tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56271772024-03-23T13:46:31.692-04:00Miss Tracey Nolanserving up lifestyle with a side of snark since 2003Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1310125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-49897846765128559982017-04-18T13:40:00.002-04:002017-04-18T13:40:58.629-04:00Don't Call It A Comeback (I been here for years)Hey guys! A quick post to check in on my rather neglected old blog to say "what's up?"<br />
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I've had the best of intentions about updating here with recipes and outfits and stories, but it just hasn't happened. I may be back at some point, but these days I've been spending more and more time over at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/misstraceynolan/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and at my<a href="http://www.traceynolanstudios.com/blog/" target="_blank"> photography blog</a> on my professional website <a href="http://www.traceynolanstudios.com/" target="_blank">Tracey Nolan Studios</a>.<br />
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My hope is that I may start posting some of the content you're used to seeing here in those two places, so I hope you make the leap and hang with me there once in a while. I'm not ready to pull the plug on this old girl just yet, but for now let's all just assume things will remain pretty sleepy in these parts.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by!<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Tracey xo<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-32295784601758122662017-03-16T11:12:00.000-04:002017-03-16T11:12:09.932-04:00Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2aaqSV5jA6kPf9bxkEQ9UwZXcFvsR5HWmP0TeaKS1C653_ctF5znTdr81Bx4ePUOFAtRLgr75OQk_KHCM3VGTVqCNgBxa4hzmZVKhBM8FqsvreqcUsFF6RjQQJRT2koc5Rlc8Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-16+at+11.08.14+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2aaqSV5jA6kPf9bxkEQ9UwZXcFvsR5HWmP0TeaKS1C653_ctF5znTdr81Bx4ePUOFAtRLgr75OQk_KHCM3VGTVqCNgBxa4hzmZVKhBM8FqsvreqcUsFF6RjQQJRT2koc5Rlc8Q/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-03-16+at+11.08.14+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">🍠 Here's what happened to these bad boys:</span><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">They were tossed (skin on!) in olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika and then roasted in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes (and turned halfway through).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">They were a revelation. Why? Two reasons. Leaving the skin on made them chewy in a way that peeling them never has. Seasoning them with an eye to the savory side of things (rather than with cinnamon and nutmeg) just sent them over the top. Good grief. Try it, you'll be glad you did.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-29305273703298063732016-05-20T14:40:00.000-04:002016-05-20T15:00:01.339-04:00It's for real this time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's currently 19 degrees celsius and sunny in the 6ix. Spring is here! There was a while there I didn't think it would happen at all. Like we'd wake up one day in August, have a really hot week and then it would snow again on Labour Day. The way things have been going, and considering how dependant my mood is on the weather this was, in my mind, a legit concern.</div>
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I kind of feel like I'm emerging from a long hibernation, singing What'd I miss? Which is silly because it's been a busy few months. There was a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BAn5ig3FFic/?taken-by=misstraceynolan" target="_blank">a trip to Nola</a>, a new <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BA-KpkeFFv-/?taken-by=misstraceynolan" target="_blank">work contract</a> that's kept me super busy, a memorable evening with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDulHifFFgB/?taken-by=misstraceynolan" target="_blank">one of my favourite musicians ever</a> and a <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lenny-jumps-in/id1069938487" target="_blank">CD release party for Lenny Jumps In</a>. </div>
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Even after all that, Spring is giving me new life...the Raptors are in the Eastern Conference Finals, I'm prepping to plant my vegetable garden and I finally started using a foundation brush. Things are looking UP, y'all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WhuG1Ac5nWsJcR9L51w656Hbbao2hyphenhyphenkUApzjI-gtnjAt_bJfz_uIXuoNGiJVSlJYudAtgvW7yGE_EjGd1BCMXAMf0zOhh0B3xQYLw2FHwiDPPOjQUt8HUc-3GBfACqEmI1Tejg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-20+at+2.24.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WhuG1Ac5nWsJcR9L51w656Hbbao2hyphenhyphenkUApzjI-gtnjAt_bJfz_uIXuoNGiJVSlJYudAtgvW7yGE_EjGd1BCMXAMf0zOhh0B3xQYLw2FHwiDPPOjQUt8HUc-3GBfACqEmI1Tejg/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-05-20+at+2.24.36+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This weekend is Victoria Day in Canada. I'm going to celebrate Queen Vee's birthday by sharing some of my favourite quotes of hers about babies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Girlfriend had some OPINIONS on babies, y'all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">"I don't dislike babies, though I think very young ones rather disgusting."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Being pregnant is an occupational hazard of being a wife."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"An ugly baby is a very nasty object - and the prettiest is frightful.</span></div>
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She's OVER it. Over. It.<br />
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Hope y'all enjoy the long weekend and the glorious weather with as many or as few babies as suits you by your side. I'm taking mine to the beach to do some digging in the sand and to Starbucks where she can smear a cake pop all over her adorable face.<br />
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I can't wait. xo<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-62202801115509960692016-03-23T12:50:00.001-04:002016-03-23T12:50:41.920-04:00Is that even a word?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey guys! I've got a lot of fun stuff I'm dying to talk about here on the blog (so many recipes especially!) but the reality is I'm just too busy at the moment with work and various other things to give this old girl the attention she deserves. I hope to be back from my self-imposed blog sabbatical (blogbbatical?) once late Spring hits. Just in time for warm weather recipes, warm weather fashion and fun things to do around Toronto in the, you guessed it, warm weather. Stay tuned! In the meantime, don't forget that I'm all over social media. Let's connect on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/misstraceynolan/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/misstraceynolan" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/misstraceynolan" target="_blank">Twitter </a>and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/misstraceynolan/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. Love you, mean it!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-70718186956571160822016-01-05T11:07:00.000-05:002016-01-05T11:07:09.768-05:00One more sleep...