Life of Three

She said yes!

2014-08-04T20:30:00.000-04:00

I am interrupting my reports on my online dating escapades to announce wonderfully exciting news- after 4 years of enduring our family, E decided to fully emmerse himself in all of our craziness by asking our dear little S to be his wife!!!

As I walked into my parents' "pied-a-terre" in jersey, mom immediately pointed out where "E proposed to us!" She described how a nervous looking E sat my parents down to ask if he could ask S to marry him... Of course they said "yes" and then, all that was left was a week long wait until they left for Italy (their annual trip to visit E's family) a long flight, and a few days of visiting before their weekend spent alone during which he finally, was able to pop THE question!

In true "K" form, I was in a port-o-potty at Osheaga when I received the 1st call with the wonderful news. Luckily, I didn't answer and opted to call back when I exited the washroom... So I called back and instead of words, S held up her left hand and there was her gorgeous engagement ring. I started to cry (happy tears, obviously.) Got to love montrealers because as I cried for my sister's wonderful news, fellow Osheaga-goers stopped in their tracks to make sure I was ok. When I told them they were tears of joy because of my little sister's engagement to a wonderful man, they took it upon themselves to get on FaceTime as well, in order to congratulate them. It was just amazing.

So here I am. I cannot wait for them to get back so we can celebrate (& get details- when is this happening? What color should I wear? Where?) urg, this also means yet another Wedding Diet!!!!! Yay!

Regardless of these details, the one thing I know is that E has made my littlest sister friend as happy as she ever could be, and that is worth more than anything in the world to me. (And if I am going to be selfish, I now officially have the two BEST brothers-in-law that have ever walked this earth!!! Lucky girl I am!)

So here's to you guys- S&E, I love you both so much!

Here's to a life of love, laughs and a whole lot more.

Much love

Xoxoxox

K

Turns out... I'm a chicken.

2014-07-28T15:52:00.000-04:00

I already have to make an amendment to the last post I wrote: I will do 1 thing that scares me a week, not per day! (That plan was a real quick way to let myself down!)

I have signed myself up and even chatted with a few people so now, the obvious next step is to actually agreed to go out with one of these people. So, scary adventure of the week- accepting an invitation. CHECK! Right now I feel proud of myself for accepting my own challenge but guaranteed, I'm going to want to cancel it 6 times before I actually get there. I won't though, that much I have promised myself....and my sisters /friends. (No getting out of it now.) even my grandmother has come to understand and agree with my taking on this challenge!

It will definitely happen this week so I will keep you posted on how that goes. I am hoping that the incident that happened today (ya, the one where I slipped in my wet flip flops, dropped my phone and had my umbrella turn inside out... Simultaneously) is out of my system and that the awkward, sometimes clumsy K stays home for this experience.

Well, there's always a bright side, right? If I do manage to embarrass myself horribly, I may not get another date but at least you'll get a good laugh!

Xoxox
K

Starting over.

2014-07-23T13:05:00.000-04:00

OK, so admittedly, my sisters and I haven't done a great job at keeping this alive. I suppose life has gotten in the way a bit. A baby and new house for T, a new condo and busy working life for S. As for myself, the eldest of the three, I wish I had more exciting news to share. Instead, I have an encyclopedia-long list of "is this my life?" moments and tales to tell. So instead of keeping them to myself (as any normal, self respecting person would do,) I have decided to share...

Where do I start? The engagement I called off? The house I had to sell? The job I love but am not guaranteed of getting again? Or my broken heart?

I am a 32 year old woman. I have had a fair number of long term relationships and wonderful men in my life. And most recently, heartbreak. I suppose it's normal to feel as though your world has been turned upside down when someone you care about so much turns and walks out of your life. I won't be that girl who goes and gets some crazy "I am strong!" tattoo (an anchor, a flying bird etc,) cut off all my hair or pack up and move to a new city. Nope. Instead, I have succumb to the *friendly* bullying of my friends and family (yes, my mother is on board) and have signed up for online dating (WHAT!?!?!) Yup, I have made a deal with myself: since what I've done my whole life hasn't seemed to have worked for me, I will now do at least ONE thing a day that scares me- two days ago, that was signing up for Plenty of Fish and Match.com (depending who I speak to, some say the "pay" sites are better, others believe in full access.)

For those of you who have never ventured into the land of online dating, wow (!) it's a crazy place!
In order to manage my existence out there, my dear friend LP has laid out guidelines for my success:

1) Be "light"
This came about after the first few messages I received and felt AWFUL because most of the guys who had written were... not my type. OK, they were not attractive to me. This left me feeling bad and asking myself if I am cut out for this game. LP explained that I have to be ok with saying "no" to people and although I don't have to be mean (obviously) I also don't have to spend so much time considering how they'll feel if I don't answer. *Light*

2) It's ok if a guy asks to hold my hand.
I don't mean this literally but rather that it's ok to take chances and perhaps allow for things I am not use to. This rule comes about after a friend almost refused a 2nd date with a guy because he was "too nice." Long story short, she agreed and I am fairly certain they will end up married and having their "happily ever after."

3) Date, date, date.
I have never been on a date. This is no lie. Of course I have been taken out but always by my existing boyfriend. How, you ask did I get said boyfriend if I have never been on a date? Simple. I have ALWAYS dated friends. There is not a single guy I have dated who wasn't my friend for at least the period of a year before we began dating- it always kind of, just happened. So although I am wary of my ability to meet and "fall" for someone in the dating scene (online dating nonetheless!) I have made a deal that I WILL DATE.

