Blooming

My next happiness endeavour is a fun one. While perusing Pinterest for happiness boosters, I stumbled upon an article about fresh flowers and their link to improved mood. I decided this would be the perfect 'happiness booster' to test out. At the very least, I'll have some pretty flowers in my house.

A Harvard study by evolutionary psychologist Nancy Etcoff  showed a link between seeing displayed fresh flowers and an increased level of happiness and enthusiasm throughout.  I DO NOT have a green thumb, but I love flowers. I love arranging them and love looking at them. But I never have fresh flowers in my home. Save for the obligatory Mother's Day bouquet from the kids, my vases remain empty.

The act of buying fresh flowers felt so indulgent. I brought my daughter with me, so of course I came home with a bouquet of bright pink tulips. I slipped them into a vase and placed them in the middle of our dining table.

The flowers lasted a few days before being de-stemmed brutally by a (recently learnt climbing) baby. During their short stint, I definitely enjoyed their presence. Having them on the table also encouraged me to keep the clutter off the table. Did it consistently improve my mood? Hard to say. But it did feel nice to do a little something for myself, for no special reason and they did bring a smile to my face as I passed them by.

I do plan on making an effort to have fresh flowers and plants around the house more.  One thing I did find is the happiness factor is definitely boosted when flowers are given as a gift. My birthday just passed, and my birthday bouquet from my husband and kids is sitting in front of me as I work. Maybe it is the flowers, or maybe it is the reminder of my sweet family but either way- having them in front of me definitely increases my happiness in this moment.

So, go out, buy yourself-or a good friend- a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Soak in the bit of extra happiness.

My Momiversary

Today, my first born baby girl turned five. 5!!!

I know I promised this blog wouldn't be a parenting blog, but this is a day that deserves to be celebrated. So, in the spirit of being SELF{ish} I am reflecting on MY journey over the past five years and how much life has changed.

My children both look like their father (who is super duper handsome, btw, so that is a bonus) but A. has unquestionably inherited many of my personality traits.  A lot of them.

I have always been a loud, rambunctious person. The polite call it outgoing. I call it outgoing to the max. Not really- I call it annoying. I often find myself embarrassed of my over-enthusiasm. A. has that same unbounded, boisterous joie-de-vivre. Her happiness is contagious, and she is impossible to be around without smiling. I figure if I love it in her, how can I not love that same quality in myself?

Being a mom has taught me so much about love. An absolute cliche- I had no concept of how intensely and unconditionally I would love my children. Even when they are simultaneously driving me to the brink of insanity. I look at them and feel an overwhelming sense of love. Especially when they are asleep.

The biggest thing that being a mother has taught me is that I am strong. This strength has been tested countless times in the past five years. From bedtimes (still fighting that battle) to pregnancy losses, and from Emergency Room visits to having an un-medicated, unexpectedly fast childbirth in an ambulance. (Expect future blog posts on all of the above.) I am strong. And so are you. Mama, you are STRONG. You have such power within you, and acknowledging that fact will only make us stronger.

I want to thank my five year old girl for teaching me so much. I know she will continue to teach me lessons whether I am ready for them or not.

Happy Momiversary!

A Hard Day

We all know some days are harder than others.

On the hard days, the hours creep by a little slower. The small things seem to get a little bigger and the big things- mountainous. I am pushing myself to think of something to write about. Something upbeat, something that will show you I'm making progress. But the truth of it is that today is not a good day. Today is a hard day.

On the hard days when milk is spilt, so are tears. Some days Netflix won't connect and you don't get a shower, or a meal, or even a hot (tepid, even) coffee. On a hard day, I start to really feel the distance between our family. I feel the weight of the loneliness of spending days with two small children and minimal adult interaction. Being a stay at home parent is rewarding, yes, but it can also be so isolating. And today, I'm feeling it.

The good thing about the hard days? They always end. And you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Coffee Break

I love coffee. My husband calls me a junkie, it's an addiction I like to blame on my caffeine-loving parents, as well as complete and total sleep deprivation. But, as much as I love the caffeine jolt, for me it is more about the ritual. At home, I brew my coffee the old-fashioned way using a french press or drip method. It's a process to boil the water, grind the beans and wait for that rich, smooth pick-me-up but it is so worth it. Even better if the kids let me have a few moments of quiet for my first sips.

My favourite local coffee shop is North Mountain Coffee Co.  The coffee is delicious, the staff always friendly and welcoming, and the cafe itself is eclectic and inviting. The chocolate croissants don't hurt. I head in to buy my bag of beans, but I always get myself a little treat while I'm there. I'm not the only one who loves a visit to 'the cafe' either...

It is one of the simple things that makes me pause and appreciate little moments. A few quiet sips of coffee and catching up with a friend as the sun shines through the window is all I need. Oh, and a chocolate croissant.

The Red Lip Project

Ok, so beauty is on the inside, is only skin deep, etc etc.
I'm not going to lie to you. I want to be pretty. I know I'm supposed to say that looks don't matter and it's what is on the inside that counts. But in all honesty, looks do matter. When I look better, I feel better.

I spend every morning tying up pigtails, picking out (usually matching) outfits, and washing sticky little faces. By the time that's done, we're late, so I get a quick comb through if I'm lucky, and throw on some leggings. On a good day, I brush my teeth. No wonder I have lost my sparkle. 

The art of focusing on myself is going to mean putting some effort into my appearance. 

I long for the day I can look into the mirror and like what I see. I know that is going to take more than a flat iron and bronzer, but for me that's a part of it.

My first step was a big, bold lip. 

Let me tell you, rocking a red lip is not for the faint of heart. Sure, it looks amazing on all the hipster style bloggers on Pinterest. But a 30 year old Mom-of-two.... 

I will admit, I was nervous to go out. Wearing a red lip requires bravery and confidence. Also, a lip wax. 

I do love the look of a bold lip. And I'm working on really pulling it off fearlessly. I discovered my fear was a lot less about the look itself and a lot more about how I relate to my looks. I urge you to do something outside of your comfort zone! Go confidently into the great Sephora! Let me know how you do.