A Woman’s Dreams Realized: Having a Family and Creating a Family for Another | Birth Story

In the winter of 2012, I went out with some friends for what I thought was a casual dinner. It turned out my best friend was telling us she was pregnant! I couldn’t have been happier for her.

Cait Farnham Communications and Marketing Services | Feature

F R I D A Y  F E A T U R E

Hi 👋, it’s me again, Jessica, the founder and owner of Turquoise Compass. It’s so nice to meet you and I’m so glad you’re here. I run Turquoise Compass independently as a full-spectrum wellness provider offering virtual and in-person Fertility, Doula, Yoga, and lifestyle support and services (and beyond).  

Emotion-Evoking Newborn Lifestyle Photography Session by Kaleigh Betty Photography

I love surprises! One of the greatest gifts I have ever given myself was keeping the gender of our baby a surprise. Despite it being torture for my poor husband who would have preferred to find out the gender at 20 weeks, he humoured me and we waited. The wives tales, guessing, and anticipation was exciting and I waited anxiously for one of the greatest surprises of my life. Few things in life are surprises, but I knew this would be one worth waiting for. By not knowing the gender, I also found that preparing for the baby’s arrival (who we lovingly referred to as “baby”, “piña” – pineapple in Spanish, or “they”) was easy and enjoyable.

Nothing Says Travel Decor Like PinkSky Co

With a natural born love for travel and the fact that I’m married to a commercial pilot, it’s no surprise that we decorated the nursery in a travel theme. Prior to our baby’s birth, we didn’t know the gender. I couldn’t wait to have the greatest surprise of my life – even though the waiting was torture for my poor husband. For that reason, we wanted the nursery to be unique, yet remain gender neutral. As for the colour scheme, we went with crisp white, pale greys, various shades of turquoise, and pops of vibrant primary colours. I knew once the baby arrived, I could add more gender-specific colours and decor to the room if desired – although I’m not a fan of gender-specific anything. I knew my colour choices would work perfectly for both a boy or a girl.

Keeping Mexico Alive in our Home with Modern Map Art

Viva Las MEXICO! Mexico is a country that’s near and dear to mine and my husband’s hearts! From backpacking, turquoise adventures, all-in-luxury, to a hideaway honeymoon, our hearts remain and will forever stay with Mexico! As much as we love visiting new destinations (and we try really hard to do so), there is something special about Mexico that keeps luring us back. My husband Corey didn’t quite understand what I meant when I talked endlessly about my backpacking days in Mexico until he experienced it for the first time himself. Now that he’s been for our honeymoon and one year anniversary, Mexico has its full grip on his heart too! Have you ever been somewhere and left a part of yourself behind? Mexico is that place for us. Our hearts belong to Mexico. Mexico is a place where you can lose yourself, find yourself, and rediscover yourself all in one trip. Its white sand and turquoise waters has the mesmerizing power to transform your thinking and give your a clear perspective. It’s not surprising that when I heard of Modern Map Art’s (founded in 2016) new & fresh map prints,  I just HAD to get my hands on one of their Enhanced Matte Mexico Map Posters for our home! Now we can put our love (and memories) of Mexico in the center of house!

Halifax’s Maritime Mala Movement Inspires Clarity, Communication, Connection, and Creativity

 

Are you feeling muddled, disconnected, or foggy? That’s exactly how I felt when I first moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia. My husband and I finally had the blessing of moving back to the East Coast, but after living in four cities in less than twelve months it takes a toll on the mind, body, and spirit. Although we finally made it to the city where we wanted to be–our “home”, I felt ungrounded, disillusioned, and a bit lost. After numerous moves, countless flights, and world travels over the last few years, I couldn’t remember what ‘home’ felt or looked like. Although I’m originally from Nova Scotia, I never had the opportunity to live in Halifax. Our arrival was both exciting and overwhelming and with that came many unknowns. I didn’t know where we would live, where I would work, or what my life would look like being settled in one place after nearly 3 years of bouncing around and living out of suitcases. Halifax would be another new beginning and start over–the typical life of a pilot’s wife.

We’re on the Move Again|Moving with the Tides to Halifax

Peggy’s Cove

Peggy’s Cove

My mother recently shared a saying with me she saw online (even before we heard the news): “Advice from the ocean: be SHORE of yourself, come out of your SHELL, take time to COAST, avoid PIER pressure, SEA life’s beauty, don’t get TIDE down, MAKE WAVES “, and it couldn’t be more true! We are coasting, seeing life’s beauty, and making waves along the way! Looks like we are meant be living back on the OCEAN. Well, as you probably expected, we are on the move again! Surprised? I’m not! I’m moving to my fourth city in under 12 months. The joys of being a pilot wife; everyday is an adventure! We have been transferred to…

My Forgiveness Fast

Why was I fasting yesterday?

After being inspired by the founder of Yoga in Schools Canada, Breathing Space Yoga Studios, and MY incredible yoga teacher Jenny Kierstead, I decided to take a day for myself and fast for 18 hours! 18 being significant and representing the number 108, a sacred number in the yoga tradition–the distance between the earth and the sun is apporx 108 times the sun’s diameter, there are said to be 108 energy lines converging to and from the heart, among MANY other significances. Yesterday I reflected, wrote, and observed nature during my fast. I’m called it my FORGIVENESS FAST!

Peace of Mind and Piece of Luxury with West Lake

I’m always on the hunt for Canadian made quality natural products free from parabens, chemicals, and petroleum products/by-products. I’m sure you’re with me when I say that I want to know what’s in the products I use and put on my body. Natural products are not only good for us, but they’re also good for the environment. I was lucky enough to be introduced to West Lake Cosmetics on Instagram by a fellow Canadian blogger Couper from Happy Life Pilot Wife who loves using all-natural local products from her home province Ontario, but especially loves West Lake Cosmetics! She told me that she and her family are addicted to the Rosemary Lavender Shampoo Bar. With that being said, I was instantly intrigued, went over to West Lake’s Intstagram account to browse their many photos and immediately wanted to try a shampoo bar myself (among other products), especially since I have never tried one before.

What’s on Your Bucket List? Help me Develop Mine!

What’s on your bucket list? Help me develop my bucket list in progress by suggesting new and exciting things you’ve accomplished or plan to accomplish! What’s top on your 2016 list? Check out the countries I’ve visited, my completed bucket list, around the world bucket list, and northern living bucket list to get a sense of what I’ve accomplished so that you can suggest something NEW! See my dilemma? I’m drawing a blank.