Lovin and lies.

Busy day, I feel my life has been thrown up into a tornado of meetings, plans and things to do. Eck!

So I don't have much time to post.. sorry.

Just wanted to say I'm really into Joshua Radin right now- his new album " The Rock and the Tide" is amazing. Check out more on him here.

Otherwise here are some images inspiring me today.

Images via: Purse n' boots, Studded Hearts and Le Fashion

All for now.
xo.

vb.

Weekends amiss.

Ever felt like you are alone in a sidewalk full of people?

This weekend was a mis-mash of feelings. Bear decided to act out again my aunt/uncle leaving by leaving a few accidents all over the house- I was not pleased. I did catch up with a old friend- who always seems to get my mind back into the university stage. I'm not sure if its because she is settled and found the man who she will most likely spend the rest of her life with, or the memories and connection we have. The feeling once being in her presence was almost just a breath of fresh air- as if I've been holding my breath this whole time and was finally allowed to take another breath.

Sunday I tossed and turned about the idea of hitting the mall, in the hopes to get inspired for Christmas gifts but also begin the hunt of a NYE outfit. I almost wish I hadn't gone. My patience wavered between the huge crowds and families, but also the lack of items I liked and/or fit me. For the first time in a while, I just felt upset with myself and ended up leaving after a short time. It let me know I still have demons to face, and am not necessarily ready for that battle.

My eyes feel extra droopy this morning, so I will leave with you some old photos of Hollywood Stars for another generation. I chose these because I love black and white photos, they are unique and beautiful and I see there is much unspoken within them.

Inspiration... come find me.

vb.

Ten things.

This Friday morning brought on cold cold weather and snow.

Now don't get me wrong- winter can... *note I said can* be nice. I enjoy a white Christmas just as any other gal, but when the slushy, black ice, wicked winds come in Jan/Feb.. I dream of peacing out to Cali'.

I feel even more tired today, this week was almost a marathon in lack of regular sleeping habits, its time for a little thing I'm going to call ten things I'm grateful for.

Here are some of the ground rules: these items are purely what I'm grateful for within this minute, hour, day and week.  So don't judge me for how random and *non-making* sense some of these may or may not be. Who knows what goes on in my head sometimes, with that... here you go- My ten things I'm grateful for- Nov. 26 edition.

1. Girl Guide Cookies.

I remember my mom always buying at least 3 boxes of these a year, they were one of my favourite things as a kid. I would always try to sneak far more than the 2 I was allowed per times. I would sneak into the kitchen and open the pantry as quiet as possible. I'd open the box as if it was a ticking bomb, careful and silent as ever, only to have my dad walk in and ruin the whole mission. Later memories include selling these in the neighborhood myself, and now eating them in the office. mmmm!


2.Boo-Bear

This is bear, or who I call boo-bear. He's my aunt and uncles puppy and sometimes I get just lucky enough to babysit their lovely house and him for a week. One of those epic adventures is about to happen tomorrow for a week and I couldn't be more excited.

3.This blog

I feel great about writing this blog and in the past couple weeks actually telling people about it. I'm being to believe in expressing myself in as many ways as possible and this is one of them. Who knows what will come of it but for now its all about the fun. ;)

4.Skype

The good ol' Skype software has allowed me to stay connect with my closet friends, including over the ocean. There is something more real about seeing someone's face when talking to them, rather than a email, facebook chat or phone. My favourite is talking to my friends who live in Ontario and us bothing laying in our beds. ;) Its like a sleep over.


5. Coffee.

Thank you coffee! This week has been crazy for me having no sleep, and not only does not sleep make a super cranky person to be around but I also just suck at doing regular tasks. Thankfully coffee has come into my life and saved all that live and work around me from the wrath of vb.

6. Positivity

Now this one is a little bit more to be explained. I'm referring to surrounding myself with lovely human beings who remind me daily on the importance of life, that everything is part of the plan and will work out.

7. Nails did.

I'm headed to the ten spot tonight to get my first test of the AXXIUM treatment taken off and pick a second round. I have to admit I am quite impressed with how long this lasted, minus my nails growing and breakage that we are all prone to. I'm thinking of going for a more deliate colour this time around, maybe a nice light pink, brown or blue.... ooohh maybe lilac... Oh the choices!


8. Inspirational photos

The prospect of love is out there, is it your turn?

9. Cheesy romantic comedies

 One of my favourite things about winter and babysitting my aunts house is getting some alone time to drink a little wine and watch some baddd but good movies. I am most def. a sap for the movies about falling in love ;) Cannot wait to cozy up to bear and watch some.

