So as mentioned in previous post, my dad is an artist, so growing up I was able to get creative as a little girl in his studio...Since, I'm obviously not an artist myself, nor will I ever have a studio I found Pinterest helpful in generating creative "art" ideas...
So the first nice day we had, I got Bubba out there in just his diaper, I lined the deck with garbage bags and I let him go at it...And go at it he did...
We modified the toy truck idea & just used Noal's little hands & feet which he was delighted with...He also loved the extended bath in which I had to scrub him down...But, well worth it as I find it absolutely adorable & amazing to watch him discover new things...
So after Noal created his masterpieces, I needed a spot to display his lovely work...Pinterest again has plenty of ideas on how to display your kiddo's artwork and I combined a bunch of different ones to come up with this for our dining room...
The clips allow me to change the art displays easily and showcase Noal's little friends work too...
Here Quinn display's a picture she made of me, her Auntie t...
So as my stylish friend ~ Guest BloggerShel mentioned in her post a few days ago...NEON is all the rage...And I best be getting on board with it...Now, I'm all for trying new things but I would say I'm becoming a fashion chicken as I age...Growing up & in my early 20's I'd wear anything without even thinking about it...But now I would describe my style as more comfy & casual and if I busted out with NEON I'm sure the hubs or others would have some comments...I'm definitely not a fashion trend setter but I can appreciate others fashion forward styles...
So, as part of this Pinterest Challenge to change & take on new things, I promise you friends, at some point I'll bust out with a bit of NEON ~ Until then, I will be on the lookout for something I think I could actually pull off like this...
Pin Five: Get on Board the NEONTrain...On the look out to add NEONto my wardrobe & pull it off...
It's funny that I'm cautious to wear bright colours when in fact I actually LOVE bright NEON-like colours...
{My wedding colours were my favourite colour- lime green & Noal's nursery is a playful bright lime green}
SideNote: My talented dad painted this picture for Noal's nursery...Just about the sweetest thing ever right?
Shel's postnot only inspired me to get out of my safe-boring-go-to clothes but to add some NEON to my everyday life...
So I've been painting up a storm the last few days and just recently added NEONgreen & blue to Bubba'splayroom...
This is just one of those blogs to share just cause...
Since I haven’t lived in the same city as my family for ages, my mum & dad have become care~package professionals...No joke...So this is a big ShoutOut to them to let them know we appreciate and love them dearly... My mum is a shopping expert and is responsible for the insides which is usually themed...For example a Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Paddy’s Day, Birthday or Halloween package...And my talented dad is responsible for the outside & creates amazing scenes on the boxes that have the post office ladies buzzing...They might actually look forward to the packages as much as me... Here’s an example of one of their brilliant packages for Paddy’s Day and the first package that Noal was old enough to enjoy...
So fun watching Bubba attackMy thoughtful mum even sends something for Deac
What does Noal love most out of the all GREENpackage?
Missing Ireland & our Irish Family more than ever and realizing I might not have a Paddy’s day as brilliant as the one I had in Dublin...But, so thankful I got to experience it at least once firsthand… On that note, my super-stylish, friend Shel is about to embark to the magical little island this summer and it’s about time you were introduced to some of my lovely Guest Bloggers…
So meet Shel…She’s a new mum & works in the same field I do- So we’ve had a lot to bond about!!! Her little guy Kohen is beyond adorable and Noal & him are bound to be great buds…
Hello fellow T followers!
My name is Shelly Zubyck and I am a good friend of Tara's. I was flattered when T asked me to be a guest on her blog. Her writing is raw and real, just like her. Her posts hit close to home for me as a first time mommy myself. Kohen was born only 4.5 months before Noal, and I love that T and I can share and compare parenting tips, tricks and stories throughout these different stages.
Like any new mommy my priorities have shifted, however, my love for fashion somewhat heightened as now I have another little person to dress!
I love following celebrity moms like Kourtney Kardashian for fashion inspiration for Kohen and I and I lean towards dressing Kohen like a little man as opposed to a baby boy.
One of Kohen’s first outfits was a linen blazer and matching paper boy cap from the Gap!
