I will live a healthier life.

Mushrooms - fresh and gorgeous - in the Jardin des Delices at the end of our street in Paris.

Two weeks ago I returned from a trip to Paris. It was incredible, as I expect Paris to be, but it also opened my eyes to a few things I would like to change about my own lifestyle. Here is my list (I love lists) of shifts I would like to make in my own life.

1. I will stop eating out for the sake of eating out. I want to enjoy the food I am eating. This choice will cut down on financial spending, as well as foods that are not as good for my body. I am free to eat at places that I deem ‘cultural.’ (Thank you Angie and Bill for this idea.) To me, that means restaurants that serve non-North American cuisine (not including Chinese, unless it is authentic Chinese aka no where in Chatham), and it includes a few restaurants with ambiance (e.g. the Smokehouse, Casa Bella’s, etc.)
2. Finish reading ‘French Women Don’t Get Fat.’ I really like to pick up what author Mareille is putting down. Be smart, balance it out, be active, eat food that is good for you!
3. Squeeze in 30 minutes of exercize each day – this can include a walk.
4. Wake up earlier. Goal: within three months (Feb 11/09), wake up at 7 am each week day.
5. Drink a glass of water as soon as I wake up each morning. Drink 6 glasses each day.
6. Take remedy before bed each night. Take supplements each day.
7. If I’m up earlier, can I walk to work? Walk to work if I don’t have a commitment immediately after work. (This can count towards 30 minutes excersize – I lost 3 lbs in Paris just by walking, because it certainly wasn’t from reducing my delicious food intake!)
8. Envision the place I want to be in one year from now. Bigger city? Sure – but what characteristics am I looking for in my neighbourhood? Jot it down, make it happen. Visit potential locations to determine if they fit my needs.
9. You know that meal plan that the Nutritionist developed for you JR? It’s time to start following it a bit more closely.
10. Buy produce from a market, when possible.
11. Go to bed earlier? Lights out by 12:30 am. (Yes, that is earlier. Sometimes I read until 1:30 am. It’s true – I love books).

Speaking of, I should go to bed! Good night.

She went away. Temporarily.

Ladies and gentlemen, I leave for Paris in less than a week, so please, if you are looking for Persephone, visit me at my other home:

She Went Away

With affection, I ask you to take care, be well, and enjoy the remaining sunshine before Winter sets in.

xoxo Jen

Autumn means more flowers (and scarves).

It’s officially Autumn. I guess it has been for almost three weeks now (good bye summer *sob*, hello autmn cardigans *yay!*)

To welcome in the season, I have been making use of rainy days to create new flower scarves. Since I am in a smaller space, I can no longer justify my huge collection of yarn. In an effort to pare down the excess, I’ve been whipping up crocheted flowers from the tiny balls of scraps that I have salvaged from my own projects and those of others (as well as those donated to charity shops).

A friend asked me to make her some small flowers to use in her scrapbooking adventures. I did a bit of research for pricing, and am now selling them in my Etsy shop (20 for 10$ US). Each flower measures approx. 1.5″ in diametre and is made from balls of scrap yarn that have been rescued from the forever doom of the garbage dump. (Above left)

(Above right) You’ve seen these before – the flower brooches that I have also used scrap yarn to make. These also feature three vintage buttons per brooch, and are for sale in my Etsy shop for 5$ US each. You chose the colours, I make it for you!

I also finished the blue + green scarf for Rewind Consignment Clothing in Calgary. This scarf was birthed from the lowest drawer in my yarn dresser. Some yarn was purchased new for other projects (scrap yarn), some was frogged from other projects (farewell, ugly patchwork blanket I made in highschool). It’s a mishmosh of colours blending together to create a new family of seaweed and mermaid eyes.

Guess what else I did? Finished another scarf. This scarf was made for a boutique in Chatham called Anna’s Gifts and Home Decor. She will be selling my scarves, and this is the first I have completed. Because it is one strand, it is half the cost of my other scarves, so 24$. It was made with random balls of yarn I have purchased over the years for other projects, and the light green colour comes from a placemat that I frogged. It was such an ugly placemat, but I loved the shade of green!

Next on my list?

- re-join the TransCanada Etsy Team
- bleach/spray paint remaining tshirts
- complete four more scarves for Rewind
- complete 3 more for Anna’s

Off to do stuff. Happy Turkey Day to my fellow Canadians!

Four ways to wash your armpits…

…with handmade soap and bath products, of course!

With a mom who is a Homeopathic Doctor, I have learned the value of using products without chemical additives. I have recently discovered a few great companies throughout Canada that produce armpit-washing devices (aka soap) that follow the handmade philosophy.

1. I converted to LUSH a few years ago, and while in Ireland I dreamed of working in their highly-scented shop. Alas, it was not to be, as they were not hiring until after I left. Instead, I lather myself in their delightful “Honey I washed the Kids” soap. (And solid perfume). Yummmmmm.

2. Faerhaven Soaps, etc. are produced in a wee village about 40 minutes from my home… in their home which is made from STRAWBALES! The creatrice grows the majority of her own ingredients (calendula, anyone?) and names each soap in  a way you won’t forget.

3. Suds of Luv is produced in my hometown, using coffee beans that are roasted in my hometown (and are organic AND fairtrade!) The owner of this wee business, Tracey, is really great.

4. This isn’t soap, but since I seem to have aching muscle each week from my gruelling (and fabulous) Tuesday evening adventures, I have recognized the need for Epsom salts. MythicalMatters is a Toronto-based business that is very environmentally aware. I just purchased the ‘Smells like a day at the Beach’ bathsalts. Excited. And the Xmas Tree room spray. I do like a good yule-smelling living room. Especially with bunnies involved.

Hope you enjoyed this run-down of great bathroom products. Enjoy!