Momma's dream kitchen

As most of you know, I'm an avid home cook and amateur chef. Well my friends, I'm happy to announce that after living in our bungalow for 5 years, it's finally time to renovate the kitchen!

I plan on journaling the entire experience (oh lord:S) but for now, I'm sharing my inspirational pics and a few of my favourite design elements that I'm including in this DIY Reno!

Here is a picture I found on Pinterest that includes all the elements of my dream kitchen! White cabinets, light white and grey granite, stainless steel apron sink and commercial grade faucet, chrome pendants lights, light grey walls, dark wood floors and stainless steel appliances! 

At Rona, I chose my glass and marble backslash, Cambria Quartz countertop (low maintenance but $$$) with white cabinets that have a thermo plastic finish for easy cleaning! I'm in love with the monochromatic tones!

Bought my Kraus faucet and apron sink on Amazon for half the price that Home Depot was selling it for! And I used ebates to get 2% back in cash!

Here are some pictures of the existing mess of a kitchen.... Stay tuned my friends... Stay tuned!

Summer with a 1.5 year old

As I was saying in my previous post, summer has been very different for me this year. While trying to establish a home business and looking after a one-year-old, summer hasn't really had the same typical priorities.

The weather has been really great and I feel a bit sad that we haven't maximized it. Being on a budget also limits all of our activities as well.

That being said, here are a few things I did with Victor this summer! 

Here's Victor enjoying the last of the tulips at the Ottawa tulip festival near Dows lake.

Here we are having a day trip to the stables at the RCMP building. We were on a budget so we packed a picnic and enjoy the museum for free! The kids had fun hiding behind this tree while I took a picture

On the way to Toronto, we stopped at the Big Apple for a snack and to visit the small animal farm. It's free, it's cheap and it's delicious! 

Victor enjoyed his baby ice cream cone for about one second.

I was getting ready to host a pop-up shop this summer. Therefore, I was visiting a lot of antique shops. Here's Victor enjoying a small rocking chair outside of "hoarders antique market" near Britannia.

Here is Victor having fun at "the pond". We had an impromptu play date and picnic with some good friends.

Here's the entire family on a walk to grab some dessert at "three sisters bakery" on Kilbourne. This was one of my favorite days of summer.

Here we are at Westboro beach. We just brought Victor for an hour during a busy Sunday. It was so hot, we just wanted him to cool down.

This is Victor enjoying the fruits of his labour. Our garden has been doing really well this year. He likes to look for the cucumbers that are hiding under the leaves. He calls out " concombre, concombre?" So sweet!

Well it's only the beginning of August and we have a few more things planned this summer. I hope you mommas are all enjoying your family time this summer. 

What have you been up to? Any suggestions to bring a one-year-old somewhere economical and fun? Please share below!

I have another baby now!

Hi mommas,

I know it's been a while. Things have been crazy busy and hectic.

I must apologize for not posting since March. Lots of exciting things have happened this spring and summer, considering I was laid off in February. I went back to work and two months later was laid off after my maternity leave.

Talk about a slap in the face from a women's health charity that I was working for. Because I have class, I will spare you the name of this charity.

The reason I have been so busy, is that I started my own business. That's the baby I'm referring to. After putting in so many hours to get things started I truly have an appreciation for people who work for themselves.

I started a small business consulting and virtual assistant company called "Go-to Girl" . I've gone to 1 million networking events, have met amazing people who are surrounding me, and I'm so grateful for how everything played itself out. I am an entrepreneur, so most of it did come naturally to me, I have to admit.

In this post I wanted to talk about how having your own business is very much like having a baby!

For one, in the beginning you have no idea what you're doing. You're just trying to stay afloat and keep your head above water. It takes time until you really fall in love with your business, something that occurs naturally with some moms who fall in love with their babies only months after they are born.

This is me having fun with my photoshoot for my website pictures!
Thank you Amy Eaton for your awesome work!

