{Wordless Wednesday} As The Sun Sets

{Wordless Wednesday} Country Love

I Have Four Things To Tell You

Sometimes life gets exciting and busy and wonderful and I forget to share kind of big stuff on the blog. So today, I'm sharing four pieces of news that I've probably tweeted about, but haven't sat down at the keyboard long enough to really explain.

So here it goes!

01. I'm going to BlogHer'13.

Ok, so this you know because of the wee badge I've got up in the right hand corner... and it was sort of mentioned in this post, but really, I haven't dedicated a moment to it as I should have. I'll be attending BlogHer'13 in Chicago, and will be in the city July 25th-28th. The first and only blogging conference I've attended so far, was BlogHer'11 in San Diego -- and I had such an amazing experience. 

Honestly, meeting bloggy friends is one of my favourite things in the world. There's nothing like connecting with people after following their lives, and chatting online, and getting to really know one another before you ever meet. For example, I've contributed to the blog Child Mode in the past, and wrote with its founder, Nadia, over on another blog, and finally this weekend we had a chance to meet in person! She happened to be near Peterborough, check out Viamede Resort, so we met up and I got to meet her three gorgeous children too. Such a great visit!

Nadia and I are working on some blog ideas for later in the summer... can't wait to share!

Also, if you're going to be in Chicago next month, give me a shout! I'm hoping to meet even more of you lovelies!

02. I got glasses.

After months of thinking to myself, "Driving at night shouldn't be this hard", I went to get my eyes checked and walked away with a prescription to help deal with my deteriorating ability to see things that are far away. And WOW what a difference they make. It's a tiny prescription, but for driving and distance, I'm a much happier girl with my glasses on. I'm still a bit stunned at how much I can see with them on! Hello leaves on trees and far away billboards! The world is crisp and clear!

03. I started writing for The Inquisitr.

If you've been reading So Fawned for a while, you might know that I used to write full time for Celebrity Baby Scoop, and that I currently contribute to Mom Spark, a mama blog founded by the lovely Amy.

After making the decision to close my shop, I knew I'd be back writing and sure enough, was able to land myself a gig with The Inquisitr. Currently an intern and loving it!

04. We're moving to the country. 

Here's the big one. Earlier this year my mister and I moved in together, and this week, we'll be putting the condo on the market, and moving to the country, to a farmhouse owned by family. You've probably seen my Instagram feed filling up with images of fields and barns, orchards, and the most beautiful old home. I'm thrilled for the chance to have Gretchen experience what it's like to live in the country, with endless fields to play in, fresh air, and lazy summers days. 

We can't wait to enjoy the peace and quiet of rural life -- something we both grew up loving. It's also just about 20 minutes out of town. A summer of bonfires and sipping tea on our wraparound porch is about to begin. That barn above? That'll be my view from my new office. Incredible. 

So there we have it. Four bits of news -- four things that are making me very, very happy. 

My next post will come to you from the farmhouse. Peace!

Adios, Google Reader!

By now you've probably heard word that they're putting the kibosh on Google Reader, so here are two other ways to keep up with So Fawned! You can find me via Bloglovin, or pop over to Feedly and bring ALL of your favourite reads over. It's actually pretty snazzy.

And of course, there's always Facebook and Twitter. And Instagram. 

Ciao! 

PS. This snapshot is from earlier this morning. G's first morning at our new home, getting ready for daycare, watching Arthur. Love.

Tomorrow! Tomorrow!

Moving day is... tomorrow! The last few weeks have been crazybusyfast. Everyone around me had the stomach flu, including Gretchen and my partner, but I somehow managed to duck that insanity. Gretchen was such a trooper through her bouts of throwing up and I'm happy to report she's completely recovered and is back to being her fantastic, happy self again. There's nothing like watching your little ones go through something you can't fix for them immediately. Thank you immune systems and strong little bodies.

Now that everyone is well again, I'm in pure MOVE MODE which means I've spent approx. one day packing and I'm actually just about finished. With episodes of Friends playing in the background, a constant supply of tea, and my fabulous staff helping hold down the fort at the shop, I'm just about ready to pack up the moving van tomorrow and say goodbye to Hopkins Avenue.

I have to take just a moment to say how excited I am to be moving in with my partner. This will be the fourth time I've moved since starting the blog back in August 2008 and I'm really excited to share our new home with you. I can hardly believe tomorrow is the day!

The crazy phase! 

Ah, that's a bit better. Time to keep packing!

