HAPPY FIRST DAY OF FALL 2015

image by Ireart and for purchase here

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."
– F. Scott Fitzgerald
Try out this fall playlist to help you get into this cool and cozy season. 

image via here, here and here.

let us all come together and celebrate this beauty paint palette of a season with fireside chats, good friends, cups of homemade apple cider or mulled wine and oversized knit sweaters and knee high socks. xoxox.

How to Take a Sauna like A Finn

images via here and here

recently my local gym renovated the old locker room sauna and as a proud Finn i couldn't be happier. growing up, my Finnish family taught me and my siblings at a very early age the true art of how to take a good sauna. nothing is better at the end of a long day, or good workout than a hot sauna. no matter your level of stress, or worries, after spending time sweating it out you will undoubtably feel VERY relaxed and refreshed. you will also sleep super well. Finland is the birth place of the dry sauna ritual and i strongly believe it's key towards good health and a long life. so for any takers here are a few key notes on how to sauna like a true Finn.

1. Finn's use the sauna almost daily, and heat wise, it should be anywhere between 80-90 degrees Celsius. if you haven't taken a sauna before, make sure your start with minimal time and work your way up gradually so you don't over do it or get light headed. also, start by sitting on the bottom bench and slowly over time work your way up to the top to enjoy that full heat.

2. create some hot steam by periodically throwing a small cup sized amount of water on those hot sauna rocks to create short blasts of heat. if you find it hard to breath in the hot air, a trick is to place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and breath slowly.

image via here

3.  the hot, then the cold, then repeat method is the best ritual of the sauna by far. the trick here is to enjoy the heat for 8-10 mins allowing your body to sweat and detox. then quickly emerse yourself into cool water like a shower, lake or pool for a few seconds. this might sound unpleasant, but with your body warm from the sauna, the cool water actually feels refreshing and not as cold as you would think. then go back into the sauna and repeat another 3 or 4 times.

image via here

4. taking a sauna helps to promote good circulation in the body, but Finn's often take this to the next level by gathering up birch branches and making a "vihta". you dip it into water and gently brush or swat yourself with the bunch to relax your muscles, open the pores and increase circulation. 

5. finally complete your sauna ritual by following it up with a fresh shower to rinse, clean-up and close the pores.

sauna's are a ritual to be enjoyed by yourself, with friends or with family. if you have access to one i highly suggest you try practicing these techniques if you can to enhance your next sauna experience. i assure you, you won't be disappointed.

The Markham Fair

Hello Markham Fair! i haven't been to this particular local fair, or any fair for that matter, in years, so i made sure to enjoy a full day of animal meeting, fair food eating, live magic shows and concerts, games, rides, cooking lessons, craft shopping and fireworks watching. i love everything about going to the fair and I've decided it will now be a fall season ritual i make sure i practice every year. we happily all pigged out on Tom's donuts, lobster mac & cheese (from one of the best gourmet food trucks), and even a whole bbq turkey leg – because sometimes you just gotta, even if it looks totally barbaric. nothing beats the lights and kid like excitement you feel at a fair.

i even made a little video to share ...

itunes music  //  Circle - Fashion me a drum

just a few more pictures from our day at the fair.

Ain't he just beauttttiful.

nothing will beat fresh lemonade from a lemon shaped stand.

fall windy weather with sunshine and braids.

only the best  lobster mac & cheese for her, and bbq pulled pork for him!

i wasn't kidding about that caveman dinner time turkey leg. 

my favourite ride will always be the ferris wheel. 
you just can't beat the coloured lights and a good view.

the best ending to a perfect fall day.

Setting 2015 Intentions!

image via pinterest

Happy 2015 Everyone!!!!!

it felt like the other day when i took a moment to catch my breath with where i see this blog going and all of a sudden over month had past! gal! sorry for all the radio silence everyone! but i'm back, baby i'm back, and looking forward to the year ahead. with a fresh new year comes some fresh new resolutions/intentions. as many of you know i'm a list maker. i function best with a list of tasks i can look at and cross off with a pen and paper, but this year i'm positing my list here, so here we go...

1. // set clear weekly intentions and write them down and post them up where you can see them. they might be fitness related, mind flexing related, family related, who knows, the point is make them, stick with them, learn from them. 

2. // stop apologizing all the time. it's truly like a bad habit and it's going to be an even harder one to personally break, but it has to be done. life is what it is, and sometimes i need to stick my ground and accept that i'm actually not sorry all the time. 

