Christmas Means to Me....

Christmas means transforming my home for the holidays by bringing out some sparkle and shimmer.....

Christmas means beautiful simplicity.....

Christmas means getting creative.....

Christmas means enjoying the creative talent of others and supporting local boutiques and shops ....Gorgeous as always Blushshop!

Christmas means traditions and making memories with friends....

Christmas means bringing the beauty of Mother Nature into your home....

Christmas means sitting back and enjoying the view.......

Christmas means snowflakes, red, white and family.......

Christmas means smiles, memories and Ho Ho Ho.......

As beautiful and happy as this time of year is.......It is also a time that can be not so happy. We do our best to focus on the good times.....the great times.....especially when we're surrounded by such joy and cheer....but we also tend to be reminded of those times that involved loss into our lives....that brought sadness. 

Christmas means two more things...and these are so very key! Christmas means to be grateful for who and what we have in our lives and it also means to reflect on and remember who and what we DID have. I find myself looking at pictures more often this time of year....seeing the smiling faces of moments that have passed by can be bittersweet. For that moment captured on film, life was just that....smiles and laughter...something to be so grateful for. But those smiling and happy people may no longer be with us...and while their smile makes you smile, your eyes fill with tears as you reflect and remember.

The holiday season can really be an emotional roller coaster for a number of reasons. When I find myself in a bit of a low spot on the holiday ride, I remember what Christmas means to me and I act on it. Whether I head downtown to admire the store windows or I curl up on the couch with a warm beverage, light all the Christmas lights and become enveloped with their glow...that low spot quickly starts moving up hill and smiles return.

A while back, I blogged about holiday stressors and ways to ensure you take care of you this Christmas. I hope you're doing that..taking care of you! Enjoying the season, just how you want to...remembering what Christmas means to you...

My wish and hope for you this holiday season is that it brings you a thousand reasons to smile.....and adds even more items/moments/memories to your list of what Christmas means to you...

RR

Small Business Everyday (not just Saturday)

The Abbey Interiors and Boutique - Guelph, Ontario

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know I am a HUGE supporter of local and small businesses! I feel that Small Business Saturday really should be Small Business Everyday as these shops and boutiques bring us so many unique and wonderful items. By shopping from your local or small town merchants, whether they be in a store front or online, you are supporting families, neighbours and your friends...and...you are getting amazingly wonderful and one of a kind pieces in return!

There won't be a lot of writing in this blog....The photos are a list of my 'go to' small and local businesses. Just click on the photos and they will take you to the websites for these fantastic shops and boutiques! 

Remember..... #SHOPLOCAL

Blushshop - Guelph, Ontario

Coriander - Guelph, Ontario

Knitley Road (and A Paper Buffet) - Etsy         *Photo by Knitley Road

life i design - Online

Paperfelt Paper Goods - Online

Pixel Paper Hearts - Online

Hive - Bayfield, Ontario

Jacha Minerals - At Three Salon in Guelph, Ontario and Online 

The Garage Home Decor - Belmore, Ontario

Fairly Frosted Vegan Bakery - Guelph

You can also support your local restaurants too! Southwestern Ontario has some AMAZING chefs and a plethora of resources for local food sourcing and cuisine! Take advantage of local talent and scrumptious food by eating at your favourite local bistros, diners and restaurants. Here are some of mine:

39 Carden St - Guelph, Ontario

The Barley Vine Rail Co - Orangeville, Ontario

Atmosphere Cafe - Guelph, Ontario

Ox - Guelph, Ontario

I hope you have a chance to get out this weekend and enjoy your local businesses and restaurants! There's something special and very much needed about supporting those friend and neighbours around you, to help them grow their business so you can continue to go back and enjoy their wares!

RR

Davishill = Christmasville

With all the snow we've had, it was time to put the snow tires on my car, which meant a trip to Walkerton. I can't go to Walkerton this time of year without popping into Davishill Nursery...one of my absolute favourite places to shop during the holiday season (and really any time of year)!  

You pull up to the greenhouse and cabin and all you see is Christmas! Urns, wreaths, swags, greenery, branches etc etc etc....

But then...you walk through the door of the little cabin, and you're greeted with a Christmas Wonderland.... Every inch is covered in Holiday wonderfulness! Trees adorned in every ornament and bauble imaginable, in every colour scheme possible for every design and decor taste and style. 

I couldn't leave without a few new pieces for my Christmas collection.... a 'birch bark' table runner and a 'birch bark' tree (to add to my Christmas Forest on my sideboard...see my Instagram for pics!) along with  a few gifts too! There were so many things that I absolutely loved...like the burlap poinsettias, the leather leaves with a sprinkle of glitter, music note paper 'swirls', wooden sleds, the fur wreath (*drool*)...the list goes on and on.

