The Dentist, Friend or Foe?

I have an irrational fear of the dentist's office. My hands go clammy,  I develop a nervous tickle in my throat,  and my eyes dart about the room like I'm a mouse about to be pounced on by a big ol' cat. I've even been known to ask a friend, sister, or boyfriend along, just to quell the fear. Lame, I know!

 So at the ripe old age of 28, I've decided enough is enough. 2013 will be the year to end all this nonsense. After delaying the inevitable, I finally booked an appointment for last Friday. As I sat in the office anxiously awaiting my turn in the chair, I began to wonder if I could possibly slip out the door without the slightest notice. Hmmm... not likely.
Soon, too soon in fact, my name was called and in I went. And you know what?

Everything was fine. Better than fine actually. The dentist was kind, and his amiable bed-side manner was a nice departure from what I had previously experienced in the dentist's chair. The hour I was in there went by  quite quickly {to my astonishment} and soon I was out and into the daylight. With a new toothbrush to boot!



All this to say, sometimes you can indeed concur your fears. Even if it takes you 28 years to do it!

So my dears, what fears are you hoping to squash in 2013?

I think heights might be next for me!

{Images 1 and 2}

P.S. How scrumptious are these little girls?!

Faroe Islands

 

My dears, I'm dying to explore the Faroe {Føroyar} Islands.  Who's with me??

The Danish translation for the name of these islands, Færøerne, literally translates to Sheep Islands.  So quaint!  

If these images are anything true to life, then a vacation here would be an absolute feast for the senses.  

 If you haven't noticed yet, I'm generally preoccupied {ahem, OBSESSED} with all things Scandinavian, and while I've had the chance to travel within Sweden and Finland, it would be my dream to embark on an ultimate Scandinavian tour.

This place in particular I've been dreaming about for quite some time now.  Colorful houses, riveting coastlines and storybook hillsides dotted with sheep.  Swoon!

 I can only imagine the adventures to be had here. 

Ferrying in from nearby Iceland or Denmark, being immersed in the local Faroese culture, hiking through green pastures and along jaw-dropping crags and cliffs, *picnics everywhere, cozy nights spent tasting Faroese cuisine in cafés and restaurants {wine too please}, maybe even take in a musical festival.  Bliss.  

 

The average temperature, even in summer is 12°C, so warm jackets and maybe a dreamy man who offers you his toasty hands and a comfy embrace are just the thing to take on this vacation.

Wouldn't it be the most romantic honeymoon spot?

Where are you dreaming about going right now, my darlings?

{All images courtesy of Faroe Islands.com}

All About Hats

I don't know if you've noticed, but hats *especially of the wide-brimmed variety, are everywhere these days {at least in blog, pinterest, and tumblr land}. They are effortlessly cool, and hippie chic.

 *Bonus they won't flatten the wavy hair you've worked so hard to achieve.

My personal preference is the slightly floppy 70's throwback style. The kind Hollywood starlets have been sporting for quite some time now {maybe I'm a little behind the trend}. Oh well, better late than never right?

Anyways, they are a fab alternative to toques {beanies for you Americans}, as they keep the wind, rain, or snow from messing up your hair, keeping you cute and warm. 

Who says you can't have it all? 

Well, in a hat anyways.

Disclaimer:

One thing is for sure, I am definitely not a model. So thank you for baring with me.
Also, a model's job is not an easy one.
Sure the sun is shining in these pics, but do not be fooled.
My hands (not pictured for a reason), were purple.
Yes, Rachel and I were freezing our a**** off!

Foolish? Yes.

But, blogging causes to you do absurd things from time to time.

*Need proof that that it was indeed freezing? See the ice crystals below.



Our location for this fun photo shoot was the spectacular Alouette Lake.
Gorgeous, right?!

It truly is one of our favorite places. And it's magical this time of year. 

I'll just remember to pack mitts next time we visit!

Sleeping like a Scandinavian babe

 Oh goodness, what a cheeky face.  Such cuteness brightens any dreary, wintry day.

So far, January has been a sick sick sick month for me.

I've caught some wicked viruses the past few weeks, and I've tried anything and everything to heal.  Lots of herbal teas, honey, vitamin C, and the usual over-the-counter cold and flu medicines.

I've also slept with my window WIDE OPEN.   Brrrrr!

Yes, it makes for a very chilly bedroom this time of year.

And of course, it means sleeping with a snug toque, my favorite polar fleece, and the warmest duvet and blankets I can find.  But it feels so good!  There's nothing quite like a constant breeze of the freshest air to whisk away germs, and revitalize the lungs.  I'm basically sleeping like a Scandinavian baby.

Have you heard that before?  It is very common for babies in parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark to take their naps, outdoors, cozily tucked into their prams.  Joanna Goddard from Cup of Jo, wrote the most interesting post on parents in Denmark who even leave their babes sleeping in prams outside of cafes, shops and restaurants.  Read it here!

