This Favorite Time of Year can bring on the most Disturbing...Awkward Family Photos!

It always amazes me what people deem "good ideas" when putting together a family photo. I have gathered a few of the most awkward due to limited time and a VAST amount available (seriously people). Do they not realize that these photos are put online and mocked endlessly...but I want to thank you just the same for the smiles and LOLing that happened while accumulating these fine memories.
Let the mocking and shamlessness begin...

Ah, the classic kid & santa photo...wait, it looks as though Santa was on the receiving end of somone's fist... now who's on the naughtly list Santa you hypocrite!

Just after this photo was taken the parents explained to the kids that they were all presents to each other this year and there would be nothing else under the tree. Thankfully with limited reachability no one was injured badly during the family brawl, a few paper cuts and a sharp corner in a few eyes.

Wow, so your passionate about swimming? hmmm that doesn't come across in this photo, maybe add a few more ribbons to your tree to really relay this message that your family is awkward (FYI, no body cares about your ribbons, so decorate your tree with real christmas decorations & leave the ribbons on the corkboard).

I'm really not sure if this photo could get any more awkward with the poor awkward looking girl to the creepy santa in the background....ah good memories to mock, I mean share, hmm no had it right the first time!

Ever feel depressed during Christmas?  Well, feel happy that you're doing better then this poor lonely girl! This would equal to someone posing for a picture with 20+ cats. Congrats to one of the most awkward photos ever.....maybe I spoke to soon, this next picture below is definitely the most awkward I have ever seen and I just have no words...

I just want to know if anyone has called the authorities on this family after receiving their Christmas card....Seriously, who thought THIS was a good idea. Good job awkward parents for scarring your children and the world!
Before I leave you with that last disturbing picture now etched in your mind. Here's one more to show you that all families enjoy posing with Santa, even if they don't look like it...or because they're goth....

I wonder if they each asked each other for black lipstick and eyeliner for Christmas!

Enjoy putting together your Christmas Holiday cards and try to stay away from matching costumes or wearing nothing at all because as "fun" as it is to have my eyes bleed, there are really other options (better options) available that will still be just as awkward but probably less damaging to your friends and families receiving these treasures.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Traditions to be had at Christmas!

Every family has their own traditions that they may or may not look forward to during the Christmas Season.  Some may or may not enjoy caroling in the snow, going from neighborhood to neighborhood until your feet are frozen, voice is strained and ears aching from someone in your “choir” with a particular high pitch falsetto who isn’t afraid to belt it out.  Other traditions can be more subtle like opening one gift on Christmas Eve, reading the Christmas story or watching the same Christmas movie from year to year.

 It is these traditions that make the holidays special. We know that once we are performing these traditions that the long awaited holiday has in fact arrived and we can let loose and enjoy those great dinners, delicious deserts while enjoying time spent with great friends or family reflecting on the blessing of that year!

It makes the stresses of the year bearable and I’m not just talking about the hectic malls and supercenters while gift buying. Although, that can be pretty stressful!  I’m talking about the yearly-long stresses that occur. People seem to deal with stress better around Christmas, you bump into someone else’s car and a simple “oops, sorry” might do (depending on the bump). But generally people seem lighter and it could be these traditions that they know to expect or perhaps are creating new ones this year that they cannot wait to start!

So pull out your list of carols and warm up your vocal cords because the Christmas Season is here and it just might be someone’s tradition to open their door to you singing a few traditional Christmas tunes!



Among the Great Christmas Gifts are the Awkward & Weird...

Everyone has recieved an awkward or weird gift at one time in their life during the Christmas Season. I find that it is usually these gifts that are the most memerable!  So before you spend your hard earned cash on what you feel is an "original" gift, here are a list of gifts for you to walk on by:

First we have the "Boyfriend Pillow" or what I'd like the call "The Awkard Man-less Arm"

This would definitely freak out the guest staying over during the holidays! In replace of this gift I would suggest getting a real boyfriend or a dog. Moving on....
This next gift is called "The Running Alarm Clock" Great in theory. I would recommend this gift to those who enjoy being annoyed the moment they wake up.