Sometimes I think moms feel guilty about spending time or even money on themselves, but for me there’s a balance. With the birth of my little man, my primp time has hit an all time low, in the bottom of my Louis Vuitton you'll find Boogie Wipes and my go to online shopping sites now include Baby Bot. You’ll never catch me in denim that gives me the infamous “mom bum”!
I am looking forward to seeing and being a part of T’s blog as it grows and evolves and sharing more time and experiences with her and our two little boys in the years to come!
So my first fashion blog to you will be about NEON!!!!!
Winter’s on its way out and I’m looking forward to gettin’ bold in NEON this spring!
For all of you products of the 80’s, this trend may take your imagination back to your Saved by the Bell days at Bayside High,
but these big, bright hues are back in a grown up, modern and feminine way.
From Christian Louboutin to Forever 21, this burst of colour can be added to everyone’s wardrobe on any budget.
Afraid you may look more like an 80’s train wreck? Try adding these pops of colour to your closet basics!
Essie nail polish in tour de france.
Make yellow your new neutral with this Jcrew patent leather skinny belt in golden sunflower.
Try these hot pink piped ballerina flats from Zara on for size.
It’s no secret I’m a huge Jessica Simpson fan…
Add these multi strap sandals to you LBD!
Be the first to introduce neon to your office in a professional way with this blazer and skirt from Asos.
I’ll be adding some flare to my spring wardrobe with these Michael Kors Jewel Tone Skinny’s!
And watch for my stylin’little man, Kohen sporting this bright tee from the Gap!
Looking forward to seeing how you’ll all be wearing these hot hues in a chic way!
Since Happy Soul Project will feature memories from my childhood, experiences growing up & my current brilliant life, I thought having a quick Timeline might help lay my life out easier for you...
-My parents met, fell in love, married and found out they were pregnant with me in a tiny, remote town they were visiting that was a 9 hour drive from where I was born...
-I was born in April and was adored by my mum, her twin sister who is like a second mum to me and my dad and favourite uncle...As a baby, I was pretty much, my baby boy now- Funny how Karma gets ya...Busy, loud, happy and never wanting to miss any action so only taking small cat naps...Sweet Jesus, I now know what my parents were talking about when they said I was a handful...
-My baby brother Eric, was born when I was almost 4, he's one of my best friends and some would say I'm a wee bit over-protective of him...But again another blog another day...My mum specifically called us Tara & Eric so that our names couldn’t be shorten or nicknamed, yet we somehow have shorten them and have always called each other Tair & Air...go figure...
-I was a busy little bee as a little girl & teenager...Looking back I definitely think I hadADD {Craig 100% thinks I have Attention Deficit Disorder} or something...I was into dance of all sorts, art classes & all types of sports...
Some things I got involved in, looking back, where just ridiculous... I mean at one point I was in a marching band twirling batons...Heck, I even got into synchronized swimming which Craig finds hilarious...I bust out with it now and again just to amuse him...
For example, in Budapest in the thermal baths I put on quite the show...
-When I was just 16, I moved to Toronto by myself to volunteer at a homeless shelter and although I felt fearless at the time now looking back I can’t believe I did it...My poor parents pretty much were in a constant state of fear the entire time I was away...
-I had my first love with my high school sweetheart
-I broke my foot in front of thousands of people
-I moved to Switzerland when I was 18 and was greeted by a solider with full army gear and a gigantic gun waiting to take me away...
-I moved to Australia when I was20 and got a foot tattoo, ski dived, pretended I was a hairdresser and at one point had a lesbian stripper for a roommate in a sketchy hostel in Sydney...
{Sorry it was a scrapbook kind of time back when I lived in Oz, no digital camera images from that time}
-I met my happy ever after when I was 22 and adored him since our first date...
-I graduated from Journalism
-Craig & I moved to Dublin, Ireland- lived in a one room apartment, I worked for a national Catholic newspaper, met brilliant people who truly have become our Irish Family and fell in love with that Country forever...
- While we lived in Ireland we traveled as much as we could...I absolutely love to travel...I think it changes a person to see different places in the world...So far I’ve travelled to China, France, Central America, Hungary, Britain, Portugal, Spain, Africa, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Holland, Ireland, Australia, and all over Canada & the United States...
-After Ireland we moved to Craig’s hometown to help his family and ironically enough it is the same town my mum found out she was pregnant with me in...weird eh?
