Love Token 56 - I "Pink" I love You

On Saturday I went to get my hair trimmed and re-coloured, the wait ended up being half n hour past my appt time, so I was offered a free manicure, from one of my all time favourite girls to give manicures (she does an amazing job!).

I was in a pastel/neutral mood... I have been rocking the brights and wine colours for a couple years now and by golly I wanted to change it up.

The final selection....

I Pink I Love You from the OPI collection

This colour is an amazing pink neutral and I still cannot stop looking at my hands, I even made a detour yesterday to go and buy this colour.

For those who know me, I have always been obsessed with doing my nails - so finding a new nailpolish colour that I really love is quite the statement.

This little purchase was my love token for the day and I love it!!!

If you haven't had the chance to check out the pastel collection of OPI - go to their website http://www.opi.com/ and have some fun with the colour options.

xo

M

On Top of the World

What a great picture - hopefully everyone is having a wonderful day and is on top of their own world's

xo

M

Love Token 55 - Nono's embrace

I have a confession...

I love carnations...

Somewhere down the line there became this mentality that carnations are the lesser flower, the "cheap" flower, the funeral parlor flower - but to me they are quite the opposite. 

I love their smell, I love how they can fill up a vase quite beautifully and give a full rounded look and I love the memories they give me...

When I was a child, every weekend I would go stay with my maternal grandparents (otherwise known as Nono & Nana). 

My Nono was hilarious, even though we were separated by language, the essence of love and the vast capacity that gestures and expression can bring is what created our relationship. 

My relationship with my Nono was laughter - we would sit at his kitchen table for hours and just giggle, to me it was amazing. 

My Nono was an amazing gentleman who came from Italy and was the most charming sweet man (with a prankster side to him) that came out in a pure and genuine manner. 

No matter what, before I left my grandparents house, my Nono would be sure to break off a carnation from his garden (usually red ones) and give me one as a parting gift. 

It was a gesture I took for granted as a child but now every time I walk by carnations, I think of him - his spirit lives through that flower and those memories. 

Today the weather was pretty good for March, on my way home I wanted to check out what flowers were on sale at Loblaws. 

I had quite the choice from gerber daisies to roses that were on sale 3 for $25, but I was drawn to the carnations, I bought 3 bundles in cream, white and yellow. 

I came home and covered my house in carnations and I was overflowed with happy memories and emotion. 

Today I am embraced by the love my Nono gave to me during his lifetime and I have surrounded myself in his weekly love token to me throughout my childhood once again.

xo

M

Just Cuz...

Love Token 54 - Be Present

O

M

G

It has been 17 days since my last post - that is just plain awful. This blog is supposed to embrace self-awareness - and I got lost in the fast paced lane of life.

I have been a busy bee, with work, social life and hobbies - that in the last 2 weeks I have been kinda running on auto-pilot where the days and the details of them become a blur.

So my love token today - Be Present - embrace "mindfulness"

Mindfulness plays a central role in the teaching of Buddist meditation - described as "calm awareness of one's body functions, feelings, content of consciousness, or consciousness itself"

While I do not have the patience "yet" to practice daily meditation, I can appreciate this concept - and get back into this moment, today...

So here is to mindfulness, to being present to embracing "now"

xo

M

All that really should matter...

Cute!

xo

M

Love Token 53 - Family Love

This past weekend was a lot of family quality time. 

I went to visit my dad's sister/aunt at her cottage in Haliburton, to give winter one last shot as my aunt was convinced I could possible have a change of heart. While my heart did not necessarily thaw for the love of winter I did have a great time in the "great outdoors" with a huge bonfire all day, turkey stew, mussels and beer with the background of quality music and great company.

On Sunday, we went to my cousin's to celebrate a birthday (February always is a hot month for birthdays huh?) and we had a huge family dinner, and it was just a nice feeling of "togetherness" which can be hard to do sometimes in the ever so fast paced world we live in.

So thank you everyone for family love and catching up....as busy as the weekend was, I would not trade it for anything.

xo

M

Quality Life Mantra

To Put It Simply

Love Token 52 - A letter of thanks

Now this love token wasn't to me or even from me, but it put a smile on my face and made my day.
This token of appreciation shows why it is important to do what you love in your career choice.
I am so proud of Matt and I know he is on the right path, because of cute and funny reminders such as this.

XO

M

Love Token 51 - Coral is "my" new Black

I have been noticing that the colour Coral has been slowly inflitrating my closet, make-up, nail polish colours etc.

I love it though!

It gives such a fresh punch of colour with the Winter Blahs

See here is to Coral "for now" and our time together

xo

M

Love Token 50 - Leo La La Land?

