Amidst The Chaos

09/05/2022

With today's hot real estate marking, we are sharing FIVE tips to get your home ready for selling including how much of an impact paint can make on the resale of your home! Click through to read more If you are thinking of selling! Valspar Canada

Sharing five tips to help you sell your home in today's hot real estate market in order to secure you top dollar!

17/03/2022

In case you haven't heard the news, our family is moving! We recently sold our home and are headed out on a great adventure, so this post is somewhat bittersweet to share!

We are excited to share with you our FINAL home renovation In this house - our foyer! This Is really a continuation of a project we started a number of years back (and blogged about) all about how to update an older home.

We are thrilled to partnering with a few of our favourite again Valspar Canada for the paint, Z-Lite for our lights and Schlage Locks Canada for all the hardware! Come check out the incredible transformation In this space and our final home renovation In this house!

https://amidstthechaos.ca/2022/03/home-foyer-makeover/

I'm sharing the final home makeover project for this house which is our foyer! Come check out how we updated both upper and lower foyers!

13/12/2021

AD: While Santa and the elves have the day off, I thought I'd help get some gift wrapping done. I have my friend Alexa to help me get in the Christmas mood. At the sound of my voice: "Alexa, let's wrap some gifts," the tree lights up, Christmas music plays and the wintery scene is set! So what do you get for someone who has everything like St. Nick? I have the perfect gift - the new Echo buds! These will pair perfectly with his other Echo devices because now he has on-the-go assistance with Alexa. He can use his voice to call his elves, set reminders for his Christmas Eve route, and keep track of his naughty or nice list all from these earbuds! Click the link to shop all products to help you with all your holiday tasks around the home this year! https://lnk2.io/wH95zBJ

15/10/2021

AD: These four humans are my entire world. Especially over the last year and a half, I've realized (like many other people and their families), that my kids and my husband are my everything. They are the most important relationships in my life and I would do just about anything to make sure they are protected.

Over the last year, as our family needs have changed, so have our insurance needs. As life has evolved (and continues to evolve), we want Life Insurance that will evolve with us, which is why we love chatting with the Financial Advisors at Co-operators to know what the best options are for us. Insurance coverage that is flexible while allowing us a place to grow and protect our wealth is so important.

Because our lives are all different, with varying needs, it only makes sense to have personalized plans to fit your own. Talk to one of the Financial Advisors today to get your own personalized plan to keep you and your family protected! https://lnk2.io/wvkgS7g

15/09/2021

I had the incredible honour of being asked by Make-A-Wish Canada to help them design a 14 year old's bedroom, who is living with hodgkin's lymphoma. It took me all of two seconds to say "YES!" to the opportunity and today I'm sharing the whole process on the blog, from start to finish, including sources for just about everything!

https://amidstthechaos.ca/2021/09/make-a-wish-designer-glam-room-makeover/

We are sharing our newest room design that we did along with our friends at Make-A-Wish to help a girls dream room design come true!

26/08/2021

AD: As you all know, I have been on a health and wellness journey for some time now and I have recently decided it was time to start upping my fitness game. For me, convenience is king when it comes to making sure I stick to my workout goals. Using my Amazon Echo Show and activating workout Skills is truly the easiest way to ensure I do my daily workout. I recently discovered the Workout Beats Skill and absolutely love rocking out while doing some quick weights. It keeps me motivated and gets the heart rate pumping! You can explore so many other ways you can stay active with Alexa at https://lnk2.io/wM296hQ Amazon Alexa

18/08/2021

AD: As many of you know by now, I struggle daily with anxiety and what I've found is that anxiety waits for no one - it can pop up any time of day, sometimes even when you are doing the most mundane tasks, like responding to emails. As I've been learning how to live with and manage my anxiety, I've started putting some measures in place to help me throughout the day.

One of those is making sure I take some time during my workday to pause, reflect, stretch and meditate. I've recently discovered that my Echo Show 10 has a variety of Skills and features to help with mediation, daily affirmations and even yoga! Just say "Alexa, what is the yoga post of the day?" or “Alexa, start Daybreak Yoga” and Amazon Alexa will take you through each flow. Just sitting with the Zen Meditation Skill music while stretching for five minutes helps re-center myself, re-focus my mind, and de-stress my body in order that I can continue to have a productive day. I have also enjoyed saying “Alexa, start my Morning Affirmations” to get in to a great headspace when I know I have a long day ahead of me.