So there you have it. This is where my 32 years of existence has brought me. It's OK though. Don't go feeling sad for me! Instead, you can check in every once in a while and perhaps follow me on my adventures online dating (I'm like the new Alice in Wonderland!)

Here we go!!!

And The Winner Is...

2014-03-29T10:23:00.000-04:00

Good Saturday Morning to all our readers! Even though it is grey and dull here in Montreal, the temperatures are slowly creeping up and that in itself is something to celebrate. As we mentioned in our past two posts (which can be found here and here) our extremely talented friend Stephanie Paul has finally launched her brand new website. It is an absolutely gorgeous website, with clean lines, high-definition photos of her work and easy-to-navigate buttons. You can even shop directly on her site. She has given us not only the honor of announcing her website, but she also gave us a one-of-a-kind handmade piece of her jewelry to give away to one of our lucky readers. Well, today is the day and we will announce the winner below. First thing's first though... Life of Three is proud to present to you StephaniePaulJewelry.com !

I know that Stephanie Paul Jewelry's new website is going to be a big hit. She is so talented and her gorgeous pieces are all high quality and handmade. Now, without further delay we will announce our winner that was chosen using an online random name selector. Congratulations Tracy Cousins! We will be in touch with you via email to get you your prize. Wishing you all a great weekend!

With Love,

Good News- Stephanie Paul Giveaway Extended

2014-03-20T09:12:00.000-04:00

Good morning everyone! I hope that, despite this grey and dreary day, everyone is having a good morning so far. It would be nice if the temperatures could get milder and the sun could come out of hiding. It's not like tomorrow is the first day of spring or anything...

I have some good news this morning! We will be extending the FREE JEWELRY GIVEAWAY for one more week. All you have to do is comment below and share the link on your facebook page by clicking the facebook link below. Once you have done that, you will be entered to win a free piece of Stephanie Paul Jewelry valued at over $100! Here are a few more of her pieces.

Variety of Custom Jewelry made to order

Silver Bracelet and Earrings

As you can see, and as I've mentioned, Stephanie's designs are extremely beautiful, top-quality and are all designed and hand-made by her here in Montreal. They can be chosen from her collection or custom pieces can also be ordered. So don't miss your chance to WIN one of her pieces. Comment below and you will automatically be entered. Good luck!

With Love,

Stoned

2014-03-13T21:46:00.003-04:00

I have a secret. It's not a deep dark regret, or anything illegal... but it is a secret. It is one that I find myself thinking more and more about as I get older and am faced with difficulties in life. I secretly wish that I were more artistic. I wish I had some sort of outlet for my feelings: I wish I could paint, draw, dance, sing, sculpt, craft... anything... but, unfortunately, it's just not in me. I couldn't draw a circle to save my life, I suck at dancing (picture white-man's overbite combined with Elaine Benese), and I have tried to paint and just end up frustrated and paint-covered. Now we all know that jealousy and envy are emotions that don't look good on anyone but sometimes, I connect with creative people and wish I had what they had.

One of these people is a good friend of ours named Stephanie. She is so incredible talented. Until I saw her work, I wasn't really aware that someone could be so creative in more than one type of art. But she is. I've seen her paintings and they are amazing. She has made incredibly beautiful vases. But something she is most passionate about is her jewelry making. My sisters and I have some of her pieces, one of which I wear every day and never take off, and people cannot believe that they are hand-made by someone we know. I am going to share some of them for you in this post.

Black Spinel Drop Earrings

Turquoise and Ruby Earrings

Pink Spinel and Emerald Chain with Diamond Charm

Faceted Onyx Lariate that can be worn in a variety of ways. I have one, and when you wear it with an LBD... Wow.

Ruby Cluster Necklace

Black Spinel Rosary

Stephanie's Jewelry is not only beautiful, but it is all designed and handmade in her studio in Montreal. More often than not, ' designer' jewelry you find in boutiques is actually mass-produced gold/silver-plated low-end products. Stephanie uses high quality faceted stones and the gold jewelry is gold-filled (meaning the interior is silver) instead of gold-plated which is known to rub off. Her designs are unique, well-made and can be custom designed.

I will be doing a follow up post with more of her designs next week because Stephanie has generously given a piece of her hand-made jewelry valued at over $100 to be used in our "Giveaway". Her website and online store will also be up next week so orders can be placed directly online. To be eligible for the FREE GIVEAWAY , share this link on facebook and then comment below by next Thursday, March 21. We will announce the random winner next Friday. So goodluck!

**Don't forget to comment in the 'comments' section below once you've shared the post to qualify for the giveaway!

With Love,

Spring Fashion Forward

2014-03-09T20:45:00.003-04:00

Good Sunday Evening! After an amazing spa weekend up north with E, I am feeling relaxed and ready to take on the week. The sun is finally returning and, with that, the temperatures are rising (somewhat) and the snow is starting to melt (somewhat). But, that's not how I know Spring is coming.... Instead I know Spring is coming because my friend/old co-worker has sent me the customary 'Spring Text' saying: "You haven't done a fashion post in a long time. How am I supposed to know what to wear for Spring/Summer?". Well, here it is... My Spring Fashion Post. I have chosen to share mostly styles from Zara because it is moderately priced and can be worn by both younger and... more mature women. A few of the other links are from a site that a friend of mine works for called Gilt that I am absolutely obessed with. It has everything from clothes for women, men and children as well as stuff for the home, beauty tools and makeup... and a lot more. I spend much more time on this site than I would like to admit.

