She's Four - Butterfly Birthday Bash

She's the ultimate negotiator, still adores her blankie, will do anything to play outside all day with her friends, is popsicle and baby animal crazy, and loves everything that is straight out of a fairytale. Our darling Morgan has turned four. We lucked out once again with amazing spring weather, a fabulous turn-out of close friends and family, and a smashingly fun birthday party. Most importantly, Morgan had the time of her life. Here is the photo diary of her butterfly birthday bash. Mommy and Morgan sure had fun decorating together. I'm not sure who actually loved it more. The apple doesn't fall from the tree.

I just adore all these cute kiddos. 

Morgan dreamed of a butterfly/mermaid/ barbie cake....um, ok honey, sure! 

And it turned out beautiful!

I loved my brother's blueprint wrapping paper. 

The cuteness is too much! 

When everyone joined together to sing happy birthday to her, I could feel her light up inside. She felt very special. It was powerful and so full of love. I still get goosebumps when I think about it. We are so grateful for all the special people in our lives.

And this is how it ended. We have a tiny space in our backyard with no sod and of course the kids got into it. How could we say no?! Little turkey. Just glad mommy was quick enough to take off her dress before this disaster. Thank you everyone for celebrating with us and joining in on all the birthday joy! 

A few fun questions for our new 4-year-old:

1. Where would you like to live when you're older? In a pink house with mommy

2. Tell me about your dream dress? My birthday dress- its pink, sparkly and twirls pretty. 

3. If you could only eat one type of food and nothing else, what would you eat? Salad Really?

4. If you could climb a mountain or sail a boat, which would you choose. Neither, I just like my blankies. 

5. What do you want to do for you next birthday? I want to jump and say SURPRISE! 

Happy Birthday sweetheart. We love you sooooo much! Can't believe you are FOUR. xxoo

Purablisstrip

Venice Beach is often described as the Brooklyn of Los Angelas. It bustles with all walks of life, and is fertile ground for artists, families, surfers and free-spirits alike. Its grown exponentially over the past 20-years. Google, amongst other forward thinkers, now have their head offices there, attracting more people, more energy. I fell in love with the vintage shops, the trendy boutiques chalked full of local talent, and the lush side streets, bursting with feathery ferns, cherry blossom trees and little old houses wrapped in wisteria, wreaking of character and comfort. Often with hammocks, surf boards or cruiser bikes lazily gracing their front porches. The beach is broad and soothing, leading to Santa Monica and other urban flip-flop centres along the coast.

I stayed in a quiet abode off the beaten path. My hosts were actually British and lovely, even their little dog Ollie was sweet. The self-contained architect designed guest house soothed with contemporary lines, heaps of natural light and foxtails that peaked into the low lying windows of the bathroom. My view from the bed was a massive oak tree that gazed upon me every morning. Or was I doing the gazing? Maybe both... Its trunk- grounding and affirmative. Thousands of leaves bathing in pockets of sunlight, as if to say, "Good morning doll, time to rise and SHINE. "

A few weeks earlier, I decided that now was the time to head to Los Angeles. I had just chosen another ambassador for Pura, my line of natural botanical tinctures created for the urban naturalist. A eco-luxe collection of essential oil blends and skincare that swoons with quality ingredients and the pure intentions of love. I was itching to spend more bonding time with Pura's ambassador, the divine gypsy goddess and yogi, Myrah Penaloza. Myrah and Pura together, would create magic.

Myrah lives in California, which is funny, because I feel such a connection to the ocean state, especially after the trip our family took out there this past October. I felt a sense of urgency, and knew I needed to jump on a plane and just go, so that's exactly what I did. You know, the intuition taps right into deepest corridor of your inner wisdom and never leads you astray. So... bon voyage Edmonton, hello sunny California! 

I've created a space for Pura- its very own blog. Please visit this link if you'd like to check out the scoop on Pura in all its perennial growth and exciting adventures. Learn about Pura's tinctures, how they're created and mostly, what fuels and inspires this vessel to sail. Discover Pura's six ambassadors, and where all this wonderful, fertile Pura energy is heading. In pure we trust! xx

In Pure We Trust

It all happens, but usually takes so much longer than we could ever imagine. Thankful for all the universal teachings along the way. So much stronger for it:) Its truly about the journey, being present to the now. I'm loving the now:)

I'm off to Venice Beach on Monday- 5 days in sunny California, to do a photo shoot with Pura's amazing yogi ambassador, Myrah Penaloza. I'm excited to emerge myself into the community, and see where Pura fits. Its amazing what happens when you put yourself out there, pour your whole heart into what you love, create something beautiful and then give it a vessel...  