3. // be mindful more. my naturopath has helped me develop a good foundation for a mindful practice, and i would like to be better at making it a daily habit and appreciating its benefits.

4. // practice having a clearer voice. i've sometimes been called a follower (i know, i know), and not so much a leader and i think it's ok to be a leader. voicing when i don't agree with others when they ask, challenging the norms, and rounding out my own opinions without making myself feel bad for it.

5. // work on my food and my photography. two things i really cherish wish i could spend more time doing. so that just makes it's time to make that happen! watch out for better tumblr updates and more recipes coming at ya!

6. // become a yogi.

7. //focus on surrounding myself with positive, uplifting like-minded people and work at nourishing those cherished friendships.

8. // ... and finally, believe more in hope and miracles, and have the courage to go head forward down the flow of life no matter how scary it might seem.

LittleBit - Making New Habits

image via

the other day i watch this TEDTalk video that really stuck with me and got me thinking about where i'm at in my goals (short and long) and where i'm going.

the truth of it is, i'm great at making lists, and i'm good in my intentions, but bad at holding that intention long enough to make it a sound habit. sometimes i stop myself even before i even begin out of fear and feeling overwhelmed.  

so let me welcome the LittleBit app.

studies over the years have shown that it apparently takes a full 21 days to form a new habit and this app is focused on just that. helping work slowly over 21 days to make a new habit. basically here is how it works ...

1. open app
2. make goal realistic short term goal you want to achieve as a habit
3. for 21 days participate in your new habit and track your participation with a picture or log file 
4. collect 1 point of every day you practice that habit
5. ta-da! after 21 days you've now formed your habit, proceed to carry on with said habit

images via here and here

it's always good to regroup and refocus on some good habits in my life. i have some new short term goals i wanna hit and i definitely needed a little kick in the pants to make it happen. So i'm going to give this app a delightful try, and besides it's pretty cute too.

after 21 days i'll post a recap of my goal, if i achieved it or failed (truthfully) and my goal related pictures. fingers crossed it works! happy monday everyone!

Scenes from the Staycation Vacation

{ weekends are infinetly better when they start with organic coffee and Wychwood Market }

{ brunch dates at Pain Perdu for pain due chocolate and lattes }

{ pool time all the time - true to my Pisces nature }

{ professional taste tester in the making as you can see,
New Liefmans Beer, Aperol sprtiz on the patio and the all time summer mint chocolate chip classic }

{ a visit to the new Ripley's Aquarium Toronto for the Mr's birthday celebration kick off }


one has to be careful about vacationing this hard, because dang, a girl could get used to this! 
i think i've got this staycation thing down pat.

See more pics on my Instagram @Oomphlove

What's currently on my coffee table.

my living room coffee table has always been the landing spot for all my current favourite inspiring reads.here are some of the ones i can't get enough of lately.

Anthology - a fantastic and upbeat feeling mag covering all things trendy as they relate to decor, travel, design and entertaining 

Kinfolk - folk living and entertaining at its best is what this is.  this thick and ad-free magazine is filled to the brim with unreal rich landscape and food photography with a focus on poetic story telling and inclusive stories from around the globe.

Cook's - a cooking magazine for everyone. cook's highlights classic recipes and clever cooking tricks for every reader with illustrated examples that you'll want to cut them out and frame the pages.

National Geographic - the all time classic read always filled with some of the best most educational stories around and detailed photography. a good read for upping the brain game.

Cereal - a stop-you-in-your tracks modern magazine focused on lifestyle trends and global travel. one quick read and you'll want to pack your bags for an adventure.

#thewhiteshoeproject

image via here

when i was younger i remember never waking up to an alarm. in most cases i got up with the sun jumping out of bed, throwing on my sneakers and heading out the door to play outside. as i got older my responsibilities kept getting bigger and my days always seemed to get shorter and shorter. it is easy to get lost in our day-to-day routines, but sometimes a small movement can give you the wake up call you needed to remind you of that kid you used to be.

insert By-Us Co., the creative minds behind valuable initiatives worth talking about. recently By-Us Co launched their latest online campaign @theWhiteshoeproject, focused on bringing back adventure and exploration. the group explains that "it's a project driven by the 'wearer' and the miles that they tread ... white shoe is a canvas that collects stories and experiences." i am so supportive of this simple yet brilliant idea and can't wait to get behind it with my fresh pair of white kicks. to participate just grab your shoes, get out there, get adventurous and curious, and share your experiences through the hashtag #theWhiteshoeproject

www.by-us.co/thewhiteshoeproject

Just Keep At It!

image via

as a blogger, and even in life this is one of the truest quotes. at the start of any new year we feel a sense of renewal and we often set a bunch of new goals for ourselves. it's easy around this time in the month to start to feel those goals sliding. to compare ourselves to others success, or to make a mountain out of a molehill. don't give up. don't compare yourself to others. you are worth it! let this quote be your manta!   

need a little extra help? try plugging your goals in this helpful app!

