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My next lunch date needs no introduction. Please welcome Jena Coray of Modish and the recently announced Miss Modish PR. As I begin to think about my business goals for 2011 and learn from the mistakes I made in 2010, I’m certainly eager to watch Jena’s new venture unfold. Oh and in case you didn’t know, you must check out Jena’s Modish Biz Tips because they are golden.

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How’s life? What are you up to these days?
Amazing. And crazy. I just got married in October. And then my husband of a month got hit by a car on his bike and broke his kneecap. And then (why, just yesterday) I announced that I’m starting a new marketing and pr business. And I’m eating fudge striped cookies right now, so- that’s awesome.

If you could spend one week with unlimited finances, what would you do?
I would spend the entire week in Iceland with my hubby while ordering everything I’ve ever wanted off the internet to be delivered to our house, just in time for our return. And I’d pay off our debt (including mortgage!) and give both our sets of parents whatever they needed to be able to retire right now.

Name 3 things on your “bucket list”.
I’ve never actually thought about it before, so let’s see what I come up with here. Um- get a tattoo, of the cat related sort, most likely. Get really good at yoga again, like full bow pose and handstand kind of good. Go to a wolf-howl in Yellowstone, or somewhere amazing like that, and howl at the moon with them.

What did you want to be growing up as a kid? Are you doing it now?
I wanted to be a vet, a micro-biologist, a teacher, a secretary, a model, a piano composer, an author, a jewelry artist, a poet, a wolf-whisperer, a cinematographer. I suppose, in a way, I’m doing some of those now!

What is your favorite season and why?
Fall, for the piles of leaves and the chill in the air, for the pink sunrises late in the morning and mud puddles in the backyard.

Who was your teenage crush?
Ooh, Jim Morrison.

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment?
It was probably when I was in middle school I think? I told my mom I was sick and didn’t feel good, my stomach hurt, I didn’t want to go to school. She said, “pull it together, you’re not really sick”, gave me 2 pepto-bismol pills and sent me on my not-so-merry way to the bus-stop. I really was sick, tho. Oh yes. And sitting in the back of that bumpy old bus made me feel even worse…. and halfway to school, I puked! All over myself! And it was BRIGHT PINK because I just had pepto-bismol! And all the kids on the bus screamed and ewwed! and moved away from me. Horrific.

What makes you smile?
Husband. kitties. thrift store shopping. our house. cheese. the smell of sage incense. bobohead (our dog).

And what makes you frown?
Broken kneecaps.

Share one of your most favorite memories
Probably the most recent one is when I discovered I had FORGOTTEN MY WEDDING DRESS on my TRIP TO GET MARRIED! That was pretty amazing, because even before the shock of our stupidity could wear off, our friends swooped in and helped, fed-exed the dress to our hotel and saved the day. Forever memorable.

Your most cherished possession is…
Hmm, I really don’t know. I know I could live without all of this stuff as long as I had my mister, and animals, with me.

Night owl or morning person? What time of the day is your favorite?
My favorite time of day is probably nighttime just after dinner, sitting on the couch next to the hubs, kitty on my lap, watching the tube or a movie and eating jellybeans.

Describe what is typically the first hour of your day.
From the moment I’m out of bed I’m on the computer, writing my posts for the day and dreading going thru emails for a few hours or so.

And last but not least, what’s your go-to lunch? Either at home or out?
If I eat lunch, (which I don’t too often, because I’m bad like that and let myself get stuck on the computer) it’s usually pasta with lotsa butter, a little lemon juice, ground pepper and tons of fresh grated Parmesan (the good stuff with the little salt crystals in it ;)

MODISH ELSEWHERE
Blog | Miss Modish PR | Twitter

Photo Credits: Jena Coray

Though I skipped my Lunch Date last week due to my workload, my next guest was worth the wait. I’m delighted to have Will of Bright.Bazaar over. Another wonderful Twitter buddy that I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know. A fellow Brit, Will has the charm and humor I miss about my home country and I can’t wait for us to meet in person next year. Oh, and Will is going places and can be found not only writing for his blog, Bright.Bazaar, but he is also contributor to Rue and Sweet Paul magazine.

