tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69961956870235236592024-03-05T16:13:23.625-04:00TWO CUPS OF HAPPYJanelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-8094001945532456002014-06-01T20:41:00.000-03:002014-06-01T20:41:25.456-03:00here comes the sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is basically how I feel right now. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What a gorgeous weekend we had here in Halifax. Seeing the sun after a long, cold, extended winter is so reassuring. I even had my first patio meal of the year - complete with a margarita.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope there is more of this on the way. How was your weekend?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">xx Janelle</span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-46395336571146656032014-01-20T22:23:00.002-04:002014-01-21T07:03:11.184-04:00currently | a positive start to 2014<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have so much to tell you and show you - including a trip to Mexico - but I don't want to force the words out. Here's a look at what's been up lately around here.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVT5SJETL3WomMDGsIbWLw1mAQrp8_E1sG438b2ad0liOf6iPK9mcETaJuDgxXf5OeNfWEsv9xmhsnuSq_wBvKzKKVKHtH6PYnQVUmd9XT0HPunpHKf-G6iPhJzvX9KoFiNDoqSRdn1DW/s1600/Currently-Blog-Tag-Watercolor-Texture-Hand-Painted-Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVT5SJETL3WomMDGsIbWLw1mAQrp8_E1sG438b2ad0liOf6iPK9mcETaJuDgxXf5OeNfWEsv9xmhsnuSq_wBvKzKKVKHtH6PYnQVUmd9XT0HPunpHKf-G6iPhJzvX9KoFiNDoqSRdn1DW/s1600/Currently-Blog-Tag-Watercolor-Texture-Hand-Painted-Art.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>watching & listening | </b>to lots of youtube videos. <br />
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That includes listening to every Jhene Aiko song I can find - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEm3lY3trRU" target="_blank">this one</a> in particular. Her voice is so unique and soothing. Her style is hard to peg, but it's half R&B and half chill.<br />
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<b>reading | </b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15803166-on-looking" target="_blank">On Looking</a>.<br />
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A friend of mine (hi, SE!) recommended this to me about a year ago I'd say and only now am I getting around to it. I've only read a few pages so far, so I can't give you a real review. Based on what I've read so far though, I think it will help me be more present, especially on my walks with Abby.</span><br />
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Sometimes I drag her along in the mornings because <i>I </i>woke up late. I hope to be able to get out of bed earlier and take our walks on a slower pace. I'm sure she would appreciate the extra time to sniff our neighbours' compost bins and find errant turkey bones. </span><br />
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annoyed by </b>| our front door's lock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">With the rain and cold we've had lately, our lock has frozen. It takes me a good minute or so of wiggling and tapping in order to get the key in. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Let me just say right here that tapping is putting it lightly. More like slamming? This cannot be done bare-handed - mittens are a must. Otherwise, I would cut myself.</span> So, yesterday I was a bit too ambitious <span style="font-size: x-small;">(aggressive?)</span> with my "tapping" and broke D's key in the lock.<br />
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<b>neglecting </b>| cleaning my bathroom.<br />
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It's really not that bad. Ever since the new year, D & I have been on an organizing/cleaning kick. Straight up, I am a messy person. That said, in the past few weeks I've made a few changes in my habits that have made a huge impact. Now... dishes only sit on the counter for a day or two and I keep a few surfaces free of clutter. The keyword here is few - my dining/craft table always seems to house those things that don't have a "home". <i>Tell me you have a space that seems to collect the most random things...?</i></span><br />
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</i>We've also reorganized our spare room closet, our tupperware cupboard and two bookshelves. I wish I had pics to show you because this is a <i>major</i> improvement.<br />
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</i>So with all of that, my bathroom has taken a back seat. <br />
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<b>excited about </b>| buying a house.<br />
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I think 2014 is going to be the year. Want to follow along?<br />
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Thanks so much for reading,<br />
xx Janelle</span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-44385744208184735622013-11-04T22:47:00.000-04:002013-11-04T22:49:49.678-04:00little lessons : build in rest & buy yourself a sweater<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Happy Monday to you all! We survived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Last week was a little bit of a blur for me. Every night I had somewhere to be or something to do - mind you, it was all fun stuff. When the dust settled this weekend, I had a bit of time to reflect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few <b>mini-lessons I've learned</b>:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- If you see a sweater you love at Target and there's only one left in your size, buy it. It won't be there next week.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- No matter how long you've been saving, you will feel a pang of anxiety when you make a big purchase. Wait it out, you will get excited...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- If you plan to go somewhere on Friday, built in rest time during the week. Otherwise, you will crash. You are not superwoman. It's okay to be tired and call a time out. <span style="font-size: x-small;">This is a lesson I will learn and re-learn.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Peppermint tea will make your belly feel better 75% of the time. Drink lots of it!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- A short workout is better than no workout. Even if you can't remember the last time you did any physical activity other than walking your dog.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNWPj72dy8196amJQmsUtQv6SLcsum9kmgQqKMlrHhn_3WcnSDzopN0IEplJyD86coJVF8rgdxsHRMgkd4nlw3rxpiGTNasATMs19LMwqTiQu5kfvbm6vQg1mVFxOh6T9tEAdIZpp5_kk/s1600/post-workout-snap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNWPj72dy8196amJQmsUtQv6SLcsum9kmgQqKMlrHhn_3WcnSDzopN0IEplJyD86coJVF8rgdxsHRMgkd4nlw3rxpiGTNasATMs19LMwqTiQu5kfvbm6vQg1mVFxOh6T9tEAdIZpp5_kk/s1600/post-workout-snap.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>post-workout & smiling.</i></span> </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How was your weekend? Any lessons learned?</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xx Janelle</span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-69646083051204117622013-10-30T22:41:00.000-03:002013-10-30T22:41:08.462-03:00Halloween Tag | lambchops & chocolate<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I normally never do these, but I was tagged by my <i>real-life </i>friend Val from <a href="http://makingitsparkle.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Making It Sparkle</a>, so I had to say yes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you're not into these types of things, come back next week for a Fall favorites post inspired by my friend <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfIypQzBe9Q&list=UUvjb7E5fRb4g0KG0DmZn2Hw" target="_blank">Jamie's YouTube channel</a>. I'm hoping to share some of my well-loved items for Fall. Some food, some clothes, some home comforts. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, and don't worry there will be no mention of pumpkin spiced lattes! Promise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>THE HALLOWEEN TAG</b> <b><b> </b></b></span></span></div>
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<b>1. What is your favorite Halloween movie?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hmm, well considering I can't handle scary movies at all... probably something more suspensful. Maybe Black Magic, although I haven't seen that one in years. I'm more into Christmas movies. I think it's still too early to watch Elf though. I have strict rules about these things.<b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> What was your favorite costume?
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ah, so many to choose from! I'm one of those annoying people who gets overly excited about dressing up in costume. I was a dance and theatre kid back in grade school. That should explain some of it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Here's my favorite costume I've thrown together:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB2z8Fsy1kxCrqXCGDL4nHYcrJTYftnkPGiQNKGG09uzY3tfaw-MURJiO82GCwLaInFLZU4lZHiKJybSwJ6xktd7caZ0S613zOqKvAbH35Upcc9qxqhEsXAXhzGkq6qF3sjE4-Y7v1IQA/s1600/lambchops-playalong-costume-idea-halloween-tag-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB2z8Fsy1kxCrqXCGDL4nHYcrJTYftnkPGiQNKGG09uzY3tfaw-MURJiO82GCwLaInFLZU4lZHiKJybSwJ6xktd7caZ0S613zOqKvAbH35Upcc9qxqhEsXAXhzGkq6qF3sjE4-Y7v1IQA/s1600/lambchops-playalong-costume-idea-halloween-tag-collage.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />I got to become my beloved childhood best friend, my stuffed animal Lambchops. Every little girl's dream.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Please ignore how scary I look in the top right photo. I know it's Halloween and I was cold, but still.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Do you like haunted houses?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No. Not even a little bit. <br /><br />One year I succumbed to peer pressure and went to to a haunted walk at a zoo with friends. This was a terrible idea. The thought of going through these enclosed spaces while people jumped out at me with blood all over themselves and holding weapons was too much for me. I got about one or two steps into one of the exhibits and darted back out. So, I waited outside after each one. All night. While seven year olds went through without batting an eye.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>4.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> What's your favorite candy?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chocolate or sour candy.<b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>5.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> Do you decorate for Halloween?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don't now, but if we had a house we would put a few pumpkins out. No skeletons and bones though.... not really our style.<b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>6.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> Do you still dress up for Halloween? If yes, what will you be this year?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I always do, if there's a party to go to. This year, I planned to be a mermaid, but I couldn't make it to the fabric store, so I'm going as a swamp lady instead. There will be drapey fishnet fabric, painted on fish scales and fake seaweed. I'll make it work!<b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>7.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What is the one Halloween candy you can't stand?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those taffy's wrapped in the orange and black wrappers. Ick.<b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>8.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> What's your best Halloween memory?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trick or treating around my subdivision as a kid. There were quaite a few houses which meant a decent candy haul. We always collected our candy in pillowcases. <i>Did you guys do that?</i><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>9.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> What song comes to mind when you think of Halloween?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The monster mash.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>10. What's your favorite part of Halloween?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cute kids in costumes. Little superman's & fairies melt my heart! <br /><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>11. Would you rather trick or treat?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Treats! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>12. Candy Corn- Take It or Leave It?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>13. If a black cat crosses your path, what do you do?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Call it towards me so I can pat it. Here kitty, kitty, kitty....<b> </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>14. Do you carve/decorate pumpkins?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes! I haven't the past couple of years though. I painted one a few years ago and it was really enjoyable so I think I'll do that again soon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>15. How old were you when you stopped Trick-or-Treating?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">16? I still remember feeling too old for it at that point, but some teens in the neighborhood still did it. I guess I'm a sucker for free candy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was a banana that year. A hellow hoodie and a sign on my chest that said "Yes, I'm a banana". I hope you don't feel jealous of how cool I was... Haha.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>16. Festive Nail Art- Yes or No?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Subtle nail art is good. Black with silver, a deep burnt orange or peach, but no long red claws for me.<br /><br />I hope your Halloween is extra sweet. Happy trick or treating!<br /><br />xx<br />Janelle</span></span></div>
Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-26209343240266403382013-10-11T12:52:00.000-03:002013-10-11T12:52:11.138-03:00give thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> lettering by me.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends & readers! I hope you find time this weekend to spend with your loved ones - both human & furry.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things I'm thankful for today...</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D's family and all they do for us. I can't even count all the drives they've given us.<br /><br />My parents willingness to come down to Halifax to visit, so we don't have to drive up. 3 kids here<i> does</i> outnumber 2 parents up in New Brunswick though and they have a car... but still. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having the afternoon off work. My manager is super-accommodating and I'm so grateful for that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creativity and the joy it brings.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friends and connections I've made through volunteering with Happily Ever Active. Building community.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuffing. Who can argue with that one?<br /><br />Wishing you a great weekend!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xx Janelle</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-43576443728532802532013-10-07T21:45:00.001-03:002013-10-08T07:24:22.471-03:005 years later<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I never understood how people could last in a long term relationship. To me, it seemed like an eternity. The thought of being in a serious, long-term relationship with someone seemed at once boring and stifling. I was too independent for that. I'm a Sagittarius, for god's sake. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was good at being alone. I had it handled. I self-regulated my emotions, cooked decent meals for myself and had enough going on in my social life to feel busy. That's what being an adult is, right?<br /><br /><b>And now, five years later - here we are.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the end of the summer before 3rd year, my friend N and I</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> made a trip to the liquor store a few days before school started. Us and every other university student in the tiny town of Sackville. I spotted <i>that guy from my Spanish class</i>. I <strike>accidentally</strike> let it slip to N that I thought that guy was cute. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Later that night, we headed out to catch up with everyone after a long summer away. Mostly everyone went to the campus pub, since it was one of the three bars worth visiting. Guess who was also there? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This guy.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-U_qoiNdkUmOHoUrgFUMmz4dbqLXcI-g-hclLrImgpsdaLNaBr5gpBJzATCvNmUkPXWzVHpnWJtzJHsBMGQpu8jX7nS34NI_ZSwUD-AT6WrcOSmtrlD9mcNF8pbzyghjx70mO19iqpBo/s1600/D-and-koda-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-U_qoiNdkUmOHoUrgFUMmz4dbqLXcI-g-hclLrImgpsdaLNaBr5gpBJzATCvNmUkPXWzVHpnWJtzJHsBMGQpu8jX7nS34NI_ZSwUD-AT6WrcOSmtrlD9mcNF8pbzyghjx70mO19iqpBo/s1600/D-and-koda-1.jpg" /></a><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little tanned-up from working outside... </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />And so, N made sure that we "met" that night, even though we already knew each other. It was a very obvious and slightly awkward set-up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />And somehow, it worked.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I realized today that since our anniversary is in October, Halloween photos serve as pretty good benchmarks of each year. Except 2009. We were clearly too busy stuffing our faces with candy or assembling our costumes. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Five Halloweens later - here we are.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy anniversary to the sweetest man. The only one capable of converting a commitment-phobe.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-3s8IaNd0Wd5ochJKDjLBNw9h30lXMEFlcXLvXuZsguC0X03g-dF1kzbnqnXMvOE4UDoYb-ZhAxJNHNtOWsVGNU8qsAVyptTr4v5-us2B8OYClgUAZqURU_n_6kGc4lrDnNLPHmPA4iV/s1600/D-and-Me-Beach-Yellow-Tint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-3s8IaNd0Wd5ochJKDjLBNw9h30lXMEFlcXLvXuZsguC0X03g-dF1kzbnqnXMvOE4UDoYb-ZhAxJNHNtOWsVGNU8qsAVyptTr4v5-us2B8OYClgUAZqURU_n_6kGc4lrDnNLPHmPA4iV/s1600/D-and-Me-Beach-Yellow-Tint.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm ending it here before you barf from all the sappiness.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><i>Can you guess all our costumes? Some are pretty obvious and others not so much.</i><br /><br />xx Janelle</span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-3648325581999198732013-09-29T14:02:00.002-03:002013-09-29T14:02:53.042-03:00weekend recap | Sackville adventure<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOwHXbkXd5Sarz0Q3_5eOmtHQJ3n1NNN_Ly6tfFB8J6pft-q0GBuGDkVuxCRBuqO-ib6zwuOZELAILpauAIgwkvMrdAtbfKDW5d3Fn-eGE671XM3wm47HdqkWFHbzmgvKJiTZPSpsuMn6/s1600/Lauras-First-Tattoo-New-Addiction-Hell-Or-High-Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOwHXbkXd5Sarz0Q3_5eOmtHQJ3n1NNN_Ly6tfFB8J6pft-q0GBuGDkVuxCRBuqO-ib6zwuOZELAILpauAIgwkvMrdAtbfKDW5d3Fn-eGE671XM3wm47HdqkWFHbzmgvKJiTZPSpsuMn6/s1600/Lauras-First-Tattoo-New-Addiction-Hell-Or-High-Water.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Want to come with me to get a tattoo tomorrow? </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not usually the first thing a friend says to you when you arrive to stay the weekend. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last weekend, I went to stay with my good friend L in Sackville, New Brunswick, our former university town. In a moment of bravery, or maybe impulsivity, she booked a tattoo appointment for Saturday morning. After hitting up the Sackville market for some Indian comfort food, we headed to Moncton.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She decided on a simple black anchor on her wrist. And before she could change her mind, we found ourselves in a small room at the back of the shop. <br /><br />The tattoo took all of 3 minutes to complete and before we knew it we were back on the road. We did a little store-hopping to find some storage baskets for her new place. By the time we finally made it back to town, we were starving and had to just sit for a bit. An episode of <i>Orange is the New Black</i> and stir-fried noodles is the perfect wind-down activity. Oh, and cheesecake.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3SvxdVZa5FlnWNvgr2slAolWosIblgF-r-1J7xhMpmLKTol9FujQBnmLY-RJr7LSIolTtLs92eWcxYbPj_yDhRoXQGyaVx_7Udz7Lt4pwizVOBes6taE9KPo9g0M9eF4mldtwqRcRTtt/s1600/Laura-Sackville-Trip-Food-And-Netflix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3SvxdVZa5FlnWNvgr2slAolWosIblgF-r-1J7xhMpmLKTol9FujQBnmLY-RJr7LSIolTtLs92eWcxYbPj_yDhRoXQGyaVx_7Udz7Lt4pwizVOBes6taE9KPo9g0M9eF4mldtwqRcRTtt/s1600/Laura-Sackville-Trip-Food-And-Netflix.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Do you like our creative laptop stand?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On my last day we decided to head down to the waterfowl park. On our way there we spotted a really pretty courtyard with old doors by the mealhall. There are big round metal tables with fixed chairs and lots of greenery.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_OI_DE1sgjQz6wrTrrB9H0PVPqxWuoJn5LC1oH4Txw4i6tawUS3To3stnEpSw4rhx7RuizGXDp3sacr8pDdCPEvlyqOzSPz8VmxNIsUlMsd8ou7sivJX4r5PPKpR5tbmp8dfRFEjO1IR/s1600/Lo-and-Me-Sackville-Door-Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_OI_DE1sgjQz6wrTrrB9H0PVPqxWuoJn5LC1oH4Txw4i6tawUS3To3stnEpSw4rhx7RuizGXDp3sacr8pDdCPEvlyqOzSPz8VmxNIsUlMsd8ou7sivJX4r5PPKpR5tbmp8dfRFEjO1IR/s1600/Lo-and-Me-Sackville-Door-Pic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The least awkward of all the photos.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Trust me.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8B3j7nGt60TgX0GSysEfqdGvVY2gDyLR2cQpD6QWTwiOzLWswS56iXsYcs-jqWhMKfBIoe6fklVdamu3hDEd4KFdw6gnyg2OeWQTp0Cf1e6-KYAFSYdOcOP0OChYjnA4ORw3BVuA8JJX/s1600/Laura-Janelle-Door-Collage-Sackville-NB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8B3j7nGt60TgX0GSysEfqdGvVY2gDyLR2cQpD6QWTwiOzLWswS56iXsYcs-jqWhMKfBIoe6fklVdamu3hDEd4KFdw6gnyg2OeWQTp0Cf1e6-KYAFSYdOcOP0OChYjnA4ORw3BVuA8JJX/s1600/Laura-Janelle-Door-Collage-Sackville-NB.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It wouldn't be Sackville without the wind. Oh, the wind. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't be deceived. My hair is not in a ponytail in the photo below.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhkDbzPdO3-Ed6FxhOEF8bSwwbI_BOgmEnHQGMXd1ruKT0Ptoymbu798FI94ks_V6zEolAggRBASQYDwQRu2-jCrZVLZZbK-6wDk7ifx6bnBgjgPl7E89ERpFAMKcE3v1YOw309Aah_vE/s1600/Waterfall-Park-Adventures-Windy-Sackille-NB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhkDbzPdO3-Ed6FxhOEF8bSwwbI_BOgmEnHQGMXd1ruKT0Ptoymbu798FI94ks_V6zEolAggRBASQYDwQRu2-jCrZVLZZbK-6wDk7ifx6bnBgjgPl7E89ERpFAMKcE3v1YOw309Aah_vE/s1600/Waterfall-Park-Adventures-Windy-Sackille-NB.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The waterfowl park is such a peaceful place. It's set back from the university and the main roads, so most days it's calm and quiet. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We walked along the boardwalk through the marsh and sat on a small bench and watched the ducks dive. We played a little sketching game and talked about the different definitions people hold of a successful work life. We talked about getting our shit together and about what that really means. We talked about settling down and how comforting it can be to have a homebase from which to explore the world on mini-vacations and trips. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">L has a great
perspective on <b>building adventure into everyday</b>. Travel is non-negotiable for her and I love that. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All in all, we both had a soul filling weekend.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope all of you have a great day.<br />xx Janelle</span></span></span></span> </span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-87907488803477987882013-09-08T20:24:00.002-03:002013-09-08T20:24:42.280-03:00weekend recap | getting stuff done at home<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>veggies from D's dad | abby waiting patiently for her treat | hedgehog closeup | blurry selfie, since i rarely post my face on here.</i></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This weekend was just what I