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD4z7AhbAdC0h5rTcFJG6K94P51Xtm77nmt760ZOyAvbU1z2smGQM_JxHvQIJz52UiZB5W-WFDEF61ZHw7E4w9TS_OV5lr0HqzJ7riu179H7aMsBhmpEnWlTlPv7XTmJ_cJ3PaA/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD4z7AhbAdC0h5rTcFJG6K94P51Xtm77nmt760ZOyAvbU1z2smGQM_JxHvQIJz52UiZB5W-WFDEF61ZHw7E4w9TS_OV5lr0HqzJ7riu179H7aMsBhmpEnWlTlPv7XTmJ_cJ3PaA/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Updates from our home away from home starting this Thursday! YAY Nola!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-18229379397259400672016-01-04T18:13:00.000-05:002016-06-06T22:06:17.957-04:00A nice way to start the week...<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="color: #141823; display: inline; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://jazz.fm/index.php/home-mainmenu-1/13230?platform=hootsuite" target="_blank">Jazz.FM91 has announced their Top 10 Canadian Jazz releases for 2015</a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="color: #141823; display: inline; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><br /></span><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="color: #141823; display: inline; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0">I'm thrilled to see two projects that I contributed photography to (Oscar, With Love and Movin' Forward) ranked at #1 and #2, respectively.</span><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="color: #141823; display: inline; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><br /></span><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="color: #141823; display: inline; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0">Congratulations to Kelly Peterson / <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=8512154861&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/oscarpetersonmusic/" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Oscar Peterson Music</a> and <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=106160396082218&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robi-Botos/106160396082218" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Robi Botos</a> on this honour. It is certainly well deserved!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm currently working on updating my studio website with a new look for 2016, so stay tuned for news on that! :)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-24032466994615383582016-01-01T19:11:00.002-05:002016-01-01T19:14:52.250-05:00Recipe: Lenny's Louisiana Hot Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I used to be very vanilla when it came to spice in my food. Mild, baby. It had to be M - I - L - D. Somewhere along the way, due to a combination of age, the expansion of my palette and all the time we spend in New Orleans I developed a serious hot sauce habit. It brings me so much pleasure. The initial kick, the way it heightens the other flavours, the weird buzz you get minutes after eating it. It's the best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year I decided to try and make my own homemade hot sauce for some Christmas Gifts for friends and family. I like giving gifts from my kitchen and considering all the sweets we all get this time of year, I thought I'd go in the other direction and bring the spice!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6wniwdh6h2XjqnTai0_BV_i7YReM7zZNACanpofHy_uTptm9-sV-nzScjXnCjMSchX8lNoS8sqdZ8Dg6PgRLIVU-vLah_DU41gletkkdt77Mh6yz6RC96LdEkooEIficVj4Mgg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-12-31+at+7.08.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6wniwdh6h2XjqnTai0_BV_i7YReM7zZNACanpofHy_uTptm9-sV-nzScjXnCjMSchX8lNoS8sqdZ8Dg6PgRLIVU-vLah_DU41gletkkdt77Mh6yz6RC96LdEkooEIficVj4Mgg/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-12-31+at+7.08.37+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Never having made my own hot sauce before I perused Pinterest for recipes. There are so many ways you can go with hot sauce. Some really complex layered flavours. I was surprised to see one recipe that included carrots! None of them were really what I was after; I didn't have time to ferment anything and the flavour I was hoping to achieve was something really simple, with heavy vinegar overtones. There's this hot sauce you find in New Orleans called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Hot_Sauce" target="_blank">Crystal</a>, it costs less than a dollar for a little bottle of it and the flavours are simple and bright...basically just Cayenne Peppers and Vinegar, it's pretty mild too, which is a good thing if you're giving it as a gift.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/diy-hot-sauce/?_r=0" target="_blank">This</a> non-recipe-recipe from The New York Times sounded like it would fit the bill perfectly. Here it is with my modifications:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What you'll need</b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cayenne Peppers (about a dozen, maybe more)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">White Vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Directions</b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1) Wash and trim the peppers (leave in the seeds)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2) Put into food processor or blender</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3) Submerge Peppers in Vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4) Add about 1 tbsp of Salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5) Blend until smooth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">6) <span style="background-color: white;">Transfer the sauce to a pot and bring to a boil, stirring frequently (avoid getting the fumes in your eyes because...ouch)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7) Let sauce cool in pot</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8) Run cooled sauce through a sieve </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9) Funnel into bottles and refrigerate </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep refrigerated, shake before use and expect it to last a month or so.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The good news? This tastes JUST like Crystal.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I created this label for it, to make it look more official :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WEEJIUoTT67jhsq1ROruKTRyiH0E4bzvjZ3umPIsAJL6LwURBD5k5s3JWDd3cnzssqCEG6mB1fWXQWythEXkLOgPMZVmLxb6AvONSeG6V3-N-fxdAw4jUmwQmRN8M62AymTiCQ/s1600/Lenny%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WEEJIUoTT67jhsq1ROruKTRyiH0E4bzvjZ3umPIsAJL6LwURBD5k5s3JWDd3cnzssqCEG6mB1fWXQWythEXkLOgPMZVmLxb6AvONSeG6V3-N-fxdAw4jUmwQmRN8M62AymTiCQ/s640/Lenny%2527s.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lenny was very happy to have her name right there on the label. Ever the entrepreneur she thinks we should open a shop to sell the stuff. Or, at least see if we can sell it at a Farmer's Market. I fully expect this child to have 3 or 4 functioning businesses by the time she's 10 years old.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyVTQoCQILOCkUuB-sjFQjvNmq9fqmyey6goIAl7eIGYdIQ04f05o1i3ThgMB4qLaZrJIpoxkLLypb-cZbIGQTVKWnWayYs37kEr-B1QLOO2MrmNTWQ7Cm7pAOkksH22TEvMGEw/s1600/12459859_10208565396992357_781627654_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyVTQoCQILOCkUuB-sjFQjvNmq9fqmyey6goIAl7eIGYdIQ04f05o1i3ThgMB4qLaZrJIpoxkLLypb-cZbIGQTVKWnWayYs37kEr-B1QLOO2MrmNTWQ7Cm7pAOkksH22TEvMGEw/s640/12459859_10208565396992357_781627654_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me know if you try this recipe, or if you have a go-to hot sauce recipe that you'd like to share!</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-21991899197742411832015-12-31T20:04:00.001-05:002015-12-31T20:06:20.950-05:00Happy New Year...from all of us, to all of you!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Thanks for all of it, 2015. The ups and downs and the lessons and the great joys. Can't wait to see what 2016 brings!</div>
