Winner NEXT Giveaway

Thank you to all who entered the NEXT Giveaway.
I wish you could all be winners!

My apologies for the delayed winner announcement,
I meant to do this earlier today...

This girl is probably the luckiest girl I know. But she's also one of the kindest, sweetest girls I know.
Making her super deserving of all the giveaways out there.

Congratulations, KS! 

Random.org certainly LOVES you :)

xo

Ela

p.s. Be back in a few days!

Hope you're all having a great week!

The Love of My Life

In the past few weeks, S and I have faced some things that have caused us to reflect on how much we truly, deeply, love one another. No, we never questionned it. Not for a minute. I say this, simply because when faced with this, and going through it together...

...every

step

of the way...

we feel so grateful and blessed to have one another.

He is my rock. He is my strength. He is my best friend.

He is the love of my life.

It's been a wave of emotions these last few weeks.
And today, I am incredibly humbled and inspired to watch this, and see the beautiful Nielson family, who through trials and their faith, have so enriched the lives of others. Life is so beautiful and "oh so good".

Have a lovely weekend everyone!
xo Ela
p.s. Enter the NEXT Classic 5 Giveaway if you haven't already
p.p.s. Canadian and International readers, please be patient with me, giveaway is in the works :)

NEXT Giveaway - CLOSED

"NEXT please"...words I absolutely love to hear when I've been waiting in a queue for an extended period of time, but it's also something I've been saying since my fabulous Black and White Stripe Jacket, courtesy of the stylish and generous folks at NEXT, arrived in the mail a little while ago. I LOVE it! And am already thinking about the next NEXT item I want.

um...the vent gave me a bit of an unchoreographed Marilyn Monroe moment there...

For over 25 years, NEXT has been one of Britain’s most popular brands – acclaimed for its mastery of classic contemporary style evidenced in the combination of outstanding design, great quality and true value. When NEXT contacted me and asked if I'd like to receive one of their Classic 5 I said, "heck yeah!!!" "Yes, please!!!"

{Classic 5}

I love all five pieces but was so drawn to the Black and White Stripe Jacket. Isn't it fabulous??? What's even more fabulous is that NEXT wants to give one of my readers a chance to win one of the Classic 5 pieces. And the best part, you get to choose which one you want!

For ONE entry:
i) Be or become a follower of this blog
and
ii) Tell me which of the Classic 5 you'd like to win. And how you'd wear it.

For an EXTRA entry:
i) In addition to above, post this giveaway on your blog, add it to your sidebar, or tweet about it, just make sure to leave me another comment telling me you've done so, with the link.

For ANOTHER EXTRA entry:
i) On a separate comment, visit NEXT online and tell me what your favourite item is. FYI, I am in love with their dresses!

Giveaway will be open till May 9th.
Winner will be picked via random.org and announced May 10th.

Open to US residents only.

Good luck, everyone!

xo

Ela

p.s. Canadian and International readers, stay tuned for a little something-something next week!
p.p.s. Thank you, sweet KS. I heart you.

Shirley Temple on the Rocks

Hey guys, are you still here???

These past few weeks...eek, I can barely put in words. Here are a few high(?)lights.

Smiling on the outside with my Shirley Temple curls...

that smile is about to disappear.

My kitchen faucet, sprays water. That's good, right? Well last week it sprayed water from places that water should not be coming out of. It gave my kitchen blinds a nice wash though. I refused to call a plumber and "fixed" the problem by going all McGiver with a butter knife. No seriously, that's what I did. It seems to have stopped the leakage. Fingers crossed. Have I mentioned our home is less than two years old...

I've been battling with a skin rash I got from being around my friend's dog (I'm allergic to everything). Two weeks later it was barely any better. Turns out the cream I was given has a side effect, that shows up in about 1% of the population (yay me), of causing a skin rash. Did you get that? A cream that combats skin rash but actually can cause a skin rash. Can I say, WTHeck??? So, I'm now using two creams, one to fight off the rash and another to fight off the second skin rash the first cream is causing.

FACE = WTHeck???

Notice the one smaller eye with the puffier eye bag. Yup, that's what happens when I feel stressed. Serenity now, serenity now!!!

The other day S was pulling out of the garage then I heard some sort of commotion. Turns out our garage door decided to come off its tracks. Or thankfully(?) track, as in just on one side. It took 3 strong men and 3 hours later just to get the door back on the ground. We've had to leave it unopened this last week to you know, prevent it from killing anyone. We are still waiting to hear back from the garage people about when they can come to "service" it. Have I mentioned that our home is less than two years old....

When cleaning our master ensuite last week, I dropped a bottle of nail polish. On our bathroom tiles. Amazing how a small bottle can cause so much tears such a mess. Did I mention that our tiles are a creamy off white? Did I mention that the nail polish was RED??? Long story short, I got it off the tiles but we need to regrout some. S was sweet enough to tell me not to worry, that it's super easy to fix. Bless his heart.

I had to make a fondant cake for my BFF's little girl. 20+ hours later, no I'm not exagerrating, I got her Dora cake done. Never. Again.
Pics to follow...seem to have misplaced my camera. Seriously.

Anyway, that's just a piece of the last few weeks, there's more but then you'd think I'm lying so let's just leave it at that. MISS you all!!! Off to catch up on all you lovelies.

 xoxo

Ela

Things I...Ch 3

A few days ago after a heavy lunch, S and I decided to take a long walk short stroll few steps in the park. It's amazing what I learned from the brief time I was there...

