What are you doing New Years Eve?

The answer is simple my friends, staying home. I’m not sure that Dave and I have ever spent New Years alone, and it feels right this year.  Our tradition for a long time has been getting together with very good friends but this year they are expecting a baby girl any day (I’m hoping sooner than later, or perhaps on my Birthday which is her actual due date) and we have opted to have separate New Years and continue with the tradition next year.

So tonight we will eat delicious food, drink fine wine and of course sip on champagne and have a very quiet night, and I am very much looking forward to it!

This morning on Regis and Kelly they were doing a review of 2010, and it had me thinking about everything that has happened this year.  I wasn’t going to make a resolution, because I never stick with them (who does?) and you shouldn’t have to wait for a new year to do the things you want but this year I’m going to try and organize my pictures.  Wouldn’t it be neat to look back on a photo album of 2010 and really reflect on your own year? I feel like I forget so quickly and I don’t want to forget a think.

Life is good and I’m pretty pumped for 2011!

Happy New Years!

Cheers,

K

Merry Christmas!!

The festivities have started and it's already a wonderful holiday season. We will be very busy over the next few days, spending time with family and soaking up every single second of the Christmas spirit.

Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday season!

XO
K

"What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little but more." - Dr. Seuss

Solitude

It’s Friday night and I’m thrilled to be home.  The best part, it’s completely quiet! My husband is out for the evening and to tell you the truth I’m thrilled, not because he’s out but because I love a night by myself every now and then.

Here I sit in front of my computer, tummy full of pita pizza and a cold beer sitting beside me and I’m feeling extremely content. I don’t plan on doing much other than a little wrapping and perhaps a bath and an early bed time.  It’s amazing how things have changed.  Not so long ago, tonight’s circumstances would have led to a drunken night with my girlfriends (but hey, we did that last weekend!) but tonight this is exactly what I want and need. 

We once again have a very busy weekend but Tis’ the season I suppose! I’m feeling the Christmas pressure but hey who isn’t it, but this year something is different, I’m CHOOSING to focus on the positive, like how lucky I am and how I really have an amazing life. I wish I knew what has changed to make me feel internally grateful, because a few people could probably use that talk but I don’t know.  Maybe I’m just lucky and learnt a great lesson this year. Thank you to whoever taught it to me!

Anyways, my quiet night of me time is calling!

Happy Friday!

Xo

K

Oh Christmas Tree

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around our house and I couldn’t be more thrilled.  It smells like Christmas, it looks like Christmas and there are only 16 more sleeps until Santa arrives!

We decorated our tree and house last weekend and it was fabulous.  We started a new tradition this year, sipping champagne while we decked the halls and it was lovely.  We talked about Christmas traditions, all we have to be grateful for and what we hope the next year will bring. I have always loved decorating for the holidays and didn’t think it could get any better  but as I'm sure you can imagine, champagne does make it even better.

I only have a few more things left to buy, and then the wrapping can begin. Wrapping paper, ribbons, bows and labels are calling my name and over the weekend I plan to put in my favorite Christmas movie, sit on the floor with a cup of tea and wrap.

The following pictures were taken by my fabulous husband who I swear has an eye for photography:

Tomorrow night is my annual girl’s night out Christmas celebration and I’m looking forward to dressing up, eating fabulous food, having a glass of wine but mostly catching up with some of the most fabulous women, who I am so lucky to call my friends.

Cheers!

xo

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

I’m always happy when Friday rolls around but this week I’m particularly happy.  It’s been a busy week and I’m ready for a break. I have a relaxing weekend planned and the best part…its Christmas decorating weekend! Ya hoo!

Friday’s gratitude list:

·         Christmas is in just over three weeks!

·         I’m getting very close to being DONE my shopping!

