Friday 31 July 2015

High Five For Friday- 31.07.15

Seriously?  It's the last day of July?  Time is just flying!  Summer always seems to go quick, though!  Things have been busy, but good.  Without further ado, here are the five highlights from my week:

1.) Grandma's garage sale went really well.  It was a little bittersweet, but it was good to get it done.  We came home with a few treasures so I have some purging to do.  When I bring something in, something must go out.

This tea cup belonged to my Great- Grandmother.  So pretty!  It is called Prairie Rose.


2.)  The weather has been BEAUTIFUL.  We have been enjoying it as much as possible!

3.)  I met up with a friend from high school, this week.  I had the pleasure of meeting her 9 month old daughter, who is such a cutie!  We went to the pool.  It was perfect.  My friend's daughter is a little fish and is used to swimming.  My little girl is just getting used to the idea.  When she saw my friend's daughter playing happily in the water, she suddenly became super brave.  It was awesome!  I see a lot more pool time in our future!

4.)  I feel caught up.  My house is clean, my laundry is (somewhat) caught up, and my paperwork is in order.  I hate feeling disorderly, so I am relieved that we got so much work done this week.

5.)  I picked up Miss. E's one year photos from our photographer.  They are so sweet!  I love them!

If you would like to join in H54F, please link up with the lovely ladies below!


Tuesday 28 July 2015

Wardrobe Wednesday- 29.07.15

I have a few outfits for you this week!  Yay!  I am loving my Summer Capsule Wardrobe.  I am finding fewer "holes" in it than my last two wardrobes, so I think I might be getting the hang of things!  I do wish I had included a long sleeve t-shirt, a black t-shirt (although I have been using my dress and that seems to work) and a patterned tank.  Here are this week's outfits:


This was a great rainy day outfit.  It was warm, but still felt beachy to me.



I know that the hat is a bit much in this one, but it was fun and provided great sun protection!  I love these pants!  They are pretty much light, flowy sweatpants.  AHHH-MA-ZING!


This dress originally belonged to my mother in the 70's.  It was midi length on me, but I had the dress hemmed to knee length.  It looks much better!  Especially since I am so short.


My parents brought this back for me from Maui.  It is super comfortable and flowy.  It also fit me when I was 41 + weeks pregnant... so it is versatile! 

I hope you are all having a great day!  Happy Wednesday!

Weekend Catch Up- I'm Back!

Hi There!

I thought I would do a quick check in post because I failed to get my H54F post up on the blog last week!  I had planned to do my post Thursday night, but Miss. E ran a fever all night, so it just didn't happen.  I helped out with my Grandma's household dispersal sale all weekend and before I knew it I was home, wading through piles of laundry!

All in all, the weekend was good, but busy.  I acquired a few things so I will have to get rid of some of my own stuff.  What comes in must go out.  I don't want to be lax about letting items into my home, because before I know it, I will be back to square one!  I am planning a few more minimalism posts, in light of my new acquisitions.  I think that I may touch on what minimalism means to me.  I find that it hold different meanings for different people.

Anywho..... Back to my piles of laundry!

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Wardrobe Wednesday- 22.07.15

My camping "style" (and I use that word loosely) is a weird mix of capsule wardrobe and athletic wear.  We had rainy weather for our first 2 days and then nice weather for the next 2 days.  I try to make my camping clothes comfortable and functional.  Nothing more.  I don't have any real pictures for you, as I was behind the camera most of the time this weekend.  Here I am in my pink rain jacket and leggings.  Perfect for cool days at the park.;)




I feel like I learned a few things about what to pack and what not to pack when going camping.  I hope to be able to share that with you in an upcoming post.  I can hardly see past the mountains of laundry that we have right now, but I am sure I will find my way out.  I realize this post was lacking, and I hope to have more capsule wardrobe outfits for you next week.  Happy Wednesday, friends!

Wednesday 15 July 2015

High Five For Friday- 17.07.15

I am cheating a little and writing this on Wednesday.  We leave Thursday morning bright and early for my Hubby's annual family camping trip.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone and to getting in some fun camping activities.  Here are my five highlights from the past week:

1.)  Last Friday, Hubby and I went for dinner in the city.  It was a lovely evening.  We grabbed some groceries for our upcoming camping trip.  We also got ice cream and coffee for the drive home.  It was a fun night!


I am so super pale compared to Hubby.  Oh my!



2.)  Saturday we went to my parent's cabin and soaked up the heat.  We went swimming in the lake, had a BBQ lunch and I got to see my Grandma.  It was a lovely day!



3.)  We sold our holiday trailer on Saturday night.  It had only been listed for a few days so I was shocked that it went as quickly as it did!  We will miss it, but our savings account is happy to have the extra dough.

4.)  On Sunday we ventured out to the local pool, which we hadn't been to before (for shame!).  It was gorgeous!  It has a wading pool (perfect for little ones), grassy areas with chairs and picnic tables and perfectly warm water.  We had a blast!