Have a friend who’s always late because he or she can’t wake up? Introduce them to Clocky. This intelligent alarm clock jumps off your nightstand and runs away if you press snooze the first time. It then rings again and keeps running around the room until you get up eventually! Your friend will never be late again (and you will soon have one less friend)!

This next gift is really classy. This would only work for someone who is, well 12 years old...or a guy  in their 30's (or any age really)!

It’s incredibly easy to use – just stick your pencil in a nostril, twist it a few times, and your pencil comes out all nice and sharp. Free of snot too! Suitable for friend (most likely a guy) who are artists, architects, use pencils often or can’t stop or who enjoy picking their noses.

This next gift should not require a description of why it is not a good gift....

Just don't do it, no one wants this!!

This next gift would be awkward, (becasue you should never buy anyone other than your husband/wife a bed), but aside from that, I do not know a single person who only sleeps on their side (left side at that)!

With this next gift, again the idea of this gift is great! But please make sure you measure...

This last gift might just give off the wrong message to those over for dinner, I'm just saying...

If you are really are lost with what to buy this Holiday Season and you are known for buying similar "original/creative" gifts such as the ones shown above. Please bring someone along on your shopping trip (someone who has better sense in gift buying) or just place the money you would have spent on something awkward into an envelope and wrap that up!  I know people say money is not a sincere gift but at least that person won't have to waste gas money in taking your gift back!

Hero's Remembered...

Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Rememberance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918; hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice ("at the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.) I find this fact interesting and the fact that everything was done using the number 11. This is why the moment of silence happens at 11am on November 11am, we are remembering the exact day and time that the hostilities finally came to an end!

The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

Countries around the globe are commemorating Nov. 11 each in their own way. Whether it be with Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, Poppy Day, or Armistice Day, people come together to be reminded of the ones who've died protecting their freedom.

Remembrance Day commemorates Canadians killed in the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War and the country's various peacekeeping missions over the years.

More than 100,000 Canadians soldiers have died in conflicts since 1899, including:

- More than 240 in the Boer War.

- More than 66,000 in the First World War.

- More than 44,000 in the Second World War.

- 516 in the Korean War.

- 121 in peacekeeping missions.

So take a moment and really think about the lives lost and appreciate the life that you are able to live because of so many gave their lives for your freedom....Lest we never Forget.

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

Diets and Chocolate....

or

The Christmas Holiday season is quickly approaching and people are already starting to crave those delicious holiday treats! The Holiday is when you can (and without guilt) finally indulge and savor the decadent chocolates, the never ending snack table and the desert tray stacked high with cakes, pies and other holiday inspired sweets!

I think we indulge more at Christmas than at any other holiday because we have the New Years resolution to fall back on. The New Years resolution or what I'd like to call The Annual Diet Reminder. As it is always during this time where we try to right our wrongs and to re-gain that focus to receive the results we desire. This all sounds extremely admirable but there is a reason why during the first two months of the year (each year) the volume of gym memberships increase, then slowly by March or April the once focused and determined have now lost their momentum and reason for their once required motivation.

I guess it’s a good thing that we get a yearly reminder, to help us regain our focus and make an valiant effort to get back into shape (even if it's for a few weeks)! So, sink your teeth into another brownie and hide the scale because you need to make your New Year’s resolutions worthwhile!



Martini's and Manolos

Once Halloween has been appreciated, celebrated and the candy eaten and gone, it gives any Christmas decorating fanatic the right to pull out the boxes marked "Christmas Decorations" and start getting the house ready for the biggest holiday of the year! I am one of those early fanatic Christmas decorators. Anyone can agree that a house decorated for Christmas always looks better and has a warm happy feeling and feels more like a home!