I will let the photos speak for themselves....and if you're in the Walkerton/Hanover area this Christmas season, be SURE to drop in!

I'm making it my goal to support as many local and small businesses as I can this Christmas and I challenge you to do the same! As you can see, they have so many unique and one-of-a-kind pieces....Let's support our friends and neighbours and give thoughtful gifts that truly have meaning!

RR

It's OK!!

It's that time of year that 'To-Do' Lists grow to epic proportions; our calendars overflow with parties, events and get together's; budgets get thrown out the window and literally every waking hour is filled with some sort of holiday preparation.

Just writing this is making me nervous in anticipation of the upcoming Holiday Season. I have lists upon lists, shopping to do, wreaths to create, gifts to wrap, cookies to bake, a house to decorate, gifts to make, cards to write and mail, parties to attend, workouts to fit in, a 9-5 job to focus on......I`m sure this list of tasks is similar to yours and as overwhelming as it can be, I enjoy every second of these activities. But....in reality.....can I really do this all on my own? ...And even more so.....Is there a reason why I need to try to do this all on my own?

A gal pal and I were out for dinner the other night and got talking about the pressures that come along this year. We came to the realization that a lot of these pressures are purely self inflicted....We can be so hard on ourselves during the holiday season and this must stop!

We feel that everything must be perfect (we see everyone's "perfect" lives on social media and forget that no one's life is really THAT perfect), that we must do/create everything ourselves (heaven forbid you ask for help) and that it all must be done in a way that looks effortless (if only we had staff to help us)!

WE MUST STOP THIS!

IT'S OK to not be everything, to everyone, at all times! Especially this time of year.

This is a time of year that flies by in a blur, when we really should be spending time enjoying it with family and friends, immersing ourselves in the beauty and magic of the season. How many of us can actually say that we've really been able to do this in the last decade?

When you're making your list for all of your Holiday Tasks....why not make 2 columns? One for "Made by Me" and the second being "Made by Others". This is the time of year to prioritize, prioritize, prioritize and be sure to truly put value in your personal time as every minute counts.

Ask yourself, what are the Top 6 Holiday Tasks that I would "like to create myself" but that you know wholeheartedly that someone else could do for you. For instance, something like Holiday Baking...sure, you can head to the grocery store, buy all the supplies you need, get home, do all the prep, bake, cool and package the cookies, cupcakes, tarts, squares......I'm exhausted just thinking about all of this. Even though it's something you enjoy doing, maybe this year it's time to contact a wonderful local bakery and ask them to do your baking for you. Sure, on paper the direct monetary cost may seem to be a bit more (or it may not be), but remember what your time is worth. Your baking marathon may take an entire weekend, whereas you can pick up a phone and place an order for Christmas Goodies in less than 10 minutes. When you pick up the Goodies (or maybe they even deliver), you can still package them up in your own unique way, or maybe the bakery could even do that for you too. 

Take those 6 Tasks and put 3 into the "Made by Me" column and 3 into the "Made by Others"column.

Believe me....I understand how difficult it is to 'give up' part of your Holiday Ritual(s) that you enjoy doing, but what you gain back in time and decreased stress levels lets you truly focus on those 3 tasks you're going to do yourself. It also gives you the opportunity to find or return to great local resources to use again in the future, let alone how important it is to support local small businesses!

Remember, IT'S OK to prioritize to allow you more time for you and your loved ones this Holiday Season. No one will remember whether or not you baked them a cookie, but they will remember the afternoon on the outdoor rink, with huge fluffy snowflakes falling that you were able to spend with them because you weren't holed up in your kitchen all day.........

RR

"That" Time of Year....

It's that time of year when we head to our basements in search of the boxes labelled "Christmas" and begin rummaging through decorations full of memories. Some of us start decorating immediately after Halloween while others wait until closer to December.

Even if you aren't starting your decorating now, I'm willing to bet you are starting to think about your holiday decor, dinners, entertaining, gifts, shopping etc etc.... Did you feel your pulse race a bit, either in happy anticipation or with a tad bit of anxiety for all that lies ahead over the next 2 months? I'm a fan of decorating for Christmas earlier than later for many reasons. It allows me time to truly enjoy the festive atmosphere in my home for a longer period of time; I can host family and friends through the entire holiday season with my home 'ready to go'; and decorating early takes one item off the longggggg Christmas/Holiday "To Do" List which for me, helps lower my pulse rate and stress levels. 

I definitely have my decor plans in place and will be implementing them sooner than later.....Do you? 

