5 Things to do/try/buy ~ Eric Leonard

Eric is a lovely soul I have had the pleasure of knowing for many years ... think elementary days. He has a wonderful heart and superb style. He's kind, caring, hilarious and charming. Traits that cause him to have a tremendous amount of friends and sidekicks. Eric is our "Kevin Bacon", he knows everyone and can easily relate them within 6 degrees of separation. 

I couldn't think of a better guy to share his perspective on the "5 Things to do/try/buy" mini series. I hope you enjoy Eric's recommendations and encourage you all to practice what he preaches ... invest time in your life!

Meet Eric.

1. Gentlemen… Invest in a suit.  A classic, well-tailored suit should be a staple in every man’s wardrobe.  Quite often men will not take the time to shop for a suit (or any clothes for that matter), but the reality is that suit shopping is actually a lot of fun.  Specialty suit stores are dedicated to helping men look and feel great in a suit, and can help ease the overwhelming feeling of buying the perfect suit.  A classic black suit is versatile and can be worn for many different functions.  Personally, I prefer the look of a navy blue suit, which is just as versatile.  A classic, well-tailored suit will last you for years and you’ll look and feel great when you wear it during many of life’s memorable moments!  Make sure your suit has clean lines and fits you in the right spots – this will ensure it doesn’t look like you’re wearing dad’s suit.  Many of the men’s chain stores for suits can help you with your fittings and finding the right one.  Don't be afraid to look for an independent suit store as well.  You might end up paying a little extra for a perfectly tailored suit, but it’s a smart investment.

2  “Don’t buy things, buy experiences”.  Recently I’ve heard and seen this quote several times and at face value, it makes sense but when you spend a few minutes and actually think about it, it’s an incredibly powerful mantra to hold.  In the Spring my partner and I traveled through Europe and on the last evening of our trip, we were sitting on a patio in Lisbon Portugal, eating a beautiful meal, drinking a bottle of vinho verde (exclusive wine to the Portugal region), while listening to a man play the cello – that was the first time I really saw the beauty of an experience versus a material thing.  I will certainly not be able to ever re-create that specific experience, or the trip for that matter, but it is a beautiful memory that I will carry with me forever.  So for me, I would much rather do something like travel with loved ones, go on an adventure, or visit and share laughs with friends, which creates lasting experiences and memories… something that is much more valuable than ‘things’.  You certainly don’t have to travel all over the world to make lasting experiences (although you do make some pretty amazing memories traveling the world), so I encourage you to make as many lasting memories as you can! 

3. Go back to school!  When I was fresh out of high school I went to university because it was the thing to do.  After two years of enrollment I decided to… ok, I was ‘invited to’ leave university for a year.  I was young and excelled in going to the pub and not so much to class, and I actually ended up taking longer than a year off.  I have since gone back to university and am taking classes part-time while I work full-time.  Although my weeks are hectic with work, school, homework, etc., I love learning a subject that I am passionate about.  If you are ever hesitant about going back to school… DON’T BE!  If you are in a position that you can do it, you should.  Life long learning is an amazing thing, and no one can ever take away your education and the knowledge you obtain – no matter how old you are.

4.  Learn about who you are.  I’ve taken an interest in the last little while in genealogy and ancestry.  I won’t say that I’ve taken it up as a full on hobby, but I have been casually tracing some of my roots.  I have one set of grandparents left living, so I am learning as much from them as I can – I can trace back to the 1600’s and ancestors in France and apparently have lineage to Spanish royalty.  Regrettably, I didn’t have much of an interest in genealogy while my other grandparents were living and therefore didn’t pick their brains about our ancestry as much as I would have liked to.   Fortunately my grandfather did document lineage tracing my 3x great grandfather back to Ireland, providing great framework for me to pick up where he left off.  I think it’s so important for us to know where we came from.  If you have grandparents you can discuss your lineage with, you should – it’s so neat to learn about what our ancestors were like and where we came from.  If you don’t have a living grandparent to talk to, or a documented family tree, the Internet is full of great tools and resources for you to start learning about who you are.  