My crush with Leonardo DiCaprio first started when I was about 14. I remember wallpapering my locker with countless magazine pictures of him. After the over-saturation of Titanic - the love affair died and in came Mr. Justin Timberlake at age 15 -which has never stopped btw - and the space in my guy-crush heart had no more room for Mr. DiCaprio.

Fastforward about 10 years later - and right about the time when Leo and Martin Scorsese started making movies together - the flame that I once thought was put out - was slowing gaining some heat.

The peak of this flame grew - when I realized my actions at lunch today.

I went to a convenience store to grab a pack of spearmint gum, just as I was receiving my change, my gf Vicky asked " Hey Mel, have you seen Leo on the cover of Esquire"? (I had - two days earlier - and remembered a slight flutter of my heart).

I said " OH YES I have - he is looking sooooo goood - aging like a fine wine"

Vicky and I then got lost in our fantasy of Leo for a solid two minutes in the store, and then happily left while still flying high on our Leo train.

However, I was sans gum. I got so wrapped up in Leo - that I literally dropped it out of my hand and left it on the counter to be swept away by his handsomness and fabulousness.

If this does not confirm - re-love for the man- I am not sure what does.

1 hr later - I did the walk of shame back to the store - to retrieve my gum from the lady - who witnessed this whole scenario.

If you have not checked out the Esquire cover and would love to maintain, heighten or reignite your love for Leo, then this is a must do for you - which in turn, ended up being my Love Token for the day.

xo

M

When I grow up....

www.daydreamlily.com

It's really your perception

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns,

or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

~ Abraham Lincoln

Wind in my hair

My alter universe for today is this picture.

I love road tripping with the sun beating in - no traffic - windows down...favourite tune on...

Where do you want to go today with your imagination?

Enjoy!

www.bluebirdluxe.com

xo

M

Love Token 49 - Bigger than his Body

This was a GREAT love token.

On Sunday night the girls and I treated ourselves to a great Valentine's Day gift, John Mayer.

As always he was incredible, he played amazing, was super funny and just all around charming and enjoyable.

Yes John Mayer has made some mistakes, but really who hasn't...as long as we admit our faults and take responsibility for them - then that is all anyone can do.

I find it is so easy for people to cast judgment and point the finger when it's pointing in the direction opposite of themselves.

Ah but that is a whole other rant.

John Mayer did a great job, he is a remarkable musician, singer and all around artist.

If you have not embraced yourself in his music and he is a genre you would consider listening to - I would highly reccomend him!!

xo

M

Love Token 48 - Dinner on the Danforth

I love him

For who he is, not who I think he needs to be.

I love him

Because no matter what - he is there for me.

I love him

Because every single day he shows he loves me.

I love him

Because he is one of a kind - a real gem.

I love him

So Matt and I like to celebrate Valentine's Day, yes we know it is a Hallmark holiday, but so what!?

On any other date night of the year - we are still giving our money to someone - so Hallmark or Starbucks or Carlton Cards or Sivercity or whoever can have it for this one night.

It gives an excuse to have a date night (on top of other date nights) and it is fun - to treat ourselves.

Matt took me out to Danforth (we lovvvve Greek Food) - and we ended up at a nice restaurant - and had good eats and great chats.

We always have our best chats going out to eat, which is why it is one of my favourite outings to do with him.

We are nearing on 9 years coming this November, which is amazing because I try to think what it would have been like if we never met, and I would not be the person I am today or the person I would want to be - without him by my side.

It's nights like these that remind me to savour every moment, don't take anything for granted and appreciate that all you really need is love and rest will fall into place.

xo
M

Love Token 47 - Party like it's 1999

It's a Friday night, I am on the GO Train heading to Whitby. In tow with me:
1. Facemask
2. Hot Rollers
3. Rice Krispie Square Mix
4. A baby mickey of Tequila + lemon
5. 20 CD's that I purchased during the years of 1990-1999

What I decided to have is a slumber party with my best friend. I was going to make the time to GO Train it out to see her, to ensure a night of fun filled activities that would remind us of how we partied together from ages 12-19.

I met her when I was 12 years old, we were neighbouring homerooms in our junior highschool.
We both had the similar likes, dislikes, and enjoyed being silly in the same way. That is really all you need at the age of 12.

Countless sleepovers, countless dance parties, countless and priceless memories.

As I am nearing my 29th birthday in a few short months, I reflect on our 17 years of friendship and am amazed by it.

We have been separated by distance, time and distractions in the past - however we are eachothers home base.
We have grown up and experienced life in different ways - yet we embraced the growing pains together.
Time apart is never a factor, when someone just "gets you".