I have decided to start with dresses since I absolutely adore them. I think there is nothing better than having a good dress collection because, when you're not in the mood to choose an 'outfit', just throw on a dress and head out the door. Easy Peasy. This Backless Lacy Dress can be worn to work/cocktail hour with a cute blazer and then, when the jacket comes off... sexy LBD

I want this Dress with Chain Shoulders... like, I want it and will probably drag T out to Zara this week on a wild mission to track it down. Since I have a bit of a square body type, this shape dress seems to work well on me. Chances are, if you see me this summer... I will probably be wearing this dress... more than once.

This Zara Floral Print Dress is adorable. I don't think I could quite pull it off (though I hate that saying), I think it is fun, playful and quite versatile. I also happen to think it would look quite lovely with a jean jacket.

Though I am doing a Spring fashion post, I am really really loving these J Brand Olivia Embroidered Skinny Jean. I love everything about them from the color, to fit and the added texture above and below the knee. I often wear denim in the Spring with a bright top like this Alex + Alex V-Neck Blouse in Cherry.

Now, we (meaning I) may not all have the body for it... but if you're feeling particularly Kim-Kardashiany (please forgive me for that one) then this Zara Asymmetric Crop Top with matching White Pencil Skirt is for you.

Body thing also applies to this Striped Guipure Lace Top that my Grandma H wanted me to buy for my birthday last weekend. She has great taste.. but I don't know if it would flatter me.

As for shoes... I apologize, but you're on your own. Mainly because, if it were up to me, everyone would walk around in these all summer, but hey! Nautical's in!

With Love,

Scar Tissue

2014-03-05T22:25:00.004-05:00

Good Saturday Evening! Is it just me, or does the first week home from vacation always seem never-ending? The vacation seems to zip by and then, you're home... watching the clock waiting for the weekend. I really shouldn't be complaining though because I know how lucky I am to have been able to enjoy an amazing family vacation on the sunny island of St-Martin.

Though it wasn't quite as wild as our girls trips that you can read about here and here, it was relaxing... just what the doctor ordered. What seems to happen when you get back from any vacation, however, is that your mind wanders to the 'what ifs'. What if I chose to pack up and leave this cold, snowy, grey climate and live something tropical? What if I make a life-altering decision to relocate? What if I were able to start a new life somewhere? Where would I go? What would I do there? Would I be happy?

I find myself asking these questions any time I leave my hometown, but this time... the feeling that I could be happy living somewhere else is one that I just can't seem to shake. The inevitable will happen though: the sun will return and the weather will get warmer, the wind will die down, the grass will peek through the melting snow and, like the snow, our dreams of living elsewhere will melt away too. This is what I have decided I will call "Winter Scar Tissue". Now... I know that many cold-weather dwellers enjoy the cold and snow. I know that there are people who love to ski, to skate, to snowshoe and to snuggle up by the fire with a nice glass of red wine at the end of the day. I like the wine... but could do without the rest of it.

I know I know... the grass is always greener. But... at least they have grass all year round! I guess it really comes down to my family. I have traveled quite a bit, even living in Australia for a few months, but I know I am too close to my family to leave them. I know that even if I had an opportunity to leave this cold cold (cold) place, I probably would have a very difficult time actually doing it. It's one thing to think it... another to do it. So, I guess for now I am going to have to settle for family vacations in the caribbean and summers in Italy. But hey... a girl can dream!

Until next time

With Love,

Notte Italiana

2014-01-19T19:01:00.001-05:00

Good Evening Everyone!

Well it definitely has been a while... okay... more than a while. So much has changed since our last blog post. Most of it is for the best. I promised, among other things, to post more on our blog in 2014. Since T is busy with baby, and K hardly has any time outside of work... this may be Life Of One for a little while, but I'll do my best to write as much as possible.

This Holiday Season was definitely a busy one. It was baby E's first Christmas and I think we managed to pack in as much Holiday Fun as we possible could. She got to sit on Santa's lap and didn't cry at all, she witnessed cookie baking, gingerbread-house making, tree decorating, and a whole lot of fa-la-la. Not to mention her first trip on a plane to visit B's side of the family. T & B are lucky because from what I hear, she's a perfect little flyer! In the fall, E & I bought a condo and we are enjoying all of the perks of owning our first home.

A picture of our almost all white kitchen

We are also enjoying having Mama H home for many weeks at a time and we know how blessed we are that she is (almost) completely back to her old self. Since I am just getting over a cold, E and I decided to spend most of the weekend at home and tonight is an all-out Italian Night at our house.

We are currently really enjoying watching old movies... Last night was Sophia Loren in "Marriage Italian Style". Tonight it's "Three Coins in the Fountain"

Italian movies just aren't the same when they are watched while enjoying homemade Italian food now are they?

My specialty is homemade pizza. I follow the Willam Sonoma Focaccia Recipe which is super simple and can be found by clicking here

E is enjoying the Kitchenaid Pasta Attachment that I got him for Christmas. Tonight it's homemade Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli. His recipe is from and old Italian cookbook, but you can find an easy-to-follow recipe here

Wishing you all health and happiness in 2014 (you know what they say... better late than never), and I will be back soon with another post. Until then...

With Love,

Saluti Dall'Italia!

2013-07-30T18:49:00.003-04:00

Good afternoon everyone... or, as they say in Italy 'Buon Pomeriggio'. As I sit here writting, I can see the waves in the mediterranean sea from my hotel window and can smell the salt water in the air. E and I are having a great time visiting friends and family and enjoying our time in San Remo before we take off for the Adriatic Coast. There is nothing better than spending the days at the beach and the nights sipping wine at a restaurant on the sea. I'll keep this short (the pictures speak for themselves) and I'll say that we are happy, safe and enjoying life.