Wreaths, Urns, Swags, Garland, Decorations, Greenery, Sparkle.....Where to start?

Whether your holiday decor equals a wreath on your door or adorning every room in your home, Rustic Retrievals can assist you with pulling ideas together, implementing them and making them a reality...

I am taking orders for wreaths, urns, swags and centerpieces for both indoors and outdoors. You choose either live greens or artificial greens; you choose your colour scheme (I can also assist with this); and then the creative process begins!

Pricing varies depending on the materials used and the size of the piece(s), but they start at:

• Wreaths - $45
• Urns - $45 (per insert)
• Swags - $30
• Centerpieces - $30 

       ***discounts for multi-item purchases*** 

I also offer Decor Services....whether it's one hour in your home to help pull your ideas together or full decor services (ie. consult, plan, implementation of the plan), I can assist in making your home a holiday space to welcome your family & friends and for you to enjoy well into the New Year! Pricing starts at $45.00/hr for Decor Services. 

Cheers to the Christmas and Holiday Season! December 25th will be here before we know it!

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to email me at rusticretrievals@gmail.com or follow along with my holiday projects on Facebook and Instagram......

RR

Beauty Begins.....

"BEAUTY BEGINS THE MOMENT YOU DECIDE TO BE YOURSELF" - Coco Chanel

Ask yourself....what makes you feel beautiful? 

For me, beauty really comes down to, what makes you, YOU?

Sure, it can be the great leather jacket that you've had for years and always gravitate to. The leather has become well worn, it is soft and buttery and you just feel like a million bucks every time it sits across your shoulders. It's that 'feeling' that's difficult to describe, yet it's what we yearn for.

But it doesn't even have to be 'things' or 'objects' or 'clothing' or 'makeup'..... 

It can also be moments.....Like a walk through the forest in October, leaves falling around you, the sun shining on your face.....those moments when you feel at peace and complete.....when you are the most "YOU" you can be! You again get that 'feeling' but for an entirely different reason.

Beauty resonates from inside you....it is a glow that shines through your eyes, your smile, your words.....and that glow is only possible when you truly are being YOURSELF.....

Someone said to me the other day, I feel like I've lost me....who I am....I am so many things to other people, I've forgotten who the real me is.

I think we all feel that way at times....life pulls us in so many different directions and sometimes we don't even know where to start to get ourselves back.

When I start to feel this way, I get back to basics.....I have a night out/in with friends, I stop into one of my favourite shops and maybe treat myself to something new, I go out to the garden and 'putter' to clear my head, I head to the Market and get a bouquet of fresh flowers and a cupcake, I read a great book or I go to the gym..... These are just some strategies that help me get myself back on track. It doesn't have to be anything complex or expensive...you just need to become familiar with what works for you to help get yourself back on track. 

Sometimes though, even figuring out what to do to get ourselves back can be a challenge. There are schedules to be kept, 40 hour weeks morph into 60 hour weeks, etc etc.... It's difficult to even catch your breath, let alone take a few minutes for yourself. But....in moments like that, it is absolutely imperative you take a minute or two to collect yourself, re-focus and put yourself first (see my post 'Oxygen Mask' about putting yourself first).

This is where 'My List' comes in veryyyyy handy! My list is just that....a little 'cheat sheet' I keep with me of all the little things I can do for myself at almost any time or place, to keep me on track, to keep that beauty resonating from within. 

Why not take 10 minutes right now and make yourself that list.....you can put it into your phone, in your day planner, on a piece of paper in your purse....Wherever you can easily access it when you feel like things are going off the rails a bit.

I shared some of my strategies above (put your strategies to paper too....on your fridge, on a chalkboard, in a journal etc), but this list I am referring to are 'lil quickies' of restoration that you can do in only a few minutes.

Things like:

- step away from the computer and take 10 deep breaths

- get outside and go for a walk for 5 minutes

- read your favourite blog (I use Bloglovin to organize my favourites)

- text a friend a thoughtful sentiment (I find that spreading joy also helps make me feel joy)

Whatever your list includes has to work for you and only you! The key to this list is to keep you on track through little things/lil quickies you enjoy until you have a moment to truly take a solid piece of time for you.

Remember...beauty is not just what we show on the outside....honestly, that's a very small portion of what makes us beautiful.

You have to always remember who you are as a person, be comfortable in your own skin, with your own thoughts and choices. Most importantly, never, ever forget who your are, what you stand for, what you believe in and what makes you happy. If you can do this, your beauty will shine through like no other....

RR

Orange is the New Black!

