Friday Favourites

 

 

 Happy Friday! It's been another whirlwind of a week with too many late evenings and way too much lieu time accrued. But hey, who's complaining?! I actually enjoy my work, so aside from being tired, I don't mind the late evenings.

 

As with all busy weeks, I have completely neglected to take enough photos of my favourite things. Shame really, because I have many. So this will be a short but still worthwhile FF. Since I didn't have time last week, this week is really a compilation of two Fridays. I am linking up with some fabulous ladies who you can find in the Friday Favourites image above!

 

1. Hitting my steps everyday.

 

This has been tough. I don't have a whole lot of steps to accomplish for my stepbet, but working in an office is a very sedentary job. Getting steps is somewhat of a challenge. Last night I had to hit my stretch goal of 10k and it was too late to go for a run. I was able to convince husband to go for a walk with me and easily hit my goal! He hates walks and I love them, so it was lovely (once he stopped complaining). It was a crisp fall evening and just a bit chilly wearing only sweaters. It was nice to finally have it feel like fall, even without an appropriate coat to wear. Note to self: buy fall jacket

(last week). I still have two stretch goals to hit this week (I took my rest day on Monday), so this evening might call for a run! Hope the rain holds off!

 

2. My new panda mug

 

 

I have a serious mug obsession. Not even kidding. I buy them everywhere. When we travel, when a store has a new collection I like, whenever! My mug collection is currently taking up two shelves and I have no shame. they don't match, not even close, but that's how I like them.

I also love panda bears (I even have a tattoo of one!) so after my zoo run, we had to hit up the gift shop for some panda-themed goodies. I got a little stuffed panda and this delightful panda mug. Husband told me it's the last mug, but I'm pretty sure he's been saying that for the last two years.

(last week)

 

3. Fresh Sugar face polish

Image from here

 

 

Ah Fresh, how I love you. Everything they make is just the best! This sugar scrub is not at all rough and I usually use it once a week. If my skin is getting angry, one use makes it all go away. I have fairly sensitive skin and I don't get any redness at all! Plus, the smell is just divine! Seriously, if you're not already using Fresh products, what are you waiting for?!

 

4. My unanticipated new shirt

Morning elevator selfie. Not very clear but the bottom is peplum

 

I was getting in the car for work when I managed to slosh my smoothie all over my shirt. It was too late to go back up and change, so I thought I could clean it off while I drove. Well, the napkins and tissues basically just dissolved and made more of a mess. At lunchtime I had to go buy a new shirt (I had an evening meeting, so going through a 14 hour work day with a dirty shirt wasn't an option).

I went to winners, grabbed every decent looking shirt in my size in the work appropriate section and this is what I ended up with. Definitely not something I would buy on a regular day, but I actually really like it! I think it's the perfect fall shirt! Thankfully when I sloshed my smoothie all over myself again this week, I was able to clean it off with a sponge and soap since I was already at work. Clearly I need a smoothie cup that closes fully (mine has the starbucks type lid) and a washing machine beside my desk.

 

 

5. This sweater

Image from here

 

So soft, so comfortable, and so beautiful. I just love a good sweater! I am a cardigan-sweater-coziness junkie, so I have a billion cardigans and sweaters, but let's be real, can you ever really have enough? Plus, I needed a few thick ones for winter. Since I wear them all year 'round, new ones are necessary :)

 

6. Care packages

 

Image found here



Image from here



Image from here

Image from here

 

I could kick myself for not getting a photo of this, so online photos are my only option. I really need to work on that! I have a lovely friend in the UK (who I have mentioned before) and we send each other care packages a few times a year. She primarily sends chocolate and tea - two of the many things that I think the UK does better than most other places! Husband and I usually battle it out over the fudge fingers, but thankfully he only has my tea once in a blue moon (he's more of a coffee guy). So as I sit here drinking a mug of earl grey and day-dreaming about my chocolate at home, I hope Hana is reading this and knows how much I appreciate her!

 

Well, that's all for today. Our house hunting has come to a standstill while we wait for ours to sell. Financially, this is the best option since we'll know what we are going in with and will be able to buy without imposing conditions of financing. Fingers crossed that we sell quickly, because I am ready to go. In the "everything happens for a reason" mindset, I know we didn't get that dream house for a reason and we will find our real dream house after ours sells. Keeping the faith! Condos don't take too long to sell in this market, so I don't think we will have to wait too long.

 

Happy Friday and Happy long weekend! Hope all my Canadian friends have a delightful thanksgiving weekend with their families and friends.

Don't forget to be thankful for everything that you have. Tis the season :)

Back to school, back to fall

Yesterday was the first day of school for many and Fall has definitely been in the air. There's still something magical about the back to school feeling and the way the air smells.