5- Grow your own veggies.  I do not claim to be any sort of a gardener, or green thumb, but growing your own veggies is a lot of fun.  You don’t need hectares of land to grow a small veggie garden.  It took me a few summers of trial and error to figure out which veggies I preferred to grow.  But as long as you have a small space you can convert into a garden, you enjoy being outside, and you have some patience, then you’re all set.  There is nothing nicer than when you’re making dinner, to simply run outside and pick whichever fresh veggies from your garden you need.  One year I planted a full bed of beets, which I used for pickling – a great harvest that lasted for a whole year!  This year I only planted a small herb garden, some peas, and radishes; smaller than years before, but equally as enjoyable.  Although the dreaded winter season is right around the corner, take some time and decide which veggies you would like to plant next season – think about what you and your family make for dinner, snacks, preserves, etc., and consider that when planting your garden.  Enjoy!

~ Eric, these are all wonderful suggestions. Each one I was able to relate to and enjoyed reminiscing. 
When Adam and I got married he wore a tux, but shortly after he purchased a suit, had it tailored and ... wow, what a difference. I much prefer a fitted suit and wish we had considered it for our wedding. 
Going back to school at any age is a great opportunity to invest in your education. It took me a few years longer as well but I'm proud to say I hold a University degree and a diploma from College. I'm most proud on my dad, who at 50 received his first degree/Masters then went on to get another Masters a few years later. Life experience matched with education is profound schooling. 
My grandfather just gave me a box of old pictures that trace back to the 1800's. This winter I plan to take some time and uncover who my relatives are and how "we" came to live in Atlantic Canada. 
Thanks again for sharing Eric!

5 Things to do/try/buy ~ Natalie Hennessey

My next guest and I met a few months back when we moved into the neighbourhood. Oliver (my dog) is an old soul. He loves to play, wrestle and swim but majority of the time he can be found leaning against you getting his paws rubbed while quietly taking everything in.

Oliver's new best bud Huey lives next door and he is anything but "old Man". He is a fun loving Goldendoodle that has the energy and heart of 7 puppies. Huey is the sweetest friend for Oliver as he swoons him into tug-a-wars, puppy wrestling and chase. 

Puppies are great and so is Natalie, Huey's owner.

I get caught repeatedly saying " I think we were related in a former life" when I hang out with Natalie. When we aren't chatting it up about the dogs we talk about beauty, Island life, beauty, beauty and food. When we first started talking Natalie said "you should start a blog" I replied, "I seriously just started one a few months ago". We laughed. She then said "you should start a Youtube channel". I laughed and said " I just made my first video". That's not normal conversation people... there really is something special about our friendship. And what is really great is that Natalie also blogs!!! You can find her wonderful posts at nataliehennessey.blogspot.ca where she blogs about makeup, skincare and shares some great recipes along the way. And if that doesn't get you excited, Natalie posts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday which I LOVE.

Here are Natalie's "5 Things to do/try/buy" recommendations:

Huey and Natalie (heart)

1. Raise a puppy, kitten or baby companion animal. I've owned two dogs in my (short) life. My first, Maggie, we got when I was 8 years old. It's safe to say, my dad did all the work with her. After Maggie passed, I made the decision to purchase my own puppy, Huey! I prepared for months. I watched videos, read books, talked to tons of people, but when I finally brought him home, all HELL broke loose! Huey was a total handful that I would not have been able to survive without friends and family. Looking back on his first few months with me (now that he is 1 year old) I can see that it was such an amazing experience. The idea that a single person can have such an effect on the temperament and overall personality of an animal still fascinates me!

2. Try something new - as often as you can! As a child I was very anxious! I still am, and it often shows in my everyday life. But I've really gotten into the habit of trying something new as often as I can. Whether it be a new food (who knew Haddock was so good?) new adventure (driving off Island) or simply venturing out of your comfort zone with a new piece of clothing, I've really come to find that I feel much more confident in myself and my abilities.