Ciao,

A Day All About Dads

2013-06-16T11:05:00.000-04:00

I will start with the classic, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

(and then quickly digress…)

I am sitting here in my parents’ basement (a story for another day), tears streaming down my face, having started and restarted this post at least a dozen times. The reason it is so difficult to get the words out is because there are no words to describe how incredible our father really is.

It is no secret that our mom has been battling cancer for almost 5 years now- she is an amazingly strong woman, a fearless fighter and inspiration to all of us.

Our dad however, is the man in the shadows. Our dad has fought alongside our mom for every bit of these past 5 years- just about every test, every treatment, every appointment, everything- he has been there. I often joke about how LONG it takes my dad to make decisions; buying a new car is a 4-month process- read all write-ups, check the stats, test drive several models etc. He is often referred to as “Captain Security” because he is just a very careful, thorough, cautious guy (which is probably good because us girls aren’t so much…) So, I cannot imagine what it was like for him, almost a year ago, to pack up his wife, pack up his life, leave his house, his work and the rest of his family in hopes of better options in the U.S.- all in 36-hours.

In the 5 years that our family has been coping with our mom’s illness, we have not been spared other life events (some happy, some sad) and without fail, dad has remained our rock. In moments when HE should have been the one to completely melt down from stress or emotional exhaustion, he remained the one that my sisters and I could lean on, talk to, cry with. His strength has not waivered even once. He.is.incredible.

Really, I could go on and on forever with tales of how wonderful our father is but instead, I will just share one last story that makes my heart melt every time I think of it. (Ok- a little bit of context & then the story.)

It was 3 years in to my mother’s illness, it was a lousy, cold March evening and mom was in the hospital. Our dad’s routine had been the following for weeks at this point- 530am wake up, at the hospital by 7, in the office for a few hours, noon back at the hospital, back to work, home for a quick bite to eat and then once again back at the hospital until my mom fell asleep. Repeat.

After a while, my sisters and I begged my father to take a night off so he could get a good sleep. We promised to visit with mom until she kicked us out to go to bed. He agreed.

The visit took place but on the way out, there was dad coming down the hall. Curious as to what was going on and knowing that he knew we were there, T asked “what are you doing here?” He responded, “Oh, I just forgot to pick something up when I was last here.” Concerned that he had lied to us (to protect us of course) we stood outside mom’s room to make sure everything was ok. In true mom form, she looked up, saw dad there and said “Oh for goodness sake, what are you doing here? You were supposed to take the night off, the girls just left.”

To which he responded, “I know, I just couldn’t go to sleep without giving you a kiss goodnight.”

To this day I am not sure if Dad knows we heard that. In fact, I’ll probably get in trouble for writing about it. Regardless, it is one of my favorite moments when I think about my dad. Pure, simple, strong and loving.

Daddy- we don’t know where we would be in all of this without your strength, love and devotion to mom and the rest of our family. From coaching soccer, attending swim meets, softball games to school plays, days and nights on the Island, financial advice to thoughts on life, breakups, makeups, bike rides, homework, Peterborough, a wedding and your baby's baby, morning cartoons and late night chats... you have been there for it ALL. Although we cannot be there with you today, we hope you have a wonderfully amazing father’s day because that is exactly what you are, an amazingly wonderful dad (& now Grandpa!)

Love you more than words.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

xoxox

Nothing Is Ever Really Lost To Us As Long As We Remember It

2013-05-16T00:17:00.000-04:00

Well... it's been a long time. Over a month in fact. It's kind of funny how you grow up hearing how fast life flies by and then, seemingly out of nowhere, you become someone who can't stop saying things like "wow... where did the day/week/month go?". I am officially one of those people.

E always told me that I would notice it even more when there was a baby in the family. A baby that grows and changes and makes new faces every day. He was right.

This past weekend, E and I packed up his new Jeep and headed South for New Jersey. I had bought him Yankee Tickets for his birthday and, at the time when I bought them in March, I felt like the game day was so far away. The time just flew by though... two months gone in a flash. We drove down on Saturday and had planned to stay at my parents place in Jersey and spend some time both there and in the city. Sunday, which also happened to be Mother's Day, turned out to be nothing short of an amazing day. The sun was shinning, and it was just one of those days where everything went our way.

We started off with a nice walk through Central Park where we finally got to enjoy a warm day with lots of greenery.

During our walk, we decided that perhaps we should make a rough plan for the day... maybe an activity or two planned out. So, being the kid at heart that I am, I asked if we could go to the Central Park Zoo. Since it was Mother's Day we made sure to check with Mama H, but she loves animals so I knew she would be down for the adventure.

After the zoo, we headed toward Rockefeller Center and decided to grab a late lunch before heading back to the apartment. As we sat and watched the world go by, I thought a lot about Mother's Day and how much my mother does for me. I know it's cliché to say that I have the best mother in the world and that I couldn't have asked for a better mom... but it's the truth. I don't know any woman who is stronger, kinder, more caring, or more selfless than my mother. Despite the fight my mom is fighting, she is rarely thinking of the impact this has on her... but she is instead thinking about how this is impacting others and is thinking of protecting her children. That is the definition of being a mother.

Even though we couldn't be all together as a family...the day was otherwise perfect. I stopped a few times and tried to soak it all in. I want to remember the smells of the park on that day, the sounds of the people and the children, how the sun was warm and how the grass was still a little wet. I want to capture that feeling of being happy and feeling like everything is going to be ok... because I know it will be. It was so special. Not because we went to a fancy restaurant or bought my mom fancy gifts... but because we spent it together doing something she loves.

E and I finished our visit there by going to see the Yankees play. It was something on my bucket list and I am so happy we got to do it. I know how much he loves baseball and, even though we didn't stay until the end... we had a great time and I truly felt the passion in that stadium.

