Saturday, January 28, 2012

Amendment to my list

So I came across this list of 15 things to do before baby according to The Nest Website and thought it was worth checking out....just to see how many things I have already done, or how many I can still accomplish etc. 


I was happy to see that there were plenty of items like Road Trips, Boozy Lunches with friends, being the last to leave a party and taking a Wine Tour that I had already checked off (what kind of Okanagan girl would I be if I hadn't been on my fair share of wine tours right!?!). Others would be entirely inappropriate since we are expecting already and not just thinking about adding a baby to our lives....for example I am pretty sure there is a rule against pregnant women skydiving or bungee jumping. And many of the items that I haven't yet done are luckily also items that I don't really have any interest in! But there was one item in particular that had me wishing I had seen this list before I made my 2012 list!

# 9: Spend an entire day in bed together watching movies??...Ummm, yes please!!!

When are we ever going to be able to do this again? Never!! I must make an amendment to my list!! Is that allowed?? Well, I made it.....so I can change it right!?! So, since I was starting to feel depressed about the idea of going to Whistler without being able to snowboard and we already have another weekend getaway to Seattle planned anyway....#3....you are being replaced! Can't wait for a rainy day to snuggle up with my hubby and have a luxurious, uninterrupted day of watching movies and snacking on popcorn. Perfection :) 
♥ Lindsay

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

#4....read 5 books....what was I thinking??

Ok so I just realized that I have less than 5 months before baby.....which means just 5 more months of luxurious, uninterrupted reading time!! 5 non-baby related books in 5 months....no problem right?!? After all, I did read a book a month last year as part of my no-shopping project. I love reading....so it shouldn't feel like a chore but I guess it may have slipped my mind that there are a few slight differences this year.... not only am I working full time but I also have millions of other things left to do to prepare for baby!?! Not to mention the fact that I also have these 7 books (that my fabulous Mom friends have so graciously lent me...thank you ladies) to read along the way too!! 



Although at this moment I may have lost sight of why I thought this list item was a good idea, I am sure I will appreciate it when I am sleep-deprived and the only books I am reading are of the children's variety (not that I mind, because I kind of love *kids books....I think all elementary teachers do)! Since last year I didn't buy any books and I finished reading all the books on my shelf that I hadn't yet read, I thought it might be nice to reward myself with a few new books for this list item. I got 2 new books in my stocking for Christmas, so that left 3 spots in my '5 books in 5 months' project. So I headed to Chapters, gift card in hand (Thanks Josh and Robyn) to find 3 more books to get me excited about list item #4. 
Here is the final list.....
I am officially ready to go and enjoy my last few months of relaxing, reading time!



*Side note: speaking of kids books there was a tiny impulse buy that I couldn't resist....this adorable boardbook is too cute!! It's never too soon to start (or in my case...add to) baby's first library right?

♥ Lindsay

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Visit from Friends and #7

I love when friends come to Vancouver, but I love it even more when friends come to visit in January and it is actually sunny! My fellow Vancouverites know that sunny days are few and far between during the Winter months....maybe it's just me, but I view the rainy days as the price we pay to live in such a fabulous city :) So my point is....it's always nice to show off your city to friends when it's at its best weather-wise. Because she has a young family, it's been a very long time since my best friend Erin has come to Vancouver to visit....once was in 2005 when she was pregnant with her first baby and we were shopping for my wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses etc and then in 2009, she came for my birthday.....but this was the first time the whole family came for a visit!!! We have been pretty good with alternating visiting each others cities, so I think we see each other pretty often considering how far apart we live, but it is always soooo nice to get some good, quality best-friend time :)



We had decided weeks before that since the Crawfords are also huge Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives fans (in fact, I believe it was Erin's husband who first introduced me to the show) we had to make sure we hit up one of the only Guy Fieri recommended joints in Vancouver Jethro's Fine Grub to check off #7 on my list and let me tell you it definitely did not disappoint!!

Guy's stamp of approval


I ordered the strawberry pancakes.....I figured two pancakes would be perfect for me, little did I know they were an inch thick and larger than the plate they came on!!! 
Clearly they are going for shock value more than appropriate size portions....but boy were they tasty! Not only did they have strawberries cooked into the batter, but they were topped with real whipped cream and fresh strawberries. YUM!


What did I get myself into?


 I would love to tell you that I finished them....or even that I put a pretty good dent in them....but embarrassingly enough I barely finished half....of just one of the pancakes.
 In fact, the leftovers barely fit in the takeout container. 




Don't worry though, they didn't go to waste, my hubby and I shared the rest for breakfast the next day and they tasted just as delicious! Maybe next time we go for breakfast at Jethro's, we should share....


♥ Lindsay

Monday, January 16, 2012

Who knew?

