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4.7.10

Mint & Berry deliciousness.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I was going for a facial.  It was a big deal for me because I don’t often treat myself to things like that.  So, the fact that I scheduled it ahead of time AND made time for it on a weekend made it quite the event.  But the truth is that it was necessary.  More than necessary.  Baby Frank has done a real number on my skin and I needed some professional help.

After an hour of pure bliss, I left looking human again.  My skin was the happiest it’s been in ages.  Seriously.  I was shocked by the improvement and felt like an adult again rather than a 14 year old with puberty-related acne.

The best part for me was that my esthetician used only organic products and ones she felt would be safe for me and FtB.  It hadn’t occurred to me that there might be some essential oils/ingredients might harm the baby.  But apparently, there are some things you should be avoiding while pregnant.  I was very touched that Charmaine took the time to do the research before I arrived.

But I shouldn’t have been surprised.  Charmaine Leah is an organic esthetician, activist for safe cosmetics, and host of the popular video beauty blog glamology.com.  She has been my go-to girl for 8 years and she’s always had a passion for safe, organic and non-toxic products.  So much so that she recently opened her own store.

Mint & Berry is a new online beauty retailer that provides organic skin care, hair, and body products that are natural, ethical, and free of synthetic ingredients.

She only sells/uses products have earned the lowest possible hazardous rating (2 or less) from The Environmental Working Group, an independent non-profit organization that maintains the SkinDeep Cosmetic Safety Database. Furthermore, the products sold at Mint & Berry do not contain any cancer causing, hormone disrupting, synthetic or petroleum derived ingredients, animal by-products or have been tested on animals.

From personal experience, the products she used during my facial were amazing.  I plan to buy a few for myself at home, like I have any chance of replicating Charmaine’s amazingness on my own.  But a girl can try, can’t she??

Charmaine has offered a 15% discount to anyone here who would like to give her products a try.  Just type in FORGETFUL15 where it asks for your coupon code when ordering.  Happy shopping!!

Filed in: Uncategorized
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April 8, 2010 - 12:06 pm

Auntie Kris - Ummm…awesome! I have recently replaced all of my skincare products with natural, paraben-free alternatives and have already noticed huge benefits. Good for her for getting on top of this. There is such a focus on what we put into our bodies…why not what we put ON them? Great post. Does she ship to Bermuda? 😉

4.6.10

Walkin' and talkin'.

A couple of weeks ago, we met up with Michelle and Baby Heaven (as Jaia calls him) and went for a long walk around this gorgeous pond in the west-end.  I had never been there before, but will definitely be back.  Often.  A feast for the eyes and a perfect backdrop for the oodles of photos that I took that day.

The best part was that Jaia, who avoids photos like the plague, asked to have her picture taken.  Every 10 steps.  Poor Michelle and Evan who had their patience tested – but there was no way I was turning down this opportunity as it might never come again.


Filed in: Friends | Jaia | Photos
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April 7, 2010 - 8:34 am

Dan - I love the laughing sequence. Those are keepers forever.

4.5.10

All in a day….

Last week Jaia and I had a big, big day.  I had an early doctor’s appointment, we had some errands to run in the afternoon and then I had a photo session to shoot in the afternoon.  My friend Sarah offered to watch Jaia for me, so she spent a couple of hours racing around on her bike and playing at the park in the blazing sunshine with her little buddy.

When we got home we were both exhausted.  As I sat there wishing I was napping, Jaia looked at me and said, “Mama, you look like you’re really not feeling well.  How about I climb into the chair beside you and tell you I love you?”  And she did.  (Cutest ever).

About 25 minutes later we had dinner.  Jaia ate very quietly, which usually means she likes what we’re haivng, but that day, it was a sign of what was to come mere minutes later…

Filed in: Conversations with Jaia | Hilarity | Jaia | Photos
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April 6, 2010 - 7:12 am

Dan - She is living the dream. A delicious dinner and a nap … 2 of my favourite things.

4.4.10

(Good) Friday Goodness.

Ok, so this week’s edition of Friday Goodness is a day late but it was chock full of so much goodness that I had to post anyway.

1.  WEATHER – I think the thermometer hit 23 or 24 degrees.  On April 2!  It was glorious.  Dan and I in our shorts and t-shirts and Jaia in her “pretty summer dress” spent a good chunk of the day outside basking in the sun.  And Saturday, rinse and repeat.  Except it was HOTTER.  And by hotter I mean almost as hot as Ottawa gets in the middle of summer.  Minus the blinding humidity.

2.  EASTER DINNER – We tried to switch things up and decided to have Easter dinner on Friday instead of Sunday when we knew everyone would already have plans.  It worked like a charm.  Seated around the table were 8 of our nearest and dearest, which was preceded by a couple of hours spent on our patio. (See No. 1)

3.  NCC TRAILS – Ottawa is well known for the vast number of hiking/walking/cross-country skiing/snowmobiling/off-leash dog walking trails that can be found within and around the city.  Dan and I have been taking advantage for years, but had yet to explore many of those close to us in the east end of town.

On Friday we geared up with my camera, some snacks and water, and comfy shoes and went for a trek on one of the many paths found in the Mer Bleue Conservation Area (a.k.a. the Mer Bleue bog).

It never ceases to amaze me that you we are living in a city and yet within a few minutes from home, you can find such beauty.  And we enjoyed ourselves so much that we headed out to an even more amazing spot on Saturday.