5.)  Miss. E had a positive check up at the pediatrician on Monday.  I was so relieved.  Hubby was able to come for the appointment, which was nice!

How was your week?  If you want to join in H54F link up with Tif, Katie, Della and Caitlin!  Have an amazing weekend and I will see you when I get back next week!

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Wardrobe Wednesday- 15.07.15

I managed to snap 4(!) outfit pictures in the last week.  (There was almost 5, but the photo was extremely unflattering, so I will have to catch that outfit another time.)  Unfortunately, two of the photos are the oh-so-classy mirror selfies, but they will have to do.  Hubby has graciously agreed to step in as photographer again, as I am pathetic at lining up the camera on a tripod.  (Thanks, honey!)  Here are the latest outfits in my capsule wardrobe:


This outfit was worn to run errands.  Fun, fun!


This was my Sunday outfit, until little Miss. E got food on it. :)


I wore this outfit with wedges for my morning errands and sneakers for my daughter's pediatrician appointment in the afterrnoon.  It was perfect for the overcast type weather we were having that day. 


I wore this grocery shopping.  It is both pretty and comfortable.  Best of both worlds!

If you want to see what I am up to or what I am wearing- follow me on Instagram! (And why wouldn't you?  Clearly my life is riveting!  LOL!)  You can find me @peacefulsimplelifeblog  I would love to connect with you!

10 (Free!) Ways to De-stress

We all deal with stress in our lives.  At times, it can be overwhelming.  Over the years, I have found that a few simple acts can help my stress levels significantly.  I have compiled a list of 10 (free!) ways to De-Stress.  I have chosen free ways because not everyone has the money to spend on themselves and this is a minimalist blog.  I don't want to have to spend money or accumulate more stuff in order to feel better.

1.)  Spend time in nature.  Go for a walk.  Admire some flowers.  Check out a local park.  Try bird watching.  Admire a sunset. (Or sunrise if you get up that early!)  Nature is renewing and good for the soul.  I always feel better after I have spent some time reconnecting with the earth.  It is nice to spend time admiring beauty and knowing that we are part of something magnificent.




2.)  Laugh.  A few years ago, I went to be trained as a Certified Laughter Leader.  Laughter is so important to our mental and physical well-being.  Unfortunately, a lot of us don't laugh enough.  There are two types of laughter:  spontaneous and deliberate.  Spontaneous laughter occurs when something funny occurs, prompting us to bust a gut.  Deliberate laughter is what I am trained to lead.  It is the act of laughing as an exercise.  I learned different exercises to help people laugh.  The easiest way is to simply sit on the floor with your hands on your tummy.  Do a full belly laugh.  You should be able to feel your stomach muscles moving.  The amazing thing about laughter is that your body doesn't know the difference between spontaneous laughter and deliberate laughter.  Your health benefits are the same.  You may feel a little silly, but this will make you feel lighter and happier.


3.)  Deep Breathing.  This is fantastic if you don't have much time to spend de-stressing.  I used this at work all. the. time.  Health care can be fast paced and stressful.  This was an easy way to help me combat my stress.  Inhale deeply through your nose.  You should feel your ribs and tummy expand.  Slowly exhale through your mouth.  Repeat 2-3 times.  It really helps!  I usually envision the air going in all the way to my toes and then back out.

4.)  Exercise.  Go for a walk, run or a bike ride.  Swim, hike, dance or do some yoga.  Do some squats or push-ups.  Exercise releases endorphins and get the blood pumping.  This can help greatly when dealing with stress.


5.)  Call a friend.  Sometimes we need to vent and sometimes we don't want to talk about it.  Either way, calling a friend is a good thing to do.  Our friendships offer us support, love and a safe place to land.  They can also offer distraction, camaraderie and laughter.  Your friends love you and want to help.  Pick up the phone.



6.)  Grab a form of escapism.  Dive into a mystery novel, enjoy a romantic comedy or tune into America's Funniest Home Videos.  Sometimes we want a distraction and escapism is a wonderful way to do this.

7.)  Pet your pooch. (Or your cat!)  Studies have proven that pet owners are happier and live longer lives.  Our pets love us unconditionally.  They don't care if we burn dinner, if our hair is frizzy or if our breath stinks. (God bless them!)  Spend some time snuggling, throwing the ball (or mouse toy) and enjoy the love your pet has to offer.  If you don't have a pet, you could check with your local pet shelter and see if they have volunteers come spend time with the animals.  Many shelters do this.  You can help lift the spirits of an animal, while lifting your own.



8.)  Take a bath/ paint your nails/ pamper yourself!  As women, we often spend our time taking care of those around us.  Unfortunately, we often neglect ourselves in the process!  Take 20 minutes and indulge in a bubble bath.  Paint your nails.  Spend time doing something that makes you feel great.  Take care of you!

