Tag: blog

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Life in Quarantine 2020: Staying Inspired

Spring Classics Collection

I’m sure that we are all getting anxious wanting to go outside at the first sign of spring.  In my place in the world, I’m still skeptical.  That being said, I’ve been finding creative ways to keep my children and myself busy indoors.  I received my birthday/Mother’s Day presents early ( a pasta maker and juicer kitchennaid attachments and a Nespresso machine ) so I’ve been enjoying them tremendously.  So far I have made linguini, spaghetti on the first round and homemade ramen noodles.  I must say that homemade ramen is WAY better than the prepackaged dehydrated kind.

On my other hobbies and pursuits, I’ve been learning lots about ball jointed doll making. I have yet to design and create my own so that is next on the list of things to self teach.

rabbit amigurumi doll

Doll making still has my heart and I have furthered even better ways to get my dolls out to so many more people that use them for therapy and to simply make them smile.  My son found all the family photo albums including some scrapbook ideas I had in storage.  We had fun looking through them so we decided to work on that project this week.  As much as this lockdown has disrupted our lives it has also allowed me to stay in the present.  I now know exactly where my scrapbook items are and there is no excuse for me not to complete them.  I think it will be fun for my youngest to actually get familiar of what a physical photograph is.

scrapbook on white textile

The most challenging thing for me to do lately is to remain inspired. To shake things up I found a couple iBooks to read.  It’s nice to read on the socials, texting, messaging.. but it is nice to take a break from the pace of the social media world and read a book that has more focus and direction.  lol as much as I love chatting with my online world, having a direction feels a lot more calming on my brain lately.  People are getting emotional so I’m trying to remain as positive as I can.

It’s easy to get sucked into the fears and panic of those that surround you but the most important thing is to be there for them.  Transition is hard for all of us.

I hope you are all having a peaceful week.

More to come be happy and be grateful always…

Much love,

SS

P.S.  Checkout my Pinterest  recipe boards, I’ve tried and will be trying some recipes and activities from some pretty amazingly creative people on there.  Also checkout my YouTube Channel where I’ll take you on my adventures too!

 

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So many things

*CLICK FOR VIDEO* So many things

I had such a fun weekend and I’m so happy that the stresses of the world melted away. I ordered more supplies, worked on some fine details and now I feel more prepared for all my future projects. As a bonus, I got to meet up with some great friends and we ended the weekend with sharing some great laughs and stories.

All in all life is awesome!

Bring on the new week!

Life with Stiletto: So many things

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Bullet journals & Heffalumps

2017 ended with a lot of promise and a lot of planning and like every year previously, I have to start with a new planner.  Now I have always had a journal where I would write out random thoughts, short stories, poems, ideas, etc. but I noticed that over time and as I found myself disciplining my thoughts more to tailor towards my goals, I found that my journals were feeling more like a “security blanket”.  I was reading back through my writing and it was becoming more random and sadly I was even writing less frequently.  I can freely admit this was most likely due to depression from fighting SJS, but I also feel that my writing instruments were getting a little outdated and boring.  I came across the one bullet journal video and then before you know it I ended up watching a string of youtube videos for the entire day.  I did some research on some different dot paper notebooks, art pens, art markers.. I placed my Amazon order, stalked it and waited impatiently for my new bullet journal adventure to begin.

Yes, I am a gadget girl and I do use my iPhone calendar for appointments, alarms etc. but guys, there just isn’t anything in this world that can ever compare to the power and magic of the pen to paper.  I am and always will be a writer they are my favourite tools in the world.  Since I’ve been using the bullet journal system, while adding some creative touches of my own, I’ve managed to be a lot more productive and inspired in my artwork as well.  I kept my creative energy flowing and decided to move into a new studio with bigger space and amazing lighting.

Since I’ve been doing some much needed redecorating, I decided to include some of my art dolls into my room decor.  Now, reborn doll collecting is a fairly new so displaying them is left in actual baby furniture, etc there are no stands for them.  So I found a pillow in the shape of an elephant. I was so excited to find it because who doesn’t want a heffalump pillow?!

It’s definitely the right time for big moves!

SS

 

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Vlog #19 Stuffed.

I had a fantastic Thanksgiving celebrating with family and some new found friends.  I love being surrounded by so much positivity.  The weather is beautiful, the kids are happy and there’s nothing but awesomeness coming up!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Action and Progress

IMG_0001 2

You know those corny sayings that seem to clog the internet, you know, the ones where they are supposed to inspire you or uplift you?  I read those quotes and I find one common thread between them all and that is the moment I was reading them, I should have been moving on and taking the next step towards my goal.  As positive as they are, these are things we should be telling ourselves on a daily basis.  I’m a strong believer in self preservation for the sake of the quality of life that you really want.

I was doing research, making appointments, drafting plans… and I stopped myself and smiled.  In all my adulthood, 2017 has been the best I have had yet.  I used to do things here and there, not out of things I had to do but for things I felt I needed to do.  Going with the flow and letting go of this invisible control we all think we have.

Today, I started to notice how all the things I’ve been doing up to this point have come to fruition.  I used to get stressed out when I didn’t know what was going to happen after working so hard.  Now, I find myself smiling more and knowing that this whole journey was preparing me for something bigger than just what I love to do.  I’m on my way to fulfill that mission I gave to myself.

My new addiction… The art of letting go…

SS

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Over already?!

It's the Civic Holiday weekend and it feels like the summer months passed by so fast! I blame most of this on the weirdest weather I've seen in years! It would rain so hard it sounded like hail against my windows, thunderstorms at least once a week followed by extreme heat where I could hardly breathe. Although, I'd rather have this weather than the upcoming winter months.