·         My Grandma is turning 91 on Sunday and we are all going for brunch

·         I have amazing people in my life, who like me for me, and inspire me on a daily basis

·         It was my mom’s birthday on Monday and I ordered her (and me) an empower necklace. Every time I put it on, I really do feel empowered. The necklace is designed by bel kai designs featuring photographs by the fabulous Kelle Hampton (and you already know how much I love her). Thought it was the perfect gift for my mama and me! 

      Kelle says:  "As the mama of two girls, I wanted something we all could wear that would powerfully remind us to overcome society's sometimes unreasonable expectations for women and to remember happiness comes not from attempting to please everyone else but simply in being true to ourselves."

Have a great weekend and if it's Christmas decorating weekend in your family, ENJOY!

XO

K

New Love

I have discovered Etsy and I'm in love!

I have heard of the site before but have never taken the time to log-on and look through all the wonderful shops. Now I spend lots of free time with my lap-top searching for that perfect gift or necessary item that I just have to have in my life. Despite what my husband says, I really do NEED it.

I have already ordered a couple of things, for gifts and for myself and I am anxiously awaiting their arrival. Who needs a craft fair when everything you could ever think of can be found on one website?

One of the shops was featuring this beautiful holiday bunting banner that I just had to have.  I have had this vision in my head for a while, and even briefly contemplated trying to make one myself. Stop laughing! And then I found exactly what I was looking for…

 

After I fell in love, I realized that this particular shop didn’t ship to Canada (some do, and some don’t). Well my heart was set, I was trying to figure out who I could send it to in the US, who could then turn around and send it to me here in Canada so I could have it in time for Christmas.  Then it dawned on me…why don’t I just ask? Well the wonderful Jenn Matthews, who owns Some Bright Ideas came through and within days she added shipment to Canada option to her shop and soon this beautiful banner will be hanging in my living room!

Happy Etsy Shopping!
XO
K

Memories and Gratitude

A few days ago I was looking through an old e mail folder searching for the contact information for the DJ we used for our wedding. I needed the information because one of my very favorite people and best friends is getting married! I can barely contain my excitement!

Of course I got distracted and went through a bunch of e mails from around the time of our wedding, and boy am I glad I had the foresight to save them.  The information has already come in quite handy for future brides but the best part; they allow me to reminisce about our special day. One of my favorite things I came across was the speech that Dave and I gave at the beginning of our reception. Reading it had me in tears, happy tears and I loved it. Looking back on our wedding day I am so grateful. Grateful that it was the best day of my life, grateful that I wouldn’t change a single thing and grateful that our families and close friends were able to be there.

Gratitude is defined as thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.  I’m feeling pretty grateful these days and I’m soaking it up. Life’s too short to let these moments pass you by. I’m consciously soaking up every single thing I have to be grateful for. Try it; you realize pretty quickly that life is truly great.

 Found this quote and think it fits perfectly today:

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
John F. Kennedy

Have a great weekend everyone!

XO

K

Favorite Things

Oprah’s famous favorite things show aired last Friday and Monday, and as usual it was terrific. How fun would it be to coincidently be in the audience that day?  I have a love/hate relationship with Oprah.  I used to really like her, and then the show took a turn for the worse and I found it boring and Oprah annoying.  She is constantly interrupting people and although she does a lot of good it the world, she is constantly talking about herself.  Having said all that, I have a soft spot for her this year, it is her final season and I find her show a little more interesting.

She had some fabulous favorite things and it had me thinking about what I would give away if I was in a position of power.

Kelsey’s favorite things (keeping in mind if I had Oprah’s money this list would be considerably different):

·         Tuesday’s with Maurie by Mitch Albom- every single person needs to read this book

·         Principessa lotion and bath products- the smell is delicious

·         Blondo Boots in brown- I just got these a few weeks ago and they are fabulous and comfortable!

·         Lululemon Wonder Under Yoga pants- I have the crop pants and I’m in love with them!

·         David Yurman Jewelry –This is a big splurge...but the design's are so unique. I'm very lucky and have a bracelet and ring that I wear all the time, actually I wear the ring every day.

