Creating Your Own Bucket List

I have a bucket list. Do you? When I started at the company I currently work for, the office manager challenged me to make a list of goals I wanted to accomplish - in 1 year and then in 5 years. I took this challenge to heart and created a bucket list. I made the list, gave it to my manager and never really gave it a second thought. Fast forward a year later and my manager asked me to review my list. I had about 30 items on the list and I was shocked to find out that I have accomplished 27 of the items!!!

Astonishing! My manager suggested I watch the movie The Secret.

The idea behind The Secret is that if you put it out in the universe, if you tell the universe you want something, the universe will find a way of making this happen. Make a dream board, a bucket list, what ever you would like to call it. So here are a few reasons why I believe this works:

#1 - You acknowledge these goals. You are making decisions that you want something very specific.  I get that people in life should not focus on the destination but the journey, but if you know where you want your journey to lead you, you will make choices along your journey to help get you to your destination (ie. Your dream/goal)

#2 - Reviewing your dream board or bucket list will help remind you what your goals are.  Entrepreneurs create a business plan to help stay focused on what they want their new company to become, what their goals are and their plan on how to make it happen.  Your bucket list should do the same thing for your personal life. It’s a reminder of what you want, what your dreams and goals are. It will help you stay focused. And remember those decisions you make along your journey?  By staying focused on your dreams, it will help you make decisions that will get you to achieve your dreams. And if your dreams change, that’s fine!  You’ll start making decisions in life that will help you on your journey to get to your new destination.

#3 - Your write it out.  Seeing it in words in front of you make it seem more attainable. It’s like making a commitment; a written contract that you WANT your dreams to come true and you’re willing to commit to make it happen. Share it with close family and friends, or perhaps certain items. If people know what your dreams and goals are, they may tell you about an opportunity that they become aware of to help you achieve your dreams.  They share in your dreams, and ultimately some of your dreams and goals can also benefit those closes to you anyhow.

Some people suggest you focus on one large goal and write it out every day. Get a note book and write out your goal.  Change it as you feel necessary. Expand upon it. Just write it out. Again, it will help you stay focused and remind you of what your goal is.

#4 - Be specific. Don’t just write that you want to be rich. Or be happy. Happiness is perception and your frame of mind. What do you have to do to become rich, or happy. Do you need to change your career? Find more time to work on your hobby? What do you need to do to change your career? Take some night classes. Read certain books. Network with people in that industry by attending workshops or seminars.  These are the items to put on your bucket list.

I actually divided up my lists into 3 different bucket lists. I have a travel bucket list, a baking bucket list and my regular goals I’d like to achieve. (Ie. Ranch style house on the lake surrounded by mature hardwood trees.)

Will I ever achieve all of my goals? Maybe not, but I’ve got my eye on the prize and it keeps me determined to keep trying.

So what’s stopping you? Create your own bucket list. Here’s a link to my bucket list and what I’ve accomplished so far. The sky’s the limit. Need some help getting started? Send me an email, I would love to help you!

Bucket List

1. Ride on a motorcycle
2. Join a gym and become more healthy started Sept 2013
3. Start a website/blog started August 2013
4. Learn to drive standard
5. Go zip lining completed June 2014
6. Go rock wall climbing
7. White water rafting
8. Go downhill skiing
9. Make a lemon meringue pie
10. Complete my digital cook book
11. Go for a wine tasting tour
12. Go GeoHunting with kids
13. Go Snorkling in the ocean
14. Drive a fast car (ie. Corvette, Camero)
15. Go on a RV trip with family
16. Take a photography course
17. Have a spa day (massage, facial, manicure &/or pedicure)
18. Learn to horse back ride
19. Then go horse back riding on a beach
20. Play in the ocean completed February 2014
21. Home renovations - kitchen & bathroom completed December 2012
22. Buy spectacular dress and get glamour photos done
23. Concur fear of sharks and learn to surf
24. Buy rental property
25. Fly in a commercial airplane completed October 2012
26. Go to Las Vegas completed July 2013
27. Go to Italy, Venice, Rome, Millian
28. Go to Disney World, Florida completed February 2014 
29. Go to New York City again
30. Go to Hollywood, Los Angeles
31. Go to Hawaii 
32. Visit Redwood National Park in BC
33. Make my own pottery vase
34. Watch a Movie Under the Stars completed July 2014
35. Weekend get away camping with the family at a cottage, fishing, camp fire
36. Wine and Cheese dinner at La Fromagerie
37. Make a garden full of daisies
38. Meet Anna Olsen
39. Pick fruit from an orchard
40. Find new fantasy author and read a series
41. Can fruits and vegetables
42. Make homemade relish completed September 2012
43. Achieve my CIP designation completed April 2012
44. Identify accents
45. Attend the One of a kind Christmas show - toronto
46. Food and wine - intercontinental hotel

My Travel Bucket List can be found here.

I recommend that everyone make their own bucket list!!

Breaking Outside my Box

Don't you love when you look back at your week and realise you've come out the other side a better person? We've been having a blogging competition at work these past few weeks, and yes, I may have an unfair advantage, so I decided to push myself outside of my comfort zone and try video blogging. It was like taking that last step off the high diving board and feeling your body falling and falling and falling until you hit the water. You're brain is yelling at you to stop the sensation, that uneasy feeling in your stomach, thinking to myself "did I really have to do that? What was I thinking?"