3. Everything "Origins". I don't think I've tried an item I haven't liked from this brand. It's honestly such a great brand. The products smell amazing, work wonders on the skin and provide a nice boost of natural ingredients to any skincare routine! If you're stuck on what to try first, the GinZing line is my all-time favourite! The moisturizer can be used by anyone and the cleaners are super refreshing in the morning!

4. Make a donation to your local animal shelter. I'm a fan of giving. I'm that crazy person that loves Christmas and birthdays because I can GIVE you a gift. I buy gifts for people all year around - just because I like to! My favourite gifts to give though, are to those who need it most. After Maggie (see above) passed away, I made a donation to the Humane Society in PEI and really felt at peace for the first time since bring her to the vet. I've since been back to make a couple extra donations because it's just so nice to see animals in need find loving, forever homes.

5. Try prepping food for the week ahead. I always thought the Pinterest posts about "prepping" were ridiculous. Why would I spend an entire day in the kitchen cutting up veggies, baking granola and measuring out my favourite snacks when I could just do it as I went along? BECAUSE IT WORKS PEOPLE! About 2 weeks ago I began prepping my veggies, granola and other healthy morsels on Sunday afternoon. I can't even tell you the amount of food that has not gone to waste and the amount of veggies I'm now eating. It definitely takes commitment to spend a whole afternoon in the kitchen, but makes lunches, snacks and dinner so much easier during the week!


~ Natalie, these are great, simple and easy suggestions anyone can do. I can attest to owning a puppy, it was the best decisions Adam and I ever made and I wish I could relive those days over and over.
The GinZing line from Origins is fantastic, I love the lightweight feel of the moisturizer and it's freshness, it is a must try!!!
Adam and I have discussed that this year instead of giving gifts to family we are going to give a donation to an animal shelter. If there are people and animals in need of loving companions and my money an help bring them together, I'm in!
Prepping is a commitment but it sets you up for such great success! I'm glad it is working for you and it is a great reminder to me that I need to get myself back into the kitchen!

5 Things to do/try/buy ~ Jessica McPherson

For pretty much as long as I can remember Jessica has been my next door neighbour. When I was maybe 9 or 10 I would beg my parents and Jessica's, asking if I could babysit her. Obviously, I wasn't old enough but I was allowed to walk her in our driveways( lame... come on this was the early 90's, no one was after us). I'm 8 years older than Jess and she has always been the little sister I never had. Growing up and still to this day our parents are the best of friends and our families are always doing things together. Cocktails on the deck, vacations, sleepovers, board games (even cards against humanity!), cottage living, sports games, more drinking, lots of eating, camp fires, laughs, yelling (across yards), building things, supporting one another, teasing, climbing trees, dancing in the rain, parties and the list goes on. Over the span of 30 years the Reid/McPherson clan has become one and Jess has always been my lil sis.

Sit down, relax and enjoy Jessica's "5 Things to do/try/buy" suggestions.

1. NAKED palettes by Urban Decay. I absolutely swear by these make-up palettes especially the one I recently purchased: NAKED On The Run. It includes several eye shadows, a mascara, an eyeliner, bronzer, blush and one of the best lip glosses I have ever had. A couple of brushes and a concealer and this is all you need for the perfect natural look.

2. Local Farmer's Market. I currently live in Fredericton, New Brunswick where were are lucky enough to have a great local market with plenty of vendors and delicious food. I love going to the market for several reasons. 1. You get to support local farmers/bakers/artisans 2. It makes a great date whether it is with your significant other or a friend 3. You have to keep going back because believe me you will not be able to eat everything you want in one trip.

3. New Recipes. I love cooking and being able to try new foods, so I really try to push myself to try new recipes at least a couple times a month. It is so easy to get in to the habit of making the same old recipes you know by heart but food is not suppose to be boring even when it comes to healthy eating! You can still explore with food and create delicious meals without having to splurge. So, bring up the Pinterest board with all the recipes that you have never tried and actually make something new and exciting like this bacon, leek and mushroom risotto I made last week!