needed. I think D and I were both craving some time at home to do some cleaning, watch movies and relax.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On Friday night we watched FIBA Americas (basketball). Then on Saturday, I had a laughing fit with the seniors at our dance fitness class. The theme was ABBA and we came up with some pretty creative choreography. "<i>Jump with my baby</i>", turned into us miming being pregnant while hopping up and down. Almost everyone was in stitches. Maybe you had to be there? <br /><br />Saturday night we watched The Beach - I <i>know. </i>I can't believe it took me this long to watch it. Apparently, it's a classic Leo movie. I liked it, but I feel like it started going downhill about halfway through. The whole gameboy scene was a bit wacky.<br /><br />Today we got a few things done around the house that we've been procrastinating on. Hung a curtain in the living room (pics soon!), cleaned 3 windows, and hung up this painting I did a while ago.</span><br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd3HKSNgLnUB5JaRB2TRpnUemtuRy1eeTBLuaWu2SVZ6Z4FPBHXdJPxf0gCBJUmom8K5qP71mQNepAjD-FzQap6aLJ5mYV5lpdsYK3LLgPsq65MYTUVYfsPErG4kbFx8gze-ZzmgwqZ-n/s1600/New-Amateur-Painting-Finally-Hung-Two-Cups-of-Happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd3HKSNgLnUB5JaRB2TRpnUemtuRy1eeTBLuaWu2SVZ6Z4FPBHXdJPxf0gCBJUmom8K5qP71mQNepAjD-FzQap6aLJ5mYV5lpdsYK3LLgPsq65MYTUVYfsPErG4kbFx8gze-ZzmgwqZ-n/s640/New-Amateur-Painting-Finally-Hung-Two-Cups-of-Happy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I try not to see the mistakes when I look at it. I do like the hair though and it's the first of my artwork I've ever framed and hung. Plus I think it coordinates well with the wall colour.<br /><i><br />What did you do this weekend? Fill me in.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping in,<br />xx Janelle</span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-49719339209132709842013-09-03T20:39:00.000-03:002013-09-03T20:46:52.123-03:00that weekend feeling <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I find myself living for the weekend and I know I'm not the only one.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Monday mornings seem to creep up unannounced and it's back to the weekly routine. Work, eat, sleep, repeat.<br /><br />"How many days until Friday?" we all joke.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isn't this a little bit sad? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I don't want to live 2 out of 7 days. I want to live all of them. </b>I really don't care how cheesy that sounds.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the past couple weeks I've been reflecting on how I can capture the "weekend feeling" during the work week. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few Mondays ago I went out for dinner with my sister. I rarely do this because I'm usually too tired to stay downtown after work. We were having a great time catching up, laughing and sharing our excitement that our brother would be moving to Halifax, but at first I kept feeling like I had to get home. It was a work night.<br /><br />For some reason, I felt like I was obligated to get going, even though I knew the dog was cared for and I had nothing else planned that evening. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wasn't quite ready to leave yet, and we had lots to catch up on, so I forced that nagging thought out of my mind and we walked down to the waterfront. We got slushies like when we were little, sat on the dock and hashed out what our future lives might look like. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For an hour, I forgot it was Monday. And for a moment, it felt like the weekend. A time to relax, enjoy time with friends and family and eat slowly. A time when the dishes can wait, I can play one more round or stay out just a little bit later.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think I'm going to start allowing myself more opportunities for times like these. The weekend moments. Everyday.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Wishing you a happy day,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">xx Janelle</span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-25337440610225540282013-07-30T06:30:00.000-03:002013-07-30T06:30:00.547-03:00etsy finds | nautical by nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hxY-VUEc-owXnjKT8GASD80e2bjRSeTQQBy_fzrGPx7RBZ1aHvj2IHAOZjIlCSBovXuNv43TZOuz2ngkt7dbepIMEouRRxGYri2gzgCa0mKBS9n5GObalLBcQlCCCSS3pzLCv5AlEgIM/s1600/etsy-finds-july-2013-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNQ4HElJfT43xg83e2Ul8wATFZSYX7HXplZIOlZr1Cs6vgeeTGc6dEAc4VbDCUlF6aP9hdVwB5b670Kb297srA9HP9OOeexEf0Ywk66dwe68R-e5Kbqs5U7L1SXqEO-kV-eSQOmUU-zYm/s1600/nautical-etsy-finds-july-2013-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNQ4HElJfT43xg83e2Ul8wATFZSYX7HXplZIOlZr1Cs6vgeeTGc6dEAc4VbDCUlF6aP9hdVwB5b670Kb297srA9HP9OOeexEf0Ywk66dwe68R-e5Kbqs5U7L1SXqEO-kV-eSQOmUU-zYm/s1600/nautical-etsy-finds-july-2013-header.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I don't often browse through <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. Oh, but when I do, I always find stuff I like. Lately, I've come across some pretty little shops via blogs and <a href="http://www.brika.com/" target="_blank">BRIKA</a> - a curated online marketplace. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Full post on BRIKA to come later!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">After collecting the names of shops to check out, I finally made time to browse. My favorite items were these <b>mostly eco-friendly, unintentionally nautical pieces. </b> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9IazXm7smqKeM6KGCGg27keU6ch7KSI_uUCTBMwFQPRmww-_DhlwHVdTxoGmrb9QjIexsaZdxA432lG086hq0kZk5fXpvk36A6IcRbzdTVAWAx_sb2K003PTNnaPu9CQNwfqJ0IDFM9u/s1600/Etsy-Finds-July-2013-Eco-Friendly-Hand-Lettered-and-Handmade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9IazXm7smqKeM6KGCGg27keU6ch7KSI_uUCTBMwFQPRmww-_DhlwHVdTxoGmrb9QjIexsaZdxA432lG086hq0kZk5fXpvk36A6IcRbzdTVAWAx_sb2K003PTNnaPu9CQNwfqJ0IDFM9u/s1600/Etsy-Finds-July-2013-Eco-Friendly-Hand-Lettered-and-Handmade.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Something wearable for you, for your furry friend and two blue hand-lettered pieces of art for your home. </span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/156648626/xochitl-womens-tri-blend-racerback?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">tank</a> | <b>bark decor</b> | $27.40 CAD</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/156002115/watercolor-make-waves-hand-lettered?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">original watercolour</a> | <b>laura frances designs </b>| $42.16 CAD</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/122149685/carpe-noctem-pillow-12x12-inches-navy?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_search_query=carpe+noctem+pillow&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=CA&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=carpe+noctem+pillow" target="_blank">throw pillow</a> | <b>brightjuly </b>| $57.97 CAD</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/91596098/rope-leash-resq-leash-the-strong-rope?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=resq&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=CA&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=resq" target="_blank">rope leash</a> | RESQ/CO | $52.70</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> CAD</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Do you have any favorite Etsy shops? </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few local sellers I love are <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/thiefandbandit?ref=shop_sugg" target="_blank">Thief&Bandit</a> (screenprinted goodies), <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/SarahPhelpsCreative?ref=ss_profile" target="_blank">Sarah Phelps Creative</a> (bright, eye-catching, clean design cards) & <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MyHandboundBooks" target="_blank">My Handbound Books</a> (got my sister a mini silver notebook from here last Christmas. it was so soft.).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy not-Monday!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xx Janelle </span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-4189981282950121722013-07-24T00:45:00.000-03:002013-07-24T00:49:02.399-03:00currently | frivolous with a side of serious<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now seems like a good time for a little life update. Want to come and virtually sit with me for a minute?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7SuyOXOOO8YQFp7S9pfw0_95wA0SHbepVeuuxSZ-btnYyHVxOBKmBOD9qeYY7YwgnTqXkweGc9FN_dyvtmkEsZcAmPKCW8khO0941Zv6jwcmkX1LnrY9fkL4LhnoLvcPXE9jSeiwz4ZP/s1600/Currently-Blog-Tag-Watercolor-Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7SuyOXOOO8YQFp7S9pfw0_95wA0SHbepVeuuxSZ-btnYyHVxOBKmBOD9qeYY7YwgnTqXkweGc9FN_dyvtmkEsZcAmPKCW8khO0941Zv6jwcmkX1LnrY9fkL4LhnoLvcPXE9jSeiwz4ZP/s1600/Currently-Blog-Tag-Watercolor-Art.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Listening to<b> | </b></b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zNSgSzhBfM" target="_blank">Can't Hold Us</a>.
I know this Macklemore song came out a few months ago, but I was a bit
late to the game. This has been my morning jam lately. I first thought
John Legend was the featured artist, but it's Ray Dalton who has that smooth,
soulful sound. I need to look up more of his other work. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Fun fact: He
used to be a gospel singer.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Craving | </b>Anything from <a href="http://humanitcafe.com/" target="_blank">Humani-T Cafe</a>. Can I just live there? Or better yet, can their chef come live with me? My current favorite treat is an iced vanilla soy latte. I gulped mine down in less than ten minutes last time. So yummy. It was the first time I had tried an iced latte and I'm already dreaming of my next one.<br /><br />Yesterday I had their African Peanut Stew and was pleasantly surprised. I have a go-to recipe for this soup, so I was worried it would taste "off" to me, you know what I mean? Thankfully, the flavour was completely different from my recipe and I loved it! It had just the right amount of spice and had big pieces of sweet potato and celery. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Procrastinating | </b>on a project. I've been pretty creatively productive lately - ever since I took a night class at <a href="http://nscad.ca/en/home/default.aspx" target="_blank">NSCAD</a> in the Spring. But, I've been slow to make progress on a new creative expression program I'm building. More to come on this in a few months... I can't wait to share more with you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Wishing | </b>I could sleep better. A few situational factors have resulted in me sleeping a little over half of what I normally would. Yesterday I survived the afternoon on chai and a dark chocolate energy boost around 3:00. I trained myself to love the dark, smooth bars by Lindt. Right now I'm loving the 70% plain, but the one with almonds in it is also worth stealing from your coworkers treat drawer. Not that I would <i>ever </i>do that.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Thinking about | </b>how to truly acknowledge and more importantly, dissect <i>white privilege. </i>I thought I understood the term before, but I didn't. Last week, I read this post about <a href="http://loveisntenough.com/2009/12/30/how-to-be-an-anti-racist-ally/" target="_blank">how to be an anti-racist ally</a> and could not stop thinking about it. The article is very accessible and it helped me recognize a few areas which I needed - and still need to - read up on. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Although I have been involved in diverse community groups for some time, only now do I realize my own limitations in facilitating diversity workshops. It may sound obvious but as a White person I will never be able to understand what it is like to live as a person of colour. I can assume, carefully listen to others' experiences, read every existing journal article on racism, and even empathize but I will never truly know. This is the very first step to humility. Baby steps.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the same way, <b>confronting my own biases and prejudices is a never-ending process.</b> It can be uncomfortable at times, but is so necessary. There is still so much I need to learn about diversity, racism and how to advocate respectfully and appropriately for and alongside those who are systemically oppressed. With time and patience... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate you stopping by and reading my rants and rambles. Especially when they are about things that are so important to me.<br /><br />xx Janelle<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Post idea credit to Dani at <a href="http://sometimessweet.com/" target="_blank">Sometimes Sweet</a>.</i></span></span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-48828733733347674082013-07-16T07:25:00.001-03:002013-07-16T15:57:52.066-03:00a birthday pool party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmBXqsezs2B1WnpMa8jOcffxceOcvVJ2lA7FIFMcGyp9JvNxIXNhTdchrFCyUO6BZ2-sF9Lj3uxGLna8ASffDexBgWDBoflky39D68MLeSUptAn3rURvUquh5VATMBxptvthNvdlsxj92/s1600/Summer-Pool-Party-Birthday-Deck-Painted-Toe-Nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmBXqsezs2B1WnpMa8jOcffxceOcvVJ2lA7FIFMcGyp9JvNxIXNhTdchrFCyUO6BZ2-sF9Lj3uxGLna8ASffDexBgWDBoflky39D68MLeSUptAn3rURvUquh5VATMBxptvthNvdlsxj92/s1600/Summer-Pool-Party-Birthday-Deck-Painted-Toe-Nails.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is where I spent most of my day Saturday and it was heavenly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last Wednesday was D's niece's 10th birthday and next Wednesday is his nephew's 4th birthday, so their parents threw a joint pool party for friends and family. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had been looking forward to some time in the water, since we're not able to get to the beach for lack of a vehicle<i> and I'm practically a mermaid. </i>Being away from the water just feels weird to me. I was born near the ocean and plan to leave near it always. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although I now think<b> I'm inseperable from the sea</b>, or any water really, it wasn't always this way. When I was about five or six years old, I spent the first 4 weeks of swimming lessons on the side of the pool. Crying. My parents persisted though, and I went on to finish all levels. My mom can't swim and for this reason she was determined to make sure we could.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> It worked, Mom!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back to the party: When we first got there, the kids were in the pool, but they quickly came out to fill their hungry bellies with hotdogs, hamburgers and cake - of course! Soon after the younger one (let's call him C) opened his presents, we hopped in the pool. By default <span style="font-size: x-small;">(as the oldest person in the pool area)</span> I was appointed the unofficial lifeguard/babysitter/water-gun police. At this point, I was lucky enough to be befriended by the most talkative, adorable, energetic four year old. She wanted me to catch her every single time she jumped in and was my shadow for the next hour or so. And..... cue baby fever. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 | D being climbed on, as usual</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">2 | me keeping an eye out</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">3 | C <strike>telling</strike> begging us to spray him in the face with his water gun. no fear...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">All in all, it was a perfect summer day. A little BBQ, a little swimming and a lot of sunshine. Hope you all had a great weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">xx Janelle </span></div>