So as an homage to our youth, to where it all started, we shared a great love token of partying like we were 12, 15, 17 or 19 - and had a Friday night in, just the two of us, doing girly things and listening to the music that shaped our adolescence.

Love like that is hard to come by - true friends are a gift, they are the witness to your life willingly - and I am lucky to have her be part of that circle of trust.

xo

M

Love Token 46 - Read My Lips

If you have not experienced David's Tea and are a tea lover - please go.

I am enjoying "Read My Lips" tea and the smell that is coming off this cup of tea is insane - and quite frankly it is keeping me VERY content at my cubicle as we speak.

XO

M

Authentic Perfection

Perfection.

I have always had beef with the concept of perfection and the methods used to acheive it.

Perfection as we all know is an unatainable goal. In fact, it is our imperfectations (ahem differences) that make us unique and give us character.

Which brings me to my next point.

Authenticity.

This is an obtainable goal - this is ensuring you are being a true reflection of yourself always - being 'you', flaws and all.

Inauthentic people are all too common in the world, and they coincide with the desire to be perfect, when really it should be just the opposite.

So I will always be a happy imperfect yet authentic version of myself.

This is a concept I that I have always had lingering in my mind - I was actually planning on getting a tattoo to represent this concept during my stay in Australia - but it wasn't my time to do it then.

What resurfaced this, was "The Happiness Project".

So I will take the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, and remind myself daily that all I can be is me, and as long as I am staying true to myself and not inflicting harm on others...then I am content.

I wish nothing but the same for you.

xo

M

Be You.

Currently I am enjoying the read of "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin, that I picked up about 1 month ago. I am about 100 pages in and so far, it has sparked my interest and really opened/refreshed my mind to the old/new concepts, perspectives and view points of the human condition on happiness.

The ideas that spiral out of my head from this book are overwhelming.

The author and I overlap similar themes in our visions of self-fulfillment.

Alas, this post is not about the book - but an idea stemmed from it.

Be Melissa

All you can be in this world is the best possible version of yourself intrinsically and extrinsically.

Lots of people tend to have some sort of idea of who they wish they were, which can obscure the understanding of who they actually are. (Gretchen Rubin)

We are bombarded via media, social networks, traditional practices, etc. that sometimes I think we forget to really look at ourselves, our true wants and desires, rather than what we should be and should want etc.

I have always been fairly strong about who I am and what I want to be, but I know that this can always be worked on, as I am not completely unimpressionable (whether I am consciously aware of it or not) nor is anyone else.

That is not to say to completely disregard factors that influence your decisions because that would be dismissing the concept of learning - but stay with me here....

It is just an acceptance that things can always be worked on and improved.

Self-improvement is not black and white - it isn't as simple as saying a person is confident or not-confident, happy or not happy, there are layers, levels and continual growth, hence the purpose of the journery of life.

i.e. I am happy but I am sure I could work on elevating that happiness to another level
i.e. I take good care of myself but I am sure I could take time out of my day to ensure that more (i.e. Love Me Do's)
i.e I spend quality time with my friends - but I am sure I could re-define what quality time means to our friendship

and so on...

Just because you want to be happier does not mean you were not happy to being with...it is a page turned in a book.

Instead of always chasing the dream, or thinking about what could make you happy...live it, be present, do not fall into the "arrival fallacy", because most of the time we are so worked up about arriving at the destination of our dreams, we forget to enjoy the journey in getting there.

Recognize that if you are already happy - seeking the want to be happier is not dismissing the knowledge of your existing happiness. Then when you seek new forms of happiness - it will be more gratifying - because you are not relying on a particular variable to complete you but rather, to enhance an already amazing version of yourself.

"Take pleasure in the atmosphere of growth, in the gradual progress made toward a goal, in the present" - Gretchen Rubin

Therefore - this current book I am reading and the message I initially conveyed at the inception of Love Me Do's both are from similar beliefs.

I am enjoying the growth process of this blog and the self-reflection that it is providing, and it reminds me everyday to enjoy me for the sake of just being me, and everything else and the contributing factors, is a part of the journey.

So don't forget, as crazy as this world can get and as hectic as life can seem....

Be You.

xo

M

Love Token 45 - Manicure Monday's

Gave my nails a little love - a manicured them up last night.

The winter season can really dry out the hands - so make sure you take good care of them!

xo

M

The pursuit of happiness

We must exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness, since, if that be present, we have everything, and, if that be absent, all our actions are directed toward attaining it.