-Deacon came into our lives...He literally is the best dog to ever live...Honestly, the most patient, chilled, obedient dog I’ve ever seen...I however, got kicked out of Obedience Class with him, so I have to give credit to the hubs who continued it without me.
-Craig proposed in the sweetest way imaginable...
-We got married surrounded with love from our closest family & friends...
-I went back to school & graduated & got designated in Human Resources- this entailed every 3 weeks going to school in Toronto – 6 hours away for one week...SideNote: This by far was the most stressful 2 years of my life to date...Maintaining my full time Executive management role, planning a wedding, returning to school in that fashion & trying to get pregnant was all a bit much...
-Learning & absolutely loving becoming a mum... I knew I’d love it but didn’t realize how absolute much...I’m obsessed with this kid...every sound he makes I think is brilliant, every smile I want to capture to remember, every time he says mumma I would give him absolutely anything in the world...He melts me completely....
- Ibecame a blogger...I feel like I missed out on this blog world for so long...I realized now, that I just didn’t get into it, and in turn I didn’t really realize the community it is and the vast amount of creative, talented people out there...It’s utterly amazing really...
- Reid Laynewas born & as much as I thought Noal changed my world- this baby girl flipped it upside down...Hopefully, the blog will show my journey with how I accepted the fact, that maybe my world upside down is for the better...
So there is a condensed version of my life so when I’m blogging the past, present or even future thoughts you have something to guide you along...I want you, to really get to see my life & me for what it is...I also hope the real me comes across in the blog...I am hoping by this blog~Pinterest experience, to be a better person in the end, but I also hope that I come across and live my life as a happy & relaxed soul...I’ve learn through life experiences so far to just relax, breath, as every moment will pass good or bad...I’ve also tried to live my life with a grateful spirit as much as I can...At times that’s hard and of course like everyone I get in ruts, and feel bad about my life and wish for something else but I truly feel blessed and lucky to have the life I do...
Happy Soul Project allows you to see into my beautiful world, it’s also a brilliant way to stay in touch with those personally in my life and it’s such a unique platform to thank those who have played a part in my life...There have been people who will be identified in the blog for having a place in my life ~ what I saw in them, how I connected with them and what they taught me without them even knowing...I feel like you need to see how I see you, you need to be thanked for the part you played, and I’m grateful that you have been in my life one way or the other...So, by identifying who these people are, the lesson I learned from their character and the shared thoughts and ideas from all of you on Pinterest, how can I not change? Right? I think there is absolutely no way I could not...I hope in all of this, I am proving you can live your best life...Oprahwhat a statement piece...I mean come on...O, expect your own ShoutOut one blog...You are such a huge inspiration...I mean come on, you’ve changed the world..
So thanks to everyone in advance...I hope you get to see how I see you and take this as a thank you letter in a sense...you all make me smile...
So friends, I hope you, get to see the change in me as this blog evolves and I thank you in advance for the part you will play in it...Pin Four will be my last "pin" from my ~Wise Words~ board for awhile, I promise...But I'll end it with a bang & with not 1 but 3 quotes that seem fitting enough to inspire changing oneself ...
Also if you find yourself already weirdly falling in love with me don’t worry...It happens a lot~ I have that charm, and I’m warning you if you keep reading you will probably fall curiously fascinated with me...
So cheers to who I’m curiously fascinatingly going to become...
Sorry, I know I’m going on and on...{Trust me future blogs will be shorter, funnier & have more variety...But, I feel like I need to set it all up for you in these early days, so you get to really know me, my lovely friends who will guest write and so the blog will be easier to follow...So, if your reading Pin Three that means you could follow the ramblings of what I envision the blog to be in Pin Two and y'all still interested...Now, I’m going to go into the Sub~Chapters and it probably will get weird for most of you...But if you’re up for it~ Read on...
So, as mentioned until I can snag a Blog Designer to help, these Sub-Chapters will be tagged for now with easy access to those that are interested in them...
SideNote:
As noted, I randomly switch topics and have SideNotes as I like to call them, to most stories or thoughts...You can ask my friends~ Numerous times in a conversation I'll be rambling on about something that makes me think of something else...Sometimes I’m so caught up in my “SideNotes” I don’t even remember the original story or conversation...So when I reference a SideNote: Plan to later read about it or get re-directed to another page to share in that story or thought...
