Guest Post: Welcome Back Nicole!!

My next guest needs no introduction. Nicole is a darling of the blogging world and a dear friend. She has “visited” here before and when my old site went *poof* she agreed to come back and answer a WHOLE NEW set of questions. You’re in for a reading treat today.

Nicole is a ray of sunshine in the online community. She brings joy and cheer to every post and comment and oozes optimism in her general approach to life. Nicole blogs regularly at Girl in a Boy House and recently moved to Kelowna with her husband, two sons, and loveable canine Rex.

While we’ve never met in person (I’m hoping to rectify that – we currently live on opposite coasts of Canada), I sometimes think this has been a case of opposites attracting. First, Nicole is a Morning Person. Like a get-up-every-single-morning-before-dawn sort of morning person. Second, she willingly splashes water on her face twice daily (TWICE?!). Early mornings and water on my face happen to be two of my most loathed experiences. So we’re different, but also the same, a dynamic which makes the world of friendships go round.

If you’ve never read Nicole’s blog, I encourage you to head on over to find all sorts of delightful posts about shopping carts, her dog Rex, vegan eating, book reviews, gnomes, and nail-biting trips to the mechanic shop. It’s an eclectic mix, folks.

Now grab a cozy blanket, a steaming cup of something delicious, and settle in…

Q. Did you have any pets as a child? Have you always loved dogs?

I have always loved dogs, and what’s not to love? They’re fun and furry. We had a dog when I was a child, his name was Spike. He was a small black terripoo, and he was very cute.

Q. If you were doing it for fun – and money was no object/didn’t factor into your decision – what would your dream job be?

I would be a Broadway star! Perhaps a Schuyler sister! I would love to be able to perform like that.

Q. What’s something (food, skill, adventure, etc) you’ve always wanted to try, but haven’t yet?

I have always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon!

When I was a little girl they used to have hot air balloon races in Calgary, and I would sit on the front lawn and watch. I remember the Dairy Queen balloon was shaped like an ice cream cone. I would love to be in one myself, and while I’m dreaming, I would like to do it over the Serengeti!

Q. What’s your favourite article of clothing in your wardrobe? Favourite pair of shoes? Favourite “accessory”? Bonus points if you share pictures!

Oh boy, it’s hard to choose, I have so many favourites! I love a cute black dress, I love a long drapey sweater. I get a lot of mileage out of my Mott and Bow jeans and my lululemon City Sleek pants for comfortable style. As for shoes I love cute Skechers but I also love a tall boot. And strappy sandals! I love living where there are seasons so I can wear all these things. As for accessories, my favourites are my lotus flower silver necklace, my Pandora bracelets, and my rings: my husband gave me a beautiful solitaire for my fortieth birthday, and an anniversary ring for our tenth.

Q. What’s your favourite yoga pose?! And do you do yoga every single day of the year?

I am not sure if I have just one favourite pose! I do yoga every single day; sometimes my yoga practice is vigorous with lots of vinyasa, and sometimes it’s restorative and slow. Sometimes it’s just a seated stretch and a long meditation. Sometimes it’s a five minute savasana! But I always do something to reset.

Q. If you could give new parents one piece of advice, what would you say?

I would quote my friend Allison and say “There will be a time after this.” I think it works for the challenging phases, to help get through them, but also it’s a good reminder for the GOOD phases. There will be a time after this, so let’s remember this time.

Q. What is the best gift you’ve ever received?

Since he’s lying on my feet right now, I will say Rex. He came from a loving home that sadly couldn’t keep him, and WE were the ones chosen to care for him. I am grateful for that every day. My heart was broken when my beloved Barkley died, and Rex has brought me so much joy.

Q. Is there a skill you’d love to master?

Honestly, no! There are lots of things I would like to be able to do – anything visually artistic, or singing – but I don’t think I have the requisite talent, so no amount of practice would get me there.  

Q. Of all the places – near and far – that you’ve been able to visit, what is your favourite spot on earth?

I have three favourites! Maui is the most beautiful place I have ever been to, it is truly paradise. Nearer to home, the Rocky Mountains, and specifically Banff and Lake Louise, are absolutely magical. And, of course, my home! [This post has all sorts of spectacular pictures of her new home in Kelowna.]

Q. Other than gnomes, do you have any collections?

Black sweaters! Ha! I probably have about twenty of them, with black dresses being the next runner up. But a more fun collection would be the charms for my Pandora bracelets. I have four bracelets total, and every charm was a gift and has special meaning.

Q. How and when did you meet your best friend?

I met my best friend Tara on the first day of ninth grade. She was new, and in my homeroom, and I bounced up to her and said “Hi! I love your hair!” and we’ve been friends ever since. We’ve gone through all our life stages together, including having semi-empty nests. [This story SCREAMS Nicole! Love it <3]

Q. What is your favourite time of day?

Early early morning. I love early mornings and I always have. There is just something magical about that quiet, peaceful time of day. It is so fresh, with a whole new day ahead.

Q. What are your Top Three favourite features of your new house?

I love our deck with such a gorgeous view, I will never get tired of it. I also absolutely love having three bathrooms, a laundry room and a dedicated office, but the biggest joy is having a guest room! I have never been able to really host overnight company before.

Q. What is the first thing you do in the morning/last thing you do at night?

First thing in the morning, after coffee/ water/ morning ablutions, I like to read or write a little, then I read a poem and do my yoga practice. Last thing at night, I do something similar – I wash all my makeup off and put on all my creams and serums, and then I read on the couch until I feel like I’m slipping into a coma. 

Q. Does your family have any unusual and/or especially treasured Christmas traditions?

My kids love that I have invented Tiny Secret Festive Season, which runs November 1-11. After that, it’s ON. I love baking cookies and the boys and I always decorate gingerbread people. Mine always look just like regular gingerbread people, but the boys’ are always insane and no one ever wants to eat them. On Christmas Eve we always watch Elf, and sometime during the month of December we watch Christmas Vacation. 

This was so fun, Nicole! Thanks for coming back for Round #2.

Your turn. Any questions for Nicole? Are you an early-morning person or a night owl? Does anyone else collect Pandora charms? Do you have a guest room in your home or apartment/what’s your favourite feature about your home? Have you ever flown in a hot-air balloon? What’s your favourite Christmas tradition?