It was time to decorate the sideboard for Fall (thanks so much to Ruralist for featuring my vignette!) and as I was looking through my decor pieces, I suddenly felt an urge to go orange!

I have always gravitated to orange (my next pair of Hunter boots will be their burnt orange...I'm almost positive!), but have been somewhat nervous to incorporate it into my home decor.

Well, as you can see, I'm no longer nervous and love it! I also wish I had brought this colour into my home sooner.

I was visiting my parent's a few weeks ago, picking up my pumpkins and gourds for my outdoor Fall decor from a farm a few roads over when I decided to stop in at The Garage in Belmore. I am soooooo glad I did!

When I had started my Fall decorating inside my home, I felt something (or somethings) were missing, especially when it came to my sideboard (the focal point of my 800 square feet of living space). I was having this 'urge for orange' but didn't really have any pieces to fulfill that urge.

The moment I stepped inside The Garage Home Decor, I spotted the orange urn and the birch picture and knew they would be coming home with me!

As I wandered around the shop, I also noticed the orange and brown equine-esque infinity scarf, the deer print and the gold tea light holders. Literally every time I turned around, there was another piece I loved and wanted to bring home with me!

I also picked up a few more items and was so happy when the total came to just under $200! Wow....less than $200 for pieces I can re-use again and again and don't necessarily only lend themselves to Fall. 

Upon returning to my parent's, I cut some grasses that would add some height to the vignette, but also some softness.  I integrated the grasses, along with some mini pumpkins, corn and gourds from the farm, as natural elements to the display.

I then raided my basement and other rooms in the house to pull the vignette together. I used feather wreaths from The Hive in Bayfield, a silver antler from Homesense and a glass cloche and coppery/bronze bowl from Achesons Pharmacy in Harriston. The wire and wood tray was a gift and I made the grapevine wreath from vine in my back yard.

I'm so happy with how it all came together! And I'm SOOO happy I took a leap and brought orange into my home. I stopped into Achesons this weekend and there are some orange and grey plaid pillows that I was THIS close to taking home with me.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend and that you too 'take the plunge' and incorporate some colour into your Fall decor!

RR

A Decade of Style, Inspiration and Blushy Goodness!

It takes someone extremely special to create, build and progress a business over 10 years....a decade! 

Michele, the creative genius behind Blush has done just that! 

Happy 10th Birthday Blush! 

Michele has impeccable style and more importantly, she knows the style of her customers/clients inside and out. With every new item that comes through the door of her shop, women flock to the boutique to see, try on and purchase the stunning pieces that Michele has brought into her 'pink bubble'. Each piece is unique, timeless and a true wardrobe staple. I know I will open my closet 10 years from now and still have my oh so cozy grey wide-striped sweater and a gorgeous black wool purse (along with many other items).

In addition to the impeccable style and class that Michele exudes, she is also an inspiration to women through her exquisite and thoughtful creations that can be found around her home and shop. Literally everything she touches becomes a thing of beauty.....from her merchandising (which is absolutely brilliant) to her home gallery wall. If you follow her on Instagram (and I highly recommend you do!) you know exactly what I'm talking about when I say that the moments and vignettes that she captures, implore and inspire you to "Blush-Up" your life.... to embrace who you are, surround yourself with who and what you love, feel comfortable in your own skin and of course, approach your day/life with your own sense of style.

What better way to celebrate 10 years of creating one's sense of style and an uber successful business than with a party?! I think Michele was also a party planner in another life because wow, does she ever know how to throw a fantastically stylish and fun bash!

The attention to detail was second to none.....the mason jar cupcakes were scrumptious....the new fashions for Fall were impeccable....and most importantly, the ladies in attendance had a chance to celebrate the wonderful woman who has brought us 10 years of style, inspiration and lovely goodies!

Speaking of lovely goodies....we all left with a bouquet party favour....yet another example of how Michele makes us feel special through her creative gestures!

Cheers to 10 years of Blush and I can't wait to see what the next 10 years has in store! 

RR

A World Where There Are Octobers...

L.M Montgomery (a wonderful Canadian author) says it the best; 

• "I'm so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers."

Those words couldn't be more truthful.

To live in a world where we get to watch the leaves turn colour, the evenings have a chill in the air, the birds fly south, crops are harvested from farmer's fields, pumpkins and gourds are staples in decor, boots and scarves become a wardrobe staple...the list could go on and on about all of the wonderful things that come along with the month of October....with the Fall season.