Secondly, the hours are long. You are working day and night to get things set up. Working on your business and working for your business, two very separate things that I've learned. And because you're working so many long hours, you are exhausted. Constantly checking emails and making something out of any opportunity, just to find your place and possibility discovering the next best thing! I'm not saying that's the right way to start a business, I'm just saying that's what happened to me.

Some good news, my blog has received two awards this year. You can check out the badges on the side of this post. 

I am now at the phase where I love my business. I know what I'm doing, I have a vision, and I'm executing!

I'm not racking in the money quite yet, but I do see this happening in the near future. My business is going very well, growing steadily. I couldn't ask for anything more. My clients are amazing and keep me motivated everyday.

In the meantime, I'm getting help with Victor from my parents in law. Don't think you can do all of this with a one-year-old at home. They require so much attention that it's not fair to you, your business or your baby.

As my time is being managed better, I'd like to find more time to post. Hope you didn't miss me too much.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are a mompreneur that is also trying to juggle it all!

First birthday & Baptism Party

It's finally all over! Victor's baptism and first birthday was a success. Lots of stress and lots of planning.
Timing wasn't the best, since I just got laid off, but little V deserved the best!

We had Victor baptized at the Armenian Church of Ottawa. The Godfather, plays an exceptionally important role and even wears traditionnal attire.

Here are some pictures of his baptism and party.

The Godfather- David

Armenians baptism babies in the nude! Getting V ready for his moment to shine!

Victor playing "coo-coo" with his towel

My favourite pic- Victor Salad!

The god parents and grandparents!

Decorated gift table at the party. Theme was "Nautical"

Candy Buffet and desert table

What a feast!

Friends and baby friends at the party!

Stairs are the highlight of any 1 year old's birthday bash

Exhausted little Victor playing with the lobster cage

Home made and custom loot bags for Victor's friends and cousins

Update- July 9 2014

PartyPail.com awarded this post for "Best Decoration". How fun! My first award as a blogger! All the hard work sure paid off.

Baby proofing the house

Hello mommas!

I know it's been a while, but V is growing up too fast and I can't keep up!

I thought I could just keep saying "No Victor, don't touch…", but let's face it, that doesn't last too long.
So the wine rack is now stored in the entrance closet and the larger furniture protects the danger zones.

Tonight, I begged my husband to lock up the cabinet doors, because cooking in the kitchen has become a nightmare! Victor is getting into everything!! He particularly likes to play "Stacking" with my pyrex Tupperware…not a safe idea.

Have a look at my mini blog post on baby proofing. Successful or not? you be the judge!

Bye for now,

xox Chantsy

Happy V Day!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! xox

Valentine's Day is such a great time of the year to remember our loved ones. It's a great time to do crafts, baking, flower arrangements, correspondence and buy gifts too. 

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I decided to do a little photo shoot with little man because it had been a while. Enjoy :)

In the background he is destroying the things hanging on the wall!! hahaha

This picture kills me! He's such a little man model.

P.A.R.T... WHY? Cuz I gotta!

Ok mommas... why do we do this to ourselves?
I am obsessed with parties, and most of all, planning them!

I am in mega party planning mode between V's baptism and birthday... this momma is going in sane!
Not to mention, I plan fundraising events for a living :S

So, I decided to help mommas out there that may need a little help :)

Here are some websites that I'd like to share for ordering supplies:

• www.pritchard.com
• www.partycity.com
• www.partystock.com
• www.swoozies.com
• www.etsy.com

You don't need to limit yourself to online stores, make sure you visit:

• Dollarama
• Michael's
• Solutions
• Bulk Burn
• Party City
• Prichard
• Party Mart
• Cody Party Centre
• Party Time Rentals
• Target
• Walmart
• Costco

I'll be posting a few articles about helpful tools (like LISTS! I love lists!) to use when planning a party.

Stay tuned :)

Here are some inspirational pictures for party planning and decorating! This was my gorgeous baby shower that was planned by a group of exceptional ladies!

Desert table... yum!

For once, I didn't hate my kitchen :)

A Tifany's theme!

Looks beautiful! A romantic tea party