10. Success

Feeling like although work is crazy that I'm making a difference not only for myself and my personal career but for the students we work for and the universty as a whole.

So there are my ten things of the moments... ps. that took alll day since well the office is crazy.

vb.

Music Wednesdays?

As you may have know noticed this blog is a mis-mash of my life.

-Things I like
-Things I'm feeling/or wish to discuss.. think through
-Amazing music
-Amazing photos
-Inspiring quotes
- and about everything in between.

I thought it may be some time to put some structure on this ol' blog of mine. Soo with that in mind-welcome to Music Wednesday.

Now this is not to say I won't still talk about other things within ' Music Wednesdays' but I believe what ever music I chose to feature will have some connect to whats going on in the life of vb, within that moment.

So welcome to the first edition of Music Wednesdays... duh duh duh!

I have three songs this week that are on my mind.. two I just found today.

1. Katy Perry's- Teenage Dream was huge this past summer/fall. I connected tons with this song not only due to the lyrics but the entire mood of the song brings up fun summer times and the idea of love. What can be wrong with that. This version by the Rescues takes a already fav. of mine and explodes it all over the place. I am a big fan of covers of songs and this does not disappoint.




2. The script is one of those bands that comes in and out of my life and random times. They seem to always creep back into my play list when I either need to get "down to business" at work and need some mellow music or feeling sorry for myself. This is one of their newer songs " For the first time" I cannot wait till this band makes a appearance in the Toronto area- I will def. be rocking out at that show!





3. Last but defintily not least is the fun " F*ck You" by Cee Lo Green. Now I know this song has been * big * and it has been on some of my play lists for a few months, but its recently come up a lot lately due to the ever so great F- you. It feels great when something bad happens at work or I experience some frustration to give a general F you in the context of this song. It always puts a smile on my face and the friends I sing it to. It also doesn't hurt it comes with a great beat.



What are some of your favourite tracks right now?

vb.

Dream big, dream often!

Ever had those days where you finally feel like anything is possible.

Today, started crazy as this week is bound to be. I don't advise attempting to do evals, finish at least 3 different projects and have a social outing every night in the same week.. but maybe your as crazy as me.

About a yr and a bit ago, when Cosmo TV first came out, there was a preview for about a year- my roommate and I spent days watching sex and the city reruns and other terrible but amazing television shows and old movies geared towards sappy single gals. This weekend I set right back into that mode, finding out we are luckly to have another preview. One of the episodes that really struck me of Sex and City was from Season 6- The catch... here is the syponsis:


Vogue sends Carrie to report on the latest ultimate buzz, trapeze 'flying', and she's hooked. Charlotte and Harry prepare for her second perfect wedding, helped by Anthony. His funny friend Howie gets on with Carrie, but in bed drills like a rabbit. Steve wants his girlfriend Debbie to meet Mirada, who is even hostile to her aroma candle gift and therefore hides under Brady's bed. Charlotte's big day seems ruled by Murphy's - rather then rabbinic law: her picture in the paper and her dress in synagogue are stained, Samantha's diamond bracelet falls to pieces.

What I really got out of the episode is how much I miss my token girlfriends and decided to reach out to a old friend who I've lost touch. I think it's important to remember the past, the good times and sometimes allow yourself to forgive and forget. What would be fun about life if we just spent it sulking around holding grudges for all the smallest things in the world. Something to think about in your own life?

Lastly- I will leave you with this quote that struck a cord with me lately " Dream as if you'll live forever". This made me thing about my dreams, my hopes and my wants. I think its time to start acting.




Dream big readers, who know when its your time. <3

vb.

Case of the Mondays...

This post will be short and sweet as I am quickly typing between meetings this fine eve.

The weekend as per usual was a unexpected shit-show of fun and terror. Working out on Saturday makes the weekend feel more valuable- note so self... continue that. :D

Seeing friends from high school is always lovely. I find it lets you remember who you are.. get back to your roots, especially when you have been challenged lately with feeling off course. I feel so blessed to have so many important people in my life and my high school friends are no expectation. I don't know many people who are as tight as I am to high school friends, let alone 5 of them. They keep me in-line when I go off track and I love seeing the people we have grown up to be, and ready for the challenges that will come in the future.


Sadly I don't have a great old skool pic of all 6 of us together, but here are a few great mentionable's that show the fun we have, old and new. I love my "west-side crew"

Thank god we changed hairstyles. ;)

xo
vb.

I could have danced all night.

Last night, I had a lovely date with one of my favourite people in the whole world; Jen, to see the National's performance of Cinderella.

Everytime I saw Cinderella this song comes into my head....



Anyways.... we went to see the ballet version of it, which had some hilarious similarities to the campy Disney version but overall was quite different and beautiful!

