Billy No Mates

So it's the end of week #1 at my new job.

The role is working for me. It's just what I was expecting/hoping for. From a work standpoint, I think it's a great opportunity.

The one thing I forgot about though, is that when you start a new job, you have no office friends. No allies, no one to go grab a coffee with. I am without friends.

As husband would say, I am a Billy No Mates.

via

Am I weird? Not that weird...Do I have bad breath? Didn't think so... Either way, I'm gonna have to find some friends ASAP. I emailed my dad just so he would call me - grasping at straws here people!

I've had wonderful support from friends (outside of work, yes I have some!), and they're reminding me that eventually people will invite me for lunch. One day...a girl can dream...

Happy Weekend Kids!

xx E.

ps. I'm not as pathetic as that sounds, I swear ;)

Hunger Games

So as I mentioned here, I took the Hunger Games away with me to Barbados as my beach read.


Well it made it to the beach one day, but I had read the entire book by Tuesday. I could NOT put it down. Loved it. Obsessed. If I was reading, and someone tried to talk to me, I would actually be a bit annoyed!


I would recommend this book to anyone, regardless of your genre of choice. The Hunger Games has it all. As an adult (well based on my age anyway...) I can't believe that this is supposed to be a book for teens. I mean, sure, teens will like it too, but I didn't feel like I was reading a book for kids.


So this past Tuesday, Husband and I ventured out to see The Hunger Games: The Movie. Now normally, I'm pretty skeptical of movies based on books - it's hard to get them right.

The verdict?

LOVED IT! 

Of course, in my opinion, the book was still better, but the movie really did it justice. I'm sure that can be attributed to the fact that Suzanne Collins was one of the writers of the screenplay (good idea!).

Now I can't be certain, but I think the movie was more enjoyable because I had read the book first. It just gives some insights that are explained in the book, but that just 'happen' in the movie. For example, when the people of District 12 kiss their three middle fingers and then hold them up in the air - in the movie, they just do that action, but in the book we find out that it is a sign of love and goodbye, and is most often seen at a funeral. It's knowing those little nuances that made it just that much better.

So my recommendation: Read it, then see it. Then get the next book (which I'm reading now).

xx E.

ps. I'm Hungry for more (ya, I said it)

Spring Cleaning

This is the time of year when everyone wants to open the windows, let the fresh air in, and get rid of all the clutter that has been weighing us down all winter.

I was able to donate a ton of clothes, shoes and house ware items to our local charity shop. After I was done purging the old, I decided I should organize what was left.

The mess: our bathroom storage (aka Ikea shelves). The former residents of our house took the bathroom cabinet with them (odd?), so a cheap and cheerful solution was two open shelves. It seemed like a great idea at the time, until they turned into this...

Before

Sadly, this is actually what they looked like, I didn't mess it up to make the 'before' uglier.

I knew that a) this could be improved and b) it wouldn't cost much. I looked around for storage vessels that I could use. I found a small mason jar, and a bunch of square vases left over from my wedding.

I grouped the miscellaneous boxes into a basket (to hide their un-prettiness), and used the various glass containers to hold other bathroom necessities.




The result:

After

Much nicer, no? Total cost of the makeover $6 for the basket, everything else was already here. It just goes to show that it doesn't take much to make your life feel refreshed and organized.

That's one room down, many more to go...

xx E.

ps. the funny (read: not-so-lovely) part is that as I was standing there, admiring my work, the bracket on the top shelf gave out, which ended up taking the bottom shelf down with it, resulting in broken glass, cotton balls and make up brushes everywhere. I was not thrilled. Husband will be re-installing them for me :)

Weekend Snaps

How was your weekend? Mine was long (4 days) and wonderful.

snuggling with the pup, birthday gifts/cards,
sampling beers with friends; getting organized; more cupcakes

I was able to get in a little bit of everything, practical stuff like laundry and spring cleaning, relaxing, and spending time with friends and family to celebrate my birthday.