I’m sure there are a million other things that I love but that’s today’s list! What are some of your favorite thing?

XO

K

Better Late than Never!?

It’s been way over a week since my last entry which I realize makes me a very BAD blogger. I really have no excuse, busy?! The weather has taken a silly turn for the worse and one might say it’s frightful. It’s taking hours to get to and from work and by the time I get home I’m officially exhausted.

My new job is going splendidly and I’m still enjoying every minute (minus the commute these days). Christmas music is pumping in my car, which I would love to say makes the time fly by but it doesn’t.  It does however make me really happy.  I really don’t understand the people who don’t like it…does this mean they don’t like Christmas?

If it was up to me, I would be decorating NOW but I have agreed to wait until the first weekend in December which arguably does make more sense. Especially considering we get a real tree and I surely can’t expect it to live for months…3 weeks to a month is a reasonable expectation.  I can’t wait!

The frigid weather has made me do something I never thought I would…buy Chance doggie boots.  I know it’s somewhat ridiculous but if you could see him you would understand. He even cries sometimes because his little paws are so cold. Well…this may be the funniest thing EVER.  At first he could only walk backwards and it’s almost as if he had no control over his back paws.  It was hilarious yet heartbreaking.  He has learnt to walk in them and it really does make a difference.  I can’t almost hear his little mind working “what the heck are you doing to me?”  The best part is they are CAMOUFLAGE! So freaking cute!

Well my bed is calling; it has been another long day. Good news Calgary…it’s supposed to warm up over the next few days.  Good thing considering Calgary was the second coldest place on earth early this morning. LOVELY!

Stay warm,

K

Happy Friday!

It’s the end of a great week and here are a few things I’m celebrating today:

• I had a great week first week at my new job and so far I love it!
• I have amazing girlfriends that overwhelm me with their strength.
• My Best Friend is engaged!
• I get to sleep in tomorrow and spend the day with my Chance!
• We got a new cable thing (very technical) and now I can watch my PVR’d shows in bed.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Xo
K     

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! (Almost)

EEK! Starbucks has their Christmas cups, which means CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!

I had my first Christmas drink out of a festive Starbucks cup yesterday and then today I walked by the Sheraton and they had sparkly Christmas lights decorating their front door. I am excited right down to my core…

I’m going to try and hold off on the Christmas tunes and decorations until December 1rst but I am going to do a few things to get me in the spirit of Christmas.

#1.  My second family (I hate the word in-laws) and I have decided that instead of gifts this year we are going to give back to the community. Therefore, we are going to adopt one senior man and a single parent family. I’m pumped and very excited! We will hopefully find sometime before the end of the month to do the shopping and then we will spend a night together wrapping and making the gifts just perfect.

#2. I’m going to be crafty! Crafts are something I love but I seem to never have enough time.  I’m going to commit to at least one Christmas craft project and I can’t wait! I’m going to go to Michael’s this weekend.  Yippee!

#3. I vow to get all my Christmas shopping done before December 10^th. this gives me a month.  That way I can enjoy the season and perhaps take on another craft project, bake some treats or spend extra time with family.

44 more days!!

Xo

K

No Place Like Home

I’m home and had a wonderful vacation with family and new friends.  We spent the week celebrating my cousin’s wedding relaxing in the sun, drinking and eating far too much and spending time with people we are oh so fortunate to have in our lives.  It was
FA-BU-LOUS!

I will post some pictures soon!

I have spent the last few days getting settled into my new job, getting organized around the house and catching up with some friends. I have realized something this week…I am happy to be home and back to real life.  Don’t get me wrong, I would rather be on vacation but I’m happy in my regular life and over the last few days I have yet again been reminded… life is good!  I’m caught up on groceries, laundry, house work, my day planner and believe it or not, I had fun doing it. I always feel better and happier once I’m organized.

