TGIF: Precious Pixels + Handwritten Letter + Sun + Fine Art Print + The Help

By Tina Francis, with Danielle Hardy

 

 

 

Hiiii my beautiful SheLovers!

[cups your face in my hands and smushes cheeks]

I’ve missed you! *** (I, as in Tina}

Sorry for going MIA. I just got back from a two-week work trip to India. Writing TGIF from the road was near impossible while juggling jetlag, an intense travel itinerary and spotty access to the internet.

So, my friends Ashley and Trinity (and new SheLoves friend Laura), saved the day (as friends often do) and did an awesome job of bringing you TGIF while I was away. I loved getting a glimpse into the Top 5 things they hold precious. Reading their posts made me realize that there’s great value in having more women share their voices. Less is not always more.

It’s like my undying of love of popcorn. I chomp through fistfuls of the stuff like a rabid dog foaming kernel dust (salt) at the mouth. Now, I like classic movie popcorn without butter. But I also love: white cheddar, dill, kettle corn, ketchup, etc.

My friends bring their unique flavour to popcorn … errm … I mean TGIF! So you will be seeing many more guest posts in the future.

Coming back to the business of this week’s post, I’m technically back in town, but still recovering from a severe case of jetlag. I put makeup on in the shower, get into imaginary heated debates with Gingrich on the skytrain and speak a hybrid of English-Aramaic-Hindi-Spanglish.

To spare you the gory details of my current state of lunacy, this week’s TGIF is brought to you by my friend Danielle of “What One Girl and Her Decals Can Do” fame. You’re going to love her!
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5 Things I love …

By Danielle Hardy | Twitter: @hardydanielle

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Confession: It took me WAY too long to put together five things I love. I don’t know if it’s because I don’t love enough things or if I just love too many things to encapsulate into words. I hope it’s the latter, because I want to love in a B.I.G. way. So, after much thought, I would like to share five things  I love and invite you into my heart and see what makes it swoon.

Precious Pixels + Handwritten Letter + Sun + Fine Art Print + The Help

1. Precious Pixels: I think Will Smith said it best in his hit single “Just the two of us …”

Oh man, my mom would be SO mad at me for sharing this picture, but I just love it with all my heart and it’s not because of my amazing style sense that I had as a child (although that floral shirt and black stirrup combo is quite amazing), but because it just so perfectly captures the relationship between my mom and I.

Her beauty was breathtaking. She definitely was no fashion expert, as the majority of her days consisted of sporting purple sweat pants, a northern reflection sweater(wolfscape included), navy patent shoes and a floral dicky (you know, those amazing faux turtlenecks from the early 90’s?), but her heart was so stunning. She always made time for me, loved me unconditionally, fiercely protected me, prayed without seizing for my soul and let me sit on her lap as much as I wanted and whenever I wanted. I spent countless car rides to school fixated on her lap as she was driving (something that is heavily frowned upon now for whatever reason).

It’s been 15 years ago since my mommy went to Heaven. She passed away from a two- year battle with cancer when I was 15 years old–three months short of my sweet 16. I look at this picture and remember my life with her in it: Safe, loved, encouraged and believed in. I can’t explain how much I miss this woman.

There’s not a doubt in my mind that if I had one more day on earth with her that I wouldn’t climb back on her lap and soak up her love and affection.

2. Handwritten Letter: Hello, LOVE LANGUAGE!!!

You can imagine my delight over this little treasure I found under the Christmas tree this year.

My son, Mattias, had the sweetest idea to make a present of his own to give to me: A beautiful letter expressing his four-year-old thoughts and love for me. He brought a blank piece of paper and pen to Daddy and asked him to write down what he said. [ MELT.MY.LITTLE.BLACK.HEART!!] I realized how much he watches what I do, studies what I say, and pays attention to what I spend money on

This kid is going to make a great GREAT husband.

3. Sun: Where are you?

I love the sun. Doesn’t matter if it’s humid sun, dry sun, 46 degree sun. I JUST LOVE THE SUN. It means flip flops and walks to the park. Frappucino’s and sunglasses. Happy, smiling people. Colour. Health (No vitamin D in the form of a pill). The sound of my kids playing outside. Camping trips. Walks to the beach. Windows in my house wide open. Blowing bubbles, impromptu hop-scotch with the kids and the sun setting at 9pm.

Please hurry summer … please?!

4. Fine Art Print: Inspiration

As a person that thrives on huge amounts of creativity I found this little number and immediately scooped it up off the internet with my handy dandy visa.