<br />Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-31715729573123945662013-07-03T21:40:00.003-03:002013-07-03T21:41:55.321-03:00summer intentions | less of this and more of that<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RrLZcagyvUTy8IMh5PL-aUZPF8u3OlQZudOoDWQKCBvoI2tVf63c0hcXyJe0lpADFiIFKlnH1ZrQ_JM4hLcpKJ3SpkSYfXIzJJmnX6cXSApU3_V3a9uMqOP-K_K2BoBnlgCSrz9jlxNe/s522/Get-Outside-More-Summer-Intention-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RrLZcagyvUTy8IMh5PL-aUZPF8u3OlQZudOoDWQKCBvoI2tVf63c0hcXyJe0lpADFiIFKlnH1ZrQ_JM4hLcpKJ3SpkSYfXIzJJmnX6cXSApU3_V3a9uMqOP-K_K2BoBnlgCSrz9jlxNe/s1600/Get-Outside-More-Summer-Intention-2013.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Confession:</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Okay, so remember a month ago when I posted about wanting to <a href="http://twocupsofhappy.blogspot.ca/2013/05/stop-chasing-start-choosing.html" target="_blank">cut down on clutter in the apartment</a>? Well, I still haven't made much progress. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Here come the excuses - brace yourselves! </span>I've been either hosting guests (both family & friends) or away for each of the last 4-5 weekends. This doesn't exactly leave me with much energy during weeknights to decide whether or not I can live without my flower-y boxer shorts from high school. Spoiler alert: I can't!<br /><br />Sometimes when people try to live with less, others tend to focus on what they're doing without, what they're giving up. We're not buying anymore clothes. Spending freeze. Less is more. Give it away! Purge it ALL. <a href="http://exilelifestyle.com/55/" target="_blank">This man only owns 55 things</a>. No really, he does. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">But at its core, <b>minimalism is centered on what you gain.</b> It's about having more. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For me, the desire to get rid of <i>some</i> stuff and monitor what comes into my apartment comes from wanting more space, physically and mentally. I'm easily distracted - especially by shiny and/or sparkly things - and so leaving room for some empty space in my home leaves me room to think and create. To spread o u t but also to get out. Less stuff in a smaller home means less time spent cleaning/organizing and more time doing. And I don't know about you, but I'd rather be free to gallivant around on an unusually nice day instead of trying to make sense of pile of clothes ready to morph into a blob of some sort. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In keeping with this theme, I made a list (surprise!) of what I want less of this summer and this lead to another list of what I want more of. Want to see?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOqVAt5zASrfXDesKQN-ahEfJcgb9D_qwSoerxV9kT4rhEGr-Dnx09dDFRESbxg1D8D2Rf8VopgXt9597z_8XDU_k9R_GN5VNjZIPfgyOvOXFZLa5GqeisPRtBx83igxWsIgG9dGkOsmz/s500/Less-Simplicity-Simple-Living-Summer-2013-Intentions-List.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOqVAt5zASrfXDesKQN-ahEfJcgb9D_qwSoerxV9kT4rhEGr-Dnx09dDFRESbxg1D8D2Rf8VopgXt9597z_8XDU_k9R_GN5VNjZIPfgyOvOXFZLa5GqeisPRtBx83igxWsIgG9dGkOsmz/s1600/Less-Simplicity-Simple-Living-Summer-2013-Intentions-List.png" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-b26m-Y__ZG3vIdGRgQXBq165x9LLSTc8Dzwgl-rcVf9IToJNbVCEgbUXtHObFZYG0WLqAJkN8hCwH14t4MOWyMbnhLxr9hbMlIZuWIS-MuRcyagWypVnwskTVbnXUzCbc2W3yosm4LF/s500/Summer-Intentions-List-Simple-Living-2013-CDF.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-b26m-Y__ZG3vIdGRgQXBq165x9LLSTc8Dzwgl-rcVf9IToJNbVCEgbUXtHObFZYG0WLqAJkN8hCwH14t4MOWyMbnhLxr9hbMlIZuWIS-MuRcyagWypVnwskTVbnXUzCbc2W3yosm4LF/s1600/Summer-Intentions-List-Simple-Living-2013-CDF.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Do any of you ever feel that wanting less leads you experience more? <i><b>What do you want to do more of this summer?</b></i> Read, swim, craft, travel? I'd love to know.<br /><br />As always, thanks for reading.<br /><br />xx Janelle</span><br />
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<span id="goog_1348341666"></span><span id="goog_1348341667"></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-1659388056678697092013-06-13T21:42:00.002-03:002013-06-13T21:44:11.849-03:00an unintentially moody update on the last 2 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UTmIMPL93uWiKhSMjwnqYqfeL2q48xt1G4PFW2IHGEFEHroXe4Xge2mWpaTnOAZHlI89iV5k0H6RE748rmPdkw9XTp1RLDZQcK3VVWOKV02dI_JDIUSc7Dxz3OejFp1p1b7jJX3RadFf/s1600/Coffee-French-Press-Sunday-Morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UTmIMPL93uWiKhSMjwnqYqfeL2q48xt1G4PFW2IHGEFEHroXe4Xge2mWpaTnOAZHlI89iV5k0H6RE748rmPdkw9XTp1RLDZQcK3VVWOKV02dI_JDIUSc7Dxz3OejFp1p1b7jJX3RadFf/s1600/Coffee-French-Press-Sunday-Morning.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>addicted to coffee (decaf, flavoured, lattes etc.)</i></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think a little recap is in order, since I didn't post here in oh, about 3 weeks. The truth is I've been trying to keep myself motivated in other arguably more important areas of my life - like work, a course I'm taking one evening a week and taking care of the dog. Which some nights consists of me half-passed out reading in bed with her sulking next to me. I can't lie. I've been a little run-down lately. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm not trying to turn this post to turn into a bummer, so I'll feed you some happiness (or at least something lighter). After all, I am wearing the schlumpiest of the schlumpy sweatpants. And that shit makes me happy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The most UNimportant update is I cut my bangs.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToO3XI2uujhqjfqtg5NDOVkYEKPp-WvRtzdCnnZHxMSyBllPYypFEu7bzTIyWVS1y5I_1mYS9itlN4pteuPEt45mCaW4tj94bac3Ua6QcGTsmtlO8WtqirD4XpLwMDRsvf-4qhiHED7TP/s1600/straight-across-bangs-how-to-cut-them-yourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToO3XI2uujhqjfqtg5NDOVkYEKPp-WvRtzdCnnZHxMSyBllPYypFEu7bzTIyWVS1y5I_1mYS9itlN4pteuPEt45mCaW4tj94bac3Ua6QcGTsmtlO8WtqirD4XpLwMDRsvf-4qhiHED7TP/s1600/straight-across-bangs-how-to-cut-them-yourself.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't plan it at all really. Just trimmed them normally, didn't like them, wanted a change and impulsively snipped them a week or so later. Last time I had them like this was a couple years ago, but they only stayed for a couple of months. They took some time to style back then and </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I really appreciate having low maintenance hair.</span></span></span></span> They've been a bit easier to maintain this time, so I'm hoping to keep them for a while. We'll see...</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I would also like to keep the sun a bit longer. The pic on the left was taken on Monday and the right side on Thursday. From sandals and my new (and favorite!) maxi dress to covering up in lounge pants and funny slippers that remind me of Minnie Mouse. Must be the bows! </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4F1WHLAdBU0uXo5xCXNqH_lFEFuC_b-ipO99SswoQWgIifkZ9E-9IPTaKCcj1GbFi0Tta2j1E31MsB6T_ImEz3AB8-I3tN5bsgrVTFzgjh5LoTS_OMAJpCs_0eP8Vlv8HDp2_zXDOmNu/s1600/Shoes-Sandals-Slippers-from-Sunny-To-Rainy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4F1WHLAdBU0uXo5xCXNqH_lFEFuC_b-ipO99SswoQWgIifkZ9E-9IPTaKCcj1GbFi0Tta2j1E31MsB6T_ImEz3AB8-I3tN5bsgrVTFzgjh5LoTS_OMAJpCs_0eP8Vlv8HDp2_zXDOmNu/s1600/Shoes-Sandals-Slippers-from-Sunny-To-Rainy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's <i>still</i> coat weather here. This was me last night. I was reading a blog about a vegan restaurant and I just couldn't stop thinking about my favorite vegan soups from Human-T cafe. So I made the long trek to the cafe with D in the mist to pick up a nice big cup of this.</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU-AYV-i5yH5IKexdBWD8GDqL8lxm8YOmJMVtTp1_xVGap-aWayRKTJWJ3uKBdkIrq4O4I-63VK_5o5tuo4yE12i2VLffA71AlLAPjegyJLcbJ73kZRTpaM5wfuc9Sz8UYAZxCxhc3WQU/s1600/Humani-T-Cafe-Vegan-Broccoli-Soup-Halifax-Spring-Rain-Cuddle-Sweatpants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU-AYV-i5yH5IKexdBWD8GDqL8lxm8YOmJMVtTp1_xVGap-aWayRKTJWJ3uKBdkIrq4O4I-63VK_5o5tuo4yE12i2VLffA71AlLAPjegyJLcbJ73kZRTpaM5wfuc9Sz8UYAZxCxhc3WQU/s1600/Humani-T-Cafe-Vegan-Broccoli-Soup-Halifax-Spring-Rain-Cuddle-Sweatpants.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Broccoli soup with sweet potato and crostini. I drank the whole cup. Yes, drank. I was expecting it to be a bit thicker, but it the taste was so delicious I didn't mind at all. The perfect comfort soup. And best of all - dairy free!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>If anyone is actually still reading this -- I'm thankful but surprised.</i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tonight I watched Jesse & Celeste Forever. It was completely adorable, weird at times and tear-inducing. Andy Samberg was impressive and Rashida Jones was magic. You should watch it - it's on Netflix. Unless you just broke up with someone, in which case, you should probably wait six months or so. I'm <strike>telling</strike> warning you, it's emotional.<br /><br />Afterwards, I forced myself to just paint and this is what came out. Ugh, feelings.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy5rrbW5djMxIl_xpVWPgOT5QqKKqZrFEBCo_O_WfyYuUzRUzxt-zSu-NTUwCBr0cNLV9xs1fWP-bSeOwviEScJz0L4jANGCrM7Q4-vtfK-5rDk8ZvwRbpS5izAyLKPVKfE8R2QR0heQl/s1600/Art-Therapy-Solo-Painting-Abstract-Black-and-White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy5rrbW5djMxIl_xpVWPgOT5QqKKqZrFEBCo_O_WfyYuUzRUzxt-zSu-NTUwCBr0cNLV9xs1fWP-bSeOwviEScJz0L4jANGCrM7Q4-vtfK-5rDk8ZvwRbpS5izAyLKPVKfE8R2QR0heQl/s1600/Art-Therapy-Solo-Painting-Abstract-Black-and-White.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TGIF. </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomorrow.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyone have plans for the weekend? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">xx Janelle </span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-35949855367056562502013-05-23T20:40:00.003-03:002013-05-23T20:40:55.748-03:00goodbye gray : a painted makeover - a paintover?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One project on my list last weekend was to add some colour to the craft room/office. <span style="font-size: small;">T</span>here is a flat-weave, beige patterned rug in there and the walls are a very light gray, aptly named Chelsea Fog.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> You may have seen it in my post on <a href="http://twocupsofhappy.blogspot.ca/2013/02/wall-art-for-cheap-photo-shelves.html" target="_blank">photo ledges</a>.</span> I actually really love the gray in that space. I find that having a neutral colour on the walls helps keep my mind clear to create. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That said, a room full of neutrals can feel a bit flat<span style="font-size: small;"> - particularly if it's been <span style="font-size: small;">overcast and drizzly for the past, oh say, ten days.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although I</span> wasn't quite ready<span style="font-size: small;"> to paint any of our <span style="font-size: small;">hand-me-down, solid wood furniture just yet, I knew <span style="font-size: small;">I could easily tackle the concrete (plaster?)<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>planter</span></span></span></span></span></span>.<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a Winners find sometime last winter for around $20. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And it would give me an excuse to browse the paint chip aisle.<br /><br />Here's what it looked like before:</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uGRQP0D6ayuYRTNCPLhDvYIApSujDpRwuCnEuLn-MRzIwbdKfUOPQnJHiNxEU44xW2vJr9ZRPuv0vG1QP4jggbtMg9x31wHHOnipHS3nd51C-UeS0Yi50wgCRPSStwWJAN0YJuha8BUV/s1600/Painted-Planter-Indoor-Plant-Emerald-Paint-2013-Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uGRQP0D6ayuYRTNCPLhDvYIApSujDpRwuCnEuLn-MRzIwbdKfUOPQnJHiNxEU44xW2vJr9ZRPuv0vG1QP4jggbtMg9x31wHHOnipHS3nd51C-UeS0Yi50wgCRPSStwWJAN0YJuha8BUV/s1600/Painted-Planter-Indoor-Plant-Emerald-Paint-2013-Before.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">See how it kind of blends in to the wall behind it? It looks better in this pic than it does in person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was contemplating either a dark teal, sunny yellow or a kelly or emerald green. After I got the nod of approval from D, guess which one I picked... Keep quiet if you saw my sneak peek yesterday ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Emerald.