Updated on September 23, 2019
MONDAY MUSINGS: KEEP MOVING!
Hi Guys,
Hope you had a fun weekend and squeezed in some R & R time too!
Last Tuesday was a frustrating day. My automatic car door opener wouldn’t open! The rain was pouring down and try as I might, the door opener would not budge! I had to think fast… Yes! I had another spare key at home, so off I trudged in the rain, getting soaked. If my head was properly screwed on, I could have just separated the key from the automatic plastic part and opened the door manually!! Fortunately, my office is only a 10 mins. walk from home — 15 mins in the rain!
Avoiding all the rain puddles, I passed a very pleasant and spritely man who put a set of chat on me. Hello! Strangers in the rain, exchanging glances… I had seen him out walking the previous day when my car was in for service. He told me his name was Alan and that every day he walks no less than 20 miles — no less! He looked like a healthy 72 year old, so I was shocked when he told me he was 88 years old! Two years short of 90 and he was walking no less than 20 miles a day! He was as fit as a fiddle and delighted with himself! Notice how clean his shoes are for all that walking!! Doesn’t he look amazing for 88!!
Alan was such a happy and simple man, collecting cans, and taking breaks in between. He told me he lived on the 17th floor in an apartment with panoramic views over the city and Mount Baker. In addition, he owned 4 apartments in Ottawa, which were managed, as well as other property around Canada. I was floored! And that he was a millionaire who did this walking for R & R! Something about him made me believe him. You read about eccentric millionaires doing weird stuff like that!!
The bottom line my friends — WALKING makes you happy!! CHATTING to strangers is fun — And no, you can never judge a book by its cover!!
Happy New Week!! and remember KEEP MOVING…It makes you happy!!
Hugs
Patricia xxx
Updated on September 21, 2019
FASHION FRIDAY WITH FELICIA!
TGIF Guys,
It’s PONCHOS AND PASHMINAS WEEK!
Don’t be alarmed, Felicia is trying to look like Victoria Beckham lol!!
Can you believe it’s Friday again!! Time is flying! We must be having fun. Well, Felicia sure had lots of fun! Here she is modelling some of my favourite Fall Pashminas and Ponchos with contrasting hats and berets. I keep asking her to smile, but she tells me it’s her Victoria Beckham resting B face and who am I to argue?
I love the warm burnt orange colours mixed with burgundy. Mustard yellow also adds a bit of fashion heat! I like adding bling to hats too and a dramatic brooch can really lift a pashmina.
Hope you are having fun with your Fall wardrobe. I love when my clothing reflects what is going on outside in nature. Right now, the leaves are falling and pumpkins are busy growing in the fields in preparation for Halloween. Love it!!
Happy Weekend!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Posted on September 18, 2019
WEDNESDAY WOMAN: SALLY SUNSHINE!
This is my friend Anita, aka Sally Sunshine. She is my Wednesday Wow Woman, because she brings so much New Zealand sunshine wherever she goes! She is everybody’s cheerleader, and like all Good Samaritans, puts herself last on the list! She is one Hot Momma and charming grandmother to her four delightful grandchildren. What’s not to love about a fun Granny who buys you ice cream and brings you love wrapped up in big colourful ribbons and bows.
The list of hungry hearts she feeds is long, and getting longer by the day! There was that stray cat she fell in love with in Costa Rica and brought home on the airplane, and the beloved pet dog she exhumed from his city dwelling, because she wanted him to sleep peacefully in the forest. And her walls covered in art work she bought from all those starving artists, just to be kind!
The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, the neighbours all around her in the condo block, the lonely girl down the street, the widows, divorcees, people needing rides to the hospital, the airport, the bus, the forgotten pets, the forgotten people… She reaches out like Mother Teresa to each and every one. Hello Ms. Wednesday girl! How do you make time for everybody?
We both love to have fun and push the boundaries of grown-up behaviour! Neither of us behave appropriately for our age, which is a good thing. We like to wear bright colours and big bling, eat fish tacos, and be merry. Is it any wonder then we have been friends for a very long time. Sisters from another Mother!!
