Updated on September 28, 2020
MONDAY MUSINGS: GRIT!
If Webster told me I could only choose one word from his dictionary, it would be Grit. I love that word. It’s short, unpretentious, and really packs a punch. Grit doesn’t feel the need to compete with longer more important-sounding words you can’t pronounce or even spell. Webster defines grit as a ‘Firmness of character; indomitable spirit’. And that is why it is my very favourite word, the characteristic I most admire in others, and the one thing I want to supercharge in myself!
Grit is what has kept Oprah Winfrey at the top of her game, despite being sacked early on in her t.v. career and being told she was ‘Unfit for t.v.’. Grit is why we know who Dr. Seuss is today. After his first book was rejected by 27 different Publishers, he knew he could — and he did publish that book! Grit is what Meryl Streep had after being told she wasn’t pretty enough to be a successful actress, and so the story goes…
Nearer to home, grit is what my Grandmother Lena had when left a sorrowing widow at the tender age of 32, with three young children to look after. She cycled 16 miles every day, rain or shine, to her job in the Post Office. Eventually, she became Postmistress, earned more money, invested in property, bought 3 holidays homes which she rented out in the Summer. In addition, she built a big Post Office, shop, and guest house with ten bedrooms. Later, she married again — this time to the most eligible Bachelor in town! —the woman was ahead of her time. That’s what you call Grit — True Grit!!
Author and Professor, Angela Duckworth, is a virtuoso on all that is gritty and great. You can listen to her wax lyrical about it on Ted Talks. If you have a dream, or a goal in mind, it would help to listen to her well-studied ideas on the subject. She has defined grit as a “Sustained perseverance and passion for long-term goals.” The good news on grit is that you can take steps to improve your grittiness. Here are some suggestions from the experts in the field:
Set Goals.
Pursue your passions.
Surround yourself with people that will help you achieve your goals.
Look at failure as a stepping stone to success.
Define your own values and be resilient.
Practice with a purpose.
Practice, Practice, Practice — because it ultimately makes perfect!
Focus on mastering each skill on your roadmap to goal achievement.
In Daniel Pink’s book Drive he says that to be the best, you need to do 10% more than other people. Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers, points to research that states in order to master a skill, it takes 10,000 hours of practice. No shortcuts. Practice, Practice, Practice. It’s your grit that keeps you coming back each day, focused on mastering each skill on your roadmap to goal achievement. The Power of Passion and Persistence is vital and also — Don’t Quit!
Finally, in order to be the grittiest gritter in grit world, it helps to:
Stay Strong in the face of pain!
Be meticulous, detail-oriented, and careful.
Stay confident, committed and optimistic!
Be outstanding or extremely good at what you do.
Stay put in difficult situations to achieve your long-term goals.
Have a great new week and Yes!! I want to be the grittiest gritter in grit world!!
Let’s re-phrase that!! I AM the grittiest gritter in grit world!! Put that in your purse and in prominent places to remind you!!
Lots of love,
Patricia and Coco xxx
Updated on September 25, 2020
FASHION FRIDAY: LET THE BLUE PARTY BEGIN!
TGIF Guys!
I’m sure you’ll agree, this past year has been less than wholesome! Right? We’ve all had to dig really deep within us to find meaning and fulfilment in these dark gloomy times. I’m fighting back with Fashion and for the Winter ahead, the more cheery colours I can pull out from my wardrobe the better my mood will be. Today, it’s about the BLUE!! Next week might be yellow or hot pink or green. Not sure get. But I’ll keep going until all the colours in my wardrobe have come out to play lol! Here goes today’s offering. Again, the theme this month is old friends meeting new!
I had this lovely cobalt blue one-piece ensemble for a few years now. I’m sure you’ve seen it before, but every time I wear it, I feel fantastic, and apparently, I make others feel that way too. Did you know, blue as a colour, has healing properties? Whether you see it on others, or wear it yourself. The bluer the hue, the better for you. You’ll be blue without feeling blue!
Out scouting for bargains recently, I picked up this gorgeous Lili Sidonio sweater reduced by 70% from $99 down to around $34. Into my cart it went! I love the vibrant colour and knew the cheery bronze glitter lettering would be enhanced by my bronze glitter shoes and matching bag. Brown Thomas Dublin, a very she-she shop (owned by Galen Weston of Holt Renfrew), supplied the bag many moons ago. The shoes I had too. So welcome new blue sweater. Meet the gang! Your new friends!!