My new job is going great! The people are nice, the work seems challenging, I have a great office but the best part…  My FaJ (dad) sent me a huge bouquet of flowers on my first day.  It was so thoughtful and sweet and absolutely made my day, hey who am I kidding, made my week!  They will stay in my office this week and every time I look at them I’m reminded of The FaJ and how he is one of my biggest cheerleaders.

Now that I’m back to real life, I need to get back into exercise and eating healthy mode.  I had been working so hard on changing my lifestyle to be healthy and therefore happy and I feel like I have let that go in the last few months.  This week I got back on the healthy train and I’m feeling motivated.

Holy rambling post Batman…sorry friends!

Xo

K

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane!

I'm off to sunny Mexico!
Have a great week everyone and Happy Halloween!

XO

Love this quote:

"Happiness is one of the choices many of us forget we can CHOOSE"

Simply Inspiring

I have an addiction… Kelle Hampton’s Blog. 

I came across her Blog a while ago and love love love her.  She is an incredible writer, photographer, mother and woman.  Every time I read one of her entries I feel inspired and like I want to be a better person. The way she writes is sometimes heart breakingly (I know not a real word but it fits) honest but it’s the truth.  The truth is sometimes hard but it really does set you free. Kelle’s Blog empowers me to speak the truth, be myself and if people don’t like it…well whatever! 

Some days she has me laughing out loud, some days she has me in tears and everyday she has me inspired.  Once reading her Blog you can’t help wishing she was your friend.

I’m absolutely sure Kelle won’t be reading this but just in case…Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I can’t begin to explain my gratitude for you; you really have made an impact on my life.

XO

K

Officially a Graduate!

I have said it before, and I will say it again…I have an amazing family.

I was blown away on Saturday night when I arrived at my mom’s for what I thought was a family dinner to find almost all the people I care about it one room to celebrate my graduation.  What a shock!

I am missing my convocation next week because I will be basking in the Mexican sun for my cousins wedding. When I learned I would be missing this major milestone I was upset.  The truth is, I never thought I would get this far, never thought I could do it and certainly never thought I would have a degree. Therefore the cap and gown were kind of important memories and therefore important pictures.  After much deliberation with my family, I decided going to Mexico was more important and I would take pictures with my degree in my sweats when it arrived in the mail.

Well this girl got pictures, and lots of them! Pictures with her cap, gown, degree, family, friends, the Dean and yes, even her dog. My mom threw a fabulous surprise party Saturday night and what graduation party would be complete without her own personal convocation ceremony? My amazing mentor arranged for the Dean of the Faculty of Communications to come to the party, dressed in his formal graduation attire. He brought with him a cap and gown (for me!) and presented me with my degree in front of everyone.  He did an amazing job, made me feel so special and I am officially a graduate.

My mentor and I’m not mentioning his name because it wouldn’t be appropriate without his consent, is one of the most wonderful people I have ever met.  He is the reason why I made the decision to go back to school, without his support and encouragement who knows where I would be.  He and his lovely wife are the busiest people I know, and not only did they take time to come celebrate with me,  they pulled a lot of strings on Saturday night and helped create memories that I will never forget. I get emotional thinking about Saturday and I can’t believe it.  I was shocked, surprised and touched and other than when Dave proposed, I think it was the best surprise of my life!

I feel on top of the world today! I am so grateful for all the wonderful people I have in my life who were there to celebrate my success! Thank you. Thank you to my mom, who is also one of my very best friends, you mean so much to me and I am so touched by all your hard work, thought, and secret keeping skills.

Have a great week everyone!

XO

K

Book Worm

My love for reading is never going away. It makes me happy, inspires me and provides me with an escape from reality. Reading is great no matter where you are but there are a few places in particular that make it that much better… the beach and the bath. I have a bath almost every night where I can get away from it all, relax and enjoy whatever it is I might be reading.