For example, in an upcoming blog you will hear about a girls night out in which I really was a pure gem...Just a Ruby...Ruby is actually my drinking nickname given to me by my girlfriends, because after having a few glasses of red~ I like to dance like it's my job and I’m known to spill everywhere...
My friends even gave me a sippycup to drink from..I actually quite enjoyed it...Really let loose on that dancefloor when I have no fear of spilling my drink...Whole other level really...So, you will get to hear a few friend's take on this particular night...Really round out the story nicely for you...
ShoutOut: I will feature ShoutOuts in the blog in different ways...I could do a ShoutOut asking for help...For example, I really am hoping a Blog Designer sees this little blog, kind of falls in love with it and wants to help me out and create it how I envision it...Or a ShoutOut could be to someone in my life that I want to thank or someone I admire or think is grand...
Q&Q: Quarks & Quirks, everyone has them ~ It’s what really makes a person them, their own specialness really...And well, I got a few unique ones that drive Craig and I’m sure others buck wild...So, these will be sporadic little timbits about me,{if you’re not Canadian a timbit is a delicious, little bit-size donut, brilliant really...So I’ll be giving you little bit-size pieces of my quirkiness from time to time}...Here are just a few from the top of my head that really annoy Craig...I personally, think their charming...
I give most people I care about nicknames and I stick with it aggressively ~ Also here’s a perfectly good example of me SideNoting: A nickname blog will be another blog for another day...But trust me, I stick to a nickname once I give it...A few examples to prove my point:
At my lovely baby shower, the little Martha Stewart herself, host Nats, brilliantly asked everyone around the room to introduce themselves by the nickname I had given them...How brilliant is that!!!
Also, my Craig,goes by a completely different guy’s name stemming back from our first date when I told him he reminded me a bit of Doug Heffernan from the sitcom King of Queens...He signs cards to me, his birthday cake and our friends all call him Doug or Dougie...But, again another blog for another day...
So back to my Q&Q's:
·I hate being wet...I like being in the water but after that the feeling of being wet trying to dry off...eek..I’m not a fan...
·I won't eat or drink anything past an expiry date...Okay if I'm really honest even maybe a day or two before...I know it's wasteful & awful and I'm not even sure why I do it but this one really drives Craigcrazy...
·I dance around the house alone or with my kiddos on a regular basis with the music blasting...
·After losing my father-in-law a few years ago, I now say a prayer or Sweet Jesus, every time I see or hear an ambulance ~ hoping whoever the ambulance is for is going to be okay...
·Not only do I want to be on a prank show- I want to go on Amazing Race with Craig...I think we’d be great...At least how we interact would be funny for viewers...And i'm itching to have an adventure...You see before we moved to Craig's hometown we lived in Ireland and travelled all over Europe...We honeymoonedin Amsterdam & Prague...But haven’t since...well that’s a lie we went to beautiful Quebec City & Montreal...Which I highly recommend...But, we haven’t travelled since and I’m dying to see as much of the world as I possibly can...
Mummy~Hood: Oh the joys, the awe moments, the tiredness, the selflessness, the weird things your body goes through and the absolute happiness it all brings...This will be about me learning to be a mum ~ what I found helpful ~ about my pregnancies ~delivery for those who want to dive in deep, and the funny moments I have had so far with these beautiful, happy little souls I was blessed with..Noal & Reid...