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Specifically, Eleanor's Emerald by CIL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here is how the project went down:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Prepping</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- I put my <strike>hot</strike> painting clothes on, grabbed a 2" angled brush, a butter knife (to pop the can) and some newspaper/cardboard.</span><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- I<span style="font-size: small;"> laid down ne<span style="font-size: small;">wspaper and then <span style="font-size: small;">cardboard to protect the floor. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The cardboard was eas<span style="font-size: small;">y to peel away from the painted surface, but <span style="font-size: small;">a drop cloth or plastic tarp <span style="font-size: small;">would work well too.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- I <span style="font-size: small;">taped around the inside of the rim with painter's tape for<span style="font-size: small;"> a <span style="font-size: small;">clean line on the inside. Since the tree is a swirly bugger and actually rests on the rim in one spot, I decided to tape him up<span style="font-size: small;"> too<span style="font-size: small;"> just to be safe. <span style="font-size: x-small;">If you squint, you can see this in the bottom right photo below.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuUpn2wH_8ntfU1XKcTDmQf0kfpex23x7TFnFwGDp-tM4cQp_K8bXm8ldlf7gfr4NdZCYSQ7mB25GjOjZ6aVwt13ue2wVKIMHDlaBCxTnAr0SJ2N_zINTekje1oJJbfcXCJ-ytSzPbmCb/s1600/Collage-Process-Pics-Painted-Planter-Tutorial-Emerlad-Green-DIY-Project-Home-Decor-Outdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuUpn2wH_8ntfU1XKcTDmQf0kfpex23x7TFnFwGDp-tM4cQp_K8bXm8ldlf7gfr4NdZCYSQ7mB25GjOjZ6aVwt13ue2wVKIMHDlaBCxTnAr0SJ2N_zINTekje1oJJbfcXCJ-ytSzPbmCb/s1600/Collage-Process-Pics-Painted-Planter-Tutorial-Emerlad-Green-DIY-Project-Home-Decor-Outdoor.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Painting</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- To get even coverage, I did three thin coats<span style="font-size: small;"> of paint working my way around. In hindsight, I probably should have used primer first but since this tree will s<span style="font-size: small;">tay</span> insi<span style="font-size: small;">de (at least for now) it'll be fine. If you plan to house yours outdoor<span style="font-size: small;">s, I would recommend priming, and also <span style="font-size: small;">using a seal<span style="font-size: small;">ant <span style="font-size: small;">afterwards.<span style="font-size: small;"> Gotta pro<span style="font-size: small;">tect it from the elements<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- <span style="font-size: small;">I peeled off the <span style="font-size: small;">tape after painting & sli<span style="font-size: small;">d <span style="font-size: small;">the planter back in its place.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">PS: I listened to <a href="http://www.heritageradionetwork.com/episodes/4133-After-the-Jump-Episode-40-Frequently-Asked-Questions" target="_blank">Design</a><a href="http://www.heritageradionetwork.com/episodes/4133-After-the-Jump-Episode-40-Frequently-Asked-Questions" target="_blank">*Sponge answer FAQs</a> about their blog while I painted. Grace & Amy were so lively to listen to - a welcomed distraction<span style="font-size: xx-small;">!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>After</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have to admit wh<span style="font-size: small;">en I <span style="font-size: small;">decided on green </span></span>I was a bit nervou<span style="font-size: small;">s about it being<i> too much</i> green with the leaves and all, bu<span style="font-size: small;">t I intentionally chose a green that was more blue since I kn<span style="font-size: small;">ew the plant had <span style="font-size: small;">yellow under<span style="font-size: small;">tones</span></span></span>. This gives it a bit more contrast than if the planter was <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">a lime-y colour</span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here's how it turned out:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCOEjcTGNwDJn4HGGvvUno_Tik9M-w3sq7QFKRfXjOSD5-a5TQ_KmMYeNi3Kqn7Yx7MMFpD4FicVxruBNynIwf730YCCXM4wjLUOOc0Ebd8k_sMgI7YijOUo6Me5ct2khq6RNfhL-mkri/s1600/Emerald-Painted-Planter-Green-Pantone-Colour-Of-The-Year-DIY-Project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCOEjcTGNwDJn4HGGvvUno_Tik9M-w3sq7QFKRfXjOSD5-a5TQ_KmMYeNi3Kqn7Yx7MMFpD4FicVxruBNynIwf730YCCXM4wjLUOOc0Ebd8k_sMgI7YijOUo6Me5ct2khq6RNfhL-mkri/s1600/Emerald-Painted-Planter-Green-Pantone-Colour-Of-The-Year-DIY-Project.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpU_ONjxri0qkZhFqvkuC-IhFdZ2p7otfyY7ChKeuKQ3HHhDJCyWp8qInNviEw2p1mjd0ymFB_yaoicONR3rxaP5PKSUf7-nO8Hc9f_Tx0zszMCNQ6dyjYuKpOTcRdzIOrcDhhCWFiYYf/s1600/Emerald-Planter-After-Photo-DIY-Makeover-Colour-Of-The-Year-Paint-Green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpU_ONjxri0qkZhFqvkuC-IhFdZ2p7otfyY7ChKeuKQ3HHhDJCyWp8qInNviEw2p1mjd0ymFB_yaoicONR3rxaP5PKSUf7-nO8Hc9f_Tx0zszMCNQ6dyjYuKpOTcRdzIOrcDhhCWFiYYf/s1600/Emerald-Planter-After-Photo-DIY-Makeover-Colour-Of-The-Year-Paint-Green.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm so happy with i<span style="font-size: small;">t</span>. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every time I walk into the room my eye goes right to <span style="font-size: small;">that corner</span></span>. Thankfully, it helps distract from the fact that there is a <span style="font-size: small;">S<span style="font-size: small;">tar Wars poster hanging above it. I know how to pick my battles when it comes to decorating<span style="font-size: small;">...<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">It's surprising how p<span style="font-size: small;">ainting an accessory can have a big impa<span style="font-size: small;">ct. And <span style="font-size: small;">now that it's done - I've been thi<span style="font-size: small;">nking about what else I could do to tie the room together. Next on the docket<span style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Hang curtain rod & p<span style="font-size: small;">anel on the windo<span style="font-size: small;">w</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Fix the lack of<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> clos<span style="font-size: small;">et door situation<span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Re-organize <span style="font-size: small;">bookshelf</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">- Get diploma from home & hang it up</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCIbl7kHg7eGewbjg9DPMsDuI41Zmv3lLkXBExeCU_XbGKvZA_IFwLWRwyJu1ISQuMpLbZNy1CWRrpmiqFL82eNmGsr-OE0Mh3TnL72jgeADFKJ-wZshP2bS8mjDra0T2MU_q5MLhw9v1/s1600/Collage-Emerald-Green-Painted-Planter-Small-Apartment-Colour-of-the-year-2013-Paint-DIY-Project-Home-Decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCIbl7kHg7eGewbjg9DPMsDuI41Zmv3lLkXBExeCU_XbGKvZA_IFwLWRwyJu1ISQuMpLbZNy1CWRrpmiqFL82eNmGsr-OE0Mh3TnL72jgeADFKJ-wZshP2bS8mjDra0T2MU_q5MLhw9v1/s1600/Collage-Emerald-Green-Painted-Planter-Small-Apartment-Colour-of-the-year-2013-Paint-DIY-Project-Home-Decor.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><i>Are you an emerald fan? </i></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you did any decor projects recently, feel free to link up in the comments, I'd love to see!</span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">xx Janelle</span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-72395412777539274842013-05-22T20:35:00.003-03:002013-05-22T20:35:19.070-03:00small apartment : show me the green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhz-NH-vcSCfSTaBkWLRCED5gX7u-2Y9kWUZBRAE_PbKFzoJ_Q-4xM5QlnNIxnS-C9N11Fele7Rqus6uhEL5kqQymIJuqQwJwt8AYLQH3ejE0MIls-wkVBy6bZkAPTK_kj8gcQ2dE714f/s1600/Emerald-Paint-Photo-Canadian-Tire-Color-Of-The-Year-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhz-NH-vcSCfSTaBkWLRCED5gX7u-2Y9kWUZBRAE_PbKFzoJ_Q-4xM5QlnNIxnS-C9N11Fele7Rqus6uhEL5kqQymIJuqQwJwt8AYLQH3ejE0MIls-wkVBy6bZkAPTK_kj8gcQ2dE714f/s1600/Emerald-Paint-Photo-Canadian-Tire-Color-Of-The-Year-2013.jpg" /></a></div>
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I painted something this past weekend. And wouldn't you know it's in Pantone's Color of the Year for 2013 --- <i>Emerald</i>.<br />
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I'll spill the details soon. My brain is just feeling a bit foggy from so much computer time at work and in the evenings. Time to switch off for the night.<br /><br /><i>Any guesses on what has been given a new life with this splashy green?</i><br /><br />See you soon (I promise!),<br />
xx JanelleJanelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-15049461736309654902013-05-16T20:31:00.000-03:002013-05-16T20:35:11.259-03:00stop chasing, start choosing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEfaGXMCRjyRgQCAyimCCdEHtvn5Tk5wPzUoAIglvMk7R40OnjjLzA-A8RYGsPmQ-A_73q46-dVgOiafC7L_HZBmiEobxVvub23kjoi1L5i3VmwOxH8Ru75vLVuIQmeIRuXbxsAZhuEcb/s1600/Stop-Chasing-Start-Choosing-Art-Acrylic-Hand-Lettering-Quote-May-2013-Art2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEfaGXMCRjyRgQCAyimCCdEHtvn5Tk5wPzUoAIglvMk7R40OnjjLzA-A8RYGsPmQ-A_73q46-dVgOiafC7L_HZBmiEobxVvub23kjoi1L5i3VmwOxH8Ru75vLVuIQmeIRuXbxsAZhuEcb/s1600/Stop-Chasing-Start-Choosing-Art-Acrylic-Hand-Lettering-Quote-May-2013-Art2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Made this on Tuesday, inspired by Paul Dalton's quote from the article below.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">On Tuesday night I read a Tiny Buddha article exploring the <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/blog/3-principles-for-accepting-yourself-and-being-authentically-happy/" target="_blank">idea of being authentically happy</a>. Part of the article really resonated with me and I wanted to share.<br /><br />I really like the word authentic. While <i>genuine </i>is usually used in reference to an image or expression we show to others, <i>authentic </i>seems to imply more of a connection with oneself. It's a bit more reflective. And as a classic <strike>neurotic</strike> over-thinker, I'm comfortable with reflection. I can understand it.<br /><br />#2 in <a href="http://tinybuddha.com/author/paul-dalton/" target="_blank">Paul Dalton</a>'s list of how to be more authentically happy starts off with a bit of a Freudian ego/id complex and then goes into something I've been struggling with lately - <i>wanting things</i>.<b> </b>I've spent a large chunk of time mindlessly and compulsively clicking through F21 and Victoria's Secret, making summer wardrobe wish lists and quietly coveting bloggers' new purses or dresses.<b> And yet when my eyes are pulled from the glowing screen to the growing pile of clothes on the floor I can't help but imagine how much lighter I would feel if I just gave it all away.</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b> </b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Okay, definitely not all of it - but a lot of it. At this point, I think my thought processes, values and beliefs lean a bit toward minimalism, but my actions and behaviours for the most part do not. In other words, I'm not exactly living with congruity. <br /><br />I'm hoping to make a few gradual changes over the next little while and will keep you posted on the progress.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>I hesitate to follow any specific challenges or rules, like "give away 100 things" or "wear only 30 items of clothing for 30 days". Instead, I'm going to take inventory of what I have, what I need and what I would like. More importantly, instead of being stressed by mess and clutter, <b>I want my apartment to be cozy, welcoming, relaxing and to encourage creativity.</b></span><br />
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little vague, but the truth is I am just beginning to explore this idea. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">While I don't see myself becom<span style="font-size: small;">ing a true minimalist anytime <span style="font-size: small;">soon - I want to <i>want less.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />And this time, i</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">nstead of wishing, hoping and waiting. I'm going to try changing. Step one is to pare down.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Would you ever t<span style="font-size: small;">ry minimalist living<span style="font-size: small;"> or<span style="font-size: small;"> living with less? </span></span></span>If anyone has any useful resources for moderate minimalism, I would love to see them - blogs, books, websites... I'm open to suggestions.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>Thanks so much for reading,<br />xx Janelle</span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-46670342956868332652013-04-17T20:47:00.003-03:002013-04-17T20:47:47.135-03:00puppy eyes<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vD4-2WIF2dh6am10FR4yMw3q3S4fqv6z-clOAHTyoS9e8JjM3rgBCo9PTKiALAjXi5EBy1CPOFVqnhsi71rFc6E8XyePa2-D9wYqr8drtsKMjO4UhmkuqjTaFocaajOtNniHyUdQDkWF/s1600/Abby-Dog-Blog-Two-Cups-Of-Happy-Sulk-Rescue-Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />If you've ever visited my blog before then you've met Abby - the cutie on my header. And if you're a regular then you know she's the star around here. And while she is a rambunctious, tough, dirty, garbage-eating animal as she should be, she is also a certified <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNM5HW13_O8" target="_blank">Beyonce-level diva</a>.<br /><br />We'll be playing with the rope, tugging, having a good time, growling (yep, both of us) and then I look away for, like, a second and she hits me with one of these.</div>
