Hello September! 🍂 🍁 🍃

Dear Sunflower,

I thought you wouldn’t make it but here you are, opening up your petals and facing the sun. I admire your beauty and elegance.

Sunflower opened its petals
one day to another
facing the sun with love.

I’ve been in a creative mode. Trying to keep busy and creative this month. I’m trying to write as many posts that I can for October. It’s challenging but fun. I’ve been reading, writing and drawing. I’ve been enjoying writing in my journal with a new fountain pen! It’s a lovely gift from my husband and I love it so much. ❤️ We went on a couple of road trips in Ontario. First stop was in Perth.

Perth is a lovely little place and I recommend visiting in the Fall. 🍁 A cute little town with a beautiful park and river and shops. Also really cute Book Stores and a huge vintage shop. I only went for the day and I wish I had stayed for the weekend. A lovely place and the park is so stunning.

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I also visited The Big Apple in Colborne Ontario and bought incredible pies and apple bread. We bought pecan pie, apple caramel crumble pie, apple maple pie and apple bread. So delicious! The best pies that I’ve ever tasted. I recommend you go first thing when they open because it gets very very busy at lunch.

I’ve also visited a couple of Vintage shops. Vintage shops make me happy. It’s like an adventure and traveling back in time. One vintage shop in Perth Ontario and the other in Colborne Ontario. If you walk into a small town vintage shop you can tell a lot about the History of the town. Very beautiful in my opinion. So many stories in each piece. In the Perth vintage shop I found this lovely candle stick holder. I was looking for something like this and there it was!

When I was in Colborne Ontario I visited a vintage shop and found a very old book that’s a childhood favourite: Heidi by Johanna Spyri. The cover of the book has fallen off and the book is very fragile. I opened up the book to a random page and this is where it landed…

Sometimes things happen for a reason. I believe it. ❤️ Everything in good time.

The book broke from the spine and broke in half to pg.112-113. The passage speaks to me in so many ways. ❤️ I believe that this is a sign from the Universe. Do you believe in Signs?

I won a bunch of books and popcorn last month. I’m so grateful! The popcorn 🍿 didn’t last long. 😋 Thank you to @bookbrunch and @eatableinc on Instagram for the lovely books and popcorn.

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I kindly won the book Heatwave written by Kate Riordan from @ohthebooksshewillread & @GrandcentralPub. Also about 7 weeks ago I won The Lions Den written by Katherine St. John from Jennifer Bairos on IG @jennbairos. I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all these lovely book loving people for the wins. I’m truly blessed and lucky. Thank you.

I bought new reading glasses. They are my favourite. I like a big frame. They are simple and lovely. I do have to go back and have them adjust my prescription though. They made them too strong and I get really bad migraines.

Thank you all so much for reading my post. I hope you have a beautiful September and I wish you all the best. Positivity, kindness and love. God bless!

My Visit To Salem Massachusetts

When I tell people that I would love to live in Salem and tell stories to tourists all day long they don’t believe me. But a job like that would make me so happy. I love retelling stories, research, history and architecture. I love old buildings with deep history and character. I like the old and I believe I’m an old soul my self. I have so much to share with you in this blog post. My short visit to Salem and the story of the scary dolls, the walk through the graveyard and much more. I had a short visit and I hope to return to Salem and spend more time there. I Would love to explore more.

My short trip to Salem Massachusetts 2019

If you have the opportunity, book in advance and go for the last week of October and Halloween. They have so much going on it is incredible.

In Salem you can check out the Salem Witch Museum, Night Tours, Peabody Essex Museum, Gallows Hill gallowshillsalem.com, Salem Haunted Happenings hauntedhappenings.org, Festival of the Dead festivalofthedead.com, Haunted Harmonies HauntedHarmonies.com, Haunted Biz Baz Stree Fair, Legacy of the Hanging Judge, Spirits of the Gables, Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, and Halloween.

There is so much to see and do there. I just want to walk those cobblestone streets again and sit in a little cafe and write a book! It’s a very magical place with a lot of history and really amazing people.

Salem has three cemeteries related to the witch trials. I visited only one of them. I did a little research and found out the following:

Salem’s earliest cemeteries are established in the 1600s when Puritanism was widely practiced in Massachusetts. Puritans understood the Bible literally, and thus never used religious imagery (even in their churches). As a result, angels and crosses were not used on Puritan cemetery markers, instead they used Death’s Heads for mortality along with hourglasses and scythes to mark the passing of time culminating in death. -salem.org

“Hand (pointing up): hope for one’s soul to reach heaven.