Loved the colours, design, femininity and the words kind of leapt off the page at me. I feel this to be true in my life. I used to despise those yucky and sometimes endless “winter” seasons that came in and out of my life. I see now, though, that they have brought me to where and who I am and I can appreciate the ups and downs that come with living life … that there is a beautiful summer after every winter. #seasons Buy here. 

5. THE HELP: The power of one; The power of many

I received “The Help” as a present from my hubs (who must know me so well to get this for me) a few months ago and couldn’t wait to read it. I sometimes find it hard to finish books, but I devoured this within 48 hours.

I love this story because it represents a person and a people who were willing to stand up for justice and what was right. They counted the gigantic cost of speaking the truth and telling their stories and they did it anyway. They didn’t know if their efforts were going to make any sort of change, but their voices were heard and they made a difference.

I love the power of one person willing to fight to create change and I love the power of a group of people joining alongside and do what they have in their hands–to use their voice and stand up for what is right. People willing to fight injustice with their sphere of influence and their God-given talents. #empowered #worldchanging

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Okay, that picture of Danielle’s mom? [hand on chest] LOVE. See what I mean? It’s amazing hearing everyone’s stories.

So, we’d love to hear from you:

- Do you have a picture you treasure just about as much as your holy book?
- What’s melted your heart this month?
- When you reach for some inspiration glee, what’s in your special drawer?

If you would like to write a guest post for TGIF, write to our editor (Mama-bear) Idelette or leave a comment below.

Love you more than crunchy-chewy-gooey chocolate chip cookies.

xoxo,
Teen
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About Danielle:

Danielle Hardy lives in Surrey, BC (we’ll refer to it as Cloverdale). She is a wife to Paul and mommy to two of the cutest “Hardy Boys” around. She is owner and creator of Urbanwalls, Etsy seller, Graphic Designer, aspiring blogger and thrives in awkward moments. She blogs a uwdecals.com and tweets at @hardydanielle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Tina:
My name is Tina. Loved ones call me: Teen.

Words are my chocolate. Music, my caramel. Photography, my bread. Girlfriends, my butter.

Confession: Some girls dream about Manolo Blahniks or their next Hermes bag. Not me. I dream of freshly baked bread, perfectly barbecued meat & steaming bowls of Pho. My dream lover *cue Mariah Carey song* is someone who would read out a menu to me in Barry White’s baritone voice.

I celebrate food, ask for help, interrupt conversations, laugh and cry hard, acknowledge the elephant in most rooms, fight for the underdog and believe in the power of storytelling.

My word for the year is “Enough.”

I was born and raised in Dubai and currently live in the beautiful city of Vancouver, known for some of the best sushi in the world.

Trinity’s Glee-Inducing Friday: My Valentine Inspiration

Hearts and Inspiration from a Girl who Loves the Holidays

By Trinity Robertson

Courage.

That’s my word for the year.

Courage: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

This is my first SheLoves post and I am terrified … totally and completely. I’m not a writer … at least I don’t think I am. I don’t bare my soul … ever. I have written, written and deleted this article at least twenty times. As soon as I get to the writing about me part, I panic. What do I say? It’s not like I don’t have important things to say … I just find when it comes to matters of the heart, well, I’m socially and emotionally challenged. I fear it. Which is a big reason I picked the word courage.

I have entered in a new season of my life. Things are changing and I am going to have to overcome some of the fears in my life.

So, here are three things in my life I need courage for:

1. Living the life God wants for me.

2. Learning to trust

3. Sharing my heart

Here’s what most of my friends know about me: I am an avid DIYer. I love making things and taking on new projects. Sometimes it works out … sometimes it doesn’t. But for me, every holiday brings excitement.

I love making holidays special for my kids. When I take the time to create special moments with them it’s like planting little happy seeds in their hearts.

One successfully planted, happy seed:

This is what I hope to do this Valentine’s Day, if I don’t run out of time or get too distracted with other things:

• Heart-shaped pancakes in the morning for breakfast,
• and my 12-year-old Gabe will get a heart shaped bento lunch. (I can go on and on about bento lunches but I will save that for another day.)

Here are some of the things I’ve found to inspire my DIY genes:

• Ideas for Homemade Valentines:

• Treats for their Class

• Decorations for Around the House

Now, the Flowers

Every year I get a dozen roses. Two things: I really hate it when they die right away and two, I can never get them to look quite right. So, I did a little research and found out a dozen rose are actually very hard to arrange. This is what I learned:

• Don’t put your roses in a vase that is too big
• and don’t leave the stems too long.