So even though I'm not "back to school" I can still enjoy my own September-based nostalgia.

The weekend was a busy one for sure. We saw lots of friends and family and had some great times. One of my friends really outdid herself with an amazing BBQ - the food was unreal. She's one of the few people who can make pinterest-inspired food actually turn out the way its intended. So delish!

Everything was gluten free, including the croutons on the salad. Homemade croutons!

We also did some more packing and storage. I'm always amazed at how much I can fit into my little car. The hatchback is ugly but it definitely has more space (I only got a hatchback so my bike would fit - priorities!)

My dad is coming over next weekend to help with the finishing touches and then we should be ready to go. It's just small stuff now - we've finally got the bulk of the stuff out. I set up the second bedroom bed yesterday and you can't even tell that it's an air mattress instead of a real one. Just need to steam those curtains out now and add some bulk. Our windows are just ridiculously wide -- I don't understand who thought those were a good idea. So standard curtains just looks sad and sparse (as you can see). I'm going to buy sheer panels to add in the middle and it should look nice and full. I have hope that one day I will have a week where I do not have to go to bed bath and beyond and curtains and packing are only a distant memory.

Yesterday was go-go-go with a day full of meetings, a new haircut and colour (bye bye greys) and dinner with a friend who is going to be several hours away for a few weeks. It was also a day where I didn't have time for a workout and I ate two meals out (ick! Always try to avoid that). Tonight I have a run on the schedule and tomorrow the gym. The weather is cooling down enough that I'm willing to consider hot yoga again, but I just don't like the location I'm at right now. Unfortunately, my whole reasoning behind my membership was the fact that I was getting the gym, pool and hot yoga in one membership for less than I was paying for all three separate. Sigh. I'll have to suffer in silence for now #firstworldproblems

My last open water swim was this past Saturday and IT.WAS.COLD! We have been fortunate to have lovely water temperatures this whole season, but Saturday it was windy and the water was freezing and wavy. Every time I lifted my face to breath, I got a mouthful of water. So gross. While I was standing outside, freezing my butt off and trying to wiggle into my wetsuit, I definitely wondered why I do this to myself. Of course, afterwards it's a different story. It's true what they say about the only workout you'll ever regret is the one you didn't do. So I'm glad I went, cold as it was. Oddly enough, I stopped dreading the OWS after the breathing thing was sorted and actually enjoyed myself. I'm sure next season will start with some anxiety around getting back into the open water, but who knows, maybe I'll surprise myself after swimming all fall and winter. Now it's time to patch up all the holes I put in my wetsuit this year and pack it away for next year. Now husband can stop complaining about finding it in the shower. Unfortunately the goggles and swimcaps in the sink aren't going anywhere anytime soon ;)

It's the perfect time of year for running, so I'm really looking forward to tonight. I'm feeling a slight burning in my throat so hopefully I'm not getting sick.

Hope all of your Wednesdays were splendid! The weekend is almost upon us again!

What's up Wednesday!

 Wednesday - we have arrived! Linking into What's up Wednesday

 

What we're eating this week:

 

Well, I've been going a little pasta crazy. So far we've had shrimp pad thai and an old fave - hamburger casserole. Tonight I'm thinking something light like fish or chicken. Choices choices choices

 

What I'm reminiscing about:

 

Honestly, I'm still thinking about my Irongirl.

It. Was. Awesome!

 

Sometimes a good race experience will just carry you along for ages. This one will have to carry me right into next season, but while I'm still doing at least one last OWS, tri season is finito for me. Next year I'll probably register for more than one :)

What I'm Loving:

I am digging these cooler temperatures. I love that I can still run in shorts and be warm, but not be pouring sweat and wishing I could lay down in the grass somewhere. I sweat enough on a regular day. I really don't like the heat or summer making it worse! I'm also loving the faint scent of Fall in the air. I'm just waiting eagerly for September 1st so that people stop giving me cut-eye when I say it smells like Fall.

 

What we've been up to:

Well, it's no secret that we've been getting our place ready to go up for sale. It's been tough accepting that our weekends and evenings are basically dedicated to working on the condo. We still have things to do, but the list is shrinking and I think *fingers crossed* it should be ready to go up in about a week and a half.

 

What I'm dreading:

Figuring out what to do with our cats while the place is up for sale. Seriously.

 

 

 

 

What I'm working on:

See -- What we've been up to. Let's face it. Getting the condo ready has taken over our lives. Now I just need to figure out how to paint behind a toilet without actually having to remove it.

 

What I'm excited about:

All things fall! Pumpkins, hot chocolate, pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, pea coats, tall boots, scarves, the first light snow fall.