So my friend Erin suggested this when I was cutting up green onions for Nacho Soup. She saw it on Pinterest, so I thought I would give it a try. You leave a bit of the end of the green onions and then put them in a jar with a bit of water....and get this...they grow MORE green onions!! Who knew? It doesn't even take that long either. The picture below is after a few days and they grew 5 or 6 inches. It's like getting free green onions....ok, ok maybe I am the only one that gets excited about little things in life like a few inches of green onions growing in water....but the way I see it is.... free stuff is free stuff right?!? No? Just me? 


♥ Lindsay

Sunday, January 15, 2012

#9a....check!

Before going to Peru I had the best intentions to make some multi-purpose clothing items to round out my travel wardrobe, but in the end I simply ran out of time! So in my closet sits a few yards of lovely coral jersey material, just waiting to be made into a versatile maxi skirt....that can also be worn as a tube dress. Now my sewing skills are a bit lacking (I usually stick to the odd pillow cover here and there....you know mostly straight lines) so I wasn't sure if a skirt would be a little ambitious, but hey the material cost around $8 so what's the worst that could happen right? I did, however need some guidance, so of course I googled maxi skirt tutorial (oh what did we do before google?) and voila...I found this fabulous blog Elle Apparel. Leanne gives step-by-step instructions on how to make this adorable skirt! The best part is she is pregnant too....how cute does she look in the skirt with her little bump?!? 


Here is my final product.....I love how comfy it is with the foldover waist band!




Plus you can wear it was it as a dress. 
I think it looks pretty cute belted....just add flip-flops for an easy, casual summer look! 
Now, if only summer would come sooner.....I can't wait to wear it :)

 ♥ Lindsay 

Saturday, January 7, 2012

My 2012 Project

I know we are a week into 2012 already, but I have finally decided on my 2012 project. I had a few ideas floating around in my head, but in the end I decided to join my blogging friends, the J Sisters, in their 30 before 30 lists. Now, I know I already turned 30, but apparently that is not a problem since many participants have adapted their lists to be 30 before 32, 30 before 30 something and even 30 before crazy :) So just like age is just a number....the 30 list items are just that too...a number of things I want to accomplish in the next year!

As I sat down to come up with my list I was reminded of a similar list I found last year in an old journal of mine....it was a list of things I had written at the age of 12 that I hoped to accomplish by the time I was "old...like 30".Yep...it actually said that. I guess 30 seems a lot older than it is at the age of 12! The list consisted of things like.... be famous, marry a rich man, have 3-5 children, have a large house, beautiful wardrobe, and a vacation home on a private island. I think this was more of a fantasy list than a realistic expectation of where I thought I would be at 30, so I definitely won't be using any of those list items! 

Then, when I was 25 I had a bit of a quarter-life crisis and ended up writing a bucket list of things I wanted to do in my lifetime. That list was not only less shallow and more meaningful than the list made by my 12 year old self (I guess I matured a bit in 13 years...thank goodness), but also more attainable. That list has 95 items and I have checked off 45. Not bad.... but that means there are still 50 things left, so I borrowed a few from that list and combined it with more specific ones to where my life is now to create my 2012 list. There is also a bit of a theme for the list I came up with....life, love and baby!! Yep...one of my big list items (both from the 12 year old version and the one I made at 25) involved having children....and we are thrilled to be expecting our first baby in June 2012. So, that is kind of a big change in our lives that has shaped my list for sure!!! Since baby is coming right in the middle of the year, I decided to divide the list into pre-baby and after baby. I love the idea of using the list as a reminder of what I want out of life, to help me focus on what I find important and to do what I enjoy.....both as a part of a family of 2 and as a family of 3.
After all that is what my One Life to Love project is all about!

So that was my extremely long-winded explanation of how I came up with my list of 
30 things to accomplish while I am 30 (I turn 31 in December) 
and of course I will be blogging all about it along the way! 

The List

Before baby:
1. Host a dinner party 
2. Purge and organize storage room and dreaded office/filing nightmare corner
3. Whistler Weekend getaway with the hubby
4. Read 5 books
5. Do a belly photo shoot
6. Get a new car
7. Visit one of the Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives recommended restaurants in Vancouver
8. Outfit the house for baby for under $5000 
(do lots of crafting, DIY, borrowing, craigslist and second-hand store hunting)
9. Finish the craft projects I started or bought materials for and never got around to 
a) make a maxi skirt
b) Vancouver Photo Wall Art project
c) crocheted blanket for baby
10. Continue craft and Bachelor Mondays with Jill and Corinne
11. Seattle Shopping Weekend Getaway
12. Decorate the Baby corner (since we have a 1 bedroom apartment, baby gets a corner)
13. Take a prenatal yoga class
14. Go to the Museum of Anthropology (Ty won free passes at his Holiday Party)
15. Movie Date with hubby 

