (almost) all by yourself. I am proud of you for finding my house in the maze that is Mill Woods.

Thanks for indulging my desire to go on the streetcar. I hope your quiet mood was because you were just taking it all in...and not because you were bored.

I can't believe I spent that much at Value Village! Winning! You are a terrible/wonderful influence.

I'm sure the TM girls were happy to meet you, ya big Blogging Bigwig!

Oh Julios. Those bulldogs weren't the best, but those shrimp tacos were amazing! And so was the handsome pony-tailed eye candy at the table next to us, and that hipster in shorts! HA!

I love that strangers want to talk to you! But how come I'm the one who gets hit on by the weirdos in the bar?! Thank goodness for handsome, helpful bartenders. I wonder if he practices that sweet smile in the mirror.

Thank goodness for our DDDD* eh?

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT IS ALREADY AUGUST FIRST?! How I love beautiful summer days and long summer nights....

later loves

photos taken July 27, 2013

*Dapper Dan Designated Driver

Secret Streetcar Concert

At his "Weekend That Completely Blew My Mind" show, Ben Sures mentioned an upcoming show that required an invite to access the ticket purchase. A show on a streetcar! I had seen a photo on his website or Facebook of him performing in a streetcar and it excited me! So I knew I had to jump on this opportunity. He told me to message him to remind him to send the invite, but I woke up (late) the next morning and it was already in my inbox. Oh you...

So I confirmed BFF's anticipated attendance, and snatched up two tickets. And then waited...when you are excitedly anticipating something, it can take a long time to come!

We arrived early, parked - after taking a little detour around the block because I'm an idiot - then sat around looking cool, waiting for the fun to begin. I felt my head swell a little when Ben showed up and walked right over to us to say "hi, how are ya". And then took our picture with is phone! HA!

This is the picture that I took of us...I'm getting pretty good with the self portraits!

And then Ben asked us to watch his stuff (while he hits the head...wink). My head is pretty much floating above my body at this point. So we wait, and wait, and everyone by now has boarded the trolley. But we assume that they won't leave without the entertainment, and we are correct!

So we get on board and take the last seats remaining, and Ben sits across from us. And asks me how old my son is again (we got on the topic at his last show) and I tell him 7, and he pulls out a little neon green Ben Sures t-shirt and asks "will this fit him?" HE MADE MY KID A T-SHIRT!!! I probably made a squealy noise and said erhgalskdo-yes! Or something along those lines. And then I asked BFF if he thought it would fit me! Ha...no was the answer there.

And then we started on our journey. We had to stop at the end of the bridge and turn off the engine so our conductor could watch and listen for thunder and lightning. They won't make the trip if there is lightning in the area. When he was confident we were good-to-go, we headed off again.

And then we stopped in the middle of the bridge and Ben played his first set! It was amazing! I maybe sang along a little bit...and tapped my toes a lot! And glared at the drunkards sitting in front of us. They actually started talking louder, because they couldn't hear themselves over the music. Um...okay?!

Oh man...the rainbow! You could see both ends!! That never happens...it was completely magical.

Once he was done his first set, we started up again and moved on to the end of the bridge. We had a little break, during which Ben sold - and signed - his CDs. BFF picked up a couple, but I decided to stay on the empty car.

I hate it when my hair does that thing on the side...that's your ear...inside joke...

We started up again - sans drunkards - and headed for the bridge once more to hear a second set. And it was just as amazing as the first. Except this time Ben was pretty much standing right in front of us! Whee!! He is such a flirt...wink!

When he was done that set - in which he played a new song about having a crush on a librarian, and we did some Folk Aerobics - we headed to the tunnel. And then he played his "encore"...in the dark. It was so beautiful. So perfect. Something that will live in my memory forever.

And then the lights came up, and we were done and headed back. Once we were back on solid ground, I interrupted a CD-signing and got a lovely hug from the man himself - I am such a groupie - and we were off.

We ended the night at the Next Act pub. I ordered my favourite gin + grapefruit beer, and we shared a plate of hummus. The waitress - in her fabulous floral pants - commented on our typical Canadian behaviour when we each offered the other the last of the food on the plate.

This was an amazing night. Amazing...for so many more reasons than I could ever share here.

If you ever get a chance to see a concert on a streetcar, I highly recommend it! It was magical I tell you, MAGICAL!

later loves

p.s. On our return trip I totally spotted this lovely lady out the window. But BFF commented that it would be kind of creepy to shout her name out the window since we have never actually met in real life, and she couldn't actually see me in the train, not that she would recognize me if she did. And then she posted a pic on Instagram of the very streetcar that I was in, while I was in it! So I left her a creepy comment on Instagram instead! HA! Hello Erin!

My Ladies

I never thought I would have friendships like this. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never have close girlfriends that I could chat about big picture life stuff with. And y'know, go out for drinks with, and crash at their house, and barf at their parties. For example.

I have never before had people in my corner! People to turn to when I need advice, or when I need to cry, or when I just want to talk (aka spill my guts).

These ladies make me smile, and they make me feel loved....

