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!

Pippit

image via

as of today there is a new app in town and it is call Pippit, created by the lovely ladies and gents behind the well-known blogs Love Taza and Oh Joy. if you have a deep seated love for all things Instragram and find yourself screen saving shots of interesting decors, fashion, or DIY projects, this app will now do all that for you into lovely categories you can easily access. 

image via itunes/pippit

you can now follow your favourite blogs through one central app. you can even create your own "pips" by posting photos, content or videos, and pinning links and descriptions on items within (for example - direct links to where you bought those cute shoes, or your favourite restaurant or hotel you stayed at while travelling). social media is very much a phone game these days, lets be honest. it's not really something we do very often sitting in front of our desktop computers. Pippit is designed by bloggers, with bloggers and blog readers in mind. it's a great app for content creators looking to share information faster and in a more friendly way with their audiences, and especially for readers who want a one stop shop for everything rather than toggling between windows on our phones. i'm excited to spend the next few days test driving this app, if not for anything other than i really love saying the name too, perhaps followed by a good "chip chip cheerio!"  if you test out the app, share your experiences likes and dislikes in the comments below.

you can also follow Pippit on twitter for more tips and suggestions on how to use the app Twitter.com/PippitApp/following

La Societe - Toronto

two images via here and here

on my birthday my husband surprised me with a wonderful evening out. he cleverly knew where to find my notepad with scribbles of "restaurants i want to try" and arranged to picked me up after work and whisk us off to dinner at a placed called La Societe on Bloor Street. when we try a new restaurant (especially when celebrating) we allow ourselves to be a little more self indulgent than normal by testing a few different options on the menu. on first impression La Societe is a place that transports you to Paris and back for an evening. designed to look like a parisian style bistro this place is very unique. the cuisine is exactly as you could find in France and is by far some of the best food we have ever tasted. mouth watering heaven.

here is my best advice on how to enjoy an evening here:

head over before your reservation time and gracefully start your evening at the bar and order a Negroni, or Lillet cocktail. once you are settled on the bar stool with your drink sit back, sip and take in the scenery. allow yourself to start to feel relaxed. 

then while you are begin walked to your seat in the dining room, look up. take in that breathtaking art that is a stainglass ceiling 

start out by ordering the a charcuterie platter to share. one with a mix of duck and pork pate, terrines and pickled vegetables all arranged on a wooden board with the very best in dijon mustard pairings.

next order a glass of white wine like a Pinot Gris and a bowl of their french onion soup. for an entree you cannot go wrong with the classic duck confit. the aroma and fall off the bone meat are really outstanding. i don't just want to go back for it again, i need to go back.

end off this perfect evening with a latte and a macaron.

what a birthday! it was the best day, with the best scenery and the very best date. I feel so grateful for all the wonderful things that happened last year and can't wait to see what is coming around the bend for this one.

Blue Mountain Ski Resort & Village

fortunately in my job i get to travel a fair bit, which is something i dearly love to do. last week my travels took me to Blue Mountain Ski Resort & Village up in Collingwood, Ontario for a conference. it's a beautiful remote place that very much makes you feel like you are in a european ski village. with boutique suites and lodge homes, these rentals come equipped with large living spaces, very comfortable beds, large stone fireplaces and full kitchens – you can easily stay here for a few days and find options on a low budget. if you are an avid skiier there are tons of runs to choose from and even shuttle service to help get you around. for those looking to learn there are many instructors happily on hand ready to give you a lesson. after a full day of skiing or snow tubing, i highly recommend you head to the Scandinave Spa for a little apres ski warmth, and relaxation. this authentic nordic experience specializes in scandinavian baths and hydrotherapy to help you unwind by following the traditional cycle of warmth, rinse and relaxation. heck, you could even plan a  trip this winter with friends to drive up and use only the spa facilities for the day for only $40! blue mountain is also home to some very wonderful artisan shops featuring local artists, a number of beer pumping pubs and even a very yummy martini bar (along with many other options). no trip should be complete without a visit to Jozo's Original Apres and eating a warm beaver tail. it's been a brutally cold winter over here, but there is so much we can still do to enjoy this time of year! 

