New year, new fresh start

YES! It's a new year, a time to start over, to think about all the ways you've messed things up (kidding!) and all the things you want to do better. I have SO much I want to focus on this year. It's not really about losing a certain number of pounds (although I could spare a few, but whatever), or taking Ben on a certain number of play dates. This is more about looking at the various aspects of my life, and trying to be better. Just in general. Is that possible? I hope so. We'll see. But, these are the things I'm planning on focusing on. I'll for sure be adding to this list, and revisiting it regularly. Here we go!

ME.

• Let myself off the hook. I don't need to be teaching Ben geography. He will watch tv sometimes. IT'S OK. He's safe and happy and loved. 
• Take care of myself more. Long relaxing baths. More time for reading. The occasional manicure. 
• Be more mindful of my health. Take my vitamins. Get outside more. Schedule a checkup. Visit the (dreaded) dentist.
• Stop complaining. Just in general. Or do it less at least. No one likes a whiner.
• Take a moment. When I'm frustrated, or mad, or having a tough day with Ben. Try not to instantly react, but take a moment, a deep breathe, and move on.
• Talk less, listen more. I added this to a list before and I still like it. I may not always do it, but I want to try.

US.

• Plan a night away, just the two of us. 
• More date nights. We do this regularly and it's honestly so much fun. We usually do dinner and a movie, or a concert. Feels like we're carefree kids again!
• Have game nights. We used to do this, but we forgot about it. It's fun to play stupid games like Yahtzee.
• Give each other a kiss every single day. Even if we're mad at each other. (All the more reason).

OUR FAMILY.

• Family date nights. Like a date night, but Ben gets to come too! 
• Get outside more. Walks around the neighbourhood, hikes, that sort of thing.
• Visit our grandparents more.
• Plan a family vacation. We have a lot of house plans in the near future so this won't be any big fancy trips, but we were thinking about planning a few days at a cottage this summer.
• Cook healthy family meals. I've been doing this much better since Ben started eating everything we are eating, but I just want to always think along these lines.

OUR HOME.

• Declutter, even more. I have been working on this for months and it's totally addictive. I'm slowly working through each room, getting rid of the extra stuff, creating a cleaner, calmer space. I want to clear out an area of our house (even a single drawer) every week. 
• Work on the outside. This spring I am planning on spending a weekend tearing the garden apart, reseeding the lawn, all kinds of things like that. Ben will be old enough to probably spend a weekend with my parents (Mom, is that ok? Ha ha...) and then I can get it all done and ready for us to play in all summer!
• Basement project. Billy has huge plans for our basement, and it may not all get done this year, but we want to get started. I'm VERY excited! Especially because I'm going to  paint the whole thing white! YESSSS. And it will double the space down there. Our basement is a great family room kind of space, but we've never done anything to it. It's in desperate need of new carpet, and a nice big sectional....
• Finish our bedroom project. I want to replace our dressers and get side tables. Once that's done we can finish this room up and it will be our perfect little haven.
• Relax about cleaning. I have an unhealthy need to have a clean home (not actually joking, it's terrible) and I want to stop thinking about cleanliness. I have scheduled two cleaning days a week (Monday and Thursday) and apart from that I will NOT think about how much pet hair is on, well, everything. Sigh.

That's my list so far...I'll for sure add to it but it's a good start!

We love shows.

Last night Billy and I went to see Gaslight Anthem and they were AMAZINGGGG. We had such a good night. A perfect night really :)

We've seen a lot of shows. Seeing bands live (good bands, that is) is pretty much the most fun thing to do ever. And I decided recently that I wanted to keep a running list of every band we've seen. This isn't all of them at this point, more will come to me, but for now these are the ones we could think of. 

This list includes shows we've seen together and other big shows (we can't possibly list all the shows Billy has seen, the list would never end) that one of us has seen. This list also doesn't include bands who were at various Warped Tours that weren't very good. Or bands at bars that we happened to be at that weren't very good. 

Anyway, here goes.

• Alexis On Fire
• The Ataris
• The Arcade Fire
• Beck
• Billy Talent
• The Black Keys
• Black Sabbath
• Blink 182
• Bob Dylan
• Coheed and Cambria
• Coldplay
• Dallas Green
• Death From Above 1979
• Deftones
• Dilinger EscapePlan
• Drop Kick Murphy's
• Emery
• Eminem
• Fallout Boy
• Finch
• Finger 11
• The Gaslight Anthem
• Guns 'n' roses
• Hot Hot Heat (2)
• Janelle Monei
• Jimmy Eat World (2)
• The Killers (3)
• Kings of Leon
• Korn
• Limp Bizkit
• Linkin Park
• Marylin Manson
• Matchbook Romance
• Metric
• Muse
• Nine Inch Nails
• Our Lady Peace
• Papa Roach
• Paramore
• The Pixies
• Rise Against
• Rob Zombie
• The Rolling Stones
• The Shins
• SilversumPickups
• Slipknot
• Smashing Pumpkins (2 after today)
• Snow Patrol (2)
• Story of the Year
• The Stills
• Sum 41
• Thrice
• Thursday
• Tragically Hip
• The Verve (my first show, ha ha)
• Weezer
• Wilco
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Yellowcard

