My Happy Place

This insanely frigid weather actually reminds me of one of my favorite places ever.....

You may think I'm a little bit crazy, but one of the places that I feel most alive is at the top of a mountain when it's -55, skis on, goggles down and ready to take the first run of the day!

Insert..."She's nuts"...here.

I will totally admit, having skied in Ontario for most of my life, the first time up the chair lift at Lake Louise both blew my mind...and scared the begeebers out of me!! Once I got over the initial sense of, "get me off this thing"...I could sit back and enjoy this....

The friend I was with, who lives in Calgary and is part of the ski patrol, doesn't really know the meaning of "easing ourselves in"....and again...he seemed to forget that I had NEVER skied on a true mountain before.... 

We went allllll the way to the top.

It was literally -55, the views were absolutely beyond breathtaking...and I was absolutely terrified!!

But, fear aside,...we pushed off and started to make our way down the mountain. I don't know if it was the cold mountain air, the scenery or just everything about this perfect day....but I settled back into my skis and that feeling of terror quickly subsided...

We stopped part of the way down to catch our breath (and let my legs muscles, that were currently on fire, have a wee break....again, I'm used to runs in Ontario that are top to bottom in less than 10 minutes, whereas these runs were almost triple that and with the slight difference in altitude, oxygen wasn't quite getting to my muscles as I was used to).

But again, that feeling quickly passed as we stood there and I literally began my love affair with the West....more specifically, the mountains! 

In the picture below, you can see the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Lake in the far distance.... Spectacular!

Here I come!!!

We spent the morning on the mountain, had lunch at a chalet mountainside and then it was time for a beverage 'apres ski' before we headed to the Chateau...

Check back soon as I continue on my journey in my Happy Place and take you on a tour of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Fairmont Baff Springs!

Talk about the epitome of the Bucolic Lifestyle....

RR

Keep Not Settling!

You deserve the best! Today, tomorrow and always!

Thank you to The Everygirl for this print. I have one in my home and will also put one in my office at work to continually remind me of this. 

Remember......It really is ok for there to be times when you stop putting everyone else first, and just do what's best for you!

RR

Tea & Warm Socks

This chilly weather has had me curled up with a pile of blankets in my cozy socks and consuming what feels like gallons of hot bevies. 

I'm a coffee gal most days, but I also enjoy a good cup of tea! My Mom had gotten me these gorgeous gold lip print tea cups earlier in 2013 and I fell in love with them! 

Then, to my absolute and oh so very happy surprise.....this was wrapped up for me under the Christmas tree!

THE perfect vintage tea pot!!!

My jaw dropped and I practically squealed in delight!! Mom had mentioned that she had been looking high and low for one to go with the cups and she had found this one at a local fundraiser.....The stars definitely aligned!

I settled in on New Years day to enjoy a few cups and start my planning for 2014! (I even had a chocolate...or 2)

It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon and I absolutely LOVE how these individual pieces come together so well!

This was also under the Christmas tree...I'm a very lucky gal!

Cheers to tea and warm socks!

RR

2014 - The Year of the Bucolic Lifestyle!

I'm so excited for 2014 and all the opportunities and possibilities yet to unfold! 

A fresh start...A clean slate... This is the year I've decided to get back to basics and get back to being me! 

I went downstairs, dusted off my vintage chalkboard and started to put together what 2014 will be for me... Words, phrases, ideas, lifestyle choices.... All things I currently try to embody and want to continue to, to keep improving on, to holistically integrate into my life!

Bucolic: of or relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life. 

The country life...the life I grew up in and with.  Rolling fields, acres of trees, babbling brooks, horseback rides, long walks, lying in the grass under the stars....A life of quality, not quantity...where less truly is more.

A life of happiness, laughter, dreaming and believing....Calm.......

I will continue to purge the unnecessary, to set goals, to believe, to breathe....to LIVE!

Ancora Imparo...still I am learning...but... Tout Sera Incoyables...everything is amazing!

