For those of you that may not have known me back in the day, I’ve been blogging for just about 10 years now. I started with my inaugural blog, Ode to the Ordinary back in 2009 on the wonderful Blogger platform. If you’re at all curious about what circa 2009 Shannon looked like you can check it out here (just please don’t hold it against me – lol).
After that, I did a little upgrading and Ms Shannon Beth was born in all of it’s colourful glory – which you can also view right here. I’m still trusting you all to be kind + gentle. Many years have passed since I’ve last blogged with such heart that you so easily find in those two archives, and they sure are refreshing to read. Almost like it’s helping to bring back a little bit of that writer’s sparkle that seems to get buried so easily these days! Especially considering how drastically the blogging landscape has changed these past few years!
Anyways, that wonderful backstory was all to introduce you to a little thing I used to do years ago called 5 Fave Fridays. It used to be my favourite way to spend a Friday morning, reflecting on all of the good + creative + fun things in my world and sharing them with others who might love them as much as I do. Since I think I’d like to use a little more of that writer’s sparkle and throw back to how us old timers used to blog, I decided to bring it on back.
So here we are, doing a little celebration dance for all of the things that have been making my heart happy this week!
1. These adorable velour scrunchies
They are made by my girl West Coast Leslie Designs, so of course they’re amazing. I mean, I’m soon going to need a designated closet to start holding all of the high quality knitwear that has started to collect in my house. and i’m not even made about it.
Anyways, back to the scrunchies. I really think it needs to be acknowledge that scrunches are 100% making a comeback… and while I was resistant at first, now I’m not even made about it. For any of you still resisting out there, you should probably just break down and buy one from Leslie because a) they are the best out there and b) I’m pretty sure this trend ‘aint going nowhere.
2. 4th Dimension Escape Rooms in Chilliwack, BC
This is one for the local peeps that follow along on this blog. Of course, all escape rooms can be fun (note how I said can be), they are not all the same! I like puzzles, I also like danger and dark rooms (ok the last 1.5 are a lie) – but I’ve done my fair share of escape rooms.
I think they were all preparing me for 4th Dimension Escape Rooms through, because these guys are the very best there is! What I’ve learned, is that typically escape rooms can (and often are) structured around kits that are supplied by a few primarily suppliers. That’s why escape rooms in different cities can look fairly similar.
However, at this one, the incredibly talented owners design, create and fully decorate each escape room all on their own. Making them truly unique and SO FUN! If you’re in the area, you just have to stop in and check them out. Right now their themes are The Carnival, Deep Space Mine and Beyond Wonderland. I’ve done 2 already and am hoping to do the 3rd next week!
3. Temptation Island Reboot (Guilty Pleasure Alert)
I see those eye rolls. Trust me, I gave my husband the same look when he turned it on for the first time. Now I’m the one addicted and basically unable to turn my head away from the train wreck that happens every Tuesday night.
It’s kind of morphed into a really good discussion starter between the hubs + I between the differences in what men and women need in relationships. Also, it’s fascinating to see how we (as in people) have the ability to become more open when we aren’t around the people we spend the most time with.
I mean, it’s still basically trash tv, I’m just trying to make it philosophical 😛
4. Our new house
I’m not even going to say a whole lot about it. Except here she is, in all of her glory and we’re so in love with her.
I’m hoping to put together a post all about Case Hope and the journey we’ve been on with it so far in the next few weeks! For those of you just popping in, we purchased a new build home back in July, and it is scheduled for completion in approximately May or June. This picture was taken in January I believe. Not much has been done since then, due to the cold + the snow, but that was to be expected!
5. Getting my float on
We are so lucky to have a float centre right here in town, although I will have to travel 20 minutes to it once we move. I’m ok with it though, because it’s one of the best things that I’ve been doing for myself lately, and I can’t really afford to stop. I’m kind of a big deal, you know?
Actually, the truth is I rarely remember to take time for myself and if I don’t schedule it in the calendar it doesn’t happen. I’m so thankful the lovely Nina at Luna Float makes it so darn easy to book appointments in advance… and all I have to do is show up! Sometimes I fall asleep, but other times I have the most amazing ideas and conversations with myself. It’s precious time that I hope I can always carve out just enough time for.
That’s all for my favourites until next week – see you then!
xoxo,
Shan