You can explore the Sports and Wellness with Alexa page to see other helpful Alexa Skills and ways Alexa can motivate you to stay active! https://lnk2.io/wP6m9dY

08/07/2021

Let's Play! I got 14 out of 18, how many did you get?!

- made bread, got a puppy, zoom hangouts, hoarded toilet paper (well, not hoarded - just stocked up), feta tomato pasta, Schitt's Creek, Among Us (kids), birthday parade, made masks, virtual work/school, Bridgerton, Tie Dyed (didn't make but purchased), Tiger King and drive-in Movie!

How many out of /18 did you get?

28/06/2021

Bohemian Glam Office REVEAL!

It’s here - reveal day! I didn’t think we’d make it but with some help from amazing friends and some really late nights, we got it done!

Come on over to check out all the details!

It's reveal week for our Bohemian Glam Office Renovation and we can't wait to take you inside and show you all the details!

31/05/2021

It's Week 4 of our Bohemian Glam office Renovation and boy do we have a treat for you!

We refinished the credenza and chairs that I got second hand using Valspar Canada's Chalky Paint and I cannot get over how in LOVE I am!

Head to the blog to read all about it and get the details! Lowe's Canada

Join Chris & Christine on their life adventures with three young kids in tow, while trying to find beauty amidst the chaos through food, decor, travel and so much more.

12/05/2021

I'm thrilled to be sharing this Spanish Oceanside inspired mood board with Flooring Canada!

I am often asked from this community how I go about designing a space, specifically with how I begin the design process. So I am thrilled to be giving you a step-by-step process of how I do it, complete with what first sparked the design to giving you sources of some of my favourite selections that are part of their Style Watch 2021!

Click below to see how I do it!

Today I'm sharing my Spanish Oceanside Inspired Mood Board based on Flooring Canada Style Watch 2021. Come see what we've come up with!

06/05/2021

Welcome to our NINTH One Room Challenge Makeover! It's hard to believe we've successfully completed eight other of these challenges and we are thrilled to share with you what we are working on this time! Click to read all about it!

Welcome to our NINTH One Room Challenge makeover! I actually can’t believe that we’ve completed EIGHT of these challenges over the last four years, but it’s true! It’s been so much fun watching these spaces transform, connect with so many wonderful people through the challenges – including...

29/04/2021

AD: Recently my Dad received a really hard medical diagnosis that caught our family off guard. This was a little bit of a wake up call for us and served as an important reminder that life is unpredictable.

That unpredictability led us to have the conversation about life insurance in order to make sure that our family is protected no matter what happens. Rather than being intimidated by the process, we discovered that term life insurance is simple and affordable through The Co-operators. You can get an easy online quote with just a few simple questions and bonus, your premiums are guaranteed to stay the same for the entire term.

Life can be uncertain so it’s important to prepare for the unknown. Click the link below to see how fast and convenient it is to get yourself set up with The Co-operators Term Life insurance today to make sure you protect those you love the most. https://lnk2.io/wsSBzpS

17/02/2021

Today, we are revealing the brand new kitchen dining area!

This was an area that didn't get a ton of love last Fall when we redid our kitchen as we ran out of time. But now we've finally refinished our table, got new chairs (AMAZING deal you won't even believe) and brought it all together with a gorgeous area rug from Mohawk Home! Click through to see it all!

Kitchen Dining space REVEAL! From our brand new chairs to this refinished table to our new area rug from Mohawk Home!

08/02/2021

28/01/2021

AD: Baking with my kids is hands down one of my favourite activities to do together. It reminds me of my childhood when I'd spend hours in the kitchen helping my mom with the baked goods.

And now we finally have our dream kitchen to make it all happen in. A space that not only works for our family to make food together, but a place to create lifelong memories too! This wouldn't have been financially possible for us unless we had planned years ago by opening up a TFSA account and investing in RRSP's.

If you are wanting to save for something big, start the conversation now with The Co-operators. One of their financial representatives can help you make sure that you are one step closer to your dreams with making your money work best for you! https://lnk2.io/wxPhWZT The Co-operators

25/01/2021

Hey ATC Community!
To kick of 2021, I decided to start a fitness motivation group here on Facebook after posting on my Instagram stories about it and have over 100 women who are joining!

