MONTH IN REVIEW | FEBRUARY 2024

Mar 8, 2024

February was a quieter month around these neck of the woods. Even so, it still seemed to go by in the blink of an eye (is that the theme of every month, or is it just me?), and we even had an extra day this month thanks to the leap year. 

HIGHLIGHTS

The month started with returning home from our vacation in the Dominican. You want to know what makes February a little more depressing? I’ll tell you – coming back to snow, work, and chores after you’ve been laying by a pool and beach, all while consuming too many pina coladas and fancy three course meals for an entire week. I swear, the biggest worry I had on vacation was what I was wearing to dinner each night. It was lovely! I’m hoping to share all about that real soon, I just have to prepare myself for the post-vacation blues that will probably arise again.

 

Back to snow. Weather, another theme around here! We had so much snow here in St. John’s this month. We even had two days where most of the entire city was shut down because of the weather. While snow isn’t my favourite, I do enjoy doing winter-y things. I mean, I absolutely love those crisp, sunny blue sky days, walking under snow covered trees and hearing the snow underneath your feet with each step. And skiing and snowmobiling? Sign me up!

Unfortunately though, the last week or so we’ve also had so much rain and fog and now…most of our snow is gone! Ugh! We had to go through all of that work of clearing our driveways a million times for nothin’!  Ah, who am I kidding, I really didn’t have to do much thanks to the hubby! I just wish the weather could make up it’s mind. (It’s currently snowing as I write this – 60cms is the total estimated for this weekend. Can you believe that?  See, make up your mind, weather!).

 

 

Luckily after our return home, it was only a week later and my sister and niece were visiting from Ontario to help celebrate my dads 70th birthday. I hadn’t seen them since July so it was an extra nice treat having them here for a few days. We sure had quite an incident while they were visiting though. The very first day they were at our house, I get a text message from my sister in the morning while I was at work saying there were cops in our backyard. Apparently there was a situation on the street behind us that involved firearms and the cops warned my sister not to leave the house and… to stay away from the windows!!! After an hour, more cops and the SWAT team showed up (with very large guns, might I add), and they mandated them to leave. It was a pretty scary and unknown situation, albeit entertaining! Thankfully we were able to get back into our house around 5pm, but no one ever did give us anymore information on what  occurred that day. My niece will be scarred from ever staying at her Aunties house again!!

For my dads birthday, we had family and close friends in to my parents house. We managed to get him to leave the house that morning, so we only had an hour or two to get to work and get everything completed. While my mom and sister were on food duty, I was on decorating duty.

I ordered these decorations beforehand:

I also ordered invitations and a welcome sign from Etsy. It all came out so good, and it was a great way to add a personal touch for the big day.
Here’s the links for the 70th birthday decorations I used:

● 70th banner and balloon kit
● 70th table centerpieces
● Invitations
● Welcome sign

Almost 40 people showed up to my parents house that day. It was quite the full house! The next day we came back in St. John’s, since my sister was soon flying out, and went to the Keg (his favourite) for one last birthday celebration. It’s so hard to believe my dad is now 70. I remember his 50th and 60th birthdays so clearly, and I hope I remember this one just as much too! Time sure is a thief, but I’m truly so thankful we were all able to be together and celebrate my dad.

IN OTHER NEWS

● I’ve been on the hunt for a new rug for our living room for what feels like forever. My friend has this one and while I really love it, I didn’t want to spend that much since a rug doesn’t seem to last around here for very long with Miss Charley (plus, there’s been talks of renovations happening around here some day…one can dream!). If March doesn’t bring any luck though, I may just have to bite the bullet.

● I purchased another Bioderma Micellar Makeup Remover this month. This has to be my favourite makeup remover, and I can ensure you I have tried a lot. I’ve been using this for about two years now and have never looked for anything else since.

 

● I watched Griselda on Netflix, a 6 episode limited series starring Sofia Vergara about a journey of a woman from Medellin becoming “the Godmother” of Miami’s drug empire. This was such a good watch! I just wish there were more episodes because it was over way too soon.

● February was a not-so-great month in terms of eating and exercising. Okay, I’m making that sound way better than what it was, it was actually horrible! That week long all-inclusive vacation really threw me off. I didn’t do any exercise (besides some light walking here and there with Miss Charley) and chips and chocolate were my guilty pleasure every single night. I’m really hoping I can get my butt in gear in March. My main goal is to get myself back in the gym. I just have to remind myself that starting is always the hardest. I just have to start.

● Some new Instagram accounts that I started following:
Home and DIY – Amanda Vernaci @comestayawhile
Lifestyle (and Canadian) – Zoe Potter @lovezoepotter
Lifestyle, fashion, and when you need a laugh – Jessica Buwick @lolamarie7

 

ON ‘RENEE NICOLE’

 

● ‘Ins’ and ‘Outs’ for 2024 – I shared a little life update and things I want to focus on in 2024.
● The Books I Read In February – I did reviews on my February reads, with one of them being my best read yet!

Well, I think that sums up February! How did your month go? I hope you all have a great weekend and a great month ahead!

Todd is doing the Whole30 diet this month so it should be interesting for meals around here. While I wish I could say I’ve joined him, I just can’t imagine giving up so much for 30 full days. He’s determined though, so there’s been lots of cooking and meal prepping in our household lately. Since it’s a snow day, we’re soon tackling a Whole30 sweet potatoe soup recipe to make it extra cozy around here.

Until next time.

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Meet Renée

Well, hello there! I'm Renée. Cost controller by day, (unpaid) dog walker by night, and full time traveler by day dreams. This is my place to share a little of my life and even more of my ramblings. I'm so glad you're here!

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