Parties:

Time to get out your Manolos and clink your martini glasses to another year down and another year done! Christmas parties are a great way to let loose with your co-workers (not too loose, however as everyone now has video & camera's on their phone & can easily capture moments you wish would fade away as the cursed hang over. This is how embarrassing nick names are created). But I digress....

It is a great way to see your co-workers out of the office and to get to know them in a different light (mind the above warning).  Bonding with one's co-workers creates a "family unit" a feeling of camaraderie and therefore creating a common ground.  It's this common ground that paves the way for a fun working environment. Stories that you will talk about later around the water cooler and laugh at the good memories that were made.

Hallo...ween!

Halloween is already here!  Everywhere you look there are deals on costumes, fun decorations and invites to different parties. Halloween is fun times for all. Big & little kids get spoiled by candy & treats, my kind of day! Plus, after Halloween is over I know I can start decorating my house for Christmas! 
When is it still too early to decorate for Christmas? Last year decorations were going up on November 13th! I feel that you should decorate for Christmas early to get the most out of the season.  We look forward to Christmas every year, retail is built around Christmas and everyone gets a holiday around Christmas. Why not celebrate it as early as you can! I do, however give all of my attention to Halloween when it is here and would never think to decorate for Christmas before or during Halloween.

So back to Halloween: Costumes!

When do you ever get to dress up anymore! I believe this is why we gravitate to this creepy day in October, to dress up and have no one think you're a freak. You're almost looked down on if you don't relinquish your self-respect & join the costumed population. Or if you're Lady Gaga, your costume would be a pair of jeans and a t-shirt....

But her "regular" attire could be used for Halloween inspiration:

I mean, other than the Blue outfit, I own nothing similar :)

So throw a bed sheet over your head or tie a blanket around your neck with pride and become someone else for a while! Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Being 30 is...Not so Bad!



The 30th birthday is special. You are now officially a mature and responsible adult who has the necessary wisdom to make important decisions in life. The 30th birthday heralds your adult status with measured indulgence. Therefore kick up your heels and indulge! I was lucky enough to indugle in several nesessary fulfillments that made my first year of being 30 not so bad! In fact, within my first year in this new decade, I went to Hawaii twice (5 weeks in total), changed careers (increase salary income by....nevermind but I'm smiling about it), and increased the property value of my house by updating the decor with renovations. Okay, the last one is definately not as exciting as the trips to Hawaii and great career move, but I love how modern my house is now, it makes me happy!

Turning 30 is a milestone in everyone's life. It's when other people start taking you more seriously and expecting more out of you and it's when you start to take yourself more seriously too.
"At the age of twenty, we don't care what the world thinks of us; at thirty, we worry about what it is thinking of us; at forty, we discover that it wasn't thinking of us at all" - Anonymous

And really at 30, we're just getting started! Next week I'm turning 31 and I need to plan some adventures for this upcoming year. I'm not sure what to expect from this year but I'm hoping for some more fun in the sun vacation trips, a new car perhaps and maybe a increase in salary?! Perhaps the last one again is pushing it, but it's good to have goals.  I have heard of people having weekly goals set for therselves, but I never know what they are. Mine would be, eat at least 3 healthy meals a week and work out at least once. Well, as you can see I'm not motivated enough to give myself weekly goals and will just stick to yearly at this time!
"Time and Tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty." - Robert Frost

So really, turning 30 is no big deal as long as you still look like your 25, which I still believe I do...somewhat. I think that as long as your are enjoying your life and make exciting goals to look forward too, turning any age should not become a worry but an adventure...again if you can remain looking like your 25!!

Smart like Art...