Ahh but the beach, the sound of the waves, the heat of the sun and the smell of the ocean (or sometimes the lake) really make me happy.  Maybe one day I will move closer to these delights but for now I visit as often as possible.  In just over a week I am heading to sunny hot Mexico for my cousins wedding and I cannot freaking wait. Fun in the sun with my amazing family, beverages, and my cousin’s wedding but I am most excited to sit in a lounge chair, sip a cold beverage and read a great book.  I visit the book store on a regular basis to see what might be “vacation worthy.”  I enjoy a typical easy beach read as much as the next guy, but I think this time I’m looking for something more.

I read quite a bit, probably a few books a month.  I belong to a book club with a group of 11 fabulous women who meet once a month to discuss the pick of the month, other literature and life in general.  We all come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences; have differing opinions which often provokes great conversations. This month’s book is The Ape House by Sara Gruen, the same author that wrote the brilliant book Water for Elephants.  I am really looking forward to this book, and hope it doesn’t let me down.

I don’t think I have a favorite book of all-time, do you?

Happy reading!

K

Picture Time!

My computer is fixed which means I can finally upload some pictures to my text heavy BLOG. YA-HOO!

Me and my Chance on a beautiful fall day!

My cousin's adorable little boy Carter-look at those eyes!

Tiffany and our hounds...except we are missing her other dog Brodie (he wouldn't sit with us)

Haha! Good times at my happy place!

It's somewhat humorous that Chance is featured in more pictures than anyone else...you know my priorities! Have a great weekend!

XO
K

Love This...

I recently came across this quote, loved it, and thought I would share.  I think it’s so true…

“The cure for anything is salt water- sweat, tears, or the sea.”- Isak DinesenXo

K

Yay For Me

The time has finally come…I have accepted a full-time communication position and I am thrilled.  The company is small, fast paced and growing. It will provide me with multiple opportunities to grow my skills and experiences. Most people would agree that the people within the organization can either make it or break it, well the people are awesome! (Keeping in mind I don’t know many of them YET!)

I will finish up at my current job at the end of the month; spend a week in Mexico soaking up the sun with my awesome family and I will ready to rock come the second week in November.  

Big changes are on the horizon which is sometimes scary and uncomfortable. Dealing with change hasn’t always been one of my strengths, but this time I’m going to embrace it and dare I say rock it!  I’m looking forward to the new chapter in my life, and can’t wait to see what that looks like.

In other news, I had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend. We have amazing families and each dinner (don’t forget we had three) was fun and delicious. We got to spend time catching up with amazing people, and we feel lucky that we all still make the effort to get together for the holidays. Oh and remember that sweet baby I was looking forward to snuggling? He is sweeter than ever and growing up so fast.  My cousin and her husband make very cute babies!

I wanted to include some pictures but my computer is still broken, so pictures will have to follow.

XO

K

Giving Thanks…

Thanksgiving is upon us and admittedly I have been a bit negative about upcoming festivities.  Lots of family commitments which sometime feels like a lot of pressure.  We don’t want to say no to anyone, so we commit to them all and probably complain to each other a little more than we should.

This year I simply refuse to give in to the downside and instead I’m looking at the upside.  We get to see our great families, cuddle a sweet baby, spend time with loved ones, play fun games and best of all… we get to eat and drink more than most people, because we get to go to three dinners J I have been trying to prepare for the copious amount of food and wine I plan on consuming by eating healthy and being as active as possible.  I guess I will find out if it helped when I step on the scale next week…

We are truly blessed and although it will be a very busy weekend, I am feeling like one lucky girl.

Have a great weekend with your family and be sure to take some time to be thankful!

XO

Kelsey

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood…

This is the first weekend in months that we have no plans. YES, it feels so good!  And…it happens to be gorgeous out today. The weekend has started perfectly, reading the newspaper in bed while enjoying a large cup of coffee. Chance slept intertwined at our feet grateful that he didn’t have to get up early today (I’m telling you, we are kindred spirits)!