1. Heels + Rocks = Not such a good idea. Did I really just learn this now?

2. All you need is a safety pin to add some dimension to a long top/tunic.
Just gather and pin {pin from the inside. duh}

3. Looking down as you step from rock to rock = Good idea.

4. I can't do up my hair in a bun at this length, but I can do a ponyhawk.

5. I squint a lot little when the sun is in my eyes.
Which makes me look a tad angry, no? HA.

6. I kinda like hay....that is what this is right?

7. Whoa. I gotta lot of moles. See the 4 on my cheek alone?

8. Pockets on skirts are awesome but so are pockets on tops! 

Perfect for putting my glasses in. Oh wait, where'd they go?

9. The best part about taking a walk in heels is finding a place to sit.

10. Big rocks are actually quite comfy. Not even kidding. This one would've been perfect for my lawn or backyard. Made me wish I had a flatbed truck to haul it. Or a big monster of a man to pick up perfect rock-chair on his back.
Though it's probably illegal to steal rocks from a park...

Blazer - Necessary Objects, Striped Tank - Winners
Ankle Zip Grey 'Jeggings' {I hate that word} - H&M,  
Grey Suede Shoes - Juicy Couture 
Earrings - Heidi Klum, Necklace - Adina Reyter 
Rest of jewelry- Vintage

Sorry for all the pics in the same outfit. I cropped my head out of a few so you wouldn't have to keep staring at my face.

You're welcome.

Learn anything new lately?

xo Ela

Thank You!

Just a lil thank you note from me to you.
Hopefully you can see the "thank you" written on the cupcake!

Thank you for all your sweet and supportive comments {and prayers} with regards to my last post. 

It felt {feels} good to get that off my chest.

My hopes are high and my faith is strong. 

I'm looking forward to what the future holds for us :)

Hope everyone is enjoying a fabulous weekend.

Happy Easter everyone!

xo Ela

Heart to Heart

I know I've been here and there these last few weeks...I suppose it's a reflection of what I've been feeling inside. I've never been one who was good at hiding how she felt. But somehow, this blog has made it easy. Feeling a little down but don't want anyone to know?
Easy.
Just don't post.
Thing is, I can't hide it anymore.
I don't want to.
So, it's time we have a heart to heart....

Have you...
...ever wanted something more than anything?
...wished for something so much, it made your heart hurt?
...longed to have something so much that it was all you ever thought about?
...and when you slept, your dreams would give you a taste of what life with it, might be like?

I have.

S and I have wanted children for quite some time now.
And have experienced much heartache over the years.
It has consumed my thoughts. Our thoughts.
And when I dream at night, if I'm lucky, I get a glimpse of the little ones we've yet to meet. And lift them in my arms. And hold them close.
S dreams about them too. And he shares his dreams with me.
And sometimes we let ourselves imagine, just a for a little bit {or a lot}, what it'd be like to have our family.

Maybe some of you don't want children and can't relate.
Then again, perphaps some of you are wishing for that someone you haven't met yet...then you know, in a sense, how I feel.
Maybe some of you already have everything and everyone you could possibly want and can't relate.
Then again, perhaps your life wasn't always like that. Maybe before the way things are right now, you might've longed for them to be this way, all those years ago.

But even if you can't imagine how I feel, just know that it hurts.
Know that things are hard.
And some days are harder than others.

But here's the thing.
I feel like I've hurt enough.
S doesn't want to see me shed another tear.
He hopes that if I do, they'll be happy ones.
I hope so too.
In some ways we've put our lives on hold...
...trying to make things happen.
...or waiting for things to happen.
In some ways we've put everything else aside.

But we've learned that hurting or waiting or even doing won't always bring you closer to what you want.
Even if you make it your priority.
Some things can't be planned.
You can't will them to happen.
You can't force it.
I firmly believe that nothing worth having is easily achieved.
But the thing is...
I also know that some things have to happen on their own.
In their own time.

So S and I have decided that the hurt stops here.
The all consuming thoughts end now.
Our lives...the happy worry-free ones we used to have...need to be the lives we live now.

S and I will continue to do everything in our power to make our family happen.
We have plans.
Things are in the works.
Maybe I'll share them with you another time.
Life has a funny way of always working out.
There is a child...
 ...children out there, waiting for us.
And I know it'll happen for us.

{our wedding}

But until they do, we'll have each other.
We already are a family.
We'll enjoy each other.
We'll count our blessings.
And be grateful for every single one of them.
Heartache may come every now and again.
But I won't let it stay long.
Someone once said life was like a fairytale.
If that's the case, then I look forward to my 'happily ever after'.
I'll look forward, but it won't be all I focus on, because if all I focus on is the happy ending, I'll miss all the good stuff in between.
Because the journey getting there can be just as good,
and just as happy, as the ending.

Thanks for listening.

xo Ela

I'm That Girl

S and I met about a year a half(?) before we started dating. We had a *chance* encounter at a High School dance where he saw me outside, from a distance, in the center of our school's courtyard. He turned to his friend and said, "that's the girl I'm going to marry." True story.

Later that night in the gymnasium {this was a HS dance remember} I was doing my thing on the dance floor {girl can dance. trust} and suddenly felt someone dancing right behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see a tall guy peering down at me, I shot him a look that said "um, do I know you?"
Which seemed to scare said guy off since I never saw him again that night.

About a year later, I met S.
About six months following that, we started dating.