Well, that's all for me... for now. I'm hoping you all had a lovely Mother's Day Weekend.

With Love,

It's A Girl!

2013-03-25T16:51:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the world Emma Judith Allen! It is my pleasure to announce the birth of Emma Judith Allen, born March 24th, 2013. She is the most perfect little bundle of joy, weighing 8 pounds 4 ounces hard to believe since T's baby bump was so small! Mom and baby are doing extremely well and Daddy is very proud. We are all overjoyed and are already smothering Emma with love and kisses. She is the most beautiful little girl and we are so blessed. Since we didn't know the sex of the baby, we had to rush out today to make sure that our niece would be the best dressed little munchkin on the block!

We Love You Emma.

Love S & K

It's A Birthday (But No Baby Yet)

2013-03-21T21:50:00.000-04:00

I've wanted to write this post all day, but haven't out of fear that everyone receving it would think that Baby has come. Well he/she has not yet come, and we are all anxiously awaiting said arrival. K, K & I cannot wait to become aunties and I know that T has waited her whole life to become a mama. Well... hang in there T, because Baby will be here any day now.

The reason for this post is that it happens to be a very special day: K's birthday. Seeing as Mama H and Dad aren't home, we didn't do a blowout celebration, or shower her with gifts (or give her the gift she wanted which was a new niece or nephew)... we did have a small dinner to celebrate her day.

As anyone who reads this blog already knows, my sisters and I are extremely close... in fact, they are my best friends. We share everything... whether good or bad... but, most importantly, we support one another. Whether they come to me with happy news, or sad news, I know that they know I will be there to share in the good... and cry during the bad. I will listen without judgement, be happy without jealousy, and be protective when I need to be. The same way they would do for me. What it all comes down to, is that there is no one in this world who knows you better than your sisters. No one has been through what we have been through... but us.

For as long as I can remember, K has been there to protect her little sisters, to listen without judgement, and to love us as hard as her strong little heart would allow. And soon (hopefully) there will be a new addition to our family that will find his/her own little spot in her heart as well. She will love the new baby as fiercely as she loves every single member of her family.

So... on this very special night... I want to wish her a very Happy Birthday and tell her that I hope this year is nothing short of spectacular. She deserves no less than that. She is the best big sister you could ever ask for and we love her. Plain and simple.

Never stop being you K.

Much Love,

Your LSF

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

2013-03-08T12:26:00.000-05:00

When I announced that I had decided to spend my Spring Break overseas as a chaperon for 41 fifteen and sixteen year –olds, an overwhelming number of people told me (in short) that I was crazy; “You’ll regret it. You’re going to be exhausted. Europe is beautiful but it’s not THAT worth it.”

We left on February 27^th, our flight was at 8pm (but thanks to a snow storm we sat in the plane for 2 hours & finally took off at 10 pm.) We landed somewhere in the vicinity of 10 am Paris time immediately set off on a tour of Paris (Notre Dame Basilica, the Seine River etc) and arrived back at our hotel around 10 pm. The routine of 5:30am wake ups, all-day tours and late returns continued for the entire 9 days- including our final day which saw zero hours of sleep the previous night, two flights and a 4 hour layover before arriving home- I did the math, 32 hours without sleep!

The final verdict: I would not have changed even ONE moment for the world! On top of visiting some of the world’s most beautiful cities and seeing some of the most treasured pieces of art/ fascinating ruins I also had the opportunity and pleasure of getting to know a phenomenal group of young adults (I was going to say kids but was corrected by them constantly while away ha ha ha!)

Some of my favorite moments from the trip include the following:

One of our boys, a quiet, insecure young man spent his whole trip (and all of his money) searching for the perfect gifts for each of his family members, soccer team scarves to be exact for his younger brother. On our final day in Rome, he was wearing an “Italia” scarf and I said “Great, you've found all of the scarves for your brother.” Instead, he explained to me that this one was not for his brother but rather having seen him spend all of his time and money on everyone else, the “popular girls” on the trip had all pitched in and bought him the scarf so he could have a souvenir from the trip.
When asked “What was your favorite part of the trip?” A simple question. A grade 11 girl explained to me the following: “High school has not been easy for me. I don’t have a lot of friends and I got the idea that not a lot of people actually like me. But this whole trip has redefined my memories of high school.”
Hour 10 of our trip home, one of our “less popular” girls had hot coffee spilled on her lap. Before I could get out of my seat to try to rectify the problem the one of most popular guy on the trip, a jock, got out of his seat, went back to the washroom, returned wearing basketball shorts. He had the sweatpants he had been wearing in hand and was offering them to the “geeky girl” he had probably never spoken to prior to this trip.

Some other highlights:

The Louvre- Paris, France

San Gimignano, Italy

Colosseum- Rome, Italy

Piazza Del Duomo, Mlian, Italy

Eiffel Tower- Paris, France

Pompeii, Italy

Hall of Mirrors, Versailles

Sistine Chapel- Vatican City
*No, I didn't not disobey and take a photo, this is thanks to Google image*

MEGA HIGHLIGHT: Being one of the FINAL groups to be granted access to the Sistine Chapel before it was closed to the public so they could begin the preparations for the Papal Conclave- AMAZING!

Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t get up every morning to go to work; I get up and get to do what I LOVE (and just happen to get paid for it.) More often than not when there is talk of teens, there are negative connotations or less popular feelings towards them but let me tell you, there are some incredibly intelligent, compassionate, empathetic, interesting young people out there and I feel absolutely blessed to have had the chance to spend my spring break with them... and the surroundings weren't bad either :)

xoxoxox

With love,

Today We Celebrated

2013-03-05T23:24:00.000-05:00

I tried to get a post up earlier this morning but for one reason after another, I was pulled away from my computer and distracted by work. Now, just after 10 pm and less than 2 hours short of being late, I can finally post what I had been wanting to all day...

Birthdays come once a year and on that one day, we get to celebrate the person and wish them well for the year ahead. Today was the youngest `lifeofthree` sister`s birthday and so for my family and I, today was a special day.

As I sit here trying to find the perfect words to describe just how I feel about her, it all comes down to the following no matter which way I put it: I am lucky for the friendship that we have, I am thankful for all the time we get to spend together, I love that we laugh the way we do when we are together, I am grateful for the support that she gives me, I am proud of the woman she has become, I value that I can share so much of my life with her and I can only hope that my child has a sibling as amazing as she is...

...because my life is a whole lot more fun with my sister next to me.

Happy Birthday Sara! Hoping your day was as wonderful as you are!!

xxoo

T

Wiser

2013-03-04T23:55:00.001-05:00

As I sit here writing... less than one hour before my 26th birthday... I am filled with many different emotions. So much has happened in the past year, that it is sometimes hard to swallow and is the reason for the tear in my eye and the ball in my throat. This is where I was exactly one year ago...

This photo was taken the day before my 25th birthday in Nassau in the Bahamas. Looking back I realize that, despite the hardness my family and I had experience over the past few years... we had no idea what was in store for us in the upcoming year.

I look back at my 25 year old self and I want to warn her about the hard times she is about to experience. I wish I could tell her how good things are.... how she should appreciate how happy she is in this moment. I want to tell her that she should smile more... stress less... and tell her family every single day how much she loves them, because this is the year she would realize just how fragile life truly is.

This year was the year I met Prince Harry, the year my sister surprised me and took us to Bermuda, the year I rekindled friendships, the year we survived an actually hurricane and decided to be a better person. This is also the year where K got engaged to D and T & B announced that they are expecting making me an aunt for the very first time.

But.... what comes up must come down... and this is also the year that we lost our beloved Grandpa George and found our lives turned upside down when our Mama had to be moved to the states for treatment.

I felt at times that my heart had been ripped out, that my world was falling apart and that I wouldn't be able to handle the pain I was feeling. It was terrible and heartbreaking and extremely hard all rolled into one overwhelming package... no bow. I sometimes wondered how we were going to get through our days... but we did.... as always... as a family.

Now, looking back, it seems silly that I thought I wouldn't be able to make it through... but sometimes life is so hard to face. You can't always see the forest through all the trees... or something like that. I had my bad days, but things always get better when you are surrounded by people you love and who love you.

Losing our Grandpa was one of the hardest days of my life. Not a day will go by that I won't think of my Grandpa and miss him. Not a day will go by that I won't wonder if he is up there looking down on us. Not a day will go by that I won't wish I could speak to him, ask his advice... wonder if he is proud of me.

Similarly, not a day will go by that I don't realize how blessed I am to have my mother here with me. Not a day will go by that I won't realize how much she means to me... how much it means to me to have her here loving me, supporting me, and guiding me through life. For anyone who hasn't been through what we have been through... take it from me... you will only realize how much your mother means to you when you come close to losing her.

So... now that I am 10 minutes away from my 26th year... I hope that I have grown. I hope that I have learned. I hope that I have become a better sister, a better daughter, a better person. I hope learn to fully appreciate life and all the gifts I have been given. I hope to that my love for my family and friends continues to grow. I hope to be more patient, less stressed, more compassionate, less angry. I know this is a tall order to fill... but I feel like I can do it. After all we've been through as a family... I owe it to someone to push myself to be all of these things... and that person may be myself.

Be kind.... be happy... be true.

Kisses from the birthday girl.

With love,

It's Official- I need H-E-L-P!!!

2013-02-16T17:44:00.000-05:00

As S announced in early fall, I am engaged.

I am SO excited to be engaged to DB- yes, most people would say "Obviously!" but no. I was not that little girl who fantasized of her perfect wedding day. I have never really thought about MY wedding at all. In fact, the idea of them kind of give me anxiety (it appears that my enthusiasm for weddings left me to join my sister T ;P )

In a shocking twist however, it turns out that DB IS into weddings, our wedding to be specific. (No, he is not that little boy who fantasized about his wedding day... but it is important to him to have a ceremony & to celebrate with friends (read: wedding.) So, to make a long story short, DB does SO much for me that I have (maturely) agreed to have a small, simple wedding.

I am happy to report that planning has been relatively painless thus far. DB and I agree on most things (ie location, food etc) and have actually laughed & had fun searching for ideas. (I don't know how people planned these things before the internet!?!?!?) And don't forget, I have two very helpful sisters.

I have hit my first roadblock! Seriously, I have been searching for some time now (as have S & T) and so far, no luck !

Challenge: HELP US FIND GREY BRIDESMAID DRESSES!!!!

GUIDELINES:
-ok for an outdoor, summer wedding
-Dark or light grey is fine
-Preferably long but won't be picky at this point
-Something funky, different,
ie. I recognize that grey can be a dull color so I need the dress to have a little personality

The only two dresses I have seen thus far that are remotely close to what I would like (plus one that is unidentifiable as long or short ) are the following:

This is my favorite by far of the three but I think it might be short

If you happen to come across a cute, grey dress you think would be fit for an outdoorsy wedding, please send the link or store name our way!

MUCH LOVE

SWEET 100

2013-02-15T21:32:00.002-05:00

This post is going to be short & sweet but too important not to acknowledge.

