F O R T Y

Well it has happened, I'm forty. I don't feel like I imagined I would at forty, I think I imagined some level of maturity that still evades me, more self discipline maybe? Ducks in rows. But I've learnt life isn't so linear. Really though it's only the number that feels slightly unsettling. In truth I feel like life has been very kind in working for my good. The things I have dreamed have come to be, so much so there barely feels like there's time to give all the good the attention it needs. Maybe capacity is the word. I long for the capacity to be all I want to be and live fully in the life I love.  

Birthday Twins

I have a birthday twin - Chloe Pailthorpe. It has been a surprising and very lovely addition to my life, who knew sharing a birthday could be so grand?! I recognised Chloe as a kindred spirit right from our first meeting and we have grown to be the very best of friends over the years. Every year that we have known each other, we have celebrated our shared birthday, the 12th of August with morning tea's, dinners out, going to the movies. I find I look forward to my birthday even more now and it is so true that 'happiness shared is happiness doubled.' Both of us also share the love language of gift giving so each year we have the fun of dreaming up something special for each other and then the joy of opening our gifts and watching the other open theirs. It is truly a highlight of birthday season and a special bit of magic in my life. 

Return to Canada

Halifax holds half of my heart and earlier this year the longing to return got strong. I've always wanted to go back in a general sense, Levi and I talk all the time about taking all the kids and sharing it with them, but I started to feel like I really needed to get back there myself and sooner to feel whole again. Levi as always finds a way. We were able to use his frequent flyer points and next minute I was booked in and making plans. I was going to be able to see all my favourite people, do all my favourite things, eat all of my favourite food and just exist in a place that I love. 

A Melbourne Weekend

Melbourne! I feel like Courtney, Mum and I had been talking about taking a trip to Melbourne together for years. This April we turned it into a reality in celebration of Mum and Courtney's birthdays which coincided with the art exhibition 'Rone' at Flinder's Street Station that we were all keen to see. Melbourne was full of things to see, do and eat and we had the full Melbourne experience hoping on and off trams, wandering alley's, admiring art and eating all the best it had to offer.

T H I R T Y E I G H T

Another year, another wonderful birthday season full of lots of friends, fashion and food. Some of my favourites. I say season because it really did go for weeks. On the actual day we had a lovely celebration at home with kids and cake, a must of course. I received some beautiful pink swarovski earrings and a Sass and Bide dress clearly mean't for me, giant puff sleeves, front on centre of the store, on sale, in my side, on my birthday - need I say more.