This will also feature lovely Guest Bloggers who I literally have called hundreds of times and should be answering their phones with “Mummy Hotline”...I want the blog, to be a space in which I can freely share my thoughts on Mummy~Hood...A space, where I can share pics/videos of my little Bubba & SweetPea growing up instead of posting all over Facebook...Such a great tool, but I’m pretty sure the boys I had crushes on in Grade 6 {that would be Kevin Smith, Andrew Riach & Brent Golden in case they didn’t know} don’t really give two hoots if Noal is sitting up on his own...So, by doing this blog, it takes it off Facebook and puts it in this space where you can choose to look or read and not be bombarded with a pround mumma showing off her cubs~ I sensed I was getting on the annoying side of Mummy~Hood for many. So, I apologize, but it really does overwhelm you and I wanted a way to share my pride, happiness and love for Noal & Reid- So, now I am happy to have the space to do that on here...{Going to aim for this but in all reality I'm that annoying mumma who post everything on Facebook}
Sweet Jesus: This is where I will share my views on God, Religion, Church & Spirituality...Throughout, the blog I will talk about my childhood and part of that is growing up in a church setting- My mum’s dad was a preacher, so I grew up on those values, and appreciate and respect them...But, I also was very curious & rebellious and needed to make it my own thing...So this Sub~Chapter will include me talking honestly about my struggle in figuring out who “God” is to me and how I view Faith, Hope or whatever you want to call it and what it now means to me...Also, you will note I say & write Sweet Jesus a lot...I am not trying to offend anyone or be disrespectful~ Honestly, I apologize if it bothers you but I say it when I mean it and it’s my way of referencing God in an everyday kind of way...To me that’s what it’s about- an everyday ShoutOut of thanks,a thought of hope for someone needing it and a Sweet Jesus here and there...
t5...
This is where I write t’s Tinsel Town TV Talk...I’m weirdly obsessed with shows...If you are my friend on Facebook you will notice and probably get annoyed that I comment regularly about shows- My girlfriends and I usually banter back & forth during a show like the Bachelor...Quite witty comments actually...
I do however, realize not everyone is interested in this type of stuff ~ but if you are, you can expect my own personal TV opinions about the following shows...Bachelor/ette, Nashville, Modern Family, American Idol, Carrie Diaries, Survivor, Revenge, Amazing Race, Up all Night, Big Brother, X-Factor, New Girl, Once Upon a Time, Mr.D and The Office...I pretty much have a full time job with all my shows...But, Sweet Jesus, I love em...Also, reruns I love: Seinfeld,Friends &King of Queens...Also, love pretty much any HGTV show...Wow it’s a alot when I write it all out...might I have a problem? I even asked Craig for a PVR as a wedding present and truly would have thought that to be romantic considering my love for tv...No such luck then or any holiday since until I took matters into my own hands when we moved...PVR is the best thing invented!!!
So t5 will also feature my ShoutOuts to some of My Favourite Tinsel Town Folk...People, I think are lovely or that I am curious about and that I truly think would be great at a BBQ...SideNote: Another blog for another day will tell you how I got Johnny Damon’s attention by telling him he’d be good at a BBQ & him loving it...
So here’s another ShoutOut example:
Spunky Perez,
I’ve been following you for years...Perez, if you’re reading this I find you innovated, creative & spunky...Love your sites and will be sharing it with others...You’re really inspiring and such a firecracker...
Also thought I’d share this amazing pup...He’s a Bugg {a Boston terrier~pugg mix} and the best dog to ever live...truly...
My Moments: I could have a whole blog just about moments in my 30+ years of living...So, in this Sub~Chapter I will share moments in my life that were utterly ridiculous like learning to salsa dance with Ricky Martin, touching like singing to my grandma right before she passed away, embarrassing like accidently showing my nipple to a pharmacist, brilliant like living in numerous countries over the years, almost unbelievable like pretending to be a hairdresser & making enough money to travel around Austrailia, amazing like looking into Craig's eyes walking down the aisle to become his wife or holding my little babies for the first time and hilarious like constantly trying to prank my husband...Trust me friends, I constantly think I am being on a prank show because things I get myself into, or situations I am in...However, I would also like to note at this time to the friends in my life...I will always ask for your input if I am writing a blog that includes you & if you don’t want it published it dies there...Also note, that I have a “vault” with a lot of people...I truly believe people can let their guard down and be honest with me and that is very important to me...Therefore, I want them to know that I would never, ever share any details of anything they have shared in the "vault" or that is important to them...The blog will always just be stories about my views of things- never about personal information regarding my family or friends...
Hubs:
ahh my heart...
When I first told Craig I was started a blog he had no idea really what it even was and just mentioned that he didn’t want to be in it...Little did he know he’d get his own Sub~Chapter... But, honestly how can I write about my brilliant life without showcasing my adorable husband...I really am a lucky girl...
what to wear ~ what to wear: In this Sub~Chapter you will find pictures from me and my Guest Bloggerson different outfits we’ve put together...This will be a fun take on ideas, styles and photos of outfits we find on Pinterest and then our take on them with what we already have in our closets...
Cheft t...