Our first challenge is going to be 30 minutes for 30 days to get us all moving! It's free - no sign ups required, just a place to keep us all accountable, inspired and build a sense of community (you may even find a walking buddy who lives close to you).

If you want to join, just let me know and I can add you! Let's get moving together this year!

20/01/2021

AD: We finished our dream kitchen this past Fall and let me tell you, we are absolultely THIRLLED with how it all turned out! We had been designing this space for so long and it's been incredible to watch it all come to life before our eyes. But more than just planning the design, we have been planning financially for this renovation for years. The truth is that for any large scalle project in the home, you have to start saving long before the first designs are ever drawn up. That's why we decided to open up a TFSA account and invest in RRSP's years before this kitchen design was even a remote possibility. So if you are wanting to save for a big project in your home, I'd encourage you to chat with one of the financial representatives at The Co-operators. They can help you with your financial goals and help your money go to work for you! https://lnk2.io/wV48PfD The Co-operators

01/01/2021

✨Reflections on 2020 ✨

WHAT A YEAR!

So much loss, so much tragedy. So much down right weird-a$$ stuff happened:

- Carole Baskin/ Tiger King 🐅
- Toilet Paper madness 🧻
- Wearing masks & staying six feet apart 😷
- “Speaking Moistly” thank you Prime Minister Trudeau 🇨🇦
- Murder Hornets 🐝

There was death, there was unrest, there was division between politics, race, religion, etc. So much stress and anxiety. So many unknowns.

BUT - 2020 wasn’t all bad. In fact, I’d argue that amongst one of the hardest years this world has ever faced, beautiful things emerged:

- Unexpected family time 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
- The fight for social justice 👊🏼👊🏽👊🏾👊🏿
- Tye-Dye & sweatpants made a comeback 🩳
- The emergence of front line heroes 🦸🏼‍♀️🦸🏽

It was the year where everything quite literally slowed to a halt and where the noise of the regular hustle bustle quieted and we could think. Focus. Prioritize what mattered and what didn’t.

We zoom called, we caravanned birthday parties, we TikTok’d the silliest dance moves. We marched and rallied. We brought brilliant minds together to fight for our health.

In a year where our glaring differences were put on clear display, I think it’s also a year where many more of us rallied together - for change, for rights, for love, for a better future, for each other.

While I’m happy to say goodbye to 2020, I’m also really grateful for the time, lessons and Togetherness that it brought.

30/12/2020

Accurate 😂

01/12/2020

REMINDER: Backpack Initiative

Today is so we thought it would be appropriate to remind you guys of our backpack initiative! We are raising $1500 to buy 20 backpacks for at-risk teenagers in our local community filled with personal necessities and a few special Christmas goodies!

We are THRILLED to report that we are ALMOST THERE, thanks to this generous community! We are $300 short of our goal and asking if anyone still hasn't had a chance to give and you'd like to, now is the time, as we are buying all the backpacks this week!

You can send your donation via PayPal: https://paypal.me/amidstthechaosgifts
OR if you are in Canada and would like to e-transfer me, just message me for my personal email and I'll give it you!

Thank you SO much for your generosity and helping us make 20 kids Christmases that much better! xo

01/12/2020

It’s REVEAL day on the blog of our Modern French Kitchen Renovation!

I wasn’t sure if we’d make it, but we did and we are SO excited to share with you the finished project! The space has doubled in size and is completely unrecognizable!

Come over and have a look at all that we did!

Today is REVEAL DAY for our Modern French Kitchen renovation that we've been doing alongside the One Room Challenge!

28/11/2020

Update 7 is here from our kitchen renovation and today is all about our gorgeous HanStone Canada quartz countertops! Come see how beautiful they are, including the stunning and show-stopping waterfall island!

Welcome to Week 7 of the One Room Challenge for our Modern Kitchen Renovation where we share all about our countertops from HanStone!

25/11/2020

Giving Back with Christmas Backpacks 🎒🎄

It has long been a dream of mine to rally this incredible online community we have here to help give back and make a small difference - somewhere, some way. This year felt especially important with everything that has gone on and with many local charities struggling to meet their goals.

