Fashion Beauty Friend Friday: Gratitude

Happy Friday!!  This is the official one-year anniversary of  Fashion Beauty Friend Friday! This post is dedicated to Katy and everyone who participates on Fridays. Its been a great way to get to know each other!!!  Anyone who would like to join us, please head over and sign up at ModlyChic, come on, its FUN!!

Gratitude 
1.  When it comes to me personally – I owe a lot of who I am to: 
My mom for one. My mom has always been unconditional. She has always been my best friend. She has always been fun and creative.  She taught me the art of being compassionate.  My GRAMMY. Oh how I miss grammy. She was 93 when she passed away 2 years ago and she was always my biggest cheerleader.  She was so outgoing and creative and loving. Grammy was always there for us no matter what- and we laughed alot together!!  AND all my friends. Especially those ones who have always been straight with me. Those who havent been afraid to say what's really going on for them and who have always stood for me to be the biggest most amazing person I could be (even when I havent wanted to :).  Fiance. He is amazing. I am so blessed to have such a open, loving, generous, caring, talented, hot guy in my life. He is not only fun and creative, he is smart, fast (triathlete) and adventurous!! 

2. When it comes to me professionally – I owe a lot of who I am to: 
My friends Colleen and Robin. They were always like another set of parents (younger parents) for me. They were always so encouraging and kept stressing how smart I was  and that I would GO places. They helped me to see my true skills and passions that really led me to going to university for what I studied.  Also, my Supervisor for my masters thesis, who also became my boss and great personal friend.  We have so many heart to heart conversations she made a HUGE difference for me in terms of freeing me up to see that I could pursue what I loved as a job rather than just have a job for the sake of paying the bills.  The job I have now doesn't occur as work for me. Instead it is an absolute expression of who I am!!!

3. When it comes to the art of blogging, I’m grateful to these people for helping me through some rough spots: 
Colette (Statements in Fashion) She took me in under her wing when I was a bran new blogger and I always felt so 'special' having such an amazing blogger as a friend!!! Thanks BABE I totally LOVE you!!!


Marilou (Twenty York Street)- She was an instant friend and Canadian too!! We shared many emails back and forth and had the great opportunity to meet in March and it was awesome!!!


Emma (Daily Clothes Fix)- Always there to share great ideas, creativity and a supportive word.  I plan on going to the UK sometime soon to meet up!!


Pete (Emma's partner in blogger crime)- quite some time ago I emailed Pete and picked his brain about photography ideas and he sent me back the BEST email with lots of ideas and feedback on my photos. I thought that was the  coolest thing.  So of course I want to meet him when I go to the UK and have a photoshoot of me with Emma!!   


Rita (The Adventures of Cinderita)- We were developing our blogs at around the same time and spent many a night on the phone while working out kinks in design and format on blogger.  We did photoshoots together and also constantly send each other emails with ideas about what each other could do on our blogs.  She, of course, has more ideas for mine than I do but I am too chicken sh*t to do some of them!! LOL she is adventurous alright!!

4. One blogging challenge I’m grateful happened because it made me stronger was… 
There was a blogger I was emailing back and forth with all the time and it seemed like she just suddenly stopped emailing me. I was so worried that maybe did I say something wrong? Did I offend her? She wasn't posting comments on my blog anymore. She wasnt returning emails. She was posting everywhere else though.  I started doubting myself and thinking I must have said something that hurt her feelings... anyway, this went on for several weeks until I accidentally found out that her emails had somehow gone to my SPAM box!!  Since I hadn't responded back to her in awhile (so it seemed to her), she began thinking the same things about me.. maybe she said something wrong etc...  Anyway, All that worry and stress for nothing. We are back to being blogger BFF's and just keep laughing about this!!