Happy New Years Eve!

let the countdown clock begin

i hope each and every one of you is out ringing in the new year with a glass of bubbly, while be surrounded by great family and friends.

cheers to 2014, may the very best be just ahead!

Drysdale Tree Farm

the holidays don't officially start for my family until after we complete the annual trip up to the Drysdales tree farm (Ballantrae location) and cut down our christmas trees. even before i was born, my parents and their friends started this tradition to kick off the holidays. this year the visit was bittersweet, because as we were greeted by the same cheerful faces we always see, they informed us that sadly this was going to be the farms last year as the property was being handed over to the ministry of natural resources after the season closed. after a few frozen tears and hugs, we braved the hike and hunt, and spent a good hour or more looking for our perfect trees deep in the woods. nothing, i repeat, nothing is better than being in the open fresh air, with a cold face, surrounded by the falling snow and smell of pine. of course no trip to the tree farm is ever complete without a catch up chat with old man Drysdale himself, followed by the traditional "who has to pay for the trees this year" coin toss, and then sitting around the bonfire sipping on hot chocolates and munching on roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. it's a little sad to know we won't be going back to this farm in the years to come, but i'm so glad for this tradition that we have. it doesn't matter what is going on or where we are, we always make time for this little tree farm and our family.

The heart of the season

i love this quote. it's one of the truest things i've ever read, and not just because my entire life i have adored learning about ms. keller. the fall always feels like the season of renewal and reawakening. a time for dusting off the old hobby books and jumping head first into something new and invigorating. the fall is a time of change so enjoy it and allow yourself to embrace not only the outer changes, but all the inner positive changes as well. appreciate, reflect and move forward head up and strong.

A Canadian Thanksgiving

photo via

there is so much to be thankful for this year!

i'm so looking forward to celebrating this day with ...

fresh air

good food

great wine

glow of candles

amazing family and friends

happy thanksgiving to all those celebrating!

Applewood Farm & Winery

last weekend my husband and i, along with his sister, her husband and their kids, loaded up and headed out for a day of  apple picking at the Applewood Farm & Winery in Stouville, Ontario. It was the perfect fall day. bright sun. light breeze. pumpkin patches. fresh apples galore. i must admit that as much as I see the different varieties of apples in the grocery store I haven't really stopped to compare how and what makes them different. To me an apple was an apple unless it was a grannysmith (then it was special). the same goes for cooking with apples, i just figured any apple(s) were good enough. clearly i was still an apple newbie. after spending the day on the apple farm i learned so much. we taste tested every variety they had and learned even visually what made them different. we finally picked two giant bags of, Cortlands, great for apple pies with a tart taste; Honeycrisp, large size with a sweet and sour blend great for eating and for apple sauce making; and Empire, a small deep red apple with moderate flavour perfect for snacking on.

after picking our two huge bags of apples, my husband headed back for a free pumpkin and I headed off to the wine shack. in the main barn at the Applewood Farm there is a large tasting bar where you can sample many of the award winning  fruit wines. the best by far in my books was the 2010 Trio and the Iced Cider. After this year I know i'll be coming back for years to come. it's great, even for a little bit,  to feel like you are out of the city and into the wild. now for my list of ideas on what i'll be making with all my apples ...

• apple sauce
• apple crumble
• apple pies
• canning apple pie filling
• pork tenderloin with apples
• caramel apple jam
• apple donuts
• apple cider

Six Little Things

... that you didn't know about me...

1// in grade 7 i was part of an international education exchange to Japan. i lived in Sagamihara with a lovely family. while i was there they really wanted me to have a traditional Japanese experience, so i slept on a rice mat on the floor of their special prayer room for my entire stay.

2// i will always pick smarties over M&M's. i don't care what you tell me, or how you try and convince me otherwise, the smarties chocolate IS just better!

3// i am a beauty product junkie. i openly admit this fact after years of serious denial. i LOVE products. i have to try it, feel it, test it out and then tell everyone about new finds that i love. this is partly the reason why my husband proposed to me with a TopBox (more on there here).

