A summary of November in a vlog…
Started using monthly vlogs as a practice of learning Final Cut Pro.
Baby steps.
Top centre - Clockwise: Tan Oversized Turtle Neck Sweater | H&M, girlfriend jeans | The Gap, Tan Lounge Set | Ambercrombie & Fitch, Cabin Socks | Roots, Tan Turtle Neck Sweater | RW&Co, Future Dew | Glossier, Balm Dotcom | Glossier, Skinny Jeans | The Gap, Green Knit Sweater | Bootlegger, Pleather Stretch Pants | RW&Co, Brown Silk Shirt | Suzy Shier, Black & Merlot Turtlenecks | RW&Co, Burgundy Sweater Dress | La Vie En Rose, Fall Candle | Okenagon candle co, Femme T-Shirt | Dynamite
*not pictured here: yoga wear, a few casual hoodie/sweaters, pyjamas & footwear/ 2 purses.
Being in a new and more spacious home has meant that I have had to get used to how cold it can get. Quite a difference from our smaller loft condo, where the heat of the winter sun and the surrounding condo units help keep the loft toasty even on the coldest of days.
Sweaters have become my best friends.
New to Me
Lounge / Pyjama Set
After hunting for months for an updated cozy pyjama set that would be comfortable for both sleeping and hanging out, I settled on this set. No regrets. Soft, warm & of long-lasting quality.
Turtle Necks
I purchased these three turtle neck long sleeves end of last winter when they went on a mass sale. I had a black one that I accidentally shrunk and knew that when they went on sale, I would pounce.
Still Going Strong
Oversized H&M knit Tan Sweater
Worn at least 2-3 times a week, this sweater gets me through the bitter cold days. I want a few more of these if I could. Perfect size, perfect quality. Perfect style.
Black Pleather Stretch Pants
I believe I purchased these last year and I have no regrets. I adore the texture difference when pairing these pants to sweaters or shirts and they have the comfort of any other pair of leggings.
Girlfriend Jeans
Although aging, these jeans are my favourite for weekend living. They are well used for every season.
Time To Go
Undershirt tank tops
Not pictured here are three different tank tops I purchased from Forever 21 over five years ago that I use routinely underneath shirts/sweaters etc. They are weekly used on rotation and I have started taking note that it’s time to look for a new set.
I am starting to see a trend…the busier I get, the more books I read….
A coping mechanism for stress.
Felicity | Mary Oliver
Beautiful poems capturing love, life, loss.
The Art of Making Memories | Meik Wiking
A bit repetitive and dry, but an overall pleasant read about why we should think more mindfully about the moments we are in.
The Grace Year | Kim Liggett
A dystopian novel about a year in a girl’s life where she joins her peers in a secluded and remote space, guarded by guards to rid themselves of what is to be believed as the magic that they withhold. A bit of Animal Farm twisted with feminism.
A Prayer Journal | Flannery O’Connor
A literal journal of Flannery O’Connor transcribed from her handwriting. Her awareness of faith, desire to be an artist that provokes thought and meaning along with the self-awareness of one who knows they still have so much to learn and do. I relate a lot to her written down prayers.
The Ride of a Lifetime | Robert Iger
A fascinating look at Robert Iger and his time at Disney. I thoroughly enjoyed his candid look back at his career and honouring those who gave him the leg up in times that provided him opportunities to grow.
Miracles and other Reasonable Things | Sarah Bessey
Sarah Bessey first captured me in her book Jesus Feminist where she challenged the church on how it has treated women historically. She brought to light many deep and beautiful insights on how Jesus treated and looked at women. Quite the opposite of how the North American church has done so over the years. In this book, she tells us of her journey through a horrific car accident that debilitated her and left her having to face her own humanity, purpose and reasons for doing what she does.
Lock Evert Door | Riley Sager
a simple mystery rapid read. A hint of Agatha Christie vibes in the authors’ style.
White Point Beach Resort | An Autumn Cottage Weekend
*as I post this, I recognize our province could announce a second lockdown at any moment. That being said, there are skills and a renewing of the mind that has occured, that even if that has to happen, we are better equipped to handle what it means to create a rhythm inside the home.
March 2020 was a month none of us will forget.
For some, the worldwide pandemic was already at their door. For us in Nova Scotia, it was March when the reality provincial state of emergency was announced.
We changed everything in our lives in a matter of 24 hours.
A bit like being in a snow globe and having everything you knew being shaken and tipped upside down and then right side up again to only wonder how everything will fall into a new place. Or if it ever will stop spinning?
That has left some effects on us.
In our coming and going, we are still living in a state of unknown, of work and life colliding in the home and of many things being delayed or put off indefinitely.
