we ARE amused...

Happy Victoria Day!

the beautiful young Queen Victoria

birthday greetings...from one Victoria to another!

I'm proud to share my name with such an iconic Royal Lady, Queen Victoria ~ and what better place to celebrate Victoria Day, than in my hometown of Cobourg, Ontario's Feel Good town 

which boasts the stunning Victoria Beach...

...Victoria Park, abloom with Spring colours,

and this historic leading lady...

Victoria Hall ~ this beautiful grand landmark celebrates it's 150th anniversary this year with a fabulous Grand Ball in it's majestic Concert Hall, in honour of the Grand Ball with which Albert  (Prince of Wales) opened the Hall back in 1860. Find out more on the brilliant Oh, Canada! blog.

Victoria Hall is also the 'feel good' inspiration behind my

deliciously dark & minty handmade soap

Mint Choc Queen Vic

"This historic leading lady captures the classic combination of rich dark chocolate and cool, crisp peppermint aromas.

Featuring fairtrade organic cocoa and peppermint essential oil.

A right royal performance...encore!"

Mmmm, I don't know about you, but I might have to celebrate with some heavenly mint chocolate!

Happy Vicky Day indeed ♥

this charming girl...episode 13

happy birthday, Buddha ♥

Buddha's birthday is celebrated today ~ in all east Asian countries, except Japan. It is held on the 8th day of the 4th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, and  is an official holiday in Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. The date varies from year to year in the Gregorian calendar.

13. ~ a golden sitting Buddha.

he is my own little personal gentle reminder to remain positive, peaceful  & treat others with love & respect. Buddhists value above all else having compassion for others and causing them no harm. A fundament of compassion is ridding oneself of anger, greed, hatred and other negative emotions, for in the presence of those it is impossible to feel loving kindness.

...and while you celebrate Buddha's special day,  why not consider  balancing the body and mind using an ancient Eastern wellness belief based on seven energy centers (Chakras) that govern all your organs and work together as one system, yet independently. 

there are many different ways to charge our chakra centers such as meditation, yoga, sunlight & food... but my favourite way by far involves bracelets or thumblets created from crystals & gemstones.

gemstones and minerals are energy forms. crystals contain a similar crystalline structure as the human body, they amplify energy ~ wearing gemstone jewelry or placing gemstones and minerals in your environment is a simple way to absorb the stone or mineral’s healing vibrations.

the beautiful thumblets above are the work of the very talented Dee-Ann from Dee's Adornments ~ they are made from the perfect stones to focus your energy & balance your chakras.

Dee-Ann explains ..." For those who work on balancing their chakra, it can help to have stones that resonate with that chakra to focus on and through. While meditating or doing other work with your first chakra, drape this band of garnets around your thumb. The weight and cool feeling of the gemstones against your skin will help you to focus, and the garnets are associated with the first chakra to help you ground yourself."

check out Dee's Adornments  etsy shop to see her full range of  7 stunning thumblets, each made with great love, care & attention, and the right stone / colour for focusing positive energy flow through each of the 7 centers.

when you visit, you'll also find exquisite, unique handmade jewelry pieces, like this wonderful turquoise & silver flower charm / pendant.

simply gorgeous ♥

peace, love & harmony to you all. ☺

photos of giant Buddha, Lantau Island, Hong Kong ©2007 Tim Darbyshire Photography

Mum's the word ♥

happy mothers day

'pink mystic flower' by tim darbyshire photography

I'm incredibly lucky really as I get to celebrate Mother' s Day twice!

Today, here in my new home - Canada & back in March, which is when England (my birthplace) celebrates Mums everywhere. ♥

enjoy the day and if you have a moment please

visit the link below to read my tribute to my late Mum, in an earlier post. she was the best. ♥

my very own Mother nature

'butterfly island' lavender & lilac handmade soap

with eco donation by soapstar. 

Leeds, Leeds, Leeds

Super Leeds

Championship, here we come!

marching on together... we ♥ you, Leeds, Leeds, LEEDS!

this charming girl...episode 12

put the kettle on...

(for a perfect brew.... )    12. ~ a mug of tea

it's part of my English heritage that'll never change - nothing beats a refreshing cuppa tea.

I drink tea of all kinds ~ Earl Grey, green tea, iced tea, fruity herbal combinations like raspberry & echinacea and good old, well brewed (that's 'steeped' in Canadian) English favourites like Yorkshire Tea, Tetley & PG Tips.

I don't care if it's brewed from fine, aromatic tea leaves in a traditional tea pot and served in a fine china cup & saucer, or from a everyday tea bag in a mug. I ♥ tea.

my daily morning fix even inspired me to create this Etsy tea treasury celebrating this beautiful beverage.

I'm obviously not alone in my adoration, the complimentary clicks & comments kept the treasury 'tae pot' SO hot,  it was featured on the Front page, Yay! ♥

however - there is another, slightly strange reason why  I am so fond of one particular tea bag brand... 

you may have noticed him earlier, Monkey.

he's one half of the legendary small screen double act that is 

Monkey & Al in the PG Tips TV ads.

we met him in a box of tea bags in an English supermarket, adopted him into our family.

when we moved to Canada, he bid farewell to his British friends and travelled with us.

he quickly settled into life in Ontario, he loved the warm summers and found his beloved PG Tips in the local grocery store.

he sometimes misses Al, but keeps in touch via facebook, and every so often he re-lives  their greatest moments on  YouTube, with misty eyes and a wry smile. ☺ 

go take a peek for yourself at a couple of their award winning classic performances....

...then raise a mug, to Monkey, Al & the perfect brew!

♥


previously...

Rave (& Save) reviews for the Mini Series!

I love the month of May - Spring is well & truly sprung, the grass is green, daffodils & tulips are brightening up the everyday world around us...

...and of course, it'll soon be Mother's Day! ♥

I thought things couldn't get any better..BUT they have!

Wonderful 'Supermom' Emmi has posted an awesome 3 day review of my mini soaps on her brilliantly informative & entertaining blog, Mommy's 'Free' Time, as part of her May is For Moms feature.

There's loads more candid reviews, fabulous giveaways and cool stuff to read so check it out!

wanna know what Emmi thought of the Mini Series? check out the links below...there's a DISCOUNT code too, only valid for the month of May, so hurry! ☺

day one

day two

day three

I