OM BONUS GIVEAWAY CLUE: Where in the world was tee? Clue #10: The Compliment.

So this past week, there were so many amazing OM: One Moments... Truth be told, at first I wanted to just blog off the whole week as my single OM. Then this happened...

A couple days into my self-designed relaxation rejuvenating retreat, complete with rediscovering my love for photography, I received such an awesome unexpected compliment!

See, I attended a daily class every morning Tuesday to Friday last week. If you haven't yet guessed what type of classes, you may want to check out the last couple clues, as I'm hoping it's become obvious. After each class I'd roam in and out of the barn, the grounds and neighbouring spa to take pictures of anything and everything that took my eyes' fancy.

Turns out one of my instructors was quite impressed and emailed me with the subject line "Bring camera?" This is what it said...

Hey there, thinking of you.

Wondering if you might be interested in taking a few pictures in the spa tomorrow? If so, after class, come over to the spa and speak with Jodi. We just need a few architectural shots of the rooms, to send to our owner.

We can comp your class tomorrow too.

Would just need to email pics to Sarah tomorrow sometime.

Thanks for considering.

Peace,
Kristin

I hadn't even realized she'd seen any of my photos, until I remembered mentioning my lil where in the world am I game with my dear friends. Turns out Kristen had checked my blog out, and was impressed!

And here I thought I was just being annoying amateur paparazzi with my camera. In fact, frankly, I hadn't really picked up my darling D80 in quite sometime... I'd taken a LOT of photos during my much longer sojourn in France as an au pair.

Turns out all I needed was a little break, and once the inspiration came trickling it soon became a full on rapid and plentiful stream... Who knew? I'm certainly not a pro, I leave that to my amazingly talented photographer friends. You know who you are ;) However, I most certainly was flattered to be asked for copies of my pics... So here is what I ended up emailing Sarah...

A couple you've seen already...

Plus shots inside "the barn." The second a happy-accident silhouette shot of the lovely Kristen, my instructor for my first two classes...

Honestly, sadly, I didn't get a chance to capture the entire spa, my favourite room to be exact which was the room that made me feel like a Beautiful Warrior 75 minutes later. Then again, I think no picture's required to remember how amazing that spa treatment was! Thank you again Eileen :)

I know, I know what you're thinking how do these shots possibly help me? I could have been at any one of a zillion spa getaways last week... But trust me only one was as charyming as this one ;) In fact, a special thank you to everyone, Kristin, Maureen, Vicki, Jodi, Amber, Sarah and co. for all being so delightful!

Absolute final clue tomorrow... Bonne chance mes amis!

xo,

tee.

PS - Once more (Om!) a special thanks to À la mode Stuff for creating the One Moment online meet-up. Want to learn more? Click below for more info!

GIVEAWAY: Where in the world is tee [going]? Clue#2 + This Week's OM: "free facial!"

I love this shot. I cropped and adjusted the contrast a bit. Nope I didn't take it. Along with yesterday's Clue#1, it's lovingly loaned from one of the major places of my destination. And yes, if you haven't guessed it, I am planning on seriously pampering myself throughout my weeklong getaway!

- - -

So with Clue#2 out of the way, onto this week's OM, also pampering and beautifying related! I am thrilled to introduce local esthetician maggie of maggie&co, and share the background story on how I met her...

Sunny Tuesday afternoon, Big Brother G was at his new favorite caffeine-equipped joint/office: the Linux Caffe here in Toronto, and encouraged über-tall little brother and I to come say hello. He offered to treat us to frozen yogurt. How could we refuse?

Linux Caffe by leigheldridge.

A couple lemon frozen yogurts later, G went to Spanish class, and über-tall lil bro and I stuck around inside to warm up with some chai tea. Nothing like tasty contrasts, right?

By now, you're wondering where does maggie fall into this story? Well as it happens... Now! For the moment I sat down on the perfect people watching bar stool, and not more than two inches from where I placed my cuppa chai tea I stumbled upon this...

As you can guess, I took the card read it and placed it in my purse. A couple days later I serendipitously remembered to call maggie when I was in need of some beautifying for a special someone's big 3-0 extravaganza tonight! Happy Birthday Cee ;)

Not only was maggie super friendly and professional, her home set-up truly is a hidden gem.

Located on an assuming corner a couple blocks north of Little Italy's College Street, I couldn't help but grin when she explained why local celebs are regulars... The privacy! Truth be told, although it was a short appointment, she made me feel like a starlet all my own. A seasoned Stillwater Spa alumna, she knew exactly how I wanted my brows done before I said a peep... Natural and tee for tidy of course.

I have no pics of maggie&co. After all, we starlets need our privacy ;) However, if like me, you love supporting local small business owners with charm and would adore a free facial, drop me a line. I'll happily email you her digits.

I love how this One Moment of joining my brothers for frozen yogurt, resulted in another great One Moment of meeting maggie.

I'm returning for my complimentary facial when I land back in Toronto from my petit sojourn! Remember to stay tuned for more clues to win a pasalubong!

Bon weekend!

xo,

tee.

PS - Thanks again to À la Mode for creating such a neat and simple meet up! Wanna join? Click below.

OM: To My Dear Nokia 6301

Originally posted by fated to pretend.

This week's One Moment (a.k.a. great online meet up started by À la mode Stuff) is of the simple, we, well I, definitely, take for granted variety... Appreciating the phone.

From Sunday to today, I called and received a many phone calls. Thank goodness for a nearly unlimited mobile phone plan! Of course, it's when I forget my mobile at home and am therefore kicking myself for being forgetful, that I realize how much I count on it, and being with me! This week, I appreciate it: period.