This Autumn, one of my goals was to find some semblance of ‘weekdays’ and ‘weekends’ again.
Having a daughter go to grade primary was a marker for us as a family, and despite the pandemic, it has renewed many things in our lives. We hope she can remain in school l her whole primary year, but we embrace it for what it is for now.
Week Days
Morning routines are back. An alarm goes off, and it isn’t helpful to ignore it in the least.
Work hours are evident in some respects.
The school hours mean we are bound to drop-offs and pickups.
Weekends
time for the home DIY projects
the seasonal activities ‘pumpkin carving, fall walks’ etc.
Errands and household logistics.
Scheduling an event that is safe and within guidelines that provides an exhale.
Life still has been shaken like a snow globe.
Stores don’t open until 11 am.
Extra circular activities are limited and harder to get into
parties, celebrations and events are generally prohibited unless adequately managed.
Planning ahead is difficult.
Yet, somehow we are starting to feel our weekdays and weekends again. I hesitate to say it, but there it is.
We are finding our way back to a right-side-up world, even if the right side to us now was upside down to us before.
We adapt and start realizing the world will always keep spinning, but we can remain standing still amidst it all.
A snippet of our October.
White Point Beach Resort
Working
And the moments in-between.
Compiled here on Spotify is a playlist I made for this autumn.
After committing to a subscription, I have been revamping my playlists, which already feels old.
It was a compilation I put together in September.
Stand Out Tracks
ily (I Love You Baby) | Surf Mesa
There is something about this cover that makes me find motivation in the corners of the day.
Forever Young | Rhiannon Giddens and Iron & Wine
This track is special to me for many reasons. In part, it was made for the finale of Parenthood, a show that helped shape my marriage and desire to continue developing healthy relationships with my family. Forever Young was the opening title song, and this rendition happens to be my favourite. It reminds me of why it’s worth it to be there for those you love.
As evident, I may have gone a bit crazy and ordered too many books from the library.
Although I would argue, one could never order too many books from any library.
That being said, it means that these pictures are done haphazardly as I blazed through these reads in order to get them back to the library in time.
The Glass Hotel | Emily St.John Mandel
A story about a money mogul and a few that surrounded him. The way this was written, I just couldn’t get into it the way I had hoped. Not my writing style. I wanted to like it. I struggled with the delivery.
Of Mess and Moxie | Jen Hatmaker
A comedian of sorts, Jen gives her antidotes about life and faith. Some of it felt unoriginal, yet I kept reading because there were a lot of beautiful gems of thoughts tucked in the typical comedian’s rants. It did pack a punch where it mattered.
Road to Riverdale | Various authors
Always interested in adaptations etc. This was another look at how graphic novels/comics often are all done by various artists and storytellers using the characters and world provided. Enjoyed it.
The Lies that Bind | Emily Giffin
The best part of this novel, for me, was the first chapter. It was riveting. I could picture it completely and wanted it to continue as such. Of course, the story weaves out from there but in my own perfect world, we’d capture whatever that first chapter had and make it into a short film or film.
Dear Edward | Ann Napolitano
A heartbreaking and heart inspiring tale of what it means to be the sole survivor of a mass tragedy and grow into yourself and find meaning to continue living despite the loss. I enjoyed this read. Tears at the end.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | Suzanne Collins
This had to be my favourite of this month. I am utterly reticent about prequels. Ballad of Songbirds and Sakes is the prequel to the Hunger Games Series and it blew me away. To take a character like “Snow” and find out what he was like as a child, where he came from and how he rose to power. Incredible. It also gives incredible insight into the society that we are welcomed into for the Hunger Games Series and it also feels a bit of a warning at times for our own present-day world.
A little summary on September.
dinner with family friends.
Seasons come and seasons go.
Our world is in a season of needing to maintain distance.
It’s crushing.
No matter who you are, true connection is what serves the soul.
I realize that not everyone is going to be able to spend Thanksgiving with others this year.
We are privileged in Nova Scotia, Canada, to have only three active cases and no new cases of COVID in a week, at the moment.
This means we can gather in groups of 10 close people to celebrate.
Settling into a new home means that we are working hard to maintain a new property and revive what we had to set aside for a season of our life.
In many respects, our little shore loft was a haven. A place of refuge as we became new sides of ourselves. As parents, new career paths and new jobs/projects.
Now, it is as if our new home is opening up space for more again.
It could be the restrictions we face, or the lack of communing the past few years of hard work has provided, but either way,
this thanksgiving
I am most thankful for the table.
The opportunity to connect, nourish and revive the soul.