4. DAYS OFF – More specifically, Dan having the day off.  I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve really enjoyed a long weekend that wasn’t used to work on the house.  We took full advantage of Friday AND Saturday to spend time together.  And there’s still Sunday to get some work done around the house and feel like we’ve accomplished something.  I wish every weekend was a long weekend.

5.  NESTING – Admit it, ladies.  You nested for your first, but your second…not so much.  My hand is raised along with you.  It’s not that I’m not excited – I am – it’s just that I’ve had very little time to devote to it.  Combine that with feeling tired and pretty crappy, and setting up a nursery or prepping a hospital bag remained low on the list.

Other than buying a few necessities, not much has been done in preparation for Baby Frank’s arrival at all.  But then I went out to dinner with a couple of girlfriends on Thursday who both asked if I was ready.  **Gulp**  Not one bit.

So early on Friday, before we began our day, Dan and I set about doing a little work on the new baby’s room.  Junk is removed.  Crib is set up.  Bedding put on.  I still have a little painting and a teeny bit of set up to do, but I’d say I’m 73% farther ahead than I was a few days ago.  And it feels good.

Filed in: Friday Goodness | Jaia | Photos | Uncategorized | Weather
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April 4, 2010 - 10:40 pm

Auntie Jenny - Looks amazing.

I had a dream about FtB last night – he was already two and we were all at a lake somewhere (and nobody knew how to drive the boat). I wonder if he will look the same as I pictured 🙂 Can’t wait to meet him.

April 5, 2010 - 7:42 am

Shannen - Me too, Auntie Jenny, me too! I keep wondering how much he’ll look like his big sister… 😉

April 6, 2010 - 7:10 am

Dan - It was a *phenomenal* weekend. What did we do to deserve that weather?
Jen: how can we find out if he looks like you dreamed? Can you draw a sketch for us?

April 6, 2010 - 1:44 pm

Auntie Kris - Great photos! I love long weekends where you can relax AND accomplish things and enjoy every minute.

3.31.10

Surprise, surprise!

Dan is one of those people who wants very little fuss for his birthday.  When I asked him a few weeks ago what he’d like to do, he thought about it for a little while and then suggested we go to a movie.  That’s it.  No dinner, no time with friends.  A movie.

Not good enough, if you ask me.  So I started concocting a plan.  It was small and easy enough at first.  I’d whisk him away to Montreal for the weekend.  Then I mentioned it to Sonja and Mark who thought they’d like to join us.  Michelle, Gary, Evan and Jason, too.  Then our friends Jon and Des came to Ottawa for a visit and I mentioned it to them – and much to my surprise, they thought the plan was fantatic and decided to come from Toronto to meet us in Montreal.

Jon then suggested I invite Chris (Crispy).  And when Chris agreed to fly in from Calgary, I was floored.

The plan came together.  It was almost too easy.  The only  hard part was keeping the secret from the birthday boy.  The key was to not talk about it in front of Jaia.  We all know how well she keeps a secret.  But somehow, I managed to not let anything slip for weeks!

This is how it went down…

Surprise 1: Wednesady night.  I told him we were going to Montreal for the weekend so he’d have tome to prepare.  Thinking it was a trip for just the three of us, Dan starting coming up with things we could do as a family while there.

Surprise 2: Thursday night.  I arrived home in time for dinner with Crispy in tow.  Dan’s face was priceless.

Surprise 3: Friday night.  Arrived at our hotel and minutes later, in saunters Sonja and Mark.  Unfortunately, I was out at the car and missed the reaction – but apparently it was a good one.

Surprise 4: Saturday afternoon.  While sitting in Mark and Sonja’s room, there’s a knock at the door.  In walk Michelle, Gary, Evan and Jason.

We spent the afternoon at a brew pub with the crew (except for me, Jaia and Evan) sampling everything from Maple Beer to Black IPA.  Apprently, they were out of this world.  Dinner, also at a brew pub.  After dinner, another brew pub.  See a pattern?

All in all, I think the birthday boy had a fantastic time.  My thanks go to all who showed up and made the weekend an absolute blast.

And of course, my camera came along to document the whole thing.  Brace yourself.  I’m posting all of my favourites.

Jaia asked specifically for a picture with Mark.

And for some reason, jumping on a hotel bed is WAY more fun than jumping on beds at home.  I can’t say I mind…

I believe this was the maple beer.

Sonja had an interesting lunch.  Check out item #1.

Staring contest.  I think Jaia won.

Filed in: Birthdays | Photos
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March 31, 2010 - 10:10 am

contributor mark - oh man, great snaps. Had an awesome time (obviously) – we should hit Montreal more often.

March 31, 2010 - 11:12 am

Auntie Jenny - awesome photos! looks like it was a good time.

April 1, 2010 - 2:41 am

Heather - Mmm, you had me at ass sandwich

April 1, 2010 - 8:03 am

Auntie Kris - Awesome photos! The Mark vs. Jaia photo is hilarious. Looks like a great time and I’m glad it all worked out.

Happy belated birthday, Dan!

April 1, 2010 - 12:05 pm

Dan - I was spoiled, such a great weekend with my girls and friends. Thanks again to all who made it possible.

April 1, 2010 - 3:56 pm

contributor mark - no pic of the glass of ice cubes?