Then almost a year after dating, S found himself looking through one of my photo albums and spotted a photo of me wearing a striped dress and rocking a shorter do. He dropped the album, stared me straight in the eye and asked, "OMGosh, Is that YOU?"
To which I replied, "Um yeah. You don't recognize your own girlfriend when you see her?"
S: "That dress...YOU are that girl! You're that girl!!!"

He looked like he had seen a ghost.

E: [insert blank stare]
I had no idea what he was talking about, I thought I looked kinda cute in that photo. Why was he looking at me all ape nuts, eyes buggin' out, frantically pointing, finger flailing in the air and referring to me in third person as "that" girl???

He finally stopped chanting "you're that girl" to tell me about the night he *met* that girl. A night when he tried to strike up a convo with said girl. By dancing with her. Only to get "dissed" and shot some "cut eye". Once the night came back to my memory, being the sensitive girl that I am, I apologized rolled on the floor laughing. I had no idea he was that guy.

I laughed when I heard he had referred to me as the girl he was going to marry. Little did I know how right he'd be. 

Sometimes, I like love when he's right.

xo Ela

p.s. I know they say it's "Spring", but right now it's -3 degrees.
And minus anything, is not Spring.

Wool coat with leather insets - Mackage

I'm Really Good...

Is it just me or was that a reallllllly long weekend? LOL sorry, I had no intention of taking a week off. But life kinda knocked me down for a bit then kicked me a lil while I was down {grumble, grumble} and it took a while to get back up and dust myself off. Missed your faces and missed seeing the going ons in your lives. Looking forward to catching up with y'all!

[via here]

So....are you tired of hearing about me yet?
Too bad.
HA.
Cause one of my favourite people {ever} KS tagged me a lil while ago to list 7 Things I'm a Master At along with an award I mentioned a while back. Seeing as I received it over a month ago, obviously I'm a master at procrastination {for certain things} but that's not all...

I'm really good at forgetting whether or not I've seen a movie. How many times have S and I come home from Blockbuster{yes, we still go there} only to pop in a movie, watch the first 30 seconds then say, "OMGosh, we've seen this!" Then turn it off. And whine about how there's nothing to watch.

I'm really good at not knowing what I want. At restos. I am indecisive and often when I get my meal, I wish I had gone with the other thing I was contemplating. I'm quite certain that if a menu were to offer just three items, I'd need a good 5 mins to mull it over. 

I'm really good at reversing into spots. No, I'm not kidding. I really am. But parallel parking...that's another story.

I'm really good at guessing your weight what the TV will say next. It's not unusual to be loved by anyone find me finishing sentences along with my fave TV shows. So annoying fun, right? S has said a number of times, "you should just write for them." Write for my fave TV shows. Oh, I'd love that. I'd do it for free.

I'm really good at impersonating bad dancers/dance moves. I just need to see someone *dance* once and I can replicate it no problem. Wouldn't you pay to see that?

I'm really good at giving presents. Late. There's a family we love with 4 girls who S and I have seen grow up and adore, every year I buy them Christmas pressies in November or December. But the Holidays roll around and I get tied up. I usually get their pressies to them later...the following year...in March. This year I managed to get it to them in February. Imagine their excitement when Christmas came early!

I'm really good at organizing things. In my closet, my shoes are stacked neatly on my shelves. My tops are sorted by sleeve length, then by colour, my sweaters are folded by type {cardi, pullover, etc.} then by colour, my dresses are hung by colour on the other end of my closet and my pants are draped over pant hangers by type {slacks, jeans, etc.} then by colour. OCD much? Yeah, I know.

I'm really good at other stuff too but I'm also good at keeping count, and I've already listed 7.

Tell me what you've mastered.

xo Ela

Get in My Belly

A little while ago, the fabulous Jen tagged me to list 10 Things that made me happy. As I started to think...all I could think of was food...HA. So, here are ten tasties {in alpha order} that I couldn't possibly do without.
Side Note: If you know Jen but you haven't stopped over there recently, please do, and give her some hugs. She could use them.

Breakfast Saturdays

 

Homemade waffles with a ras-straw-berry sauce. And some uber crispy bacon.

It's the one day of the week I tend to feed S make a proper breakfast, which normally includes pancakes or waffles, bacon and eggs. Well, proper in my eyes.

Grilled BBQ Short-Ribs {Korean}

Delicious almost bite-sized pieces of grilled beef short-ribs over a bed of rice in a very hot stone pot. You can hear the BBQ sauce sizzle. Mmm. Mmm. Good.

Chocolate

For most of my life I ate at least one chocolate bar a day. That is, until I was about 25 or 26 when a co-worker was horrified to hear this. It suddenly dawned on me that perhaps one chocolate bar a day wasn't normal. Hmmmm...so strange. I figured I'd try to cut back and find a healthier alternative. Like an apple a day. Not so much. But now I can go a few days, maybe even a week, without a chocolate bar. Some of my faves: Twix, Aero, KitKat, Cadbury...

Gummi Bears

Now seeing as some of you know how much I love chocolate and gummi bears, some of you suggested I try some chocolate covered gummi bears. And so, I did. Here's the thing, I love chocolate. I love gummi bears. Separately. Together, I gotta say, I did not know what was in my mouth. I don't mean to hurt your feelings if you love them, maybe I had the wrong kind...but not quite the heavenly taste I had imagined...

