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Author Archives: Colleen ODea

How to tweet…

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Colleen ODea

The last few days, as I’ve told my friends about the #ECMChat, they’ve been incredibly supportive…as always…but the same thing has been mentioned SEVERAL times… “Teach me how to tweet and I’ll totally come to the party!” I guess, for Continue reading How to tweet…→

Posted in Blogging, Technology

Sunday Wrap-up #2…

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Another week has come and gone which means we’re that much closer to the holidays and all of the joy it brings…for me, it’s one week closer to when The Tall Blonde will be home from France for her Winter Continue reading Sunday Wrap-up #2…→

Posted in Being a Mom, Blogging, One Plays Hockey, One Rides a Horse

TOMS for Target…PLUS a Giveaway!

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I’m not sure how old The Tall Blonde was when she purchased her first pair of TOMS, but I know for sure we’ve seen many a pair kicking around this house! In fact, it was in 2012 when I first Continue reading TOMS for Target…PLUS a Giveaway!→

Posted in Giveaways, Reviews | Tagged TOMS for Target

#ECMChat

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Have I told you about my bloggy friend Heather @ Mmm…Is For Mommy? Heather and I met for the first time maybe a year, year and a half ago while attending a blogger event at a bar downtown. I liked Continue reading #ECMChat→

Posted in Social Media

Sunday Wrap-up #1…

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I thought I’d start a weekly wrap-up to fill you in on how my week goes. And…as I’m making changes to my site, I may as well start with today. I had a chat with Julie Nowell at Three Chickens Continue reading Sunday Wrap-up #1…→

Posted in Blogging, Shhhh... I'm not really the Queen

Best of Halifax…

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Colleen ODea

When I was young, I was REALLY good at hula-hooping. I’d start at my neck, turning the hoop with one hand while flicking my head back and forth like a chicken. Eventually, I’d strategically put one arm in the hole Continue reading Best of Halifax…→

Posted in Blogging, I <3 Local

#IBelieveHer…

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Last week, an early morning conversation with my fourteen year old daughter…threw me for a loop. It was one of those parenting moments where I’m left a little bit stunned…a little bit shaken. A whole lot sad. “I know you’re Continue reading #IBelieveHer…→

Posted in Being a Mom, Raising Teens, Tough Stuff

Dine by Design East…

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I saw my very first TOAST WALL…laid out on panels, created using a blow torch…designed to depict the infamous tongue-face of Ms. Miley Cyrus! Bravo. A TOAST WALL! Sponsored by East Coast Living, Dine by Design East opened its doors Continue reading Dine by Design East…→

Posted in Creative geniuses..., Graphic Design, I <3 Local, Reviews

My creepy kids…

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I was 16 when Nightmare on Elm Street came to the theatres. Despite not really wanting to go, I caved to peer pressure and headed to Oxford Theatre with a couple of girlfriends. I watched the horror flick through fingers Continue reading My creepy kids…→

Posted in Being a Mom, Netflix, Reviews

We Scare Hunger…

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Colleen ODea

What happens when you take 63 students and challenge them to scare away hunger? You get a whole lot of happy kids making a difference as they filled not one but THREE trucks in support of the Free The Children Continue reading We Scare Hunger…→

Posted in Blogging | Tagged Free the Children, We Day

Taking care of the little hurts with Nexcare…plus a GIVEAWAY!

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Colleen ODea
Nexcare

Many years back, when the kids were little, I scrap-booked like there was no tomorrow. Obsessively filling their books with stories and photos…all arranged on pretty papers. I remember getting these FANTASTIC bandage stickers that came with tiny little ambulances Continue reading Taking care of the little hurts with Nexcare…plus a GIVEAWAY!→

Posted in Giveaways, Reviews

“We have nothing to eat!”

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Colleen ODea

It’s possible I’ve heard “we have nothing to eat” one too many times. I wander those aisles in the grocery store. I try my best to pick out a mixture of healthy foods and snacks the kids can grab quickly…things Continue reading “We have nothing to eat!”→

Posted in Being a Mom, Raising Teens

Strong…and free…

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Note: In October of 2014, there was an attack on our Nation’s capital.  A few days later, there were reports of a gunman in Halifax and schools and businesses in the city’s core were put on lockdown. The following is Continue reading Strong…and free…→

Posted in Being a Mom, Raising Teens

I know what you did last night…I think…

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Colleen ODea

SnapChat is working for me. You know…since you’re not allowed to install chips inside your kid’s head and all. Plans change. It’s part of being a mom of a teen. You sort out where they’re going, how they’re getting there, Continue reading I know what you did last night…I think…→

Posted in Being a Mom, Raising Teens, Technology | Tagged raising teens, snapchat, technology

We365…

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Colleen ODea

If you recall, last year I had the amazing opportunity to head to WeDay with my youngest, Bones.  We were overwhelmed by the energy in the room as thousands of students chanted and cheered for change. WeDay is all about Continue reading We365…→

Posted in Blogging, Raising Teens, Reviews, Technology

Custom Converse Sneakers!

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Colleen ODea

For someone else, it might be a pair of star-studded Jimmy Choos, the red soled Christian Louboutain’s, or Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolo Blahnik’s…but the second I put on a pair of black high top converse… I knew I’d found my style! Continue reading Custom Converse Sneakers!→

Posted in Creative geniuses..., Giveaways, Reviews

Thanksgiving around the kitchen table…

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Today, I am Thankful for china dishes. As a little girl, we would visit my Nanny and Poppy every Sunday. We’d sit around their kitchen table as Aunts, Uncles, cousins and family friends came and went…grabbing a plate of food Continue reading Thanksgiving around the kitchen table…→

Posted in Family, From My Kitchen

I married Derreck Kayongo!

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Photo Credit: Anna Epp Photography The marriage took place in a group ceremony where everyone laughed and cried and celebrated! Our final vows were taken during a Swahili song…with 300+ women swaying back and forth in sing song…while the man Continue reading I married Derreck Kayongo!→

Posted in Blogging, Living the Dream | Tagged Blissdom, Derreck Kayongo, Global Soap Project

Been there, blogged that…got the t-shirt…

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Maybe it was my ego…my search for success…a desire to introduce my blog to a bigger audience. Whatever it was, I needed to stand out at the annual Blissdom Conference! I didn’t wear 8 different t-shirts with ridiculous sayings because Continue reading Been there, blogged that…got the t-shirt…→

Posted in Blogging, Social Media | Tagged Blissdom, Printed Ts, Screen Printing

Keeping up with High School… Netflix #StreamTeam

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Remember high school? The drama of deciding what to wear every day? Having to walk through the doors with a brand new haircut…knowing you’ll be judged? The recent breakup that just won’t go away? Remember all of the foolishness with Continue reading Keeping up with High School… Netflix #StreamTeam→

Posted in Netflix, Raising Teens, Reviews

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Sometimes, you have to take a few hits to figure out who you really are! Curtains are Open is about moving forward, accepting change and finding happiness in the craziest of places. I write about life as a single Mom of three fantastic kids...how I returned to school in my forties, started a new company and began putting my life back together again...better than I ever imagined. I'm thrilled so many of you have been along for the journey and find inspiration in my story. The curtains are open. Read more...

I WROTE A BOOK!














Shocked over landing on the Sea and Be Scene "Cool People Profiles!" Took me forty five years until someone thought I was cool! AND, I'm in there with some REALLY COOL people!


Totally freakin' HONOURED to be one of She Knows Canada's Favorite Mom Bloggers.


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