As I'm still learning, still hunting for who I've not yet become....I decided it was time to take the next step and launch this new website. It is a work in progress and it has been the perfect opportunity for me to look inside myself and re-visit who I am....the true and honest ME!

I welcome you along on my journey this year....and I encourage you to continue on your own journey....

Orenda: a mystical force present in all people that empowers them to effect the world, or to effect change in their own lives.

Embrace that force, effect change in your life..... 2014 is going to be an AMAZING year...I can just feel it!

RR

Cheers to 2013!

2013 has been a year to remember...full of many wonderful moments, surrounded by friends and family!

Cheers to a year that has brought me many unbelievable memories, helped remind me who I am and allowed me to express and share my gratitude! 

Here's a lil compilation of some of my favorite memories of 2013.....

I hope you have a chance today, to sit down and reflect on 2013 and also look forward to 2014! As I look forward, I can tell you there will be lots of new things with Rustic Retrievals for the year ahead...STARTING TOMORROW!!

Thank you to all my friends, family and clients for your support this year! I couldn't do it without you!

RR

**All images are property of Ardis McDonald - Rustic Retrievals

Deceptively Destructive Beauty

Holidays continued.....

I made it to my parent's after the worst of the ice storm. The sun actually came out and every surface shone and shimmered like I have never seen before.

I then headed into town and this was the view just down the road.....I could have taken picture after picture. It was so incredibly beautiful!

After a day of running errands, it was home to put the finishing touches on the decor...We continued with the red and white theme again this year. The piece of art is from The Garage in Belmore as is quite a few of the other decor pieces. The plaid throw is from Acheson's in Harriston (they also have a location in Orangeville and it is one of my favorite Home Decor stores) and the snowflake runner is from Finishing Touches in Wingham.

Then...it was time to sit, relax and enjoy the tree.....

The next few photos show our Christmas Eve morning walk...it was absolutely gorgeous!

And this was sunset.....I could have sat out on the deck (if it hadn't been so chilly) and just soaked it all in!

Some other shots of nature's beauty....So beautiful, yet so very destructive!

The weather then began to warm a bit and the snow started falling....Charlie loved it and could have sat outdoors all day long!

We also had a visit from a Doe and her twin fawns.....they're getting so big!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday surrounded by those that mean the most to you!

I would also like to say a huge, "THANK YOU" to all the men and women who worked over the holidays, away from their family's, to get the power back on. This icy beauty caused destruction like we haven't seen in quite some time....My 9-5 job is with a Utility and I have never been more proud of the  people I work with then over this past week and a half. Thank you for all you do....

RR

Holidays...

December 1st rolled around and I realized that I still had over half of my vacation days to take...so....Holidays started December 19th this year! I usually try to have most of my Christmas shopping done by the beginning of December, but, that wasn't the case this year, so I was SO GLAD to have some extra days to get caught up. 

Holidays meant local shopping in downtown Guelph, out for lunches & brunches, bevies (found a new fav!), cozy nights in and time with friends...all my favourite things to do this time of year! (...any time of year really)

The holidays started like this...on the couch, with a glass of wine, candles and doing absolutely nothing but relaxing!

Then...

After an evening of relaxation, time to start wrapping! I also had a wee helper to keep my mug of coffee filled and my supplies ready at hand....

Let me introduce you to....Bling Crosby!! The best Holiday Helper (aka Stuffed Dude) ever!!

Then...it was time for some shopping!!

At trip downtown Guelph wouldn't be complete without a stop at Blush!

I'll take one of each, please!

Then, it was off to another one of my favourite shops....

Coriander!  I absolutely LOVED these home decor pieces!

This ornament...too cute!!

After all that shopping, time for some lunch!

Off we went to Atmosphere for an amazing salad and BLT pizza!

Then to Sapphire for dessert (their homemade icecream and a brownie) and an 'adult' cappucino! Emily, thank you sooooo much for introducing me to this! Adult = Amarula! Yum Yum Yum!

It was so good, I had to go back for lunch again the next day....with magazines in tow! By the way...their sandwiches are fabtastic! (my fav is the summer sausage!)

Then back home to continue wrapping and Holiday preparations!

