3 Ps for 2018

Twenty seventeen was a pretty intense year for me. Without getting into the nitty-gritty, it was filled with extreme loss of self, denial, shame, and death.

Heavy right?! Well, I must say it was also an amazing time for self-discovery, balance/wellness seeking, and love.

The end of 2017 was much more positive for me. Thank gosh! Heck, we traveled to Europe and got engaged so I'd say that was pretty monumental! But it's safe to say I have serious hopes for 2018. I want excitement, spontaneity, and fun. I want to travel, grow (both professionally and personally), and embrace new experiences. Resolutions don't do it for me. Do you really need resolving? No way. You are strong, capable and powerful. And you can be the best version of yourself by setting goals and intentions for the year without putting negative pressure on yourself. I totally stole these 3 Ps from the ultimate boss babes around, the girls from Tone It Up. They are so positive and inspirational and I love following them and their wellness tips! So I couldn't help to not share them with you, but by adding my own insight, of course!

This year I am focusing on 3 Ps:

Purpose
I want to embrace purpose. I want this blog to have a purpose. Sometimes we get carried away with just sharing our own snapshots that we forget how we can help and inspire others. In 2017 I made it a goal to share with purpose. That meant for my blog posts to give more insight and value, and that is something I vow to continue to do so that it may inspire you constantly. I started sharing ways to inject the topic I was discussing into your own life and I think it's such a powerful tool to do. Also, one huge accomplishment for me was launching my newsletter to generate more purpose. To give tips and tricks and share my findings through another means. I don't plan to stop!

Positivity
Sometimes I can be pretty negative. We all can. But I know that I have a tendency to fixate on this from time to time. Constantly reminding myself (literally-- I mean speaking to myself) to change my thoughts/outlook and focus on the silver lining has been so helpful for me. Self-talk and self-care have huge powers.

Passion 
It's time to follow my dreams! I get so excited by possibilities but sometimes have a hard time carrying them out. I have to say... when I do, it's like a surge of joy, energy, and renewal! This year I am going to focus more on my passions and not feel guilty for it. In other words: "you do you"!

So now you tell me. I let you in on some of my inner thoughts but I want to hear yours. What are your intentions  and goals for 2018?

Being Bold & My Mantra

With the coming of the new year, I am looking forward to many exciting opportunities and taking the blog to new places! There are also many intents I have for myself that relate to my day to day life, whether that be at home, in my career or in health. This post by fellow Toronto blogger Cassie Drake, An Architect Abroad, is a definite read! It really shows that we should be focusing on the whole process of achieving our newfound intents and how goal setting is sort of... well, short-sighted and leads to short-term results.  If you're in the process of goal mapping this year, you need to get over there to check it out. Totally gave me a new perspective on the whole new year's resolution idea!

I know that with all the exciting opportunities there will definitely be challenges and struggles along the way, as per every year! This year I am focusing on a new mantra. The bracelet I am wearing in this post was given to me by my mother for Christmas and I have barely taken it off since! It states "she believed she could, so she did". I absolutely love this quote! Every time I look down and see it I am constantly reminded that I am strong, powerful and capable of anything! Talk about inspirational, right?? Even though it's just a bracelet, having the words out there, on my wrist, is a powerful thing. I can look down and really reflect on the words, opposed to just hearing them in my head. After I received the bracelet I discovered MantraBand and their whole collection of inspirational pieces. There is really a special quote for everyone! 

The rest of the outfit may be simple, but it sure is bold. I am loving statement pieces lately and these Le Spec sunnies are my newest addition. First of all, can we talk about affordability?! I got them at Nordstrom and compared to similar styles they are such a steal. Gold, leopard and mirrored-- I love that they are fun, classic and totally retro. I also had been wanting to find some statement earrings and these pink bead tassels were the perfect pieces to pair with my (old, but classic) pink coat! The colours are a perfect match! The marble bag, which seems to make an appearance every winter, was truly a statement investment that I made a few years ago, but it's one that I get the most compliments on and offers to buy! It's become a timeless piece that I can't part with. I know it's sold out but I've linked some similar marble bags for you below. What do you think of pairing all the bold accessories together?

It's safe to say I am ready for a bold and bright year! How about you?

What I'm Wearing:

Le Specs sunglasses, MantraBand cuff, Wilfred Free leggings, RW & CO Mock Neck Sweater, Zara coat (similar), Cougar Boots, Rebecca Minkoff bag (similar), Francesa's earrings 

Shop the post:

Back On Track

I hope you all had a lovely holiday! After this weekend it's back to work, school and a normal routine, so I thought I'd share some great sites to keep you motivated to live a healthy lifestyle and get back on track after a very indulgent month.

Oh She Glows : I'm may not be vegan, but Angela's recipes are seriously good! Her cookbook is easily my favourite. Simple instructions, pictures to go along with every recipe, and ingredients that won't have you running to the grocery story every other day. I'm obsessed with her Green Monster smoothie.

Deliciously Ella : Read this post to get rid of any post-holiday guilt and feel completely motivated to be the best version of yourself this year, and always. Her breakfast and salad recipes are fab!

Tone It Up : Need a little push to get yourself back to the gym? Tone It Up posts weekly workout schedules to get you moving. Right now they are doing the 100 Miles by V-Day Challenge (I am at 8 miles today!). You can get your miles in any way- by walking, running, spin class, or even swimming. Check it out and join in on the fun!

Also- check out Nutritious and Delicious  for some of my favourite breakfasts/post workout snacks.

Year in Review

Two thousand and fourteen was a year that I will never forget. I graduated for {maybe} the last time, took the trip of a lifetime to Europe with B, started my career and really concentrated on maintaining a more healthy lifestyle. I am forever grateful for the goals I wrote down in my notebook last January first as they truly shaped my year. I'm not saying I stuck with them day in and out, but I made the effort to hold them true.

Seriously- thank you again for following along on my little P&P journey. This idea of this blog, that started in my university computer course, has turned into the ultimate creative channel for me, and I hope it fills you with incessant inspiration for your everyday.  I wish you the most fabulous year filled with new and exciting adventures, endless love and complete happiness!

Clarity

One of my favourite things to do when starting a new year is to get organized. This year I made the move to a reusable day planner which I am very excited about. It's a compact size, has a place to put a pen or pencil, and did I mention the theme is travel?! Oh, and it's in true KSNY style- polka dots and all. Getting organized for the new year (and term) is vital for me to increase productivity and enhance clarity, so I really need to take a day or so to refocus and plan this next stretch. I can't be the only one that gets anxious if things get too disorganized or chaotic! 

Do you have any tips on how to start a new year on the right foot?

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!

My, my, my... where has the time gone! I can't believe we are already saying goodbye to 2013 and are about to start a new year. I know it happens on the same day every year, but it sort of tends to sneak up on me! And I probably say this every year, but this past year has felt like the best one yet (graduating from university and deciding to chop off my hair definitely top the list)!  Two thousand and fourteen sounds like a good year, doesn't it? I am already looking forward to graduating again (but hopefully for the last time), going on an European adventure, and starting my career! So bring it on 2014! 

In the meantime I am reflecting on my most dearest moments, and the word thankful is not enough to describe how I feel about this year! Here are some my favourite moments, on and off the blog. 

Thank you so, so much for reading and following along on my Pastels and Pastries journey! Exciting things are to come. 

xx
gabriella