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And now, our <a href="http://misstraceynolan.blogspot.ca/search/label/happy%20new%20year" target="_blank">annual</a> goofy NYE family portrait. We only get better with age. ; )</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KqYTWO46ObJ-4EsyLr0XADhpTf6BupDFwxvD6zG_-hOcCE_IoIlmf7Xcq2yl4vZ0g9MkPJ3ChM7TMl3kv5wAclmwfQJFMcjNepENWm4ShLLOOr2b7qCjp9v7PNCA-OpzIOah_A/s1600/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KqYTWO46ObJ-4EsyLr0XADhpTf6BupDFwxvD6zG_-hOcCE_IoIlmf7Xcq2yl4vZ0g9MkPJ3ChM7TMl3kv5wAclmwfQJFMcjNepENWm4ShLLOOr2b7qCjp9v7PNCA-OpzIOah_A/s320/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.54+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH08M4yQh6QBQLKspeNAEU2pS3fVBvaeIOpf8xgelpcufTPoE7ffczFgFjFN326PsY8rTf7YVDzwS5LMTf2e3y3Q7_weI_w0QW2jOdN0ixh5RQBKmReE80tMQTvgcdotEx4XXpw/s1600/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.56+PM+%25233.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH08M4yQh6QBQLKspeNAEU2pS3fVBvaeIOpf8xgelpcufTPoE7ffczFgFjFN326PsY8rTf7YVDzwS5LMTf2e3y3Q7_weI_w0QW2jOdN0ixh5RQBKmReE80tMQTvgcdotEx4XXpw/s320/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.56+PM+%25233.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MoZQOBSfFixpK93umOrV76Sh8i8zasdqtsssys06OzsUDM05ImTgQpI41mwCaq6NHUAcAuIxDwGOyKH-jjpjUJGjI38NFU6KLU85hEibFdjtuTY1rCU8dPfZtyv2PTiOlxcGXQ/s1600/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.56+PM+%25234.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MoZQOBSfFixpK93umOrV76Sh8i8zasdqtsssys06OzsUDM05ImTgQpI41mwCaq6NHUAcAuIxDwGOyKH-jjpjUJGjI38NFU6KLU85hEibFdjtuTY1rCU8dPfZtyv2PTiOlxcGXQ/s320/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.56+PM+%25234.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4-rOuu7onxSqGak4EGzEZQTdFqx8F8I88L6BtSrteWd6n_v2wFsMHblKftswlV4KgdHym85NZCNshSgJcWsc_U_K_M25eiG4rdcKgUGUap0blgpU209YtNdnf-rsy1QngEHKvw/s1600/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.54+PM+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4-rOuu7onxSqGak4EGzEZQTdFqx8F8I88L6BtSrteWd6n_v2wFsMHblKftswlV4KgdHym85NZCNshSgJcWsc_U_K_M25eiG4rdcKgUGUap0blgpU209YtNdnf-rsy1QngEHKvw/s320/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.54+PM+%25232.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAqoQo0U5D9iYv_nwu6aQvmqqa2JlXZ3ixZs7Nvtu0-HYTPAoIjESIrf-fh_JfdKFZlWato9T96KAWNOW4pKW7vY6qLxvBZgFljuGD6BnobMt1XG4jYbSN-o-LcBL1b-UPR39vA/s1600/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.55+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAqoQo0U5D9iYv_nwu6aQvmqqa2JlXZ3ixZs7Nvtu0-HYTPAoIjESIrf-fh_JfdKFZlWato9T96KAWNOW4pKW7vY6qLxvBZgFljuGD6BnobMt1XG4jYbSN-o-LcBL1b-UPR39vA/s320/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.55+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9piQ7x0Ax7_-fsB6t3VwGxMG_IaT5LO5rIRYF4fe9zk9IXZNVVz8eBouKZbsWyG2ZoXrZL4ksG1rX-F9J9H8OFR5w_7hLDJHiGMFB3FOH5n6P1bAvuDzbAArlCQDNrv0r_Wmo_g/s1600/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9piQ7x0Ax7_-fsB6t3VwGxMG_IaT5LO5rIRYF4fe9zk9IXZNVVz8eBouKZbsWyG2ZoXrZL4ksG1rX-F9J9H8OFR5w_7hLDJHiGMFB3FOH5n6P1bAvuDzbAArlCQDNrv0r_Wmo_g/s320/Photo+on+2015-12-31+at+7.56+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-90517240550226281452015-12-31T19:32:00.001-05:002015-12-31T19:32:17.732-05:00Merry Christmas!Holiday greetings, from our house, and the Dreamhouse, where JJ the cat has now taken up temporary residence.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb92lQjfKYuYLyxQ-neK3uY_DOYo4k4ejqS6OG6ZEVAjqxRAkmXMnduy6BMb3OHFso6RI-WwCFTKOZI3X8LijtBX0ShQJ7c7NCq_5Pizf3sQ64jkV5PsXijmfUZrn3e-UCYem0w/s1600/10552548_10153724463035498_3414377978293286744_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb92lQjfKYuYLyxQ-neK3uY_DOYo4k4ejqS6OG6ZEVAjqxRAkmXMnduy6BMb3OHFso6RI-WwCFTKOZI3X8LijtBX0ShQJ7c7NCq_5Pizf3sQ64jkV5PsXijmfUZrn3e-UCYem0w/s640/10552548_10153724463035498_3414377978293286744_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-43188086453841626562015-12-31T19:02:00.000-05:002015-12-31T19:06:26.429-05:00Current Obsession: HAMILTON (Yay Hamlet!)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span class="s1">Lin-Manuel Miranda leading the November 25 Ham4Ham performance. </span><span class="s2">Photo: Mark Peterson/Reduxpictures as seen in New York Magazine. See Lenny in the bottom left corner? OK...half of her? :)</span></div>
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The soundtrack to <a href="https://twitter.com/lin_manuel/" target="_blank">Lin-Manuel Miranda</a>'s brilliant <a href="http://www.hamiltonbroadway.com/" target="_blank">Hamilton</a> has been on constant rotation in our house since early this Fall and I don't expect that to change any time soon.<br />
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If you haven't yet found yourself under the spell of this master and his masterpiece I've got some suggested viewing for you...<br />
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It all started at the White House in 2011. As Lenny would say, "prepare to be amazed":<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-xqFyHgu9U4?list=PL_ZfPs1vseUfQhvRq0D34P3WzYLoPsV3s" width="560"></iframe><br />
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The standing O from the President was prophetic.<br />
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A few years later, that became THIS:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/deApjIhhhC4?list=PL_ZfPs1vseUfQhvRq0D34P3WzYLoPsV3s" width="560"></iframe><br />
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And the press and mainstream success has been flooding in. Check out Lin's Wheel of Freestyle on the Tonight Show:<br />
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That day Lenny came home from school and told me she wanted to listen to Hamilton and paint abstracts. Parenting WIN. Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/misstraceynolan/videos/vb.644630497/10153691710950498/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">here</a> to see 36 seconds of awesomeness.<br />
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And finally, on our recent trip to NYC at <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2015/12/hamilton-free-show-ham4ham.html" target="_blank">#Ham4Ham</a> with Céline and Lenny. MEGA exciting to be there and see Lin-Manuel in person. Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/misstraceynolan/videos/vb.644630497/10153670221090498/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">here</a> to check that out.<br />
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Yeah, this show hits a bunch of my sweet-spots, American History, Politics, Broadway and Hip Hop so it makes sense that it would speak to me. But it's genius seems to be nearly universally accepted. Which is such an exciting thing to witness. Most exciting for me is, I think, feeling this excited by a piece of theatre again. I don't think I've felt this way in 20 years. It feels amazing to be completely consumed by a piece of art. I'm very grateful for the joy this show has given me.<br />
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<!--3--><!--3-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-78791728142525603122015-12-31T18:44:00.001-05:002015-12-31T18:44:09.848-05:00The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RXQ4fU_HvpTiuPlH6NIE2yXeVdvhFaV5j1HMxNia-EuY5bEp6OWT53ylEEPXOqPHu4MwQFwj8QjMLLVwUvbI4bylg5pVcy_JLLYG50vL0M7wRNGOvjmEcqQxUyFO3OQ74pjxMg/s1600/12301532_10153671335490498_6725739464576431865_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RXQ4fU_HvpTiuPlH6NIE2yXeVdvhFaV5j1HMxNia-EuY5bEp6OWT53ylEEPXOqPHu4MwQFwj8QjMLLVwUvbI4bylg5pVcy_JLLYG50vL0M7wRNGOvjmEcqQxUyFO3OQ74pjxMg/s640/12301532_10153671335490498_6725739464576431865_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It was an amazing parade! We had front row seats right near the starting point and got to see the extravaganza up close and personal! And with that, I'm checking another item off my life list!<br />