What's an Egg Got to Do With It? 

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The egg in Pura's logo symbolizes purity- an organic shape, round like the earth, full of limitless possibility. The flower growing out of the egg represents the union between life and nature, and how they must flourish together in health and radiance. Pura is the birth of what these two symbols bestow upon us- pure essential oils. These oils are a natural modality to reach the subtle energies of the body, potent with life force, but when carefully tinctured, have exquisite benefits.

Learn more about me and Pura at www.purabotanicals.com.

In pure we trust, in love we grow. Can't wait to post all about my adventure in California! xx 

Photo Credit of hand, "you are good enough"- Pinterest, photographer unknown 

Love More, Worry Less

Took a few quick snaps of the kids this morning before dropping Morgan off at preschool for her first official Valentine's party. I so badly wish I could have stuck around. She was so excited and had all her valentine's we had put together the night before ready in her new heart backpack. We did old-school pink and red heart straws looped through pink paper bags. A nice change other than more sweets for the little ones. Cove was still in his pyjamas, but none the less, pleased as punch to have a cookie and pink milk first thing in the morning...

I wanted to get a few shots just of Cove too, but Morgan jumped in after getting her jacket on for preschool. She said, "Mommy, it'll be cuter if im in it too." lol

 Happy Valentine's Day from us. 
Hope it was full of love and maybe a sweet treat or two...or three. 

xxoo

Bird Calls and Lullabies

Dear Morgan,

Lately, there have been moments when you've been the all-star mom. Like today in the car, Cove flipped when I tried to buckle him into his carseat. Arching his back, sliding down, wrestling me with his super baby boy strength, screaming at the top of his lungs. Suddenly, you started hollering out strange bird calls, so I instantly shushed you, "Morgan, please, I don't need you hollering out over him."

"But mommy, look, I'm distracting him," you replied. In the mean time, I haven't even noticed that you've completely hyponotized him- he's no longer crying and his body has melted into his seat.

"Ah, ha." I reply. "You are right, nicely done... Thank you."

Moments like this are happening more and more often now. Your awareness- always so present, so on the ball. You see things I don't, and as quickly as you can escalate a drama in our home, you are almost twice as quick to diffuse it.  Another note- you are three-years-old. THREE. Your little maternal instincts shine through already. You continue to enlighten me with your wisdom, and I owe you a big thank you with a zillion hugs attached to it.

After I tucked you into bed tonight, you wrangled me into staying longer.  Now you wanted me to sing you two lullabies. Then of course, two more after that, so instead of a thousand lullabies later, I got you to sing me one...

(You sing)
I like your eyes,
I like your nose,
I like your ears, your mouth...your bum (giggle, giggle) and your toes (giggle, giggle)

(I sing)
I like your eyes,
I like your nose,
I like your ears, your mouth, your fingers, and your toes,
I like your smile, it sure is you...
I like everything you say and do...
In all the world,
In every town,
There's no one quite   like   you...

Me- Goodnight Morgan. I love you.

You- I love you too mommy. Goodnight.

Me- I owe you for the bird calls.

You- (quiet bird calls)

... Wise old owl...:)

xx Mommy

Celebrating love more than ever this month. xo

A White Settee & A Penguin

I was so thrilled when my hubby brought this beauty home a few weeks ago. One of his clients simply didn't want it anymore, so we happily took it off his hands. Not sure how we are going to keep it clean... the first day we got it, Cove walked right over to it and peed on it. As if to mark his territory- I just about died- lil monster. Scrubbed the pee out, but not sure if its going to stay this white and lovely for very long... For now, what a pretty white settee- I'm in love. 

Came with a lovely chair too, all in mint condition. 

Love vintage finds like this, especially when they don't cost a dime. 

What I love most, are these two munchkins. 

And what else goes with a white settee? But a wee penguin, of course. 

Now thats a match made in heaven.

xo