Poutine

 [via Google Images]

Yes, you are looking at cheese and gravy atop a bed of fries. Have you had it? Don't knock 'til you've tried it. It's very Canadian. And it's soooo good. Trust.

Prime Rib or Roast 

Medium-rare with lots of gravy, mashed potatoes, yorkshire pudding and some really good horseradish on the side. Yum.

Shellfish

Lobster, crab and shrimp. With lemon-butter sauce. Yes please. 

Steak

Medium-rare please. I find that most people who don't like steak have only had it well-done. And trust me, well-done does not equate to well done. A quick bite of medium to medium-rare and I've seen some converts.

Sushi

At least once a week. And the more wasabi, the better. I love the feeling that super strong wasabi gives, it's like getting punched in the nose. Not that I know what that feels like. Nor do I want to. 

Sweet Potato Fries

 [via Google Images] 

With garlic aioli. Or without. Mmmmmm.

Let's eat!
Happy weekend, munchkins....it's not a dig at your height, I just have the munchies now.

xo Ela
p.s. Are you a rockstar? Enter my girl J's contest here until March 21st.

JUST ADDED:  Hey guys, this was a schedule post, but just got back from a memorial service for some very dear to me and S. I don't feel much like blogging right now so if I don't make it to your blog today or get to catch up this weekend. I'll see you Monday. xoxo

Now You Know...More

Blazer...it's a sweatshirt with a diagonal zipper - Winners

Striped Tee - H&M, Jeans - Just Cavalli,

Red Denim Platforms - Nine West (2002), EPI Pouchette - Louis Vuitton

So the other day I shared 3 {of 7} unusual things about me here....so here are other 4....

4) S and I don't drink alcohol. I find that when some people learn this, and learn that it's a lifestyle choice we've made, they look at me as though I just hit them in the face with a frying pan. Then once they've recovered, the questions fire away. And no matter how much I explain, I can't seem to quench their thirst.

Now I don't mind questions, in fact I'm happy to answer any question relating to the subject. But when I get the judging eyes, not so much. I never bat an eyelash or make a mental judgement when I know someone does drink, so it'd be nice if when I share that I don't, I didn't get the whats' wrong with you face. Or be looked at as though I suddenly sprouted a halo on my head and wings on my back. Though if I did, that'd be pretty cool, no?

 

Bow Necklace - gifted by Summer, seen here

5) I am a clown. Well, not really. Cause clowns freak me the heck out. Plus I made the mistake of watching the movie IT when I was 12. Watched it at my friend's house. Big mistake. It's the last time I ever failed to ask, "what's it about?" Anywho, I'm the girl that's not afraid to get silly at a party. Dance in the middle of a circle as I impersonate Elaine from Seinfeld {please tell me you've seen it}. Put on my friend's prom dress and top it off with a bicycle helmet. And yes, since you've read 4) you know I do all this sober. Granted there is a time and place for everything so you won't catch me doing this when it's not called for. Yes, there are times when it is called for. I will make you smile if I know you need it, I will liven up a party if it's gone lame-o and I am never afraid to laugh at myself.

6) That said, I am quiet. Or at least I can be. I attribute this to growing up, for the most part, as an only child. My brother came later in my teen years and my parents both worked full-time. I became independent and learned to love my alone time. I'm perfectly happy being left to my own devices. And perfectly capable of entertaining myself. Even in a crowd I can be quiet and sometimes quiet is the way to go. I get to observe and catch all the good stuff I sometimes miss out on when I'm being loud and annoying fun.

 Zip it.

7) I may wear my heart on my sleeve, be warm and open. But I don't open up to just anyone. So if I share something with you, trust that I haven't shared it with a ton {or even four} other people. I open up to people I feel a connection with, to people I think can relate to me, to people I feel I can trust.

That said, some things, even those dear to my heart, I will share with the world {or with anyone who happens to read this}. Either way, I share pieces of me. And what you see is what you get.

So...now you know.

Your turn.

xo Ela
p.s. Are you a rockstar? Enter my girl J's contest here until March 21st.

Now You Know

Dress - Kensie, Skirt (layered under dress) - H&M seen here, 

Blazer - Morphine Generation, seen here, I love the buttons on the sleeves spiking out, Necklace - Tiffany

Recently my gorgeous lil gumdrop Sarah Hannah from down under tagged me to list 7 unusual facts about me. Easy peasy.

Let's start from the beginning shall we...

1) My mom nearly named me Allergy. As in "Achoo! Excuse me, it must be my allergies". She loved the way the "name" rolled off her tongue. Really? Cause I think I'd choke everytime I'd have to introduce myself. Seriously, why would you want to give your child a name that'll pretty much guarantee she'll have zero friends, suitors, confidence....

But then again, had she given me that name, I suppose I would've made it work. I would've given myself the nickname "Allie" but knowing kids are cruel, they'd probably refuse and call me "Algae". I'd probably be the girl with a chip on her shoulder the size of a boulder. Or the girl with a perma-look plastered on my face that said watcha lookin' at? Or I'd have rocked the 'ish outta that name and been the one *Allergy* all the girls {and boys?} wouldn't want a cure for. Either way, pretty sure when I was 18 I would've legally changed my name. To...anything other than that.
Thankfully my grandmother had the sense to ignore my mother, chocked it up to the Demerol or Epidural talking and talked her out of it.

Patterned tights - Hue, Shoes - Michael Kors

2) Speaking of names, my maiden name = married name. So what? I kept my name right? Yes....but that's not all. S's married name = my married name. What you married your brother? NO! So you met a guy with the same last name...you're sure you're not related? Nope.