Fall is my favourite time of year for a multitude of reasons (most of which are noted above), but also because I see it as a season of a fresh start and new beginnings. You may say or ask why I see it as this as Fall is a season of the end of a life cycle for so many things. Yes, the trees lose their leaves, we get the last bit of bounty from the garden/fields....but, through this end of life comes inspiration and a culmination of what the Spring and Summer has produced. It may be the end for somethings, but with every ending comes the chance for a new beginning.

We change our flip flops for rubber boots, summer flowers for grasses, summer fruit for pumpkins and squash, cold beer for warm apple cider, shorts for jeans, t-shirts for sweaters, corals for burnt orange....the list goes on and on. 

As I sit out on the back deck wrapped in a cozy blanket rather than on a towel, I welcome the chill in the air, I watch the squirrels and chipmunks rushing around as they put away the walnuts for the winter, I look up at the tree canopy that is now almost void of leaves...... We're in a transition....a transition to new beginnings....

The more I look around me and take it all in, the more I sure am glad to live in a world with Octobers!

RR

Reinforcements..

Reinforcement = the process of encouraging or establishing a belief or pattern of behavior, especially by encouragement. 

A strong Mind, Body and Home needs Reinforcements......Whether it be a daily planner, a group of friends, an inspiring print or a favourite app, we MUST surround ourselves with who and what will encourage and assist us to be the best 'Me' possible.

I think it's safe to say, for a lot of us, most days are quite manageable....though everyone's degree of manageable differs of course. I think we can attribute this ability to manage to the reinforcements we don't even realize we've built into our lives.  Something as simple as our morning routine can help to get the day off to a great start. Do you have a morning routine?? A while back, I wrote about morning routines and asked, "What do you do before breakfast?" . I definitely do have a routine (you'll have to read that post to find out what my mornings entail) and even though I do try and stick with it, there are times when I just can't.... 

This is where Adaptability comes in...Adaptability AND Resiliency some days. There is one thing I can say about my life, and I'm sure yours too....as manageable as it is most days, when the curveballs get thrown, let's just say, they come in at 125mph and damn, there are some that come close to striking me out! 

This is where you have to use all of your 'tools' in your Reinforcements toolbox, in addition to your ability to Adapt and be Resilient, to help you get through. I've already mentioned some of my 'tools', but here are a few more:

• Moleskines and a pen; so I can jot down ideas, lists, quotes etc as the day goes by...and so I can look back at all the good when it may not be quite as good a day as ones prior.
• Magazines; I subscribe to mags that let me lose myself in them, whose pages end up on my inspiration boards and that help keep me on track from a motivational standpoint. When I've had a rough day, I come home, pour a glass of wine and curl up with a magazine to either distract me for a bit, or to help me unwind. 
• Fresh Flowers; I try and have fresh flowers in my home as often as I can, especially flowers from the Market here in town. They bring a smile to my face every time I look at them and really, I can't think of a better 'pick me up' then a bouquet of your favorites to bring some cheer and colour into your home.
• The Gym;  I have two words for you: Leg Press! The days when the frustration levels are topping out are the days I actually have some of my best workouts!  Head phones in, music turned up, water bottle filled...Bring on leg day..and heavy leg day at that! The great thing about working out is that it makes you so aware of the mind and body connection, especially when doing weights I find (I'm definitely a gal that lifts). You have little choice but to completely focus on your workout when you have a new personal best loaded up on the squat rack.
• Re-Organizing: one of THE best distractions for me is re-organizing, updating/refreshing my home decor and purging. It not only helps the mind de-clutter and settle to go through the creative process but it also brings a new sense of 'Me' to your/my space. It's a pretty great workout too if you're having to run things back and forth to the basement like I do.
• Cooking;  there's something almost therapeutic about chopping up veggies, bbqing out in the sunshine and taking in all the yummy aromas as the meal comes together...maybe I was a sous chef in a prior life. Not only do you have the 'therapy' of the process, you know you have healthy, great food to feed your body too!

Reinforcements.....we all need them and only you know what you need to ensure you remain successful, healthy and happy. I find as we get older, we hone in on what really works for us....What are some of your Reinforcements?

Adaptability and Resiliency work hand in hand with your Reinforcements and the more tangible "tools" you have in your toolbox, the more emotionally strong, resilient and adaptable you should be able to be. I say should....but honestly, I really mean will. You WILL be more resilient and adaptable. 

A friend and I were discussing how our lives can look 'perfect' via the internet...The 'flawless' Instagram photos, the 'splendid' Facebook posts...yea right! For those moments, those literal seconds, life is 'perfect', but what about all the other minutes and hours in the day? I'm sure there are many other 'perfect' moments in your day, but for the 'not-so-perfect' times, remember these 3 words:

• REINFORCEMENTS, ADAPTABILITY and RESILIENCY 

RR