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!

Black&Bronze: Birthday Sale!

It's Carly's birthday today, which means a lovely 15% off for everyone at her shop, Black&Bronze! Just use the BIRTHDAY27 coupon code at the checkout.... and take home something purdy!

Baby Ducks Are Just Really, Really Cute

A friend of mine has a wee flock of Indian Runner Ducks that hatched just a few weeks ago. I took Gretchen to visit the little ducklings shortly after they were born when they were tiny and fluffy and new.

A couple days ago, Rich and myself went back for a visit... and took the duckies for a trip down to the lake. They follow along in a little line.

Speedy little things!

Their visits down to the lake are too much fun. They chomp at mosquitoes as we walk down the path through the woods... then one finally gets to the water's edge, wades in a tiny bit... and ZOOM! Off they all go, swirling around just beyond the shore.

Til next time, little swimmers!

That Time I Missed A Week Of Life & My Birthday

Remember my last post... on the 13th? When Gretchen was just getting better and life was good again? Well, here's the Cliff's Notes version of what has been happening since:

Sunday April 14th: I woke up with achy muscles and within an hour or two was in so much pain I couldn't move. I stayed in bed, delirious, cold (actually very feverish), and in pain. By that night my partner convinced me a trip to emerg was in order. I spend the evening having blood taken and hooked up to fluids via IV. I was sent home with antibiotics for a possible sinus infection. 

Monday/Tuesday: Home, agony, could barely move or talk. Breathing was difficult and laboured.

Wednesday aka my birthday: Another day at home in bed, by that evening I made my second trip to emerg. I was sent home a few hours later with painkillers. The doc told me to wait out the antibiotics. 

Gretchen made me the sweetest card. Rich brought it to the hospital. I missed her so much.

Thursday: A day on the couch, couldn't move, face became numb after taking painkillers, nothing was helping. I booked in for a doctor's appointment that evening. During the appointment, I could hardly speak in full sentences, did my best to explain the week. He sent me back to the hospital. That night is a blur of IV fluids, being locked down in emerg, my friend and then my partner at my side. Antibiotics were started and I drifted in and out of sleep. Thank you pain meds. 

Friday: I woke up to my partner at my side & I was eventually moved from one part of emerg to another. Lots of resting. 

Saturday: Still at the hospital, though I had hoped to go home that morning. Starting to feel more human. I can breathe and speak much more easily. 

 Tea & The Hobbit.

Sunday: Good news. I can go home. I have to be sure my blood count improves this week. I'm so excited to see daylight again.

Goodbye, room no. 7.

So now, Monday. I am very week and easily tired. One more blood test Thursday with a follow-up appointment one week from today. I'm very happy to be out of the hospital. Working hard to stay positive while I get my appetite and energy levels back up to what they were. Today I came into work for just three hours & I even managed to get my plate stickers renewed since I missed doing that on my birthday. 

Thank you so much to everyone for your support and well-wishes this week. Thank you to my partner for running all errands and helping make sure my daughter was where she needed to be. Thank you to Rich, and to my good friend Karen for bringing me food and driving me to/from the hospital and doctor's office. Thank you to the nurses who helped me get well. 

In the end, I think they decided I had some combination of blood infection, fungal infection in my esophagus and just some nasty complications from the fever. It was a bit of a scary week & I've absolutely never felt sicker. 

Looking forward to a 27th birthday re-do. Much love!

If I ever take a week off from life again, I hope it's for a nicer reason.

So happy to be HOME.

Belated Birthday Celebrations

Due to the fact that a handful my friends all had babe's in late January/early February, G's actual shindig was postponed til this past Sunday. For the last three weeks she has waited and waited through three other birthday parties and finally it was her turn! And it was a blast!

Here's a peek at what our day looked like.

Step one... help mama with errands around town. Picking up party treats and decorations! (Those eyes! They melt me!)

We decorated my shop, Tango, for the party. Since Gretchen & I are moving (news on that to come!) on April 1st, I knew I'd feel overwhelmed having our apartment as the venue, as we're already getting into the packing phase. Thanks to Iris, of Bossy Femme fame, for rocking the streamers and balloons while I ran off to pick up the catering!

Gretchen and Ezra (and the Chipmunks, of course). Recognize this little man? He's her bestie from this post, and this one, and this one. They absolutely adore each other.

Oh yes. And the cake had Winston's face on it. And it was DELICIOUS!

I can't get enough of this pic. Don't worry guys, I'm just standing on the Marilyn Monroe vent, with my cake. Nothing to fret. 

And on the way home? She fell asleep in the middle of her rant about how she wasn't at all tired and would absolutely NOT be having a nap when we got home. And when we got home? She asked me to snuggle her up to her bed. We both rested the afternoon away.

Goodnight, birthday girl. 

So, the "puppy" themed party was a success... I'm not HUGE on themes, and I didn't push it too much, but since Winston is G's little BFF, I knew I had to include him somehow. She was CRAZY about the cake... and it was delicious! Thank you to a favourite local bakery and cafe, Black Honey, for catering and making our amazing cake. I still have some in my fridge... it's taking all my will power not to eat it all IN ONE SITTING.

Thanks to all my locals lovelies who came out to celebrate with us! We had such a special day, and with the Family Day holiday just the next day, it was the perfect weekend to spend with my (ohmigosh) four year old!

Love!

{Wordless Wednesday} A Look Back At NYE

Matching

I really love when Iris & I wearing matching cardigans to our respective shops.

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Day 05: My Hometown

If you've been a So Fawned reader for a while now, then you might already know that I live in the city I grew up in. I was born in Peterborough, Ontario, I went to university at Trent, and now I'm glad to be raising my daughter here as well.

Last night I attended an event called Creative Cocktail. It's a networking event for the community, bringing media, business owners, artists, philanthropists and more, all together to meet, discuss ideas, brainstorm and mingle. I rarely have a chance to make it out to events like this, so it was nice to get out for an evening to see some of the people in my community that I love.

To everyone who said positive things about my shop, the new marketing and social media strategies I've put into place, the changes I've made -- thank you so much. It means more than you know to hear that all my hard work is being noticed.

My hometown has given me a great place to grow up, to work, to meet amazing people and raise my child.

Someday I hope I can give back to Peterborough too.

Day 04: A Friend I Adore

I've mentioned this particular gal on my blog a few times, and perhaps a few of you know her via her blog, Instagram or Twitter as @bossyfemme... I met her in university, as Iris.

Back then she had short blond hair, we wrote notes to each other in the margins of our philosophy notebooks (pre-texting, baby), we hung out at dive bars and danced a LOT.

Now she works at a fantastic vintage shop downtown (just on the opposite side of the block from Tango) and slings beer at a micro-brewery not far from my apartment. She loves knitting, shares my affinity for leopard print & is an incredibly loyal friend. We both have doily tattoos, drink a lot of tea & know that a cozy night in on the couch with a blanket & a book is a damn good time.

Iris & myself at a gallery shindig some months back.

And even though we are both insanely busy, I know that when we do get to spend time together, it's as though nothing has changed and we can pick up where we left off. I love her a lot & I'm grateful to have her in my life.

PS. Check out this post for a picture of Gretchen & Iris from forever ago. The cutest.