Shows we still want to see (some are not possible, we realize)

• Beastie Boys :(
• Bryan Adams (yeah, I want to see him, so what.)
• Foo Fighters
• Neil Young
• Oasis (ha ha, I know, I used to LOVE them)
• Radiohead (yes, we were suppose to see that show that was cancelled. NO COMMENT.)
• Rage Against the Machine :(
• The Strokes
• Temper Trap
• The Tragically Hip (ok, so Billy has seen them, and yes, I'm probably the only Canadian who hasn't, but it just hasn't happened).

Do any of you like to go see live bands? Have you seen any good ones that we should add to our list? 

A & B Love

Happy Friday friends! What a great week it's been...I LOVE being home with my little guy. It's gone quickly, as it always does....but I'm happy the weekend is here! Also, we're now one week closer to seeing Radiohead.....OMG.

Ok, let's get on with it, shall we? My weekly list of loves around the web.

• I really, really, really want these geometric magnets.
• Lauren has made us a summer music mix! Love it!
• The perfect vegetarian barbeque menu.
• Super cute DIY ombre neon dress.
• I think I need this nesting set of rainbow mixing bowls/measuring spoons. Genius.
• Kind of obsessed with this hairstyle since I found it. 
• Have you read the June issue of Matchbook Mag yet? It's filled with Father's Day gift ideas, picnic inspiration, and other summer goodies.
• Gwyneth's London home reno is simply AMAZING.
• Looking for a band to fall in love with? How about Young Empires? This song is my fav...

Image via Snug

Saige Wisdom Obsessions Link Up - Things I need in my house edition

As you may already know from a previous post, my friend Sara over at Saige Wisdom is all about the obsession lists, as am I, so I feel an intense urge to participate whenever she does these. I really, really like to window (read: internet) shop and make myself feel bad about everything that I want but feel guilty about spending money on. Here goes. I'm dubbing this the 'things I want in my house right now' edition.

An Eames rocking chair. All the cool bloggers have one. Why can't I?

Our basement couch is over a decade old, and it's basically Cohen's bed. I vacuum it every time I sit on it. And I'd kind of rather sit on the floor. In my dream world, Cohen stops shedding and I buy this couch. 






Also in my dream world with my dream basement couch is this dream pillow by Fine Little Day. Love.






Yes, I know, everyone's sick to death of all the ampersand business, but I love this one, or any letter, by Hindsvik. So cool.



I have wanted the Ikea Stockholm rug for a longgg time. I NEED IT. I don't understand why rugs are as expensive as they are, but one day I will buy this. For real.






I wrap things up with not an item, but rather my dream art studio. I wish we lived in a mansion with all sorts of extra rooms that I could turn into things (studio, dressing room, room to throw toys in). Sigh. Stupid average size house.


Ok, that's my current list of obsessions for our home. What are yours?

Checklist /// What I'm bringing to Blog Podium

YES, another list. This is seriously how I function people, one list after another.

With Blog Podium coming up this weekend (eeeeee!) I am in the process of making sure I have EVERYTHING ready to take with me. I live outside of Toronto, so I need to be prepared. And I'm pretty into being the over-prepared girl. It's just who I am. I will inevitably forget something and hate myself for being so careless...this is just the cycle. Anyway...




This is my list so far. 

• Ticket to Blog Podium (I know, I'm a genius)
• iPhone (obviously)
• iPhone charger
• Notebook (because I'm not the cool girl with the iPad...yet)
• 17 pens, give or take
• Pink highlighter
• Pink post-its
• Business cards, etc.
• Networking notes, questions I want to ask, etc.
• GUM. And floss.
• Glasses, because I can see about 2 feet in front of me and then things get fuzzy
• Sunglasses
• Umbrella/jacket, weather depending
• Tote bag (Rain tote, as pictured, by Bookhou)
• Camera
• Safety pin (you never know!)
• Scarf in case it's chilly inside (thanks for the suggestion Jordana!)

Am I forgetting anything? Help!

Image via Bookhou

Saige Wisdom's Link Up - Obsessions

My friend Sara over at Saige Wisdom has started a new link-up called Obsessions, which is essentially just a list of things she's loving right now. If there's a list of any sort involved, I'm obviously in. So, here we go.





The return of Mad Men, after the longest hiatus ever. I am a little annoyed that Betty is in like 5% of the episodes now. But I'll take it. Any Mad Men is better than no Mad Men. Her and Don are going to end up back together in the end, right? Right?