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Or I'll be getting ready to catch the bus in the morning, scrambling to grab my purse and throw together a lunch when I'll look over and she's doing this.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />And I fall for it every time.<br /><br />How am I supposed to look this dog in the eyes and leave for work every morning? Two and a half years later and I still can't handle it. So, I don't. I call out "be good" and fly out the door with my head down.</div>
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<br />My kids are definitely going to have attachment issues.<br /><br />xx JanelleJanelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-69875014029163740712013-04-16T07:13:00.004-03:002013-04-16T07:13:44.336-03:00details : the last 48 hrs<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Forever a Metro transit rider.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The picture above was taken on Sunday when D & I were waiting for the bus home from the mall. I've been wanting to capture little moments of Spring, so I've been trying to start bringing my camera with me on a more regular basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This weekend I noticed how the rain changes things around me. I got caught walking on a drizzly morning and instead of being frustrated with how wet I was I distracted myself by focusing on the details. The whitewashed wood siding on one of the rowhouses darkened as the rain poured over the side of the roof. A car was painted with long, lines on it's surface that came together and then split apart as they gathered more weight. How each raindrop made waves of ripples in the puddles. I tried to listen closely to the sound of the cars driving on the wet pavement as they got closer and then faded to see how far I could hear them go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This all may sound a bit weird, but it was so peaceful.<i> Do you ever quiet your thoughts and listen to your surroundings? </i>I'm always surprised by the things I see that I would have missed had I just been sauntering along with my iPod. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And then there was yesterday - the sunniest day we've seen in a week! I took Abby up to the park for an off-leash romp but a few minutes and then she decided to forget her name so our playtime was cut a bit short. By the time we got home I was as hungry as she was, so I whipped up this kale, egg thing that tasted a whole lot better than it looks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">While I was eating I got a surprise phonecall from D asking me if I wanted some soy gelato from HumaniT - my favorite cafe in Halifax. Ummmm, yes. I asked him to pick any flavour he thought I would like and so I got oreo! It was the perfect size for a little treat. </span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: small;">Later on last night when D was watching Game of Thrones, I snuck away to paint for a bit. I started this piece knowing I wanted to use little bits of orange. First I layered in purpley pinks, then yellows and finally some oranges and peach tones. It's not finished yet though, I'm planning to do some hand lettering in the circle at the bottom. I'll keep you posted!<i><br /><br />How was your Monday night?<br /></i>xx Janelle</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><span><span><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span><span style="color: black;"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span>details series: </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span>L</span>ife is all about
the detail<span>s<span> - t</span></span>he moments. Over the next few months I'm going to test out a series called <b>details</b>. Since I don't have instagram or a smartphone to capture my daily life<span>,</span> I'm going to rely on my trust Sony P&S and will share the photos here. <span>I h</span>ope you like it!</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">see other details posts <a href="http://twocupsofhappy.blogspot.ca/search/label/details" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-78554493738108939252013-04-01T18:24:00.001-03:002013-04-01T18:24:04.909-03:00brighten up a small apartment bathroom with $10<span style="font-size: small;">Apartments have the weirdest bathrooms. Especially, old houses converted into flats. Although our last apartment was in a tower, it still had it's fair share of design flaws. There was a grate in the ceiling (apparently for venting) but the bathroom had no fan or window and therefore, no airflow. As you can imagine, we had major mould issues. After a particularly hot shower, the condensation would actually drip down the walls leaving little slug lines. It was gross.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /> Guys, our new apartment has a fan. It's so <i>luxurious</i>! Oddly enough, it also has a window in the shower and a half-wall made of those see-through blocks, which I think are from the eighties. Do you know what ones I mean? The door is a sliding barn door, which I admit would be pretty cool, if it didn't leave a four inch gap on one side and had a working lock.<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />There's a point to all this, I promise! Keep reading...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The fact that I'm pointing out all of my bathroom quirks might make you think I don't like it, but I do! I really do. Despite the fact that it's tiny, there is a ton of storage and it has the perfect little nook for our plastic storage drawers which hold towels and toiletries and ten thousand bottles of shampoo. A wall-mounted sink also means no countertop clutter, since everything is hidden away in the mirrored cabinet. If I'm given a counter, I will clutter it, so this is a blessing. <b>Thank you, apartment bathroom gods.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Onto the upgrade! All you have to do for this one is shop. Zero handiwork and/or tools needed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Along with all of their weird features, apartment bathrooms can be a little blah. Our current beige bathroom desperately needed a little colour, so I bought a purple orchid, put it in a handmade clay dish and set it on the toilet tank. It's amazing how much of a difference it made. The blooms really pop against the white fixtures and shower curtain. This one was only ten bucks (!!) at Superstore, but I know they have them at Sobeys too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I swear these flowers were made for people who can't keep a plant alive. I have somehow managed to kill every plant or flower given to me, so I can say this with certainty! This pretty lady is still kicking one month later. Not only is it still alive, but it's actually thriving. New blooms just keep popping up. I've also taken to excitedly announcing each new bloom to D. He's somewhat less enthusiastic about it than I am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u>How to NOT kill a mini orchid</u>:<b> </b>Stick it by a sunny window. Water it once a week with a tablespoon of cold water.<br /><br />Never though I'd be dishing out plant advice, but here I am. <b>One mini purple orchid makes a dingy apartment bathroom seem a bit brighter! </b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spring is here!</span><br />xx Janelle</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS - I'm sorry this post has my toilet in it. Just focus on the flower!</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">PPS - I have a long-awaited series of green cleaning posts coming up very soon. Made specially for lazygirls, like me!</span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-78703925905562323912013-03-30T11:45:00.000-03:002013-03-30T11:57:25.703-03:00currently : a long, long weekend.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo from April 2012 - Point Pleasant Park</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I hope you're all enjoying your long weekend so far<span style="font-size: small;">!</span> D & I escaped to the country for a few days of relaxation at his parents' place. I slept in until 9 this morning (!!) - which is somewhat rare because I usually wake up at 8 on weekends for doggie business. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have a fun <i>details </i>post coming up for you tomorrow with the little hints of Spring I've been spotting around here. For now, here's what I've been up to lately...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>CURRENTLY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Drinking: </b>The most bitter coffee I've ever tasted. I was maybe a little <strike>too</strike> excited to try out D's mom's new Keurig machine and was let down hard with the first sip - swamp water. She said it has something to do with their water supply, since they have a well and a softener. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I am a diva and bring my own bottle of city water when I come here<span style="font-size: small;">.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Because of that, </span>I probably should have used it to make the coffee. Oh well!<br /><br /> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The rest of this post will be less whiny. I promise!</span><br /><br /><b>Thankful for: </b>Scoring things I want to buy, <i>for free</i>. A series of coincidences yesterday resulted in me acquiring three new things - two of which I planned on buying soon. I noticed a bunch of pill cases in the living room and mentioned that it reminded me that I needed to buy one. Sure enough, D's mom had one stashed that she wasn't using and offered it to me. All it needs is a good scrubbing<span style="font-size: small;"> and it'<span style="font-size: small;">ll be<span style="font-size: small;"> just like new<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Later on that night as we were talking about coffee, I mentioned that I was going to buy a little french press, so I could have some on weekends. And what does D's mom pull out of her armoire but a perfect stainless steel and glass press with a black handle - the exact colour and size I would have bought. Although I refused to take it several times, she insisted. She actually had never used it before and it had just been hidden away for the past few years. <span style="font-size: small;">So lucky!</span><br /><br /><b>Thinking about: </b>Going on vacation. Everyone I know is <span style="font-size: small;">going o<span style="font-size: small;">r has recently been on a trip</span></span>. I'm sure <span style="font-size: small;">some of you are experienc<span style="font-size: small;">ing the same thing! </span></span>My parents just got back from Cuba, my sister is going in May and my co-workers seem to be on a never-ending, rotating vacation schedule. I'm not going anywhere <span style="font-size: small;">anytime soon</span>, but I am planning a trip with the ladies in my Dad's family in November. I haven't been down south in six years so I am very much looking forward to a fun, family trip<span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;">I can<span style="font-size: small;">'t even tell you how <span style="font-size: small;">excited I am to be reu<span style="font-size: small;">nited with t<span style="font-size: small;">he Car<span style="font-size: small;">ibbean sea.<span style="font-size: small;"> I'm a mermaid at heart.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS - I have a fun post of my bathing suit picks <span style="font-size: x-small;">coming up soon!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Watching: </b>The Killing. Once again we've been "binge-watching" a TV series on Netflix. Most nights we watch one or two episodes and we're now nearing the season finale of the first season. So much has happened this season and the last episode <span style="font-size: small;">even had <span style="font-size: small;">me tearing up,</span></span> so I<span style="font-size: small;">'m looking forward to seeing how it all works out</span>. <i>Have you ever watched it?</i><br /><br /><b>Wearing: </b>Jeans on Fridays! With my <a href="http://twocupsofhappy.blogspot.ca/2013/03/mondays-are-for-quick-suppers-dog-park.html" target="_blank">new job</a>, comes a new dress code. At my workplace, we have casual Fridays which I love. Since I've only been there four weeks, <span style="font-size: small;">i</span>t's still a novelty to be able to wear jeans to work. I usually pair mine with a breezy button up and a cardigan or blazer. I try to keep it professional, but I get to have a little bit of fun with it<i>. Do you have casual Fridays too? What do you wear? I'd love some ideas!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i>xx Janelle</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">**Props to <a href="http://meganislove.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Megan </a>& <a href="http://sometimessweet.com/" target="_blank">Danielle</a><a href="http://sometimessweet.com/" target="_blank"> </a>for the post inspiration.</span> </span></div>
Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-51024410119620138062013-03-18T21:22:00.003-03:002013-03-18T21:22:56.207-03:00just try : first attempts at collage art<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_Gp9j5m2W-1Tr8jjpyMe67BG7Z0JrmRznjRJ4qXEENFNUdiqv_7O7b5z1mEeLYy6oNiR5PlrsC_PakbUYjZ3QJ8kM3RdBoNXvOeW31c9vJWYusVW1qq4rkmCc8CFCMSip60Abjfo0wlW/s1600/World-Map-Collage-Sneak-Peek-Learning-To-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_Gp9j5m2W-1Tr8jjpyMe67BG7Z0JrmRznjRJ4qXEENFNUdiqv_7O7b5z1mEeLYy6oNiR5PlrsC_PakbUYjZ3QJ8kM3RdBoNXvOeW31c9vJWYusVW1qq4rkmCc8CFCMSip60Abjfo0wlW/s400/World-Map-Collage-Sneak-Peek-Learning-To-Collage.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">When I was in grade six I
made <b>collages on old wine bottles</b>. <i>Did any of you guys do that too? </i><span style="font-size: small;">I thought I was s<span style="font-size: small;">o sophisticated. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I gave <span style="font-size: small;">one of <span style="font-size: small;">my "art </span></span>bottles" to my Nanny as a gift with a burgundy ribbon tied around it's
neck<span style="font-size: small;"> and sh<span style="font-size: small;">e still has it<span style="font-size: small;">! I c<span style="font-size: small;">ouldn<span style="font-size: small;">'</span>t believe it when I spotted it on top of her kitchen cupboards.</span></span></span></span> The p<span style="font-size: small;">ictures <span style="font-size: small;">give quite an insight into 90s trends<span style="font-size: small;"> with an NYSY<span style="font-size: small;">NC CD and some glitter nailpolish. </span></span></span>Oh, and <span style="font-size: small;">a</span></span>long<span style="font-size: small;">side </span></span>words like style, love a<span style="font-size: small;">nd pretty shoes is </span>a carefully cut out photo of a tub of Cool Whip. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yep</span>, </span>I was a pretty <span style="font-size: small;">typical </span>eleven year old<span style="font-size: small;">.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, <span style="font-size: small;">t</span>hat was the last thing I remember collaging... until this: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sometime in May 2011, I hatched the idea that I was going to make a world map out of recycled magazine pages punched into little circles. Two years later and I am <i>still</i> working away at it. I shouldn't say working - as if it were actually in progress. I do it for an hour one day and then don't touch it again for 3 months. If I sit down to work on it, I have to commit to at least an hour, otherwise I spend more time setting up the circles than pasting them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Last fall, I wanted to branch out a bit and explore collage outside of my map project. This was around the same time I discovered the incredibly talented, <a href="http://twocupsofhappy.blogspot.ca/2012/11/hearted-collage-artist-patrick-bremer.html" target="_blank">Patrick Bremer</a>. And so, without too much thought I churned out this piece<span style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoxLXcRGDgoeZzVuTIzNpjjDNNY3tWR9cbxH_3nWTGWiHKHv0jhWormSs3LDDK48CDT47FD7qXu6qY7iqvZqwiOZ9HKvgfOIFfS-z7_JIm-fEOV70liqgu0hgeD4rSkIS4WRKhHrjGTYF/s1600/Deconstructed-Cereal-Learning-To-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoxLXcRGDgoeZzVuTIzNpjjDNNY3tWR9cbxH_3nWTGWiHKHv0jhWormSs3LDDK48CDT47FD7qXu6qY7iqvZqwiOZ9HKvgfOIFfS-z7_JIm-fEOV70liqgu0hgeD4rSkIS4WRKhHrjGTYF/s1600/Deconstructed-Cereal-Learning-To-Collage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st">© Janelle @ Two Cups of Happy, 2012</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yep, <b>cereal</b>. I tried to make all of the colours "normal" inside the bowl and a bit technicolour on the outside, including blue milk! I ripped pieces by hand from old magazines and pasted them down with Mod Podge. I kept it pretty one dimensional with an aerial view and didn't get into shading very much. Keeping it simple on the <strike>first</strike><span style="font-size: small;"> second try was a <span style="font-size: small;">great idea<span style="font-size: small;">. It was <span style="font-size: small;">finished in <span style="font-size: small;">two <span style="font-size: small;">sessions and was fairly easy to put together.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Soon to follow was this next one, <b>inspired by an old travel photo my parents took</b>. You already had a sneak peek of it <a href="http://twocupsofhappy.blogspot.ca/2013/01/sundays-are-for-baking-drawing.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgqmEGZjM1nvbSoRiR0PFqZTB-n3a4xcy2NfGomWAjifwYfoMEOauo7qUubi-NZ-j4J-iFJl_w8fTz85TfnAK5FjpcFUKloMMncpnMMSWDhxWCJMYO-Eb0UqaQLU6fjc2hql3rc3Ra6Qt/s1600/Mountains-And-Molehills-Learning-To-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgqmEGZjM1nvbSoRiR0PFqZTB-n3a4xcy2NfGomWAjifwYfoMEOauo7qUubi-NZ-j4J-iFJl_w8fTz85TfnAK5FjpcFUKloMMncpnMMSWDhxWCJMYO-Eb0UqaQLU6fjc2hql3rc3Ra6Qt/s1600/Mountains-And-Molehills-Learning-To-Collage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st">© Janelle @ Two Cups of Happy, 2013</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I took more time to plan this second one. I chose a scene I loved, sketched out a basic outline and decided to keep the colors muted like in the photo. The triangles around the edge were an impulsive choice, but I actually like how they extend the borders of the scene<span style="font-size: small;"> and give it some continu<span style="font-size: small;">ation</span></span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">There are some mistakes in these that seem to glare at me (e<span style="font-size: small;">s<span style="font-size: small;">p. in the last one)</span></span>, but I am learning to <b>appreciate each piece for what it is</b><span style="font-size: small;">. They're the result of a challenge<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">. And I have to say, <span style="font-size: small;">I'm a little proud of that last one. It's not<span style="font-size: small;"> terribl<span style="font-size: small;">e!</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Sometimes I surprise myself<span style="font-size: small;"> when I just try.</span></b></span></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>What's one creative thing you've always wanted to try but were a little intimidated? Crafty/artsy/DIY or whatever...<span style="font-size: small;"> Let me know in the comments!</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">xx Janelle</span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-79345439717519928532013-03-14T22:44:00.000-03:002013-03-14T22:44:35.078-03:00a good day : all the little things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5VKl6LurKsrJFSjPYQPZ6ys99AP13F71QjJBZ5vUJ7UWeKxnMLPqdu6Q4qj1koPNuD-9JPyVqonmhTQlMa7Kc6rrSqyknBPTHNPa4li4hD69U2S0Z5s3Lqmem1-Ta-ZzHmIHhs2kUJze/s1600/Abby-Dog-Walk-Spring-Fall-Flats-Black-Gold-Jeans-Red-Leash-Halifax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5VKl6LurKsrJFSjPYQPZ6ys99AP13F71QjJBZ5vUJ7UWeKxnMLPqdu6Q4qj1koPNuD-9JPyVqonmhTQlMa7Kc6rrSqyknBPTHNPa4li4hD69U2S0Z5s3Lqmem1-Ta-ZzHmIHhs2kUJze/s1600/Abby-Dog-Walk-Spring-Fall-Flats-Black-Gold-Jeans-Red-Leash-Halifax.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I don't really have a picture to go with today's post, so hope you don't mind the random one above.</span><br />
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How was your Thursday? Are any of you still reeling from the time change, like me? A lot of the girls at work have said that they've been feeling extra tired this year. I can't decide if I think everyone is having a harder time adjusting this year or if we just forget how it affects us each year. I'm not trying to be negative, just something I noticed.<br />
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Anyway, despite sleeping through my alarm once again and almost missing my bus, I had a pretty good day. Here are some little things that made it special:<br />
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- As I stepped onto our front stoop to take Abby out for her morning business, I noticed a five dollar bill plastered to the wood. It must have fallen out of one of our neighbour's pockets during the rain. You can bet I bent right over and picked up the sopping wet bill and put it in my pocket. Since we do have a few neighbours that use that door, I'm not sure who it belongs to so I think I'll keep it. Is that bad (karma)? <br />
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- I got to see the cutest little boy at work today. Every kid I see is the cutest. <b>#babyfeverallthetime.</b> He was waiting with his mom and he <i>dropped</i> his tiny blue eater egg on the ground - or so I thought. When I picked it up and gave it back to him, he tossed it once again. And then I gave it to his mom. C'mon little one, I'm smarter than that... But you're just too cute.<br />
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- Follies at the dog park again tonight. There was a whole pack of them tonight. They drank a lot of puddle water, ate a lot of sticks and spent the majority of the time marking their territory. That pretty much sums it up!<br />
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- My hairdresser is awesome. It took a long time for me to find her and now I won't let anyone else touch my hair. She's the first person I ever let colour my hair when I got ombre last Dec. Today I just got a little trim, but it feels really good.<br />
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- After my appointment, I got to catch up with a friend of mine, who is like a sister to me at Humani-T, a cafe downtown. We kind of have a bit of a history: <i>Our moms were best friends in high school, lost touch in college and then reconnected when they were pregnant. They are a family of three girls and then there is me and my sister and brother. We used to go camping every year for a week since we were in diapers, so they truly feel like family. </i>I feel like I can be 100% myself around her and we can talk about all of the family stuff and we just get it, you know what I mean? It's always nice to chat with her... I enjoyed it very much. And I had a delicious pulled pork sandwich.<br />
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- Oh, and I started a new book today, <i>Before I Go to Sleep. </i>So far, the first ten pages are very intriguing and remind me quite a bit of the Notebook, but it's a thriller, not a romance so I know the tables will turn. I'm already thinking about what might happen, so that's a good sign. Have you read it?<br />
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So this post is a bit random, I suppose, but I like to keep track of the small, simple pleasures. It helps keep me optimistic and I truly believe that positivity breeds good things.<br />
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I hope you all have a great Friday, whether your at work, school, home or traveling. Be safe!<br />
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xx JanelleJanelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-35949794259523254872013-03-11T22:30:00.001-03:002013-03-11T22:36:47.673-03:00mondays are for quick suppers & dog park adventures<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I have news! Usually, I keep all work info off the blog, but I'm ready to share<span style="font-size: small;"> just</span> a little bit. I started a new job in Education Coordination! I accepted the position at the end of January, but only started two weeks ago. I'm not going to spill all the details, but I am very happy with my new position and I think that it was a smart <span style="font-size: small;">decision.</span> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">One of the perks of my new job is that I get home at 5, instead of 5:30 which gives me a little extra time to get supper ready or... get caught up on all the blogs that went up during the day. Today we had some hamburger left over from our burritos last night and we had big plans for it. Nachos.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaVe1NIcbuKexqkk562HMsT0t9FESokvzBYfc9t00xqksXNL_OlGVumt6giwWmZNKE4JQyz3D2j-N99df8CGVpx9jBeIC_XSB-UOmGcr9zNwL47VDl_ev3OYsWm4t3OojMSIxq5fiREeP/s1600/Oven-Nachos-Monday-Night-Supper-Easy-Ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaVe1NIcbuKexqkk562HMsT0t9FESokvzBYfc9t00xqksXNL_OlGVumt6giwWmZNKE4JQyz3D2j-N99df8CGVpx9jBeIC_XSB-UOmGcr9zNwL47VDl_ev3OYsWm4t3OojMSIxq5fiREeP/s1600/Oven-Nachos-Monday-Night-Supper-Easy-Ideas.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Complete with dairy-free cheese. My belly thanked me. And it was ready in less than twenty minute<span style="font-size: small;">s!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Although all I wanted to do after eating half a pan of nachos was curl up in the fetal position, D suggested taking advantage of the extra daylight (thank you, DST) by bringing Abs to the off-leash park. So, I dragged my lazy butt off the couch and off we went. <br /><br />Lately we haven't had much luck at the dog park. This past weekend we went up two or three times, but there just weren't any dogs for Abby to romp with. I think people may have been avoiding it, since the field was/is full of mud, muck and dirt.