When I got married and it came to changing my name, I knew I wanted to keep my name so I decided I should hyphenate. But with S, our relationship, our marriage is all about unity. About being "us" and "we". It was really important to him that we shared the same last name and felt that hyphenating my last name would still give us different surnames. I explained that keeping my name was really important to me. Suddenly a smile crept across his face, his eyes lit up as he told me he had an idea; he would change his name instead, and take mine. He caught me completely off guard, it's something I hadn't even considered! But that's exactly what he did. And everytime I write my name, I love and appreciate that he did that for me.

{I'm laughing because S is over in the corner...mocking me}

Love the arched hem at the back of this blazer

3) I'm warm and rather affectionate. Maybe being warm and affectionate doesn't make for unusual. But in this day and age being "sweet" makes people think you're *sketchy*. Rest assured, it's real. There's a reason why I've been called "sweet" pretty much 98% of my life {the other 2% of the time, I am PMSing}. Sometimes people take it for granted and the little things I do become expected, rather than appreciated. And at times because of that, I'd rather be something, anything  other than "sweet" but it's who I am. And I can't be someone other than me.

When talking face to face with a friend, I may touch her arm or her hand or her knee. You might make me laugh and find me playfully pushing your shoulder. I may rest my head on your shoulder for a moment or two. If I call you "hon" or "love" or whatever *sugary* name I want, it's because I geniunely like you and mean it to be endearing. If I say "I adore you," it's true. If I say "I love you," I mean it. If I say "my heart breaks for you," it does. So if you take something I do or say as anything less than geniune, I have to put the sweet aside, be blunt and jump into my 2% mode and say, I'm sorry but that's your loss.

I know I've only listed 3 facts, I'll save the other 4 for later...

Tell me something.

xo Ela

Special {super} late thank you to the lovely Anna for the One Lovely Blog Award and the uber creative Sophia for the Circle of Friends Award. And more recently to the fabulous Nikosmommy for the Beautiful Blogger Award and The Best Blog Award,  the talented Jennifer for the You're a Doll Award and The Happy Award, and the sweetie that is KS for the Blogger BFF Award and Master of Karate and Friendship Award.

Thank you so much.
p.s. I really enjoyed reading your comments from my last post, nice to know I'm not alone ;)

Wisdom Comes With Age...Later in Life

A little while ago I told you I got my wisdom teeth pretty in my early teens. And I know I said in jest that I liked to think they made me that much smarter but I gotta tell you, they did not. Sure I brought home 90s, aced pop-quizzes, made the honor role and even brought home the occasional award. But sometimes...I was just downright dumb. Granted, I don't think it had anything to do with the teeth...

One Christmas Eve after a fight with my mom the night before, I decided I'd runaway forever. Yet I didn't even bother to pack a single thing. From the bus station I called my best friend. I told her I had runaway and that I needed a place to stay. She told me to hold on while she asked her parents if I could spend the night. By the time I got there her parents had called mine. But both parents agreed that I could spend the night and celebrate Christmas Eve with my best friend. That night I watched my best friend and all her siblings open pressie after pressie. My best friend's mom felt sorry watching me just sit there empty handed so she went upstairs and came back with a present for me. Imagine my excitement as I opened my brand new(?)...towel. Best Christmas ever? Not so much. 15 and smart as a whip whipped cream.

 

{via Google Images}

About a year later, I remember asking my mom to sign something from school. A permission form allowing me to participate in some fun activity, more importantly get me out of class for the day. My mom told me she was "too busy" at the moment but that I should remind her later. Being impatient helpful I asked if she'd like me to sign it for her. Confused by my offer, she asked me to clarify. I then proceeded to to tell her that I'd gotten really good at forging her signature. In response she looked at me with shock, awe, bewilderment and pride(?). So of course I had to add, "but forging dad's signature is even easier." 16 and sneaky. Just not smart enough to keep my mouth shut.

Any dumb moments you'd like to share?


Have a fabulous weekend!!!
xo Ela
p.s. In case you're wondering, I did not take my towel pressie home.

Yes, I'm Talking to You

To the lady in the minivan who stopped to help yelled and honked like a mad woman when we had to pull our car over on ever busy Spadina. After it got rearended by a streetcar. I suppose you would've preferred us to stay in the middle of the road so you wouldn't have had to change lanes. What is the matter with you?

~

To the streetcar driver, you seemed very kind. And I don't want this accident to cost you your job. But please do not say we "suddenly hit the brakes" and decided to turn. We had our signal on the whole time. And came to a gentle stop as we generally do when we approach stoplights. Hopefully this was a first for you and the TTC will let this one slide.

~

To my Krummer ladies, thank you for keeping me calm. Heart you to the moon and back.

~ 

To S, my sweet S, I'm sorry I didn't believe you when you said "it's been a bad week" even before this accident happened. But thank you for looking forward to the good that comes after a string of bad events. I love you.

And love, thank you for sharing Life Lesson # 289 with me: When you shake a bottle, without its cap on, it will make a mess.

Yes darling, that is what tends to happen. I'm sorry you got it in on your bag, sweater, papers. And face. Sweetheart, you need to look at what you are doing. Sometimes.

~

To the people at UPS, how on earth did you scrap the first line of the receiving address? Now you are left wandering the streets of Florida. Please note, all lines of the address are equally important. And should not be ignored.