Anyone who has read more than two posts on Life Of Three knows that our family has been living through difficult times for the past few years due to Mama H's health.

We are all aware that there are no guarantees in life but we are beyond pleased to celebrate an extraordinary milestone today- Mama H underwent a procedure that required her to be (essentially) in isolation for 100 days. So while the rest of the world warmed their hearts yesterday over Valentine's day, Life of Three sisters & our whole H family (relatives & friends alike) hearts burst with joy today as we celebrate and honor one of the bravest, strongest, most incredible wife, mother, daughter, sister, woman we know.

Ma- you make me prouder, make me love you & inspire me more and more everyday!

HAPPY 100!!!

Much love

xoxoxoxo

Long Overdo

2013-02-12T12:25:00.002-05:00

Well... it's been a while. Between work, new houses, updating old houses, upcoming baby arrivals and life in general... we haven't have much time to post. As is often the case in life, when one part of your life is thriving, other parts are suffering. And, for now, I am focusing on family and friends and work. So, the blog has been neglected. I know for many of Mama H's friends, they like to read and see how she is doing and what she has been upto. Well, I am pleased to say that she is doing well and that we were able to visit with her and Dad a few weeks ago. We laughed a lot, drank wine (not mama H or T but the rest of us) and leaving was... difficult... as always. I always have to wipe away a tear as we drive off, even though I know it is not goodbye, but see you later. Here are a few pictures of some pictures of our trip.

As you can see, we were not only able to make a trip to the Jersey Shore, but we also made it into the big city with Mama H. Though she couldn't go to lunch or into stores, she and I walked for blocks and blocks and blocks. She loves New York, but since arriving in August, has only been able to look at the skyline from the apartment. She finally got to go in and it was wonderful. It was an absolutely lovely day; one I will remember forever.

We hope that my parents will be home for a few days to visit soon, which would make me so happy. Until then, T's bump is growing day by day and we are all anxiously awaiting Baby's arrival. Have a great rest of the week.

With Love,

Baby It's Cold Outside

2013-01-22T13:17:00.002-05:00

Good frosty afternoon everyone! Well, there's not much to say about the weather other than it's sitting at a chilly -19 (feels like -26) and is only going to get worse as the week goes on. What's better? The heat in our office is broken and T and I are sitting here at our computers in our parkas (I kid you not)... to say it is a bad day to have no heat is an understatement.

Despite the cold weather, I am slowly starting to think of spring and how wonderful it is going to be to get reacquainted with the sun. For now though, the only sun I get to feel is for a few seconds as I run from house to car to office to lunch and back again. This doesn't stop me from looking forward though... and spring means new clothes. New clothes in lighter fabrics, bright colors and fun patterns. My winter 'uniform' consists of black on black on black, which doesn't particularly help my dreary mood. So, with that, I have included some styles that I am looking forward to and some outfits I am excited to attempt.

First is this Wool Crepe V-Neck Dress in Guava from J-Crew. The color is perfect for spring because it has just enough pop without being too tropical. Also, the mid-length sleeve makes it perfect for spring weather.

Next are these Pixie Jodhpur Pants with Leather Trim, also from J-Crew. As I have mentioned numerous times, I love the color navy and these legging-style pants would be a great alternative to the black leggings I wear almost everyday. I also love how the leather ads a little kick without making you look like a biker chic.

For something a little edgier, I really like this Studio Top with Rhinestones paired with these Piped Studio Trousers, both from Zara's Spring 2013 collection. I have tried on these pants and, even though the model is stick thin, they do look good on someone who has a.. umm... larger behind. I promise.

Finally, there is this Jacquard Mini Skirt also from Zara paired with a simple grey sweater and a chunky necklace (both from their Spring 2013 Collection). I would trade the grey sweater for a black one and I would wear it with black tights and black pumps for drinks after work.

Before I go though, I must share a couple Baby Looks for Spring 2013. Since T is LESS THAN 2 MONTHS away from having her baby, I think it's only fair that I share some Baby Looks as well. They aren't finding out the sex... so here are some of the best of Girls and Boys.

I know I know... buying Burberry for a baby is a waste of money. But come on! How cute is this Burberry Infant Cotton Cardigan and Dress Set? Honestly... it is too adorable.

What could be cuter than a baby in Burberry you ask... how about a baby in this Armani Junior Circles Dress? Cute as a button.

Again with the Burberry... But these Infant's Cashmere-Blend Check Overalls look so cozy and warm, and can be worn by either a boy or a girl.

And what little boy's wardrobe is complete without this Dolce and Gabbana Infant Athletic Tracksuit? Though girls get to wear pink little frilly outfits... the boys clothes are pretty darn cute these days too.

Well that's enough for today. T will be going down to visit Mom and Dad H this weekend so we will be back with an update soon. I hope everyone is having a nice week, despite this terrible weather. Stay warm!

With Love,

The Goings On Around Here

2013-01-13T16:37:00.001-05:00

Good Sunday Afternoon Everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying this rainy (???) winter day. I know some people don't believe that global warming is going to be an issue in our lifetime... but when I wake up to rain and 6 degree weather on January 13th... makes you wonder. ANYWAY, something about the rainy weather makes me want to clean and bake, so I did just that today. I cleaned the house and tried a new bread-like focaccia recipe that is currently in the oven and looks delicious. The recipe is found here, and here is a picture of it before it went in the over.

Despite the rainy weather, I took E skating for his FIRST TIME EVER last night and we had the best time. Needless to say, we went to an indoor rink, but it was lovely nonetheless.

