For most of us living in a large city, finding that place where we can unwind and relax is often a feat in itself. With prices of homes going up but the actual space available decreasing, it’s a real struggle to be able to create livable, functional and beautiful spaces that we can enjoy when we do have a little time. While our townhome is not large (approximately 1500 sq ft), we got really lucky with the size of our backyard, considering that most townhomes in the GTA either have balconies above garages or backyards so small that you can fit four people max. (more…)

It’s funny, when people ask me where I am from, for some reason I am always caught of guard, despite the fact that I have answered this question countless times. The answer usually goes, “how much time do you have” or a giggle with “well, it’s complicated.” How should one answer that question? Is it the city I was born in? Is the ethnicity of my parents? Is it where I grew up? Is it where I’ve lived the longest? Is it where my heart is? But, what if the heart is torn? See, the answer is truly, very complicated! (more…)

I’ve never been much of a coffee drinker – partly because the bitter taste did nothing for me and partly because it can lead to, how shall I put this, frequent trips to the ladies’ room. In the last few months though, I couldn’t help and feel that I am missing out on one of life’s simplest yet apparently most enjoyable pleasures. So I decided I was ready to give it another try and embark on my coffee discovery adventure. Now, let’s make it clear that when I speak of coffee I am not referring to the watered down North American version, a double-double or some fancy, concoction from Starbucks. I am talking about Turkish coffee. (more…)

I never pass up an opportunity for some fun event planning even if it’s for a small family gathering. There really is something thrilling about creating unique entertaining experiences that celebrate daily joys and moments. My son’s baptism was a simple and intimate family get-together where we celebrated this new beautiful soul and the gift of family and faith. (more…)

I don’t know why I always romanticized the idea of being a mother. Not sure how or why I imagined that it would all be love and roses and most importantly that it would come easy. My first pregnancy hit me like a lightening strike, I felt like I was dying, could not eat, could not move, I looked horrible, I was tired and developed adult acne that has left me with scars to this day. In addition, to all the physical difficulties, people tended to say the most wonderful and supportive things such as “you have a burgerface” or “your skin doesn’t look good, you must be having a girl, they steal your beauty”. Oh, OK, thanks for those kind words guys, just what I needed to hear! (more…)

There is nothing in this world that gets me as excited and fills my heart with as much joy as being creative. I come from a very creative and artistic family. My mom discovered her painting talent in her 40s, my aunt is an architect, my grandfather was a skilled carpenter and wood carver, our cousin Virgilije Nevjestic was one of Croatia’s most famous and prominent artists, and my brother was practically born with a pencil and paintbrush in his hand. (more…)

I often hear the Gnarls Barkley song Crazy in my head…“I remember when I lost my mind.” How many of us can say that they remember when they lost their mind? I can. I wish I didn’t, but I do. Perhaps I have always been prone to depression and anxiety, it is genetic after all. Perhaps it was my life circumstances of living through a war as a child, seeing a loved one die, or immigrating to a new country – whatever the reason, it happened. Losing control of ones’ mind is like losing control of your limbs, being stuck in one place: in a looped replay of the scariest, darkest, exhausting and most debilitating thoughts and emotions without the ability to move forward or run away. You can’t just snap out of it. You can’t “unthink” what is in your head, there is no undo, or reboot – just a constant struggle to climb out of the pit and maybe see the light. (more…)

My whole life I have been waiting. Waiting for the war to end. Waiting to grow up. Waiting for love. Waiting to be a mom. Always waiting, for that next thing, experience, that life might throw my way. This way of thinking was probably a direct result of my less than typical childhood growing up in the middle of a war in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the early 1990s. The psychological pressure of not knowing if you will live or die, or if you will have something to eat or drink the next day, definitely took its toll on my life. I always approached life and its multifaceted experiences with more than a dash of fear: afraid to make mistakes, afraid to get hurt and afraid of change. So I just waited. (more…)