And life is fleeting.
The moments around a table with those you love and learn to love are numbered.
We don’t know when they will end.
We don’t know when the last time we will pass a plate to that person.
We don’t know if they will sit there again or be a bittersweet memory.
This Thanksgiving, however, we sit and eat, I will be relishing and making an effort to harness these table moments into my everyday life.
None of us would have expected the events that 2020 has brought us.
& this was one surprise that first rocked us, made us nervous, shaky and vulnerable.
We hadn’t planned to move or were even close to re-evaluating our home.
We have been happy, content and very blessed by the five years we spent in our precious condo with the ocean air and tinkling of boats.
and then things began turning and churning and all of a sudden clarity came in slow increments.
What if we moved?
Where would we go?
Could we?
Would we?
& somewhere in those days of discussion, we started seeing the doors open and clarity is like that. Like an open window on a spring day. You think it’s going to be too cold to usher in something new, but then upon the first rise, you find that the air is in fact refreshing, invigorating and maybe even, a little exciting.
Our Little Shore Loft has sold to new owners whom we believe will love it just as much as we did, and our new home is here. Holding us new on this first season we live in it.
In many ways, this home found us, and not the other way around.
A home is more than the exterior and interior. A home is how you cultivate and treasure the space you were blessed with. A home is where you celebrate, you grieve and you live fully.
As we light the first candle, sleep the first night and wake up to the first day, usher in the first season and celebrate the first christmas, we pray that over all of these blessings and changes, that they place us where we need to be for the next chapter of our lives.
That we may create, connect and commune in new and deeper ways as individuals and as a little family.
The Wife Stalker | Liv Constantine
Another installment from the duo that makes the synanom Liv Constantine. I wouldn’t say this was my favorite of their books, but it did do their famous ‘turn the tables’ on the reader so to speak mid way and give you another way at looking at mental health, perspective and a fun psycological thriller.
The Enneagram in Love & Work | Helen Palmer
A borrow from my aunt. I admit, I didn’t count this book in my ‘goodreads’ list as read, as I ended up skimming the last section. This would be a perfect book to sit on ones shelf for reference when needed. I do like that it delves into the various pairings of personality in relationship both in work and personal life.
Outlander | Diana Gaboldon
Okay, okay, you caught me. I re-read it again. I spent this summer reading sections and re-watching Season 1. ‘Drought-lander’ is a thing, especially during the pandemic. I will be an old lady re-reading this series.
The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember | Fred Rogers
I forgot to capture this read before it left the house to go back to the library, but a simple small read of amazing quotations from Fred Rogers. A meditative book.
TV Shows / Films of note:
When Harry Met Sally | because I watched it for the first time. classic 90s
The Great Canadian Baking Show | why did it take me so long to get to this?
The Home Edit : Organized | because its perfection
Toy Story | Watching it with a kid for the first time is such a millenial thing to do.
Summer was a season of giant shifts for us as a family and individually. Selling and moving from our little loft into a home was a job that took up most of our summer days, but in there we found some lovely little moments and here are a few things that made our summer special.
Friendship Lamp
On a whim, we sent a lamp to both ourselves and our long-distance besties in British Columbia to have a little fun while living on opposite ends of the country during a pandemic. It felt foolish at first, but all five of us have enjoyed the fun and colourful warmth it brings us to know that we are thinking of each other through our days.
Glitter in the Air
I have always liked this song. I have been practicing more now that we are settled into our new home and seeing it all come together.
Lightfoot and Wolfville Rosé
For our anniversary we went to our favourite vineyard for a private tasting and lunch. This was one of the Rosé’s we had and I adored it. Had to bring it home as a little nod from our day.
Lightfoot and Wolfville Tote
In their shop, Lightfoot had this tote for sale and I have to say, one of the things that I have always adored about the vineyard and farm is their branding. They have a beautifully romantic way of summarizing their values and history in their images.
IKEA Water Glasses
During our kitchen reno in 2019 and since we had multiple water glasses break for various reasons. (washing glassware in a shallow bathroom sink for six weeks may have something to do with it) It has left us moving into a new house with just five water glasses left and all mismatched from various sets. Picking up a pack of these glasses is a wonderful way of celebrating hosting in our new home and welcoming a new season in our lives.
Daisy Jones and the Six
I picked up this book during my first venture out of the house after the strict pandemic restrictions lifted. It served as a lovely summer read that had the taste of “A Star is Born”.
Sunglasses
So glad that I pulled for us to both get prescription sunglasses earlier this year. They made this summer’s nature walks, drives and the few beach days we could squeeze in so much more enjoyable. Huge thanks to All About Eyeware for making that happen during the spring months.