5. To my readers, I’d like to say…
I LOVE you. I love chatting with you, sharing outfit ideas with you, supporting and receiving support from you, seeing your great photography skills, laughing with you, and being able to be real with you.  I really do feel that I have made great friends on here and some of you I likely will never even meet in person, but you are still a friend.  I now have friends that span all across the globe just based on a daily fashion blog and THATS totally cool!!  So, I send a hug to every single one of you today to show my love and appreciation and I look forward to more great connections along this journey!!! 

The Accountant

Heres my day. I have to meet with our accountant and a big executive meeting going on in our building so we basically all get the MEMO. Dress appropriately. Okay. According to who's definition?  So I dig through my spring clothes and pull out my pink shirt.  I pack my clothes, head out to teach my spin class first thing this morning.  Go to get dressed and realize a) I grabbed the wrong colored bra, b) my shirt smells musty.  Sigh. So all I can do is  get dressed and go to work straight from the gym. I smelt like a musty old granny today (in my opinion!!) and with a dark bra under a light shirt. LOL.  BUT my meeting with the accountant was really really good and I had an awesome day. Get home, have about 15 minutes to change and head out for my run workout.  Just for the record, I burned over 2,000 calories with both of my workouts today and my legs are SPENT. Nuthin left I tell ya!

This weekend we are doing our big annual ride. We ride 180km, spend the night in a nice little town and then turn around and ride home the next day. So, needless to say, I wont be posting anything this weekend!! Friend Friday tomorrow so this is it for my visit with you for the rest of this  week... will catch you all on Monday!!

Have a super weekend awesome friends, readers, fellow bloggeress's (and guys :)  Be good!! xoxo J

Blue and Brown

YELLO!! Hump day today.  I had an exceptional swim workout this morning.. and boy I can hardly move my arms now.. we had to do alot of pull with the paddles and work the arms... OUCHY.

I must admit I am feeling WAY bored with my wardrobe right now.. is halfway between end of winter and early spring in terms of winter so my colors are all still dark and what I have feels like the same old boring stuff. And I am even feeling bored with my style. I am not too creative at the moment in thinking up new outfits/styles to wear. I guess I have a certain style: boots, belts, defined waist, fitted, skirts.

Anyone have any style ideas for me? Help me to an INTERVENTION on myself?  If anyone feels like sending me off to a What not to Wear retreat please email me, well, you must also book and pay for the retreat for me too. AND send me a nice gift certificate for new clothes somewhere awesome.  So in case anyone just won the lottery and is feeling generous, please apply here!!

Okay, enough cheek from me today. My stomach is growling, its time for lunch.  Over n out Babes!! xoxo jodi

The Butler did it

Disclaimer: this is a public building (in case someone thinks I am doing a break and enter and showing it on this blog!!!) LOL
This is a heritage house open to tourists and is such a beauty. It was closed today though which was good for me, it meant I could take my photos here without any lurkers or gawkers.

I was totally lost for what to wear today and as a result I look like a butler. YES good ol black and white is always the default. I do apologize, this was the best I could do today, well, thats a lie actually, I was just too lazy to be creative. But I feel comfortable in this outfit if that counts for anything!!  My monkey suit as the fiance would call it.  He also tells me I look like Inspector Gadget whenever I wear my black trench coat.  Oh well, at least he has fun with me and all my outfits!!  I did come up with a new black and  red outfit last night that I can't wait to wear so stay tuned on that one!!

Thats about all for today.  I swam this morning and have a ride tonight.  Training is ramping up.  Our first race is at the end of this month.. then they come faster and faster just like pac man.. waccka wacka waccka...catcha later gaters.. xoxo J

Red Skirt Red Sweater

Can you say WINDY??  I had only a few minutes to: drive up to location. Set up tripod. Set up camera. Position myself. Leave before workmen turn around and see me. It was also really windy so I had to work fast.  Living close to the ocean means extra crazy wind.   I have a cute little polka dot top on underneath and had plans of  taking the sweater off at work but no such luck today. So instead I look like a Red Lady. Not sure about the booties with this look. I think these booties are more designed for ladies with stick legs. But oh well. I already paid my money for them and they are well worn in. I wear them anyway. And they are comfy little booties. And I don't have stick legs.  Such is life.

