Stepping off the subway and making my way through the PATH, in Toronto the other day, it was like being in a vault of everything hearts, from window displays to store shelves. Yes, that time of the year is here - when you start seeing and hearing the ads "This Valentine's say it with love - give your beloved ( fill-in the blank with:  jewelry, chocolates, flowers etc. )". And then let's not forget the sponsored ads that pop up as we scroll through our Insta, FB, and other social media feeds. Soon we will be scrolling down our feeds, seeing photo after photo of "look what my beloved surprised me with"! All of this is a constant reminder to the gal going it solo, like myself, that we have no one to show our love to or to be shown that we are loved. OR IS IT?

We are two thirds of the way through January, and in Toronto with -14 feeling like -20 plus, freezing our way towards the saddest day of the year. Blue Monday as it's referred to was actually a 2005 press release from Sky Travel (a vacation company) which claimed to have calculated the equation using a specific (non scientific) formula, to conclude the third Monday in January to be the saddest day of the year.

Whether it's actually true or hype there is no denying as we inch towards the end of
January that the bounce in our step and cheerful mood from all the sparkly luster of Christmas and the holiday season has been replaced with dragging ourselves out of bed to carry on with life's day-to-day activities.  Mix in the credit card bills popping up on your screen and/ in mail box, having to bundle up, clothes feeling a little tighter from all the holiday indulgence, lack of vitamin D (sunshine), and it's no wonder we are all feeling a little blue.  And while we can't control the weather, there are a few things we can do to lift our spirits and mood, while we (not so) patiently wait the arrival of spring.

​1) Most relationships have an expiry date, and too often we remain in a relationship hoping "the person" will change their spots, despite how many times they let us down. 

2) When a relationship has come to an end no matter how long it may not have been good - you still need to take time to heal, reconnect with yourself and recharge yourself. Jumping into another relationship will only provide a band-aid solution and you may find yourself in the same predicament in the months, years to come.

Lovelies if you have been reading along for any length of time you will know that I enjoy a nice glass of port wine and Taylor Fladgate is what I reach for ( just take a look at my IG). On a recent adventure to Portugal I made my way to Porto, the journey may have been inspired by the fact that Taylor Fladgate is located there.

The day we had planned to visit was a gloomy, rainy day - but that did not stop us from tackling the cobblestone streets with umbrella in hand. Come along on my experience:

​Over the years when I've been at the bottom of my priority list or not on it all (because life happens), I have found that taking a weekend for myself to de-stress and refocus on me is the perfect jump start to getting back on my self care daily practice, especially after a stressful time. Of course you don't have to do it just on the weekend - if two days during the week work best for you, that works too!

​Everywhere you look social media, lifestyle blogs and magazines are saying 50 is the new 40. I too have repeated that same sentiment, and may have even included the quote 50 is the new 40 on an inspiration board. Perhaps, it was because I spent my forties healing and rehabbing from my accident - and was hoping to "recoup" that lost decade, in my fifties. But we all know that you can not get back time, once it's passed. And I have to be honest - having spent a year at 50 I no longer believe 50 is the new 40. 50 is the NEW 50!! and I'm embracing 50 and creating the next chapter with more zest for life than I ever imagined possible.

​Though the temperatures remain crisp here in Toronto, the longer days of day light and sun beckon the start of spring cleaning our homes. It's amazing the heaviness that accumulates during the winter months. Once everything is spotless it's a good time to give the energy of your home a little cleansing too! 

How do You know if you need Smudging?