Good things come in small packages...

all images from http://www.drifterandthegypsy.com/little-projector-named-projecteo/. check out there review too!

have you seen this yet? it's called Projecteo and i'm completely obssessd with it because it's just so dang cute. heck, anything mini size just seems to get me.  basically it's the worlds smallest projector designed specifically to showcase your instagram pics in a unique way. that means, no more saving them to your desktop to think about printing later, or making grand plans to craft some online photobooks, or creating DIY instagram magnets. now you can take your beautiful pictures and make your own miniature 35mm slide film wheels to showcase your snaps. so how does it work?  you start by accessing your instagram account, then pick nine pictures which you upload to Projecteo. once received they are  develop onto a tiny 35mm slide film (very much like one of these, does anyone remember those???). the only other thing you need to do is buy your projector for $25.99, but once you have it you can make as many wheels ($8.99 a wheel) as you want. like i said, i am already all over this idea. i mean, you can just throw it in your pocket and off you go! perhaps this could even open up an innovative way to showcase your brand in a pitch meeting, or a memorable method of presenting quick images of an online portfolio to a possible client. the options really could be endless. apparently the saying is true, good things really do come in small packages (said this short little blogger).

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. 

One Whole Year

 

Over a year ago I decided to under take a 365 day project. In hindsight (such a beautiful thing isn't it?), I never would have anticipated it would have been such an undertaking.  I mean really, what is one picture a day ... pfft! Well let me tell you, it is definitely not as easy as it sounds. A few months in I noticed it was getting harder and harder to keep the photo's coming and interesting. I had to hunt out a good photo and try and come up with different angles and lighting to help keep things creative. But here it is, my entire life for one year, in little tiny photo's. wow. As silly as this may sound. I think this is one of my proudest moments. I stuck it out, I struggled through it, but I did it and I couldn't have been more glad I did. 

Without my knowledge in this one single year of my entire life so far, I improved my photography skills, got asked by my best friend to marry him, saw two dear friends have the most beautiful babies, travelled on a number of small trips, got my Finnish citizenship, won and award and bought a house. 

I plan to make a print out of this entire year and frame it. It's been one of the best years to date, and I am so glad I didn't miss a moment of it. Thank you to all my beloved friends, family and followers who checked in on a regular basis to follow in this adventure. On to the next project ...

Click here to see each photo in more detail! Also, check out the iPod music update on our player!

Dear Puffy Pancake

Dear puffy oh-so-delicious berry  pancakes, you don't even know it but you just made my day. I love me my pancakes and i'm not sure if that is because I used to devour the homemade Finnish crepes (as my Canadian friends called it) as a kid, but I love me these eats something crazy. With it being the kick-off to lent it's been a pancake fest around here here parts. A fantastic afternoon break with friends cooking, mouth watering, laughing, eating... oh ya, and more eating. omg. stuffed.   An excellent time. But now do i give up pancakes for lent? Pff.  I think not. 

ps. fresh lemonade or gingerale makes a wonderful paring with these!

pps. Check out the new ipod update in the player and enjoy!

A Tree Story

 it was love at first sight.

when we saw this little puff ball christmas tree.

so we let her camp out in our living room for a few days

and then decided to dress her up for the holidays.

she is an amazing house guest and smells so very good.

        we had the best time decorating our first tree with our treasured old and new ornaments! 

merry christmas! xoxox

ps. enjoy some holiday tunes in the music box (up and to your left!).

O Christmas Tree

In my family it never feels like Christmas time until we make our annual trip up to the Drysdale tree farm and cut our perfect Christmas tree. Rain or snow storm it is always the best day no matter what. We get up super early, pack coffees, chocolates and cherries for the car ride up north, and then spend the better part of the day layered in woolies hiking through the forest, pine tree pinching, fresh air smelling, tractor riding, Clydesdale horses watching, hot chocolate sipping and marshmallow roasting. We have kept this tradition of the tree farm day for almost 30 years now. It is deeply rooted and one that we never  like to miss out on (although it sometimes happens since we've gotten older). This year was extra special for me because the new house gets it's very own real Christmas tree! I can't get enough of that fresh pine smell! I've been working away on some homemade decorations and have been counting down for this day to come. I am now officially ready for you Christmas.