Thanks ladies...

later loves

P.S. I am back from my road trip to Montana, for a destination wedding no less! Too bad I'm such a forgetful ninny, or else there would have been posts to keep you company while I was away. Maybe next week I'll have better luck...

The Almost Perfect Weekend That Completely Blew My Mind

Presenting Friday: The bestest BEST symphony of the season. I mean wow. Really, just wow. No photo available...nerts. Then we headed to Whyte for drinks at the Next Act pub, where I was feeling like something "fruity" and "refreshing" (and BFF gave me the go-ahead) so I ordered a Grapefruit Radler. And the waitress asked me if I would like a shot of gin with it. Ack! Duh! And I think I did a little dance in my chair, and Dan agreed that she could replace him as my BFF.

Presenting Saturday: Early AM registration for TEDx Edmonton at the Citadel Theatre downtown! HELLO KARA! HELLO GINGER! HELLO NADINE!! What followed was many hours of inspiration and information and fun times with my fun girls. Oh, and Fred Penner. Did I mention Fred Penner was there?!

Highlight of TEDx was by far the balancing act from Cirque de Soleil's Amaluna...she got a standing ovation, yes she did.

Other highlights include the "Future of Money" Economist with that fabulous blue velvet blazer, and gentleman with the 3D printer. I should really be including their names in here, but my program is all the way upstairs...

After TEDx was done I rushed home, got changed and Dan picked me up  and we headed back downtown for dinner and a show! We sort of just wandered downtown (in the wind and the yuck) for a bit before stopping in at Chop for steaks. Fancy steaks. Uber fancy steaks. In a giant booth. Then we went and sat at The Rose & Crown for an hour & a bit (drinking) and waiting for the band to show up. And it was worth the wait because Ben Sures remembered my name. Hello Fan Girl!

We chatted a bit before the show, then the band came and sat with us during their break. Can I just explain the unbelievable awesomeness of this moment? I am not that cool. I do not make small talk with regular people in a normal situation, let alone with guys in bands, big or small. Ben even bought me a drink, and hugged me at the end of the night! My whole night was full of exclamation points and giggles and cheers and sheer awesomeness. Gobsmacked. Giddy. Gluten-free. Groupies!

It has become more and more important for me to document these simple, special moments in my life. Whether it be in Project Life - although less and less - in my scrapbooks, here on the blog, or in my journal. These are my DEFINING MOMENTS! These are the moments and the memories that I want to be with me when my life flashes before my eyes. So even if you think this post is el lame-o, I don't care. This is one of those posts that is for me. And if you enjoy it, and it inspires you to get out there and DO SOMETHING MAGICAL, then hoorah! And if not. That's cool too.

For me, this weekend was magic.

I texted Dan "first thing" (aka 11:30) on Sunday morning. It read: "I know that having more weekends like this would take the magic out of them, but wouldn't it be wonderful if more weekends were as (almost) perfect as this one?"

Answer: "Yes, it would be."

Indeed, my friend. Indeed.

later loves

Making Me Happy

I was feeling kind of crummy last Saturday. I spent all day cleaning, and got a lot accomplished, but also felt like I was kind of going in circles. By the end of the day I was very tired and very grumpy. Like, "texting f-bombs" grumpy.

So I did a little painting & sketching, and I felt way better. Like a completely different person. And it took BFF telling me he was glad I was painting, and then pointing it out to me to recognize that painting makes me happy...thanks friend.

I thought I would share some of my recent happy thoughts...

And this is what I was working on at the end of my crap day...Hi Nadine.

So many things bringing me bliss...

later loves

p.s. Many thanks to my Instagram followers for loving these first!

What People Like

I might not know much about most people. Or really anything about people in general. But I do know one thing that people like. They like emails. Not spam, not a request for a donation, or the upteenth email from that mailing list you wish you hadn't signed up for. People like personal, written-just-for-them, emails.

Trust me. I know this from experience; from every out of the blue, "hello" email I have ever sent. The responses I get are full of happy excitement! And sometimes surprise. But I almost always get a lovely email back, and I know I did the right thing. And I know that whatever I said in that email was the right thing to say, and it might just have made someone's day. Know that someone out there in the giant anonymous world of the Internet was thinking about them. And wondering if they are well, and happy.

I send an email to my best friend every Monday morning. Sometimes it is the biggest load of garbage that has ever graced the Internet (well, maybe not ever), and sometimes it is just a short note just to say hello. And sometimes it's a lengthy diatribe involving something along the lines of: "Hey! Thinking about you. I read an article about beer you might like. Did you see the moon last night? I watched this Burt Lancaster movie the other night that was just amazing. I really need another coffee. I'm not getting any work done! Hope your Monday doesn't suck the big one." Or whatever. Literally, that's it. Heck, some of my emails might actually have some of those exact words in them...hmmm.

And sometimes (usually...) he doesn't reply. But I know for a fact that he enjoys them, and appreciates receiving them. Yep...we're just weird like that.

So today, do yourself a favour and write an email to your friend. And say: "hi, how are ya?"

It will be worth your time. And the good vibrations will come soaring back to you tenfold.

Be grateful for those warm fuzzies, and for the friendship that warrants them.

later loves

Tag, I'm It?! Ah, crap...

