I believe...

Everything you do and say shows the world who you are- Let it be the truth.

Road trip the Looooops!

Every summer my high school girlfriends and I plan a weekend trip as a way to reconnect since we do not get to see each other much throughout the year. I feel extremely lucky to have four friends who I have known forever and stayed close to despite our paths veering in different directions... Everything about being back as “The Five” feels comfortable- we always manage to pick up right where we left off- no drama (ever) and soooo much laughter!

This year felt the same as we piled into Carly’s Yukon and drove the 3 hours to Kamloops. We heard the same demands from Tina for Starbucks, and the same music blasting through the speakers… the same except for Kelly has a one year old son, and Carly is a month away from giving birth to little SJ.

I guess things have changed a little. Our trips have gone from late nights in Penticton at the Barking Parrott and long days on Okanagan Lake, to icing cupcakes and taking turns cuddling with baby Cairo. He turned 1 a couple of days ago: the reason for our trip.

It was great being a part of his first birthday, and more than anything I was so amazed with Kelly being such a natural parent… Kelly has always been the laid back and calm one of the group, and not only has this totally translated into her style as a mom, but also to her baby- he is the most docile little pumpkin EVER.

Carly got parenting practice on Saturday night when the 4 of us went out and she stayed home only to be woken up by our antics late into the night… She was lucky though as it spared her from listening to Kel, Bre, Tina and myself karaoke to “Somebody to Love” by Queen. To say we were awful would be too nice. Good thing the bar we were at had ZERO standards. Another classic birthday for Bre... Happy Birthday Breeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The following morning was spent eating a big breakfast at Hello Toast and making our way home… Girls, thanks for the wonderful weekend…. Love you more than Tina loves 5 cent candies.

Helllllo Toast

Carly's Pregnant belly

Cai looooves to eat. He swooped in on this guy's lunch.

And then was presented with a giant cupcake!

love :)

At Earls before we threw our dignity out the window....

America's FIRST Top Models

As a kid I was totally obsessed with the Supermodels of the 90's... Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Caludia Schiffer were my idols.This morning I came across an old picture that totally reminded me of that childhood fixation. I literally knew everything about each and every one of them (although Cindy way my favourite) , and collected pictures which I carefully "collaged" in photo albums as a way to chronicle their fashion careers. Ash, Lee and Char can attest to our lazy days of going through my Mom's old Vogue and Bazaar magazines in pursuit of new pictures. I won't "out" them by saying what they were ripping out, but I will say it was randdddom! :)

I Love the 90's.

MEAN WHAT YOU SAY

I have come to realize that this is not only the key to success in work, but also in life. Mean the things you say, follow through on the promises you keep and if you can help it: don't be a flake.

At work I have learned to underpromise and over-deliver. Every time.

I will call a client on Wednesday to tell them that I have made no progress on whatever they have asked me to do and that they will hear from me again on Friday regardless of if I have an answer for them at that time or not.

At work I follow through. And if I don't you can be sure that that same client will call me out on it- I totally expect that. There is a great line from Jerry Maguire where one of the over-the-top-go-getter sports agents in a heavy southern accent promises, "If I don't return yer call in 24 hours, well, you can rest assured I am dead"- as Danielle Laporte says, I want that guy on my team!

Granted at work there is a level of professionalism that we naturally maintain, and in some ways it may feel as though standing behind what you say just comes with the territory. That's what you're being paid to do. But more and more I am also realizing how important keeping your word is in all of my relationships- and how empty promises, no matter how benign they seem, will erode any relationship. Period.

Of course you cannot always help going back on your word. We double book, we lose track of time, we forget about doctors appointments and sometimes we have to cancel. That's life. But check your intention when it comes to the words you speak. If you don't mean it, don't say it.

Silence will do wonders for your integrity every time.

Am I really this mean?

This morning I trained Karen and her lovely fiance Ken... He's a cartoonist and while he swears that the pictures on his blog are in no way meant to be me, he also insists I don't look at his site before our workout... Suspicious.

From Kenrolston.com

"So once again I was coerced into going to see ‘Kate’, my fiance’s personal trainer this morning. I have a feeling that my fiance is setting me up. She suggested I draw an ‘evil princess’ then casually threw out ‘Katherine’ as a possible name. I think she wants me to suffer at the hands of her trainer! Why does she do this to me…and better yet why did I agree to go back?*disclaimer* Once again – Kate, if you’re reading this, this drawing is in no way meant to be you! "
http://www.kenrolston.com/?p=2292