So that’s why today I am THRILLED to share with you this opportunity to join WITH me in helping me fill 20 Christmas backpacks for local, at-risk youth from the Amidst the Chaos community! These backpacks will be filled with personal hygiene products, items to get through the winter months and some Christmas items to make sure they can enjoy some nice things too! We have a goal of 20 backpacks - each backpack costs about $75 to make, so we need $1500 total to make this dream a reality and help make 20 teens Christmases that much brighter!

We will be coordinating this effort with our friends at The Refuge - a local centre where youth can find daily meals, housing, showers, laundry facilities and access to clothing and hygiene products. They’ve been helping at-risk youth for over 20 years and we are thrilled to come along side their backpack initiative to help!

Here’s how to donate: Paypal account: paypal.me/amidstthechaosgifts where you can give any amount you’d like. A separate Amidst the Chaos account has been created so that all funds directed to this initiative stay separate. You can choose to include a personal message to be included in the backpack or not.

If you are located in Canada and would prefer to send an e-transfer, please DM me for my email address and I will make sure the donation get sent directly into this find.

It’s been a tough year for so many of us, with many of those at-risk pre-C0v1d are at even greater risk now. So let’s pool whatever resources we can, even $5, to help make a difference in 20 kids lives this Christmas!

22/11/2020

AD: With less than weeks away from completion, we are excited to share another update on our kitchen renovation!

While this space has completely changed, there are still several final touches needed over the next few weeks. That is why we are making sure to use our Amazon Alexa custom routines to help us stay on track by reminding us what's on tap for the day with work and setting the mood to get the job done!

Check out how makes completing tasks so much easier!

Get your Alexa device: https://lnk2.io/w4XwSLk

22/11/2020

THIS IS 37 🎉

Another year around the sun and while it’s been a weird one for the world, I think it’s actually been one of my best years yet.

And here’s why...

The last few years have been a tough ride. I truly never thought I’d struggle as much as I have through my early to mid 30’s. Job loss, friendships crumbling, starting over time and time again has done a major number on my mental health.

What used to be a confident girl who never really cared what others thought had become someone who was so insecure in who she was and subsequently constantly looking for affirmation from others. When it inevitably wouldn’t come or meet my desperate needs, I would crumble. I would feel like a failure. I would feel like I was unlovable. I would ultimately feel unworthy.

Whenever I’d get into another funk, it was always my worth that would come into question.

Until this year.

Somewhere in the middle of a global pandemic, after a solid year on the right medication and hours of intensive therapy, I felt the shift.

I saw my confidence come back.

I started to feel more comfortable in my own skin.

I found my people who finally accepted me for me, full stop.

And I finally learned that I AM WORTHY.

Worthy of love.
Worthy of happiness.
Worthy of amazing friendships.
Worthy of ALL of it.

To celebrate this, I decided to get it permanently inked on my body because the truth is, as much as I’ve learned this, I know there will inevitably be times in the future where I doubt it again. When that happens, I’ll be able to look at my arm and remind myself that I am worthy!

So here’s to another year of growth and happiness! 🎉

17/11/2020

Our SIX week update on our Modern French Kitchen Renovation is now LIVE!

The One Room Challenge has been extended by two weeks and we are fully embracing that - so expect one more update after this and then the final reveal!

Today we are talking all about hardware with Schaub & Company and how hardware is a rooms best accessory! Click to read more!

Welcome to Week 6 of the One Room Challenge, Modern French Kitchen Edition! Today we are talking all things brass hardware that can elevate your space.

16/11/2020

Surprise! Christmas arrived a few weeks early in our home!

Meet Ruby Noelle - our eight week old labradoodle!

The kids had NO clue and are totally OBSESSED! That’s all they wanted for Christmas! 🐶🎄🐾

04/11/2020

Quick Check-in - how is everyone doing today??

29/10/2020

Week 4 of our Modern French Kitchen Renovation with the One Room Challenge is now LIVE!

This week it was all about PAINT with our friends from Valspar Canada. Guys, I think I found the PERFECT White paint and I'm spilling all the beans about it in this post! Click to read!

Welcome to Week 4 of our Modern French Kitchen Renovation with the One Room Challenge where we tackle paint with Valspar