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I took hundreds of photos, but for now I'll leave you with some of my favourite people and things: Snoopy, Woodstock, Questlove and the gang from Sesame Street.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-87653352806210046162015-12-31T18:33:00.001-05:002015-12-31T18:36:55.199-05:00Lenny take New York City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After we'd been in New York for two days Lenny turned to me and said, "MOM! Let's pretend we're New Yorkers! We can talk about how boring Toronto is*!"<br />
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*Don't worry, Toronto, when we got home she announced that her home felt "fresh and new to her".<br />
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My kid took to New York (or as she would say You Nork) like a fish to water.<br />
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We'd all be here all day if I got into too much detail about this trip (and if you follow me on social media you saw it all happen in real time) but I feel the need to record a few moments for posterity. It was one of the best trips I've ever taken and it served as a reminder of the joy that friendship, travel and music can bring.<br />
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Our dear friend and gracious host <a href="http://www.celinepeterson.com/" target="_blank">Céline</a> made sure that Len's first time in the big apple was full of magic. Our first night in the city we were treated like VIPs at <a href="http://www.birdlandjazz.com/" target="_blank">Birdland</a>. The kiddo had such a blast that first night (jazz! showtunes! personal attention! buttered noodles!) that we went back several times during our stay. Each visit was more magical than the next. Birdland is now one of her favourite places on the planet!</div>
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^^^ Lenny gets up close and personal with the best and the brightest (and nicest) in NYC at Birdland. L - R, <a href="http://christineebersole.com/" target="_blank">Christine Ebersole</a>, <a href="http://www.billystritch.com/" target="_blank">Billy Stritch</a>, <a href="http://www.jim-caruso.com/" target="_blank">Jim Caruso</a> and <a href="http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Kenneth_Ascher" target="_blank">Kenny Ascher</a>. Special thanks to <a href="http://steveadubato.org/gianni-valenti/" target="_blank">Gianni Valenti, owner of Birdland</a>, for taking Lenny under his wing. Seriously, these are some of the greatest memories ever, right here.</div>
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We saw the sights, including Barnum's Bones (DINOS!!!) and Lenny did a lot of "nature sketching" in Central Park.</div>
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I'd say seeing Stevie Wonder close out his Songs in the Key of Life tour at Madison Square Garden is a great "first concert" wouldn't you? She was out of her seat dancing and asleep by intermission. So it was kind of perfect.<br />
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By the end of the trip, Lenny was convinced that she was, in fact, <a href="http://www.eloisewebsite.com/" target="_blank">Eloise</a>. Not one to discourage this kind of thinking, we had to come home with a full Eloise costume, naturally. A few more updates from the trip to come...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-90806361682411620072015-11-12T16:02:00.001-05:002015-11-12T16:03:02.136-05:00Thoughts for a Thursday: I'm inviting Larry David to my first dinner party at La Pitchoune<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/greathomesanddestinations/the-house-that-julia-built.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur" target="_blank">La Pitchoune</a> is for sale! This is not a drill! Anyone have several million dollars and a French / English Dictionary they want to lend me?</span></div>
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Was pleased to attend the Kew Gardens Remembrance Day Ceremony in the Beach yesterday. Always a humbling experience. I love that we live in a community that embraces ceremony. There were events, big and small, all over the city yesterday. I am grateful.</div>
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<a href="http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2015-11-09/can-a-diet-of-champagne-chocolate-and-five-alarm-chili-keep-you-alive-forever-science-says-maybe?mbid=social_cp_facebook_ba" target="_blank">Champagne, Chocolate and Spicy Food</a> might just help you live longer. If I'm dreaming, don't wake me.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/39529739799/photos/a.10151204595219800.468061.39529739799/10153707958399800/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Mark your calendars</a> for December 4th, Bill Murray fans! So, mark your calendars for December 4th, everyone on planet earth.</div>
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This...I...Just...</div>
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A video posted by Seinfeld2000 (@seinfeld2000) on <time datetime="2015-11-08T16:50:42+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 8, 2015 at 8:50am PST</time></div>
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I could watch that all day.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-18563233985550930322015-11-10T10:58:00.000-05:002015-11-10T10:58:43.350-05:00Remembering Allen Toussaint<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OXo3PZJ-pgX2us6FbokSGCZkgMFBUURfRLaMpXa688eZBnvSlvr4WAPnUrRhzInfsD0M-XgigxFbEG565Opsw4xkY1yudLp1OlfxN5e0TmxQpHXAU-JPyh3gjyqLda91GClgrw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-10+at+10.05.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OXo3PZJ-pgX2us6FbokSGCZkgMFBUURfRLaMpXa688eZBnvSlvr4WAPnUrRhzInfsD0M-XgigxFbEG565Opsw4xkY1yudLp1OlfxN5e0TmxQpHXAU-JPyh3gjyqLda91GClgrw/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-11-10+at+10.05.36+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_4zjqyM-wmjQQdBN_1hVu-A2qm7GPuxQ1BBgKPcWFVrnj8AFOrrP1-rZfO8Uf-B1XznsiafwUwahoNgDRuLAFFykIbDfneQbJ069Jdpq_7bWpn0h3SvNucZ7HoAdUxUr9LEWOA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-10+at+10.10.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_4zjqyM-wmjQQdBN_1hVu-A2qm7GPuxQ1BBgKPcWFVrnj8AFOrrP1-rZfO8Uf-B1XznsiafwUwahoNgDRuLAFFykIbDfneQbJ069Jdpq_7bWpn0h3SvNucZ7HoAdUxUr9LEWOA/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-11-10+at+10.10.31+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took these photos at a performance Allen Toussaint gave at the Toronto Jazz Festival in 2010. I last saw him not performing, but attending Satchmo Summer Fest this past August. He looked to be in excellent health, was as stylish and charming as ever. So sad he had to leave us this soon.</span><br />
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">New Orleans and the music community will feel this loss acutely. Listening to the tunes helps though, doesn't it?</span><br />
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two indisputable classics:</span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4EihE9a_mEE" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BNL9jR2lho4" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getting all funky on some Guaraldi in 1970:</span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C9l7FoWDnjM" width="420"></iframe></span><br />