4. Milkshake Hair Products. I started using these products thanks to my hairdresser and could not live without them now. I have very long hair that is a nightmare to untangle after it's washed but with the Milkshake Leave in conditioner I have my hair brushed out in no time. You may have to talk to a hairstylist to order them for you or go in to a salon to get the products but believe me the effort is worth it. Did I mention they smell amazing!!!

5. Records. My boyfriend got this fancy record player for Christmas and at the time I was not overly interested in but now it has become something we both really enjoy. There is something special about being able to spend an afternoon looking for finds at an old record store and coming home to play it for the first time. Of course now I have this entire plan in my head about having a whole room full of records down the road but hey what's a few more hours at the record store, right? Plus it just made finding great gifts for him a whole lot easier!

~ Oh Man ... those are great recommendations. I can certainly attest to the milkshakes products! Shout out to Julie our hairdresser. And Jess is not lying about the smell, it is delightful and guaranteed to "bring the boys to your yard!".
I love Farmer's markets and the Fredericton area is blessed to have such wonderful vendors. It is always a treat when in the area to stop by to grab some grub and buy fresh produce for the week.
Adam and I have been listen to vinyl records for years. I love crackle and hiss sound as the needle drops, admiring the jacket and embracing the lyrics as if it were my own.  There is something special about vinyl that draws you in and allows you to create memorable experiences.
Everything old is new again.

5 Things to do/try/buy ~ April and Chloe Condon

You know when a true friendship is formed right from the initial meeting ... in this case over food ... and you walk away knowing that you just met a great couple and you can't wait to laugh and hang out again ?!?! That is the feeling I got when I first met April and her husband Jason back in December while enjoying some sushi. Prior to meeting the Condon's, for a number of weeks Adam had been telling me that I was going to like April, that we have similar taste and humour but that our laughs were very different. While I tend to laugh a lot, when I really get going you don't really hear my laugh until I'm gasping for air while tears start to run down my face. Well, April has the perfect contagious laugh, its bouncy, animated, bubbly and joyous. Her spirit is lively and I've learned she knows everyone in this town.

Their 10 year old daughter Chloe is the perfect mix of her parents. She is quiet and reserved yet zingy and enthusiastic, especially with her creativity.

Here are April and Chloe's "5 Things to do/try/buy" suggestions.

April Condon

1. Travel. Just thinking about travel helps to improve my mental well-being. On Sunday we were stormed in, yet again, but instead of thinking about what was going on outside I was dreaming about the restaurants we would eat in and the rides we would go on at Walt Disney World in May. This is two months away and it still felt so good to dream about what it was going to be like to be there.

I love everything from short road trips to traveling halfway around the world. As a graphic designer instructor at Holland College I do some traveling with EF Tours. I get to travel with creative people and see artwork that we have studied in person. There is nothing like learning about new cities and artists while sharing that experience with other creative people. In one year from now we will be in Paris and Barcelona on another adventure.

2. Lynda.com. As a graphic design instructor it is very important that I keep up to date on industry related technology. Lynda.com allows me to do just that. I can find answers to problems quickly and share information with my students. It is also great for creative inspiration videos.

3. New to me food. I am a foodie at heart. I love cooking and making things up as I go. I love trying new things at restaurants. We are a small city but we have some great culturally diverse restaurants. Food is such a big part of our social lives too. I enjoy bringing my students treats like honey crisp apples for out local market, making them carrot cake as a treat or trying my hand at a paella.

Last week I was at an event at the Culinary Institute and they passed around this little treat. Figs, bacon, and blue cheese. I would have never made this myself but sweet Jesus it was amazing. Never pass up the opportunity to taste something new to you.

4. Mazda 3. In 1999 my husband and I bought our first car together, a Toyota Tercel. We could only afford to have one extra feature added onto the base model and we choose the CD player instead of the AC because we would use the CD player everyday of the year. We are not car people. We looked at cars as just a means to get us from point A-to-B. That is until 15 years later when we got our second car together.

We did a lot of comparisons and test drives and finally settled on a Mazda 3. I felt like we were catapulted into the future. We now have heated seats, a video camera for reverse, navigation, Bluetooth sync for our phones and ipods, AC and a CD player. It makes driving fun again. I'm so excited that once the weather clears up we plan on taking some much anticipated road trips.

