simple smiles: a beautiful day in the neighbourhood

It’s been a long week of painting and sanding and baseboards and drop cloths as my husband and I prepare our new house for our big move this weekend but the simple sweetness of a stranger has put a smile on my face that continues to brighten my week. It's not so often that a stranger takes it upon themselves to go out of their way to do something nice for someone they don't know. Sure, holding the door open for the person after you or letting someone know they dropped their scarf are certainly kind gestures that shouldn't go unnoticed...but when was the last time a stranger's generous gesture really warmed your heart? I was fortunate enough to experience such a thing this weekend as the doorbell rang at my new house after having only received our keys less than 24 hours earlier. Imagine our surprise to find that our new neighbour had dropped by, flowers in hand, to welcome us to the neighbourhood and offer her phone number in case there was anything she could do to help us. A simple reminder that we really do live in a wonderful world.
{via} Neighbours can be a tricky thing. While some are sweet and smile and ultimately stay out of your way, others can borderline on being overbearing and a bother. I'm hoping that Bonny's kind gesture makes her the former and we’ll be waving at each other from across the way with chit chat and well wishes for a good day. Moving into a brand new house with fresh faces and strange surroundings can be daunting even in the best of neighbourhoods so knowing we’re moving in next to someone nice is quite comforting. We’re definitely going to feel like the new kids in town for a while, but feeling welcome will really go along way as we get settled. And now, thanks to the small gesture from a kind neighbour, sitting among the saw dust and paint cans and boxes and tools is a lovely flower arrangement that not only brightens up the room but has helped to make our new house into a home.

What are your neighbours like? Do you live in a friendly neighbourhood?

simple smiles: learning from life

Sometimes in life, there are days when things just aren’t going your way, when more bad than good seems to happen in a week or the month is speckled with sad news. And then suddenly, someone says something or does something that just hits you the right way and changes your outlook on the way you see the world. After a few days of feeling down this week, I received the perfect email pick me up from my sister. Whether she knew it or not, the email she sent seemed to reach me at just the right time, when I needed someone to remind me that life is full of wonderful reasons to embrace all that I have been lucky enough to experience. The email was a simple list that has probably made it’s way around the Internet for years and for whatever reason, made it’s way to me at just the right time. The list contains simple life lessons from a lady named Regina Brett who wrote the list as she approached her 45th birthday (…and not 90th birthday as is rumoured!...because she’d be looking pretty darn good for a 90 year old!). While so many of her personal life lessons really rang true, there was one that I’ve heard over and over but seemed like the right kind of reminder this time around.
“Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.” Such simple words but all too often and all too easily ignored. I can definitely admit that I’m guilty of holding on to a nice shirt or waiting to wear that new dress. I save treats until the time is right. I’ve got the good duvet safely in the closet. But it’s something that I think I should consciously change. Because really, what’s wrong with today? Why isn’t today special enough to take myself out for dessert or pull out that pretty purse? I don’t think I’ll be putting on my party dress to clean the bathroom by any means but I think the lesson I’m learning is that I’ve got to make the most of what I’ve got. Everyday is something to be celebrated and if I buy some nice candles, why not burn them? If I’ve got good things in my life, why not use them? Company shouldn’t be the only reason to get out the good towels! Of course I’m still going to get excited over surprise nights out, romantic dinners or pretty presents…but getting excited that every day is a new chance to experience all that I’m lucky enough to have is a life lesson that I hope I never forget. So treat yourself tonight. Pull out the china. Wear your expensive accessories. Make today the right time because today really is special.

What do you save for a special occasion? Any advice for embracing each day?

spreading the love

I was reading my local newspaper this morning and stopped on a quick story about a young good deed doer who is making his way across Canada in an attempt to spark an increased level of trust and kindness among strangers. Stefano Andriani’s project, Travel Kindness, will see his team making their way across the country for the next few months doing everyday good deeds along the way. Efforts like Stefano’s, attempting to make our world a kinder place, are such necessary reminders that there really is so much good in the world, especially when the newspapers seem to be full of bad news.
{via - do you agree?} A good deed, no matter how big or small, can really put a smile on a stranger’s face. To be able to brighten someone’s day by offering some spare change or a helping hand is often such a simple yet satisfying task and I truly believe in the value of being able to pay it forward. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a stranger's smile, you know how good it feels to get that extra push in your day whether it’s because someone gave up their seat on the bus for you or offered you an extra nickel for your morning coffee. I remember when I was young, my class at school was challenged to commit a good deed and not tell anyone about what we had done – a secret between ourselves and the stranger we had so kindly helped out. How hard does that seem? I mean, I could lend a hand to someone in need or go out of my way to be kind to a stranger and just keep it to myself, right? I remember that keeping my selflessness a secret, so that it did indeed seem selfless, was tougher than I could have imagined. We all have a need to share with others and I really don’t think it’s a bad thing to want to share the good things we do...even if it’s because we’re proud or just want recognition. As much as I do believe that challenge taught me not to worry about acceptance and to be kind no matter who is watching, I think hearing stories of goodwill are motivating. They encourage us to look at out lives and find ways to help those in need. They inspire us to take an extra second to notice that the world is a good place and by being in it, we can help make it better. I am thankful to people like Stefano and the many, many others that constantly remind me that common kindness can go a long way.

