Make it or Break it?

Often times in a relationship it is hard to know whether you should keep pressing forward or whether it is time to walk away and start anew. Relationships are anything but cut and dry, especially when conflict is involved. So, how does one decide whether it makes sense to stick through the tough times or move on.

Do not let your emotions do the talking.

Most people know better than to make major career decisions when they are emotionally charged or upset. The same rules should apply to an emotional relationship. Major relationship decisions should never be made in haste or in the midst of an argument. If you cannot have a calm and collected conversation about your relationship without getting upset, it is best to reserve that conversation for another time when you are both in a calm place. When you do this, you are less likely to say something that you do not mean out of anger.

Do not let the small stuff ruin a good thing.

This seems like a no-brainer but there are many people out there who get annoyed by those pesky little relationship annoyances and let them balloon into something bigger and irreparable. If everything else about your relationship is on track, you trust each other, you're attracted to one another, you respect each other etc... look at compromising on some of the little things that bother you.

Ask yourself how you feel about yourself in the relationship.

If you like yourself when you're on your own, but find yourself always feeling insecure or turning mean when you are with him, you should reconsider your relationship. Are you able to be yourself with him? Do you feel confident when your with him? Is it as though you are a better version of yourself when you are together? If your answers to the last three questions are yes, then your relationship is likely a healthy one and serving you well.

Do not ignore the big things.

There are bigger issues in a relationship that should not be ignored just because you are in that happy place together such as cleanliness, family values, drugs and alcohol and financial matters. Is he is a slob? Do you both want the same things in terms of family and future? Does he do drugs or drink more than you would like? Are you similar when it comes to money matters with regards to spending it and saving it? Are these things that you can deal with or are you in it hoping that it will change later? Chances of change are always present, but you should keep in mind that the person you have before you today may never change. If you are not comfortable with the person you are with today, you should perhaps rethink whether you want to be with that person long term.

Do what you feel is best.

Deciding whether or not to stay in a relationship is indeed a stressful situation. Keep in mind that your relationship should serve both you and your partner and ideally you should both be better versions of yourself when you are together. If you find yourself asking the question of whether to stay or go, you need to think about what you really want and how you truly feel before making your decision.

Life Lessons from a Dog...

I read this somewhere and felt the need to post it for others to read because I think it emcompasses an important message:

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.



Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

The One?

It can take months, days or happen in the blink of an eye...chemistry, attraction, that 'je ne sais quoi' that can lead to something more.

Often times women are left trying to decipher whether they have found 'the One'. There are a few ways to tell if you have a keeper or a sport fish that you should return back to the ocean.

1. He listens to you.

Any man with an interest in pursuing a future or a serious relationship with you, will listen to what you have to say when you need him to. The problem will never be too big, out of genuine concern he will want to help you and try to guide you to a solution to the problem.

2. You trust him.

You trust that he has your best interest at heart. Without trust a relationship is doomed. Your expectations should be managed and realistic. It is violated expectations that can ruin a relationship.

3. You would be his friend even if he were not your boyfriend.

He is good person, someone you would want to be around, even if it were not in the romantic sense. Partners require the same amount of nurturing that a friendship does. You should hold him to the same standard that you hold your friends to. If your friend constantly let you down, you would likely not want to be their friend anymore. If your friend needed you, you would be there for them etc.



4. You share common ground.

Your moral compasses should be similar. Your values and beliefs as well as desires for the future should share common ground so that you can grow together as a couple.

5. It feels right.

Every relationship has its ups and downs but you should not feel like you are a square trying to fit through a round hole. When things are going well, it feels almost effortless, as though things are meant to be. You don't feel like you are constantly trying to be someone you are not.

6. He enriches your life.

As the old saying goes "love gives you wings". You should feel as though he supports you and stimulates your desires and stretches your imagination further.

7. He sacrifices for you.

The right man will consider sacrificing for you an honour. He will gladly give as it means that he is not giving up something himself but investing in a future for the both of you. It does not need to be a monetary sacrifice but can be as easy as spending quality time with you.

Be careful of the kind of packages you seek the One in. I once had a girlfriend who would only date men that were a certain height, had a certain eye color etc. Open your mind and your heart and see what there is around you and you may just find that the One was there all along or right around the corner.