Top Centre - Clockwise: Marie the Cat Shoes | H&M, The Penderwicks | Indigo, Strawberry Dress | Thrift find from Auntie Nicole, Rainbow Overalls | Carters, Tropical Romper | H&M gift from Auntie Heidi & Uncle Sean, Pink Hoodie Sweater | H&M, Whale Mug | Gift from Great Aunt & Uncle, Pencils | Gift from Great Aunt & Uncle, Rainy Day Activity Book | Indigo, Striped Shorts | Old Navy, Donuts graphic T | Carters, Pink Shoes | Winners, Doll | Gift from Great Aunt & Uncle, Pink Swimsuit | Zara, Blue Dress | Thrift find from Auntie Nicole, Jean Shorts | Carters, Yellow T Shirt | Thrift find from Auntie Nicole
True to form, Zoë would rather be in a dress and without shorts or pants. This can be challenging when the only clean clothes are shorts and t-shirts but she managed to spend most of her summer in dresses, rompers and her overalls. And we scooted by in these shorts from time to time.
Seen here are her most worn outfits. Not seen are 3 pairs of pyjamas, 5 other t-shirts & a couple of dresses she outgrew during the summer.
New to Her
Blue Dress
A find from Auntie Nicole during her thrifting adventures. This dress was a hit. She wears it again as soon as it’s clean.
Swimsuit
Growing out of her last swimsuit, brought us to land on this one. Precious.
Hoodie
Not a fan of extra clothing, at least with a zip sweater it’s easy for her to put on without the strong commitment of her other pullover sweaters.
Still Going Strong
Overalls
She wears the overalls constantly and they stand up so well.
T-Shirts
All her t-shirts she has either grown out of this summer and the ones that are left are still in excellent condition. Easily donatable.
Time to Go
T-Shirts & Dresses outgrown not seen here.
What a whirlwind.
Not much time to hone my filming/editing skills but sticking to the monthly summary for the discipline and the slow learning.
I wonder what this Autumn will bring in terms of time and creative moments?
Top centre - Clockwise : Black tank romper | The Gap, Blue tank | Modcloth, Tank dress | H&M, White silk tank | RW&Co, White/Grey striped cropped pants | RW&Co, Jean Shorts | The Gap, White T Shirt Dress | La Vie en Rose, Brown Purse | Modcloth, Butterfly Sweater | Winners, Dock Candle | Gift from Jasmine Alexander, Biker Yoga Shorts | Aerie, Sun Glasses | Prada, Blue / White Striped Romper | Aerie, Daisy Jones & The Six | Chapters
Summer this year was not what we expected. Kidney Stones, selling our first home, buying a new home, preparing our little for Grade Primary during a pandemic… compared to others these are minor problems. We are well overall, we have a roof over our heads, our daughter has what she needs. That being said,
I would be remiss if I didn’t say we are experiencing whiplash from a certain amount of the heightened stress we’ve had to journey the past year (much which is unmentioned and I talk about minimally).
The above picture indicates the clothes I wore on routine this season. Even though I had other options, exhaustion, lack of ‘outings’ etc meant that much of my beloved summer clothes went unworn and I chose to re-wear these select items for ease.
I trust that next summer will be different than this one.
New to Me
Under Armour Sneakers | I wore out my sketchers of 10 years. Thus it made sense to invest in a new pair of runners.
Butterfly Sweater | My first solo shopping trip out after the pandemic restrictions lifted, I saw this sweater. It has become a symbolic piece during the wild months we have been living.
Still Going Strong
Blue silk tank | My first thought out purchase postpartum, August 2015, goes strong. I ADORE this shirt and hope it stays with me for the next five years.
Prescription Sunglasses | I picked these up at All About Eyeware in Bedford, NS. Having Perscription sunglasses change everything. I had a few very embarrassing moments occur while I was out for a walk where people were trying to get my attention and I didn’t realize who they were or that they were gesturing to me. An upfront cost, but very worth it.
Time to Go
Sketcher Sneakers | The state of my Sketchers was embarrassing. Of course, making shoe purchases amidst a pandemic poses its challenges. In the end, I dragged myself out and purchases this pair. A middle ground pair of sneakers that I can do my cardio workouts in, and get out for walks in,
Jean Shorts | Another one of my first purchases postpartum in 2015. These jean shorts have been my only jeans shorts and are one of 2 ‘non workout shorts’ that I own. This pair was begging to be replaced this year, and although I didn’t get around to it, I know it will be first on my list next summer. They are falling apart in embarrassing ways.