To My Dear Nokia 6301,

How I heart you. I've dropped you, misplaced you, scuffed you up, and handled you with sticky hands while I'm devouring gooey and delicious frozen yogurt. Yet still, always, you stay by my side. Not to mention, while your screen is not as fancy and touch sensitive as the iPhone or functional as the crackberry, you still provide easy access to mobile web. You wake me up each morning, and even allow me to capture special moments when forgetful me has left my digicam at home.

Your battery may not last forever, and occasionally calls are a bit static-y, yet through it all you're there for me. And this week, you

• Were my timepiece getting me to networking events and informational interviews on time;
• Delivered great news from recent job interviews;
• Helped me coordinate with a girlfriend who I was assisting move;
• Entertained me with gossip;
• Helped me strategize and do business;
• Comforted a friend;
• Made weekend plans;
• And tonight, you allowed me to hear from a good friend I hadn't chatted with in a really long time, who called out of the blue as she sat at Pearson's Airport in limbo between Prince Edward Island and Vancouver.

Thank you, Phone.

xo,

tee.

Oh and thank you for reading my OM of the week :) Bon weekend.

xo,

tee.

PS - More phone fun...

Above image: My girlfriend Penny Loafer has one (a cell phone receiver attachment) she once carried around in her small purse during a party. Brilliant conversation starter and not just when receiving a call ;) Made by FredFlare, just only it's no longer available on their website. However this is...

Above images: That's right a banana cell phone holder, which by the way, I am seriously considering purchasing! For $14 bucks I could look like a monkey as I walk down the street! Or...

Above image: If all you want is a brick phone like my dear dad used to own and as pictured below, that too can be arranged it turns out... I particularly the large-sized disclaimer at the top that reads: "These "Brick" cell phones are being sold for "prop" / display / gag-gift use only. While many of them will power up if the battery is charged, they would not be practical to use due to system incompatibilities, short battery life, etc." No way? Really? ;D

My 'One Moment' of last week: Sibling Reminiscing.

Preface: You're probably wondering who the cuties are down below... Well up at the top is lil' sweet pea sis. The guy with the mustache in the Pampers box is my Michigan-to-Argentina motorcycling brother. And the third photo? Well that would me along with über-taller little brother and big brother G.

Know the song Sunscreen - Everybody's Free performed by Baz Luhrmann? Well there's this line:

"Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future."

And it's so true. Not to mention I feel so fortunate to have four links to my past and reinforcements in the future!

The thing is we five siblings are scattered across the globe. Yes, currently my Michigan-to-Argentina motorcycling brother is doing just that. In fact, he just wrapped up some volunteer work in Guatemala :) As you may know sweet pea lil sis is in Michigan. And über-tall little brother, well he just arrived in Toronto from the Philippines, and it's been nearly two years since G and I have seen him!

Excited therefore we were! So when one of us began unexpectedly recalling our oldest childhood memories over dinner one night, we just couldn't stop. After all we all had such great childhoods... You know, tattle-tales, fights (of the water and screaming variety) and all. Cue cheesy music and tearful thank you to mom and dad here. Yet, seriously that moment was definitely worth taking in and appreciating, hence... My One Moment of last week: Sibling Reminiscing.

While all five of us weren't together to remember:

• the lemonade stands turned lemonade franchises (we were entrepreneurs even back then);

• the make-believe games complete with make-believe Monopoly money customized with our faces on it (courtesy of mom's photocopier);

• and the grocery store trips that ended with two overflowing grocery carts and I don't know how many bags of milk (dad contemplated buying a jersey for the backyard);

To name a few... I certainly can't wait wait for the day when we are crying from laughing to hard at all our wonderful, memorable (mostly silly!) childhood stories!

Have any sibs? And/or just plain awesome childhood memories to share?

xo,

tee.

Not sure what all this One Moment mention is about, click on the button below to learn more about this great online meet up started by À la mode Stuff.

OM stands for One Moment. This week's: Odile Chocolat.

I was delighted to come across my first ever online meet up courtesy of À la mode Stuff via CandiedFabrics, especially because I am currently in a mindfulness meditation class that promotes taking things in "moment by moment."

This week's moment? Odile Chocolat. [Odile: pronounced oh-dee]

I've lived in my new 'hood now for over two months. Each time I'm on Dundas Street West, I've walked by a bright turquoise painted-brick boutique, telling myself I will pop in the next time to check it out. You know how that goes... Well on Wednesday, I finally did! And I was welcomed by Odile herself, a lovely French chocolatier clearly passionate about her trade. Not only did she tell me about her chocolates during my brief visit, but she insisted I have a taste!

How wise she was, for there's nothing like a sample to whet one's appetite for more... Yesterday, I returned, although this time not for me but for LeanandLuxe. After all, big brother G and I had to give her something worthy of her gourmet palette. Inspired by the meet up, and in an effort to fully enjoy the moment I asked Odile permission to photograph my visit and she happily obliged.

I ended up picking:

• The Chai Massala (the one I'd tried and adored);
• Romance: Champagne, black pepper, and rose petals (because everyone needs a bit of bubbly, spice and flowers on their birthday);
• Raspberry Vinegar (a best-seller); and
• Mushroom (wild Canadian black trumpet).

All hand-made...

Odile Chocolat: small simple pleasures one will want to enjoy slowly, appreciating the unique flavours fused with 54 percent Callebaut Belgium chocolate.

Taking the moment to blog about this has reminded me how much I love to connect with local retailers, and pick out the perfect gift for a friend. Can't wait to write a about a special moment next week!

Bon weekend !

xo,

tee.