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Schooling us on Professor Longhair on the BBC in the mid 80's:</span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q62qTlHfyWI" width="420"></iframe></span><br />
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allen and Elvis, Ascension Day (live):</span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qog_bAjYuS0" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span data-offset-key="1nk4m-0-0" data-reactid=".0.1.1.0.1.0.0.$editor0.0.0.$1nk4m.0:$1nk4m-0-0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-14670781488524199462015-11-10T02:14:00.001-05:002015-11-10T02:14:35.593-05:00Halloween 2015 Halloween 2015 was sometimes a challenge. Lenny has developed what I think is a totally understandable fear of the gore around the holiday. She's easily spooked right now, particularly by bugs and spiders and the like. What are you gonna do? It didn't keep us from celebrating, although it did keep her from Trick or Treating. It was her decision to skip it and she was very happy with it.<br />
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Halloween 2015 was also about decorating pumpkins. Thanks, Dollar Store, for the "easier than carving" plastic facial features. Seriously. THANK YOU.<br />
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Halloween 2015 was a five year old all dressed up as Skye from Paw Patrol and marching in her SK parade.<br />
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"Ruff ruff! WINGS!"<br />
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She was THRILLED.<br />
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Halloween 2015 was an after-school party on Friday with some of her classmates and besties. It's so fun to watch the kids play together and to get to know their parents. I'm starting to feel like we're part of a community.<br />
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The mummy hot dogs and vampire donuts were a big hit, thanks Pinterest!<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Also, I m</span><span style="background-color: white;">ade a <a href="https://play.spotify.com/user/22iafp73jn65mltmhhspikjly/playlist/06un6pNpJYMj72ihtS1MsL" target="_blank">Kid Friendly Halloween Party Playlist on Spotify</a> so you don't have to! That's 2 hrs and 20 minutes of good tunes for your future Halloween revelry, right there (play it on shuffle).</span></span><br />
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Halloween 2015 was about letting my kid make up her own mind and respecting her decisions. It was also about vampire teeth (which apparently, are not spooky). Vampire teeth. A lot. It was a lot about vampire teeth.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-28774313991166036502015-11-10T00:49:00.002-05:002015-11-10T01:05:52.604-05:00Talking Shop: Blissdom Canada, Blogging and Lessons LearnedSometimes, a self imposed blogging hiatus can be good for the soul. I think this one was for me. When you've been at this for so long that your blog could be in middle school, sometimes it pays to take a wee break. My hiatus was a direct result of just being super busy this Fall. I'm not complaining, y'all. I love busy. Busy is my <i>favourite</i>. This flurry of activity culminated with the 6th annual <a href="http://blissdomcanada.com/">Blissdom Canada</a> conference at <a href="http://www.bluemountain.ca/">Blue Mountain Resort</a>.<br />
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I'd been contracted this Spring to work as Blissdom Canada's Communications Director and was all manner of thrilled. I've attended the conference in the past and know how important it is to the blogging community as a hub for learning, networking and (let's be honest) partying. Twitter Parties are not real parties. The social influencers out there need to blow off steam in real life once in a while, you guys.</div>
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I learned a lot through the process, not the least of which is that planning a conference like this leaves you with some experiences and lessons very similar to those you can gain attending a conference like this.</div>
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I learned about being adaptable, about leadership and collaboration. I met some incredible women whose strength, joie de vivre and drive to innovate inspire me endlessly.</div>
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Over the past several months I had an opportunity to write for a blog that was not my own, and relished in it. These are a few posts that I was pleased with, and which might be of interest to you if you're a blogger or work in the social media marketing sphere: </div>
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<a href="http://blissdomcanada.com/2015/09/bloggers-getting-back-to-you/">Bloggers: Getting Back to You</a></div>
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<a href="http://blissdomcanada.com/2015/09/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-your-blog/">The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Your Blog)</a></div>
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<a href="http://blissdomcanada.com/2015/09/social-influencers-keeping-tiff2015-trending/">Social Influencers Keep #TIFF2015 Trending</a></div>
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The best post that I wrote though, in my option, was <a href="http://blissdomcanada.com/2015/09/1075/">On Product, Your Territory and Phoning It In</a>. </div>
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I felt that this post was blunt and truthful and let's face it, I'm never happier than when I'm referencing David Simon. So, you know, a win for me! What I discovered was that not everyone in the blogging community is interested in tough love. Like a lot of industries, people get their back up when they don't hear what they want to hear. I still don't think this post was overly aggressive and I stand by the message. I don't say these things because I think I'm superior, it's my own failures and my experience on the agency-side that leads to these conclusions. So there's another lesson, I guess. Speak your truth and not everyone is going to like it. </div>
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I've learned that one <i>a lot</i> over the years. Remind me to tell you about the time Mark Breslin banned me from performing at Yuk Yuks. </div>
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Another lesson (or reminder?) for me is that I enjoy teaching. I was able to run a workshop on Photography for Bloggers and felt totally energized by the experience. More of this please, Universe!</div>
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At the end of the day, I walked away from my Blissdom Canada experience completely exhausted and exhilarated. There are lessons I'm sure I haven't unearthed yet, and questions this experience has forced me to ask which I haven't answered yet. </div>
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I do know that I am grateful for every second of it and for the glorious friendships I forged over the last few months.</div>
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A special shout out and thank you to <a href="http://momdadandcuppakids.com/">Jennifer Powell</a> for being the driving force behind this event and for the opportunity. You, lady, are a <i>true</i> powerhouse.<br />
