Little Blue Anchor

Farewell Little Blue Anchor the 1st...

 

Little Blue Anchor has a new home! Both littleblueanchor.com and littleblueanchorshop.com will now take you to the new website. You can read more about this decision over on the new blog... CHECK IT OUT

Why I'm Not Going to Post About My Wedding Plans

  

PHOTO BY PHOTOTYPE

 

I knew Jake for years before we stated to date. We knew the same people, hung out at the same places and liked the same music. Flash forward a few years, and I was moving home from Toronto for the fourth time in six years. It was the summer and we now had opposite taste in music, neither of us hung out at the same places, but we still knew a lot of the same people.

We hung out a lot, going to the beach and doing outdoor activities. We got to know each other on on a completely different level than before. I went to his hometown to meet his family and instantly fell in love with them. My Mama always said, "make sure you really love their family". That stuck with me and Mama couldn't have been more right. I still think I love them more than him... but maybe just by a little bit (I kid). 

Months later I made the decision (yet again) to move back to Toronto. I loved both Halifax and Toronto and was having a hard time deciding where to live permanently (clearly). I was in Toronto for four months and Jake came to visit me every month that I was there. He even ate peanut butter sandwiches for a week one time to save up to come visit me--that's love. In the fifth month, I came to visit him instead. It was my birthday and he threw me a surprise birthday party (that ended up not being such a surprise). When the week was up, I decided that I didn't want to go back to Toronto. I wanted to be with Jake in Halifax. Jake's car at the time was having some trouble and he wasn't sure about driving it to Toronto to pick up my stuff. He sold it and got one that would take us there. We drove the whole way to Toronto and almost killed each other by the end of it. Arriving late at night exhausted and cranky, we went right to sleep. In the morning, Jake went to shoot a music video (the timing for that worked out perfectly) while I packed my stuff into the car. That evening when Jake returned we took off driving for Halifax. The car was packed to the max with a mattress tied to the roof. As we took off down the highway I reached out my window to feel for the mattress... but I couldn't feel it. I went into a panic thinking of all the possibilities. Jake quickly pulled over and thankfully the mattress was still there. We tied the front down with a bed sheet, and the knot hung down between us in the front seats. It was a ridiculous trip. 

About half a year later I got pregnant with Jack and we became a family of three (or 7 including our animals). Over the next few years, we started new careers, bought our first home, lost some loved ones, ate sushi every chance we got and went through the craziness and beauty of raising an awesome kid (which Jack prefers to be called because "I not a baby or a big boy, I a kid"). 

All of this, and our love for each other and our family are the reason we have decided to get married. We aren't getting married to have the best decorations, dress, or venue. We aren't getting married to put ourselves into debt or to stress ourselves out.... Yes, it is our big day and we want to make it special, but what makes it special is who we celebrate it with. 

The details of the wedding planning aren't what this is all about, and I won't let it cause any stress on what is going to be a wonderful time. Of course I'm excited to wear my dress and pick out my flowers but posting about every detail, every option of centre piece, or party favour... or what colour scheme I'm going with, will only put all of my energy into the things that are just a bonus. The real bonus is getting to have an evening spent with loved ones and celebrating our love... and that's what matters, that's what I'm the most excited about.

 

 

 

Natural Beauty Series: Hydrated Lips & A Refreshing Watermelon Smoothie

 

Summertime Watermelon Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium watermelon
• 1 bunch of mint
• Juice of 1/2 limes
• 1 cup coconut water

Blend and enjoy! 

Hydrating Lip Balm

You will need...

• 1 teaspoon of Shea or Cocoa Butter 
• 1 teaspoon of Coconut Oil 
• 1/2 teaspoon of Beeswax 
• a few drops of your favourite essential oil (optional)

Melt all ingredients down in a double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler, a pot with a few cups of boiling water in it with a stainless steel bowl placed on top does the trick.

Pour the mixture into a small container that has been cleaned and is fully dry. Allow to cool and voila! 

Natural Beauty Series: Exfoliate your Skin

 

Glowing Skin Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 papaya
• 1 cup mango
• 1 banana
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/2 cup water

 Blend and enjoy!

Note: Papaya peels are amazing skin exfoliants as well! After you've scooped out the fruit, rub the inside of the peel over your skin. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off. Follow up with your favourite moisturizer or oil!

Sugar and Honey Scrub

You will need....

