Fall Wish List

Summer is still upon us though the cooler weather as of late has gotten me thinking about things I'd like to buy for the fall. 

Usually this consists of sweaters and warmer outfits.

This fall, however, I'm going to stay away from clothes because my size is expanding every day. 

I did get a gift certificate to Thyme for my birthday and plan on buying at least a few more maternity pieces. 

But thinking about other things to purchase, I came up with this small list below.

1. New Toms in black. I currently own a green pair that have seen better days. My big toes are starting to poke through the ends of both shoes. I love these shoes for work though. They're easy to slip on and so comfortable to wear. 

2. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish (in 'Wine Stock' and 'Dig Fig'). Yes, those shades are very similar. Yes, I still want them both. This miracle gel polish is supposed to be as good as shellac manicures without the need for a UV light to set it. Worth a try.

3. Asymmetrical 'E' necklace. For the ever-growing Baby E. Only probably not the one in the picture as that one is quite pricey. I took a quick peak on Etsy but was unable to find an asymmetrical E on my first hunt. I've got a few more night shifts to go during which I can spend searching in my down time. 

4. Kate Spade 18 month planner. My current planner is a small calendar I got from my nursing union. It does the job but I kind of want a big flashy one. Especially since at the start of 2015 I won't have any work shifts to put into it and it'll likely only be doctors appointments and maybe penciling in visits from friends (it'll give me something to put in the planner and make me feel like my days aren't just spent changing diapers every 2 hours in between regular feedings).  I can also keep track of sweet things like E's first non-gas/poo related smile, first giggle, when she can hold up her head, etc. 

And that's it.

That's all I've got so far. 

I'm currently on night 4 of a 7-in-8-nights string of night shifts (I know, I booked these shifts accidentally and will never do it again) so I'm thinking a shopping spree is going to be my reward for making it through the rest of these shifts alive!

Monday might just be Treat Yo' Self day.

Wish List: Home Edition

One of my favourite things to do is make lists. 

This includes grocery lists, packing lists, and wish lists. 

I think this explains why Pinterest is so addictive because it's essentially a giant wish list. 

I don't want to jump the gun but ... we're moving moving in mid-June!

After looking at a few houses to rent, we finally found one that both of us love. 
We signed the lease last night and barring some unforeseen calamity, it'll be our new home in a month and half.

It's a bungalow with: 

• Two decent sized bedrooms 
• Central air
• A large living room and a dining room 
• A kitchen with way more space than we currently have as well as a double sink and a dishwasher (!!!) 
• A deep bath tub (where I will be found most days)
• A linen closet (we currently don't have one so I tried to fancifully arrange our towels in a basket in the bathroom but the dog uses them to scratch her beard so they're not the cleanest any more) 
• A working wood burning fireplace (on the drive home I said, "awwww we can hang our stockings by the chimney with care!") 
• A large backyard  (accessible from the back of the house and is fenced in so we can let the dog out for some morning exercise without having to take her to the park)
• Patio furniture (nothing fancy) and a BBQ
• The house is about a 15 minute walk from the subway or a quick bus ride and is close to a few plazas, and 2 big parks, one of which has an off-leash dog area.    

Basically I'm in love with this house. 

Rent isn't that bad and it includes all utilities. 

So my wish list now revolves around things we will need for our new space (assuming everything goes accordingly and we can move in).

One thing we can't wait to get is a real couch.

Right now we have a daybed that we use as our couch and ... I hate it. 

It's actually pretty cozyg as no one ever really sits on it, it's more of a lay-back-and-take-a-nap type couch. But it takes up room and always looks too much like a messy bed. 

So the plan will be to put the daybed in the second bedroom and buy a new (real) couch!

Wish List item #1: a real couch.

Wish List item #2: a new TV bench for the living room. 

Option A. 

or Option B

Wish List item #3: new dresser to match our bed frame and bedside tables.

Option A.

Option B.

Then in due time I want to get a second kitchen cart (this one, also from Ikea) for more counter space/storage space in the kitchen since there's an empty wall that could be used for pantry items.

I'm so excited! 

I'll admit I am sad thinking about leaving the first home John and I had together, my first home away from my parents, and this wonderful busy neighbourhood.

But I'm so ready for more space and for this new adventure!

Birthday Wish List

One of the best things about summer (besides the heat, cottage trips, burgers and BBQs, flip flops, etc) is my birthday.

Actually, every other thing in that list I think tops my birthday but it's still an enjoyable part of the summer.

This year I have no idea what I want.

I mean, I obviously have a few things on my wish list but I'd say 99% of those fall in the realm of "keep dreaming sister".

These include:

A puppy.

Presented to me in a box, which upon opening will cause me to cry tears of joy.

Any puppy is acceptable but preferably not a stupid breed. I need one that can be easily trained.

A trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando.

I will happily wait in line at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for hours with the children and like-minded grown ups.

A baby.

This would realistically come in the form of my husband agreeing to a timeline for us to start a family.

I've given him my timeline so ... he knows.

(A baby isn't on the horizon for minimum another 6 months though)

(Sorry mom and dad)

But I suppose there are some things I want that aren't completely unrealistic.

Take for example this anatomically correct heart necklace.

They're all over Etsy, this one courtesy of Lost Apostle.

I also want a flatscreen tv for the bedroom (I'm thinking a 22") to make more space on the dresser.

Also a cable box cause we've now lost pretty much every channel since things have gone digital.

Also on the safe bet list: books, wine, food.

That's all I've got for now.

Maybe if I keep the list small a puppy and a trip to Disney might happen....

Cleanse: Mid-week ranting

**Late Post written on Wednesday**

As you are probably well aware, this week I've been on a cleanse diet.

If you ever want to stop time and make it feel as though a week is the longest week of your life, try this diet.

I can't believe it's only Wednesday.

I've been surviving on fruits, veggies, brown rice, chicken, water and herbal (decaffeinated) teas.

It sucks.

Well that's not entirely true.

I actually quite like brown rice. It has a nutty flavour to it that makes me feel as though I can enjoy nuts sans annoying allergic reaction.

And I've been purchasing and eating a lot of really delicious fruit, especially stone fruits like cherries, peaches, nectarines, and apricots.

I did add in beans last night too and so far so good.

I've been less bloated, not crampy, and generally do feel better although I've been sleeping a lot more.

I suspect this is either due to my need for a good thick steak (first food to be added back in is red meat) or the fact that my body is actually detoxing from the copious amounts of caffeine it's used to receiving.

After red meat I'm bringing coffee back. Although my headache that's was almost my constant companion since Saturday has since let up so maybe I should take htis opportunity to drink less coffee.

On Sunday night (day 2 of my cleanse) I was faced with the greatest temptation of all:

birthday cake.

And creatively decorated cherry-chip cake! My brother in law and his girlfriend set to work on icing this bad boy and the entire thing was almost gone before the end of the night.

I sipped tea instead.

As soon as I feel confident I won't re-aggravate my stomach I'm going to eat the biggest burger I can get my hands on. Hopefully the Holy Chuck Burger. That's on my radar.

Then all breads, all cheeses, big breakfasts....

Sorry stomach, I wish I knew how to quit you.

My eyes are bigger and they win every time.

I just need to stay strong for 4 more days on this cleanse then I can reward myself with a beef burger - hold the bun and condiments.

Or a tenderloin steak.

That seems like a good compromise!

I Want: Spring Fashion Edition

Want: All of Erdem's Spring 2011 collection.

Well, most of the items.