Mia Gordon
Reporter, Host, Content Creator, Blogger

The truth about birth plans

I remember going into my first prenatal doctors appointment. I was 12 weeks and I asked my GP, ‘when should I start working on my birth plan’. You could tell she was holding back a smirk and responded, not anytime soon.

As my appointments went on the birth plan was always in the back of my mind. We started to get into weekly visits and she still hadn’t told me to start working on my plan and so I decided to be proactive and google how to create a birth plan.

I went through the steps and check marks and filled out the papers. I then sat my husband down and asked if I could discuss it with him so that he could manage it if I was in too much pain. As we went through the list I soon realized that every answer was the same, ‘I would prefer not to have a c-section but if the doctor says it’s the best option then we will do that’. ‘I don’t want an episiotomy but if the doctor says its the best option then I am ok with that.’ Every answer was if the doctor says that is best for baby and me then that is what we will do.

So at the end of the day we left the birth plan at home and just went to the hospital with an open mind. Having said that, I did find there were some positive takeaways from going through the steps of creating a birth plan that I want to share with you.

Ways having a birth plan helped prepare me for labour 

1. It made me do the research 

Before creating a birth plan I had no idea what an episiotomy was. As I went through the checklist I did some research so that I had as much information as possible and knew what could happen during labour. The birth plan gave me the gift of knowledge, which actually gave me confidence going into labour.

2. It taught me some new things

While doing research into a birth plan I learned the acronym B.R.A.I.N. This stands for Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing. While I knew if given a choice I wanted to do whatever the medical professional thought was best for baby and me – It was good to know that I had choices and gave me the information I needed to ask the right questions if I needed to.

3. Creating the plan helped me find ways to stay calm during labour 

While filling out my birth plan they asked questions like do I want music playing or any candles burning – this helped me think of things I could do in the labour room that could help keep me calm during delivery.

4. It helped me ask my doctor the right questions 

Filling out my birth plan online asked some questions I never even thought of or highlighted concerns that I had never heard of and so it gave me the right tools to be able to ask my doctor questions ahead of labour so thatI had all the answers and tools.

Like I have said in some of my other posts everyone’s pregnancy journey and birth are different and so having a birth plan ready to go might be right for you – for me the actual birth plan wasn’t necessary but it did help in other ways prepare me for birth.

But at the end of the day just remember you got this mommas

xo

Mia

 

5 Reasons you should get a wedding planner

It was just five weeks until our wedding when everything came crashing down quite literally. My wedding planner texted me the news that the Sea to Sky Gondola’s cable had been cut and now the wedding that had been planning for almost a full year wasn’t going to happen. I was gutted, devastated, and heartbroken. I threw myself a pity party and cried throughout the weekend but then realized I had an amazing fiance, friend group, family, and wedding planner and we would be able to pull together a fairytale in the five weeks we had.

While friends and family were amazing support and helped me from going crazy, it was our amazing wedding planner Caroline Hyatt that made all the difference because she actually knew vendors, helped set up meetings, and got really creative with ideas since this is her job after all. Even before this disaster struck, I felt our planner was the best money we spent during this wedding process and I wanted to share why it is important to consider a wedding planner for your big day.

 

1. They are there for you for disasters

I honestly don’t know what I would of done without Caroline during this whole situation. While I cried for three days straight, she managed to reschedule five weddings in three days. She helped all of us stay calm, asked what was the most important factors for a new venue and got to work. She wanted to make sure we didn’t sacrifice our dream wedding because of the situation. I told her a background of mountains was very important to me and within hours she had four venues in the mountains ready for me to visit.

2. Their job is to take the stress off of you

Even before the most stressful wedding planning moment, there were little situations here and there that were stressing me out. Everything from the hotel not making the right bookings to trying to accommodate all of our food allergies, she was on top of it and made sure that we didn’t have to handle these situations and could instead just focus on the happiest time of our lives.

3. She knows how to get deals or good prices

Trust me, when you book a wedding planner, it usually isn’t her first rodeo (unless you are her very first wedding). Also a lot of them specialize in a certain area (ours Squamish) so they have developed relationships. She would know where you could find the best deals on the exact decorations, rentals, desserts, you name it that you dreamed of having on your big day. I feel like at the end of the day we almost saved money (and definitely time) by taking out the research part.

4. They help keep your budget and your to do list in check

Wedding planning is stressful. Then try plan a wedding, work your full time job, and move into a house (ya that wasn’t the smartest thing we have ever done). Sometimes you can get lost in all the craziness and then all of a sudden you have forgot to pay your officiant or book the makeup artists you wanted, or you accidentally went way over budget on your flowers. Every month Caroline sends us our check ins to make sure that we are ahead of the game and don’t miss a beat.

5. They bring your vision to life

You have enough things to worry about like how to keep uncle Joe and cousin Joanna on opposite ends of the table or letting your friend know they cannot bring a plus one they have only been dating a week. Making sure that everything is delivered on time and set up in the right spot. She will make sure your day goes off without a hitch no matter what you have had to go through to get down the aisle.

Happy wedding planning my friends,

xo

Mia

5 tips to maximize your bedtime skin routine

When it comes to your skin routine, we all know there’s one part which is possibly more important than all the others put together. And that’s the bedtime skin routine.

At the end of a long day, it can be really tempting to just get those comfies on and sink into bed without taking your make-up off – but it’s absolutely vital that you get into a regular skin routine at night to avoid any nasty skin issues further down the line.

