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 :)

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

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

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 ;)

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

"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!

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!!!

What Took So Long?

The above question is pretty much how I feel about a lot of things lately. Patience...I have it...but I don't. Anyhoots, this is my 100th post and I can't believe it took me only 7 months to get here! GAH! Obviously, I need to get back on track and up my *postage*.

This past weekend, S and I put on our tourist hats and went for a drive...

 

my tourist hat looks more like a beanie but whatevs...

we drove 1 1/2hrs. to get some of this...

at the Brazillian Steakhouse, Copa Cabana

photo via Copa Cabana because truth is, when the steak was in front of me, I couldn't care less where the camera was.

I heart meat.

We also drove to see this...

Frozen Water? Why yes. 

I heart ice.

Better known as this...

 

[Niagara Falls via Google Images]

 

WEE!

I love this photo taken by S. The hotel had a package that included tickets for the Sky Wheel. Half Gondola/Half Ferris Wheel with an RPM a hamster could outdo, perfect for taking in the sights. From a distance cause we had no desire to actually walk by the frozen falls. It's breathtaking but we've seen it a thousand at least 10 times.

 

baby it's cold outside...

After a good 10 minutes outdoors, we hit the arcades to 

"Feed Big Bertha" and beat the high score of "Belly Bomber" 

That's S' ear and plaid shirt.

I heart that the games we played were food/stomach based. Seemed to be the theme of the weekend. We ended it off at the Melting Pot, for some amazing fondue.

I heart big melted pots o' chocolate.

Can't wait to see what you've been up to! Happy mid week, loves!

xo Ela

p.s. Giveaway to follow

p.p.s. Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple Giveaway

p.p.p.s Wearing Beanie - Forever 21, Coat - Laundry by Shelli Segal

One for the Books

Jan 28, 2010 is a day to remember folks.

 {via weheartit}

It's the day I woke up because I had a dream that I woke up. Did you get that?

It's the day after the night I barely got any sleep because of said dream.

It's the day I wore my glasses in the morning with plans to put my contacts on later that day.

It's the day I had to take my glasses off, so I could see when a short but windy snow storm decided to mess with me. Windchill was -18C btw.

It's the day my SFAM, my K-Puff shared her wonderful amazing news with the world. Good news, loves. Good news.

It's the day my SFAM, my DimSum met a Country Singer and more importantly, found out she's got some "beautiful lining" :) Good news, loves. Good news.

It's the day my Dr. had a look at things and said I've "never looked better". Good news, loves. Good news.

It's the day I got whistled at. By someone not wearing a construction hat. And someone who isn't S. Never mind that I looked like a hot mess. Or a very cold one. Flattering? Not so much. Strange? Very much so.

It's the day I got a haircut trim. After 9 months.

It's the day my husband left work before 5 o'clock. 4:56pm to be exact.

It's the day he tried to take me to dinner. Even though he already cooked me dinner on our anniversary {even though he's got a whole weekend planned, sweet thing}. I say "tried" because we arrived at the resto to find a sign outside the door that read "closed for a private event". To which neither of us were invited to. So we ate somewhere else instead. Calling ahead...it's good to do.

It's the day I was supposed to have my very first chocolate covered gummy bear. From the candy shop I couldn't find. Near the resto I couldn't eat at.

It's the night I came home and attempted to remove my contacts. Right eye first. Contacts felt a *little* dry but I was not expecting what happened next. I pulled it out. But only half came. The other half was left lodged underneath my eyelid. Can you say panic attack? I did. In words that barely ressembled the English language. I called yelled for S and calmly told him what had happened in a clear and distinct voice words that he could not make out. He literally had to pin my arms down to keep me from going ape nuts. After some time and yelling he managed to get the other half out. He made me lie down and "rest" my eyes before I attempted to take the left one out.

I did a few minutes later. Very carefully.

It's the day all the above happened. A day that made me laugh, made me cold, made me cry - happy tears and scared ones. A day filled with a lot of memories, milestones and never agains. But all in all, a good day. One for the books. Hope it was for you too.

Have a great weekend, loves!

xo Ela

p.s. Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple Giveaway!

Please Know...

Dearest S,

I can't believe how quickly the years have flown by. This week you and I will celebrate our 8th Wedding Anniversary. Words can barely convey all that I feel; there's so much I want to say, so I will start with this...

Having you in my life for almost *half of my existence, I can't ever imagine life without you. I sometimes wonder what took you so long and often wish you came into my life sooner. But please know that I am grateful you came when you did. I am grateful you came, to stay.

