Dear November And December…

Dear November and December you came in like two sisters who back each other up. Sometimes you get along and sometimes you don’t. You fight, you love and you forgive.

FORGIVENESS

I haven’t written or vlogged for a long time. I was taking care of my family and my dad. I was so busy and tired and then I go the flu. My body and mind was so stressed and tired. I feel I still haven’t fully recovered. My husband helped me so much. He did the laundry and cleaning and he was there for me. I’m so grateful. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH.

LOVE

I’ve been looking at pictures and got so emotional today. Time goes by so fast. My girls are growing so fast it’s scary.

I feel the winter blues have gotten to me and this is why I need to make some goals and plans for my self.

GOALS

I’m trying to be grateful for everything. I’m also trying to follow my heart and sometimes the dreams and my heart conflict with reality. If you know how to fix this let me know. I feel every time I try to follow my dreams and heart it fails on me. It never works out. I’m trying to be patient. I pray to God and ask for his help. I’m emotional and feel so many things. I hope things work out for me.

HOPEFUL

My energy is lower. By the time I go to bed I use to read and watch some Netflix but lately I’m so tired I go to sleep.

I won this lovely candle from POETRY OF THE GODS. I gifted this to my sister-in-law. ❤️

I’m going to be honest and say that I’m not happy in Toronto. This city doesn’t make me happy. The architecture and lifestyle doesn’t make me happy and full of joy. My body and heart are aching to live close to the ocean and nature. I feel like getting out of this city and never coming back. I’m sorry if it sounds negative. I love my house and the memories made. Sometimes we just have to follow our heart and inner call. My call is to get my family out of this crazy busy lifestyle. I want to be a part of a smaller community that is close to each other and to the sea. I don’t care how cold it gets and I don’t care how much snow the new place gets. I care about being close to nature.

I won this lovely tea from Instagram. Mighty Leaf Tea is so good. I’m so grateful.

THE CALL

My one goal for 2020 is to get my driving lessons completed and find a home that has a great community and school for my children. Must be close to the ocean. 🌊 That’s it. So with the help of the universe and God, may he guide us toward the right direction.

GUIDANCE

I managed to save some Christmas clips and photos through November and December. I hope you enjoy them. I love sharing them with you.

I won this lovely tea on Instagram from TEA SPARROW. Really lovely tea!

SHARE THE LOVE

My words for the two months were patience, vulnerability, courage and strength. I believe life sometimes gives us a lot of things to deal with. And no matter how sensitive we are as humans we need to allow our self to feel, to cry and to stand up for our selves. Also to support each other and surround each other with positive people. It’s vital to eliminate negative people. Sometimes situations are difficult and eliminating negative people is hard but ultimately it’s imperative for your self. Whether this takes one day or many months it’s important to surround your self with love and kindness.

This was my Christmas Bucket list. I did everything except visit the Christmas Market. Maybe next Christmas. I wish you all a very happy New Year! Have a beautiful and magical 2020!

Painting Away The Blues!

Happy Tuesday! I feel very unorganized and very emotional lately. I’m also feeling tired a lot and the winter blues is not fun to deal with. Yesterday my emotions had a life of their own and my body went into a pain attack in the middle of the night. I’m just happy it’s a new day. I’m trying to stay active and positive…trying. Lately I’m not feeling it. I’m being honest. It’s not easy to stay cheerful and happy and jolly. I feel like an old grumpy lady. *Sigh* The stress of working online and being home all day doesn’t help the situation.

Thank God for my wonderful husband and children who love and support me. They are amazing and I’m truly blessed to have them in my life. They really help bring joy and happiness in my life.

This is Toronto and its winter glory. I wonder why my parents didn’t choose to go to a warmer climate when they first arrived in the 60’s?

To offer comfort to my stress levels and anxiety I’m doing a lot of painting lately. Here are some new paintings I made. Using acrylics on canvas boards and also mini canvases. I need to buy better quality mini canvases for my ETSY store. I bought three mini canvases from Walmart and they are not good at all. The canvas from the edges are coming a part. I glued them in place but it’s not the best quality so I will not be posting these for my store.

