[ boxes boxes everywhere! ]

IT'S moving day! And we're drowning in cardboard!

With 3 separate truck deliveries, checking off box numbers and directing boxes to the correct rooms has me wiped out, especially when some items won't be ending up in the same rooms they came from. It's tiring trying to decipher what the Dubai movers wrote on the boxes ~ lamp covers are lampshades, office side tables are filing cabinets, soft table is an ottoman... Luckily everything is in and tomorrow is reassembly/unpacking day ~ hopefully I can find a spot for everything! But when in doubt ~ into the basement it goes!

lisa

[ house keys! ]

TODAY is the day! After spending a couple of months in hotels, we finally have the keys to our new home! Our container of furniture from Dubai will be delivered tomorrow along with everything we've had in storage for 3 years ~ gosh, I don't even remember what we've got! It's going to be a busy week but I'm so excited to start settling in to our new home and start decorating! Stay tuned!

lisa

[ a new home! ]

WE'RE excited to say that our home inspection was successful and the sold sign is now up! Now we just have to wait until mid July to get the keys!

We love this home - an original tudor-style home built in the 20's with a couple of additions added on over the past 12 years. It has some really lovely details...

Older homes always have such lovely character that is difficult to replicate in new-build homes. And the current owners have done a great job of marrying the newer additions with the older home, making even the original red brick exterior and inlaid wood floors blend seamlessly. Their love for this home is evident.

I think it will be very easy to settle in and feel right at home. This truly feels like my dream home and I can't wait to get our things moved in and start decorating! 

lisa 

[ oh canada! ]

SO WE landed safe and sound and pushed a bit of luggage through customs to last us until our shipment arrives...

It's been great being back to the old stompin' grounds we left in 2005. Of course one of the things on the must-do list was getting my guy a decent hotdog and we knew just where to go ~ to see Jimmy at his hotdog cart outside of the Canadian Tire store...

Jimmy hasn't changed a bit and neither have his hotdogs ~ still $2 and loaded with bonus pieces of sausage. No other hotdog cart can compare...

We've also been house hunting and my goodness, prices are just not what they were 9 years ago when we left this city! I called up the agent who sold our house back then and he toured us around to some really cute ones. There's one that really stood out amongst the rest...and....we already put in an offer!!

It's on a pretty tree-lined street...

Just a home inspection to do this week and then hopefully it will be ours! {well, in a month or so}. I didn't expect to find one that we loved so quickly ~ maybe it was meant to be? Fingers crossed it all goes well!

So that's what we've been up to the past few days ~ busy! So happy to be back!

Happy weekend! And Happy Father's Day!

lisa

[ life's decisions ]

HOW OFTEN have we all had to weigh the pros and cons of a major decision ~ is it the right choice? Is it a mistake? What does our gut tell us? Sometimes that's all we can go by ~ our gut. Taking a huge leap of faith that everything will work out the way we hope.

Well, we've reached that time ~ time to close the chapter on our expat adventures. It's been 7 1/2 years since we first moved overseas, first to Ireland and then to Dubai. Making that first leap was the hardest and I still remember the knots I felt in my stomach as I boarded the plane to what would be my new home for 4 1/2 years. I was excited and terrified at the same time. Adapting to a new country, trying to fit in, learning the lingo and hoping to make a friend ~ leaving behind everything familiar, friends and family, my comfort zone. I think we all imagine at one time or another what life would be like living in a foreign country and we certainly wear rose-coloured glasses thinking of how incredibly glamorous it would be. But I think only fellow expats can ever truly understand what it's really like and how incredibly difficult, stressful and lonely things can be at the same time. Living somewhere as an expat isn't like being on a holiday and while you are trying to settle into your temporary digs, life goes on back home ~ parents get older, nieces and nephews get bigger, friends make new friends.

We don't regret the leap we took ~ we have been able to experience different things and meet some interesting people. We've seen places we may not have seen otherwise {I certainly don't think we would have ever visited Dubai if we hadn't lived here!}. But we've also been on the receiving end of emails informing us of medical emergencies back home and undergone major surgeries ourselves with no support system to help us through. Those are the ups and downs of this type of life. If nothing else, being an expat has given me an entirely new appreciation for where I'm from and I'm excited to go back.

This has been our weekend ~ getting packed up and our container loaded for the slow boat shipment back to Canada. In 6-8 weeks we'll see our things again, hopefully ready to set up into a home we'll have for a while. We've got 3 weeks or so left in Dubai to tie up loose ends, do those last few things we haven't done here yet and say good-bye to some friends. But my world traveller days are over and I can't wait to be a Canadian resident again {and to shop for a home!}.

lisa

[via weheartit.com]

[ 4th blogiversary! ]

CAN YOU believe my blog is already 4 years old? Gosh, how time flies!

