DISQUS

I was raised with mantras like "safety first", "think before you act", "you can't trust everyone", so when faced with big decisions, I usually err on the side of caution. A lot of times, the right decision for me is the one that challenges these old beliefs and forces me to step out of the safety zone.

Since joining forces with my boyfriend (i.e. moving in together and speaking of "forEVER"), my vision for my future now includes another person. The trick now is combining his dreams, goals and vision for the future with my own. The even bigger trick is setting the time aside to have these oh-so imperative getting-on-the-same-dream-boat discussions. Our plan is to create a joint vision board so he can "see" what I want and vice versa. Now it's just to DO it!

My long list of past boyfriends would really count as my "Favourite Mistakes". Each one taught me more and more about myself, what I like, what I dislike. My "must have" list became really clear and now I'm with a guy who fits the bill in all the most important ways.
Another favourite mistake was traveling through Europe on my own. "Mistake" because my naivety got me in some (seriously) sticky situations (let's just say I was happy to come out in one piece!) "Favourite" because I can really say I came out stronger (I survived that!) and more aware of what's important to me.

Capable hands and strong forearms. When I tell my man he looks hot, then how he carries himself for the rest of the night - with confidence and pride.

Good point Carrie.

I'd finally pay a visit to a financial adviser AND I'd invite a money savvy (i.e. successful and wealthy) friend over for a nice dinner. I think it would be worthy getting advice from both points of view. I would also consider paying down my student loan with half, and adding the rest to the "pot" for a down payment on our first home.

Thanks for that Benita! I'll have a closer look...

ooo that's a lifelong adventure, isn't it?

There are a few that I've been thinking of:
1. family reunion - my "little" cousins are now having babies -- that's how long it's been since I've seen them! And my amazing grandma is turning 90.)
2. yoga retreat for some indulgent one-on-one time with my body and to take my practice to the next level
3. silence retreat (!?) My bf's mum just returned from 10 days of no talking, no reading, no eye contact (etc.) I've never done anything like that and am curious to know what would shift inside me if I did that...

Wow Ishita, I think I'm going to be a fan now too! Thanks for the tip.

My guy loves to cook too, and I totally appreciate when he does, but boy-oh-boy, he's got some crazy ideas in the kitchen. I'm totally having to learn to open up my ideas of what "goes together". Case in point, yesterday he made guacamole with a touch of coconut milk. Or cilantro in spaghetti sauce! Don't get me wrong, usually it turns out yummy (in a different sort of way), but I guess I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to my palette.

I hear you Dena! Sometimes there ain't no better feeling that calling the pizza guy!

A veggie curry using quick cooking mushrooms, onions, red peppers, a couple glugs of coconut milk and loads of cilantro at the end (so it's still green and fresh). Roll it up in a wrap with some rice (usually jasmine cuz brown just rice takes too long if I'm hungry and want it now!), maybe some plain yogurt for extra yum. It's oh so good. There's usually some left over for the next day's lunch which is a bonus!

I need to print this out and post it on my fridge! (Command+P...)

There would be good food at every meal, a deliciously challenging yoga class, connecting with family and friends over the phone or over food, some easy/inspired craft making and home decorating and some lovin from my sweetie.

shh, don't tell anyone, but I'm a wee bit of a luddite too.

Good one Emily! Recently I was feeling a little isolated and "friend-less" and my boyfriend suggested that I CALL a friend and CHAT! My goodness, what a novel idea. Email has become such a standard way of communicating; short, sweet, edited, impersonal, non-committal, free (my cellphone plan isn't the best)...

Libraries, remember those? I'm kinda glad that I got to experience the "thrill of the hunt" while researching college papers at the library! Oh the college days...

That's what they tell me here at the C&D studio! I'm learning to love it too but am still getting mixed up with my keyboard commands!

In my recent history, I was the proud mama of a line of reusable shopping bags called AuMarché. I know you're not supposed to do everything yourself if you want your business to grow and flourish, but I did (go figure). My favourite bit of technology was actually a collection of software: Adobe CS3. I did a pretty dang good job of designing and building my website, if you ask me, and I couldn't have done it without my software (and training of course). The best part was I didn't have to wait for someone to help me update my products, or news section, so things were always up-to-the minute and fresh. Forgive me, I'm a total DIY gal!

We asked our building manager for permission to store it "legally" somewhere on the property, to which she replied: "If we let you, we'll have to let everyone." And I thought: "That's a bad thing?" But she's coming around. We recently got approval to start a little "apartment community garden" on our lawns which is a huge deal! Then we'll be needing compost and hopefully our bin can come out of hiding. (And yes, my mum IS awesome ;)

Things were certainly made to last back in the day! I recently inherited a beautiful old 1960's kitchen mixer from a family member. Every part of it is made from metal and it weighs a ton, but boy, that baby still whips up those egg whites like a dream and I love that it's got so much history behind it!

I know! It's amazing all the little things we can do and so cool that so many of us are actually doing them!

I was raised by a mother who would shriek "POLLUTION!!!!!" out the car window as we drove past a motorist with less than perfect air-care standards. You could say that I've got some green in my blood. Some of my faves are composting (we just moved to an apartment building and didn't have space to store our compost bin, so secretly stashed it behind a big bush and continue to use it -- hopefully no one tells on us!) I never accept bags when I'm out shopping (for clothing, food, electronics, whatever. That's when it's good to be a girl and carry an over-sized bag everywhere I go anyway :). I love that many shop clerks are now asking if I need one. I like to thank them for not assuming that I do! A new one I'm trying (but I admit it's hard) is getting takeaway food packaged in my own tupperware. It means showing up a little early to collect, or planning ahead if we go out to eat. Otherwise, I walk or bus and just joined a car co-op for those rare occasions that I need one!

That's a good one about friends. I need to let go of friendships that USED to feed my soul, but somehow no longer -- not for lack of trying!