The back-to-school supplies and clothing are in all the stores, I can almost hear my bank account cry for my school shopping days that are just around the corner. It will be an emotional school year for me as my last little pterodactyl will be leaving the nest to go to school. So far, he knows his numbers up to 10 and backwards, but he refuses to sing the alphabet song lol. Thanks to the iPad he does know what the letters are, but he just doesn't like the song. I'm guessing that he thinks the song is dumb, he rolls his eyes every time I ask him to sing it.

Lately, my days are filled with doll orders and event planning. It's a truly exciting time for me. I have found what I love in all aspects of my life from the kids, social life and now my artistry. They often say that when your personal life is good everything else around is chaos. I am living proof that the saying is NOT true. We all need to find the balance in our own lives or things get harder and harder to do. It's like the universe makes some things in our lives difficult in order to accept something better in our lives. "Out with the old, in with the new" has a deeper meaning than we think. This whole year has unraveled many important life choices for me. My family relationships have been stronger now than ever, financial security is finally here, reuniting with my childhood best friend, maintaining deeper relationships with my friends from all over my online world and forming new amazing friendships who have cleared my mind and settled my soul.

Yes, you can have it all, yes abundance is attainable. If you want these things, you have to release everything that you know is holding you back. It will seem so difficult to let go, but it will be worth it and those difficult moments you are experiencing right now, will be in your distant past. Right when you're about to give up hope is when you have to gather up as much strength as you have to get through the rough moments. You will see your end goals, not when YOU want to see it, but when you're ready to accept it.

SS

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Gadget Review: Adrienne Vittadini Studio Wallet with phone charger

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a gadget review, however I had to say something about this pretty yet purposeful gadget targeted to women.

I found this product in Winners while looking for a new replacement for a wallet I’ve had for over 3 years.  I sifted through many styles including a Tommy Hilfiger one and I had to decide between the two.  This is a wallet designed by Adrienne Vittadini it has a phone charger BUILT IN!

I am on my phone all day so yes I have to charge my phone before I leave then pray that my battery isn’t going to die.  I drain my battery about halfway through my day and it is so annoying.  This battery charger has already been a saviour!

The inside pouch has a semi-detachable charge station built inside secured by 2 snap buttons.  It has a micro usb cord with a lightning adapter.  Simple instructions on how to use the usb; flashing red light means charging solid red light means fully charged, blue means charging device. I have an iPhone SE and it fits perfectly in this wallet which has a wrist loop.  I was looking to downsize my ever swollen wallets of the past and this is a great incentive to do it.  So far, when I need an extra charge it’s right there and can be charged discretely without loose external batteries hanging around which isn’t very cute.  Yes as a gadget gal, I will fall for anything that makes gadgets look cute.

If you have a chance to find this wallet or something similar, I highly recommend you pick one up to add to your summer fashion accessories.  This will make an awesome gift for your fellow gadgeteers.  If I find more of these wallets I’m gonna pick one up for my Mom.  😀

SS

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Stiletto Vlogs 06/03/17 Farmer’s Market

This is  one of my favourite things to do in my surroundings.  We have a fabulous fresh Farmer’s Market close by and I just love it.  Fresh fruits and veggies, meats, baked goods and the sound of vendors yelling out their upcoming sales is like music to my ears.  I even had a chance to look through all the furniture that I will be decorating my house with.

I stocked up in meats, bought some amazingly fresh butter and raspberry cream tarts and smoked mackerel.  OMG I love this so much, it could be my childhood upbringing when my parents other family friends would get together have potluck dinners, there was always BBQd fish somewhere among the sea of Filipino foods.  I decided that I want to share that same kind of traditions with my children.

I hope you enjoy the video of the travel to the Farmer’s Market!

More to come..

SS

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My passions…

Many of you have been following my blog about reviews on movies, products, etc,  What I haven’t really shared is one of my passions and artistic expression.

6 years ago, my mother in law purchased a doll on eBay for $150CDN.  Of course, I was curious and when she showed me this open eyed doll with soft hair and realistic features, I was hooked!  I purchased some affordable vinyl doll kits, bought some paint and  learned by trial and error.  I am a seasoned self-taught Reborn Doll Artist with years of experience and I am confident in my skills and ability to turn a simple piece of vinyl into a lifelike baby.

I’m well aware of how people react to these dolls, some negative, but most are very positive and just as curious as I was.  I’ve had the pleasure of teaching this art to friends and family.  What made me even more passionate about this art is that they are now used for therapy for many people with Autism, Alzheimer’s, PTSD and those that are experiencing loss.

I have met many great people through this art form over the years and I continue to meet new friends on a daily basis.  One thing rings truth among the artists I have met and that is to share our artwork and participate in a cause that effects so many people and their families.

This year, my goal is to spread the word of how these beautiful dolls are not only for collectors but they serve a purpose that many need in our communities.

I’m taking you all on this new journey, so enjoy the ride! 🙂

SS

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Late night organizing

I spent the entire day getting my schedule together for the upcoming week, from making a new playlist for my radio show to getting my tasks in order.  I have some videos to edit and I can’t wait to upload them.  I also have some interviews to plan for as well as content to get organized.  I admit, I’ve been all over the place, but I’m getting closer to be more consistent.  Believe me when I say that this is one of the biggest challenges for me.

For example, it’s 12:09am on I’ve been so distracted with Twitter and my Instagram feeds and having a blast.  I love laughing with my online folk, I can’t help but to share a few crazy tweets and pictures.  Ah well, at least I’m having fun and meeting new people in the worldwide web.  I can honestly say I’ve met amazing people, they could also be catfishes but at least I’ll have fun trying to find out. haha

Ok, I’ve really got to focus.. omg I’m the worst! haha

SS

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