I may squirm away whenever you try to snuggle with me in bed but please know, there is nowhere I feel safer than when I am in your arms.

When dancing in the kitchen, you often tell me how well you think I dance, while I often tease you about your moves and *dance face* but please know, that whatever song is playing, when I dance in your arms and you hold me close, there is nowhere else I'd rather be.

I may crinkle my nose when you sing silly songs and ask you to "please stop" but please know that I still get goosebumps when I think of our wedding reception, when you pulled me up and sang Always to me. I couldn't stop the tears {and regretted my need for mascara} and looked like quite the wreck, yet you made me feel beautiful.

I may grumble in the morning{on account of me not being a morning person} while you're sweet as can be before we part ways but please know that I miss you the minute you leave, and when I see you later that evening, it is the best part of my day.

We may not look the same as we did when we first met. Lines may appear and grey hair may sparkle atop your head but please know that I love the lines, for they are reminders of the laughs we've shared. I love the grey that makes you look dapper, distinguished and wise. You are beautiful. Always.

Just the other day, I caught you staring at me. When I questioned your gaze, you told me I was beautiful. And with a smile, you said you wondered how you were lucky enough to have me as your wife. I don't believe in luck as much as I do blessings from the Lord, but please know that if it were luck, I would be the lucky one.

They say a good marriage requires one to fall in love, again and again...always with the same person. I sometimes think that I couldn't possibly love you more than I already do, but please know that each day, I do. I fall in love again and again, always with you.

Happy Anniversary, my sweet. Everyday I feel blessed to have you in my life; as my husband, my best friend...my eternal companion. I love you.

*S and I dated for a number of years before we got married, so don't worry, I'm not 16 :) EDIT: Yes, that is our cake. So yes, those are S's hands...GASP! His 2nd appearance, since revealing his feet ;)

P.S. A fellow blogger is experiencing heartache I can't even imagine. I don't know her personally but Wendy has asked people to help spread the word. Please read this post and help if you are able. Please send your prayers.

Sweet and Sour

S is always teasing me about having a "refined palette". He says I like "bland" food. I say, I enjoy subtle tastes. I also just need one bite in order to appreciate flavours. He however, needs a mouthful to savour the tastes. We eat the same amount but go about it differently. For example, I eat one chip at a time. And one popcorn kernel at a time. Partly because I enjoy it best that way...and partly because I know it drives S mad. He on the other hand, shoves a handful at a time so he can "actually taste" it.

Apparently, he's not that great at detecting "sour"....

S: [Chuckles to himself] That's funny.
E: What is?
S: Sweet and Sour Chicken.
E: Mmmmkay....if you say so.
S: [Stink eye] It's not really sour...
E: Uh, sure it is.
S: No. It's just sweet.
E: No it's not!
S: YES it is.
E: Fine. It's not "sour" per se, but there's definitely a tang to it.
S: Tang's not one of the four tastes.
E: But it's a type of sour...and there's five not four.
S: Five what?
E: Tastes
S: [Eyes bugged out. Insert heckling here] Name them.
E: Sweet, sour, salty, bitter and...
S: HA!
E: Give me a sec...I've got mushy brain [pause] Spicy!
S: Bwahahahahahahahaha. That's not a "taste"!
E: You can taste it can't you?
S: [Pause] No...it just burns.
E: Sweetheart, for people with taste buds, spice is a taste.
S: [Sad puppy face] But it just burns...
E: I don't know what else to tell you, hon....just eat your "sweet" chicken.

Leather Moto - Ralph Lauren (circa 2002), Plaid Top - Winners, 

White LS Tee - F21, Leggings - Aritzia, Boots - Lucky Brand {being sold here}

Gotta bundle up!

Scarf - via sample sale

Please excuse the bedhead, pale face and um...lack of eyebrows HAHA - hair/makeup to be done in car, hence the sunnies (YSL). Lipgloss was on though.

Well, since rehashing our convo. I've come to learn that I'm wrong. Shhh...I haven't told him yet. In 2002, they did indeed introduce the fifth taste: Savory. However, if you go by the ancient Chinese Five Elements Philosophy (according to Wiki), spicy is the fifth. Since, I'm Asian (oh and 1/8 Chinese btw) I think that makes me partly right, no?