When I think back to when I started this blog 4 years ago, I can't believe how different blogland was back then ~ a buzzing, vibrant community filled with ideas, conversation and inspiration. With the explosion of Pinterest, blogs are no longer the main place to get inspiration for decor or DIY. Many of my regular stops have packed it in, in favour of Instagram to share up-to-the-minute goings on of everyday life ~ so much quicker than putting together a blog post when life gets busy.

The thing I have loved about blogs is the discussion, the support and the sharing ~ getting to know the person behind the pretty pictures, feeling a connection. Does Pinterest do that? No. Instagram? Not really ~ after all, you can only say so much with a pic and for that reason, I haven't joined in. I feel like the interaction has become disconnected in many ways and I have to say that I miss the good ol' days.

I've made some lovely connections through my blog and my heartfelt thanks to those of you who still visit me regularly ~ your comments and emails are what keep me going and I truly love the friends I've made, this blog bringing us together. And I'm grateful that many of my absolute faves are still around, those whose blogs were always on a more personal level than just a stop for a pretty picture fix. I wish more of them would come back.

So what will this year bring? Well, I can't be sure. But for now, I'll continue to be here ~ and I hope you'll continue to pop by and say 'hello'. Big hugs!

lisa

[ they call me Sally ]

SO, it seems that Dubai is a great hang-out for these little guys...

How do I know? Well, we've had 5 of them IN OUR HOUSE since we moved into this villa! They're sticky and they're quick and love to hang out on the walls outside. If we're not careful, they'll scurry in undetected whenever we open the door. Oh sure, these little salamanders or geckos or whatever you want to call them might be cute as cartoons...

...but seeing one scoot across the counter or hanging out near the ceiling is not a pleasant thing. While I freak out, my guy has become the "sally" catcher, armed with the dyson vacuum cleaner to chase them with the nozzle to suck them up and then release them outside {they're so fast, it's the only way to catch them}. Luckily he's been home every time one has been spotted.

And to think I used to be afraid of spiders...

lisa

[ sweet escape ]

THERE'S nothing like a cold treat in the summer to cool you down from the heat. While I was unpacking, I thought I heard some kind of jingle playing outside. I popped my head out my front door and saw this parked right in front of my place...

an ice cream truck! I had no idea they even existed here in Dubai! How could I not run outside and join a few of my neighbours taking a break from their sticky activities?...

I'll try a nogger sandwich Mr. Ice Cream Man!

Hmm... interesting... like an ice cream sandwich, except a vanilla cookie instead and filled with both chocolate and caramel ice cream. Not a bad little treat. :) Ok, back to work!

lisa

[ heart and soul ]

TODAY is a very special day...

it's our anniversary ~ the day I married my true soul mate. I couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone but my guy. And every year just gets better and better. I'm a very lucky gal. xo

lisa

[via cozmikhugs.tumblr]

[ sorting things out ]

SO, it appears that we have sorted out our moving dilemma. We have had to find another villa to move into {disappointing}, but the good news is that we were able to find something. It's not an end unit anymore surrounded by trailing flowers and pretty park area, but it does have a little yard that backs out onto the walking trail to the community pool/park {not too bad}.

I suppose the upside is that we will have possession of the property sooner so our move-in date is only a week and a half away! So it may be looking a bit like this around here...

Let the chaos begin!

lisa

[boxes pic: via hightouchmoving.com]

[ rollin' with it ]

IT'S NO secret that life is full of ups and downs. And sometimes when things seem too good to be true, they probably are...

It seems that we may have hit a snag with our upcoming move and all the plans we've made could all be up in the air. I've never had to learn to be as patient and flexible as I have here in Dubai. Nothing seems to go smoothly ~ there's always some kind of glitch or frustration ~ something to throw a monkey wrench into the plans. I'm learning to roll with it but it isn't always easy. 

And so our weekend will consist of trying to find some way to get things back on track. Wish me luck that we can get things sorted out! 

Hope your weekend rolls smoothly! Have a happy one!

lisa

[ shake rattle and roll ]

SO there was a major earthquake today on the Iran/Pakistan border measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale. It was definitely felt here all across Dubai. Not enough to cause any damage, just a shake...

I was probably the only one not to feel it since I was on the treadmill at the time, but my guy called from his office to ask if I felt it and said that things were shaking. Some buildings and hospitals were evacuated.