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How’s life? What are you up to these days?
Life is good thank you very much! I’m busy with my freelance writing and styling. I’m currently spending my days chasing down products for an upcoming shoot in Rue Magazine. It’s lots of fun and each day brings new challenges and adventures!

If you could spend one week with unlimited finances, what would you do?
I’d take my partner, Toby, wherever he wanted to go, and do whatever he wanted to do, for the whole week. He’s been so supportive over the years that I would love to be able to spoil him rotten without the bank manager chasing me down the road with a stick!

Name 3 things on your “bucket list”.
First off, I love to learn how to sew properly because I’d like to make cushion covers and chair slips to make some unique little accessories for our apartment. Next, I’d like to hike through the Yosemite National Park – perfect opportunities for spotting inspirational wildlife in their natural habitats (just as long as the bears don’t get too close!) and, of course, the stunning views. Thirdly, I’d like to take a floristy class!

What did you want to be growing up at a kid? Are you doing it now?
For as far back as I can remember having career aspirations as a child, I always dreamt of working behind the scenes in a theatre or in a TV studio. So, on Saturdays and during half term holidays whilst I was at school I used to volunteer at the local theatre, helping take the sets on and off the stage. It was such a buzz and my first ‘toe dip’ into a creative world. Then, fast forward a good few years and I find myself working at BBC Television Centre in London. It was such a fantastic experience to be able to actually do what I had always dreamed of doing! I spent a whole summer working there before I returned to university to finish my Journalism degree.

What is your favorite season and why?
Winter for sure! I love crisp, bitingly cold days, where the sky is bright blue and the air fresh. Plus, snow is still a novelty to us Brits, so by all means throw some of the fluffy stuff into the mix!

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment?
Getting my shoe lace caught in an escalator when I was about ten years old. My foot was being dragged into the floor at the top of the escalator. Cue: plenty of tears and lots of people looking on. Not my finest hour!

What makes you smile?
Kindness. Oh, and Will & Grace!

And what makes you frown?
Helplessness.

Share one of your most favorite memories
Rushing downstairs to see my Gran when she used to come and stay with us when I was a kid. I’d wake up really early every morning so that I could go down and get into her bed. We would chat as the sun came up and I would then make us coffee, whilst her dog, Bruno, slept at the foot of the bed. We’ve always been close, but those times were perfect.

Your most cherished possession is…
A photo album of a trip to Kenya I went on when I was sixteen. On my return to the UK, my Gran and I spent a whole day at her dining room table laying out the photos in the album and writing captions to go with each one.

Night owl or morning person? What time of the day is your favorite?
Morning, for sure. I never used to be an ‘early bird’ but these days I find I work much better first thing. Plus, there’s a lovely calming quality to being awake as the sunrises, with the promise of a new day ahead.

Describe what is typically the first hour of your day.
Mumble something incoherent to my partner. Make porridge. Drink coffee. Continue mumbling something I don’t even understand myself. Drink more coffee. Become semi-human.

And last but not least, what’s your go-to lunch? Either at home or out?
A fresh Greek-style salad. Tomatoes, lettuce, olives, cucumber and a sprinkling of feta. Served with a tear of crusty bread.

BRIGHT.BAZAAR ELSEWHERE
Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Photo Credits: 01, 02, 03, 04

Time for another Lunch Date and this week I have my sweet friend Leslie of Smidgebox over. Leslie is one of the loveliest ladies I’ve met online. We are hoping to meet up sometime soon to share a pint or two (with many laughs I’m sure) in her lovely home of British Columbia. Fingers crossed we make it happen because I know it’ll be like meeting an old friend.

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How’s life? What are you up to these days?

Life is crazy! But I must say, I’m loving it. My son started kindergarten this year, and we are still getting settled into our new routine. I’m enjoying having alone time with my daughter each morning, it’s our first time getting to hang out, just the two of us. I’m also coaching my son’s soccer team. Work-wise I’ve been super busy. My shop has been hopping, which I’m incredibly thankful for!

If you could spend one week with unlimited finances, what would you do?

I’d take my family and best friends on a luxury African safari, no expense spared, totally all-out. It would be bliss.

Name 3 things on your “bucket list”.

