I don’t often write or share a lot of personal posts so I thought it was time for one! I think it’s clear that my job is one of my favourite things so I’ll keep that off the list in this post and focus on some of the other fab things that fill up my life.
(Enjoying the insane waves off the coast of BC)
(Feeding creates in Roatan, Honduras)
Traveling
I can’t think of a time in my life when I didn’t love to travel. Ever since I was little I’ve taken trips with my family to places like Disney World, San Diego, road trips and camping trips, and we even lived for a time in Mexico. Since then I’ve always had the travel bug and have made traveling a priority in my life. In my adult years I’ve traveled to Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Honduras, nine different countries throughout Europe (on our honeymoon), a few different road trips throughout the states (we did a huge one along the west coast, east coast is next!), back to Mexico a few times, western Canada, and now we’re planning trips to Bali and Peru. I think traveling is just a huge part of getting to know your soul and discovering new things about yourself and of course discovering what else is out there in the world (oh and trying different foods! So fun!).
(What a good reading set up looks like)
Reading
Believe it or not I used to have a learning disability (and a good lisp). I read and spelt at about a Grade 3 level and I struggle with that and dyslexia. But having worked hard at it, and constantly working at it, has brought me to my love of reading and now I can’t get enough of books. Some of the favourite I’ve been reading lately are Steal Like an Artist, Lean In, Less is More, and a few novels here in there as well. I’m old-fashioned I like to stick with real tangible books. Reading is one of those outlets where you can, and should, put everything else aside and just focus on a book. I love cuddling up on the couch with some tea and a great book. It’s one of my unwinders that I indulge in.
(A little something from my garden this year)
Gardening
I’m the hugest geek when it comes to gardening. I have a yard that has funny shade spots but not a ton of full light so I did all the research, and planned out a butterfly cut flower garden that had just the right flowers for the right season, so I always have blooms opening throughout spring, summer and, fall. Gardening is another one of those on the unwinding hobbies for me. I love getting in the dirt, out in nature and seeing what I can grow with my two hands and skills that I’ve developed. I really love to be able to bring things in from the garden that I’ve grown and enjoy them in my house, whether it’s a beautiful bouquet of flowers, or fruits and veggies that I’ve grown. And I have to say I’ve developed and nurtured a pretty kick ass raspberry patch, they’re the best raspberries I’ve ever had, if I do say so myself.
Movies
I watch movies like I breathe air. I don’t know what it is but I can’t get enough of them. I find so much inspiration and creativity through the movies that I watch. I don’t have a specific genre, and no The wedding Planner is not my favourite movie. I love action, comedy, suspense, ROM COM’s, and sci-fi. I really do love them all. I would have to say a few of my favourite would be Ever After, the Oceans 11 movies, and the Twilight series (Don’t judge me they’re great movies and the books, don’t get me started on the books), and Lord of the Rings series. I love to be able to read the books and learn more about the back end of what brought together the stories (yes, I also geek out and watch interviews and behind the scenes footage on movies I really love).
(What my first round of packing looked like for our last trip; to the Black Hills)
Great Organizational Tools
Of course this would be one of the things on my items, I am a planner after all to the very core of me. Some of my favorite organizational tools are things in the kitchen, packing tools, and anything I can organize my closet better. If you had a chance to work with me you’ve seen my massive emergency kit, which is really a toolkit in disguise, and you’ve seen how I like to keep things in check. I hate wasting time and having that inefficiency of not being able to find things because I simply didn’t plan it out better.
My hubs
There’s a quote that says “behind every great man is a great woman”, well I think also behind every great woman is a man equally as great that keeps her in check. I think it goes both ways, either way, and that’s a whole other post all to itself, but I have to say that my husband is the best balance for me in my life. We’ve been together for eight years and I couldn’t be more in love with him.
Some say love is a choice, some say love is a feeling and once it’s gone it’s gone, but I think love is a slow burn. You might start with that crazy passionate love that creates those butterflies in your stomach every time you think of or see that person but, it turns into something bigger, stronger and, just more wonderful overtime. Marshall has been the perfect balance for me. I might be that crazy organizational type that has a hard time unwinding, well he’s that laid-back, easy-going, chill guy that loves to have fun and enjoys the moment. We’ve learned a lot being together and have rubbed off on each other town, but every day I’m thankful for having this guy in my life.
Teavana
I used to never like tea, and water was my drink of choice. I don’t even drink coffee (that’s right, never have and don’t plan to ever take it up), but for the last few years tea has become one of my addictions. And Teavana is my dealer. They have the best teas, I love going in there for samples (yes, I might be that person that takes three because it’s just that good) and I love just being in the store. I love trying all the new blends and types of tea that they come out with.
If I ever make your cup of tea it’ll be exactly to the water heat specifications and steeping time and I’ll recommend you the right type of sweetener that goes with it. I’m of the persuasion “If you’re going to do it you should do it right”.
(Ollie hard at work)
My dog Ollie
I’ve always been a huge animal lover ever since I was little. If my parents ever took me anywhere and there was an animal around, they know where I’d be for the remainder of the day. I had a dog growing up, a hedgehog, fish, a love bird, and a horse. I’ve always had an animal in some capacity. Now I have my dog Ollie. He’s the cutest little guy, and keeps me company all day long when I’m working in the office. I love to be able to teach him tricks, taken from walks, for bike rides (that dog can really run!) and when he gets tired I stick him in the basket of my bike like we’re Dorothy and Toto (which is fitting because he’s a half Cairn Terrier).
I think everybody should have an animal in their life, and at some point it should be a dog. There is a reason they’re called man’s best friend; they really are great company to have around.
My Mom
I know a lot of people say this but I really think that my mom is the best. She’s there for me, always has great advice, is cheery, encouraging, and helps me out so many times when I need a friend, a cleaning mate, or someone to take care of me when I’m sick and not too sure what the remedy is. We’re shopping buddies, travel buddies, and of course she loves Ollie probably as much as I do. My mom is one of the reasons why I am who I am today, and why I’ve pursued my dreams. She’s always been the biggest cheer leader and has always said “You can do anything you put your mind to it”, and of course I took her literally and I’m so thankful for the encouragement she’s offered me throughout my life.
(My fun elk horn fern from Oak & Lily that my man got me for my birthday)
Bringing nature inside
I love nature. I don’t love winter, I don’t love -40, but I love the rest of it. I love being outside, I love the sunlight, I love tanning, going for walks, gardening, I love every bit of the warm weather that we get. Of course it being Winnipeg we get a lot of cold too, so I love being able to bring nature inside and enjoying it here. If you ever get a chance to come to my home you will notice a crazy amount of houseplants, lots of natural woods, rocks, seashells, geodes and, anything else that I think is a good fit for having in the house, but doesn’t make me look crazy. Every time I travel I collect new rocks, seashells, driftwood and anything else I see and fall in love with. I think nature is at the very heart of us and we all belong out there, so I try and have as much of it around me as I can.
I know, the title say 10 of Amanda’s Favourite Things but I have to finish with a shout out to music. Music really should be on this list too. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t love music, there’s so much there, so many different types so there really is something there for everyone. I’m not too picky or stuck on a certain type; if I like the song I like it, that’s my only type. So to end this blog post here are a few of my favourite songs and videos lately.