• 1/2 cup of sugar (coconut sugar, sugar cane or brown sugar)
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil (softened but not liquid)
• 2 tablespoons of raw honey
• 4-6 aloe vera leafs (optional)

Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix together. It's easier to mix if your coconut oil is at room temperature instead of being liquid or too hard to blend. 

One great thing about this scrub is that it exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time. No need to moisturize when you get out of the shower!

Store in a clean covered container and keep in dark space. Use within 2-3 weeks. *Note, don't store the scrub inside of the shower. It gets too hot and the mixture will become liquid and hard to work with.

 

Around Here Lately.....

 

Around here lately life has been pretty.... snowy. I would like to blame the snow for my lack of blogging over the past few months/entire winter, but really I just feel that I needed a break to get our new house and my two businesses in order. Things are finally feeling good with the house, the shop and I've been booking shoots for the spring (if spring ever comes)... but today, today I had a bit of a meltdown (or lack there of). I understand that life is good and how dare I complain about a little snow, but I'm at my breaking point (as I'm sure everyone who lives in my city/province is). It's tuff keeping a 2 1/2 year old occupied when it's hard to leave your house. We are outdoors people. I like to walk an hour a day when I can, I love to eat and party and play...outside. I'm needing this weather to change soon, if not for my sake, then for Jack's sake, so he can get out and ride a bike and help me garden and dig up worms. Are we understanding each other mother nature? 

Natural Beauty Series: Hydrate your Skin

 

First off, we want to thank everyone who participated in last week’s giveaway! We are happy to announce that Holly from Holly's House Wife Life is the winner of The Kate head wrap from Little Blue Anchor Shop, and My Spiritual Roadtrip’s new eBook, Ignite Your Health.

We will be wrapping up this series with another giveaway, so be sure to keep an eye out for that.

This is part 1 of a natural beauty blog post series that Kate from My Spiritual Roadtrip and I have created. Over the next few weeks we'll be sharing our favourite homemade natural beauty products, in combination with a smoothie recipe. We believe that what you put into your body is as equally important as what you put into your body. 

Whipped Coconut & Vanilla Body Butter

This recipe was inspired by Kate's favourite vanilla body butter made by The Body Shop. She loved the smell but didn't like the toxins that came with it.

You will need....

• 1 oz of beeswax 
• 6 aloe vera leafs OR 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice
• 1/2 cup of shea butter OR cocoa butter 
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil 
• 1.5 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or more if desired) 
• double boiler OR pot with stainless steel bowl
• stand mixer OR hand held mixer
• sanitized and dry container or mason jar (dishwasher works great)

Using a double boiler, melt all of the ingredients together in the order listed. *If you don't own a double boiler, use a pot with 1-2 cups of boiling water in it and place a stainless steel bowl inside the pot. It will work just the same. 

Once the mixture has melted together, allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Using a stand mixer or a hand held mixer, whip the body butter for about 3-4 minutes. It will look a bit runny, but place the mixture into your container of choice and allow it to sit for a half an hour. 

Use it all over your body for luscious, hydrated skin. Store at room temperature for 8 weeks.. but trust us, you will run out before then.

Vanilla Almond Milk Shake

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen bananas *make sure they're frozen...it's a better taste & texture
• 3 chopped medjool dates *soaking your dates for 15 minutes before hand will make them easier to blend
• 1 tablespoon of shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract OR 1 vanilla bean 
• dash of cinnamon 
• 1 cup of almond milk or more if needed

Blend everything together in a blender, and enjoy!

Stay tuned for next weeks post! We make a homemade exfoliating scrub and delicious papaya and mango smoothie!

 

 

 

A Natural Beauty Series: Giveaway

 

Litte Blue Anchor will be joining My Spiritual Road Trip over the next few weeks to enlighten you with some recipes for home made beauty care. These remedies are made from natural and organic sources, and include recipes for the inside and the outside of the skin. We believe that what you put into and on your body can impact the health of your skin. There may be lots of great natural beauty care out there, but the truth is, it will most likely not be 100% natural unless you make it yourself.

We will be starting off our series this week with a giveaway from both of our shops. You can see The Little Blue Anchor Shop HERE and My Spiritual Road Trip's HERE. The winner will recieve "The Kate" Tied Knot Head Wrap to rock this summer on the beach, and The 21 Day Yoga and Vegan Challenge eBook. The eBook includes:

• 30 delicious and simple vegan recipes
• 1 week meal plan
• A guide to natural beauty products (including simple recipes for deodorant, face masks, and more!)
• Spiritual/personal growth. resource list
• Lifestyle/wellness tips and advice
• Support for healing your relationship with food and your body
• and more!