Have you received any random acts of kindness lately? Any heartwarming stories?

simple smiles: a sweet surprise

My husband is the best. I hope there are others who have amazing spouses or partners and would challenge me on this statement but with all the sweet ways he makes me smile, I know I’m a lucky girl. I was already smiling last night after coming home from work to find fresh flowers awaiting my arrival (he reads my blog!) and little did I know that things were going to get better. We headed to a nearby park to get in our daily exercise and after parting ways so I could run one more lap and my husband could begin his stretching (or so I thought), I was super surprised to come around the last corner and see the delightful spread that my husband had so sneakily and sweetly prepared for our dinner. He thought of everything for a picnic at the park…our beach blanket, a delicious chicken and pasta dish, lots of water to stay hydrated after my run, a sweater so I wouldn’t be shivering as the sun went down and a delicious treat that I like to call ‘heaven in a bottle'. (Okay, so he didn’t think to bring my camera but it was easy to forgive him for that one!...)

I love simple surprises such as the one I was so lucky to get last night. It wasn’t an expensive gift or fancy restaurant but it was so full of thought. It was something that I never would have guessed was coming and didn’t cost a lot to prepare. It was something that made me feel so important and so in love. It’s the little things that can make all the difference sometimes. Like getting flowers when it’s not your anniversary. Or realizing he remembered your favourite movie. I think the unexpected surprises are the ones that make me feel the most special. The ones that make me realize that I’m on someone’s mind for no reason other than they were thinking of me or wanted to see me smile. The fact that someone cares about me enough to want to see that surprised look in my eyes is a feeling that I hope never to take for granted. With so many reasons to give and receive gifts or to go out to celebrate, it’s often nice not to have a real reason - a sudden celebration or sweet surprise simply because you’re you. How could I not think I have the best husband?

What unexpected surprises have you received? What simple things make you smile?
PS This was my favourite surprise picnic...when he proposed!

simple smiles: i like everything

First of all, how cute is this little girl?! I cannot get over her adorable curls and the way she pumps her little fists!

What a way to start the day! Don’t you think life would be a little bit better if we all woke up feeling this way? If I could wake up and tell myself how great my life is (which, by the way, is pretty great!), I think it might put me in a pretty awesome mood.

I think what I like most about this video is not how my heart melts to see such cuteness but instead it is the amazingly innocent way that little children think. It makes me want to be little again and not have to stress about all the seemingly difficult issues that have to be dealt with on a daily basis. To wake up and be happy about everything in your life, to truly like all the little things and remind yourself how wonderful life is, to really believe that you are lucky to live the life you live; it’s such a gift to have that mentality. It’s the way I wish I thought more often. Thank you to this adorable little girl for reminding me that there are so many fantastic things to like in my life.

I can't imagine many of us jumping up on the bathroom counter and listing all the things we like about our life... but do you have your own daily affirmations? What do you like about your life? What puts you in a good mood to start your day?

simple smiles: leaps and bounds

I’m kinda a nerd when it comes to taking fun photos.
Okay, I’m a big nerd when it comes to taking fun photos. It’s one of those little things in life that really makes me smile. So when I got my wedding photos back last night I was thrilled with the way the photo below turned out.


Thanks to Jessica Balfour for the fabulous shot.

The bridal party was a tad skeptical…and who wouldn’t be? Can you please jump as high as you can in your cocktail dress or tuxedo so the bride can have a fun photo? Probably not ideal but it’s the kind of photo that I take in most (okay, all…) places I go. So when I stumbled upon this post from Hi + Low about Philippe Halsman’s recent photography exhibit, I was happy to know that I’m not alone. It makes me smile to know that someone else out there is taking photos of people jumping; a simple act that we do less and less of as we get older. I think it captures such an interesting moment, it really brings out a different side of the subject without them realizing what facial expression you may be capturing or where exactly their hands, legs, arms, or feet may be when the shooter snaps the shot. It may be silly but it’s something simple that I can’t see myself stopping anytime soon.

What makes you smile? Do you like doing silly things in photos?