5. Paint. This is something that I have rediscovered in the last two years. I used to paint when I was a student and then when I was working as a graphic designer there was little call for me to paint anything for my clients. I didn't paint for over 10 years. I was going through some difficult personal issues and was looking for a creative outlet. I bought some new paints, brushes and canvases and went to work. I painted for three days and it felt amazing. No client input, no problems to solve, just paint. Time goes very quickly and I love how everything else just melts away. I also started going to some adult art classes in the evening. It's all about trying new mediums and carving out time for you and your own creativity.

Chloe Condon

1.Skating. Skating is all about play and there are no rules. You just skate and have fun with your friends and family.

2. Brain Games (the TV show). It teaches you fun facts about your brain through little games. I like doing the games at home and seeing the reactions of people on the show doing the same things I'm trying to do. It has taught me some cool tricks to show my friends. 

3. Magic tricks/Illusions. Learning tricks is challenging and fun at the same time. I like to impress my friends with my new illusions and watch their reactions.

4. Sleepovers/slumber parties. It's a time when you get to talk to your friends and you get to play fun games. You get to stay up late and wake up and play some more with your friends the next day.

5. Whatever After book series. I love to read. This is one of my favourite fictional chapter book series. It takes a classic fairytale and transports a sister and a brother into the story. They mess up the story line and try to fix it again. 

~ Thank you ladies for the suggestions. April your picks have me longing for road trips and tasty food. Oh and I can't forget the "Grub crawl" we are going on this summer. I'm also going to research some artistic classes in the area. I love the way you recommend "carving out time for your creativity".
And Chloe, you can practise your tricks on me anytime. The "Whatever" series reminds me of the "choose your own adventure" books I use to love reading at the library. Sleepovers are always a good time and I still like them as an adult !!!

5 Things to do/try/buy ~ Vicky Bashiu

I've known Vicky since we were wee ones prancing around dance class at the age of 4. Although my dancing career was short lived we have remained great friends over the past "number" of years. We've lived in different cities together and have encountered some major shenanigans along the way. One thing about Vicky is that she has friends all over. At one point during her wedding "the crew" realized we were all friends because of one person who brought us all together. Vicky is the girl who would ride alongside you heading to the drunk tank! No, that never happened but I'd be calling "the Viskster"  as I know it would make for an epic experience. 

To sum up this wonderful amigo, she's the whiskey in your teacup.

Here are Vicky's recommendations for the "5 Things to do/try/buy" series:

1. Treat yourself to a fully functional hoodie. What is a fully functional hoodie? A sweat that can work for both casual Friday at the office (okay some offices, like mine!) and a dressed down Sunday brunch. I recently purchased this one and I love it! Buyer beware for this specific sweater, it runs extremely small.

2. Once you've broken the bank with your hoodie, try thrift shopping. While I am a Frenchie's (an East Coast used clothing store) fan, there are lots of options when looking for second-hand merchandise. With Silas growing like a weed and going through clothes like crazy, I like a good deal. For the price of clothes, even if he wears them once or twice and ruins them, I consider it a win. We also like to purchase toys in excellent used condition, and pass those on once he no longer takes an interest.

Silas has his first swimming lesson.

3. Buy and try cloth diapers. Not only are they environmentally friendly, they are also freaking adorable. We do use disposables on occasion, but mainly use cloth. It's not as gross as you might believe, actually it's not gross at all, and let's face it, once you have a baby, your tolerance to grossness sky rockets. We use Applecheeks, which are a Canadian company, but there are many different brands out there. I suggest trying a few different types and styles and find what works for both you and baby.

4. Try to DIY, even it you're not "crafty". With Silas turing one, I decided to make his birthday gift, and do the decorations for his party. I am lucky to be on maternity leave, so have more time than most to DIY. For the party monster decoration I used this blog and think they turned out quiet cute and whimsical. I also, gave life to an old rocking horse my late father had gifted to Silas right before he passed away. This I did on my own, relying on a tutorial on painting camouflage. I can't wait for Silas to see it and to tell him the story of where the rocking horse came from.