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Long live Blissdom Canada!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-8949896775320119682015-08-22T13:19:00.000-04:002015-08-22T13:19:24.296-04:00Let's Go to the EX! (a little movie)Yesterday, the Canadian National Exhibition opened their doors for the 2015 season and Lenny and I could not have been more excited. To celebrate our inaugural visit, I made a little movie on my phone. Hope you like it. :)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P9vQoF_tyOw" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Next time, we're finding that <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/whats-on-the-menu-at-the-cne-this-year/article26014198/">Frosted Flakes Chicken</a>. I'm too curious not to try it.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-69868275577260553642015-07-17T19:17:00.001-04:002015-07-17T19:17:17.533-04:00Latest Obsession: Art from MintedI get approached every week by various websites and businesses looking for me to do reviews or help them bring attention to their brands. If I'm being honest, 9 times out of 10 I decline because, well, who has the time? Also, there are few things I like less than saying something phoney on this website in an attempt to help someone I don't know create buzz for a business I don't care about. I tried it a couple of times and it left a bad taste in my mouth.<br />
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But, oh, you guys. This week, I got an email from <a href="http://www.minted.com/">Minted</a>. Once in a while a brand comes along that makes you stop what you were doing for half an hour while you pore over every inch of their website. <i>Stop the digital presses</i>, you yell to yourself, I have <i>got</i> to tell everyone about this place!<br />
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First and foremost, Minted is purveyor of fine stationary, invitations and the like. There are beautiful selections on the front page that would make any event planner or bride giddy. But, you know, I ain't no event planner and nobody was invited to our wedding so I wasn't sure there was anything there for me.<br />
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Until I stumbled on their home decor and <a href="http://www.minted.com/art?of=no&editors_choice=minted_limited_edition&sort=create_date_desc&all=true&limit=60&us=international+canada">art</a>.<br />
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Stop. The. Presses.<br />
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Minted brings you the best in indie design from a global community of artists and designers. Yes, there are other ways to connect with artists in online marketplaces (I have lots of original art from Etsy on my walls) but from where I sit, nobody makes it easier than Minted. You like that piece? You can buy it! You want it framed? They'll do that! And then, they send it to your house! I know, I know, but I'm old enough to remember a time before online shopping and frankly, the miracle of it still surprises me sometimes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP3CYEJjPK8b0IwJJxz-YAACiWw6rMpFbe5h6xcaaU2JzP-a6PlVjO4FL4Wj1bNX85pRs6k6PhPZSe-uL4NkYjCuSVYdUMljw8tlEKr99M6og6sIpWU2KVP94XIGGYbR_D7T7bg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-17+at+7.01.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP3CYEJjPK8b0IwJJxz-YAACiWw6rMpFbe5h6xcaaU2JzP-a6PlVjO4FL4Wj1bNX85pRs6k6PhPZSe-uL4NkYjCuSVYdUMljw8tlEKr99M6og6sIpWU2KVP94XIGGYbR_D7T7bg/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-17+at+7.01.58+PM.png" width="504" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.minted.com/product/wall-art-prints/MIN-LVK-GNA/passive">Passive</a>, a limited edition print by artist <a href="http://www.minted.com/store/kellyventura">Kelly Ventura</a> was the first piece to catch my eye. It's available in a variety of sizes and price points with different options for frames, should you choose to have it framed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pTXOxG6HTaXZM3aUVqKr66a0CJ-dOV698kDP-I-UH4gAqbKPULqX_Kt87QjFi7PXzKk6gxPx2e095Ce5HkkSPKuNwXUu9rOEs9n7lZk_-XaGlq7I2yFgVEMFSHVN4O1CIlLbuw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-17+at+6.47.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pTXOxG6HTaXZM3aUVqKr66a0CJ-dOV698kDP-I-UH4gAqbKPULqX_Kt87QjFi7PXzKk6gxPx2e095Ce5HkkSPKuNwXUu9rOEs9n7lZk_-XaGlq7I2yFgVEMFSHVN4O1CIlLbuw/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-17+at+6.47.28+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think we all know that this <a href="http://www.minted.com/product/foil-stamped-wall-art/MIN-DRX-GFA/louisiana-map?ccId=376850&org=title">Foil Map of Louisiana</a> by <a href="http://www.minted.com/store/geekink">GeekInkDesign</a> belongs in my house.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzox9Cv_Fd2ZPtQlII-HwVC4DyQcEOgHPP8QYs85Ae2cQqxOYKEtQHx9R9erhrAOv2rp4w4crRHckNtrtW27mI6vf3uxzr0qw_WooJlUuGHQnTeqCFPPcseepx8FvUosIolUfUA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-17+at+7.06.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzox9Cv_Fd2ZPtQlII-HwVC4DyQcEOgHPP8QYs85Ae2cQqxOYKEtQHx9R9erhrAOv2rp4w4crRHckNtrtW27mI6vf3uxzr0qw_WooJlUuGHQnTeqCFPPcseepx8FvUosIolUfUA/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-17+at+7.06.14+PM.png" width="506" /></a></div>
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This photograph, <a href="http://www.minted.com/product/wall-art-prints/MIN-UB4-GNA/pining-for-pineapple?ccId=274077&org=title">Pining for Pineapples</a> by <a href="http://www.minted.com/store/jonityrrell">Joni Tyrrell</a> is so whimsical and fun. Besides, pineapples are so hot right now. (Related: check out my Pinterest board on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/misstraceynolan/pineapples/">Pineapples</a>)<br />
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Minted boasts a fantastic selection of <a href="http://www.minted.com/typography-art?it_category=n_artb&it_id=c1i3&of=no&limit=120">Typographic Art</a>, pieces for <a href="http://www.minted.com/nursery-wall-art?it_category=n_artb&it_id=c1i5">nurseries</a> (can you say shower gift?), custom art including these fabulous <a href="http://www.minted.com/family-tree-art?it_category=n_artb&it_id=c2i4">family trees</a> and, perhaps my favourite, all these lovely <a href="http://www.minted.com/art?of=no&art_medium=mixed_media&sort=popular_asc&all=true&limit=40">mixed media</a> works.<br />
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If you're looking for design inspiration, tips and even some free printables be sure to check out the Minted blog, <a href="http://www.minted.com/julep/">julep</a>.<br />
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Happy Shopping!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-79960893823848399462015-06-21T21:45:00.000-04:002015-06-21T21:45:24.490-04:00Summer Reading List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Tonight at bedtime I got a little too excited telling Lenny about the reading incentive programs they used to have at the Toronto Public Library when I was growing up. You'd get a piece of paper stamped every time you read a book. That was the big incentive. <i>What</i>? I remember it being so exciting. Reading was the reward, I guess. It got me to thinking about what I want to put on my reading list this Summer. Here's where I'm at so far...</div>
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1. <a href="http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/aliza-licht/leave-your-mark/9781455584147/">Leave Your Mark</a> by Aliza Licht - Before we knew who Aliza Licht was, we were all following @DKNYPRGirl on Twitter. I'm looking forward to Licht's insights into Social Media.<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Yes-Please-Amy-Poehler/dp/1443424528">Yes Please</a> by Amy Poehler - What's weird is that I haven't read this yet.<br />