The DKNY midnight blue puffy rain jacket had an edgy look to it which I liked and it looked great with the Lili Sidonio sweater. At 50% off, it followed Lili S into the cart! I’m feeling blue – but in the nicest possible way!
To switch the look up a bit, I changed my top to a blue cardigan and added some bling. Amazing what a little bling can do! Fashion is all about fun and creativity. It’s the thrill of the chase and the joy of putting an outfit together in a way that makes your heart sing! Like my favourite fashionista, Trinny Woodall, I like to wear an eclectic mix of designer and high street fashion. Stuff that makes my heart leap with excitement!!
So, without further ado friends — Let the colour party begin…
Hugs and from Coco and me!
Patricia xxx
Updated on September 21, 2020
MONDAY MUSINGS: THE EBB AND FLOW OF LIFE.
Hi Guys!
This past week I’ve been a busy beaver packing away all my summer clothes, kissing goodbye to some, donating others to charity and to friends, as well as getting rid of a huge box of old magazines. Don’t you just love the feeling when you do the same? Great relief. Out with the old — in with the new!! I did the annual trudge down to the basement and welcomed back all my Fall/Winter clothes. Yes, it’s time!
Nature is going through the same seasonal metamorphosis as I watch the leaves go through various changes in colour before the final drop. Getting ready for winter hibernation and all that involves is a joyful process. I love heralding in the new seasons and especially love the colour and coziness of Autumn. The chocolate shops make it all the nicer with their special Thanksgiving chocolates and those divine Purdy’s chocolate fall leaves. Yummy!
I rarely noticed the changing seasons when I lived in Ireland as our seasons were never as clearly defined. Here in Victoria, each of the four seasons has its own individual charm. I have a different front door wreath to welcome each one. During Fall we have an extra one for Halloween! And of course Easter Sunday has its colourful Easter egg one!
My wardrobe goes through the same transition. I like to colour co-ordinate with nature, wearing hues similar to the Fall leaves — mustard yellow, burgundy, warm reds, sage green and browns. Gradually, as we near Thanksgiving, the table will be decorated with chocolate turkeys, fall leaves, and the sweet warm scent of pumpkin spice candles will permeate our home. So cozy! And this year we have Coco, our darling new puppy to join us. I wonder if she will enjoy lying in front of a big open fire, just like Lulu and Chi Chi did? Somehow, I think she will. This girl knows a thing or two about cozy!!
After our Canadian Thanksgiving is over, usually around October 10/11th, it will then be full on HALLOWEEN!! However, this year promises to be very different! We don’t know yet how different, but time will tell…I’ll keep you in the know! I feel sad for the little kids, as their world has altered enormously between school and access to friends. Understanding the vital law of ebb and flow in our lives will give us all courage during these dark C-19 days. These times of darkness are preludes to times of light and renewal. We just have to believe…
Yesterday, we passed a pumpkin patch. Usually at this time of the year their fields are awash with the sight of growing pumpkins. It saddened me to see they had only planted about a quarter of their regular amount. I guess they don’t want to be left with tons of unused and rotting pumpkins! But whatever happens with C-19, I will welcome in warmth to my home, decorate with gusto, bring out the scented pumpkin spice candles and usher in another wonderful new Season.
I hope you will join me too!
Lots of love,
Patricia and Coco xxx
Posted on September 18, 2020
FASHION FRIDAY: OLD FRIENDS AND NEW!
TGIF Friends!
After 11 months in captivity, I escaped from my NMS (no more stuff) cage earlier this month. TBH I got kind of bored in captivity! Shopping for fashion bargains is a thrill of mine and God help us in these C-19 bleak days, we need our thrills — right? And the poor struggling retailers need all the help we can give. Right again!
So today, for your visual pleasure, I bring a tale of great fashion joy. I was delighted to discover that one of my favourite Consignment shops, the Velvet Crease here in Victoria, was still open! I absolutely love the idea being promoted in Ireland of adopting a shop. The Velvet Crease is a pleasure to adopt. Such amazing goodies there and terrific bargains. It’s called the #adoptashopmovement and it’s all part of the new conscientious shopping borne out of the C-19 epidemic. We must help independent businesses whenever and wherever we can.
What did I find? A treasure of all treasures! Yes! This fabulous reversible coat featured in today’s Outfit Of the Day, reduced to $42 — cheaper than a takeaway dinner!! What I love about this coat is that unlike most reversible coats, I actually like both sides. I cannot decide which one I prefer. One side is serious and the other side is fun — a bit like all of us in that regard. It was also so easy to clean. When I got home I threw her in the washing machine and hung her to dry. Finished her off with a tumble in the dryer. No expensive dry cleaning bill either!!