I constantly am telling people what a Chef, Craig is...Except I say Chef with a t ~so Cheft~ and Craig makes fun of me every single time...So this Sub~Chapter’s name seemed fitting as I am not a big fan of the cooking...when it’s my night for dinner it’s literally a can of beans and toast- It’s the Irish in me...But Craig,he’s no lie amazing...Truly he’s out of this world and loves doing it...I’m telling you ladies, I really did luck out big time with this guy...So, I will feature some of the Hubs meals in this Sub~Chapter and other Guest Bloggers... But, I also need to roll up my sleeves and take a bit of an interest in cooking...Pinterest has already helped with getting me organized and I’ve tried a few things...But hopefully this Sub~Chapter will hold me accountable to try new things and note my progress... I will also be featuring in this Sub-Chapter the love~hate relationship I have with exercising, my insane binge eating, my love for the Border...that’s Taco Bell’s border...One of the reasons I got my first apartment was because it was Taco Bell Walkable...
Warning Blogs:
So, I have one more thing to note about the blog...My flaws, embarrassing moments, wrong decisions and awkward things I do and say will all be featured one day or one blog...So my mum, Aunt Tia, my mother- in-law and anyone else who doesn’t want to know it all~ here's a heads up now that my blog will feature at times, dramatic moments when I got too drunk, got arrested for being in a protest rally, wore leather pants & danced with Ricki Martin’s tour dancers, used friends as witnesses in articles I wrote for a city newspaper, and kissed boys I shouldn’t have... Anyways, those who wish to skip any of these types of stories, be advised that I will put a warning if there is a blog you shouldn't read...
And those that wish to read it all...Please “No Judging”....On this note I would like to state the 3 things I preach, ok 4 things, I preach in life...
One: “No Judging”
Maybe it’s growing up in the church and feeling so much judgement being passed- But whatever, the reason I try and live my life and “preach” this philosophy constantly...You will hear me say “No Judging” whether I’m in a board meeting with Directors or ordering a hamburger with extra mayo and a side poutine...My friends joke that it’s going to be Noal’s first words and that when he goes to daycare he’s going to be telling the other little kiddos, “No Judging”...But I truly think the world would be more tolerate if we all lived by this and realized what works for one person might not for another- One person's happiness or beliefs is & should be different from another's...that's what makes us all so special & unique- there is so much beauty in that...
Pin Three: Its helped me live a better life that’s for sure...And it is one of the Four things I live by...
Two:Love Regardless I get enraged by people who don’t live this way...Truly enraged- Nothing bothers me more- If someone is judged, hurt, unloved, bullied, etc, because of their origin, sexual preference, race, or whatever makes them different, it angers me more than anything else...Love is love regardless and I am a huge activist in this...Ah dear Ellen ~ inspiring as always...
Three:One Life I say this all the time, especially to Craig...It’s just, whenever I’m sappy, drunk or in a moment of true happiness I look at Craig and tell him...I truly believe it though and want to live my life with this mentality...
Four: Aretha I preach Aretha Franklin-I’m originally from Windsor across from Detroit and maybe that’s what put the spunk in me ~ But regardless, I believe and try to empower gals I see who aren’t as confident, or independent or need to learn to stick up for themselves and the respect they deserve...I tell them to be more like “Aretha”...
So I may add Chapters or Sub~Chapters, as I continue writing and somedays I may write or share something just cause...but for the most part that’s what this blog will be about... So, dear readers {I’ve decided I’m going to call you friends...If my blog were a little less personal, to call you readers would be fine- But since I’m pouring it all out, you in your own way will see me as my close friends do...} so, dear friends, if you can follow my busy little mind and are still intrigued with reading this blog please do three things for me...
One: Please take what you can from the blog...A smile, a laugh, a little piece of happiness & make sure you come back...
Two: Please pass it on to those you think might enjoy or relate to it too...
Three: Please, always feel free to leave or send me your thoughts...I’d love to hear them...I’m so open to suggestions, ideas and changes to make the blog better for you, friends, reading it...
We modified the toy truck idea & just used Noal's little hands & feet which he was delighted with...He also loved the extended bath in which I had to scrub him down...But, well worth it as I find it absolutely adorable & amazing to watch him discover new things...
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My thoughtful mum even sends something for 
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