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3. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/GIRLBOSS-Sophia-Amoruso/dp/039916927X">#GirlBoss</a> by Sophia Amoruso - I'm not sure about this one, to be honest. I can't decide if I'm going to find her annoying or inspiring. I guess the only way to find out is to read the book. And I'm curious enough to do that, so bonus points for that, Amoruso.<br />
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4. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Believer-My-Forty-Years-Politics/dp/1594205876">Believer</a> by David Axelrod - I think I might be in love with David Axelrod, so it would be kind of rude if I didn't read his book this Summer, right?<br />
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5. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22875075-picnic-in-provence">Picnic in Provence</a> by Elizabeth Bard - It's a memoir with recipes. I think that qualifies as delightful Summer reading, don't you? It sounds vaguely escapist, which is just what the doctor ordered sometimes, especially if you find yourself on the beach or poolside.<br />
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6. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Serve-It-Forth-Art-Eating/dp/0865473692">Serve It Forth</a> by MFK Fisher - Last year one of my Summer reads was <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Provence-1970-M-F-K-Reinvention-American/dp/0307718344">Provence 1970</a>, written by Fisher's nephew Luke Barr. I loved every page of that book. Barr really brought the people it was about alive. Julia Child, James Beard and most especially, Fisher. I've been excited to dive into her work ever since.<br />
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7. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/The-Gastronomical-Me-M-Fisher/dp/0865473927">The Gastronomical Me</a> by MFK Fisher - Because I have a feeling one isn't going to be enough. And I want to be MFK Fisher when I grow up.<br />
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8. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Cooks-Tour-Adventures-Extreme-Cuisines/dp/0060012781">A Cook's Tour</a> by Anthony Bourdain - Because I've read all the other books he's written. Damn it, Tony! Write a new book!<br />
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9. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Saint-Louis-Armstrong-Beach-Brenda/dp/0142421863">Saint Louis Armstrong Beach</a> by Brenda Woods - This is Young Adult Fiction, but after reading my friend Tanya Gough's wonderful YA novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Root-Bound-Emma-Elementals-1/dp/0987850601/ref=la_B008COXWKQ_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434936447&sr=1-1">Root Bound</a>, I'm more open to that than I used to be. I imagine it will be a quick, compelling read, with a New Orleans backdrop. Who knows? Maybe in a couple of years it will be something that Lenny and I can read together (I know we'll be reading Root Bound)!<br />
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10. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Norman-Granz-Used-Jazz-Justice/dp/0520267826">Norman Granz: The Man Who Used Jazz For Justice</a> by Tad Hershorn - I love Hershorn's writing and Granz is a personal hero. I can't wait to dig into this!<br />
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11. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Can-You-Hear-Now-Inspiration/dp/0465019676">Can You Hear Me Now?</a> by Michael Eric Dyson - It's been a good 5 years since I've read any Dyson and this seems like the right place to get my fill this Summer. He's got a way with words, this man.<br />
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12. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Squirrel-Seeks-Chipmunk-Modest-Bestiary/dp/0316038407">Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk</a> by David Sedaris - Because this is the only Sedaris I haven't read yet and I need to rectify that as soon as possible. I saw him speak recently with my friend Sarah and it was such a delight. He's so special. And weird. I just love him. Sedaris is the only author other than Wodehouse who's ever made me fall into hysterical fits of giggles on public transit. That's some sort of a litmus test, as far as I'm concerned.<br />
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Lenny is doing remarkably well learning how to read in JK and she wants to do more of it. So, we'll be keeping up our routine of board books that she can read by herself and Curious George and Pete the Cat books that we can read together. I think she's ready to put some big kid chapter books into rotation too. It's so hard to know where to start!<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/The-Hotel-Cat-Esther-Averill/dp/1590171594">The Hotel Cat</a> by Esther Averill - while it's true we've already read this to her at least twice, it's still my all time favourite and the fact that she loves it too means we're going to read it over and over again. That's just how it's going to be.<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.harpercollins.ca/9780064400558/charlottes-web">Charlotte's Web</a> by E.B. White - because I think maybe it's OK if she breaks her heart a little bit? Maybe? I'm still on the fence about this one. Not sure I can handle having my heart broken like this again. But it's so good! Decisions, decisions.<br />
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3. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/The-BFG-Roald-Dahl/dp/0142410381">The BFG</a> - by Roald Dahl - I think this is a good place to start with Dahl? I think? And Sophie is such a fun character and the BFG is so muddled up and loveable. It's definitely gateway Dahl, and that's what I'm looking for.<br />
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4. <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/9780380709243/the-mouse-and-the-motorcycle">The Mouse and the Motorcycle</a> by Beverly Cleary - Speaking of gateway...she's already seen the movie and loves little Ralph. I, of course, was obsessed with all things Beverly Clearly as a girl, so I'm super excited to get Len started this Summer first Ralph...then...<br />
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5. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Ramona-Quimby-Age-Beverly-Cleary/dp/0380709562">Ramona Quimby, Age 8</a> by Beverly Cleary - RAMONA! I don't need to say anything more than that, do I? (Well, that's not true. I will say that if I can't find the cover art seen above I'll be pissed. That's the only Ramona I care to know, visually anyway).<br />
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6. <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/9780380709557/ribsy">Ribsy</a> by Beverly Cleary - My kid loves dogs. This will be an easy sell. And it's a great book. Henry Huggins is such fun. Ahhhh! I can't wait!<br />