Picture found here

I'm also excited for all of the great friends we will be seeing this weekend!

 

What I'm watching/reading:

We are just finishing up season 10 of the original 90210. Last time we watched the series, I got so irritated by Gina in season 9 that I just ditched it. Didn't even buy season 10. A few months ago the nostalgia hit and this time I was able to keep my gina-anger under wraps so I can see how this series unfolded. My parents wouldn't let me watch this when I was younger, so I am seeing this all through fresh eyes!

 

 

 

I am currently re-reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Yes. I have a problem with re-watching and re-reading things.

 

A great book that I recently finished was "The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan" by Whitney Dineen. The main character annoyed me for a few pages and then I couldn't put it down. It's a quick fun beach read and definitely has some laugh out loud moments. There is a second book, but it's not quite as funny. I have so many books waiting to be read and there are a ton of books that I've had recommended to me for September that I'm looking forward to!

 

What I'm listening to:

Friends, I'm old. I listen to talk radio while I drive.

I have been really loving the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis google play station while I run though. I went for a short 3k yesterday (yep -- that's me easing into things) and it basically just went back and forth between Eminem and Macklemore. It was awesome!

 

 

Picture found here

 

What I'm wearing:

I'm already in Fall colours and warm sweaters. I bought this sweater back in August and I love it. I bought it a bit big because I like to be cozy but I'd say it's relatively true to size. It's called the Cocoon sweater from RW&CO

I've got my eye on some tall boots now that just need to happen for this fall!

 

What I'm doing this weekend:

With the wonderful long weekend ahead (almost there!!) we have lots of things going on. Let's just say there's going to be friends, family, bbqs, fire pits, and continuing to fill my parents basement with our stuff!

 

What I'm looking forward to next month:

 

 

It being socially acceptable to be excited about fall and finally getting my cheer essential oil!

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Monday, we meet again

Well, what a whirlwind of a weekend. Saturday I had a planned open water swim and let me tell you -- if there wasn't any accountability, I would have stayed in bed. Mornings are always hard for me - 4 hours of sleep is even harder to get up from. However, I know myself, and so I had people that were waiting on me and that got my butt out the door. It was only 9.5 degrees when we arrived and we quickly put our wetsuits on just for the warmth. I don't think any of us were keen on actually getting into the water. Thankfully the water was significantly warmer than the air and it was just gorgeous to swim in. Mary and I did a 1km loop together, and our friend Krista did 2 loops in preparation for her half ironman coming up. Then we met up with our 3x Ironman Cathy and went for breakfast where we all talked about past races, upcoming races and what 2018 holds. Even though they ran out of gluten free pancakes, we still had a great time! There's not much time left for open water swims, so we will definitely be going this week and that might be it. Then it'll be back to the pool.

 

 

Would have missed this gorgeous view if I slept in

 

 

After I was home and changed I packed up a few more boxes and husband and I headed to my parents house where we had a wake for Molly. My dad spread her ashes around the backyard that morning. The backyard was her favourite place to chase rabbits and squirrels, bird watch and just be nutty, so it was the perfect place to let her go. We talked about some funny/happy memories and how sad we all were that she is gone. I brought over some pictures that I'd taken over the years and my dad took one to keep in his locker at work. We all miss her terribly. My dad has decided to wait until January to get another dog - in his words "2017 is Molly's year". Can't argue with that.

Sunday was a productive day. I volunteered in the morning while husband worked and then we got into full "gotta get out of this condo" mode. He finally finished putting the bed together (which is too big -- sigh) and I cleared out our bedroom, and vacuumed in places that I'm fairly certain have never seen the vacuum since we moved in. So much dust! Our room just needs the curtains to be changed (which means I need to iron the new ones) and for me to wash and put the new bedding on and it's ready to go. The second bedroom will be a little more work. With the bigger bed, we need to re-evaluate the furniture choices so it doesn't appear too cramped, and I need to iron those curtains as well. I wish they just came flat.

While I was clearing out our room, I used the doTERRA easy air in my diffuser and it was such a pleasant smell (and really kept it smelling fresh and clean. Obsessed friends -- Obsessed!! I'm putting in an order this month for a few more scents (that I've been dying to get) -- can't wait!

 

 

Today I'm going to go on a run after work (and after picking up some necessities) and see what my knee feels like doing. That 10k is looming closer and closer and I've heard it's a hilly one!

 

One day closer to the long weekend! It's going to be a busy one, but I'm ear-marking that Monday as a (hopefully) big ol' day of NOTHING. I can't even imagine the delicious-ness of a "nothing" day. Fingers crossed!