I found out the day of that this was my date's first ballet and what a perfect one to start! The set design and costumes were amazing and anything performed in the Four Seasons Centre looks fabulous.. can I hold my wedding there?
 
Ballet is so pretty and I give mad respect to the performers knowing the amount of hardwork, literal blood, sweat and tears... oh and a billion dollars go into making a piece of work like that. So holla ya'll.

So here is a epic picture of one of the National's Principal dancers- Heather Ogden, who was supposed to perform last nite.

 And a photo I just enjoy. :D

It was lovely to have a night with jen. Although we work together and have weekly bodyjam sessions, its nice to do something out of the ordinary routine and experience the many amazing things our city has to offer.

She is someone who've I've grown very close with in the past year and although she always calls me her " younger, hipper, wiser" friend... I believe its much more the other way around. Here are some facts on why:

Jen has introduced me to the amazingness that is yoga.

She can shake her booty in BodyJam better than many other gals I know ;)

Her talks have pushed me to answer questions to/for myself that I was too scared or unable to do before, she has taught me the importance of stepping out of your boundaries sometimes and believing in you.

She reminds me daily on the amazing works of the universe-ask and you shall receive.

She's caring/ passionate and will stay true to her beliefs.

Those are only a few of the million amazing things she is to me and I can never thank her enough for not only being in my life but continuing on one hell of a journey we call life.

This one is for you girl. <3





Remember to the tell the people you love- that you do. Who knows when it will be your last chance.

vb.

You are who you wear, its true.

Fashion is on of those things I follow on a daily basis... I would say I try to keep up with the latest... If only money grew on trees... hmmmmmm.

So, in a attempt to appear like I pay attention more than I sometimes do.. I try to read fashion blogs when I can.
Some of my favs include:

Blog Roll......

What I wore
Sterling Style
Cupcakes and Cashmere
Eat.Sleep.Wear.
LeFashion


Recently the new Wildfox Lookbook came out with some amazing images. Check out the entire book here.
Below are some of my favourite images.

In literature as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others.
  - Andre Maurois

vb.

Dance

Today has been a little crazy so I've had much less time to write... but here are some key things I wanted to mention today.

1. I've been briefly checking out this blog due to a recommended from a certain bestie of mine ;) and came across this post this morning and just knew I had to send a link. The post is 25 Life Quotes that may inspire fresh thinking... and what lovely quotes they were... check out the full post here.  Here are a few of my fav's

“I just wish people would realize that anything’s possible if you try; dreams are made possible if you try.”

- Terry Fox

“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”

- Oscar Wilde 

Check it out and see if anything strikes you!

2. GirlTalk- does much more need to be said? He's a amazing artists taking some of my favourite songs and adding a new twist.. well the other day he leaked his new stuff out and everyone lost their shit!!!! There is a million places to find/listen to it.. here is a piece of all day.



That's all I have time for right now as I am heading to my 2nd Yoga class of this week.. lets pray i survive this one. As Jam last nite royaly kick my booty.

Dance it out!
vb.

Let the good times keep rolling.....

Serenity is mine!

Yoga last night brought me so much balance and peace. I left that class feeling revitalized, and was not even the least annoyed at the the over-crowded streetcar on the way home. Now that is true relaxation. ;)

Sometimes it takes pushing through a difficult time to really appreciate the loveliness that is your life. There is much to say about doing things that you love and make you happy.

"Whoa is me" moments are necessary to allow every once in a while... but more so just to feel so great when you are out of them!

I've been feeling more and more excited and energetic yesterday about the ideas of working out... to be healthy and also keep the so called high of feeling great after a work-out. It's hard to remember the end goal when you feel like shit and just want to crawl in your bed and hide, but do it!
Pick whatever things you need to make you go.. a new outfit can always make you feel better, friends or a great mix can push you a little further in a work-out.


I'm in the middle of creating a new and perfected work-out mix, as I lost my old one to a new computer.. once I have the list just right, I will be sure to post it on here.


One of the most exciting things going on right now for me.. other than X-mas.. duh! is the planning and idea of a trip to Viva Las Vegas this coming Jan. Vegas has been a placed I've dreamed of going for years, ever since I saw the classic National Lampoon's Vegas addition. My folks have always talked about going but have yet to make it there either... well my time is fast approaching.

A trip that first began as a girl's trip soon turned into a trip with all my highschool friends but recently has changed back into a girls trip with some added additions. The more and more we discuss the trip.. the more I envision a story somewhat like the The Hangover.. more updates to come.. but I'm sure this will be a trip we will never forget. ;)

Do one thing today that scares you!

vb.