~

To the people who decided one must drink 3 glasses of water to have the perfect amount so you can conduct your ultrasound, clearly your bladder is the size of Alaska. Mine however, is not.

~

To K, thank you for letting me go "just a lil bit" when you saw my eyes watering. I've learned that when your bladder is beyond full, it's gotta come out somehow.

~

To my dear Ela, yes you. When will you learn that: A full bladder + A belted outfit = A bad. Freaking. Idea.

I don't care that you got dressed and left the house before 6am. You need to think things through. More.

~

To my lovely readers, my bloggie friends, I'm sorry I haven't been around your digs lately. This week has been a tough one for me to manage. I have a sweet pea I'm worried about, a family friend in the hospital, a BFF who won't return my calls (is she OK? No idea), eventful days that will not allow me much computer time, and my body has finally caved and is trying majorly to catch up on some sleep. I'll be around soon. I promise.

xo Ela

Addicted to Molasses

No, it's not the name of a cool indy song, it is however, the truth. These darn Molasses Spice cookies have me climbing the walls when I can't have one. I'm obsessed with having some in the cookie tin at ALL times and the minute I see that we're I'm running low, I immediately bake more. Like drop what I'm doing and bake more. As though something terrible should happen if one lone cookie stays in the tin, all alone without any cookie friends to keep his cookie goodness company. Have I mentioned, I'm obsessed?

Who knew molasses was so darn addictive? Before these cookies I thought molasses = ick. Molasses is dark, sticky and smells like bark. Or something. But I picked up the carton from the store and it was sealed and everything so I know it hasn't been laced with anything. Right? Right??? Because if it were, it would explain the *mild* obsession I am having with these cookies. I'm cooky for cookies. And suddenly sound like a cereal commercial. Oy. I need to be stopped. Seriously. But just in case it's not such a bad thing, I thought I'd share the recipe with you. Then you can obsess right along with me.

Ingredients (Makes 36)

• *2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• **3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup molasses

* I add an extra 1/2 C to make them fluffy.

** I use salted.
Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a shallow bowl, place 1/2 cup sugar; set aside.
2. With an electric mixer, beat butter and remaining cup of sugar until combined. Beat in egg and then molasses until combined. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in dry ingredients, just until a dough forms.
3. Pinch off and roll dough into balls, each equal to 1 tablespoon. Roll balls in reserved sugar to coat.
4. Arrange balls on baking sheets, about 3 inches apart. Bake, one sheet at a time, until edges of cookies are just firm, 10 to 15 minutes (cookies can be baked two sheets at a time, but they will not crackle uniformly). Cool 1 minute on baking sheets; transfer to racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.

A few other things I'm addicted to these days:

- Hershey's Eggies ("Hershey's Eggs" in the US) They're egg-tastic! I could eat my weight equivalent. Even better than Cadbury Mini Eggs. Trust.

- Hawkins Cheezies Crunchy orange sticks have never tasted so good. I'm pretty sure I'm retaining water like a wishing well but I really don't care.

- Pickles The whole sour dill kind in the big jars in the refrigerated section, NOT the ones in the condiment aisle.

Are you at all concerned about what I'm eating? 
Don't be. I promise I eat "real food" in between.
Anything you're addicted to these days?

Oh and thanks to all who entered the Orient Watch Giveaway. I nearly went bananas when I found out the winning comment (via random.org) was lucky no. 8...congratulations, Mayra!!!

xo Ela

"Be Ready in Ten Minutes"

Those were the words out of S's mouth when he called the other day letting me know he was on his way home and that he wanted to head right out so we could grab a quick bite to eat. The eating part I like. The getting ready part...I like hearing those words almost as much as I enjoy being asked, "is that what you're wearing?" Um, seeing that it's on me and I'm about to walk out the door, yes, I think it'd be safe to assume that is what I'm wearing. Thankfully I can count on less than two fingers the number of times S has posed that question.

Although, being asked to be ready in 10 happens more often than I'd like. Well, at least S has come to know: you can't always get what you ask for. Asking me to be ready in ten minutes is like asking me to sneeze with my eyes open. Pretty much impossible. At least for me. Especially when I get the call as I'm mid-swing on the elliptical, sweating up a storm glistening just a tad and smelling like someone...who could use a shower. Never mind that having a shower, blow drying my hair so I it doesn't freeze when I step out the door, getting dressed, running down the stairs, finding my purse, and my keys, grabbing a coat, playing hide and go seek with my boots, and gloves, and running back upstairs to get my b-berry takes 20 minutes. At least. Am I alone here? Or is getting ready in 10 minutes actually the norm?

 Sweater - Dex, Boots - Zara, Gloves - Ugg

Leather Bomber and Jeans - 7 for all Mankind

When I bought this sweater a few years back, it had little boils balls of yarn sewn all over it. I'm sure the lovely folks at Dex thought it added "whimsy". I thought it made my sweater look like it had warts. I detached the little nubs soon as I got home. Had I left them perhaps you'd be asking "is that what you're wearing?"

Bag - Thrifted

So in love with this bag I picked up last year, I've no idea why anyone would want to get rid of it. The leather is buttery soft and it's the perfect crossover length. Plus it cost me less than my usual Starbucks order {a lemon poppyseed loaf and a tall hot chocolate}.

Is it just me or is this post awful random and all over the place? A little bit like my thoughts before bed. Which reminds me, thank you so much for all your tips on my last post. Just in case you didn't know...you guys are AWESOME!