Well, I revealed one of them in that last question, though if I’m financing it myself I’m thinking it probably wouldn’t be the luxe safari. ;) What else? Sailing in the Greek islands. skydiving or hang gliding. take a woodworking/joinery class.

What did you want to be growing up as a kid? Are you doing it now?

Nope! When I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a pediatrician. In high-school, a teacher. Thankfully, I am neither, not cut out for those!

What is your favorite season and why?

Fall. I love it. I love the routine, I love back to school, the colours, and it is by far my fave season for fashion. I could maybe do without some of the rain we get here, but I am a sucker for a crisp, sunny fall day.

Who was your teenage crush?

Heehe. I loved Leonardo Dicaprio when he was in growing pains in the early 90s. I also loved Luke Perry in 90210 (the very very early years!).

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment?

Oh gosh. I don’t know what my most embarrassing moment was, but I know I was very easily embarrassed when I was young, about 13/14. If the boy I had a crush on so much as walked past me, I would blush so bright red! thank goodness for being past that horribly awkward teenage phase.

What makes you smile?

Seeing my kids play nicely together, or spontaneously tell one another ‘I love you’. It melts my heart. When they have little conversations, it just kills me! It’s so stinking cute.

And what makes you frown?

Ha! The exact opposite of that last question! While my little ones do have loads of fun together, they sometimes bicker and fight like most other siblings. It’s no fun, really.

Share one of your most favorite memories

When my husband and I had only been dating for a year-and-a-half, Derek spent 6 months working in Iceland with a couple friends from college. Towards the end of this stay, I got to go visit him for 10 days (his company flew me over there! so awesome). It was amazing. I absolutely loved it there, and would go back again in a second. We got to spend an incredible ten days together, doing day trips and just enjoying each others’ company after so many months apart. For sure my fave vacation ever.

Your most cherished possession is…

My family.

But if you’re looking for material things, then I’d say the few items I’ve got that were my grandparents. Nana’s vanity dresser, an architectural drawing set that was my poppa C’s, one of Gaya’s silver bangles. I always think of them when I see these things.

Night owl or morning person? What time of the day is your favorite?

If I can catch some time in the morning when the rest of the family is sleeping, I love that the most. The silence, the stillness. It just never seems to happen! I have become a bit of a night owl, and tend to work till late, these days.

Describe what is typically the first hour of your day.

Well, since I rarely ever get that quiet moment at the beginning of my day, the first hour is spent getting up with the kids, making breakfast, fixing snack for 5-year-old’s school day, getting the kids dressed, and getting out the door in time for school! That hour goes by in a flash.

And last but not least, what’s your go-to lunch? Either at home or out?

At home, I usually join my son in a sandwich of his choice. Sometimes turkey, sometimes grilled cheese, sometimes PB+J! If I’m out, it would usually be a big salad with lots of veggies and often fruit, feta or goat cheese, yummy vinaigrette.

SMIDGEBOX ELSEWHERE
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Photo Credits: 01, 02, 03, 04

I am so delighted to have my good friend, Michelle of Holley & Gill visiting today. When I first shared Michelle’s work on my blog early in the year, I had no clue it was the start of a friendship that would extend beyond the online realm. We talk almost daily, cross provinces to visit each other and more (including planning a “girl” trip to NYC!). To put it in a nutshell, she rocks and you should get to know her better too.

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How’s life? What are you up to these days?
Life has been crazy but good thanks. Working hard and am still learning to take one day at a time and appreciate all the good that is in my life.

If you could spend one week with unlimited finances, what would you do?
I’d probably fly my entire family to Europe where we could all meet and enjoy each other’s company in a small villa with breathtaking views.

Name 3 things on your “bucket list”.
The only thing I try to tell myself is that as long as I keep growing and learning every day, I won’t see anything as a regret.

What did you want to be growing up at a kid? Are you doing it now?
Because of the creative history in my family, I always knew I would thrive in the artistic and design world and still am to this day.

What is your favorite season and why?
I would have to say Spring with Fall being a very close contender. Spring just brings to mind a fresh and renewed sense which always seems to affect me in a positive way.

Who was your teenage crush?
Marlon Brando in Guys & Dolls.