Last week there was a 6.3 magnitude quake in Iran as well. I didn't feel that one either since I happened to be vacuuming. Maybe I should install one of these for next time...

lisa

[via pinterest]

[ 1...2...3! ]

IT'S HARD to believe that today is my 3 year blogiversary! Doesn't time fly by?

When I started this blog in 2010, I had no idea where things would go. Or for how long. Who knew that blogging would be so much fun, that I'd "meet" such lovely people from all over the world and that it would become such a big part of my life!

My heartfelt thanks to all of you for following along and for all of your amazing support and sweet comments. You are what makes this worthwhile. And as long as you're there, I'll be here! xo

lisa

[sexyqueen.tumblr.com]

[ oh the anticipation! ]

SEEN today at Dubai Mall...

Woohoo! I've never lived near a West Elm so this is very exciting! Do you have a West Elm near you?

lisa

[ 4 weeks! ]

YAY! I'm officially 4 weeks post-op today and I'm happy to report that I think I've turned a corner over the past few days and am feeling like I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things!

My guy has been an incredible nurse/housekeeper/entertainer through all of this and as if that weren't enough, he surprised me with the prettiest little box...

...containing the prettiest bit of sparkle...

... and all because he's happy that I'm recovering so well. Now if that's not enough to keep him, I don't know what is! Oh, except that he made sure to buy it from Tiffany so I could add the bag to my shopping bag art wall! And I thought I was the only crazy one! sigh... I love my guy.

Thanks so much for hanging in there while I've been a bit MIA. Now let's get this year started! xo

lisa

[swing via think9ink.tumblr.com]

[ feelin' your love ]

JUST checking in with a little update ~ I'm home from the hospital now and I can't thank you enough for all of your hugs, good vibes and prayers wishing me well. You really are the best and your sweet words have done wonders for me this week.

It will take some time to recover but it sure is nice to be home. Huge hugs to you all! And now... time for a nap ...zzzzzz...

lisa

[ bummer news ]

SO JUST as we were renewing our lease for another year and paying our year's rent up front {the entire year has to be paid at once here in Dubai!}, we got a notice from our Iranian soccer-player landlord that he wants the apartment back when our lease is up next June.

I'm pretty bummed out. Wouldn't you know that the one time we actually like our place and want to stay, now we're being evicted. I decided to look for any other listings in our building right now just for curiosity and it appears that the 2 that are available now are already over $200 more/month than what we're paying now. I don't imagine we'll find anything for the same price as what we're paying when we need to search next year.

It certainly puts a damper on my gallery wall project I've been assembling. By the time I've got it ready to hang, it will be time to take it all down again. I wonder if I should bother. The joys of being a renter.

lisa

[ somethins burnin ]

HAPPY MONDAY everyone! To all of my Canuck friends, Happy Victoria Day - (aka May 24) long weekend!

Nothing too exciting going on here in Dubai but it sounds like my hometown in Northern Ontario is surrounded by forest fires right now. This pic was taken about 4 km from my parents' home...

So far the town has not been evacuated - they are still trying to bring the fire under control. The entire city of Timmins is surrounded by forest fires on all outer highways so it looks like many family summer cottages are at risk as well.

Here's hoping for some rain! And that everyone's homes are safe.

update:

I appears that the closest fire has been tackled and there will be no need for my parents to evacuate (thank goodness!). As for the other fires, no updates so far.

lisa

[ featured! ]

THE NATIONAL newspaper in Abu Dhabi ran a lovely section on Saturday on local designers and artisans and included my Etsy shop and iPad/Kindle cases. It was so nice to be amongst such amazing talent!

The article can also be found online here.

lisa

[ 2 year blogiversary! ]

SO, 2 YEARS ago today I started this blog {read my first post here}. I had no idea what I was doing, if anyone would read it, how it would evolve or if I would even keep it up. I was embarking on a new chapter in my life, having shelved my magazine career. I was determined to look forward, pursue other interests and live a happier life.

And so I created my first post. And then another. I soon discovered that blogging would become a bit of a scrapbook for me ~ to share decorating ideas, travel photos, recipes, diy projects, all the things that I was about. And eventually, something happened along the way... I started to love it.

Over the past 2 years, I have made some wonderful blogging friends. Full of encouragement, laughs and generous compliments. So many people still look at me blankly when I say that I have a blog and just don't "get it", but that's ok. Posting that first post was the best thing I could have done. I took a leap and it opened up a whole new world of friends, inspiration, positivity and joy.

Thanks for sticking around and becoming such wonderful friends. Bopping around as an expat isn't easy but all of you have made it a little easier and I've come to depend on you for your support, kind words and just being there. I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Here's to another year of fun posts!

lisa

[shakti space designs]