Off I go to my evening session. Toodle doo for now Fav Readers!!

And welcome to new followers/readers!!  I will come by to visit you back real soon!!! xoxo Jodi

ps. YES its time for a haircut!!!

Sunday Shopping- Jodi Unplugged

At the risk of scaring you all away, I am brave enough to post a JODI UNPLUGGED series!  I spent the morning cleaning the house. The kind of cleaning where I even moved the fridge to wipe down behind and underneath.  The kind of cleaning where I washed the bathroom walls and ceiling. The kind of cleaning where I emptied out all the drawers in my filing cabinet and got rid of old files.  Let me tell you. The house is SPOTLESS.  AND then I had to go out to get groceries for a potluck I am going to tonight. So, you get me with NO MAKEUP, DIRTY HAIR, NON-DESCRIPT CLOTHS, so you get a chance to see what I look like when I don't care what I look like.

And you do know, anytime you go out in public like this you are most certainly guaranteed to see someone you know. Well, yes indeed I did. Thank goodness from a distance. Which means I high tailed it out of the grocery store before they saw me (at least I hope!!). Scurry into the car and make my getaway!  So there you go.  A sighting. Like a Canadian Saskquatch.  Be quick and you will see it.

Happy Sunday Fav online buddies!! xoxo Jodi

Weekend Wear

Well Hello. Saturday Readers.  I have some downtime. Am so excited. And to be honest, after our long ride today am totally ready to relax.   Had to go out and pick up some groceries so this is the weekend outfit, and to be honest, when I wear this sweater I feel like what a picture to be a soccer mom (and please any soccer mom's out there, don't take offense).  Belted sweaters have ALWAYS reminded me of mothers (memories from my mom). So I feel motherly when I wear this cashmere sweater, and a little sport, hence soccer mom :).

AND guess what. I am going to be BAD tonight. YES MOI.  We are going to watch back to back Dexter (to catch up from where we left off a few weeks ago) and make homemade Nachos for dinner.  I am more of a salt person rather than sugar and especially on these long workout days I really crave salty foods. So bada$$ Jodi tonight is going to lounge and eat some junk.  NOT too much though, don't want to end up storing the junk in my trunk, if you know what I mean!!

Long run Sunday so if I can still move afterwards I may manage to get out and play with the camera!!

Happy Weekend, love ya all!! xoxo Jodi

Wide Jeans

See the look in the 2nd photo? Well my mom used to tell me she would "wipe that smirk off my face". NICE.  LOL it just makes me laugh because I do have a smirk on my face. And no, she never did wipe it off!!

I had about 10 minutes to quickly take my photos today so they are very basic and uncreative. We are doing a complete overhaul of our organization right now so it is taking much focus and time.  Strategic planning, revamp of our website, new policies and procedures, new staff to be coming... lots going on-- its good stuff but also challenging (and fun).  Never an excuse for not looking fabulous though and someone told me that I looked "cute" today, and that I actually always look good at work, so thats a compliment and a result of becoming a blogger I'd say, so cool!

I am really really really wanting a pair of new high-waisted, wide legged jeans.  Anyone know a good place to find some of these? The ones I am wearing are not so high-waisted and fitted so would love to know if anyone else has found some of the latest style that could recommend. I love high-waisted stuff, thank goodness its IN these days!!

Catch up with you soon babes!! Love ya and am leaving ya (for tonight :)
xox J

Like a Tulip

Hello Lovelies!! Someone actually emailed me to ask if I was okay, that I hadn't posted since Friday (THANKS EDEN :)  Awww that was so nice!  Well, I did go AWOL and I apologize for that.  I went out of town to do a leadership training course for Fri/Sat/Sun and then Tuesday again. It was pretty amazing and I felt like I was turning inside out, or budding like a bran new tulip (I took these shots in my garden today).  I actually had to pack really light so didn't take my camera, hence, no outfit photos.