Happy weekend, loves!
xo Ela

Tie it With a Bow

I've been a terrible blogger as of late...
S has had the flu, he was getting bettter then got hit with a fever for 3 days. So, I've been busy ignoring him playing nurse chef/errand runner/babysitter...ever notice when grown men get the flu, they suddenly act like babies? He says he can't help it. That's okay, I love him, big baby and all.

Though last night, S seemed to feel a ton better. And suddenly decided he needed to buy a MacBook Pro. That very night. So he called up his friend C who qualified for an "educational discount". We all headed to the Apple store and C showed his student card to get the discount. When the total was rung up and the rep expected C to pay, C turned to the rep, motioned at S and said, "My uncle will be paying for it". 

My Uncle???
Did I mention C is Chinese.
And S isn't even Asian.
Never mind that there's only a 6yr age gap between them.
And here I thought I was a terrible liar.

Anyhoots, we left the store. S giddy with having a brand new Chinese nephew MacBook Pro. Then headed a few stores down to get me a box of Cinnabons. Mmmm...cinnabons. It was the first (and last) time, we left the mall with S' total wayyyy exceeding mine.

I was just too tired to even bother looking - let alone shop. I think my body's been trying to fight off his flu cause I've been super duper tired. These days I just want to stay in my pj's all day. Too tired to even think about what to wear. It's no wonder the last thing I wore was inspired by an after dinner snack...

 Skirt with pockets - Penguin, Shoes - Winners, Belt - H&M

Bow Blouse with Gold Pinstripes - Juicy Couture

Blue Snakeskin and Gold Bow Bangle - Rachel Leigh  

Black/Gold Bangle Watch and Unicorn Bangle - Vintage/Thrifted

The after dinner snack that thoroughly amused me...
 

"vacuum sealed corn???", you ask. 

wait, it gets better.
it comes with a paper bag... 
"uh huh," you say...

but you see, the bag keeps it cozy while in the microwave...

and after a few minutes,

 

it comes out looking like this...

with a cob left to nibble on...
maybe you've all seen this and I'm years late in this discovery but it amused me nonetheless. "before"

"after"
 
Hope you're having an amazing week!
Anything you've discovered recently? 
xo Ela
p.s. Please read Lilu's Love Harder post or make a donation directly at http://www.loveharder.org/

My Side of the Bed

So remember the other day when I slept for 2 hours then woke up at 5:30am to go to the gym? I full on expected to fall asleep 12 hours later but guess what? I wasn't even tired till after midnight and went to bed at 12:44am. Who'd have thought that I could be more productive on 2 hours sleep and a workout, than on a day when I get 7-8 hours and no exercise? Have I been doing it wrong all these years??? Oh well, at least now I know....
...I'm a robot. 
Or a cylon. {Yes, I speak geek}
Not sure which yet.

Thankfully, I think these last few days seem to have fixed my insomia. Last night I went to bed just after 11pm then woke up before 7am. I'll do the 5:30am days whenever my friend H wants to go to the gym, otherwise I'm sleeping in till 7.

Since I'm on the topic of sleep, I thought I should mention how much I love my bed. It's a king and though we've only had it for about 2 years, I'm not sure I could ever do without it again. You see the king bed allows me to run away from S in my sleep. He's the touchy feely let's snuggle type and well, I'm more of a man the I need my space, don't breathe in my face type. Because why on earth would I want to breathe your recycled air?

via Restoration Hardware

Our bed looks like this but with higher front panel.

So I pretty much keep to my side of the bed, actually so close to the edge that one wrong turn and I'll end up on the floor, leaving him with about 80% of the bed. Where he can roam free. But does he? Heck no. He's all up in my grill back. Trying to chase and hug me without pushing me off the bed. He's mastered it to an art. While I squirm and tell him how annoying he is. Aren't I the best wife ever? The bestest I tell you.

While he was painting our master ensuite over the Holidays, we slept in the guestroom to avoid the paint fumes. On a queen bed. Suddenly I felt trapped, and breathed on, I couldn't get away, there just wasn't room. It was not pleasant. 
He on the other hand, loved it. Shocker.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an ice queen. I love hugs and kisses. Slow dancing in our kitchen or family room. Being entangled in his arms while we watch TV on the couch. I'm all for affection in my waking moments...just not when I want to sleep. I dunno, maybe I really am a robot. Or a cylon.

Am I alone in this?

xo Ela
p.s. Remember my first DIY, that bib necklace I made? Elaine won it a while back, and it made me so happy to see how amazing it looks on her! Take a peek here and if you haven't been to her blog yet, I promise you'll love it...and her ;)