Hand (pointing down): God reaching down from above for one’s soul.

Handshake: “goodbye” to earthly existence.

Hourglasses & Scythes: passing of time.

Lamb: innocence (Typically found on children’s graves)

Skulls/Skeletons:mortality

Sun (setting): end of life on earth

Sun (rising): resurrection

Wheat: “Divine Harvest: or the passing of time. “

-reference from Salem.org

So many stores, cafes and restaurants in Salem. It’s a really amazing place and I was only there for a few hours. I chose not to go to the museum and other things because I had my two girls and my niece and nephew and I didn’t want to freak them out in anyway. But I know that I’ll be back very soon in this marvellous and beautiful place.

On the way to our car we walked in a vintage store that had very old toys and board games. Something caught my eye. Very old dolls and some of them had sharp teeth. The kids ran out of the shop and the lady mentioned that the area is not appropriate for children. She then told us that the dolls were passed down to her from people who have passed away. She said that the dolls were haunted and that sometimes they change positions when she comes into work each day. She said that they look like they change facial expressions very often. She also said that I couldn’t take any photos of the dolls which I respected. I was totally fascinated by the dolls and she also mentioned not to touch them. We all know not to touch possessed items right? It was very amusing talking to the lady and her story was fascinating. I enjoy scary stories do you?

Do you see anything scary reflecting in the windows? 👻

I hope to return to Salem and visit all the museums, stores, cafes and restaurants. I would love to do the ghost walks and tours and all the tourist attractions.

Have you ever been to Salem Massachusetts? I would love to know.

Thank you for reading my blog post!

Dear August…

Dear August you connected with me in so many ways. You brought me close to the Ocean and my soul was flying up in the air with joy and pure happiness. The sound and scent of the ocean incredible moving and fulfilling. You have brought me joy and soulfulness. I have no words to describe my love and connection to the ocean with its powerful sounds, fragrance, movement and light reflections. The ocean is a mesmerizing symphony!

Along with the ocean came this incredible road trip that I’m so grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to do. It was lovely to spend time with family and visit family in the states. My girls really loved it and really enjoyed spending time with their cousins and meeting new cousins for the first time as well.

I really fell in love with new places like Maine, Salem and my absolute favourite Rhode Island.

I tasted incredible food and especially sea food! The people and service truly wonderful.

YUMMY FOOD!

It felt so surreal to go to these places. Magical and unforgettable!

It was way too short. I wanted to stay in each place longer and explore more. I would love to travel more.

August you have taught me to be more patient and also deal with situations in a more calm way. You have taught me to let things go and flow and sometimes situations are not all in my hands. You have taught me to breathe more and also express my self more. Also not to be too serious and to laugh more.

GRATITUDE

Everything was a blessing. I’m so grateful for everything.

August you were truly amazing and unforgettable!

A special thank you to my family and my sis-in-law Susy for the incredible Road Trip and for the lovely BBQ Party she hosted. It was amazing to spend time with her and her beautiful family. I also would like to thank my sis-in-law Lori. She kindly bought me a lovely gift from her travels. It means so much to me. Thank you also to my lovely cousin koumpara Anna for taking us out to a lovely lunch and spending time with us before school starts.

Thank you to my own God Mother who always calls me to see how I’m doing and I love her so much for thinking of me. She’s a special woman in my life. I love her and she inspires me in so many ways.

Thank you also to Joy Mills for buying art from my shop and always supporting me online. Than you to Cat Forsley for always inspiring me and encouraging me with my creativeness. Cat is a beautiful soul inside and out and has a big heart.

There are so many blessings in August that my heart is full of love and joy and its overflowing! All the love and gratitude I feel is so abundant. Thank you for each moment. A gift from the Universe and God. I am so lucky and very grateful. Thank you all!

Dear July…

Dear July, you have been so hot this month and sometimes so unbearable. Traveling has become a challenge due to a little anxiety but I’m taking small steps and learning how to deal with it. Living is learning. Sometime the battle and chatter in my mind won’t stop and I’m trying to let go more and relax. Sometimes I make up issues in my mind that are not a big deal and this becomes so tiring and exhausting. Sometimes I’m my own enemy. Do you ever get like that? I’m trying to stay off of my phone as much as possible. Lately it brings me stress and anxiety. So more letting go and more being in the moment!

This month I really enjoyed spending time with my family. We went to many lovely places.

