We just got back from a little family adventure downtown to check out some of the free festive set ups! We started with an early dinner (our first choice was Spaghetti Factory, but the wait was wayyyy too long) at a long time favourite with the kids Jack Astors. Unfortunately didn’t get any shots of enjoying the time there, but we had a corner booth and the food was just amazing!
We immediately headed out to see the Fairmount Hotel windows – which were surprisingly cute!
While we made our way to Yorkville, S needed to drop off some of her meal bags (she’s working on a badge for girl guides) so we drove around in circles but could only find 1 person to drop them off at (we ended up leaving them in front of a church).
At Yorkville the kids were more amused by the big mountain 😆 which left me tons of time to enjoy the light display!
I was listening to a podcast the other day, and the speaker was talking about a morning ritual she did for several years and found that it elevated her mental well being consistently, filled her cup and she personally attested that this process created more abundance in her life. Essentially is all about speaking to yourself with love, kindness & grace – like one would a plant.
How it works:
Stand in front of the mirror & look yourself deep in the eyes.
Say your full name and celebrate you! This means you need to say 7 things that you did yesterday, last year or within your entire life that you are proud of.
Next, say your full name again and release the shackles. You want to say 7 things you forgive about yourself. They may be the same things everyday but the need here is to free yourself of shame, blame, regret, guild and anger.
Finally, say your full name and commit to yourself. Again here, before you make promises to other people, you need to make promises to yourself!
I think feeling your emotions is an important part of the human experience. But in certain contexts it’s great if you get yourself out of the mood you are in.
Sharing a few hacks on how to change your mood – quick!
Today’s post is a quickly, but I wanted to just share that today was a great day. I was very intentional and it manifested in productivity, professionalism and amazing time with friends.
Toronto is a great city and there are no end to the fun, festive and free things to do around the city during the holiday season! Be sure to bundle up and be sure to check out the list below on some ideas on how to enjoy the season (on a budget)!
*NOTE* images are not mine and have been referenced below.
Distillery District
The last time I went to the Winter Village was 2019, and the photographer in me wants to re-create this magic through my lens! This place is full of beautiful sights (every corner is perfect for a selfie) and tastes (thank you coffee and chocolate)! Entrance is free on weeknights before Dec 27th + children under 9 are free of charge!
Yorkville is beautiful any time of year, but having it all lit up makes it amazing. The best photo op would be in the light tunnel! And the christmas tree totally gives Rockefeller Center vibes!
This rink is ALWAYS jam packed so keep the little ones close to you and on the edge of the rink. The best part about skating here (other than – it’s FREE as long as you bring your own skates and snacks) is the MUSIC. Whether it’s 90s christmas pop or top 40, you’ll have a great time whipping across :)
Miniature displays and twinkling lights? Sign me up! I’ve yet to check our the Royal York windows but I’ve heard that they are enchanting. Grab your mocha or hot chocolate and enjoy the stroll past these beautiful displays!
I love reading productivity and lifestyle hacks! But when they are written in the form of lists – they make it easier to follow! It’s almost like a mental checklist that I can create in my head and tick off the things that I am already doing and then plan for the things I want to try.
Sharing a list of 50 ways to LEVEL UP. From accessorizing your outfits to planning your week, this list includes tons of ways to do and be better. And even though it’s not in your face obvious, all of these activities help to nourish your mind and soul so you can show up and be your best self!
Would love to hear if you try any of these out! Or maybe what you’d add to the list?
Practice Gratitude
Invest in quality, not quantity
Read 1 book a month
Develop a skin care routine that works for you
Dress well, always! (even at home)
Pick and use a signature scent
Learning everyday is a must
Focus on your mental health
Plan your day, week, month & year to focus on your goals
Listen to podcasts or Ted Talks
Pamper yourself regularly
Make your home cozy
Prioritize your friendships
Meditate
Wear clean shoes (whitest whites, polished or stained)
Use a silk pillow case
Clean your makeup brushes regularly
Create > Consume
Regular face massages
Cut out toxic people and activities
Take yourself out on a date, be comfy being on your own (without feeling alone)
Have a hair care routine
Get 6-8 hours of sleep
Habit stack, time block and batch create
Work on building your confidence & self-esteem
Organize your home
Watch TV shows/movies that inspire your sense of style/fashion
Build your online brand (personal & professional)
Buy yourself some flowers
Be your own stylist with what you have in your closet (take pictures and create outfits)
Maintain good posture
Don’t think about other people’s opinion of you (it is their own reflection)
Wear a natural make up look
Elevate any outfit with 1 luxury handbag
Do things that you are afraid of
Schedule in “self care days”
Exfoliate your skin
Try one extravagant accessory (gloves, channel broach, beret)
I’m one of those (analogue) people who looooooooves scrolling through the archives of a blog. I love seeing the beginning of people’s stories. I find it inspiring.
When it comes to my own blog, I NEVER look through the archives. I find it so cringe that I end up making my older blog posts private!
But at least I have them there, I have the stories and the ideas from the beginning. And really it’s all about keeping up with the practice that I admire in others and even myself.
So I’ve decided to start a BLOGMAS!
What is Blogmas?
For the Tiktok kids in the back, “Blogmas” is a series of posts on a blog leading up to Christmas (Dec 25th). It can be done on any online medium (or even offline). But my first memory of it was watching vlogmas done by YouTubers in 2012.
Why am I doing Blogmas?
I’m doing it for both logical and emotional reasons. Logical because I want to be writing, creating and posting more often – discipline is the name of that game! From an emotional perspective because I want have memories 🙂 Also because I’ve officially reopened my Etsy shop, I want to ensure that I’m aligning all of my online presences and themes: Inspiration, Consistency, Happiness & Productivity. Lastly, the hope is that I’ll learn something from participating in Blogmas that I can either share here on the blog or implement on my Etsy store.
How can YOU participate?
In any way really! It can be something online or unplugged. You can paint for 25 day. Share a new pic IG for 25 days. Create a youtube channel and start Vlogmas. You can volunteer at a soup kitchen for 25 days or learn a new skill for the next 25 days.
It’s all about staying consistent, creating, learning something & having fun!
And of course, be sure to check back over the next 24 days and follow along with my Blogmas!
