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.

I’m truly grateful for this beautiful gift.

From my heart I say thank you Pixi Beauty!

All Pixi Beauty Products are available at Shoppers Drugmart and on their beautiful website pixibeauty.com

*GIFTED/PR SAMPLE

Thank you for visiting!

Dear August…

Dear August,

You have been AMAZING! Travel and more Travel. So many adventures and now I seek more! So many memories made and fun in the hot August sun. Time with family and friends. Yummy food and swimming. Beautiful Ontario Beaches. I wanted this since last summer. I still need to reach the ocean but Ontario Lakes are lovely too. I’m grateful and I look forward to being close to the ocean very soon.

This summer we enjoyed delicious food and ice cream. Lots of ice cream. The kids had so much fun and spent time with their cousins. They had the opportunity to make decisions while they ordered their food and they slept in spaces that were not their own. I found it hard to sleep in hotels though. My youngest wanted to sleep with me so I didn’t get much sleep. Mom life is beautiful. These moments will not last for ever. I don’t like to complain but I accept it and cherish each moment.

Travel teaches you many things like taking chances, putting trust in others and being in the moment. It also teaches you what to do next time you travel or what you need to bring with you. I have some great tips from my sister-in-law Susy. She’s probably laughing at me now. Hopefully these tips will help you out.

Travel Tips

I learned most of these tips from my sis-in-law Susy who’s a travel junkie. lol

Bring a sound machine. This is perfect if you don’t want to hear other people or noise in the hotel room. I hate that the walls are so thin you can hear everything. Also sometimes it’s too quiet and this too can be strange for my ears.
Bring febreze and Lysol spray and wipes (not all hotels are clean even if they are rated 4 stars. Some hotels that are rated 3 are in better condition.)
Keep disinfectant and wipes in your purse. If you are a parent you understand that kids get messy.
Always check the sheets and bed. Make sure they are clean. One of my pet peeves is unclean sheets and pillows. To all hotels “YOU HAVE ONE JOB TO DO! MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN THE SHEETS AND PILLOWS AND BATHROOMS”
Bring a diffuser if you don’t like the smell of hotels & Febreze.
Buy a cooler that plugs in your car that way you have water and beverages any time you need and they stay cold.
A great item to have for the beach is a buggy to carry all your things. My sis-in-law had one. Love this idea!
If you are crossing the border make sure you have American change because they have tolls and you need to pay.
Keep your passports with you at all times while you travel around the USA. Don’t leave them in the hotel because if you are stopped by authorities they will ask for your passports.
If you are travelling long distance make sure you plan and book a hotel half way point. It makes things easier for the driver.
My sister in law Susy used Hotels.com to book the hotels. I download the app and it gives you great options. You can actually get a free hotel after a certain amount of bookings.
I used google maps a lot while I travelled and it offers a lot of places to eat and discover. I even added my own reviews which is pretty cool.
Make sure you contact your phone provider if you are driving out of range. You can get charged so much if you don’t. I’m with Bell and we called them right away and they changed our plan so that we were able to use our phone freely.
Pack some snacks for the journey.

Feel free to add more tips in the comments!

Port Stanley Beach

Buffalo USA

ROCHESTER USA

MUSEUM OF PLAY

Read my review on GOOGLE MAPS if you like.

THE BEST BURGER!

ROCHESTER NEW YORK

RED ROBIN GOURMET

RANCH BURGER

I’m still drooling thinking about this burger.

PORT PERRY ONTARIO

LONDON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

READ MY REVIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS

Food and more food!

KEEP SMILING SUMMER IS NOT OVER!

Thank you for reading my post. It means so much to me. I would love to know what you did this summer. Much love to you all!

Travel Toronto! Visit Fresh Farmers’ Market in the GTA

From Our Farms to your Table

Eat fresh and Shop Local at the Farmers Fresh Markets this season

Sherway Farmers’ Market | Oakville Farmers’ Market | Shops Farmers’ Market

It’s that time of year again and the Farmer Fresh Market is back for its 26th season. This year, join in your local community by supporting one of the three GTA markets to find the freshest produce and food, all locally sourced.

The first crops are getting ready to be harvested and will hit the market in June. These include mushrooms, asparagus and rhubarb as well as Ontario-grown greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Add some colour to your outdoor space and garden with hanging baskets or bring home some beautiful fresh cut flowers from our local florist. Stroll the market with your family and enjoy some hot breakfast, sample local wine and purchase the best offering of local honey and maple syrup. The markets also offer a selection of delicious baked goods straight from the oven, farmer fresh eggs and deli meats.

Farmer Fresh Markets founder William Blyleven comments, “The Farmers Market is becoming more popular year after year as people are continuing to look for fresh, local produce and quality products straight from the farms. Our customers love supporting our local, hard-working vendors. The inventory at the Farmers Market is always changing based on what is in season and our vendors also offer great advice on how to store, prepare and serve their fruits and vegetables. There is no need to go to the grocery store this season when you can find everything you need at the Sherway Farmers’ Market, Oakville Farmers’ Market and Shops Farmers’ Market.”

For seasonal updates on vendors, produce and product availability, visit www.farmfreshmarkets.ca

Sherway Farmers’ Market

WHERE: The parking lot of the Church on the Queensway (1536 The Queensway)

WHEN: Fridays from 8am- 2pm. Beginning June 1st to October 5th

Vendors include: fruit and vegetables from Blyleven Farms, Lowbanks Fruit, McNiece Greenhouse & Produce, Sunray Orchard Farms and Thames River Farms; small batch pickles and preserves from Joanne’s Urban Pantry; Dutch waffles from Scheps Bakery; Smoothie Bowls; maple syrup, cookies and candies from Marigold’s Maple Syrup and VQA wines from King’s Court Estate Winery.

Oakville Famers’ Market

WHERE: George Street in downtown Oakville (115 George Street, Oakville)

WHEN: Saturdays from 8am to 2pm. Beginning June 2nd to October 6th

Vendors include: fruit and vegetables from Blyleven Farms, McNiece Greenhouse & Produce, Sunray Orchard Farms and Thames River Farms; fresh cut, seasonal flowers from The Flower Lady; cheese from Fifth Town Artisan Cheese, fresh, preservative free salsa, dips and nacho chips from The Mad Mexican and VQA wines from Pillitteri Estates Winery.

Shops Farmers’ Market

WHERE: CF Shops at Don Mills (southwest corner of Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East) on Aggie Hogg Gardens

WHEN: Tuesdays from 10:30am – 5:30pm. Beginning June 26th to October 2nd

Shops Farmers’ Market vendors include: fruit and vegetables from Blyleven Farms, Lowbanks Fruit and Sunray Orchards; fresh, preservative free salsa, dips and nacho chips from The Mad Mexican; smoked meats from Albion Hills Farm; maple syrup, cookies and candies from Marigold’s Maple Syrup and VQA wines from Pillitteri Estates Winery.

For more information, visit www.farmfreshmarkets.ca