Have a great weekend lovelies!

xo Ela

p.s. Giveaway's open till Feb 28th, do enter if you haven't already!

I Need Sleep

No really, I do. I've no problem taking a nap on our couch on any given Sunday or catching some zzzzs in the middle of S telling me a very interesting story as we drive in the car or sleeping through at least a third of any movie that is longer than 105 minutes. But lately, when it comes to getting sleep at night...in a bed...forget it.

Dress - Winners, Floral Necklace and Belt - F21

 Logo Tights - Chanel, Mary Janes - Via Spiga (via 90s)

I'd love some good old uninterrupted sleep, to not have to get up in the middle of the night because I suddenly remember we need to buy potatoes, or because my bladder thinks it's 6am when really it's only 2am, or because the big lug next to me decides to see how perfectly his elbow fits in my eye socket{I feel you Tiffany}.

And please don't say "at least you don't have a crying baby keeping you up." Cause then I'd have to slap you that would be music to my ears. Yes, I'd still want sleep but at least getting up in the middle of the night would be purposeful. This however, has no purpose. Other than to give me puffy sullen eyes and a cranky disposition.
 

Actually, I'm getting ahead of myself. Yes staying asleep is hard but falling asleep is the hardest part. What's keeping me up, you ask? Nothing. I'd love to blame it on S and his snoring but 97% of the time I can tune it out. 2% of the time it's actually somewhat soothing. Like listening to static. And 1% of the time, I want to stick a pillow over his face but instead I stick one over mine.

Truth is, mostly, I keep myself up. My mind just won't stop. Thinking. I'm not trying to memorize the first 3,000 digits of pi. Nor am I trying to solve world peace. I'm just stuck on thinking about things that really shouldn't be keeping me up at night. Like what my ex-boss' daughter's name is. Or why in the world people like egg salad. Or how S can think Richard Gere and Harrison Ford are the same people. WTHeck. Not even close, right? Which leads to me wonder how much Calista Flockhart weighs. Which makes me think, "for sure I weigh more". Which makes me wonder what my BMI is. Then for a split second I forget what BMI stands for. Then I make up what it stands for. Then make myself giggle. Quietly, to not wake the hubs. Which makes me look at him and get jealous of how well he's sleeping. And how loud peaceful he is. Which makes me want to poke him and ask "are you awake?" Then I wonder if there's anyone I can call who would be awake. Then I realize it's 2:46am and everyone else is sleeping. Then I start to freak out because I imagine how hard it'll be get me out of bed in just a few hours. Sigh.

Any tips? And no, I won't be taking any pills. Drug-free suggestions only please.

xo Ela
p.s. If you haven't already, do enter my Orient Watch Giveaway!!!

Name Calling

S and I tease each other a lot. It's what we do with people we love. We also have a thing for calling each other names. No, not those names. We tend to make up words actually. So the other day in the car, while he was driving a *tad* over the speed limit, I called him a "squindrel". Kinda like half scoundrel, half squirrel.

S: What'd you call me? 

E: A squin-drel. Keep up.

S: What the heck is that? 

E: Does it matter?

Leopard tank and Shrug - Winners, Jeans - Just Cavalli, OTKs - Guess

Suddenly I pictured S and I as little kids. Me calling him names with him looking at me with a blank stare. Me having to explain myself, him being a gnat. Him hogging everything, me screaming "MINE!" Suddenly it dawned on me...

E: I'm glad we met later in life.

S: What? Why?

E: Mmm...I don't think we would've liked each other as kids.

S: [Laughs] Of course not...we don't like each other now.

E: [Laughs].....squindrel.

And that folks, is how we stay happily married.
Hope you had a fabulous weekend!

xo Ela

Losing My Wisdom {Teeth}

I got my wisdom teeth at a fairly young age; in my early teens. But I didn't decide to have them removed till my early 20s. Mostly because it didn't seem necessary to get them removed. And partly because I liked  to think they made me that much smarter.

However, my dentist thought otherwise. He referred me to an oral surgeon to make up for the money he owed over a lost bet get them looked after. During our consultation "Surgy" informed me I would need to have all four removed. And he and I decided that removing all four at once, would be best. Yes, I consented to this, but wtheck did I know?

We set the appointment for the following week and Surgy had me sign a number of papers, including consent/release forms for a general anaesthetic. Because why on earth would I want to be awake for this, right? Right. However, after informing S that he'd need to take the day off to comfort me on the day of my oral surgery and letting him know I'd be in no condition to drive while the anaesthesia wore off, he pleaded that I not "go under". You see he'd watched Sleeping Beauty one too many times he feared that I would not wake up. After spooking the heck out of me hearing his concerns, I thought it best to give in.

When the morning of the surgery came, I informed Surgy that I would not be having a general anaesthetic but that I'd have a local instead. He explained that with a local anaesthetic, though I wouldn't feel a thing, I would be awake for the entire procedure. Yes, Surgy. I know what a local anaesthetic does. After trying to convey that me going local vs. general would be less lucrative for him his concern for my well-being, he reluctantly agreed.

So, his assistant proceed to stick a large needle in my gums to administer the anaesthetic. But I've learned that with gums like mine, I need at least three doses. So they do it again. And again. Once the effects kicked in, Surgy put his game face on and came at me with his pliers. Out comes one. One down, three to go. Out comes the second. Then the third. Plucking them out with ease, like a school girl plucking out petals from a daisy "he loves me, he loves me not, he loves..."