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Any tips? What do you think is missing from my list? What are you planning on reading this Summer?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-50076162991044044192015-06-01T15:58:00.002-04:002015-06-01T15:58:31.701-04:00Monday Motivation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You've got all week, take your time.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-41768472752050263412015-05-30T16:05:00.000-04:002015-05-30T16:45:55.375-04:00BlissDom Canada + ME + a chance to win!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey, guys! Exciting work stuff to announce! I've recently taken on the role of Director, Communications at <a href="http://blissdomcanada.com/">BlissDom Canada</a>. In <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;">it’s 6th year, BlissDom Canada is the premier conference for social media, blogging, PR and influencers in Canada. BlissDom Canada provides professional development, empowerment and opportunities for networking for those working (and living) in the social media space. I attended the conference the month before I left my full time job and went freelance back in 2012 and it was a revelation. I made connections, I made friends and I learned a lot. I'm excited to be going back to the conference this year in a professional capacity and I'm </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 25px;">really excited to be a part of the social media conversation in Canada on this level!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3XVgFdBnk4jvzP_RPFMuROBX6zjfk-o-45icCAR1Cn_T2qIhmmR959Oqy5shjupDodY2QdR81S2nIMpey6jevKhlTXBZoFXbS5tJad8lVy2lBTJaIorBp2jbhAhm86dxCvkRlA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-15+at+7.24.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3XVgFdBnk4jvzP_RPFMuROBX6zjfk-o-45icCAR1Cn_T2qIhmmR959Oqy5shjupDodY2QdR81S2nIMpey6jevKhlTXBZoFXbS5tJad8lVy2lBTJaIorBp2jbhAhm86dxCvkRlA/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-05-15+at+7.24.05+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The announcement from the BlissDom Canada Newsletter kind of makes me blush.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year, BlissDom Canada is really upping the ante with a new location (<a href="http://www.bluemountain.ca/">Blue Mountain Resort</a>!) an incredible opening keynote speaker already announced (Sara Critchfield of <a href="http://www.upworthy.com/sara-critchfield">Upworthy</a> fame!) and lots more announcements to come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another exciting development is the introduction of the Success Stories Series. You can read all about it <a href="http://blissdomcanada.com/2015/05/success-stories-and-sounds-ftw/">here</a>. If you've attended BlissDom Canada in the past, this is your chance to share your success stories with us for your chance to WIN your ticket to the conference this October. Say, what?!? Too good to pass up, is what I say. I hope you go for it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll be sharing some BlissDom Canada updates here periodically, but your best way to stay in the loop is to make sure you follow the conference on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlissdomCanada?fref=ts">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/blissdomcanada">Twitter</a>. I can't wait till October!</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-87429996676509030112015-05-30T14:37:00.001-04:002015-05-30T14:37:52.030-04:00Saturday Zen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VKUC3-l33EeL_qC-p0kYXn-ghImua_3ogoosllKalyeMASn2BMby7BT4YubLAwWFNc6VneHBSms9l3gmpepfk4txYbwJ68XcxUwpk_fj5YLPrwbHfi-lspmt9_Tgn9VKg1vOsA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-30+at+2.34.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VKUC3-l33EeL_qC-p0kYXn-ghImua_3ogoosllKalyeMASn2BMby7BT4YubLAwWFNc6VneHBSms9l3gmpepfk4txYbwJ68XcxUwpk_fj5YLPrwbHfi-lspmt9_Tgn9VKg1vOsA/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-05-30+at+2.34.55+PM.png" width="632" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', メイリオ, Meiryo, 'MS Pゴシック', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">David Hockney, A Lawn Being Sprinkled, 1967</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', メイリオ, Meiryo, 'MS Pゴシック', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Summer is coming!!!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-46747783738359359892015-05-25T09:25:00.001-04:002015-05-25T09:25:07.395-04:00Monday Motivation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC-kRyjSYLK7eL73nyXCZXyPWa1mZPo9kbibN_h8tPbm1hUuJweRmh3rVZgjnEWcm5rNT0HqTfurT6OmqKKQu3Iv7nnBgKehp9xvjzOA01_R7f2V9Bx64_uuQ8dBW57-GzuBN7w/s1600/MondayMotivation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC-kRyjSYLK7eL73nyXCZXyPWa1mZPo9kbibN_h8tPbm1hUuJweRmh3rVZgjnEWcm5rNT0HqTfurT6OmqKKQu3Iv7nnBgKehp9xvjzOA01_R7f2V9Bx64_uuQ8dBW57-GzuBN7w/s640/MondayMotivation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.slideshare.net/2014/10/13/the-science-of-procrastination-why-you-should-start-that-presentation-today/">source</a></td></tr>
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This is something I'm trying to put into practice in my work life. I'm attempting to "eat the frog" first thing in the morning. That one task I'm dreading or avoiding? I'm trying to get it off my plate first...then the rest of the day will be a breeze right? Mark Twain was a smart guy. I'm putting my money on this plan.</div>
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Do YOU eat the frog? Has it worked for you? Let me know!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-15015381363728789002015-05-24T23:46:00.002-04:002015-05-24T23:46:53.966-04:00Saturday Zen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I took a walk in High Park on Friday. I was on my way to drop some photos off for a client and I just decided to take the long way. I'm so glad I did. I need to do that more often. It was so nice just to walk and enjoy the sun and the trees. Nature has a way of silencing all the voices. This little creek here made my to-do list shut up for a full five minutes. It was SUPER ZEN.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5627177.post-16132337654585121042015-05-24T23:25:00.000-04:002015-05-24T23:25:06.459-04:00This one time in Buffalo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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One of my favourite things about being a parent is surprising Lenny with EPIC STUFF. Last March we took her to see a production of Dinosaur Train Live without telling her first and it was an amazing experience for all of us. So when the opportunity came to take a family road trip to see the Kratt Brothers in person we jumped at the chance. She had no idea what we were doing until we were in the theatre. I feel like we unlocked some kind of parenting badge for pulling this one over on her. It was so much fun.</div>
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Chris and Martin put on a heck of a show. And Lenny walked away with her very own creature power suit. Like I said, EPIC.<br />
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Buffalo is one of my favourite cities to visit. It is so underrated. Great art, great food, great architecture. It's great. I'd love it for the Mighty Taco and the Albright Knox alone!<br />
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We even got to have Buffalo Wings at the Anchor Bar...the place that INVENTED Buffalo Wings. They were damn good too.<br />
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The morning after Operation Kratt Brothers Surprise we pulled another one on her. An interactive Curious George exhibit at the Science Museum. WHAT? So cool. She tended to Bill's bunnies, tried on the Doorman's outfit and performed all kinds of cool experiments. I can't lie, I loved it too. George is one of my favourite shows and it really did feel like we stepped in to their world.<br />
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Look at that face. This is definitely what I thought being a mom would be like. Such fun times. Thanks, Buffalo. See you soon!<br />
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