Dear Nicole,

Here are those answers you were looking for. I hope they live up to your lively expectations for this game of tag you forced me in to. I don't think I'm going to tag anyone in return. All of the people I play with on the school ground have full-time jobs/full-time kids and can't be bothered with such things....meaning I asked them all before and none of them played along then, so the chances of them playing along now are slim to none (aka zero).

Enjoy!

When you were in high school, who was your celebrity crush? Probably some musician. I liked bassists. And the Coreys.
How has your taste changed since then? (As in, who are you drooling over now and how are they different?) I like dorks, bowties, accents/Brits & hipster beards, but I don't have a celebrity crush. I don't understand "celebrity". I guess if I had to pick someone I would say David Tennant of Doctor Who fame sort of counts. He's handsome, in a dorky-cute sort of way. No beard though...hmmm. Oooh! And Benedict Cumberbatch!
When do you feel most at home? When I'm at home. In my house.
What's your favourite hot beverage? Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.
If you could punch someone in the face without repercussions, who would it be? You have no idea how much I love this question. No. Fricken. Idea. That being said, I would totally punch "Party Pooper" in the face. I would be the hero of the office. Nope, make that "The Hero of the Office". Yep. That.
What's your favourite camping food? My twelve year old self would say Hamburger Helper, the beef stroganoff one. But my organic-kale-loving adult self would say a giant bag of Smarties, and anything made in a Pie Iron. Ermagherd...burritos in a pie iron.....drool......
What's one skill you'd like to learn this year? I want to get back into cross-country skiing. But I used to do it quite often when I was younger, so I guess that's not a new skill. Oooh ooh! I want to go on an overnight hike. That's a skill right?
If I were to visit, how would you entertain me for a day? (I look forward to this answer!!) Value Village is the easy answer, because that is how I entertain you while you're here! But to change it up a little bit, I might take you to a Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning, ride the trolley across the High Level Bridge, grab a beer & meal at the Sugarbowl, and head over to the Garneau theatre for a show.
What's your favourite cheesy pick-up line? Don't have one. But I do enjoy it when the liquor store employees flirt with me by asking for ID. Does that count? "Can I see some ID?" That's my favourite pick-up line.
If you were to have a solo dance party right now, what song would you put on? Dude's playlist on my iPad. It's got One Direction - as sung by the Mini Pops - and some k-os, and Miike Snow & is generally just awesome. But to be honest, I can dance to anything. I gots skillz.
What's the best thing that has arrived in your mailbox lately? THE TOQUE!! And don't worry Nicole, it's very big. I also just got my dresses from the Mod Cloth sale, a Christmas present that I sort of had to fight for, and I'm waiting on my Studio Calico month kit. I do enjoy being part of a monthly kit club, if only for the fact that I am guaranteed some fun mail once a month. I've got to pay for this privilege, but oh well!


And that is all I've got to say about that....

later loves

A Little Birdie Told Me...

Not much to say with these ones....so continues my fashion diary. 

I bought two skirts in this colour at my latest VV trip. Giant score! And this shirt was bought with my Liz Kartchner-contest-winning-Ruche-giftcard. The sequined collar kind of drives me crazy sometimes, but it's so cute that I have to give it a pass. And there are BIRDS on it! I need more shirts with animals... And the boots are from a Bay sale (Madonna...50% off!).

Nicole! My bracelet fell off!! I sort of feel naked without it.

Also, like my notepad? Aka, my wrist! I didn't forget to pick up cake the next morning for the boss' birthday, so it works. It totally works.

photos taken behind Millbourne "Mall"

Tuesday, January 5

later loves

Best Friends Make For Best Scrapbooking

Yessirree...they certainly do!

This one's going to have some mushy journaling in that glassine envelope...awwww!

Can you tell I am in love with turquoise-red-grey right now as a colour combination?!

I also love stamping on pattern paper, tiny sticker letters, and mixing fonts. And BFF...awwww! Oh, and giant beers with funny names!

I originally wanted to add more glitter to this next one, but we'll see. It's already got me out of my element quite completely - PINKS & BROWNS?! - so I don't really know what to do with it! HA!

I did forget to add that fourth picture though. Oops!

This reminds me, I really need to do one up with those photos of Nicole in the Button Dress from Beyond....hmmm...give me a minute...

And done! She's such a cutie! And I still cannot get over that "dress"-thing...it haunts my dreams.


Using some oldies but goodies on this one. And some new stuff too. Apparently, arrows are where it's at yo!

And that is all for today! Scrapped on Lucas' last sick day off from school (way back on January 24). But I got the day off too, so it all worked out in the end?! It's a super fake Friday though, so it feels very very strange to be out and about. In fact, Lucas & I just drove halfway across Mill Woods to get to a Tim's with a drive-through, only for him to tell me he wanted to go inside and look at the donuts! And then once we got inside he said he only wanted an apple juice, and when I told him we had apple juice at home, he said "okay, let's just go home." And then I got trapped by some giant plows....and, well...at least we got his homework picked up from school. Y'know. The school that's next door. It's Adventure Time!

later loves