Despite the busyness of life and the disappointment that sometimes creeps up when you’re least expecting it. I’m taking time this weekend to be consciously grateful. It’s easy to take other people’s problems on, worry about things that are out of our control…trust me I’m famous for this. The truth is we can only control what we do, how we act and re-act. I sound like a damn self help book but I try to remind myself of this once in while when life seems like too much.

Things I am grateful for at this moment…

• The sunshine
• My mom
• My plan free weekend
• The great book I’m reading! The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

I can’t believe its October, where does time go? The sunshine is calling my name so I’m off to go for a walk.

Have a great weekend!

XO

K

My Dad Was Right!

I recently graduated from Mount Royal University with a bachelor of applied communications degree. I loved the program, and have never doubted this is the right career path. I mean, it became crystal clear after taking seven years off, working at what some would call a dead end job in retail. Anyways …I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason, and I probably wouldn’t have been half the student I was if I had been accepted to the program earlier.

Anyways, back to why my dad is right…he always told me to build contacts, call people, meet with people and let them know who I was. I guess I never understood exactly what he meant.  Upon graduation my dad said, “most people don’t get a job through any kind of job board, they get them through people they know and the networks they have made.” Oops…I forgot to make those networksJ

Over the last few weeks, I have been using the contacts I am oh so fortunate enough to have, and have been meeting with people about their experiences and advice. It has been hard, awkward and sometimes really uncomfortable but mostly it’s been amazing.  I can’t believe that perfect strangers care about me, and care about my career and my passions.  These meetings have given me the confidence to keep on going, be patient and the right opportunity for me will come along. Damn my dad was right…

Geez my dad is smart…imagine if I had listened to him years ago.  I would have lots of people to meet and would probably have a full-time job.  For now, I am taking things one day at a time, applying to postings, meeting with as many people as possible and working part-time at a great company that has taught me so much and I am grateful for every single second they have chosen me to work with them.

One thing I am definitely going to do when I become established or should the need arise sooner, is pay it forward…I’m going to help recent graduates, or people in the public relations program.  I appreciate what so many people have already done for me and soon it will be my turn.

A couple other pieces of advice provided by the FaJ (that’s what we call him):

·         Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair; it will give you something to do but won’t get you anywhere. ( I worry a lot, so I hear this a lot)

·         You often regret the things you don’t do, but rarely regret the things you do do. TRUE

Thanks FaJ and you know how much I love you!

XO

K

To Blog or not to Blog…

Why the heck am I starting a Blog?

Because I have so much free time on my hands? Because I don’t already have enough to do on a regular basis?

Nope, it’s simply because I love to write. I have a passion for writing and reading and thought this would be a great place to share what I learn, write about life and hopefully inspire a few people along the way. However, I’m doing this for me and although I would love to receive your comments, feedback and suggestions, if I don’t get them, it won’t stop me. This girl is dedicated and committed…

Every day I am inspired by people I meet, the friends and family I have or the things I read.

A few things I love so you can get to know me…

• Babies, I can’t wait to have my own but for now I’m perfectly happy snuggling my friends little ones
• Books! And no I don’t want a Kindle or an e-reader. I love books, the smell of them, picking them out in the book store and how their pages curl after you read them in the bath
• My cabin ie. my happy place!
• Chance! How did I live without this little fur ball? It’s so nice to always have someone on your side, who is always happy when you get home and who loves you unconditionally. We (my husband and I) adopted Chance about six months ago from the pound.  We have no idea what kind he is, and it doesn’t matter.  He is the perfect addition to our family!
 
My little boy Chance in his toy box!
• Hot Yoga! Odd, considering I REALLY don’t like working out. This is different. It’s addicting, it’s inspiring and the way I feel after is unexplainable.  There is much controversy over hot Yoga but trust me give it a shot…it’s so worth it.
• My husband, my family, my sister, my girlfriends!
• Red wine J

Happy Friday everyone and thank you for checking out my new Blog!

XO

K