5. Last but not least, do something new at the gym. Step outside your comfort zone. I literally stepped outside my normal routine and tried Les Mills Body Step at Goodlife Fitness. Was I scared to fall over and die of embarrassment, YES! Did I get over it, I certainly did. I really enjoyed the music, the moves and the variety of women in the class and have since returned to the class quiet a few times.

~ Vicky you did a fantastic job on your DIY's. I mean seriously those monsters are to cute and the  "upcycled" rocking chair is sure to be a favourite toy of Silas' !
I agree that trying new things at the gym can turn you on to loving something you never thought you would! I'll attempt a step class with you when I'm home next. As long as you promise I won't fall and fart. Ha ha.
Thanks for all the great recommendations. 

5 Things to do/try/buy ~ Tammy Wallace

If you have dabbled into the world of Pinterest then I'm sure you have come across a few simple and perfect hair do's by Kate from The Small Things Blog. I've been a big fan of Kate's for a number of years now. Her quiet demeanour is quite charming and she gives helpful tutorials on Youtube regarding beauty and hair. This past month she started a little series on her blog called "5 things to do try/buy ", where she asked fellow bloggers, friends and mothers to list their top five "must have " items. I thought this was such a unique way to learn a little bit about what others consider their "holy grail" secrets, that I've asked around and will be featuring some friends and family members on my blog.

So here we go...

5 Things To Do/Try/Buy with Tammy Wallace

Tammy is my sister in law (Adam's oldest sister) and lives in the Moncton area. She and her husband just finished building their dream home and reside there with their two daughters. Tammy has a passion for photography and knack for home decor. Needless to say their new home is nicely decorated and filled with loads of great photos. Here are Tammy's top 5 favourite things she would like to pass along...

1. Bar Keeper's Friend (Mildly addicted to this stuff). I've been buying at Target for when it's on sale for .99 cents because it's way cheaper than other stovetop cleaners, but it also works for cleaning stainless steel, sinks, bathtubs, diminishing cracks in porcelain sinks and dishes, soap scum, burnt on grease in pots and pans. LOVE IT. 

2. Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB. I've tried many BB creams and foundations over the years, and this is one of my absolute favourites. It adds a youthful quality to my dehydrated, aging skin, while gently moisturizing and helping conceal skin discolourations. I wear it everyday, even if I'm laid up in the house all day, just to feel better about myself. That's saying something.

3. Dr. Bronners Castile Oil Soap. I've been using this stuff for a couple of years now and I love it. It's very gentle, smells great, is good for the environment and people. It's organic, non-gmo and made from 100% pure plant oils. We use it as a shower gel, bubble bath, shampoo, shave cream (when combined with coconut oil is THE BEST) and some use it to brush their teeth but I haven't it and won't. It can be used to wash dishes, mop floors, wash laundry and as a multipurpose cleaner. Some make insect repellant with it. There are probably hundreds of other uses out there I haven't tried but might. Personally I have used it for all these things except laundry. It's great stuff. 

4. DSLR Camera. Photography is not for everyone but for me it's been a bit of a God send. Living with chronic pain on a daily basis changes you. It's easy to see the glass as half empty. Photography not only allows me to catch simple candid moments of my family that I will cherish when my memory someday fails me, but it allows me to find beauty and wonder in the most mundane things. It reminds me how beautiful life is and not to take it for granted. 

5. Blogs. I've learned a tonne of time-saving, useful, penny-pinching ideas in blogs. DIYers really make you feel like you can do anything, and truthfully you can if you try. 
I've learned how to make no-sew grommet curtains and roman blinds (when I'm too lazy to sew- though I know how), how to get old grout looking like new, how to make my own decor hacks for significantly less and how to get perfectly buttery bokeh from my camera lens, etc etc. Yep! Possibilities are endless on the inter "web". 


~ I'm really interested in trying the Dr. Bronners soap - I love a product that has multiple uses (like the idea of using the coconut oil with it too). And I'm really digging the look of bokeh. Thanks for all the great recommendations Tammy!