At last...Sephora opens in Vancouver!

When I moved to Vancouver last year I was perplexed to discover that there was no Sephora! I had my Beauty Insider card from my Toronto days and was shocked that there was no where to use it. After much anticipation, Sephora opened in Vancouver!

Sephora opened up shop at the Pacific Centre and Coquitlam Centre on July 10. It is a playground of beauty... each store includes thousands of shiny lip glosses, colorful nail polish, perfumes, beauty creams and products galore. The range is enormous, you can buy eye cream for $15 or you can buy eye cream for close to $250! Much of Sephora's success comes from arranging their cosmetics by category as opposed to individual makeup counters you would see in a department store. Sephora Vancouver promises to be THE beauty product destination in the greater Vancouver area. I can't wait to personally check it out and spend an afternoon in the store. I have waited 9 months for this!

Great idea: Girls Night In for Cancer

I heard about a great idea while reading a good friend's blog. She brought to light that the Canadian Cancer Society of Ontario has launched Girls Night In where you bring your friends together for a good cause. They encourage you to host a Girls Night In party where in lieu of going out and spending money of food, drinks, cabs etc, your guests bring a cash donation which will be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

As I have gotten older there have been more than a few people in my every day life that have been directly affected with cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that approximately 31,100 women will be affected by breast, uterine, ovarian or cervical cancer in 2009. With its increasing prevalence, it is important that fundraising initiatives be put into place so that important research can be done.

Along with the Girls Night In fundraising idea, a new website www.GirlsNightInForCancer.ca makes it easy to host a Girls Night In. This website includes: online event registration, a downloadable host kit, party theme ideas and evites. By supporting Girls Night In you are helping the Canadian Cancer Society fund leading-edge research for women’s cancers, specifically breast, cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer. Money raised goes toward funding important women's cancer research. In 2008, the Canadian Cancer Society funded more that $5.5 million to research women's cancers, including a dozen research grants and awards to researchers in the province of Ontario. Money raised also goes toward cancer clinical trial research that tests new and better ways to prevent, treat and diagnose cancer.

If you are interested in hosting a Girls Night In party, please visit the website: http://www.girlsnightinforcancer.ca/

Together we can all make a difference.

Upcoming Event: Yaletown Summer Shopathon

I recently received an invitation from StyleSpy to attend the Yaletown Summer Shopathon. Basically the idea is to head down to Yaletown for a day of fabulous shopping...picking up those hot summer fashions, wicked discounts & specials from over 40 stores. There are also prizes to be won, cocktails and drinks availeble and free swag. This includes 250 free swag bags with product, samples & coupons and they are actually throwing in a few pairs of J BRAND jeans randomly into the bags (Yes, free jeans)! A complimentary Thai Sangria Cocktail is also available from Charm Modern Thai (between 5:30-7:30pm) if you RSVP in advance.

To RSVP, send an email to: yaletown@thestylespy.com

Date: Friday, July 17, 2009
Time: 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Throughout Yaletown, centered within the heritage district.
Admission: Free



Hope to see you there!

Summer Events in Yonge Dundas Square

When I lived in Toronto I heard rumblings of them trying to make Yonge-Dundas square a gathering place where they would host random free events in the city. I admit that I thought that the square would be too small because it was sandwiched in between the Eaton’s Centre, the Hard Rock Café, the movie theatre and the Olympic Spirit building. I was skeptical that the location could accommodate what I thought they were trying to accomplish. I am glad to say that I was wrong, below are a couple pictures of events held this year that were a smashing success!

On June 6th exactly 1,623 people gathered in Yonge-Dundas Square to play Neil Young’s Helpless, setting the new Canadian regard for largest guitar ensemble. Unfortunately it was just shy of the Guinness World Record of 1,802 which was set in 2007 in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany.

Luminato 2009 - Neil Young Helpless Guitar Ensemble

On July 1st, DJ Starting from Scratch and Manifesto Festival held an event called: Michael Jackson: A Toronto Tribute & Canada Day Celebration.


Michael Jackson Toronto Tribute / Canada Day Celebration

If ever you are in Toronto and looking for a free outdoor event, check out their website: http://www.ydsquare.ca/