I’ve made an order with DeSerres and I’m still waiting for my package to arrive. Why is it when you wait for something it doesn’t come? I ordered some new style of paint. It’s called Gouach paint. I’m really excited to try a new medium. Gouache paint is a watercolour type of paint that is bold and bright. It can be watered down a lot or be used very boldly. I can’t wait to try it. I also want to buy pastels. Love oil pastels and chalk pastels.

I can’t wait for spring to arrive. How about you? I am soooo done with cold and winter. On a positive note here are some lovely PR Samples (GIFTED) items and some lovely winnings as well. I’m truly blessed and lucky to win all these things. ESPIRA vitamins by Avon, Espira Hunger block and metabolism boost by Avon, CRAVE Lipglosses from Avon Canada. They smell so good! They are super shiny so a little goes a long way.

I won a lovely package from Dundurn Press it included a lovely canvas bag and SQUISH candy. So good! Also won a HUGE package from Live Organics which is located in Toronto. All raw organic food and drinks. Also included is VAMS Culture drinks and Tealchemy Tea which is really smooth and silky tea. I also won two products from Age Quencher Vitamins and I am really loving their Hyaluronic Moisturizing Serum and the Hydrate Beauty Electrolyte Powder. So incredible they will definitely be on my favourite list.

Thank you also to PIXI BEAUTY for sending me their new eyeshadows and beautiful brushes! They are very beautiful!

I also received beautiful clothing from FROCKON Clothing. I reached out to the lovely Yana and asked if she would like to work together. I will have the post up as soon as I can get my creative spirit going. Check out her EBAY store. One of the beautiful pieces she sent me is this beautiful Kimono Jacket with geometric patterns. I absolutely love it! I will get a post together soon my friends. I just need to get out of this funk.

A few other *Gifted items from Chickadvisor

Dove Ultra care Milk Gel Moisturizing Conditioner.

Also Dove Apple and White Tea Antiperspirant. It’s my favourite at the moment. So good!

Just today I received a special and thoughtful gift from my lovely friend Julie and It made me smile so much. She is so thoughtful and loving. Have a look at Julie’s Blog. Thank you Julie for always being there and for thinking of me. I hope to meet you one day in person and have a cuppa coffee. This gift is so super special. I might just have to watch the entire series on Netflix again. Thank you Julie!

This just in! Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC of “At The Mountain’s Edge” Sounds like a fantastic book! I can’t wait to read it!

Thank you so much for all your love and support. Thank you for all your kind comments and love. Thank you also for the lovely Gifted items.

Overall I feel that things will totally get better. I’m hopeful and look forward to the change of weather. As I am typing this I heard from the TV that we are expecting about 15cm of snow tomorrow. Great! 😂 Well patience and more painting. I will totally read this book and let you know how it goes. Until then have a lovely rest of the week and don’t be afraid to tweet me a hello @bestdayblogger

Much love,

Maria

Books, PR and Gratitude

Started reading two books. One I like and the other I’m not enjoying as much. Can you guess which one I’m not enjoying as much? I’m not enjoying “The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*CK” by Mark Manson. So far I’m finding it negative, pessimistic and the writing is all over the place. I’m at the beginning so I will let you know my full thoughts when I complete the book. As for the book “You Are A Badass” by Jen Sincero, so far I’m liking it a lot. It’s more positive and humorous.

How is your February going? I’m working on new project ideas and new art ideas. I’m enjoying watching my kitchen slowly transform. I’m enjoying my matcha vanilla tea from David’s Tea. It’s so good. I’m also loving my “grandpa cardigan” that’s what I call it but it’s not. I bought it on sale from Mark’s. MOSSY OPEN CARDIGAN. Loving my Avon cozy slippers. The slippers were gifted to me last Christmas and yes I love them and they keep my feet warm and cozy.