-Epicurus

Love Token 44 - Laughter

My love token today is to laugh, giggle, and smile as much as possible today.

Hey it is a Friday - so really....why not?

xo

M

Love Token 43 - Express Yourself

I was in yoga class on Wednesday night and the theme was "Expression" and it was a beautiful class that really reflected on no matter how far you can go in a pose it is your own individual expression of it and that in itself is beautiful.

Life is just functional without creativity and expression. Without those elements you would just exist and therefore the meaning to your life your existential footprint would be the same as the peers around you.

Embrace yourself, your identity, your creative outlets and most of all, how you choose to express yourself in the life you lead, every single day. I know I am making an effort to do so.

I will end on a wonderful folk story my yoga instructor started the class with:

A monk was begging on the street for money when a wealthy merchant walked by him and gave him some money.

The next day the merchant happened to walk by the monk and noticed that in his left hand the monk was holding a loaf of bread and in the right a bouquet flowers.

Furious the merchant stated, “Why would you spend your money on such frivolous things?”

The monk replied, “I buy the loaf of bread to live, and the flowers to make life worth living”

xo

M

Inner Paradise

Trust me

It's Paradise

This is where the hungry come to feed

For mine is a generation that circles the globe

in search of something we haven't tried before

so never refuse an invitation

never resist the unfamiliar

never fail to be polite

and never outstay your welcome

just keep your mind open and

suck in the experience

and if it hurts

you know what... it's probably worth it

you hope, and you dream

but you never believe that

something is going to happen for you

not like it does in the movies

and when it actually does

you expect it to feel different

more visirale

more real

i was waiting for it to hit me

i still believe in paradise

but now at least i know it's not some place you can look for

cause it's not where you go

it's how you feel for a moment in your life

and if you find that moment it lasts forever

it lasts forever

lasts forever 

xo

M

Source: Beached "The Beach"

Love Token 42 - Saturday Night Dinner Parties

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to visit a good friend of mine who due to timing and distance I am unable to see as often as I would like. However, quality over quantity.

It was great seeing her and the life she has started with her husband. I am so happy for her and the stability, secureness and love that is surrounding her life.

She spoiled us with drinks, appetizers, dinner and more drinks. We really let loose and had a great time.

We found the inner early 20 somethings in us again and just laughed, loved and lived that night.

I am glad I got to experience this new chapter in her life and will always cherish the friendship she has given me throughout the years.

xo

M

Suddenly I See

"She got the power to be

The power to give

The power to see"

- KT Tunstell

Spreading the love to my fellow strong female sisterhood

xo

M

JUST DANCE

Happy Friday!

xo

M

Dannijo

How hot is this whole line of jewellery?

Loving it!

dannijo

Inspiration Rejuvination

Oneshymouse

xo

M

Be the Master of Your Dreams

xo

M

A Fallen Hero

For the last two yeas I have been volunteering at a probation office to work with youth who have been put through to an extra-judicial sanction (i.e. programs rather than custody).

So I was wrapping up a session last night with the youth I was working with and part of the homework I gave him the week before was to research 3 different news articles and discuss the type of impacts and victims that were involved...this is a Victim Impact Awareness Program....

Let me just say most of the kids I work with are good kids that made a bad choice... and this poor guy was in the wrong place, wrong time, wrong people type of situation.

Anyway, one of the newspaper clippings that he researched really had an impact on me.

An anti-violence/gun/gang activist named Kenneth Mark, age 29 was shot in the back of the head and killed on

December 29th 2009 about 5 minutes from where I live.

The emotions that came over me were too many to count.

This guy did amazing things for his commnuity and the fact that he was killed by gun violence via a 19 and 16 year old, is just disgusting.

Naturally my mind goes to wanting to know more about the accused - the back story, etc.

As much as I would like to think the world is capable of love and that hate stems from circumstances most of us would not even be able to understand or sympathize with - this to me was apalling and extremely cold-blooded.

It would be like killing Mother Teresa because she was "too caring" - unbelievable.

Please read this article.

National Post

I too am a non-violence, anti-gun supporter- and as the obstacles seem to get larger and more complex - to me it is a battle always worth fighting.

There is no need for these instances to happen AT ALL. We must look into our gun policies, we must educate through progarms and get to the core issues of people... we must CARE MORE, DO MORE.

Our government needs to put more focus on these issues - so the playground is not a catalyst for gang formation, for gang wars, for unneccesary territorial hate etc.

This is just one instances of many - I am so infuriated by this murder that words cannot do justice to my feelings.

Kenneth Mark - you are in my thoughts - you did great things - and your memory will live on past your too short-lived life.