My favourite English Fashionista, Trinny Woodall, describes her clothes as friends. And that when you view a new fashion item, you have to ask yourself, would this one be compatible with the friends at home? LOL! So as you can see, she is very compatible with my old friends at home!
The lovely taupe two piece top and skirt inside the coat I bought for my daughter Victoria’s Holy Communion in Calgary at least 20 years ago!! I’m sentimentally attached to it and besides, it’s a timeless beauty and does not date, because of the colour, style, and fabric. I love when I can re-invent old sentimental pieces in my wardrobe and breathe new life into them. I accessorized the serious side with a fabulous electric blue faux collar which I found in a bargain basket before I was locked up in the NMS cage! I got it for — wait — $6.99! The lovely glittery cobalt blue necklace was a find in Ireland some time ago for around nine euros.
The fun side is a lot of fun! The colours are so vibrant and cheery. The colourful scarf and matching umbrella were a fabulous find from Gap years ago. I get so much wear from them that cost per wear is now zero!! I will probably wear my funky orange earrings with the fun side and maybe my Gap denims or winter cream pants.
So as you can see, there are bargains still to be found. Adopt your shop and Go for it!! See what old friends in your wardrobe can be re-invented. This month on Fashion Friday I’m all about breathing new life into old friends!
Remember, do what you love and love what you do!
Hugs from Coco and me,
Patricia xxx
Posted on September 14, 2020
MONDAY MUSINGS: RANDOM ACTS OF COMFORT.
Our iconic Hudson Bay Store just announced they would be performing Random Acts of Comfort next Saturday. Yes!! The Bubble Bus from Babe’s Honey Farm (don’t you love the name?) will be serving free sparkling honey drinks to people. What a sweet idea! It’s just what our lagging spirits need as we face into Winter after a rather lacklustre Summer. Most people feel cheated out of a proper Summer this year. Those dulcet words ‘Random Acts of Comfort’ conjure up such glorious images in my head. I think of everything that is warm, cozy, happy and Hygge!
As we head into Fall, the little bit of Summer we enjoyed seems a distant memory. It’s time to put away all the Summer clothes now and prepare for our Winter Hibernation. It’s going to be Happy Hygge all the way in my home. I’ve already started gathering cozy bits and pieces around me like a squirrel gathering his nuts. Scented candles, fleecy blanket on the couch, slippers, logs by the fireside, books and magazines waiting to be devoured. Nutty banana bread with a warm comforting cup of luxury tea has become an afternoon tradition. As have twice weekly bubble baths with relaxing aromatic Lavender Epsom Salts. Bliss! Foot Spa — more bliss! Listening to relaxing meditation music while soaking your toes. It’s actually a lot easier to be a Happy Hygge-r in the Fall/Winter!
Outside the home, the sight of Fall chocolates artistically displayed in Purdy’s Chocolate shops lifts my spirits. As does the fun and festive appearance of Halloween candy and costumes. Fancy Fall drinks at Starbucks, such as Cinnamon Dolce Latte, Caramel Apple Spice and Salted Caramel Mocha bring a smile to my face and make me feel that yes, life is slowly returning to normal. I’m not sure yet how Halloween this year is going to pan out, but looking at the expanse of Halloween treats on the shelves, retailers have hope in their hearts that something is going to happen!! I’ve been thinking of ways I can make it happen this year that are C-19 friendly. I will make up my regular candy bags and see what happens!! Homeless Shelters are always delighted to get contributions. I’ll keep you updated!
Hope you will join me on the Happy Hygge Home Adventure this Fall and Winter! How do you welcome Random Acts of Comfort into your life? Whatever it is that brings you Comfort and Joy, please do it!
Might I suggest for your Hygge Adventure:
-Pumpkin spice scented candles to welcome the Fall.
-Hot Chocolate and Apple Cider drinks in the kitchen cabinet.
-Cozy slippers to welcome you home!
-Soft fleece blanket awaiting you on the couch.
-Magazines and books eager for you to devour.
-A pet to pet — if possible! Or maybe you could borrow one?
-A homemade foot spa! Any basin will do!
-Some soft meditation music before you go to sleep.
-Keep the phone in your kitchen — out of harm’s way!! NOT in your bedroom!
Remember to do what you love and love what you do!
Hugs from Coco and me xxx