Happy Monday (I guess...?)

xx E.

ps. I am 28 today. oh dear.

Pinterest Pesto

I've decided to put my Pinterest boards to work - what the point of pinning stuff to them if I never go back to use it?

I was looking for something to make for dinner last night and I turned to this Pinterest board for inspiration. I had a huge box of arugula in the fridge and found a recipe that I had pinned a while ago for arugula pesto (recipe here).

Baby Arugula

I used pine nuts instead of walnuts (toasted in a dry pan)

Result!

 I used the pesto on spaghetti, mixing in frozen peas for added veggie content/extra sweetness...

I finished it off with sliced chicken breast...

Bon apetite!

xx E.

ps. I've got lots left over and plan to use it for a quinoa salad next

Happy Friday!

Here's a happy song to get you moving on this glorious Friday:

Enjoy! 

xx E. 

ps. those who are skeptics, I saw Train in concert last year - they are so much fun to watch live

New Beginnings

Spring is mother nature's way of starting over. New life, new growth, you get the idea.

This Spring, it's my new beginning as well. Yesterday was my last day at the company I have worked for for the past three and half years. It was my first 'real' job after I finished school, and I learned so much there. I knew it was time to move on though. Everyone hits that point where they are just a little bit too comfy. I am ready for a challenge.

The good news is that I found something new! I start my new role on Monday, which also happens to be my birthday. A great start to the season and a great birthday present too.

I have to say, yesterday was such a great day, that it felt like my birthday. Who knew that on your last day at work, you would be showered with compliments, praise and gifts?

Evidence:

Flowers, cards & celebratory bubbly; Delicious cupcakes from here

It was quite a send off and I definitely felt the love.

Cheers to new beginnings,
xx. E

ps. wish me luck for Monday!

Happy St. Paddy's Day

Top of the mornin' to ya! Happy St. Patrick's Day my Irish and Irish-wannabe friends!

Husband and I celebrating with the good stuff

I love this holiday. Not because it has any particularly spiritual meaning to me, but because you can dress in all green, and drink beer all day long without people thinking anything of it. Since it falls on a Saturday this year, it adds some particular excitement (because otherwise, I would have to work, which really takes away from the fun).

Although I do love a green beer, I also really love Guinness (introduced to me by none other than Husband). What a great day to celebrate the Irish and the wonderful black stuff they have bestowed upon us.

Appreciating Guinness - observation tower in the Guinness Brewery (Dublin)

Brother and I, St. Paddy's 2010

Some of my Sorority sisters and I - St. Paddy's 2007

Cheers to a wonderful (and hopefully sunny!) St. Paddy's day!

xx E.

ps. please be safe - no drinking and driving.

Bajan Vacation

Well, as much as it pains me to write this, I am home from Barbados. We had such an amazing time! We did everything from celebrating my father-in-law's birthday with a pirate themed party, to body boarding at Dover Beach, to swimming with sea turtles, to dining at some amazing beach-side restaurants.

We indulged in fresh seafood, and sampled local favourites like Banks beer, island curry and macaroni pie - we all know I couldn't have gone all week without macaroni.

Here are some snapshots of the week:

Birthday Bob

Parental Pirates

Mahi Mahi (cooked on a lava rock)

Out for drinks with Husband

Gorgeous beach and turquoise sea

Local Wildlife

I couldn't have asked for better weather, or a more beautiful setting. Best of all, we got to spend time together with our family.  

xx E.

ps. Thanks so much to Bob and Ali for such an unforgettable holiday

Grandma Jean

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Grandma Jean. She was exactly how a Grandma should be, sweet, gentle and loved all of her grandchildren unconditionally.

Not only was she a beautiful, but she had incredible fashion sense, and taught me that a great pair of sunglasses are the perfect way to finish an outfit.

I think of her and miss her all the time.

Love you always Grams xxx