4// i speak a language that i like to call "Finglish" (english mixed with finnish). my mother immigrated from Finland with her parents to Canada when she was pretty young, and since my dad is Canadian and speaks about two words of Finnish, we developed a blended form of the language to speak with my grandparents. i did also go to Finnish language school for a few years.

5// i have one time in my life miraculously managed to melt a metal pot onto a stove top element ... and I'm still cooking. 

6// i used to work part-time in a costume shop in University and almost became a costume designer. i love all the historic research and study that you never knew about costume design and what it takes to bring the concept of a character to life through excellent designs. .

Two Whole Years

it has been a whole 2 years since my very first blog post on Oomphlove. this little blog has grown so  much visually and behind the scenes since that day. what started as a small side project to reinspire creative living and to post about things i love, has grown into a dedicated passion and a new reason for continued learning. i can't begin to thank all my loyal followers and daily readers and everyone who's supported me in this growth. hang on to your hats, because we are only getting started. cheers! xoxox

A tomato affair

for those of you who may not know i married into a lovely italian family and along with teaching me many amazing traditions and yummy dishes,  they have welcomed me into their long standing yearly tomato sauce making routine. now that i have been properly initiated, I feel that I am fully allowed to state that homemade sauce totally kicks the butt of any store bought kind you can find. i just cannot go back and i will be the first to admit that yes, I'm now a total sauce snob. fresh tomato sauce also allows you to make tasty things like this. each year the entire family (cousins, aunts and uncles too!) gathers up and purchases bushels of tomatoes bought from a local farm. now that we have done this for a few years i've gotten good at knowing just how many bushels makes the amount of sauce that I need to last me one whole year. i have also gotten good at knowing what breed of tomato makes a rich sauce and even what a properly ripe tomato should smell like. typically,  the sauce is made at the end of summer/early fall when tomatoes are at their best – ripe and full of flavour. we always start super early and it often takes all day but we fill this time with music, family visiting, chopping, cooking, coffee break drinking, straining, stirring, salting, heating, canning, and then feet up pizza eating. there is absolutely nothing better than the wafting smell of fresh tomatoes cooking, and i wouldn't trade this day or fun time together for anything in the world.

If you want the full step-by-step how-to for making your own sauce click on this link, which was my very first post on Oomph 

 (so don't mind the format as the site has come a long way since then!)

The Weekend Snapz

a great time this past weekend catching up over mouth watering mexican eats at Milagro's with friends, cross boarder shopping and a gourmet dinner at Bacchus Wine Bar in Buffalo, and testing out new homemade cocktail and focaccia recipe ideas. 

August Long Weekend

Via

a playlist for your long weekend sunshine adventures.

L-Eat Express

middle picture 1 via  & middle picture 2 via

this past friday my dear friend came into the big city for what we like to call a little "pick me up" day – something everyone should plan a few times a year, at least. we met up mid-afternoon post a fabulous hair appointment for a light vegan lunch and then some David's Tea smelling and vintage clothing shopping.  it. was. bliss.  i adore spending afternoons with her,  catching up on our hectic lives, jobs, family and especially post wedding event gossip. later that afternoon we decided we wanted a place just to sit, put our feet up and have a cold coffee/tea. while in the area of Spadina and Adelaide we happened across a place call L-Eat Express. L-Eat Express is part of the L-Eat Group, which is made up of of L-eat Catering, Paese Ristorante and L-eat Express. Having found this place, I highly recommend it if you want something low key and not pretentious (sometimes hard to find downtown I must admit). i will definitely be going  back to when i'm next in that neck of the woods. for anyone who loves a quiet cafe setting, large rustic country kitchen tables, shiny modern accent decor and freshly made food & drinks (also gluten-free friendly) then this is a place to check out. there was vast selection of warm/cold coffees, other specialty drinks and loose leaf tea selections. additionally they offer well-made sandwiches, lunch specials, fresh salads and even a well-stocked bar and bar fridge should you need a light afternoon "beverage" to cool you down, or start off a long weekend celebration. much to my surprise this express cafe was also stocked ceiling to floor with mason jars of homemade pasta sauce, fridges stocked fresh jams – with flavours like vanilla & peach – grab and go fresh cookie doughs, and even bourbon maple syrup, all for sale. it was a clean eaters cafe dream, let me just tell you. i have to think if the express was this good, i can only image using their catering division for future events. some food for thought perhaps.