If you know me, you know that summer is my favourite season, followed by summer, summer, and, oh yeah, summer! That's right, I'm a fan of June, July, and August. And although I do love the crisp air and beautiful colours that come with fall, I usually don't love the winter months, except during December.
The reason for this is that I get cold as soon as the temperatures drop. I love being warm and living in Canada, but it gets very cold during the long winter months. Now that I have two young children who love playing in the snow, I have to spend even more time in the great outdoors. The only way to enjoy Canada in the winter is to dress appropriately. Everyone kept telling me I'd enjoy winter so much more if I only dressed for it! Well, my friends, Canada Goose wanted me to fully embrace winter this year, so they sent me their warmest (and oh so beautiful) parka! To say it has changed my life—and my perspective on winter—would be an understatement. I cannot thank Canada Goose enough for giving me the world's warmest coat. Now when I go outside, I'm doing it with a smile on my face. And guess what? I don't feel cold at all!
Canada Goose sent me a coat from their Arctic Program collection, which provides "extreme weather protection."
I am now the very proud owner of the Dawson Parka. Thank you, Canada Goose!
"The Dawson Parka combines many of the best features of some of our classic parkas. With some of the core features of the Expedition combined with the sophistication of the Victoria and Chilliwack, the Dawson is sure to keep you stylishly warm while enjoying colder winter activities."
Canada Goose has seventeen styles for women, which consist of classic and authentic pieces that truly offer the best protection from the cold winter elements. Canada Goose has long been known for having the best quality and warmest outerwear on the planet, and after wearing my new coat this month, I have to agree! I have not felt cold since I first put on my Canada Goose coat. It's truly amazing, and it's worth every single penny. I now know why so many of my friends are also owners of Canada Goose coats.
I also love that Canada Goose coats have been made in Canada since 1957. "We stay in Canada because that's who we are."
I seriously cannot recommend this coat enough. Thank you, Canada Goose—because of you, I have learned to love and embrace winter again. I look forward to playing in the snow, I'm excited to take up skiing again, and I'm thankful that I don't have to cry as the temperatures drop to minus 30C. I know that in my Dawson parka, I'll be toasty warm.
We have all been affected by the terrible, unspeakable tragedy that took place last week in Newtown, Connecticut.
I, like many of you, have been holding my children tighter, thankful that they're in my arms, and I've been letting things go that might otherwise have irritated me. Toy alligator in the toilet, all the chocolate from the advent calendar for breakfast, little feet in my face when I wake up in the morning, and loud voices of children fighting upstairs? I welcome it, all of it.
Now that the holidays are upon us, I plan to enjoy every second. And while I normally find a lot of joy from shopping this time of year, and specifically, this week, there is so much more to the holidays than that. Sure, I'm still checking things off my shopping list, and sure, I'll still wrap all the presents nicely like I love to do, but really, this has all suddenly become...not so important anymore.
Here are the Five Ways I Plan To Enjoy the Holidays:
Spending time with my family: The number one thing I love to do over the holidays is spend time with my family. I love baking with my children, even though my cookies don't end up looking great; I love doing crafts with my boys and having them help me wrap presents, and I love, love, love our tradition of Christmas Eve celebrated at my parents house with my sister and her family and my grandparents. A house full of (loud) Greeks, delicious home-cooked food, Christmas movies playing in the background, and children running wildly around the house, sneaking Greek cookies before dinner, followed by gift opening and midnight mass? That is my perfect Christmas.
Helping others: Helping others throughout the year is important, but especially during the holidays. Donate old clothes and toys, buy new toys for children in need, volunteer your time at the hospital, give to the food bank, and give away your children's old snowsuits and boots to children who need them the most.
Choose gifts that give back: There are many ways you can do this, but lasting gifts are the most meaningful, in my opinion. Whether you're supporting Plan Canada, UNICEF, or Save The Children, there are literally dozens of ways you can help.
Thank those that matter: Remember gifts and hand-written cards to the teachers who are there for your children every single day. The teachers who gave up their lives, who protected their children, during the shooting last week? They're heroes. They really, really are.
Calories and carbs don't count: I almost started a diet on December 7th and then I realized that I'd be miserable if I gave up carbs in December, the month of cookies and sweets and yumminess. The holidays are no time to be counting calories! Enjoy the food that you've prepared, enjoy the food your friends have made, enjoy those cookies, and that wine! January is coming up...we can all resolve to eat better then.
Happy, happy holidays, to all of you. May it be a time of peace, love, and reflection, and may you find comfort in the arms of those you love.
As if I didn't already have 100 reasons to dislike the cold weather, the fact that I can't use my iphone to text, tweet, or make calls when I'm wearing gloves to stay warm and frostbite-free recently got added to my "Things To Not Love About Winter" list.
But now I can scratch that off my list, because I have found the perfect (warm, stylish, practical) pair of gloves that will also allow you to text and tweet without having to take them off!
Seriously! These Grandoe Freece Touch Gloves (only $43) will keep your hands warm while you use your phone. These gloves are touchscreen-compatible (for the thumbs and index fingers) and they come in a variety of awesome colours, too.
How cool are they? I'll take a pair! They make a great stocking stuffer too, don't you think?
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