GIVEAWAY RULES:

1. Comment on this post on EITHER My Spiritual Road Trip OR Little Blue Anchor
2. Follow My Spiritual Road Trip on Instagram
3. Follow Little Blue Anchor on Instagram OR Little Blue Anchor Shop on Instagram (or both)
4. Like My Spiritual Road Trip on Facebook
5. Like Little Blue Anchor Shop on Facebook

**If you don't have Facebook or Instagram just let us know in your comment!!

 

Contest ends March 31st

 

Good Luck!  

 

Jack for Leftright

 

Jack is going through a serious t-shirt obsession. He cannot get enough, and wants to wear only t-shirts all of the time. He asks to get changed about 10 times a day, using tactics such as "dis t-shirt dirty Mama" and "I'm too hot Mama, need to change my t-shirt". It's even got to the point where I hide some of his favourites in my own dresses drawer and use them for potty training bribery. 

 

Check out LEFTright to see more of their cute toddler, baby, adult, and home items!

 

Thanks Nicole, Jack is in love with them...to say the least!

 

 

...

The Big Reveal

 

As some of you may know, I have been working on a secret project for the past couple of months. Today I finished getting my site together, and I am excited to announce the launch of my new business, LITTLE BLUE ANCHOR SHOP. My shop has a selection of handmade head wraps with knots, braids, and turbans. I offer a few organic options, and some with unique designs. Each design has been painted or designed by different artists and graphic designers. You can check out the info on that under each product detail. There is limited stock of each item with no promise to bring back every style. Once something sells out, I will make the decision based on supply and demand whether or not to bring it back to the shop. The head wraps/pieces will change with each collection and every season. I'm hoping to do a bridal head piece line this summer and already have a bohemian line in the works. For now, Little Blue Anchor Shop is just head wear, but I plan to offer an array of products and pieces in the future, we will just have to see where this takes me. 

This sunday we (being my sister in-law and I), did a shoot with an awesome model and some adorable dresses/rompers courtesy of SWEET PEA BOUTIQUE. It was a team effort with both Tobi and I taking pictures, myself doing the makeup, and our beautiful model looking amazing. You can check out some more of Tobi's photography at tobilaurenphotography.ca and some of mine over at littleblueanchor.com/littleblueanchorstudios.

You will notice that the head wraps have female names. I'll be naming each head wrap after someone that it reminds me of or someone in my life at that particular time. This line is after friends, my hair stylist, and some girls that are apart of a group I'm in, in which we help support each other in our business. 

Follow LITTLE BLUE ANCHOR SHOP on it's very own social media accounts to stay updated on future collections and promotions!

 INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

A HUGE thank you to Joey, owner of SWEET PEA BOUTIQUE, my model Breagh, and Tobi for making this all possible! xx

 

Life Updates...

 

Wow it has been a while. I have been busy, busy preparing for a secret project that I've been working on since Christmas. Some of you may have seen a little about this on my INSTAGRAM, although it doesn't tell you much. All I can really say right now is that I'm super excited about it and you can expect the secret to be out somewhere around the 10th of March.

In other news... Jake and I got engaged at the beginning of the month! We are so happy and really excited. Even though we have a kid together, own a house together, and have been together for years... It's still an exciting step in our relationship. 

Everyone has been asking about the details as to how it happened. It was the sweetest morning of my life I must say..... Jake got up with Jack and they let me sleep in. The two of them dispersed from the house for a few hours to pick up some groceries to make me breakfast in bed. I was just waking up when they got home, and opened my eyes to Jack standing next to my bed with a bouquet of flowers for me. Shortly after Jake delivered me breakfast in bed. I had no idea what was about to happen but loved that they were being extra sweet that morning. When I finished my breakfast, Jake bent down next to the bed and brought out the ring. I of course said yes and started to cry. Jack had no idea what had just happened but was really happy because he could see how happy his Mama and Dada were. A year or two ago I found the ring that I really wanted and sent the link to Jake in an email saying "just in case". He kept that email and got me that same ring. We are beyond happy and plan to get married this summer. I'm lucky to call him the father of my child and can't wait to call him my husband (for real). 

I have also been working on a new series with another blogger. Keep an eye open for that next month as well. It's filled with some really great info and a few giveaways too.