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 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!

{Giveaway} Win An 8x10 Canvas Print Via Easy Canvas Prints

Earlier this month, I was contacted by the folks from EasyCanvasPrints.com, offering me a canvas print of my choice, and one 8x10 print to share with my lovely readers. I know you're going to love these!

I visited their super user-friendly site and was pleased with all the options available when it comes to sizing of prints, mounting options and framing, as well as options to use photos from either your computer, Facebook, or Instagram.

The hardest part? Deciding which image to choose!

I went back into my archives and found a few I really love...

I ended up choosing the very first image, of a tiny Gretchen picking flowers in the park. It's always been a favourite of mine, and soon it'll be hanging in our living room.

Now, onto the fun stuff...!

THE GIVEAWAY
Up for grabs is an 8x10 canvas photo print!

TO ENTER
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Psst, you can also share this giveaway with your friends here, if you're feeling especially generous! Karma, right?



Giveaway sponsored & facilitated by Easy Canvas Prints. View So Fawned's sponsor/disclosure information here. 

Instacube (And More Fun Gadgets!)

I haven't felt giddy about any new techie goods in a while... but the Instacube is doing it for me. This is exactly what I think a digital frame should be. Multiple users can set it up, and they're doing some Facebook integration which just makes this product way too fun.

How neat would it be to have on your desk at work? Or at home? I'm putting this on my Christmas list... hint, hint to my mister when he reads this.


Visit their Kickstarter to learn more about Instacube. I'm seriously excited about this product.

Check out my post over at Mom Spark for more great gift ideas for the tech-lover in your life. Father's Day is coming up soon!

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!

Looking Back At The 2004 Peterborough Flood

Next month with mark the nine year anniversary of the 2004 Peterborough Flood.

The other day, at brunch with some friends, we all got to reminiscing about where we were when the flood happened, what we were doing, where we worked, who we were with. I have a hard time believe it was actually nine years ago. That seems like an eternity.

On July 15th, 2004, my hometown, Peterborough, Ontario, woke up to a flooded city after a night of non-stop rain. Our waterways couldn't handle it -- and the sewer system couldn't either. (See that white truck? That was my mother's. It was completely submerged in the parking lot -- she swam out the window.)



At the time I was living in a second floor apartment building, and working at a YMCA summer camp. I remember early morning phone calls and eventually the realization that this was no ordinary "rain day".

We all went to work, bailing out parts of the Because of the sewer issues, people in our city weren't just dealing with water damage -- they were dealing with losing entire floors of their homes to sewage. Floor to ceiling. Nothing could be saved.

Many people found themselves being turned down by their insurance if they hadn't opted in to specific flood damage policies, as often insurance companies don't cover "acts of god" ie. flooding, or other natural disasters. When I first had to purchase content insurance for my home, I asked about flooding right off the bat. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep at night with that possibility lurking!

Hello, downtown Peterborough!

At the time of the flood, I was also a co-chair of the Red Cross Youth Council in Peterborough. On the night of the 15th, I spent hours travelling back and forth to stores who had donated everything from money to cleaning supplies and more, and we created clean-up buckets for folks to pick up for free to help with the process. It's insane to walk into a Walmart and leave with every mop and bucket!

The aftermath of the flood was devastating. Homes and businesses were lost. Our local archives mostly destroyed, vehicles ruined. For weeks and weeks, streets were littered with what used to be peoples treasures and belongings. The smell of drying sewage lingered.

But, Peterborough is a town of resilience and community. And so we cleaned up. And moved on.

One good thing that came out of the flood, was the revitalization of Hunter Street -- now the Cafe District in our pretty little downtown. I think that had the flood not occurred, we wouldn't see such vibrant shops and life there now.

Hunter Street went from this:

To this:

An incredible transformation.

I think I might need an I Survived The 2004 Peterborough Flood t-shirt.

Have you ever experienced a flood?

{Small Style} Coffee By The Pond, Toes In The Water

Another sunny morning at The Children's Pond? Yes please.

She waded through the water til her toes were chilled and splashed her with My Little Pony friends. And then she "fell in", of course on purpose, yelling "yay!" and loving every minute of it.

I'd love a summer filled with mornings like these.

I definitely have a photo of her doing just this, when she was much smaller. Time to hunt through the archives for a comparison that's sure to make my heart ache just a wee bit.

Friends.

Shorts, shirt: Old Navy // Hat: Joe Fresh // Ponies: Thrift finds // Bare feet: Brrr!

Have a beautiful day, friends. Pop back soon... a few fun and exciting announcements will be coming up soon. I'm all giddy!

Ideas Are Like Rabbits

I love this John Steinbeck quote.

Lately I've been a brainstorming machine... filling page after page in my notebooks, new ideas for the blog, for life, for the future... and I can't wait to share them with you. Cheers, for a wildly creative & productive Tuesday!

PS. Another favourite quote.

Image by Lisa Congdon.

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!

Beyond So Fawned: Audrey Hepburn Style

Good morning & happy Sunday, loves! Just wanted to share a few posts I've been working on over at Mom Spark this last while:

• Add a little Audrey Hepburn to your wardrobe
• Gift ideas for geeky dads
• Are you a shorts girl?

Hope you're all having a relaxing weekend! Peace.

Happy Birthday, Mister

Thank you for being my best friend, and a wonderful figure in my daughter's life. Thank you for being my partner, for taking care of me when I was deliriously sick, for being so supportive and always believing in me. Thank you for making me laugh -- every single day. Thank you for wrapping my Christmas present like Rowan Atkinson. Thank you for knowing me so well, for finishing my sentences, and for tolerating my perpetual clumsiness. 

You mean the world to me. And I adore you. 

Happy birthday, my mister! I love you!

Fawned Friday

Good morning, lovelies! I can't believe the end of the week is here already! Thank you so much for your support yesterday as I announced the closure of my shop. You guys mean the world to me and I appreciate every comment, every email, tweet, and DM. Much love! Happy Friday!

01. Loving this dress.

02. Eight new rules for sunscreen.

03. Powerful.

04. Super cute shop.

05. Lariat love.

06. Balance.

07. You can't do anything you want. But it's okay.

08. Blissful garden magic.

09. A new recipe I'd love to try.

10. I've mentioned this cafe on the blog a lot.