Happy am I to have Sally Sunshine in my life!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Updated on September 16, 2019
MONDAY MUSINGS: BUSY YOURSELF LIVING!
Top of the morning friends!
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and feel nice and rested as we begin a brand new week. I had a few ‘Eureka’ moments last week, which I wanted to share with you. Good news and sad news. Perhaps it will affect you the way it did me. The sad news was a friend of mine was diagnosed with Type 3 cancer. It was a shock to us all, as she was given a clean bill of health earlier this year. She is currently going through the ‘anger’ stage, and with good reason too. Suddenly, the pace of her life has sped up enormously as she tries to take it all in. Sobering news like that makes you realize just how precious and fragile life really is.
As I was thinking about my friend, the postman dropped off a magazine. I picked it up and mindlessly leafed through the pages. I saw a face I recognized. That sure got my attention! It was a man I had met earlier in the year at a convention. He had lost a massive amount of weight — 153.4 lbs. to be precise! And looked fantastic! Ever since I read his inspiring story, I have been going around like a firecracker, trying to squeeze as much fun out of life as possible — not that I didn’t do so before lol!
Working as an engineer, this man was involved in a car accident and overnight his life took a turn for the worse. He became very depressed and began comfort eating. He was far away from home, had no support around him, was bedridden and grossly overweight. Sadly, his marriage fell apart too. His life was in a shambles for sure! He decided NOT to feel sorry for himself but to do something about it. His advice to others was simple but really resonated with me.
“You always have a choice in life. You can get busy dying or you can get busy living.”
If your life is not to your satisfaction, Yes, you do have a choice! You always have a choice. Become the change you want to see in your life. Not tomorrow, when it could be too late. Start today — no time like the present! Why busy yourself dying when you could be living? Dying — as in negative thoughts, self-sabotaging behaviour, etc. Living — as in enjoying your life, being grateful, and living in the moment. Be aware of when you are busy dying and when you are busy living. Which feels better? For sure, I know!!
Hugs,
Patricia
Updated on September 13, 2019
FASHION FRIDAY: CLOSET RE-ORGANIZATION!
TGIF Guys!
Hope you’ve had a great week so far! I’ve been a busy girl reorganizing my Fall closet. I absolutely love it now and find it so easy to put outfits together. I have 8 weeks of total Autumnal Heaven — September and October! Pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks adds more flavour to the season! November 1st, after Halloween, I switch things around again. Then it will be Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter! Thus, keeping the energy in my closet moving. This way I get to really savour each season. Some Fall clothes can transition to Winter.
The visual of all those rich warm Autumnal colours is pure eye candy! I love getting dressed now and no longer have to ask myself “What should I wear today?” It’s all there and I have made a list of several outfits, in case I have forgotten!! I added some cute pictures on the wall in addition to fragrance sachets which not only deliver a heavenly perfume, but also an uplifting message every time I go in. “Hello Gorgeous!” What a friendly welcome!! You too can add little bits and pieces to make your sanctuary special! It’s your she-she space!!
As a result of going through all my clothes in the basement, I found stuff I had forgotten I even had! Who knows that feeling? I know my favourite fashion blogger, Trinny Woodall, has that issue too lol. The only difference is she has 16 wardrobes!! I cannot compete there. That would totally confuse me. Less is more for me these days!! Well, as a result of finding forgotten stuff, I put this outfit together and love it!! I bought the jacket on sale a few years ago at Banana Republic but never wore it. Now I wear it all the time and teamed it up with a pair of pants I rarely wore. I added my leopardskin belt and matching boots for some Va Va Voom!! My Friday outfit of the day.
I love having all my scarves and jewellery organized too. This was the first year I separated my seasonal bling and it really does make a huge difference!
Hope I have inspired you to have more FUN with your Fall Wardrobe and embrace the changing seasons with Gusto!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