1. Know your Skin type

First thing’s first, you need to know your own skin – really know it.

Many of us are confused about what skin type we have, so if you’re unsure, get yourself down to your local beauty counter and get some help. From this, you’ll be able to select the best products which will be kind to your skin and work hardest to keep it looking its best.

2.  Use Cleanser

Cleanser, or cleansing wipes if you’d prefer, are an easy way to get rid of all the day’s impurities – make-up, pollution, and even sand if you’re lucky enough to live on the coast.

Use soft cotton make-up pads if you’d prefer to use a liquid cleanser, being careful not to apply too much (as your skin will struggle to absorb the moisture).

Be extra careful around the eye area, it’s super delicate!

2.  Exfoliate

Many people are scared to even touch their face with an exfoliant, but it’s not the enemy (in fact, it’s far from it).

Exfoliating our facial skin (gently!), is an easy way to keep it clean, buffing away any dead cells or dirt which could cause issues if left in the pores.

Use a sensitive one if you’re new to the world of exfoliating, and be gentle, moving upwards in small circular movements. The result – fresh, clean skin!

4. Explore New Products

So many of us are guilty for sticking to the same products, even if they’re no longer suitable for our skin. Like our bodies, our skin changes as we age, so using the same product at 29 as you did at 22 may not be the best approach.

Once you’ve established your skin type, explore new product ranges to ensure you’re getting the most out of your skincare. More and more consumers are now taking the cruelty-free approach, and you should do the same. In fact, a recent study found more than 35% of women only bought from brands who didn’t test on animals – it’s the best way.

 

5. Know Your Water

Before using any products, wash your face with warm water. The temperature helps to open up your pores, making it easier to remove any dirt or grime.

After completing your routine, splash your face with cold water and pat dry with a clean, soft towel. The cold water (not too cold!) will close the pores up again, preventing your skin from absorbing any additional nasties in the night.

 

This is a contributed post written by Dale White

My staycation at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle

I love to travel and I am so fortunate that I get to travel quite a bit for both personal and work reasons, however this month has been a busy one to say the least. With short trip to Toronto and Merritt I was pretty wiped. When the long weekend rolled around I felt like I wanted a vacation but at the same time I felt like being close to home, so a staycation offered the perfect solution.

I decided to book a night stay at the Downtown Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Hotel. Located right in Coal Harbour the hotel is just a short 15 minutes away from my house but with the ocean front views, downtown shopping, and nearby attractions it seemed like I was miles away.

The hotel

When I checked into the hotel the first thing I noticed was the beautiful lobby and the jar filled with cookies at the check in desk (a treat while you wait, I love it). I was also so impressed with the friendly staff who wanted to make sure we had everything we needed.

The room 

We made our way to our room on the 31st floor. I cannot believe the incredible ocean front views that we got to look out onto right from the comfort of my bed. You could see all of downtown Vancouver, the Lions Gate Bridge, the boats in the harbour, and the stunning North Shore Mountains. I have never seen such a beautiful view from a hotel window before.

Speak of the bed, I was so impressed with how comfortable it was. You truly just drowned in the pillows.

 

Dinner at Showcase

While it was hard to leave the beautiful hotel room, we did have reservations at Showcase restaurant. The hotel lobby restaurant has just launched a brand new menu right in time for summer and Chef Jesse Hauchhuasen was giving us a little taste.

We had  a little booth in the back and started off with some delicious refreshing cocktails. The first thing that I noticed was the wide variety of cocktails, wines, beers, and even food. While I thought a restaurant like the Marriott would be pricey, I was impressed with the reasonably priced menu for such a creative selection.

Chef Hauchhuasen came out to explain some of the dishes we were going to eat. What I loved is that he told us a lot of his inspiration comes from his Japanese background and his wife’s Korean heritage. He added that he has traveled to these places a ton to get inspiration for the dishes.

Appetizers

First up were two appetizers, the Albacore Tuna Tataki and the Seared Scallops and Pork Belly. I loved that the food was made with sustainable seafood approved by Ocean Wise. The Tuna Tataki was seasoned with delicious ginger soy vinaigrette and the savoury taste was matched with sweet mango. The Scallops and Pork Belly were seasoned with the most delicious carrot puree. I literally was scooping up the leftover sauce with my fork.

Main course 

Next up, the main course. We were treated to Miso Grilled Sockeye Salmon and Seared Ling Cod. The cod  was possibly the best dish I have ever tasted. The broth was perfectly seasoned with crispy onions and chili oil, while the baby bok choy was the perfect side to compliment the asian inspirations. As for the salmon I loved the sweet soy sauce and the rice crackers added a perfect crunch to the dish.

Dessert

Lastly, dessert. We were treated to the Chocolate Pecan Tart. I couldn’t think of anything better, chocolate and pecan tarts are my favourite sweets and so combining them together was genius. I also loved the added ice cream infused popcorn. It was such a unique and tasty treat.

Overall experience 

After a delicious and filling dinner and a few cocktails, it was back up to the room for bed time. I couldn’t believe the amazing views at night time as well. The whole city lit up as far as the eye could see. It was a beautiful sight and the perfect way to end the day.

The next morning I woke up feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Just what the doctor ordered. I wasn’t ready to leave the comforts of the room but was thankful for a relaxing and wonderful stay.

If you would like to find out more about what the Marriott Pinnacle has to offer make sure to visit their website.

xo,

Mia