Do you dare wear short-shorts?

If you’re my age and can pull off short-shorts, all the power to you.

If you’re a young woman with long tanned legs you want to show off, all the power to you.

But please — let’s not dress our young girls in short-shorts.

{click here to see why I’m such a prude about short-shorts! It’s my new post on the Life As A Human e-zine}

What can I say, a group of university, baseball-wearing guys singing Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance really makes my day!

Check it out. On the Rocks is the University of Oregon’s all male a cappella ensemble.

The whole concept of hyper-parenting is never really far from my mind, actually. It’s something that I consciously, actively want to avoid doing to my children. And yet, it seems we live in a world where hyper-parenting is almost becoming the norm. Or at least that’s how I felt when I just completed this registration form for my daughter to play soccer this summer. Here’s some of the verbiage from the waiver I just signed to release the organization from any liability:

The risks and hazards include but are not limited to injuries from: [...] Grass, turf and other surfaces including bacterial infections and rashes; Falls to the ground due to uneven or irregular terrain or surfaces; collisions with walls and soccer equipment; Extreme weather conditions which may result in heatstroke, sunstroke or hypothermia; Contact, colliding or being struck by other participants [...] Experience anxiety while challenging himself/herself during the activities [...]

Surely, I’m not the only one laughing – or at least rolling their eyes – when filling out these forms, am I?

Oh yes, those nasty grass hazards! Good thing they warned me about that. Oh, wait — my child can trip and hurt themselves while playing a sport? — no way, I’m not signing her up now!

You know, I feel bad that this organization has had to protect itself in this manner from the parents of its participants. So, it seems like nice timing that my Hyper-parenting post has just been reposted on the “Blissfully Domestic” site on the same day that I’m signing these ridiculous forms.

I’m really interested to what comments come in because the majority of readers for this “coffee with Julie” blog are Canadian, whereas the majority of readers on “Blissfully Domestic” are American and likely did not see the documentary … will they agree that there is hyper-parenting going on in their country? Will they recount similar experiences to ours? You can follow along with the discussion too by clicking here.

So, today is the big day! Life As A Human, the Canadian-based e-zine I was telling you about in my last post has now launched.

I really had no idea how it was all going to come together or who the other writers were — it was a bit of a leap of faith to sign-on as a contributor. As you can imagine then, I was super keen to check it out first thing this morning.

The result? I’m thrilled!

And honoured. Because the editorial team selected one of my posts to include on launch day. Here’s a little teaser to entice you to click on over and visit:

Charisma is no longer magic, it’s measurable. So will the winner keep winning if the rest of us can now study her secrets to success? The playing field’s been leveled.

If you go on over and visit, please let me know by leaving a comment at Life As A Human. I can’t wait to hear what you think too!

But this week I joined. My brother’s response was “It was inevitable.” My husband’s response was “Just be careful what you ‘put out there’.” My response? I’m still undecided.

On the one hand, it is really fun to exchange quick little snippets back and forth. Especially between other bloggers that I enjoy. But on the other hand, it is like sitting yourself in front of that guy who is always trying to prove how clever he is. It’s a constant flow of snappy little quips and  self-promotion.

It also has a wierd non-stop popularity contest feel about it. As soon as you sign up for Twitter, you choose who you want to “follow” and other people will choose if they want to be your “follower.” I understand the use of the word “follow” — it is more accurate than “friend,” after all — but still …  it’s kind of funny, isn’t it? I am a follower. I have followers.

It’s official — I’m a twit. Are you?

If you’re on Twitter, let me know. I’ll be your follower! Just put your handle in my comments section.

So, in the spirit of my last post about getting ready for Christmas early (let’s hear it for avoiding stress, the zoo in the stores and the over-spending that can happen when you’re feeling frantic!), here are a few ideas I thought I’d throw out there. Please feel free to add any others that come to mind. It will make finding just the right gift a whole lot easier for all of us if we put our heads together!

All of these gift ideas are under $50 and do not require entering a mall. 