9.)  Start a gratitude journal.  When things seem to be going wrong, gratitude can help us shift our attitudes.  There is always something to be grateful for.  Take time daily to jot down 5-10 things that you are grateful for in your life.  This act can transform the way you view your life.  Looking for the positives will buoy your spirits and will help you to see all of your blessings.

10.)  Volunteer.  Go outside of yourself and do some good in your community.  Volunteering is a wonderful way to take your focus off of you.  It is important to remember that we are part of something much larger than ourselves and we have a responsibility to help our fellow man.  You will meet new people, experience teamwork and help improve the lives of others.  Serve at a soup kitchen.  Work for Habitat For Humanity.  Become a Big Brother or Sister.  There are voids to be filled in every community and if you are willing to lend your time, someone will surely be thankful for your help.

These are the ways that I combat stress.  What works for you?

Friday 10 July 2015

High Five For Friday-10.07.15

Hello Friday!  Boy, am I ever glad to see you!  This has been a pretty good week.  I am looking forward to the weekend.  Hubby will be off this weekend and we have made some plans to go to the cabin.  Yay, summer! Here are my five:

1.)  Miss. E is FINALLY better.  This time it is for real!  She hasn't wheezed in 4 plus days and she is back to racing around the house.  Thank goodness!


2.)  Hubby has been pretty steady at work, which is great.  There has been quite a slow down around here so it is nice that he has been working.


3.)  I think I have caught up from when Miss. E was sick.  Everything else had been put on the back burner.  I cleared away most of my "To Do" list this week.

4.)  We had a couple of cool days and then the heat came back!  It is HOT.  We have been outside quite a bit, but we keep coming back inside to cool down.

5.)  My sundress is finally done!  Yay!  I went and picked it up this week.  I am excited to get to wear it!

I hope you all have a great weekend!  If you want to link up, join in with the lovely ladies below!


Wednesday 8 July 2015

Wardrobe Wednesday- 08.07.15

I only have two outfits for you today.  I wore more than two, but I was a bad blogger and didn't snap pictures.  I am over the moon because Miss. E finally seems better.  We have had almost 3 days where she hasn't wheezed.  I am happy to see my little girl feeling better!  Woo!  Both outfits this week are super casual and maybe shouldn't even be called "outfits".  My wardrobe is for my everyday life, which often means chasing a toddler, doing laundry and playing at the park.  Here they are:


We have had some cooler weather so I pulled out my favourite sweatshirt and my distressed jeans.  Super comfortable and functional.


I wore this to go clean out our holiday trailer that we are going to sell.  I added a necklace and pretty sweater to a basic tank and shorts.  It helped make the outfit look a little more put together.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday!  I am off to do some laundry and (hopefully) head outside.

Friday 3 July 2015

High Five For Friday- 03.07.15

Hello Friday!  Summer is definitely here.  It has been HOT and I am enjoying it as much as I can.  Here are my five highlights from the week:

1.)  I saw my brother last weekend.  It was really nice because it was just him, Miss. E and I.  I don't get much one on one time with him and I really enjoyed it.

2.)  The weather has been beautiful.  It has been super hot, which I am not normally a fan of.  I am embracing it this year and soaking up all the heat that I can.

3.)  I got out and went for a walk with a friend this week.  I haven't really been out much since Miss. E is still sick.  It was nice to have some time outside and it was nice to chat for a while.

4.)  Canada Day was really low key for us this year.  Miss E. is still sick and my hubby had to work, so we just hung out at home.  It was nice, though.  I am truly grateful that I get to live in such a wonderful country.

5.)  With all of my "home" time, I have been cruising Instagram a bit and I have found some other people who are doing capsule wardrobes.  I like following these people because it gives some great inspiration.  If you are looking for outfit inspiration, I suggest searching Instagram.

I hope that all of my American blog friends and readers have a safe and fun weekend, celebrating the Fourth of July.  I hope everyone else has a lovely weekend, too!  If you want to join in H54F, link up with the lovely ladies below!

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Wardrobe Wednesday- 01.07.15

Happy Canada Day!  Today is Canada's 148th birthday.   I had my outfit all planned out, but the seamstress isn't done with my dress yet.  I opted to wear my red skirt and white t-shirt.  It makes me feel patriotic and adorable.  Unfortunately, I wore it for the photo only and then I changed back into my sweats.  Miss. E is still sick.  We visited the pediatrician earlier this week and he changed her medication.  Hopefully, this new set works.

Here are my outfits from the week:


Running errands around town.  I love the vest and t-shirt dress together.  It was comfortable and versatile.  I love having the vest pockets.  You can never have too many pockets when you are toting around a toddler.



I knotted the black t-shirt dress over my maxi dress to make it look like a skirt/shirt combination.  It was super comfortable and great for spending the day with my little girl.


This is my Canada Day outfit.  It was cute and patriotic.  I was disappointed I didn't get to wear it out, but maybe I will get the chance later this summer!

Happy Wednesday and happy Canada day!