I will keep that positivity torch lit for you always.

xo
M

Love Token 41 - FCUK, Hot Rollers, Martha Stewart and RENT

Now who would have thought the four above items would ever be combined together. But that is an excact description of my little love tokens and how it maps out my day.

1. FCUK

I am LOVING the latest jewellery by French Connection and loving even more that it is on sale right now. Just really great impact pieces - go check it out. Today I wore my fun new FCUK necklace with a plain black dress to work and I love it - it is my focal point... I have received great feedback on it as well - which is always warm to hear :)

The picture does not do it justice....

2. HOT ROLLERS

Seriously one of the best purchases I have made - like I mentioned earlier I am bored and ansy with the Winter blahs - so I hot rollered my hair for work today, because if you are bored you may as well be bored and look good....or so Matt says!

3. MARTHA STEWART

She is the only person that puts out a timeless wedding magazine and therefore I will succumb to her empire and consistently invest in her wedding magazines, because they are classy and creative.

4. RENT

Toronto is fortunate enough to get a small run of the broadway musical RENT. I loved the movie and I cannot wait tonight to see it live in it's glory with two original castmates

xo

M

Looking Forward

Books are the narrative to my life choices.
Photo's are the visual's.
Music is the soundtrack.

I usually keep my iPod on shuffle - as it spices up the playlist and gives me that little surprise of what is coming on next. Today, I was refreshed by the lyrical sweetness of Bernard Fanning and it reminded me of great memories from my time in Australia and how much I loved his album "Tea & Sympathy" as part of my soundtrack to that time in my life.

If you have never listened to it - def. check it out - a keeper for sure.

I love one of his tracks off this album called "Yesterday's Gone", it really hammers home the point that you cannot change your past - but can always influence your future decisions. It is a song about lost love - but I was taking it the scope of it on a grander scale.

So, I thought I would share the lyrics with you to possibly entice you to invest in this album

Enjoy!

It's your oldest trick and your cheapest one

Turn the world to blank and the game is done

I hope and I pray that the rainbow comes

You'll change your mind don't shoot the gun

You can sail on seven seas

Lend your heart out to who you please

Where ever you travel what ever you see

don't forget the love you got from me

Goodnight moon goodbye sun

What goes with you is all my love

I hope your best is yet to come

let's close the book what's done is done

'cos yesterday's gone

There you go now you're off your leash

Go rid your heart of its great disease

Where ever you travel what ever you see

don't forget the love you got from me

Goodnight moon goodbye sun

What goes with you is all my love

I hope your best is yet to come

Let's close the book what's done is done

'cos yesterday's gone

yesterday's Gone

yesterday's Gone

yesterday's Gone

yesterday's Gone

Love Token 40 - Hot Lips

During this time of year, I get ansy... I feel like my brain weakens, I get bored easily and I start to spice things up on a free.99 budget with what I already have.

Case in point:

I have decided to bring bright lipstick back onto (at least my) lips. I feel during the gray months - colour is good... yesterday I wore blue eyeshadow... just having fun with make-up on certain days gives you that punch of colour and therefore punch of uplifting during the winter blues.

So here is to celebrating my bright coral lips today - so far...nothing but compliments! :)

xo

M

Love Token 39 - Daydream Believer

Ever just let your mind let go?

Ever just like to pretend your what ifs and your fantasy future dreams will become your reality sooner than later?

Today I treated my mind with a token of daydreaming about my future plans and aspirations, it got me re-excited for my future goals, wants and desires out of life.

I did it without thinking about the constraints or obstacles I will/would face, but I let my mind just imagine everything falling into place and that was a great feeling.

Go on give it a try....

xo

M

Oh Starry Night

"We all lay under the same sky" - M.Clark

The concept of class, division, and the silo mentality of different cultures, countries and religions boggles my mind.

No... I am not suggesting a sense of sameness among all but an appreciation and acceptance of difference.

It is horrific what Haiti has been through in the past week, but it also saddens my heart even more that it took a natural disaster to bring the world's attention and care to Haiti that has been struggling like many other places in the world for years.

Just know this - help out where you can, do your part, research, pay attention to mother earth and all it's children.

xo

M

Food Mantra

Love Token 38 - Java

I love me some morning Americano's. My oh my - they are delicious and I look forward to my $2.26 purchase each and every day.

As well....

The best coffee I have tasted in the city - is brewed at Kalendar on College and Euclid.
If you haven't been - go! It is bottomless cups and they brew it with a pinch of cinnamon. It is heaven.

A little caffiene kick doesn't hurt anyone - it is all about moderation and the essence of living that way every day.

xo

M