Nothing is impossible.

Some days you wake up and realize everything is going to be ok.

I had a mini-sleep in today due to a physio appointment, which lets be serious always makes a case of the Mondays that much more manageable.

Grabbed a coffee and had some lovely relax time before the hard work of knee exercises began.
Hiding in my house this weekend with a cold provided me with lots of thinking time..... that is clear in the posts from saturday and sunday on here, but I somehow woke up today feeling as if all that frustration and anger was let go. I realize that not everything will go my way all the time.... that is life- c'est la vie.

What I do know though- is that every week is another opportunity to make everything as right as I can. Welcome a new week with open arms and believe in the lessons I will learn. I'm starting a 4 week yoga course tonight, and cannot help but feel as this will be the beginning of a new chapter within my life. I am growing up, thats a fact.... so its time to grow with it.

A get a email every M-F from "the universe" providing me inspiration or a thought to think of... the one I received on friday speaks to me now more than ever:

Every compliment, criticism, promotion, setback, good vibe, cough or really
long line you have to wait in, vb, is a gift that was meticulously
designed to make possible your becoming more than who you were, and ultimately,
happier than ever before, as we dance into forever.

We've only just begun -
    The Universe


Check out www.tut.com for your own universe messages.

I'm so proud of you girl!

Lastly, I want to give a shout out to a lovely friend of mine who inspires me everyday. She spoke to me a few months ago about her idea of doing a roadtrip across Canada stopping in various communities and volunteering for non-for-profit organizations along the way. At that time, it was just a dream and a twinkle in her eye when she spoke of the trip.

Now- I'm happy to say, she is getting on her way of making it a reality. You can check out her site Roadtrip with Reason here and get all the information as well a sign up to hear about her work towards this trip. Becky has always had the best ideas and is soo passionate about not-for-profit that I just know this will work!




Just remember.... dream big!

vb.

Beliefs old and new.

Goodbye.

Sometimes those words are the easiest to say and sometimes the hardest.

How do you deal with challenges- head on or run the other direction?

Challenges are what life is all about right? At least that is what I've been led to believe.

Have you ever just wanted to tell someone to fuck off and drop all connection to them?

Some things aren't worth saving, and then its time to say goodbye. How do you know when the time has come.

I used to believe that all friendships were the same- they all deserved the same time, effort and you would receive the same in return. Sadly, I'm coming to realize that is not the case in all instances.

All friendships are not created equal. Although it is still my firm believe that relations and people come into your lifes for the better. In order to make you the person you will be, good or bad. These people teach you sometime to take with you in the future.

In some cases, there is a time when the relation changes. Everything changes but in a greater sense.

Ever felt lost in a room full of people? I feel like I've chosen all the wrong ways to turn.

People change..... do you change with them?

Or is it better to take your own path... less travelled?

vb.

Smell the flowers this last time.

Do you ever get the feeling that your life is made up of a series of equations. In the sense you can be winning some areas of your life but failing in others. There always has to be a type of balance. You can't win in all areas at the same time, something has to give?

I developed a cold near the end of the week and am still dealing with trouble with my knee. It seems like sometimes trying to fix small issues just opens up a even bigger gabbing whole of crap to deal with.

I remember sitting at my parents house being 16 and dreaming of my future life. Of course, some of these dreams were filled of crazy ideas of being a superstar and earning millions. Others were more reasonable.. at least at the time I thought they were. It's crazy to have dreams of where your life will turn since you were 14 and suddenly ten years later accept that maybe you will be on a different path.

I understand who lucky I am in some parts of my life. I have been successful within my profession thus far, although not the original area of work I dreamed of, I enjoy it. I have amazing friends and family to help guide me through the future. The person I was even 5 years ago from now seems so far away. I sometimes wonder if I would like to go back to that time...  not to provide advice about issues in that time but to open her eyes into all that is available and push her to do things then.. that i still struggle with now.

We all struggle at times. I'm not drowning yet, but find myself wishing for familiarities. This could be in part due to being sick and who doesn't want comfort when you feel like crap. So for that comfort I am going to look at the great moments over this past summer.

This summer was busy for me, almost every weekend was filled with some event with people I love. I found I strengthen relationships with some friends, found new relationships to grow on and lost some others. I guess that is the trail we all lead.

Miami in May.

Some of my best friends at the Falls.

Canoeing in the summer! Who doesn't love that?

Wonderland fun.

One of my favs.

A beer named after me? Thanks Australia.

Backstreet never left.

Staff training

24 celebrations!

So now you have seen some of the adventures and trails I left in Summer 2010. What about you?

Remember to stop every once in a while and smell the flowers.
vb.