If you've been following over on Instagram, you've probably spotted my packing progress pics... and I have to say, it's going MUCH quicker than I had thought it would. Since I decluttered BIG TIME when I moved in the summer, I actually don't have any of that nasty sorting business to go through. (Yay!) Just popping stuff into boxes... and off we go!

I'll be sure to tweet along on moving day and as G's new room comes together. Can't wait!

Send all those good moving vibes tomorrow! Peace!

How Canadians Apologize

Last night, or in the wee hours of the morning, I woke up to our smoke detector going off. In our building, they are connected, so if a neighbour's starts to sound, the rest will chime in about five seconds later. Around 1.30am my neighbour had a cooking incident which set the smoke detectors off several times, which is definitely jarring and (thankfully) loud enough to pull me out of a dead sleep.

Fast forward to this morning to my neighbour visiting me at my shop, with a Timmy's coffee and muffin in hand, to apologize for rude awakening. How sweet is that?

Thanks again, neighbour!

PS. Would you believe the alarm going off twice didn't actually wake up Gretchen? I peeked in on her when the ordeal was over and the only evidence that she heard the noise was that she'd pulled her stuffed cat over her ear. 

Bit By Bit

Each night, after Gretchen falls asleep, I've been whipping our new apartment into shape. My room looks like a room, the dining nook is now usable, the living room is... well, a box repository, but it's coming along.

Bit by bit.

Slowly, surely.

Here are a few late night snapshots from last week.

Last week, Gretchen crawled into bed with me one morning -- the morning after I'd hung new curtains and all of the artwork in my bedroom -- she nursed and snuggled, then starting peering around the room, taking in all the new additions.

"Oh mama, it's just beautiful. Are those new? That's lovely! Thank you so much for decorating this room for me! Can we decorate myyyy room?"

Sometimes she speaks as if she's a little lady, and it melts my heart. She's wise. An old soul, if you will.

She makes my heart happy.

Moving Day Moments

Right at home.

Tuckered out.

Both of them.

Applied liberally.

Surrounding the clawfoot.

New light.

Old soul.

From Coffee Mugs To Purple Skies

Sunday (aka Moving Day) started out like this...

And ended like this...

Ups and downs, but we got everything done between 9am and 9pm. Now, the tricky part... putting my home back together bit by bit after G falls asleep at night.

I'll be sharing some images from our day... sneak peeks of the new digs... very soon.

Tonight I'm teaching my last session of childbirth classes til the fall & this weekend, I'll be taking a tiny getaway. More on that soon too.

Time to close up shop for the night! Peace!

Tomorrow

Ok, ok, so I was supposed to move today, but instead I'm rockin' it at my shop, and the BIG MOVE will happen tomorrow (aka the day my shop isn't open). C'est la vie! But it ain't so bad... gives me one last night to do some last minute packing, and maybe even bring a few boxes over. But the U-Hauling will happen at 9am tomorrow. (I should stretch now.)

My view, during a break from packing a few days ago. Sunshine & popsicle snacking.

Last night we took a peek at the new place and I started cleaning things up a bit. Just a bit of scrubbing to be done and she'll be ready, set, good to go. The place is even more charming than I'd remembered and as a treat for Gretchen, there will be tiny glowing stars on her ceiling when she comes home after her weekend with fam.

Cross your fingers for a cool & breezy moving day tomorrow. I think there'll be beers on the porch, post-everything.

Peace!

Phone Envy

If I had a landline at home, I'd be all over this gorgeous 70s trimline.

This quilt and these mushrooms from the same shop are also quite delightful.

Recently

Packing, days at the shop, hanging with my girl, trip to Cobourg, new stock, patio beers, downtown, hot days, hugs & hope.

Five Days

If you walked into my living room right now, you might say exactly what Gretchen did after coming home from seeing the grandparents this weekend: 

"Mama. Dis room is CRAZY."

Oh yes, the packing and boxing and purging and omg-ing is in full swing and the soon to be former House of Fawn.

The most liberating part of this experience is getting rid of the clutter. My philosophy for this move is as follows:

It's been great going through everything, deciding what we truly need & feel is important. And honestly? MOST of what's in my house won't be coming. I've been craving simplicity and I want Gretchen to understand what's really important in life... and it's not things. 

Have you ever downsized your home considerably? How did you feel? What advice would you share?

I'd love to hear your input!

Thanks for thinking of me this week... five days til we touchdown at the new place and I can't wait!

PS. What shall I call the new apartment? The Flat of Fawn? Cause that sounds a wee bit silly. Any ideas?

Image spotted here.