The sentimental gift:
A hand-painted coffee mug or tea cup has proven to be a winner time and time again for me. Let your child loose with some paints at Gotta Paint or The Mud Oven for half an hour, and voila — a thoughtful, but useful keepsake. If you have a baby, my favourite thing is a handprint in bright paint. All items are dishwasher-safe and make a cheerful addition to the home or office. (less than $30)

The practical gift:
My friend Jen told me about this nifty little invention that her neighbour came up with called Towel Locs. You know how your bathroom hand towel seems to always end up on the floor? Not with these little babies! I was worried about the safety of these with toddlers, but Jen says the locking mechanism hasn’t failed her yet. (less than $25 incl. shipping) 

The lasts-all-year gift:
A subscription to a magazine is the gift that keeps on giving — arriving at the mailbox all year long. And the best part is, there’s a magazine for every taste. From hobbies, to popular entertainment to history and sports … you name it, it exists. Canadian Magazines has a special on now that if you buy two magazine subscriptions, you get one free. (approx $25-35)

And if 2009 calls for some special attention …

That special gift:
Sometimes you really want that something special. For my mom’s 60th birthday last year, we gave her a Tiffany bracelet. She hasn’t taken if off since! There’s lovely silver jewellery (starting at $150), crystal Christmas tree ornaments (starting at $80) and freshwater pearl earrings ($180) and bracelets (starting at $270). All available online at www.tiffany.com.

It’s 40 years later, in 2009. Writers travelled from far and wide to attend Wordstock, at Ryerson University. They came to appreciate the wisdom and experience of amazing traditional and new media journalists. They drank lots of coffee. It was a good time.

So that’s where and why I was in Toronto on Saturday. I went to school and learned from the best of the best:

Robb Montgomery gave a two-hour opening seminar to all of us. I couldn’t take down notes fast enough! He had so much to share about new media and the tools to make it happen. Robb’s got a really nice way about him. You just want to catch up with him later and have a beer. If I start going on about Delicious, embedr, and bit.ly, you have him to blame.

Next, there were break-out sessions. I picked one with Don Gibb, a journalism veteran and retired Ryerson prof. He also acts as a writing coach to the Globe & Mail staff. This man was born to teach — he is just so good at getting everyone involved, and we all learned and shared a great deal about how to craft a feature article. A good one, that is.

Kim Pittaway was the presenter at my next chosen break-out session. She was slotted to give guidance on when and how to slip into first-person narrative. Truth be told, I really wasn’t so much interested in the topic as I was the speaker. When Kim was editor of Chatelaine, all sorts of stuff went down (which you can read about here and here), and to me she sounded very cool. So I went to see her. And she was cool.

Sarah Neuburger

 She creates absolutely delightful things … like custom cake toppers for wedding cakes made from wooden clothes pegs…

 … and rubber stamps featuring her own unique illustrations (my favourite is the Pet Shop Pals set!) …

 super-cute unique stationery, and even other odds and ends like this lunch bag …

And here’s the really great bit: she also creates printable items for you to download and use for FREE. Really awesome items. I’m especially taken with the gift tags and notecards.

If you visit her steno pad, you’ll also find iPhone wallpaper and craft tutorials too.

Ah, such fun! Thanks Sarah!

I think it was a release of sorts. Because, truth be told, I’ve had a tough time adapting to life back in Ottawa after a year away in Australia. It’s something I don’t dare to say out loud, for fear of offending my dear friends and family here. But there it is.

Life in Australia was exciting, busy and fun. I lived in, comparatively speaking, a mansion and had few responsibilities on my plate for the entire year. I also made some deep friendships that I miss terribly. Oh, and did I mention I also gave birth to the most darling little boy there too? I mean, really, poor ol’ Ottawa had no hope of living up to Australia. It sure didn’t help that I returned in the bitter cold of January, either.

But this “coffee with julie” blog has really made a difference to me. It’s a new and exciting project, and it provides a much-needed creative outlet. My family doesn’t quite get this ”blogging thing,” but at BOLO, everyone did. We were a community of our own making. Ottawa bloggers. And I was so happy to have been welcomed into it.

BOLO feels like it was a turning point for me. A turn back to my Ottawa, my home, my community.

If you’d like to read the posts from BOLO, please do! They are a great mix of life stories that include first loves, true loves, mothering angst, depression, and some awesome bits of twisted humour. Thanks again Lynn!  

Looking for a sweet spot to just hang out and have a coffee? Or perhaps you’d like a coffee but your partner for the afternoon would rather a cold beer?  Well, hello Raw Sugar cafe!