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment?
My very first day of art school I accidentally dropped a brand new bottle of rubber cement with it landing all over the floor in the most thick, sticky mess imaginable. Not the best way you would want your thirty new classmates to remember you by.

What makes you smile?
For me, it has always been about the little things: an inside joke shared between my husband and I or a sweet memory of one of my kids saying something innocently funny.

And what makes you frown?
Jealousy. Whatever I do I work hard at for myself but primarily for my family. When others don’t understand how primal my drive is to succeed for them and demean what I do, it only just makes me work that much harder.

Share one of your most favorite memories
When I lived in London, my husband and I lived in such a tiny flat that every night we would meet after work. We would each buy a Marks & Spencer’s sandwich and a warm Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks and just walk the brisk winter nights away, hand in hand, exploring the city.

Your most cherished possession is…
My family.

Night owl or morning person? What time of the day is your favorite?
Mornings, especially on the weekends. The promise of a new day with a warm coffee in my hands brings me nothing but excitement and happiness.

Describe what is typically the first hour of your day.
If I in fact have time for that coffee, I do so while squeezing in several other tasks which involves getting myself, my son and my daughter fed, dressed and out the door in a timely fashion. Chaotic would be an appropriate description for that very first hour.

And last but not least, what’s your go-to lunch? Either at home or out?
Fresh salads with in-season vegetables in the summer, and warm, chunky soups and homemade stews in the winter.

HOLLEY & GILL ELSEWHERE
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Photo Credits: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05

Yah, another new series I’m introducing to the blog. One thing I miss about working outside of the home is impromptu lunch dates with co-workers and friends. So, I’m bringing those lunch dates right here to my blog. I don’t know about you but I’m all about random conversations and so you’ll find this new interview series quite light-hearted with a few lunch recipes here and there too!

My first guest is Jane Flanagan from Ill Seen, Ill Said. Her blog is a treasure of gorgeous imagery, interior design, fashion and thought provoking words. Thanks for stopping by Jane!

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How’s life? What are you up to these days?
Working pretty hard! And looking forward to Fall… it’s been a hectic and hot summer!

If you could spend one week with unlimited finances, what would you do?
Try and take some time off work, probably go home to Ireland and stay somewhere lovely, drink pints, see friends and write. And somehow simultaneously, finish decorating my bedroom.

Name 3 things on your “bucket list”.
I don’t have one. I constantly set and reevaluate my goals. But I don’t really think in terms of landmarks to see or planes to jump out of.

What did you want to be growing up at a kid? Are you doing it now?
I wanted to be a writer. And I’m doing that insofar as I’m a journalist and blogger, but I would like to work on more fiction.

Who was your teenage crush?
I had many, all equally silly and I learned absolutely nothing from them. I still have no sense when it comes to crushes…

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment?
Too embarrassing to regale to strangers.

What makes you smile?
Mischievious humour, genuine affection, a-ha moments, Irish wolfhounds, donkeys and sweet peas.

And what makes you frown?
Thoughtlessness, stupidity, bigotry, dogma and their ilk.

What is your favorite season and why?
In Ontario, autumn for sure. It’s golden, the light is beautiful, produce is at it’s best, the temperature is perfect. Plus, I love Fall wardrobes.

Share one of your most favorite memories
I keep those private… they’re usually pretty intimate memories.

Your most cherished possession is…
I have a special attachment to the teddy bear Dad brought to the hospital after I’d been born. His name is Ted.

Night owl or morning person? What time of the day is your favorite?
I’ve been both. I prefer to be a morning person, but it’s so hard. These nights I don’t wrap work until 2/3am, so invariably end up groggy and with a work-hangover in the morning.

Describe what is typically the first hour of your day.
The norm: Shower, dress, breakfast, check e-mails and out the door to work. I don’t really come around until I get a coffee in me.

And last but not least, what’s your go-to lunch? Either at home or out?
On weekdays, lunch is quick and dirty at my desk – usually coffee and fruit. On days off, I have a local I really love, but I also like spending time at home when I’m not working too, so equal parts home and out. There’s no staple really, but my local serves the most wicked homestyle mac n’ cheese perfect for chilly days.

JANE FLANAGAN ELSEWHERE:
Blog | Portfolio | Twitter

Photo Credits: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05