Inside our new closet I was able to see the clothes I didn’t wear this season and want to appreciate my love for them and hopes that next summer will look different than this one.
I think it’s safe to say I have a colour pallet for the warmer months of the year.
Rage Becomes Her | Soraya Chemaly
This read brings light to the number of pressures women are under to present themselves in a certain way. Raising my own spitfire and knowing that she comes by some of those traits naturally, it was helpful to read and be reminded of the various societal and systemic gender pressures that women are forced to endure and it starts early. I wish this read gave me more to hold onto in regards to how to harness our anger as women practically, but it did a lot in validating where anger is from and how often it is manifested in women physically in pain etc due to a lifetime of repressing negative emotions.
Daisy Jones & The Six | Taylor Jenkins Reid
A fun summer read about a band and a singer who collaborate together during the 1980s. It has that rock band vibes and shows how much toxicity is in the industry of music-making that artists are surrounded by. A sweet atmospheric read.
Never Eat Alone | Keith Ferrazzi
Encouraging true collaborative professional relationships in a world where ‘self-made’ is celebrated and abused in it’s meaning.
Normal People | Sally Rooney
Just cracking this read open, but already into it. Helps to know that when I have finished it, there is a television series based on the novel waiting to be watched.
The Lions Den | Katherine St.John
Picked up while very high on drugs after a day in the E.R., waiting for more medication to help a kidney stone along. I very much thought I deserved a new book after that much pain. A summer mystery. Beach read at it’s finest. Rich people on yachts, a woman who doesn’t want to be there etc.
TV Shows & Films of Note*
Maudie | because it is literally the most moving film I have seen in a year. For Canadians, you can stream it on CBC Gem.
Trolls | Colourful. Fun for kids. Way too many OMGS for littles, ill-placed. (we edited them out)
A bit on July.
While coping and recovering from Kidney stones I ended up having the laydown time to read. I inhaled these books and am so glad that with the return of the Halifax Public Libraries I am back to my normal reading routine.
You, Me, and the Sea | Meg Donohue
A beautiful take on what it means to come from a damaged home and find one’s own identity outside of it to return to make space better. I enjoyed the relational realism that was depicted in this story.
Where the Sidewalk Ends | Shel Silverstein
A fun read with our daughters. A few of Shel’s poems before bed often gave us a good laugh or a thoughtful pause.
Landline | Rainbow Rowell
Inhaled this read in 24 hours. Rainbow Rowell writes her stories in a way that allows the reader to relax, get curious and enjoy the ride. A story about what qualities are in a long-lasting relationship and what makes them survive.
Becoming | Michelle Obama
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Michelle’s account of her life thus far. Written beautifully and easy to follow her everyday woman’s journey from girlhood to becoming FLOTUS.
Little Fires Everywhere | Celeste Ng
A stunning read on motherhood written by Celeste Ng set in the 1990s in a traditional planned community of “Shake Heights” in Ohio. Character development is a steller, you can picture the community and the people who live there. A beautiful story.
Summer is a time of road trips, driving to the beach, and parties.
Although drives in our province can happen, we find ourselves in a season of planning and preparing. A huge part of that is having our child enter primary school. A huge stepping stone for her and us.
While creating a playlist I found joy in adding a few tracks that reflected summer like films while also adding tracks that felt reflective of a summer full of shifts, pandemic restrictions and hopes for the future.
*Standouts
In the Waiting | Kina Grannis
This track has given me a lot of hope, peace and reminder to stay present in the moment and day I am in.
Revival Anthem | Rend Collective
It’s no secret that I ADORE music from the British Isles. Rend Collective has a tone similar to Mumford and Sons while also highlighting their faith in creative ways. Seeing them play live last year was a highlight. Their energy is terrific. (It didn’t hurt that they said Nova Scotia of all the provinces in Canada reminded them of the same music energy / atmosphere they see in Ireland.)
La Vie En Rose | Lady Gaga
A Star is Born tore my heart in two. I found it beautifully done to the point of feeling the ache of it’s echo months later. Always loving this song, I found Lady Gaga (Stefanie) rendition of it reaches new heights.
Water | Kanye West
As polorizing as Kayne can be, I find his creativity fascinating. Over the years I have resonated with his work that highlights the desire to connect with a higher power.
I initially found peace in this song when this couple captured the physicality of the song.
Seasons | NEEDTOBREATHE
This song hit me in the gut and was an instant purchase. I think music connects us as humans and ultimately I would argue that it’s a way that we connect deeper with that which made us.
*always tacked on the playlist is a few tracks from the Outlander season / book I am re-reading / rewatching. Summer 2020 is Book 1 & Season 1.
A bit of a vlog on the month of June.