In the way that Ottawa is always such a funny, small-world-sort-of-place, I told my neighbour Kim that I’d be reading at BOLO (Blog Out Loud Ottawa), being hosted at the new(ish) Raw Sugar. She then pointed me to an article written by her sister, Shannon Beahen, on this very same Chinatown-cafe.

Shannon’s article is published in Dharma Arts, an online magazine devoted to showcasing Ottawa’s artistic talents. I hadn’t come across Dharma Arts before and after making its discovery, I quickly consumed all of its online archives in addition to the current edition. If you have any interest in the arts scene, I think you’ll be as smitten as I am.

The article itself really evokes a feel for this cafe – the prose and images overlapping — and has heightened my anticipation for this Thursday’s event.  The owner of Raw Sugar really seems to have successfully created something much more than a cafe … a destination, a lively gathering spot where one feels connected to a community. And it is undeniably a place where the artistic act is supported and embraced — art in all its broadest, most vivid and exciting forms.

These two photos were sourced from: Watawa life

Gee, moms rule the nest? Who knew.

Okay, in all seriousness, I do think the article is note-worthy even though I already know that I am all-powerful. Here’s why: it suggests that online marketers are not tapped into the “mom demographic” despite the fact that:

• Moms control 85% of household spending
• Are worth more than $2 trillion to U.S. brands, as reported by the Marketing to Moms Coalition
• Over 78% of moms with children under 18 were employed in 2000 according to the U.S. Department of Labor
• Working out of the home, telecommuting, or running a business from home, media technology and the Internet have become true enablers.

“Are Brands Ignoring Moms”: the full article.

In fact, they’re so cool that I’d even move back East (I was born there, did you know?) from my lovely little spot here in Manotick. [*hint*hint*wink*wink* Ms. Riedle*]

Okay, dear readers, here’s what I have for you this morning: An oh-so-clever list of billboard ads, courtesy of a link from Revolution Strategy’s blog Snoop. Check it out – it’s worth it: http://adbroad.blogspot.com/2009/07/billboards-that-work-without-ctr.html
My favourite is the bubble gum one. What’s yours?

After exactly one day of summer break with my children, I’ve come to the conclusion that a solo vacation is highly desirable. Sure, I know, all the parenting blogs are giving you tips on family vacations, but I’m going to veer in an entirely different direction and give you a tip for travelling solo: visit the site www.exinthecity.com and click on “City Guides.”

I came to know about this site because its owner hires travel writers to develop its ”City Guides.” These guides are designed specifically for the solo woman traveller. The Ex in The City site itself has been developed for a niche audience: the woman starting over after a divorce. But there’s no reason why these city guides aren’t perfect for us mothers (and fathers!) among us who just want a little breather.

If you’re game, here’s the guide I wrote for Toronto:
http://exinthecity.com/guides/toronto1.html

And if you’re one of my friends in Sydney, consider this Melbourne guide:
http://exinthecity.com/guides/melbourne1.html

And if you really can’t bring yourself to travel alone – take me!

Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I’ve got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
You’re everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.

Gratefully yours,
Julie

(Note: see www.caffeinecommunications.ca – my corporate communications site is back up again! All thanks due to the SoHo Portal team.)

You know what I mean … you’ve had a jam-packed week, the weekend arrives, and the last thing you feel like doing is spending your precious free time hunting down that perfect birthday gift or fighting with crowds at the grocery store. Okay, I know there are some of you out there who actually enjoy shopping — this list is not for you.

For the rest of us, the alternative is ”online shopping.” There is no sweeter word. Sit in your pj’s with a cup of tea before bed and click-click-click, all the errands are magically taken care of! 

Here’s my Errands from the Desktop list:

Gifts for new babies, girlfriends, and men who like art:
www.etsy.com

Gifts for kids’ birthday parties and other so-called “must-have’s”:
www.toysrus.ca

Gifts for men:
www.chapters.ca
www.mec.ca

Groceries:
www.thecountrygrocer.com
www.ottawaorganics.com

Makeup, Tylenol, Band-aids and whatnot:
www.well.ca

Shoes:
www.canadazappos.com

Clothing for kids (I like to buy second-hand):
www.ebay.ca

Travel (full packages):
www.selloffvacations.com
www.itravel2000.com

Hotels, car rentals:
www.hotwire.com

Electronics:
www.sonystyle.ca
www.apple.com

Hmmm … did I miss anything? Do share your favourites too!