Kingston, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake for amazing ice-cream, Science Centre, Toronto Zoo and had incredible Fish and Chips at Captain George’s Fish and Chips restaurant in Port Perry. A very incredible month that also included a lot of swimming!

My husband always says he loves to see me laugh and smile. I need to laugh more often.

The Falls are so powerful and the rose gardens so beautiful. I love the sound of the Falls. We went early in the morning before tour busses arrive. It was absolutely wonderful. I could of stayed at the Rose garden all day taking pictures.

July you have been packed with lots of fun and I can’t wait to see what August will be like. I also know that you are nothing like a sloth. You have come and gone so fast. I’m grateful for everything you taught me and so appreciative of each trip and journey taken.

I hope you all had a beautiful month. I would like to thank Joy Mills for buying art from my Art Shop. Joy your lovely art is on the way and I thank you so much for all your support.

The Art Shop will be closed from August 1st to the 12th and will re-open on Aug 13. Thank you all and have a beautiful August!

Bon Voyage! Pixi Beauty Rose Infused Skincare Favourites

I was thinking of traveling the other day and then a lovely package arrived. A beautiful Travel Bag from Pixi Beauty with skincare products that smell and feel oh so good! I tried them all for you so I can tell you all about them. Rose is one of my favourite scents and this Rose Collection is so beautiful, gentle and very hydrating. Pixi Beauty does not test on animals and is also Paraben Free.

The travel bag is personalized with my name on it making me feel oh so happy inside. The bag is really pretty and pink and has rose print all over it. It is plastic and easy to clean if something spills. It has two big clear pockets with strong zippers and also a smaller pocket with a hook to hang. I absolutely love it and I will be using it when I travel. Which I feel it will be very soon.

The Rose-infused Skintreats Travels bag includes the following:

Makeup Melting Cleansing Cloths. These are so lovely and soft and take off all makeup. They have chamomile & Rose. 10x Makeup Removing cloths. These are so hydrating and soothing.
Rose Cream Cleanser. Its super creamy, soft and gentle. It really nourishes the skin it helps strengthen and soften. There is Rose, avocado, chamomile and aloe vera in the formula.
Rose Tonic. I really love original Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic but this Rose Tonic is so nourishing and has Elderflower in it. It smells so lovely and really soothes my skin. It really hydrates, replenishes and refreshes my skin.
Rose Caviar Essence. This Rose Caviar really really pleases me. First I love the clear packaging. You can see lovely bubbles and particles in the tube. I LOVE IT! It smells amazing like everything else in this beautiful travel bag. This is a very special product. I love how soothing and cool it is on the skin. This Serum has flower oils and is weightless. It really sinks into the skin so nicely and feels good. The formula comes out like a gel and then sinks in the skin right away. It is not sticky or oily. The formula consists of Rose and grape seed oil. It also has anise extract and mulberry extract.
Rose Flash Balm. This is an instant skin booster! The formula consists of rose water, rose extract and olive leaf extract. The ingredients really balance the skin and are antioxidant rich. They help minimize redness and so the the skin. My skin is always tired so this is the perfect pick-me-up. It really helps with fatigued looking skin. You can also use this as a primer and a mask!
Rose Ceramide Cream. Intense Moisturizer that is infused with rose flower oil, and rosemary oil. This ultra rich moisture cream nourishes and restores. It has Ceramide NP which provides time-release moisture. Probiotics which protects and balances. This formula will help with the skin’s elasticity and lock in intense moisture while it helps protect the skin from environmental toxins. It really helps quench the skin leaving it so much healthier, supple and smooth.
Rose Oil Blend. A beautiful oil that helps the skin stay youthful and helps protect, nourish and strengthen the skin. It really rejuvenates and helps with elasticity. Really helps my skin look more luminous and plump. I use this AM & PM. I use only 2 to 3 Drops after I tone my skin and sometimes in my moisturizer before applying. The formula consists of Rose oil, pomegranate oil, rose geranium oil.
Makeup Fixing Mist. This makeup setting spray has rose water and green tea. Prolongs makeup wear and helps makeup not melt or settle in to fine lines. It also freshens up a makeup look. It helps hydrate and balance the skin.
Rose Glow Mist. This dual elixir is packed with essential fatty acids and antioxidants. It gives the skin a really lovely glow, it moisturizes and helps with elasticity. It provides free radical protection. This can be used before makeup, after makeup and anytime. Before makeup it really helps calm the skin, create more moisture and smooth the skin. After makeup it helps set makeup and give a dewy finish. Using this anytime will offer moisture, refresh and plump skin.