If we know roses are coming at least once a year, we might as well be ready for them. Invest in a vase that will show them off beautifully. Just make sure it has a narrow neck, perfect for dealing with a dozen.

It never ceases to amaze me how anything I wonder about I can find all that answers I need on either a website on amazing blogs like The Art of Doing Stuff. (Thank you, Karen, for all the great info!) Definitely check out her site for great arrangement ideas.

For some more great info on caring, cutting and arranging roses, go to Martha’s site here.

If you would like tutorials or more information on any of the things I’ve shown here today, you can find all the links on my Pinterest Valentine page.

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Trin’s DIY

I’ve always got a DIY project on the go. Right now, it’s photo pillows.

I was on the House and Home website, checking out trends for 2012, when I saw this.

It’s from a very cool store called Archival Decor. This 18×18 pillow will run you $245. Ouch

So, I made my own version. They are not as big, but I like them.

Cost of these ones? Around $10. For the full DIY, please go to my blog.

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So, my SheLoves friends:

1. What are you doing for Valentine’s Day this year?

2. Is there any current DIY projects you would like to share?

3. Where in your life do you need some courage?

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About Trinity:

I have entered into a new season of my life. Each day brings something new and I am looking forward to seeing what lies ahead. I am loving being home with my kids, being a wife, spending time with family and friends.I love my home. It is our sanctuary, a place for God, rest, memories, love, laughter and happiness. We come together to grow, support, cry, get angry, celebrate, act crazy, be goofy, and strengthen…knowing this is the place we won’t be judged or criticized but instead where we will support and encourage and guide. Mistakes are forgiven and second chances never run out. To gather with my friends and family for a times of joy and love is the place I most love to be.

I blog with my sister at Lime in the coconuts.

 

TGIF: That Girl Isn’t Francis!

On my fiery Italian fury, a new year, a new word and the art of losing.

By Ashley Mandanici | Twitter: @ashleymandanici

I know what you’re thinking: Where is our Dubaiian goddess, Tina Francis? Doesn’t she know it’s Friday? Doesn’t she know I rely on her witty quips and anecdotes to get me through my final day of work? Why has she abandoned me in my time of need?

Don’t fret, friends. Tina is off on a business trip to India and is getting some much-deserved time off. So, today, I, Ashley (S’up!) will attempt to fill her rather large (figuratively speaking only, of course) shoes.

I figured with big shoes, comes the need for a big story.

It started with a single sentence:

“You should be over it by now.”

Obviously, this is not how the story itself begins, but merely the trigger that set off my fiery Italian fury. The conversation itself began with a few lines from a poem by Elizabeth Bishop.

The art of losing isn’t hard to master

So many things seem filled with the intent

To be lost that their loss is no disaster.

[Insert that Skype sound when your friend sends a message.]

“What does your quote mean?” asked the individual who will remain nameless.

“It’s from a poem called “One Art,’” I responded.

“Sounds depressing.”

“Well, maybe you should read the whole poem in context before you begin judging it,” I quipped.

“Fine. Send it to me.”

So I did.

The art of losing isn’t hard to master

So many things seem filled with the intent

To be lost that their loss is no disaster.

Lose something everyday.

Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent

The art of losing isn’t hard to master.

Then practice losing further, losing faster

Places and names and where it was you meant to travel

None of these will bring disaster.

I lost two cities, lovely ones,

And vaster some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.

I miss them but it wasn’t a disaster.

Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture I love)

I shan’t have lied. It’s evident the art of losing’s not too hard to master

Though it may look like (write it!) a disaster.

–Elizabeth Bishop

This poem sparked a very long, rather futile, conversation about loss, how long it should take to “get over” something and how “depressing” the poem is. It was about that time I heard the words, “You should be over it by now.”

My hands were shaking, my face was flushed and I could feel all my emotions rising to the center of my throat until I could not contain it anymore.

Confession: I lost myself a little right then.

“The whole point is that losing is indeed an art. You don’t just wake up one day ‘over’ all the hurt that has ever come your way. It’s something that needs to be practiced—mastered—and even then, it takes some convincing. Yeah, it may be sad, but it’s how the poet feels and as far as I’m concerned, she should be allowed to feel it.”

The art of losing is hard to master.

One Word

My one word to frame 2012 is “NEW.” Last year was about repair–healing from some major losses–but this year I want something new. I guess, in some way, everyone enters the New Year wanting something new.

Shouting “Happy Regular Year!” just wouldn’t possess the same excitement at midnight.