Mid-Season Blues

I was up in Harrison Hot Springs for a wedding this weekend, but just as an Assistant. It had been a long week and my partner Devon insisted I come up to help for the evening, but only after I spent the day poolside (she sure knows how to drive a hard bargain). I even went to the gym in the morning, without the guilt of relying on my parents for childcare, putting off work or ignoring the housekeeping. It was only a few hours of solitude, but I can't express just how fantastic it was to be on my own. I read halfway through Revenge Wears Prada, finished the newest issues of US Weekly and listened to my favourite kind of playlist of Jay Z, Drake, A Tribe Called Quest, Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce (and just a little Katy Perry) all while working on my tan.  

Molly is back from her family vacation now so I am back to juggling her schedule with ours. Getting Eloise and me up, fed, dressed and out of the house for the day is not so simple when mornings still require a good amount of time at the computer answering to clients. My house is a nightmare, Chris is neglected and a dozen more weddings to go this year lead to what Devon calls the mid-season blues. 

But will you have a look at Eloise and Molly on their first day back together? 

That's some pretty sweet sisterly love and I'm thankful to give them this time together, even if I am completely worn out. 

You're Not A Teenager Anymore

Another year and I actually feel a little different. Older. For the first time in as long as I can remember I had no desire to get everyone together for a night out or my usual week-long birthday celebration. Instead I just wanted to relax, be quiet. I enjoyed a very indulgent Saturday afternoon at the spa, attended a baby shower and had a family dinner on Sunday.

What's funny about 28 is that it is 10 long years away from being 18, a year I will always remember fondly. I think it may be the year I am most nostalgic for. It was my last year of high school and I was at the dance studio almost every day, then my first year at university and when I really came into my own. 18 was a good year.

I was reminded of how long ago 18 was by my facialist as we discussed my skincare regime. "Ze skin iz a living sing, eet iz constantly evolfing. You're not teenager anymore, you can't uze ze same moisturizer you used ven you ver 18." Drug store products won't cut it anymore, she said. If I want to protect and repair (yup, repair) my skin apparently it's time for 'active ingredients'. That means anti-agers FYI.

Regardless of my pending wrinkles at the fate of $8 cleanser, I have a good feeling about the year ahead. My career is blossoming and this wedding season is going to be exciting - and busy - for both business and pleasure. I get to be a bridesmaid (for the first time!) in the weddings of two of my dearest friends and one of my other besties has finally set a her date for her destination wedding. Several of my friends are having babies and I just can't wait to see them as mommies and hold their tiny little bundles.

I want to complete a few more projects around the house (Eloise's big girl room, pantry reorganization, find a sofa console) so that I can devote time this summer to helping Chris in the garden with a long list of projects. We want to give our back gate and garden more of a presence so there are plans for outdoor lighting, landscaping and building a deck.

I'm working away on my long list of goals for the year, here's hoping it's my best yet.

Goals for a New Year

Now that we are five days into the New Year I feel like I've really had an opportunity to think about what I want to accomplish in the year ahead. No superficial resolutions that dissolve by my birthday, but a set of goals that I can look to when I find myself needing a push.

And so, I give you my Goals for 2013.