 

When we were just babes, my Finnish-born Mamma regularly left myself and my sisters to nap in our strollers outside on the veranda.  She insists that we got the best, deepest sleep that way.  And when I was a girl, I loved to drag pillows and blankets out to the hammock hanging from trees in our back garden, and fall asleep swaying under a crisp, afternoon sky.

This bed right here looks amazing.  What dreamy sleep.

Will you be sleeping like a Scandinavian babe any time soon?

“Now I see the secret of making the best person: it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.”

Walt Whitman

 

{Image 1, 2 and 3 by Jenny Brandt for Cup of Jo, and image 5}

"She did not need much, wanted very little. A kind word, sincerity, fresh air, clean water, a garden, kisses, books to read, sheltering arms, a cosy bed, and to love and be loved in return."

 Starra Neely Blade


{Quote found here and image by Ryder Evans Photography}

Warm & Fuzzy

For those of you who are under the weather {like Rachel}, 

experiencing the January blues, 

or are miserably sitting at your desk waiting for the weekend to start, 

I've got a little something for you. 

In our lead up to Valentine's Day I thought it would be lovely to pass along this tid-bit of  romance and whimsy. A delightful combo don't you think?

Who doesn't love a proposal? You gotta love LOVE.

Feeling all warm and fuzzy now? 

I know I am :)

Happy Weekend Loves!

Beyond the Bedroom?

Oh là là!

Anyone else blushing? 

I've recently developed an obsession.

An obsession with onesies {or union suits *what kind of name is that anyways?}

Barring the awful names, they do make for the most wonderful sleepwear.

No crawling up your backside as you toss and turn

or shivering in the night from inadvertently exposed skin.

No, it's like being cocooned in your favorite cotton T-shirt.

And yes, you might feel like a big baby {I said it}.

But, it's comfort like no other.

And heavenly as far as I'm concerned.

However... Not very Sexy.

So what's a girl to do?

Head to ASOS.

Their selection of unitards is the cure. 

While these may not be your typical onesie, they certainly spice things up.

And perhaps {I might be going out on a limb here} are meant for beyond the boudoir.

With their mix of sweet and sexy styling and or detailed embellishment,

there is no doubt that these are meant to be SEEN.

These last two require a night out on the town. They are that 

FABULOUS.

So it begs the question. Would you keep it for steamy nights in, or rock it out

on the dance floor?

Happy Hump Day  :)

And or shopping!

1. Unitard with Heart Panels 

2. Long Sleeve Unitard with Lace Panels

3. Premium Unitard with Baroque Tile Embellishment

4. Unitard with Clustered Studs

Holding Hands

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Alas, I'm sure most of you need no reminders!  

But we thought, 'why not begin a little countdown to V day?'  We happen to love love. And while there is always a good time to reminisce, now seems especially appropriate.

First dates and first kisses, when shared with someone you're starting to adore, are usually heart-warming, sensation-zinging moments. Ooof goes the heart, clanging and rattling around the ribcage.  But there can be something so vulnerable, earnest and hopeful when you first brush hands with a dreamy man, slowly clasp palms, fingers intertwine.  

I'm a bit of a tortoise in the world of love, 'slow and steady' generally being the pace, so hand-holding for me is kind of a big deal.  And usually by the time it happens, I'm hook-line-and-sinker, caught.  That silent reach, a quiet declaration, gosh, how it leaves me feeling heady and just the slightest bit invincible.

Right now I'm just holding the hands of my Mamma, and my sisters, but I'm contentedly looking forward to slipping my hand into a manly one, just as soon as I can.


PS. Sexiest way to hold hands... fingers laced, thumb stroking thumb.  It is surprisingly steamy!


{Image 1 and 2 and the last image courtesy of the delightful illustrator Phoebe Wahl}

"She believed a great happiness awaited her somewhere, 
and for this reason remained calm as the days flew by."

Gyula Krudy

{Genius quote found here, image here)

An Ode to Penny

How AH-MAH-ZING is Casey Wilson's Penny Hartz, on ABC's Happy Endings?

Rachel and I are totally crushing on her and who can blame us?  She's the loud, loyal, goofy, clumsy, hopeful, quirky, and forever optimistic best friend we all wish we had. If there's a silver lining, she'll help you find it.

I'd rather be surprised by a disappointment than happy with what I expected. That's why I never ask if a pool is heated.

-Penny Hartz (Happy Endings)

She'll help you keep it real...

Be your partner in crime...

And her expressions are always priceless...

She'll even give you a lift if you need it.

Need more reasons to love her?

Here are some Penny-isms:

I've never done pilates. I just go the bakery every Sunday.

Who wants to twirl with me?

The square root of love, is love.

Yes indeed.

We {heart} you Penny Hartz!

P.S. Happy Friday!!!

*For those of you equally enamored, here's a hilarious link to all things Penny

{Images 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13)