Vegetarian Recipes, like this Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta. I'm always looking for yummy EASY recipes, and I'm always leaning towards meatless meals. I can't help it. They're just so good.




Pretty tattoos. I want to get my next one soon, something to do with Benjamin...just not sure what exactly I want. Looking for inspiration. Is it weird that this one reminds me of those horrible No fear shirts everyone has when I was in middle school? Or am I so old no one knows what I'm talking about?




Jewellery by A Merry Mishap. I want to order something SO BADLY, and I keep looking at the collection and trying to decide, but I simply cannot pick just one item. I either need to make a decision already, or just buy a bunch of it. Leaning towards the later.




Paris in Color. Ordering a copy of this book today. How can I NOT have this? There's nothing better than seeing a blogger get published. Living vicariously through you Nichole!



Image Credits:

Mad Men  ///  Lemon Pesto Pasta  ///  Tattoo 

A Merry Mishap  ///  Paris in Color

Things I'm afraid to tell you via Creature Comforts

I saw this over at Creature Comforts and I HAD to participate. I really try to be honest on this blog, always have. But, I want to do this to remind myself that there really isn't anything worth writing about if it isn't honest. Ez, you're a genius.


And now for my list. Ugh. Here we go.

• I am a really, really bad eater. Now and then I'll make something amazing and healthy...but we eat takeout a lot. And I'm not talking pretty rolls of sushi. In talking pizza. Sometimes I make Kraft Dinner. Yep. I want so badly to be the wife that makes big awesome meals every night. Maybe I'll get there. Maybe I won't.
• I'm not even a little bit confident about my art...the fact that I've sold one painting blows my mind. I am trying to get over that because it's hard to market yourself if your always thinking in the back of your head that maybe you're a crap artist after all. But I think that pretty much every day.
• I worry way too much about money. It's not something that Billy and I have to worry about right now, he has a wonderful job and he's supporting our family entirely. But I worry anyway. Way too much. ALL THE TIME. And it drives him nuts. (Sorry babe...I don't know how you put up with me).
• Every night I rock and/or nurse Ben to sleep. It's the biggest no-no, I know. He still can't be just left in his crib to fall asleep on his own, and it's all my fault. I didn't know it was a bad thing at first. Guess I should have read some of those baby books after all.
• Speaking of Ben...I let him watch tv. NO, not constantly, but sometimes I'll have it on for longer than ten minutes. I know, I know, I've read the reports. But sometimes I need to put in a load of laundry, or check my email, or read a magazine. Sorry.
• I mention having OCD is a jokey way now and then....but I actually think I do. It's never been diagnosed, and it doesn't affect anything serious (I can leave the house, for example, without checking appliances) but some things that I do are a little weird. Billy and I were laughing at this last night, but it's a perfect example. We eat these candies a lot (see, really bad eater) and I always eat all of the lemon ones first, followed by grape, then cherry....last ones are always strawberry because they're my favourite. I would be seriously, seriously bummed out if the last one I ate was strawberry. Ya. Seriously, someone call my doctor.
• I can be really, really moody. Lucky for whoever reads this blog I tend to write when I'm in a decent mood. But just ask my husband, or my Mom. I can be awful. I don't know how everyone doesn't hate me sometimes. One day I may very well end up alone because everyone's sick of me.
• My basement is a DISASTER. Like it's piled with boxes and bags of crap. PILED. It's the equivalent of Monica's closet on Friends.
• I can't ever make a decision. When faced with any sort of choice, I have to refer to Billy, my Mom, my Dad, my girlfriends, get everyone's opinion, write a pro-con list, and THEN I decide. Followed by months of second-guessing my decision. 

More will come to me, I'm sure I could write a list a mile long of these. But this is a good start. Maybe this will make me a little bit more accountable to my goal of becoming a better person. Or maybe this is just me. AH. I'm really not awesome.

Image via Creature Comforts

Happy 10 month birthday Benjamin! And a list of must-haves for Moms

My little Benjamin is ten months old today. In a way the time has flown, but it also kind of feels like he's always been with me, life without him seems so long ago.


These days Ben is doing so well. There are ups (he's so easily entertained, and has the best laugh I've ever heard) and downs (he sleeps for about 5 minutes in a 24 hour period) but overall he's amazing. Two little teeth have made their appearance, with more on their way (hence the sleeplessness days/nights) and I don't think I ever realized just how ridiculously cute baby teeth are!


I thought I would gather a little list of must-haves that I find I'm totally dependent on these days. If you're a Mom with a little one, I highly recommend grabbing these if you don't already have them! 