Here are some amazing goodies that I won on IG! Please Join me on IG if you like @Bestdayblogger.Beautiful Cards by Carlton Cards on Twitter. Beautiful Face masks from SooAE Canada.

I’m very grateful and really love them. Thank you so much. I’m truly grateful for winning.

I also received beautiful PR Goodies from AVON CANADA. I’m truly grateful. These items are super cute and perfect for Valentines Day.

Love ❤️ is in the air. Easy to find the perfect #gift for #valentinesdaySweet Gimme Lip! Gloss Two glossy shades for shiny kisses, in a glittery lip-shaped container. 3.2g comes in gift box. $7.99 each. 👸🏼 Queen of Hearts Lipsticks Steal a few hearts ♥️ with these adorable lipsticks. Satin finish. $9.99 each. New limited edition kids bath Bombs. Mermaid Tail $8.89. Heart ❤️ bathbomb $8.99. Sweet candy 🍬 lipgloss. Two fun glossy shades in candy shaped container that can also be worn as a necklace. Ages 3+. $4.99 each. Thank you Avon Canada for these sweet samples.

Thank you so much to Avon, Carlton Cards and to sooAE Canada for all the beautiful goodies. I’m truly grateful.

I’m working on a few new blog posts, I have so many new ideas, new collaborations and new content. I hope you are excited as I am. It will take some time but I will be uploading soon! Have a beautiful week!

Thank you so much for visiting!

Maria

Trick-or-Treat! Give Me Something Good To Eat! October 2018

I will start off by saying that I’ve been spoiling my self this month. I treated my self to a lovely lunch at Kwan Dim Sum Cuisine at Scarborough Town Centre. It was so delicious and fresh. The customer service was amazing and I will be going back very soon for more Dim Sum. So delicious!

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I’ve also been enjoying beautiful LUSH bath products. Snow Fairy smells so amazing! Sweet like candy! We don’t have a Lush store at Scarborough Town Centre but if they open one up I will be very happy! Looks good enough to eat!

October has it’s warm beautiful days and I love capturing them with my camera. If you like to see all my photography prints check them out on DEVIANT ART.

The fall weather brings on the importance of eating a lot of delicious chocolate and drinking cozy yummy tea. Yes very important. 🙂 Sweet Georgia Browns! Oh Yes! Purdys is one of my favourite Chocolatiers. Delicious!

I won these beautiful tea canisters from tealish. I’m so grateful. Very Autumnal and beautiful. They taste so wonderful and smell so good. Thank you so much tealish. Pumpkin Chai is my fave!

PUMPKIN CHAI ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom

APPLE CRUMBLE notes of apple and cinnamon spice

MAPLE CREAM notes of maple syrup with hints of walnut and apple

A beautiful new fall scent is VELVET by AVON. Very warm, sweet and spicy. I adore it. It’s very unique and beautiful. Eau de Parfum VELVET $35.00. http://www.avon.ca

Velvet is crafted from the finest ingredients in the coastline, rose from Bulgaria and velvet patchouli from Java. These exotic ingredients create an elegant, long lasting fragrance that captivates with its addictive femininity. -Gabriela Chelariu, Perfumer

I’ve fallen in love with October’s beauty and charm. My senses tingle with the love of all October’s festivities. I’ve fallen in love with everything around me. I have my down days but count my blessings and feel gratitude.

Thank you October for your beautiful transformation. Your beauty is exquisite and very sad at the same time. As you drop leaf by leaf to the ground I know that we shall meet again next year. This is not a goodbye. I thank you for all your enchantment.

Thank you so much to Avon and TeaLish.

Steeped in STRENGTH! SPEAK OUT!

Tealish Purple Peace Empower Me Tea

*PR Samples from AVON CANADA

A warm and velvety black tea with orange and apple pieces, coriander seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, pink peppercorns, cloves and natural flavours. Pairs well with a splash of milk and dash of honey. 75.g $18.00

AVON WILL DONATE 10% of the sale price of this item to the AVON Foundation for Women Canada to support Speak Out Agains Domestic Violence programs across the country.