A little unsure

It's hard to believe that he has lived in Canada for 7 years and has never been skating. But, it was time. I guess the feeling of being on ice comes naturally to me because I was in skates as soon as I could walk... but it definitely didn't for him. My stomach still hurts from laughing so hard. We had the best time though, and celebrated by going to our favorite restaurant Dolcetto and Co. in old Montreal.

Mama H is doing well, Baby & T are healthy and growing and we are... happy. Here are some pictures of what we have been upto lately.

L turned 4... while Baby enjoyed the cake

I'm sitting here listening to the rain while the smell of focaccia fills the air. No better way to spend a Sunday. Well, I'm off... I have some 'Girls' to catch up on before tonight's premiere. Wishing you all a happy end to your weekend.

With Love,

January 1st Is The First Blank Page Of A 365 Page Book. Write A Good One.

2013-01-03T23:38:00.001-05:00

Good evening every one and Happy New Year!

First off, we hope that everyone had a great holiday season and an even better start to 2013. Our New Year's Ever was... perfect. Perfect because we got to spend it all together, and because we all managed to stay up until midnight. Even Mama H!

We may not have made it into the big city to watch the ball drop, or attended a wile house party, but we did throw quite the party in our little home in Hackensack. We played games, drank champagne, counted down from ten and watched the fireworks and the glow coming from the city. It was so magical, that I had tears in my eyes as we shouted 'Happy New Year' to fellow neighbors out on their balconies watching the sky light up with us.

And what are my new year's resolutions? I have none. That's right. I don't promise to lose weight, or go to the gym every day. I don't promise to shop less or stop swearing. For the first time, I will not make any resolutions... because resolutions never last.

I happen to love enjoying a nice dinner with my family, and a couple glasses of wine with E. I don't love the gym and, even though I go, I don't want to feel guilty about missing a day to hang out with my sisters. And you know what? Sometimes, no polite adjective or verb can explain how you feel and you just have to give in to your inner sailor (sorry Mama). So, instead, I will continue to do what I've attempted to do for the past little while. I will try and be a better daughter, a better sister, a better girlfriend, a better friend... a better person.

I will continue to try my best to balance spending time with my family, and being a successful business woman. Balance pizza and wine with yogurt and granola. Yoga and jogging. Ying and Yang. There will be setbacks, but there will also be productivity. Of course, I always strive to be more organized, more efficient, and healthier. But resolutions imply deadlines, and I don't want deadlines. Improving oneself is an ongoing process; there is no start and end date. This upcoming year will bring many challenges but, I also have a sister who is engaged and a sister expecting a baby. Soon, we will have a new brother in-law and a niece or nephew who we can spoil and shower with love. Life seems to be that way; you can't have joy without a little sadness. But, until then, I will enjoy my family and do my best to become a better me.

Today, we made a trip down to the Jersey Shore for a walk along the boardwalk.

Despite getting lost at first (my fault) we had a great day. We walked along the water, felt the sea breeze, and just enjoyed the day together.

It was an absolutely perfect day which ended with a nice dinner and a few games of cards. E and I head back home tomorrow and, despite the good time we have had, I leave with much sadness. It is never easy leaving my parents; my heart aches as I hug and kiss them goodbye and I usually spend the first 30 minutes of the drive debating turning back. The day that they come home could not come soon enough. Our family is not complete without them. However, I do not want to sound unappreciative for the time we have spent together... because, believe me, I cherish these times more than anything. But that doesn't make leaving any easier. So, until next time, think about what you would like to do with your 365 days because I know I will be :)

With Love,

These Streets Will Make You Feel Brand New... Big Lights Will Inspire You

2012-12-30T18:29:00.003-05:00

We've had another busy day here on our Christmas Vacation Extravaganza. Today, we split up the group and left Mama H at home for her to enjoy some "me time" and catch up with some friends. While T, K and their significant others headed to shop and watch football at my uncle's house... Dad, E and I set out to the big city. We walked... and walked... and walked... over 40 city blocks. Then we had lunch and walked some more. Despite the cold temperatures, we got to see everything we wanted to, and more. Here are some pictures from today, as well as some from the other night.

A picture of the tree at Rockefeller than E took, sisters at dinner and the snowfall.

E and Dad in Time Square

The new Freedom Tower, and brunch at Lillie's

Complete with Mimosas :)

The boys at the Empire State Building, and at the Statue of Liberty

Needless to say, we've been making the best of this trip and have been enjoying every minute of every day. As I sit here typing, the men are in the kitchen cooking dinner, there is Sunday night football playing in the background, the sound of chatter in the apartment and I am... content. I am happy to be with my family and trying to suck up every last drop before we have to head back on Wednesday. So for now, I will go... but I will be back with a new year post.

With Love,

Christmas in the City

2012-12-29T15:32:00.000-05:00

Good afternoon everyone and happy weekend. We have been quite busy while away, so we never did a Christmas post, but we hope everyone is enjoying their holidays and spending it surrounded by loved ones. We have been in the US visiting my parents and, even though it hasn't been particularly 'relaxing', we are having a great time and are so happy to be together. Unfortunately, Gram caught pneumonia before our departure and was unable to come. We are extremely sad that she wasn't able to be with us, but we will celebrate when she is better. Mama H is doing really well, and we have been able to spend more time with her than we thought we would be able to. So, here are some pictures to show what we've been upto in the past week.

7 month baby bump. It's growin', movin' & shakin'!

We have been spending time just being together. So, I am going to go and do just that. We will be back with another post soon. But, until then, enjoy the Holidays because they will be gone before you know it, and another year will be upon us. So eat, drink and be merry. Until next time!

With Love,