1. Jungle Exersaucer - I remember registering for this thinking "Man this is hideous". And yeah, it is. But I thank god for it every single day.
2. Winnie the Pooh Slide and Learn Book - Ben got this book from his Great Grandma as a present before he was born, and I think it may be his favourite toy of all. He's been playing with it for months and can't get enough.
3. Bead Roller Coaster - We just got this for Ben and he LOVES IT.
4. Rubber Duck - Ben's Aunt Cassie bought this for him and he can't have a bath without it.
5. Stacking Cups - For $2.99, you'd be surprised how much little ones get a kick out of these. I really feel like Ikea rules when it comes to toys.
6. Baby Spoons - I love these so much...we go through a LOT of them (Ben needs his own to play with during every meal time.
7. Superbibs - These are such a good size and they keep baby dry (especially one like mine who gets 90% of his water in his lap.
8. Sleepsack - I didn't even really know about this (somehow) until Ana told me about them, and Ben's been sleeping in one ever since. 
9. Playmat - This thing is so cute, and being on the living room floor every day I have to be able to tolerate looking at it.
10. Activity Triangle - This is the perfect toy for babies who are sitting but not standing yet. 

Happy shopping!  And happy birthday once again to my sweet Ben. I love you more than I love M&M's. For real.

New year, new list

I've been thinking about my resolutions for days now. I always, always make a list. I know people hate resolutions...but I like the feeling of starting fresh, I always have, and why not? Who cares if you only eat better for three days. It's three days more than you did in December. So, without further adeau.

1. Eat better, and get outside more. I don't plan on losing a certain amount of pounds, because I won't do it I'm sure. But this is something I can be a bit more concious of.
2. Worry less. Anxiety fuels me in a lot of ways, but it's also by far my biggest downfall. It's not something that I like about myself, and I am going to try to not let it take over everything, all the time.
3. Take better care of myself. Little things like, for example, giving myself a nice pedicure, or having a long bath after Ben is in bed. I don't make time for this at all anymore, and it's kind of the best part of being a girl (apart from having babies).
4. Relax a bit about cleaning. I'm a certficable clean freak, and it's getting really old. I vow to clean my house once a week, not more than that, and not think about it SO much on the days when I haven't cleaned. Everything will be ok. 
5. Talk less, listen more. I saw this somewhere recently, and I liked it a lot. It's just one of those things that resonated with me.
6. Try to live in the moment more. I know, this is very Oprah of me. But it's true, we are all so preoccupied with the future, or the past. 
7. Spend less time on the computer. Over the holidays I stayed off the computer and I LOVED it. I do love this blog, and have for years, but these days checking my google reader actually makes me nervous because I have too much to get caught up on. I've narrowed down my blog list to my absolute favs, and I will check in here and there. But for the most part, I just want to focus on playing with Ben and being here with my family. 
8. Take better pictures. I always use my iPhone, and I have a perfectly good camera sitting here doing nothing. I want to make a point of using it every day. We also bought a great little video camera that I want to try to use often too.

Anyone else working on a list? I may add more to this, but for now, this is where I'm starting.

Yay! I love January!

A&B Love, Christmas Edition

It's the last week before Christmas...how is that possible? Over the weekend we hosted our annual Christmas party with our closest friends and family, so much fun. No...no pictures until people send me the ones they took (it's crazy enough hosting this thing, and add a little one to the mix there isn't a free second for ppicture-taking, boo). 

I'm wrapping things up this week, and probably going to stay off the computer for a little while...every time I open this laptop I feel like I have to read every blog I normally do, and then post something...and next thing you know two hours are gone. So, I will leave you with a little list of things I'm looking at right now and a few things on my to-do list:

• We're hosting Christmas brunch and dinner at our house with both families together this year (SO excitede) and I fully intend on using this list of ideas for getting your home ready in 30 minutes or less
• Did you watch the Christmas SNL with Jimmy Fallon over the weekend? We missed it of course but caught up yesterday....best SNL ever.
• Wrapping presents is big on my list this week...no, they won't look anything like Martha's, but I will still look through these for inspiration while I drink hot chocolate.
• This time of year always makes me think back to that Christmas morning when Billy popped the question. Tear!!
• Although I failed to take pics this year at our Xmas bash...that wasn't a;ways the case. A little flashback to one of my favourite years, 2008.
• Naomi mentioned writing letters to Elanor a while ago, and it inspired me. This year I'm going to write a Christmas card just for Ben, and I'll do the same thing each year. One day we can read them all together...hopefully he doesn't think it's too lame.
• Still looking for gift ideas? uide The 2011 Cup of Jo Gift Guide is probably my favourite one of all.
• It's definitely time to watch all of my favourite Christmas movies. This is actually a pretty good list.
• Lastly, unrelated to Christmas, is anyone else really into that song from the new McDonald's commericial? I'm in love.

Ok, here I go to enjoy this last week before we celebrate Ben's very first Christmas! And  There WILL be picture of that, I promise you.