I love spring, the colors, the smell, the energy. Anyway, yes, this honeysuckle pink is IN for Spring 2011. I just saw a scarf this color and had it in my hand to take to the cash register then stopped myself. Jodi, you do not need this. I put it back.

Promise to wear something great tomorrow and be back in full swing!! I always miss you all when I miss a day or two on here as well. Like I miss my earl grey tea in the morning if I don't have it.  Life just isn't the same!!

MWAH xxoox Jodi

Friend Friday: Rules of Engagement

Hi all, come and join us on Friend Friday, brainchild of Katy  at ModlyChic.. go check out her site for more info on how to join us!!

Rules of Engagement
A number of bloggers have reached out  about how to deal with Tweets, emails, DMs etc… from  people who seem to be only pushing their own blog. It us thinking about  the rules of engagement with others in the blogging world is uncharted territory. We learn a lot about how to do it from trial and error.

1. Guest posts are a good way to gain new exposure. What do you think is the appropriate way to go about securing a guest spot?
I haven't pursued doing guest posts, rather, someone has asked me.  I have asked someone to do a guest post on my blog as well.  I am not out to do anything on my blog other than have fun, show some outfits, make friends and get better at my photography.  Heck, not even sure what I would say is so  great about me that I should do a guest post for someone else anyway! Other than be a dork, that is :)

2. Leaving comments is essential to growing your blog. But how can you leave a comment without coming across as ‘Follow Me. Follow Me!’?
OH! PUL_LEASE don't leave a message like that on my blog. That is a SURE way for me to NOT follow you. At least add a comment about my outfit or photo!! Sheesh.  I only follow and comment on blogs that I think are somehow interesting to me, where they have great outfits, or photos, style, ideas.  When I do leave a comment I do my best to forward what they are up to. What I mean by this is that I provide some feedback (compliment) on outfits or photos and I also share a little about myself to help connect. If they are interested in following me too thats great, if not, not biggie!

3. We’ve all gotten a mass email at one time or another asking for blog exposure, a link exchange, etc… But the mass emails don’t work.  How do you make your email stand out from the crowd?
To be honest, the only emails I send are to connect with the person (another blogger) and comment on something in more detail, or ask a question, or share about something. The purpose is to connect, not to sell myself.  And to be honest, I have gotten numerous emails from others doing the same thing.  I had someone email me saying they had been following my blog from the  beginning and they told me how much of a difference my blog made, etc etc and we have been emailing back and forth for months now! cool!!

4. In interacting with other bloggers where do you draw the line between seeking support and begging for exposure?
I have no exposure to seek.  I am not trying to GET anywhere with my blog. Its a hobby. Just for fun. If people are interested they will follow and will share it with others. If it is helpful and a resource people will like it.  I am not trying to get some kind of sponsorship or freebies or anything by building my numbers.  Of course, some free stuff is always good but was never really the intention of my blog. Also, I like to reply to comments and if I had a million I wouldn't be able to keep up!!

5. What’s one rule of engagement error you made and how have you remedied that?
My goal is to reply to people who comment on my blog. I also have a list of FAV GALS in google reader and those are my regulars. I mean, they are the ones I visit daily if possible. I like to comment regularly on those blogs that I really like and with those I really connect with.  I also make a point to connect with new bloggers I have connected with to provide support.  Colette (Statements in Fashion) was one of my first followers (Thanks Colette.. me loves you xoxox)  and she provided ongoing support and encouragement and has made such a big difference for me, I try to do this for others as well. We are a community, why not reach out and have some fun, make some friends while we are all dressing Fabulous!!!

I look forward to reading everyone elses answers... off I go into my weekend, chat next week Lovelies!! MWAH xoxo Jodi