Art, as everyone knows comes in all shapes, sizes, mediums and prices! During my trip to Hawaii last year I saw some designs from a local Hawaiian artist named Heather Brown. She lives on the North Shore in Waikiki, where i bought two of her small prints. So this trip to Hawaii I wanted to add to my collection with some more of Heather's creative artwork. Unfortunately  my trip was to Maui and only one art gallery sold a few of Heather Brown's prints and all in large sizes and above the cost I was willing to spend!  She must have had a great year last year, because her prices have increased and she has her own clothing line through Rip Curl (sweaters, t-shirts, bathing suits and hats). But you can still buy her smaller prints by ordering them online, in case you might be interested!  Here's a small idea of her style or work, very colorful with a stained glass effect:

I enjoy the fact that you can buy several different prints and be able to put them together in one collection on your wall if you wanted because of how Heather repeats specific colors and styles in her different designs! And no, I do not make commissions on Heather's sales regarding this posting (not yet, anyway) but I really just wanted to pass along some of my favorite current art styles!

Life's a B**CH!

It really is...a BEACH! So I'm finally back from my two weeks in adult wonderland (aka Hawaii)! And already the feeling of relaxation is only a distant memory as I'm tossed back into the fast paced ongoings of work life and just "life" in general. If I had not come home with a tan I would have thought that I had dreamt the whole vacation!
Trip Highlights: Margarita's, heat of the sun, softness of the sand, Blue Hawaiian's, sunsets, palm trees, Mojito's, coconut shrimp, warm ocean water, waves and being able to hang out with my best friend (my husband, I know lame but true) for two weeks! The best part of the trip was having only 2 decisions to make: which beach are we going to for the day and where we want to go for dinner!

Relax in the sun:

Meet new friends:

And above all enjoy the sunsets

I'm already planning my next vacation to this tropical place! Until then, I will have to find moments of relaxation within the the normality of day to day life.

Start a new job then go on a Holiday!

Everyone knows that starting a new job can bring on a lot of unrequired stress. I have just recently done this (start a new job) and I have only just completed my first 3 weeks, only to leave for two weeks to the sun and sand of hawaii's beaches!  This of course was not planned this way, as I never knew I would be in a new job when I had started planning my vacation, but I think it works!

Stresses: Saying Good-bye.  When you start a new job most likely you are ending another. IF, you happen to enjoy your previous one (I did on most days, mainly Fridays), then saying good bye and handing in your resignation can bring all sorts of dramatic stresses.

Saying Hello. So you start your new job and now you're the new guy/girl of the office and you almost have no clue how things are done, let alone the dynamics of the office. The worst thing you could do is be-friend the crazy of the office....or maybe that could be the best thing. Still considering this as I have yet to find this "person" in my current new job.

Joys: It will always be nerve-racking starting a new job but with it gives you many great opportunities to find the new joys of the job. This I call "The Honeymoon Stage," when everything is exciting, fresh and at this point no one knows that perhaps YOU are the crazy of the office. This is mainly the time everyone gets along, no drama and work in of itselfs seems more pleasurable. Do not forget this feeling because months-years down the road you will have to remind yourself of these pleasant days.

This is why I suggest you prolong this "Honeymoon Stage" by leaving your job within the first month and go on a Holiday. That way when you get back it's like you've just started again, delaying the dramatics hopefully one month longer!

So enjoy your new job, but keep an eye out for those vacation deals. Because frankly life is hard enough and we all need to take the time to dip our toes in the tropical waters and have a few margaritas on the beach!

Killing Time...Gaining Sanity!

So I have not blogged in a while even though I find myself sitting in front of a computer daily for most of the 24 hours given! I have many thoughts, some fleeting, some strange, but mostly wondermeant regarding life, fashion, lifestyles. Pretty much what is the essence of the World around me.

I have had an amazing and blessed life! Soon I will be head deep in the tropical waves of Hawaii with my husband for two weeks and I cannot wait to start relaxing. Some might ask, "why are you starting a blog only to leave it for the next few weeks?" I have no answer but to say I was feeling inclined to blog and therefore did! 

My next entry will be more creative than this, but frankly my lunch is almost at an end and therefore I must go (being the solid worker that I am).  Please feel free to touch base here and there. I might be more interesting then I even know!