After baby:
16. Blog at least twice a month
17. Learn more about photography and take lots of photos
18. Go to a FreshAirCinemas outdoor movie
19. Do a Family Camping Trip
20. Take Family trip to Ontario to visit extended family
21. Family snowshoe adventure
22. Try and stick to doing family date night once a month 
(take advantage of free and cheap activities in Vancouver)
23. Bowen Island picnic and hike
24. Do the 12 Dates of Christmas in December (idea from the Rockstar Diaries blog)
25. Cut down our own Christmas tree
26. Buy a condo (hopefully)
27. Have a beach BBQ
28. Start and continue exercise program to lose baby weight
29. Host a waffle brunch party
30. Learn how to make baby food

Now that you have seen my list..... who wants to join me? You can make a list too and send it to onelifetoloveproject@yahoo.ca so I pass it on to the J Project Girls. 
Then we can track each others progress and create a community of support and encouragement to check off those list items!!
Good luck and Happy List Making!
♥ Lindsay

Thursday, January 5, 2012

First shopping excursions of 2012!

The past year was challenging and wonderful all at the same time, so that explains my mixed feelings about the end of my year-long no shopping project. I was happy with my accomplishment and I looked back fondly on what a fabulous year I had, but let's be honest.....I was also extremely excited to go shopping!! 


Day 1: So January 1st, I headed to the mall with my wish list in hand, and my hopes high. 
2012 Wish List:
Nike Free Run Shoes
Moccasins
Lululemon Awareness Wrap
Black Boots (flat)
Chunky Knit Sweater
Coral Flats
Cute Flowy Tops
Floral Top
Aritzia Leather Jacket
Cute Dresses
Converse Chucks (grey or black)

I guess I sort of assumed that the shopping Gods would reward my year of sacrifice with a perfect shopping trip where I could check off all the items on my wish list. Too much to ask? Apparently so! 
With  Murphy's Law in full effect, my first shopping expedition ended up both fruitless and frustrating. I had forgotten all about the agony of decision-making and the pressure of the hunt....and so at the end of day one, I walked away with one shirt! 

I couldn't believe it....after a whole year of not shopping and finally being able to go out and buy anything I want and.....nothing. Right colour, wrong size or right size, wrong colour.... lead to tears of frustration and perhaps a minor meltdown I am not proud of, over a pair of moccasins that I was in love with, but the size 7 was too small and the size 8 was too big. Ugggh!! I was about ready to swear off shopping for life.....well almost anyways...until my hubby talked some sense into me and helped me realize that it was unrealistic to think that I would be able to find every item I have longed for, coveted or dreamed of for the past year in just one day! So I decided to adjust my expectations and start fresh another day. 

Day 2: January 2nd, I set out again, list in hand but equipped with a better attitude and the day was slightly more successful! I found a pair of moccasins that not only fit me, but I loved them even more than the ones from the day before. The right size, the right colour and on sale.....my faith in shopping was starting to be restored. 
I was also able to find the comfiest, cosiest sweater ever from Lululemon in my size! Yep, today was a much better day.


Day 3: Earlier today, I was heading out for an appointment and it just so happens that there are quite a few shops along the way. In fact, the route to my doctor's office was one of the biggest areas of temptation in 2011. On this day, I didn't even intend on shopping but what can I say...I am still a sucker for a sale! I was very careful to stick to my list though and only buy things that I love and need, not just because they are on sale. Well I happened to find.... not 1, not 2, not even 3.... but 4 list items!! 
 
I found a cozy chunky knit sweater in the perfect neutral colour, a pretty black lacy tank, a flowy pink dress and a pair of cute casual runners (similar to Converse chucks, but bonus....they don't make my feet look huge and they are slip-ons!)









Post 3-day Shopping Trip- Updated 2012 Wish List:
Nike Free Run Shoes
Moccasins  
Lululemon Awareness Wrap
Black Boots (flat)
Chunky Knit Sweater
Coral Flats
Cute Flowy Tops
Floral Top
Aritzia Leather Jacket
Cute Dresses
Converse Chucks (grey or black)


So the moral of the story is that shopping is a little like falling in love ....it is only when you stop looking that you find just what you are looking for. Too much pressure and too many expectations only set you up for disappointment. 
Who knew there were so many lessons to be learned from the shopping world!?!
♥ Lindsay

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Pay it forward...

At the beginning of my challenge I anticipated saving quite a bit of money from not shopping this year, so I decided that I should take the opportunity to donate to a charity to help others live a life they love as well! For the entire year, visitors to my blog could vote on what they thought would be the most deserving charity....and as of the December 31, 2011 deadline it was a tie!! 
So I will be splitting the donation between....



and the Vancouver Chapter of




  So not only did my project end up bettering my own life.....but others as well! 


♥ Lindsay