Once again - All you Need is Love

It is true.

Love - what a powerful word that has rocked the human condition in all directions.

I am a strong believer that all a person needs is love. (Yes a hippie mentality - but so what?)

When I say that, I mean love in all forms

Romantic, Platonic, Pet Love, Spiritual Love, Mother Earth Love, and so on....

One does not have to only feel complete with romantic love as love takes all forms and shapes, and I feel lately there is this strange perception/slant on how to be in a romantic relationship and live happily ever after is the only sign of true happiness and real love.

Fear has been instilled via romantic comedies, online dating portals, etc. that you NEED a romantic relationship to find real love.

I strongly disagree, being in a long-term relationship is not for everyone and without it does not deny the love factor.

Romantic love should just be a want, a desire, a series of events that unfold - it should not be the end goal - for it takes the beauty out of the means to get there.

I know some of you are reading and thinking "says the girl who is in love and getting married", but seriously, think about it...

For myself, I found romantic love and found joy in being in a long-term relationship but I would never assume that is what everyone should aim to have or that I am more complete than a friend of mine who is not in a relationship.

Love should be admired and appreciated at all levels, no?

I hope everyone out there finds what they love most and want they want most and goes for it because of their own true desires.

Life is long so really take time to think about what you want and what you love.

Do not let societal labels put you in that pressure box of "all you need is romantic love"

xo

M

Love Token 70 - Hello Sunshine!

Taking away the fear of global warming - us Ontario folks sure had an easy breezy winter and a very early start to spring and summer.

The weather this week is reminding me of the weather in Australia and I just love it!

The sun is forcing itself into my pores and it feels much closer to the earth than it should be for this time of year.

I cannot remember it being so bright in the city for a long time - *sigh* the sun is a magical force, the way it can alter moods, put a skip in people's step, get people to lighten up and take it easy (that maybe it isn't all that bad).

My mind, body and soul is super content with the weather - and I wish the same for all of you.

So today, wave to the almighty sun and let it shine into your spirit.

xo

M

Love Token 69 - Brain Game

Lately, my mind has been spinning with ideas, thoughts, concepts etc. Not just for the blog but in general - maybe it is the Spring that has intertwined with the whole aspect of fresh new beginning - but whatever it is I feel my creative juices flowing and I cannot keep up with wheel spinning in my head.

I think a lot of it has to do with creating ideas/concepts for the upcoming wedding that has kick started this energy...but whatever it is --- I like it and I am just going to enjoy the ride.

So here is to my love token of embracing the magestic mysterious workings of the brain and more specifically my brain.

xo

M

Love Token 68 - TGIF Pedicures

Today at lunch I scheduled myself to get a pedicure - what a great way to use an hr break from work. 

Loving my ready for spring fuschia pink toes!

xo

M

Love Token 67 - Canine Kisses

A dog is a human's best friend. 

It is sooo true

The amount of happiness that has come into our lives since getting our dog Louis is indescribable

He is the best

My love token today is the kisses he gives me every day, the snuggles, the nudges - just all around unconditional love. 

Right back at ya Lou!

xo

M

Love Token 66 - Cookie Monster

Hello my name is Melissa and I am a cookie monster.

I really love cookies...and it might even be my top sweet tooth craving.

There is nothing better than a perfectly baked cookie

My treat today after lunch was a cookie - and even though it is not the best cookie I have ever had - it is still delicious.

So if you are having a bad day - treat yourself to a cookie - it is uplifting... really!

xo

M

Love Token 65: Tutti Frutti - Adding a stroke of colour to the day

www.keepcalmgallery.com

In a state of mind - where black white and gray aren't cutting it today - so colouring up my bored mind.

xo

M

Your Choice

http://datavis.tumblr.com/page/13#421852593

Love Token 64 - Music Bubble

Image by Fruity Oblivion via FFFFound

I have been in a music bubble the last week or so, I have neglected my love for music in the last little while. During my project of putting together my wedding playlist - I realized how much I miss finding new artists and combining different playlists (this was all I used to do back in the day).

So here is to putting in some QT with one of my all time loves - music.

xo 

M

Love Token 63 - Johnson's Baby Shampoo

It is a guilty pleasure.

Once a week I will wash my hair with Johnson's Baby Shampoo because I love the smell.

No more than one day per week because my 'adult' hair is thick and it really does not do much in terms of washing - but I cannot help it - I love the smell

So why not right?!

The correlation between smell and memories is a powerful thing - and for some reason it brings back good memories.

So here is to my Johnson's Baby Shampoo smelling hair for the week.

xo

M

Love Token 62 - Forest Hill Village Was In My Blind Spot?

This October I will have lived on the border of Forest Hill for 3 years.
Two weeks ago I just stumbled across Forest Hill Village
5 minutes from my house is this wonderful little side street that looks like a small town was cut and pasted right in mid-town Toronto and I was oblivious.
It has a great breakfast spot, cute local stores, a Starbucks, some great dining out restaurants and a yoga studio plus much more.

Two weeks ago I just found this place, better late than never I suppose!

xo

M

Good Taste

Fashion and me have a longstanding relationship, I have loved clothes and style since my mom started letting me put together my own outfits as a wee tot. 

When I was a little girl I loved combining colours, textures and accessories. 

My fashion motto is, you only live once, so you may as well look good... photo's are eternal. 

In the last decade or so, the term 'label whore' has developed in the fashion world. 

To me a label whore is someone who is lost in the world of fashion so goes directly to the labels all the time to serve as an easy guide of what works and what doesn't. However, I wouldn't call them 'label whore' as they depend on these labels to help boost their fashion confidence, maybe a more positive spin would be 'fashionista in training'?

Note to readers

Label whores do not equal style. 

Why I like a balance of great fashion designers (they got well liked for a reason...) I stand on the side of the fence where good taste doesn't mean expensive or marked with a label. 

Fashion to me is like a form of art, except instead of hanging this piece of art on the wall, you love it soooo much that you take the ultimate stance and wear it. 

I have never been a fan of labels like Louis Vuitton or Coach, as I do not understand why a beautiful purse needs to have acronyms scribbled all across it. 

To me it is just like buying a Picasso piece of art where he decided to scribble his name all over it to remind the art lover who painted it...strange....but that is just my opinion. 

It is not about  the letters on a shirt, purse, belt... it is about the structure, the combination of fabrics that make a fashion item amazing, not always the name behind it. 

That is why it is important to always remember that good taste doesn't mean expensive (yes I said it again). Good taste means having an eye for great pieces of clothing, shoes, accessories and combining them. 

Support local designers

Support commercial designers

Support thrift shops

Support the whole aspect of it

Support what works best for you - you are after all the one wearing it. 

Now I am not saying I have the best taste out there, but I do have fun with it and I know what works for me. 

Fashion is fun, just do not put yourself in that 'label whore' box. 

xo

M