With plenty of coffee, espresso, Amarula on hand, I had all the necessities for a wrapping marathon! I also had Rick Grimes (of the Walking Dead) to keep me and Bling Crosby, company too! Another thanks to Emily for introducing me to that series!

Ready to press....

A HUGE "Thank You" to my wonderful gals pals for your generous gifts of all the holiday essentials, whether I'm snuggled up with a good book or getting ready to host some friends!

Emily made this mug…how wickedly awesome is that?!? 

Then....Mother Nature decided to throw us a curve ball....a very, very icy one!

 These photos are of my lilac bush in front of my home...

This absolutely insane weather was frightening yet beautiful....picturesque yet destructive! When the weather system blew through, it brought us all out of our homes in a true sense of community....de-icing, salting, sanding...driveways, sidewalks, vehicles...all the while, laughing, telling stories and making the best of a difficult situation.

Then...after packing up my vehicle....it was time to head to my other home...Mom and Dad's in the country.

To be continued...

RR

Your journey...

We're all going in a thousand different directions during the Holiday Season, however, this year added an extra bit of hecticness....but a kind of 'hectic' that I am so very lucky and grateful to experience and have in my life! I don't 'sit still' very well and I can't say too much now, but what I can say is that I am REALLLLLY looking forward to 2014! Don't get me wrong...2013 has been a wonderful year full of many great opportunities, moments and memories which I am very thankful for...but I know 2014 is going to ROCK! The journey of my life is hitting it's stride and I'm so very excited to see where the road takes me.....

Live you life for YOU...not for anyone else!

It is always okay to be YOU!

Always keep learning, set goals and reach for your dreams!

Feel good in your own skin.....

You own your life...take complete ownership of it!

Surround yourself with LOTS of good, great, amazing things....

And..........................................

As we're getting closer to the end of the year and the beginning of a new one....take a few moments in this holiday craziness to remain focused on YOU...where you have been, where you are and where you want to be!

RR

Cozy, Snuggly, Warm Weekends...

Happy December!! 

Snow is falling here today and after a very busy week, I'm curled up on the couch under a cozy wool blanket with a coffee and my laptop,watching the snowflakes slowly float to the ground.

I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday, all snuggled up at home.

Who can I talk to about this extra day between Saturday and Sunday??

RR

**Please click on photos for credit/sources.

Mixed Metallic

I went back and forth about how I was going to decorate my home this Christmas Season...

Black and Copper or Turquoise and Silver or Green and Gold.....I couldn't make up my mind. Then I realized there seemed to be a common trend....in every combination I was considering, I was planning on using a metallic. Soooo.......after much contemplation.....I went with MIXED METALLIC! 

Bronze, Copper, Silver and Gold have been sprinkled around my home, bringing shimmer and sparkle for the Holidays! I've also mixed in natural elements such as wood, fur and pine cones for a truly Rustic Glam effect.

See below how you could win a metallic piece for your home!

My home is now READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!

As a way to welcome in the Christmas and Holiday Season and to celebrate the wonderful year it has been for Rustic Retrievals, I want to help bring some metallic charm into your home!

TIME FOR A CONTEST!!!!

I'm always torn between Gold and Silver and when I saw these two pieces (Stag/Deer Decor) I was instantly drawn to them both.

The Gold Stag is more rustic traditional and I can see it in a front entry to hang keys, a purse or a scarf on.

The Silver Stag is a more Rustic Modern piece and I would hang it in a bedroom and use it to hang/display pretty baubles.

Now...here's your chance to win one of these Stags to add to your home decor!

Here's what you have to do (it's super easy):

1. "Share" this post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc with the hashtag #goldstag or #silverstag (whichever is your favourite and the one you'd like to win).

2. Comment below, noting that you've shared this post. In your post include which Stag you'd like to win and where you'd use it in your home.

There....that's all! Done and Done!

Best of luck to you all! Winners will be announced next Sunday December 8, 2013.

HAPPY HOLIDAY DECORATING!

RR

**All photos are property of Ardis McDonald/ Rustic Retrievals