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Oh, but tonight there were no less than five (!!) dogs for her to play with. She had a blast. A big muddy, blast. She is really making progress with her recall training and she comes more often than not when we call her. We are so happy for that. She has come a long way<span style="font-size: small;">!</span> I couldn't stop talking about what a good girl she was being...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuDlCmQIDgyyKj5UUozjzkhvGU72sITEvnfhLYtCjO38Y7ZfZxVqev2R6BITy0KNwFak-bU353KJne4FwJe9f6BhrNryTSJqieee08cR-Ip4A7mdudY0Xgr1Aj6n5QWXrVPLNzmV1bM7F/s1600/Cant-Stop-Wont-Stop-Dog-Food-Eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuDlCmQIDgyyKj5UUozjzkhvGU72sITEvnfhLYtCjO38Y7ZfZxVqev2R6BITy0KNwFak-bU353KJne4FwJe9f6BhrNryTSJqieee08cR-Ip4A7mdudY0Xgr1Aj6n5QWXrVPLNzmV1bM7F/s1600/Cant-Stop-Wont-Stop-Dog-Food-Eating.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />After she got a little spray down with a waterbottle and a towel off, she polished off her food. Too busy to even look up for the paparazzi. Divaaa.<br /><br />To get warmed up from our walk, I grabbed a hot drink and cuddled up on the couch with D. While he watched the newest episode of Walking Dead, I hurried through as much of the last few chapters of The Rainbow Troops as I could. It's due back at the library on Wednesday<span style="font-size: small;"> and</span> I still have about 60 pages to finish tomorrow... It's doable. Sometimes I can get through a chapter or two <span style="font-size: small;">on <span style="font-size: small;">my commute, since the<span style="font-size: small;"> chapters are only about 5 pages long <span style="font-size: small;">max.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-pTD0WQ7_1Z3yPiXT9VkdqvKn0fKcULPsi4mQ-XBruBj35fR7jyt19BijuoWd25vaj_ofuqMx3lvOOSmb4jRRRLv8yEvpkosW0sIWWxVFd9dcfZKq5J_U_0Iaz7YM_0nsqp7HKOc5_ae/s1600/The-Rainbow-Troops-Andrea-Hirata-Mom-Baby-Beach-Bookmark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-pTD0WQ7_1Z3yPiXT9VkdqvKn0fKcULPsi4mQ-XBruBj35fR7jyt19BijuoWd25vaj_ofuqMx3lvOOSmb4jRRRLv8yEvpkosW0sIWWxVFd9dcfZKq5J_U_0Iaz7YM_0nsqp7HKOc5_ae/s1600/The-Rainbow-Troops-Andrea-Hirata-Mom-Baby-Beach-Bookmark.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />On the right is my current bookmark. It's a photo of me and my mom at the beach near our house when I was a little one. Check out our eighties style.<br /><br />And we topped our night off by doing some dishes. We live a wild life of adventure.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56pHk9F9417h0AgIuOo72uDENln16x0WorC8hMdN0xKMPW5mWUasTrQyb4CBCOOQwZM2UY7CBECVQAKYR68ImzCUzY5YirLOOhnSqDqyF7EtNlF_ijYdPg3V9w7m-gnXhmS8EME7dzTlR/s1600/Dish-Washing-Close-Up-Red-Nails-Housework-Daily-Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56pHk9F9417h0AgIuOo72uDENln16x0WorC8hMdN0xKMPW5mWUasTrQyb4CBCOOQwZM2UY7CBECVQAKYR68ImzCUzY5YirLOOhnSqDqyF7EtNlF_ijYdPg3V9w7m-gnXhmS8EME7dzTlR/s1600/Dish-Washing-Close-Up-Red-Nails-Housework-Daily-Life.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I hope your Monday went well. The hardest day of the week is over! That's something to celebrate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Goodnight,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">xx Janelle</span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996195687023523659.post-16411307188313166962013-02-26T08:00:00.000-04:002013-02-26T08:00:08.319-04:00wall art for cheap : photo shelves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaBk0dJtOifPhg2BoYXUpAcTcos0ZP0T3OqqcQYaV0bKvp2z1NOnaaNPIEw74z7fo5e7X5CLA4jBEzTnYOKs8xSYv10hpcnVuYX5iY41ypJiMk2gsmeAinG0LLxFsAdkUFxOflNpgHqR7/s1600/Easy-Cheap-Wall-Art-Photo-Shelf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaBk0dJtOifPhg2BoYXUpAcTcos0ZP0T3OqqcQYaV0bKvp2z1NOnaaNPIEw74z7fo5e7X5CLA4jBEzTnYOKs8xSYv10hpcnVuYX5iY41ypJiMk2gsmeAinG0LLxFsAdkUFxOflNpgHqR7/s1600/Easy-Cheap-Wall-Art-Photo-Shelf3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Art doesn't have to be fancy<span style="font-size: small;"> or expensive <span style="font-size: small;">to have a<span style="font-size: small;">n </span>impact</span>. </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It took me <span style="font-size: small;">6 m<span style="font-size: small;">onths to realize this.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I<span style="font-size: small;"> had</span> been waiting months to hang <span style="font-size: small;">up an art print I bought shortly after moving into this apartment last <span style="font-size: small;">August. <span style="font-size: small;">W</span>e don't have a Target <span style="font-size: small;">up here in Halifax and Wal-Mart has the worst selection of<span style="font-size: small;"> modern frames. I <span style="font-size: small;">wanted <span style="font-size: small;">a<span style="font-size: small;"> thi<span style="font-size: small;">n, white wood frame with a mat<span style="font-size: small;">.<span style="font-size: small;"> I could<span style="font-size: small;">n't find one, so I <span style="font-size: small;">tacked it to the wall, still in it's plastic<span style="font-size: small;"> sleeve. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It looked a bit sad.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sometime last fall I was browsing the dollar store and spotted these shallow white ledges. I think they're called postcard ledges or photo shelves or something like that. Anyway, a few years ago I lusted over similar DIY shelves on <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/07/office-progress-getting-our-art-groove-on/" target="_blank">YoungHouseLove</a> and thought the art print might look nice perched on one. As I stood in the aisle, trying to think of a reason to buy a few more, I remembered some <span style="font-size: small;">treasured </span>travel photos I had fished out of my parents' old photo boxes. The shelves were only $2 each so I got three and practically skipped home to show D my finds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">After months of <strike>stalling</strike> contemplating the perfect spot, I finally decided on the space above my craft table - which you <i>finally </i>get to see! I was originally going to hang all three of them in evenly spaced parallel lines, but then I saw Rachel Howe's home tour on <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2013/01/maker-stories-small-spells.html" target="_blank">DesignSponge</a>.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNnYlRZUBpdk9OrSQrAkbfwLzhHYGxd8AM3ouu_lzrCfoWo24cpm41xGzJaYC89MSbRpruaESa1ZDdsq2B5eLpoEiKb2toTCq4Y0O23gFBVa1IMI0AQ5HK3c3Wd18Mr3JjjFg5QfPkKzb/s1600/Off-Centered-Shelves-Above-Bed-Art-Styling-Home-Cozy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNnYlRZUBpdk9OrSQrAkbfwLzhHYGxd8AM3ouu_lzrCfoWo24cpm41xGzJaYC89MSbRpruaESa1ZDdsq2B5eLpoEiKb2toTCq4Y0O23gFBVa1IMI0AQ5HK3c3Wd18Mr3JjjFg5QfPkKzb/s1600/Off-Centered-Shelves-Above-Bed-Art-Styling-Home-Cozy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.chrisfantauzzi.com/" target="_blank">Chris Fantauzzi</a> for <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2013/01/maker-stories-small-spells.html" target="_blank">DesignSponge</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And just like that, I was sold on an asymmetrical arrangement. I leveled the shelves and hung them using the provided tacks. No nails needed! I lined these two shelves with <b>a few photos, one tiny art print and a postcard</b> that says Be, which was a sweet gift from a close friend <span style="font-size: x-small;">(hi, Lo!)</span>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S3sv1Ih6vOfGvH4DltAHu_4KfB5bg3O23ULpFXMC1F8RJVJ0yF0SKnctYZHtuZzv7Ub167M4Xzx9oADkrnwmno_49aeBE2JwlYuVtDAYH8Z8r_Zfcf14HOfMpPjqugttAWXF4wLvI5Qo/s1600/Craft-Space-Room-Table-Being-Creative-Art-Making.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S3sv1Ih6vOfGvH4DltAHu_4KfB5bg3O23ULpFXMC1F8RJVJ0yF0SKnctYZHtuZzv7Ub167M4Xzx9oADkrnwmno_49aeBE2JwlYuVtDAYH8Z8r_Zfcf14HOfMpPjqugttAWXF4wLvI5Qo/s1600/Craft-Space-Room-Table-Being-Creative-Art-Making.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here is a closeup of the hand-lettered piece you see tacked up with
washi tape. I made it a little while ago. Sometimes I can spend all day planning or dreaming up creative projects.
This reminds me to actually make stuff, to create something. The photo on the right was
taken by my parents. My wanderlust always comes bubbling to the surface when I look at it. Here's hoping I will be able to travel soon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvZb5OWmJBxmrgyJUdS4bz3cPxaoF5AxZfI9tSg-4vPA9IaRDKkjZJ-XpYrn0syXRAq-kirf_Cp72OvKt_2Wn7Nkpii98WynD1u0pAfQEAYx-QG9_3y7MllLWATMLlk47XMwhhSI4JCKu/s1600/Art-Print-Travel-Photo-Wall-Art-Shelf-Cheap-Easy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvZb5OWmJBxmrgyJUdS4bz3cPxaoF5AxZfI9tSg-4vPA9IaRDKkjZJ-XpYrn0syXRAq-kirf_Cp72OvKt_2Wn7Nkpii98WynD1u0pAfQEAYx-QG9_3y7MllLWATMLlk47XMwhhSI4JCKu/s1600/Art-Print-Travel-Photo-Wall-Art-Shelf-Cheap-Easy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The stuff you see hanging on the left a few photos above is a mish mash of <b>family photos, an ink & acrylic piece that says "create freely", a dotted wave greeting card and a sketch</b> I did of D one night. Here's a better look.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCeluaxDHRul-dn3vCIPtSJY7t4Z17FGWZDCiunC8MP6Ax3AeYC18TAYW1us89S87hsiHCbzhm_3k2EcyhBKQYHX0GbUNUXHaZc5J15ea2sgsGUD-BRTmGwLGP88KWxgo0AzffZe0vOMs/s1600/Wall-Art-Mixed-Media-Print-Family-Photos-Washi-Tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCeluaxDHRul-dn3vCIPtSJY7t4Z17FGWZDCiunC8MP6Ax3AeYC18TAYW1us89S87hsiHCbzhm_3k2EcyhBKQYHX0GbUNUXHaZc5J15ea2sgsGUD-BRTmGwLGP88KWxgo0AzffZe0vOMs/s1600/Wall-Art-Mixed-Media-Print-Family-Photos-Washi-Tape.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The last shelf found a home on my side of the bed with two coastal inspired pieces. The print is by <a href="http://sarahburwash.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Burwash</a> and was found at the ever-inspiring local boutique, <a href="http://inkwellboutique.ca/" target="_blank">Ink</a><a href="http://inkwellboutique.ca/" target="_blank">well</a>. The photo is of Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia with it's iconic lighthouse playing "Where's Waldo" in the background. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIjqw09n0Fl_8DTs0kkEQDOGRMN_Z6q73gXTA4ytdVObR_LcUgLjYhlKTiPvlfvh5-nwbWC2qxPSmDrrpyfAkLi1EWf6NtMNY2OFEkng9MpZQG2FEEGVrbNe1TXQzIzXkfIBJVGpavAxT/s1600/Easy-Cheap-Wall-Art-Photo-Shelf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIjqw09n0Fl_8DTs0kkEQDOGRMN_Z6q73gXTA4ytdVObR_LcUgLjYhlKTiPvlfvh5-nwbWC2qxPSmDrrpyfAkLi1EWf6NtMNY2OFEkng9MpZQG2FEEGVrbNe1TXQzIzXkfIBJVGpavAxT/s1600/Easy-Cheap-Wall-Art-Photo-Shelf1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pnQXOOjzPdntsn7V6-_5x5gdEnwPe6M3uPk5k_hA4pzcQq-c3z3ShvCYfA3XiQ6rEq_OjxBeskJKNJQhV7k2QLWejpYCtBimEQ3mPpqCCjhED7Rv3HxxK9nARI053Xsbhui6DnF3Fy0X/s1600/Photo-Shelf-Wall-Art-Bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pnQXOOjzPdntsn7V6-_5x5gdEnwPe6M3uPk5k_hA4pzcQq-c3z3ShvCYfA3XiQ6rEq_OjxBeskJKNJQhV7k2QLWejpYCtBimEQ3mPpqCCjhED7Rv3HxxK9nARI053Xsbhui6DnF3Fy0X/s1600/Photo-Shelf-Wall-Art-Bedroom.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">That pic shows how shallow the shelves actually are. A really thin frame might fit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMa4ztO_vfKfhDVEs9OOafZaFiW0DXGENLzsyI8GbDClfxG-cAC1rYYtket73-JTvTJgAFQOZBPYhhRbhN2GEHQRt_p7A8srCGlKRascQUm6WmwsZolBpxHaOczt7C6tw7nKZEWVWGUisl/s1600/Easy-Cheap-Wall-Art-Photo-Shelf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMa4ztO_vfKfhDVEs9OOafZaFiW0DXGENLzsyI8GbDClfxG-cAC1rYYtket73-JTvTJgAFQOZBPYhhRbhN2GEHQRt_p7A8srCGlKRascQUm6WmwsZolBpxHaOczt7C6tw7nKZEWVWGUisl/s1600/Easy-Cheap-Wall-Art-Photo-Shelf2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">These are usually the first things I see in the morning, which makes me so happy. I dream of waking up in a lakehouse someday, but until then I'll enjoy my makeshift water view, however small it is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So there's my little weekend apartment beautification project. <b>$6 shelves + homemade art, photos & prints = wall art for people with student loans. </b>Can I get an amen? If <span style="font-size: small;">you're in Ca<span style="font-size: small;">nada and want to <span style="font-size: small;">find th<span style="font-size: small;">e shelves, hit up the Dollorama. I'm sure you can find them <span style="font-size: small;">in other stores<span style="font-size: small;"> too or you can make your own if you have a <span style="font-size: small;">few basic tools</span> like YHL did in the link a<span style="font-size: small;">bove.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b></b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Okay, so I'm sure I can't be the only one who takes <i>forever </i>to slap some art on my walls.<i> </i>When you move to a new place,<i> do you hang everything right away </i>or<i> stall until you can find the perfect art, frame or arrangement?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">xx Janelle </span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Janelle @ Two Cups Of Happyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626655396705034818noreply@blogger.com6