Then you surface from your plunge and realise, hey, that wasn't half bad. Let's try it again. You were probably flailing your arms around a lot, looking like a fool, but you did it.

So you can tell, I don't like jumping off high diving boards. But I also wasn't big on video blogging. I don't like the way I look on camera (mind you since starting muay thai, I feel my confidence coming back) and speaking in front of people just scares the crap out of me. The first blog was BRUTAL in my opinion, but I kept going. (I had my eye on the prize and I was determined to win) What I didn't realise was that while I was trying to win an extra vacation day, I was getting more comfortable in front of a camera. 5 video blogs later, I have to admit the last one barely hurt and actually went rather smoothly. My friend Taryn didn't have to tell me to slow down as much, I didn't fidget, I sat up straight and it took few attempts to get through my spiel smoothly.

In the spirit of the blogging competition, I took the time to watch a few other blogs. One of them was recorded by the owner of the company I work for. She is an amazing woman who lost her father suddenly last year and I'm so happy she took the time to record her video blogs. Her blogs were about the life lessons her father taught her. After hearing these lessons, it made me sad that I didn't have the opportunity to know her father better but what an incredible gift he left behind.

One of these life lessons was to challenge yourself and break outside your box. Never settle, always push yourself, and try to learn something new every day. I had one of those moments that made me sit back and think. I did it. I pushed myself outside my box, I succeeded and I feel great! The best part is it makes me want to do it again. What else can I challenge? What else can I learn?

So break outside your box! Do something you've always wanted to do even though it scares the crap out of you. And remember, just like a first jump off the diving board, your arms may flail and it won't be pretty but keep trying. Repetition is the best way to create perfection. So don't be surprised if you start to see some DIY video blogs at DIY Party & Entertainment Ideas. ;)

What have you done lately to break outside your box?

Disney Vacation from Blogging

After a few months away from my website, I'm excited to get back at it and start sharing some wonderful party planning ideas again. After my daughter dropped my laptop on the floor just before Christmas, it decided to stop working so I had to wait to purchase a new computer. Throw in a family trip to Disney World and it's taken me a while to get back at it.

I was so excited to bring the kids to Disney. I've been promising my son for the last 11 years I would bring him, and well, it's taken me a while to be able to afford the trip. Then to wait until my daughter was old enough to enjoy it and remember it.

My daughter was over the moon happy. She loved meeting all the Disney characters, especially Mickey Mouse. If you ever have a chance to bring your kids to Disney, or even go yourself, I would highly recommend it.

It was the first time the kids have been on an airplane and they both handled the flight well. We decided we would stay on site at one of the local hotels. We choose the All Star Resort for Music. They had affordable suites so the my daughter could go to bed at a decent time and my teenage son could stay up a little later. We were lucky the weather was on the warmer side for that time of year and we enjoyed the guitar shaped pool.

The first 5 days were a whirl wind of Magic Kingdom, Epcot Centre (which was my favourite), Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studio's. We had dinner with the Princesses at Epcot Centre and rode every ride we could squeeze in. We went on a Safari and my daughter's favourite, met Princess Sofia.

After we left Disney, we went to Universal Studios. The rides were pretty cool if a little scary for my daughter. My favourite was definitely the Harry Potter ride. We walked through Dr. Seuss land, and met super heroes in Marvel world. We all had an amazing time.

Then it was off to play in the waves in the ocean and collect sea shells.  It was definitely a highlight of our trip. Next time we're able to visit the ocean, I definitely plan on spending more time enjoying the the beach.

I used to joke about having a travel bucket list but after our Florida trip, I'm even more determined save for more extraordinary family trips. Do you have a travel bucket list?

Jello Shooter Recipes

Do you have an adult only party coming up? Maybe it's a Bachelorette party, or perhaps a staff party (Christmas or otherwise). I made some jello shooters for a BBQ with a few of my co-workers and when it came time for our annual staff day, I was asked to make jello shooters for everyone.

This are the results of my efforts:


I labels each of the shoots with address labels. I've posted the recipe for the jello shooters here.

Wine (and Beer) Tasting Party

One of my personal favorite parties to hold is a wine tasting party. I provide the food and my guests provide the wine. It's fun trying out new wine and sharing some delicious food with my friends.

Here is a sneak peak at my wine party.

 So I know it's a little early for a witch but she was so pretty and matched my colors so I had to keep her out. Some of my other favorite things?

• I love the wine cork holder I found. It's like a barrel full of memories.
• If you're from the Sudbury area, I found a lovely store called Adoro Olive Oils & Vinegars that sells infused olive oils. The Organic Tuscan Herb Infused Olive Oil was
• I love the wooden bushels I found, they added just the perfect touch to the table

Would you like to see more of the Wine Tasting Party?

Planning a Sushi Party

If you like sushi, you tend to LOVE sushi. What a great way to spend an evening with friends making your own sushi. Some of my favorite things about the sushi party.

I love all the textures of the food, the flavors and the white dishes make the food look so pretty.

See the complete planning guide for my Sushi Party here.