And then things headed in a different direction.

While gently trying to remove the fourth, it seems Surgy had lost his cool. The fourth did not want to come out with ease. Perhaps, it too was convinced it's what made me that much smarter, and wanted to stay behind to give me that extra edge. Whatever it was, it was not going anywhere. Surgy yanked and pulled. And grunted. Did he forget that though I couldn't feel a thing, I could still see and hear him? To gain some agility Surgy propped his foot on the chair. Yes, the one I was laying in. And firmly planted his free hand down. On my face. And pressed. He was now gently holding pushing my face down into the chair, causing the left side of my face to get better acquainted with the headrest. Now you can imagine the out of body experience I was having. Though I couldn't feel a thing, I knew I'd pay for this later. After much crunching, a few more grunts, breaking a sweat and nearly busting a gut, Surgy finally got it out.

I practically jumped out of that chair and hurried to the waiting room to see S. Can you say "get me outta here". Well, technically I couldn't say much but I believe my face said it all. S drove me home in a hurry so I could get some rest. Almost immediately after we got home, a huge green blob started to spread across my face. I was half-Hulk. Or half-Shrek. Whatever you prefer. S suggested I get some "beauty sleep". If by beauty sleep he meant "wake up looking like a puffer fish" then I did just that. By the time I woke up, the swelling was in full force. I had the bone structure of a Cabbage Patch Doll.

And just when I thought it couldn't get better...

Later that evening, S was on the phone with my mom letting her know how well the surgery had gone while I rested my head on a pillow on his lap, watching TV to try and forget the pain. Just when it seemed to be working, my mom must've said something to make S forget himself. Suddenly he had loosened his grip on the remote control he had in hand, only to have it plummet right into my face. Do you remember how big and heavy remote controls were about 10 years ago? I DO.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Well, at least I could be certain the anaesthesia had worn off. 

I could hear my mom on the other end frantically asking, "What happened??? Is she OK??? What happened???" After reassuring my mom he was not trying to kill me, S quickly got off the phone. Tears were streaming down my face as he tried to console me. He knew I was too weak to hurt him so he just stroked my hair till I stopped. As if my face wasn't big or green enough. You can bet I made S pay for that. For a few days weeks.

So long ago but I remember it like yesterday. Gee, I wonder why.
xo Ela 
P.S. Stop in and visit Baby Lawlor to hear the most beautiful sound ever. AMAZING.

[Image via Urban Outfitters]

iPhon't Think So

For the last year or so, S has been trying to convince me to get an iPhone. Scratch that. He's been itching to buy me one. But you see, I refuse. I don't want it. The thought of not having a tactile keyboard does not work for me. Never mind that the darn thing doesn't even register my finger half the time. I *press* things and I tell you, NOTHING. HAPPENS. 

S says it's cause I'm "not human". Sometimes he softens the blow and blames it on my "dead skin". Frankly, I'm not quite sure which of his theories paint me in a better light, so I just blame the phone.

How do I know I detest this phone when I haven't even given it a chance, you ask.

I borrowed it for the day a few months back. But only because I had left my cell phone at home. And the thought of not being able to communicate with people people that I like for a full 8-12 hours was not an option. So he set up my email on his phone to keep me connected. Between me not knowing how hit the right keys and iPhone's auto complete, I was hopeless...

instead of "DimSum" I got "dumdum" NOT okay.

instead of "drolly" I got "frilly"..."dolly" I could understand. But frilly? Um ok.

Luckily, I double checked before hitting send but making the corrections...brutal.

Imagine how intelligent caveman like I must've looked typing hacking away with one finger. Brows furrowed, lips contorted mouthing the words as I went along and practically breaking a sweat trying to put together a 5 liner. Hard to feel pleased with yourself when 5 sentences takes 14 mintues to type. I mean come on, it's not like I've got flippers. I've been told my fingers are slender and dainty. I don't see why they're not compatible with the iPhone when S' grubby little paws just dance away on that thing.

Did I mention that when I answered the phone I hung up on my best friend's husband?

Once because I pressed the wrong *button*.

And a second time while he was on the line and my cheek pressed against the phone.

Did I mention he was calling to let me know why my BFF was in the ER?

Can you say panic and frustration.

Thankfully, I figured out how to call him back and everything turned out fine with my girl. Side Note: I headed over to the hospital to keep her company while she sat waiting in the ER.

But I can't have a cell phone disconnect a call simply because the *buttons* can't be pressed. Or because my chipmunk cheeks press slightly against its surface. So it won't take my fingers but it'll take my cheeks??? Am I the only one that thinks that is stoooo-pad?

I'm married to man who LOVES gadgets. But seriously, I'm not quick to embrace them. I don't need shiny and new all the time as long as I've got something that works. So me say "yes" to an iPhone? iPhon't think so. I didn't even want a Blackberry when he got me one. Of course I love it now but that's besides the point.

fell in love with the leather insets of this thrifted vintage fur

love the fun lining of this coat

Belt - Chinese Laundry, Dress - Winners, Boots - Diba/Bronx

Have I mentioned I don't even own an iPod?

Gasp.

Though I do know how to use one. I just don't need it.

At this rate, perhaps S isn't so far off when he says I'll be like one of those old people who refuse to learn how to use a computer. But seriously, just like they do, I'm sure I'll get by.

xo

Ela

p.s. Don't forget to entery my Orient Watch Giveaway!!! GET TO IT!!!